The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-03-22

=
...sA J. -.
of the congregation were harked,-be-
tween eighteen and nineteen hundred
communioas manifesting the practical par
ticipati0n Of the pe0pleoin tho devotaon.
OF these, about one Thousand fwero admin
istered ON st. Joseph's day, probably the
largest number ever witnessed in one church
and ON the same day in New Orleans, OF, it
may be, in the whole United States. Some
three'or four huniAed of these communi-
Giants were men, many Of them bron.ed with
exposure, hardened with toll, brave soldiers
in the battle of life, whose msnhood few
wenld care to dispute, yet mindful of the
wishes of the good Father, thousands OF
miles away, submissive to the a5inonitions
of the Church, and not ashamed to. sypw
their childlike faith and humility.ii s.ti,lls.ei
We have heard it remarked by good an
thmity that not more piety can be wit
among some Of the congregations of this
city, which.is usually 30 much condemned
for worldliness and religious Indifference.
The professions commencing and ter
minating the ceremonies. were extremely
imposing. First, came the Society of the
Children of Mary, consisting of girls who
have made their first communion and are
not yet above the age of sixteen. They
were tastefully dressed and crowned with
| wreaths. Then, the societies Of st. Alphon-
sus, and Of the Young Mems Catholic
numbers. All these in double lines, bearing
lighted candles, and accompanied by their
banners, made quite long and brilliant
procession in themselves. They were fol-
lowed by the Grand Cross, surrounded by
acolytes, then the boys of the sanctuary,
all with lighted tapers, q procession of little
| flower-girls scattering fragrant leaves and
| blossoms before the Blessed Sacrament as
they went, the incense bearers, the bell
ringers, and the venerable clergy and
brothers of the order. Then came the Most
Sacred Host, borne by the Rev. Father
Duffy, beneath the canopy. ..i
AS this long procession wound through
| the aisles of the church with its banners,
| it's long lines of blazing tapers, incense
burning, bells ringing, flower leaves scat
tering, the great cross borne aloft, the
| stately canopy, the blazing remonstrance,
| and withal the profound, solemn devotion
of the people, one could imagine himself re-
stored to the ages Of faith, to the harmO
NOUS days of n united Christianity
| AS the Sacred Host passed along, how
ever, the bowed heads, the hushed silence,
proclaimed the substance of worship the
same now as ever, though the forms might
| lack some of their elements of outward
splendor. As of old, there were many who
could look with the eyes of faith upon that
appearance of bread, and see the noble per-
son of the Son, tho beautiful countenance,
the mild, loving eye, the wounded hands,
outstretched in benediction. Many were
the simple hearts there that thrilled be-
meath the glance which they knew he fixed
upon them as he was borne along. Such
persons have no need of arguments for the
Real Presence, and they love PROFESSIONS.
After the conclusion of this beautiful cere-
mony, the iridium was terminated with the
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.