The age-herald., 1899-09-12
LETTER FROM THE POPE
Read ill All the Catholic Churches of
 the Country Sunday

On last Sunday in all the Catholic churches in Alabama an encyclical from the pope directing Iridium for the conse- craton of the faithful to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was read. Accompanying it was a pastoral letter from the bishop of the diocese, which was also read in the churches. This letter was as follows:
 Dear Reverend Father Last May Our Holy Father Pope Leo XII. issued an encyclical letter directing that in June the whole Catholic world should be consecrated by Iridium, or three days of prayer, to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
 "As the Holy Fathers letter did not reach us until July, we were unable to an- nounce the desire of the pope in time to fulfill his wish. His Holiness being made aware of this fact has graciousy extended the time during which this consecration can be made unto the Fist of Septem- Der.
 We accordingly direct: CD That the En- cyclical Letter of Our Holy Father be read in all the churches of the diocese at the different masses next Sunday, September 10, (2): That the 18th, 16th and 17th of September be the days for the Iridium; C3): That on these days the newly ap- proved Litany of the Sacred Heart, to- gether with the Act of Consecration be re- cited after all the masses and at the even- ing service wherever it is possible and ad- visabe to have such. Those who have charge of missions may, according to their discretion, have the devotons either be- fore or after the dates named.
 Tn announcing this solemn ceremony it would be we'll to remind your flock that to consecrate is to dedicate. or give over that which is consecrated Thus our churches are by conservation set apart for sacred uses and can no longer be used for profane purposes. And we are conseerated to God by baptism, and pledged by this con- secratio to love and serve Him, so, too, by this new act we must give ourselves over and enter into closer affinity with Jesus Christ, and pledge ourselves anew to do His will on earth as the blessed do in heaven. When, therefore, by the free and deliber- ate act of our will we thus unite ourselves to God, it is reasonable to expect that this relationship will be fruitful in grace to our souls, and that our act will be regarded as more than mere idle ceremony.
 Commenting myself to your prayers and the prayers of your flock. am, dear reverend father, sincerely yours in the Heart of Jesus.
 "EDWARD P. ALLEN.
 Bishop of Mobile
 a. w SHAW, Secretary
 '-Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin May, September S. 1S99."
 The letter from his holiness was headed, ''Eneyclcal Letter of Our Most Holy Lord Peo XIII, by Divine Providence Pope. To the patriarchs, primates, archbishops and bishops of the Catholic world in grace and communion with the apostolic see, on the conseeration of mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Venerable brethren, health and apostolic benediction" It was quite lengthy and was permeated with the spirit of profoundest piety and tenderness.
 In St. Pauls church the Rev. Father Robert read the two letters and the Rev. Father Kennedy was the celebrant of the mass
 Father Robert is the professor of English at St. Bernard,s college. near Cullman. This institution opened for the scholastic year of 1S99- 1900 last week, and the attend anec was very large. St. Bernards is one of the most highly esteemed colleges in the south. and students there from many states.