Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-09-14
ENORMOUS CROWD.
(Continued from Page One.)

mony. it was impossible to get near the
line of march. All the streets leading
in that direction were packed ana the
windows overlooking the procession
were filled. Thousands of persons gath
cred on the roofs of the houses. from
which there was considerable display
of the Papal colors. The police had not
expected such crowds and met with
much opposition in their attempts to
keep the path clear. so that the Papal
Legate and his followers had to pass
their way through a narrow line. being
frequently jostled about. number CT
persons tainted in the crush and were
carried Off by the ambulance.
After the procession had re-entcred
the cathedral, Cardinal Vannutelii APP
peared on the high balcony in gorgeous
robes and elevated the Host, white the
thousands of Catholics outside the
building reverently knelt
The last day Of the Congress opened
with Pontifcial Mass in the cathedral,
which was celebrated by the PapaI
Legate and at which all the cardinals,
archbishops and bishops, and many
others of the clergy assisted. The great
StlllIC "dS NIo"dSU, lIiC tiupiSiiNS Ioi-
lowing with rapt attention the sermon
of Cardinal Gibbons.
When the congregation poured out of
the edifice they found the crowd already
assembling for the procession. Large
forces of police were assisted by some
Il, 900 Catholics. who had volunteered to
line the route, but even this army of men
was unable to prevent the participants in
the parade from being shouldered Be
fore the procession started vespers were
sung within the Cathedral. at the conclu-
sion of which the prelates passed down
the nave, singing Faith of Our Fathers
which was taken up by the congregation
and the vast crowds outside
AS the head of the procession emery
ed from the Cathedral door a cheer went
up which was repeated as cardinal af-
ter cardinal came slowly out. followed
by the archbishops. bishops. minor pre-
lates of the church and a great army
of white-surpliced men. singing hymns.
Most of the preates carried their vest
ments over their arms. but the Lesat.
was in full court dress. his scarlet
robes and red hat lending distinction to
his commanding inquire. The hands of tbs
Pope's representative. which were to
have carried the Host showered CON
tinual blessings upon the people who
reverently bowed the knee.
On either side of Cardinel Vannutclli
were his chief chaplains and the guard
of honor, composed of Catholic peers.
Following the Legatc came the members
of the Pontifical mission. the cardinals
in their order. two by two each with
his n-bearer and chaplain; the arch
bishops and other prelates, including the
representatives of absent bishops, the
whole procession being upwards of
mile long and occupying nearly an hour
to cover the route.
In the streets surrounding the Cathed-
raj the prelates passed through ave
nues Of kneeling adherents to the faith.
At one or two points further away. the
professionals had practically to force
passage through the crowds. At one
place where several streets converge, the
crush was so great that the spectators
broke up the procession, but the police,
stationed at this point in strong force
managed eventually to clear a narrow
lane through which the Papal Legate
and the others passed in single file.
The crush here was frightful and the
police had to use heroic measures. Many
women and not few men tainted and
those who were found wilfuly pushing
and jostling were arrested, only to be
released later. Reserves We're hurried to
the scene, more to protect the crowd
from itself than for any other purpose,
for. although there was some isolated
jeering, the people We're more intent |
on sightseeing than on interfering with |
the Catholics.
On their return to the Cathedral the !
prelates marched around the interior of
the edifice, the Legate carrying the Host ,,
as he would have done in the steets,
had not the government interposed an
objection.
Those who had been crowded out of the
Cathedral were permitted to participate
in the ceremony, as the Legate, robed
in his vestments, appeared on the bal
cony outside the building and present
ed the sacred sacrament and pronounce
ed the benediction. The assembage
then sang hymns and the members of
the Catholic societies. with banners fly
ing marched through the streets to their
halls and churches, some of them pro-
ceeding later to the stations, where the
trains were waiting to take them back