The New York herald., 1879-03-03
ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.

THE FORTY HOURS ADoRATIoN-sERMoN By
HIS EMINENcE CARDINAL McLosKEY.
large congregation was attracted to the Cathe-
dral by the announcement that the forty hours
alteration would be solemnized There
scarcely standing room in the aisles, numerous
was the attendance. The ceremonies were conducted
very impressively and the music, IL usual on all
special occasions at this church. OF the highest
order. The affairs were abaze with lights. His
Eminence Cardinal McCloskey ofiiciatcd and
cupicd the throne ut the gospel side of the altar
At his right sat Bishop Lynch. Of Charleston, 8. c.
and around them Vicar General Quinn and tho
sistant priests. A solemn high mass celebrated
of which the Rev. Father Kane celebrant, as
sisted by deacon and subdeacon.
THE CARDINALS SERMON.
After the first gospel the Cardinal left the throne
and knelt at the altar while the choir sang 'veni
Creator Spritus." He then assembled the pulpit and
preached from the gospel of the sunday. in which
narrated the fast of the Saviour for forty days and
nights. and His being tempted by the devil. From
the earliest ages of the world. the preacher said
fasting was a religious observance among all
hgious, in the pagan world and II was but fitting
that the body. which was the instrument OF SHINING
suffering 1t principally through the vicious in
dugences of the body that man sinned, and the
Catholic Church had always inculcated the great
duty of modification. The Church in the olden
time was much more severe in it's injunctons than
in the present day. and the fasts usually now pre-
scribed were lenient indeed In comparison with tho
restrictions imposed upon our ancestors IN the
faith. The Church imposed no more than our poor
frail nature would bear. The observance Of this
Lcnten season not merely an institution of man.
Tn example as given in the gospel of the day was
set by the founder of the Church Himself. The fast
however, cnjoincd not merely for punishment.
but conducive to greater spiritual devotion. Ex-
pericnce had taught that II only when the body
and it's passions were subducd that the mind was
free to fix Itself heavenly things. The lives Of
the saints full of illustrations OF these Ia the
advantages of fasting and their implied belief in the
practice a spiritual duty. But there another
duty which always accompanied that of fasting,
which always mentioned in connection with H.,
and of which the Church weary of ring
| ing the changes and that was almsqivng. In this
OF depression this duty had double sanction.
1.-The poor ye have always with you." but owing to
peculiar causes they we're now more numerous than
they had been for many previous years Without char
ity there could be true Christianity, and active
excused the discharge of this duty.
As accompaned led the saviour during this peniten-
tia through the different stages of His pas
sion we should bear in mind this double duty of
fasting and almsgiving, and then might hope.
with Gods divine aid and blessing TO participate In
the glorics of His resurrection.
FORTY HOURS ADoRATIoN.
Al the conclusion of the His Emincnce and
Bishop Lynch approached the high altar, where
knecling, His Eminence was invested with q gor-
peous cope. and the prayers for the opening OF the
forty hours alteration begun. Then u process.
been placed in the Cardinals hands. the circuit of
the church made, the choir singing q hymn.
About Atty little girls dressed IN white and wearing
sashcs and carrying bouquets in their hands, pre-
ceded by q cross bearer carrying u cross of red
roses, and each society having its silken
banner, headed the procession. Next came
the altar boys. carrying lighted tapers,
aud then the priests Incense bearers and