The Irish standard., 1905-05-27
WHY MANY FALL AWAY.


man Of intelligence that the gener-
ality of Catholics are not sufficiently
we'll posted as to the doctrines OF
the church and of the truths neces-
sary for salvation, says the Louisville,
Kentucky, Irish American. This lack
of knowledge has been the cause of a
falling away from the true faith of
many millions in the United States.
While the Catholics are the largest
numerically, they should be much
stronger than they are. II all had
retained the faith of their ancestors,
the United States proper, would
have Catholic population of at
least 100000, instead of 12,4O0,-
GOO, not counting the Philippines.
1T il not altogether the fault of
the masses that they are unin-
.structed. Many have been COM
PEELED to live far away from churches
and schools and others from one
cause or another, were prevented
from securing the knowledge which
would make them strong in the faith
CT their forefathers. In these days
OF almost universal education for the
Elasses there seems to be no excuse
for neglect along the lines of at least
primary Catholic education.
The present Pontiff, Plus x, having
sprung from the common people, has
better knowledge of this subject
than his predecessors, and in his rec
ent encyclical on the prevailing ig-
norance of the worldly wise shows
that he appreciates the Importance
OF the subject The Pope lays down
some wholesome but strict regulations
for the bishops and those under them
to carry out in order to dispel ignor-
ance. While these regulations have
not yet been promulgated in this coun-
try they soon will be. The regula-
tions briefly are:
First-On every Sunday and feast
day, none excepted, all parish priests
and. generally speaking, all of those
who have the care OF souls, shall
throughout the year, with the text OF
the catechisnl, instruct for the space
of an hour the young of both sexes III
what they must believe to be saved
Second-They shall at stated times
during the year prepare boys and girls
by continued instruction lasting sew.
eral days to receive the sacraments
of penance and confirmation.
Third-Every day in Lent and, if
necessary, on other days after the
feast of Easter, they shall likewise by
suitable instructions and reflections
most carefully prepare boys and girls
to receive their first communion in a
toly manner.
Fourth-in each parish the contra
ternity of the Christian doctrine is to
be economically instituted. Through
this confraternity the parish priests.
especially in places where there Is a
scarcity of priests, will find valuable
helpers for cathetical instruction in
pious lay persons who will lend their
aid to this holy and salutary work,
both from zeal for the glory of God
and as means of gaining the. nu'
merous indulgences granted by the
Sovereign Pontiff.
Fifth-In large towns, and especial
ly in those which contain universities
colleges and grammar schools, let re
hgious classes be founded to instruct
in the truths of faith and in the prac
tice of Christian life the young people
who frequent the public schools, from
which all religious teaching is banned
Sixth-In consideration Of the fact
that in these days adults not less than
the young stand in need of religious
instruction, all parish priests and
others having the care of souls shall
in addition to the usual homily on the
Gospel to be delivered at the parochiaI
mass on all days of obligation, explain
the catechism for the faithful In an
|, easy style, suited to the Intelligence