of these two excellently produced little volumes. In the first three chapters the author sets forth the doctrine and theory of the Mass as a sacrifice. Chapter IV. gives, briefly, the history of the Roman Missal. In the next ten chapters the actual liturgy of the Mass is dealt with, part by part. These are followed by a chapter on the Saints and the Mass, and a concluding chapter in which the Roman and the early Gallican rites are compared. There is an excellent index. The treatment throughout can scarcely be considered popular, as the author confesses in the prefatory note to the second volume. But it is thoroughly competent, as the author has long studied the Mass and has written about it at intervals since 1893, when he contributed to the Dublin Review valuable articles on the subject. Pious Meditations. 4. The Crucifix. French by Frances M. Grafton. Ltd. (Price 2s. net.) Translated from the London R. & T. Washbourne, An introduction to this work deals with the history of the Crucifix, the history both of the emblem and of the devotion, and it is only at page 20 of this introduction we learn from a footnote that the author "was chaplain of a hospital at Lycns called Calvary, and necessarily the witness of much physical suffering." The reader will quickly see that the book comes from one who has loved his crucifix and has learned from it wise lessons for the understanding of life, lessons of the power of God and the love of God. It is not a meditation book in the ordinary sense of the word, but rather pious reflections suitable for spiritual reading. The author has a tendency to find in the details of Calvary types and figures of spiritual truths, which reminds one of the manner of some very early spiritual writers; an example will be seen in the five reasons he offers why Mary stands, not kneels like Magdalen, at the foot of the Cross. We notice that the translation is in its second edition, and so must have found favour with many pious souls. 5. A very edifying little peric dical is Emmanuel, the organ of the American Section of the Priests' Eucharistic League and Priests' Communion League, published monthly by the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament, 184 East 76th Street, New York. It is entirely devoted to the Blessed Eucharist, and contains both solid devotional matter and practical suggestions for the spreading of Frequent Communion. The Priest's Eucharistic League requires of its members to spend a continuous hour each week before the Blessed Sacrament, and though not very old, it numbers already over 100,000 members. It appears to have a very strong footing among the priests of the United States. We have seen it stated that the Blessed Curé of Ars was one of its earliest members. 6. It gives us much pleasure to extend a hearty welcome to a new monthly which comes to us from the United States, The Queen's Work (205 North Grand Avenue, St. Louis, Mo.; European subscription, 6s. yearly, post free). The Editor is Father Edward F. Garesché, S.J., who has contributed a number of graceful poems to these pages. It is a magazine for Sodalists of the Blessed Virgin, and it starts accordingly with a host of friends. Its object is to bring Sodalists closer together, to give them new zeal and courage to work for their own greater holiness, the help of others, and the defence of the Church-all of it work that will delight the Queen who is their heavenly Patron. It includes accounts of Sodalities and their activities in varicus parts of the world, suggestions for work, spiritual advice, poems, short stories, and many good illustrations. Judging from this first number, it is going to have a useful and a successful career. Of a very different character in many respects is the first number of another Catholic periodical which has just reached us, and which we also cordially welcome, named The Gazette, a Catholic medical journal, issued by the association of Catholic doctors called the Guild of St. Luke, St. Cosmas, and St. Damian. The headquarters of the Guild appear to be in London, but we see the names of several prominent Irish doctors among its officers. The object of the Guild and of this, its organ, would appear to be the admirable one of representing and voicing the interests and views of the Church where these are concerned with the medical profession, its practice, or teaching. The journal is to appear every six months, and is published by Messrs. Burns and Oates (price sixpence to members of the Guild, and one shilling to non-members). We must say a word about a third periodical, and one that has been warmly received in the IRISH MONTHLY Book Notes before now, Silver Leaves, the bright school magazine of St. Mary's Dominican Convent, Springfield, Wynberg; we could wish we had room for a longer notice, as the present number commemorates the jubilee of the Convent, and tells of how, in 1864, six brave nuns from Cabra went out to face the hardships of a new foundation in far-away South Africa. And there the good seed took root and grew and prospered, for now there are six Dominican convents in the Peninsula, with more than two thousand pupils. Congratulations to Wynberg and to Cabra. 