ADDRESS CONFERRING OF ANNUAL AWARD MOS!' REV. JOSEPH FRANCIS RJMMEL, S.T.D. t CA!I'HOLIC CCM.crTTEE OF THE SOUTH OF NEW ORLEANS CONVENTION - JANUARY 22, 1951

Noble son of Holy Mother Chureh and of our beloved Southland, i:ra.detatigable

.Apostle ot truth, charity and good will, the herald of Christian fellowship at

home and in distant Asia, the Reverend Thomas :Frederick Price certainly deserves

well of the consideration of the CWMl'l'!'EE OF THE SOUTH, for which he

pioneered unconsciously but nevertheless effectively hardly more than a genera­

tion ago.

Reverend Father Price was born. in Wilmington, North Carolina, on the 19th

day of August, 1860. Ordained in .1886 he devoted .the tirst eight years ot his

priestly life to various assignments, but in 1894 he received trom his o · S.t3., . Ordinary, Right Reverend Leo Baid,,,- and Bishop, perm1aa1on to devote him­

self to Apostolic labors on a broader baSiS, moving frcm place '00 place to make

known the message ot the Gospel to non-Catholio as well as Catholio communities

in the State of North Carolia... In this work he attracted the association in

1900 ot Reverend :Michael Irwin and in 1906 ot Reverend William F. O'Brien, both Co - ~Ff·r~"~K ~ ot whom. beclilIle his intimate friends and devoted eem'llslliElB'h' In the meantime,

in 1897, he had established a mission magazine called TROTH, because he was

convinced that the spoken word must be supplElD.ented by the written word in the

dissemination ot the teachings of Christ. These missionary eXp8rieDCes aroused

in the mind and heart ot Reverend l!'ather Price the conviotion that America was

ripe for a wider and more generous interpretation ot the mandate of Chrigt:

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations•••••teaching them to observe

all that I have cOImllanded you". Out of thi·s conViction there grew the 1'orma­

tion of the great American Foreign. Mission SoCiety, which with the approval

ot the American hierarohy and the Sovereign Pontiff, Reverend Father Price and -2­

Reverend J"ames Edward Walsh established in MarykDoll, New York; a Society

which has during the past halt oentury given so many missionary B"ishops,

Priests and Sisters to the Church of God for the evangelization of Ohina.,

J"a~, Korea and in the latter years the rehabilitation of the Ohurch in

Central and South America.

For six yeara, namely trom 1912 to 1918, Reverend Father Prioe 00­

operated with Reverend Father Walsh in making known the ~ll Mission

SoCiety and building up its manbership, but in the latter year he felt and the urge to go abroad himseltI test out missionary life in the Orient. He

visited Japan, Korea and parts of China, but finally was taken ill in Bong

KDng, where he died Septanber 12, 1919, invoking to the last a heavenly

blessing upon the great mission&ry' work which he ~d enviaioned and helped

to organize so effectively.

Tonight _ hail Reverend Father Price as a symbol ot the apostol1.

spirtt, which has trom the earliest days ot the Church inspired generous

souls to dedicate their physical strangth, their talent. and morU: courage,

their very lives to bringing the divine message of truth and holiness to

the minds and hearts of men ever;ywhere throughout the world. Bl.'oad and

successtn.l was the work which Father Price established and accomplished in

the mission fields of North Carolina, but this area was toosnall for his

vision and a:mbition. Nothing short of the world itselt could satiety the

cravings ot his heart to make Christ known, loved and served by the

ohildren of men. This ccmprehensive vision inspired the great Maryknoll missionary enterprise, "Which has caught the fancy of .Amerioan youth and

inspired _ many- energetic souls to leave father and mother, home and

oountry and face the hardships, exposures and dangers of misa1.onary life

in the field afar. ]!'ather Price may be called a martyr only in a broad '" -" -3­

meaning of the word, but certll1nly jointly with Reverend ]!'ather Wal8h he

has been instrmnental in the i'Ormation of a Society whose sons and

daughters are gloritying the Church by their heroic lives and unflinchillg their sacrifices, no less than by/hel'Oic deaths. His body rests peacefully in

holy ground in Hong Kong, his heart reposes at the feet of that beloved

daughter ot the Immaoulate Virgin, St. Berxw.dette in Nevers, l!'r&.nce, but his

spirit we like to believe 1s still alive and active as a souroe of inspira­

tion, oourage and strength in the great Society of Maryk:Jwll. May we like­

wise believe that this same spirit continues to WJrk in the misSion fields

of North Carolina, to which he dedicated twenty-five years of his zealous

priestly lite and labors.

