The Sisters of Pius X

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11, 15 March 1906, Page 30

The Sisters of Pius X

The three unmarried \sisters of Pius X. (writes a Rome correspondent of the Sydney ' Freeman's Journal ') live in a second storey apartment in the Piazza Rusticucci, close 'to St. Peter's, with ,their pretty young niece, Ermengild Parolin, whose parents Irve at Riese, and a couple of maid servants. The little home contains some valuable books and pictures— heirlooms which are to descend to their nephew. One magnificent album, jewelled and enamelled, has a'wrought-iron case of great beauty. There is lovely ilJuminattton to bo seen in its pages, which hold the signatures of the Venetians who gave this to their beloved Patriarch on his election as Pope. The Mantuana ■were net behindhand in Sending their congratulations to their former Bishop. The large album containing their signatures has on the first page a pretty painting of the church aU (ftieise. Opposite the sofa — over which hangs a, large photograph of the Pope— is an intaglio picture of the humble home at Riese ; not far from it the oilpainting of the holy peasant mother whose children owe so much to her. In a small room, furnished in bright red, and near the general drawing-room, is a very large photograph of the Patriarch of Venice, finished on the day of the Conclave ; also a capital likeness is found in a stucco bust of him as Pope. I asked Rosa one day how she addressed her brother, and she replied : ' "'Holy Father " before others, when they genuflect and kiss his ring ; but when we are alone, always " Guiseppe." ' That they are devoted to their brother cannot be doubted, and indeed he is a most attractive personage. Strength and power are in every line of that dignihed figure, while the clear blue eyes have a heavenly expression, and the mouth is full of tenderness. The sisters are reported to see him very often, but, like most of the tales one hears in Rome, these are not true. They themselves told me that they see him twice a week for an hour in the morning, and they added he is so busy that he often takes out his watch. Telephone communication is established between the Vatican and the home of the sisters. The lat-

ter go out, and pay but few visits, and those generally to convents. Their lives are not idle, and they work a great deal for the poor. Their privacy is respected, and is not subject to the invasion of every curious traveller. Only an introduction such as I fortunately secured opens a dcor on which a white plate bears the legend ' Sorelle Sarto.' They are very delightful hostesses,. 'so| isimple), unaffected, and with true Italian gdiace of manner are also free from self-consciousness. They are very courteous, doing the 'honors of their home most kindly, and talking of the Holy Father with devotion and deep respect. Rosa was amused in the spring when I told her that the newspapers were saying that Pius X. would leave the iVatican and go to Castel Gandolfo for tha summier. She told me he had remarked to her : ' I shall leave the Vatican when I am carried out —dead.' To this information she added : 'If you hear this in Rome,' touching her elbow, ' believe that,' touching her finger-tip. Tha sisters dress in black stuff dresses, often wearing a dark apron, Maria's scissors hanging by her side on a piece of tape. As sisters of the Pope, the Sartos havq the right to the title of Countesses. This, however, it did not please his Holiness to 'biestow. 'They are the sisters of the Pope ; that is enough.'