scandalum sapientissime censuit, ut hujusmodi difficultates in quadam peculiari Sacrorum Rituum Congregatione severo subjicerentur examini. Peculiaris vero Congregatio haec nonnullis ex ejusdem Sacrorum Rituum Congregationis Cardinalibus, Praelatis Officialibus, ac selectis ecclesiasticis viris pietate, doctrina, prudentia, rerumque usu eximie praeditis constituta prae oculis habens universam argumentorum seriem, nec non fidelem ejusdem Secretarii relationem, quum omnia accuratissima ponderaverit disquisitione die 27 Novembris vertentis anni duobus his propositis dubiis: I. _An Phialae vitreae, aut figulinae sanguine tinctae quae ad loculos sepultorum in Sacris Coemeteriis vel intus vel extra ipsos reperiuntur, censeri debeant Martyrii signum?_ II. _An ideo sit standum vel recedendum a Decreto Sacrae Congregationis Indulgentiarum, et Reliquiarum, diei 10 Aprilis 1668?_ Respondit ad primum: "AFFIRMATIVE"; Respondit ad secundum: "PROVISUM IN PRIMO". Ideoque declaravit confirmandum esse decretum anni 1668. Facta autem de praemissis Sanctissimo Domino Nostro PIO PAPAE IX. a subscripto Secretario accurata omnium expositione, Sanctitas Sua sententiam Sacrae Congregationis ratam habuit et confirmavit, atque praesens decretum expediri praecepit. Die 10 Decembris 1863. C. EPISCOPUS PORTUEN. ET S. RUFINAE CARD. PATRIZI, S. R. C. PRAEF. _D. Bartolini S. R. C. Secretarius._ This Decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites contains the decision of a most important and interesting question. The decision itself is prefaced by an historical summary by help of which even those who hear of the question for the first time, are placed in a position to understand without trouble its nature and bearing. It is unnecessary to say anything concerning the early phases of the controversy about the value of the phial of blood, as a sign of martyrdom. Nor, after the decision just delivered, is it necessary to dwell upon the difficulties that have been urged in our own day against the ancient practice. In face of the clear and explicit declaration of the Sacred Congregation, such difficulties lose in Catholic eyes all the value which once might have been claimed for them. Nevertheless, it will not be without advantage to make some observations on the objections which have furnished the matter for the rigorous examination alluded to in the Decree. Three of these objections are deserving of special attention. 1. Many of the sepulchres marked by the presence of the phial of blood bear, likewise, the names of consuls who flourished after the reign of Constantine. Now, the reign of Constantine put an end to the persecutions and brought peace to the Church. How, then, can the phials of blood be a sign of martyrdom, when they appear upon graves opened to receive those who died when the period of martyrdom had passed?