Father Cazet, S. J., Prefect Apostolic of Madagascar, has written the following- letter from Tananarive : — The Catholic Church has had in Tananarive, the capital of Madagascar, a most si gn£t triumph, one indeed which she has never before experienced in this island where heresy reigns supreme. We lmvo been able to celebrate tho procession of the Most Holy Sacrament. Our expectations were more than fulfilled. The procession was really very beautiful. It wms long, and our neophytes, carrying splendid banners, walked in it hinging* hymns of praise to our Saviour. But what we most rejoiced at was that the procession no longer takes place in the grounds of the faiun-houso of Ambohipou, but we felt wo might make it quite public j so we conducted it round the largest public square in the city, the Champs do Mars. I asked the privilege and it was readily granted me. Tho Christians flocked to see it from mimy miles around, and their joy can bo well imagined. As the church, of St. Joseph of Mahamasina, although very large, is too small to accommodate so vast a crowd, we erected in the pubhV square a most beautiful altar. It was almost entirely constructed of flowers und banners, and was very effective indeed. Around it was a kind of enclosed space made with garlands of the most boantil'ul description. You would have been greatly touched by the dead silence which reigned during divine service. Tue crowd was very great and consisted of Catholics, Protestants, and Infidels, and everybody seemed much affected by what they saw. I trust tho edifying spectacle of the first public Corpus Christi procession in M adaguscar will produce its effect and bring some souls into the flock."
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New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 136, 10 December 1875, Page 14
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287Untitled New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 136, 10 December 1875, Page 14
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