Chapter XI. Approbation of St. Benedict’s medal by the Holy See

The above facts, and many others of the same kind which we pass over in silence, naturally suggest the question as to whether the authority of the Church has spoken on the subject of a devotion, the results of which will probably excite as much astonishment in the minds of some, as they will give confidence and comfort to others. Fortunately the Holy See has long since examined the subject upon which we are now writing, and has given to the medal of St. Benedict the wishedfor sanction, which is an authority and an argument superior even to those which are given by the wonderful instances of its efficacy, which are every day being related as having taken place in almost every country. The medal had been attacked as savouring of superstition by the too famous J. B. Thiers, author of the “ Treatise on Superstitions ” 1 — a work, by the way, which is on the Index. This unreasonable critic defended his opinion regarding the medal by this strange argument: that the

1 J. B. Thiers was curate of Vibraye, in the diocese Le Mans, /

France. Obiit a.d. 1703.

initial letters which are upon it are difficult to be understood, and are therefore to be suspected of some superstitious purpose.

It was reserved to the learned Pope Benedict XIV. to encourage the faithful in their confidence in this holy medal, and to confute the scruples which the rationalism of that period endeavoured to raise regarding it. At the request of Dom. Benno Lobl, Abbot of St. Margaret’s monastery in Prague, this Pontiff, after a careful examination, and a decree of the Congregation of Indulgences, approved by his Brief of March 12, 1742, the medal with the cross, the effigy of St. Benedict, and the letters which are upon it. He authorised the form of blessing which is to be used over this medal, and granted a great number of indulgences to all who carry it about with them. We here give the text of this important Brief, for it is but too little known : —

BENEDICT XIV., POPE.

Unto the perpetual memory thereof, and for the increasing of the devotion of the faithful of Jesus Christ.

Watchful, with fatherly love, over the heavenly treasures of the Church, and desirous of enriching with the grant of indulgences the sacred medals,

BENEDICTUS P. P. XIV.

Ad perpetuam rei memoriam, et ad augendam Christi fidelium devotionem.

Coelestibus ecclesiae thesauris paterna charitate intenti, sacra interdum numismata, seu cruces, vel cruculas Sancti Benedicti nuncuknown under the name of crosses or little crosses of St. Benedict, we have gladly accorded to certain persons holding certain dignities, the special power to bless the said medals with rich indulgences, and to distribute them amongst the faithful; and to the end that this grant may produce its full effect, and abide 'uninterrupted in all future time, the more especially as such has been asked of us, we willingly add hereunto the weight of apostolic confirmation, and the influence of our endeavours and solicitude, according as it has seemed to us before God, to be good and needful, having maturely considered the circumstances of persons, places, and times.

Our beloved son Benno Lobl, professed monk of patas, indulgentiarum muneribus condecorare voluimus ; et personis, praesertim speciali dignitate fulgentibus, facultatem illas cum thesauro indulgentiarum hujusmodi privative benedicendi et distribuendi libenter impartiti fuimus; et ut illa perpetuis futuris temporibus suum plenarium sortiatur effectum, firitiiusque persistat ; potissimum quum a nobis petitur, apostolicae confirmationis robur libenter adjicimus, opemque et operas nostras impendimus efficaces, prout personarum, locorum, et temporum qualitatibus matura consideratione pensatis, in Domino conspicimus salubriter expedire.

Exponi nobis nuper sane fecit dilectus filius the Order of St. Benedict, and now at this present time Abbot of the Monastery of Brzewnow, in the diocese of Prague — the said monastery being nullius , free, exempt, and immediately subject to the Apostolic See — Provost of Wahlstad in Silesia, mitred prelate of the kingdom of Bohemia, and perpetual Visitor of the said Order in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia — has recently made known to Us, that on another occasion he asked of us for his successors, as also for all and each of the abbots, priors, and priests of the said Order, who are or shall be subject to him and to his successors in the office of Visitor, the faculty to bless, according to the formula given in the said petition, the medals or crosses called St. Benedict’s, and

Benno Lobi, monachus Ordinis Sancti Benedicti expresse professus, ac modernus Abbas liberi et exempti, Sedique Apostolicae immediate subjecti monasterii Brzevnoviensis in Brauna, nullius, seu Pragensis dioecesis, et Wahlstad i i Silesiorum modernus Praepositus, Praelatusque infulatus regni Bohemiae, dictique Ordinis Visitator perpetuus in Bohemia, Moravia et Silesia : quod alias per Nos eidem exponenti, ej usque successoribus, ac oninibus et singulis Abbatibus, Prioribus, caeterisque ejusdem Ordinis monachis sacerdotibus, expetenti tamen praedicto, ejusque successoribus Visitatoribus praedictis subjectis, numismata seu medallias, vel cruces, aut cruculas Sancti Benedicti nuncupatas, privativa facultas, sub certa to distribute the same respectively, in order to spread the indulgences which have been so profusedly granted to them ; with a prohibition to all ecclesiastics to interfere in this pious work : the which faculty was graciously accorded and imparted by a decree of the Congregation of Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, called the Congregation of Indulgences, on the 23d of the month of December, in the year of our Lord 1741, the text of which decree is as follows :

