The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-04-24
Glory be to God In the Highest: and on
Earth Peace to Men of Good VIM.

Glory be to God In the Highest: and o
/ Earth Peace to Men of Good VIM.
The season of fast, as q desperation fc
the comnemoration Of tho passion an
death Of Christ, has past. The season {
penitence still continues for those wi,
have not yet complied with their Easte
duties, the season of prayer is Away.
The Lent of 1870 is gone, and whateve
opportunities it may have afforded to thos
who with sincere repentance prayed for til
mercy and the grace. of God, to those wh'
neglected them it is gone for ever.
During the past Lent we noticed q NOR
regular and fuller attendance OF the con
gregations than is generally usual even a
that holy season, Indeed, ever since tn,
first assemblage of the General Council
during the services of the Jubilee in ths
different churches, and during the Lent
we thought we could see marked evidences
Of more general, earnest, grave and rever.
ent devotion than had ever attracted oui
notice before. 1t is not, however, that the
regular services of the churches were at
tended by full congregations, OF that when
the shepherds called the focks came in
crowds, bat that on those days when there
is no regular service which they are under
obligation to attend, when according to
rhe customs of the Church the doors of her
temples are open from morning dawn to
evening twilight, there was scarcely an
hour, particularly in the morning and even
ing, when they are entirely empty. Those
who enter during these hours can always
see in the dim light and solemn silence of
the church some three or four, or seven or
eight, casual or habitual visitors engaged
in silent prayer. Those in the morning,
passing on their way to their daily labor or
enter for few minutes to ask
for Gods mercy during the day, while
those returning in the evening offer up
thanks for the mercy that has been extend
ed to them. Sometimes the visitor offers
up Thanksgiving prayer for some special
benefit or service that Providence has con-
ferred upon him, or begs Gods protecting
mercy against some threatening misfortune
that he fears. Such visits are always pleas
ing to God, because they~are voluntary
offerings of the heart to Him. Such pray,
ers are always salutary and acceptable, for
He, Himself, has said, "And in that day
you shall not ask me anything. Amen,
amen. say to you: if you ask the Father
in my name, he will give it to
YOU"
Ever since the Council met, the evidences
If the presence of Christ and His Holy
spirit in the Church seem clear and striking
o the hearts of the faithful. It holds it's |
essiOns in the verp face of the tiger who |
lungers for the little territory in which it |
s held, while two mighty governments,
me on either side, unfriendly to it's pro-
,ress, and strangely fearful as to it's re-
ults, are, in despite of their own will, |
compelled as it were to aid in carrying out |
he will of God; and while the outside
World is troubled and disturbed, full of
nxious cares and fears, and every device
hat human ingenuity can invent or the
reat father of lies can suggest, is used to
DIV the seeds of d0union and division in
ne Council, and suspicion, distrust and
ant Of faith among the flock, Christ has
ent His Holy Spirit, the Comforter,"t
mong His children, and they are at peace.
almly and full of confidence they await
ne result. They rely ON the promises of -.
hrist and feel neither doubt nor fear, for -,
ley know that though the nations may ,
'ge, and people devise strange things, and
lough the kings of the earth may stand ,
p and the princes meet together against g,
10 Lord, and against his Christ, "He that ,
Telleth in heaven shall laugh at them; +
I'd the Lord shall deride them.