THECATECHISM EXPLAINED

AN EXHA USTI VE EXP OSITION OF

THE CHR ISTIA N R EL IGION,

WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PRESENT STATE O F

SO CIETY AND THE SPIRIT O F THE AGE .

A PRAC TIC AL M ANUAL

FO R THE U SE O F THE P REAC HER, THE C ATEC HIST,
THE TEAC HER, AND THE FAM ILY .

M ADE ATTRACTIV E AND INTERESTING BY

ILLU STRATIONS, CO M PARISONS, AND QU O TATIO NS

FR O M THE

SC RIPTU RES, THE FATHERS, AND O THER WRITERS

.

OR IGINAL
%
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

REV . RIC HARD F . C L ARK E, SJ .

W ITH A L P HAB ETIC A L IND EX.

NEW Y O RK, C INC INNATI, CHICAGO :

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0 "
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ib W at.
ARTHUR J SOANL AN .
,

1
.. P ATR IC K J . DD
. .
,

Arch bi s hop f New York

o .

NEW YORK , O ct ob er 1 8, 1 921 .

C O PY R IG HT. 1 89 9 . 1 9 2 1 . BY B ENZ IG ER B RO THER S

 P REF A C E .

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 .

In th e rst p a rt Ou r Lord a pp ears i n Hi s ch ara c ter of Teach er i n

the se c on d inHi s ch a ra ct er of Ki n g ; and i n th e t h i rd i n Hi s
ch ara cter of Hi gh P ri es t . An d s in e c thi s Ca t ech i s m p rop os es a s
y b
i ts p ri mar O j ect t o a n s wer th e qu es t i on , for wh at p rp os e are we u
h ere u p on ea rth , t h ere emp h a s i zi n gby an dgi i n v
g p rom i n en ce to

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

i n g, a nd ma y b e ca l led a gu i d be ook for t h e Chris ti an on th e roa d

to h ea v v
Fi rs t th e goal of t h e tra ell er i s i ndi cat ed, a n d th en th e
en .

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 .

a re tol d wh a t i s t o b e d on e by th e u s e of th e u n d ers tan d i n g we

mu s t s eek to a tta in t o th e kn owl ed ge of God by b el i e vi ng u
th e tr th s
He re ea lsv i n th e s econ d
p a rt we a re told wh a t i s t o b e d on e by
the a i d of the wi ll we mu s t su b mit our wi ll to th e wil l of Go d by
k eep in g th e c omma n dmen ts i n t h e t h i rd p a rt we are tol d wh a t we
mu st d o i n ord er to en l i gh ten ou r u
n d ers ta n di n
g a n d s tren gth en

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 .

Spi ri t the u n ders tan d in g i s en li ght en ed an d th e wi ll s trength en ed .

Th us a cl os e conn ec ti on exi s ts etween th e di fferen t p a rts of th is b

Ca tech i s m . Ea ch p a rt is sub divi d d e and :
arranged to fo rm a

wh ol e, so th a t th e conn e c ti on b tw e een and th e coh eren ce of a l l

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

t ant p oin t . F or t h e more cl ly w p

ea r e ercei v e th e mann er i n whi ch
th e tr ths u of rel i gi on a re l i n k ed t ogeth er, th e ea s i er wi ll i t b e for
us to a p p reh en d ea ch on e s i n gl y Th e C a tech i s m i s a mar el l ou s l
. v y
c onn e cted s yt s e m of revea l ed t ru th . If Cath oli cs were th orou gh l y
a c u a i nted
q i n th ei r ch i l dh ood wi th th e fu n da men ta l tru th s of

rel i gi on i f th e yw ere ta u gh t to s ee h ow a ll th e d i fferen t p a rts of

t his di i n e v c
e di e c o mb i n e to form on e b ea u teou s s tru ctu re, th e

d a rts of h el l wou l d h a ve no p ower t o i n j ure th em .

2 . Th e l a rge p ri n t i n th i s Ca tech i s m i s th e s caol di n g, or s kel

eton 3 i t c on ta i n s a l l th e es s en t i a l t ru th s of reli gi on Th e s m a ll .

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

wh o will d el i gh t i n th ei r fa i th Con s equ entl qu es ti on s of . y

s ch ol a s ti c th eol og y,
doctri n es d e b at ed a mon g d iv i n es , a re ei th er

o mi tt ed a l togeth er or merely recei v e a p a s s i n g men ti on . Th e

auth or has en d e avored to di v es t rel i gi ou s t ea ch i n g of th e
p a p ear

a n ce of l ea rn in g, an d to p res ent i t i n a p op u l ar a n d s i mp l e form .

Tech n i ca l t erms , i n w hi ch al mos t a ll reli gi ou s man u al s a b ou n d ,

e env th os e int en ded for ch i l dren, a re ca refu l l y eli mi n a te d fr om h i 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

simp l e l angu age, li ke t h at u s ed by Ou r Lord an d th e ap os tl es , ea sy

of c omp reh en s i on for wh a t we n eed i s s ometh in g th a t will tou ch
th e h ea rt a nd i n u en ce th e wil l, n ot cra m th e mi n d wi th k n owl
ed ge u n a ttra ct i ve to th e rea der Th e p res en t b ook i s moreover, .
,

no t a n a da p ta ti on of ca tec h i s ms a l rea dy i n u s e, b u t a n ori gi n a l

work i nt en d ed for p ra cti ca l p urp os es

,
Atten ti on ma y a l s o b e .

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

in a dry, a b trs a ct form, b u t i s ren d ere d a ttrac ti v e a nd i n teres ti n g

by i ll us trati on s , co mp a ri s on s , an d q u ota t i on s fro m well kn own -

wri ters . Th u s th ere i s n o da n ger t h a t i t wi l l b e t h rown as i de as

u n rea d a b le Th e extra cts from th e wri ti ngs of th e Fa th ers
. are

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
.

tak en from Holy Scri p tu re Wh a t i s of p ara mou nt i mp orta n ce in

.

a b ook of th i s n a ture i s to ma k e u s e of exp res s i on s th a t a re cl ea r

a n d i n tell i gi b le Th e wri ti n gs of th e Fa th ers a re qu oted ma i n ly

.

to el u ci d a te a nd ill us tra te, n ot to p ro v e th e tru th s th at a re en u n

ci s ted .

In p rep a ri ng thi s Ca tech i s m for pu l i ca ti on , th e a th or h a s

4 . b u
v
kep t in i ew hi s p u rp os e of a s s i s ti n g th e tea ch er To th i s end h e .

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

qu es t i on a bly th e e ect of enh a n ci n g th e i n teres t a nd a

pp ea l i n g to
th e u n d ers ta n d i ng a s w el l as to th e h ea rt and th e wi l l . Th e ol d

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

ci s e ofmore t hought ; qu es ti on a n d a ns wer moreover d o n oth , ,

i n g towa rd s s i mpli fyin g th e t ru th s to b e i mp a rt ed or ren d erin g ,

th em more i n telli gi b l e t o th e l ea rn er .
8 P refa ce .

5 Th e s tate of s oci ety a nd th e s pi ri t of th e a ge h a e al s n een

. v b
taken i n to con s i d erati on i n th e prep ara ti on of th i s ook Th e b .

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 .

i n g p a rt a n d al s o i n th e fa ct t h at th e moral l a w i s enl arged p on at u

g r e a t l en gth I t w as n o t. d eem e d s u ff
i c i en t m erel t o en m e ra te y u
v v u v
t h e s e eral i rt es a nd i c es i rtu e i s d ep i c ted in a ll i ts v
ea u t b y
a n d ex cel l en ce, i c e i n a l l i ts h i d eo s n es s an d ma l i c ea t th e s a me
v u
ti me th e remedi es for th e d i fferen t i c es a re ad ded F rth ermore, v . u
p rec ep ts of great i m ort a n c e, s it ed to t h e exi gen c i es of th e ti me,
p u
b
fa r from ei ng p a s se d o er, a re ela ora t el exp lai ned v U n d er th e b y .

h ea d i n g of th e Th i rd C omman dment th e o l iga ti on of work an d b

v
th e Ch ri s ti an i ew of l a or a re treat ed, i n acc ordan ce wi th th e b
u
di recti on s of th e Co n cil of Trent Un der th e Fourth Comma n d .

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

s h own . U n d er t h e Tenth Comman dmen t, a p l a i n s ta t e men t i s

ma de of Soc i a l i s ti c an d d emocrat i c p ri n ci ples a n d a fter th i s th e ,

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

s et fort h Promi n en ce i s gi ven t o th e works of mercy wh i ch Ou r

.
,

L ord d ecl a res to b e es s en ti al to salvati on a n d wh i ch a re a n a mp l i ,

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 ,
-
.

Al s o i n ma tters s u ch a s c ivil ma rri a ge crema ti on Cath ol i c con , ,

:

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 .

6 In i ts p res en t form th i s Ca t ec h i s m i s i n tend ed p ri mari l for

. y
th e u s e of P ri es ts a n d Ca tech i s ts i t wi ll s a e them mu ch ti me i n
-

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

s on s , an d expl an ati on s rea d y t o h an d . B y a b ri dgi n g th e s ma l l

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 ,

b ut i t mu s t n ot b e l eft out a ltogeth er, a s i t wi l l s er e t o reca ll to th e v

mi n ds o f th e ch i l d ren t h e tru th s th e h a e een ta ugh t It con y v b .

ta i ns a ls o ma ny u s ef ul s u gges ti on s for th e Ca tech i s t on s u bj ect s of

i mp orta n ce wh i ch mu st h ol d a pl a ce i n h i s i n structi on s M oreover .

,

p a ren t s wh o g o th ro u gh t h e C a t ech i s m wi th t h ei r c h il d ren a t h ome

wi ll b e comp ell ed to rea d th e s mal l p ri n t a n d thu s , wi th n o effort ,

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 .

It i s mos t i mp orta n t i n th es e da y s of u n b el i ef th a t th e s ch ool

s h ou ld b e th e mea n s of re vivi n
g a C h ri s ti a n Sp i ri t i n th e fa mi l y .

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

p oi n ts a n d th e p l a n of hi s i n s tructi on from a ook, a n d i t s h ou l d b

n ot be v
l eft t o each i n di i du a l t o p rop ou n d wh a t tru th s h e p l eas es .

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

and wh i te for i t i s a kn own fa ct th at wh a t i s n ot s een by th e eye

is n ot l on g reta i n ed by th e memory . If th e i mpres s i on rece i v ed ,

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

s ch ool s may h a ve . Ou gh t a b ook wh os e i n u en ce i s so e xten s i ve ,

wh i ch c on ta i ns th e most i mp orta n t of a l l t ea ch i n g, p res en t th a t

tea ch i n g i n a dry, u n i n teres ti n g form, or g i ve a s ca n t ou tlyi n e,

th e mere fra mework of th e truths of rel i gi on

In pu bl i s h in g a n En gl i s h t ra ns la ti on of t h i s ma nu a l of Ch ri s
ti a n t ru th i t i s h op ed t h a t i t ma y n d a s h ea rty a wel come a mon g
,

En gl i s h s p ea kin g na tions a s th e ori gi n a l di d i n t h e a u th or s own

-

cou n try He ventures t o h Op e th a t i t may grea tly promote th e

.

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 .

bl ess ing of God pon u he th e work to th e

u
Immac lat e M oth er of God ; a n d i t c a nn ot b e do ted th a t th e ub
b u
l es s i ngs of t h e M os t Hi gh res ts p on i t, for a l th ou gh a t th e ou t
s et it c u
en o n tered formi da b l e b
o st acl es i t
,
ha s s i n ce h ad

pected ly wid es p rea d an d r ap i d ci rc ul ati on .

 CONTENTS .

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
.

2 Pra yer i n C ommemora t o n o f Ou r L ord s Pa s s on , t o b e s a d

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
.

1 Th e Form for C o nfes s on 64

i irt
.

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

5 . Pra yer t o Ou r Gu a rd i an An gel

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

1 1 . Ho wARE WE TO ATTAIN TO ETERNAL HAPPINESS ?

i
W e s h a ll a tta n t o etern a l h a nes s b y t h e fol l ow ng mea ns : i i
1 W e mu s t s tr ve t o kn o w pp
. i
e d b y mea n s of fa th i n th e t ru th s He i
h a s revea l ed to u s '
74
i i
.

2 W e mu s t fu l l t h e w l l of Go d b y k eep n g Hi s co mma n d men ts 74

i
. .

3 W e mu s t t h erefore a va l o u rs el ves of t h e mea n s of gra c e ; o f

'

i i
. , ,

w h ch t h e ch ef a re h ol y M a s s th e s a cra men ts a n d p ra yers , 75

III C AN W E ATTAIN PERFECT

. HAPPINESS O N EARTH?
1 i
Ea rthl y good s , s u ch as r ch es h on or p l ea s u re ca nn ot b y t h em
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
.

n es s o n e a rth for h e w h o fol l o w s t h e t e a ch ng of Ch r s t i s cer t a n

,

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
.

4 Hen ce p erfect h a p p n es s i s mp os s b l e on ea rth ; for n o ma n ca n

i i
.

enti rel y a v o d s u f fer ng 77

PART I .

I THE K NOW LEDGE O F GO D

. .

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

2 Th e kno wl ed ge of for w i t h ou t i t th ere ca nn o t

God i s a ll import a nt,
i
.

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 ) . .
,

III THE P REAC HING O F THE GO SP EL

. .

l Th e t ru th s revea l ed b y God t o men w ere b y Go d s co mma n d p ro

i i i
.

cl a med t o a l l n a t on s of t h e ea rth b y t h e C a t h o l c Ch u rch , a n d

i
es ec a ll y b y mea n s of t h e l v ng w ord t h a t i s , b y p rea ch n
p g ii i 83
2 i
Th e Ca t h ol c C h u rch d er ves fro m Hol y Scr p tu re a nd fro m Tra i i
ii
.

d t o n t h e tru th s t h a t God h a s revea l ed .

IV . Y SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION

HOL .

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
-
.

recogn zed b y th e Ch u rch a s Th e W ord O f

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
.

i n t h e p a ges of Hol y Scr p tu re, b u t h a ve b ee n t ra ns mi t t ed b y

w ord of mo u th , a re ca ll ed Tra d t o n ii .

V . THE C HRISTIAN FAITH .

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
.

w th ou r s ens es a n d ca nn ot gra s p w th ou r u n d ers ta n d ng

3 . i
W e a ct qu te i n ac cord a n ce w th rea s on w h en w e b el eve. b eca u s e i i
w e tru s t o u rs el ves t o Go d s tru th fu l n es s , a n d b eca u s e w e kn ow

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

V I THE M O TIV ES O F FAITH

. .

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 .

2 . M ir a cles a re s u ch e xtraord i na ry work s as ca nnot be

b y t h e mere p o wers of n a t u re, b u t a re b rough t a b ou t
t erve nt i on of a h gh er p o wer i 8
i
3 M rac les a re w ro ugh t b y a l m gh ty God on ty for His own gl ory, i
i i i
.

a n d es p ec a l l y for t h e con rma t o n o f tru e d o ct r n e 3

i i
.

4 In w ork ng m ra cl es God u s u a l l y ma kes u se of t h e i n terven ti on

i i
.

of ma n , s o met mes even of w cked men

i
5 P rop h ec es a re cl ea r a nd d e n te p redi cti o ns of fu tu re events th a t
. i
ca n b e kn o wn to God a l on e 97
6 G od for t h e mo s t p a rt entru s ts th e p roph es y ng of fu tu re events t o i
i i
.

Hi s mes s engers , for th e con rma t on of t h e t rue fa th or for th e

97

V II O N THE ABSENCE AND L OSS OF FAITH

. .

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
.

d o ctri nes of fa th ; b y w l ful d ou b t res p ect ng t h e tru th s of

fa th ; i i
b y rea d ng b oo ks or o th er l t era tu re t h a t i s h o s t le to i i
t h e fa i th ; q
b y fre u en t ng t h e a s s emb l es of th o s e w h o a re i i
i
h o s t l e t o t h e fa it h ; b y negl ect ng th e p ra c ti ce o f one s re

i
l i gi on 1 00
3 All men w h o th rou gh t h ei r own fa u l t d i e w th o u t Ch r s t a n i i i
i j j
.

fa th a re b y th e us t u d gmen t of God s ent enc ed t o et ern a l p er

1 01

V III O N THE DUTY O F CO NFESSING OU R FAITH

. .

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

IX. THE SIGN O F THE CROSS .

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
.

i mp orta n t of a l l t h e mys ter es of ou r h ol y rel g on v z , th e d oc

i ii
.

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
.

2 B y mea n s of th e s gn of t h e cro s s w e ob ta n a b l es s n g from Go d ;

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

X . THE APO STL ES CREED

.

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

FIRST AR TICLE OF THE CREED : I BE

LIEVE IN GOD THE
Y
,

F ATHER AL M IGHT

.

1 . THE EXISTEN C E OF A 8 1 7 a B EIN G .

I. We ca n i nfer fro m th e c ear ted w orl d a roun d us th a t th e re e xi s ts

a s up e r me z
1 09
2 . Th e exi s tence of is a ls o p ro ved fro m rev el a ti on . 1 1 1

2 . THE DIVI NE Es s nnon .

1 God i s a s elf ex i s t ent Be ng, n n i t e i n Hi s perfecti ons , gl ory, a nd i i

i
-
.

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
. . .

b o d y, mmort a l , p os s es s ed of n t ell ect a n d free w ll 1 1 3

3 Th ere i s one God ,
. 1 14

3 . TH] : DIV INE Arr nmu rns '

.

1 . God i s eterna l , i e , a l w a ys wa s , i s , a nd ever w il l b e

. . . 1 14
2 God i s o mn i p res en t , i e , He i s i n every p l a ce 1 1 5
i i
. . .

3 God i s mmu ta b l e, i e , He ever rema n s th e sa me 1 1 7

i i
. . .

4 God is o mn s ci en t, i e , He k no w s a l l t h ngs , t h e p a s t, th e p res en t,

i
. . .

a n d t h e fu tu re, a n d al s o ou r n mos t t h o u gh ts ( Jer x vii 1 1 7

i i
. .

5 God i s s u p remel y w s e , i e , He kn o w s h ow t o d rect every t h ing

i
. . .

for th e b e s t , i n ord er t o ca rry ou t Hi s d es gn s 1 1 9

6 i
God i s a l m gh t y, i s , God ca n d o a l l t h a t He w l l s , a nd th a t b y a 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
. . . .

1 1 . God i s n n tel y u s t, i e , He rew a rd s a l l goo d a n d p uni s h es a ll . .

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
.

1 3 . G od i s fa t h ful , i . a ., He keep s Hi s p ro mi s es a nd ca rri es ou t Hi s

4 THE B ESSED TR INITY.

. L
l Th e Bl es s ed Trini ty i s one God i n th ree 1 28
i
.
-

2 W e ca n n o t wi th ou r feeb l e u nd ers ta n d ng gras t h e d o c tr i n e of

p
ii
.

t h e B l es s ed Tr n ty , a n d i t i s th erefore c a l l ed a mys tery 1 28

i
3 Th e n a tu re, t he a ttr b u tes , a n d t h e w ork s of th e t h ree
p e r s o n s of
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 .

5 We ta ugh t th e mys tery of th e B les s ed Tri nity b y C h ri s t Hi m

a re
i
.

s elf, b u t i t w a s p a r tl y k no w n in t h e t me of t h e Ol d Tes ta men t 1 31

i ii
.

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
.

i n B a p t i s m, a nd i n t h e o th er s a cra ments , i n a ll co n s ecra t o n s a n d

b l es s i ngs , a nd i n th e fea s t of th e M o s t Hol y Tri ni ty .
1 31

5 . HISTO R Y OE CREA T I ON .

1 In th e b egi nni ng God crea ted th e s p ri tu a l a n d ma teri a l u n vers e i i 1 32

i i
. .

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

F R OM WHAT AND , F OR W HAT END , HA s GOD CREA T ED THE W ORLD ?

1 . God ma d e th e w orld ou t of no th i ng s mpl y b eca us e i t pl ea s ed Hi m , i
to ma k e i t 1 35
2 God w a s moved t o ma k e th e w orl d b y Hi s grea t goo d n es s 1 36
i
.

3 Th e end of crea t i o n i s n eces s a ril y t o p ro cl a m t o men t h e gl ory 0

'

6 DIVI NE PR
. OVIDENCE .

W e ca ll b y th e na me of d i vine p rovi d ence God s pres erva ti on a nd ,

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
.

3 For t h s rea s o n a p i o u s Ch ri s t a n s h ou l d res gn h i ms elf en ti rel y

.

t o t h e wi l l of God 1 38

How A R E THE M IS FOR TUNES OF THE GOOD A ND THE P R S P ERI T Y OF O

THE W I CK ED To O
B E RE C N C I L ED W I TH THE PROVI DEN C E OF G OD ?

No s i nner h a s t ru e h a pp ine s s , a nd h i s goo d fortu ne i s onl y t ra ns i tory . 1 39

HO W IS SIN TO B E R EC ONC ILED W ITH THE P R O V IDENC E OF GOD ?

God i s n ot res p ons ib l e for s i n . 1 40

7 . THE CHR I STIAN UNDER SU FFERI NG .

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
. .

2 Al l s u ffer ng comes from God , a nd i s a s gn of Hi s l ove a n d fa vor 1 41

i i 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
.

5 Su eri n gs t h en a re n o rea l ev l , b u t a re b en et s fro m t h e h a n d o f

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
.

2 Al l th e a ng el s w h om God crea ted were a t th e b egi nn ng i n th e

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
. .

3 Th e ev l a ngel s a re ou r enem es ; th ey envy u s , s eek to lea d u s to

i i i ij 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

1 1 . THE SU PERNATURAL END O WM ENTs OF MAN .

1 Our rs t p a ren ts w ere crea t ed i n t h e gra ce of God , a n d th erefore

i i
.

p o s s es s ed s ngula r p erfect on s of s oul a n d b od y 1 56

2 i i
Th es e s p ec a l p erfect o ns of ou r rs t p a ren ts w e ca l l s u p erna tu ra l
i
.

gi ft s , b e ca u s e t h ey a re s ometh ng a l togeth er b eyond , a nd were

1 57

1 2 . ORIGI NAL SIN .

1 God i mp os ed on ma n i n pa ra d s e a p recep t ; He forb a d e h i m to ea t i

i i i
.

th e fru t of one o f th e trees , w h ch s too d i n th e m d s t of th e

Ga rd en of Ed en 1 58
i
2 M a n a l l o w ed h ms el f t o b e l ed a s t ra y b y th e d ev l , a n d tra n s
. i
gres s ed t h e p recep t of h i s Crea tor
i i
.

3 Th e tra n s gres s on of th e p recep t of God h a d d s a s tro u s cou s e

i i
.

qu ences ; ma n l o s t s a n c t fy ng gra ce a n d a l l h i s s u p ern a tu ra l

i ij i
g ft s , a n d a l s o s u ffered n u r es b o t h i n s ou l a n d b o d y 1 59
4 Th e s i n of ou r rs t p a re n t s w t h a ll i t s ev l co n s equ en ces h a s
. i i
p a s s e d on t o th ei r d es cen d a n ts . 1 61
 1 8 Con t en ts .

SEC O ND TO SEVENTH AR TIC LE OF THE CREED

H I
.

JE S US C R ST .

O u r L ord Jes u s Ch ri s t , Our Re d eemer, h a s freed us from th e evi l con

q
s e u ences of s i n . 1 62

2 THE PR M I
. O SE O F THE RE DEEM ER .

1 Immedi a tely a fter t h e Fa ll God p romi s ed ma n a R ed eemer 1 63

i
.

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
.

foretol d ma n y t h ngs a b o u t th e com ng, t h e b rth , t h e p ers on ,

t h e s u fferi ngs , th e d ea th , a n d t h e n a l t r u mp h a n d gl ory of th e i
1 64
4 Of th e a d ven t of t h e M es s a s i 1 65
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

3 . PRE P ARA T I ON OF M ANK I ND FO R THE REDEE M ER .

1 God for Hi ms el f a s p ec a l n a t on a nd p rep a red

ch os e i i
i
.

c omi n g of a R ed eemer ; t h s ch o s en p eo p l e w a s th e s eed o f Ab ra

h a m, u s u a l l y ca ll ed b y th e n a me of Is ra el tes or ew s i J 1 71
i
2 Th e oth er n a t o n s of t h e ea r th w ere p rep a red for t h e c omi ng of
i
.

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
.

s h o u l d exp eri en ce t h e d eep es t m s ery in ord er t o ro u s e i t t o a

l o ngi ng for a 1 74

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

5 . JE SU S OF NAZ ARE TH Is THE RED EE MER OR C HR I S T .

1 Jes us Na za reth i s t h e Red eemer b eca us e a ll th e p rop h ec es h a ve

of i
i
.

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 .

