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Laa diagrammas suivants illustrant la m*thoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 32 X PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES AND ROME BY WILLIAM O'CONNOR, ESQ. G U E L P H : J. H. HACKING, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. PREFACE. By the grace of Almighty Gad, it was my special privilege to be one of the American Pilgrims — the only one from this place— who sailed last spring from the shores of this Continent, to visit the shrine of our Lady of Lourdes and the Eternal City. Upon my return, after having performed the Holy Pilgrimage, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, of which I am a member, passed a resolution requesting me to relate some memoirs of my journey. In obedience to the wish of the Society, I applied myself to the duty of complying with such resolution, bringing to the task naught but a good will deeply imbued with vivid recollections, and lasting impressions of what I had seen and heard. My humble production having been deemed, by many good persons, worthy of publication ; and feeling that its perusal might in some slight degree, add to' the greater honor and glory of God and of His Holy Mother, I have decided to lay it before an in- dulgent public, not for the critics' inspection, but as a simple recital of facts founded upon personal observation, interspersed with quotations from the sublime language of His Holiness Pius IX. and some of the most celebrated prelates of the Catholic Church. To the. "St. Anne's Society," of Guelph— an Association yet ip its infancy, formed for the purpose of aiding St. Joseph's Hos- pital— I dedicate this little sketch, earnestly hoping that its sale may afford some small revenue to this worthy Institution, which is conducted by the good Sisters of St. Joseph, who have with heroic virtue, for the love of God, renounced the world and devoted their whole lives to the care of the poor, the sick and the orphan. If it shall prove instrumental in relieving the wants of any poor inmate therein, and of inspiring any one of its readers with a greater love for God and for Mary Immaculate, then I shall feel that my Pilgrimage has not been made in vain ; and when I shall have entered the portal through which all of us must one day pass, and be hunched upon the ocean of eternity, let those who, while on the weary pilgrimage of life, may chance to take up this little pamphlet, not forget to offer one short prayer to the Throne of Grace and invoke the intercession of our dear Lady of Lourdes for the writer. WILLIAM O'CONNOR. ' •« INTRODUCTION. The manuscript of the following memoirs having been donated by tne wnter to "St. Anne's Society," we the undersigned officers ol the said socety-while deeply grateful for the gift-take the liberty of prefixing for publication therewith, an address presented o 'the author by the St Vincent de Paul Society, and his reply thereto, on he behef that the work would thereby be rendered more acceptable to us readers from the fact of its emanating from the pen of one so h^hly esteemed by his fellow workers in the cause of Charity-a character which his Christian modesty would fain conceal. We hare confidence in recommending the work to the public on account of the acknowledged probity and truly Catholic piety of the author, as well as the sanction which his production has received from clergy- men renowned for learning and sanctity. Those who may kindly pur chase a copy of this little book will find therein much to edify and" instruct, and will, at the same time, contribute towards the suppor of an institution well deserving of their charity. Mrs. E. O'Connor, President. Miss Mays, Vice-President. Mrs. Gauhan, Treasurer. Mrs. J. P. Macmillan, Sec'y. On Monday evening last was witnessed a most edifying pro ceeding, viz : the presentation to Mr. William O'Connor of an address, accompanied with a very handsome present the ^ft ^f the mark of their esteem and a token of their approval of his intended jouruey to Rome, to join in the ranks of thousands, who from all parts of the world perform holy pilgrimages to the Eternal City, and to the Miraculous Fountain of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. The presentation, by request of the President, was made by the Secretary of the Society, John E. McElderry, Esq., who read the following AD DRESS. To William O'Connor, Esq: Dear Sir.— Having heard of your intended departure from among us to join the Holy Pilgrimage, which will leave the shores ol «iis contment on the 15th instant, to visit the Sacred Shrine of Our Blessed Lady of Lourdes in France and those of the Eternal City, We, the undersigned officers and members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Guelph, have the honor, on our own behalf, and on that of the Catholics of this parish, to discharge the duty incumbent on us, on this occasion, of expressing our admiration of the spirit which prompts you to undertake so arduous a journey. It is gratify- mg to know that Guelph will be worthily represented in this Ho'ly Pilgrimage. The sacrifice you are about to make is another proof of that truly Catholic spirit of which your career has furnished so many striking examples. Your unostentatious piety, your devotion to the cause of Charity as a member and an officer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and your many other charitable actions have been for us all a source of edification. Knowing all this, we are convinced that your only motive in entering on this pious Pilgrimage is to pro- mote the glory of God, and the honor of His ever Blessed and Im- maculate Mother. It is a gratifying reflection to the Catholic heart, that in this sordid and unbelieving age, the spirit of the olden time— of the ages of faith, still lives and burns brightly in many generous souls, inciting them to the imitation of the example of our forefathers in the faith. We congratulate you on the joy you will experience when you visit the Miraculous Grotto and Fountain of our Lady of Lourdes and the magnificent Temple which grateful piety has there erected in honor of the apparition, in that favored spot, of Heaven's Queen, and in testimony of the innumerable miracles wrought at the waters u miraculous fountain she caused to gush forth from the solid rock. We congratulate you, also, on the great happiness of visiting Rome, the city of the soul, the centre of Catholic unity, where you will have the great privilege of prostrating in adoration at the sacred shrines of Sts. Peter and Paul and of the many saints and martyrs to be found m Rome, and of beholding our Holy Father, the glorious Pius IX, the worthy successor of St. Peter, the visible liead of the one true Chnrrh and Vir-ar f.f ^..^ ri;..;_- t — j v- •" > Share m the consolation which the band of Faithful Pilgrims from Canada and the United States must bring to the heart of Pius IX in his sufferings, with which we deeply sympathize. We beg you to "do us the honor of accepting this crucifix, beads and prayer-book as a slight token of friendship and fraternal affection, accompanied with the expression of our heartfelt wishes and ardent prayers for your prosperous voyage to the Eternal" City, safe return t» Guelph, and full participation in all the blessings our Holy Mother the Church bestows on the pious Pilgrim. We ask earnestly a rememberance in your prayers at the sacred shrines you are to visit. Signed, on behalf of the members, John Harris, President, Mayor of Guelph. Mr. O'Connor replied in a very feeling and appropriate speech as follows : — ' Mv Dear Friends.