The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-08-06

I then follows Q holy silence, broken only by th
mi .Ss Of prsysrs reoissd in ioT voice:
rolls along. II 10 eoene that 10 grsndiose Il
= it's touching simplicity. But what does 1t be
come 1t midnight when Masses oommeno
grotto. -Maases which will continue for twelv,
hours without interruptionf Numbers OF PHI
grins who have been there from seven O'Clock
will remain there until daylight, lost in them
| solves, or rather losing themselves entirely II
| an ineffable confidence In the intercession OF
the Virgin Mother fog the mercy Of God.
nounoing the grand ceremony of the oonsecra-
ton. The procession, consisting Of the Arch.
bishops, bishope and 5000 of the clergy marched
which was closed after their entrance as IL is
not open for the public till after conservation.
GROWING OF THE STATUE.
Never has Lourdes witnessed suoh an Inn
mense gathering. The number Of the Rev.
at 5000, and this Is considered very low esti-
mate. The number Of people seems almost in
oalculsble. They might be seen camped along
the mountains side along the banks Of the
the valley: The morning Of July Sd. dawned
most susplciously upon this vast multitude Of
clergy and lsity., The weather could not have
been more delightful; light clouds sheltered
the kneeling masses from the heat of the sun,
aud q cool breeze tempered the atmosphere.
This immense temple. with the heavens for lite
tho Solemn Pontifioat Mass commenced. It was
sung by choir Of musioians, swelled by the
voices of the three thousand priests and those
S > the people Tho were nearest to the Above:
mighty multitude and resoupded for miles
along the mountains.
After the Gospel, Mgr. Pie assembled the pull
ology and revelation. We have not room to
give even an idea Of the grand and eloquent
discourse delivered on this occasion.
The supreme moment has at last arrived,
Nor. MBDliA. Hha HOLY FafharJa N0poiO riaea
and takes from the cushion on which it reposes, |
the triple crown Of pearls which is to DECOR |
ate the new statue Of the Immaculate Concep- |
ton. At the moment that he places 1t on her |
head, the sound Of music breaks forth, the |
bells commence to peal, and above all these |
sounds rise the deafening acclamations of the |
I'D on the mountain side who salute, with one |
loud hnzsa, the triumph of the Immaculate |
Conception. It is repeated by those down in the |
valley, and taken up by the numerous Pilgrims.
who, having arrived late, were obliged to re-
main on the lower bank Of the Gave. Immedi-
ately o oloud Of white handkerchiefs are
waving in the air, and the cries of exultAtion |
are again re-echoed along that living mass. It !
was a scene which IL would be impossible to
describe.
When silence was restored, the procession
it's march to the Bssilioa where the
Sunoio was to crown the other statue which
lad been left IN one Of the other churches. The
loors opened, end o new scene burst upon the
view, it seemed indeed, ss If the entire edifce
|
Il every part. But here, the sanctity of the
,lacs would not admit of any shouts, and the
ceremony was performed in silence. The Pre-
stes, followed by an immense crowd. moved
owards the episcopal residence. Assembled
long the facade, whilst the crowd was stretch
ID over the immense green sward which formed
sort CT court of honor, the Prelates, with
heir mitres on, and their croziers in their
lands gave the last Papsl Benediction to the
lneelng Christians. Then broke forth on
very side enthusiastic cries of Fiue Pc Xxi"
md this cry closed the grand aud memorable
Bot the devotion OF the Pilgrims Is not yet
atished. At P. IA, they were again assembled
,ear the Esplanads. where Father Hubin was
delivering discourse to them, which went to
heir very hearts. In the evening they again |
gather near the grotto bearing torches in their !
iands, and prepare to form the grand praying
Procession described in our last issue. Father
10 Candeloup delivered a short but telling ex-
lortation. He spoke to them of the two mira
lies which took place during the last two days,
10 as to excite their greater con fdence and gra-
'tude. AS his last words died away, the air
Was rent with cries of Vire IUaaAaculee Cow
eption P1ce Pc XXI Hirs Ia France Cqtko-
tque J" And this was the last echo of that mar
'elloos day.