The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-02-23


} entreat you earnestly in the Lord to be on
your guard against the wanton extrava-
gance which is such cruel insult to the
misery SO generally prevailing in our Pro-
vince. 1t is pestilent source of corrup-
/. ton and disorder, and one of the chief
causes which, as history attests, have led
to domestic ruin and national decay. You
will also shun those, always dangerous,
and Often criminal, amusements, in which
modesty is offended and which cannot
agree with the purity of a truly Christian
life.
And you, Our Reverend Fellow Labour-
ers in the vineyard, we beseech you never
to grow tired of providing for the faithful
entrusted to your care. We expect You to
explain in detail in successive instructions
these admonitions, which in a Pastoral
Letter can only be briefly touched on. Be
indefatigable in the ministry of the sacred
word obey the injunction of the Apostle
and preach in season and out of season
that is to say, without being deferred by
the opposing clamours of the world, the de-
clared enemy of the Cross of Christ. But
at the same time, take care that your con-
duct be in all things living illustration,
and an Impressive confirmation of the
words of truth and salvation which You
proclaim to the people, in order that, walk
ing, all of US, at the head of the faithful in
the ways of holiness, we may happily reach
with them the blessed mansions of eternity.
BE Jealous particularly to initiate our
Divine Master in inspiring little children
with love of religion; and above all in
seeking out to preserve those who seem to
have vocation for the Holy Priesthood.
There would be great many more of
these vacations developed if more atten-
ton were given to them both by Pastors
and Parents. The time is already come
when our country ought to be supplied by
a clergy formed among ourselves; and
one of the works We most earnestly desire,
is the establishment of a sufficient number
of Preparatory Seminaries, in which chill
dren who feel called to the immediate SER
vice of God, may DO sheltered from the
chilling air of worldliness, may grow up un-
der the especial influence of the Sanctuary.
and imbued with the spirit ofzeal and sacri- |
fee, the chief elements in the spirit of the
Priesthood.
We conclude, dearly Beloved, by remind
ing you of the opproach of the holy season
of Lent, the acceptable time, the chosen
days of salvation. The works of satisfac
ton which you will have to perform dur
ing this time, will be no greater than in
previous years; and since the penitential
laws of the Church are 80 much relaxed in
your regard, you easily understand that
you are under greater obligation to sup
ply for them by the interior spirit of pen
essential spirit of the Gospel.
Take advantage then Of this holy time
Of Lent to die entirely to sin-that YOU
nay arise to the new life of grace and holi-
ness, or progress in it.
May we all preserve in our souls this SUI
oernatural life, and continue in it even to
he end; that it may be for US q pledge of
hat blessed life unto which we all hope to
De one day gathered in the bosom of God,
through the merits of Jesus Christ, to
whom be all honour, praise and glory
world without end.
This our present Pastoral Letter is to
90 read, with the Regulations for Lent,
On the Sunday Immediately following the
receipt thereof.
Given in Council, at Neg Orleans, on the
10Th Of January, the Feast Of the Holy
Name Of Jesus, and Second Sunday after
1873.
NAPOLEON JOSEPH,
Archbishop of New Orleans.
AUGUSTUS MARIA,
Bishop of Natchitoches.
WILLIAM HENRY,
Bishop of Natchez
JOHN,
Bishop of Mobile.
CLAUDIUs MARIA,
Bishop of Galveston,
EDWARD,
Bishop of Little Rock.
Lent
The attIctions which beset the Church ,