The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-04-15
POPE SENDS GREETINGS TO U. s.
 AT 25TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE
 OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

the Archbishops and Bishops of the United States of America,
 Benedict XIV, Pope.
 Beloved Sons and Venerable ~Breth-
 ren,
 Greeting and Apostolic Benedic- tion: We have recently learned that preparations were being made at Washington for observing with due so1emnity the twenty-hfth annivers- aryi of the founding of the Catholic University, and that. the celebration, graced by your presence and by that of distinguished members of the 1aity, would be quite in keeping with the singu1arly happy character of the oc- casion. That you, Beloved Sons and Venerable Brethren, should above all rejoice at the prosperity of the uni Versity is obvious to every one who, realizes that the beginnings and the gratifying progress of this seat of learning are owing especially to your wise and timely care. And yet this joy of yours is not so peculiar to you but that we also may in some. wise share it. For we love, nay, we dear ly cherish the American people force fuI as they are with the vigor of youth and second to none in efficiency of action and thought: and as. we earnestly desire that an ever widen ing path to the highest level of hu- man achievement may open before them. we cannot but feel the deep est pleasure at everything that fur thers their progress.
 Still, in your tireless endeavors you aimed not merely at enriching the mind with learning: what you chiefly sought was to imbue it with that heavenly wisdom whose light cannot be put out, and with which alleged things shall come to your f1ocks. These proofs indeed of your pastoral sra7i ioTf11 minded observer as worthy of the highest commendation and deserving of the appreciation and support of your fellow citizens, especially of your Catholic people and in particu- lar of your clergy.
 ! 'fIn this connection we will not withhold our praise from the Knights of Columbus who, as you lately in formed us, by their splendid contri- button to, the funds of the university have carried into effect their wisely | conceived design of extending to young men less favored by fortune the advantages of solid and at the | same time a Christian education. This noble example of benehcence, which all good men approve. we hold up for, imitation and generous emula- tion to all who are blessed with means: and we heartily wish that you yourselves, Beloved Sons and venerable Brethren, will advance the cause Of the university by sending to it students whose superior qualities of mind and disposition give prom fse of the best results. In addition l to other advantages which are thence to be expected, the clergy of the Church in America will receive one and the same culture and training; and this-we speak to those who know by experience-means without doubt clergy whose piety will bear 1 richer fruit because of their more active and more harmonious coop 1 eration. for a common purpose.
 This blessing we imp1ore with prayerful instance from God; and as an earnest of heavenly favors and a token of our good will, we most low ingly in the Lord bestow upon you all l Beloved Sons and Venerable Breth- ren. upon the Rector, the professors and the students Of the university and upon the Knights of Columbus as we'll, our Apostolic Benediction /
 Given at St. Peters, Rome, this thirteenth day of March. 1915, in the first year of our Pontifcate
 .'BENEDnCT XIV, POPE. "