4 . O n th e ten th d a y a fter Hi s a s cen d i ng i nto he aven Ch ri s t s ent

d o w n th e Hol y Gh o s t on t h e ap o s tles 1 92

7 THE PER
. SON OF THE REDEE M ER .

Jes u s Ch ris t , O ur Red eemer, i s th e Son of God ma d e ma n ; h ence He

is 1 93

The Inca/moti on of the Son of God .

Th e d ivi n e p ers on b eca me ma n i n t h e w omb of th e B l es s ed

s ec nd o
i i
V rg n M a ry b y t h e a ctio n of th e Ho l y Gh os t a t t h e momen t of
t h e An n u n c a t on i i 1 93
w Th e Fa t h er O f es u s i s th erefore God th e Fa th er i n h ea ven ;
J
J
o s ep h , th e s p ou s e of M a ry, i s onl y th e fo s ter fa th er of esu s J 1 94
i i
-
.

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

W HA T TR UTHS FOLL O W FR OM THE M YSTER Y OF THE R E D EM P TION ?

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
.

In C h r s t th ere i s on l y on e p ers o n , a n d t h a t pers on i s di vi ne 1 98

Jes u s C h ri s t i s the Son of God .

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
.

t h e Son of God ( M a t t xxv 200

i i
. .

2 God t h e Fa th er ca l l ed es u s C h r s t Hi s Son on t h e o cca s o n of

J
i
.

Hi s b a p t s m i n th e ord a n a nd of th e tra n s gura ti on on M ou nt

J
Th a b or ( M a t t 1 7; . iii . 200

Jes us C hri s t i s God Hi ms elf .

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

Jes us C hri s t i s Our Lord .

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

EI G H TH AR TI CLE OF THE CREED THE H O LY : GHO ST .

1 . THE GRA C E OF THE HO LY GH O S T Is NE C E SSAR Y To U s .

l . Th e Hol y Gh o s t i s th e Th ird P r o e s n of the B l es s ed Tri ni ty, a nd is

205
2 . Th e i
Hol y Gh os t d s p ens es t h e gra ces wh ch C h ri s t mer ted b y th e i i
i
s a cr ce of t h e cro s s 205
3 . i
Hen ce t h e a s s s ta nce of th e Holy Gh os t i s a b s ol u tel y neces sa ry
205

2 . ACTI ON OF THE HO LY HO S T
G .

Actua l Gra ce .

2 The Holy Gh o s t i n uences our li ves b y enligh teni ng the mi nd

a n d Strengt h en i n g t h e w i l l Such p a s s i ng i n u en ce of t h e Hol y
.

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
.

es peci a ll y b y pra yer, fas t ng, a n d a l ms d ee d s ; a n d more e s p ec i a l ly b y

th e u s e of t h e mea n s of gra ce p rov d ed b y t h e C h u rch , b y h ea r i
i
i ng o f h ol y M a s s , w ort h y recep t on of th e Sa cra men t s , a n d a t ten d
a n ce a t s ermo n s 21 0

1 Wh en th e s i nner co opera tes w i th actua l grace th e Holy Gh o s t

i 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
.

a n d u s ng t h e mea n s of gra ce of fered b y th e Ch u rch ; i t i s l o s t b y

i
a s ngl e mort a l Si n 21 5
i i
5 He w h o h a s n ot s a n ct fy n g gra ce i s s p r tu a ll y d ea d , a n d w l l ii i
i
.

s uf fer etern a l ru n 21 6
i i i
.

6 N0 on e k n o w s for certa n w h e th er h e h a ve s a n c t fy ng gra ce or

.

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
.

2 Th e Ho l y G h o s t g ves t o ma n y gra ces of a ra rer k n d , for n s ta n ce

i i i
.

t h e g ft of t o n gu es of m r a c l es of p rop h es y, of d s cern men t of

ii ii 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
.

i n es u s C h r s t , Hi s h o l y M oth er, t h e a p o s tl es , t h e p a tr a rch s a n d

J
t h e p rop h et s of t h e Ol d L a w a n d a ll t h e s a n ts of t h e C a t h ol i c , i
Ch urch 21 9

The Ho ly Gh o s t as Gui d e of th e Ch ur ch.

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 .

Th e Holy Gh o s t h a s a p p ea red u nd e r th e form of a d ove, of re, a nd

of t ongu es t o s ign i fy Hi s
,
oi ce i n t h e C h urch . 220

NINTH AR TI CLE O F THE CREED : THE CATH O LI C CH URCH .

1 . THE C A THO LI C CHURC H A ND ITS IN S T ITUTIO N .

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
.

w h ch men a re t ra ned for h ea ven 221

i
.

2 Th e C h u r ch p r ep a res ma n for h ea v en b y c a rry n g ou t th e t h ree

i i
.

fol d oi ce w h ch C h r s t con ferred u p on h er ; t h e of ce of t ea ch er,

of p r e s t ain d o f s h ep h erd 222
3
,

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

2 . THE HEAD OF THE C HUR C H .

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

3 . BI SHOPS PRIES T S , , THE FAI TH FUL .

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

4 FOUNDA . T I ON A ND SPREAD OF THE C HURC H .

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
.

2 Th e C h u rch rs t b ega n i ts l fe on P en tec o s t, w h en s o me t h ree

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
-
.

were co nverted . 233

636as u

7 . At p resent th e Ca th oli c Ch u rch numb ers 1 3 s )

c o c o 0 0 0 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 9 0 0 0 0 9

0 0 0 0 0 .0 0 0 0 9 0 9 9 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 234

5 . THE C ATHO L I C CH UR C H Is I NDE S TRU CTI LE B A ND INFALLI LE B .

In d es tru cti b i li ty of th e C h u rch .

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

The Infa l li b i li ty of the Chu rch .

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 .

3 Th e Ch u rch p ronounces nfa ll b l e u d gment s i

i n th e fol l ow ng i j i
i i i i
.

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
.

B es d es t h es e t h ree cl a s s es t h ere a re o th er d egrees va ry ng i n th e r

p owers ; for exa mple, P ope, ca rd i na l s , a nd a rch b s h op s i

7 . NOT E S OF THE TRUE CHURCH .

1 Th e true Ch u rch i s t h a t wh i ch i s mo s t p ers ecu t ed b y t h e w orl d ,

on e
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
.

2 . Th e true C h u rch i s t h a t one i n w h ch t h e s u cces s or of St P eter i s .

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

8 . THE C AT HOLIC C HUR CH AL NE O GIV E S SA LV A T I O N .

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 .

1 Th e Ch urch i s , i n i ts own d ep a rt ment a b s ol u tel y n d epend ent of i

i
. ,

t h e Sta te, for Ch ri s t l eft t h e t ea ch n g a n d g overn men t of Hi s

Ch u rch t o t h e a p o s tl es a nd t h e r s u cces s ors , n ot t o a ny temp ora l i
overe gn
s i 247
i i
.

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
.

Sta t e, for s h e t ea ch es ob ed en ce t o a u th or ty , p reven ts ma ny

cri mes , n c i i tes men t o n ob l e en d ea vor, a n d u n tes togeth er va r ou s i i
n a t on s i
i im
.

3 . Th e Ch u rch w a s fro m t h e ea rl es t t es th e p a tro n of tr u e ed u

2 49
 Con ten ts . 25

1 0 THE C OMM UNION

. O F SAIN T S .

1 Th e co mmu ni on ii nterco urs e of Ca th oli cs

of s a n ts i s th e un io n a nd
i
.

on ea r t h , o f t h e s o u l s i n p u rga t ory, a nd of t h e s a n t s i n h ea v en 251

i
. .

2 C a t h ol cs on ea rth , t h e s ou l s i n p u rga tory , a n d t h e b l es s ed i n

i i i j
.

h ea ve n, are u n te d w t h Ch r s t, u s t a s a re th e memb ers o f a b o d y

i
w t h th e h ea d 251
i i
.

3 Al l t h e memb ers of t h e commu n o n of s a n t s h a ve a s h a re i n th e

ii i
.

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

TENTH ARTI CLE OF THE CREED : THE FOR GIVENESS

( 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 .

1 At d ea th t h e s oul i s s ep a ra t ed from th e b o d y a n d en te rs th e worl d

iri t i
.

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 . Al l men mu s t d i e, b eca u s e d ea t h i s t h e co n s equ en ce of or g n a l

2 54
3 . Dea th i s terri b l e onl y to th e s i nn e r, in no wi s e t o t h e j us t 25 5

2 THE
. PA R TI CULAR JUD GM EN T .

1 foll ow s t h e p a rt cul a r ud gment i j 2 56

:
2 After t h e p a rt i cu l a r j u dgmen t t h e s ou l s o f men go n to h ell , i or
h ea Ven, or 25 7

3 . HEAVEN .

Hea ven i s the ab od e of e e v rlas t ing 2 57

4 . HELL .

1 . Hell i s th e a b o d e of everl a s t ng t ormen t i 261

2 . Th e s ou l s of t h o s e wh o d i e i n mor t a l s i n go t o h el l
26 Con tents .

PAC !

1 P u rga tory i s a pl ace wh ere t h e s o ul s of th os e mu s t s uffer for a t ime

i i
.

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
.

2 Th a t t h ere i s a p u rga t ory w e l ea rn from th e t ea ch ngs of C h r s t

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

6 THE RE. SURREC T ION OF THE B ODY .

Ch r s t i on th e La s t Da y will ra ise t h e b o d i es of a ll men from t h e d ea d

268

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 .

1 . THE E SS ENC E OF C HRI S T IAN 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
.

ete rn a l h a p p n es s a n d t h e mea ns re u i red for ob ta i ni ng i t q 274

i i i
.

2 Ch r s t a n h ope i s b a s e d on fa th 2 75
i i
.

3 He onl y wh o ca rr es ou t God s w ll c a n h O p e for th e good th i ngs

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 THE A . DVAN TA GE 0F C HRI S TIAN HOP E .

1 He wh o h O p es i n God en j oys th e s p ecia l p ro tec ti on of God 27 7

He wh o h op es i n God ca n ob ta i n everyt h i ng fro m Hi m
.

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
,

5 Th e meri t of ou r g oo d w ork s a n d t h e d eg ree of our fu tu re fel c ty

i i
.

i s i n p rop ort on t o th e ma gn t u d e of ou r l ove for God 2 91

IV . THE LOV E O F THE W O RL D IS O PPO SED TO THE

L OV E O F GO D .

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
.

gra t ca t on of on e s a p p et te, or ea rth l y h on ors , or a ny th i ng

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

V . THE COMM ANDM ENT O F CHARIT Y TO W ARDS OUR

NEIGHB O R .

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
.

fur th ermore b e ca u se h e i s a ch l d of God ma d e a ft er Hi s ma ge ; ,

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
.

a re b y n o me a ns ob l ged t o l ove h i m b et te r t h a n ou rs el ves 29 6

4 All th a t w e d o t o ou r n e gh b or w h e th er i t b e good or ev l w e i i
i i i
. , ,

d o t o Ch r s t H ms elf for He h a s s a d W h a t y ou d i d t o one

, ,

of th es e M y l ea s t b reth ren y e d i d i t t o M e ( M a t t xxv , . . 29 7

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
.

to h i s l fe, h i s n n oc en ce, h i s p ro p erty, h i s h o n or, or h i s h ou s eh ol d . 300

3 . Nor d oes h e l ove h i s nei gh b or wh o p erforms no works of mercy . 300

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

VIII THE CO MM ANDMENT TO

. LO VE O U R ENEM Y .

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 ra y for th em t h a t p ers ecut e a n d ca l u mn a te y ou ( M a t t v 44 ) i . . 303

 Con ten ts . 29

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
.

o urs el ves on h i m, th a t w e retu rn good for ev l , t h a t we p ra y for

IX THE L O VE OF O NE S SELF

. .

Th e tru e l ove of o n e s s elf s h ow s t s elf h erei n , th a t w e s tri ve to

i
i
a t ta n t h a t w hi ch w l l p rocu re our rea l h a p p n es s ; rs t a n d i i
foremo s t ou r e tern a l fel c t y, a n d t h en s u ch e a rth l y t h ngs a s ii i
i
a re co n d u c ve t o t h e a t t a n men t of et erna l fel c ty i ii . 3 06

X . THE TEN CO M M ANDMENTS O F GOD .

1 . Th e Ten C omma nd men ts w ere g iv en b y G od to t h e Jews on M ou nt

3 06
2 i i
W e C h r s t a n s a re b o u nd t o ob s erve th e Ten C omma n d men ts of God
i
.
,

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
.

4 He wh o k eep s a l l t h es e c omma nd men ts rece ves a grea t rew a rd

.

from Go d on ea rth , a n d a fter d ea th h e ma y l ook forw a rd to

e tern a l fel c ty a s h i s p ort on ii i 3 08
5 Temp ora l a n d e t ern a l ch a s ti s emen ts a w a t t h e ma n w h o gr evou s ly i i
i i
.

v ol a te s a s ngl e one of t h es e comma n d men ts 308

THE FIRST C OM M AND MENT O F GO D .

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

2WORSHI OF FAL SE GODS

. IDO A TR Y L O R THE P .

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 .

3 . FOO LISH OR PER V ERTED W O R SHIP .

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
-
.
,

a nd rra t ona l forms of w ors h p 81 5

2 . i
Th s pervert ed form of wors h p i s a gri ev ou s s i n i 31 6

SI S A N GAIN ST THE FIR ST C OM MA ND M ENT .

We s in a ga i n s t th e Fi rs t C omma n d men t by n egl ect ing p ra yer, b y

opp os i ng rel ig o n, et c i . 31 7

4 THE V ENER A TION

. OF SA INTS .

1 .
-

We h onor th e s a i nts b eca u s e t h ey a re th e fr en d s of God , p ri n ces i

of th e h ea ven l y c o u rt , a n d b en efa cto rs t o o u rs el ves a ls o b e
i
ca u s e w e ob t a n grea t gra ces from God t h rou gh v en era t ng t h em i 31 8
2 i
W e venera te t h e s a n ts i f w e en trea t th e r nterces s on w th God ; i i i i
i i
.

if w e cel eb ra te t h ei r fea s ts reveren ce th e r i ma ges a n d t h e r

i i i i i
,

rel cs ; i f w e b ea r th e r n a me, cl a m th e r p rot ect on in ma t te rs

i
of mp ort a n c e, a n d p ra s e t h em i n w ord a n d s on g Th e b e s t i
i i
.

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

5 . THE V ENER A TIO N OF THE M O THER OF GO D .

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
.

e n d o m i s b eca u s e Go d h a s exa l te d h er a b ove a ll men a n d a n g el s 3 24

i i i
.

3 Fi n a l l y, we ent erta n th s grea t ven era t on for M a ry, b e ca us e h er

i
.

n t erces s i o n i s more p ow er ful wi t h G od t h a n th a t o f a n y o th er

3 25

6 THE V ENER A TION

. OF IMA GES OF THE SA INTS .

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
.

d wel l ngs ; we s a y ou r p ra y ers b efore t h em, we s a l u te t h em re

s pe ctfu l l y , we a d o rn t h em w i th o ffer ngs , w e ma ke p lgr ma ges i i i
t o t h e r s h r n es i i 329
2 i
Th rough ven era t ng t h e ma ges of t h e s a n ts , ef ca c ou s a n d o ften i i i
i i
.

t mes s u p ern a t u ra l gra ces a re ob t a n ed ; t h ey a re a l s o u s efu l a s

ii
a mea n s O f a v o d n g d s t ra ct i on s i n p ra yer, a n d a ord i ng us a i

s il ent a d mon t on ii . 330

7 THE V ENER A TION

. 0F RE LIC S .

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
.

2 . ma ny b l es s n gs from God b y ven era t ng rel cs 3 82

8 THE
. EXTRA O R DINAR Y W O R SHIP OF GO D .

We ca n , moreover, h onor God b y ta k i n g a n oa th o r by ma k ng i a v ow . 332

 Con ten ts . 31

The Oa th .

1 To s wea r t a ke a n oa th is to ca ll God to w tnes s tha t

or i on e is
i i
.

s pea k ng t h e t ru th , or th a t on e w ill k eep a p rom s e 383

Th e Vow ( So l emn P romi s e) .

l . A v ow is a p ro mi s e v ol un ta r il y ma d e t o God t o p erform s ome good

386
2 Th e mos t i mp orta n t vo ws a re t h e rel igi o u s vo ws , th a t i s to s a y ,
i i i
.

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 .

THE SECOND COMMAND MENT OF GO D .

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
,

men cemen t of a ll we d o a n d i n t me of t rou b l e 33 9

2
,

W e ough t t o s h ow res p ec t for a l l t h a t a p pe rta n s t o d vine wors hi p ; i i

i
.

more es p ec a ll y for t h e s erva n t s of God for h ol y p l a ces s a cred

ii 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
.
,

co un t O f Hi s n ni te p er fect o ns a n d goo d n es s es pec a ll y w h en He

i
revea l s Hi s p erfect ons i n a s pec a l ma nn er or confers a b enet 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
. .

o f a n ger a s a n i mp rec a t on ag a n s t ce rta n er s on s or t h ngs 3 42

p
i
.

6 In d ec orou s b eh a v or to wa rd s p ers on s w h o a re co n s ecra ted to th e

Oj i
.

s ervi ce of Go d , h ol y p l a ces , s a c re d b ects or a ct on s

i
7 B la s p h emy Of th s s i n t h os e a re gu il ty w h o revil e Go d , Hi s s a nts , i
j i i
. .

or s pea k co n te mp t u o u s l y of o b ect s c on n ect ed w t h Hi s w ors h

p
i i ii ii
.

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

THE THIR D C O M M AND M ENT OF GOD .

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

1 . THE PREC EP T TO SA NC T IFY SUNDA YS A ND HoL Y D A Y s .

1 God omma nd s u s t o s a n ct fy th e s eventh d a y b eca us e

c i on th e
i
. ,

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 .

3 Sund a y was a pp oi nted b y th e a p o s tl es a s t h e d a y O f res t i ns tea d of

.

t h e Sa b b a th , b eca u s e C h ri s t ros e from t h e d ea d on Sund a y

i i
.

4 W e a re b ou n d on Su n d a y to a b s ta n from s erv le w ork a n d to

i i
.

a s s s t a t th e p u b l c Ma s s ; w e o ugh t moreover to emp l oy thi s

ii
d a y i n p ro v d ng for t h e s a l va t on of ou r s ou l , t h a t i s to s a y b y i
i
a pp ro a ch ng t h e Sa cra ment s , b y
p r a y er h ea r n g s er mo ns rea d ng i i
i
s p ri t u a l b ook s , a nd p erformi ng w orks of mercy
, ,

SINS A GA I NST THE THIR D C O M M A NDM ENT.

Th i s omma nd men t i s tra n s gres s ed

c b y p erformi ng s er vil e w ork , b y
ca rel es s n es s a t p u b l c w ors h
p i i , et c.

M ott/veg for th e Sci/noti c

a ti on of Sund ay .

G od rewa rd s th o s e wh o keep h ol y Hi s da y, a nd i ts p ro fa n a ti on i s fre

35 1

2 . THE PR EC EP T OF LA BO R

l . Th e ob l i ga ti on t o work wa s l a d u p o n ma n n b y God a fter th e i ki d

Fa ll a s a p ena nce 3
i ii
.

2 Every n d v d u a l w h o ca n w ork i s b ou n d t o w ork St Pa ul s a ys :

i i
. . .

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
.

w ork w e s h o u l d mpl ore Hi s a i d a n d ren ew ou r i n tent on

5 L a b or Ob ta i n s a t emp ora l a n d a n etern a l recomp ens e b eca u s e i t
i ii i
.
,

i s a k n d O f d v ne w ors h p Th e t emp ora l recomp ens e i s con

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 .

It i s l a wfu l to s ee k rel a xa t on i , b ut on e mu s t n ot o verd o it . 3 56

THE SIX CO MMAND MENTS O F THE C HUR CH .

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
.

t h e Ch u rch , for d s ob ed i en ce t o t h e C h u rch i s d i s ob ed ence t o

Ch r s t i 3 57

1 . THE FIR ST C OM M A NDM EN T OF THE CHUR C H: THE O B SERv ANO E

OF SUNDA Y S A ND HO YD AYS L .

1 In th e rs t comma nd men t O f th e Ch u rch th e s ol emn ob s erva n ce

ji
.

of t h e h ol yd a y s i s en o ned u p o n u s Th ere a re s even fes ti va l s

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
.

a s t h e Su n d a y s ; we mu s t a b s ta n from s erv le w ork a n d a s s s t

a t h ol y M a s s 3 59
 Conten ts . 33

The Eccles i a s ti ca l Y ear .

I Th e ec cl es i a s ti ca l yea r i s a n a nn u a l commemora ti on a n d repre

io f t h l if 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

2 . THE SEC OND C OM MAND M EN T OF THE CHURCH .

B y t h e s econ d comma n d men t O f th e C h urch t h e p recep t of fa s ting i s

l a d u p on u s i 36 1
In t h e s ec on d co mma n d men t of t h e C h u rch w e a re ord ered t o a b s ta i n
on a l l Fr d a ys of t h e y ea r ; i
to fa s t d ur n g t h e fort y d a ys of L en t , i
on t h e Emb er d a y s , a n d on t h e v g l s of certa n fea s ts ii i 36 2
i
1 W e a re forb d d en t o ea t mea t on Fr d a y, b eca u s e on t h a t d a y O ur
. i
36 2
2 Du r i g th forty d y
n e L en t o nl y on e fu ll meal i s t o b e ta k en , a s
a s Of
i i i t ti o
.

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
.

mp l ore a l mi gh ty God to s en d u s goo d p r es ts , a n d t o t h a nk

Hi m for t h e b en ets rece ved d u r ng t h e p a s t qu a rter i i 36 3
4 W e a re a l s o b oun d t o fa s t on t h e v g l s of certa n fea s t s , i n ord er ii i
i
,

t h e b et t er t o p rep a re o u rs el ves for cel eb ra t ng th o s e fea s t s 3 63

5 It i s b y n o mea n s t h e d es i re of t h e C h u rch t h a t w e Sh o ul d fa s t t o
ij 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

3 . THE THIR D A ND FOUR TH CO MM A NDM EN TS OF THE CHUR C H .

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
.

u s th e d u ty o f a pp roa ch n g t h e Sa cra men t O f Pe na n ce a n d re

ce i v i ng h ol y commun o n a t Ea s ter i . 3 66

4 . THE FIFTH C O M MA ND M ENT OF THE CHUR C H .

By th e fth comma n d men t of th e C h u rch we a re b o u n d to c nto rib ute

t o t h e s u pp ort of ou r p a s tors 3 68

5. Tm SIXTH COM MANDMENT OF THE CHURCH.

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 -

a l s o t h e ma rri a ge of th o s e wh o a re r el a t ed b y b loo d ( cons a n

g ui ni ty ) t o th e thi r d d egree i ncl us ve or b y ma rri a ge ( a fn ty ) i i

t o th e s econ d d egree i nclu s ve M a rr a ges a re n ot s ol emni zed i
, ,
i
i i i i
.

d u r n g xed se as on s Th es e p en ten t a l t mes a re from th e b e

i i i
.

gi n n n g O f Ad ven t un t l Ch r s tma s Da y , a n d from As h W edn es

d ay Ea s ter 3 68
 34 Contents .

THE F O UR TH CO M M AND M ENT O F GO D .

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
,

eccl es i a s t i ca l a nd s ecu l a r a u t h ori t es

l . O UR DUTY TOW AR DS O UR PARENTS .

1 O ur p a rents a re to b e h on ored , b eca us e th ey are God s rep res enta

.

t i v es a n d ou r grea tes t b enefa ct ors 368

i
.

2 W e ou gh t t o h on or our p a rent s b y res pectful b eh a v or, l ove, a nd

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
.

over u s a s i t i s t o our p a rent s

,
our teac h ers a nd
governors ,
mas ters a nd empl oyers , a n d ou r elders i n genera l . 37 1

Tran s gres s tons of the F ourth Command ment .

1 . He t ra ns gres s es t h e Fou rt h C omma nd ment of God wh o i s di s

res p ec tfu l t o wa rd s h i s p a ren ts ; W h o b eh a ves ru d el y t o t h em,
is a s h a med of t h em, etc . 37 1

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

2 . O UR DU TY TO WAR D S THO SE IN AU THOR ITY .

1 God h a s a pp oi nted t w o p owers , th e s p ri t u a l a n d th e s ecul a r, for i

i i i ii
.

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
.

co mm t ted t h e g u i d a n ce of s oul s , to t h e s ecul ar t h e ma i n te ~

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
.

t h e h gh es t s ecul a r a u th or t y t o t h e mona rch of th e l a n d ; i n

mo s t cou ntri es t h e p eopl e h a ve a s h a re i n t h e s ecul a r govern
37 4
3 i i
O u r d u t es t ow a rd s P op e a n d k ng a re s mil a r to our d uties t owa rd s i
i
.

