Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-27

cent indisposition and is now enjoying
excellent health and spirits. His voice
is clear and powerful
Cardinal Monaco LaNalletta, dean Of
the Sacred College, who has also re-
covered from his last illness, read to
him to-day an address of congratula
ton from the college in which refer
ence was made to the Pope's labors to
extend universal peace and harmony
and to the success Of his recent jubilee
celebrations. The Pope, in reply, said
"Great and signal, without doubt, bave
been the blessings which we have re-
ceived from loving and divine Provi-
dence. We are pleased that the Sacred
College recognizes them and gives
praise and thanks to blessed God, for
our praises and thanks alone would be
little to offer for such abundant mercies
1t is the hand OF God that preserves us
to this advanced age. 1t is the hand of
God that gives US the great comfort Of
seeing an increase in the various peo-
pies reverence and devotion to this
Apostolic See, and which leads us in
the midst of the cares of q ministry
which even in less difficult times and
circumstances would have been very
heavy on our shoulders. Meanwhile,
intending, as we do, TO accomplish this
ministry and its great duties to
our best ability, we feel the need
of asking more ardently than ever the
favor, so well expressed by you, to be
able to etlectually be, as were many of
Our illustrious predecessors, ministers
and carriers of the peace of Europe and
the world.
SIT is certain that we, by the nature
of our office, are Jealous defenders OF
this p, ace, since true peace in individ-
uals as we'll as in the human race is the
daughter of justice. Justice lives only
by faith, Just as man lives by faith.
The high priesthood Of christianity is
then the incorruptib.e custodian of the
faith and the champion of all justice.
Therefore its nature is an apostolate
unity. Peace will give free scope to
this apostolate, which holds Its COM
mission from on high. Receive with
out hesitation the message OF its doings.
Let it penetrate freely the minds of
the people in families and in States,
then you will see reaourishing tran
guilty, The well-being and order, which
are the supreme needs OF all nations.
''The moral reason OF the troubles and
evils which are deplored isiound in eu-
feebling religious belief and the scpara
ton of the world from God. When man
in his pride disdains to turn his eyes tc
heaven and fixes them only on the earth
then charity diminishes. Thence arise
discord, rivalry, and unrestrained am
bition, then inquietude increases IN all
the social grades, which causes an out
break. Invaders envies are the fore
runners Of disruption and strife. In
such tragic state of affairs peoples and
nations feel instinctiveiy the need OF
peace and seek it anXiously. There Is
no true peace because it is forgotten
who alone can give it. But can we not
then expect reawakeni1g in the peo-
pies which will give hope of more
peaceful times? Yes, and firmly, be-
cause Jesus will never abandon re-
deemed humanity. The spirit of God
as it moved over the waters to tranquil
ize them will, in His appointed time
and by His mercy, descend to pour
over the human race the spirit of peace
and By means of the Church reanimate
the germ of faith.
"With the joyful wishes we receive
thankfully the greetings expressed by
your worthy dean, and in returning
them on this happy occasion we pray
that the Infinite God will infuse in the
Sacred College the fullness of bis
heavenly blessing.
Gas a token of our paternal affection
we impart to the Sacred College and
the bishops and prelates here present,
with the fullness of our heart, the apos-
tolic blessing"