The Irish standard., 1907-11-30

The presence of the Pope Of Rome
was made tangible and permanent
in this country when Leo Kill, in
1898. sent Francis. titular Archbishop
of Lepanto, IAN illustrious man, not
less pre- eminent by his learning than
by his virtues" to Washington as
Apostolic Delegate, says a Washing
ton correspondent in a lengthy letter
to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The
\ Archbishop. or Mgr. Satolli, as he was
commonly known, since become a Car
dinal, was followed by Mgr. Sebastian
Martinelli, now also vestured with the
low, broad -brimmed red hat and the
purple mantle of the Sacred College.
Service in America so far has meant
honors at the Vatican. Five years ago
Mgr. Diomide Falconio, once chief
among the franciscan friars-those an
cient, bare-footed men pledged to chas.
tity, poverty, obedience and ministry
to body and soul-Archbishop of Accer-
enza and Matera, which is in Italy, d
Latin by birth, q temporary inhabitant
of Canada, and citizen Of the United
States, succeeded Martinelli.
Mgr. Falconio, slender and of neutral
stature fair Of complexion. having gray
eyes and dark hair, although he is
sixty-five years, came briskly in. but
with a long and even stride, to meet
the writer He wore the close-fitt ing
little cap of the Catholic ccclesiastics,
drab cassock faced with white that
almost touched the ground broad, low
shoes and buckles, a massive gold
chain and cross, and A huge Bishops
Iring of dull metal and Oriental ame-
thyst. He is simple, easy, cordial and
candid. An italian, he speaks English
with some accent Trained in the
theless talked with freedom and appar-
ent sincerity. He is neither dOgnatic
nor intolerant. If he is proud Of his
church, he doesn't show it. Any Amer
ican, almost, would say that he is g.
good, square man. ! asked him first
about his Southern home and early
east Of Rome, in a mountainous coun-
try that is washed by the waters Of the
youth.
Il was born" he said, Gin Abruzi.
Adriatic Sea. When was fifteen years
old decided to be priest. Although
a religious man, my father, we'll re-
member, was not particularly pleased
over the matter. would have to leave
home, for one thing. My mother didn't
like that, either, but she gave me to
God in great joy; entered the Fran
ciscan order at eighteen and four years
afterward sailed for this country as a
missionary"
"what Influenced you to come to
American"
"rhe Franciscans go where they are
sent. ! arrived at the house Of my
order in Allegheny, N. Y, about forty
two years ago. l was not old enough
to be priest in Italy. However, Bish-
op Timon, of Buffalo, ordained me by
special dispensation. But I didn't
preach much at first. l taught phil
osophy and theology in one Of our sem.
inaries, and later was President of st.
Bonaventure's College, at Allegheny.
Then went to Harbor Grace in New
foundland, where for eleven years was
secretary and chancellor to the Bishop
and rector Of the Cathedral. On my re.
turn to Italy held various important
offices in my order. Eight years agt
Leo XIII. sent me to Canada as Apos-
tolic Delegate. From Quebec l came to
Washington"
i you became citizen of the United
States in 1862"
"Yes, l was satisfied with republican
institutions, believing in liberty, and
ardentH wanted to be an American.
l soon learned to speak English by con-
tact with my associates and students.
IAN Of my teaching, Of course, was in