ANNOUNOING THE ELECTION OF A NEW POPE
-®?mê-n-
JOSEPH THOMAS DUHAMEL, By Die Grâce of God and apDoiîitment of Die Holy Apostolic See
BISHOP OF OTTAWA
To the Clergy, Religions Communities and to ail Ihe Faithfui of Our Diocèse, Health and Bénédiction in Our Lord.
Ykiïy Beloved Brethren,
The Saviour of the world not only promised that the gâtes of hell should never prevail against His Church, but has confirmed and fulfilled His words, century after century.
At the beginning,He selected to govern the Churcli which He established, one of His Apostles, St. Peter whom lie intrusted with the mission and duty of feeding both lambs and sheep.
For nearly nineteen centuries, St. Peter has lived in his su- His authority has been exercised
bytln* Popes, who hâve lirmly and suivly guided, both the people and the pastors of the people in <h«4 paths of truth and justice.
Eeresies, schisms, and errors of every hue, are frequently au o >n of great and bitter sorrow to
Lildren ofGtod; in many places they bring trouble :n good soûls and give vise to aisorder. No
sooner is the voice of Peter, the voice of the Pope, heard, than order once more reigns, and Catholic nations are maintained in Faith, Hope and Charity.
Our Blessed Lord has never been absent from His Church. He has preserved her pure and unspotted. He has caused her to triumph over her most powerful and bitter enemies. Many times, evil disposed men believed that their perfidions designs were about to be realized and that the Bark of Peter was in danger of shipwreck. But suddenly there appeared the brave and trusty Pilot, to whom every shoal was familiar. With his firm hand, he grasped the helm and steadily directed the Bark a prey to the threatening waves, but none of which could ever divert from its course.
The G-lorious Pius IX entered the Eternal Port but a few days ago, and already his Successor is elected.
His Eminence Cardinal Pecci hast just been raised to the dignity of Sovereign PontifT. He has taken for his title, the name of Léo XIII, a name which expresses strength, which signifies triumph. Vicit Léo de tribu Juda.
The Church once more looks upon her Visible Head. Let new persécutions arise, courageously she will suffer them. Let other storms cover the horizon, and the Bark of Peter will calmly sail on across the stormy océan of this world.
People will learn once more, that the Church is built upon a solid rock that no power can shake. Men will behold in the firmament of the Church, a brilliant and ever shilling li<?ht.
Very Beloved Brethren, let us unité our thanksgiving with ail Catholics throughout the world ; let us ofFer our fervent prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jésus, through Mary Immaculate, in behalf of him, whom Our Lord has given us, for the Infallible Pastor of our soûls ; let us address fervent supplications to the Holy Spirit, that He may abundantly indue with His most precious gifts, the soûl and heart of Léo XIII, Our PontifF and Spiritual Father.
"Wherefore, ha\ring inyoked the Holy name of Grod, We now ordain as folio w s :
lo. The day on which this Pastoral shall be read, after the parochial mass, a solemii Te Deum will be sung in ail Churches and Chapels, where publie office is held. In case it cannot be sung, the célébrant will recite it aloud.
2o. On the three following sundays, after the parochial mass, there will be sung or recited the Hymn Veni Creator with the versicle, response and the prayer, Deus qui corda fidelium ;
3o. In ail Chapels of Religious Commun ities and Houses of Education there will be sung on the days above mentioned, the Te Deum and Veni Creator etc., after the mass at which the Community will hâve assisted ;
4o. After this day and until contrary orders, ail priests will say as the prayer De mandata, the prayer Pro Papa.
This présent Pastoral Letter shall be read and published at prone in ail Churches and Chapels where there is a public office, and at Chapter in Religious Communities, the flrst sunday after its réception.
Griven at 8t. Peter Celestin's of Pakenham, during Our Pastoral Visit, under Our Hand and the Seal of the Diocèse, and countersigued by Our Sub-Secretary this twenty second day of February, one thousand eight hundred and seventy eight.
t .T. THOMAS. Bp. of Ottawa.
By Command .1 DUHAMEL, Pi nv
Sub-Secretary,
£ncl Séries, No. ^.
PASTORAL LETTER
ANNOUNCING THE CONVOCATION OF THE SIXTH PRO- VINCIAL COUNCln OF QUEBEC.
