The Irish standard., 1908-10-03
OF INTEREST AT THIS TIME.
Previous Catholic consresses-Where
Y They Have Been Held.

M They Have Been Held.
At time when the entire Catholic
world is enthusing over the Euchar-
istfc congress in London. word or
& two on the Catholic congresses which
have preceded it may not be amiss.
One would think that to obtain in
formation on this point would be a
comparatively easy matter, because of
the Importance of these meetings and
the great number of Catholics inter-
ested in each one. but as matter of
fact up to this year there was not one
single source from which to draw au-
thentic and reliable knowledge. save
The ephemeral files of the daily pa
pers. We remark this in passing be-
cause it is convincing commentary
,cn the necessity and value Of the
Catholic Encyclopedia that among
the myriad matters Of which it treats.
lit has found space for comprehen-
sive nine page article on Catholic con-
crosses, from which the facts we cite
below are taken.
The first large Congress was held
by the Catholics of Germany in 1S4S,
under the auspices Of the newly found
ed "Piusvereine." and developed into
an annual affair which, with varying
interests and motives, has continued
up to the present day. OF late years
the labor question has occupied more
end more of the assemblys attention.
The first Belgian congress was held
at Mechlin, in 1868. and so successful
was it that it may be called the fore
runner Of the International congresses
icf the present.
5ia France followed suit in 1871 and in
- circular of August 25, 1872, COM
nittee proposed that all forms of
( Catholic associations Of the country
sand all French Catholic organizations
lshould create general representative
sbody for the purpose of defending
Elar led to the convening of the first
Congress des comites catholiques" at
tParis. 1872, and the sessions of this
body were held annually until 1892.
Since 1900 a Catholic congress has
Fbeen held annually in Hungary; in
kepain since 1889 Catholic assemblies
have met from time to time; in Swift
,xerland. after suspension for a genera
.tton, the first general congress was
held in 1908, on the basis of an excel
lent organization, and about the close
OF the nineteenth century congress
was held in Italy representing ali the
hcatholic organizations of that country.
Among the best known Of interna-
tional assemblies have been the "I1u-
charistic Congresses the aim Of
which is to increase and deepen the
love of Christ. Nineteen OF these
meetings have been held since the first
in Lille in 1881. Most have been pre-
ponderatingly French, though the one
at Jerusalem in 1893. that at Rome in
1905, and the last at Metz in 1907,
have been of world wide Importance
There have been two congresses of
Catholic laymen in the United States.
The first met in Baltimore. Md, Nov.
], 1889, on the centenary of the estab-
lishment OF the hierarchy of the United
States. The sessions of the second
congress were held in Chicago on 4th,
9Th and 9Th of September. 1898, as in
cidental to tho Worlds congresses
auxiliary of the Columbus Exposition
and Worlds Fair of that year.
Altogether the present congress has
q long line of predecessors before it.
and 1t is gratifying to Catholic prog
ress that it bids fair to outshine them
all in enthusiasm. in brilliancy and in
Importance.