The Virgin Mother of Good Counsel - the Catholic Kingdom!

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THE VIRGIN MOTHERGOOD COUNSEL.A HISTORYOF THE ANCIENT SANCTUARYOF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL IN GENAZZANO.AND OF THE WONDERFUL APPARtTIONAND MIRACULOUS TRANSLATION OF HER SACRED IMAGEFROM SCUTARI IN ALBANIA TO GENAZZANOIN 1467.WITH AN APPESDISON THE XIBACULOUS CRUCIFIX,SAN PIO,ROMAN ECCLESIASTICAL EDUCATIOR ETC.BYTHE REVD. GEORGE F. UILLON D. D.A VIB~T?JR FROM SYDIEY TO TlSE RIIRTSEROMEPRIXTED AT THE OFFICES OF THE SACRED COSGREGATIOXOF THE PROI'AGAXDA FIDE1884.[The uzrthor rcsztT1es 1111 rigbtj of reprirrfing ltnd frartslation.]PRIVATE USE ONLY

TO THE MOST EMINENTAND MOST REVERENDTHOMAS M. CARDINAL MARTINELLI,PBEPECT OF !CHE 8ACRED CONGREGATION OF THE INDEX,ETC. ETC.Most Eminent Prince,The writer, with the deepest sense of gratitude,taking advantage of your kind permission, - apermission all the more valued because neveraccorded to any author before - most respectfullydedicates this book to Your Eminence.The reason why Your Eminence has beenpleased to grant this permission is not, in thisparticular instance, difficult to understand.The work treats of a venerable Sanctuary ofOur Lady confided to Fathers of the great Orderof which you are Cardinal Protector. It aims,according to the humble ability of the writer, atextending the deep and tender devotion to theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, so characteristicof the land of your birth, and so specially dearto you, to the people to whom the miter belongs,- a people whom you love, and whose widespreadmigrations have carried the Faith whose purityYour Eminence as Cardinal Prefect of the Index,guards so ably and so vigilantly, to many partsof the world.Ever since your elevation to the sacred purpleit has pleased Your Eminence to make your homein the Eternal City with representatives of thatpeople. The young levites of your ancient institutedestined to continue amongst them the ministratioilsof religion which the sons of St. Augustine neverceased to carry on through terrible and long continuedtrials now happily passed away, hare hadthe consolation and the advantage of your dailypresence in their midst, during the last ten years.It has been your delight to consecrate to theirinstruction and edification whatever moments youcould spare from the weighty charges laid upon'you by the Vicar of Christ, - to join with themin the long continued exercises of piety whichusher in each day's holy labour, - to unite withthem at night in the prayer and thanksgiving whichPRIVATE USE ONLY

precede repose, - to conduct for them during yourshort intervals of rest from the severe laboursof your high office, the invaluable retreats andother spiritual exercises which so well preparethem for the work they are to do for the Churchin after years.It has been the good fortune of the writerto participate largely in these advantages duringhis stay in Rome. And now as this stay drawsto its close, he ia indeed happy to be permittedto associate the venerated name of Your Eminencewith this effort to make Mary in one of Hermost beautiful prerogatives - that of VirginMother of Good Counael - better known andbetter loved amongst that great section of God'speople to which he belongs. He trusts his workmay not be wanting in a blessing if for noother reason than that it was written under thesame roof where the saintly and laborious life ofYour Eminence ewes the inmates and manifeststhe latent strength, the real glory and identityof the Rome of our own day with the Rome of thepast, in giving a true picture of the lives -lives so little understood by the world at large, livesso often misconceived and misrepresented by theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

enemies of Catholicity - of those who nearest to thesacred person of the Supreme Pastor, sustain withhim tho burden of the guidance, the guardianship,and the government of the Church of God.Begging Your Eminence's blessing the writerremains with profound respect.Your most grateful humble servant.Santa Maria in Posterula, 143 Tordinona, Rome,Peast of the Immaculate Conception. 1883.PRIVATE USE ONLY

PREFACEItaly is still pre6minently a land of faith andfervour. Invasions, secret societies, revolutions, andpersecutions have done their worst to make it other-wise during the past hundred years. Writers ofbooks of travel, newspaper correspondents, and otherswho cater for the prevailing anti-Catholic prejndices of the majority of those who speak the Englishlanguage, generally represent it as having grown atleast indifferent, if not worse, under these trials.But the truth is that at no past period of its Christianhistory were the mass of the inhabitants of thecountry more attached to their religion, more firmlyfixed in its principles, or more devoted to its practicesthan at the present moment.The writer of the following pages upon one of themost beautiful and useful manifestations of the faithMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

V111PREFACEof Italy, has had ample opportunity of witnessing whathe here asserts. He visited that country for the firsttime early in the spring of the past year; and heconfesses, he was prepared to see everywhere a greatdecay of religion in a nation where the Church hadbeen universally plundered , where the SupremePontiff was dethroned and imprisoned, where thereligious orders were suppressed, where the publicobservance of the Lord's Day and of many Christianpractices had been legally abolished , where therecognition of Catholicity by the State was made acruel farce, and where, in fine, the most formidableatheism the world has ever seen was, with supremepolitical power in its hands, astutely planning theeradication of Christianity from the social, political,and even individual life of the people.The aspect of some streets in several great citieson Sundays and festivals , the casual conversationof employds and others interested in the existinggovernment , the language of journals circulatingamongst the party in power, were calculated, at first,to confirm his worst fears. But fortunately for a morecorrect knowledge of Italy his stay was prolonged.Impaired in health after twenty years of missionarylabour in Australia, he was advised to try for aPRIVATE USE ONLY

PREFACEIXconsiderable period, the effects of change of air andlocality, in the mild climate and varied scenery ofthat beautiful and historic land. This brought himgradually into communication with all classes ofthe people on the mainland and in Sicily. Theirreal condition, therefore, became thoroughly knownto him. So far from being in sympathy with thewrongs done to their religion, or affected with theinfidelity of t.he ruling faction, he found them heartand soul with the Church, and as hostile as ever tothe inroads of atheism and heresy. The masses in Italyare, in fact, as he everywhere witnessed, as sorelytried as their clergy, and bear in patience burdens whichno other people in Europe so situated are called uponto sustain. At least nine-tenths of them are earnestand practical Catholics, . and therefore they sufferrjther than become revolutionists. As a rule theykeep out of political affairs - meaning, at present,the affairs of the Continental Freemasons. To all.attempts upon their religion they oppose a passivebut determined resistance, which no effort of theinfidels has been able to shake. In general, familylife amongst them equals the purity and innocenceof the farm-homes of Ireland. They live in truthby faith. But abve all, that which in the eyesMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XPREFACEof the writer most distinguishes them, and in whichthey are unsurpassed by any other people he hasever seen, is their intense and universal devotionto the Virgin Mother of God.Every practice of this devotion, common to themost fervent Catholics, is general amongst them,while they have besides a hundred beautiful ways ofmanifesting it, peculiar to themselves alone. It isshown in public, on the entrance gates, and streets,and squares of cities; on the fronts of houses andvineyards; on the road-sides; and to an unusualextent, in the churches and public edifices of thecountry. Then over the whole land, special sanctuariesof the Madonna are scattered with great profusion.To some of these, millions flock annually ;and to the least frequented, thousands come. Pilgrimages,chantings, silent prayer, alms-deeds, an'dfervent reception of the sacraments, are everywherecalled forth by these wonderful shrines. No one isashamed to confess and to honour Mary. Her presencefills every home and is constantly before theminds of the inmates. In a word, devotion to OurLady, so to speak, saturates the land. And it isnot too much to say - indeed it is what the Catholicsof Italy themselves thankfully proclaim - thatPRIVATE USE ONLY

PREFACEXIthis deep devotion has been the cause of savingtheir faith from so many open and secret foes duringthe past three generations.It was only natural that the writer, when hebecame acquainted with a devotion to God's Motherso vivid and productive of good, should endeavourto have it adopted, so far as circumstances shouldpermit, by his own race, by those who speak thesame language as he does, and above all by thatportion of them to whose service he had devoted hielife. Although he well knew the love which millionswho speak the English language have for Mary, hecould not be blind to the fact that they live in anatmosphere which everywhere out of Ireland isfilled with hostility to the Catholic religion, andto no portion of it more than to the honour whichis given to the Virgin Mother of God.Thisatmosphere and other influences are sometimes sostrong as to lead to the loss of the faith itself. Butthey never prevail where the love of Mary is realand abiding. Whatever, therefore, can enkindle orpreserve devotion to Her is an inestimable advantage.The use of beads and scapulars , household altars,novenas, and other holy customs observed in privateand public, are all good for the purpose whereverMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XI1PREFACEthey are adopted. But something is required whichmay reach the many who cannot be got to practiseso much; something more simple and more general;something which may be able to reach the heartat once, seize upon it, and retain it; something which,while capable of increasing the devotion of the mostfervent, would at the same time attract the mostindifferent; something which could enkindle amongstus the love which all classes of the Italian peoplehave for Mary.The'writer believes that the devotion which hetries to make known in this volume supplies all theabove conditions. Its nature, scope, and history willbe found summarized in the introduction and givenfully in the rest of the book. He is persuaded that toknow that devotion is to love it, and therefore he be-lieves that all who read what he has written upon it willendeavour to advance it. For this, every one can dosomething. The Pastors of God's people can do much.There are at their disposal the means given by theChurch, which are explained in separate chapters.The Feast, the Proper Mass and Office, the dedicationof churches, oratories, and chapels, are all calculatedto bring the devotion and its many indulgences underthe notice of those committed to their keeping. ButPRIVATE USE ONLY

PREFACEXI11the simple spread of copies of the sacred Image, whichhave worked such wonders in Italy and elsewherqis a powerful means within the reach of all, andwhich all can adopt to some extent.In the course of his work the writer has some-times digressed from his main subject to give thehistory and describe the physical features of the local-'ity in which the venerable Shrine of Our Lady ofGood Counsel is situated. His object in this has beento make the place itself, its antiquities, and sceneryknown to the many English speaking visitors whocome to Rome, as well as to manifest the design ofDivine Providence in selecting it as the resting placeof the miraculous Image. And as he knows that noth-ing connected with the well-being of the Church canbe indifferent to those for whom he writes, he has addedin an appendix some matters of moment as well as ofinterest, which do not directly fall within the scopeof his subject. He would call the reader's attentionto what he has said upon the spoliation of thePropagaxida at page 605 and page 647, -asubjectof the deepest importance to Catholics everywhere,but especially to those in English speaking countries.He has had to treat largely of the supernatural; yethe desires to say that no one ever came to the ShrineMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XIVPREFACEof Our ~ady of Good Counsel less inclined to begeJulous than he was. But in the sight of miracleswrought before one's eyes and carefully examined andproved, one can only say that the Hand of God isnot shortened, and that miracles wrought through theintercession of His Mother will never cease. Thefacts narrated will speak for themselves.Withregard to these facts the writer hm endeavouredto be scrupulously accurate, and in this, at least, hebelieves he has succeeded. For the rest, he leavesthe work in the hands of his readers, in the hopethat through the intercession of Mary , his efforts,to advance Her honour, at a season when ill healthrendered hinl incapable of other labour, may proveof some use to those for whom he writes, and towhose indulgence and prayers he commends himself. ** Regardirng some literal errors which cozcld hardly beavoided in a work put in type by compositors unacquaintedtoith English, the reader is referred to what is said in theintroduction page 23.PRIVATE USE ONLY

CONTENTSINTRODUCTION1. Object of the writer. - Nature of devotion to the VirginMother of Good Counsel. - 2. Its rise. - 3. The locality.- 4. Translation of the miraculous Image. -6. Advance of the devotion - St. Alphonsus Liguori,St. Aloysius, etc. - 6. Present necessity. - 7. Proofs.-8. The Nadonna of Genazzano formidable against Islam- Scanderbeg, Mark Antony Colonna, Innocent XI,Sobieski. - 9. The Islam of our days. - 10. TheMadonna of Good Counsel destined to overcome it. -11. Rewards. - 12. Special necessity for the devotionin new countries. - 13. Its consoling power for all.-14. Faith of the Italian people preserved by theVirgin Mother. - 16. Reasons - Plan of the work -Division and contents. - 16. Miraculous cures. -17. Chapters added on the llliraculous fresco of theCrucifixion. - St. Pio. - Roman Ecclesiastical Education.- lrish Augustinians. - 18. Works consulted -Thanks to friends. . . . . . . . . . . . . pap 1CHAPTER 11.1. Its original inhabitants. - 2. Rome formed and ruled bythem. - 3. Physical features, mountains, cities, memoriesconnected with the country. - 4. General beautyMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

CONTENTSof the scenery. - Dreariness of the Campagna. - 6. Malariaof the Campagna. - Calumny on the Pontifical Gov-ernment - Real cause. - 6. The Revolutionists promisemuch and perform little.- 7. Hope comes from Australiaand the persecuted monks of Italy. - 8. Beauty of the1% of Latium.- The way to see it.- 9. Habit of the agriculturalpopulation to live in towns.- 10. The reason.-11. Ruins in Latium. - 12. Its capital, Palestrina -Injustice of a guide-book writer to it8 modern inhabitants.- 13. The ancient city. - Its fortunes. - 14. PalestrinaChristian. - First view of Rome taken bySt. Peter from its citadel. - 15. Dome of St. Peter's. -16. Latium a Christian Land. . . . . . . .page 24NOTE on Carpineto the birth place of Leo XIII. . . . . . page 26n on the Campagna, the Tre Fontane where St. Paul wasndecapitated, planting of the Eucalyptus etc. . . n 32on Valmontone, and Paliano the birth place of CardinalSimeoni . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . n 43CHAPTER 111.1. Latium a great centre of idolatry. - Its celebrated temples.- 2. Practice of the Romans to blend religion withpublic amusements. - 3. Increase of Pagan practices inLatium during the Imperial period. - Floral games. -Place of celebration near Palestrina. - Its beauty andadaptability. - Consequences, cruel and immoral. -4. That spot destined to be the scene of the triumph ofthe Cross, through the Virgin Mother of Jesus. - 5. Ourmeans of knowing this. - 6. The Calendar of VeriusFlaccuv found in Palestrina. - 7. Its order for the celebrationof the Floral Games in April.- The inscription.-The place. - 8. Proofs of the locality being the modernGenazzano. - Licentiousness undoubted. - Name of Gen-azzano derived from the littli ginnici. - 9. Other derivationsof the name. -10. Increase of vice in the gameswhen the neighbouring Claudian Villa became an Im-PRIVATE USE ONLY

CONTENTSXVIIperial residence. - How this happened. - Claudius Neroand his wife Livia.-11.Angustus besieges Livia in Pales-trina. - Forces Clandius to divorce Livia and marries thelatter. - Gets the villa and adopts the sons of Clandins,Tiberius and Drusus, on the death of their father. -12. Vices of the locality increased under his sucqsors.-13. These continue until the conversion of Constantine.-He gives the grounds to St. Sylvester. - Record of thegrant. - 14. Pope St. M.ark, successor of St. Sylvestermakes the place Christian. - Builds its first church,dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel. - Changes thepopular, heathen celebrations into Christian ones. - Hismemory in Genazzan0.- 16. Reflections of Father Bnonannoon the change effected and its consequences. -16. Their truth in view of the evils of our day, andthe remedy for them in the devotion St. Mark establish-.....ed to Our Lady of Good Counsel. page 46NOTE. Extract from Ovid on the rites in honour of Venus . page h2a Martyrdom of St. Agapitns at Palestrina ..... n 61CHAPTER IV.OENAZZANO CHRISTIAN1. Situation. - 2. Climate and soil.-3. Growth.- Churches.-Convents.- 4. Santa Maria del Buon Consig1io.- 5. TheCo1onnas.- 6. Their rise. - In Genazzano. - Their religionsand party leanings. - Their attitude to the Popes,their sovereigns. - 7. Oddo Colonna, Pope Martin V. -Fabrizio and Victoria his daughter. - 8. Possessionsand dignities of the house. - 9. Present position. -10. Their connection with the sacred Image. - 11. Giftof the ancient church of Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio,by Giordan Colonna to the Augustinians in 1356.-Document of transfer. - 12. Good produced. - 13. Dilapidatedcondition of the structure. - Di5culty ofrepairing it. - 14. John di Nocera and his wife Petmccia.page 62.................NOTE on Pethccio ............... page 74More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XVIIICONTENTSCHAPTER V.'THE WONDERFUL APPARITION1. The 251b of April, the feast of Genazzano.-2. Its celebration. in 1467.- Condition of the Church of Santa Maria that. .day. - 3. Petruccia. - 4. Her triumph complete. -5. The people hear music in the air. - The white cloudappears. - Rests on the unfinished walls.- 6. An Imageis disclosed to all.- The words.- The excitement.- Themiracles. - 7. The bells rung by supernatural agency.-8. The coming of U all Italy n to the Sanctuary.- Cornpletionof the Church and convent. - 9. Death of Petruccia.- Her burial. - Monument. - 10. Proofs placedafter narration. . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 75CHAPTER VI.THE SACRED IMAGEl. Did if, come from Paradise?- Its beauty.- 2. Notice of itby the Church. - 3. Its nature, size, colonrs, and artvalue. - 4. Position of the figures. - The Mother.- TheChild. - 5. Expression melancholy.- Reason. - 6. Pictureagrees with traditional account of Mary's appearanceand likeness to Jesus. - 7. Notice of miraculouschanges in colour.- Experience of the writer. - 8. Tes-' menttimony of Vasquez, Bacci, Rodoth. - 9. Formal state-of Luigi Tosi and others. . . . . . . fiage 83CHAPTER VII.THE MIRACULOUS TRANSLATION1. The people of Genazzano undeceived.-2. The Pilgrims fromAlbania. - 3. Their names. - 4. Their story. - 5. Truehistory of the Translation. - Its coming to Scutari. -6. Decay of devotion to it in Albania. - Scanderbeg. -7. Prayer of the pilgrims. -Orders of Nary. - 9. TheImage. in air, followed by pilgrims, leaves Scutari.-PRIVATE USE ONLY

CONTENTSXIX10. Miraculous passage of the Adriatic. - 11. The Imagedisappears at Rome - Pilgrims' grief. - 12. Newsreaches Rome of the wonderful apparition. - They findthe Image. - 13. They live and die, and leave theirfamilies in Genazzano. .......... page 103CHAPTER VIQ.SCANDERBEG AND ALBANIA1. Reason for this chapter.- Description of Albania.- Physicalfeatures - Fortresses.- 2. It is Christianized - Leansto schism.- Is punished with the Greeks. - 3. The conditionof the East. - Its destruction by Mahomedanism.-4. Conduct of 'the West. - The Turks. - Theirearly Caliphs. - Conquest of the European East. -5. Rise of Sanderbeg.- His captivity under Amurath 11.-The Janizaries. - Education of Scanderbeg. - His militarygenius and position with the Sultan. - Abandonsthe Turks. - Frees Albania. - 6. Efforts of Amnrath'sgenerals and armies against him fruitless. - Amuratbwith 200,000 men defeated at Croja, dies of a brokenheart in consequence.- 7. Evident protection of Mary.-8. Fall of Constantinople.- 9. Efforts of Mahomet's generalsagainst Scanderbeg, defeated always .- Truce. -10. Scanderbeg in Italy. - 11. Truce broken. - Scanderbegdefeats the whole force of BIahomet in person. -12. Gives Scutari to the Venetians. - 13. Scanderbeg'sdying hours at Lissa. - Miraculous recovery and defeatof the last effort of the Turks. - His death. - Traditionregarding the sacred Image in Albania. .. page 112NOTB. On certain noticee of Scanderbeg, especially that inOhambers's Encyclopaedia. ........ page 123. CHAPTER VIII. (continued). . . OVERTHROW OF ISLAM1. State of Europe. - 2. Heresy of Luther.- Siege of Rhodesby Soliban. - Of Vienna. - conduct of Charles V. -More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XXCONTENTS3. Sack of Rome.- Divisions of Christendom. -4. Effectof the Miraculous Translation on the Church. - 5. Onthe Saracens. - Victories of the Christians. - 6. MarkAntony Colonna. - St. Pius V. - 7. Destruction of theTurkish fleet at Lepanto. - 8. Triumph to Colonna. -9. Turks on land. - They invade Austria. - Take Candia.- Are favoured by the divisions of the Christianprinces. - 10. Innocent XI. - His unavailing effortsto unite them. - 11. Orders the sacred Image to becrowned. - 12. Effects. - Powers unite. - Sobieski andCharles of Lorrain join. - Turks utterly defeated atMohats. - 13. The Virgin Mother of Good Counselvictorious over Islam. ......... .page 135CEIAPTER IX.PROOFS OF THE APPARITIONl. Unanimity of historians regarding facts given.- 2. Proofsexamined by Vatican Archivists. - 3. Loss of early documents.- 4. Investigation ordered by Paul 11. - 6. VaticanCodex.- 6. Testimony of Corio1anus.- 7. Registryof miracles. - Prayer of the copyist. - 8. Documentsrelative to Petruccia. - 9. Ancient inscriptions on thechurch and holy Chapel. - 10. Proofs of the mannerof the coming of the sacred Image. - 11. Ancient workson the subject. - 12. The donations of Sixtus IV. andCardinal DIEstouteville. ......... page l45NOTE on Father Mariano of Cfenazzano ....... page 148I Original of the prayer of the copyist of the flrst recordmiracles. .............. n 161a Senni on Petrnccia ............ n 166aon the churches built in Rome by Sixtus IV. and CardinalD'Estouteville in honour of the coming of the Xa-...donna. ............... n 174W on the hopes of finding additional documents a 178PRIVATE USE ONLY

CONTENTSXXICHAPTER X.PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION1. Quality of the testimony of the pilgrims. 2. Silence ofwritten, coeval documents.- Examination. - Papal delegation.-3. Agreement between the pilgrims' narrativeand that of other Albanians.-4. The two parties in Gen-azzano. - Quotation from Senni in reference to them. -6. Regarding the action of Sixtus IV. - 6. Deductionsfrom the action of the Pope. - 7. Value of the differenttitles of the Madonna as evidence. - 8. The tradition inGenazzano.- Devotion of the Albanians in Italy.- Earlywriters. - 9. Pilgrimage of Urban VIII. - Testimonyof Colonna, Duke of Paliano and his secretary. -10. Testimony on oath of the oldest inhabitants ofGenazzano in 1779. - 11. Family tree of the descendantsof the pilgrim .Giorgio. . . . . . . . page 179CHAPTER XI.THE ALBANIAN TRADITION1. Reasons why no evidence of the miraculous translation wasobtained after the fall of Scutari.- 2. Nature of Turkishconquests.- Condition of the vanquished.-3. Surveillanceover Scutari. - 4. Its relaxation. - Immediate informationregarding the sacred Image. - 5. Letter of CountStephen Medin regarding the translation. - 6. Inquiriesmade this century. - 7. Letter of Father Mariano ofPalmanova. - 8. Letter from Monsgr. Radoja, V. G. ofScutari. - 9. Nore recent and hitherto inedited docnments.- 10. Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . page 200CHAPTER XII.MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE1. More wonderful than in Scutari. - 2. Grace-producingpower. - 3. Temporal benefits. - 4. Objections againstMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XXIICONTENTSshrines met. - 6. The first 161 miracles and othersregistered. - 6. Impossibility of registering all. - 7. Amiraculous cure witnessed by the writer at the Shrinein 1882. - 8. Difficulties of finding proofs obviated. -9. Documents attesting sickness and cure of LydiaVernini.- 10. Another miracle.- 11. Proved by time.-12. Other miracles. - 13. Incredulous punished. -14. The arrow of the Hungarian. - 15, Preservationof the Colonnas. - 16. Resurrection of the dead. -17. Release of a criminal condemned to decapitationin Sienna. - 18. Liberation from devils - Records ofunregistered miracles. - 19. Miraculous liberation ofcardinal Acton. - 20. Remarkable preservation of Genazzanofrom cholera and plague. - 21. A pilgrimage. saves Capranica from cholera.' - 22. Genazzano freed, from many public calamities. . . . . . . .page 233NOTE regarding .the position of the sacred Image . . . . pags 238XiIRA CULOUS COPIES1. Early copies. - Degrees of likeness to the original. -2. Copy in Genoa. - Its hiatory. - Its coming saves the. city from ruin. - 3. Ancient copy at Modena. - 4. Co-pies in Calabria. -5.At Monte Cassiano. - 6. At Fro-sinone. - 7. In Rome. - 8. Miraculous copy in theCampo Santo of the Vatican. - 9. In Naples. - Buonanno.- Fr. Modestino. - Holy Cross of Lucca etc. -. 10. Outside Italy. - Copy at Madrid which spoke toSt. A1oysius.-Honoured by supreme Councils of Spain.-11. Bavaria. - 12. Austria. - 13. Belgium. - 14. Acity with a fac-simile of the church and sacred Imageand called Genazzano, in South America. - 15. Letterof Father Belgrano regarding the celebrated copy atPrague. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 291NOTE of De Orgio on miracnlons copies. . . . . . . . pags 806PRIVATE USE ONLY

CONTENTSXXIIICHAPTER XIV.DEVOTION OF POPES .ETC.1. Devotion of all classes to the Shrine. -2. Of the Popes.-3. Pad 11. - 4. The Cardinal Rovere. - 6. Privilegegranted to Father Mariano of Gtenazzano. - Otherfavours. - Pius V. - Innocent XI. - 6. Pilgrimage toGenazzano by Urban VIII. - 7. Centenary of 1667. -Crowning of the Madonna. - 8. Clement XI. - CardinalAlbani's gifts to the Sanctuary. -9. Subsequent Popes.-Great devotion of Benedict XIV. - Qthers. - 10. Pilgrimageto the Sanctuary by Pins IX. in 1864. -11. Leo XIII. - 12. Devotion of crowned heads - TheImperial House of Austria. - 13. The Electress ofSaxony's pilgrimage to the Shrine. - Royal families ofBavaria, Spain, Naples. - 14. Gifts of Cardinal JeromeColonna and others. - 16. Pilgrimages of Cardinalsto the Shrine. - Of Cardinal Cappellari, afterwardsGregory XVI. - 16. Noble families. - 17. Englishspeaking Prelates at the Shrine. - Hopes for the devotion.. . . . . . .' . . . . . , . . . . . page 318CHAPTER XV.PILORIhfAOES .TO THE SIIRINE1. Religious customs of purely Catholic nations ill understoodin Protestant countries. - Want of reason inthis. - 2. The people of Italy in their manner of worshippingOur Lady of Genazzano. - 3. Pilgrims andpilgrimages. - 4. The pilgrimages from afar on the. great feasts of the Sanctuary. - 6. The Church onthese occssions.- The Confessions.- The Communions. -6. Deep religion of the pilgrims. - 7. The waiting forthe twenty - second hour. - 8. The festa in the town.-Conduct of the pilgrims. - 9. Who they are and whythey come. - 10. The merit in their act.- Its warrantyand antiquity. - 11. The reason in it. - 12. The Pil-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XXIVCONTENTSgrims on the road. - 13. The formation, gathering,and departure of each company. - 14. Devotional worksdirecting them. - Father Belgrano's advices. - Prayerato be said before setting out and on the road. - 15. Pilgrimsmet upon the road. - 16. Action of each bandon seeing Genazzano.- Prayer to Mary. - 17. Enteringthe town. - Going to the Sanctuary. - 18. Cardinal. .Castracani's attempts at u improving the occasion n by- preaching. - His failure. - 19. The pilgrims at theShrine. - 20. Asking for graces. - An instance. -21. Pilgrims at night. - At early morn. - 22. Griefand tears of the pilgrims leaving.- Retiring backwardsfrom the Sacred Image. - 23. The pilgrims' returnhome. - 24. Efforts of the Revolutionary Governmentto stop the pilgrimages to Genazzano. - The officerappointed to stop them. - 26. Grief of the dispersedpilgrims. - Disquiet of the Italian population growsdangerous, and pilgrimages allowed to take theircourse. - 26. Fate of the officer who dispersed the pilgrims.- Opinion of the people thereupon. . page 337CHAPTER XVI.APOSTLES OF THE DEVOTION1. The Augustinians. - Their - history. - Their saints. -2. Celebrities in the past.- Position in Rome.- 3. TheirCardinal Protector. - Cardinals in Curia.- 4. Living,learned professors. - 6. The Ven. Menochio, Sacristanand Companion of Pius VII. - The Ven. Bellesini, themodern Apostle of Genazzano. - 6. Devotion of theirGenerals to the Sanctuary. - 7. The Sanctuary U theapple of the eye n of the order.- 8. General Vasqnez.-9. Commissary General Neno. - 10. Augustinians atthe Sanctuary. - Remarks of Buonanno. - 11. WhyOur Lady of Good Counsel selected the Augustiniansand their church of Genazzano. - 12. The devotion notconfined to the Angustinians. - 13. St. Alphonsns MaryPRIVATE USE ONLY

CONTENTSXXVdi Liguori and the Redemptorists. - 14. The Image ofthe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel u his heart v. -16. Graces received. - The dying sinner at Avenzo. -16:Devotion of Redemptorists in Belgium. . page 362CHAPTER XVII.CANON BACCI1. Other Apostles. - 2. Devotion of Andrew Bacci, Canonof St. Mark's. - 3. His works. - 4. His celebratedletter. - 6. Image at St. Mark's. - 6. His death at theSanctuary. - His epitaphs. . . . . . . . . page 383CHAPTER XVIII.1. Devotion of the Albanians in Italy. - 2. Their colony inCalabria. - 3. Their Apostle, Don Stephen Andrea Rodot&.- 4. Letter regarding his labours from Don JohnFrancis Avato, to Father De Orgio. . . . .page 399NOTE on Italian titlee to the clergy . . . , . . . . page 400CHAPTER XIX.THE PROPER MASS AND OFFICE1. Value of granting a Proper Mass and Office as a proofof the approval of the Church. - 2. First Office grantedin 1727. - 3. The Proper Office sought for. - 4. Delayin granting it to Loreto. - 6. Genazzano more favoured.- 6. Investigation.- Proper Mass and Office grantedin 1789. - 7. Description of the liturgy. - 8. TheProper OfEce from the Roman Breviary. - 9. Its extensionthrough the devotion of many bishops, religionsorders, and people. . . . . . . . . .page 414More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XXVICONTENTSCHAPTER XX.INDULGENCES AT THE SHRINE1. Privileged Altars.- 2. Votive Proper Mass.- 3. PlenaryIndulgences. - Partial Indulgences. . . . . page 432CHAPTER XXI.THE PIOUS UNION1. Feeling of loving regret, on the part of those who visitthe Shrine when leaving. - Instances. - Urban VIII.and others. - 2. An every day instance. - 3. Rise,therefore, of the Pious Union. - 4. Its advantages forthose not able .to visit the Shrine:- 6. Its duties. -6. Its approval by Benedict XIV. who became its firstmember. - 7. His example useful for pastors of soulsand otker superiors. - 8. His Brief lnjunctae nobisin the original Latin and in English.- 9.Value of thisBull, as warranting the facts of the Miraculous Translationfrom Scutari. - 10. Example of Benedict XIV.followed by many. - French Revolution. - 12. Presentposition of the Pious Union. - 13. Increase of indulgencesill 1860:--14. Duties. - 16. Indulgences Plenaryand Partial. - 16. Special advantages to members givenby the guardians of the Sanotuary. . . . .page 436CHAPTER XXII.THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARYl. The old church. - 2. The old alto-rilievo in marble ofOur Lady of Good Counsel. - 3. The Sanctuary. -- 4. The church of Father Felix Leoncelli of Cave. -6. Subsequent improvements.- Works by Canon Bacci.-6. The convent built by Prior Bosca. - The ejection ofthe religious from it by the Revolutionists. - 7. Im--provements by Vasquez and others. - 8. Consequencesto church .and. convent .on the coming of the FrenchPRIVATE USE ONLY

CONTENTSXXVIIand Bonaparte to the Papal States. - Valuables contributedto the exactions from Pius VI. - 9. Newexactions of the French from the Pontiff and new contributionsfrom the Sanctuary.- Lists.- 10. The Frenchtake Rome and carry off the Pope to France. -Finalspoliation of the Sanctuary.- List of valuables taken.-11. Some objects restored. - Fate of sacrilegious spo-1iators.- 12. Santa Maria during Napoleon's tyranny.-18. Its rise on the return of Fins VII. - 14. Improve-- ments effected by Father Fanucchi. - 16. Cardinal, Pedicini renovates the Sanctuary. - Its frescoes andartists. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . page 467xo~n on th paintings in the church . . . . . . . . page 487CHAPTER XXIII.DEVOTION OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLEl. Extent of devotion to Qur Lady in Italy. - 2. Its manifestations.- 3. Exhibition of it in works of genius. -4. Practical devotion of the people. - 5. Open manifestation.- Shrines. - Their nnmber. - 6. The people assuch u satui*ated n' with devotion to Mary. - Proofs. -Churches, chapels, sanctuaries, houses, streets, shops,familiar discourse, exclamations. - 7. Objections madeabout the Sunday in Italy. - The condition of theChurch and the Holy Father etc. etc. - 8. Damagedone outside Italy by these objections. - Notwithstandingtheir want of reason. - 9. Answer in brief, -10. Explanation about the U Sabbath n. - 11. u Externalismn in. religion.'- The Italian Catholic's day. - Theearly morning Masses. - Practices of piety. - A reasonfor the existence of beggars. - 12. Purity of the ItalianCatholics. - 13. The Clergy of Italy. - Slanders ofthe Protestant press. - Reason of the number of theclergy. - The Regulars. - The Cloister. - 14. The Secu-. lars. - Their selection. - Training in the world. -- 16. Religion in great cities. - In Rome. - 16. Conclusion.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 491More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XXVIILCONTENTSCHAPTER XXIV.THE WORSHIP OF hiARYl. Its effects. - 2. Shipwreck in faith through its absence.-3. Need of Good Counsel from Mary. -4. The doctrineof the worship and invocation of Mary. - 6. An objectionin the Protestant mind. - 6. The nature of theCatholic worship of God and His saints explained. -7. The knowledge of our affairs and the interest inthem of the angels and saints.- Their power with God.-Admission of Protestants.- 8. Mary's superior dignity.-In Her creation. - 9. The progress of Her merit. - Herchildhood. - Her condition before the Annunciation. -10. Her merit after. - 11. Her trials. - 12. Her meritfrom them. - 13. An ordinary objection met. - 14. Utilityof prayer to the saints and especially to Mary.-16. Mary left by Jesus to us at the Cross. - Her love.-16. Value of the honour paid Her. - 17. Necessity fordevotion to Mary in these times. - 18. Mary opposedto Satan's arts in our days. - 19. Her quality as VirginMother of Good Counsel. . . . . . . . pageali07APPENDIXCHAPTER XXV.THE ALTAR OF THE CRUCIFIXIONPage. . . . . . . . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . ,636CHAPTER XXVI.SAN PI01. Circumstances favouring the extension of devotion tothe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel. - 2. Purchase ofSan Pio for the Irish Augustinians by Prior Glynn. -Its destination. - 3. Situation of its buildings. - 4. ItsPRIVATE USE ONLY

CONTENTSXXIXgrounds , the site of the Imperial Antonine Villa. -5. Ancient aqueducts. - Their uses for baths and fishponds.-6. Size of the Villa.- Balmy air.- Distinguish-ed occupants. - 7. Genazzano, the Palace of the COlonnasetc. built from its ruins. - 8. The villa of Ovidadjoining its grounds. - His banishment decreed becauseof occurrences which took place there. - Bneas Sylvius(Pins 11.) weeps over the ruins. - 9. Pius 11. throughFather Philip da Massa founds St. Pio. - 10. Reasonsfor calling the convent by that name. - Oddo Colonna,Pope Martin V. builds the church of St. Nicholas andfloors St. John Lateran from the ruins. - 11. TheCapuchins settled in them before the Conventuals. -The Architect of San Pio. r Plan of its church andmonastery. - 12. The Conventuals hold San Pio untilthe coming of the French under Bonaparte. - Suppmssion.- Return. - 13. Final suppression. - 14. Circumstancesof its purchace by Prior Glynn. - 16. The IrishAugustinian students there, a guard of honour to theSanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel. - 16, Itsalumni destined to carry the Gospel abroad. - 17. Thewords of Leo XIII. to the Bishop of Sandhurst andPrior Glynn. - Irish generosity. - Subscriptions. - Altars.- Article from Dublin Freeman. . . . page €40CHAPTER XXVII.ROMAN ECCLESIASTICAL EDUCATIONWords of the Holy Father in encouragement of a Romanecclesiastical education. - 2. Irish faith. - 3. Its perpetuityin distant lands, interested in a Roman ecclesiasticaleducation. -4. Review of the past connectionof Rome and Ireland. - 6. The days of religious persecution.- 6. Colleges established for the Irish by thePontiffs. - Houses given in Rome to the Irish Dominicans.- Father John O'Connor. - To the Augustinians.-To the Franciscans. - Father Luke Wadding. - TheMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

XXXCONTENTSIrisbCollege. - Cardinal Ludovisi.- Jesuits, Carmelitesand other religious orders. - Houses elsewhere for theIrish. - 7. Benefits of a Roman education to Irishfaith. -8. Help from the Popes for education in Ireland. - 9. Knowledge obtained of Ireland's wants bythe Holy See. - 10. Colleges in Rome for England andScotland. - 11. Greater necessity now than before. -12. State of the Church in distant colonies. - 13. Generaldangers intensified at a distance. - 14. The bestpossible ecclesiastical education obtainable anywhereto be had in Rome. - 15. Reasons. - Unity increasedby the love the student has for his Alma Mater. -16. Effects of Rome on a student. - The past and presentRome. - 17. ReQospect of the Roman theologicalschools. - The Catacombs. - The period of the earlyCouncils and early Fathers. - The middle ages. -18. Roman ecclesiastical education in our own days.-Students of various nationalities in the city. - Theirmanner of life. - 19. The great schools of Rome. - Recentevents not able to disturb ecclesiastical learning. -The Sapienza and its chairs. - Transferred to the Apol-linare. -20. Other schools. - The Dominicans at theMinerva.- The Roman College.- 21. The Propaganda.-22. Other schools. -23. Students as seen in Rome. -24. Utility in their association. - 26. Canon Lawin Rome. - 26. Association with the Roman clergy.-27. Value of a student's recreation in Rome. - Christianand Pagan monuments. - 28. Student's vacations. -29. A College for Australia in Rome. ... page 660B on the English speaking Colleges of Rome .... page 596St.Isidore'sIrishFranciscanQollege ...... m 596St. Angnstine's old Irish College. ....... n 697The Dominican Irish College of San Clemente ... W 697The Irish Secular College .......... n 601The North American College ......... 608The English College .........: .. n 603The Scotch College ............ n 604SPOLIATION OF THE PUOPAGANDA ...... n 605PRIVATE USE ONLY

CONTENTSCHAPTER XXVIII .THE IRISH AUOUSTINIANSXXXI1. Augustinians, the Guardians of the Sanctuary and propagatoksof devotion to Our Lady of Good Counseleverywhere else, will be so in English speaking lands.-2. Their position in England and Ireland in the past.-'Their suppression. - Persecutions. - 3. Their conditiondpring the penal days in Ireland.-4. Love of the Irishfor the Augustinians.- Its reason.- Bishop Cornerford.-5. Their condition when toleration was first grantedto Catholics. - 6. Famous Augustinians. - Dr. Gahan0. S. A. - His sermons. - His Catholic Piety.' - HisChurch History etc. - 7. Dr. Doyle Bishop of Kildareand Leigh1in.-8. The Augustinian novitiate in Grants-town in which he was professed. - Coimbra. - Effectof Dr. Doyle's writings on English statesmen.- 9. OtherIrish Augustinians. - 10. Foundation of the AmericanProvince.- Its progress.- Present condition.- 11. Actionof Irish Augustinians in Australia. - 12. Mgr. JamesAlipius Goold, first Bishop and Archbishop of Melbourne.- 13. Reasons of his going to Australia. - Conditionof the Catholics in the penal settlements of NewHolland. - Their sufferings. - Archpriest O'Flynn sentby Rome and sent tack by the Governor. - 14. FatherTherry. - 16. His works for the scattered Catholics. -His influence and labours. - Consequences to Catholicity.- 16. Appointment of the first Bishop and comingof Father Goold. - His works as a missionary and appointmentas first Bishop of Melbourne. - His careeras Bishop and Archbishop. - 17. Nonsgr. Crane firstBishop of Sandhurst. - 18. Conclusion. . . page 608NOTE ON THE SACRED CONGBE~ATION OF THE PROPAGANDAFIDH AND ITS RECENT SPOLIATION. . . . . page 647More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

We the undersigned deputed by the Most Reverend theMaster of the Sacred Apostolic Palace to examine the workentitled a The Virgin Mother of Good Counsel v written in theEnglish language by the Very Revd. George F. Dillon D. D. ofthe Archdiocese of Sydney in Australia, hereby declare thatnot only have we not found anything therein contrary to faithand morals, but on the contrary, much calculated to edifythe faithful and to promote amongst them devotion to theMother of God.Fr. SEBASTIAN MARTINELLI Q. S. A.Master in Sacred Theology, Regentof Sacred Studies in Santa Mariain Posterula.Fr.Joss~a J. M. CARBERY O.P. Masterin Sacred Theology, Provincial ofScotland, and Assistant to theMost Revd. the General of theOrder of Friars Preachers.Convent of Santa Maria sopraMinerva. Rome, April 16'" 1883.IMPRIMATURFr. Augustinus Bausa Ord. Prasd. S. Pal. Ap. Magister.IMPRIMATURJulius Lenti Archiep. Siden. 'Vicesgerens.PROTESTIn obedience to the decrees of the Supreme Pontiffs andespecially to that of Urban VIII., the author submits absolutelyall that is written in this work, as well as whatever else he hasalready written or may hereafter write, to the judgement of theHoly See; and he likewise protests that in narrating miraculousoccurrences, or in giving the name of a Saint v or 4 Blessed Vto any person not canonized by the Church, he intends to do sosolely according to the usage prevailing amongst the faithful.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE VIRGIN IKOIOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELChapter LINTRODUCTION1. Object of the writer - Nature of devotion to the Virgin Mother ofGood Counsel. - 8. Its rim. - 8. The locality. - 4. Translationof the miraculous Image. - 6. Advance of the devotion - St. AlphonsarLiguori, Bt. Aloysius, etc. - 6. Present necereity. -7. Proofs. - 8. The Madonna of Genaczano formidable against Islam- Scenderbeg, Mark Antony Colonna, Innocent XI., - Sobisski.-9. The Islam of our dayr. - 10. The Madonna of (food Counsel dewtined to overcome it. - 11. Rewards. - 1% Special necessity forthe devotion in new countries. - 13. Its consoling power for all.-14. Eraith of the Italian people preserved by the Virgin Mother. -16. Beasonr - Plan of the work - Division and contents. - 16. U-raculous cures. - 17. Chapters added on the miraculous frelco ofthe Crncitlxion - Bt. Pio - Roman Ecclesiastical Education - IrishAaguutinianr. - 18. Works consulted - Thanks to friends.1. The object of the writer of the following pagesis to make known to English speaking readers avaluable and very beautiful devotion which has beenpractised in Italy for many generations, and whichhas made its way to several nations of ContinentalEurope, without being, as yet, much heard of throughoutthat extensive dominion which the Church nowpossesses in English speaking countries.lMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

2 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELThis devotion aims at obtaining all that the giftof Good Counsel gives through the intercession ofMary, the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, toWhom the Infallible Spouse of Christ attributes thevery words of the Holy Ghost U In me is Counsel. vWhile, therefore , the sincere believer instinctivelyrecognises the pregnancy of meaning and the promiseof assistance, involved in a title so expressiveas that of a Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, v itwill console him to know, that close by the city ofthe Successors of St. Peter, it has pleased DivineProvidence to cause a Sanctuary in honour of Maryto arise, whither thousands flock, as they have flockedfor ages, to receive the blessings of Good Counselat Her feet; and that this Sanctuary has beenenriched with supernatural favours of a nature soextraordinary, that, except perhaps in the case of theHoly House of Loreto, we can find no parallel forthem in the history of the shrines of the Church.2. Moreover, the devotion which is manifestedwith such extraordinary fervour at the Shrine itself,is not confined there, but spreads its blessings bymeans of a Pious Union wherever it finds adherents.It sprang up, as will be seen, almost at the same*time with the rise of Christianity upon the ruins ofpaganism in the Roman Empire. The very spot wherethe beautiful Image of Mary and Jesus now reposes,was once the scene of the foulest rites of idol worshipin honour of Venus. There, every April for centuries,came from far and near the men and the women ofLatium for the Robigal Games. There, year after yearthey abandoned themselves to all the abominationsPRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 3not only tolerated, but prescribed, by the pagan JusPontificium of the Romans. No civilized nation ofantiquity that we know of, had rites more demoralizingthan these proud masters of the world; and nowhere,not even in the Flavian Amphitheatre, dothe same rites seem to have been carried to greaterexcess, than near the site of the present temple of theMadonna in the borough of Genazzano, where, whenthe worship of idols had given place to that of theone true God, the statue of the foulest goddess ofheathendom fell to make way for the Shrine and thesway of the Purest of God's creatures, His VirginMother. It was meet and, no doubt, was so arrangedby a merciful and wise Providence, that the motherand synonyme of a vice which, with order dark andsorrowful characters, has folly emphatically stampedupon it, should be succeeded, when faith shed itslight upon Latium, by the Mother and Synonyme of purityand supernal wisdom, the Mother a of fair love rand of a holy hope, B of consolation and of Counsel.. 3. To make the contrast here indicated moreclear, the writer has thought it of use to give asketch of the history and locality of Genazzano. Thiscannot fail from its classical as well as Christianrecollections to interest the English speaking visitorto Rome, who can get but scant and, in a Catholicsense, almost no reliable information from the guidebookspublished in his language; and, to enable thereader at a distance to realize the full meaning ofthe devotion, it is necessary. It will serve to show toall, that, though confined to one locality, the devotionexisted from a very early period. When God willedMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

4 . THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELits estension it was by means of a most strikingand significant miracle. A beautiful Image of HisMother holding the Divine Infant in Her sacred arms,passed from a land just taken by the Turks to thevery spot where the Virgin Mother of Good Counselhad been hoeoured for over a thousand years. Thetranslation of this Image was eg'ected without humaninterferenoe and amidst many prodigies. It naturallycreated a widespread and deep impression at thetime. On a festival, it appeared amidst a multitudein the public square, and rested near the wall of thechurch where it still remains. The fervour it createda~ongsthe people of God, the graces, the consolationr, and the miraculous favours obtained at its Shrine,continue to this day. It has thus become the fountainof devotion to the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel forall the* faithful of Christ, in all the lands which owntbe sway of His Vicar on earth.4. The writer has therefore entered very fullyinto the history of this sacred Image; and .the reader,to become convinced of a fact so extraordinary as itswonderful translation from Scutari in Albania to Genazzano,must have the patience to read what he haswritten on that point. All that is said, is proved byfacts as well authenticated as any other facts ofpast history. And here a possible thought may bemet. The reader lqay never have heard of the mir-a~le before. He may deem such an occurrenae strangeand unaccountable. He may perhaps, be somewhatinfluenced , although unoonsciously , by that atmasphereof incredulity which surrounds Catholics in allEnglish speaking lands, and which is prone, whilePRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 5reoeiving scriptural miracles with a kind of passiveacquiescence, to regard modern ones as impossible orabsurd. And it thus happens that even Catholics whomaihtain the antecedent possibility of miracles rejectas improbable, or explain away upon natural grounds,the phenomena held to be supernatural in Catholiccountries. Miracles, however, do occur and will continue60 occur till the end of time. They are facts just asaecertainable as other facts. In the Church, the Catholichas a sure guide as to what he may believe andwhat he must not believe in their regard. When shepermitc3 a devotion, when she herself shows that shedoes not doubt the miracles performed by its means,when she blesses it and rewards those who practiseit, the devout Catholic has the best guarantee thatin practising that devotion he does what is right.All this she does with regard to the sacred Image ofthe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel and the devotionof which its Shrine in Genazzano is the centre andthe spring. During the progress of this history it willbe seen that, in its passage from Scutari to Genazzano,the Image was followed over land and sea, by twotrustworthy witnesses who afterwards lived and diedand left their families in Latium. It will be seenthat its appearance in Genazzano occurred in broadday-light, and in the presence of thousands; that miraculouslight and celestial chanting, the ringing ofchurch bells by no human hand, and other circumstancesof an extraordinary kind accompanied itscoming; and that innumerable miraculous cures whichhave never since ceased, were worked in favour ofthose who came piously to visit it.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

6 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL5. A most important fact will be noticed in theinquiry which was instituted some two months afterits appearance by the then reigning Pontiff, PopePaul II., at the very period when, according to COriolanus,all Italy was going out in procession tovisit it. The devotion of his immediate successor,Sixtus IV., the continued devotion of other Popes,as well as of monarchs, cardinals, and distinguishedpersonages, which continues to this day, is also wellworthy of notice. Amongst these we may mentionthe deep, tender, and life-long devotion of St. AlphonsusLiguori. It is a representation of the VirginMother of Good Counsel that is usually painted withportraits of that saint. Many copies too of the sacredImage have proved miraculous. That picture of OurLady which spoke so often and so lovingly to the angelicyouth St. Aloysius Gonzaga, was a copy. Othercopies have worked wonderful prodigies in Rome,Naples, Genaa, Lucca, Frosinone, San Benedetto U1-lano and numbers of cities in Italy and Germany.6. Thus the devotion has progressed to meet theincreasing needs of Christendom, and the writer believes that now more than ever, it is destined foran immense development.His reasons for believing this are many. Thereare circun=stances connected with the devotion itself,with the Sanctuary, and especially with the PiousUnion, which manifest a providential preparation fora very wide extension. But the existence of a greatnecessity is the principal reason. Never before wasthere manifest more need of Good Counsel for allclasses of Christians than at this hour. For parentsPRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 7and for children, for pastors and for people, - forall in God's Church whether rulers or ruled, its valuecannot be over-estimated.7. We have only to look upon the state of Europeand of the world at large to realize this. The evilswhich threaten mankind socially and religiously werenever before so formidable. A delirium of folly andcrime has fallen upon the nations generally. Onlysupernatural power can save us. And where can webetter look for that, than where it was always found,-in Mary Whom God has established to be as Solomonsaw Her, not only increasing in grandeur and poweras time rolls on, to meet every emergency of mana as the aurora advancing; v not only a fair ' as themoon v to console us, and a bright as the sun P togive us light, but a formidable as an army set inbattle array v to defend us from the infernal designsof our enemy.8. As She was in the past, so must She be in thepresent and in the future. When the miraculoustranslation of Her sacred Image occurred, the EasternChurch had well nigh disappeared before the advancingarms of Islam. In the progress of this history,it will be seen that the last stand made againstthat foe, was by the heroic Scanderbeg,- King GeprgeCastriota, of Albania,-- who, because he received helpand counsel at the Shrine of this very Image thenin his country, was able to defeat again and againthe whole power of Amurat II., and afterwards todrive with terrific slaughter the hundreds of thousandsof Mahomet II., the captor of Constantinople,from the walls of Croja, his little Capital. For twentyMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

8 THE VIRaIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELyears he saved his own country and Christendom. Hehad but just passed to his reward, when Mary causedHer miraculous Image to break away from the walls ofHer temple in Scutari and to pass to Latium. His asheswere not cold, when the Turks in unconquerable might,swept over the land and passed to the Adriatic. Italy,preserved anew by Mary, presented an impregnablebarrier; and the Pontiffs ceased not to oppose the foe,until finally the new home of Mary produced a secondScanderbeg. At a moment of supreme danger,St. Pius V., a most devout client of the Virgin Motherof Good Counsel, had called to the command of hisfleet Mark Antony Colonna, Lord of Genazzano, andProtector, as Scanderbeg once was, of the sacred Imageand Sanctuary of the Madonna of Good Counsel.Like George Castriota, Colonna was a devoted sonof God's Virgin Mother. Wonderfully did She aid him.The Turks, as omnipotent in the Mediterranean asupon land, meditated new invasions. The Christianswere in imminent peril in Italy and all along theEuropean seaboard. But the client of Mary prevailed.At Lepanto, the Pope's Admiral conjointly withDon John of Austria, gave a blow to the preeminenceof. the Turk upon water from which Islam has neversince recovered. And later, as upon water so uponland, it was the power of Good Counsel given byMary that finally crushed this foe of the Christianname. Innocent XI., after many unsuccessful attemptsto unite Christendom against the tremendous armamentsof Moslem might launched against Austria, hadno sooner ordered the Chapter of St. Peter's to crownwith diadems the sacred Image of Our Lady at Ge-PRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 0nazzano, than his efforts were blessed with completesuccess. The army of Sobieski and the forces of Charlesof Lorraine united, and a death-blow to the advanceof the Turk upon land was dealt within a year atthe walls of Vienna. Slowly but surely the mightytide of Mahomedan power has sirice receded, untilwe flnd it at the ebb which soon must tell that theCross, after a contest of twelve hundred years, hasobliterated all trace of the Crescent. The Caliphs arepassing to the oblivion and impotence of the Caesars,but the reign of Christ continues, and to-day His Vicarrules a wider domain than he ever ruled before. It isnot too much to say, that this is owing to the help -to the Counsel and strength --which Mary is powerfulenough to obtain for God's people. To Her theChurch attributes the victory. a Be glad and rejoice;0 Virgin Mary, for THOU ALONE hast overcome allheresies throughout the whole world. B9. But now more than ever the power of Mary isrequired to meet a far more deadly foe than thatsymbolized by the Crescent. A new Islam has arisenupon the world, which, with more malignant hatredthan that of the fanatics of Mahomet, and with amore subtle force than the astuteness of Greek or Romanpersecutor could devise, seeks the life of Christ.More intellectual than physical, it aims not so muchat the soul by killing the body, as at the soul direct.It aims also at the soul by the corruption of mindand body. It is banded by the powers of secrecy inone formidable phalanx, invisible and impalpable tooutsiders; and that phalanx is everywhere. It is foundin every language,.amidst every colour, mixed up andMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

10 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELasserting itself in every nation and people and tribeof men. It has obtained power - the power in everyform of human government. It is filling it,self withriches. It uses its position, its influence, its wealth,to win proselytes. It has paralyzed the action of theChurch in every country with more or less effect.It strikes off her armour and puts chains on her handsand feet. It deprives her of every human resource;and day by day weaves new webs to compass herdestruction. It has succeeded in driving her fromevery public concern. In scarcely a single nation ofthe world is she permitted to control the educationof her own children. And everywhere, the newsystem of instruction framed by her enemy, is madeas far as possible, first to exclude and then to ridiculeGod and his saints. Wherever this formidablepower can do so, she is banished from the family,which, unhinged by a baneful divorce law, must be undirectedby her voice and unassisted by her ministrations.And alas ! both rulers and statesmen terrifiedin the toils of this secret foe of themselves as well asof the Church, live on deaf to her voice, until the hourcomes when their people, denloralized and lost withoutreligion, fall victims to the attempts of the socialist.This wide-spread conspiracy is determined and activein the propagandism of every species of immoralityand of every species of atheism. It is astute andvigilant, subtle and intelligent, elaborate in its confrivancesto deceive and to ruin men. Its great aimis to kill divine faith; and if not possible to kill itat a blow, then to .weaken, decrease, and unnerve itin the minds and hearts of the people. For thisPRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 11purpose it forms alliance with every enemy of theChurch; with the heretic and the schismatic; withthe hypocrite and the traitor; with the abandonedecclesiastic ; with the disobedient and the nominalCatholic; with the fallen religious; with whomsoevermay be found to speak or write against any principle,interest, or person of advantage to the cause oforder and of God. The infernal cunning of the serpentwho is in truth the master-spirit , the authorof its vitality, of its enmity, of its strange unityand ubiquity, is everywhere manifested in dark designsagainst truth and religion.10. All this to be thoroughly understood, need butbe illustrated by what takes place in France before oureyes, and what has already occurred in Italy andother once fervently Catholic nations. Its progress inall lands is terrible. But it must fail as all that wentbefore it failed. The Cross must triumph over itspower as surely as it does over expiring Islam. ThankHeaven! the Church of Christ cannot be destroyed.All this is true on the unerring assurance of GodHimself. But, alas ! how many millions will perishwhile the contest progresses. Great as the triumphof the Church must be, that triumph cannot cure theeternal despair of those who are lost in the contest.For the sake then of millions of our fellow creaturesin danger - for our own sake - we must have recourse more fervently than ever to that wisdom andpower which God has used in the past to baffle Islam,and which He has destined to be the destroyer ofevery form of seduction, which the head of the infernalserpent has been able to invent for the deception andMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

12 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GIOOD COUNSELthe destruction of our raw. There is surely great forceand meaning in every part of that prophecy, whichin the darkest hour of our misfortune gave the firsthope to the fallen source of our earthly origin, butespecially in that part which says that the woman,a the second Eve, B the real c mother of the living, Bshould crush the serpent's veryhead; that is to sayshould bring to naught all the machinations his pervertedintelligence could frame for the ruin of man.This certainly is best done by the force of that wisdomwith which Mary, as the Church is never wearyof telling us, is preeminently endowed. And this willbe done for nations and individuals by the gift ofGood Counsel so characteristic of the Virgin Motherof God, and which She is specially empowered togrant by the inscrutable and merciful designs of Him,Who wills, as many holy doctors distinctly teach,that all grace and salvation should come to usthrough Mary.11. The writer, therefore, feels that by bringingdevotion to the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel - adevotion which he knows to have effected much alreadyin Italy - under the notice of his brethren who speakthe English language, he will do a work beneficialto them, and, he humbly trusts, acceptable to Her,Whom he knows they-love tenderly. She c loves themthat love Her. v His own reward and he trusts thereward of many who may read this humble effort, andby it be disposed not only to love the Virgin Motherof Good Counsel, but also to extend devotion by meansof Her beautiful Image and the Pious Union, will be- for our Mother in heaven cannot deceive us - thatPRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 13promised in the words 4 Qui elucidant me vitam aeternarnhabebunt v They who explain me shall havelife everlasting.12. In addition to the millions of Catholics who livein comparative spiritual security in faithful Ireland,and the millions of Catholics now in Great Britain,the writer has special reasons to think most of allof those other millions who leave Catholic homes fora life among strangers the majority of whom differfrom them in religion, in distant lands such as Americaand the principal English speaking colonies.Twenty years experience in Australia has convincedhim, that a greater and more constant devotion toMary is now more than ever needed to keep thefaith alive in themselvgs and in their children. Theyhave to encounter all the perils which come from theinfidel movements now supreme over the vital questionof primary education in the United States, in Australia,and almost everywhere in English speaking countries.In England, and even in Ireland, a strong effort isbeing made to go with the universal current againstreligion upon this and other most important points.Then in new countries more than in old ones, thetendency is very great to contract mixed marriages,to frequent dangerous associations and reunions, andto lose the ring and vigour of sound faith by concessionto the prevailing spirit of a worldliness in~ariablyanti-Catholic. The 4 fulness of bread v unaccompaniedby the wholesome restraints of religion, proves perilousto the old and still more so to the young. So it happensthat faith, even in cases where we should be leastprepared to expect such a catastrophe, becomes de-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

14 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELbilitated; and the sons and daughters of men - andeven the very men themselves -who have sufferedmuch for their faith become victims of infidel movements.They are sometimes found not only deprived ofCatholicity, but in the very camp of its enemies. Theconsequences to themselves and to others here and hereaftercan easily be imagined. Some cannot see this,because deprived of the spirit of Good Counsel. Thewisdom of the fiend has in their case supplanted thewisdom of the Cross. A shriek of despair from a deathbedis often the only sign we receive' of the knowledgeof their loss. That shriek dies away without effect uponothers. It is heard and forgotten. The folly continues,and thousands are lost to the Church and to heaven.An infallible remedy for all these evils, the writerbelieves , would be found in such devotion as ispractised amongst the clients of the Virgin Motherof Good Counsel. If families and individuals wouldadopt it, the spirit of wisdom from on high wouldreign. Souls otherwise likely to be ruined would besaved. Catholic principles would be preserved andstrengthened; and the enemy of God and man wouldbe deprived of his triumph, through Mary.13. Moreover, this devotion is for all, one ofparticular help and consolation. Many, very many,will read with pleasure and thanksgiving such experience of Mary's assistance as that given in the seventeenthchapter of this work by Canon Bacci, a greatapostle of the devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel,in Rome. For all the wounds of the spirit, those whohave devout recourse to Her, will, like him, finda certain, consolatory, and efficacious remedy. NeverPRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 15has it been known that sufferers from loss of friendsor position, estate or honour, went to Mary's Shrineat Uenazzano and returned unconsoled , unhelped ,unsatisfied. The miracles of bodily health restoredare numerous and continual. In chapter the thirteenth,in that on the Pious Union, and elsewherethroughout the work, it will be seen that this helpis infallibly extended to those who faithfully practisedevotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel at, a distance,as well as to those favoured by the happy opportunityof visiting uer Sanctuary.14. There is another important matter which thedevotion has brought under the writer's notice andto which he. refers. It is this.While employed in the very grateful task of makingthe observations and researches necessary for thepresent work, he was, of course, obliged to mix muchwith the Italian people, and especially with those ofthe Pontifical States in which Latium lies. Seekingfor health, he travelled over nearly every portion ofthe Pope's territory, and many parts of Italy besides.He met with the Italian people in every conditionof life. He studied to ascertain their most intimatefeelings and convictions, especially on two very interestingpoints. The first was with regard to religion,and the next with regard to the Pope, not only asspiritual chief but also as temporal sovereign. Hefound that upon both points the people were continuallyand shamefully misrepresented by almost everysecular and Protestant English writer. He found thatno people on this earth could be more devoted totheir religion than the mass of the people of Italy;More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

16 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELand that they had kept their faith under trials wellcalculated to subvert it. And as to the temporalsovereignty of the Pope, he found that, so far frombeing opposed to it, the bulk of the people in theRoman States would gladly receive back the temporalgovernment of their beloved Pontiff to-morrow. Theyhave abundant reason, and they know it well. Thenew regime has brought upon them an intolerableburden df taxation. It brings the leva or conscription todesolate many a happy home. It gives liberty to sin, todesecrate the Sabbath, to insult religion apd ruin morals;but it forges chains for the Church, for the ministersof the altar, and in a hundred ways harasses boththe religion and the religious sentiments of the people.It makes continual efforts by means of hired mobs andnewspaper correspondents, to blind public opinionin England and France, which - and not the Italianpeople as a whole - creakd united Italy. Thereforethe stories from Rome about popular hatred forreligion, and the sad episodes of insults to pilgrims,and outrages such as that which was offered to theremains of the late venerated Pontiff Pius IX.15. The nature of the trials through which theCatholic people of Italy have passed in this generationis known to all. No people on this earth haveexperienced to a greater extent the dark, insidious,and long continued efforts of the infidel, secret-societies.But neither persecution nor seduction has beenable to destroy or even to weaken their faith. So faras the great bulk of the population is concerned, thatfaith is to-day stronger and more fervent than ever.The writer believes this to be owing to their intensePRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 17devotion to the Virgin Mother of God and to theGOOD COUNSEL which She in return, has obtained forthem. He has given his reasons for this belief atlength. The same devotion is powerful enough tosave the rest of the world from the same dangersthrough which Italy has passed, and which not onlythreaten but assail Catholicity at this moment, inevery English speaking country. To prove this - toexcite devotion to the Virgin Mother of Good Counselby showing Her power and goodness in the past -is the chief object of this work, the plan of whichis arranged as follows.The victory of the Virgin Mother of Good Counselover Paganism, and over the foul worship of Venusespecially, is treated of in the first three chapters,which contain a description of Latium and of the townof Genazzano. Her power over Mahomedanism, themost formidable of the opponents of the Church afterPaganism, is shown in the following chapters whichtreat of the miraculous translation of Her sacredImage from Scutari to Her Shrine in Latium, and ofScanderbeg and Albania. The proofs of the wonderfulapparition and translation, are critically examined inthree chapters. Two chapters are then devoted to thelegally authenticated miracles, - for those not soauthenticated are innumerable, L wrought both in theSanctuary and by means of copies of the sacred Image.16. The writer would here call the reader'sspecial attention to the first of these chapters (XII),where a miraculous cure witnessed by himself andmany others, and afterwards duly attested by theArchpriest and by the official physician of the cityIMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

18 THE VIRGIN h1OTHER OF GOOD COUNSELof Zagarolo. It was a case of incurable blindnesscombined with severe epilepsy which had broughtthe sufferer to the brink of the grave.To show the value that Popes and illustriouspersons, ecclesiastical and secular, have placed uponthe devotion, and the zeal of those who may be calledits apostles, the three following chapters have beenwritten. And.in these, the reader's attention is againspecially directed to the letter of Canon Bacci (Chapter XVII.), where he speaks of the miraculous powerof Our Lady of Good Counsel, manifested both in Hersacred Image of Genazzano and in copies of it in otherplaces. The nature of popular devotion at the Sanctuaryis treated at length in Chapter XV., where specialprominence is given to the public pilgrimages madeby people living at great distances. The spiritualtreasures of the Shrine, the proper Mass and Office,the indulgences, plenary and partial, are treated inChapters XIX. and XX. The Pious Union of Genazzano,a league which the devout clients of Maryestablished to preserve the remembrance of Hergoodness, and the first member of which was thecelebrated Pontiff Benedict the XIV., is described inChapter XXI. The fortunes of the church in whichthe holy Chapel is found are given in Chapter XXII.Chapter XXIII. is 'devoted to a description of thereligious condition of the Italian people and of themeans they employ to honour Our Lady. And finally,in Chapter XXIV. a popular explanation is given ofthe Catholic doctrine of the worship and invocationof Mary, for the benefit of Protestants especially.17. A few chapters have been added on some mat-PRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 19brs of particular interest connected with the Sanctuary. The first is upon a miraculous fresco of theCrucifixion, which bled on being struck by an enragedsoldier in the reign of Paul 111. The second isupon the venerable convent of San Pio, occupying thesite of the ancient Imperial or Antonine Villa neareenazzano, and which, after having been taken fromthe Conventual Franciscans by the revolutionaryGovernment, was regained for religion under remarkablecircumstances by the zeal and good fortune ofthe Very Reverend P. J. Glynn, Prior of the IrishAugustinian Convent in Rome. He wished, in additionto the blessings of a Roman education for themembers of his Order, to train them at the feet ofthe Miraculous Image of the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel. The value of a Roman education for ecclesiasticshas appeared to the writer to be so great,that he has written the nest chapter upon it. Andfinally, as he composed this work chiefly in thebeautiful convent of the Irish Augustinians , overlookingthe Sanctuary of Mary, he has closed by achapter upon that remarkable division of the sonsof Saint Augustine who battled so nobly for Irishfaith ifi the dark days of persecution.18. It is almost needless to say that in writingsuch a book as this, the author had to make thefreest use of the labours of those who had gone beforehim. He is indebted for valuable documents to thenow rare work of De Orgio, published in the lastcentury at the instance of Canon Bacci l. He has6 Istoriche notizie della prodigiosa apparizione dell'immagiw di Maria Santissima del Buon Consiglio nella chiesa,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

20 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELavailed himself of the historical memoirs of thelearned Archpriest Senni , but with such allowancefor the amor patriae of a foremost citizen of Genazzanoas circumstances required l. It will be seen thathe has quoted here and there from the excellent workof the accomplished and erudite Luigi Vannutelli,who held the position of Notary under the Pontifictflgovernment P. The work of Father Buonanno of theNeapolitan Oratory is perhaps the largest that hasyet appeared on the Madonna of Genazzano in ItalyIt has been of considerable help to the writer. Thatof Father Belgrano is large but mostly of a devotionalcast 4. He has used it also. He has besidesconsulted the works of Coriolanus and of the ArchaeologistsCaetano and Calisto Marini and veri-dei Padri Agostiniani di Genazzano, opera del P. M. Fr. Angel0M. De Orgio del10 stesso Istituto, consagrata alla grandeImperatrice de' Cieli, con una succinta narrazione del portentosoCrocifisso che si adora nella medesima chiesa. Vl a Memorie di Genazzano e dei vicini paesi, dell' arcipreteGirolamo Senni. va Cenni storici sul Santuario di Maria Santissima delBum Consiglio di Genazzano. Roma 1839. va Della immagine di Maria Santissima del Buon Consiglioche si venera in Genazzano, memorie storiche per RaffaeleBuonanno prete dell' Oratorio napoletano. v Napoli 1880.a La Madre del Buon Consiglio, manuale di letture edi preghiere per i divoti di Maria Santissima del Buon Cmsiglio,la cui prodigiosa immagine si venera in Genazaamnella chiesa dei religiosi Agostiniani, compilato dal P. M. PietroBelgrano agostiniano. v Roma 1880.a Esame critic0 di alcuni monumefiti spettanti all'apparizionedella Madonna del Buon Consiglio, fatto d'ordine dellaSacra Congregazione deDRiti dai Custodi degli archivi secretiPontificii. v 1779.4PRIVATE USE ONLY

, INTRODUCTION 21fid in most instances such extracts from rare and 'learned works, as were given by previous writers.The documents relative to Scutari, he obtained in thearchives of the convent at Genazzano. Some of thesehave never before appeared in print, even in any Italiantreatise on the Sanctuary. Ih cases where originaldocuments appear for the first time, the original isgiven as well as the translation. The translations,in order to preserve their value as evidence, have,in nearly every instance, been given literally.As the work may be required for reference, hehas further attempted an innovation on the customof English writers. He has not only divided the bookinto chapters, but the chapters into sections; and hehas numbered these se(:tions according to the customof many Italian authors. This has been suggestedto him by the venerable and saintly Rector of theIrish College of St. Agntha in Rome, the RightRev. Monsgr. Kirby, Bishop of Lita, who has takenthe greatest interest in the work and encouraged thewriter by every means in his power. His Lordship isa zealous member of the Pious Union, and most devotedto the Madonna of Good Counsel. He hasvenerated Her beautiful Image at the Shrine in Genazzano,and, in order to extend a devotion he lovesso much, endeavours to influence the many Prelatesand other distinguished personages he meets with inRome to follow his example. He well knows thegraces that will surely follow, for the benefit of themselvesand of their people.Here, the writer desires to return his thanks tohim and to the very many other friends in Rome,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

22 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELwho have given with much courtesy and zeal all theassistance in their power. In this way he is underspecial obligations to his Eminence Cardinal Martinelli,Prefect of the Index; to his brother Dr. Martinelli,Regent of Studies of the Irish Augustinians inRome, and Postulator for the causes of the saints ofthe Augustinian Order and for the saints of Ireland;to the Most Rev. Doctor Neno, Comnlissary General ofthe Augustinian Order; to Father Lanteri its learnedhistorian; to the Very Rev. Prior and community ofPosterula; to the Very Rev. Prior and community ofSanta Maria in Genazzano, the Guardians of the Sanctruary; and specially to the venerable Father Berio,the Sub-Prior and oldest of the Fathers in that Convent,who has been indefatigable in providing documentsand every other information ; to the VeryRev. Father Pifferi Sub-Sacristan to His Holiness'at the Vatican; to the Very Rev. Father Belgrano,Chaplain to the Dowager Empress of Austria atPrague, who has sent most valuable, and hitherto unpublishedinformation to the writer; to Mgr. Carbery,Bishop of Hamilton, late Assistant General of theDominicans; to the Very Rev. Dr. Walsh, Presidentof St. Patrick's College Maynooth, Ireland, who thisyear visited the Sanctuary during the festival of theWonderful Apparition, and, in consequence of whathe there witnessed, took as deep an interest as thewriter in this , the first work in English whichtreats at any le'ngth of the devotion; to Mgr. Crane,Bishop of Sandhurst, Victoria, an old and most devotedclient of Our Lady 'of Good Counsel, whoseearnest desire to spread the devotion in Australia,PRIVATE USE ONLY

INTRODUCTION 23is the chief reason why this work appears at all ; tothe Very Rev. Don Filippo Vannutelli, vicar Foraneat Genazzano ; to the Advocate Cavaliere Manzella ;to the Very Rev. Father Carey 0. S. F. Guardian, ofSt. Isidore's ; to the Very Rev. Father O'Callaghan0. P. Prior of San Clemente, and to all who havekindly given information or other assistance duringthe progress of the work.Lastly, the writer has to ask the reader's indul- .gence for errors unavoidable in a work put in typeby compositors unacquaintecl with the language inwhich it is written. The proof sheets, moreover, hadto be corrected by the author himself at a distancefrom Rome, and sonletimes while travelling throughItaly and France. It was therefore morally inlpossiblethat some errors should not rernain through oversighton his part. These, however, he hopes will be foundto be comparatively few and uninlportant; and of thesefew, the greater number are noticed in the list of errataat the end of the volume. That errors should appearat all, must be his own fault, for notwithstanding thedifficulties of a strange language, nothing has beenleft undone by the Cavaliere Melandri, the able directorof the extensive Stamperia of the Sacred Congregationof the Propaganda and his efficient staff,to bring out the worlc as perfect as possible. Forthis the writer is indebted to His Eminence CardinalSimeoni, the Prefect of that Sacred Congregation,who with great kindness has given him every facilityfor the completion of the work in the magnificentCatholic institution over which His Eminence presides.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

Chapter I.1. Its original inhabitants. - 2. Bome formed and ruled by them. -a. Physical featnres, mountains, cities, memories connected with thecountry. - 4. General beauty of the scenery - Dreariness of the Oampagna.- 6. Malaria of the Campagna - Calumny on the PontificalQovernment - Real cause. - 6. The Revolutionists promise muchand perform little. - 7. Hope comes from Australia and the persecutedmonks of Italy.- 8. Beauty of the rest of Latium - The way tosee it. - 9. Habit of the agricultural population to live in towns. -10. The reason. - 11. Ruins in Latium. - 12. Its capital, Paleetrina- Injustice of a guide-book writer to its modern inhabitants. 13. The ancient city - Its fortunee. - 14. Palestrim Christian -First view of Bome taken by St. Peter from ite citadel.-of St. Peter's. - 16. Latium a Christian Land.16. Dome1. There is not in Europe, nor, if we exceptPalestine, in the world, a locality more full of interestfor the scholar, the antiquary, and the Christian,than that little tract of country which lies betweenthe Tiber and the Volscian mountains, and is boundedby the Sabine Ranges and the sea. From timeimmemorial it was called Latium. It would littleserve our present purpose to inquire into the originof its primitive population. That they were notEtruscans, as some state, that they were of a morePRIVATE USE ONLY

LATIUM 25intellectual and aesthetic build, though hot of n lesspractical nature than the Etruscans, is now fairlyestablished. But whether they came from Greece orfrom the other side of the Hellespont, whether fineasfound there a population upon his arrival, or whetherhe and his Trojans ever went there at all, are questionswhich to use Lord Macaulay's celebrated phrase,are likely to remain a lost in the twilight of fable. P2. One thing alone is certain. The country wasalready well inhabited : It had its Kings and itswars and its politics, when upon a cluster of greenhills about midway on its river boundary, therearose a city, which gradually but surely advancedin strength, until by a rare blending of policy andforce it made itself supreme over the rival factionsof Latium. It then spread its dominion over all thestates of Italy ; and finally, never ceased to advancein its conquering career, until the world as knownto the ancients, submitted with a docility as perfectas that of its own inhabitants, to the omnipotenceof its sway. That city was Rome. And it is theglory of the little territory we speak of, that whatevernlay have been the splendour and the powerreached by Rome's citizens, it is beyond doubt thatfor the most part they were formed of the tribes,Albans, Volscians, or Sabines, as they may have been,who blended with the Latins proper, and formed thelittle province to which Latium gave its name.We may, perhaps, admit the Ernici at the otherside of the narrow Sacco to a share in this distinction.With this addition, the country continued to be, andstill remains, the peculiar territory, the nursery ofMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

26 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELRome, the recruiting ground (of her master-spirits.For, not only did the Sabines give the first mothers tothe young colony of Romulus, but the Imperial Cityhas never ceased to welcorne a ruler born within theborders described, fronl the days that saw Nun~aPompilius called from Sabina to be its second king,until our own days, when the most real and extendeddominion Rome ever possessed, is governed by theSupreme Pontiff Leo XIII., born at Carpineto inthe country of the Emici, near the opposite Volscianheights l.l Carpineto, the birth place of Leo XIII, is now an objectof considerable interest to the Catholic tourist. Its situittionis one of the most beautiful and romantic that could be imagined.It nestles, so to speak, in a slight depression hetweentwo lofty peaks of the Lepine or Volscian ranges and is itself,considerably elevated. It lies about 15 miles from the railwaystation at Segni, where a diligence meets the morning train fromRome. The drive is a most interesting one. The road passes5rst by Cfavignano, then wincts round the base of the mountainof Segni, ~nd 5nally sweeps thn~ugh a defile of several milesby the side of a mountain torrent, the bed of which is remarkablefor the flne quality of its limestone rocks. About fourmiles from Cnrpineto, Montelanico, a good substantinl lookingtown, is passed through. Then, an excellent road ascends thesteep and gradually narrowing defile to the Pope's native city.About a mile from it, the visitor is struck by the appearanceof a chateau of the French character amidst a grove of ancientchestnuts, and well situated on a large platform of good land,which rises in the midst of the depression between the mountains.This is the villeggintura of the Counts Pecci, whose palaceis in the city above. As you enter the town, one of the mostremarkable structures of the place challenges attention. It isin every sense modern, very wide and deep, and some six storiesin height. It would suit for some colossal hotel; and one isapt to think, it is being erected by some speculator to accommodatesummer visitora of the better class, who may choose to selectPRIVATE USE ONLY

LATIUM 273. Three noble masses of mountains rise fromthe general level of this territory. In the centre,facing Rome on the North, are the Alban Hills, thosethe cool, bracing air and romantic scenery of those mountainsfor the sake of health. But it is for a better purpose. It is theschool-house just erected by the'Pope for the children ofCarpineto. It is meant to accommodate a number of religiousladies destined to conduct in the vast establishment, firet apension, then a high-school, and flnally a day-school for allthe infants and female children of every age in the neighbourhood.On % height opposite the town and not far from theseschools, is an extensive Franciscan monastery. Workmen areemployed making improvements in one of its wings. Possiblya seminary, or a school for boys, or both may be formed here.The poor friars after being turned out by the Revolutionista,were reinstated by the charity of the Holy Father who boughttheir property for them and is repairing it at his own expense.In the town, the Palace of the Counts Pecci is the principalobject of interest. Adjoining this is a large and excellentparish church solidly and sensibly built. At one side it hasappartments for the clergy, and at the other there is accommodationgiven for the inmates of the palace to attend the servicesof the sacred edifice. One is pleased to hear that this fine buildinghas taken the place of an old, ruined parish church, andthat it now gives ample room to some two or three thousandpersons. Through the courtesy of the gentleman in charge ofthe palace of Count Pecci who was absent, the writer wasshown through the now interesting building, in which Leo XIII.was born on the 2* of March 1810. It is a fine old specimenof the Italian palazzo, large and well kept. It is splendidlysituated on the loftiest plateau of Carpineto. From it, grandviews of thew country may be obtained. It contains several9ne rooms covered with antique tapestry. But the visitor iamost struck by the family portraits which are numerous. Themost remarkable amongst them arc those of the parents of thePope. His father, who wpen his likeness was taken, must havebeen a singularly handsome man of about thirty years of age,appears in the uniform of a French colonel of the period ofNapoleon the First. The reason is, probably, because Napo-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

28 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELlong silent volcanoes whose craters are now filledwith the beautiful, still waters of the lakes of Albanoand Nemi, and whose lava forms the pozzolana andtufo employed in all the buildings of Rome, andwhose soft but withal adhesive nature has made theexcavation of the cataoombs possible. On each sideof these isolated hills, arise the Volscian and theSabine Ranges. The former facing the sea, roll ontowards Gaeta; and the latter sweep off in splendidfile until they blend with the distant Apennines.4. All this expanse of country may be seen ona clear day from the Tiber's bank outside Rome,or better, from the dome of St. Peter's. Thrillingmemories of the past are connected with almostevery spot of it. Taking a central stand, say, onthe summit of Mount Artimisio, a hundred scenesof world-wide celebrity rtt once come under view.leon forced the young nobles of Italy into his military serviceduring the many years his influence lasted over the country.The mother of the Pope, however, is perhaps the most remarkablefigure. She was a native of the anaient Cori, and it iaprobably through her, that a part of the property of the familyof the Counts Pecci is found there. Her features bear a strongresemblance to both her living children, the Pope and CardinalPecci. The traditions of the place represent her exactly aswe should expect the mother of Leo XIII. to have been, a ladyof great goodness and piety with more than an ordinary shareof mental endowments. A fine, aoft toned, life-sized figure of thePope seated, has been added to the group of family likenesses,many of whom have been high dignitaries in the Church. Carpinetothough very close to the episcopal see of Segni, belongsto Anagni. Leo XIII. is the last of ave Popes, all great menin their time, which this latter diocese has given to the Chairof St. Peter. He is now in his seventy fourth year, being twoyears younger than his brother, the Cardinal.PRIVATE USE ONLY

LATIUM 28In Velletri at your feet, Augustus, the first RomanEmperor was born. Near it is Civita Lavinia, theancient Lanuvium, the site of the great temple ofJuno , the birthplace of Milo, of Antoninus Pius, ofMarcus Aurelius, of Commodus, and in more moderntimes, of Mark Antony Colonna, the hero of Lepanto.Far in the opposite direction is seen Anagni,the ancient capital of the Ernici, which gave to theChristian world four Popes, amongst whom towersthe majestic figure of Innocent the Third. Betweenthese two points, the eye passes over Cori, Segni, SacroPorto, the valley of the Sacco -the Latin valley,-Artena, and other places famous in the early warfareof the Latin tribes. In front, the long sea coast isvisible, from the Circaean Promontory still protectingAntium, at present Porto d'Anaio, from the miasmaof the Pontine Marshes, to Ostia at the Tiber's mouth.Dotting the dark bosom of the hills beneath are seen.Genzano, Ariccia, Albano, Caste1 Gandol fo, Frascati ,and other celebrated suburban retreats of the Romeof to-day as well as of the Rome of antiquity.Turning to the Sabines, Palestrina, the ancientPraeneste, is seen standing out upon the mid-declivityof its mountain. Near it are Zagarolo, Gallicano, andthen a wide plain encircling the hills which runtowards Tivoli. Higher up than even Artemisio, isthe summit of the Alban range, Monte Cavo, wherestood that great altar of Jupiter to which all Latiumyearly repaired for sacrifice and prayer. A monasteryin the keeping of the Passionist Fathers now takesthe place of the Pagan temple and altar. It wasbuilt, strange to say, by the Cardinal of York theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

30 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELlast of the Stuart Princes, who had much love forthe fine scenery of these hills upon which his bishopricwas situated.. 5. The memories connected with almost everymile of this territory make it one of the most interestingin the world. But there is much more tobe said of it. There is not on the earth, a countryof the same extent more beautiful to look upon.The traveller leaving Rome does not at firstrealize this. The flat Campagna which expands beforehim on leaving any of the southern gates ofthe city, looks dreary and uninviting enough when notdiversified by some interesting ruin. This drearinessbecomes all the more intense, when the imaginationtravels back to the period when the vast plainbloomed like a garden under the assiduous care ofthe husbandman.6. Amongst other calumnies so common in Englishspeaking countries against the Papal Government,it is accredited with the miasma and consequentdesolate appearance of this Campagna. Nothing couldbe more unjust. Long before the period of the Empire,the wealth of Ronlan patricians and people had boughtout the industrious agriculturists, whose farms overspreadthe vast plain. Villas with a wide expanseof grass land, upon which slaves tended the flocksand herds belonging to their masters, took the placeof the vineyards and grain-plots of a teeming population.The chestnut, the green-oak, the almond, theolive, the walnut, the alder, and the various fruittrees of the small proprietor, which now make somany portions of the cultivated districts beautiful,PRIVATE USE ONLY

then diversified the Campagna. They were removed.The plough and the spade no longer pulverized thesoil. Crops and trees ceased to drain it. The vastpasturages filled the city with prime meat and madethe best return to the great capitalist, but theycould not absorb the rainfall. That either percolatedthrough fissures between the layers of pozzolanaand tufo beneath and corrupted there; or it remainedupon the surface to nourish the poisonous .alga, theputrefying animalculae of which are supposed by somescientists to be the most fruitful source of malaria.Fronl both causes probably, the poisonous exhalationarises as it has arisen for two thousand years, atthe bidding of the fierce Summer sun each day, againto descend at night in fever-giving vapour.That dread malaria came thus upon the plain andhung heavily too over the city. And remedy there wasnone. Augustus with all his desire to free Rome fromthis bad air, its worst enemy, could do nothing. Otheremperors emulated his example, but in vain. Popeafter Pope essayed to cure the evil with as littlesuccess. Pius VI. draiped the Pontine Marshes, buteven he could not purify the air of the Campngna.Just as the Revolutionists were about to take thePapal dominions, the world was assured, that amongstthe multitude of good things that were to take placethe moment they had control over Rorne, the drainageand purification of the infected soil about thecity, was to be the first. They have now had twelveyears of opportunity, vast resources, the confiscatedestates of ecclesiastical corporations in the Campagnaitself, but notwithstanding this and after such loudMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

32 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELpromising, they have effected, indeed they haveattempted, nothing. Immense sums went into thenational exchequer from the sale of the property ofhelpless monks and nuns. No conditions were madewith the purchasers. No attempt has been made atdrainage. No governmental efforts have been made toplant the Eucalyptus. A small reward offered to proprietorsfor doing so, is all we have heard of as havingbeen effected by the grasping a liberators of Italy. P7. The only hope for the salubrity of Rome comes,the writer is happy to say, from Australia.A company of those poor monks whom thepresent Italian government are so sedulously em-. ployed in exterminating, have been devoted enoughto brave the polluted air of the worst part of theCampagna l. They have essayed to plant on the longThis is at the ancient and celebrated abbey of the ThreeFountains a Tre Fmtaae v at the Salvian Waters - Aquae Salviae- about a mile beyond the great basilica of San Paolo.One of the churches of the monastery covers the precise spotwhere the Apostle of the Gentiles was decapitated. Tradition hasit, that Nero was present at the execution for a reason of vengeance.The head, upon being sev:red from the body, madethree bounds; and at each bound, as it struck the earth, a fountainof water gushed forth. These three fountain8 are veryclose to each other. They have continued to flow ever since.In the sacred ediflce which the piety of the faithful placed overthem, is also preserved the column upon which the head of theApostle lay whilst being severed from his body. It is statedby some writcrs, that milk instead of blood issued from theopened veins. The same locality, which seems to have been ausual place for pnblia executions, was the scene of the martyrdomof St. Zeuo and his companions, to the number of ten thousand,under Diocletian and Maximin. These martyrs were allsoldiers. When the tyrants wished to purge the army of Chris-PRIVATE USE ONLY

LATIUM 33poisoned soil the Australian Eucalyptus, which hasdone so much to purify the infected marshes of Algeria,Egypt, and Intlia. And, so far, their experiment hastians, they and their commander were found steadfast professorsof the hated religion. They were first condemned to labour atthe baths of Diocletian, and, at the completion of that immensework, were put to death, lest their numbers and bravery mightprove dangerous. A church dedicated to Our Lady aEose overtheir remains; and in it St. Bernard, in after ages, had, whilecelebrating mass, his celebrated vision of souls liberated frompurgatory during the holy sacrifice. From the earliest times,the Christians had the deepest devotion for the locality. Notwithstandingits always unhealthy situation, a community ofpriests celebrated there, night and day, the divine offlces. St. Gregorythe Great, in 604, gave all the surroundit~g territory tothe Basilica of St. Paul, built where the body of the Apostlelay, and adjoining which, the zealous Pontiff estahlished a communityof Benedictine monks. In 626, Honorius I. founded at theThree Fountains n monastery which he dedicated to Sts. Vincentand Anastasius. Greek monks served the basilica of St. Annstasiusfrom 649, when many came from the Enst to Rome to cscnpethe persecution of the Monothelites. In 1114, Pope Innocent If.withdrew the Benedictines who held the abbey of the Three Fountainsfor many centuries; and gave over the whole of the churchesand the monaste1.y to his friend St. Bernard, for the Cistercians.The first colony which left Clnirvenus fur this new foundation,had at its head, as abbot, Peter Bernard di Pi~ganelli, who,strange to slip, succeeded to the l'apncy five years afterwardsas Eugenius 111. It wns on the occasion of the elevation ofthis son of his, to the highest, but by him, most dreaded dignity,that St. Bernard wrote his celehri~ted work on cr. Consitlerntion BIt is worthy of remark, that Eugenius had abandoned high~h;rch preferment, some years before, for the security and peaceof the rigid rule of Citeaux. The monnstery remiiined in thehands of the Cistercians until the suppression of religioushouses under Napoleon I. It was, rnnny years after, confided,so as not to fill1 utterly to decily, to the Franciscans, t~y Leo XII.Pius IX., however, recalled tlie French Cistercians, and thencommenced at once, the work of endeavouring to make theSMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

34 TIIE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELsucceeded. The far-reaching roots of the Eucalyptusact as a pump upon the water, held in suspensebetween the varied strata beneath the surface, whileplace healthy enough to live in, all the year round. In old times,the monks always left the monastery in the middle of the Juneof each year, and did not retarn until some time in September.Death from pernicious fever was sure to be the penalty of thosewho remained to inhale the poisonous air of Summer. However,this new band of Cistercians determined to brave all hazards.In the time of Pius IX., hlonsgr. De hlerode did much by excavatingdrains, to render the locality in some degree habitable. Onthe coming of the Revolutionists, the good monks were permitted,but simply as a company of French agriculturists, to get arecognition trom the state, and to become the masters of about2000 acres of land, principally the confiscated property of somepoor nuns irl Rome. They also obtained, for payment, the assistanceof convict labour. At once, they set about planting thecr redgum v and other varieties of the Eucalyptus; and, up tothe present, many thousand of these invaluat~le trees are vigorouslygrowing upon the beautiful, gentle hills and rich, luxuriantsoil which no one would suspect as being possessed by the fatalmalaria. Scores of acres on the estate are being covered withvines, and are protlucing wine of excellent quality. The Eucalyptusin the vicinrty hit^ favoured the formation of the viney:trds,and the vines in turn help to destroy the malaria of Summer.We may remark that the vine-leaves possess an absorbing andrespirittory power little inferior to the Eucalyptus. In consequence,the health of the loctllity is so much improved, that alarge commu~lity is able to stay there during the hot season. Pernicious,malignant, or fatal fever is already banished. The prisonersenjuy excellent health. They deem it a favour to be sentunder the kind and gentle treatment of the good monks. Attemptsat escape are unknown. Lately, some convicts brought home asick guard, arms and all. hiany postulants seek admission intothe monastery. Consequently, tlie community, wt~ose grand chantsarise oiice more in the fine old choir of the Cisterci::ns of themost fervei~t ages, is increasing. The very first of these postulants,Fdther Joseph Mary, is at present Abbot. He is a nativeof North Italy. Under his enlightened and able management,PRIVATE USE ONLY

LATIUM 35its leaves deodorize the air above, filling the atmospherewith pungent fragrance. The vine and thefig tree, and ground crops of every kind, come tonot only are the religious healthy and happy, but by his intelligentcare in the cultivation and drainage of the soil, and aboveall, by his scientific propagation of the Eucalyptus, he has tanghtthe powers that be, in Italy, how to cure the long existing andfatal malaria of the rick, Roman Campagna. Pius the Ninth,and his minister, hfonsgr. De Merode, would, most assuredly, haveextended the valuable discovery they made at the Tre Fontaneto the rest of the Campagna. Unfortunately, however, they hadbut commenced operations, when they were driven from the powerof doing this and many other beneficent works, by the presentsecular government. This latter, after twelve years of opportuny,and with the successful experience of the monks beforeits eyes, has attempted nothing. One senator has forced PHFliamentto grant some small allowance to proprietors whomay desire to plant the Eucalyptus in the Campagna. A numberof scientific men sit occasion~lly together at the TreFontane. Millions have passed into the national exchequerfrom the sale of the property of the religions corporations inthe Campagna itself. Many unnecessary millions are being borrowed,to keep the uneasy element brought by the Revolutionto Rome, quiet by employment. The same money laid out uponthe Campagna would make the city healthy, and be remunerativebesides. It would make the Agro Romano, instead of being aplague in Summer, bloom as a garden. The policy, however, thatprevails, seems to be, to draw all that can be got out of thePope's dominions, to overload his city with a crushing debt, t~ndwhen he comes by his own again-as none know better than his. enemies, that some day he must - he will have to cure, fromhis diminished resources, the malaria of the Campagna. It wasa Pope who drained ?he Pontine hlarshes, it was a Pope thatcommenced the work of draining, and planting the Eucalyptusat the Tre Fontane, and a Pvpe too, notwithstanding the greatthings we hear of about being commenced, will be left, mostlikely, to extend the beneficent provisions inaugur;~ted by Pius IX.to all the pestilential country in the neighbourhood of Rome.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

36 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELflourish in the neighbourhood of this inestimable tree.They help its work of desiccation of the soil. Soit happens, that already, criminals hired from thegovernment by the monks, enjoy good health. Feversof the malignant type are unknown; and as thesepages are being written, the journals of Rome arefull of hope that the long deserted a Agro Romano Bwill again bloom as it did in the days of the Horatiiand Curatii.If so, it will bc but one of the many blessingswhich Australia has conferred on the old world; andsome return to that Eternal City, to which, in commonwith America and the rest of the world, the newestof continents, owes its faith.8. But the moment the flat fringe of the Campagnais crossed, the beauty of Latium opens with a thousandcharms of valley and undulating plain, of glen andhighland, of sweeping lowland and lofty, diversifiedmountain range.The traveller who journeys by rail meets only aportion of this scenic beauty. The old carriage waysare the best to give a proper idea of the country.The railway, after leaving the Campagna, skirtsthe Western extremity of the Alhan mountains, thenthe Eastern fringe of the Volscians; and so passes tothe country of the Ernici on its way to Naples.But besides the rapidity and the inconveniencefor sight seeing, inseparable from railway travelling,many interesting localities are not seen at all uponthis route. ?'he heart of Latium may be reached byany of the famous old ways, which still leave thePorta Maggiore directly, or the Porta San GiovanniPRIVATE USE ONLY

y way of Frascati, to Pnlestrina. By either way youapproach that city through a land of indescribablelusuriance. The rich soil appears everywhere keptin the highest state of cultivation. The ~nacadanlizedroad which takes the place of the old Roman onestill visible, passes sometimes between stately rows ofvenerable chestnuts. Generally the view is unimpeded.Only aslight hedge protects the vineyards and orchardson either side. The land is too precious to be occupiedwith walls or heavy fences, and it is to be supposedthe inhabitants are too honest to need them.The scene changes continually. Now and thenthe traveller passes through lofty, romantic ravines,cut out ages ago by the torrents from the mountains,and clothed so as to corllpletely exclude all sightof rock or soil, with a thick mantle of darli, greenfoliage. This is often observed on the roads leadingto Cori and Valmontone. Ancient chestnuts too, linethe ways to Lugnano and to the railway station ofSegni, near which stood the celebrated Porto Sacrowhere Sylla gave the death blow to the party ofhlarius.9. In all this expanse of cultivated ground, thereare, strange to say, few dwellings, and these few notalways inhabited. There are no farm houses in theopkn country, such as we see in English speakingcountries. The owner and the labourer alike live intowns invariably built upon some commanding eminence,often on a height very difficult of access. Thencethe cultivator descends at daybreak and returnsnot until sunset warns him, as it has warnedhis fathers since Latium became inhabited, that hisMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

38 TIIE VIRGIN MOTIIER OF G001) COUNSEI,day's toil is over. The necessity for self-defence bothin pagan and medieval times, made this course theonly one; and security is not as yet so great as towarrant the rejection of an old system which, withmany draw-backs, has much to recomnlend it. Forthus, a large space is spared for cultivation in a countrywhere every foot of soil has its value, mutualprotection is afforded, and families are gatheredaround church and school.10. It is evident that from the beginning, everycity ancl village of Latium was erected with the mainview thit it should serve as a fortress. To this day,in Inany instances, the Cyclopean malls which protectedthe most ancient inhabitants, the masonry ofthe days of the Republic, the brickwork, reticulatedand plain, of the period of the Empire, underliethe medieval ramparts and bastions which withstoodand yielded to many a foe in the interminablestruggles of the Colonnas, the great lords of Latiurn,with their baronial enemies, and not unfrequentlywith the hosts of their Sovereign Lord, the Pope.For this reason the ruined defences of Segni, Cori,and Palestrina, are well worthy of the attention ofthe tourist, while their streets and environs are fullof historic recollections.11. The ruins of ancient temples, palaces, andfortress& are found in strange abundance everywhere.The modern Palestrina stands on the extensive site ofthe vast temple once dedicated t,o Fortune whichstill displays its massive substructions for the examinationof the antiquary. Around it on every sideare interesting ruins from which art treasures ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

LATIUM 39great value are continually being collected. Amongstthese may he mentioned the magnificent illosaic represmting the Nile, now preserved in the palace ofPrince Rarberini. Other temples still more ancientyet send their columns high in air like that of Herculesat Cori, and with a grace not inferior to thoseof the famous temple of the Sybil in Tivoli. Andhere, and there over the plains, the shattered turretsof medieval watch-towers tell of troubled times notso long passed away.Scenes of great beauty inay'now be viewed froma hundred points easy of access through this delightfulregion. Painters, anlateur and professional flockto Olcvano to luxuriate in the splendid panorama,and to catch the ever varying tints which float overmountain and plain, as seen from that point ofvantage. Segni is sought after to command the bold,broken lines of the Sabines , the rich variegatedvalley of the Sacco, and the country of the Ernici,bristling with its fortress towns, like some greatcity which throws up from its irregular mass ofrobfs the domes and spires of churches.12. But perhaps to the unprofessional tourist, thebest view of Latium is from Palestrina itself, mherealso the historic interest is strongest. The compilersof guide-books fall into rapture upon the variedmagnificence which is here presented to the gaze ofthe tourist, and which increases and becomes diversifiedat almost every step of the ascent from thecity to tile site of its lofty citadel. We cannot saythat some at least of these writers are as complimentaryto the modern inhabitants as they mightMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

40 THE VIRGIN JIOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELbe. One gentleman has recorded an experience whichis very difficult for those who know the people intimatelyto realize, and which makes one suspect thathis imagination was unusually active on the day ofhis visit to the native city of Pierluigi the Composer,and of so many other distinguished men of moderntimes. His description of the savageness, voracity,and uncouth barbarity which he alleges to have beenmanifested by those he nlet with, is such as to causeastonishment to persons who, like the writer ofthis notice, have had occasion to visit the localityfrequently. It is the cllosen home, because of itshealthy situation and its ancient and modern attractions,of many foreigners including sonie distinguishedEnglishmen. It contains the villeggiatura of PrinceBarberini', of the Cardinal Bishop, and of severalfamilies df note. Its inhabitants are, as a rule, asmuch above want as those of any other Europeantown of its size. They are also just as much tobe trusted. They may, like other people, if excitedwith wine, quarrel anlongst themselves. But neitherthere nor elsewhere in Latiun~, is there any recordof a foreigner having been molested by them. Ifthe writer referred to, however, has been unjustto the inhabitants, he has given an excellent idea ofthe scenery. The rich plain, the Can~pagna beyond,the lofty ranges around, the sea blending with thehorizon in the distttnce, in fine, all that can be seenfrom the summit of the mountain of Palestrina, arewell and anlply described in his book.13. But, as will he seen in the nest chapter, itis the ancient city that most concerns the object ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

this work. It was anlongst the oldest, if not the veryoldest, of the cities of Italy. It saw the rise and thefall of Alba Longa antl of Veii. It was already venerablewhen oxen were depasturetl on the hills ofRome. Like all other aucient cities it was proud ofits high antiquity, and held with great tenacity toits traditions, religious and national. It becanle therecognized capital of Latium. It never yielded itsreligious superiority. That continued while paganismhad vitality. It could not brook even the secularsuperioraity of Rome. It became the centre of theLatin League against the Republic, antl led in everyeffort which the rest of Italy made against the growingfortunes of the %listress of the World. It saw witha jealous eye the outspreading limits of its rival orrather offspring as Rome may be called. From theramparts of its lofty citadel, its defenders could seethe Capitol piercing the haze by the distant riverbank. They believed themselves equal at least topreserve the freed0111 of their city from its power.When the hour of conflict came, therefore, Palestrina,confident in its mighty walls and in the chivalry ofits ancient race, hurled defiance at its ambitiousoffspring. It held with stubborn determination to itsfreedom for many a year. But at length it had tosubmit. Up its terraced heights came the heroes ofCamillus. Over those Cyclopean walls which are yetso strong, they passed on even to the almost inaccessiblecitadel on the lofty summit of the mountainupon the declivity of which the city stood and stillstands. Citadel and city fell together and with themmay be said to have passed away the last vestigeMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

