CONTENTS

PART FIRST.

THE OBLIGATIONS OF RELIGIOUS BY REASON OF THEIR STATE.

CHAPTER I.

ON THE RELIGIOUS STATE. Its signification — The Approbation required — The different kinds of Approbation — The Origin of the Religious State — All that is required to constitute a true Religious Institute 13—19

CHAPTER II.

THE VOCATION TO THE RELIGIOUS STATE. The nature of a Divine Vocation to Religion — The internal and external obstacles to a Vocation — The signs of a true Vocation — The motives for entering Religion — The conditions and qualities of a Vocation — The Obligation of corresponding to a Religious Vocation 19—36

CHAPTER III.

PERFECTION AND ITS OBLIGATION. The meaning of Religious Perfection— The Obligation of acquiring Perfection — How may Religious sin against this Obligation 28—34

CHAPTER IV.

ON THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE RULE. The nature of this Obligation — How may a Religious sin by transgressing the Rule — The signs of contempt of the Rule — The evils which follow from neglect of observances — Remedies of this neglect — Motives for keeping the Rule 34—39

CHAPTER V.

On the Reception of Novices. The conditions required for the reception of Novices — They should be of irreprehensible lives and free — How is the leave of Parents required — The age required - The consent of the Bishop and of the Nuns — The number to be admitted — A list of questions on which the Postulant may be examined — The Episcopal Examination — The Retreat or Spiritual Exercises before reception and its object 40—47

CHAPTER VI.

ON THE NOVITIATE. The year’s Novitiate always necessary — The prolongation of the time of Novitiate ; whether lawful — The interruption of the Novitiate — How are Novices bound to the Regular Observance — Those who enter ficto animo; that is, without the intention of becoming Nuns — The case of delicate Novices — Profession when in danger of death, and its result — The place of Novitiate — The Habit — The privileges of Novices 47—53

CHAPTER VII.

THE NOVITIATE (continued). Its Temporal affairs — The Renunciation of the Temporal Possessions and the Dowry of Novices — The Renunciation according to the law of the Council of Trent — When valid — Its extent and the permission required for making it — Does the law of the Council of Trent apply in the case of Convents with only Simple Vows — The Dowry — It is lawful to give and take it — Even wealthy Convents can receive Dowries, but the necessity of a Dowry does not apply to them — The amount of Dowry — The Regulations of the old Canon Law in regard to Dowries — Rules that apply to Convents with Simple Vows only — When the Nuns leave or change from one Convent to another, what is the claim as regards Dowry 53—60

CHAPTER VIII.

THE NOVITIATE (continued). Its Spiritual obligations — The virtues suitable to the state of Noviceship — In imitation of the Infant Jesus. Humility, Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience — The Novice should endeavour to advance in Wisdom and Grace, and prepare to be crucified with Christ 60—68

CHAPTER IX.

ON THE PROFESSION OF NUNS. The Profession should be freely made — Grave error, deceit and ignorance would cause the Profession to be invalid — The particular constitutions of the Institute should be observed — The ratification of a Profession — A Novice unjustly rejected can appeal to the Bishop — The Profession of a Novice who has been ill — The Episcopal examination to be observed before Profession — The effects of a valid Profession — Words of advice to the Novice on the day of her Profession 68—75

CHAPTER X.

ON THE OBLIGATIONS OF NUNS IN REGARD TO ENCLOSURE. Nuns with Enclosure — What is meant by Enclosure — To whom does it belong to watch over and enforce the observance of Enclosure — The permission required to enter — The persons to be admitted and the reasons for admitting them, and what is to be observed on such occasions — The Enclosure as to egress — The penalties incurred by breaking the Enclosure 75—82

CHAPTER XI.

NUNS WITHOUT ENCLOSURE. They are Religious in the true sense of the word — Enclosure is not necessary, and it would he an obstacle to their work — They have all the means of Religious perfection — They are enriched with many privileges and blessings 82—85

PART SECOND.

THE VOWS AND THEIR OBLIGATIONS.

CHAPTER I.

ON VOWS IN GENERAL. The signification of a Vow explained — Its conditions — The division of Vows — The Obligation of a Vow — What is considered grave, and what lignt matter in regard to this obligation — The conclusions given by St. Liguori on the obligation of a Vow 89 — 96

CHAPTER II.

VOWS MADE IN RELIGION. The difference between Vows made in Religion, and Vows made in the world — Temporary and perpetual — Solemn and simple Vows explained — Declaration of the S. Congregation with ten important rules in connection with the simple Vows of Religious — Whether Religious with simple Vows can be sent away without a just cause — In what does the solemnity of a Vow consist, and what are its effects — The usual three Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience taken in all Religious Institutes 96—103

CHAPTER III.

