Statuta

The Statutes of Saint Sonnatus, Bishop of Rheims. (From Flodoard’s History of the Rhemish Church.) Chapter One. Without faith, as the Apostle testifies (Hebrews 11), it is impossible to please God; therefore we command all to hold and follow the doctrine of the faith exactly, according to the word of God and the tradition of the holy Roman Church. And whatever pastors there are, let them learn and know what pertains to instructing the people and the flock, and let them rouse their own to the duties of the virtues. II. Let them piously administer the sacraments to the faithful, and always bring forth what pertains to explaining the utility of the sacrament and its institution. III. Let them not accept payment, but trust in God, who gives food to the young of ravens when they call upon him (Psalm 146). IV. He who is about to baptize shall be sober, and shall complete this honestly, pronounce the words attentively, and duly inform himself concerning the parents. The sacrament of Confirmation possesses the gift of the strengthening Holy Spirit, and brings forth more abundant grace; therefore let it not be neglected.

VI. The remission of sins and the expiation by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ rests chiefly upon, and depends from, him. VII. Let the pastor care for his sheep, and not neglect her: let him enjoin her to attend the sacrifice of the mass on solemn days and Sundays; let him know her face; and if she is absent twice in the year, let her be forbidden entry to the same church, and let her be deprived of pastoral burial and consolation. VIII. Let no one hear the confessions of penitents during the time of Lent except the pastor. For it is his concern to recognize the sheep for which he pledges his own soul to the Lord. IX. Let the priest who is about to celebrate the most holy Eucharist prepare and examine himself; and let him do this at least twice a month. Let it be borne to the sick in a worthy vessel, with a light preceding and going before. And let those who wish to travel receive it as viaticum. XI. And why is it refused to those condemned to death, when it is most conducive to them for hope and assurance of a certain departure, and of the present struggle?

XII. Those who wish to be promoted to orders shall have a benefice sufficient for their sustenance, and this shall be determined by the examination of upright and sworn men. XIII. The tonsure shall be given to no one unless he is suitable and likely to ascend to sacred orders thereafter. For what need is there to cast the bread of sons to dogs, and spiritual things to lovers of the world? XIV. In marriage there exists an image of the sacrosanct union between Christ and the Church; therefore the bond is divinely strengthened, which greatly contributes to the happiness of the household, to peace between the parties, and to the undertaking of offspring (Ephesians 5). XV. Let us administer extreme unction to the one who is suffering and requesting it, and let the pastor visit him often in his own home and piously attend to him, encouraging him toward future glory and duly preparing him. XVI. Concerning clerics: let them shine like stars and perpetual lights in the firmament of the Church. Let them not be drunkards, triflers, or mingled with seculars.

XVII. They shall not speak with women, nor keep them at home; they shall live in common, and inhabit houses open to the poor. XVIII. We command that suffrages for all the dead be observed, and that the solemnities of masses be not otherwise diverted contrary to the intention of the founders. XIX. Bishops shall be faithful and assiduous dispensers of the word of God. For their charity is discerned in this, if they feed the flock by example and word. XX. Feasts to be observed without any secular work and celebrated with due veneration are these: the Nativity of the Lord, the Circumcision, the Epiphany, the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary; the Resurrection of the Lord with the following day, the Ascension of the Lord, the day of Pentecost, the Nativity of the Blessed John the Baptist, of the apostles Peter and Paul, the Assumption of the Blessed Mary, her Nativity, of the apostle Andrew, and all Sundays. XXI. Churches shall be duly endowed for the sustenance of the pastor; and of the clergy, that they may more securely watch over the flock, and be anxious and solicitous for its welfare.