Pious Organizations in the Parish

Every Catholic having at heart both his own salvation and sanctification, as well as the interests of his holy religion, should attach himself doubly to his Church by belonging to some special institution connected with it.

Every parish possesses one or more of these institutions, known as societies, sodalities, confraternities, or the like.

If a society is a beneficial organization only, having a Catholic name and enjoying the patronage of the Church, but requiring of its members no further practice of religion than is enjoined upon all Catholics, the members of such societies ought also to belong to some other organization in the parish, which is more intimately connected with the Church by its practice of special piety.

It is not good to join too many organizations, lest one only neglect his duties in them. Whatever organization a Catholic may belong to, and the more so, if he be an officer in it, he ought to cherish the same and take the liveliest interest in its affairs. He ought to observe its rules scrupulously and attend its meetings punctually. Whoever cannot do this, especially if he is charged with the important affairs of the association, ought rather to resign and not injure the good work by his neglect.

Anyone requested to resign his office for such reasons, ought not to take offense, but ought rather tender his resignation with good grace and take a subordinate position.

For the success of any pious organization not offering pecuniary or temporal benefit of any kind to its members, is required, above all other requisites, the practice of constant charity, self-sacrifice, mutual forbearance and humility. Without the practice of these virtues on the part of members, the best and largest church-organizations soon go to pieces. One must sacrifice himself for the general good, bearing misunderstandings, humiliations, even affronts from members, officials, if not from the directors themselves.

The primary object to be sought always and ever in Catholic organizations, must not be one’s own pleasure, popularity or temporal advantage, but the honor of God, p. 88the sanctification of the soul and the good of our neighbor.

To leave off a good work solely because one has been offended or inconvenienced, when all the above-mentioned objects can be obtained by one’s perseverance in it, is bad grace, weak faith and want of charity.

The following are some of the more popular and practical parish-organizations that exist in this country.

League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This is one of the grandest, and at the same time easiest and most practical organizations of piety at present in vogue in the Church. It is at the same time a kind of confraternity of the Living Rosary and a grand Apostleship of Prayer.

The Third Order of St. Francis. This is a branch of the great religious order of St. Francis, established by the holy Founder of the Franciscans himself in favor of lay people who wish to share the advantages of the Franciscan Order, without abandoning their respective state of life in the world. Members are enrolled in it by the Franciscan Fathers or others duly delegated by them. Besides greatly encouraging a life of higher perfection, the good works performed through it are rewarded with many indulgences and other spiritual advantages.

The Archconfraternity of the Holy Family. This organization exists in many parishes, there being meetings at stated times for all the members of the parish according to their sex and state, at which meetings instructions are given suitable to the different states of life, and various devotions are performed and good works encouraged.

The Association of Christian Families, lately instituted by Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII, to honor the Holy Family of Nazareth, exists in most parishes.

The Holy Name Society. This society is very popular among Catholic men and youths particularly. It is designed to encourage great reverence for the Holy name of God and of our Blessed Redeemer; as well as to make reparation for the abuse given the name of God by the profanation of it so common at the present time.

The Society of Christian Mothers, as its name would indicate, is intended for the instruction and encouragement of the married women of the parish in all things conducing to the true welfare of the Christian family.

The Sodality of the Living Rosary. By the practices of this sodality, the frequent recitation of the rosary, and a powerful form of prayer is secured. The members recite a decade of the beads each day, the mystery of which is assigned to them each month, together with the exercise of some particular virtue, and the honoring of a monthly Patron Saint.

The Sodality of the Children of Mary for young women is an admirable institution in a parish for keeping young women together, for preserving them from the p. 89dangers common to their state of life, and for encouraging them in the regular and fervent practice of their holy religion. The members usually interest themselves in various good works connected with the parish.

The Altar-Society is an institution in many parishes in which the women principally interest themselves in the care and adornment of the altar and sanctuary. By the regular payment of a trifling sum on the part of the members, much may be accomplished towards the decoration and well-keeping of the altars and sanctuary, even in the poorest parishes. The members should be willing also to give their personal services when required.

The Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, consisting of able and influential men of the parish in co-operation with the Pastor for the relief of poverty and suffering among the members of the parish, is calculated to relieve all deserving poverty that may exist in the average parish, as well as to aid the Pastor in his efforts in behalf of the temporal and moral welfare of his people. It is at the same time a splendid testimonial of the genuine Catholicity and charity of the men of the parish.

Temperance and Abstinence Societies are a necessity in the average parish, especially in large cities. They should be maintained not only for those who through weakness must abstain from intoxicating drinks, but should be patronized equally by those who are fond of a drink without the danger of abusing it. We should practice abstinence for the sake of self-denial to encourage the weak by our example. The example of Catholics in general in this respect, is calculated to do more good than prohibition and some other temperance movements.

Other Catholic organizations too numerous to mention in this small work, existing in various localities, according to the needs of Catholic people, ought to be patronized in preference to secular organizations of a purely beneficial or social character.