— I don't know how to thank vou for thi^ mark of kindness and friendship ; you could not have selected ani Jnr'"ih.. """"k "^ ^^r '"'"" f acceptable to me, especially the cross, for what can be so dear to the heart of a christian as the cross the sign of our salvation. As for your beautiful present, I feel that I am entirely undeserving of it, but I look at it as not merely done to m?! se f, but as an expression of your faith, and approval of the Holy fol^Zt" 7^rV r n^^'V '"'^"P"' '"'^"^ your ardent love for the Holy Catholic Church, to which all of us here this evening have the happiness to belong. We go not for curiosity, or amuse ment or show, but for the glory of God and the good of our Touls and I am sure, gentlemen, there is not one of you here this evening but would gladly undertake the same jo-nney for the aL oS J;!''"?';'^''^"'^^' P^™'' ''• ^^^ «^'l ^^ ■ '^vre, in France, on the i6th of he present month. We proceed ir m thence to th^ shr nc of our blessed Lady of Lourdes, where the Blessed Virgb appea ed and ordered a church to be built in her honor on the spot^h!rT2t stood and where she also caused a fountain of water to flow from he sohd rock, where hundreds of people, who have been pronounced incurable by the best medical men in the land, are instantly restored to health by drinking from this miraculous fountain. There can S seen crowds of pilgrims coming from all parts of Europe and mher countries, to show their love and devotion to the Immaculate Mother of God and receive in return through the intercession of this mere? ful and compassionate Virgin, health and grace for both soul and &f ^' ?'" P^-^f ^d ^« Ro'"-. the centre of Christianiy, every foot of which IS rendered sacred by the blood of Martyrs Thed[n t:^ ^^.^/^.^'^f '-^ '^ *^^ holy faith which all XVer:'thT, e\^.ning nave ihc ij;iijpiness to possess. We will see th* H«i„ Father, the glorious Pius IX, ChSst's holy Vicar that unflnc^fn^J Christian hero who stands firm as a rock amidst all his trials and 6 persecutions, we will kneel at his feet and ask and receive his blessinj? J his, gentlemen, is a great privilege, and one which, I feel, I am entirely undeserving of We will visit the sacred shrines of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Catecombs, and a great many other holy places and I hope you will all remember me in your prayers while I am gone. Accept my sincere thanks, gentlemen, for the kindness and honor you have shown me, and for the beautiful present you have given me. Upon the conclnsion of Mr. O'Connor's speech he was warmly applauded. Mr. J. P. McMillan, Barrister, now arose and said it would be improper to allow the occasion to pass by without an ex- pression by some of those i)re8ent of the pleasure they felt in witnes- sing the pleasing ceremonial which had just taken place. He spoke of the good which was being accomplished by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, how it was calculated not only to relieve the |)Oor and suf- fering, but also to lix in the minds and hearts of its members sound principles of virtue, and the groundwork of a good Christian life, and also to lit them for the irajjortant offices which some day tfeey will be called upon to till. He referred, in glowing terms, to the ir- reproachable life of Mr. Wm. O'Connor, eulogising his unostentatious piety and exemplary conduct, and concluded a brilliant and instruc- tive speech amid loud applause. Mr. John E. McElderry, merchant, next 8j)oke. He said he did not wish Mr. McMillan or any person «l8e to leave with the impression tliat the members «f the Society, modest though they were, had any intention of allowing the occasion to pass* without giving expression to the esteem in which Mr. Wm. O'Connor was held by them. He spoke in the most earnest and en- thusiastic manner of that gentleman's activity as a member of their Society, of his pious and exemplary life, and congratulated the Society upon the happiness they should feel to know that one of tkeir num- ber, and so worthy a representative, was about to visit the Shrine of Our Blessed Lady of Lourdea and kneel at the feet of our holy Pontiff Pius IX. At the conclusion of his able speech he was loudly ap- plauded. Short and neat speeches were delivered by Messrs. Samuel and Wm. Heffernan, merchants. Dr. Nunan, E. O'Connor, Barrister, and M. J. Doran. merchant, all expressive of the satisfaction they felt at being present to witness the honor- done to one of their members, Guelph, May 12th, 1874. PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES AND ROME. To the President and Conference of St. Vincent de Paul My Dear Friends : It is a great pleasure for me to meet you all again after an aW- sence of several months, during wliicb time I Lave travelled through the greater part of Italy and France. As it is your wish that I should give you an account of our Pilgrimage and describe our jour- ney, I will, to the best of my ability, do so. On the morning of the day we sailed from New York, we heard Mass and received Holy Communion, in St. Patrick's Cathedral, after which the Archbishop of New York, delivered a beautiful ad- dress, as follows : ADDRESS OF THE ARCHBISHOP. While I stand here on this Altar, and contemplate the spectacle which V >ow before me, I am impressed, almost painfully, with the consciou n.iss of my inability to speak to you in such words as I would wish to speak, and in such words as probably you would naturally expect to hear. It is true that many a time before T have addressed assemblages within the venerable walls of this Cathedral, far more numerous than the one now present. Many a time I have taken part in ceremonies more solemn, more stately, more imposing, than any now performed within this Sanctuary ; but never before has there come an occasion so full of attractiveness, of an interest, of a beauty, of a peculiar charm distinguishing it from all others, and awakening, at the same time, a new order of emotions within the heart, for which I can find no adequate expi-ession. For what do I here behold before me ? A venerable Bishop, very reverend, and reverend priests, a multitude of devout and faithful people, come from variou 8 portiona of this extended Union, and here gathered together before Wod 8 Holy Altar.led hy one common impulse, animated all by one com- mon sentiment, and tho.ight, and feeling, inspired all by one generou. and noble and holy resolve, and that is to undertake what has never- been undertaken before-a pilPrin.aae from these American shores of ours, a pilgrimage to Rome, a pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apos- tles, a pilgrimage to the feet of the Holy Father, to the shrine of the ever Blessed Mother Immaculate, made eminent the world over by the many blessings that have flowed from it, and to the shrini. made glorious and consecrated by the graces that have been bestowed in «uch ample measure through the sacred and loving and tender heart ot Jesus It will, then, be a band, not merely of excursionists that will go from the pert of New York this evening ; not a band of mere travellers or sightseers, going