Kentucky Irish American., 1902-07-19
Convention of Hiber-
mans at Denver Greatest
In History.
POmp and Ceremony Marked
the Proceedings of the
Opening Day.
AdjOurns as Mark of Respect to
Archbishop Feehan, Ma
tiOnal Chaplain.
KEENAN, AND BUTLER ARE PROMINENT

Pomp and ceremony marked the open.
ing of the national convention of the
Ancient Order of Hibernians at Denver
last Tuesday morning. The programme
for the day was somewhat abridged be-
cause of the unexpected death in Chicago
Of Archbishop Feehan, who was National
Chaplain of the order. Coliseum Hall,
where the convention was held, beauti.
fully decorated with flags and flowers,
was the scene of bustling activity from
an early hour in the morning, with many
delegates crowding in, some to greet old
friends, others to shake again the hand
of newer acquaintance and still others
seeking a chance to ask the hard-worked
reception committee some of the thou
sand and one questions of the visitors
Grand Marshal Patrick Murray was busy
attending to the wants of the 500 dele
gates already arrived.
With bobbing plumes, shining high
hats, gorgeous regalia and beaming
smiles, the procession of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians started promptly at
10 o'clock for the Sacred Heart church,
where pontifcal high mass was to be
celebrated in their honor. There all was
sunshine. and brightness, with signs of
welcome everywhere. Chancel and nave
were banked with flowers, while high up
on the altar blazed the sacred candles
with a glow of spiritual light. The
church was soon crowded with a silent,
expectant throng, who watched the fut-
tering folds of Old Glory and the flags of
green side by side in the middle aisle
near the altar rail. Then suddenly the
almost oppressive silence was broken by
resonant pealing of the organ as Bishop
Matt and his priests, resplendent in pur-
pie and gold, marched solemnly in and
took their places before the altar. With
much pomp and ceremony the Bishop
was escorted to scarlet canopied throne
and crowned with cap and mitre. An
impressive Pontifcal high mass followed,
in which Bishop Matz was assisted by
Vicar General Robinson, Chancellor Phil
lips and Father Edward Barry.
The mass over, Bishop Matz delivered
an address of welcome to the visiting
Hibernians, dwelling with some emphasis
upon the stand the order had taken in
regard to Christian Catholic education.
In fact, he said the Hibernians had done
more for that cause than any other body
of men in the country and he was proud
to have the privilege of officially welcom-
ing them to Denver in the name of the
Catholic church. Then Father Barry
ascended the pulpit and began his
sermon.
"You have come living up to your
motto. 'in friendship, unity and Christian
charity" said the Rev. Father E. ].
Barry, S. J., by way of prefacing his SER
mon. 81 need hardly add to the well
come just extended you by the Rev.
Bishop Matz," he said. at is an official
expression, and should be taken as a
welcome of the real old-fashioned Irish
sort. When your meeting is over and
your work is done for the faith and the
fatherland. you shall still leave us here in
faith, unity and Christian charity. 1t is
surely an edifying sight to see you here
hundreds of brainy, intellectual men,
living true to the principles of the patri-
arch and patron saint. the good St.
Patrick, who l 500 years ago uttered the
prayer, Grant me this favor, o Lord
You have come to this city as Catholics
-as Irish Catholics-and whether native
or to the the manor born, it makes no
difference, the eyes of the world are upon
you. The bone and sinew, the rank and
file, the common army, are typifed in
the Catholic church of America. You
are members of great organization. that
is both Catholic and Irish, and the church
expects much of you. The warfare of the
church Of Christ and the world will go
on until the end of time. but we must
combat it with the intelligence. loyalty
and honesty of organizations like yours.
We must face and meet these questions.
The church needs our undivided loyalty"
The convention had many important
matters referred to committees, which
could not be reported on before Thursday,
when considerable time was taken up
with the Gaelic chair question. Bishop
Couaty, of the University, addressed the
convention, and reports are that his ex-
planation gave entire satisfaction.
National Secretary Bree's report
showed a membership in the United
States of l07 ,577, and the Ladies' Aux
iliary numbered 81 ,S76 members.
Looking over the Denver papers, none
seem more prominent than Kentucky's
representatives, County President Tom
Keenan,, and George J. Butler, Of Divis-
ion 3. They have been interviewed and
large half-tone cuts of them appear in
both the Denver Post and News.
The convention is harmonious, the
anonymous circulars issued for the pur.