The record-union., 1899-09-18

WASHINGTON, Sept. Hone of the
most remarkable religious institutions
in the country, the Monastery and Col
lege of the Holy Land, established by
the Franciscan Friars of the Holy
Land, was dedicated to-day with I'M
posing ceremonies in which Cardinal
Gibbons, Mgr. Martinelli, Bishop Blenk
of Porto Rico, Mgr. Stephen, head OF
Indians Missions in this country, Mgr
Sbaretti, auditor of the papal delegation
In Washington and many other proml-
nent figures of the Catholic Church par
ticipated. During the afternoon flag
raising gave a national and patrlotlc
phase to this extensive undertaking.
The institution is situated near the
Catholic University on an eminence
commanding a view of the beautiful
university grounds.
A special branch 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
sacred relics of the life of Christ. AS
many Americans are joining the pill
grimages to the holy relics it has been
deemed advisable to establish in this
country a college which will prepare
those who will carry forward the work
of preservation. To this end a COM
missariat 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 or
the stable at Bethlehem, the home OF
the Holy Family at Nazareth, the Holy
Sepulcher and other monuments OF the
Palestine.
These have been executed under the
direction of the foremost ecclesiastical
architect of Rome, Signor Lianori, who
visited Bethlehem, Nazareth and other
sacred spots, making measurements
and taking note of stone and structure
in order to make a faithful counterpart
of the precious relics. The work has
proceeded with the special favor of the
Pope.
One of the grottoes representing the
inner and outer GeTulcher of Christ has
a piece of actual stone Of the supulcher
brought from Palestine by special dis
pensation. At another of the shrines,
the remains of st. BenedigaS will be
deposited. They are being brought here
by one of the friars of the order and
will find final resting place in a glass
eatafalque after the manner adopted IN
Europe to permit the observation or
Holy relics.
The reproduction of the stable at
Bethlehem in every detail, with the
small stone manger in which the Christ
child was born and DETACHMENT which
modern vandalism has wrought.
In the reproduction of the holy sepul-
cher, both the outer sepulcher, where
the angels 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 desecrat-
ing the tomb and the slab bears even
the irregular crack of the original.
The main work of the friars is car
ried on in the monastery. a space sep
arated from the shrines and chapel,
and devoted entirely to the members
of the community. On the lower floor
are cobbler shops. tailor shops, laun-
dries. ETC., conducted by the friars who
make everything needful for their sim
pie manner of living.
The upper part of the building is
used for living quarters, each member
of the community having a cell with
the Dld1uESl anu SlilplCSI LII
1t 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
affairs and chapels. The European
method has been adopted in the interior
of the church. so that those who come
to worship viii stand or kneel as there
are no seats. The interior is so vast
that it is expected to celebrate mass
at several altars simultaneously and
the devotion of the sacrament will be
practically continuous up to midday
The order of exercises began to-day
with solemn dedication at 10 o'clock
this morning. Cardinal Gibbons con-
Quoted the ceremony.
There was a procession. At 10:30