Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-21
BY ROBERT r. SMALL.

III AhoDIAbJ - h5AVAEAALI'
CHICAGO, June 21.-This Eucharis-
tic Congress is the most amazing dem
onstration of religious belief ever
staged. The word staged naturally
comes to mind, for in the dramatic
setting of the stated events, in the
panoply and pageantry of the process
sion and the glittering splendor Of the
cathedral there seems to be Away 8
present the master hand of a Belasco:
Chicago is a strange mixture OF
medievality and modernity. At one mo-
ment the cardinals and the high
prelates are enthronged in imperial
splendor and surrounded by the ritual
ism of the centuries. The next they
are being whirled away in high
powered motor cars, with screaming
sirens warning all traffic out of their
way.
The statistics of the congress are
staggering. One loses all sense of COM
parison or perspective when told of
the presence Of IL cardinals. 3 apostolic
delegates, 81 archbishops 257 bishops,
projects apostolic, II mitered abbots,
4 superiors general of monastic orders,
500 monsignori and priests without
number.
Estimates of the lay attendance at
the congress range all the way from
100000 to l 100000. The former figure
probably is more nearly correct. But
even so the congress takes on proper
tons which make it stand out As one
IF the greatest pilgrimages of all time.
Forty foreign lands have sent their
<IAlA nd
hotel bills of those who are attending
may easily run up to 800 100000 or
more. That all this should be done for
a religious festival shows something
Of the influence of Catholicism.
Most of the sermons and addresses
in connection with the congress
have TO do with an explanation OF
the Eucharist There was an inter-
national congress in Montreal in
1910, and it, too, attracted pilgrims
from all parts Of the world. but It's
influence was not keenly felt in the
United States. This is the first
truly national manifestation. II
means that future Congresses. held
in Europe, will attract thousands OF
pilgrims from America. who will nave
been awakened to the significance
of the celebration.
The spirit of the congress is one
Of Joy. This is because Of the be-
lief Of the faithful that through a
continuing miracle. the Lord is
actually present in Chicago today
This fact has been stressed by the
personal representative of the rope:
1t is the basis of all Catholic beller
that the Lord is present in the com
munion-the Eucharist.
To-day" says Cardinal MundeIeln,
host of the congress, christ tne
King of the World clothed in the
white garb Of the Eucharistic species,
NAYS His first ceremonial visit, makes
His first triumphant entry into
city of the United States. Until now
He has been imprisoned In our
tabernacles, kept on our affairs
closed in our churches. But now we
bring him forth, do Him papal
honors. bear Him in triumph midst
the multitudes. proclaim publicity
our layalty, profess our faith. pour
forth our alteration. present our pc
titions. offer our love"
The celebration of the holy com
munion is a ceremony. the Cathohcs
say. in which all the faiths OF
Christendom may join. Otner
churches do not go so far as the
catholics In their belief that
through conservation the bread ana
wine of the communion is turned
into the body of Christ. In partak-
ing of this communion Catholics be-
lieve they are clothing themselves
with something of the Christ spirit.
They recall that Christ at Galliee
made his first declaration OF the
Eucharist:
II am the bread which has come
down from heaven"
Cardinal Bonzano, the legate or the
Pope. has cited other sc1ptural
phrases.
"If any man eat of this bread he
shall live forever He that eateth
nv flesh and drinketh my blood hath
life everlasting.
II am the vine" said the LORD
You the branches; he that abideth
in Me and / in him. the same bearetn
much fruit, for without Me you car
do nothing" =.
And St. Paul. filled with the spirit
of Christ, exclaimed: II live now, MOI
I. but Christ liveth in me-"
Chicago seems transformed. A re"
months ago the Nation was strtlec
when the Better Government Associa
+J1- ~ Tho cit1, made stirring aD