The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-18
A RELIGIOUS HOUSE.
Franciscan Friars Es-
tablished a New
Monastery.
DEDICATED BY A CARDINAL.
Realistic Reproduction of
Famous Spots in Holy
Land.

Washington, Sept. 17.-One of the
most remarkable religious institutions
in the country, established by the
Franciscan friars of the Holy Land,
was dedicated today, with imposing
ceremonies. in which Cardinal Gibbons,
Mgr Martinelr, Bishop Blenk of Porto
Rice, Mgr. Stephan, head of Indian
Sns in this country, Mgr. Sbaretti
dnrfror of the papal delegation, and
0Say other prominent figures of the
Carfrolic church, participated. Dur
ing the afternoon, a flag-raising gave
a patriotic feature to the ceremonies.
FAe institute 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 it's entire attention to the
preservation and protection of the tomb
of the Savior the stables of Bethle-
hem and other sacred relics of the life
of Christ. AS many Americans are
joining the pilgrimages to the holy rel
les. 1t 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, q commisSary of the
Holy Land for the United States was To-
Gated in New York in 1880, and out of
this has grown the magnificent struc-
ture dedicated today, with its subterra-
mean reproductions of the stable at
Bethlehem, the home of the holy family
at Nazareth, the holy sepulchre and
other monuments of Palestine. These
have been executed under the direc-
ton OF the most celebrated architects
Of Rome, Sir Lainori, who visited Beth
lehem, Nazareth and other sacred
spots, making measurements and TAX
ing note Of stone and structure, in or
der to make a faithful counterpart of
the precious relics The work has pro-
ceeded with the special favor of the
pope.
One of the grottoes, representing the
inner and outer sepulchre of Christ,
has a piece of the sepulchral stone
brought from Palestine. The produc-
ton of the stable at Bethlehem is per-
feet 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 sepulchre,
both the outer sepulchre where the an
gel sat, and the inner sepulchre 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 car
ried on in the monastery, a spacious
building separated from the shrines and
chapel, and devoted entirely to the
members of the community. On the
lower floor are cobbler shops, tailor
shops, laundries, ETC., conducted by the
friars, who make everything needful
for their simple and austere manner of
living. The habit is of coarse brown
material, with rope for the girdle
and the bare feet are protected by san
dals. The upper part of the building
is used for living quarters, each mem
Der of the community having a cell
with the plainest and simplest furnish
ingS. 1t is stated to be the most aus
tere of the active orders.
The church connected with the mon
astery is a massive structure in the
shape of a fve-foid cross, with many
affairs and chapels The European
method has been adopted so that those
who come to worship will stand or
kneel, as there are no seats. 1t is eX-
pacted to celebrate mass at several Of
the affairs, or at all of them simulta-
neously, and the devotion of the sac
ranent will be practically continuous
up to midday.
Cardinal Gibbons conducted the oere-
monies today. There was a procession
of several hundred members Of the cler-
EE-reiigious students. and friars. At 10. 80
pontifical high mass was celebrated by
Iost Rev. S. Martinelli, the apostolic
delegate to the United States. The SER
mon was preached by Very Rev. l.. f.
Kearney, provincial of the Dominican
order. Of Columbus, o. At o'clock
solemn pontifical vespers were cele-
brated in tfe Alverno chapel, and at 4
o'clock the patriotic exercises closed the
days ceremony.
The institution begins its work with
about 80 friars in attendance. most Of
them from this country, although a
number come direct from the Holy
Land The purpose of the college is set
forth as follows in the prospectus:
THE establishment Of the college will
revive in our American country the
spirit of the Crusaders, for it will af-
ford them an opportunity of embracing
a religious life and of cultivating high
studies al the university with the noble
aim Of serving as missionaries in the
country of Christ, of standing guard at
his holy tomb and of extending to the
natives the blessings of civilization and
cullITe, While the pilgrims and tourists
ffem the United States win be delight
ed to find American advisers when far
away in country doubly strange to
them DV lanEuaPe and cIIstonoe