JOSEPH THOMAS DUHAMEL, By tïe G-race of G-ofl and aspointment of Oie Holy Apostollc See
BISHOP OF OTTAWA
To the Çlergy, Meligious Commimities and to ail the Faithful of Our Diocèse, Health and Bénédiction in Our Lord.
Yery Beloved Brethren,
It is 11 ai ural that m en, should from time to time, meet together ior consultation and délibération. This natural fact has been sanctioned by the. words of Our Lord, handed down to us by St. Malthew, in Chapter XVIII, 20, of his gospel : For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Thus from the beginning the apostles assembled together, either amongst themselves, or with the pastors ordained by them, to deliberate together concerning the a d'airs of the rising Church.
A gréai contention arises at Antioch. Information of it was brought to where St. Peter was with some of the other apostles. . They meel together. In that assembly the question is examined and discussed ; then St. Peter'a voice is heard, ail others give their asseni : and the contention is ended. The décision given at this solemn meeting, is the décision of the
Holy Grhost and the Church. This reunion of the apostles becomes the prototype of future councils.
Councils are assemblies, convoked by legitimate authorily, for transacting ecclesiastical matters, ivherein Bishops give their décision. (Bonix, du concile provincial.)
There are two kinds of councils : gênerai or œcumenical and particular councils.
Œcumenical councils are those where ail the Bishops of the entire world are assembled ; particular councils are those at which the Bishops of one or more provinces meet together. Particular councils when consisting of the Bishops of one ecclesiastical province, are known as provincial councils.
Ail the faithful are aware of the importance and utility of thèse councils. They are a means of promulgating the decrees of gênerai councils ; of preserving faith, discipline and morals, and also aid in regulating in a gênerai manner ail cases not specially reserved to the Pope.
Before being promulgated, the decrees of ail provincial councils must be forwarded to Rome, to there receive, of course, a final approval, but more especially to be submitted to the examination, judgment and revision of the Holy See.
To this subject does Sixtus Y, make allusion in the Bull : hnmensa œterni (158^7) : " As to Provincial Synods wherever they may be held, it (the Congrégation of Cardinals, interpreters of the Council of Trent) will enact that the decrees be sent to it, to be carefully examined in détail and to be revised." The Bishops of the Church never fail in accomplishing this great duty, ever deeming themselves happy in being thus permitted to express the profound respect which animâtes them towards the Holy See.
You may behold, Y. B. B., in the conduct of your first pastors, an additional guarantee of that precious Catholic unity, towards which we should become more and more attached.
Five councils hâve already been held in the Ecclesiastical Province of Québec. You cannot but recognize that they hâve been instrumental in producing
the most salut ary efFects ior the sanctification of soûls y the reformation of disorder and in maintaining ecclesiastical discipline. Each new réunion of the first pastors will, no doubt, be conducive in accomplishing the same bénéficiai results. The sixth council, which the vénérable Archbishop of Québec has convoked by an edict published on the feastof the Epiphany of this year, will likewise produce the same fruits of sanctification and salvation.
The Bishops of the Province will assemble together on the nineteenth of May next, in the ancient Church of Québec, which the Beloved Pius 1^, lately raised to the rank of a Minor Basilica. Under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, they will laboui to protect and promote your most cherîshed interests, the eternal interests of your soûls.
You will thus perceive, Y. B. B., that your first pastors endeavour to fulfil towards you the dutiesthat their pastoral solicitude imposes on them. It is their ardent wish to promote your happiness. Nevertheless, it belongs alone to God to realize their intentions and desires. We therefore invite you to offer up to the Throne of the Most High, your fervent prayers that G-od may send down, on ail those taking part in this council, His holy light and assistance.
Wherefore, having invoked the holy naine of God, We hâve regulated and decreed, and do now regulate and decree as folîows :
lo. After Quasimodo or Low Sunda// until the end of the Council, Priests will recite or sing at Mass, rubrics permitting, the prayer de Spiritu Sancto, before the prayer pro Papa.
2o. On the following Sundays, 6, 12, 10 of the month of May, parish priests and missionaries will invite the people to pray, to perform good worka and to receive Holy Communion l'or the intention of those engaged in Council. On the above Sundays, after the Paroehial Mass, fchere will be sung or recited the Litany ofthe Blessed Virgin.
