The San Francisco call., 1910-08-21

NEW YORK, Aug Zo.--ln SOlennltyi
grandeur and magnificence, the Eu-
charistic congress. to be held in Mon
fresl next month, promises TO surpaSs
any religious demonstration ever seen
in America; not excepting the Cathoiic
congress in Baltimore, the Congress OF
Religions in Chicago, or the late cen
tennial celebration in New York
AS the famous drama at Oberammer-
gau depicts in wonderful manner the
passion and death Of Christ so the
Eucharietic congress portrays and en-
phasizes one scene in that tragedy, VIZ:
The last supper, or the institution OF
the Eucharist, in which Christ promised
TO continue his personal presence
among men to the end Of time
It is based on the literal interpreta- a
tion of his words. after blessing bread
and wine: This is my body" This
is my blood" It is argued by Catho-
lies that. II Christ is God, nothing Is
hard or impossible with him; and, II he
could change water into wine at the
marriage feast al Cana, he could as
easily change wine into blood at his
last supper in Jerusalem. And. again,
II nature can change our daily food
into blood, bone and muscle, surely the
sod of nature can do as much IN a
mysterious way. 1t is simply a ques-
tion Of fact; and. if true, no pomp and
ceremony can be too great in celebrat-
ing the stupendous mystery.
At the suggestion, in 1879, of a de-
vout woman, whose humility forbade
the use Of her name, the idea OF hold
ing great international congresses in
the principal cities OF the world, for the
purpose Of studying this doctrine. and
making it the great means of 'reviving
the supernatural life in society" was
taken up by priests, bishops and cardi-
mails among the clergy and by jurtsts,
magistrates and public functionaries
among the laity. all over the world;
with the result that these great con-
crosses have been held for 80 years in
leading cities of Europe; including,
among others, Lille. Friborg. Rheims,
Paris, Jerusalem. Brussels, Lourdes,
Rome, London and Cologne.
Although the opposition to this doc
trine prevented the public procession in
its honor two years ago in London, II
is a remarkable fact that within two
years Of that date public sentiment
should have so moderated in the mat
ter that, today. the royal coronation
oath, denouncing the doctrine, has been
modified. so that the only declaration
required of the king is: Il am a faith
ful Protestant"
II is a significant fact also that. at
the Eucharistic congress held in
Cologne last year. the German emperor.
though a Protestant sent a personal
representative 10 represent him in the
procession.
The lack OF hostility to the doctrine
as il becomes better understood. is
also shown in America. by the fact that
the Protestant candidate for mayor OF
Montreal withdrew. this ar, in order
that a Catholic might hold Office dur
ing the Eucharistic congress; and that
Lord Strathcona. though a non-Cath-
Ole, has rendered the use of his palace
10 the archbishop of Montreal for the
entertainment of the papal delegate
and the visiting prelates during the
congress.
II Is expected that more than 200 600
Catholics will go TO Montreal to par
ticipate in the ceremonies, beginning
on September 6, and lasting six days.
Discourses viii be delivered by some
. Of the most distinguished prelates of
the Catholic church. The spectacular
features Of the congress will be the
midnight mass for men in Montrears S
gothic masterpiece. Notre Dame; the
municipal reception to Cardinal Van
nutelli. the papal ies Q, at the city
hall: the formal opening of the con-
gress in St. James cathedral-a fac
smile of St Peters at Rome on a
scale Of six inches TO the foot. the
measurements and designing of which
occupied IS years of the life of the
massive structure; an open air mass al
the foot of Mount Royal, from which
the city takes its name of Montreal
and. the gorgeous procession in which
Cardinal Vannutelli, the giant of the
sacred college of cardinals, being siA
feet two, viii carry the sacred host
on a magnificent car drawn by six
white horses. through four miles OF
streets literally paved with tons OF
flowers sent for the purpose from al
parts Of the country.
Those who missed the wonderful pas
sion play at Oberammergau. in Europe
will have an opportunity Of witnessing
q spectacle quite as unique. origina
and imposing in America in the Eu.
II proof were needed of the vast spir-
itUal power welded by the pope. and
OF the worldwide allegiance of his
spiritual subjects, even in this TWEEN
tieth century. it was certainly found
in the remarkable spectacle witnessed
in Catholic churches all over the world
in connection with the Portiuncula
festival celebrated one day this month
From 8 O'Clock of one day till sun
down Of the next day the faithful might
be seen swarming in and out of their
local churches like bees-and all in
order 10 gain the plenary Indulgence
proclaimed by Plus X
The doctrine of indulgences is one
Of the most difficult for non-Catholics
70 grasp. Ignoring entirely the ancient
meaning Of the word "a pardon or re.
mission). they understand by il un-
lawful qualification, or permission tc
commit sin. Yet any Catholic child thai
has learned his catechism will define
il correctly as The remission in whole
or in part through the superabundan nj
merits OF Jesus Christ and his saints
OF the temporal punishment due TO sir
after the guilt and the eternal punish.
ment have been forgiven
Thus Nathan the prophet, in the Old
Testament, announced to David that
although his sin was forgiven. the
child that he loved should die. His
repentance was accepted and the gull,
Of sin was washed from his soul but q
penalty, in the death OF his child. was
imposed nevertheless.
To obtain an indulgence one must be
free from sin and must have the firm
purpose to sin no more. The power Ia
remit the punishment due to sin is
claimed by the church. through the
power Of loosing and binding bestowed
on Saint Peter. the prince of the apos-
ties, by Christ himself.
An example Of the exercise of this