Hisce rationum momentis adiicitur etiam positivum argumentum quod petitur ex stylo et observantia perpetua S. Congregationis, quippe quae semper sibi reservavit, et quidem sub religiosissimis clausulis, concedere licentiam huiusmodi alienationum peragendi, quam imo veniam nunquam per modum facultatis, sed semper in modum indulti in singulis particularibus casibus, causa necessitatis apprime cognita, concessit. Nec est profecto praesumendum datum Codicem huiusmodi observantiam, rationibus boni publici evidenter subnixam, in posterum tacite abolitam voluisse. RESOLUTIO. Porro in plenariis comitiis in Palatio Apostolico Vaticano habitis die 12 iulii 1919, Emi S. C. Concilii Patres, ad petitionem Episcopi N. supra relatam, reformatis dubiis in hanc formulam: An donaria votiva alienari possint absque beneplacito Apostolicae Sedis : respondendum censuerunt: Negative. Quam resolutionem Sanctissim.us Dominus Noster Benedictus Div. Prov. Pp. XV, in audientia diei subsequentis, referente infrascripto S. Congregationis Secretario, approbare et confirmare dignatus est. I. MORI, Secretarius. APOSTOLIC LETTER TO MOST REV. DR. PATRICK J. O'CONNOR, BISHOP OF ARMIDALE, OFFERING CONGRATULATIONS ON THE ERECTION AND CONSECRATION OF A CATHEDRAL NEW (August 29, 1919) AD PATRITIUM IOSEPHUM O'CONNOR, EPISCOPUM ARMIDALENSEM gratulaTIONIS CAUSA OB TEMPLUM CATHEDRALE A FUNDAMENTIS EXCITATUM ET PROXIME CONSECRANDUM. BENEDICTUS PP. XV Venerabilis frater, salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Inde ab initio episcopatu, quem quintum decimum iam annum geris, pastorale tam recte videris intellexisse munus, ut dicere pene liceat, te ne unum quidem diem assiduo ex labore conquievisse. De industria enim in agendo tua plura antehac allata sunt, hodieque plura ad Nos afferuntur: potissimum vero Nos delectavit nosse, auspicato consecraturum te fore die XIV mensis decembris cathedrale templum, quod a solo excitandum magnificeque perficiendum multo negotio curavisti, et fundamenta eo ipso die iacturum piae domus, in qua liberi parentibus orbi, alendi riteque instituendi, recipiantur. Vehementer equidem et rem feliciter actam et ineundum proxime insigne caritatis opus tibi, venerabilis frater, gratulamur; idque eo libentius facimus, quod animi tui vis atque virtus sperare utique iubet, futurum, ut, quaecumque in posterum necessitas vel utilitas cleri populique tui postulare videatur, ea, quemadmodum consuevisti, impiger adgrediaris. Actuosae profecto operae tuae mercedem, eamque magnam perpetuoque mansuram, Ille tibi aliquando dabit, qui nulla patitur recte facta suo praemio carere ac remuneratione; verum hoc interea tibi, pastorales inter sollicitudines, aninos addere solaciumque afferre merito debet, quod, una cum amplissima episcoporum regionis istius existimatione gregisque tui amore, peculiarem benevolentiam Nostram tibi conciliasti. Quibus quidem popularibus tuis significes volumus, Nos non modo omnibus eos laudibus prosequi, cum, etsi largo censu non sunt, iterum atque iterum Antistitis sui invitationibus egregia liberalitate responderint, sed etiam plurimum confidere, ita eos esse in officio perseveraturos, ut, posthac quoque, pro facultatibus suis, dent tibi aditum ad maiora in dioecesis istius bonum efficienda. Caelestium interea donorum conciliatricem paternaeque caritatis Nostrae testem, tibi, venerabilis frater, et clero populoque tuo, apostolicam benedictionem amantissime in Domino impertimus. Datum Romae apud sanctum Petrum, die XXIX mensis augusti anno MCMXIX, Pontificatus Nostri quinto. BENEDICTUS PP. XV APOSTOLIC LETTER TO THE BISHOPS OF SWITZERLAND ASSEMBLED AT SION (September 8, 1919) AD UNIVERSOS HELVETIAE EPISCOPOS, QUI SEDUNUM CONVENERANT Venerabiles fratres, salutem et apostolicam benedictionem. Egregiam pietatem studiumque vestrum rursus elucere vidimus ex eis litteris quas nuper ex annuo conventu, Seduni habito, ad Nos communiter misistis. Intelleximus enim actuose vos ibidem necessitatibus gregis vestri, collatis consiliis, prospexisse, ac praeterea, cum