Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-26
CHRISTMAS WITH CATHOLICS
Great Festival Celebrated with Character
iitie solsmnitJ in Omaha churches
THOUSANDS ATTEND ALL THE MASSES
From Early Morning UntiI High Noon
Large Armies Of Faithful co
to worship savior of
world.

TO worship savior of
world.
with all the brilIiancy 81 lights. lavish
ness Of decoration and improssiveness Of
ceremonial for which the church Of Rome
Is noted throughout the world. the Catholic
churches of Omaha celebrated tho Christ
mas festival Beginning at o'clock in
the morning. and continuing until high
noon. the various parish churches were
filled TO the doors with cver-changing null
titudes Of the faithful.
The high motto Of rejoicing was struck
from choir loft pulpit and altar. Bishop,
priests and dcacons worc arrayod in their
brightest vostmonts and robes Of splendor
to do devoted honor TO the living Son Of
God. Contrastcd with wreaths and fes
toons OF green. wido-spreadng across aisle
and nave and trausept were blazing lights
IN myriad profusion. Incense. harmony,
Joy. high acclaim Of the immacula telv con-
celved Redcomcr permeated all the shrines
wherein the children Of tho old church
gathered from darkest dawn 10 sun-bright-
ened noon time
Faithful by Hundreds.
The faithful approached tho communion
rails at tho early masses virtually by the
scores Of hundreds. Singlv. in twos, by
groups 81 families. they reverentlv trod
the broad aisles. humblv received tho bread
Of life and with clasped hands and down
cast eyes retired to silent prayer and med
itaton on the blessed Significance Of the
day. Children and adults renewed their
early vows devoutly and with edifying
piety. Mothers and daughters, fathers and
sons. stranger and Did parlshioner alike,
gladdened the hearts OF pastors and gave
living example Of their hearts convictions.
The sight was beautiful and the atmos-
phere of the whole proceeding fragrant
OF the true religious spirit.
"He was incarnate, born Of the Virgin
Mary, and was made man"
So rang sweetly and clearly the key
note from the Gladstone throats of CON
tralto. tenor. soprano and bass. as the
celebrants Of the mass Frustrated them
selves in lowly devotion before the illum-
mated and flower bedeckod affairs. "Venite
Adoramus," in all it's beauty of sentiment
and wealth of holy meaning. resounded
with swelling cadence through every
vaulted arch and filed listening souls with
the benson and living hope from far
across the ages.
Bishop and Parish.
Bishop in the diocesan cathedral and
pastor in parish church took delight in
reciting again the gospel lesson of the
world-stirring event that transpired In the
Manager of the stable attached to the inn
I'm ancient Judea when Caesar had ordered
the great census.
Not in the whole range OF the gospel"
said Father Bronsgeest at st. Johns. lis
there a more beautiful scene pictured
sttb1 ir,,a ,r xtyitb "a
promise. As the shepherds kept the lonely
night watches on the hills they little
dreamed of the wondrous favor they were
to receive. But their hearts were filed
with peace that good conscience never
fails to bring and in speechless wonder
they received the glad tidings OF great
Joy They heard the vital glowing mes
sage and they beheld a multitude OF the
heavenly host glory on glory. They heard
q new song sang for the first time on earth
that first Christmas night.
Happy, thrice happy shepherds. to whom
the angel message was given that after
1000 years of waiting Savior was born
who would sweep away the misery and
the wretchedness of hopeless world: who
would undo the work Of the serpent
1.-THE work OF a divine Redeemer is a liv-
ing fact today, for all the people of the
world. Jesus is the same today yesterday
and forever: Savior for those who have
gone before and for those who are to come
after.
Heavens Most Copious Graces.
MAY heavens most copious graces and
most bounteous blessings come to all with
the advent of this new Christmas; may
the loving greetings Of friends be fulfilled
IN most generous measure"
At. st. Johns the officiating priests az
the o'clock mass were: Celebrant. Rev
NJ. p. Bowling, s. j.: deacon. Rev. NJ
Bronsgeest, S. j. subdeacon, p. Lomasney
s. ].
Low masses were celebrated at 9, Z,
and o'clock. At the solemn high mass
at 1890 the officiating clergy were: Cele'
brant. Rev. NJ. Bronsgeest, S. j.. deacon
Rev. d. J. Curran, s. j.. subdeacon, NJ
Milligan, S. j. The sermon was preached
by Father Kinsella, 5. J.
Bishop Scannell sang the pontifical hgf
mass at ST. Philomena's cathedral in honor
of the birthday OF the Savior at o'clock
The assistant priest at the bishops throne
was Very Rev. William Kelly; deacOns OF
honor. Father NJ. Luersman, S. j. and
Father William Kearns; deacon and sub
deacon, Fathers James w. Stenson and =
j. Troy, 5. J.
The bishop delivered the sermon, illuml
mating the deep meaning of the holy ma
tivity, and Mt its close gladdencd the hearts
OF the hushcd multitude of worshipers Will
the papal blessing. The music consisted
Of the choral mass in c and was superb,
rendered BY the Junior choir, the Cleal