This présent Pastoral Lclhr AvA\ be read and publisli-
ed in ail Ohurches and Ohapels where public office is
lield. and at chapter in Religions Commumties, the first Snnday after its réception.
Griven at Ottawa, nnder Onr Hand and the seal of the 1 iocese, and conntersigned by Onr Secretary this second day of April, one thonsand eight hnndred and sert nty-eight.
t J. THOMAS, Bp. of Ottawa.
By Command,
D. F. Foley, Ptre.
Secretary.
X^Ï£vJEi-£rL*£LjEx i\
St. Joachim
St. Eugène
VankleckHjll
Hawkeshury Mills,
L'Orignal
Alfred
Foumierville
Curraii
Plantagenet
Wendovor
Glarence
Sarsfield
Ottawa
South Gloucester..
Metcalf
Oseroode
Ottawa
Nepean
Hiohmond
March
N.-D. de Lourdes
Embrun
Cambridge
31 Mav and Ist June.
1,2,3,4 June,
it
ti
22 to26,
30 June and
Ist Juh
July.
et
!). 10. Il,
2nd Séries, No. 3.
CIRCULAR TO THE CLERGY
Episcopal Résidence
Ottawa, April, 6th 1878.
Beloved Cooperators,
Herewith y ou will find copy of a letter received from Cardinal Simeoni, announcing to me his appointment as Prefect of the Propaganda. His Eminence succeeds Cardinal Franchi who during the past four years was at the head of this important Congrégation :
Illme ac Rme Domine.
Cum Emus ac Rmus Dominus Alexander Franchi a SSmo Dno Nostro Leone Divina Providentia Papa XIII Negotiis status prœpositus fuerit Sanctitas Sua dignata est me renuntiare Sacrae Congnis Christiano Nomini Propagando Prœfectum. De hujusmodi officio mihi nuperrime collato a Summo Pontifice Amplitudinem tuam sine mora certiorem facio, enixeque peto a charitate tua. ut ea mihi divinœ gratiae auxilia, sive tuis sive fidelium tibi commissorum precibus impetrare velis, quibus ad gravissima humiîitati meœ imposita onera rite ac sancte sustinenda sunt necessaria.
Precor Deum ut Te diutissiine sospitet.
Datum Romse ex Aedibus Sacrae Congregationis de Propaganda Fide die 1 Martii 1878.
Amplitudinis Tuae,
Uti frater addictissimus,
Joan. Card. Simeoni Praef.
J. B. Agnozzi Secretarius.
You will not forget, Beloved Cooperators, to pray and invite your people to pray according to the intentions of this illustrious Cardinal.
Remember, Beloved Cooperators, that you are to obey and respect the ordinances of those whom G-od has chosen to go ver n in the Church, and that Spiritus Sanctus posuit Episcopos regere ecclesiam Dei. You should show this submission, in those particular circumst ances, when the first pastors with one accord raise their warning voice.to point outto soûls the dangers which threaten them.
Wherefore, I entreat you to again read my Circular No. 5, Art. X, which points out the ad vice to be given to the faithful at élection times. You will also read once more my Circular of the 19th November last, No. 31. You will observe that I consider it my duty to maintain, with ail the authority given me by my episcopal office, the Collective Letters of the Bishops, and particularly the Circular of the llth of October 1877, which accompanied the last Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of this Ecclesiastical Province.
Accept, Beloved Cooperators, the assurance of my entire devotedness.
t J. Thomas, Bp. of Ottawa.
ând Séries, No. 4.
CIRCULAR TO THE OLERGY
ANNOUNCINO THE ECCLESIASTICAL HETRE AT. 1 2 I > I SCO PAT, ] 1 EST 1) E NOE
Ottawa, May 12th, 1878.
Beloved Coopekators.
8t. Paul could say with truth : Vivo autemjam non ego ; vivit veto in me Christus (G-al. II, 20). Is it not désirable, nay, is it not necessary that every priest, that every pastor may say : I live, now not I ; but Christ liveth in me. Our Lord should dwell in the priest. The priesthood of the new law demands this condition. Thus the life of the priest must hâve for its end, the g-lory of Grod, the glory of the Redeemer ; for its principle, the grâce of the Saviour ; for its example, the life of Our Lord ; for its rule, the teaching of the divine Master; for its object, the person of Jesus-Christ.
