CHAPTER XXVI
LOYALTY TO THE POPE IN LIFE AND DEATH. THE CLOSING SCENES
"In 1887, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Leo XIII," records the Salesian Bulletin, "it was proposed to bring out a special issue entitled Exultemus, containing a selection of autographs in honour of the Pope. Among others was this declaration from our Venerable Founder:
"My tribute will be to declare, as I do before all the world, that I make my own the sentiments of esteem, respect, veneration and unfailing love which St. Francis of Sales bore toward the Sovereign Pontiff; and I would repeat the glorious titles which he had enumerated from the writings of the Fathers and the Councils, forming a crown of precious jewels to adorn the Pontiff's head some of which are: Abel in his favour with God; Abraham in his office of patriarch; Melchisedech in his sacred orders; Aaron by his priestly dignity; Moses in his authority; Samuel by his office of judge and arbitrator; Peter by his power; and some forty others equally honorable and appropriate.
"It is my desire that the followers of the Congregation of St. Francis of Sales should never swerve from the principles of our Patron, which firuided his conduct toward the Holy See: that
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