USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The history of Catholicity in Stephenson County; Illinois > Part 6
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Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
Golden Jubilee Celebration and Solemn Consecration of St. Mary's Church.
Only a reflective mind, inspired by a lively faith and a fervent piety, can appreciate fully the grand significance of a Golden Jubilee Celebration. Whether it be for an individual or a parish, it is an occasion of great joy in heaven, as well as on earth. Fortunately for the success of St. Mary's celebration, her people are capable of understanding the importance of such an event and were generous in giving to every plan their hearty support and perfect sympathy.
Early in September, arrangements were completed to carry out a programme, which for interest and magnificence could not be surpassed, even in cities of greater importance than Freeport.
The grandeur of the ceremonies and the exalted dignity of the officiating ecclesiastics contributed to the imposing character of the occasion and made a deep impression upon all the citizens, irrespective of creed, who assisted in honoring the event thus recalled.
The celebration of the golden jubilee anniversary of the establishment of Catholicity in Stephenson County took place on the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th of September, 1896, the congrega- tions of St. Mary's and of St. Joseph's Churches uniting to render everything as impresssive as possible. St. Mary's being the first. church in the county to have a resident pastor, he was appointed by the Bishop of Chicago, in 1846, naturally, it became the
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'centre of interest during the celebration, and next to it ranked St. Joseph's, since in the early days both congregations had attended service in the same church.
Rev. W. A. Horan, pastor of St. Mary's, took a very active part in the preparations for the jubilee, and for nearly a year previous to the great event he worked almost incessantly at his plans for its fitting celebration. Certainly the four days men- tioned above will be red-letter days henceforth in the memory of .St. Mary's people, and the events that distinguish them will still form part of the traditions of the city, as well as of the parish, when another century shall have passed away.
Special excursion trains brought great numbers of guests from various towns in Wisconsin and Illinois. The array of the church dignitaries in attendance was most impressive and 'encouraging, delighting the people, as giving a proof of the high ·esteem in which their beloved pastor is held by his ecclesiastical superiors and confreres.
September 12th was a busy day ; everyone belonging to a 'committee was rushing about with pleased activity, worthy of the good cause, and Saturday evening found everything in admirable order for the opening of the celebration on Sunday morning.
Certain remote preparations, full of mystical meaning, had been made for the important ceremony of consecration. Among others was the erection of the twelve brazen crosses that distin- guish consecrated churches. Symbolical of the twelve apostles, the foundation upon which rests the See of Rome, similar crosses are fixed upon the walls of but one church in the archdiocese and that is St. James' of Chicago, of which the distinguished Rev. Hugh McGuire is pastor. There are two prerequisites of conse- cration : the church must be entirely free from debt and built of stone or other lasting material. When once consecrated, the building stands forever as a holy place, until dismantled beyond recognition. The magnificence and pomp of the ceremonial of consecration are as splendid as the great resources of the most powerful ecclesiastical organization can make them. The clergy- men and the church are dressed in their richest vestments, and
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
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TRIUMPHAL ARCH IN FRONT OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
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Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
as a prelude, the archbishop, with his mitre, bearing his crosier, followed by a train of lesser dignitaries and priests, marches solemnly three times around the church. At the completion of each circuit of the building, he raps on the door of the church with the crosier, and the third time enters with his attendants. Within, a cross of ashes is strewn upon the floor, in which the archbishop marks with his staff of office the Greek and Latin alphabets, the languages of the church. The four walls are then annointed with holy oil, and the sign of the cross made on each, and then, one by one, the twelve brazen crosses are affixed with attendant ceremonies.
On the outside of each of the two doors of the main entrance to the church, a large brazen cross was also fastened during the ceremonies of consecration. These crosses were purchased and donated, in advance, by the Young Ladies' Sodality of the Blessed Virgin and the School Children's Sodality of St. Thomas.
The nave of the church was decorated with drapery and fes- tooning of yellow and white, the effect being that of a sunburst. The organ loft was trimmed with the same colors, which swathed the rail, and depending were over-lapping festoons that hung in graceful folds. On account of the consecration ceremonies, no flowers could be used on the altars, the only dressings being the altar cloths of white waxed linen. During the services on Monday, masses of flowers gave color to the scene, and their per- fume blended with that of the incense. The sanctuary was left severely simple in its adornments, since cheap decorations could only detract from the beauty of the costly altars of marble and onyx.
