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CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

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CIHM/ICMH
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Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

1980

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Pastoral Letter

V, K

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V. HIS GRACE THE

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MOST REVEREND ALEX. ANT. TACHE,

DKCI.ARING

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THE DECt^EES

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- OF

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IRSTLOUNCIL

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ST. BONIFACE.

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1892.

Alexandre Antonin Tache

By the mercy of God and grace of the Holy Apostolic See,
Archbishop of St. Boniface, Szc.

To the Most Reverend Bishops of Our Ecclesiastical Province,
to the Secular and Regular Clergy, to the Religious
Communities and to the faithful under the jurisdiction
of the Venerable Prelates and ours, Hail and Benedie-
tion in Our Lord.

* ♦ *

The Ecclesiastical Province of St. Boniface celebrates to-
day the anniversary ot two events at once gloiious and very
consolinjx to all hearts that love God.

The first of these events is the inauguration of the preach-
ing of Christianity in these vast regions ; it was on the 10th
of July, 1818, that the first Apostles of this distant country
landed on the banks of tlu^ Red River, bringing thereon the
glad tidings of salvation and beginning iniinediateiy to in-
struct a nation which, until that moment, had not had the
advantage of knowing God and His Holy Law.

The second event, whose anniversary we to-day comme-
morate, was, of itself, a proof of the fruitfulness of Divine
word and the expansion of that sacred teaching to the nations
of the Northwest ; it was again on the Ifith of July, 1>S(S9,
that the First Provincial Council of tlie Ecclesiastical Pio-
vince to which we are so happy to belong, was open^^d. This
Province extends from the J>1° of lonffitude to the Pacific
Ocean and from the 40° of latitude to the Arctic Ocean.
Dunng the seventy-one years which elapsed between the.se
two events, whose anniversary we celebrate, this immense
tract of land was travelled over in every direction by Catho-
lic Missionaries. The almost boundless regions, the rigors of a
severe climate, the difficulties in the mode of travelling, the
excessive poverty and the cruelty of the Indians, nothing, no
obstacle that courage could surmount, lessened the zeal of
these bearers of gladsome tidings who fully realized the
sacred text: "In omnem terram exivit .sonus eorum, et in

fines orbis terrae verba eorum ; The sound of their voice was
hoard over the whole earth, and their word penetrated
throughout the extremities of the world." Soldiers of Christ,
they fought the good combat, and it is after these multiplied
efforts during seventy-one years, that the chiefs of this sacred
militia united to celebrate the First Provincial Council in the
Metropolitan Church of St. Boniface, a few steps from the
spot wiiere Mr. Joseph Norbert Provencher and his generous
companion, Mr. Severe Dumoulin, landed to inaugurate the
era of salvation which they brought to the Northwest.

Grand and beautiful, dear brethren, wa*? the spectacle
presented to the admiration of the Prelates of this Province,
to a numerous clergy and large assembly of pious faithful, by
the overture of the First Council, and to-day, we wish to
recall its remembrance to your mind and enliven our gratitude
towards the Author ot every perfect gift.

The Council opened on the IGth of July and lasted until
the 24th of the same month. All that time was devoted to
the examination and study of all that tends to procure the
glory of God and assure the salvation of souls. The result
of this examination and study was the drawing up ot the
Decrees destined to determine the duties of the clergy and
the faithful on the points further indicated. These Decrees
were sent to Rome to be revised in that light which throws
such a great lustre on all the decisions of the Holy See and
then receive the sanction of the supreme tribunal which ren-
ders them obligatory.

It was only on the 25th of April, 1890, that the Metropo-
litan of the Province could send these Decrees of Our First
Council to the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the
Propaganda. These Decrees were delivered to the learned
Counsellor of the Sacred Congregation that made a special
study of them. On the 10th of December, 1891, and 9th of
May, 1892, the most reverend Cardinals, members of the
Sacred Congregation, reunited to examine the Decrees and
suggestions of the Counsellors, they then determined the
alterations and modifications to be made. The profound ex-
amination of the points decided by Our Council, and even of
the very words expressing these decisions, deeply affects us,
and it is for us a true cause of consolation to once more verify
with what great care, science and wisdom all that regards the
salvation ot souls is dealt with in Rome. The Sacred Con-
gregation made its report to the Sovereign Pontiff on the 15th
of May, 1892. The Head of the Church approved and rati-

fied the report such as it had been amended by the Sacred
Congregation, and authorized the latter to send a Decree
verifying what has been stated, and imposintr upon us the
obligation of acting conformably to the Decrees of Our First
Provincial Council.

