PATRONS AGAINST PARTICULAR EVILS. 1. Saint Anthony, the Abbot: against fires; (not known whether it is a cheaper means of protection than the English Fire Offices). 2. Saint Maurus; against Sciatica. Patients are touched at Church with a relic of the saint and obtain Plenary Indulgence. 3. Santa Irene, against lightning. 4. Saint Gioachino Piccolomini, against convulsions and epilepsy. 5. Santa Rita di Cascia, against earthquakes. 6. St. Trophimus, against gout in the feet and hands: Podagra é Chiragra. 7. St. Liborio, who delivers people from the stone: Liberatore dei Calcoli. 8. St. Rocco, against the plague. 9. Santa Silvia, against spasms. Persons suf fering from convulsive diseases are brought to the Church to be blessed. 10. St. Andrea Avellino, against sudden death. VOL. II. M SEMI-MIRACULOUS REMEDIES, AND BLESSING HOLY WATERS, ETC. 1. On the day of Epiphany, water is blessed at St. Anastasia, according to the Greek rites. In the Church delle Stimmatte water is blessed on the same day according to the Latin rites. These waters are given away, the whole year, for the use of sick persons. 2. Holy lambs. On the 21st January, after a pontifical mass, two lambs receive a benediction. Of their wool are made the pallia, an ornament which the Pope sends to such Archbishops as he wishes particularly to honor. 3. Horses. These useful animals receive a bene diction, and are supplied with some oats on which another benediction has been bestowed. The blest oats, mixed with a sufficient quantity of profane, i. e. unblest corn, have great power to keep them, (the horses) in good condition, especially if the horses are good. This benediction takes place at the Church of St. Antonio Abbate. 4. Golden roses. Blessed by the Pope, as presents to princes. 5. Candles. 6. Ashes. 7. Palm branches. 8. Oil of two or three sorts. 9. Olive branches, which keep off lightning and storms. These are blessed on the 29th April, at S. Pietro Martire alla Minerva, where the Cardinals and the Consultori of the Inquisition, hold a meeting. 10. Abitini (Scapularies?) 11. A cap and a dagger sometimes sent to princes who are inclined to defend the Church. 12. Carroway seeds for the sick-probably flatulent patients. These seeds are blessed on the 23d June, in the vestry of St. John in Laterano. 13. Water for sick persons, in many Churches. 14. Medals, which have a peculiar power to assist the dying. They are distributed on the 7th November, "La dispensa della Medaglia benedetta in articulo mortis.” REMARKABLE FESTIVALS. 1. The notable conveyance of the House of Loretto from Nazareth to the Papal States, which happened on the 11th December, A. D. 1294. 2. Commemoration of the miracles by which many images of the Virgin Mary moved their eyes, occasioning, very naturally, a great anxiety in the beholders to know what the images meant. This happened, A. D. 1796. 3. Festival of St. Zeno and his 10,050 compa nions, Martyrs. Mem: To enquire where and when this glorious harvest of martyrs was gathered in, and whether, the Right Reverend Bishop, who is keeper of the Pope's relics, has all their bodies safe in that holy treasury. CHAPTER VIII. Tea, and the New End of Controversy !* THE note of invitation was despatched in due time and form: the evening closed in, and il Signor Abate Fantoccini, entered the room, where all our little party was assembled. We gave the Italian priest a kind reception, and availed ourselves of his having been in Ireland, and his being acquainted with many persons whom we knew, to make him feel at ease among us. He was not, however, troubled by the least degree of mauvaise honte. Lively by nature, possessed of that quick perception which shows itself in the dark and shining eyes so common in Italy, and, not a little proud of the facility with which he spoke English, our new acquaintance chatted, * Perhaps this is said in allusion to a well known work of a Roman Catholic Bishop, who some years ago undertook, too confidently, to put an end to the controversy between Protestants and Catholics.-Editor. |