A great deal of activity was shown in and around St. Mary's Church and Hall, preparatory to the solemn services that were held there on Monday and Tuesday, in connection with the golden jubilee celebration. The work going forward, so far as it could be seen, was that of arranging the decorations, but there was much more in progress than was visible, the ladies' committee being particularly active in arranging for their share of the program.
STUDENTS' LIBRARY LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. ANGELES, CAL. 103
INTERIOR OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH,
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Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
The lunch, lemonade and badge counters were erected under green bowers, in the school yard, and the three committees in charge of them exercised much energy and good taste in their decoration, so that by Saturday evening they presented so pleas- ing an appearance as to tempt customers, even before there was- anything to buy. A heavy rain, that continued until about six or seven o'clock Sunday morning, somewhat impaired the beauty of the booths, but did not dampen the ardor of the ladies- in charge of them, for they instituted, and continued, until the . close of the jubilee, a brisk sale of badges, cigars and refreshments, the proceeds being designed for pious and charitable purposes.
The part of St. Mary's Hall that is used by the Columbus Club was most elaborately and tastefully decorated, in patriotic and religious designs and colors. This really artistic work was- done under the direction of Mr. Leo Thro, who has a genius for such decoration.
The dramatic part of the hall was in readiness for the chil- dren's reception ; the stage was decorated at the expense of the Feehan Reading Circle.
The banqueting hall was a scene of beauty, a joy forever, a delight to the feminine heart, and a surprise, no doubt, to the reverend masculine eyes that beheld it, in all the glory of its graceful drapery of damask and lace; its tasteful decorations, in papal and in union colors; its gleaming silver and glittering china; its flower decked tables groaning. under their loads of viands. The jubilee dinner was a triumph of Freeport house- keeping, and Chicago caterers were left in the shade.
In an adjoining hall, of smaller size, a fine dinner was spread for the members of the Madison Band, which had been engaged, ' at a high price, to " discourse sweet music" on the street, before the church, in the hall during the banquet, and at intervals dur- ing the reception.
The climax of beauty was reached, however, in the triumphal arch that spanned State Street, in front of St. Mary's Church. About fifty feet high, double in construction, a space six feet in width between the two parts, and terminating at the top in points
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INTERIOR OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
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and spires, as required by the gothic style of its design, the frame work was the support of gracefully arranged drapery in papal and union colors, of pictures of the reigning pope and of the present archbishop, of flags, garlands and three hundred incandescent lights. Many of these lights were arranged on a large cross that crowned the summit of the arch. The sacred symbol thus out- lined, in vivid electric light, against a starlit sky, was one of the most striking features in the rich and varied jubilee decorations.
The work of preparing for the celebration was divided ; each part was given to a separate committee which worked faithfully to make it a success. The committees and their members were as follows :
Finance-Jere Gordon, Sr., chairman ; Thomas Grant, John P. Coffey, P. O'Conor, J. B. J. DuFour.
Invitation and program-F. Chas. Donohue, chairman ; John E. Harrington, Jere Gordon, Jr., C. A. McNamara, John Goff.
Music-John L. Carroll, chairman; John P. Lawless, Frank Rogers, John Coyle, John Rau.
Reception-P. E. Cox, chairman ; John Tracy, M. Scanlan, P. Reedy, Thomas Carroll, John Sullivan, B. Coyle, Edward Lawless, Owen Brady, James Moore, Robert Casey.
Decorations and fire works-Jere Gordon, Sr., chairman ; James J. O'Rourke, A. Lagron, T. D. Osborne, P. Wall, W. R. Barron, Henry Murphy, T. M. Darrah.
Transportation-E. Scanlan, chairman; M. G. Flanagan, T. M. Darrah.
New Dublin-M. McGurk, Gus. Medike, Ed. Manlove, Owen Carmody, Ed. Ledwith, Maurice Hughes.
Irish Grove-A. Mullarkey, James Spellman, D. Mullarkey, Andrew Flynn.
The ladies who labored so well and served so elegantly were :
Dining room-Mesdames James Manion, Jere Reardon, George Hornberger, Louis McGovern, Jennie Markey, Owen Brady, Mrs. M. Madigan, John Sullivan, A. Clermont, P. Ryan ; Misses Mary McGovern, Nora Hogan.
