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APRIL 17. I92<> THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA 7 A PAGE OF CATHOLIC INFORMATION From Whence Will Help Come? An Unjust Protest Significance of the Catholic Church Union, Which Seeks I Reunion of Oriental Catholics With Rome, Explained The Outlook, in a recent issue, | •publishes a Icier from a Russian Or thodox priest in which he vividly describes tlie misery of those who are true lo their faith in that un happy land. lt‘ is a matter of com mon knowledge that persecution such as the world has not witnessed s lice the days of pagan Rome lias been visited upon the devoted heads of this intensely religious people. And the fact that those; in authority have been using every el fort _ 0) stamp out all vestiges of religion • is welt known, but it' is brought home lo us in the cry /of this poor man when lie says: “The lovar- ishtslv fights violently against the Church, and not being able simply to abolish it by some decree, lie plunders, robs, and confiscates the propertv of the Church, and parti cularly likes to pollute holy places of worship. Before all tilings lie tor ments the clergy and deprives them of all possibilities of living. They have to disapepar as remnants of an other epoch ” And he pitifully asks, ■Are there really no pious knights any more in the world who might organize a crusade and deliver us from the Antichrist? Our misery is indescribable. You only see the out ward aspect of our sufferings—be reavement, contempt, and insult. But of my brethren who have been tortured in the dungeons, have died of starvation aud perished in dirt and siekuess, what ean you know of them? All of us wild have been holding out are threatened by a sim- jtar fate daily, hourly. Even if im prisonment and a violent death do not put an end to our lives, we sut ler in an unprecedented manner morally as well as physically. It is a s difficult as possible for us lo find any lodgings. No school will admit our children, and all depart ments of service arc closed to them as offsprings of clergymen. We live on in hunger and misery begging some scanty alms of the impoverish ed population. Will not the Rope do something for us? what has be come of the believers ill the whole world that they calmly allow us to perish? Or again, “Life is unspeak ably iiard for those who serve the Church in Soviet Russia. As to their own people, they have ceased to believe in it, and expect no help from that side. But they firmly believe in some assistance from abroad, and they cling lo the idea that it may lie the Pope.” Here, indeed, % is the true solution of their problem. Perhaps the aver age Russian, like the chosen people of old, looks for one to come iu\ earthly power to deliver him Irom his intolerable bondage. lint shell is 1- i ,e spiritual method of Home. She does not and can not promise freedom from suffering. Indeed, one knows “the Lord lovetli whom He chastizcth.” Out of their trials and tribulations, however, please God there will grow a new spiritual force which will.in its turn, save the world from its threatened ruin. .lust here is- the thing which does give heart to Catholics. They know that the Pope is indeed coming to their help. It is Hie dearest desire of his heart lo be able to do something for these poor, distracted children of his. Em it must he remembered that Rome has never excommunicated Russia and looks upon the Orthodox Church there are merely temporarily, es tranged from her fold. Nor is the question one only of desire—active steps have been taken to bring to the minds oC all the Rus sian people the tact that, only by coining hack lo union with the One Time Church can Christianity he saved to Russia at all. To do this will require the services of specialty trained priests and the Holy Father is busilly engaged in seeing that they arc properly prepared.. He is erecting a special Russian seminary- in Rome for this purpose; he has given liis saction to similar works of various religious orders in dif ferent parts of Europe and, at liis request the Rt, Rev. Constantine Roachevsky, Bishop of the Rutlienian Greek Catholic iDocese of the United Sates, tias opened a seminary in Philadelphia for the training of priests of liis Bite in this country. They will have opportunity to comfc into contact with the Orthodox here andthrough them to reach their br- leaugucred brethren in Russia itself. Alt looks dark enough in t lie great white, mysterious land which liuks East and West but alt is not help less, and the fact that Catholics arc being .organized to bring to them this message of hope should hearten them. Such an organization has been formed-—the Catholic Union - under tlie Presidency of the Rev. Augustine Galon, OiS.B , which lias for it's ob ject the return .of these separated brtheren to the communion of the One True Church His Holiness has hailed its formation as ‘'Provident ial* and has requested it's president to broadcast the message of his de sire for Hie Orientals to every Cath olic in America, Already, nearly for ty members of the American Hier archy have expresesd their approval of its efforts, and we feel confident that all our readers will desire to have a share in bringing to. pass so wonderful .a tiling as the reunion of the Christian world. We earnestly commend to all that they communi cate with the Catholic Union at 5t> Union Square. New York, and do whatever ties in their power to aid its most worthy cause Floyd Keeler. Catholics and Their Neighbors The following comment on the ac tion of a Pennsylvania Post of the G. A. It. in protesting tile