The spirit of the Church is indisputably to procure the fflory of Grod, the Creator of ail things ; to glorify her divine Founder ; to render glory to the Sanctifier of soûls : Gloria Patri et FUio et Spiritui Sancto. The priest holds an elevated rank in the Church ; he is to lead others to a heavenly and eternal khîgdom. The end of the priest's life, to correspond with the désire of the Church, must be the glory of Gfod. Bach bucceeding moment, th«k priest must labour <irf majortm
Dei gloriam, and that every .soûl may render glory to its Saviour : Lawletur Jésus Chridus, such shouldbethe end of his thoughts, of his aspirations, of his words and of his manifold labours.
Our Lord lias said : Sine me niliil potestùt facere (Joan XV, 5) In truth, without grâce, the priest as well as the ordinary faithful can do nothing for heaveii, for his salvation, or for the meritorious accomplishment of his duties. Grrace is necessary for us : lo. to hâve good and holy thoughts : Non quod suffiraient es si mus cogitare aliquid a nobis. quasi ex nobi* ; sed snfficientia noslra ex Deo est (II Cor. III, 5) ; 2o. to désire good : Deusest enim qui operatur in nobis et velle et perficere pro btma vohmtate (Phil. II, 13) ; 3o. to believe in Jesus-Chiist and become His disciples : Nemo potest ventre ad me, nisi Pater qui misit me tr axent eum (Joan VI, 44) ; 4o. to pray : Spiritus ad-
juvat infiriHÙatem nostram postulat gemitibus inenar-
rabilibus (Rom. VIII, 26) ; 5o. to overcome t >mptations : In te eripiar a tentations (Ps. XVII, 32) ; 6o. to observe the commandments of Grod : Faciam ut in prœceptis meis ambutetis, et judicia mea custodiatis et operemini (Ezech. XXXVI, 27) ; Vo. to obtain final persévérance : Deus in adjutoriun meuin intende : Domine ad adjuvandum me festina (Ps. LXIX, 1).
What more can be said, except that the priest must strive to obtain and préserve sanctifying grâce, and every other grâce, spécial, useful and necessary for his true life, the spiritual life.
Exemplum dedi vobis, ut quemadmodum
ego feci vobis, ita et vos jaciatis ( Joan XIII, 15 ). The priest is another Christ. In accepting the priesthood, he took the engagement of retracing the life of Christ. Wherefore Our Lord says : Si quis mihi ministrat, me sequatur (Jean XII, 26l Now to follow Our Lord, as St. Augustin remarks, is to imitate Him.
Let us recollée t Who was our Model ; let us recall
His labours He was meek and humble
of heart ; He was obedient unto death, even unto the death of the cross ; He was a man of prayer and méditation, etc., never oraitting anything He had to do. Eehold the example of the priest, of the true priest, filled with z, al and charity.
Before ascending to heaven, the liedeemer gives to His Apostles the mission of continuing the work of salvation : Docete omnes génies (Matth. XXVIII, 19). Such is the duty entrusted by the divine Master to the priest. He desires that the priest may preach ail the doctrine He has taught : Docenle* eos servare omnia quœcumque mandavi vobis (Matth. XXVIII, 20). But to preach this doctrine it must be known ; to knowr it, it must be learned ; to learn it, it must be studied. The serious and profound study of the Gospel is absolutely necessary. How could it be otherwise, since the doctrine of Christ is the raie of faith and morals ?
Observe, Beloved Cooperators, how Our Lord, immédiate] y adds : Et eree ego vobismm sum omnibus diehm, ?/s(/ue ad eonsummationem sœculi (Matth. XX VI II, 20). He loves us, He promises to dwell with us. We should not repel Him. He is the object of our life and our Hfe should be consecrated to His service.
Beloved Cooperators, are we conyinced of thèse truths ? Are they inscribed in our hearts ? Is ourcondnct a proof of it ?
I entreat you. Beloved Cooperators, to come and examine your dispositions in this respect, in the solitude of the Ecclesiastical Retreat.
