NATIONAL PRAYER FOR VICTORY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1917, Page 1

NATIONAL PRAYER FOR VICTORY

fI>EH l*|s ESS ASSOCIATION.-*-, OP VII :1:I1T.1

CM RISTCII URCII, September A meeting of rcproeiitativos of the various den< (‘ninatious :wns held, today in connection with the proposal to hold a day of national prayer. Bishop Brortie wrote Txprc'.u ing every sympathy with special ~ -raver? ou the day set apart, but so far as a united service was concerned hisohurcli did noi take part in such gatherings. Rishop Julius also approved of the setting apart of a day for prayer hut as in a united service, he thri m. :h unnecessary and undesirable. Alter some dieiission it was agreed that the matter of holding a t .•'denominational service he brought liefore the -Minister’s Association. ON OCTOBER 7th. NEXT. The following circular was .read on Sunday at tin* various services of all Roman Catholic Churches throughout, the Wellington Archdiocese. Similar offerings and prayers are to. take place in all the Roman Catholic churches throughout the Dominion on Intercession Sunday:—

“Wo advise you that- the Government has resolved to set apart Sunday, October 7, as a day of national prayer. It is needless to sav that the Catholic body throughout the Dominion are in full accord with this resolve, and hence wo are taking steps to fitly carry it out. The war with its sad burden of deatli and devastation still drags on, and the dawn of |>on< - e is not yet—a. dawn destined l" rise red with the blood of victory on the battlefield. For such a victory our armies arc bravely and heroically lighting and it is the duty of us 11011-combatants home, like Moses on the mountain, to lift up our hands in prayer. In so dire a struggle we need the help anti protection of the Lord of Hosts. His hands hold the-is-sue. from Him victory must come. As we thoroughly realise the justice of our cause, namely to vindicate the violated laws of, honour, humanity, and morality, to preserve truth, liberty aml jChristioii civilisation and to secure righteous and permanent peace, we turn to God with unfailing confidence. “Accordingly, we ordain that on Sunday. October 7, in all the churches of the archdiocese, the principal Mass shall he celebrated for the above, intentions, and' we earnestly exhort all the Catholics in every parish to make, at some AI ass on the same Sunday, a general Communion, and we particularly request the clergy to prepare as many children as possible for communion on that day with their parents and relations. Further, we announce to you that the Holy Father lias ordered to be added to the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, both in public and private recitation, just before the “Agnus Dei” the invocation “Queen of Peace,”

“Regina Paeis.” wo> ordain that this letter he read to the faithful at least, one Sunday lie fore the day appointed for national ‘prayer. “FRANCIS REDWOOD, S.M"