The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-01-23


delineAsed in painting and in stasuary. II is
enshrired in she iisany OF the Saints and 10
crowned with the glory of the ritual OF the
Mass Every day, upon every altar throughout
the world, her name IS invoked by the priest Of
| tie living God; and thns for fifteen hundred
! years her sweet protection has been asked, not
only fos children, bat for all Christendons.
Very fitting Is ii, then, that the youth Of our
day should well understand this history, SO As
to place themselves with pride nndeT the banner
which ST. Agnes holds aloft and on which is
inscribed the watehword so cfien forgotten by
this generation: Innocence, Innocence!
Last Friday, Mt ST. Stephens parish, again
witnessed tie beautiful ceremony of the Child
ren's Mass under the invocation of st. Agnes,
and we could not bat feel hopeful of the future
of those young soldiers who thus acknowledged
Is their leader the martyr child, whose guild
auee. If obeyed. would lead them across all the
battle fields of earth safely to the victorious
shores of Heaven
Bishop Elder, writing TO rs from Rome in
1870, sent Us Q photograph Of the Church of
St. Agnes, built on the west side of the Piazza
Navona, on the spot to which she was dragged
by the soldiers and exposed TO the insults of
wicked men. And sfter few words descriptive
of the locality, the Bishop exelsims Is though
in rapture OF wondering joy: little gnl,
only twelve years of age! After ]. 500 years, her
memory. is fresh in the minds Of Christians!
Her tomb, two miles oat, is visited by thou
sands every year, in carriages and on foot
while the grand Donunents OF imperial pride
and of the peoples luxury are AL id ruins"
Art, the faithful handmade of the Church, has
given many beautiful illustrations of this
young Saint; but in the church referred to by
the Bishop may be seen statue of white
marble, placed on the spot where she was
stripped of her maiden garments and exposed
TO Insult, that is Q marvel of Inspired genius 1t
is recorded that in that fearful moment when
of her robes before tie eyes of men,
Gods power gave q miraculous growth to her
hair which, falling around her shrinking
form, covered her as with garment. This
statue commentaries this event, and the
modesty and grace, and flls the behoider with
sentiments worthy of Christian.
Here in America, where Art is outstripped by
the Useful, this tender, gentle maiden is too
often represented as one mature in years and
sorrows. This should not be. The face OF.
Agnes. that Of a child of twelve, should shine
with the cardor and Innocence of her age and
as it is recorded that she went to her martyr |
dom more joyfully than many to . wedding
feast, her expression should denote the peace
and joy and triumph which filed her strong.
young soul. Her emblems are the lamb, type
of innocence, and the palm-branch, of martyr |
dom; while occasionally We see her with .
sword at her feet and = wreath of flowers on
her head. -
We have not told the story of st. Agnes be-
cause think that every Christian is SC
quainted with it, or at least that the outlines
of this exquisite life are known to all; but at
least here in New Orleans there VIII be no e1-
cuse for a want of knowledge in regard to st.
Agnes for while the Rev. Pastor of st.
Stephen's parish is in our midst, SO long will
the annual eommemoration of her memory be
made, and the children of the city flor all are
Invited to attend this devotion) will be gath
cred under her protection and inspired with
the recital of her beroism.
Her name, which signifies ekaste in Greek
and lamb in Latin, is frequently given to chill
dren by parents who, pleased with its eupho-
NOUS sound, think little of the powerful pro-
lection they thus ensure to their little ones.
A name that has survived the changes of more
than thousand years, that has been the theme
of the noblest writer's, the inspiration of the
grandest artists; name which the Church
repeats every day from her affairs, and employs
even in the ordination of priests; this should in
deed be dear to Christian parents and children
and hereafter may all the youth Of New Orleans
invoke its sweet syllables on the anniversary
of her marty rdom, January 2lst-which is now
one of the golden days of St. Stephens parish,
and the observance of which will undoubtedly
bring down many blessings both upon priest
and people.