The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-10-05
English Pilgrimage to Paray-le-MonIaL
INTERESTING CEREMONIES.

ever the lights OF the station became vbBi-
BILE, we perceived that its whole neighbor-
of moving lights. These were the inhabi-
tants and other pilgrims who had come
to meet us with tapers already once be-
fore, and, after nearly three hours Of pa
tient waiting, were still there or had come
again. The Bishop Of Orau, in Algeria,
deputed by the Bishop Of Autun to receive
us, was there with about 300 clergy, who
had come into Paray from the neighboring
country as we'll as nearly all the inhabi-
tants of the town and the gentry of the
principal families for forty miles round
about. All of these bore tapers, and as our
procession was getting together inside the
station, those oatside sung the Credo, as is
aud the bells of the abbey church were
heard ringing a toute roEeo in the distance.
Presently we emerged, the banner Of the
Pilgrimage borne BY the Duke of Norfolk,
and that of the Sacred Heart, near the
head of the procession, the ladies following;
then the laity, each four deep, with the
other banners, which shall have occasion
to specify presently then the clergy, fol-
lowed by Mgrs. Weld, searle, Capel, Pat
terson, DeHaerne, and Virtue, and lastly
by the Bishop of Stafford and Canons Toole,
Wilding, and Sheehan. The Bishop of Autun
having kindly requested the Bishop to act
precisely as if he was in his own diocese,
attended "capitulariter" by the represen-
tatives of his Chapter, who were to Join him
in the conservation of the Bishop, Chapter,
clergy, and faithful of the diocese to the
Sacred Heart. AS We wound along the
streets of the quaint old town, gradually
ascending the hill on which stands the
fine old Benedictine abbey which serves
as the parish church, the scene was very
striking. The whole town was illumina-
ted, and on banners hanging from the
houses we read the inscription, "Anglais
Catalogues priez pour la France" while
the octagonal lantern spire of the abbey
church burnt with crown of light. Com
formed q line for us on each side, and sa-
luted us with "Vive rAngleterre Catholi-
que !" while the French clergy, also with
tapers, moved along in line on either
hand between them and US, singing "Ecce
guam bonum ct guam jucunaum habitare
fratres in unum." Presently we passed
the open portal of the Chapel of the Visi
saluted as we passed the shrine and the
Altar Of the Apparition. Soon we arrived
at a triumphal arch adorned with banners
ard Chinese lanterns, and entered the en-
closure of the abbey, and q still thicker
crowd of inhabitants of all classes raised
the striking hymn now SO popular in
Dieu de Clemencs
ODieu vainqueur!
sauves Rome ct La France
Au nom du Sacre CGur.
The English pilgrims, who had been
singing the Magni6cat, together with the
French prieets who accompanied them,
and also the hymn "Immacnlate, Inmacu.
late" on arriving at the portal Of the great
church, struck up the hymn to the Sacred
vast and lofty Romanesque ediace, gather
ed force and resounded along its vaults
with great effect. The Bishop of Stafford
then gave the Episcopal Benediction from
the Altar, and informed the pilgrims that,
as it was past midnight, the Masses would
would be distributed to the pilgrims in
the cloister. The general Communion was
to be in the morning, but rs the chapel of
the convent would only hold 200 at time,
he advised that as many as could should 20
to Communion during the night, and that
than for the duration of one Mass. The
Masses began Immediately both in the
great church and in the chapel, and French
and English priests were busy hearing
confessions, the latter having received
special faculties for the purpose from the
Bishop of Autuu. Many priests never
went to bed at all, but spent the whole
night in the church, as did many ladies,
some going out into the fresh air to awaken
themselves and then returning to their de-
votions, some getting little sleep on their
chairs, and one dign,fied ecclesiastic rest
ing on the steps of the pulpit. None could |
mistake the fact that here were no holt |
day e1c1rsionists, but souls impressed
with the spiritual life, and deeply intent on |
spiritual and unseen things. In the cha |
Pei of the Convent, the Hi gin Altar was the |
site Of mos. Of the principal apparitions to
Blessed Margaret Mary-who was kneeling |
in her accustomed place within the grating |
Of the Mans choir to the highland above |
the Altar is a picture representing the an
partition. To the right also is tie shripe
Of Blessed Margaret Mary, placed for the
present within the sanctuary, with can
dies Arrays burning around it. It's of
metal gilt with large panes of crystal be-
tween the colonnettes supporting the roof,
and within it is seen the body of the "Bien-
beureuse," reposing in her habit with a
golden lily in her hands, which, as we'll "a
her face, are covered with a wax mask.
AS the shrine is now placed the sacred
body is at the height of about five feet from
the ground, and plainly visible to the spec
tator. Within the Nuns choir is perseryed
= reliquary containing her brain but this
only the Bishops who entered the Convent
Itself were able to examine and venerate,
The night passed thus in devotions, and
oh1pk to