The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-24
ST. PAUL s SERVICE
VERY PRESSIVE
Real Presence in Sacred
Host" Subject Last Night
THE SERVICES TO-DAY
Tomorrow Morning Blessed Sacrament
Will Be Exposed and Mass Will
Be Celebrated at st. Jo-
seph's Altar


Be Celebrated at st. Jo-
seph's Altar
The services known as the 40-hours de
votion which began at the close of high
mass at st. Pauls church yesterday were
beautiful and impressive. The Rev. Faith
er Carroll was the celebrant and the Rev.
Father Colye read the notices for the
week and the scripture lessons but owing
to the length of the services there was
no sermon.
The mass being concluded the sacred
host which was placed in a golden osten-
sorium, was borne in procession through
the aisles of the church. The process
sion was full of color. First came cross
bearer escorted by two candle bearers.
Then followed in order the Children of
Mary. little boys. torch bearers, altar
boys in white and purple, little flower
girls and two thurifers incensing the
host. under a rich canopy which was
carried by officers of the Holy Name
society. There were banners and mem-
bers of sodalities wore their regalia.
After the procession the host was
placed above the tabernacle for the
alteration of the faithful. Father Carroll
kneeling on the lower step of the altar.
chanted the litany of the saints and the
responses were sung in Gregorian chant
by men in the chois gallery led by the
Rev. Father Early.
During the afternoon hundreds of Cath
olics visited the church and knelt in medi-
te ton and alteration.
The Night Services
Evening devotions began at 7:sO. After
the eucharistic prayers Father Coyle
preached on THE Real Presence in the
Sacred Host"
There is this essential difference be-
tween Christ and the other founders of
religions: that these others lived, died and
passed away. but Christ abides forever
with US, said Father coyle. He alone
said, Behold am with you all days, even
tc the consummation of the world am
with you, not alone by my invisible grace.
sajictifying you, but by my visible, sac
ramental presence to cheer, to comfort, to
console. Yes, Confueius, Buddha and
Mahomed have stamped their names on
the pages of history, but they have long
since gone. Their memory only abides.
but Christ, the founder of our Catholic
faith. is not only all historical parsonage,
who some 2000 years ago trod this earth
He Is also living reality, always dwell
ing with US in the blessed sacrament He
is our Emmanuel our God with u.s.
Once, long ago, He was born in Beth
lehem; today He descended on 10000 al
tars. Once, long ago, He sanctified Naz-
areth by His earthly presence; today He
dwells in every Catholic tabernacle; He
dwells in our own st. Pauls. Once, long
ago. He died on Calvary; today at every
nlass-at our mass, on yonder altar, this
morning, He died mystical death, so
tnat the fruits of His bloody sacrifice
might be applied to our souls. Once, long
ago, He pardoaed Magdalen and penitent
sinners; and daily, through His priests,
sins are washed from the souls of men,
Once, long ago, He gave His apostles
and disciples the Holy Ghost; today at
the last supper, He took bread and said,
Take. eat, this is My body lie took
wine and said. Drink, this is MY blood
That last supper was repeated at holy
mass today, these wondrous words of
power were uttered, and the change was
effected, and what was bread became the
living body of the God Man, and it now is
raised aloft on golden throne for our
worship, alteration and love.
Down in alteration bending
Loi the Sacred Host we hail.
'Oh, what glorious, consoling faith is
ours, the faith in the real presence. Can
we not exclaim with more truth than
Moses, What nation is so privileged that
hath its gods so nigh unto them, as our
Gcd is unto u.s. If Christ were to ap-
pear for a single day in some spot of
earth, would not all nations hasten to
greet Him? How eagerly would not the
people tfrong around to touch the hem
of His garment, to kiss the very ground
He trod. All, but to find Christ it is not
necessary to cross seas or climb noun
tains.
In Every Church
In every church and chapel that dots
the globe He is really, truly, substan-
tally present always living to make in
tercession for us, and tonight, in our own
ST, Paul's, He is placed in the golden
Eonstrance for all to worship. lie
Savior, God, King.
F." Down in alteration bending
Lo the Sacred Host we hail.
when our Savior made the promise
of old, the promise recorded in the
sixth chapter of st. John, to give to
the world His body to eat and His
blood to drink. His words were re-
ceived in various ways by three diff
ferent classes of men. The unbelievers
scoffed and said, How can this man
give us His flesh to eat?' The weak
kneed waverers said dubiously, This
is a hard saying and who can hear it,
and Many walked with Him no more,
but the loyal disciples spoke through
Peter. Lord, to whom should we go,
Thou hast the words of eternal life.'
Today the world is still divided Some
scoff, deny His power, believe not His
divinity. Some half heartedly believe,
but their belief is wavering and fit
full. They are non-practical. But many,
thank God, and the number is year by
year increasing, rally round the lead
er who so worthily today is seated
on Peter the Fisherman's throne and
these cry out. % Lord Thou hast the
words of life eternal These believe,
and by frequent reception of COM
keep their faith vigorous and
strong These tonight in lowly homage
cry,
" Down in alteration bending,
Lo, the Sacred Host we hail'
rs not this real presence of Christ
in the sacred host a wonderful in
centve to virtue and holiness Some
wears ago tha marital ra,,,aipc of