"Having already given a sketch of the question between the Catholic clergy of Gibraltar and the so-called Catholic' Junta of Elders, I send you the following details connected with the present state of religion here. There are about ten thousand Catholics in the fortress, and the vicar apostolic, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Hughes, is assisted in the care of the Church by the Very Rev. Dr. M'Laughlin, as vicar general, the Rev. Padre Felix, as "cura" (parish priest), and seven other clergymen. Since the arrival of Dr. Hughes the progress of religion has been wonderful, and instead of the church being empty as in preceding times, it is now quite full during all the religious ceremonies, and is attended by great numbers during the whole day. It is indeed impossible to enter the church at present without edification; and I need only state that the annual number of communions at present is twenty thousand, whilst formerly they did not exceed fifteen hundred. Some time ago, few, if any, persons attended evening prayers or at masses on week days, but at present the numbers on those occasions are very great. Clergymen are continually engaged in hearing confessions. The bishop and his clergy are late and early engaged in the labor of the vineyard, and the worldly recompence which they receive is poor and uncheering indeed. All the clergy diet and lodge with the bishop in his small and inconvenient house, some of them occupying rooms scarcely larger than their beds, and the bishop's own apartment being fully as uncomfortable and cheerless as the cell of a monastery. Some of the doors have not yet been repaired since they were broken in by the junta, and I have seen one of the sledges with which the work of destruction was carried on by those good Catholic' elders, it having been left behind in mistake in the bishop's bed room. Besides their meals the bishop cannot afford to give the clergy more than a few dollars a month to pay for clothing, washing, &c., and every thing, in fact, in his lordship's establishment, is conducted with the most rigid, but, unhappily, the most necessary

economy.

"Dr. Hughes has caused a very spacious school house to be erected, and has besides, taken leases of two houses which he has got fitted up for the same purpose, being thus enabled to give gratuitous instruction to about seven hundred poor children of both sexes. The erecting of those establishments has cost upwards of five thousand dollars, a part of which is still unpaid. "One fact more I will mention before I take leave of Gibraltar. Confraternities and other religious congregations have been formed by

Dr. Hughes, and have been productive of the most edifying and salutary effects. The number of members amounts at present to nearly twentyfive hundred.

DOMESTIC.

ARCHDIOCESS OF BALTIMORE.-Fifth Provincial Council.-The fifth provincial council of Baltimore opened its first public session in the metropolitan church on Sunday, the 14th of May. The clergy assembled at an early hour at the residence of the Most Rev. Archbishop, and at 11 o'clock the procession moved from the house, passing round the south side of the church and entering the front door. The coup d'œil which it presented, as it advanced along the nave towards the sanctuary, was the grandest and most impressive spectacle of the kind ever witnessed in this country. The cross was borne before, followed immediately by a youthful band of clerks and the ecclesiastical students from St. Mary's seminary, nearly forty in number. Thirty-six priests came next, habited in chasubles, and then the right reverend bishops, to the number of fifteen, in mitres and copes, followed by the most reverend archbishop, with his assistants. As the procession advanced towards the entrance of the church, the fiftieth psalm was chanted to implore in a spirit of humility and contrition, the merciful regard of heaven upon the proceedings of the council that was about to be opened. As soon as the reverend clergy had entered the inner door of the Cathedral, the chant ceased, and a solemn march was commenced in the choir by the orchestral band, which continued until the prelates had reached their respective places in the sanctuary. At the request of the most reverend archbishop, Dr. Portier, bishop of Mobile, celebrated the pontifical high mass; immediately after which Dr. Fenwick, bishop of Boston, delivered a sermon on the trials and triumphs of the Church of Christ. When the sermon was ended, the most reverend archbishop presided at the prayers which were recited for the opening of the council, as prescribed in the Roman pontifical, while the prelates were ranged on either side, according to priority of consecration, and the priests were stationed along the railing of the sanctuary.

The officers appointed for the council were, the Rt. Rev. Bishops Portier and Chanche, Promoters; the Rev. Edward Damphoux, D. D., and Rev. Charles I. White, Secretaries; the Rev. Francis L'homme, Master of Ceremonies, and Messrs. Thomas Foley and Oliver Jenkins, Assistants; the Rev. Wm. Blenkinsop and Mr. Wm. H. Parsons, Chanters.

The prelates attending the council were: The Most Rev. Samuel Eccleston, Archbishop of Baltimore.

The Rt. Rev. Benedict Joseph Fenwick, Bishop of Boston.

The Rt. Rev. Michael Portier, Bishop of Mobile.

The Rt. Rev. Francis Patrick Kenrick, Bishop of Philadelphia.

The Rt. Rev. John Baptist Purcell, Bishop of Cincinnati.

