Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1912-12-28
Moved to Write Article Prais-
ing Its Dignity and
Reverence.
No Cases of Divorce Or Free
Love Among Our
Catholics.
FROM THE DESHLER FLAG


erable said and written. both in Jest
and in all sincerity, about marriage
a failure" and yet, with all that has
been said and done along this line,
marriage in too many instances we
are sorry to say still continues TO be
a failure, and perhaps always will be
until some different forms and laws
are adopted in this country making
the marriage vow more sacred and
worthy of reverence. A few weeks
ago we had the opportunity and the
pleasure of attending our first Cath
Ollie wedding held in the Catholic
church in this city, and we were glad
that we availed ourself of this op-
portunity, as it has furnished us with
the thought for this article, and If
what we have to say results in one
good turn we will be doubly glad
that we witnessed this ceremony.
Upon entering the church, filled
with friends of the contracting par
ties, we noticed that there was an
air of sacredness pervading every
nook and corner of the sanctuary,
something that we seldom observe at
a Protestant wedding. When the
bridal couple entered and took their
places at the altar to the sweet strains
from the choir orchestra the scene
was subject for an artist and one
that will require years to fade from
the memory of those who were pres
ent. While the entire ceremony
was "Greek to u.s." the ceremony
proper, the mass and chants all be-
ing given in Latin, yet we realized
that there was enough in II to inn
press the sacredness of the covenant
to make It an obligation to be OBJ
served through life, and we said to
ourself NO wonder there are so
Few divorces among the Catholics
these people realize the solemn VOWS
.ftev are taIxIoo =, N
Then we drew a contrast between
the scene before us and the way we
Protestants get married After a
courtship Of only a few months dura-
ton, we rush to a minister, a Mayor
or Justice of the Peace and, flip,
presto, changel Another man and
wife has been ground out to travel
life's rugged path in almost the
twinkling of an eye, giving little. II
any, thought to the obligations they
we're entering into, only to seek the
divorce court in a week or two, while
this Catholic marriage required
quite an hour or more.
Quite a difference.
Something to 1t, eh?
Have you ever noticed what few
divorces there are among the Cath
olic people? There must be something
to such ceremonies that will cause
men and women to dwell happily to-
gether until death do we part"
There is, another feature about a
Catholic marriage that should not be
overlooked. The admonition, What
God has Joined together, let no man
put asunder." is a command that Is
highly reverenced by their faith We
can not call to mind now that we
ever knew of a case Of "free love-
among the Catholics, and we have
covered considerable territory during
our existence.
While we sat there In the church
watching to us the very impressive
ceremony, the question came to us
"If this ceremony will cause men
and women to live together until
parted by death; II the Catholic faith
will cause man and wife to be honest
and true TO each otE n.then, in the
name of God, what is wrong with
our Protestant religion, for 1--WE re
gret to say) the divorce and free love
evils are increasing at an alarming
rate among the people OF the Prot
: estant faith" We are glad to pre-
sent these thoughts to our readers
especially those of the Protestant be
lief, and ask them wherein are We
wrong? why does not our religion
bind men and women together witt
that same devoutness the Catholi'
faith does?
Is 1t because our marriage VOW
are too meaningless?
Is Il because they are so frivolous
that they are worthy of no consid
eration-only a joke, as II wereg
II these be true, let steps be takei
To right the wrong at once. Give Vi
more Catholic understanding
that will cause men and women U
dwell together in union as God IN
tended them TO. Then, and not unit
49,, ,,,tfI x.ya hava n hattQr world