Pope Pius XI

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 7, 18 February 1925, Page 57

Pope Pius XI

AN INTIMATE STUDY.

W ■ Our Holy Father Pius XI carries the 1 weight of his 66 years lightly. His ancestors, hard workers, have transmitted to him not j. only physical vigor but the characteristic qualities of the old Lombardian stock the simple life, a love for sane things, a passion for the great outdoors. These qualities explain the zeal with which he cultivated during his earlier years, and with much greater zest later, the purifying sport of Alpinism. The visitor whom Pius XI receives is at once placed at ease by the benignant smile arid fatherly goodness of his Holiness. He perceives that the meditative nature of the Sovereign Pontiff, developed by his methods of study and a constant surveillance of himself, makes, him Sparing of Words. The Pope listens willingly, never showing the least sign of weariness or fatigue, approving by a nod of the head, and making almost inaudible comment. , If the subject is of a grave nature he fixes his eyes upon the questioner, and if it is necessary to answer the question, does so after intervals of silence between one proposition and another. Sometimes the lowered eyelids seem to contribute to concentration of thought as if the Holy Father was listening to interior voices. This habitual reserve ceases when the conversation turns to scientific subjects; then the Forma Mentis of the Humanist is revealed. This especially by the frequent h'-'-' use of the synonym. Endowed with a scru--7 pulous regard for exactness, Pius XI is not content to enunciate the idea, but rests upon it, turns it over, views it from all sides, and for so long a time that one feels the definition is exhausted. Cardinal Lualdi, a boyhood friend, writes of him as follows: “Two words are sufficient to sum up his life: order and composure. His entire life has been dominated by his breviary, his meditation, his rosary, his daily tasks.” The Sovereign Pontiff has one common note with his predecessor, Love of Work. The difference between Benedict XV and Pius XI is this; the former was at his desk before dawn, the latter remains there through the night. Rarely does his Holiness interrupt one task to undertake another; •his favorite maxim is; Nil actum, si quod nqendum. But it is in meditation and prayer that he especially seeks guidance for his acts. ery often he loves to justify them by recalling those of his favorite saints. Saint Charles Borromeo, his predecessor in the Archbishopric of Alilan, seems to be, after God, his principal inspiration. History, out of which he draws not the simple satisfactions of the erudite but apos- || ; tolic direction, furnishes him with •\ . Practical Rules of Life that arc manifested into aphorisms whose purposes are enamel Jed. “There is nothing new in what is befalling the world; undue alarm is unjustified.

Hence it only hides or obscures truth and causes us to lose the opportune occasion to intervene in order to ward off evil or make good triumph.” “The solutions of some questions, complicated by passion and human prejudices, are the result of the times rather than of laws.” “Men are better than their acts, better than their words ; to ibring them back to the truth, in awakening them again to the good a mild and delicate prudence, a sincere and ardent love accomplishes more than all manner of severity.” The Pope does not like mention made of his acts and projects. He prefers, following a very dear comparison of his, “The deep

©bttuar^ AIRS. DIANA MORNA TANSEY, CHRISTCHURCH. AA’idespread regret was expressed (writes our Oamaru correspondent) when it became known in Christchurch that the wife of Air. Thomas Tansey (licensee of the Excelsior Hotel) had passed away at Lewisham Hospital on the 1 morning of January 7. Airs. Tansey had not enjoyed the best of health for some time back; nevertheless her death