contem plated purchase 5 of the Lee estate in Virginia as a national memorial and the terming of General Lee as an arch-traitor was written by Rev. B. X. O'Reilly, one of the leading con tributors to the Catholic press of America, and published in numerous Catholic paoers throughout Hie United Stales: Don C. Seitz, a former New York newspaperman lias joined the staff of the Outlook, and contributed some observations on intolerance to a recent issue. Mr. Seitz finds the loyalty of Catholics to-their church objectionable; be accuses them of solidarity in polities and of ctanish- ness. John F. Gilroy answers him in a letter, part of which >vas print ed as follows in The Outlook and in The Literary Digest: “Mr. Seitz charges that we keep apart .front llie rest of the people, til what way. may 1 ask? We work with them, live with them, light side by side with them in time of war. contribute to their charities and attend their balls, dinners, and other social events. We go to their weddings and funerals. We belong to tlie same social clubs and college .fraternities. We belong to scores of the same fraternal organizations, such as (lie Elks, Eagles, Royal Arca num, Rotary and Lions Clubs, and many others. Many of us belong to the same patriotic societies,'such tis Hie American Legion. Veterans of Foreign Wars, United Spanish War Veterans, ATlny and Navy Union, Grand Army of the Republic and many others. We work with them and many times fot- them in polities. We even pray for them. How is it possible for. us lo slioxv more friend ship for our fetlow-Amerieaus? “Mr Seitz says Protestants ean not belong to the Knights of Colum bus. That is true. Neither can Catholics belong to the-’ Methodist Brotherhood, tlie Epworth League, the Christian Endeavor Society, or the Baptist Young People’s Union of America. The Knights of Columbus are a religious, charitable, patriotic, and fralcrhal society of Catholic men. A Protestant would no more want to join the Knights of Colum bus than a Catholic would some dis tinctly Protestant order. Why may not a Catholic be a Mason? Because we consider the Masonic Order a sort of humanitarian religion. As we consider Masonary a religion, a Cath olic could no more belong to that than lie could belong to some Protes tant church. We have tlie kindest feelings toward the Masons, we look on many of them as our best friends, and differ from them only in re ligion. Many times have i heard in Catholic clubs, Knights of Columbus councils, and Holy Name Soeielics the Masons referred to as our sepa rate brothers. Is there anything un friendly in that? “Mr Seitz charges I bat Catholics vote in blocks. If that is so how is it that Boston elected a Protestant Mayor when 75 per cent of its popu lation is Catholic? How is it that Rhode Island is represented by two Protestants in the United Stales Senate? Why are Protestants elect ed to many offices in New York City? Why arc the majority of the judges in the Irish Free State Prot estants. when 90 per cent, of the population is Catholic?” “Worthy of Imitation’' Did you know that (lie Catholics have a Negro seminary for the train ing of Negro priests? This semi nary is Ipcated at Bay St. Louis, Miss, and it requires four years of high school work, four years of college work, four years of theolo gical work and a year of parish work under competent supervision. As yet the school has only high school students, hut its standards are said to ho (how truly‘we do not know) “far in advance of that of any one of the fifty-one Protestant schools” for theological training for Negroes. Of one thing we arc perfectly sure, if the Catholics successfully main tain this school and put a lot. of Negro prists through the full course twenty-five years from now they will have a strong hold upon the Negroes of Mississippi The long- licadedness of the Catholics is well worth imitating. If we sit still and do nothing to offset their efforts to win the Negro we shall suffer great loss—A Baptist Exchange. We feel quite certain that tlie ac tion of a Pennsylvania post does not represent the general opinion of members of the Grand Army of the Republic. 1 his particular section of the “old guard” protested against the contemplated purchase of the bee c-stalc in Virginia as a national memorial. They denounced General Robert E. Lee as an “arch-traitor” to the nation. Such protest serves no good pur pose. -It certainly does not repre sent the tailing of the North. The obvious result will lie a revival of old hatreds and bigoted sectional ism Judged by tlie standards of manhood General Lee was an hon orable man just to Hie highest de gree and-a very slave to the dic tates of tns conscience.. When he resigned liis commission lie was honored hv every associate in the army. They recognized that the no bility of lu s spirit made him answer the call ot duty which came from us state and his beloved .Southland. It :s not the purpose to argue tlie merits of secession, Judged as a man General Lee was not a traitor. He I ought to maintain a cause which he believed to be just even (hough that cause was opposed by a strong er majority. It was a lost cause, hut no man fought more honorably and more generously for what he conscientiously thought to lie right than did General Robert E. Lee. it is a hard thing to blot out prejudice. We have had reason to thank God that during the past GO years there lias been harmony be tween the two sections of'our coun try. ]| would be a national trag edy |o revive old hatreds. The protest of this Pennsylvania post ot Hie Grand Army of tlie Repub lic is not only imprudent hut it is