A Letter from the Pope.

Manawatu Herald, 13 June 1895, Page 3

A Letter from the Pope.

Pope Leo XIII has addressed a letter "to the English people who geek the Kingdom of Christ in the unity of the Faith." It is dated at Bt. Peter's in Rome, on the 14th of April, 1895, in the 18th year of the Pontificate. He refers to the keen wish he has that some effort of his may " tend to assist and further the great work of obtaining the re-union of Christendom," and states that " with full consideration he has determined to invite all Englishmen who glory in the Christian name to this same work." Ha claims that the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons from Paganism was undertaken by Gregory the Great, who sent to England a chosen band under the leadership of Augustine, and that the " work was crowned with success." He laments that "in the storms which devastated Catholicity throughout Europe in the 16th century, England, too, received a grievous wound ; for it was first unhappily wrenched from communion with the Apostolic See, and then was bereft ot that holy faith in whioh for long centuries it had rejoiced and found liberty." He characterises this event as " a sad defection." He states that the time is not far distant when thirteen centuries will have been completed since the English race welcomed the apostolic men sent from the city of Borne, and cast aside pagan deities. His hope for the re-union of the people of England with the Catholic Ohurch is encouraged by this. He considers that it is an event worthy to be remembered with public thanksgiving. He calls to his assistance as his allies, in bringing about this re-union, the Catholics of England, and calls on " St. Gregory, whom the English have even rejoiced to greet as the Apostle of their race, on Augustine, his disciple and his messenger, on these other Saints of God, through whese wonderful virtues and do less wonderful deeds England has merited the title of " Island of the Saints"; on St. Peter and St. George, those special patrons, and above all on Mary, the Holy mother of God, whom Christ Himself from th« cross left to he the mother of mankind," to whom, he adds " your kingdom was dedicated by your fore* fathers under the glorious title •• The Dowry of Mary " ; to plead befoifi the throne of God for •' the renewal of the glory of ancient days." The Pope grants to all those who piously reoite the prayer appended to this letter, to whatever nation they may belong, an indulgence of 800 days ; moreover, a plenary indulgence onoe a month on the observance of the usual conditions to those who have reoited it daily."

The prayer is addressed " to the Blessed Virgin. Prayer for England." In it are these words "0, sorrowful Mother 1 intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the Supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of Thy Son."