The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-30
LETTER FROM ABBEv1LLE, La.

ABBEyHLE, La, July 2lst, 1876.
Editor Morning Star.
Our little village is not behind the times in
the affairs Of religion, as was seen by the beau
tiful ceremonies of the 18th July, 1876. 1t was
the day Of the First Communion of the children
of the parish. During the three preceding
days Rev. Father Branch had given retreat to
the children, and Rev. Father Booker, 3D., had
preached In English to numerous body of the
faithful on the evenings of the 10th and 10Th.
The Mass was celebrated by Father Book er,
attended by the Rev. Clergy of the neighboring
parishes, viz Rev.. Father Gonelas, parish
priest Of Lafayette. Rev. Father Jacquet, PIP.
New Iberia, Rev. Father Plotin, PIP. Royvine,
and Rev. Father Branch, Vicar of Lafayette.
Eighty children received for the fret time Holy
Communion. and many of the faithful sp-
preached the Holy Table. The attention and
devotion in the crowded church were such as
tqgladden the heart of every true Catholic,
Another edifying spectacle was the procession
of the Blessed Sacrament half an hour after the
Mass. beautiful altar had been prepared by
the ladies of the congregation under shady
grove of pecan trees about three quartere of q
mile from the village.
At 8 o'clock, the fine bell OF the church send
ing forth Joyous peel, and to the harmonious
strains of the brass band of Royville, who had
kindly lent their services for the occasion, the
procession moved onward from the church in
the following order: Sixty mounted men, with
national and papal flags, commanded by Capt.
Fersy; brass band children of the First Com
munion, bearing lighted candles little child
rem carrying little orifammes; young ladies
dressed in white and carrying banner; ladies |
of the congregation; gents of the parish and
colored people. Just before the dais under |
which was carried the Sacred Host, walked /!
eight little girls in white scattering flowers in
the way. The procession was closed by squad |
of Capt Fersy's mounted men as guard Of |
honor. |
what was particularly remarkable was tie |
order and Silence along the entire line All |
the stores of the village were closed as the pro-
cessioh fled by. There were no idle caserp. for
the whole parish was in line. So long was the |
procession, numbering from j, 500 to 1000 per-
sons, that the cavalry ct the head Of the line |
were forming in half circle under the pecan
trees before the Blessed Sacrament had left the
village.
When the procession was grouped around
the rural altar, where four little girls repre-
scented four angels, Rev. Father Gonelas ad-
dressed the assembled multitude. Then the
sonorous voice Of Gapt. Fersy is heard amidst
the silence of devotion, Cavalry dismount
kneel!" and the priest ascends the altar, and
with the Adora able Host blesses the surrounding
hundreds. , 4
Oh truly may the jealous pastor, Rev. A.
@ehault, and his whole parish be proud of
that 18th of July. Everyone says that Able
vile has never seen such splendid feast.
The procession moved back in the same order
10 the church, and again Benediction Of the
Slessed Sacrament was given. ButaIl was not
nnlsned. An hours rest, and again the whole
parish entered the church to witness the re-
newal Of the baptismal vows Father Jacquet
addressed the children with bisusuAl eiOqusnSe,
craving tears from the eyes of ali present.
The baptismsl vows are pronounced, the
to Mary ever Blessed follows,
again Benediction is given, and the faithful,
with delighted hearts, seek their homes, long
20 remember the devOtednsss of their good pas
'OF and the joyous Catholic feast of that glori-
Ons Thursday. AN EYE WITNESS.