The Washington times., 1921-03-24

day to noon today.
prelate of narrow views, a man out OF
sympathy and harmony with the spirit
and genius Of the new republic, had
been chosen the progress of religion
would have been seriously hampered
and impeded. John Carroll was the
man for the occasion. We may apply
to him the words spoken OF John the
Baptist: There was a man sent from
God whose name was John. This ma n
came for a witness to bear witness OF
the light
"The site selected for the Cathedral
by Archbishop Carroll was purchased
from Governor Howard OF Revolu-
tionary fame, whose equestrian statue
adorns Mount Vernon place, Balti'
more. His daughter. Mrs. William
George Read. whom / had the pleas
ure of knowing, a convert to the Cath
Ollie Church. was for years a devou,
worshiper in the Cathedral and a
Jealous member OF the Sanctuary
Society. The architect Of the Cathed-
raj was Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the
grandfather of our distinguished fel-
low-citizen, Gen. Ferdinand c. Latrobe
The cornerstone of the Cathedral
was laid by Bishop Carroll on July -
1906.
BROUGHT IN CARTS.
THE granite with which the church
is built was brought from the Qua-rics
of Ellicott City in carts drawn by
oxen. The work OF construction slow.
ly but steadily progressed until 1917
when 1t was interrupted by the war
with England, which continued from
1912 to 1915. After the close OF the
war work was resumed and carried on
until the completion of the building III
1921.
"On May 81. 1921, the sacred edifics
was dedicated by Archbishop Mar.
eschal. About fifty years ago the
portico was constructed by Arch
bishop Kenrick.
"On Ascension Day, May 25. 1876
the Cathedral was solemnly conse-
Grated by my venerable predecessor
Archbishop Bayley. The sacristy was
erected in 1879. and the building was
enlarged and the new sanctuary added
in 1888. during my administration.
Since its dedication in 1921, this
Cathedral has been the scene of many
conspicuous and historical gatherings
No church in the United States has
witnessed SC many consecrations of
bishops and ordinations of priests as
have taken place within these walls.
Six and twenty bishops have been
consecrated before this altar, and
many of these prela6s have occupied
a leading position among the Amsri-
cam hierarchy. OF the twenty-six
bishops that have been raised here
to the episcopal rank. L have had the
privilege of consecrating ten. Since
my advent as your archbishop l have
ordained 1,256 priests. In this church
three prelates were invested with tn,
insignia Of cardinalitial rank-Cardi
nal Satolli. Cardinal Martinelli and
myself.
TEMPLE AND MAUsOLEUM.
This venerable temple has beer
the great hall of legislation for the
church Of the United States. Ter
provincial councils and three plenar,
or national councils were assembled
here. But this chuhch is not only Q
temple of worship for the living; It
is also a mausoleum for the sacred
custody Of the dead. When you visit
this shrine you have a double duty tc
perform. You should not only adore
your immortal Saviour reposiug in
the tabernacle; you should also pray
for the souls of the departed arch.
bishops whose mortal remains are in.
TERED beneath the sanctuary. In the
crypt under the high altar are de-.
posted the ashes OF Carroll and
Mareschal. of Whitfield and Ecclestor
Of kendrick and Spalding.
81 need not tell you that my most
hallowed associations are entwined
around this venerable Cathedral
Every stone OF the building Is sacred
to me. 1t was in this church that
was regenerated in the water OF
baptism at the hands of the yener-
ated DR.. White. Under it's shadow
was raised to the priesthood. In this
temple ! was consecrated bishop by
Archbishop Spalding. 1t was hero
that the insignia of cardinalitial rank
was conferred upon me. Here i have
labored as a priest and prelate, and
ministered to you and your fathers
for thirty-two years. / intend to con-
tinue to OFFER the holy sacrifice Of the
mass within these sacred walls as
long as God will give me life and
strength. And when my earthly
career is ended I expect that my body
will repose IN this crypt beside the
ashes of my illustrious predecessors
and / hope it may here remain un-
disturbed, IL God so will, till the
glorious dawn OF resurrection"