The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-03-23
Communicated. -
Catholic Societies.

tory of the Society of st. Vincent de Paul, we
will now examine into into its objects, which
are firstly, to maintain its memberss by mu-
tual example, in the practice of a Christian
life secondly, to visit the poor at their dwell
ings, to carry them succor in kind, to afford
them. also, religious consultations; thirdly, TO
aid in the elementary and Christian instruction
of poor children, whether free or imprisoned'
fourthly, to distribute moral and religious
books filthy, to be willing to undertake any
sort of charitable work to which its resources
may be adequate, and which will not thwart
the special object of the Society, which is to
visit the poor.
These objects, if properly carried out, Ger
tainly afford sufficient scope for all the zeal
and energy of which any layman may be pos
sessed. OF course, in different localities and
countries the minor works of the Society vary
according to circumstances though every
where its two principal objects-the sanctifi-
cation of its own members and the visiting of
the poor-stand pre-eminent.
The first article of the rule says: All
Christian young men who desire to unite in
communion of prayers and q participation of
the same works of charity, may become men,
bers of the Society,"" This article recalls to
mind that the Society was founded by young
men, and for them. with view of preserving
them from dangers of every kind that surround
them. When several members of the Society
are found in any locality, they meet to en-
courage each other in the practice of virtue,
this meeting beisg called a Conference, which
was the name originally given to the Society
These Conferences meet weekly, and after an
opening prayer and q short reading from some
good book by member, each member reports
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to him to visit, and which lie is expected to
have visited at least once during tho week.
After these reports have been heard, and be-
fore the closing prayers, a secret collection is
taken up among tho members, each giving
what his means vibrant, and this forms the
principal resource of the Conference: It will
be observed that in this Society such things as
fines, dues and assessments are unknown.
Every month the members of a Con ference APP
proach Holy Communion together.
Our Holy Mother the Church has, in special
manner, blessed this Society, as the following
indulgences granted by different briefs will
show
Plenary Indulgence one each month to
all Actire Members, on tho usual conditions
and provided they shall have been present at
all, or at three out of the four Conference
Meetings held during the month.
a
tion into the Society.
A Plenary Indulgence to both -Actiue and
Honorary Members, who, on the Festival of the
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, or on the Sunday within the octave, or,
iii is transferred, ON the day itself on which
it is celebrated-and the Feast OF St. Vincent
lowing, once only during this space of eight
days-on tho second Sunday after Easter, and
on the first Sunday, in Lent, being truly peni-
tent, and having confessed their sins, shall re-
he al Sacr Mt Mass
on the aforesaid days, is celebrated for the So.
ciety, and shall have been present at the Cen
era1 Meeting which is held on those occasions.
A Plenary Indulgence at the hour of death
to all Members of this, Society, W no 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 to do SO, in their hearts, devoutly i'll
woke the holy name of Jesus, and shall, with a
patient and ready mind, accept death from tho
hand of the Lord penalty for sin.
An Indulgence of Seven Years and as many
Forty Days, as often as -1ctirc Member
shall, with contrite heart, visit any Confer
ence or poor family, or the schools or work
shops of the poor, or perform any other good
work in accordance with the spirit of the Soc-
ETY., or shall assist at the holy sacrifice of the
Mass, when celebrated for the soul of any
Member, shall follow the bodies of the poor
to ecclesiastical interment.
The above Iudulgences extend to members
who live in places where as yet no Conferences
exists, provided they perform, as far as they
can, the customary works, and fulfill the other
prescribed conditions.
OF course it is not expected that even every
practical Catholic should become member of
this Society. Notwithstanding the many graces
attached to the faithful performance of its
works, for membership is Il species of "voca-
tion" vouchsafed to comparatively few. But
foreseeing this, and always bearing in mind
the duty of all to assist the poor to the best OF
their ability, our Holy Pontihs have granted
the following indulgences TO those who, full
filing the necessary conditions of approaching
the Sacramento, contribute to the relief of the
poor through the Society, and arc therefore
called
BENEFACTORS.
l. A Plenary Indulgence once month to all
and every one of the faithful, ichethe' men o,
'oomen, who shall regularly give to the General
Council some fixed aims, provided they be
truly peuftent, coufess their sins, aud receive
the Holy Communion.
2. An Indulgence of Seven Years and as many
Forty Days, once each month to all the faith
full, irhether troRen, who shall regularly
transmit some fixed aims to tho Particular
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