The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-08
Festivals of Mary.

torical events, aud 80 soul-stlrrlng In tneiH
origin, that following our usual plan OF un-
folding the beauties of the Faith, we purpose
placing a short account of them before our
readers.
The frat in the order of events, bat second
on the calendar, is that known as the Festival
Of the Holy Rosary, or the oommemoration of
| " Dor Lady of Victories" which occurs on the
first Sunday of October.
We now 90 back to the close of the sixteenth
century, when we find the first fruits of the So
called Reformation to be discord between
Christian princes and disunion among Christian
States. The unity of faith being broken, selfish
interests arose in the minds of men, and an ex-
elusive nationality marked the policy of
princes /; SO that, in 1872, when the Mussuiman
power threatened all Europe with destruction,
| there was no longer q common oanse to light
for, or q common faith to bind the hearts of
men together.
The Turks, in their victorious progress. had
already captured the Island of Cyprus, infct-
| ing upon it's heroic defenders such appalling
crueltes that the very heart of Europe seemed
! paralyzed with fear. The Kingdom of Spain
and the Republic of Venice were the only
| Christian powers which reused themselves at
last to resist and drive back the ruthless
| hordes which darkened the very ports of the
Mediterranean, and insultingy defed all
| Christendom.
But, fortunately for the Christian world, the
voice of St. Plus awoke loyal answer in the
hearts of many, and volunteers FROM Genoa,
| Savoy the Knights of Malta, and several of the
lesser of the italian States, Joined the troops Of
the Allies, and included some of the brightest
names of the day And more than this the
heroic Pope was able to command, not legions
of men, but all the prayers OF Christendom
which assembled to Heaven in one continuous
stream of supplication.
The Dominican Order, to which Plus V. him.
self belonged, was unweaied in itsprocessions
aud devotions for the success of the Christian
arms; and although the followers OF the ke-
formation were sneering at Catholic practlces'
we are told that Loretto had never seen such a
year of pigrimages.
The immediate object of the war for which
were now assembled 80 many brave men, was
| the relief and protection of the Yenitan States;
but the cause of religion was itself at staAe
and true Christians realized the greatness OF
the hour and determined to mite the valor Of
their arms with the energy of their brethren's
prayers.
Don John of Austria, son of the Emperor,
Charles ", and commanderin-chief of the
Spanish forces, was appointed leader of the
expedition, while the Roman General, Colonna,
was named his lieutenant. The Pope's Nuneio,
Odescalchi, accompanied the Christian host
giving to their every action high and holy
sanction.
1t was on the 18th of October, 1872, that the
Christian eet set sail from the port of Messina,
Don John depending more upon the assurance
given him of victory by st. Plus than upon the
number or efficiency of his troops and galleys.
The Turks numbered 400 vessels of all sizes,
manned by upward of 100 600 men. They
, therefore, far exceeded the Christians, whose
actual contestants were not more than 29,ooO.
= In those days, the galleys were propelled by
rowers seated on several tiers of benches, and
were defended not SO much by artillery as by
: the armed soldiers who grappled hand to hand
=, with their opponents.
Upon the royal vessel, Don John caused the
consecrated banner to be unfurled to which was
. attached blessed rosary, and at the signal OF
command, every knee was bent In prayer and
= every heart uplfted to the God of battles.
- And as the Christian squadron sailed into the
- Bay of Lepauto, and caught the first view OF
the widespread Turkish feet, the name O.
b Mary -resounded above the murmurs OF the
s. waves, as prince and sailor invoked her aid IN
= this the hour of their danger.
Up TO this moment, Jhe 1urks hau he'''
y check in their devastating career, and as 'ne'
bore down like some illomened bird OF prey
upon their weaker foe, the hearts of more IMAM
one brave commander trembled for the Issue Oh
y the day.
d But when Don John was approached WIN
.e doubts as to the expediency of attacking inc
fleet before him, he replied as if by inspira'ion
d Gentlemen now is not the time for counsel
20 but for combat and gave the order for lni-
% mediate action. ,
!. But we have not time to relate the details Oh
d that memorable battle of Sunday, the ''n w,
" tober, when the Christian feet broke the nA'Al
ia power of the Turks, and checked, for Inc nt0O
y. time, the tide of Ottoman oppression-Don oOD.
"a pulled down the crescent with his own n" ~:
and shouted victory" while the oeSIn ~
m Pasha threw conster nation among 'ne - a