The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-05-14
FROM The CAPITAL.

Last Sunday, the day that commemo-
rates the apparition of st. Michael the
Archangel, brought the spirit of God
into the new church of St. Vincent de
Paul, Virginia avenue and Blair street.
The divine accolade was given by an
cient. rare and striking ceremonies that,
properly conceived, were of almost arch
angelic import.
The meaning Of Sundays ceremony
was not merely that another spot of
earth was to be henceforth the abiding
place of another spiritual family added
to the vast community OF Christendom.
A subsidiary lesson-that true religion
is patriotic-was taught when the on
locker saw this American flag fluttered by
the spring breeze from above each en-
trance to the newly-blessed temple, whe1h
he saw three American banners exalted
at St. Vincent's tower
The sacred procession left the doors of
the pastoral residence on Virginia ave-
nue. at 1920 o'clock. In double file it
proceeded, clad with white garments
a marching unusual these warlike days.
Sacred, not secular, these soldiers wore
the uniform of peace, and even neces-
sary rank was recognized with humility.
The procession passed beneath the ma
tional flags at the doorway of the pas
toral residence along the sidewalk north
for half a block on Virginia avenue, be-
tween the green churchyard and the
handsome young trees Of the new boule-
ward, between, also, a guard of honor
composed of the various parish societies.
Uncovered, with sacred badges upon their
breasts, stood in close array, the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, representing nine
divisions, All Hallows' court of the Cath
Ole Order of Foresters, the St. Vincent
Crusaders, the ST. Vincent de Paul Con-
ference, the Temperance Society, the
Perpetual Alteration Society, the Holy
Name Society, and the St. Andrews AS
ISOLATION. Beyond the guard of honor
the public filled much OF the churchyard
and all of the avenues for well nigh a
block to thu north and to the SOUTH
In the sanctuary the archbishop, vest
ed for the next ceremonial. He donned
his additional whits robes at an imposing
throne prepared for his occupancy, a
throne draped in deep red and surmount-
ed by deep red canopy. The arch
bishop being vested, the procession
moved down the central aisle past the
still vacant pews, through the main en-
trance, to begin the traditional blessing
of the outer walls
Slowly went the white procession
around the church. the archbishop
sprinkling the walls with holy water
from an aspergil as the clergy chanted,
in deep-toned Latin, the Miserere, the
Lavavi and the litanes of the saints.
The outer circuit completed, the sweet
faced crucifer led the way again through
the main entrance and about the inner
walls of the house of God. The arch
bishop continued the aspersion of hys-
sop, the clergy chanted still. AS the
procession again entered the sanctuary,
the people were admitted to the church.
Rapidly all pews were occupied. Chairs
soon filled the aisles. Not every one
could find seat, for st. Vincent de pauls
held Sunday the greatest crowd it has
yet received, not less than 1000 persons.
Now the archbishop was seazd upon
his deep red throne. He was attended,
on either side. by the Very Rev. Father
Alfred. o. S. b., pastor of ASSUMPTION
church. and by Father Oster, of St. Paul
seminary. Pontitical high mass was
about to be celebrated by the Rt. Rev,
James Trobec. bishop of St. Cloud, who
assumed the sacred vestments for this
ceremony.
At the conclusion of the sermon which
was delivered by Archbishop Ireland, the
clergy formed once again in procession,
and returned to the pastoral residence.
At 1870 o'clock the pastor, Rev. Father