The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-11-19

THE BLEssINa OF oUR ooxvEMr.
FRANKLIN, PARISH OF ST. AARY's,
November Is, 1871.

FsAsxIM, PA,1sH OF g; MAnx's,
A brief history Of the interesting and beauti
fal ceremony which took place in our littl
town on Sunday, the 5th inst. will, no doubt
thes fssls interested in our welfare, and, i,
order to place the same within the reach o
our numerous friends, again call for . small
II 81 the s1 for tn
this great display Of Catholic grandeur.
In tho early part of last week We were the
happy ,ece;so's of the long-desired Sisters OF
tho Holy Cross, who came to realize the
hopes and wishes entertained, for the last
two years, by every friend of education and
progress, and pour In the young hearts of our
dnognters confded to them, the sweet balm OF
all the virtues that sdorn the Christian soul.
Preparations had been made previously by
our kind and good little pastor for the recep-
fion OF III shese selsacrioing spouses Of %,
by = Jsfs, the celebration of which took place
on the day already stated.
Invitations had been sent to some of the
priests Of the neighboring parishes, and the
presence OF two of those Rev. gentlemen added
occasion.
The Hon; Mayor and Town Council of the
M.ry's Bar, the officers of the Parish and
other distinguished citizens Of this Commune
ty,were specially invited by the good Sisters
to JOIN us In the grand demonstration. Frank
lin, yet child to such expressions of Catholic
greatness expressions to which its infant eyes
were wholly unaccustomed, behold for the first
time, since the great tree of Catholic Faith
Solemn High Mass. The Holy Sactifice was
offered by the Rev. Father Gustsvs Roussel of
vermillionville, assisted by the Rev. Father
Hyaeinthe LIE Cozic of Royville, as deacon, and
deacon.
An able and eloquent sermon in French was
delivered by the Rev. Hyacinthe LIE Cozic,
Who all
with that beautiful language, rendered 90 IA
nous IN the pulpit by the silvery tongues of
h ;3;s.!s. De Rayignan, Felix, and other
-Four o'clockl the long-expected hour of
grace and bsnediction was yet to come, and
every heart thrilled with joy at the close sp-
Proach OF the hour appointed for the blessing of
our convent. At three O'Clock, persons of every
denomination and irrespective of religious be-
lief. crowded the entrance of our little church,
in order to be in time 1.-The interesting cere-
mony.
We were also honored, in the evening. with
tho presence of the angel-priest Of Clarendon,
the Rev. Father Ponchon, who had been unable
to come IN the morning, on account of import
O'Clock; the little girls of the Parish, who had
assembled in the courtyard of the Convent,
came to the Church, under the supervision of
great mass fthe people, as had been indicated.
When all had entered in the sacred dwelling
Of the King of Kings, the Rcv. Father Gustave
Roussel, assisted by the Rev. Fathers Ponchon
and LIE Cozic, entoned the Teni Creator, and
the procession moved in tho following order
the acolytes bearing the cross took the lead,
and a were Immediately followed by the colored
people next came the Sisters with q large
number OF little girls, and at their head was
one OF our beautiful and lovely maids, Miss
Adele Olivier, on whom was conferred the
honor of carrying the glorious banner of the
immaculate Mother of God next came the
ladies and gentlemen Of the Parish, followed
by the clergy.
Arriving under the beautiful oaks, which
embellish the yard of the Convent, the process
sion was separated, the ladies taking the side
of the entrance-ally selected for them, and the
gentlemen the opposite side. Father Hsrnais,
in brief address, introduced the Rev. G..
Roussel, the orator of the occasion.
An appropriate discourse, in English, touch
ing education on all points, was delivered by
the Rev. gentleman, and was received as o rare
treat by every appreciative member of his
large audience. Immediately after the ser
mon, our esteemed and honorable friend, j. A.
ONeill, Esq, and the highly-respected Mrs. H.
Gibbon, chosen Sponsors, were called, the Con-
vent was blessed, and placed under the patron
age of st. John the Apostle, during which our
choir gave the TIE DeHm and tho Litany of the
Blessed Virgin. Returning to the church,
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was
given, and concluded the solemnities of that
glorious day, which marks the most beautiful
page in the history of Franklin. 81