42 THI': VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELof Latin insubordination to Rome. So fell what aLatin historian of our own day lovingly calls theLady of Latium - Signorn, del Lntio - but only torise all the grander with the ad\?ancing fortunes ofthe Empire to which Latium gave birth.Palestrinn afterwards became great enough tolead in the Social Wars, and to sustain against Syllathe fallen fortunes of Marius. Terribly her sonssuffered for their fidelity. Sylla took the city and putto the sword all the adult male inhabitants. He parcelledout their lands to his veterans, to whosemercy he further consigned the widows and orphansof the slain.These were sad days for Latium. But whenthe fortunes of Caesar enabled him to crush for everthe power of the patricians, the children of theslaughtered men of Palestrina entered into a favourwhich became intensified when Augustus, one it mayhe said of themselves, became absolute master of theEmpire. He embellished Palestrina anew, and settledits children upon the soil.14. Thenceforward it continued to prosper. It wasamongst the first. of the cities of Italy to receivethe Gospel. Tradition has it, that from the summitof its mountain, where the church and village ofCaste1 San Pictro now stand, the Prince of the Apostlestook his first view of Rome, then a mighty citystretching far over the plain and in the fulness ofits pride and power. Little could those who mighthave then seen that wayworn traveller from distantJudea, have imagined that the city he looked uponwas given to him and to his successors by a powerPRIVATE USE ONLY

which no Caesar could gainsay. Yet in time, his linemade Rome more might>y in real greatness than everit had been under King or Consul or Emperor. Thename of that Fisherman from Galilee is its glory,the fountain of its power. The spot where he stoodand viewed his inheritance is called after him. Abeautiful church containing his statue and a valuablepainting of the reception of his commission from GodIncarnate, graces the locality.15. From no other point can a better idea beobtained of the vastness of the dome of that gloriousfabric, which U of tenlples old, or altars new, standsalone with none like to it, B and dedicated by aworld to the one true God, under the invocation ofthe Prince of the Apostles. The distance - over twentymiles - dwarfs all the other towers and domes ofRome. The city seems like an incrustation of shellsupon some low-lying sea rock. But from its cloudymidst arises, graceful, majestic. and peerless themighty conception of Rlichael Angelo , realizing tothe full his promise to U suspend the Pantheon inthe air. W16. In Latium there is also a nurllber of moderntowns and villages which have an interesting Christianhistory l. But it is essentially an ancient land.I Amongst these may be mentioned Valmontone, on theline of railway between Rome and Naples, and Paliano, a remarkablefortress of the feudal period. T'almontone contests withthe village of Colonna, the honour of being the site of the ancientLabicum. It contains a magnificent church and a flne palacebelonging to the Doria-Pamflli family, the owners of the adjacentterritory.Paliano is in many ways remarkable. Its situation ns aMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

44 THE VIRGIX AIOTIIER OF GOOD COC'XSiSLIts inhabitants, whose features are often so like theantique' Ronlan busts seen in museums, love old ways,and seem not to care much to be abreast of modernstronghold could not be surpassed. Built on a steep, detachedeminence, just at the entrance of the country of the Ernici, itcon~manded the surrounding country for miles, while its own fortificationswere so constructed; that it could defy any siege inthe middle ages, and might be even now considered a positionof immense strength. The massive ramparts and bastions whichstill encircle tlie town are well worth tlie inspection of thetourist. Within the walls is a fine old palace of the Colonnas,adjoining which is the parish church. The latter is large andsplendidly built. It is served by an archpriest and a numberof canons, who owe their benefices to the munificence of thefeudal lords. Monuments to leading members of the Colonnafamily fill the choir, and their bodies rest in the vaults beneath.Amongst the monuments, is one to hlarc Antonio Colonna I., andanother to Marc Antonio 11. Paliano changed hands frequently.It belonged to the Conti, the Colonnas, the Caraffas, andfinally to the Colonnas again. It produced many eminent men,amongst whom may be mentioned Cardinal John Simeoni, lateSecretary of Stste to his Holiness Pius IX. and at present Prefectof the Propaganda, of which Congregation his Eminence,previous to his being sent as Papal Nuncio to Madrid, was formany years, Secretary.In the Churcli of Palial~o may be observed a special altarto.0ur Lady of Good Counsel Wliose Shrine is but six milesdistant. In fact, Cienazzano forms an excellent centre from whichmany famous sanctuaries and remarkable places in Latium majbe easily visited. Subiaco, the cradle of Western monasticism,the first home of St. Benedict, is but eighteen'miles distant.Menturella, the scene of the conversion of St. Eustachius, Martyr,and where one of the oldest and most interesting churchesof Itnly is built, crowns a mountain not six miles away.Rojnte, the place where the impress of the body of St. Benedictis shown in the solid rock, is about mid-way between Cienazzanoand Subiaco. Tivoli, is not more than eighteen miles.There, an extraordinary miracle takes place yearly on theoccasion of the feast of St. Lawrence. Some of the Martyr'sPRIVATE USE ONLY

LATIUM 45improvements. Their agriculture is to-day, very likewhat it was when Virgil wrote his Eclogues. InPagan times, none surpassed them in the fervour oftheir idolatry. Since they became Christian, nonehave excelled them, in the depth of their faith. Thetrace3 of great Christian saints are in all the land.The nlonasteries of St Benedict and St Gregory arescattered over the mountains. The mendicant ordersare in all the towns. In the territory, there areplaced the sees of five, of, the six Cardinal Bishops,and there are other sees besides. In every town thereare sanctuaries filled with holy memories and constantlyfrequented. But the crowning glory of Latiumis that Sanctuary in its midst, which was selected bythe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, for one of themost wonderful manifestat ions of Her power, andwhich now forrns for the devout visitor from otherlands to the Eternal City, the chief attraction ofLatium.blood, preserved in a phial, gradually liquefies and graduallydries again. By train from Valmontone, Aquino, Monte Cassino,and all the ancient towns and fanes between Rome andN iples, may be reached in n few hours. Ptilestrinn, Cave, SanVito,Ci~pwnicn, Civitella, Olevano, Quadagnola, are nil within R radiusof some six miles. A comfortable nnd not expensive innhas just been opened in Gen:~zzano, chiefly with the view ofaccommodating Engli>h-speaking visitors to the Sirnctuary, bythe proprietor of the omnibus, which meets tlre morning andevening tritins from Rome to Valrnontone, the nearest riiilwaystiltion. The drive is n delightful one, (fare 1 : lire) over anew road opened by Pius 1X. on the occasion of his famous pilgrinegeto the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel, in 1864.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

GENAZZANO1. Latinm a great centre of idolatry - Its celebrated temples - 2. Practiceof the Romans to blend religiun with pnblie amusements -a. Increase of Pagan practices in Latinm daring the Imperial period- Floral games - Place of celebration near Palestrina - Itsbeauty and adaptability - Consequences, cruel and immoral. - Thatspot destined to be the scene of the triumph of the Cross, thronghthe Virgin Mother of Jesus. - 6. Our means of knowing this -The Calendar of Verinir Flaecns found in Palestrina. - 7. Its orderfor the celebration of the Floral Games in April - The inscriptiun -The place. - 8. Proofs of the lorality being the modern Genazzano -Licentiousness undoubted - Name of C+enazzar;o derived from theludi ginnici. - 9. O~her derivations of the name. - 10. Increaseof vice in the games when the neighbouring Clandian Villa becamean Imperial residence - How this happened - Claudins Nrtro and hiswife Livia. - Angnstna besriges Livia in Pulestrina - forcea 01andinsto divorce Livia a..d marries the latter - Get# the villa andthe sons of Claudins, Tiberiw and Drnsns, on the death of theirfather. .- 12. Vices of the lornlity increabed under his successors.-13. These continue until the cunvrrsiun of Constantine - He givesthe gronnds to SL Sylvester - Rrcurd of the grant. - 14. Pope St Mark,snccessor of St Sglvester makec the place Christian - Bnildr itsfirst chnrch, dedicated to Our Lady of Good Cunnsel - Changes thepopnlor, heathen celebrations intu Christian ones - His memory in(tanazzano. - 16. R~.flections of Father Buonanno on the change effectedand its consequences. - 16. Their truth in view of the evilsof our day, and the remedy for them in the devotion St Mark establishedto Our Lady .of Good Counsel.1. In the last chapter me have attempted togive some idea of the country and its capital, inwhich the fa.nju3 Sanctuary of Odr Lady of GoodPRIVATE USE ONLY

OENAZZANO 47Counsel was, in God's good time , destined to heformed. We shall now see, that a very special reasonexisted for its being formed there. It was this. Ofall parts of the Roman Empire, Latium was themost devoted to the practices of idolatry. Its gods,rural and urban, were innumerable. The vast templeof Fortune in its chief city, was one of the largestand most famous in the world. At Monte Cavo, arosethe great Latin altar to Jupiter. Civita Laviniapossessed the celebrated temple of Juno the Saviouress.There was another fane equally grand, and almostequally frequented, in Antium. The modern cathedralof Velletri stands upon the ruins of an extensivetemple of Mars. Every city possessed its peculiardeity , and had its festivals , its rites , and itsaltars. When Christianity appeared, there was nota hill, or grove, or stream in Latiunl without its god,or goddess.2. Then the Romans had a peculiar way of combiningpublic pleasures with the public practices ofreligion. Festivals were seldoln complete withoutgames, shows, and sports. The circus and the theatrewent hand in hand with the altar and the sanctuary.The pontifex and the flanlen, the priestes~ ancl theaugur, were never far distant from Ihe charioteerand the gladiator, the comedian , and the athlete.It was one of the masterly strokes of the policy ofthe Caesars, to concentrate in their own hands themanagement of the whole of this astute blending ofreligion with pleasure. The Emperor, thereby, in hisquality of Pontifex Maximus, became the centre andthe source of all that could hold a pagan peopleMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

48 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELmost in subjection. Therefore, not only in Rome, butwherever the lmperial Court sojourned, altars sprangup, and with them, all the practices common to theCircus Maxinlus and to the Flavian Amphitheatre.Hence we find the ruins of so many temples, theatres, amphitheatres , baths, and coursing grounds,amongst the still magnificent remains of the Villa ofHadrian at Tivoli, and of all the other Imperial residencesof which we have any knowledge.3. As the most magnificent and numerous villasof the Emperors were situated in Latium, the paganpractices of the country, already so greatly developed,largely increased during the Imperial period. Thegods of cooquered provinces swelled the number ofthe native deities. Superstition was needed theremore than elsewhere, to help in keeping in satisfiedsubjection the imlnense slave population, which ministeredto t,be wants and luxuries of the Conquerorsof the World. Its aid was not less useful for thelegionaries and guards of the Sovereign. Enornlouswealth was spent upon the rural retreats of thepatricians, whose luxurious gardens and summer palacescovered the territory from the sea coast to themountain slopes. The vices and extravagances of publicworship increased with riches. The excesses in-dulged in, to honour the Sabine goddess Flora, wereincreased c?, hundred-fold, when Flora developed intoVenus. These rites , abonlinable and demoralizingto a shocking degree as practised in Rome, weremuch worse as carried on in Latium. There wasa special spot set aside for their celebration inthe city-territory of Palestrina. This spot alsoPRIVATE USE ONLY

GENAZZANO 49adjoined, or belonged to, the first villa which thefirst Emperor possessed after the last of his rivalsdisappeared. It lay about five miles from Palestrina,in a locality where nature and art combined toproduce a scene fitted in every way for the voluptuouspractices of the Floral festivities. There, inbaths of every kind, in groves laid out upon undulatingnlounds and steep hill-sides, in gardenswhere the famous Praenestine roses bloomed and purlingstreams meandered, the population of Latiumassembled yearly for unholy rites, destined to preserveunholy and cruel practices. There, slavery with itsattendant degradation of woman, was consecrated asone of the institutions of the people. There, lust wasencouraged by the very sanctions of religion. There,decency and nloddsty were destroyed, and youth debauchedand brutalized.4. It was on this very spot, then, Providencedecreed that a great triumph of the Cross of Christshould take place. Idolatry was destined to fall beforethe purest worship of the true and living God.The statue of the she-devil was to be broken, andthe Unity and Trinity of the Deity alone adoredwith supreme worship. And finally, Jesus the Incarnateson of God decreed, that on that spot, once sosoiled by sin ancl evil example, the people of Latiumand people far beyond its borders, should be able tocontemplate the peerless purity of His own sweetVirgin Mother, in all Her immaculate sinlessness, inall the dignity and power which it has pleased HisDivine Majesty to confer upon Her. Her example,Her influence with God, Her immense maternal char-* dMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

50 THE VIRGIN JIOTRER OF GO011 COUNSELity, Her heavenly wisdom, all were destined by Himto be employed on that spot, as a healing meansfor all, to crush in an especial manner the power oflust and cruelty and crinie of every kind, to disconcertthe machinations and the nlalignity of thefiend, and to pour into every heart the blessings ofheavenly wisdonl and of consoling relief.5. It will be not a little interesting to see howwe come to know this. No scholar denies that somewherein Latium, and probably near its capital, theexcesses we speak of in honour of Venus or Flora,took place annu:~lly in Pagan times. We shall seefurther on, that the worship of Our Lady of GoodCoullsel existed from the earliest Christian timesin Genazzano, and that it developed in an extraordinarymanner after the coming of the miraculousImage in A. D. 146'7. But the matter to be settledis, were the games, the nature of which every studentof Roman history knows, carried out yearly inor about Palestrina? and if so, was the locality thatupon which the modern Genazzano now stands?6. These two points may have been more or lessin doubt up to the finding of the celebrated Calendarof Palestrina, which may now be inspected at theVidoni palace in Rome. It was engraved on marble,and placed for the purpose of general informationin the most public place of the ancient Praeneste.Its composer was the celebrated Verius Flaccus, anative of that city, who held under Augustus an officewhich we may call that of his Vicar 'General orMinister for Pagan worship. Nibby, Senni, and severalantiquarians have written largely 'and learnedlyh .PRIVATE USE ONLY

upon the nature and historic value of this singularand now celebrated Calendar. It will suffice for ourpresent purpose to remark, that there cannot be theslightest doubt as to its authent,icity. It regulated,during the whole period of the Pagan Empire, therites, and games, and festivals which took place inPalestrina and its immediate territory.7. Under the date April 25th, we have the followingordinance.FERIAE - ROBIGO VIA - CLAVDIA . AD MILLIARIVM V.NE ROBIQOFRVMENTIS NOCEAT SACRIFICII . ET LVDI .CVRSORIBVSMAIORIBVS MINORIBVSQ FIVNT FESTVSEST . PVERORVMLINIORVM QVIA PROXIhlVS SVPERIORMERETRICVM ESTThe gacmes here referred to, and ordered to takeplace yearly, within five Roman miles of Palestrina,- the exact distance of Genazzano - were such gamesas could not take place within or very near acity. They were instituted also, for a purpose whichwould intensely interest an agricultural populationsuch as that of Latium, a lest the rust may injurethe corn. v. Robigo, the deity of Rust, was to be propitiatedat the precise season of the year when hisservices were most required ; and the way to gainhis good will, was by sacrifices and games and chariotraces.8. 1he historian, Archpriest Senni proves, we believe,beyond question, that the locality indicated wasthe modern Genazzano. And he is borne out inMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

52 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELthis, not only by its five miles distance, but by theextensive ruins of baths, which yet exist in that locality.These never could have been erected by anyprivate individual; and in Pagan times, it is quitecertain that no town existed nearer to them thanPalestrina. The pillars which yet remain are massive,and are beautifully carved. Sea shells are found asan ornamentation wherever it was possible for thearchitect to place them. The niches for Venus andCupitl and other deities still remain. In front of theruins, is the excavation where the water of the bathswas stored. The splendid and powerful embankmentwhich retained it, still remains. There are evidencesof ascending terraces on each side for spectators ;whilst around, is a country well adapted for grovesand gardens, containing ruins also of a small temple,such as the Flamens used for Robigal sacrifices. Nearat hand, is a large. plain where the chariot.races andthe ludi ginnici could take place. The festival andgames in honor of Robigc, were, as the calendar indicates,followed irnn~ediately by those of Flora orVenus, the rnost shameless and impure of all the celebrationsof a shameless ancl impure religion. Ovidin his Fasti IV, 139, gives some idea of then), butis far from describing them as they were in reality,and as they are described by other authors l.l a Rite Denm Latiae colitis hfatresque NurusqueEt vos queis vittae, 1ong:lque vestis abest.Aurea Marmoreo redinlicula solvite collo,Dernite tlivitius; tota lnvanda Den est.Aurea sicc;~to rcdirniculn reddite ColluNunc nlii flores, nunc nova tlantla rosa est.PRIVATE USE ONLY

--p p -GENAZZANO 53It would be out of place, here, to go fartherinto detail regarding them; but it will be sufficientto sag, that though Cato is represented as leavingthe place of their celebration in Rome, so that hispresence may not impede them, yet they were reprehendedby the more sober minded amongst the Pagans.Some efforts were made to stop, or, at least,to lessen their enormity. But, as Senni observes,a nevertheless these games prevailed in all the citiesand country places B. He proves filrther, that the U ViaClaudia B of the Calendar, could be no other thanthe one passing by the Claudian Villa, built nearthe ruins of these baths, ant1 which belonged afterwardsto the Emperors. He points ont with considerableaccuracy , that all the circumstances ofthe Palestrinian games show Genazzano to be thetheatre of their performance. He believes that thevery name of his nati~e city conles from the ludiginnici which once took place upon its site. U MuchI fear B lle says U that thence is derived the nameGenazzano , and would to heaven 11e ad~ls, pathetically,a that my fears were not well founded B.B Vos quoque suh viridi myrto jubet illa lavari,Causaque cur jubeat, tllsitc, certa subest.Littore siccabat rorantes ~iucla capillosViderunt S'itiri, turba proterva, Deam.Sentlt, et appositn terit sua corpora mirto,Tuta fuit filcto: vosque referre iul~etDiscite nunc quare fortunne tl~ura virilliDet~s eo c'illdn, qua locus humet aquaAccipit ille locus posito vcli~n~ine cunctas,Et vitium nudi corporis sornne videtUt tegnt hoc celetque vlros Fortuna VirilisPraestat et hoc parvo thure rogatc facit. PMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

51 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL9. It is but just, also, to mention that othersbelieve the name a Genazzano B to be derived froma family called Genucia, which seems to have comeinto possession of the Claudian Villa in Christiantimes. Others again derive it from the plant ginestraor broom, which grows upon many of the adjacenthill-sides.It is, of course, inipossible to determinethe real derivation, now, with any accuracy. But wecan well conceive how the people of the place wouldprefer to have any other source for the name oftheir township than that which Senni believes, withsuch reluctance, to have been its origin.10. The games, which at the period of the Republicwere bad enough, became worse after Augustus obtainedpossession of the Clnudian villa , and madeit an Imperial residence. We may mention that thisoccurred in the following manner.In the time of the Triumvirate , the Villa andits lands were the property of Claudius Nero, a d escendant of both branches of the ancient and powerfulpatrician family of the Claudii. This noblemanseems to have been greatly tried in the stormy anduncertain period which followed the death of JuliusCaesar. When the heads of foremost Romans, werefalling like leaves in Vallambrosa, to appease thewrath or jealousy of Augustus, or Mark Antony, orLepidus, it was a difficult thing for one in his positionto know whom to follow. He decided at lastto favour Mark Antony; and accordingly, upon thequarrel between that Triumvir and Augustus becomingserious, he was forced to take up arms against thelatter. His possessions, backed by the party of An-PRIVATE USE ONLY

OENAZZANO 55tony, made him very powerful. P~lestrinand Perugiadeclared for him and for his friend, and were bothbeseiged by Augustus. Claudius himself undertookthe defence of the more distant city, while the ancientone of Latium and the nearest to his celebratedvilla, was held by his wife Livia, a very beautifulbut masculine minded Roman lady, whose famein history is almost equal to that of the youngEmperor himself.11. Augustus beseiged Palestrina in person, and,after an obstinate defence, took it. We are toldthat he, at first, determined to treat its inhabitantswith all the seyerity which Sylla had inflicted upontheir fathers in the previous generation. But hesuddenly relented. Livia, who could not defeat hislegions , completely captivated his affections. AndClaudius, her husband, purchased peace for his familyby consenting that she should be devorced from himself,in order to become the wife of the conqueror.She was, at the time, the mother of Tiberius Nero,the immediate successor of Augustus, and about tobring forth the celebrated Drusus. In a very shorttime Claudius died; and so his villa and vast patrimonypassed to his rival, as the guardian and adoptedfather of the two young Claudii, his orphan sons.12. We cancot be surprised that the already magnificentvilla of the unfortunate Claudius Nero, becamestiH more magnificent under the Caesars. Senni showsthat the presence of the court drew the first familiesof Rome around the locality; and that thus, the gamesand religious festivals increased in number and insplendour and also in excess. All this was bad enoughMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

56 TNE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEI,under Augustus anrl worse under Tiberius; but viceincreased in the locality to an alarming extent underthe Antonines. Pillestrina, and this imperial residenceespecially, hecarne the frlvourite retreat of LuciusVerus, the colleague of hfarcus Aurelius, another Tiberiusin vice and in ever?; unbridled excess. Throughhim, the villa advanced still further in voluptuousness.Marcus Aurelius, though a pronounced philosopherof the austerest school, also ~isitcd it; in order,it is said, to restrain by his presence, the excessesof his colleague. He lost a child there, during oneof these sojourns. Both princes must have contributedequally to the en~hellishn~ent of the palace, for it wasever afterwards known as the Villa Antonina, andas the locum marmorezcm, from the name of theiradopted filther Antoninus Pius, and from the splendourof its marble buildings.13. It is certain that the foul hut popular celehrationscontinuetl in the baths ancl grounds adjoiningthe villa during the whole Imperial-Pagan period.The hill-sides smolied with sacrifices. ?'he votariesof Flora and of Robigo carried on their gymnic andother n:ulielcss practices each year, as April camerountl. Slave, freedm:ln and ~naster, patrician andplebean, soltlier and merchant, came to tlie localityfrom Palestrina and all the cities of Ltttium. Andthis continued until it pleased Providelice that Constnntinesiloulcl triuniph over his rival hiaxentius.The vast e~npire of the Caesars passed completelyillto the hands of the first Emperor who confessedChrist. With it, passed the wide patrinlonial domainsbelonging to the imperial fanlily. The Antonine villa,PRIVATE USE ONLY

like that of ITadrian and the other villas, bec:~me thepersonal property of Constantine. His policy, as wellas his inclination, led him to leaye nothing to favourthe religion of his rival. He therefore, at first, withdrewthe Antonine villa and its grounds fro111 thepurposes of Paganism; and then, as he d ~d not requirethem for his own purposes, he handed them over toSt. Sylvester, as a perpetual endownlent for the churcheshe founded in such number and splendour inRome. 'Thus the land where the she-devil of Latiunlreigned so long, became the p~trimony of the Churchof Christ.In the records of the gifts of Constantine we findthe following donation to the church of St. Sgl~ester.a E1undu?i& Caesn?.eanuw, situm Via Prcnestinadistans ab u~bc nzillia XXX. B ;1nd K Funclurntltermzclas in tcrritorio Praenestino praesta?ztem solid.XXXV. >. This funclum Caesareanz~m uponthe Prenestine wwy, and distant 30 nliles fl-oln Rome,can be no other than the site of the present Genasz;tno,which is exactly that distance from the Eternal City.It is at least equ;llly likely that the warm bathsmentioned, were those where the Floral games tookplace; and where nymphs and satyrs re~elled, for atleast a thousand years.14. It was, however, not St. Sylvester, but his immediatesuccessor St. Marqlr, who purgecl the localityof its pagan abonlin:ttions, ;1nd established insteadthe worship of the true and living God. He drewoff the waters from the lake. He cut down the groves.1Ie planted upon the soil a Christian population, and,in his time, there was built near the ruins of theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

58 THE VIRGIN MOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSELtemples and statues of Venus, the first church whichwe know to have been dedicated to the Virgin Motherof God, under the title of the Madonna of GoodCounsel.Furthermore, with that profound wisdom m-hichthe apostles of Christianity have always displayed inthe conversioil of heathen nations, he took care notto destroy, but to Christii~nize whatever might befound innocent in popular celebrations. It was necessarythat the corn should be preserved from rust,and that the people should have supernatural helpfor this and for all their tenlporal necessities. Andso, they were taught, when the season came round,to have recourse not to senseless carved stones, orto demons who could only deceive them, but to theintercession of God's Virgin Mother, Who could bothhear and help them. Therefore, instead of the ludiginici, the 25th of April saw, as every year broughtit round, the crowds of Latiunl gather to worshipthe Virgi~i Mother of God. So the day remained, asit always was, the principal festival celebrated inGenazzano. But it WAS a Christian festival, whereMary, through Her influence with God, Her Son, continuedfor ages to show Her wisdom, Her power, andHer goodness to all who came to demand Good Counseland seasonable help at Her feet.St. Mark passed to his reward, and, in love forhis beneficence to Genazzano, the holy Evangelist hispatron saint remains to this day one of the favouriteheavenly protectors of the locality; and a name, likethat of local Apostles elsewhere, conimonly given inevery numerous family to one of its ninle members.,qPRIVATE USE ONLY

OENAZZANO 5915. In no better words can the change wrought atthis time in Genazzano be expressed, than in thoseof the pious and learned Father Ruonanno of theOratory c The ways of the Lord B he writes a aremysteries of profound wisdom and goodness. Foolishis he who attributes to chance whatever he sees happenin the long chain of events which occur in this world.God alone can be and is the regulator of these things,and directs all with ad~nirable strength and sweetnessto his greater extrinsic glory, not less than to theimmortal and only good of man. Genazzano, in iclolatroustimes, by the frequent and varied pagan feastswhich took place where it stands, was a theatre ofscandals and crimes. Now, what prevents us to believethat the first little church erected by its peopleafter their conversion, was dedicated to Our Lady ofGood Counsel, precisely to give us to understand thatthis their action was a wise counsel of Providence,inspired to purify that hill from Gentile abominationsand to preserve that people in the service of thetrue God ? But even, should this thought or ratherprobable supposition be not admitted, facts proveclearly that the most wise Deity willed to createGenazzano the centre of tender and special devotionto Her, Who alone among the children of men is thetype of immaculate virginal purity. For in as muchas, in that place arose or rather was cradled thataffectionate devotion, thus God disposing, which wasdestined not to confine itself within the narrow limitsof a small territory, but to extend and to propagateitself from one hemisphere of the earth to theother, the inhabitants of Genazzano were not theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

60 THE VIRGIN hIOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSELonly people who should kneel before the Mother of.God and invoke Her under the name of Mary of GoodCounsel, but the whole of Christendom was destinedto magnify the glory of thll Virgin, under this mostsweet title. In fine, God willed that in that townshould :Lppenr the first spark, which afterwards shouldrapidly inflame the whole Catholic world with tendernesstund lore for the Rlother of Goorl Counsel.And if th:lt l~eople were the first worshippers andadmirers at the same time, of the celestial grandeurof this nlost wondel.ful title of May, a (lay was tocome when uniting the~nsel\?e.j with sincerity of heartwith all Ihe peoples of the earth, they should for111one people, as the g13e;ut fanlily of Jesus Christ areone, in es:llting ant1 lxtising the Blessed amongstWon~en, under the ]]lost sublime arid sweet n;znie ofMothcr. of Good Counsel. B16. We c:ln add nothing to this atllllirnble reflectionof Father Buonnnno, further than to say, that thewhole history of that devotion to the Virgin hlotherof Good Counsel, which spr~ing up upon the ruinsof vice and cr.inle in Genazzilno, is an illustration ofthe triumph of Christianity over cruelty, lust andpride, Ihrongh the powerful influence of the exampleand intercession of the lnlnlaculate Virgin Mother ofGod. With greater force the same adverse agencies waragainst the soul, :it the present moment, all the worldover. 'They are nlore astutely led by the increasedcunning of the infernal serpent, who brings the experienceof all past ages to assist his perverted intelligence.He appears everywhere, and everywherehas assistance from the votaries of the lust of theI4,PRIVATE USE ONLY

QENAZZANO 61flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Hemust be, therefore, met everywhere by the supernalwisdom of U THE WOMAN B destined everywhere too,to crush his head, :IS She did so efficaciously in Genazzanoby the spirit of purity and of Good Counsel l.l There are evidences of Christians having been in Latiumin Imperial Pagan times. Many of them, no doubt, were .captivesreduced to slavery; but others were of the noblest families.In the reign of Aurelian, St Agapitus, a youth of fifteen, sufiereda crucl death for his faith, during the festivities whichPalestrina then celebrated, in honor of the Emperor's victories.The Christians who were then, as true Christians must bealways, loyal suhjects of the cruelest rulers, entered cordiallyinto the general joy. But, of course, they could not take partin the idolistrous portion of the proceedings. Agapitus, detectedin the offence of not sacrificing to the gods, was brought beforeAurelian, who ordered him to be flogged, and then handed overto the cruel ingenuity of one Antiochus. This latter kept thepoor youth without food for four days, and then caused boilingwater to be poured over his naked and empty stomach. Hewas then suspende2, head downwards, over red hot coals, thatso, his burning hair and flesh might atone for the incense herefused to offer. His jaws were smashed, and his teeth droppedwith his blood to the ground. Antiochus, here, fell dead; butAurelian ordered the dying boy to be cast to wild beasts. Theserefused to touch him. He was finally, decapitated before the templeof Fortune. A soldier, seeng his constancy, cried out, thatthe God of Agapitus was the.only true God, and, together withthe tutor of the martyr, was put to death by order of theEmperor. St Eustachius a noble Roman of the court, was, whilehunting at hlenturella, tr mountain near Genazzano, converted,on seeing a Crucifix between the horns of a stag he was pursuing.He afterwards with his family died for the faith. Onthe spot of his conversion is an ancient church and monasteryerected by Constantine and consecrated by St Sylvester. It isnow in possession of a Polisll Missionary Congregation, whoare engaged in restoring the church.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

GENAZZANO CHRISTIAN1. Situation. - 2. Climate and soil. - 3. Growth - Chnrches - Convents.- 4. Santa Maria del Boon Consiglio. - 5. The Colonnas. -6. Their rise - in Genazzo - Their religions and party leanings -their attitude to the Popes, their sovereigns. - 7. Odo Colonna,Pope Martin V., Fabrieio and Victoris his daughter. - 8. Possessionsand dignities of the house. - 9. Present position. - 10. Theirconnection with the sacred Image. - 11. Gift of the ancient chnrehof Santa Maria del Bndn Consigliu, by Giordan Colonna to the Angnstininnsin 1356 - document of transfer. - 12. Good produced. -13. Dilapidated condition of the structure - difficnlty of repairingit. - 14. John di Nucera and his wife Petrucaia.1. That little village which sprang up around thechurch erected in honor of Our Lady of Good Counselin Genazzano, stood upon the site of a famous rosegarden formed to supply flowers for the festivitiesof Venus. It overlooked the baths wherein the worstorgies in honour of that goddess took place.No better or more beautiful site for a city couldbe selected even in Latium. It consisted of a juttingtongue of land which arose in the midst of a longvalley, between the lofty heights which extended toPalestrina on the one hand, and an agreeably depressedelongation of the mountain spur of San Vito,PRIVATE USE ONLY

QENAZZANO CHRISTIAN 63on the other. A steep narrow glen was thus formedupon either side, so as to render its drainage perfect;while the elevations further off protected it fromthe wintry winds of the Apennines clustering closearound.These fornl at its rear a barrier of hold mountainscenery most picturesque in Winter, when the crestsof the loftier ridges covered with snow, roll off to aninterminable distance like a veritable polar region.2. Nestling thus and thus protected, Genazzanolooks out upon the rich and variegated valley of theSacco, which, after sweeping on for several miles,has its course bounded by the Volscian heights onthe one side, and by the Alban Hills just perceptibleon the other. A passage between both opening in thefar distance, fronts the little town towards the sea,causing the fresh breezes of the Mediterranean toreach it, and tempering agreeably both the heat ofSummer and the cold mountain air of Winter. Thesoil on the hill-sides and the plain adjacent is rich,and so diversified that, with the climate of Latiunlto help, and abundance of water from hill-streamsand wells at hand, the skill of the gardiner couldwith ease make it such a place as even RomanEmperors might love to dwell in; and where paganpriests could have all the groves and baths and gardenstheir hearts desired.It was therefore, perhaps, that the Villa of theAntonines crowned the best portion of the elevation,and that the games of Palestrina and its Floral andRobigal celebrations, were ordered to be held in thelocality .More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

64 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL3. When such a soil in such a position wasopened to cultivation, it was no wonder that avillage grew apace. In time its population neededseveral churches; and so, when it became of sufficieutimportance to be fortified, four parishes were formedinstead of one, each with its temple and all of whichstill subsist.After many centuries the religious orders came.Outside the walls, at one end, the Conventual Franciscansestablished themselves exactly upon the ruinsof the Imperial Villa; and, at the other end, theAugustinians erected a modest convent and a littlechapel in the locality called the Pescara overlookingthe lake where stand to this day the ruins ofthe baths.4. The secular clergy held the churches within thewalls. But, unfortunately, in the course of centuries,that of Our Lady of Good Counsel, though the oldestand the one for which the whole of Latium hadmost devotion, became for some reason very muchneglected by its guardians. Perhaps its primitivearchitecture, constructed as it had been so early andso rudely, and its original diminutive size, caused itnot to be so much appreciated by the inhabitants, whenthe newer and more splendidly decorated edificesdedicated to St. John, St. Paul, and St. Nicholas cameto be erected. While these latter, through the careof Pope Martin the Fifth and others of his house,advanced in grandeur, nothing of its original preeminenceremained to the church of St. Mary butits name, and a most beautifully carved bass-reliefin marble of the Virgin %other of Good Counsel, toPRIVATE USE ONLY

OENAZZANO CHRISTIAN 65which crowds came from far and near, and camenot, we are assured, in vain for graces and favours.5. Meanwhile, the celebrated Colonnas had bymarriage become the feudal lords of Genazzano. Itwas, in all probability, their first, and it remainedfor many ages their principal stronghold. They fortifiedit on every side, embellished it, and crownedit with a castle which remains to this day; andwhich, though abandoned by its ancient masters, stilltells of its former power and greatness. The Colonnasheld the jus patronatus of Santa Maria del BuonConsigldo; and as they are intimately connected withthe history of the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel,it will not be amiss for the reader to know whatmanner of men they were.6. They were then, in truth, a wonderful old house.Springing in all probability from an ancient Romanfamily, who dwelt near the column of Trajan orsome other ancient Roman column from which theytook their name; they made their way through theturbulent times succeeding the desolation of theWestern Empire, until by the end of the middleages, they became the most considerable family inthe Pontifical States, and amongst the very first inItaly. Without being sovereign princes, they exercised,nevertheless, an immense influence in all the affairsof the Italian Peninsula. With great shrewdness, theynearly always managed to keep one foot planted inthe kingdom of Naples, while the other rested inLatium. What they lost, therefore, in one state, fora season, they were sure to regain in time, throughbeing strong in the other.LMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

66 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL7. They were, on the whole, a religious family,carefully providing for the spiritual as well as thetemporal wants of their liegemen. Yet sometimes,they could make up their minds, even when Cardinalswere of their blood, to fight, - and fight with terribledesperation, - against the Church. Though thesubjects of the Pope, they were more often againsthim than for him in the stormy and long continuedconflicts of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines.The Colonnas may indeed be regarded as theleaders of the Ghibelline or Imperial faction, in thesame way as the Orsinis may be looked upon as theleaders of the Guelphs. The Holy See was invariablywith the latter or national party; and being SO, preservedthe independence of Italy- a service for whichthe present self-called patriots of the country showscant gratitude. But for all their short comings,the Colonnas, on the whole, cannot be regarded asperpetual enemies of the Popes, their Suzerains. Somehowit always happened that if one Pope was againstthem, his successor was sure to be for them. If oneColonna attacked the Eternal City, or made off withits treasures, his son as a rule proved to be abenefactor to religion and a loyal child of the HolySee. In one reign, we see the chiefs of the Colonnasto the number of twelve, as a sons of iniquity Pdriven from every foot of land they held in Latium.And then, in a decade, we again see the whole family,4 sons of iniquity v as they were, called back,and the Chief so far restored to favour as to get inmarriage the niece of the Pope.In the Pontificate of Clement VII., the ColonnasPRIVATE USE ONLY

GENAZZANO CIIRISTIAN 67were certainly responsible for calling in the Imperialists,who, under Bourbon, the renegade Constable ofFrance, dealt the worst blow ever inflicted on Rome,even by Gaul or Vandal; and who forced the Popehimself, in peril of his life, to take refuge in thecastle of Sant Angelo. Not very long after, however,in the pontificate of St. Pius V., we see the Chief of thefamily , Mark Antony Colonna , leading the Papalforces at sea, and giving the death blow to the Turkon the waters of Lepanto.8. Genaxzano, as their first fortress, has a grandplace in the history of the Colonnas. There, the greatestPope of the family, - for they count four of their bloodand had certainly more than one, - Martin V. wasborn. IIe extinguished the Schism of the West, andby other deeds proved himself one of the worthiest ofthe Successors of St. Peter. All his life he dearlyloved his native township, and did much to improveand embellish it. In Genazzano, lived the mightiestprinces of the house, amongst whom may be mentionedFabrizio Colonna, whom Machiavelli calls the greatestCaptain of his age. For a long time also, his remarkabledaughter Victoria Colonna, the first poetess of Italyand indeed of Europe, lived there. She was, besidesbeing a genius of the first order, the model of wivesand of witlows ; and, it may be said, one of thepurest and nobleat female characters uncanonized,that any country ever produced.9: The castellated feudal towns of the familywere thirty six in number. The head of its oldestbranch was, for some centuries, hereditary GrandConstable, that is, Field Marshal, of the armies ofMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

68 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELNaples. Another member was Prince of Palestrina.Though this principality was sold in a season of necessity,neverthele-,~, a descendant of the vendor,Prince Colonna Barberini, now holds it. The dignitiespossessed by other members of the family, were innumerable.Quite a crowd of Cardinals were Colonnas.Ant1 it may be said, that for nearly a thousand years,no remarkable event has happened in Italy, in whicha Colonna, in some manner or another, was notmixecl up.10. At present, the Chief of the house enjoys, withthe Chief of the Orsini's, the premier post among theRoman nobility. During the existing revolutionarypersecution of the Pontiff, both the one a2d the otherhave shown themselves inflesbily devoted to theHoly Father. We hope their heirs will have courageto imitate them. 'The wealth of the family, once sogreat , is not, at present, on a level with that ofhouses of more recent formation. But it is ample.Further on, it will be seen, that a Chief of the COlonnas,as late as 1630, was able to honour the visitof the Pope by meeting him with a well equippedarmy of eight Ihousand men, infantry, cavalry, andartillery. It rnay further be added, that the Colonnaswere the first feudal family of the States of theChurch who, at Ihe requeit of Pius VII, relinquished,for the good of the state, their feudal rights, andpassed into the conclition of simple horlorary princes,in no better political position than the nobles of moremodern cre a t' ion.11. Such is the history of this strange, butwithal, most princely family. It attained to manyPRIVATE USE ONLY

GENAZZANO CHRISTIAN 69honours, but the chief and the most enduring willbe its connection with the church of Santa Mariadel Buon Consiglio in Genazzano, and its never failingdevotion to the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel - adevotion which saved it, we believe, from a hundredthreatened destructions in its long and eventfulcareer.12. That connection commenced in this way. Asearly as 1356, Pier Giordan Colonna, a wise and piousprince, unconsciously but providentially prepared theway for the coming. a century later, of the most wonderfulevent in the history of his house. In that year,by the exercise of his juspatronatus, he called in theAugustinian Fathers, settled, as we have seen, ina small convent outside the walls, to take chargeof the church and parish of the Virgin Mother ofGood Counsel, then sadly neglected. In the legalinstrument conferring this benefice, the church isdistinctly called, according to im~nemorial usage, byits title of a Holy Mary of Good Counsel. B Thefollowing is a translation of the document.a To the honour and reverence of the OmnipotentGod, and of His most glorious Virgin Mother Mary.The magnificent man, Peter Giordan Colonna, Lordof Genazzano, considering the faith and devotionwhich he and his predecessors have had and havefor the brethren and Order of the Hermits of SaintAugustine, and which the friars themselves havefor the house of Colonna . . . . . As the church ofHoly Mary of Good Counsel in the town of Genazzanois at present vacant and, on account of theinattention of the secular clergy, fallen away inMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

70 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELspirituals and temporals, so as to be in a mannerdestitute, he, so far as it appertains to him and tohis successors, hands over to Brother Dominic, Priorof the church of St. Francis in Genazzano, acting forand in the name of the said brethren and of hisOrder, devoutly praying the Lord Cardinal Bishopof Palestrina, and the Most Revd. Father Br. Daniel,Bishop of Tivoli, Vice-Gerent of the said Lord Cardinal,that it may please them to hand over to thesaid Br. Dominic, acting in the stead ancl name ofthe above . mentioned Order, the aforesaid churchwith all its jurisdictiolls and appurtenances, togetherwith its perpetual care and general administrationin spirituals and temporals, as was the custom withthe secular clergy to govern. B etc.U Done in the said church of St. Mary etc. I theNotary Deputy being present. Ba D. JAMES OF GENAZZANO, PRIEST.of the Church of Mary v etc.This instrument of concession was drawn up andattested by the Notary, Peter James Jacobilli, on the271h of December 1356. In accordance with its terms,the Augustinians took possession of the church andparochial dwelling in the year of the concession. Theirold convent and its garden remained lorig in theirpossession, until at last both were confiscated withthe rest of the goods of the communit,y by revolutionaryrapacity.13. Their transfer to Santa Maria, was, however,productive, at the time, of the greatest possiblegood, not only to the people immediately confided to thePRIVATE USE ONLY

GENAZZANO CHRISTIAN 7 1care of the Fathers, but to the whole of Genazzanoand to its princes. The fame of St. Augustine iswell known to the Italians, and consequently, numbersof citizens of both sexes and of every rank becameAugustinian tertiaries.14. With a11 this, the good religious found themselves,nevertheless, unable to do much for the materialwell-being of the ancient and crumbling edificegiven them. Their revenues were very circumscribed.Their parishioners were few and poor. The rest ofthe people of Genazzano, rejoicing in abundant andsplendid church accommodation, were little zealousto concern themselves in the great expense of erecting as it required to be erected, anew, the holyand traditional but withal to them unnecessary churchof Santa Maria.15. No doubt, there were many faithful heartswho felt this keenly, many who prayed fervently thatsome means might be found to place the building ina proper position; and amongst the laiter were thecaretaker or proctor of the Augustinians, John di Nocera,and his wife, a holy woman called Petruccia.This good proctor died about the year 1436, leavinghis little all to his widow then aged some 50 years;and she, thus freed from human cares, made it herdelight to spend her days in the church of the Madonnaof Good Counsel, praying, and labouring for theneeds of its vestments and its other wants.16. If it was a sorrow for others to see the belovedtemple threatening daily to become a ruin, unable fromits size to acconlmodate the crowds that flocked tothe feet of the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel forMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

72 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUKSELgraces, and to the good fathers for spiritual ministrations,to her it was a positive torment. Her mostearnest supplications went, therefore, unceasingly toHeaven, but apparently in vain, for help. At last, notfinding any hand stretched forth to assist, she generouslydeternlined to give her all - all that herhusband had left her - to the work of enlargementand restoration. She con~municated this intention tothe fathers who approved of it, and no doubt obtainedfrom the ecclesiastical authorities, the necessarypermission to commence the enterprise. Thus beganthe attempt at restoration.The church of Santa Maria, it may be here noted,as built originally, did not lie as it does now. Itsmain entrance loolred down upon the locality of thebaths, and its Western side partly faced the piazzaof Santa Maria. Near it, where at present the principalstreet of the town runs, Petruccia had herdwelling. This she abandoned for the enlargementof the new edifice. All else she had she willinglyexpended upon the building of its walls. She wasat this time decrepit, being at least eighty years ofage; and naturally, she :must have thought thatothers would at least assist in that, to which shegave in such a season her all.17. But for a wise purpose that Providence hadin view, no one volunteered to help her. She had consequentlyto abandon the undertaking for the simplewant of means. But such souls as Petruccia do notwork for God without supernal light, especially whentheir works are, as in this instance, estraordinaq-,considering the means and strength of the undertaker. ,PRIVATE USE ONLY

GENAZZANO CHRISTIAN 73Petruccia had an internal assurance by revelationor otherwise, that the Virgin Mother of Good Counseland St. Augustine? would do that for her helovedtemple which she herself should be unable to do. Herdesign too was well conceived. It was to commence torepair at first the chapel of St. Biagio which threatenedto fall; then, after enlarging it by adding thesite of her house, to advance step by step with therest of the chnrch, until finally the whole of her purposeshould be effected. But at the momcnt when herineans failed, eyen the walls of the chapel of St. Biagiowere both rough and unflnished. They were in factlittle better than six feet above ground, and there wasno prospect, humanly speaking, of completing them.18. The good tertiary had now to bear the brunt ofthe world's mockery and abuse. Her friends whothought she had consumed the means to which theyhad a right after her death, were violent. Those whowished to give nothing towards her undertaking andwho felt a secret reproixh at her generosity, werejubilant. That U Didn't I tell you so, B the invariableaccompaniment of uncllaritable stricture, no doubt,she had often to hear. Some said she was vain, some,that she was ambitious, some, that she was crazy,and others finally carried their want of kindlinessso far as publicly to jeer at her. She however boreall with patience, and in reply to jest and abuse onlyanswered U Don't, rrly children, take such notice ofthis apparent misfortune, for I assure you that beforeI die, the Most Blessed Virgin and the Holy FatherSt. Augustine will complete the church commencedby me P. 'This did not stay them. The mockeryMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

74 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELcontinued all the more. Petruccia was helpless fromage, and the disappointment and ridicule ought inthe natural order of things to have killed her. Buther prophecy nevertheless came true ; and that tooin a most wonderful manner, for the benefit of theChurch, and Genazzano, and the world l. We shallsee how this occurred in the next chapter.Father Buonanno has many pages of his excellent a Memoriestoriche v devoted to a critical inquiry into all the circumstanceshere related regarding Petruccia. From the willof her husband John de Nocera, dated the Pd of November 1426and executed by the Notary of Genazzano, Vincent di NicolaLandolfo, and in which is a legacy of 60 florins for a bell, itappears that his wife was constituted absolute heiress of all hisreal and personal estate. Petruccia must have been then fortyyears of age, and consequently was eighty at the time shecommenced the church. Several documents exist which showthat both John de Nocera, and after his death, Petruccia, hadcharge of the most valuable property of the convent of Santahiaria. Her husband died in 1436. In 1451, Petruccia, by aninstrument executed by the Notary, Giovanni di Giovatini Vincenzoof Paliano, gave her house in the Piazza to the AugustinianFathers per l'esaltazione e rialzamento della chiesa diSanta illaria del Buon Consiglio, reserving to herself only alife use of it. In 1461, another document executed by the NotaryDe Veronibus, shows that she left all her goods for thesame purpose with the same reservation only. She nppearsto have been at this time involved in a lawsuit with anotherPetruccia, the widow of one Jenco, and committed the defenceof her cause to the Prior of Santa Maria at the period, FatherNicholas Caruti. Finally in 1466, she resolved to see what aheroic effort could do. Without any further reservation shesacrificed her all to restore t.be falling cllurch of Our Lady ofGood Counsel. She was a native of Genazzano but her husband,as his name implies, came from Nocera.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter P.THE WONDERFUL APPARITION1. The 8fith of April, the feast of Genazzano. - 2. Its celebration in 1467 -Condition of the Church of Santa Maria, that day. - 8. Petrnccia. -4. Her triumph complete. - 5. The people hear music in the air. -The white cloud appears. - Rests on the unflnished walla. - 6. AnImage is disclosed to all. - The words. - The excitement. - The miracles.- 7. The bells rung by sapernatural agency. - 8. The comingof U all Italy s to the Sanctuary. - Completion of the churchand convent. - 9. Death of Petruccia. - Her burial. - Monument. -10. Proofs placed after narration.1. As we have already .seen, the 25th of Aprilcontinued in Christian times to be the principal feastdayof Genazzano, a day upon which it was visitedby people from all the cities of Latium. The Paganshad two distinct celebrations, the one following theother immediately. The Christians had a twofoldobject in their worship. In common with the wholeChurch they commemorated St. Mark. And thentheir first church and parish having been dedicatedto Our Lady of Good Counsel, it was natural thaton the same day - the day of the worst excessesin the past, -they should manifest more than ordinarydevotion at Her Shrine.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

'it. THE \'IROIN AIOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSELIndeed, as Senni, Buonanno, and Vannutelli tellus, such was the case. Moreover from time immemorialthe civil ancl ecclesiastical authorities combinedto make the festival an imposing one. Accordingly,when the morning devotions in the Church of theMadonna of Good Counsel were over, a fair was heldand such anlusements as could take place innocentlywere permitted. In this way, the season at one timeso demoralizing was converted into an occasion ofpractising true piety, while not excluding harmlessrecreation and while giving distant neighbours theopportunity of meeting each other and of doing somethingfor their temporal affairs.2. During the festi~ral the piazza of Santa Mariaadjoining the church was always the nlost frequented.Some attended its stalls and booths and othersits amusements, while all were at the same timewithin easy reach of the temple and its ministers.Somehow, as an ancient tradition has it, it happenedthat the crowd was very dense which waited for thevesper service on the aftelmoon of April 25th 1467,falling that year upon a Saturday. One reason maybe that from the piazza they had a full view, andno doubt they did view with various feelings, thesad spectacle presented by the abandoned attempt ofPetruccia to enlarge the ancient and crumbling edificeso dear to them all. Her house had stood at thecorner of the street and of the piazza and blockedthe view of the chapel of St. Biagio. Now it waspulled down and its site and that of the chapelitself were enclosed with a wall not six feet overground. The ambitious proportions of the projectedPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WONDERFUL APPARITION 77.edifice, only served to make the prospect of its beingfinished , all the more ridiculous. The old Church,patched up to serve, as best it could, while the im-,provements were being made, stood by as if in despair.3. Petruccia, according to her wont, was presentat all the services; and more than at any time before,had to hear and to bear the mockery andraillery of tlie many assembled. Still all could seethat, nevertheless, the great-hearted woman, lookedbrighter and more confident than ever. She had noencouragement from any one amongst the mul.titude,not even from the pilgrims to Mary's Shrine. Shehad attempted, so thought eren the most charitable,far too much; and now, no one cared to be involvedin the consequences of her folly.4. About two o'clock on this day, then, we mayimagine her, tottering over the stones within thewalls she had erected; and while all eyes followedher, and some voices continued their uncomplimentarylanguage to her, we may further imagine her,kneeling meekly on the site of the altar of the chapelof Saint Biagio, within view of (?very one. She hadsuffe~ed much; but she, and perhaps she alone, knew,that her troubles were soon to be over ; and thata triumph singular for her, even in the singularannals of the fdith in Italy, was near at hand. 'I'hatwhich justifies us in imagining this, is a historicaltruth capable 'of standing every test of criticism. Itwas as follows.5. About the 21st hour of the Italian day, or,about 4. o'clock in the afternoon, according to ourcornputat icn , the dense il~ult itr~c!e :~ssenibled in I heMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

78 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELpiazza of Santa Maria, were astonished to hear, highin the clear atn~osphere of their country, strains ofcelestial harmony. Never had they heard such soundsbefore. It seemed as if the portals of paradise wereflung open; and that the choirs of angels were permittedto give to mortals sorne knowledge of thejoys of the blessed. With eyes upturned, in breathlessattention, and ravished by such exquisite melody,they anxiously sought to find out whence the soundscame. Soon, far above the highest llouses, above thec1:urch spires and the lofty castle turrets, they behelda beauliful white cloud darting forth vividrays of light in every direction , amidst the musicof heaven and a splendour that obscured the sun.It gradually descended, and to their amazement,finally rested upon the farthest portion of the unfinishedwall of the chapel of Saint Biagio.6. Suddenly, the bells of the high campanile, whichstood before their eyes, began to peal, though theycould see and knew that no human hand touchedthem. And then, in unison , every church bell inthe town began to answer in peals as festive. Thecrowd were spell-bound , ravished , and yet full ofholy feeling. \-it11 eager haste, they filled the enclosure.They pressed around the spot were the cloudremained. Gradually, the rays of light ceased to dart,the cloud began to clear gently away; and then, totheir astonishment, there remained disclosed a mostbeautiful object. It was an Image of Our Lady, holdingthe divine Child Jesus in Her arms, and Sheseemed to smile upon them and to say, a Fear cotPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WONDERFUL APPARITION 79I am your mother, and you are and shall be mybeloved children. BIt is much more easy to imagine than to describethe commotion that ensued amongst such a people,so situated, and at such a time. The business of thefair was abandoned. The amusements were no longerthought of. With one voice they cried out, as theirdescendants on the recurrence of the anniversary of theapparition may be heard to cry out to-day; EvvivaMaria !, Evviva Maria !, Evviva la Madre nostra delBuon Consiglio! Others exclaimecl, a miracle!, amiracle ! While, with an instinct of perfect confidencearising out of the wonderful occurrence, the sick,the blind, the lame, and the afflicted of every condition,flocked from all parts of the town and fromplaces far beyond its borders, to obtain healing gracesfrom Our Lady: graces, which, as we shall see, weregranted in an abundance, c with a measure presseddown, and shaken together, and flowing over, Bwhich has not ceased from that day to this.7. Senni tells us that the unusual chiming ofthe church bells was heard by numbers who, havingsatisfied their devotion and disposed of their temporalaffairs, were on their way horne; and that fearingdangers too conlrnon from nlaraucling enemies inthose days of disturbance, they returned to Genazzano.All these to their astonishnlent saw thebeautiful Image of Our Lady still suspended in theair without any visible support whatever; and heardfrom those present of the lniraculous circumstancesthat accompanied its coming. The princes of thehouse of Colonna, the captains of their forces, theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

80 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELmagnates of the town, the Augustinian Fathers, andthe secular clergy, all flocked to admire the wonder.And throughout that night on bended knees animmense multitude remained in presence of theirblessed treasure, filled with most intense feelings oflove and gratitude to God's Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel Who thus had honoured their land.8. The news spread soon far and wide in Latium,and beyond Latium to Rome and throughout Italy;and then beyond Italy to the whole extent of theChurch of God on earth. The crowds became all thegreater, when the multitude of the miracles performedin the presence of the sacred Image became known.So great indeed was the fervour which this new,unexpected, and singular manifestation of Our Lady'slove created, that whole towns were emptied of theirinhabitants, who came &in solemn procession withhyinns and prayer to honour Her in Her new Sanctuary.They came not empty handed. Generosity isan unfailing characteristic of Catholic devotion. Itis the espression and no small part of the proof oflove and gratitude. Ne~er, never, is it wanting,where God's Virgin Mother is concerned. She hadselected the decaying temple where first She had beenhonoured on earth as the Giver of Good Counsel, asthe abiding place of that Image which of all thathave been ever painted, is likely the most perfectresemblance of Herself. No doubt Her reason for thiswas to show men, then conlnlencing so much to need,and since everywhere so needing the virtue of GoodCounsel, that if they desire to have it, they mustcome to Her, Who, by Her example and intercession,PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WONDERFUL APPARITION 81overcame upon that spot the demon of lust, debaucheryand pride, - the evils, the real folly whicheverywhere, seduce mortals from the possession of aneternity of happiness, in these latter days. Rut whilethis wider view, destined in time, and to the endof time, to be carried out for the benefit of theworld, was in no sense lost sight of, the internalassurance which Mary had given to Petruccia, wasrealized. In this too, there yas h meaning. Whilethe world was forgetful of the Virgin Mother ofGood Counsel, the temple of God became a ruin.As soon as Our Lady had taught the world, to lookto Her, and receive from Her, Good Counsel, thattemple put on a new and majestic glory. In Genazzano,then, fervour became so enlivened before thebeautiful picture of Mary, that instantly, a alms unspeakableB, flowed in upon Petruccia. As soon as lovinghands, and hearts, and heads could accomplish it, anoble marble tribune, which remains to illis day, aroseover the sacred Image. The rough, unfinished wall,near which .it took its miraculous position, wassoon removetl from sight, by an altar and coveringof precious stone. Pillars of Nero Antico sustainedthe canopy. ,'l'wenty solid, silver lamps burned nightand day, and night and day they burn still, beforeit. 'The crumbling ruin about, soon disappeared, andthe church projected by Petruccia, was erected in allthe magnificence which her heart desired, in its place.An extensive convent took the place of Che old parochialdwelling. Ample subsistence was provided fora. numerous community of the Hermits of St. Augustine,destined to serve the Sanctuary, and minister6More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

82 THE \'IROIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL'to the spiritual wants of the innumerable streams ofpilgrims, who then came in thousunds, and ha.ve notceased now, for over four hundred yews, to come.9. Petruccia, then, happily saw the completionof the work she undertook. The whole of Genazzonosaw that her prophecy was more then fulfillerl. Inthe fulness of days she sank to rest, hoiloured hy all.The Augustinian Fathers, who owed their good iertiaryso much, laid'her body at the feet of her helovedMadonna; and in the church, near tlie gosr,el side ofthe high altar, they placed an inscription recordingher good deeds, which will be given further on,amongst other memorials of this holy and remarkablewoman.10. In order not to break the thread of ournarrative, we have not stayed in this ch;~pter, tr,exaniine the proofs for the facts stated. Thew prcofs,together with those relative to the reniaiuing portionof tlie history of the sacred Image, which willbe found in the three following chapters, we ~11ii11consider critically, and at full length, immediatelyafter.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE SACRED IXAGE1. Did it come from Pdradise - Its beauty. - 2. Notice of it by theChurch.- 3. Its nature, size, rolonrs, and nrt value.-4. Position ofthe figures - The Mother - The Child. - 6. Expreshion melancholy-Reason.-C. Picture agrees wi~h traditional acronnt of Mary'sappearance and likeness to Jesus. - 7. Notice of miracnlons changesin colour - Experience of the writer - 8. Tebtimony of Vabqnez,Baeci, Bodoto. - 9. Formal statement of Lnigi Tosi and others.1. We cannot be surprised Ihat the good people ofGenazzano, who saw the sacred Image descend so'visibly from on high, and amidst circurllstances soextraordinary, should have thought that it came tothem direct from heaven. A tradition which theyknew, had it, that the Madonna now venerated atSanta Maria in Portico at Rome, was sent by God'sHoly Mother fron~ Paradise , under circumstancesexactly similar. Therefore , in the fulness of illeirjoy , the first appellation they gave the wonderfulImage was that of Our Lady of Paradise. It retainedthis title for many years. And though the truthbecame known after a few days, and was believedMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

84 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELby Petruccia, and by tlie intelligent portion of thecommunity, the generation that saw the Apparition,and many a generation after, in Genazzano , wouldhave no other name for their beloved Image, buta The Madonna of Paradise. PWe shall presently see, that, though not comingdirectly from heaven, its appearance upon the unfinishedwalls of tlie churcli of Santa Maria, was as miraculousas if it did. But meanvhile, it may not, beout of place, with those multitudes that then, andfor so many centuries since, have been ravished byits more than mortal loveliness, and have been consoledat it's feet, to contemplate what manner of giftit was, fhnt thus came from Mary to her children.2. In the first place we may state, that accordingto tile testimony of the Church, it stands unique, andin a manner suprenie, amidst all the esisting imagesof Our Lady, while it hiis been honoured by Herself,with a mirnculous care not inferior to that, withwhich She guards Her holy IIouse of Nazareth. Inthe Proper Office of' its feast, - that of Our Lady ofGood Counsel, - tlie following notice both of the Imageand of its wonderful apparition is read; U And illatnothing, that was not subli!ne, P it says a should beconnected wit h t lie Rlost Holy Virgin, \JTliom theAngel saluted as full of grace, it has not happenedwiihout divine counsel that even Her images sllouldbe held in the highest honour, and should be maderesplendent by prodigies and miracles. Amongstwhich, that which three centuries ago, in the pontificateof Paul II., miraculously appeared upon the wallof the Church of tlie Fathers of the Order of thePRIVATE USE ONLY

THE SACRED IMAGE 85Hermits of Saint Augustine, in the town of Genazzano,in the diocese of Palestrina , is worshipped withprincipal honour, as appears from pontifical diplomasand coeval monuments. Moved by which things,Pope Pius the Sixth, conceded to the cenobites ofthe said town, a proper office, to be recited on theseventh of the kalends of May, that is to say, uponthe day itself of the Apparition; and then, havingassigned the day immediately following for its recitalever after, he extended it, under the rite of a doublemajor, to the whole, of the aforesaid Order P.3. Let us then contemplate this wonderful Image.As it appears in the Shrine, it is not more thaneighteen inches square. Furthermore, those who approachnear may see, that it is a fresco, painted - ifever human hands did paint it - long ages ago, when,and in what country, the best judges cannot tell.The sole support of such a treasure, is a thincrust of common plaster, not much thicker than strongpaper. Yet, it has remained in the spot where it maybe viewed to day, for four hundred and sixteen years;and how many centuries it existed before, none cantell. Its colours and its delineations are as fresh asever. Vhile it remains there, so fragile, yet so secure,the great walls of the church about it, have had tobe renewed three times over. The colours laid oncanvass by great masters have dimmed, though preservedjealously in protected places, or painted onwalls strong as art could make them. The very existenceof this fragile Image seems a miracle. Thepreservation of its colours appears to be another. Butthere is a third, greatest of all. It remains, as it wasMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

86 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELwhen it first came, not against, nor in any way fasteriedto, but distant from the wall, without having bellindit, any material support whntever.As a work, acco~ding to the rules of high art, thewriter cannot judge it. But Ihis is ce~tnin, that nohuman hand has yet been able to copy it. Benutifulpictures distantly like it, have been produced by theartists of twelve generations. Some of these copieshave pr~ved themselves miraculous, as we shall seefurther on. But, not one has been a perfect reproduction.All the works of the grqt masters, have beencopied in a illanner able to defy the eye of the ordinarypurchaser, but the Madonna of Genazzanocannot be copied in sucli a manner, as that the merestchild may not know, llow far it is from theoriginal. This will be seen to be the judgment ofSignor Luigi Tosi, a painter of great eminence, whosetestimony on this point we shall presently give.4. The fresco consists of a representation of theyoung Virgin Mother, holding in Her arms the InfantJesus, U'ho embraces Her, witli a kind of anxiou3 fundness.One little arm is wound round Her neck ; andthe infantile fingers appear upon the fui ther side, afterencircling it. The other srnall llnnd is placed upontlle embroidered hem of Her modest dress, of traditionalgreen colour. The Child is dressed in red, anda mantle of blue covers both.The Divine Infant looks exactly what one wouldimagine Him to have been ; and, as the writer ofthis has noticed, sucli as one would imagine, fromthe likenes of Our Lord in the church of St Sylvesterin Rome, what He was when a little child. InPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE SACRED IMAGE 87gentle, fond, human sweetness, He appears in everyline the Son of Mary, having but one human parent.In a dignity of thought inexpressible, He appearswhat we should expect the Son of God to be in humannature. Nowhere else, not even in the Eternal City,the metropolis of art, is the Adorable Infant so powerfully,and apparently so perfectly portrayed, so asto appear not only willing but anxious to relievethe sorrow which His Mother endured for His sake,by granting every prayer She may offer. Elsewhere,Mary is shown in a hundred beautiful ways pleadingfor us with Jesus. Here Jesus is shown as if seekingsome occasion to grant niercyv to the poor childrenof Eve, for whom He knows that His Mother iseverlastingly solicitous, that so He will have sufferedfor none in vain.And then, who can describe the In~maculate VirginMother as here revealed. 'I'he features are all thatwe should suppose Mary to ha~e ; and strange tosay, as near as possible to what She is representedto have, by the very best authorities that have writtenupon Her appearance. The hair and its colour, thehighly arched eyebrows, the lofty forehead, full ofthought, the colour and size of the eyes, the cheeks,the Grecian, elongated, rather than Jewish nose, theesquisitely cut, vermilion lips, the dress and contour,all are the same. Then as to the expression, nonecan describe it; for, reader, that expression changes,and these cl~anges which inany see, and all writersupon the Shrine note, are continual miracles connect- 'ed with this most ntiraculous of images.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

88 THE VIRGIN hlOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL5. Yet, there is a general expression which neverpasses away, which ravishes the beholder, and holdshim for hours conten~plating the Image. This is soineffably sweet, so sad, so mild, so full of celestialbeauty, so powerful to draw all hearts by its unutterableblending of all that can be conceived perfectin young, virginal, most purely innocent, and yetnlaternal loveliness, with all that may be imaginedhighest and noblest in spiritual perfection - a perfectionexcelled by nothing created short of theHumanity of Her Son - that it is in truth the veryideal of what the Christian would suppose Mary tohave been, say, at that sadly interesting time, when,upon having presented Her Child in the Temple, Sheheard the awful words of Sinieon; and coming downfrom the Temple to her habitation alone and silent,She a kept them, * a pondering upon them B sorrow-fully, yet, as became the most perfect of creatures,resignedly, a in Her heart. Long years after, Sherevealed to St. Gertrude, that at these moments asShe held Her innocent Infant to Her sinless bosom,She looked out into the terrible future and saw theend, - the Scourge, the Thorns, the Cross, the Death,- a flood of tears would rush out and fall in showersupon the divine face of Jesus, while He, knowingthe sad cause of it all, would essay to console Her.This appears to be the very moment seized upon bythe artist, natural or supernatural, who painted thefresco of the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, torepresent Her with Her Child.And who can conceive a moment more propitiousfor causing Jesus to grant Her all whatsoever ShePRIVATE USE ONLY

THE SACRED IMAGE 80may demand, or a moment, more tenderly appealingto the heart of the worshipper. In the painting, thehead of the Virgin Mother leans lovingly, but sadly,towards the face of Her Infant Child; and the eyes,the nearer of which to Jesus is strained towards Him,are full with the wellings of the fountains of Her.heart involuntarily opened in Her grief. This issurely a moment when neither the sinner nor thesinner's God, can resist the sweet influence of Mary.It may, too, be some reason for the picture's wondrouspower.6. Then again, there is in the figures the very likenesswe should expect between the Mother and theSon Who would have none but that Mother to give.Him His human nature. a Jesus Christ, B writes oneof His Saints, and a great and learned one, St. Thomasof Villanova, a Jesus Christ most perfectly resembledHis Mother. Those who saw them both in life assureus, that never had a son so great a resemblance to amother, in aspect, in manner, and in conversation.In brief, the Mother and the Son had each one everyfeature of t,he other, in a manner most extraordinarilyfaithful. v Nicephorus, an author of the gth century,gives us the same information from the tradition mosttrusted in the East, together with a delineation ofthe features of Mary. He also states that Jesus wasperfectly like His Mother. Of Mary's appearance hesays: a She was most modest, and full of dignity. Shespoke little, and only when necessary. She listenedwillingly. She was rnost affable to all, and for alldemonstrated respect and esteem. Her person was ofmoderate size, although some affirm that she wasMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

90 THE VIRGIN MOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSELof more than moderate size. The hue dominating inHer countenance, approached the colour of wheat. Shehad auburn hair with brightly shining eyes, thepupils of which were light in colour, something likethat of oil. The eyebrows were arched and grandlyformed. The nose somewhat long. The lips, fromwhich issued words full of grace, were vermilion.The countenance was not round, not long, but oval;the hands and the fingers long. She had nothingwhatever of rudeness, but She was sweet and simple,and Her aspect was candid without a shadow ofdissimulation. In Her manners there was nothing ofsoftness, but She was remarkable solely for singularmodesty and self-possession. She was content to weara dress of natural colour, as is yet seen in the veilwhich covered Her head. And to speak briefly? inHer whole being there was heavenly .beanty. PSt. Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, writes:U There is in all created beings a virtue which produceslike from like, in such a manner that if natureis not impeded, the son will be like the father andthe mother; but if a son should be born of a niotherwithout a father, by divine power only, such a sonought necessarily be like his mother. Now Jesus,according to the words of Holy Script,ure, is the mostbeautiful among the sons of men; U Thou art fair inbeauty above the sons of men, grace is diffused uponthy lips. B (PS. 44-2). Therefore, also, the VirginMother is the most beautiful amongst all women.She has reached a grade of beauty so sublime, thatin the entire order of nature, no creature can beimagined more beautiful than She is. PPRIVATE USE ONLY

TIIE SACRED IMAGE 9 1Denis the Carthusian writes in the same strain. 'a As Christ was beautiful above all the sons of men,so the Virgin was the most beautiful amongst allthe daugkters of men, and had all that which couldbe found most sublime and most perfect in a humancreature, and by the work of nature. Wherefore,God, the magnificent Creator of all things, hath embellishedMary infernally, with the abundance of a11graces, and of all endowments the rllost wonderful;He Himself having cotiperated in a supernaturalmanner in Her format ion in Her mother's won1 b, inorder to prepare for His Son, a worthy habitation.Thus also, Her exterior aspect was admirably resplendentwith such a fulness of divine grace. B And further,this pious author esclaims: cc What ought we thinkof an appearance, I woultl say, almost divine!, towhiclh there is nothing in the world, we may compare?Of that brow, in comparison to Ghich, the serenilyof the most beautiful day, is but a cloud? What shallwe say of that soul, which, after the soul of Christ,expresses most faithfully the image of God. PThe Church, in using so many of the most beautifulmetaphors of Holy Writ to describe Mary, warrantsall that the above sacred writers tell us ofHer heavenly appearance. Thus, She is U fair as themoon, beautiful as the sun, formidable as an armyset in battle array. P Descending to particulars, of Herthe words of Solomon are used cc As bands of scaraletare thy lips, and thy cheeks as the skin of the pomegranate., Thy neck is as the tower of David. A thousandshields hang from it, all as the armour of theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

L92 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL' strong r. And finally a Thou art all fair 0 my beloved!and there is not a spot in Thee r. (Cant. IV. 3. 7.).What we have quoted is but a small portioliindeed, of all that the Church and the servants ofGod have manifested to us of the heavenly appearanceof the Virgin Mother. Neither the pen of thewriter, nor the pencil of the painter, however, canever properly portray it.Since Her Assumptioninto heaven, it has been given to some of Her chosenservants to see Her, probably, as She appeared onearth. But save in these instances, when She Herselfwas really seen, nothing, we believe , can giveHer devout clients such an intinlate knowledge ofwhat She really was and is, as the Image SheHerself caused to he brought so miraculously to Genazzano.In it, She seems not only to reproduceHerself in appearance, but, as it were, to live andmove, and to respond with a heavenly intelligence toevery prayer and desire of those, who come in loveand faith to honour Her, and to seek Counsel andother favours at Her feet.'I'his is saying a great deal, but not too much.All those who now, for four hundred years, have devoutlyvisited the Sanctuary where the n~iraculousImage reposes, bear witness to the fact. It is one ofthe reasons why it is called the Madonna of Paradise.The pilgrims to the Shrine are so impressedby it, that numbers of them speak out to Mary asif they saw Her personally. And after a while,all without exception , who come to implore withearnestness, any favour, find themselves as if theywere in the visible presence of the Queen of Angels;PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE SACRED IMAGE 93and so, while their fervour increases they are ravishedby the indescribable celestial beauty of the Image,which seems in every feature to respond to the prayerand affectionate outpourings of the suppliant.7. But the most wonderful manifestation of thispower, is the positive, and consequently, miraculouschanges in colour and appearance, which the featuresof the figure of Our Lady seem to undergo. Yetthere is perhaps nothing connected with this mostmiraculous of all the Images of Our Lady, so constantlyexperienced. All who have obtained singularsupernatural help speak of it. It is a strange fact,but, as we shall see, thoroughly well established.The writer of this work would be loath to s~eakof his own experience, had not so many devout clientsof the Sanctuary, living and dead, spoken of theirs.Like all else who come to the feet of Our Ilndy of GoodCounsel, he had favotirs to ask for others and for himself.He had Inany times seen the sacred Image, and had1e:trned to love it for the consolation it imparts to all.bn one occasion, hwever, while offering up the HolySacrifice of the Mass for some in suffering in whomhe took much intere.st, ancl for other reasons, he wasastonished to find that the sweetly pale fei~tures ofthe figure of Our Lady became joyous, illuminated,and suffused all over, with a deep crimson, or rather,vermilion hue. The eyes became more open andbrilliant; and this continued during the remainderof the Holy Sacrifice. He felt a great consolation, but,not having heard at the time, of the well knownchanges in the aspect of the countenance of the figureof Our Lady, he believed what he noticed to be theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

94 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELeffect of his own imagination, or of some lightthrown upon the Image in some unknown way. Hetherefore kept the matter to himself. However, inreading over, for the purposes of this book, the old,and nlodern Italian histories of the Sixnctunry , hewas struck with the unanimity with which they alltestified to these changes, and with which they allagreed, that such as he had noticed were n surepresage of petitions being granted. Some months after,brought news from Austt>alia, that certain ~~IVOU~Sasked for friends, had been in a, most estraordinarymanner received ; and that too, within a few daysafter the change had been perceived in the mii~aculousImage at Genazzaiio. When the writer, afierwnrds,witnessed the n~iraculous cure of blindness and epilepsy' combined, in the case of Lydia Vernini of Zagarolo, -described in the chapter treating of the n~iraclesperformed at the Shrine, - he llnd no further hesitationin believing, that his own unworthy petitionsfor extraordinary favours hild not only beenheard, but had been shown to have been heard, by the.sweet clemency of the all powerful Virgin Mother ofGood Counsel.'The,?, at other times, the sacred figure of OurLady, seems to speak to the heart of the suppliant;and then, his soul receives a strong, irresistibleimpression or inspiration to act in a manner thatnever had been thought of before. He rises from hisprayer strengthened and illun~inated ; and generallyfinds, afterwards, that the course of action, holy andwise, which he felt impelled to adopt at the feet ofthe sacred Image, was the best possible that he couldPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE SACRED IMAGE 95adopt, and blessed alike with temporal and spiritualsuccess.Se~rly all who visit the Shrine of the VirginMother of Good Counsel, experience the one assist;~nce,or the other, and often both. lhat Sanctuary is ahallowed land of ~niracle~, wrought by the power ofMaiy with I-Ier Son in favour of those sincerely devotedto Hinl and to Her. So one, of course, is boundto believe this. But the faithful who try the efficacyof a devout pilgrimage to Genazzano, in their spiritualand temporal necessities , invariably tell ofwonders w0rlrc.d in their own cases.S. Regarding the singular changes in the featuresof the Image of Our Lady, the famousGeneral of I he Augustinian Order, Francis XavierVasquez, who li~ed and wrote under the learnedPontiff Benedict XIV , thus expresses himself, in aLatin letter ;~dtl~.e

96 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELagony of mind, before the sacred Image, lie states, thatit assumed this joyous aspect about the middle ofthe Litany, which was being recited according to theinvariable custom, whenever it is uncovered for anypurpose. 'l'he Augustinian Fat hers present noticedit too ; and one of them, without knowing thereason of his coming, was therefore able to tellhim, that whatever lie had collie to deriland of OurLady of Good Counsel, had been granted. That veryday, on his return to Rome, he found that, whathumanly speaking, was inlpossihle, had been effected.He was freed from his agony of mind. From thatmornent forward, the grateful Canon became theApostle of the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel inRome, and one of the 11:ost devoted clients of HerSilnct nary at Genazzano. Pat her Rodota whose zealfor the sitered Image we shall speak of also, in asrecial chapter, noticed the same happy changes inits expression, when demanding favours he afte4,wardsobtained. So ditl hundreds, and indeed, thousancls, ofthe devout petitione~as, who came to the Sanctuary.And then, if in~agination should be thought to haveinfluenced the pious, and those not skilled in pictures,it cannot be said to be able to deceive the eye ofan able ancl practised painter of high standing inhis profession.9. In 1737. Luigi Tosi, one of the principal paintersthen resitling in Rome, and a disciple of theillustrious Solimene, while employed in taking the,afterwards, celebrated copy of the sacred Iinage, forhis native city of Genoa, left on record a statementof his experience and opinion of the original,PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE SACRED IMAGE 97which corroborates fully all hitherto said regardingits wonderful change in aspect, and its marvellouspower. His declaration, duly executed arid witnessedas will be seen, was made in Italian. The followingis a literal translation of the document.a Ad majorem Dei gloriam.a This day, being the eleventh of June 1747, a dayconsecrated to the Apostle Barnabas, the miraculousand ever prodigious Image of Most Holy Mary ofGood Counsel being uncovered with the usual veneration,homage, and devotion, in this our AugustinianChurch, to Signor Luigi Tosi, a most virtuous GenoesePainter residing in Rome, in order that he , byhis virtue and skill, should take a copy on canvass ofthe said holy Image, as like to the original as possible;and for this purpose, the great glass, sustained andornamented with fastenings of the finest silver, beingtaken away, so that, in such manner, the beforenamed Signor Luigi, might better be able to see,consider, and contemplate it; on such occasion, in thepresence of all of us, the undersigned, the followingmost attentive ocular observations were made.a In the first place, Signor Luigi, the painterreferred to, prostrate before the holy Inlage aforeaaiil,after having well contemplated, regarded, and manytimes most attentively considered it, has, clearlyseen, and publicly asserted, that of all the copies, whicheither on copper, or in pictures, have been at differenttimes, and with repeated observation made, of aholy Image so prodigious, not one, properly and trulyresembles it: and that it would be most difficult tolMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

mTHE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELfind a painter, how exceilent soever, to whom couldbe given the glory and the advantage of executing apainting or copy of it, with full and perfect resemblanceto the original; because the features and the delineations,as well of the holy Iinage of Mary, as also ofthe holy Child, Whom She holds close to Her breastand to Her face, in an attitude graceful and loving,are so fine, delicate, gentle, amiable and singular,that the whole picture seems properly rather anangelic, than a human work.a Secondly, the same Signor Luigi, with thatskill which he has, as the disciple of the celebratedSolimene, in both ancient and modern images of MostHoly Mary, observed, asserted and concluded, thatthe holy and miraculous Image spoken of, is neitherof the Greek style, nor of the Gothic style, nor ofthe style of our past ages, nor of modern style; andthat in all its parts there is such a fineness andexquisiteness of taste, that it is necessary to observecarefully the least things in it, and the most minutedelineations, in order to succeed in executing a copyas like to it, as the art and the skill of the paintercan attain to. Whence he has publicly concluded withfirmness, that some artist very much better thanman, or, at least, some holy man, painted anddelineated it. And this is so much more the case,that it cannot be known or discerned, whether it istruly a picture or rather an image miraculously, andwith celestial colours impressed, and, as if inviscerated,in a simple crust of wall-plaster, which is thewhole support of so great a treasure.a Thirdly, he has himself ingenuously confessed,PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE SACRED IMAGE 99that scarcely had he placed himself, about the nineteenthhour, in a sitting posture upon the altar, inorder to be able better to take the aforesaid desiredcopy, when suddenly, the forms (of the Virgin andChild) became so confused to him, that, withoutbeing able to form any idea or image of the original,he did not know where to turn, nor what to resolveupon, nor how to commence. But inspired afterwards,internally to prostrate himself, scarcely had he benthis knees humbly and devoutly before the holy Image,with the greatest reverence and devotion, when presentlyhis mind became clear, the idea of the originalbecame well impressed upon his imagination ; andthus he was happily enabled to coinmence to copyit, prosecuting afterwards for two days, almost continuouslyon his knees, the desired and most happy work.a Fourthly, the same Signor Luigi, the Painterhas observed and considered, and in the presenceof us all, asserted, that this holy and miraculousImage changes itself very frequently, both in countenanceand colour. 111 fact, about the 191h hour, theholy Image being uncovered, and we all, the undersignedbeing present, have seen it with a visagejoyful, sweet, and amiable, but of a pale colour asis mual. Then at the 20th hour, all of a sudden, itchanged countenance and colour, appearing to the eyesof all the witnesses present, with a new air of majesty,and with a face so lit up, rosy, and brilliant,that Her cheeks seemed like two roses fresh and vermilioucolou ed. And this unlooked-for, most visible,and most powerful change, caused in the minds ofus all present, so ullusual a stupor and tenderness,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

10 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELthat one amongst us broke into such a tender andcopious flood of tears, that on account of his vehementcommotion, he had to depart weeping, from the holyChapel and the holy Altar. And the above mentionedvirtuous Signor Luigi, almost wandering, knewnot where to lay hand upon colour or brush, to continuethe commenced work. But he was animatedafterwards, by an internal spirit and courage uponhearing from the f~thers, that when the holy Imageappeared ruddy, brilliant, and joyful, it was thenan excellent sign, according to the many observationsmade in past times. Encouraged then, in this wise,and animated suddenly by that amiable countenance,he copied such fine delineations and exquisite delicaciesof the sacred Image, that his copy can besaid to be more like than others, to the holy original. .a Fifthly, he himself has also observed, andfrequently, and most exactly observed, that as theholy Image changes its aspect, so also does it changethe look and the light of its eyes. If it appearspleasant and serene, the eyes become majestic andjoyful; if its colour is pallid and meagre, so also appearthe virginal pupils of the eyes. If with a visageinflinned, brilliant, and rose like, then the eyesappear more joyful, pleasant, lucid, and more open.And of this prodigious mutation, we the undersigned,beyond that which is here described, have seen yetmore, with stupefaction and great tenderness. Whenceit is to be concluded, that the sacred Image is a workrather divine, than human.aa Sixthly , the same Signor Luigi has also observed,considered, and believed, that those stripesPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE SACRED IMAGE 101of different colours, which are represented above thediadems upon the head of the Virgin and of the holyChild, are *not ornaments of a canopy or awning, assome have believed in past times, but rather a portionof an iris or rainbow, as we call it. And the existenceof three different colours proves this, as alsothe ancient custom, in days gone by, to paint manyholy images of Mary surrounded by a celestial rainbow.Of which things, the before named Signor Luigi proteststo have made a special study.a Seventhly ; finally, it was on this occasionwith greater convenience, and with new , ocular,and most exact consideration and inspection observedand concluded, that it is a continual and most patentmiracle how this holy Image, two palms high,and a palm and a half broad, impressed upon asimple thin cruit oP wall-plaster, has been preservedfor three centuries or thereabouts, from 1467 up tonow, and is still preserved intact, uninjured ant1 perfect,withoui the countenance of the Mother or ofthe Son having suffered any damage whatever; allthe more that the thin crust of wall-plaster uponwhich it is seen so well impressed and coloured, hi^not behind it any support, or any thing whateveron which it could rest, or by which it could be sustained.Whence we all, in full, ample faith of allthat which up to this has been said, and faithfullyregistered, with our own hands subscribe oul-selves.a I, Father Master, Brother Pancotti, aErm asabove with my own hand.a I, Luigi Tosi, affirm as above etc.a I, Andrew Bacci, Canon of St. Mark's affirm. etc.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

102 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELa 1, Brother Bartholomew Daglio, Aug&tinianProvincial of Lombardy, affirm etc.a I, Br. John Baptist Mary Fossati, Sacristan, affirmetc.a I, Father Anthony Mary Madureyra, affirm etc.a I, Lawrence Jacopini, Treasurer of His Excellency,the Lord Constable Colonna, affirm etc. BThis testimony of Luigi Tosi and of the witnesseswho with him examined the miraculous Imagein 1747, described it, as it had been for nearlythree hundred years in Genazzano, and as it remainsthere to this day. Its whole history was then thoroughlyknown. But the thousands who witnessedits miraculous coming on the n~emorable Saturdayof April the 25th 1467, could not be in the samestate of certainty, as to where it came from. Theywere animated with the same sentiments of love andtenderness, which all who contemplate the beautifulfeatures of the Virgin Mother aud Her Child, feelto this hour. They at once called the sacred Image,the Madonna of Paradise, for they could not imaginethat it came to them otherwise, than from heavendirect. In the next chapter, we shall see how soonthey were undeceived upon this point. The Imagecame indeed as they saw it, from on high, but throughthe air only. It came not the less, miraculously, insigns and wonders. It came not only to build thechurch of Petruccia, and to work innurnerable miracles,but to spread throughout all the earth, in God'sgood time, the gift of Good Counsel, through devotionto the Virgin Mother of Jesus.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE MIRACULOUS TRANSLATION1. The people of Genazzano nndeceived. - 8. The Pilgrims from Albania.- 3. Their names. - 4. Their story. - 6. True history of theTranslation - Its coming to Scntari. - 6. Decay of devotion to itin Albania - Scanderbeg. - 7. Prayer of the pilgrims. - 8. Orderaof Mary.-9.Theimage in air, followed by pilgrims, leaves Scntari.-10. Miracnlons passage of the Adriatic. - 11. Image dieappeara atBorne - Pilgrims' grief. - 12. Hews reaches Rome of the wonderfulapparition - They find the Image. - 13. They live and die, andleave their families in Genazzano.1. We have seen that the inhabitants of Genazzanobelieved, and had some reason to believe, that theImage of Our Lady came to them from Paradise.Not one of those amongst the crowds, who came duringthe first few days, and saw and contemplatedthat beautiful object, as it stood near the unfinishedwall of the chapel of St. Biagio , doubted that, itdid. In a little time, however, a circumstance occurred,which, while manifesting wonderfully, the miraculousProvidence watching over the precious treasure,made it clear that it did not, at least this time,come direct from heaven. Yet it was, in every sense,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

104 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELa heavenly gift, sent by God's Virgin Mother, amidstcircumstances as extraordinary, as had accompaniedthe coming of Her holy Ziouse of Nazareth, to Dalmatia,and to .Italy.2. This was made known, by the appearance oftwo strangers, not of the Italian race, amidst the multitudescoming in increasing numbers to witness theprodigy, and to ask favours at the feet of Mary.When these two first saw the Image, they were filled .with an ecstasy of indescribable delight, and couldscarcely be brought to absent themselves from itsholy presence. They declared that they would neverleave it; that they would labour and live and diein its sight. And faithfully, as we shall see, theykept their promise.3. They were both from the city of Scutari inAlbania, at the other side of the Adriatic Sea, oppositethe Italian coast, and in a latitude about thesame as that of Rome. The one, a true Albanian,was a young man named Georgio, and the other, anlan more advanced in years, was, though born itwould appear in Scutari, of the Sclavonic race, andwas called De Sclavis. They gave the history of thewonderful coming of the sacred Image in a mannervery different from that supposed, and which thepeople of Genazzano desired so much to believe. Rutevery circunlrtance that -occurred after, tended all themore to confirm their story, which was as follows.4. Some three months previous, in the Januaryof the year 1467, they said, the last great monarchof Albauia died ; and the Turks, whom his valourhad kept back for more than twenty years, werePRIVATE USE ONLY

THE MIRACULOUS TRANSLATION 105advancing in irresistible might, upon their unfortunatecountry. The enemy llad already occupied nearly allits fortresses; and Scutari, the city of the strangers,was only preserved by a Venetian garrison, invitedthere by Scanderbeg, from sharing the fate of the othercities of the country. There was no knowing themoment however, when it too would fall, as in factit did fall shortly after, into the hands of the Turks.At this juncture, those who wished to preserve theirfaith and their freedom, endeavoured to emigrate toneighboul.ing Christian lands; and amongst the manywho deliberated upon making such an attempt, wereGeorgio and De Sclavis.5. It would appear moreover, that they had thecare, or at least were much devoted, to a beautifullittle church situated at the foot of the mountainupon which stood the fortress of Scutari, and nearthe junction of the two rivers, the Bojana and theDrina, upon which the ciiy is built. This little churchwas dedicated to the Mother of God, under the titleof Her Annunciation. It was the chief sanctuaryof Mary in the dominions of their ancient monarchs,and to it, not only the people of Scutari, but thosefrom Croja , the capital, from Epirus, and from allAlbania and Sclavonia repaired to satisfy their devotion,and to obtain graces and ~~IVOU~S. The reasonof this great devotion, they said was, that about twocenturies before, and exactly at. the time when allDalmatia and Italy were full of Ihe wonderful translationof the holy House of Nazareth to Loreto, anImage of Our Lady was miraculously conveyed tothe little church of the Annunciation, as it was supMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

L06THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELposed, from the far East. It filled all Albania withdevotion to God's Mother; and in truth was noother, than that which now stood before the gaze ofthe people of Genazzano.6. The little church of the suburbs of Scutari,was therefore, dear to all the land, and to all thepopulations of the Christian provinces, lying betweenthe waters of the Adriatic and the Black Sea. Butalas!, it had to be admitted, that devotion to it hadgrown cold. Schism worked its blighting way in Albania.The morals of the people decayed with thepurity of their religion. Devotion to Our Lady languishedeven in Scutari itself: The Turkish invasion,a clear punishment sent from heaven, could not a llthe mass of the population to repentance. As a writer on the subject feelingly complains, a the youngmen and maidens no longer delighted to place flowerson the altar of Mary of Scutari; and therefore, theirpunishment could not be far distant. v Nevertheless,many remained faithful; and amongst them, the hero,whom the Albanians still love to call, the a lightningLion of War, v the great King, George Castriota orScanderbeg. He loved the sanctuary of Mary witha devoted, enthusiastic love; and Mary in return, notonly made him a model of Christian perfection, butalso gave him an invincible power, which preservednot only Albania but also Christendom during hisreign. When he died, She appeared to have nothingelse left to love in that land, and so, though Shecame to it in benediction, She determined to leaveit in anger to its fate ; and She did so under thefollowing circumstances.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE MIRACULOUS TRANSLATION 1077. While the two, Georgio add De Sclavis, weigheddown with the misfortunes of their country,were contemplating to leave it for ever, they firsthad recourse for light and direction to their belovedsanctuary of Mary. There, prostrate before Her sacredImage, they asked Her assistace. They feltdeeply at having to leave friends and father-land, andthey knew not the land they were going to. Butmore than all, they felt an unspeakable grief in leavingfor ever their beloved Madonna, the beautifulImage they had worshipped so tenderly from theirchildhood. This principally, made them doubt whetherthey should go or stay. With copious tears theytherefore, besought Our Lady's help: and it came ina manner most unexpected indeed, but nevertheless,most grateful. They were to go, but yet, so as notto lose their most valued treasure.8. Those, as we have observed in the last chapter,who visit the Madonna of Genazzano, in affliction anddoubt, and who in their distress do what those goodclients of Mary did at the feet of Her sacred Imagein Scutari, state that they feel, by some wonderfulsupernatural inspiration, what it is that they haveto do. The direction is often as distinct as languagecould make it. It must have been some such inspirationas this, which reached Georgio and De Sclavis.Both felt as if Mary had spoken to them. Besidesthis, Ihey had a dream of like import. Mary toldthem to prepare all things necessary for their journey,and to fly for ever from that unhappy land ; andfurlher said, that She I-lerself would, in that veryImage they so loved, depart from Scutari, and fromMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

108 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELthe profanation of the Turks, soon destined to be itscaptors, and travel to another land, to diffuse therethose graces and benedictions of which Albania hadproved itself unworlhy. And finally, She ordered thatthey should follow Her in Her Image wherever itmight go.Those who are led by the hand of the Motherof Gori, are neither in doubt nor in trouble of spiritat Her guidance. They believe, and indeed they know,the power of Mary wilh Her Son. They know Hertenderness, Her charity, Her care of Her own; andthey are not surprised at any manifestation of Hermiraculous mercy.9. The fortunate emigrants, then, repaired on thefollowing morning to the church, fully prepared to quitAlbania. They entered the little sanctu:try, and behold!,while kneeling for the last time in Scutari beforethe beloved Image, suddenly, it commenced to detachitself fro111 the wall. In the same manner that itcame two centuries before, it left the niche it so longoccupied. It stood in mid-air. A white cloud at onceenveloped it. Through illat cloiid, however, it wasvisible to their eyes. It moved towards ihe door ofthe church, departed, and then, lightly ascending,gently travelled at a pace not greater than lheirown towards the sea, a distance of about twentyfour miles from Scutari.10. Here the white cloud did not stay in its coursethrough lhe air, but passed over the waters. Thetwo pilgrims, led by Ihe spirit of God, knew that thed~vine assistance would not forsake them; and moreconfident than the Israelites of old, they, trusting inPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE MIRACULOUS TRANSLATION 108Mary's protection, walked not indeed between the watersbut oyer them. They found the waves to 1,e ashard soil beneath their feet, and they followed theImage until it reached the opposite shores of Italy.The waters were the same to them as adamant.When night came on, the white cloud which shadedthem from the mid-day sun, grew illuminated, andbecame to them as the pillar of fire to the Hebrewsin the desert. Thus, over mountain, and river, andsea, and valley, they passed, until at length, the wideplain of the Campagna of Latium, opened out beforethem, and they saw in the distance, the towers andthe domes of Rome.-11. Thither the cloud moved, until it reached thegates of the city, when, to their inexpressible grief,just as the star of Bethlehem in the case of theMagi , it all of a sudden, disappeared from theirsight. They were inconsolable. They searched all thechurches in Rome, with the hope of finding it restingin some one of them. They went through every streetof the great city. At the time, numbers of theircountrymen were to be found everywhere in Italy,forced for :i. reason like their own to leave the home oftheir forefathers. But none could give them the leasttidings. Perhaps none could understand, or, if theydid, could believe their strange story. Thus afflicted,as Mary was once Herself at losing Her Cliild andHer God in Jerusalem, they continued seeking, asmen disconsolate, or, perhaps, as people who heardtheir story thought, as men deranged, for that whitecloud and beautiful Image they had lost.12. But soon the news reached Rome itself, of theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

110 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELwonderful apparition of an Image of Mary, just suchas they described, upon the unfinished walls of achurch commenced, but abandoned in' Genazzano.Report spoke too, of a white cloud giving forth raysof light which accompanied its coming, amidst strairsof angelic music ; of the Image remaining suspendedin the air; of innumerable miraculous cures beingwrought at its feet ; and of multitudes flocking fromall quarters to its Sanctuary. The people of Romebegan to follow the example of those of the lessertowns, and go on pilgrimage to Genazzano. Thosewho thought the two Albanians deranged, now beganto regard then1 as true servants of Mary , and tobelieve that the lost Image was the one followed, asthey 'stated, over land and sea. The news at leastno sooner reached the pilgrims, than, with all haste,they set out for Genazzano. There, to their inexpressibledelight, they saw above the heads of kneelingthousands, amidst lights and flowers innumerable,while workmen were busy constructing a magnificentmarble canopy over it, the beloved Image whichthey had, but only for a season , lost. 'Those fromRome who saw their distress at losing it, could nowunderstand their delight.13. The pilgrims determined never more to leavethe sight of their beloved Image. They both settledin .Genazzano, where they married and left familiesbehind them. The family of De Sclavis becameextinct in its direct' line, only during the last century.That of Georgio exists to this day, and is oneof the most numerous and respectable in Genazzano.The Mayor and Notary of the town is a direct de-PRIVATE USE ONLY

.THE MIRACULOUS TRANSLATION 111scendant of this latter, and has furnished the writer,from the Archives of the municipality with a familytree, which the reader will find amongst the otherproofs of the miraculous translation in the chapter (X.),where such proofs are given and critically examined.The people of Genazzano received the narrativeof the pilgrims coldly enough. They did not wish tohave the flattering illusion, that their Madonna camefrom Paradise, broken. They did not desire to entertainthe idea of the possibility of the sacred Imagedeparting from themselves, as it had done from Scutari,and as tradition said, it had departed from theEast. Yet, as we shall see, nothing whatever occurredto cast the shadow of a doubt upon the statementof the Albanians. That country at the time,occupied the attention of Italy and of Europe generally,more than any other country in the world.Christendom was full of the fame of Scanderbeg ,and just at the moment mourning his death. TheTurks were at fierce war there with the Christians.Albanian refugees were crowding in upon Latium, Venetia,and Calabria. From the opposite coasts of theAdriatic, the whole exposed line of the Italian peninsulawas threatened. We cannot then, in justiceto our history, pass over a country so wound up withthe sacred Image; and so before we proceed further,we shall devote a chapter to Albania and its last'great Christian Chief, King George Castriota, ihe favouriteclient and child of our Lady of Good Counsel.We shall also see that the coming of the sacred Imageto Italy, was the commencement of the complete ruinof the Turks.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

SCANDERBEG AND ALBANIA1. Reason for this chapter - Dercription of Albania - Phv~ical featurea -Furtresses. - 2. It is Christianized - Leans to schism - Is pnnishedwith the Greeks. - 3. The condition uf the East - Its destractiunby Yahomedanism. - 4. Conduct of the West - The Turks -Their early Caliphs - Conquest of the European East. - 6. Rise ofScanderbeg - His captivity under Amnrath 11. - The Janizaries -Education of Sranderbeg - His military genius and position withthe Sultan - Abandons the Turks - Frees Albania. - 6. Efforts ofAlhurath's generals and armiea against him, frnit1css.-7. Amurathwith 200,000 men defeated at Croja, dies of a broken heart in consequence.- 8. Evident protection of blary - fall of Constantinople. -9.Efforts of blahornet'e generals against Scanderbeg, defeated nlwayr -Trnce. - 10. Scanderbeg in Italy. - 11. Trnce broken - Scanderbegdefeats the whole force of blahomet in person. - 12. Gives Scntarito the Venetians. - 13. Scanderbeg's dying hours at Lissa - Miracnluusrecovery and defeat of the last effort of the Turks - Hisdeath - Tradition regarding the sacred Image in Albania.1. In a history, where so much is spoken of theregions,. from whence the miraculous Image of OurLady of Good Counsel came, it will be of great useto take a brief glance at the once entirely Catholicnation in which it so long remained, and %t the greatclient of its Sanctuary in Scutari, King George Castriota,or, as he is better known by his Turkishappellation, Scanderbeg , (from tlie words Iskanderand beg or bey, which mean Alexander, the prince)the hero of Christendom.PRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDEItBEO AND ALBANIA 113Before this country fell finally under the Crescent,it was called Albania, a name by which it is yetknown amongst Christian nations. Its present inhabitantscall themselves a Skypetaru. Its Northern portionformed the Illyria of the Roman Empire; andits Southern division was identical with the Epirusof the Greeks. On the West, it was watered by theAdriatic and the Ionian seas. On the South, it touchedGreece. On the East, it was bounded by Thessaly andMacedonia; while on the North, it had Montenegro,Servia, and Bosnia, with their population of Sclavonians,as neighbours. To this day, the Albanians preserve their ancient Illyrian character, though intermixed,no doubt, in the progress of centuries, with theadjoining races of Sclavs and Greeks. They are a mostwarlike race. Since their subjugation by the overwhelmingforces of the Turlrs, those amongst themwho became deprived of their faith, proved the mostfierce and terrible Mussulman warriors. The men ofthe district of the Suli, who dwell upon the steepglen-sides and valleys of the Acheron, in the South,resisted all the forces of Ali Pasha, for a lengthenedperiod in this century. They till their fields, it issaid, sword in hand, and hide their harvests fromTurkish rapacity in the earth. Of them, Lord Byronwrites.Oh1 who is more brave than a dark Suliote,In his snowy camese and his shaggy cnpote?To the wolf and the vulture he leaves his wild flock,And descends to the plain like the stream from the rock.Towards the Northern boundary , in that tractof country which lies between the Black Drin and8More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

