The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01
The Last and the Present Jubilee.

Haper's Weekly.
In the summer of 1877, Plus TX, celebrated
the tiftieth anniversary of his accession to the
episcopal Office; on Dec 81, 1S87-a little more
than ten years later-Leo XIII, will celebrate
the fftisth year of his entrance upon the priest
hood. The jubilee of Plus TX, extraor-
binary event. He had exceeded Bishop of
Rome the twenty-five years of St Peter"-nad,
indeed, reigned longer than any other Pope for
800 years. His life had been of many
vicisstudes. He had seen the loss of the tenn
poral sovereignty which the popes had
enjoyed from the days of Chsremagne. Since
1870 he had regarded himself
prisoner, aud had remained within the precincts
of the Vatican. He had declared against
modern civilizations; and modern civilization
as far ideas come into conflict with ideas
was at war with him. Under the circumstances
the object of the sympathy of the Cathoic
world, the announcement Of his Jubilee was fol-
lowed by a wonderful outpouring of gifts, ad-
dresses and pilgrimages. all intended to convey
to him the assurance of the devotion of his fol-
lowers. fAs early 1876 eight thousand Spanish
pilgrims received by him in St Peters;
between April and July, 1877, thousands more
from France, Spain, Germany, and England,
and other countries OF Europe, came TO Rome
with their congra tulations. The United States
and Canada were represented by Populations OF
several hundred Catholic laymen.
Ten years have elapsed, and his successor, Leo
XIII celebrates the fftieth year of his admis
sion to the priesthood under greatly altered
circumstances. The prophet of what was in
tended to be for the Catholic world
has been followed by the diplomatist. To Leo
XIII has been left the task of establishing
modus vivendi with that modern world TO which
Plus TX proclaimed that the papacy would not
and could not be reconciled.- 1t must be ad-
mitted that Leo has succeeded we'll; with Ger
many he has carried his point, question OF
territorial claim he has acted as umpire between
that power and SPAIN and he INDUCES the dream
of becoming again recognized force IN the pol
itics of Europe. On the other hand. no signs
appear of the recovery OF the temporal power;
Italy is secure In it's possession of Rome A re-
beliion against the political dictation OF the
pacy has broken out in this country, which may
may not have widespread consequences. but
is, at least, sign of the times. The fervor or
the Catholic world is not to-day that of 1871 but
Leo XIII will no doubt receive such expressions
CT the attachment of hrs spiritual subjects
will afford him intense qualification.
AS the jubilee of Plus TX. SO in this there
Will be public exhibition in the Vatican OF the
offerings of the Catholic and on-Catholic world.
The Sultan sends an antique pastoral ring set
with precious stones, and valued at sou, OOO The
Queen Regent OF Spain sends ring-one sap
phre-which is valued at SIS. 600. The Emperor
of Germany sends mitre worked in GOLD, and
encrusted with rubes emeralds, sapphires, and
brllliants, costing q, 900 francs, and the EN-
press accompanies this with set of mass vest
ments valued at sc, 900 francs The Empress OF
Austria sends gold tiara costing $50, 900 forms.
The Emper of Austria joined with the ladies Of
Vienna IN sending pectoral cross costing l0O.-
rich presents, including large contribution from
the Empress Regent. The clergy and laity of tn e
archdiocese of Paris subscribed 100, 600 francs
for a tiara. The Syrian Catholics send a cross
and chain costing 1000 rupees. The Pope will
be under obligation to keep all these articles,
but may dispose of them for the benefit of his
exchequer for purposes of charity. It is an
nounced that he will found, in memory of the
occasion, a university and agricultural college in
Italy Dec 81, the anniversary day Leo will
celebrate jubilee mass in the church OF the
Vatican. The will cost 100000 and be on
scale hitherto rnequaled. On Jan. he will
give audience to ambassadors and other repre-
sentatves of foreign powers. Though not q
temporal sovereign. he still regards himself as
one of the crowned heads of Europe. And as
the papacy has always been political, so the
present occupant of ST. Peters chair is not con-
tent with less than treating equal terms with
kings.
Pilgrims had already begun to arrive in Octo-
Ter, deputation of fifteen hundred from France
having reached Rome in that month. The
ual offer of plenary indulgence is made to all
who undertake this pilgrimage of devotion.
America is expected TO furnish several hundred
of the number of pilgrims, and Ireland many
more. Honor will be paid to Ireland at that
time by the laying of the corner stone of a church
in the Eternal City to be dedicated to St. Pat
rick. Bishops and archbshops will lend grace
10 the occasion. saints will be canonized,
and Rome will for few days, but for few only,
be again the center of the civilized world.
A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.