Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-21

| There is much local interest in the l inVestiture of Rev Dr. Thomas J. Shahan with the robes of a domestic ! prelate, which ceremony took place at Washington last week, inasmuch as he lived as a boy at Baltic and is a cousin | of Dr. ID. J. Shahan of this city. Cardinal Gibbons presided at the | solemn ceremonies incident to the in vestiture of Right Rev. Dr. Shahan, I rector of the Catholic university, with the robes of a domestic prelate Of the 1 household of the vatican. The cere- monies were characterized by great simplicity, but were none the less im- pressive. Rev. F. l.. M- Dumont. presi- | dent of Caldwell hall, celebrated the l mass, which was attended by the mem- bers of the faculty in their academic ] robes. the superiors of the affiliated colleges, the students of the university and friends of pr. Shahan from Wash ington and vicinity. Rev. Charles M | Bart, pastor of St Theresa's church. | and Rev. Joseph Mallon. pastor of tS Anne's church were deacons of honor to the cardinal. Dr. Shahan assisted | in the sanctuary.
 The papal brief from Rome announe- ing the appointment was read by Rev William Turner. professor of philoso- phy at the university, and Rev pr. Henry Hyvernat, professor of Semitic | A"~1 2 Aee Co dlAlO IDlOilCdl dlCilCOiOSts nIO holds the record for the longest period
 of service on the faculty of the uni versity, delivered an able discourse. Dr. Hyvernat. who spends a part of every summer in Rome and is a fla | miliar figure in the vatican library where he was engaged for many years 1 in research work, spoke of the special | care and deep personal interest of the | holy father in the university. He said | in part:
 Tn accepting the task of addressing you today on the occasion of the in vestiture of our beloved rector, Rev Dr. Shahan, with the insignia of a do- mestic prelate, my intention was not | to pronounce an eulogy, which I knew l would be just as distasteful to the well known modesty of the recipient as un- | becoming the place in which we are
 assembled. l chose, therefore, as more appropriate in every way, briefly to | remind you of the meaning of the title l our holy father has conferred on our rector and of the significance of that
 event for this institution. The title is
 that of 'antistes urbanus,' the first word. antistes, indicating one that stands at the head of others in rank of dignity: the second word, 'urbanus,
 showing that he belongs to Rome in standardization to the rest of the Christian world, and, consequently,
 that no one can hold such a title ex-
 cept from the bishop of Rome, the pope
 himself. A common substitute for the
 title of antistes urbanus is. in English,
 domestic prelate,' which indicates
 clearly. first, an official belonging to the immediate and personal surround , ings of the pope and the right of pre-
 cedence over other clerics and lay men.
 ''The title of domestic prelate is one
 of the highest and most honorable that 1 the Holy See can confer on any cleric
 without conferring on him at the same
 time actual jurisdiction, as in the case
 of bishops. As a rule Roman prelates
 are the holders of important offices in
 various congregations and other branches of Roman administration. in
 particular as rectors of the various
 pontifical colleges of the city of Rome.
 Often, however. the title and dignity
 of domestic prelate is given to distin-
 guished ecclesiastics on account of long
 or signal services rendered to the
 church, as well as in the present case.
 in view of the high office the recipient
 is called upon to discharge. There is
 absolutely no doubt that in the present
 ease the Holy See wished to honor also
 the institution itself as well as it's
 worthy rector"
 At the conclusion of the sermon the
 robes of office were blessed by the