The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-30

With the stately service of the
Catholic church, Rt. Rev. Alexander
Christie, recent rector Of st. Stephens
parish in Minneapolis, was conseccated
as bishop Of the sacerdotal see OF Ven
couver at the cathedral yesterday
morning The audience was large ana
distinguished, comprising prominent
members of the Catholic clergy and
well known parishioners from the
Twin Cities.
As one of the most elaborate rites
Of the Catholic church in s.. Paul, the
head of the archiepiscopal diocese, and
the residence of the archbishop, the oc-
casion was fittingly celebrated. When
the doors were opened It $3.50 the crowd
fell back, and marching with uncover
ed heads the procession Of ecclesiaStIcs
slowly entered the ediiice. Clothed in
the garb of their offices, carrying the
insignia of the faith, the clergy walked
down the isle in front of the multitude
which stood ready to enter.
At the head Of The procession came
a dozen or more acolytes clothed in
the white and purple garb of their Of
fee followed by a hundred clergynen
Of the diocese.
The bishop-eIect came next, sur
rounded by his attendants, directly fol-
lowed by a line Of bishops, with the
archbishop following in a long pur-
pie robe. attended by two little ages,
who bore his train. The scene as the
procession halted in front CT the altar
was a most impressive one. After the
arch bishop was led to his station of
homer near the abtar, the clergymen
took seats around the head Of the
church.
The bishop-elect, Rev. Christie. pro-
ceeded to the small chapel at the left,
the priests, who assisted in the robing
and reading of the service.
The first important part of the serv-
ice was the rolling of Archbishop Ire
land with elaborate VeStmentS of his
office After this, the service of the
conservation began, the three division
being the examination of Bishop-elect
Christie, the conservation proper and
the inVesdture.
Full Of meaning are these rites to the
initiated, full of mystery to the casual
observer. The use of the mitre, which
is placed on the bishops head when
the authority of the church must be
shown, the laying on of hands, the
simultaneous celebration of mass by
the archbishop and bishop-elect. the
investing with the ring and crOsier in
Gicating authority, the prostration of
the bishop While the litanies are in
toned-all unite in making the service
a solemn, impressive ceremony.
Rev. A. Oster one of the Oldest
priests of the diocese and connected
with st. Paurs seminary, was master
of ceremonies, and to him it is due
that this seldom performed and highly
complex service was so smoothly CIV
en-. The archbishop was assisted by
several bishops and priests, among
them Bishop Stanley, of North Da-
kota; Bishop Cotter, of Winona; Bishop
McGolrick, of Duluth; Bishop Scan
nell, of Vermont; Rev. J. H. Harrison,
of st. Joseph's; Rev. Dolphin, OF ST.
Patrick's; Rev. ]. ]. Lawler, of the
cathedral, and Rev. J. Gibbon, of ST.
Mary's.
The apostolic mandate was read by
Father Harrison, of st. Joseph's first
In the Latin and then in the English.
The sermon was delivered by Rev.
]. NJ. Cleary, of st. Charles parish,
Minneapolis. 1t was a mastery adj
dress on the legitimacy of the bishops
office. and compelled the attention of
the large audience.
The musical programme, directed by
John T. Gehan. was in the main from
the beautiful Neidermeyer mass in B
minor, the Gloria and Credo being par
ticularly magnificent. The opening an