USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > Loretto > Souvenir of Loretto centenary, October 10, 1899 : 1799-1899 ,Saint Michael's Catholic Church > Part 22
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The distinguished guests were soon joined by Mr. C. M. Schwab, and also by His Excellency, Governor Stone, who, coming on a later train from the cast, had been welcomed at Cresson in the name of the pastor and people by Dr. John Murphy, and conducted thence to Loretto. After a brief in- terval of rest the entire party proceeded in carriages to Im- mergrün, the beautiful summer residence of Mr. Schwab, on the hill overlooking the town, where they were in time to wel- come His Grace, Archbishop Ireland, of St. Paul, who, ac- companied from Pittsburg by Rev. William Kittell, chancellor of the diocese, had just arrived from Loretto Road station. It was then learned that Rt. Rev. Bishop Phelan, who had made all preparations for the trip to Loretto, had been obliged by sudden illness to forego the anticipated pleasure, and it was arranged that Rt. Rev. Bishop Curtis would sol- emnly pontificate in his stead on the following morning.
Their guests were most hospitably entertained at dinner and afterwards by Mr. and Mrs. Schwab, and were sere- naded by the Loretto Band. At a convenient hour the Apos. tolic Delegate 'and Bishop Curtis returned to the pastoral residence for the night, while Archbishop Ireland and Gor- ernor Stone remained the guests of Immergrün.
The morning of Tuesday, October 10, dawned fair and serene upon favored Loretto; the sun soon dispelled the light mist and shone with unusual brightness throughout the day: not a breath of air was stirring, and the rains of the previous
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Sunday having laid the dust, the roads were dry and smooth, and never in better condition. The golden hues of the chang- ing foliage, mingled with the red, the yellow, the white and the blue of the flags and bunting so lavishly displayed, formed a very kaleidoscope of color: and, as if nature itself had been waiting to do homage to the memory of Callitzin, it was not until the next day, as was noticed by many, that the leaves commenced to drop from the branches. It was the universal verdict that a more beautiful day for such a cele- bration could not have been desired.
On that morning all roads in Cambria County led to Loretto. The number of vehicles of every description com- ing from all directions conld only be estimated by the hun- dreds. The two fields in front of the church were dotted
VIEW AT MID-DAY, OCTOBER 10.
with conveyances and horses, yet the greater number was cared for in other parts of the town and on adjacent farms. An immense crowd came by railroad to Loretto Road station, whence they were brought to the town in special convey- ances. So great was the interest everywhere manifested in
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the Loretto Centenary, that the public schools within a cir- cuit of many miles were closed for the day, while the neigh- boring towns for the time being were almost depopulated.
One great feature of the celebration was the arrival at Loretto Road of the special train, arranged for by Mr. C. M. Schwab, which left Pittsburg at 6.15 a. m., and brought nearly a score of representatives of the city press, the entire Cathedral Choir (32 members), the celebrated Duquesne Band of 45 pieces, and, besides a large number of others, the Loretto Chib of Homestead, an organization composed of one hundred young men, all former residents of this parish. With their tall hats, their beautiful badges and their manly bearing, they attracted general attention, and excited nnstint- ed admiration, as they marched from the station to the inspir- ing music of the band.
Ample provision had been made by the parishioners to feed the vast crowd that was expected. Dinner and supper were served in the upper story of the Parochial Hall, while in the lower story and on the church grounds lunch and refresh- ment booths were erected and admirably managed. This is not the place to mention particular names; but the writer desires to place on record the fact that the glorious success of our Centenary celebration was due in no small measure to the ladies and gentlemen, who labored so long, so assid- nously and so unselfishly in decorating the interior of the church and its surroundings; in serving the dinner, lunch and refreshments, and in managing the thousand details, of which the general public can form no idea. And in this con- nection the Cathedral Choir, which assisted our home talent in rendering the music for the occasion, both at the Pontifi- cal mass and at the ceremonies of the unveiling of the statue, and the Duquesne Band, which enlivened the proceedings from its unequaled reportoire, will long be remembered by the parishioners of St. Michael's.
