Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-23

Definite Proof Required.
Priests asked during the week for
comment on the flow of afflicted per-
sons to the graveStome of Father Pow
err have pointed out that long and
exhaustive investigation is required be-
fore the church recognizes a shrine as
miracle working. Proof satisfactory 10
the prelates that three major miracles
have been performed is one of the re-
quirements for canonization of a saint
Cardinal O'Connell made two visits
to the cemetery while the band of pill
grims were seeking cures, but made no
comment regarding his attitude or the
attitude of the church. 1t Is believed
that check will be made on the cures
reported TO establish their authenticity
before persons are again allowed to
visit Father Powers grave.
The story of what led to Cardinal
O'Connelfs action'is of unusual interest.
Sixty years ago Father Power died
in Brookline Mass. OH his twenty
fifth birthday, holy day of his
church, December 8, 1869. the feast
of the immaculate conception Of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. He was laid at
rest in Holy Cross Cemetery, Maiden,
OH the outskirts of Boston, the first
priest to be buried in the priests lot,
a section in that cemetery set aside as
the last resting place for the Catholic
clergy of the archdiocese of Boston.
Three-Score years later multitude
filed past his grave-the lame, the halt
and the blind-praying for relief from
their af1ictions. From dawn to dawn
for three weeks the line shuffied
through the cemetery, with no let-up
night or day, in rain or snow; never
a minute that some persons were not
kneeling at this grave.
Many Cures Reported.
Bottles of water have been placed on
the slab over his coffin to be blessed.
Handouts of earth from his grave were
scooped up to be treasured as sacred.
Thousands of dollars in silver and bills
have been left on the slab as offerings,
as well as jewelry and religious ar
ticles. Vigil lights burned on the stone
night and day.
To prayers devoutly recited at this
spot are attributed by faithful COM
municants of the church an efficacy
comparable to devotions at Lourdes,
Lisieux and the Shrine of ste. Anne
de Beaupre In Quebec. Cures from
mental and bodily Affections have been
reported by many pilgrims to this grave.
Clutches. braces. casts and eyeglasses
have been left al the graveside and in
the cemetery chapel.
Police estimates of the crowds that
have visited this grave in the three
weeks place the figure at more than
900, 900 persons. The first crush top
pied the gravestone over and broke the
pedestals. They have not been re-
placed.
Despite the great crowds, the entire
spectacle has been surrounded with the
hush of reverence under the monot-
onous instructions of police officers,
firemen and members of the American
Legion: Touch the stone and move on.
Please do not kneel to pray. The chapel
is open for prayer"
The origin of these devotions is OBJ
scure. as obscure as the life of Father
Power, who lived from 1914 to 1859.
Relatives and a handful of friends of
the dead priest have pieced together
his biography. Born in Bantry, County
Cork, Ireland; orphaned as a baby,
brought to Boston at by a brother,
educated for the priesthood by the