God , for t h ey a re b o th Hi s rep res enta t ves 37 4

4 He w h o gros s l y O en d s a ga i n s t ei t h er t h e eccl es i a s ti ca l or s ec ul a r

ii i
.

a u t h or t es , h a s t o expect t h e s evere ch a s t s emen t of God on

ea rt h , a n d p u nis h ment i n t h e w orl d t o co me

3 . THE DUTIES OF TH SE O W HO AR E IN AUTHO RITY .

N0 Ch ri s ti a n sh ould st ri ve for a po i ti on h e i s n ot c ompeten t t o l l . 3 78

THE F IF TH C O M M AND MENT OF GO D .

In t h e Fi fth Co mma n d men t a l migh ty God forb d s u s t o d es tro y ou r i

i
own l ife, o r t h a t of ou r n e g h b or, or t o t rea t th e l o w er a n mal s i
36 Con ten ts .

Sin s a ga i ns t th e Sev enth Comma ndment .

PAGE

Th e Seven th C omma n d men t xp res s ly forb d s : th eft rob b ery ch ea t

e i
ij i
i n g u s ury n u r n g t h e p rop erty o f a n ot h er d ete nt on of goo d s
, , ,
,

i ,

t h a t h a ve b een fou n d or l en t a n d t h e n on p a ymen t of d eb ts 39 5

i
-

1 W e a re i n d a nger of comm tti n g morta l s i n i f we ta ke from ou r

i 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

2 . RESTITU TION OR SA TISFA C TION .

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
.

p rop erty i s u n d er a s tr ct Ob l ga t on t o res t ore t h e s t ole n goo d s

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
-
. .

2 If a n y on e h a s un w tti ngl y got s t ol en good s i n h i s p os s es s on h e

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 ,

b ecomes a w a re th a t t h ey w ere s to l en 398

3 i
He w h o r efu s es e the r to g ve u p t h e s tol en p rop erty or t o com i
i i i
.

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
,

from God n or a b s ol u ti o n fro m t h e p r es t . 398

W HA T A R E THE R EA SO NS W HIC H OUGHT TO D ETEB U S FR OM

TR A N SGR ESSIN G THE SEV EN TH C O M M A ND M ENT

P eop l e w h o w rong t h e r i ne igh b o r i n h i s p rop erty gen era ll y come t o

s h a me a n d p overty , often d ie u nrep en ta nt , a n d a re i n d a nger of

399

THE EIGHTH C O MM AND M ENT OF GOD .

In t h e Ei gh th C omma n d men t God forb d s u s to d etra ct from i our

n ei ghb or s h on or, or b ea r fa l s e w tn es s of a ny k i n d

i .

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 a n r c h e s fo r t me a n d for et ern ty 400

i
2 Ab ove a l l w e o u gh t t o s tr ve to a c qu re a goo d na me a mo ng men ,
. i
a n d for th a t rea s o n w e o ugh t t o l et ou r g o od w orks b e k n ow n ,
a n d w e o u gh t t o d efen d ou r ch a ra ct er i f i t b e a s p ers ed t o a ny

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
.

res tore h i s goo d n a me ; e th er b y a p ol og z ng, i f th e ffence w a s O

i i
co mm tted i n p r v a t e , or b y p u b l cl y retra c t n g h i s w ord s , i f t h ey i i
w ere s p o k en b efore o th ers 405
5 Th os e w h o d o n ot en d ea vor t o rep a r t h e h a rm t h ey h a ve d o ne i
i i i
.

b y s l a n d eri ng t h e r n e gh b or, ca nno t ob ta n p a rd o n fro m God ,

i
n or a b s ol u t on fro m t h e p r es t i . 406
 Con tents . 37

W HAT AR E THE REAS ONS WHIC H SHOULD D STER U S FR O M INJURIN G

OU R NEIG H O R S G OOD NAME ? B

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
. ,

be u d ged s everel y b y God .

2 . THE C O M M A ND N U N TR UTHF UL NESS A GA I ST .

Go d i s t ru th ts el f; i co n sequ en tl y He forb i d s every ki nd of fa l s eh ood

i i i
,

es pec a l ly l y n g, h yp oc r s y a n d a t tery , . 407

W HA T AR E THE R EA S ONS W HIC H SHOUL D MA KE U S R E RA I F N F ROM

UNTR UTHFULNESS
'

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
.

2 Th e pern c o u s h a b t of ly ng lea d s a ma n in t o morta l s i n a n d to

ii
.

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
.

s gh t , a n d i s es tee med b y h i s fell ow m en -

. 41 1

3 . THE M EA N S OF PR EV ENTIN G SIN S O R THE TON GUE .

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

THE NINTH C O MM AND M ENT OF GOD .

i
( See S x th C omma n d men t ) .

THE TENTH C O M MAND M ENT OF GO D .

In th e Ten th C omma nd ment God forb d s u s t o end ea vor t o p os s es s i

ours elves O f t h e p roperty of a n o th er b y u nla wful mea ns . 41 3

1 . SOCIA LISM .

1 In our ownl a rge p rop ort on of th e s o ca ll ed Soc ia li s ts or

da y a i ~

ii i
.

s oci a l d emocra t s a i m a t d epr v n g th e r fel l o w men of th ei r

pri
j
-

va t e property b y un u s t mea ns 41 4
i
.

2 Al l w h o en d ea vor b y u nl a w ful mea ns to d ep ri ve t h e r n eigh b or of

i
.

hi s pers o na l p roperty , l ve i n a s ta te of morta l s i n 41 7

XI . THE W ORK S OF M ERCY .

1 . THE V AL UE OF EAR THLY G OOD S A ND THE U SE To BE M AD E OF

THEM .

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
. .

2 Ea rt hly good s h a ve th e r va l u e h ow ever, b eca u se w i th th em w e

i
.
,

ca n ea rn r
ete na l fel ci ty 41 8
ih
.

3 . God i s t h e L ord O f a l l ea rt hl y r c es ; we a re onl y Hi s s tew a rd s . 41 8

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
.

i s i n n eed w th ou r ea rthl y good s ; for He w il l onl y gra n t ever

i
l a s t n g ha pp ines s to th os e wh o h a ve h el ped th ei r fell ow men w h o e

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
.

th e n eces s es we rel eve a re s ua l or c orp ora l 42 0

3 . THE SEV ER A L W O R KS OF M ER C Y .

l Th e orp ora l w ork s of mercy a re :

c To fee d th e h u ngry ;
i i i
.

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
..

2 Th e s p r t u a l w orks O f mercy a re : To ns t ru c t t h e gn ora n t ;

i i
.

To cou n s el t h e d o u b t fu l ; To a d mon s h S nn ers ;

To b ea r w ro n g s p a t e n tl y ; i
To forg ve o ffen ces w ll n gl y ; i i i
6 ) To comfort t h e a ffli cted ; To p ra y for t h e l v ng a nd th e ii
(1 ca d
,

422

4 . IN W HA T SP IR IT SHO U D THE W OR L K S OF M ERC Y BE

P ER F O R M ED ?

W e ough t n ot t o d o g oo d to ou r n e igh b or in ord er to b e s ee n a nd

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
.

say th e s n n er ob ta n s t h e gra ce of rep ent a n ce w h l e t h e u s t

,

i i i i
,

ma n rece ves t h e p a rd on of ven a l s i n a n d t h e rem s s on O f t h e ,

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
.

3 Al ms g v n g b r ngs d ow n u p o n u s t emp ora l b l es s i ngs ; Go d i n

i i
.

crea Ses ou r mea n s a n d g v es u s b o d l y h ea l t h

XII . THE DU T Y OF GRATITU D E .

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
.

rs t t o God a n d th en t o ou r b en efa cto r ; for G od re u res of u s

t h a t w e Sh ou l d b e gra t efu l for th e b en e ts w e r ece ve i 429
2 i O i
B y ou r gra t tu d e w e b t a n fres h fa vors , w h erea s i n gra t t u d e b r ngs i i
i
.

m s for tu n es u p on u s 43 0

XIII . THE PO V ERT Y O F THE CHR ISTIAN .

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

formed for th e l ove O f God , a n d co n s equ en tl y w l l b e r ew a rd ed i

b y God 4 34
igh t
.

Th e good w ork s mos t p l ea s i n g i n Go d s t h es e : P ra yer,

2 s a re

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
. .

5 Th rou gh goo d w ork s t h e s nn er b ta n s t h e a ct u a l gra ces w h i ch O

i j i
.

a re n ece s s a ry for h i s co nvers o n ; t h e u s t ma n b ta n s a n i n O

crea s e oi sa n ct f i i
y n g gr a ce, et erna l fel c ty, a n d t h e rem s s on ii i i
of th e temp ora l p e n a l ty o f s i n ; fu rt h ermore h i s p ra y ers a re h ea rd ,
i
a n d s o met mes ea rt h ly b l es s ng s a re b es t o w ed on h i m i 43 7
6 . W e ca n a pp ly t o o t h ers , e t h er t o t h e l v ng or t o t h e d ea d , th e i ii
merit of our good works 438

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
.

t h e ten d en cy of t h e w ill t ow a r d s w h a t i s goo d , r es u l t ng from

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
. . .
, ,

formed for t h e gl ory of God w h ch w ll b e rew a rd ed aft er d ea th 439

i i i i
, .

3 . V rtu e ca n o nl y b e a cqu red a n d n crea s ed b y d n t of s tru ggl e

a n d s elf co n qu es t ; for ma n y Ob s ta cl es h a ve t o b e en co u n t ered
i i i iii
-

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
, ,

ou t wa rd h n d ra n ces t h e con temp t a n d p ers ecu t o n of men 440

i i i i
.
,

4 . V rt u e p ro cu res for u s rea l h a pp n es s b o th in t me a n d i n etern ty . .

440

THE D IFF ER EN T K ND I S OF C HR ISTIA N V IR T UE .

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
.

c on form t y w th t h e mora l l a w , a re ca l l e d mor a l v rt u es Th es e

i i i
.

w e ga n for o u rs elves b y ou r o w n ex ert on s a n d th e a s s s ta n ce

i
of di v ne gra c e, a fte r w e h a ve r ec e ved s a n ct fy n g gra ce i i i 443
i i i i i
.

3 Th e p r n c p a l mora l v rtu es a re t h e s even ca p t a l v r tu es : Hu

i i i i ii
e
.

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
.

Pru d en ce, u s t ce , te mp era n ce, a n d fort tu d e ( W s d v 444

i i i
. .

5 All p erfe ct v r t u es s p r ng fro m t h e l ove o f God a n d a re n s ep a ra b l y

i iii
.

u n t ed t ogeth er b y t h a t s a me l ove ( 1 C or x ) 446

i i
. .

6 Th e grea tes t a n d n ob l es t o f a ll t h e v r tu es i s ch a r t y 447

i i
. .

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
.

for t h ereb y t h e l ove of God i s l o s t , w t h ou t w h ch t h ere ca n b e n o

p er fe ct v r t u e i 448

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

THE DEV EL O PM E NT OF SIN .

In th e d evel op men t of s i n temp t a t on rs t a ri s es , th en i comes th e

i
res ol u t on s to comm t s i n ; a fter t h a t, i f p p ortu n ty i O i O ffers th e
ex t er or a ct i s i
co mm tt ed i ,

451
40 Conten ts .

THE KIND S OF SIN.

1 Si gen e ral l y d i vi d ed i nt o s in s of word , of t h o ugh t, a nd of

gdr
. is a e
cc 3
2 . A d st i i n ct i on a ls o ex s it s b e tw een ou r o w n s nsi , an d th e i
S ns in
3

THE C O M P AR A TIV E M A GN TUD E OF

I SIN .

1 Al l s i ns a re not e u a l l y grea t q 456

i ir ly
. .

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
.

an d ep ri ve u s of Hi s fri en d s h p ; t h ey a re ca ll ed morta l or d ea dly

s ns i i
S ns of l es s er momen t a re ca l l ed veni a l s ns i 456
i
.

3 He comm t s a morta l s i n wh o con s ci ou s l y a n d O f h i s o wn free

i i
.

w ll d oes gri evo u s d s h on or t o God , or wrong to h i s nei gh b or i n

a weigh ty ma tt er ; wh o d oe s i n u ry to hi s own l i fe, or t o t h e l fe, j i
t h e pro p ert y, or t h e rep u ta t on of h i s n ei gh b or i
i
4 He co mm t s a veni a l s i n wh o only n u res s o met h i ng of tr ng ij ii
ij
.

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
.

s i ns of t h e s a me mp orta nce Th e mos t h ein ou s s in s are th e

i i
.

s n s a ga n s t t h e Holy Gh o s t , a nd t h os e t h a t cry t o h ea ven for

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
.

w il ful ly res s ts th e a ct on of t h e Hol y Gh os t 459

i i
.

7 S n s t h a t cry t o h ea ven for vengea n ce a re s n s of grea t ma l i ce

i i
. .

Th ey a re : W lfu l mu rd er, op p res s on of t h e p oor, d efra u d ing

w a ges , a nd th e s i n O f So d om
i i i i
.

8 A d i s t n ct on mu s t b e ma d e b e tween ven a l s n s a nd i mp erfecti ons

i
. .

Imp erfect on s a re fa ul t s wh i ch a re d ue not t o a b a d wi ll , b u t t o

46 1

THE CONSEQUENC ES OF SIN .

1 M orta l d ep ri ves a ma n of s a n ct fy ing gra ce, a nd d el i vers h im

s in i
i i
.

n t o t h e p ow er of t h e d ev l 46 2
i i
.

2 . M ort a l s i n b r ngs d ow n u p o n th e s nn er b o th eterna l d a mna t i on

a nd t emp ora l ch a s t i s ement 46 3

THE C ONSEQUENC ES OF V ENIA L SIN .

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
.

l os s o f s a n cti fy ng gra ce 465

2 Th ere a re t emp ora l pena l t es d u e t o ven a l s i n , a n d t h es e w ill i i
i
.

co me d o w n u p on u s e th er on ea rt h or a fter d ea th i n p urga t ory . 46 5

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
.

2 Ha b tu a l Si n ma kes a ma n s u p remel y u nh a pp y, b eca u s e i t d ep r ves

i i j i
.

h i m co mp l et el y of s a n ct fy n g gra ce, s ub ec ts h i m ent rel y t o

ii
t h e d om n o n O f th e d ev l , a n d b r ngs d o wn on h i m ma ny t em i i
p or a l u d gmen t j
s a s w e l l a s e tern a l d a mn a t o n i 46 7
 Con ten ts . 41

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
.

o b ed en ce, a ng er a va r ce n t emp era n ce i n ea t ng a n d d r nk n ,

, , g
468

V . THE FO RGIV ENESS OF SIN .

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
.

no ne w h o d o es n o t n eed t h e forg ven es s O f s i n 469

i i i i
.

2 W e ca n o b t a n forg ven es s of s i n , b eca u s e Ch r s t mer ted i t for

.

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
.

3 M orta l s i n i s rem tted y B a p t s m a n d p ena n ce ; veni a l s i n, a n d

i
.

t h e t emp ora l p ena l t es d u e t o i t , b y goo d w orks d o n e i n a s t a t e

o f gra ce Th es e goo d w orks a re : Pra yer, fa s t n g, a l ms g v ng, i ii
i ii i
.

h ea r n g h ol y M a s s , rece v ng h ol y commu n o n , u s e of th e s a cra

i
men ta l s , ga ni ng n d ul gen ces , forgi v i n offences i 47 0
4 Th er e i s n o s i n t oo grea t for God t o o rgi v e h ere b el ow, if i t b e
i
.

s n cerel y rep en ted of a nd h u mb l y co n fes s ed . 47 0

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
.

t o n d u ce us t o s i n ; h e exc tes w t h n u s t h e c on cu p s cence of

t h e es h , t h e co ncu p s cence of t h e eyes , or th e p r d e O f l fe i i i 47 1
2 Go d a l l o w s u s t o b e temp ted ou t of mercy, a n d for t h e good O f
.

ou r s o u l s 47 2
i i
. .

3 W e o ugh t t o p ro t ec t o u rs elves from t emp t a t o n b y a s s d u o u s w ork,

i i
.

b y keep n g ou r th ou gh t s xed up on God , a n d b y co n t n u a l s elf

c onqu es t 478
i i
.

4 W h en w e a re temp ted w e o ugh t to b eta ke o urs e l ves mmed a t el y t o

i i q
.

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

V II . OCC ASIO NS O F SIN .

1 B y o cca s on s of i s in a re mea nt s u ch p l a ces p ers on s or th i ng s

i i
. , , ,

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
.

a s in ; i t en ta l s the l o s s of d v n e gra ce a n d l ea d s t o morta l s i n 47 5

i i i i
.

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
.

L qu or s a l oon s , d a n c ng s a l oon s , b a d t h ea t res , b a d p er o d ca l s

a n d b a d n o vel s 47 7

VIII . THE SEV EN P R INC IPAL V IRTU ES AND THE SEV EN

P RINC IPAL V IC ES .

HUM IL ITY l . .

l Th e h u mb l e ma n i s h e wh o a ck n o wl ed ges h is own o th ngn es s n i

i i
.

a n d t h e n o t h ngn es s O f al l ea rt h l y t h ngs a nd comp ort s h i ms el f

i i i i
,

i n a ccord a n ce w th t h s c o nv ct on 479
42 Con ten ts .

2 Ch ris t ga ve us i n Hi ms elf th e gra nd es t exa mpl e O f h umili ty, for

i
.

He b e ng th e Son of God to ok t h e form of a Serva nt ch os e t o

i i i i
, , ,

l ve i n grea t l owl n es s , w a s mo s t c o n d es cen d n g i n Hi s n ter

i
c o urs e w th men , a n d n a l l y , vol u n t a r l y en d u red t h e i gn omi ni i
481
3 Humi l i ty l ea d s to grea t er s a n ct ity to e xa l t a t o n i a nd to e ver
i
. , ,

l a s ti ng feli c ty 482

2 . THE OP P O SITE OF HUM ILITY : P R ID E .

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
.

h i s ea rth l y p os s es s o n s a n d s h o ws o p enl y t h a t h e d o es s o 483

2 i
P r d e l ea d s t o a l l ma nn er of v ces , t o d egra d a t on h ere, a n d ete rn a li i
i
.

d a mn a t on h erea fter ; i t a l s o d es tro y s t h e va l u e of a l l ou r good

w ork s 484

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
.

cel l en t O f a l l t h e mora l v rt u es ( St Th oma s Aqu n a s 486

i i i
.

3 B y ou r ob ed en ce w e a cc omp l s h th e w l l of God mos t s u rel y, a nd

i q i i
.

w e a t ta in certa n l y a nd u ckl y t o a h gh d egree of p erfecti on . 487

4 . B
DISO ED IEN C E .

l . Di s ob ed i ence con s s t s i in n ot ful ll i ng th e c omma n d s Of on e s

su

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
.

c ont ra r et es of t h i s l fe, for t h e l o ve o f God 43 8

2 . P a ti en ce p ro d u ces ma ny v rtu es a n d l ea d s t o s a l va ti on i 489

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
.

O f rema n n g a t p ea ce w th o n e s n e gh b or or reco n cil ng o n e s

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
.

h u n d red fold a s th e rewa rd of a ll th a t t h ey g ve u p for th e s a ke

O f p ea ce 49 2
44 Con ten ts .

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

.

14 . THE OP P O SITE OF ZEA L : LO TH

S .

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 emp ora l or etern a l well b e ng , p ro vid ed i t b e t oil s cnh e 507

i i i i i i
-

2 . Idl en es s l ea d s t o a l l k nd s of v ce ; i t b r ngs m s ery i n t h s l fe

a n d eterna l d a mn a t i on i n th e life to come .

t Gib ri s ti an p erfection
(I . .

I . THE ASPIRATION AF TER CHRISTIAN PERFEC TIO N .

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
.

O ur L ord After Hi m t h e s a i nts a re a l s o p a tt ern s of p erfect on

i i i i
. .
,

3 Th e p erfect on of t h e C h r s t i a n con s s t s i n ch a r ty t o wa rd s God

i
.

a n d h i s n e gh b or a nd i n d e ta ch men t of h ea rt fro m t h e t h i ngs of

i
,

t h s w orld . 51 0

II . GENERAL MEANS FO R THE ATTAINM ENT OF

PERFECTIO N .

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

III . SPECIAL M EANS FO R THE ATTAINM ENT OF

PERFECTIO N .

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
.

t h ree eva n gel ca l co u n s el s : P erfect o b ed en ce, p erp et u a l ch a s t ty,

a n d v o l u n ta ry p ov erty 51 6
2 . Th es e t h ree co u n s el s a re ca ll ed t h e eva ngel ca l co u n s el s , b ec a u s e i
O u r L ord ga ve th em t o u s w h en He p rea ch ed th e Go s p el , a n d fol
l o w ed th em H ms elf i 51 8
3 i
Th e eva ngel ca l c ou n s el s l ea d to h gh er p erfec t on , b eca u s e b y th ei r i i
i
.

mea n s t h e th ree evil co n cu p s cen ces i n ma n a re compl etel y d e

s t ro yed , a n d t h e ch ef i O
b s t a cl es i n th e w a y of h i s s a l va t i on
a re removed 51 8
 Con ten ts . 45

4 Not every o ne is ca ll ed of God t o foll ow t h e e va ngel i ca l co u n s els ;

i
.

for O u r L ord s a y s : All men ta ke n ot t h

s w ord b u t th ey t o
i
,

wh om i t i s g ven ( M a tt xi x

51 9
ii
. .

5. Th e me mb ers O f rel g o u s O rd ers a re b ou n d t o foll o w t h e eva n

g el i ca l c o u n s e l i
s , a n d l k ew s e a ll p ers on s l v ng i n t h e w orld , i ii
wh o h a ve t a ken a v ow to d o s o 51 9

IV . THE EIGHT B EATITU DES .

Th os e wh o ou s l y keep God s comma n d men ts a re h a ppy even

r
s c up ul

Th erefore Go d d ecla red b l es s ed t h o s e w h o a re p oor i n

ii
Sp r t t h e mee k t h ey th a t mo u rn th ey t h a t h u nger for Hi s j u s
i ,

i ,

t ce t h e merc fu l t h e cl ea n O f h ea rt t h e p ea cema kers a n d th ey

,

i
, , , ,

tha t s uffer pers ecut i on for t h e r gh t 52 1

PART III .

( the mea ns of (Brace.

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

2 . THE SA C RIFIC E OF CHR IST UP ON THE CR O SS .

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
.

2 Th e s a c r ce of C h r s t u p on t h e cros s w a s a v ca r o u s s a cri ce for

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
.

3 . Th e gra ces w h c Ch r s t mer ted for u s by Hi s

d e a t h a re com
mu n i ca ted to us b y th e mea n s of gra ce ; t h a t i s t o s a y , t h e h ol y
the Ma ss , r ments th e s a cra ment a l s , a n d
'

s a cri ce Of th e sac a ,

p ra yer . 53 1

3 . THE IN STITUTION, NAT URE , A ND PR INCI P AL PART S OF THE M ASS .

l Th e So n God O ered a s a cr ce a t t h e La s t Su p pe r, b eca u s e He

Of

i
i
.

ga ve Hi s b o d y a n d b l oo d to b e ffered u p , i n ord er t o reco n c l e O

Hi s h ea venl y Fa th er w th ma n i 53 2
i i i
2 . W e ca l l t h e s a cr ce n s t t u ted b y Ou r L ord a t th e L a s t Su p p er,
h ol y M a s s , or th e s a cr ce of th e M a s s i 535
3 . Wh a t t a kes p l a ce i n t h e s a cri ce o f t h e M a s s i s th s : Th e p r es t i i
a t th e a l t a r, a s t h e rep res en t a t ve o f Ch r s t , o f fers u p b rea d i i
i
a nd w n e t o a l mi gh t y G od ; h e ch a n ges th es e s u b s ta n c es n to th e i
i
b od y a n d b l ood of Ch r s t , a n d d es troy s t h em b y con s u m n g th em i 53 6
i 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 .

4 THE CEREM ONIA

. L OF THE M ASS .

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

5 . THE RE LA T I ON WHIC H THE M A SS B EA R S TO THE SACRIF I C E OF

THE CR O SS .

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
.

c ros s , for i n th e M a s s , a s up on t h e cros s C h r s t i mmol a tes Hi m

,

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

6 . THE PROFI T TO B E DER I VED FRO M THE HO LY SACRIF I CE OF THE

M A SS .

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
.

M a s s a re : F rs t , t h e n d v d u a l for w h om i t i s cel eb ra ted ; th en

i
t h e p r es t a n d a l l w h o a re p res en t ; n a l l y , a ll t h e fa t h fu l b ot h i
ii
l v n g a n d d ea d ; moreover t h e h ol y s a cr ce g ves j oy to a l l i i
t h e a ng el s a n d s a n ts i
7 THE CE
. LEB RAT I ON OF HO LY MA SS .

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
. ,

t o c el eb ra te or t o h ea r M a s s i s a goo d w ork w h ch s u rp a s ses a ll

oth er good w ork s in ex cell en ce

9 . THE DEV O TION AT HO LY M A SS .

