The Irish standard., 1910-09-17
THE EUcHARlsTlc CONGRESS.

THE EUcHARlsTlc CONGRESS.
The great Eucharistc Congress is
over and the Catholic Church has
prof1ted by the event. The spectacle
of so many thousands of Catholic
clergy and laymen gathered in one
city for a single-and that the noblest
purpose must have an edifying in
fluence not only on the people of that
city but the people of the whole con-
tinent. Never before in the history
of America has such an event taken
place on American soil and yet the
excellent manner in which the entire
program was carried out would do
credit to the most Catholic country in
the world. It is a credit to American
Catholics and proof that they are
thoroughgoing and sincere.
1t is conceded by prelates who have
attended other Eucharistic congresses
that the Montreal gathering has tri-
umphed over them all. It is also a
fact that no congress has attracted
wider attention. So much has been
said and published about the event
that as the time. for it approached,
focused on the Canadian city in which
it was to be held. And while the
Catholic world waited in GREATNESS
expectancy lest something might
transpire to mar the grandeur of the
proceedings, those outside of the
Church who were interested were be-
.widered to see the stupendous under
taking move along so beautifully.
One of the features Of the Congress
was the reception of Cardinal Vim
cenzo Vannutell. No event that has
ever taken place in Montreal-not even
the reception of King George when he
visited that city as Prince Of Wales
compares with it. 1t was welcome
that was as sincere as it was dem
onstrative and memory which that
distinguished churchman will never
forget. In response to the address of
welcome by James F. Guerin, the
Irish mayor" of Montreal, the Car
dinal gave many assurances that he
would make known to the Holy Father
the great kindness that had been
shown him by American Catholics.
In his address Mayor Guerin said:
From the Rome Of the Old World
you come to the Rome of the New, for
such has this City of Churches been
happily designated. The name Of in
vincible arm which holds on high the
torch of Faith upon the Hill of the
Vatican, illumines us across the seas,
and beckons us ever onward in the
unfailing light of the Infallible
Church. The same holy spirit which
inspired the crownings of all Art with
the dome of a ST. Peters, inflamed
the souls of those who carried rough
stones with bleeding hands to raise
the Temple of the Most High on the
wild slopes of Vile Marie.
1T is with pride we recall that the
first act of our founders was to erect
an altar on this very spot on which
we stand, and that then, at the sacri-
fee of the Mass, in the presence of
the Holy of Holes, our city first
leaped into life. In that hour the
Jesuit Father. vimont, spoke words
of prophecy. which today are realized:
1--WE are planting the grain of mus
tard seed which will yield a thou
sand-fold"
The welcome Of the Mayor was
beautifully worded and evidently
struck a responsive chord in the Car
dinars heart, for his response showed
that he felt keenly the kindness that
had been shown him. Referring to the
address of welcome, Cardinal vannu-
telli said:
Montreal, being q city remarkable
on account OF the warmth of its faith,
the pen-handedness Of it's generosity
and devotion, the quality and number
Of its many institutions of education
and charity, and the magnihcence of
its religious demonstrations, is truly,
what you have. just called 1.-THE