The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-09-14
THE CHAPEL A r VISIT.

NocUC Ny " vi NUy VII,
Ohio, and dedicated to it's sacred
mission a few weeks ago, will ar
rive in st. Paul on Saturday, Sep
TENDER IA, and be on exhibition at
the Union Depot until the follow
ing Monday morning. The officials
of the Church Extension Society
extend a cordial invitation to the
public, and especially to Catholics.
to visit the Chapel Car and learn
something of the purposes which
it is intended to serve.
This is the second Chapel Car
possessed by the Church Exten-
sion Society. The first, named in
honor Of st. Anthony, was on ex-
hibition in this city some years
ago and attracted a large number
of people. These Chapel Cars are
used by the Church Extension So
ciety for the purpose of reaching
the more remote towns and vii
lagos on the different lines Of rail
way where Catholics are few and
have no permanent church in
which to worship. The missionary
in charge Of the Chapel Car gath
ers the scattered Catholic families
together, says Mass for them,
gives instruction, teaches cate
chism, baptizes children, hears
confessions and for a few days
gives the community all the bene-
fits of the Catholic religion. AS a
result of these visits new interest
in their religion is instilled into
the resident Catholics and very
often the foundation is laid for a
little mission church to be attend
ed at intervals by a priest.
Throughout the west where the
Chapel Car, St. Anthony, has been
on a missionary tour for the past
two years, several new parishes
have been organized and churches
erected for the benefit Of the few
Catholics who reside in these out
of-the-way districts. The Church
Extension Society helps to erect
the church; and as a result many
Catholics who have fallen away
are brought back to the practice
of their religion and others are
given an opportunity to attend to
their duties.
After an experience Of several
| years the Church Extension So
ciety is convinced Of the utility
Of this method of propagating the
Gospel. The Chapel Car has
proved to be a success and. no
doubt, the new car, st. Peter, will
add to the splendid record made
by it's companion car, st. Anthony.
The Chapel Car is a complete
church and priests residence on
wheels. The chapel is equipped
with every appointment found in
a big church; and services are
held with as much solemnity and
convenience as in a permanent
church building. 1t is conveyed
from place to place free of cost by
! the railroads. When it reaches it's
| destination Mass is said daily, re-
ligious instruction is given every
morning and a lecture in the even
ing. The faithful may receive
Holy Communion on board the car
the same as in a church, and the
other sacraments are administered
as required. Whenever the car
proves too small for the audience.
a hall is usually engaged for the
evening lecture.
The Chapel Car, st. Peter, is a
fine example of modern a con-
struction. It is built of steel, has
a copper roof, and is finished
throughout in Cuban mahogany.
The lines of architecture in the in
terror are Gothic. 1t is eighty
four feet long, more than half of
which is set apart for the chapel,
which has a seating capacity of
seventy-four persons. Thirty more
can be accommodated in the aisle
and on the observation platform.
The sanctuary with its altar and
confessional is separated from the
nave by a handsome Communion
railing. The Stations of the Cross
are built in and form part of the
interior decoration. A specially
constructed organ is installed near
the entrance. The remaining space
in the car is used as living quar-
tiers for the reverend chaplain and
his assistants. For the support of