The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-16

i. prelate Antonelli stood in high favor, bu
: as 10 admittsd on all bsnds, welded no rel
influence. Consequently the nominatio
of Mgr. Pecci to Perugia can in no way b
attributed to the malicious intervention {
Autonelli. But once appointed to chi
post, Mgr. Pecci could no longer quit II
for the incumbent of the See 10 obliged t
reside by the Sacred Canons, Hor can tn
dignity of Cardinal entitle him to 81
exemption; true, an exception may b.
made but only on account OF pressing rea
sons. Therefore, the calumDy which ha
been circulated concerning his Eminenc,
is devoid of the shadow of truth.
To return to the administration of Mgr
Pecci. He ruled his Diocese for 80 years
Our space forbids us to enumerate The
| good works which illustrated this long
career of an active life, and q zeal at once
enlightened and indefatigable. His Dio
cese is living monument of his charity
vigilance and generosity. During his epis
| copate, thirty ak new churches were
| erected (; the plans of six others projected
and in part executed, and innumerable
others either restored, enlarged or embel-
lished. From the first be turned his atten l..
tion to beautifying the Cathedral it was
paved with marble, its architecture and
valuable pictures restored, the famous
chapel of ST. Onofre embellished with
storied paintings, and the sacristy enriched
WIN anu T6llCe.
Many were the charitable institu tons
which he founded in his Diocese ; of these
We may mention an Orphapsge for boys,
an Asylum for young girls exposed to the
dangers of the world, Home for poor
women and Retreat for INDECENT priests.
During sesseBs Of great want -aed-pabiie
calamity the most salutary provisions were
made for the people.
The instruction of his q ,ck engrossed
his chief attention. He restored the Grand
Seminary for the clergy, improved the
plan of etudies and devoted his income to
its support. To safeguard the Catholic
doctrine against the dangers of false
philosophy, he established the Philosophic
Academy of st. Thomss, at which he him
self often presided. He was the first to
Introduce the Gardens of st. Philip where
children could resort on Sundays, and thus
escape the dangers of bad company and at
the same time be provided with religious
instr uction.
He neglected none of the means within
the reach of q jealous pastor to foster the
piety, shield the faith and protect the
morals Of his people. Almost every year
he sent devoted missionaries to fan the
fervor of his flock scattered through the
parishes, and in order to have
ever at command body of able preachers |
and skilful directors of conscience, he |
at Perugia the Society of Dio. |
preached to his people. He wrote many |
pastorals full of exhortations to shun vice,
10 be on their guard against the current |
errors and to study the truths of our holy
religion. His pastorals against N Mesmerism
md Protestant schools that on the Pre-
.ogatives Of the Roman Pontiff, on the
Temporal Power, the Relations of Religion
o civilization, are eloquent monuments of
lis vast erudition and clearness on the
most vexed questions.
Three timee in his Diocese was Cardinal
Pecci surrounded by the waves of revolu-
ion once from l948 49 when the commo-
ION lasted nearly year again in 1859
'apture of Perugia by the Poutifical aTms
md third time In the Autumn Of 1850, /
yhen it opened with the Piedmont invss-
on, and was followed by the capture of
ne Province Of Perugia by the King of
'iedmont. He had much to suffer, but he was
ever unequal to himself ever firm, ever
ever watchful and prudent, he
new how to inspire his enemies with '
eepect for htmseff, the Priesthood and the
'oman purple. Frequently he was called
pom to protest against the anti ti-christian
lws and the abuse of power this he did :
nth noble dignity which was free from !
!, vain ostentatioD.
p to I'LL the post illustrated by the virtues
Plus TX 4; aud such were the prepare.
one by which he schooled himself to dis {
barge its onerous duties. What marvel
len II the Sacred College go soon agreed
pom his nomination His age, 60 years,
light possibly have been q bar to his !
referment, were it not that the indomit-
BILE energy of his character, the qualities !
his mind and his robust health made !
lem overlook what else might have
roved . disparagement. In this life of
60 XIII. there are two circumstances 6
hich at frst blush seem to be in conflict,
at In fact serve only to throw into stronger
lief his uncommon merit the youthful .
ye which ushered in his career, and the
pc years which wait upon it's close.
A correspondent of the Boston Pilot, :
riting from Rome, gives the following t
terestiDg account of the personal appear {
ice and characteristics of the Holy Father: g
HE voice is very impressive, and what
, says seems to be the immediate
oughts arising in his heart. You would
V ha waa thinkinn His k0no to