The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-31
AN AMERICAN PILGRIMAGE.
An Imposing Spectacle at whissmarsh, Maryland.
THREE THOUSAND PILGRIMS TO, TIE CHURCH
ga OF THE SACRED HEART.


land was Thursday, the 14th Of May, Ascen-
sion Day Of the year 1874. Turning aside
for awhile from the cares and labors Of the
werld, goodfy represe NATION Of the Cath
olics of Baltimore and Washington made q
pilgrimage to Whitemarsh: In these days
of revival of Catholic piigrimages, when
the zeal tor visiting the holy places seems
renewed, this one, made to an American
shrine, was neither unbecomiDg nor unmer-
tied of the occasion.
America has many . sacred spot, holy by
memories of faith and devotion, which, in
this hour of the Sacred Spring of Faith,
should remain no more unreverenced. There
never was period in the history of Catho-
licity when persecution seemed 60 powerful,
and yet there never was q period of the
glory Of the Church 10 which o more de,
monstrative fidelity leaped up from the
hearts Of the people to meet it. The first
noted pilgrimage made in America appears
now in that of Whitemarsh, and it may be
yet remarkable in being the forerunner of
others more imposing, more numerous,
although not more animated by zeal and
piety. .. ....'..tll, 90.
The history of the place is net unfamiliar
called the cradle of Catholicity in Maryland
and partakes Of it's hottest memories.
Heaven alone keeps record of the piety that
after it's eclipse by the prosecutions which
found their Catholic victims upon the coil
of our State, again famed the flame at the
altar into strength and power. Thither q
hundred years ago and over, the Catholics
of Baltimore used to resort to be instructed
in their faith by the Jesuit Fathers, who
kept their school and novitiate upon it's
height. Many distinguished theologian
was content to bring the wisdom of Ignatiue
and the zeal Of Xavier to his mission in the
time-w worn and humble church which yet
crowns the hill, and one of the most beloved
of the Fathers who ministered there,
Father Carroll, went forth from its walls to
don the purple of an Archbishop, and bear
the crozier of the Primary of America. ALI
this keeps Whitemarsh reverenced of the
people.
The surroundings, too, are hallowed.
Below in the valley amidst the trees at the
foot of the hill upon which the church
stands, there is q spring whose virtues are
more than medicinal. 1t is dedicated to the
Blessed Virgin, and rock hewn arch like
an altar stands over it. A statue of the
Blessed Virgin, placed there many years
ago by one Of the Fathers, demands the
homage of the sojOurner for her whom it
represents, by silent appeal rarely unre
sponded to. The fame of the spring has
travelled far and wide, and has become
early struggle of the Catholics of Maryland
for their Church are eptwined with the old
stones of the Chapel of the Sacred Heart on
the hill at Whitenarsh. The great preach
ers, the profound theologiaps, the jealous
missionaries, who gave their labors for the
conversion of souls, teaching and praying at
it's affairs, have left the track of their zeal
behind them, and all combined makes this
a place of pilgrimage worthy of popular
reverence.
THERE WAS NOT MUCH EFFORT
required for the manifestations of Ascension
Thursday. No agitation preceded it, no
appeals to the public of any note, no organ
lied power heraldedits accomplishment; it
seemed for the most part Spontaneous and
yet was fully representative of the Catholic
feeling of Maryland. Seeing what it was
We can only imagine what it could be, and
the gentlemen who initiated it deserve all
thessanerit of having quietly evoked
splendid and touching Catholic demonstra.
ton, that must be regarded only "a the
forerunner of many. As the reward of their
pious thought, over three thousand persons
men and women joined in the pilgrimage
and participated in the devotions. Great
numbers came from the country round as
we'll as those who came by train, and all
sorts of vehicles were pressed into the
transport service from the railway station.
Indeed, the difficulty in obtainipg these
was the only one which occurred in order
convey the pilgrims from ColliDgton to
Whitemarsh, a distance of some two miles.
But under the circumstances, many ladies
braved the burning sun and long tramp
VIC HCeabCO 6ouub LSCALuS lLbbio % IL
and exhibiting no small patience and per-
severance in their desire to be present.
The election in Baltimore prevented a
greater number from attending than our
city turned out, but the aggregate was very
creditable. The train bearing the Irish
Catholic and German Beneficial and Tenn
perance Societies from the city, left Calvert
Station, via Baltimore and Potomac Rail-
way, shortly after O'Clock. The train
num bered eight cars, upon which were dele
cations representing a number of societies,
the Consolidated Board, twelve societies,
under the command of John T. Piquett,
Chief Marshal. .~f
The train was of eight cars, cousdera-
BILE number of both sexes, in addition to
the Societies going, and did not reach Col
Iington Station until nearly twelve o'clock.
From there the Societies marched up to the
Church of the Sacred Heart, over two
miles. .p.H,E".t ,nr,'.. ...
The Washington Societies had arrived
about an bour before, and the wagons were
just returning from transporting them when
the Baltimore pilgrims arrived. No service