The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-07-11

aitnoner OF the PontiBcal Zouaves After the
evening devotion was concluded, the order OF
the devotional exercises of the following da U
was once more aupouuced and strict order,
were given for every one to be up no later than
ten O'Clock, which order was obeved in every
case with the same docility as if all had been
.ne ihhla'es or some college or seminary. At
hVe O'Clock the next morning the General Com
"uhion OF all the members present took place,
and how numerous these Communons were
can DO judged from the fact that three priests
were for three quarters of an hour constantly
engaged in giving Communion. I forgot to
mention that the members were prepared for
this Communion by an exortation delivered hy
the Rev. +. Hermans. After the Thanksgiving
all went back to their quarters to enjoy a
frugal breakfast At seven there was again a
solemn High Mass, at which all the members
had to be present. After the gospel, another
priest-Rev. Father Outendirck-ascAded the
pulpit and delivered, in Flemish, one of tho
frest orations which ever had the pleasure
to listen to, on the present situation of the
Church. After having depicted in the most
E'owing terms, aud in n mastery style Of Ian
gusge, the dangers and persecutous of tho
Chnrch, he went on to ask his hearers what
they meant to 90 in these troublous and irving
times. Here he il ptrodGced a pathetic exhorta-
ton to persevere and to resist the evils and
temptations of the times even unto blood. for
it was his (the speaker's) strong conviction
that blood-holy, pure, innocent blood-would
soon flow in defence of the true faith. 1t
would be impossible to describe the holy en-
tbusiasm which his burning eloquence called
fo t6a nd
was visibly affected, and NEST have left church
that morning with the firm resolution which
the Kew speaker emph hasized SO much: Nos
serriemus Domino ct ibimus post deos alicnos
we will serve the Lord aud not adore strange
Gods.
After High Mass, mass meeting of all the
members held in church, with closed doors
A report was read of the status and labors of
the Conferences during the past year speech
was delivered by the President, a worthy lay
man Of high position in the world. His effort,
which was also very mastery one consisted
mainly in giving some very wise advice as to
the manner in which the Presidents, officers
and members of the Conferences could make
themselves useful and reach the objects pro- |
posed by tine Conferences.
To conclude all, Il telegram was sent to Rome
10 implore the blessing of the Holy Father on
he Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul, in pill
,rimage assembled at the shrine of the Blessed
7irgin in Montaigu.
Hero he Te Deum was intoned. and this was |
he signal for the departure. The clergy of |
he church accompanied once more the pilgrims |
o the limits of the town, aud dismissed them
here with Il last prayer and blessing. From
his point the pilgrims performed the same
neraire as the day previous-thst is to say,
hey walked for nine miles. as far as Aerschot,
pending most of this time yet in praying and
he singing of religio canticles. At Aerschot
le procession dispersed, some taking the train,
specially those living too far away; others
'oting it all the way until they got bone
Is not this, dear friend, a truly edifying mar
ltivei True, have bestowed but little care
q the way in which 1 have narrated this pill.
rimage, but it is the fact itself of the pilgrim.
se which deserves ell our attention, praise {
I'D admirationi Why could not something ,
milar be done in louisiana if not similar in {
l the circumstances, at least in that which is l
se"hal This is the age of pilgrimages. Since
1ptety and irreligion have raised their heads t
'oudly and defantly, it has become necessary O
counteract their influences by manfesting I
'enly the faith which is within us. I
l 6rst thought to write only a short letter, Il
i'd now 1t has turned out to be long one. q
owever, thought it would give you pleasure. =
lis is why 1 wrote it. !,
Yours truly in Christ, JR.