The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, 8 July 1909, Page 29

The Catholic World

BELGIUM— Lou vain University Louvain University celebrated early in May the seventy-fifth anniversary of its restoration after the Revolution. Representatives of the other great Universities , of Europe and America were present on the occasion. Oxford was represented by the Rev. F. S. Brightman, Fellow of Magdalen College; Cambridge by Mgr. Nolan; Trinity College, Dublin, by Dr. Mahaffy; London University by Bishop Casartelli, who also presented an address from the University of Manchester ; Aberdeen University by Bishop Chisholm; St. Andrew's by Mr. Morrison. Various learned societies were also represented, amongst them the Royal Society, by Dr. Windle, president of Queen's College, Cork, and the French Academy by Rene Bazin. There ar« special links between Louvain University and England, formed chiefly in the days of Elizabeth, and the English Bishops sent an address through the Archbishop of Westminster and the Bishop of Salford, both alumni of the University. It is interesting to know that Erasmus studied at the University, and that Oliver Goldsmith, in his ' wanderings round this world of care ' found himself within its halls for a while. The celebrations extended over three days — Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Monday was the chief day. It witnessed a magnificent spectacle — favored, too, by the weather — in a procession of bishops, headed by Cardinal Mercier, of clergy, students, representatives of other Universities, and leading men of Belgium, from the University to the Cathedral, in which a solemn 'Te Deum ' was sung. The streets of the ancient city were brightly decorated, and thronged with immense crowds of people. After 1 the 'Te Deum ' the procession, returned to the University, where the addresses of the sister Universities were presented, and the Rector gave an account of the University's history since its foundation by Pope Martin V. in 1425. ENGLAND— lnspection of Convents That hardy perennial, a Bill for, the inspection of conventual and monastic institutions, made its appearance in the House of Commons on May 18', when Captain Craig asked leave to introduce the measure. Ninety votes were cast in its favor and 175 against, so that permission was refused. A Munificent Gift The Duke of Norfolk has made a gift of Norfolk Park, which covers some 60 acres, to the city of Sheffield. Referring to the gift, the Sheffield Telegraph says : ' For our own part — and in saying this we are sure that we voicathe feeling of our fellow-citizens without distinction of creed or party — we hope the City Council will see its way to express its appreciation' of the Duke's munificent action in some tangible form. The city has already chosen him as its Lord Mayor, and has placed his 1 name on the roll of its Honorary Freemen.' Our University has chosen him as its Chancellor, and has created him Doctor of Letters. There is no further honor of that sort, therefore, that Sheffield can confer upon- him. But. it would surely bo a fit and proper thing if the city were to commemorate this gift by placing a statue of the Duke, in Norfolk Park, 'n order that future generations may see for themselves what manner of man he was to whom they owe such a priceless possession. This is the eighth open space that Sheffield owes to the Duke. Such gifts show that, if the Duke is a great landowner, he realises to the full the „ responsibilities of his position. -, It is such acts that enshrine our old nobility in the hearts of the people. Surely the people, on their part, will rise to the occasion, and show that they, in their turn, know how' to appreciate* true nobility of character - when they see it.' JAPAN— A Native Community of Nuns The Mission Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus' are. a Japanese native community in Yokohama. This community was founded by Rev. Mother St» Mathilde, who last - year celebrated her golden jubilee of missionary life, tho most of which she passed in the Far East. The venerable religious is 95 years old, and, except for a slight deafness, is well and strong. She rises every morning at 5 o'clock. ROME— Motor Car for the Holy Father Two rich Americans (says the Catholic Weekly) have presented the Holy Father with a beautiful motor-car for use in the Vatican gardens. The car has a3O h.p. motor, and is fitted inside and outside with electric lamps and signalling bells. The Papal arms are/ prominently emblazoned on the doors. The interior of the yehicle is richly decorated in white velvet with lace borders. On the right-hand side hangs a beautiful large type breviary with clasps of gold. On the left is placed a massive gold medallion of St. Joseph. The cost of the car is £1500.

-i ' < Catholic University Students A singularly interesting gathering of*' Catholic University students of Italy has been held in Rome this week (writes a Rome correspondent Under date May 9). Tho young men took part in it represented delegations of thg various Catholic University Clubs of all the Italian Universities. Odd as the fact may seem, it is nevertheless true that the great majority of the University students of Italy rather pique themselves on being irreligious. ,It is a kind of pose with them, which many of them happily drop when they begin to face life seriously. Large numbers of them, too, delight in allying themselves with the extreme political parties — Socialism, perhaps, for choice. Various attempts have been made from time to time to keep the Catholic students together, but for various reason* they have failed to attain much success. Sometimes they have even seemed to do more harm than good, for up td a year or two ago no small percentage of the University students were Modernists-. The Encyclical ' Pascendi ' and the excommunication of the leader of the faction has served to clear the air for the students as well as for others. A few uproarious young men endeavored to introduce disorder 'into the Congress which closed its sessions in Rome to-day, but the sentiment of the great majority of those present was clearly against them, and the gathering served to show that the Catholic movement among the University studenis begins to promise important results. The delegates will be received in audience by the Holy Father. UNITED STATES— Catholic University Endowment The Knights of Columbus of the United States and Canada have inaugurated a magnificent work for the benefit of Catholic higher education. They have sent circulars to every member of the Order in tlie two countries, a total of 218,000 Knights, making air appeal for contributions to the fund of £100,000, which the Order is trying to raise for the endowment of the Catholic University of America. The Sovereign Pontiff and Cardinal Gibbons have approved of the scheme, which will be fulfilled in two years by an assessment of one dollar each year for each member. In return the Order will receive one free scholarship for every £10,000. A few years ago the Order contributed £10,000 for the establishment of a Chair of History in the University.