Page:Faithcatholics.pdf/469

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and though removed, perhaps, a thousand miles from home, the moment he enters a Church, in the principal offices of Religion he ceases to be a stranger. The Western Church has been particularly attentive, that her people might not suffer from this concealment of her mysteries; and the Council of Trent thus ordains: “ Though the Sacrifice of the Mass contain great instruction for the faithful, the Fathers judged it not expedient, that it should be every where celebrated in the vulgar tongue. Each Church, therefore, will retain its ancient and approved rites. But that the sheep of Christ may not hunger for want of food, and that little ones may not ask for bread, and there be no one to break it to them, the holy Synod orders all Pastors and them that have the cure of souls, frequently, and especially on Sundays and Feasts, to expound some portion of what is read, and some mystery of the holy Sacrifice.” Sess. xxii. c. viii. p. 194.-Beside this and the other instructions, which have been mentioned, the whole of the Church service is translated into the language of each country, and, together with a variety of prayers for all occasions and all states of life, placed in the hands of the people.

Thus is our Western Church, one in Faith and one in language, united, in the same bond of communion, with all the Faithful of modern and of ancient times.


PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH.


PROPOSITION XVI.

We believe, that Christ has given to the Pastors of his Church a power to make laws, which all the faithful are bound to obey.