7. Choice. By Mary Samuel Daniel. London: Burns and Oates, Ltd. (Price 2s. 6d. net.) are Here we have a charming story of present-day life in England, telling the fortunes of the Penn family, whom we meet first in their drapery shop in a country town. Before long we come upon the religious problem, the efforts of a soul struggling persons introduced towards the light of truth. The thoroughly natural; they would be singularly pleasant and kindly folk to meet and to know; and there are many delightful little touches of domestic detail. In addition to intimate and sympathetic knowledge of human nature, the authoress shows much skill in her handling of the incidents. The tale is told. with both strength and refinement, and with a clear-cut decision that evidences an excellent judgment; although, we may add, we find the breaks in the narrative a little too abrupt in places. It is a short story, of less than 200 pages, but there is promise in it that the present fine achievement may be a step towards bigger and stronger work. The authoress is a very welcome addition to the ranks of high-class Catholic novelists. 8. Altar Flowers and How to Grow Them. By Herbert Jones. London R. & T. Washbourne, Ltd. (Price 2s. 6d. net.) : All who "love the beauty of God's House," and especially the altar-" the place where His glory dwelleth "-will have a welcome for this beautifully brought-out book. The author treats of white flowers only, symbols, as they are, of that purity God looks for from His chosen servants. All flowers, of whatever colour, have their charm and meaning, no doubt. Nevertheless, we can well understand why the author has chosen to confine himself to those that are white. In some parts of France, at least, yellow flowers are looked on as symbols of tepidity; why, we do not know. Convent sacristans and gardeners will, we presume, give this volume a warm welcome, as it gives full information with regard to the culture of the various flowers treated of. The quotation from Father Faber at the beginning of the work is apt and beautiful. 9. The current Carlovian might well be called a "J.K.L." number, it deals so fully with Dr. Doyle, the great Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, and lofty-minded patriot who wrote over these initials. It contains reproductions of two fine portraits of him, one by Haverty and one by Mulrenin, as well as views of his cathedral and of the beautiful monument to him by Hogan; and excellent illustrations they all are. The letterpress furnishes a very substantial account of his life, running to nearly thirty pages, besides an interesting account of the cathedral and monument, and two unpublished MSS. from his pen. Dr. Phelan, the Bishop of Sale, wrote of the first number of the Carlovian that "it approached much nearer the high literary standard of, say, the Dublin Review, than any ordinary College Annual." Readers will find that the tradition so well inaugurated has been maintained. Dr. Phelan himself contributes an article on the Irish Missionary Priest; B. O'Donovan deals with George Bernard Shaw; and an unsigned critique of D. G. Rossetti may be safely attributed to the refined pen of W. A. B. The editor notes with pride that the contribution in Irish was handed in by the student who is junior of the whole College. 10. From the Magdala Company, 39 Vesey Street, New York, we have received a booklet which will probably be the means of bringing many a soul to heaven who would not otherwise have got there, Instructions for Fishers of Souls, by Katherine F. Mullany. It is meant primarily for women in the world who are willing to lend a hand to the priests entrusted with the divine work of saving souls; and within twenty-five pages it furnishes many shrewd and practical hints on how to practise this delicate art of fishing for souls. From the same press and by the same skilful authoress are two other books which we can recommend, Miriam of Magdala, a graphic study of St. Mary Magdalen, told somewhat after the fashion of a story, in which the scenes of her life, as we find them in the New Testament, are reconstructed with vivid picturesqueness, and with an appealing depth of feeling; and Our Little King, an exquisitely produced booklet, telling with simple charm of the childhood of Christ and containing some excellent reproductions of famous paintings. It numbers some fifty pages, while the preceding work, which is in cloth, has twice as many; both are in their fourth edition. 11. Synopsis of the Rubrics and Ceremonies of Holy Mass. By the Rev. William Doyle, S.J. London: R. & T. Washbourne, Ltd. (Price 6d. net.) This booklet will prove useful and popular in seminaries and wherever students are preparing to receive the sublime grace of Ordination. Many priests, too, will find it a convenient little manual to have at hand. The directions are given very briefly and clearly, and are arranged in excellent order. THE IRISH MONTHLY AUGUST, 1914 THE CENTENARY OF THE RESTORED An acorn fell from a sturdy oak Over its sire the rude storm broke, And, charred to the root by the lightning stroke, His glory was laid low; But the sapling grew and upreared its head That old oak's might had enriched the sod, Fair to the eyes of all who trod Life's darkening glades by the truth of God; The names of lovers, a goodly roll, HREE times in the course of its militant and chequered TH history the Society of Jesus has met to celebrate the centenary of its first foundation. In the year 1640, when the world was astir with the wonders of Paraguay and the martyrdom in Japan, the Jesuits from the far-flung missions in East and West joyously recalled the official sanction given to the Order by Pope Paul III. Another hundred years went by, bright with great conquests in Canada and Pekin, but dark with the grim forebodings of that relentless war which the Bourbon Courts were waging against the Holy See. What followed is, perhaps, unparalleled in the history of religious Orders it is undoubtedly the most eventful in the life of the Society. We will tell that story now, and then it will be more easily understood why the August of this year calls forth from the present generation a train of far deeper thoughts than the commemoration of 1840 could possibly have aroused. VOL. XLII.-No. 494 29 |