Del Val's Jubilee

Among the 60-odd patrons of 60-odd Roman churches who wear, throughout the world, the red and the rank of Cardinals of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, there are always some whose eminence is peculiarly conspicuous. The present generation dimly recollects Manning of England, vividly recalls Gibbons of Baltimore, still boasts Mercier of Belgium and him whose country is his church, Merry Cardinal del Val.*

Once Merry del Val was a young man, brilliant, resourceful. Once even Cardinal del Val was a young cardinal-- for he received his red hat at the age of 37, soon after he had returned to Rome from a shockingly successful embassy to Canada and just after he had published his Truth of the Papal Claims (1902).

And now it is recorded: Merry del Val is no longer young. Last week in Rome, in St. Peter's, was celebrated the silver jubilee of the day in 1900 when he became titular bishop of Nicaea. The ceremony was simple, because of the recent death of the Cardinal's mother. The great basilica was almost empty. With the ancient ritual, before assembled ecclesiastics, Merry del Val said mass. As he came down from the altar, the Te Deum of thanksgiving pealed forth.

Was there weariness in the massive half-closed eyes of the spiritual Prince? Did he recall 1914 when upon the death of Pope Pius X/- the world, unwillingly, thought he would be Pope? He is nearly 60 now--that was long ago. Did he recall 1922 when again the world was ready to see him Pope? That, too, had passed.

Roman Catholic prelates often aver that no Cardinal desires to be Pope. If, as the world insists, Merry del Val was an exception to this rule, it is also probable that he now says the rule was wise. For surely the after-middle-years would have been robbed of all felicity had Merry del Val labored, as Pope, to be as great as he has been Cardinal.

*Born of Irish and Spanish descent, he went to Rome early, was trained for the diplomatic service of the Church, has known no home but Rome.

/- During the papacy of Pius Val was Papal Secretary of State for eleven years, one of the most distinguished tenures of that executive office. He is now Secretary of the Congregation of the Holy Office. Cardinal Gaspain is Secretary of State.