The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-21


inches. which is little more than the
ancient sacred cubit," so called because
the Jews adopted that measure for their
temple. There are two windows, one in
each of the small sides Of the building.
The door of cedar wood and about six
inches in diameter Is secured by an UNI
hewn beam drawn from one side of the
opening to the other and resting in sockets.
The little house is divided into two equal
parts by a brick wall resting on blocks OF
stone. The granite floor is worn smooth
by the feet and knees OF pious pilgrims that
have worshiped here for the last 200 or 800
years, or perhaps a thousand years and
longer. according to the belief Of the native
Christians. The brick wall and the ce-
mented portions OF the side. front and back
walls are now black with age. AS inti-
mated, there are no decorations, at least
no stationary attempts TO rob the little
house Of its quaint interest by gaudy &C
cessories, foreign 20 it's character-only
two or three banners sent not long ago by
a pious lady from Rome, who heard about
the discovery OF the place from cardinal
20 whom she is related.
The east room, looking toward the rising
sun. is commonly supposed to have been
Mary's. as it contained the fireplace and
remnants Of small cupboard. These lat
ter have been sent TO Rome for comparison
with furniture known to date from the be-
ginning of the Christian era in Asia Minor.
APOSTLE JOHNS ALTAR.
The adjoining chamber is two or three
feet larger and on the floor rests gran
Ste slab, some eight inches in thickness
bearing in the center an ancient Greek
.c&of QCh
side.
This is believed TO be part Of St. Johns
altar table, explained the vicar. THE
indications are that 1t rested on wooden
piles which. in the course of time, wasted
away and broke down. In all probability
the apostle said mass here while his con-
gregation consisted only OF few followers
The bell tower strengthens this belief. And
in later years. when he had cathedral
IN Ephesus, he doubtless continued to hold
divine service here for the Virgin, who
could no longer go to the city when she
became old and feeble.
."The prior of St John when he dis
covered, or redlscovered, the house on July
q. 1891. found nothing but the altar stone.
the remnants of the cupboard and the fire.
place." continued the reverend gentleman.
.'The natives told him OF records on stone
and burned clay that existed ever so many
years ago; but there was nothing to sub
stantiate the story save that 1T was en-
craven on the minds of the native Chris
tians, who declared that they heard it from
their fathers and grandfathers, and that it
was a legend current from time imme-
morial.'
but how do you account for ii that this
Citations must be dear to every Christian,
especially every Catholic. is not a general
place OF worship for the Christians of the
Orient?" asked your correspondent
Look at these people toiling up the steep
mountain side" exclaimed the vicar.
..Mary's house is their sanctuary; they
believe in it; they worship it their great
est treasure. We Catholics of Smyrna do
house on, behalf of the church until Rome
has spoken.
"As already mentioned, the prior of st.
John, who rediscovered the edifice, is ne
gotiating with the Propaganda for its
recognition, but matters like that submitted
70 the Vatican authorities move slowly.
very slowly. About three months ago the
prior received an order to send in second
have promised to deliver into the hands of
the project of the congregation. We un-
derstand, though, that the case might have
been brought to a conclusion before had
n not been for the long illness, followed by
the death, of Cardinal Ledochowski His
Eminence was extremely interested in the
newly found Santa Casa, but some of the
papers submitted to him by our authorities
to have
prior is making new effort on behalf OF
this little house."
Several pilgrims had approached the vi
car while he was talking TO me- When
moved aside to inspect the altar plate they
piled him with questions. Had this
stranger come to take away their house?'
"They would not allow it, nor would they
permit the removal Of any part OF it." 'Ths
house had been theirs from time imme-
mortal and the Pope himself had no power
over it," etc.
The vicar translated their talk to me
"You see the difficulties that may grow
out OF the official recognition OF the house. >
ne said. IF Rome after due deliberatior
and Investigation established a second Lo
reto On this mountain good Christians in al
parts Of the world would insist upon turn
80 ~ iAeN a dSdSuIS CHeSls HOlnlnS unQel
the sun would be too good for its adorn
ment. But such would arouse the covct
BUSINESS or the non-Christian population
and there would be trouble at once. How
could the Smyrna church defend {
sumptuous sanctuary in this barren neigh
borhood peopled by beggar tribes? No. no
I think II would be better to leave the
house of Mary as it Is and was-poor, an
example OF simplicity and frugality."
STORY OF REDISCOVERY.
Here follows the story OF how the prio
of st. John In Smyrna came to set out foj
zhe mythical House OF Mary:
Twelve years ago 1 fell to reading Tn,
works of Catherine of Emmerich, as trans
cTibed by her confessor and biographer
the Rev. Brentano.
Catherine was peasant woman. Twin,
In small Westphalian village. She wa
known In her province as a seer and com
monty regarded as a saint.
"Brentano asserts that she could nelthe
read nor write. never having had an,
schooling whatever. She never left her ma
tive hamlet. yet in her discourses dispIaye,
most intimate knowledge of holy land
though deriving her information on Pales
tine solely from the biblical stories read {
her. or referred TO in the scant religious In
struetions she had received.