New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-05
THE roRTy UOIrRS, DEVOTION.

Father 1rl> al ne church me Epiphany (RomaR cdthoi
The forty hours devotion was begun ut the
Roman Catholic Church OF the Epiphany yesterday Win
much pomp and ceremony. Numerous hghled laprIs
and many bouquets OF flowers were distributed on the
altar giving the sanctuary brilliant appearance Inc
sacraments will he exposed the altar each day uhtI
the feast OF the Epiphany Tuesday, when ponti-
cal mass will be celebrated by Bishop ShsnahaD, OF
Harrisburg.
The Rev DR.. Burtsell, the pastor was the eelebrant
OF the yesterday At the end OF the last eospel
the sacrament carried through all the ases OF the
church. The procession headed by crossbearer'
then followed about thirty young girls dressed IN while,
so,e carving lighted candles and others largo Oou-
ouet of flowers sodali lies OF boys came next aud
in front OF each small boy bearing the banner OF
the society. The altar boys and priots came last ana
Dr. BurtsGl carried the sacrament In golden reuoh-
STRANGE.
The Rev. Father Burke preached taking his text from
John VI So For my flesh Ia meat indeed and my blood
Is drink indeed"
We Christians are travellers IN strange land, lie said
and the Church OF God Institutes prayers and festivals
In order TO bring closer 10 Him. At stated intervals
she establishes feasts that will gladden. the nnrm ana
cheer the despodcnt and those who are slow In the
scrvtce OF God In the sixteenth century dcyo-
zion sprang up IN honor OF the Redcemer and God HIM
self made His home the altar OF the Church These
fcos OF the Blessed Sacrament are especially ieu-ts OF
God because the Sacrament God Hence the devotion
OF the forty hours is OF peculiar interest-ove ana
devotion. Its origin is traced to the sixteenth
century We read that in the beginning OF that
century ono Of the Eastern lands was devastated
with plague war and famine In one year 10000 In
In pitants fallen victims 10 the soourge The panic
stricken paope lost to God When they found that
all earthly endeayors were vaing, they had reliance
ON God and received comfort and relief In those Gays
holy monk preached OF resignation 10 God In calamity
While meditatng one day the best method OF a1-
IA thought
solemn alteration OF the sacrament on the altar The
zeal and faith OF the people responded TO his appeal
and from that began the exposition OF the Blessed Sac
rancnt The exposed with great celebra
tion There were many earnest outpourings at that
time for God TO relieve those people in their dis
treas The faith OF the people was proved, and
their prayers we're heard. Thanksgiving followed
Thanksgiving and ever nfterward these people oele-
brated this feast Such devotion could not be con-
fined to a few Bishops sanctioned 10 and the forty
hours devotion was established that the faithful might
come closer God and that the children OF Chhist might
have freer access Hin on earth.
Since the fan OF there has ever been In the heart
longing for a principle that would regenerate The
human heart aud unite II TO the divinity Christ came
10 regenerae and He satisfied this yeaIning. lie
chose 10 veil Himself in the form OF bread and wine
When Christ came here He impressed particularly on
His Disciples that He could do everything and never did
He reprnand them than when they doubted Him.
The apostles saw Him walking the water. raising the
dcad 10 life changing water wine and feeding null
titude with a few and fishes. II pleased His good
uess TO TO His disciples at one OF these feasrs
vhnt He intended 20 do 10 CONNIE morGte His life on
earth. We read that while preaching vast multitude
had followed Him. attracted by His wondrous works
He found that they without food and lie satisfied
their hunger by a miracle. He took opportunity
then 10 tell Of the great food He leave them
he that eatelh OF My flesh and drlnketh OF My
blood shall have everlasting life" The Jews asked
how cOuld give them Ills body to He told
them Unless yOu eat the flesh OF the Son OF Man and
drink His blood you shall have life In you My Gesh
l. meat indeed aud Ny blood is drink indeed"
We know how faithfully He fulfilled his promise:
faithful 10 Him. We read that at supper Christ took
bread into His hands blessed, broke and gave TO His
+ m5 bodys Making the e6Slce he handed il to lis
disciples saying: Take and drink ye all OF this, for
Testament the ny stery OF faith which shall be shed
you for many the remission OF sins" He consti
do In remembrance Of me-" that Is do as you saw me
do, change bread and wine into my body and blood
eucharist There those who feel the necessity Of
jectng this because they cannot comprehend how God
mercy and power 10 be measured hy understand
died on the cross cannot give Himself TO the world in
any form Is His power less to-day than when he
turned this Shiny earth with the body OF Adam All
The laws Of nature are subioctto His will When God
spoken alarm and investigation cease IL IN non
dence God wouldn't be God If we could comprehend
him Our faith compcs us to say. know that this is
q mystery which have 10 believe know that lie Is
on HE altar although cannot him. IL IL bread
longer but our Redeemer IS there We have Hin 70
cheer us on the road Heaven Jesds CDrst Is surely
present in the eucharist lie adapts Himself to US in
that form and asks that pay alteration 10 Him.
We do not SOC him there, but He sees MS.
Come, then. to The foot Of Gods altar Come not like
the Jews who followed Him into the wilderness aud
Knocked at the words He uttered and threw stones at
Him. Come like Peter at the head OF the apostles.
Come did the wise OF tue East pr0stratng and
adoriag God. They nothing that would Indicate
thaf God was In the stable Bethlehem. But these
Wise men thought nothing OF relying their reason,
and they paid their rbuies Lot us not sIagger along
becnuse We do not behold tho dazzling rays OF His
throne aud because do not the scars In Bis body
Be one Of those do no; but believe When the
God OF Mercy shall DO borne 10 procession through these
aisIes with lights symboca Of the lustre around His
Ihfone IN heaven, bow down your heads and humble
Yourselves at His feet. How We envy the woman who
touched The hem OF Hfs garment and Mary Mngdllen.
who weshed His sacred feet We do not appreciate HIS
love. Let u.s. then seek Him let us give ourselves
tirely 70 Him. Entertain yourselves with Hin. Tell
HIN your miseries and SINS, and ask His divine assist