CIHM Microfiche Series (l\1onographs) ICIMH Collection de microfiches (monographies) Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming are checked below. Q Coloured covers / Couverture de couleur □ Covers damaged / Couverture endommag6e □ Covers restored and/or laminated / Couverture restauree et/ou pellicul^e 1 Cover title missing / Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps / Cartes g6ographiques en couleur □ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or blac! ,) / Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) □ Coloured plates and/or illustrations / Planches et/ou illustrations en coulaur Bound with other material / Reli6 avec d'autres documents Only edition available / Seule Edition disponible Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin / La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge int^rieure. Blank leaves added during restorations may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming / Use peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t§ film6es. Additional comments / Commentaires suppl6mentaires: D D D D L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a ^t^ possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exem- plaire qui sont peut-§tre uniques du point de vue bibli- ographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^tho- de normale de filmage sont indiqu^s ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages / Pages de couleur I I Pages damaged / Pages endommag6es D Pages restored and/or laminated / Pages restaur^es et/ou pellicul^es □ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed / Pages d^color^es, tachet^es ou piqu^es Pages detached / Pages d6tach6es I v/| Showthrough / Transparence I I Quality of print varies / D D D Quality in^gale de I'impression Includes supplementary material / Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image / Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont et^ film^es k nouveau de fafon k obtenir la meilleure image possible. Opposing pages with varying colouration or discolourations are filmed twice to ensure the best possible image / Les pages s'opposant ayant des colorations variables ou des decolorations sont film^es deux fois afin d'obtenir la meilleure image possible. D This item is filmed at tlie reduction ratio checked below / Ce document est (ilme au taux de reduction indiqu^ ci-dessous. j lOx 14x 18x 22x 26x 30x J 12x 16x 20x 24x 28x 32x The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Seminary of Quebec Library The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —♦-{meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce it la g^nirositi de: Siminaire de Quebec Bibliothdque Les images suivantes ont Atd reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et db ia netteti de l'exemplaire filmA, et en conformitii avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimie sont filmAs en commen9ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la derniire page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont fiim6s en commenqant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image do cheque microfiche, salon le cas: le symbole — ♦• signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmAs A des taux de induction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir da Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche & droite, et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants iliustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MICROCOPY RESOIUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 1.0 m 13.2 1 3.6 1.4 [ 2.5 2.2 1.8 ^ /APPLIED IIVMGE Ir STm 1653 East Main Street ^^ Rochester. New York 14609 USA — (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone ^S (^'fi) 288 - 5989 - Fax PASTORAL LETTER OF The Rt. REV. JAMES ROGERS. D. D. BISHOP OF CHATHAM, PUBLISHING IN HIS DIOCESE THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE, Announced to the Catholic World in The Encyclical Letter, (dated March 12, 1881,) OF OUR MOST HOLY FATHER POPE LEO XHL Feast of The Patronage of St. Joseph, in. Sunday after Easter, May 8, 1881. CHATHAM, N. B. : 1881. JAl To DEi 1 on ] the aim anci Plei OF ' of i grai coin '1 a V viol xi. seel (Pe pra C f)Ul jrti ciai wel pra for pul PASTORAL LETTER. JAMES ROGERS, by the favor of God and of the Apostolic See, Bishop of Chatham, etc. etc. To our dearly beloved Brethren in Christ, t^.e Clergy ^ Religious, and Laity of our Diocese, HEALTH AND BENEDICTION. Dearly Beloved Brethren: The authoritative voice of the Sovereign Pontiff, Christ's Vicar on Eai-th and Supreme Visible Head of the Church, again invites the members of nis numerous flock to unite prayer, fasting and alms-deeds with the worthy reception of the Sacraments of Pen- ance and Holy Communion — the usual conditions for gaining a Plenary Indulgence — while he, on his part, employs the power of the keys entrusted to him, to unlock the Spiritual Treasury of the Church — the MERITS OF Christ and of his Saints — by granting the Indulgence of a Jubilee to all the Faithful who comply with the prescribed conditions. The holy Word (f God teaches us that "Man's life on Earth is a warfare." — (Job vii. 1.) "The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and it is only the violent that bear ^.t away." — (Matt. xi. 12.) "Your enemy the Devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, whom resist ye firm in faith." — (Pet. V. 8).) The Christian's arms in this spiritual warfare are watching and prayer, fasting, alms-deeds and t'requentation of the sacraments. Christ our Master and model, in the commencement of his public life, immediately after his baptism by John, when in con- firmation of John's testimony, the Holy Ghost, in the form of a d;»ve, alighted on the head of Jesus and the Eternal Father pro- claimed from the clouds: "This is my beloved Son in whom 1 am well pleased," retired into the desert to fast and commune in prayer with his Heavenly Father during forty days, to prepare for his spiritual combat with the Tempter ere he commenced his public ministry. PASTOIlAn LETT*:!!. *n l)min<,' all tlio period of that activf ministry— the tlircc years in wl>icir"Ht' went alMiut doin;^ yood," calliny Ills Apostles, in- ■stnicting his disciph: , healinijj the sick, re.storini,' the dead to life, convortin}^ sinners, vVc— it was his custom to witlnlruw to th' mountains or other retired placi's to pray ; and his Ap(jst!es he- admonished to "always pray," informin<,' them that certain evil spirits could be cast out ai.d banished, oitli/ by "prayer nnd fust- inf." On the ni-^ht before his passion he ])rayed with j^reat an'xiety and larnestness, preparatory to the terrible trials of the morrow, to which he f(jresaw he should be exposed; and he warned his apostle in the garden to " watch and pray lest they fall into temptation." Thus our Divine Ijord not only ^-aches and exhorts, by oft repeated precept, his followers to pray, but also gives us the ex- ample of Ins own personal recourse to this sacred duty of praying to (Jod at all times but especially in atHictions and temptations. In the eleventh chapter of the Acts of the Apostles we read that after the martyrdom