letter wherein the Indulgence was granted—that
is, living in common and in the observance of the rule—may
gain the same in the church of his own monastery.
And these conditions are that he enter the church
with the same intention that he would have in Rome
were he present there on the proper days for visiting
the stations; that he prostrate himself before the
altar which he would have chosen there, and pour forth
his prayers or certain repetitions of the Pater Noster
as devoutly as he may: that he celebrate Mass:
or visit the several altars saying the Pater Noster
or other prayers after the same manner as that which
is customary in the aforesaid city. In short,
if any man doth as is aforesaid, there is sure hope
that he will gain the Indulgences just as if he were
actually present in Rome, as is set forth also in
the said letter. Therefore, beloved Fathers,
ye may, if it please you, tell these things to the
Brothers of your House, or to any others ye will that
desire to be informed as to the matters set forth
above, and in this do as may seem expedient to you.
As for our Lord Eugenius the Pope, aforementioned,
who hath granted and given us Indulgences so freely,
and my Lord of Bologna who procured the grant, and
others who have laboured in what manner soever to this
same end, ye will (as they do trust) make mention
of them in your prayers, especially on the days proper
for the stations, committing them to God for the sake
of Jesus the humble. And may He see fit to keep
you, and all that are committed to your charge, safe
in His holy service.
Written on the day following the Feast of St. Philip
and St. James, in the year of the Lord 1443.
CHAPTER XXIV.
The letter of the Cardinal of Bologna.
Antony, by the mercy of God, Bishop of Ostia, Cardinal
of the Holy Roman Church, and commonly known as the
Cardinal of Bologna, to all and each of the Canons
Regular, our beloved in Christ, and to all other persons
that are Converts or Lay Brothers in the House of
the Blessed Virgin in the Wood, and in the Houses
elsewhere that belong to the said Order of St. Augustine
in whatever diocese they may be, and who live in the
observance of the rule, and to others who shall see
these presents, greeting:
It is a just thing, and one consonant with reason,
to bear witness to the truth; wherefore by the tenor
of these presents we do notify your whole society,
and bear witness that our most holy Father and Lord
Eugenius IV, by divine providence Pope, by his Apostolic
authority hath granted to each and all of you Indulgence
and Concession following at my prayer and instance,
the same being delivered by word of mouth and needing
no further confirmation by letters Apostolic.
Ye are not bound in any way whatever to avoid any
man, even though he be for the time being held under
sentence of excommunication, either at the time of
the celebration of the divine Mysteries or at other