EACH LOCOMOTIVE STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR AND WAS BLESSED BY THE BISHOP

Posted on January 11, 2024 by franksantucci

The biographer, Rey, continues his description of Bishop Eugene’s historic blessing of the first railway station in Marseilles in 1847.

The Bishop then blessed the water according to the Pontifical ritual, and said the prayers for the blessing of the locomotives…  He then descended in his cope and mitre to the rails, over which ten locomotives decorated with flags and foliage passed majestically, or should we say in small strides, with engineers and mechanics standing on them. Each engine stopped in front of the altar, was blessed by the Bishop, then resumed its march and was replaced by the next. When the parade was over, the ten locomotives all took up their stride at once, and soon disappeared into the distance, leaving behind them a long plume of smoke. At this point, Mgr de Mazenod, back in front of the altar, intoned the Te Deum, while the music, the sound of the cannon and the cheers of the multitude lining the rooftops gave this moment of the ceremony a grandeur difficult to describe. Monseigneur withdrew only after giving the pontifical blessing.

Rey II p 264-265

REFLECTION

“There is no work, however vile or sordid, that does not sparkle before God.” (John Calvin)

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One Response to EACH LOCOMOTIVE STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR AND WAS BLESSED BY THE BISHOP

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    January 11, 2024 at 12:49

    I find myself thinking with wonder of the love and order of God’s love and order in the creation of the universe, the order given to the stars and planets, the balance of nature and how God looked upon creation and saw that it was good. The creation of animals, birds in the air and fish in the sea and it was good. …the creation of humankind that God might walk with them – and it was good. That beautiful image of what happens within each of us.

    God gave us gifts and talents and Jesus who was both human and divine – the most perfect example of God not just a being ‘somewhere out there” but a part of who we are. Life took on a new way of being. I think of how God’s love is now and forever more a part of us – foundational… Awareness can come in an instant or over a lifetime. All are blessed and we give thanks and we bless each other in all that we do in in loving service to God, the Church and each other.

    Nothing is so small or difficult that we can’t give thanks and praise to God, and then in the next moment turn and use it to try and control, annihilate or rob of God’s light. I think of how it is to see all through the eyes of our crucified Saviour. Why else would we pray for and bless when their behaviour is too vile to speak: too small, weak and useless for God to bother with. God loves all, and so we thank God for giving us talents, learning and sharing.

    As I read the Te Deum this morning it was in the way of stating the creed.

    This morning I thank God for EVERYTHING that has been given to me. I find myself wanting to sing out loud that wonderful, old hymn of “Holy God we praise Thy name…”

    Reply

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