The Catholic Association and the Solemnity of Communion Processions for the Sick in Merano

Tyrol.

x Merano, late April. (Corresp.) Since, according to the spirit and letter of our new state constitution, the preservation of the Catholic faith in our "crown land" may chiefly find a remedy only in the religious zeal and cooperation of the communities, it will henceforth be more necessary than ever to awaken and keep alive in the people not merely religious consciousness in general, but Catholic consciousness in particular. — One of the foremost means of awakening may well always remain reverence and esteem toward the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar; for this is indeed the focal point where the rays of the light of Catholic faith converge, the sun that warms the hearts of the faithful and strengthens the mind to hold fast to the holy faith; it is the epitome of those principal dogmas which remind the people of the uplifting distinction between our faith and other confessions.

In this respect, our pious Tyrolean people also stands laudably before the eyes of the world, so that, as regards the reception, veneration, and other glorification of the Blessed Sacrament, it can stand beside any country on earth without hesitation; and it remains difficult to decide whether zeal for the Most Holy Sacrament has hitherto helped preserve the land purely Catholic, or whether the exclusive Catholic confession in the land has maintained this zeal among the people. But who would deny that in this matter, at least in some localities, much could still be improved that could only advance zeal for the Catholic religion? In particular, with regard to communion processions for the sick, especially the general monthly administration of the sacraments to the infirm, much might still be done that would not only be worthy of the sublime object, but also exert a beneficial influence upon the people.

In Merano, which in this regard ought not to lag behind other places either, individual pious residents had long felt how desirable it would be if an impetus were given to make the general viaticum processions even more solemn and to secure a larger attendance for them; for hitherto these usually consisted only of a few pious female souls from the humblest classes. Some persons from the higher classes did indeed wish to join the procession as attendants, but because they would have seen themselves entirely isolated, a certain hesitation held them back—that powerful reluctance to appear eccentric or bigoted. Thus the wishes of many, being isolated, were never realized. But no sooner had the Catholic Association ¹) been constituted here than this matter was brought forward at a meeting of the association's committee, and—it met with a remarkably strong response. A few days later, the general communion procession for the administration of Easter communion took place, and there one saw respected citizens and local notables, partly walking with wax torches beside the canopy, partly devoutly following the Blessed Sacrament through all the streets and alleyways; one saw daughters of the nobility and burghers joining the significantly enlarged procession. Many others, including those from the upper classes, would likewise have done so had they received word of the matter, but will do so in future. At least many expressed themselves to that effect. This entirely new resurgence was a fruit of our branch association. If nothing else good had been said, discussed, or decided within it, this alone would be justification enough for the Catholic Association, should it still require any in the eyes of sober-minded people. For without the association, even this seemingly modest achievement would not have come about. Honor, therefore, to the zealous committee of the association that initiated the matter, honor to the good residents of Merano who take such heartfelt part in it!

I take the liberty of offering one more suggestion, and indeed the simplest in the world, namely: "Go, and do likewise." Or could not something similar be accomplished in other places, where the dear Savior is often carried through the streets in truly mournful silence and abandonment? If zealous pastors in towns were to confer familiarly and enthusiastically with solid, respected citizens, and in the countryside with influential community leaders, there would without doubt be found in most of them enough religious sentiment that they would deign, once every 4 to 5 weeks, to serve the Savior for 1 to 2 hours as an honor guard or to follow as attendants; and they might also permit or command one or another member of their household to follow their example and join the procession. They might also, especially in larger towns, take turns in regular shifts serving the Blessed Sacrament, so that it does not fall to anyone too often or become a burden.

If, then, those who are set upon a candlestick for others were publicly to show their pious zeal, and if, amidst other suitable arrangements, the loud prayer of the attendants were also to alternate with moving song, the impression made could certainly not be small. The fine example, the outward solemnity, and devotion would draw ever more attendants, and we would have each month a Corpus Christi procession in miniature, a splendid manifestation of genuine Catholic spirit and life.

With an extraordinary supplement.

¹) This association will probably cast off its constitutional, political character so as not to be subjected, under the new association laws, to the restrictions so necessary for political clubs, and will henceforth concern itself solely with religion, Church, morality, charity, etc.