The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-13
The Children Of Mary.

Au0 euA1ugou VI mary
Every part of the ceremonial of the true !
Faith is replete with beauty and holiness
but there are certain ceremonies which reflect, !
even to the mind of q NOM Catholic, q peculiar
charm or graciousness which may we'll be
styled the poetry of Catholic Worship. The
inspired Psaluist exclaimed: "The beauty of
Thy house, I have loved O Lord p aud we have
often felt the full force of this expression when
witnessing, in several of our city parishes, on
the Festival Of the immaculate Conception,
ceremony known az the Reception of the Child
rem of Mary.
There are many festivals in society which
are very gracious and captivating, but at the
best, they are meaningless or full of vanity.
The May Queen, with her court of maidens.
forms lovely picture for memory to dwell
upon, but it is only an evanescent vision, and
carries with it no practical application to the
affairs of life.
Birthday, wedding and other anniversaries,
when separated from the influences of religion,
are only worldly demonstrations, plainly show
ing their origin, of the earth, earthyl" But
the Reception of the Children of Mary is q
ceremony replete with angelic beauty and
heavenly grace. 1t draws together, round the
altar of God, band of maidens whose hearts
are as yet untitled with thoughts of vanity or
pride. In the name of the Virgin-Mother,
they promise obedience and love to their
Eternal Father, and bind themselves by solemn
promises to walk in the footsteps of Her whom
they have chosen as their model and their guide.
They crown themselves with a snowy wreath,
as an emblem of that purity which they will
| henceforth endeavor to preserve. They place q
ribbon of blue around their necks, as the livery
of their glorious patroness; and they wear ner
medal on their breasts, as an incentive to the
imitation of her virtues
In this Mirror Of Justice they will discover all
the admirable examples which will assist
them in their onward course; but there are
four in particular which form the basis of their
Association: Purity, Humility, Obedience and
Charity.
| Now tell us, worldipgs, if ye have ever
framed a society which incaloates these beau
tiful virtues, and is it possible ye can cavil at
an Association calculated to make our
dau ghters the angels Of our householdf
| Instead of sending them into the circles OF
fashion where pride lie a virtue and vanity the
style, this Association bids them seek their
highest pleasure near the family fire side, Oh
within the houses of the poor and desolate
Instead of lessons of ambition, the Society OF
the Children of Mary teaches humility, and
bids its members recollect that earth's greatest
Teacher said, Learn of me, for am meek and
humble of heart"
The votaries of Woman's Rights are not re-
cruited from the ranks of this Association but
Daughters of Mercy and Sisters of Charity find
therein their best and tenderest helpers. 1t is
AL VI 1,nt1 Ia n
its spirit; for the virtues which they pledge
themselves to practice held in contempt By
worldlings. '......-
| The lady of fashion torgets the-whisperiDg e.
of conscience, and in attire which wonld
offend even a Pagsn's ideas of proprety
spends whole nights in frivolous amusements
or indecorous dances. The child of Mary, on
the contrary, is obedient to the teachings Of
Religion, and-makes modesty the chief orna
ment of Der youth. She devotes but smal
portion of her time to relaxation, but en-
beavers to make each passing momenta COLDER
opportunity for doing good.
The lady of fashion fnds the home-cirol'
uninterestiDg and tho duties of the household
irksome; and hence the frowns of her fact
and the sharpness of her words only add to thu
domestic gloom. It needs the splendOr of 1
ball, or the excitement of q theatre to Festor'
the smile TO her lips and the sweetness to he
voice.
The child of Mary, on the contrary, mover
like a vision of Peace through the quiet sceue
of home, spreading around her the influence
of coutentment and joy. Her voice is thu
index of a happy heart, aud her smile is Al
bright as that which We see on the faces o
angels.
The lady of fashion seeks to excel in thu
6ueness of her attire, aud the splendor OF he
adOrnmsnts. Her purse is eDPtied at the De