The New York herald., 1870-11-07
ST. BEE ARDS Ron.N CATHOLIC cagncH.

Sermon by iscv. Father Eeuiy-Forty Hourg'
Devotion Faith and Reason.
The new Catholic church dedicated TO st. Ber-
nard, West Thirteenth street, near Tenth avenue
was well flled yesterday by the pous congregation
assis. at the ceIebra Ion OF high mass. he church
has been opened but recently and everything about
1t bright and Rev. Father Patrick Heaiy Is the
drst pastor, it Is first church, he having been
ordained but few months ago. One cause for the
unusually largo attendance was the commencement
sf the
FORTY HOURS DEVOTION,
which takes place at this church now for the frst
time. This cdilce was built particularly to accom-
modate the people living in the Immediate neigh
bOrh0od. Heretofore they have been worshipping
at distance from their residences, and Their num-
bers were SO large that IL was deemed necessary to
put up q special structure. The man building or
the new parish, however, win be erected In Four
teenth street, near Ninth avenue The present
building intended only Tor temporary use, ana
will lie dispensed with as soon as the large church is
finished. Inc building VIII De begun next spring.
The sermon, by the pastor, was chiefly IN relali ion
TO the iorty hours devotion, aud 10 the grace e1-
tended by God 10 those WI0 sought him. He spoke
OF the peace OF mind that belonged TO those who
belonged to the true church Of Christ. Tae Church
Is mindful OF her children; she
OF their comfort, and projects them irom every ILL.,
In prosperity anu adversty
THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY COMFORT,
for though worldly prosperity may bring earthly
happiness, the true happiness OF Heaven CONES only
from the Church.
He spoke oil the many trials and trbulatsous that
are nseperabie from human existence, ana dvlsed
thc congregation TO look TO CHRIST and the Church
for strength.
In reference to the forty hours' devotion the
speaker explained that it was instituted ia the city
OF Milan, in the year 1884. by
FATHER JOSEPH, AN ITALIAN MONK.
The city was aC the time pe5leged by "a foreign
host, and the inhabitants. through want, had been
reduced 10 the greatest extremity. Their condulOn
was truly dreadful when Father Joseph, with q
prophetic inspiration from heaven, proposed to
lmtate the forty hours tnat CHRIST had spent
In the garden, ana devote themselves for
tne same length or time TO fasting and
succeeding forty hours the people oi the city be-
thought themselves OF their Condition and appealed
to heaven they confessed their gins and TOOK the
sacrament, and then went I0rth To ngnb with fresh
vigor. The effect was soon seen. Tie God OF Hosts
guided their arms, and the clty was relieved The
speaker urged his hearers To BRING up their children
in the true laitn 10 brug them the altar at this
time Of devotion ana teach Them that il was only
through their reliance CHRIST ana the Church that
they could be saved.
A, the close Of the mass soemn bcnedictior was
given, alter Which
PROCESSION
Issued from the sacrlsty, comDosed OF the members
or The Society OF the Chiidrcn of Mary lhe pro-
cessiol entered the church aad passed the high
altar, IRON whence it was followed by the cele-
Drant, carrying the most, accompanied by the at
fendant clergy. The Solcmn procession passed
around the church and re-enter.d the sacrsty. The
blessing was given and the congregation departed.