The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1900-04-27
Letter from Cardinal Gibbons.
BALTIMORE, MD,
February Sth, 1900.

| Teuiudiy Ctll, looo.
! REVEREND DEAR FATHER:-Our Holy
Father, the Pope, Leo XIII, has conse-
Grated this year of Grace, one thousand
nine hundred, and in a special manner has
| desired this closing year of the nineteenth
century to be signalized by appropriate
works of pety and religion. He has out
of the divine treasury granted rich and
| Plenty Indulgences and extraordinary
| and the profiting thereby are dependent
upon a visit to be made during the Holy
Year to the Eternal City, to the Tombs of
| the Apostles and the great Patriarchal
Basilicas. Many of our countrymen will
doubtless take advantage of this time and
| pay visit to those sacred shrines.
On the other hand. while most of us will
be unable to 60 to Rome during the year,
it is not proper that we should let it pass
without special celebrations and appropri-
ate services. The marvellous progress
made in many lines during the century
progress that rebounds to the glory of the
human race and to profit of every indivd-
ual, the development of science, the ex-
tension of religion; these and much else
are so many claims upon our gratitude
and appreciation. For them we must give
suitable acknowledgment, and our hearts
must not be slow to express their inmost
sentiments. We should call to mind the
action of Divine Providence which has
been behind all the events as they have
occurred; for "He reacheth from end to
end nightly, and ordereth all things
sweetly" The Christian religion has
counted for great deal in whatever has
been noblest and best in the years that
have past, and the Church'S teachings
have been the truest guidance to the high
est attainments. The doctrines and max
inns and precepts and spirit of our blessed
Savior have been among the brightest fac
tors that have tended the most towards
the peace and tranquility of men and ma
tions, and have been the solace, the in
spiration, the strength and support of mill
ions. We should not let the century close
without dwelling on the pre- eminent
and paramount claims of Christ to the love
and obedience of the world; or without
deep meditation on His words to the
Apostles: MY Father hath disposed for
you kingdom
Therefore, the reverened pastors in this
Archdiocese are hereby directed to hold in
their respective churches the exercises of
special Iridium; during which sermons
shall be preached on the ideas suggested
and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sac
rament impaired. The period most suited
day of Lent to Trinity Sunday; the pastor
will be free to choose any three days within
this time which may be most convenient.
Let the Iridium be conducted with the
solemnity possible, and let opportunities
be given the faithful to approach the sacra-
ments. Faithfully yours in Christ,
JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS.
In accordance with this letter the Trid-
81, .l,,.,
Sunday, April 29th, in St. Mary's Church,
this town. The Masses on Sunday will
be at 8 and II O'Clock a. m. At the late
Mass the Iridium will be opened with
sermon by the Rev. John E. Wade, rector
of St. Mary's Church, Newport, Md, on
the subject, How to Reach the Port of
Eternity" On Sunday afternoon, at 43O
o'clock, there will be Devotions and Ser
Church." by the rector of St. Mary's, this
town, followed by Benediction of the Most
Blessed Sacrament.
On Monday and Tuesday there will be
Masses at and 10 a. IN; Devotions, Ser
mon and Benediction of the Most Blessed
Sacrament at 4.3O p. IN. On Monday after
noon sermon by Rev. James P. Tower,
rector of St. Jerome's Church, Hyattsville,
Md. His subject will be THE Sovereignty
of Christ over the Family" On Tuesday
afternoon sermon by Rev. Thomas Smythe'
of St. Thomas Church, Baltimore. His
subject will be ''The Soverei gnty of Christ
over the Soul
Rev. John J. Knell, of St. Santislaus'
Church, Baltimore, Md, will also be in
attendance
Ample opportunity will be given the
faithful to approach the Sacraments.