The Seventh Part

Of what relates to the distribution of those admitted into the body of

[1] the Society for the service of their fellow-creatures through the Vineyard of the Lord.

Chap. I. Of the pope s missions

S in the Sixth Part those things have been mentioned which are to be observed by each member of the Society towards himself; so in this Seventh those shall be enumerated which should be observed towards our neighbours, the more especiid object of our Institute, whilst our members are scattered through the Vineyard of Christ to employ themselves in that portion of it, and that duty wliich is committed to them; whether they be sent through various regions by the chief Vicar of Christ our Lord, or by the Superiors of the Society, who also are over them in the place of the divine Majesty; or whether they determine for themselves, where and in what they should b.e employed, if it be left to their own judgment to proceed whithersoever they think they can most effectually accomplish the greater service of God and our Lord, and the benefit of soids; or whether their labour be emploved in a settled and continued and not a varj-ing lialntation, where great advancement of God's glory and service may be expected. And in the first place, to treat of the mission of the Pope, the most important of all, it is to be obser^•ed that the intention of the Vow wherewith the Society has bound itself in obedience to the supreme A'icai- of Christ without any excuse, is that we must go to whatever part of the world he shall determine to send us, amongst believers or unbelievers, to the greater glon,- of God and the succour of souls. Nor has the Society had in view any particular part; but that it may be scattered by liim in divers regions and countries throughout the world: seeing it would of itself select the most beneficial course, and woidd expect no other, if the chief Pontiff should direct the distribution of its members. And on this point, since the Society has engaged ever)- thought and will of its own to Christ our Lord, and his Vicar, neither the General of the Society for himself, nor anv subordinate member for himself or for another may directly or indirectly treat or negociate with the Pope or his Ministers, to remain or be sent into any one part rather than another: but inferior members shall leave all considerations of this kind to the supreme Vicar of Christ and their Superior, whilst the Superior shall leave whatever relates to his own person to the Pope and the Societ}^ in the Lord. Moreover, whoever shall be appointed by the Pope, to go to any place, let him peld himseh fixely, without demanding any temporal thing either by himself or by any other person for his Viaticum; but rather let him desire to be sent by the Pope in whatever way his Holiness shall deem to be conducive to the more acceptable service of God and the Apostolic See, without respect to any other thing.: If the Pope designates no incUvidual, but orders one or more to go to this or that place, leaving it to the Superior's determination, as to the persons best adapted to the mission: the Superior shall select those in comphance with his command who shall seem best suited and qualified for it. In which he shall chiefly regard the general good, and how other duties undertaken for the service of God may sustain the least injury. ) It is proper that his whole mission be fully disclosed to the party thus sent, and the object of the Pope's intention; and, if possible, in ivriting, that what is enjoined him may be more exactly accomphshed. The Superior will take care to assist him \'ith advice and instmction, as far as possible, so that he may more usefully discharge liis duty in all things to the service of God and the Apostolic See. S If he be sent to particular places, without the specification of any period by the Pope: let it be understood that he shall remain there for three months, more or less, according to the measure of the spiritual advantage which may b'j derived from thence, or hoped for elsewhere; or in short, as it shall be considered most conducive to the general benefit. All which shall be conducted at the Superior's determination, who shall regard the Pope's sacred intention for the service of Christ our Lord. 7 When he shall continue longer in these appointed places, if it may be done without detriment to the principal mission, and the object of the Pope, it will not be improper to make excursions, if possible, and if he shall think them likely to be beneficial to God's service; so that contributing to the succour of souls in the neighbourhood, after a while he may return to the place of his own residence; in which also besides the business especially enjoined him (on which he shall bestow his best endeavours, and never neglect for other occupations however useful in the sers'ice of God) he may and ought to consider in what other objects conducive to the glory of God and the salvation of souli he may employ his efforts without detriment to his mission, as said before. He shall not allow any opportunity to escape, which God shall grant him, so far as he shall think expedient. 8 The better to secure the object of our profession and promise, whenever a new Vicar of Christ shall be elected to the Apostohc See, within a year from his creation and coronation the General either by himself or Ijy another shall be obliged to declare to his Holiness the profession and express pronnse of Obedience, by which the Societ}'^ has bound itself by its peculiar Vow regarding missions to the glory of God.

Chap. II. Of the missions of the superior of the society

[1] That relief may be given to the spiritual necessity of souls in many i)laces with the greater facihty and security of those who are appointed to this duty, the Generals of the Societ- according to the power granted them by the Pope, may send whomsoever they wiU of the Society, wheresoever they shall judge most expedient; who, nevertheless, wherever they may be, shall be prepared to obey the Apostolic See. And since there are many who may solicit some members of our Society to be allowed them: regarding rather their peculiar spuitual obligations to their own flock, or other niterests more remote fiom our Institute, than the common or general concerns; let the General or his deputy diligently look to these missions, that in sending his subordinates to one part rather than another, and to one duty rather than another, and one person rather than another, in this or that method, for a longer or a shorter period, whatever is most conducive to the greater senice of God, and the general good may always be determined on. With this most upright and sincere intention maintained in the sight of God and our Lord; and the subject being commended to the divine ^Majesty in his prayers and sacrifices and those of the inmates, should this seem needful on accoimt of the difficult}- or importance of the deliberation; and also being communicated to some one or more of the Society then at hand; he shall of himself determine, whether to send or not; and so of other circumstances, as he shall deem most conducive to the greater gloiy of God. And it shall be his duty who is sent to yield the fuU and free disposal of himseK to his Superior, who governs him hi Christ's stead, to His greater sen-ice and glor}% without in any way interfering to procure his going, or sta-ing in one place rather than another. In like manner no one ought to trouble himself in any way for others to remain in any place, or remove elsewhere vi-ithout the consent of his Superior, by whom he is governed in the Lord.

