THE POPE ON O'CONNELL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 135, 3 December 1875, Page 15

THE POPE ON O'CONNELL.

On the 25th of August the Pope gave a special audience to Monsignor Einaldini on his return from Dublin, where he represented Propaganda at tlxo O'Connell festival. Mgr. Einaldini related hid visit to Ireland, and the Holy Father was much gratified lay the manner in which Mgr. Rinaldini had been received. On the day before the Centenary, O'Connell was again the subject of conversation. " To-morrow," said the Holy Father, " Irishmen aie to honor the memory of a great and gifted man, Daniel O'Connell. One of the most striking features in the character of the great champion of the religious freedom of the people of Great Britain was his firmness and constancy of purpose. This, his distinguishing characteristic, was singularly shown forth in his labor for his country, and it may be said that it was it which shaped and informed his political career. In his efforts in the great work of emancipation he had to contend with very many difficulties. He suffered from the malice of open enemies and the treachery of false friends. He was abandoned, calumniated, imprisoned, but he was still firm and constant, never losing Bight of the grand object of his life — the emancipation of his Catholic compatriots. " This, my dear children, may be an example for you. You also will have many difficulties to battle against in the way of justice aiid virtue. But remain firm and constant in your determination always to walk in the fear of God and to avoid everything which might displeas* Him, never giving ear to the suggestions of the devil. " O'Conncll, continued the Holy Father, in all his labors, was actuated by a spirit of faith. This was his moving and guiding principle, and this it was which brought down the blessing of Heaven on his actions, which were in the end crowned with so signal a success. " You, too, might always treasure up, carefully and jealously guard the holy faith with which God has blessed you, and never admit anything which may in any way jar with the teaching of the Catholic Church. Remain always closely united with the Holy See and obedient to your ecclesiastical superiors. " O'Connell during his life was most devoted to the Holy See, and towards the close of his days he desired nothing more than to see the Pope, the Vicar of Jesus Christ, to receive from him the Apostolic Benediction and to hear with his own oars the words he should speak. " With this desire he left his native land in order to come to Eome, and when he had arrived at, I may say the very walls of the city he received the message of death. " Thus his ardent wiah to see the Pope was left unsatisfied. Just as a stag which, parched with thirst, and having in vain sought for water with which to refresh himself hears at length the murmuring of some distant fountain, and instantly runs in the direction whence the sound proceeds. Having at length come within sight of the waters, and pressing forward more eagerly as he draws near them, he entangles his leg in the net of the huntcjf, and is thus held fast on the very brink of the fountain in which ho longs to quench his thirst. So it happened to O'Connell. His eager desire to see the Vicar of Christ was at the moment of its fulfilment left nngratified. It may be this very disappointment tended to shorten the time of expiation which he and all have to endure in a greater or less degree. To-day O'Connell is in heaven, and is praying for Ireland. For, much as he had done on earth, much yet remains to be accomplished, and he noAV advances by his prayers in heaven the completion of the work he began while on earth. " You, too, my dear children, must assist by your praying this holy Avork which O'Connell during life but partly accomplished. " Many burdens which the Irish people are forced to endxu'Q live yot to be lightened."