Importance of Instruction

12. We thought We could end Our encyclical letter now, but contrary to Our preconceived expectation, many points still remain to be dealt with. The fathers of the second synod of Cabilona in 813 in Canon 45 mention several foolish practices which were common in their time on the occasion of pilgrimages and which perhaps could occur even in our day. "For some make a serious mistake", says the canon, "and travel to Rome, Tours, and other places without instruction, under the pretext of prayer. Some priests, deacons, and other clerics who live carelessly think that they will be cleansed from sins and fulfill their ministry if they arrive at the aforesaid places. Likewise some lay people think they are safe from the penalties of past or present sins by thronging to these places. They are so senseless as to think that the mere visitation of holy places cleanses them of their sins" (Harduin, tome 4, p. 1039). The abbot Albert von Staden in his Chronico similarly records other foolish notions of succeeding times which render the pilgrimages of the faithful ineffectual. "I have never or hardly ever seen anyone who came back improved from lands over sea or the tombs of the saints". To meet those abuses the fathers of Cabilona prescribed the following remedies: "Those who have confessed their sins and have been advised by their priests to do penance, show praiseworthy devotion in wishing to visit the tombs of the Apostles or other saints while praying urgently, giving alms, correcting their way of life, and putting their morals in order". The abbot of Staden also does not conceal the remedies, saying: "I think this results when they neither leave nor come back with proper devotion: for they should set out with the attitude that they are about to depart this life". Therefore We should concentrate on obviating all these evils and on explaining the necessary preconditions for receiving indulgences.