The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-05-06

Napoleon Joseph, by the Grace of God
Archbishop of New Orleans, Assistant at
the Pontifical Throne, Roman Count, Grand
Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre,
ETC.:
To the clergy and faithful of our Diocese,
health and benediction in Our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Well beloved co-laborers and very dear
brethren-His Excellency, the Governor OF
Louisiana, has published a proclamation
inviting all citizens to render thanks to
God for the mercy which he has manifested
tow ards us in putting an end to the divisions
which afflicted and desolated our State,
and which, if they had been prolonged,
would have accom- plished our total ruin.
1t is peculiarly incumbent upon US
Catholics to enter into the religious and
Christian views of Gov. Nichols and, in
thanking God for His fsvors, to beg of Him
continuance of His blessings upon our
State, and the completion of the work of
pacification so happily begun. The accom-
plishment of this will be 30 much the more
easy for US that the day of Thanksgiving is
fixed for the 10th day of May, the day on
which We celebrate the Feast of the Ascen-
sion, a holiday of obligation for Catholics.
There is no question herein of celebrating
party victory, but of thanking God,
according to the terms of the proclamation
itself, for having been pleased, in His
mercy, to put peaceful end to the politi-
cal discussions which weighed so heavily
upon us. 1t is an event which ought to
rejoice the heart of every good citizen and
ofevery true patriot; wherefore all ought
to unite in a common sentiment of thank
fitness towards Him, who, being the giver
of all good gifts, is at the same time God
of peace, union and charity.
Aud whilst we pray the Lord to pour out
upon our beloved Louisiana and upon
ourselves those benedictions without W hich,
every fort of man would remain fruitless,
let us promise God dear brethren, to put no
more obstacles through our prevarications,
as we have too long done, in the way of
those advantages which He is preparing for
US in the future. Let us sincerely resolve
to reuounce all pride, all avarice the source
of so much injustice, all luxury, all disor
derly love of pleasure, and all other evil
propensities which have drawn upon us
the chastisements of Divine Justice and
as, unfortunately, there are hearts 90
hardened that Gods anger does not frighten
them and that His love cannot win them,
let souls truly Christian cease not to offer
to the Lord, for such hearts, in a spirit OF
expiration, both their fervent prayers and
those sutferings which He sends to purify
and sanctify them.
Thus in laboring to attract temporal
blessings upon yourselves and y our children,
you will at the same time secure that per-
feet and durable happiness in q better life
which God reserves for those rho are faith
full to the end.
Wherefore, having invoked the Holy
Name of God, we have ordained and dc
now ordain as follows:
]. On Thursday, the 10Th of May, Feast
of the Ascension, Tie Deum will be sung
in all the churches and chapels of the Dio
cese in thanksgiving to God for the pscifi
cation of Louisiana which, reinstated in it,
legitimate rights and governed by a man
of lite own choice, will hencefor,h see all itt
children, without distinction, united in one
spirit and one sec timent.
9. This TIE Deumt, which will be accompan.
led by the Benediction of the Blessed Sa.
crament, will be sung either after High
Mass or after Vespers, as the Pastor shall
judge more suitable for his parish.
3. Wherever this letter may not have
been received in time the TIE DeurR will be
sung on the following Sunday.
This our present Pastoral Letter shall be
read during the parochial Mass the Sunday
Immediately following its reception.
Given at New Orleans, the Feast of ST
Philip and St. James, Apostles, Let of May
Seventh Anniversary of our Conservation
1877.
NAPOLEON JOSEPH,
Archbishop of New Orleans.
By Command of His Grace
6. RAYMOND, VIC,
Chancellor of the DioCese