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F R OM THE OF
ANCIS
M
Rm .
sp IRAG O,
P rofe s s o r f Theo l o gy
o .
ED ITED BY
ib W at.
ARTHUR J SOANL AN .
,
1
.. P ATR IC K J . DD
. .
,
u
THIS Catec h i s m i s s ited to th e n eeds of th e day, an d ma y
ei th er b e p l aced i n th e h a n d s of th e p eop le, or emp l o ed a s a y
ma n ua l for the u s e of Pri es ts an d Cat ec h i s ts . Th e s ma ll p ri n t is
th e p art a da pted for pop u l a r rea din g or for c at ech eti ca l in stru o
ti on Th e a uth or thi n k s i t n eces s ar to gi e th e fol l owi n g
. y v exp l a n
a ti on of th e p l a n of th e b ook.
1 . v
Thi s Ca tec hi s m i s di i d ed i nt o th ree p a rts : Th e rs t p art
trea t s of fa i th, th e s ec on d of mora ls , t h e t h i rd of the mea ns ofgra ce .
ma n
s h i gh ca l l i n g a n d d es tin y, y u
i t i s es p eci a l l s i ted t o th e p res en t
d ay, wh en th e purs i t u of ma t eri a l in teres ts , s elf i n du l gen ce a n d
-
p l ea s u re,
en ro ss es th e
g a tten ti on of s o ma ny . Th i s Cat ech i s m i s
i n fa ct n oth i ng more n or l es s th an an abs tra c t of Ou r Lord s t ea ch
mea n s wh ere by
h e i s to rea ch hi s d es ti n ati on In th e rs t p a rt we .
ou r wi ll , wh i ch ha v b
e een res p ecti v ly b
e o s cu red an d w ea k en ed by
o ri gin a l s in mu s t ob ta in th e gra ce of th e Holy Sp i ri t th rou gh
we
us e of th e a
pp oi n te d mea n s of g rac e for by th e grac e of th e,H o ly
5
6 P refa ce .
t h e truth s of reli gi on a re p l i
a nly pp a a ren t. Th i s i s a v y i mp
er or
p ri n t mi gh t ,
as a matter of fa ct b e omi tted ; b ut i n
, th a t cas e th ere
wou l d b e n oth i n g ca l cu l a t ed to t o u ch th e h eart an d ki n d l e t h e
a me of ch a ri t yt w d o ar s God a n d on e s n ei gh
b or, a nd is n ot th i s
th e effect wh i c h v y g
e er ood h an d -
b ook of rel i gi on , e er v yg ood s er
mon ,
v yg
e er ood ca tech eti ca l i n s tru cti on ou gh t to p rodu ce We
a l rea dy p os s es s in a bu n da n ce c a tech i s ms a n d rel i gi ou s man u a l s
whi ch a p p ea l on l yt
th e i n tel l ect 3 ook s wh i ch d o n ot a im a t t h e
o b
v
wa rmth of ex p res s i on a n d th e fer en t, p ers u a s i e el oqu en ce wh i ch v
a pp ea l to th e h eart, th e for ce an d vi vifyi g p w n o er wh i c h affec t th e
wi ll th rou gh th e i n u en ce o f th H ly Sp i i t
e o r .
3 Th i s Ca tech i sm a n s
. a t lti v ti g t
cu a n ,
o an eq ual exten t , al l
th e th ree p owers of th e s o ul th u d t di
: e n ers a n n g, th e af
fecti on s ,
an d th e wi l l . It d oes no t th erefore c on ten t its elf wi th mere d en i
ti ons . b
Th e p ri n ci p a l o j ect p rep os ed i n i t i s n ot t o t ea ch men t o
p h i l p b
os o h i ze a ou t rel i gi on , b u t to ma k e th em goo d C h r i s ti a n s
p g
a es c
s i n e, wh i l e u s efu l a n d n e es sa r c yf or s e mi n a ri a n s and th eo
l ogi a ns , th e y a re ou t of p l a c e i n a b k
oo i n ten de d for th e l a i t y .
Pop u l a r ma n u a l s of rel i gi on ou gh t to b e co u ch ed i n p l a in an d
7
ca ll ed t o th e fa c t t h a t th e t ea ch i n g of th e Ch u rch i s n ot
p res en t ed
n ot a lw y a s gi ev
n v erb a ti m, t h e i d ea a l on e ei n g i n ma n c as es b or b y
rowed , a s a l i ter a l ren d erin g of t h e l an gu a ge emp l o e d, ea u ti f l
u y b
and forci l e bmi gh t p rove ra th er mis l ea d i n g t h an edi fyi n g to
as it is,
th e you n g a n d u n l ea rn ed Th e s a me ma y b e s a i d of s ome p a s s a ges
.
ci s ted .
v
h as ma d e i t h i s en dea or to a rra nge h i s ma tter a ccordi ng to a cl ea r
an d meth odi ca l sys tem t o p l a ce h i s i d ea s in l ogi ca l s equ en ce, a n d
to cl oth e th em i n s i mp l e la n gu a ge c omp os ed of s h ort s en ten ces .
All th e v
s e era l b a
r n ch es o f rel i gi ou s t ea ch i n th e C a tech i s m,
g
b
B i l e h i s tor y , t h e li t u gy
r ,
v y
con tro ers , eccl es i a s ti ca l h i s tor ha e y v
b een co mp reh en d ed i n on e cours e of i n st ru cti on , wh i ch h a s un
fa s h i on ed form of em b dyi g th i t
o n e n s ru ct i on v
t o b e gi en i n qu es
t i on a n d a n s wer h as no tb f ll w d
een o o e . Th at form i s n ot s u fci en t,
a n d n eed s fu rth er e a l b ti
ora F i th on . a co mes by h ea ri n g, n ot by
qu es ti on in g onl yA kn owl edge of a l l th e tru th s of ou r
. h lyo
rel i gi on is n ot so u n i er sa l th a t t h e v
can b e th orou y ghly
l ea rn ed by qu es ti on a nd a n s wer : th e y mu s t b e reg ul ly
ar ta u gh t
by ora l i t u
n s r cti on . Thi s form of tea ch i n g ca ll s for th e exer
th em more i n telli gi b l e t o th e l ea rn er .
8 P refa ce .
v
wri ter h a s en d ea ored i n th e rs t p la c e to c om a t th e s elf s eekin g, b -
p l ea s -
v
u re l o i n g ma teri ali s m of th e d ay T h i s app ears i n th e o
p en .
men t ou r dut yt a
ow rds th e Pop e a n d th e r l er of our u cou n tr y ,
th e
du t y Cath ol i cs i n
of regard to el ec ti on s i s ex ou n d ed
p . Un d er th e
Fi fth C omma n dment th e u
n a t re of h u man l i fe an d th e s i n fu l n es s
of i nj u rin g on e s
h ealth for th e s a k e of vani ty or p l eas u re a re
p p
ro er u s e to b e m a d e of m on ey a n d t h e d u ty of a l ms gi vi n g a re
u d th
ca ti on of th e Dec a l ogue; while m f i n th vi l n er e occas ns o s ,
e e s
of th d y t h e xagg at d c avi g f
a ,
xc i t m t d p l u
e e er e r n or e e en an ea s re,
l v
o e o fd th d i t b f hi
res s , bl b i d s i ty p p
e es re o e as ona e, es es oc e a ers ,
ob j cti bl pl y tc
e on a d uly c u d Ch ity t G d d
e a s, e .
, a re en s re . ar o o an
n i gh b vi tu t a i n th p nt d y i t t d t
on e s e or, a r e oo r re e res e a ,
s rea e a
som l gth nd a c
e en id b l p i l d v t d t th
,
a id
on s era e s a ce s a so e o e o e con s
th e Ch ri sti an s a tt i tu d e af
i cti on a n d
era ti on of in rega rd to p ov
art y ,
th e du t y
ati tu de th e d ec eitful n a ture of ear th ly p os s es
of gr ,
s i on s a n d earth ly en j oymen ts a n d t h e n ec es s i ty of s el f c on qu es t ,
-
.
g r es s es P as s i,
on p l ays etc i t c an n ot b e a,
ll eged th a t th i
.
,
s C a tech i s m
i s not f ll u y up to da te .
v
re a ri n g
p p th ei r i n s tr u ct i on s , a s th e y wi ll n d e a x mpl es
mp a ri ,
co
p ri n t i t wi ll v
a l s o s er e as a s ch ool ca te -
ch i s m . Wh en i n s tr u cti ng
P refa ce. 9
negi nn ers u
th e Catech i s t m s t c on n e h i mself t o th e large p ri nt
i t wi ll b e s ufc i en t for ch i l d ren of mod era te a i li ti es to kn ow a n d b
u nd e s ta n d
r th a t t h orou gh l y . It i s , a n d e er v wi ll b e, th e b a s i s u p on
wh i ch th e wh ol e u
s tr ctu re of rel i gi ou s kn owl ed ge, ra i s ed by or al
i ns tru cti on, wi ll res t In a fter ea rs wh a t i s wan ted wil l n ot b e
. y
s o mu ch an i nc rea s e of th eo l ogi ca l kn owl edge, a s a l u c i d exp l an a
y
ti on of th e truth s a lrea d l ea rn ed, an d fu rth er p roofs are add ed for
th e s a ke of d eep en i n g rel i gi ou s con vi c ti on .
Th e s ma ll p ri nt ma y b e con s i d era b ly b
a ri d ged fo r u s e i n s ch ool s ,
on th ei r
p a rt t h ey ,
w i l l o b t a in a more i n ti mate kn owled e of
g
Ch ri s tia n d oc tri n e .
Hen ce i t is a d v i sa bl e th a t th e C a tech i s t s h ou ld ta k e th e ch i ef
b
B es i d es , i t i s d es i ra l e t h a t th e ca tech u mesns th ems elves s h ou ld h a ve
th e ess en ti a l p a rt o f th e i ns t ru cti on p l a ced b efore th em i n b l a ck
th e feel i n gs x
e ci ted, th e res ol u ti on s ca l l ed forth to b e perma
a re
n en t, ym
th e us t b e re a wa k en ed
-
by rea d i n g th e Catec h i s m Th u s t h e
.
Ca te chi m b
s ec o m es n ot merely a cl a s s -
b ook , b ut a b ook of s p i ri tu a l
rea di n g, to b e ta k en u p a ga i n a n d re re a d -
in a fter y ea rs . Hen ce
we s ee wh a t a wi d e s ph ere of u s efu l n es s th e b o ok s u s ed in ou r
gl or y of God a nd th e s al v
a ti on of s o ul s. In ord er to se cure th e
10 P reface .
PAG E
O O O O O O O O O O O O O Q O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 0 0 0 0 0
DEV O TIONS 59
I Pra yers a n d Precep ts of t h e Ch u rch 59
i
.
l Th e S gn of t h e Cros s
. 59
2 Th e L o rd s Pra yer 59
i i
.
3 Th e An gel ca l Sa l u ta t on
. 59
4 Th e Ap o s tl es
Creed 59
i
.
5 Th e Tw o P recep t s of C h a r ty
. . 60
6 Th e Ten Co mma n d men t s of God
. 60
7 . Th e Six Precep ts of t h e Ch u rch 60
i
II Pra yers wh ch ma y b e u s ed Da il y at i
D fferen t T im es 61
i
.
1 A M orn ng P ra ye r 61
i
.
2 A N gh t Pr a yer 61
i
.
3 An Act o f Goo d In te n t on
. 61
4 Gra ce b efore M ea l s
. 61
6 Gra ce a fter M ea l s
. 61
6 P ra yer for O n e s P a ren t s
. 62
i
III. Pra yers t o b e s a d a t Di fferent T mes wh en th e Ch urch B el l i
i s Hea rd 62
l Th e Ang el us 62
i i i
.
i
.
a t Th ree O cl oc k on Fr d a ys
62
3 P ra yer for t h e So u l s i n Pu rga tory, to b e s a d w h en t h e
. i
Ch u rch B ell i s Tolled 63
. i
4 Pra yers to b e s a d w h en t h e B el l i s ru ng a t M a s s 63
5 Pra y er a t t h e O u tory
63
'
i
.
6 At t h e Con s ecra t on
. 63
7 At t h e Co mmu ni on
. 64
IV 64
i
.
2 Ac t s of t h e Th ree Th eol og ca l V u es 64
i
.
3 An Act of C o n tr t i o n 65
i
.
4 . R en ew a l of Ba p t s ma l V o ws 65
V . Devo ti on s t o th e Hol y Gh os t 66
1 . Pra yer t o t h e Hol y
66
2 . Hymn to th e Holy Gh os t 66
1 1
1 2 Con ten ts .
67
67
67
69
ntrob ucti on .
I
. FO R WHAT END ARE WE O N THIS EARTH ?
We a re u p i
on t h s ea rt h i n ord er t h a t we ma y i
gl or fy God , a nd so
w in for o u rs el ves etern a l h a p p i nes s . 73
i i
. , ,
s el ves ma ke u s h a p p y ; for t h ey ca nn o t s a t s fy ou r s ou l ; t h ey
o ft en i i
o nl y make l fe b tter a n d nva r a b l y fors a ke u s i n d ea th i i '
75
i ii i i
.
,
2 O n l y th e G o s p el of C h r s t i s c a p a b l e of g v n g u s a p a rt a l h a p p
i i i
.
t o h a v e p ea ce i n h i s s o ul '
76
3 i i
He w h o foll ows Ch r s t w ll h a ve t o en d u re p ers ec u t on ; b u t t h es e i
i
.
p e r s ec u t o n s c a n d o h i m n o h a rm
i i i
.
PART I .
I Th e h a pp
. i n es s of th e a n gel s a nd s ai nts o i
c n s s ts i n th e kn o w l ed ge
of G od ..
79
Conten ts . 1 3
PAGE
be a n y h a p p n es s on ea r t h , or a w el l ord ered li fe 79
i i
-
.
3 . We a rr v e a t a ri gh t kn o w l ed ge of God t h ro ugh fa th i n th e t ru t h s
God h a s i n Hi s mercy in th e o r
c u s e of a ges often revea led Hims elf t o
men ( Heb i 1 2 ) . .
,
i i i
.
1 Hol y Scri p tu re th B ib l
or o i t f v ty tw b oo k wh i h
e e c ns s s o se en o s, c
i i p ir d b y G d d d r t h g i d
-
.
w ere w r t ten by m en ns e o an un e e u a n ce
a nd i
t h e Hol y Gh o s t
n u ence Th es e s even ty tw o b oo k s a re
of
,
i
-
.
ii
2 Th e tru th s of d v n e revel a t o n , w h ch h a ve n ot b een w r t t en d o w n i i i
i
.
1 i
Ch ri s ti a n fa th i s t h e rm co nv ct o n a rr ved a t w th th e gra ce of i i i i
i
.
J
God , t h a t a ll th a t es u s Ch r s t t a u gh t o n ea rt h i s t ru e, a s w ell
i
as a ll t h a t t h e Ca t h ol c Ch u rch t ea ch es b y t h e comm s s o n s h e h a s i i
i
rece ved from Hi m 89
2 i i
Fa th i s co n cern ed w th ma n y t h n gs w h ch w e ca nn o t p erc e ve i i i
i i i
.
i
for cert a n t h a t th e tru th s of fa th a re revea l ed t o u s b y God i
i i i i i
.
4 Th e C h r s t a n fa th co mp ri s es a l l th e d o ct r nes of t h e C a th ol c
i
.
fa t h 91
5 . i
Fa th i s a gi ft of God , s n c e t h e p ow er to b el eve ca n o nl y b e a t i i
ta i n ed th ro u gh th e gra ce o f God
6 Fa i th is n eces s a ry t o etern a l s a l va t on i 93
i
.
7 . Fa i th a l o n e i s n ot s ufc en t for s a l va t i o n . 94
1 . Th e r
ex te n a l moti ves wh i h mov
c e us to b el iv e e a re ch e i y mir a cl es
a nd ro
p p h ec y . 95
1 4 Con ten ts .
1 . Th o se wh o d o n ot i
p o s s es s Ch r s ti a n fa th i a re e ith e r: (1 ) Hereti cs ,
or Ind el s
2 Fa i th i s for t h e mo s t p a rt l os t e th er : b y i n d fferen ce t o t h e i i
i i i
.
1 q
Go d re ui res of u s t h a t we s h oul d ma ke ou t w a rd p ro fes s on of ou r i
i
.
fa th 1 02
2 i
O u r L ord h a s p ro m s ed e t erna l l fe t o h i m w h o fea rl es s l y ma k es i
i i
.
p ro fes s o n of h i s fa th 1 03
1 i
In ma k i ng th e s gn of th e cros s we ma ke p ro fes s i on of th e mos t
i ii i
.
t r ne of th e Bl es s ed Tr n ty a n d of th e In ca rn a t i on of Ou r L ord
J es u s C h r st i 1 05
i i i
.
a nd es p ec a l l y b y i t a re we p ro t ected from t h e a s s a ul ts of th e
i
d ev l a n d from a l l d a ngers b oth t o b od y a n d t o s oul . 1 06
1 Th e Ap o s tl es Creed
o
c n ta n s i i
i n b r ef a ll th a t a C a th ol i c mu s t k n ow
iv
.
a nd b el e e. 1 08
2 . Th e Ap o s tl es Creed ma y b e d v d ed nt o th ree s evera l p a rts
ii i . 1 08
3 . Th e Ap os tl es C reed ma y a l s o b e d i vi d ed i nto t wel ve a rti cl es
. 1 09
Contents . 1 5
F ATHER AL M IGHT
.
b ea t tu d e, t h e Crea to r a nd Ru l er of th e w h ol e w orl 1 1 2
2 W e ca nn o t see God , b eca u s e He i s a s p i ri t ; i e , a b e ng w th ou t i i
i i i
. . .
mere a ct of Hi s w ll 1 20
7 God i s s u p remel y goo d , i e , He l oves Hi s crea tu res fa r more th a n
i
. . .
a fa th er l oves h i s ch l d ren 1 21
8 i
God i s very p a t en t, i e , He l ea ves th e s nn er t me for rep ent i i
i
. . .
a nce a n d a ch a n ge of l fe 1 23
9 . i s fu l l of mercy a n d com a s s on , i e , He very rea d l y forgi ves i . . i
ou r s in s w h en w e a re s i n cer y s orry for 1 24
1 0 i i
God i s n n t el y h ol y, i e , He l oves good a n d h a tes a l l evi l 1 25
i i j
. . . .
e vil d eed s . 1 25
12 . God i s a God of p erfec t tru th , i e , a l l th a t He revea ls to ma n i s . .
t ru e 1 27
i
.
t h e B l es s ed Tri n t y a re common t o a ll of t h em 1 29
4 Th e th ree di v i n e p ers o n s a re d v d ed o n l y i n th e r or i n
.
g ii i i . 1 30
16 Contents .
6 Th e b el ef i n t h e B l es s ed Tr n ty i s expres s ed i n t h e Ap os t l es Creed ,
i
.
5 . HISTO R Y OE CREA T I ON .
2 Th e ma t er a l worl d wa s a t th e rs t wi t h ou t form, wi th ou t n b a h
i i
.
i ta n ts , a n d w th o u t l gh t 1 32
i
3 God ga ve t o th e ma t er a l u ni vers e i t s p res en t form i n th e co urs e
.
of s i x d a ys .
1 33
4 O n th e s even th d a y God res ted from a ll Hi s w ork t h a t He h a d
.
1 34
6 DIVI NE PR
. OVIDENCE .
go v er n m e n t of t h e w orl d 1 37
1 God ma i nt a i n s th e w orl d i e He pres erve s a l l crea tures i n ex is t
.
,
. .
,
ence a s l ong a s He w i l l s 1 37
2 God governs t h e w orld i e He con d u ct s a l l th ngs i n th e w orld
.
, . .
, i ,
s o t h a t t h ey c on tri b u t e t o Hi s gl ory a n d t o ou r a d va n ta g e 1 37
i i i
.
t o t h e wi l l of God 1 38
I No t o eterna l s a l va ti o n w th ou t s u fferi ng
one ca n a tt a i n i 1 41
i i
. .
3 God s en d s s u ffer n g t o t h e s n n er t o b r n g h i m b a ck n to t h e
i
.
r gh t w a y , a nd t o s a ve h i m from eterna l d ea th 1 42
i
4 God s en d s s u ffer n g to th e u s t ma n t o t ry h i m, w h eth er h e l oves
. j
God mo s t or crea tures 1 43
i
.
1 44
6 . i
For th s rea s on w e s h o u l d b e p a ti en t und e r s uf
fe ri ng , a nd sh ould
res ign o u rs elves t o t h e w i ll of God 1 44
Con ten ts .
8 . THE AN EL S G .
P AGE
l Th e a ngel s a re p u re s p ri ts i 1 46
i
.
g ra ce o f G od a n d w el l p l ea s ng t o Hi m B u t m a ny of t h e a ngel s
i i i
.
s nn ed t h ro u gh p r d e, a nd w ere ca s t d o wn b y G od n to h el l for
ever ( 2 Pe t i i 4 ) 1 47
i i
. .
s i n , a n d ca n , w t h Go d s p erm s s o n , n u re u s i n ou r b o d es or i n
o u r w orld l y goo d s 1 47
i
4 Th e a n gel s w h o rema n ed fa i thfu l t o God b eh ol d th e fa ce of God
i i i
.
co n t n u a l l y a n d s n g Hi s p ra s es 1 50
5 Th e h ol y a n gel s a re a l s o ca ll ed g ua rd a n a ngel s , b eca u s e th ey w a tch
. i
ov er u s 1 50
MAN .
The Crea ti on o f M an .
1 God ma d e th e b o d y of ma n ou t of t h e d u s t of th e ea rt h , a nd
i ii
.
b rea th ed n t o h i m a l v ng s o ul . 1 52
2 Th e rs t h uma n b eings th a t God crea ted w ere Ad a m a n d Ey e
. . 1 53
1 0 THE SOU
. L OF M AN .
1 Th e s o ul of ma n i s ma d e i n th e ma ge of God , s n ce i t i s a i i spi ri t
i
.
l k e to God 1 54
2. Th e s oul of ma n i s i mmorta l , i s , i t ca n never cea s e t o ex s t
,
. . i 1 54
H I
.
JE S US C R ST .
2 THE PR M I
. O SE O F THE RE DEEM ER .
2 .Two th ou s a n d ea rs l a te r Go d
p ro m s ed t o Ab r a h a m t h a t t h e
R ed eemer s h o u d b e on e of h i s d es cen d a n ts 1 64
i
3 At a l a ter t me God s en t th e p ro p h ets , a n d th rou gh th e r mo u th i
i i i
.
5 O f th e p ers o n of th e M es s a s 1 67
i i
. .
6 O f th e s u ffer ngs of th e M es s a s 1 68
i
. .
7 O f th e gl ory of th e M es s a s
. 1 69
8 Th e M es s i a s wa s a nnounced th ro ugh
. ma n y types 1 69
t h e R ed eemer b y con t a ct w th th e ch o s en p eo p l e, or b y t h e i n
i
u en ce of excep t on a l l y gi fted men or b y o th er
meth o d s 1 74
i
3 B efore th e a rr va l of t h e R ed eemer God p erm t te d t h a t ma n ki nd i
i
.
4 THE L
. I FE A ND TIM ES OF THE RE DEEM ER .
1 . i
Th e Red eemer l ved s ome ni neteen h u ndred yea rs a go a nd rema i ned
t h i rty th ree yea rs on th e ea rt h
-
1 75
2 Th e w ork of t h e Red eemer w as
. con ned for th e mos t p a rt t o
P a l es ti ne 1 75
t h e r ful l men t i n Hi m 1 78
2 . Jes u s of Na za reth i s th e M es s i a s b eca u s e t he ki ngd om found ed b y
Hi m on ea rt h h a s b een end u ri ng 1 78
20 Con ten ts .
7 THE PER
. SON OF THE REDEE M ER .
a
Th e In ca rn a t on of th e Son o f God i s a mys tery w h ch we ca nnot
i
s
u n d ers t a n d , b u t o nl y a d m re a n d h o n or 1 94
s i
Th e In ca rn a t on of t h e Son of God w a s neces s a ry t o g ve p erfect
-
i
i i
s a t s fa ct on t o t h e n u red ma es ty of God ij j 1 95
e Th e Sec o n d P ers o n a l wa ys r ema n ed G od t h o u gh He b eca me ma n ,
'
i
i
a n d b y t h e In ca rn a t o n He l o s t n o n e of Hi s d gn ty i i 1 96
h
i
B y t h e In ca rn a t on of t h e Son of God a l l th e memb ers of t h e
q i i i i
s
h u ma n ra ce h a ve a c u red a s p ec a l d gn ty 1 96
i
C h r s t i s tru e God a nd tru e ma n ; h ence w e ca l l Hi m th e God
ma n 1 97
In C h ri s t t h ere a re t w o n a t u res , h u ma n a n d d vi ne, w hi ch , d i spite
e
i i i
t h e r n t ma te u n on , a re u te d s t n ct i q i i i 1 97
i
.
1 Jes u s i
C h r s t s ol emnl y d ecl a red b efore th e h gh p ri es t t h a t He w a s i
i
.
1 . Th a t s i
C h r s t i s God we l ea rn fro m Hi s own word s a nd from
J es u
t h o s e of Hi s a p os tl es 2 01
i
.
2 . Th a t J
es u s C h r s t i s Go d w e co n cl u d e fro m Hi s mi r a cl es a n d
rop h eci es 2 01
3 . J i
T a t es u s C h r s t i s God w e co n cl u d e fro m t h e el eva ti o n of Hi s
tea ch i ng a n d Hi s ch a ra cter . 202
Con tents . 21
PAG E
4 Th a t
. Jes us Ch ri s t i s God w e o
c ncl u d e from th e ra pi d r
s p ea d of
203
We Ch ri s t
ca l l O u r L ord b eca u s e He is ou r Crea tor, Red eemer,
La wgi ver, Tea ch er, a nd J u d ge
2 . ACTI ON OF THE HO LY HO S T
G .
Actua l Gra ce .
Sp i ri t i s ca ll ed
.
a ct u a l gra ce 207
2 . Th e a ct i o n of th e Hol y Sp i ri t s o meti mes ma kes i ts el f p ercep t i b l e
t o th e se ns es .
3 Th e
. Holy Gh o s t d oes n ot force us , b u t l ea ves us i n p erfec t p o s ses
208
4 Th e Hol y Gh os t a c t s on every ma n : on th e s n n er a s well a s on i
j i
.
the u s t a nd more on Ca th ol cs t h a n on n on C a t h ol i cs a nd u n ~
b el evers i
i
5 Ac t u a l gra ces a re o b t a ned b y th e p erforma n ce o f goo d w orks ,
i
.
en te rs hi s s o ul a n d co n fers on i t a b r gh t n es s a nd b ea u ty wh ch
i i ,
cl a m th e fr en d s h p of God i i i
Th s nd w ell ng b ea u ty of th e s oul i
i i
.
i s d ue to t h e p res en ce of th e Holy Sp ri t a n d i s ca ll ed s a n ct fy
i ng 21 1
22 Con ten ts .
PAG E
2 U s u a ll y , h owever, t h e Hol y ii
Sp r t ma k es His w h y on th e recep
i i
.
t on of th e Sa cra me n ts of B a p t s m or P ena n ce 21 2
ii i i i
.
3 . Wh en t h e Hol y Sp r t en ters nt o us He b r n gs w th Hi m a n ew
21 2
4 i i
Sa n ct fy ng gra ce i s s e cu re d a n d n crea s e d b y d o n g goo d w ork s , i i
i
.
s uf fer etern a l ru n 21 6
i i i
.
will recei ve i t a t th e h ou r of d ea th 21 6
The Seven Gi fts of the Ho ly Ghos t an d the Ex tra ord i nar y Greece .
1 Hol y
Gh o s t gi ves to a l l w h o h a ve s a n ct fy n g gra ce t h e s even
Th e i i
i ii i
.
g ft s of th e Hol y Sp r t, th a t i s , t h e s even V rt u es of th e s ou l , b y
i i
w h ch i t ea s l y res p on d s t o Hi s l gh t a n d n s p ra t o ns i i i i 21 6
i i i
.
s p r t s , O f V s o n s , o f ec s t a s es , e tc 21 8
i
3 Th e g ft s of t h e Ho l y Sp r t w ere co n s p cu o u s i n a s p ec a l d egree ii i i
i i
.
Th e Hol y Gh os t ma iti
n a n s a nd gu id es th e Ca th oli c Ch urch . 21 9
3 . A P P AR I T I ON S OF THE HO LY HO S T
G .
of t ongu es t o s ign i fy Hi s
,
oi ce i n t h e C h urch . 220
1 Th e Ca th oli c Ch u rch i s a v s b l e n s t tu ti on fo un d ed b y Ch ri s t, i n ii i i
i i
.
i
Th e L ord a n d K n g of t h e Ch u rch i s i
Ch r s t 222
i i i
.
4 Th e C a th ol c C h u rch co n s s t s o f a t ea ch n g a nd a h ea r i n g b o d y ;
i
.
to t h e forme r b el o n g t h e P op e , b s h op s , a nd p ri es t s t o t h e
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 3
Con ten ts . 23
P AO R
l . C h ri s t o
c nfe rred on St Peter th e p r
. im ac y over th e ap os tl es a nd th e
223
2 St P eter wa s s B i h op
of R o me for s o me t we n ty v e yea rs , a n d d ed i
i i i
-
. .
B s h op o f R ome a nd t h e d gn ty a n d p o we r o f St Pe ter
i i
.
d es cen d ed to t he s u cceed ng B s h op s o f Ro me 2 24
3. i
Th e B s h op of Rome i s ca l l ed Pop e or Hol y Fa th er 2 24
1 i
Th e b s h op s a re t h e s u cces s ors of th e a p os tl es 2 26
i i i
.
2 Th e p r es ts a re th e a s s s ta n t s of t h e b s h op s 2 28
i
.
3 A Ca t h ol c i s on e w h o h a s b ee n b a pt i ze d a nd p rofes s es h i ms el f t o
i
.
b e a memb er of t h e C a th ol c C h urch 2 28
1 i i i
C h r s t l a d th e fo un d a t on o f t h e Ch u rch w h en i n th e co urs e of His
i i i
.
t ea ch ng He ga t h ered a nu mb er of d s c p l es a n d ch os e t wel ve of
i
t h ese to p res d e o ver t h e res t a n d on e t o b e Hea d o f a ll 23 0
i
.
th o u s a n d p eo p l e w ere b a p t z ed 230
3 Soon a ft er th e d es c en t of t h e Hol y Gh o s t t h e a p os tl es b ega n to
i
.
p r ea c h t h e Go s p el t h ro u gh o u t t h e w orl d , i n a ccord a n ce w t h t h e
i
c mma n d s of C h r s t , a n d fo u n d ed Ch ri s t a n commu n t es i n ma ny i ii
p
p a ces 2 30
4 W h en t h e grea t p ers ec u t on s b roke o u t t h e Ch u rch s p rea d more i
i
.
ra p d l y over t h e ea rt h 231
5 . In t h e M i d dle Ages n ea rl y a ll th e h ea th en n a t on s b ega n t o en ter i
232
6 i
In l a ter t mes ma n y na ti ons of t h e n ewl y d i s covered o
c un t ri es
me
-
.
Th e Ca th ol i c Ch u rch i s i n d es t u ct r ib l e, I.s .
, i t w ll i rema i n ti ll th e e n d of
285
1 i
Th e C a th ol c Ch u rch i s nfa l l b l e i n h er t ea ch n g, i e t h e Hol y i i i
ii i
. . .
,
Sp r t a s s s ts th e Ch urch i n s u ch a ma nn er th a t s h e ca n no t err
i
i n th e p res erv n g a nd a nn o u n c ng of revea l ed d o ctr n e i i 237
i
2 Th e Ch u rch d el vers h er n fa l l b l e d ec s o ns t h ro u gh gen era l coun i i ii
i
~
.
c ls a n d th ro u h t h e P o e 23 7
g p .
24 Con ten ts .
ca s es : on d oc tr n es of fa t h a n d mora l s , a nd t h e r mea n n
g a nd
i
n terp reta t on ; i
on th e Hol y Scri ptu re a nd Tra d t o n a n d t h eir ii
6 THE
. HIERARCHY OF THE C HURC H .
1 Th e mi ni s t ers
th e C h u rch fa ll
of nto th ree cl a s s es or d s t nct i i i
i i i
.
d gn ty a n d p ow er, b i s h op s , p r es ts , a n d d ea co ns 241
2 i i
Th s h era rch y w a s i n force i n t h e t me of t h e a p o s t l es i 24 1
i i i i i i
.
3 . Th e ep s co p a l a n d p r es tl y off ce w a s n s t tu t ed b y C h r s t Hi m
s el f; th e di a con a te b y th e a p o s tl es
i i i
.
a nd w h ch h a s re ce ved God s s ea l i n t h e fo rm o f mi ra cl es
i
.
t o b e fo u n d
3 . Th e tru e Ch u rch i s kn o wn b y th e foll o w ng fo u r ma rks : s h e i s i
One, Hol y, C a t h oli c, Ap os t ol i c
l Th e C a th ol i i
Ch u rch a l one g ves s a l va t on ; i e , th e C a t h ol c C h u rch
c i i
i i
. . .
a l on e p o s s es s es t h os e mea n s w h ch l ea d t o s a l va t i on ; v z , th e
i i i i
.
d o ct r n e of Ch ri s t , t h e mea n s of s a l va t on a p p o n ted b y C h r s t , a n d
i
t h e t ea ch ers a n d gu d es of t h e Ch u rch es ta b l s h ed b y Ch r s t i i
2 . Hen ce every ma n i s b ou n d to b ecome a memb er o f t h e Ca th ol c i
C h u rch . 245
3 . Wh oever t h rou gh h i s o wn fa u l t rema i ns ou ts i d e th e Ch u rch
9 THE RE
. LA T I O N S B E T WEEN C HURC H A ND S T ATE .
2 Th e Ch u rch i s a n es s en t a l fa ctor i n p ro mo t ng th e w el fa re of th e
i i
.
2 49
Con ten ts . 25
s p r t u a l goo d s of t h e C a t h ol c Ch ur ch , a n d ca n h el p one a n o th er
i
b y t h e r pra yers a n d o th er goo d works Th e s a n ts a l o n e i n . i
h ea ven h a ve no need of 251
( See th e Ch a p ter on Si n .
)
L
E E VENT H AND TWELFTH AR TI CLES OF THE CREED :
l . DE ATH .
of Sp s ; th e b o dy d eca ys a n d fa ll s n to d u s t 254
ii
.
2 THE
. PA R TI CULAR JUD GM EN T .
3 . HEAVEN .
4 . HELL .
PAC !
w h o, th ough d y ng w t h o u t gra ve s in on th ei r s o ul s , h a ve n ot
d one comp l ete p en a n ce for th ei r o ffenc es ag ai ns t God 2 64
i i
.
a nd es p ec a ll y from t h e p ra ct i ce a n d d oct ri ne of th e C h ur ch 26 5
3 . i
Th e fa t h fu l on ea rt h ca n h el p th e h ol y s o uls i n p urga t ory b y
266
7 THE
. GENERAL JUD GMENT .
p l a ce 2 70
2 Th e Da y of u d gmen t i s u n kn ow n to u s , t h o u gh
. J ce rta i n Si gns h a ve
b een revea l ed whi ch a re to h era l d i t s a p p roa ch 27 3
CHRISTIAN HOPE .
Ch ri s ti a n h op e i s t h e. co n d ent exp ecta t on of a ll th os e t h ngs w hi ch i i
i i
Ch r s t p rom s ed u s w it h rega rd t o th e fu l l ment of Go d s w l l
i 27 4
i i i i
.
1 As t h e re w a rd of ca rry ng ou t Go d s w ll , C h r s t h a s p rom s ed u s
i
.
2 Ch r s t a n h ope i s b a s e d on fa th 2 75
i i
.
i
.
p rom s ed b y Ch ri s t 276
i
4 A w h ol es ome fea r of fa l l ng n to s in mu s t a l wa y s a ccomp a n y i
i i
.
Ch r s t a n h O pe
i i
5 Ch r s t a n h op e i s n eces s a ry for s a l va t on i 27 7
i i
.
6 C h r s ti a n h op e i s a g ft of God
. 277
2 . . 27 8
3 He w h o h op es i n God i s s tren gth ened b y Go d 278
He wh o h op es i n God i s i mp el led to th e p erforma n ce
.
4 of oo
g d
a nd h ero ic
.
278
28 Con ten ts .
PAGE
Th e l ove
God i s of grea t a d va nt a ge t o us : t h rough i t we a re
of
i
u n t ed t o Go d h ere on ea rth , ou r mi n d s a re enl gh t en ed , ou r will i
i s s tren gth ened , w e o b t a n p a rd on of s i n , p ea c e of s o ul , ma n fold i i
p roo fs of G od
s fa vo r a n d a fte r d ea t h ce l es t a l o ys i j 2 90
ii
,
1 Th e l ove of i
t h e world con s s ts i n l ovi n g a b ove a ll , mon ey , or th e
i i i
.
el s e i n t h e w orl d , i
n s tea d of g v ng t h e rs t p l a ce t o God ii 2 92
2 . Th rough l ove of t h e w orld we i n cu r t h e l os s of s a n cti fyi ng gra ce,
29 2
1 i
W e o ugh t t o l ove our n e gh b or b eca u s e th s i s Ch r s t s comma n d ; i i
i i
.
a n d a l s o b e ca u s e w e a re a l l d es ce n d ed from t h e s a me p a rent s
a n d w e a re a l l ca l l ed t o a t ta n e t ern a l fel c t y i ii ,
2 95
2 i
Th e l ove of ou r ne gh b or s h ow s i t s elf i n d es r n g t h e goo d of ou r ii
i ii ij i
.
n e gh b or fro m ou r h ea rt ; i n a b s ta n ng from n u r ng h i m a nd
i
,
i n d o ng h i m good 29 5
3 W e a re comma n d ed to l ove o u r n e gh b or a s ours el ves ; b u t w e i
i
.
V I L AC K
. OF CHAR IT Y TO O NE S
NEIGHB OR .
1 He i
w h o d oes n ot d es re t h e goo d of h i s n e gh b or i
i
.
of h i m, d o es n ot p o s s es s t h e l ov e o f h i s n e gh b or 2 98
2 i
He d oes n ot l ove h i s n e ghb or w h o n u res h i m, w h et h er i n rega rd ij
i i
.
V II L OV E OF ONE S FRIENDS
. .
Th o s e a re ou r fr i
wh os e en d s
is mut u a l , a n d b a s ed on 300
1 W e ough t i
t o l ove ou r enem es b e ca u s e Ch r s t co mma nd s i t ; He i
i
.
ys : L o ve yo u r e n em es , d o goo d t o th em th a t h a te y ou ,
sa
P AG E
2 Th e l ove of our enemy i s s h own i n th s : t h a t we d o n ot revenge i
i
.
IX THE L O VE OF O NE S SELF
. .
b ot h b eca u se G od h a s mp ri n ted t h em u p o n t h e h u ma n h ea rt a n d
i i
b eca u s e Ch r s t l a d t h em u p on u s a n ew i n a more fu ll a n d p er
,
3 07
3 Th e Ten Co mma n d men ts of God a re a rra n ged i n ord er 3 07
i
.
i
In th e F rs t C omma n d men t Go d en o n s u p on u s to w ors h i p ji Hi m
a n d forb d s i i
d ol a try a n d every fa l s e form of w ors h p i .
,
WORSH IP OF G
1 . THE ADORA T I ON OR OD .
1 Th d or t i o w p y t G d o i t i th i
e a a n Th t w
e k wl
a o o c ns s s n s : a e ac no
tio
.
dg b oth i h rt d by th t H i O L ord
'
e e n ou r ea s an ou r ac ns a e s ur ,
and w Hi r t r e a re d Hi rv t s c ea u es an s se an s 31 0
W w or h i p G d i t ri orl y b y f f i t h h op d h ri ty
.
2 e s t o n e ac s o a e, a n c a 31 0
d or G d x t ri orl y b y v o l p r y r ri
. .
,
3 W e a e o e g e t i ca a e sac ce, en u ec on s ,
p ro tr t i o fol d i g f h tri k i g t h
.
,
s a d ns , br t t n o an s, s n e ea s e c 31 1
p r m w or h i p t G d o l y f
,
4 W m t p y
e us a su H lo e i the s o o n or e a ne s e
ov r ig L ord f h v
.
,
s e e n d f rt h o ea en a n o ea . 31 2
l Id ol try i th w or h i p f
a s r t r w h i h i r g rd d
e d i ty
s o a c ea u e c s e a e as a e :
im l i m g t
.
e g th e s un , re, an a s, a es , e c. . 31 3
A o t h r form f i d ol try i w h b i g g iv
. .
,
2 . n e h m o p h i a s en a u an e n es u s
w h ol lf t e se r t r o a c ea u e 31 4
rvi f i d ol i h i gh tr g i t th m j ty f G d
.
3 Th e se ce o o s s ea s n a a ns e a es o o
d t h mo t h i o f i
.
,
an e s e n us o s ns 31 4
30 Can ton ts .
n o:
1 ii
Supers t t on , for tu ne tel l ng, s p r tua lis m, a nd i ii ma gi c a re i
fool sh
i i i
-
.
,
1 .
-
ma nn er i n wh ch to venera te t h em i s t o mi t a t e t h ei r vi rt u es 31 9
We p a y grea t er h on or t o M a ry , t h e M oth er of Ch ri s t, t h a n to a ny
ot h er s a nt i 32 3
1 We h ol d M a ry i n s u ch grea t v enera t on b eca us e s h e i s t h e M oth er
. i
O f God a n d ou r M o th er 32 3
i i
.
2 An ot h er rea s on w h y M a ry i s s o h gh l y h on ored t h ro u gh ou t C h r s t
.
1 W e h on or th e i ma ges Of th e s a nt si
b y g i v mg th em a p l a ce i n ou r
i
.
1 We i
h on or t h e rel cs of th e s a nt s b y p res erv ng t h em w i th i i rever
iii i
.
en ce , a n d v s t n g t h e s p o t w h ere t h ey a re d e p o s te d 3 31
i i i
.
8 THE
. EXTRA O R DINAR Y W O R SHIP OF GO D .
The Oa th .
t h e s ol emn p ro m s e ma d e vol un ta r l y b y pe rs on s en t er n g a re
li gi ous Ord er, t o foll o w t h e eva ngeli ca l cou ns el s .
We ow e i
reverence t o a lm gh ty God b eca u s e He i s a L ord of i nn i te
j
ma es t y a n d of
,
889
1 In t h e Sec on d C omma n d men t God comma n d s u s i n t h e rs t p l a ce
ii j i
.
,
to s h o w d u e res p ect to Hi s d v n e ma es ty Th s w e mu s t d o i n
i
.
t h e foll o w ng ma nn er : W e s h o ul d c a l l frequ en tl y u po n th e n a me
i
O f Go d w th t ru e a n d h ea rtfel t d ev ot on es p ec a l l y a t th e i i
i
,
t hi n gs a n d rel g ou s ceremon es
3 W e ou gh t frequ entl y t o p ra s e a n d ma gn fy a l m gh ty God on a o
,
i i i
i i i
.
,
341
ii
4 Fu r th ermore, God p roh b ts everyt h n g w h ch i s a vi ol a t on of t h e i i i
ii j i
.
reveren ce d u e t o Hi s d v n e ma es t y, a n d i n p a rt cul a r : Ta ki ng
t h e n a me o f God i n va n i 3 41
5 Sw ea r n g i i
B y t h s i s mea n t t h e u s e of h ol y na mes i n a momen t
i i i i
. .
8 S mo n y
. Th i s c on s s ts i n s el lin g Sp r tu a l t es for money or t h e
.
q
e ui va l en t of mo n ey x 345
i
In th e Th rd C omma n d men t of th e Deca l ogu e God c omma n d s us to
i
s a n ct fy t h e Sun d a y a n d t o w ork s ix d a ys i n t h e w eek 347
s even t h da
y He res ted from t h e w ork o f crea t on 347
2 . God co mma n d ed t h e Je w s to keep h ol y th e Sa b b a th d a y 347
32 Con ten ts .
2 . THE PR EC EP T OF LA BO R
If a n y ma n w l l n ot w ork, n e th er l et h i m ea t
( 2 Th es s i ii . .
3
3 i
Every ma n i s b ou nd p r ma r l y to p erform t h e w ork i a p pe rt a in i ng
i io
.
to h i s ca l l ng or s t a t n 353
4 W e mu s t n ot forget God i n w h a t w e d o ; b efore a n d d u r ng ou r i
i i
.
t en tmen t a nd ea rth l y h a pp n es s .
L
THE R E A XA TI ON S P ER M ITTE D TO THE C HRISTIA N .
1 . Th e s ix p recep ts of th e C h u rch a re a n a mp l ca ti on O f th e Th i rd i
C omma n d men t of t h e Deca l ogu e 357
2 i O
W e a re u nd er a r gorou s b l i ga t on t o keep th e comma n d men ts of i
i i
.
of O u r L ord , v e o f O u r L a d y , a n d t h ree of th e s a n ts 3 58
2 O i i
Th e h ol yd a ys of b l ga t on ou gh t t o b e k ep t i n t h e s a me ma n n er
i i i
.
s cu t a t n o e e of Ch r s t, a nd of th e t me b efore a n d a ft er
Hi b irth s 359
Th e l i ti l y r b gi
ec c es as po th
ca r t S d y i Ad v t
ea e ns u n e s un a n en
i i i i
.
It th r s p r p l f eet C h r t m
nc w h at h b rt
ea s h f h r
s t a re s as, en e i O C s
i sl br t d
ce e E t r t h d y f Hi r
a e ; rr ti o
as e d P t e a O s es u ec n; an en e
omi g f th Hol y Sp iri t i omm mor t d
,
co t wh s th en e c n o e s c e a e 36 0
orr p o d t th t h r p ri ip l f ti v l
,
3 . Th p t f
e as t r ec o na u e c es n s o e ee nc a es a s . 36 1
a a p ar t l a m n of O ur L ord s fa s t of forty d a ys , a n d a s a
su a i t b l p r p r ti o
e e a a n for c el eb ra t ng t h e fes t va l of Ea s t er i i 3 63
3 W e ou gh t to keep th e fas t of th e Emb er d a ys s tr ct l y, i n ord er to i
i i
.
th e n u ry of ou r h ea l th , or t h a t we s h ou l d t h ereb y b e h n d ered
i
fro m p erform ng t h e d u t es of ou r s t a t on i i 3 64
6 . i i
Fa s t n g i s b en e c a l b o th for th e s oul a nd t h e b o d y . 36 5
1 i
In th e t h rd a n d fo u rth comma n d men ts th e Ch urch en oi n s u p on j
i
.
In th e s ixth
mmandment ma rri a ge wi th n on C a th oli cs i s forb i dden,
co -
PAG E
s en ta t i v es o
u p n ea r th th a t i s t o s a y , our pa ren t s , a nd b oth th e
i
,
O
b ed en ce 3 69
i
.
3 Ou r d u ty i s th e s a me i n rega rd t o t h os e wh o a re i n a u th or ty
.
How d o es God R ewa rd the O b s erva nce of the F our th C omma nd men t !
1 i i
Prom s es l on g l ife, h a pp n es s , a nd b l es s ngs u p on ea rth t o i
i i
.
ch l d ren w h o h on or th e r p a ren ts . 3 72
2 God th rea t en s t o s en d u p on t h os e wh o d o not h onor t h ei r p a ren ts
i
.
s h a me up on ea rt h , a mi s era b l e en d , everl a s ti ng d a mn a t o n 3 72
t h e d rect on of h u ma n s oc ety To t h e s p r tu a l p o w er He h a s
i
.
n a n ce of p ea ce a n d ord er 37 3
i ii
2 Th e h gh es t Sp r t u a l a u th ori ty w a s gi ven b y God t o t h e P ope,
i i
.
ii i
.
PAGE
i ,
n e gh b or a s mu ch a s h e r eq u res t o s u pp ort h i m on e d a y i n a
i
ma n ner s u t a b le t o h i s p os t i on i 39 7
1 i
He wh o h a s p u rl o n ed from h i s n e gh b or or w ronged h i m i n h i s i
i i i
.
or ma ke c omp en s a t o n for t h e d a ma g e d on e
( Lev v i 1 5 ) 397
i i
-
. .
i s b ou n d t o g i ve th em u p t o t he r gh t fu l own er a s s oo n a s h e ,
p en s a t e for t h e l os s s u s t a n ed w l l n ot Ob t a n p a rd on of h i s s i ns
i
,
399
1 . THE PR O HI B ITI ON G
A A IN ST IN J R IN U G OUR NEIGH B O R IN HIS
HONO R .
1 A goo d rep u ta ti on i
p rec ou s p o s s es s i on , for i t ena b l es us t o
is a
i i i i
.
g r ea t e x te nt 401
3 Fu rth ermore, we o ug h t t o refra n from every th ng t h a t ma y w o u n d i i
i ii i
.
o u r n e gh b or s h o n or : t h u s s u s p c on , d etra ct o n , s l a n d er, a n d
.
i i
a b u s e a re forb d d en , a l s o l st en ng w i th pl ea s u re w h en ou r n e gh i i
b or i s s p o k en a ga n s t i 402
ij i
4 He W h o h a s n u re d h i s ne gh b or s r ep u t a t o n i s s tr ctl y b o u n d t o
i i
i ii
.
P AG E
1 He wh o i s se vere i n hi s j u dg ment of his n ei gh b or wil l i n h i s tu rn
j
. ,
i i
1 Th e l a r i s l ke t h e d evi l a n d d s p l ea s ng to i i 409
ii i i
.
etern a l p erd t on 41 0
3 W h o s o i s rea ll y u p ri gh t i s l ke a l m gh ty God , i s p lea s ng i n Hi s i i i
i
.
Si ns t h e to ngu e a re
of i
a vo d ed b y ch ecki ng ta l ka t i ven es s a nd b ei ng
gua rd e d i n s p ee ch 41 2
i
( See S x th C omma n d men t ) .
1 . SOCIA LISM .
ii i
.
va t e property b y un u s t mea ns 41 4
i
.
l i
Ea rt hl y r ch es d o not of th ems el ves ma ke u s b ett er i n Go d s s gh t
i 41 8
i
. .
ca n ea rn r
ete na l fel ci ty 41 8
ih
.
2 . W O R K S OF M ERC Y
THE PR EC EP T To PER FO R M .
i i ji
l Ch r s t h as s tr ct l y en o ned u po n us t o a s s s t ou r n ei gh b or w h o i
i
.
were in
38 Con ten ts .
2 . i
Th e a s s s ta n ce w e gi ve t o t h e nee d y, of W h a t ever na tu re i t ma y
b e, i s a n a l ms , or w ork of mercy
3 Th e w orks of mercy a re e t h er s p r t u al or corp ora l , a ccord n g a s i ii i
iti i p i ri t
.
3 . THE SEV ER A L W O R KS OF M ER C Y .
To g ve d r n k t o t h e th rs ty ; To cl o t h e t h e n a k ed ;
To h a rb or t h e s t ra nger ; ( 5 ) To v s t t h e s ck ; ( 6 ) To ra ns o m ii i
t h e ca p t ve ; i
To b u ry th e d ea d 42 1
ii i i
..
422
p ra s ed b y men i
5 W O R KS OF M ER C Y TO U S ?
O F W HA T B ENEF IT A R E THE
'
l ii i
Al ms g v ng Ob t a n s for u s t h e rem s s o n of ou r s n s ; th a t i s t o i i i
i i i j
.
i i i i
,
t emp ora l p en a l ty 42 7
2 ii i
B y a l ms g v n g w e O b ta n a n e t ern a l rec omp en s e p rov d ed th a t a t i
i
.
,
t h e t me w e a re i n a s t a t e O f gra ce
ii i
.
1 For very
e a ct of mercy
d on e to u s , w e a re b ou n d t o rend er t h a nks ,
q i
.
m s for tu n es u p on u s 43 0
Pover ty i s n o d i s gra ce i n Go d s s gh t ;
i t h e p oor a re b el oved b y Go d
a n d s a ve t h e r s o ul s more ea s l y i i 43 1
it . (Boob W orks ,
tDirtue, Si n, mice .
I . GO O D W O RK S .
1 Th e na me of g ood i
w ork s i s g ven t o s u ch v ol u n ta ry a ct o ns on th e i
i i i
.
part o f ma n a s a re i n c o nform ty w t h t h e w ll o f G od , a re p er
i
.
fa s t ng , a n d a l ms d eed s
'
43 8
Con ten ts . 39
P AG E
3 Even t h e mos t tr ii
p l ea s ng t o God if t h ey a re d on e
ng w ork s a re i
i i i i
.
w th t h e n t en t o n of p romo t n g Hi s gl ory 43 6
4 Goo d w orks a re neces s a ry t o s a lva t on i 43 6
i i
. .
II . VIR TU E .
1 V i rt ue o
c n s s ts i i
i n p ro c en cy i n t h e p ra ct ce O f goo d works , a n d i
i
.
pr ver n g ex erci s e
e s e i 43 9
2 It i s on ly p erfec t v r t ue i s i
t h o s e a c ts of v r t u e w h ch a re p er i i
i i
. . .
, ,
n w a rd h n d ra n ce s th e ev l p ro cl v t es of t h e h u ma n h ea rt a n d
i i
, ,
1 Th e i
v rt u es i
th a t u n te ou r s o u l t o God a re t h e t h ree t h eol ogi ca l
i i i
.
v r tu es : Fa th , Hop e, a n d C h a r ty 442
i i i i i i
.
2 Th o s e v r t u es w h ch h a ve t h e effec t of b r ng n g ou r a ct on s n t o
i i i
.
O
mi l i ty , b e d en ce, meek n es s , l b era l ty, t emp era n ce, ch a s t t y, d l
gen ce i n w h a t i s goo d 444
i
4 All t h e mora l v rt u e s p ro ceed fro m t h e fo u r c a r d n a l v r tu e s : i i
j i i i iii
.
7 Th e v rt u es ca n a l wa ys b e n crea s ed 44 7
i i i i i
.
8 Al l p er fe ct v rt u e i s l os t mmed a t el y u p on fa l l n g n t o morta l s in ,
i i
.
III . SIN .
1 He i i
w h o w tt ngl y a n d w l l ngl y t ra n s gres s es o n e of Go d s com i i
i
.
ma n d ments i s gu l t y o f s i n 449
2 Si n i s i n i t s es s en ce a n u n l a wfu l t u rn n g t ow a rd s t h e crea t u re a n d i
i
.
t ur n n g a wa y from God 4 50
451
40 Conten ts .
2 M a n s ns a re s o grea t t h a t t h ey from Go d , s ep a ra t e us en t e
i
.
q
cons e u en ce , or wh o, t h o u gh h e n u res s omet h i n
g o f g ea t i m
r
ij
p orta n ce, n u res i t very s l igh t l y , or d oes s o a l mo s t u ncons c ou s l y i
a n d t o s o me ex ten t u n w tt n gl y i i 458
i
6 Al l mort a l s n s a re n ot of equ a l ma gn t u d e, n or a re a ll ven a l i i
i
.
453!
6 He c ommit s a a ga n s t i
t h e Holy Gh o s t w h o pers i s ten tl y a n d
s in
i i
.
n t o t h e p ow er of t h e d ev l 46 2
i i
.
1 i
V en a l s i n gra d ua l l y l ea d s t o mort a l s i n, a n d even t u a tes i n t h e
i
.
IV . VICE .
1 V i ce i s p ro ci ency
i n t h e p ra ct ce of evil , a nd t h e c on rmed ten d i
i i i q i i
.
en cy of t h e w l l t o w a rd s ev l w h ch i s a c u red b y h a b t ua l s i n 466
i i
.
P AG E
3 Th e mo s t ord i
ry s n s a re th e s even ca p
na i it al i
'
Pr d e, di s
s ns : i
i i i i i i
.
1 Th ere i s no ma n
w t h o u t s in ; co n s e u en tl y th ere i s
up n o ea rt h i q
i
.
a n d b eca u s e He
u s b y t h e d ea t h of t h e cro s s ; ga ve p o w er t o
i i
forg ve s n s to Hi s a p o s tl es a n d t h e r s u cc es s ors i 469
i i
.
V I TEM PTATION
. .
1 i
Temp ta t o n i s th e a ct o n O f th e evi l s p r t u p on ou r s ou l , i n ord eri ii
i i i i i
.
ou r s o u l s 47 2
i i
. .
p ra y e r , or th n k of ou r l a s t en d or of th e ev l co n s e u en ces
474
wh ch a s a ru l e a re th e mea n s of l ea d ng u s i nto s i n i f w e go i n ,
47 5
2 To e h eed les s l y t o a n o cca s on of s i n , i s i n t s el f
xp o s e o n e s
s elf i i
i ii
.
3 He w h o n d s h ms el f i n c rcu ms t a n ce s w h ch a re a n o cca s on o f
i
.
s i n t o h i m a n d d o e s n ot n s ta n t l y l ea ve t h em, a l th o u gh i t i s
i i i
,
i n h i s p o w er t o d o s o, c omm t s a s i n ; h e w ll b e d ep r ved of t h e
i
a s s s ta n c e o f d v n e gra ce a n d w ll fa l l ii
n t o mort a l s i n i i 47 6
i
4 He wh o refu se s t o g ve u p w h a t i s t o h i m a n oc ca s on of s i n , ca n i e
i i
.
O
n ot ex p ec t t o b t a n p a rd on o f s i n h ere, or etern al s a l va t o n h ere
a ft er 47 6
5 Th e mo s t co mmon a n d th e mo s t d a n g ero u s o cc a s i o n s o f s i n a re :
i i i i
.
HUM IL ITY l . .
i n a ccord a n ce w th t h s c o nv ct on 479
42 Con ten ts .
l a s ti ng feli c ty 482
1 He i
i s p rou d w h o overes t ma tes h i s ow n w orth , o r t h e val ue of
i
.
3 . B
O ED IEN C E .
1 . Ob ed i en ce o
c ns i s ts in b e i ng r ea d y t o ful l t h e b eh es t of o ne s
48 5
2 di i
O b e en ce i s th e mo s t d fcu l t a n d a t t h e s a me t me t h e mo s t ex i
i i
.
4 . B
DISO ED IEN C E .
48 7
2 . D i i
s o b e d en ce br i n gs t emp ora l i
m s fortu ne a nd ete na l r mi s ery u po n
5 . PA TIENC E, M EE K NE S S ,
P EA C EA BLENE SS.
P a ti en ce .
l i
Pa ti en ce con s s ts i n p res erv n g o n e s s eren ty of mi n d a mi d i
i a ll th e
i i i
.
M eeh nes s .
l . M eeknes s o
c ns i s t s in sh owi n g for t h e l o ve of God , no i
i rr ta t i on
wh en w rong i s d on e u s 49 0
2 . B y meekn es s w e ga n p ow er i ov r e ou r fel l ow -
men , we a tta n i p ea ce
o f mi nd , a n d eterna l 490
P ea cea b l enes s .
l i
P ea cea b l en es s co n s s t s i n w l l ngl y ma k ng a s a cr ce for t h e s a ke i i i i
ii i i i
.
s el f w th h i m i 49 2
j
2 P ea cema k ers en oy t h e s p ec a l p ro t ect o n O f God a n d recei ve a i i
i
.
1 3 . ZEA L IN W HA T Is GOO D .
PAG E
1 . Zea l i n wh a t i s good co n s s ts i n w ork ng ou t on e s s a l va t on w th i i
i i
a l l ea rn es tn es s a n d fervor 505
2 i
W th ou t zea l i n w h a t is goo d we ca nnot b e sa ved , for th e k ngd om i
i
.
O f h ea ven s u eret h v ol en ce
.
1 Sl o th o i i
i n s h u nn ng everyth ng t h a t co n d u ces e th er t o our
c ns s ts i i
i
.
t Gib ri s ti an p erfection
(I . .
1 God i
requ res of a ll th e u s t th a t t h ey s h oul d a s p re to Ch r s t a nj i i i
i
.
perfec t o n
2 i
Th e mos t s u b l me ex a mp le of Ch r s t a n p erfect on i s fo u nd i n i i i
i
.
t h s w orld . 51 0
In ord er to ma ke r
s u e of a t ta ni ng i Ch ri s t i an p erfect io n, t h e fol l ow i ng
51 2
1 . 51 2
2 51 2
i i
.
3 Ab s t fro m ll t h t i
ne n ce p r o a a s su e u us , e s p ec a ll y in reg a rd to
ti g d d ri ki g
.
ea n an n n 51 3
4 O rd r e d an 51 4
U r mi tt i g p r y r
.
5 n e n a e 51 4
io
.
6 Fr q
e t o f
u en c n es s n 51 5
R d i g tt t iv l y t h l i f iv i
.
7 ea n a fO
en L ord e e e O ur a nd th e l es of th e s a n ts ,
d m d it tio f r l igi
.
an e t h t r tha n on e u s o e on 51 5
8 . L ov ef ol i t d
o s u e 51 5
1 He wh o ir i
t o a h gh er d egree of p erfect o n mu s t fol l ow th e
asp es i
i i i
.
wh om i t i s g ven ( M a tt xi x
51 9
ii
. .
i ,
i
, , , ,
PART III .
I THE
. HO L Y SACR IFIC E O F THE M ASS .
1 . ON SA C R IF IC E IN GENERAL .
1 Th e w ord s ac i
r ce s gn es th e vol u nt a ry s u rrend eri i or t h e d es tIu c'
i j i i
.
t on of a n o b ect wh ch w e va l u e t o g ve h on or , to God a s ou r
s upreme L ord . 52 6
1 i i
Th e s a cr ce w h ch rec onciled God w ith ma n w a s th a t wh ch i
i O
.
Ch r s t ffered u p o n t h e cro s s 52 9
i i i i
.
the S n s of a l l ma n k nd , a nd a sa c ri ce r
O f s u p e a b u n d a nt va l u e 53 0
ih i i
.
s a cri ce Of th e sac a ,
p ra yer . 53 1
i
i
.
4 Th ere a re t h ree d s t n ct p a rt s i n t h e s a cr ce of t h e M a s s : Th e
.
46 Con ten ts .
1 In th e o r
c u s e of ti r mon es of d ee p s i gni ca n ce grou p ed
me ma n y ce e i
i i
.
a ro u n d t h e h ol y s a c r ce of t h e M a s s w h ch w ere
i
n ot t o b e om t ted w t h o u t a b s ol u t e n ec es s t y i i ,
53 9
Th e w h ol e s t ory of t h e Re d emp t on i s s ymb o l ca l ly rep res ented i i
540
1 Th e sac i
r ce of the M a s s is a l ivi ng ren ew a l of th e s a cri ce O f th e
i
.
541
2 . In t h e sac i
r ce Of th e M a s s a ll th e s a cr i ces ma d e b y O u r L ord
542
1 B y mea n s of t h e h ol y s a cr ce of t h e M a s s t h e fr u t s of th e s a cri i i
i
.
ce of t h e cros s a re a pp l ed t o u s i n mo s t a b u n d a n t mea s u re ;
i
mor e pa rt cul a rl y w e b ta n t h ereb y forg ven es s O f s i n, cert t u d e O i i i
th a t ou r p ra yers a re h ea rd , temp ora l b l e s s n gs , a n d etern a l re i
wa r 1 s :
2 ii
Th os e w h o p a rt c p a te i n th e fru ts of th e h ol y s a cr ce O f t h e i i
i i ii
.
1 i
Th e h ol y s a cr ce O f th e M a s s i s o nl y ffered t o G od ; i t ma y b e O
i i i
.
O
ffere d t o Hi m w t h a fou rfol d n ten t on : B y w a y of a t on ement ,
ii
of p e t t o n , of p ra s e , or o f th a nk s g v n g i ii 3
.
i
2 Th e h ol y s a cr ce O f th e M a s s ma y a l s o b e offered i n h on or of th e
it
.
ang l e s or sa n s
ri
.
3 . Th h ol y
e f th M sac ce O e a ss o b e O ffered for t h e s oul s O f
ca n a ls
th d p rt d wh
e h v b
e a e o a e een memb e rs O f t h e C a t h ol i c Ch u rch
t di d i
,
and h v a t t e no e n a s a e O f mort a l Si n E
ri
.
Th h ol y
e f th M sa c ce o e a s s ca n h ow ever b e O ffered for t h e
l i vi g wh th r C th ol i i
, ,
n , e e a cs or n on C a t h ol cs -
. S
8 THE V A
. LUE OF THE SA C R I F I C E OF THE M ASS .
1 As t h e h ol y sac i
r ce t h e M a s s i s a n ob l a t on of
of i i n i
n t e va l u e
i
. ,
W e ou gh t to b e very d evou t a t M a s s ; t h a t i s w e ou gh t t o b a n i s h
i i i
,
to u n te ou s p p
r u l ca t o ns t o t h o s e o f t h e p r e s t e s p e c a ll y i n t h e
i i
,
t h r ee p r n c p a l p a rts of th e M a s s 551
r i
l W h s p e n g l a u gh g l n oo i
k n g a b o u t a t th ie t m e o f M a s s m uis t b e i
r
ca e fu l l y a v o d ed ; m or e o v e r
,
i t i s iu n s ee m l y
,
t o c o m e t o M a s s
PL O ) !
2 Wh en i i
th e h ol y s a cri ce, we o ugh t to uni te our s u p
a s s s t ng a t
.
p l ca ti i
o n s to t h o s e o f t h e p ri es t , b u t i t i s n o t n eces s a ry t o u se
t h e s a me p ra y ers a s h e d oes 552
i i
3 At t h e th ree p r n c p a l p a rt s o f t h e M a s s w e s h ou ld t o a cer ta n i
i i
.
ma k e t o o u r h ea venl y Fa th er a d e n te a ct of offer ng O f Hi s
ii i
d v n e Son s a cr ced u p o n t h e a l ta r, a nd of Hi s Pa s s on a nd i
d ea t h 555
i
5 At t h e co mmu n on, i f w e d o no t commu n i ca t e a ctu a l l y, w e o ugh t
ii
.
t o d o s o s p r t u a lly 5 55
i
6 It i s n ot p o s s b l e to h ea r t w o or more M a s s es a t t h e s a me t me ; i
i
.
1 0 THE
. O LI GATI ON
B OF HEAR I N G M A SS .
. , ,
Th e h oly sac i
r ce of th e M a s s i s gen era l l y to b e cel eb ra ted b et ween
s un i
r se a nd n oon 558
55 9
Th e i
va r o u s i
p ort on s of t h e s a ce rd ota l ves tmen ts a re c ommemora t ve i
of Ou r Lord s Pa s s on i .
562
1 4 THE C O
. LOR S OF THE V ESTM EN TS .
i
, ,
2 Th es e col ors n ot on l y d ep ct t h e co u rs e of O u r Lo rd s l fe o n ea rt h
i i i
.
,
1 5 . THE L AN GUAGE OF TH E MA SS .
1 6 . SI N GI NG A T M A SS .
Th e i
s ngi n
g Of wh ih
th e Ch u rch ma k es us e i s
c ca ll ed th e Gregori a n
ch a n t , co ngr e a t i o n a l , a n d ch o i r Si n i n
g g g
48 Con tents .
Od y E
a i ns t h e l fe a n d s t rength of t h e s o u l , a s b rea d d oes t h a t o f t h e
.
ii i
.
q
fr e u en tl y, or t o rea d s p r t u a l b oo k s a nd ma ke a p ra ct ca l a p
i i
p l ca t on o f wh a t h e h ea rs or rea d s 570
i i i ii
.
3 Th o se w h o a re a s s d u o us i n h ea r ng s ermons or rea d ng Sp r tu a l
i
.
II THE SACRAMENTS
. .
1 Th e s ac a r ments b y Ch ri s t, b y mea ns
a re s en s ib l e s i gn s i n s ti t u ted
i ii i
.
1 . B AP TISM.
h ea d of t h e p ers on to b e b a p t zed , a n d a t th e s a me th e
i
w ord s a p p o n ted b y O u r L ord a re rep ea ted ; t h e p ers o n i s th ereb y
ii
cl ea n s ed from or g n a l s i n a n d a ll o th er s n s , h e i s gi fted w t h i i
i i
h a b tu a l a nd s a n ct fyi ng gra ce, a n d b eco mes a ch l d of God , a n i
i
h e r of h ea ven , a n d a memb er of th e Ch u rch 577
i
.
3 B a p t s m i s n d s pe n s a b l y n eces s a ry to s a l va t on
i
. .
th e u s u a l ceremon es 580
6 i ,
i
If b a p t s m b y w a ter i s Imp o s s b l e, i t ma y b e rep l a ced b y t h e b a p
i i i
.
t em of d es re, or b y th e b a p t s m of b l oo d , a s i n t h e ca s e O f t h o s e
w h o s u ffer ma r tyrd o m for th e fa th of Ch r s t i i
7 . In th e ea rl y a ges o f th e Ch urch s ol emn B a p ti s m w a s a d mi ni s tered
on t h ree d a ys O f th e y ea r : Hol y Sa tu rd a y , th e ev e O f W h i t
s u nd a y, a nd i n t h e Ea s t on th e ev e of th e Ep i p h a ny . 58 1
Con ten ts .
9 . C ONFIR MATION .
h i s h a n d s u p on t h e ca n d d a tes a n d a no n ts ea ch on e s evera ll y
i
wi t h ch r s m u p on t h e foreh ea d w i th p ra yer ; a n d t h o s e w h o a re
i i i
s o a n o n te d rece ve t h e g fts of t h e Ho l y Gh os t es p ec a ll y co u ra ge
,
, i
585
2 Th e s u p ern a t u ra l effect of Con rma ti o n i s s m l a r t o t h e na t ura l
. i i
ef fect O f oil 585
i i
3 C h r s t a n s o ugh t t o b e co n rmed a t t h e a ge wh en th ey p a s s fro m
i i i i
.
ch l dh oo d t o y o u th , b eca u s e a t th a t p er o d t emp ta t o n s t h c k en
a ro u n d t h em, a n d t h ey n eed s trength of w l l t o res s t th em i i 586
i
4 Th e ca n d d a te for C o n rma t o n o u gh t p rev ou s l y t o go to con i i
i i
.
3 . THE HO L Y EUCHARIST .
l i
Th e b o d y of Ch r s t u nd er t h e a p p ea ra n ce of b rea d a n d t h e b l oo d
i i
.
,
o f C h r s t u n d er th e a p p ea ra n ce of w n e i s ca l le d t h e M o s t Hol y ,
n ot c o mpreh en d i t 5 90
3 It i s mo s t tru e t h a t u n d er t h e s pe ci es of b rea d a s a l s o u n d er th e
i i
.
,
ii
.
t h e Al ta r a re t h es e : He ou gh t t o v s t i t frequ en tl y t o a d ore i t. ,
a n d t o recei ve 592
1 Th e Holy
Sa cra ment of th e Al ta r i s th e n ou ri s h ment of our s ouls 594
i
. .
h olyd a y s 5 95
Hol y commu n i on a ct s s p i ri t
b rea d a nd w i ne a ct ma t er i a ll y
u a ll y as 597
i i i
.
,
L ord s a y s :
He t h a t ea teth M y es h a n d d r n keth M y b l ood ,
i
a b d eth i n M e a n d I i n h i m ( oh n v 57 ) J i 597
i i i i
.
i i i
.
n crea s es s a n ct fy ng gra ce i n t h e s o u l 5 98
i i i
.
3 T
h e force of ev l co n cu p s ce n ce i s le s s en ed b y h ol y co mmu n on , a n d
i
.
1 W e mu s t ma ke a su it a b le re
p p a r a t o n i of b od y a nd s ou l b efore
i i
.
recei v ng h ol y c o mmu n o n 59 9
2 Th e ma n n er i n ih
w e s h o ul d p rep a re ou r s o ul i s th s :
wh c We i
i
.
m d n gh t ; b y d res s ng i n a n ea t a nd s u ta b l e ma nn er, a n d b y
a reverent d ep or tmen t a t t h e t me of commu n i o n i 602
After i
recei v ng commu ni on we s h o ul d ma ke ou r th a nks gi vi n g a n d
ii i
,
p ro f
f er o u r p et t o n s t o a l m gh t y Go d p ra y i ng for t h e P O p e
ii i i i
, ,
Sp iri t ua l c i
ommu n on cons i s ts i n a wa ken i ng i
w th i n th e h ea rt a l i vely
d es i re t o rec e ve h ol y c ommu n on i i . 6 04
h i s s i n t o a d ul y a u th or zed p r es t , w h o, s ta nd i ng i n t h e p l a c e
i
-
O f G od , p ro n o u n ces t h e a b s ol u t i o n b y mea n s of wh ch t h ey a re
t h ey a re u n a b l e to recover th e u s t ce t h ey h a ve l o s t 6 06
i i
.
O
d o es n ot b ta i n forg ven es s , b u t o nl y a d d s t o h i s o th er s n s t h a t
i
of s a cr l ege, a n d exp os es h ms el f t o th e gra ve r s k O f d y ng i i i
i mp eni tent . 6 08
THE CO NFE S S OR .
6 09
Pri es t s w h o a re d u ly a u th ori zed t o h ea r co n fes s i o n s h a ve n ot
.
2
a b s ol ve from a l l s i n s s i n ce t h ere a re cert a i n s i n s w h i ch
. ,
p o w e r to
t h e P o p e or t h e b i s h o p h a s res erved t o h i ms el f for j u d gmen t
,
609
3 In t h e co n fes s i o n a l t h e p ri es t s t a n d s i n t h e pl a ce of God : t h ere
fore t h e p en i t en t i s b o u n d t o y i el d h i m Ob ed i ence
.
609
4 U n d er n o p o s s i b l e con d i ti on s ma y t h e p ri es t repea t a ny th i ng ou t
O f th e co n fes s i o n a l
.
61 0
5 . Every Ca th ol i c i s p erfec tly free t o ch oos e hi s own co n fes s or 61 1
52 Conten ts .
PM
1 Co nfes s i o n i i i
w a s n s t tu ted b y O ur L ord , a n d h a s b een th e
of s n s
i i
.
p ra ct ce o f t h e Ch urch i n a l l cent u r es 6 26
i i i i
.
a nd wi s d om of God 6 28
Confes s i o n i s xtremel y
e u s eful b ot h to i d iv i d
n ua l s a nd to s o ci ety in
6 28
THE SIN OF RE LA P S E .
1 He i
w h o a fter h i s convers on , rel a p s es n t o morta l s i n , i s i n d a nger i
i i i i q i
.
IND UL GENCE S .
o f th e s n n er w i t h G od , of ch a ng n g t h e p u n s h ment s y et rema n
i
i ng d u e t o s in nt o works of p en a n ce, or of rem tt ng t h em i i
a l t og e th er
i i
.
O f o u r S n s i s ca ll ed a n i n d ul g en ce a n d i s o b ta i n ed b y t h e p er
i
,
oi n ed on u s b y th e Ch urch 6 34
3 i i
An nd u l gen ce i s e th er p l en a ry, w h en a ful l a n d en t re remi s s o n i i
i i
.
of a ll t h e te mp ora l p u n s h men t d u e t o s i n i s ga n ed , or p a rt i a l ,
i
w h en onl y a p ort on of t h e temp ora l p u n i s h men t i s remit ted 63 6
i
.
i
.
1 In ad ii
m n s teri ng Extreme U nct o n th e p r i
t h e Ch ri s t i a n i es t a n o i n ts
i O
.
w h o i s i n d a n ger of d ea th w th t h e h ol y i l s u p o n th e orga n s o f
h i s v e s en s es . a n d p r a ys over h i m; b y mea n s of w h ch t h e i
sp ii
r t u a l a n d n o t n fr equ en t l y i
t h e b o d l y ma l a d y o f t h e s ck m a n i i
640
Con tent s . 53
P AG E
2 Ex treme U ncti on d oes ma te ri a ll y ;
a cts s pi ri tu a l ly a s
it oil
i i i
.
s trengt h ens , h ea l s , a nd a a t ta n e te rn a l s a l va t o nd s t h e s o ul to 6 40
ii
.
HOL ORDER S 6 . Y .
1 i
At th e ad mi ni s tra t on O f Holy Ord ers t h e b i s h op la ys hi s h a nds
i i
.
2 Th e Of ce o f th e p ri
w h ch a ma n i s ra i s ed b y Hol y
es th ood to i
i
. ,
4 NO on e ca n b e a d mi tt ed to p r es t s O rd ers w h o h a s n ot a tta n ed
.
THE IN S TI TUTIO N
NAT URE OF M A TR mO NY A ND .
1 . i i
God Hims elf ns t tu ted ma tri mon y i n th e b egi nn ng of t h e i world ,
for th e p rocrea t i on of t h e h uma n ra ce a nd th e mu t u a l , a s s is t
a n ce Of h us b a n d a nd wi fe 649
2 Ch ri s t i an ma rr a ge i s i
b et ween ma n a nd w oma n, b i nd i ng
o r
a c nt a ct
i
.
na s mu ch a s i t i s n o s a cra ment , a n d co n s e u en tl y i n th e s i h t of
g q
i
God n o t ru e a nd rea l ma rr a ge for C a th ol cs i
THE C HARA C T ER I S TI C S OF MA TR I M ONY .
Acco rd i g t th ordi
n f Ch i t Ch ri ti
o e m ri g ina nce O r s s an ar a e s s tri ct l y
i o f t w p r o l y d i t i i d i ol b l
,
a un n o o e s ns on , an s n ss u e 6 52
Th e S m t f M tri mo y o f r
a cra en o po Ch ri t ia wh n c n e s u n s a ns o e mb race
th t t t b o th
a i r
s a e f t i fyi g gr an d i n c ea s e o s a nc n a ce , a n n a d d i ti on
th p i l g
e s ec ay t b l th m t
ra ces di h neces s a r o e na e e o sc a rge th e
d tiu r q ir d f th m
es e u e O e .
6 56
2 Th e Ch u rch exp re s s l y comma n d s t h a t t h e ma rr a ge b e co n cl u d ed i
i i i
.
i n t h e p res en ce of t h e p r es t of t h e p a r s h , a n d t w o w tn es s es ;
i i
or t h e p a r s h p r es t ma y a u th or ze a n o t h er p r es t t o a ct i n h i s i i
p l a ce
3 M a rri a g es a re, a s a ru l e, cel eb ra ted In t h e foren oon , i n t h e h o u s e
i
.
O f G od , wi th s ol emn ceremo n es a n d M a s s i s us ua ll y s a i d a t th e ,
It i s th e d u ty of t h e w fe to i Ob y
h er h u s b a n d ; i t i s t h e d u ty
e Of th e
h u s b a n d t o p ro tec t a n d i
Sh el d h i s w fe i 6 59
1 M ix d m rr
e a i h i d r t ood th m rri g f C th ol i
i a ges , b y wh c s un e s e a a e O a cs
C th li d i p p rov d f b y t h Ch r h
.
t o n on h v lw y b
a o cs , a e a a s een sa e o e u c 6 64
mix d m rri g o d it i
-
.
2 Th Ch r h t ol r t
e u c thr
e a es e a a es on ee c n on s 66 5
Th C t h ol i wh mix d m rri g w i th o t th b
. .
3 e a o tr t c o c n ac s a e a a e u e en e
d i ti o ommi t
.
c f th nCh r h o emort l i d
u c t b c s a a s n, an ca nn o e
d mi t t d t t h
,
a e r m t o e sac a en s 6 66
THE U N MAR RI ED ST A TE .
1 Th e un ma rr id
e i s b ett er t h a n th e ma rr ed , b ec a u s e t h ose
s ta t e i
i i
.
Th e sa c a i
r men ta l s a re r tes wh i ch h a ve s ome ou twa rd res emb la nce
i i
to t h e s a c ra men ts n s t tu ted b y Ch r s t b u t w h ch a re n ot of i i
ii i i i
d v ne n s t t u t on Th e n a me i s a p p l ed b oth t o th e b l es s n g or i ,
i
i i j
.
c on s ec ra t o n g ven b y t h e C h u r ch a n d t o t h e Ob ec ts b l es s ed ,
or co n s ecra t ed 668
i i i
Th e b l es s n g con s s ts i n t h s t h a t t h e mi n i s t er of th e Ch u rch i nvok es o
ii i i i i
,
s el ves a re a n n s t t u t on of t h e Ch u rch 6 70
3 Th e u s e O f b l es s ed or co n s ecra t ed Ob ects i s p ro ta b l e ; for i f u sed j
i i i ii i
.
excep t n g s u ch t emp ta t o ns a n d i ll s of i i
t h e b o d y a s a re for ou r s p r t u a l w el fa re ii . 6 70
Con ten ts . 55
P AG E
'
2 W e ma y p ra y e th er i n s p r t on l y, or w th th e l p s as well 67 2
Oj i i
.
t on a n d O f t h a nk s g v
,
ng . 67 3
2 . THE U T IL I T Y A ND NE CE SS I T Y OF PRAYER .
t o c o n t n u e in a s ta t e of gra ce 67 6
i
3 B y p ra yer w e o b ta n t h e rem s s on of t h e t emp ora l p ena l ty d u e i i
i
.
w l l fa ll n t o gr evo u s s n s . 67 7
3 . Ho w O UGHT WE TO PRAY ?
If p ra yer i s t o b e of u t l ty to u s , w e mu s t p ra y : ii
J
I In t h e n a me O f es u s th a t i s w e mu s t a s k wh a t i s i n a ccord a n ce
i i
. , ,
w th O u r L ord s d es res
67 8
i
2 W e mu s t p ra y w t h d ev o t on t h a t i s w e mu s t x ou r t h o u gh ts
. i ,
on God w h en we p ra y 678
i
3 W e mu s t p ra y w th p ers evera n ce, th a t i s , w e ough t n o t to d es i s t
ii i i
.
1 A s m tt r f f t w o ght t p r y o t i
a a e o ll y f
ac O L ord e u o a c n nua or ur
r q ir t t f i t iii
. ,
e u f Al w y t p r y
es o d us ( L k x v a s o a an no o a n u e 681
p i ll y v ry mor i g v i g
.
2 . W o gh t t p r y m r
e u o a d o e es ec a e e nn an e en n ,
b fore d ft r m l
e an d wh w h
a th A g l
e ea s , a n en e ea r e n e us 682
h o r f f i t i o d i tr
.
3 F rth rmor w o gh t t p r y i
u e e th e u o a n e u o a c n, s es s ,
t mp t t i o t ri g imp ort t d rt ki g
.
or e wh a po n, en en e n u n an an un e a n
d wh
an w f l i p ir tio d d ir t p r y
en e ee an ns a n an es e o a
,
684
6 . FO R WHAT OU G HT WE To PRAY ?
1 W e ough t t o i mp l ore of God ma n y th n gs a n d grea t t h ngs ; b en e i i
ii i i
.
ts n ot a p p erta n ng t o t me SO mu ch a s to et ern ty 68 5
2 W e ou gh t more es p ec a ll y to b es eech a l m gh ty God to gra n t u s i i
i i
.
s u ch t h i n gs a s a re co n d u c v e t o Hi s gl ory , a n d t o ou r s a l va t on ,
i
a n d i n n o w se t o a s k for w h a t w l l o n l y s erve t o
gra t fy ou r i i
56 Con ten ts .
7 M ED I TA T I O
. N .
The O ur F a ther .
y d is tinguished , , co m
;
5
Th e O ur Fa ther consist s of an ad d ress seven , p etiti ons , a nd th e
$
Th e a d d ress places t h e soul in th e right d isp os ition for pra yer ;
k
i t awa ens within us cond ence in God a nd raises ou r thoughts
3 In th e rs t pe tition w e pray tha t God ma y b e gl oried
k b
.
The Ave M a ri a .
t h e Church
2 . Th e Ave M a ri a is a mos t p otent prayer a n d one which i s full of ,
The Angel/us .
The Ros a ry .
th e
Th e t
litany akes its or
'
L oret t o in Ita ly
,
. e Salve Regina was comp osed in 1 009 696
Con ten ts . 57
6 97
P W
-
.
,
, ,
69 7
Po r ces s i ons .
1 Pro
ssions a re a solemn rel igious ceremony d uring which pra yers
ce
a re r ecited in common b y thos e w h o ta ke p ar t in th em
. ,
697
Th e ceremoni al ob s erved in our Chris tian processi ons is intend ed to
or tra y t h e truth tha t w e h av e n ot here a l a s ting city b ut We
p ,
6 97
2 Th e Ch u rch hol d s processions e ither for t h e purpos e of s etting b e
t
.
b
fore na more forci ly cer ain events in th e life of C hri s t,
certa in d o ctr ines o f t h e faith , or in ord er to o ta in spee d y help b
from God ; on th es e o cca s ions an oppor tunity i s afford ed us of
b
tes tifying in a pu lic manner ou r faith a n d ou r loyalty t o th e
Church 6 98
3 Th e following p rocess ions form p a r t of th e ritual of th e Chu rch
.
every where . 69 8
Th e proces s ion on th e feas t of th e Purica tion 69 8
Th e p rocess ion on alm Sund ay P 69 9
Th e p ro ces si on on Holy Sa turd a y '
. 699
Th e p ro cession on th e feas t of C orpus Chris ti 6 99
Th e procession on St M a r s Da y
. k . 699
Th e p roc ession on th e thr ee Roga tion d ays . 7 00
C h ri s ti a n B uri a l .
of God 7 03
3 . Th e obj ect for which as a rul e Ch ristia n people visi t places of
pilgrimage is t o b eseech th e d ivine as s is tance i n s ea s ons of d eep
, ,
afiction or to ful l a
, 705
7 06
58 Con ten ts .
P AG
7 07
M i s s i ons a nd R etrea ts .
C a thol i c C o ngres s es an d P a s s i on Pl a ys .
1 b
C a th olic congres s es a re pu lic meetings of C ath olics for t h e pu r
i
.
k
pose of ta ing couns el together a nd pas sing res olutions su te d
t o t h e times a n d t o th e p res ent need s o f th e Church 7 09
2 P assion play i s t h e name given to t h e portrayal of O u r L ord s
P
.
bb
assion, a nd o ther i lical event s in a s eries of ta b l ea/uw vi va/nts . 71 0
1 .
b
fa ithful , with t h e o j ec t of furthering their ow n salva tion or
t h e salvation of their fello w men -
71 1
2 . R eligious assoc ia ti ons ma y b e d ivid ed int o confraternities or s od a li
b
ties a n d cha rita le societies 71 1
The Th i rd O rd er o f St F ra nci s
. .
Th e Third O
rd er w as found ed by St . Franci s of Assisi for th e sak e
of s ecul ars 71 3
P
Th e Society for th e ropagation of t h e Faith, of t h e Holy Chil d h ood ,
th e Co nfra ternity of St M ichael , t h e C o nfra terni ty of t h e B l ess ed
.
71 4
Th e Ap o s tles h i p of P ra yer
Cha ri ta b l e So ci eti es .
b efore th e n a l u
j gd m n t e b es id es t ho s e
wh o di ed p re vi u ly o s or
of th e b ody 1 2
an d th e life everla s tin g Amen . .
,
u h l t l v th Lord thy G d wi t h t hy wh l h rt
Th o s a o e e o o e ea ,
wh l t gth
o e s ren .
Th o u
ha lt h a ve no s tran ge god s b efore M e [Th a t i s t
s .
a n y ot h er ]
Th ou s h a l t n ot ta k e th e n a me of t h e Lord t hy God i n
va i n [Th a t i s t h ou s h a lt n ot utt er th e n a me of God irreverently]
.
,
g i v e t h ee .
Th ou s h a l t n ot s t ea l .
Th ou s ha l t n ot b ea r fa l s e wi tn es s a ga i n s t t hy n eighbo r .
Th ou s ha l t n ot c ovet t hy n ei gh b or s w i fe
.
( )
1 0 T h ou s h a l t n ot c ov et t h y n ei ghb or
s h o u s e n or hi s s erv ,
a n t n or hi s ox n or his as s n or a n yth i n t h t i h i s
, , g a s ,
.
To fas ta b i
n d a s ta n on th e days a pp ointed .
To confes s a t l ea s t on ce a yea r .
Ha ve brought me t o t h i s morni ng s li gh t
.
From so rrow ,
s in, t e mp t a t i on p
s owe r .
G ran me Th y t bl es s in g Lor ,
d, th is d ay,
On a ll I h in k, t or do , y
or sa .
2 . A Ni ght P ra yer .
Wh en res t I l a y me d own
to
G od s p rot ect in g l ove I own
Han d s a n d h ea rt t o Hi m I ra is e ,
Th e ill t h a t I t hi s d ay h a ve d on e ,
u
T h o , Wh o h a s k ep me t t th ugh th ro e
t
Wa c h o er me h ro gh
t u thi i gh t I p r y
s n , a .
If I work or if I res t , ,
Ma y G od s ho l n ame b e b l es
y t .
t
G ran me gra c e my a ll to gIv e
t
Un o Hi m b Wh om I l i e y v
Jesu s, for Th
y h el p I p l ea d :
y
Ma r , for me i n erc ed e t .
4 Grace b efore M ea ls
.
B l es s 0 Lord , and
u s, th Th y gift whi ch w es e s, e a re a b out to
recei ve from Th y b o n , u ty th r ugh J su Chri st Our L rd
o e s o . Amen .
5 . Gra ce a fter M ea ls .
We gi vth k 0 L rd f t h
e Th ee d ll Th y gift
an s, o ,
or es e a n a s,
wh i c h f Th y b o u ty w h v
o iv d d m y th s ul s f th
n e a e rec e e ,
an a e o o e
fa i t h ful t h r u gh th m rcy f G d
,
o t i p c Am
e e o o ,
res n ea e. en .
62 Dev oti ons .
One s P a rents
6 . P ra yer for .
III PRAYERS
. TO B E SAID AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN THE
C HU RCH B ELL IS HEARD .
1 . The Angelus .
( Morn i n g, n oon, an d e en i n g. v )
V . Th e a n gel of th e L ord d ecla red u nt o M a r y .
B . v
An d s h e con cei ed of th e Hol Gho s t Ha i l M ar y . y , etc .
V . B eh ol d th e h a n dmai d !
of th e L ord
R . B e i t d on e u nt o me c
a c ordi n g t o Th y word . Hai l M ary,
et c
V . An d th e Wo rd wa s ma de es h .
R . An d dwel t a mon gs t u s . Ha i l Ma ry ,
etc .
L et us P ra y .
sa me Ch ri s t Ou r L ord Amen . .
( A n i n d u l g e n ce o f o n e h u n d re d d a ys ma y b e ga i ned ea ch t me th a t th e An g el u s i
i i
i s s a d kneel ng ( excep t on Sa tu rd a y eve ni n g a nd on Su nd a y, w h en i t i s s a d i
i i
s t a n d n g) , a n d a p l e n a ry n d u l g e n ce o n ce a mon th on t h e u s u a l co n d t o n s i f ii
i i
, , ,
from s a y i ng i
t h e p ra yers k n eel ng , o r w h o ca nn o t h e a r t h e b el l , a re s t i ll a b l e to
g n
a i th e i n d u l g ence i f th e p ra yers a re d u l y rec te d ) i .
P ra yer i n C ommemora ti on f O L d P i b s ai d a t
2 . o u r or s as s on to e ,
F ri d a ys
three o clock on .
b
I les s Th ee, 0 Th ou Lord of h ea en v
Wh os e l i fe for s i n fu l man wa s gi en v .
Th y merc y ,
L ord, we h u m l by avecr
u
S fferi n g a mi ds t t h e cl eans in g re,
To s ee Th y fa c e th e yy t e a s p i re.
Amen .
W h en t h e p ri es t , i
s ta n d n g a t th e foot of th e a l ta r b eg i ns th e p ra yers of
i i i i
,
i
,
a nd b reas t .
5 . P ra yer at the Oertory .
I offer to Th y d i in e ma j es t , v y togeth er wi th a ll Ih a e a n d a l l I a m v .
y
M erci fu ll p a rdon my s i ns , a n d grant th at I ma y n d acc ept an c e i n
Th y s i gh t .
Sa crice for ou r s a l v a ti on 3
On th e cros s a vi cti m s lai n .
B read of a n gel s , e v er v
li i n g,
Hea l th and h op e to morta l s gi i n g v .
Re ma i n up n i
o you r kn ee s mot onl e s s u nt l th e b el l r ngs i i a
ga i
n at th e el e
i i
, ,
va t ion of th e ch a l ce Th en b l es s yo u rs el f a g a n a n d s a y :
.
,
0fu
o nt of lo v e, good Jes u s , L ord ,
Clean s e u s , u n cl ea n , in Th y a ll -
cl ea n s i ng bl ood 3
Of wh i ch on e s i n gl e d r op for s i n n ers s p i l t,
7 . At the C ommuni on .
W h en th e b el l ri ngs , b l es s you rs e lf , st i
r ke you r b rea s t , a nd s a y i
w th th e
p ri es t :
Bl es s yo u rs el f a ga i n h ere a n d a l s o w h en th e p r es t
, i g i ves th e b l es s i n g . At
th e l as t Go s p el d o th e s ame a s wh en th e rs t w a s rea d .
Kneel ing d o w n i n th e o
c n fes s io nal , ma k e th e s ign o f t h e cros s whe n th e
pr i es t gi v es h i s b l es s i ng ; th en s a y th e rs t p a rt of t h e Conteor , a n d
y o u
a cc u s e i
you rs elf of th e s n s y ou h a ve comm tted s n ce you r l a s t con fes s on , fol i i i
l ow i ng th e ord er of th e Te n Comma nd me n t s , th e p recep t s o f th e C h u rch , a n d
th e se ven d ea d ly s n s i . i
Aft er h av n g co n fes s ed a ll th a t you ca n rememb e r,
o
c n cl u d e i
w t h th es e or s i mi l a r w ord s :
L is te n a t t en ti vely to th e i n s t ru ct io ns th e p ri es t gi ves y ou , es p ec a l li y in
rega rd t h o t e p e n a n ce h e s e ts y o u W h en h e g ves y ou a b s ol u t on a n d h i s
. i i
b l es s i g bl
n es s yours elf; t h en g o to th e a l ta r to gi ve th a nks t o God for h a v ng i
j oi
,
d iv
ec e b d i v 3
d
e n or d b e Hece h e m d H i
an t ac h eca u s e e a s con r e s e
i g
n by m y mi lac M
an v I b l
r i v w h t
es . v th C a th
oreo er li e e e a e er e o c
Ch u h by Ch i t
rc t h i ty p p r s
t s tau b b li
or v d ; I ro os es o us o e e e e
b li v it b
e e e th C th l i C h
eca u s e h i g u i d e
e d d d
a f o d d c urc s an e en e
a g i t
a ns by t h H l y
error S p i i t ; d b e v n
o d wn t t h r an eca u s e e e o o e
p t
res en d y G d b a r t by moi r c l th
corro o a es t uth w h i c h t h a es e r s e
I tr u t th
s Th ou wi lt gra n t me for th i s en d t h e gra ce of t h e Hol
at y
Sp iri t, s u ch temp oral goo d th i n gs as a re n eces s a r to me, pa rd on of y
s in , h elp i n ti me of n eed , a n d a gra ci ou s a n s wer t o my p eti ti on s .
i n crea se my h op e .
An Act of C ha ri ty . M y God, I lo v e Th ee wi th my wh ol e
h ea rt, an d a bv o e all th in gs , b c
e a us e Th o u a rt s u
p re me b e uta y a nd
( As i
o fte n as a cts of th e t h ree t h eo l og ca l v rt u e s a re ma d e e th er b y th e u se i i
i i i
,
i i i ii
,
of t h e s e a cts a p l e n a ry i n d u l g en ce o n ce a mon th i s g ra nt ed on t h e u s u a l co nd i
i
,
ti ons . Al s o a p l e n a ry n d u l gen ce a t th e h o u r of d ea th ) .
p a rd on , a n d recei v e me a ga i n as Th y chi l d .
4 R en ewa l
. o f p
B a ti s ma l Vows .
i n to eterna l fel i ci t y .
66 Dev oti ons .
An d i n ou r s ou l s ta ke u p Th y An d mak e ou r h ea rts
o erow
res t ; wi th l o v e 3
C ome, wi th Th y g ce
ra an d Wi th p a t i en ce rm a nd vi rt u e
h ea v ly
en a i d, h i gh,
To l l th e h ea rts th at Th o u Th e wea kn es s of our es h sup
ha st ma d e . l
Py .
a bv
o e T u nfr ro m th e p ath of li fe as i de .
Th ou i n Thy v
s e en fol d gi fts a rt Oh , may Th y grac e on us
kn own 3 b es tow
B e to th e Fa th er a nd th e Son
Wh o ros e from death 3 th e s a me to Th ee,
O Holy Gh os t et ern a lly Amen ,
. .
Th e Ann u n c i a ti on ,
Th e Vi s i ta ti on , Th e Nativi ty
of Ou r L ord, Th e Pres en tat io n of Ou r L ord i n th e Temp l e,
Th e Fi n din g of t h e Ch i l d Jes u s i n Jeru s al em .
Th e v e Sorrowfu l M yt
s eri es , wh i ch ma y b e s ai d c h i ey duri ng
L en t, or on Tu es da y s a nd Fri d a ys.
t h e Cros s , Th e Cru ci xi on .
Th e v e Gl ori o u s M y t ri
s e es , wh i ch ma y b e u s ed ch i ey from
Ea s ter u n til Adv en t ,
or on Wedn es da ys ,
Sa t udy r a s , an d Su n d a y s.
t h e B l es s ed V i rgi n M a r y .
P ra yer to St Jos ep h . .
By vi rtu e s
p
a th l ea d to th e h ea v ly l en a n d,
An d i n my l a st h ou r b e t h ou n ea r a t ha nd .
Gi ven me by l v o e v
di i n e
Da y me
a n d n i gh t watch o er v ,
By a p i ou s li fe I fa i n
PAR T I .
W e a re on e rth a for th e p up r os e of gi v i n g l
g yor t o God ,
an d
en d by th e followi n g mea n s .
of fa i th ; an d n al l y of th e s i gn o f th e cros s .
An e xp l a n a ti on i s gi v en of th e tw el v e arti cl es of th e Ap os
tl es C reed .
Art 2 7
.
-
Art . 9 . Th e C a th ol i c C h u rc h , i ts i n s ti t ti on , de u v el op men t,
and v
di i n e ma i n ten a n c e . Th e up s re me Hea d of th e Ch u r ch , th e
h i era rch y ,
th e n otes of th e Chu rc h . In th e C h u rch a l on e is
s alva ti on . Ch u rch and Sta te . Th e co mmun i on of s a i n ts .
.
Art 1 1 1 2 Dea th , th e p arti cul a r j udgmen t, h eaven , h ell ,
.
p u r a tor
g y ,
th e res u rr ecti on of j u dgmen t t h e d ea d , th e n a l .
g o o d t h i n
gs w hi ch w e h op e for fr om G o d Th e n a t u re of C h ri s .
ti a n h op e i s c on s i dered i ts a d v a n ta ges a n d wh a t i s Op p os ed to i t
, .
69
0 Gen era l Su rvey .
PAR T II .
y
Th e p recep t of ch a ri t tow a rds God, wh i ch i s s et forth more
u y
f ll i n th e rs t fou r comma n dmen ts of th e D e c a l og e u .
y
Th e p rec ep t of ch ari t tow a rds on e s n ei gh or B y thi s w e
b .
a re b
for i dd en t o i n j u re ou r n ei gh or In th e Fifth C omma n d b .
men t we a re b
for i d d en t o i n j u re h i s li fe ; i n th e Si xth , hi s
i n n oc en ce ; i n th e Se v en th , y
h i s p rop ert ; i n th e Ei gh th , h i s
rep ut a ti on ; 1 n th e Nin th a n d Ten th , h i s h o s eh ol d u .
We a re al s o co mma n d ed to h el p h i m i n t i me of n eed by th e
s pi ri t of p o v ty
er .
co
B y w a lki n g i n th i s w a y w e s h all en o j y h a p p i n es s e v en on
e a r th .
Th e p rec ep ts w h i ch C h ri s t ga e u s i n th e Sermon v on th e
u
M o n t, a n d wh i c h a re c al l ed th e eigh t ea ti tu d es b .
PAR T III .
In trea ti n g of th e h ol y
s a c ri ce of th e M a s s t h e p oi n ts ex
p l a i n ed a re : Th e i n s ti t ti o n ,
th e n aut re,
th e p a rt s ,
a n d th e u
c ere
moni es of th e M as s ; M a s s to th e s a cri ce
th e l
re a t i on of th e
of th e cros s , th e b en ets d eri v e d from t h e M a s s , th e ma n n er of
offeri n g i t, d evoti on s d u ri n g M a s s , th e ob l i ga ti on of h ea ri n g
M a s s , th e ti me a n d pl a ce of c el eb ra ti n g M a s s , th e v es tmen ts
an d v ess el s u s ed a t M as s , th e col or of th e v
men ts , th e l a n gu a ge
es t
Th e d t uy of h ea ri n g th e word of G od ne xt foll ow s ; th en th e
d octri n e of men ts i n gen era l a n d of ea ch i n di vi du a ll y
th e s a cra .
p en a c
n e ; th e of
eo c f th e con fes s or, th e effec ts of th e Sac ra men t
of P en an c e . Th e worth y recep ti on of ac rament ( i n i ts
th e s
th e u s e, th e n e c es s i ty, th e ti me, th e p l a c e th e ob j ec t of p ra y er
,
s e rv a n t s erv e s h i s ma s t e r a n d s o ea rn s h i s b r ea d , s o ma n h a s t o s erv e
G od , a n d t h ro u g h hi s s e rvi ce a tt a i n s h a p p i n es s t o s o me ext en t i n
t hi s l ife, a n d i n i t s ful n es s a fte r d ea t h .
n ot p o s s es s e d of re a s o n a n i ma l s , t r ee s , p l a n t s , s t o n es , me t a l s , et c , .
a ll p r a i s e G o d a ft e r t h ei r o wn fa s h i o n Th e L or d h a s ma d e a l l
.
t h a t h e s h o u l d p r oc l a i m t h e ma j e s t y of G od He mu s t d o s o wh eth er
.
h e wi ll s i t or n ot Th e c o n s t ru ct i on of t h e b o d y of ma n , t h l o ft y
.
p o we rs of hi s s o ul , t h e r ew a r d s of t h e g oo d , t h e p u n i s h men t of t h e
wi cked , a ll p ro cl a i m t h e ma j es t y of God , Hi s o mn i p o t en ce, wi s d om,
g oo dn es s , j u s t i c e et c , Even t h e rep rob a t e wi ll h a ve t o c o n t r i b u t e
.
t o t h e g l ory of God ( P ro v xv i . In t h e en d h e w i ll s h o w h ow
.
g r ea t i s t h e h ol i n es s a n d j us t i ce of G od M a n , from b ei n g p o s s e s s ed
.
of r ea s o n a n d fr ee wi ll , i s t h ro u g h t h e s e en a b l ed i n a n es p ec i a l w a y t o
G od . M a n i s c re a t ed chi ey for t h e l i fe b e yo n d t h e g r a ve In t hi s .
a l a s t i n g c i ty , b u t we s eek on e t h a t i s t o c o me ( Heb xi i i
. .
H ea ven i s ou r t r u e c o u n t ry ; h er e w e a re i n exi l e .
He wh o p u rs u es en d s l ik e t h es e b eh a ves a s fool i s h l y a s a s e rv a n t
wh o, i n s t e a d of s e rv i n g h i s m a s t e r, d ev o t es h i ms elf to s ome p a s s i n g
a mu s emen t He s t a n d s i dl e i n t h e ma rket p l a c e, i n s tea d of w orki n g
.
-
i n h i s mas te r s vi n eya rd
He i s l i ke a t r a v el ler wh o, a tt ra ct ed b y th e
j
.
b e a u ty of t h e s cen e ry , d o e s n ot p u rs u e h i s o u rn ey, a n d s o a ll o w s t h e
23
'
74 In trod u cti on .
ni g h t t o ov e rt a ke h i m We a re n ot ma de for ea r th ; we a re ma d e t o
.
l oo k u p w a r d t o h ea ven Th e t rees , t h e p l a n t s p oi n t u p wa rd to
.
h ea v en , a s i f t o r emi n d u s th a t i t i s our h o me .
vi .
Unh a p p i l y, too ma n y fo rg et t h ei r l a s t en d a n d x t h ei r h ea r t s on ,
mon ey, i n u en ce h o n or et c Th ey a re l i ke t h e k i n g s of t h a t he a t h e n
, , .
c o un t r y wh o, a l t h o u g h t h ey r ei gn ed b u t fo r a yea r a n d a fte r th a t h a d
to g o a n d l i ve on a b
a rr en i s l a n d , s p en t a ll t h ei r t i me i n l u x ur y a n d
fe a s t i n g , a n d d i d n ot l a y u p a n y p ro v i s i on for t h e fu t ure on t h e
i s l a n d wh i th e r t h ey wer e ou n d b
He wh o d o es n ot t h i n k on h i s la s t
.
en d i s n ot a p i lg r i m b u t a tra mp , a n d fa l l s i n to t h e h a n ds of t h e
,
d evi l a s a t ra mp i n t o t h e h a n d s of t h e p o l i ce He i s l i ke a s a i l or .
wh o kn ows n ot wh i t h er h e i s s a il i n g , a n d s o wrecks hi s s hi p O ur .
II . HO W AR E WE TO ATTAIN TO ETERNAL
HAP P INESS ?
Et e rn a l h a p p i nes s con s i s t s
i n u n i o n wi t h God , t h ro u g h t h e ex er
c i s e of t h e i n t el l ec t c o n t emp l a t i n g God a n d t h e wi ll l o vi n g H im .
If we wi s h t o a t ta i n i t , we mu s t b eg i n t o d r a w n ea r t o i t i n t h i s l i fe .
t a :
th e o nl y t ru e God a n d J es u s C h r i s t , Wh om Th ou h as t s en t
, ( John
xvi i . Th a t i s t o s a y , t h e kn owl ed g e of God b r i ng s ma n to etern a l
h a p p i n es s .
2 . W e mus t u
f l l th e wi l l of God by k eep i n g Hi s c omman d
ments .
O u r L or d ys t o th e ri ch y o u n g ma n : If th ou wi l t en te r i nto
sa
l i fe keep t h e c o mma n dmen t s
, ( M a t t xi x . .
g r a c e He wh
. o t r a v el s t o a d i s t a n t c o u n t ry b e s i d e s h i s ow n ex e r ,
l a n d w i th ou t th e a i d of s u n s h i n e a n d of r a i n M a n t o o h a s a s p ec i a l
wea k n es s b y r ea s o n of or i g i n a l s i n
.
, ,
Th i s ma k es gr a ce th e mo re i n d i s
b
.
p e n s a b l e Th e l i n d. m a n n ee d s a g u i d e t h e s i c k m a n s t r en g t h en i ng
,
R i ch es will n o more s a t i s fy t h e s o u l th a n s a l t wa te r wi ll u en ch q
t h i rs t In t h e d a ys of t h e ea rl y emp i re of R o me, wh en r i ch es a n d
.
s en s u a l p l ea s u res a b o un d ed , s u i ci de wa s mo s t wi d el y p rev a l en t .
Ea rthl y p o s s es s i o n s a re a c o n t i n u a l s o u rc e of a n xi et y ; h e wh o res t s
i n t h em i s t ormen ted b y t h em, l i ke a ma n wh o rep os es on t h orns .
Ea rt hl y g oo d s a ll fors a ke u s wh en we d i e : We b ro u g h t n o th i n g i n t o
t h e w orl d , a n d c e rt a i n l y we c a n n o t c a rry a n yt h i n g ou t of i t ( 1 Ti m .
vi . Wh en t h e P o p e i s c ro wn ed , a h a n dful of t ow i s k i n d l ed , a n d
whi l e i t b l a z es u p t h e ch oi r s i n g : Th u s p a s s es th e g l or y of th e
w orl d
As t h e s p i d er s p i n s a web ou t of i t s own b owel s a n d i n a
.
t h e w a y , d ea t h or s i ckn es s vi s i t s h i m, a n d a ll t h e l a b or i s g o n e for
n a ught As t h e g l o w w orm s h i n es i n t h e n i g h t , b u t i n t h e l ig h t of
.
-
d a y i s b u t a n u g l y i n s ect , s o t h e d el i g h t s of ea rt h a re b r i ll i a n t d u r i n g
t h e n i g h t of l i fe on ea r th , b u t u n d e r t h e l i g h t of t h e D a y of J u d g
men t w i ll s h o w t h ems el ves va i n a n d w orth l e s s .
Ea rth l y goo d s g
a rei e n to v us on l y u
t h a t th ro gh th em w e
ma y a tt a i n to et ern a l h a p p i n es s .
o i l s a re a ll d es t i n ed t o s erve t o t h e c o mp l et i o n of th e p i ct u re
, ,
so a ll t hi n g s i n t h e w orl d a re i n t en d ed t o c o n t r i b u te t o ou r
et er n a l h a p p i n es s i n h ea ven Not t o u s e ea rt h l y t h i n g s for t hi s
.
e n d i s t o l o s e t h e h o p e of et e rn a l h a p p i n es s ; b u t t o ma k e t h em
o u r en d a n d t o b e d ep en d en t on t h em n o l es s d ep r i v e s u s of t h e
g e o n s
i n s t r u men t s ; i f t h e y a re i l l emp l o y ed t h e y k i ll i n s te a d
-
of c u r i n g W e mu s t th er efore u s e th em o n l y i n s o fa r a s t h ey
.
h el p us t o w a rd s t h e a t t a i n men t of ou r l a s t en d Wh en th ey h i n d er .
t h ey mu s t s e rv e u s .
2 . y
th e Gos p el of Ch ri s t i s ca p a l e of gi i n g
Onl b v us a p a rt i al
h app i n es s on earth , for h e wh o foll ows the t ea chi ng of Ch ri s t i s
v
c ert a i n t o h a e p eac e i n hi s s o l u .
Th i s i s w h y C h r i s t t o t h e Sa ma ri t a n woma n :
sa ys He t h a t s h a l l
d r i nk of t h e w a t e r t h a t I s h a ll g i ve h i m, s h a ll n ot t h i r s t for eve r
( Joh n i v An d a g a i n :
. He t h a t c o meth to M e, s h al l n ever
h u n g er ( Joh n v i Th e t e a ch i n g of C h ri s t c a n a l o n e s a t i s fy
.
t h e h ea r t of ma n Th e r e a s on of t h i s i s , t h a t e a r thl y s u ffer i n g s d o
.
n ot r en d e r u n h a p p y t h e ma n w h o fo l l o w s C h r i s t .
St P a ul t ell s u s th a t
. Al l w h o wi ll li v e g od l y i n C h ri s t
Jes u s , s h a ll s f u
fer p ers ec ti on ( 2 Ti m ii i u . .
In trod u cti on . 77
Th e wh ol e li fe of th e C h ri s t i a n i s a ca rry i n g of t h e c ros s a n d a
C h r i s t Hi ms el f s a y s :
s uf fer i n g of p e rs ec u t i o n . Th e s e rv a n t i s n ot
a b o v e h i s ma s t e r ( M a tt x Th a t i s t h e s erv a n t of C hr i s t h a s
. .
,
n o cl a i m t o a b et t e r l ot t h a n h i s M a s t e r C hr i s t We mu s t exp ect t h e .
men of t h e w orl d ( t h a t i s t h o s e wh o s e ek t h e i r h a p p i n es s i n t hi s
,
h a t e u s ( 1 C or i v 3 1 0; Jo h n x vi i 1 4 ; xv
. . , To b e l o v ed a n d
. .
p r a i s ed b y t h e w orl d i s t o b e t h e en emy of C h r i s t Th e p r i n c i p l es of .
t h e w orl d a re i n c o n t r a d i ct i o n w i th th o s e of C h ri s t a n d t h e w orl d re ,
d oeth th em, s h a ll b e l ik en ed t o a wi s e ma n , th a t b u il t h is h o u se
u p on a rock ( M a t t v i i . .
He wh o t r u s t s i n God b u i l d s on s ol i d g ro un d Th e p a t r i a r ch .
F ro m h i s ow n exp e r i en c e h e w a s a b l e t o s a y : M a n y a re t h e a ti c
t i o n s of t h e j u s t ; b u t ou t of t h em a l l t h e L or d w i ll d el i ve r t h em ( Ps .
h a s t u rn ed t o g oo d th e evi l t h a t t h e i r en emi es t h o u g h t t o d o t h em .
If God i s w i th u s , wh o ca n b e a g a i n s t u s ?
4 Henc e p erfect h app i nes s
. i s i mp os s i l e b on ea rt h f
; or no ma n
ca n enti rel y av oi d s uf
feri ng .
Th e en d of t h e w orl dl i n g i s mi s ery as t h e j us t
w e h a ve s ee n , a n d
ma n i s p e rs ecu te d . N
0 o n e ca n e s c a p e s i c kn e s s , s u f fe r i n g , d e a t h Th e .
w orl d i s a v a ll ey of t ea rs ; i t i s a b i g h o s p i t a l , c o n t a i n i n g a s ma n y s i ck
men a s t h er e a re h uma n b ei n g s Th e w orl d i s a p l a c e of b a n is h men t ,
.
fort u n e s u c c ee d e a ch o th er l i ke s u n s h i n e a n d s t orm P ro s p er i t y i s .
t h e s u r e for e r u nn er of a d ver s i t y In l i fe w e a re on a s ea , n ow l i ft ed
.
u p t o h ea v en , n ow ca s t d o wn t o h ell So c i et y i s a l w a ys s u r e t o b e full
.
of a ll ki n d s of mi s er i es , wh a t ev e r ef fort s ma y b e ma d e t o i mp ro v e t h e
c o n d i t i o n of ma n k i n d V a i n i n d ee d a re t h e h o p e s of t h e mo d ern
.
St P a ul b i d s us
. i n c rea s e i n t h e kn o wl ed g e of God ( C ol i . .
Now w e on l y kn ow God th ro u gh a g l a s s i n a da rk ma nn er ; on l y i n
h ea ven s h a ll w e s ee Hi m fa ce t o fa ce, a n d h a v e a cl ea r kn owl edg e of
Hi s p e rfect i o n s ( 1 C or x ii i . .
1 Th e h app i nes s
. of th e angel s a nd th e s ai nts c ons i s ts i n th e
kn owl ed ge of God .
O u r L or d t ells u s t h a t t h i s i s et ern a l l i fe t h a t t h ey ma y kn o w ,
Th ee th e o n l y t ru e God a n d J es u s C h r i s t Wh o m Th o u h a s t s en t
, ,
( Jo h n xv i i . T h i s i s t h e foo d o f w h i ch t h e a r ch a n g el R a p h a el
s p o k e, wh en h e s a i d t o To b i a s : I us e a n i n v i s i b l e me a t a n d d r i n k,
wh i ch c a nn o t b e s een b y men ( Tob x i i In h e a v en t h e s a i n t s
. .
a n d a n g el s h a ve a n i mm ed i a t e kn o wl ed g e of G od i n th e b e a t i c
vi s i on We on ea rt h o n l y kn ow God th ro u g h th e med i um of Hi s
.
wi th t h a t of t h e s a i n t s a n d a n g el s i s li ke t h e kn o wl edg e of a c o u n t ry
,
Th e kn o wl ed g e of God i s t h e foo d of ou r s o u l Wi th ou t i t t he .
i n te ri or p ea c e c a nn o t en j o y r i ch es h ea l t h or a n y of t h e g oo d s of t h i s
, , ,
of t h e s o ul ; t h ey b u s y t h ems el ve s a s O u r L or d s a y s w i t h t h e
,
me a t ,
t h a t p er i s h es ( Joh n v i W i th o u t th e kn o wl ed g e of God a ma n
.
i s like on e wh o w a l ks i n t h e d a rk a n d s tu mb l es a t eve ry s t ep ; h e h a s
,
n o en d or a i m i n l i fe n o c o n s ol a t i o n i n mi s fort u n e a n d n o h o p e i n
, ,
d ea th He c a n n ot h a ve a n y s ol i d or l a s t i n g h a p p i n es s or a n y t ru e
.
,
79
80 Fa i th .
a n d of t he r ment s
s ac a , the l o ev of g ol d, th e s i n fu l i n d u lg en ce of me
p a s s i o n s , a re a ll d u e t o wi l fu l i g n or a n ce a n d forg et fu l n es s of G od .
F rede ri ck of P ru s s i a a t l en g th r ec og n i z ed t h a t t h e wa n t of t h e kn o wl
e d g e of God w a s t h e c a u s e of t h e i n c r e a s e i n c r i me, h e ex cl a i med ,
Th en I wi ll h a ve r el i g i o n i n t rod u ced i n t o t h e c oun t ry Th i s i s .
wh y t h e l ea rn i n g a n d t h e u n d e rs t a n d i n g of t h e C a t ech i s m wh i ch i s ,
n o th i n g el s e t h a n a n a b r i d g emen t of t h e C h r i s t i a n rel i g i o n , i s a ll
i mp or t a n t B u t a mere kn o wl ed g e of t h e t ru th s of r el i g i on i s n ot
.
s ufc i en t ; t h ey mu s t a l s o b e p r a ct i s ed .
v
3 W e arri e a t a ri gh t k nowl ed ge of God th ro gh fa i th i n th e
. u
tru th s wh i ch God h a s re eal ed v .
b
It i s t r u e th a t y mea n s of rea s o n a n d from t h e c o n t emp l a t i o n
of t h e c r e a t u r es t h a t G od h a s ma d e ma n ca n ' a rr i ve a t a kn o wl edg e
of God ( R om i
. . Th e h e a ven s s h ow for th th e g l ory of God ( P s .
x vi i i . B u t ou r reas o n i s s o w ea k a n d p ro n e t o err, t h a t w i t h o u t
revel a t i o n i t i s very d i fc u lt for ma n t o a tt a i n t o a cl ear a n d correct
kn o wl ed g e of God Wh a t s t r a n g e a n d p er e rt ed v i ews of th e D ei t y we
. v
n d a mo n g h ea th en n a t i o n s ( C f Wi s d i x 1 6 , God t h erefore i n
. . .
F a i th i s a d i v i n e l i g h t t h a t s h i n es i n ou r s ou l s ( 2 C or i v It . .
t h ro u g h wh i ch w e p erc ei ve a ll t h e d i v i n e p erfect i o n s It i s a s t a ff .
If a n y on e s t a n d s in a roo m b eh i n d a
h e p ercei v es al l g a uze cu rt a i n
t h o s e wh o a re p as s i n g i n t h e s t ree t , n ot a n d t h ey s ee h i m
B ut i f h e .
n i ze h i m Su ch i s ou r r el a t i o n t o God ; He s ees u s , b u t c o n ce a l s
.
kn o wn t o men ; t o Ab r a h a m, t o M o s es i n t h e u rn i n g b u s h, t o t h e
Is r a el i t es on M o u n t Si n a i , et c .
1 God h a s i n Hi s merc y i n th e
. u
co rs e of a ges oft en re ea l ed v
Hi ms el f to men ( Heb i 1 . .
. 81
n a t ur a l, as o p p o s ed t o th e n a tu ra l revel a t i on of Hi ms elf th a t He
ma kes t h ro u g h t h e ext e rn a l w orl d .
2 . God
s re v
ma n i s gen eral ly made i n th e foll ow
el a ti on to
i n g w a y : He s p ea ks to i n di vi du a l s a n d ord ers th em to communi
c a t e t o th ei r fel l ow men t h e rev el a ti on ma d e t o th em
.
n u mb e r of men wh o wer e a s s e mb l ed t o g et h e r , a s wh en He g a v e t h e
l a w t o t h e p eop l e on M o u n t Si n a i , or wh en O u r L ord w a s b a p t i z ed
b y St Jo h n a n d t h e Ho l y Sp i ri t d es cen d e d l i ke a d o ve a v o i ce b ei n g
.
,
s t a n ce t o To b i a s t h ro u g h t h e a r ch a n g el R a p h a el Wh en God s p oke t o .
fro m a cl o u d ( a s on Si n a i ) , or fro m a b u rn i n g b u s h a s He d i d t o ,
M o s es , or a mi d a b r i g h t l i g h t fro m h e a ve n , a s t o St P a ul , or i n t h e .
wh i s p e r i n g of t h e wi n d , a s He d i d t o El i a s , or b y s o me i n t er i or i ll u
mi n a t i o n ( D eu t i i 6 Th o s e t o wh o m God r evea l ed Hi ms el f,
. .
a n d w h o h a d t o b ea r w i t n es s b efor e o t h er s t o t h e d i v i n e mes s a g e, w er e
o f w or ki n g mi r a cl e s a n d of p ro p h ec y i n p roo f of t h e i r d i vi n e mi s s i o n
b
.
,
( C f th e mi r a cl es of M o s es efore P h a r a o , of El i a s , th e a p o s tl es , et c )
. .
a n d Hi s a os tl es
p .
R evel a t i o n i s t o ma n ki n d i n g en er a l wh a t edu ca t i o n i s t o i n di
v i d u a l men R evel a t i o n c orres p o n d s t o t h e n eed s of th e s u cces s i ve
.
ma nk i n d Th e p a t r i a rchs , wh o h a d mor e of t h e n a t u re of ch i l d r en ,
.
n ee d e d l es s i n t h e w a y of p r e c ep t s , a n d G od d ea l t w i t h t h em i n mor e
fa mi l i a r fa s h i o n ; t h e p eop l e of Is ra el , i n wh o m, a s i n t h e s ea s o n of
y o u t h , s elf will a n d s en s u a l i t y were s t ro n g , h a d t o b e t r a i n ed b y s t ri ct
-
ca me i n t o t h e w orl d t h a t I s h o u l d b ea r t es t i mon y t o th e tru t h
,
( Jo h n x v i i i H . e w a s o f a ll w i t n es s es t h e b es t , b e c a u s e He a l o n e
th e d i vi n e revel a t i o n Th ey h a d t o b ea r w i t n es s of w h a t t h ey h a d s een ,
.
a n d a b o v e a ll of t h e r e s u rr e c t i o n of J es u s C h r i s t ( Ac t s x Wi t h .
t h e r evel a t i o n g i v en t h ro u g h C h r i s t a n d Hi s a p os tl es , t h e r evel a t i o n
t h a t wa s g i ven for t h e i ns t ru ct i o n of a l l ma n k i n d w a s c o n cl u d ed .
4 . Ev en s i n ce th e d ea th of O ur L ord an d Hi s a po s tl es God
ha s oft en re v ea l e d Hi ms el f to men ; y e t t h es e su b s e u en t re
q v e
82 F a i th.
fai th res ts .
q
In s t a n ces of t h es e s u b s e u en t revel a t i on s a re t h e a p p ea r a n ces of
O u r L ord t o B les s ed M a rg a ret M a ry , a n d of O u r L a dy a t L ou rd es .
of t h e s a i n t s h a v e h a d s u ch r evel a t i o n s , i e , St F r a n ci s of As s i s i ,
. . .
t o wh o m O ur L ord a p p e a r ed u p o n th e c ro s s , a n d St An th o n y of .
P a d u a , i n wh o s e a rms t h e C h i l d J es u s d ei gn ed t o res t Th es e p ri v a t e .
B a l t a s s a r i n th e h a n dw ri ti n g on t h e wa ll ( D a n v 5 , Hen ce a
m
. .
p r i v a t e rev el a t i on g i v en t o a n y on e i s n ot n ec es s a r i l y a a rk of h o l i
n es s. Th es e revel a t i on s , moreover, w er e n o fu rt h er c on t i n u a ti on of
t h e r evel a t i o n i n t en d ed for t h e i n s t ru ct i o n of t h e wh ol e of ma n ki n d,
whi ch en d ed wi t h th e d ea t h of th e l a s t of t h e a p os tl es ; t h ey a re r a th e r
a c o n r ma t i o n of t ru t h s a l re a d y r eve a l ed Th u s O u r L a d y, wh en s h e
.
t i o n , s o c o n rmi n g t h e d o g ma wh i ch P i u s IX h a d d en ed fo u r yea rs
.
p r ev i ou s l y, a n d t h e c o u n tl es s mi r a cl es a n d c u res th a t h a ve t a ken
p l a c e t h er e h a ve es t a b l i s h ed t h e t ru th of t h e a p p a ri t i o n Y et i t i s .
a l w a y s p o s s i b l e t h a t t h e ma l i c e of t h e d ev i l ma y i n t r od u ce d ec ep t i o n s
i n t o p ri va t e r evel a t i on s No on e i s th erefore b ou n d t o gi ve t o th em a
.
5 . v
R e el ati on w a s n ec es s a r e ca us e, i n y b
c on s e q en c e of u
u v
ori gi n a l s i n , ma n w i th o t re el a t i on h as n e er h a d a c orrec t v
kn owl ed ge of God a n d of Hi s wi ll ; a n d a l s o ec a s e i t w as n ec es b u
s ar y u
th a t ma n s h o l d b e p rep ared for t h e c omi n g of th e R e
d eemer .
Th e t h ree W i s e M en v r h a ve fo un d C hri s t if He h a d n ot
wo ul d ne e
r evea l ed Hi ms elf t o th em b y mea n s of a s t a r ; s o ma n ki n d w o u l d
h a ve l i v ed fa r off fro m God a n d w o u l d n ever h a v e a tt a i ned t o a t ru e
,
kn o wl ed g e of Hi m i f He h a d n ot r evea l ed Hi ms el f t o th em As t h e
, .
ey e n eed s li g h t t o s ee t h i n g s of s ens e s o h u ma n r ea s o n wh i ch i s t h e
, ,
Au g u s t i n e) O r i g i n a l s i n a n d t h e i n d u lg en c e of t h e s en s es h a d s o
.
d i mmed h u ma n re a s on th a t i t c o ul d n o l o n g er r ec og n i z e God i n Hi s
w ork s ( Wi s d i x . . Th is i s p ro ved b y t h e h i s to ry o f p ag a n i s m .
Th e h ea t h en w ors h i p p e d c o u n tl es s d ei t i es i d ol s b ea s t s a n d w i cked
, , ,
o f t h e exp o s i n g t o d ea t h t h o s e ch i l d ren wh o w er e we a k or d e
formed Th ei r th eor i es wh en g oo d w e re a t v a r i a n ce w i th t h ei r p ra c
.
.
d i s c i p l es t o s a c r i ce a c o ck t o Es c u l a p i u s M a n y of t h e b es t of t h e
.
84 F a i th .
b
t u ri es w o ul d h a ve een a t a terrib l e d i s a d a n t a g e ; s o too wo ul d t ho s e v
wh o c a n n o t re a d , a s well a s t h e g re a t ma s s of ma n k i n d i n t h e p res en t
d a y , wh o h a v e n ei t h e r t h e k n o wl ed g e n or t h e ca p a ci t y t o p en et r a te
th e mea n i n g of t h e w r i t t en W ord Y et i t i s t h e wi ll of God t h a t All
.
Ag u u s t i n e s a y s : I s h o ul d n ot b el i eve t h e G o s p el un l es s t h e a u
Ei th e r a u n i ver s a l co u n ci l on e c o n s i s t i n g of th e b i s h o p s of
th e wh ol e w orl d ) a ct i n g u n d er t h e a u th or i t y o f t h e P o p e or t h e P op e ,
M ot h e r of G od Th er eb y n o n ew d o ct r i n es we re t a u g h t b u t ,
t h e s e t ru t h s w e r e d ecl a re d t o h a ve b ee n t ru l y re ve a l ed b y God a n d ,
i n i t s kn o wl ed g e of r el i g i o u s t ru t h i t d o es n ot r ea l l y ch a n g e i t s b e ,
p i o u s op i n
i on
or on e p roxi ma t e t o fa i t h
, Su ch i s a t t h e p r es en t t i me t h e
.
b eli ef i n t h e a s s u mp t i o n of t h e b o d y of O u r L a d y i n t o h ea ven .
Hol y Sc r i p t u re Tr a d i t i o n a re of equ a l a ut h or i t y, a n d cl a i m
a nd
t h e u n w r i tt en W or d of Go d St P a u l exh ort s t h e fa i t h fu l t o h ol d
. .
fa s t t h e t r a d i t i o n s t h ey h a ve r ecei ved , wh et h er i t b e b y w or d of mo u th
or b y w r i t i n g ( 2 Th es s i i . .
IV EJ
OL Y
. SCRIP TU RE AND TRADITION .
y u
1 Hol Sc ri p t re or th e Bi l e c ons i s ts of s e enty two ook s ,
. b v -
b
wh i ch w ere wri tten by
men i ns p i red God , a n d n d er th e by u
g i u
d a n c e a n d i n en c e of th e H ol u G h os t T h es e s e e n t t w o y . v y -
x v 3 ; M a rk x i i
. Th e C o u n c i l of Tren t a n d t h e V a t i c a n C o un c i l
.
were l i ke a mu s i c a l i n s t r u men t on
s a ys St L a uren ce Ju s t i n i a n
.
,
Holy Scrip tu re a nd Tra d i ti on . 85
s t ru men t s ; ea c h wr i te r b r i n g s hi s own p e rs o n a l ch a r a c t e r wi th h i m
i n t o wh a t h e w ri t es Th ey a re li ke a n u mb e r of p a i n t e rs wh o a ll
.
,
p a i n t a b u i l di n g w hi c h t h ey s ee i n t h e c l e a r d a yl i g ht , u i t e cor q
rectl y , b u t y et wi t h a g rea t ma n y p o i n t s of di f feren ce, a cc or d i n g to
t h ei r res p ect i ve t a l en t a n d s k i ll Hen ce i t foll o ws th a t t h ere a re n o
.
e rrors i n Sc r i p t u re We mu s t n ot l oo k t o th e i n d i vi d u a l w ord s , b u t
.
s i o n s wh i c h a re n ot s c i en t i c a ll y c orrec t , a s wh en t h e mo t i o n of th e
s u n , s un r i s e a n d s u n s et a re a ll u d ed t o
, , M o reo er, s i n ce t h e B i b l e . v
c o n t a i ns t h e W or d of G od , we mu s t t r e a t i t w i t h g r ea t r ever en ce .
Th us t h e p eo p l e a l wa y s s t a n d up wh en t h e Go s p el i s b ei n g rea d a t
M a s s ; o a t h s a re t a k en on t h e b ook of t h e G o s p el s ; i n M a s s t h e
b
d ea c o n a p p ro a ch es t h e oo k of t h e G o s p el s wi t h i n cen s e a n d l i gh t s .
Th e C o un c i l of Tren t i mp o s e s s p ec i a l p en a l t i es on t h o s e wh o mo ck
a t Ho l y Sc ri p t u re Th e J ews h a d t h e g r ea tes t reveren ce for t h e
.
y v
New Th e a re moreo er di i ded i n to d oc tri n a l, hi s tori ca l , a n d
. v
p rop h eti c a l ook s b .
p a t ri a rc h s , a n d t h e hi s tory of t h e Jew i s h p eo p l e u p t o t h e t i me of
t h ei r en t r a n ce i n t o th e Hol y La n d Th e o oks of Jo s u e a n d . b
Ju dg es , whi ch rel a te t h ei r co n qu es t of P a l es t i n e a n d th ei r s t rug g l es
wi t h s u rro u n d i n g n a t i o n s Th e fo u r b ook s of K i n g s , wh i ch re
b
.
c o u n t t h ei r hi s t o ry u n d er t h ei r k i n g s Th e ook of Tob i a s , .
wh i ch g i ves a n a cc o u n t of t h e li fe of To i a s a n d h i s s on d u r i n g t h e b
ca p t i vi t y . b
Th e ooks of t h e M a cha b ees , wh i ch r el a t e t h e op p res
s i o n of t h e Jew s u n d e r An t i o ch us , et c Th e d o ct r i n a l b ook s c o mp ri s e
b
.
c hi el , a n d D a n i el , a n d t h e t w el v e l es s e r p rop h et s , Jo n as , Ha b a cu c,
etc .
Ep i s tl es i n cl u d i n g fo u rt ee n of St P a ul s ep i s tl es Th e p ro p h et i c a l
b
. .
,
t h e fu tu r e d es t i n i es of t he Ch u rch M o s t of t h e oo ks of t h e O l d Tes
.
Th e L a t i n t r a n s la t i o n of t h e B i b l e c a ll ed t h e V u l g a t e i s a n a men d ed
ve rs i on of t h e t r a n s l a t i o n ma d e b y St Jero me a b o u t A D 400 Th e . . . .
u
Ap os tl es rec o n t th e l a ors of St P eter a n d St P a u lb . . .
86 Fa i th .
Two of th em St M a tt h ew a n d St Joh n w er e a p o s t l es St M a r k w as
, . .
, , .
a co mp a ni o n of
St P et er, a n d St Luk e of St P a ul on h i s a p os t o li c
. . .
for th e b en et of t h e J ew s of P a l es t i n e He s h ow s h ow J es u s of .
d et a i ls a o u t O ur L a d y, a n d m a ny p a r a b l es n ot g i ven b y t h e o th er
Ev a n g el i s t s .St J ohn w ro t e h i s g o s p el i n h i s ol d a g e, t o p rov e
.
a g a i n s t t h e h er et i c s of t h e t i me t h a t J es u s C h ri s t i s t r ul y G od He .
q u o t es ch i e y t h o s e s a yi n g s of C h r i s t fro m w h i ch Hi s d i v i n i t y i s
mo s t cl ea rl y p ro ve d Th e Go s p el s were p ro b a b l y wr i t t en i n th e ord er
.
i n wh i ch t h ey s t a n d ; St M a t th ew w ro t e a b o u t A D 4 0, St M a r k a n d
. . . .
St L uk e s o me t w en t y v e y ea r s l a t e r, St Jo h n a b o u t A D 9 0 Th e
.
-
. . . .
It v
b e p ro ed from i n t ern a l e i d en ce tha t th e G os p el s
ca n v
were wri tt en by
d is ci p l es of C h ri s t, a n d n a rra te wh a t i s tr e u .
v
We can al s o p ro e from th e ol d es t c op i es , from tra n s l ati on s , a n d
u
from q otati on s , th a t n o ch a n ge h a s een ma d e i n th em s in c e b
th e y
w ere rs t wri tte n Th e G os p el s a re th erefore gen ui n e,
.
b
worth y of eli ef, a n d i n c orr p t u .
O n r ea d i n g th e G o s p el s w e r ec o g n i z e a t on ce th a t t h ey were t h e
w ork of J ew s Th e wr i t er s i n t rod u ce Heb rew exp r es s i o n s ( Lu ke vi i i
. .
1 4 ; Jo h n xv i i . Th ey w ro t e b efore t h e d es t ru ct i o n of J er u s a l em,
a s w e g a t h er fro m t h ei r i n t i ma t e a c q u a i n t a n c e w i t h t h e c i t y If t h ey .
i vi d n es s of th ei r d es cr i p t i o n s p r oves t h em t o h a ve w i t n es s ed t h e
s c en es a n d ev en t s t h ey d es c ri b e Th e t es t i mo n y of t h e mo s t a n c i e n t
.
C hri s t i a n wr i t er s a n d t h e c o n s en t of t h e ch u r ch es a l s o p ro ve th e
.
g en u i n en es s of t h e Go s p el s Th e t ru t hfu l n es s of t h e Ev a n gel i s t s
.
a p p ea rs i n t h ei r q
u i et a n d p a s s i o n l es s ma n n er of w ri t i n g ; t h ey d o
n ot con c e a l t h e i r own fa ul t s , a n d n a rr a t e w h a t t h ey kn ew w o ul d ex
p o s e t h em t o p ers ec u t i o n a n d d a n g e r of d ea th ; t h ey a ll d r a w t h e s elf
s a me p i ct ure of Ch r i s t t h o u g h w r i t i n g i n d i ffe ren t p l a c es a n d t o
,
va r i o u s rea d er s ; t h e a p p a r en t d i s crep a n c i es d i s p ro ve a n y s or t of c on
s p i ra c y a mo n g t h em or a n y c o p yi n g fro m on e a n o t h e r L a s tl y , i t .
w o u l d b e i mp o s s i b l e t o i n v en t s u ch a l o ft y t yp e of ch a r a ct er a s t h a t
o f J es u s C h ri s t Th e G o s p el s h a ve n ot b een i n a n y w a y a l te red i n
.
t h e c our s e of t i me Th e ea rl i es t c op i es a n d t r a n s l a t i o n s a g ree w i t h
.
wh i ch d a t es fro m t h e s ec o n d cen t u ry , a n d th e L a t i n ( c a ll ed t h e
Ita la ) , w h i ch d a t es fro m A D 3 7 0 b es i d es n u mero u s c op i es of t h e
. .
,
or i g i n a l t ex t d a t i ng fro m t h e fo u rt h cen t u ry o n w a r d s D u ri n g t he .
al s o n d a ma s s of q u o t a t i o n s i n t h e e a rl y C h r i s t i a n wr i t ers w h i ch
b
,
b
Tes ta men t h a s a lwa ys een mo s t j eal o u s l y g u a r d ed b y th e J ew s wh o ,
n o d o u b t t h a t G od w a t ch ed o ve r th e i n t eg r i t y o f Hol y Sc ri p t u r e ,
is v yper ta l e t o
ro b th em ; b u t th e t ext s ed u
th em mus t h a e by v
b ee n a u th ori z e d by u
th e P op e, a n d m s t b e p ro i d ed wi th ex v
p l a n a t ory n ot es .
wi s d o m ( i n g u i d a n c e of i n d i vi d u a l s a n d of t h e wh o l e h u ma n r a c e ) ,
Hi s g oo dn es s ( i n th e In c a rn a t i on a n d th e s u fferi n g s of O u r L ord ) We .
h a ve i n th e s a i n t s , a n d a b o ve a l l i n J es u s C h r i s t , g l ori o u s ex a mp l es
o f vi rt ue t o i n c i t e u s t o t h e l i ke Th e B i b l e, s a ys St Ep h rOm,
.
.
i s l i ke a t ru mp et t h a t i n s p i r es co u r a g e i n t o s o l d i er s It i s l ike a .
l i g h t h o u s e, w h i c h g u i d es u s t o a s a fe h a ven , a s w e s a i l o ver t h e
p eri l o u s s e a of l i fe It a l s o w a rn s u s a g a i n s t s i n , s h o ws i t s a wful c on
.
q
s e u en c es , a s i n t h e s t or y o f t h e F a ll , of t h e F l oo d , of t h e c i t i es o f t h e
p l a i n , of Sa u l Ab s al om J u d a s , Hero d , et c
, , It c o n t a i n s a ll th a t i s
.
p ro t a b l e t o ma n , a n d a g re a t d e a l more t h a n c a n b e fo u n d el s e wh er e .
i s a l w a ys s o meth i n g n ew t o b e fo u n d i n i t B u t h e wh o d es i res t o
.
u n d er s t a n d a n d p ro t b y i t , mu s t h a v e s o met h i n g of t h e s p i r i t w i th
wh i ch t h e mi n d s of i t s wri t e rs w ere ful l ; el s e h e w i ll n ever p en et ra te
b en ea t h t h e s urfa c e, or a rr i ve a t i t s t r u e mea n i n g .
It i s o nl y t o th e C a th ol i c C h u rch i s , t o th e a p o s tles a n d t h ei r s u c
, . .
t ea c h i n g c a n n o t p o s s i b l y b e a l t er e d or c orru p t ed
,
Heret i c s h a ve on .
t h e o th er h a n d s o met i mes ch a n g ed t h e me a n i n g of p a r t i c ul a r p a s
s ag es i n t h ei r ow n fa v or or h a ve o mi t te d w h o l e p or t i o n s i f t h e y d i d
,
ca u s e t h e a p o s tl e s a y s t h a t fa i t h w i th o u t w or k s i s d ea d Th e d i f .
C h u r ch s res t ri ct i o n s
How few t h ere a re wh o c a n h o n es tl y s a y t h a t
.
hi ms elf s a ys ( 2 P et i i i 1 6 ) th a t i n th e ep i s tl es of St P a ul t h ere a re
. . .
s o me t h i n g s h a r d t o b e u n d ers t oo d a n d th a t th e u n s t a b l e w o u l d
,
p e rv ert th e s e to t h ei r own d es t ru ct i o n St Au gu s t i n e s a ys :
. .
t h a n th o s e I ca n un d er s t a n d Th e p rop het i cal b oo ks a re s p ec i a ll y
.
o b s cu r e . H
en c e t h e n ece s s i t y of a n a u th en t i c exp o s i t i o n of t h e B i b l e .
Th e ch i l d ri n g s t h e n u t t h a t h a s b een g i ven i t t o i t s mo t h e r t o b e
c r a c k ed ; s o t h e C a t h ol i c c o mes t o t h e C h u r ch for t h e exp l a n a t i o n o f
th e B i b le. Thi s i s why onl y B i l es wi th exp l a n a to ry n o tes a re b
a ll o we d t o C a t h oli cs .
u
2 Th e tr th s of di v i ne re el ati on , whi ch h a e n ot b een
. v v
wri tten d own i n th e p a ges of Hol Scri pt re, b ut h a e een y u v b
trans mi tt ed by
w ord of month , are call ed Tra di ti on .
t o w ri t e Th ei r wr i t i n g s a re c o n c ern ed mor e wi t h t h e d oi ng s t h a n
.
wi t h t h e t e a ch i n g of C hr i s t h en c e t h ei r i n s t r u ct i o n s on p o i n t s of
,
mu ch t h a t t h ey h a ve d el i ve r e d t o th e fa i th fu l b y w ord of mo u t h ( 2
John 1 2 ; 1 C or x i 2 ; John xx i . .Acc or d i n g l y we a re r efe rred t o
.
Tr a d i t i on It i s b y Tr a d i t i o n t h a t w e kn ow t h a t O u r L o r d i n s t i t u t e d
.
s even s a c r a men t s It i s b y Tr a d i t i on t h a t w e a re t a u g h t t h a t th e r e
.
i s a p u rg a t ory t h a t Su n d a y i s t o b e k ep t h ol y a n d t h a t i n fa n t s a re
, ,
t o b e b a p t i z ed It i s Tr a d i t i o n wh i ch t e a ch es u s wh a t b o oks b el o n g t o
.
t h e a p o s tl e s Ju s t a s t h os e wh o foll o w u p th e c o u r s e of a s t rea m
.
gr a d u a ll y d r a w n e a r t o t h e fo u n t a i n h ea d a n d t h u s d i s c o ver h ow fa r
-
th e w a te r o w s s o w e ca n s e a rc h ou t t h e h i s t or i c a l s o u rce s of th e
,
t e a ch i n g of t h e ea rl i e r c en t ur i es of th e C h u r ch a n d a rr i ve a t h er
b
,
a b l e t o t r a c e i t u p to t h e r s t a g es of C h r i s t i a ni t y .
u
Th e ch i ef s o rc es of Tra di ti on a re th e wri ti ngs of th e
Fa th ers , th e d ecrees of C o n cil s , a n d th e Creeds a n d p ra ers of u y
th e C h rch u .
th e ea rl y a g es of t h e C h ur ch b y t h e i r g rea t l ea rn i n g a n d h ol i n es s .
Su ch a re St J u s t i n , t h e p h i l o s o p h er a n d z ea l o u s d efen d er of t h e
.
C h r i s t i a n r el i g i o n ( A D St Iren aeu s , B i s h op of L y o n s ( AD
. . . .
St C yp r i a n , B i s h o p of C a rt h a g e, etc M a n y of t h es e were d i s
. .
c i p l e s o f t h e a p o s tl es , a n d a re t e rmed a p o s t o l i c F a th ers , a s St Ig n a .
t i u s , B i s h op o f An t i o ch ( A D Th e D o c t or s of t h e C h u rch w ere
. .
th os e w h o i n l a t e r t i mes w e r e d i s t i n g u i s h ed for t h ei r l e a rn ed w r i t i n g s
a n d t h ei r s a n ct i t v Th e re a re fo u r g re a t Gr eek D o ct or s , Sa i n t s Ath a
.
n a s i u s , B a s i l , G r eg ory , a n d Joh n C h ry s os t o m ; a n d fo u r L a t i n , Sa i n t s
Amb ro s e, Au g u s t i n e , J ero me , a n d P op e Greg ory, c a ll ed Greg ory th e
Gr ea t In t h e M i ddl e Ag es t h ere w e re fo u r o th er g r ea t D o ct or s of t h e
b
.
of C l a i r v a u x , St Th o mas A ui n a s , a n d St B o n a ven t u re
. q Amo n g . .
M y b l ood
Al th ough t he a p os tl es h a d th e eviden ce of thei r s en s es
.
s l a y h i s on ly s on Ab ra h a m ob eyed b eca us e h e kn ew th a t G od s
.
,
thi ngs th a t d o n ot a pp ea r .
C h r i s t i a n fa i th is a t th e sa me t ime a ma tter of th e u n d er
s t a n d i n g a n d t h e wil l .
ex a c t s of u s a r ea s on a b l e s ervi ce ( R om x ii a n d w a rn s u s th a t . .
2 . Fa i t h i s c c
on e ned r wi th ma ny thi ngs wh i c h we c a nnot p er
cei v e wi t h our s ens es a n d c a nn ot gra s p wi t h our un d ers t a n di ng .
n a ti on a n d of t h e Bl es s e d Sa cr a men t of t h e Alt a r
, Thi s i s why fa ith .
i s s o pl ea s in g t o God Bles s ed a re they s a ys O u r L or d t o St
. , .
q
Fa i t h n ev er r e u i r es u s t o b eli ev e a n yt h in g t h a t i s on tr a c
d i c te ry t o h uma n r ea s on .
90 Fa i th .
3 . We a ct e in a cc
rda nc e wi th rea s on w h en w e b eli ev e
qui t o ,
b eli evi n g .
es t a b l i s h ed th e t ru th of wh a t He t a u gh t b y th e mi r a l es t h a t He c
work ed .
c
W e b eli eve th e t ea h i n g of th e C h u r h b e a u s e C h ri s t gu i d es c c
c
th e C h u r h to a ll t rut h th r ou gh th e Hol y Sp i r i t, a n d gu a r d s i t
c
a ga i n s t a ll erro r , a n d a l so b e a u se G od , ev en u p t o th e p r es en t
d a y , h a s con rmed th e t r u t h of th e t ea h i n g of th e C a t h ol i c c
C h u r ch b y mi r a cl es .
O u r L or d b e fore Hi s a s ce n s i on s a id t o Hi s a p os tl es : B eh old I
c
d i re ts th e l i fe of men , r ewa rds th e good , a n d p u n i s h es th e
wi ck ed ; h e mu s t a ls o kn ow th a t th ere a re th r ee pe rs on s in God,
a n d th a t th e Sec on d P er s on of th e B l es s ed Tri n i ty h as b ec ome
ma n , a n d h a s red eemed u s on th e r os s c .
tr uth s .
He wh o h a s an b ei n g i n s tru c t ed mu s t a l s o
op p or u n t i ty of
c
e dge of th e d o t ri n es of g r a c e, of th e s a cr men ts , a n d of p ra y er,
a
a s s et for t h i n s ome C a t e ch i s m a u t h o r i z e d b y t h e b i s h op s of th e
St P a ul t ell s u s
. By g ra ce y ou a re s a v ed thr ough fa ith , a n d th a t
n ot of y our s elves It i s t h e gi ft of G od ( Ep h ii
.
An d O u r . .
