The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-02-14
A Christian Marriage.

to mind recently, when witnessing, In inc
church of the Redemptorist Fathers, the nup-
tisl rites which united two separate lives into
one.
1t is the Catholic Church alone which regards
matrimony in the same light as did st. Paul;
it is she alone that bids her children receive it
even as great sacrament should be received.
She calls the young people to the foot of her
affairs, because she wishes to impress upon
them that it is God himself who unites their
destinies, and His grace which sanctiGes their
lives.
1t is in the early morning that she prepares
the nuptial service, because new life opens
before them, fragrant with the breath of love,
and beautiful with the rosy hues of happiness
She clothes them in white, in order to teach
them lessons of purity, and to symbolic, even
in the eyes of the world, the stainless faith
which each should pledge unto the other.
She crowns the bride with flowers and places
a ring upon her hand, emblems of the beauty
of virtue and the obedience of love. The roses
of youth and health may fade, but the bios
SONS of virtue, whose ''stems are within the
heart" will adorn the cheek of Christian wife
until Death sets his seal upon her face; while
the yoke of obedience with which she binds
her nearC Will make uer ma favor IN INC eyes
of both her husband and her God.
In the very midst of the awful sacrifice, after
the solemn chanting of the Pater Noster, the
priests pause for moment in order to pour
over the kneelipg couple the rich blessings of
Heaven and again, just before the last gospel,
they turn once more to say these grand and
solemn words "May the God of Abraham the
God of Isaac and the God of Jacob be with
you. May you see your childrens children to
the third and fourth generation, and after
wards enjoy eternal life, by the help of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and
the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth for ever
and ever. Amen."-thus showing how highly
the Church estimates the nuptial rites which
she is then celebrating.
The ceremony which we witnessed had none
of the elements of Pagan pride or luxury, but
breathed Throughout the spirit of humility and
faith. Wealth was there, but it was used only
to heighten the beauty of the sacred rites and
to add solemnity to the religious ceremonies.
The rich adornments of the bride, the sheen
of silken robes, the glimmering of fleecy lace,
were but fitting framework for q modest face
and virgin form, and seemed to surround her
with an atmosphere of purity and peace.
The prayers Of the Church, the sacrifice of
the Mass, and the Sacrament of Gods mercy !!
Surely these sacred gifts are we'll calculated to
make the welded pair realize the Importance
of life's new duties, and acknowledge with
humble gratitude, that help has been given
them from on high.
A beautiful feature of this bridal ceremony
the piety of all those connected with the
young couple. Father, m other, sisters, broth
ers, relatives and friends, all accompanied the
bride and groom to the Table of the Lord SO
that the first feast of these true Christians
was of that sacred food which, when worthily
partaken of, ensures to all an endless, happy
life.
The woman fearing God, she shall be
praised |" Gays the Holy Ghost, and such is the
praise due to the bride of whom we write; for
throughout the celebration of that happy wed
ding feast, whether in church or at home, her
conduct showed that her heart cleared Godn
Throughout the festivities so proper to the
occasion, there was witnessed that sentiment
Of faith which causes every thing forbidden by
the Church to be rejected by the Christian,
and that makes every wedding feast type of
the one in Cana, where our Lord and His most
blessed Mother were the dear and honored
guests.
riage is not 80 impressive as one in their own
church. This is because they so often witness
only an evening service, which is, indeed, per-
mitted by the Church, but which is not in
strict accordance with the spirit of faith in
which she trains her children. If one of these
disappointed Protestants had been present on
this occasion, We think he would have changed
his opinion in regard to Catholic nuptias.
The illumined altar, type of the perfect light
which the Church sheds over every sphere of
mans actions; the robed priests, representing
the majesty and authority of Christ the clouds
of incense, rising with the prayers of the faith
full to the throne of God the solemn chant,
the awful Sacrifice all speak to the eye and
heart of man, and teach him that every action
of his life is surrounded by the care and omni-
| potence of God.
But we, who see the beauty of Truth reflect
| ed in every ceremony of the Church must evon