The New York herald., 1877-01-22
THE FESTIVAL OF ST. AGNES.
s.. Agnes Eve Al. bitter chill j. wssl

ST. Agnes Eve! All bitter chill il wxsl
The owl for all his ieYthers a'cod,
and Yesterday the festival of ST. Agnes In the Catho
lie Church was q cold aud unpleasant day, although
cold Keats has represented in his beautiful
poem. The Church OF st. Agnes, In East Forty-thrd
street. was crowded to its utmost capacity at the
solemn high mass yesterday, on the occasion OF the
celebration Of the festival Of the patron saint OF tho
Church. An especial musical programme had been ar
ranged by Sig Mario, the organst and choir DIRECTOR
and the missionary priest, the Rev. Father Langcake
5. j., preached a sermon on the lessons 10 be drawn
from the story OF St Agnes. Tho music of the Kyrie
Eleison, Gloria in Excclsis and Agnus De, was from
lie Prevoss Mass in A. and that OF the Credo Sancius
and the solo saIutari, from Gionza's grand Easter
Mass. The ordinary choir of the church had been
largely augmented: The Christie Elcison, n soprano
solo, was charmingy sung by Miss Lottle Simpson, the
soprano the church. The Onertory solo was sung by
Sig. Brgnoli. Mrs Robinson, Prof. salmson and
Messrs. Redcl and Baldwin also took solo parts
during the service. The services OF this
church are at present held in the basement.
1t is expected to be ready Tor occupation in the latter
part OF April or beginning Of May. Father Langcake
took text for his sermon, bur- aftcr reading the
gospel for tho day, Immediately commenced his dis
st. Agnes lived IN the beginning Of the third
century and was the only daughter OF wealthy and
noble parents living in Rome but these parents, IN
addition TO their worldly wealth and nobility, pos
sessed the lar worther wealth ana nobility oil Chris
,ianty ana they carly instructed their dauehtcr in
the mysteries of the Christian faith, and became
an earnest and ia thul Christian. When but thirteen
ycnrs old sought IN marriage BY several noble
Romans, but she refused them ALL saying that she
betrothcd TO Jesus. Christ TOR which she was put 10
death, and thus asccnded to heaven with the two
greatest palms. those OF vrgnity ard martyrdom.
Marriage is holy state; the Catholic Church teaches
that II Is sacrament; but there Is better part
more holy stale-that OF virgnty. The preacher
here gave numerous examples OF this. anu quoted
largely from ST. Paul aud Others in support OF this
position. The Christianity Of the present day OF the
free and style. but Christ has told that
not serve God AMI Mammon II is our duty not only
to admire these heroes and hcrODes OF the Church,
but endeavor to initiate them We can do II If
will, the grace OF God is with TO
make strong to dare and suffer for His
sake. Between the world and Christ there Is
cnmity, and must choose one the other,
have both In this story Of 81. Agnes there
arc three lessons to be drawn--iirs to parents to
watch closely over their children, teach them by
ample no less than by precept; keep them from evil
associates give them Christian education, inspire
the m with love for the Church aud a irm faith IN
lent 10 us that parents rcponsbc for the saliva
of their children Secoud, TO tho young, to re-
member that purity OF life Is only TO be had and kept
by constant sercstraint, that an uninterrupted fol-
lowing OF worldly pleasures lll wcan them away from
Christ and Jeopud thcr cheDccs for heaven, and,
finally both young and old TO cultivate true manli-
ness OF spirit courage TO do what is right and say
"No' to what wrong. St. Agnes although but lit.
tie gr OF thirteen years, had all this and was awarded
the crown oil martyrdom.