Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-05-05

" oZ/zZCzT< y
that only very limited number of people have
ever Witnessed the significant program here car
ned out and that indeed, the great majority of
BE public Is unaware even of the unique char
1cter Of the services at this mecca for worship
81, serves, perhaps. to add interest to the place
and the event.
Mount st. Sepulchre is located at Brookland
h The District Of Columbia and is the seat of the
most important church and the most famous
monastery reared in the New World by the
1unciscan brothers. However, It should be en-
DhssiEed Just here that the casual Easter visitor
b THIS retreat at Easter-tide need not be Cath
onc nor yet even an adherent of any church to
gNeciaie the solemnity and marvellous beauty
q The services which take up the greater portion
this the most momentous day on the church
calendar.
The most Important architectural feature of
he church at Mount st. sepulchre, and one from
which the church and monastery takes its name
The location In the sanctuary Of an exact dupli-
cate Of the Holy Sepulchre which has been re-
produced exactly as It exists in Jerusalem. This
h Itself would lend interest to the Easter serv-
ioea held In such setting. but intensifying the
meaning o. the religious program for all the spec
1tors Is the circumstance that the services are
a exact duplicate to the smallest detail Of the
services which are being held under similar aus
p'oes and at the corresponding hour at the last
wt'ng place Of the Savior in Jerusalem 1t is
though the congregation at Brookland were
Suddenly transported to the Holy Land for an
hour or day.
TO appreciate the novelty of all that transpires
Easter at Mount St Sepulchre It is neces-
nu 70 know something Of the history Of this
n'ufu'ion. The Franciscan brothers have
number Of monasteries or houses
me order located In various parts of the
Mfnfo kssAt
nH q Columbia Is In class by itself in that
m effect the American branch office" of
y: franciscan friars who are laboring In
f4estine For, Of course, the Franciscans are
no'nerhood whose work Is of worldwide
.Pps ana one Of the most important branches
ns work 10 found In their function Of
espen OF the holy places" For more than
r'n hundred years the Franciscans have
- possession Of almost all of those
s1's. N the Holy Land, which are most dear
~ aonerents Of the Christian faith-such
rces as the spot where Jesus was born In
En'enem and the Holy sepulchre in Jeru-
@'n-and this order of monks has made of
: MOOR OF love to restore and preserve
"s'e sscredly historic localities
large share OF all the funds with which
=. work IL carried on comes from America
most OF the Franciscans who are now
sHs acuvely as keepers of the holy
ssses' have been educated for their task in
United States-at this selfsame institu-
Mount st. sepulchre. Oficially this
'nanty Is designated the Chapel and Col
me Holy Land and the thirty monks
n. ~ make up the community are known as
49, sa'ners Of the Holy Land Not only Is
-. college for the education Of the young
80 s1osrs Of the order who are to go as guides
~. . III. to the Holy Land. but It is
NJ ne headquarters and business office of
49,, oommlssariat Of the Holy Land. This
= legally organized corporation which
.norized by law to receive requests and
!, ..s Of all kinds made for the purpose
d. t .,l and restorative work at
o,,. ssv Places In Palestine. countrywide
49, ' . Of laymen known as the "cru,
rss. 'of me Holy Land" is ever active in the
q \ ana the funds raised by the Crusaders
~ means of the collection taken once a
n,-.. an Catholic churches are sent To ,
h,s.,,.ss sepulchre for transmission to
~ such an inspiration II is. of course