The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-09
GIVEN With SOLEMN RITES
The Red Berretta Conferred Upon
Cardinal Martinelli.
llaltimore's Cathedral Thronged
with Distinguished Prclates of
the Church-Thc Ceremony Rich in
the SpIendor Of Color and Music.

BALTIMORE, May S.-with ceremonials
that exhibited to the highest the glory of
color, the pageantry, and the solemn i'm
pressiveness of the Catholic ritual Cardi-
nal Martinelli was today, at the Baltimore
Cathedral, invested with the red berretta
1t seemed almost a feast day in Baltimore
so full were the streets with sightseers
and with cassocked priests. The days
celebration began at 10 o'clock with a
procession from the residence of Cardinal
Gibbons, on Charles Street. through Null
berry Street, to the entrance of the ca
thedral on Cathedral Street.
The weather was only partially pro-
pitious. yet though the clouds hid the
sun, the ceremonial march was brilliantly
splendid. II was lead by 212 seminarians
in black cassocks and rich lace surplices.
From this sombre combination the climax
of color rose through white and yellow
edged academic gowns to the brilliant
purple vestments of the Bishops and
Arch5ishops. In the procession were dig
nitaries in such profusion that monks,
Archbishops, Bishops, novices, and lay
men could not be told apart.
The interior of the cathedral re-echoed
with sound. The organ pealed and the
voices of the choir rose over and again
in the majestic harmonies of Beethoven
and those unknown masters who made
the massively cadenced Gregorian chants
The edifice was crowded with an assem-
biage as noteworthy as any that has ever
been within its walls The air was heavy
with the perfume of flowers banked upon
the altar and the mass of blossoms was
fringed with a myriad OF fiickering lights
The great Paschal candle standing at the
gospel side showed its broad flame high
above the shimmering sparks of the small
tapers.
To an inspiring yet solemn march the
procession came down the aisle. As the
Bishops and Archbishops entered the
church the sound of the rolling organ
gave way to the softer strains of the
stringed orchestra. Cardinal Gibbons,
scarlet robed, with ermine hood and a
long train born by six acoiytes, crossed
the threshold. and then the voices broke
forth in a professional hymn. The Cardi-
nails croizer was preceded by the Noble
Papal Guard, Count Colacicchi.
AS it marched toward the altar the line
Of clerics presented every contrast and
every phase Of color, for there We're to
be marked walking in the retinue of
purple-robed Archbishops, Franciscan
monks in their sombre brown, Cistercians
in their black and white, hooded Angus
tinians. and members OF other ancient
orders of the Church. The multitude of
priests and prelates in their colored vest
Inents crowded the entire chancel, strip
ing it where they sat with black, white
brown, and purple. Prominent among
them all were the white garments of the
deacon, sub-deacon. assistant priest, and
other officers of the msss, embroidered
with shining gold and richly encrusted
with jewels that flashed in the trembling
light of the candles.
The Papal messenger in his gold-laced
uniform and plumed helmet stood through
the entire service at the epistle side of the
altar near the temporary throne erected
for the new Cardinal After all the priests
and Archbishops had filed in and taken
their seats, Cardinal Martinelii, accom-
panied by Mgr Rocker and Father Boni-
face. entered the church from the sacris-
~. He took his seat on his throne facing
Cardinal Gibbons. the latter having at his
right hand Father Whitney. of the George
town University, and Father Lee, of ST. |
Matthew'S The ceremony of comforting !
the berretta began without delay. The brief |
TO Cardinal Gibbons from the Pope was
read in the original Latin by DIR. White, |
Secretary to tine Papal Ablegate, Mgr Mar |
chett. being translated by him into Eng |
lisb afterward. 1t was as follows:
To Our Beloved Son. James Gibbons, |
Cardinal Priest of the Holy Roman |
Church. Archbishop OF Baltimore:
Our beloved son-HeGlth and Apostolic |
blessing. Having this day created Car
dinal OF the Holy Roman Church our
titular Archbishop of Ephesus, we have |
committed TO cur beloved son, Francis /
Marchett. the duty of presenting to him |
the red berretta, the second mark of his |
CIR f.f
assists Cardinal Martirelli in the Apos- |
tolic Delegation. He will present himself |
TO your Eminence in the performance OF |
his Office and viii bring you our greet |
ings. We commend him, entrusted with |
the honorable duties of an Ablegate. to |
y our Kindness and beg you to receive him |
fitting. for doing which we ourselves shall |
feel duly grateful to you.
As an augury of heavenly blessings |
and as a sign of our good will. we send |
you most lovingly in the Lord the Apos- |
tolic benediction.
Given at St Peters. Rome, under the |
FisheTmar's Seal. April Is. 1901. twenty {
fourth year OF the Pontifcate.
ALEXANDER VOLPINI."
The Papal Ablegate, Dr. Marchetti then
made his address to Cardinal Gibbons in |
which he felicitated him upon being |
chosen by the Pope to confer the berrette
upon the new Cardinal and commended
the Pope's choice of the officer as being |
most fitting.
Turning to the new Cardinal Mon
signor Marchetti then read to him the
Papal brief announcing his appointment
TO the Cardinalate, as follows:
"Our beloved son-Health and Apostolic |
benediction, Although unworthy being
constituted by divine mercy in the sub |
Unity of the Apostolic See, and by virtue |
of our Office having care of the welfare 1
of the Catholic Church. among our chief |
is that the College of our ven
erahle brothers the. Cardinals Of the Holy |
Roman Church should be kept brilliant |
by most distinguished men, as the dignity |
OF that most splendid order demands. |
for this reason we have decided to in
scribe you In their number, for your piety,
your learning, your zeal for the Catholic |
faith. and your other qualities and gifts |
OF mind lead US to hope that your min
istry will be Of great use and benefit to |
the Church of God.
Since, however, our beloved son Regi- |
maid Plus de Raymond to whom we had |
committed the honorable duty of Apos-
tolic Delegate. declined 1t, we accepted |
his refusal, and resolved to commit II to |
Francis Marchetti, auditor of the Apos-
tolic Delegation in the United States of |
North America. who will present to you.
created by us Cardinal of the Holy
Roman Church. one Of the insignia OF |
this sublime dignity, the red berretta so
that when it shall have been conferred |
on you, you may understand by this mark
of the brilliant scarlet that you, having |
been raised to the Cardinalatial dignity
must ever stand fearless and invincible |
against all dangers for the Church of
God. even to the shedding of your blood,
precious in the sight Of the Lord.
We wish. however. that before YOU re-
ceive the berretta. you. by all means. take
the oath to be given you by the said i
francis Marchetti, and that, signed by |
you, you send IL to US, either through |
him or through some other person.