L or d s a y s , No ma n ca n c ome t o M e , un l es s it b e given t o h i m b y M y
Fa ther ( John vi G od give s u s t h e gi ft of fa ith i n B a pti s m ;
.
e ye s
. Th en h e c a n s ee th e ob j ec t s a r oun d h i m u n d er t h e i n uen ce of
t h e light So t h e child w h o a tt a i n s t o r e a s on i s a b le t o b eli ev e t h e
.
s ev er a n c e ; li ve a God fea ri n g l i fe ; ra y t h a t t h ey ma
p y
-
n d th e t r u th .
j us ti ce s h a ll h a ve th ei r ll
( M a tt v An d a g a i n G o d s a ys
. .
M e with y ou r wh ol e he a r t
( Jer xxi x Th e R oma n phil os
. .
o f G od will a l s o ob t a i n t h e gr a c e of fa ith If a n y on e s h a ll d o th e .
God b es t ow s u p on a ma n th e gi ft of fa i th , He ei th e r
W h en
emp l oy s on e of th e or d i n a ry mea n s of gra ce, s u h a s p r e c hi n g,
a c
or in s ome c a s es a n e x t r a or d i n a r y mea n s , s u c h as a mi r a cl e .
b egi n n i n g of t h e C hr i s ti a n e ra ; s uc h a s t h e s t a r th a t t h e M a gi fol
l owe d t h e light th a t s h on e up on St P a ul on h i s j ourn ey t o D a ma s c us
, .
a n d t h e vo i ce th a t h e he a r d from h ea ven ; t h e gr ea t c r os s th a t t h e
Emp er or C on s t a n ti n e s a w i n t h e s ky with t h e w or ds In h oc s i g n o
,
v i n c es f t h e vi s i on of O u r L a dy th a t R a t i s b on n e s a w i n t h e C hu rc h
of St An dr ea i n R ome i n t h e ye a r 1 842
. So t h e he a then b oy Th e .
M a n y men fa i l t o a tt ai n t o th e C h r is t i a n fa it h t h r ou gh
p r i d e ,
s el fw i ll ,
a n d a n u n wi l l i n
gn es s t o g i v e u p th e i n d u l g en e c
of t h ei r p a s s i on s .
w a s h i n th e Jo r d a n So C h r i s t w a s rej ec t e d a n d des pi s e d b y t h e
.
. c
6 Fa i t h i s n e es s a ry to et erna l s a l v a t i on .
h ow fa r h a ppi e r i s h e wh o ha s b ee n w a n d er i ng i n t h e s e a r c h a fter
t r uth wh en h e a tt a i n s t o a b eli ef i n th e C a tholi c C hu rch ; h e h a s
foun d t h e r oa d t o etern a l life Th e s a i n t s a lw a ys s e t t h e gr ea tes t .
s t or e on t h e p os s es s i on of t h e fa ith
I th a n k God u n ce a s in gly s a id .
,
b u t th a t I a m a C a th oli c
With out fa ith the r e i s n o s a lv a ti on . .
O u r L or d s a ys He th a t b elieveth n ot s ha ll b e c on demn ed ( M a rk
xv i . St P a ul s a y s th a t With out fa ith it i s i mp os s i b le t o
.
plea s e G od ( Heb x i
F a ith i s like a b oa t ; a s wit h out a b oa t
. .
from God .
7 Fa i th
. a l on e is n ot s uf ci en t for sal va t i on .
It mu s t b e a l i vi n g fa i th ; t h a t i s , w e mu s t a dd to i t good
works a n d mu s t b e rea dy to on fes s i t op en l y c .
b o dy with out t h e s pi r it i s d ea d s o fa ith with out w ork s i s d e a d a l s o ,
i ng
( 1 C or x iii We mus t a l s o b e re a dy t o c on fes s ou r fa ith
. . .
l
a so o ut wa r dly . C hr i s t p r omi s es th e ki ng dom of hea ven on l y t o th os e
wh o c on fes s Hi m b efore men ( M a tt x . .
V I THE M O TIV ES O F
. FAI TH .
1 . t r
Th e mot i ves whi ch move us t o b el i ev e a re chi ey
ex e n a l
mi ra cl es a nd p rop h ecy .
c c
M i ra l es a re s u h ex tra or d i n a ry w ork s as a nn ot b e p er
2 . c
formed b y th e mere p owers of n a t ur e, b ut are b rough t a b out b y th e
int ervent i on of a hi gh er p ow er .
d i n a ry cou rs e of n a tu re ; th ey a pp ea r t o t r a n s g r es s th e l a w s of n a ture ,
a pp e a r t o s ur p a s s t h e p ow er s of n a tu r e b u t a re r ea lly t h e ef fect of ,
n ot i n t h e s a me wa y or i n t h e s a me s p a ce of ti me a s t h e hea li n g ,
e dg e of a for e ign l a n g u a g e .
g ory ,
l a nd es p e ci a ll y for th e c onrma t i on of true d o tri n e c .
c
i n on rma t i on of fa l s e d o trin e c .
or th a t s ome me s s en g er i s s en t b y Hi m Thi s s t a mp c on s i s t s i n mi r .
i s b e a t i ed a n d other s b efor e h e i s c a n on iz e d
, U n de r t h e Jewi s h .
4 In w ork i n g mi r a l es God us ua l l y
. c ma k es us e of th e i nterv en
ti on of ma n, s omet i mes even of wi k ed c men .
The M oti ves f
o F a i th . 97
vii 2 2
.
, We mus t n ot b e t oo rea dy t o h a ve r ecour s e t o th e
hyp othes i s of a mi ra cle i f t h e fa ct s upp os ed t o b e mi r a culous ca n
,
5 Prop h es i es
. a re cl ea r a ndd en i t e p red i c ti ons of fut ur e
v t tha t
e en s ca n b e k n own t o God a l one .
L ord b y St Peter ( C f M a rk x iv
. whi c h O u r Lor d p re di cted
. . .
n ot fo re s e e s u c h a s t h e a pp r oa c h of a s t o rm or p e s til en c e
, or t h e ,
de a th of s ome i n dividu a l .
Hi m , to vi n c e th os e t o wh om He ca me th a t He wa s t h e tr ue
c on
M es s i a s a n d thos e wh o h a ve live d s i n ce Hi s c omi n g of t h e t r uth of
t h e C h r i s ti a n r eligi on He s en t Noe t o p r ophes y t h e Fl ood i n or der
.
,
e g
. . B a l a a m ( Numb xx iv 1
, a n d C a iph a s
. a s b ei n g t h e high
.
,
s t ru c t D a n i el dur i n g t h e B a b yl on i a n c a ptivity r e s p ec ti n g t h e ti me of
98 F mth.
C or x iv
. It mus t b e utte red with p ru den ce an d c a lmn es s for it
.
,
1 Th os e wh o d o n ot p os s es s Ch ri s ti a n fa i th
. are ei th er : ( 1 )
c
h eret i s or ( 2 ) i nd el s .
God a n d r ej ec t othe rs
, Th os e wh o i n duce others t o a fa l s e b elief a re
.
a n d p r ocl a i me d hims el f t h e H ea d of t h e C hu r ch i n En gl a n d b ec a u s e ,
n i ch a n d w a s c el eb r a t e d for h i s l i te r a r y l a b or s b u t on t h e d en iti on of
, ,
a n y s ig n o f rep en t a n ce D dl l i n g er wa s t h e c hi ef move r i n t h e es t a b
.
It i s of th em th a t O u r L or d s a ys Woe t o th em b y whom s c a n d a ls
c ome
,a n d a g a in B ew a re of fa l s e p roph et s wh o c ome to y ou i n th e
, ,
1 00 F a i th .
2 Fa i th i s for th e mos t p a rt l os t ei t h er :
. By i ndi fferenc e
c
t o th e d o tri nes of fa i t h ; By wi l ful d oub t r es p e ti n g th e c
trut h s of fa i t h ; By r ea d i n g b ook s or ot h er l i t era t ur e th a t i s
h os t i l e t o th e fa i t h ; q
By fre u en t i n g th e a s s emb li es of t h os e
wh o a re h os t il e to th e fa i t h ; By negl e ti n g th e p ra t i e of c c c
on e s r el i gi on
.
i s like t h e pl a n t th a t i s n ot w a t er ed , or t h e l a mp th a t i s n ot l led
with oi l . Su ch men kn ow th a t th ey ver y i g n or a n t of thei r relig
a re
i on a n d y et they t a ke n o p a i n s t o g et i n s t ructed ; th ey a re en
,
It s n ou r i s hmen t i s t h e t ea chin g of C h ri s t He
,
el s e it t oo will p er i sh
, ,
. .
An d i n t h e s yn a g ogue of C a p h a rn a u m I a m t h e B rea d of li fe ; h e
th a t c ometh t o M e s h a l l n ot hun ger a n d h e th a t b eli eveth on M e s h a ll
,
a w a y t h e c a us e v er y oft en i s th a t th ey h a ve n ot b ee n w ell i n s tr u ct e d
,
t r uth s e r i ous ly o en d s G od
Sa r a do ub ted G od s p romi s e th a t s h e
.
s ee i n g h ow b o ok s d a n ger ou s t o fa ith w er e on t h e i n c re as e, es t a b
l i s h ed i n 1 5 7 1 t h e C on gr eg a ti on of t h e In dex, thr ough whi ch t h e
Ap o s t oli c See forb id s t o C a tholi cs a n umb er of b ooks , whi c h a re
j udg ed t o b e a s ou r ce of d a n ger t o fa ith or mora ls An y on e wh o .
th e dr op s of w a te r fa ll up on it B a d re a di n g i s l i ke un wh oles ome
.
n es s a n d i n th e s h a d ow of d ea th ( Luk e i O u r L o r d s a ys , He
.
. .
God r e
1 . q r
u i es of u s th a t we s h oul d ma k e ou twa rd p rofes s i on
of our fa i t h .
h ea v en ( M a tt v . .
a n d r eligi ou s e a t mea t on F r id a y i n or d e r t o es c a p e t h e j e s t s of
,
wh o p r eferr ed d ea th t o even a pp ea r i n g t o e a t s wi n e s e s h ( 2 M a c h
.
c es s i on s of O u r L a dy e t c , .
W e a re on ly b ou n d op en ly to c on fes s ou r fa i t h w h en ou r
omi s s i on t o d o s o w ou l d b r i n g rel i gi on i n t o c on t emp t , or d o s ome
xi . 53 So d i d th e a p os tl es? a n d ma n y of t h e s a i n ts , e g , St . . .
lin g eeth , b ec a us e h e i s a hi rel i n g s a ys O u r Lor d a n d c a r eth n ot , ,
x . a n d a ga i n , He t h a t s h a ll b e as h a med of M e a n d of M y
word, of h im th e Son of ma n s h a ll b e as h a med , wh en He ometh c
i n Hi s ma es ty a n d th a t of Hi s Fa th er a n d th e h ol y a n gel s
j
( L u k e i x .
P r ot es t a n t fun er a l or ma rr i a ge ou t of c ourt es y s o l on g a s n o p a r t i s ,
r e ligi o n o f t h e p o o r o r b ec a u s e C a th
, o li cs a r e n o t a ll ow e d t o b eli ev e
o f h i s s e rv a n t s wh om h e kn ew w er e C h r i s ti a n s t o s a c r ice t o t h e
fa l s e g od s Th os e wh o ob eyed h e di s mi s s ed fr om h i s s e rvi ce th o s e ,
He
.
wh o r efu s ed b e p ro mot ed t o t h e pl a ce s of th os e h e s en t a w a y .
c ommit s a s i n a lmos t un p a r d on a b l e ; h e c e a s es t o b el on g t o t h e
C hu r ch a n d ca n n o l on g er c a ll God h i s F a ther for a s St C y p r i a n
, , .
IX THE SI GN O F THE CR O SS
. .
c
Th e C a t h ol i c ma k es on fes s i on of h i s fa it h mos t es p e i a lly c
b y th e s i gn of th e h ol y c r os s .
p re s en t d a y h a ve l e a rn e d th e p r a c ti ce fr om th e c hildr en of th e
,
Amen
Ther e i s a l s o a n other w a y of ma ki n g t h e s ig n of t h e c r os s
.
,
t h a t e a c h o f t h e th r ee c r o s s e s i s m a d e s i mult a n e ou s ly with t h e n a me
of on e of t h e th ree p ers o n s o f t h e Bl es s e d Tr i n ity In ma ki n g t h e .
1 . In ma k i n g
th e s i gn of th e ros s w e ma k e p r ofes s i on of th e c
mos t i mp ort a n t of a l l th e mys t eri es of our h ol y rel i gi on, v i z , th e
c
.
In ma ki n g th e s i gn of th e c r os s , b y th e v ery form of th e c r os s
whi ch w e ma k e u p on ou rs el ves , w e make p rofes s i on th a t th e Son
of God d i ed for u s u p on th e ros s c .
Thu s w e s ee th a t i n t h e s ign of t h e c r os s we h a ve a s h or t s u m
ma ry of th e wh ole C a th oli c fa ith Th e C a tholi c C hur ch h olds the .
i n h oly M a s s , i n a ll t h e s a c r am en t s i n a ll b l es s i n gs a n d con s ec ra ,
a re b uilt i n t h e form of a c r os s .
I b el on g t o t h e emp e r or hu rt me n ot
,No hun t s ma n ven tured t o .
ou r en emy t h e d evil ,
In w a r n o on e ven tu res t o i n j ure th os e wh o
.
s a y s St Joh n D a ma s cen e
s ign o f t h e c r os s , . i s a s ea l a t t h e s ight , ,
b r a z en s erp en t fa s t en ed on a p ol e i n t h e d e s e r t w a s a n i ma g e of t h e
c r os s of C h r i s t ( Numb xx i ; John iii . a n d p r ot ec t e d a ll wh o
. .
fr om t h e s n a re s of th a t ol d s e rp en t t h e d evil In t h e ye a r 3 1 2 C on , . ,
t h e c r os s of C h r i s t
s a y s St ,Augu s ti n e put s ou r h elli s h foe t o
.
,
they en te r on th ei r b en eces .
1 . Th e Ap os tl es Creed
t
con a i ns i n b ri ef a ll th a t a Ca th oli c
mus t k now a n d b eli eve .
M a s s un l es s h e kn ew it b y h ea rt It co uld n ot b e divul g ed t o a n y uh
.
b a ptiz e d p er s on It i s ca ll ed th e s y mb olu m, a s b e in g th e w a tc hw or d
.
of t h e C h r i s ti a n w a rfa re .
Th e Ap os tl es
C reed i s so c a l l ed b ec a u s e i t ori gi n a ed t wi th
th e a p os tles .
i s on ly t h e outli n es of t h e Ap os tl es C r ee d th a t d a t e fr om t h e a p os tles
cl a u s es w er e a dd e d i n o r de r t o meet v a r i ou s h eres i es
, Thus t h e .
2 . Th e Ap os tl es
Creed ma y b e di vi d ed i nt o t hree s e e alv r
p a rt s .
Th e r s t p a r t trea t s of G od th e Fa t h er a n d of c r ea ti on .
c
Th e s e on d p a rt t r ea ts of God th e Son a n d of ou r red emp
ti on .
s a n cti c a ti on .
Th e Ap os tl es Creed
. 1 09
3 . Th e Apos tl
ma y a l s o b e divid ed int o t wel ve a rt i c l es
es
Creed .
As y o u canno t .
t ake aw a y on e of t h e li nk s of a c h a i n with o ut th e c h a i n b ei ng
b roken so yo u canno t t a ke a wa y on e of th e art i cles of t h e C reed
,
u
Th e n mb er of t h e a r i cl es of th e C reed i s th e s a me a s t th t a
t
of t h e a p o s l es of O ur L ord , a n d i s in en d ed t o remi n d u s t th t a
t t
h ey c on a in th e doc ri n e a gh by th e w el e a p os l es t tu t t v t .
( Ep h vi . .
li tl e gl o be lik e th a t t o make it s el f th a n th e gr ea t on e on wh i c h we
live . A light c a nno t ki n dl e it s el f an d afte r it i s ki n dl ed it will g o ,
l os i ng any of i ts b r ightness
Loo k a th e mi lli on s of th e s t ars Wh o t
t
. .
t he r e If on e were t o s a y th a t t h e wi n d an d ra i n h a d t orn it
.
ha d no C re at or .
t a t i on of m e ans o en d s i n t h e human ey e t h e e a r an d t h e v ar i o us , ,
t a t i on of a w a t c h t o i n di ca t e t h e ti me or t h e b ui ldi n g of a h o us e to ,
Al l th e na ti on s of th e ea rt h h a ve an in n er c on vi ction of th e
e xis t en c e of a s reme B ein g up .
greates t e as e .
O nl y th e fool sa y s i n hi s h ea rt : th r is
e e no Go d ( P s . x iii .
T h os e wh o sa y th a t th ere i s no Go d i n s pit e of th e gl or i es of
1 1 2 F a i th .
ut
them by the mo h of th e p a r i archs a nd p ro phe s an d ab o ve a l l by t t
t J t t
,
th e mo u h of Hi s Son es u s C h r i s ( Heb i 1 I wa s C h r i s t
t
. .
, ,
a ce t o a ce .
Even i ce
s n God
s revel a tion of Hims elf ma n ,
is n ot c a pa bl e
of a th
ugh c mp l t k wl dg f th tur f G d ; th
oro or o e e no e e o e na e o o e
r f t h i i t h t G d i i it
ea s on o dm s i snl y i t a o s n n e, a n an s o n e.
sow ca e nn a e e e es o o e nu
d ters di g an B h old Go d i s g r a t xc di ng o u r kno wl d g
n e ( Jo b e e ee e e
Th t hi ng s th at of G d no man k ow th b t
.
, ,
xxxviii . e a re o n e , u
th e S pi r it of God ( 1 C or ii W e ca n n eit her e xp re ss i n w ord s
. .
It i s ea s i er t o sa y wh a t Go d i s no th an wh a t He i s He wh o a tempt s
t t u
.
1 . God i s a se -
t t
l f exi s en B eing, i nnite i n Hi s p erfec i ons , t
gl ory , a nd b ea i t tu t
d e, th e Crea or a n d Rul er of th e w h ol e worl d .
( E xo d iii 1 4 ) i e I e x i s t of My s el f I d e r iv e My b e i n g from M y
t
. . . ,
.
,
s el f
. Al l o th er b ei n g s d er iv e the i r ex i s ence from Go d an d the re ,
t t
i asce n d s o ward s th e hrone of God But they c an n ever arr i e a t t v
t t
.
we a re bo u n d t o o b ey Hi m b e ca u s e He i s our Ki n g an d He will h a ve
tt
,
t
,
t
li fe on ea rth b u o nl y when th e d arkn ess of d ea t h comes o ver s
, u .
acce ss i bl e light ( 1 T im vi . .
Y et G od h a s t
of en as s um d vi ibl e s e forms .
e ars e t c
,
of Go d ; b ut thi s i s only t o i mp ress p on s t h e fac t ha t
.
,
Go d s ees u s he ars u s et c , ,
.
3 . Th er e i s one God, a nd on e on ly .
e s t r ee i n t h e w oo d i s b u on e To s a y ha t th ere a re mo re God s h an .
b o dy or more t han
, capt a i n on a s hip Even t h e p ag an Greekson e .
it ma y h a ve ar i s en from t h e d ei c a t i on of hero e s or fr om t h e p o we r
v tt t t t
,
w ors h ipp e d a s g o d s .
I i s t h e m i s s aro u n d t h e e ar th h a t c a u s e t h e v ar i ety i n i a s i i s
s een b y u s Th e a tt r i b ut es of God a re therefor e v ar i o u s man i fes t a
t t
.
a re all on e an d t h e s am e ; Hi s g oo d ness i s t h e s am e a s H i s j u s ti c e, Hi s
wi s d om as Hi s p o we r an d Hi s p o w er a s Hi s e tern ity, e t c Th e divi n e
tt t
.
,
Th e a tt ib utr es of God ma y b e d i v id ed in t o th os e w h i c h b e
l on g t o G od
s e s s en c e t h os e t h a t b elon g
,
to Hi s u n d e rs ta n d i n g ,
and th
th t b l g t Hi wil l
os e a e on o s .
Th at t r ib ut s f t h e d ivi n
e ss nc mn ip r s nc
e t o e e e e a re o e e e, e e ni
r ty
i mmut ab ility ; t h os th at b l on g t o Hi u n d rs tan di n g
,
e e s e a re omni s
i p rf c t wi s d om t ; th os t h a t b l ong t o Hi wi ll
c en c e, e e e c. e e s a re om
g oo d n ss h oli n ss j us t i c t r uth
,
n ip t o e n c e, d fa ith ful n s
e , e , e, , an es .
1 G d i . t rn l i
o lw y w i s e e d v r wi ll b a , e., a
. a s as, s, an e e e.
of ma n ll s hi s ent i re b o dy b ut y et it i s wh o lly i n e e v ry s ep a r a t e p or
t i on of Hi s b o dy
,
4 G od i s p r es en i n a s p ec i al ma nn er i n
. t h ea ven ,
i n th e
B l es s ed Sa c ra men , a n d i n th e s o l s of th e j s t u ut .
t
Go d i s p res en i n h e a en t o t h e g az e of t h e angels an d sai n s v t
t t
.
A ki ng i s p r es en i n hi s wh o le p a l ac e b ut i s s p ec i a lly p res en t i n t he ,
s ub j e c t s .
5 . Th er e i s no p l a c e whe re Go d i s n ot .
Th e ye s of th e Lor d i n every pl ac e b eh o ld t h e g oo d an d t h e
e
evi l
( P ro v xv W e someti mes s ee i n c h rches a l arge ey e
. u
t v
. -
p a i nt ed o ve r t h e a lt ar t o r emi n d u s h a t Go d i s p res en t e e ry
J
,
t t
.
is a lw a ys p r es en t w it h us .
t u
Th e c on in a l r ememb r a n c e of th e p r es en c e of God i s ery v
p ro t
a bl e to u s I t h a s gr ea p o w e r t o
. d e er u s fr om s i n ,
a n d t o t t
k eep u s i n th e gra c e of God ; i in cites u s t o good w orks a n d t
ma kes u s in rep i d i n Hi s s er i c e t v .
Th e r ememb ranc e o n g h i n t me
f t h e p r es enc e of Go d gi v s s tr
e e t i
t
of t emp ati on an d h o ld s u s b ac k from s i n Loo k a t Jos eph i n Eg yp . t .
we l ike T h es eu s c a n n d th e w a y th ro ugh t h e l a b yr i n th of o ur l i fe
, ,
t
i c e an d l e a d s u s on o t h e p rac ti c e of a l l t h e vi rt ue s ; it ma k es u s more
careful i n t h e p er formanc e of all o u r duti es Th e n eare r t h e w a e r i s . t
t o th e s p r i n g t h e pu rer it i s ; th e n e are r on e i s t o t h e re t h e g re a ter
t h e w armth ; th e cl os e r we keep t o God t h e g rea e r o u r p erf ect i on t
t t u
.
,
,
.
t
,
o e e e e e e e u e e
H kn w th th ught s of S imon th Ph ar i s an d th at h w as
.
, ,
t
e c. e e e o e e e, e
angry a t Ou r Lor d s h o win g s uch ki n dn ss t o M a gd al n th s i nn r e e e e .
Go d s s i n a gl ass ll m
ee as an d th i r v ry ac ti on ( P xxx ii a en , e e e s.
H th at pl an t d th s h all H not h ar
.
e e H th a t ma d th y
e ea r e e e e e e e
s h all H t ( P xc iii
e no Go d al so f r s s
s ee il b ut man i s
s. . o e ee ev
no t th r b y cons t ra i n d t o d o vil I t i s j u s t
,
e e if w from a di s
e e as e s ee
wh o i s comm i tti n g s m cr im
.
t anc a m e an Go d s s th d d b o e e. ee e ee e
ca us t h man d o s it ; th man d o s no t d o it b ca u s Go d s s it
e e e e e e e ee
Wh n som p as t ac ti on i s p r s nt t o u r th o ught s it did no t h app n
.
e e e e o ,
e
b ca us it i i n o u r th oughts ;
e e wh n Go d for s s som futu r ac
s so e e ee e e .
li on i t d o s
, t h app n b c au s G d h
e no fo s n it b ut H h e for e e o as re ee . e as e<
1 1 8 F a i th .
t
s een i b ec a u s e th e
o comm i man ma n i s no c om
i s g o i ng t t i t th e t
p ell ed t o comm it b eca u s e Go d h a s fores ee n it Whe n Go d fores ees .
t u
.
i ng de ath of hi s p a i e nt b ut hi s k no wledge i s no t t h e ca s e of t h e
,
y o u r ti me i n pl o ughi ng 2 T hen t h e farme r u n de rs t oo d th at it i s .
t
no t h e omni sc i enc e of Go d b ut t h e fr ee ac ti on of man th at det er , ,
W h o kn ows
Go d , a ll t hi n gs , w i ll on e day b r in g al l h i dd e n
th in gs to ligh t .
s o C h r i s t t h e S u n of j u s ti c e will a t t h e D a v of J ud g m e n t r e v e a l a ll
, ,
t
.
, , ,
Da y .
are t em p t ed t h a t w e m a y p
,
a s s t h r ou g h ou r t emp t a t i on s u n
s c a th ed .
b ut i n v a i n v
Th e ery morn i ng when s h e h a d o app ear befor e th e
. t
t
co u r a coc kc h a fer ew i n a t th e wi n d o w an d behin d a p res s O n e
t
, .
t
,
o th e gro u n d T hi s wa s Go d s ans w er t o t h e p oor w id o w s p ray e rs
.
.
u u
.
,
te c t orhi .
,
. .
,
oo d s s erve Go d s pu rp os e s an d a re i n en de d b y Hi m o h elp
u
, ,
o re cogn iz e t h e wi s d om an d p ru de n ce of Hi m
'
un ive rs e comp el s u s
Wh o h a s cr e a te d it How g re a t a re T hy w or ks O Lor d T ho u
t
.
,
Wh en an y of t h e crea tu re s th a t Go d h a s ma d e d es i res to d o an yt hi ng ,
( PS cxlviii
. .
Th e Ap os tles Creed 1 21
.
t
Th e omni po en ce of God s h ow s i s el f es p ec i a ll i n th e c r ea t y
tion of th e w orl d, i n th e mira c l es wro gh b O u r Lord , a n d i n u t y
th os e mi r a cl es w h i c h b efor e a n d a f er O u r L ord s ime God h a s
t t
work ed for th e c onrma i on of th e r e rel igi on t tu .
.
,
or s et forth all Hi s p ra i s e s ( Ps cv . .
Sin c e God i s a l mi gh ty ,
we ca n h O pe for h el p from Him in
ou r gr ea es n eeds t t .
g oo d b ut O n e th a t i s Go d ( M ark x
, .
1 22 F a i th .
it . .
2 . B u t God h as an es p ec i a l l o e for ma n k in d v . He i m
p a rt s u t
c o n l es s b en ets t o h em a n d s en Hi s Son on ea r t t th t o re
d eem th e m .
S on Ou r Lo r d says of Hi ms elf :
. Gre a t er l o ve no man h as th an
thi s th a t a man l a y d o wn hi s li fe for h i s fr i en d s ( Jo hn x v
, He .
Hi s l o ve keep s Hi m i n th e m id s t of u s an d s eek s t h e cl os es t u n i on ,
A p e rfec so ul
t
sa ys S t Al ph ons u s ,
i s d e arer t o Go d th an .
,
a th o u san d i mp erfec t on e s
To them th a t l o ve Go d a l l t hi n gs w ork .
i n thi s p r es en t li fe ( M a tt x i x
.
He l o ves t h e j u s t i n s pite of . .
Ep i p h a ne s ( 2 M ac h i x 5 We m s no t th i nk b eca u se Go d i s
. .
t t tt
,
s o p a i en t th a He h a s forg o e n ou r s i ns S ay no t I h a ve s i nned .
t t
, , ,
s in of D a vi d ( 2 Ki ng s x ii It i s a p ro p er ty of Go d o h a ve
.
t
me rc y an d o s p a re Hi s merc y i s i nn i e ; like th e s e a it h as no
. t ,
wh i c h He s eeks ou t th e s in n er , s e ekin g t o wi n h im b o h by t
t y u
b en e s a n d b th e s fferin gs He in i c s ; a n d a l s o i n th e l o e t v
t v
wi h w h i c h He r ec ei es a ga i n a n d a gai n th e grea es Si n n er, t t
t v
a f er h i s c on ers i on s h ow i n g h i m a gr ea er good w i ll h a n b efor e t t .
God i s l ike
g oo d s heph erd wh o g o e s a ft er t h e l os t s h eep n til
th e u
he n d s i t
( L uke x v Go d s ent t h e p ro phet Nath an t o D avid ;
.
s h al l b e wh ite a s w oo l
( Is i In fact t h e g rea ter t h e s i n
. .
,
g re a
( P s xx iv Go d i s lik e a s h e rman wh o i s mor e gl a d t o
t
. .
,
t
.
t
.
,
a n d w ea k
Go d al so rec eives t h e rep en an s i nn e r mos t l o vi n gly .
t
.
t h e n i nety n i ne th a t n eve r w en t as t ra y
-
.
a re no t pu r e i n Hi s s ight ( Jo b iv Th e pu r ity of t h e a ng el s as .
t
.
of Go d .
1 1 God i s nn
. i i t ely j us t , i .e., He r ew a rd s a ll g ood a nd p u n
i s h es a ll e i l d eeds v .
God p n is h es
1 . u an d r ew a r d s men pa r tl y on ea rth b ut ,
y t
c h i e a f er d ea h t .
Good a c ti ons b r i ng men res pec t som eti mes r i ches h e alth an d a , , ,
2 God . re w a rd s th e l ea s t g o od a c t i on ,
an d p u i n s h es th e
s mal l es s i n t .
( M att x ii . .
By wh at thi ng s a man s i nn eth say s t h e Wi s e M an b y th e , ,
s am e h e al so i s t orment ed
Ab sal om p r ide d hi ms elf on hi s l ong .
a n d it w as hi s t on gu e a n d p a l a te th a t w e r e t orm en e d i n t h e re of
an d ma i m i ng th e i r e s h an d hi s o wn es h w as e a t en b y w orms ( 2 ,
Go d .
4 . In rew a r u
d in g a n d p n i s h in g, G od h as rega rd t o th e c1 r
cu ms t a n ces v u
of t h e i n d i i d a l , a n d es p e c i a ll t o t h e i n t en y ti on
w it h wh i c h t
h e a c s , a n d t o th e a l en s h a h e p oss es s es t t t t .
5 . Go d i s n o res p e c t er of p ers on s .
li fe .
B e c a s e G od i s u a G od of p e rfe c t j u ti c s e we h a v e good r ea s on
to fea r Hi m .
C hri s t e t
xh or s u s t o fe ar Go d Wh o i s ab le t o cas t b o th b o dy an d ,
s o ul i n t o h ell ( M a tt x O n acco un t of on e s i n gl e s i n th a t of o u r
. .
,
with Hi s p rom i s es !
d o ve ( M a tt iii . .
1 . Th e B l es s ed Tri ni ty i s one t
God i n h ree p ers ons .
th p
Th e c ll d F t h S
ree d H l y Gh t
ers on s a re a e a er, on , a n o os .
Th numb r t hr
e i oft n fo u n d b o th i n na tu r
e eed i n r l i gi on s e e an e .
e or ee e d as e e e e r e an
Ki ng S o i n t i m th r
, , ,
e , e e Th , e e e e, e s . e
n umb er fo u r i s al so of fr eque nt occ urrenc e ; there a re fo u r g osp el s .
t
,
We a re unabl e t o compr h e n d h a t t h er e
e t a re th r ee p ersons i n
God, y et n ly
o on e Go d . He wh o g a z es a th e t s un is d a z zl ed b y it :
The Ap os tles Greed
. 1 29
i f h e con i n t u s to
g aze a it h e l oses hi s s i gh
e t
So i s i t wi h t h e t . t
Bless ed Tr i n ity ; h e wh o i n qui res i nt o i i s d az zled He wh o r efu s e s t
u
.
u
,
3 . Th e tt ribut
na tur d th e w rk
e, f th t h r
th e a p es , a n o s o e ee er
f th e B l
s on s o d Tri i ty c mm t l l f t h m
es s e n a re o on o a o e .
Th th r f r t th r g d but
ere a re G d
e e o e no ee o s, on e o .
Th F a th r i s t h r fo
e d iff r n t fr m t h S
e b c us H i s
e e re e e o e on , e a e e
a diff r n t p rson ; b ut H h no t a d i
e e e t b i n g b c u s H h as
e as eren e , e a e e
th e sam e na tur e .
i n g of Hi m s elf a s ma n ; el s e He co ul d no t h a ve s p o k en of Hi s r etu rn
t o t h e F a her t .
pe rs on s t ogeth er .
1 30 Fa i th .
4 . Th e t h r e d i vi
e ne pe rs ons a re di vi ded on l y i n t h ei r ori gi n .
sons .
t
G od th e Fa h er h a s n o origi n a n d p roc eed s from n o o th re
rs t h e S on s econd a n d t h e Ho l y G h os t thi r d Bu h e re i s n o .
t
, ,
t
,
cont emp oran eo u s with i If the re w ere an ete rnal re t here w o uld
.
,
t t
.
( Heb i . t h e u ns p o t ed i ma ge of Hi s maj e s y ( W i s d v i i
.
t t
. .
a n y of i t s light s o t h e Son i s b eg o tt en of t h e F a th er w i th o ut t a ki n g
t
, ,
g .
u t
O n a cc o n of th e d i ffer en c e i n h ei r ori gi n w e a pp rop ri a e t t
t
t o th e Fa h er th e w ork s of omn ip o en c e, to th e Son th e w orks of t
s d om, a n d t o th e Hol y G h os th e w orks of l o e t v .
t
F a h e r b eg et s t h e Son ; for hi s re ason th er e i s a pp ro p ri a e d t o Hi mt t
,
t h e b r i n gi n g of p er i s h a bl e thi n g s al so o ut of no thi n g i e of c r e a , , . .
,
v
.
t
e e rn a l wi s d om of t h e F a h e r t
To Hi m th e refore i s a pp ro p r i a ed th e t
t t t
.
5 . HISTOR Y OF CREATION .
by th e Holy Gh os t an d hi s w or d s a p ar t of t h e W or d of Go d
, a re .
t
,
C r e at e d
i e ma d e o ut of no th i n g How Go d p ro duce d th e ma e
t
. . .
, ,
i nvi s i bl e ( C ol i Th e w or d s of G ene s i s a re
. . In th e b egi nn i n g ,
Go d cr e at ed t h e h e a ven an d t h e e arth Th e h e a ven d o e s no t me an .
t
th e s ar b e s p an gl e d s ky t h e cr e a ti on of whi c h i s narra t ed s u b s e
-
w or d s of t h e Bi bl e Go d cr e at ed h e aven a re i n te n de d t o rem i n d
t
, ,
Th p i i tu
e s r al w orl d c on s is t s o f th e a n ge s , l an d th e h ea ven
w h ere t h y dw e ell .
t
Th e ma eri a l w orl d i n cl d es a l l h in gs w h i c h ar e fo n d i n u t u
th e vi ibl s e u iv n ers e .
M en a re a u n i on of s pi r it an d b o dy an d w ere cre a t ed l at e r , .
t
Go d rs t cre a ed th e ma er i al el ement s o ut of whi ch t h e w orl d t
w a s formed t
Na ural phil osophy ells u s th a t t h e w orld exi sted rs
. t t
T he Ap os tl es Creed
. 1 33
O n th e rs d a y God ma d e th e t l i gh t .
t t t
, ,
L et there b e
wa s light Th e exp ress i on
. deno es h a somethi ng , ,
O n t h e rs t d ay re th e ma i n so urc e of light w as p ro du ce d by t h e
t
, ,
O n th e y G o d m a dt h i rd d
e t h e d r
y l a n d a n d th e
a
p l a n s t .
l os t it s he at as it cool ed d ow n i n th e mid s t of sp ac e Th e g re at
v
, .
t
sol id elemen s w ere d ra wn o g e her an d formed th e cr u s of th e t t t
t
,
ma d e t h e v ar i o u s oc e a n s or s e as an d b y thi s uph e av a l t h e s u rf a c e of
,
t i n en t s an d i s l an d s it s mo un t a i ns an d v alley s
, , U n der t h e i n uence .
of t h e w a rm th of t h e e ar th t h e mo i s t s urface w as n ow r ea dy for t h e
d ev el o p ment of org an i c li fe T hi s did no t ar i s e o ut of no thi ng like
.
,
O n th e fo u th d
r ay God ma d e th e s un , moon , and s a s . tr
O n th e fo ur th d a y of cre ati on t h e e ar h whi c h h a d b een i n vo lved, t ,
t h e s u n b eg an t o e xerc i s e an i n ue nc e up on th e e ar th an d p rod u c ed ,
Th e s u n h a d p re vi o u s ly a f eebl e p ow e r of ra di a i on b u dur i ng t h i s ,
t h e moon th e r e i s no a t mos ph e re no re no w a te r no so n d n o ra i n , , , , ,
h o ur s .
O n th e s i xt h d a y God ma d e th e a n i mal s a n d, l a s of a l l , ma n t .
t
Th e an i ma l s we re n ex ma d e i n ord e r t o p rocl a i m t h e p o we r of
t
th ei f C r e a or b y th ei r n umb e r v ar i e y g re a t ne ss s rength an d, t , , t ,
l ab or for hi s b e n et M an w as p ro du c e d t h e l as of a ll th e an i mal s
.
,
t
.
th e r e s t of t h e w ork of cr e a ti on Go d s i mply sa id L et it b e b ut ,
4 ou th e
. v th
s e en d a y God res t ed from a ll Hi s work th ta He
h a d d one .
1 36 F a i th .
thi ng mu s t a t l e as t b e i n some w a y g oo d .
T h ee
Go d did no t n ee d t h e w orld He ma de it for o u r sa ke s
. . .
i s d es ti ned I n a cl ock e g t h e en d of t h e ma ke r of t h e cl oc k i s hi s
.
, . .
,
o w n p ro t ; th e en d of th e cl oc k i s t o i n di ca t e t h e ti me I n t h e w orld .
an d men ma y k no w an d a dm i re t h e maj es ty of Go d Th e en d an d .
t
. .
,
t t
cont r ib u e i n s pi e of thems elves o th e gl ory of Go d ; for b y thei r t
t
, ,
t
no make th e w orld with a vi ew t o an y i ncre as e i n Hi s gl ory ; for Go d
i s i nn it ely h appy i n Hi ms elf an d h as no n eed of a nyt hi ng or any
t
,
on e o u s ide of Hi ms el f .
v
w ork s h a e th e i n en i on of h on ori n g God t t .
S t P a ul i ns t ru c ts u s h a t wh eth er we e a t or d r i n k or wh a tever
.
, ,
6 . DIVINE P R O VIDENCE .
Ou r Lor d says
He aven and e ar h sh all p ass aw ay He d o es no t
,
,
a b ett er S t P et e r says
W e l oo k for a n ew he aven a n d a n ew
t
. .
,
e art h wh e r e i n dwelleth j u s i c e
, ( 2 P et iii . .
s t an d Go d s arrangem ent s a t t h e rs t gl anc e ; oft en we canno t un der
s t an d them a t all an d n eve r s h all till w e g et t o he aven Y et i n o u r
, .
( R om x i . .
cx ii 7.
,
Not h in g h a p p en s to u s a ll t h u ghro ou r l iv es wi th o ut th e wi ll
or th e p ermi s s i on of God .
Hence t
p a r i arc h Jos eph s a y s t o hi s b reth ren
the Not b y y o ur ,
t
, . .
th a t Go d d o e s no will an d of whi c h He i s no t t h e ca u s e e g mu r d e r
, , . .
, ,
t
,
of s p r e a di n g t h e k no wl e dg e of t h e t ru e Go d amon g h e a th e n na ti ons
( To b x iii
. Th e p ers ec uti on of t h e e arly C h r i s ti ans i n P a les ti n e
.
mo de rn i me s S o ag a i n t h e p e rs e c uti on of th e Ir i s h h as d on e m u ch
.
T h omas s ay s S t Augu s ti n e
, h as b een mor e u s eful t o u s t h an t h e
.
,
b eli ef of th e o ther ap os tl es
Th e s i n of P ete r ma d e hi m h umbl e
t
.
!
an d forb e ar i ng o w ar d s o th ers Th e f ur y of th e J ew s ag a i ns t Ou r
t t
.
( R om x i v
Th e er y m e ans empl o yed b y wi ck e d men a g a i ns t th e
t
. .
3 For h i s r ea s on a p i o
. t u s Ch r i s ti an s h oul d res i gn h ims el f en
ti rel y t o th e wi ll of God .
i n h ea ve n
S t P et er exh ort s u s t o ca s t all our care up on Go d for
. .
,
u
, ,
o rs el es o th e w ill of Go d i n th e ho u r of o u r d ea th
He wh o d i es .
1 40 F a i th .
p i n es s a re th e fru i ts of p ea c e ;
t he Holy S pi r it Th e wi c ked h a ve no
t
.
s elf .
qu e n ces , b ut ma n
s w ron g u s e of h i s free w i ll .
t
Go d cr e a ed man free an d th er efor e d o es no t hi n der even th os e ,
G od do e s somethi ng s im il ar t o thi s .
t
B es i d es , i d oes n ot b e c ome u s t o p ry i n o th e s ec r e
3 . t t
d es ign s of God ; w e p oor mi s era bl e c r e a res m s t a d or e Hi s tu u
u t u
w is d om a n d s b mi o rs el es h mbl t o w h a He ord a in s v u y t .
s equenc e of s i n .
Jos eph were unmer ited Yet a ll s uffer i ngs a re mer it e d b y or igi nal
.
i
Sn .
1 . No on e ca n a tt i a n to tr
e e na l sa l va t i on wi t h ut uff ri o s e ng.
No on e is c r own ed u l
n ess he s r t iv e la w fu ll y ( 2
Ti m .
ii .
t h e e art h i nt o pu re whit e li n en it mu s t b e r u bb e d s t re t c h e d an d , , ,
ght a n d s t ruggl e .
2 . Al l s uf
fe ri ng comes from God , a nd is a s i gn of Hi s l ove and
fa vr o .
1 42 F a i th .
We
n d i n th e lives of th e sa i nt s h a th e more g oo d w ork s they t t
un dert oo k for Go d, t h e mor e did s uffe ri ng assa il them, a s i n t h e as e c
of To b i as , an d of h oly Jo b S uffer in g s s eem t o b e t h e r e w ar d of g oo d
.
( To b x ii . S t P a ul s a ys Wh om t h e Lor d l o ve th He c h as i s eth ;
. .
,
r i b ul a ti on ( Ecclus ii
Th e g r ea t er a sa i nt t h e g r e a te r were
. .
,
Th e a p os tl es h a d t o s uffer m uc h es p ec i ally S t P et er an d S t P a ul , . .
h ere afte r .
Y et God n e e r s en ds v us a ny s uff ri e n
g th t a is b eyon d ou r
p ow ers of en d ra n c e u .
ab o ve th a t whi ch yo u a re a b le ( 1 C or x Th e p e asant kno ws . .
h o w m u c h h i s b e as t of b u r de n can carry an d d o es no t l oa d h i m ,
t
.
, , ,
for th ems elves b eca u s e they n d faul with wh a t gives no cau s e for
,
u
God s en d s s fferi n g t o th e s i nner t o b ri ng h i m
3 . b a ck i nt o
t
th e r i gh w a y a n d t o s a e h i m fr om e erna l d ea h v t t .
a s u rgeon wh o c ut s aw a y t h e di s e as ed es h th a t it may no t ca u s e
,
v
o u r l o e of God As th e ark of Noe wa s ra i s ed n ea rer t o hea en
. v
b y th e oo d s th a t o versp re a d th e ear th s o we a re b ro ught ne are r to ,
t
,
u s car el e ss an d s l ac k Th e ox th a t i s no t s ti rre d b y t h e g oa d
t
.
,
p ros p e r ity eve n i n thi s w orld Wit ness Jo b t h e p a tri arch Jos eph
t
.
, ,
an d He exalteth ( 1 Ki n g s ii 7
Yo u s h all b e sorro wful sa ys .
,
Ou r Lor d b ut y o ur sorro w s h all b e tu rn e d i nt o j oy ( Jo h n xvi
, .
Igna tiu s
it i s a S ig n th a t He de s ig ns g rea t thi ng s for u s a n d
t t
, ,
d e s i res t o ra i s e u s o g re a t h o li n es s
Na y t h e more we s uffer i n hi s
t
.
,
t
. .
t
, , ,
, .
5 S ffer i ngs th en
. u a re n o rea l evil but , a re b enet s from th e
h a n d of God .
y
Th e a re th e mea n s of b ri n gin g u s b o h t o emp ora l a n d et er t t
n a l h a pp in es s .
Go d Wh o l o ve s us ten de rl y h a s no o ther o bj ec i n s en di ng us
, , t
s uffe r i n g s b ut t o ma ke u s h appy Wh a t we co un t as an evi l i s th e .
S t P a ul sa ys
. I am ll e d with comfor t ; I exc eedi ngly ab o un d with
,
j o y i n all o u r t r i bul a ti on ( 2 C or vii . .
t
6 For h i s r ea s on w e s h o l d b e p a i en
. nd er s uf
feri ng, a n d u t tu
s h oul d res i gn o ur l v se es t o th e w ill of God .
Na y mor e , ,
we s h ou l d r ej oi c e i n s u f
fe rin g ,
an d th an k G od
for it .
Th e Ap os tles Creed
. 1 45
merit .
Wh e n wi ll of Go d am id con
we re s ig n o u rs elves p ati ent y t o t h e l
t ra d i c t i on s , w e a re lik e a s hip carr i e d on b y a
s rong b reeze a n d s a i l t ,
Bless ed i s th e man th a t
i.
F r om ou r w i ll in gn es s to s uff er c a n be as c erta in ed h ow fa r
we h a ve a d v c an ed i n p erfec ti on .
Th e co u ra g e of a soldi e r di s pl a ys its el f, no t i n p e ac e, b ut i n w ar
u
.
Sale s to th ank God equ ally for c h as ti s em ent an d for p rosp er ity
t t
, ,
8 . THE ANGEL S .
1 . Th e a n ge s are l p u r e s p i r i t s .
Th e y can , h ow ev er t a ke a vi s ibl e,
form .
as did S t R a ph a el ( To b v . wh en h e u n de rt oo k o accomp an y . .
t
,
t
,
xvi 5 ; Ac s i
. .
Th e n at u re of th e a n gel s i s n obl er h a n t th t
a of ma n ; t h ey
h a v e grea t er kn owl edge a n d gr ea er p ow er t .
i s g r e a te r th an th a t of men So al so i s th e i r p o w er An angel d e . .
t
s ro ye d all th e rs t b orn of Egypt Ano th er ang el ca u s ed t h e de a t h
-
.
w el l a s for h ei r ow n t h a pp in es s .
s pi r it s say s S t P aul
,
s en t for th t o m i n i s t er t o th em th a t s h all re
.
,
( Heb i Eve n th e b a d
c e iva t h e i nh e r it ance of salv a ti on ?
t
. .
p o we r th a t alw a y s will s evil an d effec ts g oo d ,
.
Th e nu mb er of th e angel s , s a ys S t D i on ys iu s t h e Ar e o p agite,
is .
Th e a n gel s a re n ot a ll e q u a l ; t h er e a re n n e i c h oirs or ra n ks
a mon g th em .
1 48 F a i th .
on ea r th ( M a tt xvi 1 8 ; Luke xx ii
. . He al so kn ow t ha t he an d h i s
. s
angel s w ill on e d ay b e j u dg ed by the sa i n ts ( 1 C or v i Many b e . .
d e vi l c a n n ot do r ea l h a r m to a n y
Y et t h e on e wh o ke ep s
S t Jam e s ( i v 7
. an d he w i ll y from y o u
.
O u r L ord d i sp a tched .
he l os t eternal h app i n e ss .
d ev i l sp ec i a l p ow er over so me men :
G o d g i v es t h e
1 God oft en a l l o w s men w h o a re strivi n g a ft er h igh p erfec
.
y e a rs i n s o me e x tra o rd in a ry w a y i n o rd e r to c l ea n s e t h em fr o m
,
2 . It a ls
ometimes h a p p en s th a t God a ll o w s men of vi c i ous
o s
b y e v i l s p i ri t s .
xxvi ii 7 s e q ; O f Act s xv i
. . S u ch cas e s ar e no t unfr eq uen t no w
. .
O u r gu a rdi an a n ge ls h lp e us i n th e fo ll o wi ng w ays :
1 52 F a i th .
9 . M AN .
Th e C rea ti on f
o M a n .
T he so ul of man i s a sp i r i tu al s ub s t anc e T he ma te r i al i s t wh o .
t i a ll y depe n de n t on ma t ter .
Th e Ap os tles Creed
. 1 53
out of th os e of th e l o w er an ima l s .
e . a ng
l i s h na tural i s t Darw i n wh o b l i eved th a t the rs t man w as a h i ghly
, , e
( P s xlviii
. .
2 Th e st hum
. r
b ei an
s t h t God c e t e d w e e Ad a m a n dng a ra r
Ev e .
fe r en t cl i mate Al l me n
u a ll y ch an ge the i r s h ape an d col or u n de r a d i f .
w i tn e ss t o a common or i g i n .
Y et d e ri v e o n ly th ei r b odi e s fr om A d am ; fo r th e
a l l men
soul of ev ery ma n i s c rea t ed b y God .
i n h i m ( Z ach xii J u s t as the H oly S p i r i t i n B a pt i sm or i n
. .
r
an d Ev e a t the i r c e a t i on Go d cr ea te s e ac h sou l an d a t the sam e
.
1 0 . THE SO UL OF M AN .
an d fr ee w i ll an d thenc e h as the p o we r of k no w i ng wh a t i s be a ut i f ul
,
w ord s u s ed a t the cr e a t i on : L et u s make man the reby i n d i ca ti ng ,
r ej o i n ed Dos t th o u s ee m e w i th th i n e eye s 2
,
No ans we red
,
Gen n a d i u s for they ar e c l os ed i n sleep
, W i th wh a t then d os t .
, ,
th o u s ee m e 2 I kno w no t T he y o ung man cont i n ued : Dos t .
th o u he ar m e 2
Ye s
W i th th i n e e ars 2
No for the s e t oo
.
,
ar e w rapped i n s l eep W i th wh a t the n d os t th o u he ar m e 2
.
I kno w no t Ar e y ou s pe a k i ng t o m e 2 w a s the n e xt que s t i on
. .
Ye s
W i th thy mo uth 2
.
No
W i th wh a t the n 2
I kno w .
no t
. T he n the y o ung ma n sa i d : S ee no w th o u sleepe s t an d yet ,
wh i ch bel on gs t o a fa r h i ghe r or de r i s de s t i n ed t o pe r i s h 2 ,
h app i n e ss .
1 . Our e of God , a n d
Ad am w as cr e a ted sa y s the C o unc il of Tr en t i n ju s t i c e and
,
,
h ol i n e ss ; he w as a p ar t ak e r of the d iv i n e natur e T h i s j u s t i c e an d .
l r l
Th e sp ec i a p i vi eges g a n t ed t o th e sou of ma n a t h i s r s t r l
r r ll
c ea t i o n w e e a s fo o w s : A n e n igh t e n e d u n d e s t a n d i n g, a w i l r ll
k
fr e e fro m a l l w ea n ess , a n d th e p os s es si o n of s a n cti fy i ng g a c e r .
r
Th ou gh mea n s of th es e h e w a s th e ch i d of God, t h e h ei of l r
ll l a
h e a ven , a n d w e p e s in g i n th e s igh t of God
-
Go d lled the m w i th w i s d om an d the kno wledge of un ders t a n d
i ng sa ys the Wi s e M an ( Ecclu s xvii 5
,
He g ave A d am a n i n . .
,
al so he i rs of Go d an d j o i nt he i rs w i th C hr i s t -
.
Th e s p e c i a p e l
rf e tio of th ir b odi w th at th y w c ns e es ere e ere
r l
immo ta , a n d f e er from l l li b ility to i kn s d dis s ; th y a a s c es an ea e e
w e r i n p ar d i s
e d h a d do mi i o o v r l l th
a e, a n r tu re s r u d n n e a e c ea a o n
th e m .
an d cl os e by i t the t r ee of l i fe the fr u i t s of wh i c h we r e a p ro te c t i on
,
O r t o t ake ano ther illu s t rat i on ; a p a i nte r can trac e the p ort ra i t of a
man w i th a f ew s t ro ke s i n bl a ck a n d wh i te B ut i f he t ake s h i s .
1 2 . O R IGINAL SIN .
1God i mp os e d on
. ma n i n p ara di s e a p re c ep t ; He fo rb a d e hi m
a
t o e t t h e f ui t of on e r of th e t r ee s wh i ch stoo d i n t h e mi d s t of t h e
ar n
G de of Ed e n .
By ob edi en c e to th i s p r ec ep t God in t en de d th at A d a m an d
Ev e s h o u l d me rit et ern a l h a pp in es s .
It w as the i n ten t i on of Go d to be s t o w up on o u r rs t p ar e nt s
ete rnal h app i n e ss a n i nhe ri t anc e th a t w as t o be the i rs as c h il
d r e n of Go d But as a h app i n e ss th at i s e arn ed i s a gr e ate r h app i
.
n e ss an d on e of g r e a te r v alue th an i f i t we r e be s t o wed w i th o ut a ny
,
comman d of Go d he w o ul d h ave p a ss ed w i th o ut p a i n an d w i th o ut
,
2 . a we d h ims l f t b l d a stray b y th
M a n ll o e o e e e d e vi l , a nd trans
gres s ed t h e p re c ep t f h i s Cr ator
o e .
a foo l i s h c u r i os i ty t o a l o ve of d r e ss an d i ll t i m ed l o qu ac ity M a n
, ,
-
or m i s e ry .
8 1 01 1 8 .
. .
e a t the fr u i t the r e of all the d ay s of thy l i f e ( G e n iii Be .
n r
4 Th e s i of our s t pa e ts wi th ll i ts e vi l c o s e que c e s
. rn a n n
a
h a s p ss e d on t o t h e i d e s c e d ts r n an .
.
,
t o h i m He i s unfa i thful an d the r eby l os e s the e s t ate no t he o nl y ,
w i th i t Whe n we s a y th a t we h ave s i nn ed i n A d am th i s d o es
.
,
0p s i n.
1 62 Fa i th .
r
Our Lo d Je sus Ch i st, Our Re d eeme r r
, h as f ree d us r om th
f e
n
evi l c o s e qu e c e s of s i n n .
C h r i s t i s al so called O u r S av i o ur or O ur R edee m e r be ca u s e He ,
fre e d us from th e sp i ri tu a l c on s e q u e n c e s of s i n i n th e
C h ri st
fo ll o w in g ma n n er : He en l igh t en e d our u n d e rs t a n di ng b y Hi s
t e a ch in g in cl in e d ou r w ill to good b y Hi s p r ec ep ts a n d p r omis es
, ,
an d b H i s s a c r i c e of Hims el f u p o n t h e c r oss w on fo r us
y
th e me a n s of gr a c e b y w h i ch w e o n c e m o r e atta i n to s a n cti ca
ti o n a n d b e c ome th e ch il dr en of God an d h e i rs of th e kingdo m
of h ea v en .
C hr i s t t oo k up on H i ms el f a th r ee fo ld o fc e , th a t of P ro phet or
T e ache r P r i e s t, an d K i n g T h i s th r ee fold ofc e he ascr i be s t o H i m
,
.
al so ofte n comp ar es H i ms el f t o a gu i de or le a de r ( Jo hn x i v 6 ; M a tt . .
x. We a re w an de r e rs i n th i s w orld ; we h ave he r e no a b i d i n g
dwell i ngpl ac e but s eek on e th a t i s t o com e T he roa d i s ro ugh
,
.
,
be ou r G u i de He says . I am the w ay the t ruth an d the l i fe
, , ,
ca ll s C h ri s t o ur gr e a t Hi gh P r i e s t ( Heb ii Wh o n eed s no t. . ,
et c .
2 Tw o th ous d y e
. an ar l at e r
s God p omi s e d t o Ab r rah am th at
th e Re d ee me s h o ul d b e r one of h i s d e s c e d ts n an .
an d j o u rn ey forth i n t o a l an d wh i c h w as t o b e sh o wn h im In .
ful ( Rom i v . Go d r epe a ted the sam e p rom i s e whe n the thr ee
.
dg
.
,
xx ii 1 .
p e r so n t h e su f
f e r
,i n gs th e d e a t h n d t h nal
,
t ri ump h n d gl oy , a e a r
o f t h e Re d ee me r .
T he p ro phet s we r e m en e nl i ghten ed by Go d ( m en of Go d ) wh o ,
w r i t i n gs .
4 oi t h e dve
. a nt of th e M e s s i as th e p roph et s h av e gi ve n th e
fo ll ow i ng
a cc ou t : n
1 . Th e M e s s i a s was to b e b or ni n B ethl e h em .
When the J ew s a fter their ret u n from c apt ivi ty b ega n to reb ui l d r
the T emple the old m en wh o h a d s ee n the form e r T e mple beg an t o
,
xl i x
. From th i s t i m e the t ri be of J ud a wa s the le a d i n g t ri be
( Numb ii 3 . K i ng Dav i d w as of the t r i be of Jud a an d s o we r e
.
,
4 Th e p o p h e t
. r D l
a n i e ( 6 05 5 3 0) fo eto d t h a t f om t h e re
r l r v
l
b u i d in g of Je us a em r l un ti th e p ub i c a pp e n c e of th e l l ara
r w l x
M ess i a s , t h e e ou d b e s i ty n i e w ee s of y ea s , a n d u n ti th e
-
n k r l
a x n
d e t h of th e M ess i a s si ty in e a n d h f w ee s of y e s
-
. a al k ar .
. .
Th e M e ss i a s was r Hous e of
i
5 . to be bo n of a v i rgi n of th e
Davi d .
As a s i gn Go d g a ve t o K i n g Ach a z th e fo ll o w i n g p ro phe cy : B e
h o ld a v i r g i n sh all conc e ive an d be ar a s on an d H i s nam e sh all be
, ,
s h all be the L or d o u r ju s t O n e .
6 . Th e Mess i as wa s to r
b e p e c e d ed b y a p e c u so o fo r r r r re
ru n e r n ,
who w a s to p r e a ch i n th e d e s ert, a n d to i v e a n a n g e l li c
l if
e.
Wh om y o u s eek sh all com e t o H i s T e mple ( M al iii
,
T h i s p re . .
7 . M es s i a s a n ew sta r w a s to a pp e ar
W ith th e .
6 . 0f th e s uf
fe ri ngs of th e M es s i a s th e p roph et s s p ok e as
foll ows :
1 Th e M es s i as w a s t o
. t
en er i n t o Jeru s a l em ri di ng on a n a s s
( Z a c h ix . .
2 . He wa s to b e for t h i rty p i e es of s il v er
s ol d An d I t ook c .
th e thi rty p i e c es c
of s i l v er, a n d I a s t t h em i n t o th e h ou s e of th e
Lord
( Z a h c . xi. 1 2,
Th e word s of Z a ch a r i a s w er e ex a c tl y ful lle d ; Juda s thr ew d own
th e mon ey i n t h e Temple a n d with it w a s b ought a el d b el on gi n g
,
. .
He w a s
3 . t o b e b etra y ed b y on e wh o a te a t th e sa me t a b l e
wi th Him ( Ps . x l .
Hi s di s c i p l es were to fo rs a ke Hi m
4 . at th e time of Hi s
P a s s i on ( Z a ch x ii i 7 . .
5 He w a s to b e mock ed ( P s x x i 7
. . b ea t en , s p i t u p on
.
i ii . and g i v e n g a l l a n d vi n e a r
g t o d ri n k ( P s l x vi ii . .
Th e chi ef p r i es t s a n d Sc ri b es a t th e c ru c i x i on mocke d O ur L or d ,
s a ve
( M a r k xv 3 1 ; C f v In t h e h ous e of An n a s a s erv a n t g a v e
. . .
cl a re d Hi ms el f t h e Son of Go d th e s er va n t s s pit up on Hi s fa c e a n d , ,
a pu r pl e r ob e ( i n mock er y of t h e i mp er i a l pu rpl e ) s t r u ck Hi m on ,
th e h ea d with a r ee d a n d d er id e d Hi m ( M a r k xv 1 5 ,
O n Gol .
ou t s ea m w ov en fr om t h e t op th ro ugh out
, They th er efor e c a s t l ots .
for it ( Joh n x i x .
7 Hi s h a n ds a n d feet w er e to b e p i er ed wi th n a i l s ( P s x x i
. c . .
1 7
Th e Ap os tles Creed 1 69
.
pl a ce h i s n g er i n th em ( John xx 2 7 T h e u s u a l p r a c ti c e w a s t o t i e
.
d oers .
9 . He l a mb i n Hi s s u fferi n gs ( Is
w as to b e p a t i en t as a .
1 0 He w as t o d i e wi ll i n gl y a n d for ou r s i n s ( Is l i ii 4 7
. . .
-
0f th e gl ory
7 . of th e M es s i a s th e p r op h et s ma d e th e fol l ow
i n g p red i t i ons : c
He w a s to ma ke Hi s gra ve wi th th e ri ch
1 . li ii a n d it .
was t o b e gl ori ou s ( Is xi . .
3 He w a s t o r etu rn to h ea ven ( P s l x vi i
. a n d wa s to s it . .
on th e r i gh t h a n d of God ( P s . ci x .
4 . Hi s r from Jeru s a l em a n d fr om
d oc tri n e w a s to s p ea d
M ou n t Si on ov er th e wh ol e
worl d ( Joel 2 8 ; Is .
Th e h ea th en n a t i on s of th e w h ol e e a rth were to b e
5 . re
Th e Jewi s h p eopl e, w h o h a d p u t th e M es s i a s t o d ea th ,
6 .
w ere t o b e s ev er el y p u n i s h ed an d s ca tt ered o v er th e fa e of th e
, c
e art h ( D ent x x vi i i . .
. c
7 In ev ery pl a e th rou gh ou t th e w orl d, a c l ea n ob l a t i on
( h ol y M a s s ) w a s t o b e offe r ed t o H i m ( M a l i . .
iv .
Th e a n c i en t coven a n t w a s t h e v e il whi c h c on ce a l e d t h e n ew Th e .
Ab el wa s th e r s t of j us t men ; C h ri s t t h e r s t of t h e s a i n t s ; Ab el
wa s a s hephe r d a n d offe re d t o G od a n a ccept a b l e offer in g ; h e w a s
gen tl e a s a l a mb b u t h e w a s h a ted b y h i s b roth er a n d mu r der ed b y
,
t h e a rk w a s t h e b egi n n i n g of a n ew cov en a n t ; s o C h r i s t s on l ea vi n g
c u t ed b y h i s b r oth er b u t a ft erwa r d s w a s r e c on c il e d t o h i m
, Th ough .
t h e s on of a r i ch fa th er h e w a n d e r e d i n a s t r a n g e l a n d a n d th er e
won h i s b r id e b y l on g s er vi c e ; s o C h r i s t t h e C hur ch He h a d twelve .
s on s of wh om on e w a s t h e b el ov e d s on ; s o C h r i s t h a d tw elv e di s c ipl e s
, ,
of wh om St John w a s t h e b el o ve d di s c ipl e
. Jos eph t h e well b el ove d .
,
-
s on of h i s fa th e r w a s h a te d b y h i s b r e th r en a n d s old b y th em for a
, ,
p eople of th e L or d ; w a s K i n g of I s r a el h a d mu ch t o s uffe r a n d , ,
n ight s i n t h e b elly of t h e wh a l e ( M a tt x ii a n d p r e a ch e d p en a n c e
. .
t o th e Ni n i v i t es Th e a r ch a n gel R a p ha el c a me d ow n fr om h ea ven t o
.
a n d th er efor e on t h e F r id a y p r ecedi n g t h e p a s ch a l Sa b b a th ; it w a s
of fere d t o God a n d a ft e rw a r d s e a ten ; it w a s t o b e with out s p ot ,
a n d i n th e p r i me of i t s a g e ; n ot a b on e of it wa s t o b e b r ok en ( John
t h e p a s s a ge of t h e R ed Sea a n d t h e Jo r d a n t h e ma n n a i n t h e d es e rt , ,
t h e w a te r dr a wn fr om t h e d ry r ock a n d t h e fa ll i n g d own of t h e w a ll s ,
a s t o ma i n t a i n t h e de s i re of t h e c omi n g Re d eemer .
kn own t o us :
1 . Th e d es t c
Ab rah a m rs t dwel t i n P a l es ti n e a n d
en d a n s of ,
Ab out t h e ye a r 2 000 B . C .
, b a de h i m s ettle
Go d ca lle d Ab r a h a m and
i n P a l es tin e ; here h e h a d a s on , I s a a c wh o w a s t h e fa ther of Es a u ,
a n d Ja c ob ; Ja c ob s ecu r ed Es a u s b i r th r ight a n d h a d t o y i n c on s e
Th e Is r a el i t es w e r e th en ru l ed ov er b y k i n gs , Sa u l , Da vi d,
4 .
Sa ul w a s un h a p py i n h i s r eer a n d di e d a s ui c id e ca . D a v id, h i s
s u c c es s o r ( 1 05 5 w a s di s ti n gui s h e d for h i s pi e ty ; he co mp os ed
ma n y of t h e P s a lms a n d r ec eived from God t h e p r omi s e th a t t h e R e
deemer s h oul d b e of h i s fa mily O n tw o occa s i on s . h e fell i n t o
gr i ev ou s s i n a n d w a s vi s it ed with s ever e ch a s ti s emen t s . Hi s s on a n d
s u cc es s or Sol omon b uilt t h e Templ e o f Jer u s a l em and wa s
kn own fa r a n d wid e for h i s wi s d om a n d s pl en d or .
t w o p a rt s , fo rmi n g th e k i n gd om of Is r a el i n th e n or th ( 9 7 5 7 2 2 )
an d Ju d a i n th e s ou th ( 9 7 5
Sol omon R ob oa m, a li en a t ed th e t e n n o rth ern t r ib es b y h i s
s s on ,
t a x a ti on s , a n d on ly th e t w o s outh er n t r i b es , Ju d a a n d B en j a mi n , re
ma i n e d t o form th e k i n gd om of Ju d a .
T he Ap os tles Creed
.
s pit e of t h e ef fo rt s of t h e p rophet s At l a s t Sa l ma n a s a r i n 7 22 d e
.
, , ,
s t r oy ed t h e ki n gd om a n d c a rr i e d t h e p eopl e a w a y i n t o t h e As s yr i a n
7 Aft er th e r et u r n fr om th e
. ca p ti v i t y ( 5 3 6 ) th e Jews l i v ed
i n p ea c e u n t il t h ey c a me, i n 2 03 , u n d er th e p ow e r o f An t i oc h u s ,
Ki n g of Syr i a .
Fr om t h e ye a r 6 06 t h e i n h a b it a n t s of Ju d a a n d I s r a el dwelt un de r
t h e s a me r ul er , a n d c a me t o b e kn ow n i n d i e ren tl y a s Jew s C yr u s , .
w h o ob t a i n ed p os s es s i on of t h e B a b ylon i a n ki n gd om i n 5 3 8 , g a ve p er
mi s s i on t wo y e a rs l a ter t o th e Jews t o r eturn a n d reb uild th ei r Tem
p le ; s ome Jew s a v a ile d thems elves of thi s c on ces s i on t o r eturn
un der Z or ob a b el t o Jer u s a lem, wher e they r a i s e d a n ew Temple a fte r
twen ty yea r s of w ork ; i n t h e yea r 4 53 Art a xerxes a l lowe d them t o
b uild w a ll s ; they s till r ema i n e d for a b out tw o hun dr e d y ea rs un der
P er s i a n d omi n i on a n d were well t rea ted Alexa n der th e Gre a t a n d .
1 4 0 to 3 9
M a ch a b eu s d h i s v e s on s h elp ed t h e Jew s t o s h a ke off t h e Syr i a n
an
yoke Simon .
, on e of t h e M a ch a b ees , r e ig
n e d a s high p r i es t a n d ki n g
p os ed a n d r epl a ce d b y Her od t h e r s t of t h e ki n gs wh o w a s n ot a
,
John th e B a pti s t t o d ea th a n d t r ea t ed O u r L or d a s a fo ol Hi s .
s u c ce s s o r w a s h i s u n cl e H er od Ag r ipp a th e Gr e a t wh o b ehea d e d ,
t h e n a me of God a n d di ed a mi s er a b l e d e a th e a t en b y w orms , ,
s c a tt ere d a mon g t h e n a ti on s .
1 74 F a i th .
ul c u s s t a r whi c h l ed t h e th re e M a gi t o B ethl eh em ( M a tt ii th e . .
a n g el s me s s a g e t o C orn eliu s t h e c e n tu r i on ( Ac t s x t h e my s te
.
ri ou s h a n dw r iti n g on th e w a ll of t h e p a l a ce wher e B a lt a s s a r w a s p ro
t h e p r ophecy of B a l a a m s a s s et c
( Dan .
, .
c
ki n d s h oul d ex p eri en e th e d eep es t mi s ery, i n ord er t o r ous e i t t o
a l on gi n g for a Red eemer .
c or di n g t o H e s i od w er e t oo n umer ou s t o b e c oun te d a n d w er e i n d i f
,
i n g whe n th ey c a ll e d t h e R e deemer t h e exp ec t a ti on of t h e n a ti on s .
c t
en re, Sa ma ri a ; i n th e n orth , Ga l il ee, a n d i n th e eas t, b eyon d
th e Jord a n , P eraea , Itu raea , a n d th e di s t r i c t of Tra h on i ti s c .
of t h e G en til e s a n d a n i nn e r t h e c ou rt of t h e p r i es t s
, c on t a i n i n g t h e
, ,
th e ma n n a ; a n d h er e i n a cl oud r es t ed t h e ma j es ty of Go d t h e
ti me of C h r i s t In th e ye a r 6 4 A D th e r es t or a ti on w a s c ompl et e till
. . .
, ,
27
r ece ive t h e Gen tile cen tur i on C orn elius ; fur ther t o t h e s o uth a n d ex ,
a t e d n ea r t h e c en t r e of th e di s t r i c t ; s o uth of it i s Ja c ob s w ell n ea r
,
n or s In t h e n or thw es t cl os e b y t h e s ea a n d on t h e b oun d a r y i s
.
, ,
M ou n t Th a b or wh ere t h e t ra n s g u ra t i on t ook pl a c e a n d N a i m
, , ,
c ity
i n whi c h He dw elt a n d where He w orked s o ma n y mi ra cl es
, ,
e g
. . th e c ur e of t h e cen turi on s s on a n d t h e r a i s i n g o f th e d a ught er
, ,
of Ja i ru s ; h er e t o o He p r omi s e d t h e i n s tituti on of t h e Bl es s ed
, ,
t h e dwelli n g pl a ce of th e s i n n e r M a gd a l en ; Ti b er i a s i s a l s o a t own
-
Sidon mor e th a n on ce vi s it ed b y C h r i s t
,
O n t h e b or der s of G a lil ee .
a n d ki n g a l l i n on e, a n d t h e g r ea te s t of th em a ll , h en ce it w a s u s u a l
,
t o ca ll Hi m s i mply,
t h e a n o i n t e d of t h e L or d Thi s un c ti on of t h e .
2 Jes us
. Na za ret h
of i s th e M es s i a s , b e c a us e t h e k i ngd om
fou n d ed b y Hi m on ea rt h h a s b een en d uri ng .
Th e s u c ces s of ma n y of th os e wh o cl a i med t o b e t h e M e s s i a s h as
ev e r b een mer ely t emp o r a ry ; b u t Je s u s o f Na z a r eth h a s h a d Hi s fol
l ow er s i n ev er y a g e Ha d Hi s ki n gdom t h e C hu rc h b een t h e w ork of
.
, ,
of G a ma li el , Ac ts v .
O n th e oc c a s i on of Hi s c onvers a ti on w i th th e Sa ma ri ta n
woma n ,
ian d
n p re s en c e of th e C a i p h a s hi gh p ri es t .
Th e Sa ma r it a n w oma n s a id t o C h r i s t a t t h e well :
I k n ow th a t
t h e M e s s i a s c ometh Wh o i s ca lle d C h r i s t I am
a n d C h r i s t r epli e d : ,
( M a tt xxvi
Th o u h a s t s a id it O n a n o th e r occ a s i on St. . .
W h en t h ey a p p ea ed r t o th e s h ep h er d s n ea r B et h l eh em, an d
in St Jos ep h . s vi s i on .
1 80 Fa i th .
ki n d wa s b ur i e d i n d a rkn es s , a n d kn ew n othi n g of t h e tr ue G od He .
a n d th ere w a s p e a c e ove r a ll t h e e a r th , b ec a us e C h r i s t wa s t h e P r i n c e
of p ea ce ( Is ix . a n d t h e G od o f p ea c e ( 1
. C or x iv i e , O ur
. . . .
c omes i n p ov er ty a n d r en un c i a ti on t o tea c h u s th a t t h e r oa d t o
h ea ven i s t h e w a y of s uffer i n g a n d s elf c on ques t , n ot of plea s ur e a n d
-
s el f i n dulg e n c e
-
of t h e p oor t o wh om He i s a pp o i n t e d t o p r ea c h t h e G os p el ( L uk e iv .
Hi s mi s s i on t o gl or i fy G od ( John xiii
, a n d t o give p ea ce t o men
.
s h eph e r d s a n d n ot t o t h e p r o ud Ph a r i s ees a n d Sc r i b es , b ec a u s e He
,
cr i b w er e t h e Je w s i n t h e p er s on of t h e s heph er d s , a n d a ft er th em
th e G en til e s i n t h e p er s on s of t h e thr ee ki n g s ; a l l t o s ign i fy th a t
,
s t a r i n t h e Ea s t w a s t o a n n o un c e th a t C h r i s t
t h e w on der ful ( Is .
ev en b efor e utt er i n g a w or d
Th e dee d s of t h e L or d a re c om
.
In th e l it u rg y of t h e C hu r ch we cel eb r a te O u r L or d s b i rt h on t h e
b y St F r a n c i s of As s i s i
. In ma n y h ou s eh old s there i s kept up t h e .
c us t om of t h e C h ri s t ma s t ree a r emin de r of t h e fa t a l t r ee of p a r a ,
ou r mi n ds t h e gi ft s o f Go d t h e F a ther t o ma n ki n d on thi s d a y Im .
if n ot t o t h e s h e ddi n g of b l oo d, a t l ea s t t o t h e d en i a l of s elf a n d t h e
b e a r in g of s uffer in g Y ou mus t l ove G od a n d y ou r n eighb or like St
. .
Th e n ew b or n C hil d i s -
a d or e d r s t b y th e s h ep h er d s an d
th en b y th e M agi .
( L uk e ii t h e th
. r ee ki n g s w e r e l e d t o H i m b y a s t a r ( M a tt ii . .
i t s own i n t h e h e a ven s ; a cc or di n g t o St Jo hn C h ry s os t om it ma y .
,
c hu r c h o r fo rm i n g t h e w or d Judea
,
et c St Iren aeu s r ema rk s th a t , . .
t h e p r es en ts i n di c a t e d th ei r e s t eem of Hi m t o Wh om t h e thr ee ki n gs
of fere d them G old t h e s ymb ol of h omag e i s offe re d t o Hi m a s
.
, ,
were t a k en fr om t h e Ea s t t o C ologn e i n 1 1 6 2 b y B a rb a r os s a a n d n ow ,
on t h e s ixth of Ja n u a r y In ma n y c o un tr i es th er e s till ex i s t s t h e c u s
.
t om of b l es s i n g on thi s d a y t h e w a t e r of t h e th r ee ki n g s a n d t h e ,
b l es s i n g of ch a lk a n d s a lt i s n ot un us u a l Th e i n iti a l s o f t h e n a mes .
c a u s e i n for me r ti me s t h e b i rth o f C h r i s t or a pp e a r a n c e o f C h r i s t ,
to ma nk i n d w a s cel eb r a t ed on thi s d a y
, He n ce i n t h e Gre ek C hu rch .
d a n a n d p erfo rmed Hi s r s t mi r a cl e a t C a n a
, .
W h en th e C h il d w a s ei
gh t d a y s ol d He w a s ci r c u mc i s ed , an d
a pi ou s us tom i n ma n y pl a ces t o ha ve a
c l mn th a n k s givi n g s e rvi ce
so e
a n d t o s i n g t h e Te D ow n on t h e l a s t d a y of t h e ye a r i n t h a n ks g i v mg
,
for p a s t fa v or s .
free fr om s i n s h e n ee de d n o pu r i ca ti on
, Th e fe a s t of th e P u ri c a .
chi l dh
'
H eli op oli s Th e l a n d s o s a n c ti e d b y th e p re s en c e of O u r L or d b e
.
fr om t h e w orld .
C h ri s t t a u gh t s o t h a t a l l mi g h t u n d e r s t a n d Hi m wi th ou t
c
di f u l ty ; He u s ed p l a i n , h omel y wor d s , a n d i ll u s t r a t e d Hi s
t ea c h in g wi th s ign s a n d p a ra b l es an d b y referen es to n a tu ra l oh c
j ec ts .
C hri s t te a chin g i s liken ed t o t h e t rea s u re b u r i e d i n a eld
s
h a n d s ( L uk e xx iv 5 0) when He g a ve them p ow er t o t ea ch a n d b a p
.
i s imp a r te d t o ma n t h e c r e a tu re of e a r th fr om t h e m o uth of G od
, , ,
p r o dig a l s on t h e G oo d Sa ma r it a n D iv e s a n d L a z a r us th e wi s e a n d
, , ,
ki n gd om of he a ven s u ch a s t h e p ea rl of gr e a t p r i c e t h e b ur i ed tre a s
, ,
u re t h e s e i n e t h e gr a i n o f m us t a r d s ee d t h e c oc kl e a n d wh e a t t h e
, ,
-
, ,
s e w er t h e l e a v e n
, Th e ob j ec t s i n n a tur e on whi ch He d r ew for illus
.
t h e eld t h e c r op s t h e vi n ey a r d s e t c
, It i s on ly r e as on a b le tha t
, , .
d o from t h e s a me God .
Th e p oor w er e th e es p e i a l ob ect s of C h ri s t s mi s s i on c j
.
w or d s of th e p r ophet : t o p r e a c h th e G os p el t o t h e p oor He h a th s en t
Me .
Th e l ea d in g i d ea i n th e t ea ch i n g of C h r i s t w a s : Seek th e
k in gd om of God
.
ki n gd om of h ea ven i s n igh ( M a tt iv 1 7 ; M a rk i
. . .
t a u ght u s th e O u r F a th er .
Th e Ap os tles Cr eed
. 1 85
3 . Ch ri s t p roved Hi s d i vi ne mi s s i on a n d th e t r u t h of Hi s d oc
t ri ne b y ma ny mi ra c l es , b y Hi s k nowl ed ge of a l l t hi n gs , a n d b y t h e
h oli n es s of Hi s l i fe .
C hri s t Hi ms el f a pp e a l e d t o Hi s mi r a cles :
Th o ugh y ou will
n ot b eli eve M e, b eli eve t h e w orks
( J oh n x N i c o d em u s wa s .
con vi n ce d of t h e divi n e mi s s i on of C h r i s t b y Hi s mi r a cl e s : No ma n
c a n d o th es e s ign s whi c h Th o u d os t, un l es s G od b e with Hi m ( Jo hn
iii. C hr i s t of Hi s own p ower w orke d mi r a cl es ; o th ers i n t h e
n a me of G o d or of C h r i s t C hr i s t kn ew a ll thi n g s t h e mos t hidden
.
ma n y i n c id en t s of Hi s P a s s i on j u s t a s th ey a fte rw a rd s h a pp en ed .
a n ythi n g b u t t h e t r uth
Th e Sc r i b es a n d P h a r i s ees h a t ed a n d p er s ec u t ed Hi m b e
c a u s e He fa il ed t o r ea l i z e t h ei r c a rn al v i ew s of t h e M es s i a s ,
c
a n d b e c a u s e He p u b li l y reb u k ed t h ei r s i n s ; a ft er th e ra i s i n g of
Th ey tr i ed t o s t on e Hi m i n th e Temple ( Joh n x a n d a t Na z .
b r e a ke r ; th ey t r i e d t o c a t ch Hi m i n Hi s s p e ech , a s i n t h e c a s e of
C aes a r s coi n
Th e Jews th ought th a t t h e M es s i a s wa s t o b e a n
.
The Su eri n gs f
o Ch ri s t .
1 . c
ou th e Sund a y p re ed i n g t h e fea s t of Ea s t er Ch r i s t ma d e
a s ol emn entry i n t o Jeru s a l em a n d t a ugh t i n th e Temp l e d uri ng
th e da ys foll owi n g .
rea d b y th e c el eb r a n t a n d s un g b y t h e ch oi r D ur in g t h e b l es s i n g o f .
2 . Hol y Th ur s d a y eveni n g Ch r i s t a t e th e Pa s ch wi t h Hi s
0n
di s c i p l es i n s t i t ut ed th e B l es s ed Sa cr a ment a n d t h en wen t out t o
, ,
s wea t .
feet o f Hi s
p os tl es t o tea ch u s humility
a Hi s c on duct i n th e .
G o d s will a n d p a ti en c e un de r s uffe r i n g In th e w or ds of St Am
,
. .
o c l oc k i n t h e even i n g t o r ec a ll t h e a g on y i n t h e g a r d en
Th e foll ow .
i n g c er emon i es a re i n more g en e r a l u s e : Th e P op e w a s h es t h e
feet of twelve p ri es ts a p r a c ti c e kept up s in ce th e ti me of Greg
ory t h e Gr e a t Th e b i s h op s a n d g ov er n o rs i n ma n y pl a c es w a s h t h e
.
of t h e Bl e s s e d Sa c r a men t t o t h e a lt a r of rep os e i s t o r e c a ll O u r
C h r i s t w a s s eiz ed b y th e s ol d i er s i n th e ga r d en , l ed b efore th e
hi g h p r i es t, a n d con d emn ed t o d ea th .
i s c el e b r a t e d i n t h e e ven i n g O n a t r i a n gul a r fr a me i n fr on t of t h e
.
a lt a r th e r e a re pl a c e d fo u r t een c a n dl es of un b l ea c he d w a x , a n d a t t h e
upp er a n gle on e of whit e w a x ; t h e white c a n dl e rep res en t s O u r L or d
a n d t h e un b l ea ch e d c an dl e s Hi s a p os tl es a n d di s c ipl es At ea ch of .
F rom t h e c ou r t of t h e hi gh p r i es t C h ri s t w as l ed b y th e Jews
b efor e P on ti u s P il a t e, to rec ei v e th e ra t ic a ti on of th e d ea th
t
s en en c e .
emp e r o r .
P i l a t e , a l a r med b y th e t h r ea t s of t h e Jews , c on d e mn ed O u r
Lor d to th e d e a t h of th e c r os s .
Th e d ev oti on of t h e St a ti on s of t h e C r os s c ommemor a t es a l l th es e
d et a il s of th e P a s s i on Th e di s t a n ce t o C a lva ry w a s s ome thi r te en
.
hu n d red p a ces .
1 88 Fa i th .
i
s n ce C h r i s t c ru ci ed Hi s es h for ou r s i n s on th a t d a y th e C hu rch
h a s forb idden t h e e a ti n g of es h mea t O n F r id a y of H oly Week th e .
kept i n t h e in t erv a l .
In th e even i ng O ur Lo rd s b od y w a s t a k en d own fr om th e
4 Duri ng Ea s t er Sa t ur d a y, th a t i s , on th e gr ea t es t fea s t d a y
.
p a s ch a l c a n dl e i s a l s o b le s s e d on thi s d a y , a n d t h e v e g ra in s of i n
ce n s e i mb e dde d i n it r emi n d u s of t h e w oun d s o f C h r i s t Th e b a pti s .
Th e Ex a lta ti on o f C h ri s t .
r i a n c on rms h i m w h en h e s a ys th a t it w a s n ot th e Al mighty b u t th e
huma n ity of t h e Almighty whi ch w a s ex a lt ed .
c
i n tri ump h i nt o th e p l a e w h ere th e s oul s of t h os e j u s t i ed un d er
th e ol d La w w ere d et a i n ed ( Fourt h Coun i l of La t er a n) c .
th e b os om of Ab r a h a m
( Luk e x vi . p r i s oth e
n ( 1 P et iii . .
O ur L o r d c a ll e d t h e pl a c e p a r a di s e ( L u k e xx iii b e c a u s e .
b y Hi s a rr iv a l t h e p r i s o n h ou s-
e w ould b e tu r n e d i n t o p a r a d i se A ft er .
th e ea d th of C h r i s t li m b o c e a s e d t o e x i s t T h e r.e w e r e i n th a t pl a c e
a m o n g o th e r s A ,
d a m a n d E v e A b e
,l N o e
,
A b r a h a ,
m I s a a c J a c o b , , ,
Jos e ph Da vid I s
, a i a s D, a n i e l J o b
,
T o b
, i a s t h e f o s t e r f
,
a th e r o f -
m
.
a nd m
C h r i s t ,
a n y o th e r s i n c ludi
,
n g th o s e o f N oe s co n te p o r a r i e s
C ish r t w e n t d o w n i n t o l i m b o t o a n n o u n c e t o t h e s o u ls d e
t a i n e d t h e re th e n e w s o f t h e r ed e m p t i o n ,
a n d t o s e t t h e m f r e e .
ki n wh o d elivers h i s s ub j ec t s fr om a p r i s on wh er e th ey h a ve b een
g
a n d th ey w er e c o mp e ll e d t o b ow t h e kn ee t o Hi m ( Phil ii . .
th e t omb b y Hi s own a l mi gh ty p ow er .
Hi s l i fe a n d t a ki n g it up a g a i n ( John K Wh en it i s s a id i n .
Augu s ti n e s a ys , th es e c ould n ot b e a c cept ed a s wit n es s es i f th ey
w er e a s l eep a n d it i s a r e ma rk a b l e c i r c ums t a n c e th a t t h e s oldi er s
wer e n ot pun i s h ed for the i r b re a c h of duty M a n y fr e e thi n k er s .
-
fa t a l Even wh en C hr i s t w a s g oi n g t o t h e pl a ce of ex ecuti on He w a s
.
,
t h e s t on e a n d ma k e Hi s
, w a y o u t on feet y et fr es h fr om t h e
w oun d s of t h e n a il s Th e d e a th of C h r i s t w a s ofc i a lly v er i e d a n d
r ep ort e d t o Pil a te ( M a rk xv a n d Hi s b on es w er e n ot b r ok en b y
.
t o t h e dea th of C h r i s t .
b ea r i n g i n Hi s h a n d s , a s St B ern a r d s a y s , t h e w r it of ou r r ed emp ti on
.
C h ri s t ros e a a n
g i to p rov e t o us th a t He i s G od , an d th a t w e,
t oo , are to ri s e a ga i n .
C h r i s t i s t h e r s t fr uits th em th a t s l eep ( 1 C or xv
-
of and a s . .
of t h e r e s u rr ec ti on wa s Job s c on s ol a ti on i n hi s t r oub l e ( Job x i x .
t h e t wen ty ft h of Ap r il -
Th e hea th en w a k es t o a n ew s pi r itu a l li fe
.
St Amb r os e i f we a re t o r i s e fr om t h e gr a ve of th e es h we mus t rs t
.
,
r es en t t h e v e w oun d s a gu re of O u r L or d ; a n d it i s lighte d a t a ll
,
t h e n ew l ife i n t h e r ea w a k en i n g of n a tu re .
Th e r s en i L or d re ma i n ed fort y d a ys on ea rt h , a n d a pp ea e d r
fr equ en tl y du ri n g th is time to Hi s di s c ipl es .
St P et e r w a s t h e r s t of t h e a p os tles t o s ee t h e ri s en L or d ( L uk e
.
a n d th en t o t h e h oly w omen a s th ey w er e l e a vi n g t h e g r a v e ( M a tt .
c
C h ri s t as en d ed i n to h ea v en i n ord er, a s ma n , t o en ter i n t o
Hi s kin gdom ( Ep h i v t o s en d d own th e Holy Sp i ri t ( Joh n
. .
xv i . c
7 t o i n ter ed e for u s wi th th e Fa th er ( Jc hn x i v to .
r
p pe a r e a p l a e for u c
s t h ere ( Joh n x i v .
ou r a dvoc a t e with t h e F a the r ( 1 John ii If, s a ys St B ern a r d . .
,
C h ri s t si s
t on th e ri gh t hand of God, th a t is , as ma n He
h a s p ower ov er al l crea tu res .
To s i t on r ight h a n d w a s a ma rk of s p eci a l h on or ( 3 Ki n g s ii
th e .
i s s ign i c a n t of Hi s
p os s es s i on i n th e es h Th e exp res s i on . s it s , ,
4 . 0n t h e t ent h da y a ft er Hi s a s en di ng i nt o h ea v en Ch ri s t c
s en t d own th e Hol y Gh os t on th e a p os tl es .
s ym b oli c a l of Hi s a c ti on ; t h e r us h of wi n d r ep re s en t ed t h e s t r en gth
en i n g of t h e will t h e re t h e illum i n a ti on of t h e un d e rs t a n di n g t h e
, ,
c a s es fty d a y s a ft er t h e r el e a s e i n on e i n s t a n c e fr om b o dily in ,
At th e en d of th e worl d C h ri s t wi ll c me a gai n
o to j u dge a ll
men .
Th e Ap os tles Creed
. 1 93
Th e In ca r n a ti on of th e Son f
o God .
. .
a t t h e momen t of t h e An n un c i a ti on ( L uk e i 26 .
1 . c
Th e s e on d d i vi ne p ers on b e a me ma n i n th e w omb c of th e
Bl es s ed V i rgi n M a ry b y th e a ti on of th e Hol y Gh os t c a t th e
moment of th e Annun i a t i on c .
( L uk e i They .
w oma n ( G a l iv . . a n d w a s of t h e s ee d of D a vid ( R om i Th e . .
c
Th e In a rn a ti on i s in a p ecul i a r ma n n er th e work of th e
thr ee di vi n e p ers on s .
Augu s ti n e put s it :
In th e guit a r t h e s ou n d s eems t o c ome from
th e s tr i n gs a l on e y et th r ee el emen t s a re w a n ted t h e huma n h a n d
, , ,
t h e s k i ll o f t h e pl a yer a n d th en t h e s t ri n g
O r a s St F u lg en t i u s
. .
P er s on onl y w a s un it ed t o t h e es h Th e In c a rn a ti on i s a s c ri b e d i n a
.
s pe c i a l m a n n e r t o t h e H oly G h os t , b e ca u s e it i s t h e gr e a t es t w o rk of
G od s l ov e Th e C hur ch t e a ches th a t t h e w ork s of l ove a re a s c r i b e d
.
t o t h e H oly G h os t Wh o i s t h e l ov e of t h e F a th er a n d t h e Son
, .
a g a i n s t h er b y t h e w orld , a n d th a t s h e mi ght h a ve i n h i m a p r ot ec t or .
( M a tt xi ii . h e w a s a j us t ma n ( M a tt i
. St Jerome t el ls . . .
fa th er b y Hi m Wh os e F a th er w a s i n h ea ven ( St B as il ) M a n y s a i n t s . .
i s t h e p a t r on of t h e C hu r ch ( Pius IX , Dec 8, i e , h i s p r a ye r s
. . . .
n er, a ft e r O u r L a dy a n d a b ov e t h e o th er s a i n t s .
3 . c
Th e I n a rna t i on of th e Son of God i s a mys t ery whi ch we
c a nn ot un d er s t a n d , b ut onl y a dmi r e a nd h on or .
n ot r e deem ; h en ce t h e G o dh e a d a s s ume d a hu ma n n a t u r e ( St P ro .
c lu s ) If a v a lu a b l e p o rt r a it b e d a ma ge d b ey on d re c og n iti on it c a n
.
Ath a n a s ius )
c
Th e G od ma n oul d s a ti s fy p erfec tl y th e i n u red ma es ty
-
j j
of G od b y a pp ea ri n g on ea rth i n a s t a t e of l owl i n es s .
a n d C h r i s t t a ki n g on t h e form of a s l a v e w a s put t o d e a th
,
Th e , .
n ot me a n th a t He l eft h e a v en So a s t a r ma y b ec ome vi s ib l e t o u s
.
a s t h e s u n i s n ot put ou t b u t ve il e d on ly b y th e c l oud s
, An d a s t h e .
ti n e ) As a w or d th ough s p ok en on ly for t h e b en et of on e p e rs on
.
,
ma y b e h e a r d b y a l l t h e b ys t a n d ers s o t h e divi n e Wo r d w a s n ot li m
,
d el e d b y t a ki n g es h fr om t h e pu r e w omb of M a ry ( St O dil o ) If . .
a p r i n c e put on a s l a v e s d res s a n d i n it pi ck e d a p r ec i ou s ri n g fr om
t h e Son of Go d w a s n ot d eg r a de d b y t a ki n g on Hi ms el f t h e fo rm o f a
s l a v e a n d c omi n g d ow n on ea r th t o s a ve s oul s a n d g a i n th em t o Hi m
,
Wh en t h e Ap os tl e s a ys th a t Jes u s C h r i s t d eb a s ed Hi ms el f
b y t a ki n g th e form of a s erva n t ( Phil ii 7 h e d oes n o t me a n th a t . .
Hi ms el f ( Ph i l ii
. .
c
th e h uma n r a e h a v e a ui red a s p e i a l d i gn i ty cq c .
T he Ap os tles Creed
. 1 97
ca n n o t cl a i m G o d fo r th ei r B r o th er ; w ere th ey c a p a b l e of en vy , they
n a tu re a n d b y b e i n g b orn of M a ry
,
der ives fr om h er Hi s huma n ,
at Cana a n d a s ma n He c a ll s h er
,
M other
He c a lled Hi ms elf a t .
C h r i s t , a s ma n , i s lik e to us in a ll t hin gs ex c ep t s n i ( C ou n il c
o f C h a l ce d on ) .
p r a y ed i n t h e g a r d en :
F a th e r n ot M y will b u t Thi n e b e d on e
,
,
( L uk e xx ii At Hi s de a th C hr i s t g a ve Hi s s oul i n t o t h e h a n d s
.
of Hi s h ea ve n ly F a th e r ( L uk e xx iii St P a ul ( 1 C or xv 4 7 ) . . . .
i n g on t h e w a te r s .
d es p i t e t h ei r i n t i ma t e un i on a re qui t e di s t i n c t .
na tu re ma y emb ra ce ma n y i n dividu a l s b u t n ot s o th e p er s on Ju s t , .
n a tu r e a s t h e w a t er w a s ch a n ge d i n t o wi n e a t C a n a
,
n or a g a in i s th e
huma n n a tur e a s Eu t y ch es thought a b s orb ed i n t o th e G odh e a d as a
, ,
c omb i n e t o form wa te r .
Th u s C h ri s t h a s a twofol d a cti vi ty ,
h uma n a nd di vi n e ( Thi rd
c
C oun il C on s tan t i n op l e, A D . .
h a ve on ly on e n a tur e a n d s o on e p r i n c iple of a c ti on .
3 . In Ch r i s t t h er e i s onl y one p e s or
n , a n d t h a t pers on i s di vi ne .
i
Adl n ob i u s mp a re s tl i s with t h e t wo eyes fo rmi ng on ly on e
co
i ma ge or th e two e a r s c on v eyi n g on e s oun d In th e w or ds of th e
,
.
s o G od a n d ma n i s on e C h r i s t
Th e huma n n a tu re in C h r is t th ough
.
,
a p os tl es etc , It s un i on a n d a ct i on a re fa r more i n ti ma t e j u s t a s
.
,
t h e ey e a n d t h e h a n d of t h e w orkma n a re mor e c on c er n e d i n h i s
w ork th a n t h e t ool s W e mu s t a vo id th e error of Nes t or iu s c on
.
,
a n d d i vi n e a ttri b u t es of C h ri s t as m an
( th e s o c a ll e
-
d c mmu n i
o ~
c c
a ti on of h a ra t ers or i di oms ) c
Hen c e St P eter s r ep r oa ch : Th e Auth or of li fe y ou h a ve ki ll ed
.
( Act s iii If they h a d kn own it they
a n d St
. P a ul s wor ds : .
woul d n ever h a ve c r uc i e d th e L or d of glor y ( 1 C or ii a s w ell . .
a s St John s.
There i n d o we kn ow t h e l ove of God th a t He l a id d own ,
Hi s life for u s
Sin ce t h e s econ d divin e p er s on a n d t h e ma n C hr i s t
.
ma y a l s o b e s a id of Hi m a s ma n thi s ma n i s omn i s c i en t or a l
mighty ) a n d wh a t we s a y of C hr i s t a s ma n ma y b e s a id of t h e s ec on d
,
th e p e r s on wh o i s r i c h a n d g oo d We ma y d o t h e s a me i n rega r d of .
t h e divi n e p er s on Wh o i s a t t h e s a me ti me G od a n d ma n a n d i n c on ,
ca n n o t s a y Th e G odhea d s uffer e d or di ed b eca u s e t h e w or d G od ,
a n d thi s b ec a u s e He a n d He a l on e i s t h e Se con d P er s on of t h e Tr i n
ity b eg otten of t h e F a ther In a dditi on He i s fa r r emove d a b ove t h e
, .
a n g el s a n d ma nk i n d wh o a re likewi s e c a ll ed th e child r en of G od
,
.
ii 6 ) a n d h a s a d opte d them on ly b y a s p ec i a l gr a ce ( G a l iv
. . .
c
2 God th e Fa th er a ll ed Jes us Ch ri s t Hi s Son on th e o a s i on
. cc
of H i s b a p ti s m i n th e Jor d a n a n d of th e tra ns gura ti on on M ount
Th a b or ( M a tt i ii 1 7 ; xvi i . . .
3 . Th e ar ch an gel c
G a b ri el a ll ed Jes u s C h r i s t th e Son of
th e M os t Hi gh c
wh en h e a n n oun ed Hi s b i r t h t o M a ry ( Lu k e i .
St P et e r al s o p u b li cl y a dd r es s ed Jes u s C h ri s t a s
4 . . Son of
t h e l i vi n g G od , a n d w a s c ommen d ed b y C h r i s t for t hi s c on fes
s i on ( M a tt x v i . .
u s b efor e th e t i me ? ( M a tt v i ii . .
Th e Ap os tles Creed
. 2 01
t h e C ou n c il of Ni c ma i n A D 3 25 a n d it w a s exp r es s ly d en e d th a t
. .
,
O u r Lor d a n s wered a t on ce
Why d os t thou c a ll M e g oo d
, N on e
i s g ood b u t G od a lon e ( L uk e xv iii 1 9 ) He w ould thereb y t ea ch u s .
1 Th a t Jes u s Ch ri s t i s God w e l ea rn fr om
. Hi s own words
a n d fr om t h os e of H i s a p os tl es .
a ga in :
B efore Ab r a h a m w a s I a m ( John viii
, He cl a i med .
t h e p ow e r of fo rgivi n g s i n s a s i n t h e c a s e of M a gd a l en ( L uk e vii .
a n d t h e ma n s i ck o f t h e p a l s y ( M a tt i x He l a id cl a im t o . .
Go d
In St P a ul s epi s tles w e r e a d :
. In C hr i s t dwell eth a ll t h e
In Hi m w ere
ful n es s of th e G odhea d c orp or a l ly ( C ol ii and . .
c r ea t e d a ll t hi n g s a n d He i s b efor e a ll a n d b y Hi m a ll thi n g s ,
c on s i s t ( C ol i 1 6 1 7 . .
,
2 Th a t Jes us Ch ri s t i s God w e on l ud e fr om Hi s mi ra l es
. c c c
a n d p r op h e i es c .
Th e mer ou s mi r a cl es w hi c h C h r i s t wrou gh t i n
nu Hi s own
n a me t es tify t o Hi s a l mi gh ty p ower .
Th e mi r a cles ma y b e divid e d i n t o v e Th os e p er l
c a s s es .
formed on i n a n i ma t e s ub s t a n c es s u ch a s t h e c h a n gi n g of th e w a ter
,
i n t o wi n e th e c a lmi n g of th e s t orm, et c
,
Th e h ea li n g of t h e .
s i ck t h e b li n d
, a n d t h e l a me ( M a tt x i 3
,
Th e r a i s i n g of . .
of d evil s fr om p os s es s e d p er s on s Th e mi r a cl es on Hi s ow n .
p er s on a s th e t ra n s g u ra t i on a n d t h e a s c en s i on M or e ove r C hr i s t
, .
n ot a pp e a l i n G od s n a me
He s a id s imply : Y o un g ma n I s a y t o
.
,
,
thee a r i s e ! ( L uk e vii
I will B e th o u ma de clea n ( M a tt
. . .
viii 3 )
. P ea ce b e s till
B en e di c t XIV i s c a r eful t o te ll u s th a t i f
, . .
C hr i s t p r a y e d to th e F a th er it w a s t o di s p el t h e n oti on th a t Hi s
mi r a cles we re from th e devil Th e mi r a cle s a tt r i b ute d t o t h e foun d .
So di ffer en t fr om t h e ma j es ty di s pl a y e d b y C hr i s t !
Th e p rop h e ci es of C h ri s t wi th res p ec t to Hi s own fa t e, th e
trea c h er y of Ju d a s , an d th e d en i a l of St P et er, th e de a th of St . .
th e Jews , a n d th e a r eer of th e C h u r h , a l l s h ow Hi s om
c c
n i s ci en c e .
Th e t e a ch i n g of C h ri s t s u rp a s s es t h a t of th e wi s es t w h o h a v e
ev er l i v ed on e a rth , a n d i s fa r r emov ed from th e t e a c h i n g of a ll
ot h er rel i gi on s .
l a w u n l e s s C h r i s ti a n ity h a d t a ugh t it C h r i s t s t e a c hi n g b es id es .
,
c
Th e e ffe t of C h ri s t s t ea ch i n g w a s th a t i d ol a t r y w i t h i ts
h orr ib l e a b u s es d i s a p p ea r ed , a n d t h a t th e wh ol e l i fe of ma n w as
r efo rmed a n d en n ob l ed .
s p ec t a cl es of t h e gl a di a t or i a l s h ow s All ki n d s of c h a r it a b le i n s t i tu
"
t h e C h r i s ti a n d o c t r in e of t h e i n di s s olub ility of t h e ma rr i a g e t i e .
Ap os t a t e c ou n s elle d t h e h e a th en t o i mit a t e t h e C h ri s ti a n s i n th e g en
eros i t y a n d pu r ity of th e i r lives A r el igi on whi ch p r oduc es s o much.
a n s w er t o thi s ob j ec ti on i s th a t it i s n ot C h r i s t s t ea chi n g b u t ma n s
C hr i s t s w o r d s at t h e L a s t Supp er we re : Y ou ca ll M e M a s ter
a n d L or d , a n d y ou s ay w ell for , so I a m ( John x iii .
t h e d evil ( 1 P et i Hen ce th e Ap os tl e s a ys : Kn ow y e n ot th a t
. .
y e a re n ot you r own for y ou a re b ought with a g r e a t p r i c e
, (1
C or vi. . He i s a l s o ou r L a wgiver for He d evel oped t h e t ea chin g ,
c a ll e d Hi ms el f th e ( L uk e vi
L or d of t h e Sa b b a th C hr i s t i s .
s i ck or i n p r i s on ?
, ( M a tt xxv 3 7
He i s t h e b les s ed a n d only
. .
,
mighty th e Ki n g of k i n gs a n d L or d of l or d s
, t o Whom b e h on or
a n d empi r e ever l a s ti n g Amen ( 1 Ti m vi 1 5
. . .
,
a nd i s t h erefore God Hi ms el f .
Th e H oly G hos t, s a ys Ter tull i a n , i s God of God , a s light i s
of light
St C yr il of Alex a n d r i a comp a r es th e Holy Ghos t i n Hi s
. .
commen ti n g on th es e w or d s of C h r i s t :
I d r ive ou t devil s thr ou gh
s a y s t h a t a s t h e n g e r i s of t h e s a me n a tu re a s t h e
t h e n ger o f Go d ,
on t h e fea s t of P e n tec os t .
a p er s on wh o h a s n o cl a i m t o t h e fa vor If a s overeign g r a n t s a re .
con s e n ted t o d i e o n t h e c r os s .
Hence th e a s s i s t a nc e
3 . of th e Hol y Gh os t i s a b s ol u e t ly n eces
s a ry for s a l v a t i on .
2 06 F a i th .
n ot en t e r i n t o t h e ki n gd om of G od ( John iii .
W i t h ou t th e h el p of th e Holy G h os t w e c an n ot d o th e l e a s t
work d es ervi n g of s a l va ti on .
We can do
thin g wi th o ut G o d s h elp no O u r s ufc i en cy i s fr om
.
of t h e s oul c ome t o h i s a i d ( St F u l g en t i u s )
, O u r s ou l s b ri n g fo rth . .
a n d t h e r a i n c a n n ot p r o du ce with o ut t h e e a r th ( St John C h ry s os .
W i th th e h el p of th e Hol y G h os t w e can c ry
a r ou t th e mos t
d i fcu l t w o rk s .
StP a ul. sa ys :
I ca n do a ll in Hi m Wh o s t ren g t h en e t h me
( Phil iv . .
2 He gi v es t o s o me men s a n t i fy i n g gr a c e
. c .
2 08 Fa i th .
F or e xa mple , t he a pp e a r a n ce of t h e d ove a n d t h e v oi c e fr om
h ea v en a t t h e b a p t i s m of C h r i s t, t h e e ry t on g ues a n d t h e r us hi n g
a s o f wi n d on P en te c os t W e might r eec t a l s o h ow C h ri s t i n s ti tute d
.
3 Th e Hol y Gh os t d oes
. n ot for ce us , b ut l ea ves us i n p erfe t c
p os s es s i on of our fr ee w i ll .
t h e v o i c e of G o d or n ot i s l eft t o a m a n s fr ee will
G od d oe s n ot .
M an c a n
c o op era e t wi th a ct u al gr a ce or re e j ct it ( P s . x ci v .
Sa ul of p er a t ed with gr a ce th e r i ch youn g ma n ( Lu ke
Ta rs u s co o -
a p o s tl e s r ej ec t e d g r a ce ( Act s ii a s a l s o th os e wh o mock e d a t St . .
of t h e b i r th of C hr i s t fr om t h e M a gi fa iled t o c o op e r a t e with g r a ce ,
-
.
St F r a n c i s d e Sa l es d r a w s a n illu s t r a ti on fr om ma rri a g e : Wh en a
.
g ra c e s ; b u t h e w h o res i s t s l os es ot h er
gra ces a n d mu s t a n s w e r
j
a t t h e u dgmen t for h i s ob s t i n a y c .
h a th t o h i m s h a ll b e given a n d h e s h a ll a b ou n d ( M a tt xx v
, . .
t h e ti me of i t s vi s it a ti on ( L u k e x i x To h i m wh o re ects gr a c e . j
a pply th os e w or d s of C h ri s t : Th e u n p r ot a b l e s erva n t c a s t y e o u t
i n t o th e ext er i or d a rk n es s Th er e s h a ll b e w eepi n g a n d g n a s hi n g of
.
t eeth ( M a tt xxv
It i s a n i n s ul t t o a gr ea t l or d t o r efu s e h i s
. .
Th e Ap os tles Creed. 2 09
ol a wh en a fte r h i s c on ver s i on h e r e ti r ed i n t o t h e c a ve a t M a n r es a ;
thu s t oo St M a ry of Egypt wh o r eti red i n to t h e des e rt
. Sa il or s p u t .
Hi s gr a ce s ju s t a s i n t h e c a s e of th e Is r a elites Th os e wh o fa iled
, .
Gr egory th e Grea t th e gr ea t er i s ou r r es p on s i b ility
, C hr i s t s own .
4 . Th e Hol y Gh os t a t s on every c ma n , on th e i
s nn er a s w el l
a s on th e j us t ; a nd more on Ca t h ol i c s tha n on n on -
Ca t h ol i c s a nd
un b el i e ers . v
God i s t h e G oo d Sheph er d ( Joh n Wh o s eeks th e l os t s heep till
He n ds it ( Luke C h ri s t , t h e L ight of t h e w orld , e n light en s
ever y m a n th a t c ome s i n t o t h e w orld ( Joh n i G od s will i s th a t
.
31 )
Th e Hol y Gh os t w as ev en fr om t h e b egi n n i n g of th e worl d
c
a t iv e i n p r omot i n g t h e s a l v a t i on of ma n k i n d , b u t on P en t e
c os t He c a me i n t o th e w orl d i n a mu c h mo r e ei ca c i ou s ma n n e r .
i n t h e fu rn a ce a n d D a n i el i n t h e lion s d en He w a s w orkin g n ot
.
c on d emn e d t o d e a th i n 3 99 Ju s t a s t h e s un ri s e i s p reced ed
b y t h e d a wn s o th e s u n of j us ti ce C hr i s t i s p rec e de d b y th e d a wn of
, , ,
t h e H oly Gh os t .
p h a r n a u m m or e th a n S o d om ( M a tt x i 2 1 T h e r e a re or di n a ry . .
,
vi ew t o s ome s p ec i a l w ork M a n y g r a c es ma y b e ob t a i n ed es p ec i a ll y
.
,
b y t h e p r a y er s of other s a n d b y c o op er a ti on with t h e r s t gr a ce -
qu en c e of t h e p r a yers of St M on i c a ; s o t oo St P a ul th r ough t h e .
, , .
of O ur L or d a n d thus o b ta i n e d ma n y other g r a c es
, .
t
c on s a n t ,
b ut oc c as i on a l .
C omp a re th e
b eh old n ow i s t h e d a y of s a lv a ti on ( 2 C or vi . .
c c
5 A t ua l gra es a re ob ta i n ed b y th e p erforma n e of good
. c
c
w ork s , es p e i a lly b y p ra yer, fa s t i n g, a nd a lms d eed s ; a nd more
c
es p e i a l l y b y th e us e of th e mea n s of gra e p r ov i d ed b y th e c
c
Ch ur h , b y h ea ri n g of h ol y M a s s , wort hy r e ep t i on of th e s a crw c
men t s , a n d a tt en d a n e a t s ermon s c .
wi s e i t w oul d n ot b e g r a ce ( R om x i y et th es e g oo d w ork s a re . .
n e c e s s a r y for a s St Aug u s ti n e s a y s :
, ,
God Wh o c r e a te d u s with out
.
,
op er a ti on of e a c h i n dividu a l ( C o u nc il of Tr en t 6 7 Hen ce it i s , ,
In p a r ti c ul a r w e kn ow th a t p r a y er t o t h e H oly Gh os t i s ve ry efc a
c i ou s, for t h e F a th e r i n h e a ven give s t h e H oly Spi r it t o th os e wh o
a s k Hi m P r a ye r t o t h e M oth e r of G od i s a l s o ve ry ec a ci ou s : for
.
s he i s full of g r a c e a n d L et
t h e di s p e ns er of a ll G od s gi ft s
,
.
n o on e s a y s St
, Al ph on s u s
c on s id e r thi s l a s t titl e ext r a v a g a n t
.
, ,
( O s ee ii a n d t h e mo rt i c a t i on of t h e s en s es a re e x c ell e n t mea n s
.
2
Us . u ll y
a h ow e er, th e
, v Hol y Sp i ri t ma k es Hi s entr y on th e
recep ti on of th e Sa cra ment s of B a p ti s m or Pen a n c e .
Th e s i n n e r u n d e r t h e a c t i o n of t h e Hol y Gh os t b eg i n s t o el i eve b
i n God t o fe a r Hi m t o h o p e i n Hi m a n d l o ve Hi m ; t h en t o ewa i l
, , , b
h i s s i ns a n d n a ll y d ec i d e s t o s ee k t h e mea n s of g ra c e i n t h e Sa c r a
,
An d a ct u a l exp eri en c e g o es t o p ro ve t h a t B a p t i s m or a g en e r a l c on
fes s i on i s i n mo s t s i n n er s t h e b eg i n n i n g of a n ew l i fe Even i n ch i l .
d ren t h e i r b a p t i s m i s t h e b eg i n n i n g of a n ew s p i r i t u a l l i fe .
3 W h en th e Hol
. y Sp i ri t ent ers i nto us , He b ri ngs wi th Hi m
a n ew s p i ri t a l l i fe u .
en c e i n ou r s o u l s i s l i k e t h e p r e s en ce of t h e s o u l i n o u r b o d i es O ur .
a n d t h e w i l l l e a r n t o a p p re c i a t e t h e t r u e, t h e b ea u t i fu l , a n d t h e g oo d .
B u t t h i s n a t u r a l l i fe, c o mp a r e d w i th t h e l i fe i mp a rt ed b y Go d , i s l i ke
t h e s t a t u e comp a re d t o i t s l i v i n g or i g i n a l Th i s d i vi n e l i fe i s a c u i re d. q
b y t h e s o u l wh en t h e Hol y Sp i r i t t a kes p o s s es s i o n of t h e s o u l w i t h
Hi s g r a ce, a n d i t en a b l es t h e s ou l t o kn o w, l o ve, a n d en j o y God ; t hi s
i s t h e s u p ern a t ur a l l i fe J u s t a s El i as ( 3 Ki n g s xvi i ) a n d El i s e u s ( 4
. .
b o d i es o v er t h a t of t h e ch i l d , mo u t h t o mo u th , h a n d t o h a n d , memb er
t o memb er , s o d o es t h e Hol y Gh o s t b rea t h e t h e d i v i n e l i fe i n t o u s ,
g i v i n g u s t o s ee w i th Hi s s i g h t t o w ork w i t h Hi s p o we r ; a n d th u s
,
o u r s o u l i s b or n t o a n ew l i fe ( 1 P et i 3, Gr a ce i s , i n t h e w or d s
. .
of O u r Sa v i o u r , a fo u n t a i n of w a t er s p ri n g i n g i n t o l i fe ev erl a s t
in g ( Jo h n i v . A h ea ven l y s eed i s s own i n u s , s a y s St P eter
.
C h ry s ol og u s , d e s t i n e d t o s p r i n g u p t o ev erl a s t i n g l i fe
W e a re of a .
h ea v en l y fa mi l y, a n d O u r F a t h er i s t h ro n ed i n h e a ven See t o wh a t .
h ei g h t s g r a ce h a s r a i s ed t h ee Wh i l e ou r b o d i es d ec a y fro m d a y t o
d a y , ou r s ou l s b ec o me d a il y mor e fu l l of t h e s t ren g th of yo u t h b y v i r
t u e o f g r a c e ( 2 C or i v . Even i n ou r b o d i es G o d s g r a c e l a ys t h e
.
g erm of e verl a s t i n g l i fe :
An d i f t h e s p i r i t of Hi m t h a t r a i s e d u p
Jes u s fro m t h e d e a d , d w ell i n y ou ; He t h a t r a i s ed u p J es u s C h ri s t
fr om t h e d e a d s h a ll qu i cken a l s o y o u r mort a l b o d i es , b ec a u s e of Hi s
s p i r i t t h a t d w el l et h i n y ou ( R om vi i i . .
Th e foll ow i n g are so me of th e f
ef ec ts o f th e Hol y Sp i ri t
w h en He a cts up on u s by Hi s gra c e :
1 . He p u ri es u s from a l l morta l s1 n.
As met a l s p u r i ed b y re fro m t h ei r d r os s , s o a re ou r s o u l s
a re
cl e a n s e d o f t h ei r s i n s w h en p en et r a t ed b y t h e re of t h e ol y Sp i r i t H .
a cu r e t o t h e s ou l o f m a n , i t d o e s n ot cu r e t h e b o d y ; i n h i s e s h i s l eft
th e r ema i n s o f s i n o r c o n c u p i s c en ce Th u s i n g r ea t s a i n t s even ,
v
.
,
t h e re r ema i n s th e i n cl i n a t i on t o e i l a g a i n s t wh i ch mu s t b e wa g ed a
Th e Ap os tl es Cr eed
. 21 3
li fel o n g s t ru gg l e Hen ce t h e w or d s of St P a u l :
. I kn o w t h a t t h ere .
( R o m v
. i i .C o n c u p i s c e n ce
s a y s S t A u g u s t i n e,
.
ma y b e l e s .
It r ema i n s w i th u s a s a n o b j e ct
s en ed i n t h i s l i fe b u t n ot d es t ro yed .
He wh o h a s t h e Hol y Sp i r i t i s u ni t ed w i th C h r i s t, l i ke t h e
b ra n ch es w i th t h e v i n e ( Jo h n xv In t h e wor d s of St G r eg ory
. .
ma kes u s s h a rer s of t h e d i vi n e n a t u re ( 2 P et i B y th e a c t i o n . .
i n t o g o d s ; a n d St M a x i mu s :
Th e G o d h e a d i s c o n ferr ed on u s w i t h
.
g ra ce,
and
As i r on g l ow s wh en h ea t ed i n t h e re, s o i s ma n
th e Ho l y Sp i r i t i n t o t h e G o dh ea d
ch a n g ed b y ( St B a s i l ; St . .
P s l xxxi
. . L u c i fe r a n d t h e r s t ma n wi s h e d t o b e a s God , b u t
i n d ep en d en tl y of Hi m God w i ll s t h a t we s h o ul d s t r i ve t o b e a s He i s ,
.
b u t i n un i o n w i t h Hi m Th e p res en c e of t h e Hol y Gh o s t ma k es u s
.
temp l es of G od Th e Ho l y Sp i r i t , s a ys St Au g u s t i n e,
.
d wel l s .
p ri m a r i l y i n t h e s o ul , a n d g i v es i t i t s t r u e li fe ; a n d s i n c e t h e s o ul i s
i n t h e b o d y, t h e Ho l y Gh o s t d well s t h erefore i n ou r b o d i es
St . .
P a u l i ns i s t s on t h i s p o i n t :
Kn o w y ou n ot t h a t y ou a re t h e t emp l e of
G od , a n d th e Sp i r i t of God d well et h i n y ou ( 1 C or i i i . .
Y ou a re th e t emp l e of t h e l i vi n g G od ( 2 C or v i In t h e O u r . .
O u r F a t h e r, W h o a rt i n h ea ven ;
F a th e r w e s a y t h e h e a v en ,
s a ys St Au g u s t i n e,
.
i s t h e j u s t m a n on e a rt h , b ec a u s e G od dw ell s
in h im C h r i s t Hi ms elf s a i d th a t t h e F a t h er a n d He w o ul d t a ke u p
.
th ei r a b o d e w i t h t h e ma n w h o l o v es C h r i s t ( Jo h n x i v .
3 . He
illu mi n es t h e mi n d, and ma k es th e di vin e an d moral
p rec e ts
p p os s i l e b .
of s u n l i g h t p a s s i n g t h ro u g h a c ry s t a l t u rn s i t i n t o a ma s s of l i g h t .
M or e e s p ec i a ll y d oe s He g i ve t h e l i g h t of fa i t h ( 2 C or i v a nd . .
ki n dl e t h e re of d i vi n e l o ve ( R om v In s h ort He g i ve s t h e t h ree
. .
t h eo l og i c a l v i r tu es ( C o u n c il of Tr en t , 6 7 He a l s o ma k es u s a b l e
,
a n d w i ll i n g t o c o O p e r a t e wi t h t h e i n s p i r a t i o n s of t h e Hol y Sp i r i t ;
-
s o ft en s i n t h e re s o t h e s o ul of ma n u n d e r t h e i n u en ce of t h e
,
P a ul for h a r dl y h a d t h e Hol y Gh o s t a c t ed u p o n h i m wh en h e a s k s :
.
L or d wh a t w i l t Th o u t h a t I d o
, ( Acts i x Th ro u gh t h i s i n .
cli n a t i on of t h e w il l t o w a r d s w h a t i s g oo d t h e mor a l v i rt u e s a re p r e s ,
en t a s p o s s i b i l i t i es ; p r a ct i c e i s a ll t h a t i s r e u i r ed t o ma k e t h em q
fa c t s . Th u s t h e wh ol e s p i ri t u a l l i fe i s ch a n g ed , a n d we s ee h ow fa r
a p a rt i s t h e i n n er l i fe of a s a i n t a n d t h a t of a w orl d l i n g Th e l a t t er .
th i n k s on l y of h i s own s a t i s fa ct i o n i n e a t i n g d r i n k i n g t h e p u r s u i t o f , ,
a mb i t i o n a d p l e a s u re ;
n
in s h mt , h e l o ves t h e w orl d The ma n i n .
21 4 Fa i th .
wh om t h e Holy
Sp i ri t d well s d i rec t s h i s t h o ug h t s for t h e mos t p a r t
,
t o G o d a n d t r i e s t o p l ea s e Hi m ; t h a t i s h e l o ves Go d He c a n s a y , .
w i t h St P a ul , I li ve, n ow n ot I; b u t C h r i s t l i vet h i n me
.
( Ga l i i . .
Su ch a ma n d es p i s es t h e t h i n g s of t hi s w orl d , a n d wh a t ever b e
h i s s u ffer i n g s h e enj o ys p e a ce fro m w i t h i n a n d u n s p ea k a b l e c o n s o l a
t i o n ; for t h e Ho l y Gh os t i s t h e C o mfort e r ( Jo h n x i v .
4 . He gi v es us tr u e
p e a ce .
Th r oug h Hi m ma n a c q u i r es t h e p ea ce whi ch s u rp as s es a ll u n d er
s t a n d i n g ( Ph i l iv 7 Th e ma n wh o h a s t h e li g h t of t h e Hol y
. .
Gh o s t i n h i m i s l i k e a t r a v ell e r p erformi n g h i s j o ur n ey i n s u n s h i n e
a n d fa i r w e a t h e r ; qu i t e o t h e rw i s e i s t h e c a s e o f h i m fro m wh om
th a t l i g h t i s c u t o ff b y t h e cl o u d s of s i n ; h e i s l i ke t h e u n w i ll i n g
t r a vell er for ced t o ma ke h i s w a y t h ro u g h wi n d a n d s t orm
, ,
.
He i n s t ru ct s u s i n t h e t ea ch i n g s of t h e C a th oli c C h u r ch Th e .
u n c t i o n w h i ch w e h a v e r ec e i v ed fro m Hi m t e a ch et h u s of a ll t hi n g s
t h e t ru t h s of t h e C h r i s t i a n r eli g i o n , b u t t h ei r s i g n i ca n ce e s c a p es
h i m ; i t i s a n u n fru i t ful kn o wl ed g e J u s t a s a b ook c a n n o t b e re a d
.
i n t h e d a r k w i t h o u t t h e h el p of a l i g h t , s o t h e W or d of God i s un i n t el
l i g i b l e w i t h o u t l i g h t fro m t h e Hol y Gh o s t Th o u g h i t i s qu i t e t ru e .
ma y b e, h e mu s t keep fa s t h ol d of t h e t ea ch i n g of t h e C h u r ch ; a n d
wh o ev e r fa i l s t o d o t hi s h a s n ot t h e Ho l y Sp i ri t i n h i m ( 1 Jo h n i v .
Th e Hol y Gh o s t i s ou r Gu i d e, l ea d i n g u s , s a ys L o u i s of Gr a n
a da , a s a fa t h er w h o l ea d s h i s ch i l d b y t h e h a n d o v e r a d i f c u l t
p a th . Th o s e w h o a re i n t h e g r a ce of God a re l ed i n a s p ec i a l
ma n n er Su ch ca n s a y : No l o n g e r d o I li ve, b u t C h ri s t l i ves i n me
v
. .
It i s i n t h i s ma n n er t h a t t h e j u s t h a e t h e ki n g d o m of God w i t h i n
t h em ( L u k e xv i i
mm
.
t ori ou s for th e k i n gd om of h ea en v .
Ju s t th e as Hol y
Sp i r i t b roo d ed o v er th e w a t er s of t h e d eep , a n d
c rea t e d p l a n t s , a n i ma l s a n d men , s o t oo d o e s He h o v e r o ve r t h e s o u l s
,
e xp a n d s wh en t o u ch ed b
y t h e s u n , s o i s th e h e a r t of t h e mo s t h a rd
en ed s i n n er exp a n d ed b y t h e g r a c e of t h e Hol y Sp i r i t , a n d rea th es b
o u t t h e p e r fu me of v i r t u e a n d p i et y Th e Hol y Gh o s t i s eve r a ct i ve,
.
l i ke re a n d a l w a ys i n ci t i n g t o g oo d w ork s
, As t h e wi n d k eep s th e .
ou r or d i n a r y a n d mer el y a n i ma l o p e r a t i o n s t o t h e l ev el o f r a t i o n a l
a n d i n t ell e ct u a l a ct s , s o t h e Ho l y Gh o s t el ev a t e s t h e a ct s of ou r s o u l
t o a s u p er n a t u r a l a n d d i vi n e p l an e Th e Hol y Gh o s t i s a s i t wer e,
.
,
t h e g a rd en e r o f ou r s o u l s A g a r d en er g r a ft s a g o od b r a n ch on t o
b
.
sa u
ys Lo i s of Gr a n a d a th e ey e i s d a rken ed a n d c a n n o l on g er ma ke
b
,
s o ul i t i s l l ed w i t h d a rk n e s s
, a n d l os es t h e k n o wl edg e of t h e t r u t h
,
.
wi cke d s p i r i t h a s en t er ed i n t o s u ch a ma n a n d h a s t a k en w i t h h i m
s ev en mo r e s p i r i t s mor e w i ck ed t h a n h i ms el f ( M a t t x i i It i s . .
b
i mp o s s i l e for t h o s e wh o w er e o n c e i ll u mi n a t ed a n d a re fa l l en a w a y
t o b e ren ew ed a g a i n t o p en a n ce ( Heb v i 4 . .
5 He w h o h a s
. n ot s an c ti fyi ng gra e c is s p i ri t u al l y d ea d a nd
b
St Au g u s t i n e s a ys t h a t a s t h e o dy wi t h o u t th e s o ul i s d ea d , s o
.
t h e s o u l w i t h o u t t h e g r a c e of t h e Ho l y Sp i r i t i s d ea d for h ea ven .
He wh o h a s n ot th e Hol y Gh o s t s i t s i n d a rkn es s a n d i n th e
s h a d ow of d e a t h ( L u ke i h e c a n n o t u n d e rs t a n d t h e t h i n g s of
.
t h e Sp i r i t , for t h ey a re t o h i m fooli s h n es s ( 1 C or i i He wh o h a s . .
n ot on t h e w ed d i n g g a r men t , th a t i s -
s a n c t i fy i n g g r a c e i s c a s t i n t o
, ,
o u t er d a rkn es s ( M a t t xx i i An d a s t h e b r a n ch wh i ch i s n ot
. .
u n i t ed t o t h e v i n e w i t h er s a n d i s ca s t i n t o t h e re , s o i s h e c a s t of f
wh o d o es n ot r ema i n u n i t ed t o C h ri s t b y Hi s g r a ce ( Jo h n xv If .
a n y ma n h a ve n ot th e s p i r i t of C h r i s t , h e i s n ot of C h r i s t ( R om .
v iii 9)
.
gr ac e or v
wi l l rec ei e i t a t th e h o r of d eath u .
M a n kn o ws wh eth er h e i s w o rth y of l o v e or h a t r ed ( Ec cl es i x
n ot . .
Even St P a ul s a ys of h i ms el f : I a m n o t c o n s c i o u s t o mys el f of
.
a n yt h i n g , y et a m I n ot h e r eb y j u s t i ed Sol o mo n
( 1 C or i v . .
ev en b ec a me a n i d o l a te r b efor e h i s d ea t h ; a n d St B e rn a r d w a rn s .
us : Even i f a ma n h a ve t h e li g h t of g r a ce a n d th e l o ve of God , l et
h i m r ememb er t h a t h e i s s t i l l u n d e r t h e o p en s ky a n d n ot i n t h e
h o u s e, a n d t h a t a b r eez e ma y p u t ou t t h i s h o l y l i g h t for ever
We .
c a rr y ou r t r e a s u r e i n e a r t h en v es s el s ( 2 C or i v a n d i n th e . .
w or d s of Th e op h y l a c t , O u r h ea rt s a re l i k e ea r th en v es s el s , e a s i l y
b ro k en a n d p r on e t o s p i ll t h e w a t e r i n t h em ; s o ma y t h e Hol y Sp i r i t
b e l o s t b y on e s i n
No w o n d er St P a ul w a rn s u s : W ork ou t y o u r
. .
s a l v a t i o n i n fe a r a n d t r emb l i n g ( Ph i l i i We ma y i n d eed h a v e . .
c o n d en ce t h a t w e a re i n t h e g r a ce of G o d b u t w i t h o u t a s p ec i a l ,
r evel a t i on w e ca n n ot h a v e a b s ol u t e c e rt a i n t y ( C o u n ci l of Tr en t , 6 ,
It ma y b e s u rmi s e d fr om t h e g oo d w ork s wh i ch a ma n d o es t h a t h e
i s i n t h e g ra ce of God , for a n ev i l t ree ca nn o t r i n g fort h g oo d fru i t b
( M a tt v i i . .
1 . Th e Hol y v
Gh os t g i es t o a ll w h o h a e s an c ti fy i n g gra c e v
th e v se en gi ft s of th e Hol y
Sp i ri t , th a t i s , s e Jen i rt es of th e v u
so ul by , y
wh i ch i t ea s i l res p on d s t o Hi s l i gh t a nd i n s p i ra ti on s .
Th e l i gh t of t h e s u n i s s p l i t u p i n t o s even d i s t i n c t c ol or s a n d ,
th e s ev en b r a n ch ed c a n d l es t i ck i n th e Temp l e w a s a t yp e of t h e s even
-
Th e Ap os tles Greed
. 21 ?
g i ft s . Th es e v
s e en g i ft s emb ra ce t h e
fo u r c a rd i n a l v i r tu es Th ey .
s u b j ec t i n g ou r c o n c u p i s cen c e t o t h e d i c t a t es of r e a s o n ( St Th oma s .
t h ey p e rfec t th e p o wer s of ou r s o u l s , s o t h a t t h e Ho l y Gh o s t ca n
ea s i l y mo v e t h em J u s t a s te a ch i n g i n th e el emen t a ry s ch ool p rep a res
.
th e s ch o l a r fo r h i g h e r forms of i ns t r u c t i o n , s o th e s even g i ft s p re
p a re t h e s o u l for t h e h i g h e r i n u en ce of t h e Ho l y Gh o s t Th e t h ree .
t h e o l o g i ca l v i r t u es a re h i gh e r th a n th e s even g i ft s , b ec a u s e t h e l a tt er
o n l y g i ve u s a mo vemen t t o wa rd s God , wh i l e t h e former u n i t e u s
i n t i ma t el y wi th Hi m Th es e g i fts a re l o s t b y mort a l s i n , b u t a re
v
.
t h es e g i ft s .
Th e s ev en gifts o f th e Hol Sp i ri t a re y W i s d om ,
u n d er
God .
Th e r s t fo ur enl i gh ten th e un d er s t a n di n g t h e ot h er s s t r en g th en ,
th e w ill Th es e g i ft s a re en u me r a t ed b y Is a i a s a s b el o n g i n g t o t h e
.
R ed eemer of ma n k i n d ( Is x i . .
( Ph i l i i i . So l o mo n , a ft er ta s t i n g of t h e j o ys of t h i s w orld c a l l s
.
t h em ( Eccl es i
v a n i t i es St Ig n a t i u s of L o y ol a u s ed o ft en
. . .
t o ex cl a i m : O h !h ow p oor a re th e t h i n g s of e a r th w h en I l o ok a t t h e
h ea ven s
C o mp a re, t oo, t h e p ra ye r of St F r a n c i s of As s i s i ,
.
My .
G od a n d m
y a ll .
2 u
Th e gi ft of n d ers tan d i n g en a l es u s to di s ti n g i s h
. b u
C a th ol i c t ea ch i n g from a ll oth er d octri n e, a n d to res t i n i t .
b
B l es s ed C l emen t Ho f a u er, th e a p o s tl e of V i en n a ( A D
v j
. .
th o u g h h e b eg a n h i s s tu d i es e ry l a t e i n li fe, a n d h a d o n l y ust
en o u g h kn o wl e d g e of t h eol og y t o b e ord a i n ed , w a s o ft en c o n s u l t ed
b y th e d i gn i t a r i es of th e C h ur ch on t h e a c cu r a cy of t h e d o c t r i n e
t a u g h t i n t h e b o ok s p a s s i n g t h ro u gh th e p r es s A ve ry s h or t ex a m .
i n a t i on e n a b l e d h i m t o d et ec t a t o n ce wh a t w a s u n s o u n d St C a t h . .
a r i n e of Al ex a n d r i a ( A D red u c ed s o me ft y p a g a n d o c t ors t o
. .
s i l e n ce a n d m a d e t h em i n t o C h r i s t i a n s O u r L or d s ow n p romi s e
, .
I w i ll g i ve y ou a mo u th a n d w i s d o m wh i ch a l l yo u r a d v er
wa s :
s a ri es s h a l l n ot b e a b l e t o r es i s t a n d g a i n s a y ( Lu k e xx i .
3 . Th e g ift of b
k n owl ed ge en a l es u s to o tai n a cl ea r g ra s p b
of th e t ea ch i n g of th e C a th oli c C h u rch wi th o t s p ec i a l s tu d y u .
v ell ed a t h i s k n ow l ed g e St Th o ma s Aqu i n a s u s ed t o s a y th a t h e
. .
l e a rn e d mor e a t t h e foo t of t h e a l t a r t h a n ou t of b oo k s ; a n d St .
th e ma n Si meon kn ow t h a t t h e ch i l d i n th e Temp l e w a s t h e
ol d
M es s i a s ( Lu ke i i Wer e n ot t h e a p o s tl es a ft er t h e c omi n g of
.
,
t h e Ho l y Gh o s t en d o w ed w i t h p o w er fro m on h i g h
, ( L uk e xx i v .
W as n ot St P a u l r a p t i n t o p a r a d i s e t o h ea r wor d s s u ch a s
.
n o ma n h a d h e a r d ( 2 C or x i i 4 ) . .
4 Th e gift of c o n s el en a l es u s t o kn ow
. u b
n d er d i fc u l t u
u
ci rc ms ta n c es wh a t th e wi ll of God i s .
We mi gh t rec a ll r ma d e b y C h r i s t t o th e qu e s t i on
th e a n s we
wh eth er t r i b u t e s h o u l d b e p a i d t o C aes a r ( M a t t xx i i a n d th e . .
j u dg men t of Sol o mo n ( 3 Ki n g s O u r L or d wh en w a rn i n g t h e ,
a p o s t l e s of t h e p e r s ec u t i o n s a w a i t i n g t h em h a d s a i d B e n ot s ol i c , ,
i t ou s h ow y ou s h a ll a n s wer or wh a t y ou s h a ll s a y ; for t h e Ho l y Gh o s t
s h a l l t ea ch y ou i n th e s a me h o u r wh a t y ou mu s t s a y
( L u ke x i i .
1 1 ,
t u red w i t h h ot i ro n s a n d n a l l y ca s t i n t o t h e M o l d a u r a th e r t h a n
, ,
l o s s of h i s p ro p er t y h i s ch il d ren a n d h i s h ea l th a n d i n s p i te of th e
, , ,
mo cker y of h i s wi fe a n d fr i en d s Ab r a h a m w a s r ea d y t o s a c rice
.
h i s o nl y s on Th e gi ft of fort i t u d e i s es p ec i a ll y p ro mi n en t i n t h e
.
h ol y ma rt yr s a n d mo s t of a ll i n O u r L a d y t h e Q u een of ma r t yrs
, ,
.
Sh e h er s el f s a ys St Alp h o n s u s
, w o u l d h a ve n a i l ed h er Son t o t h e
.
,
t u d e i n a h i g h e r d eg ree t h a n A r a h a m
b .
Th e gi ft of p i et en a es u s t o ma k e con ti n al
6 . y bl u ef
fort s to
h on or God more a n d more i n ou r h ea rt s , a n d t o c a rr y ou t His
wi ll more p erfectl y .
St Alp h o n s u s n ev er t o w a s t e t i me St Al o y s i u s w o u l d s p en d h o u r s
. . .
Th e gi ft of th e fe ar of God en a l es u s t o fea r gi i n g
7 . b v
fen c e t o God more th a n al l th e e i l s i n th e w orl d
of v .
n a c e a n d of a l l t h e ma rt yr s
, It en a b l es u s t o o ve rc o me t h e fe a r of
.
ma n a n d h u ma n res p ect .
2 . Th e Hol y
Gh os t gi es t o v many gra c es of a rarer ki nd ; for
i n s t anc e, th e gi ft of t ong es , u of mi ra cl es , of p roph ec y of , di s
cernment of s p i ri t s , of v i s i ons , c a
of e s t s i es , etc.
.
Th e o s tl es rece i ved on th e fe a s t of P en t ec o s t t h e g i ft of
ap
t o n gu es a n d w e n d i t r e c or d ed a l s o i n th e l i fe of St F r a n c i s X a v i er
b
.
, ,
t ol d fu t u r e even t s St P et e r kn ew t h e t h o u g h t s of An a n i a s
. . St . .
22 0 Fa i th .
i v 1 8 Acts x 3 8 )
. . He p erfec t s t h e C h u rch fo u n d ed by th e Red eeme r
( Ep h i i 20 . .
1 . Th e Holy
Sp i ri t s ec u res th e C a th ol i c Ch urch f rom d e
s tr u c ti on ( M a t t xvi . . and
p re s er e s v i t from error ( Joh n xi v .
y
Th e Hol Gh os t s p p orts th e r l ers of th e C h rch i n th e
2 . u u u
u
d ti es of th ei r ofc e ( Ac ts xx a n d es p e c i a ll th e V i ca r of . y
C hri s t, th e Pop e .
Th e Hol y v
Gh os t g i es t o t h em wh a t t h ey s h a ll s a y ( M a tt x . .
He s p e a k s t h rou gh th em a s on P en t ec os t He s p o ke th ro u gh t h e
a p o s t l es ( M a tt x In t h e w or d s of St B a s i l :
. .
As t h e p en .
wr i t es wh a t t h e wri t er w i s h es , s o t h e p r e a ch er of th e Go s p el s p ea k s
n o t h i n g of h i s own b u t w h a t t h e Hol y Sp i r i t g i ves t o h i m
.
F or ex a mp l e St Ath a n a s i u s ( A D 3 73 ) i n th e t i me of th e Ar i a n s
. . .
e r a l d i s or d e r ; St D o mi n i c ( A D 1 221 ) a t t h e t i me of t h e Alb i g e n s es ;
. . .
St C a t h a r i n e of Si en n a ( A D
. a t t h e t i me of t h e g r e a t P a p a l
. .
s ch i s m ; St Ig n a t i u s of L o y o l a ( A D 1 5 56 ) a t th e t i me of L u t h er
. . . .
4 . Th e Hol Gh os t i s th e y ca u se th at th ere a re s o ma n y sa i n ts
i n th e u
C h rch i n a ll ages .
Al mo s t e v ry y
e ea r n ew s a i n t s a re ca n o n i z ed i n R ome .
Th e Ho l y
Gh o s t s a ys St Greg o ry th e Grea t , a p p ea r ed i n t h e
.
b
,
ma n t h e g i ft of s p eech , y whi ch h e ma y i n a me o th er s t o th e l o ve of
Go d
. Th e Hol y Gh os t a p p ea red u n d er t h e form of re, b ec a u s e He
c o n s u me s th e d ro s s of ou r s i n s , d ri v es t h e d a rk n e s s of i g n or a n ce ou t
o f ou r s o u l s mel t s th e i c y c o l d n es s of ou r h e a r t s a n d i n a mes u s w i t h
, ,
s t r en g th en s t h e h e a rt of ma n wh o m He h a s ma d e fro m t h e cl a y of th e
c i t i z ens of h e a v en An d j u s t a s a s ch oo l h a s i t s h ea d ma s t er, i ts s t a ff
.
of t e a c h e r s i ts p u p i l s , a l o n g w i th i ts r eg u l a t i o n s for d i s c i p l i n e a n d
, ,
a p p l i a n ces of ed u c a t i o n , s o i s t h e C h u r c h p ro v i d ed It h a s a v i s i b l e .
c e i v ed a n d a v i s ib l e formu l a of b el i ef
,
Hen ce C h r i s t c o mp a res t h e
.
C h u r ch wi th v i s i b l e o b j e c t s w i th a c i t y p l a c ed on a mo u n t a i n , wi t h
,
a l i g h t on a c a n d l e s t i c k ; i t i s a l s o c a l l ed a b o d y ( Ep h i th e h ou s e . .
of G od ( 1 Ti m i i i .a h ol y c i t y ( Ap o c
. xx i W h e r ev e r . .
C a th o l i c p ri es t s a n d C a t h ol i c s a re t o b e fo u n d t h er e i s t h e C a t h ol i c ,
C h ur c h Tw o cl a s s e s of p eo p l e ma i n t a i n t h a t t h e C h u r ch i s n ot
.
b el o n g t o t h e C h u rch a n d free t hi n ke rs , wh o w i s h t o s h i rk t h e o b l i g a
,
t i o n o f o b ey i n g a v i s i b l e C h ur ch Th e exp r es s i o n . C a th o l i c C h u r c h
d o es n ot i mp l y a mere b u i l d i n g of s t o n e or w oo d t h o u g h t h e com ,
p a r i s o n i s fr e qu e n t l y m a d e i n t h e Sc r i p t u r es ( Ep h ii th e . .
C h u r ch h a v i n g a l i v i n g c or n e r s t o n e C h r i s t ( P s cxv i i 2 2 ) Wh o
-
, . .
b i n d s t h e fa i t h ful i n t o on e di vi n e fa mi l y, a n d t h e fo u n d a t i o n s t o n es -
o f t h e a p o s tl es ( Ap o c xx i t h e fa i t h fu l b e i n g t h e s t o n es of t h e
. .
o l i c r el i g i o n ; t h e C h u rch i s t o t h e reli g i o n a s t h e b o d y t o t h e
s on 1
Th e C a th ol i c C h ur ch i s oft en ca ll e d th e ki n gd om of
h ea v en ,
ki n gd om of God ,
co mmu n i ty of t h e fa i thf l
u .
Joh n t h e B a p t i s t a n d C h r i s t Hi ms el f a n n o u n ced t h a t th e k i n g d o m
o f h ea v en w a s a t h a n d ( M a t t i i i 2 ; iv 1 7 Th e p a r a b l e s on t h e
. . .
k i n g d o m of h e a ve n b r i n g ou t th e v a ri o u s fea tu re s of t h e C h ur ch .
Th e g r a d a t i o n of o fc es i n t h e C h u rch ( P o p e ca r d i n a l s b i s h op s , , ,
p r i e s ts or d i n a ry C h r i s t i a n s )
, i s v e ry s u g g es t i ve of a k i n g d o m i n
, ,
wh i ch t h e a i m i s t o l e a d men t o h e a ven Th e C h u r ch i s t h e p eo p le .
of G od s c a t t er ed t h ro u g h t h e w orl d
s a ys St Au g u s t i n e ; or i n t h e
, .
w or d s of St Th o ma s Aqu i n a s th e c o mmu n i t y of t h e fa i t h fu l
.
,
O ur .
Th e C h u rc v y
h i s er p rop erl c a l l ed th e y
M oth er of C h ri s
ti a n s ,
b u ec a v
s e s h e gi es t o men t h e t r u e l i fe of th e s ou l , a n d
Th e C h u r ch c on fe rs i n B a p t i s m th e g i ft of s a n c t i f y i n g g ra ce ,
, ,
s a y s St Aug u s t i n e a n d t h e C h u r ch a s ou r M o t h e r
If we l ove
b b
. .
,
ou r n a t i v e l a n d s o d ea rl y s a ys L eo X III eca u s e we were
, orn .
,
a n d b r ed t h e r e a n d a re r ea d y ev e n t o d i e for i t h ow mu c h d eep e r
v
, ,
2 . u
Th e Ch rch prep ares ma n for h eav en b y c arry i ng out th e
th reefol d ofc e w hi c h Ch ri s t c onferred p on h er ; th e ofc e of u
t ea ch er, of pri es t, a nd of s h eph erd .
Th e C h u rch C h ri s t , mi n i s t er s th e mea n s of
t e a ch es t h e d o ct ri n e of
g r a ce a p p o i n t ed b y C h r i s t a n d i s a g u i d e a n d s h ep h e rd t o t h e fai t h
,
s i s t i n t h e h ol y s a c r ice o f t h e M a s s , t h e s a c r a men t s , b l es s i n g s a n d ,
t h e h o l d i n g of s p eci a l d ev o t i o n s ; t h e g u i d a n ce c on s i s t s i n t h e l a yi n g
d o wn of c ert a i n p r ec ep t s e g , t h e c o mma n d men t s of t h e C h u r ch
, . .
,
a n d t h e p ro h i b i t i o n of wh a t i s s i n ful or d a n g e rou s , e g , t h e r ea d i n g . .
of b a d b oo k s .
C h r i s t u s e d t o p r e a ch a s w e s ee l n th e s ermo n on t h e mo u n t He
, .
d i s p en s e d t h e mea n s of g r a c e, forg i v i n g M a g d a l en h er s i n s , g i v i n g
Hi s b o d y a n d b l ood t o t h e a p o s tl es a t t h e L a s t Sup p e r, b les s i n g t h e
li t tl e ch i l d r en C h r i s t w a s t h e Gu i d e of men
. He g a ve c omma n d .
men t s , s en t t h e a p os t l es on m1 s s 1 on s , i n s t ru c t ed th em, a n d r ep ro ve d
t h e t y r a nn y of t h e P h a ri s ee s , et c He g a ve t h e a p o s tl es c o mmi s s i on
.
t o t ea ch a l l n a t i o n s ( M a tt xxv i i i a n d a ls o t o exe rc i s e
. .
th e p o we r of t h e p ri e s t h oo d , t o o ffe r s a c r i ce ( L uk e xxi i a n d to .
forg i v e s i n s ( Joh n xx i n a d d i t i o n t h e a p o s tl e s r ec ei v ed t h e
.
y oki n g l a ws Th e w or d s of C h r i s t i n cl u d ed t h e s u cce s s or s of t h e
.
. .
3 . Th e Lord a nd Ki n g of th e Ch u ch
r i s Ch ri s t .
Th e p rop h et s h a d for et o l d ( P s t h a t t h e M es s i a s s h o u l d b e a.
g r e a t k i n g , w h o s e k i n g d o m s h o u l d l a s t f or e v e r a n d e m b r a ce a l l o t h e r
k i n g d o ms Th e a r ch a n g el G a b r i el t ol d M a ry t h a t th e Red eeme r
.
s h o u l d b e a k i n g a n d Hi s k i n g d o m s h o u l d b e et ern a l ( Luk e i .
