The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-10-18
THE BLESSING or THE CAL.
VARY AT ST. JOSEPH'S
CHURCH.

NUO"V usAcou VI twenty years
ago. the Rev. Pastor of st. Joseph's
Church net out quite a number OF
oak trees in thu large open lot i'm
nediately in the rear OF the church
These trees have since grown to
majestic proportions and, with
their over arching- bonghs, form
vistas Of wondrous beauty and
grandeur. Religious professions
have long been held in this sylvan
paradise, but the main object for
which the park was established
was only recently manifested. At
first a foundation of solid masonry
was laid, Of a curious shape anil
form, i" the centre of the park, and
n0thing more was done for IL c0nsid
cradle time. Then, a mound was
begun about this foundation which,
Of course. was built upon and car
ried to the summit of the mound. Il
height of about fifteen feet. A
grottO Was made into the north
side Of the mound, and a beautiful
statue of Our Lady Of Lonrdes was
in due course OF time placed within
the niche which had been prepared
for it. But this again, was moi the
original object Of the park, for it
was devised rs u suitable setting to
a magnificent group Of the Crncifix
ion, which Las lately been placed
on the summit of what may now be
called Mount Calvary.
The group consists of a massive
cross, about fifteen feet high, upon
which Il life size figure of the dying
Christ is attached. On one side,
the Mother of our Lord stands with
hands clasped, and face expressive
of woe aud grief unspeakable. On
the other side, the beloved disciple,
St. john, gazes mp at the Master,
upon whosr bosom he was wont to
rest and the agony which tears his
heart strings at the sight of so
much s"fferi"gis pl 'inly depicted
iU his attitude and looks. At tn.
foot of the cross, Mary Magdalen,
the repentant woman whose sins
vere forgiven her because she loved
much, is represented in a kneeling
position, her long trcsses streaming
down and her eyes cast Lownwards
the very impersonation of true
christian humility. We feel that
We cannot do adequate justice to
these superb works Of art. We
have given but y feeble description
of them but we trust those who
have not yet seen the whole group
will visit til. IN at their convenience
and our word for it, they will never
regret the visit.
Wednesday, the 8th of October
had been selected for the blessing
of this Calvary. His Grace. the
Archbishop aud . large number of
the clergy had been invited to par.
ticipate in the ceremonies. Solemn
High Mass was celebrated
to u v ded congregation, at
which Rev. Father DuBeruard
preached a sermon in French APP
propriate to the occasion.
After Mass, Que of the largest
professions we have ever seen in
this parish took up it's line of march
from tho church to the Calvary.
The religious societies aud contra
ternities attached to the church,
each with its uniform insignia the
firemen in their gay, bright dress ;
Two brass bands, the clergy and
the Archbishop, as we'll as an i'm
mense coucourse of men, women
and children, constituted a sight
such as Thib0daux has seldom wit
messed before.
On arriving at the Calvary, His
Grace, attended by acolytes and