abroad to seok for relaxation, for plea- sure or for health, still less for any temporal motive, or for any love of worldly interest or gain. It will be a band of Christian pilgrims go- ing forth in the spirit of Catholic faith, and in the spirit of Catholic piety, going forth inspired with zeal for the greater honor and glory of Almighty God, for the peace and welfare of His children now af- flicted in spirit in the person of His Vicar on earth, to beseech bles- sings for the suffering, and to call back to the true path those who have wandered away, and to make them return once more to His own dear home, and this through the Sacred Heart of the Divine Saviour Jesus, and through the intercession of His Immaculate Mother— Mo ther of the Divine Saviour, who, being born for us on earth, vouchsafed most wonderfully to take flesh of her flesh and bone of her bone and ofi^er Himself upon the Cross of Calvary, for the redemption of a sinful and smmng world. Dear Pilgrims, then, one and all, I congratulate you on the privilege and blessing which is to become yours. You will carry with you our prayers for your safety, with our prayers that the bles- sings you pray for may be showered upon you an hundred-fold and that you may carry them back with you into the midst of your homes and your children. While wo ai-e praying for you. do yon not fail while kneeling before the Vicar of Christ, to pray for all those in our dear country whom you will have left behind. Yours is, indeed a holy mission. You go to Rome. Soon, very soon, your feet will press that soil the most sao.ed of all others on earth save one • save that once pressed by the feet, and sanctified and consecrat^H bv f.I,^ blood of the Saviour of the world. You will not kneel or pray at the •!^ r f 1 c f c sepulchre of ChriHt, but at the tomb of hia f»vor«d apontU., P«ter t* whom he Haid: 'Thou art Pet...-, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gateH of hell Hhall nut jTovail ««ain«t it " You will kne.1 at the tomb of Peter, lirnt Vicar of Christ, and then y.u will go into the greateHt temple of the world, (St. Peter's) up th© steps <.f the Vatican, and be UHhered into the presence, not of Peter, but into the presence of one in whom Peter still lives, and t« whom have also been addressed the words : "Thou art Pet«r, and upon this Rock I will build niy Church, and the gates «f hell shall not prevail against it;" one who holds the same office as Peter held, i^ho is now Vicar of Christ on earth, as Peter was. You will stand in the pres- ence ot the saintly, glorious Pontifl" Pius IX. You will gaze upon his benign and beauteous countenance, and will hear hi -/ords cheer- ing you. You will deliver to him the me-sage you brought with you from this country, giving him assurance, not ooly in your own namt but in the name of all the Catholics of this land, of the loyalty and affection of his dear children here. He will give yo.i his blessing. And before you 'return you will have knelt at the shrine of our I^dy of Lourdes, and planted there the bnnner that is now before us the offering of loving hearts, as a testimony of yo«r love, as a testimony cf your determination to be faithful children of Mary ; and as a me- morial of your pilgrimage to Iht .hrine. And this spectacle we see here will be an assurance to the world of tho faith and loyalty of the Catholics here to Peter's successor. It is a proof, a public and noble proof of our faith. Your pilgrimage will be an act of constant prayer, an evidence to the world that the words of Christ will be fulfilled, that heaven and earth may pass away.but that the words of Christ will never pass away. "Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." And the gates of hell are striving almost everywhere throughout the world to prevail. What is the effect ? They thought to separate us from Ur Holy Father, yet they have brought Catholics everywhere together nearer and dearer to one another. Thev have sought to extinguish the fire of Catholic zeal,and faith in the hearts of the children of the Church. What is the result ? They only intensify that faith, and give Cath- olics, in the hour of trial, the courage displayed by the martyrs and con- fessors of old. With these arms-the arms of prayer and penance, ol laiU. and self-denial, of every Catholic virtue— there is no doubt on which side victory will declare. I have nothing more now to say 10 but to add the words of the benediction of the Church eHtablished by Christ Hinisplf. She has a special blessing for those who go as pilgrims to the tombs of the saints. She will accord it to you in spreading over you the wings of her protection, and by praying that the Immaculate Heart of Mary will shield you everywhere and bring you back in safety. And finally when the long and weary pilgrimage of life is ended, it will lead you, not to the shrine on earth of the Apostles, but to the Altar of the Lamb of God, there in companion- ship of the saints in Heaven to reign with Christ forever and ever. At the conclusion of this beautiful address the archbishop pro- ceeded with the blessing of pilgrims setting forth to visit Sacred Shrines according to the Roman Ritual ; and then, with mitre and crozier, gave his Episcopal Blessing. After this the blessed Sacra- pent was brought forth for adoration, and his Grace gave the bene- diction of the Most Holy. The scene in the Cathedral will never be forgotten by those who took part in it. Shortly after two o'clock, the pilgrims were gathered at the Metropolitan Hotel. It was still rain- ing, but it was a singular fact, that the moment the signal was given to march to the steamer, the rain suddenly ceased. On arriving at the wharf of the French steamer, there were thousands of people, come to show their interest and devotion. The banner of our Lady of Lourdes was hung out on the stern deck of the " Pereire " — con- tinually surrounded by an admiring throng. Promptly at four o'clock the " Pereire" began to cast off" her fastenings to the wharf. Those who were to go down the bay, in accompanying steamers, sprang for their several vessels. As we moved out from the pier, cheer after cheer rose from the densely packed wharves, as friends and loved ones strained tearful eyes for a last fond glance at their dear depa ing friends. We were accompanied down the bay by seven or eight steamers, crowded with people, with bauds of music, and the waving of 'kerchiefs as the noble " Pereire " proudly moved down the bay in an enterprise as yet unknown to the Western World. The music, cheers, and waving of 'kerchiefs seemed never to weary, un- til darkness began to creep over the moving waters, when, one by one, with a farewell cheer, fell to our stern, and we we were alone upon the great Atlantic. The bell then rang for our evening maal, This was our first meal on board, so for many, tor several days to come, it was the last. The Rt. Rev. Bishop is a most excellent man and, un- 11 • ! really sincere christiKU, who seems to liave been specially selected by Divine Providence to guide our pilgrim band in that holy spirit most pleasing to Almighty God. He was preserved from the very begin- ning from the least ill-health and has made strenoiis efforts under the most adverse circumstances to have our order of spiritual exercises carried out, and seemed all consumed with zeal for the success of America's first