And we ordain and decree, that a certain and undoubting faith be given to copies thereof written, or subscribed by the hand of a public notary, and guaranteed by the seal of some ecclesiastic constituted in authority. Wherefore, let it be lawful for no man to infringe this our letter of indiction, announcement, convocation, statute, decree, mandate, precept, and entreaty, or with rash daring go contrary thereunto. But if any one shall presume to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the indignation of Almighty God, and of His blessed apostles Peter and Paul. Given at Rome, at Saint Peter's, in the year 1542 of the Lord's Incarnation, on the eleventh of the calends of June,[1] in the eighth year of our pontificate.
Blosius. Jer. Dand.
SESSION THE FIRST OF THE ŒCUMENICAL AND GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT,
Celebrated under the Sovereign Pontiff Paul III., on the thirteenth day of the month of December, A.D. 1545.
DECREE TOUCHING THE OPENING OF THE COUNCIL.
Doth it please you, unto the praise and glory of the holy and undivided Trinity, Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; for the increase and exaltation of the Christian faith and religion; for the extirpation of heresies; for the peace and union of the Church; for the reformation of the Christian clergy and people; for the depression and extinction of the enemies of the Christian name, to decree and declare that the sacred and general Council of Trent do begin, and hath begun?
They answered: It pleaseth.
INDICTION OF THE NEXT SESSION.
And whereas the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ is near at hand, and other festivals of the concluding and commencing year follow thereupon, doth it please you, that the first ensuing session be held on the
- ↑ May 22nd.
