The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1886-07-24
FRA CARLOS CRUCIFIX.
A Marvellous Work Of Art in the Phila'
delphia Cath edra1.
philadelphia Record.]

philadelphia Record.]
An ivory crucifix, upon which the
figure Of Christ is portrayed as He is
supposed to have appeared at the
crucifixion, is among the most valued
works of art at the Roman Catholic
Cathedral in this city. 1t is also ali
object of devotion to many of the
worshipers at the cathedral, few OF
whom probably are acquainted with
its remarkable history. While the
authorities of the Church do not insist
upon their followers believing that
the cruclfix was produced by miracu-
lous Intervention, yet 80 many remark
able facts are presented in connection
with its production as to make it easy
for Catholics to believe that the maker
of this figure received divine assis-
lance. The ivory figure is over two
feet long and one foot wide between
. the hands. 1t Is mounted on a wooden
cross, and is inclosed in glass case,
which rests alongside the Drexei
memorial altar.
The maker of this figure was Carlo
Antonio Pesenti, who was born of
poor parents in 1903 at Genoa, Italy.
From early life he evinced a fondness
fol. religion, and when twenty years
old he started on foot for ROME, but,
after many days travelling, sought
shelter in the monastery of st. Mich
olas, some distance from the Eternal
City. He was told that a pestitence
was at its height in that city, where
upon he remained at the monastery,
assisting the monks at their labors.
His stay was. heightened into years,
and finally he took the vows of brot h
erhood and was given the name of Fra
Carlo. One day, after twenty years of
seif.abnegation and poverty, the monk
was sitting on a knoll outside tho
monastery thinking OF tho Cruciiixion,
when the earth trembled and all
seemed to grow dark. AS Fra Carlo
afterward stated, he could see light
appearing In the distance, which
gradually drew near, and revealed his
SOUPS desire-Christ nailed to the cross.
For days after the disappearance of
the vision he was absorbed in the con-
temptation Of what he had bshetd, and
communicated his experience to his
brother monks, who all believed Fra
Carlo mad been vouchsafed a sight Of
the Cruc,fxlon of Christ. He longed
TO reproduce the scene upon canvass
or In marble, but he had acknowledge
Of art; had never been instructed even
in its rudfments, and was in despair ut
the thought that there was no means
by which he could transmit TO posterity
this remarkable vision,
Filled with pious thoughts he one
day entered cell that he often fire.
quented. Upon the floor he saw a
huge dark object, which proved TO be
an ivory tusk. four feet long by fourteen
inches In diameter, and weighing 1875
pounds. 1t was thought no animal Of
the present age could produce such a
tusk, and no one in the monastery
could explain how it came within its
walls. Fra Carlo determined to take it
to his cell and attempt the feat of
carving the figure of Christ as he
beheld it in the vision. For four
years he labored necessarily, at the end
of which 1lne he gave the world the
figure that is now in the Cathedral.
Crowds Hooked to the monastery to
see the Y"Miraculous Cross" Its fame
reached the leading sculptors and
artists of Italy, who examined it
imitable work of art, of anatomical
accuracy which could not be considered
less than miraculous.
Fra Carlo was finally induced to part
with his image to Mr.. e. Lester, who
was then United States consul at
Genoa, for large sum Of money,
which was devoted to charitable pur-
poses in connection with the mon.-
astery. 1t was brought to Florence at
the suggestion of Mr.. Powers, the
famous American sculptor, who fan.
cied he could improve the eyebrow,
but after having it at his studio he
returned 1t, candidly confessing that it
could not be improved by any artist on
earth, II was exhibited all over
Europe, and the Cosmopolitan Art
Association became its purchaser by
purchasing it from a gentleman who
received it from Mr., Lester for SIC, 200.
1t afterward fell into the hands of
gentleman from Pennsylvania, from
whom Bishop Newman received it,
and upon his death it was transferred
to his successor.