Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-24
CONFIRMS BIG CLASS
CARDINALS GIBBONS AT ST.
DoMINIc's CHURCH.

Cardinal Gibbons was in Washington yes
terday and offlciated at the confirmation of
class of ITO persons In st. Dominic S
Catholic Church, 9th and E streets south
west. He also preached a sermon for the
benefit of the members of the class.
Familiar as Is the congregation Of st.
Dominic's Church with elaborate cere-
monies, that of yesterday morning in honor
OF the confirmation class set a new mark
for future religious events of moment in
the matter of display. The altar was hand
somely decorated, a pleasing effect being
obtained through an arrangement. of flow
ers and lights. Participants in the events
OF the morning added effect to the scene.
The cardinal was in his beautiful vestments
OF cloth of gold. and the Dominican fathers
In robes of white.
Cardinal Gibbons arrived in Washington
Saturday afternoon and was met at the
railway station by Rev. T. p. O'Rourke. o.
p. prior of St Dominic's He remained
over night at the priory, and yesterday
morning was the celebrant of the Z O'Clock
mass.
The confirmation ceremony followed the
celebration of a solemn high mass at II
O'Clock, the celebrant Of which was Very
Rev ID. J. Kennedy. o. p, and Rev. L.
Finnerty. 0. p. and Rev. L. Crowley, 0. p,
deacon and subdeacon. respectively. The
deacons of honor to Cardinal Gibbons, who
occupied a throne in the sanctuary. were
ReV. Dr. ID. J. Kennedy. prior of the Do
min1can House of Studies at Brookland, and
Very Rev. F. A. Spencer of st. Dominc's 8.
FOLLOWING the mass the cardinal confirmed
the class, which included eight adults The
sponsors at the ceremony were, for the
boys, William Johnson and William NJ.
Normoyle. and for the girls, Miss Elizabeth
Riley and Miss Agnes Murphy.
breaches a Sermon.
After the last person had been confirmed
the cardinal delivered a sermon, taking his
text from the gospel of the day, t'Love Your
Neighbor as Yourself"
"One moments reflection" the speaker
said, should satisfy any man that he is a
poor creature dependent on a higher good.
and servitude to God is the highest human
SERVICE"
Intemperance. the cardinal added, has
caused more crimes and murders than any
other shortening In humanity because
strong drink dethrones reason. He urged
the boys who had Just been confirmed to
grow up temperate, in order that they
should enjoy the respect and esteem Of their
fellows, and by so doing live according to
the best precepts and the dictates of con-
science. He then exacted a public promise
from the boys to be temperate, requesting
them to repeat after him the pledge that
they would promise, with the help of God,
to abstain from the use of all kinds Of in
toxica ting liquors until you shall reach the
age of twenty-one years" There was a
hearty response on the part of the chill
dren.
The musical program was Of a high order
of merit. and was given under the direction
of Miss Barbara Bischof, organist.
Following the morning services the car
dinal was entertained at dinner In the
prfory by Father O'Rourke, when those
present to greet him included practically
every member of the Dominican order in
this city.
Cardinal Gibbons returned to Baltimore at
o'clock yesterday afternoon.