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": RULES OF THE SOCIETY or T. VINCENT OF PAUL, Founded at Toronto, the 10th November, 1850, with thi affrobation and sanctjok OF THE Right Rev. Dr. DeCharbonnel . Bishop of Toronto. FIRST EDITION. Z.0 TORONTO: pRnJTED BY Louis Perrault. 1861. u?de, KiiJi^ 'Xr^ ■^ i VI %■* 99^^' a ADVERTISEMENT. It was not till 1810 that the Society of St. Vincent of Paul, which had its origin in Paris about the end of the year 1833, bccamo Icnown and ap- preciated in Quebec. But no sooner had they been acquainted with the vast services rendered by it in Franco and other countries of Europe than several of its citizens, compassionating (he mise- ries of the poor, conceived the design of inlroducino- it in Canada and, on the 12th November of that year established the Conference of Our Lady of Quebec on the model of those of Paris. The catholics of To- ronto, desirous of following their fellow christians throughout the World in their endeavours to alleviate the sufferings of the Poor, and anxious to share in the many spiritual Blessings granted by Our Holy Mo- ther the Church to the children of St. Vincent of Paul, obtained the sanction and approbation of the Right Reverend A. F. M. DECiiAnBONNEL Bishop of Toronto, and on the 10th of November, 1850, formed themselves into the Conference of Charity of Our Lady of Toronto, and applied to the Provincial Coun- cil of Canada of the Society of St. Vincent of Paul to be aggregated to that Society ; and desirous of bcino- — 4 — governed by tho same general Laws and the same ■pirit in one Bond of Charity, they adopted for their guidance tho Rules and Regulations of tho Society at Quebec. The regulations of the Society of St. Vincent of Paul established at Quebec, which arc here given, are substantially tho same as those of the Society founded in France. They are an abstract of them, adapted to our usages and wants. The form has been altered, but the substance preserved. May alll the generous men who have consented, or will hereafter consent, to form part of this excel- lent Society, be thoroughly penetrated with the spirit of these regulations, a spirit which is that of christian charity ; and may they carry on with fervor and per- severance, the holy work which they have so success- fully begun for the relief and consolation of Christ's poor. Toronto, 10 Nov. 1850. G/ en pi( en of ou tn C( in: to ' 1 1 ruilllMMiMlni,, ,_. BRIEF OF nil HOLINESS rors GEEGORY XYI. Granting Indulgences to the Members of the Society of St. Vincent of Paul Gregout XVI., p.p. To he held in perpetual remembrance. It is meet that the Roman pontiff should especially enrich with the heavenly stores of the Church thosa pious societies of men who earnestly and diligently employ themselves in the performance of the works of Christian charity. We have therefore, deemed it our duty willingly to yield assent to the pious en- treaties of the President and Members of the General Council of tne Soceity of St. Vincent of Paul, first instituted at Paris, who have earnestly besought us to grant to this Society some indulgences, both ple- nary and partial. — — Wherefore, wo mercifully grant in the LouVn nnmc, a plenary indulgcnco and remission of their Bins, to all and every one l)clonp;inpf or nttarhed to the Ccncral Council of (hn snid Society now insti- tuted nl Paris ; to the particular councils of Paris, and of other cities, wlio bcinj; truly penitent, having confosycd their sins nnd received the holy communion, shall have been present at all the meetings oftho council held during the month, or at three out oftho four. Also to all, as they are termed, active members of the said Society ; and also to members of council and others, of whom mention hath been made, and who may have obtnined the aforesaid indulgence, wo likewise grant a plenary indulgence, on condition of their being truly penitent, confessing their sins, recei-^ ving the holy sacrament, and being present at three put of four of the conferences or meetings held during. the month. Moreover, we in like manner grant a plenary in- dulgence, to bo obtained by all hereafter admitted into the said Society, on the day on which they shall, being truly penitent, having confessed their sins, and received the holy communion, bo received into any active degree, whether of aspirant member, or ordi- nary member, of member of any particular council or of member of the General Council. I Moreover, wo farther prnnt f\ plenary Indulgence to all, l»oth active and honorary' members of the said society, who, on the festivals of the Immaculate Con- ception of the Filcssed Virgin Mary, and of St. Vin- cent of Paul, and on the second Sunday after Easter, which is the anniversary of the translation of tho relics of St. Vincent, also, on tho Monday after the first Sunday in Lent, being truly penitent, and hav- ing confessed their sins, shall receive tho holy sacra- ment at tho mass which on tho o^i^resaid days is celebrated for the Society, and shall have boon pre- sent at tho general meeting which is held on those occasions. And also, we in llko manner grant a plenary indul- gence to all members and benefactors of this Society, at tho hour of death, who, being truly penitent, and confessing their sins, or should circumstances prevent their doing this being at least contrite, shall with their lips, or if unable so to do, in their hearts, de- voutly invoke tho holy name of Jesus, and shall with a patient and ready mind accept death from the hand of the Lord as a penalty for sin. We moreover in the customary form of the Church remit in favour of all active members of the said Society, seven years and as many forty days of tho penances enjoined to them, or in any otherwise owing by them ; as often as they, with at least a contrite I — 8 ^ lieart, shall visit any conference or poor family, or the schools or workshops of the poor, or shall perform any other good work in accordance with the object of the said Society. Which partial indulgence every individual active member of the said Society can ob- tain as often as with a contrite heart he shall assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, when celebrated for the soul of any member, and as often as he shall Mow the bodies of the poor to ecclesiastical inter- ment. We further allow all or any of these indulgences, Femissions of sins, and relaxations of penances to be applied by way of suffrage to the souls of Christ's faithful who have departed this life in charity with God. And finally by the same our Apostolical authority we grant and extend all and every of the above men- tioned indulgences to all other, whether councils or conferences, of the same Society established with the approbation of the General Council, whether by itself or by the particular councils of Provinces already established by it. Also, to members who live in places where as yet no conference exists, provided that in these places they shall perform as far as they ean the customary works, and fulfil the other pres- cribed conditions.. — 9 — Notwithstanding our own and our Apostolic Chancery's Rule concerning not granting induU gences Ad Instar, and other Apostolic constitutions and ordinances, and any other things whatsoever to the contrary, it is our pleasure also that copies of these presents, -whether manuscript or printed, having the sing manual of the properly-constituted ecclesias- tical authorities, shall possess the same authority, Xind have the same respect paid to them as if these presents themselves were exhibited or shown. Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the Fisher- man's ring, this tenth day of January, 1845, the four- teenth year of our Pontificate. L. +S. A. Cardinal Lambruschini. [Attestation of His Grace the Archbishop of Nicaea the Apostolic Nuncio in Paris.} We, Raphael Fornari. By favour of God and of the Apostolic See, Arch- bishop of Nicaea, Domestic Prelate of our most holy Lord, by Divine Providence, Pope Gregory XVL, and assistant to the pontifical throne, and ordinary Nuncio Apostolic at the court of his Most Christian Majesty the King of the French, hereby certify and attest to all whom it concerns that this transcribed copy agrees exactly with the original thereof, which we have had under our eyes* — . 10 — Given at Paris, at Iho residence of the holy Apos- tolic Nunciature, on the 10th of February, a. MDCCCXLV. D. L. t S. Raphael, Archbishop of Nicjca, Apostolic Nuncio. A. M. Valenziani, Secretary. [Attestation of the Right Reverend Dr. DeCiiar- BONNEL, Bishop of Toronto.] Verified and acknowledged authentic. L, t S. Armd. Fr. M. Bishop of Toronto. Toronto 25th February 1851. BRIEF OF HIS HOLINESS POPE GREGORY XVI. Granting Indulgences to the Benefactors of the So- ciety of St, Vincent of Paul GREGORY XVI., POrE. To he held in Perpetual Remembrance. Whereas we have learned that the Society esta- blished under the auspices and name of St. Vincent of Paul, and devoted to the exercise of works of — 11 — Christian charily, is in an eminent degree advancing the good of religion and llic welfare of the faithful, and that the said Society may daily make new pro- gress wchave determined to enrich with the heavenly treasures of the church all such as shall hestow their care and wealth to the furtherance of the Society aforesaid, to the end that by the spiritual advantages held out to them their zeal may be more and more enkindled. Wherefore We mercifully grant in the Lord's name a plenary indulgence and remission of sins for once each month to all and every one of the faithful, whether men or women, who shall make over to the General Coundl a fixed and regular amount of alms, provided they be truly penitent, con- fess their sins, and receive the Holy Communion. Moreover we grant an indulgence of seven years and as many forty days once each month to all the faith- ful, whether men or women, who shall make over a like fixed and regular amount to the Particular Councils of Provinces or Towns established by the General Council. And further, we grant an indul- gence of one year, obtainable likewise once each month by such of the faithful, men or women, who shall by handwriting or otherwise engage (o pay into Conferences approved by the General Council, or by Particular Councils empowered to approve by the General Council, any fixed and regular contribution* Lastly, we bestow on all and every one of the faith- I ! II — 12 — ful, whether men or women, an indulgence of seven years and as many lorty days, obtainable once each month on the days when they solicit and collect con- tributions in aid of the Councils, whether General or Particular — all this, notwithstanding our own and the Apostolic Chancery's Rule concerning not grant- ing indulgences Ad Instar, and other Apostolic con- stitutions and ordinances, or any other things whatso- ever to the contrary. It is our pleasure also that copies of these presents, whether manuscript or printed, having the sit^n manual of the properly con- stituted ecclesiastical authorities, shall possess the same authority and have the same respect paid to them as if these presents themselves were exhibited or shown. Given at Rome at St. Mary Major's, under the Fisherman's Ring, this 12th day of August, 1845, the fifteenth year of our Pontificate. A. Cardinal Lambruschini, ^' + S. Bishop of Sabina. [Attestation of His Grace the Archbishop of Nicaia, the Apostolic Nuncio in Paris.] We, Raphael Fornari, By favour of God and of the Apostolic See, Arch- tishop of Nicsea, Domestic Prelate of our most holy II — 18 — Lord, by Divine Providence, Pope Gregory XVI.