114 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELthe sea, are the Mirdites , or , in their language,a the brave. B The3e are and always have been, sincethe days of their last great captain, Castriota, ferventCatholics. They , like the Suliotes , cultivate theirfal*ms, girded for battle , and are at ,any momentprepared to fight for their freedom and for theirfaith. They have consequently preserved intact boththe one and the other.From the above description, the reader will easilyunderstand that we are treating of mountaineers. Andso the inhabitants of Albania may in general be called.The country, as its name, derived from Alb orAlp signifies, is altogether a mountainous region. Itspromontories jut out into the waters of the Adriatic,at a height son~etimes reaching 5000 feet; and withinare found a series of more or less lofty ranges, whichrun off to the sea from the Bora-dagh and the timehonoured Pindus. Like the Highlands of Scotlandand like Switzerland, Albania abounds in steep glensand natural fastnesses. It is, therefore, a countrydifficult to conquer and difficult to hold. Rut unlikeSwitzerland and Scotland, it is rich in all that shouldmake a population contented and secure. Its soilis naturally fertile, and there is in it every varietyof climate. But lhe wretched misgovernment of theTurks has worked upon it the same desolation, thathas fallen upon every province, which unfortunately,has had to submit to their sway.In the times of its independence, Albania had manycities, all fortresses. Of these, the capital was Croja;and the chief stronghold after that was Scutari, securelybuilt on a steep height near the lake of the samePRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERREO AND ALBANIA 115name, upon the point where the river Bojana issuingfrom it, is joined by the Drina. The Turks, uponobtaining the government of the country, utterly dsstroyed Croja; but they retained Scutari, which formsthe principal place of defence in the provinces of Scutariand Janina.2. Albania was early Christianized. In the divisionof the Roman Empire after the death of Constantine,it followed the fortunes of the East. In religion, itsrite was the Greek; and through various fortunes,it oscillated, like most of the Eastern provinces, betweenorthodoxy and schism. It would appear however,that finally, it yielded, at least in great part, to theinfluence of the Court of Constantinople; and, as a'consequence, it became involved in the misfortunes,which Providence permitted to fall upon all theprovinces, of the once vast and mighty empire ofthe Greeks.3. At this distance of time even, it is hard to contemplatesuch a terrible catastrophe, as the destructionof that empire by the bitterest foes of Christ. Andyet, it is impossible not to see in such a visitation,the just judgment of God. The millions who ownedallegiance to the emperor of Constantinople , werethe most civilized and polished the world ever saw.They were more so, than the Romans of the Westat any time. They knew every art that could embellishlife. Every material want was satisfied. Theyhad commerce, agriculture, and imperial and municipallegislation, carried to a perfection, which, if itdid not reach that of the moderns in some respects,in others, it far surpassed thetn. The government,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

l 16THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELif despotic, was enlightened. The law was that of theJustinian Code, ratio ipsa scrzpta , and thoroughlyrespected. To all that Grecian language, literature,philosophy, and art, could give to life, its peopleadded the priceless blessings of Christianity, moulding,protectin g, and elevat,ing all their social institutions.Their lands teemed with plenty. The positionand extent of their dominions, enabled commerceto waft the superabundance of one locality, to supplythe wants of another. Egypt, the granary of theworld, was theirs; and theirs were the mines of Ophir,the cedars of Lebanon, the blades of Damascus, thetrade of Alexandria, Smyma , and the Hellespont,the spices and silks of the Indies, the schools ofGreece. But their civilization proved, after a time,to be, in practice, but the civilization of every mightyempire that existed previously, and which God had toshatter for its sins. The East rotted in its wealth, a inthe fulness of bread B; and to such an extent, thateven the faithful few who prayed and fasted in itsmonasteries and deserts, could not save it. It sinnedas did Babylon; and, it is to be feared, even as dida the cities of the plain P. The pride, and deliriumof pleasures turned its reason. It persecuted thesaints. It corrupted the truth; and after many rebellions,it fell finally from the unity of the faith.It recovered, reeled, fell, and fell again; until at last,God weary of its prevarication, let loose upon it themost terrible scourge the world has yet seen.In the seventh century, a fanatic who had formeda religion based upon lust and spoils, in the deepwilds of despised Arabia, saw in a dream the CrossesPRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERBEO AND ALBANIA 117oscillate and fall from the towers and processionalstaves of the great and distant Constantinople, whilethe empire of that proud city was promised to himand to his. This was the beginning of its ruin. Fromthat hour there was no escape. Through the courseof eight centuries, the realization of this vision be+came the darling project of all the successors of Mahornet,from Abu-Beker to him who finally tookthe great capital of the Christian East, from the lastof the Caesars.Yet, how well soever deserved, it is impossibleto see destruction fall upon so much Christian magnificencewithout emotion. The storm, which ceasednot, until it had swept every vestige of Christiancivilization from the East, commenced its terrificcourse when the empire seemed to have reached thevery zenith of its splendour. Eleraclius after crushingits worst and most dreaded foe, Chosroes, the Monarchof Persia, won back the treasure of the True Cross;and had but just borne the sacred burden upon hisimperial shoulders to thz church of the Holy Sepulchrein Jerusalem, when that cloud, a no bigger thana man's hand, B arose in the deserts of the South;and a vast crowd of half-naked savages, wrested fromhim, almost at a blow, the first cities and provincesof Asia Minor. Antioch, Damascus, Smyrna, even Jerusalemitself, and all the Holy Land, passed intothe power of the Paynim. Owar, the third in suecession from Mahomet, erected his mosque upon thesite of the temple of Solomon; while Amru and hiscompanions severed Egypt for ever from the Greeks.The valour of Kaled, in a few brief campaigns, gaveMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

118 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELthe children of a the Prophet B a domain, as wide asthat of Antiochus, in Syria. And in a generation,Christian Asia, and the best part of Christian Africa,instead of being a support to the Roman East, wereconverted into a formidable, compact and fanaticalpower, which constantly menaced its existance, andthe very existance of Christendom itself, with utterruin.4. The chivalry of the West, it is true, for a season,kept back the progress of this formidable foe.The Crusaders and the military orders of the CatholicChurch, even if finally obliged to abandon theirfew conquests, at least kept Europe from desolation.But alas! when the noble zeal of Saint Louis passed,and German emperors thought more of persecutingthe common Father of the Faitful, in their attemptsupon Italy, than about the defence of Christendom;when the cupidity and laxity of morals, which madesuch a a Reformation v as that of Luther possible,began to appear; when all hope of a sincere unityin faith, and a thorough reformation in conduct,seemed as delusive in the European portion of theByzantine empire, as it had been in the Asiatic orAfrican; the sword of destruction was at last unsheatedupon it; and the Bosphorus was crossed bythe fiercest hordes of the fanatical adherents of iheKoran, ever let loose upon a Christian land, before.These were the Turks under Orkhan, the youngerson and successor of Othman, or Osman, the founderof their dynasty in Asia. The prosperity of thelatter was amazing. Orthogrul, his falher, was theehief of a mere fragment of a nomad tribe of Oguz-PRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERBEO AND ALBANIA 119ians from the Turkestan steppes, East of the Caspiansea, whom the tide of Mongul conquest had scattered.Taking service under the Sultan of Iconium, he andhis people were rewarded with a grant of land inPhrygia. He ruled his tribe for at least fifty years,and on his death, Othoman or Othman - young bustard- though his youngest son, succeeded.Upon the destruction of the Seljuk Sultinate inthe 13th century , Othman soon made himself masterof nearly all the former empire of Iconium.To this territory he speedily added all that remainedto the Greeks of Asia; and thus left Orkhan,his son and successor, in a position to carrythe terrible Crescent across the Hellespont. Orkhanreigned from 1326, to 1359. His first stroke at Europewas to lay seige to Gallipoli, to Koiridicastron, andother strongholds of the Byzantines. He took them,and before his death, hc swept over the Balkan peninsula,and set his foot so firmly on Western soil,that his son and successor, Amurath I. was able toestablish his capital at Adrianople. Amurath provedas active and as formidable as his father. In his reignthe empire of the East was reduced to Greece,Thrace, and a few districts of Bulgaria, close to thecapital. Constantinople was still, no doubt, formidableas the first fortress in the world ; and great hope wasentertained that it would last, until a reaction againstthe Turks set in. The Christians of the rest of Europe,so long indifferent to the progress of the Moslems,did not confide, however, in its impregnability.They united their forces, and sent what they consideredan overwhelming army against the foe. But thatMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

120 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELarmy, amounting to half a million of men, HungariansWallachians , Germans, and Italians , was utterlyrouted and broken at Kossova in 1390. Amurath waskilled, but this did not save Europe. Bajazet I., his sonand successor, swept in a continued victorious careerover Servia and Wallachia; and was prevented fromadvancing further upon Europe, only by a providentialinterference. This was th6 descent of Tamerlain uponAsiatic Turkey. It gave breathing time to the unfortunatepopulations of the Balkan peninsula, and ofConstafitinople, to repair their disasters; and, if wise,to drive the Turks from Europe. But they did notuse it; nor does the history of the Church tell, thattheir condition either religiously or morally bettered.The Eastern Church returned neither to unity norto sanctity. Even Bajazet, when about to meet themost formidable army of Chridtians ever sent againsthim, judged from the low ebb of their moral andreligious condition, that their conduct would surelybring upon them the auger of their God. And hewas right. Over one hundred thousand Christians, theflower of the chivalry of Germany and France, wereutterly destroyed at Nicopolis in Bulgaria, in 1396.Their wealth fell a prey to the conqueror. The Em- .peror Sigismond had to fly for his life. Nothing atthe moment, but the providential calling away wehave mentioned, of the proud Sultan to his own terribledoom at the hands of Tamerlain in Asia, savedcentral Europe from instant ruin, and the rest ofthe Continent from serious danger. Fifty years ofrest now passed, without much amendment in theEuropean East. Little or nothing was repaired; andPRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERBEO AND ALBANIA 121again the war cloud gathered with more terrible effectthan ever. Amurath 11. ascended the throneof his grandfather Bajazet in 1422. He speedilyspread his power over the remnant of territory leftto Constantinople. He added Greece, and finally Albania,to his dominions; and gave a death blow toall opposition to his power, by a victory over theChristian crusade, which the zeal of the Pope hadgathered to resist him, at Varna, in l&.5. The reign of this Mussulman conqueror brings usto the mighty chief, whom Mary, Mother of GoodCounsel, had raised up to save Albania and Europefrom him , and from the still more terrible powerof his son and successor Mahomet II., the captorof Constantinople. This was George , the youngest offour sons of King John Castriota, whom hard fortunecompelled his father to hand over as a hostageto Amurath in 1423. At that time, though youngin years, the latter was, nevertheless, so well groundedin the love and the knowledge of the Catholicreligion, as never to depart from it. He carried withhim to his long exile, the love of the sweet Madonnaof Scutari, the beloved Patroness of his father-land;and She saved him from the worst effects of his newmaster's blandishments, which were all used to destroyhis faith.It may be well to remark here, that one of thediabolical schemes of Orkhan, in order to raise a bodyguardfor the protection of ths person of himself andof his successors, was to take young Christians captive,and, circumcising them, to rear them under the careof fanatical mollahs, in the deepest hatred of theirMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

Christian parents, and of their Christian faith. These,being afterwards well trained to arms, were'calledJanizaries , and proved the fiercest enemies of Christianity.They formed a kind of pretorian guard forthe Sultan ; and having no relations amongst thegreat families of the Turks, the dynasty as such,was sure of their allegiance. It is no part of ourpurpose, to enter into the danger they proved totheir masters, and which led to their suppression inblood, as late as 1826. In the days of Amurath 11. theywere in full favour. The a Commander of the faithful vmade it his study to increase and perfect them. Theyounger Castriota, therefore, attracted the immediateattention of the sultan. The youth was, it issaid, most beautiful to look upon; and rarely giftedwith every quality of mind and body. Amurathcounted upon making one of his tender years, in time,a strong support of his throne. He therefore, knowingthe royal descent of the captive, had him educated asif he were his own son. He gave him masters in theArabic , Turkish, Sclav , and Italian languages.Young Castriota became proficient in them all. Mewas trained in every branch of military knowledgeknown at the time. He obtained, when he reachedmanhood, a command in Asia. He moreover greatlydistinguished himself against the Mahomedan enemiesof the Turks. But Amurath miscalculated, when heplaced the young commander at the head of a forceto fight against the Christians. And bitterly he hadto repent of his error. Castriota found in this forcethree hundred Albanians, as firm in their faith, andas devoted to their beloved Madonna of Scutari, asPRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERBEG AND ALBANIA 123he was himself. And so, confiding in Her intercession,when the first confusion of the first engagementbetween the forces of Hunniady and Amurath arose,he gave the signal, and without striking a blowagainst his fellow. Christians, he and his changedsides, and were soon freemen upon the mountainsof Albania. There he floated the flag of his father-landand of his faith, and was soon joir'ed by the fightingmen, Suliote, and Mirdite , and Sclav, and Greek,who remained true to the traditions of their countryand their God.6. It was however, a terrible risk, to rise againstthe mighty conqueror, who, after Varna, was, it maybe said, omnipotent in all that land now known, orwhich was lately known, as European Turkey.Arnurath was enraged at being baffled by one whomhe had so splendidly educated for q11it.e another purpose,than to be his enemy. The first news he heard ofthe desertion of Castriota, was followed by the stillworse intelligence, that the fugitive had taken everyTurkish garrison but ,one in Albania, and that everyTurk in the country was put to the sword l. At oncel In many of the notices of Scanderbeg found in English literature,the prevailing Protestant spirit prompts the writers to dobut scant justice to the Catholic hero. This is observtlble, in thearticle upon him, even in such a professedly impartial work asChambers's Encyclopaedia. The writer, evidently, had all his sympathyfor Amurath, and Mahomet, and the Turks generally, whilethe merit of the exploits of both Hunniady and Scanderbeg, whosaved not only Catholicity, but even Protestant Christianity, andEuropean civilization from ruin, is both grudgingly and ungraciouslyadmitted.. One would imagine that a Turk had writtenthis article, if it were not known, that the Turks themselvestake a far more generous view of these Christian heroes, thanMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

124 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GIOOD COUNSELthe Sultan dispatched forty thousand of his bravestveterans, fresh from the victory of Varna, against theoffender. These, Castriota met with 15000 mountain-the writer employed by presumably Christian publishers. Inthis article, Scanderbeg is plainly charged with apostasy; perfidy,and unjustifiable cruelty in his treatment of the Turks, andof their sultan *who had so splendidly educated him., Itis furtherstated that the reason of his leaving them, was that Amurathhad confiscated the estates of the Castriotas in Albania. Thisis a most unjust way of putting the state of the case. It wasnot surely the fault of Cfeorge Castriota, that Amurath tookhim as a hostage by force from his father. The writer doesnot mention the fact that his three elder brothers were murderedby order of their captor, by means of slow poison - a fact statedby Barletto, Du Poncet, Feller, and every trustworthy historianof the period. The fact that all three died soon in captivityis admitted by everyone. Under such circumstances, the subjectingof a mere lad to the rite of circumcision could not beconsidered to have made him so far a Moslem as to have ruinedhis Christian faith. To save his life, and to qualify himself tobe able one day, to avenge his murdered brothers, his father,his country, and his real faith, made him dissemble. Young ashe was, he should have preferred death with his brothers ratherthan do this. Such would be his duty as a Catholic. Butthen on the other hand, the, Turks could not complain that oneso treated as he was by them, in his kindred, and in his countryshould not keep an allegiance to them who had acted sotreacherously in the case of his brothers. Neither honour norconscience could compel either himself or his fellow Christiansto stay with the perfidious enemies of their faith, their freedom,and their father-land, one moment longer than they could help.It is quite true that when Sconderbeg went over to theside of the Christians, he made use of the knowledge he hadacquired of Turkish customs, to crush the Turks in Albania.Having made the secretary of the sultan a prisoner in the firstengagement, he compelled that function~ry to write ont a flrman,in the name of Amurath, directed to the Turkish governor ofAlbania ordering him to deliver up his command to whomsoevershould present the document. The Secretary did so, andPRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERBEQ AND ALBANIA 125eers, raw, undisciplined, but devoted to their leader,and perfectly pliable in his hands. The battle was oneof the bloodiest on record. The Christians fought forfreedom and for life; for faith, for father-land, for allthat was dear, against a foe that had bound them in ahateful slavery. The Turks, enraged at the desertion ofthe favourite of their sultan, and full of hatred for theChristians, fought for revenge. But after a terribleconflict, the genius of Scanderbeg prevailed, and theremnant of the Turkish veterans, reduced to a handful,had to fly from Albania. Not to give Castriota timeScanderbeg then immediately put him and all his Turkish suiteto death, so that no one of them might be able to carry thenews of the occurrence to the sultan. The firman subscquentlyenabled him to gain possession 6f the throne of his father.This was a stratagem which one of the age, the antecedents,and strong sense, of i;?jury under which Scanderbeg laboured,thought fair, when used against the unjust aggressors of hiscountry, who never scrupled to use any perfidy in their dealingswith Christians. They murdered his brothers, despoiled his family,butchered his follow countrymen, led his countrywomeninto a horrible slavery worse than death, and ravaged and destroyedhis father-land. Whatever offence then, was in the usingof such a stratagem, there was certainly much to palliate it.But such is the effect of anti-Catholic feeling, that writers likehim of Chambers's Encyclopaedia appear to have neither reason,sympathy, nor justice, when treating of those who serve God'sChurch. Judith took the life of Holofernes by stratagem. TheTurks, who certainly acted no better than that enemy of God'speople, to. the Christians, had, of course, to be prepared forthe consequences. It must be borne in mind however, thatfrom the moment this first stratagem had its effect, until thelast moment of his life, the innumerable conflicts in whichScanderbeg was engaged, showetl him to be a warrior of tbepurest type, equal in every respect to the Cid, to Bayard, c.r toGodfrey de Buillon; and superior far to every non-Catholic heroof whom we have any knowledge.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

126 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELto profit by his victory, two other armies of Turksalmost immediately appeared, composed of the pickedmen, and the most fanatical in a11 the hosts of Amurath.They were, in comparison to the forces of Castriota,as numerous or more numerous, than the first. Theirdetermination was to crush him, and be done withhim. But they followed the same fate as their predecessors.l'heyfought however, with such desperation,that only seventy two men were left to surrender. Atlength the sultan himself, the victor in so manycontests, determined to take the command. He assembledall the forces of his empire, capable of takingthe field. He marched at their head with a fixedresolution to annihilate Albania, and wreck hisvengeance on Scanderbeg. Fortress after fortress ofthe devoted country fell before- the skilled andenthusiastic onset of his troops. His cavalry coveredthe land like dense clouds. There seemed no hope at allfor Albania, when his multitudes of trained warriorsat last encircled Croja, its capital, the last fortressleft to Scanderbeg and his handful of mountaineers.7. Croja would certainly have offered as littleresistance as its sister cities, but the Christian herowas there, strong in his confidence in Mary thepowerful Protectress, Who never once in all his lifeforsook him. With matchless strategy he contrivedto keep the myriads of his opponents from the walls.With energy almost superhuman, he swept unexpectedly,now here and now there, by night and by day,into the midst of the foe; every swordsman of hisband hewed down scores, and his own blade flashedas the lightning and caused Moslem heads to fallPRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERBEO AND ALBANIA 127like snow flakes where he passed. Thousands of thebravest warriors of Arnurath were thus swept awaycoutinuously. His hosts were diminishing to the pointof danger to his very person. And so, the fierceconqueror of so many nations, had to withdraw theremnant of his armies, in sorrow and in shame fromthe walls of Croja, pursued with terrific slaughterby the Christians. His proud spirit 'was crushed atthis terrible reverse. He had barely time to reachhis capital, Adrianople, when he sank under themisfortune. His heart broke, and he died in consequence,unqnestionably, of his disaster in Albania.Jubilation for this miraculous victory filled allChristendom. The Sanctuary of Our Lady in Scutariwas crowded; but none there prayed with morehumility and thankfulness, than King George himself,who attributed all his victories to Mary. She madehim as gentle in peace, as he was terrible in war.Naturally violent, he so restrained his temper, thatin his efforts to repress anger, it is said, his lipswould split and bleed. But yet, through Mary he hadas much power over his own passions, as over hisenemies in the field. He was pure in morals, honourablein conduct, and most devoted to the unity of theFaith, a unity which he furthered with all his poweramongst his people. After his splendid successes, hereceived the blessings, as he had the prayers, and allthe temporal assistance that could be given him bythe saintly Pontiff Nicholas V. All the princesof Europe sent him their congratulations. But insteadof being exalted at this, he used the little peace, hisvictories secured to Albania, to prepare for new wars.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

1% THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL8. And these soon came in more frequency and forcethan ever. To Amilrath succeded Mahomet II., thesworn, the fiercest, and most unrelenting enemy of theChristian name, Mahomedanism ever produced. Reared,it may be said, with Scanderbeg, he knew theChristian leader well. Slung to the quick , at hisfather's disgrace, he determined to crush Albania, buttook care not tb venture himself into its mountains.And then, if he could not fully ~ucceed, policyrequired that he should occupy Castriota, so as toprevent him from thwarting the vast designs heplanned against Christendom at large, and againstthe unfortunate city of .Constantinople in particular.At this period, it is a melancholy sight to beholdthat city standing in solitary independence, almostlike a spectre amidst the ruins of the immense empire,that once belonged to it. Yet such was the conditionto which Amurath had reduced it. Its failings had beengreat, and they continued even to the 1ast.Yet all Christendomfelt keenly, that it should fall into the handsof its inveterate and unrelenting foe. And then itslast emperor, Constantine Paleologus, might be saidto be one of the best that ever occupied its throne.He felt the approach of the storm, and bravelyprepared to meet it,. To defend a wall twelve milesin circumference, and to meet an army at leastthree hundred thousand strong, continually reinforcedand assisted, moreover, by several hundred ~esselsat sea, he had but nine thousand men. Yet, aidedby t lie brave Justiniani of Genoa, Paleologus withstoodthe whole force of Maliomet, his cannon, histowers, and his fleet, for eight weeks. In such a direPRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERBEO AND ALBANIA 129extremity, it is sad to think that Europe was inactivein sending assistance. The unfortunate Emperorhad to struggle alone. He fell, but his braveryimmortalized the last day of Christian Constantinople,and made it the most glorious of its history.On the morning of that day, Constantine Paleologusand his court received the Holy Communion inthe glorious fane of St. Sophia, which then for thelast time, witnessed a Christian rite. He placed hishouse in order for his death. He asked forgivenessfor his faults from all, and with his handful of soldiersprepared to die, where he could no longer live. Onthat morning, two hundred and sixty thousand Turksadvanced to the onset. They were met with anenergy superhuman. The famous Greek fire, themillstones of the city, boiling oil, and molten lead,destroyed the foe in thousands. But alas, the force ofnumbers prevailed, and over the dead body of theEmperor, the Turks, with a yell of fury, entered forthe first time, the proud capital promised to Mahometin his dream. For three days, the victors, by orderof the sultan, plundered and slaughtered as theypleased. Forty thousand fell by the edge of thesword, and sixty thousand of the most cultured peoplein the universe, passed into positive slavery. TheCrosses fell in truth from the church towers. Themorning of the 30Lh of May 1453, saw the Crescentfloating over Constantinople. The caliph entered itas conqueror. Before his death if he did not quitesucceed in subjecting the world, he could boast thathe subdued Constantinople and Trebisond, overcame,at least a dozen kingdoms, and took innumerable9More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

130 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELfort~sses. Why he did not succeed to the full extentof his desire was, that God had raised up against himHunniady, who overcame him at Belgrade in 1456,and Scanderbeg , who occupied him from that until1467.9. From the death of Amurath in 1450, to 1461,Maliomet sent several armies under his ablest commandersagainst Albania. His policy, moreover, of bribery,after the fall of Constantinople, caused ihe faithlesschiefs of Epirus to desert their national standard,and even to join the Turks against iheir king. Butthe moment these apostates left the Christian cause,the spirit that made them formidable, departed, andwhen they appeared amidst the thousands of Mahomet,they were mowed down by the faithful Mirdites ofCastriota, like grass before the scythe. On one of lheseoccasions, over thirty thousand Turks and apostatesfell before the little band of Scanderbeg. At length Mahornetgave up the task of subduing the great leader,in disp~ir; and agreed to a kind of armed truce in 1461.10. We find Scanderbeg now, in Italy. His fastfriend Pius II., (Zneas Sylvius), filled the PontificalThrone. He, like his predecessor, had supplied the AlbanianChief with the sinews of war in abundance.So did the King of Aragon, who then ruled Naples.Scandet~beg came principally to assist Ihe latter. Heshowed Illat his sword was as potent against lhechivalry of France, as against Ihe hosts of Ihe Osrnanlies.I-le restored in a short period, Ihe Soulhern kingdomto his benefactor. After satisfying his devotionat the tombs of the apostle^, he left Rome, where astreet is still called after him ; and passed fortifiedPRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERBEO AND ALBANIA 131with the blessings, the advices, and the increased aidof the Pontiff, to still greater triumphs in Albania.In 1464, we find him in a position to disturb thearmed repose of Mahomet. The latter sent his bestgenerals as usual, but as usual, only to hear of theirdefeat , with incalculable slaughter. At last, thehaughty conqueror determined to go himself, at thehead of the most nurnerous aud best equipped armyhis dominions could furnish, against Scanderbeg.This vast host was divided into two divisions. One,two hundred thousand strong, advanced upon Croja.Another still more fornlidable commanded by the sultanin person, followed. Slowly, but in steady conquest,this immense array spread over the land, subduing,as in the time of An~uralh, fortress after fortress; andat last, l%aving not a particle of ground for Scanderbegto stand on, but his capital. The first army was metby a handful of hardy Catholic mountaineers, whonever deserted Iheir leader; and again, to the wonderof the world, was utterly routed wiih terrific slnughter.Even as Amurath, so the proud and mighty Mahomet,had in humiliation and shame, to with draw the remnantof hi3 shattered forces from Albmia. 'I'his was in1464. Scanderbeg, worn out wiih twenty four yearsincessant fighting, was drawing to the close of hiscareer. He felt Ihat the shadow of death was uponhim , and he made the last arrangements for hiscountry with care, as became a faithful Christian.Knowing that whpn he should be gone, his belovedsanctuary of Our Lady in Scutari, could not resist theTurks, he handed it over for safe keeping to the CatholicRepublic of Venice. He went and prayed thereMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

132 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELfor the last time, and Ihen, though exhausted, he tookagain to the mountain3 for the defence of his people.13. In January 1467, we find him in th6 cily ofLissa spent and dying, but dying I he death of the just.He that never feared death in the field, knew wellhow to meet it upon his couch of infirmily. He wasrecollected and calm. All his thoughts were directedto eternity. His last confession was made. For thelast time he received the holy Viaticum. The holyUnction had been applied to all the senses of hisbody. The last blessing of the Church, which fromits Supreme Head to its lowest member, loved himtenderly, was pronounced upon him. The brave menwho followed him to victory so often, wept like littlechildren, as they encircled his bed. There was sorrowdeep in Lissa ; wailing over all the vaHeysgnd hillsof Albania. The shadow of death seemed to be uponthe land. Castriota, though away from his belovedMadonna, had doubtless Her holy Image near him.God's Virgin Mother, never absent from his thoughtsin life, in his last extreme hour was not wantingto him. His great heart beat with the hope, soon tosee revealed in the light of heaven, that benign countenancewhich he gazed upon with such rapture in thesanctuary of Scutari, and which cheered and consoledhim so often on earth. Mary, Who never permittedhim to fall into the hands of the enemy, orto be even once vanquished or wounded, was nowdetermined to keep the powers of darkness fromtroubling his last moments. Sweetly, the mightywarrior was sinking like the calm setting sun ofsome glorious day , when it pleased Her, Who inPRIVATE USE ONLY

SCANDERREQ AND ALBANIA 133him, Her client, had ever proved Herself a formidableas an army set in battle array, * to glorify onceagain even in death, him whom She had so wonderfullyglorified in life. As his eyes, therefore, wereclosing gently and peacefully upon the world, a shriekcame from the streets of Lissa, and even the stronglimbs of the warriors around the bed of their dyingMorarch trembled. It was a too well known cry:the Turks! the Turks are upon us ! And truly it wasso. The hordes of Mahomet were at the city gates.They had heard , that the terror of their accursedcreed was dying, and hoped, in his helplessness, evenat his death, to have one victory over him. ButMary, as if to show the supernatural power withwhich She blessed him, was again at the hero's side,and showed Her love to the last. Those dying eyes ofhis once more opened. Those ashy cheeks flushed. Thedrooping head was elevated. The sweat of death waswiped frop the pallid brow. Scanderbeg, himself oncemore, looked for the sword, that did such executionupon the enemies of his country. It was given him,and the genius that never failed, flashed forth as vigorouslyas it did in his manhood's prime. He orderedhis veterans with his own nlatchless skill to preparefor the conflict. It was as ever, bloody, but decisive.The Turks routed wilh the usual slaughter, fled, alasfor the last time from Albania. The cries of victory,which gave glory to God, and to Our Ladyof Scutari, resounded once more through the streetsof Lissa. Ths Christian hero smiled, for these soundswere ever the gladdest of his life. And then, as if heknew that all was over, he smiled again, and lookingMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

134 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL-up as if he saw the Virgin Mother open her lovingarms to receive him, he sank back upon his couch,and gave forth his noble soul to God and to Mary.Albania at that hour, indeed, was desolate. AllChristendom mourned. The very horse of the herorefused its food in grief, and died. Agony worse thandeath, may be said to be the condition of his faithfulfollowers left behind. The people, like sheep without ashepherd, awaited but for the n~oment, when the wolves,no longer to be hindered, should devour them.Worse than all; the Madonna of Albania, Our Ladyof Scutari, would stay no longer in the land. Theevents of the miraculous translation we have narrated,took place when Her beloved son and client, had beenbut three months dead. Then in swift but steady conquestthe hosts of ~a11omZ.t passed over the land, andthe horror of death fell upon its Christian inhabitants.Many, unfortunately, apostatixed. Those whoremained faithful, passed into a kind of bondage, sincealmost unbroken. Their condition has been greatlyamelioratetl of late years, and in religion they arenow, it may said, free. The recollections, however,of their glorious Christian past, are never absent fromtheir minds. They delight to speak of the exploitsof their ancestors. The memory of their last greatheroic king is as fresh, as it was tFe day he died atLissa. We shall see how intense their grief is at theloss of the sacred Image, when we come to treatof the tradition regarding it, still vigorous in allAlbania.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter YIII. (continued)OVERTHILOW OF ISLAM1. State of Europe.- 8. Heresy of Luther. -Siege of Rhodes by Soliman. -Of Vienna. - Conduct of Charles V. - a. Sack of Rome. - Divirions ofChristendom. .- 4. Effect of the Miraculous Translation on theChurch.- 6. On the Saracens.- Victories of the 0hristians.-6. MarkAntony Colonna. - St. Pins V. - 7. Destruction of the Turkish fleetat Lepanto. - 8. Triumph to Colonna. - 9. Turks on land. - Theyinvade Austria. - Taks Oandia. - Are favoured by the divisions ofthe Christian princes. - 10. Innocent XI. - His unavailing effort8to unite them. - 11. Orders the sacred Image to be crowned. -12. Effects. - Powers unite. - Sobieski and Oharles of Lorrain join.-Turks utterly defeated at Mohats.-Counsel victorious over Islam.18. The Virgin Mother of Good1. The coming of the miraculous Image to Italy,may be said to mark the period when the contestbetween Christianity and Islam was at its height.There certainly never was (a time when the Crescentmenaced the very existence of the Cross to a morealarming extent. Though all Europe was then Catholic,its princes and peoples were sadly divided.The social state of many parts of the GermanEmpire, of England, of Scotland, and of EasternFrance, was such as to make the terrible heresy ofLuther a success some fifty years later. The armsof the princes who sided wit,h that heresiarch inGermany, were turned against their Catholic fellowcountrymen with as much bitterness and effect aswere those of the Moslen~s.2. Contemporaneously with Luther, and, strangeto say, at the very time when he went about openlypreaching his errors, Rhodes was being besieged bySoliman (1522), and after a most heroic defencetaken from the brave Knights Hospitallers. Not aMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

136 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELhand was lifted by a European monarch. to assist thedefenders of Christendom. A few years later, Solimanconquered Hungary and twice threatened Vienna.Charles V. indeed, moved against the Sultan on thelast of these occasions, but seemed far more bent uponthe humiliation of his rival, Francis I. of France, thanupon the preservation of Europe generally from thepreponderating power of the Turk. To such an extentwas this insane feeling of the Christians carried,that even when the Church was threatened on oneside by Protestantisnl and on the other by Islam, mercenariesunder Bourbon took and ravaged Rome witha cruelty and destructiveness worse than Gaul or Gothor Vandal had ever exercised towards it in the past.3. It is a sad and a sickening spectacle to seethe common Father of the Faithful, the Vicar ofChrist, obliged to take refuge in the Castle of SaintAngelo during the horrors of this devastation, andthere to remain for days in nlomentary expectationof his death at the hands of soldiers combating forhis Catholic and Apostolic Majesty, the Ruler of theGerman Empire, and of the Catholic peoples of Spain,Austria, the Netherlands, and the Indies. The Church,in truth, was sick at heart. Its princes were distractedby jealousies. Worldliness had invaded the sanctuary.Heretics were busy tearing asunder her fairestprovinces. Islam, after having eaten up Asia andAfrica, threatened with more formidable force thanever before to spread its power over Europe.4. Christ however is never unmindful of the Barkof Peter no matter how deep soever He may seem toslumber. He uses many ways to save it, and amongstPRIVATE USE ONLY

OVERTHROW OF ISLAY 137these ways, used at the time of peril we speakof, was certainly the increased devotion awakenedamongst all classes to the Virgin Mother of God, bythe miraculous translation of Her sacred Image fromScutari to Genazzano. Millions visited the Sanctuarynot only from Italy but from all parts of Europe.These brought back with them to their homes the loveand fervour awakened in them at the Shrine. Copiesof the miraculous Image spread devotion to Our Ladythr~ughout Europe. It fixed the attention of themasses on the countries which had already fallenunder the Mussulrnan yoke. It caused them to pitythe condition of the Christians in Albania and elsewhere,who had lost liberty, property, and all thatmen hold dear. It made them tremble for their ownfate, and prepare to make efforts to curb the power ofthe foe. Then, when Protestantism appeared withits attack on God's Virgin Mother and His saints?the beautiful appealing features of the Madonna andChild as revealed in the Holy Inlage of Genazzano,awakened feelings of love and devotion to Mary, thatcaused them to reject with horror a religion whichexcluded Her worship from its system of belief andpractice. The devotion to Our Lady of Good Counselat this early period, spread in a marked mannerthroughout Naples, Sicily, the States of the Church,Northern Italy, Bavaria, Austria, Spain, and Flanders.It is a singular fact that in these countries where ittook the deepest root, the progress of the so-calledReformation of Luther was completely checked.5. But the effect of the devotion upon the outerfoe of Christendom is still more remarkable. NotMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

138 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD 'OUNSEL'long after t.he coming of the sacred Image, the preeminenceof the Saracens who had actually effectedthe conquest of some towns on the \-err coast ofItaly, began to be shaken. ?'he Catholics of thosecountries precisely where Mary of Good Counsel wasmost honoured, gradually but steadily took heart.Small reverses at first, and finally great and terribledisasters began to fall upon the infidels. In 1480,a handful of Knights Hospitallers who defendedRhodes, repulsed under their intrepid Grand Master,Peter D'Aubusson, the whole power of Mahom-,et 11.; and when, as we have stated, it fell underSoliman II., in 1522, the lesson given to the captors,was of such a nature as to convince them, that anew and unlooked for enthusiasm filled the Christians.Though the Turks obtained a ,victory over Hungaryin 1526, they were utterly routed at Vienna fouryears later; and six years later still, upon Solimanhimself appearing with the (for the times) enormousarmament of half a million of men, he hadto withdraw upon the appearance of Charles V. Justas the first centenary of the coming of the sacredImage to Genazzeno approached, Europe was amazedat the wonderful constancy, with which a few knightsof St. John under their Grand Master, John Parisotde la Valette, defended Malta against all the forcesand fleets of Soliman, flushed by the great naval victoryhe had just obtained over the ships of Philip 11.of Spain. This latter was, however, the last triumphof the Turk over the Christian upon the sea.6. At this moment, the Sanctuary of Our Ladyof Good Counsel began to show its direct instrumen-PRIVATE USE ONLY

OVERTHROW OF ISLAM 1 39tality in crushing the power of the Infidel, in amanner clearer than ever before. It was from it,that the leader cane, who was destined to give themost deadly blow to the preeminence of the Crescentupon the water it had ever received. This was MarkAntony Colonna, Lord of Genazzano, and ChiefAdmiral of the fleets of St. Pius V.It may be here again remarked, that one of theeffects of the renewed devotion to Our Lady in Italy,consequent upon the conling of the miraculous Image,was a vast improvement in the morals and religiousfervour of the masses. This ascended from the populaceand made its beneficial effects be felt in time amongstevery class, until at length, a saint of the truesttype was elevated to the Chair of St. Peter. Thiswas St. Pius V., who, as we shall see further on,was rnost devoted to the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel. It is incredible how much good this extraordinaryPontiff contrived to effect in the fewyears he reigned over the fold of Christ. He thoughtof everything. Her forgot nothing. He cared for noman's praise or censure. IIe looked to God alone.Mary gave him in a measure vouchsafed to few,that gift most needed for a ruler, - Ihe gift of GoodCounsel. He reformed the Church truly, and so effectivelythat no abuse escaped correction. While thenthe great Pontiff spread beautiful order in all thehouse of God within, he curbed at the same time,the progress of Ihe poison of Luther, and then preparedwith all his powers to face the formidable, and.more than ever threatening audacity of the Crescent.In this undertaking he looked, as he ever did inMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

140 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELall his actions, to the Virgin Mother of Good Counselfor Her powerful aid. He obtained it in wonderfulmeasure. His policy was blessed. He united withhis own, the strength of the armaments of Veniceand of Spain. He sought for a leader for his forces,and found one beneath the very shadow of the Sanctuaryof Our Lady of Good Counsel, in Mark AntonyColonna, Lord of Genazzano. In the commandof the allied fleet it is true, that the half-brotherof the king of Spain, Don John of Austria held thefirst place; but Colonna as the Pope's commanderheld the second; and besides being destined to succeedin case the Spaniard fell, or became disabled, heshared with him the control of the whole expedition,and the command during the decisive conflict thatensued. His was admittedly the genius that plannedand executed the attack.7. The allied fleets met at Messina, and sailedfrom thence in quest of the Turkish navy. Theyfouad it, in the gulf of Lepanto, and came to battleon the 7th of October 1571. It proved the most bloodynaval engagement on record. it took place exactlyon the spot, where the fleets of Augustus and MarkAntony encountered each other, sixteen hundred yearsbefore. The Turkish fleet was far more numerous thanthat of the Christians. It was commanded by the ablestnaval captains that Islam ever produced. Its inen wereflushed with the recent victory, which gave the Caliphpossession of Cyprus. Many of the most distinguishedmen in the vast empire of Selim 11. werepresent wit h the fleet, encouraging their troops.The Christians on the other hand, through thePRIVATE USE ONLY

OVERTHROW OF ISLAM 141piety and wisdom of the Pontiff, were prepared bythe exertions of Fathers of the Capuchin and Jesuitorders, to conquer or to die. Every man in the fleethad confessed and received Holy Communion previousto joining in the combat. At the moment the firstshot was fired, a general Jubilee was proclaimed fromthe Pope. The soldiers therefore of the Cross, hada far more definite hope of glory after a death inthat conflict, than even the most obstinate believerin the paradise of houries, amongst their opponents.They fought therefore with terrible desperation. Thesea was turned into blood. In a few hours the bodiesof thirty five thousand Moslems, and of over seventhousand Christians were scattered upon the waters.The roll of constant artillery, the crash of sinkingships, the cries of the wounded and dying filled theair. At last, God came to the assistance of theChristians. A wind drove the smoke of the combatin the faces of the Moslems, and after that, therewas no hope for them. A few vessels sought safetyin flight, but a11 else that formed a few hours previously,one of the most formidable fleets the worldever saw, fell into the hands of the allies.8. So came the first irretrievable disaster uponthe Moslems. They never from that hour recoveredtheir former position upon the sea. The Pope gaveto Mark Antony Colonna, the high honour of atriumphal entry into Rome according to the ancientusage; and by that act act showed, that the glory ofthe victory belonged, in the greatest measure, to theLord of Genazzano. Banners taken from the Mussulmans,and even portions of their ships given by'More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

142 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELMark Antony, long graced the Sanctuary of the Madonnaof Good Counsel. That the Holy Pontiff attributedthe victory to the Virgin Mother, Who gavehim both the counsel to plan, and the strength toeffect his vast designs against Islam, is evidencedby the fact of his having enriched Her sanctuariesand of having instituted Ihe special title of OurLady, a the Help of Christians, v in thanksgivingto Her. In ihe old Castle of he Colonnas at Genazzano,is still a life size fresco of Don Mark Antonio,and his body lies at Paliano, about six miles distant.9. But ihough crushed at sea, the Turkish sultanwas still. powerful as ever upon land. War againstthe Christians became a necessity, if for no otherreason ihan to keep his Janizaries and his oiheruneasy military elements employed. In the centuryafter Lepanto, the 'I'urks meditated new invasions.In 1661, they invaded Austria, but where repulsedby Montecuculli at St. Gothard.They however took Candia from the Venetians,five years after. This caused them to plan conquestsin Europe on a more extended scale than ever. Theyhad a splendid chance in the divisions, which, notwithstandingthe glory of the age of Louis XlV.,existed amongst the crowned heads of the continent.10. It was fortunate, that at this supreme crisis,the Bark of Peter was directed by a Pontiff as firm,and as devoted as St. Pius V. This was Innocent XI.He saw wilh well grounded alarm the in1men.e preparations of the Turks for another invasion of Austria.He had made many a weary and useless effort tocause Louis XIV. of France and Charle3 11. of Sp~inPRIVATE USE ONLY

OVERTHROW OF ISLAM 143to cease their sanguinary and expensive wars, andunite for the good of Christendom. The differencesbetween the princes most concerned in resisting theimpending invasion, were still greater: The heroicSobieski had many complaints against the Germanemperor. Nothing could be expected from the Protestantprinces of Northern Europe. Almost as littlewould be given by France. Spain was cold. TheChristian world in general, distracted.11. Such was the positlon of affairs when Innocentbethought of having special and marked recourseto Our Lady of Good Counsel. Towards the end of1682, he ordered the Chapter of St. Peter's in Rome,to crown with diadems of jewels and gold, the figureof the Virgin Mother and Her Divine Infant, in Genazzano.This was done amidst all the splendour,that could be employed by the power of the piousPontiff, on the 171h of November in that year.12. The effect of this action was' immediatelyvisible in the success of the Pope's negotiations withJohn Sobieski, and Charles of Lorrain, and the Catholicnations of Europe. He reconciled the two former,obtained valuable assistance from the latter,and by the time the immense armies of the Turksfound themselves well intrenched about Vienna, theforces of Sobieski and Charles joined, and burst uponthem from the hills surrounding the devoted city.The valour of the troops was undoubtedly great, andthe skill of both generals admitted, but the Christianswere certainly assisted by a power greater than anyhuman force. A sudden panic seized upon the Turks.They fled precipitately, leaving behind them the rich-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

144 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELest booty, that ever fell before in Europe to a victerious army. 5.000 barrels of gunpowder, 100,000tents and 300 pieces of artillery, were found amongstthe spoils. The Christian leaders followed up thiswonderful advantage, and in four years the oncedreaded power of the Turks, was as certainly crushedupon land, on the field of Mohats, as it had beenon sea by the splendid victory of Lepanto.13. From this it will be seen how great a shareMary, the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, had indefending the Church from the most formidable ofall external enemies. Her sacred Image retreatingbefore the Saracen from the far East to Scutari, andfrom Scutari to Genazzano, is a sign that vice andwant of faith will cause Mary, to pass from anypeople. The movement in Italy and other Catholicnations against Islam, so successful after the sacredImage came amongst them, is a sign that renewedfervour, faith, and devotion to Her, will bring fromheaven every blessing upon the exertions of the childrenof God. As with the Christian conlmonwealthin general, so with particular communities and withindividuals. They will get from Mary, in proportionto their efforts to deserve it, the gift of her seasonablehelp - Good Counsel and strength against all opposingforces of men or demons here, every spiritual or temporalblessing compatible with the security of theirsalvation in this world, and life eternal hereafter.Having said so much upon the mere history ofthe sacred Image, we shall now proceed to considerthe proofs upon which the facts we have stated rest.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter IX.PROOFS OF THE APPARITION1. Unanimity of historians regarding facts given. - 2. Proofs examinedby Vatican Archivists. - 3. LVES of early docnloents. - 4. Inventigationordered by Paul 11. - 6. Vatican Coder. - 6. Testimony ofCoriolanns. - 7. Registry of miracles - Prayer of the copyist. .-8. Docnments relative to Petraccia. - Q. Ancient inscriptions on thechurch and holy Chapel. - 10. Proofs of the manner of the comingof the sacred Image. - 11. Ancient works on the subject. - 12. Thedunations of Sirtns IV. and Cardinal D' Estonteville.1. We have in the preceeding chapters endeavcuredto give the reader some idea of ll~e country, whichthe sacred Image left, and of the ancient classicland to which it came. We have shown that whichwe consider to be a reason for the change. It nowremains to exanline critically, the proofs upon whichan occurrence, in every sense so extraordinary, rests.We may mention then, at first, lhat all the circumstanceswe have narrated are given by every historianof the Shrine. Some of the worlrs wriiten upon it,such as those of De Orgio, Senni , Buonannu, andBelgrano, are large and learned treatises, composedby men of the highest character and of great culture.The smaller volunle of Luigi Vannutelli is not lessvaluable, because of the literary repute and local knowl-10More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

146 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELedge of the author. Nearly all who have written, havebeen led to write, through a motive of gratitude tothe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, for some signalfavour received at Her Safictuary. The same may saidwith regard to the authors of those minor tracts,now so common in French, German, and Italian. Thesame main facts are narrated, in a manner more orless diffuse, by all.It is true that we have no formal histories, suchas the above mentioned , which date farther backthan the 17th century. But the want of such, in no wayeffects the mass of proof, traditional and historical,which exists, both for the wonderful apparition ofthe sacred Image in Genazzano, and of its miraculoustranslation from Scutari in Albania.With these two facts we have chiefly to concernourselves. In this chapter then, we shall deal withthe proofs of the miraculous appearance, and in thenext with those of the translation.2. We may here state, that in all matters connectedwith these proofs, we are now greatly assisted bythe labours of two learned and expert archaeologists,deputed in the last century by the Sacred Congregationof Rites, to examine into, and report upon all matterscohhected with the appearance and txanslation ofthe sacred Image. These were the brothers, Calistusafid Cajetan Marini, custodians, at the time, of theVatican Archives. The reason of their being thusdeputed was, to ascertain whether the facts conuectedwith the Image were, or were not of such a natureas might warrant the Church in granting a properMass and Office in honour of the Virgin Mother ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 147Good Counsel. After a long and elaborate examin'ation,the report made by them was so favourable- indeed with the materials at their disposal it couldnot be otherwise - that the desired favour was granted. They not only interrogated upon oath, the oldestand most trustworthy inhabitants of Genazzano, butalso examined such existing historical and monumentalrecords, as had survived the vicissitudes, whichhad befallen the archives of the Sanctuary, and thoseof the borough of Genazzano, in the stormy days thatimmediately succeeded the coming of the miraculousImage.3. We now know, that the archives of the conventof Santa Maria were more than once removed. Inthe reign of Alexander VI., some twenty five yearsafter the translation, ~aeiar Borgia, the Duke ofValentinois, drove out the Colonnas, and held the townand castle of Genazzano for several years. The Colonnashad scarcely settled themselves again after thisstorm, when , under Clement VII., fire and swordravaged all. their strongholds. In 1540 , AscaniusColonna went into open rebellion against Paul III.,and paid the penalty of his treason, by losing Genazzano.In these trials, following each other in suchquick succesgion , many precious documents wereeither lost or destroyed. Some, of the greatest value,were sent to places considered at the time, to be ofgreater safety than the fiefs of the Colonnas. Tivoli,a Papal residence, was themearest locality of the kind,and thither, certainly, a number of records of valuewere sent, as appears from an autograph letter ofthe Prior General of the Augustinians, written asMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

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PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 149Another circumstance, unfortunate for the existenceof many other valuable documents, is that aconflagration broke out in the last century, in thearchives of the borough itself. At present, one canfind amongst such writings, as have escaped thiscatastrophe , several interesting recorcls of the oldchurches of lhe town, frdln l he year 1356, to thepresent. There is however, nearly a total loss ofrecords from 1460, to 1474. Buonanno states, thatfrom the cornmunit1 registers, there is precisely wantingthe one for the year 1467. This may have occurredfrom the very fact of over care on the part of thosedevoted to guardianship of the Sanctuary in thehis life to the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel, \nrkomhe invoked in his distress. A picture of this incident, long gracedthe stairway of the old convent of Genazzano. On hisreturn, the Pope permitted him to retire to his native city,then in the zenith of its fame, in consequence of the miraculoustranslation of the sacred Image from Scutari. It is certain,that Father hlariano employed himself during liis stay at theconvent, in looking after the interests of the Sanctuary. Heobtained from Alexander VI., the rnre privilege which the altarof the holy Chapel hns since enjoyed. On his heing subsequentlysent by the Pontiff on a mission to the king of Naples, he incurredthe displeasure of the former. He hnd every reason at tlie timeto fear for the most va1ual)le records of tlie Sanctuary. Warwas general, evet-ywhere in the Pontifical States, and Genazzanowas in the very centre of the disturbed districts. 139 thereforeordered Father Felix da Prato, to bring a large quantity ofwritings and valuable effects to Naples. Amongst these, mostprobably, were the important doculnents relating to the comingof the hiadonna, which are now not to be found. They wouldnaturally form the first object of his solicitude. As it was, theship containing them, fountlered at Pozzuoli, just at the entranceof the bey of Naples. All were lost. Fether Mariano diedat the latter city shortly after, at the early age of 48.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

150 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELtroublesome times we have referred to. The mostimportant documents were those most likely to haveperished in the foundering of the vessel at Pozzuoli ;or to have been lost amidst the voluminous recordsof the places of safety, like Tivoli, to which theywere sent.However, though much that we may desire tohave, has certainly perished, still there remains amplehistorical, documental, and monumental proofs, in themass of evidences still existing, and examined byCajetan and Callistus Marini.. 4. The first of these proofs, in our estimation, andone worthy of every attention, lies in ihe ievestigationordered by the reigning Pontiff Paul II., shortlyafter the news of the miraculous coining of the sacredImage had reached Rome.This Pontiff, named Peter Barbo before his elevation,was nephew to Eugene IV., and a Venetian.He had held high employment in ihe Court of Rome,for over thirty years previously. He was consequentlyboth as a Churchman and as a Venetian, deeplyinterested and thoroughly acquainted with the remarkableevents, which were Ahen taking place at theother side of the Adriatic. He had seen the fall ofConstantinople. He had shared in a11 the solicitudeof his predecessors, for tlie defence of Albania. Heknew Scanderbeg intimately ; and probably, causedthe last efforts of that hero against the might ofMahomet 11. to be made. He could not have beenignorant of the existence of the famous Sanctuaryof Our Lady at Scutari. The eyes of Europe wereat the moment fixed upon that city, ihen garrisoned .PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 151by the Venetians, his countrymen, and in daily perilof falling into the hands of the victorious Turks.U'e can not well imagine a juncture more critical,nor any combination of circunlstsnces more calculatedto Ax the attention of the Pontiff on an event sounusual, as an alleged miraculous translation of theprincipal religious treasure of the Albanian people,from their last free city, to an obscure town in hisown dominions, held by the chiefs of the Ghibellinefaction. Moreover, at such a time and in such anage, no circumstance could well occur more disastrousfor the cause of Caiholicity and of Venice. It wascalculated to dispirit the defenders of Scutari, andto excite the hopes of Iheir enemies. In fact, duringthe whole of their conquests in Illyria and Epirus,the Turks continually boasted that the dominion ofthe country was given them by God, because of thesins and unworthiness of the Christians. And on theother hand, we have it on record, that the Vcnetiancommander laboured strenuously to do away wiihsome dispiriting ideas on 111e part, of his men, whomust have supposed, Ihat heaven had deserted Iheni.This, Senni, who quotes from the Albanian Priestand historian of the siege of Scutari, Marino Rarletto,says, was occasioned by the known loss of Ihemiraculous Image of Our Lady of Good Office, thename by which the sacred Image was known in Albania.The Turks, on iheir part, in order to dispiritthe Christians still more, directed all iheir effortsagainst the church of St. Nicholas of Rari. It is said,that ihrough ihe intercession of Ihe saint, the ballswhich were fired at ihe sacred edifice, rebounded andMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

152 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEI,Iltilled several of the assailants. 'This fact was instantlytaken advantage of by the commandant James Moneta,who thus addressed his soldiers.a But in the first place we sliall have with usthe Most Blessed Virgin and St. Nicholas, whose templebehold 0 Soldiers ! behold how those n~ost fiercetraitors, those corruptors of divine worship, have violatedand disturbed the building. Remember, 0 Citizens,{hat divine and not-to-be-concealed miracle,which this saint wrought against the barbariansduring llie first siege. For the first cannon ball whichthese very barbarians threw at that temple and thatsanctuary, the Blessed Nicholas cast back upon ihemselves,so illat many of ihem were killed. Wherefore0 fellow soldiers! invoke him for he is vene*ated also by me. Confide in him v.These words, however pious, show that Monetawas working against some diffidence felt by liis menin ihe assistance of hea~en, and which might beeasily accounted for, on lhe supposition of ihe sacredInlage being no longer found in its sanctuary.Now Paul II., must have been well aware of allI he circumstances in which Scutari was placed, whenRome received Ihe intelligence of Ihe appearanceof the sacred Image, and of ihe story of ihe pilgrimswhich came soon after. He heard ihe report of themiraculous cures. He knew that whole towns in hisdominions, were being emptied of their inhabitants,going processionally to visit ihe new Shrine of Mary.No one would have been better pleased, to be ableto find any fraud in the alleged facts than he wouldhave been, if fraud indeed, could be proved. ThePRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 153Christians of Scutari and of all Albania wouldhave been reinvigorated. The sacred Image, if takenby human hands, could be restored. The Pontiff ihen,did exactly what we might expect one in his positionto do. He at once instituted an investigation,and for the purpose of making it, he deputed two ofthe ablest prelates then in Rome. One of these wasGaucerio de Folcarquer, Bishop of Gap in Dauphine,and the other, ru'icolo a Crucibus, Bishop of Fara,now called Lesina, one of Ihe principal islands ofthe Adriatic, not far from the coast of Albania.The former prelate was one of those, who assistedat Ihe Council of Avignon. He was consecrated asearly as 14-22, and died in 1480. He was frequentlybefore intrusted by the Pope, with missions of greatimportance. The latter prelate, was also high infavour with the Pontiff, for his learning and prudence.He knew the language, history, and customs of theAlbanians perfectly; and, most probably also, oftenvisited the shrine of Our Lady at Scutari, not farfrom his Cathedral city. 'The investigation which thesedistinguisl~ed delegates were ordered to make, tookplace within two months after the apparition. Theresult, which according to Senni was given, viva coce,to the Pontiff, must have been favourable; for not onlywas the devotion of the people not disturbed, but aftertheir report, it received the greatest possible encouragementfrom the ecclesiastical authorities. Thecllurch of Petruccia was erected. A magnificentmarble canopy was placed over the Shrine, and theRoman court showed almost immediately, as weMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

154 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELshall presently see , a great esteem for the newSanctuary of Mary, the Mother of Good Counsel.It is certain, that amongst the missing records ofthe convent, or of the borough, there may have existedsome written report of this mission. But however thatmay be, the Sanctuary is made independent of anysuch document, by other historical testimonies of amost conclusive kind.5. The first of these is from a Vatican Codex, givingin detail the expenditure of the Curia in the reignof Paul 11. In page 231 of this document we find thatLorenzo Zane, Archbishop of Spalatro, and ApostolicTreasurer, paid on the 24'"ay of July 1467, to theBishop of Fara, (receiving for himself and the Bishopof Gap) the sum of twenty two golden florins and 60bononenos, for their expenses in going to the town ofGenazzano, a for a certain commission given themby c)ur Most Noly Father the Pope, as appears froma mandate given them on the above date. v lExplaining and confirming the facts stated inthis codex of expenditure, we have the still strongertestimony of the exact and learned Canesius,the writer of the life of Paul the 2"*, who, speakingof the year 1467, says. a At that time, in the townof Genazzano, situated in the diocese of Palestrina,God worked innumerable and wonderful miracles bya The following is the exact text of tbis entry cr die 24 Iulii(1467) solvit R. P. D. N. Episcopo Faren. recipienti pro seet Episcopo Vopicens, florenos auri de Camera XXII. bononenos60, pro eorum expensis in eundo ad Terram Genazzani procerta commissione eis facta per S. D. N. PP., ut apparet permandatum factum dicta die. v See Esame Critico, p. 9-10.PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 155means of an Image of the Blessed Virgin. For theexamination of which matter, he (Paul 11.) destinedGtaucerio, Bishop of the church of Gap, and Nicholasof the Church of Fara P. l We may mention thatthe works of Canesius were published by the EminentCardinal Angelo M. Quirino, who testifies thatthe life of Paul 11. was written so accurately bythe historian, that he affirmed nothing, but that ofwhich he had a personal knowledge. That theapparition was regarded as singularly extraordinaryCanesius further proves, by mentioning the findingof another miraculous Image of Our Lady near Viterbo,at ihe same time, which the Pontiff took notrouble to investigate. His anxiety about the sacredImage of Genazzano proves not only the extraordinarypublic veneration for it, but also the influence,which considerations connected with Albania had overhis mind. .6. The next historical proof we have of the won-derful apparition is equally clear and valuable. Itcomes from a General of the Augustinians, and waswritten some fourteen years after the occurrence.It is all the more valuable because it is hppealedto, as a public undeniable fact, in proof for anotherpurpose. This General was the celebrated Fathera Sub id tempus apud oppidum Jenazani Praenestina Dioecesisitum, ex Imngine Beatae Marine Virginis complurima etadmiranda miracula Deus effecit, ad cuius quidem rei examinationemGallcerium Vapicensis Ecclesiae praesulem et NicolaumFarensia Ecclesiae Antistitem (Pontifex) destinavit. v Canesiuswas first, Canon of San Lorenzo in Damuso, and afterwards, Bishopof Castro.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

156 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELAmbrose of Cori, or Coriolanu3, as he is called fromthe city of hi3 birth. He was twice Provincial ofthe Roman Augustinian province in which the conventof Santa Maria in Genazzano is situated, andactually held that office the very year of the miraculousapparition. He was consequently thoroughlyacquainted with a circumstance so remarkable, and.with which he must have had so much to do. Someyears after, he became General of his order, and stoodvery high in the confidence of Sixtus IV. While inthis position, he became involved in a controversywith the writers, Corratli, and Ilomenico di 'rreveris,C;tnons Regular of St. Augustine, who denied that theHermits sprang at all from their Patriasch. Ir, hisreply, dedicated to his Patron, the Po~e, he gave intensepain to his adversaries, who never ceased to persecutehim, until, in the reign of the next Pope, theymanaged to get him imprisoned. Father De Orgiospeaks feelingly of this treatment of the General,and adduces it as a proof that what the latter wroteof the coming of the Madonna to Oenzzzano, wouldnot pass withont contradiction from enemies so bitter,if contradicted it could be. Coriolanus then, in thisdefence, found it necessary to bring forward sevelalindisputable in3tances of sanclity, in his own slanderedinstitute of the sons of St. Augustine. Amongstothers, he adduced that of the a Blessed B Petrucciaas one whose great holiness deserved the favour of asupernatural foreknowledge of the coming of thesacred Image to Genazzano; and he further instancesthe miracle;, and the immense crowds which came tovisit its Shrine from a11 parts of Italy. He refers toPRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 157the fact that many towns were thus emptied of theirinhabitants; and, finally states, that from the multitudeof the offerings made, the Church and Conventof the Augustinians were completed. These were allfacts easy of contradiction, if they were not in everyparticular correct. The whole of Rome and of Italywere interested in his book, and could pronounceas well as he himself could , upon the truth orfalsehood or' his allegations. He appeals to wellknown, cont~mporaneous and public facts, whichwere not, because they could not, be decied.As it was, neither Corradi or Domenico de Treverischallenged a single statement of his, relativeto the miraculous apparition of the Image, or anyfact connected with it. His words are. a The eighthwas the blessed Petruccia of Genazzano, who havingsold all she had, built where her house stood, the churchof our convent, following the counsel of Christ, a if youwish to be perfect, go and sell all you have, and giveto the poor and follow me P; and when all her effortsdid not suffice to complete the church, she became thederision of all the people. But she said, a do notbe led astray my children, because before I die, (shewas then decrepit) the Blessed Virgin and St. Augustinewill conlplete this church B. But the fulfiln~entof the prophecy was admirable. For scarcely a yearpassed after sajing her words, when an Image ofthe Blessed Virgin miraculously appeared on a wallof the said Church, to gaze upon which all Italywas so moved, that both towns and cities wentthere processionally, amidst signs and prodigies andalnis unspeakable; so that, she being still living, notMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

1% THE VIRO.IN MOTHER OF QOOD COUNSELonly the church, but a most beautiful convent alsowas built; and she dying was interred in the chapelof the aforesaid Image, in the time of our provincialate.* '7. The third proof we have of the wonderfulapparition, is also most valuable. It comes to us inthis way. As soon as the first surprise was over,the Augustinian Fathers, who became necessarily, andby comnlon consent, the guardians of the Sanctuary,bethought themselves of making a record of ihe rniracles,which were worked daily at the feet of theholy Image. They therefore employed, as speedilyas possible, the public notary of Genazzano to examineall witnesses and facts regarding these miracles,so that the Holy Father, who doubtless would orderan inquiry, might have facts proved, to examine. Thenotary commenced his labours two days after thewonderful apparition, and continued them until thea Octava (Mulier insignis) fuit Beata Petruccia de Jenazzano,quae vendidit omnibus in domo sua Ecclesiam nostri Conventusfabricavit adimplens consilium Christi: Si vis perfectusesse, uade et vende omnia, quae habes, et da pauperibus etsequere me. Et cum eius facultates ad Ecclesiam complendamnon suacerent, venit in derisum toti populo. Ipsa autem dicebat:Nolite errare fllii mei, quia antequam moriar (cum tun0decrepita esset) Beata Virgo et S. Augustinus complebunt Ecclesiamistam. Sed mirabilis fuit propbetiae adimpletio, quuma prolatis verbis vix transivit annus, quaedam Imago BeataeVirginis in pariete dictne Ecclesiae miraculose apparuit; adquam visendam tota Italia sic commota est, ut processionaliterilluc oppida et civitates confluerent cum signis miraculis et eleemosynieinexplicabilibus, et ita adhuc ea vivente non solumEcclesia, sed pulcherrimus Conventus factus fuit, et moriens inCappella dictae Imaginis tempore nostri Provincialatus sepelitur.B (Defens. P. 11, c. 3).PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 159.following August, when probably, as sufficient proofexisted to satisfy the delegates of Paul II., he ceased.From causes already indicated, his registries disappeared with the other records of Genazzano for. theyear 1467. But fortunately, the devotion of a scribewho came on pilgrimage to the Shrine, preserved acopy of them. This latter copied the whole of thedepositions, word for word, upon sheets of beautifulpaper or bombacine, and in clear ornamental charaeters. The whole was then bound into one volume,which remained in the possession of the religious ofSanta Maria, until the spoliation of their convent bythe French, in the beginning of the present century.This valuable Codex was epitomized by De Orgioin 1747. It was critically examined, by the expertsalready referred to, in 1774, and pronounced to belong,in point of age, to at least the end of the fifteenthcentury. Calistus Marini is of opinion that it waswritten the very year of the apparition. It wasalways well known to the devout visitors of the Sanctuary.It narrates the particulars of no less thanone hundred and sixty one miracles, performed throughthe sacred Image from the 2nd day after its appearance,April 27th 1467, to the 14th day of August inthe same year. It gives the names of the witnessesand all other circumstances which were necessaryfor the notary to transmit. Then as to its internalevidence, it mentions Paul 11. as being the reigningPontiff, and Cardinal Arbitratensis as then living.It mentions another very notable occurrence, namely,that the people of Segni came in the June of theyear 1467, in procession, to ask of the Madonna thatMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

160 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELthe plague which desolated their city might cease. Weknow that in the Su~nmer months of that year, severaltowns of Italy were laid waste by pestilence. There istherefore great probability that such a pilgrimage wasmade. .Then it narrates other facts hearing upon contemporaryevents. A soldier suffering froin a woundof seven years standing, received in the Marches, is saidto have been cured; and history informs us that in 1660,Sigismund hlalatesta of Rilnini went to war in thatlocality, to favour the designs of Charles of Anjouupon Naples. Indeed the language, the style, and allthe circumstances of the composition, demonstrate 'the truth and genuineness of this valuable record.The preface of the author, which like the rest of thework, is written in the quaint old Italian of theperiod, when the language yet held much more ofthe orthography and the style of the Latin, than itdoes at present, will give an idea of its tenor, andshow the deep, loving piety of the author. The followingis a translation of it.a Hail Quesn of Heaven. Behold here is thecopy, and the copy frorn it, of the iniracles performedby Thy prayers for the devout of 'Thy most sacredImage, which appeared in the church of St. Maryof Genazzano, the oratory and place of the FriarHermits of St. Augustine, in the year of Our Lord1467, on the 25th day of April, performed and writtendown, I say, by hand and testinlony, in three monthsand seventeen days of the above mentioned year;that is from the twenty seventh day of April to ihethirteenth day of August. These being scattered innlany parts, I have reduced them into one, copyingPRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 161them word for word, not as I ought to have done,but as best I could. I confess to Thee and demandof Thee pzrdon for the negligence I have been guilty,of, in this, that I should be much more brief in copyingthan I have been. But however, as these areso badly written, be pleased to accept them, togetherwith myself dedicated to Thee, and with heart de-*siring with Thy aid, to see once more before mydeath, Thy n~iraculous and most sacred Image withcorporal eyes, as I now contemplate it with mentaleyes. Finally kneeling before it I beseech Theeearnestly to pray for me, now chiefly and at the hourof my death v. lCallistus Marini in his critical examination, describes thiscoder as a a little book written by pen in bombacine paperelegantly bound in gilded Cordova, composed of three quadernsonly, or of 32 sheets, not numbered, and written in charl~cterswell executed and elegant. The order of the writing commencesfrom the second sheet and continues to the thirtieth. In thefirst page is written the prayer of the writer B. This prayeris as follow^ in the original.a Salve Regina de'cieli. Eccote la copia et il copiato dellimiraculi oprati per le tue preci nelli Devoti della tun SacratissimaImagine aparsa nella Chiesa de Sancta Maria de GenazanoOratoria, et luogo de'Frati Ercmitani de Sancto Augustinonell'anno del Signore 1467, a dl 25 de aprile operati e scriptidico per mano et testimonij in tre meai, et 17 dl del soprascriptoanno, ciob dal dl XXVII. de Aprile fin0 a1 dl XIIII. de Agosto.Essendo quelli in pih pezzi sparti li ho riducti in uno, copiandolide parola in parola non come era mio debito, ma comeho possuto: Me te confesso, et ne domando venia della negligentiaquale ho usata che molto pih breve saria potuto esserein cupiarli, che io non sono stato; pure come sono essi cosl malrescripti piacciati acceptarli inaieme co'il mio ad te drizzato,l1More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

162 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL8. As to the existence and condition of Petruccia,the archives of Genazzano preserve some most interestingrecords. We have in them the original willof her husband leaving her sole heiress. We haveher own will leaving her house to the convent ofSanta Maria, in order to carry out the darling ideaof her life. And we have moreover, records, that herhusband, John of Nocera, held the position' of proctor.for the church of Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio;and that probably, his wife continued to care for itsneeds after his death. These however, are not necessaryto be adduced in face of the testimony of Coriolanus,and of the inscription placed over the remaillsof the good tertiary, after she had completedthe building of the church and convent, and hadpassed to her Pat,roness in heaven. She was buriedin the chapel of her beloved Madonna, and theFathers of the Augustinian order, caused the followinglines to be inscribed to her memory in the churchwhen renewed by Father Felix of Cave. let devoto cuore desideroso CO' il tuo adjutorio avanti la miamorte revedere un'altra volta la tua miraculosa et sacratissimaImagine colli occhij corporali come adeseo lo contemplo con liocchij mentali: Intanto genuflexo ~vanti ad quells grido ad altav6ce. ora pro me maxime nunc et in hora mortis. vIt is very probable that this inscription repeated thewords of another, which must have been placed immediatelyover her remains, or in some portion of the church adjoiningthe sanctuary. The second restoration - a very complete one -warranted the introduction of the reference to Father FelixLeoncelli of Cave and Philip Colonna, through whom it waseffected.PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 183PETRUCCIA DE GENAZZANOMULIER SANCTISSIMAMONASTERIUM HOC SANCTAE MARIAE BONI CONSILIIVETUSTATE COLLAPSUMADMIRANDUM IN MODUM RESTITUITNAM CUM IN PARIETE ECCLESIAEDEIPARAE VIROINIS IMAGODIVINITUS APPARUISSETTANTUM PECUNIAE EX FREQUENTIA CHRISTIANORUMAD IMAOINEMVISENDAM CONFLUENTIUM COLLEOITUT OPUS CONSUMMARE POTUERITQUOD MONASTERIUM UNA CUM ECCLESIA FUIT POSTEAPER FRATREM FELICEM LEONCELLUM CAVENSEMOPE TAMEN ET AUXILIO PHILIPPI COLUMNAA FUNDAMENTIS IN PULCHRIOREM FORMAM REDACTUMIt will be interesting to know that in the year1734 when Cardinal Albano undertook the renovationof the Sanctuary of the Madonna, the bonesof Petruccia were found. They were then interredin the outer portion of the church and rediscoveredin 1882 on the occasion of laying down the presentmarble pavement. Before being reinterred, thePrior of Santa Maria and his community thoughtit best to call in the services of the Notary Public,a Government Officer, so that for future historicalpurposes, an authentication might be found as wellin the records of the municipality, as in the archivesof the convent. The following is a translation of .thelegal instrument or verbal process, executed on that .occasion.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

164 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELVERBAL PROCESS8At the instance of the Revd. Custodiana of the Sanctuaryof Mary Most Holy of Good Counsel of Genazzano, to attest andpreserve the memory of the finding and of the new depositionof the bones of the Blessed Petruccia.The year 1882, the 9Ib day of March, in the church of SaintMary of Good Counsel, Humbert I. reigning.In the year 1734, the ancient altar of the chapel of theMadonna of Good Counsel being about to be displaced, in orderto construct another of marble given by the Most EminentCardinal Albani, three sepulchres were found under it in theshape of caskets, and in each one of them was found a headand other human bones. As tradition, aupported by the testimonyof the Augustinian Father, Ambrose of Cori, called Coriolanus,who in the chronicles of his order published in 1481,related that' the Blessed Petruccia, an Augustinian tertiary andgreat benefactress of the church and convent of the Augustiniansin Genazzano, who died in that commune in the fame of sanctity,about the year 1471, had been buried in the above mentionedchapel, so that it was held for certain that the bonesfound in the centre sepulchre, which by physical professors werefound to be remains of the skeleton of a woman, were preciselythose of Blessed Petruccia, and therefore were placed in anothercasket of wood, which was deposited under the pavement of thesame church near the balustrade of the baptistry, and of thewall of the facade opposite the chapel of St. Monica, as thewhole appears from an istrument of the notary Francis AntonyPaoletti, of the date of the 28"' of June 1734, the original ofwhich is preserved in the notary archives of the commune.Now the whole of the pavement of the church being renewedin marble by the care of the custodians of the Sanctuary,while destroying the old pavement of brick, the casket depositedon the 18Ih of Junc 1734, was found precisely in the spot indicated,containing the above mentioned remains of human bones,piously believed to be those of the Blessed Petruccia, and extractedfrom that place in the presence of me, the notary, andof the witnesses who here with me are undersigned, enclosedin another casket of zinc, which then being well closed witha soldering of lead, were newly replaced under the pavementof the said church at a little distance from the place wherePRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 165the said bones were found, close to the wall of the near faoadeclose to the great door of the church, on the right as the churchis entered.In the casket together with the remainder 'of the bonesthere was also deposited a glass bottle well corked and sealed,in which was enclosed a sheet containing the memorandum ofthe rediscovery, and of the new location of the said bones.Of all this, at the instance of the Rev. Father AurelioMartinelli, son of Cosmo of Lucca deceased, and Stephen Berio,son of Michael of Oneglia deceased , and Vulgentius , son ofJoseph of Montecossaro deceased, all of the above, guardians ofthe Sanctuary residing in this commune, and in the presence ofMasters Philip Anelli son of Franciscus, and of Alexander Lanzi,son of Fabricius deceased, a proprietor, who were with me atthe act of excavation, and who with me have drawn up thepresent process verbal, which I have caused to be written bya person confided in by me, and after having read it in thepresence of all who were assembled, all of whom have afermedand subscribed as at present. This act consists of a folio in4 pages. Signed, Prior, Aurelio Martinelli. P. Stephen BerioAug. P. Fulgenzio Fulgenzi, Aug. Philip Anelli and AlexanderLanzi, Witnesses. Vincent Mary Oiorgi, Notary.The present copy is conformable to the original. 'Genazzano 30 March 1882.l The care, which the guardians of the Sanctuary have mannifestedin getting this formal legal authentication effected bythe public notary of the government of the day, appears to havecharacterized the Augustinians in charge of the ~acred Imagefrom the very commencement. The first registry of miraclesis a case in point. Yet this registry would have surely perished,but for the providential copying of it which the zeal of a devoutclient effected. The French occupation caused many valuabledocumehts to have gone astray. The coming of the Piedmontesehas done the same, at the present moment. How much easierit must have heen in the wars and commotions of the turbulenttimes of the Colonnas and their feudal adversaries.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

166 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELIn the improvements just being effected, a newmonument has been placed over these remains, withthe following inscriptionD. 0. M.REATA PETRVCCIA MULIER IENAZZANENSISINTER DOMESTICAS ORDINIS S. AVGVSTINI MONIALESSANCTITATE CELEBRISTEMPLVM HOC VETVSTATE COLLAPSVMIN AVGVSTAM MAIESTATEM RESTITVIT AERE PROPRIOELEEMOSYNIS ET MVNIFICENTIA POPVLORVMAD SANCTAE IMMAOINIS APPARITIONEMVISENDAM .MORTEM LAETA OBIIT MCCCCLXXRELIQVIAE VERO EIVS EFFOSSAE RECOONITAENOVAQVE ARCA INCLVSAE HIC SVB PAVIMENTO.MDCCCLXXXII 'EODEM LOCO REPOSITAE SVNT DIE IX MART11l Senni says regarding ~etruccia. cr While therefore, as wehave said, Genazz~no became embellished with beautiful fabricsand new churches, the ancient temple and altar of Most HolyMary of Good Counsel, where first in Genazzano, a place at onetime so abominable, the name of God commenced to be invoked,was allowed to remain humble and neglected. To revive thereforethe faith of the people, an Auguetinian tertiary advancedin age, named Petruccia of Jenco, of a family belonging to Genaezano,was inspired to undertake not only the reconstructionbut also the enlargement of that church. She, though of littlefortune, sold all she had and gave a commencement to the piouswork. (Coriolano. defens. part. 11.) And for this being reprovedby her own and by others, who entertained an affection for her,as having deprived herself of her all in the extreme needs ofher decrepit state, and alienated the love of her relatives, toundertake an impossibility; she replied that the work was nothere but of heaven, and that she expected the completion of itPRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 1679. The church bnilt by Petruccia, though a wonderfor its time, had to be improved in many ways, andenlarged in the course of four centuries. The chapelfrom Mary. This her candour, instead of bringing peace to her,rather increased her affliction. There were then some examplesof churches built by means of revelations: but the abuse ofthese examples caused the princes of the Church to he morecautious, and to make a law not to pay any attention to therevelations of any person whomsoever in similar circumstances.Nam quae per somnia, et inanes revelationes quorumlibethorninurn ubicumque constituuntur Altaria ornnino reprobentur(De Censur. Dist. I, 26. C. Placuit). Not only thereforeby human considerations, but even by Canon law, the undertakingof Petruocia was deprived of every subsidy and assistance.vIt must be remembered that Senni wrote in 1838. Sincethen many documents of value have been found, which musthave escaped the notice of that author. Writing regarding them,Buonanno says. 4 For certain, these new documents prove to usthe esistence of a Petruccia still living in the year 1461, theepoch to which they reach. And these represent her as first,wife, and then widow of John Antony di Polani, born at Noceraand domiciled in Genazzsno. They represent her to us as awoman very good and pious, a fact which is manifested aboveall by the goodness of her husband to her. And in fact thelatter, having taken up his residence in Genazzano was marriedwhile yet young to the said Petruccia, whose family we areignorant of. Being without children both were more free togive themselves to a life of piety. As the procurator for a longtime of the church and of the convent, he studied always topromote their interests by every possible means, to providesacred vestments and furniture, and finally to care in his residencethe more precious objects. Nor was this enough. Amongstthe many legacies in favour of the church and of the confraternitiesof Qenazzano, in his will, dated 2"* of Novr. 1426, he leftsixty florins for a bell for the church of St. Mary of GoodCounsel. By this will he constituted his wife Petruccia universalheiress of all his goods, movable and immovable, presentand future. It seems that he passed to a better life in 1436.vMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

168 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELhowever, of marble erected over -the sacred Image,and the main entrance of the temple itself, remainas she left them to this day, Senni shows that theseIn support of this statement as to the position of John ofNocera, he writes in a note page 64. a In due Membrane antichesegnate A. I, e A. 9. contenenti gl'lnventarl delle cose del Conventoe della Chiesa scritti in diversi tempi e da diverse mani,si legge qualche volta questa o altra somigliante postilla: Etomnia ista (paramenta) posita sunt in manibus Johannis deNocera procuratoris saecularis Conventus et Ecclesiae. NellaMembrann A. 9. poi trovasi scritto da quarta mano: Item unumpalium de diversis coloribus, factum de seta cum rosis et P-guris in campo rub10 et arurino, quad donavit Johannes deNocera procurator Ecclesiae pro sua Cappella Sancti BlasiiMCCCCXKXIIII die XXI mensis novembris in manibus provincialisFratris Martini de Homa. Item praedictus Joannerde Nocera dedit pro praedicta Cappella cum dicto patio unamThobaleam cum listis de serico etc. Nella Membrana A. I. fol. 2.pag. 1. leggasi : Item una Vinea quam donaoit Joannes deNdcera pro dote suae Cappellae Sancti Blasii, in contratabarano juxta rem Cote arrigi etc. etc. BOf the legacy, he says in another note. a Questo legato fucertamente eseguito; e con molta probabilita questa antica campanar3 quella, che ancora esiste nel Campnnile della Chiesa.In essa silegg~con lettere del tempo non molto guaste : AweMaria Ora Plea D= TF~ Benedicta Tu in Mulieribw -~enedz Fructus Ventris Tui - S= Maria Ora P; Nobis.As to the prohibition of Canon law, which Senni states tohave been a reason why the church was not comploted by thepeople when Petruccia failed, Buonanno says.a It is not to be supposed that the Ecclesinstical authorityever intervened, as some have been of opinion, to cause theworks commenced by Petruccia to be suspended; because it isto be believed, that the religious would not permit her to puta hand to the building, without first informing that authority.For the rest, Coriolanus, a coeval historian, assigns as the solereason the want of means. Nor is it outside the purpose tosuppose that the religious as well as Petruccia had from thePRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 169must have been constructed by the architect of theColonna family. They are both exquisitely designedand well executed. They give every evidence of therenaissance of art, which set in so vigorously in thereign of Pius 11. (Bneas Sylvius), and continued asvigorous in that of his immediate successor, in whosepontificate both works were completed. The Columnwhich forms so conspicuous a feature in the arms ofthe Colonnas, is carved in many places upon them ;and this shows that they were executed, mainly atleast, at the expense of the Princes of Genazzano.Both the portal and the marble chapel bear inscriptions,which are of great value, as proofs of the miraculousapparition of the sacred Irnage. On the labter is carved in a style peculiar to the last halfof fifteenth century, the followi~g words.DIVINITUS . APPARUITHlEC IMAGO A. D. M.M . CCCCLXVII . XXV . APRILIS((: This Image divinely appeared . on the 25th ofApril, 1467. v )beginning hoped in the assistance of the people, in as much asthe church was truly one of common interest. But God permittedthat no one should make an effort to aid them, preciselybecanse he wished to employ extraordinary means in this,His work.Senni's opinion springs probably from his desire to findsome excuse for the extraordinary want of zeal and generosity,on the part of his fellow townspeople and their wealthy princes.But whatever may be his motive, his ideas have been largelydisseminated. Both reason and as well as valuable documentaryevidence, however, are on the side of the statements of Buonanno.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

170 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELAnd on the former.M . CCCC . LXVII . SUB . ANIS . IDIV . FESTOMARCI . HORA . VESPER1 . DEI . GENITRICISMARIB . QUAM . IN . HUJUS . PHANISACELLO . MARMOREO . VENERAMINIEX . ALTO . FIOURA . PROSPEXIT(a At the hour of Vespers, on the feast of St Mark,in the year of the Incarnate Word 1467, the pictureof Mary the Mother of God, which you venerate inthe marble chapel of this temple looked down fromon high B).'The chief of the house of Colonna, living at thisepoch, was the famous Antonio, created Prefect ofRome by Pius 11. He died in 1472. An old list ofsubscriptions entitled a retractum pecuniarum recipiendarumCapellaa B. Mariae B pronounced by theexperts already mentioned;to belong to the period ofthe translation, has the name of this prince as oneof the contributors. I-Ie is known to have also erected a chapel in the Church of San Pio, in commemorationof the visit of his patron Pius II., to theconvent then in construction for the Conventual Franciscans,on the site of the ancient Antonine Villa.These inscriptions are most valuable not only fortheir antiquity, but also because they clearly provethe tradition to be correct, which details the mannerin which the sacred Image mir,zculously appeared.The words, a divinitus apparuit B attests the miracleof its coming. It was not brought, but it appeareditself to the people. The words, a em a1toprosperx;it v,PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 171clearly suggested by the psalm which says, a Deusem coelo prospemit B, proves that it came not fromheaven but from on high, - through the air withouthuman interference. Any such inscriptions carvedon a church porch, and over a sacred altar, must havehad, of course, the sanction of the highest Churchauthority. One existed already, not improbably, whenthe delegates of the Pope arrived. If placed in positionimmediately after, the proof is all the stronger.And it is surely impossible to conceive, that the houseof Colonna, the Cardinal Bishop of Palestrina, theofficials of the diocese, the whole Augustinian order,the entire people of Genazzano, and those thousandswho gave their arms for the building of the churchand convent, could be decei~ed or could desire todeceive posterity, about a fact so very plain.10. The spontaneous ringing of the church bellsand the celestial music, which tradition, resting onthe testimony of the crowds who heard both, affirms,accompained the arrival of the sacred Image, are notmentioned in these inscriptions. The same care whichprovided that the notary public of the borough, shouldrecord the miracles worked at the Shrine, no doubt,also took care that, in the same legal manner, everycircumstance of the co:cing should be recorded. Unfortunately,as has been already stated, all those recordshave perished, or hsve been lost. But as independenttestimony like that of Coriolanus and thecopyist of the registers, like that of the delegationof Paul II., and these ancient inscriptions, prove beyondquestion the main facts of the wonderful apparition,so also the minor circumstances may have writ-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

172 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELten historical proof. The documents regarding ihem,lost, as we have indicated, may yet be found. As it is,they rest upon an unbroken tradition, which has manyimportant arguments in its support, while not a singlecircumstance has been brought forward opposed to it.For instance, though no documentary evidenceexists with regard to the miraculous ringkg of bells,which tradition states accompanied the coming of thesacred Image, we have the fact that from time immemorial,the church bells of all the town arerung for an hour, for eight days previous to the25th of April, to perpetuate the memory of the spontaneousringing during the hour, (from three to fourin the afternoon,) in which it first appeared.Then with regard to the white cloud and thecelestial music, there are very many circumstanceswhich confirm the tradition. For instance, an ancientoffering in silver, presented to the Sanctuary byPhilip Colonna, Duke of Paliano, in thanksgivingfor the cure of his wife, Lucrezia Tomacelli, represents the sacred Image of the Blessed Virginsurrounded by the cloud, and coming exactly as thetradition states, to Genazzano. Underneath, was engravedthe following inscription. Divinitus apparuitin terra Genaaaani A. D. MCCCCLXVII. DicXXV. Aprilis. This must have been engraved in thecentury after the apparition, or very early in the' following one. It was executed by order of thedonor, a prince of the house of Colonna , and onewho could have known persons who were intimatewith those who witnessed the coming of the sacredImage. The slab of silver was very large, and re-PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 173mained in the Sanctuary until all the preciousofferings found there, were confiscated during theoccupation of the country by the French Republicand by Napoleon. We find from the records of hisfamily that this Philip, Duke of Paliano died in 1639,aged sixty one years.11. Moreover, as occurs in the case of all otherfacts of a similar kind, the devout Lad narrationswritten by those who had visited the Shrine, and hadexamined its history, in all parts of Europe. As earlyas 1569, Jeronle Roman, in his c Chronicles P, publishedthat year in Salamanca, gives the history of thecoming of the Madonna to Genazzano in Italy, just aswe have narrated it. In 1581 , the Bishop, JosephPamfilo, in his Chronicles of the Order of St. Augustine,published in Rome, gives the same, (page 88).We have a number of wills going back to the sameperiod, where money was left to the Sanctuary, and inall these, the evidences of the same invariable traditionis found. For instance, in the will of a certainBartholomew Biscia, means are left to keep a lamp ofsilver, burning night and day for ever, c before the altarof the Most Glorious Madonna, which v the testatorsays (: appeared divinely, in the place of the Fathersof the Augustinian order B. This will is dated 1596,when Biscia was very old. One or both his parents mayhave been amongst the numbers, who witnessed thecoming of the Madonna. At all events, the circumstancesconnected with the wonderful apparition herefers to, were as fresh in the rr~inds of people in hisday, as the circumstances connected with the apparitionof Our Lady at Lourdes are at this moment.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

174 THE VIRGIN MOTHER 'OF GOOD COUNSELBut to return to written narratives. There aremany worthy of every reliance which give, if notdirect documentary proof of all the circumstancesnarrated, at least the strongest possible indirect arguments.Many accounts come from historians of theAugustinian Order, whose scope was merely to writethe simple annals of each year. Amongst theseNicholas Crusenio in his Monnst. Augustin. p. 3,cap. 29, pag. 176, printed in 1623, gives a full accountof the miraculous apparit,ion of the Image, which hecalls most beautiful and made by no human hand. Hetells us moreover that the immediate successor ofPaul II., Sixtus IV., and his intimate friend CardinalD'Estouteville, through their devotion to Our Ladyof Good Counsel, built or rather enlarged and restored,the one, the church of St. Augustine in Rome, andthe other that of Santa Maria del Popolo. This is anoverwhelming proof that the inquiry ordered bythe predecessor of Sixtus was in every sense, satisfactory;and t~hat all the circumst,ances connectedwith the sacred Image were believed in by the Pontiffand the French Cardinal William de Estouteville,his friend l. The occurrence referred to by Crusenio-l The Church of St. Auguatine in its beautiful simple facade,still contains the evidences of the gift of Cardinal D'Estouteville,the then ambassador of France to the Holy See, and the fastfriend of the reigning Pontiff, Sixtus IV. An inscription runsalong its entire front recording the fact. The stone for its formationwas taken from the Colosseum, and its architect was thecelebrated Florentine, Baccio Pinatelli. An old church dedicatedto St. Triphon M. whose festival is still kept in the new edidce,existed previously on the site, but so complete was the alterationmade by the Cardinal, that he may in truth be looked upon a8PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 175took place eight years after the miraculous comingof the Image to Genazzano. The Turks had, at thetime, seized upon all Albania, and there was nofurther use of a policy of reticence regarding thedeparture of the sacred Image from Scutari. Weits founder. The church of Santa Maria del Popolo was builtalso at a very early date, on the spot where the ashes of Nerowere supposed to have been discovered and scattered to thewinds. An inscription still to be found on the floor of the choir,states that the reason of the first church being there built was,to protect the people from gh'bsts which haunted the spot. ItwaN rebuilt by the people of Rome in 1227, and therefore ealledSt. Mary of the People. Sixtus the IV. employed the samearchitect as did Cardinal D'Estouteville to do the same for thisancient hnd celebrated church as his friend did for that ofSt. Augustine. Both churches were placed under the care of tileFathers of the Augustinian order. The reason why these churcheswere selected for the generous care of the donors, in preferanceto so many other and much more remarkable Roman churchesthen needing attention was, as Crupenio states, their desire toserve an order whom the Mother of God so visibly honouredat that precise time by sending to ita care Her sacred Imsge, inso miraculous a manner from Scutari. The church of St. Augustinewas completed in 1783, and must, of course, have been sometime pimeviously in process of erection. Therefore, both the Popeand the Cardinal must have been thoroughly convinced of thetruth of all that was stated regarding both the miraculousapparition, and the not less miraculous translation.The words of Nicholas Crusenius in his Monastico Agostiniano.Monachii 1623, p. 111, c. 29. are a Boc miraculo commotiSixtus IVet Cardinalis Guilelmus d'Estouteville Gallus, certatimOrdini Eremitarurn Sancti Augustini addicti, duas inUrbe Roma Eccle.~ias eidem Ordini erigendas deliberant, eisqueliberalem manurn apponunt : unam gloriosae VirginiMariae de Populo, quam suis experasis Sixtus Pontifex, etalteram Divo Augustino , qztam Cardiraalis affabre longemaioribus sumptibus creavit , ad invidiam et aemulatickemsanclam. vMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

176 THE VIROIN .MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELshall treat of this important argument at length inthe next chapter, where the proofs of the miraculoustranslation will be examined.Works still more voluminous than that of Crusenioappeared in Madrid in 1644 l, in Brussels in 1654and in Bologna in 1681One of those writers, andone of great weight, Luigi Torelli, in his SecoliAgostiniani for the year 1470, narrates the deathof Petruccia in that year, and her sepulture inthe chapel of the Madonna., says of the sacred Imageand its Sanctuary, a which she herself had byher prayers caused to appear miraculously, and bya stupendous prodigy, to rest upon that new wall,where it is yet preserved and venerated' . . . .and although the church has been once more renovated,by the great labour and industry of FatherFelix Leoncelli of Cavi, nevertheless the ancient chapelis preserved intact, just as it was at first withthe sacred Image v. We may mention that Torelliwas an ocular witness, having as he tells us beenin Genazzano in 1630. From that year to the year1784, the following inscription existed in the chancelof the temple, close to the high altar at theGospel side.Alf'a'abeto Agostiniano, Madrid 1644. p, 2, p. 447.'. Encomiastico Agostiniano, Bruxelles 1654. p. 658-559.' Scuola del Cristiano, Bologna 1681. c. 47. n. 50.PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE APPARITION 177D. 0. M.PERANOUSTUM . OLIM . ET . QUAM . RUDITER . ERECTUMTEMPLUM . HOC . VETUSTATE . CORROSUMB. PETRUCCIA . MULIER . JENAZZANENSISINTER . DOMESTICAS . ORDINIS . S. AUOUSTINI . MONIALESSAKCTITATE . CELEBRISIN . HONOREM . DEIPARBQUAM IN DIES ADVENTURAM PRZSAOIEBATNOVIS . INCCEPTIS . AERE . PROPRIO . PARIETIBUSCOLLECTISQUE . IN . SUPPLEMENTUM . ELEEMOSYNISET . MUNIFICENTIA . CIVIUM . ACPOPULORUMUNDIQUE . RELIOIONIS . CAUSA . CONFLUENTIUMAD . VIROINIS . HUJUSSANCTB . IMAOINIS . APPARITIONEMHORA . VESPER1 . XXV . APRILIS . AlCDLXVIIIN . AUOUSTAM QUA . REFULSIT ID . TEMPORISMA JESTATEM . RESTITUITIt would be easy, if it were necessary, to prolongthis mass of evidence by further documents. Wemay however conclude by stating, that all we shallhave to say in the rest of this book, will be moreor less confirmatory of that which is here proved.We would remit the reader specially, to the chapterwhich treats of the Proper Mass and Ofice, toshow that the Church herself has believed in theMiraculous Apparition, and has taken the most &ctivemeans to warrant us in holding that belief.The indulgences with which she has enriched thedevotion, and the favours which she grants to spreadit, especially by means of the Pious Union, are adlMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

ditional reasons to show us her gratitude to Mary,the Virgin 'Mother of Good Counsel, for coming inso marked a manner to the relief of her childrenat a season, when Good Counsel and help is so neededby the world.. . l Although the principal depositories of records both inGenazzano and in Palestrina have been destroyed by fire orotherwise, yet there remains some grodnds for hope, that manydocuments bearing upon t,he miraculous apparition of the sacredImage will yet be brought to light. The archives of the Colonnafamily, which have been removed from the castle ofGenazzano only since they ceased to inhabit that building, areat present in Rome. The Fathers of the convent of Santa hlariahave made repeated application for ~ermlssion to examine thesearchives, but though the permission has not been refused, it hasnot yet been granted. It is of course eRSy to understand thereluctance of a family with such a chequered history, to grantpermission to overlook documents which bear upon property,and very possibly upon repute. But if this difficulty could be met,there can be no doubt, but that many things of interest connectedwith the Sanctuary would come to light. For instance, itis known that the Colonnas took the deepest conaern in thecontroversy which sprang up between two rival confraternities,and which, as we shall see in the next chapter, had the closestconnection with the narrative of the pilgrims, Georgio andDe Sclavis. Immediate descendants of the latter were employedin offlces of trust by the princes of Genazzano. The family triedto re-assert its Juspatronatus over the church of Santa Mariawhich Giordan Colonna had conferred for ever on the Augustinian~.This claim, which the Pope disallowed eight years afterthe coming o'f the sacred Image, implied nearly every factasseked concerning both the wonderful apparition and the miraculoustranslation. Patient research may also bring yet tolight those documents, which are said to have been sent to Tivoliand other places of safety, in the same way as the documentsquoted by Buonanno were .found in Genazzano.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter X. .PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION1. Quality of the testimony of the pilgrims. - 2. Silence of written,coeval docnments - Examination - Papal delegation. - 8. Agreementbetween the pilgrims' narrative and that of other Albanians.-4. The two parties in Genazzano - Quotation from Senni in reference tothem. - 6. Regarding the action of Sirtns IV. - 6. Dednctions fromthe action uf the Pope. - 7. Value of the different titles uf theMadonna as evidence. - 8. The tradition in Genazzano - Devutionof the Albanians in Italy - Early writers. - 9. Pilgrimage of UrbanVIII. - Testimony of Colonna, Duke of Paliano and his secretary.- 10. Testimony on oath, of the oldest inhabitants of Genazzanoin 1779. - 11. Family tree of the descendants of the pilgrim,Georgio.1. We have seen in the last chapter, that notwithstandingthe vicissitudes to which the Sanctuaryof Our Lady in Genazzano was exposed, nevertheless,an overwhelming mass of documentary and monumentalproof existed for the wonderful apparition ofthe sacred Image. We have now to examine the proofsof its no less wonderful translation from Scutari inAlbania to Genazzano. Our knowledge of the factof this supernatural occurrence rests entirely uponthe testimony of the two pilgrims, who, as we haveseen in chap. VII., arrived some days after the miraculouscoming, and stated how and from whencethe Image came.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

180 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELTheir story was certainly, a most extraordinaryone, but at the same time, nothing more extraordinarythan that which all the people knew to beconnected with the coming of the sacred Image. Inpart, it rested entirely upon the credibility of thepilgrims themselves. In part, it could be examinedand proved to be either true or false. 'l'here wereno other witnesses but themselves of tho miraculousleaving and journey of the sacred Image; but it couldbe found out, whether any such Image did exist inScutari; and, if so, whethc~ it still cnntinued thereor not. The Venetians were, at the time, in possessionof both the city and sanduary from which itwas said to have departed. l'hey continued in yossessionfor a sufficient ti~ne to allow every inquiry tobe made, before they surrentlered to the Turks.2. We have here, however, an initial difficulty todispose of. It is, that in such coeval documents asdo exist, and which we have already quoted in proofof the miraculous apparition, nothing is said of thetranslation. But it must be remembered, that not oneof these documents treated of the coming of the sacredImage, expressly. Coriolanus spoke only of the connectionof Petruccia with the occurrence, in proof ofher sanctity as a member of his order. Canesius had- for object, only to tell of n mission sent by Paul 11.The register of miracles had its own definite scope;and so of the rest. If the tratlition be true at all,that the pilgrims really existed, they must have beenexamined by the delegates of the Pope, who cameexpressly to investigate every circumstance connectedwith the wonderful apparition. We have seen thatPRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION 181.the result of the inquiry must have been either givenviva voce to His I-Ioliness, or if any records were leftbehind in Genazzano, these must have perished, orhave been lost together with the other records of theSanctuary, in the manner explained in the lastchapter.There is however, much force in the fact thatone of the papal delegates was a bishop belonging,it may be said, to Albania, - the Bishop of Fara,off the coast of Dalmatia. The selection of this prelateindicates very clearly,. that concurrent with thereport of the coming of the sacrecl Image there wasanother, that it come from Albania. The Bishopof Fara then, could, better than any Italian or Frenchinquisitor, examine a case in which Albania was somuch concerned. We have also seen that the Pontiffboth as a Churchman and as a Venetian, was muchinterested that, tl~en at least, silence should beobserved with regascl to an occurrence which wouldproduce such a disastrous effect upon the defence ofScutari.In any case, though the facts of the miraculoustranslation come down to us by tradition, it is atradition well authenticated, and supported in manyparticulars by facts which cannot be gainsaid.3. In the first l~lwce, the stoi-y of the two Abanians,clear and simple, ant1 told in the same manner withouta particle of variation, could not be reasonablydoubted by the people of Genazzailo, who witnessedthemselves the wonderful apparition of the sacredImage, an event, in every sense, as strange; or bythe multitudes who beheld the wonders worked everyMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

182 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELday, and who, as tradition tells us, saw the continualmiracle of the visibly unsupported Image they cameto venerate. And then, neither Georgio nor De Sclaviscould have any possible motive for deceiving thepeople of Genazzano. Both were at least able tomake their own living, and, in ail probability, broughtmeans with them from their own country. This isevident from the fact, that when settled in the town,they intermarried with respectable families of thelocality, determined never to move far away fromthe Image they so much loved. Again, though manyof the people of Genazzano disliked their story, andwould have gladly contradicted it if they could , itnever was contradicted upon any point whatever.Georgio and De Sclavis remained all their lives in Genazzanoand left families after them. Nothing couldbe easier than to find a flaw in some portion of anarration so extraordinary, if a flaw could be found.The Albanians who came to Latium in great numbersafter Scutari had fallen finally into the handsof the Turks, some three years after , would havebeen able to give a different version, if that of Georgioand De Sclavis were false.4. And then, it may be well to bear in mind,that two distinct parties arose in Genazzano. Oneof these' desired to get the management of the revenuesof the Sanctuary, immense at the time, becauseof the offerings of the pilgrims, on the pleathat Our Lady came from Scutari to be protectedby the military force of Italy; and the other deniedtheir right to interfere, insisting that Our Ladycame because of the want of attention to religion inPRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION 183Albania. The first party wished to have the managementof the church of Santa Maria and of theShrine for the seculars. Amongst them were theprinces of the house of Colonna, who, it would appear, desired to resume the Juspatronatus, which,as we have seen, the prince, Pier Giordano conferredperpetually upon the Augustinians. The second, theparty of prayer, as they called themselves, resentedthis. Pope Sixtus the Fourth had to interfere, andby a bull yet extant, confirmed the donation of PierGiordano, at least so far, that the religious shouldnot be disturbed in the possession of the church,Sanctuary, convent, or of the benefice of the hospitalof the Holy Cross, without the express consent of theHoly See.All that we have advanced, is well described bySenni, in his Memorie di Oenazzano. Giving thehistory of his native city, under the reigns of Paul 11.and Sixtus IV., he thus writes.a The Turks did not delay in laying siege to thefortress, as indeed everyone foresaw, and alreadythe Venetians had well garrisoned Scutari, and continuedto increase its strength. The citizens, uponseeing that the sacred Image of Most Holy Marywas wanting, had serious thoughts, and still inoreserious doubts of our people. But whether they believedthat the Image was taken by human or celestialmeans, the wise, who were not wanting there,could easily persuade all, that however the case stood,they ought take it as a warning from heaven to dopenance and amend their ways; and that if theyshould repent and amend, they could hope in theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

184 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELdivine goodness better than before. We shall seethat they did not hope in vain. The Turks reallybelieved that God favoured the Christians. This confidencedispleased them greatly, because it renderedtheir adversaries more courageous and daring, as theynot seldom experienced with fatal effect. They therefore,in order to take away from the people of Scutarievery hope of assistance from heaven, endeavouredabove all things to batter down their temples. Thetemple of St. Nicholas of Bari being either the mostexposed to their fire, or the most venerated, was thefirst-assaulted, but the first cannon ball which touchedits sacred walls, was cast back by the Saint againstthe sacrilegious invaders . . .. . . a While such a war was being waged roundthe city, out of which the sacred Image had departed,the infernal enemy excited another contest ina certain sense still worse, in the place where it hadarrived. This I ought not disguise, because a history isbound to tell that which is evil, as well as that whichis good; and because this contest affords much lightto enable us to judge concerning the narrative ofthe pilgrims. In sight of the miracles wrought bythe Most Holy Virgin, the zeal to rebuild Her churchwas universal, and presently (in Genazzano) a confraternityof collectors was instituted, which I findmentioned in a will of the very same year of theApparition, with these words. Item reliquit SocietatiBeatae Mariae nova inventa. The title of the companynewly founded. These brethren, in good accordwith the Augustinian religious, completed the buildingnot only of the temple, but assisted also in thePRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION 185construction of a new and beautiful convent. Bothwere terminated in the space of three years and afew months, and while Petruccia was still living.(Coriolan. Defens. p. 2). But after the completion ofthe church and the convent, and after the servantof God had passed to eternal life, either because theiraid seemed useless to the religious, who thereforetreated them coldly, or that they were too forwardand arrogated a joint dominion over the temple, theharmony was destroyed. There arose over the oblationsof the faithful, a reciprocal want of confidence,and the aniillosity proceeded so far, that the religiousand the members of the confraternity, _could hardlysuffer each other to remain in the church together.The arrogance of the confraternity men did not wantsupport. The princes of the house of Colonna, had,or at least pretended to have, the Juspatronatusover the church of the religious as well as over theother churches, though we have seen how in thepast century, Giordan Colonna exercised that rightby placing there the Hermits of St. Augustine, andassigning another church to the priests. AntonioColounn engraved his double coat of arms in thetribune of the holy Chapel, where the sacred workwas commenced, and the same double stemma wherethe work was finished. Meanwhile the church givento the religious was the old one, and not the new.It was pleasing then to our princes, that their subjectsapd dependents should have some charge, nor- could the sanle be displeasing to the bishops or tothe rest of the clergy. But that which enkindledthe controversy most, was the doubt of the AlbaniansMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

