Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1874-05-09
Roman Catholic Pilgrimage to
WhitemaRh. .-.-PreparatiOns
l,v Baltimore Societies

According 10 suSBeSI'oh VI
Jesuit Father, great preparations are
now being made among the Roman
Catholics Of Maryland and the Dis
trict Of Columbia for pilgrimage
by deyout members Of that faith to
Whitemarsh, Prince Georges county,
Maryland, which is considered the
cradle Of Roman Catholicism in the
United States, and where the first
mission in the country was planted.
This pious journey will take place on
the l4th of May, the Festival of the
Ascension. In a solitary valley be-
tween the hills of Whltemarsh is said
to be a statue of the Blessed Virgin
carved in the rocks, below which is
bubbling fountain Of the best water.
The services on the morning Of Ascen-
sion day will be performed at the
Church of the Sacred Heart at
Whitemarsh, and in the afternoon the
pilgrims will proceed to the place
where tie statue is located, where
Vesper services will be held. The
officers of the different societies OF
the Consolidated Board have received
epistles from Washington requesting
them to make immediate preparations
for the pilgrimage. For this purpose
meeting will be held on next Sun
day. and it is expected that not less
than two Thousand persons will leave
this city for the sacred shrine. Extra
trains will leave the Calvert street
depot at eight o'clock in the morning
of the 18th, and will return at half.
past eight o'clock in the evening
the charge for the round trip being
xl.5O. Vehicles wall transport per
sons from Collington, the nearest
railroad station, to Whitemarsh. The
proceeds thus realized, and the dona-
tions that will be contributed, vii.
be applied to the mission at White,
marsh. The different Roman Catho'
lie societies will take with them theii
banners. After the arrival Of the
pilgrims at Whitemarsh, Solemn
High lass will be celebrated and
Father Mcguire will deliver sermon
In the afternoon the alteration Of the
Blessed Virgin at Rocky Springs will
be held. A Jesuit Father thus des
cribes the locality where the pilgrim
age is 10 be held: The romantic
scenery Of the vicinity, the solemn
stiffness, the bubbling fountain sne
the statue OF the Blessed Virgin carve'
| in the rock, remind one involuntary
Of the consecrated spot and the mi
raculous fountain Of Lourdss. Many
a devout prayer has been poured out
there from pious hearts, and many
a grace has been found there, anl
even cures bounding on the miracu
lous have been performed by the U.s.
of the water of the fountain, which
lies almost under the statue, and no
unlike the water Of Lourdes White
marsh is the cradle of all the mission
airy enterprises Of the country; ever
Baltimore, which now numbers ovel
100000 Roman Catholic souls, was
century ago, supplied with Jesui
priests once month from the mis-
sion of Observation-Disclosures mum
bersd at that time forty Roma,
Catholics.
Indeed, Whitemarsh was sort of &
capital of Roman Catholics in tn
first days of American Independence,
The Convention Of the clergy Of th'
Thirteen Colonies regularly convened
at that place. The then Father Carol
was made the head of the mission by
the Pope, and at later day on hi
recommendation, tho seat Of the Dio
cesce was transferred to Baltimore
and Father Carroll was made I
Bishop.-Baltimorc american.