^ and assistant to the pontifical throne, and ordinary Nuncio Apostolic at the court of his Most Christian Majesty the King of the French, hereby certify and attest to all whom it concerns that this transcribed copy agrees exactly with the original thereof, which we have had under our eyes. Given at Paris, at the residence of the holy Apos- tolic Nunciature, on the 7th September, a. d. MDCCCXLV. Raphael, Archbishop of Nicsea, Apostolic Nuncio. L. + S. A. M. Valenziani, Secretary. [Attestation of the Right Reverend Dr. DeChar- BONNEL, Bishop of Torouto. Verified and acknowledged authentic. L. + S. Abmd. Fr. M. Bishop of Toronto Toronto 25th February 1851. — 14 — I N S T R U C T 10 N I. OP INDULGENCES IN GENERAL. We arc taught by Faith, that after having obtained in the Sacrament of Pcnanco the remission of tho sins committed after Baptism, as far as regards their guilt and the eternal punishment due to them, a temporal reparation generally remains to be made to Divine Justice : this is called atonement. The ne- cessity of this atonement, after the sins have been forgiven, is recognized and admitted by all Catholic Doctors, and the works by which wo can atone to God, are prayer, alms, fasting, and submission to the Divine Will, in all the suiicrings and afflictions of life. As these works of atonement, however, may be, for different causes, and are in fact insufficient, tho Church, which is infallible in her knowledge and tho exercise of her spiritual powers, comes to the assis- tance of her children ; and in virtue of the authority vested in her by her Divine Founder, she remits, in whole or in part, under certain conditions, however, which she takes care to prescribe and determine, the temporal punishment which had still to be undergone by them in this world or in the next. This remission of the temporal punishment due to sins actually committed, which have already been — 16 — obtained m of the rds their them, a made to The ne- ivo been Catholic atone to )n to the ns of life, y be, for ent, tho ) and tho he assis- luthority emits, in lowever, line, the idergone [it due to dy been pardoned, as far as regards their guilt and their eternal punishment, is granted by the Church, out of the sacrament of Penance, and is called Indulgence. Indulgences do not relieve a person from the obli- tion of confessing his sins, of receiving absolution, and of doing penance lor them ; on the contrary^ they pre-suppose all those things, and merely supply the insufficiency of tho satisfaction that we might offer ourselves, by the application which the Church, by whom tho Indulgences are granted, makes in our favor of the superabundant atonements of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin, and the Saints. Tho infinite atonements of the Son of God and of tho Blessed Virgin, and the atonements, also, of several Saints who, during their lives, more than satisfied for their sins, actually form, as declared by Tope Clement VI, a real treasure into which flow daily the new spiritual riches of which the Church has been appointed by Divine authority the solo and sovereign dispenser. It is from this treasure that the Church each day draws the Indulgences granted by her to tho Faithful to complete or to supply the atonement which they owe to Divine Justice. The Indulgences granted by the Church are Ple- nary or Partial'—They are plenary when they remit the whole of the temporal punishment due to I lil> fill — ifi — tin, U»o guilt of which must, however, have been previuusly wiped out by the Sacrament of Penance. They are partial when tlicy remit a portion only of the temporal punishment due to sin ; for instance, seven years and seven forty days, more or less. In thus granting a specific number of days, weeks, or years of indulgence, the Church docs not pretend to shorten numerically the sufferings in purgatory ; the meaning she desires* to convey by these terms, is that she has the intention of remitting a portion of the temporal pain equal to that which would have been remitted by the same number of days, weeks or years of the canonical penance which was formerly prescribed by the penitential Canons. The plenary or T^ar/iaZ Indulgences may be applied to the souls in Purgatory, only, however, when the briefs or Rescripts by which they are granted, per- mit and authorize this application. The Church does not apply these Indulgences directly to the dead, for over them she can have no more jurisdiction ; it is therefore to the living Faithful that she grants these Indulgences. They accomplish the works imposed and offer to God, for the dead, the satisfactory value of the Indulgence, by way o{ suffrage, conjuring hini to accept the same for the total or partial remission of the temporal punishment they have yet to expiate. — 17 — All calholic Doctors aflirm llmt these Indulgencci are accepted by God and arc beneficial to the souU in Tuf'gatory. But it is impossible to determine in what degree and to what extent God applies them to the souls for the relief of which they are granted— 'This application depends, as regards the extent of its effects, upon the Sovereign Will of God, who has not in this case, as in the case of Indulgences to the living, to ratify a sentence of His Church. II. Conditions required to gain the Indulgences. The conditions prescribed to gain the Indulgences have reference, eithor to the dispositions of the faith- ful, or to the works enjoined : — On the part of the faithful, two dispositions are re- quired, the state of Grace and the intention to gain the Indulgences. V^ He that is in the state of mortal sin cannot gain the Indulgences — this admits not of a doubt — subject to everlasting punishment, as long as he remains in that state, he cannot claim the re- mission of the temporal punishment due to sins th»t have neither been confessed nor absolved — With regard to the attachment to venial sin, it does not prevent us from obtaining the Indulgences, which, in — 18 — this ca«c, mny bo npplied to the other sins already remitted. — However, these Indulgences cannot bt plenary, because tlio temporal punishment duo to a sin, though it were venial, cannot bo remitted, unlesf the sin itself has been forgiven, which cannot take place as long as the aflection for that sin sliall last, 2"'* The intention required to gain tho Indulgence may be fi^rmed in tho morning, for all the works that we shall do in the course of the day to which Indul- gences arc attached. 3'^ With regard to the works to be done and the manner of performing thorn, we must adhere expressly to the terms of tho Briefs or Rescripts that grant the Indulgences. « ■ Explanation of Indulgences granted to the Bene, factors of the ^Society. The Brief Romanum decet Pontificem, of the 10th of January, 1845, only granted to the benefactors of the Society of St. Vincent of Paul one plenary indul- gence at the hour of death. By the new Brief annexed hereto, Quam Societatem, of the 12th of August, 1845, His Holiness, Pope Gregory XVI., has vouchsafed to grant them the following indulgences ; — 1st. A plenary indulgence once a month to all subscribers to the General Council, provided that on the day they wish to obtain it they go to confession and communion. Ill •-- 10 — 2nd. Anjndulgcnco of seven years and ai many forty days, once a month, to all subcribers to the Provincial Councils, 3rd. A similar indulgence of seven years and of as many forty dnys, also once a month, to all subscri- bers to the Councils of Towns, 4th. An Indulgence of one year, also once • month, to all subscribers to Conferences. All these indulgences enjoin on benefactors who wish to obtain them no other conditions than those of a fixed and regular offering. As for the payment of this offering the belief actors can do so either every year or every month, etc, ; they are entirely free on this point, 5th. An indulgence of seven years and of as many forty days to all persons who shall make collections for the General Council or for the Council of Pro- vinces or Towns. This indulgence is obtained by persons to whom it is granted the same day of the collection, and by the simple fact of collecting. One indulgence only of this kind can be obtained svery month. The Honorary Members of the Society to whom the Brief of the 10th January had already granted plenary indulgences on the feasts designated I — JiU — m in ihc olbresaid Bnct are not excluded from the bene- fits granted by thnt <»f the 12ih of August ; they can obtain every month the indulgences before-named, the only condition being that th«7 take upon themselvei to pny a fixed and regular subscription. As rcgHrds the active Members of the Society they do not re- ceive by the Brief of the 12t!i of August any new favour except the being qualified to obtain two ple- nary indulgences each month, provided they under- take to send to the (hneral Council » fixed and regular oflforing. P !1 RULES OF TlIK SOCIETY Of ST. VINCET^T OF PAUL, TORONTO. Extract fiom the ngulations published at Paris in December 1835. Here at Inst is the beginning of that written orga- nisation which waa the object of our wishes. It has been long delayed, for it is now several years since our httle association was commenced. But was it not necessary to ascertain whether it were the will of God that it should live, before it received a definite form of existence ? Was it not necessary that it should have settled upon its basis, that it should know what Heaven required of it, that it n.ight judge of wnat it could do by what it had done, before it gave rules and prescribed duties to itself? Now we have only had, as it were, to transfer into regulations practices that had already been followed and cherished. This is a sure guarantee that our regulations will be umversally weh received and will not fall into oblivion. Our little congregation was at first styled the Con- ference of charity of St, Vincent of Paul It no i4 — sa — ll|i !it n : 1 called itself because it was under this name it had commenced, and that it