Page:The Great Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII.djvu/445



THE HOLY SPIRIT. 439

mended to Catholics special prayers at the Feast of Pente- cost, for the reunion of Christendom, so now We desire to make certain further decrees on the same subject.

Wherefore, We decree and command that throughout the whole Cathohc Church, this year and in every sub- sequent year, a novena shall take place before Whit- Sunday, in all parish churches, and also, if the local or- dinaries think fit, in other churches and oratories. To all who take part in this novena and duly pray for Our intention, We grant for each day an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines; moreover, a plenary in- dulgence on any of the days of the novena, or on Whit- Sunday itself, or on any day during the octave; provided they shall have received the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, and devoutly prayed for Our inten- tion. We will that those who are legitimately prevented from attending the novena, or who are in places where the devotions cannot, in the judgment of the ordinary, be conveniently carried out in church, shall equally enjoy the same benefits, provided they make the novena pri- vately and observe the other conditions. Moreover We are pleased to grant, in perpetuity, from the Treasury of the Church, that whosoever, daily during the octave of Pentecost up to Trinity Sunday inclusive, offer again pubhcly or privately any prayers, according to their devotion, to the Holy Ghost, and satisfy the above con- ditions, shall a second time gain each of the same indul- gences. All these indulgences We also permit to be appUed as suffrages for the souls in purgatory.

And now Our mind and heart turn back to those hopes with which We began, and for the accomplishment of which We earnestly pray, and will continue to pray, to the Holy Ghost. Unite, then. Venerable Brethren, your prayers with Ours, and at your exhortation let all Chris- tian peoples add their prayers also, invoking the powerful and ever-acceptable intercession of the Blessed Virgin. You know well the intimate and wonderful relations