Characteristics of the Holy Father

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 42, 15 October 1903, Page 6

Characteristics of the Holy Father

In the Paris ' Figaro ' of a recent date are some interesting details as to the manner of life Pius X. lqd in Venice while holding the office of Patriarch. Such details turnish material which enables us to form some udea of the character of his Holiness. We have the description of a person who is thoroughly democratic in his mode of living and who has won the hearts of all by a kindliness of disposition which manifested itself in many ways. He mingled with his people, and took personal interest in their affairs. The ' Figaro ' gives us a picture of the Venetian gondoliers, who all knew him personally, lying in wait lor Cardinal Sarto to greet him and receive his episcopal blessing as he made his daily rounds of the city. Venice he dearly loved, and it was only for very short periods of time he absented himself from it. His two sisters lived with mm in the Episcopal palace on St. Mark's place, attending to the household duties. ' A story is told, 1 says the ' Figaro,' ' of a professional cook calling at the archiepiscopal residence to proffer his services as an expert chef. The Patriarch of Venice received him courteously, but objected to availing himself of his services, saying : " 1 eat rice and meat and meat and lice. My sisters are thoroughly competent to cook both for me." ' This Anecdote illustrates the Simple Life Pius X. led' as Patriarch of Venice. The duties of his high office he fulfilled with a simpleness that won for him the esteem and love of the Venetians. He was constantly enjoining upon his people the practice of the common Coxistian virtues of charity, humility, and love for one another. In his own person he gave a practical exemplification of these virtues. His open-handedness was known to all Venice. Indeed, so generous was he in his contributions to all sorts of charitable work that very little of his salary of two thousand live hundred dollars he received as Patriarch remained to him at the end of the year. A story is told of how on one occasion he found himself in Rome without even so much as would enable him to pay his train tare back to Venice. He succeeded in negotiating a loan of 401) dollars, which caused him a great deal of anxiety until 'he was enabled to pay it back after some time. The ' Figaro,' referring to the way in which Cardinal Sarto gradually won the respect and afiection of the people of Venice says : ' The Venetians at first received him coldly as they knew that the King of Italy was unwilling to grant him his exequatur on account of the antagonism existing between the VaUcan and the Italian Government. But it did not take long for the new Patriarch to win his way into all hearts by His Aftability and Piety. The people were very much impressed on learning that when he was parish priest he sold his hoise and carriage mat he might render financial assistance to the poor of Salazano. On another occasion he pawned a ring to help a poor person who had applied to him for assistance.' These stories are more eloquent of the man of whom they are narrated than would be the most elaborate eulogies. They throw upon him a strong light which enables us to get a good view of him. His contempt for money when it was a question ot assisting God's poor shows how thoroughly he is penetrated with the spirit that the Church breathes into her children— a spirit that fashioned and formed St. Vincent de Paul, whose glorious work on behalf of humanity is continued after 200 years by devoted sons and daughters in all lands. Pius X. is one who believes, as St. Vincent de Paul believed, that something more than mere sympathy with the miseries of his uowmen is needed. He is convinced that deeds are more important than words, is shown by the pawning of the ring and the selling of the horse and carriage that the wants of the poor might be satisfied.