The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-04
BY Bishop Van de Vyver and
Mr.. John G. Hagan.
a RECEPTION AT DIR.
GEO. BEN JOHNSTON's
Last Evening Occasion One ofthe Most
Impressive in Many Years-The
Laying ofthe Cornerstone
Of the New Cathedral
4 O'clock This
Afternoon. s2

Amid a scene OF beauty and splendor, Y
his Excellency Diomede Falconlo, Arch
bishop OF Larlssa and Delegate Apos-
tolic Of the Holy Sec to tho United
States made his entree into Richmond
last evening and was formally received
and welcomed by the Catholics Of tile
city assembled III the Cathedral.
10 the hundreds Of people who filled
st. Peters the occasion was an spspir-
Ing one. The brilliantly lighted church
was crowded with a congregation OF "
brilliantly dressed peop1e-men, women
and children; the sanctuary was thronged
with cassocked acolytes and priests;
three or four bishops were present, with
other clerics of almost equal distinction.
Upon the episcopal throne, over which
were draped the papal flag and the Stars
and Stripes caught together with tho
American eagle. sat the eminent pre-
late in whose honor the assembly had
gathered.
Formally Welcomed.
While he thus sat, arrayed in the gor-
geous robes Of his high office, the Bishop
I "a
ihis clergy. and a prominent Richmond
citizen, speaking for the laity, formally
welcomed the delegate, the Immediate
representative Of his Holiness. tho Pope.
into their midst. TO both addresses his
Excellency made suitable response. In
voking the blessing of Almighty God
upon the faithful congregated beforos
him and upon the Catholics Of Virginia
In general The Holy Father at Rome.
he declared. would DO glad to learn of
the success Of the Diocese OF Virginia
and Of the beautiful cathedral they aro
just beginning to build. The delegate
paid gracious com pliment to the gem II
tleman who spoke for the laity when, a t
the conclusion OF the welcome address. +.
he called the speaker to him, extended
his hand. and requested the manuscript
OF the speech
the Cathedral the entire party OF clergy
men repaired to- the residence OF DR..
George Ben Johnston. where delight
| full Informal reception to the delegate &
| was extended, The Governor Of the
| state and tho Lieutenant Governor were
present, with several prominent Fro
| testant ministers and q number OF the
| most prominent citizens of Richmond,
| There was no speaking or formality OF
| any sort, but simply a pleasant inter-
minglng and Misunderstanding and chat
ting
His Arrival.
Monsirnor FaIconio came directly from
Washington, reaching Richmond about
7.15 o'clock in the evening. Along with
him from the capital city came the Right
Rev Dr. OConnell, rector OF the Catf- Y
Ollie University. The two were met at
Ashland by Bishop Kelley, Of Savannah.
and the Rev. Father Bowler, vlcar-gen-
eral of the diocese OF Virginia, both OF
whom went from Richmond to attend
them. The party drove directly from
Elba to the episcopal residence.
Long before the arrival OF His Excel s
lency people had begun to gather at tho
Cathedral a committee from the knights
OF Columbus was in charge of the church
acting as ushers and otherwise directing
things until the procession entered. Ths
choir specially trained for tho occasion
held a brief rehearsal and then Led lntc
their places. Before the exercises began
the entire church was practically filled
with all Of the best known Catholics 10
the city.
THE PROCESSION.
Alter forming in n body in the episcopal
residence the procession of altar boys and
clergy, in cassock and surplice brought
IN in the rear by the bishops and finally
by the delegate himself. marched through 4
the street into the church. bishop van
de Vyver met them al the door ana then
the Wn0le lnNTCNeN 2'pNiS VIZ VIZ. Ahe'i'
aisle. First came the cross-bearer. then
acnlytes, then altar boys and finally
priests. Behind the latter We're Bishop
Van dc VYger, Bishop Kelley. Bishop
Donahoe, Monslgnor O'Connell and 9th.
ers. Last of all came His EScellency fol.
lowed by four altar hoys, who acted as
train-bearers. Father -. gri and Father
fIannigan were deacons and Father Wa
ters was master OF ceremonies.
The stately march up the aisle wa,
made to the strains of Ecco Sacerdoa
Magnus sung by the choir. The process
sion entirely filed the sanctuary, which
was finally reached and the scene there
was beautiful and splendid one, The
main altar was brilliantly lighted and
beautifully decorated with flowers. and
the shining brass of the candle sticks
and the altar rail and tho other appoint
ments sparkled and shone in the bright
light, The robes OF the clergy ard tha.
altar boys were in beautiful harmony
with the other elements OF the scene.
eliminating in the gorgeous apparel Of
the delegate, who SAT- upon the episcopal
throne decorated as described. K
The Bishops Address.
Assisted by some of the clergy y.q,S
| Ixcelleney mounted the altar and y1ta'
through with certain preiiminaries,s : \
| priests rnakingt responses. Then sa,
escorted to his seat und Bshon