The Irish standard., 1910-09-10
VISITORS TO THE
ETERNAL CITY
Knights of Columbus Pilgrims Have
an Audience With Pope
Plus X.
His Holiness is. Pleased With the
Order and Will Pray For Its
Progress.
Number of Americans Visiting Rome
During Summer Has Been
Very Large.

Partly due to the mildness Of the
summer and partly to the extra at
fractions in Europe this year, includ-
Ing the Passion Play at Oberammer-
gau, the number of Americans visit
ing the Eternal City is daily increas-
ing as may be proved by the follow
ing figures as to those-and they are
only part of the tourists from the
United States now in Rome-who beg
to be admitted to audience with the
Holy Father: Monday, August 8, 800;
Tuesday, 175; Wednesday, 210; Thurs
day $50; Friday, no audience, and Sat-
urday, 625.
One of the most important audiences
was that which included large group
of the knights of Columbus, together
with pilgrimage of 1856 members un-
der their spiritual direction, Mgr. Au-
gustine Van De Vyver, Bishop of Rich
mond, Va.
The Pope was extremely affection
ate: indeed, few Bishops can boast of
having been treated with such cor
diality as Mgr. Van De Vyver, to whom
the Pontiff as a special mark of benev-
olence. gave the white "zucchetto"
Ground cap) His Holiness was wearing
to be kept as a souvenir Of the occa-
sion.
The important part of the audience
consisted in what the Pope said to
John j. McCrane, who was delegated
by the Board of Directors of the
knights of Columbus to thank him for
the particular blessing sent to them
some time ago. The Pontiff said that
he knew all about the American or
ganization and appreciated the work
and the loyal zeal Of the members IN
favor of the Catholic Church. He said
that he wished to congra tulate them
most warmly, while he expressed the
ardent wish that your weapons may
always be employed for good, so that
you may have the consolation of see
ing your deserving work largely spread
for the benefit OF. your souls and those
of Others"
Plus x added that hereafter he
would follow with even increased in
terest whatever was accomplished in
the United States by this powerful as
sociation and would pray for their
progress and constant augmentation in
strength and numbers, to the advan-
tage of The Catholic Church and their
beloved country, from which the civil
ized world expected so much.
On Wednesday of last week the
Pope received in private audience in
the Hall of the Consistory a group OF
$50 Americans including a delegation
of so members Of the knights of Col
umbus The delegation was conducted
by Rev. NJ. ]. McGiveny of Middle
town, Conn.,, national chaplain of the
knights who presented an address and
an offering to the Pope.
In answer the Pope, whose remarks
were translated into English by Rev.
C. A. O'Hearn, vice rector Of the Am
erican college at Rome, expressed sat-
isfaction at meeting for the second
time this month the knights, whose
work in the United States he greatly
appreciates. (The delegation led by
Chevalier McGrane was. received two
weeks ago. He thanked the delega-
ton for their offering and urged the
Knights to remain submissive to their
bishops, who represent the Church.
The Knights of Columbus pilgrims
together with about 200 other Amer
leans, were in Genoa on the 18th ult.
They viewed the birthhouse of COL
umbus, and laid 4 wreath at the base
of his monument. 1t is reported they
are about to launch a project for the
purchase Of the Columbus birthhouse
and convert it into an art shrine.