The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-19

could not be long postponed. But Cardinal
Pecci has outlived him fourteen years.
When he came into the Vatican TO reside it
was not expected that he would remain
there long. He was weak and frail, and the
complications in which Plus TX had in
volved the church were so perpleXing that
no one expected him to survive the labor
and anxiety they involved, but he has never
missed an important duty of his office. His
serene disposition and sublime faith have
carried him through all the cares and per-
plexities that attend the administration of
ecclesiastical affairs. His secretaries say
that when he is in doubt or uncertain he
never fails to find relief in prayer.
POPE EOS WILL.
1t is not generally known that the Pope
made a will as long ago as 1881 A copy of
the document is before me. 1t reads:
Il leave my soul in the hands of God and
of the blessed Mary. l institute as the heirs
of my property my dear brothers, Charles
and John Baptist, in equal shares, enjoining
upon them to have fifty masses said for the
benefit of my soul each year for a period of
five years. after which time they will be
relieved of this duty, although L recon-
mend myself to their love and charity to
help my soul still further. l also impose
upon them the duty of distributing twenty
scudi each year TO the most needy poor of
Carpinoto, my native town. / bequeath TO
my uncle Anthony, as a token of my re-
spect and affection. the porcelain service
which his Eminence, Cardinal Sala, pre-
scented to me-"
This will was made when the Pope was
only twenty-seVen years old, and at a time
when his health was SO poor that he did not
expect to survive many months. Yet he has
outlived every man of his time. every assO-
ciate of his youth, every cardinal that be-
longed to the Sacred College when he was
elevated to II.
The pontifcal jubilee. the twenty-ffth an
niversary of the accession of Leo XIII TO
the papal throne, occurs Feb. 20, 1903, but
owing to his delicate health and also, some
holy see, the pilgrimages usual upon such
occasions will begin a year in advance. The
first. from England, is expected to reach
Rome the latter part of January. TIL ia
cilitfes of travel are so convenient these
days that a religious pilgrimage loses the
ure instead of a sacrifice for people TO come
10 Rome and every effort will be made
TO induce Catholics from all parts of the
world to continue to visit this city and
receive the benediction of Leo XIII as long
as his life is spared. Six centuries ago, in
1900. when jubilee pilgrimages were first
made, more than 5,000.0 600 people came to
the eternal city and laid millions Of treas
ure at the feet Of the sovereign pOntif Of
their church. Some Of them were six, eight
and ten months making the journey and
brought with them all their worldly pos
sessions in order to make sure of the treas
ures that we are told are laid up for US
in heaven. So large an attendance and
such sacrifices are not expected in these
practical days of wealth. luxury and Great
ure comforts. but il is hoped and believed
that the Catholic world will take this
opportunity TO manifest the love and VEN
Grafton in which Leo XIII is held by all
good people.