New-York tribune., 1902-02-23
THE POPE S UNIQUE RECORD.
UNPARALLELED IN THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH IF HE LIVES TILL 1908.

Archbishop Corrigan has issued pastoral letter
TO the clergy and laity of the archdiocese OF New
York on the occasion OF the fourth anniver-
sary of the election of Pope Leo XIII The letter
which will be read to-day IN all the Roman Catholic
churches in this archdiocese is in part as follows:
The Catholic world. thrilled by holy enthusiasm,
is preparing TO solemnize the twenty-hfth annIver
Leo XIII. In the long line of Roman pontins no
& of s PefT e eTce s sbop of Rome Our
present holy father. who assumed the sovereign \
aaiready rounded out four and twenty years in his
high and holy office and. should he be spared. as
will see his silver Jubilee as Pope his golden
jubilee as Cardinal and his diamond @ 1Shi.ee e. as
far is unparalleled and unique in the history OF
In his long difficult and glorious pontifcate moth;
ing has escaped the wisdom, the energy, the zeal
imprinted & luminous and enduring traces Of his ac-
tivity. The establishment of the Catholic hierarchy
Bosnia, Herzegovina and Africa, his co-opera-
pire. the reunion Of the Armenians with the see
Of Peter are lasting monuments OF his indefat-
It is particularly gratifying to that the great
pontn who has labored so zeaously for the Uni
faithful of the United States; Of this we all
nd feT b1 % ~ the at Thpd Pena
Council, Of Baltimore. which defined the legfsa-
establishment of the Catholic University at wash
ington. the sanction OF Christian education in our
preserve the purity Of the faith in our people and
finally the establishment of permanent delegation
Of the Holy See. These and countless other works
enanating from the sovereign pontin for the wei
fare of CathollcIty in the United States prove his
affectionate interest and regard for America. in
which he the future hope and prosperity of the
Catholic Churcn
All" exclaimed the venerable pontir but few
weeks ago TO Bishop Farley, amid my many trials
America is my consolation. There the Church en-
joys liberty. In the United States she is free TO
build her churches and her schools unmOlested
Here in Rome, l. the vicar OF Christ, a slave
deprived Of free action. In Italy, IN France, the
Church is being prosecuted by those who should
defend her Thank God for the consolation that
comes TO from free America
To glorious, jealous and so enlightened a
pont the whole Catholic world viii tender its trtb
ute of reverence and affection March g. the dawn
Of the twenty-fth year of his ponticate. II is but
right and becoming that archdiocese, which, in
mum mbers at least leads the way in the missionary
world, should be second to none in offering to so
It's unbounded loyalty. and unfeigned love. Three
requests as token of this affection and loyalty
made of the clergy and laity of this diocese
First-That the members OF the religious commu-
mites of the diocese, and as many OF the faithful
as possible receive Holy Communion and recite the
rosary Sunday, March 2. for the Intentions Of
the holy father.
ular VIII have the kindness TO offer the Holy Sac
On that day at 10 a. m. a solemn pontiflcal mass
of thanksgiving. followed by the TIE Deum, will be
sung in St. Patricks Ce..iedral.
Third-We invite and request all the faithful of
this diocese to contribute toward purse which
will be presented to the holy father on the Feast
of SITS Peter and Paul, June %. This offering
will include the Peter pence collection for this year.