The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-10-13

Were the great cathedraIs and uni
vcrsities of Europe founded in pre-
Reformation days?
In almost every instance, they were
The universities were much larger a:
Catholic institutions than any one O.
them is today. A few, like Louvain
have always remained Catholic.
When was Mass said for the last
time in Westminster Abbey? Wher
were Christ's Church and ST. Patrick's
Dublin, taken by the Protestants?
Westminster Abbey was confscated
TO Protestant uses when Queen Eliza
beth ascended the throne, and has re
manned in non-Catholic hands ever
since. The last Mass, therefore, was
said in it in 1859 The Irish churches
OF which you speak also passed from
Catholic control under the notorious
Elizabeth.
Must a man lay off work in order to
get to Mass on Sunday?
Nc; necessary labor excuses one
from the Sunday observance. How
ever, if there is an early Mass that you
can attend, you are obliged to do so.
Good Catholics always try to arrange
matters so that they can attend Holy
Mass; thus, they will ask to be re-
loved for an hour on Sunday, or they
will trade off with another worker.
Many Catholics have sought other
kind of work to hear Mass on Sundays.
These good souls do more than the
law of God absolutely commands, for
d man cannot always choose the man
ner and hours Of his work But it
must be remembered that the Mass is
The Catholics greatest act of worship,
and no ordinary difficulty or incon-
vonience should be deemed sufficient
reason for neglecting Mass.
Who elects the Bishop OF diocese?
The Pope appoints the bishops.
Until recently the following method
was employed: The irremovable pas
tors convened, after the bishops death,
and selected, by vote, the names of
three priests they Judged worthy to be
nominated bishops; these three names
were sent to the bishops of the prov
incc to which the deceased bishop was
attached, and they also selected three
names. These names were sent to
Rome and the Pope made, his choice.
This was the method employed in the
L. S. A. until recently. Now, to eX-
pedite matters and to avoid the con-
fusion and delay that formerly at
tended the selection of a new bishop,
another plan has been adopted. Every
two years the bishops Of the province
must consult with their councillors
for the purpose of selecting the names
of priests who would make worthy
bishops; armed with these names, the
bishops of the province meet and vote
upon those names; the results are
sent to Rome, and the names are re-
served with the Pope. When bishop
dies the Supreme Pontiff consults his
list and makes his selection.
Does each scapuIar medal have to
be blessed? Can the indulgence be
gained by carrying the medal in your
purse.
Each scapular medal does have to
be blessed. Once a person has been
enrolled in the scapular, it is not
necessary to have future scapulars
blessed. When the scapular is lost or
worn out, all that is required is that
Of +Io L; ind h0
procured and worn. The same is not
true, however, OF the medal. The in
diligence and blessings attached to
the wearing Of the scapular may be
obtained by carrying the medal in any
way. Therefore, if it is carried III
ones purse, the necessary conditions
are fulfilled.
Why do Catholics sprinkle them
selves or entering the church? What
warranty is the Bible for the use of
holy water? Is not this superstitious
practice?
Catholics use holy water because
they believe that the prayers of the
Church in blessing it are efficacious
to excite in the we'll disposed acts of
faith, hope, and love in. Christ Jesus,
and to drive forth the evil one through
the eXorcisms of those vested with di-
vine authority. st. Paul tells us:
Every creature of God is good,
for it is sanctified by the word of God
and prayer"
If it were superstitious, how then do
you account for the miracles wrought
at the pool Of Bethsaida? How ex-
plain the use of holy water by Gods
commandment in the Old Law--viz,
Aaron and his son shall wash their
hands and feet in it Ca brazen laver),
when they are going into the taber-
nacle." And he shall take holy water
in an earthen vessel Let them be
sprinkled with the water of purifica-
ton"
Moreover, we know that holy water
was used as early as the second cen
fury, and in the catacombs of Rome. 1t
is symbolic of the purity of heart with
which Christians ousht to appear be-
fore the altar of Jesus Christ.
. What is the meaning of the Lenten
observance in your Church?
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