The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-03-04
THE HOLY PASSION !"
Tho Subject OF o Powerful Dlsoourse
by Bishop Donahue,
OYER FIFTEEN HUNDRED PEOPLE
ThronGed tho Cathedral to hoar tho
bishops First Sermon OF tho Lontcn
series-rho Significance Of tho Cross
In Catholic Devotion-Tho vcspers
Celebrated by Father Harris-Isofer.
cnocs mado to "so.C Called" Chris.
tians. > ~

ST. Joscpha Cathedral waa packed
to ita utmost capacity last evening, tho
pewa and aislos boing crowded. Tho
occasion was tho vespers service and tho
first Of tho series OF Lenton discoursos
by tho Right Rev. Bishop P. j. Dona.
hue. Fully fifteen hundred was tho
number Of those who woro present. Tho
celebrant OF tho vospors serriccs was
Roy. Richard Harris. Tho bishop &C.
cupied his episcopal throne, assisted by
Mr.. William Gundling aud Mr.. William
Ham n, and Mr.. Gus Weitzel was
master OF ceremonies. 1ho cathedral
clergy woro present in tho sanctuary.
Tho choir sang beautiful vespers. after
which Right Rev. Bishop Donahuo
preached tho following sermon. on "The
Holy Passion in Catholic Devotion"
l cor. IL. II account myself to
know nothing among US, save Christ,
and Him crucitied."
This evening many pulpit is occu.
pied, by some to discuss some worldly
TOPIC and some, more worthy OF thoir
vocation, come before their congregation
Us did tho apostle OF old. My brethren,
there Is my text pointing to tho cruel.
FIX. Tonight como before you with
Christ and Him cruciied, tho Lamb who
for all eternity was decreed to be slain"
Hero the bishop spoke OF tho eternity
OF God, the One whose name Ia ~ am
who am"
at is eternal things" continued the
bishop, shat I bring before you; not a
topic OF literature nor OF politics, or
secular consequence. No, but the
eternal Lamb that was slain for u.s."
Tho bishop then spoke Of our way OF
viewing things from our finite
standpoint He explained Gods e,er.
nal foresight into mans fall-the long
centuries OF expecting tho Redeemer;
the sacrifice OF tho Savior. Then no
dwelt on tho insight tho prophets had
into the suferinss of Christ, how they
looked into the distant future and de-
scribed Lis hands and fec. pierced and
His other euherings. He dwelt on
David and 1saiah's and Je.emiah's;
their devotion to the passion as seen in
their writings. Then he described st.
Paul. the apostles, devotion to the cross.
Here the speaker became very ami
mated. He affirmed that the passion of
Christ is SO intimately connected with
our salvation that it should be in the
heart OF every Christian. With ST. Paul
we should bear the stigmata OF Christ in
our breast. Then he spoke OF the con-
motion OF the passion with the sacra-
ments OF the church. The Savior has
suffered, shed his blood for US aud
thusly has merited reservoir OF grace
that is applied to the soul by means of
the sacraments.
Then the right reverend speaker
spoke OF the sacramentals. First OF all.
he dwelt on the common Catholic devo-
ton OF the Sign OF the Cross" He de-
picted the love We should have for the
cross; how lovely our devotion should
BIO for the passion OF Christ. Even com.
mon gratitude dictates such devotion.
Then the bishop explained from the
Catholic ritual the devotion OF the
church to the cross; how it is used to
sanctify everying, how it graces our
steeples. occupies prominent part OF
the church. "We are not ashamed OF
it, as it is the sign OF our salvation"
He spoke OF the prominence OF the cross
: In the administering Of the sacraments
in the church.
The bishop then descended to private
devotion in the church, to the passion,
how devoted his people are to it, how
fond they are Of it. Then he explained
what such a devotion meant. 1t ia not
something superficial, as some so-called
Christians make it, but it is generous,
noble, self-sacrificing spirit full OF pa
thence, forebearance as st. Francis OF
Assis,i. q heroic Christian spirit like St.
Paul OF old, who wishes to know moth
ing but the cross OF Christ. What do
those so.called Christians think who
roll in a luxurious bed on a Sunday
morning instead OF worshipping the
crucifed God? Flo took other types Of
so.called Christians and church mem.
bers who are far from loving the cross.
The speaker then gave vivid picture
of the death of sinner dying in dis.
pair who to his last condemned the
voice OF his crucitied Lord.
Brethren. II there be any who neg.
Iect their religion, l. as a minister OF
God, in the name Of Jesus, oeg you to
return to your God no mattor to what
church you belong. II you have boon
erring, | say return to your Christian
duties"
He then described tho loving way that
good Catholics cling to the crucificd
even to their last breath. He portrayed
their immense consolation during life
and at the hour OF death and finished BY
picturing their happiness in meeting
s the crucifcd in the next world with his
glorious wounds and his cross.
After the sermon tho services closed
with benediction and the holy sacra
ment.