Archconfraternity
Encyclopedia
An archconfraternity is a Roman Catholic confraternity
, empowered to aggregate or affiliate other confraternities of the same nature, and to impart to them its indulgences and privileges.
of the diocese
to erect confraternities.
In the case, however, of many confraternities and archconfraternities, the power of erection is vested in the heads of certain religious orders. Sometimes the privileges of these heads of orders are imparted to bishops. The vicar-general may not erect confraternities unless he has been expressly delegated for the purpose by his bishop.
Aggregation, or affiliation, as it is also called, may be made by those only who have received from the Holy See
express powers for that purpose. They must make use of a prescribed formula. In the same church only one confraternity of the same name and purpose may be aggregated. The consent of the bishop must be given in writing.
In the case of religious orders aggregating their own confraternities in their own churches, the consent of the bishop given for the erection of the house or church of the order is sufficient. The bishop must approve, but may modify the practices and regulations of the confraternity to be aggregated, except those to which the indulgences have been expressly attached. Only those indulgences are imparted by aggregation which have been conceded with that provision.
Only the general process of conducting the aggregation is given. If it pertains to the bishop to erect the confraternity, then the pastor of a church or the superior of a religious house petitions him for canonical erection,. If the erection pertains to the head of a religious order, then the bishop's consent to the aggregation is required.
, the Holy Face, the Holy Rosary
, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sodality of the Blessed Heart of Mary for the Conversion of Sinners, the Cord of St. Francis
, Christian Doctrine
, Bona Mors
, Archconfraternity of St. Michael the Archangel
and Christian Mothers.
Confraternity
A confraternity is normally a Roman Catholic or Orthodox organization of lay people created for the purpose of promoting special works of Christian charity or piety, and approved by the Church hierarchy...
, empowered to aggregate or affiliate other confraternities of the same nature, and to impart to them its indulgences and privileges.
Status and operation
Canonical erection is the approval of the proper ecclesiastical authority which gives the organization a legal existence. Archconfraternities do not erect confraternities; they merely aggregate them. It ordinarily belongs to the bishopBishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
to erect confraternities.
In the case, however, of many confraternities and archconfraternities, the power of erection is vested in the heads of certain religious orders. Sometimes the privileges of these heads of orders are imparted to bishops. The vicar-general may not erect confraternities unless he has been expressly delegated for the purpose by his bishop.
Aggregation, or affiliation, as it is also called, may be made by those only who have received from the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
express powers for that purpose. They must make use of a prescribed formula. In the same church only one confraternity of the same name and purpose may be aggregated. The consent of the bishop must be given in writing.
In the case of religious orders aggregating their own confraternities in their own churches, the consent of the bishop given for the erection of the house or church of the order is sufficient. The bishop must approve, but may modify the practices and regulations of the confraternity to be aggregated, except those to which the indulgences have been expressly attached. Only those indulgences are imparted by aggregation which have been conceded with that provision.
Only the general process of conducting the aggregation is given. If it pertains to the bishop to erect the confraternity, then the pastor of a church or the superior of a religious house petitions him for canonical erection,. If the erection pertains to the head of a religious order, then the bishop's consent to the aggregation is required.
Examples
Some of the more widely known the archconfraternities are those of the Holy Name, the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Precious BloodArchconfraternity of the Most Precious Blood
Archconfraternity of the Most Precious Blood refers to a Roman Catholic archconfraternity, associated with confraternities which make it their special object to venerate the Blood of Christ....
, the Holy Face, the Holy Rosary
Confraternity of the Rosary
The Confraternity of the Holy Rosary is a Roman Catholic Archconfraternity or spiritual association, under the care and guidance of the Dominicans, the members of which strive to pray the entire Holy Rosary weekly.-History:...
, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sodality of the Blessed Heart of Mary for the Conversion of Sinners, the Cord of St. Francis
Confraternities of the Cord
Confraternities of the Cord are pious associations of the faithful, the members of which wear a cord or cincture in honour of a saint, to keep in mind some special grace or favour which they hope to obtain through his intercession.-Antecedents:...
, Christian Doctrine
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine was an association established at Rome in 1562 for the purpose of giving religious education. Its modern usage, often abbreviated CCD or C.C.D., is a religious education program of the Catholic Church, normally designed for children.-History:Until the...
, Bona Mors
Bona Mors Confraternity
The Roman Catholic Bona Mors Confraternity was founded 2 October, 1648, in the Church of the Gesu, Rome, by Father Vincent Carrafa, seventh General of the Society of Jesus, and approved by the Popes Innocent X and Alexander VII.In 1729 it was raised to an archconfraternity and enriched with...
, Archconfraternity of St. Michael the Archangel
Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel
The Scapular of St. Michael is a Roman Catholic devotional scapular associated with St. Michael, the Archangel.Pope Pius IX gave this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved under Pope Leo XIII, who sanctioned the Archconfraternity of the Scapular of St. Michael. Indulgences were...
and Christian Mothers.
Further reading
- Béringer, Franz. Les indulgences, leur nature et leur usage: d'après les dernières décisions de la S. Congrégation des Indulgences. Paris: P. Lethielleux, 1905. Volume 2 gives the legislation on this subject, with a list of the archconfraternities, their nature and requirements, and formulae for canonical erection and for aggregation.
- Mocchegiani, Collectio indulgentiarum theologice, canonice ac historice digesta. Ad Claras Aquas (Quaracchi): Typographia Collegii S. Bonaventurae, 1897.
- Tachy, A. Traité des confréries et des oeuvres pies. Langres: Rallet-Bideaud, 1898.