The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1868-05-29
THE ST. JOSEPH SOCIETY.
Reception of New Flag-The Cere-
monies of Blessing It-Some Ac-
I count of the Society.

Reception of New Flag-The Cere-
monies of Blessing It-Some Ac-
count of the Society.
The ceremonies attending the reception of
new flag by the German Catholics of this
city, were observed on Thursday of last week.
It was an interesting occasion to those en-
gagged, as well as to mere lockers on.
+. THE ST. JOSEPH SOCIETY.
This is an association of men, married and
single organized by the Rev. SERArH BowEs,
Pastor of the st. Joseph (ostholic) Church,
for the purpose of mutual assistance and pro-
lection; The promotion of the well-being of
the st. Joseph congregation, being the
special watchmen of its veal or woe; the
pecuniary auxiliary for more particular i'm
provements in, or outside, the Church; and
above all for special bond and incentive for
the most faithful discharge of the christian
duties by the members, keeping them away
from contagious occasions, making them
sober, industrious, good fathers, good young
men, etc, in imitation of their patron, st.
Joseph, Ohrist's foster-fatber. For obtain
ing these ends no inspirations of religion are
left unapplied; among the rest the Society
prepare twice year-on st. Joseph's Day,
March 18th, and the festival Of the patronage
of,St. Joseph the Sd Sunday after Easter
to receive holy communion, and in body
with their badges-the picture of st. Joseph
on their breast-they approach the table of
the life-giving bread on those days. The
Society has its constitution and laws, its
stated meetings its regular officers, and. in
a word, all the complement of organism.
THE FLAG.
The Flag was made in Munich, Bav aria.
1t is of very rich Damask, (silk) of red
color. Two oil paintings-one representing
st. Joseph with the child Jesus, the other the
Blessed Virgin Mary--decorate its two Sides
with the superscription on one side, "St. !
Josephs Society, Fremont, O." The gold !
borderings, the fringes, tassels, cross, flag
staff, etc., are of the highest finish. The
cost all included, amounts to $3.50 90. It
would cost $3.50 90, but being for church
it came into the country duty free.
ITS BLESSING.
This ceremony took place on Ascension
Day, May 2lst. The Pastor s. Bower, ac-
cOmpanied and assisted by Rev. o OMAHoNEY,
of Bellevue, and Rev. GUN, of Fremont, in
the character of Deacon and Sub-Deacon, re-
ceived the Society at their place of meeting,
the school-house, and escorted them to the |
church, where, on high platform in front
Of St. Joseph's Altar, the Flag was blessed
by the Pastor, surrounded by the officers of
the Society, with the grand forms of the
Catholic ritual, witnessed in this instance for
the first time by most of the audience.
away, the sermon on the significance Of the
Flag, and on the history of the same, was
preached by Mr.. Bower, from jeremiah, ch.
iv. v.6.
At the conclusion Of the sermon the Flag
was presented to the Society, and in this
solemn moment all the members rose, lifted
up their right hand and under their sacred
standard made the following promise and
resolution in loud voice:
Under this my standard, (each one speak
ing for himseif) promise and vow to be a
faithful son of st. Joseph my patron; to OBJ
serve all the laws and orders of the Society
as true member and to do my might for
the best of the Society. Ipromise and VOW,
in imitation Of st. Joseph, to fulfill all my
christian duties most zealously in spirit end
iu action, before my conscience and before
the world. l promise and vow to be an or
nament to the st. Joseph's Congregation and
to promote with zeal its good. promise and
belong as true combatant to the chosen
soldiers of Jesus Christ. will be an enemy
unto His enemies and a friend unto His
friends. For the glory of the Gospel and my
holy mother, the Catholic Church, will
henceforth attach myself to the watchful
ranks of the specially selected hosts of the
defenders of the cause of Jesus Christ. So
help me in this resolution the grace of God
and the paternal protection of st. Joseph.
Amen.
The procession was then organized and
after moving around the Public Square, past
the court House and back into the Church,
a solemn Levitical High Mass was celebra-
ted, during which the Society received Holy
Communion. After such impressive cere-
monies and inspiriting resolves, all returned
home, let us hope, with purer hearts and
holier purpose.