Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-07-28
A SHRINE AND IT'S DEVOTEES.
Some of the Legends About Monte Yer
gine-The Yearly Pilgrimage.

Some of the Legends About Monte Yer
gine-The Yearly Pilgrimage.
Monte Vergine possesses many attrac-
tions The nights behind the convent
command one of the most extensive and
striking prospects in southern Italy. The
Christian church was founded in 1lf9 on
the ruins Of temple said to have been
dedicated to Cybele in a period earlier than
the very commencement of Roman his
tory 1t contains the chapel which Man
fred built for his own resting place, and
which after the battle of Benevento,
Charles presented to one of his followers,
and at once adorned and desecrated with
the lilies of AnjOu. The miraculous pict-
ure of the Holy Virgin, the chief boast of
the sanctuary, was presented by Catha-
rine of Valois; it probably came from the
east, and possesses considerable archao-
logical though no great artistic, interest.
In a word, it is a place that repays inspec-
ton better than many that are more fire.
Quently visited. II is not on this, how
ever, that its celebrity depends; nor is it
for this reason that we call attention to 1t
today.
The yearly pilgrimage to Monte Nergine
is perhaps the most characteristic, as II is
certainly the most peculiar, of all the fes-
tivals of Naples and the districts which
Immediately surround it. number OF
superstitions are connected with the pill
grimage. Most of the devotees bring their
own provisions with them, and if clouds
gather round the mountain tops and rain
threatens it is generally believed that some
one has brought meat up the sacred hill.
The crowd is infuriated. Hsversacks have
to be opened and pockets turned inside
out, and if even the remnants OF a musty
sausage are found upon any one, he is
placed in an unenviable position. Nay, so
far does this feeling with respect to the
sanctity of the mountain go that girls
carefully wash all the pomatum out OF
their hair at MercoglianO before attempt
ing the ascent Strange tales are told
round the field fires of maidens who, hav-
ing neglected to do SO, have been struck
| by lightning before they could reach the
holy place There is generally touch OF
humorous incredulity in the way in which
such stories are related, and Yet half
belief in them still survives. Olive and
other vegetable oils are harmless.
Other and more pleasing traditions sur
round the place at this time. The noun
tain and all the uncultivated country near
are covered with broom, which is usually
| in blossom at the time of the festival. II
| the wheels of a car or carriage by chance
cut off one of the sprays it is certain
omen that any marriageable girl who Is
/ seated in it will find a husband within the
wear To crush without cutting the
branch is an evil augury. Again, if lovers
are separated by the prudence of their pa
rents or any other unkind trick OF fate
they endeavOr to meet each other amid
the crowd which is constantly ascending
or descending the mountain side, and then
they steal away from the rest, and tie the
branches of two different broom plants to
gether. This is regarded as kind o
VOW. if the difficulties are overcome ant
they are united in the course of the year
il is their duty TO return on the next festl
val and unite the knot. 1t is sad to se'
how many branches thus united remalI
uuloosened; nay, how many lie witherint
upon the ground. Is there not what onc'
seemed to the chief personages in thes'
untold stories a tragedy, or at least al
idyl in each'-Saturday Review.