Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1903-12-03
THE CLOSB OF
THE MISSION

building was packed to the doors. 1t
Us doubtful if in the history of St.
Ilubert's church series OF meetings
was ever held which aroused greater
religious interest than the Mission by
thc Bgdemptorlst Fathers.
= The Mission sermon Saturday night
Was preached by Rev Joseph J. Schol-
~. After the discourse "A most heauti-
ful ana touching ceremony took place
TO tine right of the high altar "a boauti-
fol shrine had been erected in honor
ot tine Blessed Virgin Mary. On nigh
pedestal above the altar stood "a statue
representing the immaculate virgin,
which was surrounded by numerous
burning wax candles, cut flowers and
p1frod plants Knceling abOnt the
altar We're 30 little girls dressed in
white wearing wreaths on their heads.
They repeated in a loud and clear
voice the words OF conservation to the
Blessed Mother aud promised to re-
main pure and spotlesS by initiating
her virtues after which the entire
parish repeated the words of consecra-
tion i'm the German language Then
tine choir sang the canticIe of the
Blessed Mother called the Magniiicat
during which Father Scholly incensed
the statue and shrine Benediction
with most blessed Sacrament closed
the beautiful ceremony, which Will
long be remembered by the devoted
members of st. Hubert's parish as one
of the most beautiful that was ever
held in this church.
The subject Of Father Scholly's ser
mon was Mary, the Mother OF God
our most MercifuI Mother " He said
in part: When we reflect on the
danger that surrounds US in our strug-
gIe against passion, temptation aud sin
wo are affrighted at the thought of
Sod S justice. The eternal truths of
death, Judgment and hell of themselves
fill Us with fear and trembling. The
soul in sin is thereby discouraged and
brought TO the brink of despair but the
thought Of the RedeemeI who so loved
tine world as to lay down His life to
save it should fill him with hope and
confidence. Still the thought Of his
offended God, Redeemer though He
be, keeps the sinner at a distance and
at times fac refuses to sue for pardon.
Through the darkness that clouds his
soul God in His goodness aud mercy
sends another ray of light. 1t is the
star of the Sea, Mary, the Mother of
God, the Hope and the Refuge of sin
uer-, our own most powerful ard most
Mrrciful Mother The reverend speak
or then traced the promise OF a Re
dcomcr, who WAS to come from the
seed of the woman through whom sin
entered the world
Later on in prophecy God made
known that the Messiah was to be born
Of a Virgin AMI when the tullnes7 OF
tIma had come he sent Prince among
the angels to an humble virgin at
Nazareth with the message for which
rhr world htd awaited four thousand
years This virgin was Mary con
c-Iyod without sin and destined by
God to give birth TO the Redeemer
At her fiat the Son Of God, the only
he-otteu OF the Father, left His throne
In Heaven and as St John says the
WuId was made flesh and dwelt among
us. Mary, therefore. Is the Mother of
Christ, of God become man, hence the
mother of God. As mother she has in
fuanrc over the heart of God who
was her Son. At her request Christ
worked His first miracle at Canaan
Who viii say that her influence as
mother ends with her death on earth
Is She not IN Heaven still the mother
of God, made man Is her power over
the heart of God shortened. No. The
history of the church the last nineteen
hundred years proves that Mary Is still
our most powerful and merciful moth
or Christ gave her to Us as His last
viii and testament on Calvary when
He SAID to st. John, Son, behold thy
mother The Fathers of the Church
teach that by these words and the
words Woman, behold thy Son -
Mary became the mother of all souls !
redeemed by Christ She has proven
herself our mother by the numerous
miracles wrought i'll behalf of poor
sinners Her shrines in Europe and |
even here in America prove her power
of intercession. As mother of the Re |
dcamer who came to save, mot the i,
Just but sinners" she has always |
shown "A mothers love and sympathy |
for poor sinners. So true is this that |
as St Bernard says Never was it |
heard that any one, even the most alb
audOned sinner, who cried to her for |
help went away unaided. - The rever- |
end speaker urged the people to have
recourse to their mother Mary in all |
thor necessities OF soul and body |
Any devotion no matter now small |
pracriced IN her honor would gain for |
them her powerful protection.
After the 10 O'Clock mass Sunday |
morning Father Scholly preached on |
the baneful effects and the folly of |
human respect He showed the COW
ardIce of fearing man more than |
God and letting that false shame to |
offend man keep Us from prac ticing |
our duty TO God and our neighboIs.
y the closing service last evening |
the Rov Father Parr preached an in
sermon on the means Of pre-
serving the fruits of the Mission. He |
pointed out TO his hearers that in ord
er TO remain tervent Christians they |
must avoid whatever has led them in
20 sin This they can do 10y fervent
prayer and frequent reception of the
-acraments of penance and Holy Com
After the sermon Father Parr
gave them the blessing of the Holy |
Father, Pope Plus x This was follow
sl by hcncdiction of the most blessed