Pilgrimage. On Tuesday, 19th May, the first Holy Mass was offered by the Bishop, as on the two previous days the weather was unfavorable, but every day after we had the happiness of assisting at that holy sacrifice in the morning, at six o'clock. Temporary altars were erect- ed in both forward and after cabins, so that all persons on board could enjoy this speciy' -irivilege. Our order of exercises were as follows : 6 A. M., mornin,, ^ rayers and Holy Mass; 11.30 a. m., Angelus and Conference by the Bishop; 2 p.m., Rosary and Novena to our Lady of Lourdes; 8.30 p.m., night prayers and instructions. At almost every Mass, some of the Pilgrims received Holy Communion and all seemed to vie with each other in attention and attendance at the religious exercises. We had over thirty priests aboard. We reached Havre on the 27th May. Stopped there a fev, hours and started for Paris the same evening ; travelled all nighi, and ar- rived there next morning, where we remained for five days. The Archbishop celebrated Mass for us, at which we were all present ; he also addressed us in French and gave us his blessing. Paris is a very beautiful city, in fact the most beautiful in the world. The Catholics there are very devout; the churches are crowded from five o'clock in the morning, even on week days. We all heard Mass and received Holy Communion in the church of Notre Dame des Victoires, which is cele- brated for the number of miracles that have been performed there. On the evening before leaving Paris for Lourdes and Rome, a number of Catholic Societies in Paris imited in the hall of one of these Associations to give welcome and bid adieu to the American Pilgrims. A distinguished company was present. Among them Viscount De Damas, President of the French Committee on Pilgrim- ages ; Count De Euti ; Count De Melun ; Viscount D'Origny ; Coun T^. Ferd, Count De Deisbaoh, and several Deputies of the French Na- tional Assembly, with others, better known in France than here. Mgr. De Segur, well known to Catholics in America by his pious writing 12 presided, having aa his vis-a-vis Bishop Dwenger. as Spiritual Head of the American Pilgrimage. When the dinner was over, M«r De Segur rose and offered the toast: The health of the Pope ! "The sweet est, but the most formidable name on earth-Pius IX » The accl» mations are to be imagined, not described. Then Mgr. De Segur went on to say : ° 6 America, young as it is, offers us to-day a grand spectecle. Here we have from that young country a united Pilgrimage, a company of men laymen with Ecclesiastics, men of various distinguished p'osi- tions m their country, passing through France, that still holds her- txtle as Oldest Child of the Church, to offer their devotion and the" hamage to our Mother in common, the Immaculate Virgin, and to our common Father, the Pope, whose voice is gathering all his children, from all parts of the worid, about him. As you go your way then through our Franco. Pilgrims to Our Lady of united with yours, and leave them all knit together at the feet of that Mo her u 1 of grace. Draw us after you, thence, to Kome, as vo„ 4 s 1:;:' 1 '^Tr *^'"^^'^" ^^^"^^ *^« ^-^^ pontiff wit his puson-house guards the justice and the dignity that is left on earth And on your return a. Paray-le-Monial, plunge our hearts with yours into the wonderful abys. of the love of the Sacred Heart of our C no more to be separated forever. Here, then, is to the Amerioln PiJgnmage; and especially to its spiritual head, the American Bishon who leads It to the feet of the Bishop of Bishops, at Rome. ^' The fervor which this address called forth was singular There were endless ejaculations to the one purpose: "France'and Am.L find themselves one in Rome." Sundry gentlemen, each representing one o. other of the Catholic Societies represented in this ban.u fd^ ive^d speeches of felicitation. These finished, it came to the turn of the American Pilgria.age to respond, which it did, briefly, and poLt edly, and modestly, by Bishop Dwenger. He began by Lnking he distinguished company fo. the earnestness of their welcome tL American Pilg.i.« ,.d not come from so far to ask fo oTto ejoy he delights of fraternal sympathy from fellow Catholics. But, nTt America, in this .ost coital .c^^i^. iJ Fitr^^rZ :X:: 13 • ! that ther. was still alire, and poteat, in France, tl.e spirit and the purpose, that had made France what it was; and what he hoped it might soon become again. It was that spirit of counting as part of Itself, and as having a claim on it, whatever was Catholic— no matter in what part of the world. This ancient and true spirit of France was a gift to her from God, Who made her the "eldest daughter of the , Church." The greatness of France had come from her chivalrous unity of purpose with the Apostolic See of R,me. Her misfortunes from beginning to end, had come from those politicians that had led her to forget who made her, and why God cared for her ! He was a native of that very young country of which Mgr. De Segur had so flatteringly spoken. It was a country, like others, jealous of its en- tim mdependance. It had its own policy dictated bv its distance from the great European Nations, and taught by its greatest states- men of past ages, that it was, too completely, aloof from Europe for it wisely to take any part in the quarrels of one European Power with another. But, while politically America holds itself aloof from J^urope, by its wise traditions, the same Divine Faith was bestowed and received, and learned, in America as in Europe. And when France shows herself the true France-tte France that is gi-.at that she may do great things for God-that France lays hold of millions of hearts in America, that offer their prayers to God for her, because she takes up and vindicates the cause of God. Therefore, what he found especially admirable in France, was the disposition so strongly manifested by Catholics in her to draw closer and closer to the Vicav of Christ, and to count all those, all over the worid, as her brethern, who stand with the Head of the Church. How, then, concluded Bishop Dwenger, can we visit Our Lady of Lourdes-on French soil • how can we visit Paray-le-Monial~^n French soil; how can we go as Pilgrims to the feet of the Immortal Pius Ninth, and not carry «, °"'. r'!" '""^ "^* P^'"^ ^'^*^ **'« ^^^'•^^ Heart, and with the Blessed Mother Immaculate, for blessings on France. These ovations in Paris were very pleasant in their way. But it was not for any such things that the American Pilgrimage was un- dertaken. So soon as the way was clear to proceed to Lourdes we lelt I'ans on June Ist and arrived at Lourdes on the 3rd. The town oi Lourdes is situated in the department of the Hnutes l-yrenees at the embouchure of the .even valleys of the Lavedan, be- 14 tween tbe hills terminating the plaia of Tarbes and the tir«t abrupt face of high land with which the G.