The New York herald., 1877-08-27
ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH.
THE LIFE OF ST. BERNARD AND ITS LESSONS


SERMON By REV. BERNARD o'REILLY.
The east OF ST Bernard, founder OF the Cistercian
Order, was yesterday solcmnzed the beautiful new
church dedicated to divine worship under hts patron
age, Fourteenth street, between Eighth and Ninth ave-
nues The high aud side affairs each blaze OF
light, and the Gothic stained glass window over the
former. which is represented tho group on Calvary,
to perfection the sun shorc directly on IT,
At the solemn Rev. Gabriel A. Healy, pastor OF
the church, oHicatcd with Rev. Father Foy deacon
aud Rev. Mr. Burns, Of the Provincial Seminary at
Troy, subdeacon. Mr.. Hugh Kelly acted master of
ceremonies.
Rev. Bernard O'Reilly read from Ecclesiastics chap
ter xxx, and after alluding to the Withdrawing INTO
tho wilderness Of ST. John and the Redecmer said that
IL was vain Idle boast say that ireland was an
island of saints. History boro testimony to tho
learning and pely of the she sent,
not only 10 the island Of Great Britain,
but also to the various OF Europe after the
death of St. Patrick. When tho Norhmen swooped
down on tho adjacent islands and shores, destroying
everything OF Christian character, II was those men
and their followers VINO by their laoors anu eachihgs
stemmed Ol devastation and tried 10 CIV
ilize aud Christanizo them fne communities they
established in the various countries tended to eniven
aith and piey OF the faithful and IN the midst OF
this influence ST. Bernard was born IN Burgundy IN
the twelfth century ST. Columbkill went to North
Britain aud st. Columbanus TO France, where tho
fruits OF his teachings may be in the lilo ana
works OF tho great saint whose festival being
bracd The mother Of the saint was a woman OF rare
piety and sho tried infuse into each member
OF the household. Her constant meditation was the
passion Of her Saviour and what 1t teaches.
ana when began 10 dawn in her
son sho labored to make his soul vessel
which should contain tho odors Of sanctty and
keep them sealed therein Her labors were rewarded,
for whee just entering on manhood he retired from
the world ana In solitude communed with his God
alone. There soon Joined him number of the MOBILES
and others lead such life and the number
increased SO rapidly and tho fame OF their pety be-
general that calls from the various countries
in Europe and tho British Isles made tor men-
bers to establish communities in them. The austeri-
ties Of the saint were great that IN few months
his body reduced to nero skeleton, yet be ved
and worked for forty years, being sxty,hree years old
perform such penance ?' Certainly not, but for
the who would die from tho like ten thousand die
from gratifying the Senses Look Tor example Tn the
number who die from the of Intoxicating drinks.
ST. Maachy, who friend Of ST. Bernard, lived TO
be ninety.
CHRISTIAN MOTHER.
Now, of all the choicest and rarest blessings that
heaven bestow on household II is that of real
Christian mother. There Is nothing moro charming
Sne 1t Is who has II in ner power not only
10 mould the minds OF her children, but also to
else wholesome influence over tho whole household
She do more-she can cause that influence 10
extend TO the surrounding community. 1t Is not
that 1t is only TO mediate on the suerings
OF Saviour and tho lessons to be learned there
from. If men and women of the present day only
know how much tho future depended ON them VIC
would not children grow up IN Ignorance oi what
they should know-ignorant, IN fact Of the holy
Bernard should be studied and prac,ised much as
Dosgble