The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-09-16
THE WORSHIP OF RELICS.

!
altaton Of the Holy Cross. The devotion takes root
from the historical incident related of the reign
! OF Constantine. This mighty ruler Of the empire
OF Rome, on the of an impending battle be-
held cross III the heavens surrounded by blazing
letters I'm Hoe Signo Vinces," meaning that
through that sign the emperor would be victorious
over his enemies. Tradition relates that the Wis
ion of the cross and the prophetic words did not
disappear until the battle was over and the Ro-
mans in pursuit of the enemy. Impressed with
the event and its significance, Constantine at once
embraced the Christian faith, and from that very
! day began the decline and final extinction of
pagan worship of the Roman gods.
From the earliest period Catholics have exter-
nally revealed their love and veneration of the
cross. 1t is visible i'll every nook and Granny
where two or more people yneet to repeat their
devotions. No hovel so lowly that shelters Cath
Ole family without its cross; and though the roof
may be sold over their heads that family would
go hungry before parting with its cross.
Walking along the highway, the stranger has no
doubt about the building that wears cross at
the top. Right away he concludes it is Catholic
church something else conducted by religious
orders of Catholics, and nine times out of ten he
the cross Oh their church spires, but usually it is
one to be distinguished from the plain cross on
the Catholic church. Up to within century
Protestant public opinion has been against the
cross, although it then, as it is now regarded
as the brightest jewel among the baubles of Free
Masonry. The principal objection to the cross
was not to spite the Savior who died upon it but
to emphasize Protestant opposition to objects of
Catholic devotion and to justify their claim that
Catholics bestowed upon such objects pagan sort
of worship.
But we live in more enlightened age. Other
sects than Episcopalians are blinking at this
worship" Of the cross. Not over year ago a
cross was put upon the spire of Baptist church
IN Ohio, although of the deacons protested that
ne would rather beer barrel i'll its place. The
new Presbyterian church on Brigham street in
this city also shows attempt at coquetting with
the cross. While person might say it was not a
Catholic Episcopal cross he could not be positive
in denying that it was cross or anything like it.
Thus the observing Catholic may note the changes
going on in Protestant opinion and practice and
praise God for these evidences of sympathy with
the traditions of the old faith.
The greatest and most authentic relic in the
Church is the true cross the largest portion of
which is preserved in the Church of the Holy Cross
at Rome Each bishop has portion of the true
cross in his pectoral cross So scarce has this
relic become that Leo XIII, in letter to the bish-
ops of the Church, asked them to will their pee
toral crosses TO their successors. To the Protes-
ant mind, knowledge that the Church cherishes its
relics so highly is interpreted to mean worship of
these relics. Such persons cannot or will not per-
celve the difference between worship and venera-
ton, and triumphantly direct attention to the
kneeling figure Of devout Catholic before one of
these relics in proof that such act is an evidence
OF external worship. Our Protestant friend is
confident that he has his Catholic opponent cor
nered on this point Sure enough. any day in the
year Catholic may be found kneeling near relic
enclosed III some tabernacle depository.
Just then and there is the Catholics opportunity
to turn the tables on his Protestant friend and
prove that the Catholic idea of veneraton of relics
IS also the Protestant idea the difference lying
absolutely in the merits of the objects venerated
For recent example we point to the finding. or
alleged finding, of the remains of John Paul Jones
III Paris, the ceremonies attending the removal of
the body to America, the honors it received here and
the future honors to be accorded the remains when
placed IN their final resting place. In this example
we perceive the human idea of veneration carried
to the extreme, because there is positive proof
that the relics are genuine However let that pass
Whatever person is admitted to view these relics in
the sarcophagus at Annapolis is assumed that such
person is animated by lofty spirit of patriotism
and though he does not kneel he removes his hat !
and talks IN subdued tones as he would in tenn |
pie OF worship. If he be Protestant, that person
IS simply illustrating the Catholic idea of devo- |
t1on for and veneration of relics. OF course the
Protestant does not knee Neither does the Cath
ohc, because the object of veneraton is one who
achieved glory for country only It is different when
the object venerated belonged to one who gained
in the service of Christ
About the propriety OF kneeling let that mass |
also. Our Protestant friends kneel, and some are
credited with wonderful powers of endurance while
n that posture.