The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-02
CATHOLIC MISSIONS ENDED YESTERDAY Today Is Known As Feast of
 All Souls BISHOP GOING TO ROME Right Rev. Edward p. Allen Will Pay His Ad Limina Visit to the Pope-His Diocesan Work
 Reviewed.
BISHOP GOING TO ROME

Yesterday was All Saints day, which ranks as one of the great festivals of the church and is especially observed by Roman Catholics and by the Anglican communion. Today will be observed by the Catholic church as the Feast of All Souls, and In every parish masses of requiem will be offered. At St. Pauls there will be three masses this morning at 6, ' and o'cloek-and the last will be a solemn high mass of requiem. The mission to non Catholics at North Birmingham closed last night It was conducted by the Rev. Father Costello in St. Augustine's church, of which the Rev, Father Kitriek is pastor. Crowds at tended all the lectures delivered during the past week, and several persons are now under instruction with view of be- ing received into the Catholic church.
 The mission at tho colored Catholic | church on Avenue r. Birmingham, of which the Rev. Father Denis is pastor, was concluded last night. The pastors of churches for colored Catholics are always white, but the mission was conducted by the Rev. Father Dorsey, one of the four eolored priests in the United States. He was born and reared in Baltimore of Catholic parents and was ordained to the priesthood by Ca,dinal Gibbons He is now one of the teachers at the Josephite Industrial school near Montgomery. The Rev Eathar 1 Dorsey preach several times, stated last | night that Father Dorsey's mission work here had been very successful. His ser- vices were largely attended by negroes and much interest was manifested. When Father Denis became pastor of the col- ored church two or three years ago he found in his charge only about 15 negro Catholics. He now has membership of nearly GO, and he has a large school in connection with the church. The church building is quite commodous, and the pas tors house is one of the best rectories in the Birmingham district.
 Bishop Allen will sail for Rome this month to pay his ad limina visit to the Pope, and in that connection the follow ing circular was read to Catholic con- 
 Mobile, October 9, 1908.
 Feast of the dedication of the Cathedral church of Mobile
 Reverend Fathers and Beloved Children in Jesus Christ:
 1t becomes my duty to proceed to Rome and present to the holy father an account of the work done in behalf of religion in this diocese since the beginning of my administration. On the day of his solemn consecration to the episcopal office the bishop makes sacred promise to visit at | proper intervals the tombs of the great apostles. Peter and Paul. and at the same 1 time pay his respectful homage to the l successor of St. Peter. This sacred prom | ise must now be fulfilled.a
 The purpose of this canonical visit is l threefold. The first is to venerate the last resting place of the apostles; sec- ondly, to show reverence and obedience to the successor of St Peter, and thirdly to submit report of the condition of the 1 diocese.
 In the language of the church, this is called a visit ad limina apostolorum. In the performance of this duty the bishop pays formal visit to the tombs of the two apostles in the crypt of St. Peters s basilica, and devotes some time to humble and earnest prayer seeking through the
 
 saints aid and inspiration for his work, and grace to imbibe their apostolic spirit
 The next duty is to pay homage to the sovereign pontiff and to receive from him words of advice or reproof, if reproof ! be needed, and encouragement to bear the burden of the responsible trust placed upon him. The bishop must be prepared to answer any questions the holy father may put to him in reference to the well fare of souls in his diocese.
 The third duty is to submit to the proper congregation a written report of the con- dition of the diocese since the date of the last official visit. Opportunity is thus given to the bishop to make known any difficulties he may have had in the admin 1 istartion of ecclesiastical affairs. and ob- tain advice and direction on all that concerns the well being of the flock in- trusted to his care. It Is easy to seesthat visit such as this, in which the bishop meets his venerated superior, the supreme head of the holy Catholic church, and comes in contact with prelates distin- guished for faith, piety and learning. must be of untold benefit to pastor of souls. and in the end rebound to the spir- itual advancement of his flock.
 In spirit of faith and devotion to the Holy See, I go to Rome to make this
 
 our work and bless all who dwell within the diocese whether they are actually members of the fold, or by baptism and good will belong to 1t in spirit. I shall tell the holy father about the zeal and devotion of the clergy and their loyalty to the see of Peter; the devotion and piety of the members of our religious com munities and the sacrifices they are mak- ing in schools, hospitals. orphan asylums and other charitable institutions, to build up Gods kingdom in the hearts of men. By comparing the statistics of 1897 given in the directory with those given for last year, 1907, we can see the advance made by the church in the last decade and for this we should give profound thanks to God for the blessings which He has show cred upon us. In 1897 we had 4S secular and regular priests laboring fin the dio-