“ Decree for the Order of St. Benedict in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia :

“At the most humble and instant entreaties of Dom Benno Lobl, Abbot of the free and exempt monastery of Brzewnow inibi expressa formula benedicendi et respective distribuendi, pro consequendis indulgentiis, in illis amplissime elargitis, cum inhibitione cuicumque personae ecclesiasticae in hujusmodi opere pio se immiscendi, decreto Congregationis Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalium super indulgentiis praepositae, sub die XXIII., mensis Decembris Anni Domini MDCCXLI. emanato, benigne concessa et elargita fuit ; cujus decreti tenor est qui sequitur :

“ Ordinis Sancti Benedicti per Bohemian, Moravian, et Silesiam Decretum :

“ Ad humillimas et enixas preces Domini Bennonis Lobi, Ordinis Sancti Benedicti, liberi et exempti Monasterii Brzein Brauna, of the Order of St. Benedict, Provost of Wahlstad in Silesia, mitred prelate of the kingdom of Bohemia, and perpetual Visitor of the said Order in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia : our most Holy Father Pope Benedict XIV. has graciously given and granted to the same Benno, and to his successors, as also to all and each of the abbots, priors, and priests, who for the time being are subject to him as perpetual Visitor, the special faculty of blessing the medals, whether medals, properly so called, or medal crosses, called St. Benedict's, and of which one side represents the effigy of the same St. Benedict, and the other a cross, with these following letters or characters round the rim, which signify respectively vnoviensis in Brauna Abbatis, Wahlstadii Silesiorum Praepositi, regni Bohemiae Praelati infulati, atque Ordinis praedicti per Bohemiam, Moravian!, et Silesiam Visitatoris perpetui: Sanctissimus Dominus noster Benedictus PP. XIV., eidem Bennoni r ejusque successoribus, ac omnibus et singulis Abbatibus, Prioribus, caeterisque monachis sacerdotibus, ipsimet pro tempore existenti Visitatori perpetuo subjectis, numismata, seu medallias, vel cruces aut cruculas Sancti Benedicti nuncupata, quarum una pars imaginem ejusdem Sancti Benedicti repraesentat, altera vero crucem, in cujus extremo circuitu litterae seu characteres, scilicet : V. Vade, R. retro, S. Sathana, N. nunquam , S. suade , M. mihi, V. vana, S. sunt, M.

as follows: V. Vade , R. retro, S. Sathana , N. quam, S. suade, M.

V. S. sunt, M. mala, Q. quce, L. libas, I. ipse , V. venena , B. On the perpendicular line of the cross: C. crux , S. sacra, S. sit, M. mihi, L. lux . On the horizontal line : N. A^;z, D. draco, S. «V, M. D. dfor.

Lastly, on the four corners, C. Crux, S. Sancti , P. Patris , B. Benedicti ; and the said blessing shall be in the formula as follows :

mala, Q. quce, L. libas, I. ipse, V. venena , B. bibas. In linea vero ejus recta : C. Crux, S. sacra, S. sit, M. mihi, L. lux. In inversa autem : N. Non, D. draco, S. sit, M. mihi, D. dux : ac demum in quatuor lateribus, C. Crux, S. Sancti, t P. Patris, B. Benedicti, respective significantes exprimuntur : facultatem privativam benedicendi, benigne concessit, atque indulsit, formula quae sequitur, nimirum :

Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. R. Qui fecit coelum et terram. — Exorcizo vos numismata, per Deum Patrem ^ omnipotentem, qui fecit coelum et terram, mare et omnia quae in eis sunt : omnis virtus adversarii, omnis exercitus diaboli, et omnis incursus, omne phantasma Sathanae eradicare et effugare ab his numismatibus, ut fiant omnibus, qui eis usuri sunt, salus mentis et corporis, in nomine Dei Patris ►J* omnipotentis, et Jesu Christi >{« Filii ejus, Domini nostri, et Spiritus Sancti Paracliti, et in charitate ejusdem Domini nostri Jesu Christi, qui venturus est

