The Irish standard., 1914-05-16
THE SPIRIT OF ST. JOSEPH AND
THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD
OF TODAY.

i
OF TODAY.
Most Rev. Archbishop Glennon of st.
Louis on Duties Towards the
Home and the Country.
obligations Harmonious, Not An.
tagonistic.
In his monthly sermon for May,
the Most Rev. John ]. Glennon,
Archbishop of st. Louis, treated of
the spirit of the worlG of today as
contrary to the spirit of st. Joseph.
and his love for the hcme and soli-
tude. In connection with his topic,
the rchbishop pleaded for an ex-
tension of Catholic interests to
public affairs. the affairs of munich
pality, state and country, inasfar as
such interest does not conflict with
our duties to the home and family.
In commenting on the spirit of today.
Archbishop Glennon said:
I'VE realize that his spirit (the
spirit of st. Joseph) is not the spirit
nor the way of the world today. He
loved retirement-the people Of to-
day seek publicity. He loved the
home and what pertains thereto -
the people of today are at home
only when they cannot help it. st.
Joseph loved the quietness and soli-
tude-the world of today lives on
noise and excitement
Surely, here is philosophy in
epigrammatic form; one of the
principal characteristic symptoms
of the modern world described in a
few pregnant sentences; one Of the
causes of a great deal of social un-
rest defined in few words. But
the Archbishop of st. Louis does
not stop at this definition. He enters
into an interesting discussion of an
accusation frequently raised against
Catholics, that Of showing too little
interest In public affairs. He says:
Its attitude (that of the worldly
towards st. Joseph is its attitude in
general towards the Catholic
Church and the Catholic people.
They say Of us. that we are too
much at home like st. Joseph; we
take little or no interest in public
affairs; do little for the city's pro-
gress or the promotion of civic well
fare; are too self-centered; hold to
impossible ideals, or cultivate them
in a far off fashion, leaving the
work Of today to be done by others.
What the world says of us is il
part true. And sometimes feel a
regret that the Catholics who have
the means and ability. or both, do
not take more active interest in
what is termed. today, general civic.
municipal or national welfare
we have not more who will give of
their time or talent to help along
in the world-uplift. to seek out
and help those who need help, to
even up the depressions everywhere
visible along the line of human life,
to add, somehow. to the total of hui
man happiness. and to make that ad-
ditfon so in evidence that the world
may see it.
"And yet, again, we must not
forget that it were but poor policy
to succeed abroad and to fail at
home. And the Catholic, perhaps, is
conscious that many of the success
ses you hear of and many of the
names that have grown great. and
many Of the services rendered in
public welfare, have as a back
ground the gray ashes of abandoned
firesides and deserted homes. And
sometimes, too. the Catholic sees
the emptiness and insincerity of
many of those who pose as public
benefactors and servants of human
ity. Indeed. publicity and piety
rarely go together. And they who
receive the worlds plaudits have lit
tie time to ask for Gods benedic-
ton. l.
But again. in the so-called well
fare-world's progress-happiness
Of the masses etc., is it not true that
they add their quota thereto, who
serve best the interests that lie naer-
est to them. The nation builders are
the home builders. And they serve
best the nation, in the long run,
who best protect their own homes.
So that II the Catholic man or wom-
an following the lesson Of the
2-Standard SO the
life of St. Joseph, who serves home
and those who dwell there, who has
an offering to make. perhaps, not of
service rendered, but of hearts con-
secrated of children who grow as
the Child grew under the fostering
care Of st. Joseph of long ago, who
have son to serve his country's
standard when the standard. needs
defense. and yet more sons and
daughters to fulfill the mission of
devtoed citizens in the quiet of the
home. cherishing there the spirit of
faith, hope and charity, then it were