Arch-Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, The Royal

Letters pertaining to the indulgences granted by bishops to those who practice good works for the Royal Arch-Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament.

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1795 Apr. 10

Merlo, Jose
Madrid, (Spain)

to Bishop Luis Penalver y Cardenas
(New Orleans), Louisiana

The Royal Arch-Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament decided at its meeting of March 31, that it should send the Bishop the enclosed copy of the sermon (copy not enclosed) composed by Father Manuel de Espinosa, one of the Ecclesiastical Councilors. Father Espinosa endeavors to explain the object and means made use of by this society that it may be better understood by present foundations as well as by those founded in the near future. This copy is sent the Bishop so that he may distribute it among the parishes of his diocese and in this manner contribute to the greater worship of the Blessed Sacrament. When the Congregation decided to print a summary of the indulgences granted by many Bishops to those who do good works for the Royal Congregation, it decided to inform the Bishop of this in order that whatever indulgences he may grant for similar good works may be included in the summary. When all the indulgences have been collected the summary will be presented to His Majesty--principal member of the society--because of the great satisfaction he derives from the knowledge of any aid given this institution.

L.S. 2 pp. 4to. (Spanish)

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1795 Aug. 26

(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis Bishop
(New Orleans), Louisiana

Jose Merlo
(Madrid, Spain)

The Bishop acknowledges receipt of the above letter of April 10 and also the speech composed by Father Manuel Espinosa explaining the methods and purpose of the Royal Arch-Confraternity, that it may stimulate the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and be(?)eseeching the Bishop to grant whatever graces he considers best for the expansion of this pious work. He thanks Father Espinosa for the zeal and fervor he has shown in the effort to establish branches of this society thus contributing to the increase of faith. In his diocese this is more necessary than in many others because of the number of Protestants who deny the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and he will attend to this matter as soon as he has attended to the many matters demanding his attention on his arrival in New Orleans, on the 17th of last month, and shall try to introduce the society into those parishes where the faithful may support it in reparation for the many offenses that Our Lord receives from bad Catholics and from heretics and from many who have no religion at all.

IV-5-b Copy of L. 1p. 4to. (Spanish)
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