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
,

from ou r m n d s a l l th a t ma y ca u s e d s tra c t on a n d en d ea vor

i i 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

overd res s ed 551

 Con tents . 47

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
.

ex ten t s u s p end our p r va t e d evo t o n s , a n d x ou r a tten t i o n u p o n

w h a t i s d o ne a t t h e a l ta r 553
4 It i s a n ex cell en t p ra c t ce mmed a tel y a fte r t h e cons ecra ti o n t oi i 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
.

t h erefore w h e n i n ch u rch w e ou gh t t o foll o w on e M a s s a t te n t vel y

a n d n ot more t h an on e . 555

1 0 THE
. O LI GATI ON
B OF HEAR I N G M A SS .

1 Every Ca thol i c i s b o u n d , u n d er p a i n of mor ta l s i n, t o h ea r th e

O i
.

W h ol e O f o ne M a s s d evo u tl y every Su n d a y a n d h oly d a y O f b l

ga t i o n 556
2 TO h ea r M a s s on w eek d a ys if p o s s b l e i is a i
h ghl y commend a b l e
i ii
-

. , ,

ra ct ce for i t ma y b e t h e mea n s of ga n ng t h e grea te s t

gr a ces 55 7
p ,
.

1 1 . THE TIM E WHEN M A SS IS T O BE CE LEB RATED .

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

1 2 . THE P LAC E WHERE M A SS I S TO BE CE LEB RAT ED .

Th e a po s tl es cel eb ra ted th e h oly s a cr ce on a ta b le ; d ur n g th e p er i i

s ccu t i on i i
O f t h e C h r s t a ns M a s s w a s O ffered on t h e t o mb s o f t h e

55 9

1 3 . THE V E S TMENT S AND SA CRED V ESSE LS U S ED AT M A SS .

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 .

1 . In th e ves tments w orn b y th e p r es t a t M a s s th e C h urch ma kes i ,

u s e of v e col ors : W h i te red green p urp l e a nd b l a ck 5 63

i ,

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
.
,

b u t s erve a s a con s ta nt a d moni t on t o u s to l ea d a p o u s l fe . 56 4

1 5 . THE L AN GUAGE OF TH E MA SS .

Th e L a t i l a n gu a ge i s u s ed i n th e s erv ces of th e Ch urch ; i t h elp s to

n i
ma i i
n ta n h er u ni ty a n d p res erv es h er from ma ny ev l s i 56 5

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 .

17 . HEARI NG TH E WORD OF G OD.

I Th e W ord O f God i s s a i d to b e t h e food of th e s o ul , b eca u s e i t s u s

i
.

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
.

2 Hen ce i t i s t h e d u ty O f every C h r s t a n e t h er t o h ea r s ermon s i i i 569

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
.

b o o ks , w ll n ot h a ve grea t difcul ty i n a ttai n i ng et erna l s a l va

57 1

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
.

o f w h ch th e gra ces of t h e Ho l y S r t a re co mmu n ca t ed t o u s

p
i i i i
.

2 C h r s t n s t t u ted s even s a cra ment s : B a p t s m, C o n rma t i o n , Hol y

i
.

Eu ch a ri s t, P en a nce Ext reme U n cti on Hol y O rd ers a n d M a t r

, ,

3 B y th e t h ree s a cra men t s , B a p t s m, Con rma t on , a n d Hol y O rd ers , i i

i i i ii
.

t h ere i s mp r n ted u p on t h e s o u l a certa n s p r tu a l a nd i n del i b l e

ma rk or ch a ra c ter, on a ccou n t of w h ch t h ey ca nn o t b e rep ea ted i 57 4
i i i i
.

Two O f t h e s a cra men ts , B a p t s m a nd P en a nce, a re n s t t u ted p ri nc

p a l l y w t h t h e b ec t oif c o n ferr ng s a nc Oj
t fyi ng gra ce w h ere i t i i
i
wa s no t a l rea d y g ven ; t h e v e o th ers wi th th e ob j ect of i n
crea s ng t h a t i
g ft i 57 4
i
5 Du e p rep a ra t on mu s t b e ma d e b efore recei vi ng th e s a cra ment s , i n
.

ord er t o ob t a in t h e gra ces th ey convey 57 5

i
6 Su pp os ng th e p ri es t wh o a d mi n s ters th e s a cra men t t o b e un i
i
.

w ort h y , t h e gra ces of t h e Hol y Sp i ri t will s t ll b e communi ca ted

b y mea ns of th e s a cra ment 576

1 . B AP TISM.

1 Th i s i s wh a t t a kes p l a ce B a p t s m : W a ter i s p oured

at i
th e
i
.

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
.

2 B a p t s m a ct s s p iri t u a l l y a s w a ter d o es ma teri a l l y 57 8

i i i 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
. .

w h o d i e u nb a p t zed ca n n o t en ter h ea ven 57 9

Hen ce i t fo ll o w s t h a t p a ren ts o ugh t to h a ve th e r ch i ld ren b a p t zed i i
i i i
mmed a t el y a fter th ei r b rt h, b eca us e n ew b orn i nfa n ts h over
i
-

b etw een l fe a n d d ea th 580

5 i
In ca s e of nec es s ty a n y on e ca n a d mi ni s ter B a p t i s m a nd w i th ou t
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 .

l Th e r moni a l of Conrma ti on i s a s foll ows : Th e b is h op l a ys

ce e
i i
.

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
.

fes s i on, a n d i f p o s s b l e t o h ol y commu n o n ; for t o recei ve th i s

s a cra men t one mu s t b e i n a s ta t e of gra ce 5 87
i
5 C on rma t on i s u s u a ll y a d m n s t ered a b ou t W h t s u nt d e, a s th eii i i
i ii i
.

b s h op v s ts t h e wh ol e of h i s d o ces e a t i n terva l s of a few yea rs . 587

3 . THE HO L Y EUCHARIST .

INSTI TUTION NAT URE OF THE HO LY EUCHARI S T

A ND .

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 ,

Sa cra men t of t h e Al ta r 589

2 Th e p res ence of t h e b o d y a nd b l ood of C h r s t un d er th e a pp ea ra nce i
i
.

O f b rea d a n d w n e i s a mys tery b eca us e ou r feeb l e rea s on ca n ,

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
.
,

Sp eci es O f w in e C h r s t i s p res en t God a n d ma n w h o l e a n d en t re 591

i i
.
, , ,

4 O u r Lo rd is p res en t i n every p a rt cl e h o wever m n u te of t h e

i
.
, ,

c on sec ra ted b rea d a nd w n e 592

i
.

5 Ch r s t i s p res en t i n t h e co ns ec ra t ed el emen t s a s l ong a s th e a cci

i
.

d en ts O f b rea d a n d w n e rema i n 592

6 i i
Th e d u t es O f t h e Ch ri s t a n n rega rd t o th e Hol y Sa cra men t O f
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

THE NEC ESSI TY OF HOLY COMMUN ION .

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
. .

2 . W e a re b ound u n d er p a n O f mort a l s i n t o commun i ca te a t l ea s t

once a yea r, an d th a t a t Ea s ter ; a l s o i n ca s e of d a ngerou s i ll
n es s It i s , moreover, t h e w s h of th e Ch u rch th a t th e fa i th ful i
i i i
.

s h o u ld , i f p o s s b l e rece ve h oly commu n on on Su n d a ys a nd

,

h olyd a y s 5 95

THE EFFE C T S OF HO LY CO M M UN ION .

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
.
,

1 B y h ol y commu n on we a re u n t ed more cl os el y to C h r s t Our

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
.

2 Hol y co mmu n o n mp a rt s a ct u a l gra ce s , a n d a l s o ma n t a n s a n d

,

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
.

we a re freed from ven a l s i n b y mea n s O f i t . 59 8

4 Hol y co mmu ni o n o fte n a e rd s mu c h nefres hmen t t o th e s o ul
.
. 599
50 Contents .

PRE PARA TIO N FOR HO LY COMM UN I ON .

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
.

mu s t cl ea n s e ou r s ou l s from morta l s i n b y con fes s on , p erform

g oo d w or k s a n d a d orn o u r s el v es w i t h t h e v r t u es i 6 00
3 O u r b o d y mu s t b e p rep a red for h ol y c ommu n on b y fa s t n g from i i
i i 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

B EHAV IO R AF T ER REC EIv ING HO LY C O MM UNION .

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
, ,

for th e a u th or t es s ecu l a r a nd eccl es a s t ca l for ou r rel a t ves

, , ,

fri en d s a nd b enefa ctors a n d for th e h ol y s o ul s i n p urga t ory

, ,
. 6 03

SPIRI TUAL C O MM UN ION .

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

4 THE SAC RAM ENT 0F

. PENANCE .

THE NAT URE A ND THE NECESSITY OF PEN ANC E .

1 In t h e Sa cra men t of P ena n ce t h e rep en ta n t Ch r s t a n co nfes s es i i

i i
.

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

2 Th e Sa cra men t of P ena nce i s n d s p en s a b l y n eces s a ry for th o s e w h o i i

i i i
.

h a ve fa l l e n n to s i n a fter B a p t s m for w t h o u t th i s s a ra men t

j i
,

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
.

3 L et n o on e b e d et erred b y a feel ng of s h a me fro m co n fe s s ng

i i
.

h i s s n s ; t h e p r es t d a re n ot , u n d er a n y p ret ext , rev ea r w h a t i s

i i
s a d i n t h e co n fes s o n a l , a nd h e i s ever rea d y t o rece ve t h e con i
t ri t e Si nn er k n d ly i 6 07
i
.

4 He w h o fro m a s ens e of Sh a me con cea l s a morta l s i n i n c on fes s o n ,

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 .

1 No pri es t ca n gi ve a b s ol u ti on w h o h a s not recei ved t h e fa cu lti es

for h ea ri ng con fes s i on s from th e b i s h op O f t h e d i o ces e
.

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 .

CO NF ESSIO N A DIV INE IN ST I TU T IO N .

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
.

2 Th e ns t t u t o n O f co n fes s on a fford s u s p roo f Of t h e i nn i te mercy

.

a nd wi s d om of God 6 28

THE AD VAN T A GE S OF CON FE SS I ON .

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
.

of d y n g mp en tent , b eca u s e th e d ev l a c u res grea t p ower over

i
h i m a n d t h e n u ence O f t h e Hol y Sp i r t i s l es s
i 630
2 If a n y on e s h oul d rela p s e i n t o mort a l s i n , l et hi m forth w i th r epen t
i
.

a n d gO t o c o n fes s o n ; for t h e l o n ger p en a n ce i s d el a yed , th e

more d if cu l t, t h e more u n certa n con vers on w ll b e
i i i
i i
3 If, th ro ugh fra l ty, w e fa l l n t o ven a l s i n, w e mu s t n ot b e d is i
q i
.

u et ed on t h a t a cco u n t , b u t h u mb l e ou rsel ves b efore God

i i i
4 S n ce w e ca n n o t p o s s b l y c on t n u e i n a s ta te O f gra ce u nt l d ea th i
i i i
.

w th o u t t h e s pec a l a s s s ta n ce of t h e Hol y Sp i ri t , l et u s ferven tl y

i mpl ore of God t h e gra ce of n a l p ers evera n ce .

IND UL GENCE S .

1 God h a s gra n ted t o th e Ch u rch t h e p o wer, a fter th e recon ci l i a t i on

i i i i
.

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
.

2 Th e rem s s o n of t h e t emp ora l p un i s h men t d u e t o u s on a ccou n t

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
,

forma n ce whi l e in a s ta te of gra ce, of certa n good w ork s en

j
,

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
.

Th e P op e a l o n e h a s p o w er t o gra nt i n d u l gen ces wh ch a re for th e

w h ol e Ch u rch ; for i n h i m a l on e uri s d ct o n over th e w h ol e j i i
Ch u rch i s ves ted , a n d h e i s th e s tew a rd of th e Ch u rch s trea s u res 6 39

i
.

5 In d u l gen ces ma y a l s o b e a pp l ed b y w a y of s u ffra ge to t h e s u ffer

i i
.

i n g s o u l s i n p u rga t ory, i f th s b e exp res s l y s ta ted res p ect ng th e

in d u lgen ce ; a p l en a ry i n d u l gen ce i s ga n ed for th em every t me
'
i i

th e h ol y s a cri ce of t h e M a s s i s ffered on a p r v l eged a l t a r O ii 6 39
ii i
.

6 Th e ga n ng O f n d u l gen ces i s mo s t s a l u ta ry b ec a u s e w e t h ereb y

i i
. ,

k eep fa r from u s temp ora l ev l s , a n d a re s t mu l a t ed to th e a c

c om li s h men t O f goo d work s 6 39
p

5 . EXTR EME UNC TIO N .

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
.

3 Ik treme U n cti on ca n onl y b e a d m n s te red t o pers o ns wh o a re i n

i
.

d a nger o f d ea t h ; a n d t h ey o u gh t t o rece ve i t wi th ou t d ela y

for t h e s a k e b ot h O f t h ei r p h ys ca l a n d s p r t u a l h ea l th i ii 642
i i i
.

Before b ei ng a n o nt ed t h e S ck ma n oug h t to c onfes s hi s s ns , a nd

i
rece ve h ol y commu ni on a nd a fterwa rd s th e Pa pal b l es s ng i s i
en e ra ll y gi ven t o hi m 6 42
g .

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
.

on t h e ca n d d a tes for ord n a t i on ca ll s d own u p o n t h e m th e Hol y

i i
,

Gh os t a no n ts t h e r h a nd s a nd p res ents t h e s a cred ves s els t o

, ,

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
. ,

O rd ers , i s one O f grea t di gn t y, b u t li kewi s e one of no s l i gh t

dif cul ty a nd o f va s t res p ons b il ty i i
3 Th e Sa cra ment of Hol y Ord ers o nly c onfers th e pe rp et u a l p ow er,
i i
.

no t t h e r gh t, t o exerc s e th e fun cti on s of a p ri es t Th e n ew l y

i
.

ord a i ned ca nnot t h erefore ma ke u s e i n a ny p la ce O f th e r s a cer

i
d ota l p o wers , u nt l t h ey h a ve recei ved ec cl es as t ca l a ut h or za t on i i i i 6 46
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

.

th e a ge of t wen ty four yea rs 647

i
-

5 Si x o t h er ord ers of mi n s try p rec d e t h e p ri es th ood , fou r l es s er

. e
a nd t wo grea ter . 647

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
.

t h em to a n undi vi d ed a n d i n di s s ol u b l e p a rtn ers h p , a nd con fer

i
r ng O n th em a t the s a me t i me gra ce t o fu l l a ll t h e d u ti es re
q i
u red of t h em S
i i i
.

3 Ci vil ma rr a ge i s t o b e d s t ng ui s h ed from Ch ri s t i a n ma rri a ge,

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

THE GRA C E CO NF ERRED N M ONY S I A TR IM .

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 .

A ma rr a ge i ca n b e co ncl u d ed in th e a b s en ce of a l l i mped imen ts

onl y
to i t . i
Th e mp ed i men ts ma y b e s u ch a s n ull fy ma rri a ge, or i
s u ch as rend er i t u nl a wful 654
54 Con ten ts .

THE CE L E B RAT I ON OF M A T RIM ON Y.

P AG E
1 M a rr i a ge mu s t b e p reced ed b y b et ro th a l , b y th e p u b l i ca ti on of the
i
.

b a nns , a nd b y th e recep t o n of t h e Sa c ra men ts Of P ena n ce a nd

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 ,

THE DUT I E S OF THE MARR ED I .

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

MIXED MAR RI AGES .

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
.

wh o d o n ot ma rry h a ve fa r more pp ortu n ty for a t ten d ng t o O

th e r i ii
s p r t u a l w el fa re, a n d ca n a tt a n a h i gh er d egree of gl ory i
66 7
I

III THE SACR AM ENTAL S

. .

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
,

t h e d v n e b en ed ct on u p o n cert a n p ers on s or t h ngs 668

i
Co ns ecra t on b y t h e C h u rch con s s t s i n th s : Th a t th e eccl es i a s t c i i i
i
emp owered for t h s p u rp o s e, s e t s a p a r t s o me p ers on or s o me ob

j ec t a n d d ed ca tie s h i m or i t t o t h e e x cl u s v e s ervi ce O f G od i 669

i
.
,

2 O u r L ord s a n ct on ed t h e u s e of s a cra men ta l s b u t th e ri tes t h em

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
.

w th p ou s d s p o s t o n s th ey n crea s e ou r fea r a n d l ove O f God

i i i
, ,

remi t ven a l s n s a n d p res erve u s from ma ny t emp ta t o n s

i
a n d from b od l y h a rm ;
,

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

1 . THE NAT URE OF PRA Y ER .

P AG E
'

1 Pra yer 1 8 the el e a t v io n of th e h ea rt t o God 67 1

i ii i i
. .

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
.

3 O u r p ra yers h a ve a t h ree fol d b ect : Th a t of p ra s e, of s u p l

p ca
i ii
.

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 .

1 B y mea n s of p ra yer w e c a n b ta n a l l t h n gs from God : b u t He O i i

ii i i
.

d oe s n ot a l wa ys gra n t ou r p et t on s mmed a tel y 6 74

2 B y mea n s O f p ra yer s n ners b ecome u s t, a n d th e u s t a re en a b l edi j j
i
.

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
.

t o s i n , a n d mer t a n et ern a l recomp en s e 677

4 He w h o n ever p ra ys ca n n o t s a ve h i s s ou l ; for w th ou t p ra yer h e i
i 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
.

fro m p ra yer, i f our p et t on i s n ot mmed a tel y gra nted 67 9

WHEN O UGHT W E T O PRAY ? 4 .

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

5 . WHERE O UGHT WE TO PRAY ?

1 . We ca n a nd ough t to p ra y i n every p l a ce, b eca u s e God i s e e v ry
w h ere p res en t 684
2 Th e h o u s e of God i s t h e p l a ce es p ec a ll y s et i a pa rt for pra y er 68 5
i
.

3 . A s oli ta ry pl a ce i s a l s o s u t a b l e for p ra yer 6 85

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 .

M ed it a tion nsis ts in d welling

co on t h e tru t h s of religion in ord er to
a wa k en goo d resolu tions in our mind

THE M OST I M P OR TANT PRAYERS

.

The O ur F a ther .

1 Th e Our Fa ther tk a es preced ence of a ll o th er prayers ; it is

by its power its simplicity a n d its
.

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
.

4 In t h e nex t three p etitions w e as

. for thes e less ings : Eterna l
salvation, grace t o ful l t h e d ivine will, a n d t h e possession of
thos e things which a re ind ispensa le t o t h e maint enance of our b
68 8
5 nex t three petiti ons w e pray tha t three evils may b e averted
In t h e
t t
.

from us : Th e evil of sin th e evil of temp a ti on a nd hos e evils

, ,

which a re prej ud icial to life 689

6 . Th e w ord Amen is t h e answer o f God t o th e supplia nt : in this
pla e it i s equivalent t o th e word s : B e assured that th y prayer
is g ca rd 689

The Ave M a ri a .

1 . Th e Ave Ma ri a consists of three parts : Th e saluta tion of th e

archangel Gabriel t h e greeting of El izab eth a n d th e w ord s of
, ,

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 .

Th e Angelus i s a p rayer which t

i s t o b e reci ed morning noon a nd
b
, ,

night, when th e ell rings, in honor of th e M o ther of God a nd

in ad ora ti on of t h e mys ery t of th e Incarna ti on . 693

The Ros a ry .

1 . Th e Rosary i s a p rayer in which t he Our Fa ther follo wed by t en

by
,

Hail M arys i s repea ted v e or fteen times acc o mp anied

,

med ita tion on th e l ife t h e a ssion a nd th e exalta tion o f

,
P ,
,

th e

Th e L i tan y of L oretta a nd th e Sa lv e R egi na .

Th e t
litany akes its or
'

n name from th e place of pilgrimage

a nd ,

L oret t o in Ita ly
,
. e Salve Regina was comp osed in 1 009 696
 Con ten ts . 57

THE PRINC IPAL D EV T O I ONAL EXER C I SES .

1 . Th ord inary a n d ex traord inary practices of d evotion

ere a re 69 7
2 Th e regul ar s ervices held in t h e parish church on Sund a y s a nd
holy d a ys b o th in th e forenoon a n d th e a fternoon as well a s
.

w eek d a y s ervi ces b el ong to t h e ord inary pra ctices of d evotion

,

6 97
P W
-
.
,

3 rocessions p ilgri mages t h e ay of t h e Cross Exp osition of t h e

Bles sed Sac rament a n d mi ssi ons b elong to th e ex traord ina ry
. , , ,

, ,

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 .

1 . Ch ris tia n buril is a solemn service accomp ani ed by sp ecia l cere

a
monies i n which t h e rema ins of a d eparted Catholic a re ca rried
in process i on to th e place of interment . 7 00

1 . Pil grimag es j ourneys mad e to sacred places where God often

a re ,

times vouchsafes t o give miraculo us assis ta nce to th e sup pliant 703

P
.

2 Th e pl aces of p ilgrimage a re ei ther t h e h oly plac es in alestine

M
.

spo ts sacred to th e holy apos tles or shrines of th e blessed other

,

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

The W04! of the Cro s s .

1 . Th e W a y of th e Cro s s i s th e name given t o t h e fourteen s tati ons

whi ch d ep ic t th e w a y al ong whi ch Our R ed eemer passed bear ing
, P
Hi s cross from il a te s p alace t o M ount Ca lvary

.
,

7 06
58 Con ten ts .

Ex p os i ti on of the M os t Holy Sa crament .

P AG

Th e sol emn expos ition of th e B le ss ed Sacrament consists in placing

t h e sacred Hos t i n a mons trance unveiled for th e worship of , ,

7 07

M i s s i ons a nd R etrea ts .

M issions consis t of s ermons a n d o ther religi ous e e x rcise s ; retrea ts

have much th e same effect as mi s s mn s 7 08

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

R eli gi ons As s o ci a ti ons .

Religi ou s assoc iati ons a re v olunta ry societies formed among th e

"

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

The M ore Wi d es p rea d C o nfra tern i ti es .

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
.

Sa crament t h e C onfra ternity of t h e Holy Ro s ary , t h e Holy Sca p u

G k
,

t h e Holy host, etc , etc , a re th e wid es t nown in th e

gu
a ;
. .

71 4

Th e Ap o s tles h i p of P ra yer

Th e Ap ostl eshi p of Pr a yer is a league of prayers in uni on with th e

Sacre d He a rt 71 8

Cha ri ta b l e So ci eti es .

Ch aritable so cieti es a re th e b es t emb od iments of Go d s

second precep t
71 9
60 Dev oti on s .

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

it may l m a so ea n th e red e emed a n d th e r e roba t e

p ] 3
I bel ieve
in th e Holy Gh os t ho ly Ca t holi c Ch urch
9
th e ,
th e commun ion of
s a in t s t h e forgiven es s [remi s s i on ] of s i n s th e res urrec t ion
1 0 1 1
, ,

of th e b ody 1 2
an d th e life everla s tin g Amen . .
,

5 . The Two P recep ts of C h a ri ty .

( M a rl; xii . 3 0,

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 ,

and with t hy wh l ul d wit h t hy wh l mi d d with thy

o e so ,
an o e n , an

wh l t gth
o e s ren .

Th u s h l t l v thy igh b r thy lf

o a o e ne o as se .

6 . The Ten C omma n dmen ts f

o God .
( Ex od . xx.
l li

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 .

s a y th ou s h a l t b el i eve i n th e on e tr ue God a l on e a nd n ot wors h i p

, ,

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]
.
,

Th ou s h a l t keep h oly th e Sa bb a t h d a y [Un d er th e C hri s .

ti a n Dis p en s a tion th e Sun day ]

Th ou s h a l t h on or t hy fa t h er a n d t hy mot h er t h a t t h ou ,

mays t b e l on g lived up on th e la n d wh ic h t h e L ord t hy God wi ll

-

g i v e t h ee .

Thou s h alt not ki ll .

Th ou s ha l t n ot c ommi t adu l tery .

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 ,
.

7 . The Si x P recep ts o f th e C hu rch .

ITh es e a re a n ampl ica tio n of th e T hird C ommand ment of G od .

)
To hea r M as s on Su n d a ys an d h olyd ays of o bliga t i on .

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 .

To r ec eive th e Holy Eu c h ari s t du rin g th e Ea s t er t i m e .

To c on t ri b ut e t o th e s up port of our p a s t ors .

Not to ma rry p ers ons wh o a re n ot Cat hol i cs ,

or wh o ar e
 D ev oti ons . 61

r ela ted t o u s w it hin a forb idd en d egree of k in d red n or p riva t ely ,

wit hou t wi t n es s es nor t o s ol emn iz e ma rri a g e a t forb i dd en t imes

, .

