Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/710

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THE SECULAR CLERGY.

veying thence the host through the streets during the visitation of the sick.^[1]

The metropolitan of Mexico on certain occasions had the supervision over, and on others the administration of vacant suffragan sees. Among his duties was that of casting his vote at the election of professors of the university of Mexico.^[2]

It was provided by law that in nominations for the chapter of the archdiocese of Mexico and its suffragan sees, preference should be given to graduates of the universities of Spain, Mexico, and Lima, or to clergymen who had served in cathedrals; or to those proposed by the king himself or his representatives in the Indies by virtue of the royal patronage. Where possible two of the canons were to be jurists, and two theologians. The four stalls, called respectively doctoral, magistral, lectoral, and penitenciario, were given to those who excelled in learning and general efficiency. All the members were to be permanent residents, and faithful attendants at the chapter's sessions and other service, and could not absent themselves from their posts without leave from the crown.^[3]

The annals of the church in Mexico, after the period of spiritual conquest and missionary labor, contain little worthy of note. I might present an outline of its progress, record the names of promi-

↑ Estalla, xxvi. 282-3.
↑ In describing the inauguration of the early bishops and archbishops mention was made of their reception under the pallium. This practice was discontinued by royal command in 1608, setting aride the Roman ritual in that respect. The honor was reserved for the king; and the pope acquiesced. The order was reiterated in 1735. Provid. Reales, MS., 89; Reales Cédulas, MS., ii. 134; Montemayor, Sumarios, 34.
↑ The chapter of the archdiocese of Mexico consisted of dean, archdeacon, precentor, chancellor, and treasurer; the doctoral, magistral, lectoral, and penitenciario; five other canons called de merced; twelve prebendaries, of whom six were racioneros, and the others medios raconeros; and a secretary. At the end of the eighteenth century the dean received $10,000 a year; the other dignidades a little less; canons, from $7,000 to $9,000; the first class prebendaries, $4,000 each; the second class, $2,000. Estalla, xxvi. 282. The insigne y real colegiata de Guadalupe, so often mentioned in the course of this history, had episcopal honors, being presided over by an abbot, and endowed with ten canons, six prebendaries, and a secretary. Villa-Señor, Theatro, 51; Zúñiga, Calend., 49-51, 54-5.

[1] Estalla, xxvi. 282-3.

[2] In describing the inauguration of the early bishops and archbishops mention was made of their reception under the pallium. This practice was discontinued by royal command in 1608, setting aride the Roman ritual in that respect. The honor was reserved for the king; and the pope acquiesced. The order was reiterated in 1735. Provid. Reales, MS., 89; Reales Cédulas, MS., ii. 134; Montemayor, Sumarios, 34.

[3] The chapter of the archdiocese of Mexico consisted of dean, archdeacon, precentor, chancellor, and treasurer; the doctoral, magistral, lectoral, and penitenciario; five other canons called de merced; twelve prebendaries, of whom six were racioneros, and the others medios raconeros; and a secretary. At the end of the eighteenth century the dean received $10,000 a year; the other dignidades a little less; canons, from $7,000 to $9,000; the first class prebendaries, $4,000 each; the second class, $2,000. Estalla, xxvi. 282. The insigne y real colegiata de Guadalupe, so often mentioned in the course of this history, had episcopal honors, being presided over by an abbot, and endowed with ten canons, six prebendaries, and a secretary. Villa-Señor, Theatro, 51; Zúñiga, Calend., 49-51, 54-5.

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