The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-05


THE BISHOP OF TEXAS PREsENr-LARGE ATTEND
AsCE. e ad
We take the following from the Thibodaux Sem
tinel of the I'd: rr "a ~.
Tuesday, the 2sth day Of April, 1868. having
been set apart for the religious ceremony, at st.
Joseph,s Catholic Church, Thlbodaux, over the
relics Of st. Valera, and ample preparations hav-
ing been in progress for several weeks TO render
il the most imposing demonstration Of the kind
ever Witnessed in Louisiana, the day was awaited
with anxiety and pleasure by all our people. >.
The merchant closed his store, the mechanic
his shop, the business man his Office that every
one could participate In and enjoy the ceremonies
of the occasion. The morning was ushered in
with heavy shower Of rain; accompanied by
thunder, which continued until Z o'clock. when
the clouds began to disperse, and in couple Of
hours the sun shone out bright and clear.
At an early hour those who we're to take part
in the ceremonies began to proceed toward the
church, some on foot, others IN bugges. ambu.
lsnces and such conyeyances as could be procured
for the moment.
At eight o'clock the yard in front of the church
commenced filing, and the committees Of arrange
ment and reception were kept busy In seating the
ladies from q distance, who were without pews.
At half past eight the favorite steamer Nina
SHINES landed In front Of the church with nearly
five hundred passengers whom she had brought
from New Orleans, the coast parishes, Donaldson
vile, and the landings on the upper Lafourche.
On her roof was q splendid band OF music from
New Orleans, which had come TO enhance the en-.
joyment Of the passengers, and to assist In the
Ger emony at the church. Flat boats from above
and below Thibodaux, came in loaded with ladies'
and gentlemen eager to witness the proceedings
of the day.
The 1850 seats in the ample edifce were soon
occupied by ladies, whilst the large aisles aud
vacant places were filed with gentlemen stand
ing, in one compact mass, the wings of the church
being reserved for the different societies partci.
patiDg in the services.
On each side of the church. extending right aud
left. were six columns enyeloped with magnolia
leaves, and connected by wreaths OF srbor vitae.
Between the central ones on either side were the
words "sancta Valera, )" tastefully decorated,
whilst from the top of the cupola foated an ele-
CANT flag bearing the name Of the church" st.
JOseph." The interior of the chureh-lstely
altered and improved-was one royal scene Of
beauty and splendor, combining all the inventive
talent of the interchangeable pastor and the ex.
quisite taste and ingenuity OF the fair devotees Of
his flock. The splendid paintings illustrating the
Road Of the Cross" the numerous chandeliers,
the various emblems and decorations. presented
at glance scene Of oriental magnficence, the
description Of which is far beyond our abilities.
At 8 O'Clock the sound of the bell and the
music of the choir announced that the religious
ceremony appropriate to the occasion was begun,
and the various societies commenced fling in by
the central door, and taking the different positions
assigned them. followed by the shrine containing
the relic of Saint Valeria, which deposited in
the center OF the church, on a stand handsomely
decorated with floral wreaths, followed BY tram
Of priests the bishop Of Texas and the venerable
and sdored Archbishop 0dn. The religious SER
vices then began, during which time the audience
was favored with a sermon In French by the
venerable and eloquent Able Perche, and 10 Eng
lisb by the impressive and earnest Father Chalon.
The procession was then formed in the follow
ing order, and passing out through the central
aisle, proceeded to the grove In the rear OF the
church.
/. The banner of St. Valera followed by fifty
young persons-clothed in white, with gsrlands-
Who had recently received their first communion;
tv cnty Of whom carried orfdDaraes or small ban
ne Of silk of various colors and divers emblems
and inscriptions.
q The banner Of the Immaculate Conception
accompanied by more than forty small girls from
five to eight years Of age, clothed in white, with
blue ribbons and garlands, number carrying
small banners and wreaths.
3. The banner Of the Children Of Mary" Of
Paincourtville, followed by the delegations from
Pancourtville and Labadieville.
4. The banner Of the Children Of Mary Of the
parish Of Assumption, accompanied By Q large
delegation.
5. The banner Of the Children Of Mary Of ThIb-
odaUx, attended by large delegation. In their
ranks was magnificent throne supporting Q statue
OF the Virgin, whilst many carried rich and ele-
CANT orffdmmes. ~ Il
b A deputation Of q dozen orphan girls from Don.
aldsonviile followed this banner.
6. The banner of Mount Carmel Convent, fol-
lowed by the nuns and their pupils, bearing the
of the saints.
Il The banner Of the ladies' OF the Benevolent
Society of Paincourtyie, with q numerous dele
CATION from that place and Labadeviiie.
8. The bsDner Of the ladies of the Benevolent
Society Of Thibodaux, with q large delegation,
followed BY the ladies Of this and the adjoining
.. The banner of the Society Of 81. Joseph, from