(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.

(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 13 [1934] – Second day of the Triduum … [The] audience with the Holy Father [took] place at noon. The wind was blowing gale as we crossed the Tiber to St. Peter’s but wind and everything else was forgotten for the time being. Through the Colonnade into the Vatican Palace, up the marble stairs to the Throne Room. At the far end stood the Pontifical Throne on the left of which were on display all the gifts of our Most Honored Mother to His Holiness … The floor space on the left was filed with the clergy; on the right were the Visitatrices and their Assistants. Sr. Paula and Sister Gertrude were in that group. Above these two sections were tribunes, one on each side, filled with members of the Congregation of the Mission. Beyond this to the door was one sea of cornettes with only a narrow passage between for the Holy Father.

… His Holiness did not appear until about 2:30. He was hailed by loud applause and shouts of “Vive le Pape!” as he entered the hall … [He] addressed the audience for about twenty minutes … At the close of the audience the Holy Father rose and gave us his Pontifical Blessing … The great event was over. We had seen and heard Pius XI and were carrying away within ourselves and for those near and dear to us, the blessing of the Vicar of Christ.

A few familiar American faces appeared amongst the students and priests in the tribunes. Our Western Sisters were pleased to see their Director, Reverend John J. Cronin, C.M., who was accompanied by Father Lavelle.

(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 12 [1934] – First day of the Triduum in honor of St. Louise. The Church of St. Andrea della Valle was the church designated for the Triduum, therefore, our first plan for the day was to be present at the Solemn Pontifical Mass to be sung at 11 A.M…. We reached there in ample time to see the preparations and to get in a few extra prayers … The Mass proceeded with a large number of attendants and much ceremony. The singing was beautiful … There was no sermon but during the lengthy singing of the Credo and the Gloria, the beautiful frescoes in the sanctuary, depicting the crucifixion and the burial of St. Andrew, gave much food for thought.

The main altar was draped from the dome to the altar with cloth of gold and scarlet velvet in the style of a royal canopy. In the center of this drapery was a large painting of St. Louise standing in an attitude of ecstasy. At her feet two angels hold large miraculous medals … Early supper and at 6:00 we were again at St. Andrea della Valle for the Rosary, Sermon, and Solemn Benediction. The entire service was marked by great dignity and ceremony … While we were in church the rain poured but luckily stopped long enough to let us get home. As the distance was not great some of us walked home and it was a strange experience to walk through the streets and narrow, ill-lighted “via” of Rome at eight o’clock at night.