The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-06-27

IntayoHf1uH Ml0AD N = N411l CnukcN-
1870 - H
Having beard that thefewas to be q rniIitary
High M ass in She church o. st. Eustacbe for
raising fupds for thesnpporto foePhan ehiidfe
most celebrated In Paris for its music; and dis
tinpuished singers who from time to time visit
this capital of fashion and gaiety and pleasure
give their services occasionally here. an
ficipated. therefore, q rich musical treat;
was at the church. nearly an hour before the
time appointed for the commencement OF divine
service, and was surprised TO find it nearly
filed, although 1t was o week day, and the
tickets of admission was i've snlllings TO the
nave and three to the aisles. The exciting
sound of the drum is heard, and nearer now
fall on the delighted ear the grand martial
strains of the finest military band in France.
In the porch is heard the disciplined tread OF
armed men, and the sharp shrin voice &c
customed to command. The soldiers marchln,
and in the passage of the nave form a double
line extending up to the altar, and also IN the
passages of the aisles. In this position they
bright holiday uniforms. The Veterans OF the
Nalakoff are there, with medals pendant on
their breasts, looking stern and grim, and the
heroes from the field of Magenta. Their
demeanor is respectful and decorous. And
now issue from the sa cristy long line of little
boys in soutane and surplice, preceded by the
cross bearer bearing the standard of the
Church-the crucifix-most expressive symbol
\ of profound humiliation and suffering ana OF
boundless love. Then followed the priests
robed in gorgeous vestments, and lastly came
|
his hand inc crozier, beauttnI emblem of
pastoral charge and pastoral care. His broadly
/ built, manly form is stoePed, and the stray
| locks of hair round his line massive head are
silvered by nearly seventy winters All eyes
are on him. Deep thought and anxiety and
care stamped on that pale emaclated
countenance. The organ peals forth, and now
the numerous choir CT distinguished artlsts
every breast with feelings of delight and OF
devotion. Clouds of incense from the smoking
censor floating up before the altar, and
numerous wax tapsrs shedding their
gladness aronnd. The little bell sends its soft
silvery voice through The place; it is an in
timation that the solemn moment is ut hand
when the priest pronouAces words OF tremen-
dous and solemn powef and 1mport-words
that viii pierce the heavens, and be heard at
the throne of God, and in obedience to which
the Son of God will descend victim on the
altar eff His own free will for it is He who has
given to his anointed priests this power IN
these words, and commanded them to use it.
He Himself is the invisible high priest.
Bowed is every head and bent is every knee.
The voice of the officer in command rings
through the church; every soldier is on his
| knee. bowed in alteration; sharp sound
| passes down nave aud asles-it is the soldiers
| presenting arms to the Lord of Hosts. What
| q grand and sublime spectacle of worship and
homage from men to Gods The priests adoring
| at the altar-the incense from the censor rising
up before it the kneeling worshiping multi
| tude; the chivalry of France bowed down on
Bonded knee, and all offering up in a mi5nit-
| cent church their alteration to the Ihylne
l Victim on the altar, the Lamb that was slain.
How divine-like and grand is this worship OF
the Catholic Church! 1t is like to what the
Scriptures tell us takes place in heaven, when
the four and twenty ancients PROSTATE them
| selves before the Lamb, and the celestial
| spirits bow down in alteration, and the incense,
which is the prayers of the saints, ascends up
from the censers to the throne of God. The
preacher mounts the pulpit. His fine musical
voice is heard through the church, distinct and
clear as the silvery tones of bell. His subject
| is one of the grandest for a Christian orator
| Dignity and grace mark his every movement
\ and gesture. The French priest in the pulpit
| is the most graceful and dignifed of men, No
man has o finer and truer appreciation of what
is appropriate and graceful than the educated
| French gentleman. His sermon, which was
| delivered in about twenty-five minutes, was
| listened to with profound attention. Aproces-
sion now moves down the church; it is the little
orphan girls. They dressed in white, and
each has q bouquet of flowers in her hand
With what grace and dignity in every step and
movement, and with what modesty and self
! possession they pass along the line of soldiers
Little boys in surplices follow after, then the
priests and the archbishop, and lastly some
ladies and gentlemen, the patrons of the
charity. The lady collectors, with their gold
fringed velvet little bags, move through the
congregation, each being attended by gentle
man, who makes room for her. With what
dignity and grace they receive the offerings
and with how much humility and sweetness
they bow their thanks and gladnessi Some o.
these ladies are among the highest in rank IL
France.-Pdris Letter.