The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-02-01

the common sorrow, have never ceased
to pray with the heart of the Father
intent on the good of all-that has
come in a moment: at last the clash of
arms has ceased. True, peace has not
yet in solemn fashion brought to an
end the great war, but the road to
peace has been opened happily with
the armistice, which has meanwhile
suspended slaughter and devastation
by land, sea and air Many and va
rious reasons could be given to ex-
plain the suddenness of the event;
but if the supreme reason be sought,
there is no other way but to look
above to Him Who rules all events
Moved to compassion by the unceasing
prayers of His servants, He now lets
humanity breathe again after so many
trials and sorrows. While, then, all
thanks are being given to the Lord
for this wondrous boon, We are glad
that many imposing demonstrations
of piety have taken place in the Cath
Ollie world to that end.
1t remains now to implore of the
Divine mercy that the crown be put
on the great gift accorded us. Soon
the delegates of the various nations
will meet in solemn congress to give
the world just and lasting peace;
no human assembly has ever had be-
fore it such serious and complex de
examinations as they will have to take.
Words, then, are not required to
show how: great need they have OF
being Illuminated from on high that
they may carry out their great task
well. And as their decisions will be OF
supreme interest to all humanity, there
is no doubt that Catholics, for whom
the support of order and civil progress
is a duty of conscience, must invoke
Divine assistance for all who take part
in the Peace Conference. We desire
that that duty be brought before all
Catholics.
Therefore, venerable brothers, in
order that there may come from the
congress shortly to be held that great
gift of heaven, true peace, founded
on the Christian principles OF justice;
that enlightenment from the Heavenly
Father may descend on them, it shall
be your care to order public prayers
in each parish of your dioceses in the
way you may think most convenient
AS for Us, representing, however
unworthily, Jesus Christ, King of
Peace, We shall exert all the influence
of our apostolic ministry that the
decisions which are taken to insure
forever in the world the tranquility OF
order and concord, be willingly &C
cepted and faithfully carried out by
Catholics everywhere.
AS narbinger of celestial favors and
pledge of Our benevolence to you, ven
cradle brethren, and to your clergy
and people, We impart from Our heart
the apostolic benediction.
Given at Rome at st. Peters on
the 1st day of December 1918, the
fifth year of Our pontificate.
BENEDICTUS, PIP, XIV.
Kindly read the letter to your people
and explain to them their duty Of be-
seeching Almighty God to bless the
deliberations and decisions of the
Peace Congress.
Confornably to the wish of His
Holiness, we hereby prescribe three
Our Fathers and Hail Marys to be
said after every low Mass celebrated
in the churches and chapels of the
diocese. These prayers are to con-
tinue until the Peace Conference has
concluded it's sessions and the treaty
of peace is signed.
We wish to express to you and we
ask you to convey to your people the
expression of our sincerest thanks for
the generous offering made in response
to our appeal for the Holy See.
May God bless you and your people
and may we have the assurance OF
your and their prayers for ourselves
and every work of religion in the
diocese.
Faithfully in Xt,
JOHN T. McNICHOLAS,