The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-09-08

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1t is claimed that one result of the
action of the Pope has been toarouse
the public sentiment in Italy in favor
of the Queen and the new King, and
thus to intensity the animosity between
the Church and the state. A policy OF
reconciliation at this time between the
Vatican and the Quirinal would have
had a different effect But it may be
Just as well to be reminded again that
there can be no compromise on this
point. Rome may have been wounded
to death. but it dreams of the time
when its death-wound shall be healed,
and all the world marvels thereat.
The Deseret Evening News, in the
above editorial, gives the impression
that the HOLY Father, as protest to
the loss of the temporal power, would
not allow prayers for the deceased King
of Italy. The charge is misleading and
unjust. In the Catholic sense the
highest form of worship is the sacrifice
of the Mass. It is a public worship of
the church. and in the case of de-
ceased members, as a mark of honor,
has no substitute. When the remains
of King Humbert were carried from
Monza to Rome they were in charge
of a priest. who acted as custodian of
the Iron Grown. At the depot he was
met by Father Ferrini, pastor of Santi
Vencenzo de Anastasio. who, in his Off
cial capacity of parish priest of the
Quirinal, received the body and blessed
it. In the very district of the Popes
palace, and without protest, shows the
gentle Interpretation of the laws of the
Church. as we'll as the large liberation
which he extends all her deceased
members. After the remains were car
ried to the church a Mass of Requiem
was sung by the Archbishop of Genoa.
He was not acting in opposition to the
Holy See or Catholic rules and regula
tons
In the funeral procession were
priests. prelates and friars; also two
entire Roman confranities, whose sDe-
cial duty was to show mercy to the
dead More than 100 friars, living in
Rome. and members of Roman commu-
mites, chanted aloud the public prayers
of the dead. These were prayers which
the church sanctions by usage. The
official capacity of the friars was one
of mercy. They were Joined by the
other priests and prelates in chanting
the prayers. Mgr. LAMA, royal chap
lain. and Don Odirisio Piscicelh Taeg-
gi, Grand Prior of the Benedictine
Royal Basilica at Bari, marched in the
procession and united with the chanters
in the prayers for the dead. Over the
portals of the Pantheon was inscribed
a prayer and, as the procession entered,
Archbishop Reggie of Genoa awaited
their arrival in the somber draped
portico ready to commence the solemn
requiem.
From beginning to end there was no
denial of prayer, no lack of sympathy.
The official religious manifestations,
performed with the approval of the
Holy Father, were sincere outpourings
Of the heart and in no sense hypocriti-
cal cants. The Italian heart, appreciat-
ng the honors done to the murdered
King, was not slow in expressing its
good will. This aroused the Jealousy
and envy of the anti-clerical party. who
never fail to attempt exciting and per-
oetuating the feud between the Church
md state.
The Kings speech from the throne
Aug. II shows no i'll will or that an
lffront was intended in refusing pub
icly to adopt the heartfelt prayer of
lis SANITY Mother. After being sworn,
lie said:
Having grown up in the love of re-
igion and the Fatherland, invoke God
is a witness of my promise that, from
oday forward. I offer my heart, my
mind and my life for the greatness and
he prosperity of the Fatherland."
Those religious sentiments, together
With the religious services and ceremo-
lies at King Humbert's funeral, were
90 much for the unbelieving Italian
mind, and in the hope of counteracting
is effect not only misrepresented but
lied about the whole mat
er.
No one knows better than the editor
f the News what very small minor
ty, through lying or misrepresenta-
ion, may accomplish, when done in
he sweet name of religion and under
he guise of charity it's consequences
re intolerance and hatred
The Pope never intervenes and pro-
ibits a prayer in private; in fact. the |
cry contrary is the teaching of the !
'hurch. The soul that pours out it's |
ove to God and expresses its sorrow |
or offending Him, like the Publican, |
; considered the most prayerful soul. |
Words used will not render prayer eff !
acious if the heart is cold and not in |
with the form of prayer
sed
True prayer, so happily and forcibly
by a morning contemporary,
! "a heart message" Any heart mes
age, no matter by whom expressed. /
ven Publican, if it strikes a respon-
i've chord in the heart of another can.
l private, be uttered by him, and the !
ope would never prohibit the same.
he News may be assured that the
ope does not prohibit private prayer
tut when it comes to public prayer or
doping as its own approved form Of
ublic prayer, no matter by whom COM
osed, it is quite another thing. The
-nguage of a prayer may be opposed
} doctrinal teaching, or opposed to
atholic principle.
The Church could not adopt such
rayers into her public liturgy.
Some .pious souls weighed down by
PROV may compose a prayer cannon
ing their departed beloved ones.
hich,if adopted by the Church would
,andalize the faithful. Would the