The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-11
PREACHING 70 CATHOLICS.
Mard work Of the New style Missionaries
--nsAculties They Face.


Nard work OF the New style Missionaries
-MMculties They Face.
Until within few years all the missions y
given in Catholic churches were conducted
by priests Of the so-callcd regular orders.
In the past ten years, however, the secular
clergy have taken up the work, and in
several States diocesan bands" have been
formed by the Bishops TO engage in mission
hbors.
To the non-C Catholic observer Catholic
mission docs not differ greatly from the
Protestant revival At least there seems
to be this point in common, that the end
in view aims at arousing intense religious
enthusiasm, thereby to introduce lasting
reformation Of unchristian manners. But
the Catholic missionary strives. less after
enthusiasm. Indeed, he prefers congre-
cation rather phlegmatic than demonstra-
tive He knows the unobtrusive conversion
of the former Is more enduring than the
avowed renovation OF life in. the latter.
Tradition divides the ordinary mission
into a week devoted to women and second
week for men. In larger cities the mission
may continue four weeks, and; Of late.
q
The exercises open with an Introductory
sermon at all the masses on Sunday, but
the sermon preached TO women on Sunday
evening Ia expected 10 assure the SUCCESS
or foretell the failure of the subsequent
services.
The preacher lat,ors under dsadva ntages.
He comes before an audience which is
utterly unknown. decidedly unsympathetic
and probably hypercritcal. He is to be
compared with the great missionaries
who enthused them in days agone. He
will be contrasted with the special speakers
whom they have heard on festal occasions
And by this first attempt must he stand
or fall
The subject salvation has grown bit
threadbare. he imagines. It is so well
known to himself that no fears it must be
stale to Others Inspira ton is lacking.
With trepidation lie begins to speak.
| But in an instant nervousness has van
ished; other priests are forgotten; the crowd
is one confused blank; the inspiration has
come, and without q pause he is at the end
Of his sermon.
Sunday evening is the favorite service for
fainting women. 1t is a serious matter.
at times, to prevent a panic when such mis-
haps occur. Often two Thousand women
are crowded into the church; the heat is
overpowering; nerves are at a tension; the
silence is broken only by the preachers
voice, when suddenly groan, oftener a
shrek is heard. II is only fainting spell,
to be sure. but the congregation does not
know that.
The test of the mission spirit is shown
by the willingness with which the people
attend the early morning service. Usually
this Ia at 5 oclock--and it requires heroic
virtue to come forth at that hour. But
women are present then as faithfully as
the men-perhaps little more 40. Yet
most of them are worl ing people who must
labor ten hours a day.
The humorous preacher is the strong
card for these early exercises. Most mis-
sion yarns have seen enough service to
be retired on pension. 1t is astounding.
however. how they seem to evoke new
laughter. Though the humor is only a
bypiay it serves 20 freshen the speaker 8
tagging spirits.
Most missionaries prefer to preach to
men. They give more satisfactory and
, reass,iring response. 1t is easier to talk
10 them, ard the preacher need rot be at
such pains to select words as when ad
dressing women. Men wish to be treated
nationally; but women so the nissioners
aver. esk to be chided.
The most interesting side of non-Catholic
mission work is answering questions.
These inquiries are dropped in receptacle
at the door Of the church, ard they are
answered on the same night they are pre-
sented. Most of them are rather ridiculous
| ard have no special reference to Catholic
doctrine Where Sariptural difficulties are
of cred for solution they even reveal vast
ignorance.