The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-15
VOLUME ".
m,rning Star and Catholic Messenger.
sEW ORIEANs. SUNDAY. OCTOBER Is. 1871.
ST. JosEPH'S PARISH.
Layinq of the Cornerstone of the New
Church.
IMPOSING CEREMONIES.

Sunday, October 8, 1871, marks an era In
the history, not only of the Parish OF 81.
joseph, but in that of the Archdiocese OF
New Orleans. That day had been chosen
by the Rev T. j. Smith for the blessing and
having of the corner stone of the colossal
edifice which the Lazarist Fathers are now
building for the honor and glory OF Him
who hath given us all. And we'll was the
day chosen, for brighter, lovelier one,
even during this, our beautiful Indian sum
mer. had never dawned. All nature seemed
to smile upon an undertaking which sprung
from so holy a motive, and which will
prove of such incalculable benefit to man
kind.
At an early nour of the day men, women
and children, in their holiday attire, and
with faces beaming with JOY, began 70
throng the immediate neighborhood OF the
new church, and by three O'Clock the
streets surrounding it seemed a living mass
of human beings. Nor was the occasion
unworthy of this grand Demonstration
Laving the cornerstone of a church is an
event which should always be hailed by
Catholics with joy and gladness, for 1t Is
sign of the progress of our Holy Rellglon'
a,well as of the zeal and energy OF the
faithful-but on this day was to be laid the
corner stone of q church vast in its design
colossal in it's proportions, SURPRISING IL
size and grandeur any like edlhce IN Tues
Southwestern States and rivailDg In III
r,aeniRcence many of those glorious strnc
tures which now dot the face of Europe
memorials of the faith and piety OF on
ancestors. Then, too, the presence OF GU
most venerable and learned Archbishop
with numbers of the Rev. clergy OF til
CITY. and tho magical name of the Rev. a
J.Ryan, of Mobile, whose fame as poe
and orator has reached every quarter of th
globe where the English language isspokel
as the name of him who was to deliver IL
sermon, could not fail to appreciate, in
messurably, the interest already felt by OF
citizens.
This was the cause, this the event, whit
filled every heart with gladness and whi'
drew ten thousand Catholics and Protes
ants. from every part of the city, togeth
ON this memorable occasion.
THE PROCESSION.
few minutes before three O'Clock sc
eral Branches of the Hibernian Benevole
and Mutual Aid Association, which h
met at the corner of Royal and Can
streets, were joined by Branch NO. .,
st. Joseph's Parish, as an escort I.
marched to the old church, where IL
were Joined by His Grace, Archbisl
Perche, and the Rev. clergy. The proc
sion, in the following order, then marcl
mn Common street to the new church:
Marshal, James McKeon, assisted
Messrs. w. J. Kelly and w. II. Byrnes'
Hibernian Benevolent and Mutual
Association, with several bands OF mus
st. Stephens Society, from the .
District.
Delegates from the several Conferei
of the Society of st. Vincent de Paul
Boys of St. Vincent's Home.
Boys of the Parochial School, under
charge of the Christian Brothers, he;
by their band.
Girls of the Parochial School, under
Sisters.
The Rev. clergy of the city, with W
were the Rev. Fathers A. j. Ryan an
Lorrigan, of Mobile.