The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-13
CELEBRATES HIS
FIRST HOLY MASS

st. Bernard, June 12.-The Rev.
Anslem Splitter, o. S. b., who was one
of those recently ordained to the priest
hood by the Ri. Rev Bishop Allen of
Mobile, celebrated his first holy mass
this morning in the college chapel. The
mass which began at o'clock was pre-
coded by a procession of the celebrant,
his assistant ministers and servers, at
the end of which he gave the neo-
sacerdotal blessing to all present.
The Rev p. Edmund, 0. S. B., Of
ficiated as assistant priest, and the
Revs. stephen, o. S. b., and Jerome
O. S. B., as deacon and sub deacon re-
spectively, while the Venerable Faith er
German, o. S. B., was present in the
sanctuary as master of ceremonies. The
sermon, delivered by the Rev. Father
Benedict, o. s. B., chaplain of the col
iege was very we'll received He chose
for his text: BE glad and rejoice In
the Lord, all We just, and glory, all We
right of heart" and dwelt especially on
the happiness of a priest of God in the
practice of his ministry He spoke in
part as follows:
at is always day of JOY when a
newly ordained priest approaches the
altar, to offer up for the first time
the imma culate sacrifice of the new
law. We have reason therefore to ex-
claim today in the words of the Psalm
ist BE glad and rejoice, we just, and
glory all We right of heart And why
is this day of joy to the young priest
and to all of US? | answer: Because 1t
is great happiness to be a priest.
",rhe infidel will call this assertion
ridiculous, the worldly Christian will
shrug his shoulders and say: How Is
that possible? Does not the priest re-
nounce every pleasure of life, is not his
ministery connected with so many hard
ships, is not the priest so frequently
looked down upon. and calumlated' Is
not his temporal remuneration so in :
significant that In many instances 1t Is
scarcely sufficient to keep up appear
ance? These people look upon the
priests life with the eyes of the world
If we wish to see the happiness OF the
priestly calling we must look at IT win
the eyes of faith, and then all oo1ec-
lions dissolve like fog before the ris-
ing sun. The happiness which is In the
vocation of a priest, we can judge from
three sources, from his special selec-
ton by God for his holy office, from
the holiness of the office itself, and
from the truly supernatural powers OF
the priest" After dwelling for some
time Oh these three points. he concluded
with the following a.recp address, to the
celebrant.
"And thou reverend cele0,aHt, enter
into the altar of the Lord and while
Won offer the imma culate lamb to the
heavenly Father for the sins of men,
offer also your own self to COO. ana
when after the conservation you hoia
your Lord in your hand, look upon
him with the deepest devotion ana WIN
the most fervent love, and tnank Mn,
for the numberless blessings bestowed
mon YOU, Ask Him also to bless your
work for the salvation of Immortal
souls. and today, when your Lore Is
most gracious to you. offer up 10 MIN
fervent prayers, for all those whom
vou love. and who have been instru-
mental in eleVating you to the exalteo
dignity of the priesthood! Your gear
.narents and relatives, your superlors,
and friends, and confreres and beneIac-
tors. PRAY also for those who Will De
entrusted to your care, that God may
lead them through your work 10 their
eternal salvation and make a memento
also for him, who has tried today TO
describe to YOU the happiness contained
In the vocation and life of the priest
The priest. like Christ Himself has been
set as a sign that shall be contradicted.
AS the Father has sent me, SO 1 send
you, is unavoida bly, accompanied by that
other word of His mouth: They have
prosecuted me, they will also prosecute
you'll
Your day of honor falls into sea-
son when the roses and lilies are In
bloom. a few days yet, and the roses
will fade, and the thorns alone will re-
main. This shows you that after this
day of joy many thorn Of suffer-
ing will wound your heart But fear not,
take courage, God Is with you! Let the
roses fade, as long as the lily remains
to you, the lily of purity which must
accompany the priest, white and I'M
stained to the grave Guard therefore
this pearl OF the priesthood, be faith
full to your priestly duties. and In all
trials which may come, you will pos
sess that peace of heart which the
world cannot give nor take away. Your
work will be blessed. wherever you may
go at the call of your superiors, and
the guardian angels of the souls en-
trusted to your care will joyfu1ly sing;
BE glad in the Lord and rejoice We just
and glory all We right of hea ri Arnen :"