A WARNING. 3 страница

SECBET INSTRUCTIONS OF THE JESÜITÖ. 45

prevail with the prelates and curates, to cause those under them only to bear a reverence to our Order, and that they themselves will be no hindrance to us in the discharge of our ministry. In others, where the clergy are more pre dominant, as in Grermany, Poland, &c., they must be addressed with the pro- foundest respect, that by their and the prince’s au- thority, monasteries, parishes, priories, patronages, foundations of masses, and religious places, may be drawn into our clutches; and this is no hard matter to be obtained in those places where catholics are intermixed with heretics and schismatics. And for the better effecting of this, it will be of great impor- tance to remonstrate to these prelates the prodigious advantage and merit there will be in changes of this sort, which can hardly be expected from priests, secu- lars, and monks. But should they be prevailed upon, their zeal must then be rewarded with public com- mendations, and the memory of the action transmitted in writing to the latest posterity.

VI. In prosecution of the same end, we must engage such prelates to make use of us both for con- fessors and counsellors; and if they at any time aim at higher preferment from the see of Rome, their pretensions must be backed with such strong interest of our friends in every place, as we shall be almost sure not to meet with a disappointment.

VII. Due care must be also taken by such of our members who have intercourse with bishops and princes, fhat the society, when these found either

curam animarum, ipse vero superior loci pro tempore existens si parochus, et sic totum regi men ecclesiae illius erit nostrum, et parochiani omnes societati plene erunt subjecti, ut quidvis ab illis impetretur.

8. Ubi academici sunt nobis repugnantes, vel Cath- olici, aut hseretici cives fundationes impedientes, ibi per prselatos conandum et primarise catliedrse con- cionatorise occupentur; sic enim continget societatem aliquando saltem necesitates ac rationes per occasi- onem saltem exposituram.

9. Maxime vero prselati ecclesise, devinciendi erunt, quando agetur de beatificatione aut canoniza- tione nostrorum, et tune omnibus modis a magnati- bus et principibus litterse procurandse erunt, in qui- bus apud sedem apostolicam negotium promoveatur.

10. Si contingat praelatos aut magnates legationem obire, cevendum sedulo ac prseveniendum ne aliis re- ligiosis qui nobiscum certant, utantur; ne affectum in illos transferant, et in provincias ac civitates in quibus nos moramur, inducant. Quod si hujusmodi legati transiverint illas provincias vel civitates, ubi societas collegia habet, excipiantur magno honore et affectu et pro modestiä religiosä tractentur.

SECRET INSTRÜCTIONS OF THE JESUITS. 47

Colleges, or parochial churches, may always have the power of presenting vicars for the eure of souls; and that the Superintendent of the place for the time being be appointed curate, to the end we may grasp the whole government of the church; and its parish- ioners by that means become such vassals to us, that we can ask nothing of them that they will dare to deny us.

VIII. Wherever tne governors of academies ham- per our design, or the catholics or heretics oppose us in our foundations, we must endeavor by the prelates to secure the principal pulpits; for by this means the society at least may some time or other have an op- portunity of remonstrating their wants, and laying open their necessities.

IX. The prelates of the church, above all others, must be mightily caressed when the affair of canon- ization of any of our members is upon the foot; and at such a time, letters by all means must be procured from princes and noblemen, by whose interest the matter may be promoted at the court of Rome.

X. If ever it happen that prelates or noblemen are employed in embassies, all caution must be taken to prevent them from using any religious Order that oppose ours, lest their disaffection to us should be infused into their masters, and they propagate it among the provinces and cities where we reside. And if ever ambassadors of this kind pass through provinces or cities where we have Colleges, let them be received with all due marks of honor and esteem, and as handsomely entertained as religious decency can possibly admit of.

CAPUT IV.

Quce commendata esse debeant concionatoribus et con-
fessariis magnatum.

1. Nostri, principes virosque illustres ita dirigant, ut solum ad majorem Dei gloriam tendere videantur et ad talem austeritatem conscientiae, quam ipsimet principes concedunt; neque enim statim sed sensim spectare debet directio illorum externam et politicam gubernationem.

