L. J. G. Se M. I

CIRCULAR TO THE GLERGY

Episcopal Résidence, Ottawa, Dec, 8th., 1881.

DEÂB COOPERATORS;,

I hâve prepared a calendar proper to the diocèse of Ottawa for the year 1882. It will be the only one approved for this diocèse.

It is ver y important that the faithful should procure this calendar on which are marked the fast days, feasts, etc., in a vvord, ail that is pecular to this diocèse.

You would do well to invite the families in youi parish to get one as early as possible.

In virtue of an Induit of His Holiness Pope Léo XIII, the feast of the " Dedication " will be celébrated, in future, undèr the double rito of lirst class with octave, not only in the episcopal city, but. throughout the diocèse.

There will be no necessity then of following th.' supplément indicated at Page ;~>2 of the Ordo for the year L882.

I would request those among you who hâve an y arrears to pay, to acquit themselves of this duty before the 25th of this month. Those who wiîl neglect to ftilfil this obligation, should not be surprised if I address them a spécial letter, which they inay consider as a bad mark they will hâve merited

I would feel extremely grateful, if you could send me for the same date, the amount of the contributions of the members for the Association of St. Francis of Sales.

With the présent circulai" I send you the questions to be answered for the conférences of next jfear-

Accept, dear cooperators, the assurance of my entire devotedness.

t J. THOMAS, Bp. of Ottawa.

MAÏEKIŒ Vœ COLLATIONIS THEOLOaiOŒ

MEN8E KEKKUARIl 1882 HÀBANBŒ,

De Scripluà Sacra,

( hiibusnam argumentis probari potest inspiratio tùm veteris tùm Novi Testamenti?

De Theologiâ Dogmaticà.

An "Revelatio sit absolute necessaria, suppositâ clevatione hominis ad statum supernaturalem ?— Nonne répugnât humanœ rationi Meysteriorum vevelatio ?

De Sacra Liturgie,

An Sedea confessionales in eeclesiis esse jubeatur ? Quœ debeat esse harum sedium forma et dispositio ?

MATER] Œ Vlœ COLLATIONIA THELOGICŒ

MENSE OCTOBRIS 1882 HABENPŒ.

De Theologiâ Morali,

Anna, uxor Jacobi, sequenti modo confitetur :

Vir meus naturà sua est valdè taciturnus nec unquàm de negotiis suis mentem suam coràm me ii périt. Sed forte, quadam die, illum audivi, in

proximo quodam cubiculo, uni è suis amieis dicentem : :' Tibi Dabo triginta aureos si domum meam comburendam curabis : contra incendium pro valorc quatuor millium aureorum assecurata est et mihi opus est pecuniâ Ànteà tamen proprietatena domus ad uxorem meam transmittam/' Quo audito. nihil dixi quia scirem mea consilia nullius futura ess€ morne nti apud maritum meura. Post aliquot dies. domus incendio consumpta et assecurationis summa. (videlicet 4000 aurei,) mihi data sunt. Quoero nune utrnm peceayerim et utrùm ad restitutionem obliger.

De Historié Eccles'osticd.

Quid, variis temporibusT fecit Eeelesia ad augendam veram populorum libertatem ?

De Jure Canonico.

Quœ iît forma regiminis Ecclesiœ catholicœ ? An Reespublica ? An Monarchia temperata ? An absoluta Monarchia ?

2nd SERIES— No. 33.

CIRCULAR TO THE CLERGY

Episcopal Résidence, Ottawa, Dec. 15th., 1881

Dear Coopkkators,

l corne to acquaint you of my early departure for the Eternal City. I will leaive Ottawa on Thursday raorning, 22nd inst. For the third time in my life, I will undertake this pious pilgrimage to the tombs of the holy apostles.

My heari rejoiçes when thinking that I will once more kneel at the l'eet pf the Vicar of Car Lord Jésus Christ and receive for yon and your people the apostolic blessing which will also descend upon my head to strengthen nie in the serions and use lui accomplishmenl oi' the duties of my pastoral charge,

Thisjoy however in not without being mingled with sadness. The Pontiffwhom I am agaiu tb see on the Chair o/ Peter dœs nol cnjoy the liberty which becomes a king. The Father whom Càtholics so

deeply révère, is a prisoner. Soon perhaps, his prison will not shield him from the mad fury of his enemies. Shall I be able to divert my mind from the sad picture of the misfortunes which afllict the Church and the dark forebodings of the périls which threaten lier in the future?

Nevertheless I will hâve the consolation of conveying to Léo XIII with the offering of the diocèse for the Peters Pence, the tribute of profound sympathy and the assurance of the inaltérable attachrnent of the clergy and faithful. This ofFering is not considérable, it is true ($2316) but added to the expression of an entire devotedness, it will be acceptable to Him, whom we ail désire to see enjoying a triumph which sooner or later the Chuch must obtain.

After having fulfiled this duty of filial piety, I will converse with the Holy Father on the wants of this diocèse ; I will submit to his Sanction the projects I hâve formed for the greatest benefit of soûls and the growth of religion in this part of the Lord's vineyard which has been confîded to my care. Then, I will corne back to résume in your midst the labors of a toilsome ministry, which you will render more and more easy by your active and intelligent coopération.

Please, Dear Cooperators. announce to your parishioners my journey to Rome and request for my i'ellow travellers and mysell' the help oftheir fervent prayers

From you, Dear Cooperators, I ask a remembrance at the altar during my pilgrimage ad limina apostolorum. From the day of my departure till the 15th Junuary next, you will replace the présent prayer de mandaio by the one named Pro peregrinantibvs. and after this latter date by the prayer Pro quacumque neceaniate.

Bv the présent circulai-, I name the Yerv Révérend J. O. Routhier, V. G-.; administrator of the diocèse for both the spiritual and temporal affaire.

Accept, Dear Cooperators, the assurance of m^ i>ntire devotedness.

f J. THOMAS. Bp. of Ottawa

CIRCULAR TO THE REV. CLERGY

Episcopal Résidence, Ottawa, Jan. 19th., 1882.

Révérend and Dear Brothei?.

It is not necessary that I should recall to your attention the crime committed in onr Cathedral Church, — a crime that has filled not only the whole city but also the entire diocèse with astonishment and sadness.

As a resuit of the sacrilegious act committed in the Basilica, our Cathedral was no longer a lit place in which to offer the Host without stain. Nothing less than the Episcopal dignity could restore to our Church the Sacred Character given it by consécration.

In the absence of our first Pastor, it was my duty to call upon another bishop, His Lordship of Montréal to revest our profaned sanctuary. His Lordship was so good as to comply with my request and the reconciliation took place, last Sunday, in an empressing, though sad ceremony. The Cathedra] is therefore purified and restored to the divine worship. But I would look upon this réparation as incomplète, if the entire diocèse did not corne to take part in the sole m n homage of vénération and love towards our Lord, thus outraged in the Majesty of I lis Temple.

For t his purpose, we hâve deemed it proper t<> prescribe the following prayers, asking you ai the

same time to explain to your people the meaning of such solemn impetrations.