History of the Catholic Church in Paterson, N.J.: with an Account of the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Establishment of St. John's ChurchShriner, Charles A. (Charles Anthony)
History
History of the Catholic Church in Paterson, N.J.: with an Account of the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Establishment of St. John's Church
Shriner, Charles A. (Charles Anthony)
Catholic Church -- New Jersey -- Paterson; Paterson (N.J.) -- Church history; St. John's Church (Paterson, N.J.)
"The ceremonies of dedication commenced outside of the church, where a
procession was formed of the clergy and societies, the latter consisting
of the Sons of Erin, and the St. John's and St. Patrick's Temperance
Societies. The procession was headed by two taper bearers and a crucifix
bearer, several of the officiating priests, and the Right Rev. Bishop
Wood, of Philadelphia, who conducted the ceremony of dedication. The
Bishop was clad in magnificent robes of white satin superbly embroidered
in gold devices, and silk flowers of glowing colors. He wore his mitre
and carried a gorgeous crozier. The procession marched around the church
chanting the Miserere, the Bishop sprinkling the walls with holy water.
It then entered the front door and proceeded up the centre aisle to the
alter, the Bishop and procession chanting alternately the Litany of the
Saints. The Bishop and attendants then traversed the interior limit of
the church, the walls of which were sprinkled with holy water by the
celebrant, the priests solemnly chanting the while. During this ceremony
the candles on the altar were lighted, and all was made ready for the
celebration of a solemn mass in the presence of a Bishop. This was
celebrated with the utmost pomp. The Bishop commenced the mass and
proceeded as far as the Confitieor when the celebrant, Father Senez, of
Jersey City, proceeded in the usual form. Father Hennessy, of Bergen,
acted as Deacon, Dr. Garvey, of Hackensack, as sub-Deacon, and the Rev.
P. McCarthy, of Seton Hall, as Master of Ceremonies. Among the clergy
present were the Rev. Monsignor Seton, Chaplain of the Convent at
Madison; Dr. Corrigan, President of Seton Hall College; Father Corrigan,
of St. Peter's, Jersey City; Father Byrne, of Camden, and the clergy of
the church, Fathers W. McNulty, Thebaud and Vescelle. The Bishop's
secretary and several of the seminarians of Seton Hall College were also
present.
"The sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Byrne, of Camden, from the 6th
Chapter of the Second Book of 'Paraleipomena,' or 'Book of Things
Omitted,' and was an earnest and eloquent appeal in behalf of the
Catholic faith, which he said makes sermons even of stones, and by its
grand and solemn services impresses the mind even of the stranger. The
preacher told an anecdote showing how powerfully a Baptist lady had been
impressed while visiting Bishop Wood's Church in Philadelphia, so that
she dropped upon her knees and prayed as fervently as any. The speaker
paid a glowing compliment to the zeal and generosity of the
congregation, and especially to the worthy pastor, for the erection of
this noble offering to God. It was beautiful architecturally, but it had
a beauty for the child of faith, the earnest Catholic, before which all
its outward beauty vanished as the glory of the earth before the glory
of the heaven. It is the glory and beauty of the indwelling of Christ.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account