The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-06-04
TIE FoURTE OF 6z
now 1T WILL BE cELEBEATxD ~ HfiH'
CATHOLICS OF PHIEADELPHT4.
N. y. Cstholic Rariar.l


The Archbishop Of Philadeipbia, ID 10 1
cordance with the old Catholic tradition of
giving public thanks to the Almighty for
public benefits, has determined that the
coming Fourth of July shall be celebrated
in the Centennial City with those acts OF
for snch memorable occasions. Amerioa,
we have often urged, has reason 70 6e
grateful for her Catholic children, but they
are far from forgetting that they should be
grateful for America. They have, unlike
the Wesleyan Methodists, wished for, and
prayed for. and fought for her liberty. I'M
like the Methodiats, they can remember
with qualification on which side they and
their priests werc one hundred years ago,
when George HI. was King, and Mr.. John
Wesley, Protestant pastor and religions
reformer, was moet loyal and devoted
servant of English Church and EoRIieh
State. They can remember how they
worked, t0iled, and fought for American
liberty and American prosperity. Having,
them no small part in this republic, casting
their fives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor with her fortune. winning with her,
enjoying with her liberty, life, and the
pnrsuit of Legitimate happiness, having here
protection, tolerahly fair fieid, and fn-
turo for themselves and their children, NO
men In America win rejoice with more
bonest and rational joy on tbia occasion
than the co-religionisEs OF the CAROLS, the
Fiizsimons and the Lynches. Phiiedelphia
rightly takes q foremosspart in the Catho-
lie celebration, and, ae will .be seen from
this circular Of Arehbiehop Wood, the ec-
ciesiasticat functions will be az complete
as they can be made. Thjs letter is dated |
on May 10, the feast of 81. Antopinus, the |
opeaiDg day of the CenteDnia celebration |
We are on the eve of . most interestinp sol. |
emnity-the celebration of the hundredeh wear
OF our existence az nation. We have reason
90 thank God for the innumerable BLESSINGS |
besfowed upon rs during that period. Let us |
do %. reverend hrethefn Of the clergy, and be. /
loved chiidreH, Of the laity, with great unani- |
nifty and earnestness, remembering that graf
ttude for past fas0is~ 10 the beet guarantee for
their continusDce in tho futore. We desire, |
therefore, that thron ghont> Cur entire diocese
the coming Fourth of July bereiigiously cele-
which Providence was pleased TO select as the
place where first the Declaration of our Indo-
,endence was proclaimed. We prescribe a. o i
mass of Thanksgiving the solemn celebration +
II the mass Of the Most Holy Trinity, cuns +
Gloria ct Credo ct orGtioRe pro graiarups actioac
a5 aaG conclasioac, and discourse appropriate
% the occasion. After the mass, the exposi.
ion of the Most Holy Sacrament and the Te
0eum followed by the Benediction Of the 4
Host Holy Sacrament. During the Te DcnHs
he bells will ring out glad and joyous pesl
We have reason to bslieve that all the
light reverend prelates of our province will ,
'ity. a--.a
And now, reverend brethren of the clergy
md beloved children of the laity, may the
'eace and blesspg of the Almi ighty God, the
Hatber, Son and the Holy Ghost, descend upon
ou, aud remain with You forever.-Amen. II