2. Ideo saepe illis inculcandum distributionem ho norum et dignitatum in republiiä spectare ad justi- tiam, graviterque Deum offendi a principibus, si contra eam spectant, et ex passione procedunt. Protes- tentur ssepe ac serio se nullo modo veile in reipublicse administrationem ingerere, sed invitos dicere, ratione officii sui. Tum ubi semel bene liaec apprelienderint, explicetur quibus virtutibus praediti esse debeant qui ad dignitates et munia publica ac primaria assumendi sunt, nominenturque tandem, et commendentur ab illis qui sunt sinceri amici societatis. Hoc tarnen non fiet immediate per nostros, nisi princeps ad hoc coegerit, sed plus gratiae habebit, si interponantur amici vel familiäres principis.

SECKET INSTRUCTIOHS OE THE JESU1TS. 49

CHAPTER IV.

The chief things to be recommended to preachers and
confessors of noblemen.

I. Let the members of our Society direct princes and great men in such a manner that they may seem to have nothing eise in view but the promotion of God’s glory; and advise them to no other austerity of conscience but what they themselves are willing to comply with; for their aim must not, immediately, but by degrees and insensibly, be directed towards political and secular dominion.

II. We must therefore often inculcate into them, that honors and preferments in the state should always be conferred according to the rules of justice; that God is very much offended at princes, when they any ways derogate from this principle and are hurried away by the impulse of their passions. In the next place, our members must with gravity protest, and in a solemn manner affirm, that the administration of public affairs is what they with reluctance interfere in; and that the duty of their office obliges them often to speak such truths as they would otherwise omit. When this point is once gained, care must be taken to lay before them the several virtues persons should be furnished with who are to he admitted into public employs : not forgetting slyly to recommend to them such as are sincere friends to our order: but this must be done in such a manner as not imme-

3. Quo circa confessarii et concionatores nostri in- formentur ab amicis nostris, qui pro quoyis munere sunt äpti, praesertim tales qui erga societatem liberales sunt, horum nomina apud se habeant, et suo tempore cum dexteritate, sive per se, sive per alios, principibus insinuent.

4. Meminerint summopere confessarii et concionatores, principes suaviter et blande tractare, nullo modo in concinionibus et privatis colloquiis perstrin- gere, omnes pavores ab illis removere, et in ipsä fide, justitiä politicä potissimum adhortari.

5. Munuscula parva vix unquam pro privato usu acceptant, sed commendent necessitatem com munem provincie aut collegii domi cubiculo. Simplicitur in- structo gaudeant, neque curiose nimis se vestiant, et ad abjectiores personas, quse in palatio sunt, juvandas ac consolandas prompte se conferant, ne solis magnat- ibus praesto esse videantur. ^{^[8]} diately to come from us (unless the princes enjoin it,) for it may be effected with a far better grace by such as are their favorites and familiars.

III. Wherefore let the confessors and preachers belonging to our Order be informed by our friends of persons proper for every office, and above all, of such as are our benefactors ; and whose names let them carefully keep by them, that when proper opportuni- ties occur, they may be palmed upon the prince by the dexterity of our members or their agents.

IV. Let the confessors and preachers always re-

member, with complaisance and a winning address, to sooth princes, and never give them the least offence in their sermons or private conversations; to dispossess their minds of all imaginary doubts and fears, and exhort them principally to faith, hope and political justice. .

V. Let them seldom or never accept of small presents for their own private use, but rather recom- mend the common necessities of the province or College. At hörne, let chambers plainly furnished content them; and let them not appear in showy dresses, but be ready at every turn to administer their ghostly advice to the meanest person about the palace, lest they give others occasion to believe, they are willing to be helpful to none but the great.

VI. Immediately upon the death of any person of post, let them take timely care to get some friend of our Society preferred in his room ; but this must be suspicione se eximant extorti regiminis; quare etiam, uti supradictum est, immediate se non impendent, sed amicos fideles, ac potentes, qni sustinere invidiam possnnt, si quaeoriatur.

CAPUT V.

Quomodo agendum cum religiosis, qui iisdem in ec-

clesiä, quibus nos, functionibus vacant.

1. Genus istud hominum ferendum animose, interim principibus et illis qui aliquä auctoritate valent, et aliquo modo nobis addicti sunt, explicandum et indicandum opportune nostram societatem omnium ordinum continere perfectionem, praeter cantum et exteriorem in victu et vestitu asperitatem; et si quae religiones in aliquo excellant, societatem eminentiori modo lucere in ecclesiä Dei.

