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Th PASTORAL LETTER OF THE |(l. |(cu. ^mn fhm^t Clearg, ^ J',|}» Bishop of Kingston, To THE Rev, Clergy of His Diocese, ON The Sanctification of the Christian Household AND THE Confraternity of the Holy Family. ^^^••3^-^ (£^ •^ KINGSTON : PRINTED AT THE DAILY NEWS STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 1883. CONTENTS. Importance of sanctifyinj^^ the family. Duty of Parents towards their children. Priesdy care of the young. Institution of the Confraternity of the Holy Family in Kingston. Origin and object of the Holy Family. Privileges of the Holy Family. Members and their obligations. Fervent appeal to the Revd. Clergy. Collect "pro Congregatione et Familia." Preparations for Confirmation. an ,' . • • • ! • . • • • » • • • •• • W . • • •• •• •'• ' . ,. • • . .- • , « •' , , « •••• •« t-' « • » t ■ f at . • t I )ly Family in JAMKS VINCENT CLEARY. S.T.D.. By rnh Gkack ok God and favok ok thk Akostolu' Skk, BISHOP OF KINGSTON. To THE Rkv. Cleiuiy ok His Diocksi:. Dear Revo. Fathers : — The Church is an aggregate of dioceses gov- erned by Bishops under direction of Christ's Vicar : the diocese is an aggregate of congregations governed by local Pastors under direction of the Bishop : the congregation is an aggregate of families governed by parents under the spiritual direction o( the local Pastor. Thus the family is the basis of the edifice of faith, and from it, if well founded and cemented in the law and love of Christ, the congrega- tion and the diocese and the whole superstructure of God's Church will derive firmness and stability against the decay of time, the tempests of human passion, and the fierce at- tacks ofihe world and the devil. If therefore, dear Revd. Fathers, we would build up religion throughout our Diocese, and fortify it against the assaults of our spiritual enemies, whose name is Legion, we must make sure of our founda- tions — we must devote special care to the good ordering of family life. The husbandman is solicitous for the saplings in his nur- sery. He delves the hard earth around them, and supplies nourishment to their roots ; he waters them in seasons of drought ; he shelters them against the blasts of winter ; and when spring time comes, he opens a free passage for air and light and heat to act upon them for the strengthening of their vitality and development of their nature in the form ordained by the great Creator. Now, the nursery of the universal household of faith is the family household, and -5^ \ ^ O Pastoral Letter. on its careful sheltering and seasonable cultivation depends the future of the church in j^^rowth of holiness and fecundity of virtue. The priests of the church are the husbandmen of God. One plants, another waters, and God gives the in- crease (i Cor. 3rd chap.) Through your ministry the seeds of santification have been planted in the family. It is your office to protect and quicken into activity the sacra- mental grace of matrimony in the hearts of the par(!nts, and the elements of regenerated life in the souls of th(! children. The local pastor's mission is not to his congregation in general ; but to every household in his district, to parents and children, for vigilance over all, and instruction of all. "in season and out of season," upon the laws and discipline of Christian life; now gravely exhorting, now kindly en couraging, and, when occasion requires it, "reproving, entreating, rebuking, with all patience and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4th chap.) Duty of Parents To-wardci tlielr Children. In enforcing upon parents the duty of sanctifying their lives in accordance with their state, you should insist with special emphasis upon the most important of all parental duties, which is the rearing of their children in holiness by precept and example. God, the Father in heaven, who con- fided His little ones to their care; and, God, the Son, wlio redeemed them by His blood ; and, God, the Holy Ghost, who consecrated them in grace, to be the temple of His dwelling, will demand a strict account of their most sacred trust. Nature concurs with grace in urging parents to fulfil this duty. Their own happiness is bound up with it. The prosperity of their families, even in this life, depends upon it. "Piety," says the Scripture, "is profitable to all things, hav- ing promise of the life that now is, and o^ that which is to come" (i Tim. 4th chap.) On the other hand God's griev- ous displeasure is drawn upon the family by neglect of piety in the domestic home. He who giveth life, can take it. He who builds up families, can pull them down. He gathereth, and He scattereth. Health, peace, prosperity. I Pastornl Letter. on cl(!p(!nds \d fecundity ,usb;indm(Mi rives the in- ninistry the family. It y the sacra- par(!nts, and he children. Tejj^ation in , to pan;nts action of all, nd discipline \i kindly en- •'reprovinii^, -ine" (2 Tim. Iren. ttifying their d insist with all parental I holiness by en, who con- le Son, wiu) Holy Ghost, mple of His most sacred rents to fulfil vith it. The )ends upon it. things, hav- which is to God's griev- ly neglect of ife, can take down. He prosperity, sickn<^ss, sorrow and calamity are equally in the power of I lis will. And if there be one crime more sure than another to provoke the wrath of God upon whole families, it is that of parents who withhold from their children