Archbishop Martin John Spalding, 1864 September 30

Copy. Many Bishops have asked the Sacred Congregation about the nature of the vows taken by nuns in their dioceses. As a result the Holy Father has asked them to decide the matter and they offer the following rules: 1, vows taken by the nuns of the Visitation at Georgetown, Mobile, Kaskaskia, St. Louis, and Baltimore are solemn vows; 2, as to their cloister they are to follow the rules granted by the rescripts of the Holy See; 3, in the future the nuns after completing their novitiate will take simple vows for five years after which they may be admitted to seolemn vows after a ten day retreat, although the simple vows will enjoy all the privileges and spiritual favors of the solemn vows; 4, vows of other nuns are simple except where a rescript of the Holy See rules otherwise; 5, in monasteries hereafter erected in the United States the vows are to be simple. This is sent to the Archbishop Martin John Spalding and by him is to be communicated to other bishops of the country. No. 18165./5. L. Copy Latin 2pp.