The San Francisco call., 1897-01-20
FATHER CONATY
DULY INSTALLED
New Rector of the Catholic
University Assumes
Office.
Many Distinguished Prelates
and Friends Attend the
Pretty Ceremony.
Fine Sentiments Expressed in the
Pontilcal Brief of Ap.
pointment.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 19-Rev.
Thomas J. Conarty of Worcester, Mass,
was installed as rector of the Catholic
University of America this afternoon.
The exercises took place in the assembly
room OF the Mcmahon Hall of Philosophy,
where large and distinguished audience
had gathered. Among those composing
it were Senator and Mrs. Carter, Senator
and Mrs. Roach, Senator Smith, Hon.
d. |. Murphy, Commissioner of Pensions;
the wives of Brazilian and Mexican Min
listers; Senor Andrade, the Venezuelan
Minister, and Sonora Andrads; the Mar
quis de Cham bres and the Marquise de
Chambres; Miss Fair and Miss Goelet of
New York; General Thomas O. Vincent.
U. s. A; Bishop Hurst of the Methodist
University and representatives of local
and nearby educational institutions.
A large delegation from New York,
Brooklyn, Worcester, Springfield and
other places was also present. Among its
members were John Byrne of New York,
Major John D. Kelley of Brooklyn, John
Mcclure Surveyor of the Port of New
York; Rev. Father Lavelle, rector of the
New York Cathedral; General Boyd
Bryce, Rev. B. S. Conaty Of Spring field, a
brother of DIR. Conaty; Miss K. c. Canaty,
his sister, and several priests from Massa-
chusetts.
Patrick Conaty, the venerable father of
the new rector, who accompanied the
party to Washington, was unable to at
tend on account of fatigue.
On the platform with DR.. Conaty were a
number of distinguished Catholic clergy.
Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop Ryan Of
Philadelphia, Archbishop Elder of Cincin-
natl, Bishop-elect Prendegast of Philadel-
phia, Monsignor Msrtinelli, the Papal
Delegate Bishop Donahue of Wheeling,
Bishop Beaver of Springfield, Right Rev.
John Farley, Bishop of New York; Mon
signor Griffin, Monsignor McMahon OF the
Catholic University. Monsignor McGinnis
OF Be ton. All were arrayed in their robes
of office.
The faculties of the university and lay
branches of the university appeared in
| their cassocks and gowns, and the divinity
and lay students were also attred in their
appropriate dress, the former in cassocks
and barretas and the latter in gowns and
trencher caps. Most of the lay students
wore capes and ribbons of the papal col
ors, gold and white, with which the Nc
| Nal hon Hall was tastefully decorated.
The proceedings began al clock. The
pontifcal brief of appointment vas read
by Professor Daniel w. Shea, secretary of
university, as follows:
| To Our Beloped Son, James, Cardinal Gibbons.
! Archbishop of Bd tim0re: Beloved son. health
aud pos Iolic benediction. 1t is with pleas ure
that we have received the letter which you
sent Us from the meeting held in Washington
to designate another president of the uni
VprSitV does.
desire TO provide for the welfare of the grea t
seat of learning. Yielding to your request,
we have considered the names OF those candi-
dates whom you have proposed as worthy to
discharge the office of rector.
! OF these we have deemed fit to choose by
our authority we do hereby approve the first
on the list, namely, Thomas J. Conaty, hereto
| fore parish priest in Worcester and president
! of the summer school. Both the learning and
zeal for the advancement religion, which
| characterize this distinguished man, whom
| you by your joint@suffrages recommend, in
! spires us with the well-grounded hope that his
| efforts will not be without abundant fruits in
watching over the in terests of the university
and in enhancing its iuster.
How dear to our heart is this matter cannot
but be well known TO you, for You are aware
how unyielding was our solicitude in founding
this institution that we might deservedly Y
reckon it among those works which, in the in
terest of religion and science, we have out of
our loving affection undertaken furtherance of
for the glory oiyour country and which We have
with Gods help been able TO bring to a happy
issue. Meanwhile, as an earnest of heavenly
grace, and as an evidence OF cur spirit of good
will. we most lovingly in the Lord impart to
you, our beloved son, to the new president of
the university and to all its faculty the apos-
toic benedic.ioI.
Given in Rome at st. Peter on the 23d day of
November, 1896, the nineteenth year of our
pontiicate. LEO, PIP. XIII.
Another address by Cardinal Gibbons
and his references to Bishop Keane and
DR.. Conaty were appla uded.
The Very Rev. Phillip j. Garrigan, vice
rector of the university, presented to Dr.
Conaty the book of the constitutions and
the university seal.
DR.. Conaty was applauded loudly when
he arose to deliver his inaugural discourse
He was applauded frequently, anG really
made an excellent impression.
After the exercises, DR.. Conaty began a
reception in the rotunda of Mcmahon
fall. Among the congratulatory tele-
grams he received was this one from
Bishop keane, dated Rome: Cordial
greetings, prosit."