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Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
Lunch counter-Mesdames John Rau, John Harrington, J. E. Moore, John Burns, John Leary, Jas. McCabe, Misses Maggie Brennan, Maude Gleason, Kate Shay, Maggie Nolan, Kate O'Mara, Mary Wilson, Rose Carey, Maggie Carey, Mabel Moore, Kate Dinley, Alice Goff, Nellie Sweeney, Mary Riley, Anna Nolan, Julia Barron, Lizzie Darrah, Naomi Lagron, Mary Wheeler, Nellie Killion, Lillian Egan, Annie Summers, Mamie Vail, Nellie Burns, Blanche Knipschild, Agnes Dolan, Lillie Dolan, Clara Barron, Kate O'Brien.
Lemonade, etc-Misses Rebecca Vail, Kate Grant, Lizzie Cavanaugh and Sadie Burns.
Badges-Misses Mamie Darrah, Nellie Fagan, Statia Camp- bell, Nonie Reardon and Rose Gleason.
Church decorations-Miss Mary Darrah, Mesdames J. P. Younger, John Burns, Fanny Cox, P. J. Ryan, J. B. J. Du Four and M. L. Parker.
Reception-Mesdames Fred Kuehner, Robert Casey and John Tracy.
Soliciting out of town-Mesdames John Rau, Jennie Grant, John Rodemeier, F. Fee, A. Clermont, M. Kelley, J. E. Moore ; Misses Lucy Barron, Clara Barron and Mary McGovern. In the city-Mesdames Robert Casey, James Manion.
Too much praise cannot be given to the members of the various committees for the efficient manner in which they carried out their plans.
The most important of the jubilee ceremonies was of course the consecration of the church, which took place at seven o'clock on Sunday morning and required nearly three hours' time. The Archbishop of Chicago, Most Rev. P. A. Feehan, officiated, assisted by three bishops and a great number of priests. This ceremony has been of such rare occurrence in the history of the Catholic Church in the west, that in Illinois it has been celebrated but once previous to the occasion under consideration.
The chief requisite that a church may be consecrated, is that it shall be entirely free from debt. The next is that it shall be so located that there is no probability of its ever having to be
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abandoned and used for some other purpose than the public worship of God. By the ceremonies to which we refer, not only was the church devoted most solemnly to the divine service, but the three altars of marble and onyx were also solemnly conse- crated and richly privileged.
On Sunday morning, a succession of low masses were offered, from five o'clock until seven, and at half past ten, a solemn ponti- fical high mass was sung. The account given in the local papers was interesting and exact ; the Democrat gave the follow- ing description :
" The first services, in the series prepared for and arranged so carefully by the Rev. Fr. Horan, to be presented at St. Mary's, and which were of great significance to the people of the parish, were successfully and happily carried out, in spite of many mis- givings, on the part of those interested, because of the down-pour of rain Saturday night, which threatented to spoil all the prepar- ations and even to cause a postponement of the services. Beyond causing the pastor, and his distinguished guests who were to help him in the celebration, some trepidation, and injuring the appear- ance of the triumphal arch to some extent, the heavy rainfall did no harm, and ceased in time to allow the performance of the sacred rites of consecration, without interfering with that part of them which occurred outside the church."
" The day which had such an unpleasant beginning became later almost perfect ; the skies cleared, the sun quickly dried the streets and by the time the people began to arrive for the ponti- fical mass, at 10:30 o'clock, the weather had become all that could be desired. On account of the threatening appearance of the morning, there were fewer people came on the excursions from Madison and Rockford, and along the line between the two places, than had been expected, still the number the two special trains- brought was considerable, the Rockford delegation bringing a. band, which headed the procession as it marched to the church, reaching it just in time for the public services. There were besides, many visitors from the country, who drove in for the day and a great number of families in the parish had guests from
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a distance who came to attend the jubilee. The visitors were agreeably entertained during the time of their stay by personal friends and members of the reception committee."
"The day's program began at 5 o'clock in the morning, and lasted, with but short intervals, until after vespers in the evening. The first of the services were masses in the chapels of convent and
THE CROWNING OF THE MAY QUEEN AT ST. MARY'S.
church, which were continued until the beginning of the conse- cration ceremonies at 6:30 o'clock. Though it was barely day- light when the ceremonies commenced, there was a crowd in front of the church to witness the unusual rites, the proceedings being watched with interest. The exterior part of the service occupied half an hour, Archbishop Feehan and those assisting him entering the church at seven o'clock, no one else being ad- mitted, and the service was not concluded until ten. Those taking
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part in the consecration were the Most Reverend Archbishop. Feehan, consecrator ; the Reverend Fathers F. S. Henneberry, of Chicago, deacon ; B. P. Murray, of Chicago, sub-deacon; E. A. Kelley, of Chicago, M. Foley, of Dixon, and L. X. Du Four, of Mary's, chanters ; F. J. Barry, of the Cathedral, Chicago, master of ceremonies, assisted by St. Mary's altar boys."
