The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-10-30
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gated to MahOmetan sway. The Protestant .
world is now celebrating what 1t valnly 81
to which Christendom owes that victory. "
1t is therefore an appropriate moment at ..
which to state the leading facts connected ''
with such great historical event p
In 1871 the Turks, under their ambitious
ruler, Selim H., were actively engaged In g
endeavoring to execute the design OF over b
running all Christendom. The first great +
blow was struck at Cyprus, which had been t
in the possession of the republic OF Venice. !
The conquest of that important island was !
marked by the most cruel atrocities, many !
of the leading inhabitants being massacred ,
and the governor being fayed alive. ven
ice was not able of herself to resist the
progress of the victorious Mahometans;
She did her best, but having been weakened
by famine, pestilence, and great ire,
which destroyed her chief arsenal, she
could no longer boast of that power whlch
had long made her the mistress OF the
| Adriatic and Mediterranean seas. No tllae
was to be lost. Flushed with victory, the
Turkish forces were approaching Italy, and
| it seemed for time as if no obstacle stood
| in their way. But there was an obstacle
little thought of by them, and that o6sta-
| Gle was-mark it Protestant reader-a Pope.
The chair of St. Peter was at that time
occupied by Plus the Fifth (whose honored
name has been enrolled in the calendar OF
Saints), a Pontiff not only of great piety
but of wonderful activity OF mind, ana OF
only himself fearless of man but was aole
to n great extent to infuse the same feeling
into the hearts of others. In 1871 he had
! almost reached his SEVENTEEN year, put
, age had not dulled the enthusiasm Whch
, gIowed within his breast. He was EVIL
r IDENTIFY appointed by God to arouse Chrls,
tendon to the danger which impended, ana
, he nobly and heroically discharged thatgreat
. mission 1t was a critical time Tor the Catho
~ lie Church, for some of the chief nations OF
> Europe were falling away from the faith.
- It was also a glorious time for the Church,
r for it was the same century that shone
- with the illustrious names OF an lgnacus
It Loyola, a Francis Xavier, PMilp Neri, a
,f Charles Borromeo, and many other canon,
- lied servants of God. The Pope looked
70 around that he might find some power to
q Join Venice in resisting Selim, and for
ia time without success. But Plus V. was
n not man to be easily put ASIDE e. ,fom has s
j. purpose. Again he sent forth ms am
;, sailors bearing letters of earnest eloquence
"a in which he pointed out the danger, ana
Mt called ON Christian sovereiSns to meet IL
te with fortitude. England was then ruled
" by Elizabeth, so we need not say that
- there was no assistance to be looked for In
", that direction. France was torn with civil
NJ war, and Germany was also far from oelne
" in a tranquil condition. The Pope, how
rT ever, succeeded with Phillip IL, the h,ne
~. of Spain. A league was entered into be-
to tween that monarch, the Pope, and the
ay Venetians, to join in resisting the threat
to ened Ottoman invasion. The Pope's
m navy was placed under the command o.
ed Mark Antonio Colonna, member OF one .; o.
Al the most ancient and ilustrious Houses IL
W Rome, and the chief command OF the
va united Christian forces was given to Dol
it John of Austria, the half brother OF hlne
as Phillip. Preparations for the war were al
GO ready made by each of the allied powers
n,. A large feet was soon fitted out, and nu-
q merous troops we're embarked. The splrl
Ia, which actuated the noble-hearted Pop
Il seemed at last to be widely diffused, ant
~, along the whole Mediterranean shores Their
nng was kindled something of the fire which
III the brave Pontiff displayed. At length al
;af was ready, and after a solemn religion
No ceremonial q vast feet, we'll equipped ant
a. fully manned, set sail to encounter the IN
IN vader. -,
ns The Mahometan navy was met with il
"a the Gulf of Lepanto, off the west coast
an Greece. It's commander had been narass
he ing the inhabitants of the places IL ma
nd visited, and much suffering had been en-
nv dured. Soon after sunrise, on the 9TH Oc
"a tober, the Turkish fleet, consisting Q
th ae nearly $50 ships, many of them of consider
m able size, containing about 12o,o0O mel
al; came on to meet the Christians. The sig
tho nal for battle was soon given by Don JOIN
Tue and the fight commenced. Holly it rage
~, for many hours along the whole extent
onr the entrance to the Gnlf OF Lepanto. NC
,nes John displayed on high as his flag slike
y it banner sent to him by the Pope, on WING
I'm was embroidered crncifix, and the WORD
Of In hoe signo rinces. The Turks fought we
. :; but they were unable to resist the chlvall
ooa of the Christian host. 1t was long an
NO sanguinary battle, and ended in compile
AZ victory for the Christians. The tidln
ut flew throughout Europe, and the conque
81 81 ors were received 10y their respective II
w tions with the most enthusiastic demo
rauS stratons. The blow was deeply felt
erc. Constantinople, and the Turkish power h
, of ever since been unable to succeed In al
,,.ar effort against western Europe.
g. But how was the Pope engaged WI
,intr the allied forces went forth to meet &
,nn,e enemy7 He was in constant prayer
Up had proclaimed Jubilee to the the who
'oan n Christian world for a happy issue of t
~ Of forces of the holy league. He passed
r in the night before the battle in the Iatic
;eae, in fasting and prayer. Though he
~ worked hard to procure the human {
~ 49,. which the law of God allows, he felt I'll
nl,- it was not on man that success wouA q
pend. During the battle the PROCESSION
,,ot the Rosary in the chief Dominican chul
,-nur was constant, and prayers We're pour
, a ou forth without interruption all day, by
ST. INV der of the Pope, who was himself meml
a. of the great order of st. Dominic.
, its length suddenly opening window
congo P1@e gazed up into the evening sky, a
OF OF the ne proclaimed that the Christians had j.
cruel. won great victory. 1t was not long
ter fore this inspired statement was confirm
' STeot The Pope soon afterw ards ordered the
I'd and Sunday in October to be always 0DserV
%ar' as the festival of the Rosary, and he
NNrToG ian