2. Inquirantur et notentur defectus aliorum religi- osorum, quibus prudenter et plerumque per modum deplorationis apud fideles amicos paulatim defectis ac

SECBET INSTEUCTIONS OF THE JESUITS. 53

cloaked with such cunning and management as to avoid giving tlie least suspicion of our intending to usurp the prince’s authority; for this reason (as has heen already said) we ourselves must not appear in it, but mak'e a handle of the artifice of some faithful friends for effeeting our designs, whose power may screen them from the envy which might otherwise fall heavier upon the Society.

CHAPTER Y.

What kind of conduct must he observed towards such religious persons as are employedin the same eccle- siastical functions with us.

I. We must not be discouraged or beat down by this sort of men, but take proper opportunities, demonstrably to convince princes, and others in authority, who are in any way attached to our interest, that our Order contains the perfection of all others, excepting only their cant and outward austerity of life and dress; but if another order should claim pre-eminence in any particular, that it is ours which shines with the greatest lustre in the Church of God.

II. Let the defects of other religious Orders be diligently canvassed and remarked, and, after full discovery, gradually published to our faithful friends, but always with prudence and a seeming sorrow;

propalatis, ostendatur, minus feliciter illos satisfacere istis functionibus quibus nobiscum concurrunt.

3. Majori conatu eundum est contra eos qui scholas dro juventute docendä instituere volunt istis locis, in quibus cum honore et utilitate nostri docent. Ostendant principibus et magistratibus tales fore per- turbationi et seditioni reipublicse nisi impediantur, quse ab ipsismet pueris, qui diversimode instruentur, incipient, denique societatem sufficere juventuti erud- iendae.

4. Quod si religiöse literas pontificias obtinuerint aut cardinalium commendationem pro se habeant, agant nostri contra per principes ac magnates, qui Pontificem informent de benemeritis societates, et sufficientiä ut per illam pacifice juventus instruatur; procurent etiam et exliibeant testimonia a magistratibus danda de bona illorum conversatione et instituti- one. ^{^[9]}

SECUET INSTEUCTIONS OE THE JESUITS. 55

and let it be pretended, that it is not in their power to acquit themselves so liappily as we, even in the discliarge of those functions which are common to us both.

III. But far greater efforts must be made against tliose wlio attempt setting up schools for the educa- tion of youth, in places where any of our members do the same already with honor and advantage. And in this case, princes and magistrates must be told, that such, unless timely prevented, will cer- tainly prove nurseries of tumult and sedition; for children, from different methods of instruction, must necessarily imbibe different principles; and lastly, we must persuade them, that no society but ours is qualified for clischarging an office of so great importance.

IV. And should these religious Orders procure license from the pope, or obtain recommendations from cardinals, our members must oppose these by the interest of princes and noblemen, who should inform his holiness of the merits of our society, and its capacity for the peaceful education of youth ; and let this be corroborated by testimonies from the magistrates of the place, concerning the good behaviour and faithful instruction of such as are committed to our care.

V. In the meantime, let our members be mindful to give to the public some signal instances of their virtue and learning, by directing their pupils in the presence of the gentry, magistrates, and populace, in

eis, magnatibus ac magistratibus et populo spectanti- bns.

CAPUT VI.

Be conciliandis societati viduis opulentis.

1. Diligantur ad hoc opus patres provectae aßtatis, complexionis yivacis et conversationis gratae; ab illis yisitentur yiduae illae, et simul atque affectnm ali- quem erga societatem ostendunt, yicissim opera et merita societatis illis offerantur. Qnod si acceptent et ecclesias nostras yisitare coeperint, prospiciatnr eis de confessario, a qno bene dirigantur praesertim in ordine ad constantiam in statu viduali, enumerando et landando illius fructus et felicitatem; certoqne spondeant et tanquam obsides promittant aeternnm meritum häc ratione conquirendum, et efficacissimum esse remedium ad purgatorias poenas eyitandas.

2. Procuret idem confessarius ut sacello vel ora- torio alicui domi adornando occupentur, in quo medi-

SECKET INSTKUCTIOXS OE THE JESUITS. 57

tlieir several studies, or engaging them in the performance of some otlier scholastic exercises proper for gaining public applause.

CHAPTER VI.

Of proper methods for inducing rieh widows to be
liberal to our Society.

