Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-07
AN INTERESTING CEREMONY.
Dedication of the Children of the Cath
Ollie schools TO the Virgin Mary.

One of those beautiful spectacles which
abound in the celebration of certain festi-
walls of the Catholic Church was witnessed
Yesterday by large concOurSe Of ladies and
gentleman, at st. Mays School Building.
The entire month of May is devoted by the
Church, in a special manner, TO the honor
of the Virgin Mary, by performing, each
day, some particular devotion, prayers, good
works. or practices of virtue. No particular
form ofprayeris prescribed, but Catholics are
invited TO initiate the Blessed Virgin by
increasing in virtue, piety, and feTOr, and
a general amendment of life. In Catholic
countries, the first Of May is a great day
for old and young. The young of pOpu-
lous cities rise long before the dawn Of
day, and wend their way in parties to the
country in search of flowers, which they
carry with them to town. The churches
are decorated profusely, and the perfume of
the flowers fill the air within and without
the sacred temples.
Yesterday was a lovely May day, and
early in the afternoon, young ladies and
children, gaily dressed in white, with
wreaths and baskets, and vari-colored rib
bons, were seen vending their way toward
theconvent. At three o'clock they had assem-
bled in St. Mary's School, and at fifteen
minutes before four the procession had
been formed in the Junior male depart
ment, and stated for the female department
on the second floor. They entered the
large hall by the eastern door, the young
ladies Of both schools-St. Demands and
St. Manufacturing, followed by the jun
iOrs. Then they marched to near the west
ern end of the room, when they counter
i lesx- n, ef 20
the foot of the altar or Oratory; the young
Knights of the Virgin Mary, followed by
the bows of both schools, making up the
centre, carrying the beautiful banner OF
The Children of Mary" Here all kneeled,
receiving the Bishops blessing, and then
retired to their seats.
The oratOry alluded to above is one i'm
provised for the occasion. 1t was surmOunt-
ed by a statue of the Blessed Virgin, and
was decorated with numerous plants and
flowers, whose fragrance filled the hall,
and innumerable candles, elegant vases,
etc.
The Right Rev. Bishop, and Rev. Fathers
Scannell, Doyle, Mcnamara, and GazzO,
occupied seats on platform to the left of
the OratOry.
The exercises consisted of hymns and re-
citations by the pupils, the Sunday-school
choir-pupils of st. Bernard's-leading in
the vocal music, and the remainder, about
three hundred, joining in the chOruses.
The music was really charming. The reci-
tations were interesting and well delivered.
1t is astonishing to what degree of perfec-
ton the pupils were drilled in their several
parts, especially when we consider that at
least one is but five years old, and more
than half of the speakers under ten years
old. All acquitted themselves admirably.
The Act of Conservation was read by Miss
Mary Healy, clearly, distinctly and cor
rectly.
The Bishop expressed himself as highly
delighted with the ceremonies of the day,
and turning TO the knights Of the
Blessed Lady" (about twenty boys dressed
in full knightly costumes, the red cross on
their breasts, and bearing swords and
spears.) he reminded them that in the days
of chiralry, when their uniform was worn
by the knights, there were two things the
knights were always ready to die fOr-their
faith and their honor. He eomplimented
the young gentlemen, and hoped that when
they grew to manhood they would remem-
Der what they had just promised, and keep
their word as the knights of old.
Thanking the chiidren-One and all-for
the manner in which they acquitted them
selves, and paying a well-merited compii-
ment to the Sisters, their instructors, the
ended and the audience re-
tired.