of the apostle St. Jatnes, St. Peter was also arrested and kept in pri.son, by order of Herod, to be put to death to please the Jews. " , ^^ " But prayer was made without ceasing by the Church for Inm, (verse 5). Ood sent his angel to deliver St. Peter from chains and prison ; while of his wicked persecutor. King Herod, we read near the end of the same chapter: "And forthwith the angel of the Lord struck him ♦ * * and eaten up by worms he expired," (verse 23). Such was the efficacy of the prayers of the Faithful in obtain- ing the deliverance of St. Peter the first Pope— such the terrible chastisement w^ith which God punished the persecutor of the Pastors of His Church, especially her Chief Pastor ! Now, what happened in the early history of the Churcli, a.s above related, has in her subsequent history, happened over and over again, and has been renewed even in our own days. We might cite well known facts of passing history to illustrate this, but we prefer to proceed with our special subject, without enter- ing the field of secular or political history. Our Lord tells us: "The servant cannot be greater than the master," (Matt. x. 24). As Christ was treated so shall be his fol- lowers. He was infinite goodness and yet he was calumniated, insulted, persecuted unto death— even the most ignominious of deaths! But then followed the glory of his resurrection, his triumphant ascension back again to Heaven, the descent of the Holy Ghost to complete and perfect the establishment of his Church, the miraculous success of her first Pastors, the Apostles, notwithstanding all the persecutions to which they were so often and so unjustly subjected. As it was with Christ so must it ever be with his church. Her history is a series of alternate trials and triumphs. She is the HASTOKAL LKTTKll. liri'c yrnrw postlt's, in- fill I to lifis aw to til' Vpostli'-s lie 'ortain evil r and fast- A'ith i^reat •ialH of the il ; aiul lie y lest they >rtH, by oft us the ex- of pray in J,' ptations. js we road . Peter was be put to >h for him," rom chains od, we read 1 in obtain- tlie terrible itor of the Church, a.s ed over and days. We ustratc this, bhout enter- er than the 1 be his fol- ialumniated, ominious of rrection, his scent of the iient of his ,he Apostles, '^ere so often Churcli MlHtant, ever warrin;,' a<,'ainst !vil, aj^ainst false or erro- neous principles in Faith anise of (.hrist, sancti- tiid, directed and preserved from error by the Holy (Ihost— nevertheless men have calumniated, persecuted, misunderstood and hat>'d this church, just as was done to (Christ her founder. Hut liki" Him also, though she is made to sutler the gn^atest wrongs and injustices, yet she ever in the end triumphs — advances on her course and fulfills her mission; while her more pronunent persecutors are smitten like Herod ! They wither like the grass, are forgotten as if they never existed— unless indeed .hey become converted into her Apostles like St. Paul, through the prayers of those whom they persecuted ! Just now the 'Pope, from his elevated position and with official insight sees danger ahead. He sounds tlie note of warning to the utuversal tlock. The in- I'ssant war that has been waging against the Papacy since the epoch of the Reformation is passing through another of the many crises of the conflict that with varying for- tunes has employed the master-minds on both sides since that great nsvolt against Spiritual Authority commenced. The prin- ciple of private judgment in the interpretation of the Word of God, on which the Reformers set forth when leaving the Ark of safety, the Bark of Peter, ha.s carried many of the greatest minds, by divergent though rigidly logical routes ♦ . conclusions against which their common sense and natural piety revolted ; but instead of recognizing in the strictly logical yet absurd conclusion, the falsity of the principle which formed their premises—as Geomet- ricians do in what is called the indirect demonxt ration, or redm- tio (id ahsitrdum—ihtiy could not abandon their cherished prin- ciple of " PRIVATE JUDGMKNT," until, bewildered in the mazes of mental contradictions to which this ignis fatwits in religious matters leads, they came to doubt of the truth of everything which is not materially palpable and evident : that is, they ceased to believe in the supernatural order, the world of spirits, the soul, angels, and somctiiucM even in the existence of God. When belief in the supernatural order is taken away from men — when they are brought to disbelieve in the existence of their souls, of a future place of rewards aii'l punishments, where patient, self-denying virtue will get its due recompense and crime its just retribution, there is no guide for conscience, and nothing remains interiorly to check their evil propensities but the fear of present, immediate punishment. Such punishment they will naturally try to evade or resist, while they will continue to satisfy their inclinations. With no conscience to check them, no motive for .self-denial, no fear of the all-seeing eye of an infinitely just and mighty God, no hereafter to hope for or to dread, the enjoyment 6 PASTORAL LETTER. of present pleasure, of wishes promptly gratified, must constitute their Summum Bonum, ^heir highest happiness. When arrived at this degree of modern education, of scientific enlightenment, what IS there to make them act differently from the brSte ? This latter uses the force of his- nature and the cunning of instinct to satisfy h^ appetites Will the mere materialistic man act other- wise i Will he conform to the just laws of civil society ? Cer- tainly not if he can evade them, when they are against his inclinations or what his passions may make him regard as his interest No other motive but the fear of being detected and punished by the law, remains to restrain him. Hence when the law and its officers become the only obstacle to the gratification ot his passions, he will soon come to regard them as enemies. i./^'?v, •'''?"'• ■?\ ''"" ^^J*^'*' «f hate, when he ceases to rega.d the just civil law as the delegated power of God in the temporal order, administered by duly authorized and upright oftciais, for the common good of the community and in conformity with the supreme law of the Most High. What then will result? Keas^n would answer: Opposition to or disregard for law; anarchy, barism? ^"^ "^ "^" '''"*'^^' ^""^ ^^'"^ '^^"™ ""^ "'*'" ^"^ b^^" of ^^vir-'*'' '■' ^\ ^'f °" *^t"^'^^ ^^ ^^^ '°S^« °* ^^^^^' the lessons nnn^S h'- V^"'^ ^'^ ^^'"^ teachings of history, the history of popula. outbreaks in many ages and countries, but notably that ot the terrible French Revolution of 1789, repeated again recently on a smaller scale during the Commune in Paris in 1871 Alas ! the spread of unbelief at the present day by the number o.Hni"l? f '"'''' ""^ ^'t '"^'^"^^ acquirements, men otherwise estimable for many good parts, but whose minds are infected with W fn {"""^ •''.i?