The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-10-16
pAsr,1AL LETTER
PAsToRAL LETrxR
of the Most Reverend Archbishop Of Nesc
Nec Orleans, on the OCCASION Of his de-
parture for Rome.
MADISON JOSEPH, by the Of God and the favor
Of the Apostolic See. Archbishop Of Now Orleans.
to the Clergy and Faithful of our Diocese, Health
- and Benedictaon in jesus Christ Our Lord.

ASeHkvU
+"rl we little anticipated that we should hav e
to part with you at this early day even for q
seoann 1t is true, we were aware, that one of
the sweetest and most consolpg duties OF our
n yeraou. to our beloved Pontif, and lay the
tribute of our attachment, venexation and love,
at the feet of Christie Vicar and representative
on earth; but we calculated on undertaking
this tourney no earlier than next Spring, and
drew all our plans in accordance with this ar
ranpement. Now. however, that the labors of
the Council have been resumed. and the viii OF
,nonnt to an order, is explicitly known, we
feel obliged to Get out immediately; SO that, by
the time many of you, dearly beloved Brethren,
shall receive this letter, we shall DC 1ar distant
on our way to Rome. -, .
Your affection, dear brethren, will enable
xon easily to appreciate the conflicting senti-
ments Of joy and sadness, py which our neart
Il will be signal happiness for us to take a
closer, and inner view of the city of Rome-that
city unparalleled, which for 80 many centuries
fastened it's iron yoke on nearly the entire an
Gent world, and to this day, after eighteen hun
dred of the most stirring years that humanity
ever traversed, extends its pacific sceptre over
SO many millions of Souls dispersed .nr9ugh .n
Ian o,heninp shadows cast by the monuments
of its pagan splendor, to contemplate those
other monuments, dearer ana more glorious,
f.hr;stian antiquities. Most happy shall we be
to salute the Roman Church, the mother and
mistress Of all the churches-the Apostolic
See. the immovable centre of Catholic unity,
aud that chair of Peter, from which are in
cessantly uttered those oracles of truth, which
are the sole safeguard OF society here and
mans sole guaranty OF saiva!i1n heTeaiter.
With deeper sentiments of faith and piety
than feeble human language can express we
shall 10 and venerate the tombs OF the Apos-
Ties. Whence, although enshrining the mortal
s,o;ls for long centuries laid within them, yet
spmanates. and forever will emanate, vital
force more vigorous than time is enduring,
and fated to triumph over earth and hell.
What consolation 1t VIII oe 10 US 10 ioSK In.
legitimate heir of the Prince of the Apostles,
and to have it in our power to say In our own
mind: This is the One, who occupies the place
of jesus Christ among men; in whom are pre-
Served and perpetuated all the prerogatives
vested in Peter by our DiVlne saviour: Ine
same one who is the fountain of all hierarchi-
cal authority in the Church OF Godi mere ne
the potentates of earth, nay, above all the
bierarchs of heaven; man, the mere Inn lence
of whose word can achieve what no created
mower could attempt: that God-like man, en-
trnsted by the Man-God with authority 80
snhlime that what he binds or looses on earth
ia likewise bound or foosed in heaven.
But beloved brethren, while bowling In I'M
f.;"n,,, heartfelt homage to those magnificent
mr.. :. lives conferred by Jesus Christ on His
rem =. = tative, shall nevertheless, expe-
ri..,. = peculiar joy in knowing that the SUI
n.ru.- raj endowments we yenerate and ad-
,nnire. !, q at this moment inseparabhe from the
Gems. lied person Of our beloved Plus the
Niuth-Pius the Ninth the greatest man of
our age, the nobest ana puIest ;st;
guished Pontiffs, by whom the Church has
been illustrated. Whether we consider the
grand results which he has effected, either in
nm fielding the primitive deposit of faith, or in
the tribuiations through which his course has
been marked out by the over-rnling Providence
of God we are equally at loss which to ad-
mire the more, his undannted energy IN la ac!lon
1 "a. rI,a oh 9OuauimltV SuneriDQ.
tn no Pontiff in the splendid array of Pontiffs,
has it been given; to few, II to any, OF the
grandest representatives OF our race mas peen
Allotted the privilege to combine the rare
qualities SO remarkably peculiar to Plus TX,
of strenth with meekpess, OF majesty with
grace. Treasureless and unarmed, he Yields q
Dower, which in q mere earthly Sovereign
wonld be resisted as usurpation. But the
secret of his ascendancy over mlnos Is 10 pe
f0und only in the Divine commission where
with he is entrusted; IN virtue OF , Whicn ne
Heaven in the hearts and affections OF his
people.
So it will be particularly pleasure and
Joy for Ms to present together with our own the
homage and the testimonials of love and good
wishes of our dear clergy, long DISTINGUISHED
for their faithful attachment to the Holy See
and their tilal reverence and affection LOT ,ts
present illustrious occupant Plus lA.-lt will
also be for us most delightful duty to present
to the august and venerable Pontif the res
pectful homage and love of our dear children,
the Catholics of this grand and beautiful dio-
cese who on every occasion have exhibited so
rare an instinct in divining, and 80 rare an in
genuity in anticipating our desires that they
should manifest, of their own accord, and IN
the unbdden effusion of their own zeal and
reverence, their respect for legitimate author
ity. represented now nowhere else outside of
the Sovereign Pontitf. Knowing now ardently
our people as we'll as our priests are attached
to his august person as well as to his exalted
dignity and office it will afford us no little
consolation, while PROSTATE ut MS sacred ieet,
lima ord nf