§ 1. That profit or feasting should be sought in visitation is shameful and plainly perverse; therefore the salvation of souls unto the divine glory is the object of visitation. It is astonishing that these vices have broken into the Church. There is a notable specimen from the Fourth Council of Toledo, or from the Council of Tribur, Cause 10, question 1, canon 9.
But it is too little that the vices of those conducting visitation be absent unless the morals of the Clergy and the people are corrected. For, in order that a physician be judged good, it is not enough that he himself be healthy; there is need in addition that he heal the sick person. Visitation is described in many ways by the Fourth Council of Milan, which was held by Saint Charles the Archbishop in the time of Gregory XIII, in the year 1573. I have judged it worthwhile to reproduce this so that Prelates may adapt it to their own dioceses according to that model, with certain things removed, added, or changed according to the diversity of times, places, and affairs. This is the order of visitation.
§ 2. Let the Bishops of our province so solicitously discharge that necessary and plainly obligatory office of visitation which must be performed under the Tridentine decree that each of them personally complete the visitation of his city and diocese every year, or, if they cannot do so because of the extent of the diocese, within two years at most. But if, impeded by a lawful occupation or cause, they are sometimes unable to discharge that office personally, let them employ Vicars General or other visitors experienced and suitable in the practice of this matter, who may diligently perform the office of visitation at the prescribed time, as is fitting.
But when they personally discharge the office of visitation, let them employ with them in that care of visiting either one or two Canons or any other ecclesiastical men whom they shall judge will be useful and an aid to them, according as they prefer.
Henceforth let them lead with them in visitation no more than ten men and seven beasts of burden at most, with the person of the Bishop and of that ecclesiastical man whom each Bishop shall sometimes send ahead under the decree of this Council also counted in that number. Nevertheless, it shall be lawful for them to hire more at their own expense. But those who are of a rank inferior to Bishops shall employ far fewer men and beasts of burden in visitation.
And by this decree let derogation be made from the other decree issued in the First Provincial Council.
Let all avoid the lodging of laymen, and much more their banquets, as far as they
possibly can. But if it should at some time be necessary to turn aside to them, while they observe the other rules, let them take care above all that nothing whatever be prepared or set before them by their hosts beyond the measure of the Episcopal and clerical table and the rules prescribed for visitation.
Let neither the notary nor the Chancellor exact anything for the visitation from those who are visited under any name whatsoever, nor accept any kind of gift, even a small one offered in any manner. Nor likewise shall he exact anything for the execution or writing of decrees or ordinances composed in the visitation, or for a copy of them issued at the visitor’s command even to individual Churches, Clerics, or others who are visited. But for the work or labor which he shall expend in writing copies of them at another subsequent time at the request of another person whose interest it is, it is lawful for him to receive payment according to the rate fixed or to be fixed in the Episcopal court.
Bishops, who ought to go before others by every example of acting well and holily, before they enter upon the visitation of the Clergy and the people, will usefully make the beginning of visitation from themselves and their own household, so that all the rest, incited by the conduct and execution of that domestic visitation, may execute more readily and studiously the pastoral commands which the Bishops themselves shall prescribe in the course of visitation.
But let them employ every diligence in visitation, not only in preserving or increasing the worship and ornament of the Churches, but especially in restoring the ancient Christian discipline of both the Clergy and the people in every respect, and likewise in learning the morals of each and correcting them when corrupted. And in that visitation or correction of morals, acting also as delegates of the Apostolic See by authority of the Council of Trent, let them establish, regulate, punish, and execute according to the prescription of the sacred canons whatever shall seem necessary to them in their prudence for the correction of their subjects and the utility of their diocese. Nor let any inhibition, appeal, or anything else impede or delay the execution of those things which they themselves shall have commanded, judged, or decreed.