ROMAN CATHOLIC COUNTRIES.

STATES OF ITALY, &c.

BEFORE entering into the local particularities of the various states which are found in Italy, we shall give a short account of that Marriage Ritual and Ceremony which the Papal authority has laid down to be uniformly observed in Catholic countries, and which in substance and manner is generally the same. Marriage is made a sacrament in the Catholic church, but this is rejected by Protestants. In other respects, with reference to the sanctity of the married state, and their general view of its duties, the two religions are not much at variance.

Mr. Picart has entered elaborately into the Roman Catholic ceremonies relative to marriage, which is defined by the Catholic church to be a sacrament instituted by our Saviour to establish a holy alliance between man and woman; in order that they may bring up the children who may spring from it in holy fear and love; that they may mutually help and comfort each other, and contribute to the edification of the church by the lawful procreation of children, and by the care of procuring them a spiritual regeneration, and an education suitable to it. Persons before marriage are betrothed to each

other; after this the marriage articles are signed; and here any further ceremony might be useless, did honor and fidelity influence those who enter into this state. Such, however, is the depravity of human nature since the fall of our first parents, that it was thought proper to consecrate marriage by a religious, symbolical, and mysterious form of words. The Catholic Rituals advise the parties on the wedding-day to reflect on the state into which they are about to enter, to avoid dress, vanity, and sensuality, and not indulge in riot nor excess. "However," says Mr. Picart, "whatever our spiritual directors may preach, from the time of giving the nuptial blessing to the time of conducting the couple to the nuptial bed, luxury must triumph; and to say the truth, custom has taken such deep root, that to pretend to be serious on such occasions would appear ridiculous."

The Rituals ordain that Catholic marriages shall be celebrated on work-days, that the banns shall be published thrice at the parochial mass, and in the churches were the different parties reside. They make 14 impediments to marriage, some of which cannot affect Protestants; namely, "vows of chastity," persons unbaptized, and crimes such as homicide, apostacy, &c. ; though it may be fairly observed, that the Catholic church gives a great latitude in removing all impediments. Formerly it was a custom to make trial of a person's procreative

ROMAN CATHOLIC COUNTRIES.

STATES OF ITALY, &c.

BEFORE entering into the local particularities of the various states which are found in Italy, we shall give a short account of that Marriage Ritual and Ceremony which the Papal authority has laid down to be uniformly observed in Catholic countries, and which in substance and manner is generally the same. Marriage is made a sacrament in the Catholic church, but this is rejected by Protestants. In other respects, with reference to the sanctity of the married state, and their general view of its duties, the two religions are not much at variance.

Mr. Picart has entered elaborately into the Roman Catholic ceremonies relative to marriage, which is defined by the Catholic church to be a sacrament instituted by our Saviour to establish a holy alliance between man and woman; in order that they may bring up the children who may spring from it in holy fear and love; that they may mutually help and comfort each other, and contribute to the edification of the church by the lawful procreation of children, and by the care of procuring them a spiritual regeneration, and an education suitable to it.

Persons before marriage are betrothed to each

other; after this the marriage articles are signed; and here any further ceremony might be useless, did honor and fidelity influence those who enter into this state. Such, however, is the depravity of human nature since the fall of our first parents, that it was thought proper to consecrate marriage by a religious, symbolical, and mysterious form of words. The Catholic Rituals advise the parties on the wedding-day to reflect on the state into which they are about to enter, to avoid dress, vanity, and sensuality, and not indulge in riot nor excess. "However," says Mr. Picart, "whatever our spiritual directors may preach, from the time of giving the nuptial blessing to the time of conducting the couple to the nuptial bed, luxury must triumph; and to say the truth, custom has taken such deep root, that to pretend to be serious on such occasions would appear ridiculous."

The Rituals ordain that Catholic marriages shall be celebrated on work-days, that the banns shall be published thrice at the parochial mass, and in the churches were the different parties reside. They make 14 impediments to marriage, some of which cannot affect Protestants; namely, "vows of chastity," persons unbaptized, and crimes such as homicide, apostacy, &c. ; though it may be fairly observed, that the Catholic church gives a great latitude in removing all impediments. Formerly it was a custom to make trial of a person's procreative

ability before a spiritual or secular judge, or a matron, but this was abolished in France in 1677, after having continued nearly 120 years. Conjugal intercourse is to be withheld on fasting or solemn days, and during pregnancy; and churching is enjoined after delivery.

When the priest, clothed in his pontifical vestments, goes to the altar, he is preceded by one or two clerks in their surplices. These clerks carry the holy water-pot, the sprinkler, the Ritual, and a little bason to put the ring in, when it is to be blessed. After he has said the usual prayer for the couple, he advances towards them on the last step of the altar; the man standing on the Epistle and the woman on the Gospel-side, so that the man stands at the woman's right-hand. The relations and witnesses stand behind them. Then the priest asks the couple their names and sirnames; which is only a formality, their names being already known to him, by the publication of the banns, and by a certificate confirming the same, which the couple are obliged to produce at that time. He afterwards addresses himself to the man and woman separately, in their mother tongue, calling them both by their proper names, and asks the man whether he will have such a one for his wife, and the woman whether she will have such a one for her husband. This reciprocal consent is absolutely requisite in this case, and without it the marriage would be null.