ASSOCIATION OF ST. PETER'S PENCE, DUBLIN.

This association was founded in the end of the year 1861, by the pious Catholics of Dublin, for the purpose of aiding the Pope in the distress and difficulties to which he has been reduced by the perfidy and violence of the Sardinian Government and other enemies of the Church of God.

Since its foundation, three years ago, this association has forwarded to Rome the sums of which we publish the annexed account. In a preceding collection, made on the first Sunday of Lent, 1861, about eighteen thousand pounds were contributed in Dublin, to which we do not refer on the present occasion.

All we shall now say is, that the generosity of the faithful of Dublin, and their anxiety to assist the Pope, supply the best proofs of the vitality and strength of their faith.

The Pope is the common father of all, the Chief Pastor of the Church of God, the Vicegerent of Christ, the inheritor of the dignity and office of St. Peter. He is the servant of the servants of God, obliged to toil incessantly for the welfare of the Church and the salvation of souls. Were the benign influence of the Popes destroyed, the Church would split into factions, and unity and Catholicity would cease to distinguish it.

Whilst the successor of St. Peter has the claims of a father and of a pastor, and so many other claims on his children and spiritual subjects, those who look with indifference on his afflictions or who rejoice when he is plundered by his enemies, are liable to the charge of want of filial affection, of gratitude, and indeed of a proper spirit of religion.

It is a consolation to know that the Catholics of almost every country and every diocese of the world have proved themselves worthy of their calling, and made great exertions to relieve the Pope. France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, and even the oppressed and persecuted Catholics of Sardinia, have done their duty most nobly. The consequence is, that by the aid of the alms of the faithful, the Pope is able to meet his engagements, and continue uninterruptedly the administration of the affairs of the Universal Church. And he is powerful in his weakness. At the same time, the excommunicated King of Sardinia and his ministers, notwithstanding the robberies they have committed, find their hands and their treasury quite empty, and must soon terminate in a state of public bankruptcy.

It is evident that our Divine Redeemer watches over the Holy See, and defeats all the assaults of the powers of darkness that are directed against it. It is Heaven that inspires the Catholics of the world to institute associations for the relief of the Vicar of Christ on earth, and to aid in bringing about the triumph of truth over error, and of light over darkness. Ireland, we trust, will always be ready to assist the good cause even from the depths of her poverty. The few who sneer at the sufferings of their father, and refuse him sympathy and relief, are unworthy of the name of Irish Catholics; they are degenerate children of forefathers who died rather than renounce their attachment to the See of Peter.

1861— December 26th, £180 0 0

1862— February 19th, 100 0 0

February 26th, 30 0 0

March 26th, 100 0 0

May 19th, 200 0 0

July 28th, 200 0 0

August 9th, 500 0 0

September 4th, 500 0 0

November 14th, 120 0 0

November 28th, 30 0 0

1863— March 9th, 150 0 0

May 13th, 150 0 0

May 29th, 50 0 0

July 15th, 700 0 0

July 29th, 500 0 0

November 26th, 300 0 0

1864— April 14th, 200 0 0

July 27th, 1000 0 0

November 8th, 350 0 0

£5,460 0 0