Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-01-11

. COuNtui VI tlllS tltN.
BY 10 O'Clock Sunday morning the
church was filled with people. Precise
I " at that hour Father Foin preceded
by the altar boys bearing a cross head
ed a procession of school children and
male members of the congregation,
which filing two by two out of the
church marched across the street to
the pastoral residence. When the head
of the procession reached the main EN-
trance Father Foin entered, while the
chillrcn and men forming the process
sion parted and stood facing each other
forming two lines between which the
Bishop and other dignitlrieS We're to
pass. Ia moment the door opened
and the group Of priests followed by
the Bishop arrayed in the vestments of
his high Office emerged and marched
solemuly down between the two rows
of parishiouers, who stood with un-
covered heads. As the Bishop passed
the congregation Immediately fell in
forming procession and following
him two by two into the church.
Before mass and the sermon Rt. Rev
Bishop Shanahan. D. D., informed the
congregation that he had lately been
to Rome and had the pleasure of meet
ing Pope Plus Y that while in con
versation with His Holiness he took
occasion to make especial mention of
St. HUBERT 5 congregation at Danville,
commenting it for its zeal and its gen
erositv in dealing with affairs Of the
church. Pope Plus Y. the Bishop said,
was much pleased and told him that
when he returned to America he should
90 to see the people of St Hubert at
Danville and give them his blessing
and beuedictiOn The Bishop informed
the congregation that it only remained
for them to kneel in his presence as
suming "A humble and a contrite heart,
when he assured them they would re-
ceiye the Pope's blessing just as though
IL Ndliit Nlllf'A I4O4iA bAA' AA'i.' tAN''NA
himself. Nothing more impressive can
be conceived. Every member of the
congregation ID the smallest child
knelt before the Bishop. The ceremony
was simple merely a proper attitude
of spirit, communion Of the human
heart with its Maker and with the
Bishop as the intermediary, the Bless
ing of His Holiness the Pope of Rome
was bestowed upon the faithful fol
lowers in Danville.
Solemn High Mass was celebrated
by Rt. Rev Monsignor Joseph Koch,
V. g., of Shamokin, who was pastor
of the congregation when st. Hubert
church was built, ~ years ago. The
sermon lin German) was preached by
Rev. Father Adam Christ, of Lebanon.
Following the sermon Bishop Shana-
han spoke at some length, commend
/ ing the congregation for its earnest
and jealous efforts as well as for Its
liberality. He took occasion to state
/ that not only is the present instance,
one in which St Hubert's 5 generosity
i is shown, but that throughout its en-
tire history the congregation has dis
tinguished itself by just such liberal
ity. He warmly congratulated the
congregation ON the completion of the
improvements, and expressed the plea
sure If Father Koch, the first pastor
and his own great pleasure.
The Bishop continued with a very
beautiful discourse on the subject OF
Mary's Sorrow during the three
days that Christ was lost in Jerusalem
which he said was very appropriate
now at the expiration Of the two week
Of alteration for the Son. The BishoI
read the Scripture describing tn,
journey of the Holy Family to Jeru
salem, the losing Of the boy Jesus anC
the finding Of him subsequently. Th'
Bishop is a man Of very kindly man
ner, of strong sympathies, which hi
very tone reflects. of simplicity ant
directness Of expression coupled will
real eloquence
As he laid aside the testament anC
reviewed the touching story one coulC
not but feel the grief that Mary felt
which the Bishop said was the great
est of all her sOTroWs-greater ever
than that which She felt at the cruel
fxion for there the loss was one 0
earth with no rocompense, while tn
death upon the cross had been lOni
foreshadowed and it bore the blesse
fruit of redemption for mankind
There was a lesson TO be learned.
the three days loss of Christ meant 5
much to Mary in her goodness an
purity what must his eternal loss mea
to US who are such great sinners an
need him so much more. Like Mar
we should at once set out in earnes
and diligent search and weary not III
til we have found Him. Like her W
should seek for Him in the prope
place-God's temple Finding Hi
thus our JOY will be like Mary's jo
when she found her lost Son.
Last evening there was solemn benz
diction and "a sermon from Rt. Rev
Monsignor Joseph Koch, V. g., WI
was former pastor.