The Morning Star And Catholic Messenger

ST. ANNE'S CHURCH.

Having been so fortunate as to be among the number of the faithful who crowded this beautiful little Church at the midnight mass on Christmas, we cannot let the occasion pass without mentioning something concerning the celebration, while at the same time expressing our regret that it is not oftener our privilege to assist at such grand and imposing ceremonies.

The mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Hyacinthe Tumoine, Pastor, who was robed in the richest of gold vestments. The altars were exquisitely decorated with rare and beautiful flowers, from amidst which hundreds of lights gleamed; the whole presenting a most brilliantly beautiful scene.

The full choir was present, besides many of the leading amateurs of our city. Among others we noticed, Mrs. G. Curto, Mrs. C. Witham, Misses Amandine Wagner, Adrienne Guyol, Georgiana Dean, Laura Moreno, Delery, Tomes, Chanchon, Huant and Reno, and Messrs. Renaud Repetto, Isidore Rossi, Perat and Condoni. The singing was superb. The mass sung was Prof. G. Curto's grand mass of the Immaculate Conception. This is a sublime composition, chiefly remarkable for its religious sentiment. It is annually rendered in the Church of St. Eustache, Paris, and is admired by all lovers of church music.

The Canticle de Noel, by Miss Wagner was admirable. The powerful and splendid contralto voice of this lady could be heard distinctly in every corner of the Church. The Sanctus by Mr. Rossi was the gem of the mass and was magnificently rendered. The Regina Caeli, by Mrs. Witham; Qui Tollis, quintette, by Misses Guyol and Wagner and Messrs. Renaud, Rossi and Repetto; the Incarnatus Est by Miss Dean and the Dona Nobis by Miss Moreno, were all sung with the most excellent taste.

So well pleased was the Rev. Pastor that he complimented the choir from the altar in the highest terms, and many professional musicians who were present expressed themselves, after the Mass, in the strongest terms of praise.

We had almost forgotten to mention the fact, so well known, however, as scarcely to need repetition, that to Miss Theresa Cannon, the talented organist and leader, is principally due the fame of St. Anne's choir. To her energy and tact, occasionally aided by her splendid soprano voice, are we indebted for the exquisitely beautiful rendition of the Masses of the great masters at St. Anne's Church.

As an evidence of the zeal of the pastor as well as of the piety of the parishioners we may state that more than 400 persons received Holy Communion at St. Anne's Church Christmas morning. Truly priest and people are to be congratulated.