The Irish standard., 1899-11-11
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.
An Interesting Address by Rev. D. j.
MacGOlrick.

An Interesting Address by Rev. D. j.
MacGolrick.
The Knights OF Columbus and Re-
igion'' was the subject OF brilliant
md scholarly address at Pittston last
week by Rev. d. ]. MacGoldriek, as
'istant at the Cathedral, Scranton. The
occasion was the celebration OF the first
anniversary OF the Pittston council OF
he order Father MacGoldrick spoke
IL part as follows:
Gone may. ask: What is it to be a
<night OF Columbus? What can be the
,uilcient reason OF the existence OF so
peculiar an organization as this latest
nd most indefinite OF our Catholic So
'icties? How do the knights of Colum-
ous square themselves on the great
Catholic questions? What have the
knights OF Columbus to say on the
treat questions OF religion? What has
-ellgion to expect OF them?
The answer to these questions does
not necessarily include a minute de-
'cription OF the ritual OF initiation, al
housh | am persuaded that a Jew kodak
snaps on that transccndental perform
NICE would be most entertaining. Our
air guests would listen with rapt attcn-
ion to the description OF the scenes in
which their loved ones were raised in
ccstacy to the stars and received i'm
pressions that time could not eradicate
or human agency ciface. The things
are not secrets, but they must not be
rccounted to the ulinitiated or proianc.
The real matter OF my address to-
night is the mutual relationship existing
between the Knights OF Columbus and
the supernatural life established by our
Lord as the one means OF eternal saliva
ton. For | take it that the Knights OF
! Columbus are not an ainless organiza-
uoi-therc must have been some aim
beyond that oil the passing hour Mel
their is it colorlcsS organization into
which members may come without the
need OF subscribing to definite rules and
laws that bind with reasonable sanction.
1t is not even pious organization like
sodality or church confratcrnity. 1t
is not mutual benefit society, although
this feature may be admitted also.
Above all, it is rot a political organi-
cation, where perfidy is a fine art and
the ability to cheat and plumber are
nj ~
which it is impossible to succeed. But
the Knights OF Columbus are a body OF
Catholic young men como together to
secure for themselves the conditions OF
normal Catholic growth and normal
Catholic development by means OF social
ard intellectual intercourse. where mu-
tual aid and encouragement, with
healthy emulation and unselhsllncss, re-
svlting i'll Catholic unity and identity,
| lead up to better manhood with love-
lIcr homes. more enlightened citizen
ship with purcr public life, an adequate
idea OF the respect we owe to others
and an equally accurate idea OF the re-
| spcct we owe to sell.
There are some who find fault with
us for the forms OF cNclusiveness in Our
constitutions that take us away from
promiscuous association with our fellow
citizens regardless OF class or creed
For my own part | hold that the very
nature OF the case prevents us from do
ing SO, for | maintain that for lis Cath
olics the ideal manhood. the sacred and
inviolable character OF home, the proper
exercise OF civic virtue. the purity OF
public lie. the ability to be just to all
men and to be fearless in the vindica-
ton OF our sacred individual rights are
possible to lis only in proportion as we
are faithful Catholics. and become i'm
possible OF attainment in proportion as
we dcviate from the plan OF Catholic
life.
Permit ME to illustrate my meaning.
And first as to the conditions affecting
; the secluded life OF home. There is nc
one in his sober sense who will attempt
to dispute the assertion that our Cath
Ole girls are chaste and pure beyond
anything the non-Catholic world can
show in comparison. And I do not say
this OF Ireland or of Italy or Spain or
France or the Tyrol, where the com.
pletcness OF Catholic life and custom,
protects the purity acquired in the sac.
ramcnts from the bunting and blightine
influence OF even casual contact with
those who are sinful or vicious or who
have any motive less iar-reaching thar
our own. But l affirm it OF the girls
OF our own land and OF our own days
even though they have not the helps
which, in an ideal condition would bt
deemed Indispensable, and though the,
must pcrforce minglc with many whose
highest motive is decorum and whose
greatest punishment would be detection
by the public eye
Tell me to what is this result to b,
attributed? to attachment to the ole
church or to a neglect OF its teaching
to fidelity to the faith and practices
handed down to lis through centurie!
OF persecution, Or to turning ava,
!, from the same? to obedience to the cen
7 NJ ,,,itu ,,,I