The Washington times., 1922-02-07

Livery priest In the Arch0iOc610 OF
Milan knew Father Ratti to be the
most erudite ecclesiastic Of the 500
priests WHO minister to the people
there. And the poor knew him to be
their best friend. And the laborins
classes called him their stoutest
champion. But with all this, Father
Ratti remained the same quiet, un.
assuming cleric. and no amount of
popularity could change him to be
anything else.
Considerable speculation existed
in the world Of Rome at the death of
Father Ehrle. project OF the Vatican
library, for the appointment IL Of no
small Importance But the late pre-.
fect's remains were not In the grave
until the voice Of the scholars of
Italy expressed the opinion that his
lawful successor ought to be that
modest priest in Milan Of whose
erudition the country felt justly
proud. A day or two later saw a
wire leave the Vatican calling
Father Ratti from the northern CAPT.
tai to take charge Of the Vatican
library and to expend on the duties
connected with 1t his vast learning.
Just a word as to his famous col
lection, famous not because of
quantity lit is small In comparison
with some Of our modern libraries).
but because of quality. 1t was
started by Pope Nicholas v Q147-
1855 with 5000 manuscripts. It now
contains over $500 Latin, Greek and
Oriental manuscripts, and about
100, 900 volumes, some Of them ex-
tremely rare. Chief among its treas
ures are a copy of Virgil Of the fifth
century, the celebrated Codex Vati-
canus, q manuscript Of the Greek
Testament OF the fifth century; q
copy Of a Terence Of the fourth cen
fury; manuscripts written by the
hand of Petrarch. and OF st. Thomas
Aquinas, the glory Of the Dominican
Order: and many others beautifully
illuminated.
Englishmen Wow there with no
small degree Of interest the origi-
nal manuscript Of the book written
by King Henry the Eighth. entitled
"Defensio Ffdei," in defense Of the
Seven Sacraments and against the
teachings Of the Reformation on
the continent. Henry VIII, need
less to say, was then Catholic.
As a reward for his work the King
received from tho Pope the title OF
"Defensor Fidei"-"Defender Of the
Faith" which title the sovereigns
Of England, curiously enough.
kvr hA
to this day. With a good deal OF
curiosity :, You look through the
glass at the bold, sprawling sigma
ture "Henricus ReT'--"Henry the
King" which this bluff monarch
wrote on the parchment some four
centuries ago.
Sent TO Poland.
Toward the end Of the world war
war Pope Benedict XIV cast around
him for a man Of tact and sound
judgment to go to Poland and In
vestigate the condition Of the do
cese Of that Catholic land. The
savagery with which the Cars had
prosecuted the brave Poles because
Of their stand on religious and
patriotic grounds since the last
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Poland between
Germany. Russia and Austria had
reduced the organization OF the do
cese almost to a state OF chaos:
Mgr. Rati was at once consecrated
an archbishop and dispatched by
the Pope on q mission dear to his
heart. Soon dioceses were reor-
ganized. Bishops were appointed.
Differences were settled. And in
a few months, thanks to the energy
of Archbishop Ratti, his firmness
and tact, much Of the Cars work
Of brutality was undone.
From city to city he travelled. HIS
progress through Poland became q
triumphal march. The Poles turned
out in tens Of thousands to welcome
the Popes delegate, for Rome hac
never recognized the d.smembermen'
of Poland, and, II I do not mistake
the Roman court was the only on
on earth that solemnly protested
against the high-handed action o
Russia, Germany and Austria in par
| ceiling out the land Of this warlike ma
ton among themselves just as ban
dts divide the swag after q success
full haul.
| Nuncio TO Poland.
Al soon as Poland proclaimed her
self a republic at tne emu VI III
world war the Holy See recognize,
her status and sealed this recogn'
ton by Immediately appointing
papal nuncio to the newly forme'
government. Who was better abb
to discharge the duties than the dele
gate, Archbishop Ratti?
Let me here tell one Of those littl
stories that will live in Polish his
tory.
on February 2 every year tn
heads In Rome Of all the colleges
eeminaries, religious orders ART
churches carry to the Vatican
large candle as an offering to tn
Pope. It 10 one Of the sights for for
eigners, this picturesque ceremony
The corps Of foreign diplomats ant
their ladies are present, and 80 ar
as many foreigners as can secure
ticket of invitation. And yet tn
whole thing is very simple.
| The representative OF every col
lege, etc., advances to the foot o
the Papal throne and, after KISSING
the Popes ring, presents him will
the candle, receives his blessing, ant
retires. One day in the reign o
Plus TX, the rector Of the Polish
College tthe students Of which In
stitution had to live in Rome under
assumed names in order to throw
| tho Czar's spies off their track wal