Sacrament of the Eucharist, there is truly, really, and substantially, the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that there is a conversion of the whole substance of the bread into the body, and of the whole substance of the wine into the blood; which conversion the Catholic Church calls transubstantiation. I also confess, that under either kind alone Christ is received whole and entire, and a true sacrament. I constantly hold that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein detained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful. Likewise that the saints reigning together with Christ are to be honoured and invocated, and that they offer prayers to God for us, and that their relics are to be had in veneration. I most firmly assert, that the images of Christ, of the Mother of God, ever Virgin, and also of other saints, ought to be had and retained, and that due honour and veneration is to be given them. I also affirm that the power of Indulgences was left by Christ in the Church, and that the use of them is most wholesome to Christian people. I acknowledge the Holy Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church for the Mother and Mistress of all churches and I promise true obedience to the Bishop of Rome, successor to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ. I likewise undoubtedly receive and profess all other things delivered, defined, and declared by the sacred canons, and General Councils, and particularly by the holy Council of Trent. And I condemn, reject, and anathematize all things contrary thereto, and all heresies which the Church has condemned, rejected, and anathematized. I, N. N. do at this present freely profess, and sincerely hold this true Catholic faith, without which no man can be saved: and I promise, [row, and swear, original] most constantly to retain and profess the same entire and inviolated [and as far as lies in me, to cause it to be retained and taught, and preached by my subjects, and those of whom I have the charge, original] with God's assistance, to the end of my life. [So help me God, and the holy Gospels, original.] say, Then having repeated, "I confess," &c. let the Priest May Almighty God have mercy on thee, and forgiving all thy sins, bring thee to eternal life. R. Amen. May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant thee indulgence, absolution, and remission of all thy sins. R. Amen. May our Lord Jesus Christ absolve thee, and I by his authority absolve thee from the chain of excommunication into which thou hast fallen, and restore thee to communion and the unity of the faithful, and to the holy sacraments of the Church, in с the name of the Father +, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. R. Amen. Then is said the hymn, "We praise thee, O Lord," &c. Which being finished, the Priest, standing, says, F. Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven. R. And praised and glorious for ever. V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given to thy servants by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Majesty to worship the unity, we beseech thee that in the stedfastness of this faith, we may evermore be defended from all adversities. Through Christ our Lord. V. The Lord be with you. R. Thanks be to God. The blessing of God Almighty, the Father+, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, descend upon you, and remain for ever. R. Amen. Then let the Priest, being seated, address the convert according to the form in the Appendix; or in similar words. Note. The whole of the office is in Latin, with the exception of the creed, which is in English. The words given in italics are so marked in the original. |