The Washington times., 1902-04-07
Roman Churches Honor
the Venerable Prelate by
Masses and Song.
MGR. SBARETTI CELEBRATES
Thousands of Communicates at Early
Masses to Take Advantage of Plenary
Indulgence-Large Number of Protest
ants Witness Beautiful Ceremonial.

ants Witness Beautiful ceremonial.
Every Roman Catholic Church in the
Archdiocese of Baltimore celebrated yes
terday in fitting manner the twenty
fourth anniversary of Pope Leo's coro-
nation. According 20 a pastoral letter
sent out about a month ago by Cardinal
Gibbons. yesterday-Low Sunday-had
been set aside for the purpose of cele-
brating this historical event in man
ner commensurate with the high impor-
tance of the occasion. The Roman Catho-
lice Churches of this city. in keeping
with the Cardinals injunction, observed
the day with the beautiful ceremonial
ritual Of the Church, accompanied by
elaborate musical programmes and sur
roundings of magnificent pomp, solemnity
and impressiveness- At the early masses
there were thousands of communicates
taking advantage of the plenary indul-
gence granted to those who would par
take of the Holy Sacrament by reason of
the occasion and significance of the day.
In most all Roman Catholic Churches,
especially at the late masses. there was
noticeable a large proportion of those
who were not Romanists who took deep
interest in the services and the sermon of
the day.
Mgr. Sbaretti Celebrates.
The Most Rev. Monsignor Sebastian
Sbaretti, Titular Archbishop of Ephesus,
Apostolic Delegate Extraordinary to the
Philippines, and formerly Bishop of Ha-
vana, celebrated at the II O'Clock services
at St. Stephens Church at solemn pom
tifical high mass. being assisted by the
clergy of st. Stephens and other church
es. The altar was beautifully decorated
with flowers and candles and the choir
sang Gounod's Mass of st. Cecilia" At
the end OF the mass the choir sang Gou-
mods hymn TO the Pope.
The Rev Father Caughy, pastor OF St.
Stephens. preached most eloquent SER
mon, in which he paid a glowing tribute
to the beautiful reign of Pope Leo and the
accomplishments acquired for the whole
world through his wisdom, liberality and
love.
Dr.. Stafford's Sermon.
The Rev. DR.. Stafford, of St Patrick's.
dl Allt IdAt ilidoss tdhlue HIS ltAl
from the gospel as contained in St John
xxii:193i: Thou art Peter and upon
this rock / shall build my church" DR..
Stafford said the Roman Catholic church
traced its origin back to these words as
contained in St. John He argued that
Christ did not come on earth TO organize
monstrosity-a society without a head
and that there was no successful enter
~ nf INV Grf ,l,n-
have head. The non-existence of
head in other than Roman Catholic
churches, said DR.. Stafford, accounted for
the existence of so many different reli-
gious sects in the United States.
mo mind that is unprecedented" said
DIR. Stafford, will deny the fact that st.
Peter was appointed the head of the
church. This great prerogative has been
historically fulfilled. 1t has been a fact
for the past 1000 years. 1t was there
when the English were brutes and saw
ages, and it was there when the Gauls
crossed the Rhine. 1t has seen the dis
coyery of new countries; it has witnessed
the discoveries OF new sciences and phil
osophies, and it was witness to the rise
and fall of empires and republics. The
papacy has survived all this, and il
stands today as il stood at the beginning
The church could not exist without
head. and the head could not exist with
cut the church. The papacy is essential
TO the church. 1t is the most extraordi-
nary phenomenon in all history. All great
thinkers from time TO time felt the neces-
sity of paving homage TO the Pope as the
successor of Peter and the head OF the
church There came times OF vicissitudes
in the history Of the world. but the
papacy remained. She has lost in some
parts of the world. only to gain ten times
rs much in new worlds.
n mn M oT- .t,a. III
can deny the fact that the Pope has had
a great benefcent influence on all civiliz-
ing agencies, on art, sciences and liberty.
In 1870 everybody thought that the end
OF the Catholic Church had come when
she lost that which had been her property
from times immemorial. But that little.
pale. emaciated man VINO some years
later ascended the throne of St Peter.
has since proved TO the world that the
papacy is the greatest power in the world.
He has not q foot of territory and yet
kings treat him as one of their own. He
has no worldly considerations. and vet
rulers, scholars, scientists and artists
have sent him for the past two weeks
evidences Of their esteem. love, and ven
Grafton. He has been the conservator ,f
the family and the protector of the state
Those foolish people who make the charge
that We have divided allegiance forget
the fact that the church stands behind
every Government. He has pleaded for
the working people, and he has liberated
slaves by the stroke of the pen: he has 4
cried out again and again against divorce. |
the most demoraliZing of all social evils.
he has called for education, an educa-
tion with God in it: he has pleaded for
liberty. and he has healed the wounds of
humanity from all points OF view.
Leo. who will stand out in history |
as Leo, the Great has a special aftec-
tion for the American people and Ameri-
can institutions.'
DIR. Stafford narrated his audience with
the Pope. which was beautiful and touch
ing in the extreme, and concluded his elo-
quent discourse with an appeal 20 ell /
Christians for their prayers for the Pope. !