Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-18
THE DEAD PRIEST
Funeral Ceremonies Over the Late
Mgr. Mcmahon.
EXERCISES Ar1CArHuLlc UNIVERSITY
Rector conaty's Tribute to the
Late Prelate's Memory
PROCESSION TO Mt. OLIVET
PROCESSION TO Mt. OLIvET

PROCESSION TO Mt. OLIvET
group Of monks, brown-robed, girt
about the middle with their knotted ropes.
bareheaded and sandaled, lent an old-world
air to the procession of sorrowing priests,
professors and students that filed into the
chapel Of divinity hall Of the Catholic Uni
versity today, to pay the last sad rites to
the memory of a distinguished church.
man.
The occasion was the funeral services
over the remains OF Monsgnor Mcmahon.
whose body reposed in flower bestrewn
casket resting before the chancel, five
lighted candles at the head and five at the
feet. Above on the altar twelve tall can
dies shed glow of light on the funereal
drapings that overhung the alcove. In
the body OF the chapel five score more
students, IN black cassocks and white sur
plices, sat along the benches, and in their
midst were some dozen or more priests. at
tired in the distinguishing robes of their
several sacred orders.
These were the young men who had sat
at the feet OF the honored priest and teach
er who was gone, and his former asso-
ciates who had loved and respected him.
All the seats in the portion Of the chapel
SET apart lot the puDllC were occupied Dy
persons gathered to add their contribution
to the tributes Of praise and honor to Mon
signor McMahon's memory.
Pontifcal Requiem Mass.
Pontifical requiem mass was celebrated,
furnishing a long and impressive service,
in which all the students and the clergy
joined. The university choir was augment
ed by the youthful voices Of the entire con-
gregation of students, who chanted the
prayers and responses of the service:
The scene was particularly beautiful
when all the students were invested with
candles and, rising with them lighted.
stood while the berobed priests at the altar
performed the offices Of the mass, with
swinging censers to the deep-toned dia-
pason of the organ. The black and white |
and red and purple robes Of the officiating
ministers and the soft glow of candles lent
a dash of color to the scene in contrast |
with the somber drapings /
The mass was sung by Bishop Farley, |
auxiliary bishop of New York. The dea-
con Of the mass was Rev. John W. Melody |
Of Chicago; the subdeacon, Rev. Thomas |
Flynn of Utica; the assistant priest Rev.
P. J. Healy Of New York, and the master |
Of ceremonies, Rev. P. j. Sheridan of New |
York.
Among the priests who were present in
the robes of their orders were the follow i
ing: Rev. Walter Elliott, c. S. P, presi- !
Descreux, 8. M, president of Morris Col
lege; Rev. j. A. Burns, c. s. c., president |
Of Holy Cross College; Rev. Godfrey Schil-
ling, Q. F. NJ, superior of the Franciscan
Monastery; Very Rev. A. L. Magnien, S. s.,
D. D., superior of st. Mary's Seminary, |
Baltimore; Rev. John D. Whitney. s. j.,
president of Georgetown University; Rev.
John A. Conway, S. j.; Rev. Father Moran, |
o. p, superior of the Domincans; Rev. !
Thomas 8. Lee Of st. Matthews, Rev. John |
F. Mackin Of st. Pauls and Rev. D. j.
Stafford of st. Patrick's.
Mgr. Conaty's Eulogy.
The eulogy was delivered by Monsignor
Conaty, rector of the Catholic University,
who had been hurriedly summoned from
Dubuque Iowa. by the announcement Of
the fatal illness Of Monsignor Mcmahon.
Monsignor Conaty was visibly affected with
emotion as he spoke of the life and charac-
ter Of the departed, and created a profound
impression upon the audience, many Of
whom We're deeply moved by his remarks.
Monsgnor Conaty took for his text the
verse blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord
Death has entered our household and
taken from us the patriarch Of our fam
ily,'' he said, "the most generous benefac-
tor Of the university. But not all is sad
ness in death; there Is a noble gladness in
death for one whose life has been a season
has death such terrors for us? There is
nothing with which more familiar
and yet there is nothing with which we
become less familiar. What is death bat
life everlasting for him who dies in the
Lord"
Life has It's responsibilities, to be follow
ed by judgment, but how easy the RESPONSE
biity and how light the judgment when
the life is such as the one just closed. The
friend who is now mourned as departed
from our midst, is the friend who has en-
tered upon the true living. and who is now
in the presence of the God whom he so
faithfully sought to serve.
The patriarch whose memory was now
being celebrated was born in the north of
Ireland, and brought up in atmosphere
where bitter Professionalism prevailed In
this atmosphere he received severe
training in the faith before he went to
Dublin to finish his education. He next
went to France, and was sent out to Canada
to serve the church. There he labored
passing through the great epidemic of
fever, in which he ministered to his flock
until he was himself taken down. His next
field of usefulness was in New York city,
where he led busy and active life. The
located on the site of his church, and Mon
signor McMahon's pronounced business
ability was brought into service in con-
nection with this construction.
His Fortune to the Church.
The little patrimony which he brought
with him from Ireland he invested in New
York real estate. and by good management |
and through the advance in values he later
found himself in possession Of a fortune
But his heart was never set upon money.
He did not spend money and did not waste
it. He wanted to place his money where |
it would rebound to the credit of the |
church.
AS an example of the character of Mon
signor Mcmahon, the preacher told Of the |
circumstances attending the transfer of |
property valued at 100000 to the church.
Monsignor Mcmahon had signed the deed |
passing away his property gladly and |
smilingly, as a pleasure, and making no |
more over it than another man would at |
signing a small check on his bank account.