Page:Raccoltaorcolle00raccgoog.djvu/206

Rh that a similar devotion should he estahlished in honour of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Accordingly Benedict XIV., with a Bull of March 7, 1753, erected in the church of the Most Holy Redeemer, near Ponte Sisto in Home, the first Confraternity which took its name from the Immaculate Heart of Mary; and Pope Pius VII., whilst approving the devotion, by a decree of the S. Congr. of Rites of Aug. 31, 1805, granted also an office and Mass for its feast, thereby awakening the love of the faithful towards it.

In the year 1807, in order the more still to advance this devotion, he erected in Rome, in the deaconry of St. Eustachius, a "Primary Congregation (Congregazione Primaria) of the Sacred Heart of Mary," granting to its members many Indulgences, with power to aggregate other confraternities out of Rome, participating also in the Indulgences. Then, in order that not only the members of both sexes of the said confraternities and congregations in Rome and elsewhere, but all the faithful everywhere, might be moved to honour the Sacred Heart of Mary, the same Pope Pius VII., at the prayer of many bishops and priests, by Rescripts given from the Segretaria of the Memorials, Aug. 18, 1807, Feb. 1, 1816, and Sept. 26, 1817 (all of which are preserved in the Archivium of the Pious Union of the Sacred Heart of Jesus before named), granted—

i., once a day, to all who say devoutly the following prayer to the Sacred Heart of Mary, with the act of praise to the SS. Hearts of Jesus and Mary; and—

ii. to those who say it every day for a year, on each of the following three feasts of our Lady, viz. the Nativity, Assumption, and her Sacred Heart; provided that, after Confession and Communion, they visit a church or altar dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and pray there according to the Pope's intention.

Lastly he granted—

iii. at the hour of death to all who in life are careful to say this prayer.

Heart of Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, Heart most amiable, Delight of the ever Adorable Trinity,