Evening star., 1915-04-15
Catholic University Today Cel-
ebrates Twenty-Fifth Ami
versary of Its Founding.
GATHERING OF HIERARCHY
IS LARGEST IN COUNTRY
Honorary Degrees Are Conferred on
Twelve Laymen-Many Events
on Program.

With the active participation Of three
American cardinals and the largest at
tendance of catholic hierarchy ever gath
cred in this country. distinguished by 4
long, cordial letter from Pope Benedict
XIV. and encouraged by representatives
of sixty of the leading universities and
colleges in the United States, the Catho-
lie University of America is today OBJ
serving the twenty fifth anniversary OF
its opening.
Twelve laymen who have performed
distinguished services for the advance
ment of society and the benefaction Of
their fellow men in various callings are
receiving honorary degrees, as follows:
The degree of doctor of laws was
granted to Nicholas Charles Burke, Bal
timore: Charles Joseph Bona parte,- Balti-
more: Lawrence Francis Flick, Phadel-
phia: Ernest Laplace. Philadelphia; Gar
rett William McEnerney. San Francisco:
Thomas Maurice Mulry. New York; John
Benjamin Murphy. Chicago: Walter
George Smith, Philadelphia; Hannis Tay-
lor. Washington.
The doctorate in letters was received by
Charles George Herbermann. Frederic
Courtiand Penfield and James Joseph
Walsh, all OF New York city.
Principal Events of Day.
The principal events of the celebra tion
today are solemn pontifical mass of
thanksgiving in St. Patrick's Church this
morning at 10 o'clock; luncheon to in
vited guests at l o'clock in the New Viii
lard Hotel: academic exercises at 5 o clock
in the New National Theater and the
alumni banquet tonight in the New
Willard.
The master Of ceremonies for the en-
tire celebration was DIR. Thomas j. Carri-
gan of Worcester. Mass, dean of the
University Law School.
Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore, Cardinal
Farley of New York and Cardinal O'Con-
nell of Boston, Rt. Rev. John Bonzano. the
papal delegate: eight archbishops, thirty
bishops. thrty-one monsignors. eight
heads of religious orders, more than 800
priests and hundreds of distinguished
Catholic laymen and women from all over
the United States assisted at the services
in st. Patrick's this morning.
The academic procession marched from
Carroll Hall around the corner into ST.
Patrick's. marshalled by Very Rev. George
A. Dougherty, vice rector of the univer-
sity, and Prof. James A. Connor Of North
ampton, Mass, instructor in mathematics.
The sanctuary was lavishly decorated
with the papal colors and those of the
university.
Celebrant OF MASS.
Cardinal Farley. Archbishop Of New
York, was celebrant of the solemn pon1if
ical mass, assisted by Very Rev. John
Chadwick of New York. who was chaplain
on the Maine when it was blown up in
Havana harbor The other officers OF
the mass were: DeaconS OF honor. Very
Rev, Thomas Finn. Rockford, H.; Rev.
Joseph F. Smith. New York; deacon OF
"ral
subdeacon, Rev. Thomas j. OBrien,
WhiteStone y. Y.
The discourse of Cardinal Gibbons
was, in part:
we are indebted above all to the God
of Wisdom for whose glory the work
was begun. To the great pontifs, Leo
XIII and Plus Y. and to their success
sor, Pope Benedict XIV we make public
acknowledgment of our gratitude. To
the Catholics of the United States We
return our thanks for their generous
support.
THE experience of these twenty-five
wears emphasizes the needs which the
university aims to supply-the need Of
divine truth to complete our human
knowledge, of divine justice AS the
highest sanction of law, Of the spirit
of Christ in our ministrations Of
mercy and love. There is no real
liberty without law, and there is no
meaning or validity to law unless 1t
be observed.
Meaning of Democracy.
The growth of democracy does not
imply that each man shall become I.
law unto himself, but tha; he shall
feel in himself the obligation to obey.
If the enact;ng power has been Trans
ferred from the viii of the ruler to
the will of the people the binding.
coercive power has been laid with
ever before upon the individual con
science.
unless men be taught tina. obedience
is right and honorable and necessary
alike for private interest ana public
we.!. Legislation viii avail but little.
the IA making power VIII become a
mocker= and the people themselves
will com plain that legislation has been
carried 20 excess But conscience has
need of higher sanction than am
iuerely human sense of Justice.
TO meet the requirements of our re
liEious. social and political situation
and to our country. 70 fulfill i We
must combine Cur efforts, and ] re-
joice that in the cathoiic University a
center Of thought and action Ens been
provided"
Pope's Letter Is Read.
Following the luncheon In the New
Willard, at which nearly 200 guests were
seated, the academic procession proceed
ed to the New National Theater. The
invocation was pronounced by Cardinal
Gibbons. and Bishop Shahan, rector OF the
Catholic University, made introductory
remarks A letter of benediction from
Pope Benedict Nv was read.
Cardinal o'comell spoke on ''The
Office and Responsibility of the Uni
! versty il American Life saying, in
part