Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-05
THE GAZETTE.
FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH s.
CATHOLIC JUBILEE.

CATHOLIC y DlLEE.
O., Sunday lust in all the Catholic churches
in ;hc Diocese Of Rici:uond, pastoral letter
Was read from Right Rev. Bishop Gibbons, 10
which he announces officially the Jubilee pro-
claimed by the Holy Father for this year 1875.
the letter. after expauing the nature of 10
duigcnces aud pleuary-sa Jubl
lee is the most ample form OF u pleuary lDdul-
ecncc, which is granted by the Sovereign Pop
tiff to he universal church every twenty-hfth
year, and also upon certain extraordinary &C
ca>ioDS.
The conditions to be observed by the faith
fui Of he diocese J.. order 10 pa'take OF the
blessings oi the ) ...~t are preScrioeu as 1ol-
lows:
The faithful arc req aired to confess their
sus with tue coUtrltlon oi heart, aud 10 receive
drvou,ly the Holy Commu"lou.
"Childreu, who have not yet been admitted
to heir first communion, may gain the ludul-
gepce bv approaching the Sacrament Of pen
ance vii, worthy dispositions, and By comply
in. as Tar as practicable, with the other con-
ulllnnS prescribed.
''Prrsous suffering from corporal lnhrultles
OF lmpeded by other causes, aud also'chdren
under Ten years, are dispensed from the obliga-
ton of making the above named visits, but by
way Of Communication they shall read at home
'..e day fer fifteen days the Stations OF the
Cross, or recite any other formula OF prayers
which the pastor may suggest.
"Oo the occasion of those visits the faithful,
as the Holy Father directs, will pray for the
prosperity OF the church and Of the Apostolic
Sec for the extirpaton of error and the CONVEX
sion Of all who have strayed away, and for the
peace aud unity of the whole Christian people.
Il recommend that to your prayers you uoite
almsgiviug, for prayer with fasting and a ms
Is better than to lay I'D treasures OF gold, as
the Holy Scripture declares to us.
"rhe clergy outside of Richmond will make
such appropriations of the alms deposited 10
their churches as their picty and discretion will
suggest.
The Indulgence of the Jubilee can be gain
ed at any time during the current year.
The Bishop dcvotes much space to the i'm
portauce OF united prayer; the value it possess
es, and the Influence it exerts. ln regard to
united prayer 10 families. be says:
United prayer 10 its simplest form is found
ir family dcvotions Nothing is better calcu-
lated to promote healthy piety than morning
aud uight service, 10 which all the members OF
the household participate. Fathers and moth
prs. when you assemble together at these eXer-
cses Of religion. surrounded by your children,
and pray with one heart tor each others wei
fare, you may rest assured that our Lord is in
the midst Of ycu. You are sensible OF His pres
ence. if not with your bodily senses, at least
with the eye OF faith. The peace of God dwes
10 such u fanny.
Sometimes, it is true, it may be difficult, il
not impossible, for all the members to unite TO-
gcther in morning prayer. The father may be
compelled to attend early to his daily occupa-
,ious, and the mother to her domestic affairs.
But family night prayer is not liable to the
Same interruption; and, besides, being fitting
close to the actions Of the day, the practice OF
this evening exercise is calculated to foster
domestic habits which are the fruitful source
of health and happiness to so many house
holds
He also exhorts the members of the various
religious and benevolent societies to begin aud
Conclude their meeting by prayer, 10 order to
avert indiscretons into which they sometimes
may be led in their discussions.
In concluding his letter the Bishop prays
with the apostle THAT Christ may dwell by
faith in your hearts, that, being rooted and
founded in charity, you may be able to com
prehend with all the saints the
charity of Christ, which surpasseth all know
ledge, that you may be filled uuto all the full
ness of God Now to Him who is able to do
all things more abuDdantly than We desire
be glory in the Church, and 10 Christ Jesus
unto all generation, world without end,
Auen.' (Eph. iii