New-York tribune., 1919-09-15
Primatc of Belgium at
Old Baltimore Cathedral
Tells of His Country's
Sufferings in the War
No Trace of Bitterness
Lauds Cardinal Gibbons;
Says Belgian Soldiers
Were Saviors of World
Special Correspondence


BALTIMORE, Sept. 14-Clothed in
the rich crimson Of his rank that so
appropriately symbolized the martyr
dom of his mother land in his heroic
struggle for right against might, De-
sidcratus Cardinal MERCER, Primate of
Belgium, before notable congrega-
ton in the Old Baltimore Cathedral
to-day taught great lesson of simple
dauntless faith.
In halting English, he told the great
story of Belgium, Of its supreme con-
its emergence from the seething cru
chile of war. free from the stain of
apostasy and bathed in the blood of
sacrifice.
American relief, and, later, the cru
sade against oppression, were inter
preted by him as Gods answer to hi,
prayers-the reward Of simple depend
ence upon divine aid.
The Primate of Belgium was the
central figure of ceremony as his
toric as that of 1897, when before tive
hcwn cross at st. Mary's the first mass
was celebrated in yland-the cradle
Of Catholicity in the New World.
There has not been so notable an as
semblage in the Cathedral since the
Third Plenary Council. The ceremonial
Of the pontifcal mass in honor Of the
Belgian Primate was attended by prel
ates, statesmen and diplomats, includ
ing representatives of the Belgian Le-
cation at Washington and members OF
Congress- The sanctuary was filled
with Drelatcs, priests and seminarians.
No additional decorations had been
introduced except for two huge clus-
tcrs Of red roses on the high altar
that duplicated the color Of the altar
lamp and Of the hangings Of the two
cardinals thrones. That of Cardinal
Gibbons was in its usual place, while
the throne erected for Cardinal Mer-
cier was on the right.
There was a curious absence Of color
in The gowns of the women in the
church, SO that when the procession
swept up the aisle the contrast was
marked; notably when the cardinals in
their blazing crimson robes appeared,
following the seminarians in their
white vcstments and the bishops in
their robes OF purple.
The procession formed at Calvert
Hall, two blocks away, and thousands
OF citizens packed the sidewalks Car
dlnal Mercier preceded Cardinal Glib
bons. He wore the pontitical robes,
with a great golden cross about his
neck, whereas Cardinal Gibbons had
on the erminc cape. Eighty pages car
RED the train of each CARDINAL
Directly behind the prelates came a
number OF visiting papal nobemen an Il
other dignitaries in uniform. some OF
them blazing with decorations. The
Gregoran choir of st. Mary's Seminary
chanted the professional.
-, Despite the throng filing the edifice,
there was absolute silence. The mass
selected was Beethoven's in c major.
Cardinal Mercier was attended by
the Rev. Albert Smith and the Rev.
Z. J. Connolly, and Cardinal Gibbons
was attended by the Rev. Edward
Leonard and the Rev. DR.. De Strycker
the Belgian Primate's ecclesiastical
secretary.
Others in the sanctuary were Bishop
Shahan, of the Catholic University;
Bishop O. B. Corrigan. Auxiliary of
Baltimore; the Rev c. +. Thomas and
a number Of Sulpcian prises Of
Washington and monsignor Of this
city. The ceebrant was the Rev.
Louis r. Stickney. rector Of the Cathe-
dral, and the sermon was preached by
Bishop z. j. Donohue, of Wheeling.
W Va
Preceding the sermon Cardinal Mer-
clcr made his first public address in
America 1t was an expression Of
thanks to the United States and q
tribute to Cardinal Gibbons
81 know he said, you are the sue
cessors OF the best of those who found
ed the Catholic religion in the New
World, and [ have the honor Of being
the guest Of that wonderful man who
is the most glorious witness of Catho-
lie faith in the New World. | have a
great appreciation of his company"
Cardinal MERCER referred only brief
" to the invasion of Belgium He de-
plored the sackng of Louvain, but
there was no bitterness in his words.
He paid tribute to the Belgian soldiers,
who, he said, were the saviors not only
of Europe but of the world.