" After singing the litany of the saints, the archbishop blessed the Gregorian water, which derives its name from Pope St. Greg- ory the Great, who first ordered this manner of blessing. With the water are mingled salt, ashes and wine, all previously blessed. The water symbolizes: First, the effects of the sacrament of the altar-water, purity of heart ; salt, wisdom; ashes, penance, and wine, spiritual joy. Second, Jesus Christ Himself, who is sym- bolized by the altar ; the wine His divine, the water, His human nature, the ashes, His death, the salt His incorruptibility and resurrection."
" The archbishop made the sign of the cross with the blessed water on the altar table, in the center and at the four corners, walked seven times around the altar, sprinkling it with the same water. He mixed cement with holy water and with it sealed the relics in a sepulchre made in the altar stone. Then the arch- bishop anointed the altar in the center and at both ends with oil and chrism, meanwhile making five signs of the cross over it and incensing it. Out of the blessed incense he made, on the altar, five crosses, each one consisting of five grains of incense, and then covered them with wax. All these crosses were then kindled and allowed to burn away. The incensing, the anointing, and the burning of the crosses have the following meaning: Incense symbolizes favor before God; the holy oil, strength ; the chrism, holiness ; the burning candles, purifying power ; the pouring out together of the holy oil and the chrism, the fullness of every blessing in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which, in renewal of the cross, is to be solemnized on this altar."
"Once again, amid prayer, the altar is anointed. Finally the altar cloths are blessed. On these the holy sacrifice was immedi- ately offered up."
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" The ceremonies of the consecration of a church consist of the following: On the preceding day, a fast is observed in the parish, and certain prayers are said. In front of the church the clergy recited the penitential psalms and litany of the
ARCHBISHOP HENNESSEY, OF DUBUQUE.
saints. The archbishop blessed salt and water, with which he sprinkled the outer walls, passing in procession around them three times. At each return, he knocked at the door and asked that it be opened; at the third time, he made on it the sign of the cross, and then it was opened, to show forth that the cross
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triumphs over all opposition and closes to us the gates of hell."
"The interior is consecrated in the following manner : Utter- ing the greeting, " Peace be to this house," the archbishop entered and knelt down and invoked the Holy Spirit. While the litany of the saints and the benedictus, Zachary's Canticle of praise were sung, the bishop strewed the floor with ashes, and in them, with his crosier, he wrote the Greek and Latin alphabet. He anointed with chrism, the twelve crosses placed on the walls, called the apostolic crosses, with a lighted taper attached to each. The Greek and Latin alphabets inscribed in the ashes signify that the church is consecrated on the foundation of one Catholic, apostolic faith, which, in the beginning, was proclaimed chiefly in the Greek and Latin languages.' The anointing of the walls at the twelve apostolic crosses, signify that in the edifice the faith will be taught and preached as preached by the twelve apostles."
DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTARS.
" The altars are pure gothic in style. G. S. Mansfield, of this city, was the designer, and the work was done by Schrader & Conraddi, a St. Louis firm. The materials from which they are made are Serravegg or statuary and Blanco marbles, Fredura onyx, agate, Mexican onyx and jasper. The base of the main altar is twelve feet square; the mensa table eight feet long. The altar stands twenty-three feet high from the base and at its widest is sixteen feet. The reredos is of marble, with panels and columns of onyx and the panels are ornamented with jasper. At each side, supporting the tabernacle, are three gold columns which cost $300. On either side of the altar, as it rises above the mensa table, is a Gothic tower, occupied by a representation of a golden winged angel. The side altars are constructed like the main. On altar of the Blessed Virgin is inscribed on a silver plate, "Donated by John Tracy and Family "; on St. Joseph's, " Donated by Joseph Barron and His Sister Lucy." The inscrip- tion on the inain altar reads, " Donated by the Young Ladies' and Married Ladies' Sodalities."
" The ceremony of consecration having been concluded, the doors were opened and those holding tickets were allowed to pass
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in. The scene within was indeed beautiful, and words fail to give a true description of the charming decorations. There were draperies of yellow and white looped from the ceiling of the church to the walls on either side, and numerous gold wreaths and loop-
BISHOP BURKE, OF ST. JOSEPH, MO.
ings of the predominant colors on the walls. These loopings were entwined in garlands, and yellow and white flowers were in profusion. Those who were privileged to enter sat in silent con- templation, feasting the eye on the beautiful surroundings until time for the service to begin. The latter was postponed about
8
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an hour awaiting the arrival from Rockford of the Catholic Union and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, who came 400 strong as organized bodies, and at 9:30, a half hour later, a delegation of 250 arrived from Madison. The former were accompanied by a band, which discoursed music all the way to the church from the depot. Immediately after the consecration, Archbishop Feehan. said low mass at one of the newly consecrated altars."