mauifestlv unjust, • :—l The Question Box By Rev. Bernard X O’Reilly Q. Is it right to pray for success in athletics between two' rival, col leges? Is it not uncharitable and trifling with the Sacraments? A. A legitimate desire to win an athletic contests is not a bad thing. It is perfectly proper to pray for such success. We may be actuated by uncharitable motives which Would make it sinful hut if tlie rivalry be honest and the desire to win be pure there is no reason why we should not ask the help of Almighty (thd. There is nothing that interests us. no matter how trifling it may lie which is not of interest to our Heav enly Father. ‘Good Work Heartily Appreciated ’ An Editorial Tribute to St. Vincent’s Hospital and Jack sonville Sisters of Charity by the Florida Times-Union (From The Fieri (la-TimesUni on.) St. Vincent's hospital furnishes an example ot necessary and good work so well done as to win the hearty appreciation of the people of Jack sonville, this appreciation expressed in substantial and most practical manner. The word “beauty ’ is used with special significance in this in stance, for it was through the hearts Of the contributors of lunds for St. yielded readily of their contents for the purpose of providing a new and larger hospital building for this splendid Jacksonville institution in which is performed a great work by which sickness and suffering receive such proper and competent -attention as to win Hie approval of all peo ple, while at the same time bring ing the relief to very many who are afflicted. Therefore, when it became known that St Vincent s hospital had out grown Us facilities, the more rooms, and equipment were needed, in Or der to accommodate the constantly increasing number of those-applying for admission and treatment for their physical ills. Hie response was immediate, and substantial. There was no appeal for funds, not even recital of what was being accom plished, just a plain statement of present and pressing needs, and the answer came trom scores of Jack sonville men and women to whom have,come material blessings, and whose response in behalf of a wor thy cause was instant and thorough ly practical, as is evidenced by the contributions made, in cash i-i'fl in pledges, for making possible the do ing of more and better work bv this hospital, if, indeed, the doing of bel ter work is possible, except bv-yjv extension of facilities that now will be made. The public was given the opportu nity to contribute a total fund ot $250,000; the contributions exceeded that amount by a substantial “plus. This quarter-of-a-million-dollar fund will not pay for the new hospital buildings that ’are necessary and that are proposed. But Sisters of Chanty, band of noble women that they are, will provide what more of money is necessary to establish a 200-bed hospital, thoroughly modern and better able to meet present and future requirements. Here is not only splendid sacrifice, but nkisl commendable enterprise. Here, too, is this latest Jackson ville undertaking, is the very best of proof of the actual brotherhood of humankind. There was no drawing of lines, u question of creed or de nomination, by tlie public.. The need ot St. Vincent’s was known, as was its very good work, and that was quite sufficient. Providing of the funds required was all that was deemed necessary, and they were provided with unusual promptness and without urging. Splendid work in behalf of a most worthy cause! Q- Do you think it right to tell a child that if lie make a certain nove lla be will get anything he asks? A. It would lie dangerous to tell such a thing, to a child and it would not tie true since we might pray for a thing which, would not lie for our good and therefore our prayer would not lie heard. Tell tlie child that if he prays for'sometlung that is for his good and prays with the proper dispositions lie mav lie sure that God will answer his prayer. Toll him that if liis prayer is not answered he—may feel quite certain that his request was not for tiis good and that God showed a real kindness in not acc.eding lo the request lie made in prayer. Q. Kindly explain why tlie church is opposed lo Masonary when it is understood that one time they were united. Also kindly tot! me when Masonary was inaugurated? A. The Church is opposed to Ma sonry because it is a religious sect, having its own code of faith and morals. Fundamentally and in prin ciple it is absolutely opposed to Christianity. There never was any union between Hie Church and Free Masonry. The present Masonic cull was established in England June 21, 17*7. Before it had attained its ma jority that is on April 28, 1737, it was condemned by Pope Clement Q. What is latest hour at which a priest is permitted to say Mass? . A. The general law of the church is that Mass must be begun before noon. By a special privilege priests in the United States are permitted to begin Mass one hour after noon, that is, before 1 o’clock. This does not mean that the bishop of Hie dio cese. may not have reasons that are sufficient to himself making a law that Mass must he begun before a certain hour. In many dioceses it Is forbidden to have a Sunday Mass later than 11 o'clock. 