^','' ^'""^ ^^^ Professor's chair, publish in books, ■aii^.m the periodical press; advocate in public lectures, and other- wise disseminate their views and exert their influence antagonistic to Religion and to christian morals,-is a well understood and tt T""" i f ^^"" ^^ ^^'"^ ^"P^ ^"^' *« ^" ^'^^^ christians who teai the awful consequences to civil society, to peoples and govern- ^rr^'M .; "'"'* inevtably follow from such teachings? unless averted by the merciful intervention of the Divine Protection. . iV' *° ""?*«'■« ^hat Protection, to excite the christian flock to asense of the real danger, and to the duty of humble, earnest, ptnitentia. prayer and supplication to Him who averted the ampending destruction of Ninive because of the general public penance in sackcloth and ashes of its inhabitants, aSd who calmed the storm on^the Sea of Galilee because of the earnest supplication ot his Apostles, "Lord save us lest we perish !" that the Pope pro- clauns the present Jubilee. Let us listen to the voice of our Chief R.stor, he Good Shepherd warning us of the presence of f7 u- ^t ""^ "^'^'^ affectionate docility seek the means of satety which his pastoral solicitude points out to his flock' PASTORAL LETTER. constitute en arrived htenment, te? This instinct to act other- ty ? Cer- 'ainst liis rd as his jcted and when the itification enemies, ceases to od in the I upright mformity ill result? anarchy, a to bar- e lessons listory of ibly that recently ' number therwise ted with n books, id other- igonistic ood and ans who govern- s, unless jtion. tiock to earnest, ted the i public I calmed ilication )pe pro- of our ence of Bans of With regard to the general instructions on the indulgence of a Jubilee, we refer to the Catechism on the subject, originally com- piled by the late Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of the Metro- politan See of Halifax, and published in connection with our former Pastoral letters on the occasions of previous jubilees. The conditions which the Holy Father prescribes for the present Jubilee — the same as those prescribed by him for the last Jubilee, 1879 — will be found annexed hereto, together with the Pope's Encyclical, all of which along with this present Letter, are to be read to the Faithful by the Pastor, in the usual way, in each church and mission of our Diocese, as soon a,s convenient after receipt of the same. Respecting the Jubilee Alms, we direct that as on former occa- sions, each Pastor in our Diocese will cause a box marked "Jubilee Alms" to be fixed in a conspicuous and convenient place in the church and chapels of his mission, for the offerings of the Faithful, which in due time will be sent to our Secretary at the Diocesan Chancellary. As the Pope specially recommends, amongst other pious objects the Society for the Propogation of the Faith, we shall apply the Jubilee Alms received in our Diocese — one. half to the funds of that nob! Society, and the other half to the "Peter Pence " contributions towards the expenses of the Sovereign Pon- tiff in administering the affairs of the church. Finally, Dearly Beloved Brethren, as the Holy Father chose the Feast of S*- Joseph, the 19th March, for the opening of the Jubi- lee in Roi and elsewhere, to mark his own devotion, and to encourage the devotion of the Faithful towards the holy Patriarch, the Spouse of Mary and the Foster Father of Jesus ; so we gladly avail ourselves of this day, the 3rd Sunday after Easter, the Feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph, to communicate to you the Pope's Jubilee Letter which had not reached us until some weeks after the 19th March, the date of the first named feast of St. Joseph. St. Joseph who was the care taker of Jesus and Mary, is vener- ated on this day as Patron of the Universal Church, The Feast — Third Sunday after Easter — falls this year on the 8th May, which is the anniversary of the date of the two Apostolic Briefs, by one of which the Diocese of Chatham was erected, and hf the other the first humble Bishop was designated to assume its pas- toral solicitude. This is therefore a most interesting occasion for all of us in this Diocese, both people and Pastor. It is an occa- sion to return grateful thanks to God for all the graces and benefits received in consequence of the erection of a new Diocese. For the Bishop it is an occasion for contrite self-examination and earnest supplication to God for mercy and pardon for the many faults and shortcomings of twenty-one years administration. While asking pardon not only of God, but of all our fellow men whom we may have offended, we also take this occasion to express our grateful thanks to all our worthy neighbors to whom we are 8 PASTORAL LETTER. indebted for manifold and constant evidences of goodwill and kindness. To the members of our own flock we wish to express our grateful and paternal appreciation of their prompt and gener- ous devotedness to respond to every just call made upon them, and to co-operate to the full extent of their ability and influence, with their Bishop and clergy, in promoting the interest of religion — of religious education, of works of charity and moral useful- ness, according as occasion presented. To the devoted Religious, whom the Paternal Providence of God inspired to come to our new and poor Diocese to perform the works of mercy and piety, in nursing the sick, educating the young, and glorifying God by their holy lives of prayer and good works, we owe an especial debt of grateful paternal and affectionate thanks! To our beloved and venerable fellow laborers of the clergy — some of them our seniors in the ministry, others advanced to the holy Priesthood under our own administration, we offer our affectionate fraternal thanks for their fidelity and devotedness to the all-important but laborious work of their clerical and pastoral duties. We thank them for the docility, fraternal charity, and enlightened zeal which we have ever witnessed in them. With paternal earnest- ness we pray God to bless them and their labors and all who come under their ministry. Pax et Benedictio Dei — May the Peace and Benediction of God descend on you all and remain with you always ! Given at Chatham, If, £., on the Feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph, Third Sunday after Easter, May 8th, 1881. fJAMES EOGERS, Bishop of Chatham. (M the ] usi i pio for reli tioi des cor this cha visi the.' sucl tot maci 4 Hoi chal N( cond CONDITIONS. 