-ande Moutagne commenceH. It 18 built at the foot of an enormous roclc, entirely isolated, on the summit of which is erected a formidable castle. At the foot of this rock the river Gave flows swiftly alony, and serves to turn the noisy wheels of thrae or tour mills built ou its banks. The castle of Lourdea, almost impregnable before the invention of artillery, was in former days the k«y of the Pyrenees. It has been handed down by tradition that Charieniagne, at war with the infidels, was long unable to take possession of it. Just as he was on the point of raising the siege, an eagle, winging his flight above the highest tower of th° be- leagured fortress, let fall upon it a splendid tish which it had just captured in a lake in the neighborhood. Whether it was that on this particular day the laws of the church prescribed abstinence, or that the tish was a christian symbol still popular at that time, one thing is certain, the Saracen chief, Mirat, who occupied the cLstle, regarded the occurrence in the light of a prodigy, and became a con- vert to the true faith. It needed nothing less than this miraculous conversion of Mirat, and his subsequent baptism, to re-incorporate this castle into the domains »f Christendom. Further, the Saracen, as the chronicle informs us. expressly stipulated that "having become the champion of Our Lady, the Mother of God, he would" have it understood, both in his own case and in that of his descendants, that his dignity of Count, free from all earthly fiefdom, was held from .Her alone." The coat of arms of the town testify to t£is extraordi- nary fa«t of the eagle and the flsh. The population of Lourdes is excellent. Few places could be cited in Fjance where the schools are more numerously attended than at Lourdes. There is not a boy in the place who does not go for several years to some lay institution or to the school conducted by the Brothers; not a little girl who does not, in the same manner, attend the school of the Sisters, at Nevers, until she has completed the education adapted to her place in society.' With more instruction than the working classes of most of our cities, the people of Lourdes haye at the same time the simplicity of rural life. They are warm in their affections, upright in heart, and strictly moral. They are honest, devout and averse to innovations. On arriving at Lourdes, the Pilgrims went in solemn procession to the holy Grotto, where the Blfl8.qfifl Vu-tri,, ur,»>e'>rf-] fo x>a-- -^--^ ■ ~n'~ _j!^.K.,!t..i lo jjein£taci,ta, and where she caused the miraculous spring to flow from the solid 15 . : rock. At the h«ar1 of the line was the niagnificont Banner of Lourdes carried by one of th« Pilgrims; next came the ladies of the Pilgrim age, walking two by two, then the American flag, presented bv the students of Georgetown College. The gentlemen of the Pilgrimage came behind the flag, and the procession was closed by th« priests and Rt Rev. Bishop Dwenger. The "Magnificat" was sung, and the ±loIy Rosary recited by us on our way through the streets. Rome time before reaching the church we were met by the clergy who joined our party, and we entered the magnificent temple which far exceeded my expectations, the organ meanwhile pealing out a joyous march. Vesper.s were immediately commenced by Rt Rev Bishop Dwenger. After the "iMagnificat," che Bishop delivered a touching address on devotion to the Blessed Mother of God. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament closed the service at the Church We then marched down to the Grotto, reciting the Rosary, knelt and prayed for our Pilgrimage, and for those whom we left behind. Our prayers closed with one for the Holy Father. There were seven different pilgrimages here. It is impossible for me to describe the devotion of this immense multitude of people to our blessed Lady of Lourdes. It is a sight which, once seen, can never be forgotten, to see them all kneeling on the ground, Bishops priests, and people, reciting the Rosary and Litany aloud before a statue of our Blessed Lady in the very Grotto where she appeared to Bernadetta, to see them kissing the rock, touching it with their beads medals, and prayer books, drinking from the fountain, and lighting candles in honor of our Blessed Lady, till the whole place was a blaze of light. An American lady, from Boston, who was completely paralyzed, was restored to health and joined us in the procession. On the following morning. Bishop Dwenger celebrated Mass, at which we received Holy Communion, in the beautiful temple erected there at a cost of nearly two million of dollars. I had the happiness of drinking from the fountain and of seeing and speaking to the sister of Bernadetta. On Thursday morning, then, June 4th, we left Lourdes for Mar- seilles, travelled all night, and arrived there about seven next morn- ing, and as the steamer, "Rio Jerome," did not sail till nine in the evening, we visited several of the principal churches of the city The church which was visited by the greater number of our party was 16 Notre Datne de la Guarde, situated on an eminence, commanding a fine view of Marseilles and its harbor. This church is also a cele- brated sanctuary of our Lady, and is visited hy many pilgrimi. They aie building a magnificent cathedral there; when finished it will be one of the largest and finest in the world. We left Marseilles at 9, for Civitta Vecchia, and our passage to the latter place was all that could have been desired. Our trip only occupied a day and two nights and the Mediterranean was very calm. On Sunday morning, between 7 and 8 o'clock, we reached Civitta Vecchia. Very Rev. Dr. Chatard, rector of the American college, at Rome, having learned of our being expected on Sunday, had mad« all necessary arrangements for our reception. A little boat soon set out from the shore, and we were welcomed to Civitta Vecchia, by Rev. Father Hostlot, of the American College. His Lordship, the Bishop of Civitta Vecchia, accompanied by all his seminarians, soon boarded our vessel, and welcomed us to his Episcopal City. We soon landed, and immediately went to the Cathedral, where Bishop Dwenger celebrated Mass. At the close of the Mass the Bishop of Civitta Vecchia invited all to his rooms, where refreshments were tendered us. We were advised from Rome to remain in Civitta Vecchia until Monday morning, and we accordingly made arrange- ments at one of the hotels. Monday morning we started for Rome, which we reached between ten and eleven the same morning. W* were met at the depot by Mgr, Nnrdi and Very Rev. Dr. Chatard, and most of our party went to the Hotel de Rome and the Minerva, where accommodations had been made for our reception. The public reception of the Pilgrimage, by the Holy Father, was fixed for next morning at 1 1 o'clock, in the Sala of the Consistory. Tickets were issued, and each Pilgrim i^eceived one. Tuesday morning, then, shortly before 11 o'clock, the Pilgrims assembled in the Cortile of Saint Damasus, and wearing on our left breast the badge of the Pil- grimage, the Sacred Heart, we went into the Hall of Audience. The students of the American College, and the American young men studying at the Propaganda were present at our audience. The Holy Father entered shortly after 11 o'clock, accompanied by Cardinals Panaebianco, Borromeo, Guide and Guibert ; Mgr. Hassoun, Patri- arch of Constantinople; Mgr. Howard, Mgr. Merode, and many other Prelates of the Roman Court. As soon hs the Holy Father was f ■' 17 mtea Mp. Dv^enger, a« spiritual Hoad of the Pilirrimaje mtr« uuoed to the Hoi, Father the Pilgrims, i„ tha folio JnTIdW Most Holy Father: Fou see prostrate at yout feet, child.,a th«^ have oo^e ft.„ afar, aye fro» the Weat; and ia thi; time o^ vou: •orrow, who have not been hinde,.d by te^o.