New Britain herald., 1924-02-21
Father Donahue's Address.


 Rev, Father, Donahue spoke as fol lows:
 The heart of priest always cX, periences thrill of happiness in tn,
 midst Of Catholic ladies and gentle.
 men. whether they are united 10 dis.
 cuss things bearing on their faith oi
 merely to taste the innocent pleasures
 of time. The happiness that is mine
 looks to me like ripe and rosy joy Some years ago I tried 10 serve you and while my stay here is best chron- icled in months rather than years your invitation as well as your cor dial greeting, proves that my erst. while pricstly presence was neither
 anemic. idle or in vain, all Of which converts mere happiness into q joy that is regal as well as sweet.
 "lt is not necessary 10 hark back
 for topics with which to stimulate
 thought and create reflections. Cur
 rent events. or if you prefer. recent
 events. even in the world Of religion
 are highly interesting. l am sure the
 debates and loud talking have made
 you contrast the peace at Rome with
 the iarring and discord without its
 walls. To me the whole movement is sign Of tho times. Ii bctrays sn-
 periiciality in thinking and therefore q lack Of real thought, It Is always
 easier for 8 man 10 think he thinks than for a man to breed thoughts that
 have their roots in logic and their
 blossom. flower Of perennial beauty
 When Mr. Chcsterton was looking for truth, he discovered by deep study and much reflection that Catholicism, in or out of history, is just the oppo- site Of what most people think il is. Men told him that Rome restrained the mind but Chestcrion found Catholicism was no more Of q re siraini that the acceptance by the mind of tho mathematical dogma that two plus two equals four. They also told him that Catholicism kills joy but tho famed Englishman discovered that Catholicism serves joy like the brakes on Rolls Royce. Tho real ioy-killers were the mon, sometimes called roformers. who three hundred years ago broke down the walls that ran protcctingly around the play ground Of Catholics. And so. today, if men would only try to really think. they. too, might sec truth shining i'll a naughty world like the candle that filings so far it's small but tender light
 In Shakespcare's play.
 Faith is not a matter Of scholar liness but gift from God 10 men. asx l. can it be purchased by wealth. A creature may be sadly sterile of if. Faith is not something we sec. for that is vision; fl is not a posses sion you touch with your fingers, nor like an olive is it properly appraised oy the palate. Faith is not some thing fully comprohcndcd by finite in-
 effects that know so little and are gnorant of so much, but the accept lnce of what we do not see and do not fully understand because revealed To US by God. who can neither de- seive nor be deceived. How much did the Shepherds have? Who among the twelve boasted a diploma except in angling? Faith was necessary at Bethlehem: il was on Calvary; it was cssen- iai st ihe Last Supper. Christ made aith one Of the conditions of sal- -atfon. Two classes Of men never nave difficulty in believing. The rds, simple. clean. untutored nen. and kings. wisemen. educated. cientific. wealthy. The simplicity Of Jne and the real knowledge Of tho dher de not jar their common faith. Both kneel and adore. which makes i appear that faith is in the knee SD rather than in the intellect. Ii $ the crowd that fills tho space be- | wccn these two classes Of men who 1 hink they think, and create casual ! .onfusion. Tho shepherds and kings, !. -ou will notice arc always in peace. l -hey have no doubts for When d man ! icgins 10 doubt ho ceases 10 ha~e i aiih. Faith and doubt are opposifcs. Faith gives peace: doubt destroys it. ! The heart says Newman. is com ] non1F reached, not through reason. i mt through inc imagination by means | fl direct impressions. by the tcsii- f nony of facts and events. by history. Y description. Many man will live md die upon q dogma; no man will 1 onciusion is but an opinion. No ne will die for his own calculation: Ie dies for realities Mr. Chesterton Iad the same idea long before he