Year: 1871

were re-eStaDll8ne0 IN eur BOntihcal seat by the
combined efforts and the arms OF the Catholic
peoples and princes, we directed eur zeal and all
our energies toward the establishment OF a
subjects-a matter which we have always re-
cognized as the most important business of
cupidity Of neighbof1g pctentste led him to desire
the possession OF countries living under oar sway,
He obstinately preferred the counsels of sects-
doomed TO perdition--tO our repeated admonitions
and paternal words ana SURPRISING by far the inso
lence OF that prodigal child whom the Gospel
speaks Of he has attacked by force this city, which
belongs to us, and which he claimed, and now re-
tsins In his power against all justice, as property
which Is none OF his We cannot help being moved
at this criminal usurpaton. We are full Of anxiety,
as also knew where these counsels do tend, viz:
TO destroy our temporal sovereignty, and at the
same time, II such thing were possible, to ef1ace
from the face OF the earth our spiritual power and
the reign OF Christ. We are full OF anxiety at the
view OF such great misfortunes- -msfortunes that
threaten the eternal salvation OF our people. And
in all this bitterness nothing grieves us more than
in our inability to remedy these great evils 10
and pitlful series OF calamtes and msfortunes that
have fallen and brought so much grief upon the very
what our sentiments must have been when these
msfortunes filled the whole world with fear and
hitherto unknown, among others by the ndignities
and the parrcide inflicted upon our very venerable
brother the Archbishop Of Paris.


We have, my venerable brethren, still another
cause, ana greater one, for grief, when we see
that so many rebeious sons bound TO us by 30 many
nal voice and their own salvation, throwing away
the time which God vet offers them for repentance
and preferrng to incur the anger OF divine retrbu-
ZION ratner than to avail themselves in time or the
fruits OF mercy.


Protected by all-merciful God, we shall shortly
arrive at that anniverBary OF our elevation to the
Pontincal throne to which we succeeded the ever
blessed Peter and upon which, though vastly infe-
his apostolic service This is. certanly, new and
extraordinary gift OF Divine munifcence-a gift
which, in the long line Of Popes (our predecessors
throughout nineteen centuries), has, by dispeusa-
tion OF God been only accorded to ourselves alone
In this we recognize q still greater mark of His d-
vine benevolence towards us when we consider that
we have in these times been deemed worthy to suffer
prosecutions for Justices sake, and when we see
these beautiful sentiments of love and devotion by
attracted towards the Holy See.


Now that these great gifts, so ill-merited, have
enough to acqut ourselves of the duty OF rendering
thanks for them as we ought to do. We therefore
peseech the Holy virgin Mother OF God to teach us
spirit as she did when pronouncng these sublime
words, "rhc Almighty has done great things for
me-" And we beseech you also, venerable brethren,
in unison with your focks, to render thanks TO God
by hymns Of praise and songs of thanksgiving. AS
words Of the royal prophet that sour exile pro-
longs" we need your prayers, In order to acquire
force and confidence and to render our soul to the
Prince Of Pastors in whose bosom alone can be found
Ne consolation for the ills Of this troubled life and
the blessed haven OF peace and eternal tranquility
But in order that the glory OF God should profit by
the blessings which His bountifulness has bestowed
upon our Pontlhcate we empower each OF you,
venerable brethren, to give tue Papa blessing with
absoutisn, in the ordinary form of the Catholic
Church, ana with our apostolic authority, on the
10th and 2lst of this month, or any other day at
your choice.


Desiring to watch over the spiritual welfare of the
faithful we grant, in the Lord, by these presents,
that all Christians OF both sexes in whatever do
cese thsy may be- who have made confession en-
tered in to the holy communion, and have addressed
to God pious prayers for the concord of Christian
princes, the extrpaion of heresy, and the exalta-
tion OF our holy mother Church. should obtain abso-
luton OF all their sins.


In the meantime, venerable brethren, we implore
for yeu Of God Almighty constancy, celestial hope,
and every consolation, in token OF which and as a
token Of our benevoence desire that you receive
the apostolic benediction which accord from the
fulness Of our heart to you, the clergy and the
people confided to every one OF you.


Rome, at st. Peters, the 4th OF June, year 1871,


and tWenty-hfth of our POntincate.