11 . Pna v ns s W HIC H M AY B E U SED D A IL Y AT DIFFERE NT

1 . A M orni ng P ra yer .

Th y goo dn es s , 0 my Go d, and mi ght ,

Ha ve brought me t o t h i s morni ng s li gh t
.

K eep a n d p res erve me every h ou r ,

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 ,

For Hi s gifts I give Him p ra i s e .

Th e ill t h a t I t hi s d ay h a ve d on e ,

For giv e me L ord for Th y d ea r Son

, ,
.

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 .

3 . An Act of Good In ten ti on .

( B l C l m t.H fb u e en o a er. )
Let my j c t ev er b e ob e

To give gl ory Lord t o T h ee , ,

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 .

0 my God, I c ommen d my p a ren t s t o Th ee 3 p rotec t t h em, a n d

Sp a re th em l on g to me , a nd re ui t e q th em for a l l th e good t h a t th e y
ha v e don e to me .

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 .

V . Pra yf or u s , 0 h ol yM oth er o f God 3

R . Th at we ma y b e ma d e wort h y of th e
p roml s es of Ch ri s t .

L et us P ra y .

Po u r forth, we b es ee ch Th ee, O L ord, Th y gra c e i nto our

h ea rts 3 th a t we t o wh om th e In ca rn a ti on of Ch ri s t Th y Son wa s
ma de kn own th e mes s a ge by
[
of a n a n gel, ma y ,
by Hi s P a ss i on and

cros s , be b rou gh t to th e gl or y of Hi s res u rre cti on 3 th rou gh th e

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
, , ,

i t h a s b ee n s a d d a ly for a w h ol e month Th o s e w h o a re rea s ona b l y p re ve n te d .

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 .

Let n ot Th y cros s a n d b itt er p a i n

Have b een for me b orn e a ll in vain .

 Dev oti ons . 63

P ra yer the Sou ls i n P u rga tory, to be s aid when the Church

3 .
f or

B ell i s Tolled or a fter th e Ev eni ng Angelus .

Th y merc y ,
L ord, we h u m l by avecr

For s ou l s who m Th ou di d st d i e to s ave .

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.

Grant th em, 0 Lord, a s wi ft rel ea se,

b
An d ri ng th em wh ere a ll pa in sh al l c ea s e .

Etern al gi res t v e u n to a l l th e fa it hful dep arted, O Lord, a n d

l et p erp et a l l i gh t u s h i ne u p on t h em M a y t h e.res t i n p eac e y .

Amen .

4 P ra yers to b e Sa i d when the B ell i s Ra ng a t M a s s

. .

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
,

th e M a s s ma k e th e s gn of th e cro s s d rect you r nten t on , a n d commence ,

i
,

you r p ra yers At th e Gos p el s t a nd u p a nd cros s you rs elf on foreh ea d , l p s ,

.

a nd b reas t .

5 . P ra yer at the Oertory .

Acc ept, O Lord, t h i s s a cri ce, wi th th e pri es t,

wh i ch , i n u ni on

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 .

6 . At the C ons ecra ti on

Kn eel d o w n, b l es s you rs el f , cl a s p yo u r h a n d s , a nd x i ng yo ur eyes up on
th e a l ta r , s ay

Fl esh of Ch ri s t, h a il, s weet o bl a ti on ,

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,

Can fr ee th e en ti re worl d from a ll i ts g i lt u .

64 Devoti ons .

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 :

L ord, I a m n ot worth y th at Th ou s h ou l d s t enter un d er my

roo f 3 s a y b ut the word , an d my so ul sh a ll b e h eal ed .

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 .

IV . DEV OTIO NS FOR CONFESSIO N AND C OMM U NIO N .

1 . The F orm for C onfes s i on .

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 :

For th es e my p a s t li fe I a m h ea rti ly s orry

an d a ll the s i n s of ,

b ecaus e I ha ve th ereb y offended my Fa th er i n h eaven a nd des erved

Hi s ch as ti s ements I p u rp os e amend men t for th e future, an d
.

h umb ly as k pa rd on of God a nd abs oluti on a n d penan ce of you,

Fa th er .

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
,

gra nted y o u forgi ven e s s o f s i n, a n d p e rform th e p en a nce en n ed o n yo u .

2 . Acts of the Three Theologi ca l Vi rtu es .

An Act ofF a i th . I b eli e e v th at th ere i s on e God, a n d th at

i n th i s on e God th ere th ree p ers on s
are Tha t th e . Son of God wa s
ma d e ma n for u s , th a t He di ed p on th e cros s , ros e u a ga i n from th e
d ea d a n d a s cen d ed i n to h ea v en . I b el i e e v t h at t h e Son of God wi ll
co me a ga i n at th e L a s t Da y, a n d ca ll a l l men to j u dgment . I b el i e e v
th i s bcu e a se fG d d th
Ch ri s t i s th e Son f n n ith o o an ere o re ca e er

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

Ca th oli c Chu rch t ea ch es . O God , i nc rea s e my fa i th .

 Dev oti ons . 65

An Act ofHope 0 my God , I h op e th a t a fter dea th Th ou wi l t

.

a d mi t me t o everl a s ti ng h app i n es s , a n d th a t Th ou wi l t gi ve me h ere

s u ch mean s a s ar e es s en ti a l to t h e a tt ai n men t of t h a t h a p p i n ess .

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 h op e th i s , eca us e b Th ou, Wh o a rt a l mi gh t a n d a ll oun tifu l

_ y -
b
v
and e er fa i th fu l t o
-
Th y p romi se s , ha s t p romi s ed th es e th i ngs
to me ,
an d b
cau s e J es us e Ch ri s t, my L ord a n d Sa vi ou r, h a s
meri ted th em for me b y His cru el d ea th u pon t h e cros s 0 God, .

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

p erfecti on , b eca u s e Th ou a rt my greates t b en efa ctor a n d Th y l o v e

for me i s inn i te . I wil l, th erefore, th i n k of Th ee i n a ll my

a cti on s
; I w il l a oi d e en t h e s l i gh tesvt s i n s 3 I wi lvl gi e th a n k s v
to Th ee for al l Th y b en et s a n d for a l l Th ou gi es t me t o s u ffe r, v
a n d I wi l l l o e my n ei gh or v b
ecau s e h e i s Th y ch ild a nd ma d e b
a fter Thy i ma ge . 0 God, i n crea se my ch a ri t y .

( 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
,

o f th s formu l a o r i n t h e w ord s ou r o wn d e vot on ma y s u gges t a n n d u l ge n ce ,

i i i ii
,

o f s ev en ye a rs a n d s e ven qu a ra n t n e s ma y b e g a n ed ; a n d for d a l y rep et t on

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 ) .

3 . An Act of Con tri ti on .

O God o f in ni te ma j es t , I, a s i nn er, h a e offen ded agai ns t y v

u
Th ee Th o a rt my h ea en l Fa t h er; Th o h as t gi en Th y Son for
. v y u v
v
me, a nd h as t l a i s h ed in n u mera l e en ets u p on me, a n d y et I b b
ha ve gri e ed v Th ee . Th ou
God 3 I kn ow th a t Th ou d os ta rt a j ust
v u
l ea e n o s i n n pu n i s h ed, a n d yet I wa s s o u ngra tef l a s t o offen d u
Th ee I a m exceedi n gl s orr for h a i ng s in n ed ; I wi ll h en ce
. y y v
v
forth a oi d s in a n d k eep Th y comma n dment s Gra n t me Th y .

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 th an k Th ee, O my God, for h a in g ma de me Th y ch i l d v by

y
h ol B a p tis m I d es i re th i s da y to ren ew th e co en ant th en ma d e
. v
with Th ee : I p romi s e t o reno un ce a ll th e s i n fu l p l ea s u res of th e
worl d, to b v
eli e e a n d t o fol l ow th e tea ch i n g of th e Gos p el . I h op e
for Th y gra ce to en a l e me t o d o th i s , b an d a fter d ea th to en t er

i n to eterna l fel i ci t y .
66 Dev oti ons .

DEv ormNs TO THE HOL Y Gn os r .

1 . P ra yer to the Holy Ghos t .

To Th ee, O Hol Gh os t, we cry y Stren gth en th e weaknes s of our

Th ou h i gh es t gi ft of God mos t wi ll,

h i gh Help u s ou r d ut yt o full 3
En li gh ten us wit h li gh t di i ne, v Giv e c
s ol a e to th e tro ub l ed

K eep fa r from us th e foe b rea s t,

mali gn . An d a fter d eath , eterna l res t.

2 . Hymn to the Holy Ghos t .

Come, 0 Crea tor, Sp i ri t l es t b Ki nd l e our s en s es from ab ove ,

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 .

Grea t Paracl ete ! to Th ee we Fa r from us d ri v

e th e foe we
cry

0 h i gh es t gi ft of God mos t An d gra n t us Thy tr ue p ea e c

i n s tea d 3
0 foun t of l i fe, 0 re of l o v e, So s h a ll we not, wi th Th ee for
An d s weet a n oin ti n g from gu id e,

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

God h a n d we The Fa th er a nd the Sch

Th e n ger of s to
own kn ow,
Th e p romis e ofth e Fa th er Th o , u An d Th ee th rou gh en d les s t i me
Who d os t th e tong e wi th u con fes t,

p ower en d ow. Of b oth t h e eterna l Spi ri t bl es t.

All gl ory wh i l e t h e a ges run

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 ,
. .

( An i n d u l gen ce of th ree h u n d red d a ys ma y b e g ain e d e a ch t i me th i s h ymn

is sa id ,
a nd a p l e n a ry i n d u l e n
g ce once a month Pi u s . VI .
68 Dev oti ons .

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.

Th e P ra y er a n d Agon y of Ou r L ord i n t h e Gard en, Th e

Sc ou rgi n g, Th e Crown i n g wi th Th orn s , Th e Ca rr in g y of

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.

Th e Res urrecti on of Ou r L ord, Th e As cen s i on ,

Th e D es cen t of th e Holy Gh os t on t h e Ap os tl es , Th e As s u mp
ti on of t h e Bl es s ed V i rgi n i nt o Hea ven ,
Th e C oron a ti on of

t h e B l es s ed V i rgi n M a r y .

Th u s ea ch ch a p l et of th e Ros a r y con s i s ts of th e Cree d, s ix Ou r

Fa th ers , s i x Gl or ys a n d. fty -
th ree Ha i l M ar y s.

Th e b ea d s mu s t b e b l es s ed an d th e i n d u l gen ces a tta ch ed by a

p ri es t wh o h as th e p owers If th i s b e d u l d on e th e fa i th ful can

. y
ga i n a n i n d u l gen c e of on e h u n d red d a s for e er Creed, Our y v y
Fa th er, an d Ha i l M ar y ,
each ti me t h e Ros a r yi s reci ted .

P ra yer to St Jos ep h . .

Gl ori ou s Jos ep h , k i n d fa th er an d fri en d,

Humb ly t o th ee mys el f I commend 3

K eep me, wa tch over me h el p a n d d efen d

.
,

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 .

5 . P ra yer to O u r Gu a rdi a n Angel .

Holy a n gel , gu ard i an mi n e ,

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 ,

From h a rm from s m l et me b e free , , .

By a p i ou s li fe I fa i n

Wou l d etern a l j oys a tta in ;

 G E NER A L SU RV E Y .

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

th ere by w orki n g ou t our etern a l s a l v a ti on . W e a re to atta i n ou r

en d by th e followi n g mea n s .

W e mus t s tri v ac qui re th e k nowl edge of God

e to u
th ro gh fai th
i n t h e tr t h s u w hi ch He h a s reveal ed .

Here we s p ea k of th e kn owl edge of God , o f re v el ati on ,

of

fa i th , th e moti v es of fa i th , th e opp os i te of fai th , th e con fes s i on

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 1 . . Th e e xi s ten ce of God, Hi s b ei n g, His a ttri but Hi es , s

tri u ne nat u re, th e crea ti on of th e w orl d and v

di i n e p vi
ro d en c e,

a n gel s an d men , ori gi n a l s i n ; th e p romi s e of a R edeemer, th e

e xp ecta ti on of a R edeemer .

Art 2 7
.
-

. Jes u s i s th e M es s i as , th e Son of God ; Hims el f

God and O ur Lord . Th e In carn a ti on , th e li fe of Ch ri s t .

Art . 8 . Th e Hol y Gh os t and th e d o c tri n e of gr ac e .

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 0 F orgi ven es s of s i n s

. . .

.

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 .

At th e cl os e of th e Ap os tl es C reed men tion i s mad e of th e

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 .

W e mus t k eep th e c omman dment s of God . Th es e a re : Th e

t wo p rec ep t s of ch ari ty .

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 .

In Hi s ch a ra c t er of s o v erei gn Ki n g God re qui res from us :

In th e Fi rs t C omma n dmen t w ors h i p

and y
d el i t ; i n th e Sec on d ,
re v eren ce ; i n th e Thi rd, s er vi ce ; i n th e Fou rth , res p ect tow ards
Hi s rep res en t a ti v es .

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

p e rfor ma n ce of th e w ork s of mercy .

Th emma n dmen t s of th e C h urch a re a n amplic ati on of

co

th e Thi rd C omma n dmen t of th e D ec a l ogu e .

Aft er th e cons i d erati on of th e l ov e of God, th e love of th e

w orl d i s s p ok en of.

Aft er th e c on s i d era ti on of th e l ove of on e s n ei gh b or, th e l ove

of on e s fri en d s , of on e s en emi es , of on e s s el f i s enl a rged u on ;

p
a ft er th e c on s i d era ti on o f th e Fi rs t C omman dmen t, th e v en er a
t i on of t h e s a i n t s , th e oa th b orn of rel i gi on a n d oth erwi s e ; u n d er

th e . Thi rd C omma n dmen t of God , th e o bl ig a ti on of la b or ;

u n d er th e rs t mma n dmen t of th e C h urc h , th e e c cl es i a s ti ca l

co

y ea r ; u n d er th e Fourth C omma n d men t of God , th e C h ri s ti a n s

d t uyt ow a rd s th e P op e a n d chi ef ru l er, a n d th e o bl ig a ti on s res t

i ng on th os e w h o a re in a u th ori t y; u n d er th e Fi fth C omma n d

men t of God , th e trea tmen t of a n i ma l s ; a n d u n d er th e w orks
of merc y , th e ri gh t u s e of mon ey, th e d u ty of gra ti tu d e, a n d th e

s pi ri t of p o v ty
er .

Th e fu lll i n g of th e mma n dmen ts c on s i s ts i n th e p rac ti c e

co

of good w ork s an d th e e x erci s e of vi rtu e, a s w el l a s th e a a n don b

men t of s i n a n d vi ce ; n al l y , i n th e a voi dan ce of everyth i n g
th a t mi gh t l ea d to s i n , temp ta ti on to s i n , a n d occa s w n s of s i n .
 Gen era l Su rv ey . 71

Th e mos t imp orta n t vi tu

r es are th os e whi c h a re c all ed th e
se v en c a p i ta l vi tur es , th e opp os i t es to wh i c h a re th e se v en d ea d l y
In ord er to o eby th e co mma n dmen ts s tri c tl y we mus t ma ke
us e of th e mea n s for ai n i n g
a tt p erfec ti on . Th e gen era l mea n s
a re i n t en d ed for a ll ; th e s p ec i a l mean s , v
t h e th ree e a n gel i c a l
c ou n s e l s , a re on l y for i n d i i d u a lsv .

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 .

In o r d er to b eli e v e re v e al ed tru th and t o k eep th e co mma n d

men ts , we re qu i re th e a s s i s ta n c e of v
d i i n e gra ce, an d th i s we
ca n o b tai by th
n e u s e of th e mean s of gra ce .

PAR T III .

W e mus t mak e us e of th e mea n s grac e

of Th es e . a re : Th e
h ol y s a cri c e of th e M a s s , th e s ac ra ments , a nd p ra er y .

B efore en teri n g u p on th e su bj ec t of th e s a cri ce of th e M ass ,

s a cri c e i n gen eral a n d th e s a cri c e of th e cros s a re c on s i d ered .

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

u se d i n th e M a s s , and th e mu s i ca l a c comp a n i men t of th e M a s s .

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 .

Un d er th e Sa cra men t of th e Al ta r th e i n s ti tu ti on a n d n a ture of

th e s a cramen t a re c on s i d ered, l ik ew i s e th e rec ep ti on of th e s a c ra
men ts a n d th e frui ts p rodu ced th ereby, th e p rep a ra ti on b efore
recei vi n mmu i d t h b q u n t t h n ks i vin , a n d al s o
g c o n on a n e s u s e e a g g
s p iri tu a l c ommu n i on Un d er th e Sa cra men t of P en a n c e th e
.

p oi n ts con s i d ered a re : Th e i n s ti t ti on , u n a tu re, a n d n e ces s i t y of

72 Gen era l Su rv ey .

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

v e p arts ) , gen eral confes s i on s , th e i n s ti tuti on a n d exc ell en ce .

of c on fes s i on , th e s i n of rel ap s e, a n d th e d oc tri n e of i n d ul en c es

g .

U n d er ma tri mony, th e i n s ti tu ti on a n d n ature of marri age a re

trea ted of, th e d uti es of marri ed p eop l e, mi xed marri ages an d ,

th e s i n gl e s tat e . Here up on follows th e teachi ng c on c ern i ng

s a c ra men t al s .

In treati n g of p ray er a n expl an ati on 1 s gi ven of th e n ature ,

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
,

a n d of c on temp l ati on Furth ermore expl an ati on s a re gi v en of

.

t h e mos t i mp ortan t p ray ers ( th e Lord s Pray er a n d p ra y er to

th e M oth er of God ) ; t h e p ri n c i p al p ub l i c s ervi c es morn i n g a n d

even i n g p roc es s i on s , p i l gri ma ges , th e W a y of th e C ros s
,
Ex ,

os i t i on of th e Bl es s ed Sac ramen t mi s s i on s , C a th oli c c on gres s es ,

p ,

P a s s i on p l ays , a n d rel i gi ous a s s o c i ati on s Th e l a tter i n cl u d e

.

th ird ord ers c on fra tern i ti es a n d c h a ri ta b l e s oc i eti es

, ,
.
 INTR O D U C TI O N .

I . F OR WHAT END ARE WE ON THIS EAR TH ?

As th e s ch g o es t o s ch ool i n ord er t h a t h e ma y a ft erw a r d s
ol a r
a t t a i n a ce rt a i n p o s i t i o n i n li fe , s o ma n i s p la c ed on th i s ea rth i n
ord er t h a t h e ma y a t t a i n t o th e l o ft y en d of et e rn a l h a p p i n es s As th e .

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 .

We a re up on thi s ea rth i n ord er th at we ma y gl orif y God,

a nd s o wi n for ou v
rs el es etern al h app i n es s .

Th e g l or y of God i s t h e e n d of a l l c re a t i o n . All c rea t ures on

th e e a rt h a re c r e a ted for t h i s en d , th a t t h ey ma y ma n i fes t i n
th ems el ve s th e d i vi n e p erfect i o n s a n d G o d s d o mi n i o n o ver Hi s

r a t i on a l c rea t u res , th a t i s , o ver a n g el s a n d men , a n d t h a t He ma y b e

l o ved a n d p r a i s ed b y t h em Even t h e ma t er i a l w orld , a n d c re a t u res
.

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
.

th i n g s for Hi ms elf M a n i s cre a t ed for t hi s en d ,

( P ro v xv i . .

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 i ve g l ory t o God Thi s h e d o es wh en h e kn o w s , l o ves , a n d h o n ors

.

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 .

life h e i s a s t r a n g er, a wa n d erer, a n d a p i l g ri m

W e h a ve n ot h ere
.

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 .

Hen c e we a re n ot u po n ea rth onl y to c oll ec t ea rthl y t e

r a s ~

u res , to a tta i n e a rth l y h on ors , to ea t a n d to dri nk , or to en oj y

ea rth l y pl ea s u res .

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 .

For thi s rea son O ur Lord s a s : O n e th in g is n ec es s ary y

( L k eu x a n d a g a i n
. S ee k rs t t h e k i n g d om of God a n d
Hi s j us ti ce, a n d a ll oth er th i n gs s h a ll b e add ed n to y ou ( M a tt u .

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 .

L or d c omp a res s u ch t o t h e s e rv a n t wh o s leep s , i n s t ea d of wa tc hi ng

for h i s ma s t er s c omi ng ( M a tt xxi v

. .

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 .

We mus t s eek t o kn ow a n d l ov e God B u t l o ve of God c on s i s t s i n .

k ep i ng Hi s comma n dmen ts ( J oh n x i v F ro m thi s i t fol l ows

t
.

t a :

W e s h all atta i n t o etern al h appi nes s b y th e foll owi ng mea ns :

1 W e mus t s tri v e to k now God by mea ns of fai th i n the
.

truth s He h as rev eal ed t o us .

O u r L ord s a y s : Th i s i s etern a l l i fe th a t th ey ma y k now Th ee, ,

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 . .

B y mean s of our own s tre n gth w e c a n n ei th er el i e e n or b v

keep th e comma n dmen ts ; for th i s we n eed th e gra ce of God .

Even Ad a m Ev e i n a s t a t e of i nn o cen ce n eeded th e h elp of

a nd

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 ,

t i o n s n ee d s mo n ey for t h e j ou rn ey Th e fa rmer c a n n o t cul t i v a te h i s

.

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
,

foo d We a re li ke a ma n wh o th rough wea kn es s h a s fall en t o th e

.
76 In trod u cti on .

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 .

As t h e fres h w a t er s of t h e r i vers a re ch a n g ed i n t o t h e s a l t w a t ers of

t h e s ea , s o a ll e a r t h l y p l ea s u res s oo n e r or l a t e r t u rn t o b i tt e rn es s .

F orb i d d en p l ea s u r es s oo n b r i n g mi s ery a ft er t h em, l ik e th e forb i d d en

fru i t . b
Th ey a re li k e a i t t h a t h a s a h oo k c o n cea l e d w i t h i n i t .

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
.

mo men t t h e b room s weep s i t a ll a wa y, s o ma n l a b or s for l o n g ye a r s t o

ob t a i n s o me h o n or, or p os s es s i o n , or o fce So me o b s t a cl e c omes i n .

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 .

Ever y c rea t ure on ea rth i s i n t en d ed a s a s tep t o b ri n g u s

n e a r e r t o G od As i n t h e w ork s h op of t h e p a i n t e r b r u s h es c ol ors
.
, , ,

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

e n d for wh i ch w e w er e c rea te d Ea rthl y g oo d s a re l i ke th e s u r

.

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 .

u s w e mu s t c u t ou r s el ves fr ee fro m t h em W e mu s t n ot s erve t h em .

,

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 .

3He wh o fol l ows Chri s t wi l l h a ve to

. en d u re u
p ers ec ti on ; b ut
th es e p ers ec ut i ons ca n d o h i m n o h a rm .

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
,

l ife ) t o r eg a r d u s a s err a t i c p eo p l e a n d a s foo l s t o c o n d emn u s a n d t o ,

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 ,

g a rds a s a fool h i m w h o m C h r i s t d ecl a re s b l es s ed ( M a t t v 3 . .

,

Y et C h ri s t t ell s u s : E er v y on e th a t h ea reth M y w ords an d

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 .

Jo s ep h d eri ved a d va n t a g e, n ot h a rm, fro m b ei n g p ers ecu ted ; t h e p i o u s

D a vi d wa s p e rs ecu ted . rs t b y Sa ul , a n d t h en b y h i s own s on Ab s a l o m .

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 .

xxxi i i . All t h e C h r i s t h a v e b een p er s e cu t ed , b u t G od

s a i n ts of

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 ,
.

wh ere we a re fa r fro m ou r t r u e c o un t ry In t h e w orl d g oo d a n d i ll

.

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
.

s ch ool of s o c i a l d emoc r a t s w h o d rea m of g r a d u a lly a b ol i s h i n g a ll ev i l

a n d mi s e ry fro m t h e w orl d .
 I THE K NOWL EDGE OF GO D
. .

Th e kn o wl ed g e God c o n s i s ts i n t h e kn o wledg e of Hi s p erfec

of

t i o n s Hi s w orks Hi s w i ll , a n d th e mea n s of g r a ce i n s t i t u ted b y Hi m

, , .

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
.

works a n d of wh a t He h a s revea l ed t o u s O u r kn owledg e, c o mp a red

.

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
,

t h a t on e g et s fro m ma p s a n d p i ct u res a s c o mp a red w i th th e kn o wl

ed g e of on e w h o h a s h i ms el f v i s i t ed i t .

Th e k n owl ed ge of God i s a l l i mp ort ant, for wi th o t i t th ere

2 .
-
u
cannot b e a ny h a ppi nes s on earth , or a well ordered li fe -
.

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 .

s o ul feel s h un g ry ; w e b ec o me d i s c o n t en t ed He wh o d oes n ot p o s ses s .

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
, , ,

l ife ; th e y a ll b e c o me d i s t a s t eful t o h i m Y et few th i nk a b o u t th i s foo d

.