186 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELwhether the sacred Image when it first appeared inScutari, came from heaven or from far distant countries.Those who believed it come from far distantcountries, considered from its various passages, thatthe Lord wished it to be venerated in a place, bothdistant, and secure from the fear of the Turks; andhence that the custody of so sacred a deposit shouldbe given to those having charge of the public security,that is to the military citizens. The othershowever, who believed the sacred Image to havedescended from heaven, abhorred such thoughts assacrilegious, which would presume to help Omnipotence.They, said that the celestial appearance of theholy Image reminded us of our duties, one of whichwas to venerate it, without giving ourselves furthertrouble. Of these latter, there was formed anothersociety called the Confraternity of Prayer, namedmany tinles by our notaries in the following century.The place is known, destined now for other uses,where they used to assembled in order to go togetherto the holy Chapel. There remains still the marblearchitrave with the inscription In te Domine speravi. . . All these great events happened beforeand after the examination ordered by Paul II., andrenders his pontificate, which ended in the year 1471,memorable in Genazzano. v5. Under the heading of Sixtus IV., Senni proceeds.a The same year when Sixtus IV. ascended thepontifical throne, the city of Scutari was in greattrouble and danger, in consequence of thk siege andassaults of the Turks. The Pontiff gave all the succourin his power to the city. Whilst there werePRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION 187fears of its fall, the military party in Genazzano con--tinued to talk, while the others attended in silenceto prayer and hope. In the year 1474, however,while Loredano valorously defmded the fortress, itpleased God to cause Peter Mocenigo, the Venetianadmiral to come to his aid. 'l'he Turks being assailedby his forces on two opposite points were, after animmense loss of men, forced to fly from Scutari andto abandon the fortress of Croja and almost all Albania.Mocenigo, by means of this victory, obtainedthe same year the vacant post of Doge. Barletti in .describing these victories, states that they were proceededby prayer and by celestial portents. Whenthe news arrived in Genazzano, everyone understoodthe triumph which the Brethren of Prayer wouldhave from the victory. But it was found that theiradversaries equally triumphed at it, because the victoriescame certainly, by the will of God, through themeans of the combatants. From both sides came insulting expressions; and those of the military party wereaccompanied with threats, not always vain. Amidstthis exms of fanaticism, the Augustinian religiousthought well to have recourse to Pope Sixtus IV.They obtained from him a bull dated 16th July, 1475,by which he confirmed for the benefit of the Augustinian~of Genazzano, the donation before named ofGiordan Colonna, of the church of St. Mary of GoodCounsel, and another of the Holy Cross and of thehospital, and of the goods annexed, which 5~11, FatherFeroci and Father De Orgio speak of in their historiesof the Sanctuary. The religious gained nothingby this bull beyond the rights which they possessed al-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

a188 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELready. It was simply provided that they could notbe deprived of these without the consent of the HolySee. There afterwards followed other changes inmatters, which rendered prudence necessary on theone part and on the other.a Selim II., (Mahomet 11.) in no way cast downby the discomfiture he received in Albania, orderedthat every time he left his palace, he should be remindedthat Scutari was not yet taken, and a goodstipend was given to the person charged with thisduty. A new army was collected and sent againstthat fortress which was besieged once more. TheVenetians involved in other wars more dangerous,made peace with the Turks, and in the year 1477,they surrendered it on good conditions, amongst whichwas the power to go to the city and sell and takeaway the price of whatever property they held there.The Turks used great promises and caresses to thecitizens, on account of which they were more reluctantto depart. But Florio Genomina the better tounderstand the bad faith and the treachery of theTurks, had invited his fellow citizens to pass to theneighbouring dominions of the republic of Venice,promising in its name, a warm welcorae and assistance. They all changed, therefore, their determination;and while some accepted the invitation, otherscame to our Latium as Barletto relates, Tunc Scodrenesonmes . . . in Latium tetenderunt et insinum Porentissimi veneti Senatus confugerunt.Now all hitherto narrated shows us, that not onlywere the two pilgrims of Scubari the only ones totell us that our holy Image was that of their country,PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION 189but there was besides, a great number ef Albanianswho had worshipped it there, to say the same; andthese inflamed the people of Gtenazzano and its neighbourhoodin the contest already related, and the samewas confirmed by all the citizens of Scutari, whoemmigrated to Venice as well as to Latium. Therewas in these times an opinion or general impression,that the provinces of the East and Constantinopleitself, which had fallen into the hands cof the Turks,were abandoned by God in punishment of their sinsand obstinate schism. And when .it happened thatso sacred an Image had abandoned Scutari, it could andit ought to be concluded that that fortress also, andall Albania had been abandoned by God. And veryunwillingly those of that country ought suffer thisevil opinion of them, and very unwillingly shouldthey confess the wonderful passage of their sacredImage. The history of the siege of Scutari by Barlettois altogether directed to show that his countryand his fellow citizens, in all these ten years of war,were always protected by heaven. He could not beignorant of the report spread about in Latium byhis fellow citizens and fellow countrymen. If it wasa falsehood he had the genius and the power to denyit. And instead of that, he closes the history of hisabandoned country, confessing that all his fellowcitizens inclined to go to Latium, in Latium tetenderunt,where they found the double object of theirdevotion, the Blessed Virgin and St. Nicholas of Bari.~6. From this it appears, that Scutari remained inthe hands of the Venetians from the death of Scanderbegto the year 1477, - a period of ten years.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

190 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELSixtus IV. ascended the pontifical throne in 1471.The first siege of Scutari ended in a complete victoryfor the Venetians in 1474. The city, and indeed thewhole of Albania, remained unmolested by the Turksfor three years. Now it was precisely in the firstof these three years, in 1475, that the Pope was calledupon to decide between the litigants in Genazzano.The confraternities in common with all Italyknew well , .of course , the nature of the victoryobtained by the Christians. The Pontiff sent largeaid to the defenders l. It is therefore absolutely impossiblethat he coultl have been ignorant of thestory of the translation any more than of the storyof the wonderful apparition, when called upon todecide a controversy intimately bound up with boththe one and the other. He was himself a Franciscan,and had been even General of his order. He wasone of the first theologians and scholars of theage in which he lived. He was very intimate withthe General of the Augustinians , Coriolanus , whowrote the account of Petruccia given in the lastchapter. It was this Pontiff then, who with thefullest possible knowledge of Scutari, and of all thealleged circumstances connected with the miraculousImage of Genazzano as made known by pub-' Panvinio in his lives of the popes, writes of Sixtus IV.under the marginal note Scutari cotnbattuta dui Turchi 6 Mentreche passano queste cose in Italia, era Scutari terra de'Venetianicombattuta da' Turchi, e Sisto, perchb non venisse quellafortissima rocca in potere de'Barbari, e ne havesvero con questomezzo potuto poi occupar 1'Albania e la Schiavonia, di vettovagliee di denari la soccorse. v P. 458. Ed. Ven.PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION 191lic report, by the investigation ordered a few yearspreviously by his predecessor, and made by prelatesthen living, by the influx of the unfortunate citizensof Scutari, who flocked to his dominions after thelast siege, that not only gave his decision in favourof the Augustinians, but did much more. He rebuiltthe church of Our Lady del Popolo and built nextto it a magnificent convent, and he gave all overto the Augustinians. Why? The principal historianof that order and their own archives tell us, simplybecause of his devotion to the wonderful Imagewhich the Mother of God had transferred so miraculouslyfrom that city of Scutari, in which he tooksuch interest, and for the defense of which he spentso much treasure, to the little town of Genazzano.It cannot of course be expected, that historiansof Scutari would themselves publish their own shame.It is sufficent that they admitted the fact. That theydid not deny it, that not only in Italy but still morein their unfortunate country they preserved the memoryof it, will form the subject of the next chapter.7. It is very true that for many an age, the peopleof Genazzano persisted in calling their sacredImage a Our Lady of Paradise, v without howeverdenying the narrative of the Pilgrims. So longindeed , as the ancient bass-relief already referredto, remained in the church, there was some reasonto have distinct titles for each representation ofOur Lady. But when the old one was removed onthe occasion of the reconstruction of the church 'ofPetruccia, the will of Our Lady in selecting thechurch under this peculiar title of Virgin MotherMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

192 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELof Good Counsel, above all the other churches dedicatedto Her in Italy, as the place where themost woilderful of all Her Images should be worshipped,was respected by all. The reason was seenwhy She loved more than other places, the localityof Her triumph over the foulest rites of Paganism;and why by ways so wonderful, She desired to commenceto spread throughout the world, devotion toHerself, under that most expressive title of the Giverof Good Counsel.8. Then, from the second day after the wonderfulapparition of the sacred Image to Ihe present hour,there comes an unbroken tradition in Genaxzano, asdistinctly giving the narration of the pilgrims as itdoes the facts of the wonderful appariiion. Old pictures,votive offerings, the intense devotion of all IheAlbanians settled in Calabria, Venetia, and elswhereto the Sanctuary, the circumstantial narrative of theearliest historians who have written any professedhistory of the sacred Image, all contribute to confirmthe tradition.9. In 1630, a very remarkable and most publicproof of this tradition was given, during the famouspilgrimage of Urban the VIII. to the n~iraculousImage of the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, in Qenazzano.The good pontiff desired to obtain from OurLady, Her protection for Rome against the pestilencewhich then was devastating Italy. If ever a Popewq.s more averse than another, to reports of miraclesnot well founded in truth, it was Urban VlII. Hebad issued the strictest regulations to curb misguidedand fanciful zeal. Yet he made this special pilgrim-PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION 193age with all the devotion and publicity in his power.At the period John, Duke of Paliano, the son of DukePhilip, who had offered the silver slab to the Sanctuaryfor the miraculous cure of his wife, was chiefof the Colonnas. He received his sovereign with allpossible pomp. He assembled his armed retainers tothe number of eight thousand, infantry, artillery andcavalry, and met the papal cortege at Cave, somethree miles from the Sanctuary. At the entrance ofGenazzano, he presented his liege lord Gith the keysof the town, and made to him the following addresswhich had of course, special reference to the Shibine,Urban came to venerate. He saida The Queen of heavenly and human beings andthe Mother of God, has been pleased to desire to beworshipped in this 1ocalit.y. Her Image which is here,was not brought hither by the hands of mortals, norpainted here by human art, but was seen suddeillyin the temple, and, as it is believed, was fabricated bya celestial artist., that so Latium nlay not seem to bedeprived of its Loreto l.Francesco Cirocchio, the secretary of the Duke,who likely also, composed the Latin oration madeto the Pontiff, is yet more clear in his printed accountof this celebrated visit. He says. a His Holiness desiredto expose himself to this journey . . . urged on byhis devotion and by his desire to visit in person thel a Coelitum hominurnque Regina nc Dei hlater coli heicse voluit, non mortalium rnanibus huc advecta, non hominumpennicillo picta; sed ropente in Temp10 conspecta, ac coelesti,ut creditur, nrtidcio fabrefacta, ne scilicet videretur suum Latiodeesse Lauretum. P. NUOVO Sommario, p. '28, n. 6.13More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

104 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELso much celebrated picture of the Most Holy Virgin.. .which transferred itself by a clear miracle frornremote countries to Genazzano, seeming in this tohave renewed the example ever-to-be-admired, of thetransmigration, which by angelic ministry the holyHouse since called of Loreto, made from Sclavoniato Piceno, on the 10t%f Dec. 1294 l.It would be utterly impossible to have made thesestatements - one in the hearing, and the other withthe knowledge of such a Pontiff as Urban VIII., withouttheir being a real and will grounded foundationfor them. We shall see further on, what great devotionand entire belief he manifested in the wholetradition. And indeed, a still greater enemy of anythinglike exaggeration in the narration of supernaturaloccurrences, Benedict XIV., plainly indicatedhis belief in the wonderful narrative of the pilgrims,by referring to it in no obscure terms in the bullwhich he issued for the establishnlent of the PiousUnion. He says. g In the church named under the. invocation of Holy Mary of Good Counsel, in the townof Genazzano and diocese of Palestrina, there is founda chapel where is venerated an effigy or image ofthe same Imrnaculatc Mary of Good Counsel, formerlyl 6 Volle sue beatitudine esporsi a questo viaggio . . . sospintodalla divozione e dal desiderio di visitare di presenzala tanto celebrata Immagine della SS. Vergine, clle . . . si trasferlcon miracolo elucente da Paesi remoti in Genazzano; parendoin cib rinnovellato l'esempio sempre ammirando dellatrasmigrazione, che per minister0 Angelico da Schinvonia a1Piceno alli 10 di dicembrc 1294 fece la Santissimn Casn, chepoi denorninossi Lorctnnn. vPRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE TRANSLATION 195translated, as pious tradition teaches, from the city. of Scutari by the ministry of Angels l.10. Finally, in the year 1779, a commission of theSacred Congregation of Rites empowered by the HolySee to inquire into all the circumstances connectedwith the coming of the sacred Image, interrogatedon oath the principal inhabitants of the town. Theseaffirmed as the constant tradition of their ancestors,not only the principal facts already proved of theappearance of the Image, but further deposed to thetradition relative to the account given by the twoAlbanians. The following is a translation of the at-'testation given on that occasion.awe, the undersigned and cross-signed of advanced age, underand above eighty years, citizens of Genazzano in the dioceseof Palestrina, for the pure and sincere truth, and not for anyother motive or respect whatever, attest how, by a continualtradition, as it is also continued to the present, we have heardfrom our old ancestors, and these from their own old ancestors,that this most holy Madonna of Good Counsel, which is worshipped,always miraculous, and venerated, as well by immemorialtradition, as by our own happy experience, came intothis our country from Albania, and precisely from the city ofScutari, brought by Angel hands, as its pictures and imagesprinted or painted since that time, according to the form anddesign of that visible picture of it, painted upon the tribune ofits church in the beginning of the present century, and whichappeared on the 25" of April, the festival day of St. Mark theEvangelist, in the year 1467, at the 21" hour, with sudden andl a In Ecclesia sub invocatione sanctae Mariae de BonoConsilio nuncupata Monasterii eiusdem Ordinis S. Augustini inOppido Genazz~no dicto Dioecesis Praenestinae reperitur Cappella,in qup colitur EBgies, sive Imago eiusdem ImmaculataeVirginis Mariae de Bono Consilio, sicut Pia fert traditio perangelorum'ministerium ex Scodra Civitate illuc olim trauslata.,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

196 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELmiraculous ringing of all the bells of the town, in memory ofwhich, there is a constant tradition, with the continual customand practice to ring loudly, and with jubilee all the bells ofthe town eight days before its festival on the 2SLb of April, evenuntil the present day; with the sole difference that for a fewyears at this time, not only the bells of the church of SantaMaria, but those of all the other churches of the town, collegiateand parochial, are rung both in sign of joy and in memoryof its coming the 21" hour, and that amidat a general concourseof the people, the Te Deum is intoned in the church.a There is also another tradition of the same nature as thatabove, to the effect that such apparition was predicted by ourfeuow townswoman, the servant of God, Petruccia, who merited,as is also preserved, the title of cr Blessed P, and that in thefollowing of the said miraculous Image, came two pilgrims wonderfullyadvised and guided, one being of the house of Qeorgioyet existing, and the other of de Sclavis extinct, but the lastmembers of whose family were known to be persons of greatprobity and respectability.a We furthermore depose, that it is not only a tradition aeabove, but also a practice never interrupted, that in memoryof such wonderful apparition during the three days preceedingthe feast, in all the town there were made, and are made, fire8with wood and other festive fires, together with torches andlights in the windows, accompanied by firing off guns and pistols,but that there has never happened the slightest accident, notwithstandingthe crowds of people who enjoyed themselves, andthat the children went about at this time tripping with joyand singing the following refrain.a The Madonna of Good Counsel has left Albania, to cometo our land -Long live, Long live the Madonna of Good Counsel Ia Of the continual numerous concourse of the devout, and ofthe most stupendous continual prodigies, beyond the tradition5of our ancient ancestors authenticated by so many votive offeringshung upon the walls of the holy Chapel and the church,we testify to have been, and to be ourselves, either the dailyocular spectators or assured hearers by infallible relation. Thattherefore to prove this, the incontestable truth, we have madeand do make this present attestation for conscience sake, corroboratedwith our oaths in the cause of knowledge, as our ownact, hy the tradition left to us, and by the continuance and prac-PRIVATE USE ONLY

PROOFS OF THE TRANS1,ATION 197tice of as much as we have expressed. In faith of which wehave signed etc. this 21" day of July 1778. PI, the Priest, Charles Senni de Leoni, canon and parishionerof the collegiate and parochial church of St. Nicholas, aged 76,with my oath afflrm, as above with my own hand.I, the Priest, James Buccabella, chaplain of the parochialchurch of St. John, but parishioner of the church of St. Paulaged 70 years and over, attest with my oath, as above by myown hand. ,I, the Priest, Sante Ascenzi, aged 66 years, beneficed clergymanand parishioner of the parochial church of St. John, attestas above by means of my oath, with my own hand.I, John Baptist Moraschi, of the parish of St. John, attestas above with my own hand.Crotss of Signor Julian Conti aged 80 years, who could notwrite because of a tremor in the Band.I, Francis Ferro of the parish of Santa Maria, aged 81 yearsattest as above with my own hand.I, Signor Augustine Spina, of the parish of St. Mary,aged 85.I, Signor Joseph Bosca, of the parish of St. Nicholas, aged7'7 years attest etc. etc.11. With regard to the younger pilgrim Georgio, hisfamily, a very numerous one, still remains in Genazzanoand in Latium. They keep amongst them thetradition of their descent with considerable pride.One of his direct descendants holds the office of Syndicor Mayor of the town at the present moment, andis also Archivist and Notary Public of the district.From him the following family tree has been obtained.It is a valuable proof of the existence of theyounger pilgrim, and also of the credibility. of hisstory, which is preserved with family pride by allhis descendants. It is as follows.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

MarcoNominated by his father execntorof his last will. He was ministerto Cardinal Ascnnio Colonna. It isuot known whether he married, orhad descendants.GEORGIOSiciliani whichhe is callAlbanensis habitator Qenazzani. He came tothe April of 1467. He there married a widow calby whom he had four children, namely, Mark,cholas and Francesca. The whole four are namday of FNicholasIn 1619 he had not yet arrived,at the age of twenty years. Thisis known from the will of Georgio.His wife was a certain Poliona. Hewas a camerario, and general farmerof the land of Oenazzano.HectorDied withont issue.Rl :doIt is withont doubt that he was the sonof Nicholas, since in an instrument of theNotary, Stephen de Lutiia of Cave on the18th of March 1686, he was called Mntinsson of Nicholas, son of Oeorgio of Qenazzano.His wife was Polema Rosei, by whomhe had five male children namely.nPRIVATE USE ONLYIThomam Aaaanlus t3ep&rnuslJohm Hloholarmohettini.Was abenetlced clergy- Born on the 29th of Waman of the Church of Nov. 1576, as afflrmed ChurSt. Paul in Genazzano, from the parochial books nazzawhere he erected the of the ohepel of St. Paul. ed the1 ohape1 of St. loseph. He married Angels Fia- les.A Conventnblreligious, and agreat pvaroher.r

l I ------- "-0-..Uarried ~llaa%eth Qiu- A beJorepb1j of Oenrrrano. ' -Bt. Johmarried A Notmy, A Priert. From there orme Ime, whOrtensia married many frmilies whoBile1 of So- Lorensalive in the parishesTozzi ofof St. Paul and St. Ni-Cave.cholaa.BeptlmurJobiaOOi1- Married to MaddalenaI I IPelle, of Genazzano.Isabella Paul John BaptlstMarried These on the death ofBenedict their father went toFeroci of Valmoutone, where theyQenazzano. gave rise to another rfamily of Georgi.John Baptist 4.Xotary, Agapltus nlarrird AscanlA Priesrv.--Angela Vaunutel-I r li oi Genazzn~~~~.Il r------IIBeptlmus Francls Constantine ThomasFrom these descend other families scattered through thepari~hes of St. Paul and St. John.lIrFranols Charles ~osgphMarried toMariaFran- A priest andbeneficiary Xotary, married to KO- A prices Rlgozzi of lienaz- of St. Panl. salia Lupicuti of Genaz- St. Niczano.Foranemira Bonanni of defunct. deceased. deceased. deceased. resa Qinlii of Ge-Qenazzano, living.nazeano; died 1stUnmJosephMarried Living. Living. Living. Married to Caroline Editoto Ludovine Maggi, Vannntelli,ofcienaezano, Cfeneolof Qenazzeno. living. ry, andried toTof St. V1 IIMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com&&er JorephChildren, living.Peter 0hs;ler LouIr AA11 living. Born 1

Chapter XLTHE ALBANIAN TRADITION1. Reasons why no evidence of the miraculous translation wan obtainmdafter the fall of Scutari. - 2. Nature of Turkish conquests- Oonditionof the vanquiehed. - 3. Surveillance over Scutari. - 4. Itsrelaxation - Immediate information regarding the sacred Image.-6. Letter of Count Stephen Mcdin regarding the translation. -6. Inquiries made this century. - 7. Letter of Father Mariauo ofPalmanora. - 8. Letter from Monsgr. Radoja, V. Q. of Scutari. -9. More recent and hitherto inedited documents. - 10. Conclnsion.1. In this chapter we shall conclude the proofsof the miraculous translation by an examination ofthe tradition, which must have subsisted amqngstthe Catholics of Albania after that country had fallenunder the dominion of the Turks. It is but just tosay, that if there was a reason why Scutari shouldbe silent during the progress of its sieges, this reasonwould not hold good after the Christian cause had becomehopelessly lost. On the contrary, such an ominousoccurrence as the departure of the sacred Image musthave deeply sunk into the minds of the unfortunateAlbanians who could not emigrate. Those who refusedto be perverted must, in their humiliation, haveacknowledged the just judgment of God upon theirPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 201country and have clung faster than ever to theirreligion. They could not be ignorant of what wassaid all over Italy and throughout Europe regardingthe appearance in Genazzano of the Image, once theirs.Taking all these circumstances into consideration, itmay at first sight seem strange, that no proofs wereobtained after the si~rrender of Scutari, by the zealousguardians of the Sanctuary of Genazzano, or by themany other devoted clients of Our Lady of ~ood Counsel.But then we must take other things also into account.Those who remained were not t he most literateof their nation. The whole of the country was in astate of confusion. And finally, the kind of mastersthey had to deal with were disposed in a mannernot favourable to such investigations, as would throwlight upon the subject. The Turks might like to provethat the sacred Image had departed. But they fearedChristians from without, and they had other objectsin view also.2. If we consider the reasons of their unceasingactivity at this period, we shall find that a motivemore powerful than any that could be suppliedby religious fanaticism, urged on their hosts tofall upon Christian lands. They were a fast multiplyingpeople; and because of the practice of polygamy,the destruction of the male population by.war, did not produce amongst them the paralyzingeffects, which the same destruction would, in amilitary point of view, produce in any christia;country. In fact, war became a necessary outletfor surplus increase, amongst a people, who didnot care to turn land or commerce to account, andMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

20!2 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELamongst whom women were reckoned as goods andchattels. War meant for them, that which emigrationmeans for the British Islands. Those wholeft, relieved those who remained. They carried withthem high hopes not only of serving their spiritualconcerns, by a work esteemed to be in the highestsonse agreeable to Allah and the Prophet, but ofbenefiting their earthly condition by coming intopossession of rich domains and cities.The conditions imposed by Mahomet upon thevanquished were conversion, tribute, or extermination.Conversion secured the goods and civil rights ofapostates. Consequently, the rank and file of theinvaders generally preferred , that the conqueredshould hold fast to their religion. That course securedthe largest amount of spoils to the victors.Christians worsted in war, and unable to fight further,had therefore, either to expatriate themselves, or todescend into a condition not far removed from slavery.As a rule, those who could do so, fled as soon asit became certain that resistance was useless; and so,it often happened that the Turks on becoming mastersof a city found it deserted by its Christian inhabitants.Sometimes, policy caused Christian traders andartificers to be kept, but generally, jealousy led totheir exclusion altogether, more especially, whentheir presence might prove dangerous.3. This was to a great extent, and for a long time,

THE AIABANIAK TRAI)ITION 203Turkish occupation of the city, it was clearly impossiblefor the Fathers of Genazzano, to learn anythingregarding the condition of the little church6ut of which the miraculous Image had departed.4. About the middle of the last century, however,this surveillance, though still strict, relaxed somewhat,and enabled the agent of the Catholic missionsof Albania in Rome, to give most interesting informationregarding the Madonna of Genazzano.From this source it was gathered, that not onlyhad the people of Albania known of the existenceof the sacred Image, but that they had never losttheir devotion to it.They all knew that it haddeparted from its original temple. Many had heardof its having gone of its own accord to a town inItaly. The remembrance of their last great king, andof his deep devotion to it, still subsisted. Even thevery walls of the sanctuary in which it once stood,were deemed sacred, and whenever the Turks permitted,were most piously visited in pilgrimage bythe surrounding country people. Furthermore it appeared,that no power of the Turks was able to convertits temple into a mosque - a fate which befell allthe other Catholic churches of Scutari, - because ofsupernatural prevention. Neither could they, thoughthey often tried, convert its materials to profane uses.Lastly, it was believed, that Inany miracles and supernaturaloccurrences took place in its ruins. Thefirst account furnished comes from the Albanian'nobleman, Count and Captain Stephen Medin, andwas written as early as 1745, to Signor, Count JohnBiiptist Medin.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

204 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL5. This document published by De Orgio, throwsconsiderable light upon the fact, that the Image solong venerated in Oenazzano is no other than thatwhich Georgio and De Sclavis represented it to be;the one venerated by Scanderbeg and all Albania.The following is a literal translation of it fromthe Italian as given by De Orgio, preserving thetitles, adjectives, and quaintness of phraseology commonto formal documents in the last century.a Copy of a letter written by the Signor Countand Captain Stephen Medin on the 251h of July 1745,to Signor John Baptist Medin.a With regard to the charge which your Illustrious Worshipgives me, to examine whether there yet exists in Scutari anychurch dedicated to the Most Holy Madol.nw, and whether theremay be in it any niche or .other position where it could beknown that there was at any time an lmage of the Madonna.From what I could learn from the oldest inhabitants of thecountry, persons worthy of all faith, they say, that there is inthe suburbs of that city a church almost in ruins, which iscalled the Most Holy Annunciation; and where continuous andfrequent miracles do not cease to ti~ke place, amongst whichthe most considerable are the following. How often soever theTurks wished to reduce that church to the condition of a mosque,they never could succeed because it a1w;~ys h;ippened that whatthey built up by day, fell of itself by n~ght. As many timesas the Hova or priest of the Turks has attempted to get uponthe walls, to cry out in their manner as he would to call thepeople to the temple according to custom, n certain wind camelike lightning, and the Hosa or priest W;LS blown by it into theriver Bojana and submerged there. A few years ago the Muftior their chief priest came to the said church and desecratinga sacred Image painted upon the wall by scraping out the eyesand by giving it certain gashes through contempt, found whenhe returned to his home that seven of his family were dead,and he himself became insane. Such past and still continuedmiracles, have caused that, though the dooq of the said churchPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 205remain open day and night, no Turk has since attempted anyfurther irreverence to the said temple, which stands nearlyruined: nevertheless two beams, auspended almost in the air,enstain a certain portion of the roof: in this also we see anevident miracle. Moreover, on the night of the Most HolyAnnunciation, a lamp is seen burning in front of that desertedAltar. The place in which was the Image of the Blessed Virgin,not now to be found, is certainly seen there; and (as we knowfrom tradition) some say, that this holy Image was taken away,and others firmly assert, that it went away of itself. If bychance these accounts be not sufiicient, command me and I willmake further inquiries etc. vCopy of the attestation of Signor Nicholas diAntonio Cambsi, Noble of Scutari.a In the name of God. Amen. In order the more to promulgatethe glories of the miraculous Image of the Most HolyVirgin called of Good Counsel, venerated by an innumerableconcourse of people in the celebrated district of Genazzano etc.When, in the year past, the octave of the Canonization ofSan Pietro Regalato was celebrated, there happened to be presentSignor Nicola di Antonio Cambsi, a noble of the city ofScutiiri, and procurator of the nine churches which are foundin the neighbourhood of the aforesnid city for the MissionariesApostolic and Bidhops sent by the Propaganda. He Havingbeen seen by the most Illustrious Signor, Antonio Giulii Mondi,a citizen of Genazzano and a Roman, the latter was moved bycuriosity, on seeing the aforesaid Signor Nicola di Antoniodressed as an Albanian, to ask whence he came. But as thesame did not then know how to speak Italian, a clergymanwho accompanied him and served as interpreter, answered thathe came from the city of Scutari, and the said clergyman wasnamed Signor Don Gaspare Azt~ri: and he said that the abovementionedSignor Nichu1:is related the underwritten notices, asat present he the snme Signor Nicholas upon his oath deposes,before the undersigned witnesses.He deposes therefore, that the church, where anciently wasvenerated the above-strid holy Image, before the city pointedout, Sell into the hands of the TUI-ks, was and is still situatedMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

206 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELoutside the city, almost half an Italian mile. This church isheld in great veneration by the Catholics, because of the traditionthat in the wall opposite the door of entrance, stood theholy Image, and all the more this tradition is confirmed by thefact, that the empty space where it stood is plainly seen withthe pictures of certain saints at each side. And the same SignorNicholas, having seen a copy of the Blessed Virgin of thesame size as that of Genazzano, has asserted, that it correspondsexactly with the spot left bare in the wall, although that ispartly injured by the infidelity of the Turks. The said church,he asserts, is in the power of the Turks, who will not permitthe Catholics to enter.He further deposes, that the Catholics in the same cityhave it as tru6 tradition, that a Turk in high position amongstthose infidels, with the title in the& language of Efferadia,wishing to convert that church into a mosque because of itsproximity to his residence, ascended by means of a ladder uponit, to call the Turks to perform their functions there accordingto their sect. In which act, his head was twisted round, andhe commenced to bleat like a goat, and so descended from hisposition and desisted from his attempt.He likewise asserts, that not many years ago, another principalTurk called Vegliada Zerde, in order to make a bridgeacross the river Bojana near the church, having dared to takestones from the wall of the same, to load several mules withthem, and transport them to the river, the mules were hardlyunloaded when they fell dead. Notwithstanding this, he persistedin his attempt. He caused the bridge to be built; but whenit was finished, it fell into a complete ruin. After which hetook care to return the stones to the church, where, near thewalls, the deponent saw them about three years since, at thetime of his departure from Scutari. So great'is the fear struckinto the Turks by such events, that they will not even touch- rome trees near another church not far distant from the said one.The same Signor deponent asserts moreover, that he hasheard many times from Catholic inhabitants who dwell closeby the church, that at certain times, with their eyes, theyhave seen at night, a light descend upon it and there burnmiraculously.He further deposes, that the aforesaid church having remained without a roof upon its walls, the concave portion of thePRIVATE USE ONLY

vault remains in the air, covering that part of the wall whereare found the pictures of the saints and the bare space betweenthem, whence the holy Image detached itself. And he asserts,that for all the above reasons and occurrences, the subjects ofthe most Serene Repnblic of Venice and other merchants, cometo venerate these walls, where once stood an Image so holy;and thus with open mouth proclaim these citizens fortunate, whohave it near them.He Signor Nicholas affirms, that when he was asked fromwhence he came, he neither knew nor understood Italian, butthat at present having learned it su5ciently, lie has in thatItalian idiom deposed as above, and has given to me the undersignedpermission to publish the who10 present attestation, byhim equally subscribed with his own hand, in the presence ofthe undersigned witnesses, this ninth day of February andabove named year 1748.I, Paschal Regoli, Roman Priest and Rector Jubilated ofSan Pantaleo a Monti.I, Nicholas di Antonio Cambsi of Scutari in Albania.I, Nicholas Mary Conto Piccini, was present.I, John Angel Pasquasmi, was present.Here follows the instrument of recognition of the NotaryCapitoline.6. The inquiries of last century were followed upwith greater ease and effect by the Very ReverendFather Belgrano, at present Chaplain to Her ImperialMajesty, the Dowager Empress of Austria, and, formany years, Prior of the Convent of Genazzano.Through the aid of the Fathers, Minor ObservantineFranciscans, who have charge of many missions inAlbania, and through the aid of Monsignor Radojathe Vicar General of Scutari, and of a Parish Priestof the same city, both natives of Albania, he has inthe following letters, which are translated in extenso,completely established the fact of the tradition inin Albania being identical with the statements ofthe pilgrims Georgio and de Sclavis in Genazzano.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

208 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL7. Letter of Father Mariano of Palmanova (MinorOss.) regarding the tradition yet existing in Scutariof t.he translation of the Image of Most Holy Maryof Good Counsel, directed to Father Peter Belgrano,Prior of Santa Mnria, Genazzano.a Praised be the Lord and hlary Most Holy l that at lastI am able to transrnit to you the result of the investigationsmade, regarding whilt you wrote to me about in your esteemedletter of the 29"' of Mi~y. My 05ce as Superior of the Missionsof Epirus, not pern~it,ting me to make a delay in the city ofScutari long enough to attain the scope in view, I thought itbest to have recourse to, and on many occasions to make applicationto, the Most Reverend Father Giampiero da Bergamo,Prefect Apostolic of the Missions of Castrati, anrl Superior ofthe Hospice of !,he Fritnciscnns of that city, to whom I intrustedthe memorandi~ and the inquiries of your Very Reverend Paternity,begging him to consult the traditions and the historicfacts relative to the church of the Madonna of Scutari, and tothose inquiries proposed hy you in your memoranda; and toinduce the Most Rev. Monsignor D. Angelo Radoja, Vicar Generalof the Archdiocese, and other competent persons to makeaccurate reseiirches for that object; and also to visit on purposethe locality where trxdition and historical memoirs indicatethe said church tu have been. Here then, very Rev. Father isthe letter of the above mentioned Father Qiampietro, relativeto the duty committed to him. va My dear Father Mariano,a I have the p1e:lsure and the honour to communicate to you,that the Most Revd. Monsignor D. Angelo Radoja and the Revd.Father Paschal Junchi have taken up with great interest thelabour of xnitking researches regarding the facts connected withthe church, which once possessetl the venerated and lovableImage of the M;idonnn now honoured in Genazzano; and with realpleasure they also condescended to accept the invitation of goingPRIVATE USE ONLY

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THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 209upon the spot where the time-honoured church is believed tostand, and to make the most minute and accurate examination.Therefore, on the 8'" of the present month, together with theabove named Monsignor and the Rev. Father Paschal, I wentbehind the fortress, at the extremities of which are the ruinethat the faithful venerate by pilgrimages and vows as reliceof the church of their Madonna. I brought with me our ownFra Anselmo da Oorle, because as a skilled architect he wouldbe of use in the difficult examination of these ruins; and theaforesaid Monsignor Radoja and Don Paschal also brought withthem a native of Scutari, well instructed in the traditions andhistory of his country.The result of our researches, and of the skilled inquirymade in the locality, and especially regarding the ruins whichexist at the extremity of the wall upon which rises the fortressof Scutari, has been in accordance with our most sanguineexpectations.It was agreed upon by the judgment of all and with themost perfect accord.1. That the place where the ruins stand is really the place,and the only place, where tradition and the historical menioirsof Father Angelo Mary DeOrgio, both say, that the fortunatechurch of the Madonna of Scutnri existed: and 2. That those ruinsexisting there at present, and which every day receive marksof the devotion of the faithful, are precisely the remains ofthe cherished little church.The following observations of the locality and of the ruinsthemselves, compared with the written account of the abovenamed historian, conducted us to this happy and consoling result.And firstly, it is observable, that the site taken to be examined,namely that in which are found the ruined walls of anedifice, at the distance of about half an ltalian mile from theancient city of Scutari, stands quite close to the river Bojana,where a bridge is seen overturned and ruined, (likely thatwhich the rich Mussulman tried to erect with the stones fromtlio church of the Madonna). On the opposite side and not fardistant, stands a small mosque, once a church dedicated toSt. Lawrence, and before which are two large and majestic trees,looked upon as sacred, by the Mussulmans themselves. Theseare evidently to be considered as the ones which the above14More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

210 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELnamed writer asserts to have been situated before a a churchnot far distant from that of the Madonna, respected by theTurks themselves. Secondly then, the ruins which arise inthat place, and which in their actual external appearance havethe aspect of a seculilr house, considered attentively in theirinternal disposition, and in the marks of ~ntiquity and of scope,demonstrate themselves to be really and undoubtedly the remainsof that little church, which the narrators of Scutarireferred to in the history of De Orgio, visited 130 years ago,and declared to be the ruins where once stood the blessedImage of Gttnazzano. in fact after a minute and skilful examinationwe noted.1°. That in the middle compartment, (the edifice is composedof three compartments) there is some difference from the twolateral ones, both in the size find style of the doors, and ofthe two windows opened in the two witlls of the side; and thatupon the princip.11 wall of the same there are three squareniches, of which the smallest is in the middle, and correspondsprecisely with the ent.ranco door, still observable to have beenin the w ~ll opposite, which in part ~1re:ldy exists.2" That over the niche in the middle, the wall yet preservesthe signs of a vault or of an arch as an ornament of the sameniche.3. That the windowa opened in the middle of the compnrtment,in t.he same manner as the two doorj close to the wallwhere the entrance door stood, and by which people passed tothe two side compartments, have for architraves an acute archof the gothic style.4". That the w.111~ of the said compnrtment have, hereand there, still the signs of a plastering bright and red incolour.5,. That the two side compartments areench perfectly alike,both in size and in the form of the part surmounted by regulararches worked in the w;rlI. All this persuaded us, that thecentral co~npartrnent was used as a church; and that the twoside ones, served nu tribunes, where the devout could be giltheredtogether on di~ys of concourse or on feast days. We noticedbesides, that in relation to the testimony given by SignorNic1rol:ls di Antonio Cambsi of Scutari, the little niche made inthe prilntrry w.111 of the compartment, standa precisely oppositethe principal elltrance door; that above it, at a proportionatePRIVATE USE ONLY

THR ALBANIAN TRADITION 211distance, there was an arch in the form of a vault: and thatthe size of the niche corresponds with that of the veneratedImwe of Genazzano. We noted finally, that before the threeabove mentioned compartments ran an atrium as long as theedifice, by which the church was entered from two opposite@ides by two doors, large and spacious. From these evidentindications and marks, which to a hair correspond with thenotices referred to by us, and from authentic historical accountswe agreed to pronounce, that these ruins are the remains of theehurch which at one time possessed the blessed Image of G*nazzano.Then with regcrd to the age of the said ruins, and as towhether they go back to a period anterior to the occupationof the Turka. Beyond the form of the edifice, the like of whichis not to be found in any locality of Albania, and the ferruginousnnd the bronze colour of the stones with which it wasconstructed; this fact proves it suBciently, that from thetime when the persons of Scutari made the above-referred-torelation to our day, the Turks never built in that place eitherhouses or mosques, but preferred to leave the locality in perfectabandonment. Another fact further proves their antiquity. TheTurks would not certainly have permitted foreigners to buildhouses for their use according to the European style, andif any such had the idea of building a dwelling house, theyforced them to erect it in the barbarous style in which they builtinvariably their own dens. Moreover, in the 130 years whichpassed from the time that those authoritativd and indigenouspersons declared the ruins of the church of the Madonna tohave existed there, and since the Turks from fear of ruisfortane,desisted from the thought of reducing that ruin into amosque, and from putting forth a hand to damage the same,there was not any one, either Christian or Mussulmnn, who couldrecollect the con.itruction in that spot of houses or other edificesfor secular or religious purposes. Tradition instead, informs us,that the faithful Catholics of Scutnri, and of all the surround*ing country, far and near, have always and constantly manifestedby pilgrimages their devotion to these ruins; and to such 'anextent that the Mussul~nans have attempted from tiine to timeto prevent those religious demonstrations. The belief referred to,that these ruins have been once the fortunate church, is nowrtrong not only amongst the Christians, but even amongst the Mus-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

a12THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEI,sulmane themselves; and both the one and the other frequently gothere for their spiritual and temporal needs, with penitential pilgrimages,and with a devotion intense and ardent beyond baef.Women of all conditions and of every age, even those of a highand elevated class, go there with bare feet, and prostrate themselvesbefore the spot where yet exists the little niche abovenoticed, and there remain whole hours in prayer, after havingseveral times made the circuit of the whole building. Nor domany go away without having poured out fervent prayers intears. And then, frequently, the fact occurs that many drawfrom these pilgrimages not only spiritual and temporal advantage,but return home moreover consoled. Signor M. yourPaternity knows well to have a son of ten years affectedwith the rickets in such a manner that he could not walk.Having found every remedy useless he yielded to the adviceof his pious consort and made a vow to the Madonna of Scutarito complete a pilgrimage to the above named place, bringingwith them their sick son. The devout parents did in fact bringwith them the child in their arms, and having completedtheir promised devotions, they saw to their surprise and unexpectedconsolation that the boy stood upon his feet, and wasin a condition to follow them to their distant house in the city.A poor Turk was for several years blind of both his eyes,and not having being able to obtain any relief from medical skill,he resolved to go within the ruins of the church of the hladonna,where he prayed in his own fashion. Three days afterthis visit, he was able to see without any difficulty whatever,and boasted to have had that grace from the Madonna of theChristians.Beyond these spebial signs by which the Lord rewards thefaith of those who are devout and suppliant to His Holy Mother,and approves of their pious confidence in Her intercession, itis worthy of mention that he punishes with manifest chastisementsthose, who through contempt or even inadvertency attemptto profane by secular and indecent uses, these holy precincts.It often happened that some Turkish shepherds decided toput within these walls their flocks to pass the night, althoughdissuaded from doing so by tho neighbouring peoplc. But theLord permitted, that the following morning, the shepherdscould not compel their beasts to go from the enclosure, beingtaken with. a mysterious malady which prevented them fromPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITIONaiaetspding. And then only, when sorrowful for their fault, theywere forced to declare that place holy, by lighting pax candlesat their expense, and by beseeching with fervent prayer8 ifrqupreme Protector, could they flnd their beasts whole and sound.. Mehemet Cialscud, a celebrated Turk of this city, in buildinghis house gave direction8 to transport the stones takepfrom the walls of the church; but scarcely had the carts whichcarried them arrived at his dwelling, when suddenly all theoxen fell dead A Christian yet living tells, that when HawAgB built his hotel (Han) he himself by order of that powerfulTurk, carried several stones from the 'aforesaid church, buton the following day they were all found in the place frowhencethey were taken.Such, most dear Father, is what I have been able to gatherand convey to you both with regard to the minute and conscientiousresearches upon the traditional and historic fact ofthe locality, in which the little church of the Blessed Imageof Scutari, now venerated in Genazzano, existed ; and withregard also to the results of the visit made by me, by theMoat Rev. Monsignor D. Angelo Radoja, Vicar General of theArchidiocese, and Parish Priest of Scutari, and by Don PaschalJunchi, Curate, upon the locality itself of the venerated ruins.In fine, I give you in the last place, a few details regardingthe worship with whicrh that blessed Image is at present honouredin Scutari.1. Every third Monday of October in the city of Scutariio solemnized with extraodinary pomp, and amidst a very greatconconrse of people from all the neighbouring towns, and frommany at a great distance, the feast of the above-mentionedMadonna of Scutari. The holy Image of Good Counsel, whichis an authentic copy of that venerated in Genazzano, which thechief gentlemen of Scutari had painted, I do not know at whattime, is exposed upon the high altar. The sermon on that day,turns upon the sorrowful fact of the departure of the holyImage from that city, and upon the necessity of praying theMoat Blessed Madonoa, that She would recondole this land withBer protection. During the sacred functian the people defile innumerous and devout processions. The11 follow the .many COPfraternitieswith their standards, all representing on one sidethe Madonna ot Scutari. Amongst these Confraternitiee is praemiaentthat of the Madonna of Good Counsel, Whose wagniflcentMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

214 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELstandard represents the blessed and venerated Image of G*nazzano, transported by Angels, and beneath the Image, thehistorical fact of the flight of the Madonna from Scutari. Animmense crowd of young boys and young girls sing in theitown Albanese tongue a sacred canticle, in which, at everyverse, they repeat with moving words tbe desire that the BlessedVirgin should return again to these places; and they pray theholy Image not to protract the abandonment of Her penitentchildren.This feast, solemnized with such effective and public pomp,goes back to an ancient date, and even to a period when it wasnot permitted to the oppressed Catholics of Scutari by Mussulmanfanaticism, to manifest externally their religious sentiments,and to attest their devotion. It is stated that even then, fromtime immemorial, in their chapels, oratories, and even in theirhouses, there existed and were venerated Images of the BlessedVirgin of Good Counsel, under the common title of Our Madonnaof Scutari; and that in the place where the faithful assembledfor Boly Communion and the sacred services cjf the Church, theyalways exposed the holy Image, etc. etc.From the heart embracing you, I am etc.B. GXAMPIERO DA BEROAMO.Pro Prefect AportolicCopy conformable to the originalI, B. Giampiero da Bergamo, attest the truth of the abovewritten copy.I, Don Paschal, confirm the aboveI, Don Angelo Radoja, V. Q. of the Archidiocese confirmthe above.geen for the purpose of legalizing the foregoing signaturesCHARLES, Archbishop of Antirari and Scutari.Before publishing the present relation, I also visited thosefavoured ruins, and I was able to prostrate myself before thatniche where formerly remained the blessed Image of Most HolyMary, now worshipped in Genazzano; and I have been able tomake myself aasnred of many things which tradition keeps alwaysalive amongst these people regarding the truth of theOccurrence. Having examined at length the relation by myself,PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 21 51 caused it to be subscribed by those composing the commission,and to be legalized by the signature of Monsignor the Archhishop,who with pleasure interested himself in the matter, and weall congratulated ourselves on the happy result obtained for thegreater glory of God and of His Divine MotherI hope, sincerely, that this answer to the inquiries madeby your Paternity, will be in accordance w~th your desires, andI hope that you will extend to me your forgiveness for havingbeen obliged to leave you up to this, in such long and painfulexpectation.Receive, Very Revd. Father, the expression of my profoundesteem, whilst I, with great pleasure, have the honour to subscribemyselfYour Most Revd. Pkternity'ehumble, devoted, and moat obliged aervant,B. MARIANO DA PALMANOVAMinor Observantand Prefect Apostolic of the Mi~siune of Epiros.Letter of the Vicar General of Scutari, the Most Revd.Monsignor Angelo Radoja with regard to the value of the traditionin-Scutari, of the holy Image, directed to Father MarianoPizzocchini Da Palmanova, Minor Observant, PrefectApostolic or Epirus.a Very Revd. Father,a Your Very Revd. Paternity in permitting me to read theesteemed letter of the Illustrious Fr. Peter Belgrano, 0. S. A.has desired eo far to honour me with your confldence, and I amgrateful to you for it, but I wish to tell you frankly, that Ihave experienced in my heart great pleasure in reading in thesame, that the aforesaid Father has been satisfied with therelation sent to him of the ancient church of the Madonna ofScutari. But as the zealous religious desires to have from us,who flnd ourselves upon the spot, some fuller information, Iwillingly, to please your Reverence, am ready to grant it to him.The same Father Belgrano wishes to know, whether thelittle church is found within the precincts of the ancient cityof Scutari. Certainly, this little church was then, as it is now,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

216 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELsituated in one of the suburbs called, from the first years ofthe terrible Turkish invasion, Ali-Begh-Mahhlasi. This suburb,sixty years ago, was full of houses and inhabitants , allMussulmans.The ancient city of Scutari was lunch smaller and embracedthe castle and the fortress, and once was crowded with houses,inhabited in great part by gentlemen and nobles, and also iacludedthe actual market, called by us the piazza, and the streetcalled Ciafa, places situated partly towards the North and partlytowards the East, while Ali-Begh-Mahhlasi on the oppositeside, looked towards the South and the East. It is clear then,that the places above named are distant about a mile fromAli-Begh-Mahhlasi. The point most difflcult to be cleared upseems to be this: whether it is true, that the tradition in Scutariregarding the miraculous Image of which we spenk, is vague;for if so, the tradition would be of little value. We, mostdear Father, who are the children of the ancient Albanians, atone time the glorioas defenders of the Catholic Religion bothagainst the Schismatics and against the Turks, are able to saywith all frankness, (a quality characteristic of this natio~), thatwe have heard not only from priests, but much more from ourancestors who certainly had not the least necessity to deceivepoeterity: that in the little church at the foot of the fortresrof Scutari , between the two rivers Drino and Bojitna, thereexisted the Image of Our Lady of Good Counsel - Fuguria 6Eois Sckodres - and that some years before the Turks tookpossession of Scutari, it departed from that little church andwas transported mirnculously to a foreign city, that of Genazzano.These precise words are preserved by the Scutarians, andin general by all the Albanese, as a precious memorial transmittedto us from our ancestors, who in their turn heard itfrom those who were old in their days, and thus again thoselatter from others, until it lost itself in long passed generations.Your Paternity, who has remained twenty years in Albaniaknows well the character of the Albanians. Are these not mosttenacious in preserving religiously, the important notices handeddown from their own ancestors, and disinclined to admit,at the same time, things novel in contradiction to their traditionalideas? How then could a man of sense go contrary, inany manner to a sentiment constantly preserved from generationto generation even to the present. This sentiment is so profound-PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 217ly impressed and rooted in all classes, that he who woulddare to sustain the contrary or would wish to place it in doubt,if one born in the country, would expose himself infallibly topublic indignation and execration, and also would run the riskof receiving some evil treatment; if he were a foreigner, hewould be regarded with an eye of commiseration, whose companyall would fly, in order not to hear from him such a scandalousnovelty. We are deprived, it is true, of inscriptions and ofhistories written by Albanese, allusive to this tradition. But,in truth, who amongst us is ignorant of the long and disastrbussiege, which our glorious ancestors have sustained against the ,immense army of barbarians, and who after such a profusion. of blood had at last to snrrender this famous city. The Turks,then, exadperated for the loss of innumerable soldiers, werescarcely masters of Scutari, when, worse than Vandals, theydestroyed all in$criptions and marks of the Christian Religion,and burned books and other scientific and religious objects.But. what of this9 It is an incontestable fact, that theythemselves in their fury left intact to the Christians the twochurches, namely, the little church dedicated to Our Lady of Scutari,and the other to Saint Mary Magdalen of Tebuena, fourminutes walk from the market, which yet subsists in our power.They turned into mosques the other churches; but nevertheless.they could not succeed in obliterating from the memory of theChristians, that in the little church at the foot of the fortress, inthe suburb of the Turks, called Ali-Begh-MahBlasi there did existthe miraculous Image of which we speak. It is not true then toassert that the Christians, after the invasion of the Turks, eitherapostatieed, or that those who wished to persevere in theirreligion repaired to the mountains or fled into Italy. This iatrue of some, but not of all. To many it was permitted to dwellin Susa, Tebuena, Berdizza, Cucci, and at Remagni, places verynear the city. The Christians of these places in such proximity,(to the church) even from the first years of the memorableinvasion, have had continual relations and business with theTurks, who where not then so numerous. They therefore, asto-day, frequented the dear little church, although then furtivelyfor fear of the Turks, to the eyes of whom they were indeed.but too exposed. But why did these poor Christians go intothat sacred place? Perhaps the priests excited them to go there?The few priests in those dark times could not speak openljMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

318 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELfor fear of exposing themselves to greater dangers. By allmeans the Christians went there, because they knew with certainty,that there the venerable Image had made a long 'stay,whose loss their descendants now deplore; and they offer up,many times, most fervent prayers to Our Lady, that She wouldbe pleased to console them by causing to return to its ancienthome, their deeply desired Image. Can it be possible, my dearostFather, that an entire people, commencing from the highest, tothe lowest labourer, also an entire nation, retaining with suchtenacity from age to age such a belief, could be led into error?And can such a tradition be called by any person in his sensesvery vague? If this, our tradition, can be qualified as vague,tell me what other in the world can be admitted as true?Scutari December 17Ib 1878.Receive the assurance of my profound respect.Your Very Revd. Paternity'sMost devoted servantANGELO RADOJA P. P. Vic. Gen.9. To these documents, which have been printed inthe histories of De Orgio, Buonanno, Belgrano andothers, we are able to add the following which havenot as yet been published even in Italian. Wetherefore give the original and the translation; andwith them close the very abundant proofs of thetradition in Scutari regarding the existence, and thetranslation, of the miraculous Image of our Lady ofGood Counsel to Genazzano.First DocumentNota dei documenti che esistono, per l'esistenzain Scutari della Chiesuola ove stava la B. Immaginedel Buon Consiglio di Genazzano, della prodigiosasua traslazione.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 219Ai gi& descritti in altra occasione si aggiungonoi seguenti.1. Una pia e divota donna Scutarina, di distintacondizione, avendo ud'to nel luglio del 1878 che sifacevano ricerche per provsre che, quelle mura tubtora esistenti dietro la fortezxa di Scutari, e veneratedal pop010 come sncre, sono i preziosi avanzi dellaChiesuola ove dirnorb 13 B. Imrnagine del Buon Consiglio,narrb: come che essa nei frequenti suoi pellegrinaggia quelle venerate mura, fosse solita di girarepiu volte attorno a quelle, e di baciare ad ogni girouna Immaginetta della Madonna scolpita in una pietra,che era incastrata nel1a parte esterna del rnuroove 8 praticata la nicchia, che sosteneva un dl 18Beata Imrnagine di Genazzano: e che la figura dellapiccola Immagine scolpita, era consimile a quella chesi venera nella Chiesa Cattedrale di Scutari. Dissepoi, che con suo sommo rincrescimento, circa dueanni prima del sopradetto tempo, non trovb pihquella Immaginetta , e pensb , che qualche divotodella Madonna avesse levata dal muro, e portata viaquella pietra sopra la quale era scolpita 1'Immagine.Questo fatto sarebbe indizio non dubbio, che quellemura sieno gli avanzi della Chiesetta ove era 1'Immaginedella Madonna cosi detta di Scutari.2. I1 M. R. D. Pasquale Funchi parroco coadiutoredella Chiesa di Scutari, asserisce di aver veduto,pochi anni addietro una pietra lavorata a scalpello,e di forma oblunga e quadrilatera, sulla quale erascolpita la iscrizione dedicatoria in caratteri maiuscoliD. 0. M. et Beatae Virgini. Quella pietrastava, da tempo immemorabile , rovesciata a terra ,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

220 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELe non molto distante dalle rovine .sopra descritte: edisgraziatamente fu tolta poco tempo fa dai Mussulmani,e adoperata nei restauri del vicino ponte sulDrino. Giova osservare, che in quei dintorni non esistonoaltre chiese, n8 che vi sieno state in tempipiu o meno remoti col tit010 della B. Vergine; e latradizione solamente asserisce cib a riguardo di quelladi cui rimangono le mura venerate. Si deve dunqueargomentare* che quella pietra apparteneva di fattoall' edificio di cui rimangono gli avanzi.3. Dalla storia, e dalla tradizione si rileva: chesul pendio della collina sulla quale sta la fortezza diScutari, e in vicinanza eziandio delle rovine sopradescritte, esisterono molte case di private e distintsfamiglie turche. I1 governo sul principio di questosecolo, per viste politiche e militari ordinb alle suddettefamiglie di stabilirsi altrove, e che le case fobsero atterrate. I1 nonagenario e tuttora vivente M. R.D. Giacomo Vassia attesta di avere nella sua giovinezzaveduto molte di quelle case ancora abitate; eche circa all' et8 sua di quarant' anni, fu testimoniodell' assoluto abbandono delle medesime. Presentementequegli edificii sono interamente dist,rutti, e diquasi tutti non ne rimangono neppure le fondamenta.La ragione di cib si 6, che si il Governo, come lefamiglie proprietarie stabilitesi altrove andarono agara per sfruttare il materiale di quegli edificii inopere di privato e pnbblico vantaggio. Ora vienespontanea la domanda: come 8, che quelle xnura veneratedai Cristiani quali avanzi sacri , sussistanointatte sino alla rilevante altezza di un piano, e nosincorsero la sorte delle altre case, che pure stavanoPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 221a loro si vicine? Perch8 il governo non le compresenell'ordine dato per utile, e sicurezza pubblica? Eper quale ragione poi i hlussulmani non si approfittaronodel materiale di quelle mura , che pure inconfront0 di quello delle case distrutte sarebbe to^nato assai piu vantaggioso per la costruzione dellenuove e non lontane loro abitazioni? Da gran tempoaddietro tanto il governo quanto le private famiglieTurche componenti il sobborgo di Bacialek non cessaronodi fare opere di costruzione. Nel giro ditrent' anni si costruirono moltissime case, si feceromuri di cinta, ripari alle fortezze ed a1 ponte sulDrino, sepolcri e simili cose. Presentemente pure sifanno a quando a quando fabbriche nuove in luoghi -assai vicini a quelle sopradette mura, ed il materialeper quell' opere si compra a caro prezzo, e si trasportaa schiena di cavallo da luoghi considerevolmentelontani. Ma nB prima nb ora 8 venuto maiil pensiero ad alcuno di atterrare quell' avanzo diedificio per servirsi del molto materiale, che darebbein sassi non solamente, ma in pietre ancora lavoratea squadro. Eppure si sa, che i Turchi sono soliti diapprofittarsi di ogni cosa, che sia tenuta ih abbandono:e quando poi possono soltanto sospettare chequelle appartennero a cristiani antichi, si fanno unmerito di appropriarsele. Ora come si spiega questofatto evidentemente in opposizione all'indole avaradei Mussulmani, ed alle loro stesse aspirazioni religiosefanatiche ? Bisogna confessare adunque, o chei Turchi non s'accorsero del vantaggio che potevanotrarre dal nlateriale di quelle mura, e 10 lasciaronoper il tratto di piu di 50 anni (il che sarebbe daMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

222 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL.attribuirsi ad un miracolo) o che essi rispettaronoquelle nlura, e non attentarono di toccarle per temadi non essere severamente castigati, come furono castigaiii loro padri, quando osarono profanarle. Sinoti che la tradizione che quel luogo non si pub profanaresenza provarne castighi, sussiste ancora vivae potente a1 di d'oggi tra la popolazione Mussulnlanadi Scutnri.Genazzano 26 Febbrajo 1879.FR. GIAMPIERO DA BERGAMO.FERRARI Prefetto Apostolico.Tranelation ,To what has been already described, the following are tohe added.1. A pious and devout lady of Scutari of distinguishedposition, having heard in the July of 1878 that inquiries werebeing mode to prove that the walis now existing behind thefortress of Scutari, and venerated by the people as sacred, arethe precise remains of the littlo church in which remained theImage of Good Counsel, narrates how that she, in her frequentpilgrimages to these venerated ruins, was accustomed to makethe circuit many times about them, and to kiss each time asmall Image of the Madonna sculptured on a stone which wasinserted in the external part cf the wiill, wherein was workedthe niche wh~ch sustained at one time tho blessed Image ofGenazzano; and that the figure of the little sculptured Imagewas sirni1;ir to that which is venerated in the Cathedral churchof Scutari. She said then, that to her very great regret, abouttwo years before the above named time, that the little Image wasnot to be fuund; and she thought that some client of the Madonnahad ti~ken out of the wi~ll and carricd away that stoneupon which the Image was sculptured.This fact, an indication not to be doubted that these wallsare the remains of the little church where was once the Image,so culled of Scutari.IPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITIONm2. The Very Rev. Don Paschal Iunchi, Assistant Pt~rishPriest of the church of Scutari, asserts that he had seen a fewyears back, a stone worked with the chisel and of a form oblongor square, upon which was sculptured a dedicatory inscriptionin capital letters: D. 0. M. et Beatae Virgini. This stone lay,from time immemorial, upon the ground, and not far distantfrom the ruins above described: and unfortunately it was tctkenaway by the Mussulmans and used in the restoration of theneighbouring bridge upon tho Drino. It will be of use to observe,that in the neighbourhood no other churches exist, nor wcrethere any, in times more or less remote, dedicated with thetitle of the Blessed Virgin, and that tradition only ascribes itto that of which the venerated walls remain. We may wellreason then, that this stone belonged in fact to the edifice ofwhich the ruins remain.3. .From history and tradition it is clear, thnt upon theincline of the hill upon which stands the fortress of Scutnri,and in the vicinity of the ruins above described, there existedmany houses of private and distinguished Turkish families. l'heGovernment in the beginning of this century for political andmilitary reasons ordered the above families to remove elsewhere,and the houses to be thrown down. The nonagenarian, DonJames Vassia, yet living, witnesses to have seen, in his youth,many of these houses yet inhabited and that about his fortiethyear, he was witnesa of the absolute abandonment of thesnme. At the present moment these edifices nre destroyed andof almost all, there does not rumnin even the foundations. l'hereneon of this is, thnt both the Government and the proprietorswho went to establish themselves elsewhere, emulated each otherin using up the materials for works of public ancl private advantage.Now comes spontaneously the demand: How is it thatthose walls, venerated by the Christians as sacred ruins, subsistintact even to a considerable height, and did not meet the fate ofthe other houses so near to them? Why did not the governmentcomprise them in the order given for public utility and security?Why did not the Mussulmans, then make use of thematerial of these walls, which, certainly, comparing it with thatof the houses destroyed, would have been much better for constructingtheir new and not distant habitations. For a longtime past, both the Government as well as the priv ,I t e Turkibhfamilies, composing the suburb of Baci~lik, have not ceased toMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

m THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELcarry on works of construction, In the course of thirty yearsthey have built an immense number of houses; they have madeencircling walls of defence for the fortress, and sepulchres andother like constructions. At present also, they erect, from timeto time, new buildings in places very near to the aforesaid walls,and the material for these works is purchased at a high priceand is transported on the backs of horses from places considerablydistant, But neither before nor now has the thought occurredto anyone, to throw down the remains of the edifice in order- to avail himself of the material which it would yield in stonessquared, and fitted for building. hloreover it is well knownthat the Turks are accustomed to turn to account every thingleft in abandonment: and especially when they can even uspectthat these appertained to ancient Christians, they considerit meritorious to appropriate them.Now, how is this fact, evidently in opposition to the avariciousdisposition of the Mussulmans, and to their very religious andfanatical aspirations, to be explained? It is then necessary toafflrm, either that the Turks did not understand the advantagewhich they would derive from the material of these walls, andoverlooked it for the space of more than fifty years, (whichshould be attributed to a mira.le) or that they respected thesewalls and did not attempt to touch them for fear of beingseverely punished, as their fathers were punished, when theydared to profane thorn. Let it be noted, that the tradition thatthe place cannot be profaned without provoking castigation,etill subsists alive and powerful amongst the Mussulman populationof Scutnri.Cienazzano 26 February 1879B. GIAMPIERO DA BERGAMO Minor Observant.FBRRARI Prefect Apostolic.Second DocumentDICHIARAZIONENoi qui infrascritti cattolici di Scutari , espressamentechiamati nella Residenza parrocchiale dalR60 Monsignor Vicario D. Angelo Radoja dichia-PRIVATE USE ONLY

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THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 225riamo a chi spetta, o desidera inieressarsene, ed attestiamocon tutta scienza e coscienza, qualmente nelmuro esterno di faccia alla fortezza della chiesuoladetta ab immemorabili dclla Signora di Scutari(Madonna del Ruon Consiglio) coi nostri occhi abbiamoveduto, ammirato, e per divozione baciato piuvolte una pietra della grandezza d' un palmo, nelmezzo della quale si scorgeva intagliata, sebbene alquantorosa dal tempo, 1'Immagine della BeatissimaVergine Maria col suo Divin Figliuolo Gesu a1 seno.Di cib siamo tanto certi che, se ne abbisognasse,siamo pronti a confermarlo con solenne giuramento.Dichiariamo inoltre, che l' Immagine, di cui parliamo,era della grandezza d' una grossa Medaglia,e che la pietra da noi veduta e baciata non esistepiu da un anno e mezzo in quella chiesuola , toltavia o pel- malizia, o per indiscreta divozione, e dachi, sino a1 giorno d'oggi, niuno ha saputo indicarcelo;perb i divoti ne deplorano la perdita.In fede ecc.Scutari d'Albania. 16 Ot,tobre, 1879.10, Giorgio di Michele Bertosa, testimonio.10, Marco di Giok Bliniseti, testimonio.Crofce di Antonia, nloglie di Lazzaro Pdok VanaM". testirnonio.CroJrce di Agata moglie di Giovanni Marco ScianiM". testimonio.10 qui sottoscritto dichiaro, che i prescnti testimonisono cattolici di questa CittB, degni di ognifede, e che essi apposero le firme di proprio pugno,- e che le donne, chiamate espressamente? si segnarono15More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

mTHE VIRGIN MOTHIER OF GOOD COUNSELcolla croce alla mia presenza. Dichiaro inoltre, chequi sono molte altre persone, che unanimemente testificanola stessa cosa. In fede ecc.Scutari 11 Ottohre 1879.ANGELO RADOJA, Vicario Generale.Per la legalizzazione della premessa firma di MonsignorRadoja, Vicario Generale.Scutari 11 Ot,tohre 1879.@. CARLO, Arcivescovo di Scutari.Translation.DECLARATION.We, the undersigned Catholics of Scutari, expressly calledinto the parochial residence of Monsignor Don Angelo Radoja, V.O.declare to all whom it may concern, or who may desire to interestthemselves, that we teqtify with all knowledge andconscience, that in the external wall, facing the fortress, of thelittle church called from time immemorinl of Our Lady ofScutari, (Madonna of Good Counsel) with our eyes we haveseen, venerated, and kissed many times, a stone about the sizeof a palm, in the middle of which was to be seen carved, althoughsomewhat worn by time, an Image of the Most BlessedVirgin Mary with Her Divine Son Jesus at Her breast. Ofthis we are so certain, that if it should be needed, we are readyto confirm the same with our solemn oaths.We further declare, that the Image of which we speak, wasof the size of a large medal, and that the stone seen by us andkissed, has not existed for a year and a half in that church,being taken away either by malice or by indiscreet devotion,PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 227and that from that day to ihis, we have not been able to pointit out, though the devout deplore its loss.Scutari in Albania, 6'" Oct. 1879.I, George, son of Michael Beltoja, Witness.I, Mark, son of Gi6k Blinischti, Witness.I, Antonia, wife of Lazzarus Palok Vassa.I, Agatha, wife of John Mark Sciani.I, the undersigned declare that the foregoing witnesses areCatholics of this city, worthy of all faith etc, etc.Scutari in Albania, 11 Oct. 1879.Seen for legalization etc.Scutari in Albania, 11 Oct. 1879.m CHARLES, Archbishop of Scutari.The feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel is stillcelebrated in Scutari, as the principal feast of Albania.In a private letter, Father Junchi, who joined withMonsgr. Radqja in the examination of the ruins ofthe ancient church of the Annunciation where thesacred Image remained so long, has written an accountto the Very Revd. Father Martinelli of thecelebration of this feast in 1879, from which, withthe Prior's permission, we give the following extract.M. R. Padre . . . . .Ieri abbiamo fatta la festa solenne di Scutari,cio6 la festa della nostra Madonna Ss5a. Vi fu lasera avanti Vespero non mai fatto : cosi pure l'illuminazioneintorno alla chiesa , e l' altare maggioreadornato con duecento e cinquanta candele; intervenneMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

228 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELpop010 numerosissimo. Alla processione vi fu contentezzastragrande, essendo che presero parte diecisetteConfraternite coi rispettivi stendardi e croci, Clerosecolare , e regolare in numero di quaranta, Seminaristi,e la scolaresca della Citth. Avanti la SacraImmagine suonava la banda nazionale, pezzi di ~utoriclassici erano scelti per questa funzione. Nel grandeconcorso di gente, non mancarono Turchi, e Greci.La giornata era brillantissima, per cui Scutari erain gioia. Preghi car0 Padre la Ssfia Vergine ondeci voglia benedire . . . . .Di V. P. M. R.Scutari li 21 Ottobre 1879.UxGo DevxGo ServoD. Pasov.ir,~.: JONCHI Vice-Parroco-Translation.Very Revd. Father . . . . .Yesterday the solemn feast of Scutari, that is the feast ofyour Most Holy Madonna took place. Vespers were sung on the. previous evening. There were illuminations about the church,and the high altar was adorned with two hundred and fiftywax candles. An immense number of persons were present. Atthe procession there was an extraordinary attendance, seventeenconfraternities with their respective standards and Crosseshaving taken part in it. 'I'he clergy secular and regular numberedforty. The seminarists and all the schools of the cityalso marched. Before the sacred Image (of Our Lady of GoodCounsel copied from that in Genaxzano) the national band played.Pieces from classic authors were selected for this function.Amidst the great concourse of people, there were not wantingPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE ALBANIAN TRADITION 229Turks and Greeks. The day was a most brilliant one, for whiohreason Scutari was full of joy. Pray dear Father to the HolyVirgin that She may bless Yours etc.Scutari, 21" Oct. 1879.D. PASQUALE JUNCHI V. P.We here close the mass of documentary and otherproofs which so clearly manifest the tradition ofAlbania relative to the existence and the translationof the sacred Image of Our Lady of Good Counsel,now, for so many centuries, venerated in Genazzano.If the knowledge of the loss is so general in thatcountry at this moment, and the grief for the departedtreasure so grdat, we can well imagine what musthave been the state of the feeling of its people whenthe Image first left them. Necessarily, it was considered,not only by the Albanians themselves butby all their contemporaries also, not only as a misfortunebut as a disgrace. It was a fact which noone of common cha.rity would care to note, to gloryin, or to write about, at a time when the Christiansin Scutari were sustaining such a sanguinary andunequal struggle against the Turks. Least of allcould we expect that such writers as did write aboutthe coming of the Madonna, would mention a fact,which would tell with such cruel severity .upon thetenderest feelings and the dearest interests of theirunfortunate fellow Catholics. The charity which a1-ways characterizes the public acts of the SupremePastors of God's fold woultl, while bowing silentlyto the will of God in the face of evidence, such asthat disclosed by the conling of the miraculous Imagebeneath the shadow of their own Chair, certainlyMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

230 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEI,not permit any act of man to use the fact to thedetriment of the afflicted. This alone accounts sufficientlyfor the silence of contemporary writers. Butwe find, as soon as the susceptibilities of the Albaniansin exile could be no longer wounded, throughthe soothing influence of time, that all the circumstancesstand forth in their full truth. Meanwhilecomes the fact, that the first migration of the people ofScutari after the surrender of their town to the Turks,was to Latium. The Papal States had other andmuch nearer lands for then1 to find shelter in. Theypreferred to cross the Apennines, to brave the bad airof the Campagna, to pass by the Eternal City itself,for Latiurn. Why ? Senni and every historian of theoccurrence tell us, because there they found theirbeloved Madonna. 7'0 Genazzano their people cometo-day as well as then when the chance presentsitself. Their descendants in far distant Calabria still turnwith fond looks to that Sanctuary, regarded by themas the dearest spot on this earth. This we shall seein the chapter which treats of Rodota. And at home,amidst the songs of their father-land, the most movingand the most melancholy are those which theyaddress to Mary to come back once again to Herancient dwelling place in Scutari.The following verses, taken from one of the poemsof the country, will manifest how vivid amongst themis the remembrance of the sacred Image, and howearnest is their desire for Mary to return. The aulhorwas a native Albanian priest of the Franciscan Order,named Leonard Martin Da Greci. 'The whole poemappeared in a very beautifill Italian form in the Mis-PRIVATE USE ONLY

TIIE ALBANIAN TRADITION 231sioni Cattoliche of Milan, in May 1878. It wouldbe very di5cult indeed to give a translation thatcould in any sense do justice to the original, which asa poem is a masterpiece. Speaking of Albania, he saysCh'ella si abbevera d'amaro duolo,E ancor, nel vortice de' crudi affanni,Non v'ha chi rendale pace e consuolo ...Tu pure, o Vergiue, l'abbandonastiE a1 cielo italic0 a v01 migrasti;Fu questo il cumulo del suo periglio,0 santa Vergine del Buon Consiglio:Allor d' un lugubre vel si coprla,Rimasta orbata di te, o Maria!Deh! parla a Dio cli tante peneChe ognor la opprimono; e voglia alflnePietoso infrangerne l'asprs cateneOnde l'avvinsero l'orde ferine.Se i figli errarono, ben caro il fioPagaro in piangere pel suol natlo;A1 suolo armigero de' miei maggioriOh fa che arridano giorni migliori;Fa tu risorgere la pntria min!Ave, Maria ! Ave, Maria!E tale il grido, Vergine bella,Che misto ai cantici del suo paese.Su i vanni ai zeflri di stella in stellaT' innalza supplice og~ii Albnnese.Ve' come Scutari, da te neglettii,Ancor ti venera, ancor ti aspetta ...Qarzoni e vergini, madri dolentiCome richiamanti con caldi accenti :Torna, ripetono, ritorna, o pia,Unica speme de l'Alhanla!--l This is an allusion to n pathetic Alhnnese ballad frequentlysung in Scutari, and the burden of which is an appeal to OurLady to come back in Her holy Image from Qenazzano to Herold sanctuary.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

232 THE VIRGIN MOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSEIAOr vieni adunque, non pih tardare;La cara Immagine tra noi ritorni ;E 18 sui ruderi del prisco altare- Sacra memoria de' lieti giorni -Uno pih splendid0 t' innalzeremo ;Pih fidi e docili a te verremo:E sveli ai posteri quel nuovo ostelloDel Ver gli oracoli, del Buon, del Bello;Sia fonte altissimo d' ogni armonia:Ave, M~ria! Ave, hlaria!Vieni! ... e de'prodi l'antica sedeRavviva a1 fascino de'tooi portenti;In dolce vincolo d'hmor, di Fede,Rannoda gli animi di queste genti.Cessino i vindici atti inumani,Cessino i luridi canti profani ...Le valii, i fioriti campi, i burroniSoltanto echeggino di pie canzoni;Dal Drino ad Okrida con melodiaSolo ricantisi 1'Ave Maria!Divina Musa, tu a1 cor m'inspiraE fa che innumeri ciechi fratelli,Riscoasi a1 sonito della mia lira,Di Cristo a1 ltibnro non sian rubelli:Fa che rigettino l'orbo CoranoE a1 Sol ritornino del Vaticano;Lume benefico del RedentoreChe irradia i popoli nel fosco orrore,Che addita agli uomini la retta via.Ave, Maria ! Ave, Maria!Having so far considered the history and the proofsof both the Wonderful Apparition and the MiraculousTranslation of the sacred Image of Our Lady of GoodCounsel, we shall now pass on to see what She has donefor Her clients in Her new Sanctuary and in theworld at large.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter XII.MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE1. Pore wonderful than in Scntari.- 2. Grace -producing power.-8. Tem-poral benefits. - 4. Objections against Shrines met. - 5. The first161 miracles and others registered. -- 6. Impossibility of registeringall. - 7. A miracnlons cure witnessed by the writer at the Shrinein 1882. - 8. Difflcnlties of flnding proofs - obviated. - 9. Docnmentsattesting sickness and cure of Lgdia Vernini. -.10. Anothermiracle. - 11. Proved by time. - 12. Other miracles. - 13. Incredulouspunished. - 14. The arrow of the Hungarian. - 16. Preservationof the Colonnas. - 16. Resurrection of the dead. .- 17. Releaseof e criminal condemned to decapitation in Sienna. - 18. Liberationfrom devils - Becords of unregistered miracles. - 19. Miracnlonsliberation of Cardinal Acton. - 20. Remarkable preservationof Genazzano from cholera and plague. - 21. A pilgrimagesaves Capranica from cholera. - 22. Genazzano freed from manypublic calamities.1. What we have hitherto written regarding theTranslation and the Apparition of the Image of OurLady of Good Counsel, forms a series of miracles.Its position as it stands, detached from the wall,' the' Although the O5ce of the Feast of Our Ludy of GoodCounsel states distinctly that the sacred Image appeared on thewall of the church of the Augustinian8 - mirabiliter apparuissein pariete, yet a constant tradition mentioned by manywriters exists, to the effect that it stood at flrst near, and inMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

-'234 TIIE VIRGIN MOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSELpreservation for over four hundred years, of the t,hinand brittle sheet of plaster upon which it is painted,the surprising freshness of it,s colours, and its-- - p -.- -.-no manner touching the wall. There is nothing contradictoryin these statements; for it could well have occurred that theholy Image did not rest at once upon the wall, though it afterwardsmay have touched it above or below. The archivistsCajetan and Calistus Marini already mentioned, who took suchpains to examine every circumstance connected with the Translationand the Apparition, have not noticed the matter, nor hasit been alluded to by the advocate, who placed the argumentsin favour of the one and the other before the Sacred Congregationof Rites, in 1789. It is, however, perfectly certain; 1°, thatthe Image has never been removed from the position it so miraculouslyselected; and 2O, that many who Itave had to examineit, through the course of ages, h~ve stated that they believedit to rest isolated without any support whatever.Buonpnno, after rccounting many of the wonders connectedwith the sacred Image, says (chap. I, page 43) U and all thesemarvels are summed LIP in fino, in the continued wonder thatthe Image is found tc-day in the same place and in the samemanner in which it was left by the cloud on the day of itsApparition in the presence of an entire people, who there forthe first t~me had the good fortune to see it. It took up its positionnot very far above the ground, at about a finger's distance -from tile new and rough wall of the chapel of St. Biagio, andthere remained suspended without any support whatever. BUpon this, 11e has the following note.(: That the holy Image is now found in that same positionin which it first appeiired, is a historically proved fact, as willbe seen, and one ef such evidence that it falls under the noticeof whosoever visits the Sanctuary. For every one must seeclearly that the Image is not found in the centre of the wall,which looks towards tl~e small nave of the church; and therefore,the chapel constructed afterwards, could not be formedin a symmetrical and regular manner. Altliougli then, at present,it is not visible to all, nor is it easy to be able to see that theImage does not rest upon the wall, because of the ornamentswhich covcr it around in a most beautiful manner, neverthelessPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 235wonderful changes of agpect, nlay also be said to bemiraculous. Rut there is far more than this to betold of the wonders worked by the Mighty Hand ofthis is to-day an undeniable fact. First, because a constant traditiona5rms it. Secondly, because we ourselves have been assuredby persons worthy of all confidence, who being obligedupon thc occasion of the centenary of 1867, to clean the Image,that they perceived that it yielded under the slightest pressureof their hands, as a thing isolated and detached from the wall.And this fact is further a5rmed by seven most reliable witnesses,in a deposition dated June Illh 1747, printed and published.Finally, we find a splendid attestation of it, in the followingletter hitherto unpublished, from Vather Pulgentius Ricitelli,prior of the Convent of Genazzano, and written to the MostRevd. Father Dominic Ricitelli General of the Order, to givean account of the solemn iucoronation of the holy Image. (Extractfrom the 4Ib register of the Archives of the whole orderpage 48.).Most Revd. Father.The Chapter of St. Peter's has sent a Canon with two crownsof gold, olle for the Most Holy Madonna, and the other for theChild. Tuesday the 17Ib inst, with the assistance of Signor, the mostExcellent Constable, (many other Canons having come along withhim) and the whole people, the said Canon, having removed theglass ornamented all round with silver, which covers the Image,he took off the crowns which the aforesaid Images held, at thesame time manifesting no ordinary astonishment, l~ecnr~sc hesaw that the Images were simply formed on a thin plaster,which only at the extremity above the head, touched the wall.The remainder stood without support, a sign of which was thatwhen the aforesaid Canon touched it on the face and on all the rest,the plaster bent and yielded as if it were a piece of cloth withoutsupport of any kind. This fact caused in him, and in allthe by-standers no ordinary wonder, considering that naturallythe plaster alone without support could not maintain itselfiwhence they firmly concluded that it was miraculo~lsly sustained.In order to place the above mentioned crowns of gold, itwas necessary to use strings, and to attach these to nails whichMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

236 THE VIRGIN MOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSEI,God, in favour of those whose love and confidence inHis Mother have been excited and strengthened by Herbeautiful Image in Genazzano. All the mercies whichwere placed in the wall above the Image, it not being possible tofasten them to the picture itself, that being simply a thin crustof plaster without any support whatever. I amOenazzano, 22 Nov. 1682.The moat humble and devoted aervrntOf your mont Eevd. PaternityB. FULGENZO RICITELLI Agno.So far Bnonnnno. But it must bo remarked, th~t the premisesfrom which he draws what seems to him a necessaryconclusion, will, on examination, soarcely warrant that conclusion.Luigi Tosi and these who deposed with him do not say thatthe picture is completely isolated. They state, that behind it,- a1 dietro - it has no pupport whatever. Like the preserva-tion of the colours it seemed to them, as indeed it does to everyone else, a miracle how such R fragile substance could stayupright so long, without crumbling to rttoms. They say thisand no more. Again, a thin crust of plaster resting on its edgewould ,yield almost as freely on being dusted or touched, whileresting on the wall underneath, as if it were isolated and in midair.I't is certain, it would be also equally difflcult to fix crownsof gold upon it. That it touches the wnll somewhere, appearsto be most conformable to the language of the Church - inpariete -. This does not exclude the fact, that, at first, the picture,for a time more or less indefinite, stood in air. It thenprobably touched the verge of the wall, where it remained inan upright posture, while the incomplete structure was carriedon at a distance behind it. The present writer who obtainedthe very rare privilege of examining it, found, that though hecould not see any support whatever from the wall at the back,the fresco seemed to him to touch either a projection of thewall or the cornice in front, at its lower extremity. It is easyto conceive that at other times - at seasons of great necessityor devotion, for instance - the Image may have been entirelyPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 237the traditions of Albania tell us were poured forthupon that land, while the precious treasure remainedthe object of the devotion of its people, were shownto a far greater extent in the new and fairer landOur Lady had chosen for its Sanctuary.Nor were these mercies to be on fined to the Shrineonly, or to one country or to one race. They weredestined to pass amidst signs and wonders to allnations and throughout all time.2. And first we nlay remark, that the Image of OurLady is in itself a miracle, producing grace in everysoul coming in love to its Shrine. Being the reflex .of Herself - the best, certainly, the world has everseen - it is necessarily calculated to draw all heartsto its most beautiful Original, and therefore to God,to peace, and to heaven. All who ha.ve experiencedthe mercy of the Virgin Mother in this Sanctuary,tell of a joy and a consolation, of a wisdom and ofa strength obtained, which are beyond the power oflanguage to describe, and only the soul can fathom.It gives a calm and perfect rest to the weary, like* the shadow of the great rock, B and the spring andthe date tree, to the sinking traveller in the desert.To the persecuted, it is as the walls and the towersof David, against the face of the enemy.At its feet, the pain of the spirit, the most terriblethat can affiict nizn, is infallibly relieved. Thetroubled, find repose ; those in anguish, balm ; theelevated in the air. This would be in no sense more remarkablethan the wonderful changes in colour, of which there canbe now, no doubt whatever; and certainly not more wonderfulthan its passage through the air from Scut,ari to Genazzano.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

238 TIIE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEI.afflicted, consolation. A calm and holy peace is infusedinto the soul, which seems a foretaste of thatrest which the blessed enjoy in paradise.This peace must come to the sinner through Mary,or not come at all. It would be impossible to tellhow many have received it at Her Sanctxary inGenazzano. There, a mission continually progresses,where the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel Herselfis the only preacher; but a preacher so powerful thatmiracles of conversion are continuously worked by thesecret, ineffable words, which She speaks to the soulfrom Her sacred Image. Under Her influence, thepent up secrets of an overburdened breast are pouredforth with a strange ease in the tribunal of penance,even by those who desecrated that healing sacramentfor years through the terrible influence of the dumbdevil. Inveterately bad habits, are corrected. Difficulties,thought for years to be insurmountable, disappear.The power to make restitution, to forgivedeep injuries, to repair scandal, to effect reconciliation,is obtained. And finally, the sinner, besides reconciliationwith God, receives that living, loving andceaselessly increasing devotion to Mary, which is amark and a sure one of predestination.3. Then, as in matters great, so in matters smallerall are sure to esperience in this holy Sanctuary of Mary,that true compassion, that quick and tender feelingof a Mother, so kind, so thoughtful, so interested inthe smallest want, that She is ready, always ready,to alleviate the slightest pain, by employing in andout of season, all Her power with God. As ready nowas at the wedding of Cana to say to Jesus, a theyPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 239have no wine, * and always as certain to obtain nowas then, whatever She may demand. So it has happened,that amidst the multitudes who flocked to thelittle chapel of St. Biagio from the beginning, therewere Inany who asked visible miracles; and living,visible miracles accordingly were granted in an abundanceunsurpassed in the annals of miraculous shrines,since or before.4. Before proceeding, however, to speak of these, itmay be as well to anticipate an objection which wehear sometimes urged, even by persons who callthemselves Catholics, against such wonderful favoursas those which we are now about to relate as havingbeen obtained through Our Lady of Good Counselin the Sanctuary of Genazzano.Could not Our Lady grant these favours as wellelsewhere ? Where then, is the use in going to aparticular locality for them ? Is not God and HisMost Holy Mother, everywhere? Cannot people prayas well to Her in their parish church, or in a churchof Hers in their native town, or at the altar dedicatedto Her in their dwellings? Why can it be ofuse to go to a distant, out of t,he way place, in orderto get miraculous favours, etc. etc. ?No doubt, Our Lady can, and does hear Her suppliants everywhere ; and, no doubt, also, Her supp1i:lntscan have recourse to Her when they please.But it is always the case, that such suppliants arethe foremost to honour all that belongs to Her, - Herchurches, Her altars, every place or thing that wassanctified by Her presence, Her shrines. They neverare found amongst the number of minimizing Cath-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

240 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELolics who find pleasure , interest, or advantage inreducing within the limits of their own narrowviews, or within the limits of the narrow views ofothers in or out of the Church, the magnificent, heartfeltand true devotion, which the Spouse of Christnot only allows, but even encourages in her childrento Immaculate Mary. They are not, in one word,ashanled of the Mother of Jesus Christ, even in thesanctuaries where She accepts the homage of God'sfaithful people. They can find no blame for rosaries,scapulars, images, medals, altars, shrines , pilgrimages,wayside oratories, or any other means whichthe faithful everywhere practise, and which the Churchof Christ, a the Pillar and ground of truth B notonly permits, but even defends and encourages inhonour of Mary. There is something grand in t,heplenitude of their faith and love for God's VirginMother. And in proportion as their devotion is grandand Catholic, in the same proportion is that miserabletruokling to the enemies of Christ, wretched anddetestable. It is a truckling to t.he spirit of heresy ;a truckling which would reduce the fulness of Catholicdevotion to Mary within limits that are notCatholic in practice, and that. cannot be proved tobe Catholic in theory.True, it is well that vr7e should endeavour to a ttract Protestants inclined to renounce their errors.But it is necessary too, that we should state as fullyas possible the Catholic truth - so as to leave no misconceptionin their minds as to the nature of ourworship of Mary, - t,o tell them we are as far frommaking Her a God, as She Herself is far from per-PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 24 1mitting sucl~ an infamy; that there is no expressionmeant by Mary's most fervent, loving child, that hasnot this meaning; that, for instance, if we call Herour life our sweetness and our hope, B we do sobecause of Her relations with Her Son; that if wecall Her, potent, it is because of the practical powerof Her influence with IIim, in obtaining our requests.But when we explain all this, there is no reasonto conceal our heart-felt and external worship, or tocover by excuses, much less to blush for, the devotionof Catholics to Her, in all the forins they adopt.The kind of reasoning then, which goes against, andnot for, the exhibition of the devotion of others toMary is not Catllolic, for it has blame for that whichthe Church praises. It may be true, that some oneconld just as well pray and be devoted to the Motherof God in his chamber, as he could at any of OurLady's shrines. But the expression of that sentiment,as an argument against He11 shrines, is a censure ina very plain manner upon them, and is tantamountto saying that the Church has done a useless thing,and it insinuates that the Church has done a worsethan useless thing, in blessing them. It is an expressionnever used by the saints or perfect servants ofGod. It comes fro111 that kind of Rationalism, whichcarried to its logical extent, strikes at the root of allreligion, and of all the dealings which it has pleasedthe Deity to establish between Himself and man. Inreasoning, it differs nothing from that of the Infidelwho tells you, as a means of doing away withchurches and public worship, that he can worship his16More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

242 THE VIRGIN hiOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSEI,Creator in the fields ancl by the sea-shore, as well, ifnot better, than in any church. The Infidel who usesthis argument knows",well enough, that the man whoadopt3 his principles will soon end by worshippinghis Creator nowhere. And the Catholic who tells youas a reason for his disinclination to visit holy shrinesof Our Latly, on the plea that he can worship OurLady as well in his bedroom or in his home, isprecisely the Catholic, who in time will not worshipOur Lady at all. His argument is the argument ofindifference, not of generous love. Mary Magdalen -in the opinion of Judas, be it understood - wouldhave done better to have sold the precious ointmentwhich she poured on the feet of Our Lorcl, ant1 tohave given the proceeds to the poor. But if MaryMagdalen had not the love of Jesus in her heart,the poor would be as far as ever from getting theprice of the ointment. The love ef Jesus in theheart will always, as it did in her case, who afterwardsgave her life to the poor, produce sonlethingfor them; the absence of it will get them nothingwhatever. It is the very same argunient used the otherday, by a member of the secret societies against thecollections in Ireland for the imprisoned ~icceasor ofSt Peter. a It woulcl be better to give the money tothe poor in Donegal P. That is a lie. If the hearts ofthose whom religion causes to be generous to thePope, were closed by the want of religion - whichwould be implied by a want of consideration for theVicar of Christ - the poor of Donegal would be asfar from getting relief as they are from getting itfrom the irreligious anywhere. Those who have toPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 243give to the Vicar of Christ, have also wherewith togive to the poor, for they have charity, without vhichthe poor are far from being considered. It is so withworship of Our Lady. Those Catholics who frequentHer shrines, who use the means of devotion, scapulam,beads, images, in their houses, who join in novenas,processions and other practices blessed by theChurch, are those who pray most to Her also in theirchambers, and in the secret of their souls. Those whoreason against the pious practices of others, on theplea of doing as well if not better elsewhere, arenot a little in the way Judas went, and not unfrequentlyfinish with him. Love, like that of Magdalenis always manifested in active generosity. It is lovein deed and in truth, and the love that obtains thereward here and the eternal reward hereafter.5. With this digression, which an incident in thesad fate of one who ought indeed to have known betterthan reason against devotion to the Shrine of OurLady of Good Counsel, led to, while the writer happenedto he engaged upon this chapter, we shall nowsee that those who have come in faith and love tothe feet of the Virgin Mother in Qenazz:tno, have beenabundantly rewarded. The first record to which wehave already referred, and a synopsis cf which weshall presently give, registered no less than onehundred and sixty one miracles in tlie space of threemonths.This ceased, probably when the necessary proofswere obtained for the delegates sent by Pope Paul XI,and also in consequence of the multitudes which thegood fathers of the convent had to attend to spiritually.Another register was opened at the sugges-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

244 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELtion of Canon Bacci , during the last century. Itcontinued for four years, that is from 1744 to 1748. Inthat space, a large volume was filled with proofs ofmiraculous cures. Between these distant periods, recordswere kept of some miracles, which either thecondition of life of the recipients, or some othernotable circumstance, warranted. But except in themultitude of votive offerings, so numerous that theyhad, from time to time, to be used for the benefit ofthe Sanctuary or destroyed, no formal register appears.Miracles and signal favours, however, incidentlyrecorded, are numberless. For instance themiraculous cure of a young Roman lady, whichcaused Canon Bacci to visit the Sanctuary, and ledhim to be the Apostle of Our Lady of Good Counselhe afterwards became, etc. etc.6. The want of the continuance of these records ismuch to be regretted; but there was really no helpfor it. The fathers on the days of the greatest concourseof people, are, together wit11 all the clergythey can secure from the surrounding country, engagedfrom early morning to the hour of night, inthe work of the confessional. As will be seen in thechapter which treats of pilgrimages, it would bephysically impossible for them to take note of whatoccurs amidst the throngs which continue to comefrom all parts of Italy to visit the Shrine on these .occasions. Crowds succeed each other fronl the momentthe church opens until it closes. Cries of thanksgivingfor graces received, mingle all day long withcries. of supplication. A crutch left behind, a heartin silver sent by some wealtly recipient of a favour,PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 245honoraria for masses in thanksgiving, are in generalthe only means the guardians of the Sanctuary haveof knowing anything of these miracles. Even then,the full particulars of each case are not given.7. A wonderful cure - two miracles indeed of avery high order - witnessed by the writer and by manyothers on the eighth of last September, will illustratewhat is here stated. As it afterwards happened thatthese miracles were proved by documentary evidence,he wishes to give all the details of the occurrence -to hinl wonderful indeed, although by thousands ofothers present, regarded as a mere matter of course.In the chapter which treats of the great publicpilgrimages t,o the Shrine, it will be seen that thenumbers flocking from every quarier on the feast ofthe Nativity of Our Lady are very remarliable. Thelittle town of Genazzano presents a very lively appearance.The conling of innunlerable bantls of Pilgrimschanting their hymns, and with their Image ofMary of Good Counsel borne in front, is to the strangerunaccustomecl to such sights, exceedingly interesting.On the eve of the festival, and, indeed, somedays before, the church is crowded with these ferventbands, all intent upon the object of their pevoutjourney invariably undertaken to get some favour fromOur Lady for themselves or others, or to thank Her forsome graces already received. These pilgrimages appearto increase annually. That of the past September(1582) wm unusually large. The writer withother visitors from afar who happened to be then inGenazzano, made many visits to the Sanctuary. Onthe morning of the 81h, the feast itself, he noticedMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

246 THE VIROTN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELon coming to the church, that the excitement anddevout exclalnations of one little body of pilgrimsbecame unusually demonstrative. He thought that someone amongst them had fainted, or had been snddenlytaken ill. And yet this could not be, for the crieswere cries of joy, Evviva Maria! Evviva Maria, lamadre noslra del Buon Consiglio! repeated again andagain. At last after a lengthened stay before the sacredchapel, this band had to make \\?ay for others,and its melllbers retired in the usual manner, backwards,as if from the prcsence of royalty, from beforethe sacred Image. When they passed the principalentrance of the church, something of the reason ofthe excitement could be known. In their midst wasa young woman, apparently about nineteen or twentyyears of age. Her face was bathed in tears, and uponemerging from the sacred edifice, she gazed with anindescribable look of mingled bewilderment, joy, anddevotion, upon the multitude that filled the piazzaand thronged upon the large stone stairs leading tothe platfor~l~ before the great door. She gazed at thehouses of the square, upon the fountain, upon thelofty facade of Santa Maria, at the bright sun inthe clear morning sky. With delighted amazement,she then lifted her hands, as if involuntary, to heavenand sobbed outright, while her conlpanions, all intears, cried aloud, their a Evivas v and a gratias D totheir beloved Madonna of Good Counsel, Who hadshown another favour to Her people. The crowd outside,nccustorried for years to see and hear of niiraclesat the Shrine, took up the cry, though probably noneof them knew the precise nature of the new wonder.PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE l. if. r 7It was enough for them to understand that there wasfresh reason for thanks; and therefore, the desirealways in their hearts, readily rose to their lips, thatMary may live anrl reign long, over? and for the benefitof the people of Her Son. Such is the meaningof their a Evviva Maria! P.As soon as the party cleared the thickest of thecrowd, the writer had an opportunity of learning thecause of the young woman's excitement, and of hertears of joy. It was this. She had completely, andas the best medical testimony declared, irreparablylost the sight of the left eye, through art acute andmost painful neuralgic affection. IIer agonies, whichwere excruciating, brought on the terri hle disease ofepilepsy. After being treated by the municipal physicianof her native city for a considerable timewithout effect, she consulted three of the best oculistsand physicians in Rome. The latter, however,could do nothing for her, and only showed morecleal-ly to her widowed ruother how improbable wasa cure. Gradually she grew worse and the fits of thefalling sickness became violent, painful, and longcontinued. She was utterly useless. Her sufferingshad increased to such an extent that death wouldhave been n relief to her and to her family. Therewas continual danger that in the nlndness and painof her convulsions she would cast herself from thewindow of her dwelling, and he crushed to death onthe pavement beneath. The Parish Priest in expectationof the worst had done all he could, and was,together with the Doctor, in daily attendance uponher. There seemed no hope on earth for her, whenMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

248 TIIE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COIJNSKI,she took the happy thought of going to the VirginMother of Good Counsel for relief, during the approachingfeast of Our Lady's Nativity. Notwithstandingthe well grounded fears, which her friendsentertained of the danger and inconvenience likely toarise from her usual fits on the journey, she becamefixed in her resolution to make the pilgrimage, andthat too on foot, to Genazzano. Her mother consented.It was well she did. Mercy from Mary cameat once. 'I'o the surprise of all, the fits of epilepsynever once molested her upon the road, nor duringthe following day.' Of course, no one could determinein such a short lirne whether this was a cure oronly a cessation. Her pains ceased too, although hersight remained as defective as before. She was however,able to perform a11 the penitential works imposedupon themselves by the most fervent pilgrims. Sheadvanced upon her knees frorn the great entrance ofthe church to the rails of the Sanctuary, and lickedthe marble pavement the whole way. Then, aftershe had been to confession and communion, andjust as she knelt in earnest supplication before thealtar of Our Lady, she felt as if a soft hand gentlypassed itself before her eyes, and instantly she obtainedher lost sight, The first object she could seedistinctly was the beautiful, nliraculot~s Image of theVirgin Mother of Good Counsel, smiling lnost lovinglyand benignantly upon her, anti surrounded with innumerablesilver lamps and lights. Hence the excite.ment, the tears, and cries of joy; ant1 surely underthe circun~stances there was reason.8. More, at the moment, could not be ascertained.PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT TIIE SIIRINE 249The party pushed its way through dense throngs ofpilgrims in the street and was soon lost among theassembled thousands. But the writer was anxious toknow something more of the nature of the cure. Ifit was permanent ? - If it was real? -If the whole storycould be corroborated? Only time could tell whetherthe epilepsy and the blindness had passed away.The Parish Priest and the Doctor mentioned, could, ofcourse, tell everything. The writer, unfortunately,knew neither. Nor did he think of asking from whencethe party of pilgrims came. He applied to the Priorof the convent for information. But though onlysome hours had passed, the zealous Prior kuew nothingwhatever of tlie occurrence. He applied to FatherBerio, Sub-prior, the oldest filther in the convent,who for forty years hall served the Sanctuary. Thegood father pleaded total ignorance and said: a Weare not thirty confessors liere in all, and alreadythere are twelve thousand communions made.TheMadonna works miracles all the day long, and worksthem always. How could we hear the confessionsof so illany and attencl to all the details, the examinationof witnesses, their quality and the othercircumstances required by ' canon law. We are withoutmen or means for the purpose. These good peoplereceive graces well known to thelllselves and to theirrespective neighbourhoods , and therefore they comein such ceaseless crowds now, as they have come forthe last four centuries. All we can do on these occasions,- and it is rnore than we can do, - is to attend totheir spiritual concerns. B With no better result severalother fathkrs of the community were applied to.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