the knowledge of (ioil and 1 lis law. and the nourishmt.'nt of virtue, leaving them to nature and its passions of corruption, to gradually enslave them and (!xact the life-long service of their hearts and minds, whicli should In: rend(,'red to the Almighty Lord alone their Cri:ator and Rt^deemer. "I am the Lord, thy (iod," said \\v, "mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth genera- tion" (IvKodus 20th chap.) It is difficult to conceive how Catliolic fathers and moth(Ts, believing in the Church's doc- trine aijout th(; priceless value of souls and the glorious in- heritances [)rejjared for the children of grace on condition of their perseverance in virtue, can hope to die in God's peace and meet a favorable judgment after having reared their offspring in ignorance of the truths of salvation and neglect of prayer and mass and sacraments and observance of Christian virtue, by which alone they can reach heaven. The Apostl(.' St. Paul discredits the faith of such parents ; he cl:iss(.'s them with apostates and pronounces them more guilty than infidels. To the Bishop of Ephesus he writes, "If any man hath not a care of his own. and especially of those of liis house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel" (i Tim. 5th chap.) Priestly Care of tlie Youngf. When the' pastor has admonished the parents of their obligations, his whole duty to the litt''^ ones is not thereby discharg(;d. The church has received from Christ a direct and special guardianship of children. It is she who brought them forth to the life of the spirit in grace through the sacrament of baptism. Hers is a better and nobler maternitv than that of fiesh and blood. She is now th(Mr nursing-mother according to the spirit, for their rearing in the divine life of faith and grace ''unto the perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ" (Eph. Pastoral Letter. 4th chap.) Kven thoujL^h the carnal mother should nejL^lcct them. th(! spiritual mother shall not. 'I'hey are marked with the blood ot her heavenly Spouse. Their names are written upon th(; palms of her hands. Her thoughts are ever l)usy about them; and she cries out unce.'singly to the local pastor from th(! throm- of the sovereign pjontiffs and the sanctuary of every cathedral in Christendom to keep a vigilant eye upon the children, to know them by narni*. to love them and attract their love; to exhibit on all occasions a tender and paternal anxiety for their welfare ; to gather them around him in the church, and. in presence of their living Saviour, to Wtt^d them with the " milk" of doctrine suitably to their age, and instil into their minds holy senti- ments of virtue and holy abhorrence of vice by direct teach- ing, by examples and anecdotes and corrections and sugges- tions and all the countless methods that God's wisdom and the priest's zeal shall opportunely inspire. From the church to their homes, from their homes to the schools, from the schools to their play ground, and, through all the ways of youthful life, the pastor's warnings should follow the chil- dren, and his paternal vigilance safeguard them, so far, at least, as to assure himslf that no evil example shall lie in their path nor any snare be laid for their innocence. There is no more imperative duty of the priesthood than this tender and assiduous care of the young. The good priest never tires of it. It is so like Jesus Christ, whose con- descension to children is beautifully described in several episodes of the Gospel narrative. We are told that He loved to invite them to come near Him with confidence, and that He used to lay His divine hand upon their heads, and bless them. One day the mothers brought their boys and girls to Him in large numbers, and some of His disciples objected to the intrusion. The little ones were probably noisy and somewhat troublesome. At all events it was the opinion of some good men that they were unfitted for inter- course with the Teacher of Heavenly Wisdom, and their presence was treated as an interruption of better work. But "when Jesus saw it," says the Evangelist, " He was I thi' i I Pusturul Letter. Id nejt(lt*ct rkt'd with re vvritt<^n ever l)iisv the local and the () keep a name, to occasions to gather e of their f doctrine loly senti- rect teach- id suj^^ges- sdom and the church from the e ways of the chil- so far, at ihall lie in e. There than this ood priest ^hose con- in several I that He dence, and heads, and boys and s disciples e probably ; it was the ;d for inter- and their ;tter work. , " He was much displeased, and said to them, suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid ihein not. for of such i' the U;n,.