The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-12-31
(CouamunicAas y
CHRISTMAS At 81. ZEfgONgUp

-
"whns all thing. zero in qulss siissee. an. ,.,.
hssvs s:i S% sss ssy
dom Svisi. II, Is w.
In honoriDg the Infant Jesus, what oao (
moro appropriate and what more PLEASING ].
God than tho assembling within the ooo,.
Grated wall of the church pious souls and ..
vent hearts to offer with their priest and ~.
tor the holy sacrifice of the Mass, in pra;,.
thanksgiving and alteration at the very bon, !,
which the angelic host first chantsd in Az.
heavenly cong, Gloria IN ezcelsis Deon y.
joyfu news Of redemption
The answer to this question might hsys an,
gested itself with Undesirable satisfacson !,
all who assisted at the grand Solemn HI.
Mass celebrated at midnight in st Alphor..s
Church. The immense crowd which, in ami.
of rain and cold, assembled on that occs.io,
was not only edifying as q proof Of the exts,,
of devotional piety in St. AlphonsuS ps,ih
bat also gave evidence of their gratitude ana
just appreciation of the untiring zsal sndl,.
bors of the good Fathers of that church "a
afford their congregation all the means ana
privileges for obtaining the numerous gracsa
our holy religion confers.
Dear 81. Alphonsus! fertile field of labor NJ
your beloved Redemptorists, what more eou,a
you bestow upon your children than the bless
ings and privileges you increasingly shove,
upon themi Bat this night your muni6cencs
seems unlimited. All that the eye could b.
hold or the ear receive was as solid nouriss.
mont to mind, heart and soul, inseructing Is
some beautiful lesson Of virtue and piety. tt,
magnifcenoe in which the beautiful and in
posing ceremonies were conducted, the beauts
and sublmity in the appearance of your allan
and sanctuary, the rich, clear, melodious voicss
of your choir in perfect symphony with I'd
deep, Harmonious notes of your organ, togethsk
with the profound, eloquent and forcibls ser
mon delivered froru your pulpit, each and al
tended only to elevate the soul and purify the
heart.
four correspondent here gives q fine daaip.
ton OF the decorations of the church and he
for lack of space.l
Theeeermon was delivered by Father Nett
hart, and was beautifully and appropriately
adapted to the occasion. The principal point
which attracted us most was the profound
eloquence and sweet pathos in which he pusy
trsyed the loving Hi ssion upon which the H.
FAINT Saviour had come.
The celebration of the Christmas festival 4
this year in st. Alphonsus' 10 marked by nsv
and pleasing feature and proof of the earnst
zeal and untiring labor of the Fathers of thA
ohurch-namely, the erection of the new Crs
received by them from Munich.
In point of structure and resemblance b
what our minds might have conceived of "
birthplace of Christ, it is perfect, Representing
the dilspidated ruins of an old stable, originally
built of wood and stone, now gray and monldy
from age. Here and there we notice loose or
missing brick, or falling stone, denotng the
tottering condition in which it stood. Just
inside the threshold, lying on his humble bed
of straw, is seen the holy Iufant of whom oa
either side are the forms of Mary and JOSEPH
bending in an attitude of tender and loviugdel
votion. lowering Immediately over His head
are also the forms of two beautiful angels. In
the rear stand His faithful animals, and near
the front entrance ara seen the shepherds
kneelipg in wonder and alteration.
No adequate idea of the lovliness of this tres
sure of St. Alphonsus' Church can be drawn
from this brief notice. We therefore hope thst
all who can do go will pay visit to this holy
shrine of innocence and humility.