The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-20
Children Of Mary in Mobile.



BISHOP MANucY BLEssEs THEIR NEW BANNER.
To the Editor of the Morning Star:
Amid the pomp and magnifcence attending
the conservation of two Bishops of the Church,
the Children of Mary were not forgotten; but
as that important ceremony excluded all others,
their celebration was postponed until Sunday
last. This celebration began, as all celebra-
tions should, with general Communion of the
sodality. The general Communion was, more
over, an inauguration of the newly-elected
Dignitaries and this beautiful preparation for
the duties that await them is typical of the
spirit which rules the Society. Strengthened
with the graces Of q worthy reception, they
will guide the Sodality Alright to the glory of
God and the honor of their Blessed Mother.
At four o'clock the handsome banner of the
Society was to be blessed The banner was
brought from the North as a present to the
Children of Mary by their kind and devoted
Director, your worthy Editor-in-Chief, Father
Ryan. 1t is of white MORE antique. richly
embroidered in silk and gold. On one side is
raised figure of the Blessed Virgin, and en- the
other the monogram of the Sodality. The
streamers are cords and tassals OF gold and
blue ribbon. The gift is truly worthy of the
giver. and this is it's highest need of praise.
At the appointed hour the main entrance of
the Cathedral was thrown open to admit the
procession. First came the DignitarIes of the
Sodality of the Children of Mary, then the
banner bearer and eight young ladies holding
the streamers. Next came the Children of
Mary, the Aspirants, and the Sodalities of the
Holy Angels and the Infant Jesus. The banner
bearer, with the officers and council, stood in
front of the High Altar, which was beautifully
illuminated. More than half the middle aisle
was reserved for the Societies, while the other
aisles were crowded with interested spectators
The Magnificent was sung by the choir while
awaiting the arrival of the Bishop. AS the last
verse was sung Bishop Manucy appeared in
full canonicals, accompanied by Father Hol-
lainde, S. j., of Spring Hill College, Father
Gardner, of Tuscaloosa and Fathers Ryan and
Keller, of the Cathedral. The blessing was
very impressive and made feel how beautiful
is Mother Church, who sends her mitred
Bishops and holy priests to bless those child
rens' banners with all the ceremony she was
wont to use when the banners of mighty
armies erayed from her BLESSING. Gazing
upon that scene the mind insensibly goes back
to these past and glorious days of the church,
when the marble aisles of medieval Cathedrals
heard he iron steps of mailed knights and the
vestments of the Princes of the Church rivalled
the splendQr Of the dazzling array of spears
! and the glittering coats of arms. Then the
! banners that bore the escutcheons of mighty
! monarchs were carried to the altar and blessed
and men, under whose footsteps the earth had
! trembled, knelt as little children to gain the
grace that fell from the uplifted hand of q
Prince of the Militant Church. The beautiful
army that gathered around their banner on
Sunday are fighting for the same end as those
of whom We speak, though in . different way
Under tho standard of the Virgin of Nazareth
they are combating the world of sin and
| vanity, and beneath this banner our noblesi
| women of tomorrow will be found. Theil
ooly armor, purity which shields their hearts
like the SNOWY wells so modestly worn ; Sim
plicity of purpose, uutiring zeal, and earnest
prayer, their only weapons. and the records o.
the past have shown us what formidable
weapons these are.
After tho solemn blessing Of the banner the
reception of the Aspirants took place. Their
many little ones came to the altar to be re-
ceivcd into the Society of the Holy Angels
and some still smaller gave their little hearts
to the Babe of Bethlehem, and entered tb,
Society of the Infant Jesus. How we'll tn,
church remembers His beautiful petition
Suffer little children to come unto Me-"
Bishop Fitzgerald spoke on the occasion o
, Devotion to the Blessed Virgin" 1t was jus
such a sermon as Children of Mary must love
, t, hear, q sweet, tender tribute to the
: Heavenly Mother.
Solemn Pontiical Vespers followed, at which
Right Rev. Bishop Manucy officiated. Tb'
music, of course, was grand. 1t is never other
, wise at the Cathe dral.
Then, when yelled twilight sank into man
tied night, the joys and beauty and graces O
the day were perfected by touching Ben edc
ton of the Blessed Sacrament. ALPHA.