The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-09
CEREMONY
MARKS IAvESTI1URt
Honor Is Conferred Upon Rt. Rev.
Mgr. James T. O'Fnrrell In
Sacred Heart Cathedral.
VISITING CLERGY PARTICIPATE
Second Time In History of Catholic
Diocese OF Richmond That High
Honor Has Been Conferrcd--E'irst
Was Upon Bishop O'Conncll In
1887.

Impressive ceremony, to which was
added the dignity OF the presence of
IA number of distinguished local and
lout-of-town prelates, marked the in
vestiture yesterday morning in Sacred
Heart Cathedral Of Rt. Rev Monsig-
nor James T. C'Fsrrell. vicar-general
of the Catholic diocese Of Richmond.
The great cathedral was filed to its
doors by the friends and well-wishers
of the vicar-general many of whom
had come to Richmond from Peters
burg and other cities in which the
beloved priest ia known.
The high honor of domestic prelate.
member of the household of the Pope,
conferred in an appointment brief
from Pope Benedict at Rome, under
date OF October 16 last, was formally
given Mgr. O'Farrell during the morn
,ings ceremony. preceding the ponti-
u, O'Conneu. Rev. John A. Kelliher.
PHI. D., acted as master OF ceremonies
and the investiture address. one of
the most mastery sermons ever heard
IN the cathedral, was preached by
Rev. FIR. Conway, the Pauiist. now
conducting a mission in the cathedral.
Those Participat ting.
The papal brief. announcing the
elevation Of Father O'Farrell to the
rank of domestic prelate, was read by
Rev. Father Edward NJ. Tierney, ir-
removable rector Of Holy Cross
Church. Lynchburg, a deacon of hon
Tor to the bishop. who. himself, for
many conferred the rank.
The special music of the occasion
was conducted under the direction of
the Very Rev. Felix NJ. Kaup, chancel-
Tor of the diocese.
Among others participating werc
Rev. John j. Bowler. of St. Peters.
archpriest: Rev. David F. Coleman.
rector OF st. Tincents Church. New
port News, deacon of honor to the
bishop: Rev. f. Joseph Magri, D. . q,
of st Peters, deacon of the mass. and
Rev. James A. Brennan, OF st. Pat
rick's. subdeacon.
The comforting of the title to
Father OFarrell brings honor to both
the recipient and the diocese.
First to Bishop O'Connell.
1t Is the second time in its history
that the diocese has been so honored,
the first occasion having been that
on which the rank of nonsignor was
bestowed upon Bishop O'Connell. who
became member of the papal house
hold of Pope Leo XIII in 1887. Mgr.
loConrell was made bishop on May
10. 1908.
The office OF -T1onsignor carries with
it the right to wear the purple and a
prelate of that title takes precedence
over all other priests at church cere-
monies, whether within the diocese or
even In Rome.
Twenty five Years At Petersburg.
Monsignor O'Farrell was born at
Harper's Ferry. He studied at St.
Charles College. Ellicott City. Md,
and at st Mary's Seminary. Baitl-
and was ordained In the g.
dral Of the latter city. Staunton and
Fredericksburg were his first mis-
sions. fter which he was for more
than twenty-five years rector at Pc
tersburg. He constructed in Peters
burg one of the most beautiful
churches within the diocese.
He was made vicar general In 1919
on the death of Few. J. B. OReilly
pastor OF the Sacred Heart Cathedral