came as a severe shock to her family and those who had learned to assess her real worth and warm-hearted hospitality. Deceased was the third daughter of the late Air. and Airs. Patrick Ford, of Oamaru, in which town she was born about 54 years ago. There she received her education, and spent the greater part of her life •in the district. Shortly after marriage, Air. and Airs. Tansey embarked on the hotel-keeping business, and were hosts of many well-known hostelries in the North Otago district prior to taking over the Excelsior Hotel in Christchurch. Needless to say, the news of her death was received with keen regret by those who knew her in the district where the morn of her life was spent. Airs. Tansey had been on a visit to her sons’ farm near Ashburton, and on the return journey by car to the city she was taken seriously ill. The assistance of the Rakaia doctor was secured and he .accompanied her, doing all that was humanly possible to alleviate her distress. Despite all efforts, however, and the unremitting attention to her by the Sisters arid doctors on arrival at Lewisham, Airs. Tansey passed .away next morning. Solemn Requiem Alass was celebrated at the Cathedral by Father Ardagh, of Oamaru, a nephew of Mrs. Tansey. Father Howard, of Alilton, who has been a warm friend of Air. and Airs. Tansey since their marriage, officiated at the graveside. There was also present Fathers Price (Alethven). Cooney (Lyttelton), O’Connell (St. Mary’s), Bonnetto, Lordan ,and Healey (Cathedral). Seymour (St. Alary’s, and Outtrim (St. Bede’s College); besides representatives from the religious Orders in the vicinity of the city. The interment took place at Bromley Cemetery, the pall-bearers being Dr. Ardagh (a nephew of deceased), and Alessrs. J. Mc-

water, which, silently and unperceived, has the force of a current.” It is on account of this that he imposes upon himself and his • associates Respect for Silence. Pius XI succeeded so well that not one of his intimates has ever seen any sudden mark of emotion from him. He possesses, in an especial manner, the secret of attaching souls to himself. Without ever lowering the respect and homage due to his high office, without departing from that noble reserve of speech and gesture that have become a second nature, he has created around himself an Atmosphere of Devoted Affection, a family milieu, in which his paternal goodness and attentive care for others is markedly evident. They, in their turn, zealously anticipate his wishes, and strive, in as far as they can, to facilitate his universal and superhuman tasks. Quilkan, T. Fogarty, T. Stevens, H. Woodham, and B. Alagce. Miss O’Connor presided at the organ, and ■ her rendering of the “Dead Alarch” and “Nearer, Aly God to Thee” added to the impressiveness of the obsequies. Alessages of condolence were received from all ©arts of the Dominion.— R.I.P. * '

AIRS. MARY GUINEY, LOWER RICCARTON. • Airs. Mary Guiney, wife of Mr. John Gniney, of Lower Riocarton, died on Friday, January 30. The late Mrs. Guiney (writes our Christchurch, correspondent) was a daughter of the late- Mr. and , Mrs. John Pay, a well-known family at Doyle&ton twenty years ago. Her death was very sudden. Airs. Guiney had been indisposed and had not been long out of Lewisham Hospital. She was staying at Air. AI. Riordan’s hotel at Doylestou to recuperate, and last week appeared to be progressing very well; but on Friday evening, in the hotel garden, she collapsed and died , shortly afterwards. Airs. Guiney had four brothers, two of whom are dead. The two surviving are Rev. Father P. Fay, of Tcmuka, previously parish priest at Nelson, Blenheim, and Qreenmeadows, and Air. Joe Fay. The late Airs. Guiney leaves one little daughter. Air. Guiney is wellknown as a fat-stock buyer for Messrs. Kay© and Carter, Ltd. For the last thirteen years Airs. Guiney, who resided at Riccarton, had always been prominent in Church work, particularly as the organiser of socials, etc. The funeral, which was one of the largest seen in the district, took place on Sunday afternoon, the Ist inst. Rev. Father Fay officiated at the interment in Ellesmere Cemetery, and with him were a number of companion priests, including the Rev, Dr. Geaney and the Rev. Fathers Creed (parish priest of Lceston), J. O’Connell, J. Hanrahan, T. Hanrahan, P. O’Aleeghan, Outtrim, Dowling, Kerley, Buckley, and McKecn. Several beautiful floral tributes were . forwarded by Airs. Rourke and family, Air, and Airs. Ashworth and. family, Air. and Mrs. A. W. Grimmer and family, Mr. and. Airs. AlcCullough, Airs. Tully and family, Mr. and Airs. E. J. Lilley, and staff of Kaye and Carter, Ltd.—R.l.P. V: