The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-30
GOLDEN JUBILEE
OBSERVED FOR
BELOVED PRIEST
Very Rev. John Prendergast
HOnOred for Fifty Years
of Service
Elevation of Churchman to Do.
nestle PreIate Is Also
Occasion


cathedral to do honor to the Very Rev.
John J. Prendergast. vicar general OF
the archdiocese of San Francisco and
domestic prelate of the Catholic church.
when the venerable churchman as
cended the altar steps 10 celebrate the
golden jubilee of his service in the
church as a priest and an educator
Fifty years ago today in All Hallows
college. Ireland, Father Prendergast
was elevated to the dignity of the holy
priesthood. He is the only churchman
associated with the local archdiocese
who has been privileged to serve for
SO years in the work OF God within its
boundaries.
HIS LONG SERVICE
As vicar general OF the archdiocese he
witnessed the passing of the sanity
Archbishop AIemany from this earth.
ne witnessed the appointment OF Arch
bishop George Montgomery as coadju-
tor and was present at his deathbed
and as vicar general he recently well
coined TO the diocese Right Rev. Denis
J. O'connen, auxiliary bishop of the
diocese.
tory Of the church in these parts and
its present magnificence. He was an
active worker for God in this city
nearly Is years before Archbishop Rior-
dan came from Chicago to succeed
Archbishop Alemany. For the last IS
years he has presided over ST. Mary's
cathedral parish and the number of
tae faithful baptized. confirmed and
married under his guidance or direc-
ton runs into the thousands.
From every parish in the diocese
priests who had learned to love the
venerable vicar came TO offer their
prayers in Thanksgiving for the long
pears granted Father Prendergast in
tie service OF God and the church.
SISTERS DECK CHURCH
The decorative features of the
church had been left to the solicitous
care of the. Sisters of the Holy Family.
The edifce was a bower Of lilies, roses
and ferns. over the marble tabernacle
Il cloak Of orchids was spread and
against the high altar wall huge golden
candelabra shed a brilliant light on
masses Of American. beauties
Pyramids OF candles rising. y feet
high lighted up the gospel and epistle
sides of the sanctuary and close by
two magnificent Italian marble pedes-
tails bore aloft deep clusters of rich.
red roses. The great columns that rise
with asparagus fern. On the column
10 the left were figures done in gold
leaf, 1853" and on the pillar on the
epistle side the figures 1903" The in
csndescent bulbs on the golden chan
deliers in the body Of the church were
draped with asparagus fern intwined,
with gold leaves.
Promptly at 10 O'Clock a procession
started from the sacristy. It was
headed by an acolyte bearing the epis
copal cross and attended by two candle
bearers. The acolytes were gowned
in the episcopal red soutane Chris
tien brothers followed and then came
300 priests belonging to every order
represented in the church. There were
Jesuits, Dominicans, Paulists, Fran
ciscans, Salesians, Sulpicians, Marists
and host of the secular clergy, that
spread out in a procession 100 yards
long Right Rev. Monsignor P. Hart
nett OF Los Angeles was present, at
tended by Rev. P. E. Mulligan and Rev.
Edward P. Dempsey.
BISHOPS IN LINE
Bishop oconnen brought up the pro-
cession clad in his episcopal robes and
attended by Very Rev. ]. SASHA, S. J.,
and Rev. p. Cummins
As the long clerical assembly passed
the vesubule. Archbishop p. w. Riordan
left the sacristy preceding the vener-
The clergy took their places in the
sanctuary and the mass of thanksgiv-
ing commenced.
Haydyn's Imperial mass was sung r.
J. Harrison presided at the organ, him
self a pioneer of the cathedral, and
that there was additional soul put into
his direction of the stately music was
not a surprise TO those who knew that
ne and the vicar were life long friends.
At the conclusion or the mass Arch
bishop Riordan left his throne and ap-
pi cached the altar rail The pulpit
was beautifully decorated with fern
and gold leaf but il was not rolled
s=9fsf rs place under the epistle gall
lery Father Prendergast had asked
that no sulogy be pronounced, as he
was anxious to have the service as
simple as possible.
Archbishop Riordan spoke Of Father
Prendergast's wishes that nothing be
said about him personally, but he added
hc could not help giving utterance on
this memorable occasion to his heart
felt congratulations to the vicar who
had finished q half century in the serv-
fee OF the church 1T gives me great
pleasure" Archbishop Riordan said, ito
tell you that the holy father, Plus X,
happily still reigning. has conferred
on this venerable priest the dignity OF
domestic prelate. an honor which asso-
sis ties him with the pope's own house
bold.
7 had hoped that we would be able
today to witness his installation To
this new dignity, but conditions made
il temporarily impossible. At al
events IL will afford US another occa.
Eion in the near future to do Father
Prendergast further honor.
MODEL OF GOOD PRIEST
..He has been and is a model Of
what a good priest ought TO be, anc
he has rendered signal service to thu
cause Of Christianity. I know that
am not wasting words when 1 ss,
there has not been any important &C
performed by me as archbishop of thii
diocese hut that 1 have previousl,
sought his advice.
u am personally grateful for hi
long and loyal service For the p
wears Of my episcopate he has beer
both friend and counselor He hsl
been learned, as a priest devout at TIL
altar Of Cod always bearing abou
him the dignity of his station and lift
ing M mems thoughts 40 higher things
without spot or stain he has completes
2 career OF 80 years in the ministry
and no one can ever think of him ex
cent as a priest fulfilling his duties il
the highest sense OF the word"
After the mass luncheon was giveI
"a Rather Prendergast Father Prend
49, IN mo