The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-14
THE EASTER FESTIVAL.
OF THE DAF I'm THE
CHuRCHEs OF NEW ORLEANS.

The festival celebrated yesterday. Easter
Sunday, has been observed since such long
series OF centuries. that any lengthy mention
Of 1t would be superfuous. MOTTO say unneces-
sary, All denominations of Christians. all
religious communities, whether Roman Catho-
lies, MethOdists or Episcopalans. perpet-
uste from year to year the recurrence OF
the Easter festival. the day on which Christ has
opened to us the gates Of the New Jerusalem. by
His victory over sin and death. 1t is!the custom
of Catholics on Easter Sunday to purify them
selves Of all sins by communion, and the Church
max % 1t obligatory under penance OF mortal
sin for all to partake OF the Holy Eucharist at
loast once year between the first day Of Lent
and Trinity Sunday. I'VE must say the
teachers of religion. we must on that holy
day divest ourselves OF our evil habits. and
become, as 1t were. new bodies purified by the
| sacraments. We must on that day remember
that Christ, the Paschal Lamb has been immo-
lated for our redemption, and therefore we
should celebrate Easter not In the habilments
of sin and iniquity. but In the spotless robe OF
sincerity and innocence.
The Roman Catholic Church ushers In the day
with numerous masses full Of imposing and
joyful ceremonies. At the early masses the
faithful flock in numbers to partake Of the
Easter communion. This year almost every
church was filled and the number Of communi-
cants was very large.
At the 10 o'clock mass there are no COM
munions, but tho service and ritual are beauti
full In the extreme. The high mass at tho
JEsUITs' CHURCH
was attended by such a number Of persons that
all the pews. benches and aises were occupied.
No wonder that there was n rush at 1.-THE Jesuits'
Church. for there could be heard the sweetest
y t.rts,
Rossini's Grand Mass" was sung by Prof Col
lignons choir. assisted by many we'll known
amateurs. The many touching and grand
productions found in Rossinis Mass" were
rendered most eredtably by the'singers. among
whom we noticed Mrs. Comes. Mrs. Dunn
Messrs. Cassard. Solomon, Broadley and Krebs
The fine bronze altar of the church. an imita-
tion Of moresuue architecture. was almost hid
don under n profusion Of bright and fresh
flowers quito n contrast with the sombre deco
ration Of the Passion Week.
THE CATHEDRAL.
rs usual, was thronged with almost the
whole population of the Creole districts. The
immense ediflce could hardly suffice for the
accommodation of the numbers who filed 1t.
Gounods Mass was sung. with the valuable
and voluntary assistance OF the amateurs and
choir belonging to the St. Cecilia Society
whose reputation has already been established
among us by d long.and successful probation.
In other churches Ct the city. especially st.
Augustine. theArchbishop's Chapel. st. Ann st.
Theresa and st. Alphonsus. Easter Sunday was
celebrated With imposing ceremonies.
AT CHRIST CHURCH
ths congregation OF worshipars was very
large. and included the beauty ana fashion Of
the upper districts. he music was beautiful,
the sing ing excellent aud the ceremonies very
impressive
In many other churches. as we have already
stated. Easter was observed. and to mention
each in particu lar would be a task rather mon
OtOnOus. for the ceremonies In one place of
worship closely resemble those Of another
chutch.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
on Dryades street. had numerous congreRa-
ton within its walls to listen to Lambilotes
Mass for four voices. This celebrated mass was
sung under the direction Of JOS Miller, Jr.. the
organist. Solos BY Mrs. Worth. Mrs. Rojo and
Miss es Mary Nasich. i. stafford and Rosalnd
Maxwell were spendidIy rendered. Messrs,
Lancaster Wagner and A. +. Morphy also lent
their voices to make the ceremonies impress
sive.
TRINITY CHAPEL.
however was not behind the others In attend
ance Of worshipers fine sinaing and approprt-
ate music Jackson's Ie DENIM. Cecil's Jubi1ate
and Mendelssobn's Offertory, by the choir, with
the assistance of Messrs. Dressed and Busch. of
the Oriental Quartette, were rendered with
great feeling.
Easter Sunday Is over ; Lent has passed away.
and the reign of pleasure has begun. So. fare-
we'll sack cloth and ashes. and welcome innocent
pleasures herallei by the clOudess and azure
skies Of incipient spring.