The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-04-18
THE NEW ABBOT
Ceremony Which is Very
Rare in the United
Estates.

Rather Cromlsy has prepared for The
icader the following Interesting ace
c8rnt OF the blessing of tine new abbott
s,t Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart monas-
tors was tho scene yesterday of a cere-
inony which is rare To the United States
i.ui which has occurred three times
within the confines of oklahoma--that
,f blessing the new abbot Father Bern
are Murphy. who was elected TO sue
ctC Father FeEy De Crasse Cwho died
sanua1y % as abbot Of Sacred Heart.
fIc IS the fourth man to hold that office.
Father Robat. the first abbot who came
from rstaucc some time about ISIS, was
appointed ADbot and apostolic delegate
20 Rome.
Before the death Of Father Robat the
community had become self-supporting.
hence self-govcrniug. and since then has
chosen its aobots ly vote.
The ceremony yesterday was Witnessed
2 ~ great throne Of people many OF
whom came in on special train which
n,e N. X & r. IN 70 Konawa. The
church was l,5f .s,lv and beautifully
0ocorated with hand-p1inted banners
snd natural flowers. while Immediately
hack of the altar whore the initials of the
newly Installed attot M b." IN gold
nnd scarlet The ceremony. which Is
interesting n the extreme. IS very
lengthy. occupying more time than does
ihe installation OF bishop.
Father Bernard. as the new abbot IS
known 70 his people. is the oldest priest
in point Of membership Of the Commun-
ITS OF Sacred Heart living. While yet a
toung boy. Father Bernard was com-
pcnod 20 leave his native city savannah,
Cs.-on account uf yellow fever. and
coming 10 Sacred Heart he completed
his studiss there. Graduating laser he
was ordered in New orleans by Arch
Eshop DcRoy. and. returning 10 Sacred
Heart. he assisted Father Rohat for a
llne. lie then went ont doing missionary
work through Oklahoma and Indian Ter
sitories. until todav there is scarcely N
town in either territory which does not
Rear ts monument to his work in the
saape td church or school nor q Cath
olic home where lis name IS not known
end reyered
M 1881 Father Bernard WIS sent to
Krebs where he built church and
reurishing school on the property Of the
kfirNtit OF AiElf ~ tnltHltNllhN tA NlllidlA-
age. built the Hospital fcr Sisters at
south McAlester. and in all these seven
teen years has put up the work Of three
men. Abbot Bernard Murphy is the
first American priest to be honored with
election TO this office by the Benedict
ines Of Oklahoma.
1'he sermon. which was forcoful and
eloquent. vas delivered oy Rev. Father
oConnor who was an altar boy in the
church which Father Bernards parents
attended at Savannah, Ca This early
friendship ripened with the years. and
yesterdays ceremony was The beautiful
browning point.
Right Rov Bistop Maerschert Of the
diocese Of Oklahoma and Indian Terri
tory conducted the ceremonies.
The most beautiful part OF fhe bril-
Innt ceremony was when the ring,
which signifies the wedding to his office.
rad heen placed upon the new abbot
Enger and the Right Rev. Bishop Maer-
schert LED 10 the bishops throne, upon
which he seated hiraself. the members
Of The order. IN cassock and cowl, coming
forward, one hy one and, kneelng be-