Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-12-24
EPISCOPAL VISITATION.

MaryS CnurCn was CROWDED yeslGi-
day morning, many persons having
to stand in the aisles for want OF
seats. The occasion was the official visit of
the Rt. Rev. John ]. Keanc, Bishop Of Rich
mond. High Mass was celebrated by Rev.
J. B. DeWolf, s. J., assistant pastor, and
after the reading of the Gospel, Bishop
Kcane preached.
He spoke of tho approaching festival of
Christmas and of the inhospitality of Bcthle-
hem. There WAS room there, he said, for
the rich md the gay, but none for the poor
and the humble, like Mary and Joseph. lie
had just trodden the ground where they had
wandered in search Of shelter, he had
prayed and offered the Holy Sacrifice upon
the very spot where they had found it, and
where tho Virgin Mother had given birth to
our Savior. Then the people were indil-
ferent-had no room for Jesus-and Herod
their ruler, wished to take away His life.
His heart was saddened to find that same
indifference there now. The holy places
were guarded by Turkish soldiers, indliler-
ent to the alteration of"the Christian dogs"
tho sad remnant Of the Children of Israel
still hoped and prayed fora coming Messiah;
the Eastern sects refused obedience to His
representative and broke the unity of faith.
In Jerusalem, he had again offered the Holy
Sacrifice in the garden Of Gethsemanc, on the
heights Of Calvary, and in the Holy Sepul-
chre, and he had followed the footsteps OF our
Lord from Pilates judgment seat to the place
Of His Cruciixion, but he found, everywhere,
the same Inference, the same osliily;there
was still no room for Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
The saddest sight he had seen was that
= Inx II, fhair Loot
temple He had asked them if they could
not sec from their prophets that the Messi-
ah had already come the answer from one
was that he was convinced Of that, but that
He had not yet manifested Himself and
for that manifestation he prayed. On
his return, he had visited the Holy
Father at Rome and found him q pri-
soner in the Vatican. That idea was scout
ed by his enemies, who said he was free to
come forth when he pleased; but if the NOR
tai remains Of Plus the 9th could not be con-
vcyed, by night, to their final resting place
without attack, and were with difficulty
saved from being cast into the Tiber by q
bowling mob, what would be the fate of Leo
the Thirteenth should he venture into the
streets of Rome In France and Belgium
he had seen the godle5s schools attempting
to destroy the germ of faith in the hearts
Of the children, and to raise up n generation
without the knowledge of God. This was
all the work ofthe secret societies. In the I'M
dcrground effort to destroy religion and au-
Lhority, Victor Emanuel had been their
tool, but he had died penitent and his son
was now trembling upon his totterinS
throne, whilst the Pope, safe under the pro-
lection OF the Almighty, was still in the
plenttude of his spiritual power. God
wished TO show this aye, rs lie had shown
other ayes, that little territory and royal
state did not constitute or increase his pow
er, and in His own good time, would again
give him a neutral resting place, where all
might approach him with none to binder.
In France and Belgium he was consoled to
see The Christian school with its hundreds
alongside the goddess school with its tens !;
the Catholics OF France alone, had, in one
year, spent many millions of francs in build
ing and supporting their schools
Religion is not dead there nor are our
times worse than many which have pre-
ceded them. The darkest hour preeedes
tho day, and that day would soon shine
with nnwontel spleudor. II was clearly
p"ophesied in Holy Writ that the Redeem
or would manifest him:clt to Israel and con-
vert those who are now longing for His
coming; he had heard from those who
could Judge that there was strong reason TO
expect the conversion OF many Mohamme-
daus when the empire of tho Moslem shall
have fallen and there were strong hopes Of
Il reunion OF the Eastern churches with the
centre Of unity at Rome, God would lake
care of the church and Of the world in His
own time and His own way, but what of our
selves? Were VIC ready to receive Jesus
80
them wide and welcome him rs did
we keep them tightly closed by sin, that he
might knock and pass us by? He cxhortcd
his hearers to prepare for the approaching
festival by n good confession and not TO
give our Lord faint wclcomc-l,t Him not
opcn the door Himself and find all within
cold and cherries, but open wide to Him,
and receive his gifts nbundantly. Parents
and friends present their children gifts nj
this holy season how much more ready is
our Blessed Lord to give lis His. His heart
burns with the same love for us it did on
that sacred night when he came down to
earth for our sal walton. With men, it &C.
ponds on them whether we shall receive
gifts; with God upon us. Ho is always
ready; it is we who refuse His graces.
At the conclusion Of the sermon the Bish
op said that when he had last knclt to re-
ceve the blessing of the Holy Father, he
had asked it for all his flock, and that Leo
NH. had joyfully authorized him TO bcstow
it, in his name, at his visitations within the
year. He would do so after Mass. Accord
ingly, when Mass finished, attirng himself
in cope and Nitro of cloth of gold, and
standing before the altar, he briefly eN-
planned the ceremony Of the papal benedic-
ton, and the plenary indulgence attached
to it and then gave it in most impressive
manner. The ceremony was very short
and simple, and the extcmpore prayer with
which he followed it, 4 very beautiful and
one.
I Tho C,axtar,,nr has ciIrncd Tho Col I