A sermon preached by the Rev. A. O'Connell, P.P. on the 19th September 1842, on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the establishment in Ireland of the Association for the Propagation of the Faith

Abstract

To the members of the Association for The Propagation of the Faith

In obedience to the wishes, so kindly, but too flatteringly, expressed by the Central Committee of the Irish branch of the Association for the Propagation of the Faith, I take the liberty of most respectfully presenting to you, the Sermon preached on the celebration of the fourth anniversary of the institution of this Society in Ireland, to which I have added some extracts from the Annals, by the reading of which, although deeply interesting in themselves, I could not presume to detain my congregation on the occasion of that address. May I hope that the statement of facts made in this discourse, may tend to fix, more generally, public attention on the objects of this Association; and, at the same time, encourage to perseverance and increased ardour, those already engaged in this noble, this truly Catholic, effort, by which you become cooperators with those disinterested missionaries, who preach the true Catholic doctrine in the most distant countries of the earth, empowered as they are by the command, and encouraged by the promise, of their Divine Master. A few hundreds of pounds more, and Ireland will be the second amongst the subscribers of the universe to this

grand work. Let us make the necessary exertion, and hold that place on this great Catholic roll, which our acknowledged fidelity, amid trial and persecution, to the faith once handed down to us, should award; let us make some further sacrifice; but above all, let us recollect, that by means of this Association alone, can the work of the ministry in foreign countries be effectually and permanently sustained.

I remain, Yours faithfully, A. O'Connell