9 tvill and express d gener- )n them, ifluence, religion useful- eligious, B to our id piety, God by especial beloved lem our iesthood Taternal tant but e thank led zeal earnest- all who 1 of God !. Joaephf •xtham. CONDITIONS OF THE JUBILEE OF 1881. The time for the present Jubilee continues from its opening (March 19th) till 31st December, inclusive. [lu Europe the Jubilee ends on the 1st of November.] The conditions for gaining the Indulgences of this Jubilee are the following : 1st. To fast one day which is not otherwise a fast of obligation, usingonly abstinence food— [that is, neither eggs, butter, milk, <&c.] 2nd. To give an alms in the name of Charity toward some pious work. [Following the Pope's suggestion, the Bishop designates the Society for the Propogation of the Faith ; also the Fund— Peontolir(im Benedictionem. LEO PP XIII. Venerahile-i Fratre set Dikcti Filii. Militans Jesu Christi Ecclesia, quae hoiniuum gcneri maxime potest salutem incolitniitatemque piaestare, tarn graviter in hac calamitate temporuni exorcctur, ut in aovas qnotiilie prooellas iiicurrat, vere comparantla cum Gene8ar«thana ill* navicula, quae, dum Christum Dominum ejusque discipulos dim veheret, maximis turbinibus ao Huctibus quatiebatur. Kevera (jui cum catholico nomine gerunt in- imicitias, ii nunc numero, viribus, consiliorum audacia praeter moduni insolescunt ; neque satis liabent doetrinas caelestes palam abdicare, sed gumma vi impetuque contenduut, ut Ecclesiam aut omniuo a civili homiuum conaociatione repellant, aut saltern in puhlica populorum vita nihil posse cogant. Ex quo fit ut ilia in fung'endo rnunere, ciuod ab Auctore sno divinitus accepit, magnis undique se difficultatibus iniplicatum ac retardatam seutiat. NEFAKIAB 1IUJU8 CONJUEATIONIS ACEBBI8SI51I fructus in Pontificem Ronianum ma.xime redundant ; cui quidem, legitimus juribiis Buis, dejecto atque in exoendis maximis muneribus multimedia impedito, figura quaedam regiao majestatis, quasi jjer ludibrium, relinquitur. Quapropter Nos, diyuiae providentiae consilio in hoc sacrae potestatib fastigio coUocati, Ecclesiaeque nniversae procuratione districti, et jamdiu sentimus ct saepe diximus, quantum haec, in quam Nos tempo rum vices compulernnt, aapera sit et calamitosa comlitio. Conimeniorare singula nolunnia; verumtanien manifesta sunt omnibus, quae in liac urbe Nostra plures j;vni annus geruntur.— Hie enim in ipso catholicae veritatis centro sanctitati religionis illuditur, et dignitus Apostolicae Sedia laeditur, et in crebras proliigatorum liominum injurias pontificia majestas objicitur. EREPTA POTEST ATI NOSTRAE PLURA SUNT, quae Decessores Nostri pie liberaliterque instituerant, ac succcssoribus suia inviolate servanda transmiserant ; neque temperatum est, (luin jura laederentur sacri Insti- tuti (hristkino nomini propaijando ; quwl quidem non de religione solum, sed etiam de huinanitate gentium praeclare meritum, nulla unquam vis superiorum temporum violaverat.— Templa catholici ritus elausa vel profanata non pauca, haeretici ritu» multiplicata ; doctrinarum pravitas scribendo agendoque impune diffusa.— Qui rerum summa potiti sunt, dant saepe operam constituendis legibus in Plculesiam nomenque catLolicum iiijuriosis ; idque in conapeetu Nostro, quorum curae omnea ex Dei ipaius mandato vigilarc in eo debent, ut Christiana res incolumis et Eeclesiae jura salva smi.— Nullo autem respectu ad illam, quae est in Romano Pontifice, docendi potestatem, ab ipsa institutione juventutis auctoritatem Nostram intei'- cludunt ; ac si Nobis eat permissum, quod nuUi privatorum interdicitur, in insti- tutionem adolescentium scholas aumptibus Nostris aperire, in eas ipsas legum civilium vis et aeveritas invadit.— Quarum rerum funcsto spectaculo multo vehe- mentms commovemur, quod succurendi facultas, quam maxime optarcmus, Nobis uon suppetit. In potestate enim sumus verius inimicorum quam Nostra ; atque ilia ipsa, quae Nobis conceditur, usura libertatis, cum eripi aut imminui alieno possit arbitrio certum non habet stabilitatis constantiaeque tirmamentum. INTEREA QUOTIDIANO RERUM USU manifestum est, malorum contagionem niagia magisque serpere per reliqnnm ehris- tiauae reipublicae corpus, et ad plures propagari. Etenim averaae ab Ecdleaiae THK JPBILEE. 11 QCO lOITCR ECCLESSIA QVK\T iH..nini,s rebus, lioc semper JaJrurac aScUud nnm ^ I f, "**'''=*'«'1"« <=li"stiani aniniormn juvandorum caussa. ' '^'^ praes.du impetranth atque HACRITM JPBILAEUM EXTRA ORDINEM etiamet silvestril.us ,)lacis inst ituor^ of ^rnv I 1 " '1'"^ 'l»'dein in remotis CERTKRI VERO OMNES EXTRA CRltl'M SiS":, 'TS^ili' nl^Sf ^1r"'l l?«'^"'? -^ ~ Vicariis seu Offi. ani„Kvru\nexe;;enta> y/^n'^K^^^ 4"^ ibi curam sexies, ilicto temuoria iutervall . a, P.nf 1 smttenipla, ter, aut si unum, PRO SUO PRUDENTI ARBITRIO REDUCERE QUEANT 12 THE JUBILEE. ceteriRque operibus, quae supra prescripta aunt, rite peractis, eamdem indulgentiam consequi possint. — Regularibus vero personis utriusque sexug, etiam in claustris perpetuo degentibus, nee non oliia quibuscumque t>.Di laicis, quam eccleaiaaticis, aaecularibus vel regularibua, qui earcere, infirmitate corporis, aut alia (jualibet juata causaa impediantur, quominus memorata opera, vel eornm aliqua praeatent, concedimus atcjue indulgemus, ut ea Confeaaariua in alia pietatis opera comniutare posait, vel in aliud proximum tenipus prorogare, facta etiam poteatate diapenaandi super Communione cum pueris NONDUM AD I RIMAM COMMUNIONEM ADMISS19. Insuper univeraia et aingulis Christi fidelibua, tarn laicis quam eccleaiaaticis, aaecularibus ac regularibus cujusvia Ordinis et Instituti etiam apecialiter nominandi, facultatem concedimua, ut aibi ad hunc effectum oligere possint quemcumiiue pres- byterum Confeasarium tarn aaecularem quam regiilarem ex actu approbatia ; qua facultate uti posaint etiam Monialea, Novitiae, aliaecjue mulieres intra claustra de^entea, dumodo Confeaaariua approbatua sit pro Monialibus. — Confesaariia autem hac occaaione et durante hujus tlubilaei tempore tantum, omnes illas ipaissimas facultates largimur, quae a Nobis tributae fuere in alio Jubilaeo conceaao per Noa- tras Litteras Apostolicas datas die XV mensis Februarii anno MDCCCLXXIX, quae incipiunt " Pontificea Maximi," iis tamen omnibus semper exceptis, quae in iisdem Littcris a Nobis excepta fuere. QUO ADTEM FKUCTU8 SALUTARES, qui nobis propositi sunt, ex hoc sacro Jubilaeo tutius atque uberius percipiantur, hoc magnopere studeant universi, ut magnam Dei Matrem praecipuo per id tempus obsequio cultuque demereantnr. — Ipsum autem sacrum Jubilaeum in tutelam fidem- que tradimus ac commendamua sancto Jo»efho, caatissimo beatae Virginia Mariae Sponso, quern gloriosae recordationia Pius IX. F. M. totius Ecclesiae Patronum declaravit, et cujus opem suppliciter quotidie implorari ab omnibus Chriti fidelibus optamus. — Praeterea cunctoa hortamur, ut peregrinationea suacipere pietatis caussa velint ad sanctorum caelitum aedes, quae peculiari religione in variis regionibus sanctae ac venerabiles haberi consueveriut, qnas inter in Italia praestat sacrosancta Virginia Mariae Lauretanae domus, quam altissimorum mysteriomm memoria commendat. QUAPROPTER IN VIRTDTE SANCTAE OBEDIENTIAE praecipimuo atque mandamus omnibus et singulis Ordinariis locorum eorumque Vicariis et Officialibus, vel, ipsis deficientibus, illis qui curam animamm exercent, ut cum praesentium Litterarum transumpta aut exempla etiam impreaaa acceperint, ilia in sua quisque ditione publicanda curent, populisque etiam verbi Dei prae- dicatione, quoad fieri possit, rite praeparatis, Ecclesiam aeu Eccleaias viaitandas ut supra deaignent. UT AUTEM PRAESENTES LITTERAE, quae ad aingula loca deferri nequeunt, ad omnium notitiam facilius deveniant volumus ut praesentium transumptis vel exemplis etiam impressis, manu alicujus Notarii pnbnci subscriptis, et sigillo munitis personae in dignitate eccleaiastica con- atitutae, ubicumque locorum eadem prorsus fides habeatur, quae haberetur ipsis praeaentibus, si forent exhibitae vel oatenaue. Datum Romae apud S. Petrum sub anulo Piscatoiis, die XII Martii An. MDCCCLXXXI, Pontificatus Nostri Anno quarto. LEO PP. XIII. THE JUBILEE. 