The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-07-15
Madrid, June 80, 1911.

Madrid, June 80, 1911.
The eyes of the Catholic world have
been directed this week to the capital
of Spain where an act of homage and
reparation to the Blessed Eucharist
unparalleled even in the history Of
Eucharistic Congresses has been per-
formed. Every Eucharistic Congress
has it's distinctive features and that
of Spain has been the magnificent and
enthusiastic welcome which the people
gave to the Papal Legate on his tri-
umphal entry into the city on Saturday
last: One of the effects of the British
Coronation festivities was to make the
English pilgrimage very small, and no
Bishop accompanied it this year. But
this deficiency was amply supplied
by the other countries of Europe.
Canada was represented by quite a
number of pilgrims among them Mon
signor Bruchesi who welcomed the
Congress last year; while there were
also a goodly number of American
Catholics present.
Reception to the Cardinal Legate.
The historic city looked it's best,
garlanded with flowers, it's balconies
and public buildings draped with rich
silk and velvet tapestries in which
the national colors of red and yellow
predominated, making very striking
and picturesque ensemble. 1t had
been intended that the arrival of the
Cardinal Legate, Archbishop of To-
ledo, should be very simple and the
first demonstration take place at the
reunion in the Church of Santa Cruz,
but the Spanish people were burning
with a desire to show their loyalty
and love for the Supreme Pontiff and
would not have it so. The Eucharistic
Commission placed a special train at
the disposal of His Eminence Car
dinal Aguirre, and accompanied by a
numerous suite he left Toledo in the
afternoon of Friday. At Jelafe he
was received by the Bishops of Leon,
and Namur, the Vicar General of
Madrid, the Marquis CamiIlas and
Baron Hertaga. On his arrival in
Madrid he was met by representa-
military, ecclesiastical and civil au-
thorities. On leaving the station he
passed through the midst of cheer
ing crowd to the Church of Santa Cruz
where the Congress was to open.
Meanwhile the Archbishops, Bishops,
Abbots, Prelates and Diocesan Clergy
met at the sacristy of st. Isidore, in
choir dress. This church is the Cathe-
dral of Madrid. Through a rejoicing
multitude lifted out of themselves in
their enthusiasm the great procession
passed to Santa Cruz where the Le-
gate was to be formally received and
to present the letters of the Holy
Father appointing him to preside over
the Congress. The air was fragrant
with the scent of flowers, rich with
the glow of evening sunlight, and
musical with the cries of Long live
Religion! Long live Catholic Spain!
Long live the Pope and King!" 1t
was indeed a sublime moment, and
the splendid uniforms of the regi.
ments who lined the route, the sound
of military music and the innumerable
carillons of the city, the rich vest.
ments of the dignitaries, the scarlet
note of the Legate's cappa magma,
made a picture of beauty and
grandeur never to be forgotten.
The Opening Session of the Congress
Most of the general meetings of the
Congress took place in the vast and
beautiful Church of st. Francis the
Great, which was beautifully deco
rated and prepared for the occasion
1t presented a wonderful sight when
on Sunday last the Sanctuary, great
as it is, could scarcely contain the
Legate and his attendants, the fifty
Bishops, the Permanent Committee OF
the Congress, and the servers of al
these dignitaries. The Press had 9
tribune in the Las Mercedes chapel
and the chapel of the Immaculate
Conception was reserved for the Corps
Diplomatique A hundred candles
were lighted on the high altar, while
two thousand lights gave a Rem
brandesque effect to the vast con
course of people of all nationalities
gathered in the body of the Church
The Infant Don Carlos arrived with
his suite, in magnificent uniforms, anG
made a speech in which he warmly
welcomed the Legate and the Mem
bers of the Congress, to which His