The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-03-24
"Go TO JOSEPH"

The echoes of the Vesper bells had
melted away in the distance, and now
through the crispy air of a sunshiny
afternoon in March the deep tones of
the organ were reverbrating in rich,
sweet music. AS the notes SWelled and
rolled away they fell upon the listen
ing cans of two young girls as they
approached the Church of st. Joseph.
Something in the music seemed to
awaken their interest and almost sim
ultaneOusly they said: Let us enter -
1t was the Sunday within the octave
of the feast of Patron Of the Universal
Church, and the pastor, Rev. Father
Charles, having blessed the new statue
Of st. Joseph, was delivering a short
sermon upon the Saint under whose
patronage the church of his charge had
been dedicated years ago.
Our young friends, not being Catho-
lies, hesitated upon entering the sacred
edifice; but presently young man
came forward and ushered them down
through the middle aisle and into
pew from which the ceremonies could
be plainly seen.
Alice and Mary White were orphans.
Their parents having died when they
were mere children, a wealthy aunt and
uncle, who had no children of their own,
adopted them and ever since the nieces
had enjoyed all the comforts wealth
could procure or affection prompt.
When Mary was seven years of age
and Alice but little more than five,
they were placed in the academy of
DR.. Lowell, from which institution they
had graduated the June preceding the
time that our story opens. Mary is
now eighteen years of age and her sis
ter but little more than sixteen. Both
are bright. interesting girls and reflect
honor upon the school they are proud
to claim as their Alma Mater.
When the girls had taken a seat their
attention became somewhat divided.
They had never before visited a Catho-,
lie place of worship, and were much in
terested in the statuary, the affairs and
the stations Of the cross, the latter of
which adorned the walls. Finally their
attention rested on the priest. There
was an earneStneSS in his manner
which won their admiration, for Mary
and Alice We're of a sincere and open
disposition, and could not but apprec-
late the frank expression of the instruc-
tor, who, speaking in the spirit of faith,
was confident of all he said concerning
the Guardian of Mary and the Foster
Father of Jesus. At length, after mar
rating incidents wherein st. Joseph had
obtained great graces and favors for
his devout clients, Father Charles clos
eALOTIdIlO0-
I'm your trials and affections go to
Joseph" Then turning to the altar the
priest genufiected, passed out into the
SacriSty and in a few minutes returned
again to sing Vespers.
All through the Vesper service the
visitors appeared interested and after
"Lucis Creator" had been sung and the
priest was giving benediction of the
blessed sacrament, they could not with
stand the inclination to kneel and bend
the head, if not in lowly alteration. at
least in humble supplication
After benediction the pastor distri- !
buted medals of st. Joseph to all those |
who came UP for them. Mary and Alice |
went with others present to receive one. !
Having taken the little medals they i'm
nediately departed for home
On reaching the sidewalk, which lay |
before the church, Alice began to feel |
she should not have gone up for the |
medal, and turning to her sister. said: |
Mary, do you suppose if the minister
knew we were Protestants he would |
allow US to carry home these medals %
Mary replied that the idea had not oc-
CURED to her before, and added, that |
SINCE her object in accepting the re-
lg1ous emblem was merely to see what
t looked like, her curiosity was fully
satisfied now and she would be per I
-ectly willing to return the gift TO the
ionor. To Alice the reply was a sug-
geStion. The parsonage was situated
1t the end of the square which they
would reach in a few seconds. Why
lot ascend the steps, ring the bell, ask
or the pastor and tell him they had |
ome medals to which they were not
untitled. The idea seemed to her a