The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-07-12
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 10. 1874.

and henceforth he was to break that bread for
| the faithful of his charge. Well might his
voice trsmble as he plead for himself and for
his people, IS he supplicated for all eifts, all
| mercy, all help, in the divine formula pre-
scribed by the great Teacher bimself
Then as he continued, saying. Forgive us
our trespasses ~ it was the past that revealed
itself before him. With all lite careful watch
fitness, how unworthy it must appear when
compared with this exceeding great reward.
Through that past, with all its sacrifices, all its
trials, oil its joys and sorrows, he had come at
last to this hour of triumph, yet of fear. He
had won the crown of conservation, he had
been endowed with a sceptre of Incompetent
sible power but the recollection of his Of
fences kept him humble, the thought of his
unworthiness made him tremble.
Then came the last earnest cry, the eager
appeal which the creature makes to its Crea-
tor, the sinner to his God Lead US not into
temptation, Deliver us from evil" There stood
the misty future, whispering of its thorny
paths, its troubled waters, its varied and wind
ing ways. Would his footsteps always keep
the narrow road Would his frail vessel wea-
ther every storms Would his feeble strength
guide him through life's many journeyings
safely and surelyf Who could tell land no
wonder the strong mans voice faltered, and
the priest wept like little child.
We shall never forget that day. The assist
ant deacon stood like ministering angel near
him, al the pomp and ceremonial of our holy
religion were about him the organ lent its
sweet, sympathetic notes to sustain his own;
but face to face with the mighty mystery be-
fore him, the priest stood alone, as it were, in
the presence of his God, and hearing only those
voices of the past, the present, and the future,
he was only able to sob, in scarcely audible &C.
cents, the conclusion of the sublime petition.
We do not know the young priests name,
nor ON what mission be was sent, nor where
he labors now, but we are confident, if the
feelings still exist which were born in his
heart during that first awful exercise Of his
high commission, that he has proved himself,
under every circu instance, true priest of God.
We read in the life of st. Ignatius, that he
waited whole year after his ordination before
presumng to say Mass Citing himself by
prayer, meditation, fastipg and modification
for an action which men can only diuily COM
prehend, and which the angels contemplate
with adoring wonder
Tradition relates Shat st. Joseph of Arims-
thea-whose generous love provided tomb
for the crncifed Redeemer-carried with him
into England the sacred cup used by our
Blessed Lord in "that most mysterious supper, "
when He instituted the Eucharistic Sacrament.
Tennyson has woven this legend into his poem
of the Holy Grail-the cup or vase which held
the blood of Christ--a sight of which, as q
heavenly vision, was only vouchsafed to the
pu1est among the knights of King ArthuF'a
Court:
And in tho blast there smote along the hall
And down the long beam stole the Holy Grail,
All over covered with . luminous cloud,
And none might zee who bare it,-and 1t patti
The holier knights of Mother Church-the
anointed priests of God-fsr from having only
| q glimpse of the holy cup which holds the
blood Of Christ, can bid that precious stream
| flow at will into hesqnblsst ohAlice, and ere
privileged to spend their lives in alteration
before Its sacred presence.
With such mystery in our midst, who eau
| wonder at the mart elous value bestowe pOI
| the sacred vessels used in the ceremonial O.
the Mass. There are many, slssi humble
enough; but thank God, there are, Throughout
the Church, chAliees as rich in gems and golt
AZ the hand Of man can make them. One o
| massive gold and encrusted with diamonds o
the puress value, was the gift Of the lSat of tb
Stuarts, Henry, Duke Of York and Cardinal
Bishop OF Frascati, to the Basllca of st. Peter
1t 10 written of him that Ghatsver els
may have been wanting for bis title TO rOya
heart, he was no pTetender.1 COileetinE n
the jewels Of bis fAmiIy-the SObieski dis
uI0nds-the Cardinal Duke caused them to
; imbedded in the chalice which Was his Las
princely gift 70 the service Of that holy rel
: Vion for which he had sacri6ced all hopes {
| an earthly crown. This ehalice was, and pei
hap still is. used on great Festivals at 81. p
ters.