The spiritual exercise* will open on Tuesday the
Si.itmiih (bvy of. ////// next, :ii 8 •"><» o'clock in theevening,
and the Retreat will close, with the usual cérémonies, on the Twenty-tkird of the same mon th.
Ail the Clergy are invited to assist at the Retreat, and no priest ean absent himself without first having his reasons approred of.
Accept, Beloved Coopérai ors, the assurance of my entire devotedness.
t .T. Thomas, Bp. of Ottawa
2nd Séries, No. 5.
CIRCULAR TO THE CLERGY
Episcopal Eesidence
Ottawa, July ,th, 1878.
Beloved Cooperators,
Be good enough to read what follows aftcr the Prone, and exhort the faithful to conform thereto on proper occasion : —
Because of the sanctity of our churches and the respect due them, it is désirable that there should be no more public speaking from the church steps, as such always disturbs those who may be praying before the Blessed Sacrement, as well as those assisting at Catechism which usually takes place about the same time.
Public meetings should, therefore, be held at a sufficient distance from the house of G-od, so as not to interfère with any exercise within, whether of catechism or private dévotion.
You might advise your parishioners to erect a stand for speakers on the square in front of, but at a respectable distance from the church.
Also, take advantage of this occasion to instruct
the faithful not to remain standing on the steps or about the doors before and after service.
The illustrious Prefect of the Sacred Congrégation of the Propaganda has informed me by a letter of the 13th May ult., that he presented to the Holy Father the address which I forwarded to Pope Léo XIII, in the name of the Bishop, the clergy, and the faithful of the Diocèse of Ottawa, on the occasion of his accession to the pontifical throne. His Eminence assures me that His Holiness received this address with much pleasure, that he was greatly rejoiced at the expression of our respect for his sacred person and our attachment to the Holy See, and that he grants to the Bishop, the clergy, and the faithful of this diocèse the ApostoHc Bénédiction.
Be pleased to communicate this good news to the faithful of your parish.
We permit ad quinquennium that the Blessed Sacrement be kept in the chapels of religious Communities throughout this diocèse, by virtue of an induit, the text of which is hère quoted, and according to the conditions therein expressed.
Ex Audientia SSmi diei 12 Maii 1878.
SSrnus Dominus Noster Léo Divina Providentia P. P. XII refe rente me infrascripto S. Gongnis de Propaganda, Fide Secretario, R. I. D. Thomse Episcopo Octaviensi facnltatem bénigne concessit ad quinqnenium asservandi in Sacello Domns Episcopalio SSmum Eucharistiœ Sacramentum, nec non permittendi pariter ad quinquennnium ut idem asservetur in Sacellis Gomraunitatum Religiosarum viro-
ru m et mulierum, quatenus id expedire judicaverit, sub lege tamen ut inibi Sacrosanctum Missse sacrificium semel saltem in hebdomada celebretur, lampas coram eo perpetuo colhicescat, cseteraque serventur quse pro custodia SSmse Eucharistiae Ecclesise leges praescribunt. Gontrarius A.
Datum Roma3 Ex Aed. dœ S. G. die et anno ut supra.
Gratis quocumque titulo.
(Signât,) J. B. Agnozzi, Sur.
Accept, Beloved Cooperators, the assurance of our entire devotedness.
t J. Thomas, Bp. of Ottawa.
Qncl Séries, No. 0.
GIROULAR TO THE OLERGY.
Episcopal Résidence
Ottawa, Sept, lst, 1878 Beloved Cooperators,
His Eminence Cardinal Franchi, late prefect of the S. C. of the Propaganda, and His Excellency Mgr. (x. Conroy, Apostolic Delegate, both died at the beginning of the month of August.
I know that you announced, as soon as received, thèse sorrowful tidings to your parishioners, and that you recommended to their fervent prayers the soûls of the illustiious deceased. In many places Requiem services were chanted. Seeing with what spontaneousness thèse marks of respect were bestowed, I did not think it ne^essary to issue any particular ordinance, but I celebrated a solemn service in the Cathedral on the 19th of the last month.
As the fédéral élections will soon take place, I remind you that you must conform to the directions of the Circula* (No. 5, lst séries) of the 16th May, 1875,
and to the instructions and counsels of Circulars 31, lst séries, and No. 3, 2nd séries.
