The Catholic times. [volume], January 23, 1953, Image 1

About The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current

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VOL. II, No. 17
To the Reverend Clergy, Religious,
and Faithful of the Diocese of Columbus.
My beloved Brethren:
Official
On January 6, 1953, the gloriously reigning Sovereign Pon
tiff, Pope Pius XII, issued the Apostolic Constitution, "Christus
Dominus," in which he instituted new laws governing the Eu
charistic fast and established the regulations for evening Masses.
"It should be noted," the Holy Father stated, "that the times
in which we live and their peculiar conditions have brought
many modifications in the habits of society and in the activities
of common life. Out of these there may arise serious difficulties
which could keep men from partaking of the divine mysteries if
the law of the Eucharist fast is to be observed in the way in
which it had to be observed up to the present time." These
new laws and regulations became effective January 16, 1953.
I recall to your minds, beloved Brethren, with the issuance
of this Constitution by Pope Pius the words of the beautiful
Eucharistic prayer by Saint Thomas Aquinas: "Let it be unto me
an armor of faith and a shield of good purpose, a riddance of all
vices, and a rooting out of all evil desires an increase of love
and patience, of humility and obedience, and of all virtues a
firm defense against the wiles of all my enemies, visible and
invisible a perfect quieting of all my impulses, fleshly and spir
itual a cleaving unto Thee, the one true God and a blessed
consummation of my end when Thou dost call." These are days
of mortal combat when the persistent forces of the world, the
flesh and the devil are daily endangering the salvation of our
souls. The Holy Father, therefore, takes this opportunity to
mrke possible a wider participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass and reception of Holy Communion.
In relaxing the laws of the Eucharistic fast observed to the
present time, the Sovereign Pontiff "still wishes through this
Apostolic Letter to confirm the supreme force of the law and
custom dealing with the Eucharistic fast and wishes also to
admonish those who are able to observe that same law that
they should continue diligently to observe it, so that only those
who need these concessions can enjoy them according to the
nature of their need." For the most part, the devoted laity of
this Diocese will not be affected by the new regulations. They
will remain faithful *o the long established practic of fasting
from midnight as long as their lives seem normal and un
changed.
However, in the future it shall be a general and common
principle for all Catholics that natural water does not break
the Eucharistic fast. Water may be taken anv time before the
Holy Eucharist.
In addition to the principle enunciated above which applies
generally and without distinction to all Catholics, the Constitu
tion contains provisions which are applicable to persons in
special circumstances.
Sick people, on the advice of a confessor, may take nour
ishing, non-alcohol liquids anytime before receiving Holy Com
munion if fasting causes them a real inconvenience. They need
not be confined to bed nor to their homes to avail themselves of
this dispensation. Sick people may likewise take medicine in solid
or liquid form anytime before receiving the Sacrament if it is
recommended by a physician or commonly recognized as a
medicine. Such medicine may not be alcoholic.
I wish to emphasize, beloved Brethren, that individual per
sons may not judge their own case. It must be submitted to the
prudent judgment of a confessor and his permission must be
received to use this permission pertaining to the sick. Any priest
who has faculties to hear confessions in the Diocese of Co
lumbus may be approached on this matter in the confessional
1 or consulted privately outside the confessional. Once permis
sion is given it continues as long as the condition of the sick
person perdures.
Furthermore, lay people who are not sick but find fasting a
grave inconvenience due to some serious difficulty may take
liquid nourishment before receiving Holy Communion. The
Aoostolic Constitution is careful to specify the serious difficulty
which would exempt a person from the Eucharistic fast.
1) Anyone engaged in debilitating or tiring v^ork. In this class
are factory laborers, transport workers or workers in other
public utilities employed in day and night shifts those who
must stay awake during the night out of duty or charity,
such as nurses, night watchmen, etc. pregnant women and
mothers of families who must spend a long time at their
household duties before they can go to church.
2) Those who can receive Holy Communion only at a late hour
because of the impossibility of having an early Mass in their
area .hildren who wish to receive Holy Communion before
going to school and would find it too difficult to return
home and have breakfast in the brief interval.
3) One who must travel a considerable distance to go to church.
If any one of these conditions is present, a person may take
liquid nourishment, excluding all alcoholic beverages, before
receiving Holy Communion. However, the Eucharistic fast must
be observed in the use of such liquids at least one hour before
the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. Again, it must be care
fully noted that this permission is given only on the consent
of a confessor after he has prudently judged the individual
case. It is granted as long as the grave inconvenience continues.