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
.
,

c o n te n tmen t Wi th o u t a kn o wl ed g e of God a well ordered l ife i s i m

.
-

p o s s ib le Ju s t a s a n u n t ill ed el d p ro d u ces n o g oo d fru i t s o a ma n

.
,

wh o h a s n ot t h e kn o wl edg e of God c a n p r od u ce n o g oo d works Ig n o .

ra n ce a n d forg et ful n es s of God a re th e c a us es of mos t of th e s i n s t h a t

men c o mmi t R a s h a n d fa ls e o a ths n egl ect of th e s erv i c e of God
.
,

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 .

Th u s t h e p ro p h et O s ee excl a i ms Th ere i s n o kn o wl ed g e of God i n

th e l a n d . C u r s i n g a n d lyi n g a n d kill i n g a n d t h eft a n d a d u lt e ry h a e v
ov erowed ( O s ee i v 2 , An d St Ign a t i u s of L o y ol a c ri es ou t ,
. .

O God , Th o u j oy of my s o ul , i f on l y men kn ew Th ee,

wo u l d o ffen d Th ee, a n d exp er i en c e s h o ws t h a t i n t h e j a i l s t h e g rea t er
p a rt of t h e p r i s on ers a re t h o s e wh o kn ew n o t h i n g of God Wh en .

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
. . .

Hi s merc y c omes t o ou r a i d w i th revel a t i on Th rou gh b el i ev i n g th e .

t r u t h s t h a t God h a s r eve a l ed , ma n a t t a i n s t o a cl ea r a n d c orrect

kn o wl ed g e of God Hen ce St An s elm s a ys ,
. . Th e more I a m n o ur
i s h ed w i t h t h e foo d of fa i t h , t h e more my u n d ers t a n d i n g i s s a t i s ed

.

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 . .

i s li ke a w a t ch t o wer , fro m whi ch w e c a n s ee t h a t whi ch c a nn o t b e

s een fro m t h e p l a i n b
el o w ; w e l e a r n r e s p ec t i n g God t h a t w h i ch c a n n ot

b e l ea rn ed b y me re rea s o n fro m t h e w orld a ro u n d It i s a g l a s s .

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 .

wh i ch s u p p ort s ou r feeb l e r ea s o n , a n d en a b l es i t t o kn o w God b et t e r .

Th e re a re t w o b oo k s from w h i ch we g a i n a kn owl e d g e of God ; t h e

b oo k of Na t u r e, a n d Ho l y Sc r i p t u re, wh i ch i s t h e b oo k of r evel a t i o n .

II DIV INE REV EL ATION

. .

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 .

ma kes h i ms elf kn own b y s p ea ki n g , t h e p as s e r s b y a re a b l e to r ec og -

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
.

Hi ms elf from ou r eyes Y et He h a s i n ma n y w a ys ma d e Hi ms el f

b
.

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 . .

G od h a s o ft en c ommu n i ca t ed t o men kn owl ed g e of Hi s p erfec

a

t i o n s , Hi s d ec rees , a n d Hi s h ol y will . Su ch rev el a t i o n i s c a l l ed s u p er ~

 D i mn e R evela ti on

. 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
.

Th u s God s p o k e t o Ab r a h a m, Noe, a n d M o s es He s en t Noe t o .

p rea ch t o s i n ful men b efore t h e F l oo d , He s en t M os es t o th e Is r a el i tes

wh en t h ey we re op p res s ed b y P h a r a o So met i mes God s p o ke t o a .

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
.
,

h ea rd fro m h e a ven : Thi s i s M y b el o ved Son , i n Wh om I a m well

So met i mes God rev ea l ed Hi ms el f th ro u g h a n g el s , a s for i n

p l ea s ed .

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 .

men , He t oo k th e vi s i b l e form of a ma n or of a n a n g el or He s p oke ,

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

c a ll e d mes s en g er s from Go d a n d o ft en rec ei v ed fro m Hi m t h e p o w e r

,

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 )
. .

3 Th os e w h o w ere s p eci a ll i n tru s te d w i th th e commu n i c a

. y
v
ti on t o men of th e d i i n e re el a ti on w ere th e foll ow i n g : th e v
p a tri a rch s , t h e
p p
ro h et s ,
Jes s C h r i s t th e So n of G od ( Heb u
i . .

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
.

s t a g es of h u ma n d evel o p men t , t o t h e i n fa n cy, c h i ld h oo d , a n d y o u t h of

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
-

l a w s a n d c o n s t a n t c orrec t i o n ; b u t wh en ma n k i n d h a d a rri ved a t t h e

p er i o d of ma n h oo d , t h en Go d s en t Hi s So n a n d i n t ro d u ced th e l a w of
l o v e ( 1 C or x i i i 1 1 ; G a l i i i
. . O f a ll t h o s e wh o d ecl a red t o men
. .

t h e d i v i n e r ev el a t i o n , t h e Son of God w a s p re emi n en tl y t h e t ru e -

w i t n es s He s a ys of Hi ms elf, F or th i s I w a s b orn , a n d for t h i s I

.

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

h a d s een G od ( Jo h n i Th e a p os tl es a l s o h a d t o d ecl a r e t o men

.

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.

l a ti on s a re n o con ti n uati on of th e ea rli er re v el a ti on on whi ch ou r

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 .

Su ch r evel a t i o n s mu s t n ot b e too l i g h tl y c re d i t ed , a s men a re li a b l e t o

b e d e cei ve d ; y et t h ey mu s t n ot b e rej ect ed w i t h o u t ex a mi n a t i o n M a n y .

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 .

revela t i o n s we re more es p e ci a ll y g i ven t o t h o s e wh o were s t ri v i n g

a ft e r p e r fec t i o n , i n or d er t o en c o u r a g e t h em t o g rea t er p e rfec t i o n
s t il l
. v
Y et Go d s o met i mes r e ea l ed Hi ms el f t o wi cked men , i e , t o . .

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
.

a p p e a r ed a t L ou r d es , p r oc l a i med h er s elf t h e Imma c ul a t e C on cep

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
.

rme r b el i ef ( even t h o u g h th ey h a ve i n g en er a l b een a p p ro ved b y t h e

Ch u rch ) , t h a n h e w o ul d gi ve t o t h e a s s e rt i on s of a n h on es t a n d t rus t
wort h y ma n .

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
, ,

ey e of t h e s o ul n eed s, revel a t i on t o p er cei ve th i n gs d i vi n e ( St .

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
, , ,

men a n d h i s w or s h i p wa s o ften i mmor a l a n d h orr i b l e a s i n th e

, ,

h u ma n s a c ri ces o ffer ed b y h i m Th e g o d s w ere o ft en t h e p a t ro n s

.

o f vi c e Th e g rea t es t men a mo n g t h e h e a th en s a p p ro ved p r a c t i c es

.

forb i dd en b y t h e n a t u r a l l a w Th u s C i c ero a p p ro ved of s u i c i d e P l a t o

.
,

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
.
.

t i ce. So c r a t es d en o u n ced p o l yt h ei s m b u t b efore h i s d e a th t o l d h i s

,

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

.

men s h o u l d c ome t o a kn o wl edg e of th e t r u th ( 1 Ti m i i oly . . H

Scr i p t u re s oo n l o s es i ts v a l u e i n t h e eyes of t h o s e wh o h a ve n ot t h e
a s s u r a n c e of th e l i v i n g W or d t h a t i t i s t r ul y of d i v i n e ori g i n St . .

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

t h ori ty of t h e C h urch mo ved me t o d o s o

A truth w hi ch th e C h urch p uts b efore us a s re e v al ed by G od

i s call ed a truth of fai th , or a d ogma .

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 ,

h i ms el f h a s p o we r t o d ecl a re a t ru t h t o b e r evea l ed b y God Th u s t h e

, .

C o u n c i l of Ni caea d ecl a re d t h e d i v i n i t y of O u r L ord t o b e a n a rt i cl e

of fa i t h ; a n d P o p e P i u s IX t h e Imm a c u l a t e C o n cep t i o n of t h e h o l y
.

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 ,

t h en ceforth t h e y b e ca me d og m a s of th e fa i t h Wh en a chi l d a d va n ces .

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 ,

li ef ; s o t h e C h u r ch t h e c ol l ect ed b od y of a ll t h e fa i t h ful r ecei v es

, ,

d o gma s n ew t o i t wh en on t h e a p p ea r a n c e of s o me n ew form of e rror

, , ,

i t s et s forth a ft er c a r eful ex a mi n a t i o n ce rt a i n t ru th s of rel i g i o n i n

, ,

exp l i c i t form a n d i mp o s es t h ei r a cc ep t a n ce on a l l t h e fa i t hfu l

B efor e th e d en i t i o n of i t b y th e C h u r ch i t w a s o n l y a
.

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 .

2 Th e Cath ol i c Ch rch d eri es from Hol

. u v y Sc ri pt u re a n d from
u
Tra di ti on th e tr th s th at God h a s re eal ed v .

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

fro m u s equ a l res p ect Hol y Sc r i p tu re i s t h e w ri t t en , Tr a d i t i on

.

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 -

book s a re rec ogni zed th e Ch rc h a s by th e W ord of God

u .

Th e Hol y Gh o s t i n s p i red i n a er y s p eci a l w a y t h e wr i ters of v

Holy Sc ri p t u re ; He moved th em t o wri t e a n d g u i d ed a n d en ,

l i ght en ed t h em whil e t h ey were w ri t i n g ( C f 2 Ti m i i i 1 6 ; M a tt . . . .

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
.

h a ve e xp res s l y d ecl a r ed t h a t G od i s t h e Au th or ( a u c tor) of Ho l y

Sc r i p t u re St Au g us t i n e s a ys :
. .
d own w i th C h r i s t s own h a n d
It i s a s i f t h e G o s p el s wer e wr i t ten
Th e wr i te r s of Hol y Scr i p t u re,
.

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

whi ch th e Hol ySp i r i t p l a yed Y et t h ey w e re n ot mere p a s s i ve i n

.

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
.

t o t h e g e n er a l s e n s e We mu s t n ot t a ke offen ce a t p op ul a r exp res

.

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
.

Sc ri p t u r es a n d t h e p recep t s th erei n con t a i n ed .

Th e se two ooks of Hol

v y en t b
Scri p t re a re di v id ed i n to
-
y u
y b
fort v e ooks of th e O l d Tes tamen t a n d twen t s e en of th e
-
y v -

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 .

O ld Tes ta men t The hi s t ori ca l oo ks c omp ri s e

. b
The v e ooks b
of M o s es , whi c h c o n t a i n t h e e a rl y hi s t ory of ma n t h e li ves of t he ,

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
.

th e s t ory of Job t h e P s a lms of D a v i d , t h e P ro ver s of Sol o mo n , a n d

,

t h e b ook s o f Eccl es i a s t es , W i s d o m, a n d Eccl es i a s t i c us Th e p rop h et .

i c a l b o o k s co mp ri s e t h e fo u r g rea te r p ro p h ets , Is a i a s Jeremi a s , Eze ,

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 .

New Tes ta men t Th e h i s t or i c a l b oo ks a re t h e fou r Go s p el s , a n d

.

t h e Act s of t h e Ap o s tl es Th e d o ct ri n a l b ooks a re t h e t wen t y on e

.
-

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
. .
,

oo k i s t h e Ap oc a l yp s e of St Joh n wh i ch tells i n ob s cur e l a n g u a g e

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
.

t a men t w ere or i gi n a ll y wri tt en i n Heb r ew mo s t of th e New i n G reek , .

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 . . . .

V ul g a te i s d ecl a red b y t h e C o u n c i l of Tr en t t o b e a n a u t h en t i c ren

d er i n g of t h e ori g i n a l .

The mos t i mp ortan t ooks of Hol Scri p t re a re th e fo r b y u u

Gos pel s an d th e Acts of th e Ap os tl es Th e four E a ngel is ts . v
rel a te th e life a n d te a c h i n
g of O u r L o rd ; th e A c t s o f 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 .

Th e w ri ters of t h e Fou r Gos p el s a re c a ll ed th e fo u r Ev a n g el i s ts .

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
. . .

j o u rn ey s St M a t th ew s g o s p el w a s ori g in a ll y w r i t te n i n Heb rew,

. .

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 .

Na z a r et h ful l l ed t h e p rop h ec i es of t h e O ld Tes t amen t , a n d p ro ved

Hi ms elf t o b e th e t ru e M es s i a s St M a r k w rot e for t h e C h r i s t i a n s of
. .

R o me a n d s h o ws C h r i s t t o b e t h e Son of God St L uk e w ro t e for a . .

di s t i ng u i s h ed c i ti z en of R ome, n a med Th eop h i l u s , i n ord er t o i n s t ru c t

h i m i n t h e l ife a n d d o ct r i n e of C h ri s t We ow e t o St L u ke m a n y
b
. .

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
.
-

. . . .

fo ur G o s p el s w er e c oll ect e d i n t o on e v ol u me i n t h e s ec o n d cen t u ry .

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 .

h a d w r i tt en i n t h e s eco n d cen tur y, t h ey c o ul d n ot h a ve p o s s es s ed t h i s

kn o wl ed g e Th ei r s t yl e s h o w s t h a t t h ey wer e u n l ette red men Th e
v
. .

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
.

ou r p res en t B i b l e s , e g , t h e Syr i a n t r a n s l a t i o n ( c a ll ed t h e P es h i to) ,

. .

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 .

r s t t w o cen t u r i es t h e Sc r i p t u re s wer e r e a d every Su n d a y i n t h e

va r i o u s C h r i s t i a n ch u r ch e s a n d w er e mo s t c a r efu l l y g u a rd ed We .

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
,

p ro ve t h e i r t ext t o h a ve een i d en t i c a l w i t h ou r own Th e O l d .

 Holy Scri p tu re a nd Tra d i ti on . 87

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 ,

i n t h e i r reve ren ce for i t c o u n t ed t h e very l ett e rs Th e r e i s , moreo ve r .

,

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 ,

a n d w o ul d n o mor e h a ve a ll o wed t h e ea rl y cen t u r i es a l o n e t o p ro t

b y i t , t h a n He w o ul d h a ve c rea ted t h e s u n for th e r s t g en er a t i o n s of

men o n l y .

Th e re a di n g of Hol yS i s p ermi tt ed to C a th oli cs , a n d

cri p tu re

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 .

In Hol y Sc r i p tu r e we l e a rn to kn o w God a r i g h t ; w e s ee Hi s omni p

o t e n ce ( i n c r ea t i o n a n d a ll th e w o n d er s n a rr a te d i n t h e B i b l e ) , Hi s

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 .

It i s l i ke a n o vero wi n g w el l t h a t ca n n ever b e exh a u s t ed Th ere .

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 .

Th e reas o n wh y w e a re n ot p ermi tted to rea d a n y ers i on v

b
of t h e B i l e th a t w e c h oos e i s ( 1 ) B ec a s e t h e u n a l t e re d t ext a n d u
tru e exp l a n a ti on of i t a re on l y
to b e fo n d i n th e C a th oli c u
C h urch B ec a us e th e greater p art of i t i s er difc lt to
. v y u
un d ers ta n d .

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
, . .

ces s ors t h e b i s h o p s , t h a t O u r L or d h a s p ro mi s ed t h e g i ft of th e Hol y

,

Sp i r i t a n d t h a t th e g a t es of h ell s h a ll n ot p reva i l a g a i n s t i t Hen ce

, .

th e Hol y Sc r i p t ure ou t of wh i ch t h e C a th ol i c C h u rch d r a w s h er

,

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
,

n ot p l eas e t h em Th u s L u th er r ej ect ed t h e ep i s tl e of St J a mes , b e

. .

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 .

cul t y of u n d e r s t a n d i n g Hol y Sc ri p t u r e i s a fu r t h e r r e a s o n for t h e

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
.

th ey th oro u g h l y u n d er s t a n d th e ep i s tl es t h a t a re rea d a t M a s s and

th es e a re c h o s en for th ei r s i mp l e a n d p r a ct i ca l ch a r a cte r St P ete r . .

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 :
. .

Th ere a re more t h in g s i n t h e B i b l e whi ch I c a n n o t un d ers t a n d

88 Fa i th .

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 .

H e ret i cs o ften g i ve h a lf a d o z en d i f feren t mea n i n g s t o th e s a me p a s

s ag e . Th e C a th ol i c C h u rc h i s th e a u th or i t y th a t G od h a s a p p o i n ted
t o exp l a i n H
ol y Sc ri p t u re ; for t o h er t h e ol y Sp i ri t h a s b e en g i ven H
b
.

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 .

Th e o s tl es recei ved from O u r L ord t h e c omma n d t o p re a ch n ot

ap ,

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
,

d o ct r i n e a re ver y i n c o mp l ete Th ey t h ems el ves s a y t h a t t h e re i s

.

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
.

Hol y Sc r i p t u re et c Tr a d i t i on c o mes d own t o u s from t h e t i me of

, .

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
,

tr u e d o c t r i n e Eve r y d o ct ri n e t h a t h a s a l w a ys een b el i eve d i n b y

.

t h e u n i v e rs a l Ch urch c o mes d o wn t o u s fro m t h e a p o s t l es

,
If t h e re .

fore t h er e i s a n y d o c t ri n e of t h e Ch u rch th a t we d o n ot n d i n Hol y

Sc r i p t u re w e s h a ll n d i t i n t h e s t rea m of Tr a di t i o n a n d s h a ll b e
, ,

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 Fa th ers th e C h u r ch were th o s e wh o were d i s t i ng u i s h ed i n

of

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
.

C h u r ch , St An s elm, Ar ch b i s h o p of C a n t er u ry, St B ern a r d , Ab b o t

. .

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 . .

t h e mo s t d i s t i n g u i s h ed D o ct ors of l a t er t i mes were St F r a n c i s of .

 Th e Ch r i s ti a n F a i th . 89

Sa les , Bi s hop of Gen eva , a n d St Alph on s us L igu or i We s h all spe ak . .

herea fter of t h e dec ree s of C ou n c ils a n d of C r eed s a s t h e s our ce s of

Tr a diti on Th e p r a yers of t h e C hurch a re t o b e foun d p r i ma r ily i n
.

th e M i s s a l, b u t a ls o i n o the r b ooks u s e d i n t h e a dmi n i s t r a ti on of

th e s a c r a men ts a n d oth er r it es of t h e C hu r ch Thu s we n d i n t h e .

M i s s a l p ra yers for t h e dea d, when ce it foll ows th a t th e C hurch

tea ches the i r e c a cy .

V . THE CH RI STIAN FAI TH .

1 Ch ri s ti a n fa i t h i s th e rm onv i t i on, a rri v ed a t wi th th e

. c c
c
gra e of God, t h a t al l th a t Jes us Ch ri s t t a ugh t on ea rt h i s true,
a s w ell a s a l l t h a t th e Ca t h oli c
Ch ur h t ea h es b y th e ommi s s i on c c c
c
s h e h a s r e ei ved from H im .

At t h e L a s t Supp er O ur L or d s a id Thi s i s M y b ody Thi s i s ,

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
.

tha t wh a t l a y b efo re them w a s on ly b r e a d a n d wi n e et they b eli eve d ,

th a t t h e words of C hr i s t were t r ue Th e h olin es s of t e life of C hr i s t .

,

th e n ume rous mi r a cl es th a t He w ork ed t h e p r e di c ti on s of Hi s th a t ,

were ful lled h a d con vi n c ed th e a p os tles th a t He w a s t h e Son of

,

God a n d th a t th er efore every w or d th a t He s p oke w a s t r ue

, Go d .

p r omi s ed Ab r a h a m ma n y d es cen d a n t s a n d then c omm a n de d h i m t o ,

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
.

,

w or d mu s t come t ru e ( Heb xi 1 9 ; Rom iv Thi s w a s a s p l en did

. . . .

e xa mpl e of fa ith St P a ul ( Heb x i 1 ) c a ll s fa ith t h e eviden ce of

. . . .

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 .

B efor e a ma n b eli eves h e i n qui r es wh ether wh a t h e i s a s ke d t o

,

b eli eve w a s r ea lly r evea le d b y G od Thi s i n qui ry i s a duty for God .

,

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 . .

h e wh o i s h a s ty t o b eli eve i s light i n h ea r t ( Ec clus x i x But . .

when on ce a ma n h a s a rrive d a t th e con vi cti on th a t t h e t r uth whi ch

i s i n qu es ti on w a s r ea lly r eve a l ed b y G od th en t h e will mus t a t on ce ,

s ub mit t o wh a t God h a s l a id down even th ough t h e r ea s on c a n n ot ,

ful ly gr a s p i t s mea n in g If t h e will d oes n ot s ub mit fa ith i s i mp os

.
,

s ib le No ma n c a n b eli eve un les s h e will s t o b eli eve

. .

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 .

F a ith i s a co n vi c ti on res pec ti n g th a t whi c h w e s ee n ot ( Heb x i . .

We b eli eve i n God , th ough we d o n ot s ee Hi m ; we b eli eve i n

a n g els th ough w e h a ve n ever s een th em We b eli eve i n th e res urrec .

ti on of ou r b odi es th ough we d o n ot u n der s t a n d h ow it c a n b e So

, .
,

t oo w e b eli eve i n t h e my s t er i es of t h e Bl es s ed Tr i n ity of t h e In ca r;

, ,

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
. , .

Th omas wh o h a ve n ot s ee n b u t h a ve b eli eved

, ( Joh n xx .

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 .

Th e mys ter i es of fa ith b ey on d ou r r ea s on , b u t a re

a re a b o e a n d
v
n eve r o pp os ed t o r e a s on F or God h a s given u s ou r r ea s on ,
.

a n d it i s t h e s a me God Wh o h a s giv en us t h e t ea chi n g of C h r i s t a n d

of t h e C hu r c h He wh o rej e ct s a n y doctr in e of t h e C hurch ultima tely
.

n d s hi ms el f i n volve d i n a c on tr a di c ti on Hen ce B a con t ruly s a ys : .

A little phi l os ophy ta kes a ma n a wa y from r eligi on , b u t a s oun d

kn owledge of phil os ophy b r in g s h i m b a c k t o r eligi on
.

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 ec a us e we trus t ours el ves t o God s truth ful n es s a nd b ec a us e w e

,

k now for c ert a i n t h a t th e trut h s of fa i t h a re revea l ed to us b y

God .

A s hor t s ight ed ma n b eli eves a ma n with l on ge r s ight wh en h e

-

t ells h i m th a t a b a lloon i s o a ti n g i n th e h ea ven s A b lin d ma n b e .

l i ev es on e with s oun d s ight wh en h e t ell s h i m th a t t h e ma p b e fore

h i m i s a ma p of Eu rop e We b eli eve i n th e exi s ten ce of t h e c iti es
.

of C on s t a n ti n opl e, P eki n , a n d Bu en o s Ayr es , th ough w e ma y n ever

h a ve s een them In s o d oi n g we a ct rea s on a b ly But h ow fa r more

. .

r ea s on a b ly d o we a ct when we b eli eve God M a n ma y b e mi s ta ken ,

or m a y b e dece ivin g u s , wh er ea s God c a n n ot err a n d c a n n ot d ec e i v e u s .

It i s th e t r uthfuln es s of G od on whi ch we rely when w e ma k e a n a ct

of fa ith . We mus t, however, p revi ou s ly b e cert a in th a t t h e doc tr in e
or fa c t whi c h we a re a s ke d t o b eli eve i s on e th a t h a s r ea lly b een re
vea l ed b y God God b ea r s witn es s t o Hims elf a s t h e Author of t h e
.

t r uth s of fa i t h b y ma n y a ct i on s th a t He a lon e ca n p erform, s uc h a s

mi r a cl es a n d p r oph ec i es Th e ma n of g oo d will c a n a lwa ys nd a
.

s uf c i en t rea s on for b eli evi n g a ma n of b a d will a n excu s e for n ot

,

b eli evi n g .

We b el i eve th e wor d s of C h ri s t, b e a u s e He i s t h e Son of c

God , a n d c a n n ei t h er d ecei v e n or b e d e ei ved M oreover He h as c .

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 .

It woul d b e a b l a s phemy t o s upp os e th a t O u r L ord Wh o i s t ru th ,

it s elf coul d ever h a ve i n one s i n gle i n s t a n ce, d eceived u s Hen ce

, , .

fa ith gives u s a g rea te r cer t a in ty th a n th e eviden ce of ou r s en s es .

O ur se n s es c a n deceive u s God ca nn ot deceive u s C hr i s t Hi ms elf .

a pp e a l s t o t h e mi r a cl es He w r ought when He s a ys If a n y on e will , ,

n ot b eli ev e M e l et h i m b el i eve t h e w ork s

, ( John x .

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

a m with y ou a l l d a y s even t o t h e en d of t h e w o rld ( M a tt xxviii . .

