The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-23
TEE VOLTAIRE CENTENARY IN ROME.
WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER.

.oio 4uioiy tuBu WAS at nrek bnblcfp6teQ.
Progranmes announcing that the Masonic
League in Rome had engaged the Theatre
apollo for the solemn crowniDg of their
patriarch, were placarded throughout the
city. In addition to which Voltaire's
"Esire" would be performed by the most
undersigned by the heads of the committee
formed for the celebration of the centenary,
and include d nance of such noted Freema
sone az Pianciani, Macchi, Bacchi, Castel-
lazo. Mussi, Mazzoni, etc. Their next act
was to apply to the Mayor for permission
to hold conference at the CampidogliO,
where many of their most illustrious ora.
tors wonld narrate the great deeds and ex-
ploits OF "that great apostle of free
thought" bat this not being granted them,
| they determined that it oh ould be held at
the Masonic Lodge, in the Via della Valle.
The conference was held accordingly on
the eve of the feast. What took place 1
cannot say, except what am able to gather
from the Liberal papers, to the effect that
not more than one hundred persoDs were
present, and Is q reward for their courtesy
or rather curiosity-a free ticket to the
crowning was given to each.
All the Liberal papers turned Catholic
| on this occasion, and joined the OssSrratore
and VOce in open protestations against the
proceedings. The following is an extract
| from the Diritto :-"True Romans will
protest to- morrow against this insult to
| more than eighty churches, where the
beautiful devotions of the mon tn of Mary
are about to terminate, and pray there at
her feet for those unfortunates who wish
to honor the insulter of her Divine Son"
These journals, which have hitherto laid
dormant to everything Catholic, cannot
now but admire the great resignation with
which Catholics bear their trials even in
the heat of their persecutions, finding CON
soiatlon and help only in the arms of their |
supreme Pontif. They begged an audi |
ence AID were received in the Hall of the |
oslstory at midday by his Holiness. |
All the Catholic associations in Rome w.rs |
represented by their respective presidents |
and secretaries. The Society for Catholic |
interests was represented by Prince Ros
pIgliosi, and the WorkiDgmen's Society by
Count Vespignani. Count Cardelli read |
the address to his Holiness, declaring their
protestations to the honors given to Vol.
taire in these words:
On this day, in which the Iucarnate Son of
God hes weakened the powers of hell, and
INFECTED the whole world TO the Cross ives
received with triumph en- the right hand of
piety sand folly attribute hoDors to one who,
BY his inpndence and blasphemies against the
Church Of Christ has acquired shameful
celebrity, it is for us great consolation to fall
back upon you, the great and only teacher of
truth. At your feet, o holy Father, do We
protest against the ma1ims of 30 abominable
ouu m0uuSClOu6 p philosophy, which eV0YV |
day takes stronger root"
The Holy Father, ct the end of these
words, stood up and addressed those
present in the following words:
"It gives to our heart the greatest satisfac-
tion to see before ne 50 large . number Of our
ehildren,who are Joined together not only
py tS.6 Oonas no nIn OF common charity, but also by
strength which God has given them in pro.
noting his honor, the interests Of the Church.
and the salvation of souls. It il o consolation
to us to receive those sentiments of devotion
and fidelity with you have expressed, and
still more to receive them to-day-the Feast
OF the Ascension Of our Lord into heaven.
with all her children ought to exult with holy /
Joy fnr the glorious triumph os her Divine =
Spouse alas is day darkened by the public :
nonors Whioh in Q aCatholic nation are sttribu- :
Christ and his Church. 1t is not to be denied, I
most beloved children. that to honor men like t
voltsire, the despiser of the faith and of her /
Divine author and end, without morals and L
dignity, reveals cl early to how low depth the b
present age has descended, and how rapidly h
i i rms to it's ruin: The country which gave '
honors. But to the praise of that nation It is 7
aue to say that from every part q powerful u
voise OF disaPPsohation and disdain has arisen,
with the aid of the Catholic press, solemn acts v
of reparation have been made. Not to France 7
alone does this work of reparation belong bat 9
1ASp W oA uoIloVeIS, b6, Dy the hOnOFB given =
70 Voltaire. both faith and Christian piety are
outraged. Foltaire's principles Of teaching I
1ave not been inherited by France alone, but q
,ney are unused everywhere, and every where
10 they produce the most bitter fruits of iu- t.
'redulity. 1t behoves then all Catholics to p
protest, both by word and acts, against suoh o
0justice. And above all, it is your duty, b
, Romans Your city is the centre of the ii
Divine religion of Christ, against W which this
eader of modern incredulty, Voltaire, waged a,
% fierce war your city is the eee of The u
IlGas Das OF Him, against whom tAet iufpious one
hen perfectly just, beloved children, that, il
'our religion insul:ed, you moved to repei n
ourageously the outrage; and, folio wing the o
impulses of your hearts, have already done, e.
nd do now to-day in our presence, and al n
Ways will do with q frank and open confession :,
n the midst of an inoredulous world, with IL
he constant exercise of the good works to a
Vhioh ' nj, you 6ave dedicated yourselves. We, !. .
1ltn the authority of Pontif and with the 7
ove Of Father-we encourage you to promote ty
1ore and more, with the many means you ii
ave IN your hands, tie glory of God and the
M unn heat l.