This recent Constitution of Pope Pius XII states: "All other
privileges and faculties, in whatever way they may have been
granted by the Holy See, are abolished." In the past few years,
relaxations of the Eucharist fast have been granted to individuals
suffering from sickness or engaged in energy-sapping work.
These privileges are no longer in effect and all persons who
consider themselves subject to the new laws governing the
Eucharistic fast must submit their case to a confessor of their
choice.
According to the Constitution, Bishops are granted the right
te permit the celebration of Mass in the evening when circum
stances make it necessary. In this Diocese at present there is no
.urgency for the celebration of evening Masses.
I add one further point. The matter of the Apostolic Consti
tution pertains only to the Eucharistic fast. It has no reference to
the laws of fast and abstinence which bind the Faithful on Fri
days and during the Season of Lent, Ember Days, etc.
The promulgation of these new laws are a narked change
in the discipline of the Church. However, I am confident that
the devoted people of the Diocese will accept them in the spirit
in which the privilege was granted by the Holy Father. "Those
who may enjoy the new dispensations granted in this matter,"
says the Sovereign Pontiff, "should raise fervent prayers to
heaven to adore God, to thank Him, and especially to expiate
for sins and beg Him for new heavenly aid. Since all must rec
ognize that the Eucharist 'has been instituted as the permanent
memoria’ of the Passion,' let them from their hearts elicit those
sentiments of Christian humility and Christian patience which
meditation on the sufferings and death of our Divine Redeemer
must arouse."
Petitioning an increase of God's blessings on this Church of
Columbus through a deeper and more fervent devotion to the
Most Blessed Eucharist.
January 21, 1953
Devotedly in Christ,
MICHAEL J. READY
Bishop of Columbus
Thia letter is to be read at all the Masses in the churches and
chapels of the Diocese en Sunday, January 25th, 1953.
A MINK
NEWSPAPER DIVISION
OHIO STATE MUSEUM
HP C0LUM3’JS 10 OHIO
Diocese Set
To Observe
Bible Week
In conjunction with the na
tional celebration o Bible
Week, February 1 to 8. Bishop
[Ready announced this week
completed plans for the obser
vance throughout the Diocese.
The local committee under the
chairmanship of the Rev.
George Wolz. S.T.D., professor
of Sacred Scripture at St. Charles
Seminary, has outlined plans to
have the observance highlighted by
the formation in each parish of a
new discussion ciub to study tfie
life of Christ based on the account
in the Gospel of St J.uke. The clubs
will be under the auspices of the
Parish Councils ol Catholic Wom
en.
Throughout the country more
than 50,000 posters have been dis
tributed with kits to all U. S. par
ishes, colleges, information centers,
diocesan Bible Week Chairmen and
directors of the Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine, The local of
fice of the Confraternity is supply
ing all necessary materials to be
used in the forming of the new
study clubs, it was announced by
the Director, the Rev. James Kulp.
According to the National Office
of the Confraternity in Washing
ton the Diocese of Columbus was
one of the first in the country to
register for participation in the
second annual celebration of Bible
Week. It is also one of the two
Dioceses in the country to have
formed a committee of the clergy
and laity to stimulate the local ob
servance.
Aiding Father Wolz, the Chair
man. in planning the local celebra
tion were the Rev. Maurice Hofer
of the Pontifical College Josephin
um the Rev. James Kulp, Dioces
an Director of the Propagation of
the Faith Mr. Ralph Kramer, Re
treat Chairman. Holy Name Soci
ety: Mrs. Frank Vogel, Religious
Activities Chairman. DCCW, and
Mr. Robert Hill. President of the
Catholic Youth Organization.
-------------------o-------------------
Tito Scorned
Note, Vatican
Paper Asserts
VATICAN CITY—(Radio, NC)—
The Vatican City paper. Osserva
tore Romano, has repeated its
statement that the recent Vatican
note to Yugoslavia was returned
unopened. A Belgrade official had
termed the original report “pure
invention.”
Osservatore countered by saying
that the note had been delivered
to the Yugoslav foreign office with
an accompanying letter. “Some
hours later, however.” the paper
continued, “the document and let
ter were returned, and the seal
w'hich had closed the sealed enve
lope appeared original.”
Osservatore declared that “we
believe therefore that prescinding
from possible mental reservations,
the truth about (he facts is suffi
ciently clear.”
'■’Sr
1 he eatholic limes
Columbus 16, Ohio, Friday, January 23, 1953
Official Bible Week Poster
’“•HOLY
"That the faithfvl of the United States...will give them
selves in increasing numbers to a more frequent reading
of the Bible...is our fervent and confident trust../*
Some 50,000 copies of this poster issued to publicize the annual
Catholic Bible Week, February 1-8, have been sent along with Bible
Week kits to all parishes in the United States. Part of the script is an
exhortation by Pope Pius XII for increased Bible reading by U. S.
