The Catholic World

New Zealand Tablet, 12 August 1915, Page 55

The Catholic World

BELGIUM A NEW PASTORAL. ; A message from Amsterdam says: A telegram from Brussels, received by way of Berlin, states that Cardinal Mercier on June 10 was involved in a street ; demonstration before the town gates of Malines, which led to a slight encounter with the German guard. The Cardinal wanted to go to Brussels, and arrived on foot at the German guard-house accompanied by some' hundred persons. According to military order the guard asked for papers of identification', and was not entitled to allow such a large crowd to pass. The reason for the demonstration was the prohibition of traffic in Malines owing to the strike of workmen in the railway works, which in the meantime has terminated. One of the priests protested, but only the Cardinal and a few followers were allowed to pass. A later message was to to the effect that the Cardinal had issued a new Pastoral -Letter, in which lie endeavours to sustain the* spirits of the Belgian people. i ■■ ,—^ ENGLAND ..WORK FOB POOR MISSIONS. On June 12, the silver jubilee of the opening of the Convent of Perpetual Adoration and Work for Poor Missions, in Nightingale square, Balham. London, S.W., was celebrated, arid the solemn observance of the completion of twenty-five years of a great work for the Universal Church was the occasion of a large gathering of clergy and laity from all parts of London. The devoted Sisters who are responsible for the administration of the convent had the privilege also of welcoming to their jubilee celebration the Bishop of Southwark, whose predecessor in the See, the late Bishop Butt, blessed and opened the convent. 25 years ago, Bishop 11 a n lon, whose former diocese in Uganda has reason to bless the name of tin- Association of Perpetual Adoration, and the Bight Rev. Mgr. De Vvachter, Auxiliary to Cardinal Mercier. in whose devastated homeland the institute first began its world-wide mission. After the Solemn High Mass of thanksgiving, a meeting of associates and friends was held, when addresses were delivered by the Bishop of Southwark, Bishop De Wachter, and Bishop llaulon. The lastmentioned prelate said that he joined in the felicitations which marked the completion of a quarter of a century of most valuable work by the convent for the Church in all lands. He desired publicly to thank the religious of Perpetual Adoration for the assistance they had given to the clergy administering the missions in the diocese. The clergy as they left this country for the far-off continent of Africa were consoled by the knowledge that they carried with them a substantial case of vestments and altar requisites, the gift of the association. Theil work, added his Lordship, should receive the generous support of the Catholic body. FRANCE LOURDES IN WAR TIMES. In spite of the war and that pilgrimages to Lourdes are not being formed this year, the sanctuary has numerous pilgrims. People daily come, in procession, from the neighboring parishes to pray at the Grotto for France and for her allies. Two large pilgrimages of Belgian refugees visited Lourdes-during the last few .months. Many of the pilgrims had not been to Lourdes and they attended the ceremonies with much fervour and devotion. The Belgian refugees who are residing at Lourdes pray every day at the Grotto for their country, as well as for the imprisoned soldiers, and for those who have died during the present war.Every evening at 5 o'clock tho inhabitants of Lourdes, with the refugees, assemble at the Grotto, when Mgr. Schoepfer, »»thc Bishop of Lourdes, delivers a short address, and then presides at the recitation' of the

Rosary for the success of France, and at the prayers offered for the repose of the souls of the soldiers who. •have fallen on the battlefield. : - : ■' » : N S CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART. i The consecration of France to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which took place on Friday, June 11, was the occasion for very imposing ceremonies in all the cathedrals and churches of the country, and especially in those sacred edifices recognised by the faithful. as possessing more particularly a national character (writes the Paris correspondent of the Irish Catholic). It will be remembered that it was in 1899," at the dawn of the new century, that Leo XIII. ordered the consecration of .the human race to the Sacred Heart. Nothing could be more natural, as Christ died for all men, without exception. But the belief of the French that Christ loves France with real predilection is supported by the Popes who gave and have maintained for France the name of ' The eldest daughter of the Church ' and also that of ' The chosen nation.' Indeed, one of the French national shouts was formerly, ' Vive 'Christ, Who loves the Franks.' It may, therefore, be said that the French Cardinals and other prelates were particularly well inspired, at a .moment when the French nation have so .many ready to implore the aid of Heaven, to proscribe that France should be, in a special manner, consecrated to the Sacred Heart. All the Paris churches were full to overflowing, at the grand ceremony, and when the religious service commenced at 3 p.m. in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre many thousand persons, who had climbed the hill to attend it, failed to find even standing room in the sacred edifice. The solemn consecration was made under the presidency of Cardinal Ainette, who had previously celebrated Pontifical Mass in the basilica. ITALY THE HIERARCHY AND THE W A . The bishops have written Pastoral Letters to their respective dioceses encouraging the people to help in any and every way for the triumph of their country, to pray for speedy victory and peace. Mgr. Gusmini, Archbishop of Genoa, in a noble letter, reminds his flock that, obeying the wish of his Holiness, he had asked them to pray incessantly for peace, but that Divine Providence, by the work of those at the helm of the State, had directed otherwise, and that it only remained to them to bow their heads and say, 'fiat,' seeking each one the means of being of the greatest use without any word of recrimination, which would not only be futile, but morally and materially injurious. The Archbishop of Florence thanks the priests and nuns for their offers to assist, and says s that there are 8600 Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul on the field of battle, ready to help the dying soldier and raise his thoughts to Heaven. ROME THE FEAST OF CORPUS CTIRLSTL With all the magnificence of other years the feast of Corpus Christ! was celebrated this year at the Vatican and in the basilicas and churches of Rome. The Mass of his Holiness was offered up in the Chapel Matilda in the presence of a number of privileged outsiders, chiefly religious. In the churches throughout the city the pale-green uniforms of the soldiers were conspicuous at the religious functions. Crowds of the officers and men approached the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist. During the day the military corps of the Vatican hung out their respective flags from the Bronze Door and in the Cortile of St. Damaso, 'where the quarters ot Hie Palatine Guards and the Papal Gendarmes are situated