The Irish standard., 1915-02-13
PASTORAL LETTER OF GERMAN
HIERARCHY.
CONTINUED from Page u

war, and there is scarcely any longer
q house that has no dead member to
bewail. Still there is no end in view.
So much only is sure that much misery
awaits us
Therefore will we do everything to
make of time of need time of
grace by closest union with our Sa'
yiour and Redeemer. And so let chill
dren and adults, men and women,
youths and maidens, those at home
and those in the field, priests and
Bishops, unite together for this solemn
act of conservation.
In truth, this union with the Saviour
will bring us blessings and make Of
the year 1915 year of salvation. In
the Heart of our Saviour our hearts
become sound again and their life
beats stronger. From His heart shall
we draw strength to the pains and
sorrows of the war, to give life of
strict self-denial as every one is bound
to do in time Of war, to endure in
patience and in prayer; strength to
support our victories and the final
victory which may God grant us soon;
yes, strength and grace that the vic
tory may not make us arrogant, that
we may not be overcome by our own
victories, but in humble thanks give
God the glory, and after the return of
peace remain on the right paths and
strive to advance, mindful of the
Prophets word: Thus saith the Lord,
Thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Is
rael: l am the Lord, Thy God, that
teach three profitable things, that gov
ern thee in the way that thou walk
est. o that thou hadst hearkened to
My commandments; thy peace had
been as a river, and thy justice as
the waves of the sea, and thy seed
had been (numerous) as the sand ION
the sea-. Qsaiah, Xviii, 1919
Such good results do we expect fol
ourselves and for our whole country
from the holy exercises to which we
urgently invite you. In this glad con
viction we, your pastors, united with
you in spirit, consecrate before all our
selves and our dioceses to the Most
Holy Heart of Jesus. We commend to
this Divine Heart, full of love and
grace, each and every one of you-for
you are all in our hearts In life and
in death-our soldiers, to whom Oul
thoughts and prayers go forth day
and night; the widows and the or
phans Of the war, on whose wounded
hearts may descend, we pray, the balm
of divine consolation; our dear coun
try, to which our hearts are devoted
with very special love and loyalty al
such time as this.
o sword of the Lord, how long still
wilt thou not rest? Return to tn,
sheath, calm thyself- and be still
Jesus, Thy Holy Saint of God, takest
away the sins of the world, have
mercy on us and grant us peace! Hol,
Mary, Virgin Mother of God, entreat
for US from thy Divine Son pardon
grace and peace. Amen.
In accordance with the above Pas
toral, it is hereby ordered:
(D The Pastoral shall be read in
all the churches on the Sunday after
Christmas, December q, taking the
place of the sermon. Those who have
care of souls have thus the opportu
nifty of giving the people timely ant
repeated notice-in the church and by
the press-of the religious ceremony
so that all may be able to regulate
themselves accordingly.
(2) On the 7th, 9Th and 9th Of
January, a Iridium shall be cele
brated, with sermon, where that IL
possible, and at least with one eve
ming service or several hours Ador
alton Coram Exposition; there shall
be increased opportunities for comics
sion.
90 The faithful are recommended
to spend one of these as fast day.
az On the Sunday after the Erjph
any, January 10, the day for the Expo
sition Of the Most Holy Sacrament
there is to be general Communion
and solemn divine service, with ser
mon, in the morning, either at the
end of the morning service, or after
the solemn service, with procession Of
the Blessed Sacrament; In the evening
the solemn conservation shall be made
in the formula of Leo XIII.
(5) The school children shall be
enlightened in catechetical instruc
ton on the Specification and object OF
the devotion, and shall be induced to
take proper part in it.
co. The military chaplains will be
informed through the army Bishops OF
their ordinaries, and shall induce the
men to join as far as possible In the
celebration. Relations can also com
municate with their friends in the
army to the same effect.
Third Sunday in Advent, 1914.
Francis Cardinal Won Bettinger
Archb. of Mountaineering; Feliz
Cardinal Won Hartmann, Archb. of Co
logne; Thomas Archb. of Freiburg
Jamea Archh If Bamberg: Edward