Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1911-03-04
Cardinal Gibbons and Host Of
Prelates Add splendor
TO Scene.
United States Sailors Joined With
Civilians in the Street
Parade.
CATHEDRAL WELL DECORATED

founding of that city last Sunday.
1t was not only civic celebration,
but Southern, National-in short
a Catholic celebration. His Emin-
ence Cardinal Gibbons was the CEN
trail figure, and grouped around him
were Bishop Allen, of Mobile; Com
mander Fletcher, from the United
States torpedo fleet, representing
the United States Government, and
Mayor Patrick J. Lyons, represent
ing the city of Mobile.
The ceremonies began with Pom
tifical mass in the Cathedral at IL
o'clock. The celebrant was the
Right Rev. John w. Shaw, Bishop of
San Antonio, Texas. Bishop Shaw
is native of Mobile. Cardinal
Gibbons occupied a throne on one
side of the sanctuary, while Bishop
Allen sat on a throne on the op-
posite side. Before the sermon a
cable message from Pope Plus X.
was read. 1t contained his apostolic
blessing and prayer that God
would guard and prosper the city
and people Of Mobile. The United
States Government was represented
at the mass by Commander Fletcher,
of the Cruiser Birmingham, and in
charge of the torpedo fleet at
Mobile for the carnival. Owing 20
the unavoidable absence of Gov.
O'Neal, Alabama was represented by
Lieut.. Gov. Walter d. Seed. Mayor
Patrick ]. Lyons and nearly all the
members of the Council represented
the city.
The Cathedral was elaborately
decorated for the occasion. This
work was done by the ladies of the
Altar Society and was pronounced
artistically and historically perfect.
The great central altar was blaze
of light, banked high with carna-
tions, lilies and roses. The side
altars were almost equally imposing
in grandeur. Large American flags
were prominent in the mural and
column decorations, other flags
used being representative of the
nations claiming the allegiance of
the city in its life of two centuries,
the French, Spanish and English.
Large branches of magnolia were
entwined with blue and white bunt-
lHBy lnO OOlOlb vi Int Dlcbocu VII 6lu,
the patron OF the Cathedral. These
hung from the arches and in front
of the choir loft. A copy of the
original banner of Bienville, founder
of Mobile, loaned by Mrs. Hortense
Bafre, President of the Alabama
Chapter OF Colonial Danes, orna-
mented the front of the pulpit. Mrs.
Batre also loaned the blue and white
flag of France, with the Fleur de
Lis, which Bienville brought to the
American shores. This, too, was
placed in front of the pulpit.
! After the mass the sermon was
preached by the Rev. Father e. G.
De la Moriniere, S. J. He told of
the life and exploration of the
French-Canadian John LIE Moyne
Sieur de Bienville, who founded the
city OF Mobile In It'll. Incidentally
he paid tribute to the old Catholic
explorers, and bade his hearers be-
come better Christians that they
might become better citizens.
In the afternoon there was a
street parade. More than 1000
Catholics were in line, and to make
1t more interesting several hundred
sailors from the United States naval
fleet were in line. The parade was
reviewed by Cardinal Gibbons from
the balcony In front of Bishop AL
lens residence. With the Cardinal
and Bishop Allen stood Archbishop
Blenk. OF New Orleans; Bishop
Shaw, of San Antonio; Bishop Nor
ris, of Little Rock; Bishop Van de
Ven, of Natchitoches, and Bishop
Kenny, OF st. Augustine, Fla.
The marchers after saluting the
Cardinal and other prelates entered
the Cathedral, where solemn vespers
were sung. Before benediction
Cardinal Gibbons addressed those
assembled and wished all classes
and creeds the blessings OF
God, spiritually and materially
ehjoining them to fulfill the duties
of honorable and upright citizens.
From until 9 o'clock in the
evening the Cardinal received visit.
ors in Bishop Aliens residence. Al
midnight he went with Archbishop
Blenk to New Orleans, where he
will spend a week or more with his
brother, Col. John Gibbons. The re
iigious celebration was brought u
close on Monday morning wher
Bishop Allen celebrated requiem
mass for the repose OF the souls Of
n laLl