Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-21
ORDINATION or
PASTOR HONOKED
CATHOLICS PAY TRIBUTE TO
FATHER RAPHAEL
TWENTY-FlFTH ANNIVERSARY
OF HIS PRIESTHOOD
Three DAYS Celebration Opens with
Beautiful Ceremonies and Solemn
Mass--Procession an Inn
pressive Feature

Catholics of Los Angeles turned out
in large numbers yesterday to honor
Rev. Raphael Fuhr, o. F. M, pastor or
st. Joseph's church, who observed the
twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordina-
ton to the priesthood of the Roman
Catholic church, which opened with d
three days celebration In honor or the
event.
Father Raphael, as he is lovingly
known far beyond the confines or ms
parish, Is one of the most prominent
priests of the diocese, although ne mas
been stationed at st. Joseph's church
but four years. Professionals as well as
Catholics Joined in the celebration yes
terday, doing honor to the popular pas
tor.
Beginning yesterday morning solemn
mass was celebrated in ST. Joseph
church. which was largely ATTENDED py
priests and laity. The beautiful cnuIci
interior was made still more peautilu.
with many potted plants ana cus
flowers. A procession was formeo
headed by the church sodallties and So
cieties, followed by the altar boys
priests, the jubilsrian and lastly blsh-
op Conaty In his imposing robes.
Bishop Conaty preached the sermon
commemorative of the twenty-five
years of Jealous service in the WORK
of the church. The bishop TOOK ioi
his text the prophecy of Isaiah, be
hold my servant whom nave cnose ai,
my beloved in whom my SOU na.n
been well pleased" He said IN part
Bishops Address
priests and people are gathered 70
honor the beloved jubilarian ana WISH
him many years of service 10 ms Gou
In the holy priesthood which he mas
honored by the service of his life. IL
is joy for his friends of the clersy 10
gather round the altar and of1er the
holy sacrifice in Thanksgiving TO Gou
for all that God has done for tnelr
friend as a priest and for the people
who have profited by his priestiy MN
istrations.
"Tke priesthood of the Catholic
church has it's place in the regenera-
ton of society,". The sublime dignity
of the Christian priesthood, the special
vocation from God, the years OF anx-
ious preparation, the solemnity or the
religious vows and the constancy OF
service in the interests or GOD ana Oh
the people prevail The priest Is prom
inent in the history of mankind from
the very beginning of the world. All
peoples have felt their duty to religion
and have realized the necessity OF
a sacrifice. an altar and priesthood
The old law honored the priest as the
special representative of God and oe-
termined the character OF the sacrl-
flee and vested him with the authority
of religion. Aaron and Melchisedek
were but types and figures of Jesus
Christ. the perfect priest, and their
sacrifices were but figures of the per-
feet sacrifice which he offered on
Calvary.
Christ Founder Of Religion
"Christ Is the founder of true re-
ligion, and he clearly outlined in his
life his purposes of redemption which
was to be brought to the lives or men
through the priesthood which he had
established in the apostles. The last
supper was the institution or the -mys-
tic sacrament in the bread and wine
of the Eucharist. and the establishment
of the priesthood which was to COM
inemorate until the end of time what
he had done for them. This was to be
the clean oblation spoken of by the
prophet. not only a sacrifice, but
sacrament. Christ made his priest
hood the teacher of truth and sent 1t
forth to all the nations, that by 1t men
might know the truth of redemption,
and have brought to their lives the
blessings of the precious blood with
which Christ had redeemed the world.
1.-THE priest is the one to OFFER sac
rifice, to dispense the sacraments and
to teach the law of God. The priest
is called to be man of God and a man
of the people, the light of the world,
salt of the earth, apostle of the higher
life. minister of reconciliation, am
bassador from God, vicar Of the char
ity of Christ, the man of the SUPER
natural who stands In the world for
e.,rnority the authority of God, who
breaches Jesus Christ crucified. insists
upon obedience to Gods law. and brings
by his ministrations salvation to man
kind"
Ovation at Night
Again last night Father Raphael
was given a touching ovation in the
form of reception rendered in the
school auditorium, which was filled
with an audience that taxed Its seat
ting capacity.
AS at the morning service, a large
number of the clergy OF the diocese
were in attendance to do honor to their
brother priest who had reached the
silver milestone in his churchly 1abors.
Isidore b. Dockweiler acted as
chairman of the evening. The program
was opened with Gounod's ''Pontifi-
cate" march, followed by introductory
remarks by Mr.. Dockweiler. st. JOS
eph's church choir rendered song of
greetings. Joseph Scott and Gustave
Risse then gave addresses in English
and German, respectively, followed by q
Jubilee hymn In German. John Roeder
made an address in behalf of the Cath
Ollie Order of Foresters. Adam Travbert
smoke in German and Miss Mary Maui
kenhaupt spoke in behalf of the Chris
tian Mothers society.
Monsignor Harnett, ". G., made an
eloquent address, in which he paid a
high tribute to the priestly work of
Father Raphael. rendering him con-
gratulations on the part of the priests
of the diocese.
Mayor Harper was prevented from
being present and in his place David
McGarry made an address in behalf
of the mayor. The audience then sang
"A Tribute to Our Jubilarian." which
was followed by an eloquent address
by Bishop Conaty, who spoke in glow
ing terms for a second time of the life
and work of Father Raphael
Greeted with Applause
Following a selection by the church
choir Father Raphael was called to the
front of the platform and was greeted
with prolonged applause. He made
few brief remarks of thanks for the
many beautiful courtesies extended
him on his anniversary and closed IN
asking Gods blessing on those par
ticipating as we'll as himself. The pro-
gram closed with the audience singing
Holy God We Praise Thy Name"
The program was followed py an M
formal reception rendered by the
Young Ladies' sodality. OF which MISS
Mary Singer Is the president.
Beginning week ago the various
church societies have been giving ar
fairs n, hauor ~ Tafher RaDlaei. and