Monita Secreta Societatis Jesu.

a week to pass without appropriating something out of their superfluities , of their own free will , in the honour of Jesus Christ , the Blessed "Virgin , or the patron saint , ¦ either for the poor or for the adornment of churches , until they have been divested of most spoils and firstfruits ( donee spoliis plerisqite ct primitiis JEqypti sint eautce ) .

2 . If , beyond a general goodwill , they SKOAV themselves liberal towards our Society , and . persist in doing so , the special favours of the Society are to be conferred on them , even the special indulgences of the Provincial , or , should the person be ono of great substance , those of the General .

3 . If they have taken a vow of chastity , they are to renew it tivice every year , according to our usage , and for that one day an " honest recreation " ivith members of our Order is to be conceded to them . 4 . They should be frequently visited , cheered up , and fostered by pleasant talk , by spiritual and facetious stories , in each case according to their particular humour

and propensities . 5 . In the confessional they should not be treated with too much severity , lest they might become morose , save in cases Avhen the recovery of their goodwill , secured in other quarters , be despaired of . Great discretion and caution should ahvays be used in judging of the fickleness of the female mind .

6 . They should be skilfully prevented from visiting the churches and joining in the religious celebrations of other clerical bodies . The belief should be instilled into them that all indulgences issued by other Orders are condensed in an indulgence granted by our Society . 7 . "When they are in mourning , they should be alloived to combine something more worldly ivith the spiritual

in the solemn demeanour the occasion requires , so that they may not believe they are steered only with a spiritual rudder . Besides , provided they do not incur the danger of inconstancy , and are ahvays found faithful and liberal to the Society , they are to be furnished with all they require with reference to their sensual cravings ' ( concedatur Mis quidquid ad sensualitatem rcquirunt ) , but with moderation , and so as not to lay themselves open to scandal .

8 . Other modest girls , belonging to lvealthy or noble families , should be associated with those widows , and gradually accustomed to our guidance and' our mode of living . They should have for their governess a person chosen and appointed by the confessor of the wholo family . They are to be subjected to the ministrations ( syndicationibus ) and other customs of the Society , and

those who behave recalcitrant are to be sent back to their parents or those who brought them , and described as intractable , of bad propensities , & c . 9 . No less attention should be paid to their health and recreation than to their salvation ; thus , whenever they are suffering from ill-health , fasts , penance , and corporal punishment should be dispensed AvithThey are not to

. be allowed , then , to go to church , but b : i ministered to at home in secret and cautiously . No notice should be taken of their entering the garden or college , provided it is done clandestinely ; and they are to be permitted to converse with those towards whom they are most favourably disposed , and enjoy themselves ivith them , ¦ but all secretly .

10 . With a view to induce a widoAV to appropriate her income in favour of the Society , she should be told of the blessed state of holy men Avho , having retired from the world and all that ivas nearest and dearest to them , devoted themselves , with abnegation and hilarity of mindto the service of GodThey should be tauht

, . g all that is in the constitution and rules of the Society relating to this mode of resigning and AA'ithdraAving from all things of this world . The examples of AvidoAVS Avho in a very short time had become saints should be quoted , a hope held out of eventual canonisation , if they were to persevere in the right path , and it should be shoivn to

them that we have great influence ivith the Holy See for such purposes . 11 . It is to be firmly impressed upon them that , if they Avish to enjoy a perfect tranquillity of conscience , they should , Avithout lnui'innr , chagrin , or internal reluctance , follo-iv both in temporal and spiritual matters the instructions of their confessor , just as if they came

from God himself . 12 . They are to be taught , at the proper opportunity , that it Avould be a good thing if they were to appropriate their charitable gifts in favour of ecclesiastics Df a particularly pious and exemplary life , but not Avithout the previous knowledge and approval of the confessor . 13 . Confessors of widows are to keep their eye vipon .

their pupils , more especially to prevent them from resorting , on any consideration , to tbe ministry of other clerics , or contract any kind of friendship with them . For this purpose they are , in proper time , to hold up the Society as an Order of the greatest prominence above others , of the very greatest utility in the Church , and of the greatest influence with the Pope and

very all princes ; that it is most perfect in itself , as it dismisses from within its pale those who are prejudicial or useless , and thus contains neither scum nor sediment ( sine spu-md et fecibus vi . vit ) , as is the case with monks who are mostly ignorant , insipid , lazy , careless about their salvation ; fond of studying their belly , & c . 14 . Confessors are to suggest and advise the grant of

regular pensions and contributions to defray the annual expenses of the colleges and congregations ( domus profassce ) , and chiefly the congregation of Rome . They should not be unmindful of church ornaments , candles , wine , & c , and other requisites for the celebration of the

mass . 15 . If a Avidoiv has not during her lifetime allotted the whole of her property to the Society , it should be impressed upon her at the proper opportunity , and chiefly in case' of a serious illness or danger of life , that many of our colleges are very needy , that some require reconstruction , others ought to be founded , and she is to be

induced , gently and strongly , to make a donation on which she might found her eternal glory . 16 . The same is to be done ivith princes and other benefactors ; indeed , they should be convinced that eternal glory may be conferred on them by God for having done things that will be perpetual in this world and that to come . If any evil-minded persons should quote the

example of Jesus Christ who bad no place to rest his bead upon , or the companions of Jesus ivho had also been very poor during their life , it should be shown and impressed upon all , in proper time , that the Church of God is HOAV changed , and has become a monarchy that has to support itself by great authority and power against most powerful enemies , aud that it represents

the small square stone that greiv up to be a great mountain , according to the predictions of the prophet . 17 . To those ivho are addicted to charity ancl to the adornment of temples , it should be shoivn frequently that the highest perfection consists in their divesting , themselves of their worldly possessions in favour of Jesus Christ and his ministers , Avhom , they ivould instal

as owners of them . 18 . We shall see in the following how it is that less is ahvays to be expected from Avidows who bring their children up for the ivorld .

CUAFTEK VIII . How it is to be managed that widows' sons and daughters embrace ct religious and pious career . 1 . In matters of this kind the mothers are to act by energetic , and our associates by gentle means . Mothers are to be instructed to coerce their children from tender years by means of vituperation and chastisement , and , ivhen daughters reach a more mature age , they should be refused female adornments and pageant ,