United States or Qatar ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


He was astonished at the look of youth, for the Pope was eighty-eight this year; yet his figure was as upright as that of a man of fifty, his shoulders unbowed, his head set on them like an athlete's, and his wrinkles scarcely perceptible in the half light. Papa Angelicus! reflected Percy. The Cardinal ceased his explanations, and made a little gesture.

If Papa Angelicus who now reigned in Rome had not thought of it, why should a foolish, conceited priest in Westminster set himself up to do so? So he beat himself on the breast once more, and took up his office-book. He finished in half an hour, and again sat thinking; but this time it was of poor Father Francis.

"Panis Angelicus fit panis hominum. O res mirabilis, manducat Dominum Pauper, Servus et Humilis." These words of the Matins of the Most Holy Sacrament I heard for the first time many years ago, to the beautiful and inappropriate music of Cherubini.

The works of the second period, which ends around 1875 with the re-editing of the recently composed oratorio "Redemption," reveal him still in search of power and a personal manner. No doubt a great improvement over the works of the first period is visible. From this time there date the seraphic "Panis angelicus," and the noble and delicate "Prélude, fugue and variation" for harmonium and piano.

While the collection was being made there was music very good local talent two violin soli played by a young fellow, from one of the small neighbouring châteaux, whom we all knew well, and the "Panus Angelicus" of César Franck, very well sung by the wife of the druggist.

And this was the man, thought Percy, Papa Angelicus, whom he was to see in a minute or two. The Cardinal put his hand on the priest's knee as the door opened, and a purple prelate appeared, bowing. "Only this," he said. "Be absolutely frank." Percy stood up, trembling. Then he followed his patron towards the inner door.

The shutters here, too, were drawn; and there was nothing to distract Percy from the excitement that surged up now tenfold in heart and brain. It was Papa Angelicus whom he was about to see; that amazing old man who had been appointed Secretary of State just fifty years ago, at the age of thirty, and Pope nine years previously.