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Today was Ash Wednesday and the pilgrims assembled at the Church of St Agatha, which is attached to the Irish College. In the vestibule of the Church they were met by Fr Kelly, Rector of the Irish College. He presented to each pilgrim a programme of the officially arranged events planned for them.
EPISCOPAL JUBILEE OF THE HOLY FATHER
THE IRISH PILGRIMS
ORDER FOR STAY IN ROME
Wednesday February 15th
9 0 am
At Irish College, Mass and Distribution of ‘The Ashes’ by His Eminence the Cardinal-Primate
10 0 am
Unveiling of the Cardinal Cullen Monument in the College
8 0 pm
Reunion at the Arcadia, 8, Carlo al Corso
NB This reunion is fixed for this hour each evening during the Pilgrims’ stay in Rome
Thursday February 16th
9 0 am
At San Clemente, Mass, and Visit to Crypts
4 0 pm
At St Maria della Pace, the Cardinal-Primate will take possession of the Title
8 0 pm
Reception by the Cardinal-Primate at the Arcadia
Friday February 17th
10 0 am
Mass at St Maria Maggiore
Saturday February 18th
10 0 am
Mass in St Giovanni in Laterano
Sunday February 19th
9 0 am
Mass of the Holy Father in S Pietro
Monday February 20th
9 0 am
At S Patrizio, Mass and unveiling of Statue of St Patrick At S Isodoro, Visit to Irish Franciscan Monastery and Church
Tuesday February 21st
10 0 am
Audience with the Holy Father
NB
The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Roman Committee will be happy in affording every assistance possible for sight-seeing, purchases, etc
Badges, Banners, and Insignia are not to be displayed out of doors
The hour for dinner should not be later than 6 0 pm
BY ORDER OF THE COMMITTEE
The ceremony of distributing the Ashes was carried out by the Cardinal Primate. The pilgrims were permitted to venerate the remarkable relic of St Patrick preserved in the church. The whole choir of the Irish College and the clergy from the pilgrimage sang beautifully. Mass was then celebrated by his Eminence and then Fr Kelly told the pilgrims the history of the church and the objects of special interest to be seen therein.
On the left side of the church the heart of Ireland’s Daniel O’Connell is enshrined in a marble monument. The sad inscription reads:
‘This monument contains the heart of O’Connell, who, dying in Genoa on his way to the Eternal City, bequeathed his soul to God, his body to Ireland, and his heart to Rome’.
The pilgrims then separated into smaller parties and spent hours visiting the Forum and the Colosseum where so many died for their faith.
At 8 0’clock the pilgrims met up for a very interesting programme of vocal and instrumental music – with Fr Brady of Westland Row, Dublin at the piano.
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