The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-01-03
CATHOLICS OBSERVE
THANKSGIVING DAY

The American Thanksgiving day.
originally a Puritan observance, was
celebrated at Manila. by the Roman
Catholics, with great pomp and cere-
mony Following is a description of
the event in the Manila Times:
Yesterday was a day unprecedented
in the history of the Cathedral of Ma
Mia. The immense edifice was taxed
to it's utmost capacity to accommodate
the great gathering that assembled.
Hundreds of extra chairs and hun
dreds of extra peWs had been provided
so that accommodations were afforded
all. The Governor General, Hon.
James r. Smith, members Of the Com
mission and of the assembly. justices
of the Supreme Court, officers of the
army and navy, the foreign consuls.
etc, Were among those present. About
500 boys and girls from various Cath
ole schools in the city were seated
in side ehapels, thus leaving the BODY
of the cathedral to the immense throng
of worshipers who occupied the main
aisles.
The altar, the repainting and gliding
of which was finished on "Wednesday,
was artistically decorated with palms
and cut flowers. In the sanctuary
were present the Filipino priests, pas
tors of the city churches, together
with representatives of the friars ana
other religious organizations The
Apostolic Delegate, Mgr. Agius with
his attendants occupied places of honor
in the choir of the Cathedral Canons.
Shortly before ten o'clock, the hour ap-
pointed for the beginning of the SER
vice. Archbishop Harty, preceded by
a hundred and fifty native seminarians
In cassock, surplice and blue-tasseled
biretta entered the cathedral, having
come in procession from the archpl-
shop's residence. The Archbishop was
vested in full pontificals and presided
at the mass with mitre and crosler.
The work of the choir in rendering
Gounod's grand mass of st. Cecilia was
deserving of the highest praise.
The chorus portions were particular
Nv well executed, to the accompanl-
ment of an orchestra of forty pieces.
Mr.. Myron Chandler presided with
great effect at the newly renovated
organ. Sr Jose Masllovet directed the
choir. The solo work of Mrs. Logan,
of Mr.. Shumann and of Mr.. Vincent
was without flaw, devotional and In
spring. In
A feature of the celebration was the
rendering of the Gregorian responses,
without organ accompaniment by zoo
students, from the Ataneo under the
director of Rev. M. Peypoch, S. j.
Immediately after the singing of the
gospel, Rev. Thomas A. Becker 5. j.,
assembled the pulpit and preached an
appropriate sermon, taking as his text
the words of Psalm lat: Praise the
Lord o Jerusalem, Praise thy God,
Zion. Because He hath strengthened
the bolts of thy gates: He hath bless
ed.tfy children within thee. Who hatn
placed peace in thy borders; and f1lletn
thee with the fat of corn. He hath
not done in like manner to every ma
ton: and his judgments He hath not
made manifest to them.
At the conclusion of the sermon,
Archbishop Harry arose and oHereo
the PRAYER for the Church and civil
Authorities, the whole congregation
standing and uniting in the prayer.
The immense congregation then took
nm as with one voice the hymn OF
thanksgiving. Holy God, we praise
thy name" Towards the close OF the
mass the Archbishop proceeded from
his throne on the left to the main altar
and solemnly intoned the formula or
the episcopal benediction. After the
blessing the congregation Joined in the
singing of the hymn, God bless our
native land" which being arranged
to the music of MY country It's OF
thee was sung with enthusiasm by
everyone present 1t seemed to be the
common opinion that no religious and
patriotic service had been carried on
a scale so magnificent and attended by
so distinguished and large gathering
for many years. The officers of the
mass were Rev. William M McDon-
ough, celebrant; Rev. f. Wives, deacon,
and Rev. J. Monson, sub-deacon. Rev.
FIR. Sanchez was master of ceremonies
and Rt. Rev. Mr.. s. Tunon, assisted
at the throne.
/ 4.