LEO. XIII. TO THE ROMANS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 287, 1 November 1878, Page 9

LEO. XIII. TO THE ROMANS.

The two feasts of the Assumption of St. Joachim were the occasion in Rome of a grand manifestation of the devotion and love of the people for the Holy See. The demonstration was begun on the evenings ol the 14th and 15th of August with a general illumination ot the city in honour of the Blessed Virgin. On the 17th, being the eve of the feast of St. Joachim, the patron saint of the Pope, groat activity was observed in and about the Vatican. The arrival of pilgrimages and deputations soliciting the honour of an audience was aimouuccd ; telegrams expressing the best wishes arrived from all points. One was received from the Emperor of Austria, and it is even said one came from Prince Bismarck. On the 18th the Pope admitted to audience a very numerous deputation from the Trastever^, a section of the Eternal City which has become famous for its devotion to the Holy See. The deputation presented some valuable presents, and the Chevalier Pierre Crentili read a touching address, to which the Holy Father responded as follows :—: — It is with the most lively satisfaction and with the deepest emotion that we find ourselves to-day for the first time, in the midst of such a goodly throng of Romans, who surround us with the desire of rendering homage to our person, and of confirming their protestations of devotion, obedience and submission to the Bupreme authority ■with which we are clothed. The strong and loving bonds of affection which unite the people of Rome to their Pontiff, as children to the most tender of fathers, as subjects to the most benevolent of princes, are not loosened, thank God, and never will be, notwithstanding the seductions and artifices winch are being employed for this object. Of his we have a splendid proof even to-day, for you give us a pledge of

this truth in assembling in such grand numbers before us ; you give a still further proof of it in thp affectionate words you have addressed to us and by the noble gifts which you offer. And in assuring you that we willingly accept these testimonies of youi reverence and love, and in wishing to express our gratitude to all of. you, beloved children, that if, on account of our present circumstances, we are not found often in the midst of our Roman people, our heart is always with you, and we are ceaselessly occupied foryoi^i well-being. And now, dear children, you cannot give us a better proof of your devotion and affection than by showing yourselves constantly docile to the teachings of the Catholic Faith, and by continuing to follow the example left you by your fathers. Be zealous in guarding this piety in the bosom of your families, that you may transmit it as a precious heritage to your descendants. It is most agreeable to us to know that you use every means to give your children a religious education, and that you have expressed a horror of these impious schools where their faith and their innocence would be subjected to a fearful trial. It is greatly to be deplored that in this city of Rome, the centre of Catholicity and the august See of the Vicar of Jesus Christ, tl.e heretical sects receive permission to build their temples, to open their sclpols, and to distribute among the people their corrupting publicacations, and that we are not permitted, as we would desire, to oppose a remedy to the impiety which surrounds us. But to you, my dear children, is the task committed of Tendering abortive the efforts of the impious, which you can do by holding yourselves and yonr children entirely segregated from the contagion of heresies. And why should you, oh Romans, wish to frequent the temples of those newcomers, and desert your churches, so full of holiness, majesty and splendour, the churches in which you have baen accustomed to assemble from your infancy ? Is it that the Catholic schools of Rome are not sufficiently numerous in which your children may receive instruction without offending their faith or coriupting their morals? Thanks to the paternal solicitude of the Roman Pontiffs, to the generous charity of the faithful, and to the zeal of the ecclesiastica, there is scarcely a spot in liome where our schools have not been opened, and more will soon be opened in numbers sufficient to meet all demands. We wel] know that the enemies of our faith, profiting by the distress of the people, will put to work all their seductions, and will scatter gold in profusion, in order to fill their schools and their churches. But we would not insult your conscience and your sense of religion by supposing you capable of sacrificing your eternal salvation and that of your children to the consideration of material interest. The bread bought at this price is a poison which will kill your souls and call down on your families the malediction of God. Bemember the deeds of your fathers', who, sooner than betray their faith, sacrificed not only the goods of this earth, but life itself. Follow tie same inspirations and imitate such noble examples. May your constancy and holy determination be fortified by the Apostolic Benediction, which we give you from the bottom of our heart, and may it call down on you and your families an abundance of heavenly favours. Jienedictio, Dei, etc.