Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-28

work Of art. It Il made Of painted wood
Many legends are told OF this image. At one
time 1t was either lost or stolen. and some time
afterward a tap WINS heard at the door Of the
convent and in walked the Bambino and took
its usual position, The image is believed to
have especial powers in the case Of sick persons
and is often conveyed to bedsides where by the
change of its color 1t foretells the life death
Of the patient.
PRISON UNDER THE CHURCH.
Also near the capitol and the forum stands
little church, which 1 visited with fear and
trembling. Tie church is known as L. Pietro
in Carcere and is built over the famous Man,
mertins prison. To get to the church proper
you go up some flights Of stairs. The church,
however, il uninteresting. By pointing dramat-
icslly TO the ground I made a sacristan under
stand that wished TO penetrate to the lower
regions. He Lit some candles and we started.
Beneath the church are two chambers, one be-
low the other. This 10 what remains OF the old
prison. The upper room is solid enough, but
the lower. which was the prize dungeon Of the
old prison, Is calculated to make Monte Cristo
turn pale. 1t is simply q hole in the ground,
walled in by huge blocks Of stone which meet
In an arch. 1t il not pleasant place to spend
any length Of time, and yet has contained many
famous prisoners and among them st. Peter
himself. In one corner is spring of clear
water and according to the legend st. Peter
caused this spring to flow in order to baptiZe his
jailors. In this dungeon Jugartha persisted OF
starvation, Vercingetoux died mserably and
many other conquered enemies were confined
for years.
Not far from this unique relic is another
ancient double-storied church called Saints
Cessna and Damiano. the lower part Of which
also contains a miraculous spring, which was
called forth by st. Felix. The same church
possesses an image of the virgin, which is said
to have once spoken to st. Gregory and re-
proved him for not saluting it. The image is
not always saluted now, but never speaks.
The Church of Saint Sylvester in Capite has q
number of interesting relics. but its chief glory
has been taken to st. Peters, where many
relics are kept closely under lock and key. This
il nothing less than portrait of the Savior,
painted by himself. During the eighteenth
century this portrait was highly revered.
DECORATED VAULTS.
Not having seen the blood and feet of St.
Lawrence recompensed myself by going to
the Church of st. Maria della Concezione, with
which is connected a large Capuchin monas-
terry. On the front steps of the church five
little urchins were intently engaged in a game
OF cards. They were 40 busy that they forgot
to beg. which leads me to believe that every
little boy in Rome should be presented with a
pack of cards. Inside the church is Guido
Reni's picture Of st. Michael The relic hunter,
however, must look further. We looked further.
We went outside the church and around the
side through stable yard and were admitted
at the back by monk through q narrow little
door. Here was a feast. Here was something
to satisfy the most persistent relic hunter.
Five vaults in row, and decorated vaults at
that. Decorated with the remains of some
5000 of the past and gone monks. Here
were piles OF bones and grinning skulls,
but In what was meant to be an artistic arrange
ment. Pillars Of skulls and ribs. Scroll work
Of clavicles. Here border of spinal
columns, there one of finger joints. In
cowls. 1t was very satisfying. but very gro
tesque. Our guide never smiled. He seemed
satisfied, though. Why not? He was not orna-
mental as q man, but some day he knew his
skull would top one Of those columns and his
spine 60 to finish some beautiful ceiling design
The floor Of the vaults consists of earth brought
from Jerusalem, and when monk dies he is
buried there. In burying the one monk how
ever, the Oldest possessor of a grave is removed
and made into decorations.
After seeing these treasures other relics
rather lost their interest. / was able to recall,
however, that at the Church OF st. Carlo the
heart Of the saint is preserved, while s. Agata
boasts of the heart OF Daniel O'Conneu.
Besides the madonnas, of which l have
spoken. there are large number of others
which have performed miracles ST. Gregory
possesses talking picture of the virgin. Over
the high altar in the Church Of st. Maria, In
Campitelli, is an image of the virgin, which is
said to have stopped the plague in 1856. At
which remained unhurt when the rest Of the
edifice was burned to ashes.
These are only some few Of the relics in
Rome. Some time, when you have a year or SO
to spare, come here and see them all.
T. C,N.