;6 judicare vivos et mortuos et saeculum per ignem. R. Amen . Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison , Kyrie eleison. Pater noster, etc. V. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. R. Sed libera nos a malo . V. Salvos fac servos tuos. R. Deus meus y sperantes in te. V \ Esto nobis, Domine, turris fortitudinis. R . A facie inimici. V. Deus virtutem populo suo dabit. R . Dominus benedicet populum suum in pace. V. Mitte eis, Domine, auxilium de sancto. R. Et de Sion tuere eos. V . Domine, exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum Spiritu tuo. Oremus. Deus omnipotens, omnium bonorum largitor, supplices te rogamus, ut per intercessionem Sancti Patris Benedicti his sacris numismatibus litteris et characteribus a te designatis tuam benedictionem >{« infundas, ut omnes, qui ea gestaverint, ac bonis operibus intenti fuerint, sanitatem mentis et corporis, et gratiam sanctificationis, atque indulgentias nobis concessas consequi .mereantur, omnesque diaboli insidias et fraudes per auxilium misericordiae tuae effugere valeant, et in conspectu tuo sancti et immaculati appareant, per Dominum, etc., Oremus: Domine Jesu, qui voluisti pro totius mundi redemptione de Virgine nasci, circumcidi, a Judaeis reprobari, Judae osculo tradi, vinculis alligari, spinis coronari, clavis perforari, inter latrones crucifigi, lancea vulnerari et tandem in cruce mori : per tuam sanctissimam Passionem humiliter exoro, ut omnes diabolicas insidias et fraudes expellas ab eo, qui nomen sanctum tuum his litteris et charapteribus a te designatis devote invocaverit, et eum ad salutis portum perducere digneris. Qui vivis et regnas, etc. Benedictio Dei Patris >{« omnipotentis, et Filii >{«, et Spiritus >{« Sancti descendat super haec numismata ac ea gestantes, et maneat semper. In nomine Patris >{« et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Arnen. Aspergatur aqua benedicta.

" Being therefore desirous to enrich in a special manner, by spiritual favours and with the heavenly treasures of the Church, the aforesaid medals, blessed by the Visitor and the other monks mentioned above, for the time being, he has graciously given and granted to all and each of the faithful, of both sexes, who shall carry about their persons one of these medals or crosses thus blessed, and shall at the same time perform the good works which are enjoined as below in their respective places, the following indulgences in the manner

“ Eadem vero numismata sic per Visitatorem caeterosque monachos praefatos pro tempore existentes benedicta, et spiritualibus gratiis ac coelestibus Ecclesiae thesauris specialiter insignire volens: omnibus et singulis utriusque sexus Christi fidelibus, aliquod hujusmodi numismatum; seu crucularum, sic benedictum devote gestantibus, ac insimul pia opera, prout infra suis cuique locis respective injungitur, peragentibus, indulgentias modo et forma quae praescribitur, clementer concessit atque indulsit, videlicet : ut qui sal-

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and form as herein specified; to wit: he who shall regularly recite, at least once in the week, the Chaplet of our Lord, or that of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Rosary (or a third part of the Rosary), or the Divine Office, or the Little Office of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Office of t}ie Dead, or the Seven Penitential Psalms, or the Gradual Psalms; or who shall regularly teach the rudiments of faith, or visit those who are in prison, or the sick in any hospital, or assist the poor, or either hear or, if he be a priest, say Mass ; if he be truly penitent, and have confessed to a priest approved by the Ordinary, and have received the holy Sacrament of the Eucharist on any of the days following, namely : the tern semel in hebdomada Coronam Domini, vel Beatissimae Virginis Mariae, vel Rosarium, ejusve tertiam partem, aut Officium vel divinum, vel parvum ejusdem beatissimae Virginis Mariae, vel Defunctorum, aut septem Psalmos pcenientiales, vel Graduales, recitare, aut rudimenta fidei edocere, aut detentos in carcere, vel alicujus domus hospitalis aegrotos visitare, aut pauperibus subvenire, aut Missam vel audire, vel, si est sacerdos, celebrare consueverit; si vere pcenitens, et Sacerdoti per Ordinarium approbato confessus fuerit, ac sanctissimum Eucharistiae sacramentum sumpserit, in quolibet ex diebus infra scriptis, nimirum : die festo Nativitatis Domini nostri Jesu Christi, Epiphaniae, Resurrectionis, Ascensionis, Pentefeasts of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Epiphany, Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, most Holy Trinity, and Corpus Christi, and on the feasts of the most Blessed Virgin Mary’s Conception, Nativity, Annunciation, Purification, and Assumption ; also on the first day of November, the feast of All Saints, and on the feast of St. Benedict ; and shall have devoutly prayed God for the destruction of heresies and schisms, for the exaltation and propagation of the Catholic faith, for the peace and concord of Christian princes, and for the other necessities of the Roman Church; he shall obtain a plenary indulgence and the remission of all his sins.

“He who shall have fulfilled the same said costes, sanctissimae Trinitatis, et Corporis Christi, ac diebus Conceptionis, Nativitatis, Annuntiationis, Purificationis et Assumptionis Beatissimae Virginis Mariae ; necnon primo die Novembris, festoOmnium Sanctorum, ac die festo Sancti Benedicti : et pro haeresum ac schismatum extirpatione, fidei catholicae exaltatione ac propagatione, pace et Christianorum principum concordia caeterisque Romanae Ecclesiae necessitatibus pias ad Deum preces effuderit, plenariam omnium peccatorum suorum remissionem et indulgentianTconsequatur ;

“ Qui eadem in aliis festis Domini, aut Bea-

8o conditions on the other feasts of our Lord, or of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, and on the feasts of the Holy Apostles, or of St. Joseph, or of SS. Maurus, Placid, Scholastica, or Gertrude, of the Order of St. Benedict, shall gain on each of these feasts an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines.

