The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-06-02
Morning Star and Catholic Messenger.
(From the "Confessors Of Connaught." By M. L. N.Y.
A Beautiful Word Picture.
THE FESTIVAL OF CORPUS CHRISTI.
NEW ORLEANS. SUNDAY. JUNE 3, ls'a.

Beautiful Word Picture.
THE FESTIVAL OF CORPUS CHRISTI.
It was one of those perfect days which
only June, the monarch of the year, with
roses for his crown, bestOws on the world,
blending the dewy freshness of spring with
summers rich glow and wealth of bloom.
No lingering trace of winters rude ravages
shrivelled leaf ON withered fower-but al!
nature, freshened by the spring rains and
vivifed by the spring sunbeams, looking
as fair, as pure as Eden may have looked
to our first parents, ere the desa, 1 Grsa'
of sin fell upon the world, whicn the Sfea'
tors voice had pronounced GOOD.
From the glowing West the sun threw
food Of golden light over the picturesque
town of Barrymore, nestled among inc
wild hills Of Conn.ugass, snaoea oo ~ is end
watered by gurgling springs, leaping cas-.
cades, tiny streamlets, now flashing ont
like 'skein of silver" among the green
fields, now hiding coyay away amid rocks
and trees. 1t was a week dsy H., Se srs an
fields, rich with luxuriant promise, we're
deserted the patient companions of the
husbandman's/ toll, roamed In freedom.
through the/commons and pastures. No
children loitered through the streets no
shop was open, and, save for. solitary
form now and then appearing at door or
window, the place would have seemed I'M
inhabited. At one sacred spot--had the
Inhabitants of Bartry OF oil ages and
conditions, assembled.
On commanding site, overlooking
wide expanse of hill and dale, stood
handsome gothic church, whose gilded
cross pointing the beholder to the bright
heaven above proclaimed it of the Ancient
Faith of Erin-the faith prescribed, perse,,,
cuted, trampled on for centuries, yet still
q
beautiful and more glorious from every
conflict with ''tbe powers of hell )" looking
up ever with unwaveriDg confidence to its
divine Founder, whose gracious promise
"Lo, am with you all days even to the
contamination Of the world" CLEANS out
ness of successive ages OF persecution:
Through the open windows of the sacred
edifice came the rich tones of the organ,
blending with human voices chanting the
beautiful vesper service. Anon, o loftier
strain, a swell of heavenly music broke
forth. as the organ was tuned to one of
those sublime compositions which angelic
4 ministers must have waited from heavens
own choir into the souls of the old masters.
And as the ravishing harmony arose louder
from the spacious portals. The sacred en-
blem Of Christianity led the van; next
came the white sprpficed boys of the sanc-
tuary, surrounding o golden fringed como
a nv, beneath which walked the anointed
priest of God, clad in gorgeous robes, and
reverently bearing the mysterious Host,
before whom angel and men bow in ador-
ing love. Then followed a long line Of
children of both sexes, neatly attired, and
4 bearing baskets, wreaths, and bouquets OF
r June's fair blossoms. Passing under trl-
b umphal arch of evergreens tastefully in
h terwined with flowers, the procession
4 wound slowly around the churchyard
among pillows of crimson and white clover
blossoms which, rippled by the south wind
sent forth fresh aroma, mingling with the
e fragrant incense that rose with every
swing of the silver thurible. While tn,
sweet, artless voices of the children chaunt
ed the thrilling strains of the "Laudi
Sion," and the birds from their leafy bow
n ers warbled their blitiest lays, as if they
III too, delighted to celebrate the joyous festi
III val of Corpus Christi.
III 1t was a beautiful sight as the little pro
III cession with perfect order and decorun
moved onward sometimes in the shadoy
H of overhanging trees, and again IN the mel
low brightness of the slanting snnbeams
III But ravishing was tho spectacle presenter
when, having re-entered the church,
passed slowly around, among crowds Q
PROSTATE worshipers, and mp the middl
aisle to the sanctuary, which, with its pro
El fusion Of evergreens, flowers, and lighte
having reverentiy placed the Blesse
Sacrament on the altar, descended til
steps, and bowed in humble alteration, an
e then, while fresh clouds Of incense curle
Fl gracefully around the Monstrance, and th
choir chanted the beautiful '.Pange Linyut
the children, kneeling before the Sacre
Host, presented their floral offerings, th
pure, fragrant treasures, lovingly gathere
Il from garden, field and forest, which wer
arranged on steps erected for that purpos
on each side of the altar. At that instar
the sun sent a shower of golden arrow
| no wi II
with dazzling splendor the altar, now
vast pyramid of flowers and lights. I'll
ravishing notes Of the "1antum Ergo
rose on the perfumed air, alternatel
III swelling into exultant strains, and dyin
La away in tremulous melody, the prize
chanted in full, rich tones, the prayers I
the Blessed Sacrament, and fresh cloud Z
Fl incense mingled with a radiant atmosphel
And then follow that interval ofimpressiS
silence, broken only by the faint tinkle (
the bell, when every. head bent to recei,
H. llipht ia to ba with the children of men