Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-06-18

One of the prettiest religious ser
vices ever seen in this city was the
Corpus Christi procession last evening
at st. Joseph's Cathedral. The service is
celebrated annually but never before
has it been of such magnitude or on
such a magnificent scale. 1t is held
by the Catholic sect throughout the
world in commemoration of the Holy
Eucharist. In the Catholic countries
the services are very elaborate, and
the line Of professions march through
III the thoroughfares of the cities.
At St. Joseph's yesterday a large
children's class of boys and girls made
their first communion at half past six
o'clock in the morning. At 1920
o'clock Solemn High mass was cele-
brated in the presence of the Blessed
Sacrament.
The principal service of the day was
held at Z O'Clock last evening. Sol
emf vespers were sung by the Cath
olic choir, at which the Rev. James
Mullen, of st. Mary's parish, was the
celebrant. The Rev. William Hall was
deacon, and the Rev. Edward Galway,
sub-deacon. Rev. o. H. Moye was
master of ceremonies. All of the last
three are members of the Cathedral
clergy.
Immediately following the vesper
service, the procession was taken up
from the church and around the con-
vent gardens where the altar had been
set up. First marched the Cathedral
High School cadets. They were fol-
lowed by the Sodality of the B. V. NJ.
and the girl members of the Sunday
school. Next came the knights of st.
George and then the flower girls. Next
followed the altar boys, the clergy and
the Cathedral choir. The flower girls
to the number of thirty, daintily attir-
ed in white, strewed flowers along the
path.
Over two thousand people. witnessed
the ceremony. During the services at
the church the large auditorium was
filled to the doors, and great many
people were forced to stand on the
street.
At the altar in the gardens the scene
beggars description. Pressed closely
about it were those who participated,
and filling in all the remaining space,
eager spectators pressed forward to
watch the ceremony.
The altar presented a most magnif-
icent sight, with the densely packed,
eager throng on all sides. The altar
itself was beautifully decorated in cut
flowers on a field of greenery. Among
the flowers were myriads of mangolias,
which mingled their perfume with that
of the censors. On the altar was the
handsome gold lace imported from
France last Easter time.
1t was just early twilight when the
candles were lighted and the outside
service was begun. The scene from
a distance was rendered even more
enhancing. On the beautiful altar, gay
in its flowers, with the soft candle
lights glittering on the gold, the fig
ures of the clergy in bright vestments,
moved noiselessly here and there, in
the performance Of their duties of the
service. And while the celebrant
pronounced the benediction a breath
less stiffness pervaded the assem-
blage. All stood with bowed head,
from the belfry of the church, the
large bell tolled u solemnly on the
evening air.
After tbs service the procession re-
turned to the church, the flower girls
strewing their flowers in the path.
Here the benediction was again pro-
nounced, concluding the ceremony.