The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-02-19
The Holy Father.


We learn from Thos. Layton, Esq, that
he has Just received q letter from Archolsh-
Cd Perche, in which he is requested to an
nounce that the Sovereign Pontif is now,
more than ever, in need of pecuniary aid.
While reading q few days ago that his
Holiness was so liberal in his charity to
the citizens who had been greatly distress
ed by the recent overflow at Rome, we
entertained the consoling hope that per-
haps his financial position was, for the
present, not very bad, but this letter from
our venerable Archbishop, himself at the
scene of events, dispels any such ideas.
This munificence on the part of the Holy
Father in the face of the pressing demands
upon his treasury and its empty condition,
was simply sublime act OF faith IN the
providence of God.
He might have deluded himself also,
like others, with the plea of poverty and
debt. He might have said, "What l have Is
not mine to dispose of now, because
know the very manner in which 1t must
he disposed of hereafter or else those who
are dependent on me will be left destitute"
But instead of such worldly prudence he
preferred the sanity folly which teaches,
"blessed is restitution which comes OF
charity"
No man hesitates to spend money for bis
own bread and that of his children be-
cause of his being in debt, and the Hoy
Father considers all men as his children.
IF thew need bread and are within his reach
they must have it.
Christians ought to reciprocate this feel
ing and regard him as their father. The
obligation of support is mutual between
parent and child. No man will scruple to
use his money to supply father or mother,
no matter how poor or how much in debt
he may be. Yet we all see the Holy Fa-
Their in poverty, in distress, in need, and
how few hearts turn to him with a filial
longing! How few purses of his wealthy
children are opened to him with loving gen.
erosty!
1t is of no use to wait for the rich, the
Door must come forward as usual to bear
the burden of faith and charity. They are
your true philosophers. They have faced
poverty until they are not afraid of it. If
neighbor needs now, they give OF what
they have, though they may need it to-mor-
row. They do not look so far ahead. Sutfi-
cientto know that they do not need at pres
ent what they have, and that their neighbor
does.
With such people it is only necessary to
! respond to rne Cxrr. -Drvsseu VIII be their
flial piety. In no other form can gift be
made to God SO directly as through his
Vicar. In the first ages of the Church all
Christians laid their possessions at the feet
of st. Peter, or held them at his disposal,
and if our time was worthy to be called
one of the ages of faith, every earthly pos
session of Catholics would be spontaneous
Offering to the Holy Father, should his ne
cessties demand it. Every Christian would
be delighted with the opportunity of thus
coming with his gifts 80 near to the sacred
person of Christ. We hope that our peo-
pie individually and as a community may
not lose this opportunity of drawing down
the inestimable blessings which their liber-
atty in this cause will attract. The
greater the sacrifice the moro estimable
will be the offering.