^^(l()m of heav(^n. And, enihraciui^ them, and layini; 11 is h.mcls upon them, fie blessed them" (Mark ic^th chap.) What .1 lovely picture this is ! The Lord of Majesty, who rul(.'s over heaven antl t/arth ; the Sai^i' of S.ij^a.'s, lUernal Wisdom who "dwells in light inaccessible" (i Tim. 6th chap.) does not deem it beneath I lis dignity to converse familiarly with lisping childhood, to bear with its thought- les.snc:ss, its giddiness, its obtrusiveness. its dulness, per- haps, or its excessive vivacit). What a le.sson for us, His repr(!sentatives before men, the sharers of His eternal Priesthood for the salvation of His ilect, not to disdain to give our time and «.arnest thought to the Christian forma- tion of childhoods mind, as though it were an inferior office of the ministry, which should yield to the frecjuent pressure of high duties. Aristotle, one of the: most learned philoso- phers of anticjuity, thought his time best employed in teaching the first rudiments of grammar to Alexander, son of Philip of Macedon, because his pupil was the heir of an empire, and his future career would much depend upon the first lessons of the school. Our little ones, dear revd. fathers, are children of the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (i Tim. 6th chap.), the heirs of a royalty infinitely superior to that of Alexander, and the rudimentary lessons of faith and piety will exercise a powerful influence on their future, for time and for eternity. Jesus Christ would be "much displeased" did we fail to interest ourselves in their instruction at all seasonable tunes. (J)ur Divine Master "embraced them," says the Evangelist. He did this for our example, that we may open our manly hearts to the little innocents and receive them in the spirit of affection. And this we know you do, clear revd. fathcirs, and we thank our good God for the zeal you display in fulfilment of this duty of the ministry, under conditions of great hardship, at times, and edifying disregard of the fatigue and discomfort consequent on long journeying and late celebration of mass on the Lord's Day. You shall have your "reward exceeding [~- .'* 8 Pastoral Letter. great" (Gen. 15^.1 v.) from the Pastor of Pastors, whose eye is upon you in your work for approval and sustainment, and whose promise is recorded, "Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these, my littlest ones, you did it to Me" (Matt. 25 chap.) Bear with us, if we exhort you to persevere in your laborious efforts and, if possible, to pro- ceed with redoubled zeal in behalf of our growing youth, for whose welfare we are becoming more anxious as we learn more of the dangers that beset the ways of innocence around us. The pastoral office is manifold, it deals with sinners and saints, with the weak and the strong, the wise and the unwise; it is charity towards all, solicitude for the wants of all. But in nothing does the charity of the pastor display itseK more resplendently before God and men than in the tender care bestowed on the young for the preserva- tion of their life in grace and innocence. This is the grand characteristic of the Divine moael of pastors, proclaimed by the prophet Isaias, "He shall feed His flock like a shep- herd ; He shall gather together the lambs with His arm, and shall take them up in His bosoms (Isaias, chap. 40.) Institution of tlie Confraternity of the Holy Family in Kingfston. To enable both pastors and parepts more effectively to discharge their duties for the sanctification of the Christian household and the proper rearing of the children in the knowledge and love of God, we have resolved to establish throughout our diocese the Confraternity of the Holy Family, having previously obtained faculties from the Sovereign Pontiff for that purpose. At the conc'usion of a fortnight's spiritual exercises, recently held In our Episcopal City of Kingston, We instituted the Archconf ruernity in canonical form in St. Mary's Cathedral, to which the local branches of the several missionary districts shall be affiliated. We earnestly desire to propagate this plant of holiness in every Mission, and will personally assist at its inauguration in as many places as possible, to enlist in its behalf the lively interest of priests and people. It is desirable that spiritual worl andl oftl of sj aidi fide 1st, spirj the thrc Pastoral Letter. s, whose eye linment, and )u, as long as 3u did it to :hort you to ible, to pro- •wing youth, xious as we of innocence t deals with ng, the wise itude for the of the pastor nd men than the preserva- s is the grand proclaimed by like a shep- ith His arm, , chap. 40.) ly Family in effectively to the Christian [ildren in the i to establish of the Holy ies from the onc'usion of a our Episcopal >nf'raernity in lich the local lU be affiliated, t of holiness in s inauguration -half the lively s that spiritual exercise . a week or, at least, three days' duration, should precede ^nu inaugural act, that so the faithful may be dis- posed by the Word of God and prayer and sacramental purification to enter the Holy Family in truly Catholic spirit and earnestly endeavour to profit of its blessings. To this end we have arranged with the Oblute Fathers to give the services of two priests to our diocese for a series of Missions during the next five months. We will thank you, dear Revd. Fathers, to inform us, through our Secretary, of the time that will suit your people's convenience for at- tendance at those pious exercises in your respective dis- tricts. They may perhaps be made to concur with the Devotion of the Forty Hours. A rich harvest of benedic- tions, spiritual and temporal, may be expected through the agency of this confraternity. In our beloved city of King- ston we have had the happiness of enrolling over eight hundred in the female, and five hundred and twenty in the male, branches. We trust the membership will be pro- portionately numerous amongst you. Usefulness of Confraternities. The word " Confraternity" signifies an association of persons united by special bonds of charity and the practice of the same pious exercises for their personal sanctification and the promotion