^ of th« sea, nor of th" tlry land, nor by the va«t distances of space- that in fT .i «..ht behold Holy Pete, Father of all the EfuUnd Po ^ t^ the g..atest-«n«.test in labors and in percent ons; I tit ia patience, m ho,,e, and in confidence in God. i^ever chilf W jno. to see his beloved father than we have deXd o st t Holiness; and distanoA ham »«* i i . "^""^^ to s«e tli> , ana msianco baa not lessened, but increavr? n.... i^ «nj^ -'7 f"*. -O Rock «n w,,ioh .h, Ch,.,4 f Ooa" I b ., MUl inoieMKl by Tbee, w.rthy Succ«»or of St. Poter. And no* «l«iir voices cannot give expression to what out- hearts would fay, that in this moment beat with one same throb, all of submission, of respect, and of love, for your Holiness. The greater your affliction is the more we feel our love growing for you. And wc find our consola- tion in knowing that you suffer the lot of all the just. For no one persecutes any but the just. But we pray God that your chains may fall, that your persecutors may open their ey(-s to the light, and seeing their erroi-, may restore to yon the States to which the Holy See has an incontestable right, by a title supported by tho sword of Pepin and of Charlemagne. Wo whose country is especially dedicat- ed to the Virgin of Immaculate Conception, have coantcd it j)ropcr to prepare for this visit to your Holiness by prostrating ourselves^ ^rst at Lourdes, at ihe Grotto of Her whose Immaculate Conception your Definition has rendered it of faith for all Catholics to believe. Our Blessed Mother Mary, in so revealing heiself as she has done at Lourdes, has, at one and the same time confonnded unbelievei-s, ren- dered open the truth of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and proved to skeptics your Infallibility as Head of the Clinrch, as i^ was your Proclamation that gave us, as part of our obligatory creed, this precious Dogma. In this Continent tiat has of late risen from the Ocean, in thia Continent whence we come, the Catholic religion has been marvellously developed. Be not surprised at' the, love Americans have for you, the only Pope whose foot has tonched the soil of their Continent. When, from all parts of the worid, »uch protestations of obedience and of love come to you, we cannti but think that the hour is not far off when there will^be but one sheep- fold and one shepherd. For us, the first organized pilgrimage from America, we have come hither to offer you, not rich presents, but our sentiments of love and obedience— which are of greater price. ■ For you, and for our holy religion, we are ready for any sacrifice. May ( Jod long keip you at the Lead of our Holy Church. Yoq Ifave seen the ye«rs of Peter; may God grant you to see th« iriamph of the Church. And a»w, Holy Father, at your feet, we ask your love 19 and we beg of you to accept tite little presents we lay at your feet. The Holy Father was much pleased with these addresses: he was consoled and ple..ed with the PUgrinuge, and expressed himself " very gracxous words. His reply, delivered in a clear, firm and bw: t voice, was as follows : ^^^ ALLOCUTION OK TiXE HOLV PATHKK IK KEPLV TO THE ADDRESSES In a moment in which the Church of Jesus Christ is assaulted bv o uiany diverse enemies; in a moment when it is attempted to cov.^ he Church with clouds of darkness; in this verj «ame moment God by a breath of His Ooinipotence, clears the way of clouds and of ^:k' ness and shows to the whole world the watch-light that guides us Pd gi-iMs on this earth, and shows us the road thaf leads u!"o th "pf ' A^l he vano.,senemies are at work in diverse manners, to obscure he Chuich. There are those that try to cloud it by dinsimulations and hypocricies ; these are an impious sect, who sJrive to figureeven within the Sanctuary, .nd show the presumption not only of rlul" -g the rights and discipline, but, if possible, also the docLnelof be bpouse ot Jesus Christ. There are those that adopt ridicule ca ^ ture, and sarcasm, to bring into contempt what they kno^l "r understand of the Church of God. There are those that Ire C raise the armed hand, and become open persecutor of tl Chlh of Jesus Christ. But this Church ! No, she fails not, but stand firm because bui ton the solid Eock, that cannot be shaken. S f>"t « to-day that she i» a spectacle to the world, and to angots and to men. She is persecuted everywhere ; persecuted in the pei-soL of h r ^uCfaithinlsraeir Do I s.y ^f^lr^Z^r^'^ selves, ere a magnificent testimony of this truth. Oh ye. 1 1" jvi^h the prophet : " Lift up thine eyes, round abet a'nd ie "n these are gathered, they have con.e to th.e. Thy sons liU^r from afar •ff,and thydaughters will rise upfromthe'irTWsr and these daughtei-s, wUl .ome from afar, bringing gold andT' cease, and declanng praise to the Lord"_E^a«Ix. 4 Ld 6 AvT you hare not fe.r.d the inconveniences of the journ.y, nor 'thed^ tance of the 8co,>e towaids which you have directed vourVay ^ versing the ocean to kneel at the feet of most blessed ilary i„ one ^i 20 h«r Sanctuarits in Prance, and thence have continned it to thi« Rome-set apart by God as the See of hi. Vicar; and on this very account, became the point of attack for the unbelieving, and befouled , J ^l . obscenities. But this, notwithstanding, God, >.ith His alrf^ghty nght hand, manifests it still, at this moment, in its more nob e part, as mistress of the truth and bulwark of His faith May Cod bless you, dear souls, and may He, who is the Lord, set His re- gards over you, and oyer your country ; a new land, a new, vigorous nation, wherem the products of nature and industry flourish marvel- o,,sly. and where the Catholic religion enjoys an unlimited freedom- rhere, true bohevers have so n,ultiplied, and so many conversions have rendered a.lvisable the erection of so many new Dioceses. But while we p.-ay God that He will turn his regards on this new vine- yard of H,«, equally do we pray that He will put out of it every- thing that belongs not to His vineyard. And, while Lutherans, CaK.n,sts, Anghcans. Methodists, and so many other agPregations, are working over the immense surface of the United Stat'es, it may please the Lord to carry the truth to so many millions of souls, that they, also may enjoy the fruit of the Divir.e Redemption. God from the height of Heaven, confirm these few words, that His un' worthy Vicar addresses to yon. And you, who have for a little while l«ft your country, to come to Europe, and to receive in Rome the Benediction of the V.car of Jesus Christ, unite with me in praying and of obtaining of God the multiplication of laborers for the culti vationof so gr.at harvest fields; that these sowing the good seed even -"rrounded with difficulty, may gather in its time, the fruit' TsZt fMl "f J^^^^f ^«^/-^- ««J -conduct you to your homes, i^ a spirit full of Hts charity; which, Wause it is so shed abroad works 80 that your relatives, your friends, and your respective fellow Citizens, may be made partakers of it. May mothers b<, comforted m seeing their children growing „p in the holy fear of God; lathers m seeing the fruits of their honest traffic and commerce multiplied! May this benediction reach over the breadth of that gi-and continent and render it ever more worthy of the favor of Heaven. Finally' may It go with you on your returning journey to your country, and during your journeys of this life, and be with you at the final moment of death, in which you are to give up your souls into the ITtZ ^'' *^*' ^°" ""^ P**"^ ^'^ "^^ ^^"^ Him for .vtr it to thin 1 this very d befouled , with Hin n its more ith. May set His re- ', vigoroiiH sh marvel- I freedom - inversions ses. But, new vine- it every- iUtherans, regations, IS, it may ouls, that Q. God. His un- ttle whilo %orao the praying the culti- >od seed, the fruit, lomes, in abroad, '^e fellow Jiuforted lathers, jltiplied. jntinent, Finally, itry, and the final info the for «v»-'^«itte..ess, L yet Z m nd bhnded by carnal concupu ,ence, by these very afflictions wo ove to receive ftom the world, we follow it through fleeting • we It tach cHu^lves to it, falling though it be, and inasmuch as t JlnL ave at from its fall, we shall fall with it, because of our cl"!