PIO NONO'S LAST ADDRESS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 260, 26 April 1878, Page 17

PIO NONO'S LAST ADDRESS.

On February 2, delegates from the different parishes, colleges and institutions of Rome, called on the Holy Father, Pius IX., to present him, as was the custom on the feast of the Purification, with offerings of wax candles. On that occasion he delivered the following reply :—: — It is for me a great consolation to see you re-united here, forming about me a pleasing circle of devoted sons. I thank you for the zeal which you cease not to manifest for the safety and health of those confided to your care. I thank the pastors and guardians of souls who labour to promote the practice of prayer and the frequenting of the sacraments. I thank the pastors of souls, and also those of the secular and repular clergy, for the prayers which, under their direction, the faithful have not ceased to address to God for me ; and I ask you to thank, in my name, all those under your care. Thank them and tell them that I ask God to grant them perseverance in prayer, in the frequenting of the sacraments, and m fidelity to the Chief of the Church. ■ Say to them that I do not forget them, and I pray for them every day that God may have them under His protecting hand. At this opportunity I shall say but one thing and dismiss you afterwards. I well know that there are always in various parishes ignorant people who do not know the things that are necessary to religion. I still further well know, that parents are most culpable in permitting their children to grow up in this ignorance of religion, but I also know that it is our duty to seek out the sinners to convert them and the ignorant to instruct them.' Seek the ignorant, enlighten them with zeal, in order that it cannot be said that in the centre of the Catholic world there are any who are ignorant of the principal mysteries of our holy religion. Put forth every effort to remove from Rome this reproach, and employing your zeal and your prayers for the conversion of souls, the light of truth shall shine everywhere in that holy city. These are the only words which I can attempt to address to you at the present opportunity, my enfeebled condition not permiting me to speak further. At the same time I bless you ; I bless yourselves, your religious houses and all the souls committed to your guidance. May this benediction accompany you through all the days of your life may it be the theme of your prayers and supplications when it shall please God to call you to the glory of Paradise."