Newspaper Page Text
JULY 20. 1957.
THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
THIRTEEN
Pope Gave Record
Of 121 Speeches
During 18th Year
(N.C.W.C. News Service)
VATICAN CITY — His Holi
ness Pope Pius XII delivered a
record total of 121 speeches, on
topics ranging from archeology
through the many fields of science
and economics to the liturgy, du
ring the 18th year of his. reign.
Discourses and radio messages
delivered by the Pope from March
2. 1956 to last March 1,-together
with four encyclicals, prayers and
various other documents, have
just been published by the Vati
can Printing Office. The 905-
p a g e volume corresponding to
the 18th year of his pontificate
contains an estimated 200,000
words.
The large number of speeches
made by the Pontiff during his
81st year reflects the increase in
the number of international con
gresses meeting in Rome, and
the growing custom of delegates
to such meetings to be received
in group audiences by the Pope.
It also reflects that fact that the
Pope’s health during this period
was better than it had been in
several previous years.
Pope Pius’ knowledge of seve
ral languages is evident in the
published speeches. Besides Lat
in, in which the encyclicals are
written, the speeches were deliv
ered in Italian, French, English,
Spanish, and German. A plurality
of roughly one-third were given
in French, the language the Pope
chooses for international gather
ings. Eight were in English.
The four encyclical letters
written by the Pope during his
18th year in the See of Peter
were one issued on May 19, 1956,
on devotion to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus, and three appeals to
the world issued within a nine-
day period immediately after the
outbreak of the revolution in
Plungary last November.
Among the international meet
ings addressed by the Pontiff
were the World Congress of Fer
tility and Sterility, the Interna
tional Congress of Catholic Doc
tors, and the International Con
gress of Pastoral Liturgy.
Holy Father
(Continued from Page One)
only found in that condemned
philosophy which rules the po
litical and economic life of a seg
ment of humanity,” but it also
manifests itself in the greed for
money whose ravages are spread
in proportion to the dimensions
of modern enterprises. This
greed, he added, is a determining
motive for so many things that
weigh upon the lives of people.
This materialism also express
es itself “in the cult of the body:
In excessive search for comforts:
in’ the advoidance of all austerity
of life that prompts disrespect
for human life even to the point
of destroying it before it has
seen the light.”
“It manifests itself in the un
bridled search for pleasure that
shamelessly exhibits itself, and
tries to seduce with the written
word and spectacles the soul of
those who are still pure.
“It is demonstrated in & dis
regard for one’s brother: in ego
ism that oppresses him, and in
injustice that deprives him of his
rights.”
Saying that, during the centen
nial year, pilgrims “of every
class and nation” will seek to
meet in truth and charity, the
Holy Father called upon them to
banish “misunderstanding and
suspicion.”
In the first part of the letter,
Pope Pius XII recalled his visit
to Lourdes as legate of Pope
Pius XI when he presided over
the Eucharistic and Marian cele
brations which closed the extra
ordinary jubilee of the Redemp
tion in April, 1935. His Holiness
examined the lessons of the
forthcoming centenary, citing ex
pressions of his predecessors re
garding the shrine
The second part of the encycli
cal, in the form of a warning and
admonition to the world, under
lined the significance of the fact
that Mary manifested herself to
a child. It said this is a lesson to
be heeded by a self-sufficient,
materialistic world.
“With maternal compassion she
looks upon this world which has
been redeemed by the Blood of
her Son, but in which sin still
sows so much ruin,” His Holiness
stated. “Her message is ‘Penance,
penance, penance.’ Who would
dare to say that this call for the
conversion of hearts has in these
days lost its timeliness?”
His Holiness exhorted Bishops
and priests to exert every effort
to prepare the faithful for their
pilgrimage to Lourdes, but added
that the conversion of the pil
grimage is not enough. Mary’s
appeal will not be answered
without the conversion of all so
ciety, the Holy Father asserted.
“The world, which in our days
offers so many just motives for
lawful pride and security, is also
today undergoing a terrible
temptation to materialism, fre
quently denounced by Our pre
decessor and Ourself,” the Pon
tiff declared.
Pope Pius said the response to
Mary must begin with the family
and extend itself to all society.
But even apart from the family,
he added, the response can be
given in the limits of professional
and civic relations. The Christian
can begin with an examination of
his own actions, seeking to root
out from nis conscience false
judgments and selfish impulses,
fearing the falsehood of a love
of God which does not translate
itself into an effective love of
ones brothers.”
The Pope said there is no doubt
that the weight of social struct
ures and economic pressure
weigh enormously upon the good
will of men and often paralyze
it.
His Holiness said that if social
and political peace is above all
a moral question, it cannot come
about in a lasting manner with
out a change and purification of
hearts.
“The Virgin of Lourdes in this
centinnial year will recall this
to all,” he added.
The Holy Father ended with
an expression of nis special ten
der feelings for the humble, sick,
suffering and oppressed. They
have a -particularly important
role in this “enterprise of sal
vation,” His Holiness said.
The Pontiff invoked the mater
nal care of the Blessed Mother on
those “who are in error and on
all who are still outside the one
true, fold, the Church.” He ex
pressed the hope that, as Mary’s
appearance in France a century
ago is recalled anew, all may sing
“a Magnificat of gratitude.”
The encyclical was dated July
2, the Feast of the Visitation.
Atlanta Services
For Sgt. Hammond
ATLANTA. 'Ga. — Funeral
services f o r M-Sgt. Frank O.
Hammond, USA, ret., were held
July 8th at the Sacred Heart
Church, Rev. John Emmerth of
ficiating.
Survivors are sisters, Miss Mary
E. Hammond and Mrs. W. C.
Collier, of Atlanta and Mrs. J.
P. Diereks, of Rockville Center,
N. Y., and a twin brother, John
W. Hammond, of Atlanta.
In Atlanta
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