Office of the Central Director for Canada

Part First. CONSTITUTIONS

SCOPE OF THE LEAGUE.

By devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and union of prayer with members of the Apostleship, the League proposes, 1st, to keep up a Catholic spirit in families by means of men. 2d, to combat blasphemy and intemperance.

ESSENTIAL PROMISE OF THE
LEAGUE.

To obtain this end, the associates promise : At the morning prayer, to offer their daily actions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, saying for instance : 0 Jesus, through the most pure Heart of Mary, I offer my daily actions for all the intentions of Thy Divine Heart." (First degree of the Apostle­ship of Prayer.)

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Special Engagements of the League.

They will, moreover, take special engagements according to the needs of the parishes. These engagements may he:

1st. To receive Communion at least four times a year. At Easter, in the month of June, in the month of Nov­ember and in the month of January.

2d. 'Po avoid cursing and blasphem-

ing and prevent it in. others, as far as possible.

3d. To abstain, front drinking in bar-

rooms, and keep away from such places.

This first degree of temperance is the only one required by the League from all its members.

If, however, some of the associates desire it, they may, with the consent of their confessor, take privately the second decree of temperance which consists in abstaining from all strong drinks, (whiskey, brandy, etc.) or they may even take the total abstinence pledge.

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OBSERVATIONS.

Our special engagements will help us to have a good life, and will secure for Its and our families all the blessings promised by our Saviour to those who will practice the devotion to his Divine. Heart.

Those engagements, however, especi­ally the third one, may be modified by the parish priests, according to the special needs of their parish.

The members of the League Are earn­estly requested to say at their evening. prayers, A pater — (me — and three glories, in order to make amend to the Sacred Heart for blasphemy. 2d, to assist faithfully at the monthly reunion in the church.

1V, CONDITIONS OF ADMISNION.

To become a member of the League, one must

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1st. Have his name entered on the Register of the Society.

• 
  )o. Receive a ticket of admission into the League.
  

11 was received into the League

the 18

The Director.

V. AN ACT OP CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART.

0 Jesus, we the parishioners of

members of the Holy League of Thy divine Heart, hasten to offer Thee a Solemn act of reparation, and to consecrate ourselves in a special manner to Thy holy service.

Thou lovest us as a father loves his children, Thou cost abide in the Holy Eucharist to be our friend and our companion in life ; yet the greater part of mankind, through indifference or contempt, pass whole years without receiving Thee in Holy Communion.

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Thou art our Benefactor, yet many, even among christians, alas ! far from blessing Thee, dare_. to blaspheme Thy Holy Name ; the Holy Sacrament of Baptism, which made them thy chil­dren ; the altar, which shelters them from the wrath of an offended God. Many others go so far as to join socie­ties, whose aim is to revile Thee and to overthrow Thy Holy Church upon earth. Once separated from Thee, these unfor­tunates too often abandon themselves to every vice, particularly to intempe­rance, which is the ruin of their fami­lies, and for themselves the cause of eternal reprobation!

In order to combat these great evils, 0 Jesus, and at the same time, to con sole Thy divine Heart for such ingrati­tude, we have joined the Holy League which takes Thee for Chief and Father and have solemnly promised, and do again to day promise : •

1st. lu receive 1.011/ eanintaaioPI at Toast J(11I IMPS a year;

20 2nd, To avoid. cursing and blaspheming, and prevent it in others as far as possible ; 3rd, To abstain irony. drinking in bar-room and keep away, from all such places,. Help us, 0 Jesus, to keep these pro­mises faithfully. May they be a source of blessings for our families, which we beg to consecrate in a special manner to Thy divine Heart Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist us during life, and protect us at the hour of death. Amen.

VI.- THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LEAGUE, 1st. The League is directed by a coun­cil composed of the Priest Director, the President, two Vice-Presidents, a Trea­surer, a Secretary and Councilors. 2nd. The President remains in office one year ; he is then replaced by the first Vice-President, who in turn replaced by the second Vice-President.

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3d. The associates elect each year a second Vice-President on the Sunday which precedes the solemnity of the Sacred Heart, the patronal feast of the League. The other officers are selected by the council, which may, if it chooses, continue the same ones in charge.

4th. The President, on leaving office, remains by right councilor for three years.

5th, There is a meeting of the coun­cil every month presided over by the Father Director.

6th. Candidates are accepted by a majority of votes ; after three months' trial they are received into the League by vote of the council.

7th. Motions are passed by a majo­rity of votes_.., and with the approval of the Father Director.

8th. Members not faithful to their promises_' shall be dismissed after being warned three times by the Father Di­rector.

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0th. The League does not exact any money contribution ; but should the members desire it, a benevolent society may be formed within the circle of the associates.

