The times., 1899-12-04
4 PONIIFICAL HIGH MASS
St AlOysius Church ReOpened With
Impressive Ceremonies.
The Ancient Structure, Robed in New
Attire. Again Ready for Worship
DiEnitaries of the Roman Catholic
Church Consecrate the Building
The Sermon of MOnsigROr COnaty.

After being closed for the purpose OF
renovation and interior remodeling and
| decorating. since early in July. St. Alloy
! sius Church was formally reopened at IL
o'clock yesterday morning with solemn
pontificaI high mass. The event viii mark
an epoch in the history of the famous
edifce which. with one exception, is the
oldest of Catholic temples of worship in
the District Never since the day on
which the church was dedicated. forty
years ago. has such spIendor of service,
such magnifcence Of assemblage. nor such
presence Of ecclesiastical celebrities graced
the confines of the four old walls The
occasion was one that Will long be re-
membered not only by the churchmen OF
st. Aloysius, but by all those who were
able to secure admission to the services.
Large though the church is, and great as
is its capacity there was not adequate
room to accommodate the thousands who
sought to gain entrance. Every available
seat within the body of the church and it's
galleries was occupied. and yet necessity
compelled that many persons be turned
away.
To Brother Shoern s. J., of Frederick
Nd. who planned, and, assisted by Brother
Lang, 5. j., of Georgetown University
executed the major portion of the paint
ing. frescoing, and decorating, St. Alloy
Sius Church owes much. Their work rep
resenting months of assiduoGs labor
speaks for itself. Through their efforts the
interior of the edifice now presents a
beauty which it has never previously
known The beauty Of the decoration is
enhanced and made prominent by the
myriads OF incandescent electric lights
installed by Brother Daily, an experienced
electrician. Added TO the permanent
beauty of the interior was the temporary
decoration of the altar. which Is soon 10
be supplanted by handsome one Of white
marble. Not only was the altar decorated
but the entire space within the chancel
rail was banked with palms ard ferns.
The celebTant OF the mass was the Most
Rev. 8. Martineli. apostolic delegate His
assistants were the Rev w S. Caughey of
st. Stephens Church, as deacon, and the
Rev. Ambrose Bsavan, OF the Church OF the
Immaculate Conception. The deaconS of
honor were the Very Rev. ). P. Moran,
o. P. of st. DCminic's Church, aud the
Rev. Father Boniface, o. s. F.. of New
York. The Rev. E. X. Fink, s. j., Of St
Aloysius Church, oficiated as assistant
priest: the Rev. Hector Papi, s. J., OF
Woodstock. was master of ceremonies
while his assistant was Mr. j. a Mullen,
S. J., of st. Aloysius
WonsiHnor Connty's Text.
The sermon was delivered by the Right
Rev. Monsignor Thomas J. Conaty, D. D.,
the rector of the Catholic University. 1t
was taken from the gospel of the Galatians
i'll. u: Il give you 10 understand that
the gospel which was preached by me is
not according to man, for neither did l
receive it OF man, nor did l learn it. but
by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Among those who were present at the
altar during the service were Monsignor
Stephan, Dr. Rocker private secretary to
Monsignor Martinelli; Drs. Pace and
Shahan, of the Catholic University, DTs.
| Mulvaney, O'Leary. and Whitney, OF
Georgetown University, and Fathers Nor
gan and Hollohan, of Baltimore.
The music of the mass was as follows;
Asperges Me, Dessert.
Mass, Dachauer No 2
Odertory. "Domus Israel" Mendelssohn.
At the Benedictus: Duet for flute and
French horn.
After mass: 'Laudate Dominum," Gou-
nod
The music was particularly well rem
dered by the choir, which has long been
famous for its exceIleney.
At the conclusion of the service an in
formal reception was held at the parOchial
/ residence.
Monsignor Conaty. in delivering his SER
mon, said in part:
This day is to you all day OF bene-
diction and OF JOY, for in the renewal Of
the youth of this church. so dear TO you,
you see a renewal of your faith in what
this church stands for. The church of St
AIOysius, now in artistic decoration, rises
before you in all the magnidcence of Chris
tian art and architecture, a bride indeed
more worthy Of him who weds her that
through him she may lead souls to eternal
! truth and life A new church in all the
glory of her vesture, but the same church
in all the glory of her doctrine. she is to
you the expression of a faith deaTeT than
all else the world may present to you.
How many hailoWed traditions rise to your
minds as with grateful hearts you thank
God for all that this beautiful church is to
you.
For many years she has been your
mother. a faithful guardian of the interests
entrusted to her care Uncompromising
in her teaching, she has preserved the
truth as 1t was delivered to her. In this
city OF Washington the centre Of the po-
litical life of our great Republic, the cross
of St AlOysius Church has glistened in the
morning light to point to the traveller after
truth whore alone II could be found; to
beckon to sinful, sorr0wing man and lead
him to the mercy seat of the cross, there to
find pardon and mercy and rest Self-sacri-
iCing, devoted shepherds sons of the Illus
triOus Loyola, have guarded the sheepfold
from threatening dangers. Their love has
been generous. but not more generous than
yours in return
How many chapters have been written
in the history Of this church, all proclaim
ing fidelity to God and man? They hand
down taditions to the life now beginning,
in its renewal OF youth: traditions that are
sacred with the saCredness of Jesus Christ
who sent her forth, and sacred with the
mission OF truth with which she Is invest
! ed. They tell OF old truths. they tell of
| Christ and the cross. the priesthood and
the sacraments they tell of saints and
martyrs; they tell Of religion and country,
and around them all is seen the never
! changing, never-fading, eyer-brilliant halo
| OF eternal truth. They speak today. as in
| the centuries past, in one voice with the
| apostles, I give you to understand that the
| gospel which was preached by me is not
according to man, for neither did I receive
| it of man, nor did learn it, but by the
| revelation of Jesus Christ"
! Need of IL Teacher.
Monsignor Conaty then proceeded to de-
velop his thought of the necessity of a
teacher in religion. Among other things
| he said;
Men from all time have recognized the
/ necessity Of religion, and have expressed
their religious idea by some form Of wor-
| ship All have looked to God for guidance
in establishing a worship pleasing to him
! God revealed himself. and the old law ex-
| pressed that revelation; but the new law
as manifested in Christ was to make
| knoWn the perfect religion Christ il the