The decision of him whose mission it is " to feed the
lambs and the sheep " gives, to the Decrees of the First Coun-
cil of the Ecclesiastical Province of St. Boniface, an impor-
tance and authority which no one can deny ; these Decrees
are obligatory, it is then necessary that all should make a
close study of them so that they may afterwards put them
in practice. The Decrees will be published in extenso. So that
they may the better be understood, dear brethien, we shall,
at the request of our Venerable Brothers, the Bishops of this
Province, give you a short explanation of them.

1. — OPENING OF THE COUNCIL.

Our First Decree announces that this important assembly
is made in the name of the most Holy Trinity, the Fatlier,
the Son and the Holy Ghost. The Council is convoked by
him, who by the mercy of God and grace of the Holy See,
was named Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of St.
Boniface; this convocation was made by him after the advice
and consent of the most R,e\ erend Bishops of this Province.
The motive of this Council is to promote the glory of
Almighty God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who wishes
that the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother, the Holy Apostles
I y Peterand Paul, and all the Holy Patrons of the Metropolitan
ChurclTof the Diocese, should participate in His glory. The
end which the Council means to attain, is the edification of
the church, an increase of zeal among the clergy and the fur-
ther development of piety among both clergy and faithful.
The Fathers of the Council know that the means Lo attain
this end is prayer, they humbly beg of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ that all that is to be done in this assembly, may
directly tend to His Glory, the benefit of the Church and the
Salvation of souls redeemed by His blood.

Note well, dear brethren, a Council is not an ordinary as-
sembly ; its sittings are grand assizes which the Church con-
vokes and are presided over and ratified l)y the magister
which God established to govern His Church ; consequently,
all is there performed in the name of the Most Adorable Trin-
ity, for the Glory of God and of His Son Jesus Christ.

2. — RULES OB' LIFE DURlNCi THE COUNCIL.

The will of tlio (council, like that of God, boin^' tlic sancti-
tication of souls, all who take part in this holy a.sseiiihly
should redouble their efforts to draw down the Mercy of the
Father of I<(ij;ht from whom is derived every perfect {,'ift. In
this second Decree, the Council also exhorts the followers of
Christ in St. }3oniface City as also in the entire Ecclesiastical
Province, to amend their lives, to confess their sins, to re-
ceive the Bles.sed Eucharist, to walk in the fear of the Lord
and to pray constantly. This Decree orders the Bishops and
Priests to celeijrate or assist at the Holy Sacrifice of Mass
and, as connnanded by the Holy Ghost, to address prayers
and supplications to God for our Most Holy Father. Pope Leo
XIII; for our Soverei<^n Queen Victoria, tor all who govern
us, for such as are invested with authority and for all the
faithful. The Decree also requires every one to fa.st and mor-
tify their senses. The Fathers of the Council are Bishops
whose conduct should be blameless. The Second Decree ex-
horts and conjures them, in the name of the Lord, to shine by
the innocence and integrity of their life, by their faith and
religion, their piety and all other virtues as it behooveth the
Dispensator of God's mysteries. The same Decree advises all
who take part in the Synod, to draw from the Documents of
Councils and of Sovereign Pontiffs, the counsels they may
stand in need of so they may not deviate from the spirit of
Holy Roman Church, Mother of all Churches. The opinions
and discussions must be expressed in the most simple and
charitable terms.

3. — PROFESSION OF FAITH.