An d a t t h e L a s t Suppe r : I will a s k t h e Fa th e r a n d He will give y ou ,

a n oth e r P a r a cl et e, th a t He ma y r ema i n with y ou for eve r , t h e Spi r it

of t r uth ( Joh n x iv Th e H oly Spi r it i s th erefore s till i n th e
.

mid s t of th e C hur ch , j u s t a s He wa s on th e Da y of P entec os t God .

92 F a i th .

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 .

St P a ul tells u s th a t He th a t c ometh t o God mu s t b eli eve th a t

.

He i s a n d tha t He i s th e rew a r d er of them th a t s eek Hi m ( Heb x i

, . .

Thi s w a s t h e mi n imum r e qui red b efore t h e c oming of C h r i s t ,

a n d i s n ow r e qui r ed of th os e wh o h a ve n eve r come withi n r ea c h of t h e

G os p el In a coun t ry wher e th e G os p el i s p rea che d t h e c a s e i s quit e

.

di fferen t, a n d n o on e c a n b e a dmitte d t o th e Sa cr a men ts of B a pti s m

or P en a n c e un til h e h a s b een i n s tr u ct ed i n t h e a b ove men ti on ed -

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

l ea rn a n d u n d ers t a n d th e Ap os tl es C reed , th e c omma n dmen ts

of Go d a n d of th e C h u rch , a n d a l s o h e mu s t h a v e s ome k n owl

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

c ou n try wh ere h e l i ves .

5 Fa i t h i s a gi ft of God , s i n e t h e p ow er t o b eli eve

. c ca n onl y be
a tt a i ned t h r ough th e gra e of God c .

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 ;
.

hen ce B a pti s m i s ca lle d t h e s a c r a men t of fa i th

U n til th e n ewly .

b a ptiz e d c hild c omes t o t h e u s e : f r e a s on h e c a n n ot u s e thi s p ow er

,

o f b eli evi n g, or m a k e a n a c t of fa ith

'
He i s like a child wh o i s a s leep,
.

wh o h a s th e fa c ulty of s ight b u t ca n n o t u s e it un til h e open s h i s

,

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
.

t r uth s of r eligi on un d er th e i n uen ce of t h e g r a ce of God .

God b es t ows th e k n ow l edge of th e t r u th a n d th e gi ft of fa i t h

ch i e y on th os e w h o ( 1 ) s t ri v e aft er i t w i t h e a rn es t n es s a n d p er

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 .

An t des i re a ft er t r uth i s a s u re mea n s of a tt a i n i n g t o it

r
e a n es ,

for O u r L or d h a s s a id th a t Th os e wh o hun ger a n d thi r s t a fter !

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
. .

thr ough t h e mouth of th e p r oph et Y ou s h a ll n d M e wh en y ou s e ek ,

M e with y ou r wh ol e he a r t
( Jer xxi x Th e R oma n phil os
. .

o ph e r Ju s t i n us w a s a n i n s t a n ce of t h e fullmen t of thi s p r omi s e ,

for G od r ew a r d ed h i s ea rn es t d es i r e for t r uth b y ca u s i n g h i m t o fa ll

i n with a n ol d ma n on t h e b a n k s of t h e Ti b er wh o i n s t ructe d h i m i n ,

t h e t r uths of th e C h r i s ti a n fa ith A li fe i n a ccor d a n ce with t h e l a w

.

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 .

will of G od h e s h a ll kn ow of th e d oct r i n e ( Joh n vii 1 7

,
To s uc h a .

on e God will give a n i n ter i or l ight or will s en d s ome on e t o i n s t ru ct

,
 Th e Ch ri s ti a n F a i th . 93

hi m , as He did t o C orn eliu s ( Acts x 3 0 So C a rdin a l

. ewma n N

p r a yed for lon g ye a rs for th e ki n dly light whi ch a t l a s t b ro ught
h im t o t h e d oor of th e C a tholi c C hurch a n d t h e s a me wa s t h e ca s e
with coun tles s other c on ver t s fr om P r ot es t a n ti s m Sometimes Go d .

i n Hi s merc y gives t h e gi ft of fa ith ev en t o t h e en emi es of t h e

C hur ch a s He did t o St P a ul b u t it i s for th e mos t p a r t t o th os e wh o
,
.
,

a re i n g oo d fa ith i n the i r err or s .

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 .

Th erdi n a ry mea n s a re p re a chi n g r ea din g a n d p er s on a l i n s t ru c

o , ,

ti on St Augus ti n e w a s c on ver te d b y th e p r ea chin g of St Amb r os e

. . .

i n t h e C a th edr a l of M il a n St Ign a tius of L oyol a b y r ea di n g t h e lives

, .

of t h e s a i n t s t h e Ethi opi a n e un u ch b y h i s c on v er s a ti on with St

,
.

Philip Extr a or di n a r y mea n s a re th os e of whi c h we n d ma n y a t th 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 .

op h i l u s w a s c on v er te d b y t h e r o s es th a t fell a t h i s fee t i n t he mon th

of Ja n u a r y a ft er t h e m a r tyr d om of h i s pl a yma t e D or oth e a ( A D

, . .

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 .

It i s t h e l a ck of g oo d will th a t deb a rs ma n y from t h e fa ith O u r .

L or d i s t h e t rue light th a t enl i g h t en et h ever y ma n tha t comes i n t o

t h e w orld ( John i It i s th e will of G od th a t a ll men s h ould come
.

t o th e t ruth M en t oo often s hut thei r eyes t o t h e light b eca u s e

.
,

th ey a re un willi n g t o ch a n ge th ei r evil li fe ; th ey l ove d a rk n es s r a ther

t h a n light b ec a u s e the i r deed s a re evil
, ( Joh n iii P ride i s .

a l s o a fa t a l hi n d r a n ce t o fa ith God l ove s t o ma k e u s e of s impl e

.

mea n s t o b r i n g men t o th e kn owl edge of t h e t r uth a n d thi s t h e ,

p r oud res en t y j u s t a s Na a ma n res en t ed Eli s e us a dv i c e t o g o a n d

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
.

Jews a n d es p eci a lly b y t h e Sc r ib es a n d Ph a r i s ees b ec a us e He wa s

, ,

b orn of p o or p a r en t s a n d lived i n a t own th a t w a s h eld i n c on t empt :

C a n a n y g ood thin g come ou t of N a z a r eth ?
( Joh n i So t h e .

upp er cl a s s a t R ome w er e un willi n g t o r ec eive t h e t ruth fr om a

n a ti on th a t w a s d e s pi s e d b y th em a n d fr om men wh o w er e i n gen er a l ,

very d ec i en t i n c ul tur e or p os iti on So t oo i n t h e p res en t d a y .

, ,

God a ll ow s Hi s C hur ch t o b e opp r es s ed a n d p ers ec ute d a n d l ooked

d own up on Hen ce th ere i s n o mi r a cl e a t whi ch th e p roud d o n ot
.

s cof f God hid es t h e s ec ret s of Hi s p r ovid en c e fr om t h e p r oud a n d

.
,

more th a n thi s He p os itively r es i s t s th em ( 1 P e t v

, . .

. 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 .

Fa i s like t h e r oot of th e t r ee with out whi c h it c a n n ot exis t ;

. ith ,

i t 1 8 t h e rs t s t ep on t h e r oa d t o h e a ven ; it i s t h e key whi c h op e n s

94 F a i th .

t he t hous e of a ll th e vi rtues How ha ppy i s th e w a n derer

rea s ure -
.

when h e lights on th e r oa d whi ch wil l ca rry h i m t o h i s j ou rn ey s en d ;

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 .
,

t h e goo d Ki n g Alph on s u s of C a s tile tha t I a m a ki n g

n ot , ,

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
. .

y ou ca n n o t c r os s t h e s ea s o with out fa ith y ou c a nn ot a rr iv e a t th e ,

p or t of e tern a l s a lva ti on It i s like th e pill a r of t h e cl oud whi c h l ed .

t h e Is r a elites a c ros s t h e d e s e rt or li ke t h e s t a r th a t guid e d t h e Wi s e ,

M en t o C h r i s t With out fa ith we c a n d o n o goo d wor ks pl ea s in g t o

.

God or whi c h will me r it for u s a r ewa r d i n hea ven

, Ac ts of kin d .

n es s et c, d on e fr om a n a tur a l motive ea rn a rew a r d i n thi s li fe b u t

.
, ,

n ot i n t h e n ext They a re like a b uildi n g whi c h h a s n o fou n d a

.

ti on . Jus t a s fr om t h e r oot pl a ced i n t h e g r oun d a r i s es t h e b e a u

ti ful pl a n t with i t s le a ves a n d owe r s s o from t h e r oo t of fa ith a r i s es
, ,

goo d works F a ith i n God gives r i s e t o a lo ve of Hi m a n d con d en ce

.
,

i n Hi m a n d thi s en a b l es u s t o l a b or a n d s u ffer for Hi m

, F a ith i n .

ou r et er n a l rew a r d en cou ra ge s u s i n ou r t oil s ome j o u r n e y th r ough

li fe It ga ve Job h i s p a ti en ce Tob i a s h i s gen er os ity t o t h e p oor a n d

.
, ,

th e ma r tyr s the i r con s t a n c y F a ith p r o vides us with t h e me a n s of .

res i s ti n g t empt a ti on ; it i s t h e l ighthous e whi ch en a b les th e ma ri n e r

t o a void th e hidd en r ock s a n d qui ck s a n d s It i s t h e s hi eld th a t .

en a b les u s t o exti n gui s h a l l t h e e ry d a rt s o f t h e wi cke d on e ( Ep h .

vi. O n t h e a moun t of ou r fa ith dep en d s t h e a moun t th a t we

p os s es s of t h e o th e r vi r tues a n d t he a moun t of g ra ce th a t we rec eive ,

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 .

A livin g fa ith i s on e whi ch p r odu c es w ork s pl ea s in g t o God .

O u r L or d s a ys Not every on e wh o s a ith t o M e L or d Lor d s ha ll , , ,

en t e r i n t o t h e k i n gdom of h ea ven b u t h e th a t doth t h e will of M y ,

F a ther Wh o i s i n h ea ven ( M a tt vii

He wh o h a s don e n o w orks . .

of mer c y will b e c on demn ed a t t h e j udg men t ( M a tt x xv Su ch a . .

on e i s lik e t h e devil s w h o b eli eve a n d di s ob ey ( Ja s ii ,

As t h e . .

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 ,

( Ja s ii . F a ith with out w ork s i s like a t r ee with out fr uit or lik e

. ,

a l a mp with out oi l Th e fooli s h vi rgi n s h a d fa ith b u t n o works

.
, .

G ood w orks s uch a s a re n ece s s a ry for s a lva ti on c a n onl y b e p er

, ,

for me d b y on e wh o i s i n p os s es s i on of s a n c ti fyi n g gr a ce a n d l oves ,

God i n h i s h ea r t Hen ce St P a ul s a ys If I s h ou ld h a ve a l l fa ith

. .
, ,

s o th a t I could r emove moun t a i n s a n d h a v e n ot c h a r ity I a m n oth ,

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
. . .

W ith t h e hea rt we b eli eve un t o j us ti ce ; a n d with th e mouth c on

fes s i on i s ma de un t o s a lva ti on
.

( R om x M a n con s i s ts o f . .

b ody a n d s oul a n d th erefore mu s t h on or God n ot on ly i n w a r dly b u t

, , ,
 Th e M oti ves o f F a i th . 95

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 .

It i s t hrough t h es e t h a t w e a tt a i n to a c erta i n kn owl edge th a t

this or t h a t t r u th of fa i th i s rea lly from God .

Th e ver a c ity God i s of cour s e t h e ul ti ma t e motive of fa ith, for

of

w e mak e a n a c t of fa ith i n th e tr uths r eve a l ed b y God, b e ca us e we

kn ow th a t God i s t r ue a n d c a nn ot d ece ive or b e dec eived But n o .

rea s on a b le ma n c a n ma ke a n a ct of fa ith i n a n y t r uth, un til h e i s

quite s ur e th a t it i s on e of th e t ruth s reve a led b y God For thi s .

rea s on t h e extern a l eviden ces th rough whi ch God es t a b l i s h es th e

fa c t tha t He h a s r ea lly s p oken a re for men a mos t i mp ort a n t a n d
n ec es s a ry motive of fa ith It wa s i n gre a t mea s ure b ec a u s e th e
.

a p os tl e s h a d s een th e c oun tl es s mi r a cl es w orke d b y Chr i s t , a n d h a d

s ee n t h e p r oph ec i es of t h e Jewi s h p r ophet s fulll ed i n Hi m th a t ,

they b eli eved Hi m with out d oub ti n g when He s a id, Thi s i s M y

b ody thi s i s M y b l ood
,

Th e mi r a cl e of t h e gift of to n gues a t P en
.

t ec os t move d th ree th ou s a n d men t o b eli eve i n C h r i s ti a n ity ; th a t of

th e he a li n g o f t he l a me ma n a t t h e B ea uti ful G a t e of t h e Temple

move d t wo th ous a n d more ; t h e won der s w r ought b y th e a p os tl es i n

d u ce d t h e he a th en t o a cce pt t h e Ch r i s ti a n fa ith How ma n y were .

l ed t o b eli eve or c onrme d i n t h e fa ith b y t h e ful lmen t i n t h e ,

yea r A D 7 O of O u r L or d s p rophecy r es p ec tin g t h e des tr uc ti on of

. .
,

Jerus a lem, a n d a g a in b y t h e fa ilure of t h e a ttempts t o r eb uild t h e

Templ e i n A D 3 6 1 ! B es id es mi r a cles a n d p rophecy there a re a ls o
. .

oth e r mo tiv es of fa ith , s u ch a s t h e con s ta n cy of t h e ma r tyr s , t h e won

d erfu l s p re a d of C hr i s ti a n ity, a n d i t s s till mo re w on de rful p er
ma n en cy i n t h e fa c e of a ll t h e p ers e cuti on a n d opp os iti on th a t t h e
C hurch h a s h a d t o en du re, t h e four a ttr ib utes of t h e C hu rc h, etc .

Th e grea t er n u mb er of mi r a cl es wer e p e rformed i n th e ea rl y

c
d a ys of th e C h u r h , b eca u s e t h ey we r e th e mean s God emp l oy ed
for th e s p rea d of C h r i s ti a ni ty .

God i s lik e a g a r den er wh o w a t er s h i s pl a n ts whil e they a re s till

ten d er a n d s ma ll .

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 .

An x tra or di n a ry work i s on e th a t ll s u s with a s t on i s hmen t b e

e ,

ca us e w e h a ve n eve r s een or h e a r d of a n ythi n g lik e it a n d a re un a b l e

t o n d a n y n a tur a l expl a n a ti on of it : e g
, th e t el eg r a ph a n d t h e
. .
,

phon ogr a ph wer e extr a or din a ry w on ders a t th e ti me of th ei r rs t

i n ven ti on But th ei r u n won ted ch a ra cter i s n ot s u i c i en t t o c on s ti
.

tute th es e thin gs a s mi r a cl es ; a mi r a cl e mus t a l s o s u rp a s s a ll t h e

for c es of n a tu re Thu s th e r a i s i n g of th e d ea d t o l i fe i s n ot on ly a n
.
96 F a i th .

e xtr a ord i n a ry fa ct b u t it i s on e th a t n o a moun t of s k i ll or kn ow le dge

,

will en a b le a ma n t o p erfo rm M i r a cles a re thu s excepti on s t o t h e or

.

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 ,

b u t they d o n ot r ea lly d o s o Th e l a w s of n a tur e s till h old goo d b u t

.
,

they a re s u s p en ded i n thei r a cti on b y a n i n ter veni n g p ower .

Th ere a re tru e and fal s e mi rac l es .

Th e former w orked b y th e p ower of a lmighty God t he l a tter

a re ,

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 ,

t h e employ men t of th e p ower s of n a tur e b y evil s pi r its wh o b y r ea s on ,

of the i r g r e a t er kn owle dge a n d p ow e r a re a b l e t o p r o du ce r es ult s

th a t dec e ive a n d mi s lea d u s M i r a cles a re divide d i n t o mi ra cles of

.

t he r s t cl a s s a n d mi r a cles of t h e s eco n d cl a s s Th e former a re thos e .

whi c h a lt og ether s urp a s s a ll th e p owers of n a tur e a s th e r a i s in g of ,

t h e d ea d t o li fe M i r a cles of t h e s econ d c l a s s a re extra or din a ry a c

.

ti on s whi c h might h a ve b een p erfo rme d b y th e p ower s of n a ture b u t ,

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 ,

of a s i c k ma n b y a w or d or t h e s udd en a c qui s iti on of t h e kn owl

,

e dg e of a for e ign l a n g u a g e .

3 . M i r a l es c a re wrough t b y a l mi gh ty God onl y for Hi s ow n

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 .

Someti mes i t i s t o s h ow th a t a ma n i s a t r u e mes s en ger s en t

b y God ; s ometi mes to b ea r wi tn es s t o th e h ol i n es s of on e wh o i s
d ea d , or t o h i s vi r tu e or u s ti e God n ev er works a mi ra cl e j c .

c
i n on rma t i on of fa l s e d o trin e c .

All i mp o rt a n t d ocu m en ts mu s t b ea r t h e s t a mp or s ign a tu re of t h e

p ers on s en di n g th em ou t a s a ma rk of thei r b e i n g g en ui n e G od a l s o
, .

h a s Hi s s t a mp b y whi ch He c er tie s th a t s ome d oc t r in e i s fr om Hi m

, ,

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 .

a cl e s . It i s on e th a t c an n ot b e c oun te rfe it ed O u r L or d Hims elf a p .

p e a l s t o Hi s mi ra cles a s a p r oof of Hi s divi n e mi s s i on ( M a tt x i 4 . .

,

5 ; John x Eli a s did t h e s a me ( 3 Kin gs

. M i r a cl es s till
c on tin u e t o b e w orke d i n t h e C a th oli c C hur ch i n p roof of th e tr uth
of h er t ea c hi n g God a l s o w orks mi r a cles i n p roof of t h e holi n es s of
.

t h e d ea d oft en at thei r g r a ves a s a t t h a t of Eli s eus ( 4 K i n gs x iii

, , .

or for th os e w h o i n vok e th em Tw o mi r a cles mu s t b e a ttes te d a s

.

h a vin g b een w orke d b y th e i n ter ces s i on of a s erv a n t of God b efore h e ,

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 .

cov en a n t t h e s a i n ts w orke d mi r a c l es c hi ey dur i n g thei r li fe ; un de r

t h e C h r i s ti a n c ov en a n t th ey w ork t h e gr e a te r n umb er a fter th ei r
d e a th G od a l s o work s mi r a cles t o ma n i fe s t Hi s goodn es s a n d Hi s
.

j u s ti ce a s wh en t h e w a ter owe d i n t h e d es ert t o s upply t h e thi r s ti n g

,

I s r a elit es a n d wh en An a n i as a n d Sa phi r a w er e s tru ck d ea d God

,
.

n ev e r w ork s mi r a cl es i n p r oof of fa l s e d oc t r i n e th ough He s ometi mes ,

p er mits wi ck e d men t o b e dec e ived b y t h e fa l s e mi r a cles w orked b y

th e d evil Thu s t h e d evil s ometi mes h ea l s t h e s i ck r a pidly or s u d
.
!

d en l y th rough h i s s up eri or k n owl edge of t h e p ow er s of n a tu re .

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

Thos e whom God h a s t d ca n on ly work mi ra cl es when God r

c ea e
gives them t h e p ower Th e s a in ts a lw a ys w orke d mi r a cles i n t h e
.

n a me of God or of O u r L or d, O ur L or d a l on e c ould w ork mi r a cl es

.

i n Hi s own n a me B a d men a re s ometi mes employe d b y God a s th e

.

i n s tr umen t s of t h e mi r a cles b y whi ch He es t a b li s hes t h e t r u th ( M a tt .

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
,

b e a cc oun te d for i n a n y other wa y .

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 .

P r ophecy a ls o i n cludes a p re di c ti on of future even t s whi ch d e ,

p en d ou t h e free wi ll of ma n for s uch even t s c a n on ly b e fores een ,

b y God Hi ms elf Th e mos t thor ough kn owledge of ma t er i a l c a us es

.

a va il s n othi n g They a re ofte n jus t t h e opp os it e of wh a t ou r p re

.

vi c u s kn owledge w ould h a ve l ed u s t o exp ec t e g t h e den i a l of O u r , . .

,

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
. . .

P r oph ec i es ma y b e c a ll ed mi r a cles of th e omn i s ci en ce of God ,

a s di s ti n gui s he d fr om t h e mi r a cl es of Hi s omn ip ot en c e for p roph e cy ,

r equ i res a n a c qu a i n t a n ce with th e he a rt of ma n s uch a s God al on e

p os s es s es ( Is xli . Th e o r a cles of t h e he a then c o rre s p on d
.

t o t h e fa l s e mi r a cles of whi ch we h a ve a l re a dy s p ok en They .

were mos tly ob s cur e a n d s ometi mes a mb iguou s a s wh en t h e o r a cle a t ,

D elphi t old C r oes us th a t i f h e c ros s e d t h e r iv er Ha l y s with h i s a rmy

h e would des tr oy a mighty kin gd om b u t did n ot s a y whether th a t ,

ki n gdom w a s t o b e hi s own or th a t of h i s en emi e s M a n y p r edi c ti on s .

were given b y th e or a cles a n d t h e h ea th en s ooths a yers whi ch w ere

n ot tr u e p r oph ec i e s b u t wer e gues s es ma d e fr om a kn owledge of
,

t h e l a ws of n a ture a n d fr om t h e l a w s th a t r egul a t e t h e g en era l

c our s e of hu ma n devel op men t Th e evil s pi rit s th r ough thei r .
,

s up er i or kn owl e dge w e re oft en a b l e t o fo retell even t s th a t men c oul d

,

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 .

God for th e mos t p a rt i n trus t s the p rop h es yi ng of fut ure

6 .

even t s t o H i s mes s en gers , for th e onrma t i on of th e true fa i t h c

or for th e b enet of men .

Thu s God i n tr u s te d th e p r ophets of t h e Jewi s h c oven a n t with

t h e p r ophecy of a Re deemer to c ome i n or de r t o c on rm th e b eli ef i n ,

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
.
,

t o l ea d men t o d o p en a n ce Sometimes He reve a le d t h e futu re t o

.

wi cked men a s wh en t o B a lt a s s a r He for et old h i s c omi n g d es t ru c

,

ti on b y th e h a n dwr iti n g on th e w a ll Someti mes He empl oye d wi cked .

men a s th e i n s tr umen ts thr ough whi ch He foret old t h e future a s ,

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
.
,

p r i es t of th e ye a r ( John x i But i n gen er a l He on ly empl oyed

.

a s i n s t rumen t s o f p r oph ec y Hi s own fa ith ful s e rv a n t s r evea li n g th e ,

futur e even t eithe r thr ough a vi s i on or b y a n a n gel or thr ough s ome , ,

i n ter i or illumi n a ti on Thu s t h e a r ch a n gel G a b r i el w a s s en t t o i n

.

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.

th e mi ng of th e M es s i a s Th e p rop hecie s of th e Ap oca lyps e were

co .

mos tly put b efore St John i n th e form of a vi s i on Such c ommun i

. .

c a ti on s w ere given t o t h e p r ophe ts on ly from time t o ti me Non e of .

them h a d a p erma n en t kn owledge of futur e even t s Thus Sa muel .

did n ot kn ow wh o wa s t o b e t h e futu re kin g of Is ra el till D a vid wa s

a c tu a lly p r es en te d t o h i m ( 1 Ki n g s xvi 6 .

Th e gi ft of p rop h e c y i s th erefor e, gen era ll y s p ea ki ng, a

p ro o f t h a t h e w h o p os s es s e s i t i s a mes s en
g er fr om Go d .

Th e ful lmen t of the

p rophecy i s of cours e n ec es s a ry b efor e we , ,

r ecogn iz e it a s a p roof tha t h e wh o utters it i s a mes s en ger fr om God .

It mus t n ot c on t r a di ct a n y revea led d oc t r i n e or b e i n con s i s tent with ,

t h e h oli n es s of God It mu s t b e e difyi n g a n d p rot a b le t o men ( 1

.

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
.
,

i s a ma rk of fa ls e p rophet s t o s h ow n o con t rol of s elf .

V II ON THE AB SEN CE AND IJO SS O F FAITH

. .

F a ith i s t h e r o a d t o he a ven U n h a ppily ther e a re . very ma ny wh o

a re w a n der er s a n d s t r a n g er s t o t h e C hr i s ti a n fa ith .

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 .

1 . Her eti cs are t h os e wh o j ct

re e so me on e or more of th e
tru t h s re v ea l e d b y God .

Her eti cs a re thos e wh o h old t o s ome of th e doct ri nes revea led b y .

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
.

c a lle d l ea der s of h er es y or a r c h he reti c s , It i s a lwa ys p r id e th a t lea ds

-
.

them a w a y from th e t r uth Amon g thes e a r ch hereti cs w a s Ar iu s a

.
-

p r i es t of Alex a n d r i a wh o den i ed t h e divin ity of C hr i s t a n d wa s

, ,

c on d emn e d a t t h e C o un c il of N i caea i n A D 3 2 5 ; M a ced on i u s w h o d e . .

