The San Francisco call., 1910-06-06
SPECIAL PAPAL
BLESSING sent
ST. BONIFACE'S
Bishop 0'COnneIl Takes Part in
The Fiftieth Anniversary
Observance
Father Victor Tells How Won
derfuIIy Parish Has Grown
Since 1t Was Started

The Franciscan Fathers, gathered
from ali parts of the state, yesterday
began their weeks ceremonies to COM
nemorate the passing of the half cen
..5uTy mark since the St Boniface church
was founded in this city.
- At 10 O'Clock in the morning pro-
cession of so girls and boys, the former
fD white dresses with golden sashes
suspended from one shoulder, and the
BOYS wearing similar sashes, led the
procession. with the banner bearer al
their head. from the monastery in
Golden. Gate avenue around the spacious
COURT and into the church. Each little
couple represented a year in the life Of
tie church in this city
Following the tots marched the
shaven. sandaled monks with their
loose. brown Franciscan habits.
Bishop O'Conneu closed the impress
sivs procession. which entered the
church, where more than l,60O parish
ioners had already entered. ready to
take part in the services. The 100 chill
dren:. upon entering. divided in two
rows on each side of the center aisle
of the church and the clergy marched
down between them TO the altar.
PON-TIFTCAL HIGH MASS
Pontifcal high mass was then cele-
brated by Bishop o'CoRnell. assisted by
The deacons Of the mass and deacons
of honor to the bishop The deacons
Of the mass were Rev. Father Engle-
bert of FruitvaIe and Father Godfrey
of Sacramento. The deacons of honor
10 the bishop were: Very Rev. Father
Peter -Wallisheck. commissary Of the
I'ranciscans and Very Rev. Father
r.utQmins, chancellor Of the diocese.
1-ather 3Isximilian, Q. T. NJ. acted as
s5ssfstant priest.
20 iT7aSber- Victor, who is the only one of
the three fathers now in San Francisco
40. whom originally was turned over the
St Epniface church when it was given
into the hands of the Franciscan
Fathers in 1887, delivered The sermon.
Bishop O'Connell. at the conclusion
Of the. sermon. read the blessing from
Pope Plus Y. sent especially in COM
memOration Of the fftieth birthday Of
the church in this city.
The morning services ending with the
re. Deum, the procession was formed IN
the same order as before and a counter
march was made back to the monas-
IerW- where a banquet was served to the
80 visiting priests. brothers and repre-
sentative members Of the parish.
Last evening there were additional
services and then stsreopticOn views
were. given showing how the church
had gradually grown from a one story
wooden building in Sutter street in 1860
10 tire present artistic stone one in
Golden Gate avenue.
A. festival was held by the clergy
and parishiOners to wind up the first
day of the commemorarng week in the
auditorium of the church.
The tower, doorway and gates to the
open -couFt in front Of the church were
decorated for the week with the papal
celOrs. gold and white, and the German
and American flags.
HISTORY OF ST. BONIFACE'S
The history of St. Boniface church
Was told IN the sermon of Father Victor
yesterday morning. The church was
founded by Father Wulf ia 1860. In that
year q one story wooden structure was
built on the north side of Sutter street
between Kearny and Montgomery
There the church remained for 10 years,
being moved lh 1870 to its present site
IN Golden Gate avenue. During all of
this time and up 10 1887 the church was
conducted principally for the Germans
IN the last named year Father Victor
petirioned Archbishop Riordan that the
church be given over to the Franciscan
Fathers. This petition was allowed and
Fathers Victor, Gerard and Polinius
were placed in charge. Of these three
priests Father Victor alone remains in
the city Father Gerard having died and
Father Polinius having been moved to
the east.
The Franciscan Fathers are elated
over the progress of the church, which
is one OF two Of their order in this
city. The parish. which is composed
almost entirely OF Germans, is growing
steadily.
The exercises. viii continue this week
and next Sunday. This morning there
VIII be a solemn requiem high mass for
all deceased priests and members of the
parish.
Tomorrow night the young men of
the parish viii have charge Of the en-
tertaihment. Vocal and instrumental
music viii be followed by a German
farce. reunion viii be held Thurs
DAY evening and the commemoration
viii close with the graduating exer-
cises Of the children Of the parish
school.