National Republican., 1874-05-15
CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE.
TWO THOUSAND EORSHIPERS At
FHITEMARSH.


THE SOLEMN CEREMONIALs OF YEsTER-
DAY-A GENERAL AND PARTICULAR AC-
COUNT OF PILGRIMAGES.
In all ages and among all peoples the custom
of visiting spots hallowed by national memorie 5
or consecrated by religious associations has pre-
vailed to greater or less extent. This sentiment
Of love and reverence for ancient ruins and for
the shrines et the departed, is common alike to
Christian and Pagan nations, both ancient and
modern. The footprints of countless pilgrims
have marked the pathway to the holy sepulchre
At Jerusalem, and the rugged road to Mecca has
been smoothed down by the ceaseless tramp of
the hosts OF Mohammed. 1t is historically true
that even the Saracens respected the sentiment
that prompted Christians to visit the sepuchre OF
me saviour: and 1t was the interference Of the
turks, when they acquired possession OF Fales-
tfne with these sacred pilgrimages that inaugu-
rated the ssnguinary wars of the Crusades;
not only tended "a increase Religions feryor but
they also proved the means Of difusfng knowi-
edge Of the arts and sciences among natlonsi TOR
in those misty days of the past there were no
newspapers, and travelling except In large bodies.
was dangerous The various pilgrimages 10 the
shrines or the saints ct Rome, ut Compastefia, at
Tours and at many other places in the Old World.
are memorable. not only in view Of the vast num-
bcrs that participated in them, but also on ae-
count of the great miracles and peculiar ipdul-
Rences associated with them.
In the year 1928, in the reign of Henry VI, there
went from eleven towns in England 935 pilgrims
to the shrine OF st. James Of Compastella, in
Spain; and in 1926, on the occasion of a numerous
assemblage Of pilgrims at Rome, Pope Leo XII
have been noteworthy tombS and shrines, toward
which innumerablo pilgrims fave turned with
longing eyes and eager step.
Prominent among these Is the tomb OF the great
and good Washington at Mount Vernon, beside
which our own beautiful Potomac sings peTpet-
ual requiem, and pays the tribute Of its tears IN
the silveTy rippleE that break upon its silent
shore Then there have lately been noteworthy
Ptlgrimages TO Lourdes and Rome, and even now,
for the first time In our history an organized pill
Rrimage is about TO set out from New York for
these venerable places SO dear to every pious
Catholic heart.
THE wHTTEMARsH PILGRIMAGE
But within the present month large pilgrim
age to shrine nearer home was arranged between
the Catholic societies Of Washington and Balti-
more. 1t took place yesterday, the point of des-
tination being Whtem4rsh in Prince Georges
Potomac railroad, and about twenty-five miles
from Washington.
Whitemarsh is one Of the Oldest Catholic mis-
sions in Maryland. having been established in the
early part of the eighteenth century. some years
after the keels Of the ARK and the "Dove, with
two hundred pilgrims to Maryland, under the
command of Leonard Calvert, and accompanied
by the good Jesuit fathers Andrew White and
John Altham, grated upon the beautiful shores
OF the Chesapeake. There is now at Whitemarsh
church and mission house, and near by, i'm
bedded in the rocks and overlooking spring of
pure water, is statue Of the Blessed Virgin,
which was the objective point of the pilgrimage.
There is q tradition that the hill upon which the
church stands was gift to the Jesuit fathers
from one Of the Indian kings who had been con-
verted to the Catholic faith, and in this manner
expressed his grateful appreciation Of the services
Of the good fathers The precise date Of the cree
tion Of
THE OLD CHURCH
cannot be precisely determined from any known
record, but it is certain that Father Ashton Off
ciated there in 17I2, and that at that time the
Catholics Of Baltimore, numbering about forty,
(now estimated at one hundred thousand, were
attended by the fathers of this mission. The
greater part Of the old ediice was burned down
In 1S5S and rebuilt Of Connecticut bluestone in
1855.
1t is at present in a very dilapidated condition,
and sadly in need Of repair, TO which the pro-
ated by the Rev. Father Wiget, pastor, who is
assisted by Father CottlnR. The interior of the
church is plain and simple, like that OF every
country church. The altar-piece represents the
Saviour at the cross, and on the sides are statues
Of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. There are
two side altars. WHICH were tasteiully adorned
with pictures and flowers, and pictures of the
stations Of the cross cmbellish the walls.
The missiOn-house is large, three-story frame
tombstones in which bear very ancient date, is
within few yards Of the church. The view Of
the surrounding hills aud valleys is quite pic
tuTesque and inviting.
