The New York herald., 1873-11-03
ST. PATRICK's CATHEDRAL.

Homage TO God and Devotion 10 the
Saints and Angels-Sermon by the Rev.
Father McNamce.
The Cathedral was, as usual, largely attended
yesterday, the ofriciatng clergyman at the last
mass being the Rev. Father Kearney. At the con-
cusion OF the irst Gospel the Rev. Father McNamee
preached sermon, taking for his text the words,
Thou shalt not make to thyself a craven thing,
nor the likeness OF anything that is in heaven
above or In the earth beneath, nor OF those things
that are in the waters under the earth.n The rev.
erend gentleman, in the course OF an eloquent and
forcible address, luCidly explained the reasons why
Catholics honored the saints and angels whose
festival had been celebrated the day preceding and
pointed out the fallaces OF those who accused the
Catholic Church OF sanctionlng idolatrous wor-
snip. The Church honored all the saints reigning
Together IN glory & m al M 59e festivals o. hs saints nS
the whole OF that
INFERIOR vENKRATIoN
which was paid to the saints was directed TO give
sovereign honor TO God alone. Nor was II In
tended TO produce representations Of the Deity,
since II was not possible that the Almighty could
were not intended to be true representations OF
the subject, but they served for our instruction
and edifcation. For this reason every altar IN
Catholic churches had a picture OF the crncifxion
In order that the people on entering might at once
be reminded OF what The Redeemer had done for
the salvation OF mankind. the devotion which
Catholics paid 70 the angels and saints and also to
their
IMAGES AND RELICS,
was the same as that paid to God, then they were
idolaters. But as the devotion paid to them had
entirely its termination in God, the charge fell to
the ground. Every Catholic believed and knew
that the most nagitious crime that could be COM
mitted was that OF Offering, even to the highest
saint in heaven, one particle OF that devotion
which is called alteration, and which belonged to
God exclusively on account Of His infinite at
tributes There was
SUPREME ADORATION
which belonged to God, and the oflering OF homage
to any OF Gods creatures, no matter how exalted,
was never tolerated in the Church. When, there
fore, Catholics h0nored the saints, in them and
through them they hOnOred God. The succor Of
their ntercession was among the advantages
reaped by celebrating their festivals. The Bible,
upon which the accusers OF the Church 60 strongly
relied, set forth that God Himself commanded us
to honor the saints. Every Catholic knew that
even the highest angel had no power to forgive
sin, since the granting Of grace belonged to God
alone. Catholics merely asked the angels and
saints to intercede Tor them, to pray to God to OBJ
in need or When the Church celebrates the festi-
walls in honor OF angels and saints she has in view
the object OF stimulating her children to
INITIATE THEIR VIRTUES
Nothing could more powerfully incite us to as
pire with all our strength to the Incompatible hap
pIness and blessed company OF the saints than
their example.
The choral arrangements, under Professor Gus
tavus Schmitz, were, as usual, excellent. One Of
his own masses, In major, was performed; and
the oifert0ry, the "Cujus Anima,n from Rossini's
"Stabat Mater" was sung by Mr.. Persin. The
chorus was strong and harmonious.