feliciter dudum Helvetia, digladiantibus undique inter se populis, integra incolumisque ab immani belli calamitate servata esset, sollemnem propitio Deo gratiarum actionem de insigni beneficio in tertium diem dominicum mensis huius septembris indixisse. Propositum sane laudabile suscepistis: id enim magis magisque divinam patriae vestrae opem conciliabit. Nos vero qui eam peculiari quodam amore prosequimur, libentes has publicas supplicationes praeeundo participamus: eo libentius quod, bello saeviente, ita pacis dono Helvetia usa est, ut multiplicibus caritatis operibus mirifice nobilitata sit. Precamur ut non solum exercituum conflictus sed etiam multitudinum motus ubique, istic praesertim, tandem conquiescant. Hanc in rem plurimum sane conferent memorabiles illae encyclicae litterae Rerum novarum ; quarum quidem opportunitatem ipsi nunc rerum eventus confirmant. Sed illud in primis curabitis, venerabiles fratres, ut ad Evangelii normam vitacque christianae sanctitudinem populus revocetur: inde enim sine dubio secuturum est ut sensim, iustitia et caritate ducibus, in omnes civium ordines optata refluat sanitas, ad prosperitatem reipublicae et felicioris aevi auspicium. Caelestium autem munerum conciliatrix et praecipuae benevolentiae Nostrae testis apostolica sit benedictio, quam vobis, venerabiles fratres, cunctaeque Helvetiorum genti amantissime impertimus. Datum Romae apud sanctum Petrum, in festo Nativitatis Beatae Mariae Virginis MCMXIX, Pontificatus Nostri anno sexto. BENEDICTUS PP. XV DOUBT REGARDING THE PROFESSION OF LAY-RELIGIOUS IN REGULAR ORDERS (October 6, 1919) SACRA CONGREGATIO DE RELIGIOSIS CIRCA PROFESSIONEM RELIGIOSORUM LAICORUM IN ORDINIBUS REGULARIBUS Huic S. Congregationi de Religiosis propositum fuit dubium: ‘An Religiosi laici seu conversi in Ordinibus Regularibus, qui iam emiserunt vota simplicia ante diem 19 maii 1918, ad normam Decreti Sacrosancta Dei Ecclesia diei 1 ianuarii 1911, debeant emittere vota sollemnia iuxta praescripta dicti Decreti, scilicet absoluto sexennio votorum simplicium et expleto trigesimo aetatis anno, vel potius ad normam Canonum 573 et 574 Codicis Iuris Canonici, idest expleto triennio votorum simplicium et vigesimo primo aetatis anno completo.' Sacra eadem Congregatio, re mature perpensa, respondendum censuit prout respondet: Negative ad primam partem, affirmative ad secundam. Et Sanctissimus Dominus Noster Benedictus Pp. XV, in audientia diei 6 octobris 1919, infrascripto Secretario benigne concessa, praefatam responsionem adprobare dignatus est. Contrariis quibuscumque non obstantibus. Datum Romae, die 6 octobris 1919. L.S. MAURUS M. SERAFINI, Ab. O.S.B., Secretarius. REVIEWS AND NOTES SUPPLEMENTUM CONTINENS EA, QUIBUS EX CODICE JURIS CANONICI SUMMA THEOLOGIAE MORALIS auctore H. Noldin exarata vel mutatur vel explicatur. Edidit Albertus Schmitt, S.S. Second edition, 1918. New York and Cincinnati: F. Pustet Co. London: B. Herder, 68 Great Russell Street, W.C. FATHER NOLDIN's Moral Theology has an almost world-wide popularity. The clearness and simplicity of its style, and its practical treatment, especially of modern problems, have ever made it a favourite, especially with those for whom the cares of the missionary life have precluded a study of more pretentious and more abstruse treatises. Like all the pre-Code treatises on moral theology, it is now antiquated on many points, and the purpose of the present publication is to bring it into line with the new legislation. The Supplement, following the order of the older work, indicates under the corresponding numbers the various points which have been confirmed or modified by the Code; so that the student of Father Noldin's handbook, who has this Supplement before him, can see at a glance where the older discipline has been affected by the new legislation. It will be seen, therefore, that this little volume is not an independent commentary on the Code as a matter of fact the author rarely ventures a comment at all; it is designed entirely to facilitate