Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1904-12-22

AMG EiEntU nj 68&8fGt0-
Fleecy clouds gently Hoafed across hesxure
depths and the sun in all its resplendent 81 ~
shoDe brightly on quiet Nazareth this gle Fious
day. while as inmafes prepared 10 celebrate
! with true devotion the holy feast OF the Iin-
| rnaculste Conception. Sacred Scriptures re-
iaies thst after the fall of Adam and Eve the
h.Ensu race was plunged In MISERY. but when
our arst pareats In the garden Of Paradise
/ were listening TO the condemning voice Of the
Just One expeiling them from the besutiful
Eden. there was a ray II hope O gIesm Of
light shining through the darkness which
raised their detected spirits. God had prom-
| ised that the fairest daughter Of Eve should
crush the head Of the serpent
This woman, who was 10 be chaste and sin
| les. was Mary. the Neither Of God, Who when
| Ehree years cid. consecrafed herself 20 the
Heavenly Father. spending all her younger
| days In the temple The dogma Of the Immac-
niafe Conception has been believed in the
Catholic church from tire earliest ages. bu it
was not until nfty years ago. during the reign
| of Pope Plus TX. that it was universally pro-
claimed. and the eighth day Of December was
set aside for its celebration. Nineteen hun
dred and four being the golden jubilee Of the
p-omuIsatlon OF .he dogma. the reigning Pom
| rated wi b great dew ton. A solemn novena
preceded the feast, preparation In order that
this eighth shouts surpsss all the others In
| honoring the Mother Of God
IL was certainly a memorable one at Mana.
reth. and particularly for those Who enlisted
themselves under the special protection II tire
Holy AOther. The affairs of Sc. vincent's
Cnapel were beautifully and artistically adorn-
ed with white and gold. The one dedicated
60 the blessed Virgin was especially beautiful,
surrounded by palms. the symbol Of victory,
It's decorations appealing TO the artistic eye Of
all present What privilege it was r seven
oil the sisters. who for year and q half had
been preparing for the great event. to be al
lowed to offer themselves 90 God on this day by
their vows Of chastity, poverty and obedience
Others were rendered happy bv re~eivin n the
habit and becoming daughters OF Sc. Vincent
de Paul. At High Mass the Rev. DR.. Davis
preached a very impressive sermon. entitled
MARY. conceived without SIM" Stehle's Mass
sung by the choir, and the beautiful accompsn.
iment was, mellowed by the inspiring strains
of the violin.
What beautiful sight IL was to see the girls
in procession, bearing aloft the banners of the
Immaculate Mother sud Sacred Heart, visit.
ing the din .rent shrines and reciting the rosa
ry. AS we passed the bronze group OF the
Holy Family, under whose guidance Nazareth
Is placed. the soft chimes of the vesper bells
filled each heart With devotion. Eleven new
members were received into the Sodality, and
after hvmns sung in Mary's honor. we repaired
10 the cemetery. whore the bodies of many
hoy men and women lie buried, to spend
few minutes In PRAYER. We were attracted By
a uewl made grave. for during the night our
Blessed Lady had come and taken the patient
Waiting sister TO spend this jubilee dav In
heaven.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent In
pleasant recreation and In preparation for the
evenings entertainm INT given bv TIE sodal-
lists. The southern portion of the hall. which
served as a stage, was drsped in blue and white,
the Virgins colors. rich yellow border
framed the front arch. typical Of the golden
day. To complete the decorations. pictures Of
Pope Plus TX and the present Poatif were
placed on either side the stage. Murrillo's
picture OF the Immaculate Conception was
imaVed In an exquisite statue Of the Blessed
Mother. modelled after this famous painting,
which framed the central figure OF q flower
adorned shrine ablaze with the light OF many
waxen tapers. E'ch twinkling light and tiny
petal seemed to proclaim the praise o. the Sim
less One.
The entertainment consisted of q converse.
ton on the perfection and titles Of the Blessed
Virgin. Music aud art devoted to her were
discussed by several, and each girl seemed to
vie with each other IN paving honor to the
Mother Immaculate. At the request Of child
| of Mary, four girls att.red In angels costumes
described In soft, smooth, flowing verse the
| life OF the Heavenly Queen. During this sew
eral taoleaux were most appropria' ely ar.
| ranged and irradiated by Dyrotechnic lights.
In the Erst Mary knelt In prayer, and the an.
gel Gabriel was announcing TO Der the great
mystery of the Incarnation. In another the
angel chOirs were singing Gloria In Excelsis ~
The stable at Beth chem with Infant Child
His Mother, st. Joseph and the attending an
gels was very impressive. and reminded us If
| that other great feast which Ia drawing 20
near. glorious and appropriate ending for
| this day OF DAYS was that always thrilling and
inspirit g M gnihcat.
That day viii certainly be long cherished In
| the hearts OF those then at Nazareth, and Il In
our earnest prayer that our Blessed Lady will
| watch over and love our Nazareth as she did
! her lowly little home in Galilee. Let US ever
| look up to our immaculate Queen and trust I'm
| the guidance of her whom 81. Bernard calls
that lovely and brilliant star which shines
| down on TIE expansive and stormy sea Of the
| wo. Id" Swiftly are the December days pas
sing away. Already the magic wand of Fancy
has brought before us most attractive pictures
OF the approaching easou of Christmas. Glad
Is each heart for W can imagine'we hear the
merry peals Of vacation bells.
Many are the fav red ones whose homes are
not far distant and who are to enjoy the holi-
days with their dear parents and friends; but
some of us who are TO remain at our Alma Ma
ter are anticipating joyous and merry Christ
mas. We wish TO extend our greetings 10 our
st. NAYS friends In the words Of the poet
priest, Father Ryan:
Merry, merry Christmas,
| Fila each heart with Joy!
| Merry. merry Christmas
| To each girl and boy.
MARIE CoRcoRAN,
/ n