New-York tribune., 1874-02-23
THE DUTY OF OFFERING PENANCE.
.4r-hbishop McCOstey at 81 Patl1eks C1th,draL

A high Pontifcal Mass was celebrated, yes
terday al St. Patricks Cathedral. in Mulberryst the
opening being conducted by Father Kane as
Celebrant Father McNamee Deacon, aud Father
sster as Sub-Deacon. The Most Rev. Archbishop Nc
Closkey occupied the Pontihcal Chair within the altar
raings on either side OF him were standing the Very
Rev. Father Quinn, aud the Rev. Father
Farrell the Archbshop's Private Secretary Several
attendant priests were within the rangs also
large number OF acoytes and boy choristers the lat
ter clothed in black aud white and others in scarlet and
white, The altar decorated with flowers. and a
beautiful floral emblem. with the word jesus In
scarlet flowers on white ground ornamented the High
Altar from which suspended either side vail OF
cloth OF gold side affairs also decorated. but
not so handsomely as theiprincipal altar.
At the conclusion OF the opening services Archbishop
McCloskey entered the pulpit and read the Gospel for
the day" taken from Matthew v to H. describing tho
forty days fast and the temptation Of the Savior The
Archbishop then said seemed good to the Divine Lord
all holy pure and perfect though He was. not to enter
upon His work OF public ministry until he had frat
withdrawn into solitude to commune with His Eternal
Father and 20 undergo rigorous and sefiDfcted fast
OF forty days and forty nights st. John the Baptist
who had been sent prepare the before Him. also
fitted himself by remaining for years In the wilderness
engaged In penance and prayer. He then came forth
and went about all region OF the Jordan preaching
penence the forgiveness OF SINS and declaring that
those who neglected penance should surely perish The
Savior followed not to contradict or revoke the teach
ings OF st. John but TO repeat and coDnrn the IA more
postve and emphatic tones Christ invited, exhorted.
entreated all 10 hear His words and walk in His foot
stems and II any wished His disciples. they would
have 10 take up the cross and follow HIM He emphati.
cay urged and declared the necessity of Penance and
set il forth by words only but by example In order
that all true Christians mi ght reach tho Crown OF GLORY
II was necessary that they should endure suffering
The Savior held out promises OF hOn0rs In THIS world
that was the practice OF the Tempter and such promises
only from him but Christ has declared thst the
only royal way to Heaven was by the cross During
this holy of Lent the Church directs that pen
ance should be enforced, meaning morthcaton aims
Cvps Nnpeb ana Alone a5s S9t By Jesus Christ as pre-
cept for all and given to all ohiIT,.0 The Church;
with the desire stimulate them to fulni the law 50
necessary TO their salvation. comes 10 ther ald oy
prescribing times aud seasons. ahu ways tor its iui
flment so thai all may obtain rem ssoh OF ther sins
through fasting prayer penanee ana tne dne
spectace the Churchs children every where with one
heart and voice besleging the throne on grace WITH
prayer and supplicaton when the priest, VINO stanus
between the altar aud the threshold. cf,es S aloud
spare, Lord spare ny people ana tne people
ness of our sins when millions OF souls clad IN sack
cloth aud ashes, confess their aou peaa M
for mercy IL ia necessary that all should 20 INTO the
wilderness II not In fact at least IN spirit ana draw
away from the temptations riyoltles ana amusement.
OF the world. IN order TO wage war on the ebeuy o
souls. II ne dared tempt the Lord IN the wilderness
| how much more will he tempt mortal man ana now
much necessary is 1t for Christians 20 put on lno
OF God order struggle with this enemy VINO
will seek to lead him into pleasures vice ana intenPe
anoe. until he become. lower than the brute. Az tns
season EVERYONE should contemplate the cross anu see
how Chrsl "os bgfeted mocked spat upon, scouIeeu,
bruised, ana at last nailed 10 the cross Ihe members
OF the cOhgegaiOn OF the Cathedral churcb nave the
privilege OF taking IN the forty hours DEVOTION
during which time an exposition OF the Holy sacrament Is
made above her altar Jesus, who suffered isdurng this
time present with all the devOut Christians not indeed
as be was on earth but st among s In the Sacrament
lie is not seen with the eyes OF the flesh, but with the
eyes OF fath The Christian Him not but believes
that He here; and this better Is made stronger DO
Christs appointed and infable teachers nave
declared The Christian sees through faith the fulfill
ment of the type and figure of prophecy and pronse
There ia something holy awful so my sterious 40
sublime in tns great work, that but a God could
have conceived perfected such my stsry of love.
work never fali. During the forty hours deyo
lion the presence OF the Divine LORD Savior IA in n,
Church. and before such all should do
and offer their serious HOMAGE bow In adOriug faith
and IN love and hope pour out their hearts
making known their wants and needs, and asking
strength Let ali COms because He Will Le with then
His throne aDOye tho altar not with the majeat
| OF heaven, but WITH such glory As human hsnds