The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-12-26
mw.Ing Star and Catholic Messenger.
LETTER FROM TEXAS.
THE JUBILEE on THE MEXICAN BORDER.

The Jubilee exercises at the new and COM
modious parish church OF Laredo tvieje) were
Oblates of Mary, Fathers Hip, Olivier and j.
Janries, who were Joined the day after BY
Father J. M. Clos, of the same Order, and win
Fathers A. n. Souchon, j. Dumoulin and ).
LAGER, successfully conducted to an end on
Monday, November 18th. An event OF much
sing ceremonies of o beautiful new bell, weigh.
ing 425 pounds, from Meneely's celebrated
four dry, presented to our church by one Q! our
most successful merchants and sheep -rsisers
and his estimable lady, on Sunday, the nrst
day of the mission.
On Tuesday (All Souls Day). an immense
number of the faithful, under the guidance OF
the Rev. clergy, proceeded in solemn process
sion, recting the customary prayers for the
dead. to the graveyard, where the eloquent and
the memory of the dear departed friends and
relations, made O deep and no doubt, moot
salutary impression
Ever after, to the end of the mission, the
daily exercises usually commenced at o A. NJ
with the Mission Mass, during which Father
Jafries wonld give instruction, on the Sacra'
-perts of Penauce and the Holy Eucharist.
They would end ST about $50 r. NJ with the
recfation of the prescribed pray yers, the chant
ing cf hymns by ali of the vast congregation,
knee!!Dg: afterwards sermon, then benedictlon,
with the Blessed Sacrament, and finally the
beautiful hymn "Santo Dios, Santo Fuerte,
Sarto Immortal, Libra nos de TODD NAL, would
Tesorrd through the lofty als!es, sung oy a
Ejrher Rev. Father Clos or Father Olivier
woa!d every evening make an eloquent and
earnest appeal for immediate repentance and
the uss of che sacramento. 1t was most edify-
ing and cousoliDg to notice the spirit of devo-
lion and fervor with which the vast multitude
throp ged the church to it's utmost capacity,
particularly each returning morning and
night anxious to comply with the condI-
tiors necessary for gaining the Plenary indui-
gence of the Jubilee, and listening in breath
less silence TO the stirring exhortations Of the
Rev. Oblates. whose reputation for eloquence
in Spanish is and has been well known and
appreciated on this border for quite number
of years.
On this occasion they truly excelled them
selves in q series of timely aud most interest
ing sermons / dare say many heart was
thus touched, much ignorance and doubt e1-
PEELED from many mind, and thus awakened
10 vivid sense of danger from fancied security
and the great necessity OF an immediate and
complete reform. In proof whereof l wonld
mention that large numbers, among them
many who had neglected their duties for
many years, thronged the coufessionals night
aud day, which numbers much increased as the
time of the Jubilee drew to an end.
The most striking exhibition of the Catholic
faith and devotion, still cherished within the
were undoubtedly two magnificent PROFESSIONS
undertaken different occasions, from the
parish church, around the Main Plaza and
thence around the block OF what is known az
the cburchs property, back to the church
where the BenedctiOn OF the Blessed Sacra
meat and an eloquent sermon by one OF th'
Kew. ObIafeS nnlSneO tnaG Gay OeVOIlOub.
The first procession took place on Sunda!
evening, November 7th in honor of and as
reparation for the many insults received b.
Christ in the Blessed Eucharist; and the sec
oud on the evening of the following Sunday
November 14sh, as a sign of tilial devotion I
the Blessed Virgin. as Rev. Father Clos htl
remarked, having first thus publicly maniiest
ed orr faith and piety towards the Son, 1t wa
hut meet and just to honor the Mother In a
eqaalIy open and splendid marSder.
Dear Mr.. Editor, it would have moved you
of i,,- lnnh feli " m Al
faithful on those two memorable nights, coul
yon have see the half dozen Rev. Clergy in the
sarplices; the many little girls In their bea'
iiful white dresses, headed by goodiy numb'
of the Children of Mary; the several thousar
of men. women and children, sh one carr
ing lighted taper, marching In two lnt
with great order and devotion, down u
streets, chanting hymns OF praise and reStil
the rosary. Oh! what cousoling scene pr
septed itself thus before our eyes! 1t has be-
calculated that between three and four tho
sard persons assisted each time.
The weather, too, was all that could be d
sitej-miId aud pleasant, such as We enj
down here during the major part OF tho yes
and nothing whatever occurred to mar t
beauty Of this edifying scene. The like h
before never been witnessed in this ancle
town on the banks of the RIO Grande
An incident of the most gratifying kind,
least to many of their friends and ncqnail
Rpces, was the reception into the foid OF
Stevens and Mr.. James A. Carr, both mu
respected ard worthy citizens of this town.
Sunday, Nov. 18th, after High Mass, IN
presence rf thousands of the faithful and m a
Protestant friends, Rev. Father Hip. DIV
oficating, assisted by the other Rev. C!erg
tins most interesting ceremony concsndi
with d joycus TIE Deum lRudaWus.
On Monday, the last day of the Missi
about 200 boys and girls, and several gro
persons, who had been prepared by the X
ObIates, received their first Holy CommInl
1t is calculated that 10 all at least 800
sons approached the Holy Sacramento duri
this season of heavenly grace and benedict
for the faithful of Laredo.
Much 10 our regret, these Jealous missi omar
the Rev. Oblates, on Tuesday, Nov. 10th, al
most Afectiouate farewell, directed tn
steps down the river, where other parish
these of Roma, Rio Grande City and B7ow
Vile Swaited their valuable services .
At eve the Feast OF the Immaculate y
tiou, we had the pleasure of witnessing I
cessiou very similar to those of the Missi
and very generously attended. heaut
statpe OF The Blessed Virgin Mary, very ma
somoly Inoautsd and illuminated with o'lo
lamps, was carried in the midst preceded
bands of little girls dressed in white
covered with wreaths and flowers and 10
beautiful wells, each participant with ligh
4, uNfa ftf