The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-08-24
MORNING STAR AND CATHOLIC AUGUST 1873

ed arrows against u ION ought to know, gen.
tlemen, what this word mea MS the mouth of
the modern enemies of Catholici and if YOU
do not, read their writings, examine their &C.
| tions, and you will fnd that Ultram ontanism
Jesnitism, Romanism, the Rom an Curia and
obscurantism, mean nothing else with them
but Cathoicty itself, or the Catholic Apos toll.
cal Roman Church, with its dogmas, its m oral,
Tho is the Church called by them the Ultra.
montaue hydra, which they hope to overturp.
Aud is it, gentlemen, in the garb of q repro.
bate society like this that your institution pre-.
| tends to serve the cause of the Catholic Apos-
tolc Roman religion, and defend it's rights its
dogmas aud its morals 7
Passing over your individual sentiments,
which we nowise pretend to examine, you
were ill-advised when you sought the name of
Masonry for your institution, and therefore
allow us to tell you
lie kno,o you not aud we thank you for your
offers in the words of tho Latin poet: "1Imco
Danaos ct dOna Jerentes."
II you really desire to confer on the Church
and on Brazilians the benefits contained in
your programme, do SO with the Church itself
and. animated with it's spirit, which is the
spirit of God, making sure that where that
spirit is there true liberty is to be found. But
where its spirit dwells, there is no such thing
as Masonry, under whatsoever right it be de-
nominated.
Consequently, in Catholicity, within the
Catholic Apostolical Roman Church, exist the
most famous institutions, which, having for
their object the exercise of every virtue, might
we'll dispense you gentlemen from seekin &
elsewhere the means by which you wish to
serve humanity.
There you will find remedy for every evil,
consultations for every sorrow, and balsam to
heal every wound for there alone true chart
ty abides because the precept of this celestial
virtne called by Jesus Christ a ne,c command
ment, is only fully understood and carried out
by the Church.
Your association, therefore, in order to fulfil
tue ends WHICH you desire, should spring up
wItbin the Church, come to us from the
CInrch, and in the name Of the Church.
by taking the name of Masonry, it does not
seem to proceed from good source, and al
though you may say that it's installation was
under the auspices of His Holiness the Pope,
ton of Masonry, the Roman Pontiff will not
acknowledge you as obedient sons of the Cath
olic Church of which he is the chief.
An association of this kind, that has for OBJ
Ject TO defend the Catholic Apostolical Roman
religion and which is now set on foot, as you
say, to unite the Brazilian people in the true
love of God aud their country, to practise
charity, developing in the hearts of the people
the true love of God, should certainly present
the titles of exalted mission, with the ap-
probation of the diocesan prelate whose bust
ness 1T is to know how religion is defended in
bis diocese, and in what manner the true 10 We
of God is developed in the hearts OF his do
cesans. And if you do not prove the legitimacy
OF your mission by this title, the Brazilian
BISHOPS are far from acknowledging you or
your offers.
Although you do not form part of the flock
to our care by our pastoral office,
the conclusion OF your letter seems to author
ize us to give you good counsel and certainly
you cannot take it amiss; for the counsel of a
bishop, given for the salvation of his nei Oh
bors, Gun do nobody harm.
Instead of forming associations under q |
name 30 suspicious, transplant into your city !!
The Society of st. Vincent of Paul, already we'll
known in the Catholic Church. There, in
deed, you will find the true love of God and |
your neighber, precepts which include the |
whole law. This Society, with that usual |
nodesty OF the works of God, does good with
'ut ostentation, with its eyes solely fixed upon
heaven, whence it hopes to receive the reward
Of the good deeds which it performs on earth
here indeed, with humility, . virtue so little
known in the world, and with self-abnegation
,ou Will gather the precious fruits which you
lesire, W hich cannot thrive professionally with
The accursed cookie of selfshness, which makes
,he works of men so mean and insenifi can't
however great and magn tcent they may ap-
pear: And in order that all may prosper with
dls blessing, from whom all good proceeds, he
lhited TO your prelate, your spiritual father,
lud the pastor of your souls uuder whose aus
plces and appreciation the association of which |
we speak Will flourish among the good people
of Pernambuco. The Society of st. Vincent
lie paul, thanks to the religious Flumnenses,
IS alseady established in the capital of the en-
pre-, producing fine aud we'll seasoned fruits
not only for the future life, but also for the
present.; because religion, which aum ates and |
inspires men, whilst it prepares them for hea-
ven, promotes the happiness of this life.
hlay God protect and guide you, gentlemen |
ina pour abundant grace upon you, in order
mat You may labor in the strait ht road that |
eads to life, in the most important business of |
gour eternal salvation, which wish You with |
my whole heart.
Your most obliged servant,
F0rtalaea, June 5th, 1873