POOR MEXICO.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 214, 1 June 1877, Page 7

POOR MEXICO.

[From the Catholic Columbian.'] Notwithstanding all that one constantly hears against Mexico, there is still an immense amount of true piety in the mass of the poor people, and no Catholic can witness their tender devotion to our Lord and His Mother, as also to the saints, without being deeply touched. To the poor Indian there, the political changes around him, the wars into which he is often inveigled, scarcely knowing for what he fights, are like a dream compared to the reality of his reverence for our Lady, and his faith in the Blessed Sacrament. Often, during our stay of some months in the capital, we would see one of these loving creatures, carrying a heavy load, pause devoutly at the entrance of a church to offer up some simple prayer. We cannot help remembering, too, as Holy Thursday draws near, the devotion with Avhich this festival of the Blessed Sacrament was celebrated in Mexico, notwithstanding the poverty to which the Church had been reduced by the State robberies. Great zeal was displayed in the decorations, and it was curious to observe how, with the cheapest materials, most striking effects were produced. It would sound almost ridiculous if I were to say, for instance, that instead of the rich gilt mouldings which distinguished some of the churches, otheis substituted rows of oranges ornamented with silver foil, yet such was indeed the case, and although one who had not seen it Avould scarcely believe so, the general effect was fine. Then there were beautiful grasses, which had been cultivated under different degrees of light, and shaded up from the palest to the brightest hue of green. The most striking thing of all, however, on entering some of the churches, was to see a long table, stretching almost the entire length of the sanctuary, and at it seated the life-sized figures of our Lord and the twelve disciples. Many people would, perhaps, prefer a more ideal picture of the Last Supper, but for the poor Mexican there is nothing that answers so well as this life-like representation to bring up before him most vividly that " wondrous night" of our Lord's life. In the afternoon we went at the invitation of a holy priest to witness a very touching ceremony. In imitation of our Lord's humility several pious ladies washed aud wiped the feeb of twelve poor beggars, and waited on them afterwards at a bountiful repast which had been provided for the poor, hungry creatures. After this the remainder of the afternoon was passed in visiting the different churches, which were thronged with devout souls, for every one is expected to visit at least seven churches on this great day. The pilgrimages from church to church are all made on foot, as no carriages are used from Holy Thursday morning till Holy Saturday, and even people who do not consider themselves at all pious respect; this custom. During that time, also, there are, of course, no bells rung, and the silence that reigned throughout the city seemed ia itself a prayer. " Poor Mexico" is, perhaps, after all, not so much to be pitied, for in spite of the impiety of the upper or ruling* class, there are millions of hearts that beat with the warmest love for our Lord and His Blessed Mother, by whom they surely will never be forgotten. Giglio.