The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

258 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.Not content with studying their books, I calledupon the Oriental Patriarchs and Bishops in communion with the See of Rome, who belong to theArmenian, the Chaldean, the Coptic, the Maioiiite,and Syriac rites. Theyall assured me that theschismatic Christians of the East among whomthey live, have, without exception, prayers andsacrifices for the dead.Now, I ask, when could those Eastern sects havecommenced to adopt the Catholic practice of praying for the dead ?They could not have received itfrom us since the ninth century, because the Greekchurch separated from us then, and has had nocommunion with us since that time, except at intervals, up to the twelfth century. Nor could they haveadopted the practicesince the fourth or fifth century,inasmuch as the Arians, Nestorians, and Eutychianshave had no religious communication with us sincethat period. Therefore, in common with us, theyreceived this doctrine from the Apostles. If menliving in different countries drink wine having thesame flavor and taste and color, the inference is, thatthe wine was made from the same species of grape.So must we conclude that this refreshing doctrine ofintercession for the dead has its root in the Apostolictree of knowledge planted by our Saviour.5. I have already spoken of the devotion of cheancient Jewish church to the souls of the departed.But perhaps you are riot aware that the Jews retainto this day, in their Liturgy, the pious practice ofpraying for the dead. Yet such in is reality the case.