I. For the managing of this affair, let such mem- bers only be chosen as are advanced in age, of a lively complexion and agreeable conversation; let these frequently visit such widows, and the minute they begin to show any affection towards our Order, then is the time to lay before them the good works and merits of the society. If they seem kindly to give ear to this, and begin to visit our churches, we must by all means take care to provide them con- fessors by whom they may be well admonished, especially to a constant perseverance in their state of widowhood, and this, by enumerating and praising the advantages and felicity of a single life: and let them pawn their faiths, and themselves too, as a security that a firm continuance in such a pious resolution will infallibly purchase an eternal merit, and prove a most effectual means of escaping the otherwise certain pains of purgatory.

II. And let the same confessors persuade them to engage in beautifying some chapel or oratory in their own houses as a proper place for their daily medita-

tationibus aliisque exercitiis spiritnalibus vacare possint, nt sic facilius a conversatione, et procorum, yis- itationibus ayocentur; et quamyis sacellanum habe- ant, nostri tarnen a celebratione Missae, et precipue ab exhortationibus opportune faciendis non abstin- eant, et sacellanum sub se continere studeant.

3. Caute et sensim mutanda quae ad gubernatio- nem domus spectant, sic habitä ratione persome, loci, affectus, et devotionis.

4. Amoliendi potissimum tales domestici (sed paulatim) qui plane cum societateuion communicant aut correspondent, talesque, commendandi, (si qui sub- stituendi sint) quia nostris dependeant aut depen- dere yelint: sic enim omnium, qui in familiä agun- tur, participes esse poterimus.

5. Totus conatus confessarii hoc spectet, ut vidua ejus consilio in Omnibus utatur et acquiescat; quod ostendetur per occasionem, esse unicum fundamen- tum profectus spiritualis. ^{^[10]}

SECKET INSTllUCTIONS OF THE JESUITS. 59

tions and devotions. By this means they will be more easily disengaged from the conversation and address of importunate suitors; and although they have a chaplain of their own, yet never let the con- fessors desist from celebrating mass, nor on all occasions giving them proper exhortations; and to be sure (if possible) to keep the chaplain under.

III. Matters which relate to the management of the house must be changed insensibly, and with the greatest prudence, regard being had to person, place, affection, and devotion.

IV. Care must be taken to remove such seryants particularly as do not keep a good understanding with the Society; but let this be done by little and little; and when ive have manage d to work them out, let such be recommended as already are, or willingly would become our creatures; thus shall we dive into every beeret, and have a finger in every affair trans- acted in the family.

V. The confessor must manage his matter so that the widow may have such faith in him as not to do the least thing without his advice, and his only, which he may occasionally insinuate to be the only basis of her spiritual edification.

VI. She must be advised to the frequent use and celebration of the sacraments, but especially that of penance ; because in that she freely makes a discovery of her most secret thoughts, and every temptation. In the next place, let her frequently communicate,

confessarii, ad quod invitabitur cum promissis peeuli- aribus precibus, recitatio litaniarum et quotidianum examen conscientise.

7. Juvabit etiam non parum ad plenissimam cog- nitionem omnium inclinationum ejus, Confessio generalis, etiam si alias alteri facta fuerit, iterata.

8. Exhortationes fient de bonis viduitatis, de mo- lestiis, matrimonii prsesertim iterati, de periculis quae simul incurruntur, etc., quae maxime ad hominem sunt.

9. Proponendi subinde et dextre proci aliqui, sed tales a quibus scitur bene viduam abhorrere; describ- antur aliorum vitia et mali mores, si qui putentur illi arridere, ut sic universim secundas nuptias nauseet. ^{^[11]}

SECH ET INSTRUCTIONS OE THE JESUITS. 61

ancl apply for instructions to her confessor, to the performance of which she mnst be invited by promises of some prayers adapted to her particular occasions; and lastly, let her every day rehearse the litany, and strictly examine her conscience.

VII. It will be also a great help to the obtaining of a perfect knowledge of all her inclinations, to prevail with her to repeat a general confession, al- though she has formerly made it to another.

VIII. Disconrse mnst be made to her concerning the advantages of the state of widowhood, the incon- veniences of wedlock, especially when it is repeated, and the dangers to which mankind expose themselves by it, but above all, such as more particularly affect her.

IX. It will be proper, every now and then, cun- ningly to propose to her some match, but such a one, be sure, as you know she has an aversion to ; and if it be thought that she has a kindness for any one, let his vices and failings be represented to her in a proper light, that she may abhor the thoughts of altering her condition with any person whatsoever.

