Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1910-01-11
FOUND BUT ONE
COMPL PLA|NANT
Father Mandalari Spoke to
800 Inmates of Peni-
tertiary
CLOSED UNIQUE RETREAT
Noted Jesuit Orators Made Cri
minals Weep--Archbishop and
Governor Took Part.


mates of the New Mexico penitentiary
by his kind words and cheerful mes.
sage of hope and forgiveness, the Rev
4. NJ. Mandalari, the noted Jesuit mis-
siOnary, pulpit orator and scholar from
Albuquerque found that he himself
was deeply affected by the reception
he received while he gave what must
be called a unique retreat at the pen
itentiary. 1t was the first ever held
there and those who took any part in
it will long remember it.
Before taking the tran yesterday
evening for his home Father Manda-
lari said to a reporter:
i think the retreat was a success
and feel deeply grateful to his grace.
the archbishop for the kind encour-
agement he lent to it; to his excel
lency, Governor Curry, for his kind
mess which induced him to address the
retreat makers; to Superintendent
and Mrs. Reynolds, to Mr.. Garrett and
to all the officials at the pententiary
for the many courtesies shown me
while there and to Mayor Jose Sena
Tor the interest he manifested in the
retreats success.
Questioned 300 convicts.
Il was given the privilege of speak
ing to 800 convicts and found among
that large number but one who had
complaint to offer. This man said
he did not like the food. | think he
himself was to blame for his crouch
and | told him so. Really l was i'm
pressed with the splendid manage
ment of the penitentiary and do not
hesitate to say from what I saw and
heard day after day while conducting
this retreat that Superintendent Ray
nolds is to be congratulated warmly
for the kind and yet firm manner, he
used in dealing with these persons un-
der his supervision
Governor and Archbishop There.
Assisting Father Mandalari was the
Rev. E. Fernandez, S. J., who is an
able and forceful speaker. The re-
, treat opened Thursday at p. m. with
! Governor Curry present. The COVER
| nor addressed the convicts and deliv-
cred a message of cheer and good
| will
The convicts listened with the deep
est attention to the highest official of
! the territory and showed him the ut
most respect,
1t is estimated that of the 317 con-
/ victs 200 who are Catholics made the
retreat and many of these confessed
their sins and received holy commun-
ion at the conclusion of the retreat.
The concluding exercises were held
yesterday morning, but on Sunday
high mass was celebrated with the
! governor and the archbishop present.
/ There was special music by the Ca
, thedral choir and as the sweet voices
! filled the chapel many an old and
many a young convict bent his head
partially concealing the happy smile
of peace and joy that illumined their
countenances. Father Riley of Las
| Vegas, delivered a sermon in English
and it was a happy one. The arch
| bishop also spoke, in Spanish, and he
who never fails to make deep i'm
| preston in his dscourses, was sue
cessful with the poor convicts who
I bent forward eagerly as the good pre-
late reminded them that there is a
Lord who forgives as well as Furnishes
and that true peace and real joy
may be found in the heart even of
him who is condemned to pay the pen
! atty herebelow for transgressions.
The convicts who made the retreat
attended four exercises day and had
the privilege of attending mass and
hearing sermons in Spanish and Eng.
/ lish.
Comforting Words.
And it was novel and also touch
ing sight to see the good Jesuits, who
(, for so many years have addressed all
{ classes of people-those out in the
world as those in the cloister-talk-
| ing message of peace and good will
to those "penitentes" who have been
placed in an institution where they
may do penance for violating the law.
Result of Environment.
1t was not in accents of reproach
that the ministers talked to them, but
as comforters who reminded the con-
victs that it is not entirely their fault
that they have been made legal peni-
tents. Their education or rather lack
of it, their environment and their lack
particularly of true home training
were dwelt upon by the priests who
in no way chided the unfortunates
who were making a retreat in a place