The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-08-19
Are our prayers always answered?

NV wi RICyGtS always ohSNNSA~N
Yes; but not always according to
our own intention. Every prayer con
tains the condition: If it is Gods
will" ASK and you shall receive,
seek and you will find, knock and it
shall be opened to you," is the invita-.
ton and promise of our Lord. This
promise refers to matters that make
for eternal salvation. If we do not
receive precisely what we ask for in
prayer, God grants us something
that is better to us. This is granting
a request with double generosity.
The Almighty knows that the request
of a man would be to his detriment,
and He does not grant it. A man
addicted to sin and vice falls sick,
and pTays for return of health; re-
cuperated health would mean relapse
into ways Of sin; and God does not
grant him health, but gives him the
grace of a happy death and eternal
life. A mother prays for the life of
her sick babe; if the child RECEIVERS,
he will be subject to thousand dan
SSIS VI DOuy anu SOulS IL lIC uASSS AS
is admitted Immediately into the glory
of heaven; God grants the child
eternal life rather than few years
of earthly existence. A man prays
for a more lucrative position; the
new work would increase his salary,
but it would also multiply his tempta-
tions and opportunities for sin; God
spares him these additional dangers
so that the salvation of his soul may
be more certain, and the position is
awarded to some one else. Temporal
blessings are not always the means
most conducive to salvation, and God
in His mercy often changes our re-
quests into something that will be
more profitable to the soul.
Why does the Catholic Church re-
quire converts to be baptized and con-
firned second time, when they have
been already baptized and confirmed
in the Anglican Church?
time; the Church condemns any at
tempt to repeat baptism as sacrilege.
But many Protestant ministers are
ignorant of the right way to baptize,
and neglect the matter or the form;
consequently converts are baptized
conditionally-that is, with the words,
If thou art not already baptized,
baptize thee, etc. Thus if the per-
son has been baptized there is no
pretence of second baptism; but if
not, he is baptized for the first and
only time. But in cases where COM
plete evidence is forthcoming of the
baptism having been validity perform
ed by the Protestant minister, no con-
ditional baptism is required.
Protestant confirmation stands on
an altogether different footing from
Protestant baptism. Anybody can
baptize, but only Bishop Cor priest
specially licensed by the Holy See)
can confirm. But Protestant Bishops
are really not Bishops, but merely
laymen. Therefore their confirma-
ton, even if they use the right mat
ter and form, is not really confirma-
ton. But in point of fact, the Angli-
can Church uses neither the right
matter nor the right form-which are
Chrism Tor holy oiD and the words,
I sign thee with the sign of the
cross and confirm thee, etc. so that
even if Anglican Bishops were real
Bishops, Anglican confirmation would
be invalid.
What 10 meant by the PortiuncuIa?
The Portiuncula differs from other
ecclesiastical festivals, in as much
as they celebrate some mystery in
the life of Our Saviour or Our Lady,
or the remembrance of a saint, while
1t is merely concerned with the great
indulgence which may be gained on
the first and second of August. "Por-
tiuncula" means little portion" and
was applied to the chapel given by
the Benedictines to st. F'rancis-the
cradle of the Franciscan Order-near
Assist. This chapel is also called
st. Mary-of-the-Angels" on account
of the hymns of the celestial spirits,
which were often said to have been
heard there. 1t is now enclosed in a
magnificent dome, which is visited by
the pilgrims from all parts of the
world. One night in 1921 st. Francis,
1t is claimed, had vision of Christ
and His Blessed Mother, accompanied
by a host of angels in this chapel
st. Francis, burning with zeal for the
salvation of sinners and love of man.
kind, begged a favor of Christ-a
plenary NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the
temporal punishment due to sins, for
all who having made a good confes-
sion would visit his beloved chapel.
He felt Our Saviour, at the interces-
sion of Our Lady, would grant the
request on condition that Francis
would go to Pope Honorius III. to
have the Indulgence ratified The lat
ter, after due consideration, was con-
WINGED that the vision was genuine,
and granted the indulgence, which at
that time could be gained only in the
chapel of the Portiuncula. Later it
was granted to all who, having full
filled the necessary conditions, would
visit franciscan church in any part
Of the world. Since 1914 the indul-
gence may be gained in any church
for which the pastor has requested
the indulgence.
What 10 the proper method of bap-
III. Il