The evening times., 1899-05-31
REQUIEM MASS FOR
TEE VISITATION DEAD
Closing Features Of the Con.
vent Centennial.
Impressive Services at Holy Trim
lily Church.
Mgr. Mnrtfnelli ms Celebrant-Re-
union of the Graduates nm In
tcrestinE Occasion.

IN connection with the observance of the
one hundredth anniversary Of the Convent
of the Visitation. solemn requiem mass in
honor of the departed sisters of the con-
vent and the deceased members OF the
alumnae was celebrated this morning at
9 o'clock in Trinity Church, in George
town.
Mgr. Martinelli, the Papal Delegate to
the United States, was the celebrant.
The church decorations presented a
sharp contrast with those OF yesterday. The
floral embellishments then were bright and
beautiful, typifying Joy and gladness. To-
day the flowers had been removed, and
the interior of the imposing structure was
draped in black Grape in honor Of the dead
for whom the mass was observed. Ex-
tending around the four walls of the au-
ditorium were broad bands of black Grape.
On either side of the sanctuary were three
candles, the sticks OF which were draped
in black.
To the left of the chancel was the throne
of the ceiebrant-a dome-shaped canopy of
yellow and white, the Papal colors, Gov
ering the gilded chair in which Mgr. Mar
tinelli sat. The services were fittingiy
solemn, being filled with the chants, read
ings from the Scriptures, the prayers, and
music. which makes it one of the most
beautiful ceremonies celebrated in any
church.
Those who assisted in the conduct of the
mass were: Father Jerome Dougherty, dea-
con; Father Brosnan, chaplain of the con-
vent, sub-deacon; Fathers Scanlon and
Mulvaney, deans of honor; Father Papi.
assistant priest, and Joseph Kuhn, master
of ceremonies. The choir of the church
rendered the musical part of the mass.
Schmidts requiem mass was sung. The
members of the choir were Mrs. Armand
Gumprecht, soprano; Miss Edith Mccoy,
alto; William Mcfarland, tenor, and
James Nolan, bass. The organist was
Harry Wheaton Howard.
At IL O'Clock a reunIun of the alumnae
OF the institution was held IN the convent
hall. Several hundred graduates were
present, together with the members of the
school. The programme of exercises was
made up principally of musical selections
by school and outside talent. The music
throughout was excellent.
1t opened with the rendition of La Carita
from Rossini by chorus made up of alum
nae. The number was sung with marked
musical effect. Following Miss May O'Con
nor sang with excellent effect a soprano
solo entitled IL Etc. from Chaminade.
Miss Catherine B. Kirby next gave piano
solo, "Ernani." from Verdi-Liszt.
The centennial poem by Miss Harriet
Monroe was read. 1t was beautiful in
conception and language, and paid tribute
to the nuns of the school and to the school
itself. The aria from Maria de Rohan,"
by Donizetti was sung by Mrs. Susan
Crawford Gebbie. and following her came
Miss Pauletta Keena, who gave pretty
recitation; Mrs. Zaidee Jones Smith, who
rendered soprano solo, and the alumnae
chorus, which rendered Annie Laurie.
The programme closed with an address
- Rev. DR.. Stafford. He congratulated
tho convent upon its successful ceiebra-
ton and stated that the sisters have every
reason to be proud of the work of the in
Otitution during the past hundred years.
He thought that the school had been a
bepefit to both the church and the state.
for its graduates have occupied high po-
sitions in the social and Intellectual world.
This" said the speaker. "is more than
an occasion for Joy and celebration; it is
a time for thought. The convent stands
for the ideal education as opposed to the
utilitarian plan followed by other institu-
tions''