The Press., 1900-06-14
REV. FIR. GRAGAN ARRIVES IN
 ROME MAY 20, 1900.
Visited Azores, Genoa, Rome.

We set sail from New York May 3, and had very pleasant sailing till about p. m. the following day, when the rolling of the waves gave indication of coming storm. The ship rolled heavily, and we continued to have strong sea for three days.
 On reaching the beautiful Azores, the largest of which being St. Michael's, it was a gladdening sight to behold the sloping banks of green, fertile lands, and numerous fiourishing towns, after voy- age of 2500 miles of sky and sea.
 After leaving the islands we had two days of very rough sea, and during this time one poor sailor fell and broke his knee cap. Fever and inflammation set in, and before twenty-four hours we witt messed the sad ceremony of burial at sea. Sunday at noon we were sailing be- meath the beautiful Rock ofs Gibraltar. The scenery along the coast from Gibral- tar to Genoa is delightful We could plainly see the mountains, valleys, ham, lets and cities along the coast. We land ed at Genoa May 16, and visited many places of interest. Our stay was short, and about 8 p. m. we again began our ocean journey, and arrived at Naples May IS. We visited Pompeii and found it very interesting.
 May 20 we. arrived at Rome, and my first visit was to St. Peter's cathedral found it to be grand, far surpassing my expectations. Great preparations were being made for the canonization of Blessed de La Salle, founder of the Christian Brothers, and Blessed Rita. Sixty thou sand tickets were issued for the cere- mony. Through the kindness of Rev. Err Edwards of N. Y. procured tick ct for seat in the sanctuary.
 On ascension day I entered St. Peters at 7.30 a. m. and remained till 1.3O p. m. As soon as the doors of the grand Bas- ilica were opened there was great rush, and in a few minutes it was filled to it's greatest capacity. About a. m. the pro- cession entered. First came the monas- tic orders and secular clergy, then delega- tions from colleges and basilicas, followed by the vicar-generals of Rome. Then came the banners of the B. de La Sale and B. Rita, followed by many persons oi distinction, then the Pope borne on hls elevated throne, the sedia gestatoria. As soon as the pope entered he was loudly cheered, although orders had been given not to do so. There were 240 bishops, 34 archbishops and 9 patriarchs in the procession. It was the grandest sight ever witnessed, and is far beyond my power to describe. At the offertory o the mass two pieces of bread were pre- scented, one on gold plate and one on silver plate two kegs, one gilded, th' other silvered one containing wine, tht other water. There were also three cages, one containing two turtle doves the other two doves, and the third con tained several small birds. These wer, presented to the pope and blessed before bringing them to the altar Five painted candles were also presented; one of then had an image of the new saints. Th' lighted candle represents Jesus Christ the light of the world; the wax the re suit of the labors of the bee, including in itself what Is beautiful in nature, repre- sents the flesh of Christ born withou corruption, of the Immaculate Virgin the wick represents the soul of Christ The bread offered signifies that the saint! have no other food than Christ in tn, Blessed Euchrist. Wine represents sane tifying grace, and the trials of life ar, represented by the water. The turtle doves denote fidelity, purity and judiciou' use of the voice and love of solitude The doves represent charity, wisdom ant peace. The little birds, inhabitants o the air, remain on earth but short time the saints tend toward heaven, by thei actions and desires; the birds seek to es cape the snares of the hunter; the saint also wish to escape a worldly life. A the end of the mass the pope declared that we may now say St. John Baptis La Sale, pray for us. St. Rita, pra, for us.
 This scene was the grandest, the holi est and the largest have ever witnessed The pope looks quite young for 90 years ) he walked quite lively; his face is no dry and wrinkled as l thought it woult be; he stoops some, but looks as thougl he has many years to live. We all re mained in our places while the procession passed; the pope gave his blessing re peatedly as he was borne along; the peo pie could not resist the temptation t. , cheer him, even in that sacred place.