The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-02-02
VI. Mary's Church OF the Imma Gus
late Conception.

late Conception.
liev. Father d. j. SpiIlard, c. S. c..
N''vrtor. Sunday last being the fourth
Ilday after Epiphany and feast of st.
~ Incis dc sales.
he usual congregation of devout
holes kneel in the cold and the wet to
JLnctify, by assisting at the holy sacrifice
= he mass, the one day of the week con-
,'F rated to God.
he miserable little tottering church in
81 ich the Catholics of Austin now as
i.A-lble for services, Is very poor protec-
ia n. against inclement weather, and a
a ak nOrther whistled through the old
Il ldows, penetrating through flesh
II bone to the very marrow; and the
~ Tering wOrshIpers OF st. Mary's sadly
l4l the need of the beautiful new edifice,
~ ong ago commenced, and which will
fss he day be the pride of Austin.
is now at q stand still Tor want of
ia ans to continue its erection. A few
t:Gre such dreary, cold, wet Sundays
wtll no doubt bring some fresh csntribu-
l't ns into the little box at the door for
lSlr completion of the new church.
announcements from the altar Thurs
! day. the second of February, will he the
ssE'east Of the PurilcatiOn,' or "Candle
! Mass Day - and candles will be blessed
FOR the ensuing year at the 8 o'clock
mass. Only wax candles, however, re-
eeiye the blessing, so he has already pro-
yided a supply of these, which he will
exchange with the people for ordinary
ones. which candles are used together
with the wax ones, for lighting the al
/ tars.
Friday, being the feast of st. Blasius,
bishop and martyr. will take the place OF
| the "blessIng OF the tbrOats."
| This ceremony, perhaps new TO many of
the Catholics OF Austin, though quite
/
of late quite common in some or our
! larger cities, and God has been pleased
| Oh other occasions to bless the faith OF
| his people by some wonderful cures Of
| the throat through this blessing of st.
| Blasius. All who are present In the
| church on Friday, and desire the blessing,
may receive IL.
| of obligation In the church, but the Rev.
erend Father hoped that all who could
would have the devotion to attend on
| both these days.
These announcements being finished
the Reverend Father, as usual, read
aloud the epistle and gospel to the people
in the vernacular. The epIstle, Romans
xiii. $40, spoke OF sins TO be avoided, and
| the virtue OF love for our neighbOr to be
practiced, while the gospel WI, 1927, re-
late "tbe stIlling of the tempest by our
divine Lord"
The customary homily on the Word OF
God was omitted. In consideration OF
the health and comfort OF his people,
which endears Rev. Father Splllard ia
the hearts of All, he would not detaln
them in the damp, chilly church for an
instruction. lie could not, however, al
low the 18th of January TO pass without q
few remarks upon the beautiful life oil
St. Francis of Sales, whose feast Is thi:
day commemorated, and that we might
learn apractIcal lesson from the example
of Christian virtue given us by this Illus
trious, servant OF God.
st. Francis was a characteristic saint
a saint for the people, though not OF the
people, for he was Of gentle blood. Nat
urally irascible, he had, by untiripg eff
forts and firm determination become the
most lovable Of charaeters-one that We
can initiate. Was a martyr, not monk
nor hermit. He took human
view of our poor human nature, and biz
own life IL the best evidence OF what
man, faithfully corresponding with di.
vine grace, can accomplish. II Is not
necessary TO be q recluse to become q
saint.
He belonged TO one Of the greatest anC
MODEST families Of his age and country
but esehewed the preferments, the honor
and distinctions to which his birth anc