APPENDIX.

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I subjoin the following, as giving a further view of the Seminary of S.Sulpice, which could not so well be incorporated into the Journal itself.

Picture of the duties of a seminarist who desires to sanctify and prepare himself worthily to fulfil the functions of the holy ministry:—

"Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all." 1Tim. iv.15.

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, till Christ be formed in you." Gal. iv.19.

"It is behoving that the clergy, who are called into the Lord's inheritance, should direct their lives and manners so as to offer a picture of seriousness, composure, and religion, in their dress, gesture, demeanour, conversation, and all other respects."—Council of Trent, Sess. 12. on Reformation.

"Bishops are to charge their clergy, of whatever degree, that they give an example to God's people in manner of life, conversation, and knowledge; remembering what is written, 'Be ye holy, for I am holy.'"—Council of Trent, Sess. 14. on Reformation.

I. Object of the Seminary.

"Ye see your calling." 1Cor. i.26.

The seminarist who desires faithfully to fulfil his duties, and to advance in the graces of the seminary, never forgets that the object for which he has gone there is to become a holy priest, and to acquire the virtues and the knowledge necessary to the Lord's ministers.

"Let seminaries be instituted for the education of the clergy in piety, religion, and ecclesiastical discipline."-Council of Trent.

This general object of the seminary includes the following particular objects:—

1. That he should reform within himself the false maxims of the world by the principles of the faith.

"Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." Eph. v.8.

2. That he should cleanse himself from his sins and their miserable remains by penitence, especially that of the heart.

"Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance." Luke, iii.8.

"A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise." Ps. li.

3. That he should become a perfect Christian by exercising himself in piety and the practice of virtues.

"Exercise thyself unto godliness." 1Tim. iv.7.

4. That he should acquire the ecclesiastical spirit.

"We have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God." 1Cor. ii.12.

5. That he should apply to the study of the ecclesiastical sciences.

"Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine." 1Tim. iv.16.

II. Vocation.

"And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Heb. v.4.

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." John, xv.16.

In order to know whether he is called by God to the ecclesiastical estate, the seminarist studies the marks of vocation, and gives an account to his director of his actual disposition, and of his conduct before his entry into the seminary.

The principal marks of vocation are—

1. To have no other intention but the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

"I seek not mine own glory." John, viii.50.

"I have ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." John xv. 16.

2. To repent of one's sins, preserving in the heart contrition and the feeling of one's unworthiness for a state so holy and so sublime as that of the priesthood.

"My sin is ever before me." Ps. li.

"My heaviness is ever in my sight." Ps. xxxviii.

3. To love the rule of the seminary, observe it exactly, and be very faithful to direction.

"O my God, I am content to do it; yea, Thy law is within my heart." Ps. xl.

4. Not to seek to please the world.

"If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Gal. i.10.

5. To practise the Christian virtues, and to aim at the perfection of the ecclesiastical state.

"Ye are the salt of the earth. Ye are the light of the world." Matt. v.13. 6. The most necessary and the most certain mark is the decision of his director, when he has given him complete knowledge of himself, after having prayed with fervour and purity of heart.

"He that heareth you, heareth me." Luke, x. 16.

III. Spirit of the Seminary.

"If any one has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Rom. viii.9.

The seminarist who wishes to profit by his stay in the seminary, and by its exercises, strives to direct his conduct and actions according to the spirit of our Lord, which is entirely opposed to that of the world. The features of that spirit are—

1. To give oneself to God without reserve, and to do for Him all one's actions.

"My son, give me thy heart." Prov. xxiii. 26.

"Do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. x. 31.

2. Detachment from the world.

"Ye are not of the world." John, xv. 9.

"The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Gal. vi.4.

3. Inward collectedness, and the presence of God.

"Walk before Me, and be thou perfect." Gen. xvii. 1.

"Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Luke, ii.19.

4. Ready, entire, and perfect obedience.

"And he was subject unto them." Luke, ii. 51.

"Obey them that have the rule over you." Heb. xiii. 17.

5. Fraternal charity.

"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you." John, xv.12.

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John, xiii. 35 6. Love of study, and the ecclesiastical sciences.

"Ye are the light of the world." Matt. v. 14.

"The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth." Mal. ii.7.

IV. Maxims of the Seminary.

"He who heareth my words and doeth them shall be likened unto a wise man who built his house upon the rock." Matt. vii.24.

The seminarist proposes during his stay to confirm himself, by frequent meditation, in the maxims of the faith as to the fundamental truths of salvation, and of ecclesiastical perfection, and to conform his whole life to them.

1. Salvation.

"One thing is needful." Luke, x. 42.

"What doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Matt. xvi.26.

2. The excellence of the Christian's calling.

"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God." 1John, iii.1.

"We are the children of God; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Rom. viii.16.

