The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-10-07

tHc images OF SalnteQ apostles and mar
tyrs and confessors and virgins who full
filled the precepts OF the Master in life,
who have been victorious in the battle
and who seem to beckon us on to the
ethereal realms of light and bliss in
which is found the consummation and
the reward OF all earthly worship.
"Thus far have spoken only OF the
least important feature OF the Christian
church. The material structure and its
sacred symbols. What shadow is to
substance these are to the spiritual
realities, the hallowed mysteries which
these consecrated walls enshrine.
IF the ancient temple was holy be-
cause it was the scene OF sacrifices Of
fered to God, ours is infinitely more
holy. There the victims were creatures.
Here the victim OF sacrifice is an infinite
Being, God incannate.
"If the ancient temple was holy be-
cause in it reposed the ark OF the COW
enant, how much more holy the Chris
tian temple in which Jesus Christ, the
king of glory. resides under the sacra-
mental species.
The same things which chiefly con-
stitute the sanctity of our churches,
render them also the sh>ces where men
receive the most inestimac iavors and
most abundant graces. The sacrifice
OF the Mass, the eucharistic presence
and the receiving of holy communion
these are the chief sources OF grace !;
they render our church tile dispensaries
OF supernatural graces and blessings.
"Other sources of grace conferred in
our temples arc the baplismal font at
which we are released from original sin
and made children OF God and heirs OF
heaven; the confessional where grace
voluntarily lost is restored; the pulpit
from which Gods truth is announced to
us; the altar steps where blessing divine
is given to the union oi hands and
hearts destined to increase the member
ship OF the church militant on earth and
the church triumphant in heaven
Lastly, we glance for moment at
the Christian churches, the spot OF all
the universe whence God derives the
highest glory. Infinite honor is due to
God. He never received it from earth
till our Savior came amongst us. He
did receive it from the summit OF Cal
vary, and ever since the - OF that sac
rifice at Golgotlla at every hour. the
eternal Father is receiving that infinite
homage, and in the sacrifice OF the Mass
He will continue to receive il from the
rising to the setting OF the sun; until
that day when the sun shall go down
never more to rise upon our earth.
Creatures, OF themselves, can give
something Of glory to God One single
human soul, the soul OF the most humble
image. recognizing Gods attributes.
loving Gods beauty, gives more
OF glory to Him than all the mate
rial universe. And here within the
sacred precincts OF Gods temple men
give themselves up to reflection and
prayer and come to know God and their
hearts are warmed with love OF Him,
and their souls sigh for the possession,
OF Him as OF the one only true God,
the only worthy object of rational
creatures desires and aspirations. And
with sweetest complacency does God
look down on the temples wherein His
people congregatc together to offer Him
the tribute of tilial love and alteration.
precious and dear to God are these,
our churches. Precious should this
beautiful temple be to you. Proud and
happy day should this be for you on
which you dedicate to God this beauti-
full, graceful Gothic temple, lovely
specimen of the noblcst type OF eccle-
siastical architecture; structure which
is credit to the pastor and people who
have built it, and an ornament to this
section OF the capital city of Ohio.
II would that the great and good
Bishop Wattcrson were here today. His
heart would be filled with pride and JOY
at the contemplation OF this noble cdi-
fee which he commanded to be built
here for the glory OF God and the sane
tification Of his spiritual children. |
hope he is smiling down from heaven
upon you and your pastor and your
church. And | know that il he could
whisper commission to me as | stand
here this morning he would bid me
extend his thanks and congratulations
to you for your generous cooperation
with your pastor in the erection oi this
magnificent temple; and especially
would he bid me thank and congrat,,-
late that worthy pastor OF your souls
because OF the zeal and dcvotedncss and
scli-sacrificing spirit which he has man
ifcsted in executing the design SO dear
to his own hcart-thc building OF this
monument to Catholic faith and picty
in southeast Columbus"