The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-27
FATHER ODONOGHUE ON THB BEAL
PRESENCE.

Sunday evening last Catholic and non-Cath-
olic met in congregated strength in the great
Church of st. John the Baptist to hear Father
| O'Donoghue, of the Lazarist Mission, lecture
| according to engagement on the Real Presence
! of Our Lord in the Blessed Eucharist. Every
parish in the city was largely and respectfully
| represented By the laity and there was
scarcely a church without reverend repre-
sentative in the learned body of clergymen thai
filled the sanctuary and heard the distinguished
| lecturer with undivided attention to the end
.: his discourse.
The total abstinence men of st. Johns So
ciety supervised the arrangement Of prelimins'
ries and made themselves otherwise usefal and
agreeable. Their action and appearance both
redounded much to their credit. The gentle
men of st. Vincent de Paul's Society betook
themselves to secluded seats, for even in
church it is their practices to refrain from dis
play as far as possible and do good unseen by
the world.
At halfpast seven O'Clock Father ODon-
oghue appeared under the escort of Father
Kenny and Father Footte, who, after the in
vocation of Divine help at the foot of the altar,
conducted the rev. lecturer from the pulpit.
Hero he spoke for more than an honr and q
half. Such words, such arguments, it has sell
dom been. our good fortune to hear. Each
word had meaning that reached the judgment
and made itself ineligible to the least in
strncted of his hearers. She softest whisper
moved audibly through the aisles to the re-
hottest corners of the sacred house-so breath
lessly still did the spell of the moment hold all
present in the sweet captivity Of its heart
winning power.
The lecturer was great, literally and truly
great, on his grand subject. 1t seemed as if he
were specially inspired on and for this occa-
sion by Him whose mysteries he expounded as
clearly as tits permitted us to know in this life
The objections of rationalists, scientists and
skeptics were presented by the rev. lecturer
in form the most attractive, with strength the
most forceful, only to be torn to pieces on the
instant by the sharp arguments by which they
were opposed. Among the subjects DISGUST cd
were: The con 1ensation of matter even 80 far
as to cause the camePs bulk to go through the
needles eye; the difference between the gross
and the glorifed human body; what certain
things God himself could not do; how Our
Saviour, rising from the dead, passed through
the OVERLAPPING rock the first rule for the in
depreciation of Holy Writ; how the words of
institution were understood aud received by
the Apostles and the Fathers the substance
and accidents of matter; how the world and
man were created how the staff of Aaron was
turned into a serpent which devourted other
serpents; how it was rechanged to staff
which was preserved in the temple" etc, etc.
The words of conservation were explained
greatly to the discontinue of prejudiced oppo-
nents. If we were to have been left CON-
memorative type merely, why was it that
bread was substituted for the lamb. the noblest
of all available types. Our separated brethren
were referred to frequently and always with
Difference and feeling of paternal tenderness.
Father O'Donoghue has the faculty of
flashing conviction right into the heart of
the hesthen." Snch Missionaries bring down
special blessings on the people that invite or
receive them. Who can tell the countless
numbers saved by their exertions and minis
trations in the interest of Heaven and for the
salvation of soulsf
The talent which God gave them is being
multiplied hundred fold for the gain of the
Divine Treasury. AUDITOR.