^ the,^unto, and be dragged ignominiously to ruin " ^^ To ensure triumph over so many evils as over the newest form of persecutions which the Church of Jesus Christ always endu e ani ever overcomes the Cardinal made a fervid appeal to'the .r^T^ the devout Catholics of America, to whom he firther addressed mol^ aftecfcionate words of adieu, as follows : """ressed mosi Xow, naught remains to me but the utterance of an affectionate :rtoTouTh'^^^^^^ r '''' ^^'^ "^*^' *" -*-" '« y^^^ and to your homes Depart, then, with tJie a^lmiration of all tl^ i'ood Romans, who have been edified by your piety and by the filial love demonstrated by you towards the august and Lmo J PonS^ de^r with the satisfaction of the good example you have glv^n to CUiohcity at large by .his your holy pilgrimlge f depart, in sho.? w th wil ' *'' '''""' *^' ""' '^^ *"S"st head, a blessing n^ttt n T"''"^ '''' *^^""Shout your entire lives, and fe^ ^^ ith the promises of H.m who said, Have confidence, I have conqueT and within the most pure heart of Mary, which the Church now in Mtes us to honor; and secure within that mystic ark, fid coumut ously the turbid water of this agitated world, and doubt not o I taming the harbor of salvation promised to those who know how tt struggle even to the end. Having lain asidA th«» »>or*i<''"ai — ^-i- < ^ j- - - i\,M-e> A i. , • ' . Po^-'-'S' ^raiiBcnis, uardinal Frarchi and the Prelates of his .uite, the American Pilgrims and the other guest. i msare one© d shedding, r the prox- > very base, nounced by bis basilic*, was seared li. Evei-y- ; in every ^nd yet tb» ictiuns we ig; Ave at- we cannot r clinging «t form of idures and prajers of issed mosi rectionate ir families >f all the the filial Pontiff : given to in shoi-t, I blessing and fear ind more conqner- of Jesus I now in- courage- t of ol>- ' Low to r.clki and T guestt i 25 were conducted to * Bpaoious building, hastily yet tastefully converted into a handsome hall, therein tebles were, spread for a colUtion. The •' table of honor" was occupied by His Eminence Cardinal Pran- chi, Mgr. DeMerode, Prof. J. B. Delloni, the Kector of the American College, Madame DeCorcelles, French Aml^adrcss, Mrs. Peter, and other distinguished personages. After refreshments were served, Father Daly, S. J., proposed a toast in honor of the Holy Father, alluding eloquently to the consolation experienced by the Pilgrims at having been so lovingly welcomed and having been communicated at the august hands of that saintly and most venerated Pontiff. All the Pilgrims stood during the speech of Father Daly, in token of reverence. Several other beautiful addresses were delivered. At eleven o'clock, the assemblage broke up. No music, no sumptuous decorations, none of those noisy spectacles wherewith the world sur- rounds her festivals, characterized this lovely Christian feast. Never- theless all who had the good fortune to assist thereat will never for- get it, but will ever treasure the memory thereof amongst these calm and tranquil joys only to be found in the peace of Christ. Our pil- grimage being row ended, the pilgrims spread over different parts of Kurope. I remained in Rome for thirteen days and visited a great many churches and places of interest, the most important of which I will attempt to describe. ST. petkr's. This temple may be jtistly called the most magnificent modern monument in the world, since all the arts contributed to embellish it. and the greatest artists exerted themselves to the utmost of their ability. It occupies the place of the gardens and circus of Nero, where that tyrant made the massacre of Christians, whose renmins were buried in a grotto, situated near the circus, and in which was also deposited the body of St, Peter. CHURCH OF THK HOLY CROSS OF JKUUSALEM. This church was erected by St. Helena in the Variani gardens which belonged to HeJiogabalus. Under the Altar is an ancient urn which contains the bodies of the holy martyrs, Anastasius and Cajsarion. In this church we were shown a number of most precious relics, viz. : The true cross, one of the nails by which our divin* Saviour was nailed tn ♦Uo /» 28 number of Lalf-columus. The whola of the edifice was crowned by aa entablature adorned with pilasters and windows The ^^ of architecture yaries at each tier: the first beina Dn • n . Ionic and the third a.d fourth' Co:iSLn.^^\?:it\7rh h.-8t tier are marked with Roman numbers as thevf. i -n, entrances, through which, by means "f Z^Z Za^r tlje uppei- stories were rejipliPrl T^a ^ • . "i-^ircases, confining .b„™ . ,„„j^ ^ ^^J^ " ™r.b e of .t;' 1": :"T. :::::■ ^pir "-^ t^""'^ --^ '"^ ^ In t J ""[,'"»"«■«' kJ- «ft«- 8H«™, it po««s«86ieh„S iwiaelt one of the most b<..utif„| oitie. of the unive.-» T„ 1.. .nc,e„t ,„„gn,ace„«, .„ the obelUk., to the coll " ™"he ItneT to the „,.^ ,„. „f . ,^^^ ^^_ di.in.e,red;™„ the ^T^ He, many «„<, ,«pi„„„, ,|,„„|,^,^ ^^^ '•• ■■'ry y— .p B yiiB 29 Tt was a Tiource of great edification to the pilgrims to see tho sincere piety of the Roman people, and their devoted attachment to the Sovereign Pontiff, We could not help thinking that Divine Providence will seen in his mercy terminate the abnormal condition of affairs in the secular government of Italy. On Saturday morning, June 20th, I left Rome for Loretto and arrived there the same evening. It is something over 100 miles dis- tant from Rome, and is renowned as being the place where the house the Blessed Virgin lived in is preserved, it having been brought there by the Angels from Nazareth. The following is a copy of an authen- tic document relating thereto which I procured at Loietto : THE MIRACULOUS ORIOIN AKD TRANSLATION OF THE CHURCH OP OUR BLESSED LADY OF LORKTTO. The Cliurch of Loretto was a chamber of the house of the Blessed Virgin nigh Jerusalem in the City of Nazareth, in which she wa.s born and bred and saluted by the angeJ, and therein conceived and brought up her son Jesus to the age of twelve years. This chamber, after the ascension of Our Saviour was by the apostles consecrated into a chureh, in honor of Our Blessed Lady, and St. Luke made a picture to Her Likeness extant therein, to be seen at this very day It was frequented with great devotion by the people ot th« countrv. where It stocKl whilst they were Catholics. But when leaving the faith of Christ, they followed the sect of Mahomet, the angels tw)k it. and carrying it into Sclavonia, placed it by a town called Flumen where not being had in due reverence, they again transported it over the sea to a wood in the territory of R«canati, belonging to a noble woman called Loretto, from whom it first took the name of Our Blessed Lady of-Loi-etto, and