[2] WTiithersoever the Superior shall send any one, he should instruct him perfectly (and generally in writing) as well in the method of proceeding, as the means which he wishes him to employ to attain the object which he has in his mind. Being informed as far as possible by the frequent interchange of letters of the whole issue, from the place where he resides, he vnB. provide by his counsel and all other assistance which can be rendered, as persons and things require, that the greater service of God be accompUshed, and the general good forwarded by the members of the Society: which ought to be attended to with the more dihgence, as the character of the business, whether onerous or difficult, and of the missionaries, whether requiring counsel or instruction, may demand.

Chap. III. Of a willing mission in anv direction

[1] Although they who live under the obedience of the Society ought not to obtrude themselves directly or indirectly into any mission, whether sent by the Pope, or by their Superior in the name of Jesus Christ; yet he who is cUspatched to any extensive region, (such as India or other Provinces) if no district is assigned to him with express limitation, may remain in one place or another, more or less, or move about as he shall think most conducive to the glory of God weighing aU circumstances, and using prayer, in perfect indifference as to his own gratification. Hence it may easily be collected, if this is permitted to individuals, when not repugnant to the great and chief obedience to the Pope, that much larger power shall be given to the Superior in missions of this kind to order them to any one place rather than another, as he shall deem expedient iu the Lord.

[2] Wheresoever any one remains, if he has no orders to use any specified method, such as lectures or sermons, he shall employ himself in the way which the Society adopts, as stated in the Sixth Pait, and to be set forth in the following chapter, as he shall judge most convenient; and on the other hand, he shall avoid whcit is there ordered to be avoided, to the greater service of God.

Chap. IV. In what things the houses and colleges of the society may assist their neighbour

[1] As the Society endeavours to aid their feUow-creatures, not only by missions to various places, but also by constantlv residing in some (as in their Houses and Colleges): it is worth while to observe by what method souls may be assisted in such places; so that every possible portion may be occupied to the glorv of God. "2 And in the first place, the honourable example of everv Christian virtue will conduce to the advantage of our neighbour; so that they endeavour to edify those amongst whom they dwell, not less, nay, much more by their good deeds than by good words. 3 Our neighbour is assisted also by holy aspirations and prayers in the sight of God for the universal Church, and for those especially, who, spread abroad for its general welfare, are of much value; for friends also, and benefactors, both Uving and departed this life, whether they desu-e our prayers or not; for our enemies also, if anv there be; and for those in whose service, they and the rest of the Society in various places, amongst behevers and unbelievers, peculiarly employ themselves; that God may vouchsafe to dispose all men to receive His Grace by the feeble means of this humble Society. 4 They may assist also in the sacrifice of Masses, and other holy oflSces, without recei^dng alms for them; whether others desire to obtain them, or the individual ofiers them to God in his own devotion. And as to Masses, besides those which are said in behalf of Founders, let one, two, or more, (according to the number of priests, and generally as may be convenient) be said every week for benefactors, hving or dead, entreating God and our Lord that He will vouchsafe to accept this holy sacrifice for them, and that in His infinite and supreme bountv, the beneficence which they have shown towards this our Society in godly love and reverence may be returned to them in everlasting rewards. 5 Our neighbour is cissisted also by the administration of the Sacraments, and especially by hearing confessions (to the discharge of which duty some must be appointed by the Superior) and in administering the sacrament of the holy Eucharist in the Church, except at the feast of Easter. 6 Let the word of God be dihgently propounded to the people in Church, in Sermons, Lectvires and Catechising by such as the Superior shall approve of and appoint to this duty, at such times and in such a manner as shall seem expedient to him, to the greater glor- of God and the edification of souls. 7 This may be done also out of the Chm'ch of the Society; in other Churches, in the streets, or other places, when the Superior shall deem it conducive to the greater glory of God. 8 They shall study also to stimulate their neighbour by pious discourse to amendment, by advice and exhortation to good works, and by appointing spiritual exercises. 9 They shall devote themselves also to external works of piety, so far as spiritual labours, which are of greater moment, shall allow, and their strength will admit of; as hi assisting the sick; rO visiting them, especially in Hospitals, and sending people to attend upon them; and in restoring contending parties to harmony; in relieving the poor and prisoners as far as they can, and urging others to reUeve them. Tlie prudence of the Superior shall determine how much attention shall be given to these occupations, ever keeping before his eyes the service of God, and the general good. 10 In CoUeges and their Churches as much as possible shall be done of those things which are appointed for the Houses; and so far as in the Superior's judgment, as aforesaid, shall be deemed expedient. 1 1 JiHioever is endowed icith the talent of writing books conducive to the common good, and shall compose any such; nevertheless shall not publish them except the General shall previously see them, and subject them to the Judgment and censure of others; that, if they shall seem good for edification, they may come before the public, and not otherivise. 12 What relates to domestic duties and other special subjects shall be set forth in the rules for the Houses: nor w^ill it be requisite to proceed any further with missions, or the distribution of the members of the Society through the Aanevard of our Lord Jesus Christ.