The times., 1897-06-07
The FEAST OF PENTECOST
Observed by Solemn High Mass in
the Catholic Churches.
Rev. Father McGee's Sermon at st.
Patrick's-Impressi Services
at st. stephens.

The Feast of Pentecost, the fiftieth day
after Easter, was generally observed in
all the Catholic churches OF the city yes
terday with solemn high mass The day
is observed in commemoration OF The tie
scent of the Holy Ghost In the form of
tongues OF fire on the headsof the Apostles
in the cenacle In Jerusalem IL Is al 30
known in some localities as Whltsunday,
the name being taken from the OLD Anglo
Saxon word whit, which signifies spirit
At st Patrick's Church the services
were attended by the usually large con
gregation The mass was celebrated by
Rev Father Solier, Of Marist College. win
the Rev j. T. McGee as deacon and Rev.
John Gum, ID D., also from Marist Col
lege, as subdeacon The sermon was by
Father Mctiee, VINO spoke on The Mystery
Of the Day
The Holy Ghost, Father MCGEE said, is
the greatest moral folee in the world, an 1
like all other great foIoes such as atta.-
lion and electricity, is least visible and
most unknown What is tue OF the rhys-
ical forces of the world, he said, is ke-
wise true of the moral. lie then argued
that the greatest moral good was Ealne'l
not from writer's, orators, statesmen ur
politicians but from tie mothers. who are
the confessors, teachers and directors Of
all that is good. Those pure and humble
souls who bury themselves in conyents
aud nunneries and train, teach aud form
character are comparatively unknown, but
work a woDdrous good.
In spcasing Of the great moral forces uf
the trinity while external work Is common
to ali the work of power and omnipotence
belongs TO the Father, wisdom and Intel
iigenoe to the Son, and mercy, love and
goodness to the Holy Ghost. The Holy
Chest then, Father McGee said, naturally
exerts the greatest moral g0odiD the world
what the sun is TO the physical world the
Holy Ghost is TO the spiritual. 1t removes
sin, converts the soul from darkness to a
thing of life and beauty and splendor gives
life to the snul, and leads on the soul from
perfection 10 perfection.
All the saints are its creatures: they are
nodded. shared and ch'seled by his hand.
The apostles, likewise, are his work Be
fore his coming they were iliiterate, I'M
couth and uncultured, slow to tel'eve anti
morally weak when the Holy Ghost came
on the first Pentecost, Father McGee said,
he transferred them into new men, en-
and enlarged Their charity He fanished
from their hearts and souls ali thiaes
sinful and of the earth and tending 10
selfishness, and filled their hearts With
love of God and caused them to bel'eve
in God as the Father the world as their
country and home and all men as their
neighbors.
The church, too, the reverend speaker
said, is His creation, for Chrst said He
would send the Paraclete, who would abide
with them forever and teach them all
truth Everything In the church which is
beautiful, true and good has come from
Ham. Yet He is comparatively unkno IN,
for We seidoIa ar never think of Him as n
distinct person OF worship Him as sucn
is not this, then. a reason, asked Father
NcGee, why We are 80 poor in spiritual
things? Why, we are constantly rising ana
falling. Why so lukewarm and imperfect?
This is why we should pray the Holy Ghost
to come into our souls and effect I'm them
what Re did for tile world when matter |
was in q chaotic s. ate He moved over the |
waters and gave matter consistency,
universe We should ask Him, therefore. to |
come INTO the soul and build up in IL |
temple worthy of God To come TO US as |
He did TO the apostles on the first Pentecost |
and banIsi, all sin and selfishness and III |
us with 1--we, make us truly catholic that |
we may have GOD for our Father, the |
world foe our country and home, and all |
men fof neighbors.
At the early morning mass over 100 |
children received the first communion