The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-06
CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

THE JESUIT ORDER AND TRIALS OF THE
cHuRcH-sERxoN BY REV. FATHER MER-
RICK.
In the Church Of st. Francis Xavier was yesterday
celebrated the of ST. Ignatius Of Loyo founder
of the jesuit order. The feast fell Tuesday of last
week, but the ceremony transferred in order to
give the members of tae church better opportunity of
celebrating It, There a solemn high mass, at which
Rev. Father Hudon acted as ceiebrant, Rev Father
Body as deacon ana Row. Mr. Crommar as sub-deacon
The panegyrc OF St. Ignatus was delivered by Rev.
Father Mcrrick, who said ST. lgnatius OF Loyola
was Of those providcntiai men raised ny God ut
certain crises in the Church. He, ike ST. Dominck,
81. Charles Borromeo and others had q certain
mission before him, which principally 10 combat the
oil the Reformation then sprging into existence
Nearly all these great ana holy became founders
OF religious ORDERS and lie established that OF the
Jcsuits, which teaches Obedience us fundamental vr
tue In his day the Reformcrs, as they are called,
Withdrew their obedience from tho Pope, the Vicar OF
Christ, the centre OF unity, and being 30 separated
they soon became divided between themselves until,
as IS the case to-day, member became church
himself st. lgnatius, besides the regular vow OF
obedience required In all religious ordors Instituted
special one mat OF obedience to the Pope Tho jesuit
Order devotes Itself to the education III youth, cspe
ciay OF the higher classes, in colleges but they by
means neglect the humber. They also devote them
selves to the missions, and in every country and in
every cline noy may be found aboring asslduously In
te midst OF trials and prvations for the welfare Of
mankind.
BY u singular coincidence the feast Of St Peters
Chains Is appointed for the day succeeding that OF ST
1gnatlus. The weak and cruel Herod wishing
gritiatc himself with the people who were still samor
ing against the Christians, caused ST. Peter 10 be cast
into prison The infant Church raised its voice to
Heaven continually Tor his deverance by constant
prayer. Days passed and II seemed II God had
wed that HIS servant should be delivered TO the fury
OF ms enemies; but on the very night preceding the
day which Herod intended to bring him before the
populacc TO lind out their will to what disposition
should be made o, him he was delivered by Heaven.
SO It VIII be with his successor, Plus lX than whom
greater Pope never lived. He, too is IN prison. but
ms deliverance is certain. The time may be very
near. may in TACT be this very moment when God will
strike justice the very hands that manacled him,
and make example OF them tor postcrty TO take n
lesson from. II remarkable TACT that the only
permitted by the cnemies OF God aud His Church to he
accomplished by the great Ecumenical Council lately
assembled al Rome was the deluing OF the niaillDy
OF the Pope thus proving that one, and only one living
iniai0lc. The faithful should not relax in
prayer and grow weary because the hour OF deliver
was so lOpg coming, tut should initiate the
ample Of the early Christians in pcrscvcrng anu their
prize aud Joy would he equally certain There is
glorious future for the Church When the dar kncss
that surrounds her mas passed away she VIII look the
more Respondent All should pray earnestly and per-
sevcrngy for the advent OF that day, and that they
might live 10 participate IN its joy.