afflicted Mother, the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called the Congregation of the Bona Mors. He enriched this Congregation with many indulgences, and empowered the Generals of the Society of Jesus to establish branch congregations, with the same privileges and indulgences, in the church of any house of the same Society throughout the world. Pius VII. confirmed this grant by a rescript, dated February 6th, 1821; and Leo XIII., by a special rescript, dated January 22d, 1827, still further authorised the Generals of the Society of Jesus to establish branch congregations, not only in churches of their own order, but also in any other churches whatever. The indulgences thus granted are, PLENARY INDULGENCES. On the day of admission into the Congregation of the Bona Mors, for any of the faithful who shall have confessed with true repentance, and received the blessed Eucharist on that day. At the hour of death, for all members of this Congregation who shall devoutly invoke the sacred name of Jesus, at least in their hearts, if they cannot with their lips. On any one Friday or Sunday in each month, for all members who, having confessed their sins with true repentance, shall receive the blessed Eucharist in a church wherein this Congregation is established, and shall assist at the Benediction of the most holy Sacrament, to be given in the evening, or on any other Friday or Sunday in the same month. On Christmas Day, the Epiphany, Easter Sunday, our Lord's Ascension, Whit Sunday, Trinity Sunday, our Lady's Purification, Assumption, Nativity, and Conception, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the Feasts of each of the Apostles, of St. Joseph and of All Saints, for all members who, having confessed with true repentance, shall receive the blessed Eucharist in a church wherein this Congregation is established, and shall there pray, as each one's devotion may suggest, for concord among Christian princes, for the extirpation of heresies, for the conversion of heretics and infidels, for the exaltation of holy mother Church, and for the prosperity of the Sovereign Pontiff. PARTIAL INDULGENCES. On any one Friday or Sunday in each month an indulgence of seven years and forty days, for all members who shall devoutly assist at the Benediction of the most holy Sacrament, to be given in the evening, and shall pray for the general intentions above mentioned. At any time, an indulgence of one year for all members who shall attend a corpse to the grave, or in case of sickness or other lawful hindrance, shall, on hearing the tolling of the bell, say the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary for the soul of the deceased; or who shall assist at pub lic or private assemblies of the congregation, at spiritual conferences, exhortations, and other offices of piety; or who shall hear Mass on week-days; or who shall carefully examine their consciences at night before sleep; or who shall visit prisoners or sick poor in hospitals or private houses. All members may moreover, on each day in Lent and on the other days specified in the Roman Missal, gain all the indulgences granted to those who visit the Roman churches appointed for the indulgences of the Stations, if in due dispositions they devoutly visit a church wherein a Congregation of the Bona Mors has been established, and there piously pray some time according to the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff. All these indulgences, both plenary and partial, may be applied by way of suffrage to the faithful departed, and may be gained by members in any place where they may be residing, provided they fulfil all the prescribed conditions, as far as circumstances allow. RULES. The rules to be observed by all who wish to share in the indulgences of this Congregation and in the communion of good works are: To be registered as a member by a person duly au thorised, and to confess and communicate on the day of admission. To keep with due reverence a pious image of Christ crucified, and of the Mother of Dolours. To say thrice every day, with a desire of obtaining a good death for all members of this Congregation, the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary, and once the following prayer: Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit, and all those who are or shall be in the agony of death. Mary, Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, defend us from the enemy, and receive us at the hour of death. Amen. To confess and communicate once each month, with a desire of obtaining a good death for all members of this Congregation; and, before quitting the church or chapel after Communion, to say five times the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary in honour of our Lord's sacred wounds, and in behalf of all members who are afflicted, sick, dying, or dead. To be present at the public prayers of this Congregation once each month, or in case of lawful hindrance, to say the same prayers or the beads in private. To practise some mortification on Fridays in honour of our Lord's passion. All members are earnestly exhorted to make spiritual retreats according to their convenience, and on Fridays to offer up all their good works and prayers in honour of |