The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-16
gsra,ng Star and Catholic Messenger.
SKETCH OF LEO XIII.
HIS EARLY TRAINING AND DISTINGUISHED
SERVICES.
Messenger Of tbe sacred Heart for ] une.

Messenger of the Sacred Heart for June.
Pope Leo XIII. was born at Carpineto OF
March 2nd 1910. His father bore th
title of Count Louis Pecci; his mother
that Of Countess Anne Proaperi. In baptism
he received the name of Vincent Joachim
During his course Of studies he was known
by the first name; when he grew to man
hood he took and retained the second. He
studied grammar and the humanities at the
College of Viterbo, under the direction oi
the Fathers of the Society Of Jesus. After
the death Of his mother, In 1924, he went to
Rome and resided with his uncle, the Mar
quis Mutt, pursuing his studies of rhetoric
and philosophy at the Roman College under
the supervision of the Fathers Of the same
society. His talents, application and bril-.
1iapt success in the various branches of
science, challenged the admiration of all !;
in ply sics and chemistry he took the first
prize, and attained q distinction In physico-
mathematics. Feeling himself called to
the ecclesiastical state, he entered upon
his course of theology in the same College.
Here, too, the same success attended his
labors, and in the third year of his course
he undertook public defence of the ques-
tions on Indulgences and the Sacraments,
and achieved such unparalleled success,
though only young man Of 20 summers,
that We read In the records of the Roman
College, for the year 1880, these prophetic
acoYds: "In this disputation this came
young man has given such proofs Of talent
that he seems destined for greater things"
The following year, 1881, he completed
his studies of theology as the age Of 81,
ed the Diploma OF Doctor. One of his
College companions, in o private cores
pondence short time ago to one of his |
friends, writes: "During his course of
studies, he denied himself the pleasure of
companions and conversation, and took no |
part in amusements of any kind. His !
world was his desk his delight, to sound |
the depths Of the sciences. At the age of
twelve or thirteen he wrote Latin prose |
and verse with facility and an elegance |
which, considering his years, was truly !
After his theology he entered the eccle-
siastical Academy of Rome, aad began his |
studies of canon and civil law ut the Roman |
University. Here he was remarkable not |
only for his talents and success but also
for his exemplary modesty. About the
year 1885 he was declared Doctor in both de-
Psrtments of his studies, and the year 1897
6eheld him honored by Pope Gregory
XVI with the dignity Of private prelate
and Referenddrio DELI una dell' altra
It was in this same year Dec.
23d, that be was ordained priest by the
illustrious Cardinal Odescaichi of holy
memory Shortly after, he was sent, In the
capacity OF delegate TO govern the province
af Benevento, and later on, the provinces
y Spoleto and Perugia successively. OF
III the delegates he was the youngest, bat
lis energy, prudence and administrative
Gregory XVI, who had occasion to know
aim intimately, declared that the talents
II Mgr. Pecci were such that he might be
advanced to fll more important
charges. Somewhat later he nominated
hin Apostolic Nuncio to Brussels, having
'rested him on Jan. "a, ls43, Archbishop
Il Damista. He had not yet finished bis
Sd year, when in ls43 on the 10Th of ,
February, he was consecrated by Cardinal
Lambruschini. The Historical Journal of !
Liege thus notices this new destina alton /: |
Feb. let lS43 The Holy See has just !
,iven Belgium another earnest of affection :
. the nomination Of Nuncio who is to
eplace Mgr, Foruari at Brussels. We are :
that Mgr. Pecci, who is appointed !
. till this important post, is q preIate of
Uncommon merit, remarkable for his piesy,
earning and prudence This is the homage J
sndered him by the most distinguished
'ersenages at the court of Rome, where he =
, regarded with affection and esteem"
Mgr. Pecci reached Brussels on the Oh
4 April of the came year. He early won =
be esteem Of the king, the love of the =
lergy and the veneraSion of the people, by :
10 engaging manners, bis virtues and his =
nperior intellect. However, his tenure of ;,
IEce was but oFlefs Tor In the consiet0ry of N
an. 10Th, 1886, Gregory XVI preeonized T
i'm Archbishop Of Perugta. This new =
evidences the high repute in y
'hich he was held by the Sovereign Pom =,
d, for there was question of one of the -
'ost illustrious Archiepiscopal Sees of :;
ally, to which is attached by long custom ~
le dignity of Cardinal consequently to
sSign him this zee was to elevate him to "
pc Of the most exalted of ecclesiastical ir
referments, though he had barely reached
is 36th year; and in fact be was created al
ardinal on December l9:h, 1854, with the
tie of st. Chrysogonus. In the month of b.
ay, 1916, Mgr. Pecci quilted Brussels, tt
9Aring with him from the court of Leopold AZ
, extraordinary testimonial of esteem and sC
bod will, having received, by decree of n
10 lat May, ls46, the Grand Gordon of the I.
rder of Leopold, that is to say, the high Ii
't decoration in the kingdem. The Bel is
lum Journal of History above cited. r
nnounced the new destination of Mgr. b,
eeci IN the following significant words p
Nnvy |