Page:Pastoral letter of the first National Council of the United States - held in Baltimore in May, 1852 (IA PastoralLetter1852).pdf/5



Venerable Brethren of the Clergy,

{{sc|Assembled in National Council, under the sanction of Our Most Holy Father, Pius IX, we find no duty more imperative, and, at the same time, more agreeable to our feelings, than to address the flock committed to our care. The attachment to the doctrines and practices of Our Holy Religion which characterizes the Catholics of the United States; the docility and obedience which they have uniformly manifested; the cordial union which, notwithstanding the diversity of origin, customs and language, reigns throughout the whole Catholic Body in this vast country; their general fervor and devotedness in the exercise of the virtues of the Gospel, fill our hearts with joy, and more than compensate us for the cares and solicitudes of the pastoral office. We are able to adopt the words of the apostle: "Our mouth is open to you,—our heart is enlarged." "Great is our confidence for you; great is our glorying for you. We are filled with comfort: We exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulation." {{nop}} {{smallrefs}}