of some definite work of religion. The value of association is well known to the wise ones of the world. It is the order of the day in political, commercial and professional circles. Confraternities are the application of this principle to the spiritual order for the accomplishment of some great religious purpose by the united efforts of many, aiding each other's insufficiency and mutually inspiring con- fidence. The general purposes of all Confraternities are, 1st, the honor and glory of God ; 2d, the sanctification and spiritual advancement of the individuals composing it; 3d, the assistance rendered by the members to one another through life and at death and after death ; 4th, good ex- i- lO Pastoral Letter. ample and edification to their co-religionists and to society; in addition to which, there is a definite and special object proposed for each association, to the attainment of which its rules and discipline are adapted. The Catholic Church, the divinely commissioned guard- ian of the whole law of Christian faith and morals, with whom Jesus Christ has promised to co-operate in maintain- ing its belief and practice '!all days, even to the consumma- tion of the world" (Matt. 28c.), has never failed to encou- rage the method of association for religious ends. The Pontiffs who have successively occupied St. Peter's chair have favored the Confraternities with innumerable privi- leges and indulgences. Ecclesiastical councils have recom- mended them as salutary aids for preserving and stimulat- ing piety, purity of life and active charity in opposition to the scandals of the world's indifference and sensuality and egotism. The Bishops of the Church most illustrious for personal sanctity and pastoral zeal, such men of God as St. Charles Borromeo, St. Francis de Sales and St. Alphonsus Liguori, devoted their time and labour to the propagation and healthy growth of these institutions in the parishes of their dioceses ; and in their writings bear eloquent testi- mony to the benefits derived from them in averting the scourge of God's anger, recalling sinners to the paths of virtue, exciting the lukewarm to religious fervour, counter- acting the pernicious maxims and fashions, the impiety and selfishness of the world, and shewing forth a bright example of Catholic life in the virtuous and orderly demeanour of multitudes of men and women combining strictest fidelity to the duties of their secular state with earnest pursuit of the "one thing necessary" (Luke lOc). Herein is summar- ized th^whole economy of the Incarnation announced in the song of the Angels on the morning of the Saviour's Nativity, " Glory be to God on high and peace on earth to men of good will" Luke 2c.). sani Cat ind] Soc thei • It Pastoral Letter. II 1 to society; )ecicil object nt of which oned guard- morals, with in maintain- i consumma- d to encou- ends. The Peter's chair erable privi- have recom- nd stimulat- Dpposition to msuality and illustrious for of God as St. 5t. Alphonsus ; propagation e parishes of loquent testi- averting the the paths of vour, counter- ic impiety and )right example demeanour of rictest fidelity lest pursuit of -in is summar- announced in the Saviour's ice on earth to Origfln and ot>ject of the Holy Family. On a future occasion We will, please God, explain in de- tail the benefits we hope to derive from the introduction of this Confraternity among our fait ./ul people. P'or the pre- sent Our Instruction shall be limited to a statement of its origin and general object, and the privileges accorded to it bv the Church. The Ho /} family confraternity was founded, about forty years ago, in the City of Liege, in Belgium. In a short time it grew into a large association and gave evidence of its power to effect a wonderful amount of good in society. Pope Pius the Ninth, on being assured of its great useful- ness, had its Rules examined, gave it his approval and his blessing, raised it to "the dignity of an Arch-Confraternity, with power to affiliate other associations of the same name, instituted for the same end," and enriched it with most copious treasures of Indulgences in favor of its members. Under this " Fiat" of God, spoken by His Vicar, the Holy /^3;w77)'developed into mighty proportions and speedily occu- pied cities and towns and rural parishes, not in Belgium only, but also in France, Italy. England, Ireland, Germany, Hol- land and America. Of Our own knowledge. We can say that its institution in Ireland has been productive of incal- culable good. It seems to have a particular attraction for the children of St. Patrick, who enter its ranks with more alacrity and adhere to the observance of its pious discipline with more persistency than they exhibit in regard of any other purely religious Association. The definite work proposed by the Holy Family is the sanctification of interior Catholic life and the preservation of Catholic society from the growing immorality and 'religious indifference, too visibly manifest in the manners of our age. Society being rooted in the family, it seemed best to apply the remedv of its disorders directlv to domestic life, whence It would gradually spread and permeate the social system. •■5 imiatm 12 Pastoral Letter. I Abstract rules of moral discipline are liable to be forgotten or despised in the hour when their restraining influence is most needed. They require to be embodied in living forms, exhibiting