The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-02-15
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSIST AND THE
SOCIAL PROBLEM.

In April, 1898, in the Belgian House
of Representatives, the socialists kim
died vehement controversy by at
tempting to prove the superiority of
their system over Catholic policy.
Deputy Helleputte showed that collec-
tivism is a dream impossible to real
ize, because socialism is not in a
position to give it solid foundation,
and because it would require the high
est degree of self-denial. On the con-
trary, socialism rests on materialism
opposed to religion; in other words,
upon selfshness Then Mr.. Helle-
putte pointed to the striking example
of st. Francis:
AT a time, which tC large extent
resembled our own, when the thirst
for pleasures spread itself more and
more throughout the world, and when
selfishness permeated all classes, then
ST. Francis attempted to regenerate
society. And how did he accomplish
his task? He strove not for worldly
supremacy; he did not banker for "a
seat in the chamber of deputies" as
the saying goes.
He was young, he was handsome,
he was rich, and he loved the COM
forts of life. But he Invested himself
of all possessions, clothed himself in
rough cloth and, as he expressed it
in language sublimely poetic, he we'd
ded himself to his Mistress Poverty
The sages of his time treated him as
a fool; but millions of Christians imi-
tated his example, as he foresaW it
in prophetic spirit, when he exclaimed:
From the north and from the south
see multitudes descending to us and
rally under our banner; the din OF
their coming and going still echoes in
nv ears! Thus was founded this
wonderful Order, which, obeying the
voice of the Pope, is arming itself
again to save the world a second time.
Gentlemen of the left: When you
shall first initiate Francis of Assist;
when you shall apply those theories
to yourselves, which you disclaim to
others; when you shall put aside your
fine clothing and exchange it for plain
garments; when you shall go into the
workshops to toll at the side of these
workingmen to whom you so often
declaim that they alone constitute the
estimable part of humanity; when you
shall distribute your goods among the
poor; when, furthermore, in your
hours of perplexity and temptation,
when the greatness of the sacrifice
weighs but too heavy upon your weak
human nature, you shall go out on a
cold winter night and throw yourself
into thornbush, leaving drop Of
your blood on every thorn so that the
greatness of bodily pain will make
you forget spiritual suffering-then
perhaps, we might believe you. But
then, you would first have need to be
lieve yourselves!"
Thereupon Deputy Cavrot replied
THAT is folly!" ..
However, Mr.. Helleputte answered:
THAT is folly, you say! Surely, it is
folly 1t is the folly of the Cross
taught from the height of Calvary by
the dying Saviour! 1t is the folly O
all the saints; it is that folly which
has saved the whole world, that b!
which it was civilized! And on tina
day when you shall see it's end, thu
world will be lost!
THAT is the difference between
Christian saints and those of social
ISM The former begin the social rev
olution by the regeneration of them
selves; the latter strive, instead O.
reforming themselves, that society
shall be reformed. Catholic saints
have sufficient faith in the doctrines
which they proclaim, to practice them
the saints of socialism, on the con
trary, are sufficiently aware of thu
errors which are proclaimed by then
to know that they can be forced upo1
humanity only by deceit and violence
"To what fruitless agitation sc