Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-26

Conception church were thrown open for, the first mass at o'clock yes terday morning. the edifice was soon filled to the doors by the hundreds of people who had come there to pay, their first homage of respect to the memory of their deceased pastor. The interior had been converted into a house of mourning. the sombre as- pect of the black and purple draper les recalling with vivid distinctness the sorrow that had fallen upon the parishioners of the Immaculate Con ception parish and the whole city and state. There was that solemn hush in the celebration of the mass that awakened many memories, as the worshipers realized to the fullest extent that their beloved father, who had many times raised the Sacred Host on high, at this same hour on many Sunday mornings. was then lying cold in death only short dis tance away. Father O'Brien, who oficiated at the early mass, was visi- bly affected as he faced the congre- gation and gave Short eulogy of the dead prelate. It was his first public utterance in reference to him who had been such good friend to those faithful priests who had labored with him, and his words, touched his hear CTS and many were in tears at the conclusion of his remarks.
 The same sad scenes were enacted at all the other services. At and g Father Frederick was the celebrant of the masses. At 10 and II Father Flynn oficiated. At each service 1t seemed as though each assistant priest found something new and touching to say in their tribute to the pastor, who had loved them all SO well and with whom they had labored so many years. Father O'Brien's eulogy at the II o'clock service was tribute that came from the heart. On him had devolved the duties of his pastor, after Father Slocum had been first afflicted with the illness which terminated in his death. He had been very close to the mon- signor while living, and now that he realized he had gone to his great re- ward, he felt the blow keenly, and his remarks showed how strong was the affection in which he had been held. It was no flight of oratory, but 1t was the heartfelt regret of one who had lost almost his best friend On this earth. It struck sympathetic chord in the hearts of those who were ia attendance and they wept in ni- lence as Father O'Brien told of Father Slocum's last words. T want all my priests and all my people to cherish my memory and pray for me-" These words struck home with telling emphasis and many who hal raised the barriers against the tears that were struggling to fall, broke down those barriers and wept with the rest.
 Over in St Patrick's building the little ones were congregated. Here Father Mooney spoke to the boys and Father Brennan to the girls, at he conclusion of the masses. It was no easy task to tell all those children that their loved father had passed away and ask for their prayers. It was a picture no pen could describe, and the youngsters mingled their tears with their prayers for the soul of the priest who had been their pride and model for so many years. There were no masses in the church to-day, aside from the funeral services. but at o'clock the boys and girls assembled once more in St Patrick's chapel, where special requiem mass was celebrated.
 At the conclusion of the II o'clock service yesterday the church was crowded with mourners, the people filed outside. and filled the yard and street in front of the church await ing the removal of the remains from the rectory to the church. Inside the house a beautiful service was being performed. The Sisters of Charity. who have had charge of the altar and vestments, were arraying the dead prelate in his last earthly robes. The sisters who assisted in this last kindly act to their beloved spiritual adviser were as follows: Sister Claudfne, Sister Avita, Sister Armel- la, Sister Hubert, Sister Rose Austin and Sister Mary Mercy.
 Promptly at 12:10 the doors of the rectory were thrown open and Fathers O Brien, Frederick. Brennan, Flynn and Mooney, attired in their robes, led the procession. All the priests were reciting the prayers f,r the dead. The altar boy acolytes fol- lowed. Then came the sisters from St Mary's and the Notre Dame. Next came the casket containing the re- mains of the dead prelate. The bear CTS were James F. Mcknight, Johl II. Moran. John J. Mcdonald. Mau- rice F. Carmody, James H. 'Frcney, Edward B. Kelley. ST. Thomas Kil- dun. James R. Mccarthy, William C.. Keenan and William Milton. The relatives of the deceased prelate fol- lowed and the procession advanced through the front door of the church and down the center aisle toward the main altar. At this point it was taken in charge by Undertaken Null vile and his assistants, John J. McEyoy and Michael J. Delaney. The casket was placed on an inclined ca.afalque and at once the covering was removed and the people who had crowded into the church had the first view cf their dead pastor. He was attired in the purple silken cassock. fin which he had been invested with the title of monsignor. and over this he wore his prIestly vestments. The face, which was unusually white.