National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-11-03
ST. STEPHENS CHURCH.
Forty uours' Devotion sermon BY Father
NcNnIly.

Mentally.
The ceremonies at this church yesterday were
particularly grand and imposing. Solemn High
Mass was celebrated by the pastor, Father Nc
Nally. assisted by Father S:arkey as deacon.
The devotion OF the forty hours commenced i'm
meiately after the Mass, the exercises being as
follows: a procession Of the Blessed Sacrament,
which was carried by the celebsant round the
interior Of the church, under . handsome siiken
canopy, and finally placed over the main altar
which was tastefully decorated with n3wers and
lights. Then the lAtany Of the saints was
planned the nature Of this devotion, aud ex-
horted all to comply with the conditions requi-
site TO gsiG the indulgences attached to It.
WAT HE SAID.
lie remarked that It was probably subject OF
wonder to many why the usual services Of the
commemoration OF All Souls WHICH falls on the
second OF November, was postponed until to-
day. The reason was that II would not he In
keeping with the spirit OF the Church 70 drape
her affairs In mourning on Sunday, as that had
always baen, as the Sabbaths OF the old law,
day OF rest, end now to Christians particularly
Sunday was day OF rejoicing, as on that day We
concentrated the TesErTention OF our Saviour
and the descent Of the Holy fisOst consequently
the Church performs the services OF the dead on
the day following when the second OF November
falls on sunday. During the devotion Ia the time
To come and pour out all our sorrows at the foot
Of tue Star, when our dear Lerd In an especial
manner IN, tics ns by allowing himself to he ex-
posed under the sSc.smentai wells for our adora-
ton.
There are no sermons preached during the
time when the Blessed Sacrament Is exSssed, be-
cause he wishes to speak TO Us himself, and his
language Is U silent one, but all-powerful. How
often has the pOn-C2tkollo found himself deeply
Impressed with
SPIRIT OF DEVOTION
on entering one OF our churches and seeing
the bowed heads and reverent ATTITUDES Of the
silent wOrshipers. How OF ten las he remained to
SCOTT Why, then. should not Catholics listen to |
this silent preaching; Catholics Instructed and |
believing In the real presence OF the Lord Of
Heaven and earth under that appearance Of |
bread! Why would they not be impressed deeply |
with the silent teaching OF thai most loving /
heart, which Is ever calling upon all 70 come TO |
are heavy laden and will refresh you, hs says,
md way vii you be so ungratefu ~ to close /
rour hearts 70 That most loving call. Or when,
lis sacred feet, why viii .os 20 so uniaithfaii
He has never broken faith with y0,i, and never
9!ll. See what eyidenceshe has glyenoi
MS LOVE ron MAN.
all he suffered during q life
u thrty-three years. In the closing hours of that
lie he would not leave the world without giving
Is another pledge OF that undying love. He
oresaw all that he would snner on the coming
lay; he saw plainly the Instruments OF his pas
lion, the malice Sf bis executioners; and he
OTesaw, too, all your lngsgtltude and unfaith-
illness to him, which would open epew each |
wound that would be made upon his sacred flesh,
nut all this did not turn him aside from his pur-
rose. lie would leave you his body and blood l
o be food and drink. lie would remain with
Iou always. lie has done 1t, and how do you re-
pay his yearning desire to be with you by your
sins you cry out cruelty him, cruelty him, and |
you are worse than the Jews, for they knew not /
what they did.
DO not then refuse any longer to hear his |
Toice, and having heard and answered II, be |
aithiul. Come al and eat OF this living bread; |
'Ome all and drink OF this ver-nowlng fountain, |
and you will he comforted In your grievances /
Ind strengthened to bear the trials which sur
'0nnd you In this vale OF tears Come and re- |
'eve those guarantees OF love which are to be
ound only III the heart OF Jesus.
AGRAsp CRrCIFIY.
A new feature has been added TO the many
IeauIies OF this very pretty little church, IN the
yrand cruclnx behind the main altar.
IL was remarked yesterday that there was no
yorldliness In st. stephens church, and that lust
Expresses the whole beauty OF the church. VINO
Otid baye worldly feelings and raise his eyes TO
hat almost iife-slle 1gure OF the Goldman, hang
az with OutstTetGhel arms and bleeding hands |
0 embrace and bless sinful world! Well may
he pastor be proud OF his church.
Tue devotion OF the forty hours will close at
he end OF High Mass on tomorrow morning
1880.