Dwenger, Joseph, Bishop of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1874 July

Dwenger describes their pilgrimage from New York on. They were forced to share their rooms with some 30 others, some very objectionable. They held daily meditations, beads, morning and evening devotions, and celebrated, Masses in both cabins every morning except the first two. The officers were very kind; although there was some trouble with the objectionable passengers. Father Daly, S.J., and some ladies did not take part in the spiritual exercises on board ship. He describes their visit in Paris. They started for Lourdes Monday morning, where they remained two days. The week before they arrived a Boston lady was completely cured of paralysis. They left Thursday for Marseilles. They arrived at Civita Vecchia on Sunday. They arrived in Rome Monday morning and were received by the Pope, the following day. He made an address in Latin, Judge Theard in French, and the Holy Father answered them, said Mass for them the next morning, and gave them Communion. Cardinal Franchi was present at a reception at the American College and at a dinner given by Chatard. The Cardinal delivered a speech at the Scotch and Irish College and he met Cardinal De Lucca there. Cardinal Borromeo and the Catholic Circle gave them a reception Thursday evening. Msgr. Nerode, who invited the Americans, was the one who found and excavated the original basilica of St. Nereus and Achilles via Ardeatina. Sunday, Cardinal Franchi said Mass and preached. Msgr. Nerode gave them a breakfast and Commendators Rossi explained the basilica and catacombs of Sts. Nereus and Achilles. The Holy Father's health is very good. His kindness was shown by his gift of a very fine Chalice and Ciborium to Dwenger, and 12 more chalices for the poor churches of his diocese. Cardinal Franchi is young, active, intelligent and kind. Cardinal De Lucca, Msgrs. Nerode, Howard, Kirby, Stoner and Chatard were all very kind. Rome is a sad place. The day before the Pope's election anniversary the streets were blocked off, necessitating going a few miles to cross on the Sixtine bridge. Yesterday there was a Te Deum in St. Peter and afterward because some shouted "Viva Pius IX" some were arrested, among them six English ladies, one a relative of Gladstone's. The heat is very bad, and everyone feels dull and drowsy. This evening he leaves for Loretto and will go to Venice, Vienna, and Munich. He expects to be back the middle of August. :: II-5-f A.L.S. 4pp. 8vo.