“ Which same indulgence is also granted to him who shall hear, or, if he be a priest, shall say Mass, and shall pray God for the prosperity of Christian princes and for the tranquillity of their states and possessions.

“He who shall fast on Fridays, out of reverence for the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, or on Saturdays/ in honour of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, each day so fasting, w tissimae Virginis Mariae, sanctorumque Apostolorum, aut Sancti Josephi, aut Sanctorum Mauri, Placidi, Scholasticae, vel Gertrudis, Ordinis Sancti Benedicti, peregerit, in quolibet eorum septem annorum, totidemque quadragenarum indulgentiam acquirat.

“ Quam pariter adipiscatur, qui Missam audiet, vel, si est sacerdos, celebrabit, ac pro Christianorum principum prosperitate, illorumque statuum et ditionum tranquillitate Deum orabit.

“ Qui ob reverentiam erga Passionem Jesu Christi Domini nostri, Feriis sextis, aut in honorem Beatissimae Virginis Mariae diebus Sabbati, jejunaverit, qualibet eahe shall gain an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines.

“And he who, having confessed and nourished himself with Holy Communion, shall have observed this same fast on the aforementioned days for one whole year, shall gain a plenary indulgence, which same also shall be granted to him who, having the intention of doing this same work, shall die within the year.

“He who shall have the custom of saying once or oftener in the day this ejaculation : * Blessed be the most pure and immaculate Conception of the most Blessed Virgin Mary / shall gain an indulgence of forty days.

“He who shall have the custom of reciting, at least once a week, the Chaplet or Rosary, or the rum die id egerit, indulgentiam septem annorum, totidemque quadragenarum.

“ Qui vero confessus, ac sacra communione refectus, jejunium iisdem diebus per integrum annum, servaverit plenariam indulgentiam lucretur; qua etiam gaudeat qui idem opus complere intendens infra annum decesserit ;

“ Qui semel vel pluries in die jaculatoriam : Benedicta sit purissima et immaculata Conceptio Bea - tissimce Virginis Marice, proferre consueverit, indulgentiam quadraginta dierum acquirat.

“ Qui saltem semel in hebdomada Coronam, aut Rosarium, aut Officium Beatissimae Mariae Vir- F

Office of the most Blessed ginis, vel Defunctorum, Virgin Mary, or the Office aut Vesperas cum uno salof the Dead, or the Vestern Nocturno et Laudipers of the Office of the bus, aut septem Psalmos Dead, with at least one Poenitentiales et Litanias, Nocturn and Lauds, or earumque preces, aut in the Seven Penitential honorem sanctissimi No- Psalms, and the Litanies minis Jesu, vel quinque and their prayers, or five ejus Plagarum, quinquies times the Lord's Prayer, Orationem Dominicam, either in honour of the aut in honorem sanctismost Holy Name of J esus, simi Nominis Mariae quinor of His Five wounds, quies Salutationem Anor five times the Angeligelicam, aut Antiphonam: cal Salutation or the Sub tuum presidium, cum Antiphon: * We fly to una qualibet ex approthy patronage * together batis Orationibus Beatiswith any one of the simae Virginis recitare approved collects of the consueverit, quo die id most Blessed Virgin, and egerit, indulgentiam cen- j this in honour of the most tum dierum consequatur: Holy Name of Mary, shall qua semel in quavis Feria gain, on that day on which Sexta fruatur. Qui Orahe does this, an induitionem Dominicam ac gence of one hundred Salutationem Angelicam days; which same induiter dixerit, ac de Pasgence is likewise granted, sione et morte Domini once each Friday, to him nostri Jesu Christi pie who shall have thrice recogitaverit ; eamdem pacited the Lord's Prayer, riter lucretur qui ob deor the Angelical Salutation, and shall have piously meditated on the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ; which same also is granted to him who, out of devotion to St. Joseph, St. Benedict, St. Maurus, St. Scholastica, and St. Gertrude, shall recite the Psalm, Miserere mei, Deus, or five times the Lord’s Prayer, or the Angelical Salutation, and shall pray God that he will, by their intercession, preserve the Holy Catholic Church, and give to himself a happy death.

“ He who, in the celebration of Mass, or in Holy Communion, or in the recitation of the Divine Office, or of the Little Office of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, shall say some short prayer before he begins, shall receive fifty days’ invotionem erga Sanctos Josephum, Benedictum, et Maurum, Scholasticam, ac Gertrudem, recitando Psalmum Miserere mei, Deus, aut quinquies Orationem Dominicam et Salutationem Angelicam, oraverit ut Deus per eorum intercessionem, Sanctam Catholicam Ecclesiam conservet, ipsumque devotum beate fine quiescere faciat.

