The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1901-10-12

and the holy night. Overhead shine
the spacious armament. and far in tn
east Is the glorious star that is guiding
the wise men, who are even now ol
their way to greet the King of Kings
1 see the rude inn with its low roof. tn
building so poor and mean, only fit TO
animals and their keepers. Within th'
inn are the cattle and countTymen; an(
fa~ at the back, sheltered as much a.
possible from the cold, lies the Lore
of all, little child in the manger.
( see His delicate and tender limbs rest
/ ing on the coarse straw. l see His lit
| tie hands that look so helpless, beat
/ ing the air behold His Virgin
/ Mother and st. Joseph kneeling on the
! bare floor, gazing at Him in reverent
! admiration. There are tears in Blessed
Mary's eyes because she cannot make
! her little child more warm and com
Portable. The oxen bend over the crib
and warm the Divine Infant with theiI
| breath, and He smiles and holds out
, His arms to Hi smother, and sees in
her face all the love and mystery and
awe of that holy night.
The Bishop-What, perchance, learn
we from this?
First Monk-The teaching of holy
poverty, and that blessed are the poor
in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven"
Second Monk-I learn self-denial; for
on this sacred night Almighty God
gave His best to us, who give so little
to Him.
Third Monk-To me it teaches union
with Christ, the union that comes
through faith and love.
Fourth Monk-I learn conformity to
the divine will, and that the issues of
obedience are in the hands of God. St.
Joseph and Holy Mary may have pre-
ferred to stay in their home at Naza-
reth, but they have come to Bethle-
hem in response to the imperial decree.
The Bishop-Holy Mary, pray for us.
Abbot and Monks-Holy Mother of
God, pray for us.
The Bishop-Tell us, Rev. Father,
what you see in the fourth joyful mys
terry, the presentation.
The Abbott behold the Blessed Vir-
gin and st. Joseph carrying the di-
vine Child to the temple. The little
Child is in the arms of His holy
mother, while st. Joseph carries the
doves that the Mosaic law requires as
an offering. 1 see the aged Anna, and
the interior of the beautiful temple.
In front of the high altar, near the
holy of holies, stands Simeon, waiting
in joy and expectancy to see the de-
sired of all nations. I behold him as
he receives the Holy Child in his arms,
he feels that earth can bring him no
more, and breaks forth in that song
of desire satisfied. praying God to let
him depart in peace because he has
seen the salvation prepared before all
nations--the glory of Israel that has
come
The Bishop-Recount to us, my
brethren, what this mystery teaches.
First Monk-I learn holy obedience
to the commands of God. st. Joseph
and Blessed Mary fulfilled to the letter
all the teachings of the Jewish church.
Second Monk-The same spirit of
obedience is inculcated in the Chris
tian religion, and it. is as binding on
Us as was the ancient law to the He
brews.
Third Monk-I learn from this holy
presentation that we have an example
. assist regularly and faithfully at the
1fvine services of the Church.
Fourth Monk-Holy Mary had been
preserved by God from the stain of
original sin, yet fulfilled the law re-
Iuiring her presence, with an offer
ng, in the temple as woman of Is |
'ael. Even so should we go often to |
Confession to be purified from our sins, !
ma to renew our baptismal vows.
The Bishop-Holy Mary, pray for us.