The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-05-11
NDAY MORNING, MAY II, 1878.
Dedication of the New Church In AIglers.

Dedication of the New Church In AIgiers.
The blessing and dedication of the new
Gothic church built by the Marist Fathers in
Algiers, took place, as announced, last Sunday,
May Ath, Bishop Elder of Natchez officiating.
Although tho weather first threatened rain
and then fulfilled its promise, quite a large
namber of persons were present to witness
| and participate in the ceremonies, which
| singularly beautiful and impressive. Tho
Bishop first, in full episcopal robes, passed ont
of the church preceded by the procession of
| clergy and acolytcs and, with prayers and as
PENSIONS, blessed the outside walls, then
entering the charch, he made the circuit of
the building, evoking Gods special blessing
upon chancel, nave and aisles. .. b.,
The robing of the Bishop for the Ded-
| icatory Mass, was very suggestive - the
heavy gold-embrodered vestments were
laid aside, and mitre, chasuble and
stole of white silk, were substituted in
their place-white gloves and white shoes
| formed also part of the emblematio attire,
and spoke more e!oquently than words could
do, of the Virgin Church, into which for the
first time the Celestial Bridegroom was to take
up His abodc-and of the purity of heart
| required from those whose words draw down
| the unseen God into a taberGa"l, made by
mortal hands ... --E f. 49,. la.. ,4--
We cannot do justice to the eloquent ser.
mon of the Bishop, for we cannot reproduce
his persuasive language, his earnest manner,
nor his jealous arguments. Selecting for his
| text the words of jacob Truly this is q
terrible place, the house of God, the. cato of
Heaven !" he showed how appropriately the
Church had been dedicated to the name of
| Mary, to her who was indeed the first earthly
tabernacle of tho Lord, who is still the true
and beautiful gate of Heaven, the Gate through
which the InfaHt Saviour passed from His
Fathers bosom to the hearts of men, aud
/, through Which all those who follow 10 His
footsteps pass up TO His eternal happiness.
He spoke 'of the lniseres of this world, of its
forgetfnlness of God and His teachings, and
how, at this moment, the world, the ruling
world, the world that has power in its hands,
is sick for want of the three great virtues of
Faith, Hope and Charity.
Sick for want of Faith-it believes no long
er in an eternal destiny, it strives alone for
that which will secute power, riches, aggran
dizemcnt--and tho consequences of endeavor'
: ing to rule men without reference to God
IRE sho xn in the sad and fearful condition o
: European governments and in the trouble a1L
e discomfort of our own. A church erected tt
the worship of that God whom the world ig
S norcs, dedicated to that name which underlie
u all Faith, is ut once beacon and Sign,
9 guides hearts to think once moro on eterna
d truths, and it shows that in the souls of many
c Faith still blossoms into living fruits.
The world is sick for want of Hope, it no lons
CT Iceircs to obtain it. Hence the heart offna
/, '"gs tn earthly pleasures, Graves earthly r.
IT na-i-, tolls only for earthly happiness. Henc
Dc arise strife among those who run the race ft
g riches and honor, discomfort among the poo
g. and lowly, avn! dishonesty aud fraud amon
D. the powerful.
ut The Church lifts its spire towards Heave
d. and proc,aims aloud that there is better wor
st than this, that there are higher destiui
ne than the world can give; while the name
e. its glorious patroness speaks of that blesst
d. hope without which there is no true peace,
a. enduring happiness.
hv Lastly the world is sisk for want
"a Charity. There is philanthropy, beneV
he lence, kindness, but there is not charity
he that love of God which makes ca
sir man love his neighbor as himself, whether
a be poor or rich, ignorant or wise, repulsivo
attractive-which sees in each soul Gods i
age and therefore loves all creatures for Co
OF sake. This Church is a beautiful lesson
ng charity to the world which knows it not.
p'- is built to the God of Charity-for the nee
he of his poor children the teachings of char
ng are proclaimed from its altar; and its praeti
air commence even at the threshold of the Sa
yer tuary.
as The good Bishop then besought his hear
md to build up within their hearts that OIL
ght temple which must always be most aeccpta
ing to God, the temple of the Holy Ghost,-s Pr
heart, and an upright conscience. Then q