Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-30
MIXED MARRIAGES"
FATHER RUSSELL OF ST. PAT
KICKS CHURCH GIVES VIEWS.

Rev. Father William T. Russell. pastor
of ST Patrick's Catholic Church, delivered
the first of a series OF sermons on the
subject of Mixed Marriages last even
ing He discussed the evils arising from
unions between persons Of different re-
ligious faiths. together with the moving
causes for the unhappiness which often
arises
faithful mother who watches over the
interests Of her children in all periods
of their lives. but never more carefully
bonds of matrimony.
I'm order to prevent hasty marriages,
and marriages which promise mostly un-
happiness" ne continued. "the church
provides safeguards, which are some
times called impediments. some of which
are merely prohibitive, while others are
multiplying"
the Catholic Church never grants d.
vorces: that 1t regards marriage as q
sacred contract, an agreement betwe en-
a man and a woman to live together
until death and to rear their children In
the love and fear of God.
Close Union of Souls.
docs this love mean only physical pas
sion?" the speaker asked "God forbid
Otherwise. upon entering the marriage
state man and woman would leave reason
behind" aFther Russell said that after
the white heat of first love has passed
thu glow OF a calm, devoted. unselflsh
and enduring love Is left. and it is then
the man and the woman turn to each
other for a close union Of souls.
IF there is anything more than infat-
uation in the power that brought them
together. this desire Of a closer union
Of souls manifests itself in an ardent
wish on the part of each to enter more
fully, more sympathetically. into the
thoughts. the feelings, the ideals and the
aspirations of each other.
I'm the calm. rational period Of a
Catholics life. religion is the gentle fash
Toner of the noblest sentiments. the pur-
est ideals, and the most elevating as
pirations Suppose a Catholic wife turns
to her non-Catholic spouse for a re-
sponsiye echo to those sentiments. ideals
and aspirations, she soon feels that with
all her husbands good qualities his heart
is unresponsive to her own.
When Grief Expresses.
when grief Expresses the soul the mo-
tives which religion brings to us are the
most potent imaginable In helping us to
support with courage and cheerfulness
the weight Of our burden. In such mo-
ments the poor heartbroken wife turns to
her husband for aid.
Can he suggest those motives Of reli-
gion which will strike a responsive chord
in her heart? Can he clear away the
darkness which encompasses her? Can
he. in word. sympathize with her in
love?
He is far away. He knows it. He
feels it. And he grieves that It Is SO. The
wife. meanwhile, broods alone IN her sor-
row. Though she smiles in her grateful
appreciation Of the kindness that prompts
his willing efforts. her heart Is whitening
within her.
"AIl honor to the Catholic spouse who.
notwithstanding all sacrifices which the
education of the children imposes upon
him or her, nevertheless is faithful to
the duties of religion. All respect for the
non-Catholic spouse who Is faithful to
the promises made before marriage re-
speeding the education Of children, and
who, as far as in him lies, lends his aid
to Catholic wife to bring up the chill
dren in the way he promised before he
took her in marriage from her parents
and home"
Rev. Father McGuigan. assistant to
Father Russell, will conclude the sermon
next Sunday night.