The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-08-13
Bishop shanahan's Letter.
Officially Announcing Leo xi11's Successor.

Official announcement of Cardinal
Sauo's succession to the head of the
church at Rome was made in St.
Columba's Church Sunday morning
when the following very beautiful let
ter from Bishop Shanahan, of Harris.
burg was read by Father Murphy:
Harrisburg, Pa, August 9, 1903.
To the Venerable Brethren OF the
Clergy, and Beloved Children of the
Laity. Peace and Benediction.
81 announce to you udings of great
joy. We have for Pope, His Emf
nence, Joseph Sarto, who has taken
to himself the name of Plus X" In
these words the choice of the Cardinals
in Conclave assembled was promulgat
ed by the senior Cardinal from the
balcony Of St. Peters Church in Rome
on Wednesday last.
We have for Pope the two.hundred-
and-sxty-ffth of his line; the Great
High Priest, the First of Bishops, the
Heir of the Apostles, the Universal
Pastor, the Defender of the Faith, the
Priest of the Most High, the Vicar of
Christ. These are titles of his office.
He who now takes them up has all
the wisdom and dignity with but little
Of the feebleness of age. He has just
completed his sixty-eighth year. He
is distinguished for his learning, but
practicularly for his saintliness of life.
He IS the man for the place and tor
the age. He is to continue the work
of his Lord and Master, the work of
bringing light to a darkened world,
and purity to corrupt world. Such
is our Chief Bishop, Plus, whom God
preserve such is the duty with which
he is charged.
Amid our rejoicings we cannot fail
to behold the realization of the pro-
mise which Christ made to remain
perpetually with His Church. To St.
Peter he gave the solemn charge !:
"Feed my lambs. feed my sheep" )" to
St. Peters successor, are addressed
the selfsame words, for St. Peter, the
first Pope, lives in the present il.
lustrious Pontiff, Plus X, who is en-.
throned to-day near the tomb of the
Prince of the Apostles.
How grand is the rule of the Cath
ollc Church! The Pope is Head in
Rome, the Archbishop in his Pro-
vince, the Bishop in his See, the
Pastor in his Parish. Whether in
prison, or in the catacombs, or sur
rounded by the splendors of the Vati.
can, the Pope, the successor of ST..
Peter, VINO receives his mission from
God, is guiding, and consolng his
mighty flock of two hundred and fifty
millions dispersed throughout the
world. 81 prayed for thee that thy
faith fail not"
Thus is unity of doctrine secured.
Whenever Catholics are found they
have the same sacraments, and sacri.
fee. There may be divisions among
them on political questions, jealousy
and rivalry in business matters, wide
divergence in national traits and
characteristics; yet they all acknowl-
edge the supremacy of St. Peter and
his successors, and bow in respectful
homage when, as supreme judge, he
pronounces definitely on questions of
faith and morals.
Let us prize our faith above every
earthly treasure, and prove to the
world by the purity of our lives that
We are worthy members of the glorious
Church, one, holy, catholic, and ap.
ostolic. In this way, and in this way
alone we will win others to Christ,
and bring joy to HIM who has been
chosen as the Vicar of the Great Bis
hop and Shepherd Of our Souls.
Very Sincerely in the Lord,
w SUANAuAN