might not forget the cir- cumstances of its origin, which no one in particular oan refer to himself. It occurred to some while defending religious dogmas in the stormy debates of literary societies, that it was not enough to speak, that it was also necessary to act ; hence the works of charity to which they devoted themselves ; hence the Conference of charity* Having greatly increased in numb'3rs, and being obliged to divide ourselves into sections, several of us wishing, besides, to re-unite in other cities where it because our lot to reside in future, each of these sec- tions, which are all comprised under the common denomination of The Sociehj of St. Vincent of Paul, continued to be called a Conference, We shall ever avoid giving our association the name of any of its members, whatever services he may be considered to have rendered it, or of any of the places in which it may hold its meetings, lest we should accustom ourselves to look upon it as the work of man : works of christian charity belong to God alone, the author of all good. It was a movement of chrislian piety that brought us together ; it is therefore that we do not seek else where than in the spirit of religion, in the examples end precepts of Our Lord, and in the teachings ofth« e it had the cir- jarticular ne while ebates of io speak, works of hence the tnd being oral of us where it hese sec- common of Paul, ition the IS he may ny of the lest we tFie work : to God I brought seek else examples igs of th« — 23 — Church and the Lives of the Saints, for the rules of our conduct; it is therefore that we have placed our- selves under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin and St. Vincent of Paul, to whom we pay particular honor, and in whose footsteps we endeavor to walk. Christ began by practising what he was afterwards to teach mankind : ccBpitfacere et docere : our desire is to imitate this divine model, as far as our weak- ness will permit us* The object, aim, and end of the Society is : 1st, to encourage its members, by example and counsel, m the practice of a Christian life; 2ndly, to visit the poor at their dwellings, to carry them succour m l^ind --to afford them also religious consolation, remembering these words of our Master, "Nog in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God," (Deut. viii. 3 ; Matt, iv.4) ; 3rdly, to apply ourselves, according to our abilities, and the time which we can spare, to the elementary and Christian instruction of poor children, whether free or imprisoned, seeing that what we may do for the least among our brethren, Jesus Christ has promised he will accept as done to himself; 4thlv, to distribute moral and religious books ; 5thly, 'to be willing to undertake any other Bort of charitable work to which our resources might be adequate, and which would not oppose the chiel tnd of the Society. — 24 — The Society Is composed of active, aspirant, and" honorary members The members of this latter class assist the former by thoir efforts aud by their influence: by their off^'rings and their prayers, they supply the absence of ihnt actual co-operation which their ordinary engagements will not permit them to perform. The Society should endeavour to attain and prac- tice every virtue ; there are, however, some virtues which are more essentially necessary to its members, for the due discharge of the charitable duties to which they devote themselves. Among these are, self-denial, Christian prudence, the active love of our neighbour, zeal for the salvation of souls, meekness in heart and word, and above ail, the spirit of fraternal charity. They ought therefore to meditate on those maxims of the Gospel which recommend these vir- tues, and should make them the rule of their lives. It is for this purpose that these maxims are here detail- ed, and a development given to them applicable to the objects of our Institution. 1. By self-denial we should understand the surren- dering of our own opinion, without which surrender no association is durable. The man who is in love with his own ideas will disdain the opinion of others ; which disdain, far from uniting, will engender divi- sion. We should therefore willingly acquiesce in the i^'\ o5 — judgment of others, and should uot feel anrioyed .£ ou. ..wn pioposhi.ns be uol »■ c.-pted by then, Our mutunl good-will should proceed from the heart, ortd should t without bounds. We ought equ.dly to avo.d all spint of co,>tuuior> xvi.h .he poor, and we „ust not consider ourselves oflended .f they y.eld not implicitly to our advice ; we should .>ot attempt to n>ake them receive it as from authority and by command, but content ourselves wuh proposmg ^hat is good, and zealously exhortmg to .ts pn.ct.ce, Wave the result entirely in the hands of Almighty God. 2. Among the poor there are some ^^ho have the happiness to be devout Christians; others are md.fie. rent, and some perhaps impious. We ought no to repulse them, even in this latter case -but our an cuage should be applicable to the d.sposmons of E ^hom ^e address ; remembering that Jesu. Christ recommended his disciples to unUe the w.sdon. of the serpent to the simplicity of the dove. Bounty opens the heart to confidence, and it -.^y '^''-"''bl* ^^Isthat we prepare the way for YT\^:,tl St Vincent of Paul often recommended Ins followers ^itlotry^be latter, until the former had been treely bestowed. , . 3. Love of our neighhour and ««'/«'. fl^^ttv' Hon of souls. This is the essence of he Society. He who is not animated by this twofold sent.ment. ! 11 — 26 — which with the Christian forms but one feelings should not become a member. We must never mur- mur at the labours, the fatigues, nor even at the re- pulses to which the exercise of charity may subject us. We expose ourselves to all these things, in asso- ciating for the service of our neighbour. Neither should we regret the pecuniary sacrifices that we make to our Institution, esteeming ourselves happy in offering any/hing to Jesus Christ in the persons of the poor, and in being able to carry any relief to his suffering members. We should make these sacrifices with an entire absence of personal feeling, and not conceive that the poor whom we have adopted ought to be more privileged than those adopted by others, merely because we may presume that we have con- tributed to the common fund a larger portion than they. 4. Our Divine model was meek and humble of heart ; *' Learn of me, because I am meek and hum.' hie of heart^'^ (Matt. xi. 29) ; and our patron, St. Vincent of Paul, prized nothing so highly as meekness and humility, which are inseparable. To each other we should be kind and obliging, and we should adopt the same sentiments towards the poor whom we visit. We can have no power over the mind, except through meekness ; all blessings also are promised to those who use this method. '* Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land." (Matt., v., 4.) The spirit It ^ !J7 — feeling, er mur- Xha re- subject n asso- ^either hat we happy •sons of f to his orifices md not I ought others, /e con- m than ible of i hum- )n, St. ieknesa i other 1 adopt e visit, hrough J those j/c, for e spirit of humility and meeVncss is more particularly neces- sary in giving advice, and in exhorting others to fly from evil, and to practice virtue. Without gentleness, zeal for the salvation of souls is a ship without sails. 6 It is by the spirit of brotherly love that our So- ciety will become dear to its members, and edifying to others. Faithful to the maxims of our Divine Master and of his beloved disciple, lot us love one another. Let our brotherly affection be constant, now and ever, flir and near, from one conference ta another, from town to town, from clime to clime. This brotherly love will render us able to bear with each others' failings ; we shall never thmk ill ol a brother without regret, and then only when we can- not any longer refuse to acknowledge the evidence of facts ; even then,-in order to conform ourselves to the will of Him who has confided to each one the care ef his neighbour, " to every one hath God given commandment concerning his neighbour (Ecchs. xvii. 12),-in a spirii of charity ,-and with all the heartfelt effusion of the most devoted friendship fot our falling or fallen brother, we will counsel him our- selves, or cause advice to be conveyed to him. We will endeavour to strengthen him in vh-tue. or raise him from his fall. If any member of the Society should become ill, his brethren will visit him -.will care for him; if it be necessary, will soften and assuage the tediousness of his slow recovery; if his malady be m m m *? _ 28 — dangerous, they will see that the consolations which religion aflbrds sliall he his, and that the H(.ly Sacra- ments of our church shall be administered to him. In B w rd, the troubles and the joys of one shall be sha- red by all, in accordance with the advice of the apostle, who has desired us to weep with those who Weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice. The unity of the Society of St. Vincent of Paul should be cited as a model of Christian friendship— of a friendship carried b?yond the grave, for in our prayers before the Almighty we shall remember those of our brethren who have been taken from us. This sentiment of fraternal charity, this union of hearts and souls, will endear to each of us our little Society. We shall bless it for the good, however trivial, it enables us to perform ; we shall love this Society with tenderness, and even with a greater affection than any other association of the kind, not because of its excellence or from pride, but as affec- tionate children, who would love a tender mother, though poor and deformed, more than all other wo- men, however they might excel by their riches or their talents. A few other Considerations on the foregoing Maxims. One of the vices most opposed to charity and Christian humility is envy. We should be vigilant «0 — ; whicii Sacra- im. In be sha- of the )se who of Paul dship — in our er thoso inion of )ur little lowever ove this greater and, not as affec- molher, her wo- iches or wi th another, but with Maxims, rity and vigilant on this point, not only one resnecl to othr^r Societies having f.)r object, I kc our own, the solaoo and relief of our neinrhbour We .hould ardently desire, ai.d behold with plea- sure, their prosperity, and the good they accomplish ; we should rejoice if fresh brethren join us, if existing societies unite themselves to ours, since greater good might spring from the union ; but we should behold without jealousy our Christian friends devoting themselves to other good works, and other Societies working the good work in their own manner, and independently of us. We should have but one de- sire,-lhat of seeing all engaged in doing good, and in consoling