Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-26
10000 CATHOLICS
AT MIDNIGHT MASS
Ceremony in Cleveland Sta
dunn Is High Point of En-.
charistic Congress.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CLEVELAND, September 90
Nearly 10000 men and women knelt
silently in the darkness of Cleveland
Stadium early today and listened to
the message of the Catholic Church.
From the top tier of the stadium.
far out on the field solid. shadowy
assemblage watched quietly as Arch
bishop Amleto Giovanni Clcognani
apostolic delegate to the United States,
celebrated a midnight pontifical low
mass.
AS a spectacle of reverence 1t was
the high point of the Seventh Ma
tional Eucharistic Congress, now
nearing its conclusion.
$4,000 Turned Away.
Long before last midnight, the
stadium was crowded to its normal
cepacity-S0,0O0 persons. At II pm.
came the holy hour. The aisles we're
filling up and the crowd was push
Ing out on the field.
During the hold hour, Of which
Bishop Joseph E. Ritter of Indianapo-
lis was celebrant, it was necessary TO
close the gates. Stadium Commis-
sioner Walter Davis estimated the at
tendance at approximately 100000.
I'VE had to turn $4,000 away. he
said.
There was a meditation period, con-
Quoted by Bishop Robert E. Lucey OF
Amarillo, Tex. Then came the bene-
diction of the hold sacrament. AS
time for the mass came, the lights OF
the stadium faded out. Only single
light burned, that above the altar,
down on the field
Soon after the mass started, candles
began to flicker in all parts of the
structure. Worshipers struck lights
to the candles they held and soon the
soft glow of $4,000 Illuminated the
reverent gathering.
Pope to Broadcast.
When the time came for those at
tending the services to receive the
eucharist in holy communion as had
been planned, there was a pause. Be
cause of the immense crowd. it was
necessary to announce that this could
not be done. Instead, the men and
women were asked to join in a
spiritual communion" with Arch
bishop Cicognani.
Late today crowds will stream into
the stadium again to hear the bene-
diction of Pope Plus XII in special
broadcast from Sastel Gondolfo, his
Summer residence.
Earlier, Patrick Cardinal Hayes
personal representative of Pope Plus,
will carry the eucharist to the stadium
in a procession of men. women and
children. Surrounded by bishops,
monsignori and priests, he will impart
the benediction of the blessed Sacra-
ment.
10000 Women at Mass.
Archbishop Joseph F. Rummel OF
New Orleans celebrated a solemn pom
tifical mass for women today in Public
Hall. The vast hall was filled to
capacity nearly two hours before the
ceremony began. Doors were closed
and the overflow thousands instructed
to attend a mass arranged for them
at the stadium.
Walter Davis, auditorium commits
sioner. said 10000 persons were in
and near the hall and 10000 others
we're directed to the stadium.
Archbishop John J. Glennon OF st.
Louis, in his sermon at the women'S
mass. exalted motherhood and at
tackled divorce and birth control.
You have with you the support OF
the American people," said the prel-
ate. urging unified action, for in the
American heart lies a whole -souled
and deep-seated love of the home.
chivalrous devotion to women and
deep reverence for the mother"