3. The eminence of the priesthood.

"Every high priest is ordained in things pertaining unto God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." Heb. v.1.

"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." 1Cor. iv.1.

4. Denial of self.

"If any one will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." Matt. xvi.24. "Not my will, but Thine, be done." Luke, xxii.42.

5. Union with Jesus Christ, by imitation and dependence.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. ii.1.

"I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Gal. ii.20.

V. General Rule.

"As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy." Gal. vi.16.

1. Faithfulness to the general rule is for the seminarist the most assured means of sanctification, and the most excellent preparation for the holy ministry. By fulfilling it perfectly he is constantly pleasing to God: inasmuch as he conforms himself in all things to His holy will.

"Obey them that have the rule over you." Heb. xiii. 17.

"I do always those things that please Him." John, viii.29.

2. He regards the intention, which gives their value to actions.

"The Lord looketh on the heart." 1Sam. xvi.7.

"The king's daughter is all glorious within." Ps. xlv.

3. Among the different motives proposed by faith he prefers that of charity.

"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren." 1Pet. i.22.

"Love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption." Wisd. vi. 18.

4. He is especially exact in rising in the morning; in the preparation for, and resolutions made in, prayer; in the holy employ of his time; and in silence: and he fails not to examine himself every day on these capital points.

"A heave offering of the Lord." Numb. xxxi. 29.

"Rise up betimes, and be not the last." Eccles. xxxii.11.

"Before thou prayest, prepare thyself, and be not as one that tempteth the Lord." Eccles. xviii.23.

"Be not faint-hearted when thou makest thy prayer." Eccles. vii.10.

"A time to keep silence, and a time to speak." Eccl. iii.7.

"If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." 1Cor. xi.31.

VI. Particular Rule.

"He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much." Luke, xvi.10.

The seminarist takes all pains to draw up well his particular rule, and to leave out nothing of whatever can contribute to his sanctification.

1. He marks out the employment of every moment of the day which is not destined to common exercises, as well as how he will occupy himself on festivals or days of leave.

"Let all things be done in order." 1Cor. xiv.40.

2. He sets before him an intention for every action.

"Whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." Col. iii.17.

"Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all for the glory of God." 1Cor. x.31.

3. He distinguishes the virtues to which he will give especial heed, as well as his particular devotions and mortifications.

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness." Matt. v.6. "If ye live according to the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye, by the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the flesh, ye shall live." Rom. viii.13.

4. He determines the subject of his particular examination, the time and manner in which he is to do it, as likewise his occupations during the holy mass, the chaplet, and his visits to the Most Holy Sacrament.

5. He marks the anniversaries of the graces he has received; his resolutions in his monthly retreats; in his ordinations; the circumstances in which he has been most vividly touched by the love of God. He does not omit the rule he is to follow during vacations.

VII. Christian and Ecclesiastical Virtues.

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1Tim. iv.12.

"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity." Tit. ii.7.

The seminarist regards the seminary as a school of Christian and ecclesiastical virtues, which he must acquire before he enters upon the holy ministry.

1. He sets before him constantly, as example, our Lord Jesus Christ.

"I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." John, xiii.15.

2. He applies at first to the three means necessary to attain holiness; frequent reflection on his actions and their motives; prayer; mortifying, specially of the imagination, the senses, and his private judgment.

"The whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart." Jer. xii.11.

"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Luke, xviii.1. "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Gal. v.24.

3. He makes humility the foundation for the acquisition of virtues.

"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." 1Peter, v.5.

4. He applies specially to the virtue most necessary for him, and most opposed to the inclinations of corrupt nature, such as contempt of one's self, support of one's neighbour, &c.

"I will follow upon mine enemies, and overtake them; neither will I turn again until I have destroyed them." Ps. xviii.37.

VIII. Devotions of the Seminary.

"Exercise thyself unto godliness.

"Godliness is profitable unto all things." 1Tim. iv. 7, 8.

Practices of devotion support piety, and contribute to progress in holiness and perfection. The most suitable to the seminarist are:

1. Devotion towards the august Trinity.

"So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son." John, iii.16.

"I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth." John, xvi.17.

2. Devotion to the Most Holy Sacrament.

"The love of Christ constraineth us." 2Cor. v.14.

"Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy." Heb. iv.16.

3. Devotion to the Cross.

"Who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. ii.20. "God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Gal. vi.14.

4. Devotion to the sacred Heart of Jesus.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Rom. viii.35.

"Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." Matt. xi.29.

5. Devotion to the most holy Virgin.

"Behold thy mother." John, xix. 27.

6. Devotion to the holy Apostles, to holy Bishops, and to holy Priests.

"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." Heb. xiii.7.

7. The seminarist addresses every day prayers to his guardian angel, to his patron saint, and for the refreshment of souls in Purgatory.

