Sunday Last in Albany

Sunday Last in Albany With those words as its headline, the Nov. 27, 1852 issue of the New York Freeman's Journal and Catholic Register reported on the dedication of the new Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany on Nov. 21. Here is how that newspaper reported the occasion: A clear and beautiful atmosphere on Sunday last lent its aid to the interesting and joyous exercises of the opening and dedication to Divine Worship of the Cathedral of Albany. We met at the celebration of the day a Catholic gentleman, one of the most influential and widely known citizens of this State, who remembered attending Mass in a temporary chapel in Albany where a priest came to celebrate twice in a year.... The splendid Cathedral that we have so frequently referred to and described of late is due to [Bishop John McCloskey's] energy and perseverance, and to the devoted assistance of the Clergy who are so deeply attached to him. Externally the edifice is still incomplete, and the full idea of the interior, as designed, is yet imperfect, the magnificent altar not having arrived from Paris, and other details being unfilled. It is complete enough, however, to reveal a grandeur and beauty in architecture that has rarely been exhibited in the churches of this continent.... For the ceremonial of Dedication, and in honor of the occasion, distinguished prelates were in attendance from abroad, and most of the priests of the diocese.... At an early hour the crowd had gathered and poured in through the various doors until there was room for no more either sitting or standing....The Archbishops and Bishops present were seven in number, and the Clergy in the Sanctuary were about one hundred and thirty. These marched in rich robes with golden croziers and crosses, chanting the anthems and prayers, filling the aisles with the smoke of incense, and lustrating the edifice within and without with holy water, and all the elaborate and pompous symbolism of the services, dedicating it to the peculiar and exclusive use of the Church.... [Archbishop Hughes of New York City delivered the sermon] and for an hour and a half kept the vast audience interested and delighted with a discourse...taken from the XVth chapter of St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, 13th and 14th verses....The Archbishop spoke of the joy and satisfaction that the auspicious opening of the Cathedral afforded....He alluded to the gathering around the Altar just consecrated of Catholics not only from various Dioceses, but from many countries and of many languages; who, though some of them could not understand the words he was then using in the pulpit, yet all found a common language, and a united and well understood worship, in the sacrifice that was about to be offered to God through Jesus Christ.... [He] then proceeded to congratulate the Bishop and clergy and people of Albany, on the completion, so far, of the work that redounded so much to the credit of all....After this the Archbishop called on the vast multitude to kneel down for the first time in this Cathedral, and invoke the blessing and favor of God through the intercession of His Blessed Mother.... He then addressed Himself to the subject of his discourse: The Catholic Church a Supernatural system of worship and of Grace, having its source and its ever-living authority in Jesus Christ, raised from the dead. As there was no preparation for an accurate report of this sermon it would be unfair in us to attempt any meagre analysis of its parts....It abounded with instruction and edification. After the sermon High Mass was concluded, making the services of the morning nearly six hours in duration....The music during the day was very fine. Mr. Carmody presided at the Organ, which for strength, and perfection of tone, surpasses anything we have heard in this country.... Want of time, and of space, compels us to omit much that was pleasing in the exercises of this memorable day in Albany. This will readily be excused, because those who were present need nothing of our descriptions, and those not present would but very feebly appreciate, from all we could say, the interest of the ceremonies and the occasion. "> <meta content="150th anniversary of cathedral of the immaculate conception, new york freeman journal and catholic register, dedication of cathedral> HISTORY Sunday Last in Albany With those words as its headline, the Nov. 27, 1852 issue of the New York Freeman's Journal and Catholic Register reported on the dedication of the new Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany on Nov. 21. Here is how that newspaper reported the occasion: A clear and beautiful atmosphere on Sunday last lent its aid to the interesting and joyous exercises of the opening and dedication to Divine Worship of the Cathedral of Albany. We met at the celebration of the day a Catholic gentleman, one of the most influential and widely known citizens of this State, who remembered attending Mass in a temporary chapel in Albany where a priest came to celebrate twice in a year.... The splendid Cathedral that we have so frequently referred to and described of late is due to [Bishop John McCloskey's] energy and perseverance, and to the devoted assistance of the Clergy who are so deeply attached to him. Externally the edifice is still incomplete, and the full idea of the interior, as designed, is yet imperfect, the magnificent altar not having arrived from Paris, and other details being unfilled. It is complete enough, however, to reveal a grandeur and beauty in architecture that has rarely been exhibited in the churches of this continent.... For the ceremonial of Dedication, and in honor of the occasion, distinguished prelates were in attendance from abroad, and most of the priests of the diocese.... At an early hour the crowd had gathered and poured in through the various doors until there was room for no more either sitting or standing....The Archbishops and Bishops present were seven in number, and the Clergy in the Sanctuary were about one hundred and thirty. These marched in rich robes with golden croziers and crosses, chanting the anthems and prayers, filling the aisles with the smoke of incense, and lustrating the edifice within and without with holy water, and all the elaborate and pompous symbolism of the services, dedicating it to the peculiar and exclusive use of the Church.... [Archbishop Hughes of New York City delivered the sermon] and for an hour and a half kept the vast audience interested and delighted with a discourse...taken from the XVth chapter of St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, 13th and 14th verses....The Archbishop spoke of the joy and satisfaction that the auspicious opening of the Cathedral afforded....He alluded to the gathering around the Altar just consecrated of Catholics not only from various Dioceses, but from many countries and of many languages; who, though some of them could not understand the words he was then using in the pulpit, yet all found a common language, and a united and well understood worship, in the sacrifice that was about to be offered to God through Jesus Christ.... [He] then proceeded to congratulate the Bishop and clergy and people of Albany, on the completion, so far, of the work that redounded so much to the credit of all....After this the Archbishop called on the vast multitude to kneel down for the first time in this Cathedral, and invoke the blessing and favor of God through the intercession of His Blessed Mother.... He then addressed Himself to the subject of his discourse: The Catholic Church a Supernatural system of worship and of Grace, having its source and its ever-living authority in Jesus Christ, raised from the dead. As there was no preparation for an accurate report of this sermon it would be unfair in us to attempt any meagre analysis of its parts....It abounded with instruction and edification. After the sermon High Mass was concluded, making the services of the morning nearly six hours in duration....The music during the day was very fine. Mr. Carmody presided at the Organ, which for strength, and perfection of tone, surpasses anything we have heard in this country.... Want of time, and of space, compels us to omit much that was pleasing in the exercises of this memorable day in Albany. This will readily be excused, because those who were present need nothing of our descriptions, and those not present would but very feebly appreciate, from all we could say, the interest of the ceremonies and the occasion. (11-14-02) [[In-content Ad]]

April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.

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Sunday Last in Albany

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