The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-21
THE HOLY COAT OF TREVES.
,,rrR a. YEARS IT rs AGAIN Bx-
POSED TO THE PUBLIC GAZE

Faith that the heho -
...,. on which tho Cont Has Keen Ac-
,.,t.s for Ages as tho Coat or Calvary.
nr.,rs. Aug. oo.-The garment known as
~. holv GOA, was exposed to view this morn
Wv, Wv In Tho cathedral at Treves. Two Knights
:, Malta I'm iull costume. with drawn swords
:" ,h.,r hands, stood on either side OF the
Iii. enclosing tho holy coat case. which
~. -.. surrounded by tall lighted candles In
s.sasoms caullesticks and surmounted by n
large gold cross.
rhsre was an impressive scene In tho sanctu-
a., durinp the celebration OF high mass. over
. hundred priests assisting In the ceremonies.
pishon Michael Felix OF Treves. in his PAS
,,,,l latter announcing tho exhibition OF the
holy coat says. In part:
"parhaps you will ask mo. my brethren.
,h.,hay tho generation OF the holy relic which
air cathedral possesses is founded on fact,
.h..ber We must acknowledge 1t to be the
a.,t without o seam which our Lord Jesus
Chrst wore on earth. think 1t my pastoral
doty 10 answer this question to tho best Of my
knowledge and conscience
"Accortipg 10 q decree OF tho Council OF
rr.n,. thu bishops are bound. before sanction
ins tho public exhibition Of relics. to hear the
oninion of pious and learned mon. and then to
sys that decision which shall be dictated by
tru,h and pie,y. Truth demands OF us that We
sonads In tho venerable and constant tradition
ef our diocese. that we never accuse our an
esstors OF creduity or OF fraud unless there be
ysry Rrave reasons for doing SO. Such reasons
have never been nut forward. How could
venture to think that my predecessors in the
~ OF St Eucharius had been wanting In the
necessary care and vigilance for q cause
10 emlnently important and holy. that Is,
In examining the authenticity OF such o
relic, and that In spite Of the solemn decrees
Of the Church; how could presume to think
that thoy had kept silence or connived at what
they knew to be fraud? Just at those times
when this relic commanded more than usual
attention we find that the church Of Treves
Ms ruled by excellent bishops. such as Egg
bert Poppo. Eberhard. Ugo. Bruno. sons Of
very noble families. pious. sanity Archbish-
opa prominent by their education as we'll as
dstln auished BY their sacerdotal virtues. And
bit likely that men like those should have ig-
aored all the DEGREES Of the Church concern
iss tho veneration OF the most prominent relic
u their cathsdrs and have behaved frivolous
yin so important matter? No: the piety
which we owe to the stainless memory Of those
Hlnces Of the Church shrinks from such sus-
pieion. Simple fairness forbids such an impu-
tation.
lam certain that would not for oil the
world coo pei rate In such fraud. In such a de-
esption concerning tho devotion OF my people.
Watching over the very old tradition OF my
Cathedral Church. and over the reputation
and honor Of It's pontitfs. must adhere to the
selviction hnve-that these traditions rest
upen truth. that the Archbishops OF Treves
lsither erred nor were deceived.
But In order to satisfy reasonable inquiries
sld to solve some doubts. ordered careful
examination OF the holy coat before 1t was
solsmnly exhibited. In the presence Of the
chapter Of the cathedral and some com petent
judges. this examination took place last sum-
MGR and lasted several days. The result was
that thsre was nothing found that contradicted
the old traditions OF the Church Of Treves.
Toward tho latter part Of tho summer Of
1874 We beheld wonderful spectacle in old
Trsves More than one million OF people OF
oil professions and OF all countries were
iournsying in vast crowds to this cathedral
that they might venera,e our Lords holy coat.
Neither distance nor the difficulties OF the
journey did they shrink from. They hold
Themselves Am ply rewarded for their lnoors IL
for some moments only they might see the holy
MY late predecessor. Bishop. Arnoldi. pro-
s ln., 70 the eafhed1ai to all people: and
mighty himself. through many miraculous
cures, notified to the world how acceptable the
devotion to the holy coat was to Him. Hence
] may confidently invite you. my dear broth
rem to yenerats this relic as our Lords seam
loss coat. and it is consolation to mo to be
s'ssa N #. .ss ,s Of the
so!emnily which in times past has brought
forth 80 many blessings
Ihe Bishop declares that tho only aim Of tho
SIhibitton ia" to revive the faith in and the
love toward our Divine Saviour" and fervently
EFFORTS the Church to the end that the period
a." This grace. he urges. is to be- pstitioned
Christian CHI SsnaneeS Tho least should Be csle:
Olsted 10 the SD rit OF our forefathers. Not
Out OF curiosity. not for amusement. did they
f come to o9r cathedral: but they followed the
1--we and to ssG
The !oly coat. is, distinctly, visible in the
plainly sesn than upon the former ocoa. ON 9 81
Y, exhibition, The old silken covering being
E ~ 40 entirely worn away. y appears to-day
TsEvEs. HSs. a0.-Tho scene In the cathedral
"a tw..s motley one. English, tourists in light
suSSo sniis and rrussAn :fcrs In
R'onnsat IN the sr"wd. ne sSsrviss with
mpsraon Of tho 10 rerrese f
seciesiastics. seemed OF the character Of o
The unveiling Of the. re,io evidently m AIDE
seepiy devotional impression on the crowd Of
Eoiisnlnpers. Many wore oyerpoworod by their
.so.nes. Several women tainted. There wa,
kReneral movement OF the crowd. prompted
~ cuflos'y as well az religious fervor. Tho
naocesalon past the shrine OF the pilgrims.
nVN o. whom handed rosary or crnciix to
aHehdant PRESS for contact with the relic.
vas accon,panIed by a low hym OF paternos:
s ssis ana AYES, Among the pilgrims Ar" aged
plant. ''0AA eo'' wa
outside tho, cathedral there was a busy
seSss u which PROFESSIONS. with banners and
;nu sac throngs OF visitors and vendors OF Iho-
ttSSss,,aphs: rysati.s. and images. who had a
'nrTthslhg trade. all contributed.
=, Auels were some scenes OF disorder owing
W SoMewhat violent attempts made to gain
sGy access TO the cathedral.
.nssnop horlm, in his address to tho as.
ZOO multitude. earnestly urged the faith
vhtt3b unite III generating the garment. from
"IfWn power and virtue proceed.
,ntst mo nayo OF the cathedral was cleared
s,e,mlunlcpa authorities and thelparochial 30
HT hheN were the ilrst to march up 10 the shrine
v,siL,cNvssi 10 overcoming with pilgrims and with
~ au The streets nre filled with professions
AZ User ptlpn-. and sacred banners, cross
sids "aa lighted candles are to 10 seen on ali
s,bL9qttIne tho whole time the holy coat Is on
iaruont,on about twenty excursion trains q
for' WI arrive at Treves. Q very great number
isrnsnon tlnental city, and a large temporary
vr,moau station has been built for the pill
Svarn... out IN order that tho town may not be