The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-04-03

. The NC
Baptism Of Arab children.
A recent letter from Rome thus describes an
interview with. his holiness by Mgr. La vigerie,
Bishop of Algiers, and his two young Arab
charges:
: Yesterday, the Church of tho Holy Trinity,
on Mount Pincio was the scene of a touching
ceremony, which attracted q crowd of citizens
and Catholic strangers from many countries,
who are at present sojourning in Rome. A
Prince of the Church, who bears name full of
historic interest, Cardinal BonapaTte, presided
over the solemn assembly, the heroes of the
occasion being two poor children, reared in
Mahometansnl, who had come to receive bap-
tism. Wherever performed, the ceremony of
adult baptism is calculated to exotic fervent
devotions in the hearts of all Christians, who
centre of light and truth, this passage from
death to life has peculiar force and significance,
and the history of these two young neophytes
wins admiration from all who hear it. Their
baptism, was due, in fact, to the apostolic zeal
and fatherly solicitude of Plus TX.
The two children, Abd-el-Kader-ben-Mo-
named, and Hamed- ben-Aicha, arrived in Rome
about a month ago in company with an Alge-
ran priest Deprived of father and mother,
and exposed helpless and destitute to the raw
ages of famine they, with two Thousand ethers,
nau D6Cu Te5cucO from Qoatn Dy the ATCaDlSu.
OPP of Algiers They came to Europe to live,
and were taken to Rome on account of their
great anxiety to the Holy Father and re-
ceive his blessing B! The sweet and fatherly
character of Pio Mono is known to every one.
Like Jesus, whose Vicar he is, he loves to draw
near to himself the little ones and the poor.
Scarcely had they reached Rome when they
were granted an audience, at the request of
the Archbishop of A1giers, and there. between
the great Prince of the world and these Arab
boys occurred one of those touching scenes, of
which in these days the Vatican alone can fur
nish an instance.
The Pontiff gently questioned the children,
OF rather the Shepherd bent over his wandering
sheep to draw them to him: He asked their
names, ages. country, and, when they had an
swered these questions said:
Let US see, my children, do You know the
true religion ~
"Oh! certainly" unhesitatingly answered
"Ah! you know the catechism; come, then,
tell me what are the commandments of God 2"
"The children recited them without any
fault. Being much moved, they did not speak
in q loud tone, and the Holy Father bending
tenderly over them and approaching his ear to
catch better their words. said-to them with n
smiles
"You see, my children, I am now old and
cannot hear SO WELL"
He added other questions, which the children
answered with the like assurance. After q mo-
ment's silence, one Of the children said to the
Pope;
tne IaVOr OF Receiving blODSlSnOrucre
does not wish to confer on us this blessing"
1.-The Archbishop was standing near the
Sovereign Pontif attentive to this scene, SO
consoling to his missionary zeal.
1t is true," he answered, "that generally
prefer to test the faith of my children. Holy
Father, by delaying the ceremony until they
are Older; but these are well disposed and snf-
ficiently instructed
LET me see," said the Pope, turning to the
children, "do you know what baptism is and
the obligations it will impose on you If you
secute you on account of your religion"
"Ah most Holy Father" cried the. elder,
if they were to cut off our heads, it would
not matter, for we should so straight to
heaven
Plus TX. tenderlylaid his hand on the head
of the child in reward for his beautiful an
swer, and, addressing the Archbishop, said
Have them baptized in Rome. 1t will be
something pleasant for them to recall in after
life, and for yourselfit will be great happi-
ness and a recompense for many trials"
before the Pope to thank him for the favor; the
Holy Father, going to his escritoire, took out
two iewel-boxes aud gave them to the children,
saying:
at is the Blessed Virgin m exclaimed the
children.
The boxes contained in reality two canoes,
representing the Mother of God
AS soon as they had quilted the audience
chamber, the child who had expressed himself
ready to suffer martyrdom rather than lose
v
and said to the holy Bishop:
60 how good the Pope is! You are very
good, Monsignor, but the Pope is better than
you"
Such is the touching account, given by Mgr.
La-Vgerie himself, to the crowd assem- bIed in
the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, to wit
ness the baptism of these good children.
Cardinal Bonaparte, robed in pontifcal
vestments, went to the entrance of the Church
to conduct the catechumens to the Sanctuary.
When the pious prelate re-appeared leading by
the hand the two children, all spectators were
thrilled with emotion, and all hearts blessed
God for the mercy granted these neophytes,
who walked so joyfully to their regeneration.
AT the end OF the ceremony the usual wax
tapers We're lighted and placed in the hands of
happy children went forth, their minds
illumined by the rays of divine truth and
their hearts burning with the love of God.
Those who had attended them at the
baptismal font, took them to the sacristy. where
Cardinal Bonaparte addressed them in q most
touching manner
The Marquis Patrizzi, nephew of his Emil
hence, the Cardinal Vicar, was the god father
of one of the children aud Mgr. Soubiranne,
private chamberlain to His Holiness, of the
other. The Princess Rospegliosi and Miss
Harper, a recent American convert, were god
mothers to these neophytes of Plus TX.
young Arab who had found his way to the
Church, leaned against pillar and wept
silently.
"Why do you weepG" asked one of the
Bishops, who had assisted at the ceremony.
Because I cannot receive baptism like these
Others"
"And why are the authorities unwilling to