those who suffer ; not considermg ours the best, but loving it the most. The same spirit should ever induce us individually to wish that the offices of the Society should be con- fided to others, rather than to ourselves. We should always remember that we are only laics, and for the most part young men, without any mission to teach others ; we should therefore show the greatest deference to the good counsel which may be given to us by the Society and its heads ; and we must, above all, observe and follow with an absolute docility the directions which our ecclesiastical su^^^^^^ riors may think fit to give us. St. Vincent of Paul wished his disciples not to undertake any good work, i! if ■ ' — 30 — without having first secured the assent, and received the benediction, of the local pastors. We should likewise submit with great deference to the Sisters of Charity, and even to laymen who may have offices of charity to perform towards those whom we also desire to succour, considering it as an honour to bo the least among our brethren, and wishing to be no more than the servants and instruments of others in the assistance rendered to the poor. Lastly, among ourselves the younger should defer to the elder, and the newly admitted members to those who are of longer standing. We are the dispensers of the gifts of God, who is the common Father of mankind, and makes His sun to shine upon all. Our love of ourneighbour then, must be without respect of persons. The title of the poor to our commiseration is their poverty itself. Jesus Christ came to redeem and save all men, the Greeks as well as Jews, barbarians as well as Ro- mans. Neither should we discriminate any more than he did between those who are the victims of suffeiing and misery. Nevertheless, St. Paul re- commends to Christians to assist, in ihc first place, their brethren in the faith ; ad domesiicos fidei' We, therefore, should testify a special intereit in those poor who are punctual in the observance of their re- Icgious duties. 31 — received ! should listers of e otficea we also ir to be to be no others in , among rier, and 10 are of I, who is His sun jur then, :le of the ty itself, men, the 11 as Ro- ly more ictims of Paul re- st place, I. We, in those their re- The spirit of charity, together with Christian pru- dence, will induce us to banish from our meetings every political dicusaion. St. Vincent of Panl would not allow his ecclesiastics to converse upon those differences which create war among princes, or to discuss those motives of rivalry which sometimes es- trange nations. It is therefore more essentially nc. cessary that those who wish to bo of one mind and to exercise tho ministry of charity, should discard all those political questions which bring parties into con- tact ; and they should not introduce any of those irritating subjects which so often agitate society. Our Society" is all charity— politics are foreign to its purposes. In order to maintain effectually that unity of senti- ment and to cement that Christian friendship which form the foundation and the charm of our Society, it is requisite that we should only admit into it those candidates who arc truly worthy of the affection of our brethern. Previous therefore, to the enrolment of any friend into our ranks we should carefully en- quire whether it be calculated to draw closer those ties which bind us to each other : whether the ame- nity of his disposition and his Christian mildness would enhance the value of that relief which he may be commissioned to afford to the wretched ; whether the firmness of his disposition authorizes us to hope that he will persevere in carrying out his generous I — 32 —■ 1 ! . S II f resolutions ; and whether ho is in a condition to con- tribute to Iho funds of the Institution, the incompati- bility which exists between the duties of an nhns- giver and the miseries of a poor m:in being evident ; in fact, nothing could be more disastrous than that it should' for an instant bo supposed i hat the alms en- trusted to the Sons of St. Vincent of Paul had beea applied to the personal wants of any one of their Members. Another e.^sential rule, upon the obser- vance of which the future prospects of the Society mainly depend, and which the Conferences have ri- gorously followed, is to admit into them only such persons as are sincerely attached to the Cathohc Faith, not merely by habit, but heartily and with an entire conviction; persons in a word, who observe the commandments of God and of the Church. The choice of new members is of the utmost importance. It is only by undeviating rectitude of life and con:,tan- cy in the performance of those acts of charity to which we have devoted ourselves, that our Society can inspire confidence and become efficient in promot- ing the charitable aim of its institution.- Another point no less worthy of our consideration is the discretion which should accompany our zeal for the salvation of souls. The human heart is not al- ways in a fit state to receive Christian teaching. We must wait with patience the hour which God has appointed ; as He is patient, so must we bo. It is 11 [ — Sa- to con- :omp:iti- fin nlms- 5vident ; n thai it ilms en- ad bcea of their e obser- Society have ri- nly such Catholic with da serve the :h. The portauce. conitan- harity to r Society 1 promot- ;ideration ir zeal for is not al- teaching. I God has be. It is pofsible that weeks may pass without our being able to inculcate with effect a single maxim of morali and religion. We must not be importunate upon this point. We are not commissioned to perform the good which it is out of our power to effect. Neither should we be discouraged at the apparent fruitlessness of our endeavours. Perhaps the Almighty wills not that we ourselves should witness the happy end which may result from our efforts and our sacrifices. Our charity would be less meritorious and might dispose us to vain glory if wo always be held it successful. The first work of thg Society of St. Vincent of Paul, that which most of all appears essential to it, if the visit of the poor at their abodes- — We can never know so well what the unfortunate suffer, as when we go to their dwellings and become the witnesses of all their wants and of all their sufferings. The sight of so many privations is the best preservative against the abuse of riches.— Can we indulge in every fancy, and take a pleasure in luxuries, when we see near uf so many poor persons in need of the necessaries of life? This spectacle is salutary especially for the young man just entering the world :— in the midst of the giddness produced by the first parties and plea- sures, the visit of a poor family will arrest him more forcibly on the slippery declivity down which he is borne, than could all the counsels of wisdom. He is compelled on this occasion to make or return on him- m U — 34 — ■elf; ho iccs life such as it is, and every illusion vanishes, to give place to serious and useful thoughts. Then often, when we take to the poor a Uttlo hread to appease his hun;?er, a Tow garments to cover his naicedncss, we receive in exchange graces and in- struction far more precious ; we learn patience and resignation in the midst of suflerings ; we have peace and serenity of the soul. It is Jesus Christ himself that wo visit, when we visit the poor ; we go to a faithful friend's by whom wo are always well received ; wo are assured to return with joy and contentment of the heart — a great number of our confreres havo declared that they had derived ineflfablo spiritual benefit from visiting the poor conlidcd to their care. The visit of the poor at their dismal abodes is the distinctive character of the conferences of St. Vincent of Paul ; — the Council of Paris has even exhorted the Presidents of the conferences of tnat city to visit in person, occasionally, all the families adopted by their respective conferences, to enable them to become better acquainted with their wants, and to assure themselves that the visits are regularly made. The visit of the poor, so useful to all those who practise it, so proper to entertain in ihem the spirit of charity by the knowledge of the details of their many sufferings, may under another aspect and with regard ]i — 85 — Illusion :)ught8. } bread vor his rirul in- ico and J pence liimsclf go to a reived ; ntrnent 3s have piriliuU > their s is the Vincent ted the visit in )y their become assure )se who spirit of ir many 1 regard to the poor tfiemiclves, be viewed as the founda- tion of all the other works of the Society. — It is the first step to be made in tiio career of Charity. Let us then go courageously to those infectious dens where poverty is too often condemned to dwell: let us enter into conversation with the poor, a few kind words will gain us their confidence, which moreover is soon ac(iuired by tiini who goes to relievo and to console; we shall learn all their sufTe rings, all their wishes, and perhaps their vices— -wo shall give them advice founded on a knowledge of facts, wo shall ob- tain from ihem that their children may go to good schools, and we shall withdraw them from idling in the streets and place them in ap[)renticeship. Thus you will liave forethought for the poor, who want it so often, you will be their Providence, and you will prepare for them better days. Christian prudence should ever accompany us on our mission to the poor. Unfortunately, especially in large towns, the poor often conceal their means of subsistence, and thus draw to themselves that sym- pathy and those alms which should be shared by others. Without therefore, entertaining suspicions injurious to the interests of the poor, we should use great circumspection in administering relief. It is not always wise to rely too implicitly upon their first statements. It will therefore be a duty to ascertain their real condition from the clergy or from those — . 