The Catholic World.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 3, 17 January 1901, Page 27

The Catholic World.

AUSTRIA.— An Officer and a Gentleman-— Amon&r the Austrians who came to Rome recently (writes a correspondent) was Count Ledochowski, formerly Chamberlain to the Emperor Francis Joseph and holding a high rank in the Austro-Hungarian army. It will be remembered that Count Ledochowski was cashiered some time ago in consequence of his refusal to fight a duel with a brother officer who had Beat him a challenge. The Count, than whom perhaps none of his colleagues better deserved the qualification of ' an offioer and a gentleman,' alleged his Catholic sentiments as the reason for hie refusal to adopt a foolish course which at the same time was an infringement of the laws of his religion. For this offence Count Ledochowski lost his position in the army and at the Court of the most fervently Catholic sovereign in Europe ! The Holy Father granted a special audience to the brave officer, and cordially complimented him on his fearless and admirable conduct. Count Ledochowski, who is a worthy nephew of his Eminence the Prefect of Propaganda, has accomplished the Jubilee visits on foot, giving an edifying example of unaffected and sincere devotion. ENGLAND— Death of the Countess of Mexborough — At the Church of the Assumption (the old Bavarian Chapel), Regent street, London, on November 16, the first portion of the

funeral service, consisting of the Requiem Mass, was sung over the remains of the Countess of Mexborough. The Rev. H. A. Pownall, M.A., of the Church of the Assumption, officiated, and during the Mass a plain chant and the ' Beati Mortui ' were feelingly rendered. After the service the cortege left for Waterloo Station for removal to Bournemouth for interment in the grave wherein her sister, Viscountess Cromer (who died in Egypt two years ago) was buried. The coffin was completely covered with wreaths, croeses, and floral designs from a large circle of relations and friends of the families. Catholics obtain their Degrees— The degree of JI.A. was oonfprrpd at Oxford a few weeks ago on Mr. Patrick Poland (Oratory and Merton), and Mr. John Boland, M.P. (Oratory and Christ Church). On the same occasion the degree of B.A. was conferred on Mr. J. C. Nolan Ferrall (Oratory and Merton). Nazareth Nuns leave for South Africa— On November ir> four Sisters from Nazareth House, Hammersmith, sailed for South Africa. The parting at the Mother House was a sad and touching scene. All had come out to witness the departure. Children and old people, besides the Sisters, the old men standing reverently bare-headed, and perfect silence reigning, with the exception of the sobs as each Sister bade adieu to the Mother-General and Community, whom they will probably never see in this world again. Anniversary of the Death of the Duke of Modena.— Tuesday, November 20. was the 25th anniversary of the death of Francis V, Duke of Modena. The Thames Valley Legitimist Club arranged for a Mass of Requiem for the deceased, who is known to them as ' Francis 1., King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland.' The Mass was said at the Italian Church, Hatton Garden. There was a good attendance, members of the Anglican communion being also present. Death of a London Canon.— The death is reported of Canon Purcell, of St. Mary's, Holly-place, Hampstead, London, which occurred after two months' illness. Canon Purcell was in his 73rd year, having been born in Montague square, London, of Irish parents, Clerical Obituary.— The demise of the Very Rev. Dean Gillow, Catholic priest at Ramsey, Isle of Man, where he had been stationed for .% years, caused widespread regret. The Dean was born in Liverpool in 1831, was ordained in 18fi0, and was assistant priest at Douglas until 1864, since which year he has been in charge of the mission at Ramsey. Among all classes in Ramsey Dean Gillow was popular, his genial nature not alone commending him to those of his own faith, but to a large number of visitors, to whom his removal by death will be a source of sincere regret. The death is also reported of the Rev. James Lennon, D.D., which occurred at St. Anne's on the Sea. Dr. Lennon, who had reached the age of 72 years, had been in charge of the St. Anne's mission for