This was the interesting historic spot to which
THE VARIOUS CATHOLIC SOCIETIES
Of the sister cilies of Washington anu Baltimore
went on pilgrimage yesterday. AS early as
O'Clock the Baltimore and Potomac depot and its
brilliant ami animated appearance. The glitter
ing regalia Of the different societies, blending
with the bright coloTs worn by the numerous
ladies who joined in the excursion, made pic
ture rarely seen in the noisy precincts of the
depot. Half an hour later the tlrst train of ten
passengcr-caTs- in charge Of Conductor Buchanan,
started out. and ten minutes after a second train,
under Conductor Denast, followed en-. Both trains
Terc filled with passengers, OF whom there were
at least one thousand.
Ancr pleasant ride of about an hour the
eLcursionists reached COllington, where q large
number OF carriages, buggies. wagons and OK
"7rts were in waiting to convey ladies aud gentle
.--I- - ,,,S, two miles distant. Many
aTailed themselves Of thls r,oae y. r"nVeVanee'
but large number walked the entire dis stance
through hot blazing sun, over sandy roads and
ploWed fields. The societies fell into line, and,
preceded by the Marine band, marched to the
scene Of the ceremonies Of the day. st. Martins
and DOnch's bands were also in ATTENDANCE. The
the knights of St. Patrick, Commander J. F.
Kelly; and the knights of st. Augustine, (St.
Peter's,) President Robert Haitian, turned out in
HbernIans. the Knights Of St ColumbkilI, the
knights of St. Peter, the Junior Knights OF St.
Patrick, the Young Catholics Friend Society,
Temperance SocIetl the knights OF st. George,
st. Michaers Society, the Knights OF ST. Angus
tine, (St. Martin's,) and other Catholic organiZa
tions were represented by large delegations, and
soIno Of them wore egalia.
Accompanying the party from Washington
StTcng, Of Georgetown college. Rev. Father
Welsh, Of Marlboro. was also present.
The procession reached Wktemarsh about II
o'clock hut, in consequence of delay in the arrival
of the Baltimore societies. ii II o'clock before
the ceremonies commenced.
THE BALTIMORE ExCURsIoHIsTs
numbered about ST hundred. and represented the
following societies all under command of John T.
Pickett, chief marshal: st. lgnattus Beneficial,
james Counau ghton; st. Ohnis n o. John Mears;
immaculate Conception, Michael McGinness; St
Peters, John DOnneriy; ST. Martins, ST. Mary's
St. Vincent de Paul, st. Johns No. 2, HibeTnian
Beneficial Young Catholics Friend, J. A. Mid
several German Catholic societies.
There were also in attendance large numbers
Of the people Of Prince Georges county and ad-
JO!aiHg counties, many Of whom came in wagons,
distance Of Thirty miles, to witness the i'm
prcss.ve services.
TIE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES.
AT IL o'clock the multitude, to the number Of
about two thousand, assembled on the lawn in
front OF the AlsSiCl house. the pOrticO Of which
was rustic altar. handsomely adorned with sa-
cred pictures, American and PapaI flags, the
banners Of the societies and beautiful flowers.
HI2 h Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Wiget.
A choir was improyised by several ladies and
gentlemen OF Prince Georges county, assisted by
some Of Washlnytor's best singers Al certain
parts Of the Mass the NJ Narine band played appro-
PIRATE airs, and at the elevation, sweetly rem
dercd the beautiful air, Sweet spirit, hear my
Among the acolytes who assisted at the Mass,
besides those connected with the Church Of the
Sacred Heart at WhtemaTsh, were Thomas V.
Ryan, OF st. Peters. and Charles DcmOnet, Of
ST. Matthew's. in this city. During the soIemuity
OF the Mass the scene was very beautiful, re-
mnding one OF the times In the colonial history
OF Maryland. when Catholics. fleeing from per
seCutiUn, wero obliged 10 perform their dey otions
in the neishbOring valleys, under the blue vault
OF heaven.
THE DISCOURSE.
At the clcsc of The Mass Rev. Father Mcguire
addressed the vast congregation, taking for his
text the Gospel Of the day, from the 10th chapter
OF S. Mark. V. 2O-24 Alter referring to the fact
that the GcspeI which he had read detailed the
inciden OF the last Interview between the Saviour
and his Apostles, he remarked that the Church
cOmmemOrated to-day the glorious ascension Of
Christ into Heaven. He then commented upon
the truths enuncated IN the Gospel, and said
that we were all only pilgrims here, vending our
HaXt to Heaven. He alluded TO the pilgrimages
of old, and remarked that in all ages and
countries such pilgrimRges were common.
Americans made pilgrimages to the tomb
OF Washington, kissed tie dust that covered
his honored remains, and carried away tUfgs
and flowers mementOes Of the resting
place Of the greatest American that ever lived.
why, therefore. should not Catholics have their
pilgrimages2 They were about to have a grand
one to Rome, where they would lay their grateful
and sympathetic offerings before the Holy Father,
Plus TX, and also to Lourdes, where they would
nav the homage Of their love a. the shrine OF the
blessed Virgin. Why, then, should not Catho-
lies honor this humble shrine Of Mary? Was not
America dear to her? The very soil upon which
they stood was called Mary's Land, and she
would bestoW her fayors upon those who bonored