36 — persons most able to afford us information upon the subject. If we wish to become their true benefactors we should represent to ihem how precarious are those means of charity which we have at our disposal, and how necessary it will be for them to endeavour to earn their own subsistence. In so doing we ought to assist them and point out the means of obtaining employment. If they be ill and unable to work we should assist them in obtaining admission into those establishments for which they may be eligible. Let us remember likewise, that we must never be ashamed to give trivial alms. That which is small in the estimation of the rich is great in the eyes of the poor, who possess nothiiTg. Our ordinary resources must de- pend upon the voluntary offerings of each of us, assist- edbythe charitable contributions of our friends. If these resources do not allow us to bestow large alms, our tender interest for the poor, our very manner towards them will add a value to our gifts, which they do not possess in themselves. The House of the poor is the point of departure of all charitable thoughts ;— it is there we think of putting to profit and of combining together all the works already projected by the piety of the Faithful ; it is there we imagine new modes of coming to the relief of new wants, and of preventing the recur- rence of the evils which afflict us. I'll Ills. kill — St — on the 'actors ! those il, and our to ought laining »rk we those irer be 1 in the 2 poor, ust de- , assist- [f these ns, our awards do not ture of link of all the lithful ; to the recur- Ah ! what a consolation for a young man, if all hli life he can keep in view a family which he has assisted, which he has w ithdf awn from misery, and perhaps reclaimed from the grossest vises ! Who can tell all the Graces that God will pour on him,, as the price of this generous action that marked the com- mencement of his career. In some Conferences it has happened that members, prevented by their occupations, have caused the poor to come to them at their houses to distribute to them the relief granted and to give them advice, instead going themselves to the abodes of the Poor. — This is less contrary to our Institution than to cause the assist- ance to be taken to the poor by servants ; this last mode cannot be to much blamed ; nothing would tend more to destroy radically the spirit of the Society ; a like abuse, however, has only revealed itself by one isolated act, and loud were our Complaints ! We gave the cry of alarm, as if the enemy had been at our door : — We hope that this cry is still heard by all, and that we shall be sufficiently watchful over one another, to prevent the recurrence of a similar mis- fortune. With regard to the mode of making the poor come to our home, we blame it likewise. — The foundation, the essence of our work, is the visit of the poor in his dismal abode ; we must see him in all his rags, '"ic* Ttf ', W^ U — 38 — . in all his neglect, in the inconveniences of his misery in his improvidence, in his discouragement. This eight in at once an instruction for us and a motive to engage us to devote ourselves to his relief. If he comes to us instead of our going to him, the same result will not be obtained. Who does not feel that the spontaneous visit of him who affords assistance insu- res him over the indigent family, a moral ascendency that he would not derive from the interview which one of the members of the same family would come to seek from interested motives ? And then let us here elevate our thoughts higher: the Poor are the friends of Jesus Christ ; they are his members ; they are himself: Jesus Christ holds as done to himself what we do for each of them ; — St. Vincent of Paul wished that, when we spoke to the poor, when we gave them alms, we should represent to ourselves and become convinced that we spoke to Jesus Christ himself, that we assisted the Divine Saviour in person — who among us does not envy the happiness of the Shepherds of Bethlem ? Well, this happiness we share, when we visit with faith the poor at their dwellings, in their humble mangers, nay, I will even say in their stables. Like those happy shepherds, let us be anxious to perform this pious work ; let us hasten to the cellars, to the garrets, to every place where the Divine Infant suffers in the persons of the poor ; let us approach those miserable haunts with !1^ — 39 — Tiisery This tive to If he 3 same lat the B insu- idency which I come let us ire the ; they [fwhat wished e them tecome limself, rson — I of the ss we it their II even jherds, ; let us 7 place i of the ts with respect, veneration, and love ; and let us not aban- don to others so high a privilege — It was a great favor that was granted to a few humble Shepherds on the very night of the birth of Our Lord ; it is also a great favor that appertains to the members of the Society of St. Vincent of Paul, to be called to the honor, and to the blessings of the visit of the poor of Jesus-Christ. — Let us then never suffer so glorious an advantage to diminish, let us be faithful to this great and holy practice to which Heaven is promised ! In fine, let us never neglect the visit of the Poor at their abodes, GENERAL REGULATIONS. Article 1. — All persons, of whatever country, who desire to participate in the prayers and good works of the Society of St. Vincent of Paul, will be cheerfully received as Members of this charitable So- ciety. 2. — No work of charity which it is in the power of a lay Catholic to render should be regarded as foreign to the Society, although its more especial object is to visit poor families at their own homes. Thus the members may take every opportunity of affording consolation to the sick and the imprisoned, of giving instruction to poor children, and religious succour to those who need it at the hour of death. 3 — .When a certain number of persons become members of the Society in a town, they assemble to- ^46 ^ gcther in order mutually to practise virtue. This association lakes the name of Conference^ under which name the Society began its existence. 4. — When many Conferences are established in a town, they are distinguished by the name of the dif- ferent localities in which they meet. They are united by a particular Council, that takes the name of the city in which it is established. 5. — The different Conferences^ of the Society are tinited by a General Council, CHAPTER 1. I 1? M' OF THE conferences; 61 — ^The Conferences assemble on appointed day* and hours. 2. — The members of each Conference will corres* pond together in order to edify one another, and to recommend to each other, the members of the So- ciety, other young persons, or the poor families who* often change their residence. SECTION I. ORGANIZATION OP THE CONFERENCES^; 8. — Each Conference has a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, who form the board of the Conference. Ml: J -.41 — , This r which led in a the dif- I united 3 of the 5ty are id dsiytt corres' and to (he Se- es who- r more r, who Each Conference has also an Assistant-Secretar5''^ an Assistant-Treasurer, a Keeper of the Kecords, a Keeper of the Register, a Librarian, a Patron of Schools, Trustees or Overseers of Sales, a Keeper of the Vestry, a Physician, Keepers of provisions or stores, Collectors and Porters, or any other officersr who may be required^ 9. — The President is elected by the Conference. The other officers are' named by the President, with the advice of the Board. However, as it is said here- after, in the Cities where a Council of direction existst the Presidents and vice-Pfesidents of the'several Con- ferences, a»'e named by the President of the Council^ and the admission of the members who compose them is sanctioned by the said Council. 10.— ^The President directs the Conference, re- ceives and presents the propositions, calls the meet-' ings if necessary, and superintends the execution of the rules and decisions of the Society. In the case of absence, his place is taken by oner of the Vice-Presidents. 11, — The Secretary keeps the minutes of the meet-^ ings, and a register of the names, professions, and abodes of the members, the dates of their recep-^ tion, and the names of the persons by whom they have been presented. He also keeps a list indicating tha^ — 42 — t;: It II names of the families who receive aid, their abodes, the names of the members who visit them, and the quan- tity and nature of assistance given to each of them. He takes note of the changes which occur in the families, and in those who visit them. 12. — The Treasurer has the keeping of the money, at each meeting he takes an account of the receipts and disbursements. 13.— The Keeper of the records has the care of the different papers belonging to the Conference. 14. — The Keeper of the register inscribes the names of the poor who have no employment, in a register indicating the age, trade, and abode of these persons. He also keeps note of the persons with whom they arc placed by the conference. 15-— The Librarian collects instructive books which he lends to the poor under the directions of the Conference keeping a correct account of the same. 16.— The Patron of schools receives from the Se- cretary the names of the children patronised, visits their schools weekly, reports on their conduct to the Conference, and distributes the rewards granted to them. 17. — The Trustees or Overseers of sales, have the care of the different donations made to the Confe- I r1» — 43 — abodes, le quan- them. in tho money, eceipts 3 of the )es the t, in a >f these iS with books 3 of the ame. the Se- , visits t to the I ted to ive the Confe- rence, for the benefit of which the articles arc sold by- auction or disposed of otherwise. 18. — The Keeper of the vestry collects the cloth- ing for the use of the poor and keeps a list of them. 19. — The Keepers of provisions or stores distri- bute the difFercnt articles thoy are intrusted with. They transmit to the Treasurer the tickets they re- ceive, which they cannot keep more than eight days. 20. — The Collectors keep a list of the subscribers, receive their offerings, at the periods fixed, and trans- mit them to the Treasurer. 21. — The Porters have orders not to admit to tho Conference any person who is not a member of the Society, except when introduced by a member. SEC. II. ORDER OF THE MEETINGS. 22. — At the opening of each Meeting, the President recites the prayer : " Come ! Holy Ghost,'* followed by the orison and an invocation to St. Vincent of Paul. After which a lecture is made from some pious book ; each member being invited to read in his turn. 23. — The Secretary reads the minutes of the pre- ceeding meeting. Each member can make observa- tions on these minutes. *-. 44 — 54. — The Treasurer publishes the amount of iho funds, in order that the demands for aid may bo pro- portioned to the same. 25. — If new members are to be received, the IVe- sident proclaims the admission of candidates present- ed and announced at the three proccding meetings : it is the secretary's duty to apprize them of their ad- mission. 20. — When a member wishes to introduce a Can- didate to the Conference, he must furnish the Presi- dent with his name, calling, and residence, some days previous to the first meeting at which he may be proposed, in order that the President, who is spe- cially charged with the direction and the honor of the Conference, may enquire into his qualifications and present him for admission into the Society, if he be found to possess those Christian virtues that should guide the conduct of a member of the Society of St. Vincent of Paul. — The members who may have any observations to make on the candidate, transmit them in writing, or viva voce to the President before the time shall have elapsed that precedes the meeting at which he is to be admitted. If no observations be made, the candidate is received at the last meeting. 