10 years, and during his stay at this charming health resort he won his way as a priest into the hearts of the people by his kindly disgwition and interest in their spiritual as well as temporal welfare, c was also well known for his works of charity amongst the poor, and for his zeal in the cause of education. GERMANY-— The Leader of the Catholic Party Speaks Out. — Dr. Lieber, the leader of the Catholic party in the German Reichstag, earned loud applause recently by his caustic criticism of none of the speeches of the Kaiser, pointing out the inconsistency between his claims for Germany as a civilising and Christian power and snch advice as was given in the 'No Quarter ' speeoh. Herr Bebel, who followed, also sharply criticised the Kaiser's speeches on China, which, he stated, were unohristian. ROME- — Humble Pilgrims- — On November 6, the Pope reoeived a number of Spanish pilgrims, who had come to pay their homage during this Holy Year of Jubilee. And among them were three who had made tbe pilgrimage on foot. They were, so we read in the Civilta Cattolica, two marble-cutters and a little lad of 11 years of age, the son of one of them. They started from Madrid on August 21st without a penny in their pockets, journeying by Lourdea and the Riviera, and begging alms as they went along. Weary and footsore they entered Rome on November 1. They reported that everywhere they had met with sympathy and assistance. Their shoes were three times worn out, but kindly people supplied them with fresh ones. In one town a gentleman took off his own and gave them to one of the pilgrims. Once in Rome they were well cared for, and Catholics vied with each other in giving them hospitality. The Holy Father received them moat cordially, addressed some kindly words to them, and specially cherished the little pilgrim, whose tender years appealed to the Pope's paternal heart. These humble pilgrims wished to return on foot, but some Spanish gentleman dissuaded them, and presented them with railway tickets for the journey home. SCOTLAND —Death of a Young Dundee Priest— By the sad death of Father James McCormack, which took place at his father's residence, Dundee, on November 3, at the early age of 25 yearß, and in the fifteenth month of his priesthood, the diocese of Dnnkeld has lost a most saintly young clergyman, one who, had God spared him, possessed in an eminent degree all the higher gifts of nature and grace so essential for the Christian priesthood. The obsequies were held at St. Mary's Church, Dundee, when, before a large congregation, Solemn High Mass of Requiem was sung for tbe repose of his soul by the Very Rev. Canon Holder, V.G., assisted by Father M'Menemy, of Glasgow, as deacon, and Father M'Curraoh, of Dundee, as sub-deacon, with Father Roche, of St. Mary 1 ?, Dundee, acting as master of ceremonies. Catholic Work in Glasgow- — A correspondent summarises some of th 6 recent events in the archdiocese of Glasgow. He says : — The archdiocese of Glasgow contains no less than 26,000 Catholic total abstainers, and etery one of these are practical members of the diocesan League oi the Cross. The Apostleship of Prayer in St. Anthony's pariah, Govan, commands a Bplendied following of cloee on 15,000 certiti d members. Go van's gratitude to God for evident favors nceived is commendably great. During the first year of ita energetic existence in Govan, the Holy Cross branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society has spent over £100 on the poor of the parish. Dr. Thomas Colvin, the well-known Catholic medico, has again deservedly earned the applause of the people and Press of Glasgow by pointing out in a telling speech at a public municipal meeting held in the Gorbals district that Glasgow's harbor precautions against a revisitation of the bubonic plague, which coat the city one million pounds sterling, are yet far from perfect. Duntccher Catholics and their pastor, Father James Mullen, are about to celebrate in a fitting manner the golden jubilee of their mission's establishment. Total abstinence in Catholic circles in Motherwell i» making magnificent headway. Recently at a grand public gathering, held under the auspices of the local League of the Cross. Very Rev. Dean Taylor distributed a very large number of coveted honors for fidelity to the pledge. These included special gold

badges for 10 years' total abstinence, veteran clasps for seven yean', ordinary gold badges for five years', silver badges for two years', and certificates for one year's fidelity on the part of the numerous recipients towards their sacred pledget. A Niece of the Duke of Argyll enters a Convent— The late Lord Walter Campbell's daughter, Miss Leila Campbell, who became a Catholic some few years ago, has just entered a convent at Notting Hill. Mibs Campbell was a favourite of her grandfather, the late Duke of Argyll, with whom she spent moot of her tiuie. A Successful Bazaar- — A three dayß' Catholic bazaar in Falkirk, organised by the Very Rev. Canon Morris on behalf of St. Francis Xavier's Church, realised between £1100 and £1200. In every respect, the bazaar had been an unqualified success. Presentation to a Marist Brother.— The Rev. Brother Vincent, who for 40 years conducted St. Mungo's Churoh choir, Townhead, has betn presented by the choir members, past and present, with a handsome purse of sovereigns as a token of their esteem, gratitude, and love. The presentation was made at a pleasant little tea-party in one of the class-rooms of the academy, Bro. Vincent, in his touching and heartfelt reply, while heartily thanking them, those present as well as absent, said he felt that he was speaking to them as his children of a bygone time. The substantial token of their esteem, he said, he intended handing over to hit Superior, Bro. Eeechiel, in order to effect the completion of the little chapel which they (the Brothers) had in Parson street, and where the Blessed Sacrament wm kept. UNITED STATES— The Diocese of Savannah.— The Catholio diocese of Savannah entered recently npon the second 50 years of its existence with the dedication of the new cathedral. The dedication ceremonies were held in Savannah in the presenoe of a distinguished assemblage of dignitaries of the Churoh from all over the south. Attended by a score of archbishops, bishops, and priests, Arohbishop Martinelli, the Papal delegate to the United States, blessed and dedicated the structure. Bishop Keily olosed the exercises with a congratulatory address commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Savannah See. Among those participating in the exercises were Bishop Haid of Wilmington, Bishop Allen of Mobile, and Cardinal Gibbons. The new cathedral, whioh stands on the Bite of that destroyed by fire two years ago, is one of the most magnificent church edifices in the south. The Total Abstinence Union. — The report of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America shows that 81,437 Catholics are registered in this organisation for the cause of temperance. A Memorial Church- — Mr. C. D. Kenny, a well known tea and coffee merchant of Baltimore, has deoided to give £5000 to build a new churoh at Elkridge, Howard county, to replace tbe present brick structure. It is Mr. Kenny's intention to erect the church as a memorial to his brother, the late Rev. John T. Kenny, of the Itedemptorist Order. Rev. Mr. Kenny was a student at the Annapolis novitiate of the Order at the time of his death, and had he lived a month longer would have been raised to the priesthood. With a party of students and priests he went sailing on the Cheipeake Bay on July 9, 1866. The boat was capsized and five of the party, including Rev. Mr. Kenny, were drowned. Only one was saved. A Good Sign- — The Michigan Catholic has observed during the past year an awakening among clergy and laity to the need of supporting the Catholic Press. 'It has taken many of them a long time to understand what their duty is in this matter,' says our esteemed contemporary, ' but now that the careless ones have awakened from their apathy we expect to receive a big impetus from their support. Aa a rule, Catholic priests and laymen are eager readers of their own literature, but the support given to Catholic newspapers all over tbe country has not been what it should be. Oftentimes the kind word which is sorely needed is forgotten by those whose duty it is to speak it, and great obstacle* are placed in the way of the publishers.'