The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-29
The Cause ofthe European Prosecutions.
SKETCH OF ROME AS IT IS AND AS IT WAS


Cioskey. After the first gospel the Arch
bishop assembled the pulpit, wearing the
ordinary archiepiscopaldr dress, and preached,
the subject being founded on the gospel of
the day, which was taken from the thir-
teenth chapter of Matthew. The following
is a synopsis:
The parallels read 10 the gospel of the
day belong to series of similar ones
spoken at various times and on divers oc-
casions by our Lord to portray the charac-
teristics and features of that Church which
He came on earth to establish. He likens
that Church now to mustard seed again
to the 1eaven which expanded and diffused
itself; again to the grain saved from among
the tares; again He presents it as n little
vessel on the waters, which is tossed about
by winds and waves, go that those on board
are in terror and cry out for help to the
captain, who sleeps, but who awakes and
Gains the angry waves All this our Lord
confirms and explains in clearer language
when He tells His apostles TO go abroad
and teach all nations. He does not tell
them of bright and glorious careers in store
for them as teachers, but that they shall be
as sheep among wolves, who will be ready
to devour them; that their mission would
be in a world that hates them, and which,
loving only its own, loves only those of this
world. When He wrought the conversion
of the prosecutor Saul, He did not tell him
what great things were to be achieved by
him, hut of the sufferings through which he
would go. These prophecies and parallels
have been verified in all the history of the
Church. We can see their accomplish
ment in this day in the prosecutions of
bishops, priests and people. At no time
has the hatred to the Church been so great
as now. 1t is persecution, not perhaps
unto blood, but more cool and more syste-
matte, moving with craft and power
amazing to behold. 1t is carried on in the
hot tho Chnrnh pioll on
exhaustion of vital energy. Every blow is
aimed at the centre of unity, the repre-
sentative of the divine head, the Vicar of
Jesus Christ. Kings, princes, potentates
are united in their powerful opposition
against the Pontiff in the See of Peter. But
moral grandeur, dignity and moral power
do We see in the Holy Father! 1t was my
privilege while in Rome to look upon the
face of this beloved pontiff, to kueel at his
feet, to hear his kind, paternal words, so
that can bring you tidings of his suffer
ings. 1t was my privilege in fulfiIment of
my duty after holding this archiepiscopal
see for ten years to make a visit TO Rome
to report to the Sacred Congregation, and
to present myself to the Holy Father to ask
for the apostolic benediction for my priests
and people, and for everything committed
to my charge. had not been in Rome
two days when the Pope, through the
was received in the private cabinet of His
Holiness, and after receiving his blessing.
and while L WAS still kneeling, he 10 vited
me to a seat at his side. AS l looked at
the face of the Holy FatIIer was struck
with delight and astonjshment at the evi
dences depicted. When | had given OK
preston to some thoughts he said he was in
good health. He never looked more serene
or had a sweeter smile than now, nor did he
seem to be subdued. In looking ut him
and listening to his words my heart was
filled with wondering reverence. Eighty
two years over that venerable head and
with his latter years of sufferiDgs, and
still he is calm, collected, serene, as if o
trouble had never crossed his heart, and as
if his days were flowing on in calmness
and peace. Whence this extraordinary re-
pose, this peacef 1t is because the Pope |
sees in all things the finger of God. What |
ever trials and prosecutions he is submitted |
to he endures. He rests in the confidence |
Of Divine protection. He is the Vicar of
Christ, and is calm because he is thought |
by his Master worthy of suffering in His |
cause. So calm is the Holy Father that |
when bishops and priests approach him to |
offer consolation, the words fade from their
lips as the first words of his consolation for
them fall upon their ears, and they leave
him full of his burning eloquence. pre-
sented to him the offerings of the archdio-
cese, and he expressed his thanks and +
added his warmest admiration of the Cath
llics of this country. He congratulated us
IN our being SO far removed from the trials
n Europe, and he 1ejoiced that here the
opportunity was offorded of worshipping
Tod according to ones conscience. He did
not conceal the hope be felt of the growth
If CathOlicity in America and for its ulti-
nate triumph in our prosperous country.
The harvest, he said, was great, but the
aborers few. He spoke of his dear Italy,
lot in the bitter spirit of the prosecuted;
nut with love for it that made his heart
'leed for the misfortunes that had come
Ipon it. How changed Rome is! Once it
vas the Holy City. Lacordaire said of it
here was holiness in the air that sur
ounded it, and another eminent divine
aid Rome had the dialect of heaven. You
night walk through the streets then
nd never hear a word uttered that
you'd offend modesty nor that was a
lasphemy. 1t was city living as fami-
Y, all worshipping God. Now you cannot
walk through Rome without shudderipP