The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-04-05

While we know that the Head of the
Church is not Impossible as man, although
infallible as o teacher, still We believe that
the part taken by Alex. VI. in the condemns
ton of Savonarola would largely admit Of
justification, were we only familiar with all
the circumstances brought to bear upon thia
particular case. We do know, however, that
another Pope, q few years later, indicated the
memory Of this illustrious Monk and held him
up to the veneration of all Christians. This
was on tho occasion of the eanonization
of st. Catherine Of Ricci, against whom it Was
urged that she had implored his intercession 40
. Saint, but the result Of the process 90 re-
bounded to tho credit and glory of Savonarola
that portraits and medals in brenze were
struck in Rome, bearing the inscription
Doctor and Martyr" and being exposed for
sale were eagerly purchased by pious mem.
beers Of the Church. ghgsg afsg.
While reading the life of savonarola,
whether written by his adversary or his
admirer. we cannot fail to perceive that his
zeal exceeded the bounds of moderation, and
that his fiery eloquenee set all Florence in
flame. Yet, with the distinguished writer,
Montalembert, we rejoice that all bis glory
and his genius belong to the Church, and that
as time rolls on, his character end mission
become moro and more admired.
When Savonarola was appointed Prior of st.
Mark, in Florence, the fearful tendency of the
age was towards Paganism. Its impress was
upon sverytbiug-science, poetry, art, morals
and opinions were being blighted by it's touch.
Pagan pride and voluptuousness were fast
crushing out all Christian virtues, and pro-
fanation was even in holy places. The inn
pious example of the dissolute Lippi had
found imitators and crowds assembled in
front of q painting Of the Madonna, not to
pay homage to Her who was conceived with
out sin, but to criticise and admire the features
of some well-known and infamous woman.
It was ct such a time that Savonarola, with
heart all on fire with love of virtue, and
conscious Of the greater dignity of Christian
principles over all that can be opposed to
them, determined, almost alone, to stem the
tide Of popular error. Imagine his zeal and
perseverance when he was able to gather to-
gsther eight Thousand of tho children of Flor
ence, and make them 60 In solemn procession
from door to door, to beg that the AaGthema
might be given mp to then-by which was
meant the vanities Of pride in dress OF decora-
hon, all irreligious books, obscene pictures
immodest -statuary, everything that could
stain the purity of the soul, or displease the
eyes of God. And this not for one year alone,
but for several consecutive years and on each
occasion the collections thus obtained were
formed into pyramid and burnt upon the
public square of Florence.
Upon these children, whom he 80 tenderly
cherished and carefully instructed, he founded
all his hopes for the future regeneration of his
country; and although tho master mind was.
cruelty stayed in it's noble aspirations, still
the impress once given, was not Lost, and many
of its results still remain. Two features of his
career, one q want of submission to the Pope,
the other his refusal to absolve Lorenzo de
Medici ct the hour of death unless he could
receive guarantee for the future liberty of
Florence, both Of which are subjects of dispute
by contemporary authorities-make him dear
to Protestant writer's, who have even styled
him the fore-runner of Martin Luther.
Save the mark how unlike they were I oBe
denounced the authority Of God, the other the
vices Of men. One, all pride and arrogance,
insinuated himself into the favor Of princes,
that their power might be used against his
onsmies,--the ether, fall Of seal and holiness,
won the hearts of children Snly that their
innoesace might shame thesinner ihto re-
turn to virsae. one fsasting And Ei6tsng in
public places; the CompsnlORo Of the diasOlpte
and vain ;--the other, pale from prayer and
fasting, spent whole days aud nights in the
solitude of his COnventcell. One, regardless
Of the most sacred vows, induced aeonheCrsted
virgin TO break hers also /; and the two, priest
and o nun, became man and wife 1.-THE other
pure in every thought be breathed, in every,
word he spoke, infused the same spirit into ALI
IL e A. A
object turned to gold beneath the tOuCh Of