Page 15 - pastoral-letters-sjm

St. Joseph Marello - 1890

foreheads with the Holy Chrism and call down the Holy Spirit
upon them, that He may fill them with his many gifts and
imprint in their souls that indelible character that must render
them perfect Christians. The Holy Spirit will infuse in their
hearts that ardent desire to know and observe God's law, and
you, O parents, in those solemn moments you will renew your
resolve to watch over them with every care so that, after your
example, they may always be faithful to that law.
Oh! what holy days we will spend, dearly beloved, in union
with your Pastor if you assist at the holy exercises that the
Church, your Mother, proposes and that we have mentioned
above. If your soul is disposed to receive with filial docility the
counsels and exhortations that we will address to you with
paternal affection in God's name; if you do your part in
rendering efficacious the pastoral ministry that we must
accomplish among you. Pray! From now on let us together raise
a fervent prayer to God so that the Holy Visit may redound
everywhere to His greater glory and the sanctification of souls;
so that none may remain deprived of those spiritual advantages
to which the Visit itself is ordained.
In praying for each other, and for this Diocese, let us not
forget the needs of the Universal Church and let us pray in a
special way for the one who hold its supreme government from
God: for the Holy Father Leo XIII, who has consecrated to it
every thought of his mind, all the affection of his great heart,
and the care of every moment of his life. He has given us a new
proof of this enlightened activity in favor of the Christian people
in the admirable Encyclical: "Of the principal duties of Christian
citizens", which we rejoice in being able to present to you. Oh,
let us pray to the Lord that he may grant us to see his salutary
teachings received everywhere, that the duties of the true
Christian be practiced everywhere.
Let us also pray for our August Sovereign, for the Royal
Family and for the Authorities of the State. Pray also for us,

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