The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-24
CATHOLIC CHURCH
 DULY DEDICATED
BISHOP ALLEN PERF0RMES IM- PREssIvE CEREMONIES AND BREACHES SERMON AT WOOL LAWN

l was dedicated by the Right Rev. Edward P. Allen, D. D., bishop of Mobile The ceremonies commenced a little after g | o'clock and lasted till about noon. The officiant and the assisting clergy vested In the parish house, then the pro- cession to the church entrance took place. First of all went the crucifer with two aoolytes on either side. After him march ed the chanters, the mass servers, the deacon and sub-deacon and celebrant of the mass; next came the book-bearer, the holy water bearer, the master of cere- monies, the officiant vested in amice, alb, aricture, pectoral cross, white stole and cope, morse, gold begemmed mitre and erosier.
 Arrived at the open door of the church, all came to halt. and after the divine assistance had been invoked the asperges was intoned by the bishop. Immediately the chanters began the fiftieth psalm, 'Miserere mel Deus" While the psalm was being chanted the procession moved slowly outside the church, the bishop sprinking the walls to the height of his head and near the foundations. The pro- cession began in the right. the epistle side, and returned by the left, the gospel side. After the sprinkling of the outside walls prayers were solemnly chanted, invoking the divine protection and beg ging God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and St. Clement in whose | honor the church was erected, to bless and preserve from evil and diabolical snares all who hereafter come to wor- ship in that holy place. After the pray CTS the chanters began to sing the Litany of the Saints, and the procession slowly moved up the middle aisle to the altar. where all knelt during the Litany. After the Litany, various prayers were recited, the altar was blessed, and then while the chanters sang psalms 11s. 12c and 121, the bishop blessed the interior of the church, sprinkling the walls on a level with his head and near the floor. He moved this time down the gospel side, returning by the epistle side. When he returned to the altar, he recited some prayers and went to the throne while the celebrant, deacon and sub-deacon
 
 coram episcopo.
 At the gospel the Right Rev. Bishop preached an eloquent and instructive ser mon on the signifcation of the beautiful dedication services just witnessed. He compared the Catholic church with the ancient temple of the chosen people, and showed how in the real presence the humblest edifice of the faithful today surpasses the mighty creations of Solo, mon or Zorobabel. He also paid tribute to the faith and piety of the ages past. when wonderful cathedrals were built in the old world, when Milan and Florence and Paris and Cologne and London and Dublin raised architectural masterpieces to the one true God. He showed how Catholic churches are dear to Catholic hearts, since they are associated with life's joys and sorrows, since in them the babe Is baptized, the young taught Gods law, all fed with the body and blood of the Redeemer; since their sins are washed away and consolation given; since there young couples pledge their vows of love and fidelity, and since there, finally, the body of the dead soldier of Christ, who fought the foes of His sal vation and was victorious in the conflict, Is brought for Christian burial. He thanked in conclusion the parishioners | for their zeal and earnestness and for l the support and encouragement accorded the pastor, and finally wished that God
 would bless all with Ills choicest bless
 ings, and that the parish of St. Clement s
 would flourish and grow and be a mighty
 power for good in the growing city of
 Birmingham
 After mass the procession was reformed
 and marched from the sanctuary to the | middle aisle, and out the main door to
 the residence. Tn addition to the Right Rev. Bishop the following clergy took
 part in the ceremonies The Rev. John
 A. Bratton, pastor of the church; the
 Rev. James T. Coen, celebrant of the
 mass; the Rev. Paul Klish, deacon; the
 Rev. James A. Murphy, sub-deacon; the Rev. Thomas Stemmler O. s. B.; the
 Rev. Celestine Mittermeir, o. s. B. chant
 CTS; the Rev. Michael F. Filan, the Rev. | John O'Kelly, assistants to the bishop; the Rev. James E. Coyle, master of cere- monies A large congregation including many non-Catholics was present at the l dedication, which was favored with ideal | weather After the services the Rev. Pastor, assisted by the congregation, served a luncheon to the visiting clergy.