X. When therefore it is manifest that she is well disposed to continue a widow, it will then be time to recommend to her a spiritual life, but not a recluse one, the inconveniences of which must be magnified to her; but such a one as Paula s or Eustachia?s, &c. and let the confessor, having as soon as possible pre- vailed with her to make a vow of chastity, for two or

emisso, omnem aditum ad secnndas nuptias excludat; quo tempore omnis conversatio cum sexu impari, et recreationes etiam cum consanguineis et affinibut prohibendee titulo majoris conjunctionis cum Deo. Ecclesiästici antem a quibus vidua visitabilur, aut quos visitabit, si omnes excludi nequeant, tarnen tales sint qui ex nostrorum commendatione admittan- tur, vel ä nostrorum nutu dependeant.

11. Huc usque ubi progressum fuerit, paulatim ad bona opera prsesertim eleemosynas indecenda erit vidua, quae tarnen nullä ratione praestabit sine sui patris spiritualis directione; cum plurimum intersit, ut cum discretione talentum in lucrum spirituale detur, et eleemosynae male colloctae sinsaepe causa vel fomentum peccatorum, et sic simplicem tantum fruc- tum et meritum causent.

CAPUT VII.

Quomodo conservandce viduce, et disponendum de bonis,

quee liabent.

1. Urgeantur continuo ut pergant in devotione et operibus bonis, sic, ut nulla hebdomada transeat quin suä sponte aliquid in honorem Christi, beatae Vir-

SECEET INSTRUOTIONS OE THE JESUITS. 63

three years at least, take clue care to oppose all ten- clencies to a seconcl marriage : and then all conversa- tion with men, and diversions even with her near relations and kinsfolks must be forbidden her, under pretence of entering into a stricter union witli God. As for the ecclesiastics, who either visit the widow, or receive visits from her, if they all cannot be worked out, yet let none be admitted but what are either recommended by some of our society, or are depend- ants upon them.

XI. When we have thns far gained our point, the widow must be, by little and little, excited to the performance of good works, especially those of charity; which, however, she must by no means be suffered to do without the consent of her ghostly father, since it is of the last importance to her soul, that her talent be laid out with a prospect of obtain- ing spiritual interest; and since charity ill-applied, often proves the cause and incitement to sins, wliich effaces the merit and reward that might otherwise attend it.

CHAPTER VII.

How such widows are to be secured, and in what man-
ner their effects are to be disposed of.

I. They are perpetually to be pressed to a perse- verance in their devotion and good works, in such manner, that no week pass in which they do not, of

ginis, at patroni sui praescindant a se de superfluis, quod ipsum in pauperes erogent, vel ornatus tem- plornm destinent, donec spoliis plerisque et primitiis iEgypti sint exutae.

2. Quod si praeter communem affectum, suam erga societatem nostram, liberalitatem testentur, idque facere continuent, fiant omnium meritorum societatis participes, cum indulto speciali provincialis, aut etiam si tantae personae fuerint generalis.

3. Si emiserint votum casitatis, renovent illud more nostro his in anno, concessä illis pro illä die recreatione honesta cum nostris.

4. Yisitentur crebrö, et jecundis colloquiis, et his- toriis spiritualibus, ac facetiis recreentur et foveantur, juxtä uniuscujusque humorem et inclinationem. ^{^[12]} their own accord, lay somewhat apart out of their abundance for the honor of Christ, the blessed Virgin or their patron samt; and let them dispose of it in relief of the poor, or in beaütifying of churches, tili they are entirely stripped of their superfluous Stores and unnecessary riches.

II. But if, besides their general acts of beneficence, they show a particular liberality to us, and continue in a course of such laudable works, let them be made partakers of all the merits of the society, and favored with a special indulgence from the provincial, or even from the general, if their quality be such as may in some meäsure demand it.

III. If they have made a vow of chastity, let them, according to our custom, renew it twice a year; and let the day whereon this is done be set apart for innocent recreations with the members of the society.

IV. Let them be frequently visited, and entertained in an agreeable manner, with spiritual stories; and also diverted with pleasant discourses, according to their particular humors and inclinations.

