Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/574

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

above all names, the only Name in which we claim salvation — the Name of Jesus Christ." Pope Gregory X in effecting this reformation of giving more honor to the Adorable Name and of making reparation for the blasphemies of the Albigensians and other heretics of that period deemed it practical to entrust this special commission to the newly founded Order of St. Dominic. His apostolic letter was directed 20 September, 1274, to Blessed John Vercelli, the sixth Master General of the Dominicans. The brief letter we give in full:

Gregory, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God, to our very dear son, the Master of the Order of Preachers, salutation and apostolic benediction.

" Recently, during the Council held at Lyons, we deemed it a useful commendation to exhort the faithful to enter the house of God with humility and devotion, and to conduct themselves while there in a becoming manner, so as to merit the divine favor and at the same time give edification. We have also judged it proper to persuade the faithful to demonstrate more reverence for that Name above all names, the only Name in which we claim salvation — the Name of Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us from the bondage of sin. Consequently, in obedience to that apostolic precept, 'In the Name of Jesus let every knee be bent,' we wish that at the pronouncing of that Name, chiefly at the Holy Sacrifice, every one would bow his head in token that interiorly he bends the knee of his heart.

" Wherefore, very dear son, we, by our apostolic authority, exhort and enjoin upon you and the brothers of your Order to use solid reasons in preaching to the people, that they may be led to comply with our desires. Thus you will win the crown of justice in the day of recompense.

" Given at Lyons, XIII Kalends of October, third year of our Pontificate."

The Master General lost no time in addressing the Provincials of his Order. On 4 November, 1274, he wrote instructing each Provincial "that the preachers subject to your jurisdiction carry out the ordination of His Holiness