13 ENGLISH TRANSLATION. APOaTOLIC LETTER OF OUR MOST HOLY LORD, LEO XIII., BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE, POPE, PROCLAIMING AN EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE. To the Venerable Brethren, Patriarchs, Primates, Areh bishops and Bishops, in peace and communion with the Apostolic See, and to all the beloved faithful sons of Christ, Health and Apostolic Benediction. LEO PP. XIII. Venerable Brothers and beloved Sons : Tlie Church Militant of Jesua Christ which avails most of all to procure salvation and health for the human race, is so gravely troubled in these times of calamity, that as, day by day, she encounters new storms, truly may she be compared to that boat of Genesareth, which, while bearing of old our Lord, Christ, and his disciples, was dashed about by the greatest waves and most boisterous winds. Indeed, they who bear ill-will to the Catholic name are now growing more than usually insolent, in number, strength and audacity of purpose; they do not deem it sufficient openly to disown the teachings of heaven, but strive with might and main to drive the Church wholly out of the civil community of men, or at least force her to be of no avail in shaping the public life of peoples. Hence it is, that in fulfilling that duty, which, in a divine manner, she received from her Author, she feels that she is, on all sides, involved in and retarded by great difficulties. The most bitter results of this nefarious conspiracy fall upon the Roman Pontiff ; to whom, deprived of his lawful rights, and, in many ways hindered in the dis- charge of his chief duties, a certain shadow of kingly majesty, as if in mockery, is left. Wherefore placed upon this height of sacred power, and busied in the administration of the whole church, we have, for a long time, both felt and de- clared how bitter and wretched is that state into which the vicissitudes of the times have driven us. We do no' wish to particularize them ; but for all that, the events which have been happening for several years past in this our city, are manifest to all. Here in the very centre of catholic truth the sanctity of religion is jeered at, the dignity of the Apostolic See insulted, and the majesty of the Poutitt' exposed to the frecjuent affronts of depraved men. We have been shorn of much that our predecessors hud, in their devotion and lib- erality, established and handed down to their successors to be preserved inviolate ; nor has forbearance been shown, but injury done, to the rights of the Sacred In- stitution for propaijating the Christian name; which, having won distinguished favor, not only from religion, but also from civilized races, no violence of former times ever infringed. Temples of Catholic worship have been closed, not a few of them profaned, and those for heretical service multiplied ; and by writing and deed the teachings of depravity scattered around with impunity. They who have the supreme power, study to enact laws, detrimental to the Church and Cathol- icity ; and that, in the sight of us, whose whole solicitude by God's own command, is to see to it, that Christianity and the rights of the church shall be preserved safe and sound. But with no respect for that right to teach which resides in the Roman Pontiff, they excluded our authority to teach youth, and if permission is accorded to us, which is denied to no private person, to open schools for the in- struction of youth at our own expense, the violence and harshness of the civil laws bear down upon these veiy schools. We are much the more earnestly affected by this sad spectacle of affairs, because the means of remedying it which we would most desire are wanting to us. For we are more truly in the hands of our enemies than in our own, and that very enjoyment of liberty which is conceded to us, since it can be taken away or diminished at the behest of another, does not possess the sure basid of safety and stability. Meanwhile, it is clear from daily experience, that the contagion of iniquity is creeping more and niore through the rest of the body of the Christian Common- wealth, and becoming more propagated. For the nations estranged from the church are falling day by day into greater miseries; and where the Catholic faith 14 THE jubilee:. hna been once extinguished or weakened, the way is at hand to unsoundness ■.* opinions and hungering after novelties. But tliat very great Mid noble pow^ -■ liini, wlio is God's vicegerant on eartli, being scorned, it is plain that there reii .,;s to liuinan authority no clieekH, able to bring under restraint the untamed spirits of revolutionists, or to stay the ardor of mad license in the multitude. And, for these reiwons, the civil society of men, although it has suB'ered grievous disasters already, is menaced by the suspicion of still graver perils. Therefore, that the church may repel the attacks of her enemies, and achieve her own mission, for the conmion good, there must be much work, and a hard struggle. But in this earnest and varying battle, in which the glory of (!od is at stake, and the fight is for the everlasting welfare of souls, void woulil all mane strength and zeal l)e, unless assistance from heaven was furnished suitable to the times. Accordingly, in tin; troubles and atllictions of Christianity, this has always been the usual sanctuary of her labors and anxieties to beg of (iod with the strongest j.etitions to aid'His suH'ering church, and grant her ability to battle and to triumph.— We, therefore, imitating this excellent custom and practice of our predecessors, fully aware that God is the more easily entreated m proportion to the greater degree of re])entaiico in men, and their desire of regaining favor with Him, in order then to obtain heavenly aid, and for the helps of our souls, we pro- claim to the Catholic world by this, our letter, a s|)ecial sacred Jubilee. Relying, then, on the all-powerful mercy of fiod, and the authority of the blessed Apostles. Peter and Paul, of that i>ower of binding and losing, which the Lord has conferred ujion us, unworthy though we are, wo grant to all and every one of Christ s faith- ful, of both sexes, the amplest indulgence of all sins, in the form of a general Jubilee, if only they, who live in Europe, from tho next 19th day of this month ot March, the feast ot St. Joseph the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the 1st of Noveml>er, the solemn festival of all Saints, inclusive; and tliey who resule out of Europe, from the same next lOtli day of this month of March to the last day ot this current year, 1881 inclusive— perforin what is herein prescribed; namely, as many as are citizens or visitors in Rome, visit twice the Church of Lateran, also the Vatican and Eiberian, Basilicas, and there, for a time, ofier up their pious prayers according to our intention, for the prosperity and exaltation of the Catliolic Churcii, and of this Apostolic See, for tho extirpation of all heresies, and the con- version of all who are in error, for concord among Christian Princes, and the peace and unity of the whole faithful people; let them, using only fast meats, fast one day besides the days iuclud.d in the Lenten indult or otherwise devoted to a