V. They must not be treated with too much

severity, in confession, lest we make them morose and ill-tempered, unless their favor be so far en- gaged by others, that there is danger of not retaining it; and in this case, great discretion is to be used in forming a judgment of the natural inconsistency of women. •

6. Arceantur ingeniöse ä visitationibus et festivi- tatibus aliorum templorum, maxime religiosorum, et inculcetur illis omnes aliornm ordinnm indulgentias in societatem esse refusas.

7. Si lugendum ipsis sit, permittatur ornatus lugu- bris cum honesta majestate aliquid spirituale simul et mundanum spirans, ut non apprehendant se ä viro spirituali plane gubenari. Denique modo non sit periculum inconstantiae, et erga societatem fideles et liberales inveniantur, concedatur illis quidquid ad sensualitatem requirunt, moderate et excluso scan- dalo.

8. Collocentur apud yiduos aliae puellaß honestae et parentibus diyitibus ac nobilibus natae, quae nostro- I*um directioni, et modo vivendi paulatim assuefiant. His prsesit aliqua & confessario totius familiae ad hoc electa et constituta. Subjiciantur syndicationibus aliisque consuetudinibus societatis, et quse sese acco- modare nolunt, dimittantur ad parentes vel alios ä quibus adductae erant, describantur tanquäm dy- scolae, difficilis genii, etc. ^{^[13]}

SEGIiET IXSTJLUJCTIOXS OE THE JESUITö. 07

VI. Good management must be used to prevent tlie-ir visiting the churches of others, or seeing tlieir feasts, but especially those of religious Orders; for which purpose, let them hear it often repeated, that all the indulgences of otlier Orders are with greater extent contained in ours.

YII. If they propose to put 011 a weed, give them the liberty of such a becoming dress as has in it an air both religious and fasliionable; that they may not think they are altogether to be governed by their spiritual guide. Lastly, if there be no suspicion of their inconstancy, but they are, on tbe contrary, faith- ful and liberal to our Society, allow them in moderation, and without offence, whatever pleasures they have an inclination to.

YIII. Let women that are young and descended from rieh and noble parents, be placed with those widows, that they may, by degrees become subject to our directions, and accustomed to our method of living; as a governess to these, let some woman be chosen and appointed by the family confessor; let these submit to all the censures, and other customs of the Society; but such as will not conform them- selves, immediately dismiss to their parents, or those who put them to us, and let them be repres- ented as untractably stubborn, and of a perverse disposition.

IX. Nor is less care to be taken of their health and recreations than of their salvation ; wherefore if ever they complain of any indisposition, immediately

aliaeque poenitentiae corporales, prohibebuntur: ne- que permittantur ad templum etiam exire, sed domi secretö et caut6 administrentur. Dissimuletur cum illis ingressus in hortum yel Collegium, modo secreto id fiat; permittantur colloquia et recreationes sec- retae cum iis qui maximö arriserint.

10. Pro dispositione redituum quos habet vidua in favorem societatis facienda, proponatur perfectio Status hominum sanctorum, qui relicto mundo, pa- rentibus, et bonis abdicatis, cum magna resignatione et animi hilaritate Deo servierunt. Exponantur in ordine ad hoc quae habentur in constitutione et examine societatis, de istius modi renuntiatione et ab- negatione omnium rerum. Allegentur exempla yid- uarum, quae sic brevi in sanctas evaserunt, cum spe canonizationis, is sic in finem usqüe perseyerayerint, ostendaturque ipsis non defuturam ad hoc nostrorum apud pontificem auctoritatem. ^{^[14]}

SECBET INSTBUCTIONS OE THE JESU1TS. 69

all fasting, canvas, discipline, and other corporal penance mnst be forbidden; nor let them be permitted to stir abroad, even to church, bnt be attended at home with privacy and care. If they secretly steal into the garden, or College, seem as if yon knew it not, and allow them the liberty of conyersation and private diversions with those whose Company is most agreea- ble to them. „

X. That a widow may dispose of what she has in favor of the Society, set as a pattern to her, the perfect state of holy men, who having renounced the world, and forsaken their parents, and all that they had, with great resignation and cheerfulness of mind devoted themselves to the Service of God. For the better effecting of this, let what is contained in the Constitution and Statutes of the Society, relating to this kind of renunciation, and forsaking of all things, be explained to them; and let several instances of widows be brought, who thus in a short time became saints, in hopes of being canonized, if they continued such to the end. And let them be apprized, that our Society will not fail to use their interest at the court of Rome for the obtaining such a favor.

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