The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-01-02
CHRISTMAS IN THE
CHURCHES.

the Catholic churches in the Twin
Cities were thronged with devout
worshippers, especially at the
early Masses. A gratifying feat
ure Of the celebration was the
very large number Of commune
cants who approached the Holy
Table as the most appropriate
means of greeting the Christ Child
and profitimg by the annual recur-
renee Of His natal day. 1t was an
inspiring sight to behold whole
congregation entering so thor
oughly into the spirit of the fes-
tival and strengthening their souls
with the Bread Of Angels. The
only complaint one heard was
that, in the majority Of cases, the
churches were too small to accom-
modate the number Of people seek
ing admission to them. This
shows the deeply religious spirit
and devotion of the people and
augurs well for the future Of the
Church III the Northwest.
The celebration at the Pro-Ca-
thedral Of St. Mary in Minneapolis
was of special significance, mas
much as it marked the first Christ
mas commemorated in the sacred
edifice which was opened for pub
lie worship on the thirty-frst of
last May. The first Mass at half
past five o'clock brought a con-
course of people which taxed to
the utmost the seating capacity of
the church and the late Mass al
most duplicated the attendance at
the early morning service.
The great religious function of
the day took place at eleven
O'Clock when all the ceremonial
pomp of the Church was invoked
to make the occasion a memorable
one. Solemn Pontifcal Mass was
celebrated by the Most Reverend
Archbishop who, on the same an
niversary ten years previously,
had made the first announcement
Of the project to build in the city
Of Minneapolis a church worthy of
the faith Of so many of its in
habitants, worthy of its historic
Catholic traditions "a ur h
which would be civic monument
to which all the people, irrespec-
tive of creed or condition, would
point with pride. The officers of
the Mass were chosen from among
the students of st. Paul Seminary
with the exception of the arch
priest, Father Cullen, pastor of
the Pro- Cathedral, and the master
Of ceremonies, Father Ziskovsky
Of the Seminary faculty. The
seminary choir Of forty voices
sang the responses and the Proper
of the Mass under the direction OF
the choirmaster, Father Missia
The Pro-Cathedral choir, under
the direction Of Father Kern, and
supplemented by an orchestra,
sang the special parts. The ser
mon was preached by Rev. J. M
Reardon of st. Paul, and at the
end of the Mass the Most Rever.
end Archbishop made a brief ad.
dress in which he complimented
the congregation on the good
work already done and expressed
the hope that further progress in
the task of completing the sacred
edifice would be made during the
present year.
It was joyous occasion for all
both pastor and people, and it was
u great day for religion in Min
neapolis. The PROF. Cathedral stood
forth in all its grandeur and none
could fail to note its beauty OF
outline and majestic proportions
With the meagre decorations pos
sible under the circumstances, il
gave evidence of what it will be
when the finishing touches have
been put upon the interior, when
wall and pillar will be clothed In
harmony with the artistic vault.
ing and when all the furnishings
necessary to show forth the beauty
of the edifce shall have beer
placed in position.