At 7 o'clock Archbishop Ireland, assisted by Rev. Thos. W. Rosensteel, of Tyrone, said mass in Father Gallitzin's Chapel, at the same altar at which that true priest of God
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INTERIOR OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, LORETTO, DECORATED FOR THE CENTENARY.
1799
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offered up the mass on week days during the last eight years of his saintly life. On this occasion he wore the vestments, often worn by Father Gallitzin, which were made by the lat- ter's mother from the material of her wedding gown, and which were kindly loaned for the occasion by the Sisters of St. Joseph, of Ebensburg.
At 7.30 Monsignor Martinelli celebrated mass in the parish church, which was crowded to the doors. He was assisted by Very Rev. J. Boyle, V. F., of Johnstown, and by Rev. William Kittell, chancellor, and brother of the Rov. pastor. During the mass he gave First Holy Commmmm- ion to a number of children, and immediately after the mass he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to a still larger number. Amongst these were a few adults: several stn- dents of the College, and some children from adjoining par- ishes. The reverend pastor collected the tickets and road ont the names. The sponsor for the males was the venerable Mr. Arthur Comerford; for the females. Mrs. Sarah Sanker. The names of the favored children of the parish only are here given:
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION.
BOYS. (Melhorn) Chester.
MULLEN Thomas.
ANSMAN Albert.
Alexander.
BITER LeO. Sherman.
NAGLE William. Sanford.
BOLEY Frank.
O'BRIEN Howard.
O'HARA Robert.
COONS Mathias. Lonis.
PLATT Harry.
DRISKEL, Michael.
SCANLAN Herman.
DURBIN Blair
SHARP Frank.
ELWOOD LeO.
SMELTZER Ossie.
FARABAUGH William.
STEVENS John.
GLASS Gorman.
Stock Harry.
KITTELL Lonis.
WILLs Howard.
LITTLE Veritas. Meredith. Glenna. McGUIRE Charles. MCMULLEN George. MELHORN Sylvester.
GIRLS. BOLAN Martha.
BOLEY Alma. Theresa. Bisnor Esther.
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(Bishop) Fannie.
BRADY Harriet.
BRUCE Ettie. COONS Rose.
COOPER Irene. DOUGHERTY Laura.
EBERLY Caroline.
HERTZOG Edward. LITTLE Michael.
EBIG Stella.
LITZINGER Jesse. MALLOY Harry. MCGOUGH Louis.
ECKENRODE Ida. FARREN Margaret. FLICK Ida.
FRY Edith.
O'NEILL Homer.
SCANLAN Louis.
KITTELL Mary. LITTLE Rose. LOWE Mary. MCGOUGH Mildred.
SHERRY Gervaise. Romanus. SMITH William.
NOEL Laura.
STEBERGER Frank.
STEVENS William.
SANDERS Eva.
STOY Edward.
SHARP Ella.
SYBERT William.
THOMAS Mary. VAUGHIT Ida.
GIRLS.
CONFIRMATION ONLY. BOYS.
ANSMAN Annie.
BANNAN Edward.
BOLEY Theresa.
BILLER Louis. BISHOP Andrew.
BISHOP Minnie.
BITER Albert.
CALLAN Gertrude.
BRADLEY Thomas.
CALLAN Edward.
COONS Flora. CRAMER Mary. DRISKEL Katie.
CONRAD J. Harvey. COOPER Raymond. DENNY Oscar. .
ECKENRODE Nellie. Myrtle. FARABAUGH Henrietta.
DONOUGHE Harry. Peter.
FLICK Augusta. HERTZOG Rose.
ITEL Mary.
EBERLY Paul. ECKENRODE Romanus. Clement. FARABAUGH Erhart. FISHER Simon. FREIDHOFF Louis. .