C h r i s t c a l l s Hi ms el f a k i n g t o P i l a t e b u t d en i es t h a t Hi s ki n g d o m ,
th e Ho l y Gh o s t ; h en ce He i s c a ll ed t h e Hea d of t h e C h u rc h ( Ep h .
i o f wh i ch C h r i s t i a n s form t h e b o d y, e a c h o n e b ei n g a memb e r
He i s a l s o c a ll ed t h e i n v i s ib l e He a d
.
of t h e b o d y ( 1 C or x i i . . ,
c ou n t f Hi s l o v e for th e C h u r ch He i s c a l l ed h er B r i d eg roo m a n d
o , ,
she i s c a l l e d H i s B ri d e A
( p o c x i C h r i s t c o mp a r e d H i m s e l f t o
b v
. .
a r i d eg r oo m o n s e e r a l o cc a s i o n s ( M a tt L i k e J a c o b , w h o .
22 4 Fa i th .
ap o s tl es p l a ce St P et e r r s t ( M a t t
a l wa ys 2 ; M a rk i 3 6 ; Acts i i
. . x . . .
a n d St P a u l , a ft e r h i s c o n ve r s i o n , r eg ar d ed i t a s h i s d u t y t o
.
d es c en d ed t o th e s cceedi ng B i s h op s of Rome u .
Th e C h u r ch t h a t i s i n B a b yl o n s a l u t eth y ou ; a n d s o d o th
my s on M a rk ( 1 Pet v
B a b yl o n w a s th e n a me g i ven b y t h e
. .
ea rl y C hr i s t i a n s t o Ro me on a cc o u n t of i t s g r e a t n es s a n d i mmor a l i t y
, .
.
m
St C l emen t of R o e wr i t es a b o u t th e ye a r 1 00: P et e r a n d P a u l
w e re w i t h a n en ormo u s n u mb er of t h e Chr i s t i a n s ma r tyr ed i n Ro me
b
.
a n d St P a u l d i ed l i ke a n o t h er Jo h n t h e B a p t i s t
. In a d d i t i o n t h e .
g r a ve of St P et er w a s l o n g a g o d i s c o v ered ; h i s b o d y l a y i n a c a t a
.
c o mb u n d e r Ne r o s c i r cu s ; t h e t h i r d P op e e rect ed a s ma l l c h a p el o er
v
i t t o b e r ep l a c ed b y a b e a u t i fu l ed i ce b u i l t b y C on s t a n t i n e
,
wh en t h i s fell i n t o d i s r ep a i r t h e p r e s en t b u i l d i n g of St P et e r s w a s
, .
r
e ect e d , i n 1 62 9 .
Th e B i s h op s of R ome h a e a lw a s ex erci s ed v y s u p re me p ow er
in th e C h u rch , a n d th a t p ow er h a s a lw a y s een b a ckn owl edge d .
Wh en ro s e i n th e Ch u r ch of C or i n th a b o u t th e y ea r
d i s s en s i on s a
1 00 th e ma t t er w a s r efe rred n ot t o t h e a p o s tl e St Jo hn a t Ep h es u s
,
.
,
b u t t o t h e B i s h o p of R o me St C l emen t Ab ou t t h e yea r 1 9 0 t h e P Op e
'
. .
,
V i ct or c o mma n d ed t h e p e o p l e of As i a M i n or t o c on form t o t h e
R o ma n u s a g e i n t h e cel eb r a t i on of Ea s t er a n d t h o s e wh o d emu rr ed ,
we re t h re a t en ed wi t h ex c o mmu n i ca t i o n wh er eu p o n t h ey y i el d ed , .
Ab o u t t h e ye a r 2 5 0 P op e St ep h en forb a d e th e B i s h op s of North
Afr i c a t o r eb a p t i z e t h o s e wh o r et u rn ed t o th e b o s om of th e C h u r ch ,
a n d ex c o mmu n i ca t e d t h o s e wh o r es i s t e d Th e B i s h op s of R ome h a d .
t h e rs t p l a c e i n a ll g en er a l c o u n c i l s Wh en h eres y b rok e ou t t h e .
B i s h op of R o me a l w a ys i n qu i r e d i n t o i t ; a n d t o h i m o th er b i s h o p s a p
p ea l ed wh en u n j u s t l y o p p r es s ed ; t h u s wh en St Ath a n a s i us w a s d e .
p o s ed b y t h e emp e r o r th e P op e r e i n s t a t ed h i m F ro m t h e e a rl i es t
b
.
,
t i mes t h e t i t l es
h i gh p r i es t and b i s h op of i s h op s h a ve b een
g i v en t o t h e B i s h o p o f R om e W h en a t t h e C o u n c i l o f C
. h a l c ed o n th e, ,
wi t h on e v o i c e : P et er h a s s p o ken b y L eo ; l et hi m b e a n a t h ema wh o
b el i ev es o t h erw i s e Th e V a t i ca n C o u n c i l d ecl a r es th a t i t i s t h e w i l l
.
of C h ri s t t h a t t i l l t h e en d of th e w orl d th e r e b e s u c ces s or s t o St .
P et e r .
s p eech t o St P et er
On o
a cc u n t of th e o p en i n g wor d s of C h ri s t s .
Th e Ap os tles
Creed . 22 5
B less ed a rt th o u , et c ( M a t t xv i 1 7 th e P o p e i s a d d res s ed a s
. . .
R o me .
or d a i n ed p ri es t D ecemb er 3 1 , 1 83 7 , Arch b i s h op of P e ru g i a , 1 84 6, a n d
P op e F eb r u a r y 2 0, 1 8 7 8 To hi s en erg y w e owe t h e a b oli t i o n of s l a
.
o e.
a mo n g b i s h o p s
. Th e foll o w i n g a re s o me of h i s p r erog a t i ves : He a s
s u mes a n e w n a me o n hi s el ec t i o n a s St P et e r r e cei v ed a n ew n a me , .
fro m O u r L or d t o s i gn i fy t h a t h e i s wh o ll y d ev o ted t o h i s n ew o fc e
, .
F ro m th e t en t h c en t ur y o n w a r d s i t h a s b een t h e c u s t o m t o ch oo s e t h e
n a me fro m t h o s e of p r ev i o u s P o p es St P et er s a l o n e b ei n g excep t ed
.
,
ou t of r eve r en c e He i s p ri v il eg ed t o wea r th e t i a r a or mi t re w i th
.
,
t h e t ri p l e c ro wn exp r es s i ve of t h e t r i p l e o fce of t ea ch e r p r i e s t a n d
, , ,
p a s t or ; h e h a s a l s o a c ro s i e r en d i n g i n a cro s s a n d a s o u t a n e o f w h i t e ,
b ea u t i fu l a re t h e feet of t h em t h a t p re a ch t h e g o s p el of p e a c e of ,
t h em t h a t b r i n g g l a d t i d i n g s of g oo d t h i n g s ( R om x He h a s . .
th e hi g h es t p o w er i n t h e C h u r c h a s t ea ch e r of a ll C h r i s t i a n s ( Vat
i ca n C o u n ci l ) a n d c hi ef s h ep h er d of t h e s h ep h e r d s
-
and t h ei r
o ck s
. He h a s t h e mo s t co mp l ete j u ri s d i ct i o n i n d ec i d i n g qu es t i o n s
of fa i th a n d mor a l s a n d i n a rr a n g i n g t h e d i s c i p l i n e of t h e u n i ver s a l
,
s i n gl e b i s h o p a n d p a s t or He ma y el ect a n d d ep o s e b i s h op s c a ll
.
,
t o g et h e r c o u n c i l s ma k e a n d u n ma ke l a w s s en d ou t mi s s i o n a r i es con
, , ,
F or th e s a me re a s o n h e m a y p er s o n a ll y t ea ch a n d g u i d e a n y o f t h e
b i s h o p s or t h ei r o cks He i s th e s up reme j u d g e of a l l th e fa i th ful ;
.
t o h i m r ema i n s t h e n a l a p p e a l Th e P o p e ma y ch oo s e s even t y ca r
.
d i ma l e t o a ct a s h i s c o u n s ell or s ; t h ey ma y h a v e t h e r i g h t of ch oo s i n g
a n ew P o p e a ft e r t h e s ee h a s b een v a c a n t for tw el v e d a y s Th ei r .
d res s i s a s ca rl et h a t a n d ma n tl e t o r emi n d t h em of t h ei r d u t y of l oy
,
a l ty t o t h e P o p e a t t h e c o s t ev en of t h ei r b l oo d Th ey form t h e .
2 26 F a i th .
Th e P op e i s q i te i n d ep en d en t u of e v y er t emp ora l s ov er
ei gn ty a n d of e er s p i ri tu a l p ow er v y .
i n t h e fo ll o wi n g ma n n e r : In t h e rs t cen t u r i es ma n y es t a t es wer e b e
s t o wed on t h e P o p es a s a free g i ft F ro m t h e t i me of C o n s t a n t i n e
.
In 7 54 A D , P ep i n , t h e F ra n k i s h k i n g g a v e o ve r t o t h e P op e t h e t er
. .
,
rmed b y P ep i n s s on , Ch a rl ema gn e, i n 7 74 Th e P op es l o s t a n d re
.
p or a l s o verei g n t y w a s of g rea t a d v a n t a g e t o t h e C h u r ch ; i t s ec u r ed
t h e P op e s i n d ep en d en ce i n t h e ex er c i s e of h i s a u t h ori ty, i t g a ve h i m
a s t a t u s a mo n g t h e p o w er s of t h e e a r t h a n d s u p p l i e d h i m w i t h fu n d s ,
for ca rr yi n g on t h e b u s i n es s c o n n e ct ed w i t h t h e C h u rc h , b es i d e s i n
s u r i n g l i b e rt y i n t h e c h o i ce of a P Op e At p r es en t h e i s h el p ed b y .
t h e a l ms of t h e fa i th fu l c a l l ed P et er s p en ce Th o u g h d ep r i v ed of
.
,
h i s p os s es s i o n s t h e P op e i s s t i ll r ec o g n i z ed a s a s ov erei g n , even i n
It a l y ; a n d h e h a s a c t ed a s a rb i t ra t or b et ween n a t i o n s M a n y wi l l
b
.
remem e r h i s d eci s i o n i n 1 88 5 i n t h e d i s p u t ed cl a i ms of Sp a i n a n d
Ge rma n y t o t h e C a ro l i n e Is l a n d s
,
He a l s o i s s u es med a l s , c o nfers
.
ord e rs h a s t h e g ol d a n d wh i t e s t a n d a rd a d op t ed i n a ll u s i o n t o t h e
, ,
( Ac t s i i i
wor d s of St P et e r : Si l v e r a n d g ol d I h a ve n o n e
. .
a n d h a s a mb a s s a d or s ( l eg a t es a n d Nu n c i os ) a t v a r i o u s c o u r t s et c , .
wh o a p p ea l fro m t h e P o p e t o a g en e r a l c o u n ci l a re l i a l e t o ex c om
mu n i c a t i on ( Pi u s IX , O ct o er 1 2 , . b
3 . B ISHOP S, P R IESTS, THE F AITHF UL .
1 . Th e bi s h op s a re th e s ucc e s s ors of th e ap os tl es .
Th i s i s t h e exp r es s t ea chi n g of t h e V a t i ca n C o un c i l Th e b i s h op s .
ext r a or d i n a r y mi s s i o n t h ey h a d e x t r a or d i n a ry g i ft s , s u ch a s i n fa ll i
b i l i t y , t h e g i ft of t o n g u es , a n d mi r a c l es .
Th e bi h s op s v
h a e th e foll owi n g p ow ers : Th e g i d e th a t y u
p ort i on o f th e C h u rch a ss i gn ed to th em th e P op e, a n d as s i s t by
h i m i n th e go v ern men t of th e n i ers a l C h rch u v u .
Ti tu s t o C ret e ( Ti t i Th es e d i v i s i o n s of t h e C h u r ch
. . a re c a ll e d
2 28 F a i th .
2 . Th e p ri es ts a re th e a s s i s ta nts of th e bi s h op s .
Th ey r e cei ve th ei r O r d er s fro m t h e b i s h op , a n d s o a re h i s s p i r i t u a l
s o n s ; a n d t h ei r b u s i nes s i s t o c a rr y ou t t h e c o mma n d s of t h e b i s h o p ;
ev en wh en c a ll ed i n t o a s s i s t a t c o u n c i l s , t h ey d o n ot v o t e a s j u d g es
b u t o n l y a s c ou n s el l or s n or h a ve th ey p o wer s t o exc o mmu n i ca t e
, .
Th e p ri es t s h a v e on l y a p ort i on of th e ep i s c op a l p ow er,
a n d
th ei r ofc e ma y b e e x erci s ed on l y wi th s an c ti on from th e bi hs o
p .
Th i s s a n cti o n i s ca ll ed t h e c a n on i ca l mi s s i o n ( mi s s i o ca n on i ca ) .
Th e d res s of t h e p r i es t i s a s ou t a n e, or b l a ck g a rmen t r ea c h i n g t o t h e
feet .
P a ri s h p ri es ts ar e th os e to wh om th e bi h s op has con d ed
p erm a n e n tl t h e c h a y
rge of a d i s tri c t .
Th e d i s t r i ct i s p a ri s h . D ea n i s t h e t i tl e g i ven t o p a ri s h
ca l l ed a
p ri es t s of l arg e r d i s t r i c ts In t h e a s s i g n men t of a p a r i s h t h e b i s h op
.
u s u a l l y s h o w s s o me c o n s i d e r a t i o n for t h e w i s h es of t h e p a t ro n or
p a t ro n s , i e , t h e p e rs o n or p er s o n s w h o h a ve b een a n d a re con
.
b
.
s p i c u ou s r i n t h e d i s t r i ct Th e p a ri s h p ri es t i s t h e rep re
en efa ct o s .
s en t a t i v e of t h e b i s h o p a n d n o on e ma y , w i t h o u t h i s l e a v e e x er c i s e , ,
s p i r i t u a l fu n c t i o n s i n t h e p a ri s h s u ch a s p r e a ch i n g b a p t i zi ng g i v
, , ,
Th ey ma k e a v i s i t a ti on of th e p a r i s h es an d a ct a s i n termed i a r i es
wi th t h e b i s h op .
Th e C h u r ch i s a c ommu n i t y i n t o wh i ch a dmi t t a n ce i s g a i n ed b y
B a p ti s m Th u s t h e th r ee t h o u s a n d a p t i z ed on t h e r s t P en t ec o s t
. b
b e ca me memb er s of th e C h u r ch ( Act s i i M oreo v er a ma n mus t .
t o t h e C h u r ch i n s p i te of h i s b a p t i s m th o u g h h e i s n ot t h ereb y freed
b
,
n or s chi s ma t i c s a re mem er s of t h e C h u r ch ( C o u n c il of F l or en c e )
b
,
t h o u g h ch i l d ren a p t i z ed v a li dl y i n o th er c o mmu n i o n s r e a ll y b el o n g
to it . F or a s St Au g u s t i n e s a ys
, . B a p t i s m i s t h e p r i v i l eg e of th e
,
t ru e C h u r ch a n d s o th e b en et s w h i ch ow fro m B a p t i s m a re n ec os
,
s a ri l y fr u i t s wh i ch b el o n g o n l y t o t h e t ru e C h u r ch C h i l d ren b a p t i z ed .
ch u r c h
Th e C h r i s t i a n s w er e a t rs t kn own b y t h e n a me of Na z a
.
An t i och th a t t h e n a me C h r i s t i a n ca me t o b e i n us e ( Ac ts x i and .
th e n a me C h r i s t i a n s i s a p p ro p r i a te We a re foll o wers of C hr i s t .
,
w i lli n g t o b e co n formed t o t h e i ma g e of C h r i s t ( R om vi i i . .
s er a p h i m b u t fro m t h e Ki n g of a ll t h e ea rth
.
,
b el on gs u
b u t wh o al s o makes s eri o s e or s to
t o th e C h rch , u ff t
s e cu re hi s et ern al s al a ti on ; w h o v
eli e es th e t ea ch i n g of t h e b v
u
C h rch , k eep s th e c omman dmen ts of God, a n d of th e C h rch , u
v
w h o rec ei es t h e s a c ramen ts , a n d p ra s to God i n th e ma n n er y
p r es c ri ed b C h ri s t by .
He
i s n ot a t ru e C h ri s t i a n wh o i s i g n or a n t of hi s fa i th Su ch a .
n o t l i v e a s C hr i s t t a ugh t hi m t o li v e
O u r L ord s a i d t o t h e J ews :
b
.
If y ou b e t h e ch i l d r en of A r ah a m d o th e work s of Ab r a h am
an d He mi g h t s a y t o t h e C h r i s t i a n s
( Jo h n vi i i . If y ou b e C h r i s
t i a n s d o t h e works of C h r i s t If y ou wa n t t o b e a C h ri s t i a n , s a ys
.
s ai d t h a t Hi s d i s c i p l es s h oul d b e kn o wn b y t h ei r l o ve on e for a n o th er
cl ai m t o t h e me an s of gra ce s pp li ed th e C h rch , a n d h e u by u
b by
i s o liged t o o e h i s ec cl es i a s ti c a l s p eri ors i n s p iri t al ma tters , u u
v
a n d t o ma k e p ro i s i on for th ei r s p p ort a s w el l a s for th a t of u
God s s erv i ce .
n ec es s a ry s a c r a men t s t a ke p a rt i n d i vi n e s ervi ce a n d h e h a s a r i g h t
, ,
mu s t b e s u b j ec t t o t h e l a ws of th e C h u r ch Un d er certa i n c i rcum .
s t a n ces t h os e wh o d i s o b ey t h e l a w s of t h e C h u r ch a re ex commun i
c a t e d or s h u t ou t fro m t h e C h u rch Th ey l o s e th ei r cl a i m t o t h e
.
s p i r i t u a l g oo d s of t h e C h u r ch ; t h ey ma y n ot j o i n i n t h e d i v i n e s erv
i ce n or r ec e i ve th e s a c r a men t s n or a n o fce i n t h e C h u r ch n or
, , ,
t h e O l d C a th ol i c b i s h op s R ei nk en s a n d D ii ll i n g er St Amb ro s e for . .
v
.
C h u r ch a v i c i o us C ori n th i a n ( 1 C or Th e St a te ex erc i s es a
. .
s i mi l ar p o we r i n b a n i s hi ng c ri mi n a l s .
Ch ri s t c o mp a red th e C h ur ch t o a gra i n of mu s t a rd s ee d , wh i ch -
1 . u
Ch ri s t l ai d th e fo nd a ti on of th e Ch urc h wh en, i n th e
u
c o rs e of Hi s teach i ng, He gath ered a n mb er of di s c i pl es , a nd u
v
c h os e twel e of th es e t o pres i d e o er th e res t a nd one t o b e Head v
of a ll .
u b
2 Th e Ch rch rs t ega n i ts li fe on Pentec os t, wh en s ome
.
u
three th o s a nd peopl e were ap ti zed b .
P en te c os t i s t h e b i r thd a y of t h e C h u r ch Afte r th e mi ra cl e at
b
.
St P a u l , a ft e r h i s c on vers i o n i n 3 4 A D , l a or ed mor e a b u n
. . . b
d a u t l y th a n a ll th e a p os tl es ( 1 C or xv 1 0) h e t ra v e rs ed As i a M i n or,
. .
t h e g r ea te r p a rt of So u th er n Eu ro p e, a n d ma n y i s l a n d s of t h e
M ed i t err a n e a n Aft er hi m St P eter l a ored mos t Aft er es c a p i ng
. . b .
b y a mi r a cl e fr om h i s p ri s on i n Je r us a l em, h e fo un d ed hi s s e e a t
R o me wh e re i n c o mp an y w i th St P a ul h e s u ffe red ma rt yrd om St
. . , . .
v
Gre a t er, t r a ell ed a s fa r a s Sp a i n , a n d wa s b eh e a ded i n Jeru s a l em i n
44 AD Hi s b o d y res t s a t C omp os tell a St J a mes t h e L es s g overn ed
. . .
b
Th e a p os tl es es t a li s h ed th ei r cp mmu n i ti es a fter th e foll ow
v v
i n g p l a n : h a i n g c on ert ed a n d a p ti zed a n m er of men i n b u b
y
a p l a c e, th e ch os e a s s i s tan ts , to wh om th e i mp arted a gre a ter y
or l es s p ort i on of th ei r own p ow ers ; an d e fore l e a i n g th e b v
p l a ce t h e mya d e c h oi c e of a s cc es s o u
r, a n d ga e h i m f l l p owers v u
( A c t s x i v .
th e a p o s tl es p o wer t o ch o os e s u c ces s or s wh en He g a ve t o t h em t h e
2 32 Fa i th .
C o n s t an t i n e w as l ed t o thi s s tep b y th e a p p ea ra n ce of t he
l u mi n o u s c ro s s i n th e h ea en s ( 3 1 2 v
a n d s t i l l more b y h i s h ol y
Ch r i s t i a n s s h o ul d s i n k d ow n t o ea rthl y t hi n g s Th e h er es y of Ar i u s .
. . b
( 3 1 8 A D ) eg a n i t s d ea dl y w ork i n t h e t i me of C on s t a n t i n e, a n d
h a d a g rea t foll owi n g At thi s t i me a l s o cea s ed t h e tes t of t h e c a t e
b
.
ch umen s , s o t h a t i t w a s e a s i er t o ec o me a memb er of t h e C h u r ch .
St Au g u s t i n e h a d r ea s on t o s a y : If th e C h u rch i s h a r a s s ed b y
b
.
5 In th e M i d dl e Ages
. a
n e rl y a l l th e h eath en n ati ons b eg n a
to en t er th e Ch rch u .
b
In Au s t r i a a o u t 450 A D , t h e mon k Sever i n u s p rea ch ed t he
b
. .
t h e Gr ea t, i n 6 00 A D s en t St Au g u s ti n e a t t h e h e a d of a n u m er
. .
, .
of mi s s i o n e r s t o c o n v ert En g l a n d ; ei g h t y y ea r s l a t e r t h e c o u n t ry wa s
Hu n g a r i a n s we re c o n verted b y t h ei r h ol y ki n g St ep h en ( 1 03 8 A D ) . .
t h e a p o s t ol i c k i n g C h r i s t i a ni t y w a s g r a d u a ll y i n t ro d u ced i n t o
.
Ic el a n d , D en ma rk , Sw ed en , Nor w a y, Ru s s i a a n d P ol a n d a ft e r 1 000
AD. .
Is l a mi s m or M o h a mmed a n i s m wa s fo u n d ed b y M oh a mmed , a
n a t i v e of M ecc a , wh o g a ve h i ms el f ou t t o b e a p ro p h e t o f t h e on e
t r u e God , p ro mi s ed s en s u a l j o y a ft e r d ea th , a l l o w ed p l u r a l i t y o f
w i ves , i mp o s ed a p i l g ri ma g e to M ecc a , t a u gh t fa t a l i s m, a n d a fter
p ro p g
a a t i n g h i s d oc t r i n es b y r e a n d s w or d w a s p o i s o n e d i n 6 3 2 ,
AD. .b y a J e w es s
, Th e K or a n i s th e s a cr ed b oo k of th e M o h a m
.
c a l i p h s , wh o u n d ert o ok w a r s of c o n qu es t on a l a rg e s ca l e e very ,
wh e r e roo t i n g ou t t h e C h ri s t i a n r el i g i on Th ey o ve rr a n a g r ea t .
p a r t o f A s i a N or t h A f r i c,a , S p a i n a n d t h e i s l a n d s of t h e M e d i t erra
n ea n C h a rl es M a r t el i n a s e r i es o f v i ct or i es ( 7 3 2 7 3 8
. , ar -
In a d d i t i on t h e C h u rch l os t ma n y a d h eren t s i n th e M i d d l e
Ages by th e Greek s chi s m.
t h e c o u n ci l s In t i me i t c a me a b ou t t h a t t h e a mb i t i o u s Ph o t i u s ,
.
l i s h ed t h e ol d r el a t i o n s w i th R o me Tw o h u n d red y ea r s l a t er, h ow
.
ma t i c Gr eeks , i n op p os i t i on t o t he U ni t ed Gree ks or U n i a t es , wh o
p r es erv ed th ei r a ll eg i a n ce t o R o me .
X a vi er, t h e a p o s tl e of th e In d i es , wh o u s ed t o c a l l th e l i t tl e ch i l d r en
b
t o g et h er w i th a ell , a s h e ma d e h i s w a y t h r ou g h t h e c i t i es of In d i a ,
t h e i s l a n d s of M ol u cca , a n d J a p a n , t o t ea ch t h em t h e t ru th s of re
l i g i on ( 1 5 52 A D ) h e h a d t h e g i ft of t o n gu e s , a n d b a p t i z ed s o me t wo
. .
mi ll i on h ea t h en s After h i s d ea t h g r e a t w ork w a s d o n e i n C h i n a
.
b y t h e J es u i t s es p ec i a ll y Ri c ci a n d Sch a ll
,
An o th er g re a t mi s s i o n .
h a s d o n e mu ch i n Afr i c a, es p ec i a ll y i n res i s t i n g t h e s l a ve t r a d e , a n d
fo u n d i n g a c o n g reg a t i o n for t h e co n ver s i o n of t h e n a t i ves Th e .
e n t s o me p r i es t s l a y b ro th ers a n d
, n u n s a re a t
a n d L a z a ri s t s Th e or g a n i z a t i on s for t h e s u p p or t o f t h e mi s s i o n s a re
.
t h e P ro p a g a t i on of th e F a i th a n d t h e Ho l y C h i l d h oo d It i s a s a c re d .
ob l i g a t i o n t o h el p i n s u ch w ork a n d th e effort s of n on C a th ol i c s
,
-
i n t h i s d i rec t i o n ma y w ell p u t us to s h a me .
M a r ti n L u t h e r , an Erfu rt a n d l a t e r
Au g u s t i n i a n monk of ,
t ea ch er i n t h e h i gh s ch o ol a t W i tt en b u rg t oo k o f fen ce b ec a u s e h e ,
th o u g h t t h a t h e w a s n ot s u i ci en tl y h el d i n es t e em a t R o me Wh e n .
P o p e L eo X a n x i o u s t o c o mp l e t e t h e b u i l d i n g of St P et er s g a v e
.
,
.
,
i n d u l g en c es t o t h os e wh o s h o u l d s u b s c r i b e t o t h e w ork a n d s e n t ou t ,
p r ea ch e r s t o p ro mu l g a t e t h es e i n d ul g en c es L ut h er c a me forw a r d w i th ,
h i s n i n ety v e p ro p o s i t i o n s on i n d u l g en ces a n d n a il ed th em t o t h e
-
d emn ed o n l y t h e a b u s es of i n d u l g en c es i n t h e C h u r c h b u t l a t e r .
w en t on t o co mb a t th e t ea ch i n g of th e C h u r ch on t h e s u b j e c t
2 34 Fa i th .
Re fu s i n g t o wi th d r a w t h em a t th e comma n d of t h e P op e h e w a s
ex co mmu n i c a te d a n d al s o o u t l a wed b y t h e emp er or for n ot
q
a ns w e r i n g t h e s ummo n s r e u i ri n g hi m t o a p p ea r b
efore t h e c o un c i l
P ea ce of Au g s b u rg s ecur ed t o t h e P ro t es t a n t s t h e s a me r i g h t s a
C a t h oli cs Th e C o u n c i l of Tr en t s et fort h t h e p oi n ts i n d i s
p u t e b etw een C a t h ol i c s a n d P r ot es t a n t s ( 1 54 5 L u th e r d i e d i n
1 54 6 Hi s ch i ef error s a re c o n t a i n ed i n t h e foll owi ng p rop o s i t i on s :
.
Th er e i s n o s u p reme t ea ch i n g p o w er i n th e C h u r ch Th e .
Th e re a re n o p r i es t s . All t h a t i s t o b e b el i ev ed i s i n t h e Sc r i p
tu re . Ea ch on e ma y i n terp ret t h e Hol y Sc ri p t ures a s h e l i kes .
s i o n n o p u r g a t ory Th e J es u i ts fo u n d ed b y St Ig n a t i u s of L o y ol a
b
. .
, ,
w on ma n y a ck ag a i n t o t h e fol d of t h e C h u r ch Z w i n gl i a n d
C a l v i n i n Swi t z e rl a n d a n d Henr y V III i n En g l a n d , a b ou t t h e s a me
, .
q
wh i ch a re ui t e L u th er a n i n t o n e .
memb ers .
C a th o li c In As i a th ere are on ly
. Ca th ol i cs , i n Afri ca
i n Au s tr a li a Th e P ro tes ta n ts , co mp ri s i n g th e
va ri ous s ects o f Lu th er a n s , C a lvi ni s ts , Angli ca ns , etc , nu mb er 1 6 7 .
a re s o me of v a ri o us o th er C h r is ti a n s ec ts , h en ce a t otal o f
Chris ti a ns Si n ce th e i n ha b i tan ts of the ea r th a mou n t to
.
a b ou t -
C hris ti a n Th e M o h a mmed a ns nu mb er
. th ey i n ha b i t
Ar a b i a , W es ter n As i a , t h e n or thern h al f of Afri ca , a n d p a r t of Tur
k ey In a dd i ti o n t h ere a re
. Jews ; th ey a re for th e grea ter
p a rt i n Ru s s i a a nd A u s tri a. F i n a lly there a re s ti ll
2 36 F a i th .
2 . W h en u
C h rch i s i n th e grea tes t n eed , C h ri s t e er
th e v
c omes t o i ts h el p , ei th er mi ra cl es or by
ra i s i n u
g p s a i n tl m en by y .
en d . Th e C h u r ch
s a ys St J ero me
i s l ik e P et e r s b a r k
,
. Wh en , .
3It i s p ecu li a r t o th e C h
. u rc h ,
sa y s St . Hil a ry ,
to
t h e C h u r c h i n c r e a s e u n d e r p e r s e cu t i o n Th e C h u rch i s a el d, fru i t .
fu l o n l y w h en t orn u p b y t h e p l o u g h , or i t i s a vi n e, s t ro n g e r a n d
ri ch e r for b ei n g p r u n e d As re i s s p r ea d b y t h e w i n d , s o i s t h e
.
C h u rch i n c rea s ed b y p ers ecu t i on , s a ys St R u p er t P e rs ecu t i on . .
p u r i e s t h e C h u r ch ; even i f mi ll i o n s fa ll a w a y, i t i s n ot a l o s s b u t
a cl e a n s i n g Th e t i me of p ers ecu t i on i s u s u al l y a p er i od of mi r a cl es ,
.
a t t e s t i n g t h e d i vi n e or i g i n of t h e Ch u r ch a s i n t h e B a b yl o ni s h c a p ,
o ft en h a ve Ch ri s ti a n s c ome u n h u rt ou t of b o il i n g l i qu i d , l i ke St .
b
P ol yc a rp , or een t h ro wn t o t h e b ea s ts a n d r ecei ved t h ei r h o ma g e l i ke
St V en a n t i u s
. F a ct s l i k e t h es e for ce t h e en emi es of t h e C h u r ch t o
e xc l a i m : M i g h t y i n d eed i s th e God of t h e C h ri s t i a n s
Th e C h u rch .
ca s t i n t o p r i s o n , t h e r el i g i o u s O r d er s d r i v en ou t , t h e a d mi n i s t r a t i o n
of t h e s a c r a men t s i n p a rt forb i d d en ; a t t h e p r es en t d a y t h e n u mb e r
o f C a th ol i c memb er s i n t h e R ei ch s t a g i s o ve r a h u n d red , t h e C a t h o
l i c j o u rn a l s h a ve i n cre a s ed t o fo u r or v e h u n d r ed , y ea rl y c on
g re s s es t a ke p l a c e, a n d a l l k i n d s o f u n i o n s for C a t h ol i c ob j ec t s a re
formed wh il e t h e C a th ol i c s th ems el v es a re s t a u n ch er a n d more s el f
b
,
o ffs p r i n g of God , th e B ri d e of C h ri s t .
Th e In fa lli b i li ty of th e C h u r ch .
for t ru t h In th e s t a te of i n n o cen ce s a y s St Th o ma s
.
i t w as i m , . ,
o f C h r i s t t o P i l a te :
F or t h i s c a me I i n t o th e w orl d t h a t I s h o ul d
g i ve t es t i mo n y of t h e t ru t h
( John xvi ii Ch ri s t w a s t o b e a
.
As C h r i s t w a s n ot t o r ema i n a l wa ys on e a rt h He a p p o i n ted ,
a n o t h e r i n fa ll i b l e t e a ch e r Hi s C h u rch a n d p ro v i d ed i t w i th t h e
, ,
n ece s s a ry g i ft s es p ec i a l l y w i t h t h e a s s i s t a n c e of t h e Ho l y Sp i ri t
, .
Th u s He s ai d a t Hi s i n t o h ea ven :
a s cen s i on G o i n g , t e a ch y e a l l
n a t i on s a n d b eh o l d I a m w i t h y ou a l l d a ys , ev en t o t h e c on
p er : I wi ll a s k t h e F a th e r a n d He s h a l l g i ve y ou a n o t h e r P ar a cl et e
t h a t He ma y a b i d e w i t h y ou for ev e r, t h e Sp i r i t of t ru th
( Jo hn
xiv . 1 6, 1 7 To St P et er He s a i d :
. Th e g a t es of h ell s h al l n ot
p r ev a i l a g a i n s t t h e C h u rch ( M a tt x v i Si n ce C h r i s t i s t h e Son
. .
of God , Hi s w or d s mu s t b e t ru e If t h e C h u r ch , i n t h e c a rryi n g ou t of
.
g ro u n d of t h e t r u th ( 1 Ti m i i i a n d t h e me a s u r es d ec i d ed u p o n
. .
b y t h e a p o s tl es i n t h e C o u n c i l of J eru s a l em w ere i n t ro d u c ed w i t h t h e
F or i t h a th s eemed g oo d t o t h e Ho l y Gh o s t a n d t o us
w ords :
( Acts xv . It i s n o rec en t b eli ef t h a t t h e C h u r ch i s i n fa ll i b l e L o n g .
a g o O r i g en w ri t e s , As i n t h e h ea ven s t h ere a re t wo g r ea t s o u rc es
o f l i g h t , t h e s u n , a n d t h e m oo n wh i ch b orro w s i t s l i g h t fro m t h e
s u n , s o t h er e a re t w o s o u r c es of ou r i n t e ri or li g h t C h r i s t a n d th e
C h u r ch C h r i s t , t h e L i gh t of t h e w orl d , s h a r es Hi s l i g h t w i t h t h e
.
C h u r ch a n d s h e en l i g h t en s a ll th e ea rt h
, In t h e wor d s of St . .
y u
Hol Spi ri t a s s i s ts th e Ch rch i n s ch a manner th at s h e cannot u
v
err i n th e p res er i n g a nd a nn o n c i ng of re ea l ed d oc tri ne u v .
i s n ot i n a n y w a y l i ke t h a t of G od w i t h G od for s h e a tt r i b u t es i t n ot ,
t o h er s elf b u t t o G od s s p ec i a l p ro vi d en ce o ver h er
.
2 u v
Th e Ch rch d el i ers h er i nfal li l e d eci s i ons th ro gh gen eral
. b u
c ou n ci l s a nd th ro gh th e Pop e u .
s t i t u t ed s o me s u ch t r i b u n a l i n Hi s k i n g d o m ; a n d t h i s t r ib u n a l i s
error ( M a t t xxv i i i 1 8
. . Hen ce th e exp res s i on of St C yp ri an : .
Th e C h ur ch i s i n t h e b i s h op s
Now s i n ce t h e b i s h op s c ann o t
.
a l w a y s a s s emb l e t o g eth e r o n a cc o u n t of t h ei r d u t i es t o w a r d s t h ei r
b
p a rt i c u l a r d i o ce s es , s o me o th er t r i u n a l mu s t exi s t w i th p o we r t o
2 38 Fa i th .
g i ve b
i n fa lli l e d e ci s i o n s Th i s t r i u n a l i s t h e Pop e s p eak in g
. b
ca: ca th edra Th e p ri es ts h a ve n ot thi s i nfa ll i b i li t y s ec ur ed t o the m,
.
b
qu es t i on of d o ct r i n e, eve ry on e i s oun d efore God t o s u mi t un d er b b
p a i n of exc ommun l ca t i on .
A gen era l u il i
co nc s th e ass e mb l y of th e b is h op s of th e worl d
p res i d ed o v by th P
er e op e.
Th e a p os tl es i n th e year 51 h el d t h e rs t C oun c il of J er us al em ,
a n d a n n oun ce d th ei r d ec i s i on s as c omi n g fr om G od O f th e rs t fo ur .
th ere h av e b
een t wen t y g en er a l c o u n c i l s a s s emb l ed Th e rs t of .
C o un c i l i n t h e V a t i ca n wh e re th e i nfa l l i b i l i t y of t h e P op e
w a s d en ed a s a n a rt i cl e of fa i t h Th e p res en ce of a ll t he b i s h op s
.
mu s t b e th ere ; n or i s a un a n i mo u s v o t e i n a n y w a y n eces s a ry t o
s ecu re a d en i t i o n ; a ma j or i t y of v o t es a p p ro a c h i n g mor e or l es s t o
u n a n i mi t y i s qu i t e s ufc i en t Th us i n t h e V a t i ca n C o u n c i l v e h u n
d red a n d t hi rt y t h ree b i s h op s v ot ed for t h e d en i t i o n of P a p a l i n
.
fa ll i b i li ty ; t w o v o t ed a g a i n s t a n d ft y t w o w er e a b s en t fro m t h e
,
-
h e ma y a ct th ro u g h h i s l eg a te s a s i n t h e rs t t h i r d a n d fo ur t h g en , ,
of th e d ecr ee s of t h e c oun c i l .
,
s u ch a s t h e c a rd i n a l s g en e r a l s of r el i g i ous O rd e r s
, a n d al l wh o h a v e ,
ep i s c o p a l a u t h or i t y a s i n t h e ca s e of ma n y p r el a tes a n d a b b o t s ;
,
s u ra g a n s h a ve a l s o a v ot e wh en t h ey a re s ummo n ed as h a p p e ne d i n ,
1 87 0 Th e g en eral co u n ci l onl y s et tl es qu es t i o n s a ft er ma t u re c on
.
s i d e r a t i o n rel yi n g g en e r a ll y on t h e t e a ch i n g of t h e C a t h o l i c C h u rch
,
i n th e ea rl y a g es B es i des g en er al c o un c i l s t h er e a re n a t i o n a l c o u n
.
ci l s , or a s s e mb l i es of t h e b i s h op s of a n a t i o n or k i n g d o m u n d er t h ei r
p r i ma t e a n d a l s o p ro vi n c i a l c o u n c il s or me et i n g s of th e b i s h o p s a n d
,
d i g n i t a r i es of a d i s t r i ct u n d er t h e a r ch b i s h op ; a n d n a ll y d i o ces a n
s yn o d s or a s s emb l i es of t h e cl erg y u n d e r th ei r b i s h o p Su ch a s se m .
bli es h a ve n o cl a i m t o i n fa ll i b i l i ty
,
A c a s e of t h e k i n d h a p p en ed i n 1 854. Th e P op e s en t ro u n d to
240 F a i th .
c o mp a n i ed b y s en t en ce of ex c o mmu n i c a t i o n a g a i n s t t h o s e wh o r efu s e
t o s u b mi t t o th em ; h en ce s u ch d eci s i o n s a re b i n d i n g for a l l C a th ol i cs .
3 u u
Th e Ch rch pron o n c es i nfal l i l e j d gments i n th e foll ow
. b u
i n g ca s es : On d oc tri n es of fai th a nd moral s a n d th ei r meani ng
an d i nt erp ret a ti on, on th e Hol y
Sc ri p t re a nd Tra di ti on a nd th ei r u
i nt erp ret ati on .
p ro mi s e t o Hi s a p os tl es t h a t t h e Hol y Gh os t s h o u l d t ea ch t h em al l
t r u th ( Jo h n xv i 1 3 ) i n ot h e r w ord s t h a t t h e Hol y Gh os t w o ul d te a ch
.
t h em a ll t ru th b e a ri n g on r el i g i o n ; a n d t h a t r el i g i o n i n cl u d ed mo ra l
i ty a s wel l a s b eli ef ma y b e g a th ere d fro m th e wor d s of C h r i s t j u s t b e
for e Hi s a s cen t i n t o h e a ven : G o i n g t h e refor e t ea ch y e a ll n a t i o n s
v
tea ch i n g th em t o ob s e r e a ll th i n g s wh a t s o eve r I h a v e com
ma n ded y ou
( M a tt xxv i i i 1 9 ,
. . a n d wi t h reg a rd t o t h i s l as t
o r d e r He p r omi s ed t h em t h e a s s i s t a n ce of t h e Hol y Gh o s t , a n d con
s equ en tl y, i n fa l l i b i l i t y Si n c e t h e C h u r ch d e ri ves h er d o ct ri n e fro m
.
t wo s ou rc es , Ho l y Sc ri p t ure a n d Tr a d i t i on , i t mu s t b e i n fa l l i b l e i n i ts
i n te rp ret a t i on of o t h b .
C h u r ch c a n s ee t ru th i t mu s t a l s o b e a b l e t o recog n i ze e rr or F ro m
b
.
d a y t h e P o p e h a s c o n t i n u a l l y c o n d emn ed b oo k s w h i ch h a ve a t t a ck ed
fa i th or mor a l s ; a n d th i s c o ul d n ot h a v e b een u n l es s G od h a d c o n fe rred
s u ch p ow er s An y mi s t a k e i n e i th er b e a ti fyi n g or c a n o n i z i n g s eems
b
.
well n i g h i mp o s s i l e even on n a tu r a l g ro u n d s on a c c o u n t of t h e s t r i ct
-
ex a mi n a t i o n i n s i s t ed on B y th e a ct of ca n oni z a t i o n th e ven er a t i o n
. .
The Ap os tles
Creed . 241
C h u r ch w ou l d a p p rove a n error Su ch a s u p p o s i t i on i s i mp o s s i b l e
. .
a s s i s t a n ce of t h e Ho l y Sp i r i t i n r emo vi n g i n s u p er a b l e d if cul t i es
whi ch b es et a p roc es s or on t h e oth e r h a n d i n b r eak i n g i t off en
, , ,
t i rel y F i n a ll y t h e C h u r ch i n i t s d ec i s i o n s wh et h er of b ea t i ca t i on
.
or c a n o n i z a t i o n i s d ea l i n g w i t h t h i n g s wh i ch h a ve th e cl o s es t c on
n ecti on w i t h d oc t r i n e of fa i t h o r mo r a ls .
Th es e w ere for es h a d o w e d i n t h e h i g h p ri es t , t h e p ri es ts , a n d th e
L evi tes of t h e Temp l e, a s w ell as i n O u r L or dr t h e a p o s t l es a n d d i s ,
c i p l es To t h e a p o s t l es O u r L ord s a i d :
. As th e F a t h er h a t h s en t
t o th e d i s c i p l es mer el y :
M e s o I s en d y ou
, ( Joh n xx .
Go ,
b eh ol d I s en d y ou ( L uk e x Th e a p o s tl e s w er e s en t t o a ll t h e
.
n a t i o ns of t h e ea rt h ( M a t t xxvi i i th e d i s c i p l es o nl y t o t h os e
. .
p l a c es w h e r e t h e L or d w a s H i ms e lf t o g o ( L u ke x Th e b i s h op s .
a re n ow th e s u cc es s ors of t h e a p o s t l e s ( C o u n c i l of Tr en t xxi i i , .
h en ce t h e b i s h o p s a re of h i g h er r a n k t h a n p r i es t s b ec a u s e t h ey b el o n g
t o a h i g h e r or d er of t h e cl e rg y a n d h a ve h i g h e r or d e r s ; b es i d e s t h a t
t h ey h a ve g rea te r p ow er s , b e i n g t h e o nl y r ea l p a s t o rs of th e oc k ,
a n d i n vi rt u e of t h ei r j u r i s d i c t i o n d ec i d i n g h ow fa r a n y on e el s e
s a y s St J er ome a n d a cc or d i n g
Th e b i s h o p a l on e c a n g i ve or d ers , .
,
t o St C yp r i a n h e i s t h e o n l y or d i n a ry mi n i s t e r of C o n rm a t i on
. .
Th e C o u n c il of Tren t a s s i g n a i t o b i s h op s ma n y o th er p ri v i l eg es
b eyo n d t h o s e enj o yed b y t h e o t h e r mi n i s t er s of t h e C h u r ch In .
a d d i t i o n t h ey h a ve a j u d i c i al v o te i n c o u n c i l s P ri es ts r a n k h i g h er .
t h a n d ea co n s h a vi n g h i g h er or d e rs a n d g r ea te r p o we rs ; t h ey ca n o ffe r
,
p r e a ch , and gi ve c o mmu n i o n .
We i n t h e Sc r i p t u r es Ti mo t h y a p p o i n ted w i th p o wer s t o
s ee
j u dg e p ri es ts ( 1 Ti m v t o o rd a i n t h em ( 1 Ti m v
. . a n d to . .
a p p o i n t t h em t o v a ri o us c i t i es ( Ti t i St Ig n a ti u s of An t i o ch . . .
ob eyed t h e F a th e r ; l et th em ob ey t h e p r i es ts a s th e a p o s tl es , a n d
h on or t h e d ea co n s as b ei n g t h e mes s en g e rs of God Si mi l a r exp res
.
s i on s o cc ur i n C l emen t o f R o me ( 1 00 a n d C l eme n t of Al ex
a n d ri a ( 21 7 Th e re w as h o w ev er, a cert a i n va g u en es s i n t h e ,
u s e o f t e rm s i n t h e t i me o f t h e a p os tl e s ; p r i es t s w er e c a l l e d el d ers
or o ver s e er s
Th e form e r t i tl e o w ed i t s ori g i n t o t h e J ewi s h c on
.
er a l p r i es ts ( 1 Ti m i v . . o f wh om
ri or or hi gh one wa s the s up e
p r 1 e s t
k
,
n own i n l a ter t i mes a s th e b i s h op He wa s often ca ll ed .
y
Th e ep i s c op a l a n d p ri es tl oi ce w a s i n s ti t ted b y C h ri s t u
Hi ms elf; th e di acon ate t h e a p os tl es by
Th e d ea c o n s we re a p p oi n t ed b y t h e ap o s tl es to d i s tri u t e a l ms , b
a n d wer e c o n s ec r a t ed t o thi s d u t y b y th e l a y i n g on of h a n d s , a ec o m
p a n i ed wi th p ra ye r ( Act s v i t h e y al s o h a d s p i ri t u a l fun c t i o n s
.
a s p r e a c h i n g ( a s i n th e c a s e of St St ep h e n ) a n d a p t i z i n g ( a s i n th e
. b
c a s e of St Ph i li p )
. In t h e ea rl y a g es t h ere were a l s o d ea c on es s es
.
wi d o ws wh o t en d ed t h e s i ck a n d t a u g h t y ou n g g i rl s Th ey w e re n o .
p a r t of t h e hi er a rch y, s i n ce i t wa s a x ed p ri n c ip l e i n t h e C h u rch
t h a t n o w oma n s h o ul d p re a ch ( 1 C or x i v b e ca u s e s h e i s s u b j ect
. .
t o ma n a n d wa s rs t l ed a s t r a y i n p a r a d i s e ( 1 Ti m i i 1 2 , . .
wi t h o u t t h es e g r a d es i t w o u l d b e a s o ci et y w i tho u t org a n i za t i on .
7 . NO TES OF THE TR UE CHUR CH .
Wh en ,
sa . t h
ys St C yp r i a n
e d ev i l s
, a w t h a t t h e w ors hi p of
i d ol s w a s a b o l i s h ed , a n d t h e h ea t h en t emp l es emp t i ed , h e b et h o u g h t
h i m of a n ew p o i s o n , a n d l ed men i n t o e rror u n d er c ov er of t h e C h ri s
t i a n r el i g i o n , t h e p o i s o n of fa l s e d o c t ri n e a n d p r i d e , t h ro u g h wh i ch
mor e th a n t wo h u n d r ed ch u r ch es h a v e s t a rt ed u p i n op p o s i t i on t o t he
t ru e C h u rch fo u n d ed y C h ri s t
b Now God h as ord a i n ed t h a t me n
.
s h o u l d c o me t o kn owl ed g e of t h e t ru t h ; i s , of t h e t ru e C h u rch a s . .
1 u u
Th e tr e Ch rch i s th a t on e wh i ch i s mos t pers ec ted b y
. u
th e w orl d a n d wh i ch h a s rec ei ed God s s eal i n th e form of
,
v
mi racl es .
th e wy i l l al s o p e rs ec u t e y ou ( Jo h n xv T h ey W i l l d el i v e.r y ou
up i n c o u n c i l s , a n d t h ey w ill s c o u rg e y ou i n t h ei r s yn a g o g u es
y o u s h a ll h e h a te d y ab
ll m e n f or M y n a me s s a ke
( M a tt x 1 7 . .
Y e a , t h e h o u r c omet h th a t wh o s o e ve r k i ll et h y ou , w i ll t h i n k t h a t
i B a re n ot of
h e d o t h a s e rv i ce t o God ( J oh n xv .ec a u s e y o u
wo d rl h a t e t h y o u
( Jo h n x v . N ev e r i n t h e h i s t or y o f t h e
h
t e di ff e r e n ce s b e t w e e n t h e s ec t s t h ey u n i t e a g a i n s t t h e C h u r ch T h e .
ap o s t l e s , e s p ec i a l l y S t P a u l
.
, w e r e o b j ec t s o f h a t e t o t h e J e w s ( Ac t s
2 44 F a i th .
w i t h i n t h e C h u rc h a r e d u e n ot t o t h e C h ur ch b u t t o t h e p erv ers i t y of ,
p a r ed s o me me mb er s o f th e C h ur c h t o w ee d s a n d w orthl es s s h C an .
a n y C h ur ch b e h o l y w hi ch a d op ts L u t h er s t e a ch i n g t h a t fa i th a l on e
or C a l v i n s
i s s u fc i en t for s a l v a t i o n , a n d g oo d w orks u nn eces s ar y
d oc t ri n e t h a t s o me men a re p red es t i n ed b y G od t o h ell re or a n y
h a ve b een s a i n ts a n d t h ei r s a n ct i t y c onrmed b y mi ra cl e
3 . u
Th e tr e C h rch i s n i ers al u u v or C a th oli c, i s , s h e is em
. .
ti mes .
a l l n a t i o n s , a n d t h i s i s c o n rmed b y t h e mi r a cl e of t o n g u es on t h e
r s t P en t ec os t Th e C a t h oli c C h u rch i s un i vers a l ; h er t e a ch i n g
.
a p p li es t o a ll p e o p l e, t h e p ol i s h ed G reek , t h e vi ct or i ou s R o ma n , t h e
ru d e b a rb a r i a n a s w el l a s t o th e ou t c a s t s l a ve At p res en t th e C a th ol i c.
4 . u u
Th e tr e Ch rch i s Ap os tol i c ; i e , s h e comes d ow n from . .
th e t i me of th e a p os tl es , h er t e a chi n g i s a l w a s w h a t i t w a s i n y
th e t i me of th e a p os tl es , a n d h er mi n i s ters a re l egi ti mate s u c
c es s ors of th e a p os tl es .
Th e C h ur ch i s b u i lt on t h e fo un d a t i on o f t h e a p os tl es of whi ch
Ch r i s t i s t h e c o rn er s t o n e ( Ep h i i -
Th a t i s t h e t r u e C h u r ch
. .
,
u n t o t h e p r e s en t d a y
Th e C a th oli c C h u rch i s Ap o s t ol i c ; i t h a s
.
C a th ol i c C h u rch .
It i s r em a rk a b l e t h a t men of t h e g r ea t es t l ea rn i n g a n d vi rt u e
h a ve ev en i n t h e fa ce of g rea t s a c rices , en t ered t h e C a th oli c
,
C h u r ch , w h i l e t h o s e wh o h a ve d es er ted i t h a ve g en er al l y s h own b y
T he Ap os tles
Creed . 2 45
th e i r li v es w h a t t h e y r e al l y w er e W e h a v
. e r e as o n t o r ej o i ce i n o u r
rel i g i o n t h a t i t o ffe rs u s s u ch s p ec i a l c o n s o l a t i o n i n t ro u b l e a n d a t
th e h ou r o f d ea t h T h u s M . e l a n c th o n w ro t e t o hi s C a t h o l i c m o t h e r :
Th e P ro t es t a n t f a i th i s t h e b e s t o n e t o l i v e i n , b u t t h e C a t h o li c i s
t h e b e s t t o d i e i n ,
a n d a g a i n : T h e n e w re li g i o n m a k e s t h e b e s t
s h ow, t h e C a th oli c g i ves mos t s ec u ri t y
.
u
1 Th e Cath oli c Ch rch al on e gi es s al ati on ; i e , th e Ca th o
. v v . .
u
li c Ch rch al one p os s es s es t h os e means whi ch l ea d t o s al ati on, v
v i z , th e d octri ne of Ch ri s t, th e mea ns of s al ati on a p p oi nt ed b y
. v
u
Chri s t, a n d th e teach ers a n d g i des of th e Ch rch es t a l i s h ed b y u b
Chri s t .
i n d i vi d u a l s i s l eft t o t h e God Wh o s e a r ch es h e a rt s ( P s v i i . .
Her d o ct r i n e i s n ot a d ecl a ra t i o n of i n t ol er a n ce t o t h e i n di vi d u a l b u t ,
i s t h e Ch u r ch fro m h a t i n g th o s e o u ts i d e h er p a l e t h a t i n h er p u b li c
p r a yers on Goo d F r i d a y s h e b eg s Go d s merc y for t h em Th e p er s e
.
ou t i o n s o f t h e M i d dl e Ag es formed n o p ar t of t h e w ork of th e
C h u r ch , wh i ch d es i red n ot th e d e a t h b u t th e c o n vers i o n of t h e s i n n er ;
,
es p ec i a ll y M a s s a n d p en a n c e Th e i r w a y i s a ro u n d a b o u t w a y , or
.
t h e w ro n g w a y Th e fu rt h e r on e g o es ou t of t h e r i g h t p a th , s a y s
.
St Au g u s t i n e,
. t h e furth e r h e i s fr om th e g o al of h i s j ou rn e y
.
2 Hen c e e ery
. v ma n i s b und
o to b c me a memb er
e o of th e
Ca th ol i c Ch rch u .
So me w i ll s a y t h a t a ma n o u g h t n ot t o ch a n g e h i s r el i g i o n ;
th ey mi g h t j us t as w ell a rg u e t h a t a ma n ma y keep a n i n h eri t a n ce
wh i ch hi s fa th e r ob t a i n ed u n j u s t ly O t h ers s a y : O n e fa i th i s a s
.
g oo d as a n ot h er a n d a l l l ea d eq u a l l y well t o h ea ven
, Th i s i s to p ro .
t ru e on e i e , t h e on e re v e a l ed b y God ; a n d r ea s on a l on e w ou l d t el l
.
b
.
,
us th a t t h e t ru t h i s w h a t w e s h oul d a i m a t It i s a s u r d t o s u p p o s e .
th a t God i s u n c o n cern ed wh et h e r ma n a d o re Hi m or s t i c k s a n d
s t o n es or w h eth er C h ri s t b e reg a rd ed a s Hi s Son or a s a b l a s p h emer
, .
s h o ul d G od h a ve c o n ve rt ed Sa ul , a n d s en t a n a n g el t o C orn eli u s
Th e a p o s tl es g a ve th e re as on : Th ere i s n o oth er n a me u n d er
h e a v en g i ven t o men wh ereb y we mu s t b e s a v ed ( Ac t s i v .
An d C h r i s t s a i d :
I a m t h e w a y , th e t ru th a n d th e l i fe No ma n
b
.
ma n y emi n en t p e op l e en t er th e Ch u r ch , d es p i t e t h e s a c r ices en
t a i l ed . Q u een C h ri s t i n a , th e onl y d a u g h te r of Gu s t a u s Adol p h u s of v
Swed en , t h e a rch en emy of t h e C a th ol i c s , s t u di ed t h e C a th ol i c
t e a ch i n g a n d w a s p er s u a ded of i t s t ru th ; a n d a s t h e l a w s of t h e l an d
forb a d e h er t o p r a c t i s e h er fa i th , s h e res i gn e d h er c rown a n d s p en t
t h e r es t of h er d a y s i n R ome So, t oo, i n th e eg i nn i n g of t h e cen
. b
t u ry C o u n t St o l b e rg res i g n ed h i s p os t on h i s c o n vers i on In En gl a n d .
t h o s e of R a t i s b onn e a n d L i eb erm a n n .
3 W h oe er th ro gh hi s
. v u own u
fa l t re mai ns o ut i d s e th e Ch u r ch
wi ll n ot b e s a ed v .
A ma n wh o k n owi n g C a th ol i c Ch u rch t o b e t h e t r ue on e
th e
b
, ,
l ea ves i t , s a y , t o ma ke a g o od ma r ri a g e or t o p u s h on hi s us i n es s , ,
o th er s d oe s n ot en t e r t h e C h u rch Th e s a me i s t rue of t h e ma n wh o
,
.
h a vi n g s ol i d d ou b t s a s t o wh eth e r h i s Ch ur ch i s t h e t r u e on e, ta k es n o
p a i n s t o n d ou t th e t ru t h Su ch a s t h es e l o ve t h e d a rkn es s b ett e r
.
h a s n ot C h r i s t for a He a d, a re th e word s of St Au g u s t i n e
c a n n ot
b
. ,
b e s a ved ; a n d h e w h o d o es n ot el on g t o t h e b o d y of Ch r i s t , i e t o . .
,
t h e Ch u r ch of C hr i s t h a s n ot C h r i s t for hi s He a d
,
He wh o b re a ks .
( C o u n ci l of
L a t er a n ,
v
If, h ow e er, a ma n , th ro gh n o faul t of h i s own , remai n s u
u
o ts i d e th e C h u rch , h e ma y b e s a ed i f h e l ea d a God fea ri n g v e
u
l ife ; for s ch a on e i s to a ll i n t en ts a n d p rp os es a mem er of u b
t h e C a th ol i c C h rc h u .
h ea r t rea lly el o n g s t o t h e C h u r ch a n d s u ch a on e i s s a v ed n ot b y h i s
b
, , ,
( Acts x
. Th e C a th o l i c C h u r ch s a y s St G r eg ory t h e Gr e a t , .
,
emb r a c e s a ll t h e j u s t fro m Ab el t o t h e l a s t of th e el ec t a t t h e en d of
t h e w orl d
All wh o l i ved u p t o t h ei r l i gh t s wer e Ch r i s t i a n s t h ou g h
b
.
,
t h ey mi g h t h a ve een l ook ed u p o n a s g o dl e s s a s , e g So cr a te s a mo n g
b
. .
, ,
Th e St a t e, t oo, i s i n i t s ow n a ffa i rs i n d ep en d en t of t h e C h u r ch .
Th e p owe r of t h e St a t e a s w ell a s t h a t of t h e C h u r ch i s ci rc um
s c r i b ed b y li mi t s w i thi n whi ch i t c a n work u nc on t roll ed ( L eo
Th er e a re ma n y p o i n t s h o wever w h er e t h es e l i mi t s t o u ch ;
h en ce a mu t u a l a g reemen t i s n e ces s a ry on b o t h s i d es If c on t ra ry .
or d e r s we re g i ven i n th e s a me ma t t er s t ri fe wo ul d a ri s e, a n d t h e
s u b j e ct w o u l d n ot kn o w w h er e hi s d u t y l a y ( L e o B et wee n
t h e t wo p o w e rs t h er e s h o u l d b e s o me s u ch u n i o n a s t h e r e i s
b et wee n t h e b
o d y a n d s o ul i n ma n ( L eo Ag reemen t s
b etwee n St a t e a n d C h u rch a re of fr equ en t o c cu rren ce i n hi s
t ory : t h e y a re c a ll ed C o n cor d a ts Th es e a re o ft en c o n s p i c u o u s p roofs
.
of t h e t en d e r l o ve of t h e C h ur c h i n p u s hi n g h er mi l d n e s s a n d t o l e r
a t i o n a s fa r a s i s c o n s i s t en t w i t h h er d u t y ( L eo
b
of th e St at e, for s h e t eac h es o ed i enc e t o a th ori t , p re ent s ma n u y v y
b
cri mes , i nci t es men t o n o l e endea or, a n d ni t es t ogeth er ari o s v u v u
nati ons .
p o w e r fro m God ( R om x i i i .a n d t h a t e v en w i ck ed r ul e r s a re t o
.
b l i n d a n d d e a f mu t e s , et c ow e t h ei r fou n d a t i o n t o t h e s e rv an t s of t h e
-
.
,
C h u r ch b i n d s t h e n a t i o n s t o g et h er i n th e b o n d s of b ro t h e rh oo d b o th ,
Hen ce i t i s t h a t a s fa r a s p o s s i b l e t h e p ri es t s of th e Ch u rch s h o ul d
keep a l oo f from a ll s t ri fe b et w een n a t i o n s .
In c on s e qu en c e of th i s a ll g oo d r ul ers a n d s t a t es men h a v e
s up p orted th e C h u rch t o th e b es t of th ei r po w er .
Su ch w a s th e p ol i c y of C on s ta n t i n e th e Gr ea t, of C h a rl e ma g n e,
of St .St ep h en K i n g of Hu n g a ry a n d St W en c es l a u s , K i n g of
, , .
s u p p or t s t h em ; th e p e o p l e s ee i n t h em n o l o n g e r t h e r ep r es en t a t i ves
W1 1 g
v
Th e Sta tes w h i ch h a e p er s ecu ted th e C h u rch h a e a l w a s v y
s oon er or l a t er e xp eri en c e d th e e i l res u l ts of s o d oi n g v .
O u r L ord s w ord s a re v er y a p t h ere :
Every ki n g d o m d i v i d e d
a g a i n s t i t s elf s h a ll b e b ro u gh t t o d es ol a t i o n ( Luk e x i 1 7 Re .
T he Ap os tles Creed
. 2 49
li g i on i s t o t h e St a te wh a t th e s o ul i s t o t h e b od y Th e n a t i o n a n d .
t h e ki ng d o m t h a t wi ll n ot s erve Th ee s h a l l p eri s h ( Is 1 x . .
Th er e i s n o kn o wl ed g e of God i n t h e l a n d C u r s i n g , a n d l yi n g , a n d.
k i ll i n g , a n d t h eft , a n d a d ul t ery h a ve ov erowed ( O s ee i v 1 , .
3Th e Ch
. u rch w a s , from th e earl i es t ti mes , t h e p atron of u
tr e
ed u ca t i on a n d cul t u re.
It i s to t h e i n t eres t of t h e Ch u r ch to p r omo t e c ul t u re Ig n or an ce .
d i s p l a yi n g t h e w i s d om of God ; th e more w e kn o w of t h i s b o ok t h e ,
ot h e r p eop l es ( Le o Ha d t h e Ch u r ch b een es t a b l i s h ed w i th
t h e vi ew of mi n i s te r i n g t o th e t emp o r a l w a n t s of m an , i t c o ul d n ot
h a v e c o nferred g r ea t e r b en et s th a n i t h a s d o n e, i s t h e j u d gmen t of
y
t i on of th e ou n g a n d fou n d ed th e r s t s ch ool s .
Th e s ch o ol s of th e mo n a s te ry , ca th e d r a l a n d p a ri s h i n th e t i me
of C h a rl emag n e o w ed th e i r ori g i n t o t h e C h u r ch M o s t of th e un i .
v e rs i t i es ow e t h ei r ex i s te n c e t o t h e P o p e Wh o l e O r d ers of R el i g i o u s ,
.
s u ch a s t h e B en ed i ct i n es , J es ui ts , C h ri s t i a n B ro t h ers a n d oth er s d e
v ot e th ems el ves t o t h e e d u c a t i o n of yo u th Th e s u cces s of th e Jes u i ts
.
n e i th e r of t h em C a t h o l i cs , ret a i n ed t h em t o i n s tru ct t h e y o u t h of
t h e i r ki n g d o ms .
It w as th e C h u r ch w h i ch res cu e d th e gre a t w o rk s of a n u
Th e monk s of th e M i d dl e Ag es
t r a ns c ri b ed t h e w ork s of t h e
h ea th en p hi l os o p h er s a n d hi s t or i a n s , t h u s p res erv i n g t h em t o p os
t eri ty Th e g rea t l i b r a r i es of t h e mon as t er i es , a s w el l a s t h e
.
mu s eu ms a n d l i b r a ri es of th e P op es , p r es erved ma n y t r ea s u res W e .
It w a s th e C h u rch wh i ch , from ea rl y ti m es , ra i s ed th e no bl es t
bu il d in gs .
Su ch a s t ru ct ur e for i n s t a n ce a s St P et e r s i n R o me w h i ch w a s
, , .
,
on e h un d r ed a n d t en yea r s i n b u i l d i n g , or t h e C a t h ed r a l a t C o l og n e ,
250 Fa i th .
i n t h e U n i ted St a te s a re C a th ol i c ch u rch es .
It w a s th e Ch u
w h i ch from th e
rch e arl i es t times ga v e th e
gre at es t -
en c o u ra emen t t o th e n e art s
g .
V i n ci R a p h a el M i ch a el An g el o C orreg gi o
C a n ov a et c , owed mu ch of t h e i r s u c ces s t o t h e s u p
.
n es t a rt i s t s a n d t h ei r w ork s .
Th e w ork of t h e B en ed i ct i n es a nd C i s te rci a n s l n th e wa y of
cl ea r i n g a n d d r a i n i n g l a n d a n d d e v el o p i n g a g r i cul t u r e w a s es p ec i a ll y
c o n s p i cu ou s i n th e Germa n fores t s Th e s ame work i s c a rri ed on i n
b
.
It i s t o p ri es ts an d mon ks th at we ow e s o me of th e greates t
v
d i s c o eri es .
a n d h a r mo n y ; t h e D o mi n i c a n Sp i n a t h e u s e of s p ect a cl es ; th e F r a n
c i s ca n B e rt h o l d Sch w a rz g un p o wd er th e J es ui t K i rch e r ex
h i b i t ed t h e r s t b u rn i n g gl a s s C op ern i c u s , a ca n o n of F r a u
b v
en e rg d i s c o ered h i s fa mou s s ys t em t h e J es u i t C a v a li ere
t h e c o mp o n en t s of wh i t e l i g h t t h e Sp a n i s h B en ed i ct i n e P on
v
t i u s i n en t ed a meth o d of t ea ch i n g d ea f mu t es th e J es u i t -
L a n a a w a y of tea ch i n g t h e li n d t o rea d b
a n d t h e J es ui t
Secch i ( 1 8 7 8 ) ma d e ma n y d i s coveri es wi th r eg a r d t o s un s p ots -
.
p l a ce t he c o mp o s i to r Th e en emi e s of th e C h u r ch a re a l wa ys cryi n g
.
1 0 . .
s a i n ts ec a u s e a l l a re s a n c t i ed b y B ap tis m ( 1 C or . vi. a nd
25 2 Fa i th .
l ea ds a g oo d l i fe, y et wh o i s cu t o fro m i t ; a n d a C a th o l i c ma y l o ok c
q
forwa rd t o a u i c ke r r el ea s e fr om p u rg a t ory t h a n o t h er s St F r a n c i s . .
X a v i er c on s t a n tl y ch eered h i ms elf w i t h th e t h o u g h t th a t th e C h u r ch
w a s p r a y i n g for h i m, a n d s u p p ort i n g h i m wi th h er g oo d w orks Mor e .
ov e r a l l t h e memb e rs of t h e C h u r c h c a n g i v e mu t u a l h el p
, Th e re i s .
ey e d oe s n ot a ct for i t s el f a l o n e ; i t g u i d es t h e h a n d s a n d fee t
b v
.
Th e p r a ye r of St St ep h en , s a ys St Au g u s t i n e,
.
p roc u red th e .
c o n v er s i on of St Pa u l Th e te a r s a n d p r a ye rs of St M o n i c a c on
. . .
v . a n d St P a u I b es eec h y ou
. h el p me i n yo u r p r a yer s for
me t o G od
( R om xv C h r i s t r ev e a l e d t o M a r i e L a t a s t e t h a t
. .
a s Es t h e r s a v ed h er p eop l e b y h er i n t e r c es s i o n wi t h As s u e ru s , s o t h e
p r a ye r s of a s i n gl e s o u l ma y s a ve a wh o l e n a t i o n fro m t h e a ven g i n g
h a n d of God P r a ye r i s a w or k of me r c y, a n d ri n g s d o wn a b l es s i n g
. b
on t h e on e wh o p r a ys a n d t h e on e wh o i s p ra yed for F a s ti n g a n d .
a l ms g i v i n g a re a l s o me a n s of h el p As a ma n s d eb t s m a y b e p a i d
.
( ff b y h i s n ei g h b or, s o t h e d eb t of s i n ma y i n s o me mea s u r e b e p a i d
of f b y t h e g oo d w or k s of o th ers ; a n d th u s i t w a s i n th e e a rl y C h u rch
t h a t p en a n c es we re o ften r emi tt ed or s h ort en ed a t t h e i n t er ces s i o n
of t h e ma r t y r s .
2 . We ca n als o
h el p th e h ol y ul so s ln p u rga t or y by p y ra ers
a n d oth er g oo d w o rk s ; t h e i n t y u rn c a n h el p us by th i p y e r ra ers ,
es p ec i a l l y w h en th e rea ch h ea y v en .
b
Th e J ews ev en el i eved t h a t h elp c o u l d b e g i ven to th e s o ul s
of t h e d ep a r t ed ; for w e r e a d ( 2 M a c h x i i ) h ow J u d a s M a ch a b eu s . .
s en t mo n ey t o t h e Temp l e for t h a t p u rp os e Th e p a s s i n g b el l a n d .
-
th e kn el l a re s i gn a l s t o p r a y for t h e d yi n g a n d t h e d e a d In t h e .
th e l i vi n g e s p e c i a l l y h ol y M a s s
,
a l ms d eed s a n d o th er w ork s , of ,
h el p i ng h er a n d s h e n ever a s ked th em i n v a i n
,
.
3 . Th e s a i n ts i n h ea v en c a n h el p us by th ei r p ra y ers b efore
Th e Ap os tles Creed 2 53
.
th e th ron e of God A
( p o c . vi i i . es p eci ally i f we call up on th em
for h elp .
Th e mus t kn o w mu ch of wh a t h a p p en s on ea rt h for t h e i r
s a in ts ,
h a p p i n es s c o n s i s t s i n th e c o mp l et e s a t i s fa c t i o n of a ll t h e i r d e s i r es .
Th e d evil kn o ws a ll ou r w e a kn es s es a s we kn o w fro m t h e w a y i n ,
t h a t t h e s a i n t s a re l es s fa v ored t h a n t h ey ? Th ey r ej o i c e w h en a
s i n n e r i s c o n v er te d ( L u k e xv 7
Wh a t c a n es c a p e t h o s e s a ys
.
,
wh o s ee Hi m Wh o s ees a ll t h i n g s ? An d
St Th o ma s Aqu i n a s
.
,
th e C h u r ch t e a ch es u s t h a t wh en we c a ll u p o n t h e s a i n ts for t h ei r
p r a y e r s t h,e y j o i n t h e i r p r a y e r s t o o u r s T h e i r i n t e r ce s s i o n. h a s
g r ea t e fca c y f o r t h e
,
c o n t i n u a l p r a y e r of a j u s t m a n e v en on t h e
e a r th a v a i l et h mu ch ( J a s v W h. a t p o
. w e r A b r a h a m h a d w h en
p l ea d i n g f o r S o d o m ! ( G en x v i i i )
I f
.
s a y s S t. J e ro m e ,
t h e .
,
s a i n t s h a d s u ch p o we r wh e n i n t h e es h wh a t c a n t h ey n ot o b ta i n ,
for u s n ow t h a t t h ey h a ve s ec u red t h ei r v i ct ory 2 St Jo h n C h rys .
os tom c o mp a r e s t h e i r i n t e r c es s i o n t o t h e p l ea d i n g of ol d s o l di e r s
wh o d i s p l a y t h ei r w o u n d s Th i s p ower h a s o ften b een d emo n s t ra t ed
.
b y mi r a cl es .
O u r d ea d l
re a t i v es a n d fri e n d s , w h o a re i n h ea v e n , a re a l w a y s
p l ea d i n
g for us at th e th ron e of God , a n d often sa v e us from
d a n ge r .
C h a r i ty n eve r d i es ( 1 C or x i i i a n d t h e t i es w h i c h b i n d
. .
p r i e s t O n i a s , p r a ye d i n l i mb o for t h e J ewi s h n a t i o n ( 2 M a ch xv . .
a n d C h r i s t p ro mi s ed Hi s a p o s tl es t h a t He w o u l d p r a y for t h e m
( Jo h n x i v 1 6 ; 1 Joh n i i
. St Au g u s t i n e, a ft e r t h e d ea t h of hi s
. .
mo t h er St M o n i c a a n d St W en ces l a u s a ft e r t h e d ea th of h i s g r a n d
.
, .
mo t h e r St L u d mi l l a r a p i dl y a d v a n ce d t o g re a t e r h ei gh t s of s a n c
.
t i ty . So t oo t h e s a i n t s h el p t h e s o ul s i n p u rg a t ory O ur L a dy .
a l o n e r e s c u es d a i l y s o me s o u l s fro m p u rg a t ory b y h er p ra ye rs
.
O n t h e a n n i ve rs a ry of th e As s u mp t i o n of O u r L a d y th o u s a n d s of
s o u l s a re d el i ve r e d fro m t h e i r p r i s o n ( St P et e r D a mi a n ; St Al p h on . .
s us ) .O n Sa t u r d a ys , th e d a y s p ec i a ll y d ed i c a t ed t o O u r L a d y, s h e
res c u es ma n y p oor s o u l s fro m p u rg a t ory ( Joh n XX II , Sa b b a t i n e .
B u l l ) Nor a re t h e h o l y a n g el s i n d i ffer en t t o t h ei r fu t u re c o mp a n i o n s ;
.
on e of t h e C h u r ch s p r a yer s s p ea k s o f St M i ch a el l e a d i n g s o u l s i n t o
.
h ea v en O u r a n g el g u a rd i a n , a n d t h e a n g el s w h o m w e h a v e s p eci a ll y
.
h o n or e d on e a rt h , w i ll t a k e u p ou r ca u s e i n p u rg a t ory .
( See th e ch a p te r on Si n , p a g e
2 54 Fa i th .
1 . D EATH .
, on e d ea th
p er secon d .
1 At d eath th e s o l i s
. u p a t ed f m th b dy and
se ra ro e o , ent ers the
worl d of s pi ri ts ; th e od b y d cay d f l l i t du t
e s, an a s n o s .
St P a ul s p ea k s of d ea t h a s a d i s s ol u t i o n ( 2 Ti m i v
. a n d St . . .
P et e r c a lls t h e b o d y a t a b e rn a cl e of t h e s o u l ( 2 P et i Th e . .
b o d y i s , a s i t w er e a s h ell t h ro u g h wh i ch t h e s o u l b re a ks t o en t er i n
,
b
.
p re s s i o n of St Au g u s t i n e . Th e o d y d ep r i v ed of t h e s o u l i s n o
. , ,
l o n g e r a l i ve, b ec a u s e i t h a s n o l o n g e r t h e p ri n ci p l e of li fe At d ea th .
t h e s p i r i t r et u rn s t o th e God W h o g a v e i t ( Eccl es x i i 7
D ea t h . . ,
s a ys St Jo h n C h r ys o s t om,
.
i s a j o u rn ey i n t o et ern i t y
Hen ce i t i s .
w ro n g t o b el i e ve w i th t h e a n c i en t Egyp t i a n s th a t t h e s o u l i s j o i n ed
t o o t h e r fo rms wh e th er h uma n or a ni ma l ; a n d t h o s e t o o a re mi s t a ken
,
wh o t h i n k t h a t t h e s o u l en t er s i n t o a s ort of s l eep t i ll t h e d a y of
b
j u dgmen t Afte r d ea t h t h e o d y r et u rn s t o th e d u s t fro m wh ic h i t
.
c a me ( G en i i i . excep t i o n w a s ma d e, h o wever, i n t h e c a s e of t h e
.
b o d i es of C h r i s t a n d of Hi s b l es s ed M o th e r ; a n d t h e b od i es of s o me of
t h e s a i n t s h a ve b een p res e r ved fr ee fro m c orru p t i o n t o th e p r es en t d a y .
s ymb o l i c a l l y a s a s kel et on ca rr yi n g a s c yt h e , w i t h w h i ch h e cu ts
s h or t ou r l i v es as t h e r e a p e r mo ws t h e g ra s s of t h e el d ( P s c i i 1 5 ) . .
2 All men
. mus t di e, b caus e
e d eath i s th e c ons equen c e of
ori gi n al s i n .
O u r r s t p a ren t s l o s t by th i mmort a l i ty a n d a s
ei r s i n th e g i ft of .
a c o n s equ en ce w e a ll h a v e t o d i e B y on e ma n s i n en tered i n t o t h e
b
.
w orl d a n d y s i n d ea t h ; a n d s o d ea th p a s s ed u p o n a l l men i n wh om ,
( R om v D ea t h i s t h e p u n i s h men t of ma n s
a l l h a v e s i n n ed . .
a mb i t i o n t o b e a s G od Hen o ch ( Gen v 24 ) a n d El i a s ( 4 Ki n g s i i
. . . .
e v en t h o s e wh o s u rv i v e t i ll th e D a y of Ju d g men t s h a l l d i e C hr i s t .
a l o n e w a s n o t u n d e r t h e l a w of d ea t h b e c a u s e He w a s free fro m a ll
s i n ; Hi s d ea th for u s w a s a p u rel y v o l u n t a r y a c t
L i fe, s a ys St . .
Joh n C h ry s o s t om
i s a p l a y i n wh i ch for a s h or t t i me on e m a n
,
fu rt h er a c c o u n t i s ma d e o f t h e d i g n i t y wh i ch ea ch on e h a d
We .
a re a l l l i k e s o ma n y ch es s men w h o a t t h e b eg i n n i n g of t h e g a me
-
h a v e ou r x ed p l a ces on t h e b o a rd b u t a t t h e en d a re a l l t u mb l ed ,
i n t o a b ox Th e ri ch ma n c a n n ot t a k e h i s r i ch es a l o n g w i th h i m
.
( J o b xx v i i .A f t e r d e a t h m a n y wh o h a v e b e e n t h e r s t o n e a rt h
s h a ll b e l a s t , a n d t h e al s t r s t ( M a tt x i x O u r d a y s u
. p o n e a rt.
h
25 6 Fa i th .
th en p u t i n to ord er ou r s p i r i t u a l or t emp or a l af ai
f r s ; h en ce we p ra y i n
t h e L i t a n i es : F ro m a s u dd en a n d u np
ro vi d e d d e a th d el i ver u s 0 ,
L ord
. Th e C h ur ch o ften r ec a lls t h e th o ug h t of d ea th on Al l Sou l s , ,
As h Wed n es d a y b y th e p a s s i n g b ell e tc
, Th e t h o u g h t of d ea th i s
-
, .
s e r i ou s l y of d e a th w ill t ak e a s l i t t l e p l ea s u r e i n t h e t h i n g s of t h e
w orl d a s th e c o n d emn ed c ri mi n a l i n a g oo d me a l ; h e i s an o th er
D a m o cl es w i t h t h e s wor d h a n g i ng o v er h i m y a h a i r
, Ev er y d a y s
b .
h ear n or ou r t on g u es s p ea k ; a n d we s h o u l d p r ep a re for th a t s t a t e
,
b y ou r v ol u n t a r y r es t r ai n t n ow We s h o u l d c ru s h t h e cu ri o s i t y of
.
of g oo d fo ll o w i n g t h e c o u n s el of St B a s il :
, L et u s d i e t h a t we ma y
.
l i ve .
Th e g oo d work s wh i ch t h e C h u rch i mp os es on u s s u ch a s ,
p r a ye r fa s t i n g a n d a l ms d eed s a re n o t h i n g b u t a l oo s en i n g of t h e
, , ,
h e a rt fro m ea rt hl y t i es O nl y th o s e wh o h a ve t h i s d et a ch men t s h a ll
.
s ee G o d a ft e r d ea t h : B l e s s ed a re t h e cl ea n of h ea rt for th ey s h a l l
( M a tt v
s ee G od . .
As s o on o u l l ea ves th e od y s a ys St Au g u s t i n e
as th e s b
it i s ,
.
,
j u d g ed
We l ea rn fro m t h e p a r a b l e of D i ves a n d L a z a ru s th a t b o th
.
w er e j u d g e d i mmed i a t el y a ft e r d ea t h St P a u l t ell s u s : It i s a p . .
p o i n t e d u n t o m a n on ce t o d i e a n d a ft e r t hi s t h e j u d gmen t ( Heb
.
,
ix 27
. In t h e h o ur of d ea t h God w i ll s a y t o u s : Gi ve a n a c c o un t
of t h y s t ew a r d s h i p ( L u k e xv i After j u dg men t c o mes t h e
.
s en t en c e If God h a s or d a i n ed t h a t th e workm a n s h ou l d n ot b e
.
h i m wh o h a s l a b ored fa i th fu ll y D e a t h i s t h e r ew a rd of mer i t t h e
.
,
( St Amb ro s e )
crown of t h e h a rv es t . .
C h r i s t wi ll b e ou r J u dg e : F o r n e i t h e r d o t h t h e F a th e r j u d g e
a n y ma n , b u t h a t h g i ven al l j u d g men t t o t h e Son ( J oh n v He .
p ro mi s ed Hi s a p o s t l es a t t h e L a s t Su p p er t o r et u rn a fte r Hi s a s een
s i o n a n d t ak e t h em t o Hi ms elf ( Jo h n x i v Ev i d en tl y t h i s me a n t .
a t t h e i r d e a t h ; of St Joh n t oo He s a i d : . So I w i ll h a ve h i m r ema i n
t i ll I c o me ( Joh n xx i Th e a p o s tles rej o i c ed a t t h e t h o u g h t of
.
s ee i n g C h r i s t a g a i n ( 1 Jo h n i i i s o l o n g a s t h ey wer e i n t h e es h
v
.
t h ey w e r e i n s o me s en s e far fro m C h r i s t ( 2 C or We a re n ot . .
t o i ma g i n e t h a t th e s o u l i s l ed b efor e C h r i s t i n h ea ven He en .
.
l i g h t en s th e d ep a rt ed s o u l i n s u ch a ma n n er th a t i t i s u i t e c o n v i n ced q
th a t i t s Sa v i o u r h a s p a s s ed a t ru e j u d g men t u p o n i t As l i gh t n i n g .
c o me th ou t of t h e e a s t a n d a p p e a ret h ev en i n t o th e we s t s o s h a ll ,
The Ap os tles Creed
. 25 7
al s o th e c o mi n g of th e Son of ma n b e ( M a t t xx i v
. . 27 th a t i s , a s
B l es s ed C lemen t Ho fb a u er p u t s i t , a t ou r d e a t h , wh en C h r i s t c o me s
t o u s our w h o l e l i fe wi ll b e r evea l ed t o us w i th th e
,
ra p i d i t y a n d
cl ea rn e s s of l i g h t n i n g A ma n s w orks s h a l l b e r evea l ed a t h i s
.
d ea th ( Ec cl u s x i . Al l t h o s e wh o h a ve b een n ea r t o d ea th s a y
.
t h a t i n t h a t mo men t a l l s or t s of t hi n g s l o n g forg o t t en a n d o c cu rr i n g
i n ch i l d h oo d a re p res en t ed t o t h e mi n d At d ea t h, t oo, ou r mos t .
s ec r et d e eds a re b r ou g h t t o l i g h t : F or t h ere i s n ot a n yt h i n g s e c ret
th a t s h a l l n ot b e ma d e ma ni fes t, n or h i d d en th a t s h a l l n ot b e
kn o wn a n d come a b ro a d
( L uk e vi i i 1 7 We mu s t g i v e a n a c c ou n t
.
B a s i l c o mp a res t h e s o u l t o a n a rt i s t wh o h a s p ro d u ced a n u mb e r of
p i c t u r es ; a t th e h o u r of d ea t h t h e v eil i s remov ed fro m t h es e, a n d
t h ey c o ve r hi m w i th gl o ry, or i f t h ey p ro ve t o b e w ret ch ed work c on ,
i n t h e a i r s o wh en t h e Su n of j u s t i ce s hi n es i n t o ou r s ou l s we s h a ll s ee
,
O n t h e D a y of J u dg men t , s a ys
t h er e e ven ou r s l i g h t es t fa u l t s .
v ii 2
.
2 After th e p arti c ul ar
. j ud gment th e s oul s of men go i nto h el l ,
or v
h ea en, or p rgat ory u .
We s ee fro m t h e p a r a b l e of D i ves a n d L a z a r u s t h a t th e s en t en c e
of th e j u d g e i s c arr i ed ou t a t on ce ( L u ke Th e C h u r ch h a s d e
n ed t h a t t h o s e w h o h a ve n ot s i nn ed a ft e r B a p t i s m, a n d t h o s e
wh o h a vi n g s i n n ed a ft e r B a p t i s m, h a ve exp i a t ed t h o s e s i n s on
ea r th or i n p u rg a t or y, a re rece i ved a t o n ce i n t o h ea ven ; wh i l e
t h os e wh o di e i n mort a l s i n d es c en d a t o n c e t o h el l ( C o u n c i l
of L yo n s , i i , . St Greg ory t h e G rea t a n d St J u s t i n t a u g h t
. .
t h e s a me i n th e i r t i me Th o s e a re i n e rror wh o b el i eve, a s i n t h e
.
Gr eek s ch i s ma t i c C h u r ch , t h a t th e s o u l s of t h e j u s t h a ve me rel y
a foret a s te of t h ei r b l es s ed n es s a ft er d ea t h , a n d h a v e c o mp l et e h a p
p i n es s o n l y wh en t h ey a re j o i n ed t o t h ei r b o d i es , a n d t h a t t h e w i cked
exp er i en c e fu ll d a mn a t i o n o n l y a ft e r t h e r es u rr ec t i o n Th ey a re .
3 . HEAVEN .
C h ri s t g a ve Hi s a p os tl es on M o u n t Th a or s ome foret a s t e of th e b
j oy s of h ea ven ( M a tt Th e h e a vens o p en e d a t t h e a p t i s m
. b
of C h r i s t ( M a t t i i i St St ep h en s a w t h e h ea v en s o p en ( Acts
v
. . .
vi i . St P a ul w a s r a p t i n t o th e t h i r d h ea en ( 2 C or x i i
. . .
2 58 Fa i th .
Hea v en is b o th
p l a ce a n d a s t a te
a M a n y d i i n es teach tha t i t i s v
s omewh er e b ey on d th e s ta rs ; t h o u g h t h i s v i ew i s n ot of fai th , y et
c o n s i s ts i n t h e v i s i o n of th e G o dh ea d ( M a t t xv i i i a n d i n th e . .
p ea c e a n d j o y o f t h e o l y Sp i H
ri t ( Rom x iv 1 7 s o t h e a n g el s a n d
. .
s a i n t s d o n o t l ea v e h ea v en wh en t h ey c o me t o ou r a s s i s t a n ce C h ris t .
i s t h e Ki n g of h ea ven e c a l l ed . H
i ms el f K i n g b efore P i l a te, H
th ou g h H
e ma i n t a i n ed th a t H
i s k i n g d o m wa s n ot of thi s worl d ( Jo hn
xv i i i . He wa s a ckn owl edg ed a s Ki n g b y t h e p en i ten t th i ef :
L or d , rememb e r me wh en Th ou c o mes t i n to Th y k i n g d o m ( L uk e
xx i i i . i n h e a v en th e a n g el s w ors h i p C h ri s t ( eb i ea ven H . . H
i s ou r t ru e h ome ; on t h i s ea rt h we a re b u t s t r a n g ers ( 2 C or v . .
y v
Th e j o s of h e a en a re n s p eakab l great : th e l es s ed a re u y b
v
fre e from e en th e sl igh tes t p a i n ; th e en j o th e i s i on of God y y v
a n d th e fri en ds h i p of a l l th e i nh a i tan t s of h ea en b v .
O f t h e j o ys of h ea ven St P a ul w r i t es : Ey e h a th n ot s een n or
.
,
e a r h ea r d , n ei t h er h a t h i t en t ered i n t o t he h eart of ma n , wh a t t h i ng s
God h a t h p rep a red for t h em t h a t l o ve Hi m
/
( 1 C or i i Th i s . .
h a p p i n es s ma y b e felt , b u t n ot d es c ri ed , s a ys St Au g u s t i n e An d
b
b
. .
D a vi d a d d res s e s God : Th ey s h a ll b e i n e r i a t ed wi t h t h e p l en t y of
Th y h ou s e, a n d Th o u s h a l t ma ke t h em d r i n k of t h e t orren t of Th y
p l ea s u r e ( P s xxx . v .
Th e p res en t l i fe s a ys St Greg ory th e , .
G rea t ,
i n c o mp ar i s o n of everl a s t i n g b l i s s , i s mor e l ike d ea th t h a n
l i fe
We s h a ll en j oy th ere t h e s a me d el i g h t s a s God Hi ms elf ( M a tt
v
. .
i 4 ) a n d l i ke t o God ( 1 Jo h n i i i
. We s h a ll b e t ra n s formed i n
.
( Joh n x i v . t h e k i n g d o m of h e a ven i s l i ke t o a b a n u et ( M a tt q .
v i i i 1 1 ; L uke x i v
. i n whi ch O u r L ord Hi ms elf w a i t s u p o n t h e
.
g u es t s ( L u ke x i i In h ea v en t h er e i s n o b o di l y, o n l y a s p i ri tu a l
.
h ea rd t h e s o n g s of t h e a ng el s ( P s lx xx i i i Th e s a i n t s a re ro b ed
b v
. .
i n wh i t e ( Ap o c v i i . t h ey a re c r own ed
. y th ei r Lord ( Wi s d . .
( M a t t xx i i . . Th e l es s ed a re fr ee from al l s n eri n g It i s .
ea s i e r, s a ys St Au g u s t i n e,
. t o n a me t h e ev i l s from wh i ch t h e
b l es s ed a re free th a n t o c o u n t U p t h ei r j o ys Th ey s h a ll n ei th e r .
h u n g e r n or t h i rs t ( Ap oc v i i d ea th s h a l l b e n o more, n or mo u rn
. .
xx i i . Th e b l es s ed s ee a l w a ys th e fa ce of God ( M a t t x vi i i . .
t h ey s ee God a s He i s ( 1 Jo h n i i i a n d fa c e t o fa ce ( 1
. C or x i i i . .
n or d o th ey s ee G od a s i t w e r e i n a n i ma g e b u t He i s a s p res en t ,
t o th e u n d er s t a n d i n g a s a v i s ib l e o b j ect t o t h e ey e wh i ch s ee s i t .
Th e b l es s ed en j o y t h i s v i s i o n n ot b y a n y p ower of th ei r own , b u t b y
a s p ec i a l d i v i n e Op e r a t i o n , c a l l ed t h e l i g h t of g l or y, a n d i n c ou s e
q u e n ce of t h i s t h e y b ec o m e l i k e t o Go d ( 1 Jo h n i ii T h i s vi s i o n .
of God i s th e s o u r ce of u n t o l d h a p p i n e s s The b l es s ed s a ys St
v b
. .
,
B o n a v en t u r e , rej o i ce more o er Go d s l es s ed n es s th a n o ve r th ei r
2 60 Fa i th.
t h ere i s n o en vy Th ey a re a ll ch i l d ren of on e F a th er a n d h a v e re
.
c ei v ed t h e i r p or t i o n fro m Hi m ( M a t t xx ) To u s e t h e h o mel y i ll u s
. .
fa t h e r a p i ece of cl ot h t o ma k e a g a rm en t ; t h e s ma ll er c hil d wi ll n ot
en v y h i s b ro t h e r t h e b i g g e r g a r men t, b u t wi l l b e qu i t e s a t i s ed wi th
t h e on e t h a t ts h i m So i t i s i n h ea ven , a n d more t h a n t h i s , ea c h
.
on e r ej o i c es o v e r th e h a p p i n es s of t h e o th e r a s t h o u g h i t w ere i n
so me mea s ure h i s own .
wh o a ft e r B a p t i s m h a ve n ot sii nn ed , or wh o, i f t h ey h a ve s i n n ed , h a ve
d o n e p erfect p en a n ce on ea rt h or i n p u rg a t o ry, ca n en ter h ea ven .
ou d en t e r h e a v en b efo re t h e d e a t h of C h r i s t ; t h ey h a d t o r ema i n i n
pmi
1 0.
d en i al .
St P a u l w ri t es :
. B y ma n y t ri b u l a t i o n s mu s t we en t er th e k i n g
d om of G od ( Ac t s x i v a n d C h r i s t s w or d s a re :
.
He t h a t l o veth
h i s l ife s h a ll l o s e i t a n d h e th a t h a t eth h i s l i fe i n t h i s w orl d k eep eth
,
i t un t o l i fe et er n a l ( Jo h n x i i i e , h e wh o g o e s a ft e r a l l t h e
. . .
v
. .
k i n g d om of h e a ven i s li ke a t re a s u re or a c o s tl y p ea rl ; wh oe er wi ll
v
p o s s e s s i t mu s t g i e h i s a l l for i t ( M a tt x i i i 44 i e , h e mu s t . . . .
g i ve u p a ll i n or d i n a t e a t t a ch men t t o t h e t h i n g s of t h i s w orl d
Th e .
g a t e a n d s t r a i g h t i s t h e w a y t h a t l ea d et h t o l i fe ( M a tt v i i He . .
wi n s t h e p r i z e i n t h e r a c e wh o ru n s s wi ftl y a n d s t e a d il y, a n d r efr a i n s
fro m a ll t h i n g s ( 1 C or i x He wh o wo ul d b e a mo n g t h e b l es s ed
. .
mu s t b e a ma rt yr a t l e a s t i n i n te n t i on Th e g rea t er effort s we ma k e .
t o s e cu re s a l v a t i o n , t h e g r e a t e r wi ll b e o u r j o y .
tine . Th e j u s t h a v e t h e t ru e p ea c e ( Jo h n x i v t h ey h a v e t h e .
p ea c e of G od wh i ch s u r p a s s es a ll u n d e r s t a n d i n g ( P h i l i v h en ce . .
t h ey a re j o yfu l even wh en fa s t i n g ( M a t t v i 1 7 a n d i n t h e mi d s t
v
. .
of s u f
. fe r i n g s ( M a tt .Th e j u s t p o s s es s th e Hol y Gh o s t h en c e
. ,
t h e y a re even wh il e s t i ll on ea rth u n i t ed w i t h Go d ( 1 Jo h n i v
,
.
t h em t h e k i n g d o m o f G o d ( L u k e x v i i
. Th i n k of t h e r ewa r d
.
s a ys St Au g u s t i n e
a n d t h o u w i l t s uffe r w i t h j o y, Th e s u eri n g s
. .
of t h i s w orl d a re n ot t o b e c o mp a re d w i t h t h e g l ory w h i ch s h a l l b e
ma n i fes t ed u n t o u s ( R om vi i i
If w e t h i n k o f th e j o ys of
. .
t h e Gr e a t )
He wh o s ta n d s on a h i ll t op , s a ys St Joh n C h ry s os
.
-
.
t om, e i th e r d o es n ot s ee o b j ec ts i n t h e v a ll ey, or t h ey a p p e a r t o hi m
very s ma ll
.
Th e Ap os tles Creed . 2 61
Th e un h a p p y r i ch ma n of t h e Go s p el p r a yed A r a h a m t o s en d b
on e fro m t h e d e a d t o h i s b ro t h e r s t h a t t h e y mi g h t n ot c ome t o th i s
p l a c e of t or m e n t s ( L u k e xv i I n H i s d i s c
. o u r s e o n t h e g e n e r a l
j g
u d m e n t C h r i s t s p e a k s o f h e ll a s e v e rl a s t i n g p u n i s h m en t
( M a t t .
xxv . Hell i s b o th a p l a ce a n d a s t a te As a p l a ce i t i s s i t u a t ed .
i n t o h ell ; a n d w e c a l l h el l a n a b ys s In t h e exor c i s ms w e n d th e .
ex p r es s i o n :
G od h a s c a s t y ou fro m th e h ei g h t s of h ea ven i n t o t h e
b o w el s of t h e e a r t h
Hell i s s h a rp l y d en ed from h ea ven ; b et ween
.
th em y a w n s a c h a s m ( L u k e x v i Th e l o s t a re s ep a r a t ed fro m
.
t h e s a i n t s ( M a tt xx i v . W i th g oo d r ea s o n St Joh n C h rys os t o m
. .
exh or t s u s n ot t o i n qu i r e s o mu ch w h e r e h ell i s a s h ow t o a v o i d i t .
Hell i s a s ta t e a n d moreo ve r t h e c o n t i n u a t i on of t h a t s a me s t a te
,
i n w h i ch t h e s i nn er i s fo u n d a t d e a t h Th u s s a ys St Jo hn .
, .
hi ms elf
Si n c e h ell i s a l s o a s t a t e, i t i s qu i t e cl ea r t h a t t h e ev i l
.
s p i r i t s ma y b e n ea r t o u s ( 1 P et v a n d ev en d wel l i n s i n n er s
. .
un a b l e t o s a t i s fy e i t h e r b ec a u s e t h e w a t e r w h i c h h e t r i ed t o d ri nk
,
eve r t o p u s h a g r ea t ro ck t o t h e t op of a hi l l o nl y t o s ee i t ro ll d o wn
a g a i n, fur n i s h o t h er ex a mp l es of t h i s b el i ef .
u u
d re grea t a n g i s h of mi n d , a n d a fter th e res rrecti on w ill h a e u v
u
to s ffer in th eir odi es b .
St P a ul s a ys :
. It i s a fea rful t h i n g t o fa ll i n to t h e h a n d s of
t h e l i v i n g Go d ( Heb x~
St Jo h n of t h e C ros s t ea ch es u s t h a t
. . .
a s a h u n d r ed fo l d i s p ro mi s ed for ev ery s a c r i c e t h a t i s ma d e so ,
t o d es c r i b e h el l :
Nei th er ey e h a th s een n o r e a r h ea r d n or h a th i t ,
en t er ed t h e h e a r t of ma n t o con c e i v e w h a t G od h a s
p r ep a r ed fo r t h em
th a t l o ve Hi m n o t
( 1 C or i i C h r i s t c a l l s h el l a n u n qu en ch a b l e
. .
( M a rk i x
re b ec a u s e t h e s en s a t i o n of b urn i n g i s t h e g r e a t es t
.
p a i n wh i ch ma n c a n c o n ce i v e on ea r th In o t h er p l a ces He s p e a k s of .
i n g a n d g n a s h i n g of te et ( M a t t vi i i wh er e t h e w orm n ev er
. .
d i es ( M a rk i x a n d c o n s c i en ce n ev e r c e a s es t o r e ro a ch t h e
.
p
d a mn ed C h ri s t a l s o s p ea ks of t h e l o s t a s
.
b o u n d h a n d a n d foo t
,
t o s h o w t h a t t h ey h a ve n o fr ee d o m a n d a re i n a
p l a c e of b a n i s hm en t .
F ro m t h e w ord s u s ed b y C h r i s t t o th e d a mn ed : D ep a rt fro m M e,
i n t o everl a s t i n g re ( M a t t xxv w e l e a rn t h a t t h ey h a ve a
v
. .
d ou b l e p a i n ; t h ey a re b a n i s h ed fro m th e i s i on of God ( p a i n of l o s s ) ,
2 62 F a i th .
i s t h e g r ea t es t of t h e s u ffe r i n g s of h el l Th e g re a t e r t h e v a l u e of
.
wh a t i s l o s t , t h e g r ea t er i s t h e p a i n of th e l o s s Th e d a mn ed h a ve.
l os t wh a t i s of i n n i t e w ort h , h en c e t h e i r p a i n i s i n n i t e, s a ys St .
of t h e b e a u t y of c r e at i o n b y b l i n d n e s s ; y et h ow mu ch g r e a t er i s h i s
s uffe r i n g wh o i s d ep ri v ed of t h e s i g h t of t h e in n i t e b e a u t y of God
i s th e en d of eve ry r a t i on a l ei n g Th i s i s ev i d en t from t h e wa y
.
i n wh i ch ma n i n t h i s l i fe s t ri v es a ft e r th e g r e a t es t h a p p in es s Th i s .
l o n g i n g i n cr ea s e s a ft er d e a t h , for t h en t h e t h i n g s of e a rt h n o l o n g er
d i s t r a c t th e mi n d , n or c a n t h ey g i ve a n y mor e s a t i s fa cti o n Wh a t a n .
a w fu l fa t e i f t h i s l o n g i n g c a n n ev e r t h ro u g h o u t et e rn i t y b e s a t i s ed !
In t h e w or d s of St Au g u s t i n e :
. It i s r i g h t t h a t h e wh o r ej ect s G od
s h o u l d b e r ej ec te d of G od
The s orrow of Es a u i n t h e l os s of h i s
.
fa t h er s b l es s i n g i s b u t a t yp e of t h e s orrow of t h e d a mn ed for t h e
l o s s of t h e v i s i on of G o d Th e s a i n t s h a ve t remb l ed a t t h e mere
.
th o u g h t of t h i s l o s s Th e d a mn ed h a ve n o c ommu n i c a t i o n w i th t h e
.
b l es s e d .Th ey ma y s ee t h em a s th e r i ch ma n s a w L az a ru s :
Th ey
s e e t h em n ot t o t h e i r j oy , b u t t o t h ei r s orro w,
s a y s St V i n cen t .
t a b l e w h i ch h e ma y n ot t o u ch B es i d es t h i s t h e d a mn ed h a ve mu ch
.
i n t h e c a s e of t h e p o s s es s e d p e rs o n s i n th e Go s p el , h ow cr u el t h e
v Wh a t a n a wful exp er i en c e i t
,
d e i l i s wh en h e h a s a l i t tl e p ow er .
o ve r re w i ll t ort u r e th e l o s t s o u ls Th ey s h a l l b e s u n k i n re l i k e
.
s h i n th e s ea , s a y s St Alp h o n s u s
. An d we l ea rn fro m t h e t ea chi n g
.
of C h r i s t ( L u ke xv i 24 ) a n d t h e h o l y F a th er s t h a t t h i s re i s a r e a l
.
re Ev en on ea rth God p u n i s h ed b y re t h e s i n s of So d o m a n d Go
.
a l mi g h t y p o w er t h a t G od c o ul d n ot c a ll i n t o b ei n g a ll th o s e s ens a t i o n s
i n t h e s o u l , wh i ch t h e l a tt er h a d w h i l e i n th e b o d y ? It i s p rob a b l e a l s o
th a t th e re of h ell i s n ot l i k e re a s w e kn o w i t on ea r th Our .
re d e s t r oys ; th a t of h el l d o es n ot c o n s u me b u t r a t h er p re s erv es a s ,
s a l t p r e s erv es me a t ( M a rk i x ou r re g i v es l i g h t , w h i l e i n h el l
.
t h e re i s d a rk n es s ( M a tt xx i i . O u r re w a rms , w h i l e th e re of
.
c o mp a r i s o n w i t h t h a t of h el l Th e s ou l s u ffe r s a l s o fro m c on t i n u al
.
remors e of c on s c i en ce Th e l o s t a re g i ven u p t o d es p a i r ; t h ey r ec o g
.
a p a s s i n g p l e a s u r e t o e t er n a l h a p p i n e s s How u n h a p p y t h ey a re i n
.
l o s i n g for ev e r t h a t G od W h o l ov ed th em s o mu ch ! An d th ei r
s h a me i s ev e r p res en t , fo r t h e i r s i n s a re r ev e a l e d t o a ll , a n d t h o s e
wh om t h ey d es p i s ed a n d l a u gh ed t o s c orn on e a r th a re n ow i n h on or .
2 64 F a i th .
i ng s t h os e wh o h av e c o mmi t te d
of a ctu a l s i n ( C o u n c i l of L yon s ,
A s m g l e mort a l s m, d on e h o wev e r s ec r et l y i s en o u g h t o se n d a ma n
o
to et e r n a l p erd i t i o n .
Si n n ers b egi n th ei r h el l e v en on ea rt h .
Th e wi cked l i ke t h e r a g i n g s e a wh i ch c a n n ever r es t ( Is l vi i
a re . .
Eve ry s i n n er s i t s i n d a r kn es s a n d i n t h e s h a d o w of d ea th
( Luk e i 7 .To h i m t h e l es s o n s of r el i g i o n a re fo ll y ( 1 C or i i . .
It i s i n t h e h o u r of d ea th th a t t h e w orl dl i n g w i ll a w a k e t o h i s mi s ery ;
a t p r es en t h e feel s i t n ot , b e c a u s e h e i s d i s t r a c t e d b y a t h o u s a n d
O ft en g o d o wn t o h el l d u r i n g t h y li fet i me, t h a t t h o u ma y s t n ot
h a ve t o g o a ft er d ea t h
( St B e rn a r d )
He wh o d es p i s es h el l or
. .
5 . P UR GATOR Y .
y
Purgator i s a pl a ce wh ere th e s o l s of th os e m s t s uffer
1 . u u
u
for a ti me, wh o, th o gh d i n g wi th o t gra e s i n on th ei r s oul s , y u v
v
h a e n ot d one c omp l et e p ena n c e for t h ei r offen c es a gai n s t God .
J u d a s M a ch a b e u s wa s c th o s e wh o h a d
o n v i n c ed t h a t t h e s o u l s of
d i ed i n b a t tl e wi th i d ol s on th em h a d t o b e p u n i s h ed , a n d for t h a t
r ea s on ord e re d s a c ri ces t o b e o ffered for t h em i n J e r u s a l em ( 2 M a ch .
xi i . Th e s t a i n s wh i ch t h e s o u l h a s r ec e i v ed d u r i n g i t s s o j ou rn
i n t h e b o d y mu s t b e r emo ved b y t h e p u rg i n g re, s a ys St Gr eg ory of
.
N
Nys s a ; a n d St Greg ory a z i a n zen t ell s u s t h a t i n t h e fu tu re l i fe
b
.
t h e r e i s a a p t i s m of re, a h a r d a n d wea r y b a p t i s m, t o d es t ro y wh a t i s
ea r thl y i n ma n As t o t h e s i t u a t i o n of p u rg a t or y, mos t of t h e s a i n t s
.
s ee m t o t h i n k i t i s b en ea th t h e e a r t h ; h en ce t h e p r a y e r of t h e C h u r ch :
A p orta i n feri , et c F ro m t h e g a t es of h el l d el i ve r h i m, 0 L or d
.
a n d t h e D e P r of u n di s ( O u t of t h e d ep t h s I h a v e c r i e d t o Th ee , O
So me a l s o b el i ev e t h a t ma n y s o u l s , for a t i me a t l e a s t , s u ffer
t h ei r p u rg a t or y i n t h o s e p l a ces on ea r t h wh er e t h e i r s i n s w er e c om
mi tte d , a n d t h a t t h ey a re o ft en p re s en t a t th e p r a yers wh i ch a re
o ffered for t h em It i s ce rt a i n a l s o t h a t th e h ol y s ou l s h a ve a p p ea r e d
.
t o ma n y s a i n t s , e g , t o St Tere s a , St B r i d g et , St P h i l i p Ne ri
. . . As. . .
t o t h e s t a t e of t h e h o l y s o u l s , t h e s a i n t s a r e of o p i n i o n t h a t t h e y
s uf fer i n a l l r es i g n a t i o n t o G o d s w i ll St C a t h er i n e of Gen o a t ell s
. .
u s th a t God ll s t h em w i th H
i s l o ve, s o th a t t h ei r g r e a t e s t p a i n s b e
c o me t o l e r a b l e M or e o ver t h e kn o wl edg e t h a t t h ey w i ll n a ll y a tt a i n
.
th e v i s i o n of G od a n d th a t t h ey a re s ecu r e of th e i r et ern a l s a l v a t i o n ,
g i ves t h em g rea t c o n s ol a t i o n
B es i d es , a s St F r a n c e s of R ome
. .
t h ey a re c o mfor t ed b y t h e p r a ye rs of t h e fa i th fu l o n e a r th ,
t el l s u s ,
a n d t h e b l es s e d i n h ea ven , a n d b y t h e v i s i t s of h o l y a n g el s Th e .
c o n s c i o u s n es s t h a t t h ey a re ma k i n g a t o n emen t t o G od a n d s n e ri n g
for H
i m ma kes t h em c o u r a g eo u s a s ma rt yrs ( St C a t h er i n e of .
Gen o a ) .
y
Th e h ol s ou l s s u ffer i n p u rga tor t o exp i a te y e i th er th ei r
v en i a l s i n s , or t h os e mort a l s i n s , w h i ch , th o gh a u b lv
so ed , ha v e
n ot b
een c omp l et el a t on e d for y .
Th e Ap os tl es
Creed . 265
V en i a l s i n s a re v i s i t ed w i th t emp or a l p un i s h men t, a s i n th e c a s e
of Z a ch a ry w h o d o u b t e d t h e a n g el , or M o s es M or ta l s i n s a l s o .
,
th o u g h r ep en t ed of a n d p u t a w a y a re o ft en v i s i t ed w i th t emp ora l
,
p u n i s h men t a s i n t h e ca s e of Ad a m a n d D a v i d Th e C o u n c i l o f Tren t
, .
( 6, t ea ch es t h a t wh o e ve r d o e s n ot s a t i s fy c o mp l e t el y for h i s s i ns
on ea r t h mu s t d o s o i n p u rg a t or y
, So on ea rt h a ma n ma y b e p u n
.
i s h ed b y a n e ; i f h e d o es n ot p a y i t h e mu s t g o to p r i s on Hen ce we .
s h o ul d n o t b e s a t i s e d w i t h th e p en a n ce g i v en u s b y ou r c o n fes s or ;
we s h o u l d a dd s o met h i n g of ou r own M u ch ma y b e d on e b y p a t i en t
.
en d u r i n g o f s i c kn es s or w i l l i n g a cc ep t a n c e of d ea t h Not even t h e .
l ea s t s i n s s h o ul d b e n eg l ect ed ; t h ey mu s t a ll b e a t o n e d for .
Th e s uff eri n gs
i n p r g a t or u
i n cl u d e y x cl u s i on
e from th e
vi s i on of God a n d oth er grea t p a i n s .
Hen ce t h e p r a y er :
G r a n t res t t o t h e s o u l s of t h e fa i thful d e
p a rt ed , a n d l et p erp et u a l l i g h t s h i n e u p o n t h em
W h e n w e b u rn
v
.
c a n d l es b y t h e c o f n s or on t h e g r a es of t h e d e a d , we p r a y t h a t t h e
p oor s o ul s ma y b e a d mi tt ed t o t h e s i g h t of G od Ap a rt fro m t h e .
Au g u s t i n e ,
b u r n s th e l o s t a n d t h e s a v ed Hen ce w e s ee wh y .
th e p a i n s of p u rg a t or y a re g re a t e r th a n t h e s u ffe r i n g s of a ll t h e
ma rt yr s ; a n d St Th o ma s te a ch es th a t t h e l ea s t p a i n i n p u rg a t or y i s
.
g r ea t e r t h a n t h e g r e a t es t on e a r t h Al l t h e t ort u res th a t on e c a n
.
s a ys St C yr i l of Al ex a n d r i a ,
c o n ce i v e of i n t hi s w orl d a re, . r efres h
i n g , c o mp a r ed w i t h t h e l ea s t p a i n of p u rg a t ory
.
u
Th e gr ea tn es s a n d d ra ti on of th e s u fferi n gs l n p rg a tor u y
v y
ar a cc ord i n
g t o t h e g r a i t o f t h e v y
s i n s .
St Au g u s t i n e t ells u s t h a t t h o s e a re l o n g er i n t h e p u rg i n g re
.
s u p p o s e t h a t s o me s o u l s h a v e t o s u f fer t h ro u g h ma n y g en er a t i o n s of
men ; wer e t hi s i mp o s s i b l e th e C h u rch w o u l d h a ve a b ol i s h ed s u ch
M a s s es C a th e r i n e Emmer i ch i n h er r ev el a t i o n s s a ys t h a t O u r L or d
.
, ,
t h e p u n i s hm en t h a s l a s t e d o n l y a n h o u r w e a re t o l d b y St B r i d g et
, .
,
t h a t i t a p p ea r s i n to l er a b l y l o n g Th o s e wh o we a r t h e s c a p u l a r a re
.
s a i n t s h o l d t h e v i ew t h a t s o me s o u l s s u f fe r n o p a i n b u t a re me r el y
ex cl u d ed fro m t h e v i s i on of G od Acc or d i n g t o St M a t h i l d a t h e s uf
. .
B r i dg et s a w s o u l s s u ffer i n g mo s t i n t h o s e th i n g s i n wh i ch t h ey h a d
s i nn e d mo s t ; a n d St M a rg a r et o f C or t o n a s a w s o me w h o c o u l d n o t
.
b e r el ea s e d t i ll t h e ev i l d o n e b y th em on e a r th h a d b ee n ma d e g oo d .
u
2 Th a t th ere i s a p rgat or w e l ea rn from th e tea ch i n g of
. y
Ch ri s t , a n d es p eci a ll y
from th e p ra c ti c e a n d d octri ne of th e
Ch rchu .
266 Fa i th .
of th e ea r t h b eli ev e i n a p u r gi n g re In a d di ti on w e kn ow .
C h r i s t s w or d s a re : He th a t s h a ll s p ea k a g a in s t t h e H ol y Ghos t,
it s h a ll n ot b e fo rgiven h i m, n e ither i n thi s w orld n or i n t h e w orld
to co me
xii He comp a r es purg a t ory t o a p r i s on :
( M a tt . .
Amen I s a y t o th ee th ou s h a lt n ot g o ou t fr om th en ce till th ou
, ,
rep a y t h e l a s t fa rthi n g
( M a tt v An d St P a ul a d ds t h a t . . .
Soul s D a y on t h e d a y of d ea th a n d b ur i a l a n d on a n n iver s a r i e s ;
, ,
t h e p r a c ti ce of C hr i s ti a n s
s a re n ot mea n t for mer e s h ow b ut ,
th a t they a re or d a in e d b y t h e Holy Spi r it Th e b i s h op s of t h e .
C hu r c h a t F lor en c e a n d Tr en t ( 1 44 5 1 4 63 ) exp r es s ly d en e d -
for t h e d ea d du r in g t h e h oly s a c ri ec St Au gu s ti n e r el a t es th a t . .
h i s moth er St M on i c a on h er de a th b ed s a id t o h i m a n d h i s b r o th er :
.
,
-
R ea s on a ls o .
ma n y a ma n n ot s o wi cke d a s t o b e l os t forev er ; a n d i f h e c a n en t e r
n eith er h ea ven n or h ell th er e mu s t b e a thi r d pl a c e wh er e h e c a n b e
pur i ed .
Y et we on e a r th c a n h el p t o di mi n i s h th ei r p a i n s b y M a s s es b y ,
ii.
, th e h oly s a c r i ce i s of a ll thi n g s t h e mos t h el p ful t o
2 68 F a i th .
ever y d ee d of mer c y a s a fa v o r d on e t o Hi ms el f
( C f M a tt xxv . . .
4
p6r y
Th e Jews h a d some
b eli ef th a t t h e b odi es of t h e de a d
rt
so of
Chri s t on th e La s t Da y w i l l ra i s e
th e b od i es of a l l men fr om
th e d ea d, a n d u ni t e t h em t o th e s oul forev er .
1 . He d ecl a r ed th a t He w oul d ra i s e th e b od i es of a l l
o f en t
men fr om th e gra v e, a n d p roved Hi s p ow er b y mi ra cl es ; this
c
r es u rr e ti on wi ll b e h era ld ed b y ma n y s i gn s i n n a tu r e .
W e p rocl a i m i n th e me t o j udge
Ap os tles C r ee d th a t C h ri s t will
co
t h e livi n g a n d t h e d ea d ; th a t i s He will c a ll t o li fe t h e b odi es of th os e
,
a n d a w a k e a g a i n t o a n ew li fe ( 1 Th es s iv 1 6 ) th os e will a r i s e wh o . .
d e a d t o li fe a g a i n : Th e h ou r c ometh wh ere in a ll th a t a re i n t h e
g r a ves s h a ll h e a r t h e v o i ce of t h e Son of God An d th ey th a t h a ve .
2 8 2 9 ) on a n othe r oc c a s i on :
,
He th a t ea te th M y es h a n d d r i n keth
M y b l oo d h a th ev erl a s ti n g li fe a n d I will r a i s e h i m up i n t h e L a s t
,
Da y
( Joh n vi O u r L or d oft en c omp a r ed d ea th t o s l e ep e g
.
, . .
,
wh en He s a id t h a t t h e d a ughte r of Ja i ru s ( M a tt i x 2 4 ) a n d L a z a ru s . .
L a z a r u s fr om t h e gr a ve it s el f W e mi g h t a d d Hi s own gl or i ous .
p eri od s of r es t a n d a c tivity th e r ea w a k en i n g of s p r i n g a ft er t h e
,
7 71 6 Ap os tes Creed
. 26 9
2 Go d w ill a w a k e ou r b od i es t o l i fe a ga i n to p r ov e Hi s j u s
.
t i c e, a n d to h on or O u r R ed eemer .
t h e re a re ma n y g oo d w ork s s uch
p l e t e n e s s ; f or a s Te r tulli
, a n s a ys , ,
a ma n t h e r es u rrec ti o n of t h e de a d ( 1 C or xv . .
3 As t o th e s t a t e of ou r b od i es a ft er th e res u r rect i on , w e h a v e
.
th e fol l owi n g fa ts : c
Aft er th e res u rr ecti on w e s h a l l h a e v
th e s a me b od i es a s w e n ow h a v e Th e b od i es of th e u s t
. j
wi ll b e gl or i ou s a n d t h os e of th e w i ck ed h i d eou s All th e .
r i s en b od i es wi l l b e w i th ou t d efect a n d i mm orta l .
We s h a ll h a ve th e me b odi es
r t h e r es u rr ec ti on : For thi s
sa a fte
i mmor t a lity ( 1 C or xv
Thi s we l ea r n a l s o fr om t h e Ath a
. .
with my s ki n a n d i n my es h I s h a ll s ee my G od
, ( Job x ix .
a n d ma r k n o w ou r fa ces th a t y ou ma y kn ow th em a g a i n i n t h e D a y
,
o f Judgme n t ; a n d h er w or d s con ve rt e d ma n y of t h e b y s t a n d er s .
en ce . St Th oma s t e a ch es u s th a t j us t a s ou r b od i es r em a i n t h e s a me
.
r ecti on th a t ma k es C h r i s ti a n s c a r eful i n th e b ur i a l of th e de a d a n d i n ,
b e a ll a like . We s h a ll a ll r i s e a g a i n ; b u t we s h a ll n o t a l l b e
c h a n ge d
( 1 C or xv Th e b odi e s of th e ju s t will r es e mb l e th e
. .
s u n ( M a tt x iii
. s wi ft a s th ought
. a n d c a p a b l e of p en e t r a ti n g ,
27 0 Fa i th .
h a ve n o tr a ce of ol d a g e s i c kn es s or mutil a ti on Th e wi ck ed will
, , .
wh en w e ome to di e c .
ki n d wi ll b e a s s emb l ed b efore Hi m t o b e j u d g ed .
a n d ma j es ty ( M a tt xvi 2 7 L uk e xx i
. . Hen c e w e c a n n ot c on .
of G od s m a i es ty a n d es s en ce
P os s ib ly they wil l s ee it a s ma n i fes ted
.
2 72 F a i th .
s a l em with l a mp s
( Soph on i
i s t o t h e gen er a l j udgmen t
. . It
th a t th es e w or d s of O u r L or d a pply : Th ere i s n ot a n ythin g s ec ret
th a t s h a ll n ot b e ma d e ma n i fes t, n or hidd en th a t s h a ll n ot b e
kn own a n d c ome a b r o a d
( L uk e viii 1 7 Wh en th e s un r i s es th e .
s n ow s melt a n d l ea ve b a r e a l l th a t li es b en ea th them ; s o s h a ll it b e
wh en t h e Su n of j us ti ce moun t s th e h ea ven s Al l s i ns will b e re .
white r ob e of s a n cti fyi n g gra ce , a s St G er t r ude t ell s u s , will hi de .
t h e s i n , a n d in s t e a d of t h e s t a i n s whi c h w er e r emove d b y p en a n ce
th er e will b e orn a men ts of g old
Al l g oo d w ork s will t h en b e r eve a led
.
a n s w er : I a m p r ep a r in g for t h e D a y of Judgmen t
Th e re will b e .
of p er s on s ( R om ii t o wh oms o ev er mu ch i s
. on t h e c on t r a ry :
.
ev e r t h e g o od fr om t h e b a d ( M a t t x xv Thi s s ep a r a ti on wa s
. .
for ever on th a t d a y ( M a tt xx iv 4 0) ma n y w h o w er e r i ch a n d p ow er
. .
fu l w ill b e l os t a n d th e i r d ep en d en t s or th os e wh o s ue d a s b egg a rs
, ,
t o th em will b e s a v ed Th en t oo s a y s St Augu s ti n e
, .
,c r ea ti on
, .
,
b odi es of t h e el e ct
W e l ook for n ew h ea ven s a n d a n ew ea rt h
.
a cc or di n g t o Hi s p r omi s es
i n whi c h ju s ti c e d well eth
, ( 2 P e t iii . .
will pu rg e th os e wh o h a ve y e t t o d o p en a n c e for s i n ; a n d s i n ce t h er e
will b e n o pu rg a to ry a fte r t h e D a y o f Judgmen t t h e w a n t of du r a ti on
will b e ma d e up b y th e i n t en s ity of th e p a i n ; a s for t h e j us t th ey , ,
Th e Ap os tles Creed
. 2 73
a n d g a v e up St P a ul t o t h e Jew s . .
C hr i s t s a i d : O f th a t d a y a n d h ou r n o on e kn oweth ; n o n ot t h e
( M a tt x xiv
a n g el s of h ea v en , b u t t h e F a th e r a l on e Th e . .
d o i f to morr ow w ere to b e t h e L a s t D a y ; th en we s h a ll h a ve n o oc c a
-
t h e a pp r o a ch of t h e L a s t D a y ( M a tt xxiv 3 , s o th a t C h ri s . .
xx iv .
Some t w o thi r d s -
of th e w orld a re s til l p ag a n s .
2Th e gr e a t e r p a rt of ma n k in d w i ll b e wi t h ou t fa i th
.
( L u k e
x v iii 8 ; 2 Th es s
. 3 ) a n d immer s ed i n thin gs of ea rt h
.
( L u k e
x vi i 2 6 ,
.
xx iv .
3 . An ti c h r i s t will a pp ea r .
B eh old I will s en d y ou Eli a s th e p r oph et b efore th e c omi n g of
th e g r e a t a n d d r e a d ful d a y of t h e L or d An d h e s h a ll tur n th e he a rt s .
of t h e fa th er s t o t h e child r en a n d t h e h e a r t s o f t h e child r e n t o th e i r
( M a l iv
fa th er s i s h e wi l l b ri n g r oun d t h e Jews t o t h e s en ti
. . . .
,
w e kn o w th a t Hen och pl e a s ed G od a n d w a s t r a n s l a te d i n t o p a r a di s e
th a t h e ma y g ive r ep en t a n c e to th e n a ti on s
( Ec clu s xliv . .
r a i s e th em t o li fe a g a in ( Ap oc x i 3 . .
s h a ll s e ek t h e L or d th ei r G od a n d D a vid th ei r ki n g ; a n d th ey s h a ll
fea r t h e L or d a n d Hi s goo dn es s i n t h e l a s t d a y s ( O s ee iii 4 .
( Ecclus xlviii . .
c
l a ti on s wil l ome u p on ma n k i n d .
c ome as a t t h e ti me of t h e s i eg e o f Jer u s a l em ( M a tt xx iv 7, . .
M en s h a ll withe r with fe a r a n d fr om ex p ec ta ti on of th e t hi n gs th a t
will come up on th e ea rth ( L uk e xx i .
C HRISTIAN HO PE .
Ch r i s t i a n h op e i s th e c ond en t ct
ex p e a ti on of a llt h os e thi ngs
c
wh i h Ch ri s t pr omi s ed us wi t h rega rd t o th e full ment of God s
W i ll .
H op e s a ys St P a ulin us
, gives u s a for et a s te of th e p r om
.
,
i s ed j oys of p a r a di s e
How grea t i s t h e multitude of Th y s weet
.
p r om i s ed u s et e r n a l h a pp i n es s , a n d th e mea n s r eq ui red fo r a tt a i n
i ng i t ; i n p a rt i c ul a r God s gra c e, t emp ora l g oods for th e s u s t a i n i ng
Not every on e th a t ith t o M e L or d L or d s h a ll en t er i n t o t h e
sa , , ,
Hen c e th e s i n n er c a n h op e i n G od on l y w h en h e re a ll y re
Hop e with o ut vi rtue i s p res umpti on s a ys St B ern a r d If t h e ,
. .
of I s r a el l ed hi s p e ople i n t o id ol a tr y a n d p u t t h e p r oph et s t o de a th
, .
j
Th e u s t ma n ma y h op e th a t God wi ll p rovid e for a ll h is
n ee d s ; t h m u s t x ert hi ms el f t o g a i n t h os e t h i n gs w h i c h
y e e e
C h ri s t s w or ds a re :
Seek rs t t h e ki n gd om of God a n d Hi s j u s
ti c e a n d a ll other thi n gs s h a ll b e a dded un to y ou
,
( M a tt vi . .
We a re G od s s erva n t s As St John of th e C r os s s a ys : It i s ou r
.
.
Hi m ( Ec clus ii
We a r e un j us t t o God i f w e d o n ot pl a ce
. .
up on t h e L o r d , for He h a th c a r e of y ou ( 1 P et v 7 We mu s t n ot , . .
W e mu s t h op e for t h e b es t a n d d o ou r b es t
To ex p ec t h elp a n d .
t o d o n othi n g
s a y s St F r a n c i s of Sa l es ,
,
i s t o tempt God
.
We .
ex a mpl e th ough h e h a d t h e gi ft of h e a li n g s i c k n es s
, r ec ommen de d ,
An d a l l thi s i s t r ue of a n y ki n d of n ec es s ity :
Help your s elf
a n d G od will h elp y ou .
4 A w h ol es ome fea r
. of fa ll i ng i n t o sin mus t al wa ys ae o c m
p a ny Ch ri s t i a n h op e .
till d e a th ( C ou n c il of Tr en t 6 C a n 1 5 M a n y a n ol d a n d rott en
, ,
.
,
s hip h a s r e a ch e d h a rb or whil e m a n y a g r ea t a n d n ob l e v es s el h a s s un k
,
He th a t t h i n keth hims elf t a n d t a ke h eed les t h e fa ll to ( 1 s
C or x .
We c a rry ou r t re a s u re i n fra il a n d ea rth en ves s el s
.
( 2 C or iv 7 M i s tru s t of our s elves
. . s a ys St Augus ti n e , .
,
s h ould h elp u s t o h op e
Hop e a n d fea r a re c omp a n i on s ; wh ere th ey
.
a re lik e t h e t w o a rms of a b a l a n c e ; a s on e
St F r a n c i s of Sa l e s
.
,
5 Ch r i s t i a n h op e i s n e es s a ry for s a l va t i on
. c .
while h e wh o h a s h op e i s s ec u re of h i s s a lv a ti on j u s t a s a ma n i s ,
c e rt a i n o f a pl a n t wh en h e h a s t h e s ee d ; for we a re s a ve d b y h op e
( R om viii
. B eli ef i n G od s t ruth Hi s a lmighty p ower a n d
.
, ,
s a y s St Augu s ti n e
holi n e s s whi ch l ea d s t o i s foun ded .
,
on fa ith b uilt up on h op e a n d n i s he d i n l ov e
, In h ea ven the re i s
, .
6 Ch r i s t i a n h op e i s a gi ft of God, a n d w e ca n a tt a i n t o t hi s
.
1 He
wh o h op es i n God en oys th e s p e i a l p r ot e t i on of God
. j c c .
b y a g a rr i s on of s i xt een th ou s a n d C hr i s ti a n s Ag a i n a n d a g a in .
ov e rcome
s a y s St C y p ri a n
, Su ch a on e, a dd s St F r a n ci s of
.
.
V
Sa l es i s lik e a g en e r a l b a ck e d b y a s t r on g res e rve
, They th a t .
( St .
foun d e d ( Ec clus ii .
We will n ot h a ve y ou a s t h e he a then s tha t
.
h a ve n o h op e ( 1 Thes s iv . .
c
Ch ri s t s a i d t h a t s u h a on e mi gh t mov e mount a i n s ( M a rk x i .
h e h op es for ( St John of t h e C r os s )
. .
more es p ec i a lly i n fa c e of d ea t h .
t ra ry , it i s y ou wh o ought t o b e a fr a id
Th e ma n wh os e t r u s t i s i n .
wh o l ooks t o th e un s p ea k a b l e r ew a r d o f h e a ven ? St P a ul c a ll s t o u s .
fu l w a s t h e d e a th of St An d rew ( 62 . th a t wh en h e s a w t h e c ros s .
i s or t h e r en di n g o f m y li mb s , i f o n ly I c a n w i n C h r i s t ; a n d s o w e
a n ch or of t h e s oul ( Heb vi L ik e t h e ea gl e s oa r i n g i n to th e
. .
4 . He w h o h op es i n God i s i mp el l ed t o th e p erforma n c
e of g d
oo
s in of Jud a s i n de sp a i r i n g of Go d s mer cy w a s g r ea t er th a n h i s s i n
i s a l rea dy i n hell .
m rc
e m y t c o nt i nue s i nni ng wi t h
y, i e , h e
. . a no th e i d e t h a at God s
me rcy c an n ev e r c o nd e mn hi m t h e l l o .
b e no f e ar a t a ll ; i f a man th i nk s h i s s a lv a t i on al r ea dy s e c ur e he
s i ns by p r es um pt i on D e sp i s e no t Go d s m erc y say s S t Be rn ar d
.
, .
,
i f y o u w o uld e scape H i s j u s t i c e C hr i s t sa y s :
. U nle ss y o u s h all d o
penanc e y ou sh all all li kew i s e pe r i s h ( L uke x iii
, No man may .
saf ely s a y t o h i ms el f I can alw a ys d o pe nanc e for th i s s i n or
, I , ,
w i ll r eform be for e m y de a th .
4 Th e Ch i st i
. r
ma y an never t empt God ; i e , h e must
. . n ever
ex p os e h i ms e l f s h ly to dra anger i n th e h op e t h t God ai ll w av e s
him .
i n i t ( Ecclu s iii 2 7
. T he dev i l u rged O u r L or d t o tempt Go d by
.
A THE C O M M A ND M ENTS
. .
we ali e r .
God h a s imp i t e d th e
1 . rn natural l aw th h e art on e of every
r
ma n ; thi s fo ms t h e fu d me n a nt al rul e f h uman actions
o .
281
2 82 Th e Comma n d ments .
b i n d i n g up on u s t o ob ey an d of wh i c h i n i n div i du al c a s e s we a re
,
l aw .
c u mc i s i on ( G e n xv ii . T he M osa i c l a w wh i c h w as g ive n t o
.
,
os i t i o n an d a n a mp li c a t i o n of t h e na tu ra l law
p ,
.
ma k i n g H i s w i ll pl a i n t o o ur un de rst an d i n g .
3 . F i nall y
g God iv e s us c omm dme ts th ou h Hi s
, an n r g r e pre s e nt
at ive s up o n ar r g e th , th ou h th e e ccl e s i st i c l a n d s e cul a a ar th i au or
he ar eth y o u he areth Me ; an d he th a t de sp i s eth y o u de sp i s eth Me ,
on a T hurs d a y th i nk i n g i t t o b e a Fr i d a y he comm i t s a s i n
, , .
5 Go d.
s commandme nts do not dep riv e men i n a ny wa y of true
r
f ee dom .
Wher e the S p i r i t of the L or d i s the r e i s l i be rty ( 2 C or iii 1 7
, . .
mank i n d .
th e m .
30 ,
T he sam e p re c ept s we r e g ive n t o the J ew s ( D eut v i 5 ; L ev . . .
x iii .
2 W i th out
. th e l ov e of God a n d of our n i gh b o r
e no ma n ca n
be s av e d .
an y man s a y I l o ve Go d an d h a teth h i s b ro the r he i s a l i ar ( 1
, , ,
ta i n i t i s called l o ve T hu s we s ee l o ve t o be a n ac t of the un de r
,
.
1 W e ough t t o l ov e God
. b e c aus e Ch r i st c omman d s t h i s ;
b e c a us e He i s i n Hi ms el f e ss e n t i all y th e h i gh e st b e a uty a n d
s ov e r e i gn p e rfe c t i o n ; b e c aus e He l ove s us a nd c on t i nu al l y
b e sto ws b e n e ts up o n us .
ano the r wh a t on e h as no t g o t on e s s el f cons eque ntly Go d m u s t p os ,
t o he ar o the rs s pe a k of God : He th a t i s of Go d hear eth the wor d s ,
of Go d ( Jo h n v iii 47 .
of l o ve : Whe r e the r e i s no ze a l the r e i s no l o ve say s S t Augu s t i ne , . .
a p ostle s an d martyrs m et de a th w i th gl a dn e ss ; S t T e re sa sa i d : To .
s uffer or t o d i e T he hea r t th a t l o ve s Go d l o ve s the cross al so ; the
.
5 . He wh o l ov e s God l o v es h i s n e igh b o r a l so .
th i s C h r i s t H i ms el f tell s u s ( M a tt xx v He d o es no t l o ve the ju s t
. .
o ur l ove t o Go d s a y s S t Franc i s of S ale s
,
i s t o love Hi m w i thou t
.
,
m e as ur e .
W e l o ve God mo re th a n an yt h in g e l s e i n t h e w o rl d i f w e ,
a re r ea dy to i v e u e v e ry t h i u n h e s i t a t i n l y i f su ch b Hi
g p n g g , e s
God .
l
O n e ma y ov e c e tu e s , b u t o y fo God s s e ra r nl r
ak .
t h e sam e wi th Be n j am i n So He ac t s t o w ar d s u s no w C h r i s t say s :
. .
Me
( M a tt x 3 7 . S t Augu s ti ne says : He l o ve s Go d t oo l i ttl e
.
.
4 Th e l ove
. e at advan t age to us : Th rough i t
of God i s of gr
we are un it e d to re on e arth our mi nd s are e nl igh te ned
God h e , ,
heave n up on ea r th Hen c e sa ys S t Franc i s of S a le s
. we sh oul d
, .
,
d i vi n i ty w i ll sh i n e i nt o o u r so ul wh i c h w ill h ave a cl e a r pe rc ep ti on
, ,
th at i s of d ivi n e th i n g s
, I n the l o ve of Go d i s h onora ble w i s d om
.
x iii 7
. Wh a t we l ove t o d o i s no t ro uble t o u s for l o ve ma kes l ab or ,
.
,
u re s of the w orld W i th o ut ch ar i ty th e r e i s no t r ue pe ac e He wh o
. .
man i fe s t My s el f t o h i m ( Jo h n x i v
To others C hr i s t H i ms el f .
for wh o le d ay s an d n i ght s the w or d s : My Go d an d my all ! It i s
a ll the mor e i mp or t an t t o ma ke ac t s of l o ve be ca u s e the comman d t o
l o ve Go d i mp os e s i t up on u s a s an o bl i g at i on S t Alph ons u s dec l ares . .
m e as u r e as i s Go d H i ms el f
, .
Th e l ov e of God i s lost b y mo rt al s in .
As w ate r e xt i ngu i s he s r e
the l o ve of Go d i s que nc hed i n our
, so
he ar t s b y mor t a l s i n He wh o h as thu s l os t the l o ve of Go d h as
.
1 r n n
T h e l ov e of t h e w o l d c o s i sts i l ovi , b ov e ll , mo ey ,
. ng a a n
or t h e gra a n n a
t ic t i o of o e s p p e t i t e , or e t h ly h o o s or a ny
ar nr
ng wr
th i el s e i n t h e o l d, i st e d of i vi th e st p l c e t o Godn a g ng r a .
max i m of the man of the w orld i s : L et u s e a t an d d r i nk for to ,
morro w we d i e
Th e l o ve of the w orld i s w ors e th an h i gh tre a son ;
.
r g
2 T h ou h l ov e of th e o l d
. wr w n r
e i cu t h e l oss of s c t i fyi an ng
gra c e , a n d e t e l fel i ci ty rna .
a n d ev i l ( S t Am b ros e )
. T he H oly of h o l i e s canno t dwel l i n the s oul
.
be lled w i th h on ey ? It mu s t rs t be empt i ed an d u n de rg o a t o il ,
som e p roc e ss of cle ans in g say s S t A ugu s t i n e He wh o i s des t i tute
, . .
, . .
f e r ? asks S t A ugu s t i n e t o l o ve the w orld an d g o t o per d i t i on or
.
, ,
t o l o ve C hr i s t an d e nte r i nt o l i f e eve rl as t i ng ? He i s a foo l wh o
for the sa ke of th i s p ass in g w orld pl ay s a w a y eterna l l i f e .
3 . Th e l o ve of th e w o rld b li n ds th e so ul of ma n ,
an d l e a ds
hi m aw y f a r o m God .
As the s un s ray s canno t pen et ra te m uddy w ate r so the l o ve r of ,
( L uke xi v .
l l
4 Th e o v e of t h e w or d d est oy s i t e i o r p ea c e , a n d m e s
. r n r ak
men f e ar d e a th g e a t y r l .
can g i ve u s t ru e content He sa i d t o H i s a p ostle s : Pe ac e I le ave
.
unt o y o u ( Joh n x i v 2 7
S t Augu s t i n e e xcl a ims : O ur he art has
. .
no re s t un t il i t r e s t i n T hee O L or d ! T he l o ve r of the w orld f ears
,
the w orld the ch ar i ty of the Father i s no t i n h i m ( 1 Jo h n ii
, .
t o conclude i f we he ar an y on e ra i l a t p r i e s t s an d a t r el ig i on ? T he
love r of the w orld i s ther e for e the en emy of Go d If th o u w o ul d s t .
no t be the e nemy of Go d say s S t A ugu st i n e be an e n emy of t h e
, .
,
w orld .
l
6 Th e ov e of t h e w o d c ea s e s t d ea t h
. rl a .
( C ol iii
. . T he r e for e ch oos e H i m for thy fri e nd sa ys Th omas ,
a K mp i s
Wh o whe n all o the rs forsake thee w ill no t a b an d on
thee e
.
, , ,
the w or d s : P ra i s ed be J es u s C hr i s t as a g r eet i ng B an i s h m utu al .
n er t ow ar d s o u r n e i ghb or It i s w rong the n t o rej o i ce whe n cal am i
.
, ,
ma n i s l ac k i n g i n l o ve for h i s n e i ghb or .
k i n d n e ss .
a
4 Al l th t w e d o t o our e h b o , w h e th e
. t b e oo d or e v l , n ig r ri g i
w ri
e d o t o Ch st H ms el f; for He h a s s d :
i Wh t y ou di d to one ai a
a r rn
of t h e s e M y l e st b e t h e , y e d i d t t o M e ( M tt v i a xx . .
p a n i ed b y an gel s M ar t i n He sa i d
. cl o thed Me t o d ay w i th th i s
, ,
.
cl oak . T hu s Go d p ro te c t s our n e ighb or ; we cann ot i nj ur e h i m
w i th o ut rst i njur i ng Go d .
5 . Et ern al
h a p p in e ss w ill b e th e un fa ilin g rew a rd of th os e
wh o full cl os ely t h e p r e c e p t of ch a rit y to t h ei r n eigh b o r .
the w or d s : Li ttle ch ildren l ove on e ano ther Whe n asked why
,
.
omp en s e g i v i n g al ms
, He wh o pe rforms act s of ch ar i ty p o s s e ss e s
.
ma i nsp r i ng of vi rtue .
6 . Th e lov e of on e s n e ighb o r i s
th e di stin c tiv e ma rk of th e
tru e Ch risti an .
( S t Joh n C h ry sost o m)
. .
2 98 Th e Comma n d men ts .
VI . L A CK O F C H A RI TY TO ONE S
NEIG H B OR .
He wh o d o e s not d e s i re th e goo d of h i s ne i gh b or b ut i s
1 .
,
v ex e d a t th e p r o s p er i t y of an o t h e r o r r ej o i c e s w h en mi sfo r tun e,
ove rt ak e s h i m .
i s l i ke a c e rt a i n ki n d of snake wh i ch i s sa i d t o g na w a w a y t h e roo t
,
e g
. . i f a man i s gr i eved be ca u s e on e wh o i s an e nemy t o the C hurch
,
i s ra i s ed t o a p os i t i on of i n uenc e or be ca u s e gr e a t p ros p e ri ty a t
,
G h os t T he h i gh p r i e s ts we re j e al o u s of C h r i s t whe n they s a w th at
.
No s i n r e n d e rs ma n so mu ch l ike
2 . th e d evil as en vy, fo r
en v y i s p e c u l i a rl y t h e d e v i l s s i n
.
2 . He do e s n ot n g
l ov e hi s e i h b o wh o i j u e s hi m, r n r wh eth er in
re gard t o h i s l fe , i hi s i nn n
o c e c e, h i s p op e ty, hi s h o r r nor ,hi or s
h ous eh ol d .
H o w many s t r e am s of re w ill be t h e p or t i on of s u c h a s o ul !
que ntly can d i d an d o pen he ar ted t o on e ano the r ; t h ev tell on e ano ther -
Fr i e n d sh ip l i ke a bu ild i n g m u s t r e s t up on a sol i d fo un d a t i on ;
, ,
3 Th os e . ar l
e fa s e f i en ds w h os e f i en dsh ip e sts on p i n c i r r r r
p l e s t h a t a re e p e h e n s i b e ; t h e y u r r
i n on e a n ot h er b od y a n d l r
ak
s oul , a n d fo rs e on e a n oth e i n th e t i me of a d v e s ity r r .
ma de an a gr ee m en t w i th the hi gh p r i e s t s ag a i ns t O u r L or d ; an d
P i l ate an d Hero d we re ma de fr i en d s on the occas i on of H i s c on d em
nat i on Fal s e fr i e n d s ar e only s te a dfas t as l on g as they n eed e ach
.
,
k n ew no th i ng ab o ut h im : Wh a t i s th a t t o u s ? L oo k th o u t o i t
they feel the i nclem en t w i nte r app roach i n g they t ake i ght t o a ,
T he R om a n s us ed to s a y : As l on g as th o u a rt h appy th o u w i lt ha ve
man y fr i e n d s but a s soon as a dve rs i ty o ver ta ke s thee th o u w i lt n d
,
thy s elf al on e
M i sfor tun e i s the te s t of t r ue fr i e n d sh ip
. .
4 . It is n ot w ro
g to hna v e f r i e n ds an d to l ov e t h e m mo r e
,
an d h i s tw o s i ste rs ( Jo hn x i We kno w th a t Go d s h o w s s pe c i al
.
the s am e i n l ov i ng an d t r u s t i n g th os e mos t i n wh om we n d s i mi
,
th ey a d d gr e a tl y to th e en j o ymen t of li f e, a n d p r e s erv e us fr om
d a n ge r s of soul a n d b ody .
whe r e h i s t r e as u r e s we re p o i n t ed t o h i s fr i e n d s an d sa i d : T h os e a re
,
my t r e as ur e s True fr i en d sh i p d o e s no t c e as e a t o u r de a th for
.
,
on e do w r o n to l e a s e f r i e d
g p a n .
al so w arns u s to t ry a f ri e n d be for e t ak i ng h im an d no t t o t ru s t h i m ,
w or th mor e th an a n y hu man fr i e n d sh i p .
3 04 Th e Comma n d men ts .
2 . Th e l ve f ou enemy i s h own i n th i s
o o r s : Th t a w
e do not
r e v e n ge o urs el ve s n hi m th a t w e r e turn goo d
o , for e v i l , th t a we
p ra y f or him d fo rgi v e h i m wi l l i ngl y
an .
h i m a n y h arm O u r L or d wh en He w a s r eviled d i d no t r ev i le a g a i n
r
.
, ,
r ebuked the m say i ng : Yo u k no w no t of wh a t sp i r i t y o u ar e
,
Ave nge y o urs elf a s the sa i n t s d i d b y r eturn i n g ben et s for the evi l
, ,
3 .wh o do e s t r ev nge
He e my o r wh no e h im el f o n h i s
s ne ,
o
e v e c o f rs b e e ts up o n h im p uts h i s fo e to s h am
n n e n d p ci ,
e an a
hi m
es d wi ll b r e war d e d b y God ; wh r e s h wh o h at e
,
an e e a e s
his my
en e d r e v e g e s h ims e l f
an h i m c o mmi ts a i n on s n.
, ,
th at i s to s a y he can no mor e r e s i s t y o u r k i nd n e s s th an he
,
ven ge s i t s el f by s t i n g i n g b u t i n d o i n g so d i e s Be s i de s i t i s a fool i sh
, , .
,
i nst rumen t i n Go d s h an d
.
The Lov e of One s Self
. 305
will n ot fo rgi v e .
o ffe nc e s ( M a tt v i
Re member the p ara ble of the unme rc i ful
. .
th i ng s as g old or s ilve r but w i th the p re c i o u s bl oo d of C h r i s t ( 1
,
Pet i
. . We al so h ave a h i gh call i ng we ar e de s t i ned for eternal ,
og n i z e thy d i gn i ty 0 C h r i s t i an T h o u ar t ma de a p a rt i c i p a tor i n
,
but d o i ng g oo d to on e s s elf ( in w i ll an d i n ac t i on )
T hi s i s th e .
He i s g i n l ovwe anti
of h i m s e
n l f w h o o n l y st r i v e s a ft e r
ea rt h ly p oss e ss i o n s an d h ee ds n ot h i s e t e rn a l h a p p in e ss ; li k e wi s e
an d ar e no t w i ll i ng t o g i ve the m up for Go d s sa ke S uc h l o ve of on e s
.
s el f i s a spur i o u s l o ve ; i t i s s el sh n e ss s el f s eek i ng He wh o p r e fe rs ,
-
.
thee an d wh os e s h al l th os e th i n g s be wh i c h th o u h as t p ro v i ded
,
even put s an e n d t o i t by h i s o wn ac t ?
X . D
THE TEN C O M M AN M ENTS O F G O D .
1 Th e Ten
. Comman dme n ts w e r e gi v e n b y God t o th e Je w
s
on M ou t Si i n na .
n ei gh b or.
l i n e s s h a s t h e p ro mi s e of t h e l i fe t h a t n ow i s , a n d of t h a t wh i ch i s
to c ome ( 1 Ti m i v He wh o ob s erves Go d s c omma n dmen t s oh
. .
t a i n s i n t er i or c o n t en t, h ea l th , h o n or , r i ch es , a n d a mor e i n t i ma t e
kn o wl e d g e of God D a vi d s a ys t o God : . M u ch p ea ce h a v e t h ey t h a t
l o v e Th y l a w a n d t o t h em t h er e i s n o s t u mb l i n g b l o ck
, ( P s c xv i i i -
. .
p e r s e cu t i o n s Hi s h o u s e i s b u i l t u p on a ro ck a n d th e for ce of t h e
.