7 he Church and The Jews Remarks of Rabbi Wise Recall Efforts Continually Made by the Catholic Church to Win Them to Christ When recently ilie remarks of Rabbi Stephen S. Wise on- t lie doc trine of Christ aroused discussion of the. subject of conversion of the Jews to Christianity, H also brought to mind Catholic efforts to bring the children of Israel into the fold of the faith. A brief study reveals the fact that the latter half of the nineteenth cen tury saw an intensifying of these efforts, and that today not a few Catholics are occupying themselves with the relations between the Cath olic and Jewish religions. Perhaps most notahfe of all* is the reminder, that among llie documents ot the uncompleted ecumenical Council t>f 1870 there reposes a pro posal healing tlie signatures of 510 Catholic bishops,, several of them Americans, begging the Council to send a paternal invitation 4.0 the nation of Israel {<; recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah, thus, “fulfill ing and crowning t he ^Mosaic reli gion, without changing it." This document, unanimously ac cepted by the commission to which it was assigned, was never discussed at the Council proper because of the abrupt suspension of that gath ering. However, i| has been said that when the Council is reopened- and there lias been much talk of re opening it, of late the proposal might still tie discussed. It was after tlie miraculous' ap parition of (lie Madonna lo Alphonse' Ratishonne in Rome in 1812 in the Church of St. Andrea dclle Fralte, that the. subject of the conversion ot the Jews came into prominence in Catholic circles. Since then it lias constantly been kept alive, and is particularly so now, when the "Na tional Homeland” nffivement is prominently before the world as a constant reminder of the people of Israel. An institution that lias made a present day contribution of import ance to the effort to. convert the Jews is the Eucharistic League for Peace._ i his organization, which cable into being in answer to Pope Benedict XV’s appeal for peace, was tounded in Naples in 1914, canonic ally recognized and established in Rome in 1922 and raised to the dig nity of a Primaria in June, 1925 Its aim is the promotion of Christian Peace- between individuals, between families, between Hie different class es of society, and between nations— by a thorough reform of moral standards and by striving Iq'Tiring about the recognition of Christ as King not only of individuals, hut also of society, according to Hie spirit and principles of the Gospel arid the Church. First called tlie League for tlie Cessation of Hos- tiJlies after the war it was renamed Hie Eucharistic League for Social Peace and the Return of Men to Jesus Christ, and later the Eucharis tic League for Social Peace Through the Return of Society to Jesus Chryst. A few weeks ago. through the ini tiation of the League, an important lecture was given at the St. Peter’s Club in Borne on the subject of the -Jews. Father Anthony van Assel- donk. Procurator-General of the Re ligious Order of Hie Crucifixon, was the speaker, and many eminent per sons -were present. In Hie course of his remarks. Father van Asseldonk told of the works for the Jews organized by the various Popes at Rome. Among them were the Hospice for Cate chumens and Neophites initiated by J g ?.®Dus Loyola and supovted by I aul IV, Pius V and Gregory XIll: the House of Catechumens entrusted to the Dominican Sisters, where sov- erat hundred Hebrew converts Were gathered; and the Ecclesiastical Col leges for Young Neophites founded by Gregory XIII. Father van Asset- dunk asked that the Jews he held in proper esteem, that they he hclpe.i by prayer and sacrifice. a‘nd that all .tom tlie Archconfraternitv of Praver for the Return of lsrcal. He a Is® made a plea that the Romans heip the Hospice for Catechumens and Neophites, restore the House for Catechumens and the Ecclesiastical College of the Neophites. Following this recital of past and projected Catholic works at Rome for the Jews, Miss Mary Frances 'an Leer, a Dutch Jewess’converted to Catholicism told of he,- convec tion and asked prayers for the re turn of her people “the people of Jesus and Mary, of the Apostles and Prophets.” She rejoiced that the Reman clergy is showing sncli in terest in tlie return of Isreal, which Pope Pius XI has so much at heart. This gathering had a profound im pression, and Miss Van Leer will shortly give another lecture. These manifestations in our own day immediately recall the great con sideration given tlie cause of the Jews’ conversion on tlie occasion of the Council of 1870. At that time there were in Rome two priests of the Diocese of Lyons, the twin brothers Joseph and Augustine. Le~ mann. They were Jews, born at Digione in 1830 and converted to C atholicism in 1854. They became priests and learned apologists and apostles for tlie conversion of their people. They were tile authors of notable works bearing on this sub ject, and were definitely given the mission, by Papal brief, to procure the salvation of their blood brothers, the Jews. Augustine died in 1909 and his brother a few years later. When tlie Ecumenical Council eon- veued, the two brothers came to Rome to speak of their people's cause at the great assembly. As themselves to different cclesiastical dignitaries, notable among whom was Cardinal Lueien Bonaparte, cons- soon as they arrived, th;v presented in of Napoleon HI. Of that meeting an incident is told: The Lcmaun brothers thanked the Cardinal for the benefits the, Bona parte family had bestowed upon tlie Israelites. “Our 'people loved Na poleon the. Great so much that they wanted to make him the Messiah.” they said. The Cardinal replied with a twinkle: “They have renewed the attempt for Pius IX. but this time there is less probability of their be ing mistaken.” He alluded to tlie en thusiasm of tlie Jews for Pius JX when that Pontiff had the doors of the Roman Ghetto taken away. Prior to that time the Jews had Jjeei* shut in during the night. J