Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-05-25

CONTINUED from first page.l

genees granted by theSovereign Pontifis.
Vim large towns, and especially in
those whicheontain universities, colleges,
and grammar schools, let religious classes
be founded, TO instruct in the truths Of
faith and in the practice Of Christian life
the young pe0rls Tho frequent these pub
lie schools froa mich all religious teach
ing II banned.
W.-Considering, too, that especially
in these days adults not less than the
young stand in need OF religious instrue-
ton, all parish priests and Others having
the care OF souls shall, in addition to the
usual homily on the Gospel delivered at
the paroehial Mass on all days Of obliga-
ton, explain the Catechism for the faith
ful in any easy style, suited to the intel
ligence Of their hearers, at such time of
the day as they may deem most convent
ent for the people, but not during the
hour in which the children are taught
In this instruction they are to make use
of the Catechism Of the Council Of Trent;
and they are to divide the matter in such
a way as within the space Of four or five
years to treat of the Apostles Greed, the
Sacramento, the Decalogue, the Lords
prayer and the Precepts Of the Church.
This. Venerable Brethren, We do pre-
scribe and command by virtue OF Apostle
lie Authority. 1t now rests with you to
put it into prompt and complete execu-
ton in your dioceses, and by all theforc
at your command, and to see to it that
these pres eriptions of0urs be not neglect
ed, or what comes TO the same thing,
carried out specifically. And that this
may be avoided, you must not cease to
recommend and to require that your par
ish priests do not impart this instruction
carelessly, but that they diligently pre-
pare themselves for it; let them not speak
words Of human wisdom, but with
simplicity Of heart and in the sincerity
Of God" I'll Cor. i. 12), initiating the ex-
ample of Jesus Christ who though "he
revealed mysteries hidden from the be-
ginning Of the world" (Matth. xiii. 35)
yet spoke always to multitudes in para
bles, and without parallels did not speak
to them" Qbid, 34). Thesame thing was
done also by the Apostles taught by Our
Lord, OF whom the Pontiff Gregory the
Great said: "They took supreme care to
preach to the ignorant things easy and
ineligible, not sublime and arduous"
Moral. ii, xviii, chap 2G In matters
of religion the majority Of men in our
times must be considered ignorant.
We would not, however, have it sup
posed that this studied simplicity of
preaching does not require labour and
meditation; on the contrary, it requires
more than any other kind. 1t is much
easier to find a preacher capable Of de-
liyering an eloquent and elaborate dis
course than a catechist able to impart
instruction in a manner entirely worthy
Of praise 1t must, therefore, he careful
" borne in mind that whatever facility
of ideas and language a man may have
inherited from nature, he will never be
able to teach the Catechism to the young
and the adult without preparing himself
thoughtfully for the task. 1t is mis-
take for a man to suppose that, owing
to the rudeness and ignorance of the peo-
pie he may perform this Office in care
less manner. On the contrary, the more
uncultured the hearers, the greater is the
necessity for study and diligence to bring
home to their minds thOse most sublime
truths, so far beyond the natural under
standing of the multitude, which must
yet be known by all the learned and the
unlettered alike, in orsler that they may
attain eternal salvation.
And now, venerahle Brethren, be it per-
mitted Us to close this letter by address
in to you these words OF Moses: "Ifany
man be on the Lords side, let him join
with me" (Ex.xxxii. 26). We pray and
coniure you to reflect on the ruin of souls
which is wrought by this one cause, ig-
norance of divine things. Doubtless you
have established many useful and praise
worthy undertakings in your respective
dioceses for the benefit of the flock en-
trusted to you, but before all else, and
with all the diligence, all the zeal, all the
assiduity that is possible for you, see to
it that the knowledge of Christian doc
trine thoroughly penetrate and pervade
the minds Of all. Let every one, these
are the words of the Apostle st. Peter,
las he has received grace, minister the
same one to another, as good stewards
Of the manifold grace OF God" q Peteriv.
10y.
Through the intercession of the most
blessed Immaculate Virgin, may your
diligence and your energy be rendered
fruitful by the Apostolic Blessing, which,
in token of Our affection and as an earn
est Of Divine favours, We impart to you
and to the clergy and the people entrust-
ed to each one Of you.
Given at Rome, at st. Peters on the
18th day Of April, MDCCCCv., in the
second year Of Our Pontifcate.
Plus ", POPE.