The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-05-06
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY.
BRIEF OF THE HOLY FATHER
EDIFYING INCIDENTS.
IN. Y. Catholic Review /

EDFY1NG INCIDENTS.
IN. Y. Catholic Review
To help the poor and needy and to comfort
the I'll cted are some of the greatest works of
mercy which we have it in our power to per-
form. Within the pale of the Church these
agencies abound. aDd there is no phase of hu
man suffering for which she does not prepare a
remedy. Bot among her charitable organiza
tions few deserve a more special mention than
does the Society of st. Vincent de Paul q
most charitable work most appropriately
placed under the patronage of the apostle Of
charity. IL 10 30 simple in its constitution, SO
like the constitution of the Church itself, vet
go admirably successful in it's workings that
twill most likely continue in its present
Shape, to perpetnate as long as true charity
continues to be found on earth, the name of its
illastrious founder, Frederic Ozanam. Not
only has it been repeatedly approved and re-.
commended by individual bishops and by the
Church, but tue Holy Father has himself GALL
ed down the blessings OF heaven upon it. and
IT 10 but justice to say tb it las we'll deserved
these special favoIs. Ooce moro has the illus
erio9s prisoner of the Vatican spoken out in
Its favor; amid all the cares and troubles of
his office and his situation he has found time
to address q brief to the president of the gen.
eral council of this society at Paris. This
brief rune as follows: Beloved son. health
and apostolic benediction We are won't to
receive with particular and tender affection
often given Us /; because we cannot refuse the
8teatest praise 10 your charity towards your
nsghbor, charity on which the Holy Re-
SooIlok las i0iu bn0 marx ana, go TO saw, the
touch-stoue destined to distinguish his dis
oiples from the rest of men. We have received
with kindness and joy the letter which You
have addressed to US, dated on the solemn
feast OF the Epiphany, and the report in which
you state the acts of your society during the
year 1875. We have experienced much 10y in
learning what you tell us Of tue progress and
increase of your work. Accordingly, whilst
bestowing well-deserved praise on yonr zeal
and piety, We pray to God that He may look
faVorabiy on all the labors that yon have
knF for kIn vall hi
Dor, that He may bless them and make them
fruitful. And at the same time as a testimony
OF our Paternal love. we con fer upon You with
all our heart our apostolic benediction "a we'll
as upon all those who are united to YOU bv the
sweet bonds Of charity"
At meeting of delegates and presidents of
various conferences of this society, lately held
atParis, several questions were taken in to cop-
eloeFatlon which it would be " all for some of our
conferences to study also. The work of visit.
ing the poor, of which the practice is so i'm.
portant, because OF the inestimable benefit de-
rived from it both by him who exercises IL and
by the person towards whom it is exercised,
was the subject of q special consideration
Ihe question was asked whether the visit was
always m AIDE in the true spirit of St. Vincent
de Paul, and with the thought constantly he.
fore them that the members of the society are
the voluntary servants of the poor; whether
for example, it 10 invariably made to the resi-
dence of the poor; for what constitutes it is
the presence OF the visitor under the roof of
the Vial ed and the time he spends there
Without that il wonld be nothing more than
an ordinary ADD purely material act OF assist
ance, almost always without any moral il Ia
ence on the visited, without merit tor the WIS.,
Itor and therefore useless to both of REM
The question was also asked how the sums
destined for the poor were delivered to
them. Are they not often given to
tbem during the session, and does it not as
frequently happen that the treasurer is per.
sonally asked to give them Z Fortunately both
these cases are the exception; and were not
such the case much time would be lost that
ehould be devoted to other buaineRa And
when application is made to the treasurer is
care at least taken to place in his hands the
money received in session. For, to accept q
present is in reality to take 80 much FROM the
treasury, and would it be Just to take from it
without restoring toitf From the q uastion of
Waiting the poor their deliberations were
turned TO the Christian action that should be
exercised upon them. It has never been more
dithoult and consequently more necessary than
1t now is to struggle against the currents of
evil influence which are turning the Door from
God and from their duties. One precious means
OF exercising this influence is found in the
1ln9slon of good reading in the shape Of little
BOOKS, religions periodicals, etc. They can
VOW be distributed every week; and when
Rsoperly handled and commented upon they
oL great service in preparing the way for
- exercise of religion. Besides, they remain
80 caings begun by the visitor aud very often
49, ney are lent and given to other families
.ssaJs - TN their Christian oounsels to SOW the
many anecdotes hava heaD toI6 from, t;r,o -
1880 tne' " Illustrate the difference that exists
!" 80 81 Uislt that is well made and one that
tba - DuG The following one will be none
AZ. ies rs Interesting from it's not being the
I;s:, ms simple and edifyipg story is told of
Fon.;IN s itt niue Years old, who belonged to q
SpSi5 snd 10y member Of the socie4y in
cdr e euo wren was in charge of the local
conference of tie parish. On one, occaSior THE |
little girl cav the visitor in the stTeet ana
tuning towards him, complained bitterly that