The institutions of the Congregation of the Oratory, at St. Maries in Vallicella, within the city of Rome. Founded by St. Philip Nerius

CHAP. III. Of the exceeding great benefit of the fa∣miliar Sermons, as well in the Church, as in the Oratory.

IN our Church, every day, except Satur∣day, kept vacant, four of our Preists (un∣less it be a Holy-day, on which some one only preacheth) who are chosen out for this em∣ployment, each in his turn, fitting their ex∣pressions to the capacity principally of the vulgar, and pretending to no pomp at all, or vain popularity, recreate the minds of their auditors with a very beneficial kind of discourse, confirming their matter especially with examples, and approved histories of the Saints. For they are to avoid all difficult que∣stions, arguing of opinions, and whatever bet∣ter becomes the Schools than the Oratory. Now, he, who is to take care of this business, is wont at the appointed time to go down into the Church, and, among other things that are to be prepared, to set an Hour-glass by the Preachers Seat, and, when he sees eight or ten auditors assembled, to read some Book of

wholsome precepts, or else composed of the sayings, and lives of the Saints; and, when fifteen, or twenty at the most are present, to give notice with a Bell at the usual hour, upon the hearing whereof, he that is first to preach hastens to the place, and, after he hath heard him that reads a while, goes up into a wooden Seat, some six or eight steps high, turns the half-hour-glass, which allots him his time, and, making no Preface, begins his discourse upon that subject principally, which was read out of the Book. In the midst of his discourse the Keeper riseth up to give notice again with the same Bell tolled louder; which done, another, who is to speak in the second place, hies him thither, and waits so long as till the first have finished his discourse. In the same manner just the third succeeds the second, and the fourth the third. Neither is any one of these allowed above half an hour; but, when need is, they are put in mind of making an end not only by a glass, but by a little bell.

The Sermons being done, a Sacred Hymn is sung with Musick; after which he that spoke last invites them to say three Pater Noster's, and three Ave Maria's to themselves, and so the assembly is dismissed. But, on Sundays, and other Holy-days, one of them, who have such days allotted them to preach on, after Vespers sung, makes a Sermon in the Church; who hath power to exceed the half-hour some∣thing, but not their established rules of dis∣coursing already mentioned. On the same

days from the first of November to the solemn Festival of our Lord's Resurrection, as also on Sundays in the morning, one of ours all the year makes a Sermon in the Oratory. But of this elsewhere; it sufficeth now to relate our Con∣stitutions belonging hereto.

None of ours may be admitted to make a Sermon in the Oratory, without the consent of the Fathers that have lived ten years in the Congregation.

No Stranger is to be invited to preach in the Oratory, or Church, but by leave from the President, and the four Deputies.