27. — If the person who is presented as candidate belongs to any secret, or other society condemned by the Church, he cannot be received as member of the V) I t of the bo pro- the IVe- present- eetings : heir ad- a Can- e Presi* !, some he may I is spC' onor of Ications y, if he : should f of St. ve any lit them )re the iting at ions be Iting. ndidate ned by r of the — 45 — Conference. And if a member, after being received, join any of the Societiej condemned by the Church, the Secretary shall be obliged to write to him an of- ficial letter, admonishing him to send in hia resigna- tion, and if he do not r jsign within a certain time, the Secretary ihali give information thereof to the Con- renco. 28. — A person not having means to contribute to the common funds, cannot be admitted as member. 29. — A member of the Society cannot, under any pretext or circumstance whatever, receive aid from its funds. 30. — When a person desires to become a member of the Society, he must be presented by two members. No candidate can be admitted into the Society wi- thout being published at four meetings of the Conference into which he desires admittance, and his reception as member shall only take place at the fourth calling. Each member will therefore take care to introduce into the Society only those persons who are capable of edifying its members, and who are disposed to love their colleagues and the poor, as their brothers. 31. — The President then reads the reports on the families proposed at the preceeding meeting, before the vote of the Conference is taken : each member may make any observation he thinks useful on these reports. 4G t 1 ^^^^^H^ ijJ ^^^^^^H < i ^^^^^^H'^ 82. — When the reports have been read, iho Presi- dent. publishes the other families who demand help : and selects two of the eldest members to visit and examine each family proposed. 83. — Tickets are then given denoting the help granted to eacii family adopted, which can be changed according to the wants of the poor. The secretary calls the visitors, and points out the assistance which is granted to each family. The President requests the members to give infor- mation regarding the families they were charged to visit. Assistance ought to be invariably given to the poor during the interval between each meeting. The time, the number, and the manner of these visits, are left to the prudence of the visitors, as well as the means to be adopted in order to introduce into families the love of religion and the practice of its duties. Those who request rules of conduct, or advice in difficult circumstances, ought to be heard with atten* lion and kindness, and the President, or any other member, answers according as his experience and his charity may dictate. 34. — If assistance in money, in clothes, or in books be requested, the motives of such requests onght to be developped, and the Conference votes accordingly. ', by giving its equivalent in another form, the member who has received this money, should watch as closely as possible, over the use which is made of it. 35.— After determining the niiturc of the assistance about to bo given, the attention of the Conference is occupied with tlie appointments to be made, the steps to be taken for the benefit of the poor, and such other interesting matters. No new family is received without having been visited by two members named by the President ; if the family is adopted, it is confided to the care of two other visitors ; a member who recommends a family cannot be named to visit it :-a ticket for one small loaf is given to the family thus visited. 36. — Members who are about to leave for a time or for ever the Conference they belong to, inform the President thereof, who confides to others the business with which they were charged. 37. — The Conference then takes into its delibera- tion such observations as may tend to its support, its growth, and the proper distribution of its funds. 38. — If a poor person dies, his death is announced at the next meeting, and the President invites the Conference to assist at a Mass for the repose of his soul, which is said on the first convenient day ; and at the end of the meeting the De Profundis is said. V 'l — 49 — «9.-Bef.>ro pinyers. the Treasurer, or whoever if charKod with taking up iho collection, to which each Member contributes nccordiui.' to his means, but always secretly, goes through the meeting lor the purpose of doing so. Those who cannot sacnfico Their time in serving the poor, endeavour to make up the deficiency by a greater pecuniary contribution. The amount of tho collection is intended to meet the wants of the poor families visited ; but tho memberi should not neglect any other means which may pre- «ent itself for increasing the funds. 40.-Tho meeting closes by tho " Prayer to St._ Vincent of Paul," tho prayer « Fop- Benefactors, and " Wejly to thy Patronage, etc" CHAPTER 11. OP PARTICULAK COUNCILS. 41 _Tho Particular Council of a city is composed of a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, one or more Assistant-Secrctarios, a Treasurer one or more Assistant-Treasurers, of all the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the different Conferences of the city, and the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of such special objects of Charity as may interest them all. 42._The Particular Council occupies itself with those important measures of ways and means which interest all tho Conferences of the city. hoever U hich each cans, but ig ft>r iho sacrifice » laako up [itribulion. I meet tho mcmberg may pre- lyer to St, nefactors** om posed of I Secretary, lasurer, one Presidents iferences of residents of iterest them itself with leans which — 40 — 43.— Tho Council decides in what manner che common fund is to bo emi'Ioyed. This fund is supported by charitahle gifts from without, by collections made at tho general meetings in (ho city, and by tho onbrings which, at each Coun- cil, the Presidents bring in tho name of their Confo- renccs. It is destined to meet tho general wants and to assist tiic poorest Conferences. 44.— The President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer form an ordinary Council, to which belongs the direction of the usual business. 46.— Tho members of the Particular Council are named by the President, with tho advice of this Council.— The President is named by tho Council, with the ad vice of the Conferences. The first time, ho is named by the united Conferences. 46.— The President of the Particular Council directs its proceedings receives and presents the propositions, and calls the meetings if necessary. He presides over the general assemblies of the locality. 47.— Tho Secretary keeps the minutes of the sit- tings of the Council, and a Register of the names, professions, and places of abode of all the Members of the different Conferences of tho city, of the date of their reception, and of tho names of thoso who pre- sented them. ■ i ; r ;,' . ~ii it',.'' ' M ^^M Ih% ^H m H :■ } — 50 — 48.,_The Treasurer takes charge ot the Funds of the Council. 49, The Presidents and Vice-Presidents of Con- ferences represent their Conferences in the Particular Council. The Presidents of special objects of Chari- ty attend there lo defend the interests of those ob- jects. The one and the other make reports, when they are invited to do so by the President of the Council. CHAPTER III. SECTION 1. THE GENERAL COUNCIL. 50. ^The General Council is composed of a Presi- dent, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, with many Councillors. 61. The General Council is the link which binds together all the conferences, it maintains the unity of the Society. It superintends all that may tend to pro- mote its prosperity, it puts into operation the de- cisions at which it anives for that purpose. 62. — It decides on the use to be made of the gene- ral fund, which is supported by extraordinary pre- sents made to the Society, by the collections at the general meetings of the Society, and by the offerings which each Conference or each Council sends to de- fray the general expenses of the Society. — 51 — Funds of 5 of Con- Particular of Chari- those ob- ta, when 3nt of the ►fa Presi- rreasurer, hich binds le unity of snd to pro- )n the de- f the gene- linary pre- ions at the le offerings ends to de- 58.— The poiembers of the general Council are named by the President with the advice of the Coun- cil* 54. — Wiien there is occasion to name a general President of the Society, the general Council is con- voked by the Vice-President. This meeting, which is preparatory, is devoted to the taking into considera- tion the merits of the persons who might be charged with this important office. The former President, is requested to point out some person whom lie may think worthy of being elected. After maturely reflecting on the choice of one or more persons, the Meeting adjourns for two month?. In the interval, advice is given of this preliminary meeting to the Presidents of Particular Councils, who consult their colleagues, and to those of the Conferences, who consult their Officers, or even the Conferences they direct ; they all transmit their opinions to the General Council ; on those opinions the election is made, of which correct minutes are taken. While the election lasts, all the Members of the Society, either in private or at their meetings, ad- dress a prayer to God, viz. : the ** Veni Creator^*' in order that His Holy Spirit may enlighten them in the choice they are about to make. 55. — The General President, if necessary, calls ex- traordinary meetings : he presides over these meet- ings, and also over the General Council. — 52 — 66. The General Secretary keeps an account of the names, professions, and places of residence of the Members, together with the dates of their admission ; he also keeps an account of the Boards of Councils or Conferences, and of the places, days and hours of their meetings. He prepares the minutes of the sittings of the Ge- neral Council and of the General Meetings. He edits the annual report on the state of the Socie- ty's proceedings. He has charge of the general correspondence, with the Provincial and Particular Presidents or Se- cretaries of the Councils or Conferences. He keeps the Records of the Society. 67. — The General Treasurer keeps the funds- He puts in order the receipts and expenses, and sub. mits his accounts to the General Council. 58. A member of the General Council is charged by the General President with the Presidency of the Council, if he cannot preside over it himself -.