The Church must, above all, be sure that they who act in
her name, j)rofess her faith entirely ; it is the reason why the
Third Decree of Our (Council placed on the lips of all who form
a part ot it, the Symbol or Profession of Faith such as worded
by Pius IV. adding the clause relating to the primacy and
magisterial infallibility of the Roman Pontiff such as defined
by Pope Pius IX. O you. Venerable Brothers in Episcopacy,
O you, co-laborers in our holy ministry, and you pious faith-
ful who were in the Metropolis of St. Boniface on the 16th of
July, 1889, you must still remember the emotion which took
possession of every heart while the formula of our Profession
of Faith was read ; that Faith, the happiness of our life and
pledge of our Hope. That emotion further increased while

the Veneralile Prelates, coinin*^ down from theii throne, knelt
before the Book of the Holy Gospels and phieiii!^ their hand
on that Sacreil Code, promised, vowed and swore faith ami
aJherenee to the teachin<^s of the Holy Catholic, Apostolic and
Roman Church.

4. — OF FAITH.

The precedin<jj J)ecree enumerated the articles we are hound
to believe. This F'ourth Decree of our Council gives the
reason and source of the Faith we profess with so much hap-
])iness and which is the foundation and root of our justification.
We believe all that the Church prescribes; we believe all tlu;
revelations such as contained in Holy Scripture and Holy 'i'la-
dition which came from Jesus Christ's mouth, or by the; opera-
tion of the Holy Ghost, delivered to the Church who then trans-
mitted them to us ; we believe that the Roman Pontiff is the
true Vicar of Jesus Christ upon earth, the Visible Head of
the ChutJi, the Father and ])octor of all Christians and en-
dowed with a supremacy of honor and jurisdiction in tlie
Univer.sal Church ; we believe that when the Hoverei^n Pon-
tiff speaks ex cathedra, that is as pastor an<l doctor by virtue
of his Apostolic and supreme authority and when he defines
for the whole Church a doctrine I'elating to faith and morals,
he is infallible; we believe that the 8overei;^ni Pontiff,
through the Divine assistance promised to St. Peter, posses-
ses a doctrinal infallibility and that his teachings are beyond
doubt.

Faith rejects the opinions of .such men as say that all re-
ligious worship can lead to Eternal Happiness ; there is but
one true religion, the Church of Jesus Christ out of which
none can be saved.

This Decree of our Council condemns, as opposed to faith,
all the errors condemned by the Roman Pontiffs, either by
their Encyclical Letters or by the (Jeneral Council, it then
warns the faithful against the dangers which sjtring forth
fiom false doctrines and of the opiiiions condemned even
only indirectly by the Holy See.

5. — INDEPENDENCE OF THE SOVEREIGN PONTIFF.

The Fifth Degree loudly affirms that the Church is a so-
ciety divinely f-stablished by a right superior to civil power

an d independent of the latter' and ifiat lE is m lier i:!)Upreme
Pontiff the Church needs to elijoy this independence. It is
the reason why our Council protested against the .sacrilegious

usurpation of tho Pontifical States as opposed to divine and
human rights and injurious to that liberty so necessary to the
Church and Sovereii^n Pontitt".

6. — RULE OF LIFE FOR THE f!LERGY.

The Church is particularly solicitous about the honor of
her ministers, she surrounds them with a jmrtieular charity,
she knows that Jesus forbade any one to attack them in any
manner whatsoever for He said: " Dare not attack my an-
nointed. " This Sixth Decree entirely relate^ to the clergy.
The Council determines their costume whici liould be tho
cassock destined to inspire respect. The amuseuients allowed
to the laity are permitted to the clergy but with restriction
and should be partaken of with great moderation. As the
lips of the priest are the keepers of Science, he must be a
man of study ; Sacred writ, Theology and other sciences re-
quire his attention.

In the ordinary requirements of life, the clergy should
show more than common prudence, avoid contracting debts
and an exaggerated research of the goods of this earth, reject
every means of oV>taining money by such measures as would
not be strictly conformable to the rules of the strictest justice,
honor and charity.

A similar moderation is required in the pursuit of public
interests, so the Council forbids priests to initiate themselves
in such matters without the sanction of their Ecclesiastical
Superiors.

The Council also exacts that they who have charge of
souls, watch over their flock with the greatest care and that
for one and all they should labor to fulfill their ministry ;
they should know every member of their flock, off*er the Holy
Sacrifice and pray for them, feed them with the Divine Word
and the administration of the Sacrament ; for this purpose,
priests should reside in their own parish and never absent
themselves especially on Sundays and Holy Days, except for
the fulfillment of some obligation. On week days, a visit to
their neighboring brother-priests is useful and allowable.