the reality and loveliness of virtue, as actually practised, and appealing to the senses and imagination and the nobler impulses of the heart of man, as well as to his understanding, for his seK-correction and the ready submis- sion of his will. Mary and Joseph in their humble home, with the child Jesus growing under their tutelage "in wis- dom and age and grace with God and men" (Luke 2c) is the exalted model of family holiness set before the minds of the Catholic people who are invited to join this Confrater- nity. The virtues exemplified in the carpenter's house in Nazareth are the perfection indeed of Christian goodness, not exacted in equal degree from all, nor practically atttain- able by all, though it has been recommended to all in its divine archetype by the Saviour of mankind, who said, "be ye perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5^.) But the humility and obedience, the piety and prayer, the chastity and temperance, the peace and patience and resig- nation of spirit and prompt correspondence with Divine inspirations, the regularity of the tradesman at his industry and of the virgin mother in her household duty, their lov- ing watchfulness over the child and his entire subjection to them, their continual sense of the Divine presence, and their ardent charity towards God, and towards each other and every neighbour in God — these are virtues demanded of all, and they should be practised by all in imitation of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, according to the manner and measure suitable to each one's state. To some chosen souls in the Catholic Church it has been given in every age to realize in themselves the life of Nazareth to a heroic de- gree of perfection. Before the eyes of all, however, the perfect model is held up for incentive to courageous imita- tion, and with every effort of man's will the grace of God shall most certainly correspond. The frequent invocation of the names of this terrestrial Trinity is all-powerful with the Fal whi fror ver flue ing! Cat ers Far and and frat( in ] resp prea hear and virti corn pietj in diti ic ous ivt ha^ anot peac of fami of p cons the Cat! wor that cal]( porti the J Pastoral Letter. 13 be forgotten influence is living forms, t, as actually gination and rell as to his eady submis- umble home, lage "in wis- (Luke 2c) is 2 the minds ol lis Confrater- ;er's house in ian goodness, tically atttain- l to all in its who said, "be :ct" (Matt. 5c.) d prayer, the ice and resig- with Divine It his industry ity, their lov- ; subjection to presence, and ds each other jes demanded n imitation of manner and some chosen in in every age to a heroic de- however, the rageous imita- ice of God shall vocation of the erful with the Father in Heaven for obtaining those graces in abundance, while the demons are terrified by it and driven far away from our hearts and homes. In the hour of temptation the very thought of th(t //o/y Family exercises a chastening in- fluence on the mind, and helps to bring nature's unruly feel- ings under control. The morning and evening prayer of the Catholic family, offered in union with the thirty years' pray- ers that ascended to the throne of God from the Holy Family of Nazareth, sanctifies the domestic atmosphere and diffuses an odour of blessedness through the day and the night. The periodical assembling of the con- fraternities of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, in the House of God, beside the banners of their respective branches, to hear the lessons of Nazareth preached by the priest, and to pray together with "one heart and one soul" (Acts 4^), through Jesus, Mary and Joseph, for Divine aid to practise in their homes the virtues of the Holy Family, and save themselves from the corruption of this world of sin, quickens an enthusiasm of piety and a sacred emulation among the associates to fulfil in their lives the purposes of th^ confraternity. An ad- ditional link of charity is thus established between the vari- ous sections of the Catholic community, who may, perhaps, have been divided in feeling and estranged from one another; and by degrees the "unity of spirit in the bond of peace" develops and declares itself in acts and expressions of good will and kindly sympathy, as occasions arise ; families become more friendly with each other for the sake of pleasing Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and Catholic unity is consolidated in its inner life and outward strength. Hear the Doctor of the Nations propounding this principle of Catholic unity in opposition to the frigid egotism of the world. "I, therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called, with all humility and mildness; with patience, sup- porting one another in charity ; careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. One body, and one spirit, ■• ''t^-r •mm HMMi 14 Pastoral Letter. *5 I Ch pat Fal Hii per as you are called in one hope of your vocation ; one Lord, ^«^ faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all" (Eph. ^c.) Oh ' what a blessed result will not this be, should it come to pass, and how pleasing to Jesus, Mary and Joseph ' What a multiplicity of graces is in store for the Ven erable Diocese of Kingston, if we all, Bishop, priests and people, co-operate zealously and with persevering ^ ^^ energy in founding and maintaining this holy confra ^^^ ternity as a nursery ol