The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-09-01
EFFICACY OF PRAYER AND THE
POSITION OF THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH EXPLAINED.

| Editor Intermountain Catholic: In
your last issue appeared an appeal for
| all classes of sufferers from the ills
and woes OF this world, with an as
sured promise of relief. Names and
addresses only are needed. Is this
Catholic teaching? Does the Church
encourage the same by its endorsement
of the appeal? Being a victim of one
of the ills for which a sure cure is
offered, | would like to avail myself of
it, but have some delicacy in giving
my name. Would the wish to share in
the prayers for my particular ailment
entitle me to the same? Self-lnterest
not curiosity prompts this communica-
ton. Yours truly,
NON-CATHOLIC.
The above communication has refer
ence to an artile headed Prayers OF
the Sisters of st. Joseph" which APP
peared in the columns of our last issue
having reference to prayer and its
effects. Before answering our correspon-
dent we would say in the words of
morning contemporary: The New
Testament tells US that the eHectlVe
prayer was by the poor man, who stood
afar off and cried to the Lord to have
mercy on his, sinner. Inc
invocation of the brightest brain does
not count in religion, unless it carries
with it heal heart messages. Redl
PRAYER is q soul supplication and that
of the illiterate old colored woman may
pierce the heavens farther than that OF
the most brilliant orator. Devotion to
the Sacred heart has the appreciation
of the Church. and for very many Is
means of deepening their worship Tor
God in his sacred humanity, and as
consequence can not fail to be profit
able to the soul. Its effects may be
seen in Salt Lake every first Friday
of the month when hundreds attend |
Church, approach the altar and re
ceive holy communion. This in itself !
is a most edifying scene. Our esteemed |
correspondent, who seems inclined to |
ask for some needed favor, will do well |
by sending the same without name or |
address to the League of the Sacred |
Heart in this city, as to Nazareth Con-
vent, Chicago, Ills.
In reply to his questions seriatim, we
thusiastic far away nuns must not be
COMPOUNDED with Catholic faith. No in
telligent Catholic pays attention to
such promises, as they SAVIOR of super
stition.
Second The Church does not en-
courage or endorse such appeals any
more than the medical profession
> J,-p tfc,a,, ant 1f
quack doctors. The council of Balti-
more condemns all such abuses. The
Ordinary of this diocesis, in pub
Iished card, which heads the editorial
columns of The Intermountain Catholic
for the protection and guidance of the
faithful entrusted to his charge, dis
approves all such appeals.
Third. We would advise and strong
ly urge our Non-Catholic friend to
his name and address and
present his ills where identity is not
demanded
Before the throne of mercy it will
not help his cause to have his name
known, and if those Jealous nuns are
deeply interested in saving souls, and
obtaining IaNOrS temporal OF spiritual
for suffering humanity, there is not
reason why any should disclose their
names or the secret of the family life
to them. What the object in the OBJ
tanning names and addresses may be,
we opine not. 1t is in no way con-
nected with prayer nor will it in
1uence a merciful Father in the
oestowal of favors. The Sisters of ST.
Joseph in observing the pious custom
If offering their prayers, mortifica-
ions. good works and special masses,
etc. should do so in secret at the foot
If the cross, like the humble Publican
n the temple and not to be exposing
heir good deeds and great sacrifices
Is did the Pharisee The third council
# Baltimore, after enumerating abuses ,
n which the circular referred to is in !
luded, concludes in these words: ,
This abuse we strongly condemn I
nd prohibit; and we indeed earnestly I
eseech Bishops and Prelates that they !
AXE care to have the aforesaid abuse
where it exists abolished and in the
uture everywhere prevented" !