The Washington herald., 1908-03-18
FEASTIS CELEBRATED
Impressive Rites Conducted
in st. Patrick's Church.
MGR.FALCoNIo IN ATTENDANCE
Procession of Clergy Enters Church
Through Line of Escort Formed by
bernians-Banner Bearers Hold
AIOft the Flag of Emerald Isle.

Amid scored rites OF a most devotional
and impressive nature. the patronal feast
was commemorated yesterday in st. Pat
rick's Church by the celebration of solemn
high mass in the presence of Mgr. Do
mede Falconio. apostolic delegate; Mgr
Denis J. OConnell. rector of the Catholic
University and Bishop Of Sebaste, numer-
Gus priests from Baltimore, Washington.
and neighboring towns.
The edifce was crowded to its capacity
long before the hour had approached for
the service to begin.
Promptly at II o'clock the procession of
reverend clergy. led by the cross bearer
and numerous altar boys. left the rectory
and entered the church through a line Of
escort, formed BY members of the Ancient
Order Of Hibernians that extended from
the door Of the rectory to the front pews
Of the middle aisle. where bearers
stood holding aloft the STARS and
Stripes" at one side, and the flag Of "the
Emerald Isle" at the other.
Bank of Tall Palms.
Numerous wax tapers burned by the
tabernacle Of the high altar. which was
banked by tall palms and richly adorned
with white lilies. As the imposing pro-
cession reached the altar-rail. brilliant
incandeseent light Illuminated the sane
tuary, shedding luster upon the cloth Of
gold worn by the officiating priests. and
enhancing the interior decorations Of the
church.
The celebrant OF the solemn high mass
was Rev. Father F. Y. McKenney. S. s.,
president OF st. Charles. Encott City.
Nd, a native OF Washington, whose pres
ence formed. as it were. link between
this city. the present home Of the new
pastor of ST. Patricks, and the Monu-
mental City, where he long resided.
The papal delegate assisted at the
mass.
Rev. Father Maurice Cahill. Of. Notre
Dame College, Baltimore. was the deacon.
and Re- Father William Cahil. OF st
Paurs Church, Baltimore. the subdeacon
Of the mass.
Rev. Father George B. Harrington. pas
tor Of St. Mary's Church, Barnesville,
Nd, acted a master Of ceremonies. and
Rev. Father William J. Carroll, Of St
Patricks Church, as general master of
ceremonies.
Mgr. Ceretti, auditor Of the papal dele
cation. oficiated as archpriest. Rev. Dr.
George Savage c. S c.. OF Holy Cross
College, and Rev. DR.. J. F. Fenelon, s. s..
Of the Catholic University, were deacons
or honor 20 the delegate, and Rev Father
George A Dougherty. OF the Catholic
University, was master OF ceremonies 10
the throne.
Rev. Father Clarence E. Wheeler. pas
tor Of the Church OF the Holy Comforter.
ND De- - =
81 stephens Church. acted as deacons
Of honor to Mgr. O'Connell. Bishop-elect
10 Sabaste
Sermon by DIR, shahan.
The sermon was by Rev. DIT. Thomas
J. Shahan, professor Of church history
and pathology in the Catholic University.
In his discourse DR.. Shahan referred
at first to the nature and office OF sane
tity in the Catholic Church The saint
seproduces, in a high degree. the life OF
Jesus Christ among men. He represents,
in certain measure. the divine perfection
Of the Goldman, or, at least the ardent
desire OF his best followers 70 reach the
spiritual stature OF Christ. In the Cath
olic Church the institution of sanctity
exhibits magnificent democracy OF spir-
ditions OF life, all times, and every grade
Of civilization. The sustained effort o.
Christian perfection means in reality the
permanent improvement Of human nature
itself, the restoration in the human soul
OF the image of God, destroyed or almost |
oeliterated by s4n. The history of the
Catholic Church is in reality nothing more
than a constant struggle for the realiza- |
ton In It's members Of a divine holiness /
and the removal Of all the obstacles that |
the world opposes thereto.
DR.. Shahan rapidly reviewed the his |
tory of the early Christian epoch, the Pc
riod Of the martyrs, the conversion of the |
Roman empire, and said that from the
fifth TO the eighth century there arose in |
Europe a series Of apostolic missionaries /
second only TO the original apostles of /
Christianity. Such men were St Martin /
I'm Gaul; st. Columbia, fin Scotland: ST. l
Columbanus, in Italy; St. Ansgar. in |
Scandinavia; St. Boniface. in GERMANY. ST
Willibrord. In Holland. and St Patrick. |
in Ireland. These and others like them |
were men Of strong religious convictions. !
strenuous, persistent, and endowed with a |
kind OF prophetic sense that they were
not only actual civilizers OF their time, |
but everywhere the founders Of a new
order, social, and would each, in his OF |
her own measure. continue the work OF |
the great Saint, who stood forever as the |
symbol Of all that was truly great and |
admirable in the history of their ancient |
race, and their at once glorious nation.
Music OF the Mass.
The music OF the mass, exceIlently rem
dered by the choir Of the church. un-
der the leadership Of Mr. Armund Gum
precht, with full orchestral accountant
ment, was as follows:
Preude-"Solenan March '........ Kretchnsr
Mass .Gounods "Soennelle'' lentre)
Gradual" Prayer for the Pope'' ''...... (;regorian
Post communion" Prayer for the Republic Gounod |
Ofertory-T1 es Petrus' ....-............C Larelee
Solosts-Mrs. Anna Grant Fugitt soprano; Mrs.
Gumprecht, alto; Mr.. Melville d. Hensey, tenor;
Mr.. Thomas A. Murray, bass.
Orsanist-Prof. Anton A. Gloetzner.
At the conclusion OF the mass, the pas
tor, Rev. Father William T. Russell, cor
daily extended to all present an invita-
tion to attend a reception in honor Of the |
apostolic delegate, to be held in Carroll |