The CATlIDLIC C

oomplete Without payillg a tribute to Father Price's most intimate friends Magr. and co-workers, the Right Reverend/~.uchael Irwin and the Right Reverand Msgr.

William F. O'Brien, two noble prieris whom the Church bas honored for their

missionary zeal anel saorifices by conferring upon them. the dignity ot

prelates. They typ1t'y most eloquently that wondertul spirit of apostolic

zeal which bas built up within the state of North Carolina a general

atmosphere of reverenoe for the Catholio Church and a loyal aotiye manber­

ship in excess of twenty thousand souls.

May we, therefore, congratulate the Right Reverend Monsignor1 and thaDJ.c

them for their graCious kindness in aocepting the award of the CATHOLIC

CCltMITl'EE OF THE SOUTH on behalf' of their venerable and beloved friend, 'Who

we trust is lOOking down upon this scene fl'Om highest heaven. D

1 . World War II ended six years ago - yet no pe

ill lack

2 . Instead a chnin ot cold ware throttles the world not to soeale ot

Iran Ureece war

.t tOD speed and while everybocV' cries I ~"'I

,0 peace".

3. Worlcl becom:ing more sharpl,y divld.ec! into two gro...._ - ...... ~.,.. "g,

DSDoCN.oY:. COlDIfIUIl1a denies dimity. B1)1r1tuallty,

Inies Christ anel Chrlatian1t,1 ­

Divine hw - dMliOB etel':rdt;r,

4. The sol ution ot the problem ot peace woul.d bec6mparatiwl.;r easy. 1.r we c truthtully that democracy reallY stands £1

hODe tor the Dattern ot Deace, t hrough love ot

o nnDCIUl nanG. . Christ's testUlon;y s one TIne proor or touchstone ot the other. "B;rthi

that 1'ou are XV d1sciJJl.es. it yOu have love one tor another . " or "This 1 (

,t - Thou shalt love the Lord t.ny liOd V1t.h t..by Whole

le soul. &rid wit h thy

the eeooM 1s l ike unto it - Thou shalt l.Ove t.b:r no1.ghbor 30-31) • "

So But in both the love at God and the love at IIUSD the teet 18 deeds - "It

• AfJeP the Ccr'JD8ndment.s. tl 'tv ~... v ..'V J"'...... - ~_ ... v ~ V6 JV~ .... u ....."'~. , uw,u &.IVV' ...... ,~ Iii;;J.L~ :tIIiiiI ...,,~ . ... y ...... come ancl Will come I )wi1

the nations incl '

set aside individual pride

honestly tor

A (c ) When all the world. will prostr ate itself in hUilble faith and profe -

ion in God as tho C ,.-v.,",V.l- "'"'" -.u..",,,- UoI. \lUg uu.&.....,,-uv .

(d) Wb~ all nat ions will accept Christ and His teachina as t living .deal tor / - "The \:ay. tho tl"llth, the l itell and live accordingly.

(.) When all nations Will &com the brotherhOod ot man ,in tb -3­

,tberboOd or 'IAAI .

( t ) When all. Jlank1n.d will unite in earneR ana hon

God of l)t!Iace GIld learn to deol. 'With hl

fGllolGllBn around the globe in t he spirit ot JranUl.De tty.

(g) As Cat holics; let it be bUr-alia end eolemn pledae

pr ayer. 'tllrvWtll the lilte

ot Peace in the r eoitation of the Bosar.J" for an earl ,..

t ,;cenuine ooa08. after the Heart and tti.nd ot Ohrist, -t nne of Peace. Archbishop1s Residence October 22, 1951

STATEMENr

While it is not a matter of indifference to Catholics, it should be made clear that the appointment of an American Ambassador or Minister to the

Vatican has not been the object of propaganda or agitation. In fact relations between the United States and the Vatican State have for the most part been mutually considerate and amiable. This was emphasized during the period when the Honorable Myron Taylor functioned as the President1s personal representa­ tive at the Vatican.

