“ Our first duty is to receive with sympathy the representatives of Polish heroism, men who have not hesitated between tortures and apostacy. Many of them were in the enjoyment of affluence at home; and after having proved in the last struggle the vitality of their invincible nation, the spirit of faith and of sacrifice is now the sole treasure which they possess.
Amongst the Poles now in Paris, there are representatives of every profession; employment must be found for them, either in the capital or the provinces. ”

“ The experience of Catholics proves that nothing tends more effectually to promote practices of piety and to enkindle a religious spirit, than the doctrine of the Catholic Church regarding indulgences. Take, for example, the case of a plenary indulgence. How many penitential and meritorious works are required to secure a participation in so precious a treasure? The person wishing to gain an indulgence of this kind must diligently examine his conscience, excite himself to contrition for his sins, make an humble confession, and perform some penitential work in reparation for the past. ”

“ Thanks be to God, the faith of the people of Ireland overcame all the agencies which were employed for its destruction, and is now producing wonderful works of piety and charity at home, and bringing the blessings of salvation to foreign lands that heretofore were sitting in darkness and the shades of death. ”

“ The apostles gained over unbelievers to the truth by patience, by prayer, by good example, and by the performance of wonderful works. Their spirit was that of charity, their only object was the salvation of souls. So far from being supported by an arm of flesh, all the powers of the earth persecuted them and conspired for their destruction.
But how was Protestantism propagated in Ireland? By acts of parliament fraudulently obtained, by the violence and influence of two most corrupt and unprincipled sovereigns—Henry VIII. and Elizabeth. ”

“ What the gray dawn is to the night, what the chafing of the sea waves is after the storm, such is the cold mistrust, the vague fear, the half-concealed repugnance to Catholics and Catholicity, which has succeeded to the bitter hatred and stern defiance of days gone by. Very commonly the Protestant who happens to meet with some point of Catholic controversy is either entirely ignorant of the subject—knows absolutely nothing about it—or is misinformed and malinformed ”

“ The poor orphans are sent to the country, and placed under the care of honest and religious families, who, for five or six pounds for each per annum, bring them up in the humble manner in which the peasants of Ireland are accustomed to live. In this way the orphans acquire that love for God, and that spirit of religion, for which this country is distinguished, and, at the same time, they become strong and vigorous like the other inhabitants of the country, and are prepared to bear the hardships to which persons of their class are generally exposed in life. ”

“ To go to communion every day, or almost every day, or three or four times a week, is frequent communion in its absolute sense, and frequent with respect to every class of person. To go to communion every Sunday and Holiday, a practice indirectly recommended to all by the Council of Trent, is not frequent communion for priests, members of religious orders, ecclesiastical students, or in general for such as aim at perfection; but it is frequent communion for children and for the mass of the faithful, who have but scanty leisure to devote to pious exercises. ”

“ If the founders of Irish monasteries, in the provisions and very terms of their rules, often recall to mind the institutions of the east, it was at Lerins and in the writings of Cassian they learned them. It was from Rome that Patrick received his mission; from Rome he received the language of his liturgy, the dogmas he taught, and the religious observances he propagated. Run over all that remains of these first centuries (of the Irish Church) , the decrees of national synods, the penitentials, the legends: you will find in them everything which the enemies of Rome have rejected ”

“ In vain did the Pope, in his anxiety to promote the good of religion, forward to Paris an amended plan of concordat, in which he made every concession permitted by his duty as head of the Church. The only answer he received was an intimation from M. Cacault, the French agent at Rome, that unless within five days the proposals made by Napoleon were accepted without the slightest change, the least restriction or correction, he, Cacault, should declare a rupture between the Holy See and France, and immediately leave Rome to join General Murat at Florence. ”

“ The scaffold has been purpled with the blood of innumerable victims, lay and clerical, and some bishops and hundreds of priests are now scattered over the continent of Europe, undergoing the sufferings of exile. "Crudelis ubique luctus, ubique pavor et plurima mortis imago". All these evils have been afflicted on Poland in the presence of Europe, and all the great powers have been silent, looking on with indifference. The Holy Father alone, acting with the usual spirit of the Apostolic See, has raised his voice in favour of suffering humanity ”

“ Under their sway great numbers of Irish [Pg 168] Catholics were put to death because they would not renounce the ancient faith; convents and monasteries were suppressed because their inmates were faithful to their vows; the parochial clergy and bishops were persecuted and spoiled, and many put to death, because they adhered to the religion of their fathers, and would not separate themselves from the communion of the Catholic Church, spread over the whole world. ”

“ It is a consolation to know that the Catholics of almost every country and every diocese of the world have proved themselves worthy of their calling, and made great exertions to relieve the Pope. France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, and even the [Pg 182] oppressed and persecuted Catholics of Sardinia, have done their duty most nobly. The consequence is, that by the aid of the alms of the faithful, the Pope is able to meet his engagements, and continue uninterruptedly the administration of the affairs of the Universal Church. And he is powerful in his weakness. ”

“ The pioneer who, on the plains of our far western country, toils patiently in removing the charred and blackened tree-stumps scattered over the field where once rose the dark and tangled forest, does as necessary and honourable a work as his successor who passes scattering handfuls of seed along the soft, brown furrows, and as useful a work as the successor of both, who puts his sickle into the nodding grain and gathers in its golden sheaves at the happy harvest home". ”

“ Ireland having suffered in the same cause and in the same way as Poland, must feel deep sympathy with her afflicted sister—"Haud ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco". Hence, I am confident that our charitable people, though severely tried themselves, will do everything in their power to assist the poor exiled Poles, who have been obliged to take refuge in France and other countries of Europe, in order to avoid the sword or the halter of the Russian despot. ”

