The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-04-12

MONIES. ana now Truly solemn ANU saucct-
ing are those ceremonies! The Church,
commencing on Palm Sunday, accompanies
it's Divine Founder in his triumphal entry
into Jerusalem, and never leaves Him Hntil
Calvary has lifted Him Oh high for the de-
rision of tickle multitude, and His mangled
body has been left with the shadows of death
around it. Even then, she weeps at the
scaled entrance of His tomb.
The Church is frequently reproached with
an undue reverence for the saints. The
honors which she pays them, simply be-
cause they have been pleasing to God, and
which are thus referred to God himself, are
construed as idolatrous by those who do
not, or VIII not, see the motive OF this re-
spect. But during the whole week, which
we have just completed, the Church devotes
her attention directly and exclusively to
the Saviour himself. She cOmmemOrates
every event, dwells upon every Incident,
and re-cnacts every scene of His Sacred
Passion. Here, ut least, we might expect
her critics, those who are-eonsumed with
zeal for the house of God, to vie with her,
nay, to outstrip her in devotion to the In
carnate Son. But, strange to say, they take
no notice whatever of these thrilling passages
in the history of their Master; they leave
Him for sympathy and commemOratiOn
wholly in the hands of those whom they
brand as idolators. So great is their horror
of an indirect homage that they overlook
the opportunity of direct worship.
THE REPOSITORIES.
The various churches that we visited ON
Maundy Thursday had their repositories
beautifully and tastefully adorned. Flowers
and lights and rich ornaments beautified
the side affairs where the Sacred Host was
preserved for the Office of Good Friday, and
where it received the alteration of the faith
full, who came in crowds for that purpose.
This side altar aud It's surroundings is
always in striking contrast with the general
character of the sacred ediice, stripped of
every ornament, clothed with the garments
of sorrow, and presenting the general ap-
pearance of desolatiOn appropriate to
the season. The Church cannot forbear
stepping aside for brief period from the
sad road that leads to Calvary to give ex
preston to her joy at the institution of the
great Sacrament of Love.
The crowds of faithful who go from one
Church to another to worship at the differ
ent affairs may be supposed to make amends
| for the negligence of the three chosen
! Apostles who slept while their Master
agonized. 1t is a beautiful custom in some
of our own churches to watch throughout
the night of Mandy Thursday, in silent
alteration before these holy repositories.
AT any hour of the night passer-by, should
he choose to enter, would see the altar
blazing with candles ever renewed, and
note the kneeling figures of the sleepless
worshipcrs.
We believe that we do but justice when
we say that to ST. Patrick's Church belongs
the honor of having introduced this piOus
custom among us. To the Conference OF
st. Vincent de Paul, of that parish, was as
signed the sacred trust of making the vigil
and now, SO far as we know, in every churcl
where that society has a conference, thi,
holy watch is kept, chiefly confided to theil
devotion.
RI THE CATHEDRAL.
The Most Rev. Archbishop officiated il
person at the Cathedral on Holy Thursday
The services were very long, including a
f they did the blessing of the holy oils, ant
1 the procession of the blessed sacrament t,
T the repository. We were glad to see tina
the health and strength of our venerable
4 prelate permitted him to undergo the fa
=, tigues of the occasion. The ceremonie
1 lasted nearly three hours, and as there wa
t no sermon and very little music, the exer
ton on the part of the chief. actor in tia
scene was almost uninterrupted.
c THE TENEBR.E.
These impressive offices were not neg
r lected by the devotion of the faithful in tn,
various churches. Consisting principal,