The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-06-09
Negro Prisyts..

We abridge the following from the A nnals
q 1-, ne Propagation Of the Faith for March,
IoIS: VI all the good works which are car
rted on in the Vicariate- Apostolic of Seue-
gambia, the most Interesting aud most
fruitful for the religious future of this por-
tion OF Africa IL, without contradition. the
FORMATION OF native clergy. Reason pro-
claims, and experience confirms, the prin-
cc,ple, that the conversion of a people to
Cs.!rissianlty and its perseverance, in the
priesthood emanating from its own bosom.
Independently of the other advantages Sc
cured to native priest, such az his perfect
knowledge Of the language and of the man
ners and customs of the country, his origin,
MS rank, his position, give an altogether
sPeclai influence to his preaching and his
example among his compatriots. Thus, it
has been wisely said, that one of the surest
means to judge of the true progress of q
mission, Ia to see how it haslbrought forth
vocations among the natives, either for con-
ventual life or the ecclesiastical order. Be-
sides these general considerations, there is
q special reason for Africa, Snd one which
makes the creation of a native clergy indis-
pensabie that is, the difficulty the Euro
pean missioner finds in resisting the tryipp
nature Of that fatal climate. He must
have, then, by strict necessity, the assist
ance OF native priests to continue and ex-
tend his action, above all in the interior.
ono AhoAo CuIS WOIk promises Co De
fruitful, the more, also, it will be crossed
6y difficulties. Against these, Mgr. Kobes
has had to contend for many Years. In
the choice of subjects call I'd to the forma-
ton of the priesthood, we make it from
among the children of the best dispositions
both as to the natural aptitude and moral
lnclinations. Those who have been re-
celved in their infancy are won't to offer
more than the others the blessed signs
which announce u vocation. After having
Instructed them 10 elementary knowledge,
ifthey persevere in their good dispositions.
we make them study Latin, and they are
then separated from their yeung compan-
hope that they will one day become the
apostles of their country, greatly stimu-
late their ardor. Many aspire to enter the
chosen tribe of young levites. The first
native priest of the mission was ordained
IN 1852. There was another, pupil of the
Propaganda. He was taken from us by
death, but to become, we hope, an inter-
cessor with God in favor of his country.
In later years, numerous auxiliaries have
been furnished from the children of this
African land; but it was chiefly in the
course of our scholastic year 1901, that
our institution Tor training the native
s enlergy realized our sIo dearest hopes. On the
the subdeaconate on the Rev. Gabriel Sene;
the 2eth of the same month, he ordained |
him deacon, and conferred the two first
minor orders on three young aspirants. On
the 18th November q fourth received cleri-
cal tonsure.
On the Feast of the Epiphany another
took place at St. Joseph. There were sub
jects for minor orders, and one for the
priesthood. The ceremony commenced at
half past six, all having prepared themselves
for the grace they were to receive by O fer
vent retreat. The new priest afterwards
his first Mass, n whole levy of
pious levites-negroes like himself-assist-
ng at the Holy Sacrifice. The celebrant,
deacon, sub-deacon, incense bearer, AGO.
ytes, torch bearers, master of ceremonies,
we're all Africans. The joy of the cele-
,rant manifested itself in silent tears. The
mission has now Ave native priests, there
ire twenty-seven students in theology,
bree of whom are in minor orders, eight
ire tonsured, aid there are eight postu-
ants.