“ Qui in celebranda* Missa vel sumenda Eucharistia, aut Officio divino, vel parvo Beatissimae Mariae Virginis persolvendo, priusquam incipiat devotam aliquam precationem adhibuerit, quinquaginta dierum indulgentia gaudeat ; quam diligence; which same is also granted to him who shall pray for those of the faithful who are at the point of death, and shall say thrice, for their intention, the Lord’s Prayer or the Angelical Salutation.

“He who shall visit those who are in prison, or the sick in hospitals, and shall assist them by any work of mercy, or shall teach Christian doctrine in the church or at home, either to children, or relations, or servants, each time, besides the indulgences granted for this by other Sovereign Pontiffs, such an one shall obtain also an indulgence of two hundred days.

“He who shall recite the Chaplet or the Rosary of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in honour of her most pure and immaculate Conception, and similiter asequatur, qui pro Christi fidelibus in exitu vitae constitutis Deum deprecabitur, ac pro ipsis ter Orationem Dominicam et Salutationem Angelicam dixerit.

“Qui detentos in carcere, aut aegrotos in nosocomiis, eos aliquo pio opere adjuvando, visitaverit, aut doctrinam Christianam in ecclesia vel domi, filios aut propinquos, aut famulos docuerit, praeter indulgentias ab aliis summis Pontificibus ad id concessas, toties indulgentiam bis centum dierum acquirat.

“ Qui Coronam aut Rosarium Beatissimae Mariae Virginis in honorem ejusdem purissimae et immaculatae Conceptionis recitaveshall ask her, by her intercession with her Divine Son, that he may live and die free from mortal sin, shall receive an indulgence of seven years ; which same indulgence isgranted also to him, who shall devoutly accompany the most Holy Sacrament when carried as viaticum to the sick, and this over and above those other indulgences, which have been granted to the same pious act, by other Supreme Pontiffs.

“ He who shall pray daily for the extirpation of heresies, shall gain, once each week, an indulgence of twenty years.

“ He who shall examine his conscience, and, being truly penitent, shall firmly resolve to correct himself of sins hitherto committed and confess them, shall rit, ipsam deprecans apud ejus Divinum Filium, ut sine lethali labe vivere et mori valeat, indulgentiam septem annorum percipiat ; quam pariter qui sacratissimum Eucharistiae viaticum ad infirmos devote sociaverit, praeter indulgentias ad idem tam pium opus ab aliis Summis Pontificibus concessas, omnino consequatur.

“ Qui quotidie pro haeresum extirpatione oraverit, indulgentiam viginti annorum semel in hebdomada lucretur.

“ Qui conscientiam suam excusserit, ac vere poenitens peccata commissa emendare et confiteri firmiter proposuerit, quinquies Oratione Dogain, upon devoutly reciting the Lord’s Prayer and the Angelical Salutation, one year’s indulgence ; and if he confess and receive Holy Communion, he shall gain an indulgence of ten years that same day.

“ He who shall, by his good example or advice, lead any sinner to repentance, shall obtain the remission of one third of the punishment in what way soever due to his sins ; and he who, being truly penitent, shall go to confession and Holy Communion on Holy Thursday, and Easter Sunday, and shall devoutly pray to God for the exaltation of our Holy Mother the Church, and for the preservation of the Sovereign Pontiff, shall gain those same indulgences which his minica et Salutatione Angelica devote repetita, unius anni ; si vero confessus, et sacra communione refectus fuerit, eadem die decem annorum indulgentia fruatur.

“ Qui probo suo exemplo aut consilio aliquem peccatorem ad poenitentiam reduxerit, tertiae partis poenarum sibi propter sua peccata alias quomodolibet debitarum remissionem consequatur; qui vere poenitens confessus, sacraqiie communione refectus in Feria quinta Ccenae Domini, et in die Paschalis Resurrectionis, pro Sanctae Matris Ecclesiae exaltatione, Summique Pontificis conservatione, pias ad Deum preces effuderit, easmet acquirat indulgentias quas iisdem

Holiness grants, on the said days, in giving his solemn blessing to the people.

“ He who shall beseech God to propagate the Order of St. Benedict, shall become partaker of all and each of the good works which in any manner whatsoever are done in the said Order.

“He who by reason of bodily infirmity, or other lawful impediment, is not able to hear, or, being priest, to say Mass, or to say either the Divine Office, or that of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, or has it not in his power to perform the other exercises of piety which are enjoined for obtaining the aforesaid indulgences, shall, notwithstanding, receive the same on thrice saying, in the place of the said pious exercises, the diebus Sanctitas Sua populo benedicens publice elargitur.

“ Qui Deum pro Ordinis seu religionis Sancti Benedicti propagatione deprecatus fuerit, particeps fit omnium et singulorum bonorum operum, quae in eadem Religione quomodolibet peraguntur.

