The San Francisco call., 1896-04-06
st. Mary's Cathedral.


ST. Mary's Cathedral was crowded
throughout the aisles, main floor and gall
leries at the solemn celebration OF Easter
al 10 80 A. N. In the sanctuary great ef-
forts had been made to produce an impos-
ing scene and one altogether appropriate
TO the festival. There were Easter lilies
and callas everywhere, from the altar-rail
back to the pillars and altar, standing in
beautiful masses of green and white, and
punched like great clusters of plants
taught TO climb upward around the col
umns and by the walls. Scattered in the
background tall palms heightened the
effect and helped TO carry the wonderful
profusion OF lilies in unbroken lines up to
the tabernacle. 1t was dark day and in
side the cathedral a dim light prevailed.
But this only served to intensity the glow
from the grand candelabra among the
lilies and palms, with a result that proved
more than usually effective.
Solemn high mass was celebrated bv
Archbishop Riordan, who was assisted by
Father Hannigan as deacon, Father Ramm
sub-deacon,::V Very Rev. J. ]. Prendergast
assistant priest, Fathers Byrnes and Con-
way deacons of honor, and Father Multi
gan master of ceremonies. The choir had
been largely augmented ana rendered the
following selections: "Kyrie," Gloria
'Credo' by Beethoven, in C; "sanctus,"
"Benedictus" and "Agnus Dei," from
Mozart's Twelfth Mass; 80 Filiae,
o Filii," adapted from the Grego-
rian. AT the offertory LambilIotes
"Hac Dies was sung The choir
was as follows, under the direction of Pro.
fessor r. J. Harrison, organist: Sopranos
Mrs. Noonan, Mrs. Kelliher and the Misses
Pauba, Byrne, Higgins and Moulin; alto,
Miss Julia Sullivan, soloist; tenors, Messrs.
kelliher and Cantati; bassos, Professor s.
J. Sandy and W. Stranz.
Monsignor Nugent delivered a strong
and eloquent sermon, in which he urged
his hearers to live as witnesses of Christ.
He said their life and actions and words
should stand out in bold relief, giving a
distinctiveness to their character and
showing there is power and influence
superior to mere human motives. Catho-
lie men of education must mix and stand
forth with their fellow-men, and by their
knowledge be a witness of the faith in
them. In conclusion he urged the young
men to be loyal to God, humble, to lead
holy lives and be sober.
Rev. Samuel Bernard Hedges also
preached most eloquent and touching
Easter sermon at st. Mary's Cathedral yes
terday morning. The feeling af the
Resurrection pervaded it, and the thou
sands who listened were thrilled at the
powerful narrative of Chrisl's sad life on
earth and his ultimate triumph over death
and the grave.
The text was taken from the 11sth
psalm-''This is the day which the Lord
hath made; let us rejoice IN it and be
glad"
Easter Sunday The great festival OF exult.
ant JOY in the Christian year because above all
other days the Lords day, the day which he
hath made.
We know Christmas day as day of joy and
gladness, and so it is, and yet that day was the
entrance of Christ upon life of sorrow to end
in the transoendent sorrow of Calvary. The
festival OF the TRANSPORTATION which gives
manifestation of his divinity, foretelling the
eternal TRANSPORTATION il majesty and power
we know as JOY day also in the Christian
calendar. But 1t was mere passing manifes.
tation-the giving of hope unrealized
We may come even TO call Good Friday joy
day, strange JOY indeed, born to US OF sorrow
and DEATH but day of joy such as consolation
brings Joy without giadness. Ascension day,
10 those who believed Christ to be God, is truly
a JOY day. But Ascension day is the comm en-
Grafton OF victory passed and achieved No.
the great joy day OF the Christian year is this
day which the Lord hath made and in it we
rejoice, and we are glad. Alleluai For it is
the commemoration of the victory of Christ
over sin and death and the grave.
Easter Sunday 1000 years ago dawned In
sadness and all but despair 10 the little band
OF believers in Christ Hither came the sor.