THE HOLY FATHER AND YOUNG MEN'S CLUBS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 42, 15 February 1884, Page 21

THE HOLY FATHER AND YOUNG MEN'S CLUBS.

His Holiness has addressed to the president; of the Superior Council and to all the associations of Catholic young men in Italy a Latin letter to the following effect : " Dear Sons, Health and Apostolic Benediction,— Your letter has added much to the great pleasure which We have taken from the beginning in your Christian goodness. We have seen, dear sons with what courage you have laboured, in the midst of so much corruption of minds and morals, to fulfil with one mind that ministry of piety and of zeal which is needful in our times ; We have seen, that your first care was to guard the integrity of the affection and obedience which bind you to Ouxself, and that you br.ively send oat your forces over those fields in which, according to Oar opinion already expressed, it is most fitting that the intellect and virtue of the children of light should shine. " These brilliant signs of your good will, dear sons, will always have Our encouragement, as is just ; and we desire also to strengthen you, so that your constancy and your good works may gain that glory which lies in proving your faith in God and the Church and your virtue, and in helping the salvation of your neighbour. You ate following faithfully in this road, and We doubt not that the light of your example will powerfully attract to your ranks many who ate moved by the sad condition of the age, and who will emulate your own ardour in the good fight. In order to give pious incentives to your enterprise, dear sons, we grant your request that the spiritual favours granted to your societies may be shared by the youths who are under your care and instruction in religion, and by the associations of young men who are to join your clubs later on. " Finally, We beg of the merciful God the good gift of His grace whereby you yourselves dwell safe from the contagion of the timea. We beseech Him that in the fight which you are so courageously waging, He may make you all instruments of His glory ; and as a 1 pledge of Our fatherly good will, We give you affectionately in the Lord the Apostolic Benediction, as also to all those who serve with you under the same banner. " Leo XIII, Tops,"