Secreta Monita Societatis Jesu. The Secret Counsels of the Society of Jesus, in Latin and English
History
Secreta Monita Societatis Jesu. The Secret Counsels of the Society of Jesus, in Latin and English
Jesuits -- Controversial Literature
V. In some places it will be sufficient to procure prelates and curates
to do what they can, that those under their direction should reverence
the society. And that they themselves, will not impede our ministeries.
In others, where they can do more, as Germany, Poland, &c., they are
to be most profoundly honored, that by their influence and that of
rulers, we may obtain the control of monasteries, parishes, priories,
patronages, foundation of masses, and religious places. And we can very
readily accomplish these things in places where Catholics are intermixed
with heretics and schismatics. It must be shown to these prelates, that
immense advantage and merit will arise from such changes, which could
not be expected from priests, seculars or monks. If they will do what we
desire, their zeal is to be openly applauded and the memory of the action
made perpetual.
VI. For this purpose, exertion should be used, that such prelates should
resort to our confessions and counsels, and if they have any hope, or
ambition for higher honors, from the Roman See, they are to be favored by
every exertion and effort of our influential friends, concentrated from
every quarter, upon this object.
VII. We should be watchful of bishops and rulers, when they found
colleges or parochial churches that the society may have the power of
appointing the vicars who have the care of souls; and that one superior
of that place, for the time being, be appointed _curate_; and so the
whole government of that church will be ours, and all the parishioners
become so subject to the society, that we can obtain any thing from them.
VIII. Whenever the principals of academies oppose us, or the Catholic or
heretical citizens hinder our foundations, we must manage the prelates
that the principal pulpits may be occupied by us: for it will thus occur
that the society will some time at least, have a suitable occasion to
explain their necessities and wants.
IX. The prelates of the Church must be greatly caressed when any thing is
to be done respecting the _beatification_ and _canonization_ of any of
our members, and then by all means, letters should be procured from great
men and rulers, by which the business may be forwarded at the Papal See.
X. If it should happen that prelates or noblemen obtain legations,
it should be diligently guarded and prevented, that they should not
employ any religious orders who oppose us, lest they might communicate
disaffection to them, and they spread it into the provinces and states
in which we reside. And if legates of this kind, should pass through
those provinces and states where the society has colleges, let them be
received with great honor and affection, treated with all the distinction
consistent with religious decorum.
CAP. IV.
_Quæ commendata esse debeant concionatoribus et confessariis
magnatum._
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