The Irish standard., 1905-03-11
BISHOP DELANEY
His First Experience With
Roman Dignitaries.
Meetings With Pontiff and
Cardinal G0tti Recalled.

Cardinal Gotti Recalled.
Writing in '"The Guidon," of which
he was the founder and which he
edited until his elevation to episcopal
rank, Right Rev. Bishop Delany, of
Manchester, N. H., gives an entertain
ing description of his first experience
with Roman dignitaries. Courtesy de-
mands that bishop from a mission
airy country such as America pay his
first visit to the cardinal project of the
propaganda and the second visit to the
holy father. OF his visit to Cardinal
Gotti, Bishop Delany writes:
II had fitted myself out au fait in
Roman costume: the great broad hat
with it's green tassels, such as is worn
by bishops; the little purple skull cap
worn under it at the same time; Il
silk purple feriola or mantle; cross
and all, and 1 presented myself at the
Propaganda to pay my respects to
His Eminence Cardinal Gotti. I sent
in my card and after a little delay,
was ushered into Il beautiful reception
room. There at table sat hand
some old gentleman. He wore a red
zucchetta and large pectoral cross.
l advanced toward him, made my best
bow, saluted his as "Your Eminence,"
and began to tell him how pleased and
lonored l was to meet him, when the
parsonage in question rose and, pre-
venting me from kissing his hand,
said in the Queens own English,
"Why, man alive, am only poor
little bishop like YOURSELF 1t was
Bishop Brindle, of Nottingham.
Well, 1 got out Of the prcdicament
as best 1 could by telling him that he
looked as fine and as venerable as any
cardinal.
A few moments after I was in the
presence Of the real cardinal. No mis-
taking him this time, so much he
resembles his familiar picture. He
has face ever to be remembered.
Intelligence and benignity are the dom
inant traits that strike one at first
glance. His features are regular, his
forehead very high and ample and his
little scarlet skull cap covers a crown
of snowy white. He wore a simple
black cassock trimmed with red and
a plain pectoral cross. He spoke with
the gentlest, sweetest voice and sat
me down beside him on sofa. He is
a man in whose presence any one
would feel at ease. After the usual
exchange of courtesies he inquired
where was stopping in Rome, how
long was to remain and proffered to
get me an audience with the Holy Fa-
Their. made few requests, to which
he listened with the greatest consider
alton and then asked me to put them
in writing. He told me he would be
pleased to see me at any time during
my stay. then introduced Father A.,
my "secretaire provision" the car
dinal smilingly called him. After
few words more Of good wishes and
n pleasant visit, with good night and
IN au revoir, we retired.
And this is the man who, after the
Pope, bears the burden of the universal
church. May God tighten his load! 1t
were pity to break so good, so gen.
tie, so loavble soul as his.
Here is the bishops interesting ac-
count of his audience with Pope Plus
n:
was ushered alone into what SEEM
ed to be private study or library Of
the Pope. The Holy Father was alone
in the great room and sat behind a
desk near the door, AS 1 entered he
arose and came toward me. He was
all in white, from the white silk skull
cap to the white slippers embroidered
with gold. His face was as white as
the cassOck he wore, but his eyes
beamed warm, kindly welcome. TAX
ing my hand in his after I had kissed
it, he led me to chair beside his
own and bid me be seated. 1 spoke to
him in Latin. told him who l was,
that I had been consecrated on our
Lady's nativity day and had come to
thank him for the honor he had con-
ferrcd upon me in making me a bishop
Of the church. and to assist at the great
feast of the immaculate Conception.
AS spoke my thanks he raised his
hand in protestation. I begged his
blessing for myself, my family, my
priests and religious and my people.
He forestalled my petition and said,
oh. so tenderly and devoutly: II bless
them all. and all to whom you shall
bring my blessing" He then asked
me how many Catholics there were in