The Washington herald., 1909-07-26
SORROW BURDENED
DR.. Russell Says Pope Is Nan
of Sadness.
RECOUNTS VISIT TO VATICAN
Members of the General Conference
OF the 81. Vincent de Paul Society
Hear Interesting Address on Rome
and the Holy Father of the Church.
Parish Reports Are Made.

The general conference Of the st. Vim
cent De Paul Society held meeting last
evening In Carroll Hall, In G. street.
Judge William De Lacy. president. in the
chair Reports were made from every
parish IN the District and from several
OF the suburban churches At the close
OF the reports Judge De Lacy congrat-
uIated the members present upon the
work already accomplished and called
attention to the great possibilities for
doing good In larger and different fields
by the society.
A resolution was passed thanking the
Paulist students OF ST. Thomas College
and the Holy Cross students OF the Cath
Ole University for the assistance they
have given the society at the National
Training School for Boys. the Jail, and
the workhouse. Judge De Lacy ther in
trotuced the speaker OF the evening. Rev.
William T. Russell. d. D.. spiritual d.
rector OF the society. Father Russell
said in part:
I have come here tonight especially
on the invitation OF your president Judge
De Lacy. 10 tell YOU something Of my re-
cent visit 70 RoAe. When I reached
Rome I went 10 the American College
and saw the rector OF the college Mar.
Kennedy. The first thing that impressed
me about Rome was that after twenty
five years there was 50 little change.
arrived on Sunday morning. and
through the kindness OF Mgr. Kennedy
obtained an audience with the Pope the
next day though as a rule II IS neces-
sary FOR any one who desires 20 see the
Pope 20 remain In Rome about week.
Accompanied by two young priests. one
rom Kansas City and one from Iowa.
] proceeded next morning % the Vatican.
This building contains about 100 rooms.
one OF the greatest libraries IN the world
anS great museum OF painting and
sculpture which is unsurpassed IN the
world one passes through many apart-
ments before reaching the POpe's omar
ters. and a striking feature were the
Swiss Guards and chamberlalns OF the
Pope, in their gorgeous costumes de-
signed by Michael Angelo hundreds OF
years ago
Impression OF Sadness.
"As the holy father enters an present
kneel and he passes around 10 each one
Individually. giving them an opportunity
20 kiss his ring and 70 ask Of him anv
favors that they may wish. There Is
one impression that the holy father
gives 70 every one. and that IS the i'm
preston OF sadness. He seems 10 be n
man or SORROWS, having upon him thu
burden and cares - the church all 4, or
the world. II IS said OF our Lord sbst
he never laughed and seldom smiled and
this seems 20 be fulfilled in the holy IA
ther himself When he was patriarch of
venice he was light-hearted and iovia1.
ready for fun and a social evening with
his friends. but since he has become head
OF the church II seems that he has been
truly bearing the burden OF the cross.
Pope Plus X may not be as great n
diplomat as some other popes have been.
he may not De as great intellectually as
some OF the popes during the nineteen
centuries of the church's existence but
one thing IS sure-we have there now a
man pleasing 10 God. and one who in his
daily life leads the life OF a saint and
impresses you as such when you meet
him"
Al tho close OF DR.. RusselI's address
the members Of the conference repaired
10 St Patrick's Church, where n special
service was held, and DR.. Russell be
slowed the papal blessing. The music
was furnished by the senior choir Of
mixed voices.