The San Francisco call., 1910-08-07


the conservation Of Westminster cath
edral a writer remarks that 'once
more a consecrated temple takes its
place in the capital of the British
empire Strange to think that old
England, once dotted from border TO
border with consecrated churches. now
finds il a remarkable occurrence that
London should again possess one con-
secrated cathedral
The rite of conservation used on this
occasion was that followed at West
minister Abbey in the last year OF King
Edward the Confessor, and il is to be
found in the pontihcaf Of Egbert. arch
bishop Of York, who died in 767. The
main features OF the rite were as fol-
lows:
The relics used in the ceremony were
set apart overnight by the consecrat-
ing prelate. who had tasted the day
before. They were placed on an altar
with lighted candles. while the choir
chanted mathis and lauds in honor of
the saints whose relics were there. On
the day of conservation II, crosses were
marked on the walls of the church,
with candles before them, which were
lighted at the beginning of the cere-
mony. This symbolized the walls OF
the heavenly Jerusalem.
The archbishop and bishops then went
in procession around the outside of the
church three times. sprinkling the walls
and boundaries with holy water. Then
the archbishop knocked with his pasto-
raj staff at the entrance of the cath
edral, saying in Latin. Lit up your
gates, ye princes. and be We lifted UP,
We everlasting doors. and the king OF
glory shall come in" The deacon at the
door asked: Who is this king of
glory?" to which il is replied: The
Lord strong and mighty, the Lord
mighty in battle" The door was
opened and the archbishop and assist
ants entered the church.
The archbishop then described on the
ashstrewn floor Of the nave a cross
composed Of the Latin and Greek al
phabets. symbolizing thus the union OF
the Latin and Greek churches
Then followed the conservation of the
affairs The consecrating priest marked
i've crosses on each altar. with his
thumb dipped in a compound of ashes
salt and wine. the choir chanting mean
while the Antiphon: 4 will go unto the
altar of God"
The archbishop, bishops and clergy
then went in procession round the in
terror Of the cathedral three times.
aspersing and blessing the walls. The
relics were then borne in, and deposited
IN the sepulchres" or hollows in the
altar stones. which We're closed and
cemented. The affairs were incensed
on their five crosses; the conservation
crosses on the walls were anointed;
and, finally, amid the chanting of the
choir, the sanctuary vessels and orna
ments were consecrated; and the cathe.
dral thus became a sacred habitation
one vast shrine for what all true
Catholics believe to be the actual body
and blood and soul and divinity of the
Savior. 1t is only by realizing this, the
main doctrine of the Catholic faith
that the. grandeur which marked the
ceremonial can be understood.
Elisha Francis Riggs. whose death
has been announced, has been declared
10 be a very perfect example of a type
as Yet far too rare among us-the
highly educated, devout and Jealous
layman. Educated at first in the
academic classes of Gonzaga college
Washington, D. C., and afterward a.
Oscott. in England. he was favorable
example Of Catholic training
Although a layman, he had the de-
Votion Of q religious, and degree OF
ecclesiastical erudition rare even
among priests. While a fnancier and
man Of the world. he was as Jealous for
heavenly goods as hermit of the
I.
Mr.. Riggs benefactions to religious
and educational purposes were unceas-
ing. His extremely modest and retir-
ing disposition, amounting to shyness
added to his sincere Christian humility.
made him shun notoriety as earnestly
as some philanthropists are said to
seek it.
The greatest monument to the
memory Of Elisha Francis Riggs is the
exquisite Riggs library of Georgetown
university, built by him in 1859 in
memory OF his father, George w
Riggs, a convert to the Catholic faith
and of his eldest brother. Thoma
I.aurason Riggs. An annex to this
library, increasing it's capacity by al
most half. and adding greatly TO IL.
beauty, had been completed shortly be.
fore Mr.. Riggs death.
He was truly an eminent layman and
q typical Catholic gentleman.
The University of Laval Quebec, is
mourning the death of one of its most
notable saVants and administrators
Mgr J. c. K. Lafamme.
Besides his positions Of trust held a;