The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-19
by the secretary OF briefs. Here is an
exact translation OF the document:
LEO = y Kill

other lofty qualities OF mind. brought 10
our notice BY the archbishop OF New York,
make you indeed worthy OF the special
document OF our good viii which We SEND
YOU.
Freeing you first from all restrictions
which might otherwise make void these
presents. We. by these letters. and by our
autnority. make, constitute and declare you
We grant that in all public and in private
papers. diplomas and even apostolic let
tiers yu may Dc called and known by this
personal title OF honor. and that you may
enjoy all the honors, privileges. preroga-
tives and concessions which belong and
which in the future may be granted 10
those so decorated, everything 10 the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
Given at Rome, from st. Peters. under
the ring Of fisherman. oct. II. 1901, and
or our pontiheate the twenty-fourth
(Signed) MACH
To our Beloved Daughter in Christ. Annie
The heading LEO p. p. XIII is in heavy
black type. the rest is written by hand in
Latin script. The lines are filed to the
utmost and follow so closely one upon an
other that It would be impossible to insert
n word. particularly as there are no para
graphs. It must be hard work for an old
man to read this kind of writing. still Leo
insists upon going over every official dOcu-
ment issued in the Vatican, word for word.
Between Monsignor Macchi's signature and
the dedication. ito our beloved daughter
In Christ" there is quite a space. merely
Tor etiqUette's sake. y cardinal is a prince
OF the church, hence his signature must be
given all possible prominence when his
titles are omitted. The document belongs
70 the category Of papal briefs-that is. a
letter addressed TO a sovereign, a society
or an individual. Under former popes the
old-time phraseology peculiar 10 bulls
would have been employed. namely. at the
beginning, after the name Of the Pontin,
the word "Episcopus servus servorum Del
Rd perpetuam rel memoriam.' Pope Leo
has somewhat lessened the work of his
Bcribes by cutting out several ancient
phrases. The/edict is dated IN accordance
with the current calendar. that is, from the
year Of our Lords nativity. Bulls, on the
other hand. are always dated from the year
OF the incarnation, ammo IncarnatiOnis
Domini"
SEALED WITH THE FISHERING.
The words Under the Seal Of the Fisher
man. have been used in papaI briefs for
more than a thousand years, and it is
doubtful If. without it. the document would
be worth the parchment it is written on, as
the ring is an Indispensable article of the
papal chancery and serves as the Holy
Fathers signature. Ii is believed to be a
copy OF st. Peters signet ring and bears
NIN LkAN " tAO AAHt bioiAtp VI INpiits
namely, St. Peter. with the Lord i'm the
boat. throwing out the net. This picture
IS engraved on a precious stone set in a
hoop OF pure gold. and all documents re-
1erring to matters of the papal court, or the
church. leaving the Vatican, must have it's
impress.
The decree gives the title conferred in its
abbreviated, collOquial form. 1t really
reads. Countess of the Holy Roman EN-
pire." a style adopted by the papal court
after the Holy Roman Empire OF Ger
man Nationality" was abolished by Ma
poleon. DEGREES of nobility by the holy
Roman Emperor. so called. were regarded
as the most unexceptiOnal up TO the begin
ming OF the nineteenth century, so much SO
that old Jack Churchill. better known in
history as the first Duke OF Marlborough,
never failed to attach the title of courtesy.
'Prince Of Minselheim.' which the German
Roman Kaiser had conferred upon him, TO
his signature. In the case OF Countess
aIackin the title was merely an individual
act Of grace. but ii is understood that Miss
Leary is at liberty to leave the title to her
nearest OF kin IL she chooses. The Holy
Father learned OF the great attachment
that existed between Miss Leary and her
late brother Arthur. whom he would have
been elighted to honor, and himself having
the utmost regard for family ties, he will
recognize any heir to the title she may
name. whether the candidate be a lady or
gentleman. II a male heir is selected the
it'll OF Count Of the Holy Roman Empire
would be hereditary.
WHAT PLEASED THE POPE MOST.
The edIct does not name the works OF
religion and charity that induced Leo 70
ennOble Miss Leary. but Vatican gossip
had it that nothing I'm the beautiful career
of this good woman pleased the Holy
Father more than her efforts and liberality
on behalf OF the Catholic University in
Washington. Miss Leary holds the presi-
oency or the board OF regents Of Trinity
College for Women. which is an adjunct TO
the Catholic University. She gave 100000 to
build the chapel OF NOtre Dame attached
90 the college. and has also endowed a
scholarship at the diocese in honor Of the
archdiocese OF New York. The Pope, the
most learned OF men, particularly esteems
women who lend their energy and fortune
for the advancement of educationary meas
ures.
The Holy Father was furthermore pleased
90 honor Miss Leary because her family
rose to its present eminence through It's
own enorts-Miss Leary's father was a
halter. II can't make her nobler than
she IS" said his Holiness to MOnsignor
Nlacchi, but I can proclaim her nobility
before all the world" Originally, some
overardent friends among high Roman
prelates had asked the Pope 10 make Miss
Leary a princess, but better councils pre-
vailed I'm the end. Seeing that Leo XIII
himself holds only the rank OF count on the
roster OF Italian nobility. Miss Leary's mod
ssty would have prohibited her from ac-
cepting a title that placed her above the
heaG or Leo's Own relatives. the Counts and
Countesses PeccL
The words. Freeing you first from all re-
Etrictions which might otherwise make void
these presents" etc, refer 20 objections
that might be raised against acceptance OF
The title on account OF Miss Leary's repub-
ncan views. or her membership in such
societies as Daughters OF the Revolu-
fion." etc. The Pope expressly says that
such shall not stand IN the way. implying
at the same time that Miss Leary may
continue 10 be a good republican while as
cunning a title of nobility. The pontid has
a perfect right 20 make such a concession
for. though shOrn OF temporal power. his
sovereign prerOgatives are unQuestioned.
USES OF II TITLE.