Ireland and the Holy Father.
New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 49, 4 December 1902, Page 3
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Ireland and the Holy Father.
Sir Thomas G. Eamonde, M P. (writes the Rome correspondent of the Dublin ' Freeman's Journal ), h^d an audience of bin Holiness the Pope on Monday .October 13, in the course of which he presented the address from the Irish Parliamentary Party The address, which was handsomely illurrinated and engrossed, was enclosed in a silver casket. The Holy Father received Sir Thomas with the utmost graciousnees and kindness, and his Holiness put him a number of questions about Ireland and Irishmen that showed the interest which he takes in the affairs of the country. He looked well, and expre«sed hia gratification at the tribute of reverence and devotion from the Iri^h people which Sir Thomas presented to him, and spoke of the fidelity of the Irish race throughout the world to the faith. He gave his blessing to Ireland and to the Irish peop'e at home and abroad. He went on in an impressive way to speak cf the unity of the Irish people. The Irish race in Ireland and scattered throughout the world were a model to Catholic nations. He then inquired about thu condition of the Irish people at home, and expressed his fervent hope for the cessation of their troublep. He promised to transmit an official reply to the addresp, at the earliest moment, to the chairman and members of the In>h Porty Sir Thomas Ennonde was impressed by the alertness of the aged Pontiff, and his great foresight, kceunesp, and knowledge of affairs when speaking of Irish matters. He was gratified to find the Holy Father po^et-sed of much vigror for his years. He expressed his deep gratitude for the Sovertign Pontiff's expression of sympathy with the Irish people in their affliction, and hia appreciation of the work of their representatives in Parliament. The address presented to his Holiness the Tope by the Insh lu liamentary I'aity is in the Jnsh lancuaee, with an accompanying translation in Latin, the louner being illustrated m Celtic, and the latter altei the 12th century style. Both are icmaikablv handsome specimens ot the' art, and m contrast the Celtic is far and away the superior st le or the two. the ancient symbolism of a religious nature being faithfully adhered to, not only on the obiects mtioduced but m the design and foim of the woik The title is on a panel m the shape of a cinque foil, a plant that in nature protects its /lowers durum storm like a mother sheltering her child Jieiand, a belocd daughter, ha ifi lound leluge in the Chunh (luimg nunn stoi ms, is symbolised by a circle sin rounding the cinque loil r l he mterenmg space is being tilled in with shields containing Ihe aims of the picmnces and the capital with the Pontifical arms at the head, and pictuies of two ol the earliest Christian churches in Ireland. St "Flannan's at Killaloe and St Colunih's in Donegal, held at cither side by interwoven animal forms t|nc,tl ot life etei nal The coloi ing is m beautiful harmony the preaibng tones being those of the Pontificate The address is on the second page m three panels, with border woik of the interlaced form containing many beautiful interlaced crosses and animal forms of the earth, air, and sea, representing Faith and the Unierse The title page of the "Latin translation is in the form of a trefoil, within a circle signifying the (iodhead — thiec in one, the niches containing the emblems of the Father, Son, and Holy (Jliost, 'the Hand of Cod in the clouds.' ' the Lnmli of God,' and the 11oe descending A shield containing the arms of Ireland occupies a prominent position on Ihis page. The address on the last page is inscribed on three panels also comevmg Ihe thought of the Trinity The ornament consists of inc lea"es and trefoils, emblematic of strength and iov each column being supported by the symbols of" the Kvansjelist s — Matthew, Ihe winged man , Ijiike, the wimred ox • Mark, the winged J.ion, and John the eagle The four leaes are united by cords and tassels of siler and gold and are bound by a covering of Irish poplin, also m the Pontifical colors, the whole forming a cry hands.ome scroll
The address is onclosod m a handsome sihor casket specially manufactured by Edmnmi Johnson, lAc] , in their workshops m (Jrnflon street, which takes the form of a reproduction of the shi me of I.ouirh Krne, with all the beautiful and aried uitei l.icmes only to be found in pure Celtic ornamental ion Indeed, the ten bosses standing out in high relief lepiesent the very highest type af ancient Irish art The casket is purported by four fibulae, which harmonise beautiftillv with the whole design and decoration.
