The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-10-26
BlSR0P VAN De
VyyER LAID FOREST

II heard voice from Heaven say
Blessed are the dead dying in the
Lord, for they rest from their labors
and their GOOD works shall follow
them"
These are the words that epitcmised
the theme Of the Rt. Rev. Il. j. Kelley,
Bishop of Savannah, when he deliv-
cred the funeral Grafton at the OBJ
l sequies of Augustine Van de Vyver,
Bishop of Richmond this morning.
I And the sweet message they con-
veyed, which came like balSam TO
| the sorrOwing thrOng assembled in the
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, beau
. tifully told the story of the good pre-
late whose mortal remains this after
\ noon were consigned to the dust OF
Those who had gathered in the
sacred edifice hearing the consola-
tory words Of Bishop Kelley. sadly re-
membere6 that in Richmond just
| twenty-fOur years ago today-on DC
torer 90. 1sss-Bishop Van de Vyver
] was consecrated for his field of labor
/ in this diocese.
And likewise the vast congregation,
noting the solemn, yet impressive,
simplicity of the funeral services, re-
called the unostentatious figure who
/ had labored so faithfully and Jealous
/ IN among them with never s thought
save for their spiritual advancement.
The Occasion Impressive.
| 1t is not infelicitous. therefore, to
say that the ceremonies today, despite
their melancholy significance, We're
marked by a degree of appropriate
| ness which could not fail to impress
itself upon all beholders.
And though far removed from frivol-
| Gus, mundane vanities, the Catholics
| of Richmond felt commendable
pride when they saw how universal
! was the grief felt at the passing OF
| Bishop Van de Vyver, and how spon-
taneously people OF all denominations
sought to do honor to his memory.
Today's obsequies, though devoid
of the spectacular and free from
everything, even remotely suggestive
| of undue display, were none the less
notable.
Hundred Participating Priests.
Bishop Van de Nyvers f Snth
lie clergy OF the United States, and the
obseQuies were participated In by at
OF the latter at least sixty are the
| clergy of this diocese.
Most conspicuous of all the stately
| ecclesiastical figures was his Emil
hence. Cardinal Gibbons. who perform
ed the absolution-
1t had been hoped that Monsignor
| Falconio. the papal delegate to Ameri-
ca, would also be present, but pressure
of business prevented his doing SO.
DiEnitaries OF the Church.
Among the other prominent members
Of the clergy in attendance were;
Right Rev: p: ]. Donahue, Bishop of
Right Rev. ]. J. Monaghan. Bishop of
Wilmington, Del.
Right Rev. Leo Had, o. S. b. Abbot
Bishop, Belmont, n. c.
Right Rev. H. p. Northrop. Bishop of
Right Rev b. ]. Kelley. Bishop of sa-
vannah. Ca
Right Rev. H. Gabriels, Bishop of os-
Right Rev. c. P. Macs, Bishop of Gov
lf Fight Rev. Thomas Meerschaert
Bishop OF Oklahoma City, Okla.
Right Rev. c. Van De Ven. Bishop OF
Very Rev. DR. Dyer, president of st
Marys University, Baltimore. Md.
Very Rev. r. X. Wakeham, Dun
woodie Seminary, New York.
Very Rev. p Mason. V. f., Allen
" very Rev. F. x. McKenny. president
OF st. Charles College, Ellicott City
Jesuit Fathers from Georgetown
University, Washington. d. c.
Very Rev. j. d. Budds. V. G.. Charles
Rev. p c. Gavan. chancellor. Arch
diocese OF Baltimore.
| Rev. J. +. Prim. pastor of Mater Do
lorosa Church. New Orleans.
Not since the venerated Bishop Nc
Gill went TO his reward in 1872 has
Richmond witnessed the funeral of a
Catholic bishop. The services, there
fore, had peculiar interest attaching
TO them, and in a way might almost
be called novel.
Simplicity of the Service.
But, as has been said, their crown
ing feature was their simplicity. They
breathed the unassuming spirit of the
man whose mortal remains, clad IL
pontifical robes, lay in the casket be-
fore the sanctuary. Those who stood
closest 70 Bishop Van de Vyver knew
full well that he wished no display at
his funeral-that he desired the ser
vices TO be reduced to the minimum
Of simplicity. And so they were.
though the reverential crowds that
! flocked TO the Cathedral, combined
with the number of officiating clergy.
made a picture not soon to be for
gotten.
No Music, No Flowers.
| OF music there was none save the
| sonorous. soul-inspiring Gregoriar
chant, which lacked eeeR the organ
accompaniment And not a Hover OF
a wreath adorned the coffin, which
luntil 1880 o'clock, lay open in the
aisle, beneath the lights from six
the glowing symbols of the light OF
faith and the resurrection.
4 Outside the giant columns of the
Cathedral were draped in black, Will,
above the altar within was another
! or those somber decorations
Move For a Monument.
\ The sacred edifice which today wa
the scene of the obsequies, contain
a place of sepulchre for its prelate
but Bishop Van de Vyver, with char
- |
might be buried in Mount Calvar,
Cemetery. He preferred to sleel
among the members of his 1ock VIII,
= had preceded him to the grave. Hi
wishes, of course, were followed, Blu
at no distant day a stately memoria
will rise over his grave. Already plan
1 for this concrete tribute of affection
have been tentatively discussed.
Hundreds Stood Outside.
The arrangements for the funera
might well be called perfect, unless
indeed, one counts as a hitch the in
capacity of the Cathedral to accommo
date those who wished to attend tia
services.
And even this disadvantage was par
TALLY met by the plan which provide,
. that the children of the diocese. at
A. M, should attend requiena mas
and then yield their places to adults
The little ones completely filled tn
house OF worship and even after the
had retired before the regular hou
for the funeral CafhAd "a