Those who express opposition to the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Vatican overlook the fact that the Vatican is an independent State among tbe family of nations as well as the seat of author ity tor the government of the . The is not only the head o! the Catholic Church but also the ruler of the civil area, small in extent and population yet. genuinely real and important, lmown geographically as .

In proposing the appointment of an Ambassador to the Vatican, the President is following a tradition of long standing llt many countries the world over, among them leading nations like Great Britain, France Spain and Germany (before

World War II). The value and importance of such a representative may be gathered from the unique position of the Vati can as the greatest international organization in the world, its almost unJirnited facilities of coDDIlunication -2­

and influence and. its unique interest in v,hatever affects human welfare and the stability of human societyo

Those who erroneously contend that the appointment in question is a discrimination against other religious bodies would be at a loss to name the head or heads of such religious bodies and their respectiv seats of Government and jurisdiction. It is our belief that President

Truman t B proposal will redound to the advantage of our country at a tim. when universal. peace and the eradication of Conmunism are of paramo-unt importance for the welfare of the human race. In all the world we will not find a greater force or more valiant ally in this all important issue and crisis than the head of the Vatican State, \\ho in season and out of season bas boldly pointed out the menaoe and the danger of Communism t human dignity and freedom, to genuine democracy and to religion.

In perspective, then, our Ambassador to the Va.tican would represent his fellow citizens not as .embers of any particular church affiliations l::nt as Americans; should the Vatican reciprocate by sending a representative to Washington" he 'WOuld represent Vatican Oity as a civil. state, which however haa exceptional advantageous connections the world over by reason of its religious prestige and the thirty-seven or more official civil relationship. which it maintains with that many countries. To us it is clear that President

Truman is acting wisely in the interest of our country and in the interest of international peace and stability in his appointment of an Ambassador to Vatican

City. From t he standpoint of character and experience General Clark is well­ quaJ.ified to discharge the responsibility entrusted to him with balance judgment and efficiency. JOSEPH FRANCIS RUMMEL chbishop of New Orleans . SERMON- REGIONAL CONGRESS MOS! REV. JOSEPH F. RUMMEL , S. T.D. , CONFRATERNI TY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE ARCHBISHOP OF NEW ORLEANS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1951

"I HAVE COME TO CAST FIRE UPON THE EARTH,

AND WHAT WILL I BUT THAT IT BE KnIDLED ? (I (Luke XII , 49)

Pregnant with meaning is the stat ement of our Divine Savier in which He declares that He has com.e to cast fire upon the earth and that that f ire should be kindled. . Naturally, we associate fire with destrue­ t ion, for it is of the nature of fire to co nsume that which is burned

and to end its usefulness. Even the rumor of great fires or conflagra­ tione, in centers where human beings dwell, strikes terror into our minds and hearts, for we sense the danger not only to the destructi on of

property but even to the sacrifice of human l.i£e that may be caused b;r

fire. We all know the f ear that ent er s the hearts of men when we hear ot

forest fires, prairie f ires, fires t hat creep t hrough valleys and up the mountainsides with their destructi ve force, oonsuming what ever may lie

within their path from vegetation to the tall giants of woedlanu area

and the human habitations that may have been established under their shadow. Terror too seizes the imagination when we hear of f ire at sea, where there

is so little chance of saving human life or physical property and where the consuming flames leave to t he storm whipped waves what they themselves have not fully destroyed. But t here is also a benef icent association with the thought of fire. We think of t he t hat warms t he earth and t be almost creatiTe power that God has communicated to it te bring forth from the soU the beauties - 2­

of vegetation and the grains and fruits that are so vitall y necessa17

for supperting human l ife; we recall t he heat and comfort that fir e

brings to our homes t o shield them against the hardships of the icy

temperatures that come from the North; we dwell with joy upon the

warmth of the human heart that diffuses love, friendship, kindness and

helptulness in the family Circl e, in the home and in the spheres of human society_ In these and in mmy other associations fire .envisions a beneficent element t hat contri butes incalculable benefits to human welfare, an almost indispensable element conducive to hmnan health,

happiness and comfort .

