The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-31
THE HAPPY PILGRIMAGE,
DEPARTURE OF THE PILGRIMS.
CONDENSED from the Freeman's Journa, +,

CONDENSED from the Freemans journal
They are on the Ocean, on their favored
way, Of sacrifice and abnegation; and. 40,
Of truest JOY and contentment. They are
on their way, one kindred and eiaht souls-
the First Pilgrimage from America
They reached New York in time some
Of them not till late in the night of the 18th.
On the morning of the 10th, the rain pour
ed down in torrents. Most Of them, not.
outstanding, would not call carriages,
but walked from the metropolitan Hotel
cieties, from the Church of the Holy Re-
deemer, and from st. Alphonsus, could not
bring ont their elegant flags and banners,
as they had wished to do; but delegations
of them. under the lead of Mr.. Lercbe, to
the number of nearly hundred, were pre-
sent ID an escort. The Pilgrims, with
Major Kelley. and other members of the
pei side Of the nave of the Cathedral. The
st. Michael's, the St. Aloysius, and the St.
Aiphonsus Societies, of the guard of honor,
occupied the Epistle side Of the Cathedral
nave.
The Very Rev. Father Quin C., who
has shown q most tender and afTectionate
interest in the Pilgrimage, had left nothing
unprepared for the commodious and edify,
ing solemnity of the Mass inaugurating the
Pilgrimage. All space possible without
obstructiDg the solemnities, was given to
to the faithful, who thronged, on the rainy
morning, to witness the ceremonies. Fa-
Their Quin had in the Sanctuary a choir of
the boys from the Cathedral Parish School,
to chant the appropriate parts during the
Mass. To the Organ loft there was a
double Quartette, who sang Ecclesiastical
music during the Benediction of the Bless
ed Sacrament, after the Mass. Father
Quin, with Fathers Kearney, McNamee,
Farley, Secretary to the Archbishop, and
others Of the Cathedral clergy assisted.
Bishop Dwenger, the spiritual Head of the
Pilgrimage, in rocbet, was seated on the
Gospel side of the High Altar.
The beautiful Banner for Our Lady Of
Lourdes had been displayed, for amoment,
at the door of the Hotel, hnt the rain com.
PEELED it's being folded and sheathed. till it
reached the Cathedral. 1t was. then
brought from the Sacristy, aud placed be.
side pillar at the Sanctuary railing.
His Grace, DR.. McCioskey, Arch bishop
OF New York, entered che Sanctuary, and
after being clothed 10 his Pontificals. pro.
ceeded to bless the Banner, according to
the Roman Ritual. Mr.. Patrick Farrely,
it's honored Bearer to the Basilica Of
Lonrdes, supported it, assisted, on the
right by Major Kelley, Chairman of the
Resident Pilgrimage Committee, and on
left, by Jud &c Paul E. Theard, of New
Orleans, Chairman of the Committee ac-
campaigning the Pilgrimage. After being
blessed, it was set in the stanchion prepar.
pared for it, at the head of the BODY of
Pilgrims.
His Grace the Archbishop said the Mass
for the Pilgrimage. All the Pilgrims com
muned, except those of the Priesthood who
had already, at an early hour, said Mass.
At the end of the Mass the Most Rev.
Arch bishop, with suppressed, but evi.
IDENTIFY deep emotion, delivered most
eloquent address to the Pilgrims.
THE BENED1cT1oN
At the conclusion of his impressive adj
dress, the Archbishop proceeded with the
Blessing of Pilgrims setting forth to visit
Sacred Shrines, according to the Roman
Ritual and then, with mitre and crozier,
gave his Episcopal Blessing. After this
the Blessed Sacrament was brought forth
for Alteration, and his Grace gave the Bene-
diction of the Most Holy. The scene in the
Cathedral will never be forgotten by thnse
who took part in it. After the public cere.
monies, the display of faith, on the part Of
the simple Catholic people was affecting.
The Banner had hung, on she evening pre-.
ceding, in st. Alphonsus' Church, during
the evening devotions of the Month If
Mary. 1t was intended that it should have
hung in st. Patrick's during the morning
of the sixteenth. But the eager crowd was
so pressing to touch with cruciixes, and
beads, and scspulars, the beautiful Banner
80 soon to be deposited in the Basilica of
Lourdes, that-tbough it seemed cruel, it
had to be folded, and removed to the
Sacristy, TO keep it from DETACHMENT or
soilipg. a
Shortly after two O'Clock, the Pilgrims.
except those whose health rendered Il i'm
prudent, were gathered at the Metropolitan
Hotel. 1t was still raining. The prepared
programme of escorting Societies, with the
elegant Pontifical Flag from Holy Re-
deemer Church, st. Michael's Banner, q
Catholic music Band, etc.-had been aban
doned; but it was time to start for the
steamer Umbrellas were up all along
Broadway. But it was singular fact,
that, at the moment Major Kelley gave the
signal to open the private door of the Hotel,
to march to the Steamer, the rain suddenly
ceased. Not drop more of cold water
abundant till then-fell on the Pilgrimage
Arrived at the wharf of the French
Steamer Company, on it, and all around,
there were as many thousands as could find
footiDg-most of them Catholics, come to
show their interest and devotion.
Promptly, at four O'Clock, the Steamer
PerSirs began to cast off her fastenines to