The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-15
The "children of Mary
tFrom tho Avo Maria

-Clnudius Aguaviya, General OF the society
of Jesus, in Rome, about 1874, and inherits
the dignity aud prestige of three centuries
of holy fervor. 1t was originally known as
the "Sodality of the Annunciation of the
Blessed Virgin" aud under this title IT re-
ceiyed apostolic sanction from Pope Gre
CORY XIII. The primary Sodality was
composed of young men studying IN the
Jesuit College at Rome, but the General or
the Society was authorized by the holy
Father to in stitute similar sodalities in other
colleges, affiliating them with the primary
Sodality, so that they might erjoy the IN
dulpeuces with which he had enriched the
frat Association. Pope Sixtus V extended
the apostolic concession of his illustrlous
PREDECESSOR in order that similar societies,
nnder the title of the "Aununciation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary" or other titles, might
be formed in other colleges and among the
faithful generally, all to be regularly afi
lated to the primary Sodality as neces-
sary condition. These grants Pope Bene-
dict XIV confirmed and enlarged in l74s
and again in 175l. Pope Leo XII, to spread
the beautiful devotion, as our correspoh-
dent SAYS "every where" extended all the
spiritual favors of the Sodality to all slm,lar
societies, wherever organized. Gradually
the title has been shortened from its ORR
ginal form into the happy and significant
one of the "Children of Mary" The OBJ
iect of the Society is "to aid and promote,
with n. Divine assistance, ny all means
consonaut with it's institute, he salvation
and spiritual perfection of our nelghbor."
This object is to be accomplished under
the patronage of the Mother of God, by
tender and persevering devotion to her,
that thereby her Divine Son may receive
greater image. Plenary indulgences are
granted To the members on the day of re-
ception on the principal feast days of the
Church once q week, on the day appoint
ed for the meeting, on specified conditions,
and at the hour of death. An Indulgence
of seven years may be gained by attending
the funeral of deceased member, by pray.
ing for the recovery or the happy death OF
those Who are dangerously i'll, or for the
repose of the souls Of the dead by attend
ing Mass on week. days by an examine
ton of conscience before going to bed, by
visiting the sick and those who are in pri-
son, and by reconciling enemies. All these
indulgenccs are applicable to the souls in
purgatory, and can be obtained only by
Complying with the prescribed conditions.
The members of the Society are required
to go to confession and Communion the
first Sunday of every month, and on GER
tain festival days especially consecrated to
Our Lord and His Blessed Mother. They
are reqired to perform certain spiritual ex-
ercises, especially on Sundays and holydays
of obligation to hear Mass if possible, on
week DAYS to love one another in q spirit
of true charity, and to cultivate the Chris
tian virtues by precept and example among
their associates. They are required to
avoid evil companions and occasions OIL
sin and in an especial manner to practice
the crowning virtue of purity. They arc
required to be industrious in the discharge
of whatever duties their respective states
of life may impose; and are expected tt
set an example of virtue, propriety anC
Christian good will.
Such is the origin, the history and the
nF tIa IgChil1rau of MARY
9. What are the characteristics of thu
"Children of Mary" by which they are dis
tieuishab!e from other youth who are no
members of the Sodalityf
A true child of Mary, whether young
man or young woman, is known conspicu
ously by that uprightness of character
Which arises from an habituai avoidance o
AIN. A true Child of Mary is courteous
ot.Iieinr, dererential to the old, exemplary
To the young, kind to the sick, charitable
to the poor, obedient to superiors, tender
toward the unfortunate. true Child o
Mary ia modest in dress and conduct, re
served in expression and temperate In &C
tion; chivalrous to the weak, courageou
for those in distress, generous to associates
diliRent in worldly business. This is thu
Guild of Mary exterioriy. The heart of
true Child of Mary adores the God VIII
made ue and who will judge Us according
to our works,-adores with lively sens
u
Creator; and, next to God, cherishes al
ardeut love for His Blessed Mother, and
senGer and fervent attachment to her ser
vice, 1t is the ambition of the heart of 1
Child of Mary to be a knight of his Blessed
Lady or, of the young girl, to be one o
her maids of honor. Such heart, there
fore, is loyal to the personality of Mary
aad since to wish to initiate is a natura
consequence of to love, the heart of tn
Child of Mary Iealtivates above all, TO
Mary's honor, the queenly virtue of purity
Its loyalty in this regard grows exqhisitel.
sensitive. 1t knows that it must bring t.
her service
That hastily of honor
Which feels a stain like q wound.
Such a heart cultivates her characters
tic virtues her dociiity, her marvellou
trust in the love and providence of God
her quiet cheerfulness, her simple unques
tioning devotion to her Lord while OF
earth, her consuming desire to be reunited
to Him in Heaven as soon as the reunion
was His Divine pleasure: Because she l
generous aud loving, the heart of the Chi,
OF Mary is generous and loving; becaus