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by Brother Hermenegild Tosf (Editor), Catholic Church (Author)
THE Arch-Confraternity for the relief of the souls in Purgatory, being favored in a most extraordinary manner both by the Holy See and the Heads of several Heligious Orders, a quarter of a century had not elapsed after its establishment, when four hundred confraternities were already incorporated with the mother association at Rome, the number of its members exceeding one million. Thus it became an absolute necessity for the Very Rev. Father Brixious Queloz C. S. S. R. Chief Director of the Arch-Confraternity, to compile, for the use of its members the manual of devotion. This manual has been translated into several languages, and as the Arch-Confraternity has already been established in- six dioceses of this country, and continues to spread rapidly, the many and pressing demands of its members have made the translation of this manual an absolute necessity. The translation is substantially the same as the original, with the exception of some additional prayers, devotions, and instructions, mostly taken from the writings of St. Alphonsus, and more especially adapted to this country. In the selection of prayers, the translator was guided both by the advice of St. Alphonsus, viz: that our prayers should be petitions rather than affections, especially for the grace of divine love and final perseverance, and by the later and more stringent rules of the Church concerning prayer books, and as this manual has already become the favorite manual of thousands of pious Catholics throughout Europe, the translator confidently presents it, not only to the members of the Purgatorian Arch-Confraternity, but also to the public in general. As a prayer-book it combines force and solidity, and is well calculated by the pious instructions on Purgatory which it contains, and the extraordinary spiritual advantages and privileges which it holds out to induce the clergy as well as the laity to promote to the best of their power the spreading of this pious Association. Finally, this manual will not fail, as general experience has proved, to stir up in the hearts of the faithful both great charity toward the suffering souls in Purgatory and true love of Jesus Christ, inspiring them, by the reflections on the Purgatorial torments with a holy fear of the severe chastisements of Almighty God, with a true hatred of sin, both mortal and venial sin, and an effectual desire to perform works of sincere penance and charity whilst they have time and grace to do so.
