JUBILEE OF THE POPE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13225, 19 September 1908, Page 13

JUBILEE OF THE POPE.

On September 18th, 1833, Joseph Sarto—-destined tto beoomo the- 259 th successor of "Peter, the Prince of tho Apostles, was ordained priest, in the Church of Oastolfranco. He was then, in his twenty-third year. Tlie Pope is a Venetian. Ho was born in the littlo town of Ric&e, in tho diocese of Tfeviso, on Juno 2nd, 1830. 'Ho was tho, second of a largo family born to John Baptist- and Margaret Sarto. Thero was a modest patrimony; tlio father was employed in tho municipal service and the mother did noedlowork The future Pope was reared in <i humble hut comfortable homo, and in a family which enjoyed a degreo of independence somewhat unusual in the class from which ho sprang. The life of Pins X. (says a writer in tho Dublin "Freeman's Journal") has been from tho first ono of consistent happiness «nd cheerfulness. True, in these days, as Head of tho Church; ho has his. great sorrows. As he looks out from his Palace Prison, tho Vicar of Christ se<s only too much to bring pongs to his heart-, bnt this can bo said of him, that during his whole career ho has gone on from one post of duty to another, ever advancing in rank and responsibility, and in every sphere earning uuiversal good-will and intense admiration. Tho twentieth century starts—it might lie said the Democratic century, as it- will evidently bo—with v Pope of the people, who has gone with flying colours through every office of dignity and" importance in tho Universal Chiirch, from that of a humble curate to that of Cardinal ■ Prince. The coronation of tlie now Pope, who took the title of Pius X., look place in St. Peter's' on August s)th, ISO 3. 'in tho presence of fully 40.000 persons. Pope Pius is in a notable way a man of many parts As a pulpit orator he has not many equals. , His ' prcachinc a potent charm and power. His fine presence* K«ve him a great advantage, and he is ■blessed with a voice of more than ordinary eifectivoncf*. As a student, priwt apd bishop he worked with untiring industry. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that ho acquired •') thorough mastery of tho details of administration. That he ha* the courage of a reformer he proved inymoft* than one of his ecclesiastical charges. Music is one of his hobbies, and Clmrt-b Music one of tho subjects upon which he speaks with tho very greatest authority. His influence "upon Church Music has indeed already been felt al! over the world, nrd it is not by am ■means unlikely that his Pontificate will rank in musical as well as ecclesiastical history as a noteworthy one.