The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-02-18
CEREMONIES OVER
 LATE DEAN s GRAVE
Handsome Marble Monument
 Unveiled and Blessed
MANY PERSONS PRESENT
Father Benedict Delivers Euloey on Father Meurer-Tells of Fine Traits and Good Works of
 Departed Pastor.

The monument over the grave of the late Very Rev. Dean James A. Meurer, in the Southside Catholic cemetery, was unveiled and blessed yesterday afternoon. | The Rev Father Kelly pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, officiat- ed. and the Rev. Father Benedict, O. s. R., of St. Bernard Abbey, delivered the address St. Joseph's society at tended in a body and many members of the congregation and other persons were present to honor the memory of the de- parted priest.
 Dean Meurer died February F, 1906 For many years and at the time of his death he was the beloved pastor of the | Church of Our Lady of Sorrows The monument is one of the handsomest ever 1 erected in Alabama. It Is of Carrara marble and was carved at the oakhii Marble and Stone works. On the slab that covers the grave is carved large Latin cross. At the head of the slab rises a massive die on the top of which are in high relief a biretta, stole and cross and on the sides in relief arc appro- prlate emblems. The name, date of birth and date of death are carved on the face of the die.
 The firm that executed the monument just unveiled is now at work on a marble to be placed over the grave of the Rev l.. H. Galland, who succeeded Dean Meurer in the pastorate of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows and who survived him only eight months.
 The Address.
 Father Benedict's address yesterday follows
 It is a beautiful monument which you in your gratitude have erected on the grave of your beloved pastor, Dean Meurer; 1t Is beautiful In its simplicity. beautiful especially on account of the deep meaning of its prlestly emblems which are its only ornaments-the cross, the banner under which he has fought the good fight, the stole which represents the priestly dignity and power to lead sinful men to sanctity of life, the wheat and grapes as the fruits which had been sanctifed by Christ when He chose them to become the matter for the mystic sac
 
 chalice, typical of the greatest power granted to any creature. the power to consecrate the body and blood of Our Redeemer; likewise reminding us of the cup of self-denal and suffering which was our Saviour's share during His earth ly life and which is and always will be the lifelong companion of the true and zealous priest.
 The world erects monuments to it's heroes it's statesmen, great warriors and poets whose works and deeds are records ed for future generations on the pages of history but one class of heroes is rarely honored by the indifferent world. They are the heroes of suffering, the he roes of charity the heroes of self-denial. and to this class belongs the true and faithful priest
 But you my friends have understood how to honor the memory of a true and faithful priest. Your former pastor the founder of your congregation. Father Meurer. was indeed a man whose memory is worthy of monument-a man To whom could be applied the word of Jesus when He said of Nathaniel that he was man indeed in whom there was no guile
 He was indeed a noble character. As such he has shown himself by his work among you. by the equal care which he 1 had for all of you without distinction. rich or poor high or lowly His great | love for the children bore witness of 1t. they respected him as a father. He was q noble character. All must acknowledge 1t whoever had to deal with him and had the opportunity to admire his friendli- ness. his patience and forbearance for human frailties.
 Generous Man.
 He was q liberal and generous man. His hands were open for the poor and needy without distinction. at all times, as long as he had still something to give. With him 1t was no show to be charitable. His left hand knew not what the right hand did. He did not trumpet out like the l Pherisees. on street corners and in mar ket places. the amount of his charities.
 But he was also a worthy priest. He proved it by his scrupulous punctualty in performing his duties as pastor, and responding with utmost haste to calls to the bed Of the sick and dying; by his piety. devotion and the dignity with which he observed the rites and cere- monies of divine service
 He was faithful priest he was strong 1 ly attached to our holy church. He showed always an eager concern for her combats and sufferlngs, trials and perse- cutions Fervent was his love for the church, firm his faith, faith which St. l Paul says conquers the world He was jealous priest his zeal for his con gregation knew no bounds. The beautiful edfice which he erected in honor of | God will stand as a lasting monument of his zeal. Gladly he would have done more had he possessed the means and had God granted him more time to live. Yes, he was a true priest but not less true friend. For many years he has been 8 faithful friend of the order of which I am member When the abbey of St. Bernard was still in it's infancy, and struggling with great difficulties. he proved himself a real friend. and lent q helping hand. wherever needed. and a friend of tho Benedictine order. and es-