The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-06
CELEBRATED sANcruAR1Es OF THE MADONNA

of Dr.. Spencer Northcote's recent work,
@ The Celebrated Sanctuaries of the Ma
donna ;" which, in some respects, is more
candid and liberal than might be expected
considering it's generally hostile attitude to
the Church. 1t does justice to the honesty
and sincerity of the doctor, who, he says,
has naturally imbibed an enthusiasm in
the articles of a creed to which he has
recently become a convert, and to revive a
reverence in others such as he now feels
himself. The reviewer says:
He has seen, in his own country, once
famous sanctuaries now in ruins, often
horribly desecrated the memories of their
former glories faded out of mind; the very
histories forgotten; and the faith which, as
it were, belonged to them, despised and
condemned. The enthusiastic champion
to challenge the unbelieving world in their
defense. Rising above the petty preJudlces
tions Of historical facts, he is prepared to
| assert his belief in all the legends of less
| critical age, and to enforce, by his own
chivalrous determination, the truth and
reality of the. many miracles and interven-
tons of the Madonna in connection with
her sanctuaries, both in medieval and
modern times. Such spirit is worthy of
admiration, but it hardly insures implicit
credence; we admire his courage, but we
doubt his judgment; we read his book, but
we do not esteem it a history. In one
sense, it is a history it is a history of
does not make the things believed in to be
historical facts.
There is something in this cultus to the
Virgin very attractive to weak and fallen
humanity; it comes with the force of home
and all its dear rccollections-its rest and
1Dry =. L., III
wOmans sympathics and a mothers atfec-
ton. Who is it that child clings to in
the moment of terror-nay, of guilt and
shame 7 Its mother. To whom does the
young wife look for guidance in her new
home and new duties? Her mother. In
Southern Europe, the Mother of God is all
this to every family. There is an image or
picture of the Mater Coronata or the
Mater Dolorosa in every house, seemingly
watching over and knowing all that passes.
No one fears her; she is too kind, too
sweet to be dreaded; she is the confidant
of every one in the house. The wife con-
fides all her troubles and sorrows to the
Madonna; the child confesses to her what
he dare not confess to his father. All look
to her for protection, for assistance in diff
culty-nay, for counsel and advice. DR..
Northcote describes it thus:
"They come and pour forth their whole
souls before some picture or image of the
fears, doubts and anxieties-every detail of
their domestic circumstances-9uite as nat
urally child contides its little troubles
or desires to one of whose sympathy and
assistance it has reason to be assured. AT
one time you may see poor woman who is
going on journey, or removing from her
usual place of residence, come to take
leave of her favorite Madonna, and talk to
her and lament over the separation, and in
every respect converse with her as though
Gh l,nr -
from whom she was about to part or you
may see another rush hastily into a church,
evidently under the pressure of some sud
den trial, throw herself at the feet of the
Madonna, and cover them with kisses !;
then, amid the most convulsive sobs, and
Anna, in which 'only her lips moved, but
her voice was not heard at ALL tell her the
whole story of what had happened, and
implorc her interference. Gradually her
agitation subsidies; she has communicated
her troubles to one who will be sure to help
her; and, strengthened by this consolation,
she rises from her knees, with cal m and
cheerful countenance, to go forth and bear
them patiently. Yet, she can scarcely make
up her mind to leave the sanctuary of her,
peace. AS she withdraws, with slow and
unwilling steps, ever and anon she turns
her head to watt another kiss to the Ma
donna; and you may hear such parting
cxclamations as these bursting from her
lips: 'Iddio, Mamma, mia; have told you
everything; am going away now; L reckon
upon your help; you understand me; |
know you will not disappoint me. I,ltlio.
Mamma, mia, addjo.' And lest any of my
readers should think that this childlikc
simplicity is confined to the lower and
more uneducated classes, cannot resist
the temptation of presenting them with
one or two extracts from a little book of
dcvotions, published about thirty years
ago, by distinguished advocate, at that
time one of the judges in Naples. This is
IL specimen OF the kind of address which
he uses toward the Madonna: Listen to
have asked for, if you refuse, what will
people say of you9 Either that you could
not, or that you would not, help me. That
You conId not, nobody will believe; for