The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-08-21
AN EPOCH IN THE
CATHOLIC LIFE OF UTAH

Never before in the history of Utah, perhaps
never in the annals of the Catholic church west of
the Missouri, has there been such an imposing.
beautiful and impressive ceremony as that which
took place in st. Marys cathedral last Sunday. The
day itself IDEAL the occasion inspiring, and the
great church in its solemn isolation and colossal
proportions a revelation, especially to those who
saw the cathedral for the first time
Sunday, August Is, 1909, will for generations
remain memorable day in the history of the
Catholic church IN Utah. The day was propitious
the rising the morning bright and clear and
the air warm and bracing. The dedication of the
cathedral was not only magnificent and imposing
as religious ceremony but it was also the corona
ton of years of patient expectation sefdenia and
liberal generosity the part of the venerable
Bishop Seaman and his people
The procession entered the church at about half
past ten the hierarchy and clergy filling the sane
tuary. The effect was magnificent when the nro-
cession passed into the cathedral The arranpe-
ments were excellent and every pew and every avail
able place was occupied without. however in
comodmg the large congregation, as no one. NOT
provided with a ticket, was allowed access to the
church until the entire procession had passed in.
On the entrance of the cardinal the archbishons
bishops and priests, the grand orchestra and the
full choir gave with thrilling effect the AlleIuia
from Beethoven's Mount of Olives
The spectacular effect produced by the appear
ance OF the procession as it moved slowly I'M the
aisle to the sublime music of Beethoven was ma
Iestlc IN the extreme. The prelates in their rich
est vestments-robes fashioned after model eight
cen centuries old-as they advanced with reveren-
tlal mien, presented spectacle nowhere TO he sean
outside the Catholic church Then. during the
ceremony of the 4hass, those solemn chants which
were consecrated by their antiquity thousand wears
ago. whose rich and inspiring music fell for ages
on the ears and gladdened the hearts of popes and
conquerors and sages, reminded the wor-
Slippers present of the venerable age of the immortal
Church OF Rome Ali present assisted at sacrifice
that was old IN the time of Constantine when the
luminous Cross shone in the heavens, when 'the
smoke of sacrifice rose from the Pantheon and
when 'leopards and tigers bounded in the Flavian
amphltheatre." The uplfted cross bearing the
image of the crucified Christ, whose head was
bowed down even as droops the yellow ear of corn
The venerable cardinal prince-bishop of the church
the assisting prelates and above all, the sacrific
ing priest standing at the altar and intercedino for
The living and the dead, strongly reminded one If
6oune's great painting representing Peter the
Hermit, surrounded by the bishops organizing the
'rpsades; or, more strikingly STILL of the memora
Die time when Pope Leo, with his mitred bshons
lnd tonsured monks went out from Rome to plead
With Attlla' the Hun, to spare the Imperial CITY,
Inc representative character of the preates who
llled the chancel, their eminence of station and
heir acknowledged learning and ability; the spen-
or and richness of decoration demanded for the {
reat occasion and blended with pomp of cere- l
lony; the swelling strains of sacred music nour- $
az forth In consonance with the sublime dignity {
the Adorable Sacrifice; each and all conspired
entrance the soul with transports of divine t
doration.
Pontifical high mass was begun at quarter after
leven, and by right of office was intoned h. tba
lshop OF the diocese and builder of the cathedral
he choir. direcsi5nse s,l.a~