The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-11-12
Arrival OF 1000 SPANISH PILGRIMS IN
ROME.

Romes october l6gh
Since the opening of the Vatican Council,
on the morning of the S:h of December,
1869, the city of Rome has not witnessed 80
grand and imposing demonstration of Ca
tholic faith as that presented by the Span
ish pilgrimage. Over seven thousand per-
some, who have come from that country in
Continental Europe which is most devoted
to the Catholic religion and to it's earthly
head, is spectacle which surpasses aught
else that can be witnessed in Europe to day.
What the difficulties of the journey were,
what obstacles were placed in the way of
the pilgrins, both by the Spanish and the
Italian Governments, what fears were en-
terrain ed by the Catholics in Rome as to the
reception the Liberals " wonid bestow
upon these pilgrims, is too long story to
be recOunted in detail.
THE GATHERING OF THE PILGRIMS.
From the beginning of the week Spanish
faces and Spanish costumes began to appear
in the streets of Rome. The well-kncwn
hat of the priests, with the broad brim tied
up at each side, and forming double point,
was easily distinguished from the three
pointed hat of the Roman priest, and its
wearers Immediately became objects of
curiosity. Women dressed in black, and
wearing the traditional black lace veil, in-
stead of bonnet, which Ia always asso-
ciated with the Spanish woman, we're seen
in groups entering or departing from the
churches. Peasants in their provincial
costumes, new indeed to r pme, went Geek
ing rooms in private houses or in the
cheaper hotels, and gathering around the
windows where rosaries and other objects
of devotion were exposed for sale. Day by
day from 800 to 900 pour cd in by rail from
Civita Vecchia or Naples if they had come
by sea, or from Florence if by land.
Crowds assembled at the stati0n-some to
meet them and welcome them, as the dele
gates from the Catholic societies did every
day; others from mere curiosity. 1t was
impossible to fi1d shelter for them all in so
short space of time, as so many monaste-
ries wherein they might have been lodged
in other daye, are now dissolved, and their
Inhabitants consigned to the few religious
houses still left. Some have been taken to
the Pilgrims Hospice of the Trinita del
Pellegrini, founded, by st. Philip Neri for
such; others to the Franciscan College of
St. Isidore, still in the hands of the Irish
Brethren of that Order; and others still in
monasteries. But the great
bulk were obliged to seek refuge in the
lodging houses of the city where they were
taxed with true Italian extortion. 1t was
painful to see men and women carrying
their bundles or carpet-bags going from
house to house, applying in strange and
unfamiliar tongue, for refuge for the
night. Yet patiently and cheerfully they
climbed the steep Roman stairs until they
found a resting place. The trattorias or
restaurants presented series of pictures
que and pleasant scenes. l have listened
to group at one table address group at
another, and ask what part of Spain each
was from. One party had come from Bar
celona, it might be another from Valencia,
one were Galatians, another natives of Ora
NADIA. These had never met previously,
and in all human probability never could
have met on this side of the grave, save for
he 1ioin NUhJ nh hoH
thus cast them together. The waters in
the trattorias, who are generally ardent
Liberals, seemed to be struggling between
their dislike to the reTig' oas character of
the pilgrims and the gains they hope to
acquire from them. The Liberal journals
tages brought to Rome from the money
spent by the pilgrims. L'Ltalie asserted
that their coming was as mama to Rome,
since the season was 80 dull, and their durOs
were of good silver. The exchange Office
keepers were busy in giving change for ell
yer dollars, the deteriorated paper currency
being given for good coin. Yet with all the
b&nefts they ught-benefts fully &C
knowiedged by the Italiaps-the journals
could not to f0rbear to sneer at the priests,
whom they compared to Don Basilio in the
opera of the " Barber of Seville" aud COM
mented in insulting tones on what they
termed the lack Of beauty in the women.
The only act of justice done by the mum
icipality for their advantage was the an-
nouncement that all the hackney coachman,
who should attempt to enforce a higher
fare than ordinary, should be deprived of
their license to ply, and this was carried
out at least in one case. This notice was
reproduced in Spanish in the Voce della
Verita.
GENERAL COMMUNION AT ST. PETERS
The spectacle witnessed in the Church of
St. Peter yesterday morning was of the
most consoling character, aud bore the
strongest testimony to the power OF the
Catholic Faith over the heart OF man.
Professionals who were present, and with
whom con versed, declared that the devo
tion and fervor visible in the faces and
actions of each pilgrim was of the most ed
flying nature. At bali past ak in the
morning the pilgrims began to assemble in
the vast basilica, and proceeded directly
to the confessionsls. There are fourteen
confeeeionals, for different languages, in
the church; but only one language, the
Spanish, was spoken there yesterday. The