The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-19
ST. PATRICK's CATHEDRAL.

A Lovely May Sabbath at the Shrine OF
Praisc-Tashion Blending With Piety-
Sermon by tho Rev. William Kearncy,
On sThe Emcacy Of Prayer"
The beautiful month of May which the Catholic
Church has dedicated to the honor OF the Blessed
Virgin, gave lovely Sabbath yesterday to all who
felt disposed to enter their respective temples Of
worship. The Cathedral looked radiant with all
the indications Of happiness neatness aud beauty.
The Virgins altar and statue were literally buried
in floral offerings donated by the good ladies' OF the
parish and woven into magnificent bouquets by
the hands Of the pious Sisters Of Charity. A
fashionable congregation filed every available
seat and united their prayers in appa-
rent devotion with those OF the ministers
of Gods special graces. High mass was celebrated
with becoming dignity by the Rev. John Kane. In
the Very Rev. Vicar General Quinn and the Rev.
Father McNamee, with the usual number OF AGO.
Schmitz. was as usual very fine. The sermon was
preached by the Rev. Father Kearney. lie chose
his text from the gospel OF the Sunday, st. John,
you ask the Father in my name He shall give unto
you.' This text he made the groundwork Of his
THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER
Our Lord, he said, alter His resurrection and a
little before His ascension into heaven, was dis
coursing with His apostles and instructng them
on the necessity and use OF prayer. He told them
ITO watch and pray at all times for they knew not
II,
true devotion, was most powerful appeal to the
intelligence and mercy of God.
1T ELEVATED THE SOUL
from the SiCkly cares OF earth to higher sphere,
and mingled It's aspirations with the songs OF the
angels. Prayer has always its effects. God always
listens most attentvely to the prayers Of the
righteous, and is also pleased to hearken to the
petitions OF the sinner when presented with a
proper disposition. These dispositions OF the soul
who seeks lis own interest in prayer should be
humility, confidence and perseverance,. We must
humble ourselves IN prayer for we are face to face
with an omnipotent God. whom we have onended
q thousand times by our trans ressions. We must
pray in confidence to the Eternal Father through
His Son Jesus Christ, who has said In the
most encouraging manner .Ameu | say to you
whatsoever you ask the Father in my name He
shall give unto you.n We must pray with pcrse-
verance, remembering the sweet worus oil the
Scripture, "Be thou faithful unto death and Will
give thee the crown of liie.n These are the chief
characteristics OF the gift OF true prayer But they
are alas, toe frequently forgotten by the greater
PRIDE, TIaIDITY, LuKEwARMNEss AND INDIrPER-
ENCE
substituted In their place. Hence many have
reason to complain that their prayers have not
| been heard; but they themselves are TO blame Tor
instead OF pleasing God they offend and MAKE q
| mockery OF Him. some pray with true fervor ana
with the proper spirit. To these God is ever willing
to listen, and If they receive not the direct object
Of their petition they are certainly rewarded ny
| other special favor which God In his omniscient
| wisdom sees more fitting 10 grant.
| Alter dwelling stu further on the uses and
abuses OF prayer, the reverend preacher finally
! urged upon his congregation the necessity OF its
! frequency and continuance. IL was
THE PEACE OFFERING or OUR SOULS
! and the indication or our desire to renew our
| friendship with God, which should always remain
| with us under these circumstances, and 1t was an
act OF sweet submission winch God could not put
and the glory OF His Kingdom which shneth for
ever.
After concluding the Rev. Father Kearney an
nounced that next Thursday-being Ascension
Thursday-wOuld be observed as a holy day Of obi
CATION, and also that yespers during the Summer