The New York herald., 1873-11-24
ST. STEPHENS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The Forty Hours Devotion-Opening of
the Jesuit Mission-ScI mon by the Rev.
Father Shea, s. j.
The scene in ST. Stephens yesterday morning
must have gladdened the heart OF the pastor, DR..
McGlynn. Long before the commencement OF the
services every seat was taken possession OF and
every available loot OF space in the aises occupied
by thousands. willing TO stand during the long
ceremonies and bear the crushing OF the crowd,
rather than lose the opportunity TO take part IN
the initial devotons OF the Forty Hours Alteration
and, at the same time, hear the consong truths
OF religion enunciated by the distinguished Jesuit
Father who opened the mission.
Solemn high mass was sung by Rev. DR.. McGlynn
assisted by Rev. Father Flynn as deacon, Mr. Young
man as sub-oeacon and Rev. Father Power as mas
ter OF ceremonies. The grand and impressive cere-
monies, peculiar to the ''quarant' ore" including
the procession OF the Blessed Sacrament were
gone through with credltable precision and ac-
curacy. When the deacon had finished the singing
of the gospel. Rev. Father shea s j., President of
st. Johns College Fordham, assembled the pulpit,
and, after reading the regulations OF the mission,
delivered the opening sermon. He spoke in sub
stance as 1oilows-
In consequence OF the length OF the ceremonies
to-day shall speak to you only few words, and
pegln by saying TO you, in the words OF ST. Paul,
s'Tns is she will OF Cod your sanctfication.n God
has no need Of us. Within His own being He has
not only the plenitude, the fulness Of His own eX
stence and Infinite perections, but He has also In
Himself, the principle OF all existing and possible
beings and oil all the perfections they capable
OF. Compared with Him we are nothing and in
addition to our nothngness we have offended Him.
We have used His favors TO onend Him. If He were
to treat US as we deserve He would have nothing
to do with US. But He is too generous to discard
us. Instead OF rejecting us He has grand designs
In our behalf He sent His only begotten Son rom
heaven not merely to save us, but, as tue apostle
Implies, to sanctiy us-to make us saints.
m Man has. indeed grand endowments; ne has
often, very often, led into error; he has a will
capable OF embracing what is good but 1t Is in
clned to evil and frequently chooses what is bad:
he has an imagination fitted TO conceive the grand.
est and most poetic IDEAS, but it produces nothing
but filthy pictures which pollute the mind.
There is great deal OF moral filth in man.
he comes into the world stained with sin, and
OF his daily acts his conscience cannot approve
us practise virtue This is Gods viii to make ali
men, as ST. Peter says, ''Coheirs OF Christi his
own sons, so that we 1--we no longer a mere ma
tural but also supernatural existence. He Is
constantly giving you graces, and to-day He gives
You in this mission q special grace
mission Involves something on your part. as
well as on the part oil the priests who conduct IT.
They bound 10 instruct to admomsh, to ex-
hort you bound TO attend the Instructions,
hearken TO the admonltions, and do as you are ex-
horted to do. Here am fulfilling Gods intention
in your regard. The mission is for the rich well
as for the poor The exercises for all, because
the sanctihcarion OF all is the will OF God. Take,
then, this grace. Open your hearts to receive it.
IL Is knocking at your door Pray, for We can do
nothing without the help OF God. Let US pray to
the patron SAINT OF this church. TO our own patron
SAINTS TO the immaculate Mary, to the Sacred
Heart OF Jesus, that God may give Us the grace TO
use the grace TO save our souls. Pray earnestly
that all may profit by the mission.
We open to-day very auspiciousy. Our Lord
calls you 10 adore Him, and he makes use OF me-
unworthy as am, TO invite YOU to partake Of HIS
graces. Let US go to Him, even II we have
wandered from our Fathers home and acted like
the prodigal. He has promised TO refresh those
VINO labor and are heavily burdenedn he will
receive Us with open arDs and put on Us the
royal robe that We wore before we left His house.
During the procession OF the Blessed Sacrament
which took place at the end OF the mass the choir
under the direction Of Mr.. Danlorth, the organlst
sang the "Pange Lngua" In fine style. II is
estimated that about GOO persons were present ut
the services.