1895
The pope has already written his own epitaph: "Here lies Leo XIII, pope. He is dust." On which The Franciscan Annals makes this comment: "A tertiary pontiff, who has literally been a glory to Christendom and a guide to a distracted world, could hardly have given a better example of Franciscan simplicity and holiness." — Detroit Free Press.
Showing posts with label pope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pope. Show all posts
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The "Holy House" — Jesus' House Appears
1906
Legend of the Home of Mary and the Saviour
Let me first give the main outlines of the legend. At Nazareth was preserved with pious care the House of our Lady. The dwelling place in which she received the gracious message of the Incarnation, the lowly home which sheltered the Holy Family for so many years, was a very precious sanctuary. On May 10, 1291, a month after the taking of Tripoli and Ptolemais, this Holy House was carried by the hands of angels from Nazareth to a place in Dalmatia between Flume and Tersatz on the Adriatic shore.
It was a one roomed edifice, built of red square stones, fastened with cement, and bore proof of age and Oriental design. It stood without any foundation and had a wooden decorated ceiling. The walls were covered with frescoes; there was a door and a narrow window; inside there was an altar of stone, an ancient crucifix, a small cupboard, containing a few vessels of common use; a chimney and hearth, above which was a cedar statue of our Lady with the Holy Child in her arms. The pastor of the place learned in a vision that the building was the House of Our Lady; the stone altar that at which St. Peter celebrated mass, and the statue the work of St. Luke the Evangelist. In proof of the vision he was cured of a serious illness. A deputation of four responsible persons forthwith were sent to Nazareth to investigate the mystery, and there they found that the house was no longer to be found.
Measurement and other means taken proved that the house that had suddenly appeared in Dalmatia was indeed none other than that which had as suddenly left Palestine. Three years after, on December 10, 1294, the Holy House again disappeared, and under the pontificate of Celestine V. came to Recanati, a little town in the March of Ancona, when it fixed itself in a laurel grove belonging to a pious lady called Loreto. It was discovered by some shepherds and soon became recognized, and was henceforth a much frequented place of pilgrimage. Eight months afterward the house removed to a small hill, three miles from Recanati, to land belonging to two brothers, who, however, fell out shortly afterward over the division of wealth which began to flow to the new shrine.
To save strife between the brothers the house was suddenly lifted once more, and this time settled down, finally, in the midst of the public way, which, had to be diverted in consequence. Here, too, in the course of time a chapel was built, which gave way in time to the present basilica. The famous pilgrimage of Loreto goes on today. Popes, kings and princes have visited this shrine and left great gifts. Later on a festival with liturgical rites was instituted; and in time the feast of the translation of the Holy House was extended to many countries. — Fortnightly Review.
Legend of the Home of Mary and the Saviour
Let me first give the main outlines of the legend. At Nazareth was preserved with pious care the House of our Lady. The dwelling place in which she received the gracious message of the Incarnation, the lowly home which sheltered the Holy Family for so many years, was a very precious sanctuary. On May 10, 1291, a month after the taking of Tripoli and Ptolemais, this Holy House was carried by the hands of angels from Nazareth to a place in Dalmatia between Flume and Tersatz on the Adriatic shore.
It was a one roomed edifice, built of red square stones, fastened with cement, and bore proof of age and Oriental design. It stood without any foundation and had a wooden decorated ceiling. The walls were covered with frescoes; there was a door and a narrow window; inside there was an altar of stone, an ancient crucifix, a small cupboard, containing a few vessels of common use; a chimney and hearth, above which was a cedar statue of our Lady with the Holy Child in her arms. The pastor of the place learned in a vision that the building was the House of Our Lady; the stone altar that at which St. Peter celebrated mass, and the statue the work of St. Luke the Evangelist. In proof of the vision he was cured of a serious illness. A deputation of four responsible persons forthwith were sent to Nazareth to investigate the mystery, and there they found that the house was no longer to be found.
Measurement and other means taken proved that the house that had suddenly appeared in Dalmatia was indeed none other than that which had as suddenly left Palestine. Three years after, on December 10, 1294, the Holy House again disappeared, and under the pontificate of Celestine V. came to Recanati, a little town in the March of Ancona, when it fixed itself in a laurel grove belonging to a pious lady called Loreto. It was discovered by some shepherds and soon became recognized, and was henceforth a much frequented place of pilgrimage. Eight months afterward the house removed to a small hill, three miles from Recanati, to land belonging to two brothers, who, however, fell out shortly afterward over the division of wealth which began to flow to the new shrine.
