New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-21
Mass at St. Patrick's Opens
Convention of Catholic
Societies.
.THRONG OF PRELATES
IN BRILLIANT SCENE
Bishop in Sermon De-
nounCes Mexican Per-
secution of Clergy.

A pontifcal mass made memorable
by the presence of the three American
cardinals, the apostolic delegate 20
Washington and a multitude Of prom
inent churchmen and laymen from all
parts of the United States. was cele-
brated at St. Patrick's Cathedral yes
terday morning.
The occasion was the first divine SER
vice of the fifteenth annual convention
of the American Federation Of Catholic
Societies. a feature of the impressive
ceremony was the sermon Of the Right
Rev. Thomas f. Hickey, Bishop OF
Rochester, N. Y, mild and theological
in the beginning, ending with protest
against Mexican persecution of Cath
Ollie clergymen, nuns and laymen; the
federation Of divorce by the American
judiciary and the use of the mails for
the circulation of anti-Catholic propa-
ganda.
For fully two hours before the mass
began thousands OF persons gathered
about the cathedral. Thousands with
out cards sought admission, but were
forced TO wait until the reserved seats
had been filled. Later a few hundred
of the patient communicates were ad-
mitted to vacant seats. The attendance
WAS about $500. Persons of many
creeds were present at the unusuai
spectacle.
Brilliant Spectacle.
Looking over the great assemblage
from the choir loft, the spectacle was
one OF grandeur. Among a multitude
of colors red predominated, due largely
to the throne draperies and to inc
robes of the cardinals and their suites
The Roman purple vestments OF the
monsignori stood in relief against the
background Of crimson.
Streamers of canary and white, the
pontifcal colors, were draped in loops
about the columns of the chancei, ano
over the altar. on either side oil the ma
tional coat of arms, we're two shields
bearing the coat of arms OF Carulnai
Farley. Plain white bunting covered
the choir loft, on which was displayGo
again the national coat of arms. PROP
ably the most prolific decoration IN the
cathedral was that of the america,
far, which hung from all the pillars o.
nave and chancel.
There was no music to heralu Ihe
ecclesiastic marchers as they entered
A few muffled drums beat the time o.
slow march for the laymen. Inc en-,
trance of two -acolytes carrying tail
brass crosses was the signal Tor the
organ professional.
John Whalen, president OF the leu
Grafton, led the lay division, which was
followed by the monslgnorl: linen
came the titular bishops, the Apostoie
Delegate and his attendants, Cardi-
nal O'Connell, of Boston, and his suite
Cardinal Gibbons. Of Baltimore, with
his assistant priests and deacons OF
honor, and last Cardinal Farley, cele'
brant OF the pontifical mass.
Anxiety for Cardinal Farley.
The procession moved with precision
but il was not until 1850 o'clock that
the mass began.
The day was hot, and some anxiety
was felt for the strength of the veneer
able Cardinal Farley, for, as ceiebrant
of the mass he had been fasting since
midnight, and the occasion compelled
him to wear three sets of silk vest
ments, heavy with gold trimming. The
aged prelate bore up well, however, and
sang the mass with clear and forceful
information.
He sat on the left, or gospel, side of
the altar in the permanent throne, at
tended by Monsignor Mooney, of New
York, his assistant priest; Monsignor
Lynch, of Utica, and Monsignor
O'Brien, of Kalamazoo, his deacons of
honor. On his left in temporary
throne of scarlet sat Archbishop Bon
zano, the Apostolic Delegate.
Cardinal Gibbons occupied tempo
rary throne on the right, or epistle
side of the chancel, opposite the cele-
brant, with Monsignor Edwards, Of New
York, as his assistant priest, and Mon
signor Kaupert, of Brooklyn, and Mon
signor Fox, of Trenton, as deacons OF
honor.
Cardinal O'Connell, whose throne
was erected to the right Of Cardinal
Gibbons, was attended by Monsignor
Splaine, of Boston. as assistant Priest
His deacons of honor were the Very
Rev. John A. Delaney, of Albany, and
the Right Rev. Francis H. Wall, Of this
city.
Pittsburgh Choir Takes Part.
The ceremony of vesting the cele-
brant required ten minutes, and at noon
Cardinal Farley had removed his mitrei
catpa magma and pallium. After bow
ing to the two cardinals and the Apos-
tolic Delegate he assembled the>steps to
the tabernacle as the cathedral male
choir of Pittsburgh, composed Of f5C
voices, chanted the Introit.
Monsignor O'Hara, of Brooklyn, sub
deacon Of the mass. sang the Epistle;
the Gradual was sung by the chancel
choir. and Monsignor Roche, of Water
town, n. Y, deacon of the mass, sang
the Gospel.