The Rt. Rev. Guy Ignatius Chabrat, Bishop of Bolena, in part. and Coadjutor of the Bishop of Louisville.

The Rt. Rev. Anthony Blanc, Bishop of New Orleans.

The Rt. Rev. Mathias Loras, Bishop of Dubu que.

The Rt. Rev. John Hughes, Bishop of New York.

The Rt. Rev. Richard Pius Miles, Bishop of Nashville.

The Rt. Rev. Celestin R. L. G. de la Hailandière, Bishop of Vincennes.

The Rt. Rev. John Joseph Chanche, Bishop of Natchez.

The Rt. Rev. Richard Vincent Whelan, Bishop of Richmond.

The Rt. Rev. Peter Paul Lefevere, Bishop of Zela, in part. and Administrator of the diocess of Detroit.

The Rt. Rev. Peter Richard Kenrick, Bishop of Drasis, in part. and Coadjutor of the Bishop of St. Louis.

The Rt. Rev. John M. Odin, Bishop of Claudiopolis, in part. and Vicar Apostolic of Texas.

The Very Rev. Richard S. Baker, Vicar General and Administrator of the diocess of Charleston.

Of the superiors of the religious orders, there were present:

The Very Rev. Lewis Regis Deluol, D. D., Superior of St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore.

Very Rev. John Timon, Visiter of the Congregation of the Mission in the United States. Very Rev. Peter Joseph Verhægan, Provincial of the Society of Jesus in Missouri.

Very Rev. Patrick E. Moriarty, Commissary General of the Order of St. Augustin in this country.

The following clergymen were invited as theologians:

Rev. Gilbert Raymond, D. D., Rev. Peter S. Schreiber, and Rev. Joseph Fey, C. S. R., theologians of the Most Rev. Archbishop of Baltimore. Rev. Henry B. Coskery, theologian of Dr. Fenwick.

VOL. II.-No. 6.

Rev. John Hickey and Rev. Claude Rampon, theologians of Dr. Portier.

Very Rev. Thomas Heyden, theologian of Dr. Kenrick, of Philadelphia.

Very Rev. John Henni, theologian of Dr. Purcell.

Rev. John B. Randanne, theologian of Dr. Chabrat.

Rev. Augustine Vérot, theologian of Dr. Blanc.

Very Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli, theologian of Dr. Loras.

Rev. Anthony Penco, C. M., theologian of Dr. Hughes.

Rev. Eugene H. Pozzo, O. S. D., theologian of Dr. Miles.

Rev. Terence J. Donaghue, theologian of Dr. Hailandière.

Rev. James M. Lancaster, theologian of Dr. Chanche.

Rev. James Ryder, S. J., theologian of Dr. Whelan.

Rev. Clement Hammer, theologian of Dr. Lefevere.

Rev. J. B. Tornatore, theologian of Dr. Kenrick, of St. Louis.

Rev. John B. Gildea, theologian of Dr. Odin. Rev. Patrick N. Lynch, D. D., theologian of Very Rev. R. S. Baker.

On Sunday afternoon, the bishop of Drasis preached in the Cathedral on the unity of the Church; on Tuesday evening, a sermon was delivered by the bishop of New York on devotion to the B. Virgin; on Wednesday evening, Rev. Dr. Ryder preached on the apostolic commission; on Thursday evening, Very Rev. T. Heyden preached on the Church; on Friday, a discourse was delivered by the bishop of Cincinnati on the real presence; on Saturday, the same prelate preached on the justice of God.

During the week, the right reverend prelates held their private congregations in the morning of each day, the secretaries only being present, for the decision of the questions previously reported on by the committees of theologians, and discussed at the public congregations, which were held in the afternoon, in the Cathedral, and consisted of the prelates, the secretaries, and the theologians.

On Thursday the 18th of May, the second session of the council was held in the Cathedral, when a solemn pontifical mass of requiem was celebrated by the right reverend bishop of New Orleans. After mass, a discourse was delivered by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Hughes, in which he sketched for the edification of the clergy and laity, the principal traits in the lives of the pre

48

lates deceased since the last provincial council; Dr. David, coadjutor of Bardstown; Dr. England, bishop of Charleston; Dr. Conwell, bishop of Philadelphia; and Dr. Dubois, bishop of New York.

