Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-25
Christmas 0bservances in
Many Local Churches.
MASSES AT MIDNIGHT
FRANCISCAN MONKS HOLD SOL
EMN SERVICE AT MONASTERY.
Carols and Anthems Sung by Aug
mented Choirs-Special Music in
Churches Next Sunday.

cnuFcneS To-Day. Long before CHRISTMAS
morning dawned the celebration OF the day
was begun. In some churches midnight
services were held. in others the choirs be-
gan the festival Of song at sunrise, while
with still others whose custom 1t Ia to cele-
brate early the day of religious commemo
ration of the Savior's birth was opened at
and o'clock. Nearly all held special
musical services at II O'Clock and many will
continue the celebration until late this
evening. There were many Christmas eve
Sunday school entertainments, and old
Santa Claus visited more than one church
to gladden. the hearts of the children.
As the day dawned solemn high mass was
celebrated with impressive ritualistic digni
ties at Mount ST. Sepulchre, at the Fran
ciscan monastery. Brookland The service
was preceded by the chanting OF the divine
onice by the clergy and ecclesiastical stu
dents of the community
The officiating clergy and about forty
Franciscan monks at II o'clock last night
met In the sacristy adjoining the chapel and
marched In solemn procession to the sane
tuary, where the Office was chanted. The
clergy then marched back to the sacristy
and preparation for the solemn high mass
was begun.
Proceeding to the main alter in the center
of the chapel, the celebrant said mass. Holy
communion was then given, received first
the large congregation. This service was
impressive in the extreme and lasted near
ly an hour.
The Grotto of Bethlehem.
The professional took up the march to
the Grotto of Bethlehem at 1 o'clock this
morning. The grotto is located beneath
the church and is reached by a picturesque
stairway. Father Engler carried an image
of the infant Savior and the Christ child
was deposited in the manager. which is made
In imitation of the Manager of the Church Of
the Nativity, erected at Bethlehem in the
year 327. This part of the service last night
swas unique in that 1t Is performed in no
other place in the United States.
AS the solemn procession entered the
grotto Father Engler. with the image OF
the infant Jesus. was in the lead. Behind
him solemnly, paced the monks in double
file. all chanting fmpressively Peaceful
Night, Silent Night" and carrying Lighted
tapers. The chapel. finished in white stone.
was brilliantly lighted by 500 wax tapers
and handsomely decorated with flowers and
palms, presenting a. beautiful sight inten-
sified by the solemnity of the hour. After
services in honor of the Christ. the image
OF the infant was placed in a bed of straw.
the center Of a silver star beneath the al
tar. The manager was In an alcove sur
rounded with palms and flowers. Two low
masses were then said by Father Engler
clergy and Students; This service was con-
cluded at 2 O'clock this morning
Holy mass Was said at Mount st. SepuI-
chre at g, $50 and ! O'Clock this morning
benedictfon were, held at 800 o'clock this
afternoon.
In Catholic Churches.
st. Aloysius Church corner of North Cap
itol and I streets, celebrated early mass at
n 1noI nJa
cal program was rendered by the choir
Solemn high mass was said at 1890 O. clock
Another daybreak service was held at ST.
Stephens Church. Pennsylvania avenue
and 25th street. at o'clock The choir
accompanied bya full orchestra, gave ap-
propriate and impressive musical selections
Masses were celebrated at St. Teresa's
Church. Anacostia, at s, Z and o'clock
this morning.
The Church Of the Immaculate Concep-
ton held masses at $50 and 1880 O'Clock
this morning. when fine programs of music
were rendered.
The Shrine of the Sacred Heart had
one at o'clock, as did also st. Dominic's
Early Episcopal Services.
st. Johns Episcopal Church held holy
communion at 7:30 o'clock this morning
when special music was sung by the choir
ana the cnurcn SOlOlStS.
An o'clock service was held at the
Church Of the Epiphany.
Services were held at 7:3O o'clock and
IL o'clock at St MichaePs and All Angels
Church and appropriate music was sung.
The programs for services this evening
and the details of the earlier services are
as given in The Star yesterday evening.
Many Of the churches in the city will hold
their special musical services in commence
ration of Christs nativity next Sunday
morning and evening. and some that have
already held them will have the music re-
peated. -
Services Next Sunday.
The First Baptist Church. 18th and o
streets northwest. will hold special
Christmas musical service next Sunday
morning at II o'clock. Among the musi-
cal selections that will be rendered are
Sing, o Heavens by Tours and Beth
lehem," by c. Whitney Coombs. An even
ing service will be held at 7:15 o'clock.
when more music will be given. Mr.. Percy
church.
A special musical program will be rem
dered at the Mount Vernon Place NJ -.
Church Sunday. An augmented choir will
sing several selections, and there will be a
number of solos. =
A similar service will be held at the
Eastern Presbyterian Church at the same
time. under the direction of DR.. L. A.
Sadler 6
Sunday evening at 7:30 O'Clock an elabo-
rate musical program will be rendered at
Wesley Chapel, corner of 9Th and F streets
northwest Extra music will also be sung
at the IL O'Clock service in this church
next Sunday - a
The choir Of Gurley Memorial Presbyte-
rian Church WILL render an extra program
Of appropriate Christmas music next Sun
day. tEr :"
Mr. Gilbert A. Clark director NJ yousic