The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-05-30
THE CORNERSTONE LAYING
CEREMONY.

Wnlcn TOOK place on May 81, 1908,
was an event unparalleled in the
history of the Northwest, except
by that of the Cathedral of st. Paul
itself. 1t will not soon be forgotten.
Impressive and solemn as it was, it
demonstrated the spirit in which the
Catholic people had undertaken the
work of building church that would
not only serve those of their own
faith in the future, but would be a
source of pride to the city and the
commonwealth.
Dignity and grandeur were lent to
the occasion by the presence of the
representative of the Holy Father, His
Excellency, the Most Reverend DID,
mede Falconio, Apostolic Delegate;
three Archbishops; several bishops
and hundreds Of clergy. Gathered to-
gether from the parishes of the state
were thousands of men and women
who had come either to take part in
the parade, which was preliminary to
the cornerstone laying, or at least to
catch glimpse of the great spectacle
that was about to be presented. In
the numbers that assembled about the
foundation of the new church to see
the cornerstone put in place, the ma
lions and creeds Of the world were
well represented. And well they
might be, for never before was there
seen in Minneapolis such a parade as
the one in which the thirty thousand
Catholics of the diocese marched that
day: never before had so many church
dignitaries gathered within it at one
time.
Interest Widespread.
Months in advance the date for the
laying of the cornerstone had been
fixed. Months were required to ar
range the details of the mammoth I'M
dertaking. The papers had published
accounts Of the plans as they were
formed and the people were kept in
touch with what was taking place. To
the Catholics of Minneapolis the event
was especially important. The new
edifice was to be testimony to their
faith and zeal. They prepared accord
ingly to make showing that would
be remembered. But the Catholics of
the city were not the only ones to be
interested. 1t meant much to the
Catholics of the state as well, and to
all the people of Minneapolis, ire
spective Of creed, because of it's civic
Importance. A new edifice, a dream
in architecture, was to be added to
the city's buildings.
Accordingly, on Sunday, May 81,
1908, the whole population of Mime
apolis awoke with one thought-the
cornerstone of the new Pro-Cathedral
of st. Mary was that day to be laid.
Thousands of visitors had come to the
city. Parishes in all parts of the do
cese had sent delegations to take part
in the parade. Thousands of others
were attracted by curiosity to be eye
witnesses of the great event where so
many distinguished clergymen and
statesmen were to be seen and heard.
The churches were crowded to the
doors at the early Masses, everyone
planning to be downtown in time to
see the parade form for the march to
the Pro-Cathedral grounds. Marshals
hustled about getting their sections in
order, marchers bearing the papal col
ors and the Stars and Stripes, hustled
about as anxiously to obey commands.
The Great Column Starts.
The courthouse chimes rang out the
hour of two, Grand Marshal Matthias
Baldwin gave the command and the
movement of the thirty thousand peo-
pie, representative of the Catholic par
ishes Of Minneapolis, st. Paul and the
state, was begun. The music of fifty
bands filed the air, banners waved and
fluttered in the breeze and thousands on
thousands of watchers from sidewalk,
roof and window craned their necks
followed by details Of ten men each
to see the sons of many nations and
of one faith march shoulder to Shout
der in the memorable procession that