domestic sanctity and neighbourly ^^^^ goodness ! pj^'^ But let us rise, dear Revd. Fathers, above the consider diar ation of ourselves and our own interests, albeit spiritual, in with the Confraternity. Let us regard God, His interests and infk His honour. The Ho/y Fa^nily is a direct homage to th( refir fundamental dogma of Christianity, the adorable mystery 0! betv the Incarnation ; for Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the cottagf be t^ of Nazareth are the living embodiment of this mystery in if^ hold fulness. The association of these three names embraces virti in one thought the Person of the Eternal Word, the Virgin its A Mother of the Word made flesh, and the foster-father ot reli God Incarnate, in His infancy, His boyhood, and Hi^ Pag growth unto the maturing of His manhood. The name 0' spii Jesus proclaims the Majesty of the Divinity humbled of obediently to the littleness of Humanity in hypostatic pen; union, the Creator made a creature, the Eternal born ir con time and nourished by the milk of a maiden's breast. Th' nati name of Mary announces the mystery of Virginity in ma love ternity, and "the handmaid of the Lord" made the mothe; man of God the Son, as truly as God the Father is His Father to a whence she is evermore the Queen of the Universe, all the powerful in heaven, and styled "blessed" by all generation- mys upon the earth. The name of Joseph, the "just man" 'n h the Scriptures, by his chaste guardianship of the Virgin' rona honor and his exquisite care of the Divine Child, represent- tec ti the sanctity of Christian marriage, binding soul with soul irfoun the wedlock of the spirit, and the sublimity ot the office ocruc « Pastoral Letter. 15 )n ; one Lord, Christian fatherhood, as a communication of the divine of all, who IS paternity for the rearing; of God's children "in wisdom and Lph. 4f.) ^h ^^^. ^^j^j ^rnice" unto life (;\crlastinL;. Had it pleased the lould it come pother in Godhead of Our Lord Jesus Christ to present and Joseph Him to the eyes of men not otherwise than in full-^rown for the yen perfection of manhood, after the maimer t)f the first Adam's 3ishop, priests creation, independent of .1 mother's nursini^, unindebted to h perseverini; ^ father's care and protection, the dogma of the Incarnation ; holy contra ^ould have been only half revealed; its heaven-born virtues, id neighbourly (J^stined to serve unto the latest _i;en(.:ration for a perfect pattern of childhood, and motherhood, and paternal j^mar- e the consider- dianship in the order of Christian life, would have been >eit spiritual, in withheld from human ' knowledi;e ; its sweet, attractive s interests and influence in the domestic circle for purity of morals and homage to the refintiment of manners and chasttming of natural affections -able mystery 0! between husbands and wives, parents and children, would h in the cottag* be to this day unfelt and unimagined ; and the family house- is mystery in it*- hold would still perhaps remain unadorned by the many ames embraces virtues, begotten of the Incarnati(jn, that now constitute /ord, the Virgin its dignity and true happiness, and reflect glory on our holy foster-father ot religion by contrast with the unspeakable turpitude of the hood, and Hi^ Pagan home and the servile bondage in which the gentle The name 0' spirit of womanhood was crushed between the millstones vinitv humblec of polygamy and divorce even under the Mosaic Dis- / in hypostatic pensation. No wonder the Apostle of the Gentiles, Eternal born ir contemplating the sublimity of this doctrine of the Incar- n's breast. Th^ nation, should exclaim in the fervour of his faith and /ircrinitv in ma^ove, " Evidently great is the mystery of picty\ which was lade the mothc; manifested in the tlesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared r is His Father to angels, hath been preached in the Nations, is believed in ^ Universe, alithe world, is taken up in glory" (i Tim. 3c.). To this "great v all p-eneration n^y^i^^O'^ ^^ piety" we pay the homage of our daily devotion ^ "lust man" o^J^ honouring the Holy Family of Nazareth : under its pat- of the Virj^in'-^o^"*^^^^^ we place ourselves every time we implore the pro- Child represent^ tection of Jesus, Mary and Joseph ; and from the divine soul with soulir^*^^"^'^'" ^^ the Incarnation, through the five wounds of the ot the office oCrucified Saviour, we hope to draw the living waters of grace *> I J. w u.-mjj i ^H x6 Pastoral Letter. to refresh our souls and quicken them in the newness of life conformably to the model of Christian perfection shewn forth in the lives of the Father, the Mother and the Son, whose imitation is the end of our holy Confraternity. PrlTileg^es of tlie Holy Family. The privileges accorded by the Church, in the form of Indulgences, to the Holy Family are most numerous. By a Brief, dated April 20th, 1847, His Holiness, Pope Pius the Ninth, granted "to all the faithful of both sexes, who ** are members of the aforesaid Association, a plenary In- " dulgence on the day of their admission, if, having made a *' sincere confession of their sins, they receive the most " Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist ; also a pUnary Indul- '' gence at the article oj death, if, truly, contrite they con- " fess and receive Holy Communion, or, not being able to " do this, are truly penitent and invoke the Name of Jesus " with their lips, if possible, or at least in their hearts ; like- " wise a plenary Indulgence on each of the Feast days of " the Confraternity (thirty in number) or the Sunday fol- " lowing each, on the usual conditions of Confession and " Communion and a visit to the Church for prayer." By the same Brief he granted one hundred days' Indulgence for every attendance at the pious yneetings of the Association or the performance of any good zvork recom7nended by it , and finally declared all those Indulgences applicable to tk souls in Purgatory. Surely all good Catholics who are so licitous for their soul's increase in grace and merit before God, or desire to live in constant communion of charity with their deceased relatives and friends, will find in thi^ outpouring of the Church's spiritual treasures upon the Hah 7^2wz7v sufficient inducement, apart from all its other bene fits, to enroll themselves, and encourage others to enlist, ir the Confraternity. all'; all( mui the th(! free diff( It sucl But the appi chui the may to c; eveii the con thro Fa?}\ one ties. favc< for mes Fat to t the I and a w» regL of r vatt ful # ewness of life "ection shewn and the Son, ternity. Pastoral Letter. IVIeiiiberH and their Obliicatioiii** 17 1 the form of umerous. By ss, Pope Pius th sexes, who a plenary In- laving made a eive the most plenary Indul- ;rite they con- being able to •^ame of Jesus ^ir hearts ; like- Feast days of tie Sunday fol- Confession and r prayer." By ys' Indulgence the Associatiot: nvtended by it . pplicable to th ics who are so id merit before nion of charity v^ill find in thi^ 5 upon the Hoh its other bene lers to enlist, ir All .irc rliL^nhk? to in(,'mbcrshi|) in iIk; Holy /'\v)ii/y, for all art! concerned in the work it aims at accomi)lishin^-, and all can help it forward by the force of numbers and by mutual edification at home antl in the public asseinl)lies in the church. We know full well how orderly and pious is the household life of our faithful p(;o[)l(! generally, and how free from the least taint ot the viclousness ami religious in- difference i.h.it infects lh(; atmosphere of the (Uiler workl. It ma\' be asked what need haxc: good Catholics, such as the L', of membership in the //o/y Fa)iiiiy? But the fathers ami mothers who thus \igilantly guard the sacredness of their fireside, are thc;y who will best appreciate the powerful assistance supplit^d them by the church for sustainment in their meritorious efforts and the better assurance of permanent success, '['he children may outgrow the parents' tutelage, or it may please Gt)d to call the heads of the fanu"ly out of life ; and, in either event, it will be well if the Church shall retain a hold ujjon the hearts of the young man and the young w(Mnan for the continuance of their pious parents' teaching and example through the repeated lessons and discipline of the }Ioly Family. It is. moreover, a duty of Christian charity to aid one ancnher in spiritual, no less than in temporal. nect;ssi- ties. Whence, th(;y wh.o have, through God's bounty, been favoured with 'greater richness of taithand more ardent zeal for the promotion of piety and goodness in their own do- mestic circles, ou'dit, in thankfulness to their heavenlv Fath(*r and charity to II is less lavoured children, contribute to the diffusion of the peace and joy of holiness through their neighbours' homes, and the creation of a high religious and moral tone in Catholic society, by active co-operation in a work, whose ii\'\(k is to make others be what tlicy are, to reu^ulate disorderlv households in conformitv with the rules of religion, to recall the erring, to confirm the weak, to ele- vate the depressed, to counteract evil example and the bane- ful influence of human respect, and by united effort to main- i8 Pastoral Letter. it \ an' me eat. mis th(,- of I tain Catholic life q^cnerally on the hi^h level of the Church's standard. 'I'hus they may become the instruments of God's mercy to many, and may earn the rewards of Apostleship, as it is written ; " He who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins." (James 5^.) The nu- merous Indulgence;- i^ranted l)y the Pope to the members of tht; Confraternity during life and at the hour of death, will be another inducement to the most virtuous among the cull congregations to enrol themselves in it tor their own spir- till itual advantage and more assured passage from the asso- and ciation of Jesus, Mary and Joseph on earth to the glory ot rec( the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost in Heaven. Jesi Let none be deterred by the idea that unknown obliga- wit! tions may be contracted through membership in this Con- sho) fraternity. The means it employs are in accord with its in e end, |)urely spiritual. It is sufficient to quote a few of its ligic statutes. and No. I lays down : "The object of the Arch-Confraternity rem( is to honour the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and our to offer to the faithful of different ages, both sexes, and earn every condition of life, but particularly to the working of tl classes, an efficacious means of walking with confidence in pr^y che way of salvation." unio No. 2 : " The means emyloyed in the Association for the wht attainment of the noble and useful end it proposes, are us t prayer, the Word of God, and the frequentation of the nat Sacraments." No. 15 : " The obligations contracted by the Associates are purely those of charity. They should live as good Christians, according to their state, avoiding dangerous *" P^ societies, the reading of bad books and wicked newspapers, ^ dangerous places of amusement, and everything which vale might lead them to fall into sin." Mar We now commend the Holy Family to our faithful clergy com and people of the whole Diocese of Kingston with un- I bounded confidence that through their zealous co-operation one H Past or ill Letter. 