- Page 73 -
SESSION THE TWELFTH,
Being the second under the Sovereign Pontiff, Julius III., celebrated on the
first day of September, MDLI.
The sacred and holy, oecumenical and general
Synod of Trent,-lawfully assembled in the Holy Ghost, the same Legate and
nuncios of the Apostolic See presiding therein,-having, in - Page 74 -
the Session last held, decreed, that this next Session was to be on
this day celebrated, and that further matters were to be proceeded with;
whereas It has hitherto delayed to proceed, on account of the absence of the
illustrious German nation,-whose interests are principally concerned,-and on
account of the assemblage of the Fathers not being numerous; now rejoicing in
the Lord, and giving deserved thanks to that same Almighty God, for the
arrival, a little before this day, of our venerable brethren and sons in
Christ, the Archbishops of Mayence and Treves,-electoral princes of the holy
Roman Empire,-and also of several other bishops of that country and of other
provinces; and conceiving a firm hope that very many other prelates, both of
Germany and of other nations, will, impelled by the requirements of their
office and by this example, in a few days arrive; (the Synod) indicts the next
session for the fortieth day from this present, which will be the eleventh of
October next:-and prosecuting the said Council in the state wherein it now is,
whereas in the preceding Sessions decrees were passed touching the seven
sacraments of the New Law in general, and on baptism and confirmation in
particular, It resolves and decrees, that It will discuss and treat of the
sacrament of the most holy Eucharist, and also, as regards Reformation, of the
other matters which relate to the more easy and commodious residence of
prelates. And It admonishes and exhorts all the Fathers, that, after the
example of our Lord Jesus Christ, they meanwhile give themselves to fasting and
prayer, so far at least as human weakness will permit, that so God, who is
blessed for evermore, being at length appeased, may vouchsafe to bring back the
hearts of men to the acknowledgment of His own true faith, to the unity of holy
mother Church, and to the rule of righteous living.
|