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Rome, The Pope and
The Church
WELCOME PUBLICATION
"Angelic Shepherd," the title of an illustrated biok, published at 5/-, by the Capuchin Annual Office, will provide interesting material for reading and study in this year, when the eyes of the world turn to Rome and to the reigning Pope. It combines a life-story of the present Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, with a good deal of information about Rome. The publishers justifiably think that a big effort should be made to have the book in the hands of every priest, editor, teacher, worker, employer, to whose notice it is brought.
Monsignor Eugenio Pacelli, the ablest Nuncio in the Vatican Diplomatic Corps, was the man who drew the hatred of the Nazis when he was in Germany for his fearless refusal to be moved by cajolery or intimidation. There are frequent proofs that his courage was accompanied by extraordinary mental astuteness that left the Nazi regime helpless.
His early life as student and young priest is, in its own way, as interesting as the career which made of world-wide fame, even before he was elected Pope. He has qualities of mind and heart that make him rank among the great men of history.
"Angelic Shepherd" is profusely illustrated. Any purchaser will be delighted with it, and will find difficulty in laying it aside. The price, 5/-, is barely the cost of production.

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ANGELIC SHEPHERD
We have received a copy of Angelic Shepherd, a biography of His Holiness Pope Pius XII by Father Senan, O.F.M.Cap.
L'Osservatore Romano, reviewing the current issue of The Capuchin Annual, mentioned especially the contribution by Father Senan on His Holiness, noting the "lucid documentation" and the "rich and com-
prehensive series of photographic reproductions illustrating the life of His Holiness Pope Pius XII from his childhood down to the present day, with special reference to Holy Year activities."
This material is now beautifully produced in book form by the Capuchin Annual Office at 5/-. It is a book that will be treasured as a special memento of the Holy Year.

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Books of the Week
The Pontificate of Pope Pius XII
DURING this Holy Year, millions of Catholics, including thousands of our countrymen, will see the Holy Father. Not even the incomparable beauties of the Eternal City or the majesty of St. Peter's will recompense if the pilgrim does not experience the profoundly moving experience of seeing and hearing the Father of Christendom; of being stirred to the very depths as the Pope opens wide his arms in a great embrace, as if he would enfold the whole world, to bless them in a tremendous gesture of that charity and love of Him whose earthly Vicar he is.
The personality of the Pope; the greatness of his Pontificate; the sublime dignity of his office as Shepherd of the Catholic world, have each been written about recently in several books. But, unhesitatingly, we feel that in this beautiful book* no better insight into the Holy Father's life and influence has been published.
TO a number of perfectly produced illustrations, many of them unique, Father Senan has added a warm, human commentary and thereby created a perfect Papal mosaic.
The spirit of Pope Pius's Pontificate is here as well as its history. As manifested in his Encyclicals, we are shown the Workers, the Pope with an understanding love for the poor and down-trodden. The stern defender of Christian marriage is here as well as the Pope with an all-embracing charity for the war's most poignant victims, the displaced persons; a charity that knew no barriers or distinction, either religious or material.
The Holy Father's untiring solicitude for the spiritual welfare of "those numerous brethren who are separated from Us" is also underlined, together with his condemnation of anti-Semitism as a violation of Christian charity.
To lend emphasis to these individual portraits of the Holy Father, Father Senan quotes appositely from the Encyclicals.
THIS is a pointed book, because Father Senan reveals to the reader the vital power of the Papacy and the vital yearning of an angelic priest and pastor, a man of prayer and burning charity, eager to give himself to his children, whose beloved Father he is.
If you would know more of the Pope and the Papacy, buy this book at five shillings. It is a truly marvellous production.
*Angelic Shepherd. By Father Senan, O.F.M.Cap. (Capuchin Annual Office, Dublin. 5s.)
T.

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THE PRESENT
POPE
Angelic Shepherd, By Father Senan,
O.F.M.Cap. (Capuchin Annual,
5/).
Pope Pius XII is not the first of his family to be connected with the Vatican. His grandfather, Marcantonio Pacelli, a man well versed in law and philosophy, held high office in the administration of the Papal States. He was appointed Secretary of the Interior by Pope Pius IX in 1851; ten years later he founded Osservatore Romano, the most authoritative daily newspaper in the world to-day.
The career of the Holy Father, one of the greatest of an illustrious line, is so well known among the reading public that there is no need to stress it. Father Senan's essay is a reminder, however, of the splendid man who sits on the Papal throne to-day. His great qualities of mind and heart, his brilliant career and the work he has accomplished in one of the most trying periods for the Christian Church are well set out.
"Angelic Shepherd," the title attributed to him in the "Prophecies of St. Malachy," is a fitting one. "For it is the feeling of all," says Father Senan, "who have had the privilege of audience, public or private, with him, that there is something more than mere coincidence in the title; they come away so overwhelmed with an awareness of having been in an angelic presence; all the while there is, too, deep admiration for the extraordinary gifts of mind and heart of the Sovereign Pontiff; but the impression above all that abides is one of the angelic priest and pastor, of the man of prayer and burning charity."
Father Senan's essay is not the only matter contained in this handsome handbook. The beautiful full-page photographs of His Holiness in boyhood and as a student, at Holy Mass and other ceremonies and duties during Holy Year and on other occasions, together with a picture of his parents, make up a delightful souvenir of a remarkable Pontiff.
M. O.

