The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-06-06
OBJECT LESSONS.

The closing of the May devotions in st. Mary's
Cathedral last Sunday presented an object lesson
to the large congregation who were present Knowl-
] edge, communicated through the senses, is always
effective and lasting than it could be other
wise made The object of all devotions sanctioned
by the church, is to extend the reign of Christ who
is the light of the world and who was born of a
Virgin Mother. Some entertain, as was eloquently
and logically explained by Father Ryan on Sun
day, not only exaggerated but erroneous ideas of
Catholic faith sanctioned by the church. Between
Mary, who was a creature and her son, who was
God, there is infinite distance. Mary is loved
and worshipped the purest of creatures; Jesus
her son, is loved and adored as God. Enlightened
and unprecedented persons who study impartially
the meaning of the devotion from Catholic stand
point, and realize the difference between worship
ping and adoring understand how reasonable it is.
Devotion to Mary begets and is inseparable from
the love all owe to Jesus. IF any one love me he
will keep my word, and my father will love him"
The nearest and surest road to the childs heart is
through the influence of good and virtuous moth
er. Mary for two good reasons has special claim
to the love and devotion of the human race. First
because of her purity and holiness. On the testi-
mony of angel we have it that she was full of
grace" Second, for the part she took in the re
demption of mankind. The blood that was shed in
Calvary and that redeemed fallen and disinherit-
ed race assumed by the Second Person of the
Blessed Trinity in Mary's chaste womb Natural
motives, then, combined with gratitude. demand
that all love Mary, and in proportion as she is loved
so shall her son be loved and adored
The procession at St. Marys cathedral last Sun
day night served to inst that love into the hearts
OF those who witnessed it. 1t was an appeal to the
senses This rarely fails to excite real and genuine
love and devotion. The decoration of our graves
last Saturday recalled happy memories of departed
friends The procession formed by these veterans
of many battles enthused those who witnessed the
solemn march of the defenders of their country
The lesson taught by these brave men was impress
sive and taught love of country and patriotic low
atty.
Herein is displayed the wisdom of the Catholic
Church IN educating the senses by object lessons
They impress and sink deeply in the hearts affec-
lions, especially when taught by innocent children
They excite IN the soul love and devotion to Mary.
That is the first step in real love to Jesus who de-
nands the undivided affections of the heart. For
this undivided love how great the recompensel He
promised that his heavenly Father would return
that love- and that he and the Father would come
to such persons and abide with them He also prom
lsed what gold could not purchase, peace and hap
pmess Peace l leave with you, my peace l give
unto YOU" This priceless gift is not a mere prom
lse to be broken, often happens between friends.
but reality. Not the world giveth do l give
unto you" How full of love
Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is but always to be blest.
The soul, uneasy, and confin'd from home
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.
Lo, the poor Indian! whose untutored mind
Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind