Course 3, Chapter 38

Christianity preserved and propagated. — Founding of the order of the Holy Ghost. -Council of Lateran. — Conversion of the Rugians. — Twelfth and thirteenth Centuries.

1. What orders of the Knights Hospitalers were established during the twelfth century?

The orders of the Knights Hospitalers of the twelfth century were the orders of the Holy Ghost, of Albrac, and of the Bridge brothers.

2. What is the order of the Holy Ghost?

The order of the Holy Ghost is an order destined to comfort and relieve the sick. The most celebrated hospital of this order is that of the Holy Ghost, at Rome, in which many thousands of sick persons and exposed infants are provided for.

3. What is there remarkable near this monastery?

Near this monastery there is a small open tower for the reception of the exposed infant. It is forbid den under the severest penalties to ask the name or make any inquiry about the person who deposits the infant there, or even to follow with the eye the person Avhen leaving the place.

4. What is the order of Albrac?

The order of Albrac was established for the benefit of pilgrims. It was founded in the south of France on a high mountain, and was composed of religious devoted to the care of sick pilgrims; of knights to escort and defend the pilgrims from robbers; and last ly of religious women, all ladies of distinction, whose duty it was to wash the feet of the pilgrims, clean their clothes and make their beds.

5. What was the order of the Bridge brothers?

The end for which the order of Bridge brothers was established, was: 1st, to build bridges over the rivers; 2d, to pass the travelers over in boats, which were always ready; 3d, to receive, feed, and conduct them on their journey.

6. What heretics appeared in the twelfth century?

In the twelfth century several kinds of heretics appeared, amongst others, the Vaudois who sprang up at Lyons. They renounced their worldly goods, led a life apparently austere, said they were forbidden to possess property, and pretended that every Christian was a priest.

7. In what council were they condemned?

They were condemned in the eleventh general council, held at Rome in the church of St. John of 27*

318 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

Lateran. But as the people were deceived by their apparent holiness, God raised up from among the people true saints, to show which was the true church. Of this number was St. Isidore the patron of laborers, and St. Drogon the patron of shepherds. The church was also consoled by the conversion of the Kngians, a people of the north

8. What do you remark on the thirteenth century?

I remark that hell attacked the church with unheard of fury; but God came to her aid.

9. In what manner?

He raised up great saints, and caused the establishment of many religious orders, especially the four mendicant orders, namely, the Carmelites, the Franciscans, the Dominicans and the Augustinians. They are called mendicant, because they are supported by alms.