The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-09

day. 1t would be proper for me to maze in
| fitting terms this Acknowledgements on my
| part to saw something of the solemn and inter
estinR occasion which has been the cause OF
| attracting here, within the walls OF TINS veneer
| able cathedral, such an august assembly: Dno
/ regret to say that my feeble strengIh IoTolas
| it, and that would be unequal to the task
and, besides, am admonished how late the
ceremony has already been protracted and
that it is not yet about to close; and have
not dared to venture, even if l conld, upon
yonr patience will con tent myself, there
fore, most reverend aud right reverend
brethren and venerable brethren of the clergy,
and you, beloved children of the laity, and ask
you in my own behalf, to give me your sym
pathies and your prayers-an6 ask yon to join
with me first in giving heartfelt thanks to Al
mighty God, and after him to our Most Holy
Father. the Chief Pastor of Church and Vicra
of Christ earth, for the gceat aAd maguan
mous favor which has been bestowed upon us,
and for which we have endeavoEed to show
forth our gratitude in the solemnities of the
day. We will return thanks to God and thanks
to our Most Holy Father for the honor con-
ferred upon us all-cnnfeyred first upon the
venerable hierarchy of the Church in all this
great country ; conferred upon the Catholic
throu ghout the whole length aud breadth OF
the land-wbose hearts on this day are made
to throb with joy because of the good tidings
that have come to them because the exalta.
ton and dignity to which the Church of
America has been raised is not intended
merely TO give honor to the hierarchy, clergy,
and Catholic people generally, but the wish,
intent, and purpose of the Holy Father was to
give honor to the whole country, to give honor
and to show his deep respect and esteem for
our great and hourishipg Republic. of which
his children here form 80 essentially part
and parcel. Their interests and feelings are
entirely bound up with hers; they are wholly
and Loyalty devoted to her institutions; and
with Gods blessing, will never cease to strain
their utmost efforts to strengthen and sustain
and make it glorious for ever and ever. God
bless the country and the people. May He
lengthen the days of the Holy Father, and ere
his eyes shall be closed in death, may they be
permitted to see the day which shall usher in
the triumphs of the Church, and though it has
been long delayed, and the Vicar of Christ has
been beset by trials and hedged about by diff
culties, may he be permitted to see the day
when the Lord shall deliver him, and when he
may say with the prophet, Now thou dost
dismiss they servant in peace, because mine
eyes have seen thy salvation, and the glory of
thy people Israel"
Concluding his address to the cnngrega-
ton, the Cardinal intoned the To Deun,,
which was taken up by the choir. During
the singing of the TIE Deam rhe Cardinal,
accompanied by the Very Rev. Fathers
Quinn and Preston, proceeded to the ga
cristy, where be then vested himself in the
scarlet robes of the cardinalate. He then
returned to the foot of the altar, and when
the TIE Dsun was ended he sang the final
prayers, and gave the Papal Benediction to
the people from the spot where she was
standing. This closed the ceremony. The
procession then departed in the same order
as it entered.