The San Francisco call., 1899-09-18
SACRED RELICS
ARE PRESERVED
College for the Purpose
Dedicated.
EXERCISES IN WASHINGTON
REPRODUCTION OF THE TOMB
OF THE SAVIOR.
Subterranean Fac-Simile of the Stable
Bethlehem, the Manager and
Other Points Excellently
Shown.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Sept. H.-One of the
most remarkable religious institutions IN
the country, the Monastry and College
of the Holy Land, established by the
Franciscan friars of the Holy Land, was
dedicated to-day with imposing cere
monies, in which Cardinal Gibbons. Mgr.
Martinelli, Bishop Blenk of Porto hlco'
Mgr. Stephan, head of the Indian mis-
sions in this country, Mgr. Sbaretti, audi
tor of the papal delegation in Washing.
ton. and many other prominent figures OF
the Catholic Church participated. During
the afternoon a fiag-raising gave ma
tional and patriotic phase to this eXten-
sive undertaking. The institution is stu
ated near the Catholic University on an
eminence commanding view of the
beautiful university grounds.
A special branch of the Franciscan
order for centuries has devoted its, entire
attention to the preservation and pro-
lection of the tomb of the SAVIOR, the
stables of Bethlehem and other sacred
relics of the life of Christ. As many
Americans are joining the pilgrimages 10
the holy relics it has been deemed adYls-
able to establish in this country college
which will prepare those VINO WI VIII
To6 earTy forward I'd tfd this W9rf end 0f com pTe
missariat of the Holy Land Tor
the United States was located In. New
York in 1880. and out of this has grown
day with its subterranean reproductions
of the stable at Bethlehem, the home OF
the holy family at Nazareth, the holy
sepulcher and other monuments of
Palestine These have been executed
under the direction of the foremost
ecclesiastical architect of Rome, S1gnor
Lianori, who visited Bethlehem. NaZaretn
and other sacred spots, making measure,
ments and taking note of stone ana
structure in order to make faithful
counterpart of the precious relics. Inc
work has proceeded with the special
favor of the Pope.
One of the grCttoes. representing the in
ner and outer sepulcher of Christ, mas
piece of actual stone of the sepulcher,
brought from Palestine by special dispen-
sation. At another of the subterranean
shrines the remains of St. Benedigas will
be deposited. They are being brought
here by one of the frfars of the order
and will find a final resting place in a
glass catafalque, after the manner adopt.
ed in Europe to permit the observation OF
holy relics
The reproduction of the stable at Beth
lehem is perfect in every detail, with the
small stone manger in which the Christ
child was born and the DETACHMENT which
modern vandalism has wrought. In the
reproduction of the holy sepulcher both
the outer sepulcher, where the angel sat,
and the inner sepulcher, 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
desecrating the tomb, and the slab bears
even the irregular crack OF the original.
The main work of the friars is carried
on in the monastery, space separated
from the shrines and chapel and devoted
entirely to the members of the commu-
nifty. On the lower floor are cobbler
shops tailor shops, laundrieS etc, con-
Quoted by the friars. who make every
thing needful for their simple manner OF
living. The upper part of the building is
used for living quarters, each member of
the community having a cell with the
plainest and simplest furnishings. It is
considered the most austere of the active
orders.
The church connected with the. mon
astery Is a massive structure in the
shape of a five-fold cross. with many
cd has been adopted in the interior of
the church, so that those who come to
worship will stand or kneel, as there are
no seats. The interior Is so vast that IT
is expected to celebrate mass at several
affairs simultaneously, and the devotion
of the sacrament will be practically con-
tinuous up to midday. go
The order of exercises began with
solemn dedication at 10 o'clock this
morning Cardinal Gibbons conducted the
ceremony There was a procession of sew
eral hundred members of the clergy, re-
iigious students and friars. At $50 pom
tifical high mass was celebrated by Most
Rev. S. Martelli, the apostolic delegate to
the United States. The sermon was
preached by Very Rev. l.. F. Kearney,
provincial of the Dominican Order of
Columbus, Ohio. At O'Clock. solemn
pontificaI vespers were celebrated in the
alverno chapel. At o'clock the patriotic
exercises closed the days ceremony.
The institution begins its work with
about fifty friars in attendance, most. of
them from this country. although a teW
come direct from the Holy Land.