The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-08
Eco d'Italia, New York, September 24.1
The Pope's Brief with Reference to Pilgrim
-Indulgences to the Pilgrims.

To all the faithful who read these words
health and apostolic benediction. While the
wickedness of the impious has filled our
heart with cares and bitterness, God, IN the
abundance of his mercy, in these most bane-
full times, has caused many faithful ones to
rise in all parts of the Catholic world, who,
on the contrary, strive to turn our grief and
Affections into comfort by so many testlmo-
mails of their affection, by their numerous
works of Christian piety. Among those
works are frequent and largely-attended
pilgrlmages, which take place in the more
illustrious churches and sanctuaries for the
purpose of imploring God, the fount OF every
consolation, and through the merits and In
terces8iOn of the blessed Virgin, Mary i'm
maculate, and of the saints, the long desired
peace of the Church, its triumph, and the
liberty of the holy apostolic seat But since
some holy pilgrimages which were to be made
to the most celebrated sanctuaries In Italy
at the same time have been, to the sorrow
of all good men, interdicted, some of the
faithful of our City of Bologna proposed to
invite all Catholics to spiritual pilgrimage
to take place during this present month of
September-a pilgrimage which they pro-
posed to divide into three decades (Of ten days
each.) In the first decade the fairhful, recit-
ing for that cpd suitable and devout prayers,
should imagine themselves taken in spirit to
those parts of the Holy Land sanctifed by
Jesus our divine Redeemer; in the second
decade to the principal sanctuaries of Italy,
and in the third decade to the principal for
eign sanctuaries. The faithful having then
made humble suppGcation to heaven, we will
grant, by virtue of apostolic commission,
certain indulgences in favor of this pious
exercise. We, praising in the highest man
ner their sacred and generous project, will
lingly undertake to respond to the prayers
which they offer for US in the following man
ner; Confding in the mercy of God AL
mighty, and in the authority of his blessed
Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the faithful of
both sexes-those, at least, who with con-
trite heart on any day of the next month of
September will perform the aforesaid pious
exercise and go through the spiritual pilgrim
age-we remit, in the accustomed form of
the Church, 800 days of the punishment due
to their sins, in whatever manner incurred.
Moreover, to all the faithful of both sexes
who for whole decade (of days. will com
ply with the same holy formula of devotion,
make the spiritual pilgrimage, and on day
selected, truly penitent, confess and go to
communion, devoutly visit any church or
public oratory, and there offer prayers to
God for unity among Christian princes, the
extirpation of heresy, the conversion of sin
ners, and the exaltation of our mother
Church, we mercifully grant through the
Lord plenary indulgence and the remission
of all their sins. All and each of these in
dulgences, remssions of sins, and condona-
tion of punishment may be applied, in a
manner of suffrage, to the souls of those
who have passed out of this life and whose
peace with God had not been fully estab-
lished. Notwithstanding our rule, and that
of the apostolic chancery (cancelleria,) not
to grant indulgence ad anstar, and the other
constitutions and apostolic DEGREES, and what
ever else to the contrary, we grant the in
dulgences named in this instance. They are
available for this year only. We desire that
the printed copies and other copies of this
letter, signed by some notary public and
authenticated by the seal of person enjoy
ing ecclesiastical dignity, will have the same
value as the letter presented in its original
form.
Given in Rome, at ST. Peters, under the
ring of the Fisherman, the 18th of August,
1873, the wenty,eight year of our Pontif-
cate. Signed CARDINAL AsQUINI.