Encyclical letter on the completion of the Pope's 25th year as Pontiff. He bestows all Catholic Bishops with the faculty to bestow a Papal Benediction - conditions set out. Bishop Amherst appoints 6 August as the day when the Plenary Indulgence may be gained.

Asks that the congregation be advised of the indulgence to be granted on the occasion of the General Council, its conditions, and that the nature of Indulgences be explained to them.

Conditions for the Jubilee [not present]. Clergy are recommended to conduct a Mission.

Pray for restoration of peace in India. Pray for the Holy Father who is afflicted by the war between Christian nations. The Provincial Synod is set for 12 July. Annual Clergy Meeting is on 7th July - let Oscott know beforehand to held arrange accommodation.

Lent pastoral plus dispensations for 1869

Form of Petition enclosed [not present] for both Houses of Parliament. A committee of the house of Commons has three Catholic Members - expedient to use the petition to strengthen their position in the name of our cause. Send before Easter, as the question will come soon after.

The unseasonable weather gives rise to serious apprehensions with regard to the harvest. Prayer in Mass and in the flock's petitions for the desired end.

Holy Father has approved a petition from Third Provincial Council of Westminster. Masses for deceased brethren must abide by new rules. A Register for Masses must be maintained in each Diocese. Canon Oleron will receive and enrol names who wish to be entered into the Register for Masses. Responsibility of each priest to be recorded in the correct register (if they move between dioceses) and if so recorded to say one mass each year for those names in the Register.
Holy Father has allowed the use of Dripping and Lard on all days except for Good Friday [previously proscribed at times in Lent].
Discontinuation of prayers for the harvest; the Te Deum to be sung by way of thanksgiving.

This has the instruction "To be kept in the Archives of the Mission"
This document describes/retells the interchange, and decisions made, between the Bishops of England and the Vatican over the nature of masses designated "Pro Populo".

Lenten Pastoral Letter with dispensations for 1871.

Lenten Pastoral Letter with dispensations for Lent 1872

He has refrained from issuing a pastoral letter until he had formed a "tolerable accurate idea of our Diocese". He has nearly completed an extensive round of visits to missions. So few churches, so few priests, so few Catholics. Encourages a greater devotions to mass, the sacraments and to the Blessed Virgin Mother of God. An apostolic blessing for the diocese has been received.

Lenten Pastoral Letter given in Ipswich
Dispensations for Lent 1860

Catholic Education - new Bill requires the State to provide a secular education for all those between 5 and 13. This would be obtained by a local board from local rates. The lack of a religious education in these schools is a lost opportunity. A number of noblemen and gentlemen have subscribed nearly £50,000 [calculated as equivalent to £7,614,481.70 today - 18-8-2023]. This is for the erection of schools or hire of rooms. An Educational Committee has been appointed.

Having returned from Rome - the place of saints - describes his approach to St Peter's and seeing the Pope carried through the crowds. Turns to the season of Lent and asks that the brethren comply with the rules of the church. Dispensations for Lent listed.

50th Anniversary of the Pope saying his first mass. Clergy of Europe have agreed to offer Holy Sacrifice for the intentions of the Holy Father. Includes Pius IX response to this (dated 16 March 1869) in which he grants an indulgence. Bishop suggests a collection be made.

Theme is "Honour thy Father ad thy Mother". Advice on the behaviour of priests; concern over relationships between parents and their children - illustrates this with examples of bad behaviour at home; encourages good parenting and catholic education. Relates the Pope as the Father to the Church

Pastoral about education and its importance in being more than just accumulating secular or religious knowledge. The Catholic Church regards it as much more than that. A catholic could not enter a university without conflict to his beliefs, now the question has arisen about a Catholic College at Oxford. A letter from the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda underlines this situation [quoted on pg8] and the Bishop asks that Catholic parents be dissuaded from sending their children to non-Catholic universities.

The evils which overhand the church. "Indeed, deeper gloom hangs over Christendom, and the enemies of our Faith are beginning to triumphing the thought that the end of Popedom is approaching." Every attack on the Pope is an attack on each catholic.
Annual collection for the Diocesan Fund is on next Sunday the First of Advent

Lent Pastoral letter. Dispensations for Lent 1861