The times., 1898-06-20
FOR FIFTY YElRs A PRIEST
Reception 10 Rev. Jehn A. Bokel
Last Night.
AT ST. D0MINICS CHURCH
Interesting and Affecting Ceremon-
les Preliminary to the CeIebra-
tion of Father HOkcFs Golden
Jubilee ACKNOWLEDGMENT, Songs
and Presentntions-Sketc of the
Aged Priest.

and Presentntions-slxetc of the
Aged Priest.
The love and reverence with which the
Rev. John Albert Bokel Is held by the
| Catholics of st. Dominic's parish was
| manifested last evening by a reception
| rendered him at the parish hall on the
occasion OF his having attained the fif-
tieth year of his priesthood. The recep-
ton was preliminary ID the celebration
| of his golden jubilee, which will be OBJ
served this morning with solemn high
! mass in St. Dominic's Church. the corner
stone of which the aged disciple laid thir-
| ty-three years ago.
The reception. although there was moth
ing of ostentation, was very affecting,
and revived memories which brought
! tears to the reverend fathers eyes as he
sat and listened to the story of events
connected with the progress of the spir-
itual and worldly affairs of his parishion-
ers, in which he was the central figure.
Among those present were hundreds
whom he had baptized when children. and
when grown to maturer years had ad-
ministered to them their first communion;
others whom he had Joined in wedlock
and all of whom he knew intimately for
years.
few minutes before o'clock the rev.
erend father entered the church on the
arm of the Rev. Father Moran. prior Of
st. Dominic's Church. and took his seat
in front of the stage. Around him were
Fathers O'Leary. Colbert. Powers Spen-
GER ORourke, Valley and Benmer and
the members of the vestry of the church.
Until the time for the exercises to be-
gin the hall was in darkness except for
the faint glimmer of light around the
stage. On the canvas at the back of
the stage was thrown a large picture of
the Rev. Father Bokei.
Promptly at clock Mr. Johnson, the
superintendent of the Sunday school OF
ST. Dominic's parish who acted as master
OF ceremonies, announced that the pro-
gram for the evening would be opened
with selection by the choir OF ST. Domi-
MICS Church He next introduced Michael
! ]. Colbert, who spoke of the work of
Father Bokel in the parish. At the con-
clusion Of Mr.. Colberts remarks Miss
Mollie Wright sang "Springtime" in
splendid voice.
James F. Shea spoke next and gave a
very interesting review of the growth of
st. Dominics parish under Father Bokers
direction. Mr.. Shea was followed by
Maurice Fitzgerald. whose subject was
'Recollections of St Dominic's Parish"
AS soon as Mr.. Fitzgerald finished
speaking, supported by Prior Moran.
Father Bokel walked upon the stage and
took his seat amid the hearty applause of
the audience. II was plain to be seen
that he was much effected by the express
sions of love and devotion from his flock
which he had listened TO. Then it was
that the most effecting scene of the even
ing took place
When Father Bokel and Prior Moran
were seated Miss Debbie ONeill ap-
preached and. standing at the formers
right hand, speaking in behalf of his
parishioners, assured him of their undy
ing love and reverence and their hearty
congratulations on his attaining his
fiftieth year in the priesthood. At the
conclusion of her address. Miss ONeill
handed Father Bokel a handsome jewel
case made of gold. The jewel case was
filled with five. ten and twenty dollar
gold pieces.
As he took the gift from the chrd's
hand. Father Bokel broke down and
wept tears of joy and tried to speak but
his cup was too full. After and effort, he
said:
II thank you all and ask that you re-
member me in your prayers"
Miss Marie Hatton hen stepped up TO
the reverend father. and. with few ap
propriate words. presented him with a
spiritual bouquet" which he took from
her and kissed reverenta1ly.
The ceremonies closed with the singing
Of -'Auld Lang Syne' by the choir.
When the audience was dismissed ev-
cry one crowded around Father Bokel
and wanted to shake hands with him
but Father Moran interfered and stopped
them, saying that the Rev. Father would
not be able to go through such trying
ordeal.
The celebration of the golden jubilee
will begin this morning with solemn high
mass, at 10 o'clock and the sermon will
be preached by the Rev. ]. d. Stafford.
d. D., of st. Patricks Church.
At l o'clock banquet will be given at
the rectory in honor of Father Bokel and
in the evening there will be an enter
tainment at St. Dom MICS Hail. by the
st. Dominic Dramatic Club.
Rev. Father Bokel was born the first
day of September, 1920, at Habagen in
the grand duchy of Gutenberg. diocese of
Munster, Germany At the age of eigh-
| teen he set sail for America and arrived
In this country September s, 1898, Four
years afterward he left his home in Bal
timore for the novitiate of the Dominican
Order in Somerset, Ohio. He accompa-
MED the Rev Father Dominic Young.
There was a railroad then only as far as
Frederick. Thence they travelled to Ohio
over the mountains in a stage coach.
Father Bokel was professed September
2S 1S45, and June 20. three years later,
was ordained to the priesthood
He was among the first of the fathers
sent to st. Dominic's here in Washington
and displayed great zeal and earnestness
in everything pertaining to the welfare
of the parish. He held the office of novice
master three times. He was made prior
of ST. Roses convent in Ohio. the present
house of studies of the order While in
Ohio Father Bokel attended many of the
small missions throughout Perry County
and the surrounding country. and did a
large amount of quiet work there.
Father Bokel still performs some of the
lighter duties at ST. Dominic's Church
1t is expected that number of his rela-
tives will be present at the celebration.
He has two sisters living in Germany. one
of whom is ninety-five years old.
SoliIoqIy of n Mule.