Catholics in his letter of blessing issued for the special Gutenberg
Bible Week celebrated last fall. (NC Photos)
Text Of Holy Father’s
Discipline Concerning
The Eucharistic Fast
The Apostolic Constitution
Of His Holiness
Pope Pius XII
Concerning The Discipline To Be Observed
With Respect To The Eucharistic Fast
Pius, Bishop,
deemer wished to substitute, in
place of this final Passover cere
mony in which a lamb was eaten
according to the rite of the He
brews, a new' Pasch which would
endure until the end of the world,
that is. the eating of the Immacu
late Lamb who was to be immolat
ed for the life of the world. Thus
the new Pasch of the new law' put
an end to the old Passover and the
truth emerged from the shadow
Invested As Monsignor
/t
fa
‘Jr
The Rev. Paul A. Gieringer (left), Rector of the Pontifical Col
'lege Josephinum, Worthington, wa* invested with the robes of Right
Reverend Monsignor last Sunday by Bishop Ready. Msgr. Gieringer
was elevated to the renk of Domestic Prelate six weeks ago by
Pope Pius XII.
Msgr. Gieringer was named rector of the 64 year old Jose
phinum—which is directly subject to the Holy See—last August.
He succeeded the Very Rev. Msgr. Adrian F. Brandehoff, J.C.L.,
who resigned because of ill health. Until his installation as rector,
Msgr. Gieringer was pastor of St. Anthony of Padua church, Lan
caster, Pa.
1 PT^
IBLE
TREASURE OF THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH
CATHOLIC
BIBLE WEEK
FEB. IS to FEB. 8™
The men also gave an enthusias
tic reception to an address by
James Fitzgerald, secretary of the
St. Vincent de Paul Society of the
Archdiocese of Detroit, who spoke
on The Retreat and Nothing Else.”
Termed by older members as the
most successful in the Leagues
history, the meeting presented re
ports showing that the number of
men making retreats soared from
475 in 1951 to 590 last year.
The Rev. Edward Healey, dioces
an director of retreats, announced
that even greater things are plan
ned for the coming year, among
them some mid-week retreats in
August, and the first of several re
treats of I
I
Servant Of The Servants Of God
For An Everlasting Remembrance
Christ the Lord “on the night in which He was betrayed”
(I Cor 11:23) when for the last time He kept the Pasch of thel The sixth annual Critic’s
old law, after He had supped (cf. Luke, 22:20) gave bread tolForum, aimed at presenting
His disciples, saying: “This is My Body which shall be given up I Catholic thought on the dav's
for you” (I Cor 11.24): and He likewise presented the chalice I best sellers wi)I open Thurs.
to them saying: This is my blood of the new covenant, which|day Feb 26 in the Little
is beinff shed for many I Mat t. 26:28), “Do this in remem-|The'atrc of the Columbus Gall
brance of me (cf. I Cor. 11:24 ). From these passages out oflerv of Fine Arts with a review
Holy Scripture it is completely obvious that our Divine Re-1 by Frank J. Sheed. author, lec-
(cf. the Hymn “Lauda Sion in theland
Roman Missal).
Next week's Times will car
ry the complete instruction of
the Sacred Congregation of the
Holy Office on the discipline to
be observed with reference to
the Eucharistic Fast.
red only by those who are fast
g’’ Cone. Hipp., can. 28: Mansi,
f, 923). Shortly afterwards, in
e year 397, the Third Council of
irthage issued this same com
and, using the very same words
'one. Carth, III, cap. 29: Mans?.
[. 885). At the beginning of the
‘th century this custom can be
lied quite common and imme
orial. Hence St. Augustine ai
ms that the Holy Eucharist is
ways received by people who are
sting and likewise that this cus
is observed throughout the en
re world (cf. St. Augustine. Ep.
Ad Jan., cap. 6 Mtgne, PL, 33,
Doubtless this way of doing
hings was based upon very serious
easons, among which there can be
nentioned first of all the one the
kpostle of the Gentiles deplores
vhen he is dealing with the bro
herly love-feast of the Christians
cf. I Cor., 11:21 ff ). Abstinence
from food
with that
owe to the
sus Christ
receive Him hidden under the veils!
of the Eucharist. And moreover,
when we receive His precious
Body and Blood before we take any
food, we show clearly that this is
the first and loftiest nourishment
(Continued on Page 10)
and drink is in accord
supreme reverence we
supreme majesty of Je
when we are going to
iigh school seniors,
plaque honoring the
specJal
A
Rev. John Eygrman, former direc
tor, was announced by Frank Vo
gel, chairman of the committee in
charge TJie plaque was given in
testimony’of the esteem of the men
for Father Eyerman because of his
interest in the League and his co
operation during the years 1949-51.