the study of the handbook under the new conditions. There can be no doubt that it serves this purpose very well; though, of course, it would be much desirable to have the changes incorporated in the work itself. Until this consummation can be attained, Father Noldin's admirers will find this Supplement very useful. MEDITATIONS ON THE PSALMS. By Rev. Ronald A. Knox. London : Longmans, Green & Co. FATHER KNOX has been induced to put together some of his own reflections on the psalms, and thus he has provided us with 52 short, beautiful meditations. The psalms and meditations are chosen and arranged with a view to leading the soul through the three stages of the spiritual life. To assist reference, psalm and meditation are printed side by side, on opposite pages. At the end of each meditation, the Acts and Colloquy to be made are mentioned. We subscribe to Father Bowden's statement that these meditations of Father Knox tend to form solid virtues rather than sentimental affections. THE ARMOUR OF GOD: A Prayer Book for Knights of the Blessed Sacrament. London: Burns & Oates. THIS is a prayer book with many novel features. Among its contents one will find a full translation of the ancient ecclesiastical ceremony of consecrating a new knight. Instructions, specially directed to Knights of the Blessed Sacrament, are given, Morning Prayers, Evening Prayers, Mass, Confession, and other religious exercises. There are special prayers for various virtues befitting a K.B.S.; special prayers which persons in various employments may use; and special prayers to patron saints. For the Stations of the Cross and the Rosary there are new reflections and prayers. It is inaccurate to say that in going round the Stations of the Cross' I must reflect upon the subject of each Station' (p. 186). JESUS CHRIST: Summaries of Sermons and Lectures delivered in Bombay. By Rev. A. Goodier, S.J. London: Herder. THE title-page reminds us to offer to the author our congratulations— perhaps he would request rather our sympathy-on his recent elevation to the dignity of Archbishop of Bombay. Part I. of the volume before us deals with the claims of Christ to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Part II. treats of the Historic Christ-of the Jews' Messianic hopes, of Christ's rejection, of His Life, Death and Resurrection. Part III. draws a character sketch of those who took a prominent part in the condemnation of Christ, viz., Annas, Caiphas, Herod, Pilate, Judas, and the people. The last chapter of Part III. contrasts the judgment of God with the judgment of men. In the Epilogue,' the author answers the question, put to him by an enquiring Hindu, ' What does Christ mean to me?' We venture to prophesy that no one will either grudge or regret giving one and sixpence for this 8vo volume, strongly bound, of over 100 pages, full of interesting matter, and written with all the directness and freshness of a good lecturer. D. THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. By Rev. Thomas Harper, S.J. Revised by Rev. Joseph Rickaby, S.J. London: Burns and Oates. Father Harper's essay dates back to 1866, and was first published as a rejoinder to Dr. Pusey. Father Rickaby has excised the controversial parts. Even thus reduced, the essay extends over 60 pages of large 8vo. Starting with the text of the solemn definition of the I'mmaculate Conception by Pius IX in 1854, the author explains what is meant by the state of pure nature, the state of original justice, and the state of fallen nature. He then shows that physically man is in the state of pure nature, but morally he is in a fallen state, because he has lost the supernatural state to which God raised him, has destroyed the supernatural life of his soul, and has thus incurred the Divine displeasure: therein consists the state of sin. Having thus prepared the way the author proceeds to explain the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, and makes clear the points of difference between the sinlessness of Mary |