The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-08-06
MONTE vERGiNE.
The Pilgrimage OF Neapolitan Men and
Women to tho Holy Mountain.

The Pilgrimage OF NeapOl1tan Men and
Women to the Holy Mountain.
Avellino and the villa res that lie at
the foot of Monte Vergine can not at
ford accommodation for such an influx
of strangers. Many sleep or try to do
50 in the carriages that have brought
them; others camp out round field
fires. especially near Mercogliano,
which lies close to the foot of the sacred
mountain. Here picture of southern
life may be seen which perhaps no
other place can furnish: but the north
ern youth will do well to remember
that Neapolitans carry their knives
with them. even on their piigrimages.
and that they arc sometimes used for
other purposes than that of cutting
stale bread and raw ham. At the
earliest dawn the sleepers and those
who have not slept arise to climb the
steep ascent to the shrine. where in the
convent square they will find others
who have slept all night in the chilly
upper air without any roof to cover
them. in order not to miss the FIRST
mass. Some in fulfillment of VOW
tread the stony path bare-footed. A
number of supcrstitiOns are connected
with this part of the pilgrimage. Most
of the devOtees bring their own provis-
ions with them. and if clouds gather
round the mountain tops and rain
threatens. it is generally bel eyed that
some one has brought meat up the
sacred hill. The crowd is Infatuated.
Haversacks have to be opened and
pockets turned inside out. and II even
the rem .ants Of u musty sausage are
found upon any one. he is placed in an
unenviab!e position. Nay, so far does
this feeling with respect to the sancti-
ty of the mountain 60 that girls care
fully wash all the p,matum ont Of their
hair at MercOgliano before attempting
the ascent. Strange tales are told
round the field fires Of maidens who.
having neglected to do 50, have been
struck by lightning before they cOuld
reach tn, holy place. There is gener-
ally touch Of humorous incrodulity
in the way in which such stories are
related. and yet y half belief in them
still survived Olive and other veget-
able oils are harmless. Other and
more pleasing traditions surround the
place at this TIM. The mountain and
all the uncultivatctl country near is
covered with broom. which is usually
in blossom ut the time Of the festival.
II the wheels of car - carriage by
chance cut of one of the sprays. it il a
certain omen that any Inarriageble girl
who is seated in it viii find q husband
within the year. To crush without
cutting the branch is Of evil angury.
Again. il lovers are separated BY the
prudence Of their parents or any other
unkind trick of fat,. they endeavor to
meet each other amid the crowd which
is constantly ascen ling or descend ng
the mountain side, and then they steal
away from the rest, and tie the
branches Of two different broom plants
together. This ia regarded as a kind
of vow; If the difficulties are over
come and they are un ted in the course
OF the year, it is their duty to return
on the .zext festival and unite the knot.
1t Is SID to see how many branches
thus united remain unloosened; nay.
how many lie whitening on the ground.
Is there not what once seemed to the
,:hief persouases in these untold stories
tragedy. or at least IN idyl In eaChs
-Saisrday Rssieso.