The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-02-11
Carnival.

that Carnival Is festival Celebrated VIII
revelry and merriment in Roman Catholi
8 countries, the week before Lent" From thi
? very full and free assertion, We are forced t
r the inevitable conclusion that the United State
t are fast becoming 3 truly Catholic country
since their celebration Of the Carnival season
is becoming more solid and permanent year b!
year
The derivation of the word Carnira7e, signi
flying Jare,oeH to meat shows the undoubtec
connection between the worlds observance o.
this festival of revelry and the Church's OBJ
servsnce of the holy season OF Lent; and the
one is found clnging to the other even as the
ivy, with it's clammy leaves, clings to the
grand old cathedral tower, which needs nei-
ther it's help nor its adornment.
1t is said that the Carnival festival is Ca
tholc customer rather it is d custom of Ca
| tbolc countries. True, and yet the Church
neither encourages nor approves of it-and our
readers need not be reminde that in all ages
the spirit of the world is at variance with
the spirit of God-and in Instance is this
opposition more plainly manifesto than in
| the case before us.
The Church. divine mother whose chief
aim is mans happiness in another world, al
though not tfumindful of his happiness in this
seeks at all times and among all things to
lead him towards his eternal home. The world
a mere hired purse-strives only to amnse
him, knowing that her time is short aud that
his escape from her is inevitable 1t is not
surprising then that man and his giddy nurse
often engage in pastimes upon which the
Mothers eye looks with tender pity and loving
uneasiusss Ard such is the diversion
known as the Carnivsl-the Mardi Gres cole
bration of our city; and whose observance is
slowly spreading from city to city, until the
wi.vie country, before its next centennial, may
rntte in the "revelry and nerTiment de-
scribed by Webster as peculiar to R,nan Ca
tholc Countries.
The Church, while forbidding, with her
heaven inspired preGepts, all acts that are sin
fnl, or that may endanger mans SOUL never
theles5 does NOT, with open words of authority,
condemn this almost national festiva-but
mindful of her mission, she points out
higher objects for mans parsnt and boiler &C to
for mans accomplishment than mere revelry
and mirth. Consequently there will be seen
next I uss6ay-at least in our city-two strong
ly contrasting scenes, colored by strangely diff
ferent lights.
The world leads her nursing before pic
ture, bright with crowded thoroughfares, fes-
tive halls, painted maskers and gay music, and
the incentive to his enjoyment is, or is sup
posed to be, that he must soon bid tareweH to
all such pleasures Of the body, to all such de-
lights of the mind.
The Church leads her children into her peace
laden asles, and there before the altar, or
within the silent tribunal of Peuance, she bids
them remember their eternal destiny, the 'ex-
ceedrg great" enjoyment which beyond oil
mans description is to be their own forever
and forever.
Yes, strange sights will be seen on Tuesday
night and on Wednesday morning in our dear |
old city-deAr even because of it's folles, for |
they spring from its Catholic traditions aud |
foreshadoT, we believe, its noblor, truer Catho-
lie practices. The theatre aud the ball room
will be lighted up, while thousands gaze upon
the tableauI of the one, or take part III the |
may dances of the other. The Church, too, |
will be lighted up with the calm light of a |
happy homeland beneath its pictured saints |
and in presence of the martyred dead her thou |
sands, too, will look beyond the things of time |
and prepare themselves for the things of
eternity.
And on Wednesday morning many and many
a giddy heart that was c. armed by the worlds |
song-the old nurses melody-will turn from |
the steps of the BALLROOM to the quiet, holy |
ailses of Gods true Church-the souis immor- |
tai motner-and bending the knee in prayer
that lately bent in dance, will ackuo Wedge |
that all is UGnity except its love and trnst in |
Her who teaches what the world bids them
forget.
A Protestant might will look with scurn or
contempt upon the man or w oman who, partci-
pating in the follies of the Carnival until the
day DAVIS upon Ash Wednesday, goes then into
the house of God for a few short moments of
distracted prayer. But there 10 motive in |
the act that calls for something better than a
sneer-athough it is indeed most pitiable
and unworthy course for one who Is a real
CATHOLIC; bat the motive is to give little tims
to God, and He does not -disdain the bumbIest
gift offered at HIS feet. Faith is a divine
virtue ana without 1t 1t ia Impossible to please
God hence the motive that leads ono poor un-
worthy Catholic, with the roses of the ball still |
upon her head, and another with its music in
his ear to the feet Of the priest, to receive on
their toreheads the ashes of penance and to