FRY Leo. GALLAGHER Hugh.
JONES Clarinda. KAYLOR Dora. LITTLE Dora. MALLOY Martina. MCDUNN Josephine. MCGUIRE Zita.
LORETTO CENTENARY.
MORAN Nora.
MURPHY Nellie.
PARRISH Amelia.
SHERRY Elmira. SHIELDS Millie. SMELTZER Blanche.
PRUNER May. Hattie. SCHNABLE Rose.
STOCK Mary. VAUGHT Dora.
The Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by Rt. Rev. A. A. Curtis, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and formerly Bishop of Wilmington, Del. The officers of the mass were as follows: Assistant Priest, Vory Roy. E. A. Bush, V. G., for twenty years (1870-90) pastor of St. Michael's; Deacon, Rev. Henry MeHngh, pastor of St. Agnes' Church, Pittsburg, who was baptized by Father Gal- litzin: Sub-deacon, Rev. Thomas MeEnrne, of Irwin; Master of Ceremonies, Rov. Regis Canevin, Rector of St. Paul's Cathedral, Pittsburg: Assistant Master of Ceremonios, Rov. Martin Ryan, formerly pastor of Loretto, now of Gallitzin; Cross-bearer, Rev. C. O. Rosensteel, of Forest Glen, Md .: Thurifer, Rov. Thos. W. Rosensteel, of Tyrone; Acolytes, Rev. Francis Hertzog, of St. Andrew's, Allegheny, and Rov. Joseph Burgoon, of St. Kieran's, Pittsburg.
On his throne at the Gospel side Monsignor Martinelli in Cappa Magna sat in a plain arm-chair, which Father Gallit- zin used for years in his confessional. His attendants wore Very Rev. Dr. Zahm, C. S. C. and Rey. Win. Kittoll. Arch- bishop Ireland in his episcopal robes sat in front of the altar, attended by Very Rev. J. Boyle, V. F., and Rev. Fran- cis MeCarthy, S. J., of New York, formerly a priest of this diocese. About sixty priests occupied the other seats in the sanctuary and the front pews in the auditorium. After the first Gospel Very Rev. Father Bush, V. G., ascended the pul- pit and spoke as follows:
"This is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith." -St. John I .- v. 4.
To fully understand the value of the life of the Prince- priest, the centennial of whose work in founding this con- mimity we are assembled here to celebrate, we must look into
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(Gallagher) Thomas. GLASS Eugene. Clair HALL William. HAMMOND Bert.
NOEL Frank.
O'NEILL Esther. PRUNER Emma
STOCK George.
TOMLINSON Howard.
BANNAN Della.
BUCK Lorone.
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it from the standpoint of the inspired writer whose words I have just quoted.
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Two young men about the same time in the history of our country, left Europe to come to America. One was born amidst the romantic scenery of Switzerland, whose lofty mountains capped with eternal snow, and whose beautiful lakes nestling at their feet, attract the lovers of nature by their many charms; and whose evory hamlet has its story of the undying love of liberty that gives to that favored land its strongest claim: the other first saw the light of day in the capital city of Holland, a land lying low, with artificial water- courses, whose sturdy inhabitants have for centuries resisted the encroachments of the mighty ocean, and havo wrested from his grasp thousands of acres, which they have converted into fertile fields, by whose prodnet they have added im- mensely to their wealth and importance. The former bo -. longed to the middle class and was well educated in all that could help him to success in life; the other was of princely lin- cage, and all along the pages of his country's history he could find the record of one after another of his ancestors illus- trious for wisdom in the councils of the sovereign and for prowess on the field of battle. In his youth he was trained in all that was deemed necessary to fit him for the brilliant future that was mapped out for him; and prophetic ability was not required to predict for him a career of glory that would equal at least, if it did not surpass, the career of any of his progenitors in all that the world most prizes.