250 TIIE VIRGIN hfOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSELNone of them knew anything of the matter. However,fortunately, some time after the feast, a communicationwas recei~ed from Zagarolo, a town about 14miles from Genazzano, which led to further inquiries.The zealous Archpriest of that city had thought itproper to inform the Prior of Santa Maria, that ayoung woman of his flock, named Lydin Vernini, hadbeen, to the inexpressible joy of the whole colnmunity, miraculously cured of blindness and epilepsyat the Sanctuary of Genazzaiio. This was ample corroborationof the -writer's report. The Prior wroteback at once for a more formal and explicit statementin detail, both from the Archpriest as the chiefecclesiastical authority, and from the physician inattendance, who also happened to be the inedical officerof the municipality. The letters he received inreply will speak for themselves. We give them in theoriginal Italian and in English. They bear out, asthe reader will observe, in every particular, the informationreceived upon the day the miracles wereperformed. They are as followsN." 1.9. Letter from the Archpriest of Zagarolo to VeryRevd.M. A.Martinelli, Prior of Santa Maria Genazzano.ARCIPRETURAD1S. PIETRO APOSTOLOZAGAROLORevfio PadreNon ho risposto prima alla sua preg15a per ilcertificate del medico, che mi venne ieri consegnato.PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 251Debbo ad esso aggiungere; che visto la madre esseredi nulla giovamento la cura apprestata dai nostriProfessori alla di lei figlia, volle yerso la finedel passato luglio provare portarla in Roma, ed iviconsultati i Professori Mazzoni, Siring, e Feti, da. tutti e tre udirono sconsolanti risultati. Tjno le disse,che si poteva tentare una cura, lunga perb e dispendiosa:gli altri due, che la vista dell' occhio era deltutto perduta.Cib prernesso, la povera giovane, ritornata fuori,di giorno in giorno sempre piu le si accrescevano idolori nell' occhio. A tutto questo nel rnese di agostole si aggiunsero ,z tormentarla le convulsioni epilettiche,da tenerla per la nlaggior parte del giorno inuno stato veramente tl'agonia. Ma negli intervalli ditregua, mi dice, che si rivolgeva tratto tratto allamadre di ogni grazia, Maria SSCa, onde volesse liberarladn si atroci malori. Accostandosi poi la festadella Nativitk risolvet te, nncorchb t anto n~alata, diportarsi cost& in Genazznno da questa n~iracolosissimaImmagine. Di fatto il 7 di det,to nlese la mattinasi alza con tutto coraggio e fiducia dal letto, disprezzandoi nuovi assalti delle convulsioni , che secondoil solito degli altri giorni , dovevano ritornare tlopoqualche ora. Con alcuni parenti e vicini, a piedi s'incamminaper questa volta; giunge stancn si, ina liberada ogni malore convulso , e tutta fervore piudi una volta con lit lingua a1 suolo passa questo Tempio.La nlnttina degli 8, libera ancora dalle convulsioni,a forza tra la slipata folla, riesce penetrareavanti il cancello della Cappella, domanda con granvoce ripetute volte 13 desiderata grazia a Maria.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

252 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELDopo qualche tempo, mi dice, di sentirsi come unaman0 passare avanti i suoi occhi, ed ad un trattole cessa ogni dolore nell' occhio , prova a vedere ; edistingue benissimo la bella immagine di Maria, 10ripete ai parenti, ai vicini, a tutti, e tut.to il pop010ad una voce ringrazia la Madre di Dio di un tantofavore. Quanto 8 buona misericordiosa Maria, versodi chi 1' invoca con fiducia !Ora, come dal certificato del Medico. si trova inperfetta salute.Tanto le dovea, e con tutto rispetto e stima ossequiandolami dicoZagarolo. 18 Ottobre, 1882.Dev6o ed Umo Servitore(Sigillo del Parroco)Arciprete ParrocoTranslation.ABCHPRESBYTEBYOFSAINT PETER THE APOSTLEZAQAROLOMost Rev. Prther.I have not replied before to your favour for the certificateof the Doctor which I received yesterday.I ought to add to it, that the mother, having seen that thecare bestowed upon her daughter by the faculty here was of nonvai! whatever, brought her to Rome, towards the end of lastJuly, to seek a remedy; and there consulted the professorsMazzoni, Siring. and Feti. From the whole three she had dis-PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE!Zm53couraging results. One of them stated that a cure might beattempted, hut it would be both long and expensive. The othertwo aarmed, that the sight of the eye was irretrievably lost.This much being premised, the poor young woman returnedhome. From day to day the pain in the eye increased continually.To all this, and to add to her torments, in the monthof August epileptic fits came on, so as to keep her for thegreater part of the day in a state of terrible agony. In theintervals of peace which she had, slie expressed a desire fromtime to time to go to the Mother of all Grace, Most Holy Mary,and see if She would free her from such torments. The feastoi the Nativity of Our Lady then drawing nigh, she resolvedalthough so ill, to go to Genazzano, to the most miraculousImage. In fact, on the 7'" of the month she got out of bed in themorning with courage and confidence, not caring for attacksof her convulsions, which, according to their usual course ofother days, would attack her. After several hours, in companywith some relatives and neighbours she arrived there weariedindeed, but free from every attack of epilepsy; and with allfervour, more than once with tongue to the pavement, shepassed through the temple. On the morning of the 8Ib, still freefrom convulsions, she with great difflculty succeeded in forcingher way through the deuse crowd and in reaching the rails ofthe Sanctuary. She demanded with a loud voice and repeatedly,the desired grnae from Mary. After some time, she tells me,she felt as if a hand passed before her eyes, and she becameahle to see and could distinguish perfectly well the beautifulImage of Mary. She related the fact to her relatives and neighbours,and all the people with one voice, thanked the Motherof God for so great a favour. Oh how good and merciful isMary tcwards those who invoke Her with confidence! Now,as the certificate of the Medicsl man will prove, she finds herselfin perfect health.Zagarolo 18'" Oct. 1882.With all respect and esteemI remain etc. etc.VINCENZO MANNUCCIArchp. PP.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

254 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELSfsbtement of Medical 0f)Scer in attendance.Lidia Vernini di Zagarolo, di anni 18, di costi- .tuzione lodevole, fu assalita sugli ultimi del Giugnodel corrente anno da fortissima neuralgia dell'occhiosinistro, che si nndava progressivanlente aumentandorisentendone danno alla vista in guisa, che nel decorsodi circa due settinlane si era abolita del tuttocome 1' infer~na accertava. L'occhio perb niuna alterazionepresentava apparentemenle , come piu volteebbi a constatare; fu visitata anche da esperti oculistidi Rom:~, ma nulla rinvennero, per quanto sappia, che dasse ragione della nlancanza della vista;epperb, io credo, che fosse attribuila ad una nevrasi,malattia sempre difficile a guarirsi. In seguito di talespasmodia venne ancora assalita da convulsioni epiteliformi,che in principio l,z tormentavano una voltaa1 giorno, e le medesirne duravano da tre a quattro,ed anche piu ore, con perdita totale dei sensi, agitazionedelle membra, e quando cessavano, lasciavanol'infernla in uno stato di stupidith. Furono tentatisvariati rimedi, tanto topici, non che generali , nlasenza alcun favorevole risultato. 10 l'andava a visitarecontinuamente, ma il giorno 7 Settenlbre non la rinvenniin casa, e dai vicini mi fu detto, che era par-. tita per Genazzano onde visitare il Saiituario dellaMadonna. Tornai a rivederla nel ritorno, e trovaiche 1a vista era tornata a110 stato normale, come miassicurava l' inferma , la spasmodia era cessata deltutto, e con essa anche le convulsioni che la tormen-PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINR 255tavanc, senza far uso di altri rimedii, rale stato perduraanche a1 presente.Tanto posso accertare per In .Jura verith.Zagarolo. 17 Ottobre, 1882.ERNYSTO Dottore ORDESCHIhledico CondottoTranslation.Lydia Vernini of Zagarolo agcd 18 years, of good constitution,was attacked at the end of June of the current year, bya very strong neuralgia in the left eye, which went on progressivelyincreasing and causing damage to the sight in such amanner, thnt in the course of about two weeks it was lost nltogether,as the infirm pcrson stated. The eye however presentedno alteration apparently, as on many occasions I had to ascertain.She was also visited by expert oculists in Rome. Butnone were foun2, ns far ns I know, who gave a reason for thewant of sight; wherefore, I believe it is to be attributable toa nervous malady, always difficult to be cured. In consequenceof spasm she became also attacked by epileptic convulsions,which in the beginning tormented her once a day. Then theybecame more frequent, assaulting her almost constantly twiceevery day. And the same fits causcd for a period of from threeto four hours, a total loss of sense, agitation of the members,and, when they became aggravated, they left the infirm girl ina state of stupidity. Various remcdies were tricd, tonic as wellas general, without any fitvourahle result. I went to visit hercontinuously, but on the 7Ib of September I did not And her athome, and was toltl by the ncighbours thnt she had been takento Genozzano to visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna. I wentto visit her on her rcturn and I found tl~nt the sight was restoredto its normal condition. The spasms and convulsions hadcensed entirely as the patient informed me, without making useof further remedies. This st;~te continues to the present. Somuch I can attest as the pure truth.Zagarolo, Oct. 17'" .ERNEST, Doctor ORDESCHIMedical OffleerMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

256 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL10. The above testsimony was ample in every respect,but the writer was further curious' enough toknow whether the cure continued, whether it was con+plete and permanent. He therefore in company withthe venerable Father Berio of the convent of SantaMaria in Genazzano, went to Zagarolo in the Januaryof the present year, and visited the good Archpriest ofthat city, who fully confirmed all he has here written.He also kindly sent for the mother of the cured girl, awidow with eight orphans, whose husband, a manof good family and means, died some five years ago.She gave an excellent account of her daughter Lydia,who being the oldest girl, had been, she said,of the greatest use in the management of her largefamily. The long sickness with which the child wasvisited was iherefore no small trial to the poor mother.She was naturally full of gratitude to Our Ladyof Good Counsel. She further stated that the cureof Lydia was the second miracle, for which she hadto be grateful to the Madonna. The other, not lessremarkable, occurred in the case of her second son.At the mention of the name of this boy, the poorwoman cried bitterly, for he had just recently beentake11 forcibly by the Piedmontese government to be asoldier. She spoke of him with all a mother's prideand all a mother's love. 'He was the mainstay ofher family, but the Piedmontese, she said, not contentwith reducing her to misery by a load of taxes, whichleft but a bare margin to keep life on the plainestfood, took. him too from her. The mention of thegood times when the gentle rule of the Pope madethe people of the States of the Church the happiestPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 257and the lightest-burdened ~eople in Europe, affectedher deeply. And surely, if the arms of the widowVernini could effect it, Leo XIII. would rule Romeand the Patrimony of St. Peter to-morrow.11. But to reiurn to her son. 111 his youth he sufferedto such an extent fro111 a nervous disease thathe could not stand upright.The pocjr mother did all she could for him, butthe skill of man was as powerless in his case, asafterwards in that of his sister. And so to her griefhe pined away before her eyes until he was wornto a skeleton, and only waiting for death to relievehim. In her deep distress she bethought of Our. Ladyof Good Counsel, a copy of Whose beautiful Iniageso generally see11 in all the towns of Latium, wasaffixed to the external wall of a house in the street.This Iniage she managed to get hold of, and withall the love and reverence of a devout client of Rltiry,she brought it to the bedside of her son. There shebesought the Madonna with all the agony of a mother'sheart to look upon her child. Scarcely washer prayer, she said, ended. when, on a sudden, theboy vomited a large quantity of very fetid matter,as if from something which had burst within. Afterthis, he rapidly rallied and asked for food. In afew days he was ont of bed in the enjoyment of agood appetite, and fast recovelaing his strength.'I'he poor mother sobbingly added, that he had beenall her consolation and strength afterwards, and thatshe never had another day's trouble with him untilthe Piedmontese forced him off to the army. There,of course, her loving solicitude foll~wed him. The17More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

2->8 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELfare of an Italian soldier is as wretched , perhapsmore so, than that of llis claw anywhere in theworld. He is moreover exposed to the most demoralizinginfluences. The temporal wants of her son shetried to alleviate by her little remittances, and hisspiritual dangers she endea~oured to ward off by aweekly letter reminding him of his duty to God and toreligion, and then above all of devotion to the Madonna.13rlt the object of ihe visitors was to see LydiaVernini, the subject of ihe wonderful cure wroughtat Genazzano. She was found at some distance fromthe city, emplo~ed together with the other childrenof the family, accorcling to the custom in Italy, in theworlr of the vineyard. She was in excellent health.IIer sight in both eyes was as good a., ever. Sllenever experienced lhe slightest return of the terriblenaal-ynacl~cco or falling sickness. She stated Illat beforeshe left Zagarolo for Genazz~n~, she was perfectlyconfident that Our Lady would cure her. It wastrue th~tshe liclced i he pavement, but this wits enlirelyfrom ller own devotion, anrl not aclvised by her confesqoror any otl~ci* ecclesiastic. She had vowecl moreover,that whilever she was able, s l would ~ goon n yearly pilg~ inx~ge to Genazzaao, in t11anl;sgivingfor her cure. Shs llad n large l~ronze nledal of OurLady of dood Counsel on ller breast. There was also apicture of the Ri:idonn,z in every room of her house.By the way, the good Al.cllpriejt had the same inllis residence. Already llcr brother and male relationshad gone on foot ant1 in procession to Genazzanosingiilg ille IJitaiiy of Our Lady in lhanksgiving;and she llelaelf being now strong, intended toPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 259go with her mother in a little time for the samepnrpose. In truth, the good falhers of Santa Mariasaw both of then1 as late as January 141h 1583, makingthis act of thanksgiving, and then Lydia Verniniwas in a state of perfect health.The writer has deemed it of use to give all theparticulars connected wit h this miracle, because itwas one which he did not find in books or learnfrom witnesses however trustworthy; but one whichcame directly under his own observation, and wasnot only authenticated by those deserving of everyconfidence, but examined by himself in every materialparticular. Possibly, but for his desire to findout these particulars, the community in charge ofthe Sanctuary might be as ignorant of the existenceof this miracle, as they are of thousands of othermiracles worked by God's Virgin Mother at HerShrine of Good Counsel; and only known to the happyrecipients, and to Heaven. During the Septemberdevotions, he observed what he suppopecl to be anothercure of severe epilepsy ; and he has heard throughthe country of many i~liraculous favours receivedfrom Our Lady at the Shrine, which hc is persuaded,if inquired into, would prove as capable of beingsubstanti:lted, as that of Lydia Vernini of Zngarolo.12. Such fitvoul*~ have never ceased from the momentof the Miraculous Apparition until this hour.Scarcely hntl the Iniage appeared upon Ihe wall of thechapel of St. Biagio, when miraculous grace; beganto pour out in extraordinary measure on the ~eopleof God. From the first register talten we find, tliatten person? sufl'ering from malignant fevers, wereMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

!xi)THE VIROIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELsuddenly cured; six individuals paralyzed, were restoredto the perfect use of their limbs; twenty blindpersons received their sight ; six women were curedof dangerous uterine diseases ; two dumb receivedthe use of speech ; three the use of hearing ; threewere cured of dropsy; five of leprosy; four of fatalwounds; two of hemorrhage; two of epileptic fits; threeinsane and two possessed by the devil, were libel^ated from their terrible misfortune; two Infidels obtainedthe grace of faith; one unfortunate man wasfreed from capital punishment ; four bitten by venomousanimals were healed ; eighteen in the agoniesof death were raised up; and one absolutely dead,arose through the powerful intercession of the VirginMother of Good Counsel. In all, there were no lessthan one hundred and sixty one cures verified; and verified,it must be remembered, in the reign of Paul 11.by the Notary Public of Genazzano, a few years onlyafter Pius 11, had established such admirable regulationsfor the States of the Church, that it wouldbe utterly impossible to make false statements - ifindeed any of those concerned with the Sanctuarycould be supposed to be guilty, for no reason whatever,of such a crime - without being detected andseverely punished. Furthermore, such an act couldnever occur at a period when all Italy, as we knowfrom Coriolanus, were visiting the locality; and whenthe Episcopal Delegates of the Pontiff, were about tomake their canonical investigation.A few of these miracles are so specially interestingthat we cannot pass them over. First comesPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 261the strange punishment of an incredulous witness,which happened as follows.13. It must not, of course, be supposed that allreceived the news of the Apparition of the nliraculousImage, even when Italy rang with the news of itsappearance, with-equal fait h. Then as now, there wereincredulous people, and people with little respect foranything supernatural. One of this class was a certainAntony, of Cirrone, a little town about eightmiles distant from the Sanctu;~ry. On the 5th ofMay 1467, business brought hini amidst the crowdswhich then filled all the streets of Genazzano. Heheard, of course, as all else did, the wonderful thingsthe people had to say regarding it; but he chose tolaugh at their story, and turn it into ridicule. Hedetermined , nevertheless , to make his way insidethe church and see what could be seen of what theyhad been tallring. But his incredulity and mockerywere speedly puniqhed. Like St. Mary of Egypt, whentrying to visit the church of ~erusaiem , he wasrepelled by some invisible hand from entering. Hewas seized with a fit of trembling in a11 his members,and rerllained in that state until repenting, he turnedto those whonl he had scanilalized by his language,and confessing his faalt, obtained through Gotl's VirginMother his pardon, and as a pledge of it, complctefreedom from his sad state.14. On the 61h of July, a no less remark:tble circumstanceoccurred. One Mark di Stefilno, a Hungarian,came on that day to visit Genxzzano anlongst thecrowds of pilgrims then coming from ihe most distantparts. He was dressed after the picturesqueMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

262 THE VIRGIN h1OTHER OF GOOD COUNSELfashion of his countrymen, with a bow across hisshoulders, and a quiver full of arrows by liis side; andof course, he did not escape the jocose remarks of theidlers found in all great gatherings of people. Someof these latter, it is recorded, snatched off the hatof a poor man, and, suspending it upon a wall, provokedthe Hungarian to fire at it. I-Ie did so in anangry mood, but to the horror of all, the arrowrebounded froin the hat and struclc the archer, woundinghim severely. All hastened to find out thereason, and to their astonishment discovered that insidethe hat the owner liad placed an Image of Our Ladyof Good Counsel. At a time of such iniraculous curesas were then taking place at Genazzano, the woundedman would naturally apply at once to llary forrelief. He was accordingly brought to the feet of thehladonna, when having implored pardon for his angerand his involuntary injury to the very Inlage hocame so far to venerate, he was instantly cured.15. From the va~ious records of the past, which asthe ages rolled on were here and there preserved,we may also mention the following. In the annalsof the house of Colonna it is related, that in 1685,the family of Prince Philip were all together in theircastle overlooking the Sanctuary, when, suddenly, atremendous flash of iightning fell in their midst,setting fire to the rich furniture of the roonl, andcausing an arquebuse that happened to be loaded toexplode. The clothing of the lady of the house wasburnt, and a youth named John Baptist Prondc, wasstruck to the floor all but dead. A little oil takenfrom the Sanctuary lamp of Our Lady of Good. .PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SIIRIPU'E 203Counsel instantly cured the latter, and the family,who might. have been all destroyed attributed theirsafety to the devotion they always tlisplnp~d for theInlage and Sanctuary of Our Lndy of Good Counsel.No wonder they should (10 so. Some thirty yearsprevious, the whole kindred of the Colonnas were preservedeven more remarkably from the terrible contagion,which then, (in l656 2nd 1657) desolatedItaly and more especiillly l'lorne and Latiunl.According to the Notary, Luke Giovanni, CardinalColonna , Constable Colonna , and the princesLawrence ancl Philip Colonna, together with InanyRoman nobles sheltered themselves in Geilazzanounder the protection of Mary, when the contagionraged in Valmontone, Montefortino, Piilestrina, Subiaco,and Seroni, places in the immediate vicinityof Genazzano, while Ihe latter, of all the towns inItaly, alone escaped thc plague.16. Even the dead have been raised to life, throughthe intercession of Our Lndy of Good Counsel. Aninstance of this is recorded in the first registry ofmiracles. De Orgio thus relates it. (n Constantine deCtirolis, of Castelfollie, the failithful servant of SignorAntonietto, of Castelnuovo. being taken with :l greatand most clangerous malady. at length went the wayof all flesh. He was given over by the physicians. Hereceived the last sacranlents of the Church and expiredin the presence of many who assisted his soul inits last passage. Afte~~wards when he was vestedin his grave clothei, and laid out as ihe dead are, hisafflicted master wer,t to invite the clergy to celebrate-for hiru the usual funeral obsequies. On returningMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

264 TIIE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELto his house the latter looked upon the corpse of his faithfulservant who tenderly loved him and broke outinto a downright flood of tears. He then threw hinlselfupon the ground and, as was afterw;~rds expressed inthe public act by solemn oath, he exclaimed a O MostHoly Virgin of Genazzano I supplicate 'I'hee, if itbe for the better, that Thou wouldst pray to God forme, to give me hacl; my servant, (il mio gnraone)and I promise 'Thee to bring him to Genazzano beforeThy Holy Imago. P 'The Sovereign En~jn.ess of theHeavens, Mary, ilie Most IIoly Mother of Good Counsel,Who was invocated with such living faith heardthis fervent and sorrnwful 1lra:er. Hence, with universalaud nnii~ual wonder, the dei~d servant, in aninstant lifted his head , opcned his eyes , andovercome with uunsu:ll ~tupefact ion conlnienced toget up. He saw his grieving Master., and unlooseninghis tongue he said a for charity sake give 'me a little noiirishment P Afterwards he stood upand turning to those about, declared hilnself f'ree fro111every inconvenience and pain. 'Then. having heard ofthe manner and the reason of his mir;~culous resurrection,he iust:tntly with his illaster corllinencecl hisjourney to Genazzano, where bol h presented theniselvesin the church and in the chapel of the holyImage, antl there with jo~ful 1 oices praised antl thankedthe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel. P17. Anoiher very t,ouclling nlirnclc also related byDe Orgio fro111 the first attestations at the Shrine, wasthe libelaaticn frotn a condelilnation to death of a criniinalsenteilcetl to be executed at Sienna. 'The day wasfixed for the last penalty of the law to be infiicted-PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SIIKINlb 265in the case of two others, as well as in his own.On the eve of the fatal morning, his confessor, aFranciscan Father - who was tired of his entreatiest,~ save hinl and who could not reconcile himto his justly deserved doom, - at last to get rid of hisimporlunity, or fro111 some internal inspiration said.a If the miraculous Madonna recently appeared inGenazzano will not liberate you frorn death, you mostcertainly will pass to eternity to-moribow. B TheFather then in anger departed, but the moment hehad gone, John cast himself with his face to theground and commenced to weep bitterly and to exclaima 0 Most Holy Virgin if You give me thisgrace I will presently come to your feet to thank Youfor so gineat a miracle. B This being said, he foundon a sudden that the chains on his legs mere broken.Full of wonder, he entleavoured to make his escape.He saw a window placed so high, that by no meanscould he reach it. IIe howe~er nlade Ihe attempt,and ils if an invisible ladtlcr was placed beneath hisfeet, he asce~ldetl to it. Here he was sul.pl~isetl tofind a terrific precillice, which if he fell into, he wouldbe dashed to pieces. His companions cr~iecl out N foolthat you are, come down and prepare for deaih orotherwise you will go to ruin. B Me, however, havingtaken courage and full of living faith at having seenhis fetters broken miraculously, niade the sign of iheCross and without further tlelay cast himself down,crying out repeatedly. * 0 Holy Mary of Gennzzanohelp me r, And Oh wllr~t a procligy ! Son~eiliing like acelestial cloild had brought him downwards. He foundhimself upon the earth unhurt and unbrokel~, just asMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

266 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELif he had not fallen. Whence in sight of this greatmiracle surrounded by so many others, even humanjustice relented and left him in liberty, since themercy of God wished to leave him free for thegreater glory of Mary and of Her most wonderfulImage which came to Genazzano two months previously.Heiice on the following morning, his twocon~panions having been decnpitatetl, he, full of joyset out for Genaxzano and Ihere arrived on the 11'"of July 1467 to thnnk his heavenly Liberairis, andto depose on oath upon the holy Gospels, in the presenceof the Fiithers, and of Renedict hi1:lrroco Aitobello,of Genazzano, and of Melcliior, of Rancilluniand otllers , to the great miracle which had takenplace in his case.18. The iridividual cures recorded' meanwhile arevery numerous. Aniongst them, that of Andrew Scavola,of hlilan, who came to the Sanctuary and wasinstantly cured on the 30th of April 17'40, of an extraordinarydisease which the physicians declaredincurable; and that of the nohle lady, Mnrthn Poli,freed fro111 a terrible malady surpassing human power,are very remarkable, as illustrating the power of OurLady of Good Counsel over. devils. Hundreds of suchmiracles as these were acknowletlgect in grateful recognitionby the multitudes of votive offerings whichcrowded the church towards the close of the last,century. Many of these were of precious niet:ils,but many more, the gifts of God's poor, weie ofsimple wax or wood. The crutches left by ihelame and the bandages by the maimed were so numerous,and so filled the church, as to become a ver-PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SIIRINE2G7itable nuisance; and were, with due permission, destroyedor converted into the uses of the Sanctuary,in the beginning of the last century. Towards theclose of the sarile century and the beginning of Ihepresent, the gifts more precious so accumulated, thatthe French and the municip:lliiy of Infidels fornled bythem at Genazzano, secured an immense booty, evenafter the Fathers had given a large sliare of the silverand gold offerings of the Shrine to enable the Pontiff,Pius VI. to pay the terrible load of tribute imposedupon him by the greed of Napoleon.19. 'The Revd. J. S~enser Northcoat , Presidentof St. May's College, Oscott, in a very interestingnotice which he has given of the sacred Image ofGenazzano, in his U Celebrated Sanctuaries of the MadonnaS gives the following account of ilie nliraculouspreservation of the late Cardinal Acton and somecompanions while on the way to the Shrine of OurLady of Good Corlnsel in 1815. He says of Genazzano.a It has always been a f;tvourite place of pilgrimagefor our own ecc1esi:~stic~l students in the EnglishCollege at Rome, and Cardinal Acton had a specialdevotion towards it. On occasion of his visit to itin the autumn of 1815, he met wit11 an accidentwhich 1nig11t well lixve proved fatal both to himselfand his conipanions. He was travelling froril Palestrinawith his chaplain. and servants, and three studentsof the English College ' (a party of eight inall), when the carriage was upset in a very dan-l All still surriving, ant1 priests in the dioceses of Liverpooland Salford.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

288 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEI,gerous part of the road. Carriage, horses, and passengerswere precipitated over a bank to the depthof twenty feet; ' yet, ' as one of tlae party writes,' not one of us had so rnuch as a scratch, as far asI know; and I never heard mention of injury to any,except that the butler, who was more :frightenedthan hurt, complained of being much shaken. Ofcourae, he and the oihers outside were flung someway into the field; we who were inside fell on oneanother, the Cardinal being imnlediately below me.The carriage windows were thrown up by the fall,but were unbroken until men canle and broke thein1 to drag us out. 1 he carriage was not much injured;some of the ironwork twistcrl, and the ~?ole brolcen,which caused a deep flesh-wound in one of the horses.We walked on, sajing the rosi~ry , to the neighbouringtown? where the Bishop received us, andsent us on to Genazzano. On our arrival there, theRector and students and the religious co~nrnunity alljoined us in the Te Deum, which was repeated onthe following morning, for the miracwlous deliverancewhich a good God had given us. ' l'lle Cardinal hada. copy of the painting executed, which he alwaysretained for his own private tlevotion, and which isnow in the sacristy of the Church of Our Lady ofAngels, Stoke-upon-Trent. Another copj, or rntliera very beautiful painting (by Seitz), suggested by it,and retaining the same general idea and attitude ofthe Mother and Child, is in the cllapel of the Conventof St. Catherine, at Clifion. B20. To all the other lniracles, must be ~dded theremarkable preservation of the town of Genaz7ano -PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SIIRINE 269from pestilence of every description, since the comingof the sacred Irnage within its walls. All attributethis wonderful immux~ity to the protection of OurLady, and to the possession of Her miraculous Image.We have seen that in the seventeenth century, ihehouse of Colonna with many others experienced thebenefit of this immunity, during a plague whichelswhere, scarcely left the living the power of buryingthe dead. One reads to this day with horror, the accountof this pestilancc: in the lives of St. Charles Borrorneoand of other remarkable personages of the time. Inthe eighteenth century, so well known was ihe protectionextended to Genazzano, that Pope Urban VIII.made his famous pilgrimage to the Shrine of OurLady there, principally in order to obtain from theVirgin Mother of Gootl Counsel, a cessation of thepestilence then threatening Rome. It has never infact, been known, that one sick of plague or pestilenceof any kind, died in Genazzano. And this isall the more remarkable, because many were broughtthere in a dying state fro111 infected localities. Inno instance has it been proved, that even one of theseextreme cases succumbed to their malady in the town.Rut the most surprising exhibition of this miraculousexemption was witnessed in this nineteenth century,the era e~llphatically of infidelity and materialism,of atheism, and its brood of irreligious systems. Withall the improvements science has effectetl in the artssubserving human conlfort and convenience, Inen inthis century have had to die just as in times more barbarous.Science has been unable to invent a remedy fora plague as bad as any, that in the ages of ill - under-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

270 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELstood sanitary laws, desolated Europe. The terribleAsiatic cholera has swept again and again over all thenations of Europe and over all the islands of its seas.No land has escaped its ravages. It has levelled rulersand subjects with impartial severity. Italy was ofall the countries it devastated, ihe most severly visited.In 1832, in 1557, in 1567, its population wasmore than decimated by the fearful scourge. Strangeto say no city or town in all its estent, con~pletelyescapecl its ravages but one, and thitt one was Gonazzano. Stranger still, no part of Italy was moredesolated than Lntium. Its vicinity to Illc Campagnawhich indeed forms part 'of it; its vicinity to thePontine Marshes, ant1 the undrained cundition of itsancient towns, made it an easy prey to Ilie devouringcpideni ic. Genazzano ne~ert lleless, escaped, though notnearly so well situated as Albano and other citieswhich suffeled severely. In the latter town both heCardinal Bishop and the 1)owilger Queen of Ncjples,fell victinls; ths former tl~rou~h zeal for his people.The streets were covered wit11 corpses , which Il~eliving for fe:lr of cont:~gion were afi-aid to bury. Tliegallant Zuaves, at the call of their commander, performedfor nlany corrupting bodies Ihilt last Chl'istianoffice. So it was with Palestrina, but '7 milesdistant from (3enazzano. So it was with Olevano,Paliano, and Sail Vito, the latter but three miles away.21. So it was mi tli Capranica, a snlall town on illemountain at the foot of which Gen:tzzano is built,and which in a direct line is not a niile away. There,several were dying each day. And Illis continued,until nearly ihe whole population came in solemn pil-PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 27 1grinlage to the Shrine of the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel. They advanced on their knees from a considerabledistance outside the town, and through thestreets until they came into the presence of the miisaculousImage. 'There, suppliantly they besought OurLady to have compassion on their. unfortunate anddesolate township. They made, as people in theircondition might be naturally supposed to make,many vows and prayers. Mary in Heaven heard them,and from that day the dreadful scourge conlpletelyceased its ravages in Capranicn.22. At this and at olher such times the houses inGenaxzano were filled wit11 persons suffering fromthe disease; or fearing to be afflicted with it, who hadflocked there from near and distant cities. Not oneof these suffered. As with cholera, so with everydisease of a general epidemic nature. It has beenfurther renlarlied l)y all the historians of the townand Sanctuary, and especially 1)y Senni and Vannutelli,both natives of the place, that even the politicalvisitations which have made such frighifulravages in other parts of Italy, have visited Genazzanowith a singularly partial effect. Garibaltli obtainedfew or no recrllits from it, and a band of his defeatedfollowers passed through the town without offeringmolestation. There is no Masonic lcdge or knownhlason or Carbonaro in the town. Out of some fouror five thousand souls, not more than seventeen areabjent from the sacrament;;, at the times required bythe Church. The case of a native of the town refusingthe sacraments in his last ~nomcnts is unknown.As the accomplished and erudite Vannutelli says. a ItMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

272 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEI,stands in the history of human events, that thisQueen of Heaven holds Genazzano exempt from allthe ills of Italy, it having never, or but little, feltthe overturning of states ; inundations of foreignarmies; rapine, the burning of cities, . secret societies,cruel conspiracies , immoderate ambition , robbingavarice, the unbridled license of the population, earthquake,drought, penury, desolating tualady , publichorror, and death from sudden causes. B'I'he ecclesiastics and religious, have suffered intheir goods, it is true, there as elsewhere; and thesmall offices going, are given, of course, to friends ofthe government. Beyond this, the little town carrieson its old ways of devotion and faith as ferventlyas if Leo the XIII., instead of Hun~bert I., ruled in theEternal City. The citizens are no doubt taxed heavily,and, like all the other towns of Latium and thepontifical states, they long for the return of thePapal Government. Blit while Providence imposesthese crosses upon them, they remain as Our Ladysaid they should remain for ever. a Her speciallybeloved people. BTo conclude this chapter of miracles wroughtbefore Our Lady's Shrine in Genazzano, a synopsisis here added of those recorded in the first registerexactly as they were inserted in the document provedto be authentic by the learned critics of the Vatican,at the instance of the Sacred Congregation of Rites,and to which we have referred in the proofs for theWonderful Apparition. It is translated from the Italianof De Orgio, :tnd commences on the second dayafter the Apparition and is as follows.PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRAC1,ES AT THE SHRINE 273First day 271h. On this day, Domenica di Giuliani was freedfrom a violent and most painful disease of the womb.Achilles, of Genazzano, from a long and obstinate sciatica,and John Cambellotti of Castel Zangati, of a most painful infirmityof very long duration, by which he lost the use of hisvoice and could no longer take nourishment.April 281b. To-day, John Giordani of Genazzano, was broughtto the holy Chapel. He suffered for three years from suchweakness in all his limbs that he could no longer move. Appealingto Most Holy Mary of Good Counsel he became instantlysound, free, and vigorous so that not a trace of his long diseasewas left.XAY 1467.Pd day. To-day, Most Holy Mary completely freed Antonyde Benedictis of Castel hlarsitelli, from the consequences of anapoplectic stroke, by which his whole right side was completelyparalyzed.May 3rd. Rita de Sanctis, daughter of John Peter, of Caste110di Gerano, for a length of time obsessed by the devil, wasliberated to-day in the Holy Chapel.May 4Ih. To-day, Most Holy hiary of Paradise freed andcured Antony Cerroni, of Pisclano, who in penalty of his incredulitywith regard to the coming of this holy Image, had becomecompletely crippled and paralyzed. - Also John Francianerawho for six years continuously, suffered from a most obstinatequartan fever.Also Bernardino di Piombino, reduced to a dying and bloodlessconditiou from the same disease. Also Gincomina de Benedictisof Olevano, who after bearing a son, remained for fivemonths, night and day in the greatest agony. Also Uella diGiovan Nicola of San Vito, who from a disease of the internalorgans suffered during eight years from continual hemorrllage,so that through_weakness she could no longer stand upon herfeet.May 8Ih. To-day, was cured Francesca Ceccarelli, of Paliano,wlio iqher childl~ood became blind, and besides, was muchweakened throughout her whole body. Also Minna, daughter of18More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

274 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELJohn Capozzo, of Cave, who for a length of time had becomeuseless and almost mummified by dryness in all her members.May 15Ib. To-day, Most Holy Mary restored the sight ofPhilip Bartolomei, of the province of Borgogna, who for threeyears had been totally blind. Domenica Tuzi, of Olevano was curedof most severe convulsive pains, which brought her to a dyiogcondition. And Antonio Tomassi, of Sclavonia, who had becomecompletely blind four years previously, having had suppliantrecourse to the most holy Image, was instantly gladdened withthe full enjoyment of his eyesight.May 16'". To-day, Antony di Pietro, of Trano, who for 28years continuously, suffered from epilepsy, was completely freedby Our Lady, at Her Shrine.James Vestri, of Gtenazzano, was cured of a general debilityand torpor of the whole body, which rendered him impotentand unable even to move. Mariano, son of John the Albanian,having become helpless, was cured. John, son of Angelo AntonioBuzi, of Cicigliano, who for six years had been stone blind,obtained the use of his sight.Tizia, of Zogilr010, a poor old woman, coming on foot tovisit the holy Image, fell in tlie neighbourhood of Palestrinainto a deep intricate chasm, full of sturnps and thorn-bushes. Inher distress, she called upon Our Lady of Good Counsel, WhoseImage she was on the way to visit, and declared that Most HolyMary appeared to her visibly and liberated her, so that shewas enabled to pursue her way in joy to Genazzano, and narrateher experience.May 21". To-day, Roscietto, of Genazznno, given over bythe physicii~ns and fortified with all the sacraments of the Church,lay dying in his last agony. His afIlicted wife broken heartedat so great a loss, had recourse to hfost Holy Mary, beforethe sacred Image, and with lively faith made a vow, to comeupon her bare knees on the ground from her house to the holyChapel. She instantly began with cheeks bathed in tears andwith mournful suppliant voice to fulfil that vow. When behold,thc dying husband at that moment silt up in his bed, andstimulated bp a sudden fit of vomiting, threw from his stomachseven fetid worms; and after having been strengthend with alittle nourishment, he rose up sound and cured from his bedas though he had never suffered the slightest ailment.May B*. On this day, Anastasia Arcite, of Cerrnra, whoPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 275reduced to the point of death, lay in agony live days withouttaking any restorative whatever. On a vow being made in thisextremity by her afflicted mother to conduct her to the feetof this holy Image, in case she should escape death, suddenlyshe gave signs of returning health; she wished to take nourishmentand afterwards together with her mother went festiveand joyful to thank her Holy Liberatris.Likewise on this day, Antonio Sollato, of Tivoli (about18 miles from the Sanctuary by the shortest road through theSabine mountains) who having become completely crippled, oneside being paralyzed, having made a vow to come on foot andwith a rope aronnd his neck to the holy Image; was instantlycured; so that he was able presently to undertake the journeyto Genazzano as he had promised, and according to his vow.Thc holy' Image also an this day freed a woman, namedBona di Simone, of Ciciglinno, who for eight ycars continuouslyhad been curved, (probably by spinal disease) so that with herface almost touching the ground she could scarcely walk a fewsteps with the aid of a stick.Also wore cured Maria Angela Pucine, of Cicigliano, who forsix entire years had been blind, and Petruccia,daughterof AntonioComparelli, of Tivoli, tormented excessively hy uterine disease,and Catherine Coccetti, of Vicovaro, who was in like m?nneroppressed for eight and twenty yenrs with the same disease,so that she coultl not 5nd peace or rrlpose either night or day.Mcrlino, also of Tivoli, blind for many months, was cured; andU'illiarn de Orlnndis, of thc city of Terni (about a hundred milesfrom the Santuary) aged twenty five yenrs, born blind had beenscarcely introduced into the Holy Chapel when he suddentlyopened two most limpid eyes this day. - Still on thesame day,Aurel~a Pnlicchi, of Nemi, pnralyzed for many years, and Santa,of Trevi, obsessed for a length of time by malignant spiritswere delivered.Well does De Orgio call this n great day, happily andfortunately illustratad and signalized by Mary with ten miraclesor graces, in a few hours.May 24'". A certain Nicholas Grisanti, of Guadagnola, whoreturning from Genazzano to his home, and being asked whetherhe had seen any miracle performed by the holy Image, answeredwith contempt, a what miracles? what miracles? I have seennone. P The following night one of his littlo sons, named Martin,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

276 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELsuddenly oppressed with the most excruciating convulsive pains,was about to expire. The affrighted father feeling in his conscience,that this was in punishment for his sin of contempt,presently cast himself upon his face weeping and sobbing; andseeing that his tenderly beloved child commenced to get a littlebetter, he took him at once in his arms and walked the wholeway (about ten or twelve miles, over the steep mountain onwhich stands, at its loftiest point, the monastery of Menturella)to Genazzano, to deposit his precious burden at the feet of OurLady of Good Counsel. There, the poor child was perfectlycured in an instant, and the incredulous father believed, havingseen first the chastisement and then the miracle with his owneyes.May 23h. On this day, the Sovereign Empress and MostHoly hfother of Good Counsel cured Joanna, daughter of JohnNicholas Petrucci, of Pereto, in the diocese of Marsi, who hadbecome paralyzed from head to foot; and Mary her sister, likewiseparalyzed. Both sisters were brought to the holy Chapelto be liberated, as in fact they were. On tliis same day, wasalso cured Stephen Antonelli, of Trapani, afflicted for a lengthof time wit11 excruciating torments through urinal disease.May 291b. Peter Nicholas Bucciarelli, of Cerula, having cometo Genazzano for his affairs and also to visit the Holy Image,was asked on his return to his home, whether he had seen anymiracles, answered as did Nicholas Grisanti in a contemptuousfashion, that he had seen none, and did not believe in any. Thefollowing night the Queen of Heaven appeared (in a dream) tohim, angry and full of indignation, and ordered him to returninstantly to Genazznno and that Iie would see miracles enoughto make him believe. Tlie contemptuous and affrighted manwoke up to find that his little son Antonp, surprised by anunforeseen accident, was upon the point of death. Presently,with his dying child in his arms, hc flew to Genazzano, and inthe Holy Chapel with sobs and tears he confessed his guilt;and behold in that moment his little son became perfectlycured, festive and joyful; and Peter penitent was corrected,and at the sight of his son cured, tliorouglily amended.This day also, John, the son of John Panenche, of Cantalupo,a child of twelve years, having become weakened throughout hiswhole body, acquired perfectly the use of all his members.Thus too Peter, son of Nicholas Simeone, of Cori, a childof eight years, unable to stand upon his feet, acquired this dayPRIVATE USE ONLY

hiIRACLES AT THE SHRINE2T7in the same manner, the use of all his limbs. James NarniPiccinini, blind for four years, to-day, in the sacred Chapelreacquired his sight, to the universal delight of all those present.May 30Lh. Perfetta, a devout lady of Cori, liaving known ofthe miracle that was wrought upon Peter her blind fellowtownsman,who returned from Genazznno to Cbri with his sightperfectly restored, presently she too, full of living holy faithcaused herself to be led there, and in fact she also obtainedthe same grace, after having been blind for six years.Basilia, wife of Giorgio, of Ouadagnola, who for three yearshad been paralyzed, was to-day also in theHoly Chapel made in onemoment vigorous and sound, as if she had never suffered paralysis.May 31". To-day, Angela, daughter of master Nicholas, ofBassiano, who in consequence of a stroke of apoplexy, lost theuse of lier right arm completely, so that she could not evenmove it any more than if it were a senseless log of wood,hardly had she entered the sacred Chapel, when she becamevigorous and sound, with tlie arm as movable as at first. Thisday also, Francesca Aiacellari, of Porcile, oppressed with uterinedisease for fifteen years, on this same day became free andsound, at the steps of the altar hlost Holy Nary of Good Counsel.June 3rd. The lady Antonia, of Caste1 Sanguigno, wife of thelate Signor Antony, Count of Montefortino, who had receiveda severe apoplectic stroke, through which she liad lost the useof the whole right side, was conducted with great difficulty to theholy Chapel. Tlie moment she entered, she became at once perfectlycured, after llaving passed three years and seven monthsof lier lifc, wit11 that severe malady. Also Antonietta, daughterof Antonio Spine, likewise from hIontefortino, who had beendeaf for eighteen years in tlic right ear, on the same day andat the very same hour in which tlie above mentioned lady wascured, slie also became freed from the inconvenience referredto. The moment she entered tlic Cllapel she heard a sound inthe deaf ear, and obtained her hearing complctcly.Bth June. This most llappy day was illustrated by eightmiracles or grace

278 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELDomenic di Tuziofante, of Olevano, bitten by a most venemonsserpent, through which his flesh had become all swelled andblackened, having on this day made a vow to go on foot toGenazzano, to tlie feet of the Most Holy Mother of Good Counsel,became suddenly delivered from his malady without sign orimpediment whatever.Santuccia di Bartolomeo, of Subiaco, who from the bite ofa mad dog, suffered the terrible and fatally incurable consequences,being full of unspeakable agony, and wrenched withconvulsions through her whole body, during which she lost aneye completely and strained her limbs. The moment she enteredthe holy Chapel at the foot of the altar of the holy Image,she was completely cured, and rendered free from her terriblemalady.Felicita di Bartolomeo, of Subiaco, obtained on this dayalso, most clearly her sight which she had lost by painfulspasms, endured for a long time in both eyes.Catherine, daughter of John Cocci, of Civitella, given overby the doctors and reduced to agony, upon invoking Most HolyMary, to Whom she had made a vow, ,presently obtained theuse of her senses, and was instantly cured entirely.Elizabeth, of Anticoli, dumb for seven years, to-day in thepresence of the sacred Image, commenced to the universal astonishmentof all, to speak.To-day also, John di Pietro, of Menecone acquired in theholy Chapel, motion and life, which he had lost for many years,in half his body, which became from paralysis as so muchsenseless wood.June 10"'. Signor Francesco di Pietro, of Naples, who sevenyears previously had been wounded so grievously in the thighby a lance in battle, that the master nerves were so pulicturedand lacerated, that he could neither bend the knee, nor movethe wounded limb. Having heard in Rome of the great miraclesworked by Our Lady of Good Counsel in Her Image at Genazzano,he instantly caused himself to be conducted thither andthere in the holy Chapel, praying with a living faith to MostHoly Mary, he received in the most complete manner the gracehe sought, remaining as sound and as free as if that thigh hadnever been wounded.June Illb. On this day, a Hungarian Priest, named Don JohnMartini, having become blind of one eye for a year and somePRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE !mmonths, ut the feet of Most Holy Nary, instantly obtained hissight perfectly. And on the very same day, Peter di Giovanni,of the district of Marano, having lost the use of his rightarm, became completely cured in the holy Chapel.Paul, son of John di Belvedere, having become so insane,that he wandered in the night through the country, raving andshouting; having confessed and repented of his sins in the holyChapel, returned immediately to his proper senses, with a soundand most quiet mind.To-day also, Antonuccia, daughter of Nicholas da Fumone,a young lady who having been so terrified and horror strickenat a horrible apparition which appeared to her in the house,that she trembled frequently night and day, and rejected everyspecies of food given for her nourishment; conducted by one ofher uncles to the holy Chapel, the moment she saw the holyImage, she became serene, easy and tranquil, and never sufferedafter from tremblimg or fear of any kind.Bartholomew, the son of John, born blind, on this same dayobtained in the Chapel, the sight of both eyes.June 12'". Behold anothe~ day illustrated with six miracles.John di Pasquule, of the Country of Cella, who had been twoentire years dropsical, having entered the Chapel, his diseaseentirely disappeared.Johanna Petruccin, of Tofflla, blind of an eye for the spaceof twenty four years, at the feet of ou~ holy Image becamequite cured.Domenico di Antonio, of the land of Galera, perfectly blindin both eyes, suppliantly praying at Mnry's feet, also obtainedhis sightStephen, son of Juliano, of hlorlupo, and Santa his sister,young children, having both fallen through a breach in theflooring of their dwelling into a deep pit of limeqtone, andhaving beon discovered scarcely half alive, the affrighted fatherpresently made a vow with his whole heart to this holy Image,and behold in that moment both stood upon their feet, and witha serene and joyful countenance ran to their father. He inecstasy at so sudden a miracle, immediately conducted them toGenazzano to the feet of the Most Benign Mother.Lawrence Cicculi, of Nepi, confined for four yoars to hisbed in the greatest agony from pain in the leg bone, laid to-dayat the feet of Mary, was liberated and made sound.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

280 THE VIRGIN BfOTEIER OF GOOD COUNSEI,Silvester Pauletti, of Rocca, for three years confined tobed, tormented with a violent and most obstinate sciatica, todayhaving come with a living faith to this holy Image, wasat once freed, and came with all speed to Genazzano, to thankthe mogt benign and most amiable Lady of Paradise.June 13th. To-day, Bernardo, son of Master Dominic, of Roccantinain Sabina, clouded by a most dreadful horror and frightfrom having seen a diabolical phantom, already began to getinsane. He tore liis flesh with his teeth, he spoke immoral andblasphemous words, and the devil under the most horrible shape,endeavoured to take him off. Finallr, tlie affrighted parentsseeing the case desperate, conducted him by violence to Genazzano,and scarcely had they forced him into the holy Chapel,when behold, their son serenely opened his eyes flowing withtears. He turned then to the l~oly Image and at that precisemoment all his fears and all the infestations of the devil ceased.Likewise to-day, Vincenza, daughter of Dominic, of Castropignano,blind of one eye, received her sight.John IVicolas Nardi, of Mont'Acuto, bitten by a most venemousserpent, without being able to apply any remedy, havingturned himself to this lloly Image (at wllose feet he wasafterwards seen with a wax candle and lighted torch) wascompletely cured by this sole celestial balm.Antony, son of Tanto Paladini, of Sermoneta, sun'ering dreadfulpains tlirough disease of the urinary organs, was this dayalso cured in tlie holy Chapel.And finally, Tllomas Mattei, of the province of Umbria,struck with apoplexy, and on that account liaving lost the useof his wl~ole right side, to-day conducted to the feet of mostHoly Mary of Good Counsel, obtained thc cure Ire so muchdesired, by an open miracle.June 16"'. Santa, daughter, of Doninic Rocce, of Collepiccolo,obsessed and tormented for six years continuously by diabolicalspirits, to-day in the holy Chapel on seeing the lloly Image,.was liberated.June 18Ih. Paul, son of John, of Colle, so grievously injuredin the principal hone of the leg, that 11e became quite lameand scarcely could move himself, so great was the pain. Hewns with great difficulty couducted into the holy Cllapel, butin the presence of hiary and of Her most blessed Image hebecame perfectly cured.PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRISE 281June 20th. This also proved another joyfnl and propitiousday, illustrated and countersigned by Mary with thirteen signalgraces.To-day, Antony Giannucci, of hiazzola, who for fifteen daysand fifteen nights consecutively, had lost such a copious streamof blood from his nostrils, that he was thereby prostrated bycontinual swoons. He was at the point of death. Scarcely hadhe, with vivid f~ith had recourse to this Holy Image, but hepresently-became sound. Hence he came with all speed to thefeet of hlary in Genazzano, to render Her fervent thanks.Clement, t,he son of a certain David, a Hungarian, perfectlyblind, to-day in the holy Chapel recovered his sight perfectly.Dominic Niccola, son of Antonio of Riceto, bitten by blackserpents, with which he found himself covered after havingslept a night in a hay-store in the country, and therefore hadall his flesh grown swollen and hlue coloured, whence the physiciansjudged that, on that same day bp sun-down, -he shol~ldmost certainly die. Having recourse however as best he could insuch great emergency, to this holy aud most prodigious Imagehe suddenly took heart, vivacity, and courage; and thence havingcome to its most holy feet, was perfectly cured.Jnmes Giorgi, of Terra, oppressed with the falling sicknessfor seventeen years, was here, in the holy Chapel instantlyliberated.Mary, daughter of Stephen, of Colle, liaving lost the useof her body from the centre downwards, here acquired life andmotion.Margherita, daughter of John Tedesca, living in Rome, whofor three years had lost the use of both legs and arms; havingbeen conducted to the feet of this holy Image, she returned toRome perfectly sound.Nicholas, son of John Alici, a Roman, who had his stomachinflamed and hard as a stone, and his head trembling andturning, to-day in the holy Chapel was freed from every inconvenience.And thus also was freed here to-day, AntonyNiccola, of Turano, who for three years suffered from dropsyin such manner, that even his very eyelids were swollen withthe disease, so that he could not open his eyes. Domenico Castaro,dispaired of in Rome by the doctors, on account of anobstinate and copious bloody flux, having been brought too thbfeet of hlary, found there the source of ball11 and remedy forMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

282 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELall evils; as also experienced to-day Peter, son of John Mattei,who for an entire year passed blood.And Felix Jerorue de Laurentius, non of signor PanloRomano, who not having taken milk for six days and nightscontinuously. gasped and expired. Hardly had his noble mothermade a vow to this holy Image when at once he recommeucedto breathe and to draw suck. Hence, sound and vigorous, theparents full of joy, conducted him here to Genazzano to theSanctuary of Mary.And thus another, Paul di Giacomo, also a Roman, was todaycured of a malignant fever with punctures.And finally to-day, Flora, dadghter ofsignor Magno Rellajo,of Padua, who had lost the use of his right side, so that becomingarid and incapable of doing anything, he dragged on amiserable existencc. As soon however as he had recourse devoutlyand suppliantly to this holy Image, the fame of whose miraclesresoun,led throughout Italy, and resolutely caused himself tobe carried to the holy Chapel in Genazzano, he found himselfperfectly freed from his infirmity and sound in every respect;so that with great joy and much happiness and the pouring outof the tenderest tears,.he again visited the holy Image.Jule251b. To-day, Francesca, daughter of .John Tinelli, a childof one year and a half, being reduced to a dying state withoutbeing further able to take milk, upon being vowed by hermother to this holy Image, presently began to suck and recovered.Hence, sound and free from any disease, the good motherbrought her to the holy Chapel.June %lh. Franois, son of Paul Nardi, of Castelli di Acumino,obsessed for two years on being conducted to-day to theholy Chapel, was instantly liberated from the diabolical spirit,which however afterwards appeared to him on the followingnight and gave him n terrible stroke on the face, saying a traitorI will blind you B but on the following morning, Francis, havingconfessed himself with bitter tears, obtained the grace of acomplete cure.To-day likewise Stefana, daughter, of Antony, of Tivoli,residing in Rome, who by accident was struck by a great stoneon the foot which remained broken in three places; having recourseinstantly full of tears and in grief to this holy Image,by a rare miracle, became cured and sound. Thence with allhaste, running on foot, she came to Most Holy Mary. ThusPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 283also to-day, Ruggiero, of Taranto, was healed in nn instantfrom the effects of a desperate stab, an account of which hewas already given over by the physicians.Peter Buonomo, of Faenza, obtained two signal graces onthis day, in as much as being deaf, and broken in the intestines;here in the holy Chapel, he was cured of both and departedperfectly sound.And finally to-day, Dominic Qiuliani, a child of four years,in Rome, being crushed beyond the hope of remedy, was broughtimmediately by his parents to the holy Chapel; at the sametime when the other infirm were healed, he also was renderedperfectly sound and completely cured.June 27*. Elizabeth, daughter of Johu, a Flerning, haviug lostfor three years, her whole right side, on this day, from Most Holyhfary hat1 the grace she came to seek, and which she so muchdesired.Here also to-day, Margherita, the daughter of Stephen daBionza, miserably lame, was rendered straight. And JohannaLeoni, a Castilian, who for thirty nine yearsohad lost the use ofhalf her body, was to-day at once rendered sound and full of life.Margaret, daughter of Mark, of the city of Rsgusa in Sclavonia,having lost the use of her right arm for seven years,obtained its perfect cure.And Mary, daughter of Dominic, in the country of Canemorto,contracted in all her nerves, was perfectly loosened .and freed.Thus also Gabriel Niccola Mariano, a Roman child of fouryears, broken internally, upon being conducted to the holyChapel by his parents, was suddenly restored and cured.Likewise to-day, John, son of Arci, of Marino, was favouredwith the sight of both eyes,who had come to the feet of Mary blind.And Lawrence son of Peter Paul, a Roman, to-day finally hungup in the holy .Chapel the crutches which he used to carry tobring himself to the Chapel. Bacula dimisit, et sanus et liberfactus est. It is thus expressed in the public act of theNotary.June 'Btb, Martina Chiarelli, a Roman, for seven years tormentedby obsession of the devil, to-day was fully liberatedfrom the infernal spirits.And here likewise Angeletta Nardi, a Roman, obtained thegrace of being freed from paralysis, which she had sufferedMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

284 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELfor three years. Whence in the public record it is written:ex quo intravit Sacram Capellam, illico sana et quietaextitit.June 30'". This proved another joyful and fortunate day,upon which God was pleased yet more to glorify the beautifulImage of his Holy hlother of Good Counsel. Antonella, daughterof Nicola Pipeo, of Vicovaro, who for Ave years continuously.had been tormented in such a painful manner by uterine disease,that she was frequently on the point of death; on being conductedthis day to the holy Chapel, was upon entering it soperfectly freed and healed that she recovered all her vigourand strength. Angelo, son of John del Poggio, lame of a foot,became perfectly straight.Bona Narducci, of Alatri, who had lost tlie use of her limbs,was perfectly invigorated and restored.John Francis, of Anticoli, a child; broken internally, conductedby hlarglierita Scliiavi his mother, into the holy Cliapelbecame ao wonderfully cured, that not a sign of liis ailmentremained.Santo, the son of Bartliolemew Salini, of Morlupo, paralyzedfor many years, having come to the feet of the lioly Image wasin a molllent liberated and made vigorous.Santa, daughter of Dominic, of Castelnuovo, being useless,having lost the use of her limbs for the space of two years,conducted here to-day, acquired motion, liealtli, and strength.Thus Jlary, daughter of Bartliolomew Stephen de Orlandisof Marano, obsessed by tlie devil for twenty two years, wasliberated in the lioly Cliapel from all the bonds of hell. And acertain man of Frascati, called Guastacavalli who having awokeone night found his tl~roat inflamcd and with three pustules aslarge as walnuts in his moutll from whence issued black andputrid matter. He for three days suffered great agony, not findingany remedy whatever for his sudden and most dangerousmalady. Scarcely had 11e made a vow to come to tl~c feet ofthe most holy Image, than he became instantly cured, as ifnothing wl~iitever had I~appmed to liim.And in fine, Gabriel, of Cremona, being one day gored byan enraged ox so frightfully, tlilt a large vessel was fllledwith blood and he was about to expire. T'resent,ly with vividconfidence, having had suppliant recourse to most Holy hlaryof Good Counsel, tie was cured in :In instant, and to-dnj- camePRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRAC1,ES AT THE SHRINE 285to Genazzano, festive and joyful to return thanks. Ita se ificolumem,sanzcm et liberurn invenit, tamquam si nihil eidemaccidisset. Thus was it deposed upon oath in the register withinthe holy Chapel.July l", Nicolo Ozzigi, a German, for many years unnervedand deprived of strength, through a most obstinate quartan fever,having come on this day to visit the holy Image, received fromOur LaJy instantly the graces and liberation he sought.July 3*.\Iargherita daughter of Giovanni, aGerman by nation,having lost the use of her left arm, came to-day to visit and torecommend herself to the holy Image. In the very moment whileshe w.as praying, she felt her arm free and sound.July 41h. Marco, son of di Stefano, a Hungarian, was cured asbefore related.July 51h. Mary, daughter of John Vecchi, of Palestrina, aninfant of eleven months, born impeded in hands and feet andespecially in the loins, without being able in any way to sustainherself on her feet, on being brought tc-day by her mother tothe holy Chapcl and being devoted to Mary, was made sound,free and perfect, to the great joy of all the family. And thusalso to-day, Catharine Alemanna, contracted in such a painfulmanner in all llsr members, especially in her hands, which fora long time were completely closed without being able to openthem in any way, in the presence of this holy Image she openedthem instantly; and instantly also, disappearcl her whole painfulcontraction.July 7Ih. Dominic Saracini, of San Vito, an infant of tenmonths, who was upon the point of dying, not having taken milkfor the space of six days and six nights, upon being devotedby his sorrowful mother to the holy Image, immediately becamesound and hale; on which account they brought him to-day tothe holy altar of Nary in Genazzano, in order to psesent toHer 'a little creature with tenderness which was indeed Hergift.July Otb. Onorato Lecchi, travelling with a scythe suspendedfrom his neck, fell precipitately, and the scythe wounded him soseriously in the foot, that a bone protruded from the flesh.Oppressed by a mortal spasm he withdrew the point of theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

B6THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELscythe, but he remained weakened in the foot and lame withcontinual pain. Finally having come to-day, suppliantly to thefeet of this holy Image, he received a favour so signal thatthe fout became wholly sound and healed, as if it had neverreceived the least hurt.July 11". Seven beautiful and most signal favours illustratedand honoured this day.Nicholas, son of John Muroli, of Anagni, reduced to extremitythrough a continuous and pertinacious fever, had scarcelymade a vow to come barefoot to the feet of the holy Image,than he was cured.Santo, son of Pietro, also of Anagni, reduced to a languishingand bloodless condition by a most obstinate fever, having comesuppliantly to the holy Image, was perfectly cured.Angelo Pasqunle Torre, reduced to death's door, lay threenights agonizing. His relations made a vow to brink him tovisit the holy Image, and upon this he commenced to growbetter immediately; nnd to-day joyful and in haste to fulfil thevow made, they brought him to Genazzano.Giuliano Migri, of Anagni, likewise languishing from an obstinatefever, scarcely had made a vow to visit the holy Chapel,when he found himself cured.John Andrew Poreste, of Sarzano, who was liberated fromdeath and from the prison of Sienna, came to-day to returnthanks to Our Lady of Good Counsel.Graziano, of Nepi, hurt and grievously injured internally,had scarcely arrived at the feet of the holy Image, but he washealed, illico viscera intus redacla sunt, as is expressed in thepublic testament.And finally on this day, Ambrose Gasparini, of Stigliano,who having fallen from the position of riches and opulence intoextreme povcrty, had become furiously insnne; being broughtwith great difficulty to this holy Image to-day, became sensible,wise and perfectly liberated and resigned.July 12'". Antonietta, daughter of Nicholas del Aquiln, affectedfor three years continuously in such a manner, that ragingand howling she seemed to possess a pack of infernal wolvesin her bosom, to-day in the holy Chapel was rendered perfectlysane and free.Nicholas Greco, who-deceived by a yoling girl named Ursnlinewho gave some infernal mixture to him in a drink-PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 287vbecame obsessed and wandered night and day through the country,with a naked sword shouting and threatening; scarcely had heappeared at the fect of the holy Im~ge, whither, with greatdifaculty he was forced to come, when he was immediatelyhealed.July 15". Santo Mastsr, of Nepi, having gone:into the countryat the harvest time, was on a sudden attacked by the pestilencewhich then raged in the city. Scarcely however did he makea vow to be brought to the feet of the holy Image than thepestilential malady ceased. .Poter Giorgio, a Sclavonian, who had been abandoned bythe physicians in a mortal illness, having heard on his sickbed from a companion who had returned from a visit to theholy Image a Peter why do you not make a vow to the miraculoushladonna of Genazzano? v At this the dying man turnedsuppliantly to Mary and made the vow; and as instantly arosefrom his bed perfectly restored, and speedily set out on hisjourney to ,fulfil his promise in Genazzano, where he made theusual declaration on oath, as to the renson of his coming. AndJohn, son of Angelo of Palinno, rendered useless, nerveless andbloodless by a pertinacious quartar~ fever, to-day in the holyChapel w8s fully cured. In this same most fortunate day,Froila, n beautiful young lady of twenty years, born howeverwith two unequal limbs, one being shorter than the other, hadfrom Our Lady the signal grace which she asked; and wasrelieved even from deformity.July 18"'. .John, son of John di Nonteforti, who having beenprevent in Genaazano when the people of Scgni came in suppliantprocession to the feet of the sacred Image, to beg from theEmpress of heaven immunity from the terrible scourge of theplag;le,was himself suddenly surprised with the pest~lence, havinga black welling on his thigh. He immediately flew to the holyChapel, and was at once freed from the imminent peril of deathin which he stood.July 23*. Daniel, son of Antonio, of Nemi,'was so terribly possessed,thbt he tore his own flesh with his teeth: to-day in theholy Chapel was liberated from the infernal slnvery be endured.Sabastiano and Lucia, children of Antonia Marzotta, of Genazzano,who were about to die and in fact expiring, as soonas their mother had vowed to present their statues in wax toMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

288 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELthe holy Chapel, they rose up festive and joyful from their bed,and accompanied their faithful mother to render fervent thanksto Mary, at the Shrine of Her holy Image.July 281h. John Godfrey, of Orleans, who dewelling in thecity of Sutre, met with a dangerous accident, by which hieintestines were broken, he was consequently taken with faintingfits and spasms in the stomach. The moment however, thathe made a vow to go ou foot to the holy Image, he becamewhole and sound.July 31". Angelo Mattopelle, of Serofano, lame in the leftfoot, having entered to-day in the Chapel, was cured.Angelo Mione, of Montegiovito, being taken with a suddenillness, was dispaired of by the physicians. The moment hemade a vow to go to the holy Image, he was freed from everydanger.James, son of Orazio, of Agricola, taken by a worm fever,was at extremities; his father made a vow to carry him to thefoot of the holy Image, and he was nt once relieved.Thus also in fine, Francis, son of John, of the district ofSerofano, contracted in the nerves and unable to move llimself,having turned -with vivid faith to this holy Image, found himselfsuddenly loosbned, sound and perfectly freed; whence he sooncame to the foot of most Holy hlary of Good Counsel to fulfilhis vow.Auaus~ 1467.Aug. l". Lucia Spalatri, of Subiaco, having her whole bodyswollen by dropsy, upon making a vow to send to the Shrinea wax flgure of her own size, and to go there herself, was insta~tlycured.James Vcneziano, a physician of Castel Fajano, being grievouslyinjured by a kick from a horse, as sogn as he had withliving faith nppealed to Our Lady of Good Counsel, found himselfcured completely bp invisible means.Gasper Ciotti, of Avignon, residing in the city of Nepi,infected with the pestilence and having its fatal sign, that is, ablack swelling, though stunned by the unexpected calamity, assoon as 11e had rccourse to this most holy Image, he foundhimself perfectly freed and sound. And Paul di hlorlupo, aninhabitant of Castel Fajano, blind forty years in the right eye,to-day happily in the holy Chapel obtained its perfect use.PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACLES AT THE SHRINE 289Aug. 6". Cathnrine Tome, of Nepi, who while the plaguewas in that city, found herself attacked by the usual blackswelling and was already at the point of death. The momentshe had recourse to Our Lady of Good Counsel, a metal Imageof Whom was brought to her, she was immediately cured. Theblack tumour disappeared, she arose from her bed, and joyfullyappeared here to-day in Genazzano, to return thanks at thefeet of the holy Image.Aug. 7". This was in fine, another most joyful day, illustratedby eight miracles wrought by the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel.Nicholas, son of .John, of Manfredonia, oppressed for a longtime with a most painful sciatica, which had rendered himlame and unable to move in one foot, after having been sevendays praying in the holy Chapel without being heard, to-day,returning to Rome in the hope of finding at least some alleviation;Our Lady however appeared to him on the road, andhe was graciously and instantly cured by Her.James Petrini, of Caprarola, dispairing of cure for a putridfistula between the thighs, for which without the slightest advantagehe had received a many and infinite cures v, from verymany doctors, to-day, while praying in the holy Chapel, wascompletely cured.Constantine da Carolis, of Castelfollie, alroady three hour8dead, after being duly fortifled by ell the rites of the churchand given over by the physicians, was through the intercessionof th~? Most Holy Mother of Good Ccunsel invoked by his sorrowingmaster, restored to life.Angclo Paolo, a Roman, reduced to extremities by a malignantpunctured fever, having vowed to tl~e holy Image, lefthis bed cured.Antony, son of James, of Mataloni, who whilst bringinglime to Rome for the building of the church of St. Mark, hadlost an eye, was to-clay curet1 in the holy Chapel.Likewise to-day, Mathew, son of Antony, of Nepi, who inconsequence of n severe blow upon the eyes had become completelyblind, was to-day restored to the use of his sight, inthe holy ChapelSanto de Angelis, also of Nepi, who contracted the pestilencewith four black swellings, was miraculously saved bythe holy Image.19More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

290 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELFinally, Peter Manelli, likewise of Nepi, exhausted by along fever scarcely had entered the holy Chapel to-day, whenhe became perfectly relieved, sound and free.Aug. 9'". Mathew di Camagnola, of Alatri, while standingin his house, found himself on a sudden covered with ruins fromthe fall of the same. A11 thought him dead, and laboured onlyto find his corpse, but having cried out at the first momenta Most Holy Madonna of Genazzano help mev, he was saved andfound to tho astonishment of all, living, unhurt, and sound inevery respect. And on this day also, Angelo di Arnica, a Ro- .man, coming with a living faith to this holy Image was freedfrom n putrid fever, through which he vomited .large wormsout of his mouth.Aug. 141h. Antony Festa, of Campagnano, for a year and ahalf, suffered from a flux of blood, so pertinacious that as oftenas eight or ten times in the hour on some days, he lost largequantities, on account of which being completcly exhausted, hemomentarily expected death. Being exhorted to have recoursewith n lively faith to this holy Image, vowing to present himselfat its feet in Genazzano and having done so, he instantlyfound himself cured. In like manner also Nicholas, the son ofJohn, of Civitaducale, a child of tender years having fallen fromoff the walls of the said city, was carried to his house halfdead, the moment however that the parents besought withtears the help of Our Lady of Good Counsel, the child becamesound, safe and lively; whence in gratitude they speedily setout with the little fcllow for Genazzano, iind there to-day i,n thoholy Chapel they deposed upon oath the reason of their coming.The above synopsis was formed by De Orgio fromthe formal statements found in the original codex.The miracles there recorded might be continued tothis day. The same graces and the same scenes ofthanksgiving are still witnessed by all dwelling nearthe Sanctuary. In the next chapter we shall seethat equal mercies are extended to all who anywhereworship Our Lady under the endearing appellation,of Virgin Mother of Good Counsel.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter Xm.MIRACULOUS COPIESl. Early copies - Degrees of likeness to the original. - 2. Copy in Genoa -Its history - Its coming saves the city from min. - 8. Ancient copyat Modena. - 4. Copies in Calabria. - G. At Monte Caseiano. -6. At Frosinone. - 7. In Eume. - 8. Miraculons copy in the CampoSanto of the Vatican. - 9. In Naples - Buonannu - Fr. Uodestino -Holy Cross of Lncca etc. - 10. Outside Italy - Copy at Madrid whichspoku to St. Alogsins - Honoured by supreme Conncils of Spain.-11. Bavaria.- 12. Anstria. - 13. Belgium. - 14. h city with a facsimileof the church and sacred Image and called Genazzano, in SouthAmerica. - 16. Letter of Father Belgrano regarding the celebratedcopy at Prague.1. When we consider the wonderful devotion escitedby the sacred Image of Our Lady at Genazzano,and the number of miraculous favours received at itsShrino, we cannot be surprised that many copieswere taken of it, from the very commencement. .Apeople so full of geniu3, and so art loving as theItalians, were sure to have it reproduced in the bestmanner possible. In the last chapter, we saw i.hat,even during the first few weeks after the Apparition,a copy found in a poor man's hat was the occasionof more than one miracle. Copies of a very earlydate in bronze and marbie, in medals, in cameos,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

202 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELin bass-reliefs, in stone and metal, in wood and terracotta,are common in Rome, and irideed in all thesurrounding country. As soon as the printing presscame into existence, an immense number of engravingson paper and parchment were scattered everywhere.Thousands of oil paintings on canvass,executed in every degree of art excellence, and inalmost every style known since the fifteenth century,are found in the churches of Italy. With the advanccinentof the mechanical arts of reproduction,copies of every description, photographs, oleographs,lithographs, etc. have increased to a very greatextent. Although all these copies have more or lessresemblance to the original, ihe fancy of the painter,it must be said, very often leads hinz to take strange,and often unpardonable liberties, with the featuresand surroundings of the figures. Some, however, arebeautiful and fairly faithful; but, as we have beforeobserved, in no instance, even where skill is greatest,and desire to succeed strongest, has any artist succeecledin perfectly reproducing the original, eitherin its beauty or in its power of devotional effectupon the beholder. Nevertheless it has pleased theAlmighty to bless many such copies with the samemiraculous power, a., He has coilferred upon thewonderful Image itself,All such copies, more or. less perfectly representMary in the attitude She so loves, and which wehave before described. All are calculstcd to lift thehearts of Her devout clients to a fervour of devotionto IIer, which no other painting how well executedsoever produces. But it is at the same time worthyPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 293of notice, that as the original is more nearly approached, the devotional power of the copy is increased.Hence we find, that copies remarkable for beingmiraculous, are also remarkable for great fidelity tothe original, and in general, have touched it. Thelatter qualification, however, though greatly prized,does not seer11 to be necessary in order that copiesmay possess miraculous power.2. We may here mention, that some of these copiesare held in a veneration only inferior to that shownto the sacred Image itself. Amongst them, the onepainted by Luigi Tosi already referred to, holds aconspicuous place. It was executed for Genoa, hisnative city, under circumstances of a peculiarly interestingnature. In 1774 that city was surroundedby three powerful enemies and straitened upon everyside. The previous year, its massive fortificationswere stormed and taken by the Austrians, but, aftera three month's occupation the heroism of the inhabitantsdrove out the invaders. But in 1774, enemiesappeared once more in overwhelming numbers. Theyencompassed the walls and held the noble harbour. Thestrength of the city after the effort of the previousyear, was spent. No Doria arose capable of copingwith the terrible odds which now menaced the veryexistence of Genoa. Her supremacy on the sea haddeparted. Her commerce was crippled. Cannonthundered day and night against her ancient, butyet splendid battlements. Mortars and howitzersfrom points of vantage on sea and land, battered hertowers. Diplomacy was as much against her fortunesas the power of her enemies, There was no friendlyMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

294 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELIhand stretched out to save her. I-Ier independence,her existence as a free and independent state, wasat stake. Yet fondly her children loved her. Withinwas weeping, and without, her scattered sons pleadedat every court in the Italian peninsula for thedoomed city of Columbus, Genoa the superb. But invain. Nearer and nearer to her walls drew thefatal cordon of the besieger's lines. Her fall was buta question of time. Europe looked on with indifference.All hope on earth had departed, when itoccurred to one of her children, an AugustinianFriar then in Rome, to have recourse to the POWerfulmediation of the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel.He com~nunicated his desire to his fellow townsman,Luigi Tosi, then one of the principal painters inthe Eternal City. He ordered a copy, the Lest theartist's power could produce, of the sacred Imageof God's Mother in Genazzano ; and he deierminedto try at all hazards, to get it conveyed to hisbeleaguered fellow countrymen. In the first, hesucceeded as already described. The copy taken bythe Genoese in his sorrow, was the nearest approach,then, ever seen to the original. Further it will berecollected, that Our Lady gave the surest sign ofsuccess. The roseate hue of the features of the Madonnawhile the copy was being executed, has neverbeen known to be witnessed by a petitioner withouthis petition being afterwards granted. To save a city,an entire republic, in such extremity was much toask, but not too much for the power of Mary. AndGenoa in fact was saved.PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 293The copy when finished was introduced, despitethe vigilance of the enemy, into the city. The Augustinianhad not only contrived to elude the blockade,but he had also advised his fellow citizens ofthe nature of the favour he had procured for them.They received his gift with every demonstratio~l ofjoy. They met the Image in solemn procession.They brought it by the battered walls, in sight ofthe hostile fleet, and beneath the falling towers andpalaces of Genoa; and most solemnly, amidst hymnsof praise and prayer, they placed it before the gazeof kneeling and supplicating thousands, in the churchof the Augustinians. ?'hat very night, from c:lusesthen and since unexplained, the cannonading ceased;the llostile fleet spread sail and moved slowly fromthe llarbour to the open sea; tile invading hoststruclc its tents; and before the morning's dawn, thestandards of the armies of the enemies of Genoa,were seen passing over the hills that look downupon the city. In four and twenty hours, the lastof the invading forces had departed; and the republic,completely liberated, was left in long peace by thepower of the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel.This miraclilous deliverance, naturally caused thepeople of the all-but-lost state, to show great devotionto Our Lady of Genazzano. Her feasts aresin'ce celebrated in the city as at the Shrine, andall the country is filled with the fame of miracleswrought at this new sanctuary.3. U7e may here remark that the copy in Genoathough singular in its history, and very beautiful,is, in comparison with others held in similar vener-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

206 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELation elswhere, almost modern. The most ancientone, is probably that in the parish of St. Francis, in Modena. De Orgio states, that this copymust have been taken at. the time of the MiraculousApparition. At all events it is certain, that it hasbeen honoured by the Modenese, from time immemorial.As ia Genazzano, its shrine is visited bymultitudes frorn afar on all the feasts of the Madonna;and novenas attended by crowded congregations,take place before the Nativity of Our Lady, andbefore the 25th of April, the anniversary of the MiraculousApparition. Throughout the year, the devoutpeople of Modena and its neighbourhood, are foundin devout supplication before the chap91 containingthis copy. The graces and favours received there areproved by innumerable votive offerings, left by thefortunate clients of Mary, the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel.4. Another copy has proved, not only that gifts andmiracles flow upon Ihose devout to Our Lady of GoodCounsel, but has also demonstrated how deep andlasting is the love of the Albanians for the treasurelost by their ancestors, We shall see further on,how it happened that a descendant of an Albanianfamily adorned Her shrine with rare gifts, yearsafter that family had become merged in the Italianpeople. Another Albanian proved, in Calabria, atrue Apostle of devotion to the Patroness of the Landof Scanderbeg. This was a devout Priest, namedRodota, a man full of virtue and apostolic zeal. Hebrought a copy of the Image of Our Lady of GoodCounsel from Genazzano to Calabria in 1'713. ThisPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 297copy like that of Genoa fairly resembled the original.It was first placed in the church of San BenedettoUllano, and so great was the number of prodigieswhich immediately took place through it, that itsfame spread throughout all Southern Italy. By itsmeans such a blessing descendend on the apostoiiclabours of Father Rodota, that, almost in a year,the whole of Calabria became converted and sanctified.Such tender devotion, such secret, ineffable comfort,such internal relief, such strength, such joy possessedthe people at the contemplation of this representationof Mary, that all the land became disposedfor goodness, and all increased in tendered love forthe Mother and for the Son. In consequence, templeswere erected in honour of the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel everywhere; and to this day, Calabria maybe called Her province.5. In Monte Cassiano the devotion was so greatfor another copy, that froin the continual miracleswrought at its shri~e, Our Lady of Good Counselwas, on the 4th of Allgust 1765, at the earnest prayerof the ecclesiastical and civil authorities, and in deferenceto the wish of the whole community, constitutedby the Holy See, special Patroness of that locality.The devotion of the townspeople extended to allthe neighbouring cities, and continues, amidst innumerableinstances of n~iraculous graces, to augmentin intensity and in extent to'this day.6. But perhaps the most remarkable of all thecopies of Our Lady of Good Counsel, is that now veneratedin the church of St. Benedict, at Frosinone.This town, distant by carriage way, some forty milesMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

298 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELfrom Genazzano, sends annually thousands of its inhabitantson pilgrimage to the Sanctuary, both for thefeast of the Miraculous Apparition, and for that ofthe Nativity of Our Lady. The devotion of its peopleto Our Lady of Good Counsel, has been from thecommencement very great. Scarcely a family iswithout a representation of the sacred Image. Itis found in the houses of the poorest. In print oron canvass it is equally venerated; but in generalthose whose circumstances permit, are in possessionof copies taken by skilled artists, regardless of expense.A very beautiful copy happened in this way,to be in the possession of the noble and wealthyfamily of Ciceroni, who obtained it from an AugustinianFather named Palladi. It remained, ;L precioustreasure with this household, who preserved andhonoured it with that care which all Italian familiesknow how to bestow upon the picture, or the statueof the Madonna, venerated in their homes.It happened that in 1760, the Ciceronis einployeda pious, poor servant, named Mary Solonie Ronla. Itwas a great consolation for this devout soul to spendher spare mornents before the beautiful picture ofMary. She loved to stay as long as her avocationspermitted before a Mother, Who knows so wellhow to pour the necessary balm of relief into theafflicted spirit, without spoiling the merit whichsufferings bring to Her servants, and specially toHer servants amongst Her most faithful friends, thepoor. Mary Salonie Roma was a valued domestic,and remained with tlie family long years, consoledby tile Madonna of Good Counsel. It was her delightPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 299to cause others to receive at the feet of Mary, thecomfort3 she experienced so often herself. And soit came to pass, that when she happened to bring hersister, a girl 15 years old, to pray before the sacredImage on the eve of the loth of July 1796, to theastonishnlent of both, the picture of Our Lady mostdistinct,ly opened and moved its eyes. If these goodsouls thought themselves deceived, they were soonput at rest, for the miracle continued in the presenceof the family; and afterwards of the wholecity, for no less than six months. The excitementproduced by an occurrence so extraordinary was verygreat. The crowds that flocked to witness it, becameso vast, that it was found necessary to transfer theImage to the church, where it still remains, and wherehundreds and tllousands have venerated it. Prodigiesof grace and mercy followed such a miraculous manifestation;and though the movement of the eyesceased, the graces which fall upon all who devo~itlyvisit the Image, do not cease. Conversions innumerable,the healing of the mind and heart as wellas of the body, continue to be operated by the loveand power of God's Mother, Whom it pleased to sosingularly honour this copy.7. Rome itself being so near Genazzano, and beingamongst the first of the cities in Italy to hear ofthe Wonderful Apparition of the Image, and of themiracles which followed, contains, as we might expect,many copies of the Madonna of Good Counsel. Wellexecuted ones in fresco and in oil may be met with inthe streets, and in very many cllurches of the EternalCity. In shops ancl in private dwellings, the paintingsMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

W THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELand prints of various sizes and still more variedpretensions to art excellence, are innumerable. Theseare always held in the greatest veneration. Hundredsof oil lamps, kept even by the poor, burn. continually before them. Then there are specialchapels in many churches, erected to Our Lady ofGood Counsel. In that of St. Augustine ; in thePauline chapel of the Vatican; in the church ofSanta Maria del Popolo; in San Lorenzo in Lucina,and very many others we find either special chapelsor altars; and in all these, the records of wondersworked in favour of those devoted to the VirginMother of Good Counsel are well preserved. In thebasilica of St. Mark, the authentic account of miraclesis something extraordinary; so much so indeed,that from the continual favours obtained there throughah ancient miraculous copy, a special feast is everyyear celebrated with all possible solemnity, on thesecond Sunday of July.8. But not to waste time on a theme which wouldrequire volumes, we shall select one from amongstthe many miracles recorded of copies of the Madonnaof Genazzano in the city of the Popes, to prove howtender and universal the devotion is there, and howrichly it is rewarded. This miracle took place onthe 4th of September 1796. On that day it happened,that the Master of the balcery of Monte Compatri, belongingto the Prince Borghesi, had occasion to whitewashhis premises. While preparing to do so, apicture of Our Lady of Good Counsel printed oncommon paper got accidently detached from the wall,and, inadvertently of course, became mixed withPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 30 1firewood. With the same inadvertence, the paperwas thrown with the wood into the oven. As usualthe whole mass was ignited, and in a little while,when the wood was supposed to be sufficiently consumedfor heating purposes, the baker looked within,and, to his astonishment, saw a piece of paper unburntamidst the red hot embers. His first impulsewas to mix it anew with the burning matter, andhe actually did so. To his still greater astonishment;however, his efforts were useless. He thereforewithdrew it from the oven, and found it to be thepicture of the Madonna of Good Counsel inadvertentlymixed with the firewood. His surprise andthat of all who heared of the miracle may be moreeasily imagined than described. The picture wasimmediately placed in veneration, in the chapel ofthe burial ground of the Vatican, where it may stillbe seen. 'I'here is yet a slight sign of burning atthe extrseme edges, and a few sparks have apparentlyalighted upon the figures of Jesus and Mnry.The devout Romans continue to visit this picture,now enshrined under a tabernacle, and to pray therefor the dead. 'l'hey call it U the Liberatrix of soulsfro111 the pains of Piirgatory B in memory of themiracle. Much indeed, have the holy souls to thankOur Lndy, Who in their favour caused this miracleto be performed. Every day since, it draws fromHer innumerable clients, a valuable aid for them intheir sufferings. In Rome also, near S. Peter's inVinculis, is a street called La Maclonna clel buon Consiglio,from a much frequented Oratory there.9. But even before Rome itself, in the intensity andMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

309 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUXSELextent of its devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel,comes Naples. In that great city, Father Ruonannoof the Oratory, himself x Neapolitan, and for manyyears one of its resident clergy, observes that a thereis not a chapel, not an oratory, not a Church whichis without its copy of the Image of the Virgin Motlierof Good Counsel B, and he further adds a of whichthere is not something wonderful or miraculous recorded,v a As v he says a it is not possible to mentionall, not even the principle of these copies, we shallglance at two whicli attract the greatest devotionof the Neapolitan people. 'The first of them, is foundin the vast and ancient temple named La Satzita,served by the sons of St. Peter of Alcantara, It isimpossible to dejcribe the numbers of people of everycondition of life, who come to the feet of this imageto satisfy their affection, to confess their needs, andto beseech Our Lady for graces and assistance. Norare they deceived, for the walls of the sacred chapelare seen entirely covered with the votive offeringsthey present in thanksgiving. A fact, which in truthinspires confidence, and lifts up the hcart to thesweet hope, that the Holy Virgin never knows howto deny any favour to him, wlio with sincere humilitydemands it. How many infirm have been curedpbefore this image, and are still cured ! How manysinners reconciled to God! How many prodigies ofevery kind have been performed ! So mucli good andso much glory is owing to that religious man, altogetherof God, named Father Modestino, who diednot long since a victim of evangelical clisrity, andin the odour of sanctity. Most devoted to Our Lady ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 303Good Counsel he revived Her worship, nourished itwit11 his apostolic fatigues, propagated it by his piouslabours, and going . with his Madonna from houseto house, from the mansion of the noble to the hutof the pauper, whenever sickness or need called him;he inflamed all Naples with such intense devotionto the Virgin of Good Counsel, that it became beyondpower of description, beneficent and miraculous, bythe wonderful graces which She deigned to obtainfor all by Her int.ercession !a The other wonderful Image is venerated in thetemple of the Carmelite religious, known as that ofthe Holy Cross of Lucca. It is a most ancient pictureant1 always miraculous, and was brought therein 1807, by Sister Mnry Caniilla Caravita, to whomit had been given by her director, Father Joseph diMaio, a monk of the Order of St. Augustine. Thegood religious of this Convent have reason to knowhow rich in benefits and in signal prodigies, wasthis Image, especially in favour of ons of lheirnumber not long dead, who frorii 1856 till then, wasvery frequently favoured with great graces. . In thatyear the picture was transferred from ths conventto one of the chapels of lhe church above mentioned,as it was judged ihat an object so singular andWonder-working should not remain as before, forthe advantage of the religious only; but should bealso exposed to the public veneration of the ferventand devout. These now come in great numbers tothis church, especially on th3 day sacred to Our Ladyof Good Counsel, to salute their Moiher and to askof Her, aid, counsel, grace and salvation v.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

304 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL10. So far Father Buonanno. But it is not onlyin Naples or Italy, that we are to look for wondersworked' by copies of the Image of Our Lady of GoodCounsel. From the first coming of the nliraculousImage to Genazzano, the Augustinians all over theworld, appear to have taken up the devotion mostwarmly, and to have spread it in every sphere oftheir influence. So it extended through France,Germany, and Spain. In the latter country thereexisted a most beautiful copy in the cl-lurch at Madrid,and this, amongst other wonders, was the onewhich spoke to the angelic youth St. Aloysius Gonzaga.The fact is well authenticated as nlay be seenfrom the history of the life of that marvel of youthfulpiety anrl wisdom. He had like all others his crosses,his troubles, and his telnptations. In no other saint'slife, save in that of St. Stailislaus of Kostka, do wefind such entanglements prepared by prosperity andadversity alike, to seduce young virtue at an age ofall ages tlle most dangerous for the sons of therich and the powerful. In all these trials, Aloysiusfount1 llie strength ant1 cornfort in prayer, long, ardentand heavenly, before this copy of the fanlous Madonnaof Genazzano, Our Lady loved the beautiful soul ofthe innocent boy, and perfected hirn so wonderfullyin a short period, illat he soon possessed a seat higKin heaven near Heyself. From this picture then,She spoke to him not once, but many times; comfortinghim in his troubles, confirming him in hisvocation, and giving him, it is said, a thousandexpressions of her Maternal tenderness. No wonderhe should become a saint and a great one. WhatPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACI'LOCS COPIES 305he esperienced is simply that which is esperienced,. though perhaps in a less nliraculous way, by allwho approach the wonderful original. Thousandstell how Mary there appears to speak to them, tounravel the secrets of their hearts, to show themthe future? to guide them in their course throughlife, to defend them against every danger of souland body; and, in a word, to repay their devotionand love a hundred, aye, and a hundred thousandfold. The life, the destiny, so to speak of each one,is peculiar. He must take it as God is pleased toprovide it. Some have to guard against enemies,visible and invisible, dangers, trials, and troubles.'I'o these Mary will prove a faithful Counsellor, ashield of invincible strength, provitled they approachwith filial love to Her lniraculou.; Image. Nor is itnecessary to go to Genazzano. St. Aloysius is a proofthat Our Lady's favours are not confined to the pilgrimsto the original, but are extended to all, who in anychurch like that of Madrid, h any oratory, or even intheir own chambers, show dwotion to Her in thatrepresentation, which places Her in so touching andsingular a manner before mind and heart.Spain was great at the time when the Supre~neCouncils of its empire, appeared with all the ponlpof power before the very Image.of Our Lady of GoodCounsel before which St. Aloysiu.: prayed, and thereimplored Her ;~ssistance, in tlw discharge of theironerous duties. Spain now, like other Catholic nations,has unfortunately found out, how, in obedienceto U progress B, to dispense with this and other holyobservances, but not to Spain's glory or advantage.mMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

30GTHE VIRGIN >{OTHER OF GOOD COUSSEI,The greatness of that Catholic nation departed withthe intensity' of its faith. A return to that which she .once was, may yet, however, save her, and restoreher former proud position amongst the nations.1 1. Bavaria has been, even beyond Spain, in devotionto the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel. The Fathersof the Augustinian Order introduced, at a very earlydate, many remarkable copies of the sacred originalof Genazzano into the churches of their order inthat Country. One of these, venerated in the capital,has bee11 so fanlous for miracles, that the BavarianPrincess, Maria Antonia of Saxony, petitioned ClementXIII., to establish the Pious Union in all theIn his history of wonderful copies, De Orgio says, a In theyear 1736 F~lther Michael hlareschl, an Augustinian, and at thetime, assistant to the General for Germany at St. Augustine's inRome, obtained a copy. This had been brought with tbe greatestdevotion for many years through the states of the Church, throughthe Abruzzi and through many cities and towns by Father AntonioSoccini, an Augustinial, who at that time dwelt in theconvent of Sta. Maria in Uenazzano, and who had a singulardevotion for the holy original, joined with a deep faith. Therefore,in many places, there were worked by the means of thiscopy, wonderful graces and prodigies. The blind obtained theirsight, the lame were cured, the possessed of the devil were liberated,of which wonders the public Archives of various townscontain the attestations in legal form. This copy, the good Augustinianafterwards brought to Prague, where was published ina pamphlet the wonders' worked by its means.Another copy venerated at Messina was so remarkable forprodigies, that a book was written upon them. In this book referenceis made to the wonderful copy of the sacred Originalin Madrid and to others in Catania and elsewhere in Sicily. FatherDe Orgio makes special mention of a copy, which he hadhimself sent to Palermo and which was received with immensefervour.PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 307establishments of the Hermits of St. Augustine in herdominions; and further, to confer upon it the privilegesgrant'ed to that of Genazzano, by Pope BenedictXIV.This, the Pontiff granted by a document underhis own hand ; and in consequence, on the 25"' ofApril 1761, the sodality was erected with all thesolemnities of religious pomp, at which the courtattended:12. But in Austria, copies of Our Lady of GoodCounsel, have had, if possible, a still greater veneration.And with good reason. In 1574, a beautifulone which had touched the original was esposed inthe church of St. Roche and St. Sebastian ; andsuch was the number of miraclilous favours granted,that in the space of a year, votive offerings of puresilver, and thousands of less precious material wereleft as tokens of gratitude. These favours were notconfined to the humbler classes. The Imperial Familycame to experience the singular bounty of Our Ladyof Good Counsel. The massive oil-lamp of precious- metal, which burns night and tlay there, is an offeringon the part of the Archduchess of Austria, for thecure of her first-born child. This miracle was soclear and so extraordinary, that' it attracted not onlyall the imperial family, but citizens of the Empirefrom its furt,hermost limits, and from all ranks oflife, to venerate an image from which such signalblepsings flowed.13. From Antwerp, in Belgium, as late as 1859, wehave accounts of wonders wrought by a copy of theVirgin Mother venerated in that city in the churchMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

308 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELof those faithful clients of Our Lady of Good Counsel,the Redemptorist Fathers. These fervent missionaries,after the example of their holy founder, havebeen most assiduous in forwarding the devotion.When the cholera raged in the Netherlands duringthe above mentioned year, not only the people ofAntwerp, but those of Biring, Neil, and Ruppelmondecame in crowds to implore Mary's protection. Innumerablewere the cases ~f corilplete preservation thatfollo~ved, and the good Catholics of these countriesstill bear in memory, that cures were not only effectedfor those who went to venerate the Image inthe church, but multitudes who honoured it incopies in their homes were either miraculouslypreserved untouched, or recovered when attacked, asmiraculously.14. We shall conclude our observations upon copiesof the beautiful original, by n brief glance at it mostextraordinary one, venerated under very peculiar circumstancesin South America.The history of this new wonder, may well causeour English speaking readers to bethink themselvesof following the example it gives. It speaks of iinew Genazzano, with .its church and Madonna, formedexactly upon the model of that in Lntiuni. As earlyas 1836, a Spanish Augustinian, one of those menwho had seen the venerable copy which spoke toSt. Aloysius, felt inspired to transmit a devotion sovaluable to the countries of South Anierica in whichhis nlissionary lot happened at that time to be cast.The good Father, seeing new towns springing upabout him with no higher aims than wordly ones,IPRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 309considered what a blessing to his countryn~en itwould be, if he, by means of a town t,o be called afterGenazzano and containing a sanctuary and Imageof the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel fashioned inevery respect after the original one, could establishthe devotion that existed near the Eternal City withsuch fruit for so many centuries. He struggled hardto attain his object, and at length completely succeeded.So it happens that, at this moment, there is, atan easy distance from Boyaca in the Archdioceseof Santa F& di Rogata, a e Genazzano of Good Counsel,P with some ten thousand inhabitants, calledinto existence by the unique and extraordinary zealof the good Father. This new township is largerthan Batliurst or Maitland in New South Wales,and contains more Catholics than any Episcopal city,other than Sydney or Melbourne, in Australia. Overthe high altar of its principal parish church, thebeautiful copy of the Virgin Mother of Good Counselis now enthroned. It is visited by multitudes fromthe capital and the surrounding country. Alreadythe favours received at its feet, rival those of theEuropean sanctuaries ; and South A~uerica bids fairto be one of the foremost of continents in this mostbeautiful devotion.Our limits will'not permit us to go further intothe history of all that has been done for the goodof souls, by the copies of the sacred Iniage of OurLady in Genazzano. All that the historians of theSanctuary have written about them, and all thattradition tells of them, would fill volumes. Thechapter which treats of the apostles of Our LadyMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

310 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUXSEI,of Good Counsel, will give further particulars oftheir power, and prove how wise are those whostudy to propagate by pictures, medals, and everymeans a true, and in our days, a needed devotionto the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel.15. The celebrated copy of Prague; referred toin a note of this chapter, and of which De Orgiowrote as early as 1747, has had since then, a veryeventf~~l and singular history. In 1787, upon thesuppression of the church of St. Catherine, in whichit had been so long venerated, by the strange administrationof the Ernperor Joseph TI., it --as, religiouslycarecl for by n devout Father of the Augustinianorder. He, when d~ing, left it as a sacred trustto his relatives. But in the course of rears all traceof it disappea~*ed. It happened, very foibtunntely forit's recovcAr.y, that the late Prior of Genazzano wasselected to go to Prague, in the capacity of confessorto the Es-Emperor of Austria and his pious consort.The good Father, while in his new home, hadhis attention directed po~-erfully to the missing Irnnge,which had been so well known in Italy, and so wellrecollected in Genazzano, as a niost n~iraculvus copyof the sacred Original. After long and unavailingsearch, he succedetl in finding it in a manner so remarkable,that it cannot bc said to be renioved farfrom the iiiiraculous. Ze;ilous beyond iileasure for theglory of the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, Whosedevotion he has done wonders to spread in Boheriliaas well as in Italy, he kindly forwarded to the writer,whom he knew to be occupic~l with the present history,a letter detailing all thr~ cil.cunistanccs. This will,PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 31 1no doubt, be read with interest. The following is atranslation of it fr*oni the Italian in which it waswritten.4 Prague 15'" Feb. 1883.Dear Revd. Fathera Amongst the Inany copies of the wonderful Imageof Most Holy Mary of Good Counsel of Gcnazzano,worthy to be recorded in the history of that Sanct- .uary, is certainly that which at the present momentis venerated in the church of the Sisters of Charityof St. Charles Borronieo in this city of Prague. Andas you request of me a particular account of it, toinsert in your history of tlie ho1)- Image, 1 verywillingly con~plp, b~- telling you briefly all that Iniyself have come to know about it.There lived in the beginning of the past century,a very pious ant1 zealous religious, the Reverend FatherB. Antonio Socini, priest of 11ly own Order ofthe Hermits of St: Augustine, who having devotedhimself to the apostolate ofthe Divine Word, travelled'through various provinces of Italy, particularlyLatium, Sabina, ancl the Abruzzi; where he preachedchiefly the eternid truths after the manner of anlissionary. He had the consolation of seeing thelabours of his nlinistry blessed by God with copiousfruits of salvation for souls, and with special gracesand benefits even of a corporal nature for nlanyamongst his hearers.The good Father Socini attributed the happy effectsof his ministry, after Gotl, to the Patronage of MostHoly Mary Mother of Good Counsel, Wliose vener-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

312 TIIE VIRGIN MOTHER 01" GOOD COTTNSEI,ated Image, he was accustonled to carry about withhim upon all his missions; and to expose publicly inthe church during the whole time each mission lasted,as the Patroness of the same, and as a ineansof exciting the people to have recourse to Her withdevotion and confidence. He himself obtained thisgreat and full confidence in the Mother of Good Connsel,where he dwelt, at the very feet of the mirac-, ulous Image of Genazzano and where he dedicatedhimself to the illinistry of preaching.This Inlage then, we know he caused to he paintedin Rome, by il pious young woluan naniecl TeresaSimonetti, who painted it upon white silk, in theyear 1722.From this same year, until about 1'730, therepassed a period of wonderful miracles and prodigies,which the Divine Mother of Good Counsel workedby means of the above mentioned Image, during themissions of the zealous religious, Father Socini, infavour of devout Christians.Father Socini had the foresight to cause a formalact to be tlrawn up by the competent authority of everyplace where extraordinary facts took place in thecourse of his sacred missions; and these original actswere deposited in 1735 in the Augustinian Conventof Monte San Savino in the diocese of Arezzo. I havehere with me, an authentic copy of the same, whichserved Father Mnreschl for the purpose of compilinga pamphlet, which was printed in Ronle in 1735.Not being able here, to refer to all the miraculouswontlers worked by the holy Inlage, I will mentiononly a. few principal facts.PRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACULOUS COPIES 313In the month of December 1725, tlie Revd. FatherSocini was giving a mission in the ,town ofSan Sebastian, in the Diocese of Marsi; and'amongstthe graces which the people there acknowledged tohave received from the Mother of Good Counsel, wasone by which a young girl of nine years of age,who was dumb from her birth, received the use ofher speech. In the April of 1726, the zealous Fathergave a mission in the town of Fonticoli, and duringit, two young girls, sisters, nanied Mary Domenic:laged 15 years, and Grace, aged 13, both dumb fromtheir birth, received tlie use of speech while prayingbefore the Image of Mary of Good Counsel, broughtthere by the pious inissionary religious.In the month of May of the same year 1726,Father Socini esercised his sacred niinistry in thecity of Pescina. Mary's venerable Image was exposedin the Cathedral church, ilnd the graces which thepeople received from Her were innumerable. A-mongst others, ;I most signal .one was received bya young man, dunib fro111 his birth, and crippled tosuch an extent that he had to crawl on the ground.No sooner had he been anointed by Father Socini,with the oil that burned before the sacred Inlage ofMary, than lie received the complete cure of bothhis infinllities. Through this and other miraclesworked by means of the Iinage brought by the zealousmissioner, it hecame fiimous in all that part ofItaly; so that other images like it, had to be procuied,and everywhere placed in that locality for theveneration of the faithful. But the origirlal copy,after Father Socini ceased to preach and died, wasMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

314 THE VIRGIN NOTHER OF GOOD COUS14:IAdeposited by order of his superiors in the convent ofGenazzano, where it remained for some years veneratedprivately by the religious.In the year 1733, the Very Revd. Father MichaelMareschl, a pious and learned religious of this Augustinianprovince of Bohemia, was elected AssistantGeneral of the Order for Ger~nany. Anct for thisreason being transferred to Roine, he came from thenceto Genazzano to venerate the niiraculous Iillage ofMary. Having heard, while there, of tlie wondel-fulthings narrated of the Image of Father Socini preservedin that convent, he wished to have it for thechurch of his convent of St. Cathcrine V. M. in thiscity of Prague. Not being able to resist a denlandso made, the religious of the convent with the subsequentconsent of tlie General of the Order and bya capitular act dated May 2Srd 17'35, and by an actin writing uf a11 the Fathers, they ceded as a gift tothe above rlanled Assistant General, tlie aforesaid venerableInlage; to the end that it should be esposetlto the public veneration of the faithful in the aforesaidchurch of Prague. It was in fact brought andexposed there iu 1737 soleillnly on the high altarwith the due faculty and pernlission of the Archiepiscopalcourt, and there remained venerated by thefaithful until the year 1787, in which year the conventand the church having been suppressed by adecree of the Enlperor Joseph II., the religious wereobliged to retire into other convents. One of them,however, took away the sacred Inlage and veneratedit in the convent of St. Thomas in this same city;but he could not place it in the church becausePRIVATE USE ONLY