thence ogain they carried it by reason ot the many robberies committed, to a mountain of two brothers iu the said territory, and from thence finally in respect of their dis- agreement about the gifts and offerings, to the comraen highway not far distant, where it now remains, without foundation, famous for many signets, graces, and miracles j whereat the inhabitants of Reca- nati who often -ame to see it, much wondering, environed it with a strong and thick wall, yer; could no man tell whence it came oriinn- ally, till m the year 1296 the Ble.ssed Virgin apjieared in sleep to a holy and devout man, to whom she revealed it, and he divulged it to others of authority in this province, who determining forthwith to try the truth of the vision, resolved to choose sixteen men of credit. ;. ". :""" ""^"^^ 'ifiuuiu go ail together to tl-e Uity of Nazareth m they did carrying with them the measure of this Church, and com- paring it there with the foundation, yet remnant, they found them wbolly agreeable, and in a wall thereby engraven, that it had stood 30 there, and biul left the place ; which clone thov m-o^Pni]- r.^^ ■ |.ack puhli,s..cl the pLi^e's to be tn.:^:a1^r tT 1 trS lm,s heon certainly known that this cliurch was the chamber of ?he Wes^ecl \i,gin to which Christians began then, and have ever since had great devotion for that in it daily, She hath dole and doth many and many miracles. One friar Paul de Silva an hermit of ^jreat sanctity who lived in a cottage nigh nnto this C ui^ch whWie duily he went to matins said, that for ten years' space, oi the 8d of September, two hoiu-.s before day, he saw alight descend LmTT self upon the feast of Iut Nativity, in confirmation of all which two v.rtuons men of the said city of Recanati divers times dedvred nto me. Prefect of Terremun, and Governor of theTre named (.hurch as follows the one called Paul ilenalduci avouched that Ms grandfathors' grandfather saw when tlie angels brought it over the ea and placed It in the fore-mentioned wood, and hJd often vlied It there ; the other chilled Francis Prior, in like sort amrned tUt hTs grandfather being 120 years old had also much frequented it in te same place, and for a further proof that it had been the e, he e or d hat his grandfather's grandfather had a house nigh unto it wh^fn he dwelt, and that in his time it was carried by the an^I W' By order of the Right-Reverend Monseignor Vincent Cassal of Bolonga Governor of this Holy Place, under the pro- tectionof the Most-Pveverend Cardinal Moroni, I, Robert Corbington Priest of the Society of Jesus, in the year 1634, havefaithfully translated the premises out of the Latm original hung uji in the said Church, To the Honor of the Ever Glorions Virgin. On the morning after I arrived in Loretto, it being Sunday I went early to the beautiful church which is built around the house of the Blessed Virgin, and found the church crowded with the good people of the place, and a great many Masses being celebrated at the different altars. The people of the place are really sincere and devout Christians. There is a community of about fifty priests attached to this church. I remained here for a few days, and then went to Bologna, Milan and Turin, on my way to Paray-le-Monial I also passed through tlie famous Mont Cenis tunnel, which is eighi miles long, and in some places the mountain is above: a m'ile hieh over the tunnel. Un the 30th , J une we arrived at Paray-Ie-Monial fortunately in time to join the grand procession which cl OSes the ;5- 4- 5- SI devotional exercises of the month of the Sacred Heart. In the evening the procession was formed in the church, each one held a lighted taper in his hand. . There were upwards of five thousand persons in the procession which marched through tlie streets of the town. Many costly and beautiful banners were borne in the procession, which stopped about a half mile beyond the town, where a beautiful altar had been erected. Here the Bishop gave solemn benediction. After this the procession relumed to the Church, all still holding lighted tapers and reciting the rosary. It is almost unnecessary to state that Paray-le-Monial is one of the most renown, ed shnnes in Christendom, it being the place where our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ appeared so often to the Blessed Margaret Mary, a nun of that place, and made her the following promises in favor of persons devoted to His Divine Heart : 1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life. 2. I will establish peace in their families. I will console them in all their pains and trials. I will be their assured refuge in life and especially in death. I will shed abundant blessings upon all their undertakings. 0. Sinners shall find in my Heart an infinite ocean of mercy. 7. Lukewarm souls will be rendered fervent. 8. Fervent souls shall rise rapidly to greater perfection. 9. I will bless those houses where the image of my Heart shall be exposed and honored. 10. I will give to priests the talent of moving the hardest hearts. 1 1. Persons who propagate this devotion, shall have their names mscribed in my heart and they shall never be effaced from it. I left Paray-le-Monial on the ist July, travelled all night and arrived in Paris next day, where I visited the Head House of St. Vmcent de Paul, and was shown many relics of the Saint. I left for Havre the same day, and arrived just in time to catch the steamer City of Paris, which sailed for New York next day. We had a very pleasant voj-age, and arrived in New York on the 14th July. Mass was celebrated on board the steamer by Bishop Jamot, who was returning from France with Priests fc • his new mission I remained for about a week in New York, and reached Guelph on the 22cd of July, having travelled over eleven thousand miles. Need I tell you with what feelings of joy I once again greeted my 32 nalive town and the kind familiar faces from which I had been separated for a time. Need I say how thankful I felt to Almighty ('Od, who, in his mercy, conducted me in safety over the dangers of the deep, and shielded me from all the perils incident to so long a Journey. I^have not forgotten that my safe return was entirely due to the powerful intercession of our Blessed Lady of I ourdes, Blessed St. Joseph, and the prayers of my good friends in Guelpli and other places. I cannot close this sketch without expressing my gratitude to God and to His Holy Mother for granting to me, all undeserving as I am, the singular privilege of bein- amongst those who constituted the first American Pilgrimage'^ amongst those who were the chosen few to carry from the Western World to the venerable Pontiff, Pius IX., the conviction that the faith of Peter lives and burns in the hearts of millions in this far-off land, that they share in the sufferings and persecutions of their com- mon Father, the Pope, and that they have all united with one accord in transmitting to him by those good pilgrims their expressions of con dolence, of deep affection, and undying tenacity to the same holy faith which Peter taught, I will conclude with the hope that the holy pilgnmage which I have performed will enure not only to my own spiritual welfare but to that of every member of this parish, that all may share in the abundant graces and blessings which I am confident will flow through the merit of America's First Pilgrimage.