The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-02-17


the sacraments of Penance and Holy
Eucharist; or, merely to be in the
state of grace in order to gain an IN
diligence? ID Exactly what is meant
by praying "for the intention Of the
Holy Father?" (c) Is it necessary to
pronounce induIgenced prayers with
the lips? (d) If no prayers are desig-
mated what ones should be said?
An indulgence can not be gained
unless one is in the state OF grace.
This is evident from the nature OF an
indulgence One who is not in the
state of grace is subject to eternal
punishment, besides being guilty of
having grievously offended God. An
Indulgence applies only to temporal
punishment. 1t has no effect on the
guilt OF the soul. 1t will not remove
the guilt of the least venial sin. For
each of these reasons it is evident
that the soul must be in friendship
with God to share in any indulgence
Any mortal guilt must already have
been pardoned and eternal punishment
must also have been Cancelled. In
addition to this condition generally
required to partake of the favor of an
Indulgence, the Church may specify
the worthy reception Of the sacra-
ments of Penance and Holy Eucharist.
When this good work is specifically
onjOined by the Church, then the Holy
Eucharist must be WOrthily received.
If, however, one is accustomed to con-
feSs every two weeks or more fire.
Qucntly, this regular reception of the
sacrament Of Penance will satisfy for
the one that otherwise would be made
at the time the indulgence is gained.
When the Church does not mention
specifically that Penance and Holy
Eucharist be received, these sacra-
ments are not essential to gain any
particular indulgence, the general
state of sanctifying grace being suf-
ticient with the other works that are
cniOined.
CD The intention of the Holy
Father" is the object or favor that he
wishes to obtain from God through the
prayers of the faithful. 1t is not nee
cssary that we know in detail the par
ticular desire that he has. Very often
he tells us clearly what he is asking
for as, for instance, that peace may
again he established among nations.
If we do the works that are command
ed for the intention of the Holy
Father, even though we may not know
distinctly what this intention is, we
will fulfill this condition of gaining the
promised favor. Indeed, if we have
the general desire to share in all the
indulSences that are applicable to us,
the Church will grant them to us even
though we are ignorant Of the several
indulgences attached to the good
works that we do from day to day.
(c) Prayers specified as a condi-
ton CT gaining an Indulgence would be
classed as vocal prayers, and so must
be pronounced with the voice with suf-
ficient distinction that the person him.
self could hear the words that he says.
TO form the words properly as an out
ward act, which vocal prayer implies,
it is necessary that the lips be moved.
Articulation so distinct, however, that
our neighbor may be distracted is
neither necessary nor always edifying
I'd If no particular prayers are
mentioned we may choose any that
have the approval Of the Church. The
number ordinarily judged sufficient in
such q case would be equal to the
Our Father" the Hail Mary and
the GLORY be to the Father" repeated
five times.
Do Catholic or sectarian schools in
Canada receive governmental support?
The general plan that the govern
ment Of Canada has adopted towards
private schools is to distribute to them
their proDOrtionate share of the school
tax. When five or more Catholic fam
lilies, or those OF some denomination,
in any community wish to have a pri-
waite school they may do SO and they
Will receive from the government the
amount Of the taxes that are assessed
TO them for the work of education
Any additional expense attached to
the school must be assumed by the re.
ligious corporation. This method has
one serious disadvantage; that the
taxes contributed by Catholics very
often are applied to the upkeep of sec
tartan schools, the Catholics thereby
assisting in false worship.
Is a priest always free to say two
Masses on a Sunday or HOLIDAY of
obligation?
A priest ordinarily is allowed to say
only one Mass on any day of the year,
Sunday, HOLIDAY or week day, eX-
cept Christmas and All Souls Day.
On these days he may say three Mass
es. 1t is only for very grave reason,
when, for instance, a considerable
number otherwise will not be able to
assist at Mass on a Sunday or holy
day of obligation, that priest is free
to say two Masses even on these days.
On ordinary week days he may not say
more than one Mass. The number re-
quired to justify a priest in saying a
second Mass on these days is about
forty
What number Of persons should be
present, in order that priest may
NTH RIaccod C9N.