Gallatin left his fatherland in order to cast his lot with the nation that had just exchanged the swaddling clothes of colonial life for the toga of Aurelius among the nations. Stop by step he rose until he reached. the highest point that could be attained by a citizen of foreign birthi. He was a man of · great usefulness to the American people, who conferred mpon him all the honors at their disposal; and from the world's point of view his life was a grand and most successful one.
Demetrius Gallitzin came only with a view of finishing his education, and of learning all that he could about the social life of other peoples. This he could not do in Europe on account of the perturbed state of society, which, undermined by atheism, was about to become a prey to the horrors of revolution. The fashionable people in those days and the nobility were infected with atheistical doctrines. His mother also, having long associated with atheists in her younger days, became one of them. But when children came to her, her mother's heart desired for them something better,
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nobler, purer than all this mere learning conld provide. Therefore, she investigated and studied, and as a result of her investigation she became a sincere Catholic, and then effected the conversion of her children.
So it was as a fervent Catholic, thoroughly disciplined in all educational matters, that Gallitzin came to America. Among the letters of introduction with which he had been supplied, was one to Bishop Carroll, of Baltimore, that grand old hero of the Church in America, who recognized in the yonng enthusiast the workings of the Holy Spirit of God. As a prudent man he tried to discourage him from taking upon himself the burthen and hardships of a missionary career: but he was soon convinced that the call to the new life, so widely different from the one to which his parents had des- tined him, and from the one to which the Swiss had devoted himself, came directly and irresistibly from on high.
With a fitting preparation he knelt at the altar of God to receive the holy order of God's priesthood; and in doing so le laid aside the princely crown and furned his back on the inviting allurements which the world held out to him; and. as the world would say, he cast himself away. Unlike those who find no difficulty in relinquishing attachment to things that they do not, possess, but only hope for. he actually relinquished all that he had and was to own, and thus his sar- rifice was complete.
From the steps of the altar he arises a priest of God. Being of a retiring disposition and of a studions turn of mind, he might have entered the sacred ministry in Europe, where by associating with learned men and by freqnenting renowned educational institutions, he might have had all his natural longings gratified. All this he gave up to become a poor and humble missionary in a rough and sparsely settled country, where the harvest was great, but the harvestors few.
It was not long until he received another inspiration from God, like unto that which called him from the world to embrace the sacred ministry: and obedient to its impulse he left the cities where he might have achieved great eminence in his holy calling, and came to this region which was then little better than a wilderness. Away from all the grandenr of the world to which he had been accustomed: separated from home, family and friends; with no one near at hand intellectually his equal to associate with; with no prospects in the future but those of continned poverty, hardships, seclusion and never-ending labor, -- surely his was a condi-
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tion to try the faith of the strongest. But his faith was tried and it conquered; it was strong within him, and it made him victorious over the great enemies of man-the concupiscence of the flesh, the concupiscence of the eyes and the pride of life. Ambition he had surrendered; greed for wealth he had not: all that he received through the bounty of his friends abroad he spent not on himself but in helping the poor and in building np this community; and of him it may be truly said that he founded the first orphan asylum in Western Pennsylvania, and founded it in his own house, down there at the bend of the hill. Was there an orphan? He regarded that child as his by adoption from God. Was there one in distress? No ear, no heart was so open to the tale of misery as was his. He considered hin- self merely the steward of what he received or possessed, to manage it for the benefit of others; and he never stopped to inquire what were the antecedents of those who appealed to him, or whether their appeals were worthy of being heard; but he relieved instant distress as far as lay in his power. and then sought means to extend the relief. There were some of his flock who upbraided him for his indiscriminate charity in that respectful, loving way they had with him: but he would reply that he gave for the love of God, that ho was not mistaken in the motive: and that, given the neces- sity of relief, it was not for him to judge of the worthiness or . un worthiness of the recipients.
