tion rested, until he finally convinced them of the injustice done to their Catholic fellow-citizens; religious equality and freedom of worship were granted, and are still maintained in the public institutions of New Jersey. He was intensely American in his feelings, and won the liberty of Catholics by contending for the equal rights of all denominations, without special privileges to any. Everyone loved Patrick Farrelly. No one could help admiring his unselfish, pure-minded, generous disposition. His charity was unbounded, not only in good deeds, but in speech. He always stood ready to condone, sympathize and defend the unfortunate.

"In a word, Patrick Farrelly was the most perfect man I ever met, and I believe this opinion has been affirmed at the Great Judgment Seat, before which he has been summoned."

THE FIRST AMERICAN PILGRIMAGE TO ROME.

BY THE RT. REV. BENJAMIN J. KEILEY, D.D.

To the St. Michael's Association-an organization founded for the relief of the Papal Zouaves in order to secure them work or positions on their return to America after the disgraceful act of the Subalpine Government in seizing Rome was due the initiative from which came our Pilgrimage. The matter was subsequently taken up by the Catholic Union.

Early in 1874, at a meeting of the Catholic Union of New York, the feasibility of the organization of a Catholic Pilgrimage to Lourdes and Rome was discussed. The idea found such favor with the members that it was determined to appoint a Committee from the Union to look into the matter, and report if in their judgment such a demonstration of faith and loyalty to the Holy See could be gotten up.

The Committee to whom the matter was referred submitted the following:

"CATHOLIC UNION, CIRCLE OF NEW YORK.

"COMMITTEE ON A PILGRIMAGE.

"The Committee having met and considered the following points submitted to it by the Council, viz.:

"1. Whether there exists among the people generally a desire that a Pilgrimage of American Catholics to Rome and other points in Europe should take place?

"2. Whether a sufficient number of Catholics would be willing to take part in such a Pilgrimage, as to ensure its accomplishment and success?

"Respectfully report: that in their opinion and from all the information which they have been able to collect, such a Pil

grimage is earnestly desired by a vast number of Catholics of the United States as a manifestation of the devotion of American Catholics, as a protest against the infidelity of the age, and an expression of their reverence and affection for the Holy Father.

"As to its practicability—that is, the possibility of finding a sufficient number of Catholics to take part in such a movement: From the number of applications and assurances of support received by gentlemen who have hitherto advocated the movement in the press, there seems to be no doubt that if the management of such Pilgrimage be undertaken by proper and competent persons, the time to be spent on the journey, the points to be visited and the necessary expense be clearly and definitely stated; there would not be the slightest difficulty in finding a very large number of persons who would take part in such Pilgrim

age.

"The Committee were fortunate enough to have amongst their number a gentleman who had been deputed by St. Michael's Association to collect information on the subject, Mr. John D. Keiley, Jr., whose knowledge materially aided them in their deliberations.

"For the better convenience of Pilgrims it would be advisable that some such action should be taken immediately, as it will be found very difficult, if not impossible, to find a sufficient number of berths in any first-class ocean steamer after the next few weeks."

This Committee was made a permanent one, charged with the preparatory work of organizing a Pilgrimage and making all necessary arrangements for it.

The Committee consisted of the following gentlemen: Major John D. Keiley, F. H. Churchill, P. M. Haverty, Charles N. Morse, Mr. Hecker, and Father Dealy, S. J. Subsequently Mr. James A. McMaster, Dr. Francis Moore, Mr. Patrick Farrelly of St. Michael's Society, and Mr. Harold Henwood of the New Jersey Catholic Union were added. One of the first acts of the Committee was to draw up a circular letter, which was sent to a large number of prominent ecclesiastics, including all the