,
el emen t s i s i mp o t en t t o o v e rt h ro w i t ( M a tt v ii O nl y b y t h e . .
b r i d g e of ob ed i en c e c a n w e en t e r i n t o h e a ven ; i t i s a b ri d g e wi t h
t en a r ch es ( St V i n c en t F e rrer )
. If ou r rewa rd on ea rt h i s b u t
.
omp en s e s u rp a s s i n g a ll ou r h o p es a n d e xp ec t a t i o n s , w i t h o u t l i mi t a n d
wi t h o u t e n d He fu ll s h i s p r omi s e wh o g i ves more a n d b et ter th a n
.
wa s exp e c ted of h i m ( St J e ro me ) . .
g en e r a l , d i s c o n t e n t , s i c kn es s , t h e l os s of h o n or or of p rop er t y, h u n g er
a n d o t h er mi s e ri es He wh o d o es n ot kee p Go d s c omma n dmen ts
.
w i l l h a ve n o h el p fro m Go d i n t h e t i me of a fi ct i o n O u r L or d s a ys .
th e h o u s e of s u ch a on e i s b u i l t on t h e s a n d , a n d w i l l b e d es t ro yed
( M a tt v i i 2 7
. . Th e l i g h t n i n g s a n d s mo k e on M o u n t Si n a i a re t yp i
c a l of th e re w h i ch w i ll b e t h e p en a l t y of th o s e wh o t r a n s g r e s s Go d s
t o g eth e r, t h a t on e c a n n o t b e ma i n t a i n ed w i th o u t th e o t h e rs He wh o .
v i ol a t es on e c o mma n d men t t r a n s gr es s es th e l a w of ch a ri t y, on wh i ch
a l l th e c o mma n d men t s d ep en d ( St Au g u s t i n e ) In th i s th ey a re
. .
l i k e a s t r i n g ed i n s t ru men t ; on e b ro k en s t r i n g w i ll r u i n t h e mel o d y .
{ ) r l i ke th e h u ma n b o d y ; i f on e memb er b e d i s e a s ed , i t i s e n o u g h
t o ca u s e d e a th If t h e wh o l e c i t y i s g u a rd ed a n d on e p a rt l eft n u
.
g re a t ma n y of th e c o mma n d men t s ; t h ey a re d a mn ed b ec a u s e t h ey
did n ot keep a ll .
6 . It i s n ot a u
d ifc l t ma tter to k eep th es e c omma n dmen ts
as l on g as God h el p s u s w i th Hi s gra c e ; h en ce C h ri s t s a s to y
Th e Ten Comma nd men ts f
o God . 309
Hi s foll ow ers : My y ok e is ea s y an d My b u rd en i s l i gh t
( M a t t . x i.
h ea vy ( 1 Jo h n v Th e b u r d en i s h e a vy i n i t s el f ou t God a s s i s t s
.
,
u s w i t h Hi s g r a ce t o b ea r i t i f w e a s k Hi m St Au g u s ti n e s a ys : . .
th o u ca n s t a n d i n wh a t t h o u ca n s t n ot d o t o i mp l ore Hi s h elp a n d
, ,
He w i ll en a b l e th ee t o d o i t
I c a n d o a ll t h i n g s i n Ch r i s t th a t
.
s a i n t s wh o wen t b efore u s s e rv es t o en c o u r a g e u s .
O n Si n a i God s a id : Th o u s h a l t n ot h a ve s t r a n g e g o d s b efor e
M e ( Exo d x 2 Th a t i s t o s a y ,
. . Th o u s h a l t w or s h i p th e t ru e
G od o nl y ; t h o u s h a l t wor s h i p n o fa l s e g o d s
In t h e F i r s t C o mma n d .
ma n d men t O ur L or d r efe rr ed wh en He s a i d t o Sa t a n : It i s w ri tt en
( M a tt i v . .
We o med t o s h o w res p ec t t o a n y on e wh o i s s u p e ri or
a re a cc u s t
, ,
s c i en ce a n d t h e l i ke
, Th e g rea t er a ma n s s u p er i or i t y t o o u rs el ves
.
,
i n n i t el y s u p eri or t o u s w e ow e Hi m t h e u tmos t r es p ec t w or s h i p a n d
ven er a t i o n of whi ch w
, ,
e a re c a p a b l e Th i s hi g h es t w o rs h i p we c a ll .
a d or a t i o n .
ou r C rea tor .
Le t u s med i t a t e a wh i l e u p o n t h e i n n i t e s u b l i mi t y of God C on .
s i d e r rs t Hi s omn i p o ten c e ; t h i s i s d i s p l a ye d i n t h e b e a u t y o f t h e
s t a r Sp a n g l e d rm a men t
-
Th e h ea v en s s h o w fort h t h e g l or y of
.
Go d ( P s xv i i i .C o n s i d er a l s o th e etern i ty of God
. O n e da y .
wi t h t h e L or d i s a s a th o u s a n d yea rs ( 2 P et i i i Th i n k of t h e . .
w i s d om of God t h e a rr a n g emen t s of W h o s e p ro vi d en ce a re s o w on
,
d erfu l i n c rea t i o n a n d Wh o c a n t u r n ev en wh a t i s ev il t o g oo d
, .
O t h e d ep th of t h e r i ch es of t h e w i s d o m a n d of t h e k n o wl ed g e of
G od ! How i n c o mp reh en s i b l e a re Hi s i u d g men ts ! ( R om x i
. .
Th i n k of Hi s fa th erly c a re ev en for t h e mo s t i n s i g n i c a n t of Hi s
c re a t u r es At th e t i me of O u r Lo r d s b i rt h He s h o w ed g ra c e t o p oor
.
,
s h ep h e r d s a n d h e a t h en s ; He c h o s e for Hi s M o t h e r a l o wl y V i rg i n ,
i s t h e d i s t a n c e et w een G od a n d ma n We l o ve G od, b ec a u s e we
kn o w Hi m ; w e a d or e Hi m b ec a u s e we ca n n o t c o mp reh en d Hi m
( St G reg ory of Na zi a nz en ) W e a re en t i rel y d ep e n d en t u p on G od ;
. .
we b el on g wh o ll y a n d s ol el y t o Hi m Th e memb e rs of ou r b o d y, t h e
.
p o we r s of ou r s o u l a re Hi s g i ft ; t o Hi m w e ow e ou r b ei n g , a n d b y
Hi m we h a ve b een red eemed Si n ce He h a s g i ven u s a ll th a t we .
h a ve, i t i s j u s t t h a t w e s h o u l d s er ve Hi m a n d w or s h i p Hi m a l o n e .
Th e c on s i d er a t i on of t h e d i vi n e b en et s b es t o w e d u p o n u s t ea ch es
u s t o a d ore Hi m -
W e mu s t , more o ve r, con s i d er t h a t w e c a n n o t exi s t
.
w i t h o u t G o d s c o n t i n u a l h el p If He d ep r i ve s u s of foo d , we c a n n o t
.
d o wn b efor e t h e L or d t h a t ma d e u s F or He i s t h e L or d ou r God ; .
we a re t h e p eop l e of Hi s p a s t u r e a n d t h e s h eep of Hi s h a n d
( Ps .
xc i v 7 )
.
1 Th e a d orati on w e p a y t o God
. c ons i s t s i n th i s : Th at w e a o
b
k nowl ed ge oth i n our h earts a nd by our acti ons th at He i s Our
Lord a nd w e a re Hi s c reat res a n d u Hi s s erva nts .
To w or s h i p God i s t o a c kn o wl edg e ou r ow n mi s er y a n d Hi s g re a t
n es s . He
wh o w or s h i p s G od s a y s w i t h D a vi d M y s u b s t a n ce i s a s
n o th i n g b e for e Th ee ! ( P s xxxvi i i O u r a d or a t i o n of God
. .
W e c a ll t h os e p e rs on s p i o u s wh o w ors h i p God i n t ru t h .
By fa i th w e g i ve ou r a s s en t t o a l l t h e u tt e ra n ces of t h e mos t h i g h
a n d t h e t ru e G o d w e a d or e G od a s t h e p e rfect t ru th
, By h op e we .
w e a d or e Hi m a s t h e s o u r ce of a ll g ood B y ch a r i t y w e o cc u p y ou r .
s el ve s ex cl us i v el y w i th G od w e a d ore Hi m a s ou r n a l en d
, St . .
ve n er a t i n g Hi m An d wh o th a t kn o w s th e omn i p o t en ce of God a n d
.
h op e s i n Hi m ? Wh o th a t i s c o n s c i o u s of t h e m a n y b en et s G od
l a v i s h es u p o n h i m c a n fa i l t o l o v e Hi m ?
,
Is i t p o s s i b l e a s k s St , .
Hi m R ev er en c e for G od t h e w or s h i p of G od a re i n s ep a r a b l e
, ,
fro m th e l o v e of G od for w e a d or e w h a t w e l o v e
,
L o ve a n d a d or a .
t i o n a re a s cl o s el y c o n n ec t ed a s re a n d fla me
( St F r a n c i s of .
Sa l es ) Th u s th e w or s h i p of God c o n s i s t s o f th es e th ree t hi n g s : fa i th
. ,
h op e a n d ch a r i ty ; b y a ct s of t h es e v i rt u e s w e a re t o ma n i fes t ou r
,
exp r es s i o n of fa i th h o p e a n d ch a r i t y, ,
.
31 2 Th e Comma n d men ts .
Th o s e i n d i v i d u al s wh o ma k e a g rea t e r d emon s t r a t i o n of d ev o t i o n
th a n t h e i r i n t e r i or s en t i men t s w a rr a n t a re l i ke p eo p l e wh o d res s ,
a b o ve t h e i r s t a t i o n a n d g i v e t h ems el v es ou t fo r r i ch e r t h a n t h ey
,
p i et y b y wh i ch t h ey s e ek t o c o n c ea l t h ei r evi l l i fe
, In t h i s t h ey re .
s emb l e t h os e w h o s eek t o d i s g u i s e s o me u n p l e a s a n t o d or b y t h e u s e of
a p ow e rfu l p e rfu me or t h o s e w h o h a v i n g a b a d c o mp l ex i o n b y n a t u r e
, ,
emp l o y c o s met i c s t o g i ve i t a c t i t i o u s b e a u t y a n d a t t r a c t i v e b ri l
l i a n cy Th e a n c i en t Eg yp t i a n s u s ed t o emb a l m d e a d b o d i e s t o p re
.
s er v e t h em fr om d e c o mp o s i t i o n So Sa t a n i mb u es t h os e w h o a re .
s p i r i t u a ll y d ea d w i t h t h e a ro ma of a Sp ur i o u s p i et y t h a t t h e i r m or a l ,
c orr u p t i o n ma y n ot b e a p p a r en t P e r s o n s wh o ma k e a p re t en ce of .
p i et y ma y b e d et ec t e d b y t h e i r o s t en t a t i o u s d i s p l a y of d ev o t i o n a n d
t h e i r u t t e r l a c k of c h a r i t y Th ey c ou rt o b s er v a t i o n of t h e i r r el i g i o u s
.
do wn c a s t mi en t a k e a p ro mi ne n t p a rt i n a ll C a t h ol i c c o n fr a t e rn i t i es
, ,
a n d c o u n t i t a c r i me n ot t o g o t o c o nfes s i o n on p a r t i c u l a r d a ys .
M e a n wh i l e t h ey d o n ot s c r u p l e t o c o n cea l a g r i ev ou s s i n i n t h e t r i b u
n a l of p e n a n c e t h e y l i ve i n en mi t y th ey s l a n d e r t h ei r n ei g h b or
, , ,
g i v e n o a l ms a n d i n d u l g e en vy Th u s t h es e w ou l d b e s a i n t s b et r a y -
t h e i r r e a l ch a r a ct e r a s s u re l y a s a ma n b et r a y s h i s n a t i o n a l i t y t h e
mo men t h e o p en s h i s l i p s P i et y th a t i s s i mp l y ext ern a l d oes n ot
.
l a s t b ec a u s e i t i s n ot t h e o u t c ome of i n t e ri or d ev o t i o n
, P l a n et s a n d .
c o met s a re b o t h l u mi n o u s
s a y s St
, F r a n c i s of Sal es
. h e a v en l y , ,
b o d i es a n d cl o s el y r es emb l e ea ch o t h e r b u t t h e c o met s s oo n d i s
, ,
a p p e a r w h e r e a s t h e p l a n et s s h i n e on t o a ll t i me
,
So i t i s w i t h re a l .
a n d u n r ea l d ev ot i o n Th o s e wh o m a ke a p r et en c e of p i et y r en d e r
.
d ev o t i o n a l p r a c t i c e s for n o on e l i k e s t o b e cl a s s e d wi t h h yp o c ri t e s
,
.
3 . We ou gh t to a v oi d a l l e x a gger a t i on 1 n de v oti on , a n d ne v er
o mi t th e du ti es of ou r s t a t e i n l i fe .
We o u g h t t o a v o i d ev er y k i n d of ex a g g er a t i o n i n t h e w or s h i p of
G od Tru e p i et y d o es n ot c o n s i s t i n a g l oo my d eme a n or, d o wn cas t
.
w i t h a g re a t v a r i e t y of r el i g i o u s p r a ct i ces We s h oul d a i m a t s i m .
l i i t i n o u r d e v o t i o n s A s h or t p r a y e r r ep e a t e d a h u n d r e d t i mes
p c y .
,
of Sa l es w i t h d i li g en t c a re for t h e l o v e of G od i s t r u l y p i o u s a n d a
, ,
ma n a ft er Go d s h e a rt
Th a t p i et y w h i ch i s i n c o mp a t i b l e w i th t h e
.
d u t i es of ou r s t a t i o n i s fa l s e p i et y Tr u e p i et y a d a p t s i ts elf t o t h e .
d u t i e s of ev e ry s t a t e a n d c a l l i n g , a s a u i d t a k es t h e form of t h e
ves s el i n t o wh i ch i t i s p o u red .
O u r L or d s a i d t o t h e d ev i l , w h en h e t emp ted Hi m : It i s wr i tt en ,
th e L or d t h y G o d s h a l t t h o u a d or e a n d Hi m o n l y s h a l t t h o u s e rv e
,
( M a t t i v . .If I a m i n t h e p r es e n c e o f a p er s o n a g e o f d i s t i n c t i o n ,
a n d d ev o t e my a tt en t i o n t o s o me on e g r e a t l y h i s i n fer i or ; s o i t w oul d
n ot b e r i g h t t o a ll ow a n y ob j ec t b u t God t o en g ro s s ou r mi n d a n d
th ou g h t s It i s h o weve r n o s i n t o rever en ce c re a t u r es i n wh o m th e
.
p e r fec t i o n s o f G o d a re r e e c t e d W e .d o n ot w o s hi p t h em w i t h r
Th u s i t i s p ermi s s i b l e t o v en er a t e t h e s a i n t s .
2
. ID OL ATRY O R THE WOR SHIP OF F AL SE GOD S .
wi ll a d ore a c rea t u re Th i s i s i d ol a t r y
. He wh o d o es n ot w o r s h i p
.
G od i n th e m a nn er wh i ch He h a s r evea l ed a n d wh i ch th e C h u r ch
p r e s c r i b es , w i ll ere l o n g c o me t o w or s h i p Hi m a ft e r a d eb a s e d a n d
foo l i s h fa s h i o n Th i s i s th e fa l s e w ors h i p of God
. .
s t a t u e Na b u ch o d o n o s or s et u p ( D a n R ememb e r t h e s ol d i e rs
.
wh o fo u g h t u n d e r Ju d a s M a ch a b eu s , a n d wh o fel l i n b a ttl e b e c a u s e
t h ey h a d i d o l s c o n ce a l ed u n d e r t h e i r c o a t s J u d a s h a d p r a yer s a n d
.
p er s ec u t i o n s o me of t h e ea rl y C h r i s t i a n s w er e g u il t y of i d o l a t ry ,
th e p e op l e of F r a n c e fell i n t o t h e s i n of i d ol a t r y wh en a w o ma n ,
p e r s on a t i n g t h e Go d d es s of R ea s o n , w a s a d o red i n t h e h ous e of God .
To th i s d a y th e h ea th en wors h i p i d ol s .
Th e h e a th en c h a ng e d t h e g l ory of t h e C r ea t or i n t o t h e g l ory of
c r ea t u r es ( R om i In As i a wh er e th e h ea ven l y b o d i es s h i n e
. .
,
u p o n t h e s u n t h e moo n t h e c i r cl e of s t a r s a s g o d s
, , a n d a l s o re t h e , ,
s o urc e of l i g h t t h e w i n d a n d t h e g r e a t w a t e rs ( W i s d x i i i
, Th e . .
Eg yp t i a ns mo s tl y w ors h i p p ed a n i ma l s wh i ch w er e ei t h e r u s efu l or
h u rt ful s u ch a s t h e c a t t h e h a w k t h e c roc o d i l e a n d es p e c i a ll y Ap i s
, , , , ,
a b l a c k hu l l wi t h a w h i t e s ca r on i t s for eh ea d a n d o t h er p ec ul i a r
a g a i n w or s h i p p ed s t a t u es a n d i ma g es o f t h e p a g a n g od s An d a s th e .
p e rmi tt ed t h em t h ro u g h t h e p r a c t i ce of i d ol a t r y t o d eg r a d e t h em
, ,
s el v es b y t h e mo s t h i d eo us v i ces ( R om i Th ey r ep r es en t ed
. .
th ei r d i vi ni t i es a s vi c i o u s t h ems el v es a n d t h e p a t ro n s of v i ce i n
,
ot h ers ; b y i n d u l g i n g i n th e v i ce of wh i ch a n y p a r t i c u l a r g od
31 4 Th e Comma nd men ts .
of fa l s e g o d s w a s n o t h i n g l e s s t h a n t h e s e r v i ce of d e vi l s ( 1 C or x
v
. .
for t h e d e i l wa s t h e a n i ma t i n g s p i ri t of i d ol a t r y ; h e d w el t i n
t h e i d o l s a n d o ft en t i mes s p o ke t h ro u g h t h em
D a vi d s a ys : Th e .
o u g h t t o b e t o a l mi g h t y G od for t h e b l es s i n g s of th e Go s p el It i s t o .
s h o w o u r g r a t i t u d e for t h i s b en et t h a t w e s t a n d wh i l e t h e G o s p el
i s r ea d d u r i n g M a s s .
-
q
Th ree u a rt ers of t h e h u ma n r a ce a re s t i ll
p l u n g ed i n p a g a n d a rkn es s , th a t i s t o s a y a b o u t e i g h t h u n d r ed mi l
l i o n s a re h ea t h en s Th ey a re t o b e fo u n d p r i n c i p a ll y i n Afr i c a ,
.
In d i a , C h i n a a n d J a p a n Ever y ye a r t h e Hol y F a th er s en d s ou t
.
mor e mi s s i o n er s t o th e h ea th en C a t h ol i c s o u g h t t o s u p p or t t h e s e
.
mi s s i o n er s b y th ei r p ra yer s a n d th e i r a l ms Th e As s o c i a t i o n for .
t h e P ro p a g a t i o n o f t h e F a i t h , a n d of th e Hol y C h i l dh oo d of J es u s .
h a ve b een i n s t i t u t e d for t h i s o b j ec t .
It w o u l d b e a b s u r d t o c a ll a ma n a n i d ol a t e r b ec a u s e h e offers t o
a fa l s e g od a few g r a i n s of i n c en s e wh i ch h e o u g h t t o o f fe r t o t h e
t r u e God , a n d n ot t o a p p l y t h e s a me te rm t o on e wh o d ev o t es hi s
wh ol e l i fe t o th e w orl d i n s t e a d of t o God Th e a v a r i c i o u s a re p re .
emi n en tl y i d ol a t er s ( Ep h v for t h ey c o n s e c r a t e t h ei r ev e ry
. .
t h o u g h t , t h ei r ev ery ex e rt i o n , t h ey s a c r i ce th ei r h ea l th , t h e i r l i fe t o
M a mmo n , t o t h e p u r s u i t of t h i s w orl d s g oo d s
C o vet o u s n es s i s t h e .
s erv i ce of i d o l s ( C ol i i i . .
Wh a t ever ma n d es i r es a n d a d or es t h a t i s h i s g od Th e g od of
a , .
t h e a v a r i c i o u s i s g ol d ( O s ee v i i i t h e g o d of t h e p ro u d i s h on or
.
,
th e g od of t h e g l u t t o n i s h i s b el l y ( P h i l i i i t h e g od of t h e . .
u n ch a s t e h i s own l u s t s ( 1 C or v i Th e g r eed of g a i n th e. .
,
p r i d e of l i fe s en s u a l p l ea s u r es
, a re w or s h i p p ed b y t h e w orl d l i n g
, .
P a ren t s a re a l s o g u i l t y of i d o l a t r y i f t h ey ch eri s h a n i n or d i n a te ,
a ec t i on for t h e i r ch i l d r en ( W i s d x i v
. .
3 . v
Th e s er i ce of i d ol s i s h i gh trea s on a ga i n s t th e ma j es ty of
God, a n d t h e mos t h ei n o s of s i n s u .
St . Th o ma s Aqu i n a s d e cl a r es t h e w or s h i p of i d o l s t o b e t h e
g r ea t es t of a l l s i n s Amo n g t h e J ews i t w as p u n i s h a b l e b y d e a t h
.
( Exo d xxi i
. O n on e o cca s i o n n o l es s t h a n t wen t y th r ee t h o u s a n d
.
-
( Exo d xxxi i . He wh o w or s h i p s i d ol s i n cu rs th e cu r s e of G od
.
( D eu t xxvi i
. Th i nk of th e l a men t a b l e c o n di t i o n of t h e h ea th en ;
.
s o me of t h em h a v e b ec o me s o d eg r a d ed t h ro u g h i d ol a t ry t h a t t h ey
h a v e s u n k i n t o t h e v i c e of c a n n i b a l i s m Th e Ap o s tl e s a ys i d ol a t er s .
,
a d u l te r e r s th e c o v et o u s d ru n k a r d s , a n d o th er s s h a l l n ot p o s s es s t h e
, , ,
k i n g d o m of God ( 1 C or v i . .
31 6 Th e Comma n dmen ts .
for et el l t h e fu t u r e b y t h e c o m i n a t i o n s of n u mb er s a n d g u res a n d
v
,
th e l i ke c o n t emp t i b l e d e i ce s Th ey a t t a c h s u p er s t i t i o u s mea n i n g t o
.
t h e h o w l i n g of a d og a t n i g h t wh i ch i s s a i d t o p red i ct th e d e a t h of i t s
,
o wn er ; t h e h o u r a t wh i ch a w a t ch h a p p en s t o s t op et c Th o s e wh o , .
p l a y l o t t er y c o n n ec t c e r t a i n n u mb er s wi t h c er t a i n e ven t s e i t h er ,
i n R o me i n 1 89 5 a mi ll i o n of fr a n c s wa s p u t i n t o t h e l o t t ery on t h e
,
n u mb er el ev en t h i s b e i n g t h e d a t e o f t h e e a r t h q u a k e o t h e r t i ck e t s
, ,
for l a rg e s u ms b ei n g t a k en for t h e h o u r a n d mi n u t e a t wh i ch i t
o ccu rr ed All th es e n u mb er s were d r a wn b l a n ks An d t h a t i n t h i s
. .
p erfectl y l eg i t i ma t e .
. v
3 Sp i ri tu a l i s m i s th e i n o c a ti on of s p i ri ts 1 n V i ew o f l ea rn
i n g wh at i s h i dd en from h ma n k en u .
Aqu i n a s s a ys i t i s s i n fu l t o s ee k i n s t ru ct i on fro m t h e d ev i l , s i n ce t h e
Holy Sc ri p tu r es t h e Wor d of G od a re p l a ced w i th i n ou r re a ch
, ,
.
L et t h er e n ot b e fou n d a n y on e th a t c o n s u l t et h s p i r i t s for t h e L or d ,
a b h orr et h a l l t h es e t h i n g s ( D eu t xv i i i Sp i r i t u a l i s t s a re o ft en
. .
ex c u s ed on t h e p l e a t h a t t h ey a re C h r i s t i a n s a n d c a ll u p o n t h e
v
,
n a me of G od ; b u t for t h a t er y r e a s o n t h ey a re t o b e c on d emn ed
. ,
b e c a u s e t h ey p ro fa n e G o d s h ol y n a me, a n d wh il e p ro fes s i n g t o b e
C h r i s t i a n s t h ey a c t a s d o t h e h ea th en
, .
It i s a n u n d en i a b l e fa ct th a t a mon g th e h ea t h en t h er e were i n d i
v i d u al s wh o w ork ed w o n d e r s b y t h e d ev i l s a i d
Th ere wer e ma g i .
c i a n s i n Egyp t i n t h e t i me of M o s es , wh o b y t h e i r en c h a n tmen t s
i mi t a t e d h i s mi r a cl es ( Exo d v i i . In t h e d a y s of t h e a p o s tl es
.
a ma g i c i a n n a me d Si mo n l i v ed i n Sa ma r i a a n d d el u d ed ma n y b y h i s
s or c e r i es ( Ac t s iii v W e a re a l s o t ol d t h a t An t i ch ri s t wi ll p er
.
form ma n y l yi n g w o n d er s w i t h t h e a s s i s t a n ce of th e ev i l on e ( 2 Th es s .
ii . Th e n a me of ma g i c i a n i s n ot t o b e g i ven t o j u g g l er s , wh o b y
s k i l l a n d s l ei g h t of h a n d p e r form a s t on i s h i n g fe a t s .
2 Th i s p er
. v erted form of w ors hi p i s a gri e o s vu
s i n .
Go d s a y s : Th e s o u l th a t s h a ll g o a s i d e a ft e r ma g i ci a n s a n d
s oo t h s a ye r s I w i ll d e s t ro y o u t o f t h e mi d s t o f i t s p e o p l e
( L ev xx . .
D a v i d s a ys : Th o u h a s t h a ted th em t h a t r eg a r d v a n i t i es t o n o
p u r p o s e
( P s. xxx . H e w h o t ru s t s t o v a i n t h i n g s or t o e v i l
s p i ri t s ,a s c r ib es more p o we r t o t h em t h a n t o God ; h e t a c i t l y d en i es
t h e d i v i n e a tt r i b u t es of s a n c t i t y o mn i p o t en c e w i s d om et c
,
How c a n s t
, , .
d o s t a b a n d on Hi m a n d h a e r ec o u rs e t o t h e ev i l en emy ?
Th i s s i n
Th e Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God .
mes s en g e rs , a n d s a i d t o th em : Go a n d r et u rn t o t h e k i n g t h a t s en t
y ou a n d s a y t o h i m : Th u s s a i th t h e L or d , Is i t b ec a u s e t h e r e w a s n o
,
t h ey a re t im i d a n d a p p r eh en s i ve ; ever y t r i e a l a rms t h em ; t h ey a re
d i s ma yed a n d a fr a i d t o a c t wh en t h ey p er cei ve wh a t t h ey c o n s i d er
a s p or t en t s O t h er s i n s foll o w i n t h e t r a i n of t h i s p e rve r s i o n of t h e
.
n ei g h b or J Su p ers t i t i on s p eo p l e a re ea s i l y mi s l ed b y t h ei r omen s i n t o
r a s h j u d g men t s a n d h a s t y c o n d emn a t i on s of o th er s ; or th ey refu s e t o
d o t h em a s erv i c e l es t i t s h o ul d b r i n g i ll l u ck, et c -
.
Th e h e a th en h a d t h ei r h o u s eh ol d g o d s ; t h ey w er e t o b e s een i n
t h e h a ll s of p a l a c es a s w ell a s a b o v e t h e t h r e s h o l d of t h e l o wl i es t
d wel l i n g s . Y et C a t h o li c s , wh o w or s h i p t h e t r u e God , t oo o ft en d en y
Hi m t h e H
d a i l y h oma g e d u e t o im Th e fo ll o w er s of M o h a mm ed
.
n ever o mi t , wh en t h e mu e zz i n ca l l s t o p r a ye r , t o kn eel d o wn a n d p er
form t h ei r or i s o n s , even i n p u b l i c p l a ce s , wh i l e C h ri s t i a n s , wh o h ol d
t h e t r u e fa i th d o n ot s cr u p l e t o d i s p en s e w i t h p r a yer a l mo s t en t i r el y
, .
Un h a p p y i s t h e h o u s eh o l d wh er e fa mi l y p r a yer i s a n u n k n o wn t hi n g
2 .B y op p os i n g rel i gi on , ei th er g by
s p ea k i n g a a i n s t th e fa i th ,
or by b
th e p u l i c a ti on or d i s s emi n a ti on of ook s a n d p eri o di c a l s b
h os ti l e t o th e fa i th , or by
j oi n i n g a s s oci a ti on s of a n a n ti C h ri s -
ti a n c h a ra c ter .
b
8 B y w or s h i pp i n g i d ol s or ei n g en gros s ed i n ma teri a l i n
.
t eres ts .
4 B y s u p ers ti ti ons
. .
5 B y t ell i n g fo r tu n es or h a i n g on e s fortu n e t ol d
.
v .
v
6 B y i n ok i n g s p i r i ts , ei th er for th e p u rp os e of s ea r ch i n g
.
ou t w h a t i s h i d d en , o r o f d oi n g w h a t c a n n ot b e d on e i n th e or ~
u
di n a ry c o rs e of n a t re u .
4
. THE VENERATION OF SAINTS .
We ca l l th os e s a i n ts w h o d i ed i n th e gra c e of G od , a n d wh o
a re a l ea rd y i n h ea v en , y
more es p eci a ll th os e w h om th e C h r ch u
has ca n on i z ed .
C a n o n i z a t i o n d o es n ot a dmi t a n y on e i n t o h e a ven ; i t i s o n l y a
s ol emn d ecl a r a t i o n on t h e a rt o f t h e P op e th a t t h e ma n or w o ma n
p
31 8 Th e Comma n d men ts .
q
i n u es t i o n h a s l ed a h ol y l i fe ( th i s h a v i ng b een p roved y th e exa m b
i n a t i on of h i s or h er l i fe ) , a n d t h a t ( a s t h e mi ra cl es p ro ved to h a e v
b een w ro u g h t b y th e i n d i v i d u a l t es t i fy ) h e or s h e i s a l r ea d y i n
v
h ea en , a n d i s t h e r efor e t o b e v en e r a t ed b y t h e C h u r ch C a n on i z a .
t i o n i s p rec ed e d b y b ea t ic a t i on ; b y t h i s l a t t er t h e i n d i v i d u a l i s p ro
p o s ed for t h e ven er a t i o n of a p ort i o n of t h e fa i t h fu l on l y, wh e rea s b y
c a n o n i z a t i o n h e i s d ecl a re d w o rt h y t o rece i v e t h e c ul t u s of t h e wh ol e
C h u rch Th e s c ru t i n y t o wh i ch t h e l i fe a n d mi r a cl es a re s u b j ect ed
.
p o i n t e d t o e x a m i n e t h em b y t h e S u p r em e P o n t i ff h i ms elf Th i s .
ex a mi n a t i o n d o es n ot t a k e p l a ce a s a ru l e u n t i l ft y y e a r s a ft e r t h e
d e a th of t h e s e rv a n t of God O n a cc o u n t of t h e g re a t n u mb er of th e
.
wer e n ot c o n t a mi n a t ed b y t h e c orr u p t i o n of s er i o u s s i n ; t o t h e
ma j es t i c ced a r s of L eb a n o n , b y r e a s on of t h e h ei gh t of p e rfe ct i o n
t h e y a tt a i n e d ; t o t h e fr a g r a n t lil y, b ec a u s e b y t h ei r g oo d w orks t h ey
s h ed a s w e e t o d or a ro u n d t h em ; t o a n a n v i l u n b ro ken b y t h e b l o ws ,
of t h e h a mme r , for th e y s to o d s t ea d fa s t b en e a t h t h e s t ro ke s of mi s
t h e y s u s t a i n h er b y t h ei r p r a y er s a n d li ke t h e t o wers t h a t c ro wn a
,
c i t y, t h ey a d d t o h er o u t w a r d ma j e s t y a n d d i g n i t y .
u
Th e C h rch ord a i n s th at th os e s a i n ts a l on e w h om s h e h a s
c a n on i z e d s h o l d b e p u
li cl en era t ed ub yv
th e fa i th f l by u .
Th e C h u r ch kn o w s th a t t h e ven er a t i o n of t h e s a i n t s i s g oo d a n d
u s efu l for u s C o n s e qu en tl y s h e\ omi t s n o o p p or tu n i t y of i n ci t i n g u s
.
t o i t ; a t B a p t i s m t h e n a me of a s a i n t i s g i ven t o t h e ch i l d wh o i s
ma d e on e of t h e memb er s of th e C h u rch a n d th e s a me i s d o n e a t ,
C o n rma t i o n . Ev e ry d a y
i n t h e yea r s o me on e or more s a i n t s a re
c o mmemor a t ed ; s t a t u es a n d p i ct u r e s o f s a i n t s a re p l a ced i n t h e
c h u r ch es , th ei r n a mes a re men t i o n ed i n t h e M a s s a n d i n v o k ed i n
l i t a n i es a n d p u b l i c p r a y e r s .
1 . We b u
h on or th e s a i nts eca s e th e a re th e fri end s of God , y
p ri n c es of t h e h ea en l c o rt ,v y u
a nd b
en efa c t ors t o o rs el es ; al s o u v
b u b
eca s e w e o t a i n great grac es from God th ro gh v enerati ng t h em u .
a n d v i r t u e s h o u l d b e ma d e cl ea r, a n d th ey s h o ul d b e en er a t ed y al l
3 20 Th e Comma n d men ts .
th i s p ro s p e ct u n i te s u s t o th em i n a mu t u a l l o ve B ot h th ey a n d we b e .
i n g of t h e c o mmu n i o n of s a i n t s H
en c e t h e y es p ou s e ou r ca u s e, wh en
.
we i n v o ke t h ei r a i d a n d t h ei r i n t er ces s i on wi th God Th e fa ct of .
i n v o ki n g t h em t es t i es t o t h e e s t ee m i n w h i ch we h o l d t h em, a n d t h e
v a l u e we a tt a ch to t h e i r p r a y e rs We cel eb r a t e th e fea s t s of th e
.
s a i nts . In t h e e a rl i es t a g es of t h e C h u rch t h e d a y wh e re o n t h e
ma rt yr s s u ffered w a s c a r efull y n o t ed d o wn , t o b e c o mmemor a t e d a n
n u a l ly In t h e w orl d g r e a t even t s a re c el eb r a t ed b y a j u b i l ee ; W h y
.
s h o u l d n ot t h e s a me b e d o n e i n t h e C h u r ch ? Th e a nni v er s a ri es of
t h e s a i n ts a re n ot h o l yd a y s of o b l i g a t i o n , ex c ep t i n g t h e fea s t o f St .
P et e r a n d St P a ul i n En gl a n d , an d t h e fe s t i v a l of Al l Sa i n t s h ere
. .
An d a s w e l i ke t o p r es e rv e i n memo ry of t h e d ep a r t ed , l i t tl e o b j e cts
t h a t h a v e b el o n g e d t o t h em, wh et h er t h ey b e ou r own r el a t i ves a n d
fri en d s , or men of g re a t r en o wn , s o t h e reli cs of t h e s a i n t s a n d t h ei r
i ma g es a re t o b e h el d i n v en er a t i o n Th e n a mes of h e ro es a n d g rea t
.
of p a s t t i mes o ft e n fu r n i s h a t h eme t o t h e or a t o r a n d t h e p o et ; s o
p a n eg yr i cs a re p ro n o u n c e d , a n d h ymn s s un g i n h o n or of t h e s a i n ts .
B u t t h e mo s t i mp ort a nt t h i n g i s t o i mi t a t e t h e s a i n t s To ven er a t e .
t h e s a i n t s w i th o u t foll ow i ng i n t h ei r s t ep s , s a ys St Au g u s t i n e,
is .
l i v es of t h e s a i n t s i s a l s o a mea n s of h o n or i n g t h em for w e r ea d th e ,
3 . Th e v en era t i on w e p a y t o th e s a i n ts d oes n ot i n th e
l ea s t d etra ct from th e h on or d u e t o G od, for w e onl re eren c e y v
th e s a i n ts for Go d s s a k e, a n d
by
n o mea n s d o w e re eren c e th em v
i n th e w a y th a t w e re eren ce God , b u t onl v eca s e th e a re yb u y
th e s erv a n ts of God .
Th e v en er a t i o n of t h e s a i n t s d o es n ot d et r a ct fro m t h e h o n or d u e
t o G od Wh o w oul d th i n k of s a yi n g t h a t i t s h ow ed w a n t of res p ect
.
mor e d et r a ct fro m t h e h o n or d u e t o Hi m th a n w e d o b y ch a r i ty
t o w a r d s ou r n ei g h b or a n d w e kn o w th a t t h e l o ve of Go d i n crea s e s
,
w i t h t h e l o v e of o n e s n e i ghb or We h on or t h e s a i n t s b eca u s e i n
.
th em t h e d i v i n e i ma g e i s re ect e d
~
We r everen ce a p ort r a i t of t h e
.
ki n g a s b ei n g a fa i t h fu l r ep r es en t a t i o n of t h e mon a r ch t o wh o m w e
ow e a ll eg i a n c e ; s o w e r ev er en c e t h e s a i n t s b ec a u s e w e s ee t h e i ma g e
of G od i n t h em W e l o ve th em a s w e l o ve ou r fell ow men ; th ey a re
.
-
ma d e a ft er Go d s i ma g e a n d a re Hi s ch i l d ren We a l s o ven er a t e t h e
b
.
,
s o mu ch a s t o th e g l o ry of God Wh o worked b y th e i r a g en cy
, Th u s .
Th e Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God . 321
the c ed i t of a
r b ea u t iful p i c tu re d o es n ot b el o n g t o th e b r u s h or a ,
cl ev er b oo k t o t h e p en or a n el o qu en t d i s c ou rs e t o t h e l i p s t h a t
,
Bles s ed M o t h er of God d i d n ot s a y : I h a ve d o n e g r e a t t h i n g s ; b u t ,
He t h a t i s mi g h ty h a t h d on e g rea t t h i n g s t o me ( L u ke i
.
An d as b y ven er a t i n g t h e s a i n t s w e h o n or God s o b y d e s p i s i n g t h e ,
s a i n t s w e d i s h o n or G od O u r L or d d ecl a red t h a t t o d es p i s e Hi s
.
a p o s t l es w a s t a n t a mo un t t o d es p i s i n g Hi ms el f ( L
:e x a n d th a t .
of un k i n d n es s t o Hi ms elf ( M a t t x xv An d s i n c e G od l o ves th e
. .
God b u t w e d o n ot a d ore t h e s a i n t s s o we d o n ot p a y to t h em t h e
, ,
s u p reme h o ma g e t h a t w e p a y t o G o d for we kn o w t h a t t h e d i s t a n ce ,
c ra t i o n i n wh i ch we h ol d t h em i s t h e s a me i n k i n d a s t h a t i n wh i ch
w e h o l d t h e s erv a n t s of God on e a rt h o n l y i t i s g rea t er i n d eg r ee b e , ,
c a u s e t h e s a i n t s h a ve a l r ea d y p a s s ed a s vi ct ors i n t o th e C h u rch
Tr i u mp h a n t Th e s a i n t s d o n ot d es i re t h e a d ora t i o n of men
. Wh en .
B l es s y e God s i n g p r a i s es t o Hi m ( Tob x i i
, Wh en St Joh n . . .
( Ap oc x ix An d i f we kn eel
See t h o u d o i t n ot a d ore God , . .
h i m th a n a s e rv a n t a d or es h i s ma s t e r i f h e g o es on h i s kn ee s t o a s k
a fa v or of h i m If t h e h ol y s a c rice i s offered i n h on or of a s a i n t
.
,
i f ch u r ch es a n d a l t ars a re d e d i c a t ed t o h i m i t i s o n l y i n t h e h o p e ,
s a y a t h i s s h r i n e ; a n d w e p r a i s e God Wh o l ed t h e s a i n t i n s o ma r ,
v ell ou s a w a y t o t h e a t t a i n men t of s a n ct i t y Th u s v en e r a ti o n of t h e .
s a i n t s i s n ot i d ol a t r y n or d o es i t b et r a y wan t of c o n d en c e i n C h ri s t
, ,
ou r g r e a t M ed i a t or It r a th e r b et okens mi s t ru s t of o u r s el ves a
.
,
h u mb l e s p i r i t C o n s c i o u s of ou r own u n wo rt h i n es s t o p res en t ou r
.
h a ve g r ea t er w ei gh t w i t h Hi m t h a n ou r own .
4 . It i s a v b
d i s a le u n d er di fferen t ci rc um t s a n c es of l ife to
in v ok e cert a i n s a i n ts .
Exp er i en c e h a s mu ch i s g a i n ed b y i n vok i n g t h e s a i n t s
p ro ved h ow
i n t i mes of s p ec i a l n eed We i n v oke St Jo s ep h a s th e p a t ro n of a
. .
h a p p y d e a t h b e ca u s e h e exp i r ed i n t h e a rms of J es u s a n d M a ry ;
,
a l s o i n s ea s o n s of t emp or a l d i s t r es s for on h i m th e C hi l d J es u s w a s
,
d ep en d en t for Hi s ma i n t en a n c e F or d i s ea s es of th e t h ro a t St B l a s e
. .
d i s e a s es of t h e ey e w e c a ll on St O tt i l i a for a i d b e c a u s e s h e wh en
.
, ,
b li n d , r ec o ver ed h er s i gh t a t h er B a p t i s m Th o s e wh o s u ffer t h ro u g h .
t o t h e s e a l of c o n fes s i o n ; a n d wh en a n y th i n g i s l o s t w e h a v e r ec o u r s e ,
t o St An t h n , t h ro u g h wh o s e p r a y er s t h e t h i ef w h o h a d s t o l en
.
o y
from h i m a v a l u a b l e ma n us cri p t , h a d n o p e a ce u n t i l b e r es t ored i t
.
.
32 2 Th e Comma nd men ts .
t h e b el i ef t h a t t h e s a i n ts t a k e p a r t i cul a r i n t er e s t i n p e rs on s wh os e ci r
c u ms t a n c es a re t h e s a me a s t h e i rs were on e a r t h a n d w h o s e c a ll i ng ,
M any b
t h e t yp es of ou r l es s ed L a d y t o b e fo u n d i n t h e O l d
a re
i n g t h e l i fe of O u r L a d y ; more c o n ce rn i n g i t ma y b e le a rn ed fro m
t h e rev el a t i o ns of th e s a i n t s .
M a ry, th e M oth er of
Jes u s C h ri s t , i s us u lly
a ca l l e d th e
M oth er , of G od or th e M os t B l es s ed V i rgi n .
t or i n s M a r y g a ve b i rt h t o Hi m Wh o i s God a n d ma n i n on e p ers on
. .
s h e of wh o m i t i s b or n i s c a l l ed i t s mo t h er ; i n l i k e ma n n er M a r y i s
j u s tl y t ermed t h e M o th er of God a l th o u g h C h ri s t d i d n ot d eri ve
,
fro m h er Hi s d i v i n e n a t u r e M a ry i s a l s o r i g h t l y c a l l ed t h e B l es s e d
.
V i rg i n
Th e w or d s s h e s p ok e t o t h e a n g el a n n o u n ce d h er d et ermi n a
.
t i o n t o p r es er ve h er v i rg i n i t y i n vi ol a t e ( L u ke i M a n y a g es .
a ft er t h e b i rt h of J es u s M a r y rema i n ed a v i rg i n
,
As t h e b u s h .
b u rn ed w i th re a n d wa s n ot c o n s umed s o M a ry s v i rg i n i t y w a s n ot
,
i mp a i r ed b y t h e b i rth of C h r i s t ; a s O u r L ord a p p e a r ed i n th e mi d s t
of t h e a p o s t l es al t h o u g h t h e d oo rs of t h e roo m wh er e th ey we re a s
s emb l e d w e r e s h u t s o He c a me i n t o t h e w orl d
,
a n d h er c h a s t i t y ,
r ema i n e d i n t a ct So t h e s u n s h i n e s th ro u g h g l a s s w i th ou t i n a n y
.
w i s e ch a n g i n g i t M a r y i s t h e w i n d o w of h e a ven t h r ou g h w h i ch t h e
.
,
t ru e L i g h t c a me i n t o th e w orl d Th o s e wh o a re Sp oken of i n th e
.
G o s p el s a s t h e b rethren of C h ri s t ( M a t t x i i i 5 5 ) a re Hi s b l oo d r el a . .
t i o n s ; i t w a s c u s t o ma ry a mo n g th e J ew s t o t erm n ea r r el a t i ves
b r eth r en Ab r a h a m c a ll ed h i s n ep h ew L ot b y t h i s n a me ( Gen xi i i
. . .
Ha d M a r y h a d o th er ch i l d r en wh o c o u l d h a ve t ak en c a re of h er ,
O u r L or d u p o n t h e c ro s s w o u l d n ot h a ve c o mmen d ed h er a s St Joh n
.
,
C h ry s o s t o m rema rk s
t o t h e b el o v ed d i s c i p l e
,
C h r i s t w a s c a l l ed t h e .
rs t b orn t o i n d i c a t e th e fa ct th a t He w a s a cc or d i n g to J ew i s h l a w
-
, , ,
s a n ct ied t o t h e L or d ( Exo d x i ii C h r i s t wa s i n fa ct th e rs t
. .
, ,
3 24 Th e Comma n d men ts .
t h e worl d d oes n ot e qu a l t h e l o ve M a ry b e a r s t o e a c h on e of h er c hi l
d ren An d t h e r e a s o n s h e c a r es s o mu c h for u s i s b e c a u s e of h er
.
l o ve for God , a n d c on s e qu en t l y h er ch a r i t y t o w a rd s h er n ei g hb o r
ex cee d s t h a t o f a n y o t h e r s a i n t As t h e g l or y of t h e moo n s u rp a s s es
.
t h a t of th e s t a r s , s o t h e l o ve of M a r y for u s ex ce ed s t h a t of t h e
a n g el s ; i t i s a b o u n d l e s s o ce a n of l ov e M a r y kn ow s a ll our c i rc u m
.
s t a n c es ; t h i s e v en t h e a n g el s d o
( L u k e xv 7 a n d i t c a n n o t b e s u p .
d el i g h t s t o b e wi th i t s mo t h e r, a n d t h e d ev ou t C h r i s t i a n r ej o i ces t o
a dd r es s t o M a ry, t h e M o t h er of G od , hi s l o v i n g s u p l i ca t i o n s
p .
M o n a rch s
g r a n t p ri v i l eg es t o t h e t o wn s wh e re t h e y we r e b orn ,
or wh er e t h ey w e r e c ro w n ed ; s o t h e K i ng of h e a v en h a s c o n fe rr ed
s p ec i al p r1 v rl eg es a n d p r e ro g a t i v es on t h e M o t h er wh o b or e im H .
M a ry w as , i n fa c t, ch os en by God t o b e th e M oth er of Hi s
Son , p res erved from th e s ta i n of ori gi n a l s i n , ra i s ed gl ori ou s l y
from th e t omb , a n d crown ed Qu een of h ea v en .
h o s t c a n s a y t o God a s M a r y c a n :
,
Th o u a rt my Son
0 wh a t a .
a n d M o t h e r n or b eca u s e s h e i s M ot h er b o t h of th e c r ea t u re a n d of
,
w a s t h e Au t h or of h er b e i n g M a r y i s t h e w on d er of w on d e rs a n d
.
,
n o t h i n g i n t h e u n i ve r s e G od o n l y e x c ep t e d i s mor e g l or i o u s t h an s h e
, ,
is . M a r y s s p o tl e s s p u r i t y h er s i n l es s n es s w a s r s t p ro cl a i med b y
, ,
God i n p a r a d i s e ( Gen i i i a n d a ft e rw a r d s b y t h e a r ch a n g el
. .
G a b r i el ( L u ke i God s a i d t o th e s e rp en t
. Sh e s h a l l c ru s h t h y ,
h ea d
. Ha d M a ry b een b rou g h t u n de r th e d omi n i on of t h e d ev i l b y
s i n s h e c o u l d n ot p os s i b l y h a v e b een h i s c o n qu eror G a b r i el s a l u t e d
'
.
,
M a ry a s fu ll of g r a c e
Th e d i gn i t y of Ch ri s t a l o n e d ema n d ed
.
a n y o n e t o a h i g h p o s t He t s h i m for i t ; a n d t h e Son o f G od
,
in ,
ch oo s i n g M a r y t o b e Hi s M o t h er r en d er ed h er b y t h e g ift s of g r a c e
,
t h a t n o on e wh o b u i l t a h o u s e for h i s own u s e w o u l d r s t p u t hi s ,
g r e a t es t en emy i n p o s s es s i o n o f i t ; mu ch l es s w o u l d t h e Hol y Sp i r i t ,
Th e F a th er s of t h e C h ur ch a n d t h e ch i l d ren of t h e C h u r ch i n a ll
a g es h a ve g i ven t o M a r y t h e t i tl e of i mma cu l a t e b o t h i n t h ei r wri t
i n g s a n d i n t h e i r p r a yer s ; a n d i n 1 8 54 t h e Hol y F a t h er d ecl a red h er
,
Imma c u l a t e C o n cep t i o n t o b e a d o g ma of t h e fa i th M a r y w a s t h er e .
i s c o mp a r ed t o a l i l y a mo n g t h o rn s ( C a n t i i a mi rr or w i t h o u t a
. .
t i n u ou s l y l i ke t h e v i n e ( Eccl u s xx i v 2 3 ) t h a t g ro w s h i g h e r a n d
,
. .
ad va n ced a l l th e more r a p i dl y b ec a u s e s h e wa s s o n ea r to t h e s o u rc e of
,
a ll g r a c e a n d w a s t h e re c i p i en t o f g rea t e r a n d more a b u n d a n t g r a c es
,
t h a n o t h er men M a r y w a s t h e mo s t h ol y a n d p erfect of a l l c re a
.
t u res ; a n d h er s a n ct i t y s u rp a s s ed th a t of a l l o th e r s a i n ts as mu ch a s
t h e l i g h t of t h e moo n exc eed s i n b r i l l i a n ce t h a t o f t h e p l a n et s Even .
i n t h e rs t mo men t s of h er ex i s t en c e M a ry s s a n ct i t y w as g rea t er
,
a c c o u n t of h er e x a l t ed s a n c t i t y s h e i s c o mp a red t o t h e t ow e r of D a vi d
( Cant iv . . w h i ch ro s e i n ma j es t i c s t a t el i n e s s on t h e h i g h es t
s u mmi t of t h e mo u n t a i n s a b o u t J e ru s a l em Sh e i s a l s o c a ll ed t h e .
t en s el y a s M a r y d i d or ca red s o li t tl e for t h e t h i n g s of e a rt h
, As t h e .
a c t i on of re c a u s e s i ro n t o g l o w w i t h h e a t s o t h e Hol y Sp i r i t i h ,
a med th e h e a rt of M a ry w i t h ch a ri t y O n a cc o u n t of h er g rea t l o ve .
Sh e i s t h e my s t i c a l ro s e for a s t h e ro s e s u rp a s s es a l l o t h e r o wer s
,
i n t h e b ea u t y of i t s c o l or i n g a n d t h e fra g r a n ce of i t s p erfu me s o ,
a n d t h e s weet o d or of h e r v i rt u es Sh e i s t h e Q u een of wh o m t h e .
Ps a l mi s t s p e a k s ( P s xl i v cl a d i n t h e g o l d en g a rmen t s o f c h a r i t y
. .
,
s u rr ou n d ed b y a v a r i et y of v i r t u es Th u s Su a rez d ecl a r es she
.
, ,
w a s d ea re r t o God t h an a ll t h e o th e r s a i n ts t o g et h e r Th e b o d y of .
t h e B l es s ed V i rg i n w a s a s s u med g l or i o u s l y i n t o h ea v en It i s s a i d .
t h a t t h e a p o s tl e Th o ma s h a v i n g a rr i v ed i n J er u s a l em t oo l a t e t o
,
a s s i s t a t h er i n t er men t w a s d es i ro u s t o s ee h er rema i n s i n t h e
,
s ep ul c h r e ; b u t wh en i t w a s o p en ed n o t hi n g w a s fo un d t h ere b u t t h e
g r a ve cl o t h e s i n w hi ch h er b o d y h a d b een w r a p p ed
-
C a t h e ri n e Em .
meri ch i n h er vi s i o n s a s s er ts t h a t O u r B l es s ed L a d y d i ed for ty ei g h t -
yea r s a ft e r t h e b i rth o f C h r i s t a t t h e a g e of s i xt y fo u r Ha v i n g
,
-
.
g o n e fro m Ep h es u s t o J e ru s a l em t o fo l l o w a g a i n t h e foo t s t ep s of h er
Son i n t h e w a y of t h e c ro s s s h e fell mo rt a ll y s i ck a n d d i ed of g r i ef ;
,
h en c e h er to mb w a s i n J er u s a l em Th e fe a s t of h er As s u mp t i o n i s
.
kep t t h ro u g h ou t t h e wh ol e C h ur ch on t h e ft een th of Au g us t No .
on e h a s eve r cl a i me d t o p o s s e s s a r el i c of h er b o d y M a ry s h i n es i n .
s ol a r s y s t em a re s y mb o l s o f C h r i s t Hi s M o t h e r a n d t h e s a i n t s , M a ry .
i s t h e Q u een of a n g el s t h e Q u een of a ll s a i n t s
,
In h e r mor e t h a n .
i n a n y o th er cr ea t ure w e g a i n a kn o w l ed g e of th e d i vi n e a t t r i b u t es .
M o s t es p ec i a ll y w e s ee d i s p l a yed i n h er gl or i o u s ex a l t a t i on t h e
i n n i t e g ood n es s of God Wh o r a i s es t h e p oo r ma n fro m t h e d u n g h i ll
, ,
t h a t He ma y s et h i m w i t h p r i n c es a n d el ev a t e hi m a b o ve t h e ch o i r s of
c el es t i a l s p i r i t s ( P s cx i i 7 . .
,
y
3 Fi n a ll , w e en tert ai n thi s great enerati on for Ma ry , b e
. v
ca u se h er i n t erces s i on i s more p ow erful wi th God th a n th a t of a ny
oth er s a i nt .
h ow mu ch th e more w i ll He d o s o i n h ea v en Wh en th e Gen er a l .
C or i o l a n u s c o ul d n ot b e p rev a i l ed u p o n b y t h e Sen a te a n d p r i es t s of
R o me t o w i th d r a w h i s a rmy fro m b efor e th e c i t y, h e yi el d ed t o t h e
en t r e a t i es of h i s mo t h e r V etu r i a , a l t h o u g h h e k n ew t h a t t o d o s o
326 Th e Comma n d men ts .
w o ul d c o s t h i m hi s l i fe .How mu ch th e more w i ll Ch r i s t , th e g r ea t
L a w g i ver, li s t en t o t h e s u p p li ca t i o n s of Hi s M o th er If t h e p r a ye rs
of t h e s a i n t s , Hi s s e rv a n t s , h a v e s o mu ch p o w er w i t h G od , wha t
mu s t t h o s e of Hi s M o t h e r h a ve ! B ei n g t h e p r a ye rs of a mo th e r, t h ey
a re l es s li k e a p et i t i o n t h a n a c o mm a n d St B er n a r d d ecl a r es M a ry
. .
t o b e o mn i p ot en t b y me a n s of h er i n t er c es s i o n ; t h e re i s n o t h i n g t h a t
s h e ca nn o t o b t a i n fo r u s As a t t h e c o urt of a n ea r thl y mon a rch
.
i s ou r h o p e ; b ec a u s e t h ro u g h h er i n t er ces s i o n w e h op e t o p ro cu re
t h e b l es s i n g s wh i ch our p oor p r a ye r s c a n no t o b t a i n Hen ce t h e.
s a i n t s s p e a k of h er a s t h e d i s p en s er of g r a c es , for a ll t h e fa v o rs w e
rec ei v e fro m h e a ven c o me t o u s t h ro u gh h er h a n d s G od ,
.
St .
P et er D a mi a n s a ys , w o ul d n ot b e c o me ma n u n t i l M a ry h a d g i v en
h er c o n s en t , i n or d er t h a t w e mi g h t s ee t h a t t h e s a l v a t i on of ma n
k i n d r e s t e d i n h er h a n d s Sh e s t oo d b en ea th t h e c ro s s t h a t we
.
mi g h t kn o w t h a t w i t h o u t h er me d i a t i o n n o on e c ou l d b e ma d e p ar
t a ker of t h e me ri t s of t h e b l oo d of C h r i s t God t h e F a t h er s a n c t i o n s ,
.
C h r i s t g r a n t s , a n d M a ry d i s t r i b u t e s t h e g i ft s of h ea ven t o ma n
k i n d Th u s M a ry i s t h e M o t h e r of d i vi n e g r a ce No p r a ye r s h e
. .
t at t e S
h h o n w i ll l i s ten t o H i s M
o th er s u ch a Son t o s u ch a
M o t h er ! Re memb e r h ow t h e s a me s ai n t d ecl a r e s i n th e M emora re
t h a t i t i s a t h i n g u nh ea rd of for a n y on e t o i mp l or e M a ry s a i d , a n d
g o u n rec o mp en s ed s h e r ew a r d s t h e s l i g h t es t i n t en t i o n s w i t h t h e r i ch
e s t g r a c es Ev e ry t i me w e s a l u t e h er s h e d o es n ot fa i l t o ret u rn ou r
.
s t er nn es s a b o u t h er ; s h e i s a l l cl emen c y, l o v i n g k i n d n es s a n d g en t l e
i ng.
In t h e ye a r1 6 83 , w h en t h e Tu rks b e s i eg e d V i enn a , b o t h i n t h e
b el ea g u er ed c i t y a n d t h ro u g h o u t C h r i s t en d om t h e R o s a ry w a s re
c i t ed t o i mp l or e t h e a i d of t h e M o t h er o f G od , a n d a s i g n a l v i ct ory
w a s t h e r es u l t . In di v i d u a l C h r i s t i a n s a l s o a p p e a l t o M a ry for a i d
w h en p r i v a t e t r ou b l es p r es s h e a v i l y u p o n t h em . Sh e i s ca l l ed t h e
Help of C h r i s t i a n s , t h e C o mfort er of t h e a f i ct ed , th e Hea l th of th e
s i ck . C h r i s t i a n s c a l l u p on h er i n s e a s o n s of s ev ere s i c kn e s s It i s .
rec or d e d of St Jo h n D a ma s cen e, t h a t w h en t h e c a l i p h , en r a g e d w i th
.
c a u s ed h i s r i g h t h a n d t o b e s t r u ck of f, t h e s a i n t p r os t r a t ed h i ms elf
b efor e a s t a t u e of O u r L a d y, a n d w a s i mme d i a t el y h ea l ed In t h e
.
p r e s en t d a y h ow n u mero u s a re t h e m i r a c u l o u s c u r es effe c t ed a t
L o u r d es ! To M a r y a l s o i s d u e t h e c o n ver s i o n of ma n y s i n n er s wh o
d es i r e t o a men d t h e i r l i v es , for u p on t h o s e wh o i n v o ke h er t h e l i g h t
o f t h e Hol y Sp i r i t i s s h e d . M a ry i s t h e morn i n g s t a r ; a s t h a t p l a n et
h er a l d s t h e s u n r i s e, s o d ev o t i o n t o M a ry i s t h e forer u n n e r of d i v i n e
g r a c e , t h e g r a c i o u s i n u e n c e o f t h e H o l y G h os t . Sh e i s c om p a r e d
t o t h e d a wn ( C a n t v i . . b ec a u s e a s th e s h a d es of n i g h t v an i s h
32 8 Th e Comma n d men ts .
t en c e a n d of a fu t u re res u rrec t i o n W i th t h e s p r ea d of C h ri s t i a ni ty
v
.
th e e n er a t i on p a i d t o i ma g e s i n c r e a s ed P i ct u r es , s t a t u es , a n d .
a n d h i g h w a ys In t h e e i g h t h c en t u r y t h e Emp eror of t h e Ea s t p ro
.
h i b i t e d t h e ven e r a t i o n of i ma g es ; t h e g u res of t h e s a i nt s w e re
b ro ken t o p i e c es or b u rn ed , t h e p a i n t i n g s on t h e wa l ls of t h e
c h u r c h es w e r e wh i t e w a s h ed o ver, a n d a n y p er s o n s wh o p e r s i s t e d i n
ven e r a t i n g i ma g es were p u n i s h ed ( t hi s was c a ll e d t h e i c o n o cl a s t i c
,
In s p i t e of th i s p roh i b i t i on th er e wer e t w o g o l d en ch e ru b i m, on e on
ea ch s i d e of t h e p ro p i t i at or y i n th e Ho l y of h ol i es ( Exo d x x v . .
a n d we a l s o r e a d of a b r a z en s erp en t i n t h e w i l d e r n es s , wh e r e o n t h e
Is ra el t es were c omma n d ed to l ook t h a t th ey mi g h t b e h ea l ed ( Nu mb
g
.
xx i 8 .
C h ri s t, o f th e s a i n ts , or of u
t h e t r th s of rel i gi on ,
Th e ma n n e r i n wh i ch O u r L or d i s or d i n a r i l y d ep i ct ed i s fa m i l i a r
t o a ll of u s ; t h e exp r es s i o n of Hi s c o u n ten a n c e i s g r a ve a n d b en i g n ,
i n t h e mi ddl e Hi s , ea r d i s s h ort , a n d a b u r n i n g h e a r t i s o ft en
p l a ce d u p o n H i s b r e a s t T h e M o t h e r o f.G o d i s r ep r es e n t e d i n v a r i ou s
w a y s : a s Help of C h r i s t i a n s s h e h ol d s t h e d i vi n e C h i l d i n h er a rms ;
a s M o t h e r of d ol or s t h e d ea d C h r i s t i s l a i d a c ro s s h er kn ees ; a s O u r
,
h e a v en ( Ap oc x i i 1 ) wi th h er h ea d en c i r cl ed w i t h t wel v e s t a rs a n d
. .
th e mo on b en e a t h h er fee t Th e mo s t c el eb r a t ed a n d w ell kn o w n
.
-
p i ct u r e s o f t h e M o th er of God a re : ( 1 ) Th e p a i n t i n g i n t h e C h u rc h
of Sa n t a M a r i a M a g g i or e i n R o me s u p p o s e d t o b e t h e w or k of St , .
Lu ke ; ( 2 ) Th e M a d o n n a d i Sa n Si s t o p a i n t ed b y R a fa el ; ( 3 ) Th e ,
Al p h o n s u s i n R ome Th e r ep r es en ta t i o n s of t h e s a i n t s a re ea s i l y
.
r ec o g n i z ed ; t h ey h a ve a n i mb u s ro u n d th ei r h e a d , a n d a re a ccom
p a n i ed b y emb l ems e i th e r of t h e i r o fce of th e s p ec i a l v i rt u e th a t ,
ma r ty r d o m Th e fo u r Ev a n g el i s t s a re kn ow n b y t h e i r s ymb ol s : St
. .
M a tt h ew h a s a n a n g el i n h u ma n s h a p e b es i d e h i m b eca u s e h i s g o s p el ,
b eg i n s w i th t h e g en e a l o g y of O u r L or d ; St M a r k h a s a l i o n b ec a u s e .
,
h e s p ea k s i n t h e op en i n g ch a p ter of a v o i c e c ry i n g i n t h e w i l d er n es s ;
St Lu ke i s a cc o mp a n i ed b y a n ox, b ec a u s e h e b eg i n s w i t h Z a ch a r i a s
b
.
s a c r i c e ; St Joh n b y a n e a gl e,
. eca u s e h i s g o s p el b eg i n s wi th
s u b l i me a n d l o ft y t ru t h s We a l s o c a ll t h o s e s a c red p i ct u res wh i ch
.
p o r t r a y s o m e g r e a t t r u t h s u c h a s t h e d o c,
t r i n e o f t h e H o l y T r i n i ty ,
T he Ten Comma n d men ts of God . 32 9
for i t i s n ot w i t h i n th e p o w er of ma n t o ma ke a n i ma g e of G od .
P i ct ur es or s ta t u es of s a i n ts , by mea n s of w h i ch or b efore
w hi ch mi r a cl es h a e v b ee n w ork ed , a re c a l l ed mi ra c u l ou s i ma ges .
Th ere a re a g r ea t ma n y p l a ces of p i lg r i ma g e on t h e c o n t i n en t o f
Eu rop e w h ere a n i ma g e of O u r L a d y i s t o b e s een , b y me a n s of w h i ch
e xt r a ord i n a ry fa v or s a n d g r a ces h a ve b een a n d a re o b t a i n ed Amo n g .
th es e Ei n s i ed el n i n Sw i t z e rl a n d Al t O t t i n g i n B a v a r i a Kevela er
,
-
i n t h e Rh i n el a n d ma y b e men t i o n ed It i s a l s o well kn o wn t h a t .
c i ty ) es p ec i a ll y a t t h e t i me of t h e p es t i l en ce i n 1 7 1 3
, Th e Emp res s .
b ei n g b u rn ed M a n y s i g n a l c u r es h a v e b ee n w ro u g h t i n a mo men t
.
,
mi t t e d b y God a s a n a tt es t a t i on t o t h e t ru t h of t h e C a t h ol i c C h u rch ,
a n d i t w o ul d b e a s i n on t h e p a r t of a n y C a t h o l i c t o d en y th ei r
a u t h en t i c i t y .A s t r i ct i n ves t i g a t i o n i s ma d e of t h es e mi r a cl es b y
t h e Ho l y See a n d t h en t h e s t a t u e of t h e s a i n t i s c ro wn ed
, .
Ab ove a l l re
p r es en ta t i on s of th e s a i n ts or of h ol y th i n gs
,
we
v en era t e th e cros s of O u r R ed eemer .
M a s s t o b e c el eb r a t ed n o a ct of d i vi n e w or s hi p t o b e p erformed
,
u nl es s i n p r es en ce of t h e c r u c i x Th e c ro s s i s s een on t h e crown of
.
th e mon a r ch , on t h e b re a s t of t h e b i s h op a n d i t i s a w a r d e d a s a ,
d ec or a t i o n t o men of mer i t Th e c ro s s i s i n t h e h a n d of t h e dy i n g
.
C h ri s t i a n wh en h e d r a w s h i s l a s t b rea t h a n d i t a c c o mp a n i es h i m t o ,
h ou s eh o l d ; i t d o es n ot s p e a k w ell for t h e i n h a b i t a n t s of a h o u s e i f
n o n e b u t s ecul a r p i ct u r es a d or n i t s w a ll s .
1 . We
h on or th e i ma ges of th e s a i nt s gi i n g t h em a p l ac e by v
i n our dw ell i ngs ; w e s a y our p ra ers efore th em, w e s a l t e th em y b u
u y
res p ectf l l , w e a d orn th em wi t h of feri n gs , w e ma k e p i l gri ma ges
t o th ei r s h ri nes .
Th e reveren ce w e p a y t o th e i ma g e of a s a i n t i s n ot p a i d t o th e
p i c t u r e or i ma g e i t s elf, b u t t o t h e i n d i vi d u a l i t r ep r es en t s ; t h a t i s t o ,
Ch r i s t or s o me on e of t h e s a i n ts
, Wh en w e a d ore th e c ro s s w e a d ore
.
b oo k of th e G o s p el s i s k i s s ed i t i s t h e Wor d of God th er ei n co n t a i n ed
,
3 30 Th e Comma n d men ts .
we exp r es s t h e l o ve a n d fo n d n es s of ou r h ea r t s a n d i n v en e r a t i n g ,
wh en i n c en s e i s b u r n ed or t a p er s l i g h t e d b efore t h e i ma g es i t i s a s a
, ,
as k h el p i t i s fro m Go d t h ro u g h t h e i n t er c es s i o n of t h e s a i n t s
, , .
No n e b u t th e h ea th en i ma g i n e t h a t th ere i s a n y v i r tu e or s u p er
n a tu ra l p ow er i n t h e i ma g e i t s elf M o s es di d n ot t h i n k th a t h i s s ta ff
.
2 u v
Th ro gh en era ti n g th e i ma ges of th e s a i nts , efca ci o s a n d
. u
u u
oft ent i mes s p ern a t ral grac es a re o t ai n ed ; th e a re a l s o s eful b y u
v
a s a mean s of a oi di n g d i s trac ti on s i n p ra er, a n d a f fordi ng us y
a s il ent a dmoni ti on .
i s er e ct ed t h e m a li c i o u s d es i g n s of t h e evi l on e a re d efe a t ed
,
How .
o ft en a s o u l s u nk i n s i n h a s b een t o u ch ed a n d c o n vert ed b y t h e s i g h t
of a n i mag e ; h ow oft en h a v e p i c t u res c o mfor t e d a n d en c o u r a g ed
d e v o u t p e r s on s es p ec i a ll y a t th e momen t of d e a th ! Wh i l e g a z i n g
,
u p o n a n i m a g e w e p r a y w i t h g r ea t e r r ec o ll ec t i o n ; i ma g es a re s tep s
wh e reb y we a s c en d mor e ea s i l y i n s p i r i t t o h ea v en An d a s o n e s
.
s o t h ey a re mor e r ea d i l y g r a n t e d ; t h e ea v o tos h u n g b es i d e t h e i ma g e -
t e s t i fy t o t h e efc a cy of t h e s a i n t s i n t er ce s s i o n t h ey a re a l s o a
c o n s t a n t a d mo n i t i o n t o u s ; e i t h er b y p l a c i n g v i v i dl y b efor e u s on e of
t h e t r u t h s of r el i g i o n or exh ort i n g u s t o i mi t a t e t h e ex a mp l e of t h e
,
rec e i ve t h ro u g h th e ea r h a ve l es s effect u p o n th e mi n d t h a n t h o s e
wh i ch w e re cei v e th ro u g h t h e ey e St G reg or y t h e Gre a t c a ll s
b
. .
p i ct u re s t h e oo ks of t h e u n l ea rn ed In th e M i d d l e Ag es b efore .
,
a mo n g t h e p e o p l e F r om t h o s e t i me s w e d a t e t h e c ri b th e s ep ul ch r e
.
, ,
t h e s t a t i o n s of t h e c ro s s et c , .
7 . THE VENERATION OF REL IC S .
Th e na me of reli c
i s gi v en t o th e re ma i n s of th e s a i n ts , as
Th e b o dy of a s a i n t i s a r el i c or a n y p ort i on of i t , even t h e mo s t
b
,
mi n ut e p a r t i cl e of o n e Th es e r el i cs a re p l a c ed b en e a th or u p o n ou r
.
a l t a r s ; t h ey a l s o p a s s i n t o t h e p o s s es s i o n of p r i v a t e p e r s o ns Th o s e .
on l y a re a u th en ti c t o w h i ch th e n a me of t h e s a i n t a n d t h e ep i s c o p a l
s ea l i s a t t a ch e d Th e r el i cs t h ems el v es mu s t n ot b e s ol d b u t t h i s
.
,
p ro h i b i t i on d oe s n ot a p p l y t o t h e c a s e c o n t a i n i n g t h em F ro m t i me .
i mmemor i a l th o s e o b j e c t s a l s o wh i ch a re cl o s el y c o n n ect ed w i th O u r
L or d or t h e s a i n t s h a ve b ee n h el d i n hi gh ven e r a t i o n ; for i n s t a n c e ,
t h e c ro s s of C h ri s t, Hi s t u n i c, Hi s w i n d i n g s h eet t h e ma n g er wh ere i n -
,
3 32 Th e Comma n d men ts .
j ew el s At a n ea rl y d a t e i t w a s c u s t o ma ry t o erect ch a p el s or a l t a rs
.
a b o v e t h e t o mb s o f ma r t yr s , a n d o f fer t h e h o l y s a c r i ce o e r t h e i r re v
ma i n s R el i c s a re u s u a l l y en cl o s ed i n c o s tl y r el i qu a r i es r i chl y d ec
.
,
or a t ed It i s ou t of res p e ct for t h e d e a d th a t we l a y wr e a t h s on
.
th ei r c oi n s a n d d e c k t h e i r g r a ves w i th o w er s
, R el i cs of g r ea t .
v al u e s u ch a s t h e p ort i o n s of t h e t ru e c ro s s or of th e ma n g er a t
, ,
of t h e s a i n t s F ro m t i me i mmem or i a l p i lg r i ma g es h a ve b een m a d e
.
t o t h e s ep ul ch res of th e s a i n t s F or n i n et ee n c en t u r i es t h e fa i t h fu l
.
h a v e b een w o n t t o v i s i t t h e t o mb s of t h e a p o s tl es i n R om e or t h e h o l y
p l a ces i n P a l e s t i n e Th e e a rl y C h r i s t i a n s o c ked i n s u ch n umb ers
.
t o t h e Hol y L a n d t h a t t h e p l a c es i n J e r u s a l em w ere t h r on g e d w i t h
d ev o u t w or s h i p p e r s An y on e wh o h a d n ot b een t h i t h e r e s t ee med hi m
.
s el f a w or s e C h r i s t i a n th a n h i s n e i g h b or s W e v i s i t t h e s ep u l ch re s .
of t h e s a i n t s
s a ys St Joh n C h ry s o s t o m
, . a n d p ro s t r a t e o u r s el ves ,
th e re i n ord e r t o o b t a i n s o me g r a ce w hi ch w e n eed
.
i n t h e wi l d e rn es s a t G o d s c o mma n d , s o b y Hi s w i ll b l e s s i n g s ow
from t he r eli cs of t h e s a i n t s
W h er e th e r ema i n s of s a i n t s or
.
ma rt y r s a re i n t e rred t h e s n a r es of th e d ev il l o s e t h e i r p ot en cy a n d
ob s t i n a t e ma l a d i es a re h e a l ed St Au g u s t i n e rel a t es n um ero u s cu r e s
. .
t h e d ea d of t w o c h i l d r en In t h e O l d Te s t a men t w e r ea d of a d e a d
.
b o d i es of th e s a i n t s w ere i n s t ru men t a l i n w or ki n g mi r a cl es By th e .
s h a d o w of St P et e r ( Ac t s v . a n d b y th e h a n d k er ch i efs or g i rd l es
.
s el v es th a t t h es e mi r a cl es a re w ro u g h t , b u t b y G od Hen c e i t i s n ot .
a s u p er s t i t i o u s a ct on t h e p a r t of p i o u s p er s o n s w h en t h e y v i s i t p l a c es
of p i l g r i ma g e, w h e r e G od i s p l ea s ed t o w or k w o n d ers b y me a n s of
rel i c s or i ma g es of t h e s a i n t s .
a v ow .
o a th i s t a ken wh en h u ma n w i tn es s or a s s e ver a t i o n i s n ot s u fc i en t ;
a v ow i s ma d e w h en w e v o l u n t a r i l y p l ed g e o u r s el ves t o d o s o m et h i n g
for G od We h o n or G od b y a n o a t h b e c a u s e we t h e reb y a ckn o wl ed g e
. ,
Hi s o mn i p o t en ce Hi s j u s t i ce Hi s h ol i n es s An d b y a v ow we o ffer
, ,
.
p e rfor m a w or k p l ea s i n g t o Go d .
Th e Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God . 333
Th e O a th .
i t ma y o cc u r t h a t a ma n ca ll s God t o w i t n e s s , t h a t i s t o s a y , h e
a p p ea l s t o t h e o mn i s c i en t G od t o ma k e kn o wn t h e t ru t h of w h a t i s
s a i d b y Hi s al mi g h t y p o w e r In t h i s c a s e h i s w or d wi ll b e reg a r d ed
.
a s t h e w or d of G od As a n oi c i a l s ea l g i ves for ce t o a d ec r ee s o th e
.
,
c o i n of h i g h v a l u e s t a mp ed w i t h t h e n a me of t h e l i v i n g G od
, O ur .
L ord t oo k a n o a t h w h en C a i p h a s a d j u r e d Hi m b y t h e l i v i n g God
t o s p ea k t h e t r u t h So d i d Es a u w h en h e c o n r med b y a n o a t h t h e
.
,
p ro mi s e h e ma d e t o rel i n qu i s h h i s b i rt h r i g h t for t h e p o tt a g e of
In s w e a r i n g a m a n c a l l s e i t h e r u p o n God or u p o n s omet h i n g h e
,
t h es e : As t h e L o rd li vet h ( J e r i v a s s u r el y a s th e r e i s a G od
. .
O r w e s w e ar b y h o l y t h i n g s , s u ch a s th e h ol y Go s p el , t h e c ro s s of
C h r i s t t h e B l es s ed Sa c r a men t
,
B u t a s t h es e thi n g s a re i n c a p a b l e
.
of a t t es t i n g a n yt hi ng t h ems el v es , or of p un i s h i n g a d ec ei v er i t i s i n ,
fa ct e qu i v a l en t t o c a l l i n g God t o wi t n es s O u r L or d Hi ms elf s p ea k s .
( M a t t xx i i i 2 1 ,
. . B u t t o u s e s u ch exp res s i o n s a s : U p o n my w ord ,
b y my h o n or, a s s u r el y a s I s t a n d h e re, et c , i s me rely e mp h as i z i n g .
a n a s s e rt i o n n ot s w ea r i n g
, An o a th ma y b e s i mp l e or s o l emn
. A .
s i mp l e o a t h i s b et w een ma n a n d ma n i n or d i n a ry i n t e rc o ur s e ; a
s ol emn o a t h i s t a k en i n a c o u rt of l a w or i n p r es en c e of o f fici a l p er
s on a g e s ( An o a th i s a dmi ni s t er ed t o s ol d i er s a n d o fc er s of s t a t e )
. .
2 . C h ri s ti a ns a re n ot o b li g d
e to r efu s e to tak e an oa th , for
i t is p e rm i t t e d by Go d , and p l ea s i n
g i n His s i gh t .
M o un t M ori a h t h a t He w o u l d mu l t i p ly h i s s ee d a s t h e s t a r s i n h ea ven
a n d a s t h e s a n d b y t h e s e a s h or e ( G en xxi i n or w o u l d St P a u l
. . .
s o fr equ en tl y h a v e t a k en G od t o w i tn es s i n h i s ep i s tl es ( Rom i 9; . .
2 C or i . Th e o a t h h a s b es i d es a g oo d o b j e ct ; i t s erves t o p u t
.
a n e n d t o d i s p u t es ( Heb v i It i s p l e a s i n g t o G od b ec a u s e b y i t
. .
,
w e ma k e p u b li c p rofe s s i o n of fa i th i n Hi s o mn i p o te n c e Hi s j u s t i ce, ,
Hi s o mni s ci en ce, a n d th us we h on or Hi m O n th i s a cc o u n t a t h e i s t s .
334 Th e Comma n d men ts .
xxii . Wh en O u r L or d s a i d : L et y o u r s p eech b e y ea y ea n o
, , ,
n o a n d t h a t wh i ch i s o v e r a n d a b o v e t h es e i s of ev i l
, ( M a tt v 3 7 . .
t o t a k e a n o a t h a s s o me s ect a r i es d o ; h o wev er n o on e o u g h t t o b e
, ,
kn o w s h e w i ll s we a r fa l s el y i s i n s o me w a y w or s e th a n a mu r d e re r ;
,
s w e a r fa l s el y c a u s es t h e d ea t h of a s o u l n ay of t wo s o u l s hi s
'
, , , ,
ei g h b or s s o ul a n d h i s ow n a l s o for h e i s r e s p o n s i b l e for th e o t h er s
g tl
,
ea
3 . We ou gh t th erefore to ma k e u s e of a n o a th on l y wh en it
b
i s a s ol u t el y n e c es s a r y ,
w i th deli b era t i on , an d i n th e i n t eres ts
.
of t ru th a n d j u s ti c e .
Wh en C h r i s t s a ys t h e o a th i s of ev i l ( M a t t v 3 7 He i n t en d s t o . .
s i g n i fy t h a t i t i s oc ca s i o n ed b y ma n s ev i l t en d en c i es , a n d t h a t r a s h
o f i n t eg r i t y a n d j u s t i ce t h er e w o u l d h a ve b een n o n e e d for t h e o a t h ;
,
b u t s i n ce fa i t h a n d d el i t y h a ve v a n i s h ed r ec ou r s e h a s b een h a d t o ,
n a r y p r a c t i c e ; w h en b y re a s o n o f t h e g en er a l p erd y a n d c orr u p t i o n
n o ma n s w or d c ou l d b e r el i e d on , t h en G od w a s c a l l e d t o w i t n es s
.
St Au g u s t i n e c o mp a r e s t h e o a t h t o a med i ci n e, wh i ch mu s t n ot b e
.
t a ken wi t h o u t g oo d r ea s o n ; i t i s to a ma n s w or d s wh a t t h e cr u t ch
i s t o t h e cr i p p l e C o n s e qu en tl y i t i s w ro n g t o s we a r h eed les s l y a b o u t
.
,
t r i i n g m a tt e r s , a s s a l es me n o ft en d o a b o u t th ei r w a r es F r equ en t .
s we a r i n g i s a p t t o l ea d t o fa l s e s w ea ri n g A ma n t h a t s we a ret h .
mu ch s h a ll b e l l ed wi th i n i qu i t y a n d a s c o u rg e s h a l l n ot d ep a rt ,
fro m h i s h o u s e
( Ec cl u s xx i i i Wh erefore w e mu s t ma k e u s e
. .
of a n o a t h a s s el d o m a s p o s s i b l e, u n l es s i t i s r e qu i red of u s b y t h e
G o vern men t or i n a c o u rt of l a w O ur o a t h mu s t a l w a ys b e t ru e ;
.
t h a t i s t o s a y , wh en on ou r o a th we mu s t a l w a ys s a y wh a t w e rea ll y
,
b el i eve t o b e t ru e a n d w e mu s t h a v e t h e i n t en t i o n of keep i n g ou r
,
w ord Th e R o ma n g en e r a l R eg u l u s ( 2 50 B C ) a ffor d s a n e i n s t a n ce
. . .
of t h i s He w a s t a k en p ri s o n er i n wa r b y t h e C a rt h a g i n i a n s a n d
.
,
a fte r b ei n g k ep t s i x ye a r s i n ca p t i vi t y , h e w a s s en t t o R o me t o s u e for
p ea ce B efore l e a v i n g t h e C a rt h a g i n i a n c a mp , a s ol emn o a t h w a s a d
.
mi n i s te red t o h i m t o r et u rn th i t h er , p ro vi d ed t h e R o ma n s w ou l d n ot
c o n c l u d e p e a ce O n a rr i v i n g i n R o me h e i n formed t h e Sen a t e of t h e
.
en emy s w e a kn es s a n d u rg e d t h em t o p u r s u e t h e w a r Th en h e re
.
,
t u rn ed t o p r i s o n , a l th o u g h e ve ry on e i n Ro me even t h e p a g a n h i g h ,
p r i es t Sp a,
r e d n o e ffor t t o d et a i n h i m S t P et e r , o n t h e c o n t r a r
.y, .
s w or e fa l s el y i n t h e o u t er c o u r t of t h e h i g h p r i es t s p a l a c e ( M a t t
.
xxv i . B l e s s ed Th o ma s M or e t h e Hi g h C h a n cell or of En g l a n d ,
,
w a s t h ro w n i n t o p r i s on b y Hen r y V III , b ec a u s e h e w ou l d n ot c o n cu r .
i n t h e h o s t i l e a tt i t u d e t h a t mo n a r ch a s s u med t o w a r d s t h e C a th ol i c
C h u rch He mi g h t h a ve p u rch a s ed h i s r el ea s e merel y b y s wea r i n g
.
t o c o n form t o wh a t h i s s o v e re i g n d ec r eed He w a s a dv i s ed t o d o th i s . ,
1 . A v ow i s a p romi s e v luo a
nt ri l y ma d e t o God, t o p erform
so me g ood a c ti on .
i f n ot exp l i ci tl y wh en w e s a y : M y G od , I p ro mi s e t h a t I w i ll d o th i s or
th a t . A s i mp l e i nten t i on i s n ot a v ow ; n o on e, n ot e ven God Hi m
s elf, c a n r e qu i re a n yt h i n g of u s b e c a u s e of i t A v ow i s a p romi s e .
a n d n o on e ca n b e c o mp el l ed t o ma ke i t A v o w ma d e un d er .
c o mp u l s i o n i s i n v a l i d ; n ot s o on e ma d e u n d e r a p p r eh en s i o n of d a n g e r,
or s t res s of w a n t , for t h en th e a ct i s v ol u n t a ry We mu s t o n l y p rom .
i s e w h a t w i ll b e p l e a s i n g t o G od ; n ot a n yt h i n g w ro n g , a s d i d J ep h t e
w h o, b efor e g o i n g t o b a t tl e , v o wed t o t h e L or d t h a t i f h e w a s v i c
t ori ou s , h e w o ul d o ffe r a s a h ol o c a u s t wh o s o eve r s h o u l d r s t c o me ou t
of t h e d oor s of h i s h o u s e Hi s on l y d a u g h te r c a me t o meet h i m, a n d
.
s h e w a s s a c r i ced ( J u d g es Su ch a v ow i s fool i s h a n d d i s p l ea s
i n g t o G od ( Ec cl e s v . an d
. o u g h t n ot t o b e a c comp li s h ed .
Us u a l l y s o met h i n g i s p ro mi s ed whi ch i s n ot of ob l i g a t i o n , a p i lg ri m
a g e , for i n s t a n ce ; b u t on e ma y a l s o p ro mi s e s o met h i n g wh i ch on e i s
o th erw i s e ob l i g e d t o d o, e g , t o ob s erve th e fa s t s of t h e C h u rch , t o
. .
ca s e fa i l u r e t o keep o n e s p ro mi s e i s a t wo fol d s i n
Th e o wn er of a .
fa ct or y, w h o s e o n l y ch i l d wa s d a n g e ro u s l y i ll , p ro mi s ed b efor e God
i f s h e r ec o vered , t h a t h e w o ul d n eve r h a ve w ork d o n e on Su n d a ys
a n d h ol yd a ys . Sh e g ot well a n d h e k ep t h i s wo rd He wa s th en .
d o u b l y b oun d t o o b s erve t h e h ol yd a ys .
A ki n d b a rg a i n i s ma d e w i th God
of J a c ob p romi s ed t o g i ve
b
.
t i th e s of h i s p o s s es s i o n s t o God p ro vi d ed He ro ug h t hi m b a ck
p ro s p e ro u s ly t o h i s fa th er s h o u s e ( Ge n xxv i i i 2 0
Th e p roces
. .
s i o n s on t h e R o g a t i o n d a ys or i g i n a t e d t h ro u g h a v ow ma d e a b o u t t h e
yea r 500 b y St M a mert u s , B i s h op of V i en n a , i n t i me of fa mi n e ;
.
St M a rk s D a y w a s
a n d a b o u t a cen t u ry l a t e r t h e p ro ces s i o n on .
1 63 3 , a t t h e t i me of a n ep i d emi c St L o u i s of F r a n c e p ro mi s ed , i f
. .
t u a ry of M a ri a Z ell , w h i ch a t t r a c t s s o ma n y p i l g r i ms , i s d u e t o a v ow
-
1 n a d e b efore a b a t tl e w i t h t h e Tu rk s b y K i n g L o u i s I o f Hu n g a ry, .
(1 3 63
i n g t o God , for t h o s e wh o t a ke t h em c on s ec r a te n ot o nl y a l l t h ey d o,
b u t t h ei r own s el v es t o God As St An s el m s a ys , h e wh o g i ves t h e
. .
G od . Th e v o ws of rel i g i o n a re ei t h e r s o l emn ( s o c a ll ed b ec a u s e t h e
o b l i g a t i o n s i n cu rr ed a re g rea t er ) , or s i mp l e v o ws Sol emn v ows a re .
t h o s e i n w h i ch t h e r e i s a n i rre vo c a b l e c o n s ec r a t i o n of o n e s s elf a o
c ep t ed b y t h e C h u r ch , on t h e p a rt of on e w h o t a kes t h em Wh a t i s .
M a r ch 1 9 ,
B i s h o p s , or th e s u p e ri or g en e ra l of a n O rd er c a n -
g e n e r a ll y r el e a s e fro m t h e s i mp l e v o w s , a n d for a l es s g r a ve c a u s e .
t o p erform more b
a c cep t a l e t o G od C on s equ en tl . y by m a e n s of
a v ow we o bt a in a more s p e edy a n s w er
t o p ra y er,d man ake
more ra
p i d p g
ro r es s i n t h e w a y of p erfec ti on .
B y a v ow w e p ro ve ou r d el i t y t o God We a l s o ma ke a n o fferi n g
.
ex v o tos
-
i n p l a c es of p i lg r i ma g e, s o ma n y v o t i v e o ffer i n g s i n
c h u r ch e s ? V o w s en a b l e u s t o a tt a i n mor e qu i ckl y t o p erfect i o n ( St .
F r a n c i s of Sa l es ) W e t h ereb y g a i n s t ren g t h i n t h e p ra ct i ce of v i r
.
t u e, b ec a u s e ou r w i ll i s fort i ed b y t h e v ow Th e t h o u gh t : I h a ve .
p ro m i s e d m y G o d t o d o t hi s , i s a p o w e r fu l i n c e n t i v e t o t h e p e rfor m
a n ce of g oo d a c t i o n s M a n y p er s o n s of g rea t s a n c t i t y h a ve t a ken
.
4 . He w h o d oes n ot k e ep a s ol e mn p romi s e, f d s a ga i n s t
o f en
G od ; a n d s o d oes h e w h o n e e dl es s l yp os tp on es th e fu l l men t of
h i s p r omi s e ( Ex od xx i i i . .
If w e a re b o u n d t o k e ep o u r w or d t o ou r fell ow c re a t u re s h ow -
mu ch th e more o u g h t w e t o fu l l t h e p ro mi s e ma d e t o G od It IS .
3 38 T he Comma n d men ts .
mu ch b ett e r n ot t o v ow a ft e t o p e rform th e t hi ng s
, tha n r a v ow n ot
p ro mi s e d ( Ec cl es v Th e d eb t or i s c o mp el l ed b y t h e l a w o f
. .
t h e l a n d t o p a y h i s d eb ts , a n d c a n i t b e s u p p o s ed th a t h e w il l g o s c o t
fre e wh o w i t hh o l d s fro m G od wh a t i s Hi s d u e ? Th e n on full men t -
of a v ow m a y b e e i t h e r a v en i a l or a mor t a l s i n , a cc or d i n g t o t h e
i mp ort a n ce of t h e ma t te r i n qu es t i o n Th e g ui l t i s d ou b l ed, i f a t th e
.
s a me t i m e w e t r a n s g r es s a c o mma n d a n d s h o w d i s r es p e ct t o G od ,
as for i n s ta n ce b y v i o l a t i n g a v ow of ch a s t i t y If w e a re u n a b l e t o .
5 Th erefore
. an y on e w h o i s d es irou s of t a ki n g a v ow , ou gh t
A ma n wh o wi s h es t o b u i l d r s t ma kes a n es t i ma t e of t h e c o s t
, ,
w i t h o u t r s t t es t i n g h i s a b i l i t y t o keep i t St F r a n c i s of Sa l es ma d e
. .
a v ow to t h e R o s a r y ev e r y d a y of h i s l i fe ; h e o ft en r eg r et t ed
s ay
h a v i n g b een s o h a s t y i n t h a t p ro mi s e In a n y s er i o u s ma tt er i t i s
.
a dv i s a b l e t o c o n s u l t a n exp e r i en c ed p r i e s t F or t h i s r e a s o n t h e
.
C h u r ch h a s ma d e t h e r u l e t h a t eve ry on e wh o w i s h es t o t a ke t h e
v ows of r el i g i on , s h o u l d h a v e a t w el ve mon ths n o v i ce s hi p D u ri n g
.
t h a t t i me h e ma ke u p h i s mi n d a s t o w h et h e r h e h as a r e a l
ca n
ce rt a i n a b o u t hi s v o c a t i o n h e h a s o nl y h i m s el f t o b l a me .
O u r L or d s a i d t o Hi s a p o s tl e s : Wh a t s o ever y ou s h a ll l oo s e on
e a r t h s h a ll b e l o o s e d a l s o i n h e a v en
( M a tt xvi i i Hen ce t h e
. .
b i s h o p or o th er s u p er i or i s a u t h or i z e d t o a b s o lv e fro m v ow s Th e .
v ow i s u s u a l l y c ommu t ed for s o me g o o d w or k m or e c o n d u c i v e t o t h e
s p i r i t u a l w ea l of t h e i n d i v i d u a l Th ere a re v e v o w s fro m wh i ch t h e
.
Hol y F a th er a l on e c a n d i s p en s e : Th e v ow t o en t er a r el i g i o u s O rd e r ;
t h e v ow o f l i fel o n g ch a s t i t y ; t h e v ow t o v i s i t t h e t omb s of t h e a p o s tl es
i n R o m e ; a n d t h e v o w s t o ma k e a p i l g r i ma g e t o J e ru s a l em ( t h e h ol y
p l a c es ) o r t o C o m p os t el l a ( t h e t o mb o f S t J a m es ) U n.d e r c e r t a i n .
c i rc u ms t a n c es t h e b i s h op a l s o h a s p o w er t o d i s p en s e fro m t h es e
v o w s : If t h ey h a v e b e en ma d e c o n d i t i o n a ll y ; u n d e r s o me mea s u re of
c o mp u l s i on ; w i t h o u t ma tu r e d el i b e r a t i o n , or i n i g n or a n c e of w h a t
t h ey i n v o l ved .In a t i me of j u b i l ee e very c o nfe s s or h a s p o w e r t o
c o mmu t e v o w s for s o me g oo d w or k o f a n o t h e r n a t u r e O n e ma y .
a l w a ys d o mor e t h a n on e h a s p ro mi s ed : G o d w i l l n ot b e d i s p l e a s e d ,
a n y mor e t h a n a n or d i n a r y c r ed i t or , i f He i s p a i d m or e t h a n wh a t i s
d u e t o Hi m .
3 40 Th e Comma n d men ts .
wa s fo u n d i n s cr i b ed on h i s h ea rt In t h e L i t a n y of t h e Hol y Na me
.
we i n v o ke t h e n a me of J es u s a g a i n a n d a g a i n , b ec a u s e i t i s t h e mos t
p o we rfu l of a ll n a me s , a n d t h ro u g h i t we c a n o b t a i n a ll w e n ee d
If .
n M y n a me, He w i ll g i v e i t y ou
y ou as k t h e F a t h e r a n y t hi n g i
( Jo h n xv i By
. t h e n a m e o f J es u s t h e a p o s tl es a n d s a i n ts w orked
mi r a cl es ; St P et e r s a i d t o t h e l a me ma n a t t h e g a t e of t h e Temp l e :
. .
In t h e n a me of J es u s C hri s t a r i s e a n d w a lk ( Acts i i i
Ch ri s t
.
p ro mi s e d th a t i n Hi s n a me d e vi l s s h o u l d b e c a s t ou t ( M a r k x v i 1 7 .
Th e d ev i l s t r emb l e a t t h e n a me of J es u s ; t h ey t a ke i g h t wh en t h ey
h ea r i t , ev en wh en i t i s u t t e r e d b y ev il men , s o g r ea t i s i t s p o t en cy .
Th e n a me of J es u s i s a l s o a l l p o werfu l t o l l t h e h e a rt w i t h j o y ;
-
i t i s c omp a r e d t o o i l ( C a n t i a s oil g i v es l i g h t , a l l ev i a t es p a i n ,
. .
a nd af for d s n o u ri s h men t , s o d o es t h e n a me of J es u s , wh en we c a ll
u p on i t . St V i n cen t Fe rre r d ecl a res i t t o b e a d efen ce i n a ll d a n g ers
.
s p i ri t u a l a n d t emp or a l , a n d t h e me a n s of h e a l i n g b o d i l y i n rmi t i e s .
At t h e n a me of Je s u s every kn ee s h o u l d b ow , of t h o s e t h a t a re i n
h ea ven , on ea rt h , a n d u n d e r t h e ea rt h ( Ph i l i i An i n d ul g en ce
. .
of t w en t y v e d a ys i s g r a n t ed for ea ch i n v o ca t i o n of t h i s h o l y n a me,
-
a n d a p l en a r y a t t h e h o u r o f d ea t h for th o s e wh o h a ve fr e qu en tl y
i n v o ke d i t d u r i n g l i fe ( C l emen t X III , Sep t 5, . . To p ro
n o u n c e t h i s n a me i s i n d i s p en s a b l e for o b t a i n i n g t h e i n dul g en ce a t t h e
h o u r of d e a t h W o u l d t h a t ever y C h ri s t i a n c o ul d s a y w i th St B er
. .
n a rd : Th e n a m e of J es u s i s h o n ey t o th e t a s t e, mel o d y t o t h e e a r,
j o y t o t h e h e a rt
No on e wh o cl i n g s t o mort a l s i n c a n d ev o u tl y c a ll
.
on t h i s n a me :
No ma n ca n s a y t h e L or d Jes us , b u t b y th e Holy
Gh o s t ( 1 C or x i i In b eg i n n i n g ever y w i s h , b efor e every a ct i o n
. .
h o w ev e r i n s i g n i c a n t , w e s h o u l d c a ll on t h e n a me of G od , or ma ke
t h e s i g n of t h e c ro s s , w i th t h e u s u al w or d s : All wh a t s o ever y ou d o,
i n w or d or i n w ork , d o a ll i n t h e n a me of t h e L or d J es u s C h r i s t
( C ol i i i 1 7
. . Th u s w e s h a l l mer i t t h e d i v i n e b l es s i n g , a n d e a rn a
r ew a r d for e ver y a ct i on ; O ur L ord p ro mi s es th a t a n y on e w h o g i ves
to a n o th e r a c u p of c ol d w a t e r i n Hi s n a me s h a ll n ot b e u n r ew a rd ed
( M a rk i x . W e s h o ul d a l s o c a l l u p o n th e n a me of God i n th e t i me
of t ro u b l e ; He h a s s a i d : C a l l u p o n M e i n t h e d a y of t ro u b l e, I wi ll
d el i v e r t h ee a n d t h o u s h a lt g l or i fy M e
( P s xl i x . In t h e ye a r
.
1 6 8 3 t h e C h r i s t i a n s o b t a i n ed a b r i l li a n t vi ct ory o v er th e Tu rk s ; t h ei r
b a ttl e cry w a s t h e n a mes of J es u s a n d M a ry
-
In t h e h o u r of d ea th
.
a b o v e a l l we s h o u l d b r e a th e t h e n a me of J es u s ; l i k e St St ep h en .
L or d J es u s , r ece i ve my s p i r i t ( Act s v i i
wh o s e l a s t wor d s w e re : .
u
2 W e o gh t t o s h ow res p ec t for a l l th at a p p ert ai ns t o di v i ne
.
R u d ol p h of Ha p s b u rg s et a n exc ell en t ex a mp l e O n e d a y w h e n ou t .
In s t a n tl y h e d i s mo u n t ed a n d o ffer e d h i s h or s e t o th e p r i es t An d
b
.
,
wh en th e l a t t e r on h i s r et u rn g a v e a ck t h e h or s e t o t h e c o u n t h e
, ,
w o ul d n ot t a k e i t s a y i n g i t mu s t t h en cefor th b e d ev o t ed t o t h e
,
h a p p i n es s w o u l d a tt en d h i s c a ree r, a n d s o i t d i d ; n i n e y ea rs l a t er
R u do l p h w a s el ect ed emp eror O u r L or d b i d s u s rever en ce Hi s
.
p r i es t s ; He s a ys :
He th a t d es p i s eth y ou , d es p i s et h M e ( Luk e x .
St Jo h n C h ry s o s t o m
To u ch n ot M y a n o i n t ed ( 1 P a r x v i . . .
s a ys t h a t t h e h o n or s h o wn t o t h e p r i e s t i s s h o wn t o God Hi ms el f .
God a ls o re qu i re s u s t o s h ow r es p e ct t o h ol y p l a ce s a n d t h i n g s Wh en .
He a p p ea red t o M o s es i n t h e b urn i n g b u s h , a n d M o s es a p p ro a ch ed
s o mewh a t n e a r He s a i d t o Hi m :
, C o me n ot n i gh h i t h er ; p u t off
th e s h oe s fro m t h y feet ; for t h e p l a c e wh ere o n t h o u s t a n d es t i s h ol y
g ro u n d
( E xo d i i i . U n d e r. t h e O l d D i s p e n s a t i o n t h e p e o p l e
iv . Rever en ce M y s a n c tu a ry
( Lev xxv i En t er i n t o th e
. .
y ou a ll t h a t s a v or s of e a r th
Holi n es s b ecometh Th y h o u s e 0
.
,
L or d ! ( P s x c i i . W e s h o u l d a l s o ma n i fes t r es p ec t for a ll r el i g
.
h ea d wh en ev e r s h e h e a r d M a s s O u t of r es p ec t for th e G o s p el w e
.
s t a n d u p w h en i t i s r ea d a n d we p r es erv e a g r a v e d emea n or wh en we
,
a p p ro a ch t h e s a c r a men t s .
3ugh t f qu tly t
. We o re en o p rai s e a n d ma gni f al mi gh t God y y
on ac u t f Hi i ni t p
co n o s n e erfec ti ons a n d goodn es s , es p eci a ll y
wh H v al Hi p f c ti
en e re e s s er e ons i n a s p ec i al manner, or confers
ab t up n u
en e o s.
( Tob x i 1 7
. . R ememb er t h e M a g n i ca t, t h e s o n g of p r a i s e u t t ered
b y t h e M o th e r of G od a n d t h e B en ed i c tu s t h e c a n t i cl e of t h a n k s
, ,
g i v i n g p ro n o u n c ed b y Z a c h a r i a s ou h i s c u re ( L u k e Wh en ever
y ou r ec e i ve a n y fa v or fr om God, s a y : D eo g ra ti a s , Th an ks b e t o
G od , or Gl ory b e t o t h e F a th er, et c , a n d frequ en t l y rep e a t t h e s a l u
.
t a t i on : L et J es u s C h r i s t b e p r a i s ed ! In s o me p a r t s of G e rma n y a n d
Sw i t z e rl a n d , t h i s p i o u s g r e et i n g t a k es t h e p l a ce of t h e g oo d morn i n g ,
or g oo d d a y , i n u s e a mo n g u s An d i f y ou a re p reven t ed b y i n rmi
.
t i e s fro m p r a i s i n g Go d w i t h y o u r l i p s , a t a n y r a t e p r a i s e Hi m i n
y o u r h e a r t ; for God Wh o h e a rs n ot a s we h ea r r e qu i res n ot a u d ib l e
, ,
s o u n d ; He r e a d s t h e h e a rt a n d i s c o n t en t w i t h ou r g oo d w i ll
, B l es s .
t h e L or d 0 my s o u l , a n d l et a l l th a t i s w i th i n me b l e s s Hi s h ol y
,
n a me . B l es s t h e L or d , 0 m y s o ul a n d n eve r forg et a l l He h a th ,
I wi l l b l es s th e L ord a t a l l t i mes ; Hi s
d o n e for t h ee ( P s ci i . .
p r a i s e s h a ll b e a l w a y s i n my mo u t h ( P s xxx i i i B l es s ed b e t h e
. .
of t h e s u n u n t o t h e g o i n g d o wn of t h e s a me t h e n a me o f t h e L or d ,
i s w orth y of p r a i s e ( P s cxi i 2 . In p r a i s i n g God w e d o t h e
.
, ,
b l es s i n g s i n g r ea t a b u n d a n c e .
u
4 F rt h ermore, God p rohi i ts e er th i n g wh i ch i s a i ol ati on
. b v y v
v
of t h e re eren c e d ue t o Hi s di i n e ma es t ; a n d i n
p a rt i cul a r :v j y
Ta ki n g th e n ame of God i n a i n v .
M any p e op l e h a ve t h e h a b i t o f th o u g h tl es s l y ex cl a i mi n g a t e ve ry
trie th a t s u rp ri s es t h em :
G oo d L or d ! M y God ! a n d th e l i ke .
3 42 Th e Comma n d men ts .
Th o s e wh o t r u l y l o v e God c a n n o t s t a n d b y u n mov e d a n d h e a r Hi s h ol y
n a me p ro fa n ed Th i s c a r el es s , i p p a n t u s e of th e n a me of Go d or
.
of a n y o t h e r s a c r ed n a me i s a t l e a s t a v en i a l s i n
L et n ot th e .
n a mi n g o f G od b e u s u a l i n t h y mo u t h , for th o u s h a l t n ot e s ca p e fr ee
fro m s i n ( Ec cl u s xx i i i Th e L or d w i ll n o t h ol d h i m g u il t
. .
l es s t h a t s h a ll t a k e t h e n a me of t h e L or d h i s God i n v a i n ( Ex od x x. .
W e t a ke g oo d ca r e, s a ys St J oh n C h rys o s t o m, n ot t o w ea r
'
7 .
ou t ou r b es t cl o t h es b y p u tt i n g t h em on ev e r y d a y ; s o we mu s t
b ew a r e l es t w e t h ou g h tl es s l y u tt e r t h e n a me of G od , wh i ch i s w orthy
of ou r p ro fo u n d es t r ev er en c e Th e Jews d i d n ot ven t u r e t o p ro
.
n o u n ce t h e w or d J eh ov a h ; t h ey a l w a y s s p o ke of Th e L or d .
Sw eari n g
5 . By th i s i s mea nt th e us e of h ol n a mes i n a
. y
moment of an ger a s a n i mp recati on a gai n s t c ert ai n p ers ons or
thi ngs .
F or i n s t a n ce p a r en t s , wh en a n g ry, wi s h i ll t o t h ei r ch i l d r en , u s i n g
t h e n a me of God or of h ea ven ; w orkmen c a ll d o wn e vi l on t h e t o ol s
t h ey emp l o y O u t o f t h e mo u th of a C h r i s t i a n n o n e b u t b l es s i n g s
.
s h o ul d p r oc eed ( 1 P et i i i Sh o u l d t h e s a me mo u th wh erewi t h we
. .
l ow i n g th e c u rs e to b e fu l l l ed .
St Au g u s t i n e s p e a k s of a c ert a i n mo t h e r wh o cu rs ed h er refra c
.
t ory s o n s t h ey h a v i n g g o n e s o fa r a s t o s t ri ke h er
, Imm ed i a t el y .
t h ey w er e s e i z ed w i t h a c o n vu l s i v e m o vemen t o f t h e l i mb s fro m ,
wh i ch , a ft e r w a n de ri n g t h ro u g h m a n y l a n d s , t h ey w e r e a t l e n g th
c ur e d a t Hi p p o , b y t o u ch i n g t h e r el i cs of St St ep h en St Ig n a t i u s
. . .
of L o y o l a o n c e a s k e d a n a l ms of a Sp a n i s h n o b l e ma n ; t h e l a t t e r ew
i n t o a r a g e, a n d s a i d : M a y I b e b u r n ed a l i ve i f y ou a re n ot a rog u e
d es ervi n g t h e h a n g ma n s rop e
Sh ort l y a ft e r on t h e o cc a s i o n of
.
,
fe s t i v i t i es t o cel eb r a t e t h e b i r th of a n h ei r t o t h e t h ro n e, a b a rr el of
ema n s h o u s e a n d h e w a s s o s ev er el y
g u n p o w d e r e xp l o d e d i n t h e n o b l ,
wh o cu r s e a n d s w ea r ov er t h e i r w ork, or c a l l d o wn i mp re ca t i on s
u p o n t h e h o r s e s t h ey a r e d r i v i n g c a n n o t exp e c t t h e i r l a b or t o p r os
,
p er . T h u s G o d r e w a r d s t h o s e wh o u s e b a d l a n gua ge :
He l oved
c u r s i n g a n d i t s h a l l c o me u p o n h i m
, ( P s cv i i i . .
A ma n u
w h o i n d l ges th e b a d h a i t of s w ea ri n g b co mmi ts
ma n y s i n s , a n d i s i n d a n ger of et ern al p erdi ti on .
As t el l s fro m t h e l a n g u a g e
on e r r s p ea ks of wh a t c o u n t ry
a s t a nge
fr eel y fro m a ma n s l i p s on e ma y
h e i s a n a t i v e , s o wh en o a th s ow ,
c on cl u d e h e b el o n g s t o h el l ; t h e r e i s r e a s o n t o fe a r t h a t h e d o es n ot
b el o n g t o t h e k i n g d om of G od , for h e t a l ks t h e l a n g u a g e of h el l Th e .
F a th er s u s ed t o c on s i d e r s w e a r i n g a s a s i g n of p e r d i t i o n Th o s e w h o .
c u r s e s h a ll p er i s h ( P s xxxv i 22 ) . t h ey s h a l l n ot p o s s es s t h e k i n g d o m
.
of God ( 1 C or v i . . O rd i n a r y s we a r i n g i s a v en i a l s i n p rov i d ed ,
n o s er i o u s ev i l i s w ork ed t o o n e s n ei g hb or y et i t i s a g r ea t e r s i n t h a n
,
3 44 Comma n d ments .
Th e K in g B a b yl on B a lt a s s a r committe d s a c r ilege wh en i n a
of , , ,
c ome u n d er t h e s a me c on d emn a ti on It i s s a id th a t Je ws a n d F r ee
.
s p e a k s b y t h e mouth of t h e b l a s phemer ( St B e r n a r di n ) Th e b l a s . .
i ma g e . Wh om h a s t th ou b l a s ph emed a g a in s t wh om h a s t th ou ex ,
a lt e d thy v oi ce ? Ag a in s t t h e h oly O n e of Is r a el ( 4 Ki n g s x ix
.
s i n s b r i n g s ome a dv a n t a g e t o t h e s i n n er ; p r id e d es i re s t o g a i n i m
p or t a n ce a va r i c e mon ey i n temp er a n ce th e pl e a s ures of t h e t a b le
, , ,
b u t th i s s i n b r in g s a ma n n o p r ot n o pl e a s u re Th e Jew s pun i s he d
, .
th e n a me of t h e Almighty ? Will n ot t h e e a r th op en a n d s w a ll ow th ee
up ? D e c eive n ot thys el f 0 ma n th ou c a n s t n ot es c a p e th e h a n d of
, ,
b y h u ma n l a w .
G od i s n ot mock e d
( Ga l vi
. . Wh en Ki n g B a lt a s s a r p ro
Th e Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God . 3 45
h e w a s put i n to p ri s on till M os es h a d a s c er t a in e d wh a t w a s G o d s
wil l ; a n d th e L or d s a id : L et a ll t h e p e opl e s t on e h i m ( L ev xx iv . .
th a t b efor e l on g n o b l a s phemou s w or d wa s h ea r d i n t h e ki n gd om .
8 Simony
. .Thi s c ons i s s t in s ell n g s p
i ir i t u a li t i es for mon ey,
or q
th e e ui va l en t of money .
th e a lta r ; s o a l s o t h e L or d or d a i n e d th a t th ey wh o p r ea c h t h e G os p el
s h oul d live b y t h e G os p el ( 1 C or i x 1 3 , . .
j c
Th e ob e t of th e C on fra t e rn i ty of th e Hol y Fa c e i s t o ma ke
r ep a ra t i on for b l a s p h emi es a n d i rrev eren c es ommi tt e d a ga in s t c
G od .
th e exer ti on s of t h e pi o u s M D up on t th a t t h e C on fr a t e rn ity of th e
.
,
O u r L or d s a id t o h er : Th os e w h o ven er a t e t h e i ma g e of M y
huma n ity ( M y huma n coun t en a n c e ) s h a ll b e i n t er i o rly e n lighten ed
b y t h e r a di a n c e of M y G odhea d
An d t o Si s t er Sa i n t Pi err e i n
.
,
1 84 5 He s a id :
, As on e ca n pu rc h a s e wh a t ever on e will with a c oi n
of t h e r e a l m s t a mp ed with t h e k i n g s h e a d s o th o s e wh o a d o re M y
, ,
c ou n t en a n ce will ob t a i n a ll they d es i r e
Ag a i n :
Th e m or e y ou .
s in, t o i t s or i g i n a l b ea uty s o th a t it ma y a pp e a r a s i f it j u s t c a me
,
( Exod xx
i s t h e Sa b b a th ; th ou s h a lt d o n o w or k on it Th e . .
s tr i c t i n th ei r ob s e r v a n ce of t h e Sa b b a th ; a n y p r ofa n a ti on of t h e d a y
w a s pun i s he d with d ea th n o w ork of a n y kin d m ight b e d on e on it
, .
t o d o a g oo d d ee d on t h e Sa b b a t h ( M a tt x ii No ma n n a fell i n
'
. .
t h e d e s e r t on th a t d a y .
3 Sunda y wa s a p p oi nt ed b y th e a p os tl es a s t h e d a y of r es t
.
c
i n s t ea d of th e Sa b b a th . b e a us e Ch ri s t ros e from th e d ea d on
a Sun d a y .
li b er ty t o ch a n ge t h e d a y , a s th e O l d L a w w a s b u t a s h a d ow of th e
New Sun d a y i s c a lle d th e L ord s D a y , b ec a u s e it ought t o b e devoted
.
A D ) i s t h e r s t t o ma k e u s e of t h e w or d Sun d a y : it i s a n a me b et
. .
gr a ve i n th e b r illi a n ce of Hi s gl or ie d h u ma n i ty O n t hi s d a y a l s o .
i n g t o t h e cl a s s th a t s erves h en ce t h e n a me , M a rk ets a n d a l l c om
.
a n d a s h or t ex h o r t a ti on w a s d eliv er e d a ft e r t h e G os p el a s i s us u a l ,
for t h e d a y a n d t h e lives of t h e s a i n t s
,
M a n y of O u r L or d s mi r
.
a cl es of h e a li n g w er e w r ought on t h e Sa b b a th d a y w it n e s s t h e ma n
wh os e h a n d w a s with er e d ( M a tt x ii t h e m a n b or n b li n d ( John
. .
t h e m a n th a t h a d d r op s y ( L uk e x iv 2 ) a l t h ough b y d oi n g s o .
good w or k on Sun d a ys .
Th e w ork p e r mi tt e d on h ol yd a ys of ob l i ga t i on i s Ser vi l e
w or k w h i ch i s a b s ol u t el y n ec ess a r y , es p ec i a ll y w or k s of mer cy ;
Li gh t a n d t r i i n g w o rk ;
O c cu p a t i on s of a n i n t ell e tu a l c
n a tu r e ; R ea s on a b l e r ecr ea t i on .
a ll ow e d t o g a th er i n o u r c r op s i f t h e w e a th er th r e a t en s th ei r d es tr u o
ti on Al l w ork th a t i s i n di s p en s a b le for t h e pub li c s ervi c e ma y b e
.
c a rr i ed on : e g t h e p os t a l s erv i c e t h e r a il r o a d t el eg r a ph a n d p oli ce
. .
, , , ,
c i en t r ea s on C h ri s t s a y s :
. Th e Son of ma n i s t h e L or d of t h e Sa b
b a th a l s o
a n d th e C hu r ch
, Hi s repres en t a tive c a n s a y th e s a me
, , .
a ll w ork s t e n di n g t o thi s e n d a re en j oi n e d up on u s O u r L or d s a ys : .
fa te d ep en d s ( M a tt xx v We h a ve Ch r i s t s ex a mpl e a n d p re
. .
of t h e s a i n t s u s e d t o vi s it t h e h o s pit a l s a ft er M a s s a n d s p en d t h e re ,
h a ve mer cy a n d n ot s a cr ice ( M a tt i x
But i f it i s i n a n y
. .
y ou o ught t o h a ve d on e a n d n o t l e a ve th os e un d on e
, ( M a tt xx iii . .
Th e p r ec ep t j
en oi n i n g u p on u s to s an ctify th e Su n d a y i s
tra n s gres s ed
1 B y d oi n g
. or re qu i ri n g oth er s t o p erform s er vil e work .
l a tt er ca s e t h e s i n r es t s with t h e ma s te r If s c a n d a l i s given b y d oi n g
.
s a y s of on e wh o giv es s c a n d a l
it w e re b ette r for h i m tha t a mill
,
s h ould b e put t o d e a th :
He th a t s ha ll d o a n y w or k i n it h i s s oul ,
s h a ll p er i s h o u t of t h e mid s t of h i s p e op l e ( Ex od xxxi . .
c
2 B y a r el es s n es s a b ou t a tt en d a n c e a t p u b l i wors h i p
. c .
of Sa l es t o tur n d a y i n t o n ight a n d n ight i n t o d a y a n d n egl e ct
, ,
B y i n d u l gi n g i n d iv ers i on s
3 . wh i ch a re o v er -
fa ti gu i n g, or
whi c h a re of a s i n fu l n a t u r e .
et c. o u gh t t o b e a v oid e d on Su n d a y ; a l s o th os e wh i c h l ea d t o a n y
,
di s a dv a n t a g es en s ue to them .
wh o w ork on Sun d a ys God s a ys a s t o t h e Jews of y ore : I will
qui ckly vi s it y ou with p over ty ( L ev xxvi
Th os e wh o th r ough . .
h a ve s un k a s a n a ti on !
3 T e h . n o n ob s erva n c e of Su n d a y u n d er mi n es fa mi l y l ife
a n d s oc i a l rel a t i on s .
b i s h op t h e l egi s l a t or , t h e p a ren t
, C a th oli cs wh o a re c a reles s i n .
Er v r
a n ct i fy i n g Sun d a y, we l a y up for o ur s elves t re a s u r es whi ch will l a s t
c e e .
2 . THE P RECEP T OF L AB OR .
a rtis a n s o p e r a tiv es
, a n d th e lik e a re i n t en d e d ; s tuden t s
,
p r i es t s , ,
t o en g a g e i n ma n u a l l a b or St P a ul ea rn ed h i s ow n livi n g b y t h e
. .
ma n i s more t o b e r es p ec ted th an h e wh o i s t h e s l a ve of h i s p a s s i on s .
p el ma n t o w ork , Go d h a s or d a i n e d th a t th e ea r th s h a ll n ot a fford
him n ou r i s h men t un les s it i s c ultiva t ed If n o on e l a b ore d a l l t h e .
t o d o s o, h e repli ed :
D o y ou thi n k a l mighty God h a s given me my
St B en edi c t , i n ma ki n g t h e rul e for h i s
h a n d s for n o pu rp os e ? .
th e b i r d t o y
( Job v 7 Even th e l ow e r a n i ma l s t ea ch u s i n thi s
.
r es p e ct ; witn es s t h e i n du s tr i ou s a n t ( P r ov vi
W e exh ort y ou . .
s el f Wh o c a ll s ev e ry ma n t o h i s s p ec i a l s t a te h en ce w e s p e a k of i t a s ,
his
voc a ti on a n d G od gives ever y on e t h e g r a c es n eces s a ry t o hi s
,
C a refu l fu l lmen t of th e d u ti es of on e
s c l ea ds to
a lli n g
i n t i me a n d i n et ern i ty .
It i s a mi s t a k e t o i ma gi n e th a t ti me a n d tr oub le devot ed t o th e
duti es of on e s c a lli n g a re w a s t ed ; on th e c on t r a ry th ere i s n o s p eed i er
,
ma n s a ys St Fr a n c i s of Sa l es
,
. d oes n ot p e rform th e g r a ve ob li
,
g a t i on s o f h i s s t a t e th ough h e r a i s
, e t h e d e a d a n d p r a c ti s e a l l m a n n e r
o f a us t er iti es h e i s i n mor t a l s i n a n d will p eri s h et e r n a l ly In v a i n .
i s a hi n d ra n ce t o s a lva ti on .
c
Th e p re ep t of l a b O r i s tra n s gres s ed
1 B y i n d ul gi n g i n idl en es s
. .
2 B y th e n on full men t of th e du ti es of ou r s t a ti on
.
-
and
c a lli n g
1 It i s l a wfu l for th os e wh o
. work to s eek rel a x a ti on for ,
d on e .
Th e b ow ne e ma n wh o work s
v r un s p a n n ed will b reak ; a nd th e
with out c es s a ti on will b ecome un t for w ork Soc i a l c on vivi a liti es .
et c . O u r L o r d Hi ms el f w a s a gu es t a t b a n quet s even a t a ma rr i a ge ,
ov er i n a l l ou r re c re a t i on s th e th ou gh t of God mu s t b e res en t
p
to ou r mi n d .
u s eful ch ec k up on i n dulgen c e i n th e pl ea s u r es of th e s en s es ; i f we re
memb er th a t a t a n y momen t ou r s oul ma y b e r equi red of u s , we s h a ll
b e moder a te i n ou r u s e of en oymen t s j
An ex a gger a te d l ove of .
a n d ou r high d es ti n y Th e P s a l mi s t s a ys :
.
B e gl a d i n th e L or d
( P s . xxx i S t C. h a rl e s B orr
. om e o i s s a id on c e t o h a v e p l a ye d a
g a me of b illi a r d s ; wh en a s k ed wh a t h e w oul d d o i f h e wa s t ol d t h e
Th e Ten Comma nd men ts f
o God . 3 57
1 . Th e s i x p r e c ep s of t th e Ch ur h a re c an a mplica ti on of th e
Thi rd Comma ndment of t h e De a l ogue c .
c
Th e rs t p re ep t of th e C h u r h en oi ns u p on th e fa i thful c j
c
to r es t fr om work on er t a i n d a ys b es i d es th e Su n d a y, t o gi v e
th a n ks to God for s p e i al gra es c c .
c
Th e s econ d p r e ep t of th e C h ur h ord ain s th e ma n n er i n c
c
wh i h the fas ti ng d a ys a nd d a ys of a b s tinence a re t o b e oh
-
serv ed .
c
Th e t h i r d a n d fou rt h p r e ep ts of th e C h u r h ob l i ge u s to con c
c
fes s a n d commu n i a t e a t l eas t on e a y ea r c .
Th e ft h p r ecep t b i d s u s s u p p o r t ou r p a s tors .
F a th er ha th s en t M e I a l s o s e n d y ou , ( John xx When t h e .
Ch ur ch enj o in s a n ythin g up on u s , it i s th e s a me a s i f C hr i s t en j o i n e d
it ; for He s a id : Wh a t s oever y ou s h a ll b i n d u p on ea rth s h a ll b e
( M a tt xviii
b oun d a ls o i n h ea ven In di s ob eyi n g t h e C hur ch
. .
l a ws , c o mmits a gri ev ou s s in .
Ch ris t
i d t o t h e a p os tles : Wh a t y ou loos e up on ea rth s h al l b e
sa
loos e d a l s o i n h e a v en ( M a tt xviii Some b i s h op s p ermit me a t
. .
t o b e e a ten on F r id a y wh en a fe s tiv a l fa ll s on th a t d a y Th e P op e .
1 c
In th e rs t omma n d ment of the Ch ur h th e s ol emn ob
. c
c
s erv a n e of th e h ol y d a ys i s en oi n ed up on us Th er e a re s ev en j .
Th e C i rcumci s i on ( Ja n 1 s t) Th e Ep i p h a n y ( Ja n 6 th ) ;
. .
Ea s t er ; Th e As en s i on ; _ c
P en t e os t ; ( 7 C orp u s c
Ch ri s ti ( th e thi rd a n d t h e l a s t a re n ot h ol yda y s i n th e Uni ted
Sta tes ) .
8 th ) ; Th e An n u n ci a t i on ( M a r h 2 5 th ) ; Th e P u ri ca c
ti on ( Feb 2 d ) ; . Th e As s u mp ti on ( Au g 1 5th ) O f th es e fes ti . .
c
v al s th e Imma u l a t e C on cep ti on a n d th e As s u mp ti on a re th e
on l y on es n ow ob s erv e d a s h ol y d a ys of ob l i g a t i on .
d ea th b ec a u s e it w a s thei r b i rt h t o a b e tte r li fe t h e d a y of M a ry s
,
,
i n th e U n i t ed St a t es ; Th e fea s t of Al l Sa i n ts ( Nov l s t) . .
wea vi n g thes e s a i n ts d a ys i n t o th e cyc le of th e ec cles i a s ti c a l yea r,
s h e w oul d tea c h u s a mi d a ll ou r ea r th ly occ up a ti on s t o k ee p ou r
thou ghts x ed up on God , d oin g a ll , as t h e Ap os tle exh o rts u s , t o i s H
glory ( 1 C or . x.
2 . Th e e cl es i a s
c a l r bti
egi c
ns up on th ee
y a rs t Sun d a y i n Ad .
c
vent ; i ts th ree p ri n i p al fea s ts are : Ch ri s tma s , wh en th e b irth
of Ch ri s t i s c
el eb ra t ed ; Eas t er, th e d a y of H i s r es urr e ti on ; a n d c
c c
Pent e os t, wh en th e omi ng of th e Hol y Sp i ri t i s ommemora t ed c .
Thu s t h e l i i ecc es a s t ca l
yea r s ets for th th e gl ory of t h e H oly
Tr in ity ; i t di s pl a ys t h e c ha r ity of th e F a ther Wh o s en t Hi s Son in to
,
c
b efore Ea s ter ; thus t h e n umb e r of d a ys i s ompleted with out t h e s ix
T he Ten Comma nd men ts f
o God . 361
c
Th e t en da ys a ft er th e a s ens i on a re th e p eri od of p r ep a ra t i on
c q
for P en t e os t Th e s u b s e u en t commemor a t i on l a s ts for twen ty
.
a b ly wh en t h e fa ce of n a tur e p re s e n t s a n i ma g e of de a th .
3 Th e. a s pe ct t r
of n a u e c orres p on d s t o th e t hr ee prin c i p a l fes
ti v al s .
a s t i ca l y ea r .
c c
By th e se ond ommandment of th e Ch ur h th e pr e c cept of fa st
i ng a nd of a b s ti nen e i s l ai d up on us c .
M os es a nd Elias b efore Him; and St John B ap tis t, the Pre urs or, . c
fa s ted mos t ri gor ous ly Th e C hur ch h as good r eas ons for l ay in g
.
c
Th e l a ws of th e Chu r h in r ega r d to fas t i n g a n d a b s ti n ence
c
a re i n rea l it y v ery s t ri t ; th ey h a ve, h ow ev er , b een l a rgel y re
l a x ed b y t h e b i s h op s t o s u it t h e ex i g en ci es of t ime a n d p l a e c .
c c
In th e s e ond omma ndment of th e Ch ur h we a re or dered to c
a b s t a i n on a ll Fri d a ys of th e yea r ; t o fa s t a n d a b s t a i n on As h
Wednes da y, on th e Fri da ys a nd Sa turda y s of Lent, on th e Emb er
c
da ys ; on th e vi gi l s of ert a i n fea s t s ; a nd to fa s t on a l l th e oth er
d a ys of Lent .
1 . We forb i dden to
a re ea t mea t on Fri da y, b e ca u e
s on th a t
da y Our Lord di ed for us .
this p rohib itio n ; b ut He als o s a id : The thi ngs th a t come from the
j
The ori gin a l ob ect of this p r ohib ition was to s upp r ess th e ob s erv
a n ce of th e Sa b b a th d a y , w h ich s till li n ger ed a mon g Chris ti a n con
verts It is n ow do ne a w a y with ; y et Chris ti a ns oft en i mp os e s ome
.
,
The b ett er our p rep a ra ti on, the more ab unda nt are the graces We
t i
ob a n on the feas t its elf Th e ea rly Chr is ti a ns w er e a ccus tomed to
.
as s e mb le together on th e e esv g r ea t
fes tiva ls , to p as s th e n ight i n
of
w a tchi n g a nd p r a y er, an d i n as s is ting a t th e holy s a cr ice of th e
M a ss This they di d b eca us e h a d they held th e s ervi ces i n th e d a y
.
c
Th es e v i gi ls a re t h e d a ys p r e ed in g th e fou r gr eat fes t i val s of
c
Chri s t ma s , P en te os t , th e As s ump t i on a n d Al l Sa i n ts Da y
.
1 . q
C on s e u en t l y th e fol l owi ng p ers ons are p ermitt ed to ea t
mea t on F ri d a y or ot h er d a ys of a b s t in en e : c
1 . Th e s ick, the w ea k, thos e wh o a re r ecover ing fr om illn es s for
whom a con s cien ti ous doctor or der s mea t diet ; 2 Thos e whos e hea lth .
will tell y ou wh a t to d o .
fa mily l a w fully us es tha t p rivil ege, a ll the other memb ers of th e hous e
h old ma y a v a il thems elves of i t a ls o, b u t thos e wh o are b oun d to fas t
ma y n ot ea t mea t mor e tha n on ce a d a y .
ch a s ti s e h i m wh en h e i s d oc il e b u t wh en h e i s di s ob e di en t , F a s ti n g .
,
At Na b u ch od on os or s c ou rt D a n i el a t e pul s e a n d d r a n k w a ter, a n d h e
s u rp a s s e d i n un d er s t a n di n g , kn owl ed g e a n d wi s d om a l l t h e wi s e men ,
kn ow s th a t t h e en emy a t a ma n s r es id e ca n d o h i m th e w ors t a n d
th e gr ea t es t h a r m By fa s ti n g we put ou r foe i n i r on s s o th a t h e
.
,
c a nn o t w a g e w a r a g a i n s t u s Th e b i rd of p r ey l oves a fa t p r ize h e
.
,
fra i n e th hi ms el f i n a l l thi n gs
( 1 C or i x i n p rep a r a ti on for . .
the ther r i s es
o O u r h e a lth i s i mp ro ved a n d ou r li fe p rol on ge d b y
.
( Act s x a n d s en t a n a n g el t o h i m
. Wh en H ol ofern es l a id s i eg e
.
St Au g . .
u s t i n e ca ll s fa s ti n g a n d a lms givi n g t h e t wo pi n i on s of p r a ye r F a s ti n g .
we re p r es en t a t O u r L or d s t ra n s g u ra t i on b e ca us e th ey a l on e of all
,
Ab s ti n en c e from food i s
7 . on l y p l ea s in g t o G od i f, at th e
s a me ti me, w e refr a i n from s i n and rfo rm good w orks
p e .
with out a lms givin g i s a eld with out s ee d ; it fos t ers t h e wee d s of
a v a r i ce He fa s ts for hims el f, n ot for God , wh o d oes n ot give t o th e
.
p oor wh a t h e d en i es t o hi ms elf .
1 . c
In th e t hi r d a n d fourt h omma n dment s t h e Ch urch en j oi ns
c
up on u s th e d u ty of a pp roa hi n g th e Sa r a ment of Pen a n e a n d c c
c c
r e ei vi ng h ol y ommuni on a t Ea s t er .
368 Th e Comma nd men ts .
C h ri s ti a n b u ri a l ca n b e d eni ed to a C a th oli wh o h a s n ot
5 . c
c
b een i n th e h a b i t of re ei vi n g th e s a cra men ts a t Ea s t er , a n d
w h o di es u n rep en tan t .
mos t len i en t c ou r se .
c
By th e ft h omma n d men t of th e Ch ur h w e c a re b oun d t o con
t ri b ut e t o th e s upp ort of our p a s t ors .
M a r ri a ge a nd t h e p en i t en t i a l s ea s ons .
Amos viii .
THE F O UR TH C O M M ANDM EN T O F GO D .
c a ns t th ou b e u n g r a teful t o th os e wh o h a ve d on e a n d s uf fered s o
much for thee ? Th e Son of God Hims el f h on ored Hi s M o th e r a n d
C re a tor He w a s ; He n ever fo rg ot th a t a s a n i n fa n t He h a d l a i n on
M a ry s b os om a n d h a d b een c a rr i ed i n Jos eph s a rms
.
,
2 W e ough t to h onor
. our p a en sr t by res p ec tful b eh a v i or, l ove,
a nd ob edi en e c .
R es p e ct t wa r d s
o our p t
are n s con s i s s t in t min g th em fr om
es ee
ou r h ea r t a s God s
rep res en ta t i v es ,
an d ma n i fes ti n g t his es teem
ou tw a r d ly b y word an d d eed .
h e b owe d t o h er a n d ma de h er s i t on h i s ri ght h a n d ( 3 Ki n g s ii
, .
w oma n i n th e ki n d es t ma nn er wh en s h e w en t t o h i m i n t h e mea n
,
Wi s e M a n s a ys : H on or thy fa th er i n W or d a n d work a n d i n a l l
p a ti en c e ( Ec clu s iii
. .
3 70 The Comma n dmen ts .
Love of ou r p a ren ts c on s i s s t i n ki n d fe el i n gs an d ki n d a c ti on s
towa rd s th em .
b ec a us e th ey a re ou r n e ighb or m a de i n G od s ima ge
But thi s i s n ot
, .
en ou gh : Th ey h a ve a r ight t o a s p ec i a l a f fec ti on on ou r p a rt b ec a us e ,
s erv i c e Th e ki n g r e a d t h e l e tter a n d wa s s o to uc he d th a t h e p u t a
.
t u re d t o b ur y h i s r ema i n s ; h i s d a ughte r M a rg a re t a l on e b ra ve d t h e
ty r a n t s wr a th a n d h e r es p ecti n g h er li a l devoti on a ll owed n o on e
, , ,
p r ey with t h e ol d a n d t h e s t o rk s w a rm th os e wh o h a ve l os t thei r
,
26 )
C hild ren , ob e
y y ou r p a ren t s i n a ll thi n g s ( C ol iii Jus t . .
o b ey wh en th e c omma n d i s j u s t ; i f th e i r p a r en ts o r d e r th em t o d o
o n t h e Ap os tl e s w or d s :
We ought t o ob ey G od r a ther th a n men
( A c t s v S
.t H e rm en g i l d s
. on o f L e ov i g il d Ki n g o f t h e G oth s
, , ,
a g a i n s t h i s fa th er a t t h e p a l a ce g a tes li e d t o h i m a n d r eb elle d a g a in s t
, ,
h i m ( 2 Kin gs
2 He w h o di s ob eys h i s p a ren t s , a n d wil l n ot b e orr e ted b y
. c c
th em, tra n s gres s e s th i s c omm a n dmen t .
a l on g li fe ; a s p otl e s s li fe i s ol d a g e ( Wi s d iv God ta kes . .
t o h i s s on wh en h e s et ou t on h i s j ou rn ey ; t h e b le s s i n gs whi c h Noe
p r on oun ced up on Sem a n d Ja p h eth H on or you r p a r en ts th a t thei r
.
b l es s i n g ma y r es t up on y ou Th e fa th e r s b l es s in g es t a b li s h eth t h e
.
h ou s es of th e ch ild ren
( Ecclus iii .
He th a t h on oreth h i s
.
th y fa th e r s h a ll n eve r b e fo r g o tt en
(v Hen ce it c omes th a t
.
It i s u n qu es ti on a b ly a g re a t s i n t o t rea t on e s gre a tes t ea rthly b en e
fa c to r with i n gr a titude a n d b eca us e of t h e ma g n itude of t h e s i n t h e
,
xxiii 1 8 .
,As a t ree on whi ch th ere were n o b l os s oms c a n p ro duce
n o fr uit s o t h e ma n w h o w as di s ob e di en t i n h i s y outh will n ot b e
,
wa s ca ught b y h i s lon g h a i r i n t h e b r a n ch es of a n oa k a n d hu n g ,
s h ow s By wh a t thi n g s a ma n s in n eth b y th e s a me h e i s t or
.
,
C ha n a a n .
God h a s a p p oi nt ed tw o p owers , t h e s p i ri t ua l a nd th e s e ul a r,
1 . c
c
for th e d i re ti on of h uma n s o i ety To t h e s p i ri t ua l p ower He c .
h a s commi tt ed th e gu i d a n e of s oul s , t o th e s e ul a r th e ma i n c c
t ena n ce of p ea e a n d or d er c .
se rvi ce of ma n Amon g a n i ma l s w e n d t h e s a me s ub or di n a ti on of
.
wi ng s .
c
Pop e, t h e hi gh es t s e ul a r a ut h ori ty t o th e mon a r h of th e l a n d ;
c
c
i n mos t oun tri es th e p eopl e h a ve a s h a re i n th e s e ul a r gov ern c
ment .
h i s p ow e r fr om G od w e le a rn from t h e w or d s O u r L o r d a ddr es s ed to
Pil a te : Th ou s h oul des t n ot h a ve a n y p ower a ga i n s t M e un les s it ,
for p ow er i s given y ou b y t h e L or d ( Wi s d vi Th er e i s n o . .
p ower b u t fr om G od
( R om x iii M on a rch s u s u a lly a d d t h e
. .
ca ll ed mi n i s t e r s of G od ( Wi s d vi or t h e L or d s a n oi n t ed ( 1 Ki n g s
. .
on e w h o ll s t h e pl a ce o f t h e ki n g i s ca ll e d t h e vi c e r oy Th e P ep e .
O u r du t i es towards th e Su p r eme P on ti a re th es e : W e a re
37 6 The Comma n d men ts .
h i m, to h ol d hi m i n r es p e ct ,
and to s u p por t h i m b y ou r p ra y ers ,
b y th e p a ymen t of t ax es , and b y mil i t a ry c
s ervi e i f requ i r ed of
us .
We ly b ou n d t o ob ey th e l a ws of t h e St a te b ec a u s e of
a re n ot on
th e p en a lty i n c u rr e d b y di s ob edi en ce b u t a l s o for c o n s c i en c e s a k e
, ,
a p o s tle s
wo r ds : We ought t o ob ey God ra ther th a n men ( Act s v .
gen tle b u t a l s o t o t h e fr ow a r d ( 1 P et ii
, B a d r ulers a re g en . .
or a lly s en t b y G od a s a c h a s ti s emen t fo r th e s i n s of t h e n a ti on If .
Hon or th e ki n g
( 1 P et ii 1 7 A kin g i s s p oken of a s
. .
Hi s
a n d a r oy a l r ec epti on i s p rep a re d for h i m whe r eve r h e
M a j es ty ,
e i g n r ul e r C h r i s t s a n cti on e d th e p a ymen t of t a x e s wh en He s a id :
. ,
s ervi c e of t h e Templ e ; a n d i n or d er t o d o s o He b a d e St P et e r g o t o , .
wh ol e It i s n ot r ight t o d efr a ud th e St a te i n t h e ma tt er of t a x a ti on
.
.
re s en t a t i v es o f h
t e s o v e r e ig n a r e s i m il a r t o th o s e to w a r d s hi m s el f .
u j
B e s b ec t o t t h e ki n g a s e x c el l i n g or t o g o ver n o r s a s s e n,t b y h i m ;
3
for s o i s th e wi ll o f G o d ( 1 P e t ii 1 4 . . .
Th e Ten Comma n d men ts o f God .
c
In a ddi ti on t o a l l t h i s , th e i ti zen s ou gh t t o a s s i s t t h ei r rul er
c
i n th e gov er n men t of th e oun t ry, b y c h oos i n g a s th ei r rep re
c
s en t a ti v es men of ex p e r i en e a n d C h ri s t i a n p r i n i p l es c .
a t ors memb er s of C on gr e s s
,
C a b in e t oi cers will a ll h a ve t o give a n
, ,
a c qu a i n t e d with t h e l a w a n d a b ove a l l p os s es s ed of C hr i s ti a n p r i n
, ,
h a ve th e i n ter es t s of th e C hu rch a t h ea rt .
c
If a C a th ol i , b y gi vi n g h i s v ot e to a ca n d i d a t e w h o i s h os til e
to th e C h ur c h , or b y a b s t a in i n g fr om v ot i n g, ma k es hi ms el f i n
p a r t r es p on s i b l e for t h e s u es s o f t h a t c a n d icc
d a t e,
h e h a s mu h c
to a n s w er for .
q u en c e ; it might tu rn t h e s ca l e, a n d i f n ot a t a n y r a t e it l e s s en s t h e,
t o v ot e ou ght t o p r a y tha t t h e r es ul t of t h e el ec ti on ma y b e fa v or a b l e
t o t h e c a u s e of r eligi on a n d of t h e coun t ry i n g en er a l .
4 He wh o gr os s l y offends a ga i ns t ei t h er th e e cl es i a s t i a l or
. c c
c
s e ul a r a ut h ori ti es h a s t o ex p e t th e s ev er e c
h a s t i s ement of God c
on ea rt h , a n d p un i s h ment i n th e w orld t o ome c .
b ell ed a g a i n s t t h e ki n g h i s fa th er ( 2 Ki n g s Al s o th a t of
Semei wh o n ot on ly i n s ul te d Ki n g D a vid b u t di s ob ey ed t h e ma n
, .
1 Th e Ch ri s t i a n ough t n ot to s tri v e
. a f er at p os i t i on of a u
c
th ori ty wh i h h e i s n ot omp et en t t o l l c ( Ecc l es . vii .
n ot a s pi re t o t h e p os t of l ea d er of t h e Heb r ew p e opl e, b u t o n ly a s
s ume d it wh en c a lle d b y G od t o d o s o In fa c t a t rs t h e w ould n ot
.
,
Au gus tin e, a ccept e d t h e epi s cop a l dign ity mos t r elu ct a n tly Y et a ll .
2 . He wh o i s c
b y God to ll
a ll ed me p os t of a u th o r i ty,
so
mu s t n ot on th a t a ou n t th i n k mu ch cc of h i ms el f, b u t ra t h er
con s i d er th e r es p on s i b ili t y l a i d on h i m .
A ma n ma y b e cer ta i n th a t h e i s ca ll ed b y G od i f a n a pp oi n tmen t ,
XIII s t ron gly u rged h i m t o a ccep t it D ign iti es a re a pp a ren tly con
. .
Th e h ea r t of t h e ki n g i s i n t h e h a n d of t h e L ord ; a s t h e d ivi s i on s of
w a t er s whither s o ev er He will He s h a ll tu rn it ( P r ov xxi
,
He . .
St Th oma s Aqui n a s
. i s eetin g a n d s h or t lived ; lik e s moke it -
a n oth er h e u s ed t o cl os e on e ea r s a yi n g :
, I give on e e a r t o t h e ,
a cc us er th e oth er t o t h e a cc us ed
,
Even G od Wh o i s omn i s ci en t did .
, ,
g i s guil t .
s h ould en t r ea t t h e L or d of t h e vi n ey a r d t o s p a r e t h e b a rr en g t ree -
THE FIF TH C O M M AN DM EN T O F GO D .
1 . O UR D UTY IN RESP EC T TO O UR O WN L IF E .
1 . Our b ody wa s cr t
ea ed b y God a s a n a b od e for our i mmort a l
s oul .
Th e con di t i on of th e s ou l is of en t d ep en d en t u p on th e c on di
ti on of th a t a b od e .
u n i n h a b it ed t en emen t ; b u t it w a s d es ti n ed t o b e i n h a b it ed th erefor e ,
t h e h ou s e h e un h ea lthy t h e dw ell e r i n it fa ll s s i ck
,
O u r b ody i s l ike .
h u rt ; s o i f ou r mort a l fr a me s u s t a i n s i n j ury th e s pi r it th e n ob le , ,
77w Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God . 381
C or vi
. . We a re b oun d t o t a k e c a re of wh a t i s th e p rop erty of
a n other Th e ten a n t of a hi re d h o us e h a s n o r ight t o d a ma g e or
.
d es t r oy th a t h ou s e s o w e a re n ot a t li b er ty t o i ju re or d es t roy ou r
,
n
c
B y mea ns of l e n l i n es s , t emp era n e, regu l a r i ty, i n du s t ry,
a c
a n d t h e u s e of r emed i es i n a s e of Sl Il eSS c .
cl o s e d i n t h e eg g ; s o w e s h ould t a k e c a r e of o u r b ody b ec a u s e of t h e
ou r a pp a r el t h e r o oms w e i n h a b it ; t emp er a n ce i n e a ti n g a n d d r i n k
,
ob s e rv e d i n r eg a r d t o me a l s t h e ti me o f g oi n g t o r es t a n d r i s i n g
,
e a rn ou r d a il y b re a d b u t d o mu ch t ow a r ds k eepi n g ou r s elve s i n
,
xx xviii Th e M os t High h a th c r ea t e d me di c i n es ou t of th e
.
e a r th a n d a wi s e ma n wi l l n ot a b h or them
, (v H ow ev e r i f t h e .
,
c c
O u r s ol i i tu d e on c er n i n g th e p r es erv a t i on of ou r h ea l t h a n d
of ou r l ife mu s t n ot, h ow e v e r, b e s o r ea t a s t o ma k e u s for e tfu l
g g
of our e t ern a l s a l v a t i on .
Th e g oo d th i n gs of t i me
life a n d b odily w el l b ei n g a re , s u ch as -
n ot in t r i n s i c a lly v a lu a b l e a n d t o b e d es i r e d b u t on ly i n s o fa r a s th ey ,
es hl y min ded -
Th e wi s d om of t h e e s h i s d ea th ; it i s a n en emy t o
.
vi 2 5 3 2 )
.
,
q
Cons e uentl y i t i s a s i n t o r a s hl y h a za rd on e s l i fe, wa n t onl y
t o i nj ur e on e s h ea l t h or t o t a k e on e s ow n l i fe
, .
s i n un le s s th ey t a k e a ll n e ce s s a ry p r ec a uti on s t o a v o id fa t a l a c c i
th ei r li fe Th e s a me ma y b e s a id of th os e wh o a re fool h a r dy a n d
.
,
t h e b ul l g h t s whi c h a re th e n a ti on al a mu s emen t i n Sp a i n
-
W a n t of .
or di n a ry p r ud en c e i s a l s o highly r ep r eh en s i b l e a s for i n s t a n c e to , ,
c r os s t h e li n e wh en a t r a i n i s a pp r o a chi n g b y whi c h ma n y h a ve l os t ,
th ei r lives or t o s t a n d un der a t re e or oth erwi s e exp os e on e s s elf dur
, ,
h e a dds a n othe r t o it .
c
c
t ori ou s , t o s a ri e on e s b odi l y h ea l th or life i n or d er to ga i n
c
e v e rl a s ti n g li fe, or t o res u e on e s fel l ow ma n fr om p h ys i a l or
-
c
s p i r i tu a l d ea th .
s a ys : He th a t s h a ll l os e h i s life for M y s a ke s h a ll n d it ( M a tt
.
. . .
, ,
i n h e a th en l a n d s a re i n c on s t a n t d a n ger of d ea th a n d ma n y of th em ,
F r a n c i s X a vi e r th e a p os tle of t h e In di es w a s a t t h e c l os e of t h e
, , ,
n ur s es wh o a tt en d th os e wh o h a ve a n i n fe c ti ou s di s ea s e St Al oys ius . .
li fe it s el f s h ould b e s a cr i c ed t o s a ve it C h r i s t ga ve u s a n ex a mple
, .
n f
th a t w ould b e s i ul b u t onl y t o thi nk of th e dee d it s elf of whi ch ,
t o d ea t h un j u s tl y a ri d wi l l i n gl y .
h a t r ed oft en l ea ds to mu r d er .
s l a y D a vid ( 1
or ed t o Ki n g s Jos eph s b r eth r en wh o w oul d ,
'
3 85
2 . M en of en t j
i n u r e t h ei r n ei gh b or s h ea l th b y qu a rr el s a n d
con dign pun i s h men t In t h e M iddle Ages they were b urn e d tog ether
.
,
( i f re a rms -
n egl e cti n g t o w a rn p a s s er s b y i f a n ythin g i s likely t o
,
-
fa n et c .
t i a n b u r i a l t o t h os e wh o a re ki ll ed ( C ou n c il of Tr en t, 2 5,
of th os e w h o t a k e t h e p a rt of s econ d s or wh o s a n c ti on t h e du el b y ,
i n t en d s t o kill h i s a n t a g on i s t a n d a t th e s a me ti me h e ri s k s hi s own ,
of cer s of hi gh r a nk a n d p ermitt ed a du el ; b u t a t t h e a pp oi n t ed h ou r
,
i n s t a n tly b e b ehea d ed .