10th; To belong to it, one must boa member of the League and be faithful to the obligations thereof.

VII.-DUTIES OF TILE OFFICERS OF
THE LEAGUE.

§ I.

_Duties of the President and Vice-Presidents.

The President and the two Vice-Presidents of the League are the chief aids of the Director.

Their duty is to watch over the honor of the society, and warn the Director of anything that might prejudice it.

Lot them give the example of assi­duity at the monthly meetings, and on General Communion days.

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They should, as far as they are able, help the members of the League in a spirit of charity and self-sacrifice ; visi­ting them when sick ; assisting them to find employment, and, in case of need, seeking alms for them, encoura­ging them to remain faithful to the promises of the League.

When a member of the League shall neglect his duty, or fail again into bad habits, intemperance for instance, they must speak to him in private and try to bring him back to the practice of his good resolutions.

They should also try to draw in new recruits into the League, especially among young men and new settlers.

The President and Vice-Presidents receive the names of candidates and propose them to the council.

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§ II

Duties of Councilors

The councilors have in a certain

measure the obligations of the three
first officers.

They are likewise the guardians of the honor of the League, and the prop­agators of the devotion to the Sacred Hear

They should carefully watch over their word, and if they see any mem­bers failing publicly in their promises, especially by frequenting bar-rooms, they are hound in conscience to report to the council.

They should also practice the duties of charity recommended to the chief officers.

They will also show themselves zea­lous Promoters of the devotion to the Sacred Heart ; and they will hate a right to the magnificent promises made


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by Our Lord : " That those who prop­a_gate this devotion, shall have their name written in My divine Heart, never to be effaced."

§III

Duties of the Secretary and Treasurer.

The Secretary will enter on a special register the names of the admitted mem­bers. The pages of this register shall be divided in three columns, in the first of which he shall enter the names of the members ; in the second, the date of their reception ; the third shall be reserved for remarks. . .

deaths.

He shall send, in the name of the council, unless the Director consents to take the burden upon himself, any cen­sure or notices of dismissal.

Let him remember that the certificate of membership, and the entry on the

26 register are two essential conditions to - become a member of the League. Every year he shall prepare a report of the state of the League and have it ready to present it to the council in the month. of June ; and. he shall send a copy, or at least the substance of it, to the Central Director, in order that an account of it may be given in the Mes­senger of the League. The Treasurer shall keep in hand a supply of the constitutions, hand-books and badges, and see that new members are furnished with them. No contributions are taken up for the League ; but if, from time to time, collections are made in the assemblies, the Treasurer shall keep this money to be disposed of according to the advice of the council in having masses sung for the members both living and dead.

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VIII.-ADVANTAGES OF THE LEAGUE OF THE SACRED HEART.

Numerous and important are the advantages furnished us by the devotion to the Sacred Heart. If a christian has only at heart his salvation and the Glory of God, he will gladly find in this devotion the most efficacious means of procuring both the one and the other.

GENERAL ADVANTAGES.

According to St. Bernard, in these Societies :

Man falls more rarely,

Rises from sin more promptly, Perseveres more easily,

Saves himself more certainly.

By entering into the League, you will fall more rarely, because, by pray­ing more, a greater abundance of graces shall be bestowed on you to resist temp-tations.

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You will rise from sin more prompt­ly ; the four general communions will provide you with such salutary means that, little by little, thus strengthened by communion and upheld by the prayers and example of your brothers, yen will be enabled to pass whole years with­out committing a mortal sin.

Being thus confirmed in a true chris-tian life, your final perseverance, and salvation will be secured.

II

PARTICULAR ADVANTAGE'S.

Besides the general advantages, the League will furnish you with others still more precious for your souls, such a numerous Indulgences and a share in Our Lord's promises to those who would be devout to his Sacred Heart.

1. Indulgences of the Holy League. The men’s League of the Sacred

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Heart having been officially recognize.1 as a special Branch of the great associa­tion called the Apostleship of Prayer, its members are at liberty to gain all the numerous and rich Indulgences which the Sovereign Pontiffs Pius IX and Leo XIII have granted to that associa­tion ; see above, page 10," Indulgences or the First Degree."

d••••••••••

II.—THE PROMISES OF OUR LORD TO THOSE WH WOULD HONOR HIS SACRED HEART, AND TRY TO MAKE IT HONORED BY OTHERS.

All the members of the Holy League may, with especial reason, hope to see realized in their favour the following

promises_/ taken from the authentic

writings of blessed Margaret Mary, as reviewed by the Sacred Roman Con-gregation of Rites, previous to Beatification

1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life,

2. 
   I will establish peace in their I Douses.
   
3. 
   1 will comfort them in all their afflictions.
   
4. 
   I will be their secure refuge dur-
   

L

ing life, and above all in death.