When our Lord speaks about cast ing f ire upon t he earth Be refers to still other qualities associated with tire, the qualities of light,

of l ove and of enthusiasa associated with His mission unto which He

had come into the world. First there is t he fire that r adiates fro

the light of faith in divine truth; t hen there is the fire created in

the human heart in response t o the realizat ion that we are the obje. t

of God ' s love and t he benef iciaries of t he great Sacri fice which Christ

Jesus rendered for us in coming into this world and dying for us upon

the Cross; then there is the fire of grace symbolized by the tongues of

fire t hat entered into the minds and hearts of the Apostles when the

Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of tongues of fire; then

ther e is the f ervor and ardor of enthusiasm for the spread of truth -3­

and holiness that animated the Apostles as they went out charged witb the mandate of Christ: to preach the Gospel to every crea.ture; ardo.r and enthusiasm that prompted them. to sacrifice their lives in the carrying out of their sacred missi on .

We ar e assembled here today under t he auspices of the illustrious

Bishop of Mobile to catch a glimpse of that divine fire of which the

Savior speaks and to take up into our hearts at least a spark of its vivifying power in the apostolic ministry of the of

Christian Doctrine. It is through an organization like the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine that the spiritual, supematurtU f i re of which the

Savior speaks is perpetuated anel communicated to the souls of men . The program of the Confraternity of Christian Doctr ine demands of U 8 f irst t hat we should become promoters of the t r uth which Christ came t . establish on earth, the truth which He identi fies with Himself when He says: "I am t he Way, t he Truth and the Life" . The disseminati on of this divine truth was entrusted in the f i rst place to the Apostl es, but such is its urgency that all wo possess it must of necessit y be prompted to communicate it to other s. And this is precisely the first duty and r esponsibility of the Confrat ernity member, who accepts the assignment of teaching the catechism to little children, instructing adolescent boys and girls in a more compr ehensive explanati on of the teachings of

Christ and Holy Mother Church, cooper ating with the priest in conducting information and discussion classes , in a word bringing the bl eSSings of -4­

our Holy Fa:Lth into the lives of e'W1ery class of our fellowmen.

We can rea.d.ily see that this is in very truth a participation in the apostolic ministry entrusted by Christ to Ris Church. The

Confraternity member should welcome not only the responsibilit.T but also the honor that is assocuted with shar ing the apostolic ministry with the priest and the Bishop, proud of the opportunity t. acquire great merit through participating in the extension of the kingdom of

Christ to the souls of men . This t ask of . / Imparting the truths of our Holy Faith to little children, to adolescent boys and girls and to maturely developed men and women is in reality only the preparation for the reception of and the establishment in the human soul of that atmosphere ot holines whieh perfects the image of God, makes it the object of God ' s love and gives to it the assurance of peace and happiness not only in time but tor all eternit.y. This vision ot the fruitfulness of the Contraternit;r ministry should sustain and encourage Confraternity member. in their work and make them capable of the sacrifices, hardships and disappoint­ ments to which their tasks are frequently subject; inspire t b to persevere through the years even for a life time in the glorious work of kindling in the soula of men the fire which Christ had 80ms to cast upon the earth.

There are difficulties and trials associated lcith the work of the

Confraternity manber, but the consciousness that this is in very truth -5­

the work of God, that it is an extension of the ministry which

Christ entrusted to His Apostles, that it is a participation in the mission 0 f Holf" Mother Church to make all men know.. love am serve Almighty God should create in the hea:rt of the Confraternity member that fire of enthusiasm l-t1ich our dear Lord undoubtedly included in His declaration: "I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and what will I but that it be kindled".

The value and importance of the Confraternity program, especially in these our times.. cannot be over-estimated. Not only are we surrounded everwhere with the atmosphere of materiali....., irreligion, skepticism and downright atheism, but we are also con­ fronted by an array of false doctrines and forms of propaganda whose object it is to cast cockle among the wheat and to wean children and families away from t he Mystical Body of Christ under false pretext and promises . Then our young people are so frequently exposed to sinful temptations that lure them away from the practices of their religion, discourage virtue and prompt them to follow habits of Bin that mar their lives and characters, rob them of the grace of God and endanger their eternal salvation. Nor can we overlook the responsi­ bility that arises from t he modem tendency to make light of courtship and matr imonial engagements to the extent that young Catholic people enter into marriages without reflection, often in the civil courts and even before non-Catholic ministers with the result that their o~ religious lives are compromised and their r esponsibilities for the -6­

Catholic training of their children are ignor ed . Against all this the Confraternit y of Christian Doctrine must stand as a barrier througb t he zealous discharge of its f unctions not only to teach the truths of our Holy Faith but also to strengthen soule in the practices of our holy religion, encourage virtue and warn especially the young against the dangers that lie in wait for them in a sinful world.

