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 PRIESTS

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PRIESTS

adviser and two medical doctors at a low fee; more- over, it also provides decent interment for parents of the brethren, and for sacristans who have as- sisted the society in its charitable offices. There are likewise brotherhoods of the clergy in Se\'ille, Puerto de S. Maria, in Santucar de Renameda, Carmina, Ecija, and in the principal cities of Andalusia. To these must be added the association of priests entitled "Hermandad de Sacerdotes operarios Diocesanos del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus", founded in 1872 by Manuel Domingo y Sol (d. 1909). This association, W'hieh has received the approval of the pope, takes charge of the discipline in the seminaries, of which it has several in Spain, one in Mexico, and the Spanish College in Rome, whcse late rector, Benjamin D. Miiiana, became superior of the society on the death of the founder.

II. PoRTUG.'^L. — A confraternity has existed in Lisbon from the year 141.5 with the title of " Veneravel Irmandade dos Clerigos Pobres" under the protection of the Holy Trinity and is now installed in the sup- pressed convent of St. Martha. It Ls composed of secular and regular priests and clerics in orders. Its chief works are to render special homage to the Blessed Trinity, to afford spiritual and temporal succour to the brethren, and to aid primary education. In 1SS7 the brotherhood took up the functions of a benefit society.

III. ArsTRi.i. — Austria possesses several confrater- nities of the clergy. The "Assoeiatio Perse verantiae Sacerdotalis", founded in 1868 for secular or regular priests, has its seat in Vienna. The aim proposed to members is their sanctification and perseverance. The zealous promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart is a prominent feature of the association. Much is made of intercourse between members; the anniversary day of ordination is observed with fitting solemnity. The society has a monthly journal called the "Korrespon- denz der Assoeiatio" (Vienna). The " Priest er-Sodali- tat zum heiligsten Herzen Jesu" of Botzen was estab- lished in 1866. Candidates are admitted after a year's probation. The key-note of the association is per- sonal hoUness by the thoughtful and reverent dis- charge of priestly duties. It supplies a guide to life by fi.xing a minimum for certain religious exercises likely to be crowded out : thus, meditation, twenty minutes, and when this is impossible itsplaceisto besupplied by spiritual reading or ejaculatory prayer; confession, at least fortnightly; retreat, at least every second year, with three days' recollection other years; preparation for Mass and thanksgiving (fifteen minutes) in the church for example's sake; night prayers with the con- gregation. Stress is laid on regular application to the studies of the ministry; specialization is encouraged as promoting interest. Other points are: careful preparation of all instructions, zeal in the work of the confessional, special care of talented boys and of neglected children. "Der Marianische Kongrega- tion im Priest er-seminar" in Brixen has for its object to foster sacerdotal piety among its members and to cultivate the ecclesiastical spirit among the students of the seminary. The means insisted on are a personal devotion to Our Lady, public devotions with sermons twice a month, and mutual admonition. Its journal is the "Priester-Konferenz-Blatt ". At Innsbruck there is a confraternity connected with the Jesuit College entitled "Priestergebetsverein", consisting of priests and seminarians in theology. The essential object of the association is to maintain the bonds of spiritual companionship established in the seminary when the young priests leave to take up their pastoral work. The means employed are prayer (particularly associ- ated devotion to the Sacred Heart) and correspond- ence (the periodical of the confraternity being sent to members, and members writing to the committee at least once a year).

IV. Finance. — A peculiar feature of tiie "Associa-

tion des Pretres s^cuhers du Sacr^-Coeur" (Issoudun, France) is its intimate relation with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, of whose congregation it is the off- spring. "Le soutien d'un pretre. c'est le pretre" is the principle which has guided the missionaries in found- ing an association whereby they may co-operate in the sanctification of the secular clergy. The confraternity was founded in 1858, blessed by Pius IX in 1860, and enriched by him with special favours in 1S67 and 1874. In 1882the roll of the association contained 700 names. At that date a journal was inaugurated, to be suc- ceeded three j-ears later by the monthly review enti- tled "Le Sacre-Coeur ". Each member under the advice of his director arranges his rule of life with suffi- cient detail to forestall omissions and }-et with a cer- tain elasticity so as not to interfere mth parochial duties [see the "Manuel" (Issoudun), published by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart).

V. Rome. — The "Pia Unio S. PauU Apostoli", established in Rome, may be accepted as an approved type of a priestly association. It dates back to 1797, when it was instituted as a confraternity of priests for the corporal and spiritual assistance of sick brethren. With the co-operation of the laity the good work ex- tenfled and ultimately embraced the distinct works of fostering vocations to the priesthood, the care of the young on festival days, and the holding of discussions on moral subjects. It was reorganized by Pius X in a decree dated 26 May, 1910, and attached to the church of S. Maria della Pace. The central idea of the association is sanctification by the exercise of the sa- cred ministrj'. On the economic side financial aid is given in time of sickness and a loan committee has been projected. Provision is also made for the legal defence of the clergy when this is desirable.

VI. United St.^tes. — The needs of the teeming, active, and diversified population of .America have called into being a number of agencies for deahng with the spiritual and social problems which are constantly arising. Mention therefore should be made here of the following societies of priests: "Association for the Protection of Belgian and Dutch Immigrants"; "Asso- ciation of the Secular Polish Clergy " ; " CathoUc Board' for Mission \\'ork among the Coloured People " ; " The Bureau of Cathohc Indian ^Missions"; "Catholic Missionarj- Union", which pro\-ides funds to enable bishops to defray the cx-penses of giving missions to non-Catholics in their dioceses. Finally the " Priests' Total Abstinence League" appears to come nearest to the true idea of a confratemit)' whose central idea is self-sanctification. [See the "Catholic Directory" (Milwaukee, 1910), 725-7.31.]

VII. Sp.\xish America. — It must suffice here to give the names of several societies of priests in certain districts of South America: Argentina, the "Associa- ci6n Eclesiiistica de S. Pedro" with centres at Buenos Aires and C6rduba: Colombia, "Asociacion de sufra- gios del Clero" at Bogota: Brazil, "Liga Sacerdotal Riograndeza" at Porto .Vlegre. In Mexico there is the ".Asociaci6n del E.spiritu Santo" and the "Asociaci6n de S. Juan Nepnmuceno" at Guadalajara, and the ".\sociaci6n de Socorros mutuos de Clerigos" in the City of Mexico.

Vni. Germ.\nt. — In Germany almost all the a.ssociations for priests have as their object either the cultivation of the ascetical life among the clergy or the assistance of the members in their temporal necessities. One of the most import.ant of the pious societies is the "Assoeiatio Perseverantije Sacerdotalis" (see III. ArsTRi.\). The association has already been introduced into about 27 dioceses in Ger- many. The "Eucharistic Association of the Priests of the Adoration" was founded in 1858 for sec- ular priests, and was canonically erected into a confraternity on 16 January, 1887. Its objects are to foster aniong the clergy trulv priestly sentiments and a lively love and veneration for the Blessed