The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-04
a CHARMING LETTER.
Miss Madeline Kerens Describes a
Visit to the Vatican.

Visit to the Vatican.
From the ST. Louis Republic.
Among the well-known st. Louisans
travelling in Europe now are r. c. Kerens
and his daughters, Misses Katheryne and
Madeline. They were at Nice when last
heard from aud were in splendid health.
During the holidays they were in Rome,
and ON the Saturday after Christmas they
visited the vatican and were honored by
an audience with the pope in person. I'm
mediately after the visit Miss Madeline
wrote a letter to her mother, which was
received few days ago. The many friends
of the young lady will be charmed with her
description Of her visit TO the vatican and
the glories that her eyes beheld. The
Sisters of the Good Shepherd certainly have
reason to congratulate themselves on the in
terest In their welfare that prompted MIR.
Kerens to bespeak for them the pspal bene-
diction on their good work. Not the least
interesting part in the letter is that detail
ing the holy fathers inquiry as to the occu-
pant OF the white house, as though he had
heard the gentleman's name, but was not
quite certain when or where his positive
knowledge as to who was President before
Mr.. Harrison and his inquiry as TO "Mr.
Blaine, the great minister" Following is
the portion OF the letter the Republic is per-
mitted to publish:
Rome, Saturday, Dec. %, 1900 =
This Is day which to US will be forever
memorable. We have Just returned from
the vatican feeling that if there was moth
ing else on this side our mornings expe-
rience would be worth the trip. IL was
scarcely more than dawn when we entered
onr carriage. but as we received the sum-
mons to the vatican only last evening we
were obliged to 60 to confession this MORN
ing, as the invitation read distinctly that we
were to receive holy communion. Late as
it was papa fastened 10 the Scotch college
and made arrangements with priest to be
in readiness this morning.
at was Just o'clock as we entered the
bronze gate and climbed the first grand
staircase. Then we crosses a courtyard and
mounted another fight of stairs ego in all,
as counted them coming down., at each
turn of which was stationed Swiss guard.
with pike, In the queer red, black and
yellow uniform designed by Michael
Angelo. AT last the top was reached and
we were ushered through an immense hall
called "St. Clementine's," which appeared
to be used as guard room, as soldiers were
recreating and lounging on all sides. Next
was the ante-chamber where our WI aps
were taken in charge by a guard dressed in
crimson brocade. Then one of the twenty
led us through magnificent suite Of rooms
to our final destination.
"On all sides were marks Of the old mas
ters. (You know, mamma, that the Vati-
can Gallery contains Raphaels Trans
fguration,' the so-oalled masterpiece of the
world, and one room was covered with tae
most exquisite tapestries / have ever ssan.
In each was large brass brazier filed with
glowing Goals, the only heating apparatus
in the entire palace. The apartment into
which we were shown was about the size of
our parior, containing perhaps twenty
~ H.
chapel, the folding doors of which
were thrown open. After a prayer had
scarcely time to view the brocade-covered
walls, the bronze ornaments and the beaut-
full but small altar before his holiness ap-
peared. DE was attired In white, as he is
generally represented with the exception of
long scarlet cloak, which reached the
ground, aud sleeves of the same color.
Could but describe the feelings awakened
by this first vision of his holiness as he
stood framed in by the marble
doorway with the altar and its burning
lights in the background, aud, as with up-
raised hand, he sprinkled the kneeling con-
gregation with holy water The scene can
never be effaced from my memory. He Is
rather physically weak, being over so years
Of age, and is, ] think, even more feeble
than our venerable Archbishop Kenrick
his face portrays great mental power, and
is even stern in It's firmness; yet his smile
lights 1t up with inexpressible sweetness.
1t seemed that | was In the presence of a
saint who had tasted the joys of heaven and
smiled in recollection thereof, rather than
a man who through all his life had known
hardships, cares and ill-treatment, and who,
| Notwithstanding all, had preserved his child
like faith and pure trust In fellow-man.
During the pontiticial mass we had the
| great happiness Of receiving holy conmup-
| ion from his own hands After this mass
! OF thanksgiving was said by the Pope's
chaplain. Then carved armchair was
placed by the altar, and we were conducted
/ to him.
| mgr. dele Valpe informed his holiness
that papa was friend Of the President of
the United States, whereupon he said:
| "'Mr. Harrison is President now, is he
nota Mr., Cleveland was before him. Then
he added: DO you know Mr. Blaine, the
| great minister
"He was most cordial; placed his hands
on our heads and smiled benignly. He
blessed the articles of devotion which we
had, taking them in his own hands.
"You know, dear mamma, it is CUSTOMARY
for those who are favored with a private
audience to ask some favor, and what do
you think papa proposedl The pope't
benediotioa for the Sisters Of the Good
Shepherd and all the beuefactors aad pro-
moters OF the good work in st. Louis. This
wrs OF course most heartily and cordially
granted, and then we literally bowed our
selves out, for both then and when we oamt
from holy communion we stepped back
ward, keeping our faces TO the holy father.
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