Evening star., 1924-09-21

With each gift there is a story.
often of sorrow. nearly always filled
with intense human drama, and ever
bedded in deepest piety. Here it is
the fulfillment of a VOW or a pledge
TO a departed loved one: there il is
a pious offering that wish may be
granted.
These things of erstwhile human
value will nearly all be melted up to
make the sacred vessels of the shrine.
Already seven chalices have been
moloed from the precious metals that
have been donated
In the center of the crypt was
erected a more than life-size repre-
sentation in bronze of the crucihx-
lon-the supreme sacrifice of all
tlmes-executed bycan italian artist
who was 'Prix de Rome man. To
be placed eventually on the main
altar. this effigy of the God man
giving His life on the cross for the
redemption of the sins of man, has
inspired all who have taken part in
rearing the temple about it.
The inspiration for this national
SHRINE came at the time of the second
plenary council of the Catholic
church, at Baltimore in 1866. At
that time Mary Immaculate was de-
clared the special patroness of the
Catholic Church in the United States.
Al the same time, fitting architeC-
turai SYMBOL of this dedication was
mentioned
Priests are still living who remem-
Der that at the third plenary council
also at Baltimore. many believed that
a great church should be erected in
the National Capital TO commemorate
the traditional devotion of North
american Catholics to the Blessed
virgin. When the Catholic Tniyer
sity OF America was founded, in 1889
and Mary Immaculate was proclaimed
It's patroness, the idea became moro
insistent as the apparent need for a
university church was discussed
X X
HOWEVER, there were drawbacks
and project of such preten-
tlousness needed many years of con-
sloeratlon and planning to emerge in
its proper perspective. Accordingly,
1t was not until 1912 that Bishop
Ihomas j. Shahan, rector of the
Catholic University. aided by man.
Catholic ladies of Washington. New
York and other cities. undertook tho
great task and the project assumed
real national significance. Immedi-
ateiy 1t was finally decided uDop
however there was hearty response
from all over the country. Bisbop
Shahan since that time has been m.
suiolns spirit. As professor of his
oory IN Cathoilc University for over
25 years, he has been familiar Win
all the famous churches of rho uorId
and with the ideas and ideals which
prompted their erection. AS = conse
quence, 1t is not surprising that he
snould have taken the lead in tho
construction of such nonuuep,
From the beginning of his career IN
the university this purpose has been
IN mis- mind, and what is now an
parent is but fraction of all that he
mas already accomplished in that di
rection.
Sharing honors and the hard phvsj-
cal as well as mental grind of rear
ing the basilica with Bishop Shahan
Is Few. Bernard A. Mckenna, s. n
who is actively in charge of the work
$50 days in the year. Father Nc
kenna was appointed secretary to
Bishop Shahan in 1915, and the bishoo
at once intrusted to him the task
OF collecting the necessary money for
the work on the shrine.
DR.. Nick emma took hold with such
sagacity and energy, devoting him
self to every other department of tho
shrine project, as well as the rails
ing of money, that he is now the di-
rector of the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception. He knows
every intricacy of the construction.
he is chief counselor when nIans
are considered. Always an ardent
student of the life. the symbolism and
the vast collection OF art and liter
ature that have come to surround
the Blessed Virgin. he has. since his
appointment, intensified his study nm
I'll he Is one of the foremost students
OF mariology. He Is collecting the
statues and pictures and the E~eah
library OF Mary which Will form an
integral part of the shrine project.
He is professor at the Catholic Uni-
versity.
In the hands Of these two-Risho,
Shahan and his able assistant-Iie all
the intricate threads of the vast un-
dertaking. Asked why a larger or
ganization is not maintained to re-
lfeve him and his assistant of some
of the duties. Bishop Shahan replies
that the work is not yet far enough
advanced to be distributed from the
hands of these two. The idea Is 10
keep the work ccntered, unified and
harmonized in few minds, that it may
preserve its symmetry.