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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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THE xxiind SESSION. 297<br />

Wlien <strong>the</strong> remodelled decrees concerning <strong>the</strong> holy sacrifice<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mass had been once more submitted to fur<strong>the</strong>r dis-<br />

cussion on September 5th and 7th, ^ a reform decree, and<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r concerning <strong>the</strong> abuses which had crept into <strong>the</strong> cele-<br />

bration <strong>of</strong> Mass, were presented for consideration on September<br />

loth.- <strong>The</strong> discussions on <strong>the</strong>se lasted <strong>from</strong> September loth<br />

to <strong>the</strong> 14th. ^ In <strong>the</strong> General Congregation on September<br />

i6th, at which <strong>the</strong> decrees to be published on <strong>the</strong> following<br />

day were read aloud, very heated discussions took place<br />

concerning <strong>the</strong> institution <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> priesthood.<br />

<strong>The</strong> XXIInd Session, <strong>the</strong> sixth under Pius IV., was held on<br />

September 17th. <strong>The</strong> five legates, Cardinal Madruzzo, three<br />

patriarchs, twenty-two archbishops, a hundred and forty-four<br />

bishops, one Lateran abbot, seven generals <strong>of</strong> orders, three<br />

doctors <strong>of</strong> law, thirty <strong>the</strong>ologians, and nine envoys were<br />

present. <strong>The</strong> Archbishop <strong>of</strong> Otranto, Pietro Antonio di<br />

Capua, celebrated High Mass, and <strong>the</strong> sermon was preached by<br />

Carlo Visconti, Bishop <strong>of</strong> Ventimiglia. <strong>The</strong> decree on <strong>the</strong><br />

holy sacrifice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mass, in nine chapters and nine canons,<br />

<strong>the</strong> decree concerning <strong>the</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> abuses at Mass, <strong>the</strong> reform<br />

decree, in eleven chapters, and finally <strong>the</strong> above-mentioned<br />

decision concerning <strong>the</strong> chalice for <strong>the</strong> laity, were published<br />

at this Session.<br />

<strong>The</strong> most important decree was that which, in answer to<br />

<strong>the</strong> numerous errors taught by <strong>the</strong> innovators, set forth <strong>the</strong><br />

primitive Catholic doctrine <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Holy Mass. In this <strong>the</strong><br />

following are laid down : at <strong>the</strong> Last Supper Jesus Christ<br />

bequea<strong>the</strong>d to his Church a sacrifice, by which <strong>the</strong> bloody sac-<br />

rifice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cross was to be represented, its memory preserved,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> forgiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sins which are daily committed by<br />

men applied. <strong>The</strong> Lord instituted this sacrifice when He<br />

<strong>of</strong>fered His flesh and blood, under <strong>the</strong> appearances <strong>of</strong> bread<br />

and wine, to God <strong>the</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>r, giving it to <strong>the</strong> Apostles to eat,<br />

and <strong>the</strong>reby appointing <strong>the</strong>m as His priests, commanding <strong>the</strong>m<br />

and <strong>the</strong>ir successors to do this in memory <strong>of</strong> Him. In <strong>the</strong><br />

^SeeTHEiNER, IL, 116-9. Cf. Susta, II., 339, 344.<br />

*Two lists <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se in Ehses, V[II., 916-24.<br />

' See <strong>The</strong>inkk, II., 119-27.

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