The New York herald., 1868-06-12
CORPUS CHRISTI.


Interesting Ceremonies at st. Joseph's
Cbursh-Conhrmation by the Archbishop
aud Dispensati0n Of the Eucharist to Over
Eight Hundred Persons.
Set apart by the Roman Catholic Church, that the
faithful might wholly apply themselves to the con-
sderation OF the wonders Of the solemn mystery the
Feast Of Corpus Christi was yesterday made the
occasion of OF the most imposing spectaces that
could be witnessed within the walls OF sacred ed-
fee. Intensely edifyng throughout and marked
with a significance that could not be mistaken the
religious services at st. JOsephs church, corner OF
Sixth avenue and Washington place were character
ised with soemnty that at once inspired
awe and reverence, well as feelings OF
sincere emotion, in the minds of the i'm
mense throng who congregated to behold
the proceedings. OF all the earnest desires and
eager anticipations Of the young Christian SOUL OF
all the devout lOngings and holy expectations that
possess his heart, none call forth such religious
anxiety or awaken such lively sentiments OF devo-
tion as the thought OF first communion. This was
the all-engrossng thought that has for some time
past engaged the minds OF the children or the extern
sve sch oos in connection with st. Joseph's church.
Under the careful superintendent OF the Sisters or
Charity and the Christian Brothers the collegiate
and religious instruction OF the boys and girls
Of the surrounding district are daily inn
parted with zeal and an assiduity which only
earn estness inspire. But for days past the
order Of the secular Xercises has been suspended
and preparations made to approach the holy sacra-
ment with all the requisite attributes of love,
ence and faith At nine O'Clock yesterday morning
the children assemb ed In the church and filled both
as.es OF the building. There was besides AuIner-
congregation in attendance, for the day being
strict holiday with the Roman Catholic Church few
seats were left nnoccupied. The Rev. Thomas
service Of the mass. and at the termina-
tion Of the first gospel delivered an elo-
om the % not leave T Orphans
and my delight Is to be with the children OF
men," The reverened gentleman adverted to the
great sOlemnity OF the occasion and the feelings
which should animate those approaching the holy
sacrament. They must live in Christ; for He was
the principle Of this life: He would strengthen them
against the dangers Of their corruption. Having
alluded to the everlasting benefits which the Saviour
e ne sS e
blessed sacrament. They must remember that the
end Of receiving Christ was not only to obtain tran
sient grace such would sancty them for the pres
ent, but to receive Him so efectually as to induce
Him to abide in them. They must 80 live in the
anxious desires and actions might be influenced and
governed by the spirit Of Christ He concluded by
o Gun sdem TO @ me e nSGe pans OF virtue
promote the glory OF God and secure for themselves
everlasting happiness The children approached the
altar and received their first communion with de-
vOtion and meekness truly imposing. An act OF con-
secratiOn to Jesus then read by Michael Mulroy,
one Of the participants and act Of conservation to
the Blessed Virgin by Thos. Holloway The exercises
were 1nterspersed with many sweet hymns, which
were ma tremendously rendered by the hundreds Of
beautiful, and inspired feelings OF devOutness to the
crowd OF spectators But there was yet another to
much preparation and regarded by the Roman
Catholic Church all important to the Christian-the
sacrament Of confirmation.
In the afternoon the church was again densely
crowded to its utmost limits Although four O'Clock
was the hour announced fer the commencement Of
the evening exercises every available seat was
taken possession OF long before that time.
The The galleries especially were filed to ex
vast cOncourse of persons had assembled
so that when the initiatory exercises proceeded
with egress to the building was next to Impossible
The aisles of the church presented pleasing
spectacle. Ranged on either slde-the females oc-
cupyng the one and the male portion OF the school
admiration as well as the respect Of the entire
gregation. The girls were decked In those gar
immemoral suggested the most fitting costume
for such religious occasions Each was dressed in
entwined wreath of fowers from which fell ven
of white gauze.. Gazing on the long array
their faces beaming with devotion. sweetness and
love- the very pictures OF innocence, they resembed
80 many cherubims In similar attitudes and spread
around them feelings OF deep emotion and reverence
for the Great Being whom they adOred. The boys,
too, presented O. very fne appearance. There was a
pleasing similarity in their attire, each displaying
neat rosette as well a ribbon on the and hav-
ing taper in his hand. Besides these there
were tSe NUMBER erTa oa aa%s AWAIT awaiting the sac
be conferred numbering about nine hundred
The altar was brilliantly Illuminated, and
gotten by those who witnessed It, The solemn peals
Of the organ now rose aoft sending thrill through
end Archbishop, attired in full robes preceded by his
secretary, Rev. Mr. McNierney, Rev. DR.. O'Leary and
in procession to the foot Of the altar After some
preliminary devOtiOns the Rev. Dr. O'Leary preached
a sermon upon the subject OF the renewal OF bap-
tismal VOWS, and adverted to the necessity and
great utility Of the sacrament Of confirmation.
The Most Reverend Archbishop then delivered
brief address to those about 70 receive the
sacrament. He referred to the descent Of the Holy
Ghost upon the apostles in Jerusalem and to the
great moral strength which they thereby received.
The Holy Spirit came from heaven with q sound
like the rushing OF q mighty wind and filed their
that the Hoiv Ghost descended mpon % them m in the
sacrament OF confirmation just as really and just
spiritually as He came upon the apostles The
ment which they were now about to receive would
strengthen them TO contend against the wicked ma
chinations of the world He eXhorted them to avoid
gers attendant on bad example, for he who would
lead another away from the performance OF his duty
nus Ss sed m e OS a
truth and virtue they would be strengthened to fight
the good fight Of Christ. They had been baptized and
that day had approached the holy Eucharist but the
dangers of this wicked world were strong and re-
quired strenuous efforts to overcome them. There
fore the sacrament Of confirmation was to strengthen
them In the faith which they had received and would
give them courage to make good soldiers In the
cause Of their religion I TIaey would never be afraid
upon 1t. He diated upon the great advantages
which the sacrament conferred. 1t would make
them perfect Christians all their lives and would
able them to obtain life everlasting. The Archbishop
was listened TO with the most profound attention,
and at the conclusion Of his address procession OF
those about to receive the sacrament was formed
around the aises Of the church, the males first and
females after: Each individually passed the altar
received the sacrament at the hands OF the Arch
bishop, who, dipping his fingers In the holy chrsm
and oil blessed on Holy Thursday, made the sign of the
the forehead OF the recipient, saying at the
same time, al sign You Ia the sign OF the cross and
] confirm you with the chrism Of salvation, in the
name of the Father and OF the Son and or the Holy
Ghost.n lie then gave each child q slight blow on
the cheek, saying "Peace be with yOu;" and the
chrism having been wiped Off by the assistant clergy
man the child Is dismissed. The procession was
most imposing and the appearance OF the recipients
was extremely devout. The musical selections
under the direction OF Mr.. Martini well rem