The Irish standard., 1893-09-30
| SACRED SPOT.
The Franciscan Church of st. Isl
dore in Rome is Such to
Irish Pilgrims.
ERIN,S WESTMINSTER ABBEY

ERIN,S WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
Irish Missionaries Were Educated
in This Famous Monastery Dur
ing the Penal Days.
There are few spots of deeper or more
sacred interest to the Irish pilgrim in
Rome than the historic church and
monastery of st. Isidore, says Very Rev.
Michael Phelan in the Sydney Austria
lia) Freeman's journal. What mem Dr.
les are entwined around this small clus-
ter! For centuries heroic bands of Irish
Franciscans went forth from these clols-
tors to brave the terrors OF the penal
times and keep alive the flame Of faith
in the hills and caverns. When the dark
cloud Of gloom, with it's blood-red fringe,
hung above the isle OF sorrow, a brave
band of her devoted children formed for
themselves fortress here, from which
they made gallant sallies on the powers
of persecution and cheered the hopes OF
the oppressed. Thousands of st. Fran
cis' valiant sons went forth with their
blood. Under this roof noble Irish ref
ugees found shelter, and the holiest and
bravest Irish ashes are resting today in
it's vaults. Here, too, is reverently pre-
served the victor sword of Benburb that
in the royal hand of O'Neiu flashed
hopes across the face OF struggling Ire
land. 1t is q treasure house Of Irish
memories, and the temple whore the
twin flames of Ireland's faith and nation
ality for ages burned. Like that land il
has, indeed, checkered history. In 1922
it was built by Spanish Franciscans.
When they removed, the sanity Father
Luke Wadding bought it as house for
the education of Irish missionaries dur
ing the penal times just then in full
swing. Three other Franciscan monas-
teries on the continent were devoted to
the same glorious mission, ,one at Prague,
another at Louvain, and the third at
Boulogne. So to these houses for many
long ages had the hunted Irish priest
hood to look for recruits in times when
the tonsure was the true figure aud fore
shadowing of the thorn crown. What
wonder the Irish Catholics of to-day bow
in reverence before their sacred dust.
We're it not for these and similar institu-
tions under Gods grace, how much IRISH
faith would be quickening the world to-
day?
st. Isidore's begun under the fostering
care of Cardinal Ludovici, and from the
beginning Of the seventeenth to the Sec
ond last year of the eighteenth century
it went on fulfilling it's noble mission.
In 1898 the French infdels seized it and
the inmates were expelled; yet it was
guarded by friend and was handed
over once more to the fathers at the re-
storation of Plus XII. 1t continues to be
the convent of Irish Franciscans, who low
ingly cherish the memory of the sainted
patriot, Luke Wadding, to whom they
and Ireland owe so much. This remark
able man was born in Waterford, and
like his illustrious fellowtownsman.
Thomas Francis Meagher, was the son OF
a merchant. From his mother he ihher-
tied the sanity blood Of the Lombarda
she was nameeake and q near rels-
tion to the archbishop and primate of
that name, educated in Spain" He
came to Rome, bought st. Isidore's, OBJ
tained from >Urbans VIII. permission for
Archbishop Fleming, whose splendid
portrait is still preserved, to ordain
..titulo MISSIONS" and supply priests to
the prosecuted Irish people When in
1642 the Irish Catholics made one Of
their. determined efforts to burst their
chains, Luke Wedding was the life and
soul of the movement. He collected
money for the struggle in thousands,
He went from army to army on the con-
tinent wherever there was an Irish sol
dier, beeeeching them to return and offer
their swords for Ireland's cause. At his
request the "Royal Pope" Innocent sent
John Baptist Rinuccini as nuncio to the
confederate chiefs at Kilkenny. Nor did
the papal delegate come to the Marble
City empty-handed From the fiery
Wadding he brought $4,000, from the
Holy Father 10000 muskets, 1000 car
touch belts, 1000 swords, and 1000
pounds OF powder.
The Irish confederate council petit
toned Urban Will to raise Father Wad-
ding to the cardinalate. but IN the swift
march OF events heaven claimed the rri-
vilege OF encircling the head of Father
Luke with q fadeless crown. ss s5
The brightest hopes of Ireland were
again dashed to the ground. Owen Roe
fel, treason triumphed, and the agony Of
= nation began under the ruthless terror
f Cromwell. Ihe brave heart of Wad.