The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-08-07
mrxRxsrua LETTER FROM ROME.

The subjoined letter is from one Of the
most distinguished members Of our bar, at
present on visit to Europe. Some time
since we perceived from the Partisan papers
that he had arrived in that city, and by the
date Of the present communication we find
that he has reached Rome. Through the
kindness of friend we have been permit
ted to publish the letter, as containing mat
ter Of the greatest public interest,"
ROME, Sunday, July 8, 1870.
Dear Str and Friend-I have q moments
leisure, and will keep my promise by drop
ping You few lines. / am here since
Monday last, and have made tia point to
lose no time in my peregrinatiOns.
I have seen and examined, specifically
of. course in 80 short time, most of the
renowned basilicas, churches, museums,
galleries, ancient and modern monuments,
public places, avenues, villas, fountains
and ruins in and about this great city, and
already been said, that Rome is truly the
mother and the centre of science and fine
arts, the abode of virtue, the home of God
on earth. In this great city are to be found
the greatest masterpieces in the shape of
Ra,ntdaGgs sculptures %osaics bronze e
sacrificing regular and secular clergy, and
pure candid devotion among the faithful.
All temporal and spiritual Affections here
hnd adequate and full relief.
will not attempt to describe the two
great and world-known Basilicas of st.
cially the former, every conception which
l ever formed of them. The first lie GER
tainly the most sublime monument which
the genius of man, inspired by faith, could.
conceive and erect to the Supreme Architect
of the Universe and the Redeemer of man
ia nyprn Dh II oh~ &c.
to admit about twenty churches like our
cathedral. 1t shone with unimaginable
splendor on the evening preceding the
feast of st. Peter. The Illumination was
dazzling and captivating. It was on that
evening, at vesPers, that 1 first saw the
again cav and heard him the next day,
during High Mass at st. Peters. To tell you
)f the grandeur and magnifcence of the
service that day would be to assume a task
beyond my powers. One can form no idea
II the number of priests, monks, church
ngnltarles, Bishops, Archbishops, Cardi-
la!s, Patriarchs, princes, noblemen, soldiers
md lay persons present on the occasion and
Intending the ceremonies of the day. The
1oiy Father said mass at the large altar
,uilt over the relics Of the two great Apos-
les. he faced the people. could see and
ear very distinctly, and noticed his very
east motion. will never forget his pier -
ing and supplicating eyes, cast upwards at
he Fiat roZuntas tua. 1t moved me to-
ears. l cannot express the emotions of
~ soul then. After the conservation he
lessed tho attendants, first with the Host
nd then with the Blood, as is usual with
nc Holy Sacrament. He afterwards With
rev to his throne in the very rear of the
.nctuary. The Host was then taken to
inn by Cardinal Guidi and the Precious
iood by Cardinal Antonelli. The HOLY
ather consumed both, standing, the blood
trough gold tube. The oblations were
.nspmed at the altar by the two cardinals.
he Holy Father returned to the altar. and
ter the concluding mass. prayers, gave to
present, with an effusiOn of heart which
language can express, the Apostolic
sned1ctlon, and subsequently was carried
Vay on his sede gestatoria. saw him
ain on the next day, as he rode on the
'rso, in his carriage, accompanied by two
'rdInais. 1t is moving sight to behold
King Pope, the Vicar Of Christ on
rth, bless right and left the crowds kneel-
9 in his passage. The Holy Father is in
90 health, little more feshy than of -
q years; he has the most searching.
netrating, brilliant and benevolent ewes
at can be imagined; his face is angelic,
smile Is nothing human; his voice ia
narkaoly strong, beautiful and melliflu-
ms department. eminently graceful
= majestic. He is, there can be no ques-
n, one OF the greatest Popes that has
or occupied the chair of Peter. He has
eady gone through the twenty fourth
Z OF MS Papal reign, and every indica-
Is that he will at least complete the
'nty fifth. May he remain where he is
ny, many years to come, for the good of
people, for the good of the faithful
oughout the world, for the good of
'nce and the fine arts, may say for the
ID of mankind. expect soon to have
audience, but apprehend it will not he.
l -, have wished, private one,
ch blshops themselves do not readily
ain at the present time. What shall
between us will tell you in my next.
eemed OF any interest to you.
1lth Rome 1 am delighted. 1 only re-
that my family did not follow me, asI
lld nave made longer stay than will.
ust soon leave to meet my dear ones in
is.
GU must not believe all the talk that is
e, and all the matters that are written
the question of Papal Infallibility.
little does transpire. The difficulty
not consist in having the doctrine re-
llzed-there is no dispute of any i'm
ahce about lt-but in defining it in ac-
able terms. The thing will come in a
which will hurt nobody, and which
only be cumulative of what has at all
g, every where, and by all, uniformly
peileved on the subject.
ay God bless you and all inuuiripp
los. Yours, very truly, E.B.