The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-04-15
LITTER PROM NEW IBERIA.

| NEW IBERIA, LA /, April 9, 1877.
Editor Morning Star.
Thinking a few items from this section vop,d
| be of interest, mako this poor effort to de
scribe few Of the religious Observance n
holy week, business having compelled me n
halt at this place duriRg my peregrination,
through Attakapas, which at the sam.
time afforded me fine opportunity to sae
that the annual season Of fasting and pravs,
was nowhere more devoutly observed than l.
New Iberia. The large number of commun;
cants speaks well for the spirit of piety yvb;,h
pervades and is gradually growing in n.
community. Mon who for the past eipbt
ten years knew not what were the consol;n,
effects of approaching the Holy Sacramento
were this year eeen supplicatipg the Father =,
Grace and Mercy.
This brings me to Holy Thursday in "a.
Peters, which presented sight not to be easily
forgotten by devout Catholics where the boos
and sinew OF the population, to the number ii
several hundreds, received holy Communiop
In company with large number of ladies and
children, the men being largely in the majority.
80 thronged was the sacred edihcs that there
was not sufficient standing room for the con.
gregation, and large numbers could be sssn
outside with uncovered heads, almost fillny
the enclosure in front Of the door. For tan
days preceding Easter Sunday the Rev. Father
Booker, 8. j., of Grand Coteau, preached Enc.
lsh sermons daily at P. NJ. The hour beiny
propitious o large congregation regularly
thronged the church long before the expected
time arrived. The closest attention was given
to the Rev. Father, and each succeeding night
incrAaaeH no he 4
doubt Influenced in q great measure the large
number CT men who approached tho sacra.
ments for the first time in 80 many long yeara.
A most noticeable fact was the presence of
quite number of Professionals of varfeus de.
nominations, whose attendance was regular.
And might further add, in proof of the inter.
est manifested in these English sermons by al
classes and denominations, that at the sale of
pews on Easter Sunday several Protestants
procured pews in the church.
whether as sign of better times, or an
improved religious feeling amongst the people
know not, although I am inclined to the
latter belief, the pews sold on Easter Sunday
produced very satisfactory result, realizing
fuliy one-third more than last year, and still Il
there were not sufficient pews to accommodate +
The number who desired to purchase. Althouph 1
The church is large for q country town. IL ia E
inadequate to the accommodation of the Iares
congregation and learn that the good peopls
Of this place contemplate having bazaar or
fair at an early day for the purpose of enlarr- &
ng and otherwise identifying this edihce. The &
Pastor, Rev. c. Jacquet, has made many i'm.
and additions during the past year
The most noteworthy being the purchase of .
new organ, new roof and the
painting of the steeple and outside of thu
building, which greatly improves it's appear
snce.
Church affairs in Clarendon, Isle Piquant
Ind st. Martinsville are very encouraging, tho
,umber of communicates in each place being
very large daring Easter week. The church at
clarendon, administered by that good priest
Father Pouchon, is now, 1 believe, without
EXCEPTION the most beautiful on the Techs
having been recently decorated with some ex.
ellent soriptural paintings by that we'll kno wn
'rtst of your city, Mr.. E. Humbreoht, and
earn that st. Martinsvlle will shortly be aba
o boast of his skill as an artist.
Yours, ETC., A1TAKAPAs TRAVELLER,