Images of the Celestial Messenger. Part 6.

This is the sixth part of my series of images of Giuseppe Maria Abbate (1886-1963), the Italian-American Celestial Messenger. See part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, and part 5. It includes photos of objects found in my collection related to Abbate and his New Jerusalem Catholic Church. These objects include a trumpet, two processional swords, and a box containing relics (mainly hair, beard, and nail clippings).

Trumpet inscribed “Abbate Giuseppe Maria di Carmelo.” Mouthpiece marked “All-Star Trombone.”, 1910s

Sword 1

Bronze pommel in the form of a helmet. A steel chain from pommel to cross guard. Grip in black painted wood adorned with a bronze Maltese-type cross with rays. Bronze cross guard with floral ornaments and a cross. Rain-guard in bronze with a coat of arms featuring a crown and a red enamel cross.

Locket with a scene of a man lying down looking at the sun, probably representing the Celestial Messenger’s first prophetic vision in 1913. The scene also includes a red enameled cross.

On the sheath, under this image, is a large red enameled Maltese-type cross, superimposed by a crown partly enameled in blue. The sheath is decorated with the monogram of the Celestial Messenger and the inscription “Giuseppe M. Abbate Alfa Elfa Sette.” The chape is made of bronze and features an ax, a helmet, and a cross.

The blade is made of steel. The upside of the fort is decorated with several scenes and buildings, including St. Peter’s Basilica and two knights fighting. It also includes the Abbate family coat of arms, a cross, and a crown.

T.C. Gleason MFG Co., Chicago, the leading ceremonial sword maker in the United States at the time, probably made the sword. The objects created by Gleason for the Knights of Columbus have a striking resemblance to Abbate’s swords. According to contemporary advertisements, the company sold “Robes and Paraphernalia for all Secret Societies”. It stated that the products could be specially customized, and there is no doubt that the sword was made to order for Abbate.

Sword 2

It is far less elaborate than Sword 1. Bronze pommel in the form of a helmet (same as on # 1). Grip in black (painted) wood with two golden tassels attached. Bronze cross guards with a cross ornament on one side and an eagle on the other. The sheath has a decoration in the form of a cross with rays and the inscription “Abbate Giuseppe Maria di Carmelo.” The chape is in bronze, featuring a star. The blade’s fort has the inscription: “Alfa Elfa Sette.”