The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-02-18

| readers to think earnestly upon the subject OF
the terrible mental sufferings of these poor
prisoners, and then let them decide whether
they can afford to give few cents in aid OF
| this noble charity.
The Maronites of Mount Lebanon.
Last Sunday we published a short sketch Of
this email but glorious body of Confessors of
the Faith, who dwell in the Holy Land, in the
midst of the most bloodthirsty and cruel per-
secutors of our Holy Church. This sketch of
itself should have been sufficient to excite the
charity of the faithful to an ardent desire to
give their mite towards the relief of this small
band of Christians, but if it was not, We
publish to-day On appeal which, in its simple
recital of the sufferings undergone, the sacri-
fees made, and the devotion of these good
people, speaks in q language which cannot
fail to soften the hearts of the most callous.
The Druses, mentioned in the appeal, are q
sect of fanatic Mahommedans who, being
neighbors of tho Maronites, and possessing
great power under the patronage of the Turk
ish Government, have for many years inflicted
on them unheard of cruelties, till at length,
after the slaughter Of more than 80, 600 of their
number, endurance fails.
In this extremity, the Very Rev. III. Chal-
dany, mitred abbot of the order of St. An.
thony of the Desert and Vicar General to the
Archbishop of Aleppo, has been sent to obtain
succor and relief. He was most kindly re-
ceived by the Holy Father and bears letters
from Cardinal Barnabo, head of the Propa-
ganda, sustaining an appeal to our churches
After having visited most of the dioceses in
the North, the Very Rev. Abbot has arrived in
cit uiff fha coli Nf
Rev. Archbishop, now asks such help from
each of us as our means will allow. Let us
not, then, Christian readers, be derelict in this
noble work of charity; let each come forward
with his mite, however small IT may be, and,
in presenting it to the Very Rev. Abbot, lend
it to the Lord, that it may rebound to His glory
and to our eternal welfare. Contributions will
be received at this Office.
Touching Appeal to the Charitable People of the
United States.
Very Rev. Michael Chaldauy, Mitred Abbot
of the ancient order of st. Anthony of the
Desert, and Vicar General and Chorepiscopus
Of. the Archbishop of Aleppo (of the Maronite
Catholic Rite), is in this city.
The "Maronites" are a Catholic nation, in
habiting the Holy Land. The centre of their
community is at Monnt Libauus: For ages
world. The celebrated Cathode Church His
torian, Able Rohrbacher, calls them the model
Catholics of the East"
Their prosecutions are terrible-especially
from tho Druses, Pagan people that live along
side of them. The Mohammedans also help the
Druses to distress them. Their churches their
schools, their asylums for the sick and dis
tressed, have been repeatedly attacked out of
diabolical hatred of the eligion of our bless
ed Saviour. But the Maronites endure it all,
and still, with the constancy of martyrs, pro-
TESS and practice their religion.
Very Rev. Chaldany, who is now in this CITY,
came hIther with the highest recommenda-
tions from the Catholic authorities of Rome
that of Cardinal Barnabo, of the Propaganda,
especially. He has also the cordial welcome
of our revered and Nest Rev. Archbshops aud
Bishops of this country. AS Very Rev. Chal-
dany does not speak any of the languages
spoken in this country, it cannot hurt his re-
ligious modesty to say for him that he is a con-
lessor of the Fath-even to blood. His two
brothers had the honor to give their lives for
me Gatholc faitn, IN the same persecution in
left ear, and the left side Of his head. He
was thought to be killed, but he has survived
to come hither, and plead among us for his
"Almsgiving," says Holy Scripture, delivers
from DEATH" Hard-heartedness, among Chris
tians, provokes the wrath of God. Tender
compassion and charity for those that share
the Passion of Our Blessed Lord, and are suf-
fering for his cause, may avert the rod from
our own heads.
among the Maronites, left by those who have
suffered for the Faith. Their churches and
asylums and refugees are in ruins. Infants are
continually left without any that can protect
them. They cry to heaven and to us. After
mature consideration at Rome a safer way of |
protecting these helpless, has been devised, to
bnild College and Church, and for this, pecu-
this country. 1t is hoi y and gallant cause. !
The help you give to it now will! plead for you
long after this, in its results in the Holy Land,
near the sepulchre where Our Lord lay.
Very Rev. NJ. Chaldany's residence is at the
Cathedral.
MARD1 GRAs.-We consider the policy an
enlightened one which provides public amuse-
ments and encourages the people to enjoy |
themselves nationally. Not only does it con-
duce to the happiness of the population but to
their prosperity also, by attracting strangers
and business. Our Mardi Gras festivities, as
they have always existed, especially the
night procession of the "Krew of Comus"
have exerted considerable influence in both