Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-07-09
Translated for he Home Journal.
The Shrine CT ST. Resale.
FROM THE GERMAN OF uoErEE.

p :
known that some particulars. oflhe place
where lhis Saint is worshiPPed, will not
be thought misplaced here.
/ Mount PeIigrino, massive rock, wide
and high, is ssiuaied on the northwest end
Of the Gulfof Palermo. l! is impossible
to describe It's beauifUl form; IN imPer-
feet sketch OF il may be found in the Voy.
age Picturesque de Ia S.cile. |. is form
ed Of gray limestone not shrub nola
/ tree is 10 be found upon il. Here and
there it is scan,ily covered with moss.
Abou! the begjauing Of The last century,
the bones Of lie Saint were discovered IN
grouo on this Moua', and brought to
/ Palermo, where their presence immediate
IIy stopped the ravages of the plague,
ever since she has been considered The
lulelar Saigl cf Palermo. thapels have
been built. and annual festivals been APP
pointed 70 her honor.
As many pilgrims were anxious to as
cend the mountain and groyo where she
had resided, road was Quilt at great eX.
pense, which, like an aqueduc', rest,
from time to time, upon pillars, or arc es,
and gradually ascendS between rocks
The place of devotion Itself is more in
character with the unassumlng humility
Of the Saint who took refuge there. than
the splendid festivals which are usually
given in remembrance OF her retirement
from the world and there are few places
I ofdevorion to be met with, which are de.
coraied with more innocent simplicity.
After ascending the rock, and turning
the corner, we are in full view Of thc
church and conyent, which are built a
gainst a perpendicular wall, formed by
Jhe rock. Tie outside of the church is
anything but promising; but after enter
ing the door, one is agreeably surprised.
A large hall, the centre unroofed, in.
closed on It's right by the rock,on the lef
by the wall of the church, tagged with
stone and sloping, to let the water run off.
In different places are vases containing
holy wafer, and several confessional pews.
The grouo has been converted into the
choir Of the church, and the original form
and roughness Of the rock left untouched.
On an elevation ola few steps stands
the de,E, and on each side the pcws foi
lie choir. The groGo receives It's lighlI
rom the entrance, and al The furlhcrmosi
end, almost in darkness, is the main alter
As tie grot,o was left unaltered, il became
necessary to lead of the dripping water
which Is cons anly fi'erinq through the
rocks, Cor which purpose lead pipes have
been affixed in proper PAGES, and those
painted green, VIII ch gives them the aP-
pearancc Of branches Of The Indian fig
tree.
Tie water thus collected is led into
cistorn, near the al'ar, from whence ltis'
aiken by those who have faith, and used rs
81 ir(ail,b,e remedy lar oil diseases.
While | was sitting Gown to notice
more miuasiy tie chjecs which sur
rounded ne, monk entered, AMI askcj
with macl ci,il,.y. whether was Ge-
Iuocse; perhaps de-,rous ui ha,irg mass
performed For me. IrspIiad, was nor.
bat had q GcEorsr uayrilmg companion,
whose intention lad been 10 ascend lie
next dgv. He bowed. and desired me IT,
Iconsidar myself q, perfect liberty 70 eX
anime everything, aud TO Peti"rm MY de-
IvoGons. He recommended 10 wy p"rI'r-
Iular notice an altar near the ictt of the
grc;ic, and Departed. On approaching
this altar noticed that tie cavily under
il was lighted by lamps, but the access
guarded, by brass railing, Of neat wo'k'
mauship, and behind tia net Of fine brass
wire, which gave it the effectof a guazc
net. knclt down close 70 the screen,
and Observed a beautiful female, sunOuud-
led by a few lamps. Sic appeared to lay
lin kind Of trance; her eyes half closed,
and her head carslessly supported by heri
right hard, The fingers Of which were orI
nalnenred with costly rings. felt my.
self much attracted, and for some lime did
not remove my eyes from this oIjecl,
which Appeared 10 possess peculiar
charm.
TIE dress was mark ed out Of gilt meta. |
representing rlch stnff, sPangIed viii
gold. Head and hands were Of white |
marble, aud if not execute in the highcsl
siyle Of art, at least so natural, aud OF
such pleasing features, that one imagined
10 see the figure breathe. A lutte angel |
vas Standing beside hol with atty III his
hand to f.n her cooling breeze.
Jast hen number oi-monks entered
and took their seats 10 sing The vespeEs.
| rose and listened 20 tcir fine volres,
out ags,n kneli down 10 lake another view
Of the Saint. ard, for some moments, gaze
way IL the illusion Of Iny senses.
Tie fne voices Of the choir died away
a, lasr; tlie incuks retired, and lie Silence
of the pI.ce was only ioieTtQPted by The
dripping f tie water lasp Ihe Teseryoir.
To lhe silence oG wi derness was added
TFe greatest neatness in the Wild grn!o.
or1ar:c:i.r,. brit -w!;"out that tawdry
show with which The Catholic churches, ii
in Sicily. generally abound.