The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-30
ST. PATRICK's CATHEDRAL.
The Foundation or the church OF
Christ-DiscOurse by Rev. Father

The Feast OF st. Peter and st. Paul
The Foundation OF the Church OF
Christ-Discourse by Rev. Father
McNamee.
Notwithstanding the oppressive state OF the
weather, quite respectable congregation assem-
bled yesterday at the Cathedral, when mass
was celebrated by Rev. Father Saltcr. who, having
just graduated at the Troy Seminary and been
ordained to the ministry, is awaiting assignment
by the Archbishop. The sermon was preached by
Rev. Father McNamee, from Matthew xvi, 1919
''rh6u art Peter; upon this rock will build my
Church and the gates OF he'll shall not prevail
against it." The minister stated that to-day
the Catholic Church celebrated the feast OF ST.
Peter and St. Paul. We celebrate that FEAST
the return Of which should excite in every
Christian heart renewed attachment to the
faith which they propagated and which they
finally sealed with their blood. We should occa-
sonally make matters OF this kind the subject Of
reflection. The more we gaze upon the sublime
edidce which Christ has erected the stronger be-
comes our conviction. This is the work OF God
alone, for man could never do It, To have His doc
trine preached and His Church erected upon
solid foundation he selected ignoblc fishermen, and
upon tnat foundation He built His Church. The
earth or the globes foundation only exists by the
VIII OF the Almighty. so with the holy Church. II
is built by adamant, so that the gates of hell shall
not prevail against It, His Church militant on
earth had no other foundation except twelve
poor fishermen. Why did He choose
these humble means Tor his mssons Because
God chooses the weak to confOund the strong. He
selected ignorance and simplicity TO confound In
science and pride. de selected these poor Usher
men OF the Sea OF Galllee and said, "Come and
bear to all tidings OF mans salvation" How did
they perform that missonS 1t was done by the
simple perseverance, OF lew poor fishermen, who
surrounded difficulties and prosecutions in their
noble work. They preached q doctrine that did
not suit the arrogant rulers Of their time. but it
was received and formed into one kingdom In
the Church Of Christ on earth. or this church
Christ Is the foundation stOne and the
twelve apostles are pillars in that edifce;
the souls OF the righteous and the blood OF the
martyrs form parts of 1t. Kings may conspire
against the Holy Church; she may seem subdued at
times: but it is TO rise with new splendor and new
vitality. AS Moses sprinkled the BOOK OF the Old
Law, so were the people sprinkled with the blood
OF Christ and his martyrs Among those who
gIoriously shed their blood in founding the Church
we celebrate two-St. Peter and st. Paul. Peter, it
is true, denied his Master, but afterwards wholly
gave his soul to Christ, and suffered death tor the
cause he had cspoused. st. Paul bore prtvatiOn
and danger In going fiom one country to another
to make the cause of God known OF all men. Let us
ask those saints TO work for the Church. 70 sancty
our children, to give us grace to be partakers OF
that endless glory they now enjoy In heaven.