The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-24
TEE AMERICAN PILGRIMAGE.
LETTER FROM Jour" PILGRIM.
NEW YORK, Friday, May 18th. 1874.


mittee ofArrangements. Preference was given
| to this house on account of its close proximity
to the st. Patrick's Cathedral, where the pill
grims are expected to meet tomorrow morning.
Yesterday was pretty busy day with us. Our
| first duty was to call upon Major John D..
Kelley. Jr.. chairman Of the New York Com
mittee of the Pilgrimage. The Major, as he is
styled by every one, received us with all the
amiability of the Southern gentleman. In his
Office We found him giving his attentions to
other pilgrims who needed his services. After
expeditiDg business with great many, he
retained US and introduced us to his young
brother, the Rev. B. ]. Kelley, of the Diocese
of Wilmington, Delaware, who goes with US
on the pilgrimage to Mr.. Patrick Farrelly, of
carry the banner of "Our Lady of Lourdes"
to the hallowed spot where our Blessed Mother
appeared to the peasant girl Bernadette Sou
birous, and then deposit it at the shrine, in
perpetual remembrance of the first American
Pilgrimage; and also to Mr.. j. A. McMaster,
Editor of the Freeman's Journal. These three
gentlemen, with US, were taken to a restaurant,
where the Major entertained us with lunch,
during which many good things, too numerous
to relate, were said and happy illusions made
to the past and present. But business is bust
ness, more so in New York than any where
else, and the party, how much soever was the
regret Of ea2L one, had to separate to meet
again in the evening in the rooms of the
Xavier Union, where the young gentlemen
composing that society proposed to give to the
pilgrims public reception But before speak
ing of this reception, must make few re-
marks concerning the gentlemen I have just
mentioned. Messrs. Kelley aud McMaster are
not on the pilgrimage. Mr.. McMaster, so well
known to all the readers of the Freeman's Jour
nal, is perfect specimen of the we'll educated
and accomplished gentleman. He seemed to
be delighted with us, and appeared highly
elated with the success, SO far, of the pilgrim
age, of which he had so long been an ardent
and Jealous advocate. Major Kelley alluded
to the warm support and encouragement of the
pilgrimage given by His Grace, the Most Rev.
Archbishop N. j. Perche, of New Orleans. The
Major is prevented from joining the pilgrim
age for various reasons best known to himself,
and although he has accepted the chairman
ship of the New York Committee, which he
has filled with great credit to himself and the
Catholics of New York, and the dut ties of
which he will discharge until our final depart
urc, a new Committee becomes necessary.
Judge Paul E. Theard, the representative of
our Archdiocese and of the Diocese of Natchi.
toches, in spite of his reiterated refusals based
upon the state of his health, has had forced
npon him, may say, the craftsmanship of the
new Committee, and therefore the Presidency
of the Pilgrimage. His duty will be to lead
us on to Rome, and to present to His Holiness
the address which is to be prepared for the
occasion.
The reception given to us last night by the
Xavier Union was one which reflects great
credit upon the character of the Catholic
youth of New York. 1t took place at their
hail. No. SO West Fifteenth street, at O'Clock
Their rooms were beautifully decorated. On
one of the alls " Welcome," on another " Bon
Voyage," and still on another Vira Pho Nono,"
were to be seen festooned with green. The
adjoining courtyard, the property of the Jes-
ult Fathers, was illuminated with profusion
of Chinese lanterns. The ceremonies were
characterized with great simplicity and replete
with that Christian spirit which makes one
feel at nome even among strangers. The real
programme of the evening could not be carried
out, owing to several unforeseen circumstances.
Dr. .. A. Brownson had been invited to ad-
dress the meeting but could not attend. Chas.
oConnor, Esq, also invited to address the
pilgrims, had but the day before buried his
beloved wife. DR.. Henry Jas. Anderson,
President of the Catholic Union and of the
Society of st. Vincent de Paul, was introduced
to the pilgrims by DR.. Hebbermau, President |
OF the Xavier Union, and said few words to |
make up for the deficiency of speakers. DE- |
Anderson, who is to be one of Us, but who !
spoke as President of the Catholic Union of
New York, and in the place of the absent ora
tors above mentioned, set forth the true char
acter of the pilgrimage. "It is a protest."
said he' against the spirit of incredulity and
the pernicious principles SO much invoked in
our days." He alluded in happy terms to the
well known kingly order: "De par lie Roix,
defense Dieu de faire des miracles lei :" in
other words, By order of the King, God
shall not make any miracles here" The Right
Kew. Bishop Dwengor, Diocese of Fort Wayne,
in the name of the pilgrims, responded. He
said he was going as poor priest to the shrine