The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-23
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY. AUGUST 49, 1868.
Communicated
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION AT BAY ST. LOUIS.

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION AT BAY ST. LOUIS.
Editor Morning Star and Catholic Messenger:
DEAR SIR-Anythin relating to the sub
lime faith of our Holy Church, know,
must be acceptable to yourself, individually,
as well as to your numerous readers. Here,
in this beautiful watering place, SO rich in
natural scenery, we had, yesterday and to-
day, the sublime ceremOr les of religion, to
cast halo of grandeur over all, as the eye
of faith assembled from the beauties of ma
ture to natures God.
The eve of the Assumption was ushered
in by the introduction into the Church of
children born out of the fOld-One young
lady, Miss Helen Hurlbut, from Handsboro',
and two brothers, the one aged ten, but
with the intellect of fifteen, and the other
fine young man about sixteen, the sons of
Capt. Taylor, of Mobile, who himself, if not
already baptized and now Catholic, is I'M
der instructions.
The ceremony of baptism was performed
by the Jealous pastor, Father LeDuc, who
administered it in the most imposing man
ner, explaining at every step the nature of
the ceremony, SO that they might fully un
derstand the meaning of each, and the re-
sponsibility imposed. The writer of this Ut
you will pardon the allusion to himsclD had
the privilege of standing godfather to one of
the boys, and from the intelligence and
good dispositions manifested, had every
reason to be proud of his Godson. The ear
nest, and might add, affectionate zeal evil
dent in the reverend pastors administra-
ton, his instructions, so ardently given, the
whole scene, in fact, was one of the most
impressive imaginable. These young gem
tlemen are pupils of St. Stanislaus's Acade
my, SO indebted to the popular director,
Brother OdOn, who leaves no opportunity
pass of adding to the spiritual and temporal
welfare of his students.
Every year, this college adds fresh mem
bers to the faith, and the Sisters of the con-
vent here join in the same holy work.
Father Hubert, Of the Jesuits' Church, in
here, was indefatigable in his exertions
during the week in aiding the pastor to
prepare the children for their first cOmmu-
MON to-day. This was the grand feast so
much looked for and that was to add addi
: tional lustre to the occasion.
At early dawn rIin-stOrm ushered in
the day, but soon the sun broke out and
left the roads and pathways as bright and
clean as though the showers were sent to
prepare the way for the coming procession.
At six o'clock, the boys attired elegantly in
black jackets and white pants, with white
rosettes on arm, marched in order under
the charge of the Brothers and Director to
the church, where, already, the girls and
young ladies under the charge of the nuns
were assembled.
The church was crowded to the galleries,
the pastor celebrating mass, and Father
Hubert directing the young communicates,
instructing them and praying with them
till the happy moment of receiving Thirty
four boys and thirty six girls made their
first communion. / will not stop to speak
of the simple beauty of the Jesuit Fathers
instructions. appealing to mind and heart
in terms suitable to their capacity. And
here might be seen a beautiful illustration
of the Divine teachings of the Catholic
Church, which recognizes, in the dispensing
of her sacred mysteries, no distinction of
race or color, for not the least devout of
this happy band, nor the least cared for,
were the dusky- skinned descendants of
Africa's cline, male and female.
Oh, We loyal abolitionists and advocates
of the black mans race, say, where were
you when the Church was doing, as she did
to-day, long ages ago, before your prOgeni-
! tors ever saw the land of the free, ETC., say,
where were you, thenq Echo answers
Wheref
Yes, white and black, guided by the same
sacred hand of Gods own ministers, and
objects of the same loving care, knelt at
the same altar and received their God from
their common mother-the Church, which
enrolls on her glorious calendar of saints
the children of every race, country, and
cline. One glance at the children, as they
knelt, holding lighted wax candles, hand
somely ornamented; the dark dress of the
boys, relieved by the snowy white wells and
dresses of the girls; the spirit of devotion
manifested in their composed, respectful
looks; the wreaths that adorned the heads
of the girls, who appeared to the eye of
faith as so many young virgins prepared for
the nuptial feast of their Lord; the affecting
and pathetic chants of the French sisters;
the brilliant blaze of the lights on the altar,
the subdued and happy countenances of the
devout congregation who, to the number of
three hundred, went to holy communion,
after the first communicates; all, say, was
a sight that filled the Catholic heart with
emotions that the worlds joys can never
give.
After concluding address from Father
Hubert, the first communion celebration,
ever to be remembered with feelings of re-
ligious pride by the jealous Fathers and the
congregation, was accomplished. There
must have been about five hundred at mass
Many carriares were in whiting There