7. — DIVINE WORSHIP.

The Seventh Decreee commands the entire Ecclesiastical
Province to be solemnly consecrated to the Sacred Heart of
Jesus. The same Decree also commands that the devotion to
the Blessed Sacrament which is the source of divine piety

and charity, should be encouraged in a special manner and
that in each locality, as ' much as possible, the Forty Hours'
Devotion and Perpetual Adoration be introduced after the
manner followed in Ihe Metropolitan Church, and that the
Passion of Our Lord and the Sacred Heart of Jesus be special-
ly honored.

This Decree advises the pious works of the Apostleship of
Prayer and advises that the Ecclesiastical Province of St.
Boniface, already under the special protc.'ctiou of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, should practis<.' the devotion of the Holy Rosa-
ry and never neglect the May Devotions, The Clergy should
carefully study and follow the rubrics ot the Missal, the Brevi-
ary and the Ritual. In every Church the ceremonies must
be performed with uniformity; to attain this end, the Coun-
cil suggests that Martinucci be the only author of the cere-
monies followed in the Province.

The Seventh Decree also adds, that in order not to expose
the faithful to an abinidance and diversity of particular de-
votions, hurtful to tru niety, no new devotion bo introduced
without consulting th. 'rdinary and obtaining his pcrmi.s.sion.

8.— THE SALVATION OF SOULS.

The Eighth Decree recalls to our mind that man lives not
only by bread, but from all word coming from the mouth of
God ;" it is the reason why Our Lord Jesus Christ said to
His Apostles : " Go and teach all nations. " Thence it fol-
lows that the obligation of preaching the divine word is one
of the priests' first duties so they may not deserve the re-
proach : " The little ones asked for bread and there was no
one to give it to them. " Our Council, guided by that of
Trent, wishes that those who have the care of souls, give in-
struction to the faithful on Sundays and Festivals as also too
or three times duiing the Advent and Lenten weeks. That
the preaching may bear fruit, it must explain the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, the ti'uths necessary for Salvation, the vices to
be avoided, the virtues to be practised and the use to be made
of the Sacrament. The holy teaching must be adapted to the
need of the greater number, it must shine by the firmness of
doctrine, noble simplicity and great clearness, for these qual-
ities are of greater value than the glow of elocution to which
they are strangers.

The preacher should flatter no one, likewise should he
avoid all unnecessary and painful allusion.

. .8

Besides the regular sei'inons, the faithful require lectures
to enable tlunn toncijuire the kno\vld«lt((! and practice of those
virtues which thei- souls statid in netid of A powerful
means to provide for the salvation of souls is at least an an-
nual visit which the priest should make to those confided to
his care.

A particular attention should be ^iven to new colonists;
th(^ l^istorsand the; faithful ouixht to ne<rlect nothinj; that can
naturally be expected from a ti-U(! Christian ])opulation ; the
charity and j^ood examples of the latter should make a salu-
tary impression on those who come to join our ranks- to make
the one jxiople.

9. — THE SACRAMENTS.

The Sacrament of Baptism l)eing absolutely necessary,
our CJouncil obliges parents to have their childien baptized as
soon as possible. This Sacrament must be administered in
the ('Imrch uidess insurmountable difficulties or immiiu-nt
danger stand in the way. The necessity of Baptism authoi-
izes through charity, the faithful to confer this Sacram«'nt in
case of necessity and the poor infidels should be persuaded of
their obligation to be regenerated in water.

It is sad to behold Christians neglecting to procure for
themselves the exceptional graces conferred by the Sacrament
of Confirmation. Our Ninth Decree condemns this negli-
gence.

