The New York herald., 1871-09-18
ST. STEPHENS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

sermon by the Rev. Father McCready- The
! Doiors Of Mary-The acknowledgement
Sorrow.
From the large congregation that attended high
mass at ST. Stephens church yesterday II was evil
dent thasVummer pleasure seeking is over and that
the fashionable uptown people again in their old
places, ready TO tusse with the realities OF life or
another nine months. As Is usual in this church,
he array Of
BEAUTY AND FASHION
was Of the highest order, and the scene, with all the
surroundings, one that could scarcely be surpassed
by any other combinations. The gorgeous marble
affairs, magnificent paintings and numerous lights;
the stained glass windows and the statuary, and
the grand impressive music, all harmonized TO i'm
part TO the worship mere a mysterious solemnity
that strikes awe into believer and unbeliever alike.
The mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Keeler,
OF Mobile. Ala, who has just arrived from Rome
ana Is now on his way 10 his adopted mission.
After the first Gospel the Rev. DR.. McGlynn, In
making the customary announcements stated
that the parish now had as Its guest Bishop
Becker, OF Wilmington, Del, who would remain in
the city for some short time, his mission here being
to collect funds for the administration his diocese
1t was a lamentabe TACT said the Doctor, that re-
gion was in such neglected state in
BISHOP BEcKERs DIOCESE.
The State Of Delaware of the original
toleave his TO ask strangers for help in building
up the Church there. But 1t was noble work In
which Bishop Becker was engaged. The whole OF
the State OF Delaware was included In the Bishops
diocese and with II part OF Maryland, this latter,
though colonized by Catholics two hundred years
ago. being now In most deplOrabe condition. DR..
McGynn then announced that the collections at all
the masses next sunday would be IN ald Of Bishop
Becker'S diocese. and that the Bishop would make
brief explanatory addresses at each mass anu
preach the sermon al the High Mass.
The Key. Father McCready then assembled
of the day, the nineteenth chapter of st. John, Sc
lecting the text, "Now, there stood by the cross
HIS Mother" The Church has made a beautiful
circle OF festivals in honor OF Mary. some OF which
are Of JOY and others o. sorrow. One lime
Joice In the celebration OF the Immaculate Concep-
tion another time raise hearts 10 heaven
in gloying over the Assumption, and so on with
Others. But 1t Is meet that whLe we should reloice
WE SHOULD ALSO SORROW,
and this DAYS festival, COMMUNICATING the seven
SORROWS OF the Virgins life 1t must be horn In
mind, in speaking OF the prerogatves OF Mary,
that the closest union existed between her and the
Goldman. and 1t IS because OF this union we pay
her much homage and regard her with 50 much
veneralon. No TWO hearts could be in so close
unison Mary's and her divine Sons and from
this unison arose the mothers great SORROWS. 1he
sorrows Of the mother were the passion Of Jesus
and His passion was ner sorrows. The titles tue
Church bestows on the saints In heaven are
NOT EMPTY TITLES;
but they not TO be compared 10 those given 10
Mary. She Is queen OF virgins and queen OF mar
yrs. Her suferings were greater Than those OF all
tue other martyrs Her compassion Knew no limits.
From the moment the child was born at Bethlehem
TO the resurrection OF the God man her life was one
perpetual sorrow, never ceasing. never assuaged,
for she knew what was 10 come ana the pass ion OF
her divine son was ever beioreGner minds vision.
she could not from her humble village home LOOK
toward tie great city beyond without seeing tile
three crosses with Jesus diving on one OF them
Every step OF the passion ever present TO her.
She knew how true was
THE PROPHECY OF HOLY SIMEON.
Even In the occupation which Joseph pursued there
were ever before her eyes objects remind her OF
the suflerings OF her Son-the nails. the hammer
unhewn wood. II might have been some consola-
ton TO her under Jhis load oi grief 10 hear the
sons now laudIng HIN would soon turn upon Him
and
SEEK FOR HIS DEATH:
that He would be BETRAYED by one OF them and that
tney would cruelty Him. she had. therefore, TO be
resigned and 10 bear The full sorrow TO the end
Passing over the many steps IN The passion OF jesus,
each OI which led 10
THE FINAL ACT ON CALVARY,
we come TO the crucinxl0n Itself, and here we be-
hold the greatest sorrow q mother can Know
Mothers never refuse share the shame ana degra-
dation wbicn their children bring upon them; even
at The cross they would cllng 10 their sons What
terrible suffering to mothers heart It must be TO
seel her son crucined But to Mary the death Of
Jesus on the cross must have been greater sorrow
than other mothers could experience, for no other
mother could feel for her son Mary did for the
Goldman; she loved Jesus as her son and wor.
shipped Him as her God Yet she knew that her
divine Son must be crucined, and,
LIKE ABRAHAM or OLD
she was prepared raise her own hand 10 cruelty.
As In tue Old law. when the victim wis once offered