The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-15
AT ST. ANTHONY'S SHRINE.
Thousands of Pilgrims from Other States
A Remarkable Scene.


A Remarkable Scene.
PirTsBURdH, June 14.-Thousands OF
pilgrims from all over the United States
assembled at the shrine of st. Anthony
on Troy Hill yesterday. At least six
thousand people were ut Father Moll-
inger's church.
At l2 o'clock the congregation was
dismissed, and the crowd within joining
with the people without made vast u.s.
semblage, who stood with uncovered
heads waiting for Father Moilinger TO
give them the rcliquary blessing. The
scene was impressive one. Upon the
church steps stood the venerable pastor
dressed in long black gown, wearing
the cap and stole OF his order, with his
long, white patriarchal beard blown
about by the wind, giving him pro-
phetic appearance. Below and all
around him stood 5000 people, listening
eagerly to his words and waiting anXi-
ously for the expected blessing. Beside
him stood an altar boy holding vessel
Of holy water and bone, n sacred relic
OF st. Anthony. AS he stretchedou his
hands towards the crowd, with one ac-
cord the people sank upon the ground
on their knees, and the good father in
vOked the blessing of God upon them;
then taking the sacred relic he dipped it
in the holy water and scattered it in
drops upon their heads. Every indivi.
dual in the vast crowd leaned forward
eagerly hoping that at least one little
drop might full upon him and bless him.
Even after this general blessing, many
OF the afflicted followed Father Mollin-
ger TO his residence and demanded that
he bless them. The father came out
and told them that he was worn out and
could not bless them until later, when,
if they would come TO the chapel at
o'clock, he would gladly bestOw bless
ing upon all.
Some marvellous cures are said to have
been effected, many invalids being heal
ed by the laying on OF the priests
hands.
Under the pulpit is n carved image of
st. Anthony, and all day yesterday the
afflicted pushed and jostled against one
another TO kiss the unresponsive lips OF
the saint. Some OF the supplIcants were
on CrutChes, some were partially
and some totally blind some were attlict-
cd with rheumatism, some with paraly-
sis, some with epileptic fits; some were
so feeble that that they Ind TO be carried
to the Saint like the paralytic at the pool
OF Bethesda. Mothers with babes in
their arms, children, stalwart and en-
feebled men, those who imagined they
were afflicted with all sorts OF disease
and those afflicted with none-Crowded
around the Saint that his virtue might
bring health and rest to their diseased
and tired bodies, or favor them happily
in their business ventures.
As the afflicted came up to the image
OF the Saint they would rub their hands
upon it three times, and then three
times upon the part of the afflicted, in
the belief that they would be benefited
or completely healed OF their disorder.
Then they would kiss the image, many
OF them upon tie eyes, cheek, mouth,
hands, while others would kiss it but
once. All seemed loath to leave it, but
the anxious crowd behind pushed them
on. Little children led by their moth
ers, old ladies' assisted by younger ones,
devOut Catholics and Protestants, all
hastcned eagerly forward to obtain, il
possible, the healing virtue OF the Saint
by so gentle mode as kiss bestowed
upon the wooden figure.
The pilgrims are said to be 1000 in
number, aud they come from almost
every State in the country. They were
from New York, Baltimore, Boston,
Chicago, and two from San Francisco,
while hundreds came from near places,
such as Youngstown, Masillon, Clarion,
Canton, BelietOnte, johnstown, Altoona,
McKeesport and from many other
towns.