3IIRACCLOUS COPIES 315there was already another in it brought from Romein 1760. On this account the religious kept it hirnselfin his cell while he lived, and towards the endof the last century being near his death he left it asa gift to a relation, a pious lady, enjoining her topreserve it with the greatest respect and devotion, ,since it was a very venerable Image. It was in factat the beginning and for nlany years after held inveneration by that family, but for sorne years therespect of those who had inherited it, becarne diminishedand almost entirely ceased. It was knownrievertheless, that the image had estraordinary clairnsto veneration, but the lady and rnistress of the housewhere it was last found, seeing that she could notkeep it with due respect, gave it about two yearsago as a gift to the Father Guardian of the Franciscans(I\lih. Osservanti) of this city. out of gratitudeto him for having instructed one of her children forfirst communion. Ancl this pious religious kept it inhis cell, hung on the wall. But neither was the imageplaced there in the honour which was due to it, andwhich Our Mother of Good Counsel wished to havepaid to it. And hence she causecl that it shouldbe recovered by me, in a manner most singular aridI should say, extraordinary, and so it was placedagain in public veneration.After being seren years here in Prague, I neverknew anything of this image once so venerated inthe church of St. Catherine; but in the month ofAugust of the past year, I was shown an old bookin the German language printed in 1737 by Fr. Mareschl,in wl-lich was recounted all the wonders beforeMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

316 THE VIRGIS MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEI.described by me, of the image venerated in the church. of St. Catherine. I was seized at once with a strongdesire to know where I could find it. I made inquiryat the suppressed church of St. Catherine itself, whichthough always closed, preserves still the altars andpaintings of the saints of the Order; but I coulddiscover nothing for a11 that; I denlanded of our religiousand others well versed in the proceedings andmisfortunes which followed the innovations of the governmentof Joseph 11. No one could tell me a word.Not knowing what to do and desolate, I made knownmy troubles to Father Votka of the Society of Jesus.But he, though most learned in all the affairs of hiscountry, and in ecclesiastical matters, of this imagehe .knew nothing whatever; nor could he gi~e methe slightest light which I had not already followedand eshausted without any success.The day after this conversation, the aforesaid .FatherVotka had to go and speak about .some affairswith the Father Guardian of the Franciscsns, andwhilst they conversed in his cell, he cast his eyeson the wall and saw an image of the Madonna ofGood Counsel painted on white silk. It was a ray oflight - a revelation. IIe asked to esamine closely thatpicture, that 1ni:tge. It was positively the very one.It was the Inlage of the Madonna of Father Socini,brought to Prague by Father Mareschl, and for Inanyyears venerated in the church of St. Catherine. Itcoultl not be doubted, for there was jet attached tothe back ancl sealed the i~ttestat~ion of oar Monsgr.S:~cristan, 'l'honlns Cerveone, in 173G, given at the instanceof the said Fr. Mareschl; and besides this, thePRIVATE USE ONLY

MIRACITLO1:S COI'IES 317Guardian gave him other historical inforn~ation afterthe suppression of the church of St. Catherine, asnarrated above.In this manner, as unexpected as it was pleasing,I had the happiness to find that celebrated and venerableInlage of Mary of Good Counsel, which furthermore was graciously given me by the same FatherGuardian. I showed my gratitude to him in returnhp an offering to his convent and by a present ofanother beautiful copy of the same holy Inlage ofOur Lady of Good Counsel.Glad to have recovered this ~nost precious holyIrnage I took every care to have it restored and newlyenclosed in a large and precious frame; and then indeference to the desire of the excellent Sisters ofCharity of St. Charles Rorromeo, who have here, themother house of their congregation in this c~mpireof Auqtria nnd Hungary, I gave it to their church,where it is placed upon a side altar of the same, andwhere it receives many devout visits not only fromthe religious, but also from the faithful of the city;ancl I have confidence it will continue to be morevenerated in the progress of time, and will notcease to grant the graces and benedictions accustomedto be given by the glorious and most graciousMother of Good Colinsel to Her devout servants.And now accept my most respectful salutationsand begging you to recorninend me to the Most HolyVirgin, I have the honour etc. etc.Fr. PIETR~ BELGRANOAugustinianMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC.1. Devotion of all classes to the Shrine. - 2. Of the Popes. - 3. Paul 11.-4. The aardinal Rovere. - 6. Privilege granted to Father Marianoof Genazzano - Other favours - Pins V. - Innocent XI. - 6. Pi!-grimage to Genazzano by Urban VIII. - 7. Centenary of 1667 -Crowning of the Madonna.-8. Clement XI. -Cardinal Albani's giftsto the Sanctuary. - 9. Subsequent Popes - Great devotion of BenedictXIV. - Others. - 10. Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary by Pins IX.in 1864. - 11. Leo XIII. - 12. Devotion of crowned heads - TheImperial House of Austria. - 13. The Electress of Saxony's pilgriimageto the Shrine - Royal familes of Bavaria, Spain, Naples. -14. Gifts of Cardinal Jerome Colonna and others. - 16. Pilgrimageof Cardinals to the Shrine - Of Cardinal Cappellari, afterwardsGregory XV1.- 16. Noble families. - 17. English speaking Prelatesat the Shrine. Hopes for the devotion.1. We have seen, but in an incidental n~anneronly, up to the present, much of the devotion thathas beell shown to Our Lady of Good Counsel atHer Shrine in Genazzano, and elswhere throughoutthe Church generally. The n1ir:xcles narrated havebeen wrought in consequence, precisely, of this devotion.But nevertheless, it cannot fail to be ofinterest to the devout clients of Our Lady to knowwho they are, who have been thus devoted throughthe long series of years that have elapsed since theWonderful Apparition, and how it is that their devotionPRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC. 310is manifested. We shall see then that all classes in theChurch, through all their degrees, from the SupremePontiffs and the spiritual Princes who under themrule the flock of Christ, down to the humblest peasantshave manifested this devotion; and that all fromthe monarch to the beggar have been the recipientsof the blessed and inexhaustible bounty of the VirginMother of Good Counsel, botli at IIer Shrine andwherever else in the world She is honoured under,z title so pleasing to Her, and so endearing as wellas valuable to Her clients.2. In speaking of this subject, it is natural, thatwe should first consider the Vicars of Christ. If they,to whom the eyes of the whole fold turn not onlyfor instruction but for example, have shown a markedpersonal belief in, and a consequent devotion to theShrine Our Lady of Good Counsel, its cause is gainedin the estimation of the Catholic worltl. In a matterinvolving as it does, the extraortlinary and the miraculous-thesupernatural in a word, to such a largeextent, it is inlpossible that they could give thesanction of their high example, unless that matterwas far removed from the least taint of the superstitiousor the untrue, or even from the doubtful inany sense. And more. It is impossible that such adevotion should be otherwise than salutary, ancl, substantially,such as it is represented to be by thosewho write its history with the knowledge and permissionof the authorities of the Church.3. Now, from the very commencement to the presentday, the Supreme Pontiffs have shown themselvesmost devoted to the Shrine of Our Lady of GoodMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

R20THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUXSEI,Counsel. Paul II., who ordered the investigation wehave spoken of at length, in the chapters where theproofs of the miraculous Apparition and Transl a t' ionof the sacred Image were examined, not only didnot interfere with the Sanctuary, but it was underhim precisely, that the ch~irch of Petruccia was built;that the new and beautiful convent of the Augustinian~in Genazzano was erected; that the miraclesrecorded by the public notary were placed in thepublic archives ; and that c all Italy , to use thewords of Coriolanus, were coming processionnlly tovisit the Shrine.4. And then during the four years that elapsed betweenthe coming of the sacred Inmge and his death,the Cardinal who as Sistus IV. succeeded him. wasliving in Rome ernployed in the composition of works,some of which treated directly of devotion to theMother of God. This was Ii'rancesco di Rovera, wlioafter being vowed from his very infancy by his motherto the Franciscan Order, subsequently enteredit; and having in tirne ascended to its highest dignitiesand to its supreme comrnand as General, wasfor his singular zeal and merit clothed with the purple.During his career as a Franciscan, he travelledthrough every province of Italy. He taught in allthe great universities and preached Lenten exercisesin the principal cities of the peninsula. KO man wasbetter versed in the politics of his day. He was madeCardinal the very Fear of the Wonderful Apparition,and consequently must have been thoroughlyacquainted with the inquiry ordered by Paul 11. a,ndits result.;. He was the intimate friend of CoriolanusPRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC. 32 1the General of the Augustinian Order. It is impossibleto imagine that such a man, under the circumstances,could be otherwise than deeply interestedbp an event which stirred to its very depth the heartsof the people of Italy. As a Cardinal in curia hemust have been informed of the result of the inquirymade by the Pope. For the same reason he musthave been intimately acquainted with all the events,which during his active public life were taking placein Albania. When then we find, that such a man assoon as he became Pope, showed such a marked - suchan intense devotion to the new Shrine of Mary inGenazzano, as to rebuild for the Hermits of St. Augustine,to whose care Our Lady was pleased toconfide Her sacred Image, a vast church and convent,we may be perfectly sure that his belief was strongin all that was then related of the holy Image. Yetthis is the only reason assigned by the Augustiniansthemselves, as we learn from their erudite historianCrusenius, who in his Monasticum Augustinianumpage 3, cap. 29 writes a Hoc miraculo (that of theWonderful Apparition of Our Lady at Genazzano)commoti Sixtus IV, et Cardinalis Guillelmus d'EstoutevilleGallus certatim Ordini Eremitarum Sancti Augustiniaddicti, duas in urbe Roma, ecclesias eidemordini erigendas deliberant, eisque liberalem manumapponunt: unain gloriosae Virgini Mariae de Populo,quam suis expensis Sixtus Pontifex, et alteram DivoAugustino quam Cardinalis affabre longe majoribussumptibus creavit ad invidiam et aenlulationem sanctum.5. Other Pontiffs who, like Sixtus IV. were in21More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

322 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELCuria at the time of the Miraculous Apparition, werealso desirous to show favours to the Sanctuary. Inthis way, the singular privilege of liberating a soulfrom Purgatory when Mass should be offered up atthe altar of t,he sacred Image, was obtained by FatherMariano; and so of other favours afterwards shown.In this way also, tlie Sanctuary became the objectof the care of many of the Popes, from Innocent VIII.down to Clement the VIII., in whose reign the disputesbetween t,he rival confraternities, which sprungup, as we have seen, in Genazzano, were finally settledin the interests of the Sanctuary and its religiousguardians. (Senni p. 319. cap. 17) We have alreadydescribed the great devotion during this period ofSt. Pius V. to the Shrine, and his reward from Maryin finding under the very shadow of Her Sanctuarythe leader whose genius gave the death blow to theTurkish preeminence upon the sea, at Lepanto.6. Nor did this devotion of the Supreme Pontiffsdecrease in subsequent ages. We have already referredto the first of their illustrious line who made apublic pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady in Genazzano.There are some circumstances connectedwith this celebrated visit, which were then necessarilyomitted, and which it will be here proper andinteresting to note. The Pontiff was at the timeresiding at Caste1 Gandolfo, of which it may be saidhe was the folinder - as the villeggiatura of the Popes.Having resolved to make a pilgrimage to the Shrineof Our Lady of Good Counsel, he determined to doso with every circumstance of honour. The pomp offeudal state had not then departed from the habitsPRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC. 323of European monarchs, and the Popes yet retainedthe great power which belonged to them not onlyas heads of the Church, but as first amongst the Sovereignsof the world. The usual notice was givenof the intended journey; and on the [lay fixed, PopeUrban accompanied by a large number of Cardinalsand Roman Princes of the highest rank, and attendedby the Papal guards, proceeded to Genazzano by theway of Cave. There, he was met by the Lord ofGenazzano, the Prince Constable Philip Colonna, withmany thousands of soldiers of all arms, cavalry, andinfantry, with cannon and all the implements of war.The roads were everywhere spanned by triumphalarches; and were lined by the multitudes of Latiumand of more distant provinces. On reachingthe gates of Genazzano, the Prince' Colonna tenderedon his knees, the keys of his stronghold and palaceto his Sovereign Lord, the Pope. Cannons roared andtrumpets sounded, and then amidst all possible regaland ecclesiast,ical pomp, the great Pontiff advancedto the beautiful Sanctuary of Mary. The Pope appeared enraptured with the unexpected beauty, freshness,and attractiveness of that sacred Image, of which,of. course, no copy he had even seen, gave any properidea. That love and devotion which brought himto the holy Shrine, and which caused him to be sodevout during life to Our Lady of Good Counsel, nowbecame, as it does in all who visit it, more intenseand tender. It increased and produced its effects inhim, as in Her more humble clients. Next morning,while multitudes who could not get within thechurch, or even get room in the town, awaited;More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

324 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELhe offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the altarof the Virgin Mother, with sentiments of thedeepest fervour. He was a man not easily excited,but before that Image he was moved to the innermostrecesses of his being. As soon as the Holy Sacrificewas concluded, he burst in the presence of all,into a downright flood of tears. They were tears oftender emotion and deep love, brought on by recallingall that Mary had done for him in the past, andby tl~e secret assnrance that his desires should begratified, and that the Roman people for whom hepleaded, should be saved.7. When such devotion was manifested by thePontiff, it. is not surprising that in subsequent ages,the feast of the Wonderful Apparition of the Madonnashould be celebrated with extraordinary magnificence.In April 1667 so great were the multitudes flockingfor its Centenary to Genazzano from all parts of Italyand from distant countries, that the little town wasaltogether unable to contain them; and all of the surroundingtowns of Latiurn were full of pilgrims. Thevisitors includecl princes, prelates, and persons of thehighest rank; and nearly all who came advanced inprocession to the Shrine. It was on this occasionthat the celebrated Poussin erected and painted amagnificent theatre in which the principal events ofTranslation and Apparition of the Madonna were represented. These paintings executed with all thestrength of the genius of the artist were, unfortunately,destroyed, in the great fire which subsequentlydid such immense damage to Genazzano, and tomany of the treasures of the Sanctuary of OurPRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC. 325Lady preserved in the convent of the Augustinians(Van. 5455)It was just fifteen years after this celebration,that the crowning of the Madonna of Genazzano,which we have already described, took place. Thatevent, not only demonstrates the deep devotion ofso great a Pontiff as Innocent XI., but also theinfluence of the Sanctuary of Genazzano in giving asfatal a blow to the supremacy of the Turks onthe land, as it had given upon the water.No doubt, the holy and devoted Innocent XI. lovedthe Shrine; and it is worthy of notice that notonly he? but all the Popes remarkable for singulardevotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel, were amongstthe most celebrated of their long and illustrious line.Urban the Eighth, who visited the Mabnna, InnocentXI. who caused the sacred Image to be crowned,were as eminent in their days as was Sixtus IV. orSt. Pius V. in former generations. So it was afterwards.8. The successor of Innocent XI. was Clement XI.a native of Urbino and as is stated by several historiansof the Shrine, of a family which originally,as its name (Albani) testifies, came from the countrywhich the miraculous Jmage left. One thing howeveris certain the devotion of his family to the Madonnaof Genazzano was very great. This devotion inspired,as Vannutelli tells us, his nephew, the celebratedCardinal Albani , to do so much for the Sanctuary.He not only visited the sacred Image but left nothingundone to honour it. The magnificent altar andreredos, the pavement, and ornamentation in variedMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

326 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELcoloured marbles, the columns of verd antique, whichnow enclose the sacred Image, are the gifts of thisCardinal. The Pontiff, his uncle, received in the yearof Jubilee, which happened to be the year of hiselevation , the procession coming from Genazzanowith very unusual marks of favour. It Inay be wellto mention here, that in these holy years of Jubilee,when all indulgences elsewhere cease, the same peculiarprivileges granted to Loreto, are also extendedto the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel inGenazzano. (see Vannutelli, page 55).9. The Popes, Gregory the Thirteenth, Benedictthe Thirteenth, Clement the Twelfth, and Clementthe Fourteenth, enriched, as the archives of the conventinform us, the Sanctuary with zany spiritualprivileges. Jt was reserved, however, for the greatPontiff Benedict XIV. to establish the devotion notonly in the Sanctuary of Genazzano; but also to OurLady of Good Counsel everywhere, by Apostolic authority.This he did by his brief approving the PiousUnion, which he fornlally established, and in whichhe was pleased to be inscribed himself, (and withhis own autograph) as the first member.10.We shall pass over the intervening Pontiffs fromhis time, under whose auspices the Mass and Officein honour of Our Lady of Good Counsel were approved,to come down nearer to our own day, when wefind the great Pontiff Pius the IX. going over theground once before travelled by Urban the VIII. tovisit that distant Sanctuary of Genazzano, hiddenaway in the mountains of Latium.From his earliest years, the virtuous mother ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC. 327this Pontiff, had inspired him with the tenderest devotionto the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel : andso great was this devotion in him, that he celebratedhis first Mass before an altar dedicated to Her, inRome. He loved to have Her beautiful picture alwaysnear him, and to Her he prayed jn the manytrials and difficulties which beset his path in hislong, and notwithstanding temporal losses, most gloriousPontificate. He had from the moment of hiselevation, a great desire to visit the Sanctuary of Genazzano, as did Urban VIII., and this he executedon the Feast of the Assu~nption of Our Lady 1864.He came accompanied with all the pomp of a Sovereignand a Pontiff, and left enduring impressions of hispiety and devotion upon the crowds assembled towitness an act of homage td the Sanctuary, so solemnand so sincere.11. Leo the XIII., our present Most Holy Father,is, as was his predecessor, for many years a prisonerin the Vatican. The faithful of Rome and the faithfulwho come to the Eternal City cannot now begratified by witnessing the cheering spectacle of thesacred state of the Supreme Pontiff. It is no longerin the power of Leo the XIII. to visit the Sanctuary,any more that it is to leave the sultry and unwholesomeprecincts of the Vatican in the fierce heat ofSummer for the clear air of the Castle of Gandolfo.If it were, there can he little doubt that we shouldhave another pilgrimage of the Vicar of Christ tothe Shrine of the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel.For the writer is assured on the best possible authorityof the deep devotion of Leo the XIII. to OurMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

3.28 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELLady of Good Counsel. And certainly, no Pontiff hasunder unexanlpled difficulties shown the fruits of itby the possession of the gifts given to Her clients bythe Seat of Wisdom, to a greater extent. Few have hadaffairs more intricate to grapple with; or have beenplacecl in situations where Good Counsel has beenmore needed. Few, nevertheless, have surpassed himin the rare wisdom which has distinguished all hisacts, since his coming to the lofty but arduous positionhe occupies. And his acts are emphaticallyhis own. Already, the world has affixed to his namethe special epithet of Wise - a title, it does not giveto many, and which must be well deserved indeed,before it is granted. Nor is his, the barren wisdomwhich is safe because it will venture nothing. Hisreign up to the present has been one of vigorous, butwell considered action. The immense and needed reorganizationand restoration in that most difficult of allsubjects to be either mastered or directed, the teachingof the schools, has been by him both masteredand directed with a thoroughness and a completenessthat has astonished the Catholic world, and mustcontinue to produce fruit while the Church lasts onearth. Prisoner as he is, he has essayed to restorediscipline and recreate fervour. He has had to dealwith the tangled web of European diplomacy, andhas succeeded in bringing it to understand that with2out the Roman See from which it separated itself inits pride and in its folly, it can neither prosper noreven exist. Germany, Russia, and even England,antipapal as they are, and persecuting as they havebeen but too disposed to be, have veered round soPRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC. 329far as to seek his friendship, and many of their foremostmen, with a docility almost Catholic, incline tohear his voice. He has had from the very commencementof his reign to deal with nations onceCatholic, falling into anarchy ; with a Socialism sdvancedto its last stage of infamy; with the astutenessof an unscrupulous statecraft opposed to him inRome and Italy; with the whole force of darknessbanded in secresy and seeking to baffle, to deceive,and to destroy his flock on every side. Nevertheless,he shows that the spirit of Good Counsel does notdesert him, so that even his bitterest enemies confesshis success and fear his coming victory. Already,that prevision which precedes dissolution is uponthem; while the light in the heavens which announcesanother near and glorious day for the Church hegoverns, already and unmistakably appears. A handis upon the helm of the bark of Peter fitted for theoccasion, and guiding it steadily to the port of rest.Who can doubt in all this, that the help of Mary,the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel is with the Vicarof Her Child. We may hope then confidently, thatwhen the port is reached, when the day of triumphdawns upon that bark, devotion to Her and to HerSanctuary will be more intensified and extended; andthat in the hour of its certain triumph, the wholeChurch of God will draw from Mary's fountains,Counsel and Strength for still greater conflicts.Leo XIII. we are enabled to state upon the authorityof the present Vicar-Forain of Genazzano,Don Filippo Vannutelli, showed even when a veryyoung ecclesiastic the love he had for the MotherMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

330 THE VIRGIN NOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELof Good Counsel at Her SLrine. He is now a memberof its Pious Union. His own venerable hand haswritten the scriptural words which encourage all tobecome children of Mary of Good Counsel,andwhich may be seen beneath Her Image in the sacristyof Santa Maria. The Parish Priest of the Vatican,the very Revd. Father Pifferi 0. S. A. mentionedto the writer how often he has seen Leo XI11long, long, absorbed in prayer before the beautifulcopy of the sacred original in Genazzano, which isenthroned above the high altar of the Pauline chapel- an altar erected to honour it by the loving careof Pius IX. It is not therefore too much to say thatthe rare wisdom and strength which he has so strikinglyexemplified in his career, comes from a sourcefrom whence issued in the past all the real glories ofCatholicity - from the Seat of Wisdom, Mary theVirgin Mother of Good Counsel.12. Then not only Pontiffs, but lay rulers of nationshave found the means of drawing the waters of wisdomfrom the fountains of Our Lady of Genazzano.Foremost amongst the royal houses who have thusshown a wise respect for the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel, comes the first and highest, as well as mostancient governing family of Europe, that of theHapsburgs. At the moment we write, the august Ex-Empress and aunt of the present Emperor has forher confessor, as we already stated, the pious andlearned Father Belgrano, late Prior of Santa Mariain Genazzano, the author of several devotional worksupon Our Lady of Good Counsel. The venerable Ex-Empress, not able by circumstances to travel to Qe-PRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC. 33 1nazzano in person, has been represented there by oneof her court; and some of the most valuable offeringsrecently presented to the Shrine, came from her. Sheis a member of the Pious Union. The Ex-Emperor,her husband was distinguished for the same devotion;and as the House of Austria is the only Catholicdynasty in Europe which has not yielded to the influenceof the Revolution, or been drawn into persecutingthe Church, it may not be too much to say,that its devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel hasgiven it the wisdom and strength to resist malignantinfluences as fatal to the throne as to the altar.From the retirement at Prague, the Emperor Francisreceived continually from his affectionate, wise, andeminently Catholic uncle who abdicated in his favorand treated him always as a son, counsels in hisgreatest difficulties. There, separated from the worldand absorbed in prayer, that uncle and his pious consort,no doubt drank in the wisdom, which hastnotbeen M-ant,ing in the evident blessings which markedand still marks the administration of the EmperorFrancis 11.But the devotion of the House of Austria is notof recent date. It ascends almost to the period ofthe Miraculous Apparition at Genazzano. 111 Viennaand in Bavaria, we have seen that miraculous favourswere extended to members of the Imperial Familythrough the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel,venerated in one of the copies of the sacred Imagewhich had touched the original. There is a still moreremarkable occurrence to chronicle.13. In 1772, a personal visit was paid by theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

332 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELElectress of Saxony to the original, in distant Genazzano. This pious Lady sent before her a casketformed after the fashion of a heart, and containing hermarriage rings. On her arrival, she was overjoyedto see this mark of her homage to God's Motherpendant upon the crown given by the Chapter ofSt. Peter's. Few pilgrims of the many thousand ferventones who visited the Shrine, showed more devotionwhile there, or more regret on departing fromit, than this illustrious lady. She kept beside her toher last breath, a copy of the Madonna given to herby the Prior, Fr. Boschi. It was the greatest consolationof her life.The example of the Imperial House of Austriaand that of the Royal House of Saxony, has been followedby that of Bavaria and Spain in the last century,and of Naples in this.14. Cardinals and Princes in great number havealso manifested the same devotion. We have spokenof the devotion of Cardinal D'Estouteville, to whoselove for Our Lady of Good Counsel, the guardiansof the Sanctuary owe the church of St. Augustine inRome; and of that of Cardinal Albano who enrichedthe present Shrine'. In 1736 Cardinal Jerome Colonnagave the precious gifts in metal and coral - moreprecious than gold - which are yet used in the ornamentationof the Shrine on great festivals. He replacedthe old railing with the present massive one;and bestowed on the fathers of Santa Maria richvestments and altar services for the use of the Sanctuary.The Cardinals of Palestrina, for its bishopsare always Cardinals, were most devoted to thePRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC. 333Sanctuary. The present Cardinal (De Luca) takes suchan interest in its welfard that he joins with the AugustinianCardinal, Martinelli, and the Prior of Genazzano,in forming the committee ordered by HisHoliness to expend the offerings of the Pious Union,for the best advantages of the splendid church nowon the point of conlpletion, and in which the sacredChapel of Our Lady of Good Counsel is contained.15. Indeed since the arrival of the holy Imagefrom Scutari, members of the sacred College havenever been wanting in fervent devotion to it. Uponthis point, Luigi Vannutelli thus writes in his HistoricalMemoirs of Most Holy Mary of Good Counsela In fine, I do not see a single month pass by, inwhich, distinguished and illustrious persons do notcome to venerate this miraculous Sanctuary. Whetherthey be of the Sacred College, or of the prelacy, orof the Italian, or foreign nobility I always find themof every class, of every age, and of every province,devoutly heeling before that altar. And very oftenit happens that those desirous of celestial favours andanxious to contemplate as near as possible those countenancesof paradise, have to give way one to anotherin turn, and then with a holy displeasure to forcethemselves from the sacred altar before they hadsatisfied their devotion. 1 cannot relate, but with sentimentsof edification and respect, that in the autumnbf 1829, the most eminent Cardinal Cappellari (afterwardsGregory XVI.) who to-day (and well it is forus) pilots the bark of Peter, preceded with most tenderrespect by his friend Cardinal Bertozzoli, celebratedthe unbloody Sacrifice upon that most accept-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

339 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELable altar. May the Queen of the heavens preservehim to us for long years. And not many seasonspassed when three other illustrious wearers of thepurple, Cardinals Pedicini, Brignoli, and Pollidori]night be seen on the same morning, the one afterthe other, celebrating Mass in the holy Chapel, notone of them being aware of the conling of the other. v16. The devotion of many noble houses to theSanctuary is very great. That, for instance, of theColonnas and the Barberinis, the Albanis and othersis historic. Scarely a decade passes without somefavours being signalized, as having been received bymembers of the ancient noble houses not only ofItaly, but of other countries in Europe, from the Madonnaof Good Counsel. It is not long since a memberof one of these old families, the prince Barberini C+lonna, obtained the singular favour of an heiress to hishouse through the intercession of Our Lady of GoodCounsel; and this child, called Maria Coilsilia in thanksgiving,is frequently brought by her parents to thanktheir heavenly Benefactress. So it is that the Sanctuaryis never without clients fro111 the highest ranksin Christendom.17. It would here be improper to neglect to mention,that devotion to the Sanctuary is already springingfast and fervent amongst many of the Prelatesof those countries for which this work is speciallyintended. The recent purchase of the convent of San Pio 'by the Irish Augustinians, has directed the attentionof several distinguished Irish Bishops, on their visitto Rome, to the existence of so sacred a Sanctuary inGenazzano. During the writer's stay at San Pio, thePRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF POPES ETC. ' 335Most Reverend Monsgr. MC Evilly, the able and eruditeArchbishop of Tuam; the Most Reverend Monsgr. Dorian,the venerable Bishop of Down and Connor, whohas ruled with such success the immense ecclesiasticalterritory connected with Belfast; the Most ReverendMonsgr. Gillooly Bishop of Elphin, whose beautifulCathedral and seminary and his other works forreligion are so generally known to visitors in Ireland;the Most Reverend Monsgr. MC Cormack the zealousand youthful Bishop of Achonory ; the Most Revd.Monsgr. Crane, the first Bishop of Sandhurst in distantAustralia; the late and deeply lamented BishopO'Connor of Ballarat ; the Most Reverend Monsgr.Hyland , Coadjutor Bishop of Trinidad ; the 'MostReverend Monsgr. Kirby, Bishop of Lita and Rectorof the Irish College of St. Agatha in Rome; the VeryReverend Father Carbery, Assistant General of theDominicans, lately elevated to the episcopal dignityas Bishop of Hamilton in Canada ; the VeryReverend Dr. Walsh , President of St. Patrick'sCollege Maynooth; the Very Revd. Dr. O'Collaghan,Rector of the English College, Rome; the Very Revd.Dr. Verdon, nephew of the late lamented CardinalCullen, Vice Rector of the Irish College; and frequentlyby its very devoted client the Very Revd. Monsgr.Hostlot, the Rector of the North American College;the Very Reverend Father O'Callaghan , Prior andSuperior of the Irish Dominican College of St. Clement;the Very Revd. Father Cary, Guardian and Superior ofthe Irish Franciscan College of St. Isidore, and bymany clergymen from nearly every English speakingcountry in the world. In the past., the Sanctuary wasMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

336 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELvery dear to the late Monsgr. Polding, Archbishopof Sydney: to the present Venerable Archbishop ofMelbourne, the &lost Revd. Monsgr. Goold; and duringthe past few years it has been visited by theMost Revd. Monsgr. Butler, Bishop of Limerick; by theMost Revd. Monsgr. Fitz-Gerald, Bishop of Ross; bythe Most Revd. Monsgr. Clery, Bishop of Kingston,Canada; by the Most Revd. Monsgr. Leonard, Bishopof Capetown, and by many others. The Sanctuaryis indeed a favourite place of pilgrimage for nearlyall the national colleges of Rome, during their vacations;and by none at present more than by thosewho are destined for the Apostolate in Englishspeaking nations.We have already spoken of the deep and tenderdevotion of Cardinal Acton to the Sanctuary. Thisis followed by others in England. The zealous Bishopof Salford has established the Pious Union in hisdiocese. The venerable President of the English Benedictinesand several of his subjects love the devotion.Others desire to know it. All this is a favourablepresage of what we may hope will be thespeedy extension of a devotion so advantageousthroughout all English speaking countries.In the next chapter we shall see something ofthe devotion of the people at large to the Shrine, andof their favourite mode of showing it by public pilgrimages.PRIVATE USE ONLY

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---,-.W'L, .IttARIA DEL RUON COKSIGLIO .1Tn c-onrento di ylauso e di rxultanznSolleva in Genazzano, o genie pia,Nel l'empin ovc I'lmngo di MxI-I:~Frl.~oi> nua Stanza.PRIVATE USE ONLYDigitized by Google- -..*

Chapter XY.PILGRIXAGES TO THE SHRINE1. Religious customs of purely Oatholic nations ill understood in Protestantcountries - Want of reason in this. - 2. The people of Italyin their manner of worshipping Our Lady of Genazzano. - 3. Pilgrimsand pilgrimages. - 4. The pilgrimages from afar on the greatfeasts of the Sanctuary. - 6. The Church on these oceasions - theConfessors - the Communions. - 6. Dee religion of the pilgrims.-7. The waiting for the twenty - seco d% hour. - 8. The fssta inthe town - Conduct of the pilgrims. - 9. Who they are and whythey come. - 10. The merit in their act - Its warranty and antiquity.- 11. The reason in it. - 12. The Pilgrims on the road. -13. The formation, gathering, and departure of each company. -14. Devotional works directing them - Father Belgrano's advices -Prayers to be said before setting out and on the road. - 16. Pilgrimsmet upon the road. - 16. Action of each band on seeing Genazzano- Prayer to Yary. - 17. Entering the town - Going to theSanctuary. - 18. Oardinal Castracani's attempts at e improving theoccasion S by preaching - His failure. - 19. The pilgrims at theShrine. - 20. Asking for graces - an instance. - al. Pilgrims atnight - at early morn. - 22. Grief and tears of the pilgrims leaving- retiring backwards from the sacred Image. - '28. The pilgrims'return home. - 24. Efforts of the Bevolutiouary Governmentto stop the pilgrimages to Genazzano - The offlcer appointed tostop them. - 26. Grief of the pilgrims dispersed - Disquiet of theItalian population grows dangerous, and pilgrimages allowed to taketheir course. - 26. Fate of the o5cer who dispersed the pilgrim8 -Opinion of the people thereupon.1. It is very difficult for a Catholic accustomed tolive, as English speaking Catholics everywhere live,in countries from which the public religious practices29More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

338 Till< VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEI,of purely Catholic peoples have been long banished,to realize such a devotion as that of the Italian peoplefor Our Lady of Genazzano. When one has beenaccustomed for a life - time, to confille the publicexpression of divine worship within the walls ofchurches, it appears strange to see it carried outsidedoors, through the roads of the country, and throughthe streets of cities. But this apparent strangenesswill appear most natural and proper, when it is bornein mint1 that every one met with, is of the samefaith and religious feeling as the worshippers themselves.It is nothing more extraordinary than tosee devout individuals in groups, or singly, makingthe way of the Holy Cross in churches. So longas they do not interfere with the freedom of thepassages, those who do not care to follow theirexample, do not complain, and are edified. It maycome to the turn of the least devout to do the same,sonie day. In this respect Italy, and, indeed, everypurely Catholic country, may be likened to onevast church. The most indifferent are of the samefaith. The most abandoned have been trained toreverence holy things. There are no heretics who keepsome practices of Catholicity while reprobating others.No Catholic trader, for example, in England hasany hesitation in closing his shop on a Sunday orupon a Christmas Day. Why? All do it. It is a publicact of religion. But as a rule he does not do thesame on the feast of All Saints or of the Assumption. Why? The religious reason, is it not thesame ? The difference is, that Protestants have retainedthe Sunday and Christmas Day, but have rejected,BPRIVATE USE ONLY

with the doctrine of the worship and invocation ofsaints, all the other Church holidays. If processionsand pilgrimages did not share the same fate, thesepractices would excite no more feeling or surprisenow, than the marching of school children to placesof amusement, or of benefit societies on days ofreunion. It is therefore no wonder that in a Catholiccountry a procession in honour of God or Hissaints excites no more comment, than one whichis formed to bury the dead.2. The people of Italy have honoured and stillhonour the Shrine of Our Lady in Genazzano, bothpublicly and privately. They come there at all timesfor favours. Every night the Sanctuary is surroundedby a congregation of clients assembled to sing beforethe covered Image, the Litany of Loreto, and to joinin vocal prayer; and every morning of the year athalf - past - four, a large congregation of workingpeople is present for the first Mass which is celebratedat the Altar of the sacred Image. All daylong, numbers are found round the iron grating ofthe holy Chapel. This latter is never without itstwenty lamps burning, nor scarcely is it ever seenwithout petitioners in prayer, many of whom comefrom great distances.3. As from the beginning, so now, the year is neverwithout its record of pilgrims singly, or in groupswho come from love, and for favours, from ail parts ofEurope; from America; from Australia; and not unfrequentlyfrom Africa, and from Asia, to the holy calmof this favourite Sanctuary of Mary, the Mother of God.Distant, pilgrims are almost invariably sure of beingMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

340 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELable to see the beautiful Image uncovered, by applicationto its custodians. But those living in thesurrounding country, and who, probably, have againand again, been able to see it during the more solemncelebrations, are not granted so easily thisprivilege. Yet they too come, in an uninterruptedstream to the Shrine, for the relief of the manifold dis- .tresses to which poor human nature is subject; andthey are sure to go away from the feet of their lovingMother contented. In domestic and personal distresses,it is a common practice for them to make a vowto visit the Madonna of Good Counsel at Genazzano;and, as is generally the case, the vow is heard, andthe sought for favour obtained, the devout recipientgoes off at once, his ten, it may be his twenty,or it may be his hundred miles or more, to fulfilreligiously that vow. Piolls writers on the Sanctuarystrive rather to regulate and lessen, than toencourage this custom, but only with partial success.The Italian peasant has been accustomed for agesto live by faith, and by faith in Mary especially. Hetherefore has recourse to Her efficacious and certainhelp in his distress. Nor does it astonish himif he is heard. He looks upon the obtainment ofa miraculous favour because of a vow, as a reasonfor deep thankfulness indeed, but no reason forwonder. Success comes to be regarded as a practicalproof of the actual believed - in Providence and Powerof God, used miraculously in favour of His prayerfuland penitent people, who love God's Mother, and whoseearnest, living belief in, and love for Her, appealedto under some endearing name, has caused Her toPRIVATE USE ONLY

PILGRIMAGES TO THE SHRINE 341use Her power, Her influence, and Her authority withHer Omnipotent Son for the fervent petitioner.4. All these single, silent streams ,of devout people,would seem to join together and become a torrent, onthe occasions of the great feasts of the Sanctuary. Thewhole people of Latium, Sabina, and the various provincesof the Campagna, then arise in mass to honourMary, the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel. They arejoined by countless streams of the population ofdistant cities and far off districts, who come in orderedgroups to do the same honour to the Motherof God, at this Her favoured Shrine. These feastsare first, that of the Miraculous Apparition itself, the25th of April; and secondly, that of the Nativity ofOur Lady, the 81h of September. The latter, possiblybecause of the season of the year being more propitiousfor long journeys; and because too, of the deep devotionof the Italians for the birth-day of the Queenof Heaven, is perhaps the most crowded. The former,however, attracts, during its continuance of ninedays, as it ever did, immense numbers.5. The Fathers of Santa Maria are always carefulto provide for the spiritual emergency that invariablyarises at these seasons of grace. Not only are theconfessors of the community in readiness, and all theAugustinian Fathers who may he able to oome fromthe Roman, or other convents; but all the Priestsof the surrounding country are invited to attend theconfessionals. Confessors of every order, 'secular andregular, are found by the walls and pillars of thechurch. These are engrossed by the women. Confessorsfor men are placed in the sacristy, in the choir, inMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

342 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELthe passages, in the cloisters. The church, spaciousas it is, cannot on those occasions accommodate bothsexes of pilgrims; and so, as men can be heard in anyplace, its whole space is taken up by the sex which.can there only be attended to. The services on thesefeasts are as grand as the Fathers can make them.There are bands and first class musicians to attendthe choir; and singers come from the neighbouringcities.6. But in truth, while all this is very pleasingto the good people of Genazzano, the mass of thepilgrims seem to have little thought of any thingbeyond the Chapel of the Madonna, and the pricelesstreasure it contains. In t,hat, and in the frequentationof the sacraments, which forms a necessary part oftheir act of homage to the'Mother of Good Counsel,their whole time seems to be engrossed.7. A very solemn act, however, takes place onthe feast of the Apparition, which interests all deeply;pilgrims, priests, and citizens of Genazzano. Fromthe twenty - first to the twenty - second hour of theItalian day, which at that season of the year correspondsto from 3 to 4 o'clock in the evening, the hourwhen the sacred Image descended and appeared uponthe wall of the unfinished Church of Petruccia, thebells of the church of Santa Maria are rung withoutintermission. The same takes place every evening ofthe novena, its object being to remind the people ofthe happy event of the coming of the Madonna. Onthe day itself, the Fathers of the Augustinian Order,the clergy of the town and diocese, the visitors, thereligious, and the whole people gather into the churchPRIVATE USE ONLY

PILGRIMAGES TO THE SHRINE 343and remain kneeling in perfect silence before theAltar where the sacred Image is exposed. The momenttjhe bells ring the 22nd hour, the Te Deurd isintoned by thousands, the organ peals, and all withone accord join in the hymn of praise in thanksgivingfor the favour conferred, four hundred years before,upon Genazzano.8. At this time, as also of course upon the gth ofSeptember, all the grandeur possessed by the Sanctuaryis displayed. The il~unicipal authorities, indeference to the citizens, must join in the generaljubilee. Fireworks, and the almost universal illuminationof houses; the firing of cannon and of small arms,and a11 the appliances of civil gladness are provided inprofusion. It is worthy of notice, that in Genazzanono accident has ever occurred in its narrow streetsfrom those exhibitions of popular joy.For thepilgrims, these things are the least attractive. Some,indeed the greater number, do not seen1 to mindthem. But it is very remarkable how differentlythe great crowd behaves from that of great crowdsin our cities. The most perfect order and decorumreign everywhere. Even those who attend the fireworks, and who amazed by the brilliancy of someunexpected jeu .de feu cry out, their cheer is alwayslong live Mary! a Evviva Maria! B The majority - thevast majority - when not employed in devotions at thethe Sanctuary are resting their weary limbs aftermany miles of travelling, not on beds, nor in houses-for ten towns like Genazznno could not containtheir numbers - but generally upon the hard stonesof the paved ways of the township. Each companyMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

344 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELof pilgrims keeps to itself. The men and women,though of the same family, are rigidly separated.In no such gathering of many thousands anywhereelse, is the same beautiful order and respect for purity. and for modesty seen. The spirit of religion reignsover all.9. It is evident, that these of whom we here speak,are not of the class of those who have come bycoach, or by train, and then have formed into ranksto approach the Shrine of Our Lady. Of course,there are many of this latter class also, besides manywho have come individually, and in parties of twoor three. But the mass comes now as the mass camefor ages, in large companies, and in formal pilgrimages.Their coming too, is an act of open reverence forthe Madonna, from the moment they leave theirdistant homes, until they close their journey thereagain. It is now as it was in the time of Coriolanus,when the towns of Italy were almost emptied oftheir inhabitants going processionally to Genazzanoto venerate the Image, which had appeared so wonderfullyon the walls of the unfinished church ofPetruccia. They come to-day exactly as they camefour centuries ago, and solely to honour Mary.10. And surely in this coming of theirs, there is agreat deal of merit. Even in a private pilgrimage thereis always the element of self-sacrifice, a sacrifice oftime, and means, and convenience, which cannot butbe pleasing to God. In the old law, the principalfeature of the true worship of the Almighty wasa pilgrimage, which all were bound to make annuallyto Jerusalem. And though a the earth was the Lord'sPRIVATE USE ONLY

.(PILGRIMAGES TO THE SHRINE 345and the fulness thereof B, though every locality wassanctified by His presence, He chose to make someplaces more acceptable to Himself than others. Thespot where Moses saw the angel, was a holy ground B.The spot where Solomon erected the Temple was theonly one in which God would, at all, receive sacrifice.It was the special place to obtain the remission ofsins, and the granting of supplications. So in numberlessother instances. An impulse of our natureitself prompts us to revereace persons, places, andthings consecrated, or having relation to God. Itwas through this, that Magdalen went to the monumentwhere the dead Body of Jesus lay. Instantrelief came to the woman who in faith, humility, andlove, touched the hem of the garment of Our Saviour.The shadow even, of the Apostles worked miracles.It was the same faith, so helpful in the many wantsof ,life, that led to the pilgrimages made to the HolyLand for the veneration of the Sepulchre, which fora while, and only for a while, had the honour ofcontaining the dead Body of Our Saviour. It is thesame instinct of divine faith which brought, and whichbrings to certain places, Catholic pilgrims and organizedpilgrimages. Faith warrants in these cases,what experience proves; namely, that in many placeswhere relics, images, or other objects specially connectedwith God, His Mother, or His servants arevenerated, spiritual favours are granted.11. Moreover, if one can be devout without thesehelps, one can be very much more devout by theirmeans.He who reasons otherwise, forgets all that aMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

346 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSICLpilgrimage necessarily implies. It means absence fromaffairs of every day life, for a work, which in its wholebearing, is for God alone. It means innumerableprayers, mental and vocal. It means a noble, fearlessconfession of faith, and contempt of the world. Itexpresses confident hope of favours from God throughHis sanctified servants. It calls forth charity. Thelove of God nlust aninlate any soul making withpure motives such an act. It means the sanctificationof labour and toil, undertaken in a penitential spiritfor the remission of sin. It means, in fine, the receptionof the holy Sacraments, the gaining of indulgences,charity for the poor, prayers for the dead,and other good works of every conceivable kind.12. A glance at the innumerable bands of Pilgrimscoming for one of the great festivals to the Shrineof the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel at Genazzano,will put what is here advanced in the strongestpossible light. Sometimes, as in cases of public calamity,the whole population of a town come together.This, however, does not often happen. Each companycontains a number varying from thirty to one hundred.The men of each party always go Arst, and thewomen follow. A picture of Our Lady of Good Counselwell fi-ained, and supported by a staff, is carried in front.The women, dressed in the fanciful holday - attire ofthe Italian peasant, bear upon their heads hugewooden vessels, which contain the provisions of theparty for all the days of their journeying. Themen, as a rule, walk bare headed, hat in hand, andwith the national cloak flung over the shoulder. TheItalian peasant is generally a swift walker. In Latium,PRIVATE USE ONLY

PILGRIMAGES TO THE SHRINE 347in Southern Italy, and in Sicily he does not, as wealready observed, live upon the land he cultivates;but in towns for the most part built on steep heights,from whence he descends daily to toil at a distanceof three or four miles, and returns at night to hishome. This necessitates swift walking to save time.The women too, are laborious and patient wprkers. 'The weight they manage to carry upon their headsis enormous. Firewood , grain , grapes , olives, allthe produce of the small cultivators are thus generallytransported. Three or four days travelling,therefore, will bring then1 an immense distance;and thus even from far off towns of U the kingdom, Bas they still call Naples, thousands come to veneratethe beloved Madonna of Genazzano.13. In the town from whence they come, the pilgrimage,of course, is a subject for consideration formonths previous. All who have made vows, lookforward eagerly, to the opportunity of fulfilling them.It is only on such an occasion as the going of alarge party of relatives and neighbours, that adequateprotection could be afforded, especially ' to the femaleportion of a party. When all going, are ready todepart, a day and an hour are fixed. Each familyprovides itself with necessary provisions and moneyfor the journey, and in their best attire they nssemblein the parish church where Mass is celebrated, anda most affecting prayer is recited by the Priest, if ofthe party, or if not, by its elected or appointed chief,whom all obey during the pilgrimage. They thenform into procession and amidst the benedictions ofthose left behind, commence their journey, alternatingMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

348 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELprayers and hymns with the rosary and spiritualreading, to far off Genazzano.They are a hardy race, these peasants. They areextremely temperate. Their wants are few, andeasily supplied. Sometimes they rest in the townsthrough which they pass, and which are, perhaps,also sending a contingent of pilgrims to the holyShrine. Sometimes, if the weather is very hot, asin September, they journey through the night, andrest while the sun is fierce, beneath some friendlyshade. It is most edifying to meet them on theirway by night or day. Grouped picturesquely, with .eyes cast down, they all seem supremely impressedwith the act of religion they are performing. Invariably,the old form a noticeable portion of everyband, giving by the intensity of their devotion astaidness to the whole. But every class of life ISrepresented, from the aged grandsire to the child inarms. The strong young men and women best ablefor the journey are, of course, most numerous; buttottering age, making the last loving journey for thepriceless favour of a happy death, is never wantingin any party. As they sing the sweet canticles ofthe praises of Mary with their naturally beautifulItalian voices, it is pleasing in the extreme to heartheir cadences dying away' in the distance. Thevoices deep and powerful of the men, mingling withthe softer and higher notes of the women, form abeautiful harmony not unpleasingly broken by somechild's endeavour, or by the attempt of the aged whosewill to chant Mary's praises, is far in excess of thepower to do so.PRIVATE USE ONLY

PILGRIMAGES TO THE SHRINE 34914. There are numerous popular manuals of devotionfor the well ordering of these pilgrimages, writtenby pious directors. From any one of them, the Catholicreader of other lands, may easily gain aninsight into the nature of such manifestations ofpublic devotion in Italy. In every one of them, itwill be found that the client of Mary is cautionedagainst rashly making vows to undertake such.Iong,devotional journeys. He is invariably advised, thatif he does so, he ought to make his vow conditional,.or revocable, or changeable at the will of any Confessor.A vow lawfully made ought be fulfilled, andtherefore should be made with all due consideration.a Above all things, B says Father Belgrano, whoselittle book is an excellent sample of these pious manuals;*. Above all things the pilgrim should bear inmind, that he ought be most careful in making a vowto undertake this, or any other pilgrimage, particularlyif the locality be far distant. You should v hesays, addressing his pious readers a reflect well whetherit may cause you to neglect any duty of yourstate in life, or any obligation you are under to others.Under every circumstance make always the condition.a If I can v or, a so that any Confessor to whom Igo can dispense, or change my vow v. a Be carefulfurther to select a proper time to make your pilgrimage,that is, on'some occasion when no graveduty of your state in life or office may impede you.Provide then, that all your affairs be in such order,that by reason of the pilgrimage, or during it, noneof your duties may suffer vMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

3!joTHE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD CPUNSELAfter other good advice, they are told how to goto the church, and what prayers to say there. TheFather, then proceeds to the method of arranging andconducting the journey. He says.a Let the pilgrims go all together and never bedisunited. As far as possible let the men and womenbe separated. Let each one keep always before hismind, the devout and pious scope of the journey.Hence, let no one fall into distractions or lightnessof demeanour or relaxation, but let every one be attentive to conduct himself with modesty, wii,h devotion,and with edifying deportment. When prayerin common is not being made, let the pilgrim enterinto himself and reflect upon the needs of his ownsoul : Let him prepare for a good confession. Lethim turn his mind and heart devoutly and with faithto the Most Holy Virgin, by means of some briefbut fervent prayer which t,he heart will dictate. Lethim implore from Her goodness the grace he mostdesires, and of which he has most need for the salvationof his soul. Should the pilgrims be obligedalong the way' to stay at some hotel, or still more,if obliged to stay the night there, let them be mostcareful to preserve in everything a devout and gravedemeanour, that all may see that the pilgrimage ismade from devotion only. It is the office of the presidentor director to appoint from time to time theprayers to be recited in common, and to cause somecanticle in praise of Mary to be sung, particularlywhen the company passes close to, or through somecity or village v.15. The writer has seen hundreds of these piousPRIVATE USE ONLY

PILORIhfAOES TO THE SHRINE 351abands on their way to the Sanctuary of Genazzano.He has met them near it, and at a distance from it;and in no single instance did he ever witness oneof the above rules violated. 'l'he deep earnestnessof the men, the beautiful modesty of the women,the intense, frequently tearful fervour of the olderpeople, the demeanour even of the children, showedthat every company felt its responsibility, as a deputationfrom its locality to the Virgin Mother ofGood Counsel in Genazzano. Each individual has,moreover, his or her own object in view, much tooimportant to be endangered by indevotion; some favourto ask for self, or for some dear ones afflicted at home.A sister comes to obtain a brother's conversion. Afather to provide for some member of his charge.A child to ask for a parent's recovery. This one toreturn thanks for life or health, for, honour ormeans miraculously preserved. - That one to pay thevow, that saved him in some dire extremity. That otheragain comes to get the grace and to have the opportunity,at a place where unknown, and to strange andlearned Confessors, and near the seat of Mary's tendermercy, the secrets of his overburdened consciencemay with ease and assurance of pardon be disclosed.All are animated with intense love and reverencefor Mary of Good Counsel, Whose mercy and powerthey full well know. No wonder then, that the silence,the fervour, the prayer and praise inculcatedby their manuals of pilgrimage, and by the customof ages should be well preserved. One thing worthyof notice is, how constantly they use the refrainEvviva Maria, Maria Evciva, Ewviva Maria e ChiMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

352 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELla cred. This is repeated always to the same melodyafter every verse of the hymns sung, and is frequentlyinterspersed with an Evviva Maria! given exactlyafter the fashion of a cheer or hurrah.16. When the pilgrims come in sight of the Sanctuary, a very edifying ceremony takes place. Themoment the tower of Santa Maria peeps out beyondthe trees, at whatever distance, let the roads be asthey may, the whole band at once fall upon theirknees, and the chief of the party recites a prayer suchas the following, translated from one of their manuals.a Hail venerable and Holy House of Mary wheredoth reside Her wondrous Image. Hail 0 Mary Motherof Good Counsel, Who hath selected this templeto be Thy dwelling place, from whence as from Thythrone of mercy and grace Thou dost dispense to all ,-with extraordinary liberality, Thy benefits and theblessings of Thy Good Counsel. 0 Brightest Star,-7-10 dost guide us over the boisterous sea of our life.Purest Star which doth comfort us in all the distressesof our exile. Most sweet Star which doth recreateand inundate our hearts with joy and gladness, wedevoutly salute Thee. Eviva Maria! Eviva Maria ofGood Counsel ! Animated with sweet hope and withthe greatest confidence, we come to Thee, 0 DearestMother, and we rest secure we shall obtain from Thygoodness abundantly, the fruit of this our pilgrimage v.Three Hail Marys are then recited.17. After this prayer the whole company is placedin strict order by the director. The banner or painting of Mary is carried a little in advance. Thestep is more measured, and all the men of the partyPRIVATE USE ONLY

PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINE 353walk with uncovered heads, careless of sun or rain.Their sweetest hymns or litanies are sung, and thusthey advance through the narrow streets of Genazzanountil they reach the steps of Mary's temple.This is often so crowded that they have to awaittheir turn to enter. The sacred songs of each group -invariably the Litany of Loreto when they enterthe Church - continue until they reach where thelamps of the Sanctuary may be seen burning. Instantlythen arises an Evviva Maria! from the newparty, which, as it is followed by another fromall in the church, has a stunning and strange, butwithal a most devotional effect upon the strangerunused to such cries. But it is the voice of praiseheartfelt, devoted, and loving from children to theirMother. It is moreover peculiar to those times ofpilgrimage, and except at the solemn Mass of thefeast, there is no effort to restrain it. In fact it wouldbe inlpossible to do so.18. And here an anecdote may be related. To manyit seems strange, as it did to the writer, that attimes of such immense concourse in Genazzano, thereshould be no attempt at preaching in the church ofthe Sanctuary, where so many thousands could bebenefited by the word of God. The assurance of theimpossibility of being able to do so, seems difficult,to understand, at first sight. The celebrated CardinalCastracani, Cardinal Bishop of Palestrina could notbelieve in the impossibility of doing a something. Hedetermined, as Ordinary of Genazzano, that the OCcasionof doing so much good should be improved.He would hear nothing of the difficulties. He felt23'More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

354 THE VIRGIN XIOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELcertain that his position as Cardinal Bishop, wouldobtain for him a devout ancl reverent hearing. Andhe accordingly determined to be himself the preacherat the first opportunity, and so inaugurate the goodwork. He appeased therefore in the pulpit once, whenthe crowd was greatest, and succeeded admirably ingiving out his test. But a man in the crowd happenedto receive, at the nest moment, a grace from theMadonna, and raised the usual Evviva Maria! inthanksgiving.The whole church answered againand ctgain with a deafening roar which drownedcoinpletely the voice of the preacher. He, however,was not to he daunted by this reverse, and essayedto continue his discourse. But soon a new band of pilgriinshappened to move through the crowd outsidethe porch , seeking admittance. Their Evviva Mwia!was taken up too, and immediately the church rangagain with the cry, and the Cardinal's ears werestunned another time with the praises of Mary. Thecrowd, however dense, is accustoined to make a willingway for the sick, the blind, the lame, and the afflictedof every kind, brought generally by some relativesto the Shrine. The Evviva Maria! of the latter isthe method to make known their object and to geta passage. It is taken up by the crowd outside thechurch and by those within. The good Cardinal'slast effort was stopped by one of these; and as itwas impossible to proceed, he realized the difficultyof a improving the occasion * and abandoned theattempt which no one has since repeated. And so, onthe occasion of the two great feasts, the church hasPRIVATE USE ONLY

PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINE 355to be given up to the devotion of the pilgrims.Mary's silent voice alone is heard by all.19. These bands of pilgrims come and go all daylong. By an old custom, born of necessity, they leavethe church the moment their religious devotions arecompleted, that others may enter. Thus room issecured; and except on the occasion when the townawaits the recurrence of the hour of the comihg ofthe Madonna, the people are left to discharge theirduties at their leisure. Masses go on ceaselessly atmany altars from 4. A.M. to midday. The confessionalsare attended without intermission; and thus the religiousneeds of tllousands are, without inionvenience,attended to in a few days.In a11 this display of devotion, nothing, perhaps,is more affecting than the approach and departureof the pilgrims, to and from the Shrine. The greaternumber come on bended knees from the principalentrance of the church to the gates of the Sanctuary.Many women with heads covered, are led by femalefriends, and on hands and knees, at every movementkiss the ground.20. It is impossible to describe the fervour exhibitedat the Shrine itself. One or two instanceswitnessed by the writer last September, (1882)will suffice for illustration. Amidst the variousgroups of pilgrims surrounding the iron bars whichprotect the Sanctuary, came one from the kingdomof Naples. Its number was about fifty persons,and amongst them was a poor woman, whonot only came on her knees kissing the ground tothe Sanctuary, but actually, seemed to touch withMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

356 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELher tongue every inch of the way. After the usualdevotions of her party, she arose and led to thegrating her son, a fine looking young man, apparentlyabout thirty years of age. The reason of her extraordinarydevotion became soon apparent. He was avictim of the terrible disease of epilepsy, and fromthe frequency and severity of his fits, was in constantdanger of death. He knelt, as a little child would,suppliant at the railing, while his mother in a loudvoice, made the most touching appeal imaginable tothe Mother of God, for his cure. Had Our Lady beenvisibly present, the appeal of this poor mother couldnot have been more real or ardent. Her languagewas eloquent, for it came from the heart indeed.c Mary B she said c You were 'Yourself a Mother,and You know what a nlother suffers in her son.I brought my son to You from the kingdom of Naples.Y9u can do what You will. Have pity on me andheal him P. She then told Our Lady how shehad reared him in the Catholic faith to love theMadonna; how good a son he was; what the parishpriest thought of him, and all the people; and whathe suffered. At every period when she paused ,the whole of her fellow pilgrims cried out, GraziaMaria ! grazia! grazia! again and again, andin this demand all in the church heartily united.At this time I asked one of the crowd the meaningof so much noise, and he answered in surprise, c weare asking a favour from the Madonna P.At longlast a great Evviva Maria! burst from them. Thepious mother - though of course she could not at amoment be certain of the cure of that disease - knew,PRIVATE USE ONLY

PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINE 357or seemed to know, that her petition was granted.Both son and mother left the Sanctuary satisfied;and though inquiry was made, it was not heardthat the young man suffered anything during hisstay in Genazzano. In the light of what was witnessedin the case of Lydia Vernini, it is probableat least, that he is one of the many miraculouslycured by the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel at HerShrine.21. If it is edifying to meet these pilgrims ontheir journey or in the church, it is yet more so tosee them during the nights. Many, weary with longwalking, take a brief repose; but the majority continuetheir rosaries, and prayers, and hymns. The stillnight air resounds with Evvivas and appeals to OurLady. The morning light finds a multitude awaitingthe opening of the temple at four o'clock; and it remainsthronged during' all the early Masses. Thegrand High Mass at the Shrine which takes placelate in the day, with every accompaniment of splendour,is perhaps the least noticeable for the devotionof the people. The Sanctuary of Mary of Good Counselis their one, their greatest, their ollly attraction. Manyare found there for long hours together, kneeling ata distance, so as not to impede the approach of succeedingbands of pilgrims. The pressure of the crowdneeds all the strength of the strong iron bars to resistits pious enthusiasm, never weary of contemplating thebeautiful Image of Mary , unveiled. Whether veiled orunveiled, the reverence and love for it are all the same.But all who can, wish to contemplate as long as possiblethe beautiful and well beloved Image. Mothers liftMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

358 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELup their little children to gaze upon it, and no suchchild ever forgets it through the course of his afterlife. All are anxious to get a print, a beads, a medalwhich has touched even the glass cover, or the altarof the Image. None leave it without regret; and itis this feeling which gave rise, as we shall see, tothe Pious Union, - a means by which the pilgrimscan always be united to Mary of Genazzano.22. The love of the sacred Image, however, seemsnever so intense as when the pilgrims leave the Shrine.All having satisfied their devotion? and having confessedand conimunicated, repair at a signal from thedirector, to the church. Kneeling lowly they remain awhile in silen't prayer, and then a solemn act of thanksgivingis read, after which some vocal prayers aresaid. All then rise, and few are seen who are notweeping. The bitter, downright sobbing of some isso sincere and tender that it is impossible to witnessit without emotion. At last the final Evviva! is given,and the Litany, the sign of departure from Genazzmo,is intoned. The whole body retire backwbrds, someeven on their knees, until the Church doors arereached, and the lanips of the Sanctuary are at lasthidden from their sight; then, filled with holy emotion,they return in procession as they came through thestreets of Genazzano. Finally, they move together fortheir distant homes where they are anxiously expected.23. Full often, all find that in their absence, thedearest wishes of their hearts have been granted.Not unfrequently they bring in their own persons theproofs of Mary's goodness. All have obtained thePRIVATE USE ONLY

I'I1,GRIJIAGE TO THI.: SHRINE 859plenary indulgence. And then many learn that theirnecessities have been fully met, -the difficulty has passedaway, the erring one is changed, the persecutor isassuaged, is gone perhaps for ever; life, honour, means,health are preserved. All are consoled. Some littlenlemorial of the Madonna brought by lo~ing handssatisfy those left at home. Ant1 it is this practicalexperience of all, which causes the Sanctuary ofdistant Genazzano to bs frequented fro111 generationto generation by the people of all the localitiesin Italy, which have never ceased for four hundredyears to make those wonderful pilgrimages.23. It must, we may here remark, be remembered,that if pilgrimages to Genazzano continue, it is despitethe efforts of the prc~sent Government to stop them.Scarcely had the Freemasons obtained the supremepower in Italy by the help of France anti England,when they commenced their well known persecution ofthe Church of their fellowcountry~nen. Anlongst otherregulations they prohil~ited all religious processions,except by the written authority of the a Minister forWorship W . It is true that since then, it was found prudent,in the face of the danger of a revolution, to modifythis strange ordinance of freedom. But while such anordinance did last, several persons were cast intoprison for indulging, after the custom of their forefathersfor centuries, in the very harmless occupationof marching in companies to honour God and HisSaints. It was natural, that a Sanctuary which wasa foremost offender in causing those processions, shouldfeel the weight of the vengeance of the a Ministerfor \F70rship >. And so an officer with a detachmentMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

360 THE VIRGIRT MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELof well armed gendarmes was despatched to Genazzano.This braye and very able inclividual dischargedhis duties against unarmed and inoffensivecountry people with exceeding great zeal. He drewa military cordon round the town, and by every roadthat pilgrims came for the feast of the Nativity ofGod's Mother, they were met by a the guardians offreedom, v and after days of journeying to visit theirbeloved Madonna, they were dispersed and forced toreturn home.25. Great was the grief of thousands m thatmemorable occasion.Many scattered themselvesover the mountains, and timidly made their way bycircuitous routes into the church. But as the pilgrimsgenerally consisted, as we have seen, ofneighbours and relations, - many being females whocould not be permitted to separate - they were forcedto go back as they came, without entering Genazzano.It was thought that such a lesson would have stoppedpilgrimages to the Shrine altogether, as people wouldnot again undertake so great a journey with therisk of disappointment. Rut a result very differentfollowed. There was excitement not only in Genazzano,and in the towns from which the pilgrims• came, but insall the towns they passed through. Thegovernment officials became alarined. Discontent mightassume, perhaps, too formidable a proportion; and sothe U Minister for Worship v thought proper not toenforce his draconian decree.26. The over officious officer or lieutenant wasnamed Acqua, a Garibaldian of a pronounced type. Hegloried in his achievement, but he never entered thePRIVATE USE ONLY

PILORIhlAOE TO THE SHRINE 361town again fronl which he had driven the pilgrims.On his next visit he was shot by robbers in mistakefor some one else, upon the very bridge where he hadwith a party of his men forced back some poor piouspeople who came from a great distance to visit theMadonna of Good Counsel. A small stone now mouldering,has an inscription regarding his death upon thespot of the encounter. His untimely end may havebeen an accident, but the country people for miles roundpoint with horror to the spot, a h firmly believe hisfate to be a supernatural punishment for carryingout to his own heart's content the decrees of the Government,which are largely left to the discretion ofthe officials confided with their execution.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

Chapter XVI.APOSTL~S OF THE DEVOTION1. The Angnstinians - Their history - Their saints. - 2. Celebrities inthe past - Position in Rome. - a. Their Cardinal Protector - Cardinalsin Curia. - 4. Living learned professors. - 6. The Ven. Menochio,Sacristan and Companion of Pins VII. - The Ven. Bellesini,the modern Apostle of Genazzano. - 6. Devotion of their Generalsto the Sanctuary. - 7. The Sanctuary u the apple of the eye n ofthe order. -. 8. General Vasqnez. - 9. Commissary General Neno. -10. Angnstinians at the Sanctnary - Remarks of Bnonanno.- 11.WhyOur Lady of Good Counsel selected the Angnstinians and their churchof Genazzano. - 12. The devotion not confined to the Angnstinian8.-13. St. Alphonsns Mary di Lignori and the Redemptorists. - 14. TheImage of the Virgin Mother of Good Connsel u his heart W. - 16. Gracesreceived - The dying sinner at Avenzo. - 16. Devotion of Redemptoristsin Belgium.1. Amongst the many who have been instrumentalin preserving and diffusing devotion to Our Ladyof Good Counsel, the foremost place belongs, as nitturitllyit should, to that Venerable Order so prolificin saints, in doctors, and in pontiffs; and of whichthe greatest luminary of the Church in his own, orindeed, in any other day, St. Augustine , was thefounder. The followers of his rule divide themselvesinto two distinct communities. The Canons Regular,to whom St. Donlinic belonged, modelled after thePRIVATE USE ONLY

APOSTLES OF THE DEVOTIOS 363manner of those who lived the regular life of thegreat Doctor after he was elevated, with what reluctance*we all know , to the See of Hippo ; and theHermits, who preferred the stricter seclusion in whichhe spent his penitential days before that event. In1170, the Hermits, scattered in separate bodies overvarious countries were, by order of the Holy See,united under one General, and numbered amongst thefour mendicant orders, which did so much for Italyand for the world in the century, and in everycentury since.This action of the central authority soon broughta great blessing upon the united community. St. Nicholasof Tolentine, St. John of St. Facundo, St. Thomasof Villanova, the Blessed Egidius, and a hostof Beatified and Venerable Servants of God appearedwithin a very brief period. In it, the rule of St. Augustine,called by Pope Alexander the VlI., the fruitfulparent of Saints, has in every generation since,proved its right to that title. The last Canonization atthe Vatican inscribed the Blessed Clare of Monte Falcoan Augustinian, amongst the number of the Saints. Herbeautiful body lies as if asleep, and as perfect as theday she died, in the convent of her order, after thelapse of five centuries. This wonder, which thousandsfrom all parts of the world go to witness, is nottaken notice of by the Church. It formed no proofin the process of her canonization. But there wereother miracles more certain with which God glorifiedthis, His faithful servant. Her heart, when opened,was found to contain a figure of the Crucifixion, andfigures too of all the instruments of the Passion, sculpt-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

364 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELured in the flesh. These still exist. Her body, furthermore,contained three balls of identical size andweight, and yet having this miraculous quality: thatany two will weigh not more than. any one, andany one as much as any two. This miracle representst,he mystery of the Most Holy Trinity to whichthe Saint was so devoted. The Venerable AlphonsusDe Orozco was also, at the same time, beatified.2. The number of spiritual writers and of personsof great sanctity and learning, at all times in theOrder, has been very great. The Venerable Thomasof Jesus, and other names familiar to all Catholicreaders, demonstrate this. And in our own day, theVenerable Bellesini and the Venerable Menochio, whosecauses for beatification are now pending, enlightenedthe world, by the supernatural holiness of their lives,and by the miracles with which God was pleasedto attest that holiness. The order was once spreadover Spain, Italy, Germany and France. Its memberswere the Austin friars of England. Though never perhaps,so much diffused as the Franciscans, they had atone period no fewer, than three thousand monasteriesunder the obedience of their General. As children ofthe most learned doctor of all time, they naturally ledin learning. The erudite and able Cardinal Seripandus,who presided at the Council of Trent was of theirnumber; and to them also belonged the profoundlylearned Cardinal Norris, the son of an Irish exile, andwho possessed the rare merit of refusing the Tiara.In Rome, they have, since their formation, occupieda foremost place in the Pontifical Court, and in theSchools. Two of the chief parishes in the EternalPRIVATE USE ONLY

APOSTLES OF THE DEVOTION 365City, Santa Maria del Popolo and St. Augustine's areserved by them. The Bishop Sacristan to his Holinessis always an Augustinian; and the Vatican andQuirinal palaces, are distinct parishes under hisjurisdiction, and served by sub-sacristans who likehimself must be Hermits of St. Augustine. Theywere and are still employed in a like capacity, inmany Courts of Europe. The chair of Sacred Scripturein the University of Rome is always filled byan Augustinian.3. The pious and learned Cardinal Martinelli, occupiedthis post for many years previous to his elevationto the purple. It is n position requiring vasterudition and great ability, above all in a city likeRome, where the learned of the world congregate.The devotion of this Cardinal to the Virgin Motherof Good Counsel, is very great. And certainly, Shehas wonderfully endowed him with the rare giftsdispensed at Her Sanctuary in Genazzano. His presentposition, as the guardian of the souls of the faithfulfrom the tainting influences of bad literature,requires them all. There is, no position where theSpouse of Christ needs more vigilance, and indeed,subtlety of discernment, so that no poison may infiltrateitself into the teaching of her children, oramongst the teachers of that teaching. History, Philosophy,Theology, every branch, sacred and profaneof human knowledge, is exposed more in our daythan in any past time, to dangerous, and sometimesall the more dangerous, because skilfully disguisedcorruption. The activity of the Sacred Congregationof the Index has been equal to the occasion,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

366 TIiE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELand certainly, no more able guide for it could he foundthan this humble child of Mary. English speakingreaders will be edified to know, that his life whennot engaged in the duties of his high office, ispassed amongst the students of the house of studiesof the Irish Augustinians in Rome. He shares withthem, all their esercices of devotion, from early morninguntil night - himself the first at every exercise.He conducts their retreats, hears their confessions,and delights to occupy himself in every work of God,having for its object their spiritual advancement.This great and learned Prince of God's Church appearsto he the humblest member of the community. He lovesthe plain habit of his Order; and nothing, when in thehouse, but the simple red zuchetto or skull cap showshis Cardinalitiate dignity. His labours are incessant.4. The writer who has had tlie privilege of witnessinghis edifying life, while in Rome, has also hadthe happiness of seeing the same religious simplicityin other princes of the Church who are not evenreligious; and some of whom have been in their time,such as the Cardinal Bishop of Palestrina, De Luca,ambassadors from the Holy See at Courts like thatof Vienna. He gladly mentions the fact, to showhow utterly without even the shadow of foundation,are those pictures of Roman ecclesiastical princesdrawn by the imagination of such novel writers, asthe late Lord Beaconsfield. Those in Rome, from theyoungest, Cardinal Parocchi, to the oldest, tlie Deanof the Sacred College, are of the one stamp, learnedand able indeed, but withal simple, affable, zealous,and sincerely anxious to do what they Gm do forPRIVATE USE ONLY

APOSTLES OF TIIIS DEVOTION 367the glory of God and the good of God's people. Theirrevenue is not that of a very humble bishop in Australia,not that of many priests. The calls upon itare very great. The labours of their office are arduous.Yet out of their little, they delight in savinga something for the love of God. Cardinal Martinellihas recently spent all he could spare from apoor life enough, to decorate the beautiful chapel ofthe Crucifix, in the church of Our Lady in Genazzano,through devotion for the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel. Besides being Prefect of the Index, andmember of many congregsstions, he holds this yearthe post of Camerlingo to the Sacretl College.5. Father Sepiacci, lately elevated to episcopalrank by Pope Leo XIII., is looked upon as one of thefirst living theologians in the Eternal City. He took,by public concurslis the chair De Locis Theologicis inthe same University. One of the first living Orientalscholars, at present interpreier for the S. Congregationof Propaganda and professor of Oriental languagesat the college of the Apolinare, Fr. Ciasca, is of theirOrder. Their present Commissary General, FatherNeno, after acting for many years in the United Statesof America as professor, president, missionary,and finally provincial of that province, has broughtto Rome the creative zeal of newer lands, togetherwith great administrative ability. The state to whichthe confiscations and vexations of the Piedmontesereduced his Order in Italy, has taxed all his powers ofreconstruction. Instead however, of lying down underthe load of oppression, he has gone to work with a will;and an immense measure of success has attended hisMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

368 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELefforts. A few years has enabled him to place hisancient Institute already on a basis capable of defyingat least the present persecution, and of. beingable to do vast good in all Italy. He has reopenednovitiates in many places where they had been closed,and, under the shadow of St. Peter's, has erecteda vast new professoriate, or school for the study ofthe young professed members destked to sustain theInstitute. The learned historian, Lanteri, is an Augastinian,as is also the Venerable and Saintly BishopMarinelli, long the Confessor and confidant of PopePius the Ninth. The late beautiful Italian poet, Balzofiori,was a Roman Augustinian. Father Semenza,of this Order, is amongst the first pulpit orators inItaly at the present moment. Father Ferrata. Secretaryof the Order, is, though young, Professor ofHebrew at the Propaganda. The Augustinians drink,at present, in conlmon with their brethern of theother Orders, the chalice of bitterness given them bythe governments of France, Spain, Italy, and Germanyin .such overflowing measure. But a turning point intheir fortunes is near. Spain cannot do without theirmissionary labours in the Philippine Islands. Italy hasto tolerate them; and, thank heaven, especially in thenew zeal of their General, there is an evident sign ofa coming and a brighter day in which they will domore, than perhaps at any past period for the benefitof the Church of God.5. We may here take occasion to say a fewwords in reference to the two niembers of the Order,declared Venerable, in this century, and whoseholy lives were witnessed by living men; namely thePRIVATE USE ONLY

APOSI'LES OF THE DEVOTION 369Venerable Servant of God, Bishop Sacrist an, Menochio;and the Venerable Servant of God, Father Bellesini.The first was the companion, Chaplain, Confessor,confidential adviser, and fellow sufferer of theillustrious Pontiff, Pius VlI. ?'he second, lived formany years, as master of novices and as curate ofthe parish of St. Mary's, at Genazzano. It would takea volume to record all the latter did, to spread devotionto Our Lady of Good Counsel. Born at Trent, heentered the Augustinian Order early, and experiencedall the vicissitudes through which it passed upon thecoming of the French to Italy, both at the period ofthe Revolution, and upon the rise of Napoleon. He sawhis Order disbanded, its members scattered, its propertyconfiscated, and its churches desolated. He had tofly. But neither adversity nor prosperity could separatehim from his brethren. A crust with them was dearer,than all the riches of the world without them. In hisnative land, he became prized for his zeal by the Austriangovernment, and was placed over the work ofeducation, - a work in which so much can be done forreligion and for souls. But the moment peace cameto the States of the Church, he left, all to join oncemore his brethren in poverty. Loving discipline withan ardent love, it is related of him, that even -henliving with his relations he made a cloister of hisroom, and there performed all the duties of a religious.As the eloqueilt historian of his life, Fr. Balzifiorewell says, he was U avid of common life B, the true,and indeed the only secure life for a religious whohas vowed poverty to his God, and must one day givean account of the practice of a virtue which he hasPIMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

370 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELsworn to keep through all his days. Therefore, asthe disturbances of the times did not permit perfectcommon life being practised in soine communitiesnewly reestablished, he deeaed it a rare good fortunewhen his heart's desires were realized, on beingplaced in the convent of Genazzano, where, in reverencefor the Madonna, common life had never oncebeen interrupted. Here the soul of God's servant developedunder the radiance of Our Lady's most wonderfulImage, into one of the fairest of the flowersin the garden of the Church. His heart, always innocent,always on fire with the love of God sad ofGod's Mother, now dilated still more; and he advancedwith giant strides in the ways of the saints.Virtue, that before was perfect, now became heroic;and as teacher of novices, and as parish priest, thecommunity soon came to know, that the long lineof the Augustinian saints was destined to have yetanother matured in the light of Our Lady of GoodCounsel. It would be a pleasing task, if the writerof this notice of this child of the Sanctuary of OurLady of Good Counsel, had space to do so at length,to tell of all his holy works. He was at once thefather, the servant, the spiritual guide, gentle butfirm, of his novices. He was then, the zealous pastorwho in very truth - a in deaths often B - generouslylaid down his life for his sheep. He spent hisage and strength freely for the souls committed tohis keeping. Miracles in life - miracles in death,attested his sanctity. He was declared Venerablesoon after his holy death; and it is with much consolationwe have heard, that his Beatification isPRIVATE USE ONLY

APOSTLES OF THE DEVOTION 371almost certain of being accomplished within a shortperiod.Genazzano is full of the fame of his miracles. Thewriter has seen a child, who while falling from thewall of the church of Santa Maria, was saved throughthe intercession of the Venerable servant of God. GoodFather Berio, who came to Genazzane but two.yearsafter the death of Bellesini, tells of several ; andwas eye witness of the cure of a lame man performedat the tomb of the Venerable, in the church of SantaMaria. This modest tomb lies by the wall side, not farfrom the Sanctuary of his beloved Madonna. He foretoldthe hour of his death and its manner; and his body,years after that event, was found perfectly incorrupt,and so identified for the purpose of his Beatification.The Venerable Menochio , a brother in religionand a contemporary of Bellesini, was Bishop Sacristanto the much persecuted Pontiff, Pius VII. Heshared in all the sufferings inflicted upon his masterby the atrocious conduct of the ungrateful Napoleon.He travelled also with the aged Pontiff through all thefatigues of his forced exile ; and both in exile andin Rome gave proofs of such heroic sanctity, thatthe necessary process for his being placed upon thealtars of the Church, commenced soon after his death.Devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel was, as becamea member of his Older, one of the leadingfeatures of his life. He strove by every means inhis power to extend it, especially by means of thePious Union, in all the places through which hehad to journey with Pius VII., and in the EternalCity. He provided for its permanent establishmentMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

372 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELin Anconat and no doubt took care that his saintlyprincipal should be filled with the same devotion - adevotion so needed then - and which may have beenno small part of the cause why the Pontiff was ableto meet the astuteness of the diplomacy of Talleyrand,the pride of Napoleon, and the long troubles ofhis reign , with such gentle yet firm inflexibility.Mary of Good Counsel alone under God could makehim equal to his trials.Tlie same devotion is extended by his saintlysuccessor, the present Bishop - Sacristan; and mostactively by the Subsacristan, the Very Rev. Fr. Pifferi- a veritable Apostle of its extension by means ofthe Pious Union. He is the agent for its spread inFrance, and is unceasing in his efforts to advanceit in every other country. The greatest delight ofthis good man's life, is to get away from the Vatioanto Genazzano, and when there to spend allthe time he can spare before the beautiful Image ofMary. His being amongst the living, prevents us tosay more of all he does for the Sanctuary and theglory of Mary everywhere.The above brief sketch will enable the reader toknow something of the Order, to which it pleasedthe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel to confide thekeeping of her most beautiful and miraculous Image.That Order has been most grateful for the trust, andmost zealous to advance the honour of a treasure ithas always esteemed as the rnost precious possessedby it. We have already seen what the General,Coriolanus, wrote regarding it, and how much wasdone for the Church of Santa Maria, the SanctuaryPRIVATE USE ONLY

APOSTLES OF THE DEVOTION 373and the devotion during his tenure of office. The zealof Coriolanus and of the whole Order for Our Ladyof Genazzano, did not die in that generation. It continued,on the contrary, to increase until the Shrineand the devotion became, as it were, c the veryapple of their eye B to them. In 1715, for the greaterdignity of the sacred Image, the Father General,Adeodatus Summanticus decreed, that unless for Princesof the house of Colonna, Bishops, and some otherdignified personages, the sacred Image should not beuncovered without the unanimous consent of all theFathers of the monastery. Subsequently, the FatherOeneral, Gioja decreed, that unless upon the feasts ofthe Translation of the Image, the Nativity, Annunciation,and Assumption of Our Lady, and the greatfeasts of Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, and the Epiphany,it should be not exposed at all to the publie;and that no priest, not a bishop, should be permittedto celebrate Mass before the picture uncovered withoutpermission in writing from the General himself.Neither was the Image to be unveiled at any time,save with all possible ecclesiastical pomp; with incensationsbefore and after, and with at least twelvewax candles of the larger sizes? lighted. The litanyof the Blessed Virgin and other prayers to be recitedor sung, were prescribed both before and after.The most Reverend General, Nicolantonio ScLaffinatihad the convent declared a generalitiate one,by Pope Clement XII. That holy Pontiff, on the ocrcasion of being supplicated for this honour for Genazzano,desired to know the reason why the Generalwished for so singular a favour for a convent inferiorMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

374 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELin size to many other Augustinian convents in theRoman province. a Your Holiness v replied the Generala If Our Lady Most Holy, after a long voyagefrom Albania to Genazzano, wished to confide herImage to the hands of the Augustinians, I feel itmy duty as unworthy Superior of that Order, to havea distinct care and zeal for that holy place, and topromote with your Holiness the lustre and honour ofthat Sanctuary, which ought to be the pupil of theeye of myself and of my religion. vUnder this General, the convent was constitutednot only a generalitiate one, but also a house of holyretreat; and in all the subsequent changes and vicissitudesof the Order, it never lost its preeminencefor the keeping of strict common life; and generallyalso as a chosen home where the Augustinian noviceswere trained in the highest sanctity under the shadowof Mary's Shrine.8. The General, Francis Xavier Vasquez, a Peruvian,was also a specially zealous promoter of the devotionto this Sanctuary. By his means, Benedict XIV.approved of the Pious Union; and upon its approval,the General ordered, that the Union so productive ofspiritual blessings to millions, should be establishedin every church of the Order. He built the sacristy ofSanta Maria, formed the choir, and improved the wholechurch, the convent, and the Shrine; and in manyways proved himself to be amongst the best benefactorsof the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel.The gratitude of the community of Genazzanoto this General is evidenced, by a beautiful marblePRIVATE USE ONLY

APOSTI.ES OF THE DEVOTION 375bust, and by an inscription to his memory which isplaced in the sacristy, and reads as follows.FRANCISCO . XAVERIO . VASQVEZIOPERVANOMAOISTRO ORNERALI . EREMITARVM S. AVGVYTINIOB . INOENTIA . BENEFICIA . CONLATA . IN . SACRARIVMTEMPLVM . ET . COENORIVM . IENAZZANIMARMOREAM . EFFIOIEMPATRES . COENOBII LIBENTI MVNERE . DEDICARVNTANNO . CHRIST1 . MDCCCLXXXVOBIIT POSTRIDIE KAL FEB EIVSD ANNI9. Subsequent Generals vied with each other inextending the devotion, and the prestige of theSanctuary; and as we write, it forms a foremostobject with the present ruler of the Augustinians,the Most Rev. Commissary General Neno , alreadymentioned, who takes the most lively interest in allthat concerns the Sanctuary and devotion to OurLady of Good Counsel. This he forwards by everymeans at his disposal, but more especially by meansof the Pious Union. Meanwhile, other members ofthe Order were not less zealous than its Generals,for the treasure confided to their care. It was, aswe have already seen, by means of Augustinian Fathersthat so many miraculous copies were broughtto so many places, as to Genoa and elsewhere; whilethe great preachers and theologians of the Orderalways rnake it a special study to advance the honourof Our Lady of hod Counsel by every meansin their power.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

376 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD, COUNSEL10. At the present moment the attention of thewhole Order is concentrated upon the Sanctuary.The church containing it, is being embellished witha new splendour surpassing anything attempted before.Every penny supplied by the Pious Union goesto the work. This source of revenue is providential,in view of the fact that the entire revenue of theconvent has been confiscated by the Piedmontese.While the church progresses, the services of theSanctuary are not diminished in grandeur. Twentysilver lamps still burn their olive oil continually beforethe sacred Image. The festivals of Our Ladyadvance rather than decrease, in the number of thosewho come to celebrate them, and in the solemnityof the celebration. Religious exercises take place inthe church at stated periods for the benefit of thepeople. The divine office is chanted at the regularcanonical hours of the day; and the rule of the Hermitsof St. Augustine is observed by a community,which if not so numerous as it used to be beforethe Italian Government took the convent and itsfunds from them, is yet sufficient for at least allthe needs of the Sanctuary. 'The present Prior, FatherMartinelli, is busily employed in finishing thepaintings of Santa Maria by means of the best availableartistic talent in Rome. His predecessor, Fr. Belgrano,greatly to the regret of the people of Genazzanoand of all who loved the Shrine, was translatedat the request of Pius IX. to the post of Confessorto their imperial Majesties, the ex-Emporor and Empressof Austria, as we have already stated. Hisleisure has been as fortunate for the Sanctuary ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

APOSTLES OF THE DEVOTION 37'7Our Lady of Good Counsel as his active life. It hasenabled him to give to the world a large volume onthe devotion, and to publish an invaluable manualfor the benefit of the pilgrims to the Shrine. Hehas added many thousand members to the Pious Union,in Germany and Bohemia. But to say the trutha as Father Buonanno observes B the whole Order ofSt. Augustine has nourished always, and still nourishesthe most intense devotion for Our Lady ofGood Counsel, and acknowledges as a work peculiarlyits own, the obligation of spreading Her worship;in as much as Providence, having decreed to confidethat Image to the care of the Hermits of St. Augustine,and so, having declared them depositaries andguardians of it treasure so precious, they in truth,have, as such, never been found wanting in zealto promote the glory of the Sanctuary and to extendthe devotion. There is not an Augustinian cloister,which does not live, and flourish under the shadowof Mary of Good Counsel. There is not a church oftheirs, without an altar, or a chapel dedicated to Her,and where the feast of Our Lady of Good Counselis not kept annually with pious pomp. There isnot EL religious, who does not nourish singular lovefor Her, who does not see Her in Her Image, everpresent to his mind, and who does not write andpreach the glories of this most sweet Mother. Naymore, there is not to be found one of them, who doesnot by every possible means endeavour to spread inthe minds of the fait,hful, devotion to Mary Motherof Good Counsel, and who does not induce them tojoin the Pious Union of Genazzano, the fountain ofMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

378 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELinnumerable celestial graces. In fine, we may say,that the love of the Virgin of Good Counsel is sofar, and with such good reason, inviscerated in thesouls of these religious, as to become the gloriousensign of all the Augustinian Order, which, thoughit was at a11 times reputed grand and illustrious, isnow, by such zeal for Mary of Good Counsel, adornedwith a new glory in sight of the Catholic world. v11. It was to this Order, therefore, - to the childrenof the great Doctor of Hippo, that Our Ladyof Good Counsel determined to confide the mostwonder-working and precious, the most faithful andperfect Image of Herself, the world has ever possessed.Their ruined Church in Oenazzano, was dear toHer on many accounts. It was dedicated to Her undera title loved by Her, and expressive of the abidingstrength in Her of the Holy Spirit of God, HerSpouse. It celebrated Her triumph over Venus, andover all the horrors of the abominable rites by whichthat fiend in female form was worshipped. St.Augustinetoo, was the first to celebrate Mary's heavenly praise asMother of Good Counsel. It was meet then, that tohis children, and to Oenazzano, Her sacred Image,destined to represent Her in all after ages underthat title, should come. The church of the AugustinianTertiary, Petruccia, was perhaps the only oneon earth, dedicated at the time to God's Mother, underthe title given to Her by St. Augustine. It was certainlythe only one, which under that title, celebratedMary's triumph, upon the very scenes of t5e orgiesof Venus. No fitter fountain therefore for devotion tothe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel could be selected.PRIVATE USE ONLY

.APOSTLES OF THE DEVOTION 379St. Augustine overcame the heretics of his day bythe Counsel he received from g Her, Who alone hasovercome, v through the medium of servants like him,c all the heresies that have ever appeared in the wholeworld. v To all other forms of error and force whichwar against souls, She opposes instruments, madeapt as he was, by the same Spirit of Counsel. In Herservant Scanderberg, we have seen, that She wasa formidable as an army set in battle array v to thehosts of the Infidel; just as in St. Augustine, Shewas to the intellectual foes of the truth of Christ.In Genazzano, She determined to give the graces ofCounsel and Strength necessary to overcome bothheresy and vice; and from Her throne there, and whereverelse She may be worshipped as Mother of GoodCounsel, to send fort11 for the defence of Christianity,champions like St. Augustine and Scanderbeg, tothe end of time.12. But though the Augustinian Order has beennaturally foremost in devotion to Our Lady of GoodCounsel, and to Her beautiful Image at Genazzano,it has been, by no means, tlie only religious bodywhich has been thus devoted. A devotion at firstspecially confided to a single body, may, as that tothe Sacred Heart for instance, soon go far beyondthat body, without, at the same time, being disassociatedfrom those who, so to speak, cradled it, andspread it in time to all the societies and individualsof the whole Church of God. The Rosary, the Scapular of Mount Carmel , the Sacred Heart, confidedby Providence to Dominicans, Carmelites, and Jesuits,are now as universal as the Church; and unquestion-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

380 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELably would survive the Orders through which theysprung, if these, in the order of Providence shouldpass away. So it is with the devotion to Our Lady ofGood Counsel, and ~f the Pious Union of those whoin the spirit of the brief of Benedict XIV., desire toh6nour Her throughout the Church.13. A most remarkable instance of this occursin the case of St. Alphonsus Liguori, and of the congregationof missionary priests established by him.These excellent men are remarkable for the fidelitywith which they adhere to the rule left them, andto the example of their learned and holy founder.No saint of the Church perhaps, is more widely known,than St. Alphonsus. His moral theology , and hisworks of a more scholastic kind, have made his namefamous in all ecclesiastical schools; while his smallerworks, intended for the instruction and edifioationof the faithful at large, are found in every language,and are used with unspeakable profit throughoutthe world , No portrait of any saint is moregenerally known; and it will be recollected that he isoften represented with a picture of the Madonnanear him. IIe had but one. He kept it nearly allhis lifetime. He never parted with it until his workfor the Church was done, until broken with age andsickness, he left his diocese to return and die withhis children in religion.14. The daughters of St. Francis de Sales, whomhe had directed for such a length of time in the wayof the highest perfection, were inconsolable at hisdeparture. When they found that they were indeedto lose him, their spiritual father, for ever, they asked(PRIVATE USE ONLY

APOSTLES OF THE DEVOTION 381some remembrance. Then, and then only, did theSaint part, as his Master parted from Mary , on theCross, with this beloved Image. He sent it to themwith this message a I leave you my heart. He hadnothing else he loved on earth to give: that Imagewas a copy, and a very beautiful one, of Our Ladyof Good Counsel of Genazzano.15. It would be easy indeed, from this fact, tounderstand the numberless lights and graces whichthe holy Doctor obtained from the Virgin Mother ofGood Counsel. In him, surely, that Most Pure Mothertriumphed ovor the foul efforts of the Venus of impurityin every shape, just as She did in Genazzano.From Her he drew those copious streams of learningand of wisdom which were destined to enlighten andto direct, in a manner never known before, theconsciences of confessors and of people. No tonguecan tell, no pen can write, the real, secret, silent goodeffected by this singularly devoted ckild of Mary,when, in presence of that little Image, he so muchloved, he wrote and sent out these works of his uponthe world. Only in the full flood of the light of Heavenshall we be able to see the power of the Mother ofGood Counsel, as exemplified in this Her favourite childfiom Naples - the city in which above all others, thesame Virgin Mother of Good Counsel is most honoured.To this day, from his far distant province, priests ant1people conie to Genaszano, for his spirit is uponthem. He not only used the sweet Image of Maryfor his own needs, but as a missioner and as a Bishop,he used it for the needs of those for whose salvationhe laboured. Miracles are recorded as havingMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

382 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELbeen performed by aid of his medals and pictures ofMary the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, one of which,being of peculiar interest, we shall mention briefly.At Avenzo, an aged and scandalous sinner cameto die. He refused the ministrations of the Priest.Nothing apparently 6ould save the unfortunate man.St. Alphonsus sent him a little image of Our Ladyof Good Counsel, exhorting him to have recourse toHer. The dying man at the sight of it, not only atonce returned to God, but to bodily health, and livedto do penance and repair his scandals.16. The same touching devotion was exhibited by theFathers of the Redemptorist Order, whom the saint leftbehind him. In Belgium and elsewhere these good missionariesestablished sanctuaries, formed on the modelof that of Genazzano; and that with incredible fruitfor souls. Other religious orders practise the same devotion;and to the writer of this little work in honourof Mary of Good Counsel, it was pleasing to hear froma venerable Father of the missionary Society of Marists,that the devotion was not new to them; and that itit was made known and extended by their present General,under whose sway the Marist Community has assumedsuch immense proportions; spreading not onlythrough France, but through Ireland, Scotland, England,America, Australia, and Oceanica ; keepingeverywhere to its primitive spirit, and to the essentialblessing of every religious order - common life withperfect discipline. A beautiful, special chapel is erectedat the novitiate of this Society near Lyons, where itsyouth may learn wisdom at the feet of the Madonnaof b d Counsel.PRIVATE USE ONLY

CANON BACCIl. Other Apaatlea. - 9. Devotion of Andrew Baeci, Canon of Bt. Mark's. -a. Hi8 wurk's. - 4. Hia celebrated letter. - 6. Image at Bt. Mark1#. -6. Hia death at the Sanctuary - Hir epitaphs.1. From what has been said in previous chapters,it is evident that the propagation of the devotion toOur Lady of Good Counsel, however much extendedby the Fathers of the Augustinian Order, or bymembers of other religious orders, or by canonizedsaints, has been in no sense confined to them. Pontiffs,princes, and people have all cooperated inspreading it. It is also, at the same time, true, thatperhap no shrine has received less assistance fromhuman means. It has, from the first, subsisted bythe very force of its own power; coming as that assuredlydoes from the Queen of Heaven; and preserved,as it certainly is, by Her continual favour.Whom She wills, She selects to advance it; and inthis, Her ways are in unison with the wonderfulways of God at all times, and all the world over.It is also a fact worth noting, that since theArst appearance of Her sacred Image in GenazzanoMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

384 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELuntil this hour, no efforts have ever been made toinfluence in any way the multitudes who come tovenerate it, in Mary's Sanctuary. They come andthey go. They stream before the Sanctuary, throughthe tribunal of Penance, before the Eucharistic table.They kneel for hours before the Shrine, often too,when the sacred Image is ,veiled from their eyes.But who they are, or why they come, none inquireand none can tell. Their departure, which so oftenreveals them bathed in tears, or crying outright onleaving the Sanctuary, tells of hearts eased and grateful;of hearts released from bonds of sin, and grief, andpain, which none but heaven may know.2. It was to a relief of this kind, that the Sanctuaryof the Madonna of Genazzano owed one of themost zealous - perhaps the most zeal.ous - of allthe apostles of Our Lady of Good Counsel, in thelast century. This was Andrew Bacci, a Canon ofthe Basilica of St. Mark, in Rome, who in a seasonof deep distress accidentaly came to the knowledgeof the wonderful power of the sacred Image of Genazzano. He went there, and obtained at once, therelief he had long in vain sought after. The .mercyof Our Lady of Good Counsel so moved him , thatin gratitude, he became a life long promoter of Herdevotion in the Eternal City; and, as far as he could,throughout the whole extent of Ihe Church of God.With all whom he could influence, with apostolicmissionaries, with ecclesiastics of position, and withall others capable of advancing the devotion, he metin the Centre of Catholicity, he never lost a chanceof diffusing by means of Images, pictures, and piousPRIVATE USE ONLY

CANON BACCI 385treatises his beloved devotion to Our Lady of GoodCounsel.3. His zeal animated the custodians themselvesof the Sacred Image with fresh ardour. Through hisadvice, a new registry of miracles was opened bythe Fathers in 1748. Through him, a beautiful properofice was composed for the feast of the WonderfulApparition , and is now recited in Genazzano ; inall the Cardinalitiate diocese of Palestrina; in thewhole Augustinian Order, and in very many diocesesthroughout the world. Be obtained from Pope BenedictXIV. the privilege to establish the Pious Unionof Our Lady of Genazzano in the church of SanPanialeo ni Monti in Rome. His zeal and liberalcontributions caused Ihe church in which the Sanctuaryis situated, to be furnished with costly vestments.The magnificent marble of the Rreat altar; the marblebalustrade; the rich altar of lhe most Holy Crucifix;the pavement; all came from his deep strong loveand gratitude to his Benefactress, the Virgin Moiherof Good Counsel.He further caused Father De Orgio to write ahistory of the Translalion and the Apparition of theImage of Our Lady of Genazzano , which has beenof mucl1 value to all subsequent writers on theSanctuary .4. We find in page 135 of that history, the followingletter from himself to Falher De Orgio, which .give:, in detail the reasons that led him to go toGenazzano, and the nature of Ihe relief he obtainedthere. His meeting with, and relieving a poor boyon the way is a singular circumstance; showing the%More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

38eTHE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELpower of charity. No one knows the nature of thetrial from which Our Lady delivered him. But thatit must have been a trial, real, severe and external, 4is evidenced by the word he uses a fatal. v Xre heregive a translation, AS near as possible, literally ofthis letter, to preserve the genuine evidence of simplietruth which marks the whole composition. Our readerswill find it not only deeply interesting, but abundantin its proof of all we have hitherto advancedin favour of devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel.It is as follows.c Very Reverend Father.8 Two things are required of me by your VeryRev. Paternity. The first is, to explain the r kn,or motive that led me to take such a deep interestin the Sanctuary. he second, to tell what graces orwonderful gifts I know to have been granted throughthe most venerable Image of Most Holy Mary ofhod Counsel, by means of the many copies on paper,given by me, and scattered throughout Italyand far beyond Italy.a With regard to the first; in order to satisfyto the full your pious desire, it is necessary thatI should make an open and most sincere narrationof all that which happened to me in the year 1734.And for no other object could I be induced voluntarilyto make this statement, except that it mayadvance the greater glory of God, and of that mostamiable and most wonderful Image, to which I feelmyself fixed and bound with all the affections,. andwith the most intimate feelings of my heart.PRIVATE USE ONLY

CANON BACCI 387(: In the month of December of the above mentioaedyear, I found myself so agitated internally by cetainfatal circzumstances which disturbed my mindand soul, night and day, to such an extent, that Iknew not where to turn, in order to find a properremedy. One day, which was precisely the '7'" of thepresenk month, having visited a certain house in whicha young person lived, who by a most painful contractionof the nerves, could not for eight years continuously,stand upon her feet, I found her completelycured, free from pain, and happy. Struck with suddenastonishment, I at once asked; how and in whatmanner was she cured of her grievous and painfulmalady. The good young girl then, with perfectclearness of language told me, how a few days previouslyshe had been brought to Genazzano in orderto receive through its most wonderful Image, thegrace she so ardently desired ; and that while shefound herself at the foot of the sacred altar, contemplatingand admiring the beautiful Image of Paradise,uncovered to her gaze, and listening to theLitanies which were being chanted for her at thefoot of the altar of the Shrine, she suddenly feltthe nerves of her feet loosen themselves and becomevigorous ; then, that her contracted members wereforced apart; and that there ran through her wholebody such an energy of motion, that she instantlywished to stand up and endeavour to move. In factshe did get upon her feet and found herself so vigorous,sound, and free from pain, that casting asideher crutches she commenced to walk, and thusreturned to Rome, after having first rendered mostMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

388 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELheartfelt thanks to her benign Liberatrix in Genazzano.a In hearing such a true and candid account, I,at that very moment, (which for me was a momentvery memorable) felt myself inflamed to visit thesame Sanctuary, and that too in such a manner,that I had a certain, secret, internal assurance, thatthere, from the most benignant Mother of GoodCounsel, I should obtain a salutary remedy for thoseills which destroyed all my internal peace. Instantly,without regarding the severity of the season, orany of the dangers of the journey; on that verynight, the seventh of December, the vigil of theImmaculate Conception, l took a carriage and setout alone for Genazzano.a And here I ought to let your Very Revd. Paternityknow of an agreeable event, which happenedto me on the way. About 12 miles from Rome, Iheard the coachman cry out to a poor boy who triedto sit at the back of the vehicle, that he should getoff. The poor child, only eleven years of age, tremblingall over with cold, then said Illat he had sorefeet, and therefore, for charity, he prayed to be allowedto remain. On hearing the plaintive, childlikevoice I dismounted at once from the carriage, andsaw the poor boy thrown on the ground, unable to getupon his feet, and all suppliant and trembling. Movedwith .pity and tenderness, I lifted him up and placedhim beside me in the carriage, covering him as bestI could with wrappers. I brought hinl with me todinner at my own table at the osteria of San Caesario,We recited the rosary together in the vehicle,PRIVATE USE ONLY

CANON BACCI 389and at the commencement of that rosary, he saidto me with an imperiously sweet tone of voice, thatI should always think of shying it every day. Afterthe rosary was over, he commenced to speak in thefollowing unexpected form and to say to me: a Forthat much charity which you have shown me thismorning, go now and you will have that gracewhich you are going to ask from the Virgin Mary. vSurprised and astonished at such unexpected expressions,I said to him, a do you know then where Iam going v He answered with frankness; a you aregoing to Genazzano to demand from the Virgin Maryof Good Counsel a grace which you need greatly;go by all means, and without any doubt you willobtain it. v I was then seized with unusual astonishment,in as much as the child did not know, nor humanlyspeaking under the circi~mstances could he know,where I was going to, or what motive was bringingme to Genazzano. Finally, we arrived in the neighbourhoodof the town, near the beautiful villa of theSignori Sonnini, where the road divides itself into twobranches, one of which leads to Genazzano, and theother to Palinno and the kingdom of Naples. I thenlooked again with wonder and tenderness to the goodchild. I gave him some pence in charity (as much asI could afford) to help him on his journey, and lefthim in holy peace to pursue his way to the Abruzzi,through which he said he was obliged to travel. Nowhaving gone on some ten or twelve paces in the carriage,there arose in my heart an ardent desire tosee t'he child again, and to bring him to Genazzano ,with me. But with all the diligence that I and myMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

