The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-03-06

THE POPE VISITING THE SICK.-On the oath
ult., the Pope paid a visit to the French Semi
nary, in order to bestow his blessing on the
Bishop of Nismes and the Bishop of Meaux,
who occupy this house, together with many
other French bishops, who have been ill for
some time Last week the Holy Father had
pensation from reciting the Breviary. After
making particular inquiries about the state of
the venerable sufferer, he gave the dispense
tion, with his benediction. 1t was expected
for the Bishop of Nsmes is well known. And
so it turned out. At ABOUT a quarter to four
an outrider gave notice of the POpes approach.
The news spread at once though the house, the
bell of the community was rung, and all the
inmates fastened to meet the august visitor.
Il am come to see the sick, said Plus TX. on
entering, it is one of the the works of mercy
The Reverend Father Superior expressed, in
the name of the community, the pleasure which
they all felt in receiving him. and led him to
the chamber of the Bishop of Nsmes. AS he
marble that had been put up in commemora-
ton of his first visit, and read the first words
of the sentence engraved on it, Plus IN, Pom
tfex Maximus." His Holiness remained alone
with Mgr. Planter for upwards of quarter of
an hour. Meanwhile, the prelates who live
with the community, the Fathers of the house
hold, and several other ecciesiastics and lay
men, together with as many of the students as
could be got together in time, We're waiting in
the saloon. The Holy Father was petitioned
to allow all present to kiss his foot, request
which the beloved fonJlH SrlclOuSly cOmplled
with. The venerable Bishop of MeauX, was
| the first who was presented to the Pope. His
Holiness informed him that he, too, was one of
the objects of his visit. The rest of the bishops
then paid their homage to the Sovereign Pom
tiff, as did next the Rev. Father Superior Cen
eral of the Holy Ghost who had been prese nted
to him by the superior of the establishment,
and, lastly, all the other persons, who had
assembled in considerable numbers in the hall.
The Holy Father chatted pleasantly all the
while with those by whom he was surrounded.
1t was the father in tho midst of his children.
The ceiling of the saloon is supported by pill
lars. 1.-THE pillars of Sampson" remarked
the Pope, but there are no Philstines here.''
The Bishop of Quimper presented the Rev.
Father Ramiere to him "Ah! Father Ra-
miere," said Plus TX, he has written we'll in
in defence of the truth" beautiful portrait
of Cardinal Gousset, in oils, the gift of the
Pope to the establishment hangs in the hall.
Mgr. Sergent pointed it out to him, saying, at
the same time, that it was the portrait Of a
Frenehman. "Galtma, non galticanus," replied
the august visitor. 1t had been hoped that
his Holiness would condescend to turn his
steps to the chapel which had been built by
the community after the plan of that of Notre
Dame des Victories, at Paris. In this hope,
many people from the surrounding neighbor-
hood had repaired thither. But it was already
rather late, and the Pope had paid a long
visit, SO he preferred taking to his carriage
without further delay. The whole crowd
thronged around him to receive his blessing
once more, and his children of the French
seminary expressed their feelings of gratitude
and devotedness with repeated shouts of the
" Long life to Plus IX."-Monde.