NATIONAL PRAYER FOR VICTORY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3198, 24 September 1917, Page 6

NATIONAL PRAYER FOR VICTORY

, ON OCTOBEE 7 NEXT. The following circular was read yesterday at the various services of all lloman .Catholic Churches throughout the Wellington Archdiocese. Similar offerings and prayers are to take place in all the Soman Catholic Churches throughout the Dominion on Intercession Sunday:— \"We have to advise you that the, Government has resolve?! to 6et apart Sunday, October 7, as a day- of "national prayer. It is needless to say that the Catholic body throughout the Dominion are in full accord vritli this resolve, and hence wo are taking steps to fitly carry it out.. The war with its /ad burden of death and devastation still drags on, and the dawn of peace is not yet—a dawn destined to rise red ..with the blood of, victory on the battlefield. Por *uch a victory our armies are bravely rnd heroically fighting, and it is the duty of us non-combatants at hj>me, like Moses on the mountain, to lift up our hands in prayer. In so dire a struggle we nfcofi the help and protection of-the Lord of Hosts. His hands hold the issue,, fiom Him victory must come. As we thoroughly realise the justice of our cause, namely, to vindicate the' violated laws of honour, humanity, and morality., to preserve truth, liberty and Christian civilisation, and to secure a righteous and permanent peace, wo turn to God with unfailing perseverance as with s unfailing iccnudenco. "Accordingly, we ordain that on Sunday, October 7, in all the churches of the archdiocese, the principal Mass 6hall be celebrated for the above intentions, and we earnestly exhort all the Catholics in every parish to at some Alass. on the same Sunday, a general Commuunii, and wo particularly request the clergy to prepare as many children as possible lor Communion on that day with their parents and relations. l'\u'tlior, we announce to you that the Holy Father has ordered to'bo added to the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, both in public and private recitation, just before the ' Asaus Dei/ the .invocation 'Queen of - Peace, Ttegina Pacis.' Finally, we oraain that this letter be read to the faithful, at least one Sunday before the day appointed for national prayer. ' "FRANCIS REDWOOD, S.H."