The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-12-29

which is the chief missioner throughout the
world, Of the Holy Catholic Church.
Those who accept the truth Of the home 1
I y prOverb, "One may see day aha little hole"
may not be unintereated to have the ac-
count of an eyewitness, rs TO the manner
small provincial towns of France responded
to the desire Of their rulers and the co9n-
Gil of their pastors, ON their Icountry's be-
half, as it may safely be taken as an aver
age of the rest I; except, indeed, shas ine
middle and south of France surpass the
devotion.
! In the eastern portion of the ancient pro-
vince of Neustria, and in the modern dep |
artment ofy'Seine ct Oise," there lies, on
the slope of a hill, the old town of Montford
rAmaury, of which Victor Hugo, in one OF
his earlier writings speaks, as ga sword
which was dropped on the grass by some
knight of the Middle Ages" Viewed from
the summit of the old towers on the hall
which rises abruptly on the south OF the
picturesque porte sBardou" lone OF tue
ancient gates of the town), and which are
the ruined remains of the historical castle
of tue Montfurts, the lines of grey lrTegu-
lar houses are seen to trace tne !orm oi a
S. Andrews Cross, between the vines ana
gardens and oplar-bordered fields which
surround them the church, which was
built by the English in the days of the ear
lier Plantagenets, and which is very long
and lofty, rising in the centre of this cross
| with the rudely paved "Place," in which
the weekly market and the annual fair OF
! S. Laurence are held, reaching almost from
| the church to the well-wooded mount upon
| which thef castle stands.
| The fihe tower and spire, which were
destroyed by the 'tenlightened" citizens OF
80, were under the First Napoleon replaced
by neat and tidy specimen Of debased
architecture, which i'll accords with the
fine proportions of the rest Of the church.
/ This medieval town, containing about
! ! 600 inhabitants, is not more than ~ miles
distant from Paris, but lying as 1t does,
two miles ont of the direct route to and
from the communicating capital, it may be
somewhat exceptional, in comparison with
tother equally proximate localities, in the
/ religious tone it has not failed to preserve
after all the Revelations from which the
country has suffered Of this fresh proof
has been given by the devotion and fervour
with which, in spite Of the Pers Sn
Just ended has been made by the people OF
Montfort rAmaury.
The excellent Cure announced, on the
previous Sunday, that from the 9th to the
18th, besides the usual offices, Mass would
be said at half-past eight daily, at the Altar
\ of Our Lady, for the particular Intention ;
and at eight every evening the Lttahy OF
J the Saints would be sung in procession,
followe ed by the special prayers, hymn, and
benediction and on Sunday, the 18th, a
} general Communion at the half past seven
o'clock Mass, and at High Mass. which is
Away at half-past nine, the "Venl Crea-
tor" "Miserere," and 'Ad TIE levavi ami
nam meam." Saturday evening is not q
time when people are supposed to be most
at liberty, aud on that of the ninth the rain
fell in torrents through a keen north wind
siderable that the procession reached three
parts round the church; walking four OIL
: five abreast.
3 But to return; night after night the pro
/ cession, preceded by the cruclfer with {
tail silver cross, and led by NJ. lie Cure ant
his excellent young vicaire, followed b!
Q the chan tiers aud enfauts chGur,the Sisters o
J., S. Paul of the Cross and their goodly com
4 pany of young girls, bearing the banner o
: Our Lady the boys school, with theirs o
i S. Joseph then tue mayor, the maIquil
a Tiers, and other members of the municipal
Y ity of Moufort, followed by the rest of tn
: congregation, consisting of some hundred
}. of persons, proceeded round the dimly
" lighted aisles for gas here is unknown
= singing the Litany of the Saints. In tbl
y multitude might be seen walking, side b
Il side, the devout old Countess M-with
n youth in blue blouse and sabots on lie
right, aud on her left a worthy dame wit
high muslin cap, wide apron, and com
g Portable stuff gown, who was, moreover
q redoleut of garlic and stuff but the Couu
"a tess. the youth, Apu INC uaule, were III
D. like the grey-headed men, the graceft
ic demoiselles with their parents. the peasar
n mothers and children, the servants, trades
es people, aud the eiegent Comtesse de =
g. alike singing the "Ora pro nobis," til
IN "Libera NOS, Domino" aud the "Te rogs
be niue, audi nos," until, the priests havin
b. returned to the Altar of Our Lady, the Lii
" any was ended there. -ss
in TraRslation ofthe "Amende Honorable"
"a 40 Jesus, our Saviour, we come with contri
&c hearts, and with tears of sincere repentance
y, cast ourselves at Thy Feet, earnestly desirI
be 10 make PREPARATION for all the negligences q
c the fa!Seho Gods all the blasphemies, and all IL
t. sacrileges, by which Thou hast been drive
a. from the laws and institutions of our countr
~ We especially entreat Thy forgiveness for a
- our pubic impieties; for the scaudalous pr
fanation of the Sunday, for the violation
e! Thy divine commandments, and for the co
~ tempt of Thy holy Gospel. Our crimes are ii
at cause of our misfortunes; we have fully me
be tied the shame by which overwhelne
but we put our trust in Thee, o Lord Jesu.
Thou art onr Father; have pity on us TIL
children Thou art our Saviour, deliver Tt
zee people. Have pity upon guilty France, c.
y | uDOn her a look of mercy and @ love. cO