Page:Faithcatholics.pdf/492

 tures, may, by the sight of the picture, be instructed in the virtuous deeds of those who have served the true God, according to his own will and command; and may be excited to imitate the glorious and meritorious lives of those, who have sacrificed earth to heaven, and the enjoyment of visible and perishable things, to the spiritual and pure delights of an eternal kingdom.” Lib. iv. Ep. 61. ad Olympiadorum Eparchum.

The Synod decrees: “ That Images of Christ, of the Blessed Virgin, and of other Saints, are to be exposed and retained particularly in churches, and that due honour and veneration are to be shewn to them; not as believing that any divinity or virtue is in them, for which they should be honoured; or that any thing is to be asked of them, or any trust be placed in them, as the Gentiles once did in their idols : but because the honour given to pictures is referred to the Prototypes, which they represent; so that through the Images, which we kiss, and before which we uncover our heads, and kneel, we may learn to adore Christ, and to venerate his Saints.” Sess. XXV. de Invocat. SS. p. 289.

''Catholics are persuaded, that the Angels and the Saints in heaven, replenished with charity, pray for us, the fellow members of the latter here on earth ; that they rejoice in our conversion; that seeing God, they see and know in him all things suitable to their happy state; and that God may be inclined to hear their requests made in our behalf, and for their sakes may grant us many favours-therefore, we believe, that it is good and profitable to invoke their intercession.-Can this manner of invocation be more injurious to Christ our Mediator, than it is for one Christian to beg the prayers of another here on earth? However, Catholics are not taught so to rely on the prayers of others, as to neglect their own duty to God -in imploring his divine mercy and goodness ; in mortifying the deeds of the flesh; in despising the world; in loving and serving God and their neighbours; in following the footsteps of Christ our Lord, who is the way, the truth, and the life: to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.''