The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-06-13
ICommunicstsd.I
The Closing Exercises Of the Month Of May In the
Cathedral Of Mobile.

Tho Cathedral last sonday evening was the
scene of the most imposing ceremonies We have
ever had the pleasure Of witnessing. Long be-
fore the services commenced, the venerable edi-
foe was thronged TO repletion. The church pre-
sented, from the door, q most brilliant appear
auce the decorations on the High Altar were
unusually grand from the roof was suspended
rich blue draPery, trilled in graceful festoops
to the tessellated pavement beneath spread
ing from column to column, on either side,
hung flowing drapiDgs Of lace, falling in folds
over the cupola of the tabernacle, which was
surmounted by a golden crucifx, wreathed in
snowy flowers. On the right and left of the
tabernacle were six massive gold csndle-sticks;
while myriads of lights and tapers arranged
in diverse ways, flashed with subdued ra-
dance from behind the airy veilisgs in mist
like beauty.
In front of the Altar was erected Our
Blessed Lad rs throne, draped entirely in white
and ornamented with pyramids, vases and
baskets of the rarest flowers, interspersed with
lights and tspers.
A few minutes before yespers the procession
of children entered through the grand door
way, and passed up into the nave. The
REOCccSiOu Was ucdUcu ny tnc 6uu
Counsellors of the Sodality of Children of
Mary, followed by q retinue of little flower
girls, strewing sweet flowers before the beauti-
fol statue of their queen, which was borne in
triumphant procession on the shoulders of
four of the children preceding the statue q
little girl carried massive silver lamp, sttend-
ed by the Crown-bearer, and two others bear
ing flower offerings then followed the large
Sodality of Children of Mary, in snowy wells.
and fowery crowns, all wearing their distinc-
tive badges the blue ribbon and silver medals;
last of all came the little children of the In
FAINT Jesus, and the Angels Sodality in their
gay pink sashes.
In the procession were carried four magnif-
cent banners of unsurpassed beauty, elegantly
illuminated, and emblaEoned in gold bullion
work one was the gift of Father Ryan to his
beloved children on his return from the North
last fall.
After the children had taken their seats, our
Blessed Lady was placed on her throne before
the altar, and the Right Rev. Bishop, Vicar
General Father McDonough, Fathers Ryan
and Keller, entered the sanctuary for the Yes
pers and when the last trembling wave on
the far shores of silence had rolled" our Bless
and crowned by the youngest child present !;
then followed the Act of Conservation and
Offering Of the Lamp, which is the gift of St.
Mary's school, and will be lighted every
Saturday for the donors.
On the children regaining their seats Father
Ryan in his usual eloquent language delivered
short sermon which he said was only intend
ed for his children. We would fear the attem of
give even part lest we might not do the
Reverend speaker justice, but for the benefit Of
the absent we will give the following synopsis
FATHER RYANs SERMON.
There are some things, my children, in
Christianity, which need proof at all, because
The Blessed Virgin has ever had charm over
she world, in all days, through all ages in
the strange wondrous story of the Catholic
churchs history. Children are not for nothing
IN this world. pure and holy and innocent
fair as the fairest fresh the freshest flower
blooming down in a vale in summer. 1 know
it is said we give undue honor to the Mother,
know they say it is all an absurdity, they d D.
cry the devotion of the Church's children. The
Virgin of Nazareth receives too much honor /;
let God alone yes, they say it is shesr nonsenee
to bear waving banners in her honor it is
wrong to wear ribbon fer the glory of her
name 1t is wrong to say little Hail Mary"
that angels lips whispered two little folded
hands, Two little Pratting lips two little bright
100 AaIt - udu ulSITaCLeu, leL OOQ
| alone! Unless you become as q little one,
Heaven gates are closed against you.
One day, when her Divine Son was speaking
to His Apostles, He asked them, Whom do you
think is greatest in my Fathers Kingdom 7
they looked high F; He bent low to the little
children and placed them first. Unless you
become as little child You shall not enter
into the Kingdom of Heaven"
If we belong to Jesus Christ, We must belong
to Mary, His Mother. If We are brothers Of
Jesus Christ, We must be Children of Mary"
how, then, can We be wrong to bear banners
or wear ribbons in honor of her who gave
Jesus Christ to MS. Let the proud intellectual
World talk let it reason; you, my children
telleot in your hearts, you present to the world
visible, vivifying act of faith, deep as the
crimson stream that flowed in mercy from that
wounded Heart.
SO you have come this evening, which is your
privilege as Children of Mary, to honor the
Blessed Virgin as your Mother, and in doing
so, thus will this evening be q lesson to you
all and Lot one to crafty mere idle curiosity.
Present your Lamp, and beg Him who is the
Light and Lamp of this world, to enlighten
Your your minds that You may know where right
crowns and beg her to crown You with holy