390 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELcoachman could use, it was impossible to find him;although he could not possibly be distant more thanthree or four yards on a road long and straight. Iwas then more astonished bhan :ever; and havingagain mounted in the carriage, I soon found myselfin Genazzano where I was lovingly received by itsreligious.a Afterwards, at the proper hour , the sacredImage having been uncovered for me, I veneratedand worshipped it with all my heart, and with anextraordinary internal tenderness, asking of the MostHoly Mother of Good Counsel the great grace whichI sighed after, and which so much concerned me.And then I saw - and clearly saw, that the blessedImage towards the middle of the Litany which wasbeing recited, became suffused and enkindled as apurple rose. And I was the more confirmed in thesentiment of not being deceived by my sight, whenone of the good religious on taking leave of me said,that Most Holy Mary would, without doubt, grantme the grace which I internally demanded, becausethe holy Image uncovered, showed a countenancejoyful and roseate in hue. In fact on my return toRome, with the most lively confidence of having beenalready heard, I received immediately the desiredgrace; and with such and so great completeness, thatpresently my dark and sorrowful aspect changed;and consequently, there arose within me such peace,calmnesi, and quiet of mind, that I esteemed myselfthe happiest, and most fortunate nun in the world.a Behold then, ingenuously, and confidently unveiledto your Very Revd. Paternity, the motive, and thePRIVATE USE ONLY

CANON BACCI 391remarkable motive, for which I have conceived suchgreat devotion to the most blessed Image; alwayshaving it fixed in my mind to promote its venerationand estimation wherever I could.a %ith regard to the second part of your zealousinquiry, I shall tell you with equal ingenuousness,all that has happened to my knowledge in Rome,and outside Rome, by means of the same holy Image.U Inflamed, as I have said a little before, withlove and devotion for ihat great Mother of GoodCounsel, I con~menced forih - with to speak of Hermost singular prerogatives. With the experimentalknowledge of what had happened to myself, I commenced,by exhortations and familiar reasonings, toinfluence all, especially persons troubled and afflicted,to have recourse to the aforesaid Most Loving Mother.I also commenced to distribute to the devout, HerImages on paper; making on such occasions earnestexhortations to those who received them, to the effect,that they should keep them in their houses withbecoming respect, and that they should recommendthemselves to the Mother of Good Counsel thererepresented, with all their hearts and with a firmpurpose never more to offend the Divine Majesty forthe love of Mary. Thus continuing for the course offifteen years, I have seen wonders, and strange wonders,which, with all truth and security of conscience,I can attest, and always prove before any authoritywhatever.a 1 have seen by means of the devotion advocatedand established by me amongst the faithful,towards this most amiable and most pure Mother ofMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

392 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUKSELGood Counsel, and by means of large pictures givenby me, which at the present moment amount to thenumber of ninety seven thousand, I have seen Isay; peace reestablished in houses, in families, andeven in pious places; youth retiring from the slippery ways of the world and seriously thinking uponthe most important concerns of the soul and of eternalsalvation; and others leave and abandon perverseoccasions and inveterate bad practices. I have seenpeople almost reduced to dispair, opportunely savedby Most Holy Mary with Her Good Counsel, andother needfui and timely assistance. I have heard,that with the holy Images dispensed by me; somehave been liberated from chronic diseases; from gangrene,asthma, varicljse veins, violent flux from theeyes, through which they ran fatal danger of becomingblind; from difficulty of breathing; from rheumatism;and others from malignant and burning fevers withmany mortal symptoms. Wornen in labour devoutlyreverencing this sacred Image, have been happilydelivered: and some who could neither bring forth norconceive, after having applied for three or four days,this holy lmage to the breast have been most happily consoled. I have known, and securely understood,that besides the innumerable maladies of fever,of wounds, of acute pains, there were even incurablediseases suddenly healed by the holy Images dispensedby me. Many and many by this salutary means, andwith this same devotion, have been liberated on journeysfrom imminent danger of perishing, eitherthrough falls of a perilous kind, or through the plannedattacks of assassins, or evil designers, or by the flood-PRIVATE USE ONLY

CANON BACCI 393ing of rivers, as lately happened to Signor NiccolaPiaggi, courier of the cabinet of his Majesty the kingof Portugal. This gentleman having returned toRome last year narrated, in presence of severalcouriers and many others, how by means of an Imageof Most Holy Mary of Good Counsel which he hadsewed in his breast, he found himself saved mostwonderfully from the deadly peril of being submergedand drowned by a flood of water in a rapid riverof those parts, which he wished courageously to passby fording. Others moreover, have either gained certainsuits which they looked upon as lost; or foundthose in a good state when brought again, whichpreviously had been very badly conducted and judged.Others on havicg recourse to this most blessed Image,and to its powerful and most loving patronage, haveunexpectedly found deeds, zoney, and other objectsof consideration which they had given up as lost.And others, in fine, by the powerful favour and assistanceof Our Great Mother of Good Counsel havehappily settled their daughters in life and providedfor their sons. Finally, I have adaired, and known,and discovered, that many, by becoming devout tothis holy Image have wisely provided for theirspiritual needs, and reacquired the peace and tranquillityof their conscience; and that several who weremuch in dread of death, by placing before their eyesthis most blessed Image of Paradise were suddenlyenlightened, resigned, and placed in perfect calm ;that they disposed rightly of their temporal andspiritual affairs, and thus peaceably passed toeternity.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

394 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELa And since the graces and the wonders which ithas pleased, and always pleases Most Holy Mary togrant through these devout Images on paper, havecome to the knowledge of many far distant provincesand kingdoms, people there have prayed and besoughtme by letters and frequently repeated requests, to sendthem copies. I have thus sent very many of these holyImages again and again to the kingdom of Naples;t~ the Ecclesiastical States, to Florence, to Genoa,to Venice, to Lombardy, and even to Istria in Dalmatia;to Portugal, to Catalonia, to Brazil; and manyothers to Africa and tc America, by means of variousapostolic missionaries. And indeed here, I have hadthe spiritual contentment of seeing and knowing thatOur Lady, by means of these same Images, has workedeverywhere great wonders amongst the faithful whohave taken. up so profitable a desotion to Her.a 1 would never finish, if I were to recount theprofit, the glory, and the graces granted by Mary,precisely by means of Her dearest Images, of which, asI have said a little before, I have given away throughpure charity, and through the desire of making newdevout clients and children of the great Mother ofGood Counsel, over ninety thousand. And I alwayswish to dispense more, until God is pleased to takeme out of this mortal life. I conclude, however, thismy letter, by narrating succinctly one more prodigiousevent.a Perla Gradiglin, a young Hebrew girl, a child oft n years, of excellent mind, and of great promise ofgenius, on the 22nd Septr. of the past year was takenPRIVATE USE ONLY

CANON BACCI 305from the Ghetto and placed in the Conservatory ofCatechumens of this mother city of Rome, in orderthat she may embrace our Holy Christian Faith.After a few days she repented of what she had done.There was no means omitted by exhortations, instructions,prayers, and teachings to make her know anddiscover the great deception and battle of hell. Finally,I was called, in order that I should bring a devotionalImage of Most Holy Mary of Good Counselof Genazzano. 1 went immediately, and very willinglyI gave her the holy Image, and twice spoke to herof the graces and celestial prerogatives of Our Lady.Ordering however, that in the convent there should becommenced at once a novena before the holy Image,which the young girl frequently looked upon with tenderness.Thus it happened, that on the 5th day of thenovena, Perla called the Superioress, and she protestred not to be able to resist the divine invitations anylonger, and that positively she felt in these days ofthe novena, that her heart would break, if she didnot embrace the Holy Roman Catholic Religion.a There was presently a great jubilee amongst allwho heard such happy news: and now the good childwho has often upon her lips - Jesus, Mary, Joseph!disposes herself for baptism, and will be devoted anddeeply devoted for ever to the most wonderful HolyMother of Good Counsel.a I believe I have, at least in part and in brief,satisfied the anxiety of your Very Revd. Paternity;and I am ready even to satisfy it to a greater extent,if you command me. Meanwhile praying you toreccommend me heartily to that most amiable MotherMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

388 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELof ours, of Good Counsel, whom I hope soon to cometo visit: I am with all esteem. vc Of Your Very Revd. PaternityRome 2nd Feb. 1748The moat devoted and humble Servant:ANDREA BACCICanon of St. Mark. R5. The good Canon wrote this letter in 1748,and for ten years longer continued his unceasinglabours for his beloved Virgin Mother of Good Counsel,Who certainly had in him, no ungrateful child.In the Basilica of St. Mark, in which he held hisbenefice, they celebrate, as we have already noticed,to this day, the feast of Our Lady of Good Counselwith great pomp, and with a proper mass and office,on the 2nd Sunday of July. The picture of Our Ladyof Good Counsel placed in this Basilica by him, isreputed miraculous. Towards the close of his dayshe retired to Genazzano, so that he might be as nearas possible to his beloved Virgin Mother. There heincreased daily in sanctity and in fervour.6. Finally, he took up his residence at the convent,where close to the wonderful Inlage of Mary Whomno man loved or served better, he breathed out hissoul to God and to Her, just as the great feast ofthe Transfiguration of Our Lord was dawning uponthe world in August 1758. His body was interredin the Church of Santa Maria, at a little distance fromthe balustrade of the high altar, and within a fewfeet of the railing of the Sanctuary of his belovedPRIVATE USE ONLY

CANON BACCI 397Madonna. In gratitude for his services and his lovefor Ou~Lady of Good Counsel, the Prior and Fathersof the Convent at Genazzano placed a marble inscriptionto his memory, surmounted by his portrait,near the entrance to lhe kcristy. Another inscription was placed upon his tomb, which lately, inconsequence of the marble pavement recently laiddown over all the church, has had to be removed. Thislatter one, which possibly, from its tenor of humbledepreciati~m of himself, was composed at his desire,if noi by his own pen, ran as follows.ARDREW RACCIAN UNWORTHY SINNERCANONOF THE BASILICA OF ST. MARK IN THE CITY OF ROMELIES HEREDUST AND -4SHESIN THE TEMPLEOF THE DIVINE MOTHER MARYOF OENAZZANOHIS MOST PIOUS PATRONESSAWAITINGTHE RESURRECTION OF THE DEADAND LIFE OF THE WORLD TO COMEHOPINQ IN CHRIST JESUS83PRAY FOR MEHE LIVED LXIV. YEARS, 111. MOXTHS AND XI. DAYSAND DIED IN THE YEAR OF SALVATION REPAIRED 1758IN THE CONVENT OF ST. MARY, QENAZZANOON THE 5Ib DAY OF AUOUST ABOUT MIDNIGHT.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

398 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELThe community of Santa Maria placed anothertablet with the following inscription, which has beenlately inserted in the wall near the entrance to the.IChurch and facing the Sanctuary of Mary.INTEOERRIMO PIISSIMOQUE VIKOANDREA RACCIOBASILICA S. MARCI IN URBE ROYACANONIC0QUODCULTUMDEI OENITRICIS MARIAE OENESTANENSISDE BONO CONSILIO NUNCUPATAEPER UNIVERSUM TERRARUM ORBEMLATISSIMR PROPAOARI CURAVITEIQUE DICATUM COENOBIUMMAONIS AC FREQUENTIBUS BENEPICIISCUMULAVITPRIOR ET PATKES AUOUSTINIANIA. AE. V. MDCCLVIIIORATI ANIMIMONUMENTUMP.a The Prior and Fathers of the Augustinian Orderwith grateful .hearts place this monument in remembranceof Andrew Bacci, Canon of the Basilicaof St. Mark, in Rome, a man of the greatest integrityand piety, who took care to propagate most widelythroughout the world the worship of Mary, the Motherof Good Counsel of Genazzano, and who endowed withgreat and frequent benefits the convent dedicated toHer. 1758. DPRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter XMILDON STEPHEN AKDREA RODOTA1. Devotion of the Albsnians in Italy..- 2. Their coluny in Calabria.-3. Their Aportle, Don Stephen Andrcur Boduti. -4. Letter regrdinghi6 labonn from Don John Bramcis Aratu, to Father De OrgSo.1. It is a very remarkable circumstance, and,as we have seen, a proof of the nliraculous Translationfrom Scutari, that ever since the apparition ofthe miraculous Image of Our Lady in Genazzaao,the Albanians, not only at home, but in all the landsof their exile, have never ceased to regard it, thoughgone from Albania, as still and peculiarly their own.It is inseparably connected in their minds with theglory of their nation. They recall with pride thefact, that while it remained with them, no power,not even all the power of the Turks, could overcomethem. They are sensible that the reason why Maryleft them in Her Holy Image, was becaum of thelaxness, first in faith, and then in fervour and inpurity of life, not of all indeed, but of many amongsttheir ancestors. Hence, to-day, those in Albania whohave held the faith are amongst the most ferventCatholics in the world.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

400 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELOut of Albania, they and their descendants formany generations, have kept and keep the recolleotionsof their faith and fatherland; and demonstratethe most tender devotion -to the Madonna which' leftScutari. They come from all parts to venerate thesacred Image, even to this day.2. Amongst the many colonies of Albanian emigrants,which the generosity of the Pope and the Italianprinces established in Italy, after the Turkish occupationof Epirus and Illyria, that settled in Calabria,through the fostering care of its Dukes, is very remarkable.This colony long kept the customs, religiousand national, of its fatherland; and it is worthyof note, that when peace and prosperity produceda .decay of fervour amongst them , devotion to thefamous Madonna of their nation caused them, andindeed all their neighbours in Calabria, to return tothe ways not only of faith, but also of Christianperfection.3. This was effected by a fervent priest of theirblood, who became, like Canon nacci, an apostle ofthe devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel, in Calabriaand Southern Italy generally. Father De Orgio,when composing his Historical Notes of the Sanctuary,wrote to the best authority he could find in Calabria,about the nature and the effects of the singular zealof this devoted client of Mary of Good Counsel, named,Don l Stephen Andrea RodotB.l a Don P, which evidently appears to be n contraction ofthe Latin Dorninus, pr~fixed to the Christian name, is the usualtitle given in Italy to the members of the secular Priesthood,when speaking either to or of them. Titles belonging to oflicePRIVATE USE ONLY

4. Speaking on this point, Fr. De Orgio says;a Not wishing to give anything of my own, it willsuffice for me to refer here to the following full, anderudite letter, written to me on this very worthy. and laudable subject, by the illustrious Don John FrancisAvato, a most learned professor of the Greek languagein the flourishing Pontifical Corsini College,at San Benedetto Ullano v. The following is a literaltranslation from the original Italian of this letter,which gives in detail all that Father Rodoth did forhis people by the aid of Our Lady of Genazzano.or dignity are preflxed to the family name. Except, however,in the case of prelates, a Don v is the title used most commonlyeven when speaking of capitular dignitaries. In families it isseldom or never lost. Brothers and sisters will talk of theira Don Nicolo P or 6 Don Cfiovanni v even when the latter hasbeen for years a Monsignore, or even a Cardinal. There appearsto be the element of endearment in the name, as in that ofa Father v joined to the Christian name of a Catholic Priest,in Ireland, America, and the colonies. In Italy, as in all Catholiccountries, the word a Padre v a Father v is only used in the caseof priests who are members of a religious order. Should thelatter have attained the highest grade in Theology, they arestyled a Padre Maestro v - Father Master. While the latter title ris very commo~~ly in use in the case of the regular clergy, secularDoctors in Divinity are rarely if ever called, as with usa Doctor v. University titles in Theology or Canon Law are appendedto the name of the individual possessing them, as withus happens in the caae of literary graduates. We sometimeshere of (:Signor, Abate, Arciprete, Canonico etc. but the prevailingtitle is, even the case of these, a Don v. The same titleis given, as in Spain, but in a much more restricted manner, toseculars of a very exalted rank; as Don Philip, Duke of Paliano;Don Amadeo, etc. just as we hear Don Carlos. It is, in fact, thehighest general, secular title applied in love by a Catholic people,to their priesthood. It was probably flrst introduced, at leastcommonly, into Italy during the Spanish domination in the South.26More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

402 TIiE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELThe reader will find in it much of the complimentary,and round - about phraseology, common to Italian .epistolary correspondence in the first half of the lastcentury. But the writer deems it better to preservethis, than to weaken the value of the document, by .giving it in a more modern, and, perhaps, more readableform. It is as followsa Very Revd. Father.a The happy, unexpected information reached meduring the past month of the work which your VeryRevd. Paternity was engaged in composing, uponthe glories, and the immortal prerogatives of theholy and most august Image df Most Holy Mary ofGood Counsel; and this information, confirmed afterwardsin my mind by succeeding accounts, unitedto the many rare qualities which adorn your mind?and of which real proofs are found in the continuedexercise of the principal onerous offices sustainedby you in your renowned Order, - all this has filled* me with extreme joy; because of the particular devotionwhich this seminary, and all this countryprofess towards that celebrated Sanctuary. And thusI am stimulated to give you some remarkable proofsof the singular devotion which this province of CalabriaCitra has shown for that holy Image, and stillshows to this day. Hence I can, in some manner, inthe name of the Alumni and of the devout people, contributein a small degree at least, to the glories ofMost Iloly -Mary, by conlmunicating to you suchvaluable records as are here preserved.PRIVATE USE ONLY

a In the year, then, 1713, a noble germ of therenowned college of St. Athanasius in Rome, namedDon Stephen Andrew Rodoth, having heard frequentconversations amongst persons worthy of every credit,regarding the wonderful and unmistakable prerogativesof that holy and most blessed Image of Most HolyMary of Genazzano, which came originally from Albania,and of the miracles performed by it in itspassage to Italy, he found himself, in such a mannerinflamed with so ardent a desire to visit and venerateit, that without loss of time he betook himself to Genazzano, where he was received by thereligious of that period with the greatest welcomeand love; particularly when they found that he was apriest of the Greek rite, and by nation, an Albanian.The holy and most venerable Image was at onceuncovered for him with a special demonstration ofesteem. He was permitted to celebrate Mass at thealtar of the same holy Image, and to fully satisfyhis devotion and fervour by regarding and contemplatingit again and again, as one who wished tohave a vivid copy of it formed in the very centreof his heart.a After this ha returned to Rome; but so entirelyinflamed was he with love, and overwhelmed withtenderness for that great, most beneficent Mother ofGood Counsel, (Whom he often called the Madonna ofthe Albanians), that from that moment he commencedto conceive vast and holy ideas for the promotion ofHer worship everywhere, and especially in CalabriaCitra. He himself was a native of San Benedetto Ullano,in that province, although the family, Rodoth,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

404 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELenjoyed nobility in the city of Montalto, and werefavoured with many privileges by the most excellentthe Dukes, and were well known by many titles in allthat country. Wherefore - omitting the labour up tothat sustained by him as the most faithful companionof the missions of Father Baldinucci of the Societyof Jesus, so greatly renowed for sanctity of lifeand for his heroic, apostolic zeal, - with a copyof the above - referred - to most holy Image, he fled, asit were, after haring by his apostolic labours, andwith the above named most zealous Apostle of Italy,travelled through and sanctified many provinces andespecially the Romagna ; he fled, I have said, toSan Benedetto Ullano, and there commenced at onceto cause his zeal for the worship ef Most Holy Maryof Good Counsel to become resplendent with the ideaand the design well pondered upon, to sanctify bymeans of the holy Image, the Albanian colony morethan others, by bringing them back to the perfectionand first lustre and splendour of the Greek rite, whichfor want of subjects skilled in the Oriental ceremonies,was on the point of falling and of losing itsmajesty, purity, and decorum.a Now I cannot certainly express with the penin a few sheets, what and how great apostolic fatigueshe undertook, followed up, and sustained to hisvery death, to the great spiritual advantage of thewhole population, and of the devoted Albanian raceespecially. I could easily, of such an ample subject,form an entire work. I will, however, relate someof the most remarkable and valuable facts, in orderthat in the voluminous work which your V. Revd.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Paternity is about to send soon to the press, theymay assist in giving edification to the people , andin the increase ever more of the worship in truthof that most amiable, and most gracious holy Image.a The first of these facts is this; that scarcely hadthat zealous, new Apostle, elected by God for the sanctificationof that people, and for the propagationof the worship due to the Most August Empress ofthe Heavens, commenced with sermons, with panegyrics,with exhortations, and with assiduous familiardiscourses, to unveil the glories, and the singularlyhigh prerogatives of the most holy Image of Maryof Good Counsel, which came with such great andportent events from Albania to Genazzano; scarcelyhad he with well taken copies of the holy Imagewhich he always brought with him, commenced toinvite with apostolic words the Albanian colonies toacknowledge, and worship, and venerate their mostbenign ancient Mother of Good Counsel, than presentlythere became kindled in their hearts such aliving fire, and such a fervent love, that all gatheredwith one accord to see and admire so beautiful anddevotional an Image in all their towns and cities.All crowded to hear the voice of this beloved servantof Mary, who with such eloquent tenderness andzeal, preached, and assiduously evangelized upon thatnoble, holy, and delighful object. And hence werederived those copious heavenly graces, which at thecommencement, as the first fruits of these souls, weregathered. All the land of San Benedetto Ullano immediatelychanged its aspect. Peace once again flourishedin houses, in families, and in souls prone to re-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

405 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELvenge. Young women became such models of modestyand staidness of demeanour, that many of them embracedthe perfect state of the virgin consacrated toGod ; and all with a holy eniujation endeavoured toacquire a true devotion to Mary of Good Counsel. Andin fact, they did acquire and demonstrated this in thefirst magnificent temple erected at Ullano in honourof the holy Image brought there and exposed frequentlyupon the altar, by the aforesaid Don Stephen.But in this, the RodotB family distinguished theniselvesas much and more than all others, giving notonly generous sums of money for the erection of thetemple, but also providing, afterwards, precious vestments,chaplains, annual revenues, sacred vessels,lamps, and other very notable gifts. Hence to thisday is seen and admired in that locality, this firstmajestic temple erected to the glories of the greatVirgin and Mother of Good Counsel.cr The second fact is this, that in order to demonstratehow agreeable to heaven were tlie incessantapostolic fatigues of Don Stephen, and the singulardevotion excited in the souls of these people, especiallyof the Albanian colonists, Most Holy Marycommenced very speedily to work astonishing prodigies,and to dispense most signal favours worthyof everlasting remembrance. Of these a whole volumecould be written, as in fact many and many miracleshave been registered, and others are everywhere beingcollected and registered. I will here refer to two onlyperformed by the holy Image, since those first blessedmoments, for the beloved family of Rodoth, so muchinterested and pledged in extending its veneration.PRIVATE USE ONLY

The Lady Agatha Rodoth the daughter of Don Maurice- a man endowed with great probity and creditin that province, had a young son grievously dietedin the eyes by an acrid burning and pertinacioushumour, which already placed him in evident perilof losing both eyes. The most painstaking diligencewas enlployecl by the most skilful physicians to curehim , but it was always without effect or any advantagewhatever. At last the devout, noble motherhad recourse to Most Holy Mary of Good Counsel;and having anointed the eyes of her son with oilfrom the lamp which burned before the holy Image,presently his eyes became clear as at first, and heperfectly regained his sight by an evident miracle,and to the great astonishment of all. Thus also inthe year 1738, the Lady Rosa Carraschi , wife ofDon Luigi RodotB, found herself given .over by thephysicians, and in a state prepared to render her soulto God at every moment, so much so? that alreadythe matters necessary for her funeral were preparedby the domestics. At last, some of her near relationsresol~ed to present a memorial fillet1 with themost fervent expressions at the feet of the Inlage ofMary Most Holy of Good Counsel, in the above namedChurch of Ullano. This being done, even as onearises from death to life, the devout lady, Donna Rosacommenced at once to grow better, ant1 presently sawherself perfectly cured, to the great wonder of theassembled doctors, all of whom declared that suchan unexpected change could not have taken placebut by a most signal grace of Most Holy Mary ofGood Counsel.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

408 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELa The third remarkable occurrence which I havehere to notify to your Very Revd. Paternity, omittingthe account of the great prodigies there operated bymeans of the copy of the holy original Image, of whichI keep by me the sure documents , is, that fromSan Benedetto Ullano the devotion to Most Holy Maryof Good Counsel commenced so effectually to extend,amplify, and propagate itself, by means of the continualfatigues of the same Don Stephen, in so manyother cities, lands, and villages of that province,(where so many devout people from Albania found refugewhen obliged to fly, at the time their countrywas taken possession of by the audacious Turk,) thataltars were to be seen everywhere erected to MostHoly Mary of Good Counsel. Everywhere too, thisholy Image was called the Image of Mary of theAlbanians. Many and many copies were taken incopper, in prints, and even in scu!pture.Besides thespiritual proflt to souls, the rilost perilous and obstinatemaladies of their bodies were cured. The faithalso constantly increased, through the most tender and' most sweet discourses and reasonings of the beforereferred to, loving servant of Mary, Don Stephen Rodot&.In a little time, other new temples were erectedto the immortal glory of the blessed Image. TheLady oni in Theresa Caccuri, sister of his Excellencythe Lord Duke of Forano, a lady as illustrious forthe nobility of her blood, as she was for the exemplaryinnocence of her life, caused another church tobe erected imniediately after that of Ullano, (whichwas precisely the second temple of Mary of GoodCounsel) on her own feudal estate, excited andPRIVATE USE ONLY

moved by the sermons and discourses of Don Stephen,upon the singular luminous gifts of that sacred Image.This second temple, built by the same devout noblelady; endowed with magnificent revenues ; enrichedwith most sumptuous decorations; and provided withalwith singular munificence; - so great munificenceindeed, that when dying the Lady Teresa above-named, and really worthy to be well praised, leftheir to all her property, the same temple, erected inhonour of Most Holy Mary of Good Counsel. Theother temple was that commenced with great sumptuousnessand magnificence, but not yet terminated,in the country of Falconara ; and likewise anotheris seen erected with expedition and most perfectlycompleted in the district of San Giacomo, where tookplace that memorable miracle which I cannot passover in silence. It happened that a manual, or daylabourer, who was employed working and excavatingfoundations behind the church, in order to erect theretwo rooms for a priest or hermit was, all on a sudden,overwhelmed by a vast mass of stones which fellupon him , and he became buried alive under theirreparable ruin. Nevertheless, thanks to the mostsingular protection of Most Holy Mary of Good Counsel,many persons having gathered with the view ofextracting at least his corpse from under the vastmass of stones and earth, and after having withgreat fatigue excavated for four consecutive hours ,they found him, to their great anlazement and joy,not only alive, but preserved from any, even the leasthurt whatever. Hence entering into the before-namedtemple they rendered sincere thanks to Mary.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

410 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELa Many, certainly, were the apostolic and gloriousundertakings of Don Stephen, in all that great province,in order to found, and establish, and promotethe worship, aod the tender and most fruitful devotionto Mary Most Holy of Good Counsel. But then, hewith his clear mind understood and knew, that thegrand work commenced by him would never be prosecutedwith such fervour, or sustained with suchzeal, if in San Benedetto there should not be erecteda Pontifical College with its Bishop of the Greek riteas President, specially for the Albanian colonists.Therefore, he speedily prepared himself to undertakefor that laudable and holy object, a new voyageto Rome.a Having arrived in fact once inore in that HolyCity, the first visit he wished to make was to hismost loving and most sweet Alother, Most Iloly Maryof Good Counsel in Genazzano, Whom he ever hadwith wonderful sweetness upon his lips, and deeplyinlpressed upon the very depths of his heart. Hetherefore presented himself for the ' second time inGenazzano. With most copious and tender tears heworshipped anew the beautiful Image of Paradiseuncovered to his eyes. Before it, he celebrated Masswith intense fervour of spirit, and at its feet he lefta supplication or memorial written in Greek, butwritten with such profound sentiments of tenderness,of devotion, of doctrine, of esteem, and of love, thatit cannot be read without t.he most vivid emotion.He recolnmended with this most fervent supplicationto Mary, the great canse for which he had come toRome; and as he himself afterwards ingenuouslyPRIVATE USE ONLY

confessed to his friends, he saw in that moment, theholy and most amiable Image change itself graciouslyin colour, and become in countenance as a vermilionrose, florid and rubicund; and he heard thenindeed in the interior of his heart, a sweet, secretvoice which said to him, cc take courage Don Stephen,because if what you ask redounds to the glory andhonour of My Son, know that I will obtain it for you,and hear your prayer. v* It is true, that because of the very great andimportant difficulties which then arose upon the pointof the appointment of a Greek Bishop for the benefitof the Albanian Colonies, which Don Stephen alonehad promoted, both with the Congregation of thePropagation of the Faith, and with the Holy See,he was immediately compelled to place such a weightyburthen upon the shoulders of his brother, Don Samuel,a personage of singular prudence and learning, andto retire himself to his most beloved people, the Albanianrace, to extend and amplify much more theworship and devotion to Mary of Good Counsel.Amidst these holy and apostolic labours, rich in merits,and laden with a glorious conquest of souls, hedied a short time after. But still it is true, that bymeans of his prayers, as we piously believe, ic heaven,not only have we obtained the appointment of theaforesaid Greek Bishop, but further the erection ofa Pontifical College so ardently desired by him forthe Italo-Grecian youth. Thanks to Pope Clement XII.of holy memory, both these great benefits were gran&ed to that nation; and if in this land of San BenedettoUllano there is erected that majestic far famedMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

412 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELcollege as it is now seen, called the Pontifical CorsiniCollege, the first Greek Bishop-President of whichwas the aforesaid Don Sa~nuel RodotB, with the titleof Archbishop of Borea, and whose erection has beenalrea,dy confirmed by his Holiness Pope Benedict XIV.in the Bull de Ritibus Grraecorum. From thence havedeparted, and still depart Italo-Grecian alumni, sowell instructed in the purity of the Greek language,and of the Oriental ceremonies, and of holy and mostexemplary morals , that to them every Albanesecolonist acknowledges his greatest advantage ; andby means of them, the great devotion introducedby the zealous spirit of Don Stephen Rodoth towardsthe great Mother of Good Counsel in this fortunateprovince, goes on evermore increasing and extending;whence it is to be hoped that within afew years, will be seen and admired in every city,in every town, and in every Albanese colony, eithera new Temple, or at least a most sunlptuous altarin honour of the Image of Most* Holy Mary of GoodCounsel, copied faithfully from the most sacred originalwhich is preserved in Genazzano, and worshipped with such assiduous concourse of people as isdemonstrated on the greater solemnities of the year.a This is what I can at present with securitystate in brief to your Very Revd. Paternity; and youcan securely, if you so please, cause it to pass intoprint, since of all these things stated by me? besidesbeing public and manifest, and even well known topersons living and of standing, the clearest proofsare preserved in this seminary; and beseeching youto recommend me to the most sacred original Image1l1PRIVATE USE ONLY

of the B.Her mostesteem forI devoutlyV. of Good Counsel, (I being born underpowerful protection) with full and sincerethe merits of Your Very Revd. Paternitykiss the hands v.a Of Your V. R. Paternity.Your sincere, humble, and obliged servant,Don GIOVANNI FRANCESCO AVATOGreek Lecturer. 9Corsini Seminary of San Benedetto Ullano,14" February 1748. vWhile this chapter was passing through the press of thePropaganda, the writer was informed by his Eminence CardinalMartinelli that steps were about being taken to have declaredVenerable, another most zealous Apostlg of the devotion to OurLady of Good Counsel ; namely, Father Modestino, whom we alreadyreferred to in page 302 of this work. Father Buonannostates that during the life - time of this wonderful man, (for hedied a victim of his evangelical charity) he renewed the face ofNaples by his devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel. It was hiscustom to carry a copy of the sacred Image of Genazzano fromhouse to house in that city, and it is impossible to describethe number of families sanctified and the number of sinnersconverted through the sweet influence of Mary thus represented,and in the hands of an Apostle so zealous.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

THE PROPER MASS AND OFFICEl. Value of granting a Proper Masa and Office as a proof of the approvalof the Church. - 8. First Offlce granted in 1727. - 8. TheProper Offlce sought for. - 4. Delay in granting it to Loreto. -6. Genazzano more favoured. - 6. Investigation - Proper Mass andOfflce granted in 1789. - 7. Description of the liturgy. - 8. TheProper Offlce from the Roman Breviary. - 9. Its extansion throughthe devotion of many Bishops, religious orders, and peopls.1. The final, and the most emphatic seal of approvalwhich the Church gives to any devotion, is to arrangea special liturgy, and appoint a special festival forit; and then to command its Proper Mass and Officeto be used, under the penalty attached to the neglectof a Church law, by all, or by any portion of herchildren. All this she has done in the case of the devotionto the wonderful Image of the Virgin Motherof Good Counsel in Genazzano.2. So impressed, in fact, was the Church, by themiracles which for centuries had been wrougllt underthe very eyes, as it were, of the Vicar of Jesus .Christ; and so great were the spiritual fruits derivedby all her children, who showed - and they weremultitudes - devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel!PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PROPER MASS AND OFFICE 415that early in the eighteenth century, she took intoconsideration t,he question of approving a Proper Massand Office in honour of the nliraculous Image of OurLady, under the title of Good Counsel. Then, after thatmature deliberation, which always marks the actionof those commissioned with the government of theuniversal fold by the Vicar of Christ, an order issuedfrom the Sacred Congregation of Rites on the 12th ofJuly 1727, by which the clergy of the town of Genazzano,secular and regular, were privileged to celebratethe feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Theanniversary of the Miraculous Apparition was appointedfor the festival. Soon after, the same favour wasextended to the clergy, secular and regular, of Palestrina.The feast was then elevated to a Double ofthe Second Class, but without an octave.3. It must be understood , however, that thisprivilege only contemplated the usual, or, so to speak,comnlon office already arranged for the feasts of OurLady. There was not,hing in it which spoke of thefact of the Wonderful Apparition, even as a fact wellestablished by the evidences of human credibility.It is indeed certain, that unless the S. Congregation ofRites knew and believed this fact, no common Massor Office would ever be permitted. But to permit andto encourage amongst the faithful a well founded belief,known to be productive of the most certain spiritualadvantage, is one thing; and to teach, even uponhuman evidence, that belief, through the medium ofthe Church Liturgy, is another thing. In this lastparticular, the Church has been always most careful.Even though, most clearly, the matter may have noMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

416 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELelement whatever in it of divine faith; even thoughit relates to a fact ascertained upon the clearest humantestimony, about which there need be no moredoubt than of the existence, say, of Charles V. orof Napoleon Buonaparte ; still the Church is cautiousand more than ever cautious, when there is questionof a miracle. Not, certainly, that the Church believesmiracles to be impossibilities. If the miracle is there,she recognises it. Just as she recognises the historicalor the natural fact, she recognises and acknowledgesthe supernatural one. She knows nothing ofthe cowardice which fears the sneer of the disbelieverin miracles. She is not* afraid of the reasoning ofthe Atheist. But as little will She yield to the indiscreetzeal or devotion of the enthusiast. She knowsthat men may be deceived; and that where there isquestion of the supernatural order, they are morelikely to be led astray than in the merely naturalorder; and that, therefore, it is necessary to use theutmost caution. And so in all her courts, when proposalsare made to acknowledge supernatural occurrences,she has officials well skilled in Canon Law,in evidence, and in affairs, whose special duty it isto oppose by every means in their power all suchclaims. Hence the processes for the beatification orcanonization of saints, or even for the introductionat all of such processes, are hindered for years, andare often entirely prevented.4. A remarkable instance of this intense cautionis found in the case of the Proper Office and Mass inhonour of the Miraculous Translation of the Holy Houseof Loreto from Dalmatia to Italy, in 1291. No historicPRIVATE USE ONLY

TI114 I'ROPISR MASS AND OFFICE 417fact could well. be more known to, or more believedin, by the faithful; or indeed, better established inevery way. Pontiff, after Pontiff, had received miraculousfavours at Loreto, and shown magnificent signsof gratitude. Pilgrims flocked there, as at the presentmoment, from all parts of the world ; and yet,it was not until the reign of Innocent XII., - four hundredyears after the translation, - that a Mass andProper Office, in which any notice of the MiraculousTranslation was inserted, was granted. Even thenthe Proper Mass and Office were not permitted beyondthe province of Piceno.5. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Genazzano, hasbeen more fortunate than that of Loreto. The WonderfulApparition occurred in 1467. In 1727, the commonMass and Office was granted. On the lBth of December1779, finally, a decree of the Sacred Congregationof Rites was promulgated, authorizing inthe same manner as in the case of the Translation ofOur Lady's House of Nazareth, a Mass and ProperOffice.6. From the time the first of these favours wasgranted, until the Proper Office was approved, fiftytwo years came and went. In this interval the SacredCongregation caused a severe, critical, and, itmay be said, crucial examination, of all the proofsof the Mi:*aculous Apparition to be made. Two ofthe ablest archaeologists at the period in Rome, thebrothers, Calisto, and Cajetan Marini, Custodians ofthe secret Archives of the Pope at the Vatican, wereemployed to investigate all records, monuments, andtraditions, adduced by the postulator, for the PropernMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

4 18 TIIE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELOffice. The result of their labours, was a work of vasterudition and of great critical research, upon theinvestigations which they themselves made upon thespot, and which succeeded completely in placing thetruth of the Miraculous Apparition in the clearestpossible light. Therefore, upon a memorial beingplaced by Cardinal Archinto, based upon the statementsof the critical experts above mentioned, beforethe Sacred Congregation of Rites, the Proper Officecomposed by the Postulator, Fr. Daniel Marcolini, wasfinally approved by a decree bearing the signatureof Cardinal Marefuscus, the Prefect of the Congregation,under the date of Dec. 1789.We shall now, give the general reader a briefdescription of this Office; and then for the informationof Ecclesiastics, we shall add the Office itself in Latin,as approved by the Sacred Congregation.7. The hymn of Matins, composed to the metreof the Iste Confessor, is very beautiful. It is full ofallusions to the Miraculous Apparition, and to thenumberless maladies both of body and soul which werecured upon its appearance. 'The singular fact thatpublic calamities, pestilences , and the like, werealways kept away from the dwelling place, so tospeak, of the Image of Our Lady of Good Counsel.is expressly mentioned; Longe et aerumnas Latioimminentes Ipsa fugabat.The lessons of the first Nocturn are from theBook of Proverbs, and have a most distinct referenceto the gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Counsel, whichthe Church always teaches her children to look for,both in and from the Mother of Jesus Christ. ThePRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PROPER MASS AND OFFICE 4 19lSt Lesson is taken from the second chapter, from theloth to the 15"' verses inclusively, where the WiseMan teaches the value and use of wisdom, a If wisdomshall enter thy heart and knowledge please thy soul,Counsel shall keep thee, and prudence shall preservethee v etc. 'rho second Lesson is taken from the thirdChapter,from the 2 lSto the 261h verses inclusively, andurges perseverance in wisdom by showing its advantagesa My son let not those things depart from thyeyes, keep the law and Counsel V. The third Lessonis from the eighth chapter, from the 121h to the 171hverses inclusively, and is full of the praises of thatvirtue, which it is the special pleasure of Our Ladyto give to those devoted to Her Shrine of Good Counsel.a I, wisdum, dwell in Counsel, and am present inlearned thoughts. The fear of the Lord hateth evil.I hate arrogance and pride and every wicked way,and a mouth with a double tongue. Counsel andequity are mine; prudence is mine, strength is mine.By nle, kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things.By me, princes rule, and the mighty decree justice.I love them that love me, anti they that watch for mein the.morning early, shall find me. BThose, who ponder upon these words, will find howkntirely applicable they are to Rlary; and how con+forting it is, that gifts so heavenly, and so needecl byall having charge of others - abo~e all, by thosehaving spiritual charge - nlay be obtained inft~llibly,upon having recourse to the guidance of Our. Lady ofGood Counsel, whether at Gennzznno or in :In) other1oc;llity. Mary, the Virgin Moth~r of Good Counsel,may be found even in the secret of one's chan~ber.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

420 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELThere, certainly, every c leader in Israel W , everyPriest, and yet more every Prelate of the Churchof God can easily, after the example of St. AlphonsusLiguori, and of the great Popes, Pius IX., BenedictXIV., and Leo the XIII., have always withinsight, ready for use upon every occasion, an Image ofOur Lady of Good Counsel. Only the light of Eternity,a light which shines so soon, arid generally sounexpectedly, upon all arriving at the care of others,and above all upon those arriving at Prelacy, willever truly reveal the nunlberless blessings which such;I practice as this - small as it is, and simple, -has caused to flow, and will cause to flow, until theend of time, upon the people of God. That littlepicture upon the writing tiible, or above the kneelingstool, or on both, may be as small as the one solovingly held, ;1nd so long, by St. Alphonsus; but ithas, nevertheless, in the love of the heart whicb keepsit, and in the constant recourse to it which thatlove invites, a marvellous power. That light of Eternitywhich shines with such searching effect on thepast, upon the day of one's judgment, will tell howmany perils to eternal, and even to temporal life thepractice of habitual recourse to the little picture ofMary has caused the soul to escape. The false stepsavoided; the snares detected and shunned; the enemiesbaffled, converted, or removed; the froward softened;the difficult dealt with; the erring bl.ought back ;the little ones saved; the designs of the crafty andthe malignant defeated; the aids received; the powerto use the mild but irresistable charity and forbearanceof the Gospel with the strength of the saints,IlPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PROPER MASS AND OFFICE 421for the conversion, the care, and the preservation ofall; - these and a thousand other blessings will bethen seen to have come to those in authority, blessedwith devotion. even in such a simple way, to thisheavenly representation of Mary.'I'he Lessons of the second nocturn, are from theworks of St. Augustine and St. Fulgentius. They describethe dignity of Mary as the second Eve. 'I'he thirdLesson finishes after the manner of the third Lessonin the office for the Translation of the holy House ofLoreto, with an account of the Wonderful Apparition.It says. U And as there is nothing that is not sublimein this Most Holy Virgin, Whom the angel salutedas full of grace, it is not without Ihe action of DivineCounsel, that even Her images are held in thehighest honour, and are illustrated with prodigies andmiracles. Amongst these, that Image which appearetlwonderfully upon the wall of the church of the Fathersof the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, in the townof Genazzano and diocese of Palestrina, in the Pontificateof Par11 I1 , is principally honoured ; as isproved by Pontifical diplomas and monuments ofnearly equal weight. Movrcl by which facts, PopePius VI. conceded to the religious of the said towna Proper Office, to be recited on Ihe seventh of thecalends of May, (25"' April) that is to say, on thevery day of the Apparition; and then, upon the dayimmediately following, fised in future for its recitation,he extended it, to the whole of the aforesaidOrder, under the rite of a double mnjor P.The third nocturn is, of course, upon the Gospelof the feast, and consists of three Lessons, taken fromMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

422 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELa commentary of St. Thomas, Bishop, which speaksspecially of the incomprehensible dignity of Mary, asthe Mother of God.The prayer is, as that in the office of Our Ladyof Loreto, a supplication, with a simple allusio~i tothe fact of the Wonderful Apparition, asking throughthe prayers of Our Lady that we may come to enjoythe happiness of our celestial country.In the Mass, the Introit is the same as that used onthe joyful solemnity of the Assumption. The Epistleis taken from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, YXIV. 23,where the praises and rew~r.ds of those seeking wisdomare most strongly dwelt upon. a He that hearkenethto me shall not be confounded, and they thatwork by me shall not sin. They that explain meshall have everlasting life. W'The following is the Office postulated for, andgranted in full.DIE XXV. APRILIS.IN FESTOAPPARITION18 SACRAE IYAOINISB. MARIAE VIRGINIS DE BONO CONSILIODuplex secundae classis.Arl Vesperas; Antiphonu, Dum es~et Rex, cum reliquis Antiphoniset Psalmis ~ct in oflcio purvo B. M. V. et in fine,uniusc~ci~~sqrce Antiphonue additur Alleluio.Cilpitulurn. Eccli. 24. b.Ab iniciu, et ante silecula creuta sum, et usque ad futurumsaeculur~l non desinam, et in habitatione sancta coram ipso minietrilvi.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PROPER MASS AKD OFFICEHymnus. Ave maris stella.). Dignare me laudare te, Virgo aacrata, alleluia.@. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos, alleluia.Ad Magnificat Antiphona. Sancta Maria, succurre miseris,juva pusillanimes, refove flebiles, ora pro populo, interveni proclero, intercede pro devoto femineo sexu: sentiant omnes tuumjuvamen, quicumque celebrant tu~msanctam festivitatem, alleluia.Oratio.Bonorum omnium largitor Deus, qui Genitricis dilecti Filiitui specios~m Imaginem mira Apparitione clarificare voluisti,concede, quaesumus, ut eiusdem Beatae Mariae T'irgi~~is intercessionead coelestem patrinm feliciter perducanlu~.. Per eumdemDominom.Ad Completorium et per Horas in tine Hymnorurn dicitur:Iesu tibi sit glorla,Qui natus CS de Virgine.Ad Matutinzcm Invitalorium. Sancta AIaria Dei GenitrixVirgo * Intercede pro nobis, alleluia.Psalmus. Venite.Hymnus.Plaude festivo, pia gens, honore,Dum Cfenestani veneraris aedem,Qua Dei magnae Genitricis almsSplendet Imago.Haec ubi mira specie repenteObtul~t sese populis videndam,Multa mox secum bona ferre nostrasVisa per oras.Ipsa tunc aegris aderat, molestosCorporis morbos animique pellens,Longe et erumnns Latio imminentesIpsa fugabat.Virgo, quae magnis decorata signisNunc quoque effulges, miseris iuvamenAffer, et fusis p..tiens clientumAnnue votis.Sit salus illi, decus, atque virtus,Qui super coeli solio coruscansTotius mundi seriem gubernatTrinus et unus. Amen.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

424 THE VIRGIN MOTIIER OF GOOD COUNSELAlztiphonae et Psalmi Noctz~rnorum ut ilt Oficium ParvumB. M. V.IN PRIM0 NOCTURNO.j. Specie tua, et pulchritudine tua, alleluia.R). Intende prospere procede, et regna, alleluia.Du libro Proverbiorum.Lectio i. Cap. 2. i0. etc.Si intraverit sapientin cor tuum, et scientia animae tuaeplacuerit, conslliurn custodiet te, et prudentia servallit te, uteruaris a via mala, et ab homine, qui perveraa loquitur; quirelinquunt, iter rectum, et ambulant per vias tenebrosas; quilaetantur cum male fecerint, et exultant in rebus pessimis, quorumviae perversae sunt, et infames gressus eorum.R). Sancta, et immaculata Virginitas, quibus te laudibus efferam,nescio: * Quin quem coeli capere non poterant, tuo gremiocontulisti. Alleluia.9. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus Fructus ventristui. Quia.Lectio ii. Cap. 3. 21.Fili mi, ne eflluant haec ab oculis tuis. Custodi legem atqueconsiliurn, et erit vita animne tuae, et gratia faucibus tuis.Tunc ambulabis fiducialiter in vita tua, et pes tuus non impinget.Si dormieris, non timebis, quiesces, et suavis erit somnustuus. Ne pnveas repentino terrore, et irruentes tibi potentiasimpiorum. Dominus enim in lntere tuo, et custodiet pedemtuum, ne capiaris.R).Congratulamini mihi omnes, qui diligitis Dorninum; quiacum essem parvula, placui Altijsimo; * Et de meis vlsceribuagenui Deum et hominem. Alleluia.). Beatnm me dicent omnes generationes, quia ancillam humilemrespexit Deus. Et.Lectio iii.Ego Sapientia habito in consilio, et eruditis intersum cogitationibus.Timor Domini odit mnlum, arrognntiam, et superbiam,et viam pravam, et OS bilingue detestor. 3Ieum est consilium,et aequitas, mea est prudentia, men est fortitudo. Perme reges regnant, et legum conclitores iustn decernunt. Per meprincipes imperant, et potentes decernunt iubtitiarr~. Ego tliligentesme dillgo; et qui mane vigilant ad me, invenient me.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PROPER MASS -4XI) OFFICE 425N. Beata es, Virgo Maria, quae Dominum portasti creatoremmundi. * Genuisti qui te fecit, et in aeternum permanesVirgo. Alleluia.). Ave Maria gratia plena: Dominus tecum. Genuisti. GloriaPatri., Genuisti.IN SECUPU'DO NOCTURNO.*9. Adiuvabit eom Deus vultu suo, nlleluia.N. Deus in medio eius non commovebitur, allelaia.De Sermone S. P. N. Augustini Episcopi.In Natali S. Ioannis Baptistae.Lectio iv.Hominem concepit Elisabeth, hominem Maria; sed Elisabethsolum hominem, Maria Deum, et hominem. Mira res est, quo-modo potuerit concipere cre~tura creatorern. Quid est ergo in-telligendurn, frntres mei, nisi quia ipse sibi fecit carnem desola matre, qui fecit primum hominem sine patre, et matre FPrimus ille noster casus fuit , quando I'emina , per quam mortuisumus, in corde concepit venena serpentis. Persuasit enirnserpens peccatum, et admissus est male suadens. Si primus nostercasus fuit, cum femina concepit corde venena serpentis,non mirandum, quod salus nostra fact8 est, cum femina concepitin utero carnem Omnipotentis. Uterque ceciderat sexus;uterque fuerat reparantius. Per mulier.en~ in interitum rnissieramus: per mulieren~ nobis reddita est salus.@. Sicut cedrus exnlt,at;i sum in Libano, et sicut cypressusin monte Sion: quasi myrrh electa Dedi suavitatem odoris.Alleluia.). Et sicut cinnsmomum, et balsamum aromatizans. Dedi.De Serrnone sancti Fulgentii Episcopi.De laudibus Mariae ex partu Salvatoris.Lectio v.Quoniam Diabolus per serpentern Evne loquutus, per Evaeaures mundo intulit mortem, Deus per Angelom nd blarii~m pertulitverbum, et cunctis saeculis vitam effudit. Angelus sermonemeiecit, et Chriiturn Virgo concepit. Hoc splendore concipiturDei Filius; hac munditia generatur. De coelis Medicus transiensper Virginem, post transiturn suun~ illaesam fecit VirginemMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

426 THE VIRGIN XIOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELpermanere. Qui enim disrupta corporum membra in aliis poteratintegrare tangendo, quanto magis in sua Matre quod invenitintegrum, potuit non violare nascendo 1 Crevit enim eius partaintegritas corporis potius, qunm dccrevit; et virginitas nmpliataest potius quam fugnta.R). Quae est ista, quae processit sicut sol, et formosa tamquamIerusalem: * Viderunt earn 5liae Sion, et beatxm dixerunt,et reginne laudaverunt earn. Alleluia.9. Et S ~ C U dies ~ verni circumdabant enm flores rosarum, etlilia convnllium. Viderunt eam.Lectio vi.Maria quam preclarissimis tribus bonis suhlimetur, ausculta,salutationis nngelicae, benedictionis divinae, et plenitudinisgratiae. Sic enim eam legitur salutasse: Ave hfaria, gratia plena;benedicta inter mulieres. * Et ut nihil non sublime esset inhac sanctissima Virgine, quam Angelus gratia plenam salutavit,non sine Divino consilio fnctum est, ut eius etiam imaginessummo essent in honore, et prodigiis ruiraculisque clarescerent.Quas inter ea tribus ab hinc saeculis praecipuo honore colitur,quae Paulo Secundo sedente mirabiliter opparuisse in parieteEcclesiae pntrum Ordinis Eremitarum sancti Augustini in oppido Genestani Praenestinae dioecesis ex pontificiis diplomatibus,et supparibus monumentis comprobatur. Quibus permotus .Pius Papa Sextus pr'iefatis eiusdem oppidi coenobitis ofaciumproprium co~icessit septimo Kalendas Mains, ipso scilicet Apparitionisdie recitandum, ac deinde illud die, quae immediatesubsequitur, pro eius recitatione in posterum assignata ad universumpraedictum ordinem sub ritu duplicis maioris extendit.*. Ornictam monilibus flliam Ierusalem Dominus concupi-,vit: * Et videntes eam filiae Sion, beatissirnam prnedicareruntdicentes: * Unguentum effuvum nomen tuum, alleluia.). Astitit Regina a dextris tuis in vestitu deaupato, circumdatnvariettite. Et videntes.Gloria Patri. Unguentum.llIN TERTIO NOCTURNO.9. Elegit eam Deus, et praelegit eatn, alleluia.14. In tabernnculo suo habitare fncit eam, alleluin.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PROPER MASS AND OFFICELectio sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum.Lectio vii. Cap. i.Liber generationis Iesu Christi, Filii David, filii Abraham;Abraham genuit Isaac, Isaac autem genuit Iacob. Et reliqua.Homilia sancti Thomae Episcopi.In Cant. 2. Nati~. B. M., Cogitanti mihi, ac diu haesitonti, quid causae sit, quod cumEvangelistae de Ionnne Baptista et nliis Apostolis tam Iongumfecere tractaturn, de virgine Maria, quae vita et dignitate. omnes antecedit, ita summatim percurrant historiam; cur, inquam,non traditum est memoriae, quomodo concepta, quomodonata, quomodo nutrita, quibus moribus decorata, quibus virtutibusornata, quid cum Filio in humanis egerit, quomodo cumillo conservnta est. quomodo post eius ascensionem cum apostolisvixerit? Magna erant haec, et memoratu digna, et quaecum summa devotione a fldelibus legerentur, a populis amplecterentur.Quis enim dubitnt, quin in eius nativitate, et pueritiamira multa contingerint; et Puella haec in teneris annisstupendum saeculis virtutum omnium monumentum extiterit F@. Felix namque es sacra Virgo Maria et omni laude dignissima:* Quia ex te ortus et sol iustitine Christus Deus noater,alleluia.j. Ora pro populo, interveni pro clero, intercede pro devotofoemitieo sexu: sentiant omnes tuurn iuvamen, quicumquecelebrant tuam sonctam festivitatem. Quia ex te.Lectio viii.Haec mihi haesitanti, cur de actibus Virgiuis, sicut de actibusPauli, non eat compositus liber, nihil aliud occurrit (accusareenim Evangelistas negligentiae, sicut impium, ita ct temcrariumjudico) quam ita placuisse Spiritui Sancto, eiusqueprovidentin Evangelistas siluisse, propterea quia Virginis gloria,sicut in psalmis legitur, omnis intus erat, et magis cogitaripoterat, quam describi, su5citque ad eius plenam historiam:quia de illa natus est Iesus. Quid amplius quaeris? Quidultra requiris in Virgine? Sufficit tibi, quod Mater Dei est.R). Beatam me dicent omnes generationes: * Quia fecit mihiDominus magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius, alleluia.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

42% TIIE VIRC;IN MOTHER OF GOOD COUKSEI.j. Et mi~ericordia eius a progenie in progenies timentibnseum. Quia.Gloria Patri. Quia.Lectio ix.Non eam Spiritus Sanctus litteris descripsit, sed tibi earnanimo depingendnm reliquit, ut intelligas, nihil illi gratiae, autperfectionis, aut gloriae, quam animus in pura creatura conciperepossit, defuisae; immo reipsa intellectum omnem superasse.Ubi ergo totum crat, pars scribenda non fuit, ne putares, quodscriptum non fuerat, eidem forsitan defuisse. Si ancillas suas,et ministras domus suae potentissimus Dominus itn mirifice decoravit,ita donis, et gratiis venustavit: qualem existimas condiditMatrem suam, uriicam Sponsam suam, qunm ibi ex omnibuselegit, et prne omnibus adamnvit P Omnibus earn altissimuspraeposuit non solum virgineis, sed etiam Angelicis Clioris :quia Mater eius est, et Matrem Dei decet omnis celsitudo. Quidquidigitur de Virgine scire, aut intelligere cupis, totum in hocclnuditur breviloquio: De qua natus est Iesus. Haec longa, etplenissimn historia eius est.Te Deum laudamus.AD LAUDES ET PER HORAS,Anliphona. Dum esset Rex in accubitu suo, nardus mea deditotlorem suavitatis, alleluia.Psalmus. Dominus regnavit cum reliq. de Dom.Antiphona. Laeva eius sub capite meo, et dextera illius amplexirbiturme, alleluia.Antiphona. Nigra sum, sed formosa filiae Ierusalem ; ideodilexit me Rex, et introduxit me in cubiculum suum, alleluia.Antiphona. 1;tm hiems transiit, in~bcr abiit et recessit; surgeamicn mea et veni, alleluia.Anliphona. Speciosa facta es, et suavis in deliciis tuis, SanctaDei Genitrix, alleluia.Capitulum. Eccli. 24. 6.Ab initio, et ante saecula creata sum, et usque ad futurumsaeculum non desinam, et in habitatione sancta coram ipso ministravi.Hymnus. 0 Gloriosn Virginurn.9. Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis, alleluia.a. Propterea benedixit te Deus in aeternum, nllcluia.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PROPI

430 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELThe privilege of having this beautiful Proper Massand Office, has been asked for by several dioceses,where wise pastors have considered its value in promotingdevot.ion to the Virgin Mother of Good Counselamongst their clergy. Its use has, after a time,led to some dioceses supplicating the favour fromthe Holy See, that Mary, under the title of VirginMother of Good Counsel, should be constituted a specialPatroness. Many Bishops in Italy and elswherelabour to extend by this, and every means at theirdisposal, a devotion so profitable amongst all classes.It is easy to understand the benefit which suchBishops will derive from a work so raluable; awork which continues for a period longer than theduration even of Cathedrals , the praises of Maryin a diocese ; a work .which brings down alsofor generations, the unspeakable blessings of GoodCounsel lipon an entire fold of ,the Church of God.Very recently, the Archbishop of Prague and thefour bishops of Bohernia, joined in supplicating theHoly Fat her for permission to celebrate this feast, asat Genazzano. This was granted, on the conditionthat the day of its celebration should be the 26"' ofApril, so as not to interfere with the feast of St.hlark.Others in Germauy, have either supplicated for the sameprivilege, or are about doing so. It may be well to notealso, that several Prelates have carried their devotionto the Virgin Mother of Good Coullsel so far, as to placeher beautiful Image on their coat of arms. This hasbeen done by Monsgr. Gould, the present Venerableand zealous Archbishop of Melbourne; and by the latescholarly and enlinent C:~rdinal Archbishop of Malines.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PROPER MASS AND OFFICE 431Several religious Orders haye already obtained theprivilege of using the Proper Mass and Office; andamongst Ihem, is the now extensive congregation ofMarist Fathers. Other religious Orders are upon thepoint of supplicating for it; and amongst these latter isthe ancient Congregation of English Benedictines, thedevotion of whose yenerable President we have alreadyreferred to. We nlay hope then, that in a fewyears, the Proper Mass and Office, and with them,love, deep, sincere, and tender for the Virgin Motherof Good Counsel will be general not only in Italyand Europe, but also in all the lands where Englishis spoken, and throughout the whole estent of theChurch of God on earth.'I'he Nuns of the Visitation in Brooklyn haveobtained the favour of the Proper Mass t111.ough theVenerable Hishop of the diocese. It is, we have heard,on the point of being postulated for by the entirehierarchy of Ireland. Monsgr. Crane the zealousBishop of Sandhurst in Australia is, this year, seekingfor the privilege of having not only the ProperMass and Oflice, but also of obtaining the favour ofhaving his extensive diocese consecrated canonicallyto the Virgin Mother of Good Col~nsel.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

Chapter XB.INDULGENCES AT THE SHRINE1. Privileged Altars. - 2. Votive Proper Mass. - 3. Plenary Indnlgences.- 4. Partial Indulgences.1. The indulgences and other spiritual favours withwhich ille Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counselin Genazzano is enriched, are very nuiuerous, andprecious. Some date back, to the very generationwhich witnessed the Miraculous Apparition. Othershave been granted, as late as our own days. They?..re in all as follows.Besides the privilege of liberating one soul fromPurgatory evwy time Mass is celebrated at the altarof the sacrt>tl Image, - a privilege granted by Ale-:iander T71. to Fr. blariano, we find the altar of theSanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel made a a privilegedaltar P for every day of the year and forall pric~.;ts, secular and regular. This was granted byPope Gl.(>gory XIII. on the 6th of December 1653. Thesame remarkable favour was confirmed by Pol~c? BenedictXIII. on lGth of June 1725 ; and by BenedictXIV. on 14" of Deceinber 1751.PRIVATE USE ONLY

INDULGENCES AT THE SHRINE 4332. Furiher, by a rescript of Clement XIV. datedthe 16th of December 1771, permission was granted tocelebrate the Proper Mass of the Blessed Virgin ofGood Counsel, approved by the Sacred Congregationof Rites, on all days except on Doubles of the firstand second class, and excepting the conventual Mass.In this votive Mass, the Gloria and the Ite rnissaest, are said, although the Credo is omitted.Pius IX. also confirmed the above great and unusualprivilege,- a privilege not granted to the votive Mass,at the very tomb of the Apostles, at St. Peter'sbya decree of March 14th 1867. Moreover, whenevera priest should be impeded at the altar of the Sanctuary,it was permitted to celebrate the same Massat any other altar of the church, and with the sameprivileges.INDULGENCES.3. First. A plenary indulgence is granted onceevery year to all who shall visit the Church of OurLady of Good Counsel, and there, pray for the intentionsof the Sovereign Pontiff, after having confessedand communicated. (Clement XII. Brief Universis2 March 1734.)Secondly. A plenary indulgence on the ai~oveconditions, once only, in the year , may be ,cr ~ ;,ledby a11 pilgrims. (Benedict XII. 26 April 1742.)Thirdly. A plenary indulgence, once in the >ear,and applicable to the souls in purgatory, is granted toall, who being truly penitent, and having confessed andcommunicated, shall devoutly visit the said church and98More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

434 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELthere pray for some time, for the Pope's intentions.(Pius VIII. 8 February 1830.)4". A plenary indulgence is granted to all, on theabove conditions, who shall visit the church, on thefeast of the Immaculate Conception; and the same, onthe same conditions, upon the feasts of the Nativityof Our Lady , of Her Presentation, of Her Visitation,and of Her Purification. (Benedict XIV. Rescript14 December 1751 .)Fifthly. A plenary indulgence, applicable to theholy souls in purgatory, is granted on the sameconditions, to all who shall visit the church on theFeast of Pentecost; on the Sundays of the Monthof May; on the Feast of the Apparition, 251h April,or on any one of the seven following days, at theiroption; on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady,or on any day of its octave. (Pius VI. Brief.15Ih June 1782.)4. Sixthly. An indulgence of seven years andseven quarantines, is granted to all those, who atleast with contrite heart, shall visit on any day ofthe year, the altar of the Blessed Virgin of GoodCounsel, and there recite thrice, the Ave Maria.(same).Seventhly. The same indulgence is granted to all,who assist at the Litany of Our Lady, which is sungevery evening in that church. (same).Eighthly. An Indulgence of 300 days is grant4dto all, who before the Ilnage of Our Lady of GoodCounsel shall say; a Mary of Good Counsel with You,may your Son bless us. v (same).To the above indulgences are added the following,granted in favour of the altar of the Most HolyPRIVATE USE ONLY

INDULGENCES AT THE SHRINE 435Crucifixion, an account of which is given in theappendix.l." The Altar, is privileged on every day and forever, and for all priests, secular and regular. (Pius 1X.Omnium Sabatum, 7 June 1872).2." A plenary indulgence, applicable to the soulsin purgatory, on the usual conditions of Confessionand Communion, is granted to all who shall visitthis altar, on the Friday nearest Quinquagesima Sunday;or on any Friday of Lent, after the rising ofthe Sun, (except Good Friday), and there pray forthe Pope's intention. (same).3." The same, on the same conditions, is grantedto all, on the feast of the Exaltation of the HolyCross, from first Vespers until1 sunset. (same).The above indulgences, are confined to the churchof Santa Maria in Genazzano. The indulgences, plenaryand partial, which the members of the PiousTjnion may gain, will be found in the next chapter.To make the above indulgences more-sure, the guardiansof the Sanctuary obtained from the Sacred Congregationof Rites the following decree, which renderstheir authenticity beyond doubtU Sacra Congregatio Indulgentiis Sacrisque Reliquiis praepositapraesens SumnTl~rium Indulgentiarum, quRe tu~n EcclesiaeB. Marine Virginis de Bono Consilio in opp. Ienestani, tum Congregation?sub eodem titulo ibide~n erectne, concessae sunt, utiauthenticurn recognovit, typisque imprimi ac publicnri possecensuit,a Datum Romae ex Secreteria eiusdem S. Congregationisdie !25 Aprilis 1873. 9' L. Card. BARILI PraefectusLoco~SigniDovx~lcus SARRA Substitutus.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

lChapter XXLTHE PIOUS UNIONl. Feeling of loving regret, on the part of those who visit the Bhrinewhen leaving - Instances - Urban VIII. and others. - 2. An everyday instance.- 3. Bise, therefore, of the Pious Union.- 4. Ita advantagesfor those not able to visit the Shrine. - 6. Its duties. -6. Its approval by Benedict XIV. whu became its first member. -7. His example useful for pastors of souls and other superiors. -8. His Brief Iniunctae nobia in the original Latin and in English.-9. Value of this Bull, as warranting the facts of the YiracnlonsTranslation from Scutari. - 10. Example of Benedict XIV. followedby many. - 11. French Revolution. - 12. Present position of thePious Union. - 13. Increase of indulgences in 1860. - 14. Duties. -16. indulgences Plenary and Partial. - 16. Special advantages tomembers given by the guardians of the Sanctuary.1. One of the most remarkable features of thedevotion exhibited so tenderly, for ages, to Our Ladyof Good Colinsel in Her Sanctuary $t Genazzano, is,as we already, and more than once, have .had occasionto notice, the loving regret which all, whocome with the intention of honouring so benign andpowerful a Mother, experience when leaving HerShrine. Urban VIII., during his famous visit, was, as .we have seen, deeply moved on beholding this wonderfulImage, and while celebrating Mass at itsPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNI0.N&h7modest but beautiful altar. It was when leaving, however,that this great and holy Pontiff felt most. Heburst out into tears. The Electress of Saxony after herlong journey and long stay, was, upon the day of herdeparture, similarly affected, and, in fact, inconsolable.2. The writer of this, does not wish to speak ofhis own experience. At present, he can only saywith all humibty for his absolute unworthiness,secretum meum mihi. But he can speak of whathe has seen in others. And besides that which hehas related in previous chapters, he may mention oneother occurrence. Upon going one early morning to theSanctuary, he saw a Priest, who together with a familyof high position, had come a great distance to satisfya deep devotion. The good Father had not had the permissionnecessary to celebrate before the Madonna4 scoperta B (uncovered); but after he had said Massat the altar, (the holy lmage being veiled) with adevotion truly marvellous; and after he had communicatedhis friends; a pernlission which the Prior haspower to grant once every day , was given ; that,with all the usual reverence and ceremonies , thesacred Image should be unveiled. When, therefore,the twelve wax candles were lighted, and the prescribedincensation duly made, the co~ering was slowlyremoved; and when the almost divine appearance of theMother and Child beamed upon that Priest, it couldbe seen at a glance, that the Image was already deeplyengraved in his heart. He looked fixedly upon it, justas a mother might upon the beloved face of a childrisen from the dead. Long and earnestly he looked,and then his face began to swell, his body to tremble,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

4438 THE VIRGIN. MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELand he burst into a flood of tears. The same thinghappened in the case of every member of his party, aseach orfe drew nigh. And all continued thus weepingsilently, while the Image remained uncovered ; andwhile the Litany, the Salve Regina three times, andthe other prayers prescribed were said. When theceremony was over, and the beautiful Image wasveiled from their eyes, they remained long in prayerbefore the silent Sanctuary, and then reluctantlytore themselves away.Such an occurrence as this is so common, thatno one, - even amongst the guardians of the Sanctuary-, seems to notice it. But it has been repeatingitself for hundreds of years; and so it has happened,that in order to satisfy the desires of the devout, acustom sprang up amongst pilgrims to the Shrine, ofleaving their autographs - as it were portions of themselves- at the feet of Mary.3. Like that devout chronicler, who, as we haveseen in Chapter IX., from pure devobion, compiledthe register of miracles; each client of the Sanctuaryhopes to see once more before death, that beautifulvision of Our Lady; and to secure through Her intercessionthe certainty of seeing the glory of theOriginal, Mary Herself, in Heaven.And in truth, a I love those who love me v arethe words of Wisdom, which the Cllurch of Christa the pillar and ground of truth v ; the infallibleguide and teacher, attributes to God's Blessed Mother.Out of this tender necessity, then, of satisfying thedevotion of the loving clients of Mary, arose the PiousUnion of Genazzano.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNION 4394. But that Pious Union had another advantage.It extended to all those in the wide expanse of theChurch of God, who could not visit the Sanctuaryitself, all the benefits obtainable by those who could.It is true, as we have seen, that no copy of theMadonna of Genazzano equals the original, but thehearts of Christians can love that original everywhere,however imperfectly represented. They can keep andhonour a copy of it in their homes; and they canat least send their names to the Sanctuary, as atestimony of their love.5. The Pious Union, then, is, in the main, ameans of being constantly reminded of Our Lady ofGood Counsel; first, by keeping a copy of Her holyImage of Genazzano; and then by doing some littlething constantly in Her honour, after having sentone's name to the Shrine, where the heavenly originalImage is enthroned.Those who see daily in their homes, a beautiful,touching representation of God's Mother and HerLittle Infant, cannot but be brought to love Both,before long. If one does the rest; that is, if one saysthree Hail Marys daily, and offers a Mass or a Communiononce a year for the benefit of his fellowassociates, he fulfils all the conditions, and gains allthe indulgences and graces of God, which the Bullof Benedict, XIV. promises.And then, there is much love in these simpleactions in honour of Our Lady of Good Counsel.They bind all Her children, no matter where situated,to Her; and so it is, that though arising from thehearts of Her clients, in the first instance, the UnionMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

440 THE VIRGIN MOTIIEK OF GOOD COUNSELhas finally received the n~ost marked approbationwhich the Supreme Authority in the Church of Godcould give to any work.6. In 1753, the Pious Union of Genazzano, onthe petition of the General of the Augustinian Order,Father Francis Xavier Vasquez, was solemnly approved by a special Brief of the learned Pontiff, BenedictXIY. It was enriched by hi111 with many indulgences,which shall be given in detail at the end ofthis chapter. And the great Pontiff did much morefor the good work. He requested, that his own nameshould be the first inscribed upon the first page of itsauthorized register; and he wrote that name with hisown hand.U We receive B, he said, in a letter to the G*neral, a with the greatest pleasure, this page, and meesteem it much. In it we shall be ascribed 'to thisspiritual league, so that we ourselves may participatein so great a spiritual treasure P.And after ' that, even as the humblest of. itsmembers, the greatest of the Pontiffs of the lastcentury, kept his picture of Our Lady of Good Counselnear him; said his three Hail Marys, every day;and offered his Mass for the associates yearly.7. And he was right. Though all want the lightof Counsel, none require it more absolutely and fully,than those to whose care is committed the rulingand guidance of souls in the Church of God.So much depends upon all. their qualities; upontheir moderation, their charity, their knowledge ofsacred science, their vigilance, their forgetfulness ofself, their unwearied labour, their prayer still morePRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNION 44 1unwearied, their spotless lives, their patience undercalumny, persecution , and affliction ; their fatherlyheart, their devotion and unswerving fidelity to theCentre of Unity, their sinking of fleeting vanity, ambition,or jealously in .the grand cause given them tofoster, or destroy; their total hatred of avarice, and ofevery one of ihose passions by which the devil so oftentempts men, to make mistakes as terrible as the rnistakeof Eve; often as irreparable as that of Lucifer.All these, and far more qualities, are required tomake up the charactzr of any ruler in the Churchof God; but most of all of him who holds the loftiest,and consequently, the most dangerously exposedposition. Where can the light corlle from, that menplaced so high may not err? nlay not damage insteadof furthering the interests of Christ, and ofsouls redeemed by His Precious Blood ? Where ?From the Spotless Spouse of the Holy Ghost. FromHer, Who, as we have said in the commencement,crushes for ever the cunning of the serpent's head ; -from Her a by Whom kings reign, and framers of lawdecree judgment; B - from Mary the Virgin Motherof Good Counsel.'I'he wise Pontiff, Banedict XIV., when he attachedhis venerated name to the registry of thePious Union of Our Lady of Good Counsel, gave asplendid example to pastors of souls, and indeed toall those having the charge of others. In giving hisreasons for his act he has encouraged every superiorof the Fold to provide, that, like him, the childrenof God, each one for himself, might participate inso valuable a spiritual treasure.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

442 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL.In order to show his estimate, not only of thePious Union, but also of devotion to Our Lady ofGood Counsel in general, and his belief in the historygiven in this volume, we here give at length his celebratedBrief, Iniunctae nobis, in the original Latin,together with a translation in English.8. The brief Iniunctae nobis of Pope Benedict XIV.regarding the Pious Union of Our Lady of GoodCounsel in Genazzano.BENEDICTUS PP. XIV.AD PERPETUAM RE1 MEMORIAhiIniunctae nobis, qui supremas Pastorum PrincipisIESU CHRISTI vices in terris plane immerentesgerimus, Apostolicae servitutis ratio postulat, utApostolicae Auctoritatis partes, et Coelestium munerunlthesauros, quorum dispensationem imbecillitatinostrae credere dignatus est Altissimus, alacri,libentique anirno fideliter impendamus, cum ad magisaugendam Christi fidelium pietatem erga Beatis-IBENEDICTUS PP. XIV.FOR A PERPETUAL MEMORY OF THE THING.The account which we, who, though manifestly unworthy,hold the place here on earth of Jesus Christ, the Prince ofpastors, have to render of the Apostolic duty enjoined upon us,demands, that, with a free and willing mind, we should expendthe of3ces of Apostolic authority, and the treasures of heavenlygifts, the dispensation of which it has pleased the Most High toaccredit to our weakness, whenever we are confident that it wouldbe for the greater increase of the piety of the faithful of ChristPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNION 443simam semper Virginem Mariam Immaculatam , etprocurandam animaruni snlutem confidimus fore profuturos.Quoniam autem sicut dilectus Filius FranciscusXaverius Vasquez Frater expresse professus,ac Magister et Generalis Prior Dilectorum FiliorumFratrum totius Ordinis S. Augustini Nobis nuperexponi fecit, in Ecclesia sub invocatione Sanctae Mariaede Bono Consilio nuncupata Monasterii eiusdemOrdiuis S. Augustini in Oppido Genazzano dictoDioecesis Praenestinae reperitur Cappella , in quacolitur Effigies, sive Imago eiusdem Immaculatae 'Virginis Mariae de Bono Consilio, sicut pia ferttraditio per Angeloruni ministerium ex Scodra Civitateilluc olim translata. Ad hanc itaque VirginisEffigiem, sive Imagine~n venerandanl confluentibusundique ab initio Christifidelibus, et suorum compotibusvotorum revertentibus ob coelestium munerumsibi a misericordiarun~ Patre, et totius consolationistowards the Most Blessed ever Virgin hlary Immaculate, andfor procuring the salvation of souls. But since, as our belovedson, Francis Xavier Vasquez, a Brother expressly professed, andMaster and Prior General of our beloved sons, the friars of thewhole Order of St. Augustine, has lately made know~l to us,that in the church of the monastery of the same Order ofSt. Augustine, in the town of Genazzano, belonging to thediocese of Palestrina, and dedicated under the invocation ofOur Lady of Good Counsel, there is found a Chapel in whichis worshipped an Efflgy or Image of the same Immaculate VirginMary of Good Counsel, translated there formerly,'as pioustradition tells, by the hands of Angels from the city of Scutari.Therefore, from the beginning, the faithful of Christ, comingfrom every direction to this venerable E5gy or Image, and returningwith their souls' desires satisfied, because of the abundanceof celestial gifts granted by the Father of Mercies and theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

444 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELDeo per ipsius Virginis suffragia impertitorum copiamfactum fuit; ut Dilecti Filii Capitulum et Canonicinostrae Vaticanae Basilicae S. Petri ApostolorunlPrincipis eamdern effigiem sive Inlaginern, inqua Sanctissinli Iesu Filii sui Parvuli Ipsam a sinistracomplectentis etiam Effigies, sive Imago depictaconspicitur, duplici corona ex auro , quemadmodumin more positum est , die XXV Mensis NovembrisMDCLXXXII insigniendam curaverint. Exinde veroadeo erga Eanldenl Beatissirnae Virginis Rlariae deBono Consilio lmaginem auctus est cultus, ut hiscepraesertinl temporibus maiori , quam antea pietateaffecti utriusque sexus Christifideles omnium OrdinumGenazzanum concurrant ad coelorum Reginamvenerandanl, sive ob accepta beneficia gratias acturi,sive opportunam Eiusdem Virginis opem rebus suisimpetrrrturi. Nec defnere quam plurimi , sicut memoratusFranciscus Xaverius Prior Generalis pariterGod of all Consolation through the intercession of that same Virgin;it happened that our beloved sons, the Chapter and Canonsof St.Peter, Prince of tho Apostles, took care to adorn that Efflgyor Image, with which also the e5gy or image of the hlost HolyChild Jesus Her Son, embracing Her on the left hand side, isseen, with crowns of gold; and which crowns, according to customwere placed in position on the 25th day of November 1682. Butthenceforward so greatly did the worship increase towards thesame Image of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Good Counsel,that in these times especially, affected with greater piety thanbefore, the faithful of Christ of both sexes and of every gradein eociety, flocked to Genazzano to venerate the Queen of Heaven,either for the purpose of returning thanks for benefits received,or to implore the opportune aid of the same Virgin for theirconcerns. Nor were there wanting very many, as the aforesaidFrancis Xavier, Prior General, likewise caused to be explainedPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNION 445Nobis exponi fecit, qui longe dissiti, cum illuc iterumaccedere non valeant, enixe expostulare consueverunt;ut, quo omnium piorum operum, quae inibiin eiusdem Sanctissimae Dei Genitricis honorem ferequotidie peragi solent, quamvis absentes participesfieri possent , nomina eorum in volumine describerentur.Ea propter Superiores Ecclesiae in Monasteriihuiusmodi de nleniorati Prioris Generalis consensuinstituerunt Unionem quamdam, sive quoddam spiritualefoetlus eorum omnium, qui in dicto Voluminedescribi iam exorarunt , sive deinceps exora~erint,pro quibus, ut praemittitur, sive descriptis, sive describendisReligiosi praefati Monasterii, praeter quotidianapietatis christianae opera, obsecrationum suffragia,ac sacrarum laudum Cantica in Ecclesia dictiMonasterii praestanda et applicanda, semel in singulosannos Missam solemnem ad Altare- eiusdemVirginis de Bono Consilio in aliquo intra octavamto Us, who living far away, and when they were again not able toreturn there, were accustomed earnestly to demand, that thoughabsent, they may be made participators of all the good works,which in honour of the same Most Holy Mother of God werethere almost daily performed, by the means of having thelr namesregistered in a volume. On which account the superiors of thischurch and monastery, with the consent of the aforesaid PriorGeneral, instituted a certain Union, or certain spiritual compactof all those who in this volume had already desired to be inscribed,or who afterwards should so desire, for whom, na itwas promised either already inscribed or to be afterwards inscribed,the religious of the nforesaid monastery, besitles thedaily works of Christian piety, the suffrages of prayers, and thecanticles of sacred hymns, to be given and applied in the churchof the said monastery, there should be offered up once in everyyear a solemn Mass, which should be celebrated at the altarof the same Virgin of Good Counsel, on some on'e of the dayrMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

446 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELdiei Festi, qui incitlit in vigesimaquinta Mensis Aprilis,celebrabunt; atque per novem continues dies opportunotempore in singulos itidenl annos peculiariapietdis opera, et praecum o5cia exercebunt. Vicissimvero ipsi utriusque sexus Christifideles, sive descripti,sive describendi tenentur quotidie tribus AveMaria salutare Ipsam Virginem, eiusque cultum promovere,Imaginem quoque Ipsius, sive Effigiem domiservare, ac semel in anno unanl Missam ubicumquefuerint, sive celebrare, sive celebrari facere in quacumqueEcclesia , et Altari , quod propter eamdemMissam dumtaxat, erit tamquam Privilegiatum , sipossint, sin aliter Sacra Sailctissirnae EucharistiaeCommunione refici, atque haec omnia pro omnibusadscriptis , sive a.dscribendis mutuo applicare. Nositaque hanc Pianl Unionem sive Institutionem, quippequam ad maiorem Eiusdem Virginis Mariae cultum,ac venerationem fore cessuram in Donlino confidi-within the octave of the festival day, which falls upon the 25thof April: and that for nine continuous days, at an opportunetime each year, peculiar works of piety and o5ces of prayerashould be exercised. But in return, those, the faithful of Christalready inscribed or afterwards to be inscribed, are bound eachday to salute the same Virgin with three Hail hfarys, and topromote Her worship, to keep Her Image or picture in theirhomes, and once in the year to celebrate, or cause to be celebratedone Mass in any church, or at any altar (which altarwill be plivileged for that Mass only), if they could da so;but if not, they should receive the sacred Communion of themost Holy Eucharest; and all these things they should applymutually for all those inscribed already or afterwards to beinscribetl. We, therefore, in as much as we confide in the Lordthat this Pious Union or institution, will prove to advance thegreater wor&ip and veneration of the same Virgin Mary, andPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNION 447mus, quo firmius subsistat, tenore praesentium ApostolicaAuctoritate non solum approbamus, et confirnlamusatque inviolabili Apostolicae firmitatis Patrociniomunimus; verum etiam, quo maiora capiatincrementa virtutum, tenore et qctoritate paribusconcedimus et impertimur iisdem utriusque sexusChristifidelibus, sive adscriptis, sive deinceps describendir;,qui vere poenitentes , et confessi, ac SacraCommunione refecti fuerint eo die, quo vel absentes,vel praesentes adscribi contigerit, aut die Dominicoimmediate sequenti , sive Festo die Plenariain , aceisdern sive adscriptis, sive adscribendis in cuiuslibeteorum, et earum nlortis articulo, si vero poenitentes,et confessi, ex Sacra Communione refecti, velquatenus id facere nequiverint, saltenl contriti NominaIesu, et Mariae ore, si potuerint, sin minuscorde devote invocaverint, etiam plenariam ; atquein ortler that it may subsist more flrmly, by the tenor of thesepresents, do with Apostolic Authority, not only approve and confirmand strengthen with the inviolable patronage of Apostolicfirmess; but also, in order that it may receive a grater increaseof virtue, by the tenor aud authority of these presents, We concedeand impart equally to the same faithful of Christ of bothsexes, either already inscribed or hereafter to be inscribed,who truly penitent shall have confessed and shall have beenstrengthened with the Holy Communion, on the day, whetherabsent or present they happen to be inscribed, or on the Sundayimmediately following that day, a Plenary Indulgence: andlikewise to those inscribed or to be inscribed, in the ~rticle ofdeath of each one of them, if truly penitent and confessed andstrengthened with the Holy Communion, or in so far as theycannot do so, at least if contrite, they pronounce the Names ofJesus and Mary with the moutl~ if they can, and if they cannot,with the heart, also a plenary indulgence: And to those whoMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

448 THE VIRGIN JiOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELipsis, qui vel quae Missae solernniter, ut prefertur,cantandae interfuerint , plenariam quoque omniumpeccatorum suorunl Inciulgentiam , quam pro adscriptisin charitate Dei defunctis per modum suffragiiapplicare valean& plenariam itidem, ut praemitt itur,semel tantum lucrifaciendam in uno ex ante dictisnovem diebus; in reliquis vero septem annorum, ettotidem quadragenarum iisdem , qui praefatis operibusPietatis in dicta Ecclesia peragendis pariter interfuerint. Iis vero ubicumque locorum existentibus,et adscriptis utriusque sexus christifidelibus, qui velMissam celebraverint, vel celebrari fecerint, vel SacraSanctissimae Eucharistiae Communione refectifuerint, quamcumque Ecclesiam ea ipsa die visitan-tes, ibi pro Christianorunl Principum concordia, haeresurne~ti~patione, et Sanctae Matris Ecclesiae exaltationepias ad Dominum preces effuderint, plenariamquoque Indulgentiam, eti~m per modum Suffragii, utahall have been present at that Mass which is solemnly, or, ifpreferred, sung, also a Plenary Indulgence of all their sins, whichmay be applied by way of suffrage for all those ascribed whohave died in the charity of God. A Plenary Indulgence likewiseonce only, to be obtained on one of the before - mentioned ninedays, but on the other days, seven years and seven quarantines,to those who shall have been present at the foregoing worksof piety, in the aforesaid Church. But to those faithful of Christof both sexes everywhere existing and inscribed, who shalleither celebrate Mass, or cause it to be celebrated, or shallhave been strengthened with the Holy Communion of theMost Holy Eucharist, visiting any church upon that same day,and there pouring out pious prayers for the concord of Christianprinces, the extirpation of heresy and the exaltation of HolyMother Church, also a Plenary Indulgence which is also applicable,as has been stated, by way of suffrage. But as often as theyPRIVATE USE ONLY

TIIIC PIOUS UNION 449praemittitur , applicabilem. Quoties vero paupereshospitio susceperin t , vel pacem inter ipinlicos composuerint,seu componi fecel.int , vel procuraverint ,qui corpora defunctoru~n cluorumcumque ad sepulturaniassociaverint , aut quascumque Processiones delicentia Ordinarii faciendas, Sanctissirnumque Eucha-ristiae Sacranlenturn tan1 in Processionibus , qrlanlcu~n nrl infirrnos, quail1 alias ubicumque et quandocumquepro tempore deferetur, comitati fuerint, velimpediti, campanae ad id signo dato, semel orationemDominicam, et salutationem Angelicam dixerint,aut quinquies, Orationem et salutationem easdem proanilllabus defunctorunl huinsmotli recitaverint , autdeviunl aliquen~ acl viani salutis reduserint, et ignorantespraecepta Dei et en, quae ad sallit,em sunt,docuerint, aut quodcumque aliud pietntis vel charitatisopus esercuerint, toties pro quolibet praefatorumOperum exercitio sexaginta dies de iniunctis eisshall have sheltered the poor, or made peace between enemies,or shall have made, or procured settlements, or shall have followedthe bodies of any psrsons dead whomsoever to the grave,or shnll have accornpi~nied any processions made with thc licenseof the Ordinary, or the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist;as well in processions when carried to the sick or otherwise,whensoever and wheresoever, for the time it may be carried ; orif impeded, shall say once the Lord's Prayer and the Angelic Salutation,when the bell gives the signal for that purpose; orshall recite 5ve times the said Prayer and Salutation for thesouls of the dead; or shall have brought back any one to theway of Salvation; or shall have instructed the ignorant in theprecepts df God and those things necessary for Salvation; orwhatsoever other work of piety or of charity they shnll haveexercised; as often as each one of the above works are exercised,we relax sixty days of the penance enjoined, or otherwise inm3More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

450 +IIE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELseu alias quonlodolibet debitis poenitentiis in formaEcclesiae copsueta relaxamus. In contrarium facientibusnon obstantibus quibuscumque. Praesentibusperpetuis futuris tempori'bus valituris. Volumus autem,ut earumdem praesentiunl Litterarum transumptis, seu Exemplis etiam impressis manu alicuiusNotarii publici subscriptis, et sigillo Personae in dignitateEcclesiastics constitutae munitis eadem prorsusFides adhibeatur, quae ipsis praesentibus adhiberetur,si forent exhihitae vel ostensae.Datum Romae apud Sanctam Mariam Maioremsub annulo Piscatoris die I1 Iulii MDCCLIII PontificatusNostri Anno Decimotertio.IlocoSigni.CAIETANUS AMATUS.9. This is a most remarkable Brief, not only forthe favours which it confers upon the Pious Unionof Our Lady of Good Counsel, but, as we have be-any manner due, according to the usual form of the Church.Any thing to the contrary notwithstanding, these presents tobe of value for all future time. And we desire that the transcriptions,or copies even printed, of these present lettelus, eub-~cribed by the hand of any Public Notary, and confirmed withthe seal of any person constituted in Ecclesiastical dignity,el~ould have the same faith, which would be given to thesepresents if they where shown or exhibited.Given at Rome, at Saint Mary Major, under the seal of theFisherman, this Pd of July 1753, being the thirteenth year ofOur Pontificate.Place of Signature.CAIETANUE AMATUS.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNION 451fore observed, for the testimony it bears to the. claims of the sacred Image to be, what history andtradition represent it to be; and especially as havingbeen carried by Angelic hands from Scutari to Genazzano.Rome is guarded in speech and slow in approval;and certainly no Pontiff ever lived who couldbe more careful in the examination of the claims tosanctity of persons, or places, or things, than RenedictXIV., as his vast work on the Canonization ofthe Servants of God anlply And yet whatcould emanate, even from the Vicar of Christ, moretelling than this Bull, the whole tenor of which is anexhortation to devotion to the Virgin Mother of GoodCounsel. The Image is spoken of in a most tendermanner. The devotion of the past is taken up, islauded, is signed with Apostolic approval; and thenis enriched with plenary and partial indulgencesso great, that scarcely a parallel can be found, atthat period at least, of so many spiritual favours beingconferred on a mere written aggregat,ion of persons,not an order, nor even A confraternity.10. No wonder then, that after the exarllple of thisgreat and learned Pontiff, numbers hastened to availthemselves of privileges so easily obtainable. HisCatholic Majesty, the King of Spain, soon joined thePious Union; and he was followed by the Co1onn:rsand a host of other temporal magnates. Towards theclose of the last century, there were no less than onehundred and ninety thousand names enrolled as rnemberson the lists kept in the convent of Genazzano.11. But a break soon came. 'The torrent of theFrench Revolution passed over .Italy and over Europe,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

452 THE VIRGIN MOTIIER OF GOOD COUXSELoverturning the order of ages, the spiritual as wellas the temporal. The religious communities of theCatholic Church, 11ad to hear n large share of theshock; and, indeed, had not a Divine Hand sustainedthem, they would then have been, surely swept, andfor ever, from at least the revolutionized countriesof Europe.12. Rut they arose, when that storm had spentits force, in greater strength and purify than before.The ,lugustinians returned to their plundereti convent,which in its greatest treasure, the miraculousImage, its Shl'ine :tnd church, remained untouched;except in so far as it was robbed of its ornaments inprecious stones ant1 metals. The power of Mary wasthen as ever,' over Crenazzano; and beyond the theft.of the revolutionists, no evil occurred to the Sanctuaryor sacred Imnge. Soon, the strict discipline which inthe hours of their deepest distress, the Augustiniansalways religiously enforced in Crenazzano, becameonce more practised. Common life was observed. Thepraises of God ascended not only on public occasions,but at every canonical hour of the day. People andpriests gathered round the Sh~.ine as before, to glorifythe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel, and to prayto Her for the living, and for the dead.qTit1l this, the Pious Union once more acquiredits pristine vigour, and after 1821, soon swelled intosomething like its old proportions: anti subsequently,to a wide world extent, which it had not knownbefore.Through the Augustinian comnlunities settled inIreland and America, it reached, in part, these coun-PRIVATE USE ONLY

TIIIC PIOUS UNION 453tries, though it is n~uch to be regretted that its wayhad not been still broader. In Italy, Germany, Baveria,Bohemia, and France it has had an immenseextension. As before, persons of the highest Ecclesiastical and secular rank, are being numberedamongst its nlenlbers. Arnongst the latter, are princesof the Imperial House of Austria; and of theformer no less lofty narnes itrc recorded, than thoseof the late Pontiff, Pius IX. and his no less illustrioussuccessor, Leo XIII., whose names, as we hadoccasion to remark before, are inscribecl as xllerribersof tlie Pious Union on the boolrs of Genazzano.13. Having so far, tieated of the nature and historyof the Pious 'Union, we shall now esplain toour readers, in brief, all that is required to be doneby them, in order to obtain the spiritual benefits ofso valuable a means of serving the best interests oftheir souls; while, at the same time, showing theirlove to, and extending the glory of Mary, the VirginMotl~er of Good Counsel. It 157ill be seen, that theobligntions are very light indeed. And then, whilethey are light, they are of such a nature, that theheart, even of the most tepid Catholic, would alnlostinstinctively of itself adopt them. The first is tokeep in one's house, in one's bed room, or elsewherein one's dwelling place, a copy of the beautiful likenessof the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel. Then,if this be inconvenient, - if one should not have, forinstance, a house of one's own ; if one should livewhere it would not be well to expose the sacredImage; then it rnay be kept in one's trunk, in one'sprayer book, or otherwise, where it may be venerated,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

454 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELat convenient times. This simple act of thus keepingsuch a picture of Our Lady with the heart's love andreverence may appear to be little. But it is great,in its effect for good. It is lauded as a practiceby all that the Church of God ever said and didand suffered for the honour, which it taught, againstthe efforts of heretics, to be not only lawful, but praiseworthyand salutary to give to the representationsof God, and of God's Mother, and of God's saints. Itis a continual act of love, the same simply that promptsthe keeping of the photographs and other images ofthe dearest to us on this earth. We do not keep,at least in loving reverence, the likenesses of thosewe dislike. And then, this Irnage of Mary with HerInfant Child, - God Incarnate as He is - is so touchingin its tenderness, so benign, so heavenly, andyet so full too of human, nlaterilal sweetness, thatno one call contemplate it without being moved.If life then, remained always one, still, even flowof n~onotonous duty, there would be both consolationand profit in the possession of such an Image. Butit is never so. It has many seasons. It has sunshineand storm, scarcity and plenty, joy and sorrow;alas, more often sorrow, than joy. It is tried bysickness, and must submit to death. If it is foundsometimes in honour it has often to face shame anddisgrace. Ah ! who can tell, in the varied vicissitudesthat come upon it, the value of the Image of theVirgin Mother of Good Counsel. We read, amongstthe miracles recorded at the Shrine, how jealouslythe Queen of Heaven watched over one of these Images,which a beggarman had sewed in the inside ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNION 4%his hat. His poor clothing was the only house hehad, but the best. chamber in that house was given tothe Image of Mary, and Jesus Her Son. Heaven onlyknew what love and prayers and praise, that littlepicture drew from the heart of that poor man, justas heaven alone knew what an extent and what anintensity of holiness once filled the soul of the beggarmanwho is now known as St. Benedict JosephLabre. The appearances, which strike the world, arenothing in the reckoning of God. It is man's heartHe wants. The tinsel of the earth, its palaces,its refinement, the produce of its arts are nothingin the sight of Him, I~efore Whom a11 men areequal. We see the equality ourselves, when we cometo contemplate the skulls in the tombs of generationslong passed away. We cannot tell the master fromthe servant, the beggar from the monarch, the richfrom the poor. The love of God in man's heart, iswhat makes the difference in eternity - the difference,that is never to end. Whatever creates this lovethen, and leads to its greater intensity, must beamongst the most priceless treasures to be found inthis life. And we believe that for the Catholic, whohas always at least the inclination, the disposition,to love, and cling to God's Holy Mother, there arefew things we know of, outside the sacl.aments, more*capable of keeping him in the love of God when hehas it, or of leading back to the lore of God, whenhe comes unfortunately to have lost it, than the keeping close to his mind and heart in reverence andin love, this beautiful Image of Mary. Those who aretheir own masters, may kepp it honour in their homes.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

456 TIIE VIRCiIN JIOTIIEP, OF GOOD COUSSEI,Those who are in the service of others, Inay keep itin their rooms, if they can do so with convenience;if not, in their trunks, in their prayer books, or otherwiseat their option. The beggarnlan that kept itstiched in llis clothing, kept it, so as fully to satisfythis first condition, which is now required to jointhe Pious Union.It is true, that in Italy and other Catholic countries,rnany nlellzbers of the Pious Union who havehomes, generally keep their picture of Our Lady ofGood Counsel in very great honour. Its painting, oroleograph is. beautifully franled; and before it is a smallaltar on which is placed flowers, amidst which alittle oil lamp is lighted, at least on Saturdays and onall festivals of Our Lady. A kneeling stool is placedbefore the altar, and thus it fonns an oratory to whichall in the house have recoui3se from time to time,and before which, the family assembles for the Rosaryand other evening devotions. This does not preventeach individual from haring a picture in his room, andin his n~i~n~als of devotion. The Image so honouredoffers the falnily hon~age, as a family, to Our Lady ofGood Counsel. BII t however beautiful, laudable, anduseful, it is not necessaiy for lnelnbership of the PiousUnion. All required by this primary condition frommembcrs is, to keep a copy in the house, or with oneself,of the holy original of Geuazzano ; and then tointerest oneself in spreading devotion to Our Ladyof Good Counsel.14. The next condition, binds Inembers to recitethree Hail hlarys every day. This too, is very easyand simple. 'l'hose who are doing much for theirPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS TINIOS 457souls already, will find no difficulty in an obligationso trifling, yet necessary, to gain all the spiritualfi~v0ul.s granted to the Pious Union. But who cantell, what an influence for good it must have uponthose, who may have fallen away from other practicesof prayer, and perhaps haye liipsed far into sin.In the works of St. Alphonsus Liguori and of otherspiritual writers, we find many instances giren ofsinners saved by a practice apparently so very small.Neither faith, nor hope, nor indeed charity, howeversadly imperfect, can be altogether gone from the manwho holds in reverence and love, the picture of God'sMother, and will never give up the practice of thricehonouring Her for the mystery of the Incarnation,and thrice asking Her, to pray for him U now and atthe hour of his death.,.The case of a sinner knownto the writer nlay here be recorded. The poor manwas near death, but coultl not be brought to believe,that his end was so very near. No effort - and manywere made - could induce him to go to confession. Atlast, he cominenced his Hail Mxrys, and when he car&to ihe third he could not stop. He continued and continuedit, until at length the love of God's Mother ledhim to deep and fervent acts of contrition. He prayedalone on a hospital bed the whole night; and nextmorning to the silrprise of every one, he sent for hisConfessor and made what is to be hoped, was hisperfect peace with God. He received, in tears, the lastsacraments; and so passed to the Mother Whose love hewould never part with, in all his many and far wanderings;and Who so cleary prayed for him and thatefficaciously a at thc hour of his death. B The threeMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

458 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELHail Marjs, then, to be recited - when, and where, andhow, is left at the discretion of the member - everyday, forms the next necessary condition for gainingall the Indulgences of the Pious Union.The third condition is also a wholesome one, notonly for all the nlenibers collectively, but also foreach one individually. It must be remembered, thatthere are a great nunlber of priests in the PiousUnion. Therefore, it is said, that each member mustcelebrate one Mass, or cause one Mass to be celebratedonce every year, for the benefit of the whole of theassociates. If, however, he cannot either celebrate aMass or cause one to be celebrated, if he be poor forinstance , it will suffice to offer up the Holy Communiononce for the associates. Nothing further needbe said of the value of this sacred duty.Of course, all the three good works, - the retainingin love and honour a copy of the sacred Image withthe desire to extend the devotion; the daily sajingof the three Hail Marys; the offering of the Mass. ortlie Holy Communion are all to be done, for thebenefit for the associates living afld dead.In return, according to the tenor of the Brief ofBenedict XIV., those who are inscribed and faithfullyperform these good works, besides the many andvaluable indulgences plenary and partial, which weshall now mention, participate in all the good works -Masses, Comniunions, novenas , offices, pilgrimages,prayers, works of ch:irity, etc. etc. - which takeplace continually throughout the year at the Sanctuaryof Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano. Itmay be here, also, added, that in 1830, the indulgencesPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNION 459granted by the immortal Benedict XIV. were increased;and those again were amplified and confirmedby a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences,on the 25'" of June 1875. The following isa summary of all the indulgences granted to the PiousUnion as they stand at present.15. INDULGENCES AND SPIRITUAL ADVANTAGES GRANTEDIN FAVOUR OF THOSE INSCRIBED IN THE PIOUS UNIONOF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL.II. A plenary Indulgence, is granted on the dayitself upon which the name of the member is writtenin the book of the registry ; or on the next Sundayor Feast Day, on condition of going to Confession andreceiving the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.11. A plenary indulgence, applicable to the soulsin Purgatory, is granted on the five following feasts;the Immaculate Conception, the Nativity, the Annunciation,the Purification, and the Assumption ofthe Blessed Virgin ; and on any four Saturdays ofthe year to be selected at will by each person inscribed;- provided, that having gone to Confession andreceived Holy Communion, such member visits anychurch and offers prajers according to the intentionsof the Sovereign Pontiff, who conceded thesc Indul-gences.•111. A plenary indulgence is granted at the hourof death, if confessed and communicated, or not beingable to do so, if truly contrite, the inscribed membershould with the heart pronounce the Most Holy Namesof Jesus and Mary.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

