Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-07
THE SILVER JUBILEE
OF Pope Leo Celebrated at Baltimore
Sermon by Cardinal Gibbons.

Baltimore. April 6.-'rhe silver jubilee Of
Pope Leo XIII was observed with sol
emn and unusually elaborate services at
the cathedral, today. The ceremony was
marked by the presence of two cardinals
Cardinal MartinelH. the apostolic dele
gate who came over from Washington.
last night, to take part in the services
and Cardinal Gibbons preached the ser
mon. At the conclusion of the pontificai
mass Rev. Father ODonovan of Cardinal
Gibbons household, read "A papel brief
extending special plenary indulgence to
all Catholics of the archdiocese who at
tended the iridium. Cardinal Gibbons
said in part:
Rome has been the most conspicuous fig
in the theatre of public life. The
name of the Sovereign Pontin is indeli-
bly, marked on the pages of ecclesiastical
history. 1t is intimately and inseparably
associated with the progress and enlight-
eminent of the world. The Pope ever
stands before us as the commandments
chief of the army of the Lord of Hosts.
You might as well shut out the light OF
day from your daily walks as exclude
the Roman Pontif from his Legitimate
and permanent sphere in the hierarchy OF
the church."
His eminence then briefly outlined the
personal and ecclesiastical history of Leo
XIII. dwelling especially upon his cncy-
clicals, of which he said:
THE first encyclical to which | shall
allude is on Christian marriage which
was published in 1850. He vindicates in
strong and earnest language the unity.
the sanctity and the indiSsOlublity of the
marriage bond. He tells us that the mar
ried couple are the source of the family
and the family is the source of society.
Social life cannot be maintained in its
purity and integrity unless it is Sancti-
fled at the fountain head of the home
The encyclicai on the condition Of
workmen' was promulgated in 1891 and is
an exhaustive document on the rights
and duties of the laboring classes. Never
n hn pa6n nf NH IND ,F1,
greater temporal blessing on humanity
than by ennobling and sanctifying man
ual labor and by rescuing it from stfs
degradation which had been attached to;
it. Christ has shed halo aroundT the
work shop and has Iightened the work
mans tools by assuming the trade of an
artisan. If the professions of asSCldier.
of jurist or of prelate can be 5digniGed
by the examples of Washington, Tai
ney and a Carroll how much more is the
calling of mechanic ennobled by the
example of Christ?
"A conflict between labor and capital |
ton between the head and the hands. -.et
interests of capital and labor are CO.
relative. Capital without labor would be |
unp I,,9 labor without capital
The third encyclical treats of the con
stitution of the Christian estates This |,
Catholic church can adapt herself to ali |
forms of civil government. When 1 was |
ceive the insignia of a cardinal, 1 deliv- |
cred an address and as | took this ency-
clical for the text of my remarks l can
not do better than to give the following |
abstract of the sermon which was pro-
nounced upon me:
Leo XIII in his luminous encyclical \
on the constitution Christian states. de- II
clares that the church is not committed II
any Paraenar form Of f. eH hn
lived under absolute empires. under COR II
sttutional monarchies and in free repub- II
lies, and everywhere she grows and ex-
pands She has often been hampered in
her divine mission She has even bee,i II
forced to struggle for existence wherever III
despotism has cast its dark shadows. II
But in the genial atmosphere of liberty
she blossoms like the rose.
" For myself | say with a deep sense
of pride and gratitude that l belong to d
country where the civil government holds
over US the aegis of its protection with
out interfering in the legitimate exer-
else of our sublime mission ministers |
of the Gospel. Our country has liberty
without license and authority without
despotism. She rears no wall to exclude
has few frowning Notifications to repeil
the invader, for she is at peace with all
the world. She rests secure in the con-
seriousness of her strength and her good
will toward all. Her harbors are open to
welcome the honest emigrant who comes
to advance his temporal interests and find
a peaceful home, but while We are ac-
knowledged to have a free government,
perhaps we do not receive the credit that
belongs to US for also having a strong
government.
Il may here remark. parenthetically,
that since our war with Spain, Europe
has been impressed with our military
power.
"'Our nation is strong, and her
strength lies under the overruling guild
ance of Providence, in the majesty and
supremacy of the law, in the loyalty OF
her citizens and in the affection of her
people for her free institutions. There
are grave social problems now engaging |
the earnest attention of the citizens OF |
the United States. but | have no DOUBT
that with GODS blessing these problems
will be solved by the sound judgment and
common sense of the American people |
without violence of revolution or any in
jury to individual rights
The cardinal then related a number of /
incidents which had come under his per !
sonal observations in the course of his |,
association with the Pope.
He concluded as follows:
II know not whether Providence will |
spare me to pay homage to other Su- |
preme Pontiffs, but whether my life Is /
shorter or long, or whatever may be the |
future line of Popes sitting in the chair of |
Peter | shall ALWAYS cherish a special |