Part 7 (2/2)

Without doubt the most impressive religious ceremonies ever held in Paterson were those in commemoration of the semi-centennial anniversary of the dedication of the first building erected by Roman Catholics for church purposes in Paterson--the old St. John's church in Oliver street.

The commemorative ceremonies began on Sunday morning, the 18th of November, in the present large and splendid church of St. John Baptist at Main and Grand streets, and ended on Monday morning with a requiem ma.s.s for the dead. At all the ma.s.ses the building was thronged with Catholics, who at the earlier ma.s.ses pressed forward to the altars in great numbers to receive Holy Communion.

The princ.i.p.al service on Sunday was at half-past ten in the morning, when a solemn high ma.s.s was celebrated. The edifice was crowded to its utmost capacity, and although benches in the aisles gave extra accommodation, hundreds stood patiently all through the long service. In the immense throng were many Protestants, attracted by the unusual preparations for elaborate music which had been made by Professor William Davis, the organist of the church, and by the announcement that the renowned Bishop McQuaid, of Rochester, was to preach a historical sermon.

The music was rendered by the church's choir of 36, reinforced by a boys' choir of 30: an orchestra of 20 pieces (including tympani bought for the occasion) and the great organ of the church, and was conducted by Prof. William Davis, with that perfect knowledge of his art and rare taste which equip him so well for his important position. The musical programme was no doubt the most elaborate ever rendered at a religious service in Paterson, and was carried out in a fitting manner. The singing was most creditable in its precision of time and accuracy of intonation, and the orchestral accompaniments left little to be desired.

The programme of the morning was: prelude for orchestra and organ, ”The Lost Chord,” by Sullivan; Asperges Me, chorus with organ, by Werner; Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei from Haydn's second ma.s.s; Credo (scored for the occasion by Prof. Davis) from Rossi's ma.s.s in D minor; Domine Deus, from same ma.s.s, as cornet solo with organ accompaniment; and after ma.s.s, a Gregorian Te Deum sung antiphonally by the church choir and sanctuary choir of boys, and for postlude, overture to Auber's ”Masaniello,” by the orchestra. Rev. Father MacCarthy was the celebrant and his intonation of the ma.s.s was most impressive. He was a.s.sisted by the missionary priest, Father Walker, as Deacon, and Father Quin as Sub-deacon. Father McNulty was a.s.sistant priest, with Fathers Murphy and Van Riel as Deacon and Sub-deacons of Honor. Rev. Dr. Larkin was Master of Ceremonies. The altar boys were arrayed in new royal purple ca.s.socks, scarlet lined, and white gloves, and to each was a.s.signed the care of a portion of the Bishop's vestments.

On Sunday evening the congregation was again limited only by the capacity of the edifice to hold those who came, hundreds being compelled to turn away, unable to obtain even standing room. The services were of deep interest, and the music was remarkably fine. After the prelude, by the orchestra and organ, Rossi's vespers were sung, followed by the ”Salve Regina,” by Spath; ”O Salutaris,” Giorza; ”Tantum Ergo,”

Hattersly, and a triumphal march on the organ. The rendition of the ”Magnificat,” ba.s.s solo, by Mr. Anderson, the exceedingly brilliant alto solo, ”O Salutaris,” by Miss Lawless, and the tenor parts, as sung by Mr. Stafford, were commented upon as among the finest features of the evening service. The Papal blessing was imparted by Bishop McQuaid, to whom the duty was delegated by the missionary priest, Father Walker, who was compelled to absent himself, this prerogative being conferred upon missionary priests by the Holy See. Following came a very able discourse on the progress of the Church by Rev. Father Patrick Corrigan, of Hoboken, after which the usual benediction closed the evening services.

There was a larger attendance of priests at the service on Monday morning than at any time on the previous day, many being prevented by their ecclesiastical duties in their own parishes from coming before.