No.
I pray you not to forget the collection of Peter's Pence. Be pleased to announce it in time, and to send me the proceeds, at the latest, on the lst of October next, as my departure for Rome will take place about that date.
The Sunday on which you will announce this collection, you will also read the annexed letter of His Holiness Pope Léo XIII, in reply to the address of felicitation which I forwarded him on the occasion of his élection to the Sovereign Pontificate.
Accept, Beloved Cooperators, the assurance of my entire devotedness.
t J. Thomas, Bp. of Ottawa.
LEO P P. XIII
Venerabilis Frater salutem et Apostoligam Benediotionem.
Pergratae Nobis fuerunt litterae, quas accepto nuncio Assumptionis Nostrae ad Summum Poutificatum scripsisti, ut tuo tuique Gleri ac Fidelium nomine venerationis et obsequii sensus Nobis testaveris. Pergratum quoque ac jucuudum Nobis accidit ex iisdem litteris agnoscere Te uua cum tuis Fidelibus fervidas preces Sacratissimo Jesu Gordi constauter oblaturum ad implorandam Nobis coelestem opem, qua inflrmitatis Nostrae conscii maxime indigemus. Haec sane, Venerabilis Frater, tuae erga Nos dilectionis ac studii luculentum testimonium praebuerunt. Illud autem peculiari Nostra commendatione prosequi gaudemus, quod Nobis significasti, nempe ita Te cum tuo Glero esse auimo comparatum, ut non modo Vobis honori ducatis inconcussa fide huic Apostolicae Gathedrae adliaerere, sed etiamconstanter curare, ut simili obedientiae et amoris vinculo Fidèles isti Nobis jugiter conjunguntur. Haec egregia declaratio animorum vestrorum uti Nobis consolationem attulit, sic non dubitamus, quin vim habitura sit apud Deum,ut Ejus Vobis benignitatem et gratiam copiose conciliet. Interea Majestatem Ejus precamur ex corde, ut divitias misericordiae suae in Vobis ostendat, ac in auspicium coelestium munerum, et in pignus sincerae benevolentiae Nostrae Apostolicam Benedictionem Tibi, Venerabilis Frater, cunctoque Glero, ac Fidelibus queis praesides peramanter in Domino impertimus.
Datum Romae apud S. Petrum, 15 junii 1878. Pontificatus Nostri Anno Primo.
(Signât.) LEO PP. XIII.
Pro vero apographo,
M. J. Whelan, Sec r lus.
LEO P. P. XIII
Vénérable Brother, Health and Apostolical
Bénédiction.
It is a source of the highest gratification to Us, that, on receiving the first tidings of Our assumption to the Sovereign Pontificate, you testified to Us by letter the sentiments of vénération and respect which on that account animated yourself, your clergy and the faithful of the diocèse. It is also gratifying and consoling to learn by the same letter, that, in union with the faithful committed to your care, you will never cease ofFering up fervent prayers to the Most Sacred Heart of Jésus, to implore for Us that aid from on High which we are conscious Our weakness so much requires. In ail this, Vénérable Brother, you furnish Us ample testimony of your devotedness and affection for Us. But that on which we feel a sensible pleasure in bestowing our spécial commendation, is your déclaration that you and your clergy are so disposed, that you deem it your highest honour, not only to cling with unshaken fidelity to this Apostolic See, but also to hâve it your constant care to see that the faithful shall be continually united to Usby the bonds of a similar obédience and love. This praiseworthy expression of your dispositions, while it fills Us with consolation, leaves Us no room to doubt that it will prove efficacious before the throne of G-od, and obtain for Us a plenteous effusion of His grâces and bénédictions. Meanwhile with ail our heart We beseech His Divine Majesty to pour down upon you the riches of His mercy ; and as an augury of heavenly gifts, and also as a pledge of our sincère good will, We affectionately impart to you, Vénérable Brother, and to your clergy, and to the faithful over Whom you préside, the Apostolical Bénédiction.
Griven at Rome, at St. Peter's, the 15th of June 1878 the first year of Our Pontificate.
LEO P P. XIII
2ncl Séries, No. 7.
PASTOHAL LETTEH
OF
