The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-14

peace, preacher of the good tidings,
and guide OF the salvation of the
just"
We can imagine that their parting must
have been very painful, even if triumphant,
for both had known each other for TWEEN
ty-seVen years, having first met at Jerusa-
lem, A D. 81.
THE APOSTLE BEHEADED.
"A little further on the procession was
met by Plautilla, the daughter of the Ro-
man project, Flavius Sabinus. The Roman
maiden, as the legend goes, had accepted
the Christian faith, and wanted to do some
service, however small, for the noble mar
tyr. st. Paul thereupon besought her to
lend him her handkerchief to veil his eyes
at the fatal moment, promising to return
it after his death. The soldiers made no
end of sport at this simple request but
Plautilla, remembering the story of St.
Veronica and the Savior showed her faith
in Paul's promise by at once handing him
the kerchief. And according to tradition,
the holy martyr kept his word appearing
to Plautilla one evening subsequently, while
she was at prayer. The picture of this event
is one of the sights of st. Peters basilica.
st. Paul was beheaded by the sword, ac-
cording to the best authorities, at place
called AID Aquas Silvias, about two miles
from Rome. This place is now known as
1.-THE Three Fountains" and is one of the
most interesting spots in Italy to visit Here
in the heart of Campagna, where King
Malaria holds high carnival, the Trappist
fathers took possession of am old monas-
terry, and here at last succeeded in estab-
fishing an oasis, as it WERE along the Os-
T2y inf Of har0oS r. ind Of
work. and in the face of death itself (Which
at first decimated their ranks, the Trap
pists planted a grove of eucalyptus trees
and literally transformed this gateway of
death into a garden of beauty, actually
making the desert blossom as a rose"
Here, too, are three churches, with their
spires pointing heavenward, and here the
monks hurl defiance at the scourge of the
Campagna-
If ever a place has been redeemed from
DEATH 1.-The Three Fountains has. In
1867 Plus TX gave the convent to the Trap
pists as place to die. and within thirty
years they have not only made it healthy
and salubrious spot, but also succeeded
in manufacturing medicine from the eu-
calyptus bark that completely wards off
malaria.
THE Three Fountains" although lovely
in outward appearance, is really sad spot
Indeed it is the most melancholy place 1
have ever visited in Europe. The closing
hours of st. PauIs life crowd upon you
thick and fast, and the memories of his un-
happy fate make you almost miserable. as
one after another Of the scenes in his
martyrdom are pointed out to YOU
In the basement Cor Vault of the Church
of Maria Scala Coeli you are shown the
little prison pen, dark and dreary, where
st. Paul spent his last night on earth 1t
is hardly big enough for man to turn
around in, and has no doors whatever, only
a small window. In this underground
vault, separated from friend and spat upon
by foe, ST. Paul passed his last night on
earth in prayer and meditation. There is
no furniture, nothing but the cold ground
for the illustrious prisoner to sleep upon.
And when day dawns, death comes.
You leave this sad spot in the most de-
jected frame OF mind, which is only in
creased when you come to the Church of
S. Paolo allie Ire Fontane. Here you are
shown the pillar to which st. Paul is said
to have been bound the block of marble on
which he is supposed to have been behead-
ed, and the fountains which sprung up
when his head fell to the earth in three
bounds crying Jesus! Jesus! Jesusw AL
though in the heart of the Campagna, with
the chances of catching the deadly fever, I
determined to drink from these three foun-
tains at all hazards, and never tasted bet
ter water in my life. The Trappist monk
at my side assured me that there were
really three springs, and not one, and that
the creation of the fountains was miracle
pure and simple
A VILE SPOT.
I shall never forget my trip to 1.-THE
Three Fountains" 1t seemed TO me as if
the vilest spot in creation had been selected
for the martyrdom of this great apostle
And yet his teachings had so influenced the
Trappist fathers that they were able to re-
deem the place and transform 1t from a
habitation Of death into home Of prayer
and praise.
Of course there are busts and bas reliefs
of St. Paul in the several churches as well
as affairs burning with holy incense to his
memory. But shall not attempt a descrip-
ton Of these here. Suffice it to say that
the ground of THE Three Fountains is
thrice consecrated," for part of it covers
the spot where 1900 Christians are buried.
In short, 1.-The Three Fountains is IAN
holy place." and, next to Golgotha, the
saddest place in Christendom. Strangely
enough the Trappist monks are enjoined
by their vows from conversing with one an
other, so that day and night they mediate
only upon the martyr apostle and the
message of his Master. Everywhere is the
spirit Of peace The pax vobiscum Of
Paul vertically hovers over the place.
Tradition says that after the decapitation
the weeping friends of the apostle took his
body and carried 1t off to the catacombs,
where through RAINY ages of oppression the
Christians found refuge for the living and
sepulchers for the dead. Later on, accord
ing to the legend, the pious Lucinda Sc
cured possession of the body and Inferred
it in her own private property. And from
thence it passed into the hands OF the Ro-
man Catholic Church.
The head of St. Paul Is now said to be
inclosed in gold and silver case under
meath the beautiful canopy IN the Church OF
8. Giovanni In Lateran0. This Il known IN