like fast of strict obligation by the precept of the church : moreover, having duly con- fessed their sins, let them receive the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist, and contribute in the name of charity to some ])ious work. We mention by name in this behalf, those Institutions wiiose safe keeping we commended bj letter not long ai'o, to the charity of Christians, to v/it—tlie Projianntimi. nj the 7' aitli, the Sarref Childhood of Jexm and the Schools of the Eaxt; which, m distant and savage lands, it is our greatest wish and design to establish and advance, that they may be eijual to their needs. i i. n Let all others residing anywhere outside of the city go, in said interval, to three churches to be designated by the local ordinaries, or their mandate, and them- selves being absent, by those who have the charge of souls there, twice, or it tliere be only two churches, three times, or if only one, six times ; likewise, let them jier- form the other works mentioned above. We wish that this mdulgence may also be api)lied by way of suffrage to the souls of those who united to God in charity, have departed this life. Mort'over we allow local ordinaries in their prudent judgment to reduce to a less number these visits of chapters and congregations of seculars as well as regulars, sodalities, confraternities, universities or colleges, visiting the churclies referred to in procession. . i , ., • i • •] We allow travellers by land or sea, when they have repaired to their domiciles, or other ascertained abode, having visited s-x times the larger or parochial church and having duly performed the rest of the works prescribed above, to obtain the same indulgence. And we grant and allow to regulars of both sexes, even per- petually dwelling in cloisters, also to all other laics or ecclesiastics, seculars or regulars, who are hindered by prison, bodily iniirmity or other just cause what- e>;.r from pfirforminsr the works mentioned or any of them, that their confessor may' commute to other works of piety, or postpone them to some near time, giving even power of dispensing from communion, children not yet admitted to farst com- munion. THE JUBILEE, 19 other women leading a cl , stere 1 lif« mlv ' ' I'^viloge nuns, novices an.l approvcl for nuns We con er uno , .If ^ "''^7'. l"-"^'">e *»'« the year 1879,\-hich S /^^X^i?, it wfff '1, Vl" ^•^*'' "^ ^'°''"""-y. i" that were n.ade by us in that etteV A, iJ/ L the exceptions, however, have nroi,o8e,l to ourselves av he nw,r„ !„ 1 I ^ ^f^lutary results, which we sacre,! Juhilee. let Xtrive eZestlv o .1. ^^ ""i '''""''''"*'>' '''•'^^» ^'"^ *'»« by special .le;otion anTveSon rhW,^^^^^^^^ "^ ^*1V g^cat Mother of God Jubilee, and commend it to tl^e car.^n *■ f Z™"- . ^^ ^ «"•"'"* t^is Sacred Virgin 'Mary-« nrt^^lj^^pts: " ot SITp ^f "o t"l''''' *'" ^'^^«^'' declare! the patron of the wL.lo ,.l.„^.v. i , •• ,' "^ glorious memory, implored ever} ,Ly by all of cSst'S^^^^^ ;es.re that hfs aid be humbfy to try to inakepiWiiLKes of devotim, t^^^ J«rthennore we exhort every one were wont to b^ heh " il'erS^lc and lolv Sf n .""'r"^ ^^'^ 'i"*^''"^^ «>*'"*«- ^'"-^h among which in Italy is the 1 oly lio se^,f Tl.e ^^r^'.^^^^'^^Tr '" '''^^''^^ !'''*'=««- remembrance of tl,e foftiest mylrirrcommends ^^ " ^"'^ "^ ^''''''' ^'"^^ *^^ ea^ of'?i;enr;^:ir;:;;lliSo;Sr r^^z.r'r *"'' ^°r^"*' =^" -^"-"- - I ? iPf'', '''*•^'^ ^""«'» «'' P"nte^l un.l thcysl.alldesiinTe aswevTouBlv dl\''f"^^^ T'""" *''*''• Jurisdiction, to be visited by tKeo'pk C nriLi 1 7 */" '=l'"'-<=h or churches which ar^ the \yord of Oofl '^ ^ prepared as fast as possible, by the preaching of the^knVwTeVgf o^it^c^ Tam": *fa'th"r 1 *? T"" P^^' ""^^ ^« »'-«>'* *« taken in writing or printed suwLdbvf^^ ^ ,?"* ^^•'••y where in copies LEO PP. XIII. 16 EXPLANATIONS. EXPLANATIONS, &c„ CONCERNING JUBILEE. The S. Pcp/nitentiaria, by command of Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII., confirms and renews for the present Jubilee of 1881 the follov- ing declarations, published formerly on occasion of the Jubilee of 1879 : 1. The fast jjrescribed for gaining this Jubilee can bo madn in Lent, jjfovided it be not on the days excepted in the Apostolic Letters, and provided also that only fasting diet be used. No indults or privileges respecting the quality of food, even the Bulla Cruciata, can be made use of. 2. The Indult granted to Chapters, Congregations and Confraternities, when visiting churches for the purpose of gaining the Jubilee, can be applied by the Bishops to the faithful who accompany such processions, or who go in procession with their parish priest or his deputy. 3. The Paschal precept and the condition enjoined for the Jubilee cannot be fulfilled by one and the same confession and communion. 4. The Plenary Indulgence of the Jubilee can be gained as often as the requi- site conditions are repeated ; but the other favors accorded to the Jubilee, such as absolutions from censures and reserved cases, commutations or dispensations, are available only once, and that on the first occasion. 5. Chapels and oratories may be specified for the visit if Mass is usually said there, and they are used for public worship. 6. These visits can be made on one or on different days, to the option of the faithful, providing the prescribed number bo observed. 7. The solution of doubts published by the S. Prenitentiaria June 1, 1869, for the Bishops of Italy holds good in this Jubilee, without any exception. The contraries notwithstanding. Given at Rome in the iS'. Pixnitentiaria, March 21, 188L A. Cakd. Bilio, Poeniten. Maior, Hip. Can. Palombi, Sec. IN DU^ THE PAST OP THE JUBILEE. The Sovereign Pontiff prescribes that the Fast of the Jubilee be observed with the food of the Third Fast, commonly called the black fast. This means abstin- ence from milk, eggs, cheese, laid, etc., and as the indulgence is not granted if the conditions are not observed — even though the mistake be innocent — it will be safe for everyone to observe this ab8tin<)nce rigorously. "In the ' Some derl by sound of year of Jub sijfnifles to f which broug -a.:e>I3e 3srr)i3c. CATECHISM or INSTRUCTIONS ON ina INDULGENCE OF THE JUBILEE, PRAYERS BECOMMENDED TO BE SAID DURINGTHEVISITTOTHECHURCHES, Originally compiled by the Most /!eu, W. iVals/,. 0. D„ Archbishop of Halifax. "In the year of the Jubilee all shaU return to their possessions. "-Leviticus XXV. 13. Which .n,„«ht forth rruiu ;.