The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-02-24
POPE LEO'S JUBILEE.
THE IMPORTANT EVENT WILL TAKE
-.' PLACE IN MARCH. E...~

CORONATION 60 be marked Dy mo&n1uCent
Services In st. Peters Church-Some In
teresting Facts About Leo XIII.
The pope's jubilee will soon be cele-
brated in the city of the Caesars Last
year Victoria was the cynosure Of all
eyes. This year the Vatican will have
the attention Of the civilized world. In
short, 1898 will be the occasion for
much rejoicing among Roman Cath
olics everywhere. Not only does the
pope's birthday take place in March. but
also the celebration of his coronation.
In accordance with the canons and GUS
toms of the church these events are
marked by magnificent services in st.
Peters and also by appropriate cere-
monies among the faithful" through
out Christendom.
Leo XIII will be just SO years old on
March 2. And, curiously enough, ON the
following day, March 8, occurs the
twentieth anniversary of his elevation
to the apostolic chair. Indeed the year
opened with appropriate services. For
on Jan. 2 the aged pontif observed the
sixtieth anniversary of his first celebra-
ton OF mass. The gift of the United
States at that time was diamond cross.
The queen regent of Spain sent mas
sive gold and jeweled goblet; the EN-
peror Franz Josef of Austria, so, 900
forms, and President Faure of France,
six beautiful Sevres vases.
The pope is now but five years away
from the proverbial .'years of st. Pc
ter" According to the Catholic church,
the first bishop of Rome presided over
the destinies Of his flock just quarter
of century. It is seldom that su-
preme pontiff can celebrate the twenti-
eth anniversary of his coronation. And
only once has it happened among the
25S popes that the "years of St. Peter"
were reached. This exception was in the
case of Plus TX, who found himself the
center of worldwide demonstration of
loyalty when he attained the twenty
fifth anniversary of his papal elevation.
The long life of Leo XIII is largely
due to the fact that he is an enthusiast
for frugality. In addition to this, he is
one Of the most accomplished popes that
have ever adorned st. Peters chair. Not
only in church polity, but also in poetry
and philosophy has he stamped his name
indelibly upon the pages of history.
Small wonder is it then that the faith
full" in every cline are preparing to re-
new their homage to the holy father.
Nor is it surprising that the jubilee
should be celebrated with all the pomp
becoming prince of the church and all
the pageantry BETTING pope.
The pontificate of Plus TX was the
longest in history and was terminated
in 1878. On Feb. he gave his last al
locution to the cardinals, and five days
afterward died very suddenly. On Feb.
Is the sacred college met in solemn con-
clave, and two days later Cardinal
Joachim Pecci was proclaimed the new
pope, under the name of Leo XIII. The
coronation ceremonies took place in the
basilica of st. Peters, March 3, 1878.
Leo XIII celebrated the tenth ami
versary of his coronation with elaborate
ceremonies in 1888. All the rulers of
the world, except the king of Italy, sent
beautiful gifts. President Cleveland's
present was peculiarly appropriate, be-
ing copy of the constitution of the
United States. Brazil, in honor of the
jubilee festival, freed several thousand
slaves, which pleased the sovereign
pontif so much that he sent the prin-
cess regent the golden rose, mark of
great honor.
The Emperor William also took ad-
vantage of the papal jubilee to pay a
visit to the "prisoner of the Vatican. I"
William, however, did not commit him
self to an amelioration of the pope's po-
sition. But Mr.. Gladstone wrote let
ter to the Marquis de Rise, which Gre
ated sensation. In 1883 public opin-
ion did not seem to be averse to the SUBJ
mission of the "Roman question" to an
international tribunal.
It will be interesting to know Just
what will occur at the coming jubilee
and what kind Of a gift President Nc
Kinley will send the supreme pontiff.
There is growing disposition in Eng
land for the established church and the
Roman Catholic church to "get to-
gether," but no union is likely to be
accomplished in the nineteenth CEN
fury. Nevertheless. Leo XIII is laboring
for the unity of all Christendom and
firmly believes that it will be one day
accomplished.
1t is customary at every jubilee for
the pope to deliver an encycIical, set
ting forth what he has accomplished
and what he aims to accomplish in the
future. Plus TX in 1871, at the twenty
fifth anniversary of his pontifcate,
granted plenary indulgence, described
the more important acts of his reign
and declared the dogmatic definition of
the Immaculate Conception. Leo XIII,
at the tenth anniversary of his corona
ton, in 1883. made a vigorous speech to
the cardinals, insisting on his temporal
independence. What the pope will say
in 1898 is a matter of some speculation,
but, Judging from the hints that are
dropped by the Vatican encourage from
time to time, there is reason to believe
that Leo will again insist on temporal
independence, and that in the event of
not obtaining this he will favor larger
Italian unity under the form of re-
public. In other words, the Roman
question" like Macbeth's amen, will
not down, but promises to plague the
Quirinal as much now as it ever did
Eranoie Loon Hhr;cman in St Tor;c