nant. Preserve me as a living and faithful Member of Thy Church, a dutiful and dear child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven; that through Thy mercy I may in Thy good time obtain the end of my faith, even the salvation of my soul. Amen.

The Reception of Converts.

THE MODE OF RECEIVING THE PROFESSION OF FAITH OF CONVERTS TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, ACCORDING TO THE FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE SACRED CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY OFFICE, THE 20TH OF JULY, 1859.

HEN heretics are converted, inquiry must first be made concerning the validity of their former Baptism. If, therefore, it should be found, after diligent examination, either that Baptism had not been conferred at all, or else conferred improperly, they must be baptized anew. But if, upon investigation, there remains a reasonable doubt of the validity of their former Baptism, then it should be repeated conditionally, after the form for the Baptism of Adults, when that is required. If, on the other hand, the former Baptism was valid, then the converts should simply make their Abjuration or Profession of Faith. There are three ways, therefore, of reconciling heretics to the Church:

I. If Baptism is conferred absolutely, neither abjuration nor absolution follows; since all the past is wiped away by the Sacrament of Regeneration.

II. If Baptism is repeated conditionally, the following order is to be

observed: 1st. The Abjuration, or Profession of Faith. 2d. Conditional Baptism. 3d. Sacramental Confession with conditional absolution.

III. When, finally, the former Baptism is held to be valid, the Abjuration or Profession of Faith alone is received, followed by the Absolution from Censures. If, however, the convert strongly desires that the rites which were omitted in his former Baptism shall be now supplied, the Priest shall gratify his pious desire. He ought, however, in this case to use the form for Adults, if required, and to make the necessary changes caused by the former valid Baptism.

The Priest, vested in surplice and violet stole, seats himself at the Epistle side of the Altar, if the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Tabernacle, otherwise before the middle of the Altar; and before him kneels the convert, who, touching the Book of Gospels with his right hand, makes his Profession of Faith, as below. (If he cannot read, the Priest slowly reads for him the Profession, which he distinctly pronounces together with the Priest.)

I,

PROFESSION OF FAITH

N. N., having before my eyes the holy Gospels, which I touch with my hand, and knowing that no one can be saved without that faith which the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Roman Church holds, believes, and teaches, against which I grieve that I have greatly erred, inasmuch as I have held and believed doctrines opposed to her teaching

I now, with grief and contrition for my past errors, profess that I believe the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Roman Church to be the only and true Church established on earth by Jesus Christ, to which I submit myself with my whole heart. I believe all the articles that she proposes to my belief, and I reject and condemn all that she rejects and condemns, and I am ready to observe

all that she commands me. And, especially, I profess that I believe :

One only God in three divine Persons, distinct from, and equal to, each other—that is to say, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;

The Catholic doctrine of the Incarnation, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; and the personal union of the two Natures, the divine and the human; the divine Maternity of the most holy Mary, together with her most spotless Virginity ;

The true, real, and substantial presence of the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist;

The seven Sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind-that is to say, Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Order, Matrimony;

Purgatory, the Resurrection of the Dead, Everlasting Life;

The Primacy, not only of honor but also of jurisdiction, of the Roman Pontiff, successor of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, Vicar of Jesus Christ;

The veneration of the Saints and of their images;

The authority of the Apostolic and Ecclesiastical Traditions, and of the Holy Scriptures, which we must interpret and understand only in the sense which our holy mother the Catholic Church has held and does hold;

And everything else that has been defined and declared by the sacred Canons and by the General Councils, and particularly by the holy Council of Trent, and delivered, defined, and declared by the General Coun

cil of the Vatican, especially concerning the Primacy of the Roman Pontiff, and his infallible teaching authority.

With a sincere heart, therefore, and with unfeigned faith, I detest and abjure every error, heresy, and sect opposed to the said Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Roman Church. So help me God, and these His holy Gospels, which I touch with my hand.

Afterwards, the convert still kneeling, the Priest sitting, says

son.

Psalm 50, p. 249,

Or else

V. Kyrie eleison. Pater

noster (secreto).

V. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.

R. Sed libera nos malo.

have

V. Lord, have mercy. Our Father (inaudibly):

V. And lead us not into temptation.

a R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Salvum fac servum

tuum.

V. Save Thy servant.

R. O my God, who putteth his trust in Thee.

V. O Lord, hear my

prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee,