The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-20

slowly returned TO the Rasilica- Around
the bed of the pontin remained only the
domestic prelates whose duty it was to
assist the Pope until the end.
The holy father passed through the
shadow OF death in an illness which be-
gan with an attack of grip early in
March, ls1a and which a month later
had become so aggravated that death
was believed to be the only issue. He
tainted twice on April 4. 1913, after an
arduous days work. During the days
and nights of April 9, II, and II the
termination Of the Pontiff's battle for
life was momentarily awaited. The mem
bers Of his family were constantly near
him.
vitality Was Remarkable.
A slight recovery was followed by
severe relapse, due, 1t was declared, to
the Pontiffs reluctance to obey the rigid
rules of the physicians. On April II he
insisted on holding audience, and few
days later saw recurrence Of the snX-
ious waiting for the end.
The remarkable vitality of the peasant
Pontin won out, however, and drawing
back almost from the brink Of the grave
Pope Plus X, on April p, was declared
convalescent. On May he was so far
strengthened as TO receive one OF his
cardinals in audience, and his period of
illness. which was believed to have been
aggravated by the death Of his sister,
Rose Sarto, was declared to have ended.
From Venetian Province.
Born June ., 1888, in the village OF
Riese, in the Venetian province of Ire
viso, to a poor and humble family OF
the name of Sarto, Plus Y was christen-
ed Giuseppe Joseph). and known
throughout his life by the dialect equiva-
lent Of Giuseppe, 'Beppo."
The early life of Pope Plus was filled
with activity. The district of Treviso is
one of poverty, only those who have seen
it realizing the struggle for existence that
ever prevails.
Little Giuseppe Sarto was one OF fam
| lily OF ten. to feed whose hungry mouths
the father could not earn anything ap-
preaching living wage" This fact
! suggests what sacrifices the household
had to endure to insure the boy the
means Of education finally secured him
through the kindness of parish priest.
From an early age Giuseppe, bred to
sturdy outdoor life, displayed a bent for
the -priesthood-a bent that for the most
part is religieusly respected by Italians
! of the lower class. The educational re-
sources OF his birthplace were soon eX-
! hausted, and the lads studious learn
! ings demanded a wider field 70: their
development He was sent TO j college
at Castel- Franco, and from there vas
! transferred to the Central Sc ninG-y. at
! Padua, the world-renowned seat Of Ital-
| ian learning.
Receives Priests Orders.
| On septemI sr Is ls5S the young semi
narist received his priests orders \ the
Cathedral of castel-Franco. That year
was a memorable one for Italy. The
question of italian liberation had been
forced TO the front by the attsmpt Of
Orsini to assassinate Napoleon III
The diplomats OF nations assembled,
! but the young priest was not concerned
in the movement. He turned his back
| on the world, and took up his duties as
curate in the village Of Tombolo- He
soon was loved by his parishioners, 70
| whom he endeared himself by his unset
fshness, his selt-sacrifce, and his tire
less labor.
! He was promoted as parish priest Of
Salzane, in 1867. only a year after the
cession Of Venezia (Veniee) to Italy SO
that the future Pope lived, for the first
thirty-two years of his life, under Aus
TRAN regime in his native province.
The able discharge of his ONCE rec
/ commended the pastor Of Salzano to
the notice OF Mgr. Ztnelh, at that
time the bishop of the diocese, who
nominated him TO a canonry in the
]
was supplemented by bestowal OF the
deanery on Father Sarto and his ap-
pointment as episcopal chancellor. To
/ him also was conhded the delicate and
! important charge of spiritual director
to the Seminary of Trevis. in which
college he was likewise given a pro-
| fessors chair and an examinership.
Promotion Was Rapid.
Nor did his activities end here. for
he was chosen as a judge in the Capt.
ular Ecclesiastical Court, and finally
was appointed vicar general Of the
diocese.
Meantime, the recipient Of all these
dignities was winning a great reputa-
ton as a preacher. His sermons, al
though delivered extempore, were dis
tinguished for both learning and
eloquence. Yet It is probable that the
example OF his self-denying and holy
! life preached the most eloquent SER
mon of all. During the interTegnum
that supervened on the death of Mgr.
/ ZinelI, it fell TO the vicar general to
administer The diocese. and this he
did with such notable skill that he was
nominated coadjutor to the new Bishop
Of Treviso.
! After such an apprenticeship it was
not surprising that when the impor-
| tant see Of Mantua became vacant.
in 1884. Leo XIII chose Giuseppe Sarto
! to fill the place. 1t was no easy task
/ to which he had been called. for his
| predecessor had allowed discipline 10
slack. His persuasive powers and ad-
minlstrative gifts were tested TO the
utmost. but he was fully equal to the
uRgrateful task.
Severe in personal taste, Signor Sarto
showed himself Jealous in maintaining
/ the gorgeous ritual traditions Of his
church, and in 1885 the SO0th solemn CEN
tenary Of st. Anselm was celebrated
under his auspices. while in 1881 he pre-
sided at a like function in commemora-
ton OF st. Louis Gonzaga.
Cardinal In 1898.
Two years later Pope Leo recognized
Bishop Sarto's merits by raising him to
the Sacred College. with the title of San
Bernardo ale Terme, at a consistory
held June Is. 1888. At the same time hr
was chosen out OF all the Venetian prel-
ates to fill the patriarchate OF Venice.
| In his nine years residence in the sea
grit city the Pope of the Gondoliers was
q beloved and familiar figure His firm.
! dignifed. yet genial rule quickly made
| him q force TO be reckoned with.
| He gave proof of extraordinary tact in
dealing with the civil authorities and he
succeeded in winning the support OF radi-
calls as well as clericals. Too, he be-
came a favorite with King Victor EN-
manuel and Queen Helena, when they
visited Venice, and 1t is an open secret
| that news OF his election to the pontih-
cate was joyfully received by the King.
| 4 journalist who lately interviewed
Pope Plus at the Vatican thus recoupts
the pathetic "reminiscences OF the holy