The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-01-10

the banks of the Lagan, and is divided into the
which slopes down to that rivers edge, and in
which is to be seen to this day the " Bush"
under the shade of which an old Friar used to
celebrate Mass in those days when the faith of
Ireland was sOrely tried.
/ think it is on this account that most people
who know the place have always INDUCED in
the belief that there is some sort Of sanctity
within its precincts, as If treading on holy
ground.
That many saint lies buried there 1 have
never doubted and never shall. Saints whose
lives passed away unknown and unrecorded
| save i'll the records of Him where all is entered
A few years ago Mission Cross was planted
the Mission, of which it is the silent renem-
| brancer, of their promises made and graces
received during that season Of mercy. By
some unaccountalie means this holy emblem
became Il source of annoyance to the orange
| men of Sandy Row, which place is but short
distance from the burying- ground.
On a certain evening they proceeded to the
holy spot for the purpose of destroying the
| cross, but the brave old sexton who had charge
of the place determined to guard the object of
their vengeance and defend it at the risk ofhis
| life A double-baITeled gun was his only
friend, and this he used freely on the advancing
mob, while he himself was defended by his
| well chosen position. The Orangemen retreated
to swell their numbers believing that large
number returned, but this time the brave sexton
was assisted by his two sons, and then his
daughter and wife proved themselves valuable
A low wall surrounded the burying- ground
for short distance on the road up which the
Orangemen came One of their body attempted
to leap the wall, but a we'll directed shot from
the brave girl who stood there, left the intruder
one-handed for life.
The sections house was left riddled with
shot, and many were the narrow escapes
which lie and his family had After an hours
siege the whole body decamped, their vengeance
unglutted and the cross standing as it stood
before. -s.t-- e.5.
To the right of the Mission Cross is a hand
some monument erected by the Catholics of
Belfast to the memory of q young Kilkenny
man, K. I. Buggy, ESQ, who died at an early
of the Belfast Vindicator. Inscribed on the
monument is high eulogium, pronounced by
O'Connell, on the merits of him whose ashes
1t was in this graveyard, not then used as
such, where an old friar used to meet his small
and scattered flock betimes to administer to
them the consultations of religion.
His life seemed mystery, even to those to
whom he ministered. He appointed his time,
and he came crossing the river from the OPP
posite side, on an old ourrah and when his
ou W. were oNet. silently away.
AAo W." snort in stature, had hair like snow,
, was always thinly clad and seemed pensive and
sorrowful to all around him. He was beloved
| by his poor scattered flock in a manner that
| nothing could excel.
| In summer-time, whenever he appeared
among them and found them sitting in groups
| together enjoying each others conversation, he
would raise his eyes to heaven, and with up
raised hands implore a beuediction on those
Il poor and innocent people who, in spite OF penal
enactments and heartless prosecutions con
trved to cross weary miles to reach that lone
and secluded spot.
How could he but admire them, those gallant
few from which have sprung generations OF
men, whose descendants are widely scattered
, it is true, and far from kith and home, but
whose fealty to their faith has never waveret
, for an hour
1 am not one of those who believe that TIN
(iestinies of race consist in being scattered
. to every land which the sun has shonc
Such doctrineis generally the doctrine OF piou
o fools, who claim to be heard as the reposltorle
: of truth hitherto unknown, but who III realit
, are generally English sott-soapers and ar
themselves n living proof that their destiny
80 stop at home. True when the IRISH ar
find restiug-pace for the soles of their feet
=, they are not torgctful of the faith of their ow
/, people but this is no proof that they wer
It destined for repatriation. However, to pro
n cecd
y One winters day, when the snow fell THE
: and fast, the aged friar had not appeared. :
l. few men were present who had arranged tn
a little altar beside the old Bush, and place
y around il its covering of boards and canvas
&c They felt disappointed and sick at hear
r dreading that some evil had befallen their kin
r old pastor. Some old women, hooded an
. wrapped to protect them from the storm, 500
&c after appeared and set up a low, ,waiinS CT
lie when they learned that the friar had not a
llNet. he WIS surrey ucstu, 81.
being near him to soothe or speak to him
t. his last moments. Just then the poor old ma
of was seen approaching. The thick snow.dr
had prevented him seeing the place to lan'
and just when he had given up hopes of ev
again beholding even few OF his taltht
- followers, his trail bark struck against IL
es root of an old willow tree, barely allowir
10 him time to place his foot on solid ground el
ho it sank from his sight in the river. -
+ Mass commenced, and at the same momel
X was heard q sad and plaintve strain of musi
. as of some minstrel, with Psalter in hand, ha
40 descended from heaven. to assist at the la
Of Mass under the Bush
n lite Missd Est was pronounced and, ere Il
>, sound of the heavenly voice that uttered the
words had ceased to be heard, the old man fe
F. pierced through the heart with a bullet!