A recon cili a ti on t ook pla ce a t once b e
t ween t h e t w o ofcers . Fre der i ck H of P r us s i a u s ed t o ex pel duel
.
4 . W h os o k il ls j
h i s n eigh b or u n u s tl y a n d i n ten ti on a ll y, co m
mi t s a h ei n ou s s in . c
Su h a on e i s a ll ed a mu r dere r c .
s a id th a t t h e v oi c e of Ab el s b l oo d c r i ed t o Hi m fr om t h e ea rth for
y et h e i s s el d om fr ee fr om s i n , a s a fa t a l b l ow i s gen era ll y t he
r es ult of c ulp a b le i n a dver ten ce Th e exec uti on er a pp oi n t ed to ca rry
.
ou t t h e s en t en c e of t h e j
u dge i s n ot a mu r d erer, s in ce h e does n ot
a ct u n j us tly .
th ou art h i s mu r der er
An d h e wh o gives s c a n d a l i s g u ilty of
.
i n t o it i n h i s tu rn , a s th e b i r d th a t th e fowler h a s en tr a pp ed s e rves
a s a d ecoy t o b r in g o th er s i n t o t h e s n a re L ike a n a va l a n c he, s ma ll .
a n d s p r e a d s b i r d l ime t o en s n a re b i r d s
-
In th e ca s e of a l mos t a ll t h e
.
t o vi ol a te t h e s ea l of c on fes s i on ! He offered h i m a b i s h op r i c h e ,
388 Th e Comma n dmen ts .
on e w h o t a k es s c a n d a l a t a g ood a c ti on ; n o o n e i n fa ct will d o s o
un les s h e b e c orrupt ed with vi ce Th e ob lig a ti on s imp os ed b y t h e .
l a ws of th e C hur ch s uc h a s h ea r i n g M a s s on Su n d a ys a pp ro a chi n g
, ,
ou r h on or th a t i s w r on g fully a tt a c k ed .
j c
Th e offi c ers of u s t i e a re w a rra n t ed i n p u n i s h i n g evil d oors -
Th e ofce rs of j us ti ce i n a s fa r a s they s t a n d i n t h e pl a ce of
,
St Pa ul s a ys t h e high er p owers b ea r n ot t h e s w or d i n v a i n b u t a s
.
,
a c r i mi n a l it i s n ot h e wh o c on d emn s h i m b u t G o d ju s t a s t h e s w o r d
, , ,
t
s en e n ce r i mi n a l t o d ea th wh en t h e wel fa re of s oci ety d ema n ds
th e c
it Huma n s oc i ety i s a b ody of whi ch e a ch i n dividu a l i s a memb e r ;
.
a n d a s a di s ea s e d li mb h a s t o b e a mput a te d i n or d er t o s a ve t h e b ody ,
ki n gs wh o h a d r ob b ed L ot ( Gen Th e s oldi er mu s t n ot h ow
.
,
4 He w h o h a s wr ongfull y i nj ur ed hi s n ei gh b or, ei t h er p h ys i
.
1 . He wh o n eedl es s ly i mp er il s or s e eks to p u t a n en d t o hi s
own l i fe, i s oft en p un i s h ed b y God w i th a u te b odil y c s ufferi n g
h er e a n d s ometi mes b y et er n al d a mn a t i on h erea ft er .
di e a vi ol en t d ea th ; eith e r th ey a re s en t en c ed to dea th b y t h e l a w,
or th ey d e s tr oy th ems elv es , or th ey fa ll b y t h e h a n d of a n oth er .
Wh os oever s h a ll s h ed ma n s b l ood , b y ma n s h a ll h i s b l oo d b e s h ed
s pi r itu a l mu r d e r .
3 . He w h o h a t es h i s gh
n eib or l os es h i s p e a e of m i n d ,
a n d c
b e c omes di s p l ea s i n g to G od ; h i s p ra y ers a re n ot h ea rd , a n d hi s
l ot i s t
e ern a l p erd i ti on .
t o b e s upp r es s e d a t on ce L et n ot t h e s u n g o down up on y ou r a n ge r
.
( Ep h iv . A di s l oc a t e d limb c a n ea s ily b e g ot b a c k i n t o i t s pl a ce
. ,
If s a ys St Augu s ti n e
,
. thy dwelli n g w ere i n fe s t e d with s n a ke s
, ,
Wh i ch i s th e t emple of th e H oly Gh os t ?
ma n .
i n ou r w ork th ey ch e er u s b y th e i r a mu s i n g w a ys th ei r s on g th ei r
, , ,
d om th e b oun ty of th ei r C rea to r
,
.
3 92 Th e Comma n d men ts .
l et it n ot s o mu ch a s b e n a me d a mon g y ou , a s b ec ometh s a in ts
( Ep h v . .Neverthel es s Holy Sc ripture w a rn s th e fa ithful re
p ea t ed l y a n d emph a ti c a lly a g a in s t the s e s i n s , s o t h e C hur c h c a nn ot
.
s n a ke wh os e h e a d mu s t b e i n s t a n tly cr us h e d b efor e it ca n ej ec t i t s
, ,
ti on t o th e L or d ( P rov xv
O n e ought t o ee fr om un ch a s te
. .
s p r in g s fr om t h e r oot s o evil a c ti on s s p r i n g fr om lu s t
, L u s t i s th e .
t h e d eed it s elf ( M a tt v . .
An d th os e wh o t a ke pl ea s u re i n li s t en i n g t o i mp r op er con vers a ti on ,
, ,
gr ea t thi n gs
( Ja s iii
M a n y h a ve fa ll en b y th e edge of t h e
. .
( Ecclus xxviii . .
3 Imp u r e a ti on s
. c .
. .
a . .
p er s on s r el a t ed t o on e a n other ( 1 C or v . . or a s th ey a re s ms a g a i n s t
na tur e ( R om i . .
Ih e Ten Comma nd men ts f God
o . 3 93
4 . Immod es t l ooks .
a r e
( E c clu s i x H .e w h. o ob s e rv es n o c u s t o dy of t h e eyes is ,
( Ec clus i x 7. .
c
5 Looki n g a t immod es t p i tures , goi n g to i mp r op er p l a ys ,
.
a n d r ea di n g b oo ks of a n i mmora l t en d en y c .
wh a t on e h ea rs Th e i n di s cr imi n a t e r e a di n g of n ovels i s t o b e
.
women a d orn th ems elves with modes ty a n d s ob r i ety, n ot with pla ite d
ha ir, or g old or p ea rls or c os tly a tti r e ( 1 Ti m ii
. .
an d l tha t h e p os s e s s es
al as his own : e .g ., h i s mon ey, l th es
c o , p ro
vi s i on s , h ous e, l a n d, et c .
1 . Ea rth l y good s c
a re n e es s a ry to ma n s
s ub s s en e,
i t c su ch as
food, cl th es
o , a d w l l i ng p l c
e -
a e, money, etc.
1 C on s equ en tly
. e very ma n i s j u s ti ed i n s tr i vin g t o ga i n
e a rth l y goo ds a ft er a j u s t ma n n er a n d i n p os s es s mg th em a s h i s
,
p ers on a l
p rop er ty .
th e ea rth a n d s ub due it ( Gen i C a in a n d Ab el h a d s ep a r a t e
. .
b e w a n ti n g Th e h oldin g of p r op er ty i s th e refore a n or di n a n ce of
.
s a id th a t t h e di s t r i b uti on of w e a lth , a s it i s un d er ex i s ti n g c i r c um
s t a n c e s , i s i n a cc or d a n c e with t h e will of G o d It c ould n ot b e Hi s .
qu i r ed b y l a b or or b y gi ft .
l a b or Go d h a s or d a i n ed th a t th e e a rt h s h oul d n ot yi eld wh a t i s
.
It i s a vi ol a ti on of a l l j us t i c e t o d ep r ive t h e c ultiva t or of t h e s o il
of wh a t h e h a s w on b y th e s w ea t of hi s b r o w ( L ev If t h e .
ea r th i s t h e L or d s a n d a ll th ey th a t dw ell th ere i n b ec a u s e He i s th e
,
M a k er of it th a t whi ch ma n h a s m a d e mu s t r ightly b el on g t o h i m
, .
Ab r a h a m a n d h i s p os t er ity a s a p os s es s i on ( Gen x ii 7 Th e p a t ri . .
v t u s n es s of t h e huma n h ea r t a n d a ls o b y th e a b un d a n t op p ort u
co e o ,
s tea l wh en h e i s s t a r vi n g or a s t h e on ly mea n s of s a vi n g h i s li fe i n
,
a n e x tr emi ty it i s n ot t o b e r ec kon e d a s a s i n
, p r ovide d h e h a s th e ,
p a r tn er i n th e s i n .
3 . c
C h ea ti n g on s i s ts i n i n j u ri n g one s
n ei
g h b o r i n h is
p os
o f ob t a i n i n g t h e i n s ur a n c e mon ey L et n o ma n overrea ch , or ci r r .
-
c u mv en t h i s b r other i n b u s in e ss ( 1 Thes s iv . .
4 U s ury
. c on s i s s t i n ma ki n g u s e of th e n ee d y circu ms t an ces
of a n oth er t o own p rot ( Ex od
on e s . x xi i .
mu r d erers of t h e p o or ; th ey t a k e fr om th em th e i r me a n s of liveli - x
5 . W il fu ll y in j u ri n g a n o th er ma n
r
p posert y ,
k ee i
p gn b a c k
wh a t h as fou n d or
on e wh a t h a s b een l en t to on e, a n d r efu s in g
to p y
a on e
s d eb t s ,
i s e qui va l en t to s t ea l in g .
It i s a b a d thi n g to g et i n t o d eb t ; t h e d eb t or i s lik e a ma n w h o wh en ,
s ca r c ely thi n k thi s wr on g Tra des p eopl e s i n wh en they fra udul en tly
.
c
1 W e are i n da n ger of ommi tti n g mort a l s i n i f w e t a k e fr om
.
c
our n ei gh b or a s mu h a s h e re ui r es t o s up p ort hi m on e d a y i n q
a ma nn er s ui t a b l e t o h i s p os i ti on .
i s a ls o a s i n t o t a ke t r i i n g s ums r ep ea tedly fr om t h e s a me p er s on ,
c r imi n a l h a s come t o th e g a ll ow s .
c
i n hi s p r op ert y, i s under a s tri t ob l i ga t i on t o r es t ore t h e s t ol en
g ood s or m a k c
e omp ensa t i on for th e d a ma ge d on e ( Lev vi 1 . .
, ,
2 If th e th i ef c a n n ot res tore th e w h ol e, h e mu s t a t a n y r a te
.
r es t or e a s mu c h a s h e c a n .
3 98 Th e Comma nd ments .
c
3 If p ov erty or oth er h i n dra n es ren der th e th i ef u n a b l e to
.
c
4 If th e t h i ef a n n ot res tore even a p a rt of wh a t h e h as
.
s t ol en , h e ou gh t a t l ea s t t o ra y for th e i n di vi du a l h e h a s
p
wron ged .
s es s i on of s omethi n g th a t w a s s t ol en ,
O wn er If h e d oes n ot kn ow th a t it w a s s tol en h e i s s a i d t o b e a j us t
.
,
p os s es s or b u t i f h e doe s then h e i s a n un ju s t p os s es s or If t h e
, , .
l a b or on h i s p a rt ; i f t h e l a tt er a n y l os s t h e r ightful p rop r i et or ma y
,
of God .
3 He w h o refus es ei t h er t o gi ve up th e s t ol en p r op erty or t o
.
s i n s from God n or a b s ol u t i on fr om th e p ri es t
, .
h i s h a n d t o b e b u rn ed a n d whil e r a w , l a id on th a t of t h e s uffer er .
ma d e res tituti on .
400 Th e Comma n d men ts .
M or e ov e r i f a t th e L ast D a y h e w ill n d no m e rc y wh o h a s n ot gi ve n
,
has don e a d i sgrac e ful thi ng and w ill g o to h ell The dr e ad of ever , .
os s .
bes t p ol i cy .
rots qu i ckly .
2 . Ab ove all
ugh t t o s trive t o a c qui re a
we o good ame n
a mon g men t h a t r ea s on w e ough t t o l et our
, a n d for g ood w or ks
b e k nown a n d w e ou gh t t o d efend our ch a ra c t er i f i t
, b e a s p ers ed
t o a ny gr ea t ext ent .
ought to cons i d e r what may be good not only be fore God b ut also ,
m e n ( P h il i v
. .
our duty to de fend ours elve s when our nam e i s asp e rs e d All mann e r .
, .
of s elf defenc e one mus t know how to k eep th e med ium Strong
-
.
, ,
accus ers .
Y et w e ou gh t n ot to s triv e t oo an xi ou s l y t o ob t a i n th e es t ee m
of men , ll los e th e fri en ds h ip of God as w ell a s
or e s e l we sha
, ,
C hr i st i an l i f e ar e d e sp i s e d a n d r ev il e d b y m e n ( 1 C or i v 1 3 ; 1 Pe t . . .
all p e rsons .
a n d ab u s e a re forb i dd en a l s o l i s t en i n g wi t h p l ea s u r e wh en our
,
n ei g h b or i s s p ok en a gai ns t .
thy n e i ghb or
B e s i de s th e d etractor i n d i sclos i ng the faults of
.
e nd to fr i e ndl y r elat i ons and b roth e rly lov e The r e for e God says : .
The wh i sp ere r and doubl e tongu e d are accurs e d ( Ecclus xxv iii -
. .
3Slan d er c on s is t s i n
. attrib u t in g t o on e s n eigh b or faul ts
x iii .
4 Ab u s e con s i s t s i n mak in g p u b l i c th e l ow O p i n i o n w h i ch
.
on e has of a n o th er .
th e s a me s i n a s th e s p e a k er t o w h om h e li s t en s .
forme r would soon be s il ent St Ignat ius says we sho ul d not talk . .
only d iffe renc e i s that one s erve s the dev il w i th h i s tongue the other ,
shalt s ee cle arly to tak e out th e mot e from thy b rother s eye ( Luke
vi. It i s thos e who ar e bli nd to the i r own faults who are most
kee nly ali ve to th e faults of others Nev e r l i st e n to detracti on St . . .
i s not plac e at thi s tabl e for thos e who love to de fame the i r n ei ghb or
.
woun ds the b ea rer for h e also falls i nto s i n And s i nc e the slan
, .
out of parad i s e .
be he al e d ; nor i s i t e no u gh to d e s i st from ev i l sp e ak i ng ; th e i nj ur y -
Wh a t a re th e R ea s on s h ou ld
wh i ch s D eter us f m I
ron j u ri n g
ou r Nei ghb or s Good
Na me 9
.
1 . He r i n hi s j ud gment
wh o i s s ev e e of hi s ne i ghb or will
, in
hi s t urn b e j udged s ev erel y b y God .
v ii
.
,
I had j ust caus e for compla i nt ; th ere for e I hop e that God w i ll n o t
judg e m e .
man s s e rvant ? ( R om x i v
O nly He Wh o i s omn i sc i e nt can cla im
. .
feel .
f a c e, a g a n s i t on e s ow n
c on v ic tion for th e s a k e of a dv a n tage .
or whe re th e land i s b arr e n b ut they ali ght i n cult ivate d plac e s whe r e
the re i s plenty for them t o devour F latte r ers pra i s e immod erately
, ,
.
,
, ,
only get thems elve s i nto favor ; they are l ik e a cook who car es not
wh eth er the d i she s h e pr epar es ar e whole som e or th e contrary s o
long as th ey ar e tasty and ple as e the pala te F lattery f ee ds s in as
,
a tt erers :
Woe to y ou that call evi l good and good ev il ( I s v
. .
1 . $ 11 8 l i ar i s l i k e th e d evil a nd d i s p l ea s i ng t o God .
He wh o f f it
or e s th e c on d en ce of h is fell ow men c a us es a -
e v il d ee d s .
( Matt xx iii 2 7 . .
avari c e ( 4 Ki ngs
Lying l i ps ar e an ab om i nat i on to th e L ord
( P rov x ii Th e l i ar forfe i ts th e trust of hi s fellow men Th e -
.
,
th i e f
Wh e r e y ou n d hypocr i sy you n d ch e at i ng and all mann er
.
,
( Ecclus xx . .
( P rov x iii . .
a nd t o et ern a l p er d i t i on .
soul for God w i thdraws Hi s grac e from thos e who dec e iv e the i r
,
xx 2 7 A l i e i s a fo ul blot i n a ma n ( v Th e soul of th e l i ar
. .
xx iii .
of e ff ctimu ch good
e ng .
at on e c th a t it is -
n ot mea n t i n ea rn es t .
fath e r was extr em ely angry wh e n he saw what was don e and aske d ,
a li e I di d it
.
Th i s candor ple as e d h i s fath e r so much that h e d i d
.
i n g wh a t i s s a i d of th em .
. ,
our words for He adds : B y thy words thou shalt be justi ed and
, ,
It
w i ll hav e th e e ffe ct of S hoot i ng arrows at a rock th e shaft wi ll re
.
,
1 . SO CIAL ISM .
t y t b c n s c a t ed b t h St t n d p i t al d l b r
pro
p er o e o y e a e a c a a n a o ,
ord e a n d f a mil y l i f e
r
,
.
.
,
for h i s l i vel i hood what mor e pro b abl e than that on e would sp end i t
,
p owe r and m e ntal endowm ents a b ove all of characte r and of man ,
'
a n ces ,
for who would be will i ng to surre nde r h i s prop erty wi thout
a struggl e ? And wer e commun ity of goods onc e i ntroduc e d tran
quill ity would not be attai ned ; the oppre ss ed m inor ity would out of
,
ment Soc i al i sm would cast a bl i ght upon cultur e and destro y all
.
premi um upon slothful ne ss and negl igenc e Exp er i enc e has shown .
for th e i r cr ime s and have com e t o an ignomi n i ous end But al though .
much els e that i s unde s i ra ble the y are not w i thout a c ertai n us e
, .
poi nts out th e we ak po i nts i n th e soc i al structur e and comp els our ,
rul ers to i nsti tute th e n ee dful r e forms Att ent i on has bee n drawn .
pre emi nently to th e explo i tati on of th e lab orer by th e cap i tal i st and
-
the cla ims of th e poor have been b rought i nto not i c e Yet the harm .
don e by Soc i al i sm i s far gr e ate r than any poss ibl e good i t may i n
d i re ctly produce .
is m i n e
. Aga i n th e Soci al i sts po i nt to th e r el igi ous O rders wh er e
, ,
alogy betwee n th e two ; for voluntary pove rty and obe d i ence fo rm
th e b as i s of th e rel i g i ous l i fe wh il e i n th e State of th e future s ensual
,
XI . THE W O RK S OF M ER C Y .
1 . Earth ly ich es
r do not of th ems el ves mak e us b ett er i n God
s
s i gh t .
i n h i s w e alth that man s r e al d ign i ty and gre atne ss cons i st Let not
,
.
wo rld ( 1 T i m v i 7 . .
, ,
be for e h i s d e ath
C roesus was d i spl e a s e d b y th i s answ e r b ut wh en
.
, ,
Your p rop erty was not gi ve n y ou says St Joh n C hrys os tom
, . ,
that you m i ght l ive i n luxury and r evelry b ut that you ma y h elp ,
th e poor
Mon ey should ther e fore be r eg arde d as a m e ans of doi ng
.
t w a rd s
s e .
3He wh o h a s
. n ot h elp ed h i s ne igh b or wh o i s i n n eed, will
n d n o mercy wi th G od .
2 Th e a s s i s t an c e we give to th e needy ,
. of wh at ever nature
it ma y b e, i s a n al ms , or work of mercy .
,
The Works of M ercy . 42 1
3 . THE SEVERAL WO RK S OF M ER C Y .
com e unde r thi s cate gory To cloth e the nake d Tab i tha at
. .
Jopp e mad e garme nts for dest i tute wi dows ; St Marti n gave half h i s .
thi s s ome not be i ng awar e of i t have ente rta i n e d angels ( Heb xiii
, , . .
gerons than at pre s e nt they w ere the m e ans of savi ng many lives
, .
out of p r i son ; i n the M i ddl e Ages the O rde r of R anso m was founded
for the r el e as e of C h r i sti ans take n p r i sone r and held i n slave ry by
th e Turks Mor e than a mi ll i on C hri st i an Slave s rega i ne d the i r l ib
.
plac e C ardi nal L avi ger i e also e stabl i shed a gu ild for th e l ibe ra ti on
.
of slaves i n Afri ca .
To vi s it
ick i s only to b e reckon ed as a work of
th e s
p o ra l r e l i e f t o t h e s u f
f e r e r .
m er itori ous S e veral rel i gi ous O rde rs have been founde d for th e ex
.
V i ncent of P aul The s elf s a c rice of C athol i c pri es ts i n tak ing the
.
-
422 Th e Comma n d men ts .
who took h i m for a doctor and h e wrot e a pr e scr ipt i on for h e r Shortly
, .
7
( ) T o b u ry t h e d ea d I t i s a p a rt i c u arl y.meri t ori ou s w o rk
of mercy t o pr ov i d e th e d ea d wi th d ec en t b u r i a l , t o foll ow th e
p ern i c i ous custom pr eva ils of mak i ng fun e rals an occas i on for fe as t
ing a n d r evelry Th i s i s most uns eeml y and a wast e of mon ey wh i ch
.
,
of a c c i d en t s etc ,
.
2 Th e s p i ri t ua l w ork s of mercy a re :
. To i ns tru c t th e
i gnor ant ; To c ouns el th e d oub t ful ; To a dmonis h s i n
ne sr ; To b ea r wr on gs pa ti en t l y ; To forgi ve offenc es
will i ngly ; To c omfort th e a fi c t ed ; To p r ay for th e
l ivi n g a n d th e d ea d .
holy apostle s and the evangel i z e rs of th e di ffe rent nat i ons p erform ed
, ,
wande rer i n the r i ght road They wi ll only d ri ve h i m i n the opp osi te
.
b ut b y a ge ntl e ha nd on th e r e i n .
of s i n s
( Ja s v . .
gr e a te r l en gt h s a n d mak e i t e a s i
,
e r t o b r i n g h i m t o a s en s e of h i s
wron gdoin g .
By f rgi v i
o ng o ff c wi ll i gly i
en es n s meant t h at we do n ot s eek
wi th in ou r p ower .
forgi ve thos e who tr esp ass aga inst us God w ill forgive our trans
F
,
g re s s i on s a s w e ar
,
e told i n th e fth claus e of th e O ur ath e r .
th em i n n eed .
of a man consum eth th e he art ( P rov xxv To consol e the s or . .
F
. .
,
praye r to God for oth ers for w e th ereby i ncre as e our mer i t and
, ,
be offer e d for the warri ors who should fall i n b attl e P ra ye rs offer e d .
for oth ers som etime s s eem to be fru i tle ss O n on e occas i on when .
B E PERF O RM ED 9 .
my n e i ghb or a s don e to Hi m
.
can do i t a t once ( P rov iii Wha t i s gi ven p romp tly has a doub l e
. .
5 . W e mus t
l y giv e a lms ou t of wh at i s ou r own an d only
on ,
.
,
d e clar es that h e that give th to th e poor shall not want ( P rov xxviii . .
got b ack far mor e than s h e gave to th e proph e t for h e r l i ttl e stor e ,
man restore d t en t ime s th e amount and was h i s gre ate st bene fac t or
duri ng th e re st of h i s l i fe God acts i n a S im ilar way ; i f w e g iv e to
,
draws down on u s
God g ive s b od ily h e alth to thos e who ar e b oun
.
p rayer .
h e ave n .
.
,
XII . THE D U T Y O F GR AT I T UD E .
fa v or fro m Hi s h ea ven l y F a t h er H
e r a i s ed Hi s eyes t o h ea v en , a n d
said : I
F a th e r, t h a n k Th ee
Th i s H
e d i d a t th e r a i s i n g of L a z a rus
.
( Joh n x i . H
e n eve r ro s e fro m t a b l e w i t h o u t g i vi n g t h a n k s ;
a ft er t h e L a s t Su p p er a h ymn wa s s a i d All t h e s a i n t s d i d th e
.
s a me . D a v i d ex cl a i ms : Wh a t s h a ll I
ren d er t o t h e L ord for a ll
t h e t hi n g s t h a t He h a th r en de re d u n t o me ? ( P s cxv Th e
b
. .
a ct wh en h e c a me ou t of t h e a rk w a s t o b u i l d a n a l t a r t o t h e Lo rd
a n d of fe r s a c r ice ( Gen C ol umb u s , wh en h e b eh el d t h e con
.
t i n en t of Amer i ca , g a ve t h a n k s t o God ; a n d i n g r a t i t u d e t o Hi m
h e g a ve t h e n a me of Sa n Sa lv a d or t o t h e r s t i s l a n d on wh i ch h e
s et foo t , a n d e r ec te d a c ro s s on i t s s h or e s Acc u s tom y ou r s el f t o
.
th a n k s t o yo ru h u ma n e n f
e ac ot rs a s we l l as t o G od
fJa v i d w i s h ed .
t o t a ke wi th h i m t o Je ru s a l em a n d en t ert a i n a t h i s c o u rt t h e wea l th y
ol d ma n w h o p ro v i d ed h i m w i t h s u s t en a n ce i n t h e c a mp d u r i n g t h e
p er i o d o f Ab s a l o m s r eb el l i on An d on B erzel l a i decl i n i n g t h e
.
h o n or, on a cc o u n t of h i s a d v a n ce d a g e, t h e ki n g t oo k h i s s o n s w i th
h i m i n s t ea d , a n d s h ow ed t h em eve ry ki n d n es s ; a n d on h i s d ea t h b ed -
b
.
Ra p h a el t o a ccep t h a l f of a l l t h e t h i n g s t h ey h a d b ro u g h t a ck fro m
t h ei r j o u rn ey ( Tob x ii . Even b ru t e b ea s t s s h o w g r a t i t u d e : w i t
.
O u r L o rd w a s mu ch d i s p l ea s ed wi t h t h e n i n e l ep er s b ec a u s e t h ey d i d
n ot t u rn b a c k t o t h a n k h i m ( L u ke xv i i 1 7 Al mi g h t y God fre
.
qu en tl y c o mp l a i n s b y t h e mo u th of th e p rOp h et s of t h e i n g r a t i tu d e
o f ma n k i n d : Th e ox kn owe th h i s ow n e r, a n d t h e a s s h i s ma s t er s
c r i b ; b u t Is r a el h a t h n o t kn o w n M e ( Is i St P a u l r ep e a t edl y
. . .
u
2 By our grati t de w e o t a i n fres h fa
. b v ors , wh erea s i ngrati
u b
t d e ri ngs mi s fortun es p on us u .
th a t i t w i ll y i el d a n a b u n d a n t h a r v e s t G o d a c t s. i n a s i mi l a r
ma n n er : n oth i n g p l e a s e s Hi m more th a n t h a n kfu l n es s for Hi s b en e
t s . Gr a t i t u de for p a s t fa v or s p rep a res u s for fa v or s t o c o me God .
n o t i c es a n d t a k es es p ec i a l c a r e of t h o s e w h o a ckn o wl edg e a n d a p p re
c i a t e Hi s g i ft s ( P s xl i x
. In g r a t i t u d e, on th e o th er h a n d , d a ms
.
u p t h e s t r e a m of di vi n e g ra c e ; h e d es e rv e s n o fr es h fa v or s wh o i s
n ot a t t h e p a i n s t o r et u rn t h a n k s for t h o s e h e h a s r ec e i v ed a l r ea d y .
In g r a t i t u d e i s a h i n d ra n c e t o s a l va t i on ; St B ern a rd exp re s s es th e .
op i n i o n t h a t n o th i n g i s s o d i s p l e a s i n g t o G od a s u n t h a nkfu l n es s ,
v
d ereth e i l for g oo d , evi l s h a ll n ot d ep a rt fro m h i s h o u s e ( P ro x v i i v . .
1 7w Comma n dments .
M a n y i f t h ey , r i ch w o ul d mi s u s e t h e i r w ea l th l ea d a v i ci o u s
w ere , ,
a n g el s d es ce n d i n g a n d a s cen d i n g a ro u n d a c e rt a i n h o u s e ; on h ea r i n g
t h a t t h e i n ma t es w e re a p oor wi d ow w i th t h ree d a u g h t e rs h e ma d e ,
t h em a l i b er a l a ll ow a n ce L a t e r on h e s a w evi l s p i r i ts c o mi n g a n d
.
g o i n g a b o u t t h a t s a me h o u s e ; h e ma d e i n qu i r i es a n d l ea rn ed t h a t t h e
p e o p l e h e h a d a s s i s t ed n ow l ed a n i dl e a n d d i s s ol u t e l i fe Th ereu p on .
h e i mmed i a t el y w i t h d r ew h i s g i ft G od d ea l s i n l i ke ma n n er w i th u s . .
4 . Th e p oor a re bl ve o ed by Go d .
b
.
a l l t h a t l a b o r a n d a re u r d en ed t o c o me t o Hi m, t h a t He ma y re !
t h a n t h o s e of t h e r i ch O u r L or d s a i d t h e w i d o w s mi t e wa s of
.
Ch r i s t n ot t h e r i ch Ph a r i s ees a n d Sc ri b es
, Th e re i s n o res p ect of .
p er s o n s w i t h God ( R om i i P oor a n d ri ch a re a l i ke Hi s ch i l
. .
d ren ( P ro v xxi i . .
Th e p oo r ma n wh o l ea ds a n p ri gh t li fe will
5 . u v
n e er be
fors aken by
God ; n a y , more, h e will en j o h a pp i n es s y a n d con
b
God Wh o feeds th e i r ds of th e a i r, a n d cl o th es th e l i l i es an d g r a s s
of t h e el d , w i ll a l s o p ro v i d e for ma n , wh o i s of s o mu ch mor e v a l u e
t h a n th ey ( M a tt 25 . v
God d o es n ot a ll ow th e j u s t t o wa nt th e
.
een y o u n g , a n d n ow a m ol d , a n d I h a ve n ot s een t h e j u s t fo rs a k en ,
n or h i s s eed s eek i n g b re a d
( P s xxxv i Wh en w e rea d t h a t b y . .
d es t i t u t i o n a n d d i s t res s , we a l s o r ea d t h a t i n Go d s g oo d t i me t h ey
The P overty of th e Ch ri s ti a n . 43 3
i n t h e a b u n d a n ce of t h i n g s t h a t on e p o s s es s es ( L uke x i i b ut in
.
i n t er i or p ea c e a n d c o n te n t , a n d th es e t h e j u s t ma n en j o ys , wh eth e r
h e b e r i ch or p oor . . v
St P a ul s p ea ks of h i ms elf a s h a i n g n o thi n g ,
a n d y et p o s s es s i n g a ll t hi n g s ( 2 C or v i . .
a l ms wh i c h th e y v
h a e a ri gh t to exp e c t ; th e s h oul d rath er y
y y
b ea r th eir l ot p a ti en tl a n d rel on h el p from God .
b
Th e d ut y of g i vi n g a lms i s n ot requ i red y j u s ti ce, excep t i n
c a s e s of d i re n eces s i t y . It i s a d u t y of Ch r i s t i a n ch a ri ty , con s e
qu en tl y n o ma n ca n l a wfu l ly b e co mp ell ed t o g i ve Th e F a th ers .
of t h e C h u r ch c o n s t a n t l y exh ort ed t h e r i c h t o g i ve a l ms Th o u a rt
.
ma s te r of t h y p rop ert y, a n d ca n s t g i ve or n ot g i ve a t t h y w i ll St
, .
t h o u refu s es t I c a nn o t force t h ee I c a n o n l y en t r ea t Th e p oor
.
b
, .
a re t h e res ul t of t h e a cc o mp l i s hmen t of t h e d i v i n e wi ll ; s i n i s t h e
v
res ul t of t h e i ol a t i on of i t B y th e rep ea t ed p e rforma n ce of g oo d
.
v
works th e h a b i t of i rt ue i s formed ; y rep ea ted a cts of s i n, the h a i t b b
0f V i ce .
I GO O D
. W O RK S .
1 . Th e n ame
works i s gi v en t o s uch v ol unta ry acti ons
of good
on th e p art of ma n a s a re i n c onformi ty wi th th e wi l l of God,
a re p erformed for th e l o e of God, a nd cons eq entl v
will b e re u y
warded b y God .
No a ct i , v
o n h o we er excel len t i s to b e ca ll ed a g oo d w ork u nl es s i t
,
i s vol u n t a r y Th e c omp u l s or y fa s t of a c r i mi n a l i n p ri s o n i s n ot a
.
g oo d w ork ; n or i n fa ct i s a n y a ct i o n wh i ch i s n ot i n a cc ord a n ce w i th
t h e w ill of God To Sp en d o n e s t i me i n rec i t i n g l o n g p ra yer s i n
.
,
s t ea d of a cc o mp l i s h i n g t h e d u t i e s of o n e s s t a t i on
i s n ot a g o od ,
work b u t a s i n
,
Nor d o works wh i ch fa i l i n a n y on e p a rti cul a r to
.
ou r p a rt .For i n s t a n c e t o g i ve a n a l ms t o a n i mp or tu n a t e eg g a r
, b
merel y t o g et ri d of h i m i s n ot w ro n g b u t i t i s n ot a p erfec t g oo d ,
wo rk . It i s a n i mp e rfect or n a tu r a l g oo d w ork b ec a u s e i t i s d o n e ,
.
,
ca u s e i t i s t h e w i ll of God for l o v e o f C h r i s t i n v i ew of a n et e rn a l
, ,
n a t u r a l g oo d w ork a n d w i ll b ea r fr u i t b ec a u s e i t i s d o n e i n u n i o n
, ,
wi th C h r i s t ( a s th e b r a n ch b ea r s fru i t t h a t a b i d es i n t h e v i n e Joh n ,
xv . a n d p a r t i c i p a t es i n Hi s me r i t s A p l a i n w oollen cl o th h a s a
.
ce rt a i n w or th b u t i f i t b e d yed a r i ch p u rp l e c ol or i t s v a l u e i s
, ,
g r e a tl y e n h a n c e d S o t h e g
. oo d w o rk s w e p e r form a re o f l i t tl e w ort h
u n l es s t h ey a re d o n e for Go d s s a k e
Th en th ey a re c ri ms o n ed wi th
.
434
43 6 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n, Vi ce .
ey es , a n d th e p ri d e of li fe ; '
a nd th u s th e so ul is en a bl ed to ris e
more freel to Gody .
e p r i de of l i fe i s s up p res s ed , b
y fa s t i n g t h e cra v i n g
y men t , b
y a lms g i vi n g t h e d e s i re for ea rth l y r i ch es .
St P aul exh or t s u s :
. Wh eth er y ou ea t or d r i n k , or wh a t s oe er els e
v
y ou d o, d o a l l t o t h e g l or y of Go d ( 1 C or x Th i s i n cl ud es . .
a s ked of t h e g o ds t h a t wh a t s o ev e r h e t o u ch e d mi g h t b e t u rn ed t o g ol d .
Th i s p ow er i s g ra n t ed t o th e C h r i s t i a n ; for b y p u r i t y of i n t en t i o n a l l
,
b
h i s go o d w ork s d o i n r ea l i t y ec o me g ol d en , i e s u p e rn a t ur a l , a n d . .
,
c ons equ en t l y h i g h l y v a l u a b l e a n d me r i t or i o u s Th e i n t en t i o n d et er .
mi n es t h e w orth of eve ry a ct i on W i tn es s t h e ki s s Ju d a s g a ve O u r
.
L ord ; a k i s s i s a t ok en of l o ve a n d fr i en d s hi p , b u t h i s ev i l i n t en t i o n
ma d e i t a v i l e a ct i o n Th e i n t en t i o n i s t o t h e a ct i o n wh a t t h e roo t
.
i s g oo d ; b u t i f th e roo t i s u n s o u n d th e s a p d o es n ot c i r cul a t e or t h e
,
h i s en t ry i n t o a c i t y, a re a ma t t er of n o momen t t o h i m, excep t i n s o
fa r a s t h ey d i s p l a y t h e a ffect i o n a n d l o y a l d ev o t i o n of h i s s u b j ec ts .
t i o n i s l i ke a b o d y i n wh i ch t h e l i fe i s e xt i n ct
4 . Good w ork s
,
a re n e es s c ary to s al vati on .
of t h e a rr en g t ree ( Lu ke xi i i
-
of t h e t e n . i rg i n s ( M a t t .
a n d of t h e t a le n t s ( v God i s n ot s a t i s ed wi t h mere i n t eg ri t y
.
of l i fe ( wh i c h c o n s i s t s i n n ot b ei n g u i lt y of mu r d e r, or t h eft , or
ch e a t i n g , or evi l p r a ct i ces o f a n y k i n ) g
At t h e L a s t Ju d g men t ma n y
.
w i ll b e s en t en c ed t o ev erl a s t i n g mi s er y, n ot b ec a u s e t h ey h a ve d o n e
b
wh a t i s e vi l, b u t eca u s e t h ey h a v e n ot d o n e wh a t i s g oo d St Joh n . .
C h ry s o s t o m s a ys t h a t t o d o n o g oo d i s t a n t a mo u n t t o d o i n g ev i l .
cl a i m n o g u er d o n If y ou h a d a s e rv a n t wh o d i d n ot i n d ee d s t e a l
.
y o u r g oo d s , b u t wh o n eg l ect ed h i s w ork , w o u l d y ou n ot d i s mi s s h i m ?
L ook t o i t , t h erefor e, t h a t y ou a p p e a r n ot b efore Go d wi t h emp t y h a n d s .
a c es t o b r i n g u s t o rep en t a n ce ( 2 P a r. x i x Th e p r op h et .
u
5 Th ro gh good work s th e s i nn er o tai ns th e ac t al gra c es
. b u
y v
whi ch a re n eces s a r for hi s c on ers i on ; th e j s t ma n o t ai n s a n u b
y
i n creas e of s anc tif i ng grac e, et ernal fel i c i t , a nd th e remi s s i on y
of th e t emp oral p ena l t y u
of s i n ; f rt h ermore h i s p ra ers a re h eard, y
a nd s ometi mes earthl yb
l es s i ngs a re es t owed on h i m b .
Th e g oo d works p erformed b y t h e s i n n e r c o n t r i b u t e t o h i s c o n v er
s i on . Wh en ou r h emi s p h ere i s t u rn ed t o wa rd s t h e s u n , we exp eri
en ce l i g h t a n d wa rmt h So i t i s wi th t h e s i n n er ; wh en b y g oo d w orks
.
s i nn e r, a l t h o u g h w i th o u t mer i t , e a rn s t h e g r a ce of p a r d o n ; i t h a s
p o w e r w i t h G o d , n ot on a cc o u n t of t h e m er i t of t h e p et i t i o n e r , b u t on
a cco u n t of th e d i v i n e p ro mi s e : Eve ry on e wh o a s ket h recei vet h
.
th e j u s t ma n ob t a i n s a n i n c rea s e of s a n ct i fy i n g g ra ce a n d et ern a l
feli c i t y . O u r L or d s a ys : Eve ry b ra n ch i n M e th a t b ea ret h fru i t ,
a o un d ( Lu k e x i x . B y t h es e w or d s C h r i s t s i g n i es t h a t t h e
s a n c t i fy i n g g ra c e wh i ch h e a l r ea d y p o s s es s e s w ill b e i n c rea s ed He .
a l s o r ec e i ve s n ew a c t u a l g r a ces C h r i s t p ro mi s es a s th e r ewa r d of
.
t h e j u s t a re r ew a r d ed h e re a ft er t h ey a re c a l l ed li v i n g w ork s Th e .
e ery ma n a cc or di n g to h i s w ork s
( M a tt x v i . St P a ul d e
. .
cl a r es : He t h a t s oweth Sp a ri n g l y s h a ll rea p a l s o Sp a ri n gl y ( 2 C or .
ix . Th e C o u n c i l of F l oren ce a s s e rt s t h a t a ll t h e r ed ee med i n
h ea ven en j o y t h e b e a t i c v i s i o n of t h e t r i u n e God b u t i n a d i fferen t ,
G oo d w ork s c a n cel t h e p en a l t y d u e t o s i n , b ec a u s e on a cc o un t of
or i g i n a l s i n i t i s d i fcul t t o ma n t o p erform th em, a n d t h e d evi l s eeks
t o d et e r hi m fro m t h em Th e mo n ks o f a ce rt a i n c o n ve n t h a vi n g ri s en
.
,
e a rl y t o p r a y b eh el d t o t h e i r a s t o n i s h men t a n u mb er of d emo n s a p
,
p ro a ch i n g , wh o s a i d t o t h em :
If y ou w i ll b u t b et a ke y o u r s el ves t o
y o u r b ed s a g a i n , we wi ll i mmed i a t el y g o a wa y
In a s mu c h a s g oo d
.
a l s o ex a l t t h e l o i n g ki n dn es s of Go d , for th ey p ro c u r e for u s a g ra
He
wh o c ommi ts a morta l s i n , l os es th e meri t of t h e g o od
works h e h a s d on e i n th e p as t .
( E z ec h x v i i.i . B u t w h en t h e s i n h a s b e e n w a s h ed a w a y i n t h e
o f ou r Go d !
Th u s w e c a n o ffe r th e h ol y s a c ri c e of t h e M a s s c ommun i on , ,
.
,
mu ch as it b e p ro p i t i a t ory , b en et s a n o t h er ; t h e me ri t
s a t i s fa ct ory or
of i t , h o w ev e r, r ema i n s w i t h t h e d o e r N
or i s i t wh oll y l o s t t o u s a s a
.
w orks t o o t h er s t h ey a r e of t w o fol d a l u e v .
to s et th em a
good e xa mp l e .
In th e l i fe of St P a ch o mi u s we se e h ow p owerful i s th e effec t of
.
g o od ex a/
m p l e W h en. a s o l d i e r , h e w a s u a rt e r ed i n a Ch r i s t i aqn
g l or i fy O u r F a th e r Wh o i s i n h ea ven ( Ma tt It i s Hi s w i ll
b b
. .
t h a t ou r i n u en ce s h o ul d ma k e i t s el f fel t y t h o s e a rou n d u s ; t h a t y
ou r l i g h t w e s h o u l d i ll u mi n e t h e d a rk n es s , a n d b e c o me t e a ch er s a n d
b u t a l s o a s h i n i n g l i gh t , t h a t h e ma y b e of u s e t o o th ers At th e s a me .
b
.
l a ri ty i s to b e a v o i d ed , i t i s a fa u l t wh er e y p i et y i s ma d e r i d i cul o u s
a n d c o n t emp t i b l e B u t th o s e w ork s wh i ch a re b i n d i n g on a l l , s u ch a s
.
C h r i s t d en o u n ced th o s e wh o g i ve s c a n d al , wh a t a r i ch b l es s i n g mu s t
b
b e i n s to r e for t h o s e wh o y th ei r edi fyi ng a n d v i rtu o u s l ife l ea d
ot h ers i n t o th e r i g h t wa y !
works .
de a t h th ey ma y r ec ei ve u s i n t o everl a s t in g d well i n g s ( L u k e xv i .
O n h ow s h ort a s p a n of th i s t ra n s i to ry l i fe ou r wh ol e etern i t y d e
440 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n, Vi ce .
God d o es n ot merel y q
re u i e of u s r g oo d d ee d s , b ut a g oo d i n ten
t i o n i n a c c o mp l i s h i n g t h o s e d eed s O n l y wh en d on e . wi t h g oo d i n
t en ti on , wi th a v i ew t o H
i s g l or y, a re th ey p l ea s i n g t o Hi m, a n d en
t i tl ed t o a r ew a r d Wi th o u t th e l o ve of God th ere i s n o t ru e i rt u e
. v .
p en s e ( M a t t v i a n d h a ve n o v a l u e for t h e k i n g d o m of h ea ven
.
b
.
s ol i d g ol d .
u
3 Vi rt e ca n onl y b e ac q i red a n d i n c rea s ed b y di nt of s tr g
. u u
g l e a nd s elf c on q est -
u
for ma n o s t ac l es h a e t o b e enc o nt ered , y b v u
i nwa rd h i ndran c es , th e ev i l p rocl i i ti es of th e h ma n h ea rt , a nd v u
u
o twa rd h i n dra n c es , th e c ont emp t a nd p ers ec t i on of men u .
No th i n g el s e
i s w a n ted t o c a u s e a b o a t w h i ch i s l a u n ch ed on a fa s t
owi n g ri ver t o b e c a rri ed a wa y y th e s t re a m a n d s w a ll o wed u p
, b
i n t h e w a t e r s t h a n t h a t t h e ro w ers Sh o u l d ce a s e t o p l y t h ei r o a rs ;
b
,
w i t h ma n ; h e n eed s b u t t o g i ve w a y t o t h e fr a i l t y of h i s c orru p t
n a t ur e t o b e b
orn e t o ete rn a l p erd i t i on ; b u t t o c o n t en d a g a i ns t t h e
force of h i s p a s s i o n s th e s ed u c t i o n s of t h e w orl d , a n d t h e t emp t a
,
c i t y c a l l s for n o sl i g h t ef
, fort on h i s p a rt Th e k i n g d om of h ea ven .
s uf feret h v i ol en ce ( M a tt x i Th e p a th of v i rt u e i s a d ifc ul t
. .
b u t of w a rfa re M a n y a p p ea r t o b e i rt u o u s , b u t a re n ot s o i n
.
rea li t y, b ec a u s e th ei r vi r tu e co s t s th em n ot hi n g Th o s e wh o d es i re .
t o a t t a i n p ro c i en cy i n a n a rt , o r d e xt er i t y i n a t ra d e mu s t g i ve ,
d o v i ol en ce t o y o u r s el f w i ll y ou ma k e p rog res s i n i rt u e Th e mo s t .
formi d a b l e o b s t a cl es h a ve t o b e o ve rc o me a t r s t, a ft erw a r d s a d va n ce
men t b ec o mes mor e ea s y An d a s w e a dva n ce i n v i r t u e i t b r i n g s
.
,
i n g i s i n s ep a r a b l e fr om v i r t u e ; w h erefore h e wh o s h ri n k s fro m s uf
feri n g s a n d p er s ec u t i o n w i ll n eve r b e r i ch i n v i rt u e He wh o fea rs .
t h e w orl d s a ys ,St Ig n a t i us , w ill n eve r a cc o mp l i s h a n yt h i n g
.
s e rv i ce w i t h o u t p ro v o ki n g t h e en mi t y of t h e w o rl d
He wh o s t ri ves i n .
e a rn es t t o a tt a i n t o vi rt u e w i ll n ece s s a r i l y b e h u mb l e ,
for h e w i ll ,
wh er e t w o ro a d s met h e fo u n d t w o ma i d en s a w a i t i n g h i m P l e a s u re ,
hi m a l i fe of en j oymen t Th e l a t te r g r a v el y w a rn ed h im th a t ma n y
.
q
a l th o u g h i t l ea d s t o p e r d i t i o n , i s u n u es t i o n a b l y mo s t a ll u r i n g ; vi rt u e
i s d i fc u l t a n d l a b or i o u s , b u t i t i s a t t en d ed wi th b l es s i n g s Th e fea r .
of t h e L or d , t h e p r a c t i ce of v i r t u e, i s t h e w a y t o a tt a i n t ru e h a p p i n es s
even on e a rt h ( P S c xxvi i . M u ch p e a ce h a ve t h ey t h a t l o ve Th y
.
law
( P s cxvi i i
. . Ab ov e a ll , t h e vi r t u o u s ma n w i ll h a v e j o y
a t h i s l a tt e r en d ( Ec cl us v i How j oy q y St P a ul s p oke of h i s
. . .
b e s to w ed on h im ( P s cxx v i i . h e i s c o mp a r ed b y t h e P s a l mi s t t o
.
a t r ee p l a n t ed b y r u n n i n g w a t e rs A v i rt u o u s li fe con t r i b u t es t o
.
on e s p h ys i ca l well b ei n g ; t h e p r a ct i ce of vi rt u e, mor eo ve r, en l i g h t en s
-
He Hi ms elf s a ys : If a n y ma n w i ll d o t h e w i ll of God , h e s h a ll
kn o w of t h e d oc t r i n e wh et h e r i t b e of G od ( Joh n v i i 1 7 The .
p r a c t i ce of v i rtu e en t i tl es u s t o et e rn a l s a l va t i on ( P S xxxvi . .
G o d l i n es s h a s p ro mi s e of t h e life t h a t n ow i s a n d of t h a t wh i ch i s t o
c o me ( 1 Ti m i v V i rtu e ma k es u s r i ch a n d h on or a b l e i n G o d s
. .
s i gh t . Sh e i s t o b e p refe rr ed b efor e ki n g d o ms a n d th ro n es , a n d
ri ch es a re n o thi n g i n c omp a ri s o n w i th h er ( W i s d v i i It i s a . .
t rea s u r e wh i c h c a nn o t d e c a y or b e s t o l en fro m u s ( M a tt v i . .
5 . u
V i rt e ma k es us res e mb l e God, an d ad mi ts us t o th e
fr i en d s hip of G od .
If w e a re h u mb l e, g en tl e, g en ero u s , a n d o t h erw i s e v i rt u o u s , we
s h a ll b e li k e t o a l mi g h t y G od , i n Wh o m i s t h e p e rfe c t i on o f eve ry
vi rtu e We s h o ul d th erefor e b e ca reful t o s t u d y th e d i vi n e a t t ri
.
b u t es , t h a t w e ma y i mi t a te t h em a n d b ec o me t r u e ch i l d ren of ou r
h ea ven l y F a th e r Th e vi rtu o u s ma n i s a fr i en d of God , for O u r
.
L o r d s a ys :
Wh o s o ever s h all d o t h e w i ll of M y F a th er th a t i s i n
h ea ven , h e i s M y b rot h er, a n d s i s t er, a n d mo th e r ( M a tt x i i . .
Si mi l a ri ty of t a s t es a n d feeli n gs ma k es men fr i en d s V i r t u e r en d e r s .
b
.
( P ro v xxx . i .t r u e ea u ty i s t h a t of th e h ea rt Al l t h e g l ory of .
a p p a r en t n ow, b u t i t will b e ma d e vi s i b l e on e d a y In w i n te r a ll .
th e t rees a re b a r e, t h o u g h t h ey a re n ot l i fel e s s , b u t wh en t h e s u m
mer co me s th ey a re cl o th ed wi th verd a n t foli a g e So th e v i rt u o us .
d o n e t h o s e w h o were c o un ted d ea d s h a ll s h i n e a s t h e s u n i n t h e
,
ki n g d o m of th ei r F a th er ( M a tt xi i i wh i l e th e w i ck ed wh o w ere
. .
Ch r i s t i a n s Th e s ea l of B a p t i s m i s n ot en o u gh , n or even t h e s a ce r
.
3 s p ri n g w i t h o u t w a t er a vi n e w i t h o u t g r a p es
, In v a i n d o we c a ll .
ou rs el v es Ch ri s t i a n s , if w e a re n ot i mi t a t o rs of C h r i s t .
442 Good Worles , Vi rtu e, Si n, Vi ce.
The Di f
feren t K i n ds o f C h ri s ti a n Vi r tu e .
O n e an d th e vi tu h
s el f s a f
me r e a s referen ce t o di fferent ob
j ects a n d qu n tly c i v di ff
c on s e e re e es eren t n ames .
Ma ny vi r t u h li b
es , s u c l i t y or p as l a u d ed y men
era ru d en c e, a re b
of t h e w orl d ; oth er s , s uc h a s meekn es s h u mi l i t y, l o v e of o n e s en e
,
mi es , a re r eg a rd ed b y th em wi th c on t emp t In s ome vi rt u e s t h e .
u n de r s ta nd i n g i s th e chi ef fa ct or, a s i n fa i th ; i n ot h e r s , t h e wi ll , as
i n t emp era n ce .
l . u
Th e v i rt es th at ni te our s o l to God u u a re th e th ree th eo
v u
l ogi cal i rt es : Fa i th , Hop e, Ch ari t y .
v
Th es e t h ree i rt ues a re s ymb ol i z ed y a a me fa i th i s s i g ni ed b
b b
y th e l i g h t i t emi t s , h op e y i t s u p wa r d t en d en c y a n d ch a ri ty b y th e
b
,
h ea t i t r a di a tes A t r ee i s a l s o a n em l em of t h es e v i rtu es : fa i t h i s
.
i t s r o ot , h o p e i t s s t em, ch a r i t y i t s fru i t Fa i t h l a ys th e fo u n d a t i on .
of t h e t emp l e of God h o p e r a i s es t h e w a ll s a n d ch a r i t y c ro wn s t h e
u
, ,
s tr c t u re Th e c ro s s i s a s ymb ol of fa i th t h e a n ch or of h Op e wh il e
b b
.
, ,
ch a r i t y i s d en o ted y a u rn i ng h ea rt Th e g rea t es t of t h es e v i rt u es .
i s ch a r i t y ( 1 C or xi i i . Wi th ou t ch a ri t y fa i th a n d h op e a re
.
v
,
v u
Th e eect of th e i rt e of Hop e i s to ma k e u s l ook for etern al
v
s al a ti on from God , a s w ell as th e mea n s th a t a re n ec es s ar for y
it s a ttai n men t .
v u
Th e i rt e of C h ari t c a s es u s to n d s a ti s fa cti on i n God, y u
a n d t o s e ek t o p l eas e Hi m keep i n g Hi s c omma n dmen ts by .
Th es e irt
2 . v u es tly t ermed th eol ogi c a l , ec a
a re b u se God
Hi ms el f i s th ei r o bj e c t, th ei r moti e, an d th ei r A th or v u .
God i s th e o bj t
fa i th ; th a t i s t o s ay , w e el i ev e wh a t Go
ec of d b
h a s reve a l ed , a n d a l l t h a t h a s r efe r en c e t o G od Hi ms el f, t o Hi s b e i n g ,
b
Hi s a tt ri ut es , Hi s w ork s a n d Hi s wi ll God i s th e mot i e of fa i th, v
b b
.
mo t i e of ch a ri t y, s i n ce we l o ve Hi m b ec a u s e He i s s u p reme b ea u t y
a n d s o ve r e i g n g oo d n es s God i s a l s o t h e Au t h or of t h e t h r ee t h e o
.
l og i ca l v i rt u es , a s t h e foll o wi n g r ea s on s demon s t r a te :
3 . We re ei v e
c th e three th eol ogi cal vi tur es to ren d er us
444 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n, Vi ce .
t i s m, i t i s t ru e, o ur wi l l i s d i s p os ed y th e i n s p i r a t i on of th e b o ly H
Gh o s t t o th e p r a ct i ce of t h e mor a l v i rtu es ; y et t h e h a b i t of t hei r p rae
t i c e mu s t b e a c qu i red b y r ep ea t ed g oo d d eed s , a n d t h e c o n u es t q
of ou r e vi l p ro cl iv i t i es At B a p t i s m t h e s eed of mora l v i rtue wa s
.
i mp l a n t ed i n th e el d of ou r h ea r t ; we mu s t d ili g en t l y cul t i v a t e
th a t el d i f t h e s eed i s t o b ea r fru i t At t h e s a me t i me w e n eed t h e
v
.
s u n of G o d s g r a ce, t h e v i i fyi n g i n u en ce of t h e
ol y Sp i ri t , or ou r H
b
l a or will b e i n v ai n .
3 Th e p ri n c i p al moral v i rt es
. u a re v
th e s e en capi t al i rt es : v u
u y b
H mil i t , o ed i enc e, meek nes s , l i b y
eral i t , t emp era n c e, c h a s ti ty,
di l i gen c e i n wh at i s good .
Hu mili t y co n cern s b
h o n or, o ed i en ce ou r l i b erty, meekn es s a n d
ou r .
p a t i en c e th e a tt i t u d e of t h e s o ul , l i b e ra l i t y h a s r efe r en c e t o ou r
p ro p e r t y t e mp er a n ce i n ea t i n g a n d d ri n ki n g a n d ch a s t i t y t o ou r
,
b o d i es , d i li g en ce i n wh a t i s g oo d t o ou r work Amo n g t h es e ,v i rt u es .
s even c a p i t a l i rtu es a re op p o s ed t o th e s e en c a p i t a l or d ea d l y s i n s .
b ec a u s e t h e wh ol e fa ri c of vi rt u e r es t s u p o n t h em ; t h ey a re th e
c orn e r s t o n es of t h e ed i c e of C h r i s t i a n v i r tu e Th e fo u r ca rd i n a l .
v i rtu e s a re i n s ep a r a b l e p a rt s of ea ch a n d eve ry v i rt u e ; on th em a ll
th e mor a l v i rt u es r es t , for i n s t a n ce mo d e r a t i o n i n e a t i n g a n d d ri n k - a
o f ev er y o t h e r v i rt u e P ru d en c e i s a v i r t u e of t h e u n d ers t a n di n g ,
.
P ru d en ce i s th e
1 . c a p a c i ty of th e i n tel l ect to a p p reh en d th e
g oo d t hi n gs o f e t ern it y and th e mea n s of atta i n i n g t o th em .
Th a t i s t h e t ru es t p ru den ce wh i ch c a n es t d i s t i n g u i s h wh a t i s b
d i v i n e fro m wh a t i s h u ma n Th e p ru d en t ma n a lwa ys l ook s t o h i s
.
n a l e n d L i k e a w i s e me rch a n t wh o t h i nk s c o n t i n u a l l y of wh a t
.
p ro t h e c a n m a k e, t h e C h r i s t i a n
s th o u gh t s a re xed u p o n g a i n i n g
ri ch es for et er n i ty Th e s e rp en t l ooks ou t a fa r, a n d exp o s es i ts b o d y
.
i f o nl y i t c a n s hi el d i t s h ea d ; s o th e C h r i s ti a n k eep s t h e en d of l i fe
a l wa y s i n v
i ew. a nd s corn s ea rth l y th i n gs i n or d er t o p res er e i t s t rue v
Vi rtu e . 44 5
tre a s u re O u r L ord id s u s
. b
B e w i s e a s s erp en ts ( M a tt x
. .
h e ma d e u s e of t h e s u p er s c ri p t i o n h e s a w a t At h ens : To t h e un
kn o wn G od , t o a fford hi m a n Op p ortu n i t y of p rea ch i n g t h e Go s p el
( A c t s P r u d e n c e i s a m o s t i m p or t a n t v i rt u e, fo r t h e w i ll i s
g u i d ed b y t h e r ea s o n If th e un d e rs t a n d i n g i s n ot ca p a b l e of j u dg i n g
.
b et we en g oo d a n d ev i l , t h e w i ll d ev i a t es fro m t h e r i g h t w a y a n d
t r a n s g r es s es t h e c o mma n d men t s P r u d en ce i s s a i d t o b e t h e ey e of
.
t h e s o u l ( St Th o ma s Aqu i n a s )
. W i t h o u t th e l i g h t of t h e ey e we
.
c a nn o t n d ou r w a y , n o r w i t h o u t p ru d en ce c a n w e d i s ce r n t h e p a th t o
h ea ven W i th o u t t h e ey e we c a n n o t ma ke fu ll u s e of ou r li mb s , n or
.
w i th o u t p r u d en ce c a n we p r a ct i c e vi rt u e a r i g h t P ru d en ce i s t h e ru d .
d er t h a t d i r ec ts th e c o u rs e of th e ves s el ; w i t h o u t i t w e s h a ll ma k e
s h i p w r ec k of vi rt u e Th e c o n t r a ry of p ru d en ce i s w orl d l y wi s d o m
.
( Luk e xv i or th e w i s d o m of t h e es h Th e w i s d om of t h i s w orl d
. .
c o n s i s t s i n d i s c e r n i n g w h a t w i ll b r i n g a ma n t emp or a l a d v a n t a g e
or s en s u a l en j o ymen t ; th i s w i s d om i s fool i s h n es s w i th God ( 1 C or i i i . .
2 Ju s ti ce i s th e
. s t ea dfa s t i n cl i n a ti on of th e wi ll t owa rd s
th a t w h i ch i s j s t u .
J u s t i c e ma ke s u s wi l li n g t o wa lk i n th e n a rrow p a th of t h e c om
ma n d men t s ; th e j u s t ma n dr ea d s t h e s li g h t e s t d ev i a t i o n from i t .
Th e fo s t er fa th e r of Ch ri s t w a s t ermed a j u s t ma n
-
,
( Th e w o rd j us t .
i s o ft en u s e d t o s i gn i fy th a t on e i s i n a s t a t e of g r a ce b u t i n t h i s ,
o b ed i en ce ; t o hi s s u b or d i n a t es h e mete s ou t rew a rd s a n d p un i s h
me n ts ; t o h i s e qu a l s h e s h o w s fr a te rn al ch a ri t y B u t a s b oth fro m .
w i t h i n a n d w i t h o u t h e en c o u n t e r s o p p os i t i o n a n d o b s t a cl es h e n ee d s ,
s t r i v e w i t h ex ces s i v e ea g er n es s a ft e r h o n or s p l e a s u r e s , or o th e r s en ,
s u a l en j o ymen t s He i s l i ke th e e a g l e th a t h a s i t s eyr i e on t h e
.
,
h e i gh t s , a n d o n l y d es cen d s t o t h e v a l l ey i n s ea r ch of foo d We .
s h o u l d u s e t h i s w orl d a s i f w e u s ed i t n ot ( 1 C or v i i Wo ul d . .
t h a t eve ry on e c o ul d s a y wi th St F r a n ci s of Sa l es : I d es i re very
.
l i t tl e, a n d t h a t l i ttl e I d es i re b u t li t tl e
Temp e r a n ce d o e s n ot h ow .
,
ev er c o ns i s t i n r efu s i n g o n e s s elf wh a t i s n e c es s a ry , a n d t h u s n u
,
4 . u
For ti t d e en a l es a ma n t o mak e b s a cri c es wil l i n gl y for
th e s a k e of a t ta i n i n
g e t ern a l ri ch es .
He wh o p s s es s es th e
o vi rt u e of ow h i ms elf
fort i t u d e d o es n ot a ll
mi d a t ed b y r i d i cu l e th rea t s or p ers ecu t i o n He i s rea dy
. .
to b e i n ti , . .
p a t i en tl y a ll th e a i ct i on s t h a t c o me u p on h i m In th i s h e res emb h s .
of h e ro i c fort i t u d e i s g i ven us b y t h e mo t h e r of t h e M a ch a b ee s
w i th h er s even ch i l dr en , w h o es t eemed t ormen t s a s n o t hi n g (2
M a ch v i i 1 2 ) b y Ab r a h a m, wh o w a s r ea d y t o o ffer u p h i s s on Is aa c ;
. .
.
'
v u
5 All p erfec t i rt es s pri ng from th e l o v e of God a n d a re In
b
s ep ara l y uni t ed t ogeth er b y th at s ame l o e v ( 1 Cor .
s o t h e v a r i ou s vi rt u es s p ri n g fro m t h e l o ve o f G od All vi rt ue i s .
roo ted a n d g ro u n d ed i n ch a ri t y ( Ep h i i i 1 7 C h a ri t y ma y b e c a ll ed . .
of g oo d d eed s ; a s o w er s of v a r i o u s h u es a re b o un d t o g et h e r t o form
p o ss es s a s i n gl e p erfe ct vi t u
r e; w h il e h e w h o h as ch ari ty p os e
s es s es th em a l l, i f n ot a ll i n th e sa me d egree .
wi n t e r t h e s u n w i th d r a w s i t s r a ys t h e fa ce of n a t u re l o s e s i t s b e a u t y ;
,
s o i n th e a b s en ce of c h a r i t y vi rt u e l o s es i ts s ti p ern a t u ra l b e a u t y
, .
B u t i t i s qu i t e p os s i b le t o p o s s es s i mp erfe c t , n a t u r a l v i rtu e w i t h o u t
th e l o ve of God F or eve ry ma n h a s b y n a t u re a c ert a i n i nh er en t
.
kn o wl ed g e of wh a t i s g oo d , a n d a d es i re for w h a t i s g oo d b y r ea s o n ,
of wh i ch h e c a n p er form ma n y a g oo d a ct i o n a n d b y h a b i t a c qu i r e
e a s e i n th e p erforma n ce of i t O n e ma y a l s o p o s s es s i mp erfec t
v
.
mor a l i rt u es w i th o u t th e l o ve of God ; th i s wa s th e c a s e w i th th e
p a g a n s o f a n t i q u i t y a n d , n o w w e o ft e n m ee t w i t h p eop l e w h o a re
n a t u r a ll y g en tl e a b s t emi o u s , li b e r a l , et c
,
M or eo ve r on e ma y ev en .
,
m l f G d F
p o s s e ss i p e rf e c t t h e o l o g i c a l vi r t u es w i t h o u t t h e o v e o o o r .
fa i t h c a n exi s t w i th o u t h o p e a n d b o t h fa i t h a n d h o p e w i th o u t
,
ch a r i t y ( C o u n c i l of Tr en t 6 7, F or fa i th a n d h op e c a n o nl y
b
, ,
b e l o s t y fa l l i n g i n t o th e s i n s op p o s ed t o th em ; fa i t h i s l o s t th ro u gh
u n b el i ef, h op e b y d es p a i r B u t h e wh o p o s s es s es t h e l o v e of God
.
p o s s es s es a ll a n d eve ry vi rt u e, i f n ot a l l i n a n e qu a l d eg r ee As .
D a v i d th e vi rt u e of forg i v en es s A r a h am o ed i en ce St Al oys i u s w a s
, , .
448 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n , Vi ce .
tue .
c
8 Al l p erfe t vi rt ue 1 s l os t i mmedi a tel y up on fa l l i ng i nto
.
He wh o s uffer s s hipwreck ( 1 Ti m i l os es a ll th a t h e h a s ;
. .
a n d s o th e ma n wh o fa ll s i n to mort a l s i n l os es a ll t h e p e rfec ti on i n
vi rtue a n d a ll t h e mer its h e h a s a c qui red However g r ea t th e p ro .
s el f t o s t a n d, l et h i m t a k e h ee d l es t h e fa ll ( 1 C or x Re . .
V i r tu e i s lik e a p r ec i o u s p e a r l ,
whi c h i f it f a ll s i n t o t h e m u d r et a i n s
h
w en on e h s c o
a m m itt e d a gr i ev o u s s i n b u t it th e n r es em b l e s a c o
,
r p s e ,
li
for th e s oul t h e fe h a s
,
d ep a r te d f
,
r om it O n e m a y th e r ef o r e b e . , ,
ex t r emely pi ou s a n d y et c orrupt a t h ea rt
,
.
Th e p erfe t v c w
irt u es i ll e b d i m i n i s h e d i f on e d es i s t s f r om t h e
p r a tc c
i e of good .
449
1 . He
wh o wi tti ngl y a nd wil l i n gl y tra ns gres s es one of God
s
c omma n dment s i s gui l ty of s i n .
G od s a yin g :
,
I will n ot s erve ( Jer ii He a tt a ck s G od h e . .
,
d eemer s b l ood of n o a v a il Th e ma li ce of th e s i n n er p a in s O u r L or d
.
a n d on Wh om ou r et e rn a l s a lv a ti on d ep en d s If y our li fe w a s a t .
n othi n gn es s wh en ce y ou c a me a n d y e t y ou d o n ot fe a r t o p r ov ok e
,
, ,
nd ye w e ou rs elves s h ow t h e utmos t di s r es p ec t t o t h e L or d of
ea v en t .
t h e g ui lt of a n a cti on or if on e s i gn or an c e of i t s s i n fuln es s i s d u e
,
t o c ul p a b l e n egligen ce It i s on e thi n g s a ys St Gregory n ot t o
.
, .
,
ma y n ot s ee th e t r uth i s a d es p i s er of th e l a w
Th os e wh o i n th e .
a n d w er e c omp ell ed t o c a s t it up on t h e a lt a r ; w er e t h ey t o b l a me ?
Evil th oughts a re s ugges te d b y t h e devil b u t i f we d o n ot con s en t t o ,
u s b u t s i mply put th em ou t o f ou r mi n d s
, But a cti on s d on e with .
2 . c
Si n i s i n i ts es s en e a n unl a wful turni ng towa rds th e c ear
ture a n d t urni ng a wa y fr om God ..
exces s i n ea ti n g a n d d r i nk i n g ; He p ermit s u s t o h a v e p os s es s i on s of
ou r own , b u t n ot t o t a ke wh a t b el on gs t o our n e ighb or He wh o us es .
cr ea tu r es t o a g re a t e r ex te n t, or oth er wi s e th a n Go d or d a i n s ( d oi n g
vi ol en c e t o t h e crea ture, R om viii w a n der s a w a y from God
. .
a n d fr om h i s n a l en d ; h e p refe r s t r a n s i en t j oys to et e rn a l bl i s s
( Ecclus vii O r we ma y re ca ll t o
a nd th ou s h a lt n ever s i n . .
ex tingui s he d a di s e a s e ma y b e a rr es t e d i n i t s r s t s t a g e
, Sla y y our .
2 If e vil t h ou gh ts
. a re n ot i n s t a n tl y exp el l ed, th ey a wak en
in th e mi nd omp l a en c c cy in w h a t is evil , a n d th a t i s alrea dy a
'
fo rth s i n
( Ja s i
Ev il t h oughts a re a n ab omi n a ti on t o t h e
. .
L or d
( P r ov x v F or get n ot th a t God i s omn i s c i en t ; He s ees
. .
3 . Th e e vi l d es i re n ex t a ri s es ; thi s h a s a tu rp i tu d e c orre
s p on d i n g to th a t of th e s i n fu l a c ti on t owa rd s whi c h i t i s d i rec t ed .
sin i s s till an in te ri o r s i n .
5 . If c
o c a s i on t h en p r es en t s i t s el f for th e s in, th e ex eri or t
a ct is c o mmi tted .
Si n . 45 3
i n dign a n tly r ej ect h i s a dva n ces our l oya lty t o God i s thereb y con
,
ma n l ives in s i n or h e di ed i n hi s s in s etc
, , , .
6 B y th e r ep et i ti on
. of ex e t ri or s in s th e h a b i t of s i n , or vi c e,
is con tra t ed c .
t h e th r ee i n s t a n c es i n whi ch C h ri s t r a i s e d th e d ea d a s exemplifyi n g
mo rt a l s i n i n i t s three s t a ges : i n te r i or s i n , exte ri o r s i n , a n d th e h a b it
o f vi c e Wh os o on ly s in s i n h i s h ea rt i s like th e d a ughter of Ja i ru s
.
, ,
t h e d e a d a r i s e, i n t h e l a s t He w a s t r oub l ed i n s pi r it , He w e pt , He
c a u s e d th e s to n e t o b e r emoved a n d c a ll ed l oudly i n t o th e i n te r i or
of th e s epul ch re Thi s He did t o s ig n i fy t h e gr e a t di fcul ty of re
.
a w a k en i n g on e wh o i s s u n k i n vi ce t o t h e li fe of t h e Spi r it .
7 Ev ery
. ou tw a r d s in an d e ve r y v i c e b ri n gs , as i ts ow n
p u n i s h me n t, o th er s in s a n d vi c es of a d i ffer en t n a uret i n i ts
tra i n .
0
e xp res s es th e withd r a w a l of gr a c e i n w or d s s u ch a s th es e : Go d
b li n d ed th e eyes or h a rd en ed th e h e a rt of th e s i n n er
, Ph a ra o) .
8 . c
If a n y vi e i s rml y rooted i n th e s ou l , i t oft en ti mes
b ri n gs a fter i t s i n s of th e wors t typ e, a n d th os e th a t a re s ai d t o
cry t o He a v en for v en gea n e ; n a ll y i t p rod u es c omp l ete ob c c
du ra cy i n th e s i n n er .
on e a n d th e s a me v i rt u e, i n d if
feren t wa ys .
a n d ch ea ti n g a re t w o s i n s of a di f fer en t n a tu re b ec a u s e t hey vi ol a te
th e Seven th C omma n d men t i n t w o s ever a l w a y s P res umpti on of .
G o d s me rc y a n d de s p a i r a re t w o s in s of a di fferen t n a tu re, b ec a us e
a n d of d eed .
by th ought a n d b y d ee d ,
B oa s ti n g i.n s p e ech a n d o s ten t a ti o n i n d r e s s
c
2 A d i s t i n t i on al s o ex i s t s b etw een our own s i ns , a n d th e s i n:
.
c
i n whi h w e cc op era t e -
.
c
Th e s i n s i n whi h w e co oDe ra t e a re t h os e W t h w e do n ot
-
c
i n d eed ommi t ou rs el v es , b u t for w h i h w e a re to b l a me c We .
ma y b e a e s s occ
r y t o a n oth er
s s i n b y o m m a n d ,
o u n s e c
l ,
o n s en t ,c c
456 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Stu , Vi ce .
1 1
1 . A s in i s a ll th e grea t er th e more i mloortan t i s th e ob j ec t
j c
i t i n ures , th e l ea r er th e k n owl edge of th e s i n fu l n es s of th e
d eed, a n d th e gr ea t er th e l i b ert y of a t i on en b y th e d oer c j o ed
y .
a l s o on th e kn owl e dg e p os s es s e d of t h e s inful n es s of t h e a c ti on .
a b un d a n t th e gr a ces b es t owe d on y o u t h e mo re he i n ou s y ou r t r a n s ,
a l es s er s i n th a n Jud a s b et r a ya l of O u r L or d
.
2 c c
C i r u ms t a n es of p ers on , a u s e, ti me, p l a c e, mea n s , ob
. c
j ,
cet or t h e e v i l o n s e qu en e s of acs i n m a y e c
n h a n e i ts g ui l t c .
with vi ol en ce i s a gr ea t er s i n th a n s u rreptiti ou s pu rl oi n i ng ; t o t a ke
from a p oor ma n i s a gr ea t er s i n th a n t o s tea l from a r i ch ma n It .
2 M a ny s i ns a re s o gr ea t th a t th ey s ep a r a t e us en t i rel y fr om
.
th e C hurc h .
, ,
.
s i n i s s o ca ll e d b e c a us e it c a u s es t h e d e a th of t h e s oul ; t h e s o ul d oe s
n ot it i s tr u e cea s e t o ex i s t b u t it l os es t h e p r es en ce of t h e H oly
, , ,
M or ta l an d v en i a l s in d iffer es s en ti ally fr om ea c h o th er .
i t s gr owth .
It i s a n ex c
d a n ger ou s ma tt er to d e i d e
ee di n gl y difcu l t and c
wh e th er a s in i s mort a l or veni a l O n ly on e th i n g i s ert ai n : . c
M ort al s i n i s n ot p oss ib l e u nl es s God i s n o l on ger th e n al
en d t ow a r ds whi c h ou r i n t en t i on i s d i r e c t ed .
p h on s us t o a s s e rt a n y s i n t o b e mo rt a l u n l es s h e i s quit e c ert a i n of
, ,
th em th e deepe r in to it
No ma n ca n b e guilty of morta l s i n un les s
.
,
45 8 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n, Vi ce .
l i fe, th e p roperty or th e r ep ut a ti on of h i s n ei gh b or
, .
c
4 He ommi t s a veni a l s i n wh o onl y i nj ur es s omet hi ng of
.
c q c
tri i ng ons e uen e ; or wh o, th ough h e i nj ur es s omet hi ng of
g r ea t i m p ort a n e, i n j ur esci t v ery s l i gh t l y, or does s o a l mos t uncon
s ci ous l y a nd t o s ome ex t en t unwi tt i ngl y.
c
Y et th a t wh i h i s ordi n aril y on l y a v en i a l s m, ma y b e ome c
a mort al s i n ; i f, th a t i s t o s a y , g r e a t s c a n d a l i s gi v en th ereb y,
or gr ea t h a rm d on e, or i f th e v en i a l s i n i s ommi tt ed ou t of c
con t emp t for th e l a w .
gr ea t s c a n d a l a n d oc c a s i on n o s ma ll mi s chi ef If a ma n were t o d o .
h e i s guilty of g ri evous s i n .
V en i a l s i n s if rep ea t ed ma y b e c me morta l, i f t h ey
o a re th e
mea n s of d oin g grea t h a rm .
s t a n d s a l l t h e rme r i f a w e ight b e pl a ce d up on it b u t i f on ce it ,
teg ri t y b u t t h e d ep r a ved h ea rt On ly s i nk s l ow er i n vi ce
, A n egl ected .
c a u s e d t h e s o c al l e d O l d C a th ol i c s t o r efu s e t o a c cept t h e d og ma
-
O u r L or d s a y s : Th e b l a s phemy a ga in s t th e H oly Gh os t s h a ll n ot
b e forgiven , n either i n thi s world or i n th e w orld t o c ome ( M a tt .
x ii . Th e s i ck ma n ca n n ot b e c ur e d of h i s ma l a dy i f h e r efus es t o
t a ke th e r emedy whi ch i s kn own t o b e un fa ili ng ; n or c a n th e s oul
rec over from i t s s i ckn es s i f it re ect g r a c e, th e i n fa llib le mea ns of j
c u re F in a l i mp en it en c e i s th e onl y offen ce whi ch God will n ot p a r
.
c a me up on th em t h e t r i b ul a ti on O u r L or d p redi ct ed s u ch a s h a d ,
t h e p r oph et Sa mu el a dd r es s e d t o K i n g Sa ul : B ec a u s e th ou h as t
xv . He wh o h a s c ommitted t he s i n a ga i n s t th e H oly Gh os t
c a n n o t b e s a ved b ec a u s e a t t h e h o u r o f d ea th h e i s with out t h e i n
.
diti on i s th a t of th e r ep r ob a t e .
7 . Si ns th a t c ry to h ea v en for vengea nc e a re s i ns of gr ea t
Si n . 46 1
p un i s hes mur der with excepti on a l s ever ity g en er a lly b y th e exe cuti on ,
.
b a ck t h e w a ges of t h e n eedy ( D eut xx iv i s a s i n th a t c r i es t o . .
c
8 A di s ti n ti on mus t b e ma de b etw een v eni a l s i ns a n d i mp er
.
c
fecti ons Imp erfe t i ons a re fa ul t s whi h a re d ue n ot t o a b a d w ill ,
. c
b ut t o h uma n fra il ty .
s a y s St John C h ry s os t om
d ea d .Si n n er s , . a re dea d while th ey ,
live a n d th e j u s t live a fter th ey a re de a d
, Th ou d os t weep s a y s .
,
St Augu s ti n e
. ove r a b o dy fr om whi ch t h e s oul h a s dep a rt e d b u t
, ,
of t h e H oly G h os t i s t r a n s forme d i n t o a d en of r ob b er s t h e s i s t e r of ,
h e i s li a b l e t o fa ll i n t o oth er m ort a l s in s .
h er Sp ou s e r eg a r d s h er with a ver s i on
,
Th r ough mo r ta l s i n ch a r ity .
to God a n d t o on e s n eighb o r i s l os t
Wh en t h e ea rth t r a vel s a w a y .
fr om t h e s u n wi n te r s et s i n ; s o th e h ea rt of ma n b ec omes c old wh en
,
is s ai n ed
t w i th mort a l s i n . He wh o h as fa llen in to morta l si n h a s
l os t t he we dd i ng g a rmen t, i e , s a n cti fy i n g gr a c e ; h e wi ll b e ca s t
. .
i n t o t h e ex te ri or d a rkn es s ( M a tt xx ii . M or t a l s i n i s a n a ct of
.
of a few ee ti ng yea r s .
r a gi n g s ea , th a t can n ot r es t ( Is lvii . App reh en s i on a n d terr or
.
d a il y c a lls t o h i m :
Whe re i s thy God ? ( P s xli Wh a t p e a c e
. .
j
c a n t h e s i n n e r en oy wh en h e kn ow s th a t a n a lmighty a rm i s upl i ft ed
a g a i n s t h i m ? A a s h of li ght ni n g, a p e al of thun de r, a f fect s th e s i n
n er a s mu c h a s t h e d evout p r a y ers of th e fa ithful ; i n ever y s oun d h e
thin ks t o hea r h i s s en t en ce of c on demn a t i on God h a s or d a in ed th a t .
c a p a b l e of t a s ti n g s pi r it u a l j oy s M or t a l s i n , m or eover, b r in gs t em
.
p or a l mi s fo rt un es on th e s i nn er O f thi s ou r rs t p a r en ts a ffor d a
.
h en ce O u r L or d s a id t o th e ma n wh om He h a d c ur ed : Si n n o
more , l es t s ome w or s e thi n g h a pp en un t o thee
( Joh n v .
B a s il s a ys th a t a s s moke d r iv es a w a y b e es , s o s i n c a us es ou r good
a n g el t o d ep a rt . If a s l a ve b etr a ys h i s ma s t er, n ot h i s ma s t er a l on e,
b u t a ll t h e memb er s of h i s ma s t er s h ou s eh ol d a re en r a g ed with h i m
.
th a t i s good ; jus t a s a h a i r i f it g et s i n to th e p en
, s p oil s th e b es t ,
ha n dwritin g .
1 Ven i a l s i n gr a dua l ly l ea ds t o
. mort al s i n, v t
an d e en ua es t
in c
th e l os s of s a n t ify i ng gra e c .
C hrys os t om,
for th ey will gr ow i n to g rea t s in s
He th a t i s n u .
mouth ( Ap oc iii . .
c
will ome d own up on us ei t h er on ea rt h or a ft er dea th i n p ur
ga t ory .
t h e d ecepti on th ey p r a ct i s ed Th os e wh o a t th ei r d ea th a re i n a s t a te
.
of v en i a l s i n will h a ve t o p a s s th r ou gh t h e r es of pu rg a t ory i n or d er
,
lea s t s l p .
, ,
IV . V I CE .
1 Vi . ce i p
s r oci ency i n th e p ra c t i c e of ev il a nd th e conrmcd ,
c us t ome d t o t h e s e rvitude of s i n A d og wh o i s t ra i n ed t o th e ch a s e .
c
Th e h a b i t of vi e i s ea s il y formed , b u t i t r equ ires a grea t
s truggl e t o
g i v e i t u p ,
a n d t h e l on ger a ma n h a s i n d u l ged i n
c
v i e , t h e more di i cul t th a t s truggl e b ec omes .
ma kes th e y fa s t i n h i s web Wh en t h e s in n e r t r i es t o s h a ke h i m
.
.
,
ti n e)
A ma n w h o i s a d d i t ed t o vi c e a n n ot a men d of hi s own c c
p o w er; h e n ee d s t h e mi gh t y a s s i s t a n e of d i vi n e gr a e N or c c .
c
c a n h e a men d al l a t on e ; a l on g a n d s t r en u ou s ex ert i on of th e
c
will i s requ i red to a h i eve h i s on vers i on Fu rth ermore h e mu s t c .
46 8 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n , Vi ce .
s l a ve ; t h e s i n n er i s ev er en s l a ve d even on t h e th r on e ; a n d every vi ce ,
c ou r s e of vi ce b r in g s g r e a t mi s e ry up on a ma n i n thi s li fe ; l os s of
es h y ou s h a ll d i e ( R om viii
, They wh o d o t h e works of t h e
. .
es h s h a ll n ot ob ta i n t h e kin gd om of Go d ( Ga l v When th e . .
b u t b efore l on g h e i s a g a in l ed a s t r a y Ea c h time h e r ep ea ts h i s s i n .
Th e wi ck ed d o n ot p os s es s s an c tifyi n g gra c c e, on s e q tl y
u en
d r ow s i n es s h e s i n k s b a ck on h i s pill ow So it i s with on e wh o i s s un k
, .
n ot ca e r wh a t s t a i n s it c on t ra cts .
3 Th e mos t or di n a ry
. i
s ns a re th e v
s e en c t Pri d e,
a p i al s i ns :
c
d i s ob ed i en e, a nger, a va ri c e, i nt emp era n ce i n ea t i ng a nd d ri nk i ng,
c
u n h a s t i t y, s l ot h .
en umer a ti on of t h e p r i n c ip a l s i n s i s n ot p os s i b le b ec a us e th e d i s ,
, ,
Th ey a re t h e s even devil s wh om O u r L o rd c a s t ou t of M a ry
M a gd a len ( M a rk xvi t h e s even wi c ked s pi r it s wh o en te r i n t o
.
mu s t rs t era di ca te thei r fa ul ts .
If we h a ve n o s i n th e t ruth i s n ot i n u s ( 1 John i
say we ,
.
t o fa ll i n t o v en i a l s i n a g a i n a n d a ga i n t o k eep u s humb le As we , .
of s i n s wa s t o b e o b t a i n ed C h ri s t ea r n e d th e g ra ce of fo rg i ven es s
b
.
for u s y Hi s sacre d P a s s i o n a n d d ea th u p o n t h e c ro s s ( C ou n c i l of
Tren t 6 7 , C h ri s t i s t h e L a mb of G od Wh o t a ke t h a w a y t h e s i n s
, ,
of t h e w orld ( Jo h n i In Hi m w e h a ve r ed emp t i o n t h ro ug h Hi s
.
b l oo d th e remi s s i o n of s i n s ( C ol i
, C h r i s t i s th e p rop i t i a t i on
. .
i n th e c a s e of M a ry M a g d a l en Z a ch eu s t h e g oo d th i ef ; wh en He , ,
h ea l ed t h e p a r a l yt i c He s a i d exp r es s l y : Th a t y ou ma y kn o w t h a t t h e
Son of ma n h a th p o we r on ea rt h t o forg i ve s i n s I s a y u n t o t h ee , ,
Ari s e t a ke u p t h y b ed a n d g o
, ( M a tt i x
, Th i s s a me p owe r . .
w h i ch He p os s es s e d O u r L or d g a ve t o t h e h ol y a p o s t l es w h en a ft e r , ,
Wh o s e s i n s y ou s h a ll forg i ve th ey a re forg i v en th em a n d wh o s e s i n s ,
y ou s h a ll r et a i n t h ey a re r et a i n ed
, ( John xx He t h erefore .
a s a p l e d g e of t hi s g ra c e ( St Au g u s t i n e ) . .
3 M ort al s i n i s remi tt ed
. by
B ap ti s m a nd p en an c e, eni al s i n, v
a nd th e temp oral p enal ti es du e to i t, g ood w ork s d on e i n a by
s t a te of gra ce Th es e good w ork s a re : Pray er, fa s ti ng, al ms
.
v y
gi i n g, h eari ng h ol M a s s , rec ei i ng h ol c omm ni on, us e of th e v y u
s ac rament al s , ga i ni n g i n d l gen c es , forgi i ng oen ces u v .
B a p t i s m i s t h e s h i p i n wh i ch w e emb a rk on ou r v o y a g e t o h e a ven ;
i f w e c o mmi t mor t a l s i n we a re l i ke men w h o a re s h i p w recked Th e .
o n l y h op e for t h em of b ei n g s a v ed i s i n l a yi n g h ol d of a p l a nk , a n d
cl i n g i n g r ml y t o i t ; s o for t h e C h ri s t i a n , t h e o n l y mea n s of rea c h
i ng t h e p ort of et ern a l s a l v a t i o n i s t h ro u g h th e Sa c r a men t of P en
a n ce . Not p r a yer, fa s t i n g , n or a l ms gi vi n g i n i t s elf ca n p ro cure for
ma n t h e forg i ven es s of mort a l s i n ; th es e c a n onl y l ea d t o p en a n ce,
b y wh i ch s i n i s w a s h ed a w a y An g el s a n d a rch a n g el s h a ve n o p o wer
v
.
of h o l y w a t er , i n d ul g en ces , p r a ye rs , c ommu n i o n , t h e l es s i n g of a
b i s h op , et c .
4 Th ere i s
. t oo great for God t o forgi e h ere
no s i n v b el ow, if
i t b e s i n c erel y rep ent ed of a n d h m l c onfes s ed u by .
as s c a rl et , th ey s h a ll b e ma d e wh i te a s s n o w ; a n d i f t h ey b e red a s
47 2 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n , Vi ce .
ce i v es u s by ass u r a n ce of c a n d or a n d p i et y Hi s a rt i
mi n g a n a p p ea .
ma ke h a s t e t o h elp me ! Je s u s a n d M a ry b e my h el p ! To t remb l e
b
i n t h e h o u r of t emp t a t i on et r a ys a wa n t of c o n d en ce i n t h e d i vi n e
a s s i s t a n c e ; t h e d ev i l w i ll a s s a il t h e fea rful s o ul o n l y t h e mo re e r cel y .
Un l es s we r ema i n ca l m w e ca n n o t p o s s i b l y c o n qu er
,
Th o s e wh o l o s e .
t h ei r c o mp o s u re a re l i ke a b i r d c a u g h t i n t h e n et ; t h e mo re i t u t t e rs
a n d t r i es t o es c a p e t h e more i t b e c o me s en t a n g l ed i n t h e mes h es
, .
O u r L or d p r omi s es u s :
In y o u r p a t i en ce y ou s h a ll p os s e s s y o ur
s o ul s ( Luk e xx i Th e g oo d C h r i s t i a n i s l i ke a s ol d i e r wh o a s a
b
.
,
a ru l e r ej o i ces wh en wa r rea ks ou t i n th e p ro s p ec t of g a i n i n g r i ch
b
,
oot y .
God al l ows
2 . us t o b e t emp ted out of merc y , for th e good
of our s o l s u .
u s t o b e t r i ed b y t emp t a t i o n t o g i v e u s t h e o p p or t u n i t y o f ma n i fes t
i n g ou r l o y a lt y t o Hi m a n d a cqu i ri n g a cl a i m t o t h e r ec o mp en s e He
,
p ro mi s es u s Th u s He h a s o nl y ou r w elfa re i n v i ew
. Th e temp t er .
b e a ma r k of th e d i vi n e fa v or Th e a r ch a n g el R a p h a el s a i d t o
.
To b i a s : B ec a u s e th o u w a s t a cc ep t a b l e t o God i t w a s n e ce s s a ry ,
t a t i on s t o t h o s e w h o m He t r u s t s ; h en ce i t i s t h a t t h o s e wh o fea r Hi m
a re mor e s or el y t emp t e d t h a n o t h e r men Th e d ev i l d o e s n ot t emp t .
t h o s e wh o a re a l r e a d y i n h i s p ow e r b u t t h o s e wh o m h e fea rs wi ll ,
el u d e h i s g r a s p or w h o ma y b e i n j u r i o u s t o h i m St Ep h rem i n a . .
v i s i o n s a w a l a rg e c i t y th e i n h a b i t a n t s of wh i ch were v e ry c orru p t ;
,
o n l y on e d e vi l w a s s i t t i n g on t h e wa ll a n d h e w a s h a lf a s l eep B u t
b
.
,
i n t h e d es e rt h e s a w a wh ol e s w a rm of d ev i l s u s i l y en g a g ed w i t h i n
t h e cel l of a h e rmi t Th u s t h e fa c t t h a t a ma n i s g rea t l y t emp t ed
.
p ro ve s h i m t o b e a fr i en d of God a n d a s t r a n g e r t o a n en emy o f , ,
t h e d ev i l Pi r a t es d o n ot a t t a c k a n emp t y s h i p b u t on e wh i ch t h ey
.
,
k n o w t o b e ret u rn i n g h o me w i th a v a l u a b l e c a rg o A ki n g d oes n ot
b
.
t a k e u p a rms a g a i n s t l o y a l s u b j ec t s b u t a g a i n s t re el s wh o re s i s t ,
h i s a u t h or i t y Temp t a t i o n s h a ve b es i d e s t h e foll o wi n g a d v a n t a g es :
.
Th ey ro u s e u s fro m a s t a t e of t ep i di t y ( th ey a re w h a t t h e Sp u r
i s t o t h e h or s e ) ; t h ey c l ea n s e u s fro m i mp erfec t i on s a s t h e s t ormy ,
s ea th ro w s ou t for e i g n s u b s t a n c es ; t h e y ma k e u s h u mb l e b y a c qu a i n t ,
i n g u s w i th o u r fr a i l t y ; th ey i n c re a s e ou r s t ren g t h a s a h i g h w i n d ,
a s t h e b ea u ty of a j ewel i s en h a n ced b y p ol i s h i n g Th u s w e s ee t h a t .
a n g el of Sa t a n mi g h t d ep a rt fr om hi m, a n d a s k ed i n a i n ( 2 C or xi i . .
u nl es s h e h a s c o n qu er ed ; n o on e c a n c o n qu er u n l es s h e g h t , a n d n o
on e c a n g h t w i t h o u t a n a d ve r s a ry Hen ce t emp t a t i o n s mu s t c o me
. .
F or t h i s r ea s o n God s u b j ec t ed t h e a n g el s t o a p ro b a t i o n a n d a l s o ou r ,
rs t p a ren t s An d s u b s e qu en t l y t o t h e F a l l t ri a l s h a ve b een t h e l ot
.
of ma nki n d ( wi t n es s Job a n d To b i a s ) Th e l i fe of ma n u p o n e a rt h
.
wh o ru n s i n a r a ce ( 1 C or i x Yet Go d wi l l n ot s u ffe r u s t o
. .
b e t emp t ed a b o ve th a t wh i ch we a re a b l e t o b ea r ( 1 C or x . .
Th e d ev i l c a n o n l y t emp t ma n w i th i n th e l i mi t G od s et s h i m a s we
b
,
t a t i on s t o a s s a i l u s He g i ves g ra c e s u fc i en t t o en a b l e u s t o wi th s t a n d
,
t emp t a t i o n w a s t oo g r ea t for h i m t o r es i s t .
u
3 W e o gh t t o p rotec t o rs el es from t empt a ti on
. u v by a i du u ss o s
w ork , by
k eep i ng our th o gh ts x ed p on God , a nd u u by c nti nualo
s el f c on q es t
-
u .
c a s e of a tt a ck v a l i a n t d efen ce In l i ke ma n n e r we mu s t p ro t ect ou r
.
w ill b e : C o n t i n u a l o ccup a t i o n ; t hi s i s t h e s u r es t me a n s of h ol d i n g
t emp t a t i o n s a l oo f Th i eves d o n ot b rea k i n t o a h o u s e wh e re w ork
.
i s g o i n g on Idl en es s i s t h e p a ren t of c r i me
. W e s h a ll a l s o n d i t .
i s s ur e t o g et i n t ro u b l e So i t i s w i th th e C h r i s t i a n wh o ma k es God
.
h i s n a l en d , a n d on e wh o h a s n o a i m i n l i fe Hen ce C h ri s t exh o rt s .
us :
W a t ch y e a n d p r a y, t h a t y ou en t e r n ot i n t o t emp t a t i o n ( M a t t .
l ifte d t o G od , Is r a el wa s v i ct or i o u s ; b u t wh en th ro u g h w ea r i n es s h e
l et t h em fa ll t h a t mo men t th e en emy p rev a i l ed Th e ma ori ty of t h e
,
. j
s i n s g oo d p e o p l e c o mmi t c o me fro m forg et fu l n es s of G o d s p res en ce ;
c o n qu es t s t ren g t h en s t h e w i ll B u t a t t a ch men t t o c r ea t u r es ma k es a
.
ma n a n e a s y p rey t o th e d ev i l ; j u s t a s on e wh o ca rri es a h e a vy l o a d
c a nn o t ru n a w a y wh en ro bb
er s a t t a ck hi m .
47 4 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n , Vi ce .
4 . W h en we are u
tempted we o gh t t o etak e ours el es i mme b v
di a tel y t o pra ye r, or t hi nk of our l a s t end, or of th e e il cons e v
quences of s i n .
t i o n , t h e s oon e r wi ll ou r a d ve r s a ry b e d i s c o u r a g ed If w e fa l te r h e .
,
i n s t a n t l y t u rn t h em u p o n h i m St J erome s a ys th a t h e w h o d oes n ot
. .
b e ext i n g u i s h ed a t th e ou t s et , b u t n ot l a t er on A yo u n g t ree i s ea s il y .
b en t , n ot a n ol d on e B u t s i n ce we ca n d o n o t h i n g i n ou r own
v b
.
s t r en gt h , we mu s t s t r i e t o o t a i n di vi n e g r a ce Wh erefore le t h i m .
wh o i s temp t ed h a v e rec o u r s e t o p r a ye r ; l et h i m i mi t a t e th e a p o s tl es
w h en a s t orm a ros e on t h e s e a of Gen es a ret h ; or t h e ch i l d wh o ,
wh en h e s ees a l a rg e d og c omi n g , r un s t o h i s mo t h e r He wh o .
n egl ec t s p r a ye r i n t h e t i me of t emp t a t i o n i s l ik e a g en er a l , wh o, wh en
s u rro u n d ed b y t h e en emy, d o e s n ot a s k for rei nfor c emen ts fro m hi s
mo n a rch Ad am fel l i n t o s i n b ec a u s e wh en h e w a s t emp t ed h e d i d n ot
.
v ou t l y u tt er t h e h o ly n a mes of J es u s a n d M a ry Th es e h ol y .
t h e d ev i l a n d a re a t e rror t o h ell
,
At t h e n a me of M a ry t h e d evi l s
.
o t h e a s s a ul t s of ou r s p i r i t u a l foe ; i t i s mor e p o t en t t h a n a l l t h e
ef fort s of t h e d emo n s b ec a u s e b y p r a yer w e p ro cu r e t h e a s s i s t a n c e
o f G od , a n d n o t h i n g c a n w i t h s t a n d Hi s mi g h t P r a ye r i s ex a c tl y op .
p o se d t o t em p t a t i o n for i t enl i g h t e n s t h e u n d e rs t a n d i n g a n d f or t ie s
t h e w i ll Th e s i g n of t h e c ro s s a n d h ol y w a t e r h a ve a l s o g re a t ei
.
c a c y a g a i n s t t h e s p i ri t of ev i l He i es from th e cro s s a s a d og i es
.
p r a yer s of t h e C h u r ch St Th o ma s Aqu i n a s a n d ma n y o th er s a i n t s
. .
St Te r es a on t h e o t h e r h a n d c o n s t a n t l y emp l o y ed h o l y w a t er It i s
. .
w ell t o Sp r i nkl e th e s i ck a n d d yi n g wi th h ol y w a t e r a n d w e s h o ul d ,
q u er i n g t emp t a t i o n s i s t o t u rn ou r t h o u gh t s el s ewh er e, a b o ve a ll t o
t h i n k of t h e l a s t t h i n g s : of d ea t h of t h e j u d g men t , of et e rn a l p u n
,
( Eccl u s v i i . O r we ma y c o n s i d e r t he t err i b l e c o n s e u en c es of
. q
s in . Th e R oma n s u s ed t o s a y : Wh a t ev er t h o u d o es t a ct w i s el y a n d ,
In s o me c a s es , es p e c i a l l y wh en t emp t a t i o n s
t h i nk of t h e en d .
a g a i n s t t h e fa i t h or a g a i n s t p u r i t y p res en t t h ems el v es t h e wi s e r ,
c o u r s e i s t o d es p i s e t h e t emp ta t i o n r a th e r th a n g r a p p l e w i th it .
P ro u d p eop l e l i k e t h e d ev i l a re s oo n es t g ot ri d of b y i g n or i n g th em
, ,
a l t o g eth er If th e p a s s e r b y t a k es n o n ot i ce of t h e d og h e s oo n l ea ves
.
-
of f b a rk i n g If on e k eep s s t i ll th e b ees d o n ot h a rm h i m, b u t if on e
.
d r i ve s th em off, th en t h ey s t i n g Ag a i n , we ma y foll o w O u r L or d s
b
.
d eli g h t i n o c ca s i o n s of ev il a n d t o fa ll i n t o s i n , St Au g us t i n e d e .
c l a r es t o b e on e a n d t h e s a me t h i n St P eter s o u g h t t h e c omp a n y
g . .
o f t h e en emi e s of Ch r i s t i n t h e h i h
p ri es t s p a l a ce s a n d h e fell for
g
God w i t h d rew Hi s g r a ce He t h a t l ov eth d a n g er s h a ll p er i s h i n i t
,
E
( cc u l s i i.i .
He t h a t t o u ch eth p i t ch s h a ll b e d el ed w i th i t
( Ec cl u s x i i i
. .
3 . He wh o n ds hi ms el f i n c i rc ms ta n c es w hi ch are a n occa u
s i on of s i n t o hi m, a n d d oes n ot i ns t a ntl l ea e th em, a l th o gh i t y v u
i s i n hi s p ow er t o d o s o, c ommi ts a s i n ; h e will b e d epri ed of t h e v
v
a s s i s ta n c e of di i ne grac e a nd wil l fall i nto mort al s i n .
In p a r a d i s e Ev e s i nn ed b y n ot g o i n g a wa y fr om t h e t ree St . .
Au gu s t i n e s a ys ou r r s t p a r en t s ou g h t n ot t o h a ve s o mu ch a s
t o u ch e d t h e forb i d d en fru i t C l eomen es , K i n g of Sp a r t a , w a s o n c e
.
u rg ed b y a fore i g n p ri n ce t o b et r a y h i s c o u n t ry for a l a rg e s u m of
mo n ey Th e k i n g s l i tt l e d a u g h t e r, h ea r i n g wh a t w a s p rop o s ed , ex
.
cl a i med : F a t h e r, g o qu i t e a w a y or t h e s t r a n g er w i l l c orru p t t h ee
.
4 He wh o refus es t o gi ve up wh at i s to h i m a n occas i on of s i n
.
,
h erea fter .
th a t h el l a w a i ts t h o s e w h o w i ll n ot for s a k e th e o c c a s i o n s of s i n : If
t h y h a n d or t h y foo t s c a n d a l i z e t h ee cu t i t off a n d c a s t i t fro m t h ee
, .
t h a t i s t o s a y , a l th o u g h a n y o b j ec t b e a s d ea r t o y ou a s y o u r h a n d or
yo ur foo t , y ou mu s t s ep a r a t e y ou r s el f fro m i t , i f i t i s a n o c ca s i o n of
s i n t o y o u , or h ell w i ll b e y o u r p ort i o n
Wh a t s a c r i ces men w il l
.
foot i f i t i s a qu es t i o n of s a v i n g h i s l i fe, s o t h e s i n n e r mu s t d et a ch
b
h i ms elf fro m wh a t h e l o v es e s t , i n or d er t o s a ve h i s s o ul Tr a d e rs .
w i ll c a s t a ll th e i r merch a n d i s e i n t o t h e s e a t o s a ve t h e s h i p a n d th ei r
own l i v es fro m d e s t ru c t i o n ; s o w e mu s t p a rt wi t h a ll t o wh i ch ou r
h e a rt cl i n g s mo s t fo n dl y, r a th er th a n i mp er i l ou r et e rn a l s a l v a t i o n .
Hen ce v
th e greates t s ai n ts di d n ot
e en v u
en t re l i gh tl y to
exp os e v
th ems el es t o th e d anger of s in .
Th ei r wa tch wor d wa s : Sa fety i s i n i g h t . It i s s aid th a t St.
Occa s i on s o f Si n . 477
b
P et er on t he out reak of t h e p er s ecu t i o n , ed fro m R o me, fea r i n g l es t
h e s h o ul d a g a i n b e t emp t ed t o d en y C h r i s t ; n ot u n t i l O u r L ord a p
p e e red t o h i m o u t s i d e t h e c i t y g a t e s d i d h e v en t u r e t o exp o s e h i m
s elf t o t h e d a n g e r An d s h a ll t h os e wh o a re t h e s l a ve s of t h ei r
.
s en s es c o n s i d e r v i g i l a n c e t o b e s u p e r u o u s ? Will on e wh o c a nn o t
s wi m d a r e t o p l u ng e i n t o t h e wa t e r ?
Th os e, h ow e v er, wh o by
f th ei r c a lli n g or a n y oth er
rea s on o
y
n ec es s i t , a re comp ell e d to exp os e th ems el es to occ as i on s of v
s i n , mu s t p u t th ei r tru s t i n th e p rot ec t i on of t h e M os t Hi gh .
God b y p r es u mp t i o n t h ey ma y c o u n t u p o n t h e a s s i s t a n c e of Hi s
,
g r a c e ; b u t n ot s o t h o s e w h o i n a n u n c a ll ed for ma nn e r a n d w i t h
-
h i m, t h ey a re ch a n g ed a n d en n o b l ed
Ag a i n h e s a ys : How s w eet i t
.
Th e w orl d li n g , s a ys St B e rn a r d , . s ees ou r a f i c t i o n s , b u t h e
k n o ws n ot ou r c o n s ol a t i o n s Th o s e a re n o t ru e j oys wh i ch a re n ot i n
.
God .
t er of t h e h o u s e on e fr e qu en t s s o a s n ot t o a s s o c i a t e w i th h a r d
,
d r i n k er s or men wh o s e c on v er s a t i o n i s u n s e eml y
, U n fort u n a t el y .
t h o s e w h o s p en d mu ch of t h e i r t i me i n t h e s a l oo n a re a p t t o a c qu i re
t h e h a b i t o f d r i n k i n g a n d g a mb l i n g t o b e i n v ol ved i n qu a rrel s a n d
, ,
t o n eg l ect t h e d u t i es of t h e i r c a l li n g .
2 . y
Th e d a n ci n g s a l oon i s ch i e a s ou rce of d a n ger t o th os e
y
w h o c a rr d a n ci n g t o a n ex c es s , or w h o h a e a l rea d een l e d v yb
i n to s i n by it .
In t h e a rt of d a n c i n g t h er e i s n o t hi n g ev i l or r ep r eh en s i b l e ;
i t i s i n i t s elf n o th i n g mor e or l es s t h a n a n i n n o c en t mea n s of en j o y
men t a n d rel a x a t i on a n d of p ro mo t i n g g oo d feel i n g a n d fr i en dl y i n
,
a p a rt o f d i v i n e w or s h i p ; w e r e a d t h a t w h en t h e Ark o f t h e C o ven a n t
w a s r emo v ed D a v i d d a n c ed w i t h a l l h i s mi g h t b efor e th e L or d ( 2
,
an d St B as il . a nd
St G reg o ry th e Gr ea t s t a te a s t h ei r op i n i o n th a t
.
of n ot t a k i n g p a rt i n d a n c e s whi ch o u t r a g e mo d es t y a n d d ec oru m,
a s s o me d o i n t h e p r es en t d a y Y o u n g p e op l e mu s t , h o w ev e r, b e
.
w a rn ed a g a i n s t i n d ul g i n g i n t h i s a mu s emen t i n ord i n a t el y, a s i t h a s
a t en d en c y t o a ro u s e s en s u a l i t y, t o e xc i t e t h e p a s s i o n s a n d l e s s en t h e ,
s en s e of C h r i s t i a n mo d es t y L i vi n g a s t h ey d i d i n h ea t h en t i mes ,
.
b e u n fr i en dl y t o refu s e t o t a ke p a rt B u t t h o s e for wh o m d a n c i n g h a s
.
Wh en d r a ma s of a n el e yi n g n a tu re a re p u t u p on th e
va t i n g a n d ed i f
s t a g e p l a ys i n w h i ch vi r tu e a n d i n n o cen c e t r i ump h a n d h e r o i c d e v o
, ,
t i o n t o rel i g i o n t h e l o ve of o n e s c o u n t ry th e l o v e of o n e s n e i g h b or
, , ,
a re h el d u t o a d mi ra t i o n a n d t h e mi s er y a n d s h a me a t t en d a n t u p o n
p ,
c r i me d ep i ct ed i n i ts t r u e c o l or s t h e t h ea t re b ec o mes a s ch ool of
,
mo ra l s B ut g oo d p l a ys a re r a r e : t he y ill s ui t th e t a s te of t h e p res en t
.
d a y ; a n d o ft en t h ey wo u l d b e a ct ed t o a n emp t y h o u s e Th e ma j or i t y .
of p l a y s more e s p e ci a ll y on t h e c on t i n en t of Eu rop e a re of a qu es
, ,
t i on a b l e t en d en c y ; i n F r a n ce i n It a l y v i ce s o me i ll i c i t a f
fec t i o n
, ,
i s o ft en r ep res en t ed u p on t h e s t a g e a s a t t r a ct i ve a n d d el i g h t fu l wh i l e ,
s ea u s a y s th a t i n t h e t h ea t r e ou r ev il p ro p en s i t i es a re t oo o ft en fos
t ered a n d en c ou r a g ed ou r p ow e r t o res i s t t h e for ce of ou r p a s s i o n s
,
men t a s d i s t a s t eful M or e o ve r i t ca n n o t b e d en i ed th a t t h e h ea t ed
.
,
a t mo s p h er e of a c ro w d e d h o u s e a n d t h e l a t e h o u r s a re p rej u d i c i a l t o
t h e h ea l th of th e h a b i t u a l p l a y g o e r -
i n th e mi n ds of th os e w h o rea d th em reg l a rl ; a n d wh oe er u y v
u u
t ak es s ch j o rn a l s , d ec l a res h i ms el f a n en em to r el i gi on y .
Th e s o ci et y p a p er s of t h e d a y p a n d e r t o th e p op u l a r t a s t e Sc a n .
d al s i n h i gh l e p i f o,
li t i c a l f e u d s a n i,
m a d v e r s i o n s o n t h e c o n d u c t o f
d i h d f f
p m ne t p e
ro r o r r li i o or
i n s n s s n ,e e s a t e g u s n a n c es t e ,
e e n c e o
w ro n g d o e-
r s , s u c h i s t h e p a b u lu m t o o o ft e n p ro v i d e d f o r th e r e a d e r .
Th e w r i t er s i n s u ch p a p ers a re frequ en tl y th o s e w h o h a ve fa ll en l ow
i n th e s o c i a l s c a l e a n d t h e ed i t ors a re i n ma n y c a s es J ews
,
Th e.
H l F a th
o y e r h a s s a i d t h a t a l a r g pe ro p or t i o n o f t h e c o u n t l e s s e v i l s
of t h e d y a a n d t h e u n h a pp y c o n d i t i o n o f s o c i et y a re t o b e a s c r i b e d
to t h e j o u r n a l s t h a t i s s u e f ro m t h e p r es s a n d h e,
e x h or t s t h e f a i t h
fu l t o en d e a v or t o co u n t e r a c t t h e i r c orr u p t i n g i n u e n c e b y u p h o l d i n g
o
th s e th a t a r e o f a n o pp o s i t e t e n d e n c y N o t o n
. l y m a y t h i s b e d o n e
b b
y s u s cr i b i n g t o s ome C h ri s t i a n p er i o d i c a l l en d i n g i t t o o th e rs , ,
480 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n , Vi ce.
w ea l th , h s g ood w ork s h e h a d
i b
u i l t t h e J ews a s yn a g og u e he
t h o u g h t n o th i n g of h i ms elf Humi li ty i s t wofol d ; i t c on s i s t s of
b
.
h u mi l i t y of t h e u n d er s t a n d i n g , y wh i ch a ma n b eco mes c o n s c i o u s
of h i s own a b j ec t i o n , a n d h u mi l i t y of th e w i ll , wh i ch c a u s es h i m t o
ma n i fes t h i s co n s c i o u s n es s i n h i s c on du ct ; h e h u mb l es h i ms elf, a n d
t a k es t h e l o wes t p l a ce Th a t w o u l d b e fa l s e h u mi li t y wh i ch w as
.
y
-
ra i l t y .
kn owl ed g e of G od , t h a t h e mi g h t th er eb y kn o w h i ms el f Th e ma j es t y .
a re ma n y mi ll i o n or b s fa r s u rp a s s i n g i n ma g n i t u d e ou r e a r th , wh i ch
i s b u t a s p eck of d u s t i n th e u n i v er s e How i n s i g n i ca n t th en i s
.
ea ch i n d i v i d u a l ma n ! M u s t n ot t h e p r i d e of ev ery on e b e h u mb l ed
a t t h e s i g h t of t h e en d l es s myr i a d s of w orl d s t h a t p e o p l e s p a c e a n d ,
wh i ch n o ma n ca n c o u n t ? An d wh a t i s on e s i n g l e ma n a mo n g t h e
hu n dr ed s of mi ll i on s th a t i n h a b i t t h e e a r th , n ot t o s p e a k of t h o s e t h a t
h a v e l i v ed i n t h e p a s t , a n d w i ll li ve i n t h e fu t u r e Al l ea rthl y thi n g s .
p a s s a w a y l i k e a s h a d o w a n d h a v e n o v a l u e b e for e God Th e g r a v e .
,
s a ys St Jo h n C h r y s o s t o m, i s t h e s ch ool wh er ei n we l ea rn h u mi l i t y
. .
Let n o ma n p r i d e h i ms el f on h i s ri ch es ; h e ma y l o s e th em i n a
s i n g l e n i g h t ; h e mu s t l o s e t h em a t h i s d ea t h L et n o ma n p ri de .
h i ms elf on h i s p h ys i c a l b ea u t y, for i t ma y b e d i s g u r ed b y d i s ea s e,
a n d a ft e r d ea t h w il l b e t h e p r ey of w o rms L et n o ma n p ri d e hi m .
s elf u p o n h i s kn o wl ed g e ; h ow s oo n h e forg et s wh a t h e h a s l e a rn ed ,
a n d h ow i mmea s u r a b l e i s t h e a m o u n t of w h a t h e d o es n ot kn o w ! A
p h i l o s o p h e r o f a n t i q u i t y u s ed t o s a y : Al l I kn ow i s th a t I kn o w
n o th i n g
. If i t s eem t o t h ee t h a t t h o u kn owes t ma n y t h i n g s a n d
u n d ers t a n d es t th em w ell en o u gh , kn o w a t t h e s a me t i me t h a t th e r e
"
a re ma n y mor e t h i n g s of w h i ch t h o u a rt i g n or a n t ( Imi t a t i o n B oo k ,
1 , ch . B es i d es a l l ou r kn o wl ed g e i s i g n or a n ce c o mp a r ed w i th t h e
i n n i t e w i s d o m of God L et n o ma n p r i d e h i ms elf u p on e a rt h l y
.
h o n or , for t o d a y t h e p eo p l e c ry
-
Hos a n n a , a n d t o morrow C ru c i fy
him .
How s h ortli ved i s th e p ower an d p r es ti g e of ea rt hl y p o ten ta tes
( w i t n e s s N a p o l e o n ) L et . n o m a n p r i d e h i ms el f even u p o n t h e
g r a c e s h e h a s r e c e i v ed fro m G o d ,
for t h e y ma y b e w i th d r a wn a t a n y
xv . Aft e r w e h a v e d o n e a l l , we a re u n p ro t a b l e s er v a n ts ( L uk e
xv i i Wh a t ever th erefore a ma n ma y p o s s es s h e i n rea l i ty p os
b
.
,
s e s s es n o th i n g or n ext t o n o t h i n g Th e h u m l e ma n i s n o h y p oc r i te ;
.
h e o n l y forms a j u s t e s t i ma t e of t h i n g s .
b u
Th e h u m l e ma n con d cts h i ms el f i n th e foll owi n g ma n
n er : b
He d el i gh ts i n a a s emen t, h e d oes n ot a tta ch hi s h ea rt to
y
tra n s i tor good thi n gs , h e tr s ts wh oll u
i n God, a n d d oes n ot y
fear ma n .
1 7 wSev en P ri n cip a l Vi rtu es a nd the Seven P ri n cip a l Vi ces . 48 1
n er s ; u n c a ll e d for s el f b l a me g en er a ll y b et o k en s p r i d e
-
F u rth e rmore .
of o th er s , h e d o es n ot ch oo s e t h e h i g h es t p l a c e ( L u ke x i v 1 0) on t h e .
c o n t r a ry, h e r ej o i c es i n b ei n g s li g h t ed , d es p i s ed h u mi l i a t ed , kn o w i n g ,
p r a i s e of men d o n ot a l l u r e h i m ; h e i s a w a re t h a t h e i s n on e t h e
,
h ea r t en h i m ; h e g l or i es i n th em, b ec a u s e t h ey en a b l e h i m t o e a rn
h ea ven .He d es p i s es c on t emp t b eca us e i t c a n n ot h a rm h i m Th u s
, .
St P a u l wr i t es :
. To me i t i s a v er y s ma l l th i n g t o b e j u d g ed b y
y ou , or b y ma n s d a y
( 1 C or i v Th e h u mb l e ma n t ru s t s i n God
. .
a lo n e . C o n s c i o u s of h i s own w ea k n es s h e d o es n ot c o n d e i n h i s
own s t r en g t h b u t o n l y i n t h e a i d of d i v i n e g r a ce ; a s Jo s ep h d i d
,
n ot t a k e t o h i ms elf t h e c r ed i t e en of h i s v i r t u es a n d g oo d w ork s ,
b u t a s cr i b es a ll t o God kn o wi n g t h a t i t i s God W h o w orket h i n Hi m ;
,
a s t h e s u n ca ll s v eg et a b l e l i fe i n t o b ei n g u p o n t h e e a r th Y et h e i s .
b l es s ed M o th e r of God :
He t h a t i s mi g h t y h a th d o n e g rea t t h i n gs
t o me Th e r ec o gn i t i o n of t h es e fa v or s ma kes hi m
( Luke i .
h a s d on e g rea t t h i n gs for h i m
Th e h u mb l e ma n d o es n ot fea r men ,
.
a re n ot ch a r a c t er i s t i cs o f t ru e h u mil i t y .
2 v
Ch ri s t ga e us i n Hi ms el f th e gra nd es t exa mpl e of h mi l i ty ,
. u
b
for He, ei n g th e Son of God , t ook th e form of a s er ant , c h os e t o v
v
l i e i n grea t l owl i nes s , w a s mos t con d es cen di n g i n Hi s i nterco rs e u
y v u
wi th men , a nd n al l , ol ntari l en dured th e i gnomi ni o s d eath y u
of th e c ros s .
n a tu r e ( P hi l i i 7 In t h e Sa c r a men t of t h e Al t a r He even t a k es
b
. .
t h e form of b re a d An d a t th e a p t i s m of O ur L or d t h e Hol y Sp l rl t
.
4 82 3 00d Works , Vi rtue, Si n, Vi ce.
i n g t h e c o mi n g of C h ri s t s p o ke of Hi m u n der t h e d es i g n a t i o n of th e
L a mb of God Th u s w e s ee h ow a l mi gh t y God h umb les Hi ms elf
. .
p l a ce a n o b s c u re t o wn ; fo r H i s a p o s tl es n ot t h e p h i l o s op h ers a n d ,
s a g es of t h e w orl d b u t s i mp l e a n d u nl ea r n ed s h e rmen
, In Hi s .
t h e Sa ma r i t a n w o ma n M a ry M a g d a l en th e w o ma n t a ken i n a d ul
, ,
t ery ) ; a t t h e L a s t Su p p e r He w a s h ed Hi s di s c i p l es feet a n d ma de
,
n ot t h e s l i g h t es t o b j ec t i o n t o g o t o t h e h o u s e of th e cen t u ri o n wh en
v
,
t h e l a t t e r ent rea t ed Hi m t o c u re h i s s e r a n t ( M a t t v i i i 7 C ru c i . .
x i on w a s a t th a t t i me t h e mo s t i g n omi n i o u s d ea t h b y wh i ch a ma n
c o ul d di e y et C h r i s t ch o s e t h a t
, ery d e a t h for Hi ms elf ; s h o wi n g b y v
Hi s own a ct i on s th a t h umi l i t y i s t h e ro ya l ro a d t o God .
v
s h a ll h a e d on e a l l t h es e th i n gs th a t a re comma n d ed y ou s a y :
W e a re u n p rot a l e s erv an ts ( L k e b u
M oreo ver He c ommen d s
h umi l i t y i n t h e p a r a b l e of t h e Ph a r i s ee
a n d t h e p u b l i c a n ( L u k e xv i i i O n on e o c cas i on h e t oo k a ch i ld
.
a nd s a id : Wh o s o ev er s h a ll h u mb l e h i ms elf a s th i s l i ttl e ch i l d, h e i s
t h e g re a t e r i n t h e k i n g d om of h e a v en ( M a t t xv i i i He p res en ts . .
Hi ms el f t o u s a s a p a t te rn of thi s vi rt u e : L ea rn of M e, b eca u s e I
a m meek a n d h u mb l e of He a rt a n d y ou s h a l l n d r es t t o y o u r s o u l s
%
,
( M a tt x i 2 9
. F i n a l l y, He p ro mi s es t h a t t h e h umb l e s h a ll b e ex
.
a n d s h a ll en t e r i n t o t h e k i n g d o m of h e a ven
E
: I t e d ( L uk e x i v .
M a tt . v . 3)
3 H mi li t
. u y
l ea ds t o great s an cti ty , to xal tati on
e , a nd to
e v erl a s ti n g fel i c i t y .
u
Fu rth ermore th ro gh i t we o tain enl i gh t en men t of th e u n b
u
d ers ta n di n g, tr e p ea ce of mi n d, forgi en es s of s i n , a s p eed v y
y
a n s w er t o p ra er, a n d are en a l ed t o o erc ome temp t ati on wi th b v
ou t d if c l t u y .
b
God i s wi th t h e h u m l e If a n y on e h a s a l o wly o p i n i o n of h i m
.
t h a t t h e Hol y Sp i r i t d well s wi th i n h i m In th e r s t p l a ce t h e .
d own w a r d s th e th i n e a r s h o l d t h ei r h ea d s a l o ft Emp ty v es s el s ma k e
,
.
t h e mo s t s o u n d He w h o t h i nk s mu ch of h i ms elf, s a ys St Teres a ,
.
.
th i n k s mu ch of l i t tl e ; h e wh o th i n ks l i t tl e of h i ms elf, th i n k s l i ttl e
of mu ch
Hu mi li t y i s th e s u res t t es t of s a n ct i t y St P hil i p Ner i
.
. .
o
w a s n ce s e t y n b t h e H ol y F a t h e r t o a c o n v e n t i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f
R me on e o
o f w h o s e i n m a t e s e n j o y e d a r ep u t a t i o n fo r s a n c t i ty , l n
v
vi rt u es th ey i ma g i n e th ems el es to p o s s es s et c Th e p ro u d ma n re , .
w h i ch ll s on e w i th s t r a n g e fa n c i es a n d ma k es on e t a lk i n a fool i s h
ma n n e r a n d d o i rr a ti o n a l th i n g s P r i d e i s l i ke a b u b b l e t h a t l ooks
.
l a rg e b u t wh o s e s i z e i s d ecep t i ve ; i t i s a c o l or wh i ch fa d e s i n th e
,
s u n for t h e p ro u d w i ll a p p e a r i n al l t h ei r n a t i v e vi l en es s wh en a ft e r
, .
,
d ea t h t h ey s t a n d i n t h e l i g h t of t h e Su n of j u s t i c e
, Th ey a re like .
u
Th e p ro d ma n man i fes ts th e n d e op i n i on h e h as of h i m u u
s el f i n t h e foll ow i n g ma n n er : He tri es t o a ttra c t n oti c e hi s by
v
con ers a ti on a n d h i s dres s , h e s tri es a ft er h on or, d i s ti n c ti ons , v
a n d e a rt hl y
ri ch es , h e d es p i s es th e a s s i s t an c e a n d gra c e of God ,
a n d rel i es on l y
on h i ms elf a n d on earthl th i n gs y .
P r i d e i s a mi mi c r y of God Th e p ro u d ma n d es i res t o a p p ea r
!
r e a t e r t h a n h e i s I f h e h a s d o n e a n yt h i n g g oo d , h e b oa s ts l o u d l y of
g .
i t a s a h en c a ckl es wh en s h e h a s l a i d a n egg
,
Somet i mes h e Sp ea ks .
d ep rec i a t i n g l y of h i ms el f, b u t o nl y i n t h e h o p e of h e a r i n g o th er s
p r a i s e h i m t h e m or e H e. s l a n d e r s o t h e r s a n d t h i n k s e v i l o f t h em,
a s t h e P h a r i s ee d i d i n t h e Temp l e ( L u ke xv ii i P ri d e ma k es .
i t s el f ma n i fes t i n d r es s ; t h e p ro u d d r es s a b ove t h ei r s t a t i o n , th ey
d res s s h owil y, i n t h e l a t es t fa s hi o n , a n d w ea r a g rea t ma n y u n n eces
s a ry or n a men t s . Th e p eo p l e wh o a t t a ch s o mu ch i mp ort a n ce t o d res s
a re n ot a s a r u l e t h e mo s t vi r t u o u s Th ey a re ext r a v a g a n t , h a rd
.
c o s t l y a p p a r el ; g oo d a n d h o l y p eo p l e h a ve ge n e r a ll y d re s s ed i n a
s i mp l e, qu i et ma nn e r Th e Emp e ror He r a cl i u s fo u n d t h a t h e coul d
.
s u i t a b l y t o o n e s p o s i t i o n , a n d h a ve a s t r i c t r eg a rd t o cl e a n li n es s
.
Th e p ro u d p u r s u e h o n or s a s b o ys h u n t a ft e r b u tt e r i es ; a n d wh en
th ey h a ve g a i n ed t h em, t h ey exu l t a s l o u dl y a s i f t h ey h a d a ch i eved
s o me t h i n g w o n d er ful , a l th o u g h t h ey h a ve n o t h i n g t o o a s t of i n b
rea li ty ; for t h e h o n o r a n d a p p l a u s e of men a re l i ke t h e morn i n g d ew,
g l i tt er i n g w i th r a i n b o w t i n t s , b ut q
u i ckl y d i s a p p e a r i n g i n t h e s u n ,
or l i ke s mo ke wh i ch t h e w i n d c a rri es a w a y How fool i s h a re th ey .
He i s h i s own d ei t y .Th e b eg i n n i n g of t h e p r i d e of ma n i s t o fa l l
f fro m God ( Eccl u s x
of . Th e p ro u d n egl ec t p r a yer a n d th e
.
or d i n a n c es of r el i g i o n ; th ey a re n ot s en s i b l e of t h ei r own s i n fu l n es s
a n d mi s er y, or i f t h e y a re t h ey w i l l n ot a p p l y t o t h e p h ys i c i a n , b u t
t ry t o h ea l t h ems el ves Hen ce i t i s th a t God i s t h e en emy of t h e
v
.
p ro u d . G od r es i s t eth th e p ro u d ( 1 P et P r i d e i s h a t eful
. .
2 Pri d e l ea ds to a l l
. manner of vi c es , to d egra d ati on h ere a nd
Th e Seven P r i n cip a l Vi rtu es a nd the Seven P ri n cip a l Vi ces . 485
d a mn a ti on h ereafter ; i t
et ern a l al s o d es tro y s th e v lua e of a l l our
g ood w ork s .
P ri d e l ea d s t o a ll ma nn e r of vi ces P r i d e i s t h e b eg i n n i n g of a ll
v
.
s i n ( Ec cl u s x . t h e p a ren t of vi ce ; ma ny a n d e il a re h er p rog en y
. .
P r i d e l ea d s mor e es p ec i a ll y t o di s o b ed i en c e ( wi t n es s Ab s a l o m) ; t o
c r u el t y ( a s i n He ro d s c a s e, t o t h e mu r d e r of th e i nn oc en ts ) , t o
s ec re t p r i d e b y o p en s i n He p ermi t s t h e p ro u d t o fa ll i n t o s i n i n
.
p r i d e h a s v a n q u i s h e d a ll o t h e r v i c es W h en G o l i a t h fe l.l , t h e P h i l i s
t i n es t oo k t o i g h t ; wh en t h e roo t i s t o rn u p t h e t ree w i t h er s P ri de .
l ea d s t o d eg r a d a t i o n He th a t ex a l t et h h i ms el f s h a ll b e h u mb l ed
.
( Lu k e x i v . Th e l i g h tn i n g s t rikes wh a t i s h i g h es t ; a l o ft y t r ee
i s o ft en s t r u c k d o wn b y t h e b ol t Ap p l y t h a t t o t h e p ro u d Ama n ,
. .
t h e ch i ef mi n i s t e r of t h e Ki n g of P er s i a , p e rs ecu t ed t h e Jews a n d
a rro g a t ed t o h i mse lf reg a l h o n o rs ; h e en d ed b y b ei n g h un g on a g i b
b et ( Es th v i i . Ki n g Hero d w a s d el i gh t ed a t ei n g c a l l ed a g od ;
. b
h e w a s ea te n of w orms a n d d i ed ( Ac t s x i i G od h a t h o v e r .
t u r n ed t h e t h ro n es of p ro u d p r i n ces ( Eccl u s x 1 7 He o ft en ch a s . .
t i s es th e p r i d e of n a t i o n s , a n d even d es t ro ys t h em a l t og et h er ( wi tn es s
t h e fa ll of t h e Ro ma n emp i r e ) G od even a b ol i s h es t h e memory of
.
t h e p ro u d ( Eccl u s x 2 1 ) ( wi tn es s t h e d es t ru ct i o n of t h e t ow er of
. .
P r i d e a l s o l ea d s t o et ern a l d a mn a t i on It w a s t h e ca u s e of th e .
a n g el s b ei n g c a s t ou t of h e a v en , a n d ou r r s t p a r en t s b ei n g exp ell ed
fro m p a ra d i s e As on e s c a l e i n a b al a n c e d rop s as t h e o th e r ri s es ,
.
d ow n t h e s t r u ct u r e t h a t j u s t i ce r a i s es As a d rop of g a ll s p o i l s th e
.
a vor of t h e mo s t d el i c i o u s w i n e, s o p r i d e ru i n s vi rt u e It i s li ke th e .
l i ttl e w o rm t h a t c a us ed Jo n a s i v y t o wi t h er Wh a t eve r g oo d a ma n
.
3 . OB EDIENCE .
1 . O b edi en e c c ons i s ts in b ei n g re a dy u
to f ll th e b eh es t of
one s s up eri or.
Th u s ob ed i en ce d o es n ot mer el y co ns i s t i n d o i n g wh a t i s com
, b
ma n d ed b u t i n e i n g r e a d y a n d wi ll i n g to d o wh a t i s c o mma n d ed .
M a n y ob ey b u t o b ey g r u d g i n gl y ; i n tha t ca s e ob e d i en ce i s n o vi rt u e
, .
M or eo ver ob ed i en ce i s n ot a vi rt u e u n l es s i t i s for Go d s s a k e t h a t on e
s u b j ect s o n e s wi ll t o th a t of a n o th er
Ab r a h a m w a s a p a t tern of .
t i s ed o b e d i en ce for He wa s s u b j ect t o tw o of Hi s c re a t u r es M a ry
, ,
a n d Jo s ep h Th e C r e a t or of a l l th i n g s ob eyed a n a rt i s a n t h e L or d of
.
,
wi th t h a t ? C h ri s t w a s mor eo v e r o b ed i en t t o Hi s h ea venl y F a th er
v
e en t o th e d e a th of th e c ro s s ( Phil i i B y t h e o edi en ce of on e
. . b
48 6 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n , Vi ce .
ma n y s ha ll b e ma d e j us t ( R om v . . I a d mi re, s a y s St F ra n ci s
.
wh a t ever He i s t ol d w i th o u t a wor d
.
1 . u
C h i ldren a re re q i red to o e th ei r p a ren ts , or t h os e wh o by .
h ol d th e p l a c e of p a ren ts to th em, w iv es th ei r h s a n ds , s er an ts ub v
th ei r ma s t ers , a n d a l l men th os e wh o a re p l a ced i n a th ori t o er u y v
th em, w h eth er eccl es i as ti c a l or s ec l a r rul ers u .
b
. .
d r en , o ey y o u r p a ren t s i n a ll t h i n g s ( C ol i i i An d a g a i n : . .
Th o s e wh o a re d i s ob edi en t t o p aren ts a re w or th y of d e a th
( R om
b
.
i
. Tea ch er s a re th e p a ren t s r ep r es en t a t i v es
Wi ves mu s t o ey .
t h ei r h u s b a n d s , for s o God h a s a p p o i n t ed He s a i d t o Ev e a ft er t h e .
F a ll : Th o u s h a l t b e un d e r t h y h u s b a n d s p ower, an d h e s h a ll h a ve
d o mi n i o n o ver th ee
( Gen i i i Th e v er y or i g i n of th e w o ma n
. .
p ro v es h er s u b j ect i on t o ma n , for s h e w a s ma d e of hi s es h , a n d th u s
b el o n g s t o h i m As a ma rk of i n fe ri or i t y th e w o ma n s h ea d mu s t b e
.
c o v er ed ( 1 C or x i . St P et e r t ea ch es s erv a n t s t h ei r d u t y tow a r d s
. .
t h ei r ma s t er s i n t h e fo l l o w i n g w ord s :
Se rv a n t s , b e s u b j ect t o y o u r
ma s t er s w i th a l l fe a r, n ot on l y t o t h e g oo d an d g en tl e, b u t a l s o t o t h e
frow a r d ( 1 P et i i . O u r L ord a d mo n i s h es u s t o o b ey ou r eccl es
.
i as t i c a l s u p er i or s , s a y i n g : Wh o s o wi ll n ot h ea r th e C h u r ch , l et h i m
b e t o t h ee a s t h e h ea t h en a n d t h e p u b l i ca n ( M a tt xvi i i 1 7 Be . .
c a u s e of t h e o b e d i en ce r e qu i r ed of C h r i s t i a n s , h e c a ll s t h em s h eep
a n d t h os e wh o a re s et o v er t h em p a s t or s W e o u g h t a l s o t o o b ey t h e
.
P a ul s a ys : Th er e i s n o p ow e r b u t from G od , a n d t h o s e t h a t a re , a re
or d a i n ed of God Th erefore h e t h a t res i s teth th e p owe r, res i s t eth th e
m
.
o rd i n a n c e of God ( R o xi i i 1 , . .
2 . Y et o b e d i en c e h as certa in li mi ts ; w e a re n ot re quire d to
o by
e ou r s up eri ors in matters th a t a re n ot w i thi n th ei r j u ri s di c
ti on , a n d w e ou gh t n ot to o b y th e em i f th ey co mman d us to do
wh a t th e l a w of God for i ds b .
( Th i s
j ect i s fu ll y
s ub t r ea t e d of u n d e r t h e h ea d of t h e F o u r th
C o mma n dmen t ) .
2 . O b
i s th e mos t di fc l t a nd a t th e s ame ti me th e
edi ence u
mos t excel l ent of a l l th e moral i rt es ( St Th oma s Aq i n a s ) v u . u .
O b ed i en ce i s t h e mo s t d i fcul t of v i rt u es b eca u s e a ll me n a re
_
n a t u r a ll y i n cl i n ed t o c o mma n d a n d d i s i n cl i n ed t o ob ey, O b ed i .
i s t h e s a c r i ce of o n e s own w i ll a n d i t
en ce, s a y s St B o n a v en t u re,
.
,
s t a n d i n g d o e s p en a n c e ; i t i s a k i n d of mor a l ma rt yr d o m O r i gi n a l .
48 8 Good Works , Vi r tu e Si n, Vi ce
, .
2 Di s o
. b edi ence b ri ng s temp ora l mi s fortune a nd eterna l mi sery
up on ma n .
me a n s of b ri n g i n g evi l up on a ll h i s p o s teri t y P h a r a o s d i s ob ed i en ce
.
fei t c o i n .
of J u dg men t for i n d es p i s i ng t h ei r s u p e r i or s t h ey h a v e d es p i s ed
n ot th em b u t Hi m Wh o s e rep res en t a t i ves t h ey a re
, , ,
, D i s o b ed i en c e d e .
b y t h e s t a i n of d i s o b ed i en ce ; i t th en i s ch an g ed fro m a v i r tu e t o a
v i ce . D i s obe d i en ce a l s o d ep ri ves u s of ma n y gra ces wh i ch we mi g h t
ha v bt
e o a i n ed th ro gh u b
o ed i en e. c
t o b e a b u r d en t o o t h er s on a cc o u n t of i t Th a t i s n ot b ei n g t r ul y .
p a t i en t O u r L or d a fford s u s th e mo s t exa l t ed ex a mp l e of p a t i en ce
.
i n Hi s P a s s i o n O u r h ea ven l y F a th er a l s o exh i b i t s Hi ms el f t o u s a s
.
a r o ck i n t h e o c e a n , on wh i ch t h e w a ves b r e a k Ag a i n , h e ma y b e .
c o mp a r ed t o a l a mb wh i ch d o es n ot u tt e r a s o u n d wh en i t i s s l a i n
,
.
Th e tri al s li fe i n wh i ch i t s p eci a ll
of eh ooves u s t o ma i n yb
u y
ta i n ou r tran q i lli t of mi n d a re : Si ckn es s a n d re ers es , rel a p s e v
u
i n to s i n , th e p res s re of man a n d on ero s d ti es ap p erta i n i n g t o y u u
ou r c all i n g .
v
Si ckn es s a n d re er s es a re n ot r ea ll y c al a mi t i es ; th ey a re g ra ces .
God s en d s th em u p o n u s for th e g oo d of ou r s o ul s W e o u g h t t h e re .
fore t o wel c o me t h em W e mu s t n ot b e i rr i t a t ed w i th o u r s el v es i f
.
b y rea s o n of ou r fr a i l t y w e rel a p s e i n t o ou r ol d s i n s a n d t h u s a re ,
i n p a t i en ce
( L u k e v i i i W e m u s t n ot l o s e.o u r e q u a n i mi t y
wh en ou r w ork i s p res s i n g a n d di fcul t. Exci t ement c rea t es h a s te ,
Th e Seven P r i n ci p a l Vi rtu es a nd th e Seven P r i n cip a l Vi ces . 489
wh o mi n i s t er t o ma n w i th o u t d i s qu i et or h u rry We ou gh t a l s o t o .
w a i t w i t h p a t i en ce for t h e en d of ou r l i fe a n d our en t ra n ce u p o n et er
n a l fel i ci t y ( R om v i i i . .
u
Tra n q ill i t of mi n d i s di s p l a ed y n ot i eld i n g t o a n ger,y by y
or t o s a dn es s , or c omp l a i n i n g t o a ny grea t ext en t a n d ca l l i n g for
We o u g h t t o yi el d t o a n g er
n ot An g er o b s c u r es t h e rea s on a n d
j
.
ma ke s a n a c t u n j u s t l y Th e a n g e r of ma n w ork et h n ot t h e u s t i ce
.
of G od
( Ja s i Nor o u g h t t h e t r i b u l a ti on s of t h i s l i fe to
. .
t h a t w h i ch i s ca u s ed b y t h e l o s s of et ern a l t h i n g s O u r L ord .
Bl es s ed a re t h ey t h a t mo u r n , for t h ey s h a l l b e comfort ed
s a ys :
l i n g o ve r t h e l o s s of mun d a n e th i n g s , worketh d e a th ( 2 C or v i i . .
Sa d n es s h a t h k i ll ed ma n y, a n d t h ere i s n o p ro t i n i t ( Eccl u s
O u r L or d u tt ered c o mp l a i n t s u p o n th e c ro s s ; ou r h e a ven l y F a th er
fr equ en tl y c o mp l a i n ed of t h e c o n d u ct of s i n n er s b y t h e mo u t h of
t h e p r op h et s B u t a med i u m mu s t b e o b s er ved ; w e mu s t n ot l a men t
.
o ve r t ri e s , n or l et ou r comp l a i n i n g b e p rol on g ed or ex a g g er a t ed ;
t o d o s o i s t o ev i n ce s el s h n es s or c o wa rd i ce C o mp l a i n t o God as .
l o n g a n d a s l o u d l y a s y ou wi ll , for y o u r c o mp l a i n t s a re a n a p p e a l t o
H q
i m for h el p , a n d c o n s e u en t l y a re p l e a s i n g t o i m B u t i f y ou ll H .
h ea r y ou , a n d t o i mp a r t t o y ou s u ch c o n s ol a t i o n a s w i ll ca u s e y ou t o
forg et a ll y o u r s orrow O u r L ord s a ys : . C o me u n t o M e, a ll y ou t h a t
( M a tt x i
l a b or a n d a re b u r d en ed , a n d I w ill refres h y ou . .
St Ter es a s a y s t h a t i f w e b ea r s l i g h t t h i n g s p a t i en t l y w e s h a ll
. .
,
a c qu i r e c o u r a g e a n d s t ren g th t o b ea r g re a t t h i n g s Th e p a t i en t ma n .
d i s p l a ys fort i t u d e e qu a l t o th a t of t h e ma rt yr s P a t i en c e i s t h e .
g u a r d i a n of a ll t h e vi r t u es , for t h ere a re ob s t a cl es t o b e en c o u n t e r ed
i n ever y g oo d w ork, a n d th ey ca n o n l y b e o v er c o me b y p a t i en c e .
c ro wn of ma rt yr d o m ma y b e a c qu i r ed w i th o u t t h e s w or d Th e .
p a t i en t ma n i s g r ea t er t h a n h e wh o w or k s mi r a cl es P a t i en c e l ea d s .
t o s a lva t i on In y o u r p a t i en ce y ou s h a l l p o s s es s y o u r s o u l s
.
( L u ke
xx i . F r a g il e t h i n g s a re n ot s o l i kel y t o b e b ro k en i f th ey a re
w r a p p ed i n w ool , n or a re ou r s o u l s s o l i k el y t o b e l o s t i f th ey a re s afe
gu a r d ed b y p a t i en ce Th e p a t i en t ma n i s l i k e a s h i p a t a n ch or i n a
.
3 . b
If w e w oul d ea r wi th p a ti en ce th e tri a l s of l ife, l et u s
p l a c e O u r L ord
s P as s i on b
efore ou r e es ; l et u s a l s o con s i d er y
th a t s u fferi n gs a r e a fa or from God v .
Thi n k up on th e P a s s i o n of C h r i s t He d ra n k of t h e b i t t er c u p
. ,
ed y o u r s u ffer i n g s ca n n o t b e c o mp a r ed w i t h Hi s ei th e r i n i n t en s i ty ,
L et th e s i ck ma n
t o b e s eve rel y w o u n d ed . s a y s St F r a n c i s of , .
w i th t h e s u fferi n g s of C hr i s t
R ememb er th e words t h e a r ch a n g el
.
R a p h a el s a i d t o To b i a s : B ec a u s e t h o u w a s t a c cep t a b l e to G od i t ,
t i o n s we mu s t en t er i n t o th e ki n g d o m of God ( Act s x i v As
t h e b i tt e r p i ll i s c o a te d w i th s ug a r t o r en d er i t p a l a t a bl e s o wh en we
.
wi t h o u t t h e a n t i ci p a t i on of th e w a g es t o b e p a i d h i m a n d th e ,
th ou g h t of ou r et ern a l r ewa rd en a b l es u s t o b ea r t h e t r i a l s of l i fe
wi th p a t i en ce Th i n k of t h e ma r t yr s a n d of o th ers w h o h a ve
.
,
g rea t er a f i ct i o n s t ha n y ou a n d y o u r t h or n s wi ll l o s e th ei r s h a rp
,
n es s. B ew a r e of l o s i n g mer i t b y i mp a t i en ce ; r ememb e r t h a t y ou
mu s t s u ffer ei th e r wil l i n g l y or u n wi ll i n g l y ; i f y ou s uffe r wi lli n g l y
, ,
y ou w i ll ea r n g re a t me r i t ; i f u n wi ll i n g l y y ou d o n ot d i mi n i s h b u t , ,
meekn es s a n d p ea cea b le n es s .
ti on wh en wrong i s d one us .
s a ke b u t t h a t i s n o v i rt u e
, O n e wh o i s meek d o es n ot exc i t e h i ms el f
.
wh en h e i s w ro n g e d i e h e b ea r s i n j u s t i ce i n s i l en c e a n d i s p ol i t e
, . .
, ,
a lmi g h t y p o w e r a g a i n s t t r a n s g r es s or s He hea rs wi th t h e s i nn er . ,
th e b u rn i n g u s h ( Exo d t o El i a s He s p o ke b y t h e wh i s tl i n g
.
of a g en tl e wi n d ( 3 K i n g s x i x Th i s w a s n ot w i th o u t a d eep
.
O u r L ord p ro cl a i med Hi ms el f b y t h e mo u th of t h e p ro p h et s t o b e th e
b
L am of G od ( Jer x i . Wh o c a n fa i l t o b e a s t o n i s h ed a t th e
.
on a cc o u n t o f h i s meekn es s a n d s a n c t i e d h i m ( Eccl u s x l v . .
O u r L or d s a ys : B l es s ed a re t h e meek , for th ey s h a ll p o s s es s
l
th e a d n ( M a t t v t
. h a
. t i s t h e y s h a ll g a i n c o m m a n d o v e r o t h e rs .
T h o s e w h o a re me e k g a i n th e a ffec t i o n s o f t h e i r f ell o w m en a n d -
r en d er th em k i n dl y d i s p o s ed If on e wh o i s i n cen s ed a g a i n s t an oth er
.
b b
.
t o w a r d s t h os e un d er t h e m M eekn es s w a s t h e ch i ef ch a r a cter i s ti c
.
of t h e a p o s t l e s O u r L or d s a i d t o th em :
. B eh ol d , I s en d y ou a s
s h eep i n t h e mi d s t of w o l ves
( M a tt x It o u g h t a l s o t o b e t h e
. .
a re r ema rk a b l y g en tl e .
1 . b
Pea c ea l enes s c on s i s ts i n wi l li ngl y maki ng a s acri c e for
th e s ak e of rema i ni ng a t p eac e wi th one s nei gh or, or rec onc il i ng
b
on e s s elf wi th hi m
.
Ab ra h a m w a s o
c n t en t t o t a ke t h e w or s t p ort i o n of t h e l a n d, i n
ord e r wi t h L o t s s e rv a n t s ( Gen St F r a n c i s
t o k eep t h e p ea ce . .
h e qu i t t ed i t w i th o u t a mu rmu r, a n d t h e n ext n i g h t a h u rr i ca n e d e
s t ro yed t h e h o us e St Ig n a t i u s of L o y ol a , w h en r et u r n i n g fro m
. .
P a l e s t i n e w a s ru d el y refu s e d a p a s s a g e i n t h e s h i p on wh i ch h e
v
,
w i s h ed t o emb a rk Th a t es s el s a nk on i t s w a y t o Eur op e ; t h e on e
.
i n wh i ch h e s a i l ed g ot s a fel y t o p ort P ea c e i s i n v al u a b l e t o ma n k i n d . .
Th e a n g el s wh o a nn o u n ced th e b i rt h of C hr i s t c o ul d w i s h n o th i n g
b ett er t o ma n ( L uk e i i O u r L or d p ro mi s ed t o g i v e Hi s p ea ce
.
t o Hi s a p o s tl es ( Joh n x i v 2 7 an d He s a l u t ed t h em wi t h t h e w or d s :
.
P ea ce b e t o y ou
( Jo h n xx Th i s w a s a l s o t h e s a l u t a t i o n He
.
a re l i ke G od ; He i s n ot t h e G od of d i s s en s i o n b u t of p e a ce ( 1 C or , .
for et o l d Hi s comi n g a s t h e P r i n ce of p e a c e ( Is i x An d a t th e . .
b i rt h of C h r i s t t h e t emp l e of J a n u s w a s cl o s ed, b ec a u s e p ea ce r ei g n ed
eve ry w h e r e .
2 . y
Peac ema k ers enj o th e s p ec i al p rotecti on of God , a nd rec ei v e
u
a h n dredfol d a s th e rew ard of a l l th at th e gi e up for t h e s ak e y v
of p eac e .
h ow St F r a n c i s of Sa l es a n d St Ig n a t i u s w er e s a v ed fro m d i s a s t er
. .
a n d d e a t h t h ro u g h t h ei r l o ve of p ea c e Not on l y i n th i s worl d b u t a ls o .