VOW OF POVERTY. Its Nature and Obligation — The meaning of Religious Poverty and its four grades. The consequences of the Vow in the case of solemn , and in that of simple Vows — The Obligations of the Vow of Poverty — The quantity required for a mortal sin — Bouix estimate — Exchanging and appropriating things — Is restitution to be made — The case of idle Religious - Can the Obligation of this Vow be abrogated by custom 103-112

CHAPTER IV.

THE VOW OF POVERTY (continued), The Peculium, Permissions, and Gifts —The meaning of Peculium, and the conditions upder which it can be allowed — Annuities and Incomes — Refusing goods left by Will, or debts due — Permissions — The express , tacit , and interpretative Permissions explained — Gifts — The Constitutions of Clement VIII. and Urban VIII. in regard to Gifts and Donations from Religious — Cases in which Religious can give things summarised — The Penalties enjoined for violating this Vow 112-122

CHAPTER V.

THE VIRTUE OF POVERTY. What is meant by it, and how commended by our Saviour — Sin against this Virtue - Community Life — The perfection of Religious Poverty and its grades — The difference between the Virtue and the Vow of Poverty — How this Virtue affects the Community — The Active, Contemplative, and Mixed Orders or Congregations in their relation to Poverty 123—131

CHAPTER VI.

ON CHASTITY. The Three Vows that relate to this Virtue — The Obligations of the Vow of Chastity and its consequences — The gravity of Sins against this Vow — The Analysis of a Sin of Thought — The Virtue of Chastity and its degrees — The means of preserving and increasing this Virtue in the soul — The danger to which this Virtue is exposed, and the admonitions of the Abbe de Rancfe in regard to it 131—139

CHAPTER VII.

ON THE VOW OF OBEDIENCE. The nature of this Vow and the threefold Obedience distinguished by St. Thomas — The Power of Commanding — Jurisdiction — The Power of the Keys — Dominative Power — The subject of Obedience — The Superiors to be obeyed — The relations of Nuns under a Mother-General to the Ordinary in Temporal affairs — The Canonical Visitation — Relations of Nuns towards Ecclesiastical Prelates 139—150

CHAPTER VIII.

THE VOW OF OBEDIENCE (continued). The object of Obedience — Its meaning — The Commands of the Superioress binding in conscience — The Refusal of office — The Revealing a Natural Secret — The Formula of commanding — Obedience in regard to the Holy Communion 150—157

CHAPTER IX.

THE VIRTUE OF OBEDIENCE.— Its Explanation, and the difference between it and the Vow — The Perfection of this Virtue and its degrees. — The Execution of the command — Obedience of the will — Obedience of the intellect — Motives to practise this virtue 158—165

CHAPTER X.

THE CESSATION OF THE OBLIGATION OF RELIGIOUS VOWS. The three ways in which this Obligation may cease — The Invalidation of Vows — What is meant by it, and who can annul the Vows of Religious — The Dispensation in regard to Solemn , and in regard to Simple Vows — The Commutation of Vows and the changing from one Order to another — Either stricter, less strict, or equally strict — Expulsion, Apostacy, and Perseverance — The Obligation of Persevering in Religion, and the Motives to secure it 165—175

PART THIRD.

THE PRINCIPAL SPIRITUAL DUTIES OF THEIR STATE.

CHAPTER I.

THE DIVINE OFFICE AND THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. The Obligation of Reciting the Divine Office in regard to Nuns — What Omission would be grave — The reasons that would exempt from this obligation — The obligation of saying the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin — The Manner of saying Office — The intention and attention required — Method of assisting in Choir from the Manuale Sacro of St. Leonard of Port Maurice 179—185

CHAPTER II.

MENTAL PRAYER OR MEDITATION. Its Meaning — The Three parts of Meditation — The preparation — The Five Acts to be recited — Remarks — The Meditation proper — The exercise of the Three Powers of the Soul, the Memory, the Understanding, and the Will explained — Example from the Passion of our Lord — Remarks on this part — Thanksgiving — Three Acts at the Close of the Meditation — Remarks on this part 188—195

CHAPTER III.

THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. How often should Nuns receive the Sacrament— The different kinds of Confession — The manner of making the Confession with fruit, and the qualities of a Good Confession — Some special questions about the integrity — The obligation and manner of saying the Penance 198—306

CHAPTER IV.

THE CONFESSOR AND SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR. The Dispositions of the Canon Law in regard to the Confessors of Nuns — The Ordinary and Extraordinary Confessors — Their Confessions when out of the Convent — Spiritual Direction — There should not be two Spiritual Guides for a Convent — The relative authorities of the Confessor and the Superioress in regard to Penances, the Holy Communion, and the Manifestation of Conscience — Cases that need special direction — The Scrupulous — Those specially favoured by Visions and Supernatural Manifestations — Exemplified in the Devotion to the S. Heart as Revealed to B. Margaret Maiy Alacoque 306—419

CHAPTER V.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST. How often should Nuns go to Communion — The Dispositions required — Fasting — The State of Grace — Confession before Communion — Other dispositions — Excuses for omitting Communion refuted by St. Leonard — The Immediate Preparation for Communion and Thanksgiving after it — The effects of a good Communion — Spiritual Communion explained 319—334

CHAPTER VI.

THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. The Nature of the Sacrifice — The Obligation of hearing Mass as it affects Nuns — The Intention and Attention required — Being present the whole time of Mass — What omissions grievous — The effects of the Holy Mass — Its fruits and its value — The manner of hearing Mass as taught. by St. Leonard of Port Maurice 334—344

CHAPTER VII.

ON THE OBSERVANCE OF FASTS AND FEASTS. The observance Of Fasts — The Law of Fasting and Abstinence — Lenten Indult for England — One meal a day — The sin against this Law — The collation, its quantity and quality — The Hour for Dinner on Fast Days — Causes that exempt from Fasting— Who can dispense — Are Nuns under twenty-one and over sixty bound to the Fasts of Rule — Mortification its nature, its division and necessity — The Rule to guide us in Bodily Mortification — Interior Mortification and its three grades — Feast Days — Their Observance — The servile work prohibited — Causes to justify it — Grave matter — How to sanctify those days 245—257

PART FOURTH.

THE ELECTION OF SUPERIORS. THE DUTIES OF SUPERIORS AND OTHER OFFICIALS IN THE CONVENT.

CHAPTER I.

THE ELECTION OF SUPERIORS. The importance of these Elections — The Obligations of those who are to Vote — The manner to proceed in the Election— The virtues and qualities of those worthy to be Elected, and the unworthy — Prudence and Experience required for a Superior — The Obligation of preserving the secret of the Chapter 261 — 367

CHAPTER II.

THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE SUPERIOR. In regard to transgressions open and occult — Whether capable of exercising any spiritual jurisdiction hi regard to dispensations from Fasting and from Vows — The administration of the goods of the Convent — The distribution of the goods of the Convent to her Community— What Contracts can she enter into and how is the Convent bound by them The relation of the Convent to the parents of the Professed Religious 268 — 274

CHAPTER III.

THE SUBORDINATE OFFICIALS IN A CONVENT.

SEC. I. — THE ASSISTANT AND DISCREETS. Can the Assistant command the Sisters under Obedience? — Are the Assistant and Discreets bound to attend when called by the Superior for consultation ?— Can they remain silent when something is proposed that would be to the injuiy of the Convent?

SEC. II. — THE MISTRESS OF NOVICES. The manner of electing her — Her qualities and term of Office — Whether she should rule with mildness or severity— How she should act in doubtful cases and in regard to occult impediments to profession on the part of the Novices

SEC. III. — THE BURSAR. Her office — 1. In disposing of goods — 2. In their distribution — 3. In providing for the needs of the Religious — 4. In regard to the sick — 5. In giving alms

SEC. IV. — THE SACRISTAN. The nature of this office — Her Duties: to keep the' lamps burning before the B. Sacrament, to serve Mass from a distance ; in regard to the vestments. Sacred Vessels, Altar Cloths, Altar Bread and Altar Wine, The Candles for Mass and Exposition

SEC. V. — THE INFIRMARIAN AND THE SICK. The importance of this office — The Sick and their obligation to obey the Doctor not by reason of the Vow — To make use of the remedies prescribed — Their exemption from Office and from the Fasts — When and how often are they to receive the Holy Viaticum - The Infirmarian bound to ordinary and not extraordinary care of the Sick — She is obliged to apply all the necessary remedies — Sometimes exempt from Mass, Fasting, and the Office — Her obligation in regard to a, Contagious Disease — Admonition about the care of the Dying 274—293

CHAPTER IV.

ON THE LAY SISTERS. What is to be observed in the reception of Lay Sisters — In what sense are they Religious — Are they obliged to recite the Prayers prescribed by Rule — Can a Choir Sister be changed to the state of a Lay Sister, and a Lay Sister to that of a Choir Sister — Their obligations in regard to the duties in the Convent — Their exemption from fasting on account of hard work 293—299

CONCLUDING CHAPTER.

ON CHARITY TOWARDS GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOUR.

PART I. — CHARITY TOWARDS GOD. Its definition and division. — The love of Benevolence or disinterested love, and the love of Concupiscence or interested love — The errors of the Quietists and Semiquietists — Madame de Guyon, and Fenelon— When the precept of Charity obliges— The manner in which God is to be loved explained according to the text : Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole hearty and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind (Matt. xxii. 37)

PART II. — FRATERNAL CHARITY. Its explanation and its parts as given by Benedict XIV.— The precept of Charity towards our Neighbour — The acts of this virtue and the order of Charity — Its motive and rule — This virtue as it exists in a Religious Community —Described by St. Paul — Fraternal correction and its conditions — The manifestation of faults when lawful — The sins against Charity — Fr. Faber’s Notes on Fraternal Charity— The degrees of this virtue, and the reasons for practising it 299 — 32O