Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-11-13
Rector Of Cathedral Parish
Made Domestic Prelate
and Monsignor
is BELOVED IN STATE
Bishop O'Connell Receives Brief From
Pope Benedict Announcing Award
of Purple.

of Purple.
Richmond. Nov. ia brief recelv-
ed by Bishop O'Connell from Pope
Reuedict. under date Of October IL,
announces the elevation of Very Rev.
! James T. O'i''arrel vicar-general OF
the diocese. to the dignity of domes-
! tic prclate Of the. papal household,
! with the rank Of monsgnor. The title
also carries with it the prefix right
revcrend, making the full title OF the
recipient hereafter Right Rev. Mon
signor James r. O'Farrell. The office
; implies the right OF wearing the pur-
pie. also of taking precedence owe:
all priests at church ceremonies,
whether within the diocese or even
! III the city of Rome.
Although Father o'Farrell's title
is now that Of monsignor, the cerc-
mony Of investment in the Cathedral
with the Insignia OF his new office
will not take place until a later date
Whilst several Virginia priests have
lbcer elevated to the higher office OF
bishop. there have been only two IN
the history of the diocese who nave
been made domestic prelates with the
rank of monsignor the post Of honor
next to that Of bishop. Monsignor
OFarrell is the second to receive that
honor, the frstI being the present
Bishop of Richmond himself. who in
1887 was created by Pope Leo Nil.
i member of the papal household, with
the title of monsignor. whilst he serv-
ed as rector of the American College
in Rome lie came in. 1903. whilst yet
= domestic prelate. TO take charge OF
the Catholic University at Washing
ton. Monsignor O'Connell was raise"
TO the highest rank of bishop May ),
1905.
The purple is sometimes conferrea
:,y = Pope on some cccleslastlc within
, diocese other than the bishop o!
the see. upon the express petition OF
the bishop himself. providing the SUI
nreme Pontiff finds the candidate IN
every sense worthy Of so high an
honor. The action Of Bishop O'Conneii
~ obtaining the new dignity for Mon
signor O'FarrclI will. no doubt, meet
with the approval, not only OF the
Catholic of the diocese. but also OF
many non-CatholicS. who hold the new
frnonsignor in high esteem. The priests
Of the diocese will doubtless feet
honored in the elevation Of one OF
their number to thc rank of preIate
of the papal household.
Monsignor O''arrell was born At
Harncrs Ferry. and studied at st.
Charles College. Elliott City, Md, and
ut St. Mary's Seminary. Baltimore
being ordained in the cathedral of the
latter city. His first missions were
! Staunton and Fredericksburg. after
which he lahored with singular sue
I cess for more than twenty-five years
ms pastor at Petersburg. being below
ed there, as elsewhere. by people OF
all classes and crccds He construct
cd in Petersburg one Of the most
beautiful churches within the diocese.
Made vicar-general in 1913. and on
the death Of the lamentcd Rev. J. L,
O'Rcily, pastor Of the Sacred Heart
Cathedral. both of which posts he still
with great credit fills. he has become
closely identified with affairs in the
capital city.
Father O'f'arrcl is said to be one OF
the most popular priest who ever
!ahorcd in Virginia. being well known
and beloved even outside the State
especially in Baltimore and Washing,
ton. where some Of the most proml
nent ecclesiastics are reported to be
his close friends. A forthcoming an
n6uncement as to the exact date OF
the impressive ceremony Of confer
ring the purple OF Monsignor O'Far,
rcll by Bishop O'Connell is shortly
expected.