The New York herald., 1879-09-30
PILGRIMS TO LORETO.
Concentrating the Journey Of the
Holy House from Nazareth.
ROSARIES AND RELICS.
From Horse Racing and TomboIas to
Vespers of Solemn Music.
Lonrro. Sept. Il, 1879.

LoRETo, Sept. Il, 1879.
Since the beginning OF this month the afiuence Of
pilgrims to this time-honored sanctuary has been
remarkable in consequence Of the Of the
festival OF the nativity of the Virgin. which was eel
ebrated on the Sth inst. with the usual religious
solemnites and demonstrations of public rejoicing.
and amid gathering of devotees and sightseers from
all parts Of the world. was among tho arrivals on
the morning in question. The trains up and down
tho Brindisi line facilitated the of the most
civilized classes Of spectators. but the most pictu
rescue were certainly those toil-worn pilgrims.
chiefly from the southern provinces. who
reached the sanctuary in great caravans.
some marching ON foot and others induiging in the
luxury of capacious tilted wagons awning cars.
each accommodating between twenty and thirty
peasants. and dragged by varied teams of mules.
rugged ponies hardy donkeys. Some of these
vehicles had broken down on the way and their
wrecks encumbered the ascent to the holy hill Of
Loreto, but their occupants had abandoned them
and proceeded foot eager to reach the sanctuary
in time for the great festival. In Of any of
your readers not remembering the precise circum-
stances attending the miraculous journey of tho
holy House from Nazareth to Loreto may briefly
resume the principal points handed down by tradi-
ton and firmly believed for ages past. and at the
spite of rationaism and hostility to the Church in
Italy. twenty thousand pilgrims on the average still
visit this celebrated shrine every year.
THE HISTORY SHRINE.
Tho house OF Mary was converted by the apostles
into church and furnished with q stone altar still
existing. as we'll rs wooden bearing the
painted efigy Of the Redeemer and statue OF the
Holy Virgin. executed by ST. Luke. in cedar wood.
The Empress Helen, mother Of Constantine the
Great. visiting this sacred relic in S07 ordered
sumptuous temple to be erected it, which for
centuries was requented by pious pilgrims to Naza-
reth. The conquest Of Palestine by the Saracens
rendering the veneraton Of Christians longer
practicable tradition informs that the night Of
May 10. 1891 the Holy House conveyed by angels
to Tersatto. the coast Of Dalmatia where its orr
gin having been revealed by the Virgin in vision to
venerable priest. it soon attracted the attention of
al the neighborhood After o sojourn Of three
years and seven months in Dalmatia the house
was again removed by angels and transferred
to TIA y. but for what motive tradition does
not inform US. and deposited in laurel grove near
the town af Recanati. the Adriatic coast. where
1t was discovered by some shepherds and again
miracuously ealed to St. Nicholas, of Tolentino
Pilgrims at began to frequent the solitary spot
but they being troubled by brigands, the Holy
House had to migrate again after only eight months
and selected pleasant eminence about mile nearer
Recanati belonging to two brothers, who began
to quarrel about the proprietorship of the numer-
Gus and valuable presents brought by devout pill
grims to the residence of Mary. The angels there
fore removed the Holy House a fourth time, and to
avoid similar disputes placed it in the middle of the
public road on the spot it stil occupies. the town
OF Loreto having arisen subsequently around 1t in
consequence Of the celebrity OF the shrine. Since
then for nearly six centuries the Holy House has
been the most renowned and frequented sanctuary
in Italy.
A VALUABLE PROPERLY.
Successive popes contributed to its aggrandize-
ment and enriched it with spiritual privileges. while
precious souvenirs of their visits in the treasury
the Holy House. In fact toward the end Of the last
century the riches collected here immense. and
afforded Plus vi. the means of purchasing from
Napoleon I. the peace OF Tolentino What was begun
by the Pope was completed by the French and other
and the cedar statue Of the Virgin sacregiously
removed from its shrine. was carried to Paris and
osity. Plus VII got it back 1902 and since that
period the treasury Of the Holy House has
magnificent offerings '''s Of gold and silver.
sacred utensils. rich vestmcnts. and. above all.
3cwery OF great value generally offered by sovereigns
or noble ladies in grateful recognition Of special
lavors obtained through the Intervention of the Ma
donna Of Loreto 1t will give some idea Of the uni
when say that the present Italian government.
which has displayed the most Unsuitable appetite for
absolutely lott the Holy House in full possession
of all its immovaba and movable property, taking.
however. the prudent precaution OF appointing
m eye on the treasury of the sanctuary. The Holy
House derives from its landed property houses and
other Investments about million OF francs year.
OF which the government gets "a for income tax
alone.
A GLANCE AT THE CEREMONIES.
But must not go too deeply into statistics. for
the deeply melodious tones of Leo x great bell on
the church tower are calling the congregation to
high mass in the cathedral, the piazza Is dcnsely
crowded with wayworn pilgrims from afar and
gayly dressed peasants from the environs. and It
navo, where seats have been reserved for privileged
persons desirous OF hearing Rossinis tho last
composition of the great maestro. hncly executed by
tho cathedral choir. all excellent snesrs and aided
on the present occasion by . soprano OK rare par
foction belonging to the sxtne Chapel Of the yati
the festival Of the Madonna di Loreto. The music
was excellent and admirably performed. otherwise
tho heat of the crowded church would have been
oppressive during the two hours and q half
which it lasted Meanwhile up and down the side
aisles continuous procession Of pilgrims werv pay
ing their devotions to the Madonna In the Holy
House. which is situated behind the high altar, and
to enter which they had to struggle severely,
although only allowed to go in by one door aud out
by another the entrance and exit bcng both guarded
by veterans with drawn swords. always on iuty
round the sanctuary. The house, or rather room,
enclosed by Leo X. in splendidly sculptured marble
walls. had originally only ono door. but Clement
VII. in the sixteenth century, closed it. and opened
three others moro commodious for visitors, one of
which was reserved for access to the fireplace and
the cupboard in which the relics kept and ex-
hibited for the pious vcneration OF the faithful
Several monks seated at desks with registers before
them were inscribing the names of pilgrims who
had bespoken masses tor themselves for relations
or by commission from persons at home who could
not themselves perform the pilgrimage. In fact these
pilgrimagcs are chiefly performed by proxy, which
explains why the pilgrims. especially from tho
metropolitan provinces. are chiefly OF the very low
est classes. win appear surprising that although
those devout wayfarors live In the most sordid
nor, herding together to sleep. with their bundles
under thor heads. under the portico adjoining the
church. or tho bare floor OF barns rooms
without furniture. where they pay soldo each for
nights lodging. and generally eat nothing but
boiled maize dour It is calculated that each pilgrim
spends nifty In Lorcto. either for masses. dis
pensations and indulgonces, or In objects OF devo
ton. medals, rossrcs, &C.. of which thero
cral manufactures in the town, besides An mmerso
importation of the hner sorts from France. Nearly
Gil these purchases made on commission for
persons In easy circumstances In the pilgrims re-
specuve towns or villages, and certificates arc