Nihil Obstat.
Fr. OSMUND, O.F.M., Censor Deputatus.
Imprimatur. * GULIELMUS, EPISCOPUS ARINDELENSIS, Vicarius Generalis.
WESTMOSASTERII, die 13 Maii, 1908.
CATECHISM ON MODERNISM – CONTENTS of CATHECISM
ACCORDING TO THE ENCYCLICAL
“PASCENDI DOMINICI GREGIS” OF HIS HOLINESS, PIUS X.
FROM THE FRENCH OF
FATHER J. B. LEMIUS (OBLATE OF MARY IMMACULATE)
BY FATHER JOHN FITZPATRICK (OF THE SAME CONGREGATION)
AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION
R & T. WASHBOURNE, LTD.
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AND 248 BUCHANAN STREET, GLASGOW
DENZIGER BROS: NEW YORK, CINCINNATI AND CHICAGO 1908
LETTER OF HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL MERRY DEL VAL TO THE AUTHOR
(TRANSLATION)
IT is a pleasure to me to have to address to you, in the Sovereign Pontiff s name, high praise and the expression of his most lively satisfaction on the occasion of my presenting to him your splendid little work entitled ‘Catechism on Modernism, according to the Encyclical ” Pascendi Dominici Gregis.”’
The character of the Pontifical document and the nature of the errors therein condemned were of a kind to render difficult the prompt and complete understanding, in all its slightest details, of that most important Encyclical; I mean, for the less cultured classes, who are strangers to the progress of doctrines, true or false, and for those also who, unfortunately, too prone to give access to errors, especially when such are set before them under the false appearances of science, are not sufficiently alert to understand as readily the cause of the evil.
This is why you have performed a task of singular utility in reducing to its component parts the aforesaid document, in the simple yet connected manner of your Catechism, thus fitting it to the capacities of the least cultivated minds.
His Holiness rejoices at the talented and fruitful labour you have accomplished, and, commending you also on the further ground of keeping close to the very letter of the Encyclical, he expresses the hope that the result of your most opportune study will be widely diffused, and he heartily grants you the Apostolic Benediction.
And I, in my turn, having made to you this communication, thank you for the copy of the booklet in question which you have so kindly presented to me, and I renew the expression of the sentiments of profound esteem with which I am your most affectionate servant,
R. CARD. MERRY DEL VAL.
ROME,
December 14, 1907.
LETTER TO THE TRANSLATOR
(ORIGINAL)
DEAR REV. FATHER,
It is with much pleasure that I congratulate you, in the name of the Holy Father, on having translated into English the Catechism on Modernism, according to the Encyclical ” Pascendi Dominici Gregis,” by Father Lemius, O.M.I. His Holiness has, as you are aware, graciously deigned to express the highest praise of Fr. Lemius’s work, which renders the meaning of the Encyclical clearer than it might otherwise be to those who are not familiar with the subject of which it treats; and you have rendered an important service in doing the Catechism into English, and so placing it within the reach of the English-speaking world.
In the hope that your labours will bear much fruit, and in token of his goodwill, the Holy Father gladly grants you the Apostolic Benediction.
Believe me, dear Rev. Father,
Your devoted servant in Christ,
R. CARD. MERRY DEL VAL.
ROME, March 6, 1908.