The infinite love of Jesus Christ for our souls did "not per-
mit Him to leave us as orphans on earth ; He made Himself
food to sustain onr weakness. The Blessed Eucharist should
be our soul's great attraction since the Saviour Himself said :
" Urdess you eat of the flesh of the Son of man and drink of
His blood, you cannot have life in you. " Let us frecpiently
have recourse with confidence to that Fountain of Lovr-, but
without forgetting the words of the Apostle St. Paul : "Let
man prove himself and let him then eat of this bread and
drink of this chalice. "

Parents, Pastors and others having care of children should
neglect no means in their power to prepare those young
h(iarts for the Feast of Angels to whi.;h they are invited at
their First Communion, That this preparation may be com-
plete, the Council does not allow, as a lule, that girls under
ten and boys under eleven years of a*, ^ should be admitted to
Holy Connnunion. The love borne for the Holy Eucharist
inspires th<! soul with a love for all that relates to the Sacred

Mystery ; therefore the house of God, the altar, the taber-
nacl(!, the sacred vessels and vestments sliouM be dear to all
the faithful who should generously testify their respect and
love.

The Ninth Decree of our Council obliges pastors to recall
to the mind of the faithful the holiness and indissolubility of
marriage. Marriages, as far as possible, must be performed
during Mass and conformably to the rules of the diocese.

The Church forbids mixed marriages and the faithful
must bo convinced of the dangers that attend these. Some
Catholics so far forget tljoir cluty, as to contract marriage in
such conditions as render them scandalous. This fault is so
grievous that our Council commands it to be referred to the
Bishop and a just punishment to Ik; inflicted on the guilty
party. The same Decree commands that the administration
of Extreme Unction suffer no delay especially with regard to
the sick who live far from priests.

10.— THE EbJOATION OF CHILDREN.

This Decree first recalls to parents their obligation of
teaching the prayers and Christian doctrine to their eliildren
in eariy childhood. Catholic parents sbonld niake every
effort to establish and support Catholic schools since they are
the only ones which their children can attend. The Council fur-
ther recommends the efforts which parents should also make
to have a great number of young men attend Catholic Col-
leges where they will be taught all branches of studies as also
practical philosophy.

It is an understood thing that Pastors are in duty bound
to watch over and provide for the Christian education of
those placed under their guidance.

When this Decree was passed by our First Council, we
little thought of the terrible storm which since broke forth
upon us and whose perverse aim is to deprive youth of re-
ceiving a Christian education at school. Fortunately, the
Church of God is ever ready to meet with every emergency ;
without any instigation on our part, the Sovereign Pontiff
transmitted us instructions to be placed as appendix to the
Decrees of the First Council of St. Boniface.

Among these, may be found one which relates to public
schools. Speaking of these schools, the Sovereign Pontiff
says : " Such schools where religious teaching is banished
cannot conscientiously be frequented ; Bishops must then use

I i

every means to remove the fold confided to their care, from
tHe dangers inherent to public schools.

Your past conduct in this important case, dear brethren,
is a sure pledge that you will with perfect submission receive
the word of the Vicar of Christ, and if need be, you will gen-
erously impose upon yourselves every sacrifice necessary to
secure for children, an education which their heart as well as
their intelligence requires.

11. — THE INDIAN MISSIONS.

To this Province principally, ought the Indian missions be
most precious; for this reason our First Council urges all our
dear brethren to participate in the zeal our Holy Mother
Church always displayed for the conversion of infidels. We
inhabit the lands of the Aborigines of this country, do not drive
them away with cruelty and contempt, do not scandalize
them by vice and corruption, on the contrar}? draw them to
Jesus Christ by the good odor of virtue and the mo.st obliging
charity. By your words be Apostles whenever you have the
opportunity ; by your examples be such always, as also by
your zeal in supporting the good works whose direct aim tends
towards the conversion of Indians ; those works you know
them to be the Propagation of the Faith, Holy childhood and
and the schools of the North-West. ,

12. — THE SANCTIFICATION OF SUNDAY.

O dearly beloved brethren, observe the Lord's day not
only by abstaining from servile works but also by keeping
away from everything that can be a cause of disedification to
others. Assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Church
by a precept, obliges you to do .so under pain of mortal sin ;
let not the mere fulfillment of this duty prove suflScient, per-
form on those holy days, other works of devotion and pietj^

There are certainly some enjoyments allowed on this Day
of rest, but alas ! what an abuse is made of the fact that re-
creations can be taken on Sundays. Do not draw down upon
our dear country the misfortunes which God casts upon the
nations that violate His Holy Law ; let not the abuses intro-
duced in other countries be the rule of your conduct. The
civil laws of our country prohibit what is opposed to the
repose of Sunday. Let your conscience, enlightened by the
laws of the Church, make you practise all that is necessary
for the sanctification of the Lord's Day.

