The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-11-05
n. Latest r.sy.,..., ( Pop. ria. ii. x,a.A.

t. q: k.eo.s n:AsP rsa%:.e and a. Head
Venerable; Brsshrs~--With . deep feeling
Of Psternal love, I again take occasion to
address myself to you. When / last com.
nunicsted with you from this our Holy
Bee took occasion to arouse your conf
dence In the words Of Jesus to our prede-
cessors, the Apostles Of our holy Church,
to whom he said 81 am with you all days.
even to the contamination Of the world -
and again, 'sThe gates Of hell shall not
prevail against yon." It iAneedless for me
again, venerable brethren, to reassure you
Of how much stronger and Just lie He in
whom we have placed aud shall continue
to place our trust. With our enemies it
appears to be 6xed belief that the recov-
cry OF our most lawfully established au.
thority Will never come to pass but on
many other occasions, even during our
own Pontilcate, have those heretics and
apostates exulted over their usurpatiORs,
which always meant only q empOrary ces-
sasion Of the enjoyment of our essential
rights. 1t 10 not, venerable brothers, that
l have any presumptuous faith in the &C.
QUESTION of formidable armies or in the
uprising OF q universal crusade in my ia
vor which gives me assurance in telling you
that Rome will yet be free from tho bonds
of the usurper; but I am guided by the
Interchangeable nature of Gods providence
in every age. know, As you do, and
every Christian who believes in the Word
Of God knows, that there can be but one
holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and
that We alone possess those essential
marks. Now, the great God who rules that
Church and provided for it certain ordi-
nances from which His protection has never
been Withdrawn will soon restore to us
Rome, the rudder, the standard bearer of
the Church militant
In that fact, venerable brethren, have
answering confidence, for the inheritance
of o God begotten Charch cannot be plum
dered by despots and tyrants. Again, the
enemies Of our power falsely state that in
the principality of Rome neither human
freedom nor modern progress possessed
any friends. That vain assertion, meant to
dupe the uninitiated, will meet with con-
tempt from the intelligent world. In the
adoption of all the elements of modern
progress in Italy, Rome showed the first
example.
No province in the Peninsula was better
versed with the movements Of foreign ma
tons or more qualified to judge the general
aspect OF events throughout the world.
Our statesmen have been more learned, our
theologians more profound, ous poets more
sublime, our artists moro cultivated and
ingenious all the representatives of every
department. of the social system in Rome
wero far more eligible and great in their
respective callings than any to be found
elsewhere Ia 1Caly. Onuer our RUE buo
people of Rome were taxed less, and reli-
gion, the great basis of civilization, was
free.
But will not deal at length upon the
political or social prerogatives of the tenn
poral dominion of Catholicity. l beg of
you merely to combine your fervent pray
ers to the God Of Hosts, begging OF him to
dispel the temporary cloud of sadness
which overshadows the Church Mt Rome.
Pray ofHim to quickly restore all that is ca
pable of rendering Catholicism completely
free all that will rescue us from the arbi-
trary power of tyrants and apostates, who
style themselves heroes and patriots.
Granting you, venerable brethren, the
apostolic benediction, and through you to
persevere in faith and in the love Of God.
Given at St. Peters, this 18th day of
September, in the year of Onr Lord 1871.