The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-01-31

profession of faith and constitute a
safeguard against unworthy mem
bers, who would thus be exposed to
the public gaze. The chaplain should
persistently guide the society in the
right channel and induce the leaders
to drop any Objectionable features, or
ludicrous performances. Societies
should avoid all absurd mummeries
resembling pagan practices, modern
fooleries and ridiculous antics unbe-
coming human beings The imitation
of terms, initiatory formulas, charac-
terstic of Masonic lodges and danger
Gus societies contain certain and re-
grettable dangers. Catholics may be-
come too familiar, yea, too sympa-
thetic with the methods and proceed
ings of secret lodges, grow lukewarm,
Indifferent and finally fall. Members
Of forbidden or condemned societies
must be debarred from Catholic or
ders. The Catholic, who will become
traitor to his Church and to God,
will do mischief in an organization
and eventually turn out traitor to it.
NV OO-SdlACu LAO1AIO1 IDA OS1N1CS Will NC
tolerated for deceased members, but
a Requiem Mass is most highly COM
mendable Offerings for masses, in
place of flowers, would be of real
benefit to both the living and the
dead. Although members of lay or
CARNATIONS, Catholics should become
and remain staunch members of
Church sodalities and confraternities.
1t is a lamentable and objectionable
fact, that, the more zeal men and
women exhibit for lay organizations,
the less Jealous they become in pro-
noting strictly religious confraterni-
ties, and too frequently they neglect
these entirely. Religion must always
take the precedence, and for it there
can be no vacation. Societies should
hold no social of any sort on Sundays
and holy days of obligation No socie-
tvs installation, nor limitations will be
tolerated on these days. The services of
the Church must not be interfered
with. The sacredness of Sunday and of
the holy days of obligation must be
strictly observed and these days must
be given directly to the service of God.
Sunday is a day which God has re-
served for Himself. Respect, say
men, the sacred rights of property.
Why not then respect the sacred prop
erty of God, which Sunday is?
Meetings.
The meetings of societies should be
promptly held on the proper days, the
exact hour and the routine business
executed in a dignified and expedite
manner No society will last, unless
members assemble at stated times for
religious exercises, social gatherings
and discussions of matters pertaining
to the society. The good of the soci-
ETY. should, however, not form the
constant and sole topic of discussion.
The glory of God, the welfare of His
Holy Church, the interests of the
Holy See, protection against false doc
trines, the duties of Catholics, zeal
for public morality and individual cul-
ture are subjects worthy of consid-
Grafton at the meetings. If the meet
ings are too frequent they will cease
to interest the members and rather
keep them away. No member should
presume to monopolize the proceed
ings of meetings. Let no unbccom-
ing, undignified or low attractions be
used as a means to draw members
into an order, or to the meetings. for
thereby the tone of the organization
would suffer and consequently the or
ganization itself. Members not fos-