Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-05-29
At MASS

Alexandria Well Represented AZ hii-
t,,rv Mas, Held on W bite House
crounds Yesterday. President Taft
Attends services.
The first military field mass ever
known in Washington WAS celebrated
Yesterday OH the White House grounds
aud vas witnessed hy more than 30
900 people.
Alexandria was well represented by
more than three hundred members OF
st. Mary's parish who left here in
special trains to take part in the exer-
cises. The train left the B,yal street
station Of the electric line $40, S:l5
and $40 a. M. and all three were
comfortably filed.
The Alexandra delegation which
was 10 charge Of William Desmond aud
bear American flags marched up
PENNSYLVANIA avenue and witnessed the
beautiful ceremonies.
From black cassock to the purity Of
alb and surplice, there ranged every
color and color combination, and the
crowd that pressed tightly to the re
straining ropes was dazzled with the
purple of the cassocks Of the choir
boys, the golden chasubles Of the ce-
lebrant and his assIstants, the scarlet
of the acolyte, and, beyond the mill
tary uniforms, the colors OF the civilian
dress, while throughout it all and
above it all waved the restless
red, white and blue from the
thousands of flags that were borne by
the patriotic men, women and children
who marched in Kaleidoscope billow-
ings over the spacious grounds, that
we're all too small, as, with bands play
ing, thousands Of school children,
marching two by tao. Cn:coian Cadets,
Natinnai Guar.:,, ldierS, United Cath
Ole societies, veterans OF the Spanish
American war, poured into the e'ipse
from all directions.
The pavilion for the celebration Of
the mass and the shelter OF the altar
vas erected on the driveway. short
distance moth OF the tall shaft Of the
monument. In front Of this the sev-
eral bodies Unanswered as they reached
the ground and were massed III posi-
ton.
Hardly had this arrangement been
effected when President TAFT arrived.
The mass began Immediately upon
the pr Sdenls arrival. Very Rev.
Mgr. William T. Russell, ID. D., was
the cclebranl; Very Rev. J. r. Meag
ner. p. + was deacon. and Rev Mar
Tin Eaycn, Of Anaro,tia. was subdea
con. Rev. W. ]. Carroll VAS master
Of ceremonies, and was assisted by
Rev. George Harrington and Rev.
Charles Fisher. Within the anctuary
also, was Rev. Eugene De l.. Melon
nell, 5. j., pastor CT st. AIoysius
parish, and preacher of the day.
Shortly before 10 O'Clock the acoly
ties, censors and crasifers took their
stations, followed by the invited and
assisting clergy.
Upon the pure white linen and lace
of the altar, and amid the cncirc!ing
palms and other floral decorations.
tapestry twiniIed IN The sunlight
When the tapers prescribed had been
lighted, there began the celebration OF
the holli,st mysteries in the Catholic
Church, amid silence that contraStcd
strangely with the cheers Of welcome
that had but few moments before
hailed the arrival OF the president
After the reading OF the Gospel there
followed the stirring sermon by Rev
Eugene De l.. Mcdonnell, from the
text Greater love than this no man
hath, that man lay down his life for
his friend.
The mass continued after the SER
mon, the chaice was uncovered and
the wine poured for conservation
The singing of the credo aud the offer
tory followed. Then amidst d hush,
broken only by three clarion notes
from huglr, the cclebrant lifted
nigh over the heads Of the kneeline
multitude the chalice and the host.
When the communion was finished
the vast congregation joined in sing
ing Holy God" and My Country,
! lis of Thee" No one in the great
throng sang more heartily and feel
ingly than did President Taft.