Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-25
TRIBUTE TO POPE LEO
GREGORIAN MASS SUNG AT ST.
MATTHEW'S CHURCH.
Edifice deliberately Draped and Casket
Covered With Cloth of White
and Gold.

Diplomats, representatives of the govern
ment service. Professionals and Catholics
alike. did honor to the memory Of Pope Leo
XIII at St. Matthew'S Church this morning.
The Gregorian requiem mass was sung at
10 o'clock In its entirety. the service lasting
for two hours. No sermon was given.
The diplomatic service was represented
by the Chinese amba ssador Sir Chentung
Llang-t heng, and the first secretary OF the
embassy. Mr.. Chow TSzch; Niscount de St
fhilie, the personal representative OF the
French ambassador; Mr.. Theodore Hansen.
hrst secretary of the Russian embassy, the
Mexican ambassador. Senior de Azpiroz;
Mr.. Alfredo de M Comes Ferreira charge
d'affaires OF the Brazilian legation: Senior
Rafael s. Lopez minister from salvador:
Senior Calvo. minister from Costa Rico; MIR.
Henry Stroehlin, from the Swiss legation.
and many other attaches representing for
eign governments. They were seated on
either side of the main aisle. purple ribbons
stretched across the aisle reSerVing the
space especially for them and for such gov
eminent officials as might wish To attend
; the services.
The church presented a beautiful appear
ance At the head of the main aisle ii CEN
otaph which repoSed a casket covered
with "A cloth of white and gold. Around IL
We're placed maze of candles that cast 4
sheen of light over half the church. Their
twinklinE resembled nothing SO much a
cluster of stars set in an inky sky. The
altar draped beautifully In black the
columns and walls in places being COM
pletely covered with the somber-hued cloth.
Here and there rosettes of gold and white,
the papal colors, caught up the black with
masterful effect, while over the whole fes-
toons of black made a border that set OF
the whole design. In the midst of this a
bright splash of color the purple throne
erected for the apostolic delegate. Mgr.
Falcono was placed to the left OF the main
altar. The choir loft reflected the black
and gold and yellow from its railing.
Mass for the Dead.
The mass sung was the Gregorian mass
for the dead. in the opinion of some must
clans the grandest piece of music that was
ever written for this purpose. There were
no extra musical numbers prepared by the
choir, which consisted of the regular sing
ers at st. Matthews. assisted by some out
side vocalists. the length of the mass pre-
Guiding any interpretations. Miss Glenuan
led the choir and played the organ, Father
Bart of ST. Teresas Church. Anacustia,
leading at times
The absolution the most impressive
part of the service. and was given by Mgr.
Falconio. assisted by Rev. Fathers Fink 8.
j.; Mulvaney. s. j.; Chapius. S. s. and
Redding OF Ammendale. This ceremony
occupied the greater portion of the latter
part of the mass
The mass was celebrated by Rev Father
Mackin pastor of St. Pauls. and he was
assisted by Rev. Father Bart as deacon.
Rev. Father Mallon. St. Anne's Church. as
subdeacon and Rev. Jerome Daughcrty. s.
j.. Of Georgetown. assistant priest. The
deacOns Of honor to Mgr. Falconio were
Rev Father MARI. OF the Immaculate Con-
ception Church and Rev Father Caughey
OF st. Stephens. Father Lee, the pastor
of st. Matthews acted as the first master
of ceremonies and Rev. Father Stirling
second.
On account of the extreme length OF the
program no sermon was given.
The last of the series OF masses Of re-
Quiem in honor OF the pope'S death at st.
Paurs Church. 18th and streets north
west, of which the Rev. Father Mackin Is
the pastor will be held Monday morning
at o. clock.