The New York herald., 1868-03-23
II. Particles Cathedral.

The cathedral was densely crowded yesterday and
in consonance with the holy season Of Lent, pre-
sented grand and solemn appearance. High mass
commenced as usual at half-past ten O'Clock, the
Rev. Mr.. Mcclure 0ficiating as celebrant. The
Kyrie and Credo were the composition Of wofgram
and ron,io0ti with oil the excellent choral ac-
cessores required for their excellent production.
fine quartette, without accompaniment, occurs in
the Credo and was rendered most harmOniOusly by
the four principal artiststs in the choir, Madame
Chome (soprano), Mrs.. Werner (contralto) Mr..
Henry Schntz tenor, and Mr. Adolph Sohst (basso)
At the ofYertory delightful solo, Fac ut portens
from Rossini's Stabat Mater" requiring much exc
cutionary power and expression, was sung by Mad
ame Chome with great feeling and sympathy.
Blhlers ''sanctus, "Benedictus" and "Agnus Dei''
were also among the selections and were well per-
formed. Mr.. Gustavus Schmitz as usual, presided
at the organ. At the termination OF the first Gospel
the Most Rev. the Archbishop asccnded the pulpit
and preached q sermon, closing his text
from the sixth chapter of the Gospel Of
Sr,.; St. John, having M 81 reference to the great
five barley loaves and two small fishes to plentiful
supply for the five thousand people who had fol-
the Archbishop, will have the power attentively and
devOuy to enter into the spirit Of the present holy
minds practised seli-denial by fasting modification
and prayerwill not fail to he deeply impressed with
the holiness and the Rrandness and the soemnity OF
the great festivals that are approaching, and OF the
dispositions with which we should come to their
celebration The soemnity Of the passions and death
OF Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ dying upon the
cross for our redemption the festival OF his glorious
resurrection, his triumph over sins and the power
OF darkness and the dispositions with which we
should take part I'm these Observation-Disclosures
OF lively and earnest fath dispositions Of purity Of
soul-that we may worihily approach the
great feast which the divine Lord has prepared
for us in q special manner at this holy time, and
which He himself will Distribute to us, and which
Will he more precious and more miraculous than
that which He gave to the five thousand people who
were gathered around Him on the mountain and on
the desert through the act OF His divine power He
had told his apostles that the great festival day Of
type and emblem OF Himself, and the miracle which
He wrought was To have reference to that which was
the truth and reality OF the great pasch which he
came TO give tn the world. His Grace then proceeded
to dwell at length upon the great mystery OF the In
carnaton. Our Saviour died upon the cross, and
shed His blood for the remission Of our sins
and TO reconcile us TO his Eternal Father.
ana assembled to the right hand Of is E.erna Fathey
IN heaven. If that after He assembled into heaven
MS incarnation was 10 have no further realization
upon earth the great mystery would only remain as
grand historic fact occurring centuries ago, and
the recollection OF II would In the nature OF things,
grow fainter and fainter with each succeeding gene
ration But such was not the intention OF the Divine
saviour. That great act was never to lie ont that
great mystery was ever TO remain, for Ne said al am
AWays with you.N What words could express the
grandeur Of such mystery What heart could
speak the wondrous honor which God confers
condescendihg thus to give US Himself TO 70
provbe Tor the nourishment Of our souls
Ms own bedy and blood Unless We eat OF the fesh
have life IN yOn," but If we do eat OF His body
worthily; we shall live for ever AMI He will raise us
up on the last day. Such honor conferred upon
man was Tar beyond all that tks world could bestow
and conferred too upon the honor OF the human race.
the Catholic Church now calls upon the faithful to
approach tils holy communion and to prepare them
selves for It by worthy and devout sacramental
confesson IL Is for this reason that the Church at
this season DOW asks Catholics to multiply their re-
lgious exercises. She asks them TO come prepared
and 10 come In faith Our Lord aas given ne the
words OF eternal life:-fThis IL my body and
this Is my bDOd.n We believe them because
Christ himself has uttered them Then must
we bow down our reason, bow down our
Judgment and the pride Of our human hearts 10
Infinite and uncrring truth We muat approach
with faith and veneraton, not with that false
respect that prompts many. Let us go as prodigas.
with sorrowing and repentant hearts open to the
wi conviction Of our erring ways. The King OF
tngs and Lord OF Lords invites u.s. let ms approach
b, N as . worthy spirit. "Amen, amen, say, say
int y y0i, unless ye cat OF the flesh Of the OF
nan and drink his blood, you shall non have life I'm
ou. But whosoever shall eat Of this body and
i'm np' on the last day. Az the conclusion OF the
rchbls Wps discourse the service of the nigh mass
Gas proc eeded WIN, and terminated shor " after
"a Ivp o'c, Ock.