-it^ 0^:::^^" ^ ''^'"*- "> '"« ^"•'i'oe^ea;^ ^ii;;:;:^ S: 18 APPENDIX. INSTRUCTIONS ON TlIK JUBILKI-. OcBmoN. Wliat is understood by (i jubilee? . Answkk. Jubilee moans n time of joy ami gliulnes*, on account of •ome iignal iftil public blestiiiig. O, Ho* many Uinilg of jubilee aru there? , ,. , l- a tu A Two I. The jubilee iiroclaimud by Moaes to the Hebrew nation ; i-\nO jubiico which Hie poiie, the vinible liead of the church, and vicar of .Icnus Christ, oecaaionaliy griiit" to the Catholic world. Q. In what did the Mosaic .Fubilee consist? , , , , , , , *„ A In the year of tiie jubilee, 1. All Hebrews n. ho h*.! l)een sjjld as idaves to their bretliren, recovered their free.loin. 2. All tho»« who, compelled by poverty, l,tt,l H „ate(l the lands inberitcl from their fathers, re-entered into the ooasession of tlu- S. All those who were involved in debt were protected from the pursuit of their < ditors. . . ■, . Q. Why did God establish the law of the jnbdeo? .v^a A Alini«hty (Sod, having rescued the Hebrews from the liondago of Egypt, and introduced them into the land of promise, would snfFer none to be forever depiived of these blessings. Therefore he enacted a law by which they were, every hftatb year, to enjoy the i.rivileges of the jubilee, which we have just enu.nt;rate^ Q What do you mean by the jubilee granted b;y the head of th. ; uirch_ A. I m' M certain considerable spiritual bcnehts conferred on all the faithful throughout the Catholic world. Q. What is the principal of these Ixsnetits? A The principal consists in a plenary indulgence. 0. \N'hat do you undersUnd by a plenary indulgence ? A A plenary indulgence means the total remission of the temporal punishment which sinners have stfll to undergo after having obtained the pardon of their sins. O Is not sin also remittetl by the indulgence of the jubilee? A No. The only means instituted by Jesus Christ, in the law of grace, for obtaining the remission of our sins, is the sacrament of penance. , , . . Q. How do you prove that a sinner, after having obtained the pardon of his sma, has still to undergo a temporal punishment? • i,- u A It is proved, 1st, from Scripture, \.hich contains many instances in which the foririveiiess of sin was not attended by the relaxation of temporal punishment. Moses offended «od by his diiKdence at the water of contradiction (Numb, xx, 1-2 ) and though his sin was undoubtedly forgiven him, yet the Lord declarea to him that, in punishment of his unbelief, he should not enter into the land of promise. -David sinned: a prophet announced to him iha.i the Lord h( 1 taken awaylus mns, (2 Kings, xii. 13,) but that he would, nevertheless, be visited by numerous and severe afflictions. 2. By the constant doctnne and practice of the church; from the time of the apostles to the present day she has always taught, as an article of faith, that satisfaction is an integral part of the sacrament of pen- ance She has always required of her ministers to impose penitential works upon sinners who have recourse to them in the sacred tribunal. She moreover exhorts them forcibly to inculcate from tiie pulpit the indispensable necessity, incumbent upon all, of satisfying the divine justice, and daily to offer the holy sacrifice of her altars, to alleviate the sufferings of such of her children as depart this life before they have fully undergone the temporal punishment due to their sins. Q. Why does Almighty God inflict temjwral punishment on penitent sinners, whom he has pardoned and received into his friendship? ., , „ t * # A To deter them from falling again into sm. Gotl displays the full extent of his infinite mercy towards sinners only once, and this in the sacrament of baptism. For every adult who worthily receives this sacrament is not only cleansed from oritrinal and actual sin, but alt", cerrnted from both the eternal and temporal punishments which they deservt ' ir^i.ts with muoh greater seventy those who transgress his divine law, afi i ■ <- u ^oen raised v baptism to the dignity of his adopted children, of bm'',; ■ ' /i " ne Son, ai: ..-heirs to his kingdom. They may, it is true, obtain in ;.i. ..lamuiii of penance the remission of the guilt and of the eternal punishment of their sins; but they are bound to satisfy the divine justice, cither in this world, by the laborious works of penanee, or m the next, by the sufferings of purgatory. ^ Cc TA APPKJfDIX. n A. Jho extent ..f teinu ml puniir, J ^ ,S '" ""-' r^""'""t"f l'«««"e«? «f ".al.ce with which it i» c,..»' : ' ' u ,U i le v!^^^ «»^M>e,uU .„. t/.e ,W«.o «o m.-n can preten.l cither to .' co^-v Itu t *""-"ty "f '''V'"" justice. An.l aa latter it in Jvi.lont that thi, ; • ^^^m' 'UZrJi "' '" ;'"'^"" '''." '""'»« "f *" Whi< h • sinner imc (,. sufler* ^ <-oiifwi>K)r the only Uuiix^ral punishment *he:Jrt!^s;;::^rT;i;^iS:nr'r' ^r'^'-^^-**'- - -- ^^---ny •nc. i,„p„,e.i by -.rrrvreS^trih:^; ^7^ ^"?''^ liut the ';",; cannot, ,„ general, he c,.nsi,lefo,l a^a «uVo .„*?."* '''^'f'"'" "^ the church, bear no proj,„rti„n to those immLT V^hl atonen/.-nt. For they evidently not nu>rc Jiev,, -s thnn th.UcCnitte^ o 7^ "^ I'""*'"* <'"«^il.Ime. for *Z i'>'l;.c-ty. t7,at tl. chnrch, in her l/riXest Uh 1? ■ ^"'" '=''" " '•" ''"'<'. ^itl"'"t authonty over her chihlrJ,,. I.y laSorrthen. h\.rH ''" "W"«'«'iv" and unju«t in^iit'dSr^ ehat^h-cr;:^ i^"-" "^=^^-^1.^— ^^ l.einili;:iJ'^r;:;;..f7:;i';;.:'J',^i5--^ ^ Chn^t add..in« «t. Pete, On anoti.cr occasion, ho thus «u ke to ^M i :.'"''"• <''^*- ^'"^"^ ''vi. If. » •.' ^o-v.; you .hall hM uvonZZ^hJ^fJ:^,, T"'^''j ^'"'«. ^ ""^ '" ^o», , shall loo., upon earth, ihall beLyat nh^r ' /w/'T,''"' ' «'"' "•/'«'««'''V, » words used hy Jesus Christ in lioH h '"/'^'" ^"' ( '^t. Matt, xviii. | S ) N„^^ ^ port un ample power Vrlnte I v 1 ' T% ""'l^"'-'^^ •^'e unlimited, an. plain v ami his suoLsors of rCS L eve'rv 1" Y ^T''^'''' ""'^ particular^ St ki^ of heaven, namely s n^a tl f te n J,;;'r*''f ',*'' "V ""<-'nr:;;u mat a Christian of rch of Christ whose peiii- to their offences ! How '"•lived in the constant what a rich treasure of of the saints, when wo ent love, shared in all 20 APPENDIX. spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord. (1 Cor. v. 5.) But this scandalous sinner having afterwards given proof of a sincere rej)entance, St. Paul, at the prayers of the pious faithful of Corinth, remitted to liitn the temporal punishment which he had been condemned to undergo. The iustancea of similar indulgences granted by the church, in the first ages of Christianity, are numerous. At the solicitation and prayers of the martyrs and confessors, the bishops considering the merits of those illustrious champions and defenders of the faith, frequently granted to those who hatl fallen during the per- secutions, absolution from tlie sentence of excommunication under which they lay, anil released them from the part of their canonical penance which they had not yet accomplished. Q. If the principal spiritual benefit of the jubilee consists in a plenary indul- gence, what greater advantage is derived from it, than from many acts of piety, to which a similar indulgence is annexed ? A. 1. When we perform private acts of piety, to which a plenary indulgence is annexed, our hope of obtaining it is founded merely on our individual fervor and compunction of heart. But during the jubilee, thousands and tens of thousands of faithful spread over all the world, raise their souls to heaven, and with uplifted hands implore the Fatlier of mercies to forgive and spare his penitent children. Our supplications receive an unusual degree of strength and efficacy from their union with those of our Cliristian brethren, a great many of whom are faithful servants and friends of God. Our wpakness is strengthened, our confidence ani- mated, our love inflamed, and we fulfil the acts of religion and charity to which the plenary indulgence is attached with greater fidelity and devotion. 