Well may you t ake pri de, ther efore, in your interest in the Confraternity of Christi an Doctrine, for it is one of the most important, most powerful and most efficacious forms of Catholic action. It not only aims at extendi ng the kingdom of Christ to the Boule of men ,

but it also gives strength and stability to human character, it creates an atmosphere of virtue and holiness in the home and family circle, it contributes effectively to the prudence, deliberation and spiritual discretion which are necessary to make the approaches to married life and guarantee stability and fidelity. The ideals and principles of the Confrater nity of Christian Doctrine act ually run like the sparkling waters of a cryst stream through every phase of the Christian life,

or to return to the ~bol of fire, the Confraternity of Christian

Doctrine conmunic a.tes the light, wa.rmth, fervor and power of our Holy

Catholic Faith and the life of grace to human souls in every spiritual, moral and social circumst ance of life. -7­

May we , therefore, exhort all of you to take to your hearts the program of the Confraternit y of Christian Doctri ne and endeavor t contribute to its eff ectiveness in accordance with your ability and opportunity. For some of you t he most appropriate sphere of usefulness will be the catechism class, wher e you will make G<>d known to little children, bring to them the sweet story of the birth and life of the

Savior, acquaint them with the beauty and tenderness of t he Immaculate

Mother of Jesus and teach them to love t heir Church with undying fidelity.

To others of you, the proper sphere of action in the Confraternity of

Christian Doctrine will be the Junior Newman Club, where you will appeal to adolescent minds to appreciate more profoundly the truths of their

Catholic religion and make them the activating force for a virtuous, edifying and meritorious Catholic life. Yet others of you will aspire to become leader s in discussion clubs, Cana Conferences and other attemps to communicate Catholic information to adult minds and to meet their objections and difficulties.

All these phases of the Confraternity program are B\l.blime in their

Bcope and an intensely useful part of the apostolic ministr.y which Christ entrusted to His Apostles. No one will venture rashly upon this ronn of

Catholic acti on without due preparation. The catechist, the religious instructor of adolescent youth, the Catholic discussion leader and the director of a Cana Conference must all be prepared through intensive study and continued reading to discharge their duties with efficacy. Nor must -a-

the importance of prayer be overlooked, for it is prayer that will bring into your Confratemity work tbat unction and grace which will make it convincing and fruitful in the minds and bearts of your hearers; it is the power of pra.yer that will br:ing down upon your work the grace of God to Which the Apostles refer so otten as the mainspring of the success of their holy ministry.

May we , then, in conclusion congratulate aD. of you who have dedicated your talents and your time to the Confraternity program; may we invoke upon your zealous labors an ever increasing abUlldance of divine grace and may all of you enjoy the consolation of witnessing the benef icent effect of the spiritual f ire that Christ came to pass upon the earth which you are helping Him to kindle in the hearts of men . ~- -"-~ / {,~

IZ<¥' I ON WWL

Standing on the threshold of the New Year, 1952, we have i ndeed much

to be thank,ful for, much to regret and much to hope for.

Thankf'l..u should we be for countless blessings which a benign Pr ovidence

has poured out upon our na.tion and throughout the world, notwithstanding

humanity's unworthiness and mistakes. One can speak honestly about a

general resurgence of economic prosperity in our own country and'of a

return to nonnalcy in most countries that have been most affected by the

disastrous results of Wo rld ~ar II. wnile the Cominttrn has built up a

bulwark of so-called sate~t e nations, it is to be hoped that our Marshall

Jlan and other altruistic services ha.ve also tended to mold into a solid

phalanx the nations that share our understanding of human dignity, human

rights and human government.

Grateful too may we be tr.at, in spite of many irritations and tensions

it has been possible at least to avoid another major conflict that would

put t o the test not Qnly the atom and hydrogen bombs but also the power of

human endurance and sacrifice, the great siv.y::l'our dollar question, ,whether

the world can actually survive in an atmosphere of continued challenges and

counter challenges, of unlimited rivalry in armed strength, of the uncertainty

and insecurity presented by a potential enemy anned to the teeth, standing

at the gates of the capitals of the world! -2­

VJ ~ (

Thankful should we be that world l eaders are at least not blind or deaf to t he universal longing for peace with securit y and freedom.

