The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-06-06
Wednesday. June 6. ls77.
Fiftieth Anniversary Of the Episcopal
Dignity of Pope Plus TX.

the various Catholic societies para6ed the
streets, and there were many other mani
festations of joy. The movement was
initiated by the. Young Mems Catholic
Society of Italy" aud was afterward APP
proved by decree b. the pontiff As
will be seen by the dispatches of Monday
from Rome the manifestations in that city
on Sunday, were very grand, and the
crowds Of people. who had come from all
nations and countries with addresses and
congratulations to the holy father, were so
great that he was obliged to retire, owing to
fatigue. The holy father had granted
plenary indulgence to all partakers of the
sacraments, on that day, and in consequence,
the churches, everywhere, were crowded,
and many were handsomely decorated.
In this city and vicinity there were no IN
usual public demonstrations in honor of
Of the event, but the churches were dense
~ crowded, and the services unusually
interesting.
1t was the first time in the history of the
Catholic church that such nm event had
ever been celebrated, and it is not to be
wondered at that it was so. The age at
which priest first becomes eligible to the
episcopaey is thirty-6ve years, and there
fore the youngest age possible at which a
prelate can attain to the fftieth year of his
episcopacy must be eighty-fve, much
beyond the allotted three-score and ten Of
human life.
Aside from the remarkable nature Of
the event, however, in general way, there
attached to the celebration a special and
deeper significance arising from the per-
sonal character of him to whom honor was
paid IN the grand ceremonial. The purity
and dignity Of Pope Plus Ninth, recognized
and admitted even by those without the
pale Of the church of which he is Che head,
the fact that he has reigned temporarily
and spiritually longer than any of his pred
ecessors in the chair of st. Peter, the re-
markable scenes Of his early life. and the
many anxieties borne by him with patience
and dignity in his later years have COM
bined to render him the object of affec-
tionate solicitude of millions of human
beings. Not only as the Pope, the head
Of the great Catholic church, but as a good
and great and honorable man is he rever-
enced and honored, and the vast number
who everywhere on Sunday took part il
what is termed the golden jubilee did 81
with the genuine feeling of children TOWARD
father. The joyful demonstration
and religious services will continue during
the present month, in honor of the occa
sion.
1t IS hardly necessary to remind oul
Catholic readers, though it may be well tc
instruct others, of the deep Importance
which the Catholic Church attaches to tn,
sacrament Of holy orders, especially it
highest rank, the eplscopate, which i
the completion of the priesthood. Tn,
happiest and most memorable day of
priests life is that on which having re
ceived the Holy Spirit he is consecrate,
forever to the service of Christ s'peopl
and of his altar. The anniversary of tina
day he recalls with devout recollection
and its lustral periods, especially whe
they reach to quarter and half century
are honored as are the: silver and golde
weddings of secular people. In the epis
copate, which is the fulness, the crow
and the glory Of the priesthood, ,these an
nivsrsaries are not merely..days of specia
personal devotion, but the people of tn
Church to whom in the mystical rites {
the Catholic Church the bishop is espouse
are bound to celebrate with devotion til
anniversaries of his marriage day.
What is a matter Of duty in the case {
the subjects of all bishops becomes a 10
In proportion as the services and sanctit
Of particular prelate endear him to hi
people. Thus il was that the silver jub
lee of the episcopal .consecration of Ca
dinal Cullen, of Dublin ;sthe golden jub
lee Of the episcopal conservation of Arct
bishop MacHale, of Tuam, and the jub
lee of the ordination .of Archbishop Pul
cell, OF Cincinnati, were made the ocGs
SONS Of the most enthusiastic demonstrt
tons on the part of all Catholics and {
numerous non-Catholics within. the pat
few years.
The personal history of Pope Plus IL
is familiar to the world but condense
recapitulation Of the leading events in
life devoted solely to the welfare of tn
church will not be out of place.
Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferreti WI
born May l3, 1892. His thoughts SOC
turned toward the church, for at an earl
age he began his education for the prizes
hood. He was ordained priest ia 1871!
His early life was full of scenes of dramat
interest and wild adventure. He was ser
on an expedition to South America. du
ing which he was thrown into prison, ma
rOwly escaped shipwreck near the coast
Africa, and bad many adventures in th
new world. He is the only pope who hs
ever set foot on American soil. After n
naming six years on this side Of the A
lantic he returned to Rome and was al
pointed canon Of the Santa Maria ho
pital. He was remarkable for his gre,
charity to the poor and unfortunat
classes OF Rome, but possessed in Q
less degree shrewd financial ability an
rare executive talent. The combInatio
Of these qualities soon made him marke
man among the Roman clergy and opene
the way for his rapid advancement. @
May Il, 1927, he was appointed arcI
bishop of Spoleto, and on June Sd W,
consecrated. In ls4O he was appointe