The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-09-16

What is meant by a PapaI Bull?
How is it prepared and for what pur-
pose is it issued?
The word "bull' is the English form
of the Latin "bulla," which comes
from "bullire," to boil, and means a
bubble. 1t was applied to the head of
nail, stud, endorsement or anything
small that was raised and rounded by
art; hence to the seal attached to the
document; and, finally, to the docu-
ment itself.
A "bull' is a Papal document deal
ing with some matter of special i'm
port and gotten up in its own peculiar
form. 1t is engrossed in gothic
characters, on strong, rough parch-
ment It begins with the Pope's name
and the title Bishop, Servant of the
Servants of Cod" 1t has attached to
it a leaden seal, with the representa-
ton of SIS. Peter and Paul on one side
and on the other the name of the
grace or favor the seal is attached with
silken cord, if of matter of justice
the cord is of hemp. 1t is dated from
the day of the incarnation" and is
signed by the officials of the Papal
chancery. Among the most important
purposes for which bulls are issued are
the convocation of councils and the
approving of their DEGREES; erecting
new episcopal sees and appointing
bishop; canonizing saints; condemning
heresies; and making known or con-
firming anything that requires a spe-
cial exercise of apostolic authority.
How does an "encycIicaI" differ from
"corcordat?"
An "encyclical" is an apostolic cir
cular letter sent by the Pope to all
the Bishops of Christendom, or at least
to those of one particular country, and
intended to guide them in their rela-
tons with their flocks. In this way
the Pope condemns prevalent errors;
informs the Bishops of impediments
which persecution, perverse legisla-
ton or unjust administration of civil
laws, opposed to the fulfllment of the
Church's mission in particular coun-
tries; marks out the line of conduct
which Christians ought to follow in
reference to urgent political-religious
questions, such as education, particular
conflicts of Church and State, laws or
political movements which threaten
the liberty of the Apostolic See.
A "corcordat' is a sort of treaty be-
tween the Holy See and civil govern
ment, either to settle present difficult
ties or prevent future disagreements
Such a treaty is always concession
on the part of the Church by which
she surrenders certain rights to pre-
vent greater evils.
1. Will you kindly publish transIa-
ton of the save Maria"? One of my
Protestant friends heard it sung at a
Catholic funeral and was so impressed
with it that she asked me for the
English translation of it. 2. How can
one explain to Protestants the meaning
of benediction?
1.-The words ave Maria" are the
Latin for Hail Mary. The hymn is
the Latin form of the Haily Mary and
the Holy Mary, the daily prayer of
every good Catholic. 1t is unneces-
sary to reproduce it in these columns.
2. Benediction is a solemn service dur
ing which our Lord in the Blessed
Sacrament gives His blessing to those
who are present at it, The Blessed
Sacrament is placed in the Monstrance
and exposed to view in a conspic-
uous place on the altar. The faithful
who are present engage in acts of
alteration, praise and thanksgiving.
Hymns are sung by the choir, the
Blessed Sacrament is incensed by the
celebrant who, after chanting prayer,
takes the Monstrance in the folds of
the humeral veil, silken robe which
is wrapped around his shoulders, and
makes the sign of the Cross with the
Blessed Sacrament over the assembled
people. AS Jesus Christ is really pres
ent in the Sacred Host it is He Who
blesses.
How did the giving of the Asperees
before Mass originate?
1t was the custom in the early days
of Christianity for the laity to bring
water to the Church to be blessed for
use in their homes. This blessing
took place at Mass and at the con-
clusion of the blessing the celebrant
sprinkled those present with the
newly-prepared holy water. From
this custom gradually arose the pres
ent one of sprinkling the congregation
with holy water at the beginning OF
the Mass as means of purifying them
and preparing them to assist with
profit at the Holy Sacrifice. 1t is
called the Asperges, or sprinkling, by
reason of the first words of the psalm
intoned by the priest at the foot of the
altar before he sprinkles the congre
cation.
Is one Mass sufficient to release {