,
c o n t en t i o n a n d c o mp l a i n i n g .
3 . Hen ce e v y
er on e o ugh t t ob e w ill i n g t o ma k e c on c es s i on s
for th e s a k e of p ea ce , a n d as fa r as l i es i n h i s p ow er, t o a oi d a ll v
th a t may en gen d er s tri fe .
We ou gh t t o p u t u p w i th a g r ea t d e a l for t h e s a ke of p ea ce.
B e a r y e o n e a n o t h er s b u r d e n s
( Ga l v i M a n y p e op l e a re . .
p ea cea b l e a s l o n g a s n o on e i n t e r fe r e s w i th t h em, a n d a l l g o es on l n
Th e Sev en P r i n ci p a l Vi rtu es and th e Sev en P ri n cip a l Vi ces . 49 3
en o u g h a s l o ng a s i t i s l eft a l o n e ; b u t s t i r i t u p a n d i t emi t s a mo s t ,
u n p l ea s a n t o d or We o u g h t a l s o ca reful l y t o a v o i d everyth i n g t h a t
.
ma y s t i r u p c o n ten t i o n O n e s h ou l d n ever c on t r a d i ct a n y on e wi th ou t
.
a g oo d r e a s o n St Teres a b i d s u s n ever t o en te r u p o n a s t ri fe of
. .
w or d s a b o u t ma tt er s of n o i mp o rt a n ce es p ec i a ll y a t o n e s own re
,
s i de A s h i p i n wh i ch th e t i mb ers a re n ot well j o i n ed w i ll s i n k ; s o
b
.
of p ea c e o mi t or g i ve u p a n yt h i n g w h i ch G od c o mma n d s ; t h a t i s
n ot t h e p ea ce God d es i r es ; h en ce O u r L or d s a ys : D o n ot t h i n k t h a t
I ca me t o s en d p ea c e u p o n ea rt h ; I c a me n ot t o s en d p ea ce b u t t h e
s wor d ( M a tt x . So me p eop l e wil l n o t l et y ou b e a t p e a ce wi t h
.
t h em u nl es s y ou a cq u i esce i n th ei r ev il d eed s s u ch p e a c e i s n u ,
l a wful .
Th e ma n wh o i s i n a r a g e i s more l i ke a ea s t th a n a ma n Hi s b .
c o u n t en a n ce i s d i s t ort ed , h e g n a s h es h i s t eet h r a i s es h i s v o i c e g es , ,
d og wh i ch b a rk s a n d b i t es i f y ou d o b u t t o u ch h i m ; l i ke i n t t h a t
g i ves ou t s p a rks k ; li ke a n emp t y ves s el wh i ch c r a cks
wh en i t i s s t uc r
wh en p u t on t h e re Were th e ves s el fu l l of w a te r i t woul d n ot
.
,
b re a k ; w ere t h e h ea r t fu ll of g r a ce i t s p a t i en ce w oul d n ot g i ve wa y , .
An g ry p eo p l e a l w a y s p u t t h e b l a me of t h ei r a n g er on o t h er s b u t ,
exp e r i en c e p ro v e s t h a t t h ey g i ve w a y t o i rr i t a b i l i t y wh en th ey a re
a l on e Z ea l for Go d s g l ory i s ca ll ed j u s t a n g e r ; s u ch wa s th e a n g er
.
O u r L or d d i s p l a yed wh en He d ro v e t h e s el l er s of d o ves a n d t h e
,
t u r n i n g fro m t h e M o u n t h e s a w t h e p eo p l e w or s h i p p i n g th e g o l d en
,
c a lf . Ju s t a n g e r i s n ot rea ll y a n ge r ; i t i s t h e o ffs p r i n g of ch a r i t y ,
a n d l i k e ch a r i t y i s p a t i en t k i n d c a lm a n d n ot a ct u a t e d b y h a t r ed
, , , , .
J u s t a n g er i s qu i t e l a wful B e y e a n g ry a n d s i n n ot
.
( Ps iv . .
Th a t a n g er a l o n e i s s i n ful w h i ch d es i re s t o t a ke p er s o n a l r even g e .
2 u
Th os e wh o i n d l ge a n ger i nj re th ei r h eal th , t emp orari l y
. u
l os e th e us e of rea s on, mak e th ems el es h at ed, a nd i n c ur th e v
d anger of l os i ng etern al s al a ti on v .
t o t h e h ea l th a n d s h ort en s o n e s l i fe
It ca u s es th e g a ll t o o vero w, .
a n d p o i s o n s th e b l oo d Th e ma n wh o i s i n a r a g e i s l i ke t h e an g ry
.
b ee wh i ch l os es i ts s t i n g , or l i ke a v ol ca n o , t h a t w i d en s i t s c r a t er a n d
b u rn s i ts elf ou t An g e r exh a u s t s t h e b o d y i n eve ry p a rt Wh en a
b
. .
ma n i s i n a ra g e, h e t rem l es in every l i mb , h i s h ea rt b ea t s h i g h , h i s
4 94 Good Works , Vi rtue, Si n , Vi ce .
t o ng ue fa l ter s , b
h i s fa ce u rn s , hi s ey es g l o w l ike re, h e s h o u ts
a l ou d . b
An g e r ch e ri s h ed i n th e re a s t d es t ro ys l i fe a s t h e worm a t th e
ro ot of a tree En vy a n d a n g er s h orten a ma n s d a ys
.
( Ecclu s .
o dy , wh a t mu s t i t b e t o t h e s o ul ! An g e r t emp or a r i l y d ep ri ves a
ma n of th e u s e of re a s on Every vi ol en t emo t i o n t r ou b l es t h e un d er
.
.
b
wh en l a s h ed i n t o fu ry y t h e w av es ; i t reect s n o th i ng d i s t i n ctl y .
of on e wh o was ma d wi th a n g e r, s a i d : L or d , forg i ve h i m ; h e kn o ws
n ot wh a t h e d o es
Th u s i n h i s a n g er a ma n w ill a ct mo s t u n j u s t l y ;
.
n ot t h e j u s t i c e of G od M en i n t h ei r a n g er a re w ors e t h a n w i l d
.
b ea s t s , for t h e li on w h en h e i s en r a g ed d o es n ot fa ll u p o n h i s c omp a u
i on l i o n s , wh ere a s t h e i r a t e ma n ven t s h i s wr a t h u p o n h i s fell ow men -
.
He i s w or s e t h a n t h e evil s p i r i t s , for th ey l i ve i n a mi t y wi th on e
a n o t h e r , a l t h o u g h t h e y a re t h e a u t h or s of a ll d i s s en s i o n An d h ow .
l a ws u i t s ? A ma n wh o i s ea s i l y p ro v o ked t o a n g er i s h a te d b y h i s
fell ow men-
h e i s a s l i t t l e wel c ome a s a h u rr i ca n e or a w a te rs p ou t ;
e ver y on e a v o i ds a n a n g ry ma n a s eve r y on e g et s ou t of t h e w a y of a
ma d d og He h a s n o fr i en d s : B e n ot a fri en d t o a n a n g ry ma n
.
,
a n d d o n ot w a l k w i t h a fu r i o u s ma n M en a re
( P ro v xx i i
b
. .
e a s i ly l ed y c a lm r ea s on , b u t th ey res i s t i f a n a n g ry ma n a tt emp ts
t o d o mi nee r over t h em It i s ea s ie r t o d ea l w i th a b ru t e b ea s t t h an
.
a i d es , for wh e r e an g e r i s t h er e i s n o p ea ce As t h e i n h a b i t a n t of a
.
h o u s e c o n s t ru ct ed of w oo d i s i n c o n s t a n t d a n g e r of h a vi n g i t b u rn t
d o w n , s o the ch ol er i c ma n i s i n c o n s t a n t d a n g er of i n j u r i n g h i s s o ul
a n d b e i n g c a s t i n t o e ve rl a s t i n g re In fa ct h ell h a s a l r ea d y b eg u n
.
u n t i l t h e t emp es t i s o ve r St F r a n c i s of Sa l e s on b e i n g a s k ed h ow
. . ,
my t on gu e n eve r t o u tt e r a w or d wh i l e my h ea r t i s exc i t ed
A .
and is v r
ne e o h o weve r mu ch h e p o s s es s es
c n t en t , Th us h e i s co ve .
q
c o n s i s t o nl y i n a c u i r i n g fr es h r i ch es w i t h e a g e rn es s , b u t i n g r eed i l y
ret a i n i n g wh a t on e a l rea d y h a s He wh o cl i n g s t en a c i o u s l y t o th e .
p ro p e r t y h e h a s a cc u m u l a t e d , i s n i gg a r d l y or p e n u r i o u s h e w h o
g r u d g es e v e r y l i tt l e o u t l a y , i s a m i s er We meet wi th c o vet o u s p er
.
mo n ey wi t h o u t a va ri c e, a n d a mo n g th e p oor a va ri ce wi t h o u t mon ey .
Th e c o v et o u s i s a w or s h i p p er of i d ol s ( Ep h v for g ol d i s h i s
. .
g o d . T o t h i s d e i t y h e d e v o t es a ll h i s t h o u g h t s a n d al l hi s c a r e , a ll
h i s effort s a n d a s p i r a t i on s , t h e s wea t of h i s fa ce ; h e even s a c ri ce s
t o i t h i s s p i r i tu a l w el fa re a n d h i s et ern a l s a l va t i o n As t h e a ng el s .
n d t h ei r h i g h es t fel i ci ty i n th e c o n t emp l a t i on of t h e G o dh ea d , s o
t h e r i ch d el i g h t i n n o t hi n g mor e t h a n i n h a n d l i n g a n d c o u n t i n g t h ei r
mon ey How g re a t a s i n i s t h i s , whi ch s u b j ect s u s t o th e d o mi ni o n
.
of t h o s e t h i n g s w h i ch w e re c re a t ed for ou r s er vi ce !
v u
2 Th e a ari c i o s a re mi s era l e oth i n ti me and i n eterni ty ;
. b b
y
for t h e s a k e of mone th e c ommi t a ll ma nner of s i ns , th ey l os e y
th e fa i th a n d th ei r p eac e of mi n d, t h e a re c r el t o th ems el es y u v
a nd h ardh eart ed t o th ei r n ei gh or, a nd n al l y p eri s h et ern all b y.
h e d g e ; a n d h e b i t es y ou w i t h hi s ven o mo u s fa n g s wh en y ou g reed i ly
c l u t c h a t g ol d He wh o a ccumul a t es ri ch es a n d d o es n ot g i ve t o
.
i t i s d i s t r i b u t ed t o t h e n ee d y Th ey t h a t wi ll b ec o me r i ch fall
.
i n t o t emp t a t i o n a n d i n t o t h e s n a re of t h e d evi l a n d i n t o ma n y un ,
s
p ro t a b l e a n d h u rt fu l d es i res wh i ch d ro wn men i n t o d es t ru ct i o n a n d
,
p erd i t i o n ( 1 Ti m v i F or t h e s ak e of mo n ey th e c o vet o u s fa ll
. .
i n t o a l l m an n er of s i n s Su ch a on e s e tt et h ev en h i s own s o ul for
.
s a le
( Eccl u s x .Greed of mon ey l l s t h e h o u s es wi t h thi eves
.
,
th e p oor wi t h t ea r s , t h e p r i s o n s wi th c r i mi n a l s a n d h ell w i th th e
rep ro b a t e F or mon ey Ju d a s b et r a yed h i s L or d a n d M a s t e r Not
. .
th e Gr e a t s a y s t h a t th e g re a t es t of a ll t h e ev i l a r i s i n g fro m c o vet o u s
n es s i s t h e d es t r u c t i o n of fa i th Th e a va ri c i o u s a re s o a b s orb e d i n
.
t h e p u r s u i t of ma t e r i a l g a i n t h a t t h ey c an n o t g i v e a th o u g h t t o
t h ei r s p i r i t u a l wel fa r e Y ou ca n n o t s erv e God a n d mammon ( L uk e
.
xv i . A r i ch mer ch a n t l a y on h i s d ea t h b ed a n d a p r i e s t s t oo d -
a t h i s s i d e u rg i n g h i m t o rep en t a n ce
, Aft er s et t i n g b efore h i m th e .
g r a vi ty of h i s s t a t e t h e p r i es t h el d u p a s i l ve r c r uc i x b efor e hi m
, .
a n d th e p r i es t r ej o i ced t h i n k i n g t h e ma n s h e a rt w a s t o u ch ed
, B ut
n o ; t h e o n l y w or ds t h a t es ca p ed h i s l i p s w er e t h es e : Wh a t d o y ou
c o n s i d er t h a t c ro s s t o b e w ort h ? Th e c o vet o u s l o s es h i s p ea c e of
mi n d ; h e li ves i n p erp et u a l a nx i et y l es t h e s h o ul d l o s e h i s wea l th .
Th e Seven P ri n cip a l Vi rtu es a nd th e Seven P ri n cip a l Vi ces . 49 7
b
If ri ch es i nc rea s e, t h ey a re a u rd en t o th ei r own er ; if t h ey d ec rea s e,
t h ey t ort u re h i m . Th e c ovet ou s i s c ru el t o hi ms elf; th e mi s er
g r u d g e s h i ms e lf t h e n eces s a r i e s o f l i f e ; h e o ft e n e n d u r es t h e g r ea t es t
p r i v a t i o n s . H e c o n s u mes hi s ow n s o u l , d r yi n g i t up ( E ccl u s xi v . .
t h e mi s e r t h e t e a r s o f t h e d es t i t u t e b y r i n g i n g hi m t o p o verty .
Th e c o v et ou s i s h a r dh ea rted t o wa rd s hi s n ei gh b or He h a s n o feel .
of wh a t th e y c a n g et fro m ever y on e ; a s t h e s h a rk d ev o u r s a ll th e
s h t h a t c o me i n h i s w a y , s o t h e c o vet o u s ma n r u i n s h i s n ei g h b or s .
l on , h a d s t or ed a va s t qu a n t i t y of g ol d , s il ver, a n d p r ec i o u s s t on es i n
a t o w e r ; wh en h e r efu s ed t o p a rt w i t h a p ort i o n of t h es e for t h e b en e
t of h i s a rmy, th e s ol d i er s s h u t h i m up i n t h e t o wer, i d d i n g h i m b
s a t i s fy hi s h u n g e r a n d q
u en ch h i s t h i r s t w i th t h e t re a s u r es h e h a d
b een s o e a g er t o a ma s s Th e c o vet o u s w i ll b e et ern al ly d a mn ed
. Th e .
Ap o s t l e i n cl u d es t h em a mo n g t h o s e wh o w ill n ot p o s s es s th e k i n g
d om of h ea ven ( 1 C or v i . .O u r L ord s a ys :
It i s ea s i er for a
c a mel t o p a s s th r ou g h th e ey e of a n eedl e , t h a n for a r i ch ma n t o
en te r t h e ki n g d o m of h ea ven ( M a tt xi x . It i s a rema rk a b l e fa c t
.
t h a t t h e a n c i en t p o et s i d en t i ed P lu t o , th e g od wh o r ei g n ed s u p r eme
i n t h e i n fern a l reg i o n s , w i t h P lu tu s , t h e g od of r i ch es , a s i f t o s h ow
th a t a v a r i ce l ea d s t o h ell Th e l o v er of mo n ey g ets n o g oo d t o h i m
.
p er i l s for t h e s a ke of g a i n , a n d wh en d ea t h c o mes wh a t h a s h e of i t
a ll ? F or a ll h i s w ea l th h e h a s n oth i n g b u t a s hr o u d , a few p l a n k s ,
a n d a few feet o f e a rt h ; w hi l e h e l ea v es h i s p ro p erty t o hi s s mi li n g
h ei rs , wh o r i d i cul e th e c o n t emp t ib l e p a rs i mon y h e p r a cti s ed .
3 . u
Th e s res t mea n s w h ereb th e a a ri ci o y v u s q
ca n con u er
th e greed of ga i n , i s by
forci n g th ems el es to gi v v l m Th y
e a s. e
u
o gh t b
es i d es t o medi ta t e fre q en tl on th e p o u y v t y f Ch i t
er o r s ,
St Au g u s t i n e
. c a n s o ef
, fect u a ll y c o u n t er a c t a v a r i ce a s th e p o ve rt y
of t h e Son of God ? C o ns i d e r O mi s er, th a t t h y L or d a n d th y G od
, ,
Wh o c a me d ow n t o ea rt h from h e a ven w o u l d n ot p o s s es s a n y of t h e
,
n o th i n g o u t ( 1 Ti m v i . Th a t w h i ch y ou l e a ve b eh i n d a t yo u r
.
d e a th w i ll p a s s i n t o th e h a n d s of o th e rs wh o wi ll p er ch a n ce ma k e a
,
b a d u s e of i t t o th ei r own d a mn a t i o n Th e mo s t e ec t u a l me d i c i n e
.
49 8 Good Works , Vi r tue, Si n , Vi ce .
v
for the d is ea s e of a a ri ce, s a ys St Aug u s t i n e,
i s t o t h i nk d a il y of
.
d ea th . Tr ue r i ch e s a re n ot ea rt hl y p os s es s i on s , b u t vi rt ues ; p u r s u e
the m ( 1 Ti m v i . for t h ey a re t rea s u res wh i ch t h i eves c a n n o t s tea l
b
.
v
q u i s i t i on of e a n es cen t t rea s ures ?
b
i s n ec es s ary , a n d n ot ei ng ei th er too greedy or t oo d ai nty i n
regard t o th e n o ri s h ment one t ak es u .
i s fy hi s a p p et i te , or t a k e wh a t i s i n j u ri o u s t o h i s h e a lt h ; h e h a s reg
ul a r x ed h o u rs for h i s mea l s
, He ea ts s u ch thi n g s as a re s et b efo r
. e
h i m ( Luk e x a n d i s n o t a n g r y wh en a d i s h i s b a dl y s erved
.
M o d er a t i o n at b
t a le i s ad v a n ta g eo u s b o th to body and s o ul a nd
i s t h e s o u rc e of ma n y v i rt ues We a re t r a vell ers on e a rth , a n d we
.
s h a ll exp ed i t e ou r a rri v al i n th e c el es t i a l c o u n t ry , i f w e o nl y ma k e
s u ch u s e of t h e t h i n g s of t h i s w orl d as i s i n d i s p en s a b l e t o en a b l e u s
t o p ro ceed j o urn ey
on ou r .
He wh o s u s t a i n s h i s mi n d wi th s p i ri t u a l a l i men ts wi ll n ot c a re
g rea tl y for t h e foo d of t h e b o d y ; for es hl y d es i r es a re s u p p res s ed
wh en t h e l o ve of cel es t i a l t h i n g s ll s th e h ea rt As O u r L or d s a i d : .
b
.
,
h e a v en l es t w e s h o ul d b e a ll u red b y th e a i ts of e a rth
,
Ab o ve a l l .
,
t h i nk on th e p ri v a t i o n s ma n y of t h e p oor en du re of t h e p ri v a t i o n s ,
O u r L or d en d u r ed Th ere a re t h ou s a n d s of p oor wh o t h i nk th em
.
s el v es fort u n a t e i f t h ey o n l y h a ve s u i c i en t b r e a d a n d w a t e r t o s t i ll
th ei r h u n g er a n d qu en ch t h ei r t h i rs t How k i n d God h a s b een t o .
y ou i n g i v i n g t o y ou s o mu ch more t h a n t o t h em a n d h ow u n g en ero u s ,
i t w o u l d b e on you r p a rt i f y ou a b u s ed Hi s l ib er a l i t y for th e g ra t i
,
y o u r own i n t eres t .
th e ry ; t h e ri ch ma n i n th e Go s p el wh o r efu s ed a mor s el of
s a n ct u a
b rea d t o L a z a ru s fa red s u mp t u o u s l y ev e ry d a y In temp e r a n ce l ea d s .
t o un cl ea nn es s a n d g o dl es s n es s ; t h e g lu t t o n a n d d r u nk a r d forg et
t h ei r n a l en d ; t h ey h a ve n o u n d ers t a n d i n g for t h e t ru t hs of
r el i g i o n ; t h e s en s u a l ma n p e rc ei veth n ot t h o s e th i n g s t h a t a re
of t h e Sp i r i t of G od
( 1 C or i i A s u dd en a n d mi s era b l e en d
. .
w a rn s s u ch p e r s o n s : Ta ke h eed t o y o u r s el v es l es t p erh a p s y ou r ,
wh en J u d i th cu t off h i s h ea d ( Ju di th x i i i ) t h e v o l u p t u o u s B a l t a s s ar
.
t h i s ma n n e r i s a ll t h e mo re d ep l or a b l e b eca u s e t h ey d i e u n rep en t a n t
a n d w i t h o u t t h e l a s t s a c r a men t s Th o s e wh o a re a d d i ct ed t o exces s
b
.
t i o n i s t h ei r fa t e Th e r i ch ma n wa s b u ri ed i n h ell O u r L ord s a ys :
. .
W o e t o y ou th a t a re ll ed for y ou s h a ll h un g e r ( Luk e v i
.
D ru n k a r d s s h a l l n ot p o s s es s t h e k i n g d o m of God ( 1 C or v i . .
He t h a t s oweth i n h i s es h of t h e es h a l s o s h a ll r ea p corru p t i o n
,
p r a y e r b e for e a n d a ft e r m e a l s ; t o t a k e w h a t i s s et e f or e y ou s o a s t o
ch eck d a i n t i n es s a n d n ev e r t o e a t t o s a t i et y
,
.
1 1 . CHASTITY .
1 Ch a s ti ty c on s i s ts i n p res er i ng th e mi nd
. v a nd b dy f
o ree from
e v ery th i n g th at mi gh t s t a i n th ei r i n n ocen c e .
t i on a b l e w ord w a s u tt e red i n h i s p r es en ce St Al o ys i u s d i d t h e . .
s a me M a n y p er s on s h a ve g i ven u p a ll t h ey h a d , ev en t h ei r l i fe i n
. ,
or d er t o p r es erv e th e v i rt u e of ch a s t i t y ; w i t n es s Jo s ep h i n Eg yp t ,
St Ag n es , St Ag a th a , a n d o th er s a i n t s
. . C h a s t i t y i s a s u p erh u ma n
.
s o th e ma n wh o li v es ch a s t el y s u f fer s fro m i n d i s cr i mi n a t e i n t er c o u rs e
w i t h th o s e a ro u n d h i m Th e l i l y g ro w s u p ri g h t , s t ra i gh t a n d s l en d er ;
.
s o th e m a n wh o l i v es ch a s t el y mu s t e ve r l oo k u p w a r d s a n d t en d
t o w a r d s h ea ven Th e l i l y ll s t h e wh ol e h o u s e w i th i t s fr a g r a n ce ;
.
s o th e ma n wh o l i ves ch a s t el y ed i es a l l w i th wh o m h e a s s o c i a t es b y
h i s g oo d ex a mp l e .
mos t pl ea s i n g i n God s s i gh t
.
Th e Seven P ri n cip a l Vi rtu es a nd th e Sev en P ri ncip a l Vi ces . 5 01
Th o s e wh o s e l i fe i s p u re a re a n g el s i n h u ma n form C h a s t i t y i s .
a re i n fa c t s u p e r i or t o t h e a n g el s , b e ca u se t h ey h a v e t h e es h t o
c o mb a t wh i ch t h e a n g el s h a ve n ot ; t h ey p res e rv e a n g el i c p u r i t y i n
,
th e a n g el s from men i s n ot t h ei r vi rt u e, b u t th ei r b li s s Th e p u ri t y .
of t h e a n g el s i s more b l i s s fu l ; t h a t of ma n i s s t ro n g er b e c a u s e i t i s
t h e res ul t of s t ru gg l e We l ea rn fro m t h e l i ves of t h e s a i n t s th a t
.
a n g el s d eli g h t i n t h e c o mp a n y of c h a s te mor t a l s t h u s p ro v i n g t h a t
,
t h ey reg a r d t h em a s t h ei r equ a l s Th e d ev i l s kn o w t h a t t h ro u gh
.
ch a s t i t y ma n r ec o v er s t h e a n g el i c d i g n i t y wh i ch h e l o s t , h en c e th ey
s t ri ve a s s i d u o u s l y t o i n s t i l i mp u r e t h ou gh ts i n to h i s mi n d M en .
B a p t i s t wh o w a s p u ri ed i n h i s mo th e r s w o mb wa s Hi s p rec urs or ;
, ,
t h e ch a s t e Joh n w a s Hi s fa v or i t e d i s c i p l e, p ri vi l eg ed a t th e L as t
Su p p e r t o res t u p o n Hi s b rea s t ; a t th e foo t of th e c ro s s tw o p u re
s o ul s s t oo d ; a n d He l o ved l i t tl e ch i l d ren b e c a u s e of t h ei r i nn oc en ce .
He t h a t l o vet h cl ea nn es s of h ea rt s h a ll h a ve t h e Ki n g for h i s
fr i en d ( P ro v xx i i
. . G od c a ll s t h e ch a s t e s o u l b y t h e en d e a r i n g
t i tl e of fr i en d o f s i s t e r, of Sp o u s e ( C a n t i v 6
, . .Th e Son of God
s o d el i g h t ed i n v i rg i n i t y th a t He ch o s e t o b e b orn of a vi rg i n , a n d t o
g i v e t o ma n a n ex a mp l e o f i t i n Hi s own p er s o n Th e p ure a l s o
.
h e a t h en re s p ect ed ch a s t i t y Th e R o ma n s h a d t h ei r v es t a l v i rg i n s
.
,
w h o d u ri n g t h ei r s ervi c e i n t h e t emp le a p er i o d of t h i r t y ye a r s
, ,
of t h e i r d a u g h t e rs wh o p refe rr e d v i rg i n i t y to t h e ma rr i ed s t a t e ,
b ec a u s e i t i s kn o wn b o th w i th God a n d w i th men ( Wi s d i v . .
2 Th os e w h o l ea d a l i fe of c h a s ti ty p os s es s th e s a ncti f i ng
. y
g ra ce of th e Hol S pi y
ri t i n a un d a nt m e a b
s re ; t h e u
wi l l b e h appy y
y
h ere on earth , a nd wi l l enj o s pec i al di s ti nc ti on i n h ea en h ere v
after .
P u r i t y of h ea rt i s h ea l th t o th e s o u l ; i t a l s o g i ves l i gh t t o th e
u n d er s t a n d i n g
. Th e ch a s te a re l i k e a c ry s t a l w i th o u t a w, or a clea r,
g e n t l y -
o w i n g s t r e a m, i n w hi ch t h e fa c e of h e a v en i s m i rrored .
P u ri t y of h ea rt , i n t er i or b ri gh t n es s a n d a n g el i c fr ee d o m a i d t o t h e
a t t a i n men t o f w i s d om ; i t i mp a rt s k n o wl ed g e t o s a v a n t s a n d t e a ch e r s ,
t o p h i l o s op h e rs a n d t h eol o g i a n s It w a s t h ro u g h h i s s p o tl es s p u ri ty
.
th a t St Joh n t h e D i vi n e p en et r a t e d s o d eep l y i n t o t h e s u b l i me my s
.
a s on e a g l e s p i n i o n s to g a ze u p o n th e Go d h ea d P u ri t y en a b l es a
.
,
ma n t o g a ze u n d a zzl ed u p o n th e Su n of j u s t i ce It a l s o en d o w s th e .
s o u l wi th h e ro i c c o u r a g e Ju d i th , a w ea k w o ma n , d i s p l a ye d s u ch
.
h ero i s m a t th e s i eg e of B e t h u l i a , t h a t s h e w en t i n t o t h e en emy s
t h o u h a s t d o n e ma n fu ll y a n d th y h e a rt h a s b een s t re n gt h en ed , b e !
c a u s e t h ou h a s t l o v ed ch a s t i t y ( J u d i t h xv Th e p u re of h ea rt .
q
ea s i ly a c u i r e o t h e r vi rt u es ; t h e y a re h a p p y ev en i n th i s worl d Cha s .
t i t y p o s s es s es a n i n d es cr i b a b l e a t t r a ct i o n a n d i n t ri n s i c Swee t n es s ;
i t a ffor d s en j o ymen t s fa r mor e deli g h t ful t h a n s en s ua l p lea s u res .
P u r i t y i s a l s o h e a l t h t o t h e b o d y ; v i rg i n a l p u r i t y i s a n ea rn e s t a n d
foret a s t e of t h e i mmor t a l i t y of th e g l or ie d b o d y He wh o l i ves .
ch a s t el y g e n e r a l l y en j o y s b et t e r h e a l t h a n d l i ves t o a n a d v a n c ed
a ge . So met i mes God i n H
i s w i s e p ro v i d en ce wi t h d ra w s p u re s o ul s
fro m ea rt h i n t h ei r y o u t h ; i f s o, H
e t a kes th em a wa y l es t wi c ked
n e s s s h oul d a l t e r t h ei r un d er s t a n d i n g or d ecei t b eg u i l e t he i r s o u l s
( Wi s d i v Th os e wh o l ea d a ch a s t e l i fe w ill en j o y s p eci a l di s
v
. .
t i n ct i o n i n h ea en V i rg i n a l s ou l s w i ll b e n e a r t o t h e t h ro n e of God ;
.
t h ey w i ll s ta n d a ro u n d t h e L amb a n d fo ll ow i m wh i t h er s oev e r e H H
g o et h . Th ey w il l s i n g a n ew c a n t i cl e t h a t n o ma n c o u l d s a y ( Ap o c .
Go d wi ll c rown t h e ch a s t e s ou l s ( C a n t i v th a t i s , e . . H
wi ll c o n fe r u p o n th em a s p eci a l a n d s i n g u l a r g l o ry Th e ch a s te g en .
c r a t i o n t ri u mp h et h for eve r ( W i s d iv V i rg i n a l s o ul s w i ll h a v e
. .
c h oo s e s t h em a s t h e r ec i p i en t s of H
i s r evel a t i o n s , t o t h em e di s H
cl o s es H
i s s ec ret s , t o t h ei r p et i t i o n s H
e t u rn s a g r a c i o u s e a r Q u ee n .
3 . b u
It i s th e o n d en d u t of e er ma n to p res er y v y v e ch as ti t y
in v u
i ol a te n ti l h e em ra c es th e marri ed s ta teb .
s t o n i n g ( D en t xx i i Th e R oma n s b u r i ed a l i v e a n y ves t a l v i rg i n
. .
wh o vi o l a t e d t h e v ow of v i rg i n i t y See h ow s eve re a p en a l t y t h e l a w
.
of Jew s and p a g a n s i n i ct e d u p o n t h o s e wh o o u t r a g ed ch a s t i t y
y u b v
l a s t thi n gs ; n a l l w e s h o l d o s er e mo d er a ti on i n fre q en ti n g u
b
th e a l l room a n d th e th ea tre, a n d b e g arded i n ou r i n t erc ou r s e u
w i th p ers on s of th e op p os i te s ex .
g r e a t es t v i ct or y a ch i e v e d b y t h e C h r i s t i a n a n d r e qu i r e s t,
h e h a r d e s t
s t ru ggl e Th e F a th er s of th e Ch u rch c a ll i t a ma rt y rd om ; a b l o
.
od
le ss m a rt y r d o m i t i s
,
t r ue b u t n ot,
o n t h a t a cc o u n t t h e l e s s s u b l i m e .
p ro l o n g e d a ,l i fe l o n g c o n i ct S e l f c o
. n t ro l h a s b ee n-
e n l a r g e d u p o n
u n de r th e h ea d of th e mea n s of a tt a i n i n g p er fec t i o n i n g e n e r a l .
1 2 . UNOHASTITY .
If t h e ch a s t e res emb l e th e l i l y, th e u n ch a s te r es em l e a t h o rn b
b u s h , wh i ch t ea r s on e t o p i ec es It wa s i n or d e r t o exp i a te s i n s of
.
U n ch a s t e p ers on s a re l i ke t h e b ut b
r e e a s ts ; th e y a re u nlik e
God a n d di s p l ea s i n g to Hi m, a n d a re rega rd ed wi t h con t e mp t
ma n .
ch a s t e p re fer t h e g r a t ic a t i o n of t h ei r l u s t s t o t h e j o ys of p a ra d i s e .
To th em th e w or d s of t h e P s a l mi s t ma y b e a p p l i ed : M a n wh en h e
w a s i n h o n or d i d n ot u n d e r s t a n d ; h e h a th b een c o mp a red t o s en s el es s
b ea s t s , a n d ma d e l i ke t o t h em ( P s xl v i i i P r i d e i s t h e s i n of
. .
a n g el s , a v a r i c e i s t h e s i n of ma n a n d l a s c i v i o u s n e s s t h a t of t h e b r u t e
, .
It i s mo s t d eg ra d i n g t o h u ma n i t y wh i ch i s b ro u g h t s o n ea r t o t h e
,
a n y d o mi n i o n b u t t h a t of God B y u n ch a s t i t y ma n l o s es h i s l i ken es s
.
t o G od . Th ro u g h t h i s s i n ma n d el es t h e i ma g e of God i n w h i ch
h e wa s c rea t ed a n d c o mmi t s a g r i ev o u s o ffen ce a g a i n s t t h e M o s t
Hi g h It i s b ec a u s e n o o t h er Si n d el es a ma n a s t h i s d o es t h a t i t
.
,
i s c a ll ed b y t h e n a me of i mp u ri t y or u n cl ea nn es s , Th e u n ch a s t e .
a re ex t remel y d i s p l ea s i n g t o G od In p ri mi t i v e a g es , wh e n ma n ki n d
.
fell i n t o v a r i o u s s i n s , ev en t h a t of i d ol a t r y, G od b ore w i th t h em
p a t i en tl y ; b u t wh en t h ey fell i n t o i mp u r i ty a n d s a n k even d eep er i n
t h a t v i c e t h ei r w i ck ed n es s w a s s o a b h orren t t o Hi m t h a t i t rep e n ted
, ,
Hi m t h a t He h a d ma d e ma n u p o n th e ea rth ( Gen v i St P hi l i p . . .
t h e l a tt e r s t u n k i n h i s n o s t ri l s Th o s e wh o v i o l a t e t h e i r ch a s t i t y a re
b
.
c l o t h ed w i t h t h e b es t g o l d , n ow t h e y a re e s t ee med a s ea r t h en ves s el s .
1 , 2
, Th e u n ch a s t e l o s e t h e e s t eem of t h e i r fel l o w men ; t h ey -
a re t ro dd en u p o n a s d u n g i n t h e w a y ( Eccl u s i x . .
Th e i n d ul g en ce of e b
vi l l u s ts i s a a i t th e d evi l th rows ou t an d ,
th o s e w h o s w a l l o w t h e a ll u ri n g mor s el a re d r a wn b y h i m t o d es t ru o
t i on . Th e en d of th i s s i n i s b i t te r a s w ormw oo d a n d s h a rp a s a t wo ,
s i n a re mor e b i tte r th a n g a l l Si n c e t h e u n ch a s t e a re wi th o u t t h e
.
g en ce wh i ch d i s t i ng u i s h es h i m fro m th e b ru t e ; h e b ec o mes l i ke th e
h o rs e a n d mu l e, wh i ch h a ve n o un de rs t a n d i n g ( P s xxx i
Th e. .
s en s u a l man p er c e i veth n ot th es e t h i n g s t h a t a re of t h e Sp i r i t of
God
( 1 C or i i T h ro u g h y i el d i n g t o t h i s s i n K i n g S o l o m o n
b
. .
,
l o s t h i s wi s d o m, a n d wa s s o b l i n d ed y foll y t h a t h e t u rn ed a s i d e t o
foll o w th e g o d s of th e h ea t h en ( 3 K i n g s Th e w i ll i s wea ken ed
b y t h e s i n of i mp u ri t y ; i t c rea te s a s or t of p a r a l ys i s i n r eg a r d t o
g oo d work s , a n d t h u s a men d men t i s re n d e red mo s t d ifc ul t Th e .
u n ch a s t e i s a p r i s o n e r wh o h a s fo rg ed i ro n fe tt e r s for h i ms elf Im .
p u r i t y i s a s n a re of t h e d ev il a n d t h os e w h o a re c a u g h t i n t h i s n et
.
h i s ru p t ur e w i t h R o me, a n d t h e a p o s t a s y of t h e En g li s h p e op l e .
U n ch a s t i t y i s s ev erel y p u n i s h ed i n t h i s l i fe ; p ea ce of mi n d i s l o s t ,
t h e b o d i l y h ea l th i s i mp a i red .Every s i n th a t a ma n d o th i s w i t h o u t
t h e b o d y, b u t h e t h a t c o mmi t t eth forn i c a t i o n , s i n n eth a g a i n s t h i s own
b od y ( 1 C or v i
. . Th e v ol up t u a r y s oo n l o s es t h e b l oom of yo u th ,
a n d b ec o mes p r ema t urel y a g ed Sp eci a l ch a s t i s emen t s , mor eo ve r,
.
o ve rt a ke t h o s e wh o v i ol a te ch a s t i t y ; t h e Del u g e w a s s en t on t h e
e a rt h on a cc o u n t of t h a t s i n ( Gen v i 7 . a n d t h e L or d r a i n ed d o wn
.
n ot v i s i t i mp u r i t y wi t h t h e s a me c o n d i gn p u n i s h men t , i t i s ec a u s e a n
i n n i t el y ercer re, a n i n n i tel y mor e r i g oro u s ch a s t i s emen t i s ,
n ot p o s s es s t h e k i n g d om of G od ( 1 C or v i Ne i th er forn i c a t ors
. .
n or u n cl ea n h a t h i nh er i ta n ce i n t h e ki n g d o m of C h r i s t a n d of G od
n i ca t or s h a ll b e t a ken a w a y ou t of t h e n u mb e r ( Ec cl u s x i x If . .
y ou l i ve a cc or d i n g t o t h e es h y ou s h a ll d i e ( R om v i i i Th e g r a t
. .
i ca t i on i s momen t a ry, t h e p en a l t y i s et e rn a l .
i ct o ry ; th ey s eek s a fety i n i gh t .
1 3 . Z EAL IN WHAT IS GO OD .
Un l es s z ea l s p r i n g s fro m t h e l o ve of God i t i s v a l u el es s It mu s t .
i n wh a t i s g oo d a v a il s h i ms elf a s fa r a s h e c a n of t h e mean s of g r a ce
t h e C h u rch a fford s for h i s s a n ct i c a t i on ; h e i s a s s i d u o u s a t p ra yer,
q
h e fre u en t l y a p p ro a ch es th e s a c r a men t s , h e li s t en s a tt en t i vel y t o th e
Word of God , a n d rea d s s p i ri t u a l b ooks He n eg l ects n o op p o rt u n i t y
.
b
con s ci en t i o u s l y o s e rv es t h e fa s t s of t h e C h u r ch , h e d ev otes h i s free
t i me t o p r a yer M oreo ver h e wh o i s z ea l o u s i n wh a t i s g oo d ch eer
.
W i th out zeal
2 . i n wh at i s good we cannot be a
s v ed, for th e
k i ngd om of h eav en s uereth v i ol en c e .
a n o t h e r p l a c e He s a y s : Th e ki n g d om of h ea ven s u ereth v i ol en ce
b
,
a n d t h e v i o l en t ea r i t a wa y ( M a t t x i O.f t h o s e w h.o ru n i n
a r a ce o n l y h e wh o p e r s eve r es w i l l r ece i ve th e p r i z e ( 1 C or i x . .
L et u s n ot i ma g i n e t h a t i t i s a n ea s y ma tt er t o b e s a ed Et ern a l v .
a ttl e or for a l a rg e s u m O n l y t h o s e wh o h a v e h a d a l o n g t r a i ni n g
b v b
, .
c a n o t a i n a h i g h s a l a ry Y et th e k i n g d o m of h e a en i s o u gh t
v
.
b
a l l o ws o s t a cl es t o b e p l a ced i n t h e w a y of every g oo d work t o t es t ou r ,
of fere s t t o th y s el f t h e g r ea t er p ro g res s t h o u w i l t ma k e
, ( Imi t a t i on ,
b
.
M o n i ca , a n d th e l i n d ma n b y t h e w a ys i d e ( Lu ke xv i i i .
5 08 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n, Vi ce .
g i v e t h em t h ei r h i re
a nd . God d o es n ot l o v e t h os e wh o l o v e th ei r
own c a s e He exp res s l y s t a tes th a t t h os e wh o a re lu kewa rm, n ei th er
.
c o l d n or h ot , He w i ll v o mi t o u t of Hi s mo u t h ( Ap oc i i i . . th a t i s
t o s a y , He i s d i s g u s t ed w i t h t h em O u r God i s a c on s u mi n g r e,
.
a n d He d el i g h t s i n t h e a d or a t i o n of th e s e r a p h i m, w h o a re i n a med
wi th b u rn i n g l o ve . v
An op en u n b el i e e r i s l es s a b h orren t to Hi m
t h a n a tep i d Ch ri s t i a n.
u y b
q en tl of th e rew ard, oth temp ora l a n d etern al, of i n d s tr u y ,
a n d th s th eu y v
w ill o erc ome th ei r di s t as t e for w ork .
. b
L oo k n ot, 0 C h ri s t i a n , s a ys St Aug u s t i n e, on th e l a or t h a t i t
c o s t s t h ee ; l oo k ra th e r t o t h e r es t a n d t h e j o ys wh i ch G od p ro mi s e s
t h ee ; s ee h ow i n n i tel y t h ey ou t wei g h a ll t h y t oil . In d o i n g g oo d
l e t 1 s n ot fa i l ; for i n d u e t i me we s h all rea p , n ot fa i l i ng
( Gal
3
.
vi 9
.
C C HRI STIA N P ERF E C TI O N
. .
No b u i l de r l ea ves a n ed ice h a lf n i s h ed If h e h a s b eg u n t o
-
.
c o n s t r u c t a h o u s e, h e d o es n ot r es t u n t i l i t i s c o mp l et ed An a rt i s t .
h a s u n d e r t a k en t h e w ork of h i s ow n s a n ct i c a t i on , a n d i s i n a s t a t e
of g r a ce , l e t h i m s t r i v e t o b r i n g t h e ed i ce o f v i rt u e t o c o mp l et i o n ,
a n d form h i ms el f t o a t r u e i ma g e of God O u r a i m s h ou l d b e t o
.
ma ke p ro g r es s e v er y d a y .
G od d es i r e s t h e s i nn e r t o b e c o n ve rt ed t h e j u s t t o s t r i ve a ft e r
,
p erfe c t i o n Th e d u t y of a s p i r i n g a ft e r p erfec t i o n i s i n cl u d e d i n t h e
.
An d w h a t el s e d o es t h a t mea n b u t c o n t i n u a l a dv a n cemen t i n t h e
p a th of v i r t u e ?
He th a t i s j u s t l et h i m b e j u s t i ed s t ill , a n d h e
t h a t i s h ol y let h i m b e s a n c t ied s t i ll Ap o c xx i i
( O u r Lo r d
. .
l a ys t h i s i n j u n c t i o n u p o n u s : B e y ou t h erefor e p er fec t , a s a l s o
( M a tt v
yo u r h ea ven l y F a th e r i s p erfect Th e w i ll of G od
. .
i s n o n e o th e r t h a n ou r s a n ct i c a t i on He wh o d oe s n ot a i m a t th e
.
a t t a i n men t of C h r i s t i a n p e rfec t i o n i s i n d a n g er of l o s i n g h i s s o u l
,
.
Th e v es s el t h a t d o es n ot s t em t h e s t re a m w i ll d r i ft d own w a r d s .
a s t h o u a rt c o n t en t w i t h t h y s elf, a n d t h i n k e s t t h o u h a s t d on e e n o u g h ,
t h o u a rt l o s t
W e s h o u l d a i m a t t h e h i g h es t d eg r ee of s a n ct i t y,
.
i mi t a t i n g th e t ra d er, wh o i s w o n t t o a s k th e h i gh es t p o s s i b l e p r i ce
for h i s w a r es .
b
2 Th e mos t s u l i me exa mpl e of Ch ri s ti a n p erfecti on i s fo nd
. u
in Our Lord After Hi m, th e s ai nt s a re al s o p a tt ern s of p erfecti on
. .
Ch r i s t s a ys : I a m th e w a y t h e t ru th a n d t h e li fe
, ( Joh n x iv
.
509
51 0 Chri s ti a n P erfecti on .
St P a ul
. bi d
P u t y e on th e L ord J es u s C hr i s t
s us : ( Rom
.
xi i i
. As a n a p p ren t i ce w a t ch es h i s ma s t e r a t work, t h a t h e ma y
l ea rn t o w ork l i k e h i m, s o we o u g h t t o k eep ou r eyes x ed on ou r
M as te r Ch r i s t Th e s a i n t s med i t a t ed u n cea s i n g l y on t h e l i fe a n d
.
P a s s i o n of O u r L or d He i s t h e C h ri s t i a n s p a tt ern Th e s a i n t s a re
.
.
a l s o ex a mp l es of p e rfec t i o n , for t h ey i mi t a t e C h r i s t ; t h ei r l i fe i s a
c o p y of Hi s l i fe St P a u l exh ort s t h e C or i n th i a n s :
. . B e y e foll o wers
of me ( 1 C or i v a n d h e en j o i n s on t h e Heb r ew s t h e n ec es s i t y
. .
of i mi t a t i n g t h e s a i n t s ( Heb vi Th e C h u rc h c o mmemora t es
. .
on e or more of t h e s a i n t s on e a ch d a y of t h e eccl es i a s t i ca l y ea r, i n ,
ord e r t o i n ci t e u s t o th ei r i mi t a t i o n Th e s a i n ts s ta nd i n t h e s a me .
r el a t i o n t o C h r i s t a s t h e s t a rs d o t o t h e s u n ; He s u rp a s s es th em a ll
i n p e rfect i on Th u s i t i s ea s i er for u s t o i mi t a t e t h e s a i n t s ; we kn o w
.
e x cell ed i n t h e p r a c t i c e of on e p a r t i c u l a r v i rt u e Al s o th a t t h e a o .
t i on s of ea ch w e re s u i t ed t o a n d i n c o nformi t y w i t h t h e c i rc um
s t a n c e s , t h e en v i ro n men t i n w h i ch t h ey wer e p l a c ed ; e g , t h e i r ca ll
b
. .
c a l l i n g w e r e s i mi l a r t o h i s own .
( R om x ii i
L o ve i s th e fu l ll i n g of t h e l a w Ch a r i ty i s . .
t h e b on d of p erfect i o n ( C ol i i i St Au g u s t i n e, wh en a s ked h ow
. . .
s a n c t i t y of l i fe w a s t o b e a t t a i n ed , a n s w e r ed : L o v e G od , a n d d o a s
t h o u w i lt ; mea n i n g th a t h e wh o t rul y l o es God w i ll d o n o th i n g v
t h a t d i s p l ea s es Hi m St F r a n ci s of Sa l es s a ys t h a t th e o n l y t ru e
. .
p e rfec t i o n i s t o l o ve God w i th ou r wh ol e h ea rt a n d ou r n ei g h b or a s
o u rs el ves ; a ll o t h e r p erfect i o n i s s p u r i o u s St Th o ma s A u i n a s . . q
d en es s a n ct i t y a s t h e ferv en t s u rr en d e r of o n e s s el f t o God
Sa n c .
t i t y d o es n ot c o n s i s t i n th e o u tw a rd ob s e rv a n ces of rel i g i o n , i n l o n g
p r a ye r s i n fa s t i n g a n d a l ms g i v i n g ; t h es e a re b u t mea n s t o i t s a t t a i n
,
e vi n c ed r a t h er b y c o n s t a n t a n d en erg et i c r es i s t a n ce t o s i n F or God .
q
fre u en tl y p ermi t s ev en s a i n t s t o fa l l i n t o s i n t o k eep t h em h u mb l e .
L ea s t of a l l d o es s a n ct i t y c o n s i s t i n ext r a or d i n a ry w ork s , wh i ch t h e
w orl d r eg a r d s w i t h a s t o n i s h men t a n d a d mi r a t i o n We d o n ot rea d .
a g re a t n u mb e r w ill b e fo u n d wh o n ev e r s h o n e i n t h e s i g h t of t h e
w or ld ; th e i r l ife w a s h i d wi th C h r i s t i n G od ( C ol i i i Th e l o ve . .
i t s s i n fu l , s en s u a l d el i gh t s If a n y ma n l o ve t h e w orl d , th e ch a r i t y
.
of t h e F a t h e r i s n ot i n Hi m ( 1 Jo h n i i Th e l o ve o f God a n d t h e
.
l o ve of t h e w orl d a re l i k e t h e s ca l es of a b a l a n c e ; a s on e r i s es t h e
oth e r fa l l s As ch a r i ty i n c rea s es i n th e h e a r t s i n fu l a ffec t i o n s di e
b
.
ou t . As on e wh o w o u l d cl i m t o th e t op of a t o w er mu s t a s c en d t h e
s t ep s th a t l e a d t o i t , s o if we w o u l d r e a ch th e s u mmi t o f p erfect i o n ,
we mu s t d e t a ch ou r h ea rt s a s c o mp l et el y a s p o s s i l e fro m ea rt h l y b
51 2 Ch ri s ti a n P erfecti on ;
. y
1 Fi d el i t i n s mal l t hi ngs .
c o n t a i n s t h e g e rm of a mi g h ty oa k ! So i t i s i n t h e s p i r i t u a l or d er .
fu l i n s m al l t h i n g s God g i ves g r ea t g r a c es ; t o h i m O u r Lo rd s a ys :
Well d o n e, g oo d a n d fa i th ful s erv a n t ; b ec a u s e th o u h a s t b een
fa i t hful o ver a few th i n g s , I w i ll p l a ce t h ee o ve r ma n y t hi n gs
( M a tt xxv . . He wh o, on th e o th er h a n d , i s u nfa i thful i n s ma ll
t h i n g s , l o s e s m a n y g ra ces a n d i s p u n i s h ed b y God M o s es w a s n ot .
p e r m i tt e d t o e n t e r t h e P ro m i s e d L a n d b e c a us e h e d o u b t ed Go d s
p ro m i s e,
a n d Z a c h a r i a s w a s s t r u c k d u m b fo r h i s i n c r ed u li t y M any .
of t h e s a i n t s w er e d ep r i v ed of c o n s ol a t i o n s , a n d v i s i t ed b y a ri d i t y,
b eca u s e of s l i g h t fa u l t s He wh o i s fa i th fu l i n s ma ll t h i n gs i s n ot
.
a s l i k el y t o fa l l i n t o h ei n o u s s i n s ; for O u r L or d s a y s :
He th a t i s
fa i th fu l i n t h a t wh i ch i s l ea s t i s fa i t h fu l a l s o i n t h a t wh i ch i s
g rea t e r ; a n d h e th a t i s u n j u s t i n t h a t wh i ch i s l i t tl e, i s u n j u s t a l s o i n
t h a t w h i ch i s g rea t er ( Lu k e x v i Hen ce wh o s o eve r i s a t ten ti ve
.
t o s ma ll t hi n g s ma kes r a p i d p ro g re s s i n vi rt u e
If th o u w o ul d s t .
b ec o me g rea t , s a ys St Au g u s t i n e, b eg i n w i t h th a t wh i ch i s l i ttl e
. .
( Eccl u s x i x . . L i ttl e i n d el i t i es t o g r a c e o ft en c a u s e g r ea t mi s
c h i ef, a n d emb i tt e r a ma n s w h o l e l i fe A Sp a rk w i ll o c c a s i on a va s t
.
c on a g ra t i on , a n d a s ma ll l e a k w i l l ca u s e a s h i p t o fo u n d e r So i t .
i s wi t h s ma ll s i n s J u d as b eg a n w i t h p u rl o i n i n g , a n d en d ed b y b e
.
c o mi n g a t ra i t or a n d a s u i c i d e ; C a i n r s t g a ve w a y t o j e a l o u s y a n d
t h en s l ew h i s b ro t h e r C o n t emp t of t ri es s h o ws s ec ret p r i d e
. .
2 . b
A h a i t of s el f c ontrol -
.
W e s h o u l d n ot en c o ur a g e cu r i o s i t y n or s t a re ou t of wi n d ows ; ,
w e s h o u l d a v o i d u s el es s or l o u d t a l k i n g r efr a i n fro m c o mp l a i n i n g,
of o u r s el v es fro m c o n t r a d i ct i n g o t h er s
,
Th es e a n d s i mi l a r a ct s of
.
mort i c a t i on c o s t n o g r ea t effor t Th e s a i n t s p r a c t i s ed fa r mo re
.
s ever e o n es b u t i n t h i s t h ey a re n ot t o b e i mi t a te d b y a l l
, St Joh n t h e . .
. .
Gen era l M ea ns f or the Atta i n men t f
o P er ect
f oni . 51 3
I ch a s ti s e my b o d y a n d b r i n g i t i n t o s u b j ect i o n ; l es t p erh a p s wh en
I h a ve p rea ch ed t o o t h e rs , I my s elf s h o ul d b ec o me a c a s t a wa y
( 1 C or i x . Self c o n t ro l i s a s o rt of a b s t i n en c e ; i t i s fa r more
.
-
s elf i s a k i n g ; for i n s t ea d of b ei n g l ed ca p t i ve b y h i s p a s s i o n s he ,
d o mi n a t e s t h em Self c o n qu es t i s t h e ma rk of a t r u e C h r i s t i a n
.
-
O u r L ord s a ys :
If a ny ma n wi ll foll o w M e, l et h i m d en y h i m
( M a rk vi i i
s elf t h a t i s t o s a y , h e t h a t w i ll b e M y d i s c i p l e
.
mu s t p ra ct i s e s el f a b n eg a t i on St P a u l a l s o s a ys :
-
Th ey t h a t a re
. .
( Ga l v . A s h th a t i s a l i ve s w i ms a g a i n s t t h e c u rren t ; a d e a d
.
y ou h a ve t h e l i fe of t h e Sp i r i t i n y ou or wh et h er y ou a re d ea d ; a s k ,
We h a ve a l a w i n ou r memb e rs g h t i ng a g a i n s t t h e l a w of
ou r mi n d ( R om v i i O u r memb e rs t h a t a re u p o n t h e ea rt h
. .
mus t a cc or d i n gl y b e mort i ed ( C ol i i i Th e es h i s c on t i n u a ll y . .
a t w a r w i t h t h e Sp i r i t , a n d w e mu s t c o n t i n u a l l y b e a t w a r fa r e w i th
t h e es h He wh o d o es a ll t h a t i s a ll ow ed wi ll s oon p ro ceed t o d o
.
,
wh a t i s n ot a ll ow ed ( St Au gu s t i n e ) B u t i f we d en y o u rs el ves wh a t
. .
Th e mo s t p erfect a mo n g u s w i ll fa l l i n t o s i n i f h e c ea s es t o p r a ct i s e
s el f d eni a l , a s a el d t h a t i s u n cul t i v a te d p ro d u c es a c ro p of weeds
-
c a rn a l s en s es i s r ep a i d a h u n d r ed fol d t o ou r s p i r i t u a l s en s e s Le t .
us , s a ys St B a s i l , s t i e ou r es hl y d es i res , i n ord e r t h a t ou r s p i r
.
ca rn a l i mp u l s es a re q
u i ckl y s u b d u ed , a n d th e t emp t a t i o n s of t h e d evi l
ea s il y o v er c o me M or t i fy y o u r s el f i n ma t te rs t h a t a re a p p a ren tl y of
.
w i ll n ot b en d ; th e u n mort i ed i s l i ke a reed , s h a k en wi th th e w i n d
( M a tt xi . B y s elf c o n t rol w e a c qu i re t ru e p ea ce of mi n d Th er e
.
-
.
i s n o qu i et i n a h o u s e t h e d oor of wh i ch s t a n d s o p e n t o a ll c o mer s a n d ,
t h e r e i s n o p e a ce i n t h e s o ul i f t h e s en s es a re n ot k ep t i n cu s t o d y .
t h e w i n d s of p a s s i o n , a ma rvel l o u s p e a ce a n d g r e a t c a l m w i ll en s u e .
p a r en t of meekn e s s a n d p a t i en c e .
3 . b
A s ti nence from a ll th at i s s up er u ous , es p eci all y in reg rd a
to ea ti n g a nd dri nki ng .
th ea t re g o i n g g i vi n g a n d t a ki n g p a rt i n en t e r t a i n men ts b a n u et s et c
q
-
.
v
, , ,
Th os e wh o t a ke g re a t d eli g h t i n s u ch t hi n g s wi ll n e er a tt a m p erfec
51 4 Ch ri s ti a n P erfecti on .
No g ou rma n d c a n b e a g ood s ol d i er of Ch ri s t Th o s e wh o ea t a n d .
d r i nk more th a n i s n eces s a ry a re i n d a ng er of l o s i n g g ra ce a n d Su e
Cu mb i n g t o t emp t a t i on Hen ce O u r L ord s a ys : Woe t o y ou t h a t
.
a re ll ed
( L uk e v i An d St P et er exh o rt s t he fa i thful th u s :
. .
B e s ob er a n d wa tch ; b e c a u s e y o u r a dv er s a ry t h e d evi l a s a ro a ri n g
l i o n g o et h a b o u t , s eeki n g wh o m h e ma y d ev o u r ( 1 P et v . .
Ta l k a t i ven es s i s a l s o t o b e a v o i d ed An u n res t r a i n ed t on g u e i s a
.
Si g n of c o n c e i t a n d foll y As a d o ct or j u dg es of a ma n s b od i l y h e a l th
.
b y th e s t a t e of hi s t o ngu e, s o on e ma y j u dg e of t h e h ea l th of t h e s o ul
b y th e w ord s t h e t on g u e u t t ers F ro m t h e ri n g of a ves s el on e c a n
.
b
.
fru i t fu l s o u r ce of c o n t en t i on If a n y ma n o ffen d n ot i n t on g u e, th e
.
s a me i s a p e r fect ma n M ort i c a t i on of t h e t o n g u e
( J a s i ii . .
i s i n d i s p en s a b le t o t h e a tt a i n men t of s a n ct i t y If a n y ma n ri dle . b
t o n g u e, t h a t ma n s r el i g i o n i s v a i n
n ot h i s ( Ja s i ev e n . .
t h o ug h h e s e em t o b e God fe a r i n g He th a t h a th n o g u a rd on h i s
-
.
b
. .
( 2 Ti m i i
P a ul i d s u s : Sh un p rofa n e a n d va i n b a b b l i n g s . .
Sp ee ch i s s i l ve r ; s i l en c e i s g ol d Y et w e mu s t b ewa re of b ei n g t oo
.
c h a ry wi t h o u r w or d s , or ou r s i l en ce mi g h t a p p ea r c o n t emp tu o u s In
v
.
th i s a s i n a ll el s e a w i s e med i um s h o ul d b e ob s er ed
,
.
4 . Ord er a n d reg ul a ri ty .
men t i n s an cti t y .
t h i n g s b e d o n e decen tl y a n d a ccord i ng t o o rd er ( 1 C or
Let a ll .
xi v . It i s w el l t o h a ve a ed t i me for r i s i n g a n d r et i ri ng t o
x
res t , for mea l s , for w ork , for r ec re a t i on , et c We s h ou l d en de a vor t o .
keep or d e r i n a ll a ro u n d u s , for th u s we s h a ll s a ve mu ch t i me a n d
t ro u b l e St Au gu s t i n e s a ys t h a t orde r l ea d s t o God, for a ll th a t e H
b
. .
a l l i n s t i t u t i o n s , s ch ool s , c o n ve n t s , et c It i s r ema rk a b l e h ow ma n y
.
5 Unremi tti ng p ra
. y er.
B y th i s mea n s ma n y t mp t e i
a t on s a re h el d a l oo f, an d gra ces
in a bu
n d a n t me a s re o u bt i d a ne
en emy s o p,
r a y e r w i t h o u t c e a s i n g p r ot e c t s u s f ro th e d e v l l O u r .
L ord dm
a o n i s h e s u s : W a t ch a n d p r a y t h a t y e en t e r n ot i n t o t
,
emp t a
Ch ri s ti a n P erfecti on
51 6 .
( Joh n v i i i wh er e He s p en t a l o n g t i me i n p r a ye r
. Un ti l He wa s .
t h i rt y y ea r s of a g e He l ed a h i d d en l i fe We kn ow a l s o t h a t ma n y
v
.
mo u n t a i n s St Ig n a t i u s of L o y ol a d wel t for a c o n s i d er a b l e t i me i n
v
. .
th e c a e of M a n r es a Th o s e wh o a re n ow u n kn own , wh o s e l i fe i s hi d
.
wi t h C h r i s t i n Go d , w i l l on e d a y a p p ea r wi t h Hi m i n g l o ry ( C ol i ii . .
3, St Jo h n C h rys o s t o m s a y s t h e li fe of t h e recl u s e i s t h a t of a n
.
Sp i r i t s p ea k s t o t h e h e a r t ( O s ee i i O n e c a n n o t h ea r a s weet
.
mel o d y i n th e mi d s t of d i n a n d t u mu l t ; G o d s v o i c e c a n o nl y b e h ea r d
t h e w orl d i s a el d i n wh i ch mor e v ex a t i o n t h a n p l e a s u r e i s t o b e
r ea p ed Sol i t u d e i s a p res e rv a t i ve fro m t emp ta t i o n a n d s i n as t h e
. ,
h a rb or s h el te r s t h e ma r i ne r fro m s t orm a n d s h i p w r e ck Wh i le Ad a m
.
wa s a l o n e h e d i d n ot s i n ; i t w a s a ft e r h e h a d Ev e for a c o mp a n i o n .
Th e s a g e Sen ec a u s ed t o s a y : As o ft en a s I h a ve b ee n a mo n g men ,
I h a ve retu rn ed l es s a ma n Sol i t u d e h el p s t o ma i n t a i n a n d i n cr ea s e
.
t u d e th a n a mi d t h e n o i s e a n d b u s t l e of t h e w orl d He wh o fre u en ts . q
t h e d r i n ki n g s a l o on wh o g o es t o e ve ry p l a c e of a mu s emen t , wh o, i n a
,
a w or d , en j o y s l i fe wi ll n ot en j o y t ru e p e a ce of h ea rt , wi l l n ot a t t a i n
,
n ot b e u n s o ci a b l e, a n d w i t h d r a w a l t o g et h e r fro m t h e s o c i et y of ou r
fel l ow men ; w e mu s t mi x w i th t h em freel y wh en ever d u t y b i d s , or
-
c h a r i t y c a ll s u p on u s t o d o s o O u r B l es s ed L a d y vi s i t ed h er cou s i n
.
b
.
s p i ri t , n ot i n odi l y p r es en c e .
v
Th e s e th ree i rt u es a re ca l l ed coun s el s eca us e th ey wer e n ot en b
b
j o i n ed u p o n u s y O u r L ord a s a co mma n d b u t a s a c ou n s el Th er e , .
i s n o s i n i n curred i n n ot fo ll o w i n g t h em It b et s t h e l a w of th e New .
w a s on e of s erv i t u d e B y fo l l o w i n g t h e ev a n g el i ca l c p u n s el s w e o ffe r
b
.
a n o l a t i o n t o God of ou r w i ll ou r b o d y, ou r p ro p er t y , Th ey a re .
whi ch i s d o n e v ol u n t a r i l y, n ot u n d e r c o mp ul s i o n , d es erves a g re a t e r
rew a r d .
1 . b
P erfec t o edi en ce c on s i s ts i n th e co mp l ete s ub j ec ti on of
wil l t o th at of a s u p eri or
on e s .
b
C h r i s t i a n o b ed i en c e, t h a t i s , o ed i en ce t o t h e eccl es i a s t i c a l a n d
s e cul a r a u th or i t i es , i s b i n d i n g u p o n ev ery ma n B u t t h i s o b li g a t i o n .
F or i n s t a n ce, t h e s p i r i t u a l a u th ori t y re qu i r es u s t o h ea r M a s s on
Su n d a y s a n d h ol yd a ys , t o a p p ro a ch t h e s a c ra men t s a t Ea s t e r, e tc ; .
Li fel on g ch as ti t con s i s ts i n
2 . y a b ta i
s ni n g from marri age
a n d from a ll u
n cl ea n d es i res .
24 , d ecl a res t h e s i n g l e s t a te t o b e h i gh er t h a n th e ma rr i ed s ta t e ;
i t i s th er efore b ett er t o b e u n ma rri ed ( 1 C or v i i Th e rea s on . .
of t h i s i s b ec a us e c o n j u g a l i n te r c o u rs e fo s t er s ma n s l o w e r n a t u re a n d
,
3 . V ol u n ta r y p o v tyer c on s i s ts i n th e ren u n c i a ti on of a l l
ea rt h l yp os s ess i on s .
To g i ve of o n e s own t o th e n eed y i s t h e b o u n d en du t y of a l l
.
o f t h e C h r i s t i a n b ea r s n o r es emb l a n c e t o th e v o l u n t a ry p o v e rt y of
s i d er a t i o n s ; t h ey w i s h ed t o b e qu i t of t h e ca r es a tt en d i n g t h em .
Th e C h r i s t i a n on t h e o t h e r h a n d ma k es h i ms elf p oor i n or de r t o
s e rve G od b et t er a n d th u s a t t a i n more s u rel y t o t h e p o s s es s i o n of
,
et ern a l t re a s u r es Th e re i s b es i d es i n v ol u n t a ry p o verty wh en a ma n
.
, , ,
i s d es t i t u t e or i n s t r a i ten ed c i r cu ms t a n ces
, Ag a i n t h ere i s p o vert y .
q
of s p i r i t wh i ch i s re u i r ed of a l l men ; i t c o n s i s t s i n a c kn o w l ed g i n g
,
th a t wh a t ever wea l th d i s t i n ct i o n s , or l e a rn i n g we ma y p o s s es s w e
, ,
51 8 Chri s ti a n P erfecti on .
a re p oor i n th e s i gh t .
of God B u t n ow w e a re
. s p ea ki n g of v ol u n
t a ry p o vert y ; h e wh o p oo r for C h ri s t s s a k e i s
1 8 e xcee d in g ri ch ( St .
Je rome) .
u
Th es e th ree c o n s el s are cal l ed th e e angel i cal c o ns el s ; b e
2 . v u
u
ca s e Our Lord g a e t h em t o us wh en H
'
v e p reac h ed t h e Gos el , a n d
p
foll ow ed t h em Hi ms el f .
W e re a d t h a t Ch r i s t s a i d t o t h e r i ch y o u n g ma n : C ome a n d
fo ll o w M e i e , c o me a n d l et you r c o n d u ct b e
( M a tt x i x . . . .
gu i d e d b y M e c omp l et el y Th i s i s p e rfect ob ed i en ce
. An d wh en .
H e wa s s p ea ki n g a b o u t t h e i n d i s s o l u b i l i t y of ma rr i a g e e s a i d tha t , H
th ere w ere s o me wh o rema i n ed un ma rr i ed for t h e k i n g d o m of h ea v en s
s a ke ; a d d i n g : H
e t h a t c a n t a k e i t l et h i m t a ke i t ( M a tt x i x . .
B y t h es e w or d s H
e c o u n s ell ed p erp et u a l ch a s t i t y Fi n a lly e s aid . H
t o t h e y o un g ma n : If t h e n w i ll b e p erfect , g o, s ell wh a t t h o u h a s t
a n d g i v e t o t h e p oor ( M a tt x i x Th i s wa s v olu n t a ry p o vert y
. . .
Th e p o ve rt y of Ch r i s t w a s p erfect ; He ch o s e a s t a e or s b i rt h bl f Hi
p l a ce a p oor v i rg i n for Hi s M o t h e r a l owl y a rt i s a n for Hi s fo s t er
, ,
fa t h er ; He h a d n owh e re t o l a y Hi s h e a d ( M a tt v ii i
. .
v u
3 Th e e a n gel i c a l co ns el s l ea d to hi gh er p erfec ti on, eca s e
. b u
by v
th ei r mea ns th e th ree e il conc p i s cenc es i n ma n a re c omp l et el u y
y b
d es tro ed a n d th e c h i ef o s t acl es i n th e wa y of hi s s al v ati on a re
rem o ed v .
In foll ow i n g t h e ev a n g el i c a l c o u n s el s , w e d o n ot c o m a t th i s or b
t h a t evi l t en d en cy ; w e t e a r u p a l l b a d p a s s i on s b y th e roo t , a n d la y
a So l i d fo u n d a t i o n for t h e ed i c e of v i rt u e Al l s i n s Sp r i n g fro m .
t h e t h r eefol d c o n c u p i s cen ce : Th e c o n c u p i s c en ce o f t h e e y e s , t h e c o n
cu p i s cen c e of t h e es h , a n d t h e p ri d e of l i fe ; i e , t h e i n or d i n a te l on g . .
e v a n g el i c a l c o u n s el s B y ob ed i en ce p r i d e w i ll b e t h oro u g hl y s u b
.
d u ed : c o n c u p i s cen c e of t h e es h b y ch a s t i t y, c o n cu p i s cen ce o f t h e
eyes b
y p o vert y Th e c o un s el s a re a mea n s of remo v i n g t h e ch i ef
.
o b s t a cl es i n th e w a y of ou r s a l va t i o n B y foll ow i n g t h em w e s h a ke .
of f th e fette rs of e a rt h a n d t h u s a d va n ce more s w i ft l y t o w a r d s ou r
,
n a l en d Th a t e a r th l y p o s s es s i o n s a re a formi d a b l e h i n d r a nc e t o
.
s o me th ree th ous a n d a n d i n t o As i a M i n or y St B a s i l 3 79 b .
b
,
Arch i s h op of C a s a rea St M a rt i n B i s h op of To u rs a n d St
. .
, , .
h e rmi t s t h e women nu n s i e i rg i n s Th e p r i n c i p a l O r d er s a re :
. .
b
.
, ,
.
Th e F ra n c i s c a n s fo u n d ed y St F r a n ci s of As s i s i th e D o
.
b
,
mi n i c a n s , y St D omi n i c
. th e Jes u i t s b y St Ig n a t i u s of , .
b
,
L a z a ri s t s y St V i n cent of P a u l
. t h e R ed emp t or i s t s b y St
b
.
, ,
Alp h on s u s Li gu ori es i d es m a n y ot h er s E a ch O rd er h a s i t s .
'
s p ec i a l mi s s i o n : t h e c a re of t h e Sl t h e i n s t ru ct i o n of y o u t h for , ,
s i g n mi s s i o n s et c , R el i g i ou s a re u n d er th e ob l i g a t i o n of rema i n
.
i n g i n on e p l a ce ei t h er i n a p a rt i cul a r h ou s e ( mo n a s t ery ) or a p a rt
b
,
of a h o u s e ( en cl o s u re ) Th ey a re a ll s u j ect t o a s u p er i or wh o i s
.
,
Ge rma n y wh en ce t h ey a re a n i s h ed for th e mo s t p a rt
, It i s a n a ct .
of t y r a n n y on t h e p a rt of t h e St a t e t o forb i d c o mmu n i t y l i fe ; i t i s
d ep ri v i n g s u b j ect s of t h ei r n a t u r a l r i gh t s B es i d es t h e rel i g i ou s .
,
O rd e r s a re n ot me r el y a n orn a men t t o th e C h u r ch t h ey a re a n ,
e s s en t i a l p a r t o f t h e C h r i s t i a n c o mmo n we a l t h Th e s u p p res s i o n of .
t h e r el i g i ou s O rd e rs b y t h e s ecu l a r p ow er i s a mu t i l a t i o n of th e b odv
c orp or a t e . Th e r el i g i ou s s t a te a ffor d s more s ecu ri t y of s a l va t i o n t h a n
a s ecul a r l i fe ; t h e me a n s of g r a ce c a n b e emp l o yed more ea s i l y more ,
s u p e r i or a n d a l s o y t h e h a b i t th ey wea r B u t th o s e wh o d o n ot l i e .
u p t o t h e i r r e l i g i o u s p ro fes s i o n n or k eep t h ei r v o w s fa l l i n t o a d i s
, ,
a more w i cked ma n u p o n ea r th t h a n a b a d R el i g i o u s
M o s t of th e .
B en ed i ct i n es i n th e M i ddl e Ag e s cu t d o wn t h e p r i me v a l fores t s a n d
cu lt i v a t ed t h e u n t i ll ed s o i l Th e con t emp l a t i ve O rd ers a l s o c on
.
b
t r i u t ed mu ch t o th e fu rt h era n ce of g o dli n es s a n d p i et y b y t h ei r
va lu a b l e wri t i n g s All th e mon a s t i c h ou s es w e re n o t ed for t h e i r
.
l i b e r a l i t y t o t h e p oor It c a n n o t b e d en i ed th a t i n s o me c o n ven tu a l
.
on t h es e t h e s c o u rg e of G od fell P er s o n s l i vi n g i n t h e w orl d o ft en
.
t a k e a v o w o f ch a s t i t y R ememb e r t h e ex a mp l e of St Ag n es ; s h e
. .
n ot s u i t ed for t h o s e wh o l i ve i n t h e w orl d .
Th e s ec l ar cl erg u y a re p l ed g e d t o o by e th ei r bi h s op an d
l ead a l i fe of c el i acy b .
Th e Eigh t B ea ti tu d es . 521
Th e s ec u l ar cle rg y a re b ou n d t o o b ey th ei r b i s h op ; th i s ob l i g a t i on
i s i mp o s ed o n t h em w h en t h ey a re a d mi t t ed t o t h e s u b d i a c o n a t e ; a s -
a l s o i s t h e o b li g a t i o n of r e c i t i n g t h e B r ev i a ry Th e cel i b a cy of th e .
c l e rg y w a s r s t ma d e o b l i g a t or y a t t h e Sy n o d of El v i r a i n 3 06 , .
of th ei r o f ce O nl y a t t i mes wh en t h e l a ck of p r i es t s w a s mo s t
.
d i s p en s e p ri es t s fro m t h e i r v ow ; a n d t h en t h ey h a d t o g i ve u p t h e i r
b en eces a n d were d eb a rred fro m a ll exe r c i s e of t h ei r s a c e r d o t a l
,
In th e M i d d l e Ag es P o p e Gr eg ory V II ma d e a d et ermi n ed s t a n d .
a g a i n s t t h e ma rr i a g e of p r i es t s p ro h i b i t i n g t h o s e w h o h a d w i ves fro m
,
t h e i r v o ca t i o n l eft a ll t h ey h a d ; t h e g r e a t p ro p h et s El i a s Eli s eu s
, , , ,
p oor a dmo n i s h h i s o ck a n d of
, fer t h e h oly s a cr ice of th e M a s s wi t h
,
a p ure h ea rt .
Th os e wh o s r c up ul o u ly
k eep God s c omma n dmen ts a re
s
y v
h a p p e en on ea rt h Hen ce O u r Lord ( M a tt
. 3 p ro . v .
n ou n c es th e foll owin
g ea t i t u d es : b
1 .B l es s ed a re th e p oor i n s p i ri t, for th ei rs i s th e ki n gd om of
v
h ea en .
Th e p oor i n s p i ri t a re n ot th e fool s b u t t h e h u mb l e Th ey a re
, .
t h o s e wh o h a ve t h e s p i ri t of a l i ttl e ch i l d Th e r i ch i n Sp i r i t a re t h e
.
p ro u d w h o t h i n k mu ch of th ems el ves b ec a u s e of a l l t h ey p o s s es s
, .
Y et th e ri ch ma n ma y b e p oor i n Sp i r i t , i f h e a ckn o wl ed g es t h a t a l l
h i s r i ch e s a re v a l u el es s i n Go d s s i g h t
An d a p oor ma n i s n ot p oor
.
i n Sp i ri t i f h e p r i d e h i ms el f on s o me qu a l i t y or o th er t h a t h e p os
s es s es . B u t a s a ru l e t h e r i ch a re n ot a n d t h e p oor a re p oor i n
, , ,
b a rren a n d u n p ro d u c t i ve b u t c o n t a i n i n g w i th i n r i ch v ei n s of p u re
j
,
g ol d ; for wh i l e th ey a p p ea r t o t h e ey e of ma n b e r eft of a ll o ys t h ey
p o s s es s c o n s ol a t i o n s of wh i ch th e w orl d kn o w s n o th i n g Th e p oor .
p oor i n s p i r i t a s t h,e p ea rl b el o n g s t o t h e m a n w h o h a s p u r c h a s e d i t
52 2 Chri s ti a n P erfecti on .
( See th e i n s t ru ct i on on meekn es s ) .
et ern a l j oys .
a s th a t i s a Si g n t h a t t h e h e a rt i s n ot d et a c h ed fro m t h e t h i n g s of
ea rt h ; i t p rot s u s n o mo r e t h a n a p l a s t e r wo ul d h ea l a w o u n d i f i t
b
we r e l a i d es i d e, i ns t ea d of on i t So rrow i s o n l y a cu re for s i n
. Un .
l es s ou r s o rr ow i s on a ccou n t of Si n , i t wi ll o nl y b e h a rmfu l ; a s a
b
mo th d o th y a g a rmen t a n d a w orm y the woo d s o t h e s a dn es s ofb
u
,
a ma n con s meth t h e h ea rt ( P ro v xx v . Sa d n es s i n ca p a ci t a t es
.
t h e h e a rt i s t h e l i fe o f a ma n a n d a n e ver fa i li n g t r ea s u re of h ol i n es s
,
-
Wh a t h a p p i n es s a wa i t ed t h e p ro d i g a l s on wh en h e return ed h ome,
a ft e r d eep l y d ep l ori n g h i s s i n ! Wh a t j o y th e p en it en t t hi ef ex
p e ri en ced wh en O u r L o rd p r omi s ed h i m p a ra d i s e ! W h a t j o y M a g
d a l en fel t wh en C h r i s t p a r d o n ed h er a n d c o mmen d ed h er l o ve ! a n d
Da vi d wh en a ft er h e h a d b ew a i l ed h i s t ra n s g res s i on ( P S
,
the .
p r op h et a n n o un c ed t o h i m t h a t h e w as for g i v en ! M o u rn i n g f o r
Si n c a n h a rd l y b e c a ll e d s a d n es s , b eca u s e i t i s n ot i n c o mp a t i b l e w i t h
i n t e r i or gl a d n es s St J e rome s a ys : In s p i te of p en i t en t i a l t ea rs a n d
. .
a l r ea d y w i th t h e a n g el s
Nor i s s orr ow on a ccou n t of th e t r i a l s P ro vi
.
i n g Hi m Th i s w a s th e s orro w t h e w i d ow of Na i m fel t wh en h er
.
s on wa s ca rr i e d ou t for b u r i a l ; a n d O u r L or d c o n s o l ed h er g r i ef b y
r es t o ri n g h i m t o l ife Th e a p o s tl es mo u r n ed wh en C h r i s t l eft t h em
.
ii . W i s d o m will n ot en t e r i n t o a ma li ci o u s s o ul n or d well i n ,
( Wi s d i
a b o d y s u b j ec t t o s i n s Tru th d o es n ot r evea l i t s el f
. .
t o t h e un cl ea n b u t fro m a p u re h ea rt i t can n o t b e h i d ( St B e rn a rd )
, . .
AS a s h eet of p a p er mus t b e cl ea n u p o n wh i ch on e i s a b o u t t o w r i t e
, ,
s o t h a t h e a rt mu s t b e p u r e fro m c a rn a l d es i res u p o n wh i ch G od w i ll
s et Hi s s ea l b y t h e a ct i on of t h e Hol y Gh o s t .
Th e mea ni n g of th es e word s i s th i s : B l es s ed a re th e wh o y
ma k e s a cri c es for th e s ak e of p ea c e, a n d wh o p romot e p eace
b
amon g oth ers ; for h ere el ow th e en j o th e s p ec i a l p rot ecti on y y
of G od , a n d h ereaft er th e y
wi ll rec ei e th e reward of t h eir s el f v
c on qu es t .
( See t h e i n s t ru c t i on up on p ea cea b l en es s .
)
y u
8 B l es s ed a re th e th a t s ffer p ers ec ti on for j u s ti c e s a k e ;
. u
for th ei rs i s th e ki n gd om of h ea en v .
t h ei r fa i th , or of s ome C h ri s ti a n i rt e ; for e en i n th i s l i fe v u v
y
th e w il l b e l l ed wi th i n t eri or j oy , a n d aft er d ea th a h i gh d e
g ree of feli ci t w i l l bye t h ei rs .
Wh a t bb
i n d es cr i a l e h a p p i n es s St St ep h en fel t wh i l e h e was b e in g
.
s t o n e d ; h e s a w t h e h ea ven s Op en ed a n d C h r i s t s t a n d i n g i n t h e g l ory
c ro w n s of t h e s a i n t s a re a d or n e d i n h ea ven Y ou mu s t s u ffe r w i t h
.
Ch r i s t h er e, i f y ou w o u l d r ei g n wi th Hi m t h ere a ft e r Th er e i s n o
.
g r e a t e r h o n or u p o n ea r t h t h a n t o s u er for G od Th e or d e r i n wh i ch
.
O u r s a n c t i c a t i on mu s t b e eec t e d b y mea n s of s t r i v i n g a ft er
p e r f e c t i o n a n d t h e p r a c t i ce o f w or k s o f m e r c y ; W e m u s t b e
u n i t e d t o G od , b y cl e a n n es s o f h ea r t , b y p e a ce a b l en e s s , a n d p a t i en t en
d u r a n ce of s u ffer i n g Th e b ea t i tu d es b eg i n w i th t h e p ro mi s e of
.
et e rn a l fel i c i t y i s t h e r ewa rd of a l l th e i n t e rv en i n g ea t i t u d es Wh a t .
Th e Ei gh t B ea ti tu d es . 5 25
i s p ro mi s ed t o t h e p oor i n Sp i ri t a s t h e i r r ew a r d u n d e r th e n a me of
t h e k i n g d o m of h ea ven , i s th e s a me a s t h e l a n d wh i ch t h e meek a re
t o p o s s es s , t h e c o mfort p ro mi s ed t o th o s e wh o mo u rn , t h e s a t i s fa ct i o n
wh i ch i s t o b e t h e p ort i o n of t h o s e wh o h u n g er a n d t h i r s t a ft e r
j us t i ce, t h e mercy t o b e o b t a i n ed b y th e merc i ful , th e c o n temp l a t i o n
of God wh i ch t h e cl ea n of h ea r t are t o en j oy, t h e a d o p t i o n of t h e
ma ke a Sh o w wi th i t o r th e w orl d wi ll n ot th i n k mu ch of h i m ;
,
O n e o u g h t n ot t o p u t u p w i th a n ythi n g ; Ha p p y i s t h e ma n wh o
i s free fro m ca r e a n d s orro w ; O n e mu s t l oo k t o i t t h a t on e ma kes
a l ot of mo n ey ; Let ever y on e s tu d y h i s own a d va n ta g e ; L et
u s e a t a n d d r i n k for t o morro w we di e ; ( 7
,
-
O n e mu s t t a ke u p arms
B l e s s ed a re th ey
i n o n e s own d efen ce wh en eve r on e i s w ro n g ed ;
,
I
. THE HO LY SAC R IF IC E O F THE MASS .
M a s s , i s a s a cr i c e , i t i s n e ces s a ry r s t of a ll t o s p ea k of s a c ri ce i n
g en er a l Th e w o rd t o s a cr ic e mea n s t o o ffer s omet hi ng v a l ua le
. b
t o s o me p e r s o n a s a t o ken of a ffec t i o n for, or d ep e n d en ce on t h a t p er
s on ; o r t o s u rr en d e r s o met h i n g t h a t we p r i z e for t h e s a k e of a n o t h er .
If a fa t h e r g i ves a ll h e h a s t o h i s s o n s t o en a b l e t h em t o p u rs u e t h ei r
s t u d i es , a n d h i ms elf l i ves i n s t r a i t en ed c i r c u ms t a n ces , h e i s s a i d
t o ma k e a g re a t s a c ri ce for h i s ch i l d ren Wh en a s ol d i e r ma r ch es
.
O u t of l o ve t o
. i m th e
p oor w i d o w ca s t i n t o t h e t re a s u ry t h e l a s t t w o mi t es wh i ch Sh e
p o s s es s e d ; i n d o i n g t h i s s h e ma d e a g rea t s a c r i ce fo r Go d s s a ke
( M a rk x i i . Tob i a s d i d th e s a me, wh en i n c a p t i vi t y h e d i s
t r i b u t e d a l m s t o h i s p oor e r fel l o w ~
cou n t ry men , a n d a t p er i l of h i s
ow n l i fe b u r i e d t h e b o d i e s of t h e s l a i n ( Tob Th e J ew s ma d e a
.
s a c r i ce , wh en a ft e r t h e g i v i n g of t h e l a w, t h ey b ro u g h t g ol d , s i l ve r,
p r ec i o u s s t on e s , p u rp l e, et c , t o M o.s e s fo r t h e ma k i n g of t h e t a b ern a cl e
( Exo d . H
W e a re t ol d i n ol y Sc ri p t u re th a t t o keep th e c om
ma n dmen t s , t o d ep a rt from i n j u s t i c e, a n d t o d o mercy, i s t o o ffer s a c ri
ce ( Ec cl u s xxxv 2 . .Th e es s en t i a l p a rt of a s a c r i ce i s t h e s u rren
d er or ren u n ci a t i o n of s o me o b j ect wh i ch w e h i g h l y p r i z e O f ol d , i f .
a n y on e d es i r ed t o a c c en t u a t e h i s s u rren d e r of t h e o b j ect h e v a l u ed ,
h e u s ed t o d es t ro y i t c omp l et el y ; t h u s ren d er i n g i t i mp o s s i b l e for
h i m e ve r t o rec o ver p o s s es s i o n of i t Th e s a c r i ces o ffered y C a i n , b
Ab el , a n d Noe, w ere o f th i s n a t u re Ab el s l a ug h t ere d a n d u rn ed b
b
.
t h e rs tl i n g s of h i s o ck ; h i s ro th er C a i n o ffered of th e fru i t s of
t h e e a rt h g i ft s u n t o t h e L ord ( Gen i v 3 , . Noe , on l ea vi n g t h e a rk,
.
t ook s o me of t h e a n i ma l s a n d o ffered t h em a s h ol o c a u s t s u p o n t h e
a l t a r h e h a d b u i l t ( Ge n vi i i. .
526
52 8 Th e M ea n s o f Gra ce .
and n a l ly a s a c ri ce i n wh i ch wa s s h e dd i n g of b l o od, th e vi ct i m
b ei n g a l a mb of on e ye a r ol d , w i th o u t b l emi s h , t og eth e r w i th a n
o b l a t i on of fo od a n d d ri nk ( Exo d xx i x . O n t h e Sa b b a t h d a y
.
St P a ul s a ys :
. Th e t h i n g s wh i ch t h e h ea t h en s a cri ce, t h ey s a c rice
t o d e v i l s a n d n o t t o G od ( 1 C or x . . We rea d i n Hol y Sc r i p tu re
t h a t t h e K i n g of M oa b to ok hi s ol d es t s on a n d offer ed h i m for a
b u rn t o ffe r i n g u p o n t h e w a ll , i n or d e r t o o b t a i n h elp a g a i n s t t h e
-
Is r a el i t es ( 4 Ki n g s i i i 2 7 . Th e P h oen i c i a n s a n d oth er As i a t i c
p e o p l e u s e d y e a r l y t o i mm o l a t e y o u n g c h i l d r en t o t h e i r g od M ol o ch ,
t h e b ra z en s t a t u e of t h e d ei t y b ei n g ma d e re d h ot, a n d th e ch il d ren -
Hu ma n s a c ri ces a re n ot y et en t i rel y a b ol i s h ed , th ey a re s t i ll cu s
t oma ry a mo n g s a v a g e s , n o t a b l y a mo n g s me Afri c a n a n d In d i a n
t r i b es . How s a d i s th e c on d i t i on of ma n wi th ou t th e Ch ri s t i a n fa i th !
5 v u
Th e ch i ef moti es w h i ch rge ma n k i n d t o offer s a crice
.
a re : u
Th e c on s ci o s n es s of s i n a nd th e d es i re for recon cil i ati on
wi th God a n d b u
eca se God oft en req ired or s an cti on ed th e
u
s a cric e .
s a c r ic e s St P a u l s a ys :
. . In th em t h e re i s ma d e a c ommemora t i o n
of s i n s e v e ry yea r ( H e b x a.n d
. a g a i n : W i t h o u t s h e dd i n g o f
b l oo d t h er e i s n o r emi s s i on
( H eb i x G o d n o t u n f r e q u en t ly
b
. .
s h o w ed Hi s a p p ro a t i o n of s a c r i c e ; He t es t i ed Hi s a c c ep t a n ce of
r ea t D a o f A t o n em en t o n e of t h e c e r em o n i es c o n s i s t e d i n t h i s : Th e
g y
h i g h p r i es t l a i d b o t h h i s h a n d s u p o n t h e h e a d o f o n e of t h e g o a t s
w h i ch w e r e t o b e o f
f e r e d u p fo r t h e p e o p l e , c o n fe s s i n g a t t h e s a me
t i me th e i n i qu i t i es of t h e ch i l d r en of Is r a el , a n d p r a y i n g t h a t t h ey
mi g h t l i g h t u p o n t h e h ea d of th e a n i ma l ; th e reu p o n t h e g o a t w a s
t u rn ed ou t i n t o t h e d es e rt , t o exp res s s ymb ol i c a ll y t h a t th e Si n s of t h e
Th e Holy Sa cr ifi ce f
o th e M a s s . 529
ce s w er e b u t a fores h a d o w i n g of O u r L ord s exp i a t ory s a c r i c e t h ey ,
( D a n i x .2 7 ; O
. s ee i i i N o r w e r e t h e .s a c r i c es of t h e h ea t h en
a n yt h i ng mor e or l es s t h a n a s eeki n g a ft e r t h e t ru e s a c r i ce of a t o n e
men t th e v i ct i ms were wi th o u t b lemi s h a p u re a n d Sp otl es s ob l a t i on ; ,
o th er s i mi l a r vi ct i ms A v i ct im of i nn i t e a lue wa s n eed ed t o
.
Th e life O u r L or d u p o n ea rt h ma y b e s a i d t o h a ve een on e
of b
u n i n t erru p t ed s a c r i ce Th i s s a c r i ce w a s c ommen ced a t t h e In
.
c a rn a t i o n for t h en He d i v es te d Hi ms elf of Hi s d i vi n e d i g n i ty t h a t
,
u n t o d e a t h , e ven t o t h e d e a t h of t h e c ro s s ( v Th i s s a c r i ce wa s .
c o n t i n u ed t h ro u g h o u t Hi s w h ol e l i fe He rel i n qu i s h ed a ll ea rth ly
.
p o s s e s s i o n s ; He Hi ms elf s a ys : Th e foxes h a ve h ol es a n d t h e b i rd s
of t h e a i r h a v e n es t s b u t t h e Son of ma n h a th n ot wh ere t o l a y Hi s
,
h ea d ( M a t t vi i i He o ft en d en i ed Hi ms el f t h e foo d of t h e b o d y ;
. .
for i n s t a n ce on t h e o cc a s i o n of Hi s c o n ver s e w i th th e Sa ma r i t a n
,
w o ma n He s a i d t o Hi s d i s c i p l es , wh en t h ey p res s ed Hi m t o t a ke s o me
,
refres hmen t : M y me a t i s t o d o th e w i ll of Hi m t h a t s en t M e t h a t ,
i ng :
I s eek n ot M y own g l ory
( Joh n vi i i He b ore s c orn .
F i n a l ly u p o n th e c ro s s He s u rren d ered a ll t h a t He h a d ev en Hi s l i fe
, , ,
i t s elf for He s a i d :
, G r ea t e r l o ve t h a n t hi s n o ma n h a th t h a t a ,
Th e a c t u a l s a c r i c e of p ro p i t i a t i o n b eg a n w i t h O u r Lo rd s P a s s i o n
,
a n d en d ed w i t h Hi s d ea t h u p o n t h e c ro s s O n t h e c ro s s He g a ve Hi s .
b o d y t o b e o ffer ed u p It w a s n ot i t i s t r u e s l a i n d i v i d ed a n d
.
, , ,
b u rn e d w i th re l i k e t h e b o d i es of o th er v i ct i ms b u t i t wa s ,
c ru el l y t ort u r ed a n d d ep r i ve d of l i fe Wh i l e h a n g i n g u p o n t h e c ro s s
.
ma d e b y t h e R e d ee me r t h a t th e p rop h et s p oke of t h e M es s i a s a s a
5 30 The M ea n s of Gra ce .
s a ys : Ch ri s t ou r P a s ch i s s a c r i c ed
, , .
C h ri s t Hi ms el f, a s St Au g u s t i n e s a ys was oth P r i es t a n d V i ct i m
.
, b .
Th e s o l d i e rs wer e on l y i n s t ruments of wh i ch i t p l ea s ed Hi m t o ma ke
us e . Ha d He wi ll ed oth erwi s e, th ey w o u l d h a ve h a d n o p ower a t a ll
o ve r Hi m Th i s He ma d e ma n ifes t on M ou n t O l i v et, for a t t h e word :
.
I a m He, th ey fell t o t h e g ro u n d
Th e s ol d i er s c o u l d n ot i n d ee d
b b
.
a w a k en i n g c o mp u n c t i on ; t h e y h a d n o c l ea n s i n g p o w e r W i th t h e .
2 Th e s a c ri ce of Ch ri s t p on th e c ros s wa s a vi cari o
. u u ac i
s s r
ce for th e s i ns of al l manki nd, a nd a s acri c e of s p era u bundant
u
va l e .
s in s ( IS l i i i C h r i s t th e s e co n d Ad a m t h e Hea d of t h e hu ma n
b
. . ,
,
wh ol e n a t i o n , wi ll b e p ro u d of a g rea t ma n b orn i n t h ei r mi d s t a n d
'
P a s ch a l L a mb th e s a cr i ce of wh i ch d i d n ot l i er a t e on e n a t i on fro m
,
Sa t a n Al th o u gh C h r i s t d i ed for a ll , y et a ll d o n ot r ecei ve th e b en et
.
of Hi s d ea t h ; o n l y th o s e t o wh o m t h e mer i t of Hi s P a s s i o n i s com
mu n i c a t e d ( C ou n c i l of Tren t C 6 C h r i s t s a t o n emen t w a s mor e
.
, ,
th a n s u fc ie n t ; He s u ffe re d b ey o n d wh a t w a s n eces s a r y A Si n gl e .
d rop of Hi s b l oo d w o ul d h a ve s u fced t o w a s h a wa y th e s i n s of a ll
ma n k i n d , for He i s very God a n d th e l ea s t of Hi s a ct i on s i s of i n
v
,
He wh o ne
gl ec t s t h e u s e o f t h e mea n s of gra c e c ann ot be
sa v e d, i n s p it e of C h ri s t s d ea th
.
M ed i c i n e ca nn o t w ork a cu re u n l es s t h e s i ck ma n s wa ll ows i t .
He Wh o ma d e t h ee wi th ou t t h ys elf s a ys St Au gu s t i n e w i ll n ot
, .
,
p r i v e m en o f t h e m ea n s o f g ra c e H e a ct s l i k e t h e Gen e r a l Ho l o.
fe rn es wh o wh en b es i eg i n g t h e t o wn of B eth ul i a cu t off t h e a qu e
,
i n s p i r i n g t h em w i t h i n di ffe ren ce or a v e rs i o n t o wa rd s t h em .
At th e L a s t Sup p er th e So
nof God ch a n ged b rea d i n to His
b od y ,
an d w i n e i n to Hi s bl ood ; He th en ga v b
e oth to th e a p os
tl e s , b i ddi ng th em ea t a n d dri n k th e sa me .
We t o l d t h a t a ft e r t h e w a s h i n g of t h e feet O u r L or d s a t d o wn
a re
a t t h e t a b l e, t o o k b r e a d i n Hi s h a n d s , l oo k e d u p t o h ea v en , g a v e
t h a nk s , b l e s s ed i t , b ro k e i t , a n d g a ve i t t o Hi s a p o s tl es , s a y i n g : Ta ke
y o a n d e a t ; t h i s i s M y b o dy
An d a ft er th e a p o s tl es h a d recei ved
.
t h e b o d y of Ch r i s t , He t oo k th e ch a l i ce i n w h i ch w a s w i n e, g a ve
t h a n k s , b l es s ed i t , a n d g a ve i t t o Hi s d i s c i p l es , s a yi n g :
D ri nk y e
a ll of t h i s , for t h i s i s M y b l oo d ; th e b l oo d of t h e n ew, t h e ete rn a l
D o t h i s for a c ommemor a t i o n of M e
( Th es e a re kn o wn a s t h e .
w or d s of c o n s ec r a t i o n ) .
Th e b o d y of C h r i s t h a d n ot t h e a p p ea ra n c e of e s h , b u t th e a r
p ea ra n c e of b r e a d ; i t h a d t h e s mell t h e t a s te t h e c o l or , t h e w ei g h t , , ,
et c of b r ea d ; t h e s p ec i es w a s i n fa c t r et a i n ed
.
,
Nor d i d th e b l oo d of .
C h r i s t b ea r t h e a p p ea r a n ce of b l oo d b u t of w i n e ; i t h a d th e s mell , ,
t h e t a s t e t h e c ol or et c t h e or d i n a ry a p p ea ra n c e of wi n e
, , .
, ( Th i s s u b .
At t h e L a s t Su p p e r b l es s e d L or d i n s t i t u t ed a vi s i b l e s a c ri c e
ou r ,
i n or d er t h er eb y t o r ep re s en t t h e b l oo d y s a cr ic e wh i ch w a s t o b e
o ffe red o n ce u p o n th e c ro s s a n d t o p re s erv e th e memo ry th ereo f u n t o
,
th e en d of t h e w orl d O u r L ord i n d i ca t ed t o u s t h a t He i n t en d ed a t
.
th e L a s t Su p p e r t o i n s t i tu t e a s a c r i c e b y ch oo s i n g for th i s a ct t h e ,
v ery t i me wh en t h e p a s ch a l l a mb w a s s l a i n a n d e a t en M oreo ve r th e .
sp o ke on th e i ns t i tu t i on of th e O l d C oven a n t We rea d th a t M o s es .
,
a ft er t h e g i vi n g of t h e l a w o n M o u n t Si n a i s l a u g h t e red a n a n i ma l , ,
a n d s p r i nkl ed t h e b l oo d u p o n t h e p eo p l e s a y i n g : Th i s i s t h e b l oo d
,
ca s e a l s o t h er e w a s a s a c r i ce Ag a i n i t i s a s i g n ica n t fa ct th a t O u r
.
Na y more n ot o n l y d o es He c o n cea l Hi s d i vi n e g r a n d eu r He a l s o
, , ,
c o n c e a l s Hi s h u ma n p res en c e C h r i s t t h e Ki n g of h ea ven a n d of
.
,
e a rt h red u c es Hi ms el f b y t h e w or d s of c o n s ec r a t i o n t o a c o n d i t i o n
,
At Hi s b i r th a t B eth l eh em He wa s a t l ea s t i n th e l i ken es s of ma n b u t ,
h e re He s eems t o b e n o th i n g b u t a mor s el of b re a d
B y th i s p ro .
Ki n g Ach a b a ve rt ed th e p u n i s h men t of wh i ch h e w a s w a rn ed b y th e
p r op h et El i a s b y h umb l i n g h i ms el f b efor e God ( 3 K i n g s xx i 2 7
,
.
t h e Ni n i v i te s d i d t h e s a me Th e s a c r i ce i s n ot c on s umma t ed u n t i l
.
t h e s p ec i e s of b rea d a n d wi n e a re c o n s u med Th u s i t w a s w i t h t h e
b
.
s a c ri c e O u r L ord ma d e u p o n t h e c r os s ; He s u f fered r s t Hi s o d y ,
b ei n g t orn a n d ma n g l ed ; t h en d ea t h c a me a n d Hi s h u ma n exi s t en ce ,
It i s c o n s u mma t e d ! Hen ce i t w i ll b e s een t h a t th e u n b l oo dy
s a c r ic e of t h e a l ta r i s i n ever y r es p ec t a fa i th fu l r ep r es en t a t i o n a n d
a t r u e r ep et i t i o n of t h e b l oo d y s a c r i c e of t h e c ro s s Wh a t th e d ea t h .
o f C h ri s t w a s t h en th e re cep t i on o f t h e s a c r e d el emen t s i s n ow
,
Th u s .
St P a ul s a ys th a t t h o s e wh o e a t t h i s b rea d a n d d r i nk t h e ch a l i ce
.
Sh o w t h e d ea th of th e L or d ( 1 C or x i M ore o ver t h e s ep a r a t e
. .
form s of b r e a d a n d wi n e s ymb o l i z e th e d e s t ru c t i on of C h r i s t s h u ma n
n a tu re for t h e b o d y a n d b l oo d of C h r i s t a re s ep a r a t ed on e fro m t h e
,
o th e r u p o n t h e a l t a r a s t h ey w ere u p o n t h e c ro s s wh en th e b l oo d
, ,
o w ed ou t of Hi s b o d y t h ro u g h t h e c o u n tl es s w o u n d s W e a l s o .
g a th e r th a t t h e o b j ec t o f t h i s u n b l oo d y s a c r i c e i s t h e r e c o n c il i a t i o n
o f ma n w i t h G o d fro m t h e w or d s O u r L or d u t t e re d a t t h e L a s t Su p
,
p e r . T h i s i s M y b l oo d
H e s a i d w h i c h i.s Sh e d f o r t,h e r em i s s i o n o f
Si n . Th i s u n b l oo d y s a c r ice i s th er efor e l i ke t h e s a c r i c e of th e
c ro s s t ru l y a p ro p i t i a t ory s a c r i ce ( C o u n c il o f Tren t 2 2
, W e a re , ,
s a c r i ce b u t th e fr u i t s of red emp t i o n a re a p p l i ed t o ou r s o u l s b y th i s
,
u n b l oo d y s a c ri ce Nor i s t h i s u n b l oo d y s a cr i ce of i t s el f s u ffi c i en t
.
th e effe ct o f a w a k en i n g t h em t o a s en s e of Si n ex ci ti n g th em t o c on .
t ri t i on i n d u ci n g t h em t o c on fes s th ei r s i n s a n d a v o i d th em i n fu tu r e
,
.
Th e a p os tl es h a d , a n d th eir s u cc es s ors h a e, th e p o w er o f
1 . v
offeri n g th e s a me s a cri c e, for th e Son of God a t on c e com
5 34 The M ea n s o f Gra ce .
ma n d ed and mp ow ered th em to d o s o, w h en He s ai d :
e Do
c ommemora ti on of M e
thi s for a ( C o u n c il of Tren t,
2 2 ,
1 )
Wh en Ch r i s t g a ve Hi s t wel ve a p o s tl es Hi s es h t o ea t a n d Hi s
b l oo d t o dri n k, He c omma n d ed t h em t o i mmo l a t e Hi m i n l i eu of th e
u s u a l s a c r i c i a l vi c t i ms G o d h a d e n j o i n ed u p o n t h e J e w s t o s l a y a
.
ob ed i en ce t o Go d s c o mma n d offered h i s s on Is a a c u p o n M o u n t M o ri a ,
w i th o u t s h edd i n g h i s b l oo d ( Gen a n d a b o v e a l l t h e s a c r i ce
.
,
of M el c hi s ed e ch , t h e Ki n g of Sa l em t h e ki n g of p ea c e) wh o ,
ment i o n ed i n th e M a s s , i mmed i a t el y a ft e r th e c o n s ec r a t i o n , wh en t h e
p r i es t b es eech es God t o l oo k p r op i t i o u s l y u p o n our g i ft s , a s He w a s
g ra ci o us l y p l e a s ed t o a ccep t t h e g i ft s of Ab el Ab r a h a m, a n d M el ,
c h i s e d e ch Th e h o l y M a s s w a s a l s o for et ol d b y p ro p h ec i es
. D a vi d .
t h e h ol y M a s s t o t h e J ew s wh o, a ft e r t h e i r r et u rn fro m c a p t i v i t y,
p erformed t h e s a c r i c i a l c e remo n i e s i n a c a r el es s ma nn er, s a yi n g :
I h a ve n o p l ea s u re i n y o u r s a c r i ces s a i th t h e L or d of h o s t s ; I wi ll
,
n ot r ec ei v e a g i ft o f y o u r h a n d s F or fro m t h e r i s i n g of th e s u n
.
even t o t h e g o i n g d o wn , M y n a me i s g r e a t a mo n g t h e G en t i l es ; a n d
i n eve ry p l a c e t h e r e i s s a c r i ce, a n d t h ere i s o ffe red t o M y n a me a
cl ea n o b l a t i o n ( M a l i 1 0, . .
3 . Th i s s a cri ce w a s of
fered by th e a p os tl e s , a n d i t h a s s i n ce
b een of
fered by
th ei r s u cces s ors , th e bi h s op s a n d p ri es ts of t h e
Ch u rc h .
s emb l e t o g e th e r on Su n d a y p a rt i c ul a rl y for b r ea k i n g of
, re a d ( Acts
, b
xx 7 .
, St P a ul r ep ea t ed l y men t i o n s th e ch a l i ce of b en ed i ct i o n
.
p a rt ook ( 1 C or x 1 6 ; x i He s a ys : We h a ve a n a l t a r wh ereo f
b
. . .
It i s r ec or d ed th a t th e Ap o s tl e An d r ew wh en u rg ed b y t h e p ro
co n s u l t o o ffe r t o t h e g o d s s a i d t o h i m : ,
I o ffer d a i l y t o th e a l mi g h t y
a n d t ru e God n ot t h e es h of ox en or t h e b l oo d of r a ms b u t th e i m
, ,
of t h e d if fe ren t p a r t s of th e C h r i s t i a n s a c r i ce th e r ea d i n g a n d ex ,
536 272 0 M ea n s of Gra ce.
th e s u n of g r a ce, d a y b y d a y r i s i n g up on th e w orl d , th e ri g h t r a ys of b
whi c h, i n t h e p r i s ma ti c c olors of t h e s even s a c r a men ts , form th e fa i r
r a in b ow, t h e emb lem of p ea ce, th e con n ec tin g li n k b etween he a ven s
h i s h a n ds Th e s a c r i ce of t h e M a s s c on t a i n s i n it s elf a s ma n y my s
.
2 . c c
Th e s a ri e of th e M a s s i s a ca tholi c s a ri c e i n th e t ru e c
s en s e of th e word , for i t i s a n d wi ll b e of fered u n ea s i n gl y c
throu gh ou t th e wh ol e ea rth u n til th e en d of t ime .
s a cr i c e
( M a l i . M a s s
. will b e ce l eb r a t e d u n til t h e D a y of
Judgmen t ( 1 C or x i .Not a n y or a ll of th e a dver s a r i es of t h e
.
w orld s ex i s te n c e Thi s i s wh a t O u r L or d me a n t wh en He s a id : I
.
x xvi ii 2 0) .
c
3 W h a t t a k es pl a e i n th e s a ri e of th e M a s s i s th i s : Th e
. c c
p r i es t a t th e a l t a r , a s t h e r e p r es en t a t i v e o f C h r i s t , o ff er s up b r ea d
a nd w i ne t o a l mi gh t y God ; h e c
h a nges t h es e s ub s t a n es i nt o th e c
b ody a n d b l ood of Ch ri s t , a n d des tr oys t h em b y on s umi ng t h em c .
Thu s i t i s n ot th e p ri es t, b u t C h ri s t Hi ms el f, W h o i n th e
c
M a s s i s th e s a ri in g P r i es t c .
Fr om th e w or d s of t h e con s ec ra ti on it i s evi d en t th a t t h e p r i es t
i s on l y a n in s t r umen t of whi ch O u r L or d ma kes u s e for t h e p ri es t ,
ch a n ge th e b re a d a n d wi n e i n t o h i s ow n b ody a n d b l oo d It i s n ot .
t h e ma n wh o ca u s es the ob l a ti on up on t h e a lt a r t o b e ch a n ge d i n t o
t h e b ody a n d b l ood of O u r L or d it i s C h r i s t Hi ms el f ; C h r i s t ou r
, ,
High P r i es t Wh o i s h ol y i n n ocen t u n d el ed s ep a r a t e fr om s in n er s
, , , , ,
of th e M a s s d o es n ot l os e i t s v a lu e s upp o s i n g t h e of c i a ti n g p r i es t
.
t om ,
b e th e p r i es t wh a t h e ma y ; for ma n d oes n ot con s ecr a t e b u t ,
C hri s t .
c
C h ri s t i s a l s o th e V i ti m wh i h i s immol a t ed i n th e M a s s c .
Th e Holy Sa crice of th e M a s s . 5 3?
Ch ri s t i s th e P r i es t r th e s a cr i ce a n d He i s likewi s e t h e
Wh o of
fe s ,
s a me C hr i s t ou r P a s ch a l L a mb on ce i mmol a t ed up on t h e c r os s i s
.
, ,
C hr i s t a s a a mi n g t or ch b es ide t h e n oon d a y s u n
, Even t h e g r a c es .
4 . c
Th er e a re t h ree d i s ti n t p a rt s i n th e s a ri e c c of th e Ma s s :
th e c c
fert ory, th e on s e ra t i on, a n d th e ommun i on
of c .
wi n e a re of
fere d to God a n d b l es s ed .
t h e M a s s even w er e h e n ot fa s ti n g ; b u t i f t h e p ri es t wh o w a s c el eb ra t
,
us ed a t M a s s , un l es s on ly s ma ll on es c a n b e h a d Th e wi n e mu s t b e .
b ec a us e thi s wa s d on e b y C h r i s t Th e wa ter a n d t h e wi n e a re a l s o i n
.
81 e.
Wh a t t ak es p l a ce a t th e cons ecra ti on is t h is : Th e b r ea d
2 .
a n d t h ey a re t h en el ev a t ed i n th e s i g h t of th e p eop l e .
538 The M ea n s o f Grace .
c
Th e ons ecra ti on i s effe ted b y mea ns of th e words O ur c
Lord u ttered a t th e Las t Su p p er .
c a s e h ow ever t h e a g en t w a s n a tu r a l re wh ere a s a t M a s s it i s t h e ,
c u s t oma ry i n t h e Ea s t a s w e l ea rn fr om a n c i en t litu r gi e s t o c a ll
of c on s ec r a ti on t h e h ea ven s a re O p en e d a t t h e w or d o f t h e p r i es t a n d ,
ma n a ga in i n t h e M a s s th a t a t t h e con clu s i on t h e w or d s : Th e Wo r d
,
wa s ma d e es h a n d dwelt a mon g u s
, a re r ea d ; a n d wh en t h e C red o ,
In c a rn a tu s es t d e Sp i ri tu Sa n c i o ex M a ri a Vi rg i n e; c t h omo fa c tu s
, ,
form p a rt of t h e M a s s a n d th a t O u r L or d h a s a pp ea re d ma n y times
,
a fte r t h e c on s ec r a ti on u n d e r t h e form of a n i n fa n t An a pp e a r a n ce .
wa s s a id Th e s a me a n n oun cemen t ma y b e ma de t o u s C h ri s ti a n s
.
a s w a s ma de b y t h e a n g el s t o t h e S heph er d s of y or e : B eh old I b r i n g ,
y ou gl a d tidin g s of g re a t j oy for t o d a y i s b orn t o y ou a Sa vi our ,
.
3 . Wh a t tak es p l a ce a t t h e c omm u m on 1 S t h i s : Th e p ri es t
S
up i n t h e ight of t h e p eople , s a yi n g : B eh old th e L a mb of God ,
b eh ol d H
i m Wh o t a keth a w a y t h e i n s of th e w orld S
a n d th en r ep e a t s
th r ee ti mes : L ord : I
a m n ot w or thy th a t Th ou s h ould s t en t er u n de r
my r oof ; s a y b u t t h e w or d a n d m y s o ul S h a l l b e h e a l e d T o ea ch o f .
th e c o mm u n i ca n t s wh e n a dm i n i s t e r i,
n g h o ly c o m m u n i on t o h i m h e ,
540 Th e M ea n s f
o Gra ce .
b e en e n j oi n e d up on th em for t h e P op e t h e b i s h op t h e emp er or i n v ok
, , , ,
mer cy up on u s
U p on thi s t h e c ommun i on foll ow e d t h e b i s h op
.
,
g oo d r e a s on a b s en t th ems elve s fr om M a s s
, In th e c our s e of th e .
s u c h a s b owi n g d ow n s miti n g h i s b r e a s t ma ki n g t h e S ig n o f t h e c r o s s
, , ,
i t s own S p ec i a l mea n i n g .
Th e O p en i n g p r a yer s s a id b y t h e p r i es t a t t h e foot of th e a lt a r
, ,
t h e b ook of C h r i s t a n d t h e s on g o f p r a i s e s un g b y t h e n i n e c h oi r s of
,
c a rry i n g a cr o s s of t h e mi s s a l , t h e G o s p el a n d t h e C r eed , a re t o r e
mi n d u s th a t t h e G os p el w a s r s t p re a ch e d t o t h e Jew s , a n d b ein g
r ej ecte d b y th em, w a s p r ocl a i me d t o th e Gen tiles ma n y of wh om b e ,
l i ev ed a n d we re b a ptiz ed Th e o ert ory rep r e s en t s O u r L o r d s
.
were p a r te d Wh en t h e p r i es t s a ys t h e Ag n u s D ei a n d s t r ikes h i s
.
p ea t e d , H i s s a lut a ti on of t h e a p o s tl e s on Hi s tw of old a pp e a r a n c e t o
a n d b l es s ed th em fo r th e l a s t ti me ; a n d t h e L a s t G o s p el , t h e p r op a g a
e a r th ( C och em) .
c c
1 Th e s a ri e of th e M a s s i s a l i vi n g
. renewa l of th e s a c ri c e
of th e c
ros s , for i n th e M a s s , a s up on th e cros s Ch ri s t immol a t es
,
Hi ms el f .
c c
O n l y i n th e M as s He s a r i es Hi ms el f i n a n u n b l oody ma n
n er u n d er t h e a p p e a r a n ce of b rea d a n d wi n e, w h er e a s on th e
c r os s He s a cri c ed Hi ms el f i n a b l oody ma nn er as ma n .
s a c r i c e of Hims e lf up on t h e c r os s He h a s p r o vide d a me a ns wh er eb y
,
s a cr i ce of t h e c r o s s ; it i s n ot a b a re memor i a l of it it i s th e s elf ,
22 , a n d a c cor di n g ly it i s o f t h e s el f s a me v a lu e a n d o f t h e s el f
-
s a me ef ca c y I
n th e M a s s th e P a s s i on a n d d e a th of t h e Son of
.
In it He di s pl a ys Hi s w oun d s t o Hi s h e a ven ly F a th e r t o s a ve ma n ,
ma nn er Th e p r i n c ip a l ce r emon i es of t h e M a s s demon s t ra te a s we
.
,
u p on t h e a lt a r .
2 . In th e s a ri e of th e M a s s c c a ll th e sa cri c es ma de b y Our
Lord are a l s o r en ew ed .
th e c r os s b u t with it He offer s a l l th a t He d id a n d s uf
, fere d dur in g
th e thi rty th ree yea r s of Hi s li fe on ea r th pl a c i n g it a ll for c i b ly
-
s t a n d h ow I of fe r M y s elf d a ily up on t h e a lt a r ; it s u rp a s s es t h e c om
p reh e ts i on of the s er a phi m a n d cherub i m a n d a ll th e heaven ly
1 io s t s
.
g ,
1 By mea ns of th e h ol y s a ri e of th e M a s s th e frui ts of th e
. c c
c c
s a cri e of th e r os s a re a ppl i ed t o us i n mos t a b und a n t mea s ur e ;
c
mor e p a rti ul a rl y we ob t a i n th ereb y for gi venes s of s i n, ert i tude c
th a t our p ra yers a re h ea rd, t emp oral b l es s i ngs , a nd et erna l re
wa rd s .
Every M a s s me fruit s th e s a me p r ot t o th e
i s p r oduc tive of th e sa ,
t h e t re a s u ry t h e M a s s i s th e key th a t un l o ck s it
, Th e c r os s i s th e .
a re given t o u s In t h e s a cr i ce of t h e M a s s w e a re ma de p a rt a kers
.
o th er me a n s o f g r a c e b u t fa r l es s freely a n d a b un d a n tly
, At t h e .
th e M a s s t h e h e a v en ly Fa th er give s u s Hi s Son ; a n d h a th He n ot
wi s e on e c a n n ot s h a re i n C hr i s t s merit s a n d on e i n cu r s t h e guilt of
,
mort a l s i n ; b u t it i s n ot n eces s a ry t o b e i n a s t a t e of g r a c e t o h ea r
M a s s ; t h e s i n n er d oes n ot c ommit a fres h s i n b y d oi n g s o ; on the
c on t r a ry h e g a i n s th e g ra ce of c on ver s i on .
544 The Mea n s of Gra ce .
t o a rr es t t h e divi n e j udgmen t s wh a t c a n n o t th e s a c ri ce of t h e M a s s
,
ef fect ? If s a ys C oc hem
, th ou d os t often hea r M a s s th ou ma ys t
, ,
c
b e a u s e th ey a re a i d ed b y th e p ra y er of O ur Lord a n d of th e
a n g el s wh o a re p res en t .
w a n ti n g t o h i s p r a yers
How fooli s hly thos e a ct wh o s a y a t h ome th e
.
p r a yer s th ey might s a y a t M a s s !
meh oi n g a n y i mp or t a n t u n d e rt a ki n g b ec a u s e h e th er eb y i n s u r e d i t s
,
h s o
i w r k W eh. n h i s m a s t e r a t t h e i n s t ig a
,
t i on of hi s fel l ow s e rva n t s ,
Th e Holy Sa crice o f th e M a s s . 5 45
s i ons of th os e w h o ma ke a p oi n t of h ea r i n g M a s s By i n cr ea s ing .
4 . We c a nn o t ob a i n a n e e n a l re o
t t r c mp en s e t h rou gh h ea ri n g
M as s u n l es s we a re in a s a te of t g ra c e.
or if p oor t wo d ove s ; a n d w e h a ve a n a l l ef
, ca ci ou s s a cr ice without -
p ri c e . Let u s th erefor e g o with c on den ce to th e thr on e of gra ce
( Heb iv . .
2 . c
Th os e wh o p a rti i p a t e i n th e frui t s of th e h ol y sa cri c e of
th e Ma s s are : Fi rs t, th e i ndi vi dua l for wh om i t i s ra t ed ; c el eb
t h en th e p ri es t a nd a l l wh o a re p res ent ; na lly a l l th e fa i t hful , ,
b ot h l iv i n g a n d d ea d ; moreover th e h ol y s a c ri c e gi ves j oy t o a l l
th e a n gel s a nd s a i nts .
.
, , ,
o r a s u n g M a s s i s des i red or t h e p r i es t h a s t o g o a l on g di s ta n c e
, Th e .
s p ea k i n t h e n a me of t h e C hu rc h a n d a s t h e r ep res en ta tive of Hi s
L or d s d ea th up on t h e c r os s w a s of i mmedi a te p r ot t o th e d ea d for
,
c a u s e t h e on ly b eg ott en Son of G od i s a g a i n ma d e es h
-
Wh en God .
on e a r th w er e t o u n it e with y ou i n on e un cea s i n g a ct of t h a n k s g i v
2 The h ol y s a ri e
. c c of th e Ma s s ma y a l s o b e oered
i n h onor
of th e a n gel s or s a i n t s .
W h en r h oly M a s s i n h on or of th e s a i n ts it i s t h e s a me
we offe ,
ma y b e ma de i n it t o t h e p r in ce y et h e a ccep ts it gr a c i ou s ly Even , .
s o t h e b l es s e d t a k e s p ec i a l d elight i n t h e M a s s wh en it i s c el eb r a te d
i n thei r h on or a lth ough th e P a s s i on of C hr i s t a l on e i s re en a c t e d i n
,
-
of t h e s a i n t s t h e M a s s i s es s en ti a l ly a s a cr i ce of th a n k s givi n g a n d of
,
of th e s a i n t s i s i n c r e as e d b u t n ot t h e d eg r ee of h a ppi n es s they en j oy
, .
gen er a lly a pp ea r ed t o h er t o th a n k h er D u r in g th e M a s s s h e w a s .
c c
3 Th e h ol y s a ri e of th e M a s s ca n al s o b e offer ed for th e
.
Th e C oun c il of Tren t
xp re s s ly d ecl a r es th a t th e s a cr ice of t h e
e
a n d giv e th em a memen t o i n ev e ry M a s s a s i s d on e n ow a ft e r t h e ,
r ememb er h er a t t h e a lt a r of G od a ft er h er d ep a r tur e Sh e w a s n ot .
, a fte r ,
fr om mort a l Si n a t t h e ti me of th ei r dea th .
. c c
4 Th e h ol y s a ri e of th e M a s s ca n, h owev er, b e oered for
t h e l i vi ng, wh eth er Ca t h oli s or n on Ca th ol i s c -
c .
5 . Not th e p ri es t a l on e, b u t a ll th e fa i th fu l wh o a re p res en t
at M as s, ma y offer th e h ol y s a cri e for a s p ec i a l i n t en ti on c .
t o of fe r t h e h oly M a s s i n w or d or i n th ought l os e mu ch th a t th ey ,
b e i n g p r es en t a t it, b u t i n un itin g on e s s el f i n s p i r it t o th e p ri es t
w h o o ers it .
5 50 Th e M ea n s of Gra ce .
1 . As th e h ol y sa cri c e of th e M a s s i s a n ab l a ti on of i nni t e
va l ue t o c el eb ra t e or t o h ea r
, Ma s s i s a good w ork whi h s urp a s s es c
a ll ot h er good w ork s i n ex c el l en ec .
s a c ri cer a n d t h e mo r e p r e c i ou s t h e vi c ti m t h e g r e a t e r i s i t s i m ,
t h e gl o ry He r e ce ives i n t h e M a s s i s i n n it e ; it i s a n h on or p a id n ot
b y a n g el s or men b u t b y C h r i s t Hims elf , C h r i s t a l on e
s a ys .
,
C och em kn ow s t h e gr ea tn es s of t h e divi n e ma j es ty ; He a l on e kn ow s
,
w h a t i s d u e t o th e M os t High ; He al on e i s ca p a b l e of r en de r i n g t o t h e
divin e ma j es ty t h e h on or th a t a pp er ta i n s t o Hi m ; a ll th a t a n gel s a n d
men c a n d o for t h e gl ory of G od s ca r c ely d es erves n oti ce i n c om
p a r i s on with wh a t C h r i s t d oes N o s a c r ice i s a n a ct of s uch p ro
.
s el f a pp e a r l es s th a n ma n In p res en c e of th e s a c rice of t h e M a s s
.
,
a l l t h e s a c r i ce s of t h e O l d Tes t a men t v a n i s h a s d o t h e s t a r s wh en t h e
s u n r i s es for th os e s a c r i ce s w ere on ly a ccept a b l e t o God i n a s mu ch
,
t h e M a s s i s id en ti c a l Th er efor e t o h ea r or cel eb r a t e M a s s i s a g oo d
.
C h r i s t t h e w o u
, n d s o f C h r i s t t h e P a s s i on o f C h r i s,t n ay t h e on ly ,
b ec a u s e i n medit a ti on w e r ep r es en t t o ou rs elves C hr i s t a s p re s en t ,
wh er ea s i n t h e M a s s He i s r ea lly p r es en t i n p ers on .
in r o o r t i on t o th e w ort h i n es s a n d d ev ot i on of p r i es t a n d p eop l e
p p .
Th e s a cr ice of th e M a s s h a s a twofold vi r tu e Th e on e it h a s of .
ou t t h e M a s s w a s on ce b egg e d n ot t o fa ti g u e h er s el f i n thi s ma nn er :
,
Wh a t, s h e repli ed woul d y ou h a ve me s i t i n th e p re s en ce of my
,
s ac r i ce des erve con dign pu n i s hmen t ; they cert a inl y der ive n o p r ot
from it It i s a ls o mos t un s eemly t o c ome t o M a s s d res s ed t o ex ces s
.
,
a n d S h ow of
f the i r n e c l othe s Th ou p op i nj a y l i s thi s n ery
. he ,
2 Wh en a ss i s t i ng a t th e h ol y s a ri e, w e ough t t o uni t e
. c c our
c
s up p li a t i ons t o th os e of th e p ri es t , b ut i t i s not ne es s a ry t o c use
th e s a me pra yers a s h e does .
h ea r in g M a s s , b e c a u s e i n h ol y M a s s th e s a cri c e of th e c r os s i s
re en a c t ed , a n d i t w a s i ns t i t ut ed a s a c ommemora t i on of th e
-
d ea t h of th e R ed eemer .
Th os e d o wr on g wh o r ep ea t t h e p r a yers of t h e M a s s ou t of a
p r a y er b ook i n a forma l ma n n er with the i r lip s n ot with thei r he a rt
-
, ,
.
b efore u s .
It i s w el l t o h a ve a li ttl e S i n gi n g d u r i n g M a s s , a s i t i s c on
d u ci v e to d evot i on , i s i n i t s el f a p r a ye r , a n d p r omot es th e gl ory
of God .
over a n ef
, c a c i ous p r a yer ; it i s a hea rtfelt a n d ferven t p r a ye r for ,
a n d le a ds t h e H oly Spi r it t o vi s it t h e h e a rt of t h e S i n g er s ; th a t on
t h e h ea rt a n d c a u s es t h e S i n n er t o S he d t e a r s of c on t r iti on a n d c om
pun cti on V oc a l mu s i c i s a ls o a n a pp r op r i a te a ccomp a n imen t t o t h e
.
s ide r a ti on of wh a t i s b ei n g en a cte d up on t h e a lt a r An d S i n ce it i s i n .
p oi n t e d t o b e s un g b y t h e p r i es t It i s h owev er i mp or t a n t th a t t h e
.
, ,
3 . c
At th e t h r ee p ri n i p a l p a rt s of th e M a s s w e s h oul d t o a
cert a i n ex t en t s us p en d our p r i va t e d ev ot i on s , a n d x our a tt ent i on
up on wh a t i s d on e up on th e al t a r .
M a s s a n d a t t h e c ommun i on a s a b ell i s ru n g t o c a ll ou r a tt en ti on t o
,
it At th e offert o ry th e p ri es t s a ys :
. We offer un t o Thee O L ord , ,
5 54 T he M ea n s o f Gra ce .
th e c h a l i ce of s a l va ti on a n d t h e fa ithful
, o ught on the i r p a rt to ma k e
an a c t of of fe r i n g t o ver i fy h i s w or d s
, .
c
In th e ou rs e of th e M a s s w e a re re ui r ed to d o a s foll ows : q
c c
W h en th e p r i es t ommen es th e M a s s , w e S h ou l d ma ke th e s i gn
of t h e c r os s , a n d di rec t ou r i n t en ti on .
tive .
li p s , a n d b reas t , to t es ti fy ou r b el i ef i n , an d ou r rea di n es s to
c on fess a n d foll ow th e t ea ch i n g of th e cru i ed R ed eemer c .
i n t o Jeru s a l em ( M a tt x x i . .
c c
At th e on s e ra t i on w e ou g h t t o k n eel a n d a d ore th e R e
c
d eemer W h o omes d own from h ea v en u p on th e a l ta r .
Imit a t e a t th e c on s ec ra ti on wh a t y ou s ee t h e p r i es t d o ; h e fa ll s up on
h i s kn ees a n d r everen tly a d ore s the L or d a n d G od Wh om h e h old s i n
,
,
us t o g a z e i n fa ith up on t h e s a c r e d H os t ! It i s n ot w ell t o d r op
on e s h e a d i mm edi a t ely a s i f on e w oul d hid e on e s s el f
,
F or wh a t .
s on g s of p r a i s e with g re a t j ub il a ti on Th e L or d i s i n Hi s h oly t em
.
L or d w er e n ot p r es en t ; th ey a re lik e a ma n wh o wh en a fr i en d c omes ,
on h i s a rr iv a l b u t l e a ves h i m s t a n di n g a s i f h e w er e a s t r a n g er
,
Th e .
ob l i gat i on .
1 . Th os e pe rs on s w h o wi th ou t gr ea t c ou l d n ot go to ch r c h u
a di s t a n ce t o g o i n b a d w e a th er A ki n g on ce ob s erv e d th a t on a .
c r owd e d
Al a s h e excl a i me d
. p eopl e a re r ea dy en ough t o ma ke
, ,
f
,
us e et c
l or , .
We
2 . h a ve n ot h ea r d a w h ol e M as s , u nl es s w e h a v e b een
p r e s en t i n c
th e ch u r h d u r i n g th e t h ree p r in ci p al p a rts of on e
and th e sa me M a s s .
It i s r e qui s ite t o b e p r es en t a t t h e th r ee p r i n c ip a l p a r ts of t h e
M a s s ; i f on e of thes e i s omitted th r ough n eglig en c e t h e ob lig a ti on i s ,
M a s s fr om t h e c on s ec ra ti on t o t h e en d a n d a n oth er fr om th e c om ,
n a me th er e i s He i n t h e mid s t of th em ( M a tt xviii
, St John . . .
h e ob s erv ed
Whi le y ou s t a y he re I s ha ll d o th e s a me ; i f y ou g o
.
,
c hur ch a t M a s s ti me -
.
from th ei r mi n d a l l t h a t ma y c a u s e t h em d i s t r a c ti on , a n d w h o
u ni t e th ei r p et i t i on s to t h os e of th e p ri es t , es p e i a ll y a t th e t h r ee c
p ri n i c
p a l p a r t s o f t h e M a s s .
4 It i s p ermi s s i b l e t o a s s i s t a t th e h ol y s a c r ic e of th e M a s s
.
on Su n d a ys a n d h ol yd a ys i n a ny h u r h ; b u t i t i s d es i ra b l e t o c c
g o t o o n e
s p a r i s h h u r h c c .
C a th oli c s t o he a r M a s s i n th e i r p a ri s h church .
c c
mend a b l e pra t i e, for i t ma y b e th e mea ns of ga i ni ng th e grea t es t
gra c es .
i n t h e c a n on o th e M a s s , s upp os e s th a t th os e wh o a re p re s en t wh o
5 58 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce .
a l s o b e a s h a me d of y ou ( L uk e i x Wh en Ki n g L oui s of F r a n ce .
n ot h a ve a w or d t o s a y a b out it
Th e Bles s e d Th oma s M o re w a s .
1 . Th e h ol y c
s a ri e of t h e c
M ass i s gen era ll y t o b e c el eb ra t ed
b etween s u n ri s e a n d n oon , a n d a t mi d n i gh t on C h ri s tma s Ev e .
s u c h a s t h e p r i es t s g o i n g on a j ou rn ey or i n o r d er t o give w or ki n g
,
o r d e r t o es ca p e t h e p e r s ec uti on o f t h e h ea th en An d i n l a ter ye a r s it .
2 O n Su n d a ys a n d h ol y da ys of ob l i ga t i on th e h ol y s a r i e
. c c
of th e M a s s i s of c
fered a t a on v en i en t h ou r i n a l l p a ri s h h u r c h es , c
a n d al mos t a l wa ys da ys a ls o
on week -
.
a re i n vi rtu e of th e i r of
,
ce u n de r t h e ob lig a ti on of oeri n g t h e h oly
,
c u re of s o ul s a re c a ll e d p a r ochi a l M a s s e s a n d mus t b e s a id a t t h e ,
h ou r wh en t h e p a r i s hi on er s a re b es t a b le t o come t o chu rc h .
b u t on Ch ri s t ma s D a y a n d on All Sou l s D a y a l l p r i es t s a re
a l l ow ed t o s a y t h ree M a s s es An d b y t h e p ermi s s i on of th e .
s a y th r ee M a s s es on C h r i s tma s D a y a n y more th a n it i s up on t h e ,
t wo a lt a rs , th e a lt a r of b ur n t offer i n g i n t h e o ut e r c o urt a n d th e
-
c
C h u r h es a re u s u a ll y b u il t on a h ei gh t, or i n th e cen tre of
a t own s h i p Th e s tyl es of ec l es i as ti a l a rchi tectu re
. c c a re many
a n d v a ri ed .
A hill , or so me
mi n en ce u s ed to b e s el ected a s t h e Si te of a
e ,
a re a d a p t ed t o a w a k en a n d a i d d ev ot i on .
,
.
t h e Su n of j us ti ce It i s b uilt i n t h e fo rm of a cros s b e c a u s e t h e
. ,
s a c r i c e of th e c ros s i s re en a c t e d withi n i t s w a ll s
-
a n d t h e d oc t r i n e ,
of t h e C ru c i ed p re a ch ed It h a s a S pi re p oi n ti n g t o h ea ven ou r
. , ,
h ome t o a dmon i s h u s t o s eek th os e thi n g s th a t a re a b ove ( C ol
,
.
Th e c on s e ra c
ti on of a c h u r c h i s p erformed b y th e b i s h op ,
b ut a ch ur c h ca n wi t h t h e pe r mi s s i on of th e b i s h op
, ,
b e ens
l oy d for d i vi n e s erv i c e wi t h ou t c on s e c ra ti on
p e .
c on s e cr a ti on of a c hu r c h a re a s foll ow s : Th e b i s h op r s t p r os tr a tes
hi ms el f b efor e t h e p r i n cip a l en tr a n ce a n d rec it es t h e L ita n y of th e ,
n a ti on s of t h e e a rth a re c a ll e d i n to th e C hur ch of C hr i s t ; n ex t h e
g oes r oun d t h e i n ter i or of th e b uildi n g th ree ti mes s p ri n kl i n g th e ,
c r i me i s committ e d i n a c hu rc h, s u ch a s mu r d e r, or s ui c ide a n d it
,
i s kn own pub li c ly t h e s a c r ed e dice mus t b e i n s ta n tly cl os ed a n d
,
, ,
mu s t i n va r i a b ly b e ob t a i n ed F or s a yi n g M a s s on b oa r d s hip th e s a n c
.
,
a lt a r b l es s e d b y t h e b i s h op i s us ed ; t h a t i s a s qu a re s ton e s l a b l a rg e
, , , ,
v i t e d t o a w e ddi n g In t h e p a ra b l e of th e ma rr i a ge fe a s t O u r Lor d
.
-
O u r L or d a l s o s a ys :
L et y ou r l o i n s b e gi r t ( L uke x ii Th e .
a n d b ehi n d r e a ch i n g d ow n t o t h e kn e es ; i n e a rly ti me s it w a s a k i n d
,
of m a n tl e with on ly on e op en i n g th r ou gh whi ch t h e h e a d w a s p a s s e d
, , ,
M a s s th e ea c
d o n a n d s u b d e a c on w ea r -
s p ec i a l v e s tmen t s , c a l l e d d a l
ma ti es .
564 Th e M ea n s o
f Gra ce .
1 . W hi te c
i s th e ol or u s ed on th e fea s ts of O u r Lor d , of th e
B l es s ed V i rgi n , of th e a n gel s , a n d of c on fes s ors .
2 . R e d i s th e c ol or u s ed a t P en t e c os t an d on th e fea s ts of
ma r tyrs .
ou r h ea r t s ca me d ow n up on t h e a p os tl es i n t on gu es of re
, Th e .
r
c os s , b ec a u s e O u r L ord s he d Hi s b lood up on th e c ros s .
3 . Green i s u s ed on th e Su n d a ys a f er
t Ep ip h a n y
th e an d
t
a f er P en t e os t c on wh i c h no th i n g s p ec i a l i s c ommemora t ed .
P u rp l e i s
4 . u s ed i n Ad v en t an d L en t, a n d u pon vi gil s an d
Emb er d a ys .
5 . B l a ck i s u s ed on G oo d F r i d a y and at M as s es for th e d ea d .
2 Th es e
. c ol ors n ot onl y dep i ct th e c r
ou s e of Our Lor d s l i fe
on ea rt h , b ut se rve as a c t
on s a n t ad mon i t i on to us to l ea d a p i ous
l i fe .
In t h e r s t c en tu ri es of C h ri s ti a n ity a c u rt a i n us ed t o b e d r a wn
du r i n g t h e ti me from t h e Sa n c tu s t o t h e c ommun i on t o c on ce a l t h e ,
p a t ri a r ch s ; we d o n ot n d O ur L or d or th e a p os tl es cen s ur i n g thi s
p r a cti ce Th e Greek C hur ch b oth orthodox a n d s chi s ma ti ca l, em
. ,
2 . Th e us e of th e La ti n l a n gu a ge in h er se rv i c es i s mos t ad
p r es e rv e h er fr om ma n y e vi ls .
l a n g u a ge of th e Ch ur ch delib e ra ti on s a n d di s c u s s i on s a mon g b i s h op s
,
theolog i a n s wo ul d b e i mp os s ib l e . M or eover La t in , th e
, th e us e Of
l a n gua ge O f a nc i en t R ome, i s a c on s t a n t remi n der of ou r d ep end ence
on t h e Holy R oma n Ch u r c h ; it reca ll s t o ou r mi n d s i n v olun t a rily th e
c on ti n u a l p r oc es s of ch a n g e ; w or d s d r op ou t , or th e i r mea n i n g i s
s a id a n d s u n g t o t h e gl or y O f G o d , a n d th a t i s s u f c i en t for them t o
j o i n i n it d ev outly .
M or eover, exp er i en ce t ea ches th a t t h e fa c t of
t h e p r a yer s b e i n g i n L a tin d oes n ot a t a ll h a mp er or i n terfe re with
t h e d evoti on of t h e fa ithful or l ea d th em t o a b s en t th ems elves fr om
,
er e d i n t h e v ern a c ul a r ; it i s O ft en u s e d a t t h e op en i n g s ervi c es a n d
t h e wh ol e o f t h e M a s s i s i n L a ti n i s b ec a u s e it i s a s a c r i ce, n ot a n
i n s tr u c ti on for t h e p eopl e Th e g rea ter p a r t of th e p r a yers a re s a id
.
M a s s c on s i s t s mo re i n a c ti on th a n i n w or ds Th e a c ti on s of t h e .
'
w a s p r ove d a t t h e ti me of t h e r eforma ti on wh en t h e p ra y er s of th e ,
1 6 . SINGING AT M ASS .
1 . Th e s in gi n g of w h i ch th e Chu r h c mak es us e a s an a e oc m
p a n i men t t o t h e M a s s , i s w h a t i s kn ow n as th e G r egor i a n ch an t .
Q
56 8 The M ea ns of Grace .
a re of ma i n i mp ort a n ce , ec a u s e t h ey a re t h e o u t c o me of t h e h e a rt ;
t h e orch es t r a l a c c omp a n i men t i s a n a cces s ory t h a t c a n w ell b e di s
p en s ed w i t h . Th e p l a y i n g o u g h t n eve r t o d ro wn th e s i n g i n g or ren ,
mu s i c b e ca lc ul a ted ra t h e r t o p l ea s e t h e e a r t h a n t o t o u ch t h e h ea rt
a n d a w a k en p i o u s emo t i o n s , for i n th a t c a s e i t w o ul d b e a hi n d r a n ce ,
n ot a h el p t o p r a y e r .F or t h e e a rt hl y mi n d ed J ew s i n s t rumen t a l-
n ob l e r a i ms . In t h e ea rl y d a ys of C h r i s t i a n i t y n o i n s t ru men t a l mu s i c
w a s h e a rd a t t h e t i me of d i vi n e w or s hi p , for t h e C h r i s t i a n s w oul d n ot
h a ve t h e i r p r a ye rs mi n g l e w i t h t h e n o t es of i n s t ru men t s wh i ch w ere
a s s o c i a t ed w i t h p a g a n d a n ces a n d i d o l a t ro u s c er emo n i es O rg a n s .
we re r s t u s ed i n ch u r ch es i n t he ei g h th c en t u ry ; i n t h e s i xteen t h
cen t u r y, wh en ki n g s a n d p r i n ces w h o w e r e p a t ro n s of mu s i c h a d
orch es t r a s a t t a ch ed t o t h ei r c ou rt s we n d i n s t rumen t s of va r i o u s
,
ki n d s , vi ol i n s , u tes , et c , i n t h e ch u r ch es
. L a te r on p ro fes s i o n a l .
,
b a n d ma s t ers w e re en g a g ed t o c o n d u c t t h e ch o i r s i n ch u rch es a n d ,
t o t h e s a c red w or d s of t h e li t u rg y Amo n g th o s e wh o c on t r ib u t ed
.
mo s t t o t h e r eform of C h u r ch mu s i c w a s P a l e s t r i n a t h e P a p a l ch o i r ,
L a t er a n C h u rch i n R o me a s s e rt ed h i ms elf i n t h e s a me d i r e ct i o n
, .
He wa s c a l l ed th e ki n g omp o s e rs a n d w a s th e a u t h or of ei g h t
of c ,
St M a rk s i n V en i ce a n d Alleg r i a re a l s o cel eb ra t ed c o mp o s er s Th e
. .
, ,
p a r t s a n d a d o u l e s c or e i s m u c h e s t ee m e d T h es e ma s t e r s p ro mo t e d
.
t h e c o mp o s e r B a ch ,a n a t i ve of Ei s en a ch wh o s e s a c red
mu s i c i s d i s t i n gu i s h ed b y i t s s e r i o u s rel i g i ou s t o n e To w a r d s t h e
b
.
,
h e d i ed i n 1 809 i n V i ; M o z r t t i v f S l z b r w h t
a
en n a a a n a e o a u g o
b b
, ,
t r a ct ed a t t en t i o n a s a o y y h i s mu s i c a l t a l en t co mp o s ed ft een ,
M a s s es b efore h e w a s e i g h t een y ea rs ol d ; h e d i ed a t t h e a g e of
t h i rt y v e i n V i en n a ; a n d B ee th o ven a n a t i ve o f B o n n w h o w ro t e
-
, ,
t wo M a s s e s of p ro d i g i o u s l en g t h ; h e d i ed i n 1 8 2 7 i n V i en n a Th e .
w orks of t h es e c o mp o s e rs c a n n o t b e c o n s i d e r ed a s mo d el s of w h a t
s a c red mu s i c o u g h t t o b e ; t h ey d o n ot r e ec t t h e s p i r i t of t h e C h u rc h
i n t h e Greg or i a n mu s i c .Th ey ma y exp res s feel i n g s of d ev o t i o n ,
of wh i c h i s t o t r a i n ch o i rs t o r a i s e c o n g reg a t i o n a l s i n g i n g t o a h i g h e r
,
n ned b y P op e P i u s IX i n 1 870 . .
An d n ow e emp l o y s H H
i s mi n i s t ers t o d i s p en s e t o t h e fa i t hfu l
t h e Sp i ri t u a l b re a d , t h e w or d o f Go d Th i s b rea d i s g i ven t o t h em .
freel y ( 2 C or . xi .
( M a tt i v . Th e ma nn er i n wh i ch t h e w or d of God a ct s u p o n t h e
.
s o ul i s b y en li g h t en i n g t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d i n c i t i n g t h e w i ll t o
d o wh a t i s g oo d In th e d a rkn es s of th i s li fe i t s h o w s u s t h e p a t h t o
.
s h o w s u s t h e ma rk s u p o n ou r c o u n t en a n ce Wh en St Au g u s t i n e h a d . .
a t t en d e d t h e s erm o n s of St Amb ro s e a t M i l a n h e s a i d : . Th a t ma n ,
g oo d Th e fa b le t ell s u s t h a t O rp h eu s p l a yed t h e l y r e w i t h s u ch a
.
t o li fe Th i s i s t ru e of th e w or d of G od ; b y i t wh ol e n a t i o n s s un k
b
.
i n h ea th en d o m d eg r a d ed el o w t h e l ev el of t h e b ea s t s
, h a ve b een ,
ma n .
Are n ot M y w or d s a s a h a mme r t h a t b r ea ket h t h e ro c k i n
p i e c es ? ( J er xxi i i . Th e w or d of God s t r i kes t h e h e a rt l i ke
.
b a n i s h es s i n
It a cts on th e s o ul
.
s a ys St Jero me, a s a p l o u g h
, .
o n t h e s o i l l oo s en i n g t h e h a rd en ed s u rfa c e, roo t i n g u p t h e t h i s tl e s of
,
Th e w ord of God ki n d l e s t h e a me of ch a r i ty i n t h e h ea rt
vi ce .
of ma n ; l i ke re i t c o n s umes t h e ru s t of s i n , i t p ro mo te s t h e g ro wt h
,
o f vi rt u e ; or i t ma y b e co mp a red t o th e g en t l e r a i n th a t c ometh
d o wn fro m h ea v en t o s o a k t h e ea rt h a n d w a t er i t a n d ma ke i t t o ,
s p r i n g a n d g i ve s eed t o t h e s o w e r a n d b r ea d t o t h e e a t er ( Is l v
, . .
hi ms el f to th e ri s k of s p i r i tu al d eath a n d etern a l d a mn a ti on .
570 The M ea ns o f Gra ce .
wh o d o n ot h ea r t h e word of God wh i ch i s th e fo od of t he s o u l i n c u r
, ,
s p i r i t u a l d ea t h In th i s li fe w e a re t ra vel lers on t h e l o n g a n d d a n
.
r ea ch th e en d of ou r j ou rn ey wi th ou t th e li g h t of G o d s w or d t o
i l l u mi n e ou r mi n d a n d g u i d e u s t o ou r n a l en d Th e w or d of God .
i s t h e s u n of t h e s o u l wi t h o u t wh i ch t h e Sp i r i t u a l l i fe wi l l d roo p a n d
v v
,
o e s un .
Hen c e u v
i t i s th e d ty of e ery Ch ri s ti a n ei th er t o h ea r s er
u
mon s frequentl y , or t o rea d s p i ri t a l b ook s a nd make a practi cal
a p p l i ca ti on of wh at h e h ears or rea d s .
Th e C o u n c i l of Tr en t or d er s t h a t th er e s h o u l d b e a s e rmo n i n
v
e e ry p a r i s h c h u r ch on Su n d a ys a n d fes t i va ls As i t h a s l ong b e en
.
cu s t o ma ry t o h a ve th e s e rmo n a ft e r t h e G o s p el, a ll g o t o Ma s s
on th o s e d a y s h ea r a s e rmo n a s a ma t t e r of c o u rs
t h e r e i s n o Sp ec i a l i n j u n ct i o n t o h ea r s e rmo n s P r e a ch i n g w a s t h e
.
L o y ol a , or of St Jo hn C ol u mb i n u s , a n ob l ema n a n d u rg o ma s t er of
. b
Si en n a O n e d a y , r etu rn i n g h o me fro m th e t own c o u n c i l a t n oo n
.
-
of t h e l i v es of t h e s a i n t s t o whi l e a w a y t h e t i me of wa i t i n g ; a t r s t
h e t h r ew i t a s i d e, b u t p res en t l y Op en i n g i t , h e re a d t h e h i s t ory of St .
M a ry of Eg yp t Th i s t ou ch ed h i m s o d eep l y t h a t h e b ec a me a
.
If we w o ul d p ro t b y wh a t we r ea d , we mu s t r ea d wi t h d el i er a t i o n b ,
a n d n ot t oo mu ch a t a t i me ; a n d a b o v e a ll b e c a r efu l i n t h e ch o i c e
,
of b oo k s M a n y b ook s a re l i k e fu n g i n ot foo d, b u t p o i s on ;
.
