Miracles of course were said to be wrought through his relics. In 1865, Pius IX. published the decree for his beatification, and on Jan. 15th, 1888, Leo XIII., amidst the splendid festivities of his sacerdotal jubilee, solemnly canonized him as a saint.—EDITOR.
[7] The late Rev. Dr. Pusey recommended Ritualistic Father Confessors to give the following advice to those Sisters of Mercy who might happen to be their penitents: “I would have great respect paid in confession to your confessor, for (to say nothing of the honour due to the priesthood) we ought to look upon them _as angels_ sent by God to reconcile us to His Divine goodness; and also as His lieutenants upon earth, and therefore we owe them all reverence, even though they may _at times_ betray that they are _human_, and have human infirmities, and perhaps _ask curious questions_ which are not part of the confession, such as your name, what penances or virtues you practise, what are your temptations, etc. _I would have you answer_, although you are not obliged to do so.” (“Manual for Confessors,” p. 190. London, 1878.) Heaven help the poor sisters who have to answer the “curious questions” of an inquisitive or wicked Father Confessor.—EDITOR.
[8] The following is an extract from a lecture delivered by Mr. W. Walsh, at Bath, reported in the _English Churchman_, Nov. 26, 1886:
“He (Mr. Walsh) had now to direct attention to the Vow of ‘_Obedience_,’ taken by many Ritualistic Sisters of Mercy. The rule as to ‘obedience’ varied considerably. In _Dr. Pusey’s sisterhood_, it was _very objectionable indeed_. The rule of holy obedience commands the sisters: ‘Ye shall ever address the spiritual Mother with honour and respect; avoid speaking of her among yourselves; cherish and obey her with holy love, _without any murmur or sign of hesitation or repugnance_, but simply, cordially, and promptly obey with cheerfulness, AND BANISH FROM YOUR MIND ANY QUESTION AS TO THE WISDOM OF THE COMMAND GIVEN YOU. If ye fail in this, ye have failed to resist a temptation of the evil one.’
“Would not such a rule as this, Mr. Walsh continued to say, if placed in the hands of a wicked Mother Superior, lead to the most fearful results? In Father Benson’s ‘Religious Life Portrayed for the Use of Sisters of Mercy,’ the teaching was, if possible, placed in a still more fearful light. In that book the sister is taught that—