Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-25
HOLD FIRST SERVICE
TWO YOUNG MEN BEGIN THE &c
CLEsIAsTICAL LIFE.

Two young men began the ecclesiastical
life in this city yesterday under most happy
auspices, Rev. John A. Curran and Rev.
James OConnor celebrating solemn high
masses in their parish churches. st. Pat
rick's Catholic Church Rev. DR.. Stafford.
pastor, and st. Peters Catholic Church,
Rev. Father o'Brien, pastor. were the
scenes Of these events. Both young men
were ordained by Cardinal Gibbons last
week in Baltimore, as stated in The Star.
At st. Patricks Church the mass COM
menced at IL o'clock. Rev. Cornelius Dacey
of st. Elizabeth's Church, Baltimore, was
assistant priest to Father OConnor, the
celebrant; Rev. Edward Mal.oy of st.
Mary's Seminary. Baltimore. was deacon,
and Rev. Thomas E. McGuigan of st.
roll and Mr.. Albert Ridgway were the mas
tiers of ceremonies.
DR.. Stafford's Discourse.
DR.. Stafford preached the sermon and
said in part: 1.-The essence of Christian life
consists in the imitation of Christ. I am
the way, the truth and the life, was the
claim of our Lord, and without the way
there is no going; without the truth there
is no knowledge; without the life there is
no living. The perfection Of the Christian
life/is found in the perfect conformity
Of mind and heart, disposition and charac-
ter. with the thoughts and sentiments and
affections of Christ. I and the Father are
one Be We perfect as your heavenly
Father is perfect If this is the standard OF
life which every Christian must strive to
attain, the priest, who is another Christ,
is in him. From the time he chooses the
Lord for the portion Of his inheritance
and his cup until he becomes the anointed
Of the Lord by the consecrating hand Of
the bishop and receives authority over the
mystical and real body Of Christ his days
are spent in fervent effort to form HIM
self according the type of christ.
THE Fathers Of st. Sulpice. who have 30
wisely guided many young man to- the
altar of God. keep always in mind the sane
titas, sanitas, .scientia--the sanctity, vigor
and knowledge necessary for the worthy
and successful priest. 1t Is only such that
call leave seminary inexperienced and
Lead noble, upright life in the lonesome
Christ as their only solace, companion and
counselor. These young men are all
around us in the missions Of Maryland,
living out the example of Christs dis
ciples. Pray for them and for the young
priest so dear to US, who we hope will
long retain the sweet aroma and peaceful
ness Of this first holy mass. Pray that
men of God and representatives of the high
est type of citizen may always comprise
the priesthood of America"
OAOoSSS IAS OOA6ISSdIAOu.
At the conclusion of the mass the young
priest gave his blessing to the congrega-
ton Later Dr. Stafford entertained Father
O'Connor and the visiting clergy at lunch
con. Father O'Connor has received a tenn
porary appointment to st. Pauls Church,
Baltimore.
Father OConnor said his first low mass
Friday, the feast of the Sacred Heart, at
ST Joseph's school, where he had formerly
been a pupil.
At st. Peters Church.
Hundreds Of relatives and friends thronged
st. Peters Catholic Church yesterday
morning, when Rev. John A. Curran cele-
brated his first solemn high mass. Father
Curran has been one Of the lifelong resi-
dents OF Capitol Hill, and 1t was with a
pardonable sense Of pride that the congre-
CATION participated in the solemn religious
ceremony. A fine musical program was
rendered under the direction of Miss Hattie
Richie. drectress Of the choir.
Assisting Father ~Curran at the mass
were Rev. Ignatius Fealy assistant pastor
of st. Josephs Catholic Church, as deacon,
and Rev. John A. Smith of ST. Joseph's
Catholic Church, Baltimore, subdeacon.
Rev. Charles c. Berkeley Of St. Charles
College, Ellicott City. Nd, and himself
product of St. Peters parish, was the as
sstant priest. Mr.. Gilbert Cannon was
master of ceremonies. The sermon was
preached by Rev. Albert E. Smith of St.
Johns Church, Frederick, Nd, who took
for his theme the dignity of the sacerdotal
office. Father Curran gave his blessing to
the congregation at the conclusion of the
mass.
Among those in the sanctuary were Rev.
J. M. O'Brien, pastor Of st. Peters Church;
Rev Joseph Gallen and Rev. Hugh Curley
Of ST. Peters and Rev. James Carey.
Father Curran will be attached to the
Richmond diocese, and it Is stated that he
will be placed In charge of st. Elizabeth's
Catholic Church at Colonial Beach, Va.
new edifice now under course OF construc-
ton at that resort