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Irish Capuchin Fathers' Mission Crowds St. Agnes'
On the first Sunday of Advent a three weeks' mission, conducted by the Irish Capuchin Fathers Joseph, Brendan, Matthew and Aidan, opened in St. Agnes' Church, East Forty-third street, with High Mass sung by the Right Rev. Monsignor Chidwick. The first week was devoted to the married women of the parish, and their very faithful and loyal attendance at the early Masses, and the evening services evidenced a wonderful spirit of faith in the parish. The spacious and beautiful Church of St. Agnes was crowded to its utmost capacity, and the forceful sermons preached by the Missionary Fathers were followed with marked attention and interest.
The subjects preached during the married women's mission were peculiarly adapted to the needs, circumstances and home conditions of wives in the City of New York. Particular stress was laid on the sphere of woman in the home, where she reigns and rules as mistress and queen, and where her sacred duties if carried out make for the happiness of the whole domestic circle and the building up of true citizenship. The prevailing evils of the day were largely dwelt upon, viz., the curse of divorce, birth control, etc., which were denounced by the missionaries in no uncertain language, notwithstanding the recent infidel pronouncement of some disgruntled female lecturing to the Columbia student girls to the contrary.
Father Joseph Fenelon spoke vigorously on the nation-wide curse of divorce, and emphasized the unity, sacredness and indissolubility of the marriage contract, which no power on earth can annul. The very horrible and unchristian practise of child prevention or race suicide he termed Satanic, and the Catholic wife or husband guilty of such he declared unworthy of the name they bear of being cogenerators with God of the bodies of their children. He said such husbands and wives live in homes of sin, and in houses of marriage infamy, offending the great God of heaven and killing the race. He strongly appealed to the Catholic people and all whom his words might reach to obey the law of God and the teaching of their Church, to have reason guide them in all things, especially in the matter of human love, and this reason will direct their lower nature and rule an overmastering passion, which, if unchecked, bebases and degrades them.
The Sacrament of Marriage, he said, is a sacred contract, instituted by God Himself for the propagation of the human race. Its nature, therefore, is divine and its purpose natural; hence the most formidable dangers of this holy state can be avoided by the special grace of God, maintained by prayer and the constant reception of the Sacraments.
In the closing exercises of the married women's mission, the preacher reiterated the exhortations given to mothers during the week, of looking after the religious and secular training of their children, and the best way to secure this was to send their children to the parochial school, where sound education is imparted to them, and where the name of God is heard and taught, without which there can be no happiness or success in life, except success in crime. The large congregation renewed their Baptismal vows, and many were received into the
Holy Rosary Society.
The mission for the unmarried women opened on the second Sunday of Advent at 8 p.m. Still greater congregations filled the church each morning and evening of their week; in fact there was not an available space in the church or the galleries during the mission for the single women. The confessionals were crowded throughout the mission, and the spectacle of hundreds of devout communicants each morning was evident proof of the successful efforts of the Fathers conducting the mission.
On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the patronal festival of the United States, was observed with special devotions and a special sermon. The mission was concluded on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
During this week the mission for the men, young and old, is being conducted. The inspiring sight of over twelve hundred men each evening filling the church leaves nothing to be desired towards the ultimate success of a great and edifying mission. Non-Catholics in large numbers attended the lectures of the missionaries, and there are evident signs of the conversion of many to the Catholic Church as a result of their attendances at the holy mission.
The final closing will take place on Sunday afternoon at 3.30, with Rosary, mission sermon, renewal of Baptismal vows with lighted candles, Papal blessing, to which is attached a plenary indulgence, and Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament.
The Right Rev. Monsignor Chidwick and his able assistants are to be congratulated on the spiritual condition of their parish and the devoted manner in which they attend to the interests of the many transients that flock to St. Agnes' Church. The missionaries expressed their great satisfaction at the result of the mission, and the loyal cooperation of the people throughout the entire mission exercises in the church.
Forty-six Years a Priest
The Rev. James M. Byrnes, P. R., who has been very sick for the last few months, is now entirely recovered. He will celebrate on Sunday, Dec. 20, the forty-sixth anniversary of his ordination. In the month of May, 1926, the 100th anniversary of the foundation of old St. Mary's Church in Grand street, of which he is pastor, will be celebrated.
An invitation to the celebration will be sent to all those who were baptized, married or who were ever members of the parish, if they send their name and address to St. Mary's Rectory, 28 Attorney street, New York City.
A Child Before the Crib
By FRANKLIN J. EWING, S. J.
I don't see how You liked it there,
The stable was so damp and bare;
And only moonlight showed Your face,
Fair and bright in a shadowy place.
The angels sang way up in the sky,
But You came down on straw to lie.
You are so little even the sheep
Are not afraid as You cry or sleep,
But You were warm on Mary's breast,
Snug and cuddled and glad to rest.
So I wish You'd stay forever here,
And keep it Christmas all the year.