Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-12-23

,SsGoe, as deltUered today and
eSs office:
lit gives to God in the highest
heavens, the mystery and COM
memoration of Christ's birth
has for us pilgrims here below
a message Of peace to all the
earth. In terra pax hominibus
bonae voluntatis.
The word Heaven" is not
rare in the pages of the Old and
New Testaments, but the word
earth" is far more frequent.
And Of all the earth's treasures
the most precious and the most
noteworthy is that of peace. Pax
in terra-we sing 1t In chorus
with the angels Of Bethlehem
pax in terra hominibus bonae
voluntatis.
OF all the blessings that life
and history have to offer, for
individuals and families and
nations, truly the most precious
and important is peace. The
existence Of peace and the zeal
to preserve 1t are the assurance
of the worlds tranquility. But
a necessary condition Of peace
is the goodwill of each and
everyone. Where this is lack
ing, 1t is vain to hope for hap
piness and blessing.
peace Be Our Objective"
Let peace, then, be our objec-
tive at all times; let us aim at
creating peace around us so
that it may spread throughout
the entire world; let us shield
1t from all that could harm it
and take care not to endanger
1t by anything that could dis
rupt or compromise it. Oh how
great a duty is this for every
Pope, now and always. The
constant endeavor of the four
years of our humble service
as we strive to make it and will
continue to strive to the end
is to act as the servant of the
servants Of God, who is in truth
the Lord and Prince of Peace.
AS we are speaking now for
the radio and television, we
think that all upright men of
good will who are listening will
like to hear again the appeal
we made for peace and for the
mutual understanding and con-
cord of nations in our broad
cast message Of 25th October:
I'VE renew today this SOL
emn appeal. We beg all govern
mentS not to be dead to this cry
Of mankind. Let them do all
that is in their power to pre-
serve peace. Let them con-
tinue to negotiate, for this hon.
orable and open attitude is a
powerful witness Of each ones
conscience before the bar Of
history. To promote, foster and
agree to discussion, at all levels
and at all times, is a course Of
wisdom and prudence which
draws upon the earth the bless
ings Of heaven"
The recollection Of this ap-
! peal is all the more joyful for
us, venerable brothers and dear
children. because of the clear
signs Of deep understanding
which show that the words
were not wasted on the air, but
touched minds and hearts and
are serving to open up new
prospects of brotherly trust
and to hold out bright hopes
Of true social and international
peace.
New Chapter in History
On the subject Of these hap
py developments in national
and international affairs, seen
simply as the beginning of a
new chapter in the history of
the modern world, it is most
pleasing to observe the part
played by our radio message,
spoken as it was in harmonious
and exultant chorus with the
voices Of the bishops Of the
Catholic Church from every
part Of the world, who were
gathered here in Rome for the
work Of the council in holy
brotherhood under the loving
guidance of the successor Of st.
Peter in st. Peters own BASIL
lea. 1t is a breath of the pure
spirit Of the gospel and a liv-
ing flame Of sincere Catholic
apoStolate which puts the
Lords divine precept into prac-
tice and consecrates it: Seek
We first the Kingdom Of God
and His justice and all these
things shall be added unto
you"
1t is natural, In this period
OF expectation and in the fes-
tive activity Of Christmas which
follows, that special reference