THE HOLY FATHER

New Zealand Tablet, 6 March 1913, Page 13

THE HOLY FATHER

HIS SANCTITY AND LEARNING At the banquet following the consecration of the new Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, the Right Rev. Edward J. Hanna, D.D., the toast, * The Holy Father,' was responded to by his Excellency the Most Rev. John Bonzano, D.D., Archbishop of Militene and Apostolic Delegate to the United States, who had officiated as consecrator. 'You ask me,' said his Excellency, to speak of the Pope, and indeed I would find no difficulty in speaking of him, but rather of speaking of him in fitting language— more so because every one of you knows, loves, and venerates him. Nevertheless, encouraged by your kindness, I shall speak of him as a son ? addressing his brothers. It is not my intention to describe the dignity of his office as Vicar of Christ, but rather to describe the qualities of him in whom the Papacy is embodied. A Providential Man. ' Who, then is Pius X. ? He is a providential man who during nine years has put into execution a vast programme which is contained in these few words: " Instaurare omnia in Christo." Sprung from the people, passing through all the grades of the ecclesiastical dignity, and finally reaching the Supreme Pontificate, he realised at once all the needs of the Church, and took measures to supply them. Seeing that error directs its attacks not only against the special teachings of the Church, but also against the deposit of faith itself and the foundations of belief, he condemned with apostolic courage what he justly called the "synthesis of all heresies." With equal firmness he stood unyielding as a wall of brass against the secular powers which in Portugal and France would have robbed the Church of her rights. After defending the Church against her external enemfes, he reorganised and rendered most efficient the Roman congregations through which he governs the whole Christian body. The Clergy. ' Then, turning from these measures for the general welfare of the Church, he gave his attention to its spiritual life, and first of all to the most important part, the clergy, to whom he addressed the compendium of ascetical teaching, the "Exhortation to the Clergy." In that same spirit and with the same desire of forming a worthy clergy, he insisted that.the seminaries should be in a true sense the home of study and piety. What he did for the secular clergy he likewise did for the regular clergy by providing for the more thorough maintenance of the religious spirit. The People. : ' Nor could he in the midst of all his cares overlook the needs of the Christian people. He insisted,

of all, that the faithful should be more fully in- ; structed in the truths of religion, and he himself gave the example by preaching the Gospel to those who came to visit him in the Vatican. Not content to feed them with the words of divine truth, he directed that the people should more frequently approach the Sacrament of the Altar, and, with a thought that may well be called inspired, he advanced to the earliest years of innocent childhood the reception of Him Who preserves their innocence through His eucharistic grace. Society. After doing so much for the welfare of the individual, he gave his thought to the good of society, and for this he prescribed wholesome regulations for the safeguarding of marriage and for preserving in all its sacredness the family tie. And now he is about to crown all these salutary measures by the codification of the laws of the Church, so much needed and so long desired. If it is true that the tree is known by its fruit, then surely from all these works you can know Pius X. And yet another question: What is the secret of this wonderfully fruitful activity of Pius X. ? If I mistake not, that secret is to be found in two things his sanctity and his vast learning. By his doctrine he has conquered error and taught the truth; by the holiness of his life —so well known that marvels have been attributed to him—he has gained the courage to withstand the mighty ones of earth, but at the same time with a calmness and sweetness which has attracted to him the hearts of all, Catholics and non-Catholics, . alike, sending them forth from his presence with the charm of his sanctity. Such, then, is Pius X., of whom you asked me to speak. 'Let us, as loyal sons, encircle him with our affection, our our obedience. Let us freely offer him, in his august poverty, whatever me may be able to give. Above all, let us show the deepest reverence for his supreme authority, for it is only by upholding through our obedience the principle of authority that we can hope to command the respect of the faithful whom we are appointed to rule. The True Model of Every Bishop. ' Bishop Hanna, this is the man to whom you owe the honor and the Onus Episcopatus. In making you a Bishop he would seem to say to you: "Amas me? And if you love me, be my helper in feeding the flock of Christ." lam glad to have imposed hands upon you this morning, and at the same time I would offer you a friendly suggestion. These days of rejoicing will quickly be past, andihen will follow the days of labor, anxiety, _ and trial, which are the inevitable portion of the Bishop. Remember then this learned, this holy, this strong and sweet Pius X., faithful image of the Supreme Pastor, Jesus Christ, and true model of every Bishop. ember him and show yourself worthy of the honor he has conferred on you. Remember him then, but remember him, above all, in this hour of joy, and say with these Bishops, with these priests and with me: " Dominus conservet eum." '