The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-24
Celebration OF the Fea't of Corpus Christi at
st. MartiHsvIIie, La.

From the St MartiDsvile Courier of the Teche
At about O'Clock, after vespers on sunday
eve nng the procession issued from the front
door OF the church, preceded by large silver
cross, shining brightly IN the light of the declin-
ing sun. Following the cross, and walking in
two files, were twenty-fOur young ladies', at
whose head was one of their number, selected,
no doubt, on account of her unrivaled beauty
and the majesty and dignity Of her looks and ap
pearance, TO be the standard-bearer of the occa-
ii. n. The banner which she carried in her soft
hands in front of the procession was made of
silk, and its field Of deep blue was bedecked
with numerous silver stars. Four young ladies',
a. aids to the stsndard-be yleing with each
oher in grace and beauty, and yielding to none
but heir chief in elegant majesty, SUPPORTED the
banner with four skv blue eOrdOns attached TO
each one of its corners. All we're dressed in
spotless white, with long white wells flowing to
their feet
Next came three little boys, holding shep.
herds crook, dressed like the infant ST. John the
Baptist IN the Jewish shepherds costume, attired
10 short dress OF light blue, which descended
scarcely down to their knees, naked down to the
waist, Snd having blue scarf tired transverselg
across their bodies from right shoulder to left
hip. They were bare he sded and shOd with
jew ish sandals. Right in their footsteps marched
a d. zen boys carrying each an OrtdHlnle of a
different color from that OF bis nsigbbOr, preced.
ing two flies OF young girls, all dressed in most
in mac uate white garments, whose duty II was 70
SIZED flowers, from small baskets, upon the path
t. be uOdoen by the priest carrying the holy
sacrament
Overloaded by a richly ornamented canopy,
which was supported by four young men, carrying
~ his hands the Holy Eucharist, which he held
elevated, so ss to expose II 10 the view OF the
whole cODcCurse OF people assembled the
esteemed and venerated pastor of the parish,
wi h his head bare and his hOary locks glirtering
in the rays of the setting sun, walked sOlemoy
behind the procession. On both sides of the
csDopy, and n body guard 60 the officiating
minister, were the members Of the newly organ.
lied Ere company IN complete uniform. Tney
presented a very fine and orderly appearance.
During the whole time that the procession lasted
they made it their duty to preserve order, and TO
prevent confusion from persons who did their
hest 20 cOngregate in crowds in front of the pro-
cession. They mostly young men in the
prime of manhood, whom we know will do their
duty when the time comes. We have known
them, on a different occasion, TO be just as ready
TO "hre." as they will be READY to extinguish a
ire, if ever need be.
AS large a crowd Of persons as we have ever
Witnessed here on a like occasion, assembled
from different parts of the parish marched in the
ear of the procession.
The proce ssion halted first 10 front Of one OF
the repositories which had been erected at few
hundred feet from the church. This tabernacle.
though small, was pat up with exceeding good
taste. There We were struck with tue appear.
ance of young girl about twelve years DID, rep.
re, entpg the repentent Mary Magdalen. She
was the very picture of honest sorrow aud sin
cere repentance, as she sat at the foot Of the
altar her uxuriant hair flowing ueggently about
her person, her beautiful eyes and cheeks bearing
the traces of recent tears clad in gray sack.
cloth, and looking down in humble alteration upon
the figure OF the cruciied Savior standing in front
Of her.
Proceeding down Main street the second re-
pository could he in The distance, looking up
Ike fresh habitstion, made up entirely Of green
foliage and Of wresths Of flowers interlaced
shal A fha pcgiO mad u
front Of the picturesque spot, the interior conld
be seen sparkling with myrads Of lights. Two
beautiful little girls, six or seven years old.
dressed in robes of white, with spread wings,
representing two fair beings of the world above,
stood on each side of the altar. In point Of
simplicity, united TO symmetry and elegance this
repository could scarcely have been exceed.
After having received the benedction Of the
Holy Sacrament at this and the preceding one,
the procession. forming through st Martin street,
then parsed through Port and Bayou streets, made
its third halt at the repository which had been
built on the spot where once stood the bridge de-