Ho laid aside his princely name. No doubt there were many reasons for this, some of them unknown to us. But it may be presumed that one of the strongest arose from the deep humility which, with charity and faith, seemed to be the cherished virtue of his sonl. He must have felt the incon- gruity of a missionary known by that illustrious surname, traveling on such a horse as he could get through forests where there were but bridle paths: frequently passing the darkest hours of the night in the same forests when going to or returning from distant sick calls, and living in a small log cabin, scarcely, if at all, more comfortable than the rude habitations in the neighborhood, and by no means as com- modious. In the lapse of time legal requirements compelled him to resume his family surname, but not his title; and when this happened the grand old soul could not stand up before his parishioners and tell them himself, but got a priest from a distance to come and to make the public announcement. The surprise with which the people heard that their humble, devoted pastor, who lived as poorly as the
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poorest among them, was no less a personage than a prince of one of the oldest and noblest, families of Russia may be better imagined than described.
Now, he worked as a priest, he worked for his flock, and in his ministrations he covered a large extent of almost unbroken territory. He had to labor with all kinds of people of all kinds of dispositions, and to encounter hardships and overcome obstacles of which we, at this late day, can form no adequate idea. But they were matters of fact with him, and the trials that he underwent bore more heavily npon him, so gently nurtured, than they would have weighed on others reared amid rongher surroundings. And while he worked he praved; for he was distinctively a man of praver, a man of meditation. Amongst his books was one that was found some years ago, and that gave evident signs of being the one most used by him, and it was a book of meditations on the passion of our Lord JJesus Christ. What strength, what courage he must have drawn from those meditations! And he needed all that he could thus acquire, for being of a supremely sensitive character the reverses that happened to him, and the ingratitude that he met with, tried his patience and fortitude to the ntmost, and would have disheartened many another less disciplined in the school of Christ. And if the story be not true, it might have been true, that God himself in a supernatural manner condescended to raise the conrage that was drooping in that noble soul which had given np so much for love of Him.
Now, the ground work of that life, a life comparatively nuknown, but oh! how rich in all that makes life valuable from the standpoint of God, was Faith .- the faith that over- cometh the world. A seroll one day will be unrolled before the eyes of the whole human race, a scroll written in indelible characters, that will reveal and will preserve into an eter- mity of eternities the character, the life, the workings, the sufferings, thoughts of every human being; and high np upon that list will be found the records of those who, for the love of God, gave np all and lived and died faithful to that engage- ment: and who as a reward for their fidelity are now in pos- session of the kingdom prepared for them.
Amongst these are apostles and martyrs und confessors, and thousands of others who do not rank so high, but whose degree of glory is proportionate to their merits acquired on earth. And we may well imagine that on this glorious day, while we are commemorating the one-hundreth anniversary of his coming hither to establish this Catholic community,
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the soul of the sainted Gallitzin, the apostle and confessor of the faith on these Alleghenies, is looking down benignly upon us from his high place in the heavenly kingdom, and is glad- dened at the sight of the abundant harvest that has been gathered as a result of his forty-one years of unremitting toil.
Now you know I have always tried to be practical, and the practical part is this: Love that faith which Father Gal- litzin planted and watered, and to which God in His goodness, during the hundred years now closing, has given such a won- derful increase: prize it, be true to it in all the circumstances and vicissitudes of life, so that you may demonstrate in the most unmistakable manner that yon are worthy children of those who had the enviable fortune to receive his instructions and to be encouraged by his living example: and that you are determined to preserve intact, and to transmit to future gon- orations the grand and noble heritage that you have received, than which none could be nobler or grander, -- the heritage of Catholic faith, which alone overcometh the world.
The ceremonies in the church closed at noon. The more notable guests had been courteously invited by Mr. Schwab to dine at his residence, and among those who sat at his hos.
THE PROCESSION FROM IMMERGRUN TO THE CHURCH.
