THE FAITH PREVENTIVE.

Western Star, Issue 946, 9 May 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE FAITH PREVENTIVE.

February 3rd was recognised in the Catholic churches at Hartford as the feast of St. Blazes This saint is regarded by the Catholics as the patron of health. So prevalent have been the diseases affecting the throat—such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, pneumonia and others that the Very Rev. James Hughes, pastor of St Patrick's Church/ determined to invoke the aid of the patron saint. He tberefore announced at the services on Sunday last that St. Patrick's Church would observe the feast, and that on the day of the patron saint, which was Febrttary 3rd, 1 he would comply with the ceremonies for the prevention of throat diseases. Of course it became necessary that those who sought the remedy or preventive should have faith in its efficacy, and it was therefore categorized in the list of faith cures.

The ceremony was interesting, and instructive. At the early mass the pastor blessed two; .candles, which were subsequently to be used. These candles were by no means the most unimportant factors of the ceremony.; The hour arranged for the ceremony ] was 0 o'clock, but long before that hour hundreds, of devoted Catholics,: connected with all parishes of the city, were assembled in Stv Patrick's (Church- i&& present, were candidates for the* application of the blessed candles: {and the invocation of the patron saint. Although no i announcement, other than that from £the pulpit On Sunday' had been given, yet the church was crowded. The Very Rev. James Hughes/ was assisted by his curates] Corcoran "and D 'At the appointed hour the three priests, arrayed in the garb prescribed by the Catholic church, appeared on the altar and the cermonies commenced. After a silent prayer the congregation were; requested to approach the attar raili which they did. Then the priests repeated the invocation to the patron saint, and with two lighted candles 1 in form of a cross touched the thrpat of each of the faithful, while jthe prayer r was repeated in each instance. The ceremony, though simple, was impressive, and the congregation was deeply moved. It having been previously announced by the pastor tliat faith in the efficiency of the, prayer; .was: necessaay to obtain any beneficial xe- ; Bults, the devotion and firm belief of the congregation was .manifested. So continuous became the jcrpwd, the pastor informed <, the scholars ,in the parochial schools; that it ,;would> he be necessary to defer the administration to them till evening. The same ceremony was repeated; as at the previous services, ~ The danger of»the spreading of the various diseases affecting the throat led v 'to the recourse The patron'saint "is supposed to exercise a jurisdiction over such diseases, akd it is'believed l that those who' -have in the e|fficacy of the gravers; and ceremoiueßt Vis be. Relieved' of .aftjr' disease iaffecting the inroat.. ; 'liiis (the first time In tie wof ;Hartford that this remedy has been inv,okedi-«i-Uartford paver.c•.>,.<: r -i.lw)