13. — EPISCOPAL JURISDICTION.

" The Holy Ghost placed Bishops to rule over the Church
of God."

The 13th Decree of Our Council declares that no priest
can celebrate the Holy Mysteries, nor exercise the ministry
of Divine Word, without being authorized by tho Bishop;
and foreign priests can obtain this authorization only by
show^ing letters bearing the testimony of their own Ordinary.
Priests having care of souls should render an account of them
to their respective Bishops ; and besides the ordinary regis-
ters prescribed by the Ritual, they should have the "Liber
Animarum."

The Bishop is the principal authority in his diocese, and
no innovation should take place, likewise no ministry exer-
cised without his permission. No new picture nor relic can
be exposed to the veneration of the faithful without his
sanction. For the establishing of any society, a written
re(iuest and permission will be required. No Ecclesiastical
edifice should be constructed without the plans being ap-
proved of ; the means of obtaining the funds should likewise
be indicated. No debt can be contracted by a priest in his
ofh ] (piality without a written request to and permission
from the Bishop. Moreover, priests should not mix their
personal possessions with those belonging to the Church.

Although neither the Bishop nor the parish be responsible
for the purely personal debts which priests might contract,
our Council, however, advises the latter not to contract any
considerable ones without the Bishop's knowledge.

14. — ECCLESIASTICAL POSSESSIONS.

Every person in charge of the administration of Ecclesias-
tical possessions should bear in mind the importance of
administering them according to the rules prescribed by the
Holy Canons. All parish priests and missionaries nuist have
a book in which they will inscribe the Decree of Erection, by
which their parish or mission is instituted as civil and corpo-
rativ'e ; in this book must also be entered the properties
belonging to the parish or mission, as also whatever part of
the properties disposed of.

Each parochial corporation should have its own seal. The
sacred edifice must be insured against all dangers of fire.
The fees and tithes should be collected as ordered by the
Bishop. The Council insists that priests should recall to the

minds of the faithful their obligation of providing for the
support of the clergy and church expenses. In niipsionary
countries people too easily believe that such should be pro-
cured from elsewhere. Not to insist upon tliis obligation,
namely, that the faithful should bestow generously upon the
Church and her ministers, is indeed an uncharitable process,
for things are generally appreciated in proportion to their
cost; and experience proves tha^ hey who give rothing to
their priests or Church, soon w.^et the advantages they
derive from both.

15. — SECRET SOCIETIES.

Our Provincial Council fails not to warn you against the
dangers of secret associations, that moral canker which gnaws
modern societies, and labors to choke, in their very heart.
Christian Faith, which civilizes the world, ennobles the wo r ld ,
and peoples Heaven.

Paganism had dethroned God and placed idols in His
stead; secret societies try to annihilate Christianity and its
divine charity, to replace them by Naturalism and a false
philanthropy. The Sovereign Pontiffs, those wise sentinels
to whose safe-keeping the people of God were connnitted,
soon recognized the evil, signalized its dangers, and in docu-
ments replete wdth science, strength and pastoral love,
apprised men and nations of the dangers secretly plotted in
darkness against their happiness and prosperity. The Fif-
teenth J)ecree of Our Council repeats the Popes' warnings to
you. They who enroll themselves in Freemasonry, Car-
bonari.sm, or other societies of the same nature, who favor
those societies, or aid them in what manner soever, thereby
incur exconnnunication "lata) sententia)."

There is no doubt that Communists, Socialists, Anarchists,
and others who endeavor to overthrow the Church and lawful
governments, are subject to excommunication, even though
they do not personally bind themselves to keep the secret.
Other societies which do not want their adepts to reveal their
secret, even to Ecclesiastical Authority, and exact blind
obedience to their chiefs, should be prohibited and avoided
under severe penalty. The Societies of Labor which, without
being condemned, reject the direction of the Pastors of souls,
are sufficiently dangerous to use every means to draw Catho-
lics a*vay from them.

