Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1899-01-14
The Cathedral Was ThrOnged
When He Was Clothed with
the Purple.
Many Visiting Clergymen Take
Part in the Impressive
Ceremonies.
THE HONOR wORTHILy BESTOWED

impressive ceremonies ever Witnesseu III
Louisville occurred at the Cathedral OF
the Assumption OH Wednesday last, when
Vicar General Bouchet was invested with
the purple and the title of Monsignor.
The vast edihce was thronged with
brilliant assemblage of people from all
parts of the diocese, who were present 10
do honor to the reverend gentleman in
his new dignity.
The ceremonies began at 8 O'Clock,
with a procession of church dignitarles'
headed by forty-hve acolytes bearing
lighted candles, which proceeded from
the Cathedral rectory to the street and
thence through the main aisle to the
sanctuary, nearly one hundred priests
participating. Upon arriving at the
sanctuary Vicar General Bouchet took up
his position in front of the Bishops
throne. He was attired in his purple
cassock with a red cincture, and wore a
nurple beretta on his head. Owing to
the illness of Right Rev. Bishop NC
Closkey the ceremony of investiture was
performed by the Right Rev. Abbot
Obrecht, of Gethsemane Abbey.
When the Right Rev. Abbot assembled
the throne in front of the Vicar General,
the Clergy and acolytes forming a circle
around them, Rev. Father Schuhmann,
who oficiated as master of ceremonies,
read the Pope's letter appointing Father
Rouchet member of his own household,
a dignity that is conferred in the appoint
ment of a Monsignor, After the reading
of the letter the Abbot blessed the purple
manteletta and presented it to Monsignor
Bouchet.
This was followed with Pontifcial
+. ,.:,.t. ..,...s the Abbot of Gefhsemane
being the celebrant. During the mass
an eloquent and able sermon was
preached by Very Rev. Father Hayes, OF
Bowling Green, who took for his subject
the duties and dignity of the priesthood,
during which he paid high tribute to
the truly Christian character OF Father
Bouchet. The music and singing was
perhaps the finest ever heard in the
Cathedral, the regular choir being aug
mented by picked vocalists from the
leading choirs of the city.
Upon the conclusion of the mass the
clergy we're invited to the Cathedral rec
tory, where an elaborate banquet was
spread. The menue cards were hand
somely gotten up, and contained pictures
of Father Bouchet and sketch OF his
life. The banquet was under the super
vision of Mrs. Charles Smith and the
ladies of the congregation, who left
nothing undone to make the feast an
enjoyable one.
Before leaving the banquet table Rev.
Father Rock, on behalf of the clergy OF
the diocese of Louisville, read an address
congratulating Monsignor Bouchet and
extolling his many good qualities.
Father Rock was followed by Father
Ratio. who arose and presented Father
Bouchet with check for 81 900. This
present was made by the priests of the
diocese.
In the evening .Monsignor Bouchet was
the recipient of reception at st. Francis
Hall from the members of the Cathedral
and other congregations. Mr.. James
O'Connor presided over the assembly,
making a brief address describing the
occasion celebrated. This was followed
by the rendition by the choir of an ode
written for the. occasion by Mr.. Thomas
P. Walsh, the well-known attorney, the
words being set to music by Pref. Chase,
as follows:
Right Rev. Monsignor, with pleasure we
greet you,
And hail and salute you with JOY every
one;
For truly we feel that the honors that
crown you,
Are laurels BETTING your labors well
done.
From dawn until dusk and the shadows
of sunset
You've zealously toiled in Christ's
vineyard for years,
AID now in the calm of life's beautiful
twilight
The seed you have sown Ill the harvest
appears.
The weary and weak and the heavily
laden
You've sought and replenished with
blessings untold;
Or followed afar after sheep that were
straying
And tenderly gathered them into the
fold.
Then this be our wish, that new honors
may crown you,
New years may arise and new blessings
descend.
And friends ever cherish and love and
surround you,
And heaven illumine your days to the
end,