The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-06
MEausIzs elfEsGK CER{nsHns.


--~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
gNe Rase q Conarnasssa ~ New Ysrk ard
Canada
Annexed win he found an account Of the admins
tering Of this sacrament of the Catholic church, by
The Roman Catholic Bishop q Quebec. in one q the
churches of that city and on THURSDAY witness
cd this interesting ceremony In 81. Peters church,
Barclay street. which commenced at nine o'clock In
the morning and did conclude t twelve az noon.
A procession. probably consisting OF two hundred
boys and young men, fat entered the church, under
the direction Of priest who seated them in the
pews on the left OF the middle aisle they were all
neatly dressed, and conducted themselves with the
utmost decorum. Another procession followed, com.
posed of females chiefly young women. who must
have numbered two hundred and city aud who were
conducted to the pews the right a the ases by
nun, who was clad in black, while they with scarce
An exception dressed in the purest white, wear
ing wells Of the same color, thrown over the head,
thus displaying to considerable advantage number
OF decidedly pretty faces.
The Archbishop, carrying his pastoral crook and
wearing his mitre, and beautifully embroidered
cloak soon after entered the chancel, accompanied
bv his priests and attendants who after wing pros
trated himself at the altar, delivered brief and ap-
proprate address to the candidates before him. in
which he reminded them that they had been in
structed to the nature and efficacy OF the sacra
ment which they were about to receive which, by
the imposition Of hands and by prayer would render
them consistent Christians and devoted soldiers Of
Jesus Christ, who had devised it as means by which
that supernatural strength is obtained that comes
from Gcd, and which, if they faithful would en-
able them to make corresponding display Of their
hut o;r f,fp
maintain, and, if necessary to die for it-and which
required the aid Of God Hence the rite Of conirma-
ton, which the Saviour has appointed, in which the
Holy Spirit is communicated to the recipients.
He trusted, he said, they were fully prepared for
its reception; and, having received il, he advised
them to Let this be the commencement of life in &C.
cordance with what is due to God. He enjoined
them to be attentive to religion-to be on their
guard against bad society, and by prayer and con-
fession. to prepare themselves for the holy commu-
MON; and to become what the sacrament Of confirm
alton was meant to make them-true and perfe:t
Christians and faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ He
concluded by urging them, during the time in which
it would be administered to be collected as posi-
BILE; and desired that God would Gil their hearts with
his presence while partaking Of the sacrament which
was to follow They were then commanded to kneel,
while o brief service took place at the altar.
The Archbishop having taken his seat in front of
the altar, the boys advanced. two of them at time,
kneelng before him. and delivering their tickets to
priest on each side. The Archbishop having con-
armed them in the usual manner the priests applied
the sacred OIL and they retired to make for the
others, who followed in succession. Then came the
females who advanced in procession down the aises.
During the performance Of this ceremony, some chill
dren in the organ-loft sang appropriate hymns in
the most simple and happy style. The Archbishop
then returned to the altar, and resumed the appro
pirate services.
These being finished, two young girls, wearing a
wreath of flowers round the head-the first who
were confiYmed-advanced to the foot OF the altar,
each bearing lighted taper, while fine boy appa-
renty about twelve years of age stationed between
them read short address in behalf OF the other
candidates. expressive of gratitude to God for his
mercies. referring to the new obligations which they
had assumed, and asking pardon of God for any
offences of which they might have been guilty, and
of their pastors parents, tutors and companions,
For any misconduct on their part OF which the for
ner had reason to complain, and promising to live
h future ON terms Of amity with their neighbor5.
The Archbishop, having robed himself in the habi-
Iments of priest. proceeded to celebrate mass; at
the conclusion Of which, those who had been con-
6rmed knelt in front Of the railng-the boys and
men first, and afterwards the femaes-when the
second communion administered by the Arch
bishop assisted by of the priests each recipient
receiving piece Of consecrated bread-al making
their obeisance as they retired from the altar.
The Archbishop having disrobed, all the priests re-
tired except one, who advised the communicates to
return nome unmedlAtely after leavlng the cnurcn,
and to behave with the utmost decorum their way
thither Immediately after which the congregation
dispersed, and those who had just been confirmed
left in the same order they entered. Among these
were number of elderly persons 1t will be observed
that the recipients of the rite of mature
age than those who partook Of it at Quebec and the
ceremonies ofthe day differed from those observed at
st. Roche, the candidates at st. Peters Church hav
ing been confirmed before receiving the second COM
munion, while at the former they took the second
communion before being confirmed; but in no par
ticuar the proceedings the present occasion
less interesting less calculated to excite the most
delightful emotions, to awaken solemn feelings, to
purify the heart.
OUR QUEBEC CORRESPONDENCE.
QUEBEC, May "a, 1853.
The Roman Catholic Church in Canada-Fvs and
Second Communion and Rite of Confirmation
Contented and Comfortable Circumstances Of the
Peo1se-Di6erem Course Pursued by the British
Government scitR Reference to Canada and Ire.
land, &c.
About month since the first communion was ad-
ministered to large number Of young people-pro-
baby eight or nine hundred-at the Roman Catho-
lie church in st. Roche's suburbs, and also in the