The approaches and discussions are not always too convincing, but at least tb~ give evidence of a sense of responsibility, which in the end must prevail and produce desired results. In the meantime voices of influence must become even more pronounced, until atheist ic minds will realize that there ~ till value and salutary t ruth in the old adage: 11 ., Jl y OX populi, vox Dei" - The voice of the people is the vo ice of God."

The hearts of all Americans and of all member nations of the United

Nations flrganization participating in the Korean AVar must swell with gratitude and pride over the courage and heroism displayed by our fight ing forces in that unnecessary challenge to human freedom and dignity. The fact that t he conflict is wholly unwar r anted must not detract from the merit of the sacrifices which the defenders of freedom and democracy are making, and this thought includes parents, wives and children at home who are bear ing the brunt of the att ack mentally, morally and economically. May it please

God to compensate them for their sacrifices and bring the latter t o a speedy

ending.

Neither t ime nor our ability to record adequately all the blessings f or which we have reason to be thankful. permits us to continue this theme, but we cannot omit a reference to the growing realization that, Communistic

atheism notwithstanding, t he world cannot subsist l'rithout God and that it is

as true today as it was when the poet penned his memorable l inea, that 3

human hearts are restless until t hey rest in God, i n time through faith and religious l iving, in eternity through the Beatific Vision. ~~~ ~~ ?\J CV'~ ( _ This gro~1g spiritual reali zation has been undoubtedly stimul ated by the heroism of Cardinal Mindszenty, 8tepinac and GroeS~8r and scor es of missionary Bishops, * iests and...5i sters, and t housands of laymen and l aywomen who have borne wit ness to their religi ous faith in prison, in exile, in confiscat i ons and even death. Thus once more "the bihood of mar tyrs becomes t he seed of Christians". As in war t he valor of a sol dier i s recognized even by his enemy, so in r eligion even the un­ believer must pay tribute in praise and admiration to t he martyr, who suffers and dies for his r eligious convictions. MOre and mor e humanity is convinced that numan science, ingenuity and diplomacy are apt to be futile wit hout inspirati on , guidance and strength from on high. This fact is demonstrated by at l east the occasional pause for prayer by the members of t he Unit ed Nations and t he almost general reference to

God in nublic addresses and functions; but it is more el oquent l y and pathetically illustrated by t hat Christmas prayer composed by a soldier on the hill sides in

Korea, who disclaiming r eligi ous fervor proves his wisdom, as he turns to the Babe of Bethlebem for light and guidance, renounces his past hatr eds, professes his love even for t he Commie standing guard with his gun on tbe opposite hill and expresses bis belief that peace might be mo re speedily achieved i f be and his fell ows could break bread with the enemies in a comnu n meal . This is a human i nterest ode worthy of the Master )fuo said: "Love your enemies, do good to thof.e who hate you, and pray f or t hose wbo persecute you" ... (Matt Jf, 43-44), -4­ "PliRWft"P1( "

lV "", T '~ ( lJf

But ther e are also shadows in our r etrospect. There is t he overall universal atmosphere of doubt , uncertainty and insecurity in which men are asked to live and t oil, t he constant f ear t hat at almost any moment t he tension may snap and plunge the wo rld into a new cataclysm of conflict, with

~ its attendant suffer ing, mi sery and deat h. Even while the embers of the l ast conflagrati on are still smoldering and gapi ng ruins bear witness to the dist ruction that is an i nevitable consequence of war; even whi l e bereaved mothers, wives and orphans are still ignorant of the fate of sona, husbands and fathers over whom the recent war spread a pall of uncertainty and fear , there are in fonnation new alignment s of human forces and 'WII!# implements that wil l make a new war more destructive and horrible than any of its predecessors. And

11 t his because there has arisen a philosophy of government t hat i gnores and denies the ver y existence of God, treats with contempt the digni t y and right s of the human individual and ruthlessly aspires to impose its false phil osophy and despotism upon every nation and people.

