The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-04-09
PALM SUNDAY.

1t ia the true Church alone who unites the
present with the past, and who, by her SUP
lime ceremonies, preserves in the mino o
man the M ysteries Of Our Ssvioura lie anu
death. On Palm Sunday the Church not only
com memorates, but IN manner reneWs 'ne
triumphal procession of Our Lord into the city
of Jerusalem, when the Hebrew children
spreading their garments in His way ane
waving palm branches in their hands, sang
their song of JOY aud faith. Hossnna! othe
son of David. Blessed is he that cometh in the
name Of the Lord"
In our churches s, on this day, the long line OF
faithful holding palm branches and singing the
captic,es of the Hebrew children, forcbly re
minds us of the scene in Jerusalem go beautl-
fully described by the inspired writer's. And
q y.ry great multitude spread their garme ments
in the vsy, and Others cut down boughs from
the trees and they that went before and that
folio red after. cried saying: Hosanna TO the
Son Of David"
We are taught in our catechism that tne
pomp and glory of the Church on earth is in
tended to put us in mind OF the pomp and glory
of the Church in Heaven, and on this day
every ceremony has significance which,
reaching beyond the things of time, lays hold
| upon the treasures OF Esernlty.
| The palm branch alone is full Of beautiful
associations, not only reminding the Christian
of his Lords eternal triumph over death and
Gin, but also recalling to mind the long line o
glorious martyrs, popes, virgins and children,
who, following in His footsteps, have borne
their palms and won their crowns.
The symbolism of the Church is 50 perfect
| that the feeblest mind within her fold can read
and understand her inspired language. The
sight alone of those graceful palms, and the
melody of those solemn psalms of joy, awaken
in every heart knowledge of Gods truths
and make Us realize that there is triumph
which is not of m an and q victory which is N
of earth.
Tee Church, in her blessing of the palms
speaks also of the olive branches, and teache
us that these emblems "declare both th
triumph of His victory and the riches OF Hi
mercy" and bids us remember that Will
retaining the ceremony we forget not its sig
nifcapce, but By trumphing over our passion
) "we may prepare Him the way of faith fror
which the stone of offence and the rock c
scandal being removed, our actions may houris
with branches of justice, SO that We be able
. follow His steps, who liveth and reigueth worI
without end"
o An incident connected with the palms whic
are blessed every year by the holy Father
the grand bssilica of st. Peter is interesting
this season Of tie year. Daring the reign
Se1tus ", this pontif resolved to raise tt
= obelisk of red granite which then stood in tn
q circus of Nero, to its present position in IL
's piazza of st. Peter. The work was entrust'
IT to Fontana, tho architect; and in order
1t secure silence and attention to his command
al the Pope ordered, under penalty Of punishmer
n that no one should exclsim aloud, 80 that Il
l., voice of the architect alone might be hear
" Amongst the crowd stood q captain of
70 Genoese barque, named Brescs, native of
=, Reno, who, seeing the ropes begin to smo
from the great friction upon them, called OF
"Water for the ropes"
u Fontana, seeing the danger and recognizi
10 the value of the suggestion, accordingly W
10 the ropes, and thus raised the obelisk safely
er Its place; The architect, grateful to Bresca
te his foresight, brought him to the Pope, "
az told him to ask fer whatever recompense
be desired.
ma The request was touching in its faith a
simplicity. He desired only the privilege
e furnishing the Apostolioal palace with
~. palms to be used on Palm Sunday.
This privilege still belongs to the deece1
'n' ants of Bresca, aud every year q small scbool
re- from the gardens of St. Reno N ay be seen
ent the port of Rome, whose cargo of palm brauc
ce, is transferred to the Holy Father and by
led blessed and distributed to the faithful on Ps
Sunday.
r in During the ceremonies of this day, let
nts hearts lie PROSTATE at our Saviours feet,
ing ;;.o.; - &ho 1ou.o h,, oos+ +l,o;. ,-or,,e
ace, iun'Netlou Va 'oS 0 0 ~ ' S
ent on his way and let our hands be full
red charity and deeds of justice, the truest offer
~ to our loving Lord, so that we, as the Chu
sings to-day in her beautiful ritual, "may, v
ed the children of Israel, carrying palm and o
the branches, go forth to meet Christ with e
Nv works and enter through Him into eternal j
the Catholic Total Abstinence Society Items.
hat
.bo st. Johns Society admitted two new mem
at it's meeting last Suneay.