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pitable table were: Monsignor Martinelli, Archbishop fre- land, Bishop Curtis, Governor Stone; Hon. A. V. Barker, President Judge of the county: C. A. Wood, Very Rov. E. A. Bush, V. G .: Rov. F. MeCarthy, S. J., of New York: Rov. E. J. Flynn, of Mount Vernon, N. Y .: Rev. Martin Ryan, of Gallitzin, and the pastor, Rev. Ferdinand Kittell.
Promptly at 2 o'clock a procession, headed by the Dn -. queshe Band, and composed of the Loretto Club of Home- stead, St. Patrick's L. & B. Society, and two Polish societies. of Gallitzin, St. Michael's T. A. Society, and others, arrived at Immergrin, where Mr. W. A. Kessler, President of the Lorotto Club, in the name of the club presented to Mr. Schwab a large and beautiful silk flag. The procession, fol- lowed by the dignitarios in carriages, then marched down the main street of the town to the church yard.
THE STATUE VEILED.
It had been intended that the carriages conveying the dis- tingnished guests should be driven up to the grand stand. but, owing to the immense throng that packed the church
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yard almost to suffocation, this was found to be impossible. The dignitaries therefore were compelled to alight at a, con- siderable distance from the stand, and to make their way with no little trouble to the place prepared for them. When all had been seated Father Kittell, acting as chairman, nd- vanced to the speaker's stand and opened the interesting pro- ceodings by reading the following letters of regret:
CARDINAL'S RESIDENCE, Baltimore, Md.
SEPTEMBER 7, 1899.
REV. DEAR FATHER KITTELL:
His Eminence, the Cardinal, is very sorry, indeed, that the celebration of your Centenary falls on October 10, as it will be impossible for him to be absent from home on that date. He says he must be on hand to receive the archbishops and to attend to other important duties which devolve upon him at that time.
He wishes your celebration every success and sends yon · his kindest regards.
J. T. O'BRIEN, Chancellor,
SEPTEMBER 15, 1899.
DEAR FATHER KITTELL:
In my enforced absence Rt. Rev. Bishop Curtis will rep. resent the Archdiocese of Baltimore and myself at the ap- proaching celebration. I hope it will be worthy of the man in whose memory it is undertaken, Faithfully yours in Xt. J. CARD. GIBBONS.
ST. PETER'S CATHEDRAL, Cincinnati, O.
OCTOBER 2, 1899.
REV. DEAR SIR:
The Most Rev. Archbishop is sorry to say that duties in Cincinnati will keep him from attending your celebration ou the 10th inst. Yours sincerely in Xto.
REV. E. A. DAVIS, Secretary.
LORETTO CENTENARY.
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P. S .- It is a new obligation which has arisen since I ac- cepted your kind invitation. I cannot leave before the 11th. Kindest regards.
W. H. ELDER.
ARCHBISHOP'S HOUSE, Philadelphia, Pa.
SEPTEMBER 10, 1899.
DEAR FATHER KITTELL:
I regret that it will not be possible for me to be with you for your celebration on the 10th of October. I have to leave that evening for Washington, to be present the next morning at the annual meeting of the Trustees of the Catholic Uni- versity, I am sure that any of the clergy of this archdiocese whom yon may invite will be happy to attend on so very in- teresting and historic an occasion.
Hoping that the celebration will prove worthy of such an occasion, I am, Dear Father Kittoll,
Yours faithfully. P. J. RYAN, Archbishop.
BISHOP'S RESIDENCE, Wheeling, W. Va.
SEPTEMBER 20, 1899.
REV. DEAR FATHER:
I beg to thank your reverence most cordially for the kind invitation conveyed in your favor of the Ith inst. I regret to say that my numerous engagements for the month of October will deprive me of the pleasure of being with you on the great occasion of the Centenary of the fonnda- tion of your parish. It would be a great delight to me to as- sist, but I have been away in Europe for five months, and I am consequently much crowded in my confirmation and other engagements. However, from the programme that yon base laid out, and from the names of the distinguished guests, I feel that yon are to have a glorious celebration. This is my wish for you and your parishioners. May the
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