The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-03-10
LAST HOURS OF POPE Plus ~.
Tcorro.pondence London Tablet.

1
| Catholic world. The health of Plus IN.
had been for some weeks steadily improv-
| ing, and his physicians had begun to hope
| that in few more weeks their illuetrlous
| patient would have been enabled to leave
| his bed and resume his usual duties. In
fact, on Saturday, the Feast of the Puriti
| cation, the Pope was we'll enough to be
| carried to the Throne room to receive the
customary presentation of candles from
the Heads of Chapters, Colleges, and Re-
| igious Orders, and from the parish priests
in Rome. On that occasion he delivered
| without fatigue an impressive discourse.
On the following Sunday lie was cheerful
and hearty, and even walked few steps
, supported by bis attendants. Bot on the
morning of the 7th of February a change
| for the orse was discernible. His Hoi-
ness appeared strangely feeble, and the
debility increased during the day. Indica-
tions of fever were observed, and his sleep
That night was disturbed and broken At
three o'clock in the morning he took
slight restorative, and appeared to be re-
vived little, but at half-past q. m. he
was seized with fit of shivering, and his
position became alarming. Difficulty Of
breathing came on, and the worst fears
Sacristan, administered the viaticum at
half-past eight, and extreme npction at
nine. The Cardinals and the officers of
the household were in attendance. The
Holy Father was assisted by Cardinal Bilo,
the Grand Penitentiary, with all the usual
prayers prescribed by the ritual. His
mind was quite clear, and he joined with
prayers. From time to time he spoke
many words of kindness to those who
approached him. Among those present at
the death bed were Cardinals Bilio, Man
ming, Howard, and Martinelli Mgr. Lent,
the Viceregent the Private Chamberlains,
Ill lya. t1,1A
Majordomo, Mgr. Ricci and the Master of
the Camera, Mge. Macchi. AT p. m. Car
dinal Bilio commenced the recommends
tion of the soul of the dying, and Plus IN.
repeated the prayers, though with Difficult
ty, forcing himself to say col roStO sant0
Gjwto (wita thy holy keep in the act of
contrition. Afterwards he pronounced the
words, in DOMAIN Domiai ibinuS, I've will
enter into the Home of tic Lord ana The
Cardinal, having stepped at PrChcjSccre,
the Holy Father said, "Si, proticisceIe."
Tie Cardinal Penitentiary asked him to
bless all the sacred College of Cardinals,
and taking from his pillow the cruCiix, he
raieed his right hand and blessed them
and HiS ltaS lis last act.
He retain ed his consciousness until be-
tween two and three in the afternoon.
After that time he appeared not to recog
nizc any one, and 20 be insensible. His
difficulty of breathing gradually increased,
Ave Maria, he breathed his last. Just at
the very moment that his last breath was
drawn the great bell of st. Peters began
rineir the Ave Maria. All felt that it
wac tho most blessed Virgin, the Mother of
G cd, she whom it bad been the dying Pom
t'ft's greatest privileges to declare 1mmacu
late, had called him to his rest in Heaven.
All spoke the words, eternal rest give to
him, o Lord" and all present kiased with
| tears the hand that had blessed them so
often IN life, and had still blessed them on
| the very confines OF eternity.
Almost all the Cardinals in Rome had
obeyed the summons TO the Vatican, and
took their last fare well of the great Pom
| tiff. The ante chambers were filed with
| Bishops, prelates, mobiles and cham ber
lains, who all kuelt reverently and pray ed
fervently for the departing soul. In the
first ante chamber the Bishop of Clifton
led the recital of the rosary, and the
prayers were repeated until Monsigno,
Macchi, the Maestro di Camera, announc
ed the sad tidings of the Pontiff7s death.
The Last hours of Plus TX. were full o
calm and peace. He died surrounded b.
loving and attached friends aud servants
, by whom he was regarded as father ant
benefactor. Close in attendance at hi
death bed were Cardinals Bilio and Mar
a tinelli, Mgrs. Marinelli, his Sacristan, Ricci
z his Majordomo !; Macchi, his Master of tn
!, Chamber Sanminiatelli, his Almoner an
Monsignors Casali, di Bisogno and dell
. Volpe, his cham berlains.
The medical attendants the same ever
ing drew up certificate attesting that til
Holy Father, who for some time had gu
fered from chronic bronchitis, expired I
$40 p. NJ. on the 9TH of February, 1871
from paralysis of the lungs. This certit
y oate was signed by Doctors Antonini ar
st CecCarelli and their assistants, Drs. Petac
p and TOPAZ.
J. The body of the deceased Pope was Il
d same evening carried into room with
g northern aspect, and laid out on pla
iron bedstead covered with red dam ask,
le simple white coveret being drawn over Il
a remains, leaving the face only exposed
rs view. A large candle was lighted at 4
of head OF the bedstcad and another at Il
* foot. The features wore the usual plac
III aud bcnIgnant expression which dist
as guished in life the beloved Pontitf. A d
TX tachment Of the noble guards took char
CO of the body, and the Pententiaries Of
le Peters commenced their duty of rccit
Ve the prayers and Office of the Dead mig
4 80 1,