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Show j DISTINGUISHED j CATHOLICS MEET Washington. April 15 The twenty -fifth anniversary of the Catholic University Uni-versity of America was celebrated here today in the presence of one of the most distinguished assemblages of Catholic clergy a.nd laymen ever gathered in this country. The three American cardinals, eight archbishops, archbish-ops, thirty bishops thirty monsignon, eight heads of religious orders, sixty representatives of colleges and uni versities, o er three hundred clergy and hundreds of distlnguibhed laymen and flomen from all over the United States were1 present The ceremonies began tins morning with solemn pontifical mass at St. Patrick's church, at which Cardisal Farley of New York was celebrant ind Cardinal Gibbons delivered the sermon; followed by a luncheon and later academic exercises at which IcUer from Pope Benedict XV was macr ana- addresses were delivered by Cardinal O'Connell of Boston presi-dent presi-dent from Stanley Hall of the American Amer-ican Association of Universities, John G. O'Reilly, president of the Notre Dame university and Bishop Shahn. rector of the Catholic University of America. Pope Benedict's Letter. The pope's letter follows: "Beloved bons and venerable brethren ! 'Greeting and apostolic benediction benedic-tion We have recently learned that preparations were being made at Washington for observing with due solemnity the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Catholic university uni-versity and that the celebration graced by your presence and by that of distinguished members of the lalety would be quite in keeping with the singularly happy character of the occasion. That you beloved sons and venerable brethren should above all rejoice at the prosperity of the university uni-versity is obvious to everyone who realizes that the beginnings and the gratifying progress of this seat of learning are owing especially to our wise and timely care And yet this joy of yours 16 not so particular to you, but that we, also, may in some wise share it. For we love, nay we dearly cherish the American people, forceful as they are with the vigor of youth and second to none in efficiency effi-ciency of action and thought; and we earnestly desire that an ever widening widen-ing path to the highest level of human hu-man achievement may open before them so that we can not but feel the deepest pleasure at everything that furthers their progress. "SUll in your tireless endeavors you aimed not merel) at enrlchening the mind with learning; what you chiefly Bought was to imbue it with that heavenly wisdom whose 'light cannot be put out and with which all good things' shall come to your flocks These proofs indeed of your pastoral solicitude must appeal to ev-cry ev-cry fair minded observer as worthy of the highest commendation and deserving de-serving of the appreciation and support sup-port of vour fellow citizens especial ly of your Catholic people and In par ticular of your clergy. Praises Knights of Columbus. ' In this connection we will not withhold our praise from the Knights of Columbus, who as you lately informed in-formed us. by their splendid contribution contribu-tion to the funds of the university have carried into effect their wise!) conceived design of extending to young men. less favored by fortune, the advantages of a solid character and at the same time obtaining a Christian education. This noble example ex-ample of beneficence which all pood men approve we hold up for imitation imita-tion and generous emulation to all who are blessed with means; and we heartily wish that :ou, j ourselves, beloved be-loved sons and venerable brethren will advance the cause of the univer-sil univer-sil by sending to It students whose I superior qualities of mind nnd dlsposi-lion dlsposi-lion give promise of the best results. 1 In addition to other advantages which I are thence to be expected, the clergy in America will receive one and the same training, and this we spoak to those who know by experience-means experience-means without doubt a clergy whose piety will bear richer fruit because of their more active and more harmonious har-monious co-operation for a common purpose. Blessing for All. "This blessing we implore with prayerful instance from God ; and as an earnest of heaenly favors and a token of our good will, we most lov Ingly in the Lord bestow upon you all beloved sons and venerable brethren, upon the rector, the professors and the students of the university and upon the Knights of Columbus as well, our apostolic benediction (Signed) 'BENEDICT XV. Pope.' Cardinal Gibbon's Sermon. Cardinal Gibbous in the course of his sermon at the pontifical mass said . "The growth of democracy does not imply that each man shall become a law unto himself but that he shall feel in himself the inclination to obey. If the enacting power has been transferred from the will of the ruler to the will of the people the binding coercive power has laid with greater stress of responsibility than ever bo-fore bo-fore upon individual conscience. Unless Un-less men be taught that obedience Is right and honorable and necessary alike for private interest and public weal, legislation will aval but little, the law making power will become r mockery and the peope themselves will complain that legislation has been carried to excess." Cardinal O'Connell Speaks, Cardinal O'Connell at the academic exercises on "The Office and Responsibilities Respon-sibilities of the University in American Amer-ican Life." said, "The growth of every university is measured by the closeness of Its con tact with the body politic and by the success with which it meets the nation's needs. It must be conserva tive revering and transmitting the heritage of the past, hut it must also, be progressive dealing prudently with new needs and problem? " |