To save strife between the brothers the house was suddenly lifted once more, and this time settled down, finally, in the midst of the public way, which, had to be diverted in consequence. Here, too, in the course of time a chapel was built, which gave way in time to the present basilica. The famous pilgrimage of Loreto goes on today. Popes, kings and princes have visited this shrine and left great gifts. Later on a festival with liturgical rites was instituted; and in time the feast of the translation of the Holy House was extended to many countries. — Fortnightly Review.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Women Before the Pope
1909
Most people know that it is etiquette at the papal court for women, whatever their rank, to appear in black, but few know that an exception to this rule is made for the pope's sisters and niece, all of whom are privileged to wear white at the audiences and church ceremonies, but the old ladies do not avail themselves of the relaxation of an ordinary rigid regulation, though the niece makes a point of wearing white when attending papal functions, her mantilla as well as her dress being as white as snow.
Another little known point of papal etiquette is that women who come to the public or private audiences must keep the right hand uncovered; indeed. it is even more correct for both hands to be ungloved. — Lady's Pictorial.
Motor Boats on Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a government monopoly, and at present is leased out to a small native company. They have a wooden boat built for a sailing vessel, but about six months ago had a motor put in it. If this company succeeds they might try a couple more motor boats.
The Dead Sea is one third solid matter, the greater part of which is salt, and the question to answer is: Can the hulls stand the action of this salt water? People in this country are not wealthy enough to afford a motor boat for pleasure only, and as no one would be allowed to use one on the Dead Sea, Jaffa is the only possible market for boats in the district.
The Jordan valley, the river and the Dead Sea are the personal property of the sultan. A permit must be first obtained from the sultan before boats of any kind can be launched thereon. Such permits have heretofore been very difficult to procure for motor boats.
Most people know that it is etiquette at the papal court for women, whatever their rank, to appear in black, but few know that an exception to this rule is made for the pope's sisters and niece, all of whom are privileged to wear white at the audiences and church ceremonies, but the old ladies do not avail themselves of the relaxation of an ordinary rigid regulation, though the niece makes a point of wearing white when attending papal functions, her mantilla as well as her dress being as white as snow.
Another little known point of papal etiquette is that women who come to the public or private audiences must keep the right hand uncovered; indeed. it is even more correct for both hands to be ungloved. — Lady's Pictorial.
Motor Boats on Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is a government monopoly, and at present is leased out to a small native company. They have a wooden boat built for a sailing vessel, but about six months ago had a motor put in it. If this company succeeds they might try a couple more motor boats.
The Dead Sea is one third solid matter, the greater part of which is salt, and the question to answer is: Can the hulls stand the action of this salt water? People in this country are not wealthy enough to afford a motor boat for pleasure only, and as no one would be allowed to use one on the Dead Sea, Jaffa is the only possible market for boats in the district.
The Jordan valley, the river and the Dead Sea are the personal property of the sultan. A permit must be first obtained from the sultan before boats of any kind can be launched thereon. Such permits have heretofore been very difficult to procure for motor boats.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The Pope At Home
1877
How His Holiness Lives — His Outdoor Exercises — Playing Hide and Seek — Etiquette of the Vatican.
(From the Catholic World.)
In his great palace Pius IX occupies only a plain bed-chamber, with a bare stone floor, and a working cabinet with little furniture except a table and two chairs. He rises, summer and winter, at 5:30. He says mass, and hears a second mass of thanksgiving; or if sickness prevents him from celebrating the Holy Sacrifice, he does not fail to receive communion.
His hours of work are long and regular. His fare is plain, even to meagreness. Every day he takes exercise in the Vatican gardens, and one of his favorite resorts is a beautiful alley of orange trees, where the pigeons come to feed from his hand. One day he was discovered by three cardinals, playing "hide and seek" in the gardens with a little boy.
But with all his gentleness, he has a keen and caustic wit. The author of a pious biography sent his book to the Pope for approval. The Pontiff read till he came to these words: "Our saint triumphed over all temptations, but there was one snare which he could not escape — he married;" and then he threw the book from him. "What," he said, "shall it be written that the Church has six sacraments and one snare?" Of a Catholic diplomatist whose conduct and professions were at variance he said: "I do not like these accommodating consciences. If that man's master should order him to put me in jail, he would come on his knees to tell me that I must go, and his wife would work me a pair of slippers." During the French occupation of Rome a certain French colonel was guilty of so gross an offence to the Pope's authority, that the Holy Father demanded his recall. Before his departure he had the effrontery to present himself at the Vatican and ask for a number of small favors, ending with a request for the Pope's autograph. The Pope wrote on a card the words which our Lord addressed to Judas in the garden, "Amice, ad quid venisti?" ("Friend, wherefore hast thou come hither?") and the colonel, who did not understand Latin, showed it to all his friends as testimonial of the Pope's regard until somebody unkindly supplied him with the translation.
