Evening star., 1938-04-17

nue. NE
In Rome he lived under monastic
rule at the College Of. the Confessors
Of st. Peters, built 1916. is years
before Columbus discovered the New
World 1t was at that time the palace
Of Cardinal Domenico Della Rovere,
nephew of Pope Sixtus w and pre-
decessor in direct line of succession.
Not only is the College of Confessors
decorated within and without with the
Della Rovere coat of arms. but the
walls and ceiling of its reception hall
contains the famous Renaissance fres-
Goes Of Pinturicchio, which date back
to 1900. Through the good Offices Of
Father Huber, who arranged for per-
mission to have them viewed, they are
serving as an inspiration to many
artists of the American Academy of
Rome.
The College of the Confessors Of St.
Peters is composed of Franciscan con-
ventuals from various parts of the
world, who serve in the capacity of
confessors at st. Peters for the thous-
ands of pilgrims who come to the
Eternal City from all over Christen-
dom. 1t is within square of the
Piazza of St. Peters on a new ave-
nue., formed through Mussolini's demo-
lition of all the buildings which once
formed the so-called "Spina," or
Thorn" between the Castle St. An
gelo on the Tiber and st. Peters.
Gave Information to Tourists.
St. Angelo, it will be recalled. was
once the Roman Hadrian's tomb and
later a medieval papal fortress. This
avenue is now called Via Della Con-
ciliazone (way of the reconciliation) ;,
in commemoration of the lateran
treaty concluded in 1929 between the
Holy See and the Italian government
At the College of Confessors and at
St. Peters, because of his knowledge
of languages. Father Huber, in addi-
ton to his religious duties. frequently
served as general bureau Of infor-
nation for tourists of his own and
many other nationalities, no matter
what their creed might be. 1ncreas-
ingly, too. he found himself officiating
at marriages. He performed the first
marriage of two Americans in St.
Peters following the lateran treaty
His services were likewise frequently
sought in connection with the arrang-
ing of audiences with the Holy Father,
obtaining tickets for special functions
at the Vatican and as guide to St.
! Peters. the Vatican's famous libraries
/ and museums and the Pope's beautiful
gardens and summer residence at
Castel Gandolfo.
During Father Huber's sojourn in
Rome he was also professor of church
history at the Pontifical Interna-
tional Seraphic Institute of the Friars
Minor ConventionaE. He likewise
took special postgraduate course in
the Vatican School of Diplomatics
and Photography. organized by the
present Pope Plus XI, which special
ICES in extensive knowledge of. as we'll
as the reading and evaluation of old
manuscripts, In this connection it is
interesting to note that probably the
last letter written by that distin-
guished prince of the church. Car.
dinal Merry del Val, was inscribed to
Father Huber. Its contents dealt
with reputed decision OF the holy
Office. of which the cardinal was Sec
retary, concerning slavery in Cuba
during the 18th century.
Among Father Hubers few temporal
/ treasures are two rare parchments,
with illuminated initials. which in al
probability go back to the 9Th CEN
tury. They formed the one-time
cover Of an 1nculabulum of the Sen
/ tences of the famous Doctor Subtilis.
Duns Scotus, printed in 1873 It is
thought that they are the handiwork
Of some patient Irish monk who had
made his way to Continental Europe,
for their illuminatlons are In the
Irish form.
Decorated by Pontiff.
Twice during the 10 years soiourn
Of Father Huber in Rome u927-193D
he was decorated by the present holy
father for distinguished services rem
dered during the jubilee years Of 1929
and 1888.
In addition to his valuable re-
search studies from source authorities
in the Vatican Library, Father Huber
has been particularly interested in
matters pertaining to the history and
sanctuaries of the Franciscan Order.
He is preparing an authoritative work
dealing with its development, saints
and scholars from the time of st.
Francis of Assist down through all
the ramifications OF the order to the
present time.
He has also edited a new English
version of the life of ST. Anthony of
Padua; has written extensively on
the relation of the Catholic Church
to education. arts and sciences. and
has repeatedly contributed valuable
articles to the Catholic Historical
Review and other periodicals. He is
a member of the Medieval Society of
America.