IX. Reading of the Seminary.

"Give attendance to reading." 1Tim. iv. 13.

The reading of works which develop the rules and spirit of the seminary, which treat of Christian and ecclesiastical virtues, of fitness to receive holy orders, as likewise that of the lives of saints, is indispensable to the seminarist. The following are those which he will chiefly read:

Manual of Piety. 8th edition.

The Good Seminarist. 2d edition.

Practice of Direction, of the monthly Retreat, and of Monition.

Manual of the Seminarist. By M. Tronson. 2d edition.

Treaty on Obedience. By M. Tronson. Nepotian; or, The Pupil of the Sanctuary.

The Spiritual Combat.

The Presence of God, the Faithful Mirror, and the Golden Book.

The Spirit of Christianity. By Father Nepveu.

Christian Infancy. By M. Blanlo.

Catechism of the Interior Life. By M. Olier.

Practice of the Love of our Lord Jesus Christ. By S.Liguori.

Excellence of Devotion to the holy Virgin. By Father Galliffet.

Treaty on Holy Orders. By M. Olier.

Ecclesiastical Instructions. By M. de Lantages.

Meditations of Chenart, specially for vacations.

Life of Berchmans, S.Louis de Gonzaga, Calixtus FrÈze, Antony Gohier, S.Vincent de Paul.

X. Direction.

"Ask council of all that are wise." Job, iv.18.

One of the most important exercises for maintaining fidelity to one's duties, and for acquiring perfection, is communication with the director. It is the means of avoiding self-deception, fickleness, disturbance, and lukewarmness. The seminarist will find, in careful reading of the preceding articles, what ought to form the matter of his direction. He will make a special point of the following particulars, which he should never omit in intercourse with his director.

1. General and Particular Rule.—How far do I keep my engagements? What are the points in which I feel most difficulty or repugnance? What have I done to establish myself in the virtues of obedience and self-denial?

2. Prayer.—What preparation do I make for it? What method have I followed in this exercise? What are my resolutions? Have I put them in practice? What fruit have I hitherto derived from my prayers, and what is my desire to profit by them? What difficulties do I meet with?

3. Virtues.—What progress have I made in thoughtfulness, humility, and purity of intention? and what conquests have I gained over heedlessness, vanity, self-love, and my ruling passion?

4. He will not fail to communicate to his director his pains, temptations, dryness and hardness of mind; as, likewise, the books he has, what he has read, those with whom he has intercourse, the visits which he makes and receives.

5. He never goes out from direction without taking a practical resolution in concert with his director.

"A faithful friend is a strong defence, and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure." Eccles. vi.14.

XI. Monthly Retreat.

"I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her." Hos. ii.14.

The object of the monthly retreat is: 1. More deeply to examine the conscience; 2. To make firmer resolutions for the correction of faults; 3. To choose the most effective means to advance in virtues, and specially to be confirmed in the life of faith, and in contempt of the world, by a serious preparation for death.

In order to profit by this exercise, the seminarist sets before him the following considerations:

1. To learn his ruling and oftenest recurring fault; for instance, love of the world and its pleasures; sloth and want of application to his duties; fear of humiliations; inclination to slander and unfavourable judgment of his neighbour; liking for his own will and opposition to obedience.

2. To search into the causes of lukewarmness and slackness; habitual heedlessness; little preparation for prayer and attendance on Sacraments; frivolous reading and conversation; indisposition for and want of openness in direction; irresolution in complete surrender to God, in avoiding slight faults, and in seeking the society of the most earnest.

3. To examine the most necessary virtue, and pursue the practices fitted to acquire it; to meditate seriously on the necessity of obedience, humility, self-denial, charity, good example, in the holy ministry.

4. To write down his feelings and resolutions, communicate them to his director, and read them over frequently.

XII. Ordinations.

"Which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" Luke, xiv.28.

One of the principal duties of the seminarist is to prepare himself with the greatest care for receiving holy orders, considering that, in proportion to the preparation, is the abundance of the grace which they confer.

1. He will read attentively the Pontifical, and works treating of ordination, to learn the excellence of holy orders, their office, their obligations, the virtues they require, the disposition to be brought to them.

2. He will prepare himself for ordination by practices of piety; by deeper examinations of conscience; by more frequent communications with his director; by uniting in prayer with those who receive the same orders. 3. After ordination he will take pains to preserve the grace which he has received, by fulfilling the resolutions he has written down and the advice of his director.

"Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift." 2Cor. ix.13.

4. He will mark the anniversaries of his different ordinations, to stir himself up at those times in the practice of ecclesiastical virtues, and especially of a hearty religion; a continual modesty; a holy and exemplary life; an ardent zeal for the salvation of souls.

"I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of my hands." 2Tim. i.6.

"And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations." Exod. xii.14.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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