THE CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 5, 31 October 1890, Page 29

THE CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART.

The Tery Rev. Father Donohoe, of Brooklyn, New York, writes at follows :—: — As pious pilgrims from Prance, Germany, Italy, Spain, ■ the British Isles, and America will soon flock to Paray-le-Monial to be present at the exercises of the Jubilee, I will endeavour to describe the Chapel of tha Apparitions, which will be the objective point of all visitors. This precious chapel was commenced in the year. 1632. On the corner-stone these words ware engraved : "Jesus, Marie' Josepn, uniques fondateurs de c mon*st»re." (Jesus, Mary, Joseph' only founders of this monastery.) During the sad days of the' Revolution, the daughters of June Frances de Chantal were dispersed, their monastery sold, aDd the ctiapel turned into a storehouse. When, in 1823, the Sisters repurchased their home, their resources' were ao slendei that they wre unable to have the chapel repaired. In 1854 the Superior, having received some money for the purpose of restoring the chapel, consulted Berthier. the famoas architect of Macon. The architect pronounced the chapel a complete wreck and advised the Sisters to have it torn down. The Sisters protested and informed tbe architect that the old walls and the old roof must not be touched. Tbe architect, with the most consummate skill, succeeded in solidly eocasing the old walls in Raman architecture.' The altar alone at which the apparitions took place bas disappeared. I asked the Sisters, the chaplains, and the Jesuit Fathers what was the moat probable opinion concerning 1 this altar, but received from »11 of them the same answer, that there was no data on which to base an opinion. On the wall to the left, as you enter the chapel, is painted the Heart of Jesus surrounded by seraphim, and the Blessed Virgin giving the infant saviour to the Blessed Margaret Mary. Opposite she is represented reclining on the bosom of Our Saviour. Those great paintings can hardly be seen, for the reason that banners presented by various pilgrims cover almost all the mural decorations of the chapel. One of the moat beautiful of tueaa bannerettes is one evidently presented by some Irish pilgrim. One cannot help wondering how tbe pilgrims will be able to enter, even for a short time the holy chapel Curing the Jubilee, as it would seem unable to seat more than a few hundred people. Tbe great object of attraction and veneration for all the pilgrims is the silver shrine containing the body of the Blessed Margaret Mary, now exposed in the sanctuary near the altar railing. The base of this beautiful shrine is ornamented with arabesques, strewn with amethysts and topazes. From the base rise twelve colonettes, sustaining arcs of the most delicate chasing. Eight pilasters, studded with precious stones, forming four angles, support four angels, bearing the following legends • " Diffasa est gratia in labiis tuis," "Defuncta adhuc loquitor," " Onstodit Dominus ossa ejus," " Multum orat pro populo." Over the pilasters there is a f rieze ornamented with marguerites in enamel topaz and g.rner. The roo is ornamented with six paintings, the subiedu* of which are taken from the life of tne Blessed Margaret Mary. It would be utterly impos-ible to give in writing the faintest idea of ihe bsauty of this sbrine, designed by Demontet of Bourg, and executed by Triouliier of Paris. Within the shrine the pilgrim will gaze on the image of the Blessed Margaret Mary, the face, shoulders, breast and arms in wax. Alter tbe blessing of the image in 1865 the bones were wrapned in cotton and clotn of gold, each one sealed with the Episcopal seel so that none could be removed without breaking the seal. The wax figure, which can be very distiuctly seen through the glass formme the sides of the shrine, is truly beautiful. The pose is very natural The half-closed eyes are gazing lovingly on the Heart of Jesus, placed in the right hand, whilst the left holds the virginal lily The gar-

ments are similar to those worn by the Bisters of the Visitation, but the material is more precious, out of respect for tho sacred re lies. The habit is of black velvet, the cincture, veil, guimpe, ani head-band are of silk. The couch on which the Blessed Margaret Mary reclines is draped in cloth of gold. Her head is crown-d by a diadem, ornamented with pearls and diamonds, intersper^e'i with Marguerites and lilies, blended with beautiful effect. Eighteen lamps, ei(?ht coronas, 1 and four lustres are suspended within the chapel. Tnree very valuable lamps are suspended from the centre of the Chapel of the Virgin, one of them the gift of the Gttoolics of Holland. Bef >ra the main altar, burns day and night the •• Lamp of Israel," a gift of a converted Jew. Over tin communion table is a very massive lamp of Bolid silver, elaborately chased. This is the gift of America. Another very handsome and costly lamp is the gift of the Guard of Honour. About eighty portable lamps, placed on the steps of the main altar and elsewhere, are always lighted. On the main altar is the standard of Portugal, presented last year by a band of pilgrims from that country. It was embroidered by the Visitation Sisters of Porto. To describe, or even mention, tbe other exvotos of this hallowed temple would fill a good-sized volume. The Jubilee will close on the Feast of All Saints with the singring of the Te Deum, the ringing of all the bells in the town, and the eposition of the body of the Blessed Margaret Mary under the high, altar of the Visitation Sanctuary.