The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-04-02
= = :
Catholic literature.

C3G000o
A writer in the Catholic Standard, of the
18th ult., states some plain facts with re-
gard to the patronage of Catholic literature
that arc worth being pondered. He justly
says that while this apathy is deplored on
every hand, no remedy is proposed. He
continues:
1t is easy to talk of what should be done,
to he eloquent over the happy results OF
great literary movements, which would
to a standard fully able to cope with
our proudest adversaries. But we must
know that before we have Catholic
literature we must have at least two things
"a Catholic mind to produce the desired
Catholic literature, and Q Catholic mind
fit to appreciate that literature. There
are good fervent men-lay as we'll as
clerical-who openly assert there is NO
dearth or scantiness of the former, and
that, therefore, the whole blame must be
put, not on the writer's, but the readers Ut
Catholic literature. We certainly, in our
assertion, though we would be unwilling
to 60 full length with publishers who
are personally and pecuniarily Interested in
the dissemination of Catholic literature.
How, therefore, this fault of Catholics not
fully approaching the labors OF Catholic
w
difficulty which time alone will fully
solve.
To encourage Catholic literature the man
why buys will be actuated by selfish mo-
tives as we'll as the publishers; he must
have what he considers valuefor his money
complain, and any Catholic layman, with
no language but the English, can have as
full and varied library as his education,
taste and pursuits shall fancy. This to us
seems the great difficulty, and we freely
point it out, however, unpleasant it may
! read.
The great reason Catholic literature is
not fully appreciated, is deep lack of in
telligence amongst Ms Catholics. 1t cannot
be denied that many of the heads Of families
cannot read ut all. Their children, even if
they receive q rudimental education, get
not a sound or Catholic education, and
| therefore know nothing of Catholic produc-
tions. The other class of Catholics, though
we must admit of extenuating circum-
stances in particular cases, is far more to
blame. They are those who have the
means to encourage literature, but are too
their families. The truth is, all our rich
men are not graduates of colleges. Many
of them have made money, and beyond
their ordinary routine of business, never
think of improving their education. They
ing room, with fascinating circle of friends
around them, as when they first began to
battle with the world. There are others,
too, who are silly enough to ape the fashion
| of the day and cry down whatever of Catho-
lie literature is around them as not Of pure
faith. Such men are not hard to be found,
who will insultingly say Catholic periodi-
| calls and newspapers are not worth reading.
They certainly are very inconsistent. Ca
tholic newspapers not worth reading, and
they would not pay an annual three dollar
| 90 not
Catholic literature not worth reading
dol they know when they don't read it !
We must acknowledge we have but little
patience with such men. They speak their
own condemnation. They would fain be
considered learned by passing judgment on
tainted enough with the utilitarianism of
the age to let their rich tapestry and gilded
ceiling be the index of their intelligence
| and taste.
To find Catholic newspaper or good
Catholic book beyond the gold-clasped
Bible, set, not for use but ornament, on the
centre-table, is rude. The social inter-
course of our polished Catholics would not
allow it, without running the chances of
offending the gaze and tender sensibilities
of the votaries of the mansion. Talk
about the ignorance of poor people, which
is certainly to be lamented, but it does not
work half the mischief that the Ignorance
of our rich Catholics does. There are
persons now in the ranks of Professionalism,
and nothing brought them out of the Church
but their ignorance. Had they known the
Church. had they understood it, they would,
as st. Paul inculcates, be able to give q
reason for the faith that was in them. They
would have loved it had they known it,
but they were the children of rich as well
as poor parents who despised Catholic
literature.
The remedy we would suggest, then, is
for Catholic periodicals = monthlies OF
weeklies-to speak out what they think
Let them deal with the living Questions OF
the day. Whether edited by laymen OF
clergymen, Catholic publications., in the
form of newspapers or pamphlets, form the
staple of Catholic literature Of the day. II
cannot be considered egotism or a love Of
pelf for Catholic periodicals to stir up from
Che stupor in which they sit the drowsy
, inmates Of the synagogue. We have nc
. hesitation in asserting that the man who il
! the head Of q family, and able to take q
: Catholic paper of some kind, and neglecti
, the only stimulant to faith and piety which
perhaps, crosses the threshold Of his door