The Irish standard., 1919-05-17

These impressions were being alb
sorbed when the rich melodious tones
of the great organ high above the peo-
pie resounded the prayer present in
every soul. The sweet plaintive tones
reaching high up toward God seemed
to echo the silent prayers of the peo-
pie. And then, from the sanctuary, the
trained voices of France, male and
female, singing sacred melody pene-
trated through the senses to the
hearts of soldiers. "The Miserere"
chanted by the choir of St. Gervais, re-.
quired no organ accompaniment. Hard
ly had the last note vanished than a
figure robed in scarlet appeared with
official escort and passed down the
aisle separating seven-thousand Amer
ican patriots. Cardinal Amett's face
portrayed welcome for the American
guests. Opposite the pulpit he sat
throughout the sermon, delivered by
Liable Flynn, Chevalier of the Legion
of Honor of France, a priest of Sures-
mes, and patriot soldier of whom all
France is proud.
amen" at the close of the sermon,
was echoing throughout the church,
when the venerable figure of Cardinal
Annette was seen standing in his
throne. With face animated and EN-.
phasizing his remarks by earnest ges-
ture, he extended greeting to the as
sembled American soldiery whom he
characterized as the Saviours of De.
mocracy for their part in the final
victory of the Allies against the dom.
ination of Prussianism in Europe.
After this greeting Cardinal Annette
bestowed his blessing.
With the procession of Sacred Rel.
les came the great climax of the days
ceremonials. Before the altar ap.
peared priests and prelates, monsig.
nori, acolytes-all headed by uni
formed custodians of the relics. Mon.
signor James N. Connolly, vicar-gen-
eral to the Catholic Chaplain Bishops
U. s. Army and Navy Overseas juris-
diction, Chaplain E. March, his assis-
tant and Rev. Father Coll, K. of C.
chaplain, had places of honor in the
procession. Slowly they advanced
down the center aisle between the
| several thousand worshippers. Non
Catholics, but .professed Christians,
who came to see the Relics, finally re.
NAMED to worship at the feet of their
Dying Saviour. The procession was
as a prayer in the sight of kneel-
ing and standing congregation. Large
sheaves of palm carried by the
acolytes afforded meditation on the
triumphal journey of Jesus into Jeru-
salem, when the poor and the faith
full publicly avowed Him Saviour. AS
the journey of the marchers pro-
gressed and the relics of the world 8
great tragedy appeared in sight, there
were few Catholic hearts that did not
bow low in spirit before Calvary.
From the organ loft a beautiful tenor
voice seemed to express in song the
interior thoughts of the worshippers
90 Saviour Hear Me-" Parnell Egan,
a Knights of Columbus Secretary, fam
GUS American tenor, never before sang
so we'll. His voice conveyed the emo.
tion and the inspiration of scene
wh1oh yvoo on%hrol1Sno
Cardinal Annette walked with head
bent low. The silence was intense
and sacred, broken only by the hymn
sung to God for all of US. Uncon-
sciously. men dropped to their knees.
Many were in tears In the presence
Of the Crown of Thorns they felt
themselves at the foot of the cross
before that memorable day when Pom
thus Plate washed his hands saying:
II am innocent of the Blood Of this
Just Man." .
Who could pray in the presence Of
the Crown of Thorns and not recall
the statement in the Gospel.
Gather together unto Him the
whole Band; and stripping Him.
they put a scarlet cloak about
Him. And plating Crown Of
Thorns, they put it upon His
Head, and a reed in His right
hand"
A sense of realization that our eyes
were seeing the Crown which pene-
trated the brow of Jesus; that this
Sacred Relic was actually passing in
procession aroused the Plus emotion
Of the spectators. This wonderful
treasure was brought to Paris during
the reign of st. Louis, who construct.
ed the Church of La Sainto Chapelle
in which to shelter 1t. How revently
IT has been treasured throughout the
ages! How tenderly has 1t been
guarded over period of many cen