The San Francisco call., 1910-09-04

couragement just given to 1t by the
holy see in Rome
By special decree of Pope Plus x
lhe society is canonically established.
Ihat is to say, 1t is made one of the
recognized permanent organizations of
tie Catholic church for the advance
ment of good works, having its own
special line of work carefully traced
out for it by the authorities in Rome
Cardinal Martinelli, who is so thor
oughly familiar with conditions in the
United States, Is appointed the cardinal
protector of the society. To him must
be submitted, annually, detailed re-
ports upon every phase and branch, of
the society's work. These reports he
IN turn submits to the holy father.
Archbishop Quigley of Chicago and
his successors in office are to hold the
ONCE of chancellor or moderator of the
society, and his approval must be OBJ
tanned for all methods of work adopted
by the society.
The selection of the president is re-
served by the holy father to himself.
He asks that three names be submitted
to him of persons deemed fit for the
position, and from these he will select
the one to fill the Office. The presi-
dents term of Office will be for five
years.
The society has, naturally enough,
been criticised in some direction or
other upon every point of its methods
of work, and it was finally decided to
submit the whole plan to Rome for
judgment, favorable or unfavorable, a
the case might be. The result is a
complete Endorsement of the work and
of the methods adopted to further that
work
The new arrangement goes into eff
feet on the completion of the fifth year
of the societys existence next October.
During these five years the society has
grown to large proportions and has
done splendid work.
Over 400 chapels have been built in
out of the way places throughout the
country; students have been educated
for the priesthood, pledged to give their
services in poor, forsaken districts;
Catholic literature has been distributed
in lonely places by the millions; a
seminary is being established in the
Philippines for students for the priest
hood in that country; an American sis
terhood has been founded in Porto
Rico; an extension society of similar
scope has been founded in Canada; al
tar Vestments and church goods have
been furnished in immense quantities
to poor parishes; the chapel car has
been built and sent on its way to
spread the gospel in forsaken districts;
and much other work accomplished
which we have not the space to men
tion here.
Needless to add. we wish the exten-
sion society long life, and many days
of continued usefulness; and we extend
our sincere congratulations that it is
now established on such a firm founda-
gtlon.
The reports still coming in of the
"a T
first such congress held in England
since the so called reformation in
dicate that it was indeed a splendid
success from start to finish.
a civic reception was given the Wis
Ting delegates. The archbishop of
Westminster preached the opening SER
mon in the cathedral At the inaugural
blage, carefully tracing the last so
years in England in their relations to
Catholics; and the bishop of Stafford
and Father Bowling still further stirred
the intense enthusiasm of those pres
ent.
Mass meetings were held; there was a
reception and conversazione on the last
day of the congress; an exhibition of
art and antiquities; sectional meetings.
at which the enthusiasm continued un-
abated. were held; and the conclusion
seemed to be forced upon all present
that this first congress marked the be-
ginning of another great Catholic re-
vival of faith throughout England.
The Benedictine abbey at Belmont. N.
G, has just been granted most sig
nal honor by Pope Plus X. Tt will be
25 years next October since this abbey
was founded in the wilderness. Dur
ing those years it has developed into
the present splendid monastery and
college. under the direction of Abbot
Haid, the incumbent.
Piux X, to mark the silver Jubilee
celebration about to be held and as an
encouragement to yet further efforts
to spread good works on all sides. has
raised the abbey to the dignity of
cathedral abbey, or episcopal see.
Eight counties in North Carolina will
be attached to this new see and the
episcopal dignity with full episcopal
jurisdiction will be vested in the abbot
ruling the Belmont Benedictine abbey.
The coming occasion will be marked
by the presence of a number of church
dignitaries and will mark one more
memorable station IN the advance of
the forces of civilization and true
progress in these United States.
OF socialism, which is arousing such
general attention in our own country,
John Spargo, author of the first biog-
raphy of Mart that has yet appeared,
remarks: Socialism and Marxism have
become interchangeable and practically
synonymous terms. In the great Eu-
ropean countries where socialism is a
power politically the movement is al
most wholly dominated and inspired by
the thought and deed of Marx. In the
United States, where there is a grow
ing socialist movement, which is gem
orally recognized as being much bigger
and stronger than its political manifes-
tation, socialism and Marxism are
synonymous.
Christians should, if this be correct
note well the distinction between So
cialism and social reform and look well
to it that, in advocating economic re-
forms. which all agree are absolutely
necessary for the general welfare, they
do not become entangled In the utterly
unchristian and utterly subversive doc
trines of the socialists or disciples of
the notorious antichristian, Marx.
The venerable Father Libermann.
whose cause of canonization is under
consideration in Rome, is the first Jew
whose name has been presented for this
high honor to the sacred congregation
of rites.
He was converted Jew, the son of
a rabbi, and he founded a religious
ron tion for the eyaO1elizat Of