The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1903-07-23


subsequently found such notable ex-
preston not only In his encyclicals and
ecclesiastical work. but In the higher
plane Of poetry. He obtained In 1881
the degree of doctor of divinity and
entered the Academy Of Noble Eccle-
siastics to study law and diplomacy
and thus qualify himself for joining
what may be termed the papal diplo-
matte service, and became conversans
with the system OF the spiritual gov
ernment.
In 1887 Joachim Pecci received the
sub-deaconate and diaconate. and on
March IL OF the same year Gre
CORY XVI made him domestic pre-
late. his first promotion, with the title
Of monsignor.
On December %, 1887, he was or
dained priest by Cardinal Odescalchi,
saying his first mass in the chapel OF
st. Stanislaus at the Jesuit Noviclate
Of ST. Andrea. Early in 1888 Mgr.
Pecci was named governor OF the papal
province Of Benevento, and. like Six
tus v, busted himself with the suppress
sion of brieandage.
The young ecclesiastic. in 1SA3, was
called TO exercise his talents In more
important post, being Consecrated
bishop Of Damietta, IN Partibus, and
sent to Brussels rs papal nuncio. 1t
was as representative Of the Vatican
In the Belgian capital that he first
gained the political insight and expert
ence which have been one Of the prin.
cipal characteristics OF his tenure of
the pontiflcal throne. Mgr. Pecci re-
mained over three years in Belgium,
and on his recall to Italy was decorated
with the Grand Gordon Of the Order OF
Leopold.
After leaving Brussels the nuncio
paid a visit to London. This was in
February, lS46, and in the same year
he was consecrated archbishop OF Pc,
rugia. He continued In this position
for the 80 years which intervencd be-
fore his election to the highest position
in the church, his tenure OF the episco-
pate coinciding exactly with the 81
years Of the reign Of Plus lX. Such
success did not pass unnoticed, and In
1880 Mgr. Pecci was elevated to the
dignity OF cardinal priest
At the consistory held In 1877 Car
dinal Pecci was appointed csmerlingo
Of the Roman church, which gave him
chief charge Of the temporalities OF
y41x In
to his task to make the necessary ar
rangements for the conclave for the
election of a new pope after the death
OF Plus IX. in February, 1878. The
conclave lasted So hours, and at the
third ballot Cardinal Pecci was elect
ed supreme pontin and took the name
Of Leo XIII. after the famous Pope
Leo X, for whom he had great ven-
GRAFTON. He was crowned on March
with the tiara, or triple crown. the
ceremony taking place not in st. Pc
ter's. where all his predecessors but
one had been crowned since 1855, but
IN the Sistine chapel in the Vatican,
where the conclave had been held.
Public opinion regarded the new
pope as characterized above all things
by a love of peace, and 1t was expected
that, departing from that non possI-
mus policy Of his predecessor, he would
speedily conclude compromise with
the Italian government, and thus put
an end to the antagonism between the
Vatican and the Quirinal. But the
world was soon undeCeived, and in his
first encyclical, promulgated at the
Easter following his accession, Pope
Leo XIII unhesitaunsly maintained
| his demand for the restoration OF the
temporal power of the papacy, nor did
he ever recede from the position then
taken ".
The principal events during his
reign az pope were as follows:
Revived Catholic hierarchy in Scot
land. March 4, 1878.
Encyclical condemning communism.
socialism and nihilism, December 2S,
1875.
Encyclical against heresy, socialism,
November S. 1882
Recognized unity Of Italy, October I,
1883.
Encyclical condenning liberalism,
November 8, 1855
Celebrated golden jubilee, 1887.
Celebrated grand jubilee. 1883.
Encyclical on socialism and labor,
May lG, 1891.
Celebrated episcopal jubilee, Febru-
ary, 1853.
Issued appeal TO England for reunion
of Christendom, April 4, 1894.
Celebrated Goth Anniversary OF his
first mass, February IL. 1898.
Declared 1900 9 year Of universay
Jubilee, May II, 1899.
Held consistory and created II new
cardinal June 1s 1893.
Celebrated S0th birthday, March 3,
1900.
Issued jubilee encyclical 20 prelates
condemning evils vi the day-his So
called last testament, March 2S,lsO2.
Celebrated pontifca. jubilee. March