On the debit side of t he ledger about t o be closed must :he noted the wide­ spread indifference to reli gion, t he breakdown of pri vate and public mo r ality and brazen violations of public trust~ that have become almost commonplace

in bu siness and high government circl es. All this is abetted by the flagrant disregard of moral principles so frequently apparent in certain fo~s of seoalled literature, pamphlets and magazines, quest ionable forms of entertainment on the

. stage and scr een; but what about the materi alism, seculari sm, unprincipl ed mo rality and godlessness t hat honeycomb the patterns of education in many schools?

Vie cannot . by-pass the frequent absence of cha rity and fairness t hat • -5­

should charact erize the relations of those who profess t o dedicate their l i ves

t o promot e religious faith and morality. How often do not their statements

bear the marks of ignorance, pr ejudice and dishonesty? How often is it not

cl early t hei r aim to ferment st r ife and discord and even to frustrate t hrough

organi zed effort and ill concealed hypocrisy the work of another religious body?

And still reflecting on the shadows that hang over t he past, may we not say

a word about some of the social and economic inequaliti es t hat confront us?

There is too much poverty and wretchedness in this land of unprecedented

pr osperity, too much unr est and dissatisfaction among the working c~as ses ,

especial l y those t hat have not achieved organization , t oo much race pr ejudice

and unreasonable segr egation, too much instability and unhappiness in married

~i fe, too many broken homes and broken hearts due t o infidelity, l ack of sacrif ice

and disrespect for the di vine truth that: "What God has j oined t ogether l et no

man put a sunder" and "Hu sbands ought to love thei r wives as thei r own bodies"

after the pattern of t he love t hat Christ bears to His Church.

HOPE BEGETS COURAGE I Q- 1 Notwithstand ing many preoccupations and past disappointments, there is always

the characteristic of hope and conf idence associated with the dawn of a new year.

Like t he b right twinkle of the morning star or the first beams of the riSing sun

that come over the horizon, New Year' s ~ay bring joy and gladness, confidence

and courage to human heart s . And so ..fe trust that the year 1952 may in very truth

be a year of benediction, ~w Jli&~ progress and happiness to all the world.

And first we pray to the All High God that t he ominous clouds of i nternational

confusion and strife ma~ be soon di spersed to permit the sunshine of mut ual

understanding and clear vi sion to penetrate the minds of men who sit in counsel

over t he destinies of nat ions. We pray that fear and anxiety mal!: be lifted from

t he hearts of men so that t hey may follow t hei r ~ egitimat e pur suits in security

and j oy. We t r ust that soon there may appear on the ho rizon the rainbow of -6­

universal peace patterned after th ~inciPles that stem from faith i fi God and genuine love among men after the heart and mind of Christ' Jesus, t he Divine

Prince of Peace.

We trust that the New Year will bring home to all of us a deeper realiza­ tion ihat private and public right eousness alone can bri ng true peace and happiness t o t he human conscience. Let there be an end to the dissi pat ion and r iotous living t hat disgr aces and degr ade social relati ~ n s ; let t here be an end t o dis­ honest y, malfeasance and corruption t bat destroy confidence in business and publ ic offices. Let ob jective considerations replace sel fishness and greed in determining the rel at ions and rights bet ween employers and the sona of toil. Let mut ual love, reverence and f idelity reign in every home between husbands and wives, parents and children, as the b est guarant ee to the stability and happiness of the family under God's blessing .

We cannot but hope tlat the brave men who ar e f ighting the battle f or freedom i n the far East may soon be relieved of t heir sa cr i fices through an honorable pea ce and that this may presage t he universal and lasting peace for whi ch t he whole worl d sighs and prays thr ough tears . In the same l ine we hope that universal disarmament wit h sincerity and honesty may soon become a "dr eam come true". In t hi s we hope t hat the negotiating of ficials may accept the wise ob ject ive counsel s of t he Vicar of t he Pr ince of Peace, Papa Pi us XII, just ex­ pr essed in his Chr istmas message.

In conelusion, we t ake advantage of this opportunit y to t hank Eoyo1a )tniver sity of New Orl eans for t he pri vilege of delivering this mes sage over its r adio itat i on

WWL and extend to a ll our listeners and t heir loved ones the prayer ful wish that the year 1952 may be one of genuine aappiness , peace and growth i n t he l ove and grace of God .