The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1919-01-25
Felt to Be Another Tie Between
American Catholics and First See
of church-WiI Strengthen Bonds.

Felt to Be Another Tie Between
American Catholics and First See
Of church-WiII Strengthen Bonds.
Rome.-Many years hence, it is to
be hoped, Thursday, November %,
will be looked back on as something
of red-letter day for American Cath
olics in Rome. What occurred was
just quiet happy social event here,
but it may be- the beginning of
more intimate association between
American Catholics and the center of
the Church. Nothing, it is we'll
known, is needed to unite American
Catholics more closely to their Holy
Father, but the more bonds of active
association with the Eternal City, the
better.
On the day named the Knights of
Columbus established themselves in a
place of their own here, choosing a
center already known to many
Knights, the Hotel Minerva. The
Plaza, in which it is situated, also
holds the Church of Santa Maria So
pra Minerva, where many of us re-
member Cardinal Farley's taking
possession of his titular church in
Rome in 1911, and all of us the SOL
emn Requiem for him only few
weeks ago. The knights establish
ment was, strictly speaking, war
measure, but it's effect will continue,
it is to be hoped, with ever-growing
strength in the years of peace to
come.
The Knights are part of the Amer
and other associations. So it was
right that they should have their
place here, and exercise their activ-
ity, even If it were not likely to be
on such lavish scale as some of the
others. For some time now there has
been consideration and investigation
with regard to the establishment of
the Knights here. Msgr. Connolly
studied 1t when he was in Rome: Mr..
de Navarro, also, when he was here
on behalf of the Catholic War Coun-
ell. The head secretary here now,
Mr.. w. M. Ryan, had full authority to
fix things, but he had plenty of work
and worry before he was able to send
out his invitations for Thursday. Ro-
man landlords, in point of fact, open
their mouths too wide; Mr.. Ryan
wanted nothing very wonderful, but
he had to have something suitable;
and, though the knights are proven
bially generous, there is difference
between generous and fabulous
price for suitable accommodations.
Hence the delay, till the quarters at
the Minerva were hit upon.
For war times, then, the great
Catholic organization has home
here for American troops primarily,
and with a welcome for all English.
speaking fighting men, if they are to
come. There is some one, who can
show them things; a place where they
can rest, read and write; and there
are refreshments. Nor do they have
to pay. And the place is most conve-
niently situated in the very middle of
the city. ...
All the three categories above, in
addition to distinguished Italian rep.
resentation, were present on Thurs
day. Cardinal Gasquet is undoubted-
ly English, but he is so we'll known in
America, that he was certainly the
most appropriate member to repre-
sent the Sacred College. OF army
chaplains there was the Italian Epis-
copus Castrensis, Msgr. Bartalomasi
and Very Rev. George J. Warning,
chancellor to the American Chaplain
Bishop. These last two representa-
tives of the army made the speeches
of the evening, Father Waring telling
of the desires the Knights of Column
bus had in thus settling themselves
in Rome; and the Italian Bishop strik-
ing very eloquent note in the ''Col-
umbus" theme and the debt of Amer
lea to. the great discoverer, to the
many Italians who have followed him
across the Atlantic, and to Italy it.
self.
Cardinal Gasquet said few words
in his best vein; so also the British
Minister to the Holy See, Count de
Sails; and Count Cingolani, the best
representative of organized Catholics
in Rome, welcomed the American as.
ISOLATION on their behalf.
The American consul was present
and others too numerous to mention.
And American soldiers on leave told
in song, to the delight of the Assem-.
bly,, the most intimate thoughts of
the life and working day of the lads
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