The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-12-13
Our Lady Of Lourdes.
PILGRIMAGE OF ST. HENRY's CoNGRKGATIoN ro
HER SHRINE IN CARRoLLToN. ~

PILGRIMAGE OF 81. HENRYs CONGREGATION To|
HER SHRINE IN CARROLLTON
Last Tuesday, Feast of the immaculate Con
ception, the Sixth District Witnessed n ral;J
gious celebration, which, although simp,e in|
form and unostentatious, was none tho les
sublime, if we-oonsider the purely religion,
motives which inspired it and the truly Cath.
lie manner in which it was carried out. Tia
9Th of December had been fixed upon by tn.
Catholics of st. Henry's congregation to|
perform the first pilgrimage to the shrine oil
Our Lady of Lourdes in st. Mary's church
Carrollton. At the appointed hour, II F. NJ, n
procession, fully 200 strong, composed of thai
parishioners of ST. Henry's and delegation
from several other parishes, proceeded from|
the above named church to make the intended
pilgrimage. Slowly and solemnly the assem-
blage of pious worshippers moved through ths|
streets of our beautiful suburb, carrying aloSI
the adorable sign of Redemption. From tba
time the pilgrims left st. Henry's church until
their arrival in Carrollton there was no interl
ruption in the praying or singing of religion
hymns. There was no vain display about the|
procession it was truly a praying procession, d
pilgrimage, in the true sense of the word. AfterI
rived in Carrollton and were greeted at ths
depot by the congregation of st. Maryta
which stood waiting there to welcome thenI
This done, both congregations proceeded I'd
the church, where the services were inaugul
rated by an appropriate address, delivered id
German by the Rev. ]. B. Bogaerts, pastor ID
St. Henry's church. The address concluded, d
prayer was offered up to Our Lady of Lourds|
in behalf of the Church and the Holy FathsfI
1t was an affecting sight, which caused many u
tear to flow, to see this vast assemblage, which
| by numerous accessOns, had now become full
i 500 strong, prostrated before the throne d
Mary, united in one common prayer for th
deliverance of the Church and the Holy FathaI
For it must be remembered that the fns
object of the pilgrimage was to obtain
through the intercession of Mary Tmmaculs.3
the speedy triumph of the Church over hs}
enemies.
| Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament wsl
then given, after which Rev. Father Vailed
pastor of st. Mary's, gave the Papal Beneds|
tion. At the conclusion of the devotion mi
merous pilgrims came forward to make thl
Offering of the candles usual on such occasion
and still greater number had their names a|
rolled in the Confraternity of Our Lady \
Lourdes now economically established in s.
Mary's Church, Carrollton. The latter invests
with the Scapular of the Immaculate Conce
ton.
Thus ended this beautiful ceremony, u
memory of which will always be cherished
all who had the happiness of partaking in I
Nothing occurred on the way homo to mar q
devotion of the pilgrims, who concluded thl
pious journey, as they had commenced
walking, praying and singing religious ca
ticles alternately without ceasipg. The d
tance from st. Msry's to Carrolton
from three to four miles, and yet d
body complained of being much fatigued.
performed their task cheerfully, with 4
firm conviction that they were doing god
action and setting an example of faith wbl
they hope may find many followers. The p|
pie of our city hare faith and they are !
happy to find an opportunity of showing
Then let us have many pilgrimages. n
cause of Religion can only gain and faith
revived by them.