Centennial Celebrations in New York

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 24, 18 June 1908, Page 30

Centennial Celebrations in New York

The Catholic Church in New York on April 8 completed a hundred years' of activity. It rounded . out on that day a fruitful century. The completion of this hundred years of activity was made by the clergy and laity, headed by Archbishop Farley, an occasion for extraordinary ; rejoicing. The last- week in April was set apart for that purpose.- -His Eminence Cardinal Logue and the Right Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Clqyne, crossed the Atlantic to take part in the celebrations. A special steamer with' Farley and the reception committee on board met the vessel and gave the Irish prelates a cordial welcome to New York, The Cathedral was the centre of the formal religious ceremonies, and there, on Tuesday morning, April 28, the American hierarchy joined with Archbishop Farley and his people in a general thanksgiving. Cardinals Logue and Gibbons and the Papal Delegate, Monsignor Falconio, participated in the function. Huge crowds gathered round the Cathedral, and almost everywhere bunting and the Papal flag were displayed. The public procession to the Cathedral, formed by choirs, Catholic laymen, priests of the diocese, brethren of the various Orders, Monsignori, Bishops, and Archbishops, all in full canonicals, was a display of rich color and of. pomp and circumstance without precedent in the religious events of the city. At eleven o'clock a Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving began, the celebrant being Cardinal Logue, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. America's only representative in the Sacred College, Cardinal Gibbons, delivered the sermon. The Papal Delegate assisted at the Mass and shared in the general rejoicing as the representative of the Vatican. The Holy Father crowned the ceremonies with a special blessing, which was imparted in his name by Monsignor Falconio. In the evening at eight o'clock Pontifical Vespers were sung. The Papal Delegate officiated. Archbishop John J. Glennon was the preacher Wednesday, April 29, was the Children's Day. On that day delegations of little Catholics from every parish in the city marched to the Cathedral. There was a solemn Mass at ten o'clock, and a' choir composed entirely of parochial school pupils sang the sacred music. That night the most important of the public functions was held at Carnegie Music Hall. It was a general meeting of the citizens, to which distinguished non-Catholics were invited. Ex- Judge Morgan J. O'Brien presided. There were lay and -clerical speakers. The principal addresses were made by Cardinal Logue Archbishop Farley, Mr. \V. Bourke Cockran, Mr. John J Delany, and Dr. James J. Walsh. On April 30 there were Requiem services at the Cathedral for the deceased Bishops and priests of the diocese. In the evening the Catholic Club threw open its doors in honor of the visiting prelates.