19 f the Church's icntsof God's Apostlcshij), ► be converted 1 from death. 5r.) The nu- the memi)ers lOur of death, rom the asso- 3 the glory ol Heaven, known obliga- ) in this Con- ccord with its :e a few of its it will llourish in this section of the Lord's vineyard. We an; filled with holy joy at the marvellous success of its com- mencement in our episcopal City, and look forward with ea^(;r anticipation to its w(.'lcome acceptance in the several missions. In the namt; of the Catholic Church and with th(.' blcssini^ of Christ's Vicar, we have "planted" this tree of life. It is for you, dear revd. fathers, to "water" it, and "God will give th(; increase." It will recjuire assiduous 3us among the cuki\ation, more esj)ecially in the early stages of its growth, leir own spir- till it shall have struck its roots deep^ly in the soil; but you and your parishioners and your Bishop shall be amply recompensed by the blessi.'d iVuit it shall bear in due time. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are looking upon us from heaven with eyes of aj)probation, as we honor their Names, and show forth their virtues for our people's imitation, seeking in everything the salvation of souls, the exaltation of re- ligion and the glory of the Most High God. How sweet and consoling to each of us on our death-bed shall be the -Confraternity remembrance of our priestly labours, our zeal, our vigilance, nd loseph, and our active encouragement, our prudence in organizing, our )th sexes, and earnestness in instructing, the members of the Confraternity the workinf^ of the //o/y Family in our missions ! The good works and 1 confidence in prayers of parents and children shall then plead for us, in union with our own and those of the Confraternity every- ociation for the where, through Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and shall insure nroposes, are us the last, the best, the crowning grace of God's predesti- intation of the nation— a happy death. •'Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and soul, the Associates "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. I live as good "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul ing dangerous in peace with you— Amen." ed newspapers, May these be the last words our lips shall utter in this irything which vale of tears! May we not confidently hope that Jesus, Mary and Joseph will graciously respond to our call and ,r faithful clergy come to meet us in peace! gscon with un- Instead of the Collect "pro quacumque necessitate," the us co-operation one "pro Congregatione et Familia" shall be recited at ao Past or III Letter Q.\'vxy Mass (Rubric permitting,') until further orders. We l)eL,f of you also, clear ntvd. fathers, to nMiieniher Us in your oblation of the lloly Sacrifice and ask the prayeTs of your conL;reL;ations in Our behalf, that (lod's blessin;^' may attend Our lalH)urs and brin^; them to a happ)' issue Vox We know how true the word is, "unl(;ss i\\v. Lord build the house, in vain do they labour who build it ; unless the Lord j^aiard the citv, in vain do they watch who Laniard it" (Psalm 126.) As We proceed throui^h your districts to administ(;r the Sacrament of Confirmation, we intend to personally ex- a. nine the candidates in their daily prayers and the Christian Doctrine. All shall be recpiired to recite from memory the Lord's Prayer, the Anij^elical Salutation and the Doxoloi^y, the Apostles' Creed and Confiteor (or i^cn(!ral confession) : the Acts of Contrition^ Faith, Hope and Charity, and the Litany of Loreto or the //aily Holy Q>-een. "Now, the God of peace, who broui^ht aj^^ain from the dead the Great Pastor of the Sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blood of the everlasting; testament, make you perfect in every good work, that you may do His will, working; in you that which is well-pleasing; in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory for ever and ever — Amen' (Hebrews 13^.) This Pastoral Letter shall be read and explained to each congregation of the Ulocese on the first Sunday, or partly on the first and partly on the second Sunday, on which Mass shall be celebmted for them, after its reception. Given at Kingston, under cur hand and seal, thts tenth day of May, the Octave of the Ascension, D.N.J.C, in tht year of Our Lord, on(i thousand eight hundred and eighty three. tJAMES VINCENT CLEARY, S.T.D., Bishop of Kingston. By His Lordship's command, Thomas Kelly, Secretary. ortU^rs. We iir Us in your c prayers of Ijlcssin-^^ may / issiu: For .orel biiiUl the lU'ss the Lord ho 'j:uartl it" Ahninlst(;r the jx-rsonally ex- 1 the Christian n memory the he DoxoloLjjy, 1 confession) ; irity, and the from the dead sus Christ, in you perfect in kvorkin^ in you through Jesus ever — Amen' )lained to each day, or partly day, on which eception. ,eal, thts tenth ).N.J.C., in th. •ed and eighty [, S.T.D., of Kingston. AS Kelly, Secretary.