“ Besides, the holy Sacrament of the altar must be worthily received, prayers recited for a pious purpose, and some work of charity or religion performed.
Considering the good thus done, the Church grants plenary indulgences to the faithful on many festivals; but she is never so liberal in dispensing her treasures, as when there is question of persons in immediate danger of death. When that dreadful moment arrives, as on it depends our fate for all eternity, reserved cases are no longer maintained, and all priests are allowed to absolve from every censure. ”

“ No doubt, there is even in American Protestants much bitterness against the Catholic Church, but it is merely the same spirit of opposition to lawful authority which ever has been and ever will continue to be in the world. ”

“ Let us, reverend brethren, do our work patiently and cheerfully to forward so grand a purpose as the conversion of this whole great country to true religion, leaving the result to God and to those who will follow us in the ministry when our seats shall be vacant in the holy sanctuary. ”

“ The zeal of those men and their sacrifices in a bad cause, must be a reproach to Catholics, if they are not ready to stand forth and exert themselves in defence of the Holy Catholic and Apostolical Church, out of which there is no salvation.
The Association of St. Brigid in the few years of its existence has saved a large number of children from the fangs of proselytism. It has been able to perform so great a work of charity because its funds, though small, are managed with great economy. No expense is incurred for buildings, or for the rent of houses, or for a staff of masters and mistresses. ”

“ It was at this period in the negotiations that the limit which the Pope had placed to the Cardinal's powers was found to be of the greatest practical advantage. The Abbé Bernier, when any difficulty occurred, incessantly declared that, however strong his own convictions, he could decide nothing of himself without referring the matter to the First Consul. On the contrary, the Cardinal was never allowed to despatch a courier to consult the Pope and receive his commands. The pretext for this prohibition was, that the Concordat should absolutely be finished the next day. ”

“ To accomplish this, we must provide for the religious education of those whom the misfortunes of the times prevent from entering into the seminaries of Poland. The Holy Father has himself given the initiative, by opening a Polish seminary at Rome. Why should we not follow his example? At the time of the persecutions in Ireland, we counted in the north of France alone, no less than four colleges for the use of young Irishmen: Saint-Omer, where the great O'Connell was formed: Douai, whence came in the time of Elizabeth, forty of England's early martyrs: Lille, and Paris. ”

“ When the orphans grow up, as they are generally strong and healthy and able for farm work, they are easily provided for. Many of them are adopted by those who reared them. In this [Pg 170] way great economy is observed, and this is a consideration which cannot be overlooked in a poor country like Ireland, where the charity of the faithful has so many demands upon it. However, everything necessary is attained, as the orphans are prepared to earn a livelihood in this world, and trained up in the practice of those Christian virtues and practices by which they may save their souls. ”

“ Pope Leo X. did not hesitate much longer in appointing one so highly commended to the vacant see, and before the close of 1516 Dr. O'Hnygyn was consecrated Bishop of Clonmacnoise. During the twenty-two years which he ruled this diocese he displayed great energy in reanimating the fervour of the faithful and restoring the ancient splendour of religion. The cathedral was repaired: stained-glass windows and paintings set forth once more the triumph of faith, whilst many precious gems and other decorations were added, as voluntary offerings from his faithful flock. ”

“ Ireland, we trust, will always be ready to assist the good cause even from the depths of her poverty. The few who sneer at the sufferings of their father, and refuse him sympathy and relief, are unworthy of the name of Irish Catholics; they are degenerate children of forefathers who died rather than renounce their attachment to the See of Peter.
POLAND.
His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin has honoured us by addressing to us the following letter:—
To the Editors of the Irish Ecclesiastical Record. ”

“ From the thirty-eighth to the sixty-sixth we are taught the great and most important offices of a priest, especially with regard to offering the Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord, the practice of daily Mass, the celebration of Requiem Masses for the dead, the administration of the Holy Communion in life and death, and the necessity of receiving the confessions of the faithful, both before Communion and at the last moment. ”

“ We may rest quite satisfied that out of the £88,000 annually expended here in Dublin, a very decent sum goes every year to bring comfort, elegance, and luxury to the homes of pious agents and zealous ladies engaged in the good cause. We have also the consoling knowledge that English gold and the grace of conversion are very far, indeed, from correlatives. Even in pagan lands its only power is to corrupt the hearts of those to whom it purports to bring tidings of Gospel truth. ”

“ It is a waste of time to go on proving that Luther and Calvin were inconsistent, and contradicted themselves, or that they were ungodly in their conduct. No American is a Protestant out of respect for Luther or Calvin. ”

“ Seeking thus the Kingdom of God, the Catholic priests of America will find that through their labours God has added unto their country all good things even in the temporal order. The Church in America is exhibiting every day more clearly her wondrous power as the civilizer of the nations. ”

“ Joseph was commanded to tell the Cardinal that he, Bonaparte, absolutely insisted on that article just as it was couched in the Abbé Bernier's paper, and that only two courses were open to the Pope's minister, either to sign the Concordat with that article inserted as it stood, or to break off the negotiation altogether. It was the Consul's unalterable determination to announce at the banquet that very day either the signing of the Concordat, or the rupture between the parties. ”

“ Our honest Protestant friends, whether they are statesmen, scholars, publicists, military commanders, and in many cases, even ministers of the Gospel, are ready to concede, that unless the masses of the American people are led to act under the guidance of Catholic principles, there is little chance of saving this country from speedy and utter destruction. ”

“ A most distinguished prelate, Monseigneur Segur, well known for his innumerable works of charity and religion, is at the head of the society just mentioned, and the Very Rev. Abbé [Pg 184] Perraud, a learned priest of the Oratory, and author of an admirable work on the state of Ireland, is its secretary. The society is patronised by the bishops and nobles of France. ”