The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-27

to the cause Of the church and heroic
seIf-abnegation.. That after forty-six
years of constant work in Minnesota his
name is known but little outside of the
circle Of his own church and his personal
acquaintance Is in itself significant Of
retiring nature and conservation to his
pastoral duties Preferring the reward
of a Christian life to worldly fame,
Father Oster has patiently and earnestly
devoted himself to his work, without
thought Of personal renown or fame
After such, life the scene before him
yesterday in the chapel of St. Paurs
must have filled his heart with graft
tude and every feeling Of gladness which
the human heart can feel. Seated in the
little edif1cer were the archbishop Of St.
Paul, who has known the priest since he
was q boy: the bishops of the diocese,
visiting prelates of the church, priests,
laymen and friends filing every vacant
pew, waiting for the ceremony which
should invest Father Oster with the title
Of monsignore, a sovereign and unsought
honor, conferred by the pope as fitting
reward for his life work as a servant of
the church.
The ceremonies surrounding the investi-
ture- were simple in the extreme They
consisted of the reading in Latin and
English Of the papal brief, the acceptance
of a few short prayers, and mass and the
blessing of the surplice and vesting by
the archbishop.
A procession of seminarians, visiting
priests and bishops from the administra-
ton building to the chapel took place at
10 o'clock. The little edifice was filed to
its capacity as solemn high mass began
Rev. John Stanley of Fargo, was the
celebrant, with Father Kane, of Rush
City, deacon; Father Eagan, WATERFOWL,
subdeacon; Father Robert, assistant
priest, and Rev. Dr. Schaeffer, master of
ceremonies. The attending bishops and
clergy occupied seats in the forward part
of the church. Among those present
were:
st. Paul; Rt. Rev. Joseph Cotter, bishop
of Winona; Ri. Rev. James McGolrick
bishop of Duluth: Rt. Rev. James Tro-
from, rector st, Paul's seminary.
Besides these there were large mum
Der of priests from. ST. Paul and Min
Rev. Father Cotton, one of the pioneer
priests of Minnesota. had a seat in the
body of the church.
The ceremony Of investiture took place
Immediately after the gospel. The arch
bishop, doffing his robes, seated himself
Immediately in front of the altar. The
candidate to be honored, for the last time
Father Oster, came forward, kneeling be-
fore the archbishop and wearing the pur
pie robes of his new office. In his hands
he carried the monsignore's surplice.
The papal brief was read by Rev John
Stariha, vicar general Of the diocese. 1t
bore the date of May 5, 1899, and recited
that, because of the zeal and fidelity in
the discharge of his duties of the candi-
date, he was enrolled as domestic prel-.
ate of the papal household.
Father Oster read his acceptance and
was followed by the archbishop, who re-
cited the meaning of the monsignorate,
its responsibilities and honors.
After the recitation of prayers by the
archbishop and the candidate, the latter
was gowned In a white surplice, over
which was placed the purple cape or
rochet
This ended the ceremony, and Mgr.
Oster took seat with the visit
ing bishops. Following the investiture
Archbishop John Ireland, lifelong friend
of the new monsignore, spoke paying
tribute to the worthiness Of the new
made prelate.