Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-30
a Dav Among the lnnocents.


A Day Among the lnnocents.
In the UNION AND AMERICAN of Sun
day morning we stated that many Of our
Catholic children were 10 receive the Sacra-
ments of Confirmation and Holy Commu-
MON at the Cathedral. This announcement
of course attracted large number of our
readers, protesting different faith, to the
church to witness ceremony at once beau
tifllly grand and edifying.
After the heavy rain about six O'Clock IN
the morning, the sun shone out brightly,
and all nature was smiling in her loveliness
before the hour appointed for the procession
to move, and continued thus during the en-
tire day. At half-past Z A. NJ, the cross
bearers and acolytes, together with the older
boys, marched in procession from the
church to the Convent of Our Lady of
Mercy, on Cedar street, opposite the Capt.
tol, In order to escort the members of the
Sodalities and the young Communicates.
The procession was quickly formed, the
cross bearer master Thomas Faley) lead
ing, followed by twelve acOlytes, dressed in
cassock and surplice. These were followed
by Miss Mary Ann Donovan, carrying the
beautiful banner of the "Children of Mary"
leading some two hundred girls and young
ladies'; Master Willie Smith, carrying the
banner of the St. Alloy sius Society, followed,
with about one hundfe boys bringing up
the rear. The ri Is marched four abreast
until entering the church door, when they
separated, the two the right going up the
south aisle, and those TO the left up the
north aisle, meeting again al the middle
aisle, where they were seated. the boys be-
ing seated Ola the 5onth aisle. About three
hundred received II by Communion, be-
sides a large number of adulLs-pro5ably
four hundred in all.
CoIfirma' ion A. given in the afternoon
at vesEers, commencing at half past three
O'Clock. AS there were many strangers in
church. who may not have understood the
ceremony, we will endeavor TO explain it.
The Catholic Church believes that con-
firmation is a sacrament constituted by
Christ, which gives the Holy Ghost, with
abundance of his graces, to make US perfect
christians-that it gives US the spirit Of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit Of
counsel and of forsitude, the spirit Of
knowledge and Of goodness, and the spirit
of the fear of the Lord; in other words, that
these gifts of the Holy Ghost make us relish
the things of God-prayer, meditation, the
Word of God, whether read or heard, and
all manner of good works; that they open
our minds so as to understand the truths OF
religion-make US axe sure means TO reach
Uncomfortable US to surmopDt courage
ously all the obstacles to cur salvation
render us enlightened in the ways of God,
and makes the service of God sweet and
agreeable to us, and inspires us with a re-
spect for God, mingled with love. The diff
ference between Christians and perfect
Christians is seen in the apostles-before
the descent of the Holy Ghost they were
weak and timid, and after they received
the abundance of his graces, they were
strong and courageous, all of them prefer
ring to die rather than renOunce their faith.
There are many other graces conferred by
by this sacrament, as charity, joy, peace,
patience, torbearance, goodness, benignity,
meekDess, faith, modesty, confluence and
chastity.
This sacrament is given by the Bishop il
the following manner: The persons to be
confirmed kneel in front of the altar, when
the Bishop lays his hands on each person,
invoking the Holy Chest = "Descendal
septiformis spiritus," etc, and makes an
JUNCTION on the forehead with holy chrism-
'Sgno te signo crucis, ct confirmo te chris
mate salutis, in nomine PATHS, etc. The
ehrism is composed of oil of olives and
balsaJn, the oil signifying the effusion, the
abundance, and the sweetness of the graces
of the Holy Ghost, while the balsam signi-
fieS that The eraces of the Holy Ghost have
the virtue of preserving from the corrup-
zion of sin and that they shed an admirable
odor, by the practice of the virtues which
they inspire. After applying the junction TO
the forehead, in the form of cross, the
Bishop gives the person confirmed slight
slap on the cheek, TO make him understand
that he must be patient in suffering, and
says, "Peace be with you"
As preparation for this sacrament, it is
necessary that each person be thoroughly
instructed in the principal mysteries If re-
ligion-those of the Trinity, the Incarnation,
and the Redemption, and this calls to our
minds the unremitting toll and anxiety Of
the past two months, by Bishop, Priests,
and Sisters, to say nothing Of the untiring
industry of the children in studying and
attending these instructions. 1t is labor
ious duty, particularly at this season of the
year, but all were amply repaid on Sunday
last; that the instructors performed their
officawell was fully evidenced in every act
of the children.
=. After giving confirmation to all who were
prepared for it, the Bishop addressed the
children and parents IN languay &c truly sub
lime his words should be treasured by all,
but especially by parents, who by bad ex-
ample, cause their children to lose their in
nocence, and tire of the service of God.
All the young Communicates were then
invested with the scapular, and after wards
large number of young ladies were ad-
mitted as members of the "Society OF the
Children of Mary" and some fifty young
gentlemen received their badges from the
hands of the Bishop, as members OF the
"Society Of St. Aloysius."
All being seated again, Miss Annie Dohn
and Miss Lizzie Pagan, accompanied by
number of angels smaller but not more
lovely than themselves, advanced to the al
tar railing, where Miss Annie read, IN
clear silvery voice, and in a style of eloclI-
ton aApost incredible in one so young, the
"ReneWal of the Baptismal Vows" Miss
Lizzie reading the "Act of Consecration"
in her soft delicate voice, but accurately
and distinctly. The beneCiction of the
Blessed Sacrament closed the sublime GER
emonies about $50 P. NJ.
"O OuS1b hOb W NlllOub
ing of the music, which was really excel
lent, and the altar, which, when lighted
with numerous wax tapers, was very beau
tiful, seemingly dazzling with gold and sill
yer, and precious stones.
Among those confirmed were fifty two
girls, tbirty-nine boys, and five adults-56
in all.
One word more. While these ceremonies
were going on, about o'clock, the corpse
. of one of the little school girls was carried
into the Sunday school chapel in the base
ment. 1t was the mortal remains of Mag
gle Halloran, delicate little golden-haired
beauty of about eight years, who on Thurs
day last was among her classmates at
school, and on Sunday evening was buriedd
She was good little girl, and greatly love
by her Sunday school teacher, Miss Lizzis
McKeon.
Died from His wounds.
Last Wednesday night Mr.. A. T. Hig-
y;nc d;ad f-nYp xvOOD1e ranpivad vvlila frx,