Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-08-16
COMMUNICATED.
Convention of Catholic Total Abstinence
Union of America.

of America held it's thirty-sixth annual
convention in the city of Providence, R.
l., on the 9th, 9th and 10th of this month.
The Union represents membership of
above $1,000, scattered over all sections
of the United States. Besides this num-
Der there are throughout the country ma
ny other Catholic Total Abstinence socie-
ties that are not affiliated with the Union.
On Wednesday morning the 9th inst, the
convention opened in the Cathedral of
Providence with solemn pontifical mass,
celebrated by Bishop Harkins of that do
cese. The sermon on the occasion was
preached by Rev. Walter ]. Stanley of
Danbury, Conn.,, former president of
the Union.
After the services at the Cathedral the
delegates proceeded to Infantry Hall and
were called to order by Bishop ]. Regis
Canevin, president of the union who brief
ly introduced Bishop Harkins. The Bish-
op in few well-chosen words welcomed
the delegates to his diocese, and at the
same time emphasized the value of the
work of the C. T. A. u, both in this
State and all over the country. In con-
clusion Bishop Harkins introduced Gov.
Utter, who made short address. After
dwelling upon the value to society in gen.
eral of an organization which accomplish
ed as much as did the union, the Govern
or said he desired to welcome the dele
gates to Rhode Island in a threefold
capacity, namely, as members of an Or
ganization, as part of great church, and
finally, as men and women. The cause
of temperance, he said, was one of great
import to the nation. In working for
temperance, a man was not working for
his own physical and moral welfare alone
but for that of his fellows, and the cause
Of temperance concerned not the individ-
ual, but the whole people. In conclusion
the Governor again babe the delegates
to the convention welcome to the State
of Rhode Island, and in the words of st.
Paul, invited them to "enter in"
Bishop Harkins next introduced Mayor
Elisha Dyer, who extended the cordial
welcome of the city of Providence to the
convention. The Mayor paid tribute
Gov. Utter, by saying that he was "the
best Governor and the most magnificent
speaker in New England. He had no
such eloquencc at his command as had
the Chief Executive, said Mayor Dyer,
but he could and did extend to the dele
gates hearty welcome to the city.
Bishop Glennon of St. Louis was next
introduced and talked briefly of the work
of the organization, of its Importance
everywhere. He wished the convention
the greatest success in it's deliberations,
and rapid progress along the future paths
of its endeavor.
The last to address the session was
Bishop Canevin. He read letter from
the Pope to the convention. The letter
which was received by the delegates
standing, was as follows:
1--WE learn with pleasure that the Cath
Ole Total Abstinence Union of America
is about to hold convention in the city
of Providence, for the most praiseworthy
purpose of condemning openly the public
and destructive evil of the excessive use
of Intoxicating liquors, and of influencing
and encouraging the members of the
union to resist and suppress it in private
life. Following the example of our pred
ecessors, and especially the latest among
them, to whom there seemed to be no
greater enemy of the teachings and COM
mands of Christ than the abuse of strong
drink, we heartily approve the work of
the union, end congratulate all in this
commendable assemblage, because they
are really our associates and helpers in
persuading men to practice one of the
principal christian virtues temperance.
Moreover, while we are expressing
our cordial wishes for the success of the
we desire to encourage the
efforts of the union by a tenker of spirit
ual gifts, and, for this reason, we con-
firm the privileges accorded the union by
Leo XIII, of happy memory, and grant
those which follow:
81. A plenary indulgence, on the usual
to each member on the ami
of his admission; furthermore
those who join the union in the future,
may gain the same grace on the day of
their admission, in fulfilling the prescrib-
ed conditions.
''2 To all present or future members
We grant plenary indulgence at the
lour of death, provided they have con-
'essed and received the Holy Eucharist,
,r, if this be impossible, provided they
invoke the name of Jesus orally, or at
east in their hearts.
80. A plenary indulgence, likewise, on
he principal feast day of the union, de-
ermined by the vote of the members and
pproved by the Bishop of the place
which is the centre of the union, to all
resent and future members, provided
hey observe the due conditions, and visit
ach his parish church, at any time be-
ween the first vespers of the feast and
undown of the following day.
"a. An indulgence also of seven years
nd seven times 40 days to present and
uture members on four days in the year,
elected in the above manner by the Bish-
p, provided each one visits his parish
hurch and prays for the intention of the
overeign Pontiff.
IS. We permit all these indulgences
D be applied as suffrages to the souls in