The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-01-28
POPE BENEDICT XIV.

POPE BENEDICT XIV.
The death of Pope the Church founded by Christ
at first challenge the words Il will be with
all days. For moment it appears to break the link which
binds Christ to His Church 1t is only in appearance how
ever for the union still remains ndsoube though the
mortal receptacle that power be shattered The
power remains always invisible and it but awaits another
human head upon which it may rest
The fifteenth Benedict lived through period comparable
to but few epochs history Regio depopuata religion
years of his poncate The initial shock Of the catacysm
struck down his venerated predecessor and left heritage
September of 1914 the Ponti already behed around
him the ravages of Churches toppling over in
conflict while many more were destined to
to starvation and misery vast numbers of the faithful fell
in the struggle and in sense was religion laid waste
Fragile in childhood delicate in later life Benedict XIV
seemingly was unequal to the hercesn task Of carrying the
the mind of the SOUL of faith 1t expended itself in myriad
The itself furnished him with the keynote of his pon
ate Justice and charity had persisted from among men,
his the duty restore far possible the reign Of these
Christian virtues Therein lay his greatest work. his chief
accomplishments his most signal triumph.
Truly it be said that not day passed during the
of his reign that Benedict XIV did strive
establish peace and good will among men, At first his ap
pea fell upon deaf frantic in the turmoil of
heard not needed not the voice OF geneness But this
pleading took persuasive form. The charity
of the Holy Father began reach out into the haunts Of
misery and suffering Every Ira that he could possibly gather
and sent its way at to alleviate distress
No distinction of race creed color served for
ment to defect this of benefcence that flowed
from the Vatican hill Catholic and Protestant Jew and
Mohammedan his debtors and every nation felt the
Of Christ stirred within his breast ard it sought to embrace
all men In its irrepressble fervor
Many times did the Vicar of Christ seek to call men
back to their Especially three historic occasions
did he send forth thrilling appeals for The most
definite act in this regard the famous letter of August
1917 This challenge to the conscience of the nations
England always suspicious of everything Roman, accused
pf 1oaninu fhoG
even ntmated that he inspired by Berlin The truth
afterwards OUT and it left England Italy
covered with shame America in the person Woodrow VIII
son parred while Germany and Austria seemed to accept
the invitation The net result however put the ques
countered with his fourteen poin-poin taken practically
from the Pope's suggestions.
During years the Holy Father was made the target
OF all the bigory and spleen possessed by each country
While lighting one another they all agreed point
His peace appeals branded propaganda
form OF vtuperation visited upon his devoted head
Gregory VII Julius IT, Leo XIII possibly would have
taken more vigorous stand could have surpassed the
gentle spirit OF forbearance that Benedict
The result of all the reying and blasphemy that
Benedict XIV came through the ordeal the powerful
through the struggle stood forth as the real con
quero for he survived the blasts of every
nation and alone of all the he showed record
and unmpared and undeed The day of death beheld
representatives from twenty different nations standing
in respectful attitude about him Governments had been
aroused his craftsmanship alone they fastened to do
him homage His death called forth tributes his
former enemies and high official of the Italian government
for the first time history appeared at the Vatican
to inquire solcously about his condition.
Summing up the reign of Benedict XIV one can saw that
his seven of effort in the Of the Church were
conferred about the restoration of warning world
This and his endless charity the suffering endeared him
to the world and ensrned his memory Of human
lty The effects of this devotion to all mankind doubtless
Will bear fruit in countless ways known God The
PROSTATE masses in land of penu and
associate the of Benedict XIV with the most generous
Tho hono
them succorng them and stirring others to pour out
the argess of material and spiritual bounty Never in the
history OF the Catholic Church the Popes title servus
servorum of the servants of God-ore ngly
worn And in this word, charity is up all the
law and the Prophets Benedict embodiment of his
Masters dearest virtue Blessed forever be his and hal
lowed his name.