Pope Pius IX has extended Easter Communion to include Ash Wednesday and Low Sunday.
Two paragraphs on those who may be relieved of fasting/abstinence requirements.
Title: Powers granted to confessors of commuting the Opera Injuncta, of dispensing, Etc. during the present Jubilee.
Text: in Latin
signed manuscript: "+Gulielmus Epen. Northamptoniam"
Bishop Thomas Joseph Brown issued this instruction on mixed marriages as increasing numbers of Catholic-Protestant marriages were taking place in England and Wales. These caused concern to the Catholic clergy, as the Catholic partners may be influenced by their Protestant spouses and eventually abandon their faith.
This instruction provided guidance on how to handle mixed marriages. It emphasised the importance of preserving the Catholic faith in these marriages and urged Catholic partners to do all they could to ensure that their children were raised as Catholics.
The instruction also provided guidance on the proper way to celebrate mixed marriages, emphasizing the importance of obtaining a dispensation from the bishop and requiring the non-Catholic partner to sign a written agreement promising to respect the Catholic faith and to allow the Catholic partner to practice their religion.
Bishop's OfficeNew Ritual is authorised and adopted throughout the diocese. Forms as prescribed by the New Ritual are to be used for registering baptisms, confirmations, marriages and deaths. Mixed marriages - handling them and ensuring the promises are obtained with regard to children.
p.s Monthly meeting of the Diocesan Chapter will be followed by a general meeting of the clergy. Dinner at 3.
The good Shepherd knows his sheep. The Bishop declares that from 2nd Sunday after Easter ("Bonus Pastor Sunday") he will start a Visitation which will remain open until he declares it closed. "The Bishop will therefore diligently visit the Church, the Presbytery, the Schools, the Cemetery and everything therein contained, and will examine the sacred vessels and furniture, the Altars, tabernacles, and whatever belongs to the worship of God or the administration of the sacraments." Visitation will be announced and confirmations should be arranged for then.
To the clergy: have ready two sheets of foolscap containing - a return for 1958 of Marriages, Baptisms, Conversions, Easter Communions, Deaths; list of details of mass obligations; List of all documents relating to the Mission; Statement of Mission . School property; Account of all debts and liabilities; Mission 1958 income/expenditure balance sheet; same for Schools; exact inventory of Church, Sacristy, House and Schools.
Meeting with the clergy gave the opportunity for the renewal of missionary faculties and withdrawal of those not granted in writing.
Difficult question of the Sacrament of Marriage and how many decrees relating to this are not widely known. Clandestine marriages were addressed through decree form the Council of Trent and has been promulgated many Catholic countries [lists them] and not others including England. There are problems in parishes where clandestine [mixed] marriages are now an impediment because of the decree. There follows a set of arguments quoting passages in Latin citing authorities dating back to at least 1683. Specific extract form the Bishop of Southwark to his clergy dated 1 November 1855.
Advises on the form or request for a dispensation in marriage, especially being satisfied that certain pre-conditions have been met.
Form 1 - Application for Dispensation for a mixed marriage [in Latin]
Form 2 - Application for a Dispensation in the case of diriment impediment, when both parties are Catholics [in Latin]
Form 3 - Application for a Dispensation in the case of diriment impediment, when one of the parties is not Catholic[in Latin]
pg 10 [60] includes manuscript notes.
Bishop Grant providing his visitation schedule for 1862. Asks for prayers for Canon Tierney who has just received Extreme Unction. B. Michael De Santis is to be canonised around Whitsun.
Grant, Thomas (1816-1870)The Sacred Congregation of Rites will consider the beatification of Ven. Margaret Mary Alacoque on 1st March. Permission is given for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in all Convent Chapels on 1st March
Amherst, Francis Kerril Rev (1819-1883)heading: "The Cardinal Archbishop communicates to the Clergy of the Archdiocese for their guidance the following documents received from the Holy See"
Cardinal Barnabo writes from 8 York Place, London to Cardinal Wiseman, Westminster, a letter in Italian [not all translated] [opening sentence: "The abuse taking place in England, which a few months later was denounced to the Holy See, of mixed marriages in which the catholic party usually is dragged to renew consent before the heretical minister...]
An "Instructio" follows written in Latin [not translated]
Dr William Wareing, first Bishop of Northampton, has received the last Sacraments - prayers for him.
Banns are to be published in the case of mixed marriages with no reference to the difference of religion
Consider the distress of the poor which occurs in Winter.
If asked to bless cattle, request a form of blessing recommended by Bendict XIV.
Latin document. [not translated] [topic is absolution]
Amherst, Francis Kerril Rev (1819-1883)Latin document
"Reply of the Holy Father to the Address presented to his Holiness by the Priests of England and Scotland, on the Fiftieth Anniversary of his First Mass." Addressed to Archbishop Henry Manning in Westminster
[Letter found in the Encyclical]
"Dear Fr Peacock, The dog cart will do very well. I shall arrive on Saturday at 4.30. I am willing to dine on Sat. at Mrs Sander's [?] if the dinner do [sic] not interfere with confession work. I will hear confessions on Sat. 8 to 9. I will say the first Mass on Sunday at 8.30. You need not erect a throne. Yr in J.C. +Arthur B of Npton"
Pg 2-9: Pastoral Letter - Poor Missions; Diocesan Nursery in Sheringham; Baptism;
Pg 10-12: Church Collections 1952 (Table with Parishes listed, headings: Peter Pence / Diocesan Schools / Holy Land / Diocesan Poor Missions (1951))
Pg 2-8: Pastoral Letter - Holy Eucharist practices in recent history; preparations for receiving Communcion
Pg 9-22: Ecclesiastical Fund, 1952 - table listing named donations within each parish
Pg 23: Notices
Pg 24: A Prayer for Priests; A Short Indulgenced Ejaculation
Pg 2-5: Pastoral Letter - Baptism; Christianity; darkness/evil in the world; St Christopher (American "Christophers") ; 39 students in seminaries
Pg 6-21: Ecclesiastical Fund, 1954 - table listing named donations within each parish
Pg 22: Notices
Pg 23: A Prayer for Priests; A Short Indulgenced Ejaculation
Pg 2-6: Pastoral Letter - Need 6 priests per year, 36 in seminary, 21 in Colleges; Ordination; schisms; China - Peking; John XXIII
Pg 7: Notices
Pg 8-27: Ecclesiastical Fund, 1958 - table listing named donations within each parish
Pg 28: A Prayer for Priests; A Short Indulgenced Ejaculation
Pastoral Letter from Bishop Grant on Holy Communion and, whilst only the priest can consecrate the host, delivery by others to those unable to attend the Mass. Pope Paul has just removed the requirement for only a priest to deliver the host. Lay people commissioned by the Bishop can now do this.
Grant, Charles Alexander Rev LCL BA (1906-1989)Suggest Canons Burditt and Frost and Frs Philpot and Wace for Commission on the division of the [Northampton] Diocese.
Downham Market is an issue on which we must stand - "whatever the personal holiness of Ossie (and God alone is the Judge here), he is corrupting a holy thing - and this is the hidden evil." Unwavering leadership is required. Confront Ossie with the obedience he owes, and, that the Pope has formally specified the circumstances in which the rite may be celebrated.
Tony Sketch should be given Downham market as his charge and say a publicised Mass there.
PPs (Aldeburgh, Wymondham, Felixstowe and Ipswich) make change-over on October 7th.
preparation for lent; Reconciliation sacrament - "New Rite of Penance". Archbishop Dwyer's message [not present] - giving to CAFOD; Priests' Education Fund - To train 5 or 6 priests at £1,000 per annum each man.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)