(From “Chronicle of the American Sisters of the Eastern Province of the Canonization of St. Louise” [1934], used with permission of the Daughters of Charity Provincial Archives)
March 14 [1934] – The Very Reverend John J. Cronin, D.D., C.M., Director of the Western Province, said Mass here at 7:30. We had heard the Community Mass at 6:00 and at 10:00 we assisted at the Triduum Solemn Pontifical Mass celebrated at St. Andrea’s by His Eminence Cardinal John Verdier, Cardinal-Archbishop of Paris. It is not an exaggeration to say that the crowd numbered 3,000 person. The ceremonies were beautifully accomplished, the music formed an emotional and aesthetic background; devotion was sincere. All in all, it was another triumph for Saint Louise.
Dinner at noon, a few minutes of relaxation and then the way of the Cross at the Coliseum [sic] … It was our first experience in a Roman tram, but, going and coming we enjoyed the novelty of being jostled, pulled, yelled at, and thrown on two or three persons before we finished the trip. We entered the Coliseum with a feeling of profound reverence and made our way over the area to the cross in the center which many years ago had been removed by Garibaldi but which Benito Mussolini has replaced. The base bears the name of Il Duce …
Tonight the Triduum at St. Andrea closed in glory. After the recitation of the Rosary, His Eminence, Cardinal Emilio Pacelli, Secretary of State to His Holiness, pronounced the Panegyric and it was masterly in every detail. Solemn Benediction was given by Cardinal Alessandro Verde, Penant of the Cause. The Te Deum was intoned and its triumphant notes rang out praise and thanksgiving to God for St. Louise and for all the graces He was bestowed upon the world through her.
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