Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/162

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136
PICTURES OF LIFE IN MEXICO.

may be said before any of them. Likewise that the most illustrious and gracious Bishops of Puebla, Jolisci, Potosi, and Tarazora, for themselves, and the most worthy and excellent Fr. Pablo Jesus Christi Mentezuacon for himself, have granted an indulgence of one hundred and fifty days for the utterance of every word of the appointed prayers to our most exalted Lady: for every step taken in her house; for every reverence performed; and for every word of the Mass which may be said by the priest or the hearers; and as many more days of indulgence are granted for every quarter of an hour in which the aforesaid images are exposed, in balconies, in windows, on walls, or on doors, for public adoration."

Sometimes the indulgence extends to an absurdly long period of years. The subjoined may be taken as an instance:—

"His Holiness the Pope, together with the Bishops of the districts of Michoacan, San Louis, and Guanajuato, have graciously granted an indulgence extending to fifty-three thousand five hundred years, twenty days, and eight hours, to the inhabitants of this city, on the occasion of the present Mass."

During the troublous and sanguinary times