Pietas Romana et Parisiensis, or, A faithful relation of the several sorts of charitable and pious works eminent in the cities of Rome and Paris the one taken out of the book written by Theodorus Amydenus ; the other out of that by Mr. Carr.

XV. Of the Colledge for Catechumeni.

The City of Rome, the supreme Seat for the Christian Faith, ought not to be wanting in providing an honorable house of Reception for all those who forsaking Baal, or turning from being Jews, Saracens, Musulmans, or any other prophane Sects in the world, fly to her for succour.

For these there is appointed a place at the foot of the Capitol, and a Church there dedi∣cated to St. John Baptist. The house is very large, and in it are received in several quarters such men and women who are come over hap∣pily to the Service of the true God.

They are first taught the sacred Principles and Mysteries of the Christian Faith, then brought to be baptized, and when baptized if they be young people, and adult, and can easily get their living, they are dismissed. If they

be old persons they are retained, if Children they are there educated till they be fit for la∣bour; and Girls if they come thither Infants with their Parents, they are both maintained so long together till they want no Nurse, for then they are led away to a Monastery of Fe∣male Catechumens near to Nerva his Forum; where they are educated in all Piety: and grown marriageable, are either provided with Husbands, or, if they had rather, live Nuns in the same Monastery under the Rule of St. Do∣minick. Both these houses are under the go∣vernment of a Sodality of grave men, Citizens and Priests, but the maintenance is supplyed by the Rectors of the Church of our Lady in Montibus, of which in its place.

The Protector to both is the same Cardinal of great integrity and learning, who alone by the Popes Bull is the competent Judge of the Catechumeni.