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Pastor Angelicus
Angelic Shepherd. By Father Senan, O.F.M.Cap. Capuchin Annual Office. Price 5/-.
THE attention of the Catholic world, and especially of those who make pilgrimage to Rome, is focussed on the central figure of the Holy Year, Pope Pius XII. The publication of this beautifully illustrated work dealing with his life and thought is accordingly very timely.
With that reverence which one expects of the Catholic writer and which is often lacking in other well-meaning books on aspects of the Holy Year, Father Senan tells the story of the Roman boy who became a viceroyal Vatican diplomat, a Cardinal and eventually Pope.
Though he is non-committal regarding the authenticity of St. Malachy's famous prophecy concerning the Popes, he points out that there can be no denying the appropriateness of the title which St. Malachy assigns to the present Holy Father. This title of Pastor Angelicus provides the keynote for the book. The very name Pacelli is one of peace, and it is his work for this which the ordinary non-Catholic, no less than Catholics themselves primarily associate with him.
This theme is developed by Fr. Senan in those chapters of the present work in which he analyses the thought of Pope Pius as revealed in his discoveries. Again, his paternal solicitude for those of his children who are workers is traced in his addresses and letters.
Dealing with the Holy Father's work for the poor and down-trodden, especially in work and mention is made of the work of the Vatican Information Office in collecting and transmitting news about prisoners of war. This work is, of course, but one facet of his all-embracing charity, which is concerned with the material welfare of those comforted, as well as their spiritual hunger for
truth and justice.
It is natural that the Pope's keen desire for Christian unity should be dwelt on in a book of this kind. Making special quotation from the encyclical Mystici Corporis Christi, Father Senan notes the many times his Holiness has spoken of our separated brethren and of his desire
The author of "Angelic Shepherd" has received the following letter:—
Dear Father Senan—At the august bidding of the Sovereign Pontiff, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the copy of "The Capuchin Annual 1949," and also of the copy of "Angelic Shepherd," which you forwarded recently for His acceptance.
His Holiness would have me express to you His cordial gratitude for this twofold presentation, and He would have me assure you that His saddened heart has derived comfort and consolation from the spirit of love and devotion to His Person which inspired your publication.
As a token of His grateful appreciation and benevolence, and as a pledge of copious heavenly favours, the Pontiff lovingly imparts to you and to your devoted collaborators His paternal Apostolic Benediction.
I gladly avail myself of this occasion to assure you of my personal gratitude for the copy of the Annual which you so thoughtfully placed at my disposal.
With sentiments of high esteem and cordial regard, I remain, yours sincerely in Christ,
J. B. MONTINI,
Subst.
"that they turn their eyes to the See of Peter and look to it for guidance and light."
The generous proportions of the photographic inset allow of the life of Eugenio Pacelli being presented in graphic fashion in its several phases. Some of the pictures, especially those of the Pope's early days, are rare and unusual; others are more familiar, but all are bold, vivid and glossily inviting to the eye.

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ANGELIC SHEPHERD. By Father Senan, O.F.M.Cap. Dublin : The Capuchin Annual Office. 1950. Pp. 96. Price 5s.
THIS engaging account of Pope Pius XII and his work holds an important place in the array of literature that has appeared to mark the Holy Year. Father Senan's five chapters are comparatively brief, yet in them he paints a complete picture of the Holy Father, whom he presents to us at every significant stage of his career. The skilled diplomacy of the Papal Nuncio, the unflagging energy of the Secretary of State, the vast charity of the Supreme Pontiff—these and many other aspects are displayed to our view with the aid of numerous extracts from letters and addresses. Then there are the forty-eight pages of splendid photographs, many of them almost full quarto size, and all real works of art, in exchange for which many will consider the small sum that is asked for the book but a token payment. Here is a book that will certainly make the 'Angelic Shepherd' more dearly loved even by those who already know him, and, it is to be hoped, make him better understood and appreciated by those who know him less well. A special word of praise is due to Messrs. John English and Co., whose production in this instance lacks nothing of the artistic finish one has come to expect from the printers of the Capuchin Annual.
K. McN.

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Angelic Shepherd
Under the title, Angelic Shepherd, the striking collection of photographs illustrating the life of the present Holy Father, Pope Pius XII, which appeared in the Capuchin Annual, 1949, with accompanying letterpress by the editor of the Annual, Father Senan, O.F.M., Cap., has been published in book form. These photographs, many of them unusual, especially those depicting the future Pope as a boy and student, are close upon 70 in number and form an invaluable gallery of reference. In his article Father Senan traces the main events of the Pope's life and enlarges on his Holiness's special mission in working for peace, for the cause of the workers of the world, and for charity. In this last section, particular mention is made of Pope Pius's remarkable activity on behalf of displaced persons and of immigration.
The original publication of the pictures and articles in the Capuchin Annual were highly commended by the Vatican newspaper, Osservatore Romano, which praised the "lucid documentation" and the "rich and comprehensive series of photographic reproductions." The book is handsomely printed, with an arresting black and white cover design.
—F.M.
Angelic Shepherd. By Father Senan, O.F.M. Cap. With 48 pages of photographs. Dublin: The Capuchin Annual Office. 1950. Pp. 94. Price (in Ireland) 5/-.