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

oL"SS June IS, 1873
will relate to you in this epistle religious
manifestation which took place in my native
country, SO justly renowned for its fer, or aud
zeal in promoting the honor of God and the
interests of the Church. The manifestation TO
which 1 refer, and in. which myself had the
honor of participating, was pilgrimage of all
the Conferences of st. Vincent de Paul in she
whoie province of Antwerp to the celebrated
shrine of the Blessed Virgin at Montaign.
Montaign is a little town of some 5000 OF
oooo inhabitants, situated in the north eastern
part OF the Province of Brabant. This shrine,
which dates it's origin some 800 years back is
visited annually by no less than 800, 200 pill
grims, who come there from the most 10 ant
parts of Belgium, most of the time walking
the whole way or, at least, part of the way
There are, according to the report Published
by the Central Council of the Conference of
ST. Vincent de Paul, in the Province of Ant
werp, which forms but one half of the Arch
diocese of Malines 100 Con ferences, established
in different cities, townships and villages. The
| sums collected and distributed among the poor
during the past year amounted to 100 900 francs.
This includes only the Province of Antwerp,
besides which Belgium counts eight other pro-
vinces more or less populated.
Ihese lOS Conferences met that day (June
oth and Sth) in Montaign. All the members
were not present, but a strong delegation from
each Conference, some even exceeding 100
members namely those from large places In
all there met on that day in Montaign some
l3OO men, all Vincentans, with their parish
priests in the lead. Some of them had come on
foot from distances ranging from six to twenty
miles. All met at a central point-at Aerschot
situated at distsn snce of about nine miles from
Montaign. Here all fell in ranks, and amid loud
praying and the singing of pious cauticles,
poured forth by a thousand manly voices, the
distance from Aerschot to Montaigu was soon
traversed; in fact, the time seemed to be en-
tirely too short, great was the joy and pious
emotion caused by this grand and solemn |
manifestation of faith. Here all human respect |
was trampled upon, and it was truly an mpo-
sing sight to see this valiant legion of believers
walk side by side with resolute but pious de-
meanor, all being invested with the red cross
of pilgrims.
Aud what was the object of this grand and
extraordinary manifestation To go to the
shrine Of the Blessed Virgin, to place them
selves and the pious works of the Conferences
of st. Vincent de Paul anew under the protec-
tion of the Blessed Virgin to implore, also,
for themselves and for the Church those bless
ings which are SO much needed in these peril
ous times, and to gather spiritual strength for
the impending struggles and trials. And, in
deed, nothing could be found more apt to in
spire mutual courage and confidence than
this solemn outburst of faith, in which each
seemed to vie with the other in manifesting
his devotion to Mary and his love for Holy
Mother the Church.
On approaching Montaign, which, as the
word itself indicates, is situated hill, the
pilgrims were met by the clergy of the church,
invested with their most costly regalia. After
the usual ceremony of reception finished,
the choir ntoned the Nagniacat, which, being 6
answered to by thousand manly voices, made q
/ truly overwhelming impression. Thus, amid d
ngipg and praying, the procession moved B
lowly and solemnly towards the church. Here a
he SaIve Regina was intoned and delivered q
With the same oatrain the preceding can
icle. After a few moro devotional exer- p
Uses the order of each days devotions was u
nnounced from the pulpit. This done, o
ach one was at liberty to leave the church.
Ialf an hours time was given to each pilgrim d
o go and hunt up a nights lodging. Although Z
mple provision is made for lodging in Mon l
agn, for nearly every house is hotel or
odging house, that day every hotel and inn
7as filled, and it was a hard matter to find
ight's lodging. In the better class of hotels II
II places were taken some four months in ad-
ance. At o'clock all the pilgrims had to IN IN
leet again in the church, to listen to elo- III
uent sermon on the Seven Dolors of the Bless ii,
d virgin, delivered by Esv. J, F~apss ex- u