DISCOURSE OF THE POPE TO A DEPUTATION OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 37, 10 January 1874, Page 12

DISCOURSE OF THE POPE TO A DEPUTATION OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES.

Th« following is the. full report of the discourse spoken by the Holy Father, as given in. the 'Journal of Florence/ tc the representatives of the. Catholic Societies of Borne,' who, in their own name and in that, of their constituents; liave made the vow to erect a church ia honor of the Sacred Heart.' ... ... „ The 'Holy Father said : — - >■ . m I fully approve and I accept, in the name of God, the' tow which ' you have just uttered in your own name and in the name of a great | number of others not now present, but who share in your sentiments. At the present moment there presents tself to my 'mind the idea of tlie rapid progress n.ade by the human auiily in certain sciences which I will call " utilitarian," because!; u/v in only at the development of material well-being and conveniences of life. Yes, the human family has thrown itself into this pursuit, it is going after it with sure and rapid steps, and it is gainiug ground. Man cultivates ardently all those sciences that promise him enjoyment on this earth': and they constitute, so to speak, the special boast of the age. ' And yet, among all these sciences, tlio science of pauperism, although much cultivated theoretically — although treated of iv books — - although talked about by speakers — although discussed by learned societies — this science, I say, so much cultivated in theory, gives but very scanty results in practice. While material progress is advancing pauperism advances too, and unhappily the neglect to apply any remedy iucreases in the like proportion. Look around you, and consider the evils that assail us on all sides. Physical evil and moral evil ; evil sent by the anger of God and evil produced by the wickedness of men, and therefore constituting what I call artificial evil. It ib unnecessary to go over in detail the history of so many evils : their mere enumeration is almost too much for us to bear.

Thus, speaking of physical evil, you find the doleful spectacle of inundations, earthquakes, of destructive storms and other public calamities. Speaking of moral e T il you see presented to your view the infernal picture of immorality triumphant, of blasphemy unrestrained and unpunished ; of heresy publicly maintained ; of th« bad liberty of teaching; of persecution — so much relished by the impious in Italy and out of Italy — of the ministers of the sanctuary, and of all those who keep the Catholic Faith in its fulness. Lastly ; speaking of that evil which is produced by men placed in authority, you find taxation, acts of injustice, and legal vexations ; facilities afforded for exacting and hoarding up money, and of slowness iv paying that which is due ; many things going to destruction, and little or nothing done unto edification. After all this, tell me, huve we not reason to cry out with the Psalmist — Adhaes/t pavimenlo anima meet ? Is not Our soul sunk in the mire and in the dust under the weight of such an oppression ?

But you — you have found the remedy for evils co great and nu rnerons. O yes, roy children, you have iuund it. You have remem bered that there lives in heaven a Divine Heart that can consalo, help, ' and comfort you. Ah, yes, let us draw near to that Heart, and let us stay before that wound which was opened by the soldier's lance and meditate with love and with fmth : Prospiciens per cancr.tlos. Let us observe how that Heart, according to our manner ot comprehending, desires ardently to spread abroad that fire which burns it interiorly j that fire which would set the whole earth on lire with love and with charity. Let us diaw near to that Heart j and, tilled with admiration, let us observe the celestial economy with which tne Church was formed, and how she went forth vigorous from that divine source, supporting herself on the seven pillars which represent the Sauruments. Let us approach, filled with humility and respect, to that Heart, and we shall hear those sweet words : Ernnt octili mci ibi eunotis diebus They mean that the Heart and tho eyes of Jesus Cluist will ever turti towards His Church, which is spread over the face of tho globe ; but particularly will they turn towards this city of Rome, because here has been established the seat of Truth, and the centre of Catholicism. Hither was sent the Prince of the Apostles, whatever the impious and fanatical cnemie& of the true Church of God may say to the contrary — hither did St. Peter come, fearing not to adventure himself in that forest of fierce wild beasts, preachiug intrepidly the truth in the midst of the crowd of errors of the Roman nation, which alter having conquered many other nations, itself embraced and lell into servitude to uil the turpitudes and aberrations of the oiher peoples. After theI blood 6hed by so many eovereign Pontius and by so many thousands^ of martyrs, this highly l'avoi*ed city, which had been the disciple of* error, and enslaved to abominations, becmnu by the merits of that blood, and by the Divine will, tho mistress of the truth. ! From this chair ot holy doctrine proceeded lesaons to- instruct, counsels to enlighten, decrees to define, from the very beginning of the Church down to the Syllabus a^d to the decrees of the Council of tho Vatican. Blessed then be that Divine Heart, the origin of so many goods, and the source of consolation and of solace iv alflictiun. Blessed also be you, who so iar from going to seeU distraction in the frivolities of mankind, come on the contiury to serk peace and happiness at the. source where alone they are to be fouuil. I know that the impious blaspheme even that Adorable Heart. But the time will come when Gou Himself will curse those blasphemsrs. Redebit ci subsannabit cos.

As for us, let us appioach to that hoty reiugo of our souls, let us present t<> it the protestations of our love, aud let us beseech that Divine Heart to encourage us by its Bevediction. Lot us suy to it with Jacob : Kan dimiltam te, nisi benedixeris mihi. O Most Holy Heart, tilled with love, and bource of all graces— biess usj and may Thy. benediction give us courage in the conflict, iirmness in good resolves, and may it accompany us even to the lust days ot' our lite. Meanwhile, 1 raise my feeble haud, and 1 bless you, I bless your friends aud your relatms. lie you tho echoes by which this benediction may extend over all the ituthful of the Catholic Church, may it give you the needful courage, aud may it keep you coustaut to tue latest moment of your life.— Benedictio Dei, &c.