The Savannah morning news., 1903-10-17
LETTER FRO M POPE
APPOINTING DAY FOR CONTRIBU-
TION TO UNIVERSITY.
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
WILL BE OBSERVED TEN YEARS AS
CONTRIBUTION SUNDAY.

ing the Special Day for COntribu-
tions Forwarded TO Bishops
Through Cardinal Gibbons-COpy
Received by Rt. Rev. Bishop Kci-
Iey-No Official Announcement
Made as Yet to the Diocese-NO No
ticc of Brief Has Been Received
at Sacred Heart Church.
Rt. Rev Bishop Kelley has received
from Cardinal Gibbons copy of the
brief recently issued by Pope Plus X,
establishing the first Sunday Of Ad-
vent as the day on which special col
lections shall be taken for the benefit
of the Catholic University at Wash
ington. The brief calls for the OBJ
servance of the day for ten years.
The letter was brought to this cOun-
try by his eminenCe Cardinal Gibbons,
upon his return from the sacred con-
clave. The following is the text Of
the brief as received by Rt Rev. Bish-
op Kelley:
ITO our beloved son. James Cardinal
Gibbons, cardinal priest of the Holy
Roman Church, with the title of Santa
Maria in Transtevere; archbishop of
Baltimore, and chancellor of Hhe Cath
Ollie University at Washington:
Beloved son: Health and apostolic
benediction.
THE condition of the university at
Washington has enlisted our deepest
sympathy and concern, inasmuch as
the report recently submitted by your
eminence deposes that its affairs are
not altogether so encouraging as we
would wish. 1t is meet that we should
follow the example of our predecessor
in the furtherance of noble projects,
more especially such as are of great
moment and hold out the promise of
large advantage.
In this spirit we are pleased to con-
tinue and as far as may be to in
crease in the exercise of the apostolic
office the interest which we have ever
held toward this distinguished Amer
lean institution.
Wherefore we learn with genuine
satisfaction that the bishops charged
with the approval of all others inter-
ested in its welfare, a collection be
taken annually for ten years in the
United States on the first Sunday of
Advent, or the first convenient Sun
day thereafter, with a view of en-
HANGING the dignity and charging the
influence of this noble seat of learning.
This plan, the result of their joint
deliberations, we consider most bene-
fetal II is therefore our earnest wish
and prayer that all the bishops Of the
country, as well as the faithful who
have at heart the progress of learning
and religion, should labor strenously
for the good of the university.
That God may be pleased gracious
ly to help this undertaking by his
grace, we lovingly impart to you and
to the faithful committed to your care
the apostolic benediction.
Given in Rome, at st. Peters, on
the 9th day of September, 1903, the first
year Of our pontiticate.
Plus P. P. *"
Letters Sent to Bishops.
His eminence Cardinal Gibbons, has
been sending the letters appointing the
day for special contributions to tie
university at Washington to the diff
ferent bishops OF the country. Ri. Rev.
Bishop Kelley has made no announce
ment of the special contribution day
TO the clergy of the diocese, but ii is
certain that the day will be observed.
No communication has been received
concerning the papal brief thus far
at the Church of the Sacred Heart. 1t
is expected that communication from
Bishop Haid will be received within
a short time calling attention to the
letter and asking that the day be OBJ
served.
The letter is one of unusual inter-
est, in that it plainly shows the in
terest of Pope Plus X in the affairs
of the church in this country. The
brief relating to securing aid for an
American university is among the first
of the acts of the new Pontiff, and
is sufficient indication of his interest
in the church on this side of the
ocean.
Strong Faculty at University.
The Catholic University at Washing
ton for which every parish in the coun-
try is asked to contribute annually for
ten years, is regarded as one of the best
institutions in the country. No ex-
pense has been spared in making its
faculty one of the strongest that could
be gathered together. Nearly all the
professors are graduates of the higher
institutions of learning in other coun-
tries, and many nationalities are rep
resented by the different chairs.
With the generous aid that is bound
to accrue to the university through
the contributions which will result from
his holiness brief, it can be broadened
on many lines and strengthened in sew
eral departments. From all indica-
lions period of prosperous growth
is before the institution and the united
effort of the church is bound to place
II in the front rank of American In
stitutions of learning
-S-P-~
0HHI DEDCOMhI