Bishops Wigger and McQuaid were both present, and the service, which consisted of a solemn requiem ma.s.s for the dead of the congregation, was beyond description impressive. A portion of Singenberger's Requiem was rendered, Bishop Wigger officiating as celebrant, with Father Kirwan as Deacon and Father Morris as Sub-deacon. Rev. Father Larkin was Master of Ceremonies. The officiating Bishop was robed in black, as usual in saying ma.s.ses for the dead. The service began with ”Prayer for the Dead,” by Dressler, after which came ”Requiem” and ”Dies Irae,” by Singenberger, ”Domine Deus,” by Ett, ”Sanctus,” ”Benedictus” and ”Agnus Dei,” by Singenberger. Bishop Wigger wore a white mitre, instead of the usual golden one, during the services, until, at the close of the ma.s.s, the episcopal robes were removed, the incense was brought forward and the ”Libera,” from Ett's Requiem, was chanted, when absolution was solemnly p.r.o.nounced by the officiating Bishop, following which came a funeral march by Chopin, and the services of the day were closed. The vocalism at this service was by about sixty children and ten ladies of the regular choir.

The following is a list of the prelates and priests who a.s.sisted or were present at the services:

Bishops Wigger and McQuaid, Rev. M. J. White, Rev. P. Corrigan, Rev. P. Corr, Rev. L. Gambosville, Rev. Dr. Larkin, Rev. J. Salaun, Rev. T. Macky, Rev. M. J. Kirwan, Rev. Hugh Murphy, Rev. P. Hennessy, Rev. D. F. McCarthy, Rev. Pierce McCarthy, Rev. Thos. Quin, Rev. Jas. Curran, Rev. Porcille, O. M., Rev. Father Van Riel, O. C., Rev. Gallant, O. M., Rev. D. B. Walker, S. J., Rev. M. Schacken, Rev. P. F. Downes, Rev. I. Gillen, Rev. J. P. Morris, Rev. S. Walsh, Rev. L. P. Whelan, Rev. M. O'Connor.

Rev. J. Zimmer.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

HISTORICAL DISCOURSE

DELIVERED IN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, PATERSON, N. J.,

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1883,

BEING THE

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BUILDING OF THE FIRST STONE CHURCH IN 1833.

ECCLESIASTICUS, CHAP. XLIV., 1-15v.

The why and the obligation of this celebration are found in the verses of Ecclesiasticus just read.

The latter half of this century may, with some propriety, be called an epoch of celebrations, commemorations and jubilees. Many of these are trivial in character and restricted in territory; others are full of meaning, cheering and enn.o.bling to those who partic.i.p.ate in them and to many who come within their influence. The celebration to-day is one worthy of a Christian people, commemorating a work wrought in G.o.d's name and for His honor, and fruitful of untold religious blessings to a devout congregation. The Church in the United States can, with justice and without a blush, hold up to the gaze of the world the record of her first days, humble and insignificant though they be; for, reversing the tablet, an exhibition of a century's work, partakes of the marvellous,--of the miraculous.

Relatively, the accomplishments of the Church in particular localities are as astounding and wondrous as in dioceses, or in the whole country.

The beginnings of religion were the humblest conceivable. The priest to whose care was entrusted a territory now covered by one or more dioceses, journeyed from hamlet to hamlet and from house to house, wherever a child of the Church might have his home, to administer the consolation and the helps of the sacraments, and preach the word of life. His altar was a rough board or a table; his vestments and all needed for the ma.s.s were carried in a sack on his back, when no conveyance could be had. The conveyance might be an ox cart, a farm wagon, or a stage. It was such in all cases as the country in its days of poverty and simplicity afforded. The heart of the priest was gladdened when he was able to bring the blessings of religion to children of the Church who, few in number and greatly scattered, still held tenaciously to the old teachings and prayers; as it was saddened when one of the faithful pointed out the homes of others who had apostatized, or who, blus.h.i.+ng in their ignorance under the contumely heaped on their fellow-religionists, concealed G.o.d's gift of faith.

These fallings-away from religion are not unknown to-day. We may pity the weakness of the unfaithful in those early times; there is no reason to extend pity to the apostates of these days.

In September, 1836, Dr. England, Bishop of Charleston, addressed a long communication to the Society of the Propagation of the Faith at Lyons in relation to the condition and progress of the Catholic Church in the United States. In this doc.u.ment the thoughtful and observant Bishop details the heavy losses the Church has suffered and is still suffering, and a.s.signs the causes therefor with a straightforwardness and boldness eminently characteristic. He does not hesitate to a.s.sert that more than two-thirds of Catholic emigrants and their descendants had ceased to profess the Catholic religion, and of these most had united with some of the Protestant denominations. The causes he gives may be briefly summarised as follows:--

1. The large influx of Catholic emigrants into a new country unprepared for their coming.

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