“3.  To keep my mind and heart free from all attachments to schools, parties, or persons in the Church, Hecker included, so that nothing within me may hinder the light and direction of the Holy Spirit.

“4.  In case any conflict arises concerning what Hecker may have spoken or written, or any work or movement in which he may be engaged, to re-examine.  If wrong, make him retract at once.  If not, then ask:  Is the question of that importance that it requires defence, and the upsetting of attacks?  If not of this importance, then not to delay and perhaps jeopardize the progress of other works, and condemn Hecker to simple silence.

“5.  In the midst of the imperfections, abuses, scandals, etc., of the human side of the Church, never to allow myself to think or to express a word which might seem to place a truth of the Catholic faith in doubt, or to savor of the spirit of disobedience.

“6.  With all this in view, to be the most earnest and ardent friend of all true progress, and to work with all my might for its promotion through existing organizations and authorities.”

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CHAPTER XXXI

THE VATICAN COUNCIL

IN 1867 Father Hecker visited Europe in company with Father Hewit for the purpose of opening business relations between The Catholic Publication Society and English, Irish, and Continental publishers, as well as to attend the Catholic Congress of Malines held in the summer of that year.  The latter purpose we the chief inducement for the journey.  The Archbishop of New York favored the project of holding a Catholic Congress in America, and encouraged Father Hecker to study the proceedings at Malines with this end in view.  Their stay at Malines was full of instruction, as they heard there the renowned orators, Dupanloup and Montalembert, as well as others of note.  The Catholic Congress of American laymen held in Baltimore a few years ago, and whose good effects are still felt, would have been assembled twenty years earlier if Father Hecker could have brought it about.  These meetings were part of his scheme for that moral organization of Catholic forces which he knew to be so necessary for the fruitful working of the official unity of the Church.

In the early part of the year 1869 Pius IX. wrote Father Hecker an autograph letter commending the various religious works which he and his community were engaged in, especially the Apostolate of the Press, and giving them all his blessing.

“I have good news to tell you,” he wrote to a friend.  “The Holy Father has written me the ‘tallest’ kind of a letter, endorsing every good work in which I am engaged.  Hurrah for Catholicity at Fifty-ninth Street!  My private opinion is that the Holy Father has gone too far in his endorsement of Hecker.  He has made me feel ashamed of myself and humiliated.”