, 1873-02-24
VIA CRUCIS,
An Interesting Catholic Ccremo.
ninl ut st. Mnry's. Church.
Blessing Tho "stat1ons Of tho Cross' by Bishop
Foley and Other Ccruymen.

Tho Catholic coromony OF blessing tho hgta-
tlons Of tho Cross " wna observed, last evoning.
ut st. Mary'a Church, on Wabash avonuo. Tho
"6tations of tho Gross aro pictures, to DO Boon
In every nomish church, which reproaont Christ
in tho various nttitudos OF suffering md at-
tomptod roBt whilo bearing tho orosB TO Onlvary,
along tho way since known aB tho |" Via CructB."
They arc fourteen In number, and aro deemed
an essential part Of tic adornmont Of ovory
sncrod oditlco Of tho denomination. Tho coro-
monial of tho blcBsing is MI impressive ono, and
usually draws largo crowds to tho placo wloro It
Ia celebrated. st. Mary's Church WAS COM
pletoly flllod, last oyoniug, by moat attentive
auditory.
At o'clock tho Right-Rov, Bishop Foley on
torod tho Eaanctuary, followed by tho clorgy
and acolytcB who woro to aBBfst him. Tho
clorgymen whose namcH follow were in ntton-
dance: Tho pastor Of st. Mary's Church, tho
Rev. Father P. NJ. Noonan, tho Rov. Father J..
Waldron, tho Rov. Father ". J. Madden, tho
Rov. Father p. J. Murphy, tho Rev. Father e.
". TORY, tho Roy. Father Vordan tho Rev.
Fathor Vonnomau tho Rev. Father Mcclure, tho
Rov. DR.. A1o11ullon, and tho Ror. P. J, FlannI-
gan. Tho Bishop wore hia violet stolo tho
aco1ytes boro the customary paraphornalia Of tho
eoryico.
Tho exercises commenced with an addreBB by
Bishop Foley, in which 10 gave the reason Of
ercisoa which help to meditation upon the pms
BIon, cross, aud death Of our Lord and Sayior
Jesus Christ, ono Of tho chief has ever boon tho
c Of w. "1 " o e os cT" 4 daVsdgy
continucdin unbrokon tradition from tho time
Christ aroso into Hoavcn. It aroao first among
tho Christians in Jerusalem, out Of veneration
for those gacrod spots which wore sanctiiied by
r rStkFfH TF nJtF Twin fnffnn
It was practicod even in tho time Of tho
Gospels, accorling to St. jerome, who says that
Christians woro wont to visit the holy places In
crowds, coming ovon from tho farthcat cornera
erciBo was introduced into Europe by holy por-
Sons who travelled in Palestine, to satafy thoir
devotion. Friar Alvarez built eovornl little
chapolB to servo rs SO many separate stations, in
took place on our Lords way to Calvary. Tho
Fnthers A1inorite Obaorvants of tho Order Of st.
Francis, in Italy, and elsewhere throughout
the Catholic world, aprond zealously tho
their own churches fourteen aoparatc stations,
10 that Ill who choao might mako the journey Of
the Way to Calvary, This wholesome devotion
has always been approved BY tho Popes, Thoao
who perform dovoutly tho Via C'stcis 1nay gain
all the is,dulgoncoB granted to those who visit,
IL porson, the sacred placcs. Tho Bishop con-
ttu1scd his explanation at somo length, advising
tho observance Of this devotion by all his hear
ors, and inculeating tho performance Of every
religious duty.
Upon tho conclusion Of tho address, all bont
the knee while the ''Veni Creator spiritus " was
recitcd.
Bishop Foley, assisted by Father Noonau and
tho aco1yteB, then blessed tho pictures aucccsa-
ively, and thoy wore put in their places upon tho
walls, the choir meanwhile singing tito 'sVexilla
Regis" and the Btabat Mater " in most nd
rnirablo mauner.
Aftor the ceremonial wns completed, there
we're the regular Sunday services, followed by
the Benedeton.
The pictures are copies in oil from tho colo-
bruted Swiss painter, Paul Won DoEchwan1ou,
ind arc handsome und we'll executed.