, evil c om
mun i ca t i on s c orru p t g oo d ma n n ers ( 1 C or xv M oreo ver on e
. .
mu s t ma ke a p r a ct i c a l a p p l i ca t i on of wh a t on e he a r s or r ea ds As .
g a rd en , i n h a li n g th e p erfume o f t h e ow e r s , we l i ke t o t a ke a w a y
w i th u s a few fr a g r a n t b l o s s o ms s o a ft er Sp i r i t u a l r ea d i n g w e s h o u l d
,
q
re t a i n a few t h o u g h t s a s a Sp i ri t u a l b ou u et t o r efr es h u s d u r i n g th e
d a y U n fortu n a t el y p e o p l e d o n ot t h i n k o ve r wh a t th ey h ea r or r ea d ;
.
t h ey a re l i ke a ma n w h o b eh ol d s h i s own c o u n t en a n ce i n a g l a s s a n d
g o es h i s w a y , p r es en tl y forg et t i n g wh a t ma n n er of ma n h e i s ( J a s i . .
23 , Th i s i s s o b ec a u s e e i t h er t h ey a re d i s t r a c t ed b y w orl dly
c a res ( t h e s eed fa l l s on t h e wa ys i d e ) or th ey a re p rej u d i ced a g a i n s t
,
b
t i n ct i o n , wh o h a d h ea rd a l l t h e es t p r ea ch e rs of F ra n ce, on ce wen t
t o h e a r t h e s e rmon of a s i mp l e b u t p i o u s v i l l ag e p ri es t , t h e C ur
d Ars
Wh en a s ked wh a t h e t h oug h t of th e d i s c ou r s e, h e a n s we red :
.
s e ven t y t h o u s a n d h e ret i c s b y h i s p re a ch i n g Wh en we s ee a b e a u t i.
fu l ly execu t ed p i ece of p en ma n s h i p , w e d o n ot p ra i s e t h e p en , b u t th e
h a n d t h a t g u i d e d i t ; i n l i ke ma nn er i t i s n ot t o t h e p re a ch er wh o
d el i ve rs a n excellen t d i s c ou rs e t h a t p r a i s e i s d u e, b u t t o t h e ol y H
Gh o s t Wh o s p o ke y h i s l i p sb Th e w or d of God d oes n ot a l w a ys b e a r
.
whi ch a ft er a c o n s i d e r a b l e t i me g rew u p a n d ec a me a l a rg e t r ee b .
of O u r L ord t o c o n v ey g r a c es t o u s b y mea n s of s en s i b l e s i g n s He .
a w a y of or i g i n a l s i n He or d a i n ed t h a t w a t e r s h o ul d b e p o u r ed on
t h e h ea d ( b ec a u s e w a t e r c l e a n s es ) a n d a t t h e s a me t i me a form of
b
w ord s u s ed wh i ch i n d i ca t es t h a t i t i s d o n e y t h e p o w e r of t h e Ho l y
Tr i n i t y In ord e r t o i mp a r t t o u s t h e g i ft s of t h e Hol y Sp i ri t , li g h t
.
a n d fo r t i t u d e He i n s t i t u t ed t h e l a y i n g on of h a n d s , wi t h p ra yer
,
a n d a n o i n t i n g w i th o i l ( oi l b ei n g us ed t o g i ve l i g h t a n d w a r mth ) .
mo n y ; a n d b es i d es th ere i s t h e g ra ce c o n veyed Th e s i g n or v i s i l e
,
.
,
p a r t of th e s a c r a men t n ot on l y s i g n i e s wh a t i s effec te d i n t h e s a c r a
,
t h ro u gh t h em th e effect of th o s e i ns t r u men t s Th e s i gn s of t h e .
s a c r a men t s a re l i k e O u r L or d s h u ma n i ty a n d t h e g r a c es c o n v eyed l i ke
,
t h e G o d h e a d c o n c ea l ed b en e a th th i s h u ma n i t y Th e w or d s a c r a men t .
( s a c ra m en tu m) m ea n s s o me t h i n g h ol y a n d a l s o m y s t e r i o u s b e c a u se ,
b
Sen s i l e s i gn s w ere i n s ti t te d u by
O u r Lord for thi s p rp os e : u
th a t th e gra ces c on ferred by
th ei r mea n s mi gh t b e ma d e d ly u
u
a pp a ren t a n d th s re c ogn i z ed
,
ma n by .
The Sa cra men ts . 573
of w a t e r s i g n i es th a t ou r s o u l s a re cl ea n s ed a n d th e re of h ell i s
qu en ch ed for u s AS oi l g i ve s li g h t a n d s t ren g t h en s t h e od y , i ts us e
. b
i n C o n rma t i o n i n d i c a te s p l a i nl y t h a t ou r s o ul s a re en l i gh ten ed a n d
fort i ed b y t h e Ho l y Sp i r i t Th u s t h e p r a ct i c a l effect of t h e s a c r a
.
men t ma y b e kn own b y th e s en s i b l e s i g n O u r L or d ma d e u s e of .
a w or d on Hi s p a rt w o u l d h a ve s u i c ed ; He t o u ch ed t h e eyes of
,
t h e b l i n d ma n ( M a tt i x He t o u ch ed th e l ep e r ( M a tt vi i i
. . . .
He b re a t h ed on t h e a p o s tl es a n d s a i d t o t h em : Recei ve y e th e Holy
Gh o s t ( Joh n xx U n d e r t h e O l d D i s p e n s a t i o n li kew i s e G od
. ,
b es t o w ed Hi s fa vor s th ro u g h s i gn s ; w i t n es s M o s e s rod t h e b ra z en
,
s e rp en t t h e g a ll of t h e s h w h er ew i th To b i a s s i g h t w a s r es t or ed t h e
, ,
i n s t i t u t ed b y O ur L ord for t h e p u rp o s e of h u mb l i n g t h e p ri d e of
ma n M a n wh o a s p i red t o b e a s God i s n ow d ep en d en t for t h e re
.
, ,
ma tt er As for t h e s a ke of w h a t i s s en s i b l e ma n r en o u n c ed h ea ven
. ,
i t i s meet t h a t b y u s e of wh a t i s Sen s ib l e h e s h o u l d r i s e a g a i n t o t h a t
whi c h i s s u p r a s en s i b l e Sen s i b l e Si gn s a re i n fa c t re qu i red b y th e
.
, ,
n a t u r e of ma n If w e we re p u r e Sp i r i ts w e c o u ld d i s p en s e w i t h
.
c o mp o s ed of b o d y a n d s o u l we h a ve n eed of t h em , .
In a d d i ti on t o th e s i gn s i n s ti tu ted C h ri s t, c ert ai n c e r e by
v b
mon i es h a e een a p p oi n t ed by
th e C h u rch , i n ord er t o i n di ca t e
s ti ll mor e p erc ep t i l by
t h e gra c es c on ferr ed , a n d t o i n c rea s e th e
d ev oti on of th os e w h o di s p en s e a n d th os e w h o rec ei e t h e s acra v
men ts .
Th e v a r i o u s r mo n i es a re li ke a mi rror wh e rei n a
s i g n i ca n t ce e ,
ma n s e es th e r eec ti o n of wh a t g o es on w i th i n h i s s ou l Th e b en et s .
a r ch i s s ee n b y h i s s u b j e ct s i n a ll t h e g r a n d eu r o f h i s r eg a l d i g n i t y ,
a t t en d e d b y th e g r a n d ees of h i s c o u rt t h ey t h i n k more of h i m t h a n
,
w h en h e i s i n or d i n a ry a t t i r e Th e s a c r a men t s a re n ot d i s p en s ed i n
.
a b a r e a n d i n form a l ma n n e r b u t a re a cc o mp a n i ed b y t h e a c ces s or i es
,
o f a ri ch a n d s ol emn c er emo n i a l ; t hi s i s n ot o n l y t o ma k e a g r e a te r i m
ma y b e a r mor e a b un d a n t fru i t Th e r i t u a l i s n ot p r ec i s el y t h e s a me
.
i n a ll d i o c es es l o ca l c u s t o m h a v i n g a d d ed s o me r i te s wh i ch c a nn o t
,
w el l b e a b ol i s h ed b u t th e R o ma n ri tu s i s th e on e u n i v e rs a l l y fol l o w ed
, .
a s i n B a p t i s m wh en t h er e i s d a n g e r o f d ea t h .
2 . v
Ch ri s t i n s ti t ut ed s e en s ac ra ments : B a p ti s m, Conrmati on ,
Hol y u
E ch a ri s t, Pen ance, Extreme Uncti on, Hol Ord ers , a n d y
M a tri mon y .
Th e d o ct r i n e of th e se ven r men ts i s
s ac a as ld
o as t h e C h u r ch
574 The Mea n s of Gr a ce .
i s t ru e n ot men t i o n ed i n Hol y Sc ri p t u r e b u t i t i s n ot s a i d t h a t t h e re
, ,
s even s a c r a men t s a n s w e r e x a c t l y t o t h e n ee d s o f t h e s o u l w h i ch re
'
s emb l e t o a c e rt a i n ex t en t t h e ex i g en c i es of t h e b o d y Th e l i fe of .
p e rfect i o n b y t h e Ho l y Eu c h a r i s t ; if th e l i fe of th e s ou l b e l o s t i t
b
,
u v
Th ro gh t h e s e en s a cra men ts w e rec ei e di i n e gra c e v v at
v y
th e er ti me of ou r l i fe w h en w e a re mos t i n n eed of i t .
b
Th es e t i mes o c c u r a t i rt h , a t ou r en t ra n c e i n to yo u t h wh en we ,
h a ve l o s t t h e fr i en d s h i p of God , wh en w e emb r a ce a n ew s t a t e of
li fe, a n d a t t h e h o u r of d ea t h As a t s ea t h e re a re i s l a n d s a n d h a r
b
.
ors , wh ere th e ma r i n e r c a n c as t a n ch or a n d t a ke i n s up p l i es ; a s
_
t h e re a re ro a d s i d e i nn s wh e r e t h e t r a vel l e r c a n p a u s e t o res t a n d
rec ru i t h i s s t ren g th s o on th e wea ry j o u rn ey of l i fe t h e s a cr a men ts
,
Th e i n d el i b l e ma rk or ch a r a ct er con s i s t s i n a s p ec i a l co n s e c r a t i on
a n d d ed i ca t i o n t o C h r i s t B y t h i s ma rk t h e a n g el s kn o w w h eth er a
.
ma n i s on e of G o d s fa mil y, a n d i f s o, t h ey g i ve h i m p a rt i cu l a r p ro
t ec t i on . b
Th i s ma rk i s n ot effa c ed y mort a l s i n , i t n eve r c a n b e re
mo ved from th e s o ul C o n s equ en tl y t h e s e th ree s a cra men t s c a n n ever
.
t h e fa i t h a n d h a s een r ec ei ved b a c k i n t o t h e C h u r ch Th e s e t h r ee .
s a c r a men t s w ill b e l i ke a s ea l u p o n t h e s o u l i n a fu t u r e li fe ; t h ey
w i ll b e a c a u s e of ete rn a l g l or y a n d rej o i c i n g t o t h e b l es s ed ; t o t h e
b
,
r ep ro a t e th ey w i ll b e a s o u rce of Sh a me a n d c on fu s i on .
4 Tw o of th e s ac raments , B ap ti s m a n d Pen a n c e, a re i n s ti t t ed
. u
p ri nci p a l l wi thyt h e o j ec t of c ob
nferri n g s a n c t if i n g gra c e w h ere y
y v
i t w a s n ot al rea d gi en ; th e v e oth ers wi th th e o j ec t of i n b
creas i ng th at gi ft .
Th e h ol y s a c r a men t s a re th e w me an d oil of th e Sa ma r i t a n i n
t h e Go s p el for t h e ma i n t en a n ce an d res t or a t i o n of t h e h ea l th of t h e
,
th o s e wh o a re s p i r i t u a ll y d e a d , b eca u s e t h ey w er e i n s t i t u t ed for t h o s e
wh o s e s p i r i t u a l l i fe i s d es t ro ye d b y mort a l s i n Th e v e o th er s a re
.
a re i n a s t a t e of g r a ce It i s , h o w ev er, p o s s i b l e for s a n c t i fy i n g g r a c e
.
t o b e i n cr e a s ed b y B a p t i s m a n d P en a n ce , i f th ro u g h e a r n es t a men d
men t of l i fe a n d h e a r tfel t c on t r i t i o n a ma n h a s mer i t e d t o r ecei ve
th e H ol y Gh o s t p rev i o u s to B a p t i s m or con fes s i on , l ike t h e cen tu ri on
57 6 The Mea ns o f Gra ce .
Th ere a re two i n di s p en s a l e
c on di ti on s whi ch th e C hurch b
impo s es on th os e w h o a p p roa ch th e s ac ra men ts : Th ey mus t b e
qua li ed to rec ei ve th em a n d des irous to rec ei ve th em
, .
of r ecei v i n g a n y of t h e o th e r s a c r a men t s ; a ch i l d wh o h a s n o t
r ea ch ed th e a g e of rea s on c a n n o t recei ve t h e Sa cr a men t of P en a n ce ;
Ext reme U n ct i o n c a n n ot b e g i ven t o on e wh o i s i n rob u s t h ea l th ; n o
on e u n d e r t h e a g e of t w en t y th r ee c a n r ec ei ve Hol y O r d e rs
-
If a .
s a c r a men t i s a dmi n i s t e re d t o a n y on e a g a i n s t h i s wi ll i t i s i n v a li d , .
a p t i z ed ?
Th e l a s t ri t e s of th e C h u r ch a re i t i s t ru e a dmi n i s te red , ,
t o p e r s o n s wh o a re u n c o n s ci ou s b efor e d ea t h ; b u t on l y i f i t b e s u p
,
u
6 S pp os i ng th e p ri es t wh o a dmi ni s ters th e s a crament t o b e
.
u y
nw ort h , th e gra c es of t h e Hol y
Sp i ri t wil l s till b e c omm n i cat ed u
by mean s of th e s acrament .
p o w er of ma n t o c o nfe r wh a t i s d i v i n e Th e s a c r a men t s a re es s en t i
.
a ll y h ol y i n t h ems el v es n ot b e c a u s e t h ey a re a d mi n i s t er ed b y on e
,
Th e mi n i s t e r i s b u t t h e d i s p en s er of t h e my s t e r i es of God ( 1 C or i v . .
A l ep er c a n a ct a s p ort e r a s w ell a s a h ea lt h y ma n , p ro v i d ed h e
h a s t h e key of t h e d oor A j u dg e ma y b e, a s a ma n w ors e t h a n t h e
.
,
c r i mi n a l b e for e h i m, y et h e c a n p a s s s en t en ce on h i m Th e c o i n of .
t h e rea lm h a s t h e s a me v a l u e i n t h e h a n d of a b a d a s of a g oo d ma n .
Th e w i n e i s t h e s a me, wh et h e r i t b e d ru n k ou t of a n or d i n a ry g l a s s
or a g ol d g ob l et So i t i s w i th t h e s a c ra men t s ; th e D on a t i s t s wh o
. ,
a s s er t ed t h e c o n t r a ry we r e h e r et i cs
,
If t h e s a c r a men ts c o u l d o n l y b e
.
a dmi n i s t e r ed a r i g h t b y g oo d p r i es t s , on e w o u l d n ev e r h a ve a n y ce r
t a i n t y i n reg a rd t o t h em
.
s a me t i me a s th e form of w ord s , a n d t h e m s t h a e th e i n y u v
t en t i on to d o w h a t th e C h rch d oes u .
i n g t h e v i s i b l e s i g n w o u l d b e es s en t i a ll y ch a n g ed a n d i t w o ul d b e
, .
n o b a p t i s m a t a ll
O r i f on e were t o s a y :
. I b a p t i z e t h ee i n t h e
n a me of C h r i s t
t h e a u d i b l e Si g n w o u l d b e es s en t i a l l y ch a n g e d , a n d
,
i t w o u l d b e n o b a p t i s m B u t t h e w ro n g p ron ou n c i a t i on of s o me w o rd
.
i s va li d i f t h ey h a ve t h e i n t en t i o n t o d o wh a t t h e ( tru e) C h u r ch d o es
, ,
an d a re c a reful t o a dh ere t o wh a t i s p r es c r i b ed .
1 . B AP TISM
ma d e u s e of w a t e r t o cle a n s e th ei r s o ul s a n d r en d e r th em p l ea s i n g
t o t h e Dei t y Th e J ew i s h l a w en j o i n ed p u ri c a t i on s t o cl e a n s e fro m
. ,
va r i o u s l eg a l u n cl e a nn es s es ( Le v xi i B efore th e g i v i n g of t h e
.
s i ns whi ch t h ey w o u l d g a i n b y th ei r p en i t en t i a l w orks Th e b a p t i s m .
iii 1 1
.
At b a p t i s m mu ch t h e s a e t a kes p l a ce a s a t O u r L ord s
ou r m
v
b a p t i s m : l ik e Hi m w e h a e wa t e r p o u red u p o n ou r h ea d , a n d ce rt a i n
,
w ord s a re s p oken I b a p t i z e t h ee i n t h e n a me of t h e F a t h e r a n d of ,
b a p t i s m a s a t t h e cl ea ns i n g of Na a man ( 4 Ki n g s v w e a re .
w a s h ed w i th w a te r a n d d el i vered from t h e l ep ro s y of Si n b o th or i g
, ,
i n a l a n d a ct u a l So a g a i n mu ch t h e s a me t a kes p l a ce a t ou r b a p ti s m
.
a s a t t h e p a s s a g e of t h e Is r a el i tes th ro u g h t h e Jord a n ( 1 C or x . .
w e p a s s t h ro u g h t h e w a t e r of B a p t i s m i n t o t h e p romi s ed l a n d t h e
b b
,
g r a ce h a s een es t o wed a re i n v i rt u e of th a t b es t o w a l c h i l d r en of
b
,
God a n d h ei rs of h ea v en O n l y th e a p t i z ed h a ve th e ri g h t t o c a ll
.
God t h ei r F a t h e r h en ce i n ea rl y t i mes t h e L or d s P r a ye r w a s n ot
,
t a u gh t t o t h e u n b a p t i z ed St L o u i s of F r a n ce u s ed t o s a y :
. . I th i n k
more of th e p ri va te ch a p el wh ere I wa s b a p t i z ed th a n of t h e C a t h e .
d r a l of R h ei ms wh e re I w a s c rown ed ; for t h e d i g n i ty of a ch i l d of
, b
Go d w h i ch w a s es t o w ed on me a t B a p t i s m i s g r ea t e r t h a n th a t of ,
t h e ru l e r o f a k i n g d om Th e l a t t er I s h a ll l o s e a t d ea th ; th e o th er
b
.
wi ll b e my p a s s p o rt to everl a s t i ng g l ory
It i s ec a u s e ma n i s .
The Mea ns of Gra ce .
cl ea n s ed from sin by b a p ti s m th a t St P a ul
There i s . x
e cla i ms :
b
. .
wh a t i s t h e effect p ro d u ced y B a p ti s m : Do p en a n ce a n d b e ,
j u s t i e d b y Hi s g ra ce we ma y b e h ei rs a ccord i n g t o h op e of l i fe
v
e erl a s t i n g
( Ti t us i i i 5 7 ) Ag a i n h e s a ys :
. In on e s p i ri t were
b
,
we a ll b a p t i z ed i nt o on e o d y ( 1 C or x ii . .
en j oi n ed p on th e C u
h rc h u at Hi s a s cen s i on .
Hi s a s cen s i on t o g o, b a p t i z i n g a ll n a t i on s i n th e n a me of t h e F a t h er,
a n d o f t h e Son , a n d of t h e Ho l y Gh o s t ( M a t t xxv i i i . .
O n t hi s a cc o u n t n o p en a n ce i s en j o i n ed on th e n ewl y a p t i zed An y -
.
on e d yi n g i mmed i a t el y a ft e r b
a p t i s m, g o es s t r a i g h t t o h ea ven i f h e
h a s a t t h e t i me n o a t t a ch men t t o v en i a l s i n , t h u s es ca p i n g p u rg a t ory
a n d h ell . b
An d s i n ce th e p ers o n a p t i zed recei ves th e Hol y Gh o s t
b
,
a n d w i t h Hi m s a n ct i fy i n g g r a ce, a n ew l i fe eg i n s for h i m t h e l i fe
b
,
i n Go d Th u s B a p t i s m i s t h e i rt h of th e s o u l wh erea s t h e o th e r
. ,
'
b
reg en er a t i o n , eca u s e i t i s t h e c ommen cemen t of a n o th er a n d a n ew
l i fe Wh en t h e w a t er i s p o u red u p on th e ext eri or, a n i n t eri or ch a n g e
t a k es p l a ce ; t h e i n d i v i d u a l b ec o mes a n ew c rea tu re
.
fro m s i n fu l h e
b ec o mes j u s t In B a p t i s m t ru e p e a ce of mi n d i s a c qu i r ed th ro u g h
.
t h e i n d w el l i n g of th e Hol y Gh o s t . Th e ea rl y C h ri s t i a n s u s e d t o feel
t h e s a me i n t e r i or h a p p i n es s a ft er b a p t i s m t h a t w e feel a ft er ma k i n g
a g oo d c o n fes s i o n It ma y t ru l y b e s a i d t h a t t h e w a t er of B a p t i s m
.
en t er s i n t o th e s o u l a t B a p t i s m, He enl i g h t en s t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d
5 80 The M ea ns of Gra ce .
et e n a l s a l
r v a ti on of th e i n fa n t i s en t i el
r y d ep en den t on th e free wi ll
of i t s fell o w ma n es p ec i a ll y n ea r r el a t i v es
-
, St Aug us t i n e men ti o ns . .
t h e r el i c s of St St ep h en h a vi n g b een efc a ci o u s i n r es t or i n g t o li fe
.
a d ea d ch i l d i n or d e r t h a t i t mi gh t 1 ec ei v e B a p t i s m .
v b
h o er etween l i fe a nd dea th .
In fa n t b
a p ti s m h a s b
een cu s t oma ry s i n ce a p o s toli c t i mes St . .
5 In ca s e of nec es s i t a ny
. y one ca n a dmi ni s ter b ap ti s m , a nd
u
wi th o t th e s al c eremoni es uu .
Nu rs es o ft en b a p t i z e w e a kl y i n fa n t s Th e b a p t i s m b y J ew s a n d
v
.
a t t h e s a me mo men t t h e formu l a i s r ep ea t e d :
I b a p t i ze th ee, etc If .
s o me o t h er c a u s e, t h e rs t b a p t i s m w a s n ot p ro p e rl y p erformed , t h e
p ri es t mu s t b a p t i z e t h e chi l d a g a i n , c on d i t i o n a l l y .
y
In th e ma j ori t of c as es on l p ri es ts s h o l d a dmi n i s ter B a p y u
u
ti s m, a n d t h a t i n t h e ch rch wi th th e p res cri ed c eremon i a l b .
In t h e ea rl y C h r i s t i a n i t y o n l y th e b i s h op , or a p ri es t w
a g es of h om
h e emp o wered t o a ct for h i m, h a d th e ri g h t t o b a p t i ze B u t wh en .
t h e d i o ce s es b ec a me l a rg e r, a n d i t w a s i mp o s s i b l e for t h e b i s h o p t o
g o a b o u t c o n t i n u a ll y t o a d mi n i s t e r t h a t s a c r a men t , t h e p ow er t o
b a p t i z e w a s ma d e a p a rt of t h e p r i es t s o f
ce As a ma tt er of fa ct i n .
t h e p r es en t d a y o nl y t h e p ri es t of th e p a ri s h p o s s es s es t h i s r i g h t ,
u nl es s h e a u t h or i z es a n o th e r t o a c t i n h i s s t ea d O r i g i n a ll y B a p .
t i s m w a s o n l y a dmi n i s t e r ed i n b a p t i s t r i es , or s ma l l s t o n e c h a p el s
c o n ta i n i n g a ll t h a t w a s n eces s a ry for b a p t i s m, s i t u a t ed e i th er i n
cl o s e p rox i mi t y to t h e p r i n c i p a l c hu rch of t h e d i o c es e, o r i n t h e i n
t eri or of t h e b u i l d i n g Ab o u t t h e s ev en th cen tu ry i n fa n t a p t i s m b e
. b
c a me u n i vers a l a n d a d u l t b a p t i s m of r a re oc c u rr en c e ; fo n t s c o n t a i n
b
,
i n g l es s ed w a t er wer e t h en p l a c e d i n t h e ch u r ch wh er e th e b i s h op
o fc i a t ed B a p t i s m i n p ri v a t e h ou s es w a s s t ri ctl y forb i d d en b u t i n
.
,
t h e c a s e of t h e ch il d ren of ki n g s a n d p ri n c es i t mi gh t b e a d mi n i s t er ed
i n t h e p a l a ce ch a p el So s a c red a n d s ol emn a c er emo n y o u g h t t o b e
-
.
p erfo rmed i n a c o n s e c r a t ed p l a c e
In th e p res en t d a y t h e b i s h o p s
.
p ermi s s i o n mu s t b e o b t a i n ed for t h e a d mi n i s t r a t i o n of B a p t i s m i n a
p r i v a te h ou s e .
6 If a p ti s m
. b by
w a ter i s i mp os s i l e, i t ma y b e repl a ced b y b o
b
th e a p ti s m of d es i re, or by
th e a p t i s m of l ood, a s i n th e ca s e b b
of th os e wh o s f u
fer mart rd om for th e fai th of Ch ri s t y .
Th e Emp eror V a l en t i n i a n II w a s on th e w a y t o M i l a n t o b e b a p
.
t i zed wh en h e w a s a s s a s s i n a t ed ; St Amb ro s e s a i d of h i m th a t h i s
b
.
i s th e b a p t i s m of b l oo d . Th i s th e h ol y i nn o cen t s r ec ei ved , a n d t h e
C h u r ch c o mmemor a tes th em a s s ai n t s All u n b a p t i z ed p e rs o n s wh o
.
He t h a t s h a ll l o s e h i s l i fe for M e, s h a l l n d i t ( M a tt x . .
u
7 In th e earl y a ges of th e Ch rc h s ol emn B apti sm w a s a d
.
y y
mi ni s t ered on th ree d a s of th e ear : Hol Saturd a , th e ev e of y y
u y
Whi ts n d a , a nd i n th e Ea s t on th e ev e of th e Epi ph an y .
a ls o b a p t i ze d a t o th er t i mes , t h e s i c k , for i n s t a n ce , or c o n e rt s wh o
w er e t h oro u gh l y ver s e d i n C h r i s t i a n d o c t ri n e Th e w a te r t o b e u s ed
.
i n B a p t i s m i s s o l emnl y b l es s ed on Hol y Sa tu rd a y a n d on t h e ev e of
P en t ecos t t o th i s d a y ; th e ce remo n i a l i s el a b ora t e a n d i mp res s i ve ; i t
i s a cc o mp a n i ed b y p r a yers a n d ch a n t s , a n d ma n y b ea u t i ful s ymb ol i c a l
ce r emo n i es , s u ch a s t h e mi x i n g of t h e ch ri s m, b rea t h i n g u p o n t h e
w a t e r, d i p p i n g t h e p a s ch a l c a n d l e i n t o i t , etc .
In th e rs t a ges of y u
C h ri s ti a n i t , reli gi o s i n s tru c ti on p re
ced ed B a p ti s m ; th e ca n di d a tes for B a p ti s m w ere ca ll ed c a t e
c h u men s .
An y on e b
wh o d es i red t o ec ome a Ch r i s t i a n h a d t o p r es en t hi m
s elf t o t h e b i s h o p , wh o qu es t i o n ed hi m cl os el y, a n d i f h e t h o u g h t h i m
w ort hy a d mi tt ed h i m i n t o t h e n umb er of th e ca te ch umen s He l a i d .
p r es e r v a t i o n fro m t h e t emp t a t i o n of s i n Th e c a n d i d a t e w a s th en a
.
c a t e ch u men of th e r s t cl a s s ; for t w o y ea r s h e w a s i n s t ru c t ed i n
s ec o n d y e a r , h e b ec a me a c a tech u men of t h e s ec o n d c l a s s : th a t i s , h e .
t h e L or d s P r a y e r All thes e ceremon ies p revi ou s t o B a p ti s m h a ve
.
Immed i a t el y b efore B a p ti s m th e c an d i d a t e h a d to t a ke a
s ol emn v ow t o b eli ev e a n d foll ow th e t ea h i n gs of C h r i s t c .
( Th e
b a p t i s ma l v ow or ov en a n t )c .
ri a g e t re a ty con c lud e d b e tw e en th o s e wh o a re w e dd e d a t t h e a l ta r,
t o r en e w th ei r v ow s a t ce r t a i n ti me s a ft e r th ey h a ve a tt a i n e d t h e a g e
of r ea s on , p a r ti c ul a rly b efor e a pp r oa chi n g t h e s a c r a men t s St John . .
did s t on ce s o e l mn ly ma k e to Me .
Th e p r i es t a n d t h e godfa th er or i n th e c a s e of w ome n , t h e g od
,
( R om vi 3 ,
. . In th e l a t er c en tu r i es b a pti s m b y i mmer s i on w a s
a b oli s h e d , a n d t h e c u s t om o f s p r i n kli n g a lmos t ex clu s ively a d opt ed .
Th e n a me of a s a i n t w a s gi ven t o eve r y on e a t th e b a p t i s ma l
fon t ; t hi s w a s h i s b a p ti s ma l or C h r i s ti a n n a me .
a n d er th e Gre a t u s ed t o s a y t o s oldi er s wh o h a d t h e s a me n a me a s
58 4 The Mea n s o f Gra ce .
c
Th e b ea u ti ful eremon i es fol l owi n g u p on B a p ti s m d enote
c
t h e d ign i ty on fer red up on th e n ewly b a p t iz e d , a n d th e ob l ig a
ti ons res ti n g u p on h im .
C h r i s ti a n a n a n oi n te d on e
, Thi s un c tion a ls o reca ll s h i s r oy a l dig
.
, ,
s ee y ou r g oo d w ork s a n d gl o r i fy y ou r F a th e r Wh o i s i n he a ven
,
of t h e H oly G hos t .
s a c r a men t s a n d p r a ye r t h e s o ca l le d d i s ci p li n a a rca ml
, , P revi ous t o
-
.
1 . c
Th e eremoni a l of Conrma t i on i s a s fol l ows : Th e b i s h op
c
l a ys hi s h a n ds up on th e a n d id a t es a nd a noi nt s ea h one s evera ll y c
c
wi t h hri s m up on th e foreh ea d, wi t h p rayer ; a nd t h os e wh o a re
c
s o a noi nt ed r e ei ve th e gi ft of t h e Hol y Gh os t, es p e i a l l y oura ge c c
to p r ofes s t h ei r fai t h .
Th e a p os tl es ad mi n i s te r ed C on r ma t ion , as at Sa ma ri a an d
Ep h es u s .
St P a ul did t h e s a me a t Eph es us
. At th a t ti me wh en C on rma ti on .
a n d F a th er s of t h e C hu r c h S p e a k of t h e Sa c r a men t of C on rma ti on .
ma rk s th a t i t mu s t n ot b e c on cluded b ec a u s e t h e gi ft of t on gu es i s ,
of t h e fa ith ful .
is , ou r ch
ty t ow a rds God a n d our n ei ghb or i t en ligh ten s
a ri ,
vi rtu e .
C h r i s t ; a t C on rma ti on ou r w ea p on s a re h a n de d t o u s Th os e wh o .
a lw a y s oa t s on t h e s u rfa ce t ea chi n g ma n t o r i s e s up er i or t o th e
,
Ch ri s ti a n s ou gh t t o b e onrmed a t th e a ge wh en t h ey p a s s
3 . c
c
fr om h ildh ood to youth , b e a us e a t t h a t p er i od t emp t a t i ons c
c
t hi k en a round th em, a nd th ey need s trength of wi l l to res i s t
t h em .
p a r i s hes a t l on g i n terva l s .
58 8 The M ea n s o f Gra ce .
S
pi ritu al fa b r i c it devolves up on t h e b i s ho p t o a dmin i s te r C on rma
ti on , whereb y t h e t op s t on e i s put t o t h e edice ( St Thoma s Aqui n a s )
-
. .
t h e con ver t g ot i n t o t h e h a b it of r et a i n i n g h i s h ea th en n a me a ft e r
B a pti s m h e w a s ma de t o t a ke th e n a me of s ome s a in t a t h i s C on
,
fa re a s a s oldi er looks t o h i s g en er a l
,
An d h e wh om h e c h os e for.
ea r thly guide .
Th e p er s on t o b e c on r med mu s t al s o h a ve a god fa th er or
g od mo t h er .
t o ma rr i a ge Th e Sp on s or ch os en ought t o b e on e wh o h a s hims el f
.
c on rme d a n d of t h e s a me s ex ; n ot i f it c a n b e
, , a v oided , th e sa me
wh o s t ood s p on s o r for h i m a t t h e b a pti s ma l fon t .
Th os e w h o p res en t th ems el v es t o th e b i s h op t o b e c on rm e d
mu s t b e s i mp l y a n d s u i t a b l y d r es s ed .
w ould n ot b e p os s i b le n ow a s th e ceremon y o ft en l a s t s a l on g ti me
, .
hi n d e a ch on e s t an ds th e s p on s or h i s r ig ht h a n d on th e r ight s h oul
,
7 7w Sa cra men ts . 5 89
ea t t h e es h of t h e Son of ma n a n d d r i nk Hi s b l ood y ou s h a l l n ot
, ,
h a ve li fe i n y ou He th a t e a teth M y es h a n d d r i nk eth M y b l oo d
.
,
h a th everl a s t i n g li fe a n d I will r a i s e h i m up a t t h e L a s t D a y F or
, .
52 5 6)
-
a s win e b e c a u s e t h e a cc iden t s of t h e wi n e w er e r et a i n e d ;
, th e s u b
s t a n c e onl y wa s c h a n g ed So t h e s h ell of a n eg g r ema i n s t h e s a me
1 Th e b ody of Ch ri s t un d er t h e a p p ea ra n e of b r ea d , a n d th e
. c
b l ood of Ch ris t un d er th e a p p ea r a n e of wi n e, i s a ll ed th e M os t c c
c
Hol y Sa ra ment of th e Al ta r .
s ig n i fy t h e i n ti ma t e un i on of t h e G o dhe a d a n d ma nh o o d i n Hi s p er
s on. B rea d a n d wi n e b ei n g t h e p r i n cip a l mea n s of n ou r i s h men t for
t h e b o dy s ign i fy th a t t h e b ody a n d b l oo d of C hr i s t a re t h e chi ef
,
b ec a u s e th e p r i es t s t a n di n g a t th e a l t a r d o es th e s a me b y
, ,
C h ri s t s
c omma n d wh i ch He Hims elf di d a t th e La s t Su p p er .
a n d t h e wi n e i n t o t h e b l o o d of C h r i s t .
s a n c tu a ry b efore t h e t a b ern a cl e , t o i n d i c a t e t h e pl a ce wh e r e t h e
Ble s s ed Sa c r a men t i s r es erved, a n d a l s o t o s ymb olize t h e L ight of th e
w orld It i s b es id es emb lema ti c of t h e p erp etu a l a d or a ti on t h e a n g els
.
, ,
a
p y t o t h e G o d p r es en t up on t h e a lt a r In t h e Temple a t Je ru s a l em .
n ea th t h e eu ch a r i s ti c ve il s Th e ma n n a p res erve d i n t h e a rk w a s a
.
2 Th e p r es en e
. c th e b ody a n d b l ood of Ch ri s t un d er th e a p
of
O u r L or d con c ea l s Hi ms el f un d er th e a pp ea r a n c e of b r ea d a n d
wi n e i n o rd er t o t es t ou r fa ith wh eth er w e b eli eve Hi s w or d s r a ther
,
th a n th e te s timon y of ou r s en s es If we s a w wh a t w e b el i eve, fa i th .
592 Th e Mea ns of Gra ce .
If a ma gn et b e b roken i n p i ec es e a ch p a r t forms a s ep a ra te ma gn et
,
b r oken i n ea c h p or ti on on e s fa ce i s re ec te d
, But t h e b ody of C hr i s t .
t h e p r oco n s ul a t Ach a i a :
I d a ily offer up on th e a lt a r t o th e a l
mighty a n d t r ue God th e i mma c ul a te L a mb of God An d when a ll .
O u r L or d i s n ot on ly p res e n t i n th e Sa c r a men t of th e Al t a r a t
th e momen t of c ommun i on , b u t b oth b efore a n d a fte r t h e Hos t i s
c on s umed Ha d thi s b een o therwi s e, He would n ot h a ve s a id : Ta ke
.
of C h r i s t .
p a s s ed b y a c hu rch t o g o i n a n d s a y a n O u r F a ther Wh en a s ke d .
( M a tt x i
a re b urd en e d, a n d I will r efres h y ou St Teres a . . .
s t ren gth en ed a n d th e p o o r a re en r i ch e d
, Wh eres oever th e b ody s h a ll
.
h a r t p a n t s t o qu en ch h i s thi r s t a t th e foun ta i n s of w a t er Un wi s e i n .
Th e Sa cra men ts . 593
a i d t o p ou r th ei r t r oub l es i n t o a huma n ea r ; th ey d o n ot b et a ke th em
,
c
Th e C h u r h a dmon i s h es u s t o p ay h oma ge t o th e Hol y Sa ra c
c
men t of th e Al t a r b y th e s a n tu ary l a mp ; b y th e b ell ru n g a t
c
Mass a n d wh en th e V i a ti u m i s a rri ed t o th e s i k, b y th e p roces c c
s i on s of C orp u s C h ri s ti , a n d b
y fr equ en t Ex p os i t i on s of t h e
B l es s ed Sa ramen t c .
t u t ed b y P op e U r b a n IV i n 1 2 64 with a vi ew t o i n cr ea s e ou r fa ith i n
.
,
c
C h ri s t i n vi t es u s to re ei v e th e M os t Holy Sa ra men t of th e c
Al t a r wh en He s a ys : Ex cep t y ou ea t th e es h of th e Son of
M a n a n d dri n k Hi s b l ood, y ou s h a ll n ot h a ve li fe i n y ou ( Joh n
vi.
d i d i n t o ou r h ou s e
, In th e Scr iptur es th ere a re ma n y typ es of th e
.
whi ch g a ve i mmort a li ty t o ou r rs t p a r en t s ; t h e ma n n a ; t h e p a s ch a l
l a mb ; t h e b re a d th a t g a ve Eli a s s t ren g th t o g o th e for ty d a ys j ou rn ey
5 94 .
Th e p r i es t a t t h e a l t a r offers a n ob l a ti on , t h e very s a me a s t h e on e
C hr i s t offer e d on C a lv a ry O n t h e c r os s C hr i s t s he d a lmos t a ll Hi s
.
c
C on s equ en tl y th e re ep ti on of th i s Sac ra men t i s a n i n di s
p en s a b l e me a n s w h e reb y t o a tt a i n s p i ri t u a l p erfe t i on or s a n t i ty c c
h ere, a n d et ern a l l i fe h er ea ft er .
t h e s a me a l s o s h a ll live b y M e a n d a g a in : Except y ou e a t t h e
es h of t h e Son of ma n a n d d r i n k Hi s b loo d y ou s h a ll n ot h a ve li fe ,
a n y w a y a ma r k o f s a n c tity or t h e r ew a r d of s a n c tity ;
, it i s on ly a
mea n s of a cqui r i n g it .
n ot ma k e ra p i d p r ogres s i n p er fect i on .
59 6 Th e M ea n s f Gra ce
o .
c
ma ke thei r r s t ommun i on when they were s even yea rs old Th e .
.
,
r ea s on
It i s a n utterly dete s t a b le a b us e n ot to a dmi n i s ter V i a ti c um
.
s a ys St C h a rl es B orromeo
da y ,
. a n d s ha ll ou r s o ul s re ceive n our i s h
,
Th e c
vi ce s h oul d b e a s ked i n ord er th a t d a ily com
on fes s o rs
ad
a ny on e wh o i s i n th e s ta te of gra c e a n d wh o a p p r oa c h es wi t h a n
u p ri gh t i n ten t i on .
e ct :
e ff Let frequen t a n d da ily commun i on , a pr a cti ce whi ch i s very
much d es i red b y C hri s t our L or d a n d b y t h e C a tholi c C hur ch, b e open
t o a ll t h e fa ithful of wh a tever r a n k a n d con diti on th ey b e, s o tha t it
ma y n ot b e r efu s ed t o a n y on e wh o i s i n t h e s ta te of gra ce a n d wh o ,
mun i on a n d d u e th a n ks gi v i n g a fter wa r d ( S l a te r
M o r. a l ,
fo , o d or o f w h o m i t m a y b e s u r m i s e d t h a t t h e y w il l r e e iv e i t W i t h c
ou t reveren ce a n d d evot i on .
I
ma e d i n f o rm e r d a y s it w , a s b e c a u s e o f t h e e x ig e n c i e s o f t h e ti m es .
C hild r e n s h o uld b e p r o p e r ly p r e p a r e d b e f o re m a k i n g th e i r r s t c o m
mun i on Idi ots a n d lu n a ti c s a re i n ca pa b le of c ommun i ca ti n g ; t he
.
T h e c hild will h o,
w e v e r b e o b lig ,
e d t o g r a du a lly l e a r n t h e wh o l e c a t e
c hi s m a cc o r di n g t o i t s a b ility T h e k n o wl e.d g e o f C h r i s ti a n D oc t r i n e
( D ec r ee o f S e pt 8 . ,
The Ef
fects o f Holy C ommu n i on .
mun i on up on t h e s oul ma y b e de s cr i b e d .
1 By h oly
. c o mmuni on we a re un i ted mos t cl
t o Ch ri s t os el y .
Our Lord s a ys :
He th a t ea t et h M y es h a n d d ri n k et h M y b l ood ,
a b i d et h i n M e, a nd I i n hi m ( Joh n vi .
By Hi s In c a rn a ti on O u r L or d u n it e d Hi ms elf t o ma n ki n d i n gen er a l ,
p ow e r fu l th a n ou r n a tu r e a n d c on s e qu en tly it c on v e rt s th a t n a tu r e
,
5 98 Th e M ea ns o f Gra ce .
a l s o un it es u s t o on e a n o th er ; a ll C a th oli cs b y mea n s o f it a re ma d e
on e b o dy a s St P a ul s a y s :
, . F or we b e i n g ma n y a re on e b re a d on e , , ,
b ody a ll th a t p a r t a ke of on e b rea d
, ( 1 C or x 1 7 Th e F a t h er s . .
s p ea k of c omm un i on a s t h e g en e r a l un i on of a ll t h e fa ithful i n
C hr i s t a n d with on e a n othe r ( c ommu n i s u n i o) Hen ce it i s c a lled , .
( C oun c il of Tren t 1 3 , ,
c
2 Hol y ommuni on i mp a rt s a t ua l gr a es ,
. c c a nd a l s o ma i nt a i ns
c c
a n d i n r ea s es s a n t i fyi ng gra e i n t h e s oul c .
At ea c mm un i on fr es h a c tua l g r a c es a re ob t a i n ed th a t en
h co ,
even mo r e p ow e r th a n h a d t h e b l o od o f t h e p a s ch a l l a mb s p r i n kl e d
on t h e d oo rp o s t s t o d eliver fr om t h e d es t r oye r
, Holy commun i on .
t h e s oul H en c e O u r L or d s a ys : He th a t e a t eth M e t h e s a me a l s o
.
,
Sh a ll live b y M e a n d a ga in : If a n y ma n ea t of thi s b r ea d h e s h a ll ,
c
Th e for e of evi l on up i s en e i s l es s ened b y h ol y
3 . c c c c co m
muni on, a n d w e a re freed from v eni a l s i n b y mea ns of i t .
s ti mulu s of a n ge r en vy u n cl e a n n es s
, a n d o th e r evil p r op en s iti e s
, , .
2 Th e
. ma nner i n wh i ch w e s h oul d p rep a re our s oul i s thi s :
W e mus t cl ea ns e our s oul s from mort a l s i n b y confes s i on, p erform
g ood work s , r
a nd a d o n ou s el v es r wi th th e vi rtues .
s o l et h i m e a t of th a t b re a d a n d d ri n k of th a t c h a li ce
( 1 C or x i . .
mu n i c a t es with a cl ea n hea rt .
To c
re ei ve h oly c ommu n i on w h en on e i s c on s c i ou s of h a vi n g
co mmi tt ed a mort a l s i n , i s t o i n c ur th e g ui l t of s a cril eg e .
ti n es wh o t ook p os s es s i on of th e a rk a n d pl a ced it cl os e t o t h e i ma g e
,
of th e i r g od D a g on for h e i n tr oduces C hr i s t wh er e Sa t a n i s
, Holy .
s i n b efor e h e commun i ca t es l et h i m g o t o c on fe s s i on a t on c e i f b y
, ,
a n y me a n s h e c a n d o s o If it b e i mp os s ib l e h e ma y c ommun i c a t e
.
, ,
r es t b y th e s a c erd ot al a b s oluti on .
q c
Th e c ons e u en es of a s a r il egi ou s ommun i on are v ery t er c c
ri b l e ; i t p rod uc es s p i r i tu a l b l i n d n es s , ob dura y of h ea rt , a n d c
b r i n gs u p on th e s i n n er c h a s t i s emen ts b ot h t emp or a l a n d et ern a l .
If y o u ar e i n a s t ate of grac e sa ys S t Joh n C h ry sos t om why , .
,
pu r ity .
Pr a y er, a cts of s el f d en i al , th e w rk s -
o c
wo rks wh i ch w e u gh t t o
r a c ti s e b e "
op
At l e as t h al f an h ou r o ught t o l
( i n t h e p erson of Hi "
Th o se who r
vi tu
r es in p rt i a
'
n es s .
It is u ua
s
vi rtu e s an d 9
thes e s enti r
C on teor
of God
St 3
.
of t l ~
a re
mu n '
6 02 The M ea ns of Gra ce .
3 o u
Our b dy m s t b e r e a r ed for h l y c mm ni
. p p o o u o b y f ti n as ng
o
fr m mi dn i gh t ; b y d r es s i n g i n a n ea t a n d s i t a b l e u m r a nne , a nd
v
b y a r e erent d ep a rt ment a t th e ti me of c mm ni n o u o .
d an y man b ee n l a id Ou r b o di e s mu s t al so b e cl e ans ed ;
.
p u r ity Th e gu e s t s a t a marr i a g e h a ve t o
.
n d sh a ll w e com e t o t h e Lor d s S upp e r
of an e ar thly monarch a c e rt a i n
oh t h e more s h o uld w e be h a ve
ommu n i on .
n uni on is a po itiv s e l aw
u
o s e.
wh a tev er au se may c
vi ng V i a ti c um if ,
3 a ga i n r epe a tedly
kin dly al l ow s
vi c e of th ei r
li qui d f d oo
"
1 1 h u s es o
: 7
1
a
ti n g ,
i
s of
604 The Mea n s f
o Gra ce .
Sp i ri tu a l C ommu n i on .
Spiritu ommuni on on i t i n w ke
al c c s s s a a ni n g wi thi n th e h eart a
l ivel y d es ire t o r ive h ol y communi n
ece o .
. ,
S p i itu
r al commu i o n n i s th e mea n s of e n r i c h i n g th e s o u l w i th
ma n y an d p r io g r
ec us a ces .
.
,
o o o o p
In t eri r s r r w for s i n , a c c m a n i ed b y s i n c er e t rn i n g fr m u o
u u
c r e a t r es a n d t r n i n g t o
G od , i s gen er a l l y c all ed en a n ce p .
o u
O u r L rd i n s t it t ed th e Sa cr a men t of P en a n ce on th e d a y
u
of His r es rr ec t i n , wh en He s o
ke th es e w rds t His a s tl es : po o o po
o ou
Wh s e s i n s y s h a ll f rgi e, th ey a re f rgi en ; a n d wh s e o v o v o
s i ns y ou s h a ll r e t a i n , th ey a re r et a i n ed ( J h n xx o .
t o b e o b t a i n ed a re i n di ca ted i n t h e fo ll o wi ng i ns t ance s :
, t h e c u re
of th e man s i c k of t h e p a ls y ( M att s i n i s a s pi r itu al p aralys i s .
s e n t a t i v e an d o b t a i ns t h e p ar d on of h i s t ransg re ss i ons
,
.
1 r
In th e Sa c a men of Pen a n c e th e e en a n Ch i s a n con
. t r p t t r ti
fes s es h i s s in s a d l a h i zed to u y ut o r
i es , wh o, s a n d i n g i n t h e pr t t
p l a ce f God, o n nces th e a b s l p ro ou
i n b y mean s of h i ch h e o ut o w t y
a re f g i or v
en .
th e s e : I
ab solve thee from thy s i ns i n t h e nam e of t h e F a th er an d
,
of th e Son an d of th e Holy Gh os t
, Th e ab soluti on i s a j udi c i a l ac t .
,
606 Th e M ea n s f
o Gra ce .
Th e ma n wh o h a s fa ll en in t m rta l s i n g h t t o o o ou a pp ro ac h
th e Sa c r a men t of P en a n c e a s s eed il y a s s s i bl e p po .
s in k ; i f a h o us e i s on re th e c on a gra t i on m u s t b e g ot un der
,
So it i s with mort al s i n Th e C hu rc h d o e s no t a pp o i n t a x e d ti me
.
for th e forgivene ss of s i n ; th e s i nn er ma y a t an y ti m e ma ke hi s
p e ac e with Go d D o no t p re s ume up on th e l ong s uffer i ng of t h e M os t
.
-
Ou r Lor d n di ng no fruit on it c u rs ed
,
Tru s t no t say s S t
, .
,
.
M o r ov u
h i s s b s eq en t c n fes s i on s are in al i d, s o l n g
e er a ll u o v o
as eh do e s n ot c n fes s o ov
er a ga in a l l t h e s i n s of wh i ch h e h as
been g u il ty s in ce h i s l a s t a l i d c n fes s i n v o o .
c e al ed s a 3 S t Augu s ti ne
, .sco u rges t h e consc i enc e l ac era t es t h e
, ,
h e art an d ,
s t h e so ul with angui s h an d t error Wh oso li es i n t h e .
c ea l ed i s f a t a l t o t h e li fe of t h e so ul ; i t i s lik e a w o un d whi c h b l ee d s
i nw ar dly an d ca u ses dea th S t A nt on i n u s Arc hb i s h o p of F l orenc e
. .
, ,
h er de at h b ed s h e co uld no t p r ev a il up on h e rs el f t o m enti on t h e
,
.
,
.
The Sa cra ments
. 6 09
The C on fes s or .
1 . No p ri es t ca n gi v e a b s o l u t i on wh o h a s not received th e
u
fa c l t i es f or h ri ea ng co nfes s i o ns fr o m th e bi s h op of th e d i o ces e .
d i c a t e th a t t o th em w as give n t h e p o w er t o u nb i n d T hi s p o wer i s .
ag a i ns t th e s i nn er a re re o pe n e d to hi m T hu s th e confe ssor i s t h e
, .
2 Pri es t s wh o
. dul y a th ri zed t h ea r c nf es s i ns h a e
are u o o o o v
n ot po o ov o
wer t ab s l e fr m a ll s i ns , s i nce th ere are cert a i n s i n s
op
w hi ch th e P e or th e b i s h h a s res er ed t hi ms el f for j dgment op v o u .
( C ou
n c il of Tr en t ,
1 4,
ov o
Th ey c a n on l y a b s l e fr m th es e s i n s if j r is d icti u on b e de
o
l i v er ed t t h em b y th e H l y See r th e b i s h of th e di o o op o ces e .
3 . In th e o f io
c n es s na l pri t t
th e es s a nds i n th e l a ce p of God ;
t h er or ef e t h e p nit t i
e en s b ou d t o yi l d
n e o
hi m b edi en ce .
i n hi s p e rson b ut Go d Wh o h as sa id :
, He th at h eareth you h eareth
, ,
Me . If w e o bey o u r confes sor w e may b e s u re th a t we s h all no t h ave ,
w o n g i n o b ey i ng
r T h os e w h o w o u l d ma k e p ro gress i n perfec ti on
.
61 0 The M ea ns f
o Gra ce .
I n h i s o fc e of t e ac h e r t h e p r i e s t h a s t o i ns t ru c t th e pen iten t i f
h e p e rc e ives th a t h e i s i n ig noranc e of some thi ng i mp ort an t for hi m
t o k no w L ike a gu ar di an angel he di rec t s t h e t ra velle r i n t h e r ight
.
,
h o lds it .
t h e M o ld a u an d v e light s oa ti ng o ve r t h e w a t er marke d t h e s p o t
,
t h e co u r t c h a pl a i n wh eth e r i f an y on e conf e ss ed th a t h e i n t en d ed t o
,
assass i na te t h e ki ng h e w o uld make it kno wn , O n no acco un t th e . ,
c le rgyman repli e d T h en sa id t h e ki n g
. my li fe i s no t safe
, , .
It w o uld b e l e ss s o th e p r i es t rej o i ne d ,
b ut for confess i on an d , ,
t h e s e al of confe ss i on Th e o blig a ti on of s ecr ecy al so exi s t s i n re
.
pu n i s hmen t s We h e ar from ti me t o ti me of b a d p r i es t s wh o ap os t a
.
t i ze b ut n ev er h as on e b een k no wn t o fall so l o w a s t o b r e a k th e se al
,
hi ms el f of th a t p e rm i ss i on He mu s t only d o s o wh en somethin g .
wh o mu rm u re d i n t h e wilderness we re forgiven up on M os e s i n t erces
s i on b ut were con demn ed t o d i e i n t h e des er t ( Nu mb
, D a vid .
as deb t s mu s t b e p a id s o s i ns mu s t b e bl o tt ed o ut
, .
Th e d eb t of t em po r l pu i h m t f a n s en or s i n mus t b e di s ch a rged
ei t h e r i n t h i s w r l d o o r i pu rg t o ry n a .
d u lg en c es ( Co u nc il of Tren t 1 4 , ,
o
God i n Hi s w i s d m n e er l ea es s i n wh l ly v v o u np u i h n s ed, l es t
we o
s h u l d thi n k l i gh tl y of i t ( St Aug s t in e) . u .
t o t h e t ra ns gresso r .
Th e m re o p rf t our o triti o
e ec c n n, th e g rea ter will b e th e
o
a m u n t of th e pu i hm t r mi tt d t o
n s en e e us .
M any s i ns a re forgiven h er for s h e l o ved m uc h O ur Lor d , ,
2 o p
Th e H l y S i ri t ret rns t o th e re ent a nt s i nner, a nd i m
. u p
p a rt s t o
hi m s a nctifyi ng gra ce ; a nd th e meri ts of a l l th e g d oo
o o p o
w rk s h e f rmerl y erf rmed whi l e i n a s ta te of gra ce a re re
o
s t r ed t o
h i m a ga i n .
If b efo re c onf io es s n we a re a l ea d r y in t t
a s a e of g ra c e ,
we
r eceive an in crea s e of gr a ce .
3 ou
Thr gh th e indwell i ng of th e H l y Gh s t w e b t a i n gr ea t
. o o o
p ea ce of mi nd, na y , grea t c ns l a ti ns , if r c n ers i n b e s i ncere o o o ou o v o .
61 4 Th e M ea ns o f Gra ce .
th an k s wh en He dep ri ves u s of th em .
4 Th e
. Ho l y p
S i ri t impa rts t o us th e s trength neces s a ry t o
o r om
ve c e s i n.
s et
, an d i t s p o w er res t ored Th e m ight of th e Holy S pi rit i s com
.
, .
sa y s th a t th ere i s j o y i n he aven up on on e th a t doth p enance more ,
th e l a tte r t h e f e rv en t p en it en t .
o
Y et th es e gra c es a re nl y gi v en if th e Sa cra men t of P en a n ce
v o
i s r ec ei ed w rth il y ; th ey a re gi v en a b n da n tl y if th e s a c r a u
v
men t i s r ec ei ed frequ en tl y .
B ef o r x mi n ti o f
e e a a n o o i
c n s c en c e l et us i n vo k e th e a i d of th e
Ho ly S p i ri t t h t H m y
,
a e a en l igh ten us .
t h e H o ly S pi r i t s p ea ks to th e h ea rt ( O s ee ii .
s el f l -
e
a n d ea rn es tl y en d ea vo r t o a c qu ai n t ou rs el ves with ou r fa l ts u .
,
-
In ex a min in g ou o
r c n s ci en ce, i t i s well to go th r gh th e ou
o p
Ten C mma nd men t s , th e r ece ts of th e C h rch , a n d the d ea dl y p u
s1 ns.
( 9 an d H a v e I co v e t e d ano th e r p e rson
s g oo d s ? or b e en p ro ud .
rega rd t o mo rt a l s i ns
In ,
we mu s t rememb er h ow o ft e n we
h a ve b een gu il ty of t h em .
It i s n ot n eces s a ry, th u g h o it is ad vi sa bl e t o,
ex amin e on
e s
s el f i n r ega r d t en i a l s i ns ov .
, ,
benet a t all from frequen t con fess i on How many app ar ently pi o u s .
W e mus t o on i d r
a ls c s e wh e h e t r th er e a re c irc ums tan c es
whi ch a l t r o r ggr v t th
e a a a e e s in we c o nfes s .
b e m enti on ed .
ough t t o x mi n our o i n
We e a e c ns c e ce e v ry v i ng i o rd r
e e en n e
to r n d r o ur x mi n ti o
e e i r b fo r
e a a n ea s e e e c o nf o n es s i .
2 . W e mus t
trul y rep ent of our s i ns th a t i s w e mus t gri eve , ,
h ell ? ( S t Augus ti ne ) . .
a p os tle s sorro w w a s li fel on g ; it i s sa id th at hi s te ars ma de tw o fu r
ro w s ou h i s ch eek s P en itenti al t ears a re no t i n di s p ensabl e b ut th ey
. ,
of th e so ul T h ey b r i ng i n te r i or consol a ti on ; th ey r efres h th e so ul
.
c ei v i n g th a t hi s f a th e r s li f e w a s fas t ebb i n g a w a y
t oo k a cr u c ix ,
, ,
i s p ro b a b l e th a t a t t h e ti me of t h e D eluge an d t h e d e s tr u c ti on of ,
th eme of h i s di s c urs es .
Remember th e p u ni s M
of th e r eb el an gel s of o ur rs t p ar ent s
en t , ,
t e rr ib l e a thi ng it i s t o o ffen d Go d !
o riti o n w h i h ri fro m f r f G d i l l d tt i
Th e c nt c a s es ea o o s ca e a r
ten t i im p r
s f t fo r g i v
e f i i o
ecl y o b,
t i n d t h r ou ghen es s o s n s n a e
s a cerd o t l b o l u t i o n
a a s .
1 4 , Th e p en it en t wh o i s ac tu a te d b y fe ar a l on e ret a i n s a c er t a i n .
3 W e mus t ma k e
. res o l uti on th a t i s w e mus t s tea d
a rm , ,
th e w o l f wh o ret r e at s t o t h e w oo d wh en h e h e ars t h e d o gs b ar k an d
t h e s h eph e r d s cry o ut b ut rema i ns a w o lf non e t h e l es s
, A go od .
s hi n e Hence we m us t no t t ru s t t o o ur o w n s t ren gt h b ut i n t h e
.
o
,
g r a ce of G d .
a n d th a t th e on e t o wh i ch w e are mo s t a tt a ch ed .
4 . We a re u
obl i g ti o n f o f i g our i th t i
nde r th e a o c n es s n s ns , a s,
w mu t
e r tly t o s pri t um r t ll th mo rt l in f
s ec e th e es en e a e a e a s s o
wh i h w c o n i ou ur t l y i mpl y d humb l y ; wi th
e a re c sc s, a cc a e , s an
th numb r f t i me w h v
e e ommi tt d th m b i d ll th a t
o s e a e c e e , es es a
is ry t o m ke kno wn th e n ture f th i n ( Coun il f
n eces s a a a o e s c o
Trent , 1 4, 5,
u
It i s n ot n ec es s a ry, b t i t i s s a l u ta ry a n d r ta bl e t c po o o n fes s
ven i a l s in s .
o
If a m rta l s i n h a s b een f rg tt en i n c n fes s i on , i t m o o o utb s e
o
men t i n ed th e n ext t ime .
Confess i on mu s t b e ma de s ecretly th a t i s we mu s t s p e a k i n s o , ,
t h e T hi r d F i f th or S ev en th Comman dm en t ; I h a ve no t l o ved Go d
,
To s eek t o ju s ti fy on e s s el f i s t o ac t lik e o u r rs t p aren t s i n p ara
di s e wh o s hi ft ed th e bl am e fr om th e i r own s h o ulders an d w e re pun
, .
o
p r p ens it ies ; alms deed s on t h e a v ar i c i o u s fas ti ng on the i n tem ,
overcome b y t h e p ra c ti c e of t h e o pp os it e vi rtu es .
o
Th e c nfess r gen eral l y enj i ns o
n th e eni t ent, ra yer, alms o upo p p
d eed s , a nd fa s ti n g, a s w rk s of ena n ce, i n r d er th a t h e ma y o p o
t h ereb y di s ch a rge th e t em ra l ena l ti es , a nd wea k en th e wer po p po
v
of e il t en d enci es ( C nci l of Tr ent, 1 4, ou
I n forme r ti mes mos t r ig oro u s p enances were i mp os ed ; e g fas t . .
,
h a vi or i n c hu rch et c No w a d ay s t h e p enanc e s i mp os ed a re ve ry d if
, .
ca u s e s ca n d al .
Th e w rks of en a n ce im o p po d b y th o f o r ough t t o b
se e c n es s e
c on s c i en t i s ly ou
er f r med i n p o u i o with th t i f tio f O ur
n n e sa s ac n o
o
L rd Jes s C h ris t u .
ov e ,
o
r t h a t h e d o es n t think s er i ou s ly of amendi ng hi s l i fe All o u r .
w ork s of p enanc e a re of thems elves with o ut mer it ; they der ive thei r
s ui c i en cy from t h e m er it of t h e sa ti sfac ti on ma de b y C h ri s t F or .
o
W e s h ul d, bes i des , ma k e s a t i s fa cti n b y uni s h ment s v ol un o p
ta ril y und ert a k en of ou v
rs el es ; a nd a l s by b ea ri ng a ti entl y th e o p
po ou
tem ra l s c rges i ni ct ed of God ( C ncil of Trent, 1 4, ou
We o ught t o p erform volunt ary p enances well as th os e enj o i n ed as
on us Th e man wh o o wes a th o u san d d oll ars d o es no t deem hi ms elf
.
be ar it Comp ara tively slight affli cti ons b orn e p a ti ently will h a ve
.
feli c ity ; they a re s imply pun itive no t mer it or i o u s Ano the r mos t , .
ha ppi nes s .
Th e sa ti sfac ti on we ma ke he re o b t a i ns no t o nl y p ar d on from Go d ,
1 . o o
B y a gen era l c n fes s i n i s mea n t th e c n fes s i n of a ll th r o o
i
s ns o
w e h a v e c mmi tt ed wi th i n a c n s i d er a b l e eri d of ti me o p o .
6 26 The M ea ns f
o Gra ce.
D w el l i n g
b
h ou s es
pt an d clean ed every week b ut at long e r
a re s we ,
us g r e a t e r s elf kn owl e d g ,
e d ee p e r h u mili
-
t y ,
i n c r eas e d t ra n qu il
l i ty of c o ima n y gr a ces fr o m God
n s c en c e, an d o bt i a ns .
fes s i on h a s o n c e b e en ma d e ; i t i s a l s o a d vi s a bl e i n th e c as e of
p ers on s w h o a re en terin g upo n a n ew s ta te of l ife o r wh o a re i n ,
d a n g e r o f d e a th .
C on fes s i on a D i v i n e In s ti tu ti on .
1 . onfe i on of in w in t itut ed b y
C ss s s as s Our L o rd , a nd h a s b een
th e pra ct i f th e Ch ur h i n all enturi
ce o c c es .
5 . It i s i m po ibl t o p rov o
ss e e c n fes s ion t o be of huma n i ns ti ~
Th e name of th e v
i n ent o r or ori gi nat or i s g enera lly a tt ac hed t o
eve r y hu man i ns titut i on or di sco ve ry But th os e wh o den y th e di .
at t h e e s e
s ame tim o unrem un ra tive for t h e p r i es t w a s rs t i nt ro ~
iti ng hi m ?
Th e
2 . ins ti tuti on of confes s i o n a ord s us
proof of th e innite
mercy a n d wi s dom of God .
1 C n fess i
. o o po o
i s r t a bl e t th e i n di vi d a l i n a s mu ch as h e
n u
v
d er i es fr m i t o o
s elf k n wl edge, d el i c a c y of c n s ci e n c e, i n t er i r
-
o o
p ea ce, s tr en gth of c h a r a ct er, a n d m ra l r i ty o pu .
i s t h e fo un d a ti on of a ll mo ra l p erfec ti on P ro ud pe o pl e h a ve th e .
en ced we th ro w of
, f t h e yo ke of th e fa th er of lie s an d tu rn t o Hi m ,
2 . o o po
C n fess i n i s r t a bl e t s ci ety a t l a rge o o b eca u s e i t is
a mea n s wh er eb y d i s pu
t es a re s ettl ed, s tol en r p op rty e is re
o
s t r e d, c ri mes are p v
re ent ed, a n d i c e effect a ll y s v u uppr es s ed .
wh a t mea s u res they mus t t ake t o mas ter the i r p ass i ons M ore i s .
an d I will r eform th e wh ol e w orld If th e di sco very we re ma de th a t .
mu c h co ul d no t b e sa id i n p ra i s e of s o exc ell en t an d wi s e an i n s t i t u
ti on ; b ut b eca u s e it i s p rac ti s e d i n t h e Cath oli c C hu rch an d a p ,
gra ding .
Th e Si n o f Rela p s e .
Wh e n th e A rk
of th e Co venan t w e a re told w a s carr i ed t o th e , ,
p ers eve re T hey put the i r h an d t o t h e pl o ugh an d th en l ook
.
b ac k ( Luke i x T hey a re t o b e comp are d t o t h e s ow th at w a s
.
w as h ed an d r eturns t o h e r w all o wi n g i n t h e m i re ( 2 P et ii or . .
t o t h e d og th a t re tu rn eth to hi s v om it ( P ro v xxvi . .
1 . He af e tr o v
h i s c n ers i n r el a s es i nt m rt a l s i n, i s i n
wh o o p o o
p
d a n ger of d i n g i m eni t en t, b eca s e t h e d e i l a cq i r es grea t
y wer u v u po
ov er h i m, a n d th e i n en ce of th e H l u
S i ri t i s l es s en ed oy p .
( Jo h n v .
ou
2 If a ny one s h l d r el a s e i nt m rt a l s i n, l et hi m f rt h wi t h
. p o o o
p o o
re ent a nd go t c nfes s i n ; for th e l nger ena nce i s del a yed o o p ,
o u
th e m r e d i ffi c l t th e m r e ncert a i n c n ers i n wi ll b e
, o u o v o .
3 If, th r
. ough fr i l ty w f ll i t o v e i l i
a , e a n n a s n, w e m s t n ot b e u
u
d i s q i et ed on th t a ou t b t h umb l our l v
a cc n , u e se es b ef r e God o .
t hee
( 2 Pa r xix Why were D a vid an d S t P ete r trea ted b y
. . .
d o e s no t g et co ld i f it b e p l ac e d cl os e t o t h e re n e ithe r d o e s th e ,
t a i n ed th ro ugh h e r i n te rc e ss i on on o u r b eh a l f If th o u d os t enj o y .
M ary s fa v or S t B ernar d dec l ares , thou a rt s u re of s alva ti on
. ,
IND UL GENCES .
1 God h a s gr a nt ed t th e Ch rch th e
. wer, a ft er th e rec n o u po o
o
ci l i a t i n of th e s i nner wi th God, of ch a ngi ng t h e ni s h ment s pu
o
y et rema i n i n g d ue t s i n i nt w rk s of ena nce, r of remi tti ng o o p o
th em a l t geth er o .
mi ss i on of t h e p en i t en t t o he a ven To S t P et e r He sa id : Wh a t so. .
eve r th o u sh alt l oos e on e ar th it sh a ll b e l oos e d i n h e a ve n , ( M att .
ves t ed i n th e He a d of th e C hu rc h an d i n t h e b i s h o p s We re a d th a t .
b
ma d e y C h ri s t i s , so v
ast in e xt en t , th a t i t fa r
xceed s th e p en a lt i es e
d u e to th e s i n s of a l l li v i n g ( St Th o ma s Aqu i n a s )
. In t h es e mer i t s .
a ll p a rt i c i p a t e wh o b el o n g t o t h e c o mmu n i o n of s a i n t s ; an d the d i s
t rib u t i on of th em w a s en t ru s t ed b y t h e Son of God t o St P et er wh o .
,
i s th e d oorkeep er of h ea v en Th u s i t w i ll b e s een t h a t n o on e i s a ct
.
i s p a i d ou t of t h e t rea s u ry of th e C hu r ch .
a ll y c o n s i s t ed i n ex cl u s i o n fro m t h e c o mp a n y of t h e fa i t hful ; th e
exc o mmu n i c a t e we r e o nl y a l l o we d t o kn eel i n t h e v es t i b ul e of t h e
u n t i l th e exp i r a t i o n of t h ei r t e rm of p en a n ce D u r i n g t h a t t i me on
b
.
x ed d a ys t h ey h a d t o fa s t on rea d a n d w a t er Th i s p u b l i c p en a n c e .
s u ch a s a p o s t a s y, g i v i n g t h e Hol y Sc ri p t u r es i n t o t h e h a n d s of p a g a n s ,
F or l es s er t r a n s g res s i o n s a fa s t of for t y d a ys w a s th e or di n a r y p en s
a n ce . B u t t h e C h u r ch kn ew t h a t t h e d es i g n o f Go d i s n ot s o mu ch
to ch a s t i s e t h e s i nn er a s t o d et a ch h i m fro m e a rth l y a ffect i o n s a n d
l ea d h i m t o a men d ; t h u s , i f t h e p en i t en t s h o w ed b y h i s c o n d u ct t h a t
h i s c o n ver s i o n w a s n ot s u p e rc i a l b u t r ea l i t w a s d eemed u n n ec es
, ,
s a i n t s t h e y c a n ma k e s a t i s fa ct i o n for on e a n o t h er ; h en c e t h e ma r t yr s
,
p l ea d ed on b eh a lf of th e p en i ten t s St Th o ma s Aqu i n a s s a ys t h a t
. .
2 ub
In l a ter ti mes , wh en p li c p en a n c es w ere a roga ted , th e
. b
u
C h rch p ermi tt ed th e c on tri t e s i n n er t o d i s ch a rge th e d e t of b
t emp ora l p u n is h men t du e t o s i n by
mean s of a l ms d eeds , cr s a d es , u
or p i l gri ma es
g .
t i o n ; l a t er on i t w a s o ffe red b y t h e C h u r ch t o t h e fa i t h fu l In t h e .
c h u r ch es a n d c a th e d r a l s fo r t h e mo s t p a rt ; t h i s i s h ow t h e fu n d s w e r e
ra i s e d t o b u i l d St P et e r s a t R ome At t h e C o u n ci l of C l e rmon t i n
.
.
6 34 The Mea n s of Gra ce .
C ru s a d es we re a l s o u n d e rt a ken on t h e s a me c o n d i t i o n s a g a i n s t h e re
t i c s a n d t h e a d ve rs a r i es of t h e C h u r ch In t h e t en th cen t u ry we n d
.
c a me i n t o t h e p o w e r of t h e Tur k s , a n d p i l g r i ma g es c o ul d n o l o n g e r
b e ma d e t o J eru s a l em, P op e B o n i fa ce V III g ra n t e d fu l l r emi s s i o n
.
ft ee n s u cces s i ve d a ys v i s i t t h e b a s i l i c a of t h e a p o s tl es i n R o me .
Th i s w a s t h e or i g i n of t h e Ju b i l ee i n d u lg en ce ; i t w a s r ep e a t e d ft y
yea rs l a t er, t h e c o n d i t i on of a v i s i t t o t h e L a t e r a n C h u rch b ei n g
a d d ed In t h a t ye a r t h ree mi ll i o n p i lg ri ms a re s a i d t o h a ve j o u rn eyed
.
t o t h e Et e rn a l C i t y . Th e i n t er v a l b et w een t h e g r a n t i n g of t h es e
i n dul g en ces w a s r ed u ced b y l a t er P on t i s t o t h i rt y t h r ee yea r s , i n -
h o n or of th e p e ri o d of O u r L or d s l i fe on e a r th ; a g a i n i t w a s s h ort
en ed t o t w en t y v e ye a r s
-
. F u rt h ermor e i t w a s d ec r eed t h a t t h e s a me
i n d u l g en ce mi g h t b e g a i n ed b y t h e i nh a b i t a n t s of cert a i n l a rg e c i t i es ,
p ro v i d e d t h e y i s ivt e d t h e i r ca t h e d r a l c h u r ch a n d g a ve a s um e qu a l
t o t h e c o s t of a j o u rn ey t o R o me, t o t h e p r ea ch er s of t h e i n d ul g en ce,
or c oll ect o rs of a lms Th i s g a ve ri s e t o g re a t a u s es Th e c o ll ect ors
. b .
wh o we re p ri n ci p a ll y D o mi n i c a n or F r a n c i s c a n mo n k s w ere s o me ,
ti on of w ork s more e a s y
of a c c omp l i s h men t, s u ch as p ra er a n d y
th e r ec ep ti on of th e s a cra men t s , for th e more ri goro s w ork s of u
n n c e, a s a mea n s of s a ti s fa ct i on
p e a .
s u p p o s es c o n ve r s i o n a n d a me n d men t ) , t o b e d i l i g en t i n p r a ye r, t o
i n d ev o t i o n t o s a i n t s a n d rel i es et c , . Sh e a ct s l ike a mo th e r wh o
mi n g l es s weet s wi t h th e b i tt e r p h ys i c, t o i n d u c e the ch i l d t o s w a l l ow
it . Th e a n c i en t ru l e of d i s c i p l i n e formerl y i n force i n t h e C h u r ch ,
g r a n t e d f or t h e r e c i t a l o f a ce rt a i n p r a y e r , t h e m e a n i n g i s t h a t t h e
p e n i t en t b y r ep e a t i n g t h a t p r a y e r , d o e s a s m u ch i n e x p i a t i o n o f h i s
s i n s a s wo u l d forme rl y h a v e b een d o n e b y t h re e y ea r s of c a n o n i c a l
n e C h u r ch s r ever
p e a n ce T. h e o b j e c t o f t h i s i s b o t h t o t e s t i fy t o t h
en ce for a n c i en t or d i n a n ce s , a n d a l s o b y r emi n d i n g t h em o f t h e s ev er e
re qu i remen t s of former d a ys , t o ma ke t h e fa i th fu l p erform ch eer
full y t h e e a s y t a s k t h ey a re n ow c a ll ed u p o n t o a c c o mp l i s h .
of s o me t r i i n g mi s t a k e Th e i n du lg en ce a tt a ch ed t o s ome p ra yer s
.
g en c es ma y b e g a i n ed , we ma y men t i o n t h e Vi a C ru ci s i n J eru s a l em ,
a n d t h e s t a t i o n s wh er ev e r t h ey a re c a n o n i c a ll y e rect e d Th e Sca la .
Sa n ta i n R ome, t h e s t a i rw a y, t h a t i s , i n Pi l a te s h o u s e u p a n d d o wn
wh i ch O u r L or d wa s d r a g g ed It c o n s i s t s of t wen t y e i g h t ma rb l e
.
-
i n g me a n wh i le on O u r L or d s P a s s i on , a n i n d ul g en ce of n i n e y ea r s
v b
for i s i t i n g t h e t om of t h e h ol y a p o s tl es , t h e s t a t i o n s i n R o me
b
( ch u rch es wh ere rema rka l e rel i cs a re p res er ved ) , t h e C h a p el of t h e
P orti u n cul a a t As s i s i , th e s ep u l ch re of St J a mes a t C omp os t ell a, .
P on t i or s o me p r i es t p o s s es s i n g t h e p o we r s Th e i n d u l g en ce i s
b
.
,
b l es s ed . M ore t h a n on e i n d u l g en c e ma y b e a t t a ch ed t o t h e s a me
ro s a ry ; a c ru c i x ca n l i kewi s e b e i n d u l g en c ed for t h e h ou r of d ea th ,
a n d for t h e s t a t i o n s ; b u t on e a n d t h e s a me p ra ye r w i l l n ot a v a i l t o
g a i n a ll th e i n d u lg en ce s a t t a ch ed t o a n y on e o b j ect P a rt i a l i n d u l
.
g en ce s ma y b e g a i n ed d a i l y ; a n d p l en a ry very fr equ en tl y i f t h e u s u a l
c o n d i t i o n s a re fu lll e d All c r os s es or ro s a r i es b ro u g h t fro m P a l es
.
t i n e, wh i ch h a ve t o u ch ed t h e h ol y p l a ces h a ve t h e P a p a l b l es s i n g a t
,
~
u y
3 An i nd l genc e i s ei th er pl enar , w h en a f l l a n d enti re
. u re
u
mi ss i on of a l l th e temp oral p ni s h ment due t o s i n i s ga i ned, or
p a rt i al , w h en onl a p orti y
on of th e t emp ora l p ni s h ment i s u re
mi tted .
i t i s a n e a s y t h i n g t o g a i n a p l en a ry i n d u l g en ce F or h e wh o r et a i n s
.
a n y u n d u e a tt a ch men t t o e a rt h l y t hi n g s , i s n ot a l t o g et h e r fr ee from
t h e g u i l t of s i n ; n or c o n s equ en tl y fro m t h e p en a l t y o f s i n , a n d h e
y et n eeds p u r i c a t i o n b y s u ffe r i n g O n l y i n a s fa r a s t h e o ffen ce
.
Pl en a r y u
i n d l gen c es a re gra n ted th e C h by uh , p ro i d ed
rc v
th a t we a p p roa ch th e s ac ramen ts a n d p ra for th e y Hol Fath er 8y
Th e Sa cr a men ts . 637
th e c on di ti on of vi i ti
s n g a ch u rch is a d d ed .
F or i n s t a n c e : F or d a i l y a ct s of t h e t h ree th e ol o g i ca l v i rtu es , a
p l e n a ry i n d u l g e n c e m a y b e g a i n e d on a n y o n e d a y i n t h e m o n t h o n
th e u s u a l c o n d i t i o n s Th e s ame p r i v i l eg e i s a t t a ch ed t o s ever a l o th er
.
p r a y e r s a n d e j a cu l a t i o n s , s u c h a s : Sweetes t He a r t of J es u s I i m ,
p l o r e
, t h a t I m a y e v e r l o v e T h e e m or e a n d mor e
Th o s e wh o a re i n .
i n d u l g en ce ma y b e g a i n ed a t on e a n d t h e s a me c ommu n i o n , p ro vi d ed
t h e w ork s p r es cr ib ed for e a ch s ev er a l l y b e a c c o mp l i s h ed If a v i s i t
s
.
t o a ch u r ch or p u b l i c c h a p el i en j o i n ed , i t mu s t b e ma d e on a s ep a r a t e
o cc a s i on In rm p er s o n s a re o n l y re qu i red t o g o t o c on fes s i o n ; i n
.
s t e a d of r ecei v i n g c o mmu n i o n a n d v i s i t i n g a c h u r ch i f th es e b e t h e ,
c o n d i t i o n s , t h ey c a n g a i n t h e i n d u lg en c e b y p e rformi n g s o me o th er
w ork p res c r i b ed b y t h ei r c o n fes s or Al l wh o b y i lln e s s or o th er u n
.
a v o i d a b l e c i r c u ms t a n c es a re p r even t ed fro m v i s i t i n g a ch u r ch d o n ot ,
l o s e t h e i n d u l g en c e, i f t h ey fu l l a ll t h e c o n d i t i o n s wi t hi n t h ei r
P r a yers for t h e i n t en t i o n of t h e Ch u r ch a re l eft t o ev e ry o n e s
p o we r .
d i s c reti o n In g en e ra l , v e O u r Fa th ers a n d v e Ha i l M a ry s a re
.
c o n s i d e red s u fc i en t ; t h ey mu s t b e r ep e a t ed a u d i b l y e i t h e r b efor e or ,
y
Th e mos t import a n t p l en a r i n d l gen c es a re th e Ju il ee i n u b
d u lgen ce, th e i n d u l gen c e of th e P ort i u n cul a , a n d th a t of th e
b
Pa p a l en ed i c ti on .
wh o l e Ch u r ch a n d l a s t s for t h e wh o l e ye a r
, Th e J ews kep t t h e .
ft i eth ye a r a s a y e a r of j u b i l ee or r ej o i c i n g , We h a ve a l rea d y ex .
p l a i n e d h o w t h i s c u s t o m w a s i n t ro d u c ed i n t o t h e C h u r ch Th e con .
In t h e J u b i lee ye a r a ll ot h er i n d ul g en c es for t h e l i v i n g a re s u s p en d ed
( ex cep t th a t of t h e An g el u s a n d for th e h ou r of d ea th ) b u t i f a p p l i ed ,
t o t h e d e a d th ey c o n t i n u e i n for ce As a r u l e th e Ju b i l ee i n d u l g en ce
.
,
ere i g n P o n t i f f u n d e r Sp ec i a l c i r c u ms t a n ces s u ch a s h i s a cc es s i o n t o
,
t h e P a p a l thzon e th e op en i n g of a c o u n c il et c
, Th e i n d u l g en ce of
, .
t h e P o rt i u n c ul a c a n b e g a i n e d r ep ea t ed l y on t h e s ec o n d of Au g u s t ,
t o c on fe s s i o n a n d c o mmu n i o n vi s i t s th e P ort i u n cu l a C h a p el , or a n y
o t h er p u b l i c ch a p el of th e Fr a n c i s c a n s or P oor C l a res a n d p r a y s for ,
t h e i n t en t i o n s of t h e Hol y F a t h er Th e i n d u l g en c e or i g i n a t ed i n t hi s
.
w i s e : Wh il e St F r a n c i s w a s p r a yi n g i n h i s fa v ori t e ch u r ch n ea r
.
As s i s i O u r L or d a p p ea red t o h i m w i t h Hi s b l es s ed M o th e r a n d s ev
, ,
er a l s a i n t s F r a n c i s en t rea t ed O u r L or d t o g r a n t a p l en a ry i n du lg en c e
.
O u r L or d c o n s en t ed b i d d i n g h i m g o t o th e P o p e wh o w o u l d r a t i fy
, ,
6 38 Th e M ea ns f Gra ce
o .
L a t e r P o n t i ffs ext en d ed i t t o a ll p u b l i c ch a p el s of t h e F r a n c i s c a n
O r d er, a n d s ome o th ers Th i s i n d ul g en ce ca n o n l y b e g a i n e d o n c e
.
c h u rch of t h e O r d e r A p l en a r y i n d ul g en ce ma y b e g a i n ed b y a ll wh o
.
,
a ft e r c o n fe s s i o n a n d c o mmu n i o n a n d p r a ye r for t h e i n t en t i o n o f t h e
b
,
C h urch re cei ve th e P a p a l en ed i ct i on
, P rev i o u s t o t h e y ea r 1 8 70
.
a g a i n a u t h or i z ed t o g i v e t h e P a p al b l es s i n g t o t h ei r flock s on s p eci a l _
o cc a s i o n s s u c h a s t h e cl o s e of a mi s s i o n
, .
A p l en ary i n d u lg en c e ma y b e ga i n ed i n th e h our of d ea th
by th os e wh o, h a vi n g rec ei ved th e s a cra men ts a n d i n voked th e
h ol y n a me, rec ei v e th e P a p al b l es s i n g, or k eep b es i d e th em s ome
ob j ec t b l es s e d by th e Hol y Fa th er ; a l s o by th e memb ers of mos t
c on fra tern i ti es ,
and by
a ll w h o h a e d av
il r ec i t e d t h e ty
h r e e a c t s
of fa i th , h op e y
a n d ch a ri t , or s ome oth er s i mi l arl i n d l gen c ed y u
If a s i ck ma n , d es i ro u s of g a i n i n g a p l en a r y i n d ul g en c e, s h o u l d
n d i t i mp o s s ib l e t o r ecei v e t h e s a c r a men t s , h e ma y a t l ea s t ma ke
a n a c t of c o n t r i t i o n i f h e c a n n ot u t te r t h e n a me of J es u s wi t h h i s
l i p s , h e c a n a t a n y r a t e i n v o k e i t i n h i s h ea r t In a n y c a s e p erfect .
c o n formi t y t o t h e w i l l of G od i s e s s en t i a l Th e ma j or i t y of p r i es t s
.
a re emp o w er e d t o g i v e t h e p a p a l b e n ed i ct i o n t o t h e d yi n g Th o s e .
keep o b j ect s t h u s b l es s ed i n th ei r h o u s es , t o en a b l e t h em t o g a i n t h e
i n d u l g en ce In d u l g en ces for t h e h o u r of d ea th a re a l s o a t t a ch ed t o
.
memb er s h i p of v a ri ou s c o n fr a te rn i t i es Th ey ma y a l s o b e g a i n ed
.
or o t h e rw i s e Th e s a me a p p l i e s t o s eve r a l o th er s h o rt p r a ye r s , s u ch
.
as
An g el o f Go d e t c In du lg en ces o b t a i n ed i n t h e h o u r of d ea th
, .
a re p u r el y p e r s o n a l ; t h ey c a n n o t ev en b e a p p l i ed t o t h e s o ul s i n
p u rg a t or y As t h e d y i n g c a n n o t , wi t h t h e b es t of w i ll s , p erform
.
Th e p a rt i a l i n du l g en c es gra n ted by
th e Ch rch a re gen era l l u y
a qu a dr a gen a , or fort y y
d a s ; or for a p eri od of a h n dred d a s , u y
a y ea r, v e or s e e n ea rs , erv y v y
rarel for th i rt or a h n dred y y u
y ea rs . Th os e x ed p eri od s d o n ot ma rk th e n u m er of d a s or b y
y ea rs by u
w h i ch th e p rg a t ori a l r es a re a ri dged ; th e d o b u t b y
i n di c a te th a t as mu ch of th e t empo ra l p n i s h men t of s i n i s re u
u v b
mi tt ed a s w o l d h a e een remi tt ed b y a c orres p on di n g p eri od
of th e c a n on i c a l p en a n c es formerl y
i mp os ed on p en i ten ts .
6 40 The M ea ns o f Gra ce .
n ot mi s u s ed b y t h e w i ck ed ? Th e a b u s e of a t h i n g d o es n ot d i mi n i s h
i t s u s eful n es s Th e refore d o n ot d es p i s e i n dul gen ces , for b y des p i s i n g
v
.
th em ma n y h a e fa l l en i n t o e rror a n d p erd i t i o n .
C h ri s t i s t h e G o od Sa ma ri t a n , for b y th e h a n d s of Hi s rep ro
s en t a t i v e, t h e p r i es t , He p o ur s i n t o t h e wou n d s of th e s i ck oi l t o ef
fect
h i s s p i r i t u a l a n d p h y s i c a l c u re .
Th e p r i e s t a n o i n t s th e s i ck ma n w i th c on s ec r a t ed oi l i n t h e form
of a c ro s s on h i s v e s en s es wh i ch h a v e b een i n s t rum en t a l t o h i s s i n s
,
( e y es , e a r,s n o s e , m o u t h , h a n d s a n d fee t ) ; a t e v e r y u n c t i on h e re
p ea ts t h e foll o w i n g form of p r a yer : Th ro u gh t h i s h ol y u n ct i o n a n d
t h ro u g h Hi s mo s t t en d e r mer cy ma y t h e L ord p a r d o n t h ee wh a t eve r
b
,
i s a ct u a ll y exp i ri n g th e p ri es t on l y a n o i n t s h i s for eh ea d ; b u t h e
,
c o n t i n u es t o a n o i n t t h e o th e r p a rts s o l o n g a s l i fe h a s n ot d ep a r t ed .
b
.
,
g en e r a l l y t h e l a s t w h i ch i s a d mi n i s t ere d t o t h e d y i n g .
p r i es t s of th e C h u rch , a n d l et t h em p r a y o ver h i m, a n o i n t i n g h i m
wi th oi l i n t h e n a me of th e L ord ; a n d th e p r a yer of fa i t h s h a ll s a ve
t h e s i ck ma n , a n d th e L ord s h a l l r a i s e h i m u p : a n d i f h e b e i n s i n s ,
t h ey s h a ll b e forg i ven h i m
( Ja s 1 4, . v
P op e In n o cen t I , i n
. .
u n c t i o n of t h e s i ck w a s i n s t i t u t ed b y O u r L or d a s a t ru e s a c r a men t
of t h e New L a w ( C o u n c i l of Tren t , 1 4, It c o n fers g r a ce, remi t s
s i n , a n d c o mfort s t h e s i ck .
O ilr s t en gt h en s b
th e o d y ( p ug i li s t s or w res tl ers a re ru ed w i th bb
oil t o g i v e t h em g r ea te r p o w er a n d ren d e r i t di fc u l t fo r t h ei r a d
,
v ers a ry t o g r a s p t h em) ; i t p o s s es s es a h ea li n g p o we r ( wi t n es s t h e
G oo d Sa ma r i t a n wh o p o u red oil on th e w o un ds of t h e ma n wh o
,
h a d fa ll en a mo n g t h i eves ) ; a n d i t i mp a rts s u p p l en es s a n d ex i b i l i t y .
ou r s o u l s s t r a i n s a ll t h e p o w ers of h i s c r a ft t o ru i n u s u t t e rl y i f h e
c a n a n d ma k e u s fa ll fr om ou r t r u s t i n t h e mer cy of God ( C o u n c i l
b
,
of St El ea z a r t h a t on t h e n e a r a p p ro a ch of d ea th
. h i s c o u n t en a n ce ,
t imes of th e b dy ; i t ff
o f morta l s i n s , whi ch
e ec ts th e re mi s s i on o
u
th ro gh i n r o n d or mi ty f mi
od th e s i ck ma n h as n ot b y
e en b
b
a l e t o c on fes s , a s w ell a s th e remis s i on of s ome t em ora l
p p u n i s h
b
men t An d es i d es , a t ti mes i t o t a i n s odil h eal th , wh en ex
. b b y
p edi en t for th e w elfa re of t h e s o l u .
It i s th u s t h e c omp l et i o n of t h e Sa c r a men t of P en a n ce or t h e p e n a n ce ,
of t h e s i c k B y r ea s o n of p h ys i c a l a n d men t a l w e a kn es s t h e s i c k a re
.
r a r el y c a p a b l e of ma ki ng a g oo d c o nfes s i o n or d o i n g p en a n ce ; th ere
fore t h e C h u r ch d e a l s l en i en tl y wi th t h em a n d b y t h i s u n ct i o n c om ,
p en a l t y of s i n i n p ro p or t i o n t o t h e c on t ri t i o n a n d d ev o t i o n wh er e
w i t h th e s a c r a men t i s rec ei ved
,
Ext reme U n ct i on o ft en o b t a i n s
.
s p i r i t u a l a d v a n cemen t He res t or es h i m t o h ea l th g ra n t i ng h i m a
, ,
g ro un d s ; t h e p ea ce of mi n d p ro d u ced b y c o n fes s i o n a n d r ec o n c i l i a
t i o n w i th God a c t s b en ec i a l l y u p o n t h e b o d y An d i n s o me c a s es .
b y th e i n t erp o s i t i o n of di v i n e p o w er h ea l th i s r es t or ed wh en h uma n
s kill c o u l d d o n o t h i n g How fool i s h a re t h o s e wh o i ma g i n e th a t i f
.
t h ey r ec ei ve Ext reme U n ct i o n i t w i ll b e th ei r d ea th w a rr a n t !
cl e a n s es a w a y a ll t h a t i s a n i mp ed i men t t o ou r et ern a l s a l v a t i o n .
O n l y i n c a s es of s e ri o u s i lln es s , t h a t i s , wh en th ere i d a ng er of s
d e a t h , c a n th e s i ck r ecei ve Ext reme Un ct i on A s ol d i er ca nn ot re.
ce i v e i t b
efor e g o i n g i n t o a ct i o n , n or a c ri mi n a l c on d emn ed t o d ea th .
t i o n of t h e h ol y o i l s s h oul d n ot b e p o s tp o n e d u n t i l t h e l a s t mo men t ,
s o u l d ep en d s u p o n t h e c o n t r i t i o n a n d d ev o t i on wi th wh i ch i t i s re
c ei v ed An d t h e b o d y c a n n ot p ro t b y i t , i f t h e vi t a l s p a rk b e a l l b u t
.
e xt i n c t It i s l i tt l e u s e c a ll i n g ou t t h e re en g i n e wh en t h e h o u s e i s a l
.
mo s t b u rn t d o wn He wh o en t ers u p on t h e j ou rn ey from t i me t o
.
et e rn i t y w i t h o u t for t i fy i n g h i ms el f wi t h t h e l a s t s a cr a men t s i s li ke ,
b e c o n t emp t of s o g r ea t a s a c r a men t w i th o u t h ei n o u s s i n a n d a n i n
j u r y t o th e Hol y Gh os t Hi ms elf ( C ou n ci l of Tren t , 1 4,
en an c e .
p
To t h i s cl a s s b el on g r wh o h a e n ot y et a tt a i n ed
i di ot s , a n d ch il d en v
th e a g e of rea s o n It mu s t n ot h owever b e s u p p o s e d t h a t t h i s i n
.
, ,
b
,
c o n s c i o u s of h a v i n g s i n n ed a g a i n s t t h ei r p a r en t s .
men t i s of n o u t i l i t y t o t h o s e wh o a re s p i ri t u a ll y d ea d Eve ry p ri es t .
wh o h a s b een d u l y a u th ori z ed b y t h e b i s h 0p , ma y g i ve t h e P a p a l b e n e
d i c t i o n w i t h a p l en a ry i n d u l g en ce, p ro v i d ed h e ma kes us e of t h e p re
6 44 Th e M ea ns o f Gra ce .
of e a c h on e s e v
th e p ri es t s p res en t d o i n g t h e s a me
e a ll r y
, e n ext . H
a rr a ys t h em i n t h e s a c e r d o t a l v es t men t s ; t h e Ven t Sa n c te Sp i ri t us
i s s u n g , a n d h e a n o i n t s t h e h a n d s of e a ch on e i n t u rn w i t h t h e s a c re d
ch r is m i n t h e form o f a c ro s s He t h en g i ves t h e ch a l i ce a nd p a t en
.
u
ri t a l .
e
N
ot on l y s u p ern a t u r a l p o w e r s , b u t g ra c es a re i mp a r ted i n t h e
Sa c r a men t of O r d e rs B y t h i s s a c red or d i n a n ce t h e
. o l y Gh o s t i s H
g i ven ( C o u n c i l of Tren t , 1 3 ,
We t h a t t h e a p o s t l es c o n s ec r a t ed P a u l a n d B a rn a a s w i t h
re a d b
p r a ye r a n d i mp o s i t i o n of h a n d s ( Ac t s x i i i a n d i n li k e ma nn er
.
St P a ul c o n s ec r a t ed Ti mo th y ( 2 Ti m i
. St Au g u s t i n e s p ea k s
. . .
of O r d e r s a s a s a c r a men t wh en h e i n vei g h s a g a i n s t t h e D o n a t i s ts ,
wh o a s s e rt e d t h a t wh i l e B a p t i s m c o n fers wh a t c a n n eve r b e l o s t th e ,
r i g h t of a dmi n i s t e r i n g B a p t i s m ma y b e l o s t
B o t h , h e d ecl a res , .
q
O r d ers w a s u n u es t i o n a b l y i n s t i tu t ed b y O u r L or d a t th e La s t
Su p p er .
y y
Hol Ord ers , IS one of great di gni t , b ut l i k ew i s e one of no s l i gh t
u y
d i fc l t a nd of a s t res p ons i ili t v b y .
Th e p r i es t h o o d i s t h e h i g h es t d i g n i t y u p o n ea rt h It s u rp a s s es .
a s St Jo h n C h ry s o s t o m r ema r k s ,
. t h e p o w e r of k i n g s i s o n l y o v er t h e
b o d i es of men wh e r e a s t h a t of t h e p ri es t i s o ver t h ei r s o u l s
,
On .
h i s wo r d ? a n d n ot a ll t h e a n g el s t o g et h er c o u l d g r a n t p a r d o n for a
s i n g l e Si n B y h i s o fce a p r i e s t i s o n l y c o n ce rn ed w i t h h ea v en l y
.
b et ween G od a n d m a n , t h e a n g el of t h e L or d of h o s t s ( M a l i i 7 . .
th e mes s en g er o f God t o ma k e kn o wn Hi s w i ll t o me n He i s Go d s
.
cl a r es on e a r t h i s r a t i e d i n h e a v en ; a n d a t h i s w or d t h e Sec o n d
P e r s o n of t h e Hol y Tr i n i t y b ec o me s es h b en e a t h h i s h a n d a s a t th e
In c a rn a t i o n Hen ce w e d o w ell t o a dd res s t h e p r i es t a s you r r ev er
.
St F r a n c i s of As s i s i u s ed t o s a y t h a t i f h e met a n a n g el a n d
en c e . .
a p r i es t a t th e s a me t i me h e s h o u l d s a l u t e t h e p ri es t r s t Th e .
s a c er d o t a l oi ce i s a l s o on e of g r e a t d i fcu l t y ; t h e ob l i g a t i on s r es t i n g
Th e Sa cra men ts . 6 45
b re vi a ry d a i l y whi ch c a nn o t b e d o n e u n d e r a n h o u r a n d a qu a rt er ;
,
wh i ch t h ey a re s u ffer i n g ; h e h a s o ft en t o s i t for l o n g h o u r s i n t h e
c o n fes s i o n a l t o fa s t l a t e on a cc o u n t of t h e l a t e M a s s es ; h e i s b o u n d
, ,
t o w a rd s t h e p oo r a n d mu ch more b es i d es
, P r i es t s o u g h t t o b e t h e
.
p r i es t s a re i n t h e p r es en t d a y fr equ en t ly t h e o b j ect s of s u s p i c i o n a n d
p e r s ec u t i o n a n d , t h e i r a p o s t o li c l a b or s a re i ll rewa rd ed Th e v o t a r i es
-
.
of t h e w orl d a re i n cl i n ed t o t rea t t h e i r p r i es t s l i ke th e d og i n t h e
fa b l e wh o b i t t h e h a n d t h a t wa s s t ret ch ed ou t t o s a ve h i m fro m
s
,
d ro wn i n g Th e p ri es tl y o fce i b es i d es on e of i mmen s e r es p o n s i
.
t o ta s k So i t i s w i t h t h e p ri es t s ; t h ey h a ve t o ren d e r a n a cc o u n t of
.
t h o s e wh o w i l l h a ve t o g i ve a cc o u n t for s ou l s s a ys St B e rn a r d, a re .
,
h ea vy a n d o n ero u s O n th e d a y of h i s or di n a t i o n St Jo h n C h ry s os
. .
No th i n g ca n t a ke a wa y t o t h e p r i e s tly
t h e d i g n i t y a tt a ch i n g
ofce, n ot even a n u n g o dl y l i fe ; t h erefore we o u gh t
a lwa ys t o en t e r
t a in g re a t r eve ren ce for i t Even p a g a n mo n a rch s h a ve b een k n o wn
.
Al ex a n d er t h e G re a t w as a b ou t t o ma ke a t r i ump h a l en tr y i n t o
Jeru s a l em, t h e h i g h p r i es t wen t ou t t o meet h i m wi t h a l l th e p r i es t s
a rr a yed i n fes t a l ve s t men t s , i n or d er t o a s k a fa vor of h i m Al ex .
a n d er d i s mo u n t ed fro m h i s h or s e, a n d i n s t a n tl y g r a n t ed a ll t h a t h e
a s k ed An d w h en t h e g en e ra l of t h e a rmy exp res s ed h i s s u rp r i s e,
.
Al ex a n d e r r ep l i ed : It i s n ot th e h i g h p ri es t t o wh om I p a y h o ma g e.
b u t t o th e t r u e G od , Wh o s e s erv a n t h e i s
At t i l a a l s o , t h e t err ib l e
.
Ki n g of t h e Hu n s , wh en a d va n c in g u p o n R ome t o p lu n d er th e c i ty,
a ll o w e d h i ms elf t o b e p r ev a i l ed u p o n b y P o p e L e o t h e G r ea t , t o d es i s t
F r a n ci s of Sa l es s a i d of p ri es ts :
I wi ll cl o s e my eyes t o t h ei r fa ul ts ,
and o nl y s ee i n t h em Go d s rep res en t a t i ves
How b l a mewort h y .
a re t h o s e wh o p u b l i s h fa r a n d w i d e t h e mi s d ee ds o f a p r i es t ! Are
we, a s k s St Au gu s t i n e,
. t o th i n k s l i g h t i n g l y of Ch r i s t a n d th e
a p o s tl es , b ec a u s e t h er e w a s a J u d a s a mo n g t h em ? Wh o w i ll Sh o w
b
me a ny o d y of men u p o n e a rth wh o a re w i th o u t fa u l t s ?
Si n c e th e fi c e of
of th e p ri es th ood i s on e of mu ch l a b o r and
g r a v e res p on s i b ili ti es , n o ma n ou h t t o t a k e
g Hol y O rd ers wh o i s
n ot ca l l ed to t h e s a c erd ot a l s ta te.
646 Th e M ea n s f
o Gra ce .
b
L et n o ma n ec ome a p ri es t wh o feel s n o a tt ra ct i on for t h e s a c red
mi n i s t ry ; wh o h a s n o l o n gi n g to s av e s o ul s , wh o l ea d s a n i rregu l a r '
l i fe, or w h o o n l y t h i n ks of t h e p r i es t h o od a s a mea ns of g a i n i n g a
l i vi n g e a s i l y, a n d e n j o y i n g a c omfort a b l e c o mp et en ce P a r en t s a re .
g r e a tl y t o b l a me w h o for ce t h ei r s o n s t o t a ke O r d ers wi t h o u t a v o c a
t i o n , for t h os e wh o en t e r th e p ri es th oo d w i t h o u t a t r u e v o c a t i o n a re
u n h a p p y a n d d i s c o n t en te d a l l t h ei r l i fe l o n g Th e y n eglec t t h e .
d u t i es of t h ei r ca l l i n g , g i ve Sc a n d a l , a n d n a ll y to o o ft en l os e t h ei r
s oul s . F or t h i s r e a s o n man y emi n en t s a i n ts p o s i t i vel y r efu s ed t o
rece i ve Ho l y O rd ers or t o b e r a i s ed t o th e ep i s c op a te St F r a n c i s . .
of As s i s i rem a i n ed a d ea c o n t o t h e en d of h i s d a ys St C yp r i a n . .
c o n ce a l e d h i ms e l f wh en h e w a s t o b e a p p o i n te d B i s h op or C a rt h a g e ;
St Jo h n C h ry s o s tom a n d St B a s i l a ct ed i n a s i mil a r ma nn e r
. . Th ey .
w i ll ; wi t n es s O u r L ord s Wor d s t o t h e a p o s t l es : Y ou h a ve n ot ch o s en
v
M e, b u t I h a e ch o s en y ou ( Joh n x v .
y
3 Th e Sac ra ment of Hol Ord ers onl y c onfers th e p erp et al
. u
p ow er, n ot t h e ri gh t, t o ex erc i s e t h e f n c ti ons of a p r i e s u
t T h e .
mi s s i on of t h e p o we rs a p p e rt a i n i n g t o t h e s a c e rd o t a l oi c e : th o s e of
a te a ch er, a p ri es t a n d a p a s t or .In th e O l d Tes t a men t t h e p r i es tl y
p o w er s wer e h e red i t a r y i n Aa ro n s fa mi l y ( Exo d xx vi i i ) i n t h e New
. .
p ea r t h e s a me, b u t i n w ar d l y h e i s a ch a n g e d ma n An i n d el i b l e
.
ch a r a c t e r i s i mp ri n t ed u p o n h i s s o u l b y t h a t or d i n a n ce ; t h e p o we rs
'
He w h o h a s o n ce b een a p ri es t c a nn ot a g a i n b ec o me a l a yma n ( C ou n
oi l o f Tr en t , 23 , a p r i es t wh o h a s a p o s t a t i z ed a n d b een r ec o n
c i l ed t o t h e C h u r ch i s n ot re or d a i n e d All t h e s a cer d o t a l a ct s of a
.
p r i e s t w h o h a s s e ce d ed fr om t h e C h u r c h a re v a l i d , o n l y h e c a n n ot
forg i ve s i n s ( ex cep t i n th e c a s e of th e d yi n g , wh en n o o th e r p r i es t
ca n b e h a d ) . P r i es t s of t h e s ch i s ma t i c Greek Ch u r ch a re n ot or
d a i n e d a g a i n , i f t h ey ret u rn t o t h e a l l eg i a n ce of t h e C a t h o l i c C h u r ch ;
b u t th e P ro t es t a n t cl e rg y mo s t c ert a i n l y a re Eccl es i a s t i c a l j u r i s
.
d i c t i o n i s g i ven t o t h e p r i e s t b y h i s b i s h op ; th e b i s h o p s r ece i v e i t
fro m t h e P o p e . Th e s ecu l a r a u t h or i t i es h a ve n o p o we r t o g r a n t
ec cl es i a s t i ca l j u r i s d i ct i o n for i t i s n ot t h ei r s t o g i v e
, Even i n t h e
.
t i me o f th e a p o s tl es th e d ea c o n s were n ot n o mi n a t ed b y t h e p e 0p 1 e ;
th e a p o s tl es ord a i n ed t h o s e wh o h a d b een c h o s en a n d a p p o i n t e d t h em
t o t h e w ork ( Acts v i 3 .
, St Ti mo th y w a s c o n s ec r a ted t o t h e
.
ep i s co p a t e b y t h e i mp os i t i o n of t h e h a n d s of t h e p r i e s th oo d ( 1 Ti m .
v
t o t h e p r i es t b y i rt u e of h i s o fce Th e r s t of the th ree g r ea te r
.
a m o n g t h e mi n or O rd e rs , b u t cl as s ed y th e C ou n ci l of Tren t
a mo n g t h e ma j or O rd ers ; i t co n fe rs t h e r i g h t t o a rr a ng e e e r yt h i n g v
i n t h e s a n c tu a ry, a n d s e rve t h e p r i es t a t t h e a l ta r, a n d p l edg es t he
rec i p i en t t o cel i b a cy a n d t o t h e reci t a t i on of th e b revi a ry Th e .
s t i tu t e b u t on e s acra men t .
p o we r t o p rea ch t o , a p t i z e, a n d t o d i s p en s e h ol y c ommu n i on Th e .
t h r ee mo s t c el eb r a t ed d ea c o n s men t i o n ed i n t h e a n n a l s o f t h e C h u r ch
a re St .St ep h en, wh o w a s s t on e d b y th e J ew s ; St L a wre n c e wh o .
,
w as b ro i l ed u p o n a g r i d i ro n i n R o me ; a n d St F r a n c i s of As s i s i t h e
b
.
,
on e d eg ree h i g h e r t h a n t h e p ri es t h oo d a n d t h a t i s t h e e p i s c op a t e
s
.
,
t i o n a n d t o ru l e t h e C h u r ch of G od F or t h e c o n s ec r a t i o n of a
.
b u t on e s a c r a men t Th e c o n s ec r a t i o n of d ea c on s a p p er ta i n s v i r
b
.
op s a n d p ri es t s ; th e F a t h e r s s p e a k of t h em w i t h t h e u t mo s t r eve r
en ce a s t h e
,
mi n i s t er s of G od a n d t h e C ou n ci l of Tren t r eck on s
,
t h em of t h e e c cl es i a s t i ca l h i e r a rch y ( C o u n c i l of Tr en t , 23 Th e ,
c o n s e c r a t i o n of p r i e s t s a p p e r t a i n s t o t h e Sa c r a men t of O r d e r s be ,
c a u s e b y i t t h e g r ea t e r p a r t of t h e s a c e r d o t a l p o we r s a re c o n fe rr ed .
Th e c o n s ec r a t i on of b i s h op s i s t h e c omp l et i o n of t h e Sa c r a men t o f
O rd e rs ; b y i t t h e p l en i t u d e of t h e s a cerd ot al p o we r i s co mmu n i c a t ed .
Th e p r i n c i p a l d i s t i n ct i on b et ween a b i s h op a n d a p r i es t i s t h a t th e
former c a n or d a i n p r i es t s a n d th e l a t ter ca n n o t Wh en a t th e .
'
C o un c i l of Al ex a n d r i a i n 3 1 9 t h e Ar i a n s a c cu s ed St At h a n as i u s
,
. ,
wh o w a s t h en b i s h o p of t h a t t o wn of h a v i n g t re a t ed a p r i es t n a med
,
Is ch y ra s w i t h u n d u e s ever i t y t h e Syn o d d i s mi s s ed t h e ch a rg e on
,
th e g ro u n d th a t Is ch y ra s wa s n ot a p ri es t, Si n ce h e h a d b een or d a i n ed
b y a p r i es t , n ot a b i s h o p .
7 It i s th e d u t
. y of t h e fa i th fu l to p ra y God to s en d t h em
good p ri es t s .
O u r L or d s a y s : P r a y y e t h e L or d of th e h a rves t th a t He s en d
r i e s t i s t h e s a l v a t i o n or t h e p e r d i t i o n o f h i s o c k In t h e O l d Tes t a ~
p .
h ea v i es t s c o u rg e of a ll w i cked a n d c orr u p t p r i es t s
, Le t u s t h er efor e .
ma ke i t ou r c on t i n u a l p r a ye r t h a t w e ma y h a ve g oo d p r i es ts
, Th e .
o ffe re d t o th e Ho ly Gh o s t for u n l es s a p r i es t i en li g h t en e d b y t h e
,
Hol y Sp i r i t w e ma y a p p l y t o h i m t h e w ord s : If t h e b li n d l e a d t h e
b li n d b oth fa ll i n t o t h e p i t
, ( M a t t xv . .
7 . M ATRIM ONY .
Wh a t foo d i s t o t h e i n d i vi d u a l , ma t r i mo n y i s t o h u ma n i t y i n g en
er a l. F or a s foo d s er ves t o ma i n t a i n t h e l i fe of t h e i n d i vi d u a l s o ,
ma rr i a g e s er ves t o ma i n t a i n t h e li fe of t h e h uma n r a c e Si n ce t h e .
p r i n c i p a l o b j ect of ma rr i a g e, t h e r i g h t t r a i n i n g of ch il d r en , c a n o nl y
b e a tt a i n ed w h en a ma n a n d a w o ma n a re un i t ed t og eth e r b y a n i n
d i s s ol u b l e b o n d , t h e wi s e C r e a t or i n t h e b eg i n n i n g o n l y c r ea t ed tw o
h um a n b ei n g s , s a yi n g :
Th ey t wo s h a ll b e on e i n es h
( Gen i i . .
M a t r i mo n y w a s i n s t i t u t e d b y G od for t h e th e h u p ro p a g a t i on of
H
ma n r a ce ; for e s a i d t o ou r fu s t p a r en t s : In c r e a s e a n d mul t i p l y
a n d ll t h e ea rt h ( Gen i . St F r a n c i s of Sa l es c a ll s ma t ri mo n y
. .
t h e n u r s e ry g ro u n d of C h r i s t i a n i t y, d es t i n e d t o l l t h e e a rt h wi t h
-
b el i ever s , a n d c o mp l et e t h e n u mb er of t h e el e ct i n h ea ven It w a s .
a l s o i n s t i t u t ed for t h e mu t u a l s u p p or t of t h e p a r t i es c o n t r a c t i n g i t ,
w o ma n b e i n g t h e w ea k er n ee d s s o me on e on wh o m t o l ea n ; t h e ma n
,
n eeds s o me on e t o c a r e for h i m Th e ma n i s ch a r a ct er i z ed b y g r e a t er
.
w o ma n s n a tu r e i s c a s t i n a s o ft e r mo u l d ; h er s p h er e of w ork i s b e s i d e
t h e d o mes t i c h ea rt h Th u s t h e t w o c o mp l et e e a ch o t h er a n d e a ch a ct s
.
,
b en ec i a l l y on t h e ot h e r M a t r i mo n y h a s a l s o a t h i r d o b j e c t t h a t
.
,
o f p r even t i n g t h e s i n of wh i ch t h e Ap o s t l e s p ea k s i n t h e rs t Ep i s t l e
t o t h e C or i n t h i a n s ( 1 C or v i i .He w h o w o u l d s et m a rr i a g e a s i d e
.
,
w o ul d g i ve fr ee r ei n t o i mp u r i t y M a n y t a k e a l ow vi ew of ma rr i a g e ;
.
t h ey c o n s i d er i t a s a ffor d i n g a l eg i t i ma t e me a n s of i n d u l g i n g t h ei r
lu s ts . Su ch p e rs o n s w ill n ot b e h a p p y or c o n t en t ed a n d w ill n eg l ect ,
t h e d u t i es of t h e i r s t a t e Th e h a p p i n es s of ma t r i mo n y d ep en d s t o
j
.
M a tri mon y i s a v
di i n e and by no m ea n s a h u ma n i n s ti tu ti on .
s
It i b e c a u s e ma t r i mo n y w a s or d a i n ed of Go d t h a t t h e C h u r ch
c a ll s i t a
h ol y a n d g o d ly s t a te
Th e p i n i o n of t h e M a n i ch ees
. O ,
t h a t ma rr i a g e w a s t o b e r ej ec te d , w a s c on d emn e d b y t h e Ch u r ch .
.
6 50 Th e M ea n s f
o Gra ce .
Even th e mo s t u n ci v il i zed r ma t r i mo n y t o b e a
n a ti o ns c n s i d e ed
o
d i vi n e i n s t i t u t i o n for t h ey
p r a,ct i s ed r el i g i o u s ce r em o n i e s o f s o me
M a rr i a g e i s t h ereforemerel y a c on t r a ct ; i t i s a t th e s a me
n ot ,
t i me a n a ct b y whi ch g r a ce i s c o n fe rr e d Th i s c on t r a ct i s n ot con
.
cl u d ed i n t h e p re s en c e of a mi n i s t e r of t h e C h u r ch s o l el y for t h e s a ke
of o b t a i n i n g t h e ec cl es i a s t i c a l b en ed i c t i o n u p o n t h e b et ro t h ed c o u p l e ,
of t h e C h u r ch wh i ch O u r L or d r a i s ed t o t h e d i g n i t y of a s a c r a men t
, .
t h a n w i n e i f i t b e n ot r ea l l y wi n e c a n b e c o n vert ed i n t h e M a s s i n t o
, ,
t h e b l oo d o f C h r i s t M a t r i mo n y i s a t yp e of t h e un i o n b et ween C h r i s t
.
a n d t h e C h u r ch ( Ep h v As t h e C h u r ch t h e B r i d e of Chr i s t i s
. .
,
on e s o t h e ma n h a s b u t on e w i fe
, As C h r i s t a n d th e Ch u r ch a re i n
.
s ep a r a b l y u n i t ed s o t h e u n i o n of th e ma rr i ed i s p e rp e t u al a n d i n d i s
,
s ol u b l e As th e u n i on of C h r i s t a n d t h e C h u r ch i s a c o ven a n t of g r a ce
.
,
s o a l s o i s t h e un i o n of h u s b a n d a n d wi fe C h ri s t i s t h e Hea d of t h e
.
C h u rch a n d t h e ma n i s t h e h ea d of t h e w o ma n Th e C h u r ch i s s u b
b
.
,
j ect t o C h ri s t s o t h e w ife i s o ed i en t t o th e h u s b a n d C h r i s t a n d
, .
t h e C h u rch a re a n i ma t ed b y on e Sp i ri t a n d s o i t s h ou l d b e w i t h h u s
b
,
a n d a n d wi fe C h r i s t n eve r a b a n d on s t h e C h u r ch a n d t h e C h urch
.
v
,
ca n n e ve r b e u n fa i t hfu l t o C h r i s t ; s o ma rr i e d p e0p 1 e mu s t n e er b e
u n fa i thful t o on e a n o th er .
o f t h e u n i o n of C h r i s t wi th t h e Ch u r ch ( Ep h v a u n i o n b y w h i ch . .
g r a ce i s i mp a rt ed St Au gu s t i n e s a ys t h a t t h e s u p e ri or i ty o f ma r
. .
ri a g e a mo n g t h e p e 0p 1 e of God c o n s i s t s i n t h e s a n c t i t y of t h e s a cr a
men t . Th e h ea t h en s
s a y s St Joh n C h rys o s t om
, es t i ma t ed t h e
.
,
h a p p i n es s of ma rr i a g e b y t h e n u mb er of ch il d ren wh er ea s th e C h r i s ,
t i a n c o n s i d e rs r a t h e r t h e s a n ct i ty of th e s a c r a men t So me of t h e
.
F a th er s a re of op i n i o n t h a t C h ri s t r a i s ed ma t r i mo n y t o a s a c ra men t
a t t h e ma rr i a g e of C a n a At a n y r a t e t h e C h u r ch exp r es s l y d ecl a res
.
Ci v i l marri a ge i s t o b e di s ti n g i s h ed from Ch ri s ti a n ma r
3 . u
u
ri e ge, i n a s m c h a s i t i s n o s ac ra ment, a n d con s eq entl i n th e u y
u
s i gh t of God n o tr e a n d rea l marri a ge for Cath ol i c s .
6 52 T he M ea n s f
o Gra ce .
e a ch b ei ng fr ee t o c o n t r a ct a s ec o n d ma rr i a e
g Wh a t i s t h e c o u s e .
q u en c e ? Th e o od g a t es a re o p en ed t o a dmi t u n b r i d l e d li cen s e t h e
-
s
,
s o c a ll ed fr ee l o ve a d v o c a t e d b y t h e So c i a l i s t
- -
Th i s i p r o ved b y t h e .
n u mb e r of d i v or ce c a s es foll o w i n g on t h e i n t ro d u ct i o n of c i v i l m ar :
ri a g e ; n or n ee d we w o n d er for i n a c i v il ma rr i a e n o ro mi s e of
g
, p
mu t u a l l o ve n o v ow of d el i t y i s r equ i r ed fro m th e c on t r a c ti ng
,
p a rt i es .
M a t r i mo n y w a s r a i s ed b y O u r L or d t o t h e d i gn i t y of a s t a te of
ev a n g el i c al p e rfe ct i o n , t o wh i ch w ei g h t i e r r es p o n s i b i l i t i es a n d m ore
l a b or i o u s d u t i es w er e a t t a ch ed t h a n i n t h e a g es p r eced i n g i s a d ven t H
H
.
e t h e re fore g r a n t e d g r e a t e r g r a ces t o t h o s e wh o s h o u l d en t e r i n t o
wedl o ck .
1 C h ri s ti a n ma rri a g e
. c on s i s ts of th e u ni on of on e ma n an d
on e w oma n on l y .
O u r L or d p o i nt ed ou t t h a t i n t h e egi n n i n g t h i s w a s s o ( M a tt x i x . .
Th e ma rri a g e t h a t d o es n ot an s wer t o t h i s d es c r i p t i o n c a n n o t
p o s s i b l y b e a t r u e a n d l a s t i n g p a rt n ers h i p ; d o mes t i c s t ri fe mu s t i n
fa ll i b l y en s u e Y et i n t h e ea rl i es t t i mes God p e rmi t t ed p ol yg a my,
.
L or d ( Lu k e xv i c o n s e qu en t l y i t i s p ro h i b i t ed mo s t s t ri ct l y b y
.
t h e l a w of t h e C h u r ch P o l yg a my i s u n l a wfu l , a n d a vi ol a t i on of
.
t h e n a t u r a l l a w ( C o u n c i l o f Tren t , 2 3 , It c o n t i n u e s h o weve r t o , ,
ex i s t a mo n g M o h a mmed a n s a n d a mo n g J ew s i n t h e Ea s t ; b u t i n
,
t h e W e s t eve r s i n ce t h e M i dd l e Ag es t h e Jew s h a v e g i v en i t u p , i n
d efer en c e t o t h e c o d e of mor al i ty o b s er ved b y Eu ro p ea n n a t i o n s .
2C h ri s ti a n ma rri a ge i s i n d i s s ol u l e ; th a t i s t o s a y , n ei th er
. b
b
h u s a n d n or w i fe c a n con tra ct a s ec on d ma rri a ge d u ri n g th e l i fe
t i me of th e oth er .
n u p t i a l t i e wer e d i s s ol u b l e Wh a t w o ul d b ec o me o f th e ch i l d ren i f
.
t h e p a r en ts w e re fr ee t o s ep a r a t e a t t h ei r p l ea s u re ? O u r L or d
s t r i c tl y forb i d s a n y on e t o ma rry a g a i n a s l on g a s t h e p a r t n e r of h i s
or h er rs t ma rr i a g e i s l i vi n g ( M a t t v 3 2 ; M a rk x U n d er t h e .
s
. .
l a w of M o s e s t h e J ew s w er e i t i t ru e p ermi t t e d u n d e r e x c ep t i o n a l
, , ,
c i r cu ms t a n c es t o p u t a w a y t h e i r w i v es ; b u t t h i s w a s o n l y b y r e a s o n of
t h e h a r d n es s of t h ei r h e a rt s a n d t o p r ev en t w ors e ev i ls ( M a tt x i x
,
. .
i n c on s id er a ti on of t h e s e rvi c es h e h a d r en d er e d t o t h e ca u s e of re
li g i on a n d of th e fea rful con s equen c es whi ch w oul d en s ue up on t h e
,
t h e s ep a r a ti on ma y b e for li fe, s i n c e b y t h e vi ol a ti on of a c on tr a c t
th e r ight s c onferre d b y th a t c on tr a c t a re l os t ; y et n e ith e r c a n en t er
up on fr es h es p o us a l s ( M a tt v D i s s olut e c on duc t , or c ruelty
. .
they c a n d o s o a t w i ll .
c
Th e Sa r a ment of M a tri mony onfers up on Ch ri s ti a ns wh o c
c
emb r a e t h a t s t a t e b ot h a n i n r ea s e of s a n t i fyi ng gr a e, a nd i n c c c
c c c
a d d i t i on th e s p e i a l gr a es ne es s a ry t o ena b l e t h em t o di s h a rge c
q
th e dut i es re u i red of t h em .
Th e S p ec i a l gr a c es r men t a re :
a nn exe Th e mu
d t o th i s s ac a
tu a l a ffecti on of th os e wh o r ec eive it i s c on rme d a n d s a n c ti ed ;
St ren gt h i s given th em t o p r es erve i n vi ol a b l e delity t o on e a n o th er ,
ma s t er of h i s will h i s ti me h i s g oods h i s p er s on b u t h e i s i n a
, , , ,
ma rr i a g e as St Amb r os e s a ys
, .
i s a y ok e a d oub l e y ok e whi ch r es t s
, ,
geth e r
.To thi s i s a dded ma n y t ri a l s s u ch a s ill h e a lth t h e fa ul t s ,
a n d l ov e of God U n h a ppy th os e s a y s P op e Gr eg o ry XV I
.
wh o ,
.
,
s e s u a l gr a ti ca ti on n d d o n ot th i n k of t h e g ra c es a nd my s t er i es
n a ,
c c c
i on , d efe t of a ge, on s a n gu i n i ty, a n d a fn i t y, a p revi ou s mar
ri a ge ti e s t il l ex i s ti n g, th e
grea t er d egrees of H ol y O rd e rs , s ol
c a n n o t e s p o u se t h e b l oo d rel a ti on s of t h e d ec ea s e d p a r ty ; th a t i s
-
a ,
wh o h a ve t a k en a v ow of celi b a cy c a n n ot en t er up on t h e ma rr i e d ,
eccl es i a s ti c a l n a tu r e s u ch a s s pi r itu a l a f
, n ity c on t r a cted i n B a p ,
truth .
The ti mes when ma rri a ges ca nnot b e cel eb ra ted a re from the
b egin ni ng of Advent until Chris tmas Da y a n d fr om As h W edn es d a y ,
( Pr ot es t a n ts Ol d C atholi cs
,
n on un i a te Gr eeks ) ca n onl y b e p en
,
-
,
6 56 Th e M ea ns f Gra ce
o .
of it t o di s s olve t h e ma rr i a g e or i f it w ould d es t r oy t h e c on j ug a l h a
, p
p i n es s of b oth t h e P o pe h a s p o wer t o di s pe n s e fr om t h e r en ew a l of t h e
,
b e s ub j ec t e d t o a n inte rr og a ti on b y t h e cl ergyma n i n p r es en ce of tw o
wi tn es s es It i s a g r i evou s s i n on t h e p a r t of b et r othe d p ers on s wil
.
The C eleb ra ti on f
o Ma tri mony .
d on e ( Ecclu s xxx ii
They ought a l s o t o ma ke it a s ub j ect o f
. .
L et h i m wh o d es i re s h a ppi n e s s i n t h e ma rr i ed s t a t e
s a ys St , .
on e wh o i s p r oc i en t i n vi r tu e ; l et h i m l ook t o t h e b e a uty of t h e
hea rt t o t h e n ob ility of a pu re li fe
,
P er s on a l b e a uty i f n ot a cc om . ,
i s n ot l a s ti n g Y et n o ma n i s t o b e bl am ed w h o h a s a n ey e t o s uch
.
ou s l y t o r e e c t up on t h e s t ep th ey a re a b out t o t a ke a n d ma k e th e ,
k 1
7 7w Sa cra men ts . 65 7
gen era l with g rea t decorum ; th e holy Syn od exh ort s th e b r idegr oom
a n d b r id e n ot t o live i n t h e s a me h ou s e un til they ha ve r ec e ive d th e
ou t a tt empt a t c on ce a lmen t o r mi s r ep r es en t a ti on a n y c i r cu ms t a n c es
,
2 . c
Th e p u b li a t i on of b a nn s i s a s foll ows : Th e n a mes of
c
t h e on tra ct in g p a rt i es b etw e en w h om th e ma rri a ge i s t o b e c on
c
cl u d ed , s h all b e a n n ou n c ed p u b li l y th r ee t i mes i n th e p a ri s h
a n d t h e omi s s i on mu s t be s a n c ti on e d b y t h e b i s h op of t h e di o ce s e .
3 . j
It i s al s o en oin ed on p er s on s i n t en di n g to ma rry to a p
p r oa c h t h e S a r a m e c c
n t s of P en a n e a n d of th e Al ta r, b ec a u s e i t
i s i n di s p en s a b l e th a t t h ey s h ou l d b e i n a s t a t e of gra e, i n or d er c
c
t o p art i i p a t e i n th e gra c es c on ferred i n th e Sa c r a men t of M a t ri
mon y .
of Tr en t 24 , Th e c on fe s s i on s h ould be g en er a l emb r a c in g t h e
, ,
c
2 Th e Chur h exp res s ly ommands th a t th e ma rri age of a
. c
c c
Ca th ol i t o b e va l i d mu s t b e ontra t ed b efore th e p a ri s h pri es t or c
c
th e Ordi na ry of th e pl a e or a p ri es t del ega t ed b y ei th er of thes e
and a t l eas t two wi tnes s es .
Sa l es ,
Wh o ga ve Ev e to Ad a m a n d He it i s Who mus t b i n d th e ma r
,
r i a g e b on d . Tho s e the refor e whethe r they be pr a c ti c a l or fa ll en
, ,
g re a t s a c r a men t
Hen ce th e a fa n ced couple ought t o con du c t
.
c
Th e c er emoni a l for th e el eb r a ti on of ma t r i mon y i s s ign i
ca n t of th e d u t i es of th e ma r ri e d a n d of th e gr a c es i n w h i h c
th e y p a rt i ip a t e c .
6 60 Th e M ea n s f
o Gr a ce .
, . .
Th e h u s b a n d a n d w i fe ow e to ea ch oth e r l ov e, d el i ty,
:2 .
a n d mu tu a l a i d i n a ll c i rcu ms t a n c es of t h ei r l i fe .
of it th a n of t h e r a ttli n g of a p a s s i n g v ehi c l e O n e d a y wh en he
( Heb x iii
. . Th ey ought s c rupul ou s ly t o gu a r d ag a i n s t e v ery
a ppe a r a n c e o f u n fa it h ful n es s a n d a v oid fa mili a r i n ter c ou r s e wi t h
,
p er s on s of t h e o th er s ex F or whe r e j e a l ou s y en t er s a l l con j ug a l
.
,
c r i me th a n mu r d er ( L ev xx S t P a ul
. d ec l a r e s .e v e rl a s ti n g .
un t o hi ms elf ( Gen ii
It i s however a s a d mi s fortun e whe n
. .
, ,
3 It i s th e d u ty of b ot h h u s b a n d a n d wi fe to p r ov i d e for
.
of th ei r F a th e r i n he a ven a n d a re on ly given i n t ru s t b y Hi m t o th e i r
,
s pri n g .
( L a m iv
i n t h e d e s e rt whi ch l a ys h er eggs i n t h e s a n d a n d
. .
p a ren ts b u t the p a ren t s for t h e child ren
, ( 2 C or x ii Th ey . .
In d to th e b ri n gi n g u p of th ei r ch il d r en i t i s th e d u ty
rega r
of p a ren ts to h a v e th em b a p t i z ed i mmed i a t el y a ft er th ei r b i rt h
,
to gi v e th em t h ei r rs t reli gi ou s t ea ch i n g, t o s et th em good a
ex a mp l e i n a ll res e ts
p ,
a n d t o t r c
ea t t h e m w i th ki n dn es s ra t h er
an
th s ev eri ty .
th em t o C hr i s t P a r en t s ought t o h a ve thei r n ew b or n i n fa n t b a p
.
-
L or d s w or ds :
He th a t sh all s c a n d a lize on e of the s e littl e on es
th a t b eli ev e i n M e, it we r e b etter for h i m th a t a mill s t on e s h ould b e
h an ged a b out h i s n e ck a n d th a t h e s h ou ld b e d rown ed i n t h e d epth
of the s ea ( M a tt xviii Th os e wh o n egl ec t thi s w a rn i n g w ill h a ve
. .
en t s fa ult th ey w i ll he ar th e v oi ce o f G od s a y i n g :
,
will requi re I
6 64 The Mea ns of Gra ce .
b
wh o r i n g th em u p b a dl y a re g en e ra ll y s eve rel y ch a s t i s ed y God i n b
t h i s w orl d , a n d oft en i t i s t h ei r own c hi l d ren w h o a re t h ei r s c o u rg e .
B y th a t wh e re i n t h ey h a ve s i n n ed , b y t h a t s a me t h ey a re p u n i s h ed .
( 1 Ti m v
w ors e t h a n a n i n d el . .O n t h e o t h e r h a n d a r i ch re ,
wa r d i s p romi s ed h e r ea ft er t o t h o s e wh o h a ve b ro u g h t u p t h ei r ch i l
d r en w ell Th e et e rn a l fel i c i t y of a mo t h e r d ep en d s on t h e ma n n e r
.
i n wh i ch s h e h a s t r a i n ed h er offs p r i n g ( 1 Ti m i i Th e fa t h er of
. .
a g oo d s on w i l l n ot b e s orro w fu l a t t h e a p p ro a ch of d ea t h , n ei t h e r w i l l
wh o h a ve c o n s ci en t i o u s l y fu ll l ed t h e i r d u t i es w i ll , w h en t h ey a p p e a r
b efore God , b e a b l e t o s a y : B eh ol d , t h o s e wh o m Th o u g a ves t me I
h a ve kep t, a nd n o n e of t h em i s l o s t ( Jo h n x vi i .
M { wed M a rr ca ges/
.
1 Mi x ed marri a ges ,
. by
w h i ch i s u n d ers t ood th e marri a ge of
u u
B ec a s e i n s ch ma rri a ges th e p rope r trai n i n g of th e
ch il d ren i s a ma tt er of grea t d i f u y
c l t , i f n ot a ltogeth er i mp os
b
s i le ; u u
B ec a u s e s ch n i on s a re p rod cti e of n o c on cord , u v
n o tru e h a p p i n e s s ; B ec a u s e th e C a th ol i c i s i n grea t d a n ger
of l os i n g h i s or h er fa i th ; b
An d es i d es , th e n on C a th oli c -
b v
ma y a t a n y ti me o ta i n a di orc e, l ea e h i s or h er C a th oli c v
p a rtn er, a n d con tra c t a n oth er ma rri a g e .
C h u r ch d i s c o u r a g es t h e ma rr i a g e of C a t h o l i c s t o n on C a t h o l i cs , wh o, -
t h o u g h t h ey c a ll t h ems el ve s C h r i s t i a n s h ol d d o ct ri n es wh i ch a re a t
,
v a r i a n c e w i th t h e t e a ch i n g o f C h ri s t Th e C h u rch w a rn s h er ch i l
.
d r en a g a i n s t s u ch a ll i a n ces , j u s t a s a l o v i n g fa th e r mi g h t w a rn h i s
s on a g a i n s t u n d er t a k i n g s o me j o u rn ey w h i ch h e k n o w s w i l l exp o s e
i n ma rr i a g e t o a h er et i c w e re s u b j ec t e d t o a v e ye a r s p en a n ce Th e
.
d a n g er s a t ten d a n t on mi xed ma rr i a g es a re h es e : Th e n on C a th ol i c
t -
7 726 Sa cra men ts . 6 o5
p a r t y, wh et h e r a P ro t es t a n t or n ot a C h r i s t i a n , fa r fr om a s s i s t i n g i n
t h e ed u c a t i o n of t h e ch i l d r en , w i ll b e a n o b s t a cl e t o i t , a n d w i ll p er
h a p s t h row s c orn a n d r i d i cu l e on C a t h o l i c fa i th a n d p r a c t i ce An d .
e ven i f t h i s i s n ot t h e c a s e, t h e ex a mp l e of t h e u n b el i ev i n g p a r en t
h i s rel i g i o n , or b y h i s r el a t i ves , w h o r ep r es en t t h a t i t w i ll b e p re
j u d i ci a l t o t h e i r t emp ora l i n t er es t s i f h i s ch i l d r en a re b ro u g h t u p a s
C a t h o li c s , y i el d s t o t h ei r p e rs u a s i o n s , a n d d ep a rt s fro m h i s p ro mi s e
t h a t th ey s h o u l d b e s o b ro u g h t u p An d wh a t b ec omes of t h e ch i l
.
en l i g h t en ed Ki n g So l o mo n t oo k t o h i ms elf h e a t h en w i ves i n h i s ol d
a g e, a n d t h ey p r ev a i l ed o ve r h i m s o fa r, t h a t fro m a w or s h i p p e r of
t h e t ru e God h e b ec a me a n i d ol a t e r, a n d a l l o w ed t emp l e s of t h e fa l s e
g o ds t o b e e r e c t e d i n h i s k i n g d o m Th e i n u en ce of h e ret i c s wh o c a l l
.
cl a r es t h a t mi x ed m a rr i a g es h a v e th e e ffec t of o b l i t er a t i n g t h e
d i s t i n ct i o n b e t w een t ru t h a n d error, a n d fo s t e r i n g t h e i d e a t h a t a ll
r el i g i o n s a re e qu a ll y g oo d Fu rth ermore mi xed ma rri a g e s a re mo s t
.
u n fa i r for t h e C a t h ol i c p a r t y . Th e n on C a t h ol i c ma y a t a n y t i me
-
equ i v o c a l p o s i t i o n i s t h a t of a d i v or c e d w o ma n ! Sh e i s m a rr i e d a n d ,
y et s h e h a s n o h u s b a n d ; s h e h a s t h e mort i c a t i on o f s ee i n g h e r r i g h t
ful h u s b a n d w i t h a n o t h er w i fe, wh i l e s h e i s c o n d emn e d t o l i v e a
l o n el y l i fe , l oo ked d own u p o n p e rh a p s b y th e w orl d ; a n d w or s t o f a l l ,
t h e C h u r ch exh ort C h r i s t i a n p eo p l e t o b ew a re of en t e r i n g i n t o ma t r i
mon y w i th th o s e wh o a re a l i en s t o th e fa i th th ey h ol d !
2 . Th e Ch u
rch t ol era t es mi xed ma rri a ges on th ree con d i t i on s :
Th e n on C a th ol i c mu s t p romi s e to a ll ow th e C a th ol i c l i ert
-
b y
for th e fr ee ex erci s e of hi s or h er rel i gi on W i th o t th es e three
. u
u
c on di t i on s th e C h rch wi l l n o t s a n cti on a mi x ed ma rri a ge .
B y t ol er a t i n g or p ermi tt i n g mi xed ma rr i a g e s t h e C h u r ch d o e s n ot
a p p ro ve t h em ; on t h e c o n t r a ry s h e s t ro n g l y d i s a p p ro ves of t h em
66 6 Th e M ea ns of Gr a ce .
and s he b
i n s i s t s s o forci l y on th e ch i l d ren b ei n g ro ug h t u p i n th e b
b
C a t h ol i c fa i th , ec a u s e t h i s i s t h e ma i n ob j ect of ma t ri mo n y It h a s
b
.
a l r ea d y een s h own t h a t t h e ch i ef en d of ma rr i a g e i s t o t r a i n u p
c h il d r en i n t h e kn o wl ed g e a n d fea r of G od ; t h e a i m of t h e C h r i s t i a n
p a ren t s h ou l d r a th er b e t o l ea ve b ehi n d h i m i nh er i t or s of t h e ki n g
d om of h e a ven th a n h ei r s of h i s ea rth l y p o s s e s s i o n s C o n s e qu en tl y
.
i t i s t h e rs t d u t y of a C a th ol i c wh o h a s w edd ed on e wh o d o es n ot
,
h ol d t h e fa i th , t o i n s u re h i s ch i l d s s a l va t i o n i n a s fa r a s h e ca n
.
a wa y, a n d c o n s c i en c e a g a i n ma k es i t s v o i c e h ea r d , t h e p a t h of w ed d ed
;
b
l i fe i s es et w i t h t h orn s . b
Th e i rth of t h e r s t ch i l d wh i ch o u g h t t o ,
for s h e fea r s t h a t i t wi ll b e t a u g h t t o r eg a r d t h e t ru e fa i t h wi t h h os
How h er c on s c i en ce r ep ro a ch es h er ! An d ea ch s u c ces s i ve
,
t i li t y
b
.
ch i l d wh i ch ou g h t t o b e wel c o med a s a
, l es s i n g fro m t h e h a n d of God ,
i s a l s o b o u n d t o r i n g t h e n on C a th ol i c t o t h e k n owl edg e of t h e t ru th
-
b
,
a n l c o n s i d e r wh et h e r h e ma y n ot j u d g e of t h e t r e e b y i ts fru i t s At .
a n y r a t e h e wi ll g r a d u a ll y d i v es t h i ms el f of a l l h i s forme r p r ej u d i ces
a g a i n s t ou r h o l y r el i g i o n He mu s t n ot b e p res s ed w i t h a rg u men t s
.
a n d i n s t ru c t i o n s , b u t r a t h e r e v er y w or d s h o u l d b e c a reful l y a v o i d ed
t h a t mi g h t w o u n d h i s s u s c ep t i b i l i t i es F or t h o s e wh o a re o u ts i d e
.
th e C h u r ch a re n ot t o b l a me b eca u s e t h ey h a v e n ot h a d t h e p r i v i l eg e
o f b ei n g b orn a n d b ro u g h t u p i n t h e t ru e fa i t h Fu r th ermore t h e
.
C a t h ol i c p a rt y mu s t fea rl es s l y ob s e r ve h i s or h er r el i g i o u s d u t i es ;
t h e o th e r w i l l res p e ct s u ch ob s er v a n ce A ma n wh o i s n ot d evo i d of
.
g oo d fe el i n g w i l l h a v e n o w i s h t o o pp os e t h e p i o u s p r a c t i ce s o f h i s
w i fe ; h e wi ll k n ow hi ms el f t o b e a g a i n er, n ot a l o s er b y t h em So me .
t i me s P ro t es t a n t s a s s e rt t h a t t h ey a g ree wi t h C a th o l i c s on t h e fu n d a
men t a l t ru th s of rel i g i o n a n d o n l y d i er i n n on es s en t i a l s ; th i s i s
,
-
u t t e rl y fa l s e Wh a t t h e C a th ol i c h ol d s mo s t s a c red t h e P ro t e s t a n t
. ,
d es p i s es ; w i t n e s s t h e h o l y s a c r i c e of t h e M a s s wh i ch P ro t es t a n t s
,
3 Th e Ca th ol i c wh o c ontracts
. a mi xed marri age before a mi n
i s ter c ontracts no marri age a t a ll , c ommi ts a mortal s in a nd cannot
b e admi tted to th e Sac raments .
C a th ol i cs w h o a ct th u s a re d ecl a r ed t o b e gu i l t y of mort a l s i n .
b ec a u s e th ey s i n t h ro u gh d i s ob ed i en ce , b y re fu s i n g t o c o n fo rm t o th e
p r e cep t s of t h e C h u r ch ; t h e y g i v e g r ea t s c a n d a l , a n d d en y t h e fa i t h ;
th e y t u rn th ei r b a ck u p o n th e s a cr a men t s of t h e t ru e C hu r ch a n d
668 Th e M ea n s o f Gra ce .
b ette r
C or v i i
(1 . An d a g a i n , s p e a ki n g of w i d o ws ,
. more
s h a ll s h e b e if s h e s o r ema i n
b l es s e d (v Th e a p o s tl es d i d n ot
.
ma rry a n d ma n y of t h e s a i n t s t oo k v o w s of p e rp e t u a l v i rg i n i t y ; of
,
th i s t h e g re a t es t ex a mp l e i s g i v en u s i n t h e b l es s ed M o th e r of God ,
a s w e l e a rn fro m h e r ow n w or d s t o t h e a n g el ( L uk e i i t i s a ls o .
t h e op i n i o n of t h e F a th e rs t h a t St J os ep h d i d t h e s a me
. So me of .
t h e s a i n t s , es p e ci a ll y i n t h e e a rl y a g es of t h e Ch u r ch en d u r ed th e ,
mo s t a g o n i z i n g t ort u r es a n d a c r u el d e a t h r a th e r t h a n b r e a k t h ei r
v ow o f v i r g i n i t y It i s r el a t ed of St Hi l a ry , B i s h op of P o i t i er s wh o
. .
,
t ell i n g h i m s h e w a s g ro w n u p , a n d w a s a b o u t t o b e ma rr i ed He .
w ro t e i n a n s w e r t o s a y t h a t h e w a s s oo n r etu rn i n g h o me a n d w oul d ,
b r i n g t h e p or t r a i t of a n o t h e r s u i t or ; s h e c o ul d c o mp a r e t h e tw o a n d
ch oo s e b et ween t h em O n h i s a rri v a l h e g a v e h er a c ru c i x a n d
. ,
e xh or t e d h er t o c o n s ec r a t e h e r s elf t o C hr i s t b y a v ow of v i rg i n i ty .
Th i s s h e di d , a n d s h ort l y a ft e r d i e d a h ol y d ea t h Ju s t b efore s h e .
e xp i r ed h e r fa t h e r s a i d t o h er : B eh ol d y o u r c el es t i a l Sp o u s e ; He
h a s c o me t o t a k e y ou t o y o u r et ern a l
n u p ti als In t h e p a g es of
.
h ag i o l o g y w e rea d of ma n y s a i n t s wh o, a l t h o u g h ma rr i e d , l ed a l i fe
of ch a s t i ty .
O u r L or d g a ve t h e a p o s tl es p o w e r o v er u n cl ea n s p i r i t s t o ca s t ,
t h em ou t a n d t o h e a l a l l m a n n e r o f d i s e a s e s ( M a t t x
, Th e . .
C h u r ch m a k es u s e of t h i s p o w e r ; b y me a n s of h er m i n i s t e rs s h e
j
b l e s s es or c on s ec r a t e s c e rt a i n o b ec t s p r a y i n g t h a t G od w o ul d r en d er
,
t h es e o b j ec t s ei ca c i ou s i n b a n i s h i n g e vi l s p i r i t s a n d h e a l i n g s i ck
n es s es Th a t i s t o s a y , t h e p r i es t i mp l or es t h e b l es s i n g of G od t h e
.
s a me t i me h e ma k es u s e of v i s i b l e s i g n s , s u ch a s t h e s i g n of t h e
c ro s s ,t h e h ol y w a t er t h e s a cr e d o i l s , etc
,
A l i g h t i s k i n dl ed t o
.
,
s i g n i fy t h e Sa v i o u r , t h e L i g h t of t h e w orl d In c en s e i f o ft en u s e d ,
.
t o i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e s a c r a men t a l s mu s t b e e mp l oy e d w i t h p i o u s d i s
p o s i ti on s Sa c r a men t a l s a re ca l l ed b y th i s n a me b ec a u s e of t h ei r
.
w or d s w h i ch p o s s e s s a s u p ern a t u r a l p ow e r a n d r ep r e s en t t h e i n v i s i b l e
g ra c e B u t t h e s a c r a men t s h a v e i n c o mp ar a b ly mor e p o w e r t h a n
.
t h e s a c r a men t a l s
; t h e l a t te r a re n o t n ec es s a ry t o s a l v a t i o n wh er e a s ,
cl a s s .
b
Th e l es s i n g c on s i st s i n th i s , th at th e mi n i s t er of th e Ch u ch
r
in v ok es th e d i i n e v
enedi c ti on b p on c ert a i n u
p ers on s or th i ngs .
Th e Sa cra menta ls . 6 69
Th e d i v i n e bl qu i te d i s t i n ct fro m d i v i n e g ra ce Th e
es s i ng is .
fo r t h e s a ke of t h e p e r s o n s wh o u s e t h em or on wh o s e b eh a lf t h ey,
a re u s ed .
ti on , t h e ben e d i c ti on a fter c h i l d bi r th , th e l a s t bl es s i n g, a n d th e
bl ess i n g of th e re mai n s of th e d ep a rt ed .
It c on s i s ts i n comma n d i n g th e d vil
e t o d ep a rt , i n th e na me of
C h r i s t, from p os s es s ed p ers on s or th i n gs .
vi i i. a n d u p o n t h e w h o l e o f i n a n i m a t e n a t u r e ( Ge n iii 1 7 It . .
i s t h i s t h a t r en d e rs t h e b l e s s i n g s of t h e C h u r ch a n d h er exor c i s ms
n e ces s a r y . Th e p o w er g ra n t ed b y O u r L or d t o Hi s a p o s tl es t o ca s t
ou t u n cl e a n s p i r i t s i s emp l o ye d i n t h e exor c i s m a t b a p t i s m a n d w h e n
h o l y w a t e r i s b l es s ed C a s e s o f p o s s es s i o n or o b s es s i o n r a r el y o c cu r
.
i n t h e p r es en t d a y ; t h e exor c i s m c a n o nl y b e p e r fo rme d b y a b i s h o p ,
or b y a p r i es t w i th h i s p erm i s s i o n O n ly on e wh o i s h i ms elf a n i
.
ma te d b y a rm fa i t h a n d w h o s e l i fe i s p u r e c a n exorci s e a n d ev en , ,
t h en th e exor c i s m w i ll b e of n o a v a i l i f t h e p er s o n ex or c i s e d p e r
s ev eres i n h i s evi l d i s p o s i t i o n s or i f Go d w i ll s t h a t Hi s el ec t s h oul d
,
1 Cons ecr a ti on
. by u
th e Ch rc h c on s i s t s i n t h i s : Th a t t h e
eccl es i a s t i c emp ow ered for t hi s p urp os e s et s a p a rt s ome p ers on or
j
s o me o b ect , a n d d ed i ca t es hi m or i t t o t h e ex cl u s i e s er i ce of God v v .
y
Th e p e r s on s w h om i t i s cu s toma r to con s e c r a t e i n a s ol emn
ma n n e r a re : Th e P op e, ki n gs a n d emp erors , a ots , mon ks , a n d bb
nuns
u
Th e th i n gs w h i ch i t i s c s toma r to l es s a re : Hol w a ter, y b y
th e w a t er t o b e u s ed i n B a p ti s m ( th i s i s l es s ed on Hol Sa tur b y
d a y a n d on th e ev e of P en t ecos t) ; c a n dl es ( on t h e P u r i c a ti on ,
6 70 Th e M ea ns of Gra ce .
an d th e P as ch al can dl e ( A s h
at WEas ter) ;
ed n es d ay ); a s h es on
m n P a l m Su n d a y ) ; th e h oly oi l s M y T rs d a y
p a l s ( o ( on a u n d h u
c emet eri es .