6. 1 will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings.

6. 
   Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
   
7. 
   Tepid 6ouls shall grow fervent.
   
8. 
   Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
   
9. 
   I will bless everyplace where a picture of My Heart shall be set up and honored.
   
10. 
    1 will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
    
11. 
    Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart never to be blotted out.
    

12. I promise thee, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-power­ful love will grant to all those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months, the grace of final _penitence ; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving the sacraments ; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

Blessed Margaret Mary was cons­tantly repeating these promises to every body, but she particularly insisted on the latter, namely : " the great grace of eternal salvation promised to this devotion."

Oh ! if you could only understand how good it is to love the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and to be loved by it in turn. I believe that none of those particularly devoted and consecrated to it, shall perish." (5th Letter). In another letter, she adds : " Our Lord made known to me that all those who would he devoted to His Sacred Heart, should not be lost eternally." (33th Letter).

	32 We may depend upon these promises Our Lord is faithful to his word awl cannot deceive us. When a member of the League shall have offered during many years his daily actions to the Sacred Heart, done his best to prevent blasphemy, and recited the Pater, Ave and three Gloria to atone for it ; when he shall have labored to extend the reign of God by opposing intemperance, the source of so many sins ; and every three months, at least, shall have received worthily and fervently Holy communion ; can such a man have any fear at the approach of death, lest Our Saviour might abandon him and let him fall into hell ? Assur­edly not. Our Lord, who was his refuge in life, will certainly be his con­solation and strength at the last moment, If such a man has any unexpiated sin on his conscience, Jesus will give him grace to repent, to receive the sacra­ments, and to die a good and saintly death.

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Do you wish, then, to lead a saintly Christian life ?

Do you wish to heap up abundant merits ?

Do you wish to bring down the bless­ings of God on your families ?

Do you, in fine, wish to make your eternal salvation sure ?

Then enroll yourself among the friends of our dear Lord ; come and take your place under his banner ; fight his combat, and, when the last hour shall come, you will repeat with Blessed Margaret Mary " How sweet it is to die after having had a constant devotion to the Heart of Him, who is to be my Judge."

BADGE OF THE HOLY LEAGUE.
XI-BADGE OF THE HOLY LEAGUE.
Soldiers need a chief to lead them to combat, arms for the assault, weapons also wherewith to act on the defensive, a rallying cry whereby they may reco­gnize each other, and hope of success

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to sustain and encourage them in the

Our badge is all this for us.

In the center is the Heart of Him, whom we choose for Father and Chief in the combat of life, Our Saviour Jesus Christ.

The crown and the shield, the badges of the old crusaders, shall likewise be ours. The Cross of Jesus with which to attack our enemies ; the shield of faith to repel the assaults of impiety and indifferentism.

Our rallying cry will be the desire expressed by the Sacred Heart of Jesus : " Thy Kingdom come." May God reign in our hearts by a true christian life, and may the observance of His holy law, and also the propagation of the faith be the mark that He reigns in our families, our parishes, our whole country.

Our hope is the crown of justice pro-

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raised by our Lord to all those who shall have fought the good fight ; the eternal palm of victory shall be the recompense of those, who, with Jesus Christ, shall triumph over the world and the devil.

Behold the meaning of our badge. Be proud of it ; wear it with honor during life, and, when death comes, transmit it as a precious relic to your children.

XII.-- HOW TO ESTABLISH THE LEAGUE IN PARISHES,

§ I.

The League of the Sacred Heart is a special branch of the Apostleship of Prayer. Wherefore to belong to it, one must fulfill all the conditions requi­site for affiliation to this great society.

These conditions are :

1st. To obtain, from the Central Di-

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					rector of the Holy League, a Diploma of affiliation of the parish to the Apost­leship of Prayer. 2nd. To inscribe the names on a spe-cial register kept in the parish. 3d. To hand over to each member of the society a ticket of membership. (This hand book of the League, will suffice. 4th. To gain the indulgences, the members should at morning prayers, offer their actions to the Sacred Heart. (See Formula on Certificate of member­ship). 5th. The League being once esta­blished, the name of the parish and the number of members, also the names of the Officers, should be sent to the Cen­tral Director.

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I

THE ELECTION OF THE OFFICERS.

Immediately after a meeting of the members, or after a triduum, when the obligations and advantages of the Lea­gue have been put forth, the names of those who wish to become members are taken, after which comes the election of the three first Officers.

For the first election, the parish Priest himself may choose three candidates and propose their names to the meeting. These names are then written on three boxes, and each member, after receiving the ballot, drops it into the box of his chosen candidate.

The candidate who receives the maj­ority of votes is elected President, the one who has the greater number of votes after him, is first Vice-President; the other, 2nd Vice-President.

