THE ENGLISH PILGRIMAGE TO ROME.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 50, 14 December 1899, Page 10

THE ENGLISH PILGRIMAGE TO ROME.

The English pilgrims who went to Borne about the middle of October had a very unpleasant experience before arriving at the Eternal City. In oonßequence of the destruction of ithe railway line by floods they were detained for several hours at] a little railway station fifteen miles from Borne, with water all around. The weather was raw and wet, and to add to their disoomfort no refreshments were procurable, i Instead of getting to their destination on Monday night, it was only on the afternoon of Tuesday they arrived. The pilgrimage was under the i direction of the Very Rev. Father Bannin, of the Pious Society of Missions.

The pilgrims spent three or fourjdaysjin visiting various places of interest, and on the Monday, accompanied by a number of Italian Catholics, they were received in audience by the Pope in the Sala Clementina of the Vatioan, the fine apartment lereoted by direction of Pope Clement VII. Indescribable enthusiasm was manifested by all present when the aged Pontiff, borne in his sedan chair, entered the apartment in which were assembled 124 English and Irish pilgrimß and about 200 Italians. Not a few of them were moved to tears as they kissed his hand on one of the fingers of which, was tha Fisherman" b Bing. Among the Papal retinue in attendance on his Holiness was Sir Thomas Esmonde, M.P. They were presented by Mgr. Stonor, titular Archbishop of Trebizond.

THE POPE'S ADDRESS, which was in Italian, was read by Mgr. Mery del Val, and ran as follows : — ' We greatly rejoice at seeing an assemblage of English Catholics gathered before Us. This is the third pilgrimage during Our pontificate to oome from the land formerly known as the Island of Saints. In the approaching jubilee We hope shortly to see : a fourth pilgrimage led by a large-minded man — namely, the Duke of Norfolk, the honour of the English nobility, whose dignity of birth is rendered the more illustrious by the light of the Catholio faith professed by him with so much zeal and munificence. The homage and filial love whioh you now render Us, dear sons, after having venerated the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, are deeply prised by Us. In coming to Borne, to the feet of the Vicar of Christ, you perform a solemn and public act of faith. You give also a noble example of sincere love for the Apostolic See, with that docility fall and entire without preconceived ideas and without criticiam whioh is due to him who is the Supreme Chief, with the divine mandate of governing the Church. God grant that your example may be followed. Several of your number oome from Catholio Ireland. Hownoblearethe religious traditions of the blessed isle I How many are the continual proofs of devotion and generosity whioh reach Us from her boos I We rejoice to-day to see you together, the one and the other, united in this centre of Catholio unity before the Common Father, ranked as brothers under the flag of the common faith. To one and the other We equally express Our satisfaction and Our pleasure. We enjoin upon you obedience to your pastors and continuance in well doing. As an earnest of Our fatherly affection, We bestow from Our heart Our blessing upon you and your far-off families, relatives, and friends.'

The reception, whioh made a profound impression upon all, lasted three-quarters of an hour. His Holiness, who addressed a few words to each pilgrim, exhibited no marked signs of fatigue. At its close the Pope, raising himself in his chair, imparted his Apostolic Benediotion. A number of contributions to the Peter's Pence Fund were made by several of the pilgrims.