The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-18
.REYINING
SPIRIT OF THE
CRUSADERS.
Dedication Of One OF the Most Re.
markable Religious Institu-
lions in the Country.
THE MONASTERY AND COLLEGE
OF the Holy Land Established by
the Franciscan Friars at the
National Capital.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. 1f'-Ohe
of the most remarkable religious insti-
tutions in the country, the monastery
and college Of the Holy Land, estab-
jlshed by the franciscan friars of the
4oly Land, was dedicated to-day, with
Imposing ceremonies, in which cardIna.
Gibbons. Monslgnor Martinelll, Bishop
Blenk, Of Porto Rico, Mgr. Stephan,
head Of indian missions in this country
MGR sharetti, auditor Of the papal del
egation In washington, and many other
prominent figures of the Catholic
church participated. During the after
noon. flag raising gave a national
and patriotic phase to this extensive
undertaking. The institution is situa-
ted near the Catholic University, on an
eminence commanding view Of the
beautiful university grounds.
A special braAch of the Franciscan
order for centuries has devoted its en-
tire attention to the preservation and
protection OF the tomb of the Savior,
the stables Of Bethlehem and other sa-
cred relics Of the life of Christ. As
many Americans are joining the pill
RrinaEes to the Holy relics, It has been
deemed advisable to establish in this
country, college which will prepare
those who will carry forward the work
of preservation. To'thIs end commits
sariat Of the Holy Land for the United
states was located in New York in
1880 and out of this has grown the
magnificent structure dedicated to-day
with It's subterranean reproductions Of
the stable at Bethlehem, the home Of
the Holy family at Nazareth, the Holy
sepulchre, and other monuments Of
Palestine.
Faithful Cohnterparts:
These have been executed under the
direction of the foremost ecclesiastical
architect of Rome. sr. Lianori, who Yis-
Hed Belhlehetn, Nazareth and other sa-
cred spots, stalking ma1saramHnts aud
taking note Of stone and structure, In
order to make faithful counterpart Of
the precious relics. The work has pro-
ceeded with the special favor Of the
pope. One OF the grottoes, represent
ing the inner and outer sepulchre of
Christ, has piece Of the actual stone
OF the sepulchre, brought from Paies-
tine by special dlspensation. AT an
other Of the subterranean shrinesi the
remains Of st. Benlgnas viii be depos-
tied, They are being brought here by
one of the frIars of5the order and win
hnd a final resting place in glass cat
afalque. after the manner adopted in
Europe to permit the observation Of
Holy relics.
The reproduction of the stable at
Bethlehem is perfect in every detail,
with the small stone manger in which
the Christ-child was born, and the de-
facement which modern vandalism has
wrought. In the reproduction Of the
Holy sepulchre. both the outer sepul-
chre where the angel sat, and the inner
sepulchre. from which the angel rolled
back the stone, are shown, The inner
tomb shows the great marble slab
placed there to keep the Turks from
desseratIng the tomb. and the slab
bears even the irregular crack of the
original.
Work Of the Friars.
The main work of the friars is car
ried on In the monastery, a spacious
building separated from the shrines and
chapel, and devoted entirely to the
members OF the community. On the
lower floor are cobbler shops, tailor
shops, laundrlcs, etc, conducted by the
friars, who make everything needfui for
their simple and austere manner OF liv-
ing. The habit is of coarse brown ma
teriaI, with rope girdle and the bare
feet are protected by sandals. The up
per part OF the building is used for liv-
ing quarters, each member of the COM
munity having a cell with the plainest
and simplest furnishings. 1t is consid-
cred the most austere Of the active or
ders.
The church connected with the mon
astery is massive structure in the
shape of a fve-fold cross with many
affairs and chnpels. The European
method has been adopted In the Interior
of the church go that those who come to
worship viii stand or kneel, as there
nrc no seats. The Interior is so vast
that It is expected to celebrate mass at
several of the affairs, or at all Of them,
simultaneously and the devotion OF the
sacrament will be practically contInu-
Gus up to midday.
The order Of exercises to-day began
with solemn dedication at 10 o'clock
this morning. Cardinal Gibbons con-
Quoted the ceremony. There was n pro-
cesslon OF several hundred members Of
the clergy, religious students, and
frIars. At 1O;5O pontinciat high mass
was celebrated by Most Rev. 8, MNrti-
nelll the Apostolic delegate to the Uni
ted States. The sermon was preached
By Very Rev. l.. +. Hearney. Provincial
OF the Dominion order. of Columbus,
Ohio. At o'clock, solemn pontIhcial
vcspors were celebrated In the Alverno
chapel, and at 4 o'clock the patriotic
exercises closed the days ceremony.
Purpose Of the College,
Tho institution begins Its work with
about nifty frlarn in attendance, most
of them from this country, although