The San Francisco call., 1908-09-06

u for publication in San Fran
: same authoritative source will
ird Sundays of each month.
ma, priest from Paris, was suddenly
freed from a varicose ulcer which had
rendered him unable to walk.
INVESTIGATION SUGGESTED
All of which prompts the editor of
Rome to suggest that an international
commission be formed by those inter-
ested in the advancement of science
for a rigorous Investigation of the
phenomena" constantly occurring at
Lourdes. The present bureau OF ply
sicians is open to any physician of
, good standing from any part Of the
world who desires te participate in the
examination Of these marvels; and,
while awaiting such a commission as
suggested by Rome. it Is hoped that
scientific men throughout the world
will avail themselves of this constant
opportunity to investigate at close
range the so called supernatural oc-
currences at Lourdes.
The eucharistic congress, which con-
venes in London this month, is a realr
ly remarkable event in the history of
Lib 1HOuSduQS Ol p6ISOnS Will
assemble in the new Westminster
cathedral to proclaim their faith in
Christ really present in the holy eu-
charist; to assist publicly at the cele-
bration of mass, an offense for which
many martyrs shed their blood in the
days of Elizabeth and her successors;
and the entire restored hierarchy of
England, with cardinals and bishops
from all parts of the world, and
direct representative of Plus x at
their head. will participate in the great
event. and will be received in special
audience by the king of England. Moth
ing could mark more strongly the won
derful change that has taken place in
recent years in the attitude of the
English people toward the Catholic
church.
SILVER TROPHY FOR CONTESTS
A unique celebration in honor of the
jubilee of Plus x will be the great in
ternational athletic contests to be held
at the Vatican during this month. Car
dinal Merry del Val recently returned
thanks for a handsome silver trophy
which was consigned to him from the
Catholic athletic league of New York
as one Of the prizes to be given on that
occasion. Plus X will himself be pres
ent at at least some OF the contests to
show his interest in athletics among
young men. and athletes from all parts
of the world are expected to take part.
Rev. A P. Doyle, during his visit to
Europe, has been received in private
audience by Plus x, to whom he gave
an account of the great work being
done by the apostolic mission house at
Washington, D. c., of which he is the
rector. He took the opportunity TO
present to the holy father one of the
newly minted gold coins to which the
legend, In God We Trust" has been
restored by congress and the presi-
dent. The holy father declared that
people with such faith deserves to have
every opportunity of acquiring it in it's
he cordially approved and blessed the
work of missions to non-Catholics
which Father Doyle is so zealously pro-
noting.
JUBILEE GIFTS FOR POPE
A remarkable jubilee gift to Plus X
has been suggested by Catholics in
France, to consist OF a complete wire
less telegraph outfit. equipped with all
tlfe latest improvements. While this
may not be Of Immediate service at the
Vatican, Ii will eventually be possible
to communicate with special observa-
tories or wireless stations outside of
Rome; and the gift would seem to be
peculiarly appropriate for Piux X, as
keeping him in direct touch with the
latest progress in modern science.
Still another remarkable gift that is
proposed for the holy father Is a
mammoth organ, capable of filing the
vast basilica of St Peters in Rome
with its melodious harmony. It ap-
pears that 40 years ago a plan was
submitted to Plus TX for installing two
organs in ST. Peters. which was favor
ably receiyed, but it fell through. The
project was again broached to Leo
XIII, but again fell through. owing
mainly to the death of the proposer.
Cavaille Coll, famous French organ
builder. 1t is now proposed to pre-
sent the pope with an extraordinary,
magnificent organ for the Vatican baA
Silica and a subscription list has
been started in the Gaulois by another
famous organist. Charles Widor, and
among those who have expressed sym
pathy with the project is Paul Bourget.
LUTHER SEMINARY BOUGHT
John ]. McGrane has purchased Lu-
ther seminary, at Hawthorne, New
York and turned 1t over to the Catholic
Church Extension Society of the United
States, and through them has pre-
sented it to Plus Y as a jubilee gift.
The property will be placed under the
charge OF the Salesian fathers, who
will make of 1t a college and seminary
for training young Italians. principally
for the priesthood of the United States.
The new college is called Christie
pher Columbus college," good and
appropriate name. in view of the fact
that Italian and Catholic blood flowed
through the veins of Americas great
discoverer. The college building is To-
Gated on the Hudson in a most charm
ing spot It's original cost was $780,
900. Mr. McGrane is said to have Sc
cured the property for $4,000, and
Archbishop Farley has supplemented
Mr. McGrane's gift by large sum to
meet the expenses of the college.
CZAR,S UKASE CONSIDERED
great meeting of the clergy of the
Russian church has taken place at
Kiev to deliberate on a number Of i'm
portant questions. particularly upon
the new situation created by the ukase
of the czar issued three years ago
granting religious liberty throughout
his dominions. Several speakers at the
meeting dwelt upon the gravity of the
fact that since the publication of the
ukase thousands of Russians have each
year embraced Catholicism.
Yet it would appear that the ukase
has failed to ameliorate the condition
of the Catholic church in Russia to the
extent that might well have been
hoped for. The editor of Rome declares
that of IL Russian dioceses six are at
present without a bishop, and most of