460 TIIE VIRGIN h1OTHE;R OF GOOD COT'XSI

TIIE I'IOUS LTNION 461dicated to the Blessed Virgin, and there pray asabove. (same brief).VlII. An indulgence of seven years and as manyquarantines, applicable as above, is granted on everyday that the inscribed, with at least a contrite heart,shall be present at the public novena or triduum, orshall make the one or the other privately.IX. A Plenary indulgence, is granted to all membersif confessed and communicated, they shall assistat the Soleinn Mass, which is celebrated every yearfor all the inscribed, at the altar of the Sanctuary,on a day within the octave of the Apparition, whichfalls upon the 25th of April,. (applicable as N. 6)X. A Plenary indulgence (applicable as N. 6) isgranted to all inelnbers, on auy one of the nine days,from the 25'" of April inclusively, if they should assistat the novena which is made at Genazzano for allthe inscribed. On the other days of the same novena,an indulgence of seven pears and seven quarantines,provided that the conditio~ls be observecl as at N. 6.XI. An indulgence of 60 days is granted, every timethey accompany devoutly the processions, either of theMost IIoly Sacranlent to the sick, or of the dead toburial, or that they recite for the holy Souls fivetimes, Our Father and Hail Mary; or that they exerciseany work of piety or devotion, or mercy, orcharity, or procure peace between enemies, or correct,or instruct in Christian duties, or give alms.XII. Every inscribed member has part in themultiplied pious works which, in the course of theyear, are practised in the Sanctuary.All here stated, is supported by the chapters ofMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

462 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELerection in the above mentioned letters, and by thefollowing decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites.DECREEa The Sacred Congregation placed over Indulgencesand Sacred Relics, acknowledges the present Summaryas authentic, and considers that it may be printedand published. In the faith of which etc.a Given at Rome at the office of the same SacredCongregation.I. Card. FERRIERI Praef.Rev. P. D. Secretary MARIANUS MERLINI-NOLFI. vFinally, all the conditions necessary to becomea member of the Pious Union of Our Lady of GoodCounsel, and to gain a11 the indulgences and privilegeshitherto described, may be snmmed up thus; 1. It mustbe distinctly uriderstood that the association is oneof simple voluntary aggregation. 2. It is not a confraternity.3. None of its duties oblige under any sinor penalty whatsoever. 4. Admission to it requires noceremony. It is in fact an immense spiritual boon,granted by the Vicar of Christ, in favour of those whodesire to honour the beautiful miraculous Image ofGod's Virgin I\llother, translated amidst so many prodigiesfrom Scutari in Albania, to Genazzano. Allrequired, then, is as follows.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIOUS UNION 463CONDITIONS NECESSARY TO BE INSCRIBED.I. To go personally and give, or to send by post,or otherwise, one's name to the Very Revd., thePrior of the Augustinian Convent of Genazzano; in orderthat it may be written in the register of thePious Union.11. To recite every day, three Hail Marys.111. To keep with oneself, or in one's house, acopy of the holy Image of Our Lady of Good Counselof Genazzano, and to interest oneself to promotethe devotion. ,IV. To celebrate, or have celebrated one Mass everyyear, in any church, or on any altar (which by concessionof Benedict the Fourteenth, will he for thatone occasion privileged;) or, if being unable to say orget a Mass celebrated, to offer instead the HolyComn~union.V. 'ro apply all the above named works for allthe associates.16. So far, we have considered the Pious Unionas a purely spiritual league, to which no tax whateveris affixed, to which no subscription is paid, andwhich all, even the poorest, may join. In order, however,to find funds for the necessary improvements ofthe temple, the Sanctuary, and worship, the Fathersdetermined to add other and greater advant;lges for thespiritual benefit here and hereafier of all the nlenlbersof the Pious Union, who may assist these works;works so de

461 THE \'IRC;IN XIOTHER OF GOOD C0I:SSE:I.' now of imperative necessity, since the ltalian Government,with less open violence than the French Revolution,but with far more deadly effect, has despoil-4ed the Religious of every farthing of income, which atone time they possessed; both for their own support,and for the sustenance of the church and Sanctuaryalso. They have now, literally, nothing ~vhatever; so inorder to get funds, not, let it be remembered, for theirown necessities, but for the necessities of the church,the Sanctuary, and the necessary expenses of God'sworship, they now yrolnise to all the menlbers of thePious Union who may give them a mere trifle yearly,or its equivalent in a single sum, the following advantagesin addition to the other spiritual advantagesof membershipl." One hundred Masses are offered up each yearfor the spiritual and temporal well being of all theliving members; and besides this, in every month ofthe year, there is offered for the same intention atriduum, when a solemn Mttss is sung.2." One hundred Masses, are offered up each yearfor the ~llenlbers who are dead, and whose payments,of course have ceased ; and ,z triduun~ and solemnMass, are also offered every month for their souls.3." The members thus assisting, alone enjoy thefruit of the special prayers and Masses, which areoffered up through the year at the Sanctuary, anlongstwhich is the Salve Regina sung every night afterthe Litany, before the sacred Image.All these advantages, together with a certainnumber of special masses on the news of the deathof a subscriber reaching Genazzano, are given toPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE PIQUS UNION 465those who subscribe the sum of two shillings andsix pence yearly, (half that, or fifteen pence a yearfor the right to a lesser number of Masses at death)or who give thirty shillings (for the lesser number,fifteen) in one payment, which suffices for life. Thenews of the death of a paying member should be transmittedby the friends of the deceased, to the collectorof the locality; or direct to the Prior of Santa Maria,Genazzano, Italy, when the Masses will be at oncesaid. The deceased, of course, immediately commencesto enjoy the advantages of the hundred yearly Massesfor the dead, the triduums, and all the works carriedon as before mentioned to the end of time, for thebenefit of deceased members in general.On the transmission of the sum above stated, fromany part of the world to the Prior of Santa MariaGenazzano, Italy; by Post Office Order, or Draft onany hank in Rome; an answer with a paper of aggregationboth to the Pious Union and to the additionaladvantages secured to subscribers, will beimmediately forwarded.The letter may be in English, as an Englishspeaking Father is always in the convent for thebenefit of persons needing an English speaking Confessor.A father of the American Augustinian Provinceat present occupies this post; and attends tothe spiritual, and also indeed, with great kindness,to any other wants, of English speaking pilgrims, whonow come in large numbers to the Sanctuary.Any additional information which may be required,can be readily obtained from the Prior ofSanta Maria in Posterula, No. 143, Via Tordinona,90More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

406 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELRome. English speaking visitors to the Eternal Cityfrom any part of the world, can there also be directedas to the best means of getting to Genazzano. Whenthe Irish Augustinian students occupy San Pio, Englishspeaking Ecclesiastics desiring to celebrate Massat the Shrine may, upon application to the Prior,obtain hospitality amongst the community; and maybe also directed in the manner of obtaining from theGeneral of the Augustinians in Rome, the privilegeof offering the Holy Sacrifice before the sacred Imageunveiled. We here translate from Buonanno, a noticeof those who have been lately aggregated to the PiousUnion. He says. a To give the names of some, atleast, we shall notice the following: the Most EminentCardinal, Philip De Angelis, Archbishop of Fermo ,Cardinal Pacca, and Cardinal Edward Borromeo passedto a bett,er lefe; His Eminence the Most Revd. SixtusRiario Sforza of blessed memory, Archbishop of Naplesinscribed on the 25th of Juny 1873 ; Monsgr.Francis Pedicini, Archbishop of Bari, inscribed onthe l" of April 1873 ; Monsgr. John Acquaviva ofthe Oratory of Naples, Bishop of Nusco, joined onthe 16th of Feby 1873; Monsgr. Dominic Ramaschiel-10, Bishop of St. Agatha of the Goths, aggregatedon the 14'" of Septr. 1873 ; Monsgr. Francis XavierPetagna, Bishop of Castellammare di Stabbia ; theBishop of Foggia; the Bishop of Callurico; Monsgr. Negroni,Minister to Pope Pius IX.; and Monsgr. (nowCardinal) Francis Ricci. Besides, Monsgr. HerbertVaughan, Bishop of Salford in England, and otherdistinguished prelates have established the PiousUnion of Genazzano in their dioceses.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter XXILTHE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY1. The old church. - 2. The old alto-rilievo in marble of Our Lady ofGood Counsel. - 8. The Sanctuary. - 4. The church of Father FelixLeoncelli of Cave. - 6. Subsequent improvements - Works by OanonBacci. - 8. The convent built by Prior Bosca - The ejection of thereligious from it by the Revolntionists. - 7. Improvements byVasqnez and others. - 8. Consequences to church and convent onthe coming of the French and Bonaparte to the Papal States -Valuables contributed to their exactions from Pius VI. - 9. Newexactions of the French from the Pontiff and new contributions fromthe Sanctuary - Lists. -. 10. The French take Rome and carry offthe Pope to France - Final spoliation of the Sanctuary - List ofvaluables taken. - 11. Some objects restored - Fate of sacrilegionsspoliators. - 12. Santa Yaria during Napoleon's tyranny. - 13. Itsrise on the return of Pins VII. - 14. Improvements effected by FatherFanucchi. - 16. Oardinal Pedicini renovater the Sanctuary -Its fresws and artists.1. After all we have hitherto said of the Sanctnary of Genazzano, a glance at the varied fortunesof the celebrated temple in which it is found, cannotfail to interest our readers. Those whose good fortunemay enable them to visit the Shrine, will look forthis; and indeed, it is necessary in order to completelyunderstand the history which is here given. Itmust be always remembered that it was the conditionMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

488 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL -of the temple in 1467, which led, proximately atleast, to the coming of the sacred Image within itsunfinished walls. It had an interesting history previously.We have seen, that by the care of Pope St. MarkI., the first Christian temple built over the ruins ofthe worship of Venus and Robigo in Genazzano, wasone dedicated to the Mother of God, under the titleof Our Lady of Good Counsel. In that temple, fora thousand years before Prince Giordan Colonna calledthe Augustinians to its care, the people of Latiumassembled on the old feast days of heathenism, toworship the Most Pure Mother of God. Eleven hundredyears came and went from its foundation, to thetime when the holy woman, Petruccia, became inspiredto prepare a better home on its site, for the Queen ofHeaven. We cannot follow all the fortunes of the oldedifice, during those long years. It is certain, thatall its guardians were not as careful of it, as couldbe desired ; otherwise, Prince Colonna mould nothave been so anxious for the change which he effected,and which put, practically, the jus patronatusout of the power of his family. But it is equally. certain, that great devotion was at all times manifestedin it, to Our Lady of Good Counsel.2. A proof of this exists in the very beautifulalto-rilievo of the Virgin and Child, which must havebeen executed at a rather early period; possibly acentury or two after the erection of the first church.It is still preserved in a domestic chapel of the convent;and indeed so great was the devotion of the people toit, that for a long time after the coming of the sa-PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY 469cred Image from Scutari, it yet retained its positionin the church. It was not removed until as lateas 1629, when the present edifice was rebuilt. Itmust have been executed by no ordinary artist, andmay be said to be a wonder, for the age to whichit is commonly ascribed. The face of the Virgin ismost gracious; She is represented sitting, with a veilcovering the head, and falling negligently upon theshoulders. The Divine Infant is represented naked,and standing by Her side, with His body and armsleaning towards His Mother's knee. The sweetness ofthe Child's face is very remarkable, and the look oftender love the Mother gives Him, shows astonishingpower in the artist, at a period, when art had muchdecayed. The visitor to the Shrine should not departwithout a visit to the little chapel, containing suchan interesting and ancient, as well as devotionalsculpture.We have already seen, with what speed thechurch of Petruccia advanced to completion, after thecoming of the miraculous Image. Although it wasconstructed from designs, as Senni thinks, by thearchitect of the fine convent of San Pio, the samewho also, as is generally believed , constructed thelordly castle of the Colonnas, that church was, fromthe peculiar position it occupied, very defective inform. It ran crosswise; and the still older church ofSt. Mark, formed a kind of vestibule to it; while itschief entrance faced the narrowest of the present sidestreets. 'I'he architect had to respect the foundationslaid by Petruccia, and also the line of the streets;while he had, at the same time, to save for use, asMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

470 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELmuch of the old building as possible. The sacredImage remained as it came, suspended in the air; andof course, his first care was to provide a covering forit. This he did at once; and in a manner which showsa master mind and a full Catholic heart. The tribuneerected by him, chiefly, it is said by some, at the chargeof the Colonna family, stands to this day. It has beenembellished and strongly enclosed; but neither the originaldesign, nor the richness of the material could beimproved upon. It is said, that the architect ornamentedthe edifice elaborately, to make up for other defects;but it was irregular and wanting in light; andafter about one hundred and fifty years, the Fathersof the convent, had to think seriously of erectinganother in its stead. This they did, chiefly through theunwearied energy and zeal of the Prior at the period,Father Felix Leoncelli, of Cave, who left nothingundone. to obtain offerings from the Colonna familyand the wealthiest inhabitants of Genazzano, as wellas from the pilgrims to the Shrine, and the faithfulof the surrounding territory and of the Abruzzi. Innine years he rebuilt Santa Maria anew, and in theform in which it is now to be seen. The older templeof Petruccia disappeared, and with it an immensenumber of votive offerings and inscriptions whichcovered its venerable walls and floor.3. The new edifice consists of a wide nave, andtwo side aisles. What we would call a chancel, isformed by the extension of the nave some fifty feet,and in this is found the high altar, with a finechoir behind, and an ample sanctuary in front, enclosedby a balustrade of polished marble.mPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY 471At the end of the aisle on the Gospel side, standsthe magnificent Shrine and Sanctuary of the Madonna;and at the extremity of the other aisle, is analtar richly decorated, where stands the miraculousCrucifix. Side altars are erected in both aisles, inplace of the chapels which existed in the old edifice.4. Little, substantially, if we except the facaderenewed recently, and some buttresses to one of theexternal walls, has been added to the edifice of PriorLeoncelli, of Cave. As soon, however, as his work wascompleted, gifts for furnishing and for decorations,began to pour in upon the temple, in honour of theSanctuary of the Madonna. Thus, the fine organ waserected in 1633, and restored in 1735, by Cesare Calarinozzi.Cardinal Albano, in 1734, placed the presentprecious altar and Shrine for the sacred Image of OurLady; and two years later, Cardinal Jeronle Colonna,besides bestowing most valuable candelabra and vestments,enclosed the whole Sanctuary with the massiveiron railing which subsists to this day.5. A few years later on, the indefatigable zealof Canon Bacci, and the zeal which he infused intothe Fathers of the Sanctuary themselves, caused splendourto appear in the whole temple. The altar ofthe n~iraculous Crucifix, was newly, and with lavishexpense, embellished. The massive marble balustrade,appeared in front of the great altar. The pavement,the walls, and the whole church in fine, was improvedin some form or another.6. In 1774, Father Bosca, the Prior at that period,commenced the convent, and in 1777, it was finishedas it stands to-day.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

472 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELThis magnificent pile, together with the church,filled up the large square, between four of the narrowstreets of Genazzano. It accommodated a numerous 1community, and the novices of the Roman, and otherProvinces, whom the General of the Augustiniansdesired to have specially trained under the shadowof the great Sanctuary of Our Lady. It was also ahouse of retreat, for such Augustinians as desiredto pass the evening of their days in the presence ofMary's miraculous Image. Within its walls also ,Ecclesiastics and religious men from distant localitiescoming to visit the holy Shrine of the Virgin Motherof Good Counsel, received true monastic hospitality.This noble and beneficent building, continuedalmost uninterruptedly to accomplish the purposesfor which it was intended, until the evil day thatsaw Victor Emmanuel enter Rome by the breach atthe Porta Pia, and the Vicar of Jesus Christ deprivedof the last remnant of his States, by fraud and forcecombined. The agents of the Revolution, in theiraccustomed hatred of the friends and servants of God,lost little time in driving the religious and all beiongingto them, from this, their home. The community,the novices, the Fathers on retreat, and suchpilgrims as were receiving hospitality from the religious,were all cast upon the streets. Fortunatelyfor the Sanctuary, the church of Santa Maria was aparochial one; and the Piedmontese for fear of raisinginsurrections amongst the Catholic people of thecountry they were so bent upon de-Christianizing,spared in their anti-religious crusade, parish churches.lBut in the cases of such churches served by priests ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY 473religious orders, they took care to confiscate the revenues.A pious and wealthy gentleman - SignorClementi - who held property in Genazzano, gave uphis residence there, to the Fathers. This providedthem with a shelter, and enabled them still to servethe Sanctuary. The fine convent adjoining the church,was handed over to the municipality. But notwithstanding,that the municipality established all its officesin it, and turned its halls into governmentschools, still a large space remained unoccupied. Thisspace, indeed, might have been utilized as a grainstore, or let go to ruin, as is cominonly the casewith suppressed copvents in the small towns of Italy.But the people began to move in the matter. Discontentbegan to assume alarming proportion~; andso, at length, the municipality were forced to readmitthe Fathers into a part, - and of course the mostwretched part, - of their own dwelling, as tenants.There, still, as tenants paying rent, they are tolerated,but barely tolerated, and obliged to submit to thecontinual apprehension of being ejected, at the instanceof the first faithless municipality officer, who may havelittle religion enough, to brave the anger of his fellowtownspeople, by moving the authorities to ejectthem, even as tenants and paying rent, from t.heirown property.7. But to return to the improvements effected inthe church, during the last century. Soon after thebuilding of the new convent, the great General, FrancisXavier Vasquez, improved the choir, and then thesacristy, at an expense of 4,000 Roman crowns; andreceived from the gratitude of the Fathers the marbleMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

474 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELmonument with a half bust, which we have alreadyspoken of, in the same sacristy.The zeal of the friends of Our Lady of Good 9Counsel, meanwhile, had grown apace; and new andmore beautiful embellishments were being designed,or about being placed in position, when the FrenchRevolution, the scourge of Europe in the last century,after desolating France , swept over the beautiful,peaceful plains and cities of Italy.8. This fact has so much to do with the Sanctuaryof Our Lady, that it merits a brief retrospect,in so far as it concerned ihe States of the Church.In 1793, the imprudence and wilful misconduct of theFrench agent at Rome, ended in his death; and gavethe Republic a coveted opportunity for creating aquarrel with the reigning Pontiff, Pope Pius VI.The armies of France, with little previous parley, overspreadthe States of the Church, and after a attaching Dthe greater portion of the Legations and the Marches,forced the Pope to pay out of t'he residue of hisdominions, a million of lire to the Directory. This wasthe work of Napoleon Bonaparte. To meet so heavya war indemnity, the Pope was obliged to appeal tothe wealth, which the piety of many ages had accumulated,and consecrated to the service of religion,in sanctuaries and monastic houses. Genazzano, ofcourse, together with very many other famous Shrines,had to bear a large portion of this unavoidable burden.An interesting document left as a receipt, bythe Vicar General of Palestrina, who acted for thePope in making the requisition at Genazzano, gives ,an idea of what was then the wealth of the Shrine.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY. 475The following objects were, asdocument., then, given up.Six chandeliers of silver, weighingFour ditto of silver,vA silver bell,vEight silver chalices, . . . ,.Twelve silver lamps, . . . .Two patenas of silver, gilt . .Two fonts and aspersories, . .Two torch stands, in silver, . .proved by thisSeven medals in gold, of Clement XIII. and ClementXIV. were also offered.9. It would be well if the spoliation ended here.The Sanctuary could have borne the loss, and moreover, upon the return of prosperity, the Pontificalexchequer would he sure to replace whateverhad, in an evil day, to be taken for the necessitiesof the State. But the aim of Napoleon was, evidently,to get out of the convents by means of thePope, that which his force could never manage toextract. In 1797, the very year following, he forcedPius VI. to purchase peace anew, at the hollowtreaty of Tollentino, by the payment not only ofthe first twenty, but of another thirty millions of lire;and then, moreover, of tliree hundred thousand lireto the family of the firebrand, Basseville, whoseconduct had created the pretext for the French occupation.The Pope had consequently, to make anotherdemand; and this drew from the convent of Oenazzanothe following additional objects in the preciousmetals, as is manifested by the receipt of the VicarMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

478 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELGeneral of Palestrina, before mentioned, to whomthe objects were consigned viz.Six silver lamps, weighing . .Ibs. oz.34 8Six candlesticks with crosses and pedestals . 28 0Large silver chalice 3 8. . . . . . . .Threeother silver chalices . 4 0Silver cases . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4An ostensorium of silver. . 3 0A censer and boat, in silver . 2 SA bambino, of cast silver . 4 4Two flower vases, Do, Do . 4 410. All this payment of treasure on the part ofthe Pope, did not sdisfy the French. Early in 1798,the Directory's troops entered and annexed the remnantof the Papal States; and on the 30th of Februaryof that year, Berthier was master of Rome. The Poperefusing to abdicate, was sent upon his sad pilgrimageof imprisonment, first to Siena, then to Florence,then to Grenoble, and finally to Valence on the Rhine.There, worn out with the weight of years, and bypersecution , his martyrdom was consummated, inAugust, 1799, in the 82nd year of his age, and the241h of his Pontificate.Meanwhile, the a Republic P was proclaimed inRome, on the 15th of February 1798; and on the23rd of the following March, certain a deputies v appeared at the church of Our Lady in Genazzano anddemanded in the name of the Government, not apart, but everything of value the convent and Sanctuarypossessed. These worthies, were fit forerunnersPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY 477Cof those who in the name of Italian unity, havetaken every thing from the religious of Italy in ourday. The list they left, shows how rich in preciousobjects the Sanctuary of Our Lady was, even afterhaving given so much valuable articles for the necessitiesof the Pope. It is sad to find so many votive offeringsof, not only intrinsic, but historic value amongstthese objects, which went neither to the Governmentnor to the people, but into the possession of recklessindividuals, who with conscience seared enough to robreligion, made little scruple of professing themselvesinfidels and republicans, so that they may have thechance of plundering with impunity. While the massof the people remained aloof, these few sided withthe invaders, took up the cant ph~aseology of theRevolution, assembled and elected themselves a deputiesB and U representatives P - without a people to represent; and fortified by the bayonets of the stranger,proceeded to rob with the forms and jargon ofa the law of the strongest, P their Church and fellow-,countrymen. The law compelled them, to leave anote of what they took; but what they did actuallytake, went of course to the service of these a citizensof the republic P themselves. The following is a copyof the document, which yet exists. It is all that theFathers ever received in place of their property. Itwill be noticed that several articles which must havebeened heavy, are mentioned without the weightbeing attached. Yet such weights as are given inpounds and ounces, prove the value of the objectsthemselvesMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

478 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELNOTE OF OBJECTS TAKEN FROM THE CHURCH AND CON-VENT OF THE AUGUSTINXANSOF SAINT MARY OFGOOD COUNSEL, BY THE MUNICIPALITY OF GENAZZANO,AND CONSIGNED TO THE CITIZENS OF THE MUNICI-PALITY.SilverIbs. orVotive offerings in silver, found on the wallsof the chapel of the Madonna ... 19 6Other silver offerings . . . . 24 4Others again, in another division . . . 15 0m P v v 2 0A silver tablet, containing a heart of silverwith flowers, countersigned with the sealof the municipality.Another tablet, with a crown and heart ofsilver.Silver taken from the glass frame of the Imageof the Madonna, countersigned as above. 46 0Other silver ornamentations . . . . . 46 0GoldThe crown of the Mado~a in gold. . 7 2The crown of the Child . . . . . . 7 7%Two hearts joined, in gold ..... 6 0Heart in gold, of the Electress of Saxony,. with two rings within. ..... 7 7%Crown of silver, gilt, with two heads of11 0Bracelets withornaments. 1 3Ornaments in pearls. 0 18silver, gilt. . . . . . . . . ........PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARYBesidesA comb of coral, gilt.A breast ornament.A cross of beryl.Two others of same.A star of silver, with topaz.Two ovals, one of Clement XIV. and another withthat of St. John Nepomucene.A necklace of silver, with divers precious stones.A cross and three pendants with pearls, sealed bythe inunicipality and by the convent.A crown with twelve stars of beryl, and a star formedof one white, and several coloured gems.A lamp gilded. . . . . . . . . .Five other lamps, of silver. . . . . .Two angels of silver. (weight not given).Four vases of silver.. . . A grand and small silver crown . . . .Four cornucopia.Six table candlesticks.Two large, and one small heart.One cruet.Two chandeliers of silver displayed.Two cornucopia not displayed, which standin the chapel of the Madonna Basin and ewer in silver, gilt. . . . D D D vase and aspersory . . .Three chalices with patens gilt . . . .Gilt chalices with paten. . . . . . .(Left by municipality)Ibs.or.12 338 0More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

'480 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELThree chalics of silver with patens, gilt. . 8 0An incensory with boat and spoon. 3 0An ostensorium and box.(Left by municipality)(Left by municipality)..Ornaments for mantle, and two crownsof silver. . . . . . . . . . . 22 10Ornaments for the steps of the altar of theMadonna. . . . . . . . . . . 2 64 silver, gilt chains, and cross in silver. . 3 7Two medals, a reliquary, two rings. 3 0Six reliquaries, of silver. . . . . . . 5 882 reliquaries. (weight not given).(Here follows the list of a number of object oflittle worth left to the convent.)a We the undersigned, deputed by the municipalityto receive the objects of the said church of .Saint Mary, declare; that we have received all, accordingto the form of the above inventory. In faithof which, we inscribe ouo names this, 231d of March,1798. First year of the Republic.11. The ring with the effigy of St.'John Nepomucene,was restored to the convent by some unknownhand in r18'20. But the rest disappeared completely.Some of the articles, such for instance, asthe heart :with the marriage rings of the Electress ofSaxony, and the crowns of gold granted by the Chapter of St. Peter's, mere, historically, of a price moreIbs.oz.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY 481precious than the metal or workmanship which gavethem a very high value. The poor Fathers tried tomake up for the robbery of the crowns and otherdecorations of the sacred Image, by substituting whatbest they could instead. Their lands, as in the presentpersecution, were confiscated; and some were neverrecovered by them even on the return of peace.Already, the invariable curse which long experienceproves to be the fate of these ravenous persons, who, toenrich their families, do not scruple to take theproperty of the Church, has fallen upon most ofthe sacrilegious U purchasers; v and instead of foundingwealthy houses, as they hoped to do, their familieshave instead lost not only what they gainedfrom the Church but also what they held as theirown patrimony. Besides which they, of course, lostcast, the esteem of men, and the benediction of heaven.A notable instance of this malediction may to-day,be seen in the fallen condition of one family immensely wealthy a few years since, and who are nowliving in a state of beggary within three miles of theSanctuary they plundered.12. The years which succeeded '98 were sad yearsfor all Italy as well as for the church of Our Lady of' Good Counsel at Genazzano. It is true that the comingof the Russians under Suwarrow, caused the FrenchU liberators B to loose their hold on the country and onthe Holy See. It gave time for the Cardinals to electa successor to Pius VI. That successor was Pius VII.All know the long and eventful history of this celebratedand most saintly Pontiff. After being restoredto his States by the policy of Napoleon who81More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

482 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELhad succeeded in making himself absolute masterof the French, Pius VII. soon found out thatinstead of a new, noble minded Charlemagne, hehad to deal with the meanest and most narrowsouleddespot who had ever appeared with thegenius and fortunes of a conqueror. Alexander,Caesar, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, all were scourgesto n~illions, but they, none of them, could becalled mean in the sense in which Napoleon wasundoubtedly mean. They were all generously gratefulto their friends. Not one of then1 ever found in hiscareer, a friend so beneficent, so faithful, and so forbearingas the great Pius VII. was to Napoleon. Yet scarcelyhad Pius the VII. crowned that Emperor, whobacked by the fiery valour of France, made an easyconquest of the old fashioned continental armies,than he experienced - as Talleyrand, and even theuncle of Napoleon, Cardinal Fesch, and others experienced- that he had to deal with one who at heartwas a tyrant, selfish to the last degree, suspiciousand ungrateful to an extent never before witnessedin one aiming to be called a hero. Hence theimprisonment, the outrages and sufferings to whichthe Pontiff was long consigned by Bonaparte, untilthrough his mad expedition to Moscow, that despotwas hurled from the height he had reached. There, hisboast a The Pope's excomnlunication will never takethe guns out of the hands of my brave soldiers. P waswe know, mocked at by Providence. The cold ofRussia actually forced the muskets from his soldiers'hands, and the tyrant himself was crushed and humbledto the dust by the action of the elements.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY 483These years were terrible, not only for the Pope,but for Italy, and the Papal States especially. Napoleonwas no friend of the religious orders. His ideawas to force the Church to advance his ambitiousdesigns. In Genazzano, after the annexation of Romeand the States of the Church to his Empire, thereligious had again to leave their convents. In commonwith their brethren, they had also to endure suppressionand expulsion at the hands of the victor ofAusterlitz and Jena.13. After the tyrant's flnal defeat, however, atWaterloo, and the return of Pius VII., we find theFathers restored to Saint Mary's, and enabled oncemore to think of replacing something of what had beenlost to their church and beloved Sanctuary. Poor asthey were they found means to replace with a beautifulwork in copper, richly gilt, the massive silverfastenings taken from the Shrine of Our Lady. Thisnow adorns the case of the sacrecl Image, and mabsup by its rare artistic beauty for what it wantsin precious material. Benefactors again appeared, andtheir votive offerings once more filled the walls ofthe Sanctuary with hearts, and crowns, and modelsof broken or diseased limbs, made whole by the intercessionof Our Lady of Good Counsel.In 1835, IvIonsignor Cosnlo Corsi, afterwards CardinalArchbishop of Pisa, at his own expense constructedin marble, the four side altars of the aisles.In 1839, the floor of the Sanctuary of Our Ladywas formed in the beautiful fashion in which itat present exists. A year after, the facade of thechurch was completed after a design of FatherMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

484 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELGiusto Fanucchi, the Prior of the Augustinian conventat Bracciano.14. Fortunately for the church of the Madonnain Genazzano, this Father was gifted in no ordinarydegree with artistic taste and with great knowledgenot only of architecture but also of church decoration.He had furthermore, the good sense, often found wanting in non-professionals who choose to be their own architects,of not confiding in his own judgment. Inthe many works which he constructed for his Order,(amongst which may be mentioned the very beautifulchapel of St. Mark at Corneto), he invariably consultedthe best professional architects he could find,and especially those of Civita Vecchia. It was withmuch regret that he saw, while attending to the completionof the Fa~ade of Santa Maria, that its interiorwas anything but decorated in keeping with its reallyfine design. Its inner roof was bare and its walls werecovered with odd inscriptions of much piety but oflittle public significance and of execrable taste. Zealouslike all his brethren, for the house of his beloved Madonnaof Good Counsel, he determined to do whathe could to remedy this glaring defect. He studiedout a plan for its embellishment which could hardlybe surpassed, and he had the good fortune not onlyto get the approval of the first professional skillin Italy, but also the active support of his enlightenedGeneral and of the Prior and community ofGenazzano, in having his plan put into execution.This was to have the whole roof decorated withthat wonderful stucco, which the early Romans usedso well and to such an extent, and which the gen-PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY 485ius of Raphael rediscovered and made such remarkableuse of in the corridors of the Vatican. The walls andpillars were to be covered beneath for several feetwith marble, and above that by the finest scagliola,while the floor was to be all of marble. The wallsaround were moreover to be decorated with paintings,in such a manner that when the ornamental stuccoworkof the roof would be gilt, the interior shouldform one majestic whole.Considering the means of the Fathers the designwas ~~ast, but they set about putting it into executionwith incredible ardour. The stucco-work was confidedto the ablest artist of Italy in that line, SignorGiuliano Corsini of Urbino, well known as theundertaker of works perfected in Corneto, Rimin-i, andViterbo; and who had also been employed by thecelebrated Roman architect Virginio Vespignani inthe basilica of St. Paul and other churches.He succeeded in his task to the satisfaction ofall who study his splendid work at St. Mary's in Genazzano.The roof was completed in 1856, but therest of the design was, by a series of unforeseenevents, put off until very recently.15. .Meanwhile, much was being done to repairthe injury caused by the French occupation. Severalmaterial improvements were effected. Cardinal Pedicini,in 1840, caused the whole of the gilding of theSanctuary to be renewed. The frescoes, as they are nowseen there, were executed by the best artists that couldbe then found in the Eternal City. The Espousalsof the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph are the workof the painter Achilles Ansiglioni. The NativityMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

486 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELof Our Lord, with the prophets Isaias and Jeremias,and the angels underneath are by the same. The ProphetsDaniel and Ezechial with the angels beneath,are by Ernest Sprega. The flight into Egypt and theAngels on the vault of the tribune, are by Paginini.The very well executed likeness of Pius the Ninth,attended by Cardinal Amat, and in the act of contemplatingthe sacred Image, is the work of Reinaldi.16. Notwithstanding the improvements thus effectedin the Sanctuary, the church in general remained forseveral years in an unadorned condition. At last,upon the appointment of Prior Martinelli, (brotherof the Cardinal) some ten years since, a new vigourwas infused into the works. The funds of the PiousUnion, which are all devoted to the purposes of thechurch and Shrine, were given over to a committeeformed of the Cardinal Bishop of Palestrina, the Ca*dinal Prefect, Protector of the Order of St. Augustine,and the Prior of Santa Maria in Genazzano. Sincethen the whole interior of the building has beenrenovated and decorated. The pillars and the lowerportion of the walls have been encased in marble, andthe upper portions completely covered with the finestscagliola. The best Roman painters have been engagedto adorn the walls with beautiful frescoes.The writer cannot undertake to pronounce a judgmentupon these latter works, but he has asked anartist friend to give him an opinion upon them. Inreply to his request, the artist, - himself one of themost promising painters in Rome, - sent him a letter,a translation of which he here gives for the benefitof such of his readers as may hereafter come to visitthe church of the Sanctuary. This artist saysPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SANCTUARY 487a The aspect which this ohurch presents' to the spectatoris very beautiful. On entering, one is struck with the appearanceof the chancel, rich in the marbles of its high altar, its balustradeand its pavement. Its vault which is magnificently decoratedin stucco, panelled, and full of rose representations, cornices,borders, and other ornaments, is entirely gilded overto perfection. In the perspective, where the orchestra is placedbehind the high altar, above the choir, are two paintingsin fresco. The one to the left hand represents the ImmaculateConception, in which the Most Holy Virgin is seen descendingfrom Heaven and about to crush the head of the infernal serpent.On the right is the Assumption of Our Lady amidst thethe angelic hosts into Heaven. In the middle, upon a movablepanel which covers the organ, David is represented in ecstasyand in the act of singing the praises of God upon the harp.At each side is an angel with a scroll upon which is read thewords a ia corde et organo laudate Deum v. These three paintingsare by Signor Tito Troja of Rome v.On the right side are three other frescoes of large dimensions.In the first, Most Holy Mary is seen seated upon athrone with the Child Jesus in Her arms. At Her feet areSt. Monica and St. Augustine receiving the Cincture. In thesecond is a representation of the Visitation,' in which the VirginMother is seen welcomed by St. Elizabeth who comes to receiveHer, and both are in the act of salutation. Behind them areseen St. Joseph and St. Zachary who are also in the act of salutation,and above are represented two young women who arespectatora of the whole scene. The third is the Annunciation.Here the Archangel Gabriel is seen making the great Announcement,and, at the same time, presenting to Most Holy hlary thelily of holy purity. The Virgin, in astonishment, receives thesalutation. On high are two choirs of angels, at whose headis seen St. Michael who presents the sceptre to Our Lady.These three paintings are the work of Virginio Monti.Following the passage round the high altar, we come to avery beautiful representation of the Presentation of the Virginin the temple. There is here a sun effect and the picture is wellpeopled with figures. The little Child is seen alone upon thehigher step of the Sanctuary and is followed by St,s. Joachim andAnne with several women. There are the priests and minister8of the Old Law in their robes of o5ce. with others who awaitMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

488 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELat the summit, the coming of the holy Child. Pharisees passby with interested looks at the new acquisition to the childrenof the Temple. At the lower end are groups selling pigeons andother things for the use of those coming to make offeringa.These figures are a study. The middle painting represents thebirth of the Blessed Virgin. A splendid effect of night light.Amongst the first figures, and seated in the middle, is a womanwho holds in her lap the new-born Infant. The light is thrownupon this figure with exquisite art from the lamp which burnsnear and from other lights suspended in the centre of the chamber.Above, at a distance, is seen the bed on which reclineatho mother St.Anne, and at the side of this bed St. Joachimis seated. Other women are near, and others with lights enterthe room. The beauty of the Infant, the expression of motherlyinterest and pleasure upon the features of St. Anne, the calmjoy of St. Joachim, and the womanly interest depicted in thefaces of all the other female figures, show the masterly powerof the painter in this fresco. The effect of the lamplights inthe chamber and upon all the figures, has been rarely equalledand can hardly be surpassed. The expression upon the featuresof the young female figure holding the Infant, shows rare talent;and altogether this picture, large and full as it is, may well beregarded as a masterpiece. Both this and the former are thework of Signor Prospero Piatti. There is a third picture herealso, of St. Augustine driving the heretics out of the Church,executed by Virginio Monti.It is well worth while before leaving this place, to examinethe wood-work in walnut of the choir and the marble of thebalustrade and high altar, all of which possess artistic value.Leaving the chancel, the vault of the nave, gilded like thatover the high altar, catches the eye at once, and manifests thequality of the stucco-work of Signor Corsini and the beauty of thedesign of Fr. Fanucchi. Here, near the lunettes of the clerestorywindows and painted in fresco are twelve female figures of greatattractiveness. They are all taken from the Old Testament and areas follows. Commencing on the left from the Sanctuary is seen;1. Esther, 2. Judith, 8. Bethsabee, 4. Deborah, 5. Jahel, 6. Rachel.Then, on coming round, is seen 1. Sara, 2. Rebecca, 3. Mary,4. Ruth, 5. Josaba, 6. Abigail. All these are the work of SignorTroja and strike the most casual eye as being very beantifulin their place.PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE CHURCH AND SARCTUART 4 89At the end of the noble vault, on the arch over the principalentrance of the church, is a very fine picture by Professor LuigiFontana - the crowning of the Virgin in heaven. Our Lord isrepresented placing the diadem upon His Mother's brow. TheEternal Father is seated on the orb of the world and withuplifted arm commands that the crown should be placed. Cherubim,Seraphim, Angels etc. on wing, crown the upper portionof the .picture. And in the distance is seen Adam and Eve,patriarchs. and prophets, the first martyrs of the Church, confessors,bishops, other angels, martyrs and virgins, St. Joseph,St. John the Baptist, and almost all the representations of heavenare found here. Finally a circle of angels, - child-figuresgive a finish to the whole.In the triangles of the arches beneath the cornice, correspondingto the symbolical figures of the Old Testament, arepainted twelve putti, child-figures of angels. These are placedso as to harmouize with the female figures, and are the workof Signor Tito Troja.The grand painting of the whole Church, however, is thegreat fresco over the entrance door, which represents the comingof the sacred Image to Cfenazzano. The situation of the townitself is admirably rendered. The habits of the Italian peoplein the fifteenth century have been accurately studied, and thecostumes of all the figures are in strict'keeping with the period.The history of the event has also been well kept in view. Thechnrch of Petruccia forms the principal piece in the scene. Itis represented as unfinished, the steps alone completed, and twonew columns which are made very conspicuous for effect, arerepresented as standing. The accessories of a building in progressare well portrayed. The period during which it occurredis made known by several figures, which also bring tomind the feudal state of Cfenazzano at the time, and the customsboth of ita lords and its people. The Prince Colonna is representedcoming from the chase, accompanied by his wife and son. Thesefigures and those of their attendants, horses, and accoutrementsare studies. The crowd at the fair is as numerous as the limitsof the painter wo~lld permit. There is the Burgomaster withhis rough, peasant look, and yet his rich robe of oflce. Peasantsin all their degrees. The vendors of fair-wares and the frequenters.-The sacred Image is seen on high surrounded by angelsand celestial spirits in great number but rendered indistinct.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

490 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELOn the platform of the unfinished church, Petruccia is representedkneeling with hands outstretched, and near her are severalfigures of Augustinian Fathers. The look of intense devotionon the face of the holy Tertiary, and the satisfied, calmcontent of the Fathers, made to contrast with the stupefied,dazed astonishment on the faces of the crowd, are well given.The more intelligent and yet surprised look on the features ofthe Colonna and the devotion cast into the handsome, faces ofhis wife and son, are all put very naturally. The whole formsperhaps one of the first works which the painter ProsperoPiittti ever produced. It caused a great sensation amongst'theart critics in Rome, and numerous photographs of it were soldthere and in Italy generally.Passing from before this magnificent picture and enteringthe left aisle, we come to a small altar of St. Nicholas of Tolentine,above which in the lunette is a fresco which shows himat the moment the Madonna appeared to him when he prayedfor the souls in Purgatory. These are represented in a sea offlre a't the foot of the picture. This is the work of SignorCaroselli who also painted the fresco on the lunette, of Jesusteaching in the temple.Here, after passing a picture on convass of little value, wemeet the holy Sanctuary of the sacred Image, and passing onwe cross before the high altar and come on the other side tothe altar of the Most Holy Crucifix. Here are found some oldfrescoes restore11 with great care by Signor Troja and two figuresof Our Lord bound to the pillar, an Ecce Homo, and, overthe sacristy door, a Christ in the garden by the same artist.Passing down this aisle we come to the altar of St. Thomaaof Villanova, which is very beautiful both in design and colour,and beyond this is a very powerful representation of thedeath of St. Joseph by Vannutelli. Two pictures are ;let to beexecuted to make up the full number required at the extremityof the vault where stands the fresco of the Wonderful Apparition.One is to represent the miraculous Translation from Scutari,and the other, the crowning of the sacretl Image by theChapter of St. Peter's. Both are confided to Signor ProsperoPiatti, the eminent artist who painted the Birth of the Virgin,Her Presentation in the temple, and the Wonderful Apparition.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter XXIII.DEVOTION OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE1. Extent of devotion to Our Lady in Italy. - 2. Its manifestations. -3. Exhibition of it in works of genius. - 4. Practical devotion of thepeople. - 6. Open manifestation - Shrines - Their number. - 6. Thepeople as such u saturated n with devotion to Mary -Proofs - Ohnrch-es, chapels, sanctuaries, houses, streets, shops, familiar discourse,exclamations.- 7. Objections made about the Sunday in Italy - Thecondition of the Church and the Holy Irather etc. etc. - 8. Damagedone outside Italy by these objections - Notwithstanding their wantof reason. - 9. Anewer in brief. - 10. Explanation about the u Sabbaths.-11.m Externalism n in religion -The Italian Catholic's day -The early morning Masses - Practices of piety - A reason for theexistence of beggars.- 12. Purity of the Italian Catholics. - 13. TheClergy of Italy - 81anders of the Protestant press - Reason of thenumber of the clergy - The Begnlars - The Cloister. - 14. The Secnlars- Their selection - Training in the world. - 16. Religion ingreat cities - In Bome. - 16. Oonclunion.1. In the progress of this work we have seen,incidentally at least, a great deal of the devotionof the Italian people for Our Lady. That devotionis not confined to Her Shrine at Genazzano but overspreadsall the land. It pervades every class of society.It fills the palaces of the great. It lights upthe lives of the most miserable with love, and hope,and consolation. It seems never absent from theMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

492 THE V!ROIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELpublic religious mind. It remains even with the mostabandoned when all else has departed. It softenshearts the most obdurate, wrenches the victim of sinfrom the strongest evil surroundings, and stays themouth of the blasphemer. Sectaries of the deadliestdye succumb before death to its sweet, but irresistibleinfluence. Its action is wonderful, whether weconsider it as perfecting the just or converting thesinner. Indeed, if devotion to the Virgin Mother ofGod be, as it most assuredly is, a sign of predestination,no people on earth possess that gift to a greaterextent than the people of Italy, taken collectively.2. Now this devotion is exhibited in a thousandbeautiful ways, all prompted by the love that hasnever ceased to fill the souls of the present and pastgenerations. We have already seen, in the chapter ofthis work which treats of pilg~images to the Shrineat Genazzano, one of its peculiar, public manifestations.The same may be witnessed at Loreto andat a hundred other lesser shrines of Our Lady throughoutthe country. Yet that is but one form of testifyingthe popular love for Our Lady. The fertile ingenuityof the most richly gifted intellects and imaginationsin the world, has been exhausted for agesin devising means to manifest national, and family,and individual love for Mary the Mother of God.3. It is needless to remind the cultivated readerof what that love has called forth from the mastermindsof the past in Italy. The wealth of geniusbestowed in such lavish measure by nature upon thegreat masters of painting, sculpture, and architecture,and perfectcd with such care bp art, was, we know,PRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE 493nowhere exhibited in greater measure and with moresuccess than when employed to glorify. Our Lady.Who can recall the splendid conceptions of Raphael,Michael Angelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Fra Angelic~,or any one of the founders or followers ofthe mighty schools of Italy without thinking of theglories of Mary? Every event of Her life, every attributeof Her excellence, every benefit, general andparticular, bestowed by Her maternal care upon Herclients, all have been immortalized by the heart andgenius of the Italian masters. And all this, howevermuch due to the masters themselves, was butthe expression of the national heart's love and willto honour Mary. The painters, the architects, thesculptors, and the princes of the period of the re+naissance had to meet this national sentiment, whichno doubt was their own. It was a sentiment, then,deeply, fondly, faithfully attached to God's VirginMother. It had been so through all the previouscenturies back to the very time when the sweet Imageof the Madonna was rudely, but lovingly, painted inthe crypts and upon the tombs of the catacombs. Itcontinues still - strong, fervent, unconquerable, undying,when men are planning not only to supplantthe Church of God, but to eradicate the very thoughtof the Creator from the minds of His creatures.We have no hesitation in believing that it willcontinue in Italy until man's history is over, andthe true glory of Mary, the Second Eve - the realMother of the Living - shall be revealed to all Herfaithful clients in the life that never shall havean end.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

494 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL4. We do not mean to speak here upon the magnificenceof the art treasures which the love of Maryhas called forth in Italy. The temple$ erected withsuch lavish expenditure in Her honour, the altars,pictures, statues, and shrines which may be found inall the churches throughout that land for the purposesof Her worship, are known to all. Rut there arepeculiarities in the national devotion to Mar-j, of whichit may be advantageous to speak, and from which theCatholics of other lands, who love God's Virgin Mothertoo, may obtain some practical information fortheir guidance in showing their devotion to Her andin reaping a harvest of profit from its practice.5. In the first place, the Italian is never ashamedof manifesting his devotion to Mary. He loves tostamp it emphatically upon his public, external life.He shows this not only by occasional acts, such asprocessions and pilgrimages, but by the every dayoccurrences of his life. The city in which he lives,the house in which he dwells, the ways throughwhich he passes, the ordinary affairs in which he isengaged, all breathe this devotion to his beloved Madonna.He is not satisfied with the ordinary waysof manifesting his devotion, he must also have extraordinarymeans of testifying his love. Hencecomes the number of special shrines of Our Ladywhich are found in all parts of the country. Not. to speak of the greater shrines to which we have referred,it may be said that there is not ten milessquare of Italy which does not contain some moreor less remarkable and indeed miraculous paintingor statue of Mary, to which the whole surroundingl4~lPRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE 493country come, if not in pilgrimage as to the greatershrines at least in immense numbers, to satisfytheir devotion. These special shrines surpass in numberthe very numerous Italian cities. The largercentres of population possess a great many. It wouldfill volumes to give a description of those to befound in Rome alone, to which histories most interestingare attached, and at which miracles havebeen performed for ages. To a less extent the same .may be said of Naples and the other old capitalsof states until recently independent. At almostevery shrine the title of Our Lady is different: Sheis honoured under every appellation given to Her inthe Litany of Loreto, or elsewhere in the offices ofthe Church, or by the devotion of the faithful. Andwhen all these titles are exhausted, She is honouredfrom some circumstance connected with the locality,or the finding of the picture or statue venerated.Thus, the great sanctuary of Our Lady of Viterbo iscalled the shrine of the Madonna of the Oak, andthat of Tjvoli, the Madonna of Guadagnola, fromthe places where the pictures were, in both cases,miraculously discovered.6. In truth, the Italian people, are, so to speak,saturated with devotion to Our Lady. The devotion,even of the worst of them, is so great that iteverywhere requires something extraordinary tosatisfy it. In every church there. is always a chapel-in large ones several chapels or altars, - erectedto honour the Mother of God. And a town mustbe very small and poor indeed, which has not besides,a special church consecrated to the Madonna, toMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

496 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELwhich, on stated occasions , the whole communitymay go in solemn procession, and to which individualsmay repair, in their every day needs, for gracesand consolation.Then, the stranger will be surprised to find inmany shops, often too in the most apparently worldlyand business-like, a picture of the beloved Madonna,with a lamp constantly burning before it. There arepictures and statues of Our Lady placed at the cornersof streets, in the fronts of houses and of vineyards,in every residence, even in the poorest, thereis sure to be one. In many a lamp invariablyburns before it night and day, and in all one islighted at least on the feasts of God's Mother asthey occur throughout the year. There are veryfew Italians who do not wear the scapular andcarry rosaries and medals, and it may in truth besaid that the Madonna never leaves the minds andhearts of the mass of the 1talian people. Her nameis the most familiar in their mouths both in lifeand at death. She is sought for in every necessity.a May the Madonna accompany you; v a may the Madonnaguide you; v are the blessings which Catholicsconstantly give one another. Before Her sweet Imageevery head bows, every hat is raised , and everyheart ejaculates a prayer. And those who thus loveHer are those who preserve their faith. They fr+quent the sacraments, they are devoted to the Church,and defy all bad influences to subvert in them thelove and the practice of the Catholic religion.7. But then, the writer is very sensible of anobjection which many from English speaking countriesPRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE 497are but too ready to make. Granted, they say, thatthe Revolution in progress has done all the mischiefit could, how comes it to pass, that the whole of Italypresents appzrently such a singularly irreligious aspect,and even in matters which, to a large extent,must depend upon the will of the people themselves?How is it, that in all the cities and towns, theSunday is profaned to such an extraordinary extent?How is it, that the worst literature in theworld has circulation there? How is it, that mencan suppress the religious orders, harass the clergy ina hundred ways, and, finally, reduce the SupremeHead of the Catholic religion to the condition of aprisoner in the midst of a Catholic people, if themasses were not consenting parties to these proceedings?The writer has heard the above objections sooften brought forward against Italy, that he deemsit a duty to answer them fully. He knows the damagethey do, not only to the repute of a great Catholicpeople and to the clergy of that people, but toCatholicity itself in English speaking countries. Theyare brought forward in a hundred shapes by the Protestant,and the Infidel, and even by the bad Catholic,for the purpose of weakening the faith of the fervent.The divinity, the sanctity, and even the efficacyof the faith, are held up to doubt and to ridicule byquoting the example of the country in which lies thecentre and the citadel of its strength. The supremeauthority of the Vicar of Christ, is sought to be dhcreditedby representing him either as no better in8More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

488 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELreligion than those of whom he is, and amongstwhom he lives, or, as impotent to make them, eitherclergy or laity, what they ought to be. Then the fervourand self-sacrifice of such faith as that of the Irishpeople, or of converts from heresy in English speakinglands, is sought to be damaged by the well knowneffect which the plausibly represented bad exampleof a whole Catholic people, is calculated to produce.8. The argument is - Why are you fervent whenthe Italians themselves are indifferent ? Why do youmake sacrifices for that which they do not think itworth while to keep? Why do you build up at suchcost that which they, after an experience of manycenturies, have had too much of, and now pull down?Why do you seek and cherish that which they driveaway? Why, in a word, do you value that for whichthey will do nothing?Now, if all this were true, there would be, ofcourse, no force in it. The Catholic religion is independentof any people. There will be always millionsof Catholics on earth, whose faith will be thesame as that of the Japanese Sovereign who, whentold something of the kind here referred to, replied,that if all men, including the Supreme Pontiff (ifthat were possible) denied the truth of the Catholicreligion, he would be willing to shed his blood forit. But then! there are Catholics whose faith is not sostrong. There are those whom bad example willdamage; and there are those already weak, bad, ornegligent, who readily seize upon bad example as ameans of fortifying themselves in evil courses, andas a means of advancing to worse ones. Once, thePRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE 499writer heard the following words addressed by aCatholic to a fervent young priest: a had you been toItaly you would take things more easily, you wantexperience. v And lay Catholics hear this. a In Italythe people don't keep the Sunday, don't keep the fasts,don't mind what the priest says, etc. etc.; thereforeyou are a fool to do what no Catholic does in Italy. vThese assertions are false, but if true, they prove nothing.The Church wherever situated, and at all times,has good and bad within her bosom. So it was in thedays of Our Lord Himself. So it was in the days ofSt. Peter. So it has been since, and so it will be forever. But the wonder is, that in Italy, the bad Catholicsare so faw, considering the trials which the faithof its people has had. to endure, and that the goodCatholics in it are so numerous and so fervent.9. England, North-Germany , and Northern Europegenerally, lost the faith in a trial, which comparedwith the recent trials of Italian faith, may be lookedupon as little indeed. This is known to all, and neednot be here described. What we now say is, that theItaly, - the bone and substance of Italy - which haspreserved the faith, keeps it as fresh and ferventto-day as at any past period of its history.English speaking visitors cannot see this, withoutbeing first acquainted with the people as such, andwith their mode of living. They must know the languageof the country, and enter fully into the feelings,the ideas, and the manners of its inhabitants.10. The customs of one country, even the religiouscustoms of one Catholic country, may not be thesame as those of another. The Italian would be aptMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

600 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELto think the faith of the well-to-do Catholic in Englishspeaking oountries, small indeed, who had not maltar of Our Lady with its ever lighted lamp in hisbest room. The English speaking Catholic, accustomedto the Puritanical idea of the sanctity of the a Sab-bath, B -whichis not the Sabbath at all, by the way,but the pagan Sunday kept now by a law of theChurch instead of the Sabbath and for the same reasom,as a festival, - would be, and afhn is scandalized tosee an Italian peasant buy a few articles of familynecessity after Mass on a the Lord's Day. v - the namethe Church gives the first day of the Jewish week.Yet both may be mistaken. The former may nothave less love for W's Mother, because he doesnot advert to the lamp and the household altar; andthe latter may be easily excused, or be, by proper authority,dispensed, in using a portion of the day setapart by the Church for the special service of W,in some necessary work of buying or selling. Agreat deal of. the pharisaical cant we hear of, aboutthe manner in which the Italian peasants, - not theAtheists of great towns, - keep the Sabbath, wouldbe got rid of, by a simple reflection as to the extentof the binding effect of the Sunday upon conscience;and the possibility of its obligation being removedby dispensation or by necessity.No doubt, there can be no excuse for the fwmdviolation of the day, in defiance of the Church, andin contempt of religion. But with this, the Italianpeople as such have little to do. That is the actionof the enemies of Catholicity in the country; andexists, not because of the wishes of the people, butPRIVATE USE ONLY

in spite of the people and, of course, in spite ofthe Church.11. Again, though the Italian people have obtainedthe repute with us of being external in their religion,.and indeed they do love; and much love, the beautifulceremonies of the Church, - still their religion is farfmm being confined to externals. Long hours beforethe English speaking visitors leave their hotel beds,the Italian population in cities and villages, are upand stirring, and up and stirring too simply becauseof religion. As early as half-past four , even onwinter mornings, the Church of Santa Maria in Qenazzanois, as we have already seen, crowded by acongregation of people, who desire to hear Mass beforegoing to their daily labour. With thousands inevery city, Mass is not confined to the Sunday. Thedevout attend it every day. The works of St. Liguoriwhich are very common, lead some millions inItaly to practise without ostentation, meditation,visits to the Most Holy Sacrament, and works evenof the highest perfection. Those who seem in thestreets and highways to be no better than Sabbathbreakers and people without religion, are often Christians,as devout and fervent as any in the world.If there are beggars in Italy, it comes fro111 the factthat there is no country in Europe %here all classes,even the labouring classes, give larger alms.12. Furthermore, notwithstanding so many calumniesto the contrary, the Italian Catholics are a peoplesingularly pure in their morals. The large cities, ofcourse, like large cities everywhere, produce theircrop of social evil and crime. But the aountry towns,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

M)2 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL Iof from a few hundred souls to some few thousandinhabitants, are pure because they are religious. Eachtown forms a large family in which, as in Ireland,disgrace would be worse than death, in the questionof female purity. But a stronger reason is, that theItalian woman's life is passed in the practices of religionalmost as much as if she lived in a csnvent.She is led to this, by the constant familiarity withthe life and, as it were, the living presence of theVirgin Mother of God Whose holy example is everbefore her eyes.13. Then the clergy of Italy are slandered to amost unwarrantable extent in the Protestant literatureof English speaking countries. They are represented aslazy, idle, ignorant; and sometimes, without any proofwhatever being adduced, as vicious. They are alsorepresented as being far too numerous.In answer to this latter accusation, it must be bornein mind, that if the clergy in Italy were reduced tothe person of the Sovereign Pontiff, they would beconsidered by those who make the objection, a as fartoo numerous. B If they are rather numerous, itcomes from the fact that they are the offspring ofsuch devout lay people as we have described. Italianfathers and mothers being intensely religious rearsons fit for the sanctuary, and delight to see themconsecrated to the service of God. Italian zeal hasopened the way to keep God's ministers. Thousandsof these ministers live most poorly on the alms ofGod's people. They lead holy, laborious, and mortifiedlives. The cloister covers their abodes, and the abodeslgreat and small of all the religious of Italy. No one 1PRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLEW3of an opposite sex to that of the inmates, ever treadsbeyond the sacred line dividing the convent ormonastery from the outer world. The inmates, exceptwhen compelled by necessity, must be withimthese enclosures after sundown. Numbers of religiousorders add to these ordinary rules others still moresevere.. Hence there could not be found at any timein the Church, a body of more saintly-living men,than the regular clergy of Italy.14. Then as to the seculars. First, nothing in theChurch surpasses the care taken of the young ecclesjasticsin the seminaries of Italy. The youth whoshows signs of a vocation is, of course, jealouslywatched by his parents. The least spot upon hisyoung life would prove fatal to his advancement.At a very early age he enters upon his studies underthe care of priests most eminent for holiness of lifeand for learning in his diocese, and under the eyesof the Bishop himself. He is thus guarded and trainedin ecclesiastical knowledge and discipline until hereaches manhood. The sominaries of Italy are trainingschools not only in virtue and religion, but in everybranch of science capable of forming not only theecclesiastic but also the polished gentleman. Hence thestranger who has heard only calumnies about them,is often surprised upon meeting the reality. He likelyregards the cultivated gentleman he meets, as anexception. But he finds as he goes further, that hisexceptions are the rule, and his rule the exception.There is not in the world a body of men superiorin dignity of appearance to t.he clergy of Rome, and,in a degree, to the clergy of Italy generally.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

M)qTHE VIRGIN MOTHER OF OOOD COUNSELAfter leaving the seminary, the young priestis placed in a position where the eye of a superior, orof more than one, is continually upon him. Not onlyhis reputation and his salvation but his prospects inlife depend upon the exactness of his conduct. Alongwith this, he is usually placed near his family, andlives with them. This may have some draw backsin the case of parochial clergy, but it has manyadvantages. The young priest is preserved by thecare of his dearest friends. The mother that rearedhim often lives to see him grow old in the serviceof God. At all events, the custom so operates thatscandals amongst the clergy are more rare in Italythan in any part of the world. If we except the unfortuneGavazzis and other apostates ensnared bysecret societies, they scarcely exist at all.15. Now as to the laity, the visitor to any of thecities of Italy will find the churches crowded at anearly hour of the Sunday and festival mornings withfervent worshippers, amongst whom not only are menfound, but are often found predominating. This is, as itever was and ever will be, observable especially inRome. There the Lenten services and other occasionsof devotion are so crowded, that in the larger churchessuch as the Minerva and St .Augustine's, every availablespace to the very altars is filled by men chiefly, listeningto sermons of an hour's length and more. On suchoccasions as Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday,and the Sole~lln Commemoration of the FaithfulDeparted, the whole population seem- to be occupiedwith no other thought but that of religion. This occurstoo, it must be remembered, when the Church is com-PRIVATE USE ONLY

DEVOTION OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE 505pletely deprived of power, and when no motive but thepure love of religion can have any effect upon thepeople; - when, as we know well, every effort ofthe State is exercised to drag them in the directionat least of indifference if not of worse. In the Catholicsocieties which spring up in defiance of the Government,in the sacriflces many make for the necessitiesof religion, in the movement to lessen Sunday trading,in the assistance largly given to the Pope,there are signs of a greater fervour than ever overspreadingthe land. The Church, stunned as it were,after the severity and suddenness of a first shock,is showing strong signs of activity, and in a newnessof life and vigour the immense population of the countrywill soon prove that its faith is not only activebut vigilant and enterprising, determined to withstandthe efforts of the foe that sought to seduceand to strangle it.16. without' writing a treatise we cannot here gofurther into the fact that the mass of the Italianpeople, clergy and laity, who do or do not live in largetowns, are as full as ever of faith and of religion. Thatsome thousands of people in great cities, and a fewpriests and religious out of hundreds of thousandsof holy and faithful men, have gone against religion,is but too true. But when me consider what Italyhas gone through, the wonder will be, not that thespirit of evil has obtained so much, but that Italianfaith on the whole has been so triumphant.Without departing from our scope we cannot hereenter into the nature of these trials, which are but toowell known to the readers of modern history. Our ob-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

506 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELject in this chapter has been simply to glance briefly atthe devotion of the people to Our Lady and someof its most remarkable manifestations. We could notdo this with any effect for the great body of ourreaders, without meeting the objections so commonlymade against the faith of Italy by the anti-Catholicpress in English speaking countries. We all knowthe damage these objections - ill founded and badlyauthenticated as they are - do to Che Catholic faithin general, as well as to the character of a generous,pious, and highly gifted people; - a people to whomEurope and the world at large owe the most valuabletraditions and treasures of antiquity ; moderncivilization ; progress in the arts and sciences ; andwhat is more, under God, their very Christianity.In this chapter we have not entered into the widerquestion of the nature of the worship which the Italiansin common with all other Catholics manifest tothe Virgin Mother of God. We are sensible, however,than any work such as this would be incomplete withouttreating of a subject so very important, - so necessaryfor those who have erroneous notions of itsnature, and so useful for all whether within or withoutthe fold of Christ. We shall therefore devote thefollowing chapter to a simple and popular explanationof the Catholic doctrine of the worship and invocationof Mary the Virgin Mother of God, and ofits immense utility to all Christian people.PRIVATE USE ONLY

Chapter XXIY.THE WORSHIP OF MARY1. Its effects. - 2. Shipwreck in faith through its absence. -8. Need ofGood Couneel from Mary. - 4. The doctrine of the worship and invocationof Mary. - 6. An objection in the Protestant mind. -6. The nature of the Catholic worship of God and His saints explained.- 7. The knowledge of our affairs and the intereet in themof the angels and saints - Their power with God - Admission ofProtestants. - 8. Mary's superior dignity - In Her creation. -9. The progress of Her merit - Her childhood - Her condition beforethe Annunciation. - 10. Her merit after. - ll. Her trials.-12. Her merit from them. - 13. An ordinary objection met. - 14. Utilityof prayer to the saints and especially to Mary. - 16. Maryleft by Jesus to as at the Crosa - Her love. - 16. Value of the honourpaid Her. - 17. Necessity fur devotion to Mary in these times.-18. Mary opposed to Satan's arts in our days. - 19. Her quality asVirgin Mother of Good Counsel.1. The last chapter has been written principallyto show English speaking readers the fervour ofdevotion to the Mother God, in a land wherein itwas supposed to be dying. 'All know what the faithof Italy has endured during the last fifty years.Devotion to Mary has not only saved it, but has alsorendered it strong, fervent, and imperishable. It is devotionto Mary, the Mother and the Giver of GoodCounsel, which will also save the faith of Englishspeaking races, both in their island homes and in theirMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

508 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL 1wide-spread migrations over Northern America, Australasia,South Africa, and the East and West Indies.In all these lands a new Church has arisen in thiscentury, - a Church which we may confidently hopewill continue faithful to the end of time, with thatfidelity which has been the characteristic of the peopleto whom Providence has been pleased to confide thechief work of planting it, in an empire so vast and,in all probability, so enduring.2. But without that devotion to God's Motherso characteristic of England and Scotland in the daysof faith, - in the times of the Margarets and the Edwards,- and so characteristic of Ireland at all times,this will be impossible. And in our days an ordinaryfervour will not suffice. Shipwreck in faith has occurredbefore our eyes axongst the oldest familiesin England. Families which held fast to it duringthe long and dark night of persecution, have lapsedinto indifference and into worse. We have exampleslof this. When scarcely a breath of persecution blew, and 1when but the most shadowy rewards were not offered,but barely hoped for from the favour of a minister,men of ancient blood and high lineage have beenenticed away so far as to strike a blow, - punyindeed, but not the less malicious, - at the Vicarof Christ and at all that Catholics hold most dear.Others, from apparently no cause but inertion, fallaway. Shipwreck in faith occurs too, in the Coloniesand in America, amongst the descendants of men, andeven amongst men themselves, whose ancestors inIreland suffered every thing rather than renouncetheir religion. In none of these cases is devotionllPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 508to Our Lady ever strong. They are those whoseCatholicity, on the point of Our Lady, is a minimistic*or null; whose inclination in theory and in practice,is to make little rather than much of the Catholicdoctrine of the worship and illvocation of. God'sMost Holy Mother. The misfortune happens to thosewho love to mix with Protestants, from a desireto sink those Catholic doctrines with which Protestantsdisagree. It is born of that spirit of worldlinessand base sacrifice of principle characteristic ofmean minds. But it exists also from the want ofproper instruction and of solid devotion. From whatever cause it proceeds, there could be no dangergreater to the soul. If a man wishes to tide overthe strong currents of infidelity, he must not beashamed of God's Mother. To save oneself from thedangers now threatening the Catholics of that greatsection of the human race for which this work iswritten, one ought to have, at least, that greater,,stronger, living, loving faith in Mary characteristicof the worshippers who come to the Shrine of theMother of Good Counsel in Genazzano ;- overwhom the tide of infidelity has swept in vain, andagainst whose faith all the arts of Satan have beenemployed with as little effect, as arts of the same naturehave been employed in the past by heresy armedwith irresistible might, against the people of Ireland.3. And there is also a very special reason, why,under the title of Our Lady of Good Counsel, theMother of God should be now worshipped; for underthat title She meets a special need. That need is thewant of Good Counsel in the world. The devotion is,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

510 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELas the devotion to Jesus Christ in His Sacred Heart,and as the devotion to St. Joseph, Patron of theUniversal Church, a devotion reserved for the wantsof the faithful in the dangerous days coming towardsthe end of time. Devotion to Our Lady of GoodCounsel is needed in like manner: for if it be truethat to Her alone is reserved the power of crushingali heresies throughout the whole world and in alltime, never was it more necessary to manifest thatgreat power than in these days when all the streamsof past error and malice unite with newer streamsmore deadly and wide-spread, to form a vast delugeof falsehood and error, meant by its author and hisagents to wash out Christianity from the mindsof men. It is the cunning of the infernal serpent,which has planned all this and made it universal.It is his power and sleepless astuteness which nurtureand direct it. It is, for it must be Mnry, therefore,Who is destined to crush him - to crush hishead, - to leave not one of his machinations disent.angledand obliterated until all are effaced by Hermight. It is Hers to give the world that Wisdom,and Counsel, and strength necessary for its last andmost terrible combat. By her Most Pure, Virginal,and Maternal Dignity, by the immensity of Her meritand Her share in the work of Our Redemption, Shemust end in crushing to atoms the head of that deadlyenemy of God and man, who desires to strangle HerChild in the souls of those for whom that Child diedupon Calvary.4. These are strong words, yet words all too weakto convey to the minds of the faithful a true idea of thePRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 51 1power of Her to Whom are applied by the spotlessand infallible Spcbuse of Christ Her Son, the very wordsof the Holy Ghost, a in me is Counsel v . They arewords, which to many millions of our fellow citizenssound strange, if not worse than strange. Yet howmany such do we not all of us know, who onlywant a little instruction to lead them to the knowledgeof the truth? The writer who has had longexperience amongst Protestants; and whose good fortuneit has been to receive hundreds of them into theChurch, during twenty years of missionary life inAustralia, cannot therefore lay down his pen withoutgoing a little into the reason of this strengthin his words. He is conscious that the work he haswritten for those of his brethern a of the householdof the faith v will reach many not of that household;and that of these, some will, if only for the sake of afriendship for himself personally, read what he haswritten. Therefore, for the good of all, he desires tospeak at some length, and plainly, upon the Catholicdoctrine of the worship and invocation of Her, uponone of Whose beautiful titles he has written thisvolume ;- that is upon all that Catholics believeand practise everywhere in honour of ImmaculateMary, the Virgin Mother of God; and vhich theymanifest at shrines like that of Our Lady of GoodCounsel in Genaxzano.5. In the first place then, he desires to answer athought which, though it may never be expressed,will, he knows by experience, arise in the Protestantmind, upon glancing over such a work as this. Thatthought is: -why all this extravagance in treating ofMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

512 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELthe Madonna? Why so many and such varied titles?Why such pilgrimages, devotions, and votive offerings?Would it not be better to spend this wealth of fervourand devotion upon the worship due to Godalone ? Why do so much for a mere creature suchas Catholics confess Mary to be?6. It is true that those Protestants, now a days,are very few indeed, who perversely persist in attributingto their Catholic fellow citizens an idolatry,which Catholics now, and ever did, abhor. There arefew of them who need to have it explained that theworship paid to Mary is not the adoration due toGod alone. The vast majority of them know as wellas Catholics do, that the Catholic worship of Maryis as far from idolatry as the finite from the infinite,as the creature is from the Creator, that it is notonly distinct but absolutely different. They knowthat the worship Catholics give Our Lady is altogethera relative honour rendered to a creature - higherthan all other creatures in very deed, but yet onlya creature, - for the sake of God alone. If they areunacquainted with the theological terms by whichCatholics well and clearly distinguish the supremeadoration (latria) given to the Deity only, from therelative worship (dulia) rendered to God's angels andsaints, and the worship called hyperdulia of the samenature as this latter but more intense and extendedgiven to Mary, God's Mother, the Queen of saintsand angels, they know the distinction substantiallywell. And all Protestants practically confess and actupon that Catholic doctrine. They are continuallygiving some person or thing - the Bible, for instance,PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 513their ministers etc. - sow honour for the sake ofsome relation with God. They have no scruple inkneeling to the Queen, because none of them meanby such an action to make Her Majesty a goddess.And then, Protestants nowhere blame scripturalpersonages, such as Abraham, Lot, and others for worshippingangels, for falling down and, as it is written,c adoring them; v for they thoroughly understand thatsuch adoration or worship was not intended to be .that supreme adoration due to God alone. (Gen. XVI1I.2. XIX. 1.) They know too, that the worship whichthe Patriarchs paid these heavenly beings, was mostpleasing to God Who sent them, exactly as respect paidto the ambassador of an earthly ruler is pleasing tothat ruler, as it derives all its value from the referenceit has to the representation of himself.God has also rewarded, and so approved of, the favourthus shown His servants; because it was all shownfor His sake, - on account of the splendour in whichHe had chosen to envelop them, for their fidelity toHim, for the posts they held before His throne.7. So of all such worship. Neither do intelligentProtestants of our day doubt, but that the angels andthe souls of the servants of God enjoying with themthe felicity of heaven, both can and do, take thedeepest interest in all that concerns the salvationof the souls of mort,al men struggling for heavenhere upon earth. It is, as Protestants confess, a smallpart of our business to know how this happens, howthey can learn what goes on here below; how theycan hear our prayers, read, as it were, our every- -thought and respond to our supplications. But if any83More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

514 TlIE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELone should demand instruction on a point so plain, weneed only say that if Revelation tells us the matteris so, God we know has power to effect it. All we areconcerned with is the fact. And wonderfully clearthat fact is made to us. The most secret thoughtof a man is, for instance, as a rule, his inward sin;and then perhaps, his inward repentance. Of both,God tells us the heavenly spirits have cognizance.He tells us, that the angels witness and complain ofour transgressions; and this, of course, must be withoutleaving the beatific vision. He tells us thatwhen any sinner returns, there is more joy amongstthem, than for thc good works also known, c ofthe just that need not penance B. a I say to you, thereshall be joy before the Angels of God upon one sinnerdoing penance v (Luke XV. 4). This is only what weshould expect from their exalted and illuminated state,from the intensity of the charity with which they arefilled for those on earth. so dear and so interestingto God. They must also be filled with the truest compassionfor our condition. Knowing how much wehave at stake, knowing the infinite joys of heavenand the infinite torments of hell, they desire with aneverlasting longing that we should enjoy the oneand escape the other. They know the true value ofthe sufferings of the Son of God; and, in their lovefor Him %'hose praises they never cease to chant,they desire with Him the salvation of those souls forany one of whom He would again willingly sufferall He endured on Calvary. Nothing therefore, canbe more easily comprehended by reason, than the interestof the blessed in all that concerns the salvation ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY . 515immortal souls. It accounts for that solicitude, thatjoy amongst them all a for one sinner doing penance, vescaping eternal damnation, gaining a right to a sharewith them in eternal glory. The terrible anger of theguardian angels against those who give scandal totheir charges, is urged by Christ as a reason not togive scandal. That they should pray - ask for favoursas well as for vengeance, is surely reasonable. Then,the angels know and are solicitous about our sinsand repentance. If so, it is clear that they would, ifthey could, help us to repent and keep us from sin.It is also clear, that God has regard to their solicitudeand their prayers for us. The angel prayed for thepeople of the Jews and for the Holy City, and washeard. (Zach. I. 12.) Angels heard the prayers of Lotand Abraham and granted their requests, of course,only by permission from God. The souls of the prophetsJeremias and Onias, are represented in the dreamof Judas Machabeus, as praying much for their peopleand for the Holy City. (2. Mach. XV. 12.)St. Petertconfident of his own salvation, promisedwhilst living, to intercede after his death for theChristian people. (11. Pet. I. 15.) And in truth, it wasthis same grand help, given in the New Dispensationwith greater plenty than in the Old, that St. Johnsaw in the vision of the a four and twenty ancients, Wwith a golden vials full of odours which are the prayersof the saints v who c fell down before the Lamb. v(Rev.V.8) Indeed, it appears just as proper, in view ofthe knowledge which the heavenly spirits have of theaffitirs of men, that they should intercede for us, as thatpeople on earth should intercede for one another.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

516 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELAnd this latter is surely pleasing to God and profitable,else the Apostle of the Gentiles would not have soearnestly recommended it by word and example. Godis inclined to do much for favourite servants livingor dead. He has shown this in the case of Mosesliving; of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, dead.It was God Himself Who commanded the friendsof Job to go to Job, that he' might offer sacrifice andprayers which God absolutely refused from themselvesdirectly. And Job we know was heard. (Job. XLII.7)Whatever our Protestant friends may have imbibedby education against these truths, they nowadmit them in practice if not in theory. Else, why suchexpressions as a God and His Angels be with you ? BAnd speaking of a deceased parent, they say, a Mysainted mother watches over me from Heaven. BThese are common expressions in their mouths, andshow the power of truth over the fiction, - the cruelfiction of man, which corrupted the clear truth of Godto the disturbance of relations so holy, between theliving and the dead.8. But if all this be true of the other blessed, howmuch more true of God's Virgin Mother Mary.Leave aside the imagining9 - all true as willbe seen hereafter - of those Italian writers, whospeak in such apparently extravagant language ofthe wonderful prerogatives of the Madonna : takeMary in the bare light of the Bible, - in the lightof reason enlightened by Revelation,- and see whatShe is: She stands out before us unquestionably asthe Virgin Mother of God.Then why let us ask a Virgin? Why a VirginPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 517Mother? Why so unusual a miracle? Why? but becausefrom Her, and from Her alone, was to come the Humanityof the living God. In that Humanity manwas to be saved. It was therefore because of this,that the Woman was to be the means of crushingthe serpent's head. The nation of the Jews was chosenand exalted above all the other peoples of the earth.Why? Because it was destined to preserve the truereligion and to give the Redeemer to the world. Butit was through Mary alone that it was give the Redeemerto the world. The sceptre was not to passfrom Juda until a Virgin of its race a should conceiveand bring forth a son whose name should be calledEmmanuel - God with us. v Therefore came all thatbeautiful imagery which foreshadowed the coming ofthe a Virgin Daughter of Sion. B Therefore the Churchcalls Her a the glory of Jerusalem, the joy of Israel,the honour of Her people. vWe may here pause and consider the wonderfulBeing that nation produced. We know with what harmonyGod always adapts means to His Divine ends.The smallest insect is complete for its purpose in thenatural order. The same wonderful adaptation existsin the supernatural order. Abraham, Moses,David, Judith, Solomon, Esther, - all were preparedfor their missions by supernatural agency. But theirmissions were diminutive in comparison with that ofMary. They could be, and they were, defiled by sin.She alone never was. Our reason bells us that if Godbecame man at all, He should take His Humanity fromthe most exalted of His creatures. He loves humility,but not degradation in His own sight, - not sin, notMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

518 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELinferior spiritual excellence. His standard of excellenceis often different from the standard of excellenceset up by His sinning human creatures. It was butmeet then, that the Being, destined to give the Humanitywhich was to be for ever hypostatically unitedto the Divinity, - which was to form the connectinglink between the Creator and man, His creature, shouldbe of the highest order according to Ilis standard.Mary must therefore have been wonderfully perfectedfor Her exalted office. No spiritual excellence shouldbe wanting in that soul, no natural excellence inthat body, which was to give of its flesh and bloodand life, the flesh and the blood and the life ofthe Humanity of the Great, the Eternal, the Living,and the All-Powerful God. Our reason alone wouldtherefore lead us to expect this excellence in the Creaturedestined to give the Humanity of Christ; andafter such an intimate union, destined also to be Hismost devoted Guardian, His Protectress, His Friend,His Counsellor, in a word, His Mother. Then it isclear that Mary must have been created with a leastall the excellence which God had ever given to anyone of His creatures. It would be contrary to our ideasof congruity to think that, at any moment of Her existence, She was inferior to any one of the Seraphim, toeven the chief of the heavenly host, St. Michael. If notat the first moment of Her existence as great as Godcould make Her, She was, at least, greater than anywork He ever did make, or ever did intend to make,excepting of course, the Humanity of His own Son.9. And this excellence was destined to progressby merit to an extent which to us is almost as in-PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 519comprehensible as the infinite, so far is it practicallybeyond of the reach our intelligence. If, as the ablesttheologians hold, Mary was endowed with the useof reason at least from the moment of her birth, and,consequently, capable of meriting through the merits ofChrist expected, just as did Her fathers in Israel, howimmense must not have been this progress. When anysoul is in the state of grace, we know that the increaseof sanctifying grace in that soul comes from the perfectionwith which supernatural work is performed. Thesoul obtains an increase of sanctifying grace for everyone of such works, if performed with perfect intensityof fervour. St. Thomas, whose reasonings are nowadmired even outside the Catholic Church, teaches usthat it is doubled; so that if any work be done withsuch an intensity of fervour, it obtains a double amountof sanctifying grace for that fervour. If then we comparethe first fervour to two, the result will be four;if four, eight; if eight, sixteen; and so on in thesame proportion, doubling the amount of grace withthe performance of each act. Now it is certain thatMary was without any sin, original or actual - withoutany imperfection whatever in Her actions. a Thouart all fair, 0 my beloved, and there is not a spotin Thee, W are the words of Solomon, attributed toHer by the Church. All Her actions were done withat least perfect fervour, if not with a fervour beyondcomprehension greater than that of any angel or saintthat ever did or ever will exist. Men who makecalculation of the increase of money at interest, knowthat all the wealth of the world could not now paythe accumulation on a pound, had it been lent at or-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

520 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELdinary interest in the time of Adam. The same calculatorswould exhaust their art in vain, to find outthe amount of merit the stainless daughter of Jacobrealized in a single year, even in a single day of Herearthly existence; for, being as perfect as She was,every act of Her life must have merited a twofoldincrease of grace.In a small work of profoundlearning, used in the Irish College at Rome duringa novena in honour of Mary, this fact is put forwardin that simple manner common to the writingsof St. Liguori, and in so striking a light that itwill well bear quoting. a And P, the author says,' a asHer (Mary's) charity was not retarded in its operationby any negligence or tepidity (which could notbe admitted without doing an injury to the sanctityof the PvIother of God), it is clear that She performedeach act with all the fervour of which She wascapable. Behold then the privileged soul setting out.on her career of merit. By the first act She performed'She doubled the grace received from God.This again was doubled by the next, and went onincreasing in the some proportion with all Her succeedingacts. What mind then can conceive thegraces She acquired. Supposing Her to have performedwondrous acts only as often as St. Francis deSales is said to have made acts of the presence ofGod - every quarter of an hour - at the end of fivehours She would have acquired graces more than -500,000 times as great as the highest of the Seraphim- supposing the grace of'that exalted beingto be the grace with which She began Her spirituallife. And if we prolong the calculation to the tenthPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF biARY 53 1hour, we shall discover Her to have exceeded thesanctity of this holy spirit more than five hundredand forty thousand millions of times. Pe But what shall we say, if we protract the calculationto the end of the first day ? If we continueit for a whole week? If for an entire year? If forten or twenty years ? If for Her entire life ?a What shall we say, if She performed Her actsnot merely evey quarter of an hour, but every singlemoment, as divines commonly assert? What shall wesay, if her first capital of Grace was not simply thegrace enjoyed by an angel but by the countless hostsof blessed Spirits? Yes, and of all the Apostles, Martyrs,Confessors, and Virgins - of all angels andsaints put together. For it is written, Her foundationsare in the holy mountains, Yes, a the Grace ofthe Virgin B, says the learned Suarez, a in the firstmoment of her sanctification, was more intense thanthe last moment in which men and angels are consumed.> Ah! no wonder, the pious reader will concludethat the Church should acknowledge her incompetencyto extol this Holy Virgin in adequateterms, U by what praises to proclaim Thy praises, Iknow not. P10. There is nothing at all extravagant in thesewords. They are but the reflex of what all the saints. of God have taught of Mary, and of Mary destinedto be, but not yet, the Mother of God. The AngelGabriel, as tradition tells us, and as the Scriptureehave it, giving Mary the first salutation, showed thetruth of this. a Hail! full of grace, the Lord is withThee. B These words are used, we must remember,More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

522 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELbefore She became the Mother of God. She was,even at that early moment, far above all angels inmerit. Formed by the power of God, She was, byexaltation and acquirement, not unworthy to be theMother of'ood. But the moment that event took place,imagination loses itself in the endeavour to followthe greatness not only of Her dignity, but even of theincreased immensity of Her merit. Let us see this.With the formation of the Humanity of Christwithin Her, commenced Her Crucifixion- a Crucifixionso severe and continued, that to bear it, neededall Her powers conferred and acquired. She hadto suffer for Her Son in the keen agony caused Herby the suspicions of St. Joseph. Her perfection preventedHer from speaking one word in Her defence.She endured the trial until God Himself was moved toliberate Her. She suffered, as we all often think upon,in the weary journey and terrible treatment She wassubjected to, when coming to Bethlehem where Christwas born. Scarcely had that hard trial passed whenblows fell crushingly upon Her young Mother's headand heart. It was joy to bring Her little Infant tothe Temple of His Father, but it was the load of athree and thirty years long sorrow to hear the prophecyof Simeon in His regard. The sword of sorrowdestined always for Her, hung over Her head and overthe head of Her Child, and every day, and every hour,and every moment, excruciated Her soul, until at lastit pierced that soul with a keenness of pain never feltby mere aortal before or since. It was joy to see, inthe persons of the Kings of the East, the adorationof the nations about to be redeemed ; joy to find thePRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 523sorrows of Her suffering Spouse lightened by the reliefthey brought, when none in Bethlehem werefound to give a helping hand in the time of hisbitter destitution; but, again, it was woe to be compelledto fly over the desert leading to Egypt, whilethe children of the mothers of Bethlehem werebeing massacred in order to reach the very Child nomother in Bethlehem seemed willing to receive.Hers were always the sorrows of the poor. She hadto taste the cup of woe reserved to the widow withoutmeans for her orphan. She had to bear the griefof the mother whose only child is consigned to apublic death of shame and pain by public authority.In fact, there is no agony, no want, no disgrace incidentalto human misery, which that singularly holy,that perfectly innocent and most elevated of all creatures,- as we have seen She was, even before the Incarnationhad been consummated with Her consent,- had not to endure, and, in a degree so intense, thatit surpassed in an eminent manner all human woe.This continued even after Christ had ascended to heaven;for tradition tells how lovingly and how often Shelingered over every spot where He had spilled His bloodin the Passion; still, as it were, continuing Her ownCrucifixion, until the moment came when like HimShe too closed Her mortal eyes in death. By Hispower She arose from the tomb and was assumed tothe very highest heavens, where placed above allcreatures She continues Her true office of Mother ofthe Living, - the office of the Second Eve.12. If it surpasses our powers of calculation to reachthe extent of merit obtained by Mary in a singleIMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

524 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELyear before she became the Mother of God, and whenShe was only the a Vessel of Election v destined for sogreat a dignity, what can we say of a single day'smerit after she became God's Mother? What can weeven imagine of such a merit, elevated by intense sufferingsendured without a shadow of imperfection forthe sake of God alone? Zvery moment extended thatmerit far beyond human conception. Every momentelevated Mary higher and higher above the dignityof the highest beings created; and there was a deepreason for all this. What a mortification for Luciferwho would make himself like unto God. He would4 place his seat above the stars and be like unto theMost High., He was cast down to the depths of hell,- from the mountain of eternal joy and light, to thedeepest abyss of pain and darkness. He had hisrevenge in the fall of Eve. But now another Eve,the perfect model of humility, -thedaughter of thesinner Eve, of the sinner David, of the sinner Ruth,of the sinner Thamar, of sinners in every generation -passes before him, conquers him, and crushes him.Ascending from this little earth, resplendent with aglory which . even he with all his natural powerscannot comprehend,- so far does it extend, so great isits immensity; - She is placed for Her humility wherehe would place himself in his pride, - a aboue thestars, P - above the stars not merely of our firmament,but above all the stars of heaven, above the Angelsand Archangels, the Principalities and the Powers,above the Cherubim and Seraphim, and all otherbeings created in holiness, brightness, happiness, andbeauty to adore the Great and Living God. LuciferPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF VARY 5%.who desired to be equal to the Most High is madethe most low; while She, the most lowly, a factwhich She Herself tells us God had regarded in exaltingHer, is indeed elevated near the Most High,- soexalted, so immense in elevation, and power, andglory, that no tongue can tell the extent of Her magnificknceand power. There is nothing to prevent nsfrom believing that, in consequence of the good whichShe, above all creatures in heaven, still continues tooperate on earth, Her merit and Her glory will advance,externally at least, until time shall be no more,a Who is that P asks Her ancestor, Solomon a Whoprogresseth as the morning advancing, fair as themoon, bright as the Sun, formidable as an army set inbattle array ? v It is Mary, the Immaculate VirginMother of God. The Light of the world. The Enemyof Lucifer. She who crushed the serpent's head. TheMother and Giver of Good Counsel.13. A love for Jesus Christ, God Incarnate as He is,an ordinary appreciation of His Divinit,~, a calm surveyof what it has pleased the Adorable Trinity to arrangefor His Irtcernation, will lead any reasonableChristian to view Mary the Virgin IvIother of God inthis light. And viewing Her in this light, it will beeasy to account for all the love and devotion whichCatholics now and in all times past have shownHer. The words of Her Son are objected, a For whosoevershall do the will of My Father that is in heaven,he is my brother and sister and mother. P But whoamongst all the friends and servants of Christ ever dida the will of His Father in heaven P with a fidelity atall comparable to Mary? Whom can we conceiveMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

5% THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELamongst creatures, suffering more for God, serving Godbetter than His own Virgin Mother? It was not then asimple office of dignity however high which the SecondEve held; it was one of service, the greatest, the mostpainful and long continued ever suffered, and sufferedpurely for God's sake. It would be impious to supposeHer otherwise than deeply concerned for the eau& of allthis,- man's soul. Her love for Her Son, Her interestin all that concerned Her Son, none can call into doubt.Since then that Son has so loved man as to lay downHis life in such torments for his salvation, how canwe suppose Mary indifferent to that supreme work?An ordinary good human being, a saint say, is neverfound without charity for his fellow men. To be asaint, he must love his fellow creatures next to GodHimself. As the love of God increases in any one sodoes the love of man, until like St. Vincent de Paul,like St. John of Matha and millions of others, he thinksit a happiness to expend all his strength, his means,his very life for the salvation, and even for what isinfinitely less, the alleviation of the sufferings, - 'even of some small temporal sufferings - of his humanfellow creatures. He advances in love until like aSt. Francis Xavier, like a St. John of God and others,he will kiss, yea, even suck the putrid sores of the diseased,to lighten their passing sorrows. And this ismost pleasing to God, Who never fails to rewardmost copiously any act of charity, no matter howsmall, done for our neighbour suffering from any painwhatever in mind or body. Can we therefore believethat God's Mother, so far in advance of every othercreature in the deepest love of God, could be lessPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 52 7solicitous to do what is pleasing to Him than any of Hissaints? That She is less in Her charity for Her neighbour- for man - than all these saints put together?We cannot. And then, if an ordinary angel or the ordinaryblessed spirit of a saved man in heaven, takessuch interest, demonstrates such charity for us as torejoice at every conversion, - whenever such conversionhappens, and in the case of every sinner, nomatter how steeped in guilt - how can we supposeGod's Mother, Gods tender Mother, to be indifferent ?Surely to suppose such a thing would be not onlycontrary to reason but cruel and impious.14. But now when we know it to be the truth,that the blessed in heaven reigning with Christ, bothcan, and do, know what passes here below; when weknow that their intercession has power with Godfor us; when we reflect again that prayer in the caseof adults having the use of reason, is so necessarythat without it God will not grant the pardon of sin,or in fact give salvation at all; then indeed we must befoolish if we do not make use of prayer not only to God,but to His saints, knowing their interest in us; andknowing too, that without our prayer to them,-therebyfulfilling the absolute requirements of God - theywill no more help us, than will God Himself. Therefore the good of applying to them by supplicationand the other forms of prayer in use amongst us.But where in heaven, under God, can we look forcharity to us, or intelligence or power greater than inMary? The truth is, the Blessed Virgin is to us oneof the most, invaluable mercies of Jesus Christ. Heloves us with an evelaldsting love, and this everlastingMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

528 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF GOOD. COUNSELlove was displayed not only in dying for us, in givifigus all that existed in His very Being, but finallyin giving us His Own Ever Blessed Mother.This He did upon the Cross. She was the last ofHis gifts, given only before 130 surrendered His' ownsoul for our sake to His Eternal Father. Ecce MaterTua - Son behold thy Mother, were His last words tous. Ecce Filius tuus - Mother behold thy son -werehis last words to Mary. Her heart, before so full of compassionand charity, now opened with an almost limitlesslove for every human being, all the more intenseas the misery of that human being may be the greater.Boundless must be Her love for souls, purchased asthey were by the Blood of Her Son. Would She willinglylet that Blood be spilt in vain? We have seenthat Her office is to crush the serpent's head. Is SheHerself ignorant of that office? Is She indifferent tothe acts of the infernal enemy of Her Child? Will She,if She can help it, leave anything undone to crush hisefforts everywhere, and in every soul until the end ?Her mighty merits were not for Herself alone. Shewas certainly holy, certainly full of grace, before theIncarnation of Her Son. That immense ocean of merit,beyond human comprehension, which She acquiredafter, though indeed increasing Her own glory,was for us all. If we sinned, God could look upon oneof us at least Who had never sinned, and Who hadserved Him with such a fidelity, that Her prayer joinedto the supplication of any poor sinner on earth, wouldbe powerful to move God's mercy to accept that sinner'sreturn and to save a soul so helped by the powerof Mary. Nor is it wonde&l::that the very gracePRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 529to return, may be obtained by Mary's prayer. Godhas made Her a mother, who thinks only of her child,and of the pain she endured in bearing him. ThatMary bore Jesus without pain is true, but She bore usin an agony such as no other mother ever endured. Inthis respect only, had She more children than Jesus.She brought forth all of us in the travail she enduredat the foot of the Cross. It is incredible that, ifShe can prevent it, She will permit the devil tohave one of these souls from out Her hands. It isimpossible that it can be so without that soul's ownfault. Oh the value of the little that enables Maryto save the sinner! - the value of that perseveringlittle! Who can estimate it?16. From what we have hitherto said, and withoutquoting a line from a single Catholic Doctor, we caneasily comprehend all that the Catholic Church teachesand encourages with regard to devotion to Our Lady.We can understand how St. Bernard, in his love,called Her, c Our life, our sweetness, and our hope,, -meaning that practically, through Her boundless influencet~nd immense charity, She is so, according tothe desires and intentions of Her Son. We can alsosee how true it is, that every effort we make topay Her honour goes entirely to Him through themost beloved , most faithful , most honoured, andmost meritorious of all creatures, -His own Mother.And thus we come to see that every little flowerplaced ipon Her altar by even the tiny handsof an infant, is a sweet odour of the love of Jesusoffered to Him because of the tender, ineffable love HisMother inspires. We come to understand that the34More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

530 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELpoetry and eloquence of Catholic writers, who compareOur Lady to everything beautiful and grand and fairin nature and in grace, are but, after all, telling a partof the truth regarding Mary, Whose greatness andglory are above not only what their pens and tonguesdo say, but also far above what their minds can conceivethough She is a creature infinitely under God inevery attribute. We come finally to see the virtue andthe wisdom existing in Sanctuaries like that of Genazzano.We come to understand why Mary's charity,through the power of Her Son, is able to give sightto the blind ; health to the weak; even life to thedead; help to all that need it ; why it is that Sheinterests Herself in whatever concerns us here below;why She can pour consolation into our troubledspirits; defend us from our enemies; direct us in allour affairs little and great; and finally and above all,give us that wisdom, strength, and light, -in oneword, that spirit of Good Counsel, which infalliblyleads us through all the ways we are to walkin life, to a happy death and to the assured hope ofseeing Her glory in heaven for ever.17. This then, is the devotion which these pagesare written to advance. Never were the times on earthso circumstanced as to need it more. The devil isdeceiving the world by folly. The time is come thathas been foretold, when he is unloosed to seduce thenations. Any calm observer can see that the world isat this hour in positive delirium. Where amongstpagan nations, could we find vices more apparently diabolicalthan those which now prevail among the civilizednations of Europe? When before was there a propa-PRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 531gandism so fierce, immoral, and satanical as that advancedby set:ret societies, by the Communism, Socialism,Nihilism, Know nothingism, and other deadly organizationswhich aim at the destruction of Christianity.It is the old temptation of the serpent and themost effectual for his designs against man.- a Ye shallbe as Gods - knowing good from evil. Ye shallnot die. B a All the empires of the earth I will givethee.. . if falling down thou wilt adore me B. Theworld, inspired by the tempter,, will do all things forthe needy if the needy accept Atheism and hatredfor God and for religion. If the child need education,the world will educate him but only at the sameprice. If the poor are to be fed, the orphan housed,the naked clothed, the sick cared for, the imprisonedcomforted, it must be still to the exclusion of religion,and the acceptance of Atheism and antagonism toGod. If the.pub1ic man is placed. in pay or power,he must make profession in some way or other ofhostility to faith in Christ, - a hostility never soacceptable as when it is complete. If youths are to beadvanced, it must be by Atheism in universities wherehatred, open hatred, and persecuting contempt forreligion, are made fashionable. The same sad qualitiesare also the surest recommendation to after employmentand pror'notion. With a strange unity andfatality in every land, all that is of earth - fashion,the press, public opinion, all, have been turned adversely'to religion. The world is hostile, contemptuous,or at best contemptuously silent about the thingsof God. Impurity is deprived of its hideousness and,to a large extent, of its legal criminality. It is prac-More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

532 THE VIROIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELtised unblushingly. The pride of life is rampant;and every day would seem to disclose the timeswhich St. Paul speaks of as a the last.18. In these sad days above all other days, it isproper to meet the efforts -the last supreme efforts -of the devil, by the power of Her who crushed themfrom the beginning and will crush them to the end, -to lift up for the benefit of the faithful as high on theearth as we can, the standard of Our Lady of GoodCounsel; for the necessjty of having recourse in suchevil times to Her Whom the Church of God is neverweary of putting before us as the Seat of Wisdom andthe giver of Good Counsel, must now be apparent to all.These are the special qualities by which Mary, theImmaculate Spouse of the Holy Ghost, is able to confoundall the designs of Satan, however deeply laid andhowever carefully executed. We have seen that She notonly progresses from the glory of the morning of Hercreation, pure, bright, and spotless as it was, to that ofperfect day, a fair as the moon and bright as the sun, vbut also that She is a dreadful as an army set in battlearray. B She has from God a universal and constantmission to accomplish. The pride of the devil is mental.He confides in the subtlety, in the deceit and cunningof his devices, in his knowledge, in his experience, inhis power, in one word, in his intelligence. And in this,he is naturally as great as when he was first created.a Non diminuta sunt in daemonibus P writes St.Thomasa bona naturalia P. All the natural faculties thedevils ever had, they have still though damned. Andtheir power is great. Our wrestling says St. Paul isnot against flesh and blood but against principalitiesPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 533and powers. It is against those who once had placeamongst all the choirs of the heavenly host, whosenumbers are great, whose concert to do man harmis perfect, and who are all under the orders of theprince of darkness, who has the faculty of makingeven his earthly victims to be a wiser in their generationthan the children of light. B What otherpower could call into existence, so universally, theforces of secret machinations, which at this mchment in every country strive with complete unityof action and identical malignity to ruin both inmass and in detail the soulp redeemed by Christ.The devil is fierce, a knowing that now there isbut little time, B and therefore his forces are moreactive and more united than ever. More than ever,at this moment his agents preach a the lust of theflesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; Band more than ever before , victims are made byhim. Never in all past generations were men foundso completely diabolical, so perfectly open in theirhatred for God and of all that belongs to God. Nothingis left undone to accomplish designs so completelysatanic. All heresies are reproduced. All forms ofpersecution are re-introduced. The advance of men innatural knowledge, the discoveries of scientists, theunveiling of some little of the infinite riches andknowledge in the Creator, - all are turned against theAuthor and Giver of these, as a of every other goodand perfect gift. B The very same pride and folly thatdamned the devil and his associates, is now clea~cly visible amongst the children of men. a Ye shallbe as gods. v Break the Creator's law and ye shallMore Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

634 THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSELknow good from evil. Fear nothing, enjoy the present-God, it is true, says otherwise. Experience and instinctmay say the same. But the tempter and thetemptation prevail. Then there is no death, temporalor eternal, for the followers of sin or the votaries ofpleasure to fear. a No, you shall not die the death. WEnjoy the world, destroy order, property, government,ideas of sin and punishment, whatever, in aword, incommodes you. Seek every enjoyment, aboveall, voluptuous enjoyment . Remove whatever standsin your path. There is no soul, no sin, no punishment.Look to self. Qe careless of all others. Destroywithout scruple whoever stands in your way:a man is no more than a beast. Such is the preachingnow amongst all the organized hosts of Satan, andnations and individuals bow down before it. Who cansave them ? Mary the Mother of Good Counsel. She,as the Church teaches, is destined to destroy all errorsthroughout the whole world. Who can meet the darkdesigns of Satan ? She alone Who was destined tocrush his head, - that head, the seat and centre ofall his hellish astuteness and design.19. We cannot place too much stress upon this qualityof Our Lady. Advancing always a fair as the moon,bright as the sun, formidable as an army in battlearray., Now more than ever Her Counsel, Her protection,Her knowledge, Her power, are required by us.And now more than ever should all, both pastors andparents, have recourse to Her as the Seat of heavenlyWisdom. In extending devotion to the Virgin Motherof Good Counsel, they secure an infallible guide, a cityof refuge, a tower of strength against the face ofPRIVATE USE ONLY

THE WORSHIP OF MARY 535the enemy, for all those committed to their keeping.How blessed to explain this devotion ! a By me,kings reign, and the framers of laws decree judgmentsB. Those who are vigilant, who take the troubleto keep close to the Mother of Good Counsel, findHer in all Her advancing beauty and strength. Sheloves those who love Her, and gives eternal life tothose who make Her known. God grant then, that Hername and Her glory may not cease to advance, untilevery part of the Church on earth becomes filled withdevotion to the Mother of Good Counsel ; until everydiocese shall move for that which many alreadypossess, Her Proper Mass and Feast and Office, thatso the priests and their people may together havecognizance of the desire of the Church to have Maryhonoured as Mother of Good Counsel; until Her Imageis in every house, that so fathers and mothers, andsons and daughters, may advert to the dangers thatsurround them in these disastrous days; until Hersweet likeness holding the Infant Jesus to Her breastis placed in every Catholic school, that so the youngfrom their earliest days may draw from Mary thatCounsel they are so certain to need throughout life;until all Catholics have near them and with themHer beautiful appealing features, that so they may,in their every vicissitude, have recourse to hIary, andask in prayer at Her feet the strength and lightto guide them through all the ills of life, to therest and joy of a happy eternity.More Free Items at www.catholickingdom.com

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