The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-08-26
RECENT CATHOLIC CONGRESSES
The Congress at Mainz.


of interest which concern them and
to honor the memory of great fight
ing Bishop, Monsignor Ketteler, who
presided over the first Catholic Con-
gress of Germany held in Mainz as
long ago as 184S. The noble town
with it's splendid buildings by the
rivers bank, and it's great Cathedral,
was quite en- fete for the occasion,
for the Catholics number 60 per cent
of the population. They were en-
forced by large deputations from
other centres, and from all the towns
and cities of the Rhine Province so,
that the great procession of men,.
grouped in their Piusverein or Ar
beiterverein (Pius and Workmen's
Associations) with magnificent and
heavy banners paraded through the
streets to the numbers of some sew
enty thousand. 1t took two hours
for this great procession to pass any
given point, and they were played
through the city to the sound of mill
tary bands to which they marched
like soldiers going forth to battle. 1t
was very fine array of German man
hood representing eighteen millions
Catholics of the Fatherland, who by
their organization can keep in check
the thirty-five million non-Catholics
who are their fellow subjects, and
make their power felt throughout the
German Empire. 1t was picturesque
procession also, for all sorts and con-
ditions of men were there-nobles,
workmen, peasants, advocates, doc
tors, artists-each group accom-
panied by priests, many of the noun
taineers from Bavaria and other
parts wearing their picturesque
custume
The Sessions of the Congress.
Naturally in country like Ger
many, the organization of the Con-
gress was as near perfection as pos
sible. There was no. rush and no
confusion, and everything, even to the
housing of the innumerable visitors,
was done in the most expeditions and
perfect manner, by committees ap-
pointed for the various purposes The
general meetings which occupied the
members up to Thursday last, were
held in the Town Hall and in the Fest
platz near the river, which is capable
of seating eight thousand persons
Above the platform where the
speakers stood hung splendid
portrait of Bishop Ketteler, who so
largely assisted in the formation of
the German Centre Party which con-
quered Bismarck. The president of
the Congress, Count Won Galen, is a
nephew of the great Bishop. The
first session opened with the words
Praised be Jesus Christ after which
followed the reading of the Pope's
letter recalling St. Boniface, Apostle
of Germany, whose memory is con-
\ nected with Mainz, and also Bishop
Ketteler. This letter was received
by triple 'sHochs" which made the
! hall ring again. The German methods
} are different from ours and it might
have surprised Saxon, not so much
a Celt, to see these men thoroughly
in earnest sitting round innumerable
little tables and discussing sand
wiches and boks of beer while
Bishops and laymen were making in
spring speeches on platform which
was decorated by busts of the Holy
Father and the Kaiser They were or
the best terms with their Emperor
these good Catholics, and sent &
telegram breathing fealty to him al
the same moment that they greeted
as humble and affectionate children
: the Sovereign Pontiff in holy Rome
2 The authorities also were on the bes
. terms with them, and willingly len
4 the soldiers and the military band.
: to add light and music to the occa
e sion. During the week various asso
: Citations held their special meetings
q The Bonifatius- -Verein occupies itsel
q with the building of Churches; the ST
q Raphael s-Verein with emigration
/ while there are other associations TO
d the Foreign Missions, the protection
e of young girls, and the union o
/ priests, to say nothing of the grea
: Volksverein, or Workers Union, whicl
e has it's headquarters at Cologne an,
$ owns powerful paper which circu
e lates throughout Germany This as
n sociation of the workers has nov
s seven hundred thousand members
y and has increased this year by fift
IL thousand.
: Catholic England at Newcastle.
e But England could proudly boas
b this year that she was not behind he
r European neighbors, for she hersel
e also gave up the August holiday
d always one of the most popular. b
,r cause it generally insures fin
le weather,-and spent it in conclav
a. at Newcastle. The annual Congress
it of all our Catholic Societies whic
a. owes its origin to the energy an
st quiet perseverance of Archbisho