It is the etiquette of the Vatican that carriages with only one hone must not enter the inner court. This rule was enforced one day in 1867 against the Prussian Ambassador Count von Armin and Bismarck, for purposes of his own, endeavored to make a diplomatic scandal of the transaction, instructing the Ambassador to close the legation and quit Rome instantly unless he was allowed to drive with one horse to the very foot of the papal staircase. But Bismarck was no match for Pius IX. The Pope caused Cardinal Antonelli to write that "His Holiness, taking compassion on the difficulties of the diplomatic body, would in future allow the representatives of the great powers to approach his presence with one quadraped of any sort" — avec un quadrupede quelconque. It is believed that the Prussian Minister never availed himself of this permission in its full extent.
How His Holiness Lives — His Outdoor Exercises — Playing Hide and Seek — Etiquette of the Vatican.
(From the Catholic World.)
In his great palace Pius IX occupies only a plain bed-chamber, with a bare stone floor, and a working cabinet with little furniture except a table and two chairs. He rises, summer and winter, at 5:30. He says mass, and hears a second mass of thanksgiving; or if sickness prevents him from celebrating the Holy Sacrifice, he does not fail to receive communion.
His hours of work are long and regular. His fare is plain, even to meagreness. Every day he takes exercise in the Vatican gardens, and one of his favorite resorts is a beautiful alley of orange trees, where the pigeons come to feed from his hand. One day he was discovered by three cardinals, playing "hide and seek" in the gardens with a little boy.
But with all his gentleness, he has a keen and caustic wit. The author of a pious biography sent his book to the Pope for approval. The Pontiff read till he came to these words: "Our saint triumphed over all temptations, but there was one snare which he could not escape — he married;" and then he threw the book from him. "What," he said, "shall it be written that the Church has six sacraments and one snare?" Of a Catholic diplomatist whose conduct and professions were at variance he said: "I do not like these accommodating consciences. If that man's master should order him to put me in jail, he would come on his knees to tell me that I must go, and his wife would work me a pair of slippers." During the French occupation of Rome a certain French colonel was guilty of so gross an offence to the Pope's authority, that the Holy Father demanded his recall. Before his departure he had the effrontery to present himself at the Vatican and ask for a number of small favors, ending with a request for the Pope's autograph. The Pope wrote on a card the words which our Lord addressed to Judas in the garden, "Amice, ad quid venisti?" ("Friend, wherefore hast thou come hither?") and the colonel, who did not understand Latin, showed it to all his friends as testimonial of the Pope's regard until somebody unkindly supplied him with the translation.
It is the etiquette of the Vatican that carriages with only one hone must not enter the inner court. This rule was enforced one day in 1867 against the Prussian Ambassador Count von Armin and Bismarck, for purposes of his own, endeavored to make a diplomatic scandal of the transaction, instructing the Ambassador to close the legation and quit Rome instantly unless he was allowed to drive with one horse to the very foot of the papal staircase. But Bismarck was no match for Pius IX. The Pope caused Cardinal Antonelli to write that "His Holiness, taking compassion on the difficulties of the diplomatic body, would in future allow the representatives of the great powers to approach his presence with one quadraped of any sort" — avec un quadrupede quelconque. It is believed that the Prussian Minister never availed himself of this permission in its full extent.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Photog Poses as Doc to Snap New Pope
1922
POSES AS M. D. TO SNAP POPE
English Photographer Bluffs Way Past Guard at St. Peter's In Rome.
Rome, Italy.—The rule of Cardinal Gasparri, enforced by the Swiss guards that no photographers were to be allowed inside of St. Peter's on the day of the coronation of Pope Plus XI, was broken at least once.
The staff photographer of an English newspaper, wearing a top hat and bearing a beautiful leather valise, presented himself at the bronze gates when the crush was at its height.
"No cameras allowed in," the huge Swiss guard informed him in a tone of finality.
"Camera nothing," responded the photographer haughtily, "this is a medicine case. Please let me pass that I may render aid to the injured."
"Pass right in, doctor," the Swiss guard said, humbly.
—Oneonta Daily Star, Oneonta, New York, April 24, 1922, page 2.
POSES AS M. D. TO SNAP POPE
English Photographer Bluffs Way Past Guard at St. Peter's In Rome.
Rome, Italy.—The rule of Cardinal Gasparri, enforced by the Swiss guards that no photographers were to be allowed inside of St. Peter's on the day of the coronation of Pope Plus XI, was broken at least once.
The staff photographer of an English newspaper, wearing a top hat and bearing a beautiful leather valise, presented himself at the bronze gates when the crush was at its height.
"No cameras allowed in," the huge Swiss guard informed him in a tone of finality.
"Camera nothing," responded the photographer haughtily, "this is a medicine case. Please let me pass that I may render aid to the injured."
"Pass right in, doctor," the Swiss guard said, humbly.
—Oneonta Daily Star, Oneonta, New York, April 24, 1922, page 2.
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