Presiding at the meeting follow
ing the dinner was Cornelius Tra
cy. president of the League. Chair
man of arrangements for the din
Iner was Anthony E. Fernandez.
I
while James F. Charles, newly
I
named coordinator of retreats, was
chairman of the speakers commit
I tee.
I
Members of the board of direc-
I
tors for the coming year include.
Originated
From the very earliest time thel The Critics’
custom was observed of administer-1 become a national institution, was
■ng the Eucharist to the faithful I originated in Washington in March.
ho were fasting (cf. Pope Bene-1 1940 by the’Right Rev Msgr. John
ict XIV, De synodo diocesar.o. 6.1 K Cartwright rector of St. Mat
ap. 8, n. 10). Towards the end of I thew’s Cathedral, and was intro
ie fourth century fasting was pre-1 duced to Columbus in February,
ribed by many Councils for those 1 1948 at the invitation of Bishop
ho w ere going to celebrate thel Ready.
lucharistic Sacrifice. So it was1
lat the Council of Hippo in thel this season s series will be an
ear 393 issued this decree: “Thel nounced later by Mrs. Richard K.
acrament of the altar shall be of-| Chubb. 456 Richards road, chan
man of the 1953 program.
Catholic Press Sunday
To Be Observed Feb. 1
Men Of Strong, Devoted Faith
Needed, Retreat Leaguers Told
Bishop Reach, Addressing men's Retreat Group,
Stresses Value Of Opportunities Of Retreats
These are days which call for
men of strong and devoted faith,
Bishop Ready told more than 200
delegates to the annual dinner
meeting of the Diocesan Laymen's
Retreat League held last Sunday
evening at the Virginia Hotel Co
lumbus.
besides Bishop Ready and Father
Healey, the officers and represent
atives from all the diocesan dean
eries. Other officers assisting Mr.
Tracy are Dr James Parker. Dela
ware. vice-president and James
Lingo and Ralph Kramer, both of
Columbus, treasurer and secretary
respectively
New Representatives
Deanery representative- elected
to the board are John Gannon
Roscoe, northern deanery Leo
Shonebarger. Lancaster, eastern
Francis Cassidy. Portsmouth, south
ern Henry Rohr Marysville, west
ern, and Lee Malone
Leo Kletzly and Al
of Columbus, central
Sixth Critic's Forum To Open
With Review By Frank Sheet!
k
Iturer and founder of Sheed
Ward publishers.
I
Two other lecturers will also ap-
But since the cun joining of the I pear in this year’s series sponsored
two suppers w as so arranged as to I by the Columbus Circle of the In
signify the transfer from the old I ternational Federation of Catholic
Pasch to the new it is easy to I Alumnae. They are the Rev. George
see why the Church, in renewing I Wolz, S.T.D., of St Charles college,
the Eucharistic Sacrifice at thelColumbus, and the Very Rev. Ig
command of the Divine Redeemer natius Smith. OP.. Dean of the
and in commemoration of Him,I School of Philosophy at the Catho
could depart from the custom of I lie University
the ancient love-feast and intro-1 ington, D.C.
duce the Eucharistic fast.
I
of America, Wash-
In Washington
Forum, which has
Books which will be reviewed at
Mr. Sheed, speaker at the first
forum, will be remembered in Co
lumbus for his appearance at last
year's series, where he reviewed
Graham Greene's novel. End of the
Cathol
Jerry Walsh.
De Mers, all
guests at the
Among the special
dinner was the Rev Louis Weitz
man, S.J., of Xavier University.
Cincinnati, representing the Jesuit
Retreat Masters who have conduct
ed many of the retreats at the
Shrine of the Little Flower.
In his address Bishop Ready paid
tribute to the parishes which con
tributed to the increase in numbers
from outside Columbus, giving spe
cial mention to St. Mary s. Lan
caster. He expressed deep appre
ciation for the work accomplished
by the League and stressed the val
ue of the opportunity which a re
treat offers for considering in soli
tude the eternal truths of our faith.