These three Officers and the Director choose a Secretary and a Treasurer,

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after which, the five Officers elect the Councilors according to the number of members of the League.

Every year, the council chooses a second Vice-President after the same manner. That is, three candidates are proposed, whether belonging to the council or not, (the latter being often more advantageous, and then the vot­ing is carried on as mentioned above.

XIII.-HOW THE LEAGUE IS TO BE
KEPT UP IN PARISHES.

A FEW POINTS WHICH WE RESPECTFULLY

SUBMIT TO THE DIRECTORS

OF THE LEAGUE

The League depends for its maintain-ance, first of all, on the special bles­sing of the Sacred Heart, which certain­ly will not fail it. But besides this, the Priest charged with the work, should give it a zealous and constant

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encouragement to keep it in vigor and prosperity.

The prosperity of the League rests on the interest which the Director takes in it, the 'regularity or the meetings, and above all the general communions.

I.

MONTHLY MEETING.

First of all, this monthly meeting is a great act of love and reparation to Our Lord ; then it brings to mind the promises made by the members ; and finally, it gives to the Director the practical means of exercising his in­fluence over the conduct of the members.

The order of these reunions is as ibl lows :

1st. Hymn of the League ;

2nd. Special recommendation of the sick, the dead, etc.;

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				3d. A short and simple instruction ; . . 4th. Benediction and act of conse­cration. All this should occupy no more than a half or three quarters of an hour. The subject of the instruction may be on the ^-promises of the League, or a point indicated by the letters, encycli­cals, discourses of the Pope, his advice to christians, and especially to the working classes, or a monthly devotion or one of the promises made by Our Lord ; or, in fine, the Instructor may treat of some of the many obligations of man towards his family and Society. After the reunion, the meeting of the council should be held for the purpose of proposing candidates, receiving in­formations regarding the conduct of members, and the censures to be given, that the honor of the society may be preserved. The council, especially in the beginning, should show itself severe towards those members who fail public­ly in their promises.

As to the hour of reunion, the Dir­ectors themselves may choose the time which seems to them most convenient. In cities, the hour which precedes or immediately follows the evening meal, has proved a good time. In country places, the reunion takes place about vesper time, or directly after mass.

II

GENERAL COMMUNION.

A special Sunday should be set aside for this communion, and on the preced­ing day only men's confessions should be heard. If one Sunday does not suffice, the octave may serve the same purpose, and the reunion should beheld on that day.

On communion days, the member,, shall wear their badges, and the banner will be hung in the sanctuary.

In the evening a solemn meeting will be held, all the members wearing their badges,

		43 III
		THE RECEPTION OF CANDIDATES.
		During the reception, the banner is held by the President within the sanc­tuary. He should likewise be accom­panied by the other Officers. The can­didates are called to the communion rail. The Director asks them : " Do you promise to be faithful to the engagements of the League • 1st. To communicate at least four times a year? 2nd. To avoid cursing and blasphem­ing, and to prevent it in others, as far as possible ? 3d. To abstain from drinking in bar­rooms, and keep away from all such places? " The candidates raise their hand saying: " Yes, we promise it."

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		Then the Director blesses the badges awl distributes them saying : " Accipe, frater, imaginem cordis Jesu. Sit protectio tua in vita et salus in morte." That is : " Receive, my brother, the Badge of the Sacred Heart, let it be thy protection in life, and thy salvation in death." Then follows the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the solemn con­secration of the League.
		XIV.--BENEDICTIONS.
		§1 BENEDICTIO INSIGNIUM. (Badges) V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. R. Qui fecit cœlum et terram.

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				V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui sanctorum tuorum imagines, sive effi­gies sculpi aut pingi non reprobas, ut quoties illas oculis corporis intuemur, toties eorum actus et sanctitatem imitandum memoria. oculis meditemur, has, quaesumus, imagines, in honorem et memoriam unigeniti Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu. Christi adaptatas, bene  dicere digneris et presta, ut quicumque coram illis Unigenitum Filitun twin suppliciter colere et honorare studnerit, illius meritis et obten tu, a to gratiam in presenti et aeternam gloriam obtineat in futurum. Per eumdem Christurn Domintun nostrum. Amen.
				(Aspergat aqua benedicta.)

§ II BENEDICTIO VEXILL I. (Banner or flag.) V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. R. Qui fecit caelum et terram. V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et, cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Domine Jesu Christe, cujus Ecelesia est veluti castrorum acies ordinata; be-nedic hoc vexillum, ut omnes sub eo tibi Doinine Deo exercituum militantes, inimicos silos invisibiles in hoc saeculo superare et post victoriam in caelis trium-phare mereantur. Per te, Jesu Christe, qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre et Spiritu sancta in soecula in soeculorum. Amen. (Vexillum aspergat aqua benedicta.)