2. During the jubilee, public instructions are more numerous; religious exer- cises are multi{)lied ; alms distributed ; examples of penance, humility, forgiveness, and all other Christian virtues daily witnessed. By these external means of sal- vation, the just are excited to aim at perfection; sinners aroused from their lethargy to a sense of their guilt; they forsake their evil ways, and returning to God in the sincerity of their hearts, consecrate to his service the remainder of their days. Q. What are the necessary conditions prescribed by the sovereign pontiff, to obtain the benefit of the plenary indulgence granted in the jubilee? A. They are: 1. To confess our sins with a profound contrition, and a firm pur- pose of amendment. 2. To receive worthily the holy communion. 3. To perform with fervor and fidelity the exercises of piety which the bishops may prescribe in their respective dioceses. Q. What other practices of piety are most advisable to those who wish to gain the jubilee ? A. Besides the indispensable conditions already mentioned, the following prac- tices are earnestly recommended : 1. Serious meditations on the great truths of religion ; on death, judgment, heaven, and hell ; on the vanity of the world, the enormity of sin, the terrors of a guilty conscience, the peace and happiness of a ^^rtuous life, &c., &c. 2. Docility to religious instructions, and frequent recourse to both vocal and mental prayer. 3. Voluntary mortification, as abstinence and fasting. 4. Alms ; for they deliver from all gin and from eternal death. 5. To shun the society of worldlings ; to entertain towards all men, even our enemies, sentiments of Christian charity. Q. Can a person gain the plenary indulgence of the jubilee, if he retain an affec- tion to any of his sins ? A. No. For no sin, whatever, can he forgiven for which we do not duly repent. And, therefore, as long as guilt of sin remains, the temporal punishment, which it deserves, cannot be remitted by any indulgence. Q. What ought a pious Chrifjtiau to do at the conclusion of the jubilee ? He ought — 1. To return fervent thanks to Almighty God, for having granted him so great and so particular a favor. For, the jubilee taking place so seldom, millions die without partaking of its benefits. 2. To love and cherish the church with an increased fervor and devotion, for providing her children with the means of salvation so abundant, and pray for her exaltation and prosperity, through a lively sense of religious gratitude. 3. To bee Almighty God to bless his holiness, Pius IX., and particularly to grant him the aoundance of grace which is necessary to govern the holy church of Christ with firmness and ability, and promote more and more the §lnry --^f hif- hnly nn.mc, and thr. s.alv.atinn r-.f tho s-onls coRimitted to. his spiritual solicitude. 4, To implore divine Providence to extend his protection APPENDIX. 21 recommen/inanTspelia^L^nSSi'?"* *hem the blessiaga of peace <; T A. Most certainly Tsiace by obt« ""*'?.*" g'*'" *»>« Jubilee ? '°"^- '^°-'iay if you shall hear tlie voii-c nf th t , , a» we t;oice of the Lord, harden not your hearts:^ 22 PRAYERS, PRAYERS Recommended to be said at the visit to the CHURCHES. Invocation of the Holy Ghost. Come, Holy Spirit ! fill the hearts of thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of thy love. F, Send forth thy spirit and they shall be created. B. And thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let m pray. God ! who by the light of thy Holy Ghost didst instruct the heart of the faithful, give us by this same Holy Spirit, a love and relish of what is right and just, and constant enjoyment of his comforts, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ariifn. A PRAYER. Full of confidenci! in thy goodness, God Almighty ! I humbly appear before the throne of thy mercy. Look favorably on me, O Lord ! in these days of indulgence, when all the treasures of thy grace and tender mercy are unlocked to repenting sinners ; cast not otl' from thy face a prodigal child, who, with an humble and con- trite heart, lies prostrate at thy feet. I have sinned, O my God ! and thou alone knowest both the multitude and the enormity of my transgrestions. My whole life has hitherto been contaminated with all manner of initjuity ; and from the first dawn of reason to tliis day I have ever deviated from the way of thy command- ments. But now, O Lord ! my resolution is taken ; I will be converted to thee— to thee alone will I live, thee alone will I serve. The hour is come when thy grace shall triumph over my weakness ; with its all-powerful assistance I shall surmount all oljstacles, overcome all ditliculties. Bless O Lord ! the resolution I now form, and the means whicli I am taking to accomplish it. In thy name, I will jiruceed with alacrity and an humble contid- ence in tiie penitential course, on whijli, through thy mercy, I have entered. Do thou, most gracious Father, couaidering the merits of thy Son, supply whatever, through tlie frailty of of nature and the inconstancy of my will, is wanting to my feeljlo endeavors. Teach me, my God ! what I am to do, in order to share in the hiiliilf/ence, which ia tendered to me, and not to sull'er this most precious grace unprofitably to pass by. Enkindle in my heart the ardors of thy divine lovu, deeply impress upon it the fear of thy judgments, dilHdence in my own strength, confidence in thy benign assistance, (irant, O Lord! that I may bring forth that fni if irorthy of peiiuiicc, without whicli the indulgence which I iiope to receive, would only increase my guilt and turn to my utter condemnation. Let this jubilee, in which I am allowed to satisfy the demands of thy justice, from the grants of thy mercy, increase my gratitude, inflame my love. Suffer me not to imitate the conduct of those who might tliink that nothing more is required — tliat they are truly converted when they have performed the external acts of religion jiresoribed m this holy season, recited prayers, visited churches, attended puljlic instructions, confessed their sins, and received the lioly communion, though their lieart is not reformed and no real change has been effected in their conduct. Vouchsafe, O my God ! to enlighten my mind that I may guard against so dangerous an illusion. Let thy love animate and direct me tlirough this peniten- tial career, and reudt.'r me truly worthy of the indulgence to which I aspire — not to Ijc more remiss in doing penance for my sins, for which 1 will continue to offer my feeble atonement as long as i live, but that after having ii'ii'ihcd my robes in the PRAYERS. pe^o:(ri1r^Xr' ^'^^ -- -fi'^ence app„,ach the th^ne . ^^ Vouchsafe, d Lord to «?ov«r. - "''*''« tJ^rone of grace and tion Inspire our^rutr4Jri*,\^^y'"*y«"ide the fSteV^^^ *^« P'^'ates with mercy, and to sXr^t, i^^>P"« sentiments ; teaJih thi^ the way of salva- Peace. Destmy aU heresies i^j'*'*'?.^'^^ ?««?'« *« woSS fc*- *""P"'' J"«t'«« all sinners and LbeSr.ni' '"'''"'"«' '""'ish aU 3 ^T '° «««"rity and firm perseverance in ThvHoTv^™?* *'"« P««ous grlce „f tn.r"'*'''' ' '^''"^^rt -thy sinner. Ame^J^^-Sn"' ""' ''y ^'^^^^Z^TZZZ Z' '' I have said " Most High." Now I have begun. '''^ ^ ^^^ charge ^ tke right hand of the i