“ Qui vel infirmitate corporis, vel alio legitimo impedimento detentus, Missam audire, aut si est sacerdos, celebrare, aut Officium vel Divinum, vel Beatissimae Mariae Virginis, aut alia virtutis exercitia, ad praedictas indulgentias acquirendas injuncta peragere nequiverit, iisdem nihilominus gaudeat, si pro ipsis piis exercitiis recitaverit ter Orationem Dominicam et Salutationem Angelicam ac Antiphonam : Salve ,

Lord’s Prayer, and the Angelical Salutation, and the anthem y Salve Regina, adding at the end 'Blessed be the most Holy Trinity , and praised be the most Holy Sacramenty and the Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin ; 9 provided, nevertheless, that he shall have been to confession and Holy Communion, or at least shall have contrition for his sins, and the firm resolution of afterwards confessing them.

“ He who, being at the point of death, shall devoutly recommend his soul to God, and having previously gone to confession and received Holy Communion, if he have it in his power, or, if not, having made from his heart an act of contrition, shall, with his lips, or, if he cannot do more, at

Regina. Atque in fine ipsius dixerit : Benedicta sit sanctissima Trinitas , et laudetur Sanctissimum Sacramentumy ac Conceptio Beatissima Virginis Marice sine labe concepta , dummodo tamen confessus ac sacra communione refectus fuerit, vel saltem contritus inde sua peccata confiteri firmiter proposuerit.

“Qui in articulo mortis animam suam Deo pie commendans praemissa peccatorum suorum confessione, sumptaque sanctissima Eucharistia, si potuerit : si minus, elicita cordis contritione, Jesu et Mariae nomina ore, si potuerit ; si alioquin, corde saltem invocaverit, plenariam omnium pecleast in his heart, invoke the names of Jesus and Mary, shall obtain a plenary indulgence and remission of all his sins.

“ Each one may gain for himself, or^ apply, by manner of suffrage, to the faithful departed, all and each of the aforesaid indulgences, as also the remission of sins and the relaxation of the punishments thereunto due.

“ Notwithstanding anything whatsoever to the contrary, His Holiness has declared that the medals herein mentioned, which shall not have been blessed by the monks aforesaid, or by those to whom the Holy See has, by a special favour, granted the power, shall in nowise be indulgenced. He has also forbidden that the said medals should be of paper, or such-like material ; and catorum suorum remissionem et indulgentiam consequatur.

u Quilibet omnes et singulas praedictas indulgentias ac peccatorum remissiones, necnon poenitentiam m relaxationes, aut ipse pro se adipici, aut fidelibus defunctis per modum suffragii applicare valeat.

“Non obstantibus quibuscumque in contrarium facientibus, Sanctitas Sua declaravit, quod ejusmodi numismata seu medalliae, quae non fuerint benedictae a praefatis monachis, vel quibus ab Apostolica Sede ex speciali gratia indultum fuerit, omni penitus indulgentia careant. Item vetuit^ejusmodi medallias chartaceas, vel ex simili materia confectas, sed tantummodo ex auro, argento.

THE MEDAL OF ST. BENEDICT. *

that unless they be made of gold, silver, brass, copper, or other solid metal, they shall not be indulgenced.

“ In all things relating to the distribution and use of the said medals, His Holiness moreover orders, that there should be observed the decree of Alexander VIL, of happy memory, published on the 6th day of February 1657, to wit : that medals blessed and indulgenced as here mentioned, cannot pass beyond the persons to whom, either the said monks shall have given them, or to whom they shall have been by them distributed in the first instance; neither can they be lent, nor sold, nor borrowed without their losing the indulgences which have been attached to them ; and if one be lost, ^another cannot be taken aere, auricalcho, aliove solido metallo consistentes ; aliter nulla prorsus gaudeant indulgentia.

“ In distribuendis hu- | jusmodi numismatibus, eorumque usu; eadem Sanctitas Sua servari jubet Decretum felicis recordationis Alexandri VII., editum sub die sexta Februarii MDCLVIL, nimirum, ut numismata, quae vulgo medalliae nun- , cupantur, cum praedictis indulgentiis benedicta non transeant personam illorum, quibus a monachis praedictis concedentur, aut quibus ab eis prima vice distribuentur, nec commodari aut vendi, aut precario dari valeant; alioquin careant indulgentiis jam concessis; et aliqua deperdita, altera ! pro ea subrogari nullo modo possit, nisi a quibus i supra benedicta fuerit ;

in its place, unless it have been blessed by those before mentioned, notwithstanding any concession or privilege to the contrary.

“Moreover, His Holiness expressly forbids any priest, whether secular, or of any Order, Congregation, or regular Institute whatsoever, and whatsoever may be his dignity or office, with the exception of the monks here above-mentioned, or of those to whom the Holy See shall,, by a special privilege, have granted the faculty, to dare or presume to bless the said medals or crosses, or to distribute them to the faithful after having so blessed them, under such penalties, besides the nullity of the blessing and indulgences, as it shall seem good to the respective Ordinaries, or quacumque concessione, aut privilegio in contrarium non obstante.