Let the faithful seek such societies which they can join
withou t exposing their souls to danger, such as the Society of

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St. Vincent de Paul, the C. M. B. A., and others recognized by
the Church. • • .

16. — CHRISTIAN MORTIFICATION.

Our epoch is, above all other failing, distinguished by a
propensity to sensualism. It is to counteract these inclina-
tions that Our Council exhorts the faithful to keep the fast
and abstinence according to the law and spirit of the Church ;
no dispensation should be given without sufficient reason.
The Church having been so lenient with regard to this pre-
cept, has every reason to enforce its accomplishment. A sad
daily experience proves that our people are addicted to in-
temperance; hence Our First Council commands all priests to
exhort the faithful to abstain, even altogether, from wine and
spirituous drinks, and to join the Temperance Society. The
IGth Decree highly commends the practice of our clergy that
banish wine and fermented liquors from their table. The
faithful should also avoid amusements and entertainments
which wound good morals and favor evil, even though
indirectly.

Besides assemblies dangerous to morals, the faithful
should carefully avoid non-Catholic religious reunions and
assemblies forbidden by the Church.

17. — SIGNATURES OF THE DECREES OF THE COUNCIL.

In the I7th Decree, the Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical
Province of St. Boniface invites all the Fathers who lawfully
assist at this Holy Assembly to approach the altar and place
their signatures below the Decrees of the Council, in virtue
of the decisive votes they have given. The following have
signed : —

Alex. Ant., Archbishop of St. Boniface, O.M.I.

Vital Justin, Bishop of St. Albert.

Henri J., Bishop of Anemour.

Isidore, Bishop of Arindele.

Paul, Bishop of Marcopolis, and Coadjutor to the

Bishop of Melitopolis.
Jean Baptiste Celestin Aagier, O.M.I., Procurator to

the Bishop oi Melitopolis.

18. — ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEXT PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The Metropolitan of St. Boniface, to conform with the
Decrees of the Council of Trent, declaring that Provincial

Councils should take place at least every three j'ears, and
with the consent of the most reverend Bishops, his co-
provincials, announces to all who should he present that the
next Provincial Council of St. Boniface will take place in the
year 1892.

19. — CLOSING OF THE COUNCIL.

In this decree the Metropolitan, with the consent of the
most reverend Fatheis who deemed fit to terminate the
Council, declares that he brings to a close the First Provincial
Council of St. Boniface.

* • *■

The preceding, dearly beloved brethren, will give you an
idea of the nineteen Decrees drawn up by the First Provin-
cial Council of the Ecclesiastical Province of St. Boniface, as
revised and approved at Rome and rendered obligatory.
Meditate carefully on the precious teachings ; prove your
love of God and submission to the Holy Church by accepting,
with filial piety, the decisions indicated. Your Bishops and
priests should make them the rule of their conduct. The
faithful are also bound to obey these Decrees in whatever
concerns them personally.

" May peace be upon all who will follow this ru. j." Yes,
may the peace of God, which surpasses every feeling, be upon
you all, dear brethren. May that peace reign over our dear
country ; may our Ecclesiastical Province, its Episcopal Con-
scriptions, parishes and missions taste of the d' 'icious fruit of
Divine peace ; may the clergy, religious couununities, and
faithful of this province long relish the cup of happiness
which the peace of God offers to all who know how to obtain
it.

The present Pastoral letter shall be read at Mass in all
parishes and missions, at the Chapters of all religious com-
munities of the Ecclesiastical Province of St. Boniface, on the
first Sunday after its reception; and the day on which the
present letter will be read, the office will end by the singing
or recitation of the Te Deum, as -a pledge of our gratitude
for all the gi-aces bestowed during the Council ; to the Te
Deum five our Fathers and Hail Marys will be added for
the Sovereign Pontiff who deigned to approve the Decrees.

Given at St. Boniface under our signature and seal of our

Arch Diocese, and tho counter signature of our Secretary, on
the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Cjirmel, on the 16th day of
July, 1892.

[L.S.] ALEX. TACHE,

Archbishop of St. Boniface, O.M.L

By order of His Grace.

ELIE. B. ROCAN, Priest,

Secretary: