Mass for Lady Stafford in Philadelphia

Source: The Catholic Mirror, December 27, 1862, p. 2

Solemn Requiem--On Monday morning last, Right Reverend Bishop Wood celebrated a Solemn Mass, at the Cathedral Chapel, for the peaceful repose of the soul of Lady Elizabeth Stafford, whose death, in England, we recorded in our number for December 6. . . . (Four priests officiated, and a number of Seminarians from both Maryland and Pennsylvania were present.) . . . . The altar was draped in black, and in front of it, in the central aisle, was erected a catafalque, flanked by burning tapers. At the conclusion of the service, the Right Rev. Bishop addressed a few words to the congregation on the character of the deceased, and on her liberality towards the Theological Seminary of the Diocese.
He said that the Scriptures enjoined us to pray for the dead. We do pray for the dead as a duty of charity, for it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for them, that they may be loosed from their sins. We may also pray as a duty of gratitude, and such it was in the present instance. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass had been offered up for the repose of the soul of Lady Elizabeth Stafford, a granddaughter of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, one who stands in the first rank among American Catholics. While yet in health, with more than usual wisdom, she gave what she intended to give, not trusting to a will, that, after her death might be set aside or nullified. She gave it as a free girt, without any solicitation, inspired, no doubt, to do so by God, and piously corresponding with His inspiration. The gift consisted of a large tract of land in the southern part of the diocese of Pennsylvania. She dedicated it to the service of St. Charles' Theological Seminary, and from it, after the lapse of a few years, the Rt. Rev. Bishop hoped to derive many benefits.
He had the pleasure of seeing Lady Stafford when last in Europe. She was a perfect model of a good Christian lady; humble as a child, and full of respect and veneration for the Church and its ministers. Patient to the last degree under her sufferings from the debilitating chronic disease that terminated her life, she received him, although suffering from the effects of the disease, with a smiling welcome. She was glad to see one from the seat of her benefaction; she was glad to hear of the progress of the Faith in the country of her birth. As a benefactress, he thought it not just to her memory, but to her soul, that a Mass should be solemnized for her eternal repose.