THE POPE

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1509, 3 August 1912, Page 9

THE POPE

HOW HE SPENT HIS MUTHDAY. Tho' Koine correspondent of the London "Tablet," writing on .lime 2, states: This is triple amiiversarv: it is- tho feast of the Statute, and a'll tho people will throng the broad streets and ihe flat roofs of the Prati to-night, to witness the annual display of fireworks on the Pineio; it is the death-dav of Garibaldi, and some lied-shirts will be seen this afternoon on the Janiculuni laving wreaths at the foot of tho colossal monument of their leader; but. most interesting of all, it is the birthday of the Holv leather, who completes'- ' sevcnlv-soveh years. Those who Inul the privilege of approaching his Holiness this morning availed themselves of the opportunity lo ol't'er their congratulations, but it is'the nameday, not the birthday, that is formally celebrated in Italy, so the occasion has passed in the Vatican without unusual ceremony.. Yet a stranger to Pome, stand-' ing near the bronze doors this morning, might have thought it was a gala-day of some kind, for every now and then groups of fifties and hundreds of proMily-drossrd boys and girls, accompanied by priests or nuns, were seen at. intervals' pushing their way through, (lie colonnade anil disappearing within the, entrance of tho Palate of the Popes. In reality there was nothing unusual in the Sunday morning spectacle, for the boys and girls were tile First Canimunicants of Home on their way to receive a blessing and good advice, and n little silver medal, from the Father of all the faithful. This morning the numbers were larger than usual—between seven and eight hundred—and it so happened lhat the fifty boys of the lstilulo Marcvaiifonio C'olonna, accompanied by the • deviited Christian Druthers and by Comm. O'Neill, who takes such a deep interest in them, were assigned to the Throne Uooiii, where they would bo (he first to see (ho Pope. Shortly after eleven his Holiness appeared, looking very well and wearing his full, seventy-seven years lightly, and as he gave his ring to kiss to the first of-the boys, tho Prelate in attendance informed him that they were the First Communicants of the Istitulo Mareantonio Colmiua. "Marcantouio Colouua? Do you know who he was!-'' asked the Pope. "Si Saato Padre; l,e was a great capitano who defeated the Turk-." "What—the Turks:" and the Pope's (ones almost expressed surprise, but there was a twinkle iu # his eye. "Si, Santo Padre." went on the bright ooy, who apparently knew all about it; "he defeated Ihe Turks at Lepanto at the head of (he Papal galleys in 1571, and saved Europe." "Bravo, bravo," said the Pope patting him on the head; and then, growing very serious and impressive after making (lie round of the boys, he reminded them (lint they had entered mi a new life, since our Lord came to them for the first lime, oud they niii-t endeavour to grow over in the grace that had been given them. Then he gave (hem- all the Apostolic Hlc-iug, and moved on towards Hie next roam, but as ho readied tho door he turned round again, raised his hand, paused, and said, "Kcmeinber-be good!"

And this was how Pius X entered his seventy-eighth year. Meanwhile telegrams were arriving at every moment at the Vatican' from crowned heads, heads of State, Cardinals, Bishops, mid Catholic .Associations, wishing long life lo his Holiness, and tho hand of tho Pontifical Gendarmes and tho Palatino Guard were playing joyful airs in honour of the occasion.