Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-11-30
THE NEW CATHEDRAL.

with dedicatory ceremonies participated
Ia by the most distinguished Catholic
prelates in this country, the Cathedral
of the Sacred Heart, in Richmond, the
gift of Mr.. and Mrs Thoma' F. Ryan,
yesterday took its place as one of the
greatest institutions Of its kind in the
United States and a monument OF the
church 10 the South.
The ceremonies, beginning with the
conservation at G o'clock it the morning
and followed at Ii o'clock by pontificsl
high mass, attracted large crowd to
Richmond. Mr.. and Mrs. Ryan came
from New York 10 attend. Not only
we're Cardinsl Gibbons, Apostolic Dele
gate FalcOniO and many arChbishops aud
bishops from all parts OF the United
States conspicuous figures in the SerVi-
ces. but State and city officials, iEclud
ing Governor Swanson and the Mayor
OF Richmond and host of prominent
laymen, were assigned special seats in
tie cathedral, admission TO which was
By invitation.
AT IL o'clock poniiical high mass was
celebrated, with Bishop Meares as cele-
brant. The vast building was crowded
with people of all denominations. TIE
sermon was preached by Archbishop 10
seph Keane, Of Dubuque. Daring the
ceremonies Cardinal Gibbons, 10 poutiiical
robes, occupied throne 10 the sanctuary.
He bestowed the blessing Of the Pontlil,
Plus x, upon the assemblage of ecclesi-
sstics and upon the coogre alton Cardi-
nal Gibbona, although his part in the
ceremonies was largely passive, was the
most interesting parsonage in the bril-
liant assemblagp. The Cardinals throne
was at the left Of the sanctuary. To the
right was, seated upon another throne,
Monsignor Falconio, the papsl delegate.
Opposite the Cardinal, at the right OF
the sanctuary, Right Rev. Augustus Van
de Vyver, bishop Of Richmond, was
seated upon bis throne.
The church is a magnificent ediice Of
Italian Renaissance architecture occupy
ing picturesque and commanding locs
ton, embracing IN entire block IN the
heart of the fashionable part OF Rien-
mond aud facing Monroe Park. Within
the building are five affairs aud two
chapel'.
Toe cathedral wss first contemplated
BY Monsignor McGill, the Confederate
bishop OF Richmond, in 1865, who pur-
chased the eastern portion of the block
on which the granite pile now stands.
The distinction of consecratiug the
high altar of the Cathedral was reserved
for the papal delegate st. Joseph's al.
tar wss consecrated by Bishop Northrop,
of Charleston, g. O., and the altar of
the Virgin Mary by Bishop Kelley, of
Savannah, Ga. Bishop Monaghan, of
Wilmington, Del, enjoyed the privilege
of performing the conservation rites at
the little sltar of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The altar of the Good Shepherd was
consecrated By Bishop Lee Held, OF
North Caroline.
Archbishop Kesne 10 bis sermon gave
a brief exposition Of the Catholic creed.
touched upon the ancient origin and
early history of the church, referred TO
the spread of the Catholic Church
throughout the world and made brief
reference to bis work in this diocese. He
made very complimentary sllusion to
the religious and charitable spirit Of the
noted fnancier through whose muni6-
cence the stately cathedral was obtained
70, Richmond.
Vespers called the assemblage together
again at 8 O'Clock last night, Three
thousand others struggled vainly to
secure admittsnce. Ablsze with myriad
lights the immense church presented a
wondrous scene, ii anything more strik-
log than that of the morning The en-
tire gathering OF digniteries WAS present
in the sanctuary, the cardinal entering
a little later than the others. The event
of the evening was the magnificent ser
mon by Archbishop Glenron, Of ST.
Louis, masterpiece of dictiou. The
Apostolic Delegate impaired he papal
blessing at this service. The singing
was unusually 6ne.