Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-19

An ivory cruciix, 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 Cath
Ollie Cattle dral in this city 1t is also an OBJ
| ject 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
| crucifix was produced by miraculous inter
vention, yet so many remarkable facts are
presented in connection with its production
"a to make it easy for Catholics to believe
! that the maker of this figure received divine
| assistance. The ivory figure is over feet
long and foot wide between the hands. 1t
is mounted on wooden cross and inclosed in
a glass case, which rests alongside the Drexel
| 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
eyinced fondness for religion, and when 20
years old he started on foot for Rome, but
after many days travelling, sought shelter
| in the monastery of St. Nicholas, some
distance from the Eternal City. He
was told that a pestilence was at its
height in that city, whereupon he remained
| at the monastery, assisting the monks at their
labors His stay was heightened into years.
ana finally he took the vows of brotherhood
and was given the name of Fra Carlo. One
day, after twenty years of self sbnegation and
poverty, the monk was sitting on on Knoll
outside the monastery thinking of the cruel
fixion, when the earth trembled and all
seemed to grow dark. As Fra. Carlo after
ward stated, he could see light appearing in
the distance which gradually drew near and
revealed his souls desire-Christ nailed to
the cross. For days after the disappearance
of the vision he absorbed in the
contemplation of what he had be
held, and communicated his experience
to his brother monks, who all be
lieved Fra Carlo had been vouchsafed
sight OF the crucifixion of Christ. He longec
TO reproduce the scene upon canvas or il
marble, but he had no knowl ledge of art, haC
never been instructed even in its rudiments
and was in despair ut the thought that Their,
was no means by which he could transmit Il
posterty this remarkable vision. Filled will
pious thoughts he one day entered cell tina
he often frequented. Upon the floor he saw
huge dark object, which proved to be Al
ivory tusk, four feet long by fourteen inche,
in diameter, and weighing l25 pounds.
was thought no animal of the presen
age could produce such tusk, anC
no one in the monastery eoulC
explain how il came within its walls. Fra
Carlo determined to take it to his cell anc
sttempt the feat of carving the figure OF
Christ as he beheld it in the vision. For foul
years he lsbored necessarily, at the end o.
which time he gave to the world the figure
that is now in the Cathedral. Crowds fiockec
to the monastery TO see the "Mraculou,
Cross" Its fame reached the leading sculp
tors and artists of Italy, who examined i
critically and pronounced it an inimitabl,
work OF art, of anatomical accuracy which
could not be considered less than miraculous
Fra. Carlo was finally induced to par
with his image to Mr.. Z. Lester, who wa,
then United States Consul at Genoa, for
large sum of money. which was voted t
charitable purposes IN connection with III,
monastery. II was brought to Florence a
the suggestion of Mr.. Powers, the famous
American sculptor, who fancied he could i'm
prove the eyebrow. but after having it a
his studio ten DAYS he returned il, candid,
coniessing thst il could not be improved b,
any artist on earth. II was exhibited al
over Europe, and the Cosmopolitan Art As
sociation became its possessor by purchasing
il from a gentleman who received it from
Mr.. Lester for $4,000. Ii sfterward tell in
10 the hands of gentleman from Pennsylva
MIA. from whom Bisop Neuman received it
and upon bis death it was transferred to hi
Philadelphia Record.