The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-05-03
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY, NAY 3. lse'

In the C0ufCa 81 ~, salvatore all Is pro-
foundly dark, save in the chapel ON the left,
whore the blessed Sacrament has been de,
posited in the Sepulchre until the terrible
day be over which witnessed the death
agony Of the Sch Of God. That side chapel
is decorated ON all sides Nith beautiful
plants and aowers, and illuminated with q
mul6tude of tapers. There two figures are
kneeling, motionless and absorbed in prayer
One BY one the Franciscan monks, wearied
with their long fast and the terrible penan-
ces Of the night before, have disappeared
through the side door which leads into their
dormitory. Still the two watchers kneel
on. They are women. The one still young,
dressed in deep widows mourning the other
older, and bearing on her face traces of still
deeper suffering, yet with an expression of
peace which spoke of that suffering having
been accepted for the love of Him who sent
it. Six years ago this lady, the Marauise
de -, of noble and even royal blood, had
come, like her young English companion,
as stranger and pilgrim to erusalem, and
there felt the irresistible attraction which,
in spite of its mOurnfulness and desOlation
binds every heart to the Holy City. She
found likewise that there was great work
for any woman to do who was willing to de-
vote herself to such life the work of
st. Paula, to assist in receiving and looking
after the female pilgrims, who, ut Christmas
and Easter tides, flock by hundreds to the
Casa Nuova to have the care of the affairs
the linen and vestments, decorations, etc.
This loving watcher by our Lords body
at last rose, -and-tO touching her companion,
said softly: my child, you must come
and rest remember tomorrow morning."
The two women Left the church reluctantly.
and threaded their way up the steep and
marrow street to the Casa Nuova, where,
bowing their heads to the God be with
YOU IN of. the Spanish monk who let them
through the heavy nailed door, they walked
H. 49, Al
corridor to the two cells set apart for their
uses
Five hours later the same women, closely
yelled and carrying q lantern, were toiling
painfully down the rugged and slippery
street which leads through the bazars to
the other side of the city
FROM thence they preceded, with still
swifser steps, under the arch, passed the
gate Of the Convent of the Pere Ratisb0n,
where the Files de Sion have established
their admirable orphanage, and so on to the
postern-gate in the wall which admitted
them to the court yard of the Church of the
His Royal Higbness has not yet arrived"
said the lay brother, as he unbarred the
door; but he will not long tarry. 1t is
just four o'clock"
So saying, he usl,ered the ladies into the
clOister. and then into the church, where
the only light was thrown on the column of
the Flagellation, that terrible monument of
mans impiety and the long suffering of God.
In q few moments the door again opened,
and admitted q man still young, of noble
and aristoeratie bearing, followed by two
ecclesiastics and two other gentlemen,) who
advanced in front of the column, and push
ing aside the cushion placed for him, knelt
ON the ground in long and fervent alteration.
An exile from his country and his kingdom,
this royal pilgrim had come, in earnest faith
and deep humility, to visit the scenes of his
Saviourss sufferings and death. Bare-headed
he had walked from the city gates, on his
first arrival, to the Church of the Holy Sc
-pulchre, discarding all pomp and retinue,
and compelling the Pacha, who had come
bareheaded likewise by his side, behind the
symbol of mans redemption. And in the
same spirit he had chosen this early hour to
follow unnoticed, and almost alone, the
footsteps of the Lord he loved SO WE'LL in
that awful Via DolOrosa which witnessed
the most touching portion of His Passion.
The solemn service began. Commencing
with the Pretorium of PLATE, where the
terrible sentence was pronounced, the little
band of worshipers followed the sacred and
sorrowful path down the steep hill, kneel-
ing at the different stations, needless of the
mud, while the low chant of the "Stabat
Mater" echoed through the deserted streets.
The day was just breaking when they ar
rived at the House of Mary, from whence
the Mother of Sorrows hurried forth to
meet her Divine Son.
At the House (so-called) of Veronica a
little interruption occurred from file of
camels passing along the narrow and ILL
paved street but their drivers, with skill
and care, made them avoid the kneeling
figures. With all their bigotry and hatred
of the Christian faith, the Turks have an
instructive reverence for every outward eX-
preston of devotion.
At the Seventh Station a bazar had been
built across the Via Dolorosa, which COM
pels the pilgrims to make detour through
the remains of what was once the Hospice
OF the Knights Fclni,lirs, in order to arrive