St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

Page 19 text:

BLESSIXG OUR SERVICE FLAG 17 the Rev. Joseph Riordan, S. vl. As the last note died away the Military lland of the 62nd Artillery Regiment, occupy! ing the spacious upper gallery, broke forth into the martial tones of the Stars and Stripes Forever march. lf ever brazen throated instruments have lent the charm of in- spiring music to a scene, and if ever a military hand has with rhythmic harmony made hearts beat quickly, it was on this occasion when the majestic temple vibrated with that full sonorous melody. Truly it was the grandest commingling of the military and the religious that the Catholics in San Francisco have ever witnessed. Now, down the middle aisle between the stately colon- nades on either side and past an eager and deeply im- pressed congregation, eight lchalcifclad soldiers, proud to perform such an office for their Alma Mater, carried the magnificent banner to the altar and draped it before the very door of the tabernacle. There it lay for all to behold, with red border. white field and blue stars, a significant Flag, bearing in its ample folds an eloquent tribute to the noble virility, the stead- fast devotion and the lively patriotism of the sons of St. Ignatius lvniversity. There were 378 stars in all, three of which were set in gold, telling the simple story of three lgnatians, who have already offered the last full measure of devotion. The honored dead are Charles R. lX'lcYey, a victim on the torpedoed Tuscaniag Xliilliam Lasater and George XY. Ross, both of whom died of disease, the latter across the seas in France, the former here in his own native city. The lgnatian of highest military rank, represented on the ll W is llrieadier-General Charles A. Mclfinstry, A. ll. '84, Zig, J he at the present time commanding a division of engineers in France. After the choir had intoned the l'Veni Creator, the Rev. Joseph Gleason, A.R. '87, pastor of St. Thomas'

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Meaning QDLI1' Swruire Elllag, On the evening of Nay 12, the crosses that top the fog- swept steeples of St. Ignatius' church were illuminated in all their brilliancy and shone forth in lofty, lucent majesty, significant to San Franciscans of a most unusual ceremony in the temple below. That ceremony was the blessing of the Service Iflag of St. Ignatius Univer- sity. Long before the appointed hour. the seats of the spacious church were Filled and people knelt rever- ently in the aisles. Magnificent and impressive, indeed, was the sight which they beheld, the green carpet- ing of the broad sanctuary. the im- maculate altar, tastefully decorated with red and white carnations and WILLIAM T. SWEIGERT blue Hag lilies, the vast dome above, brightly lighted and draped on either side with two large American Flags. .-Xt half past eight a procession emerged from the sacristy, passed before the altar rail and mounted the steps to places in the sanctuary. First, in order came forty acolytes, garbed in red cassocks and delicate lace surplicesl then followed a line of priests in cassock and surplicei lastly in full uniform marched two chaplains, the Reverend Father Moisant, chaplain at Camp Fremont, and Reverend Father McQuaide, chaplain at the Presidio, who was at- tended by two former Ignatians, Lieutenants Yincent IQ, llutler and Eugene Conway, also in uniform. Wvlien all had assembled in the sanctuary a specially augmented choir sang the beautiful hymn, God Illess Our Flag, the production of a former St. Ignatius pupil,

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13, THE IGNA TJAN church, Palo Alto, and National Chaplain of the Spanish- American VVar Veterans, ascended the pulpit. His address was phrased in the words of a real American and de- livered with a spirited eloquence and a fervid enthusiasm which reached the hearts of his hearers. He spoke of the distinguishing characteristic of a Catholics patriotism, his clear concept of a dual duty to God and to country. That is why, spoke Fr. Gleason, the Service Flag of St. Ignatius University lies here this evening, here where it should lie, at the foot of the altar of God. A musical number followed the sermon and then the ceremony of blessing the Hag was begun. Father Mc- Quaide with his two aides approached the altar and. stand- ing beside the Hag, sprinkled holy water upon the out- spread banner and invoked with most beautiful prayers the blessing and the protection of Almighty God upon the heroes represented on its starry field. Then, as tears filled the eyes of many onlookers, as just pride kindled in the eyes of students, alumni and faculty members, and as the majestic tones of the Star Spangled Tlannerw brought all to attention, the Hag was slowly raised to a place above the altar. A song, written specially for the occasion by Vincent VV. Hallinan, '19, and set to music by Professor Albert Schuh, was now sung by the choir. Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed and the magnificent and impressive ceremony of consecrating the Service Flag of St. Ignatius University concluded with an appropriate and heartfelt Laudate.