The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-01-04

The most impressive religious cere-
mony ever witnessed in the Catholic
Northwest was that of last Sunday,
when the magnificent Cathedral Of st.
James was dedicated, says the Seattle
Catholic Progress OF December q.
The Bishops of the province Of Ore
gon attended the services. Many
priests from Oregon and Washington
were present on the occasion. The
services began at 9 O'clock and con-
tinued until 2 in the afternoon.
The ceremony was performed by
Right Reverend Edward J. O'Dea, as
sisted by Bishops Carroll, Lenihan and
O'Reilly, and many priests from the
Northwest territory.
Speaking Of the occasion one Of the
local dailies said:
"The occasion was a fitting celebra-
tom OF the twenty-fifth anniversary of
Bishop O'Dea's ordination to the priest
hood. The church which he yesterday
dedicated has been built at q
cost Of over half a million dollars, and
may safely be pronounced one of the
finest If not the finest Catholic
church buildings in the Northwest. Oc-
cupying a site fronting on the crest
of the first hill, rising above the city
and Puget Sound, the graceful edifice
overlooks the business part of the city
lying at its feet and commands a com
prehensive view of the country for
miles to the south, west and north.
Monday was the twenty-fifth ami
versary of Bishop O'Dea's ordination as
a priest, and as this fact was referred
to Sunday morning and the early
history of the diocese reviewed, be-
ginning with, the work Of Bishop
Blanchet among the few Indians and
scattered white settlers, the conisecra-
tion of the stately church building was
shown to indicate tittingly the remark
able growth of the Catholic church in
the Northwest.
Indeed the stately strength of the
building seemed to suggest the ma
jesty and power Of the forces set in
motion by the foresight and devotion
Of the pioneer priests who did so much
to mold the early life of the North
west. While the business life and ma
terial development progress on the
shores of the harbor, the cathedral now
stands on the heights above symbolic
of the achievement of devoted follow
ers of the cross who have linked with
the commercial growth and develop
ment of the Northwest spiritual care
and provision for the toilers with ma
terial things.
I'm a more immediate way the half
million dollar building evidences the
remarkable work accomplished by
Bishop O'Dea since he first fixed Sc
attic as the official residence of the
diocese six years ago. Then there were
three Catholic churches within the
limits Of the city, whereas today there
are thirteen. From that time he be-
gan to plan for the cathedral dedicated
yesterday, SO that the dedication of
the building, attended by the change
Of the name of the diocese from Mis-
qually to Seattle marks the culmina
tion of the first and remarkable sue
cessful period of his work here"
Although the public was not to be
admitted to the services until 10:3O.
long before nine o'clock the crowds be-
gan to gather before the Cathedral
doors. BY the time the procession was
expected to march about the outer
walls Of the Cathedral for their dedi-
cation an immense throng packed the
long steps of the Cathedral and flowed
out into the streets.
Following the priests were Monsig-
nor Ramo. Chancellor of the Arch
diocese of oregon; the Abbot Thomas
o. S. B.. and Bishops Carroll, Leni-
han and o'Reilly in their robes OF