The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-05-11
PASTORAL LETTER
TO THE FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF NAT
CHEZ. e..

CHEZ.
II Dearly Beloved.--Not long since gave d
rections to the Very Rev. and Revd. clergy o
. the Diocese Of Natchez, TO recite ut Mass tn
prayers given by the Chnroh for asking God
protection against the violence Of storms.
We have reason to be thankful that Missia
sippi has suffered comparatively little from
these viaitations, In recent years. And YET
some Of them We have felt at different times
and already this season quite serious damag
has been done 10 several places. Likewise W
have reason to praise God, for the goot
health with which Ho commonly blesses on
State. And yet from time to time various 10
oalities have heen grievously afflicted will
fatal diseases. -
It has appeared to me suitable to invit.
you all to unite your prayers with those o.
the church-in thanking God for the mercies
He has already shown 10 Us and our neigh
bors land in begging His further protection
| from visitations sfstorm, pestilence, confagra-
| ton, etc.
And uss the occasion to draw your atten
ton to some Of the special means Of protection
| with which He has furnished us and to some
of the reasons why we ought to make more
frequent and confiding use of them.
The general means of course, is for eaoh one
to improve his own life, and increase his fervoI
| in prayer, almsdeeds and all good works. Our
heavenly Father chastisas His children for
their amendment: and If He sees them al.
ready amend their lives under His holy fear,
this often induces Hin to withheld the ohasten-
ing rod. ta -a- H. 5.."sE
Bat the special means wish to recommend
to you at present, is to make use often and
with lively faith, of those outwarRsigns and
material objects, which the Church encourages
among her children: such as the SIeN OF THE
Cross, Holy WATER, BLESSED CANDLES AND
PALMS, CROSSES, AGNUs DE1s, RELICS OF
SAINTS, MEDALS, Holy IMAGES, ETC.
1t is not necessary to exhort you against any
abusive application of these things, and super
stitious ideas about them. 1t is enough to
point out what would be abusive or supersti-
tious, and you will avoid it. 1t would be nm
abuse to apply them to unlawful or irreverent
purposes; or to use them in any way not
by the Church, or by the received
usage of her devout and we'll instructed chill
dren.
1t would be superstitous to believe that they
have any virtue, beyond what God is pleased
to give them, or to exercise by occasion. of
them. Consequently it lie superstitious to ex
pect any supernatural power from objects that
have no special reference to God, or to His
Saints such for example as the charms and
spells often used by ignorant people and by
people who make light of sacred things.
We have a simple rule for distinguishing the |
two kinds of objects Those that the Church |
approves are sacred those that she rejects are |
1t would be superstitious also, to believe |
shat these sacred objects will always protect Ms
against all calamities This earth 10 o land of |
exile. Our Lord has marked out the Way of
The Cross for our journey through it. Neither
His friends nor His enemies can expect to pass
heir lives without large share of painful
Eisitations. "Vhons God loreth He ctastiscth.n
Hebrews, C. xii, v. 81 "He shall rule His enc
mics ,rh a rod Of iron.". Psalm ii. v. 81.
But while He does not allow US to escape all
emporal evils, He furnishes us with m cans.
natural and supernatural. to avoid many of
hem, and leaves to our own wisdom to profit
" those means or not.
We all know some of the natural m eana for
guarding against sickness, FIRE, lightning, etc.
nspite of all precautions, the most prudent
men fall sick; and fre-proof houses have
'urned down. Yet none the less, wise men
continue to make use of these projections be-
ause experience shows that, very often, al
hough not always, God allows them to turn
way the danger.
These natural safeguards are used by all
nd God in His infinite condescension makes
hem bepfit His enemies as well as they do His
riends. But besides them, He has given gu
aids, through which He often
rants especial protection to His children, who
ave confidence in Him, and simplicity of
cart, to use them fervently.
The most common of these supernatural {
ids is Prayer and the use of the devotional
'Jects which am recommending, is an act of 9
rayer. For prayer is any lifting up of our
carts to God and outward prayer is expressed 4,
OF only by words, but by actions, gestures =.
nd even looks. To kneel, to stretch out the
ands, to raise the eyes, may be outward pray
rs. And SO likewise, to sprinkle Holy Water.
light Blessed Candle, to kiss q medal
way of expressing that we call on God or =
Saints :-fhaSn le;p |