"Shortly after 10 o'clock, the doors of the church were opened and the people who attended the solemn pontifical mass at 9:30. o'clock began pouring in. Admission was by tickets, with which all the pew liolders were provided, and the capacity of the church was increased by crowding chairs as closely together as possible in the aisles. There were many Protestants in the congregation, to whom the services were more impressive on account of their novelty. The limits of the seating capacity were reached fifteen minutes before the orchestra sounded the first note of "Kyrie Eleison," or before the candles on the altar had been lighted. The mass was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. M. Burke, D. D., Bishop. of St. Joseph, Mo., assisted by the Very Rev. Father A. O. Walker, O. S. D., of Sinsinawa Mound, archpriest; Rev. Father E. A. Kelley, of Chicago, deacon of the mass ; Very Rev. Father Philip O'Connor, of Carroll City, Ia., sub-deacon; Rev. Fathers F. S. Heneberry and B. P. Murray, of Chicago, deacon and sub-deacon of honor; Rev. Father F. J. Barry, master of ceremonies. Arch- bishop Feehan assisted, with Rev. Fathers Foley and Du Four as. chaplains."
" The choir, assisted by Gibler's orchestra, caused the church to resound with such melody as was never heard there before. Generali's grand military mass was rendered; the music was. arranged by J. J. Carroll and consisted of the following program :
Kyrie, Andante Full chorus.
Christe, Andante.
Mrs. Thro, Miss Tracy, J. P. Lawless, Frank Rogers.
Gloria, Allegro.
. Full chorus.
Gratias, Moderato John P. Lawless, Ed. Lawless
Domini, Fili, Moderato Misses Carey and Reardon
Domini Deus, Moderato Full chorus Qui Tollis, Larghetto Mrs. Thro, J. P. Lawless, J. Rau
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Qui Sedes, Allegro Moderato Tutti bassos and chorus
Quoniam, Allegretto
Miss Cunningham
Dei Patris, Allegro Moderato. Finale, full chorus
Credo, Allegretto Unison, full chorus
Genitum, Moderato Miss Tracy
Descendit, Moderato Full chorus
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GOLDEN JUBILEE ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR.
Et Incarnatus, Lento. Full choous
Crucifixus, Lento.
John and Ed. Lawless
Et Resurrexit, Allegro Full chorus
Et Iterum, Moderato. Mrs. Thro Et Inspiritum, Moderato J. P. Lawless Qui Com Patre, Moderato J. P. Lawless, Frank Rogers Et Unam Sanctam, Moderato.
Et Expecto, Moderato.
Misses Carey and Reardon
"The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Father D. J. Riordan, of St. Elizabeth's church, Chicago, an eloquent and brilliant.
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speaker, his address being closely and logically reasoned, and though extemporized, was perfect in point of rhetoric, his phrases fell gracefully and he spoke with the force of inspiration. Father Riordan arose from a sick bed to attend the jubilee services and at times his voice trembled from weakness, but was not less clear, distinct or musical."
SERMON OF REV. FATHER RIORDAN, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1896.
" The people rejoiced when they promised their gifts willingly, be- cause they offered them to the Lord with all their hearts."
I have chosen this text, my dearly beloved brethren, not in- deed with any reference to the subject proper of my remarks to-day, but as expressing, no doubt, the feelings experienced by this congregation of St. Mary's, when some years back, at the invitation of their zealous and devoted pastor, they came together to devise some means of building up a new church to the honor and glory of the eternal God.
It is not well, perhaps, on any occasion to indulge in words of extravagant praise or flattery, yet I fail to see a parallel any- where in the diocese to the work accomplished here, within the past few years. Whether it be due to your pastor or to your- selves, or to the spirit enkindled and fostered by the devoted, reli- gious Sisters who have charge of your schools, I cannot say, but I think I can say, without giving offense to any one, that it is due to all three combined. To the energy and zeal of your pastor, the generosity of the people, and to the piety and devotedness of the Sisters who have charge of the little ones of this flock. I offer to you, therefore, in my own name, and in the name of the clergy, my heartiest congratulations.
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