The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-13
The Mission in St. Stephens Parish.


The jealous Lazarist Fathers who have been |
devoting themselves for some time past to
missionary labors in our city, and who close
to-day a two weeks Mission in ST.. Stephens
parish, have every reason to rejoice at the
success of their apostolic work for we hear of
more than one prodigal son returning to his
Fathers mansion, and of more than one sinner
bringing joy to the Angels because of his con-
version.
The evening instructions were very numer-
ously attended, 30 that at times room could not
be found in the small church of that parish, for
all those who came to listen to the Fathers.
Whether it was Father Byrne, with his deep
earnestness, or Father McGill, with his genial
explanations, or Father O'Donohue, with his
unfailing eloqusnce, who filed the pulpit, the
church was sure to witness large and atten-
tive audience, eager to profit by the teachings
of these holy men.
The early Mass was always we'll attended
and that of eight O'Clock, although intended
chiefly for the children, saw many of the busy
Marthas of the parish, whose duties kept them
away from the earlier morning service.
A Mission, like everything else that springs
from the bosom of the Church, bears upon it
the impress of Divine goodness and Divine
wisdom. Gods goodness reveals itself in the
missionary zeal that seeks after the lost sheep;
His wisdom, in the employment of means 30
we'll fitted to lead the stray snes back to Him
-means so eficacious as to be Ineligible to
the weakest intellect, and at the same time
captivating to the proudest mind.
And certainly these experienced missionaries
fully met the needs of all who came to listen to
their instructions. One with the simple
49, +h VAR
winning in its sweetness, taught all Catholics
to realize their equality in the eyes of God;
for, bowed before the same altar and joining in
the same prayers, he made them feel-the rich
and the poor, the dullard and the wise-that
all were brothers, petitioning the same sweet
Mother to intercede Tor them before their
Fathers throne.
Another drew around him the simple-minded
of the fold, and in language Ineligible even
to the prsttling child, fixed his hearers minds
upon the truths of religion and taught them
the practices of their holy Faith while third,
with an eloquence that never wearied, and in
words that revealed depth of thought natural
to him who has learned that Theology is the
Queen of Sciences, charmed the most e1acting
mind and touched the proudest heart.
| 1t is to be regretted, in connection with this
| Mission, that st. Stephens parish is neither q
large city nor comfortable town, for in either
case there would be fewer Inconvenience than
exist in this suburban district
Here the roads are very insecure, the lamps
very few, end the distances from church very
great; and yet, in spite of all these disoom
forts, the good people of the parish showed
themselver earnest Christians; and as the
blessings of the Mission continue to be fell
from year to year, in happy homes and reformed
lives they will certainly remember with graft
tude the names Of those holy priests who
} coming in the power Of the Master and in tn
charity of the Saviour, raised up the fallen
, strengthened the weak and confirmed tn
strong, and who, going, left benediotiol
upon every heart that bowed before thei
minstTations.