“ Insuper expresse prohibet ne quis sacerdos, sive saecularis, sive cujus libet Ordinis, Congregationis, aut Instituti regularis, quavis etiam dignitate aut officio insignitus, extra praedictos monachos, vel quibus a Sancta Sede ex speciali privilegio indultum fuerit, ejusmodi numismata, seu cruces, ut praedicitur, benedicere, aut a se benedicta fidelibus distribuere audeat, vel prae sumat, sub poenis, praeter nullitatem benedictionis et indulgentiarum, per respectivos locorum Ordinarios aut fidei Inquisitores, juxta reatus qualitatem, arbitrio infligendis. Quibuscumque in contrarium facientibus

Inquisitors of the faith to inflict, according to the gravity of the fault. Notwithstanding all things soever which may be to the contrary, these presents shall hold good unto all future times.

“His Holiness likewise has willed that the copy of these present letters, whether in manuscript or printing, when signed by a public notary, or by the secretary of the forementioned perpetual Visitor, now at this present in office, sealed also with the seal of some dignitary, or of the forementioned Benno, or of the perpetual Visitor for the time being, shall have the same weight in all questions of dispute or otherwise, and in all places, which would be given to these presents on their being shown or produced.

“ Given at Rome, the non obstantibus, praesentibus perpetuis futuris temporibus valituris.

“ Voluitque Sanctitas Sua, quod istarum litterarum transsumptis, seu exemplis, etiam impressis, alicujus notarii publici, vel secretarii Visitatoris perpetui praedicti, pro tempore existentis, subscriptis, et sigillo personae in dignitate constitutae, aut ejusdem Bennonis, aut existentis pro tempore Visitatoris perpetui munitis eadem prorsus in judicio, et extra ubique locorum, fides adhibeatur quae haberetur eis praesentibus, si forent exhibitae vel ostensae.

“Datum Romae, die

23d day of December, in the year 1741.

(The Seal.) L. Cardinal Pico, Prefect.

A. M. Erba, Apostolic Protonotary, Secretary of the Sacred Congregation.

But although, as the same petition added, no one could doubt of the validity of this decree and of the said faculty, nevertheless, to procure for them with all persons, greater respect and authority, the said petitioner, greatly desiring that this decree, with all things therein contained and expressed, should be approved, and for ever confirmed, by Us and the Apostolic See, as we are here about to do, has humbly sent to us a petition and earnest entreaty, that we would be pleased to grant him by Apostolic favour and by these pre-

XXIII. Decembris, anno MDCCXLI.

(L. S.) L. Cardinalis Picus, Praefectus.

A. M. Erba, Protonotarius Apostolicus, S ac r ae Congregationis Secretarius.

Sed etsi, sicut eadem expositio subjungebat, de hujusmodi Decreti, dictaeque facultatis validitate haesitari non possit ; attamen cum pro ejusdem majori apud omnes veneratione et validiori illius subsistentia, dictus exponens plurimum cupiat, Decretum praedictum cum omnibus et singulis in eo contentis et expressis, per Nos et Sedem Apostolicam ut infra, perpetuo approbari et confirmari ; ideo nobis humiliter supplicari fecft expressis petens, ut ei in praesentibus opportune providere de benignitate Apostolica dignaremur.

sents, that which he asks of us.

We, therefore, wishing to show to the said petitioner a mark of our special favour, and declaring him to be loosed and absolved, for the sole intent of his obtaining the effect of these presents, from all excommunication, suspension, and interdict, and other ecclesiastical sentences by whomsoever pronounced, as also from all censures and punishments , ajureov ab homine , on whatsoever occasion or for whatsoever cause awarded, in case he were under any such; determined thereunto by the supplications which he has unto this purpose addressed to us, we approve and confirm by our Apostolical authority, by the tenor of these presents for eveV, the aforementioned Decree, with

