The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-01-03
LETTER FROM MOBILE.
MOBILE, Dec. 80, 1868.

MOBILE, Dec. 30, 1868.
Your Mobile correspondent, having written
last on December LIST, suddenly collapsed. The
religious doings Of the month"; though interest
ing and important, failed to rouse him from his
.lethargy, and this present budget, though rath-
er full one, will, he fears, scarcely compensate
for u regular fortnightly summary OF current
events.
At the date of my last, the Provincial Coun-
Gil was being held in New Orleans, with what
result we shall soon know, and on the 9Th
Bishop Quinlan returned to Mobile, accompa-
MED by Bishop Fitzgerald, of Little Rock. The
latter distinguished his stay in Mobile by being
ever ready to assist our own Bishopi in laboring,
+" in season and out of season." On the morrow
of his arrival here he preached an eloquent ser
mon in the Cathedral; two days after on the
feast of the immaculate Conception. at the Con
vent of the Visitation, he conferred the white
veil on Miss Daniel, now Sister Antonio, and
accepted the solemn VOWS of Miss Burns, prevl-
ously called in religion Sister Mary OF the Sa-
cred Heart. On the following Sunday he sang
the Pontifcal High Mass at the Cathedral, and
he employed the interim in visiting the College,
the Convent, the various religious institutions,
attending lectures, sometimes lecturing himself,
etc. In word his kind, courteous and gentle
manly manners SO impressed the Catholics of
Mobile that they all, priests as well as people,
We'd with each other in paying attention to a
prelate as distinguished for his varied accom-
plishments as he is for his youth. Gle is only
"a years old, probably the youngest bishop in
America.)
Meanwhile, our own Bishop was by means
at Montgomery before he left for New Orleans,
he had scarcely returned thence when he was
obliged to commence anew, and on the 9Th he
delivered, in st. Patricks new schools, an adj
dress on the Music and Poetry of Ireland"
The audience, though it comprised Bishop Fitz-
gerald, and all the priests of the diocese, was
necessarily limited, as it was confined to the
members of reading society lately established
by F. Brown. However, so beautiful was the
lecture, and so appreciated by the hearers, that
the members of ST. Patrick's Society unani-
L.. y,
that he would publicly repeat it. He has con-
sented to comply with their request in January
l will then endeavOr to give you the substance
of the address, which was not only eloquent,
but learned and full of vast research and erudl-
ton.
Subsequently, on Sunday, the 13th the Bish-
OPP preached in his usual impressive style for an
hour and a half, on the immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Theaudience was
extremely attentive to the discourse; but to
give even q brief summary of it, should re-
peat all the evidence in favor OF the Catholic
doctrine, as well as solve all the objections
against it. Notwithstanding a severe cold, the
Bishop sang the Pontiiical High Mass, and presi-
ded at all the Christmas ceremonies, which this
year were particularly attractive. The Cathedral
is eminently suited for celebrating the great
feasts of the church. The spacousness of the
large sanctuary, the splendor of the high altar,
with it's decorations and countless lights, the
large train of clergy and acolytes attendant on
the Bishop, with the rich golden vestments of
the ministers, the solemnity and grace with
which the ceremonies were conducted-all these
attractions, aided by the eloquent sermon Of
Father Booker, and by the exquisite music of
Mozart's No. 2, given by an effective choir,
rendered the scene at the Cathedral on Christ
mas surprisingly grand and interesting to those
who had the good fortune to be present. But,
unfortunately, the very cold weather deferred
many from being present-hence the attend
ance was unusually cold
The great object of attraction in Mobile at
present is the Orphans Fair. 1t began on
christmas eve-that is earlier than usual, to
attract the young folks during the holidays.
But in this respect it failed, owing to the very
bad weather. However, things are now pro-
crossing favorably, and the fair is almost GER
| tain of complete success. j. b. D.