The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-12-30
lCommunlcated.]
A Memorable Event at st Alphonsus'

Pm Sunday last, the 23rd of December, 1877,
burred at st. Alphonsus' Church, Gone of the
roe beautiful temples belonging to tie Order
the Most Hsly Redeemer, Fourth D strict J,
event that will be long remembered with
de and pleasure by all those who were so
Itunate IS to witness the impressive and
amn pageant. This memorable event W as
less than the reception into the church of
young and newly ordained Catholic priest,
y. Father christopher j. Burke, C.SS r.
Long before the hour for High Mass (lO A. NJ
J sacred temple was filled to OVERLOOKING
sh the faithful from the Fourth District and
resentatiyes from other Catholic churches
from many Protestant churches also. AL
Eether St. Alphonsus' never presented more
.asely packed yet happy audience.
1t 10 A. NJ. the church bells began their
Fry. Joyous chimes, and amid these and the
fnd, full tones CT the organ, that seemed to
fke the sacred walls to their very foundation,
procession entered the front doors of the
kreh and marched with solemn and stately
I'D to the altar rails. There the societies
&t escorted the new celebrant-the st. Al
bnsus' Beneficial Society, the st. AlphonsuB'
tai Abstinence Society, and the boys and
ed each side Of the middle aisle, and then
Bsed through them: the Rev. Father Rector
ding, followed by the Celebrant, supported
either side by Rev. Fathers Lamy and Nc
hugh, and followed by the rest Of the Rev.
|rgy, assembled the sacred steps, and took
BE. The youthful priest and oelebrant was
listed at tho Mass by Rev. Father Girardey,
IS R., deacon, and Father Murphy, C.sS B.,
Generslli's Macs" was selected for the COCA,
and it would be superfuous to add-yet
bice requires US to say-it was rendered in
| very best and faultles IS style, such as ever
Hacterizes the singing and music of st. AL
|Snsus' choir, under the vocal leadership OF
Eger.
che young Celebrant began his sacred Office
the first time, We thought with remarkable
. voice of tender, subdued psthosI that
Ilted all hearts.
Che sermon was preached by the Very Rev.
ther Neithsrt, C.SS.R. His text had for ita
Of the Holy Ghost),- bestowed upon q Ca
iio pries', his sacred character and the
pre- and holy life he is bound by his vows to
etice and live by. We regret that we can-
give even a gieam Of the s,parkling die.
qnent tongue Of this gifted priest. Suffice
81 say, that Father Neithsrt hold the
. assembly spell bound for half an hour
his logic and eloquence, closing with q
touching allusion to the presence of the
come from Macon, Ga, to witness this
ous and happy event, ono for which they
longed for aud sighed for and prayed fol
IS Mass ended, Father Burke assembled the
#plt, and in few touching and beautiful
ds thanked God for this day, thanked bis
4nts for what they had done for him, thank
be Fathers and this whole vast assembly
20 him for their presence, and then, raising
. srms and spreading out his sacred hands
the congregation, he impaired to one and
4n Bonded kRees, his first priestly blessing.
- entered the sacred gates of Gods Holy
azpie with eopgs of thanksgiving, SO he de
Tted from His Courts with praise, the pro-
sion accompanying Father Burke to the
eet1e house, and the celebration was over in
| Atphonsus' in New Orleans I NM.