The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-06-21
The Concert Tor the Pope.

u
The Concert for the Pope.
Monday evening, the 10Th instant, is the
time set for the concert to be given at St.
Patrickis Church, in aid Of the Pope. As
to the merits of the concert in itself, any
laudation on our part would be uncalled for.
Mozart's Twelfth Mass is a work Of which
the merits are thoroughly recognized in this
community, and the style in which it has
been recently presented by artists, who
again appear on this occasion, is sufficient
guaranty of it's effectiveness. When we
know, however, that additional talent is en-
listed for this performance, that Mr.. Coli
gnon joins Mr.. LaHache in the direction,
and that the grand organ of St. Patrick's
will lend it's glorious tones TO the harmony,
we cannot but anticipate even q moro per-
feet rendering of this masterpiece on the
present occasion than that recently given at
st. Aphonsus Hall. The influential names
constituting the committee of arrangements,
and representing at least twelve Of our
principal parishes, afford q good indication
of the probable size and character of the au-
dience.
Irrespective of these various guarantees
of success, however, the motive of the eff
fort, the fact of it's being tribute to the
Pope, ought to make it real ovation.
Our whole community, non Catholic as we'll
as Catholic can, without inconsistency, mark
their sympathy with the wrongs and mis-
fortunes of the Venerable Pontiff.
For Catholics, what moro elevated, more
holy subject for charity than the Church it.
self, represented by it's august headf It is
for, the Church as whole, for it's indepen-
dence Us an organization, its freedom of un-
restrained communication with it's head and
centre, that we are called on to move dur
ing the present times. If the Pope is driven
from Rome to seek shelter under q foreign
flag, or if remaining there, he is but q sub
ject liable to control and coercion at the
whim of some temporal dictator, what guar
anty have Catholics that his communications
with them may not be-, as they have fire.
quently been, hampered, restricted, per-
haps, totally suspended, by the folly or i'm
piety of despot In such a case, history
tells us, too loudly, how discipline is ne
elected and faith languishes. What though
we shower gifts upon local charities when
such danger threatens7 Will God thank
us for decorating the shrines of his Church,
when we permit that Church itself to be
overwhelmed with desolation and disorderf
What though our substance is given to the
most deserving asylumss God is. after all,
the source of their support, and he cannot
bless near-sighted charity which overlooks
higher claims, because more remote. There
is no duty equal to that Of sustaining the
Pope. 500. 4->--es.e' '
The occasion is one which might, indeed,
we'll call forth an expression of sympathy
from our mont Catholic fellow citizens. AS
imbued with the chivalrous sentiments
ascribed to the South, where will our people
find a more honorable instance of weakness
struggling against power than in the present
position of the Pope7 A large portion of
the dominions of an enemy eager to deprive
him of the remainder; harassed by inroads
of organized forces belonging ostensibly to
no nation, yet having n foothold beyond his
lines sustained only by the enthusiasm of
his few remaining people, the ardor of a
small band of foreign volunteers, and the
squadrons Of an unwilling French protector;
the policy of a mysterious imperial cabinet
may, at any moment, leave him exposed to
an invasion, by which he would, surely, be
overwhelmed. If, therefore, we claim to be
a people who ALWAYS incline to favor the
weaker side, here is an occasion for sympa-