Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-13
MT. TR0Y'S PILGRIMS
Gathering by Thousands at st. An
thongs Shrine to Receive
A PRIESTS HEALING BLESSING.
Father Nollinger Opens the Feast Of His
Patron Saint.
The LITTLE CHAPEL Is THR0NGED

Isolated far beyond the pale of civiliza
tion or devoid of the proper reasoning
powers is that person who has not heard o.
Father Mollinger, the priest-physician, hi'
cures and his sacred shrine on Mount Troy.
He is known throughout the length and
breadth of the land for his treatment of all
ailment to which the human flesh is he'll
and he has effected cures in cases that have
baff1ed the most skilled scientists and the
most eminent doctors
Father Mollinger's power is exercised at
all times, and for years the afflicted from
every port and cline have come to him
when all others have failed, but the priests
greatest power is believed by many to be
attained on or about ST. Anthony's Day,
during the feast of the Patron
Saint, and at this time thousands of sick,
palsied, MANNED and blind appear before
the healer for treatment The only thing
required of this vast multitude is that they
believe in God and His power through
Father Mollinger and faithfully carry out
the instructions of the latter. For the past
three weeks the pilgrims have been arriv-
ing at Mount Troy by the hundreds, and as
early as Saturday morning nearly all the
choice accommodations had been secured
Pom Picture of Father Mollinger.
The healer is a vigorous, but aged gentle
man; his tall, well-knit form draped in a
cassock. a head slightly bowed encircled by
a terretta, from under which peeps kindly
face wrinkled with years, and chin COM
pletely hidden by a long, heavy beard Of
snowy witness.
Daily he stands before the altar in the
chapel, offering his blessings to
the sick and helpless that reverently bow
before the shrine of St. Anthony. On
Saturday were inagurated the preliminary
ceremonies of the feast of feasts which tor
mally began yesterday afternoon. As early
as o'clock in the afternoon the chapel was
crowded, and at o'clock there was nothing
but standing room for the host OF people
still crowding into the vestibule. These
faithful pilgrims presented picture no.
where witnessed except at Mount Troy.
While some were supported by crutches
and clinging to the arms of some good
friend or relative, others had bandages
across their sightless eyes and were guided
by the hand of wife, son or daughter, and
following in the rear, alone, were many who
apparently, by their emaciated conditions,
had been ill with some racking pain or
acute disease for years past. ALI these
hopeful mortals wended their way into the
haven from which they expect to return
healed both in flesh and spirit.
Up until last evening there were fully
], 200 people at Mount Troy awaiting their
turn or watching an opportunity to be
blessed by the priest, and it is expected
that as many more will arrive before this
afternoon.
Patients Como From the Antipodes.
All or nearly all those who received
yesterday had come from q great
distance and had been located on Mount Troy
for some days longing for the great event,
one young man from Australia being num-
bered among the worshipers. The cere-
MONIES proper commenced yesterday after
emn high mass, followed by the blessings
at the shrine Of St. An
thony. The service was held in
the old chapel and not in the new one as
was expected. The reason for this is be-
cause the latest addition to Mount Troy
has not been formally dedicated,
and it is against the rules and laws of the
Catholic Church to hold services in chapel
that has not been dedicated first by the
Bishop. According to rather M0lHnger
this event will take place in due course of
time, but this morning, by special permit
from Bishop Phelan, the new chapel will
be opened for blessings and to exhibit the
relics collected to the commemoration of
st. Anthony.
In anticipation of the great attendance to-
lay Father Mollinger has erected opposite
he chapel large and commodious house
or the accommodation of guests and
visitors. This building is nearly COM
oleted and ready for occupancy. Here
.an be obtained lodging and table board for
rom 100 to 200 people. The widespread at
ention that the priests cures attracted last |
rear is thought to be sufficient warrant for |
preparing for great crowds this time. Dur |
ng the week in which st. Anthony's Day |
anne last year the boarding houses on the |
Mount could not begin to take care of the |
yisitors. A number of carpenters were busy |
Ill day yesterday erecting refreshment
tands for the big event of to-day. Father
dollinger will continue to bless the sick |
md afflicted every day until the close of
his month, when he goes away for his
lealth