Th e C h u rch b l es s es e ve ry t h i n g whi ch ap p e rt a i n s to d iv i n e s e v i ce .
r
2Our Lord s a n cti oned th e us e of s a cra ment al s , b ut th e
. ri t e s
v
th ems el es a re a n i ns ti t ti on of th e Ch rch u u .
O u r L ord wh i le on e a rt h b l es s ed t h e l oa v es a n d s h es ( M a t t .
x iv . He b l es s ed t h e yo u n g ch il d ren wh o w er e b ro u g h t t o Hi m
( M a r k x 1 6 ) He g a ve Hi s b l es s i n g t o Hi s a p o s tl es b efore Hi s a s een
.
. . . .
Is a a c b l es s ed J a c o b ( Ge n xxv i i 2 7 J a c o b wh en d yi n g b l es s e d h i s
. .
t wel v e s o n s ( Gen xl i x a n d M os es t h e t r i b es of Is r a el ( D eu t
. . .
Aa ro n a n d th e p r i es t s t h a t s u cceed ed h i m g a ve t h e i r b en e
d i c t i o n eve ry morn i n g a n d even i n g t o t h e p e op l e i n th e o u t er c o u r t
of t h e Temp l e ; s t r et ch i n g fort h t h ei r h a n d s ov e r t h em, t h ey b l es s ed
th em, i n v o ki n g t h e n a me of th e L ord t h ree t i mes o ver t h e ch i l d r en
of Is r a el ( Nu mb v i . .
formed by th e p i
r es t s .
a n d ma y o n l y b e p e rformed b y a p r i es t w i t h t h e a u t h or i z a t i o n of t h e
b i s h op a s for i n s t a n ce, t h e d ed i ca t i o n of ch u r ch es a n d a l ta r s t h e
, ,
b l es s i n g of b el l s ch a li ces et c
, Th e l a i t y c a n b l es s , b u t n ot i n t h e
, .
n a me of t h e C h u r ch ; p a ren t s freq u en tl y b l es s t h ei r c h i l d r en , a n d t h e
more p i o u s t h ey a re, th e mo re effect h a s th e i r b l es s i n g .
3 b
Th e us e of l es s ed or c ons ecrat ed o j ec ts i s p rot a l e ; for
. b b
u u
i f s ed wi th p i o s d i s p os i ti on s , th e i ncrea s e our fea r a n d l o e of y v
v
God , remi t eni al s i n s , a n d p res er e us from man t emp t ati ons v y
a nd from od il b y
h arm; exc ep ti n g s ch t emp t ati ons a n d ill s of th e u
b y
od a s a re for our s p i ri t al w elfa re u .
th e ev i l c o n s e qu en ces of s i n Th ey h el p u s i n t h e h o u r of t e mp t a t i o n ;
.
St Te r es a c a n n o t s a y en o u g h c o n ce rn i n g th e p ow e r of h ol y w a t er
.
t o d r i v e a w a y t h e d ev i l Th ey a re a l s o of u s e i n b o d i l y i ll s a n d i n
.
rmi t i es ; th e a p o s t l es a n o i n t e d w i t h oi l ma n y wh o were s i ck a n d
h ea l ed t h em ( M a rk v i Th ey a re t h u s a r emed y a n d a s h i el d
. .
Is i t s u p e rs t i t i o n on t h e p a rt of t h e s o l d i er wh o c a rr i es w i th h i m a
b l es s ed c ru c i x wh en h e g o e s t o b a t tl e h O p i n g t h a t b y Go d s mer cy
,
i t ma y b e h i s p ro t e ct i o n ? B y n o me a n s Nor i s th e s i ck ma n t o .
b l a me i f h e Sp r i n kl es h i ms el f frequ en tl y w i t h h ol y w a t er , th i n k i n g
t h u s t o a c cel er a t e h i s r ec o ve ry B u t w e mu s t b ew a r e of t ru s t i n g t oo
.
67 2 Th e M ea n s of Grace .
im ?
W h en w e p ra y u y
i t i s c s tomar t o emp l o ex tern al s i gn s of y
de v oti on , s u ch as kn eel in g d own , fol di n g th e h an ds , s trikin g th e
b re as t, et c .
ou r s en s e of ou r n o t h i n g n es s b
efor e G od ; t hi s J u d i t h di d efor e s h e ,
b
wen t i n t o t h e en emy s c a mp ( Ju d i t h x
O u r L or d d i d t h e s a me on
.
t h e h a n d s a re l i ft ed u p a n d t h e a rms o u t s t r et ch ed ; t h u s M o s es p r a y ed .
xv i i . a n d So l o mo n a t t h e d e d i c a t i o n of t h e Temp l e ( 2 P a r v . .
Th e p ri e s t o ft en d o es t h e s a me d u r i n g t h e c el eb r a t i on of h ol y M a s s .
Th e J ew s of ol d t u rn ed t h e i r fa ce s t ow a r d s t h e Temp l e a t t h e t i me of
p r a ye r ; w e ma y d o l i kew i s e D a vi d w ors h i p p ed t ow a rd s t h e h ol y
.
Temp l e ( P s v .a n d s o d i d D a n i el ( D a n v i
. God n eed s n ot . .
t h e s e o u t w a r d s i g n s , for He r e a d s t h e h ea rt of ma n ; b u t w e t h e reb y
e x c i t e o u r s el v e s t o g r e a t e r a ct i vi t y a n d m ore h u mi l i t y i n p r a ye r
Th e s e p o s t u re s a re n ot a n ec e s s a r y a d j u n ct t o p ra ye r ; t h e y ma y b e
d i s p en s e d w i t h on a c c o u n t of wea r i n es s , s i c kn es s , or i n t h e p res en ce
of o t h e r s O n e ma y even p r a y wh i l e w a l k i n g a b ro a d , a s p i lg r i ms d o ,
.
or i f w e h a p p en t o h ea r th e An g elu s ru n g wh i l e we a re i n t h e s t ree ts
o f a t o wn .
2 . W e ma y ay
pr ei th er i n s p i ri t onl y , or wi th th e l i ps as well .
O n e ma y r a i s e o n e s h ea rt i n p r a ye r t o God wi t h o u t th o s e wh o a re
a ro u n d u s p e r c ei v i n g i t ; t h i s i s men t a l p r a ye r V o c a l p ra yer i s b ot h .
u s efu l a n d n e c e s s a r y M a n c o n s i s t s of s o u l a n d b o d y a n d w i t h b o t h
. ,
h e mu s t y i el d h o m a g e t o God ( O s ee x i v It i s more o ve r n a t u r a l
.
, ,
a b s en c e of v o c a l p r a ye r t h e C h r i s t a i n l i
re g i o n w o d
u l l a c k i t s m a i n ;
t h e d ev o t i o n o f t h e s u p p l i a n t h i ms elf a s w el l a s o f o t h e r s V oca l .
P ra y er wi th th e l i p s on l y ,
a n d n ot w i th t h e s p i ri t, i s w o r th
l es s .
Au g u s t i n e s a y s ma n y c a ll u p o n God w i th t h e v o i ce of th e b o dy n ot ,
w i th t h e v oi ce of t h e s ou l All a tt i t u d es a n d g e s t u r es t oo w h i ch a re
. ,
Hi m mu s t a d ore Hi m i n Sp i ri t a n d i n t ru th ( Joh n i v .
P ra yer .
p o w e r ful fa c t or i n r a i s i n g t h e h e a r t t o G o d St A m b ro s e a n d P op e . .
G reg ory t h e Gr ea t d i d mu ch t o p ro mo t e t h e c u s t o m of s i n g i n g i n
c h u r ch es .
It i s well t o r ec i t e t h e u s u a l w ell kn o wn p r a ye rs , s u ch a s t h e O u r
-
F a t h e r a n d Ha i l M a ry , b u t n ot t o keep s l a v i s h l y t o t h e u s e of forms .
d r en i n t h e fu rn a ce of B a b yl o n c ri ed t o Hi m i n t h ei r own l a n g u a g e .
t o s p e a k t o Go d s i mp l y a n d s t ra i g h t forw a rd l y Th e p l a i n es t l a n g u a g e .
i s t h e l a n g u a g e of t h e h e a rt , a n d i t i s n ot t h e w ord s wh i ch God re
g a r d s , b u t t h e d es i r es of t h e h ea r t Nor n eed on e ma ke l o n g p r a ye rs
.
( M a tt v i . O u r p et i t i o n s a re n ot va l u e d on a cc o u n t of t h e i r l en g t h ,
.
b u t of t h e i r fe rv or How ri ch l y wa s th e b r i ef s u p p l i ca t i on of the
.
g oo d t h i ef rewa rd ed !
W e ma y ei th er p ra y a l on e, or in u ni on wi th oth ers .
O u r L or d e xh ort s u s t o p r a y t o O u r F a t h e r i n s ec ret ( M a tt . v i.
fe r ou r p et i t i o n s i n c ommo n w i t h o t h ers
a n d a l s o t o of .
We o u g h t t o p r a i s e God i nn i te p erfect i o n s
on o
a cc u n t of Hi s .
t h e Glori a P a tri wh i ch w e r ep e a t s o o ft en a re a ll a s c r i p t i o n s of ,
p ra i s e Th e t h r i c e h ol y of t h e s er a p h i m ( IS v i
. th e s on g t h e . .
a n g el s s u n g a t O u r L or d s b i r th ( L uk e i i a re h ymn s of p r a i s e
. .
We rea d i n t h e Ap o c a l yp s e t h a t th e p r i n ci p a l o ccu p a t i on of th e h a p p y
d en i z en s of h ea ven i s t o g i ve h o n or a n d g l ory t o t h e L or d th ei r God
( Ap o c . a n d b y p r a i s i n g Hi m w e ma y w h i l e s t i ll on e a rt h j o i n i n
t h ei r c ea s el es s s o n g Th e M a g n i ca t u tt e red b y t h e B l es s ed V i rg i n
.
i s a c a n t i cl e of p r a i s e It i s Go d s w i ll th a t w e Sh o ul d i mp l ore of
.
of Hi m ( J a s i
.He w h o a s k s n ot s a ys St Teres a rec ei ves
.
, .
,
n ot
. Na y more God d es i res th a t ou r p et i t i on s s h ou l d b e fe rven t a n d
,
i mp ort u n a t e ; t h a t w e s h o u l d n ot me rel y a s k , b u t c o mp el Hi m t o
h ea r u s Th e L a c ed emon i a n s u s ed t o p l a ce th e b r ea d for t h ei r ch i l
.
t h u s G o d w o u l d h a ve u s ea rn wh a t w e b es eech of Hi m He i s n ot , .
i t i s t ru e i g n or a n t of ou r n eed s ( M a tt v i
, a n d He c o u l d s u p p l y
. .
th em w i th o u t ou r tell i n g Hi m of t h em ; b u t He w i l l h a ve u s a s k for
wh a t w e w a n t , t h a t w e ma y n ot a cc ep t Hi s g i ft s a s a ma t te r of c ou rs e ,
Th e Mea ns f
o Gra ce
.
b u t ma y r ec og ni z e ou r d ep en d en ce u p on Hi m, a n d l ea rn t o b e h u mb l e
a n d t h a n kful Th e p r a yer of O u r L or d i n t h e g a rd en a n d on t h e
.
c r os s wa s a p r a ye r of s u p p l i c a t i o n ; a s wa s t h a t of t h e a p os tl es on t h e
s e a of Ga li l ee t h a t of t h e C hr i s t i a n s for St P ete r w h e n h e wa s i n
, .
b
t h a n k Hi m for t h e en et s we r ecei ve from Hi s h a n d ( 1 Th e s s v . .
R ememb e r wh a t O u r L ord s a i d t o th e l ep er wh o wa s h ea l ed ( Lu ke
Gr a t i t u d e i s t h e s u r es t mea n s of o b t a i n i n g fres h fa v ors from
God Th e h ol o c a u s t Noe offered w a s a s a c r i ce of t h a nk s g i vi n g ( Gen
b
. .
vi i i . G od w i t h d ra ws ma n y b l es s i n g s fro m ma n e c a u s e h e t a kes
n o h eed of t h em a n d n eg l e ct s t o r en d e r t h a n ks t o t h e Gi v er ; He a ls o
s en d s c a l a mi t i es a s a c h a s t i s emen t up o n t h e u n t h a n kfu l .
By means
1 . of p ra ye w e ca n ob tai n a ll thi ngs from God ;
r
We h a ve O u r L or d s p ro mi s e : As k a n d i t s h a ll b e g i ven y ou
( M a t t v i i 7 a n d ag a i n : All t hi n g s wh a t s o e er y ou s h a ll a s k i n
. . v
p r a yer, b el i evi n g , y ou Sh a ll r ecei v e ( M a tt xx i St J oh n . . .
s u cc or If h e fa i l t o d o t hi s , l et h i m b l a me hi s own i n dol en ce a n d
.
eg g a r, h al f s t a rve d w i t h c o l d a n d h u n g e r, i f h e w o u l d n ot a p p l y for
-
a i d t o a ri ch ma n w h o h a d p ro mi s ed t o h el p h i m ? Th e a p os tles
p r a yed wh en t h e s t orm a ro s e on t h e l a k e, a n d i t w a s c a lmed G od .
d oe s n ot a l w a ys g r a n t ou r p et i t i o n s a t o n ce O n e mu s t k n o ck l o n g
.
a n d l o u dl y a t th e g a t e of t h i s s o v e r ei g n L ord , b efo re i t i s op en ed t o
us . M on i ca p r a yed for h er s o n s c o n v e rs i o n for ei g h t een yea rs
.
G od keep s u s w a i t i n g for a n a n s we r t o ou r p ra ye r, b o t h t o t ry u s ,
wh eth e r w e a r e re all y i n ea rn es t , a n d a l s o t o mak e us al u e Hi s g ift s v
mor e wh en w e d o ob t a i n th em He wh o i s t rul y i n ea rn es t p er s everes
.
c r i ed ou t mu c h more wh en O u r L or d a p p e a r ed t o p a y n o h eed to h i s
c ry :
J es u s , Son of D a vi d , h a ve mercy on me
( Luk e xv i i i .
Th ou d o s t d el a y, 0 L ord , s a y s St Au g u s t i n e, t o g i ve u s wh a t
.
w e a s k , t h a t we ma y l ea rn h ow t o p ra y Somet i mes G od d o es n ot
.
y b
O u r p ra ers o ta i n a s p eed i er a n s wer if th e a re a ec om y
p a n i e d f a sby
t i n g ,
a l m s d eed s ,
a p ro m i s e ,
o r i f w e i n ok e t h e v
i n terces s i on of th e s a i n ts on our eh a l f; a p eti ti on i s s oon er b
g r a n t ed i f i t i s p r o f
f e red s e era l p e rsby v
o n s a t th e s a me t i m e ;
u
a l s o i f th e s p pl i a n t i s of th e n m er of th e j s t u b u .
6 76 The Mea n s of Gra ce .
By i nn ers o b t a i n forg i v en es s
p ra ye r s Th e p e n i t en t t hi ef s a i d .
o nl y th es e few w or ds : L or d r ememb e r me wh en Th o u s h a l t c o me
,
h i s h o u s e j u s t i ed ( L uk e x vi i i As s o on a s D a vi d h ea rd Na
.
t h a n s reb uk e, h e ex cl a i med :
I h a ve s i n n ed a g ai n s t t h e L or d, a n d
th e p ro p h et i mm edi a t el y a s s u red h i m t h a t t h e L or d h a d t a k en a w ay
h i s s i n ( 2 Ki n g s x i i
Wh en a ma n eg i n s t o p r a y, s a y s St
.
b
b
.
s in
. M o rt a l Si n i s i n comp a t ib l e w i th th e h a b i t of p r a yer P ra yer .
B y p r a yer w e d ra w d o w n u p on u s t h e Hol y Sp i r i t , w e o b t a i n a o
t u a l g r a ce As th e n ea r e r th e ea rth a p p ro a ch es t h e s u n , t h e g rea t er
.
th e l i g h t a n d h ea t s h e d e ri ves fr om i t , s o t h e n ea re r w e d r a w t o C h r i s t ,
t h e Sun of j u st i c e, t h e mor e ou r s o ul w i ll b e e nl i gh te n ed a n d
s t r en g t h en ed v
W e h a e s a i d th a t th e s oul i s enl i g h t en ed y p r a yer ;
. b
s h e l ea rn s t o es t i ma t e mor e j u s t l y t h e ma j es t y a n d g oo d n es s of G od ,
t o p e rc ei ve mor e cl ea rl y t h e n a l en d of ma n , t h e w i ll of God , t h e
w ort hl es s n es s of ea rt h l y t h i n g s a n d h er ow n p o ve rt y In th e c a s e of .
Th e c o u n t en a n ce of M o s es s h o n e, a fter h e h a d b ee n c on ve rs i n g wi t h
G od on th e M o u n t O u r L ord , whil e He p ra yed , w a s t ra n s g u red
b
.
w i t h a n a u re ol a of gl ory wh i l e a t p r a y e r B y p r a ye r we g a i n s t ren gt h .
a n d p o w e r t o en d u re t h e i l l s of l i fe P r a ye r i s l i ke a c el es t i a l d ew ;.
a s t h e ea rt h i s refres h ed a t n i gh t b y t h e d ew fro m h ea v en , s o t h e s o u l
i s r ev i ved a n d fort ied b y p r a ye r Th u s w e s h o u l d h a ve r ecou rs e t o
.
p r a ye r, a n d b efore Hi s P a s s i o n He p r a ye d l o n g a n d ea rn es tl y Th e .
y
P ra er en a l es th e b j us t to c on tin u e in a st at e of gr ac e ,
bev
,
P r a ye r i s a n a n t i d ot e t o t h e p o i s o n of t emp t a t i o n Th e a s s a u lt s .
o f t h e d ev il d a rk en t h e u n d er s t a n d i n g a n d w e a k en t h e w i ll ; p r a ye r
a s h i el d wh i ch t h e e r y d a rts of t h e ev i l on e c a n n o t p i e r ce ; i t i s a n
a n ch or t o t h e t emp e s t t o s s e d v es s el It b a n i s h es s a d n es s ; t h e Ho l y
-
Gh o s t i s a c o mfort e r , He i mp a rt s j oy t o th e h ea r t O u r L or d p ro m .
i s os t o r efr es h a ll w h o l a b or a n d a re b u r d en ed , i f th ey c o me t o Hi m
St J a mes s a ys : Is a n y a mo n g y ou s a d ? l et h i m
( M a tt x i . . .
p ra y
( Ja s v Du r i n g p r a yer, s o met i mes , a foret a s t e i s g i ven
. .
P ra yer. 677
us of th e j o ys of h ea v
P r a yer a ord s t o th e trou led h ea rt s u ch
en . b
s ol a ce a s a c hi l d ma y n d , wh o p o u rs ou t h i s s orro ws on t h e b rea s t
of a c o mp a s s i o n a t e fa t h e r
O t a s te a n d s ee , s a ys t h e P s a l mi s t ,
.
th a t t h e L o rd i s s wee t ( P s xxxi ii O n e d a y s p en t i n p r a ye r
. .
a n d y ou wi l l l i ve a r i g h t B etwee n t h o s e wh o a re mu ch t o g eth e r a
.
ce rt a i n r es emb l a n ce ma y b e p e r ce i v ed ; t h u s i f w e a re mu ch w i th G od ,
we s h a ll b ec o me l i ke t o Hi m P r a y er i s t o t h e s o ul w h a t t h e s un
b
.
s h i n e i s t o a p l a n t ; i t ma kes i t g ro w a n d ea r fr u i t a b un d a n tl y .
y b
3 By p ra er w e o t ai n th e remi s s i on of th e temp oral p enal ty
.
eve ry p r a ye r w e r ep ea t s o me i n d u l g en ce i s g a i n e d , e ven t h o u g h on e
i s n ot d en i t el y a t t a ch ed t o i t y th e b
ol y See O u r L ord s a ys :H .
Wh en t h o u s h al t p r a y, en t er in t o th y ch a mb er, a n d h a vi n g s h u t th e
d oo r, p r a y t o t h y F a t h e r i n s ecret ; an d t h y F a t h e r, Wh o s eeth i n
s ec r et , w i ll r ep a y th ee ( M a tt v i P r a yer i s a w ork whi ch ca n
. .
n ot b e a cc o mp li s h ed w i t h o u t t o i l a n d c o n i c t , for t h e s p i r i t s of e v i l
emp l o y a ll t h e i r w i l es t o di s t r a c t t h o s e wh o p r a y, b y s u g ge s t i n g
i rrel ev a n t th o u g h t s t o t h ei r mi n d H
en ce t h o s e wh o p r es erve t h e i r
.
4 . He v y
wh o n e er p ra s cannot s a v e hi s s oul ; for wi th o t u
pra y er he wil l fall i nto gri ev o s s i ns u .
p r a y e r w h a t
, o u g h t n o t w e p o o r mor t a l s t o d o t o s a v e ou r s o ul s ?
H e
wh o d o es n ot p r a y i s p o we rl es s t o r es i s t i n th e h o u r of t emp t a t i on ;
h e ma y b e c o mp a r ed t o a w a rri o r w i th o u t wea p o n s a b i rd w i th o u t ,
b y ev ery b l a s t of w i n d St John C h ry s o s t o m s a ys on e wh o d o es n ot
. .
p r a y h a s n o life i n h i m h e h as ce as ed t o b rea th e
, AS c orn mu s t b e .
s t or ed i n b a rn s n ot l eft l yi n g on t h e d a mp g ro u n d
, or i t w i ll g ro w ,
mo u l d y a n d d ec a y s o th e h e a r t of ma n mu s t n ot con t i n u a ll y r es t
,
u p o n ea rt hl y t h i n g s ; i t mu s t b e l ifted u p t o G od or i t w i ll l o s e i ts ,
p u ri t y Hen c e O u r L or d b id s us w a t ch a n d p r a y ( M a tt xxv i
. . .
All n a t i on s of t h e w orl d w o rs h i p s o me d ei t y or o th e r ; th e ob l i g a t i o n
t o p r a y i s i mp ri n ted u p on th e h uma n h e a rt .
3 . HO W O UGHT WE TO PRAY ?
B y p r a yi n g w e l ea rn t o p r a y In t h i s t h e p ro verb h o lds g oo d :
.
p r a ye r ; p r a y s el d o m, a n d i t w i ll a p p e a r t o y ou i r k s o me a n d we a ri
ome God d oes n ot reg a rd the l en gt h of our s u p p l i c a t i o n s b u t th ei r
i rvor
.
a .
67 8 The M ea n s of Gra ce .
y
If pra er i s to b e of tili t t o us , w e mus t pra : u y y
u
I In th e name of Jes s ; th at i s , we m s t a s k wh at i s i n
. u ac
cord a nce wi th Our Lord s d esi res
.
w elfa r e, w e d o n ot p r a y i n t h e n a me of C h r i s t ; e g , i f we p r a y for . .
q
e a rt h l y r i ch e s or h o n or s , for t h e a c u i s i t i o n of s u p eru i t i es B ut .
we p r a y i n t h e n a me of C h ri s t t h a t i s i n u n i o n w i t h Hi s i n t en t i o n i n
, , ,
of a s i n n e r Th e Ch u rch p r a ys i n t h e n a me of C h r i s t for a l l h er
.
,
p et i t i o n s c o n cl u d e w i t h t h e w or d s : Thr ou g h J es u s C h ri s t O u r
If y ou a s k t h e F a t h e r a n yt h i n g i n M y n a me, He wi ll g i ve
L ord .
i t t o y ou
( John x v i Su ch i s O u r L or d s p ro mi s e
.
Wh a t .
2 . W e mus t p r ay
wi th de oti on ; v th a t i s , w e mus t x our
u
th o gh ts on God wh en w e p ra y .
In ou r p r a ye r s we h ol d i n t e r c o u r s e wi t h God we h ol d i n ter
. Wh en
c o u rs e w i t h ou r fell o w mort a l s , we g i ve t h em
-
ou r wh o l e a tte n t i o n ;
h ow mu ch mor e wh en we c o n ve rs e w i th God s h o ul d we x ou r mi n d ,
on Hi m a l o n e ! So me p e op l e h o n or G od w i t h t h ei r l i p s , wh i l e th ei r
p r a ye r s i f w e d o n ot h eed t h em o u rs el ves ? He w h o p r a y s w i t h o u t
d ev o t i on a n d y et l oo k s for a n a n s wer t o h i s p r a yer, i s l i k e a ma n wh o
s o w s b a d g r a i n , a n d a n t i c i p a t es a c ro p of r s t r a t e wh e a t It i s n ot
-
. ,
g i ft , b es t ow e d b y Go d g en e r a l l y a s a r ec o mp en s e ; i t d o es n ot a d d t o
t h e v a l u e of ou r p r a y e r s Nor a re th ey n eces s a r i l y t h e w or s e, i f we
.
p el o u r s el v e s t o o ff e r , i s p e r h a p s t h e m o s t a c c e p t a b l e i n G o d
s s i g h t .
D o n ot t h e refor e g i v e u p p r a ye r on a c c o u n t of a r i d i t y a n d t h e d i s
i n cl i n a t i o n for i t . Th e evi l en emy s eeks b y t h i s mea n s t o w i th d r a w
u s fro m p r a y e r , a n d G od p e rmi t s t h i s t r i a l t o c o me u p o n u s , i n or d e r
th a t w e ma y feel ou r own w e a kn es s a n d h u mb l e o u rs el ves on a cc o u n t
of i t . An d i f d u r i n g t h e wh ol e t i me of p r a ye r w e d o n o th i n g el s e
b u t re s i s t t emp t a t i o n s a n d d i s t r a c t i o n s l et u s n ot t h i n k w e h a ve
,
p r a y ed b a d l y ; G o d l oo k s t o o u r g oo d w i l l , i n t h a t H e t a k e s p l e a s u r e .
y v
In ord er to p ra d e ou tl w e m s t p rep a re ou rs el y u v b es f
e ore
u
h a n d , a n d d ri n g th e ti me of p ra er w e mu s t gu a rd y ou r s en s e s
a n d s ee th a t w e do n ot a s s u me a n i rre eren t p os tu re v .
6 80 The M ea ns o G
f a ce
r .
Th e ma n wh os e h ea rt i s n ot cl ea n h a s n ot p owe r t o r a i s e hi s s o u l
t o G od , for wh en he b eg i n s to p ra y, t h o ug h t s a n d i ma g es of s i n c r owd
i n u p o n h is mi n d, a n d h ol d i t c a p t i ve u p on ea r th He wh o p ra y s wi th .
a n i mp u re h ea r t i s l ik e a ma n wh o en te r s t h e p r es en ce of r oy a l ty
, It i s on l y j u s t th a t .
u
God , i f y ou wo l d h a ve Hi m l i s t en t o y o ur s u p p l i ca t i on s B ut a s .
s oo n a s t h e s i nn e r i s Si n ce r el y con t r i t e, h e ma y h Op e t o ob t a i n a h e a r
v
,
lo ok s a t th e p res en t i n te n t i o n , n ot a t t h e p a s t a ct i o n s of a ma n Re
b
.
on e of th e ma g n a t es of th e ea rt h t o p res en t a p et i t i o n ! P r a ye r i s
i n i t s elf a n a ct of h u mi l i t y, for b y i t we t es t i fy a s en s e of ou r d e
p e n d en ce u p on th e Lo rd of h ea ven a n d of e a r th ; we t a ke t h e p o s i ti o n
of beg g a r s , kn ocki n g a t th e d oor of t h e g rea t Fa t h e r of ma n ki n d .
x . Le t n ot h i m t h a t w a ve ret h t h i n k t h a t h e s h a ll recei ve a ny
t hi n g of t h e Lo r d ( J a s i . .
g oo d p l ea s re u .
Not M y w i ll , b u t Thi n e b e d o n e ( Luke xxi i w a s O u r Lo r d s .
g oo d ; we o u g h t n o more t o d i ct a te t o Hi m t h a n a s i ck ma n , wh o
knows n o t h i n g of t h e h ea l i n g a rt , ou g h t t o t ell t h e p h ys i c i a n wh a t
d ru g s h e i s t o g i ve h i m A ce rt a i n mo th e r o n ce w a s i mp or t un a t e i n
.
p r a yer for t h e re c o ve ry of h er s i ck ch i l d Th e p r i es t t ol d h e r s h e .
w o ul d d o b et t e r t o a s k th a t Go d s wi ll mi g h t b e d o n e
No, s h e
.
God mu s t g ra n t me my d es i re
ex cl a i med i n d i g n a n tl y , Th e c h i l d .
w a s res t ored t o h e a l th , t o ok t o ev il w a ys , a n d a t l a s t c a me t o t h e
g a ll ow s Ha p p y w ou l d i t h a ve b een for th a t ma n h a d h e d i ed i n h i s
v
.
c h il dh oo d ! How mu ch wi s er i t i s t o l ea e a ll i n th e h a n d s of Go d ,
for He kn o ws t h e fu t u r e .
P ra yer. 681
1 . As a matter of u
fa c t w e o gh t t o p ra c onti n y ual ly f Ou, or r
Lord req ui res of us y y
al w a s t o p ra a nd not t o fa i nt ( uk xvi ii
L e .
Th e Ap o s tl e b i d s u s : P r a y w i th ou t ce a s i n g
( 1 Th es s v 1 7
. .
s a ys St Al p h o n s u s ,
. wi ll n d Hi m a t a ll t i mes a n d i n every p l a c e
.
If ou r h e a rt i s c o n t i n u a ll y r a i s ed t o Hi m i n p r a yer w e s h a ll b e l i ke ,
th e a n g el s wh o c o n t i n u a ll y b eh ol d Hi s c oun t en a n c e If w e a re u n c ea s .
s a ys : Wa t ch y e a n d p r a y, t h a t y e en t er n ot i n t o t emp t a t i on ( M a tt
, .
a re l i a b l e a t a n y mo men t t o t h e a s s a u l t s of t h e d ev i l wh er efor e l et ,
d a ng e r of re a lw a ys h a ve w a t er a t h a n d i n c a s e a con a g ra t i on
s h o u l d b r e a k ou t B y c o n t i n u i n g i n p r a yer, we s h a ll h a ve a s u rer
.
h o e of ma i n ta i n i n g o u rs elves i n t h e g r a ce of God u n t i l ou r li fe s
en p
It i s , h ow e er, v by
n o mea n s re q i re d of u s , n a y , i t woul d b e u
b
i mp os s i l e for u s t o rema i n con s ta n tl u p on ou r kn ees ; wh at y
w e a re t o d o i s t o p ra w h i l e w e w ork y .
M a rt h av o ca t i o n t h a t o f a ct i ve w ork for on e s n ei g h b or o u g h t
s ,
,
t o b e u ni t ed t o M a ry s v oc a t i o n t h a t of co n t emp l a t i o n a n d p ra ye r
.
,
b u t a comb i n a t i o n of t h e t w o i s b es t of a ll C h ri s t Wh o i s i n a ll .
,
t h i n g s ou r M o d el u n i t ed a l i fe of a ct i vi t y t o a li fe of p r a ye r
,
Wh i l e .
Ap o s tl e t o h a ve b re a d t o ea t ( 2 Th es s i i i
,
. .
wh en h er eyes fel l u p o n i t s h e s ai d :
L or d g i ve me t h a t l i vi n g ,
w a te r
St Ign a t i u s fr equ en tl y ex cl a i med :
. . Al l for th e g r ea te r
g l ory o f G od
L et u s a c c u s to m o u.r s el v es t o s a y fro m t i me t o t i me :
Lo r d r ememb er me i n Th y ki ng d o m
He wh o r a i s es h i s h ea r t t o
b
.
,
q
recommen ds th e fre u en t a n d ferven t r ep et i t i o n of t h e s a me ej a cu l a
ti o n .O u r L or d on t h e M ou n t of O l i ves p r a yed u s i n g t h e s a me word s .
St F ra n ci s of As s i s i s p en t t h e wh o l e n i g h t r ep e a t i n g t h e wor d s :
.
M y God a n d my a ll
St P a u l b i d s u s : . Wh et h er y e ea t or d ri n k,
.
v
or wh a t s o e er el s e y ou d o, d o a ll t o t h e gl ory of G od ( 1 C or x . .
i t b efore ev e ry u n de rt a ki n g of a n y i mp o rt a n ce .
i t i s r ec or d ed of St J a mes t h a t t h ro u g h b ei n g c o n s t a n tl y on h i s
.
kn ees c a l l o s i t i es formed on th em
, Th e C h r i s t i a n n eed n ot p r a y
.
i n a ma nn e r t o b e ob s er ved b y o t h ers , b u t h e c a n a l wa ys p r a y i n
s p i r i t , wh a t ev e r hi s o ccu p a t i o n s ma y b e Th e s a i n t s u s ed t o ma ke
b
.
u s e of v i s i l e t h i n g s t o r a i s e t h ei r t h o u g h t s t o wh a t i s u n s een ; n a t
u r a l o b j ect s s u gg es t e d t o th em t h o u g h t s of t h e s u p e r n a t u r a l St . .
th e i mmov a b l e ro ck s th a t r es i s t ed th e s h o ck of t h e wa ves , c o mp a r ed
t he fo rmer t o men wh o h a d n o mas te r y o e r th ems el v es , a n d t h e v
l a t t er t o t h o s e wh om n o t emp t a t i on c o u l d s edu c e Th e s i g h t of a
b
.
l a m l ed St F ra n c i s of As s i s i t o s p ea k of t h e meekn es s of t h e R e
.
2 . We o ugh t y y v
t o pra more es p ec i all e ery morni ng a n d ev e
ni ng, b efore a nd a ft er meal s , a n d wh en w e h ear th e Ang el s u .
( Wi s d xv i A p a rt i c u l a r
Th ee a t th e d a wn i n g of t h e l i gh t
b
. .
l es s i n g r es t s u p o n ou r morn i n g p r a ye r As th e Is r a el i t es c o u l d .
G od s b l es s i n g on t h e d a y i f w e d o n ot c o n s ec r a t e i t s ea rl i es t h o u r s
t o Hi m b y p r a ye r As a w ell s p en t y o u th i n u en c es a ma n s wh ol e
-
.
l i fe s o th e ma n n e r i n wh i ch th e d a y i s b eg u n i n u en ces a ll i t s l a t e r
,
h ea r th e b el l for th e b
c
con s e ra ti on , or for en ed i cti on of th e
B les s ed Sa cramen t .
3 F . urth er more u
we o gh t t o p ra i n th e h o r of afi c ti on, di s y u
t res s , or t emp t ati on, wh en ent eri ng p on a n i mporta nt un d erta k u
i ng , a n d wh en w e feel a n i ns p i ra ti on a n d d es i re t o p ra y .
t o p r a yer
Wa t ch y e a n d p r a y, th a t y e en t er n ot i n to t emp t a t i on
.
( M a tt xxv i St F r a n ci s of Sa l es s a ys t h a t wh en we a re as
.
b
. .
s a i l ed y t emp t a t i on we s h o u l d d o a s l i t tl e ch i l d ren d o i f t h ey a re
fri gh t en ed b y t h e a p p ro a ch of s o me a n i ma l ; t h ey ru n t o t h ei r fa t h e r
or mo th er O n c ommen c i n g a n y i mp ort a n t un d e rt a k i n g we o u g h t
.
b efor e t h e r a i s i n g of L a z a ru s ( Jo hn x i an d b efore He w en t
b
.
t o Hi s P a s s i o n ( L u k e xx i i Th e a p o s tl es p ra yed efor e th ey
.
ca l l ed Ta b i t h a t o l i fe ( Ac ts i x St u J er ome a dm o n i s hes u s t o
.
a rm ou r s el ves b y p r a yer a t ou r o u tg o i n g , a n d on ou r i n c o mi n g t o le t
p r a y e r b e ou r r s t a c t i o n W e s h o u l d a l s o ma k.e u s e of t h os e mo
men t s wh en we feel mo ved t o p r a y Th e ma r i n e r h a s t en s t o p u t
v
.
t o s e a wh en h e n d s t h e w i n d i s fa v or a b l e ; s o we , w h en we p erc ei e
t h e i mp u l s e of t h e H
ol y Sp i ri t, mu s t foll o w i s g ra ci o u s i n s p i ra ti o n s H .
U n h a p p i l y t h o s e momen t s a re t oo o ft en al l ow ed t o s l i p b y , or d i s
t r a ct i o n i s s o u g h t i n w orl dl y a mu s emen t s O f th i s th e en ter ta i n .
d en c e How mu ch th o s e wh o th u s a ct w i ll h a ve on e d a y t o a n s wer
v
.
th e c en a cl e i n t h e Ga r d en of O l i v es , on t h e c ro s s J a cob p r a yed
b
.
,
b
,
Si l a s l y i n g o u n d i n a d u n g eo n , p r a yed a n d p r a i s ed God , s o t h a t
th e fo u n d a t i o n s of t h e p r i s o n we re s h a k en We c a n o n l y s p ea k .
w i th G od wh en He i s p r es en t a n d He i s p r es en t ev e rywh e re ( Ac t s ,
( Jo h n i v God d o es n ot r eg ar d th e p l a ce i n wh i ch we p r a y,
.
b ut th e d i s p os i ti ons wi th wh i ch we p ra y .
P ra yer . 6 85
Th e h o u s e of God i s t h e h o u s e of p r a y er ( M a tt xx i Some . .
s a y th er e i s n o n eed t o g o t o ch u r ch , b ec a u s e t h e wh o l e e a rt h i s t h e
t emp l e of God Th i s i s fa ls e ; G od en j o i n s u p o n u s b y th e mou t h
.
of t h e C h u r ch t o g o t o Hi s h o u s e on Su n d a y s a n d fes t i v a l s O ur .
L or d Hi ms elf s et u s a n ex a mp l e i n t h i s r es p e ct for He w a s o ft en t o ,
h a v e g re a t e r efc a c y, b ec a u s e t h e p l a ce i s c o ns ec r a t ed , a n d w e c a n a l s o
p r a y w i t h m or e d e v o t i o n , b ec a us e o u r s u rro u n d i n g s a re a n a i d t o
However i t mu s t n ot b e t h o ug h t th a t t ru e p i et y c on s i s ts i n s p en d i n g
l o n g h o u rs i n t h e ch ur ch .
He p ra yed i n th e d es e rt ( Lu ke v on mo u n t a i n s. i n t h e Ga rd en ,
1 . We o ugh t t i mpl ore of God many thi ngs a nd great thi ngs ;
o
b enet s not a p p ert ai ni ng t o ti me s o m c h a s t o et erni t u y .
Su p p o s i n g a ki n g s a i d t o y ou : As k wh a t y ou wi l l ; w o ul d y ou
n ot a s k a g r e a t fa v or of h i m Well , i t i s n o th i n g more th a n wh a t
God s a ys t o y ou We o u g h t t o a s k g r ea t thi ng s of God b eca u s e we
.
,
h a ve t o d o w i t h O n e Wh o i s i n n i t el y r i ch a n d p o w e rfu l Let u s n ot b e .
et e rn a l No on e w ou l d p r es u me t o a s k of a n emp eror wh a t w a s u s e
.
t o c h oo s e g li t te r i n g t i n s el r a t h e r t h a n p u re g ol d Le t u s t h erefore.
p r a y for th e j o y s o f h ea v en a n d for wh a t s oe ve r wi ll h el p u s t o a tt a i n
.
To t h o s e wh o p r a y O u r L ord s a ys : Seek y e rs t th e ki n g d o m of
God a n d Hi s j u s ti ce , a n d a ll th es e th i n g s s h a ll b e a dd ed t o y ou
Th e M ea ns
~
6 86 f
o Gra ce .
( M a tt . v . Hen ce
ma y c on cl u d e t h a t i f we a s k for th e g ood
we
t h i n g s of et e rn i t y t h o s e of t i me w i ll a l s o b e b e s t owed on u s
, Ki n g .
Au g u s t i n e wh o i n wh a t t h ey a s k d o n ot s eek Go d s g l ory b u t t h ei r
, ,
, ,
own s en s u a l p l e a s u r e s ; th ey w o ul d d eg ra d e G od t o b e t h ei r s e rv a n t
t h e s e rv a n t of t h ei r c o vet o u s n e s s t h ei r p r i d e t h ei r a v a r i ce t h ei r
, , ,
l u xu ry
Ki n g J erob oa m 3 h a n d w a s w i t h ered b ec a u s e h e s t ret ch ed
.
,
i t ou t a g a i ns t t h e ma n of God He p r a yed th a t hi s h a n d mi g h t b e
.
t h o s e d e s i re s wh i ch a r i s e from ou r fa ll en n a t u r e b u t o f t h o s e wi th ,
wh i ch th e Hol y Sp i r i t i n s p i r es ou r s oul .
7 . M ED ITATION .
t h i n g s i s l i ke a ma n s t r ik i n g re wi t h i n t a n d s t eel ; h e s t ri kes t h e
s t o n y h ea r t wi t h t h e k een ed g e of t h e u n d e rs t a n d i n g u n t i l Sp a rk s
y ou t , th a t i s g oo d re s ol u t i on s a re eli c i t ed fro m t h e w i ll M ed i t a
, .
t i o n i s o nl y d ii cul t u n t i l t h e Hol y Sp i r i t m a ke s Hi s g r a c i o u s a ct i o n
fel t Li k e a v es s el t h a t mu s t b e p ro p ell e d b y t o i l s o me ro wi n g u n t il a
.
fa v or a b l e wi n d Sp r i n g s u p a n d i n a t e s h er s a i l s th en t h e o a r i s n o ,
t h e p ow e rs of t h e mi n d mu s t b e exe rc i s ed l a b or i o u s ly u n t i l t h e Hol y ,
Gh o s t b re a th es u p o n t h e s o ul g u i d i n g i t a n d el eva t i n g i t
, If w e .
s t r i v e t o el i c i t a s u c c es s i o n of b e a u t i ful t h o u g h t s a n d el a b or a t e mea n
i n g s , t h i s i s n ot p r a ye r, b u t s t u d y Wh en o n c e we h a v e s t ru c k re
. ,
B y men t a l p r a yer w e i mi t a t e on ea r th t h e o cc u p a t i o n of t h e
a n g el s wh o c o n s t a n t l y c o n temp l a t e t h e fa ce of G od a n d med i t a t e on ,
med i t a t i on s ; i f w e re a d th es e a tt en t i vel y i t i s e qu i v a l en t t o p r a ye r .
2 .Th e a ddres s pl ac es th e so ul
i n th e ri gh t di s p os i ti on for
pr ay er ; i t a w ak ens wi thi n u s c ondenc e i n God a nd rai s es our
th o u gh t s t o H i m .
Th e w or d F a th er a w a ken s c on d en c e i n God th e w ord s Wh o ,
dr es s Hi m a s F a t h er a n d t h i s fa mi l i a r t i t l e p l e a s es Hi m b et t er t h a n
,
of t h e u n i ve r s e b y t h e n a me of F a t h e r h a d n ot Hi s o nl y b eg o t t en Son ,
-
g i v en u s p e rmi s s i o n t o d o s o God w ou l d n ot h a ve u s a dd r es s Hi m
.
a s ou r C r ea t or L or d or Ki n g , , , b
ec a u s e t h es e t i tl es c o n vey a n i d e a of
s ever i t y a n d i n s p i re fea r He w ou l d h a ve u s c a ll Hi m Fa th er b e
b v
.
, ,
ex a l t ed feel i n g t h a n fea r .
We God O u r Fa th er
c a ll b eca u se w e, as b reth ren , o ught to
p a
r yf or on e a n ot h er .
i n d i v i d u a l , h en ce i t i s t h e c o mmo n p r a ye r of a ll C h ri s t i a n s Ou r .
t o p r a y fo r o t h e r s O u r L ord Hi ms el f s a y s :
. Al l y ou a re b ret h ren
( M a t t xx i.i i a n d c a l
. l s t h e a p o s t l e s Hi s b r e t h r en ( M a tt xxvi i i . .
Th e a p o s t l es Sp oke of t h e fa i th fu l a s t h ei r b rethren ( R om i 1 3 ; . .
xi i . Th o s e ma y r i g h tl y b e c a ll ed b ret h r en , wh o h a ve b u t on e
F a th er i n h ea ven .
We s ay : i n h ea en , Wh o
e c a s e a l th o gh God i s
a rt v
b u u
p res en t e e r w h er e ,
v y
h ea e n i s Hi s th ron e ,
a n d th er e onl v
i s He y
b eh el d fa c e t o fa c e ( 1 C or xi i i . .
To g i ve g l o ry t o God i s t h e e n d of c ea t i
r on , and c on s equ en tl y
i t i s th e h i gh es t a i m of eve ry c r ea t u re .
ne wil l a nd th e p os s es s mn of
.
na l s , grac e t o f l l t h e di i ,
The M os t Imp orta n t P ra yers . 6 89
u
Th e meani n g of th e fo rth p eti ti on i s th i s : B es t ow p on u s u
a ll th a t i s n e ces s ar y
for th e mai nten a n c e of life, s ch as food, u
cl oth es , mon e , h ea l th y .
th os e ev il s wh i ch are p re di ci al to l i fe ju .
v
Th e mea n i n g of th e s e en th p eti ti on i s th i s : A ert from u s v
u u
a l l t h in s w h i ch a re i n j ri o s t o l i fe, s ch a s fa mi n e , p es ti l en c e,
g u
w a r, et c .
v
Th e e il s men ti on ed i n th e l a s t th ree p eti ti on s a re ex a ctl y
op p os ed t o th e b
l es s i n gs en umera ted a o e b v .
Th e se p et i t i o n s ma y t h erefore b e d i vi d ed i n t o thr ee d i
v en
v i s i on s , of wh i ch t h e rs t h a s r efe ren ce t o God , th e t w o o th er s t o
o u r s el ves .
p ra ey
r i s h ea rd .
G o d s a n s w e r, wh en eve r i t o c cu rs i n th e M a s s th e p r i es t s a y s i t ,
s p e a k i n g i n G o d s n a me ; b u t a t th e c o n cl u s i o n of th e o th e r p r a yer s
y
Th e p ri n cip a l p ra ers to th e M oth er of God wh i c h a re i n
common u s e a re Th e Av e M a ri a or th e An geli cal Sa l ta ti on ; u
Th e An gel s ; Th e R os a r ;u Th e Li t a n of L oretto y y
a n d t h e Sa lv e R egi n a .
v by
C ath oli cs al mos t i n ari a l a dd th e Av e M a ri a t o th e P a ter
Nos ter .
b
It h as a lwa ys een cu s t oma ry a mon g C h r i s t i a n s t o i mi t a t e th e
ex a mp l e of th e a rc h a n g el G a b r i el , a n d s a l u t e our b l es s ed L a dy i n
h i s word s Th e d ev o t i on t o M a ry w a s n ot i n t ro d u ced b y t h e d ec ree
.
of a c o u n c i l , n or a t t h e b eh e s t of a n y P o p e ; a t a ll t i mes t h e fa i t hful
b
h a ve e en wo n t t o p a y t h ei r d ev o u t h o ma g e t o th e Q u een of h ea ven .
Th e Av e M a ri a i s a l s o c a ll ed th e An geli c a l Sa l t ati on , b e u
c a u s e i t c ommen c es w i t h t h e w ord s of th e a rch a n gel .
Th e s a l u ta t i on of th e a rch a n g el ru n s th u s : Ha i l , fu ll of g r a ce ,
t h e L or d i s w i th th ee ; b l es s ed a rt t h o u am o n g w o men ( Luk e i .
Th e g r eet i ng of Eli z a b et h i s th i s :
B l es s ed a rt th o u a mo n g
w omen , a n d b l es s ed i s t h e fru i t of t h y w o m
(v b
Th e r ema i n
b
.
i n g w or d s w ere a d d e d y th e C h u r ch Th e rs t a n d s ec o n d p a rt s a re
.
a n a s c ri p t i o n of p r a i s e, t h e t h i r d p a rt i s a s u p p li ca t i o n Th e r s t
b
.
a n d s ec o n d p a rt s wer e r e c i t ed y th e fa i th fu l i n th e ea rl i es t a g e s
of C h r i s t i a n i t y i n t h e i r p res en t form, w h i l e t h e c o n cl u d i n g w ord s
were v a r i ed St Ath a n a s i u s u s ed t o a d d :
. . P r a y for u s , P a t ro n a n d
L a d y, Q u een a n d M o th e r of God
F ro m t h e t i me of L u th er i t w a s
.
c u s t o m a ry t o e n d w i th t h e w or d s : H
ol y M a ry, M o th er of God , p ra y
for u s
Th e n a l cl a u s e n o w i n u s e d a t es fro m t h e r ei g n of P op e
.
St P i u s V , wh o d i rec te d i t t o b e p r i n t ed i n a ll th e a u t h or i z ed p r a ye r
. .
b ook s Aft er t h e h er et i c
. N
es to r i u s d en i ed t h e r i g h t of t h e B l es s ed
Vi rg i n t o th e t i tl e of M o th e r of G od , t h e Av e M a ri a w a s more fre
qu en tl y on th e l i p s of C h r i s t i a n s th a n i t w a s i n e a rl i e r t i mes An d .
wh en , i n t h e t h i rt ee n t h c en t u ry , o t h e r s ect s a ro s e wh o refu s ed t o
g i ve t h e s a i n t s t h e ven e r a t i o n d u e t o t h em t h e d ev o t i o n t o O u r ,
2 Th e Av e M ari a i s
. a mos t p otent p ray er , a nd one whi ch i s
u
f l l of mea ni ng .
69 2 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce.
t h e C h i l d th a t wa s b orn of h er ( eb i H
M o t h ers wh o h a v e h a d
. .
e xt o l Hi s M o t h er ( L u ke x i 2 7 It i s n ot b ec a u s e M a r y wa s l es s ed
. b
t h a t h er Ch i l d w a s b
l es s ed , b u t t h e c o n t ra ry e, t h e Au th o r a n d . H
So u rc e of al l g r a ce, l l ed h er wi th b en ed i ct i on Ch ri s t i s n ot s a i d .
t o b e b l es s ed a mo n g men , a s M a ry i s a mo n g w o men , ec a u s e e b H
i s th e C r e a t or of a ll men , a n d c a n n o t b e p l a c ed i n c omp a ri s o n wi th
Hi s c rea tu res Wh en Ju d i th a p p ea red b efore Ki n g O z i as after
b
.
s l a yi n g Ho l o fe rn es , h e d ecl a r ed h er t o b e l es s ed a b o ve a l l w o men
on t h e ea rt h ( J u d i t h How mu ch more d oes M a ry meri t
thi s p r a i s e, s i n ce s h e c o op e ra ted i n t h e r ed emp t i o n of t h e wh ol e
-
s a me w or d s t o h er t o i n d i c a te t h a t s h e wa s t o recei e h oma g e a l ik e
from a n g el s a n d men .
At th e l
c os e of th e Av e M a ri a we en treat th e M oth er of
God t o p ra y for us i n th e h o u r o f d eath , for the n ab ove a ll oth er
t i mes w e h a v e mos t n eed of as s i s ta n ce .
At t h e h o u r of d ea th i n a d d i t i on t o p h ys i cal s u eri ng we s h a ll
, ,
p e rh a p s h a ve t o s u s t a i n v i ol en t a s s a ul t s of t emp t a t i o n How v e .
h emen t l y ex cl a i ms St d o es th e d ev il a tt a ck ma n
, B on a ven t u r e .
,
for h i m t o a cc o mp l i s h h i s w ork
The u n certa n ty of ou r s a l v a t i on
b
.
a l s o c a u s e s u s t e rri l e a n xi et y a t t h e h o u r of d ea th In a ll t h es e .
s i ck th e C o mfort e r o f t h e a i ct ed th e R efu g e of s i nn er s
Wh en
v
.
, ,
s h e a p p e a r s b es i d e t h e d yi n g a ll e i l en emi es t ak e t o i g h t
, M an y .
a on e wh o w a s d ev o u t t o th e M o th e r of G od owed i t t o h er th a t h e ,
wa s rec o n c i l ed w i th God on h i s d ea t h b ed t h a t h e h a d th e l a s t s a cr a
,
-
p e rs on t o s ev er a l s a i n t s
M a ry
s a ys
. St Jerome as s i s t s h er
, .
,
fa i th fu l s erv a n t s i n d e a th ; Sh e g o es t o meet th em on th ei r w a y t o
h ea ven s h e p r ev a i ls u p on th e Ju dg e of a ll men t o g i ve th em a mer
,
c i fu l s en ten ce.
d i d n ot es t i ma te a t i t s tru e v a l u e t h e s a c r ic e of C h ri s t , i f s h e
h a d n o g r ea t l o ve for s i n n er s Th e re i s n o s i nn er fa ll en s o l ow t h a t
b
.
THE ANGEL US .
Th e Angel u s is a p ra y
whi c h i s t o b e reci ted morni ng, noon,
er
a n d n i gh t, wh en b
th e ell ri ngs , i n h onor of th e M other of God
an d in a d ora ti on y
of t h e m s t ery of t h e Incarn ati on .
Th e w or d s foll o ws :
a re a s Th e a ng el of th e L ord ( t h e a r ch
a n g el G a b r i el )a n n o un c ed u n t o M a ry ( t h e b i r th of t h e Sa vi o u r ) , a n d
s h e c o n c ei ved of t h e Hol y Gh o s t ( t h r o u g h t h e o p e r a t i o n of t h e Ho l y
Gh o s t s h e b ec a me t h e M o th e r of C h r i s t ) ; B eh ol d t h e h a n d
ma i d of th e L or d , b e i t d o n e u n t o me a cc ord i n g t o th y w ord ( b y
t h es e w ord s M a ry d r ew d o wn fro m a o v e t h e Son of God ) ; b An d
t h e W cird ( t h e Son of God ) w a s ma d e es h , a n d d wel t a mo n g u s ( for
t hi rt y t h r ee y ear s He l i ved o n ea rt h )
-
.
wa s a d d ed a o u t t h ree c en tu ri es a n d a h a lf l a te r At rs t th e p r a ye r .
w a s a dd ed Th e ma nn er of r i ng i n g th ree s ep ar a t e t i mes a t th e i n
.
t erv a l of a b o u t a mi n u t e a n Av e M a ri a b e i n g s a i d e a ch t i me w a s
, ,
P op e C lemen t XH g r a n t ed a n i n d u l g en ce of on e h u n d red d a ys
.
t o a ll wh o, h ea r i ng th e b ell , Sh o ul d r ec i t e kn ee li n g on e O u r F a t h e r
a n d Ha i l M a ry, w i t h t h e v e rs i cl e : Et er n a l res t g i ve t o th em, 0
L o rd , a n d l et p e rp et u a l li gh t s h i n e u p o n t h em
.
THE R OSAR Y .
Th e s up p l i a n t w h o p ra y s ferv en tl y i s wo n t t o rep ea t o v er a n d
o ver ag a i n w or d s wh i ch c o me fro m th e d ep th of t h e h ea rt O u r L ord .
d i d t hi s on M o u n t O l i vet ; D a v i d i n P s a lm cxxxv ex cl a i ms n o l es s .,
F r a n c i s of As s i s i Sp en t wh ol e n i g h ts r ep ea t i n g :
M y God a n d my
a ll. Th e d evo u t s e rv a n t s of M a ry u s e d t o a d d r es s h er frequ en tl y i n
th e w or ds of t h e a rch a n g el , a d d i n g on e Av e M a ri a t o a n o th er a s ,
o n e p l a ces r os es i n a w rea th .
694 M e Mea n s of Gra ce .
1 . Th e Ros a ry i s
p r a y er i n wah i c h th e Our Fa t h e r fol l ow ed ,
b y medi t a t i on on th e l i fe th e Pa s s i on a n d th e ex a l t a ti on of th e
, ,
Red eemer .
a n d t o u c h t h e b ea d s a s h e s a y s t h e p r a y e r s ; b u t i f s ever a l pe rs on s
j oi n i n s a yi n g it, it i s on l y n e ce s s a ry for on e t o h old t h e r os a ry , i n
or de r th er eb y t o r egul a t e t h e n u mb e r of t h e p r a ye r s
Th e R os a ry .
u s ed t o r ecite on e O u r F a ther a n d on e Ha il M a ry i n t h e p l a ce of
eve ry p s a lm ; a n d i n or der t o n ot e t h e n umb e r th ey h a d s a id th ey ,
wa s t h e rs t wh o ma de t h e cu s tom g en er a l of s ub s tituti n g on e h u n
d re d a n d fty H a il M a rys for t h e on e hun dr e d a n d fty p s a lms ;
hen ce th e r os a ry u s ed t o b e c a lle d th e P s a lte r of M a ry When a b out .
,
i n t h e s outh of F r a n ce a n d t h e n or th of It a ly St D omi n i c wa s c om , .
mi s s i on ed b y th e P op e t o p re a ch i n refut a ti on of thei r e rr on eo u s
t en et s .Hi s efforts a va ile d little a n d h e b es ought t h e a i d of t h e
,
M other of God Sh e a pp ea re d t o h i m a n d b a de h i m ma ke u s e of t h e
. ,
c ompl e te a n d p r a c ti c a l ma n u a l of in s t ru c ti on wh e r ei n t h e c hi ef p oi n t s
of C h r i s ti a n d oc t r i n e a re p r es en t e d u n d er t h e gui s e of p r a ye r By .
th e un i on of v oc a l a n d men t a l p r a ye r ma k e s t h e R os a ry e a s y pl e a s a n t , ,
a n d p r ot a b l e As a meth od of p r a ye r it i s un riva ll ed ; t h e l on ge r a n d
.
a n d b ecomes c on vi n ce d o f i t s s up e rn a tu r a l or igi n .
ra i s e s u n g b y th e a n gel s
p
6 96 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce .
, ,
et c ;
. M a r y i s n ext s h own i n h er r el a ti on t o t h e C hu r ch M ilit a n t :
He a lth of th e s i ck et c ; , . An d n a lly i n h er r el a ti on t o t h e
C hu r ch tr iumph a n t : Qu een of a n g el s et c At th e c on clu s i on of th e
, .
e a c h r ec it a l of thi s lit a n y Th e Sa lv e R eg i n a o r H a il h oly Queen
.
, ,
t er onl y on s p e i al o as i ons c cc .
c
2 Th e regul a r s ervi es h el d i n th e p a ri s h h ur h on Sunda ys
. c c
a nd h ol yd a y s b ot h i n th e for enoon a n d th e a ft ern oon, a s w el l a s
c
week d a y s ervi es , b el ong to th e ordi na ry p ra t i es of d evoti on
-
c c .
s eve r a l M a s s es , a c c or di n g t o t h e s i z e of t h e p a r i s h a n d t h e n umb e r
of p ri es t s , a re s a id on e a ft er a n other , a t on e o f whi c h a s h or t s er
mon i s gen er a lly p re a ched In th e a fte rn oon or even i n g, e ither the
.
R os a ry a n d a lit a n y a re s a id ( th e L it a n y of th e Sa i n t s , t h e L it a n y of
t h e H oly N a me, t h e L it a n y of L or ett o a n d th e L it a n y of t h e Sa cr e d
He a rt ar e a pp r oved b y th e Holy See for th e pub li c s ervi ces of th e
C hurc h, n o other b ei n g a ll owe d without t h e p e rmi s s i on of t h e
b i s h op ) or V es p er s a re s un g, with B en edi cti on of th e B l es s ed Sa cr a
men t O n wee k d a ys i n a lmos t e very p a r i s h chu r ch a p a r ochi a l M a s s
.
-
c
3 Pr o es s i ons , p il gri ma ges , th e W a y of th e Cr os s , Exp os i ti on
.
c
of th e Bl ess ed Sa r a ment , a nd M i s s i ons , b el ong t o th e extra ord i
c c
na ry p ra t i es of d ev oti on .
own c o u n t ry .
PR O CESSIONS .
p r a y er s a re r ec i t ed i n c ommon b y t h os e wh o t a k e p a rt i n t h em .
Th e cer
moni al ob s erved i n our Chri s t i a n p roc es s i on s i s i n
e
ten d ed to p ort ra y th e trut h t h a t w e h a v e n ot h ere a l a s t i ng c i ty
b ut w e s eek one t o c ome ( Heb xi ii
,
. .
b a nn er s a re t o r emin d u s th a t w e ar e w a rr i or s b ec a u s e here b el ow ,
2 c c
Th e Ch ur h h ol d s p ro es s i ons ei t h er for th e p urp os e of s et
.
c c
ti n g b efor e us more for i b l y ert a i n ev ent s i n th e l i fe of Ch ri s t ,
c c
ert a i n d o tri n es of t h e fa i th , or i n or d er t o ob t a i n s p eed y h el p
cc
from God ; on th es e o a s i ons a n op p ort uni ty i s a ord ed us of
c
t es ti fyi ng i n a p ub l i ma nner our fa i th a nd our l oya l ty t o th e
Ch ur h c .
Th e o b je
t th e C hu rch p rop os es i n s etti n g b efor e u s more vi vidly
c
cer t a i n e ven ts i n O u r L or d s l i fe or cert a i n d oc t r i n es of t h e fa ith
, ,
At th i s li gh t ed t a p er s a re c a ri ed
r rou n c
d th e h u r ch , b e
c a u s e on th a t d a y th e a ged Simeon d ecl a r ed th e C h il d Jes u s to
be a li gh t t o th e rev el a ti on of th e G en t i l es ( Lu k e i i .
Wh en ,
i n C a t h ol i c c ou n tri es , th e p ri es t goes ou t to b l es s
th e eld s , a n d p ra ys God t o gra n t t h e fr u i ts of th e ear th in du e
s eas on .
Th e p r o c i es s on on th e th r ee Roga ti on d a ys .
Th e o e b j ct
of wh i ch i s to ask of God th e b l es s i n g of a n
a b u n d a n t h a rv es t .
or t o s ome s h ri n e i n t h e v i i n i ty c
Some ti mes p roc es s i on s a re
.
ord ered b
y t h e P op e or t h e b i s h op of t h e d i oc es e,
a s for i ns t a n e ,
c
on o cc
a s i on of a j
u b il ee, or i n s ea s on s o f grea t a l a mi ty c .
lRIAL
C HRISTIAN B I .
As i s u s u a l i n every p r oc es s i on , th e r
c os s i s c a rr i ed r s t, t o den ote
th a t p r a yer s a re offered i n t h e n a me
ou r of t h e c r uc i e d R ed ee me r .
2 . c c
Th e s p ec i a l er emon i es u s t oma r y a t C h ri s ti a n ob s equ i es
a re g c
a l l s i n i a n t of ou r p r a y er t h a t God ma y h a v e merc y on
th e s ou l of th e d e ea s ed c .
g a i n ed b y t h e d ep a rted Th e p r es en t cu s t om of l oa di n g t h e cofn
.
3 .C h r i s t i a n ob s equi es a re con du t ed wi t h s o mu h s ol em c c
n i ty , b ec a us e i t i s wel l p l ea s i n t G d t h t w h l d h ow
g o o a e s ou s
c
r ev er en e t o th e mor t a l rema in s of t h os e wh o h a v e d ep a rt ed th is
l ife i n th e gr a ce of God .
bs ,
c u s t om i s n o w a b oli s h ed on s a n it a ry g r ou n d s
,
c emet er i es b e in g s itu ,
t h e i n t r o du c ti on of t h e un n a tu r a l a n d p a g a n cu s t om of c r ema ti on .
, ,
i s kn own t o b e t h e b e s t p os s i b le di s i n fec t a n t .
4 C r ema t i on i s
. c on d e mn ed b y th e C hu r c h as b ei ng an
a b omi n a b l e a b u s e .
s a rc oph a gi wh er e th ey w er e r e du c ed t o du s t
, Pli n y r ecor ds th a t t he .
a l l b a rb a r ou s n a ti on s wh o i n a n u n c iviliz e d s t a t e b u rn ed th ei r d ea d
, ,
res t i n p ea ce a n d t h e id ea of t h e r ep os e th ey en j oy i s c on n ec t ed with
,
s h r i n k fr om t h e h o rr or s of c r ema ti on ; on ly th os e w h o a re l os t t o a l l
s en s e o f t h e dign ity of huma n n a tu re t o a l l b eli ef i n t h e t ruths o f ,
ou r g r e a t Ex empl a r w a s l a id i n th e t omb a n d r os e a g a i n
,
F or .
th e a n n ihil a ti on th a t th ey de s i r e a s th e i r p o rti on a ft er d ea th Y et .
l et n o on e i ma gi n e th a t t h e C hr i s ti a n d re a d s t h e d es t ru cti on of t h e
b ody b y re a s a n imp edimen t t o i t s futu r e r es urrec ti on for God ,
s p e a k i n fa v o r of c r ema ti on b efr i en d c r i mi n a l s i n a s mu ch a s th ey a id ,
i n t h e r emova l of a ll t r a ces of th ei r c r i me
'
5 C h ris t ia n b u
. r i a l i s d en i ed to th e u n b a p ti z ed , t o n on C a t h -
ol i os , a n d t o C a th ol i c s w h o a re kn own t o h a v e d i ed i n mort a l
s in .
C a th oli c s t o wh om C h r i s ti a n b ur i a l i s d en i ed a re : Sui c id es ( u n
l es s th ey a re in s a n e a t th e ti me of d ea th a n d therefore i rr es p on s ib l e ) ;
duelli s t s , a n d a n y p ers on s wh o ob s ti n a tely refu s e t o r eceive th e l a s t
704 Th e M ea n s f
o Grace .
c c
Th e p ri n i p a l p l a es of p il gr ge i n h o m
n or of th e h ol y a os
p
tl es a re : Th e tomb of th e p ri n c es of th e a pos tl es i n Rome, an d
th e t omb of St Jam es a t C ompos t ell a
. .
c c
Some of th e p ri n i p a l p l a es of p il gri ma ge s a red to th e c
M oth er of God ar e : L ou rd es i n Fra n e, Loretto i n It al y, M a r ia c
Z ell i n Hu n gary , Ei n s i ed el n i n Swi tz erl a n d, Al tii tti n g i n B a
va ri a , K evel a er i n th e Rhin el a n d .
t h e me a n s of h ea li n g th ous a n d s of s i ck p er s on s No l es s th a n on e .
ma n en t r es ti n g pl a ce a t L or et t o Th er e i s n o d oub t th a t it wa s
-
.
c a rr i ed t o th es e v a r i ou s s p ot s b y t h e a n g el s An a lt a r whi ch wa s .
ma n di n g h i m to r a i s e a s a n c tu a ry i n h on o r of O u r L a dy Th e n u m .
3 . c c
Th e ob j e t for wh i h , a s a rul e, Ch ri s t i a n peopl e v i s i t pl a ces
c
of p i l gr i ma ge, i s t o b es ee h th e di vi ne a ss i s t a n e i n s ea s on of d eep c
a li cti on, or t o ful l a v ow
.
4 . A vi s i t to s ome pl a c e of p ilgr i ma ge l e a ds ma ny to a co m
p l et e a men dmen t of l i fe .
with out deep reli g i ous con vi cti on s Thus ma n y a ctu a l g r aces a re .
7 06 The M ea ns of Gra ce .
a n d ma de oc c a s i on s of s i nn in g more freely h en c e t h e s a yi n g : Th e
,
St Je r ome s a ys :
. It i s n o grea t p r a i s e t o h a ve s een Jer u s a lem b u t ,
c c
s t a t i ons wh i h d ep i t th e w a y a l ong whi h Our Red eemer p a s s ed , c
c
b ea ri ng Hi s ros s , fr om Pil a t e s p a l a e t o M ount Ca l va ry
c .
Th e ma n n er of p erformi n g th e W a y of th e C ros s i s to
2 .
on O u r L ord s P a s s i on
.
s p ec i a l me dit a ti on a t e a c h s t a ti on An O u r F a th er H a il M a ry a n d
.
, ,
2 . Ex p os i t i on of th e B l es s ed Sa c ra men t g en e a l l r y ta k es p l a c e
on t h es e occ a s i on s : Aft er th e p a rochi al M a s s a t th e aftern oon ,
1 . M i s s i on s a re a c ou rs e of s er mon s
th er r eligi ou s ex er and o
M i s s i on s a re g en er a lly s e a s on s of gr a ce t o a p a r i s h ; h ow ma n y feud s
a re en de d di s putes s ettl ed b a d h a b it s e r a di ca te d ; h ow oft en i s r es ti
, ,
i n vi rt ue !
2 . R etrea t s h a v e mu h th e c sa me effe c t as mi s s i on s .
R et rea ts , or th e s pi r i tu a l ex er ci s es c on s i s t of a s er i es of d i s cours es
,
d a ily, a ft er a t i me n eed s t o b e cl ea n e d a n d r ep a i r ed ; it i s t h e s a me
with th e s oul it mu s t ever a n d a n on b e s ti mul a t ed t o i n crea s ed ex er
,
C a th ol i cc
on gr es s es a n d P a s s i on p l a y s c
on tri b u t e l a rgel y i n
th e p r es en t d a y t o th e r evi v al of fa i th i n C h ri s t en d om .
1 Ca t h ol i
. c c
on gr es s es a re p ub l i c
meeti ngs of Ca th ol i s for c
c
th e p urp os e of t a ki ng ouns el t ogeth er a nd p a s s i ng res ol uti ons
s ui t ed t o th e t i mes a nd t o t h e p r es ent need s of th e Ch ur h c .
ta k e p a rt i n th em .
a re n ow a c ommon oc cu rr en ce b o th on t h e con ti n en t of Eu r op e a n d
a l s o i n En gl a n d a n d t h e U n ite d St a t es of Ame r i c a . P rovi n c i a l meet
i n gs of a loca l in teres t a re a l s o frequen tly held i n v a ri ous pla ces .
Th e j ct
ob e of c
C a th ol i c on gres s es i s n ot i n a n y wi s e to con
c
trol or t a ke p a rt i n th e governmen t of th e C h u r h , b u t onl y to
s u p p ort t h os e w h ose of c
e i t i s to gov ern h er .
c
Th es e p ub li c mee ti n gs of C a t h ol i s a re of gr ea t u tili ty to th e
c
C h u r h ; t h ey h a v e b een i n s tru men t a l i n fou n di n g s od a li t i es
a d a p t ed t o meet th e n eeds of th e d a y , i n p r omot i n g u n i ty a n d
c c
on o r d a mon g C a th ol i cs , i n i n s p i ri n g t h em wi th c our ag e a n d
c c
on rmi n g t h ei r c on vi ct i on s , i n i n rea s i n g th e p r es ti ge of th e
Ch u rc h , a n d ga i n i n g for h er gr ea t er lib er ty of a ti on c .
modern p a ga n i s m t
s on e by t
s on e, and r a i s e i n i ts pla ce a l
n ob e
b a s ili ca.
c
Lor d s Pa s s i on, a nd ot h er b i b l i a l ev en t s i n a s eri es of t a b l ea ux
vi va nt s .
rep res en t a ti on s . F or in s t a n ce St F r a n c i s of As s i s i ob ta in e d t h e
, .
q u en c e of a v ow ma d e b y t h e i n h a b it a n t s t o p er form a P a s s i on pl a y
eve ry t en ye a r s i f th ey w e r e d elivere d fr om a p es til en c e whi ch w a s
of O u r Lord s s a c r e d P a s s i on h a s t h e e e c t of i mp r es s i n g a n d t ou c h
i ng t he s p ec t a t or s i n s pi r i n g feeli n g s of devoti on a n d el ev a ti n g t h e
, ,
Th e C h u rc h ma k es u s e of r el i gi ou s a s s o i a ti on s c as a fu r th er
mea n s of p r omoti n g th e s al va ti on of s ou l s .
71 2 Th e M ea n s of Gra ce .
m
,
5 Th er e i s th i s a d va n t a ge i n s u h as s o i a ti on s , th a t th e rul es
. c c
en j c
oi n i n g t h e p erforma n e of ert a i n good work s a re n ot b i n d c
ing u n de r p a i n of s i n .
St F ra n c i s
. Sa l es wa s a memb er of s evera l con fra tern iti es ; h e
of
g a ve a s a r ea s on for thi s th a t on e might ga i n mu ch fr om th em a n d ,
g e n c e s a n d g r a c e s a re l os t ; thi s i s oft e n t h e c as e i f o n e j o i n s t oo
t t
s a e,
sa ys St Alph on s u s
.
,
i s p refe ra b l e t o a ll th e dig n iti es an d
r i ches of t h e w orld .
1 Th e Thi rd O r d er w a s foun d ed b y St F r a n ci s of As s i s i
. .
th e F r i a r s M i n o r a n d of th e P oor C la r es h e w a s r e qu es t e d b y a ,
a re n o t of t h e w orld .
2 Th e Th i r d O r d er i s d i s ti n gui s he d fr om or d in a ry
. c on fra
c
t ern i ti es b y th e fa t t h a t i ts memb er s a re en t i tl ed t o wea r a
j c
h a b i t, a n d a re s u b e t t o a reli gi ou s s up eri or .
cor d a s a gi r dl e a t ok en of p en a n c e
,
The s e thi n gs a re given t o t h e .
O r d er i s a F r a n c i s c a n mon k a pp oi n te d t o t h e oi ce b y th e g en er a l of
,
a pp oi n t e d b y t h e p r ovi n c i a l In every p a r i s h th er e i s a Z el a to r
.
,
3 Th e Th ird O r der i s di s ti n gu i s h ed fr om th e Fi r s t a n d
.
c c
Se on d O r d er s , b e a u s e i t d oes n ot i mp os e th e ob l iga t i on of
keep i n g th e ev a n gel i ca l cou n s el s , b u t on l y th e omma n dmen ts c
of th e Gos el ; mor e ov er th e ru l es of th e O rd er are n ot b i n di n
p g
u n d er
p a i n of s in .
era b l y mitig a t e d i n 1 88 3 b y P op e L e o XU I a n d a d a pt e d t o t h e re .
ce d e d t o p r i es t s .
c i s ; th e memb e r s a re a ll a s s i s t ed b y t h e p ra ye rs of t h e n umer ou s
s a i n t s of t h e F r a n c i s c a n O r de r a n d of t h e P oor C l a res b efor e th e
th r on e of G od .
b e sa ti s fa c t or ily a rr a n g ed
By mea n s of th e Thi r d O rd er of St
. .
k i n gd om of Sa ta n b e overth r own .
No c on fra t erri i t y b e e s t a b li s h ed i n
ca n a p a r i s h with out th e p er
mi s s i on of th e b i s h op ; afl i a ti on t o a n a r ch con fr a t ern i ty i s a sol
r
n ecess a y .
71 6 Th e M ea n s of Gra ce .
p e t u a l l y a d o r ed Ju s t a s th ere i s n o h ou r of t h e d a y or n ight i n
.
th e ob j e c t of whi c h i s t o h on or t h e Ad or a b l e Sa cr a men t of t h e Al ta r
b y d oi n g th e s a c r i s ty w ork a n d p r ovidi n g a lt a r l in en ves tmen t s et c
, , , .
,
for p oor c hur c hes Ea ch memb er of thes e s oc i e tie s ple dges her s elf
.
p ar t i c i p a t e i n th e a b u n d a n t gr a c es He p r omi s es t o t h os e wh o
p ra c t i s e t h i s d e v ot i on .
i f p os s ib le on t h e r s t Sun d a y or F r id a y of t h e mon th ; t o ke ep t h e
fea s t of t h e Sa c re d H e a rt ( on t h e F r id a y or Sun d a y a fter t h e oc t a ve
of C orpu s C h r i s ti ) with a l l s ol emn ity, a n d t o p r a y for t h e memb e r s
of t h e a s s oc i a ti on b oth livi n g a n d d ea d M a n y r i c h i n dulg en c es a re
.
b e er ect e d i n t h e pl a c e wh er e on e lives ; a n y on e wh o i s on c e en
r olle d c a n g a i n a ll t h e i n dulg en ce s b y complyi n g with t h e ob lig a ti on s
i mp os ed on t h e memb ers When O u r L or d a pp e a re d t o Bles s ed M a ry
.
6 . Th e ob e j ct of th e C on fra t er n i ty of th e Hol y R os a ry is
to p r omot e th e d ev ot i on of th e R os a ry .
of t h e D omi n i c a n s A pl en a ry i n dulg en ce ma y b e g a i n e d b y t h e
.
pl a c ed un der t h e S p ec i a l p rot ec ti on of O u r L a dy A pl en a ry i n d u l .
0f d ea th .
7 . j
Th e ob ec t of th e C on fr a t e r n i ty of th e Holy Sca p u l a r i s
c
to i mp l o r e th e p r ot e t i on a n d i n t er c es s i on of th e b l es s ed M ot h er
of God i n a ll t h e p e r i l s of t hi s l i fe, i n th e h ou r of d e a t h , a n d
i n th e a mes of p u rga tor y .
or d er th a t h e might ob t a i n t h e b l es s i n g of h i s fa th e r ; s o M a ry cl oth es
u s with t h e s c a pul a r t h e live ry of h er divi n e Son t o r en d er u s a c cept
, ,
b en edi cti on .
8 . j c
Th e ob e t of th e C on fr a t ern i ty of th e B on a M or s i s to
ob t a i n for i t s memb e r s wh o a re t n ea rt h th e r i vil g o f a
y e o p e e
Th e memb ers of
r t this
ity a re b oun d t o h a ve a M a s s s a id
con f a ern
onc e ever y ye a r for t h e i n te n ti on of th ei r fell ow memb e r s th a t th e -
a re a ppli c a b le t o t h e s oul s i n pu rg a t o ry .
9 . Th e ob e j ct
C onfra t ern i ty of th e Hol y Gh os t i s to
of th e
c
b es ee h th e Hol y Gh os t to mul ti p l y th e n u mb er of p ri es ts , an d
en li gh t en t h em wi t h Hi s d i vi n e li gh t .
Th i s i s a l ea g ue of p ra yers i n u n i on wi th th e Sa c re d Heart
of Jes u s .
a tt a i n s b y t h e un i on of i t s memb er s with t h e u n c ea s i n g pl e a di n g
of t h e Sa c re d He a r t i n t h e s a c r i c e of t h e M a s s : a n d thi s un i on i s
n omi n a ti on of t h e O r di n a ry h e h a s a pp oi n t e d for th a t pu rp os e
,
Th e .
p ove rty a n d every en dea vor i s ma de t o ren der them us eful memb e rs
,
of s oc ie ty .
5 . Th e W orki ngma n s
Gui ld .
wh o b eg a n li fe a s a s h oema k er s a pp ren ti ce a n d
w o r k i n g c l a s s es
-
, ,
V a ri ou s so ci ti es
e s ui ed
t t o th e n eeds of th e p eop l e .
a s on e of ou r b i s h op s r ema rks
fa c t ory r es ult s In t h e p res en t d a y
.
, ,
men t of s oc i a l li fe s ur ely ,
t o pl a y a n o les s p r omi n en t p a r t i n
our r eligi ou s li fe .
THE TEAC HING O F C ATEC HISM .
O ON
, , ,
P IUS X P O P E .
, .
N
VE ERAB LE B RET H REN ,
( Act s XX
th e ock . .
dwelleth i n it s h a ll l a n gui s h ( O s ee iv 1 ii )
. . .
72 1
7 22 The Teachi ng of Catechi s m .
t h e In ca rn a ti on of th e W or d of God a n d t h e r e dempti on of ma nk in d
wr ought b y Hi m a n d of Gr a ce whi c h i s th e chi ef mea n s for t h e a t
,
( Ephes v 3
or fooli s h ta lkin g . B u t a s th e b a s i s of thi s h ol in es s
. . ,
1 5 1 6
-
.
i t ll
th e n e ec b e t it s e f a ck
l l i n g i n t r u e l ight th a t i s , i n th e kn owledge
of D ivi n e thi n g s i t will b e th e b li n d l ea di n g t h e b li n d, a n d b o th will
Holy D a vid, p r a i s i n g God for t h e l ht of tr uth
'
fa ll in t o th e ditc h .
whi ch i s a s he d fr om Him on ou r mi n d s , s a id :
The lgb t of thy
c oun ten a n c e, O L or d , i s s ig n e d up on u s
( P s iv A
. n d b e de
. .
te a ch .
I will gi ve y ou God p r omi s ed thr ough Jer emi a h
,
p a s t ors ,
tr in e
( Jer iii
. Hen ce th e Ap os tle St P a ul s a id : C hr i s t sen t
. .
.
ca ti n g th a t t h e rs t of ce of a ll th os e wh o a re pl a ced t o r ul e i n s ome
mea s ur e th e C hurch i s t o ins t ru c t t h e fa ithful .
a fa r gr ea t er mea s u r e of p r a i s e i s d u e t o t h e z ea l a n d th e l a b or ex
( L u ke i v
b een s en t t o p r ea ch t h e g os p el t o t h e p oor . .
en d th a t th ey a re s en t b y God
An d th ey Sh a ll s eek th e l a w a t h i s
.
wh o b y vi r tue of the i r r a nk a n d i n a s en s e b y c on t r a ct h a ve t h e
, ,
i n hi m wh o i s t h e h ea d even C hr i s t ( Ep h iv 1 4
. . .
, ,
a n d i n ob e di en c e t o G od a n d th ei r p a r en ts ( Se s s 5 c h 2 d e r e f; . . . .
Tw o chi ef ob liga ti on s ha ve b een imp os ed b y th e C oun c il of Tren t
on thos e wh o h a ve th e c a re of s oul s : rs t th a t th ey a ddr es s t h e p e0p1 e
,
e a rt h a n d w a t er it a n d ma ke it t o s p ri n g a n d give s ee d t o th e s ower
, ,
a n d b r e a d t o t h e ea t er ; s o s h a ll my w or d b e whi ch S h a ll g o forth fr om
my mouth ; it s ha ll n ot r eturn t o me void b u t s h a ll d o wh a ts oever I ,
s a me We thi nk
,
i s to b e s a id of th os e p r ies ts wh o c omp os e la b or i ous
,
y
-
th y r
e a t tly i r
e c on s an n c ea s n
i g wh o
a re utte rly ign or a n t of t h e tr uth s
of r e l i gi on or wh o h a ve a t mos t s o little kn owledge of God a n d of
,
n a me of C hr i s t c a n on ly a s k :
Wh o i s h e th a t I ma y b e
li eve i n h im
( John ix . An d i n c on s equen ce of thi s ign or a n ce
.
n ot .
( Ju d .
s t r u c te d i n ti me i n t h e d oc tr i n e of Je s u s C hri s t ? It follows t oo , ,
ma i n t a i n i n g a lw a ys i n vigor a n d i n e s t a b li s hi n g wh er e it ma y h a p
,
p e n t o h a v e b ec o m e n egl e c t e d t h e t ea c hi n g of t h e ca tec hi s m wh ,
i ch
B en edi c t XIV d es c r ib e d a s th e mos t u s eful of i n s tituti on s for th e
.
( C on s Ets i M in ime
gl ory of God a n d t h e s a lv a ti on of s oul s . .
,
c
p reme c a r e to p rea h to th e ign or a n t thin gs ea s y a n d in tell igib le n ot ,
s a l va ti on.
l etter b y a ddr es s in g t o y ou th es e w or ds of M os es :
If a n y ma n b e
on t h e L or d s s ide l et h i m j oi n with me ( Ex xx x ii We pr a y
. . .
,
t rus ted t o ea ch on e of y ou .
MD C C C C V , i n the s econ d y ea r of O ur P on t ic a t e
. .
P IUS X P OPE
. .
A L P HA B ETIC IND EX .
I ta li c numb e rs g i v e th e p rin c i p a l p l a c e .
A. Agn us D ei i n M a s s , 540
'
hi
.
Agon y of C r s t, 1 86 f
i i h h
.
Ab el ty p e of Ch r s t, 1 7 0 Agr cu l tu re a n d t h e C u rc 2 50
h ih i
.
, , .
Ab ra a m, fa t , 89 ; p rom s e, 1 64 , 1 7 2 Al b 562 .
i
.
Al b ig
,
605 Al x d
e an er th e rea t a nd th e
i i p ri t
.
Ab s t n en ce , 3 6 1 ; o n r d a ys , 3 6 2 ; d i s F es 644
i Ki h
.
givi ng
,
p e n s e 3 6 4 ; m e a n s of p erfect o n , 5 1 3 Al fon s e, n g on t a nk s 9 4,
h h
.
, , ,
Ab u s es i n t h e C u rc , 2 44 68 3
h
. .
i
Ab u s ve s p eec , 404 i
All egr , mu s c a n , 5 68 ii
h
.
i i
.
1 1 7 , 1 30 Al l Soul s d a y , 2 6 6 , 3 6 1
i i Tii hi
. .
Act v ty i n B 1 r n ty, 1 2 9 ; i n C r s t ,
. Al ms , 43 5 ; mea n s of gra ce, 2 1 0;
1 98 i
w ngs of p ra yer, 6 7 5 ; d u ty, 300;
h
.
i
Acts of t e ol v rtu es , 3 1 0, 443 , 6 01 ; rul e, 42 6 ; b en e t s , 42 7 f for t h e
h i h i
. .
b od y , 1 5 3 ; s ou l , 1 54 ; a p p n es s , p er i i
d ed c a t on , 5 6 1 .
fect i on s , 1 5 6 ; of s ou l a n d b od y , 1 5 7 ; Al ta r, 5 5 9 f ; a b rea d a n d w n e, 53 7 ; i
i
.
i
.
s u p er n a tu ra l , 1 57 f ; ori g n a l s in ,
. a .l ne n , 5 6 0; over s ou l s of ma rtyrs ,
fa ll , 1 58 ; i t s con s equ en ce, 1 5 9 ; i ts 332 ; s tr pp ng, 1 86 ; i i
p orta b l e a ,
i i i i i i
.
tra n s m s s on , 1 6 1 . 5 62 ; p r v l eged , 6 39 ; a s oc et es ,
ii
.
ii i
.
re a s on s , 3 1 1 ; n o va l u e w i t ou t t h e 2 2 9 ; p l a n c a n t, 2 5 0 i
i i
.
cl u d ng M a ry , 3 2 3 ; a of B 1 Eu c a . Am ce , 5 6 2
i
. .
r s t , 59 2 e
p pr e t u a l a 5 9 3 . . Amu s emen t s on Su n d a ys a n d Sa t u r
i
,
Ad u l tera t on of food , 3 85 . d a ys , 3 5 0; i n L e n t, 1 83 ; l a w fu l a n d
Ad u l tery , 6 60 i
s n fu l , 3 56 ; d a n gerou s 4 7 7 ; ex ces s ,
Gh hi
.
,
Ad ven t of ol y H os t , 1 9 2 ; o f C r s t 38 3 , 6 84
h
.
t h e Ju dge, 2 7 0; ol y s ea s on , 3 59 , An d rew , St , a p os tl e, 2 3 0
i G i i
. .
ii
Ad vers t es , s ee Su erings
'
. n u mb er , 1 4 6 ; c o rs 1 47 ; ap
p n es s
i i
Af n ty b y ma rr a ge, 6 54 ; s p r tu a l , ii a nd
g ry,
l o 1 5 0;
,
rep res en ta t on s , i
583 , 5 8 8 , 6 5 4 . 1 5 0; gu a rd a n a , 1 50, 4 6 4 ; fa ll en i .
. a , 1 47
i
. .
i
.
i
An ma l s , c ear t i on , 1 34 ; , 1 52 ;
so do ul ~
Au t h ti ity f r l i
en c 3 30 o e cs ,
i h rity p iritu l
.
m ni on of ma n , 1 57 l os t b y Si n , Aut o s a a n d s e cul a r , 3 7 3
i f mm 3 7 4 b i h
,
Ann u n c a t on V M , 1 79 , 1 9 5
h h
. . . .
1 8 6, 670 ome, 22 4 R
h
. .
An s el m, St , 8 8 . . a c , mus c a n , 5 6 8 B ii .
i
An t on n u s , St , on a l ms , 43 2 ; con fes a l m, 5 85 f B
K
. .
i
S on , 608 a l t a s s a r, i ng, h i s s a cr l ege, 3 44 1 B i
h h
o
. .
An t on y, St , th e erm t , 5 1 9 i
a nk rup t cy , fra ud ul en t , 3 9 7 B
h
. . .
An t on y, St , of a d ua , 8 2 , 3 2 1 P
a nn er s , 6 9 8 B
ihi
. . .
An t c r s t, 2 7 3 ; h i s m ra cl es , 3 1 6 a n s of ma rri a g e, 6 57 i B
i h Ki
. .
An t oc us , ng, 1 7 3 a p t s m, 5 7 7 ii , 2 1 2 , 22 1 , 2 2 8 , 2 5 1 , 44 3 B i
h h ih
.
i
.
1 05 . t i ona l b , m n s ter, p l a ce ( p r va t . i i i
i
Ap os tl es , m s si on , 8 1 , 8 3 , 1 83 , 2 22 ; d i 580; b y rot es ta n ts , 5 7 7 , 580 P
ii
v s on , 2 30; s u cces s ors , 2 2 6 b y Jews , 580; b b y b l ood a n d d e
hi
. .
i i
.
i
Ap os t ol i c ty of C urc , 2 44 v o w, b n a me , 58 2 ; mmers on , 5 82
Gh
. .
ii
Ap p a r t ons of God , 1 1 3 ; ol y os t, s p on s ors , 58 3 ; mea n ng of c ere
H i
22 6 ; a ngel s , 1 46 , 1 5 1 ; ol y s oul s , mon es , 5 84 ; b w a ter b l es s e d , 58 1 h i .
2 64 a p t s t ery , 5 8 0 B i
B h
. .
Ap p ea ra n c es , s e e Sp ec es i
a s l , St , 8 8 ; mon a s t c s m, 5 2 0 B i ii
Ti i
. .
B i i
.
Ap p ro ri a t i on in B1 r n ty , 1 3 0 ea t ca t on , 2 4 1 , 3 1 8
. . .
Arch b i s op s , 2 2 7 , 2 42 B ea ti c v s on , 2 5 8 , 4 3 7
. ii .
i h ii
.
i
Ar u s , 9 8, 2 01 , 2 3 2 , 2 3 5 th e u n gry for jus t ce, 5 2 3 ; t h i
h h
.
Ar ta x erx es , 1 7 3 cl ea n of ea rt , 5 2 3 ; t os e p a rs e
h h
.
i
Art cl es of t h e Creed , 1 09 wo rl d l ng, 52 5 i
hi hi
. .
i
As cen s on of C r s t, 1 9 1 , 3 58 ea u t y o f C r s t s gl or ous b od y, 1 9 0
B i
h i
.
i i
As p ra t on t o perfect on , 5 09 ; t o o l i
59 1 ; of s oul i n gra ce, 2 1 1 , 44 1 ; h o
n es s , 5 2 3 l os t , 45 1 , 4 62 ; of ri s en b od y , 2 6 9
B h
. .
As h W e d n es d a y, 1 60, 3 60 ee t oven , mu s c a n , 5 68 ii
F ih
. .
i
As s oc a ti on s , 7 1 0; s ee Soc i et es el e f, s ee a t i B i .
i i ii
.
As s u mp t on B
V M , 8 4, 2 5 3 , 3 2 5 . el l a rm n e, Ca rd
. . v s ts t o B 1 Sa c r . B . .
As trol ogy , 3 1 5 5 92
h
. .
At a n a s us , St , 88 i el l s r ng ng for t h e d ea d , 2 52 , 6 93 ; B i i
hi
. .
At e s m, 1 1 1 An gel u s b , 3 2 3 , 69 3 ; s a n ct ua ry b
h
. . .
Aton emen t b y C ri s t , 5 3 0; i n M as s 53 7 Fr d a y b , 1 87 i
h
. .
5 47 d a y o f a , 5 2 8 en ed c t , St , fa t er o f mon k s , 5 2 0 B i
i ih
. . .
i i
.
At t l a a n d Le o I , 644 en ed c t on w t
. B 1 Sa cr , 7 07 ; p a pa l B . . .
i
.
At ten t on a t M a s s , 5 5 3 , 55 5 6 38 , 6 42
i hi
. .
1 9 0; Ad a m, 1 5 6 ; C u rc , 2 3 5, 2 42 ern a rd , St , 8 8 B
h i
. . .
Attri ti on , 6 20 et a n a , 1 7 7 B
h h
.
i i
.
i
Augu s t n e, St , of C a nt erb ury , 2 3 2 . c i l d ren, 2 6 7 . .
732 Alphabe
ti c Ind ex .
C h rl M rt l
a es 232
a e C urc es , s i te a nd s ymb ol s m, 5 6 0; h h i
h rity virt
.
,
C a u e, 4 42 ; grea te s t of a l l ,
p a t r on s a n ts , 3 2 0; con s ecra t on , i i
,
i i
4 4 7 ; n s t tut on s , 2 4 8 ; i
rot ers a n d 56 1 ; B
ou s es of p ra y er , 6 85 h h
i h hi h
.
i i
.
fec t ; 5 1 7 ; s n s a ga n s t e , 3 9 2 , 504
C rcumc s on of C ri s t, 1 8 2 , 2 8 2 , 3 58 i ii
h i
. .
i
.
C ea t n g, 3 96 C rcums ta n ce s of s i n , 45 6 , 6 1 7 of
hi h
.
C l d ood , s od a l ty of i
ol y , 2 33 , 3 1 4 , p ra yer , 6 7 5 H .
71 5 C t z en s d u t es , 3 7 4 a t el ec t on s ii i i
hi h i
. .
i i i
.
i i i
.
i
mun on , 59 5 ; ex treme un ct on, 642 ; C l emen t of ome, on i C or n t a n R
b a p t s m, i i
n s truct on , p ra yer, 6 6 2 ; i
sc s m, 22 4 hi
hi i h Bi h
.
C r s t a n ed uca t on , 6 63 i
C l ergy, s ee era rc y, s o s,
p r i es ts , Hi P
hi
.
i i
.
Ch r s m i n b a p t s m, 5 84 ; i n c on rma C oa d jut or b s op s , 2 2 7
ti on, 58 5 C od rus , ng, h i s s a cr ce , 1 9 6 Ki i
hi
.
i i
.
C r s t , s ee Jes u s C ol ogn e, re l c s o f M a g , 1 8 1
hi i i i i i i i
. .
C r s t n a , Queen , c onver s on , 2 4 6 i
307 t e r or d er, 307 f ; rewa rd a n d
hi ih
.
i
.
1 1 7 t on , 3 1 5 ; o t er s n s , 3 1 7 ; ven era i i
h h h i i i i
.
C urc , th e C a t ol c, 2 21 a k ng t on of s a n ts , 3 1 8 ; o f V M , 3 2 3 ; B
i h
.
i i
. .
22 3 , 244 , 2 4 7 orga n za t on a n d g ov i i
God , ol y t ngs , a n d p ers on s , 3 39 ;
ern men t , 22 3 7 02 ; era rc y , hi
d s res p ect , 343 ; s we a r ng, h
3 42 ; i i
2 4 1 ti ; i
n d es tru c t b l ty , 1 7 8 , 2 3 5 ; i ii
b l a s p emy , 3 43 ; s a cr l ege , 3 44 ; h i
i i ii h
.
fol d ofce , 2 2 2 ;
M ot er of C r s a nd ol y d a ys , 34 7 ; s n s 3 5 0; l a b or, i
i i
,
t a n s , 22 1 ; n otes or ma rk s , 2 42 ii ;
3 53 ; r el a x a t on s , 3 56 F ou r th .
i i
.
d ep en d en ce, 2 47 s ou l a nd b od y, w a r d , 3 7 2 ; d u ty t o a ut or ty, 3 7 1 ,
2 47 p e r s ec u t ed 2 3 1 ; h er m a rtyrs , 3 7 3 ; d u t es o f t o s e i n a u t o r ty i h h i
i R i
, ,
b en e t s t o ma n k n d , 2 4 8 ; C a n d i
Si mth s ns of mp u r ty, 3 9 2 i i i
Gh i h
. .
th e H
ol y os t , 9 0, 2 1 4 , 2 1 9 f ; a n d Seven th 3 93 ; r g t of p os s es
h
.
Bib l e, 8 7 ; a n d St Jos ep , 1 9 4 ; a n d s on ,
. 3 9 4 ; s n s , 3 95 ; r es t tu t on , i i i i
Sta t e, 2 47 ; con cord a t s , 2 4 8 ; ed u 3 9 7 ; mo t ves , 3 99 Ei gh th 4 00; i
hi i h h
.
i
ca t on , 2 49 ; a rc t ectu re, 2 49 ; n e forb d s nj u ry t o n e g b or s
on o r, i i
i
a rts , a gr cul tur e, a n d s c en c e, 2 5 0; i
4 00; mo t ves , 4 06 ; forb d s un tru t i i h
ii
m l ta n t , s u ffer ng, tr ump a n t , 2 5 1 ; i fu l n es s , 407 i h
mo t ves a n d p reven i
i
mys t c b od y of Ch r s t , 2 5 1 ; h er a u i
t ve mea n s , 4 1 2 Ni n th 41 3 i .
i i i
.
t h o ri ty , 3 7 3 ; o b ed en ce t o h er l a w s , Tent h 4 1 3 ; s oc a l s m, 4 1 4
i ih hi
.
3 7 4 f , 3 5 7 ; C a n d ca p t a l p u n s . C omma n d men ts ( l a w s ) of C r s t,
i i i
.
d er, ob l i g ti a on, vi ol a t i on i
6 2 5 ; gen era l c , 6 2 5 , 6 5 7 h i s
d s p en s a a n ecs , .
i Fi i
,
t on , 3 5 7 rs t 3 58 ; ec cl es a s to ry o f c , 6 2 7 b en e ts of c , 6 2 8 ; . .
i
.
i
.
i
. .
3 68 . C on fes s on a l s , 6 05 .
i i i i
.
e s ta n t s , 1 04 . C on d en ce i n God , 1 38 , 2 7 8 ; i n p ra y er,
i
C ommu n on of s a n ts , 2 5 0; i n go od i 6 80; s ee op e H .
C ommun on ( ol y Eu c a r s t ) , 5 9 3
388 , 5 8 5 ; e ec ts , 5 86 ; a ge, 5 86 ;
i
u n d er o n e k n d , 5 94 ; n ec e s s ty , 5 9 4 ; n egl ect , i
t me, prep a ra t on , 5 8 7 ; i i
frequ en cy, 5 9 4 , 5 1 5 ; n egl ect, 5 9 5 ; n a me , s p o n s ors , 5 88 .
59 7 r
p pe a ra t on o f s o u l 5 99 ; m e n t, 7 1 5 ; S e a rt o f Jes u s , 7 1 6 ; . H
i i
,
6 03 ; ceremon es , 53 8 ; s p r tu a l e , C ongra tu l a t on s , 2 9 6
h i
. .
i i i
. . .
C ommun s m ( s oc a l s m) , 4 1 4 c g r e s s , 3 77 .
i i
a n d r el g o u s o rd er s , 4 1 7 C on s c en ce, 1 2 5 , 2 82 f ; d i fferen t k n d s ,
. i i
i i i
.
i i
.
ii
C ompl c ty i n s i n , 454 f at M a s s , 538 , 5 54 ; c of b s op s ,
hi i h h h
. .
Co mp os tel l a , s r n e i n Sp a n , 2 3 0 6 4 8 ; ot er p ers o n s , 6 6 9 ; o f c u rc es ,
I
.
i
C on cep t on , mma cu l a t e V M , 82 5 6 1 , 66 9 B . . . .
8 4, 2 39 , 3 2 4 C o n s en s u s of ma n k n d i n ex s t en ce of i i
i h i
.
C on com ta n c e i n Eu c a r s t , 5 9 1 Go d , 1 1 0; u n ty of ra c e, 1 53 ; i m i
h
.
C on co rd a ts , 2 4 8 morta l ty o f s oul , 1 56 ; el l , 2 6 1 ; i
i i h
.
i
eva ngel ca l c o u ns el s , 5 1 8 ; l es s en ed 3 4 7 ; p ra yer, 6 7 7
h i
.
ii i
.
i
.
i
5 8 7 ; commu n on , 5 9 7 , 5 9 9 ; co n fe s C on s ta n t n op l e , 233 ; ( s c s m) , i
i i i Gh h
.
s on , 6 1 5 ex tre me u n ct on , 6 42 ; C ou n c l on ol y o s t , 2 05 ; el l , H
i
ma rr a ge, 6 5 6 ; n d u lge n c es , i
63 5 ; 2 63
i i ih
.
p yr a e r 6 7 8 f ; s p o n s or s 5 8 3 588 C o n s t a n t u s Em p t r a l o f fa t , 1 04
i
.
ii
. . .
, , , , ,
Co n fes s on ( Sa c ra men t o f e n a n ce ) , C o n t r t on , 6 1 7 ff P t ea rs , 6 1 8 ; mo
605 2 1 2 , 3 66 , 44 3 , 4 7 0; i n s t i t u t i v e s , 6 1 9 ; p erfe ct 0 a n d i ts efca cy,
i
.
c , 6 1 4 , 5 1 5 ; Ea s ter c , 3 6 7 ; c on d
. ma s on s , 2 5 1 ; c of s nn ers , 1 2 3 ;
i
.
i
.
ii ii i
.
6 2 0; n eces s ty , 62 1 ;i u
p p r os e o f w t s i n 4 54 f .
i i
,
i i
.
i
.
v i n ci a l , 23 8 ; ut l ty , 240 ii i
Dec e t, 408
h h i
. .
i
t on, 5 1 6 , 5 1 9 ; p erfect b y vows , 3 3 6 ; Defen ce of l fe a n d good s , 3 88 ; o i
i
g ft of e , 2 1 8 rep uta t on , 401 i
ih
. . .
C ovetous n es s , s ee Ava ri ce . ii
De n t on of fa t , 84 ; b y coun c l s i
Cra nmer n ot a ma rty r, 1 04 . 2 3 8 ; b y p op es , 2 3 9 .
1 34 ; pl a n , 1 3 5 ; p u rp os e , 1 3 6 Dep en d en ce on G od , 3 09
h
.
i
.
2 92 f De s p a r, 2 7 9
h h h Th i
. .
C rema t on , 7 01 . i
Dev l , t h e , 1 47 ti ; h i s p o w er, 1 4 7 f
i
.
i
.
i i
.
of t h e e , 3 29 ; on oo d Fr d a y , 1 8 8
. cros s , 1 06 ; i n p a ra d s e, 1 5 8 i i
i
.
i
. .
C u rs ng, 3 42 . 3 2 7 ; p ub l c d , 6 9 7 i .
i
.
i
.
Cy ru s of P ers a , 1 66 , 1 7 3 D f cu l t es of fa t , 89 ; of . b l e, 8 7 i i Bi
of v rtue, 440 i .
D.
Di gn ta r es , ec cl e s a s ti ca l , 2 2 7 i i i
Di gn t es n ot t o b e d e s red , 3 7 8 ; re ii i
i
Da ly p ra yers , 6 82 s p on s b l t y, . 3 79 ; good ex a mp l i ii
Da l ma t cs , 5 6 3 i 3 80 .
i
.
Da ma s cus , 1 77 D oces es , 2 2 5 f
i i hi i
. .
i
Da mn a t o n , 1 60, 2 6 1 , 46 3 , 46 8 D onys us , Ex i gu u s , C r s t a n Era .
i
Da n a d s , 2 6 1 1 75
i i ii
. .
geron s , 4 7 8 D s c p l es o f C r s t , 1 8 3 i i
ih
. .
47 5 1 1 1 ; s ee O cca s ons i
D s cover es a n d t h e C u rc , 2 50 i i
ih h
.
i i i i
.
i
Da n el , fa t , 1 03 ; p rop ecy, 1 6 6 D s cu s s on s , rel g ou s , 1 03 .
i i i
.
i
Da r w n s d octr n e, 1 53
i
D s ob ed en ce, ca p t a l s i n , 4 6 8 ; L
hi hi
.
i
Da v d , type o f C r s t , 1 7 0; p rom s e, of a n gel s , 1 4 7 ; Ad a m, 1 5 8 ; c l d re i
1 6 4 ; fa l l , 1 7 2 ; Jon a t a n , 3 01 3 7 1 ; s u b j ec t s , 3 7 7 h .
i i
.
Da y , t h e l a s t , 1 02 , 1 1 8, 1 2 5, 27 1 ; n u D s p en s a t on s , p ower , 3 5 7 from fa s
i
certa n t y , s gn s ; 2 7 3 ; d of a t on e i an d a b s t n en c e, 3 64 ; vows , 3 3 7 . i
men t, 5 2 8 ; d a ys of en es s , 1 33 G
3 38 ; M a s s , 5 5 6 ; ma rr a ge mp ed i i . i i
Dea con s , 2 4 1 f , 6 48 ; d e a con es s es , 2 42 . men ts 6 5 5 . .
i ii ii
,
i i
, ,
d ea d , 1 5 5 D s ta n ces i n crea t on , 1 2 1
h h h
.
i i i
.
u n cer t a n ty , i
a p py d , 2 5 5 ; s p r t D s tra c t on s at p r a y e r,
6 78 f
. a ii .
u a l d , 1 60, 2 1 6 , 5 7 4 ; etern a l d , 2 6 3 ;
. M a s s , 55 7 ; worl d l y d , 684 . . .
73 6 Alp ha beti c Ind ex .
Forgivenes s of s i n
,
4 70;
ema for d s b el ef, 240 i i . 4 7 0 f ; b y M a s s , 5 43 ; confes s i on ,
i
.
ii
Ex p os t on o f B 1 Sa cr , 7 07 i n s rove . . 6 7 6 ; perfect c on tr t on , 6 1 9 ; f of ii
i
.
t d e, 1 8 3 . i
njury , 3 04 f , 4 24, 4 9 2 f
i
. .
Ecs ta s es , 2 1 8, 6 7 1 . F i
ort tu d e, g ft, 2 1 8 ; v rtue, 44 5 i i
i
.
F i B
ra n c s org a a nd s a b ell a , 2 7 9 i .
Fra n ci s of As s s , 82 ; s t gma ta , 2 1 9 ii i
a d ea con , 64 6 , 648 t h e cr b , 1 8 1 , i
Fa cul t ies p ri es t s , 6 46 f
of 7 1 0; t rd o rd er, 7 1 3 hi
ih
. .
Fa t , 89 ; rul e, 83 ; n a t u re a n d oh
. F i
ra n c s d e Sa l es , 88
i
.
j e c t s 89 ; r ea s o n a b l e 90 ; u n v e rs a l , F i
ra n c s Xa v er, 2 33 , 252, 49 1 , 52 0; i
i ii ii i
, ,
i
.
1 01 ; effects , 93 f j o n ed w t go od i i
8 0; Jes u ts , 249 ; d uell ng , 3 8 6 i
h
.
i i
.
ca us es of l os ng fa t , 1 00, 1 03 ; c on i F i
ree w l l , 2 08 ; n ot l os t b y s i n , 1 60;
ih G
-
d en a l a n d c on c ea l ng, 1 04 f w t e d ge, 1 1 7 f w t l a w , 2 84 ; s ee
h i
. .
o u t c a r ty , 4 4 0 W ll i
h G
. .
Fa l s e oo d , 4 08 ; i n j es t, 4 1 0 Fri da y , i n p a r a d s e, 1 5 9 ; i
oo d F , 1 88 ;
h
. .
F ii i
a m l a r ty , d a nger ous , 5 03 n o mea t , 3 6 2 ; M o a mmed a n , 2 3 2
h i
.
F i
a m l y, a n d Su n d a y b re a k n g, 3 52 i F i
r en d l es s Y out , s oc ety o f, 7 1 9
hi
.
i i i
.
F i
r d a ys , Sa turd a y s , 3 6 2 Len t , Em Fu n era l s , s ee ur a l B i .
b er d a ys , v g l s , 3 63 ; p ers on s ex i i
cu s ed , 364 ex ces s , 3 6 5 ; b en e ts ,
3 6 5 ; a c on d t o n , 3 66 ; f ma k e s ii
G l il h
.
p r a y e r e ci en t , 6 7 5 ; p r es erve s a ee in
la n d , 1 76 f ol y
Gm
.
p u r ty, 5 03i a es on Su n d a y , 3 50
h h h
. .
Fa t ers of th e C u r c , 8 8 . Ga riz i m, M t , 1 77 .
Fea r o f G od , i
l a l ( s erv l e ) , 1 2 6 ; a i Gen es a reth , l a k e, 1 7 7
Gh G
.
gra ce, 1 2 7 ; g ft o f ol y i os t, 2 1 8 ;H i
en es s , b ook of, 1 3 2
ihh h ii
.
mu s t b e j o n ed w t i op e , 2 7 6 , 2 8 0 . Genn a d i u s , p ys c a n , a n mmor ta l ty i i
Fea s ts of O u r L o rd , t h e V M , th e B . . . of s ou l , 1 56 .
g a t i o n 3 5 9 3 4 8 ; e x c u s e s 3 4 9 ; G en
G
.
convers io n
, , , ,
ti
. ,
Fel x of i N
ol a , St , s a ved b y a s p d er, i 236 on ,
G th m
. .
1 1 9 e se a n e, 1 76
hi Gh t H ly
.
Fi i i
.
d el ty i n s ma ll t n gs , 5 1 2 ; i n ma r os ,
o ,
2 05 1 3 0, Hi s d v i ni t y ,
on p u rg a to ry , 2 6 6 a
p p a l i n fa l l i gu d e, 2 1 4 ; Hi s g ft s , 2 1 6 ; ex tra
b i li ty , 23 9 o rd n a ry igra ces , 2 1 8 g ven for i
h i
.
Foo d , a d u l tera t on , 3 85 i ot er s , 2 1 9 ; c on s o l a t on s , 6 1 4 ; H
Ti i
.
Bi
.
F i
on t, b a p t s ma l , 1 8 8 , 1 92 , 5 80 . Gh . a nd b l e, 84 B l r n ty , 1 30; .
Alp ha beti c In d ex . 737
i
. . ,
,
a p os tl es p a g a n n a t on s ,
1 9 2, 2 07 ; H ol y os 2 05 ; on s ou l s a ft er
,
1 7 4 , 2 09 ; C u rc , 2 1 4 , 2 1 9 , 2 3 7 , 2 5 1 ; h h d ea t h 257 ;
,
his t ory, 2 3 3 ; n u mb e r,
i ii
,
c on fra te rn ty , 7 1 8 ; a p p a r t on s , 22 0; 2 34
G i l it rgy 5 64
.
s i n s a ga n s t t h e i
Gh , 2 98 , 45 9 H reen n u
Gh Gr g ry N i
. . . .
ii
,
os ts , s ee Sp r ts e o St 88 a z a n z en ,
Gi G g y th G t 88 p l i h t
. . .
i i i
,
oj a , F
l a v o, s c e n t s t , 2 5 0 . re or e rea ,
a n c an ,
Glo ri a i n M a s s , 5 3 8 , 5 4 6 56 6
Gr g ry VII d l ib y 52 1
. .
G di g l 1 5 0 t h ir h l p
. .
,
1 45 ua r an dan e s, ; e e an
G
.
l ory o f G od , ma n s en d , 7 3 w ork d ty 1 5 7 f
ou r t 1 52
u ; ea s
G id f A zz m i i 2 50
.
i
, ,
for i t , 2 8 8 ; i n crea t o n , 1 3 6 ; g of u o o re o, u s c a n,
Guil d f C th l i w k i gm 72 0
. .
t h e M es s a s , 1 69 ; of t h e s a n t s , i i o a o c or n en , .
l u t t on y , 469 , 4 9 8
G
.
oa t, em s s a ry, 1 7 1 , 5 2 8 i H
i
.
.
God , 1 09 ii ; ex s ten ce , 1 09 ; n a tu re
a n d es s e n ce, 1 1 1 ; n n t e b e ng , 1 1 2 , i i i Ha b i t virtu e 43 9 ; s i n
of 4 5 3 , 4 66 ;
i ii
3 09 ; nv s b l e, p u re s p r t , 1 1 3 ; a t ii p ra y er 6 8 1 ; rel igi ou s
,
h ,
. or d res s ,
i
,
i i
.
s c en t, 1 1 7 ;
(p o u s t o u g ts , H a l M a ry , 3 2 3 ; ex p l a n ed , 69 0 if
ih i i
.
a l l W s e, i
1 1 9, 1 37 a l m g ty , 1 20; H a pp n es s o f t h e w ck ed , 1 3 9 ; a ngel s ,
h
-
j u s t a nd s nn er, 1 2 2 ; a l l p a t ent, -
en d , 7 3 ; mea n s , 7 4 , 2 7 4 ; i n ea ven ,
1 2 3 ; a l l merc fu l , 1 24, 2 7 9 ; i n n i 258 d egrees , 2 59 ; b y l ove o f
h h
-
ful , 1 2 7 ; r ni ty , 1 28 G , au H a rd n es s of ea rt, 4 5 4, 4 5 9
h h ih
.
Bi
.
t or of b l e, 84 ob j ec t of t eo H a tred of God , 2 9 4 ; o f n e g b o r, 3 8 4 ;
i
l og ca l v rtu es , 442 ; t h e Crea tor, i i
of t h e d ev l s a n d t h e d a mn ed , 2 8 9 .
1 3 2 1 1 2 ; Hi s p rov d en ce, 1 3 7 ; s p ec a l i i H a y d n , mu s c a n , 5 6 8 ii
i
.
i
.
or w ors p 30 9 r e v ere n c e, 3 3 9 ea l t , s ee L fe
h H ea th ens s ee Pag a n
. .
,
G h
-
i
.
i
,
oo d F
r d a y , 5 39 , 5 5 9 e te rn a l , 2 5 9 b eg n s on ea r t , w on
G hi
.
os p el s , 85 f f ; n a me, 1 84 ; g a t M a s s , b y s u ffer n g, 2 6 0; e rs o f, 21 5 ; i
h hi
. .
i i i
.
c t z en s , 3 7 6 ; e c cl es a s t ca l , 3 7 4 ii , eb ro n i n Ju d a ea , 1 7 7 H
h
.
i
.
2 2 5 ii , 24 1 el en a , St , n d ng t h e ol y cros s , H
G
. .
i i i
.
ra ce, d v n e, 2 06 k n d s , 2 06 ; 3 3 1 , 7 03
h i
.
a ctu a l g , i t s w a ys , 2 07 ; co O pe ra
. Hel i op ol u s i n Egyp t, ol y fa m l y, 1 8 2 -
i i i i i i
,
h a b tu a l g , 2 1 1 i t s e ffects , 2 1 2 ; a n d s t a t e, i t s t ormen ts , 2 6 1 ; p a n i
i
.
i ts l os s , 2 1 5, 46 2 ; certa n ty , 2 1 6 ; o f l os s a n d re , 2 6 2 ; e tern a l , 2 6 3 ;
i
n crea s e or l os s of
g , 2 08 , 43 7 , 6 1 3 ; on ea r t , 2 64 h h
h
. . .
ii
.
i i
.
i i
.
fo r h 1 02 M a s s for h , o s n , 4 50 5 49 9 9 fr m i
Ig ti St i h h h
.
, . . .
Hermengi l d , ma rtyr, 3 7 0 na us , , of An t oc , o n C u r c
. .
i i i i
.
Hi
.
64 8 P op e, 2 2 3 b s op s , 2 2 6 ff ; s o n of c a r ty to o t ers , 29 5 , 3 03 ,
i h i i ggg
.
p r es ts , 22 8 ; ot er m n s t ers , 6 4 7 f
Hi la ry, St , o n v rg n t y, 6 6 8
. i i i
ma ges , ol y , of a ngel s , 1 50; C r s t, . I h hi
Hi s t ory of crea t i o n , 1 3 2 ; Jew s , 1 7 2 V M , s a n ts , eva ngel s ts , 3 2 8 ; B i i
hi h h
.
i
. .
H ol y d a y s , s ee ea s t s F mmorta l ty of God , 1 1 7 i
I
. .
H oli n es s o f G od , 1 2 5 B
V M , 3 25 ; mmorta l ty of s oul , 1 54 ; of ri s en i
h h
. . .
C u rc , 2 4 3 b od y, 2 70
h I
. .
H ol y a t er, F
2 24 mp ed ments , s ee M a tr mon y i i
hi I
. .
H ol y C oa t s o f C r s t a t Treves a n d mperfect on s no t s n s , 46 1 i i
i I h
.
Argen teu l , 3 3 1 mp os t on of a n d s , 5 8 5 , 64 3 ii
I
. .
i
I hi
. .
H ol y F
a ce, 3 46 nca rn a t on o f C r s t, 1 9 3 w ork of i
h Ti i
.
H ii
o m c d e, w en a l l owed , 388 th e B 1 r n t y, 1 93 ; a s crib ed to th e
Gh h
. .
H on es ty rew a rd ed , 4 00 ol y o s t, 1 3 1 , 1 9 4 ; ( St Jos ep , H
h
. .
H op e , 2 7 4 ii , 4 42 C r s t s p rom s es ,
no t ng , 1 96 ; ga ve n ew d gn ty to i i i
hi
.
2 7 4 f ; r ea s on s o r mo t ves , 2 7 5 ; con i
ma n , 1 9 7 C r s t t h e God ma n , 1 9 7 ;
ih h
-
.
ii
d t on , 2 7 6 ; j o n ed w t fea r, 2 7 6 ; i a vi ng t w o n a tures i n o n e p ers on ,
b en e ts , 2 77 ef ca cy , 2 7 8 ; ob j ects ,
C r s t t h e Son of God , 2 00; God , a s
i
2 7 9 ; s n s a ga n s t b , 2 7 9 f i i s p roved b y Hi s o wn w ord s , m ra i
h i h i
. .
b l e s s ed , 52 1 ; a t con fes s on , 6 2 3 ;
. mys t ca l i n M as s , 538 i n commun i i e
p r a yer, 6 80 . i o n , 5 9 7 .
i i ii
.
H i i
yp os ta t c u n on i n C ri s t, 1 9 7 f ; n d ep en d ence of op e, 2 2 6 ; C urc , . P
cons equen ces , 1 9 9 247
I h h
.
i ii
.
n d es truct b l ty o f C urc , 23 5
I
.
I. n d ex of forb d d en b ook s , 1 01 i
I i
.
i i i i
,
ii i
.
ii i i i
.
a
pp ea ra n ce, 2 04 ; v en e ra t i on o f t o n s 6 3 6 f ; m p or t a n t i 6 3 7 f ; i i
h h
. . .
, ,
s a i nts n o i , 3 2 1 . at . ou r o f d ea t , 63 8 , 6 42 for t h e
7 40 Alp ha b eti c Ind ex .
im l 3 9 1
, , ,
o 3 88 s n, ; s e, ; an a s,
J h t h Ev g l i t g p l 8 6 mi Ki gd m f G d 1 84 22 1 f Chri t
. .
o n e an e s os e ; s n o o o ; o s
i 2 30 im g 3 2 8
, , , ,
s on , 1 68
; 1 78 2 2 2 2 58
a f Jud
e, d ; o a an
J h I r l 1 72 f
.
, , ,
o C l mb i
n St
o u g d b k nu s , oo oo s, s ae
Kir h r S J tr m r 2 50
. .
, ,
5 70 c e as on o e ; on
J h C St tr t h f l
. .
r ti
, ,
o n ti an 41 2 us , 1 09 u u n es s , c ea on ,
J h K li g m i g 3 1 1 b f
. . .
,
o D m
n St B V M 3 2 6
a a s cen e, r d n ee n ea n n ; e o re s a c e
J h Np m
. . . . .
p i l p tr
,
im g 3 2 1 t M
, , ,
o n St
e o u cen e, 55 4 b f . s ec a a on , a es , ; a as s, e or e
i 2 1 8 3 86
,
32 1 l;f fs ea Bl S r 59 3 o t pr y r 6 7 2 6 7 9
con es s o n , ; ac ; a a e
K wl dg f G d 79 ff x ll
. . .
, , , ,
m rtyr 1 04
a no e e o o
; e ce ence
J h St h ity 7 9 82 b y f i th 80
.
f Al x d r i i gM
, .
, .
o n o e an a, ea r n as s , n eces s ; a ; no
f t h C hur h 242
.
, , , ,
55 6 p rf t 1 1 2 k e ec ; o e c ;
J h f G d St f u d r f Br th r
. .
tur l l w 28 1 th gift f k
, ,
o n o o f o n e o o e s o na a a e o
f C h i ty 4 2 1
. .
, , ,
o ar 21 7
J h XX II S b b t i K r 232
.
,
o n Bull 2 5 3 a a ne o a n,
typ f C h ri t 1 7 0
. . .
, ,
J on a s , Ky i
e o l i 5 40 s . r e e e s on, .
Pa l es tin e
,
Jop p e i n 1 77 .
i
,
Jord a n , r ver, 1 7 5 , 1 83 .
L.
Jos a p h a t , va l le y, 1 7 6 , 2 7 1 L a b or , b od l y, men ta l , 3 52 i s a nct i
h h h hi
o
.
i i i i
.
p a tr on o f th e C u rc , el p i n d ea t , 6 8 1 ; ob l ga t on , 1 60, 3 53 ; nt en t on
temp ora l wa n t s , 1 9 4 ; b orn free from 3 5 4 rewa rd , 3 5 5 ; rel a xa t on , 3 5 6 i
s i n , 1 6 1 ; h i s j oy s a n d s orrow s , 1 4 1 ; i
s erv l e l o n Su n d a ys a n d ol yd a ys h
h
.
i
h i s v r t u es , 1 9 4 s p ou s e of M a ry , 3 4 8 , 3 5 0; w en p ermi t ted , 3 49 1
1 94 , 3 2 3 a n d s oc a l s m, 4 1 4 ff ; 1 i i excus e from
h hi
. . .
Jos ep of Egyp t , ty p e of C r s t , 1 70 fa s t , 3 6 5
h
.
ii
Joy , s p r tua l , 5 22 . W ork i n gmen s u l d , 7 2 0
.
i i
Jub l ee n d u lgen c e, 6 3 4, 6 3 7 L a mp of s a n ctua ry, 59 1
h
. .
Ju d a s s ca r o t, t h e tra tor, 1 6 8 i i . La n d , ol y, 1 7 5 , 7 03 .
d ea d , 252 , 2 64 L a s a l l e, s oc a l s t, 4 1 4 i i
I
. .
( l a s t ) , 2 70 c r cums ta n ce s , 2 7 0; i i
L a t mer n ot a ma rtyr , 1 04
i
.
i i i i i
, ,
Juggl ers , 3 1 6 42 1 .
i
.
i
Ju l a n t h e Ap os t a te , b a d b ook s , 1 01 ; L a w , d i v ne, n a tura l , 2 8 1 ; revea l ed ,
a p os t a s y , 1 05 ; r eb u l d ng t emp l e , i i i
mos a c, e ccl es a s t ca l , c v l, 2 82 ; i i i i
1 2 8 , 1 7 6 ; d ea t a n d b l a s p emy , 23 5 , h h hi i
C r s t a n , 1 8 4 , 2 8 2 ; of c a r t y a n d h i
3 43 l ove, 2 8 4 ff ; un j u s t l a w s , 3 7 6
ih
. .
i
.
i i i
Ju r s d c t on of P O p e, 225 ; b s op s , La z a r s t s , 5 2 0 .
22 7 L eb a n on , M t , 1 7 7
h
. . .
i
Ju s t ce of God , 1 2 5 , 1 3 9 , 2 7 1 ; v rtu e i L en t, ol y s ea s on , 1 83 , 2 1 0, 3 6 0
h hi h h
.
of j , 4 4 5 ; . unger a n d t rs t for L eo X b u l d ng St . i i Pe t er s
C urc , .
j 5 23 j b e fo re l b e r a l t y 4 2 7 i i 2 33
;
hi h III i h h h
. . .
i
.
, ,
i
s on , 93 2 2 2 ; C u rc a n d Sta t e, 2 47 ; ros a ry,
hi
.
6 9 5 t r d o rd er, 7 1 3 .
K i i
L b era l ty , 4 44, 49 5 .
.
i i
L b era l s often mos t n t ol era nt, 28 4
h il hr h ri t i
.
K a nt , p os op e on C s an la w i
L b erty n ot l cen s e, 2 84i .
i i i
,
2 02 L b ra r es i n M d d l e Ag es , 2 49
K hi ih
.
i
.
h
. . . . .
given i
,
Keys t o St . P eter ,
223 . L guori , St Al on s u s , 89 .
p .
Alp ha beti c In dex . 7 41
Li fe a nd h
3 8 0 1 1 1 ; gi ft of God , L ove of th e worl d , 2 1 3 , 2 9 2 ; op po s ed
ea l t h
i i
,
a tred , 3 84 ;
( i ts ev l con s equen ces b ea t t u d es , 5 2 5 i
i i i
.
nj u r es , d uell ng, 38 5 mu r Lo w Su n d a y, 5 84 .
s el f d efence, 388 ; c a p ta l p u n s L uk e, St , 86 ma ge , 32 8 i
h h i h
-
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. .
i
.
L g t of fa t , 9 2 ; of gl ory, 258 ; 1
6
Fa t er of l es 1 5 9, 409
. .
crea t ed , 1 33
hi
.
Li mb o, C r s t i n , 1 88 ; Jeremia s a nd
i
O n a s , 2 5 3 ; s oul s , 2 6 0
h
.
i
L qu or s a l oon , 4 7 8 M a ced oni u s , eret c, 98 , 2 05 i
h
. .
i
L ta n y B i
V M t tles exp l a i ned , 3 2 4 M a c a b ees , th e, 1 7 3 , 252
h h hi
.
i
.
i
. .
3 26 , 6 9 6 . M ag t h e , a t et l e em, t e r rel cs , . B
Lord s Da y , th e, 3 48 ; s ee Su nd a y
1 81 . .
Fa t er M a gni ca t, 1 79 , 34 1
h
.
i
.
i
L oret to, l ta ny, 6 96 ; s ri n e, 704 M a mertu s , St , p roces s ons , 700 . .
ii
.
L ot ter es , 3 1 6 i M a n, en d , 7 3 ; or g n, 1 52 ; na ture,
ih
.
i
.
b a p t s m, 5 77 h i s ow n l t tl en es s , 480; s ee Ad a m
Ki
. .
L o urd e s , 82 , 7 04 M a na s s es ,
. ng, rep en ta nce, 2 76 .
L ove of God , p ri n c i p a l co m M a n p l e, 5 6 2 i
i
.
i
.
i
.
i
.
, ,
a d va n ta ges , 29 0; mea s u re o f s on , 3 36 , 7 00
h i h h
.
i
mer t a n d eterna l a p p nes s , 2 9 1 M a rk s of th e C urc , 242 p ers e
~
i
n crea s e, 2 9 1 ; l os s , 2 9 2 ; s ou rce of oute d , 242 ; b u l t on Peter, 2 43 ; i
a ll vi rtues , 446 ; a nd p erfecti on , on e, ol y, 2 43 f ; ca t ol c, a p o s t ol c, h . h i i
51 0 2 44
ih
.
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.
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,
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,
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,
s n s a ga n s t 2 98 ii , 38 4 s ee .
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, , ,
L ove of fr en d s , 3 00 fri en d s p ,
300; tru e, fa l s e, 301 ; w en a l l owed h d ee mer 1 6 3 ; of C ri s t 1 7 9 o f th e h
i
, ,
pr i v il g
e es , 324 f ; gl or ous t tl es , i i 665 ; virgini ty 66 7 ; forb d d en i
h
.
,
3 2 3 , 3 2 4 , 3 2 7 ; ou r M o t er, 32 3 ; h er ( cl os ed ) ti me 3 6 8
i i h
.
,
s u mp t on , 8 4 , 3 2 5 ; h er d ea t , 3 2 5 ; M ea l s , p ra yer, 6 83
i
.
venera t on of V M , B M ea n s of s a l va t on , 7 4 ; i promis ed by
h h h
. . .
i i i
.
3 2 5 f , 6 9 2 ; b y h er w e ob ta n gra ce, 51
h
.
i i
.
t on t o h er a mea n s of s a lva t o n , i i
M e d t a t on , 6 86 f ; s ee ou g t s
i i
.
i
.
s r n es , 3 2 9 , 7 04 ; a l M a ry , 6 9 0; H M el a n cth on , e e c, on Ca t o c
Angel u s , 6 9 5 ; os a ry, 6 9 5 f ; R Lit ih
fa t , 2 45
hi h hi
.
R i
.
a n y a n d Sa l ve eg n a , 6 9 6 . M el c s ed ec , type of C r s t , 1 6 7 , 1 7 0
M a ry of Egyp t , convers on , 3 2 7 i h i s s a cr ce, 5 3 4 i
h h
.
i
.
i i i ii
.
i
. .
5 48 ; for th e d e a d , 2 6 6 , 5 48 ; a n d th e C r s t, 5 30 f ; a pp l ed t o u s b y t h e .
ea r ng M a s s , 550; d evo t on a t i
M es s a s , n a me, 1 7 8 ; fa ls e d ea , 1 8 5 ; i
M a s s , 55 1 , 5 5 7 ; s ng ng, 5 52 , 56 6 ; i i s ee Jes us .
e a r ng M a s s , 5 5 6 , 3 48 f ; i n p a r s M et od us , St , a p os tl e of s l a ves , 232 ;
h h
. .
c urc , 5 57 on week d a ys , 5 5 7 ; -
on j u d gmen t, 2 7 3 .
cel eb ra t on , t me, 55 8 ;i i
p l a ce, 559 ; M e trop o l ta n s , 2 2 7 i
a l t a rs and c u rc es , 560 h h ves t ih
M c a el C eru l a ri u s , s c s m, 23 3 hi
ih III h
.
i
,
s e rmon s , 56 9 ; d a l y M , 6 9 7 nu p i 71 5
h h
. .
t ali 658 i
M d d l e Ages a n d s c ool s , 2 4 7 ; ol y
i i
.
M a t t ew , St , gos p el , 8 6 ; i ma ge, 3 2 8 ii
M l ta n t C urc , 2 5 1
h
. .
ii
.
i
M a tr mony , 6 49 6 i ts ns t tu t on a n d i i i M l ta ry d u ty, 3 7 6 , 3 89 ; o a t , 3 7 6 .
i i i
.
i i i ii i i
.
i i
,
d s p en s a t on s , 6 5 5 ; b a n s , 6 56 , 6 5 7 ; 9 7 ; m b y C r s t , 201 ; m ra c u l ou s
h i i hi
.
6 5 9 ; d u t es of w fe , 6 59 ; i us b a n d i i i
M s s on o f t h e a p os tl es , 83 , 22 2 ; ca n
a nd w fe , i
6 60; p a r en t s 6 6 1 f o n i ca l m , 2 28 ; ol y m , 7 08 h .
i i
, . .
i i
,
i
O cca s ons of s i n, 47 5 rul es 47 6 ; i d ola try , 3 1 3 wo rk of God a mong
i
k n d s , 477 f o . . of impuri ty
,
503 ; h
t em, 2 09 p e x p ec t in g , 1 6 6 ; a n d
.
void i n g
,
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p p os e of a 62 2 .
prepa red for t h e M es s i a s , 1 74, 1 9 3
i
O d l o, St , a n d Al l Soul s d a y , 2 66
.
. n u mb er, 2 3 4 , 3 1 4 .
O 6 ert ory i n M a s s , 5 3 7 P i
a les t n e, 1 7 5 331
h h
. .
i
O ls , ol y , t ei r b l es s ng, 1 8 6, 6 70; i P i
a l es tr n a , mu s c a n , 25 0, 5 6 8 ii .
s ee An o i ting
n Pa l m Su n d a y , 1 85 p roces s on , 6 9 9 i
th l i h hi
. .
O l d C a o cs , eret cs , 9 8, 46 0
i . Pa n t e s ts , 1 3 5 .
i
O l vet , M t , 1 7 6 , 1 85 , 1 9 1 . Pa p a , 22 3 .
i
.
i
O mn p res en ce of God , 1 1 5 Pa p a l t tl es , 2 2 4 ; ns gni a , 225 colo rs ,
. i i i
i i
O mn s c en ce of God , 9 7 , 1 1 7 22 6 ; b en ed ct on , 6 3 8 , 642 i i
i hi h hi
.
i i
.
On a s g p r es t, i n l mb o, 253 Pa ra b l es us ed b y C r s t,
ih
.
i i i i
,
O p n on , p ous , 8 4 c n ot fa t , 9 1 Pa ra d s e, 1 5 7 l os t, 1 60
. . .
Ora cl es , ea t en , 9 7 Pa rl a ment, 3 74 i
ih
. .
O rc es tra i n c urch , 5 6 8 3 6 7 ; b a p ti s m, 5 8 0
T h
. .
B V M , 6 96 Pa s s on l a y, 3 36 i P
h ih
. . . . .
n a t on , 643 i ns t tut on , 2 42 d ig 93
i
.
ni ty , 64 4 ; r es p e ct to p r es t s , 3 40, P a ten , 56 3
i
.
c a ra c te r, fa cu l ti es , 6 46 a ge of a d t h e M a s s 540
i i i
.
i
,
i
. .
i
.
52 1 ; s ee P ri es ts , H er a r c y 2 7 9 , 6 2 5 ; i n b ea r ng wrongs , 402 , . i
i i
O rd ers , rel g ou s , or g n , 5 1 9 ; vows of ii
424 ; i n p over ty , 433 ; i n p ra y er, 6 7 5 ;
e va ngel i ca l co uns el s , 3 3 6 voca t on p o f G o d 1 2 3 i
hi i h T
. .
,
commun s m, 4 1 7 i 1 7 2 ; p , t tl e i n e ra rc y , 2 2 7 i
h i
. .
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.
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.
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.
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5 3 0; i n b a p ti s m, 5 7 8 5 1 3 ; c onfes s on , 6 1 3 ; l os t b y s rn
. i
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.
.
Ort od ox
reek , 2 3 3 Pea cea b le nes s , 49 2 , 52 4
.
ii i
.
Pep n, ng, d on a t on , 22 6 i .
P i
a ga n b l n d n es s , 8 2 , 1 1 1 , 1 7 4 , 3 1 3 ; Pera ea i n Pa l es t n e, 1 7 7 i
h
.
(t hr ee d egrees ) y et 51 1 ; l ny t o
p os s ib l e, Pi
ra j a n , on C r s t a n s , 2 04 T hi i
i h i
.
g e n e ra l mea n s , d
el ty, s el f con t ro l , i l u n k et t , O l ver, -
ea d P
n co rru p t , 9 1
P i i i i
.
c on s t a n t p r a y e r, 5 1 4 6 7 6 ; s a c r a o l yg a my , 2 04 , 6 5 2 P
hi i i
.
i i i
,
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t on , 5 1 5, 687 ; s ol t u d e, 5 1 5 ; s u 6 er i on t u s , O P
S B , t a u g t d ea f mu t es , i
h
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mea ns , eva n gel ca l cou n s el s , 5 1 6 ; o or, t h e, s ee o ver ty P P
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.
i O p e, th e, n a me , 2 2 3 ; ma rty rs , 2 23 ;
,
p i
r es ts , 5 2 0 e ter, 22 4 , 2 3 1 ; t tl es , 2 2 4 ; P n s gn a ,
i i i i
.
Perj u ry, 33 5 22 5 ; p r m a c y 22 3 ; j u r s d ct o n ,
h i i i ii
. ,
Perm s s on , i i i i
d v n e, of ev l , 1 3 8 ; t o i
a u t or ty , 2 25 , 3 7 4 ; n fa l l b l ty ,
i
d ev l s , 1 4 7 23 9 ; temp ora l p ow er, 2 2 6 ; a nd P
i i
. .
P i
erp etu ty o f C u rc , 2 3 5 o s s es s on , d a b ol ca l , 1 49 , 6 6 9 ( ex o rP
h h
.
2 35 ; el p th e C u rc , 1 3 8 , 23 6 ; overty a n d P
d v n e p rov d e n ce, 1 3 7 , ii i
p r o o f o f h er di v n ty 2 4 2 ;i ip e rs e cu 1 3 9 f 43 2 ; ex a mp l e o f C r s t , 1 80; hi
ih hi i
.
, ,
C r s t s s a k e b l es s ed , 1 03 , 52 4
p 4 3 1 d u t e s 42 4 ; a n d r g t s o f t h e i
h i
.
i i
,
p . a r m l e s s t o t h e j u s t , 7 6 v o l u n ta ry .
p a n d evan gel ca l cou n .
i ii
.
Pe t er, St , a p o s tl e, h i s fa t , 1 03 ; t h e
. ra yer, 67 1 6 i ts n a tu re, 6 7 1 ; ou t P .
559 ; P P
en ce, 22 6 , 3 7 5
. w a ys ea rd , 6 7 5 ; e6 ects , 6 7 6 ; mea n s
.
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a r s ees , 9 3 , 1 7 4, 1 8 5 t h e n a me o f Jes u s , d evot on , 6 9 8 ; i
Ph
.
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oen c a , 1 7 7 a t ten t on ( d s tra c t on ) , p ers ever i i i
Ph h h
.
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ot u s o f C on s ta n t n op l e, a u t or of a n c e, 6 7 9 ; p u re ea rt a n d c on tr i
G hi
reek s c s m, 2 3 3 t on , 6 7 9 f um l ty i con h ii
Ph i i hi i
. .
Pi i
l gr ma ges , 3 29,i i 3 32 ; p r nc pa l 3 77 ; everyw ere, 6 84 ; i n c u rc ,
hi
s r n es , 6 3 4 , 7 03 ; ob j e c t , 7 05 s ol t u d e , 6 8 5 ; ob j ec t , 68 5 f i
for t h e
Pi II N h
.
i
.
us V a nd a ol eon , 2 3 5
p op e, 3 7 5 f or e r e t c s Pa n d u nb e
Pi I I
.
i
.
o f c a r ty, 2 6 7 ; c v l ma rr a ge, 6 5 1 ;
p r es ts , 3 6 3 , 6 4 8 ; p a n d t ra d t on, i ii
i
.
i i
,
Sa cr , 5 9 0; ma rr a ge, 6 58 ; p ra yer, p oo r 42 9 ; m ed ta t o n , 68 5 ; ej a c u l a
h hi
.
i i i
,
6 84 ; ol y p , s ee S r n es . t on s , 2 87 , 6 8 1 ; pr nc p a l p ra yers
.
Pr hi
ea c n g of th e G os p el , 83 ; s er mon s , i
3 9 0; b rea k ng comma n d men t s , 3 08 ;
569 6 . temp ora l p rem t te d b y g oo d w ork s. i
Prefa ce i n M a s s 539 554 , , . 4 7 0; t h e M a s s , 5 4 3 ; con fes s on , 6 1 2 ; i
Prela te s 22 7 con tr t o n , ii
61 3 ; n d u lge n ces , 63 2 i
hit
.
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Euc a s 589 6 6 7 7 ; ca p ta l p , 38 8 i
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.
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Pr et rn a tu ra l even ts b y evil s p ir i ts
,
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of p a n s , 2 6 5 , 6 2 0; ex s ten ce 2 6 5 f i
h i
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.
r c , 52 1 ; p a n ob s ta cl e t o fa t , 9 3
. . 2 53
Pi
.
r es t s , n a mes , 2 2 3 , 2 4 1 ; of ce, 2 28 ; P i i B
ur ca t o n V M , 1 82 ; see Ca n d l e
hi hi .
. .
d ut es , 52 1 , 64 4 s e e O r d er , oly u r ty of ea r t b l ess ed , 5 2 3 ; s e e C a s.
P i
Pi P
r ma cy of op e, 22 3 , 23 1 , t ty i
i i i
.
s ymb ol s m, 6 9 7 f ; o b j ec t , 6 9 8 ; p r n .
i
c i p a l l i t urg c a l p , 6 9 8 fu n era l
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.
p 7 0 0 ;i id v n e p i n r n ty 20 5 Q .
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.
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t ngs a n d p l a ces , 3 43 Q u a d ra ges ma
,
s e e L en t . i
ih u a rrel s , 3 85
.
P i
rofes s o n of fa t , outwa rd , 1 02 , 2 2 8 ; Q
u n qu a es i ma , 3 6 0 i
.
o f v o w s 3 3 7 Q g .
p
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. .
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P ro a a n d a C ol l ege a t
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.
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P ro p a ga t on of C r s t a n t y a n d t h e
h h
C urc , 83 , 203 , p o f t h e a ce, t h e uma n , i t s un ty, 1 5 3 R h i
ih i
. .
a ls o i i in d v d ua l , 3 9 4 ; Sta te r g t s , c i ety o f, 7 1 9
h h i h i hi h
.
39 5 ; t eft , 3 9 5 f ; r ob b ery, c ea t n g , as fr en d s p , 3 02 ; oa t , 33 4 v o w , R
h
.
i i
us ury , nj u r es , 3 9 6 ; w en morta l 3 3 8 ; j u d gmen t, 4 02 , 408 ; ex p os u re,
i
s i n , 3 9 7 ; res t t u t i on , 3 9 7 f ; s tol e n 3 82 ; s ee res u m t on
p P i
R i i
.
i i
.
good s , 3 9 8 ; rep a ra t on , 3 9 8 ; s n s a t on a l s t s , 9 9
ih h ih
.
4 00; s ee s oc a l s m, 4 1 4 ea d ng , b l e, r , 8 7 ; s p r tu a l r a R
P h
.
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.
1 63 p b y C r s t 2 0 2 n ec es s ty , 5 7 0 l ve s of t h e s a n ts , i '
i i
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. .
,
P r op et s , 8 1 , 1 6 4 . 3 2 0; C a t ol c r 7 2 0; b a d a n d d a n
P rotes ta n t p rop a ga n d a , 83 ; ma rtyrs g ero u s r , 1 00, 3 93 , 46 0, f
ih
.
ii i i
.
1 04 ; or g n , 2 3 3 ; n a me , ma n err ors , ea s on a nd fa t , 9 0; e x s t en c e of R
234 c hi
l d ren , 2 2 8 ; n umb e r, 2 3 4 God , 1 09 ; mmorta l ty o f s ou l , 1 5 5 ; i i
rel g ousi i co mmun ca t on w t i i
n a t u ra l l a w , 2 8 1 f ih P .
i
.
i
.
p e r j u ry 3 3 5 ; c u rs n g , 3 42 ; b l as 1 7 1 6 .
i i
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p h e m y 3 4 4 f ; S u n d a y p ro fa n a t on ,
. e forma t on , ro tes ta n t, 2 3 3 R P
i i i
.
R
,
i h h i
.
Sa cr l ege, i 3 44 , 5 7 5 ; i n commu n o n i i
Sep a ra t on o f ma rr ed p a rt es , 553 i i
i i i
.
3 1 7 ; mo t v e s , 3 1 8 d i 6 eren t ma n s , 5 7 0; h o w , 5 7 1 ; a t m s s o n s , 7 08 i i
i
. .
no d ol a try , 3 2 1 ; s p ec a l p a tr on s Serp en t , t h e b ra z en , 1 06 , 1 7 1
i i
.
5 82 , 58 8 ; t e r el p and i n t erce s i
Sever n , St , a p o s tl e of Au s tr a , 2 3 2 i
i hi i i
. .
s o n , 2 5 2 f , 3 2 0; mo d el s o f C r s t a n Sex a ges ma , 3 6 0
h
.
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.
of men , 51 1 ; m t a t on of t h e s S ep er d s a t et l e em, 1 8 7 B
hi i hi hi h
. .
3 1 9 f ; t e r te mp ta t on s , 1 4 8 ; t e r S r n es , ol y, 3 2 9 , 3 3 1 , 6 3 4, 6 3 6 , 7 03 6
h i h h i
.
a p p n es s in ea ven , 2 58 s ee S r ove t d e , 1 8 3
i ih
.
C ommu n on of s , w oul d b e .
-
S c em, i n P a l es t n e, 1 77 i
i i i
.
s , 31 2
. . S ckn es s , o r g n , 1 6 0; mea n s of gra ce
Sa l oon s , 4 7 8 . 1 4 3 ; remed es , 3 8 2 p a t i
en c e 4 88 i
iii i
,
Sa lve R egi n a , 6 9 6 v s t n g t h e s ck , 42 1
i i h i h ii
. .
Sa l va t on ou t s d e t h e Ch u rc , 2 4 5 . S d on i n P oen c a , 1 7 7
i i i i i
.
Sa ma r a , p r ov n c e , 1 7 6 ; c t y, 1 7 7 . S gn s , s ee C eremon es
i
.
Sa n ct i ca t i on of Su n d a y , 3 4 8 . S l oe i n Ju d ea , 1 7 7
i i i
.
Sa nctu s i n M a s s , 5 3 9 , 5 5 4 . S mon , a p os tl e, m s s on , 23 0
i i
.
i i
Sa t s fa ct on for s i n , b y C r s t , 1 6 2 , i
S mon M a gus , 3 45 .
1 9 5 , 5 2 9 , 54 3 s a cr a men t a l s , 6 2 3 . . i i
S mo n d es , t h e s a ge, o n God , 1 1 2 .
Sa tur d a y a mu s emen ts , 3 5 0; fa s t , 3 6 2 ; i ii
S mp l c ty i n p ra y er, 3 1 3
h
.
p oo r s ou l s 25 3 ol y S 1 88 ; b a p Si n , n a t u re, 4 4 9 ; k n o wl ed g
i i
.
, ,
t i s m, 58 1 ; p roces s on , 6 9 9 . a nd c o n s en t , 44 9 f , 4 5 6 ; ma l c e
i i
.
i
.
Sc s m, reek , 2 3 3 ; sc s ma t c s i 45 3 f , 466 ; k n d s , 4 54 ; b y c om i
h i h h
.
i
ere t ca l , 9 9 ; out s d e t h e C urc , p l i c i t y , 4 5 5 ; un equ a l , 4 5 6 ; morta l
228 i
ven a l , 4 5 7 ; mp erfect on s , 4 6 1 ; 8 i i
h B h i G
.
i
Sc en ce i n C u rc , 2 50 morta l s i n , 4 6 1 ; ven a l s i n , 4 6 5
h hi i i i i h
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Scr p tu re, s ee Bi b le gra ce, 46 6 f ; ev l e6 ec ts , 4 6 7 f
i i
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Scru p l es , 2 8 4 ca p t a l s i n , 4 6 8 f p r d e , 4 83 ; d i s
h i h
.
i
.
h ly 5 04 ; l t h 5 07 ;
.
S ea s on s , F t o s ee i ea s s .b t l t s o s s an o s ac e o
h i S J t m r 2 50 f i t h 99 ; t
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S t J w i h 1 74 ; i i
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Si 1 22 ; p t i
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c, a a us c e, r a s,
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