The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-10
NO PLACE LIKE
HOME, SAYS
PRIEST
Back From Abroad and
Warmly Welcomed, Father
Gaffney Tells Of Trip.

A
the Rev Francis A. Gaffney, o. p,
rector of st. A%ntoninus's Roman Cath
Ollie Church. returned home yesterday
on the Cedric. He was met at Sandy
Hook by about $50 of his parishioners.
and the journey from the dock in New
York was made in the little side
wheeler Sea Gull, which the priest
boarded at the dock after 1t had drawn
up alongside the great liner.
Father Gaffney is much improved in
health. When he sailed away on the
Frederick der Crosse on April 10 he
was in poor health, and while he wen
to Europe to attend the Dominican
convention at viterbo, Italy, the trip
was made also for the benefit
that Father Gaffneye would derive from
a complete change of climate for a
time.
The Rev. A. L. Mcmahon. of Water
bury, Conn, was Father Gaffney's
travelling companion, and the two
priests we're delegates to the conven-
ton.
During his trip Father Gaffney had
many novel and amusing experiences
and saw many strange and novel
sights. He made some studies of the
countries through which he ~journeyed,
and while he was favorably impressed
by many, he said today he was never
so deeply impressed as when he saw
the dim outline of the Highlands of
New Jersey on the western horizon
yesterday, as the great ocean grey
hound came steaming into port.
"You can say that the moment the
outlines of his great country came
into view was one of the happiest in
my life, / was so glad to get back to
America once more. There were many
pleasant moments during my trip and
many events upon which l shall look
back with great pleasure; but l was
happy, so happy, to get home. | think
the reception accorded me by the peo-
pie of my parish out at Sandy Hook
was really the most pleasant and the
most impressive event of the entire
journey. 1t is a pleasant thing to go
away, more pleasant to return home
after so long an absence: but to be
accorded such a reception as | received,
to know that you have such a place in
the hearts of your fellow ia is a
feeling that cannot be expressed in
words; words are too commonplace"
During his entire trip Father Gnffney
met only two Newarkers These, Louis
Bamberger and Mrs. Frank, were encoun-
tered while the priest was visiting the
Alhambra at Granada, Spain. Father
Gaffney's tour of the land of the former
great ruling power of the earth was an
extended one. Several days were spent
at Cadiz, and the party reached Madrid
one week before the heir to the Spanish
throne was born.
Speaking Of this incident, Father Gaffney
said he hoped the hand of Providence
would be kind enough to them to permit
their presence at the seat of Spanish rule
when the happy event should take place.
but was not SO favored.
Father Gaffnev was deeply impressed
with Savila and spent several days there.
He said that he was much disappointed
with Madrid, but the beauties and anti
ouated architecture of SaYila were most
pleasing to behold. During his stay IN
Savila Father Gaffney had the pleasure OF
offering mass in the great cathedral there.
While staying in Granada Father Gait
new and his companion stopped at the
washington Irving Hotel and Occupied the
room said to have been used by Washing
ton Irving while he wrote sketches on the
Alhambra. The party also visited CordoVa
before leaving Spain for Gibraltar.
Gibraltar was twice visited and the party
spent three days there. Arriving early in
the evening. Father Gaffney said that he
was deeply impressed by the costumes of
the Moors and the soldiers, of whom there
are at least 5000 stationed at the fort.
From Gibraltar the party went to Tan
eiers and were there during the Moors
/ Christmas festivities. To one who had
not had the pleasure of witnessing such a
celebration. Father Gaffney said, it is most
weird. The dawn is ushered in by a sa-
lutte of twenty-one guns, after which the
streets become filed with people and their
actions resemble a riot more than a reli-
gicus celebration.
Returning to Cadiz the party embarked
again for Gibraltar and then took the
steamer Necker, chartered by a delega-
ton of sunday school workers and went
to Naples. One day was spent at Alglers
en- route. Father Gaffney went to Flor
euce. where he said mass at the tomb of
ST. Antonlinus. after whom his church is
named. He also visited the shrine Of st.
Dominic at Bologna, and while there
had the pleasure OF Witnessing the fes-
tivities attending the removal OF ST. Luke's
picture Of the Madonna from the little
church. built specially for It's protection
" AAlf 6lNbt 4AAIhAA ~ 10 taNIH
The present whereabouts Of this great
picture, painted by the apostle, is not
generally known In this country, and IT
was Il pleasure 10 Father Gaffney to be
able to witness the celebration, which Is
an annual event there. The tomb which
contains the mortal remains of ST. DOM
inic is also the burial place of the great
artist. Guido REM.
The Newark ~rector's meeting with the
Pope deeply affected Father Gaffney. and
he dwelt ut considerable length on this m
cident Of his trip. His holiness attended
the convention and mingled among the
delegates. always having a pleasant word
for them all, saii Father Gaffney. All
traces of the Pope's last illness had disap-
peared from the features of his holiness,
and he seemed TO be in perfect health,
said Father Gaffney.
Father Gaffney said that His Holiness
seems to enjoy the daily audiences he
gives.
when I grasped the hand of His Holt
ness" the Newark priest said, the Holy
Father said he was told that | was from
North America, and his keen conception
lead him to ask, inquiringly. From the
United States?' When he was told that
his guess was true he seemed pleased, and
before / left him he gave me permission
to give his blessing to my parishioners
upon my return. l tell you It was an ex-
p%erience / shall never forget said Father
Gaffney.
1t is Father Gaffney's intention TO give