The Irish standard., 1904-08-20
invaders of their land. The new

invaders OF their land. The new
risen temple is peerless in its magnifi
cence. Gorgeous beyond conception
in a setting of mosaic, beautiful be
yond dreams in an adornment of rar
est marble, Respondent in glowing
flame of varying colors and mellowed
lights, the Cathedral of st. PatricI
was surely an ideal stage for the per.
Torrance of the solemn ceremonial of
the conservation.
And what congregation of the
faithful was there to witness the i'm
pressive function. Thousands were
easily accommodated within, and edi-
flying surely was the spectacle they
presented, as, bowed in prayer, they
thanked God for privileging them to
witness an event and a scene that will
live forever in the stored annals of
the premier see.
Conspicuous amongst that vast con-
gregation We're the devoted flock who
owe spiritual allegiance to the car
dinal primate-the children Of the
generations that longed With mex
pressible yearning to see what was
seen in Armagh recently-the realiza-
ton of hopes cherished for centuries.
Prominent also We're many distin-
guished representatives of Catholicity
abroad-men and women from far-off
lands to which, perchance, mission
aries who learned their ecclesiastical
lore in the grand old University of
Armagh. carried the faith preached
by st. Patrick. Many men noted in
public life in England were also pres
ert. The corporation of Drogheda,
the fine old border town of the arch
diocese, honored the occasion by APP
pearing in their red robes of state.
Eminent prelates travelled far from
other countries in order to be present,
and the Irish hierarchy was fully rep
resented. An imposing and unfor-
gettable personality in the midst of
all, adding by his presence an unique
significance to the event Of the day,
was the papal envoy, the illustrious
Cardinal Eannutelli, who journeyed
specially from Rome in obedience to
the wishes of the sovereign pontiff.
The ceremonial tself was solemnly
impressive, from the moment of the
entry of the grand procession to tile
time when the last triumphant notes
of the TIE Deum rang in majestic
echoes through the farthest spaces Of
the great cathedral.
In the sanctuary, the presence of so
many prelates, robed in purple, of car
dinals, wearing deep scarlet, and of
nearly five hundred clergymen, i'm
pressed the congregation with full
sense Of the greatness and solcmnity
of memorable, never-t o-be- forgotten
scene. The effect of it all was splen-
didly heightened by the chaste beauty
of the lovely interior slittering in
Willie and gold above and around the
altar. i'll ycrmilion and blue on the
wallis and roof over the sanctuary, and
in more Sombre color above the Gothic
columns and pointed arches of the
nave. The sacred music, too, was at
tuned to the spirit of the occasion. 1t
consisted mainly OF the simple har-
monies of the Grcgorian chant and the
haunting melodies of ,Pnlestrina, all
very effectively rendered by the Dub
lin pro-cathedral choir Of men and
boys.
The sermon of the day was preach
ed by his grace, Most Rev. DR.. Healy,
archbishop of Tuam. 1t was an effort
of pulpit oratory eminently worthy of
the great occasion. No one knows the
ecclesiastical history Of Ireland better
than the gifted and distinguished
preacher. That knowledge enabled
him to deliver fascinating discourse
on the Irish mission of st. Patrick,
with special reference to the saints
close association with Armagh. The
eminent preacher rose to height of
singular eloquence when he came to
refer to the history of the building Of
the cathedral, and to the parts played
in TINT great work by Primates Crolly,
Dixon, McGettigan, and the present
revered occupant of st. Patrick's
primatial see. Graceful, too, and de-
served, was his tribute to the holy
father. and to his illustrous envoy,
Cardinal Vannutelh, and terse and
true was his splendid description of
the assemblage of bishops, clergy, and
laity in the cathedral as the most
representative in the history Of the
Catholic church in Ireland.
1--WE have before u.s." said the
archbishop, linen and women of all
stations and positions, from the noblest
in England-noblest in descent and
nobler still in steadfastness and stain
less honor-Adown to the poor, way
worn travellers who have gathered
here from all the hills and valleys of
Ulster"
This reference was the first intima-
ton many Of the congregation had of
the presence of the Duke of Norfolk,
who, with the duchess, occupied a
prominent place next the sanctuary,
and who before the ceremonies began
warmly greeted his eminence, Car