Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-12
IN HONOR OF VIRGIN
OBSERVANCE OF THE FEAST OF
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception
was generally observed in the Catholic
churches of Washington Sunday, it being
the nearest Sunday to the feast day, FRI
day, December s. AZ St. Augustine's
Church. on 10Th street northwest, the OBJ
servance of the feast day partook of spe-
cial significance. Mgr. Diomede Falconio,
the papal delegate to the United States
was present, and the day was given over
entirely to special deyotions.
Solemn high mass was celebrated in the
morning, with Rev. George Dougherty of
the Catholic University as ceebrant; Rev.
F. X. Bischoff deacon, and Rev. William
A Cahill. subdeacon, Rev. Alonzo J. Olds
acted as master of ceremonies The dea-
cons of honor to Mgr. Falconio, who was
present in cope and mitre, were Rev. James
F. Mackn, pastor of st. Paul's Church, and
Rev. Father Reilly OF the Apostolic Mis-
sion House. Tie musical program rendered
was of high order of excellence.
DIR. c. F. Aiken Of the Catholic Untver-
silly preached the sermon, and his discourse
on 1.-THE Immaculate Conception" was heard
by q large congregation.
1T is not without peculiar fitness that
the feast of the Immaculate Conception
has been placed in the holy season of Ad-
vent, when our minds are being directed
to the great feast, SO soon to come, in
which we commemorate the birth of our
Lord and Savior" DR.. Aiken said. 1T IS
the doctrine Of the immaculate conception
looks for its reason and justification. 1t
is In the notion of Mary the mother of the
incarnate God that lies involved that other
blessed truth of her spotless sanctity,
reaching even to her immaculate concep-
ton. In word, it is In the unique dignity
of Mary that we find the reason of that
wonderful prerogative of hers that we COM
memorate today.
God has raised Mary to height of ex-
cellence far above that of any other crea-
ture. She was chosen from all eternity
for that office which could have no equal,
to be the mother of God. For her was re-
served the unspeakable privilege of Civ
ing to God His human form, of contribu-
ting from her own chaste substance the
flesh and blood that was to bring saliva
ton to the world. II, then, the nation
has its heroes, whose memory it loves
and cherishes, if the father of our coun-
try is honored in yearly festival, let US
not be blamed for our devotion to our
blessed mother, by whom has come the
source of all blessings, Christ our Lord.
Let us not be taken to task for loving her
whom Christ himself loves so dearly"
AT the evening service there was recep-
ton into the Sodalfty of the Blessed Virgin
pied the pulpit The attendance was I'M
usually large. Previous to mis- connection
with the Catholic University, Father Dough-
erty was an assistant pastor at this church.
and this was the first occasion on which
he had preached at his late mission. Father
Dougherty enuncfated number of beauti-
full thoughts in the handling of his theme,
THE Mother OF God"
At the Church OF the Immaculate Con-
ception, corner of Sth and n streets north
west, special services were also held. Sol
emn high mass was said at the late mass.
Rev. Charles Bart, pastor of St Teresa's
Church, Anacostia, officated as eelebrant;
Rev. Hugh Curley of st. Peters Church.
deacon, and Rev. Ambrose Beavens, as
sistant pastor of the Church of the I'M
maculate Conception, subdeacon Rev. J.
d. Mari. the pastor of the church, preach-
ed the sermon. The choir, under the d.
rection of Harry Wheaton Howard. sang
Gounod's Mass. There was a large attend-
ance.