The Washington critic., 1888-04-21
SEEKING A BLESSING.
DevOut MexicanS on a Pilgrimage
to Rome.
INCIDENTS OF THE JOURNEY.
Interesting Experiences as Related
toa "Critic" Reporter.

Mn Slough, who conducted the
forty Mexican pilgrims, now on their
way to Rome from Mexico, to New
York, is in the city, the guest of Mr..
John II. Magruder.
His story of this pilgrimage Of de-
Vout Mexicans seems almost like
chapter from the history of ages long
gone by.
'The object of this pilgrimage" he
said, ''is to make overtures to the
Pope, looking to the recognition by
the Roman Church of the Church Of
Mexico. Many hundred years ago
there was a rupture between the
parent Church and its Mexican
branch.
"Juarez Augustus, one of MeXico's
despots, seeing the great hold the
Church had on the impressionable
people, tried TO drive the Church out
of Mexico. In fact, the Church
property was a greater power among
the masses than the Government.
Augustus resorted to the most ex-
treme measures to crush the Church,
driving out the priesthood and de-
stroying the nunneries. Ever since
until comparatively recently the
Church and the State have been en-
emies. During these prosecutions
Buenna Ventura Portillo, the head of
the Mexican Church, took refuge in
Italy.
president Diaz has been more
liberal in his views and tolerant of
the Church and the exiled priests
were allowed to return. Among the
first was Portllo. He had spent most
Of his term of exile in Italy, and
while there he had seen the Pope, and
His Holiness seemed to be impressed
with the Mexican, who was granted
number Of audiences at the Vatican.
1.-THE CHURCH OF MEXICO
has never been recognized by the Pope
until recently, when he has shown
some favor to Portillo. Portillo organ
lied this party, which is now on its
way to Rome. 1t is thought probable
that if the Church of Mexico is rein
: stated as part of the Roman Catho-
lie Church that another American
Cardinal will be appointed for Mexico
If Mexico is given a Cardinal it will
undoubtedly be Portillo.
1.-THE party consists of twenty seven
priests, thirty-one women, four chill
dren and number of poems, Aztecs
and others of the lower grades of
Mexican society, l39 in all. The ex-
pedition is designed to represent all
Of the diverse classes that form the
Church of Mexico. The four chill
dren are the sons of educated Mexi-
cans and are being taken to Rome to
be educated for the priesthood. This
band was gathered together by the eff
forts of Portillo, the expenses of many
of the humber members of the party
being paid. The trip through Mexico
was a continual ovation, the devout
people flocking by thousands from
the surrounding country to see the
train pass bearing the pilgrims. Al
one place there were gathered thou.
sands of people, the hills around the
railroad station being covered with
them. The train came to standstill
and, as the Bishop looked out of his
compartment, his hand raised in
blessing, every man in that vast as
semblage went down on his knees.
Through New Mexico also theii
course was continual ovation. Al
Kansas City the City Council gave the
party formal invitation to remain
there twenty-four hours, but as they
desired to reach New York by Ger
tain date they did not have time L
stop but short while. At New Yorl
fhey were received and hidden God
speed by Cardinal Gibbons. Every
where the party met with the warm
est receptions and the greatest enthu
siasm was aroused. They sailed from
New York on the steamer Bolivia las
Monday. They will return not late
than October Z, but large part Of tn
number will remain in Rome bu
thirty days. The return trip will b
more leisurely, and they will visi
this city, Chicago, Kansas City, ant
many other places of interest; in fac
j expect they will visit most of tn
principal cities of the United States
'These pilgrims to Rome took wit
them many very valuable presents
their value aggregating about 5000
900. These will be presented to Hi
Holiness upon their arrival at tn
Vatican. One of the most magniticeT
of the presents is cross nine inche
long, made of heavy filigree wor
in gold, and on the front is eros
formed of rows of diamonds surround
ed by opals. The value of this eros
is estimated at $4,000. Anothe
handsome present is gold snuff-boy
in the top of which is set a portrait {
the Virgin Guadaloupe, the divinit
of the Church of Mexico, which i
their creed is even higher than tn
Virgin Mary"
Mr.. Slough told many interestin
things about Mexico and her people
of whom, out of Is, 900, 900 total popl
lation, but l75, 900 are educated.
On Easter Sunday, the Sunday b
fore the pilgrim party left, the Pa
sion Play was performed in the greI
cathedral, a dummy man made {
wood, representing Christ, beir
sailed to the cross amid the cries an
jeers of the actors, who wore masl
representing Jewish faces. The j
norant people were worked up to
frenzy Of excitement by the pla
which lasted several hours. The
religion, he said, is really more near
Idolatry than religious worship.
r--
Fate oc the HeafHan