In his talk Mr. Fitzgerald at
tempted to limit himself to answer
ing the question. “But what in the
world do you do on retreat?’’ "I
take that topic to call for a consid
eration of the individual retreat
ants spiritual life during retreat
and after.' he said. “I take it to re
fer to the individual as distinct
(Continued on Page 2)
Affair. He himself is author of
several bdoks. including Theology
and Sanity. Communism and Man,
and the translator of a dozen
works, including St. Augustine s
Confessions.
Equally Renowned
The other two contributors to
this years forum—Father Wolz
and Father Smith are equally
well-known. Fr. Wolz. admired in
Columbus for his many contribu
tions to Catholic education and cul
ture. is remembered for his review
at the Critics’ Forum two years
ago.
Father Smith is perhaps best
known for his radio talks on the
nation-wide program “The Catholic
Hour.” Because of his exceptional
ability, he is much in demand as a
public speaker by Catholics and
non-Catholics alike.
Season tickets for the Forum are
available at the Cathedral
Shop, 205 E. Broad street,
from the Cathedral, and
I.F.C.A. members
the Catholic press
helps good families
GROW BE'FTER
The Catholic Time*
In Every
Catholic Flomc
Price Ton Cents $3.00 A Year
Subscription
Drive For imes
is hop Ready announced
this week that in cooperation
with the Catholic Press in Am
erica, the Columbus Diocese
would observe Catholic Press
Sunday on Sunday, Feb. 1. in
all of the churches of the dio
cese.
Meanwhile, Pastors, schools,
and institutions in the diocese
have received posters, data on
the Catholic press, sermon ma
terial. and playlet* for grade and
high school students.
Press Sunday, besides calling
particular attention to the reading
of and subscribing to Catholic news,
prners and magazines is a dav set
a*ide each vear for Catholics of the
diocese to renew their subscription
to their Catholic Times, their own
diocesan newspaper.
The subscription price for the
Times remains at S3 per year de
spite
other
In
Book
across
from
Committee Members
Committee members for the se
ries include Miss Mary Loretto
Zuber, Miss Sylvia Lane.
Ernest R. Christin. Mrs. John
son, Mrs. Thomas Brosmer
Mrs. Roger L. Swepston.
CATHOLIC MONTH
cost of
papers,
ohserv
NC re-
the continual rise in
Catholic and secular
preparation for the
of Press Month, the
a nee
leaded the following:
Catholic publications present
news and views in their proper
setting, and readers of the Catholic
press are fortunate in having this
well rounded journalism
This is the point he wishes to em
phasize, Bishop Thomas K. Gor
man says in issuing a call for the
observance of February as Catholic
Press Month.
The Coadjutor Bishop of Dallas,
who is Episcopal Chairman of the
Pre-.- Department National Catho
lic Welfare Conference, declared
there is an “anti-intellectual cli
mate” which is victimizing “far too
many journalists.'’ “Indifference to
ultimate values, even to the extent
of denying their existence,
uncommon,” he adds.
is not
Bishop
is too
In a newspaper, the
states, a reported incident
often dehbei ately permitted to
stand alone.’’ ignoring the fact that
it has “a relationship to something
or somebody else, an influence for
good or ill upon the community.”
And. he continues, “nothing is com
moner the press, or in conver
sation for that matter, than the re
tailing of opinion with little or no
relation to any ordered system of
thought.”
Bishop Gorman urges the read
ing of Catholic newspapers, maga
zines and reviews to get “news set
sanely upon a fully peopled and fit
ted stage against the complete
backdrop of history.” “There, too.”
he says, you will find views pre
sented in undistorted relation to
the truths of reason and revela
tion.”
“In this journalistic world of
views in a vacuum.” Bishop Gor
man asserts, “the function of the
Catholic journalist should be strik
ingly evident the service he must
render to his readers clear. His
opinions, his views, his judgments
have their roots not only in experi
ence but in reason and revelation.
(Continued on Page 2)
Portuguese Bishop Named
Mrs
Hut
and
Mrs. Herbert McDonald is regent
of the Columbus Circle. I.F.C.A.
The Rev. Bennett C. Applegate, Di
ocesan Superintendent of Schools,
is moderator.
le Press Month
LISBON (NC) The Portu
guese Provincial of the Missionary
Congregation of the Holy Ghost has
been named by the Holy See to be
Bishop of Portalegre. He is Fath
er Agostinho de Moura, who will
be consecrated on February 2
Candlemas Day and the centenary
of the death of the Venerble Fran
cis Libermann. founder of the con
gregation.
Poster
"Th« Catholic press helps good
families grow better," is the
theme of the Catholic Press
Month poster issued by the Ca
tholic Press Association of the
United States and Canada. Febru
ary will be observed as Catholic
Press Month In most dioceses.)
(NC Photos)