Bishop Budka's letter commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation - 1917
On the first of July of this
year, all Canada will celebrate the 50th Jubilee of Confederation. On this occasion I write these few words
to You, My Dear Faithful.
The
first two hundred years of the known history of Canada were filled with
conflicts over the possession of this new land, and they ended with the Treaty
of Paris in the year 1763, when France renounced all rights to Canada and
Canada became a British colony. The
struggle over the the form of government and the efforts for the
progress of Canada filled the next hundred years of history under the rule of
Great Britain. In the year 1840
the so-called Lower and Upper Canada (Ontario and Quebec) united in one entity
by an Act of Union by the British Government and thenceforth parliaments and a
governor have governed a united Canada. But certain statesmen, who are known as the Fathers of
Confederation, in each of the
individual provinces of British North America, wanted to see all the provinces
united in one entity. When this
idea became generally accepted, the sought-after British North America Act was issued
by Queen Victoria, and it came into force on 1 July 1867. [...]
Thus, the first day of July is called Dominion Day in Canada, as the British
North America Act established the the constitution of Canada which is in
force to this day. On 1 July of
this year 50 years will have passed since this important event, and this day
will be thus solemnly commemorated everywhere in Canada. The
British North America Act is the foundation of Canadian freedom, which has
attracted millions of immigrant settlers here, among whom are we freedom-seeking
Ukrainians. In taking advantage of
Canadian freedom, we also have the duty to know her history and to rejoice in those advantages which
developed from the wise and progressive foundations which were laid by Queen
Victoria and the Fathers of Confederation.
This July 1 is the day when Canada will commemorate its
fiftieth year of life as an independent country and as a free part of the
British Empire. When
we look back at those 50 years in the life of Canada, we see that her
rapid progress, in such a short
time, is not found anywhere else in the history of nations. Railways,
schools, cities, roads, commerce, manufacturing etc., indeed the whole
appearance and life of Canada has so advanced in these 50 years that we can
only attribute this progress to the particular blessing of God, to Whom we must
render thanks on this 1 July. In
embracing this historical jubilee day, every citizen and resident of Canada can
only thank God for a 50 year-achievement which shines in our eyes so brightly
and in which light we live today. We thank the Giver of all good for all the
things with which He has blessed the wonderful country in which we have the
honor and good fortune to live.
And
when we remember that, today, in the name and for the sake of our Dominion,
thousands of her citizens have borne their breasts to fire and bayonet, we stand
in solidarity with them Everyone must see that it is in the interest of all Canadian citizens that the sacrifice of
her citizens will bring Canada the greatest glory and advantage. Thus, on this jubilee day, we lay
before the altar of the Almighty and Just God our ardent prayers, that He would
deign to shorten the days of war to the glory and honour of all Canadians. On this
day, let us forget where we came from and
let us be only by citizens of our Dominion and rejoice in her first fiftieth
jubilee. May this be a day of rejoicing for all citizens of Canada, with a joy which unites one to another and all
of us to the Dominion. May this be a true Dominion Day!
The
Federal Government and all the provinces individually want this celebration to
be marked especially in churches with thanksgiving for the past and with
petitions for the prosperous future of Canada. Citizens should make every
effort so that this jubilee Dominion Day will be long remembered. I
desire that all of my Dear Faithful, especially children, worthily and actively
celebrate this holiday. And it is
with this in mind that I am writing this letter explaining it to
them. Accordingly, I decree that:
On
this day, let everyone celebrate together. Let the children go to the
children’s hall of the school where they went during the last school year. Let
everyone take part in the speeches, celebrations, parades, and processions which are scheduled in their areas on 1 and 2 July. And in the churches let us pray
to God for Canada our home; for her and our happy future. On the Sunday the 1st of July, the Revrerend Pastors shall also add to the ordinary second intention and Ektene [litany] of Peace the intention of thanksgiving
for the past blessings of Canada and a petition for her happy future, and the
ektene for general intention of the citizens of Canada. After the [liturgical]
celebration, let the children sing: God save the King. A short lesson on the meaning of this jubilee Dominion Day
is to be given at the Church services or preferably during the public celebrations,
so that everyone would understand the reason for rejoicing and be edified.
May
the Loving Lord bless You all with a happy future. +Nykyta
