The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-05
Magnificent Celebra-
ton, Sunday, in the
Churches.
OBSERVANCE At ST. JOHNS.
A Scene Worcester Catho-
lies Will Not
Forget.

Catholics the world over, yesterday,
Joined in the solemn observance of one
of the greatest feasts of the liturgical
year, the feast of the body and blood
of Christ properly known as the feast
of Corpus Christi" when all Christen-
dom bows the head and bends the knee
in acknowledgment of the Christ made
man, whose coming upon earth brought
with it the salvation of man through
the death and passion of the son of man
upon the cross.
And not least among the Catholics
of the world were the Worcester Cath
olics, for yesterday, all day long, the
church in this city marked the feast
day with the solemn celebration of the
sacrifice of the mass and the benedic-
ton of the blessed sacrament preceded
by procession of sodalities and socie-
ties connected with the churches. In
an especial manner was the
program carried out at St.
Johns church 1t was com
plete and full, with all the pomp and
splendor of the ritual of the Catholic
church, performed in manner yet
fully befitting the feast.
The day itself assisted in the cele-
bration, for the sun shone down bright
ly, yet not too warmly to make the
ceremonies tedious, but with a glow
that added much to the splendor of
the scene, graced by the costly and
flashing vestments of the off1ciating
clergy.
The observance of the feast began at
In ~
ing celebration of the sacrifice of the
mass, and until after o'clock in the
afternoon the ceremonies were contin-
ued.
At 1890 o'clock a solemn high mass
was celebrated in commemoration OF
the feast. Rt Rev. Mgr. Thomas
Griffin, rector of the church, assisted at
the mass, which was celebrated by Rev.
M. P. Kavanaugh, assistant at st. Ste
phen's church. kneeling within the sane
tuary ratings. Rev. M. I. O'Brlen
was deacon of the mass, and Rev c.
A. Sullivan was sub-deacon. Rev. j.
A. Hurley was master of ceremonies,
with John Sexton and John Raymond
as acolytes and Henry Norton as CEN
sor bearer.
The church was neatly decorated and
presented a beautiful picture, arrayed
in potted plants and ferns The high
alldr at WHICH lIlG mass W do NClCOA 'ItNNS
presented a scene which will not easily
be forgotten. Its decorations, while
simple, were of a character truly be-
fitting the occasion. Cut flowers, in
bouquets and vases, graced the steps
above the altar with a, background of
ferns and palms that added greatly to
the effectiveness of the picture. Hun
di eds of lighted candles spread halo
all around, while numerous Colored
20 to 11,hO NH 011
made the scene complete. A heavy
gold figured lace ante-pendium hung
suspended before the face of the altar,
and a veil of silk, with gold lace trim
mings, was hung in front of the taber-
racle, in which reposes the blessed sac
rsment The officiating clergy at the
mass were vested in full insignia of i'm
n aculately white chausables and dali
MATES, while the sanctuary choir and
assisting altar boys were gowned in
purple, white and scarlet soutanS and
white lace SUPPLIES. The choir of 40
voices rendered Haydn's mass, under
the direction Of NJ. w. Handlin, the di-
rector of the choir. Several solos were
sung, and at the offertory the full choir
sang the hymn, "Lauda Sion" Just
preceding the preaching of the sermon
of the mass by Mgr. Griffin, the choir
rendered Brother Boniface's latest COM
HUSIllOIl Ol Tue lily IllH, v ell NIGdLbI
After the chanting of the gospel of the
mass, Mgr. Griffin assembled the pulpit
and preached an eloquent sermon on
the feast of the day.
He spoke Of the divine love manifest
ed by God in sending to earth his di-
vine son and of the mark of great love
which he further gave in giving up
that son to the executioners on Mount
Calvary. He discussed the institution
- fnIa c
the body of Christ, Corpus Christi"
and told of the insuperable and I'M
ending love he bore mankind to per-
nit of his confinement to the taber-
nacle of the altar, where man may pay
homage and show his love. His prayer
at the conclusion was for firmer and
more lasting love for the blessed sac
rament.
In the afternoon the members of the
church Joined in making the observance
of the feast a public one, and at $50
o'clock a grand procession of the chill
dren's societies and those of the men,
of the church was held. There were in
line over 1900 persons, including the
children, men and clergy, who marched
in and out of the church and down
Temple street to Harding and back to
the Institute building, where was given
the benedictiOn, and thence across the
street to the new parochial school
building on the north porch Of which
benediction was again given, and then
the procession marched into the church.
where the celebrant gave the third
benediction of the day. while the peo-
pie who had stood in the street, num-
bering over 5000, knelt in humble ad-
grafton.
The procession was composed of II
divisions, preceded by cross bearer,
and closing with the clergy, closely
| followed by a Gordon of police, Whlch
surrounded the blessed sacrament car
ried by the celebrant. The procession
was formed in the school yard on rem
ME street under the direction of Frs.
! O'Rrien and Sullivan, assisted by the
| Xaverian brothers of the parochial
| school. The first division was composed
/ Of the Infant Jesus sodality or boys,
wearing white blouses and pink scarts,
! numbering rs in all. Five banners were
| carried by as many boys, on Wnlch
we're inscribed various legends relat-
/ ing to the mysteries of Christs life on
! earth. =
THE girls. 100 in number. of the In
/ FAINT of Jesus sodallty, wearing white
/ dresses and pink scarfs, formed the
| second division in which were carried
nine banners fittingly inscribed. An
/ otLer division of the Boys Infant OF
/ Jesus sodality, followed after, in when
we're carried three banners representing
/ three of the sorrowful mysteries OF the
nsssion of Christ. Division four was
made up of the Guardian Angel so
/ dality of 50 girls. in which Miss Josie
| Fitzgerald represented the guardian
| angel. The girls wore white dresses
/ and green sashes. A large cross ana
bsnner were borne in this division.
Another delegation of the Guardian
/ Angel sodality. composed of Y boys.
/ IN white blouses and wearing green
/ ssshes. composed the fifth division. IN
| ,-;,t +t,-o hammers representing two