On Sunday, the 21st of May, the third and last session of the council was held in the Cathedral. The clergy proceeded as on the fourteenth from the archiepiscopal residence to the church where the pontifical mass was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Chanche, bishop of Natchez. The holy sacrifice being ended, Bishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, preached on the spiritual supremacy of the bishop of Rome, and at the close of his remarks the third session of the council was opened, at which the most reverend archbishop presided. After the prayers prescribed in the pontifical were recited, the Very Rev. Dr. Deluol, archpriest, read the titles of the decrees enacted by the fathers of the council. The decrees were then signed by each of the prelates, after which the praise of God and the invocation of his blessing upon the sovereign pontiff and the clergy and laity of this ecclesiastical province, were chanted by the archpriest, the rest of the clergy responding to every verse. This ceremony was followed by the Te Deum, in thanksgiving for the divine favors, after which the kiss of peace having been mutually given and received by the prelates, the archbishop gave the solemn benediction, which being done, the clergy moved in procession towards the front entrance of the church and thence to the house of the archbishop, where the ceremony ended. During the vesper service on the same day, at which the bishop of Cincinnati officiated pontifically, many of the prelates were present, and a sermon was delivered by the bishop of New York, on the characteristics of the true minister of Christ.

The

Thus terminated a week which we may justly style a week of glory and consolation for the Catholic Church of the United States. number of prelates and of the subordinate clergy that were assembled within the metropolitan sanctuary, was larger than on any previous occasion, and gave evidence of the steady and prosperous growth of our holy religion since the preceding council. Strangers from a distance and the faithful of Baltimore who flocked to the Cathedral to witness the imposing spectacle, never so impressive at any former period, were filled with admiration at the magnificent solemnity that was displayed to their senses, while from the grandeur of the scene their minds formed some idea of the high character and exalted mission of the Catholic hierarchy, and of the importance which the Church attaches to its min

isterial functions. Every evening during the session of the provincial council, the Cathedral was crowded with listeners to the eloquent discourses that were delivered within its walls; nor did the precious seed of divine truth fall upon an ungrateful soil. Among our dissenting brethren the most favorable impressions were produced, and the Catholic population of the city, while they were edified by the instruction dispensed to them, enjoyed an unusual gratification in the variety of distinguished clergymen who successively occupied the pulpit.

The council adjourned to meet again on the fourth Sunday after Easter, in the year 1846.

St. Peter's Church.-Laying the Corner Stone. The ceremony of laying the corner stone of St. Peter's church, at the corner of Poppleton and Hollin streets, Baltimore, took place on Monday, the 22d of May, in the presence of several thousand people. The immense crowd which had collected about the building, were joined about four o'clock by a long line which marched from St. Vincent de Paul's church, consisting of the Calvert Beneficial Society, the German Ca tholic Beneficial Society, the St. Patrick's Temperance Society, and the Young Catholics' Friend Society, with music and banners, together with the national flag. The Rt. Rev. Bishops Hughes, Kenrick, and Whelan, the Very Rev. Dr. Deluol, the Rev. Messrs. Gildea, Elder, Schreiber, McColgan, Dolan, and other clergymen from St. Mary's seminary, had previously arrived on the ground. The line being formed, moved in procession to a platform erected for the pur pose, on which, however, room only was found for those immediately engaged in the ceremony. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Kenrick addressed the multitude in an address of an hour's length, of the merits of which we have heard but one opinion, and this was one of universal delight. The ceremony of blessing the corner stone was then performed by Bishop Hughes, after which it was carried to its place of deposit-the clergy following. In an appropriate niche, the following archives were deposited :-May 22d, 1843; Gregory XVI, Pope of Rome; Archbishop Eecleston; Dr. Deluol, vicar general; Rev. Edward McColgan, pastor of St. Peter's church; Robert Carey Long, architect, with the names of the building committee, and copies of the American, Sun, Patriot and others. This part of the cere mony over, the bishops and clergy made the cir cuit of the church and closed the exercises of the afternoon. The length of the building will be one hundred and twenty feet; breadth, sixtyseven feet, and height to the top of belfry, ninetytwo feet.

..100 00

.100 00

Cathedral. Pursuant to announcement, a meeting of the congregation of the Cathedral was held at Calvert Hall on the evening of the 4th of May, to take into consideration the financial embarrassments of the church and to provide against future emergencies. The Most Rev. Archbishop presided at the meeting, which consisted principally of the pewholders of the Cathedral, and after a brief address, in which he made known the inability of the church to meet the claims that were then urged against it, a resolution was offered and passed, to open a subscription list, instanter, for the purpose of raising the funds required. The readiness of those present to enroll their names upon the catalogue of contributors, was truly edifying. The following schedule will shew the result of the meeting. Charles A. Williamson, Esq...... Basil R. Spalding,..........

James W. Jenkins,..

.$100 00

$2,653 50

More than two thousand dollars of this sum were subscribed at the meeting, and nearly the whole sum has been paid. The pious liberality evinced by the donors on that occasion cannot be too much commended, and although the amount obtained is not sufficient to meet the actual wants that are pressing upon the church, it reflects a bright lustre upon the zeal of those who effected it, and, we have no doubt, will animate to the performance of the same good work, those persons whom circumstances did not permit to attend the meeting at Calvert Hall, or who have not yet been appealed to in behalf of the church.