—another member is also named by him, on the proposition of the General Secretary, to fill the duties of Vice-Secre- tary. W¥ M ! 1 »pT^ — 53 — account of 3nco of the [idmission ; >f Councils id hours of of the Ge- 3. f the Socie- spondence, ents or Se- CHAPTER IV. GENERAL MEETINGS. the funds- ts, and sub. is charged ency of the If -.—another ►sitionofthe Vice-Secre- 69.— The General Meetings are held each year, on the 8th of December, the feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin ; the first Sunday in Lent, the Sunday of the Good Shepherd ; the Anniversary of the Translation of the Relics of Saint Vincent of Paul, the 19th of July, being the Feast of this Holy Patron. The President can, besides, convoke extraordinary General Meetings. 60. — The General Meetings commence, like the Conferences, by the prayer and a pious lecture. 61. — After having read the minutes of the last meeting, the Secretary calls over the names of mem- bers received since the last General Meeting, which names have been transmitted to him by the Presidents of the Conferences. 68. — The President then gives a summary state- ment of the transactions of the Society and addresses, or invites one of the members to address, the meet- ing. 63. — One of the Vice-Secretaries then reads a report on the state of the Conferences. An extract of the report, pointing the movements of members, of poor families, and the amount of the li — 54 — receipts and expenses, is placed in the hands of tFw Secretary. 64. The Pre»ident then makes known the deci- sions which the Council of Direction has come to itt matters connected with the welfare of the Societyr aod consults, if necessary, the meeting itself. " The Society deems itself happy when persons re- commendable by their character, their virtue, their learning, have the kindness, on the invitation of the President, to assist at the General Meeting, and termi- nate it, as has been said, by some edifying remarks. 65.— After the usual collection and prayers, the meeting separates. CHAPTER V. OP THB DIFFERENT MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETTT. 66. — Besides the ordinary Members of the Con- ferences, whp take an active part in all its proceed- ings, the Society has corresponding members, hono- rary members, and subscribers. 67.— When a Member of the Society changes hisf residence, if there is no Conference in the city or place to which he goes, he doss not, on that account, cease to be a Member, but takes the title of corres- ponding Member ; he enters into communication with Ihe Conference, or Conferences of the city near whicF* — 55 — he resides, and corresponds with the Secretary of the Council, or Conference of this town. When there is no Conference in the Diocese, he corresponds with the General Secretary. He receives each year a report on the objects of Charity of the Society, and remains in community with it, not only of prayers, but also of its good works, in accomplishing around him works of charity, and in maxing himself useful to the Society, whenever the opportunity presents itself. 68. — The honorary Members may assist at the Conferences, but they have no vote. They ought to send each year a special offering to the Treasurer of the Council, or of the Conference of their city. The reception of honorary Members is made in the same manner as that of ordinary Members : it is made by the Particular Council in the towns where many Conferences are established. 69. Each Conference can have Subscribers, like- wise. Subscribers are not Members of the Society, but they have a claim on its prayers in their quality of be- nefactors. CHAPTER VI. OF THF FEASTS OF THE SOCIETY. 70.— The Society celebrates the Feasts of the Im- maculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, 8th De- — so- li ¥ cembef; of Saint Vincent of Paul, its Patron, 10th July ; and of the anniversary of the translation of tho Relics of Saint- Vincent of Paul, 2nd Sunday after Easter.— On these days the Conferences attend in a bo- dy at mass and pray for the prosperity of the Catholic Faith, and for the increase of charily among men, in order to bring down the benediction of God upon their works. If a Member cannot attend, he unites himself at least in intention with his brcthern, bo prays for them as they pray for him. 71. — The day after the General Assembly of Lent, aV the Members of the Society assist in a body at a Requiem Mass, which is celebrated in the city for tho repose of the souls of the deceased Members and be- nefactors of the Society. OBSERVATIONS* 72. — None of tho obligations imposed by those Rules, are bindiug in conscience. But the Society confides their accomplishment to the zeal of its mem- bers, and to their love of God and of their neighbour. Moreover, it will be remai'ked that mention is made only of young men : but, persons advanced in ago have joined the Conferences. Besides, they cannot remain separate from other members who have advan- ced in years ; therefore there is a mixture in the So- ciety which is useful for the interest of the poor and the stability of the Conferences. However, in cer- I I ^ 51 tain districts of Paris, and in the provincial town* which possess the opportunity, they remain entirely composed of young men. Finally, time has already introduced modifications to the Rules, according to the locali and development of the work, hut the foundation remains; each Conference goes as near them as possible ; at least the spirit which presided over their primitive foundation, and which dictated these preliminary remarks is in no manner departed from. By following up thfcso rules, which were but mere customs, the Christian youth, who form part of the Society, have endeavoured to obtain the follow- ing double object, viz : — To learn to know and love one another. To learn to know, love, and assist the poor of Jesus-Christ. The establishment of several Conferences has not been an obstacle to the accomplishment of this two fold object ; Christian intimacy has even become greater between Members of the same section, than would be possible between all the Members of the Society united in one conference. One is never so much alone as in a crowd, and large Meetings in this respect resemble a crowd, which bustles and passes on, in which we take no interest and which takes no interest in us. Besides, a correspondence is carried on, from time to time, with distant Conferences, — 58 — ii' t* I Those of ihc same city meet occasionally together, and those meetings and letters bind ns more closely in the bonds of fraternal charity. Neither distance nor any other obstacle can be an impediment of that friendship which is founded on a community of prayers and charitable works. Let us take courage then 1 United or separated, far or near, let us love onc^ another, let us love and assist the poor. Let us love this little Society which has made us known to one another, and which has opened to us the prospects of a more charitable and Christian life- Let us love our customs, and our rules ; if we observe them faithfully, we nmy rest assured that they will protect us, and protect our work. " Much evil is committed," said a venerable priest to another chari- table society, " let us endeavor to do a little good.'* Oh 1 how we shall one day rejoice at not having allow- ed our youthful years to glide uselessly along! Youth is a field which requires cultivation. Let us not then hurry over it, without indulging in whole- some thoughts of the future ; let us cast an eye on every side around us ; let us gather with care the ears of com that lie scattered at our feet ; let us do •ome good ; it will be the sheaf of our provision through life, it will yield us a plentiful harvest before the Lord. '0000000- together, closely distance nt of that lunity of rated, far and assist 1 has made encd to U3 istian life, e observe they will ich evil is her chari- tle good." ing allow- y along ! i. Let us in vrhole- m eye on care the ; let us do provision est before PRAYERS AT THE BEGINNING AND THE IND OF THE MEETINGS* ^ 60 — ¥ lu «.!( Prayers at the opening of the meetings. In the name of tho Father, In nomino Patris, ot filii, et KuA of tho Son, and of iho Holy Spiritua Sauctl, Amen. Ghoet, Amen. Come, O Holy Ghost, fill tho Vcni, Sancto Spiritua, replo hearts of thy faithful, and on- tuorum corda fidelium, et tul kindle in them the fire of thy amoris in uis ignem accendo. love. V. Send forth thy spirit, and V. Emltte spiritum tuum, ot our hearts shall be regenerated, creabuntur. R. And thou shalt renew r, Etrenovabls faclem tor- the face of the earth. rjp. Let us pray. Oremus. O God, who by the light of Donn, qui corda fidelium the Holy Ghost, didst instruct Sancti Spiritus illustratione do- the hearts of the faithful ; grant cuisti, da nobis in eodem Spi- that by the same spirit we may ^[^y^ ^ecta sapere ; et de ejus be truly wise, and ever enjoy gempor consolatione gaudere, his consolation, through Jesus ^^^ Christum Dominum nos- trum. JR. Amen. Christ our Lord. R. Amen. V.Saint Vincent of Paul. R. Pray for us. In the name, &c. V. Sancte Vincenti 3i Paulo. R. Ora pro nobis. In nomine Patris, &c. Prayer at the Close of the Meeting. In the name, &c. Tn nomine Patris, &c. Lei us pray, Oremus. Most Gracious Jesus, who Clementissime Jesn, qui bea- didst raise up blessed Vincent turn Vincentum flagrant issimae for an apostle of thy most ardent charitatis tuaa apostolum in Ec- — 61 — s, ■ n. Itu8, repio im, ot tui iccende. n tuum, ot aciom tor- 1 fulelium Lrationo do- eodeni Spi- et de ejus ) gaudere, inum nos- ti \ Paulo, d&c. r- , &c. an, qui bea- rrant issimaa olum in Ec- charity in the Cliurch, pour forth upon thy HcrvanU* that pamn fervour of charity, that for .the lovo of thee thoy may with a n»08t ready heart bestow their goods upon the poor^ and spend UiomselveH for their houIb. Who with Cod the Father livest and reigiiPHt in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one (joJ, world witliout ond. JR. Amen. cIost.\ suscitabti, efTundo 8U|)or famulo8 tuoa eumdoiu chanta- lis ardoroin. ut arnoro tuo liben< tiasirne in panpercn imfiendani sua, ot seipsoH super impeud- ant ; qui cum Deo I'atri vivia et reffuns in unitate i:$piritus Sancti, DouB, per omnia sbcu- lorum. K. Amen. For Benefactors. Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, thy grace to the benefactors of the poor, most tender Jesus, who hast promised a hundred fold and a heavenly kinjjdom to them that do works of mercy in tWy name. R. Amon. We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God ; despise notour petitions in our necessi- ties, but deliver us from all dangers, O over glorious and blessed Virgin. R. Amen. Pro Berufactoribus. Benefactoribus pauporum Jratiam largiri dignare, piissime esu, qui impertituria misericor- diam in nomine tuo centuplum regnumquo ctuloate promiaisti, R. Amon. Sub tuum prajsidium confu- gimus, sancta Dei Genitrix; nostras deprecationes ne despi- cias in necessitatibus ; sed k periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et bene- dicta. R. Amen. And may the souls of tho Et fidelium anima3 per mise- faithful through the mercy of ricordiam Dei, rcquiea cant m God rest in peace. P^^®* R. Amen. R- Amon. — «a — ) • Lbt v» prat. We give Th«> tlmnk,, O Lord, for th. mtnlMd blo«ln». .M favor, which Thou ha»t hitherto dcip.edto b«.tow on tho So ciety of Thy holy •orvant, Vincent of Paul. And now. wo IwsoecliofThoo acontinuamie of these MeMlnR. fo, th.t S^ie'y which i« -o dear to u. .11. for each of our Co.. forence.. and in part.cular for that of which wo are n,«.nb«». Grant, we bcoecl. thoe, that it may be .trenRthened. mcrea-ed. and ™rpot..ated with itn prin.itivo spirit of piety «mp hc.ty and fLVnal union, .0 that i.» labour, being ""-'^ ^T^ f"'"j all worldly inloreat. it may becon.o -t.ll n«.re producUv. of heavenly fruit. Thou knoweat, O Ix.rd. tl.o many wants, both spiritual and temporal that press on the p«.r fan.ilies helped by our scanty «Tce. Tholt knowest our own many wanU. Have mercy upon us, and raako us partake of they bonndkiss mercy. ^, More particularly do we implore Thee. O Most Gracious Lord to assist those among our brethren who may bo "t 'hn. mornen undergoing trials of any kind. Grant, wo beseech Thee that Lv may never fail in obtaining that fortitude, prudence, peace, rn/hope. which con.o from above, and that their tnal, as well as our own, being undergone with patience and resignation, may be Zi^ agreeable to Thee and bring forth fruit unto sal- vation* Finally, we pour forth our supplications to Thee. Our Lord that through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ and the special ntercession of Blessed Mary and Holy Saint ymcent. our I'a- Z, Thou wouldst grant that the poor families we have in ICge, our relations, friends, and brethren when released from tiie ^nds of this our mortal state, be partakers w.tl. ua of Thy KingJom. Amen. ^68 — Mwingt ajvl ' oa the Bo seblesslngt of our Con- -e nieinbor*. I, increawed, , HitnpUcity frood from, roductive of ipiritual and our scanty Have mercy ercy. .. -ucious Lord, this momcat \i Thee, that ionco, peace, trials as well resignation, uit unto sal- ee, Our Lord, id the special cent, our Pa- I we have in released from til us of Thy Prayer iSal may be recited by a Member before leaving Komi to vitU the poor, O Atinlglily Oois. To be recited on the death of an active Member ^Honorary Member ^ or Benefactor; as likewise of a person visited, if requested so to do. From the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord ; Lord hear my voice* Let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou wilt observe iniquities, O Lord ; Lord, who shall en- dure it? Because with Thee there is propitiation ; and by reason of Thy law I expected thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on Hia word ; my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning wa*,ch, even until night, let Israel hope in theLord« 65 — >is. ry Member, or ested so to do. Lord hear my ^plication, vho shall en- I by reason of i hoped in the fsrael hope in Because with the lK)rd there Is mercy, and with Him plentiftd redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his Iniquitiei. V. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord. R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. Let us praij. Absolve, we beseech thee, O Lord, the soul of thy servant N-, that, being dead to the world, he may live to Thee : and what- ever he has committed in this life through human frailty, da Thou of Thy most merciful goodness forgive : through our Lord ^c. ' May he rest in peace. R. Amen. V, Grant, O God, that while we here lament the departure of this Thy servant, we may always remember that we aro moat certainly to follow him. R. Amen. V. Give us grace to prepare for that last hour by a good life, that we may not be surprised by a sudden and unprovided death| but be ever watching, that when thou shalt call we may with the bridegroom enter into eternal glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. R. Amen. V. May the Divine assistance remain always with us. JR. Amen. V. And may the souls of the faithfhl departed, through th« mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. _ 60 — f PI I rf; 1 1 H ^^m * 1^1 I PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF CANADA ARTICLE I. All the Conferences of Canada are governed by a Provincial Council, established in conformity to the dispositions of the Brief of H. H. Pope Gregory XVI, dated 10th January, 1845. Its seat is at Quebec, and its title, The Provincial Council of Canada. This Council represents in Canada the General Council, which is the Head of all the Society, and the seat whereof is at Paris. It has the direction of all the Councils and Conferences now established, or to be hereafter formed, in Canada — It maintains in that Province the Unity and the Spirit of the Society. It is the medium of correspondence between the Councils and Conferences and the General Council. Article ii. The Provincial Council is composed of a President, one or more Vice Presidents, one Secretary, one Treasurer, one or more Vice Secretaries or Vice Treasurers, and several Councillors. — G7 — verned by a rmity to the regory XVI, Juebcc, and [a. the General iety, and the eclion of all lished, or to itains in that the Society. ►etween the l1 Council. fa President, sretary, one ies or Vice Article hi. The first election of the Provincial President is n>ade by all the Conferences. Article iv. When there is occasion to elect a new President of the Provincial Council, the Council is summoned by the Vice President. This meeting, which is pre- paratory, is to consider of a fit person to fill that office, and the retiring President is requested to indi- cate the person whom be believes best qualified — • When one or moro names have been agreed upon, for this purpose, the Council adjourns for about two months. In the interval, a sater.ient of the proceed- ings of this first meeting is furnished to the Presidents of the Particular Councils, who consult their Collea- gues, and to the Presidents of the Conferences who take the sense of their respective Boards or even of their Conferences, and each of them forthwith transmits tho result of these deliberations to the Provincial Council, which there upon closes the election, and enters on its minutes an exact and detailed satement of the proceedings — Pending the election, all the members of the Society, either privately or at their meetings, oflfer up to God a special prayer— the Veni Creator — that His Spirit may enlighten them and guide their choice. i n — 68 — Article v. The Officers and Members of the Provincial Coun- cil are appointed by the Provincial President, with the advice of the Council. Article ti. The Provincial President presides at all the General Meetings of the Quebec Conferences and, also, at all the meetings of the Provincial Council. He summons all extraordinary meetings — In case of his absence, ke appoints a Vice President, or, if necessary, some other member of the Council to preside in his stead. Article vil The Secretary of the Provincial Council keeps a Register of the names, sirnames, callings, residences, and dates of reception, of the members of tlie Quebec Conferences ; — and also, of the members of the Boards of the different Councils and Conferences throughout Canada, together with the places, days, and hours of their meetings. He keeps minutes of the meetings of the Provincial Council and of the General Meetings — He prepares the annual report of the labours of the Society and transmits it to the General Council. He is charged, under the direction of the President, with the correspondence with the Presidents or Se- cretaries of the different Councils or Conferences, and — 69 — icial Coun- (ient, with le General also, at all 3 summons is absence, :sary, some i his stead. ;il keeps a residences, he Quebec the Boards throughout id hours of neetings of greetings — ours of the I Council. President, ents or Se- rences, and with the General Council — He is Custodier of ther Archives of the Society in Canada. Article viii. The Treasurer holds the funds, takes note of the receipts and expenditure, and renders an account thereof to the Provincial Council. Article ix. Two members of the Provincial Council are ap- pointed by the President to preside at the meetings of the Irish and French Councils of Quebec, should the Provincial President be unable to perform that duty in person. Article x. The President of the Provincial Council appoints at Quebec the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Conferences and Special Works, and also, the Board* of the two Councils in that City— In these appoint^ ments he consults the Particular Councils. Article xi. The funds of the Provincial Council are supplied by extraordinary gifts made to the Society, by the Col-- lections at the General Meetings, and by the annual offerings of each Conference or of each Particular Council in Canada towards covering the general ex-^ penses of the Society. ^ 70 I ' ■u Article xii. When a Conference or a Council is about to bo formed in Canada, the Provincial Council, enquires into the propriety of recommending its aggregation to the General Council in Paris — This aggregation can only be prononccd on the recommendation of the Provincial Council— And when the Provincial Coun- cil deems it expedient to dissolve a Conference or a Council, it, likewise, rciers the matter to the General Council. Article xiii. The Provincial Council directs all the details of the administration of the Conferences of Canada, either by its correspondence, or by circulars from the President, and it superintends the execution of the Regulations — under the guidance of the General Council, in all questions that concern the Society at large or that are of an important nature. Article xiv. The President of the Provincial Council of Canada, when at Paris, assists and takes part in the meetings of the General Council, of which be is a member Ex officio. «i »>^----^' ADDENDA. The Society of St. Vincent of Paul is esta- blished in the following Countries, viz : — Fran- ce, England, Ireland, Scotland, Algeria, Swit- zerland, The States of the Church, Sardinia, Belgium, The Netherlands, Bavaria, Prussia, Turkey, Greece, Mexico, The United States of America, and Canada — In Canada the So- ciety is governed by a Provincial Council, at Quebec, and Particular Councils at Quebec and Montreal ; — and there are 25 Conferences in the Province — In the United States there are Conferences at St. Louis, New-York, Buffalo, Lockport, and Utica. FINIS,