Nos igitur eumdem exponentem specialis gratiae favore prosequi volentes, necnon a quibusvis excommunicationis, suspensionis et interdicti, aliisque ecclesiasticis sententiis, censuris et poenis a jure, vel ab homine, quavis occasione vel causa latis, si quibus quomodolibet innodatus existit, ad effectum praesentium tantum consequendum, earum serie absolvendum et absolutum fore censentes, hujusmodi supplicationibus inclinati, Decretum praedictum cum omnibus et singulis in eo contentis et expressis, Apostolica auctoritate, tenore praesentium perpetuo approbamus et confirmanus, iliique inviolabile Apostolicae firmitatis robur adjicimus, omnesque et singulos tam all it contains and expresses ; and thereto we add the inviolable strength of the Apostolical confirmation, making good all and each of such defects, whether of fact, or right, or formality, or of any other kind soever, even though they were substantial, which may be in these same. We wish that these present letters be, and continue for ever, firm, valid, and of effect, and that they receive their full and entire effects. We declare that they shall not be comprised in the revocations, limitations, derogations, or other contrary decisions, which have been, or shall hereafter be made by Us, and the Roman Pontiffs, in referen<jp to such favours as these, or to any favours whatsoever ; but that these same shall be always excepted, and shall juris quam facti et solemnitatum, aliosque quantumvis substantiales defectus, si qui desuper quomodolibet interveniunt, in eisdem supplemus; necnon praesentes litteras semper et perpetuo firmas, validas et efficaces esse et fore, suosque plenarios et integros effectus sortiri et obtinere ; nec illas sub quibusvis similium vel dissimilium gratiarum revocationibus, suspensionibus, limitationibus, derogationibus, aut aliis contrariis dispositionibus, per Nos et Romanos Pontifices successores nostros pro tempore factis et faciendis, comprehendi, sed semper ab illis excipi, et quoties illae emanabunt, toties in pristinum et validissimum statum restitutas, repositas, et plenarie reintegratas ; ac denuo etiam sub quacumque as often as the aforesaid revocations be made, be each time restored, replaced, and fully reestablished to and in their former and most valid state : and lastly, we wish that under what later date soever they be communicated by the petitioner, and by his successors hereafter to be elected, they receive their full effect, and that neither the petitioner nor his successors be disturbed, molested, or impeded, by any authority, or under any pretext, colour, or pretence whatsoever. Thus, and in no other way, must it be judged and defined by all persons exercising any authority whatsoever, ordinary or delegated, even by the Auditors of causes of the Apostolic Palace, by the Cardinals of the Holy Roman posteriori data per exponentem, ej usque successores praedictos quandocumque eligendos, concessas fore et esse, suosque plenarios effectus sortiri et obtinere, eumdemque exponentem propterea, et successores suos praedictos super praesentibus omnibus et singulis a quoquam quavis auctoritate fungente, quovis praetextu, colore, vel ingenio perturbari, inquietari, aut quoquo modo impediri posse, neque debere ; sicque et non aliter per quoscunque Ordinarios vel delegatos quavis auctoritate fungentes, etiam causarum Palatii Apostolici Auditores, ac Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinales, etiam de latere Legatos dictaeque Sedis Nuncios, judicari et definiri debere: irritum q.uoque et inane

Church, even should they decernimus, si super be Legates a latere , and eis a quoquam, quavis the Nuncios of the Holy auctoritate, scienter vel See. We declare null ignoranter contigerit atand void whatsoever shall tentari ; non obstantibus be attempted contrary to Constitutionibus et ordithe aforesaid letters, by nationibus Apostolicis, any one whomsoever, by dictique Ordinis, etiam any authority whatsoever, juramento, confirmatione whether this be done with Apostolica vel quavis or without knowledge, firmitate alia roboratis, And all this notwithstaftdstatutis et consuetudiniing the Apostolical conbus,. £tivijegiis quoque stitutions and rules, as induitis,/- litteris Aposwell as those of the said tolicis, quibusvis superi- Qrder, even were they oribus • et personis in strengthened by Aposcontrarium privilegiorum tolic attestation, confirmaquomodellbet facientibus, tion, or any other support; concessis,- confirmatis et notwithstanding likewise irfjioV&trs; quibus omnibus all statutes, customs, priet Singulis, etiamsi de illis vileges, Apostolic letters, eorumque totis tenoribus granted, confirmed, and specialis, et specifica, renewed to all superiors expressa et individua, and others, which should non autem per alias be in anywise contrary generales idem importo the said privileges. From all and each of the which Constitutions and Rules we hereby derotantes, mentiqagjjSj&SIlr^^ alia exp^^^^m^bendaf^^xv.

formed r hrff gate, as likewise from foret ; eorum tenores, all other expressions to etiamsi de verbo ad the contrary, even in verbum, nihil penitus those cases where it omisso, et forma in illis would be required to tradita observata, inserti make mention or any forent; praesentibus pro other expression of them, expressis habendis, illis specially and specifically, alias in suo robore perexpress and formal, even mansuris, latissime et by the insertion of the plenissime, hac vice whole tenor, and not. by v duntaxat derogamus, et a general and - virftUl caet^fiscontrariis quibusmention; as UkeVN£e\ih k oumqu^/..* • such cases as wobleT re- • • quire that .they 'should be expressed word for word, withotif-any single . • ’

omission, and’to“ttie form / .*

in which they aV£ v u$ually t . / •• . *

drawn up; the^^.Cjon-/ ‘ 1 y •* stitutions, Rules, an£f fher I '

like, which are to be coir- ^ ‘ sidered as expressed in these presents, and are otherwise to remain in full vigour, are hereby derogated from most largely and fully in this particular case, whatever may, in any way, be to the contrary.

Given at Rome, at St. Mary Major’s, under the Fisherman’s Seal, the 12th of March 1742, the second year of our Pontificate.

The Cardinal Prodatary.

Datum Romae, apud Sanctam Mariam Majorem, sub annulo Piscatoris, die duodecima Martii MDCCXLII. pontificatus nostri anno secundo.

P. Cardinalis Prod.

( I °0 )