On the 8th of May another meeting was held at the same place, for the purpose of establishing a sinking fund to diminish the debt of the church. Rev. Mr. White, rector of the Cathedral was called to the chair, and Outerbridge Horsey, Esq. elected secretary. After a few remarks by the president, in which he represented the financial condition of the Cathedral, the duty of the congregation to protect it as their property, and the necessity of unanimous action on their part, to give efficacy to any plan they might adopt, T. P. Scott, Esq. arose and in a very lucid and persuasive strain moved the establishment of a society with the following constitution:

I. This society shall be known and called, "The Society for the payment of the debt of the Catholic Cathedral Church of Baltimore."

II. The officers of the society shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer, and five directors. The reverend rector of the Cathedral shall, ex officio, be the president of the society; and the other officers shall be elected by the members annually at a meeting to be held on the first Monday of May in every year.

III. The society shall meet monthly at Calvert Hall on the first Monday of every month; and the board of managers shall report to the society at the monthly meetings held in February, May, August, and November in every year.

IV. Every person who shall subscribe his or her name to these articles, and pledge him or herself to collect and hand over to the board of managers the sum of two dollars at each monthly meeting, shall be considered a member of the association entitled to vote for officers.

V. The board of managers shall apply all of the monies collected and paid over to the treasurer, to the payment of the stock debt of the Cathedral as soon as practicable after its reception.

VI. The names of the contributors with the amount paid by each one, shall be published monthly in the United States Catholic Magazine.

The articles of the constitution were successively adopted, and about fifty-three individuals pledged themselves in writing, to produce two dollars at each monthly meeting of the association.

On motion, the following gentlemen were elected officers of the society for the ensuing year: Rev. H. B. Coskery, Vice President; 0. Horsey, Esq., Secretary; Charles A. Williamson, Esq., Treasurer; T. P. Scott, Esq., M. C. Jenkins, Esq., Basil R. Spalding, Timothy Kelly, Thomas C. Jenkins, Directors.

A meeting of the association will be held in Calvert Hall on Monday evening the 5th of June, when it is proposed to increase the number of directors to ten. The members of the Cathedral congregation and the Catholics of the city generally are invited to attend.

Colonization of Maryland.-This memorable event was duly commemorated on the 10th of May, by the Calvert Beneficial Society of Baltimore, whose extensive arrangements for the celebration evinced a high degree of patriotic fervor. The procession that had been contemplated was prevented by the inclemency of the weather; but in the evening the members of the society, with appropriate badges, and a large concourse of citizens, assembled at Calvert Hall, which had been suitably decorated for the

occasion, to hear the oration of the Hon. John C. Legrand. The address portrayed in lively colors the superior excellence of those great men who first raised the standard of civil and religious liberty on these shores; and the moral lessons which it conveyed seemed to be justly appreciated by the audience, who listened with profound attention to the speaker.

A similar celebration took place on the same day in Philadelphia. "Although the inclement weather," says the U. S. Gazette," had the effect of diminishing the audience, still there was a goodly gathering of people, who were well rewarded by the address delivered by Wm. George Read, LL.D. of Baltimore, of which we have only space to say this morning that it was marked throughout by lofty eloquence, enhancing the high reputation which his previous efforts in the city have produced.

Departure of Bishops.-The Rt. Rev. Drs. Purcell, Chabrat and Hughes, left Baltimore after the Provincial council, with the intention of embarking in a few days for Europe.

DIOCESS OF NEW YORK.-The new Catholic Church of St. Joseph's, was yesterday conse crated to the purposes of divine worship. The rites and services of consecration were performed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hughes, who delivered a discourse on the occasion, which was marked by the fluency and force which characterize that able prelate. This is the third church purchased or erected by Catholic congregations in Albany. There is besides a small congregation of French Catholics under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Imbert. St. Joseph's is situated on the corner of N. Pearl and Lumber streets, and is a commodious and handsome structure. It is sixty-six feet wide and ninety feet deep, and was erected almost exclusively, by the voluntary contributions of our Catholic citizens.-Albany Allas.

A new church is in progress of erection at Rochester.

DIOCESS OF PHILADELPHIA.-A large church is to be erected in Kensington for the German population of that district. The dimensions of the building are seventy-six feet front, one hun dred and fifty feet deep, with a steeple two hundred and twenty feet high from the ground.

The ceremony of laying the corner stone of a new church in the district of Moyamensing, took place on the 7th of May.

Another church is building at Towanda, Bradford county, Pa.

Pittsburg. St. Paul's is the grandest Catholic church in Pennsylvania. St. Patrick's, the ancient church, where the good O'Brien and the eloquent Maguire labored, contains a large con