,

n i ed t h e divi n ity of t h e H oly G h os t a n d w a s con d emn e d i n t h e ,

C oun c il of C on s ta n tin opl e A D 3 8 1 ; M a rti n L uth er wh o a s s a iled t h e

. .
,

divi n e i n s tituti on of t h e P a p a cy a n d t h e r ight of t h e C hu r ch t o tea ch ;

Hen ry V III Ki n g of En gl a n d wh o th r ew off th e a uth ority oft h e P op e
.
, ,

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 ,

t h e P op e r efu s e d t o d ecl a re i n va l id h i s va lid ma rri a ge with Queen

C a th er i n e ; D ii lli n g er wh o w a s a p r ofes s or i n th e U n iver s ity of M u
,

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
, ,

t h e i n fa lli b ility o f t h e P op e r efus ed t o a cc ept t h e dogma a n d wa s ,

ex commun i c a t e d He di ed i n 1 89 0 withou t b ein g recon c iled or givi n g

.

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
.

l i s hm en t of t h e s ec t of O l d C a th olic s M os t of t h e foun d ers of

.

h e res y were e ithe r b i s h op s or p r i es t s They a re like t h e c oi n ers of .

fa l s e mon ey wh o put i n t o c i r c ul a ti on w orthles s met a l i n t h e pl a ce of

t h e pur e g old o f t r uth O r like di s h on es t t r a d ers wh o mi x t h e pu re
.
,

win e of th e G os p el with s ome i n j u r i ou s comp oun d Th ey a re mu rd er .

ers of s oul s for they t a ke men a w a y from th e r oa d th a t l ea ds t o

,

et ern a l li fe a n d t empt th em i n t o th a t whi ch l e a d s t o ete r n a l de a th

, .

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

.

He wh o th r ough c ulp a b l e i n differen ce d oes n ot troub le hims elf

a b out t h e d oct r i n es of fa ith , g r a du a lly l os es t h e gi ft of fa ith He .

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
,

gr os s e d with thi s world ; they n ever p ra y or hear a s ermon a n d i f ,

they a re p a r en t s they t a ke n o p a i n s t o g et thei r childr en p r op erly

,

i n s tr u c t ed P er h a p s they fa n cy thems elves men of en light en men t

.
,

a n d l ook with pityi n g con t empt on th os e wh o a re c on s c i en ti o us a n d

ea r n e s t i n t h e p r a c ti ce of th e i r r eligi on Th e b ody mu s t b e n ou r .

i s h ed el s e it will p e r i s h fr om hun ger ; t h e s oul mus t b e n o ur i s h ed ,

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
, ,
. .

Hims elf s a ys i n Hi s c on ver s a ti on with t h e w oma n of Sa ma ri a th a t

, ,

t h e w a t e r t h a t He w oul d giv e h er i e Hi s divi n e d o c tri n e s h ould b e

, . .
, ,

t o h er a w ell of w a t er s p r i n gi n g up un t o li fe ev erl a s ti n g ( John iv

, .

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
,

n ev e r thi r s t ( Joh n vi T hi s.i s why t h e c a r eful i n s t r u cti on

of childr en a n d o f c on ver t s i s s o a ll i mp ort a n t Wh en c on verts fa 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
,

b efor e the i r r ec epti on i n t o t h e C hur c h Th e C a tholi c mus t n ot .

s upp os e th a t h e i s fr ee d fr om t h e s tudy of t h e d o c t ri n es of fa ith b e ,

ca u s e h e h a s b een dul y i n s t r u c t e d i n h i s yo uth Th e pl a n t mus t b e .

w a t er e d even when it i s gr own up ; th e s oul of th e a dult n eed s t o

r en ew i t s a c qu a i n t an ce with th e t r uths of fa ith b y h ea r i ng s e rmon s ,

r ea di n g pi ous b ooks et c el s e it will s oon l os e t h e vigor of i ts fa ith

,
.
, .

He wh o a ll ows hims elf wilfully t o d oub t of a ny of th e doct ri n es

of t h e C hu r ch commit s a s er i ou s s i n a g a i n s t fa ith a n d i s s u r e littl e
, , ,

b y little t o l os e h i s fa ith a lt og eth er

,
Th a t h ou s e i s s ure t o fa ll of
.

whi ch t h e foun d a ti on s a re l oos en ed He wh o d oub t s a n y revea le 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 h oul d b e a r a s on i n h er ol d a g e a n d w a s r ep r ove d b y G od for h e r i n

c re dulity ( Gen xviii 1 0

. .Z a ch a r i a s d oub te d t h e a n n oun ce
men t of t h e a n gel th a t Joh n B a pti s t s h ould b e b orn t o h i m a n d a s ,

a pun i s h men t l o s t for a ti me t h e p ow er of s p eec h ( L uk e i 1 8 .

Y e t d oub t s th a t c ome i n t o ou r min d i n vol ve n o s i n i f we d o n ot ,

wilfully con s en t t o th em If d oub t s come i n t o ou r mi n d we s h oul d

.

not a rgu e with th em b u t s h o uld ma k e a n a ct of fa ith a n d p r a y for

,

mo re fa ith Th os e h owever wh o a re outs ide th e C hur ch a n d h a ve

.
, ,

n ot t h e fa ith a re b oun d i f they d oub t t o s ea r c h a n d i n qui re un til

, , , ,

th ey h a ve foun d t h e t r uth ; with the m d oub t i s n o s i n s o l on g a s thei r ,

s e a r c h a ft e r t ruth i s m a d e i n a s p i ri t of humility a n d with a s i n ce re

d es i re t o a rr ive a t t r uth Fa ith i s a l s o d es t royed b y t h e r ea din g of

.

b ook s h os til e t o t h e fa ith In thi s w a y Joh n Hus s w h o d i s

.
,

s emi n a t e d fa l s e d oc t r i n e ove r B oh emi a i s s a id t o h a ve b een cor ,

ru p t ed b y t h e w orks of th e En gli s h h ereti c Wycli f I t wa s t he , .

 0h th e Abs ence a nd L os s f F a i th
o . 1 01

w ritin gs of L uther th a t chi ey c on tr ib ute d to t h e a p os t a s y of

C a l v in a n d Z w i n gli Jul i a n th e Ap os t a te ( A D 3 63 ) i s s a id to h a ve
. . .

los t h i s fa ith b y r ea din g th e w riti n g s of th e h ereti c L i b a ni u s

dur in g hi s exp editi on to N i comed i a In th e p res en t d a y t h e
.

boo ks a g a in s t th e fa ith a re c o un tles s Amon g t h e mos t mi s

.

c hi ev ou s a re t h e w orks of Rou s s ea u, V olt a i re , Z ol a , Ren a n , Gi b

b on Ing er s oll , Huxley, et c

,
Th e C hur ch, like a g oo d mothe r,
.

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 .

rea d s s uc h b ooks , p ri n ts them, or even h a s them i n h i s p os s es s i on

without p ermi s s i on from hi s ec cles i a s ti c a l s up er i or s in c ur s th e p en
a lty o f excomm uni ca ti on res e rv ed t o t h e P op e Th e p en a lty, h owever,
.

i s n ot in c urre d b y a n y on e wh o re a d s s uch a b ook with out kn owi n g

th a t it w a s fo rb idden At on e time a ll b ooks h a d t o b e s a n c ti on ed
.

b y t h e b i s hop of t h e di oces e, b u t thi s w a s a fterw a r ds li mite d t o

b ooks t ouchi n g on r eligi on By thes e mea n s t h e C hu rch s ought
.

t o p res e rv e t h e pur ity of C h r i s ti a n d oc tr i n e M a n y, t oo, h a ve l os t

.

th e ir fa ith b y h a b itu a lly rea din g n ews p a per s h os tile t o t h e fa ith .

As th e b ody ca n n ot rema i n i n hea lth i f it i s fed with un whol es ome

food, s o t h e mi n d b ecomes di s ea s e d a n d c orr upt i f a ma n feeds it with
un wh oles ome a n d pe rn i c i ous liter a ture Th e p roces s ma y b e a s low
.

o n e, b u t it i s lik e t h e s ol id r oc k whi c h w e a rs a w a y littl e b y little a s

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
.

food , whi ch ere l on g i n du ces s i ckn es s a n d even de a th Amon g t he .

en emi es of fa ith a re th e F reema s ons In P rotes t a n t co un tri es

.

they s eem h a rmles s en ough, a n d ma n y con vert s wh o h a ve b e

longe d t o t h e M a s on i c or der h a ve b orn e witn es s th a t they ha ve
n ever en coun t ered a n ythin g i n it whi c h w a s oppos ed either t o
j
thr on e or a lt a r , b u t th e rea l ob ect a ime d a t b y t h e lea de rs of F ree
ma s on ry i s t o des troy a ll a uth or ity th a t c omes from God , a n d a ll re
vea le d r eligi on Th ei r s ec ret o a th of ob edi en ce, t a ken a s i t i s with
.

o u t a n y r es e rv e, i s a b s olute ly u n l a wful , a n d t h e s ymb oli s m o f ma n y of

i ts l o dges i s g ros s ly b l a s phemou s a n d i n s ultin g t o C hr i s ti a n ity Th e .

idea of F reema s on r y i s t a ken from t h e M a s on i c guilds of th e M iddle

Ages , t h e memb e rs of whi ch empl oyed thems elves i n t h e con s truc ti on
of c a th edr a ls a n d chur ches It p rofe s s es t o h a ve for i ts ob j ec t t h e
.

con s t ru c ti on of a S pi ritu a l t empl e t o huma n ity a n d enl ighte n me n t ,

b u t F reema s on s a re i n va r i a b ly t h e b itt e r foes of C hr i s ti a n ity a n d

of t h e C a th oli c C hu rc h Every on e j oi n i n g them i s i p s o fa c to
.

ex c ommu n i c a t e, a n d t h e P op e a l on e c a n res t or e h i m t o t h e memb e r

s hi p of t h e C hu rc h, except a t t h e h our of d ea th , when a n y p r i es t h a s

p ow er t o d o s o .

3 All men wh o through t h ei r own fa ul t di e

. wi t h out Chri s t i an
fa i th are, b y th e us t udgment of God, s enten
j j ced t o eterna l per
d i ti on .

Unh a ppy in deed a re thos e wh o h a ve n ot fa ith ; they s i t i n d a r k 5 -

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
.

wh o b eli eveth n ot s h a ll b e c on d emn e d ( M a rk xv i a n d a ga i n .

He wh o b eli eveth n ot i s co n demn ed a l rea dy ( John iii

Of .
1 02 Fa i th .

her eti cs St P a ul s a ys th a t th ey a re c on demn ed b y thei r own j udg

.

men t ( Ti t 1 1 1 We ought t o p r a y often for hereti cs a n d nu

.

. .

b eli ever s th a t God ma y i n Hi s mer cy b r in g them t o t h e t r ue fa ith

, .

V III . O N THE D U TY O F C O NF ESSI N G O U R F AI TH .

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 .

C h ri s t sa ys , So l et y ou r l igh t s h i n e b efor e men , t h a t t h ey

ma y s ee you r goo d w ork s , a n d
gl ori fy y ou r F a t h er W h o i s i n

h ea v en ( M a tt v . .

We a re b oun d i n ou r w ords a n d a cti on s t o l et men kn ow th a t we

a re C h r i s ti a n s a n d C a th oli cs It i s b y th e op en p r ofes s i on of ou r fa ith
.

th a t we help others ( a s we s ee fr om t h e a b ove w or d s of O u r L or d ) t o ,

kn ow God b ett er a n d t o h on or Hi m more We a ls o ther eb y lea d them .

t o i mit a t e o u r g oo d d ee ds ; for men a re lik e s h eep whi ch th o ugh l a zy ,

i n thems elves a n d un willi n g t o move will foll ow where on e of them ,

lea ds t h e w a y Th e op en p r ofes s i on of ou r fa ith a l s o s t ren gthen s u s

.

i n a ll th a t i s g oo d for p r a c ti c e ma kes p erfec t U nh a ppily men a re

.
, .

t o o oft en cow a r d s F or fe a r of b ei n g l a ugh e d a t b y th os e a r oun d

.

them or thr ough th e d rea d of s uffer i n g s ome i n j ury i n th ei r b u s i n es s

, ,

or s o me di s a dv a n t a g e i n th e i r w or ldly a f fa i rs or i n ter es t s they h a ve ,

n ot t h e cou r a g e op en ly t o p r ofes s th e i r fa ith or t o d efen d the i r re ,

;

l i g i on when it i s a tt a cke d ; they l a ugh a t i n d e cen t or p r ofa n e s tor i es ' ,

j oin i n i mmo des t c on vers a ti on or i n ta lk a g a i n s t th e C hur ch p r i es t s , , ,

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
,

thei r c omp a n i on s a n d mi s s M a s s on Sun d a y witho ut exc u se They

, .

forg et th a t th os e wh o l a ugh them ou t of doin g wh a t i s r ight onl y

des pi s e them i n thei r h ea r ts a n d would r es p e c t a n d h on or them i f ,

th ey s t ood rm They forget t oo th a t a t th e D a y of Judgmen t th e

.
, ,

t a b les will b e tu rn ed a n d th a t th os e wh o n ow mock a t them will b e

,

full of t err or a n d of s h a me a n d th os e wh o h a ve b een l oy a l t o th ei r ,

r eligi on will b e th e ob j e c t s of t h e en vy a n d a dmi r a ti on of thei r p ers e ~

c u t ors wh o will b itt er ly l a men t the i r folly a n d wi c k e dn es s ( Wi s d 1

,
. .

1 Amon g t h e s plen did i n s t a n ces of th os e w h o w e r e fa ithful t o

the i r religi on a n d fe a rl es s ly ma de c onfes s i on of the i r fa ith wer e th e ,

th r ee y oun g men wh o r efu s ed t o a d ore t h e g olde n i ma g e s et u p b y

N a b uc hodon os or ( D a n ii ) th e h oly Tob i a s wh o a lon e of a ll h i s k i n
. .
,

d red refu s ed t o g o t o t h e g old en ca lves a t D a n a n d B e th el a n d ,

w en t up every yea r t o th e Temple i n Jerus a lem ( Tob i 5 6 ) El ea z a r . .

, ,

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

.

vi . 1 8 St Ig n a tius t h e ma rty r St Agn es St L u cy St M a u

.
, .
, .
, .

r i c e a n d t h e Th eb a n l egi on a n d c oun tl es s oth er C hr i s ti a n ma r ty r s a n d

,

c on fe s s or s It i s b y w a y of a n op en p r ofe s s i on of h er fa ith th a t h oly

.

C hu r ch h a s i n s titute d p r o ces s i on s like th os e of C orpus C hr i s ti p ro ,

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

i n j u ry t o ou r n ei gh b or, or w h en w e a re i n s ome w a y ch a l l en ged

to d ecl a r e a n d mak e p r ofes s i on of ou r r el igi on .
1 04 F a i th

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 . . .

C y p r i a n a n d St Atha n a s iu s Y et t h e p a s t or s of s oul s mus t n ot y

. .

when th e good of th e fa ithful r equi res the i r p res en ce Th e hi re .

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 , ,

for t h e s hee p ( John x Y et they ma y y i f the i r p res en ce i s

.

n ot r e qui r e d, or i f it s e ems likely t o giv e r i s e t o fr es h p er s ec uti on s .

Th e h ereti c wh o dies for h i s here s y i s n o t r ue ma rtyr, for St P a ul .

tell s u s th a t i f we give ou r b ody t o b e b urn ed, a n d h a ve n ot ch a r ity ,

i t p r ots u s n othi n g ( 1 C or x iii John Hu s s , wh o wa s b u r n e d a t
. .

P ra gue i n 1 4 1 5 r a ther t h a n give up h i s heres y w a s n o ma r tyr n or

, , ,

were C r a n mer R idley n or L a timer wh o w ere b u rn ed a t O xfor d i n

, , ,

t h e r eign of Queen M a ry A ma n i s a tr u e ma rtyr wh o rec eives a

.

g r i evous w oun d for th e s a ke of th e fa i th a n d a fter w a r d s dies fr om th e

ef fects of it So t oo a re thos e wh o s uffer i mp r i s on men t for li fe for
. , ,

thei r fa ith or wh o d i e i n defen c e of s ome C h r i s ti a n vi r tu e or s ome

,

l a w of t h e C hu rch Thus St John Nep omu cen e, who w a s put t o

. .

dea th b ec a us e h e would n ot vi ola te th e s e a l of c on fes s i on a n d St ,

.

John th e B a pti s t whos e dea th w a s th e r es ul t of h i s defen ce of t h e

,

l a w of pu rity w ere t ru e ma r tyrs

, Th e whol e n umb er of t h e ma rtyr s .

h a s b een es ti ma t ed a t s i xteen milli on s .

Th e ma n w h o d en i es h i s reli gi on th rough fear or s h a me,

or a p os t a ti z es from th e fa i th , i s u n d er s en ten e of et ern a l d a m c
n a ti on , for C h ri s t s a y s , He th a t s h all den y M e b efor e men ,
h i m I wi ll a l s o den y b efore M y Fa th er W h o i s i n h ea v en ( M a tt

.

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 .

He wh o de n i es th e fa ith den i es C hr i s t Hi ms elf In th e ti mes of .

p ers ecuti on ther e were ma n y wh o den i ed th e i r fa ith Even n ow there .

a re s ome wh o th rough fea r of worldly l os s or of b ei n g di s mi s s e d

,

from thei r empl oymen t den y thei r religi on ,

O the rs fr om t h e s a me .

motives though they d o n ot expli c itly den y tha t they a re C a th oli c s

, ,

y e t d o s o i m pli c itl y b y a tt e n di n g a n d t a ki n g p a r t i n t h e s e rvi c e s o f a

fa l s e r eligi on or b y b ein g ma rr i ed i n a P rotes t a n t c hur ch or b y a

, ,

merely c ivil ma rri a ge or b y t a ki n g P r otes t a n t s for th e godfa the rs or

,

g odmother s of th ei r children or b y a ll owi n g thei r child r en t o b e ,

b r ought up i n a fa l s e religi on ( But th er e i s n o s i n

. i n a tt en di n g a

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 ,

t a ken i n th e s ervi ce ) O ther s a ga in though they d o n ot den y th ei r

. ,

r eligi on a re a s h a med of it b ec a u s e i n ma n y cou n t r i es it i s t h e

, ,

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

wh a t th ey like Th os e wh o den y or c on cea l the i r r eligi on ou t of

.

huma n r es p ec t a re on ly d es pi s ed b y n on C a tholi cs Th e Empe ror -

.

C on s ta n tiu s fa th er of C on s t a n tin e t h e Grea t on c e or d er ed a ll th os 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 .

wh o a p os t a tize s from t h e fa ith i s even w or s e th a n h e wh o d en i e s it

from w orldly motives Sol omon wh om God h a d ll e d with divin e
. ,
 Th e Si gn of the Cros s . 1 05

wi s d om i n h i s ol d a g e was pe r s u a ded b y h i s h ea then wives t o a p os

,

t a t i ze fr om t h e t ru e r eligi on a n d t o w or s hip the i r fa ls e g o d s Th e .

Emp eror Jul i a n t h e Ap os t a t e fell a w a y from t h e C hr i s ti a n r eligi on

a n d b e c a me a c ru el p er s ec ut or In th e p re s en t d a y it t oo often h a p
.

pe n s th a t C a th oli c s give up the i r fa ith thr ough motives of worldly

in teres t or b eca u s e they w a n t t o ma rry a P r ot es t a n t or s ometi mes
, ,

b ec a u s e they qu a rr el with t h e p r i es t A vi c i ou s a n d s i n ful li fe oft en

.

p rep a res t h e w a y for a n a p os t a s y No good ma n fr om t h e ti me of

.
,

O u r Lo r d till n ow h a s ever fa llen a w a y fr om t h e C a tholi c fa ith

,
.

Th e tree mus t b e r otten withi n b efore it i s b l own d own b y t h e

wi n d ; t h e win d d oes n ot s ca tter th e gr a i n s of corn b u t th e empty ,

hus ks He wh o a p os t a tiz es cru c ies t h e Son of G od a fr e s h He

. .

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
, , .

s a ys , He c a nn ot h a ve God for h i s F a ther wh o h a s n ot t h e C hur ch a s

h i s M othe r
Th e C a th oli c mu s t th erefor e k eep fa r a wa y fr om a ll
.

occ a s i on s whi c h c ould en d a n g er h i s fa ith for h e wh o l o s e s h i s g oods

,

l os es muc h ; h e wh o los es hi s li fe l os es more ; b ut h e wh o los es h i s

fa ith l os es a ll .

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 .

By it h e let s men kn ow th a t h e ma k es p r ofes s i on of b el on gin g

t o t h e r eligi on o f t h e c r u c i e d Sa vi our To Jews a n d Turk s t h e c ros s
.

i s a n ob j ec t of h a tred a n d con t empt ; P r otes t a n ts t oo p a y n o h on or , ,

t o t h e h oly c r os s th ough the r e a re i n d eed s ome of them wh o i n t h e

, .

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
,

C hur ch Th e s ig n of t h e cr os s i s thu s t h e p ec uli a r p r op erty of

.

C a th oli c s a ll t h e w o rld ove r It i s a c us t om s o a n c ie n t th a t it i s g en

.

era ll y b eli e ved t o h a ve b een i n t r o du ce d b y t h e a p o s tl es Th e s ign .

of t h e c r o s s i s ma de b y t ou chi n g with t h e out s t r et c he d n g er s of t h e

r ight h a n d rs t t h e foreh ea d th en t h e c en tre of th e b rea s t then th e
, ,

l eft a n d n a lly th e r ight s h oul de r s a yin g mea n while t h e w or ds

, , In ,

th e n a me of t h e F a th er [t ou ch for ehea d ] a n d of t h e Son [t ou ch ,

b r ea s t] a n d of t h e Holy Ghos t [t ou c h left a n d r ight s h ould er s ]

, ,

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
.
,

b y ma ki n g th ree c ros s es with t h e thumb of t h e right h a n d on t h e

for eh e a d lip s a n d b r ea s t s u cc es s ively r ep e a ti n g t h e a b ove w or d s s o
, , , ,

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 .

s ign of t h e cr o s s t h e l eft h a n d s h ould b e l a id a c r os s t h e b r e a s t a n d ,

h e s ig n s h oul d b e ma d e d eli b er a tely n ot hu rri e dly a s i s t oo often

s on 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
.

d oct ri n e of th e B l es s ed Tri ni ty a nd of th e In a rn a t i on of Our Lord

Jes u s Chri s t .

By un i tin g all th e th re e p e s onrs ,

Fa t h er, Son , an d Holy
1 06 F a i th .

Gh os t, un d er on e n a me, we mak e p rofes s i on o f our b eli ef i n th e

un i ty of G od .

Th e me of God i n di c a tes Hi s a uth ority a n d p ow er a n d th a t

na .
,

we a ct un der Hi s c ommi s s i on ( M a rk xvi 1 7 Act s iii 1 6 1 7 ; iv . .

, .

In ma ki n g th e s i gn of th e cros s , w e ma k e p rofes s i on of our

b eli ef i n th e B l es s ed Tr i n i ty b y th e wor d s In th e n a me of th e
Fat h er, a n d of th e Son a n d of th e Hol y G h os t
.

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 .

s ign o f th e c r os s i n gr e a t h on or It i s rep e a t ed over a n d over a g a i n

.

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 ,

ti on s ; th e c ros s i s pla ce d on ou r chur ch e s ove r our a lt a r s , on b a nn e rs , ,

o n s a c r e d ves tmen t s a n d over t h e g r a ves o f t h e d ep a rt e d

, C hur ches .

a re b uilt i n t h e form of a c r os s .

2 By mea ns of th e s i gn of th e ros s w e ob t a i n a b l es s i n g from

. c
c
God ; an d es p e i a l ly b y i t a re w e p rot e t ed fr om th e a s s a ul t s of th e c
d evi l a nd fr om a l l d a n gers b ot h t o b ody a n d t o s oul .

Th e s ign of r i s n o empty ceremon y b u t it i s of its elf a

th e c os s ,

b les s i n g a n d a p r a yer for a b les s i n g fr om G od Th e s ign of t h e c ros s

, .

ch a s es a w a y t h e devil a n d h i s t empt a ti on s ; a s t h e d og fe a r s t h e whip

with whi ch h e h a s b een b ea ten s o t h e evil on e d re a ds t h e s ign of th e
,

c ros s , for it remi n d s h i m of t h e h oly c ros s b y whi ch h e w a s v a n

q u i s h ed on C a lv a r y There wa s on c e a s t a g whi c h b ore b etwee n i t s
.

a n tle r s a t a b l et on whi c h w er e w r itten i n g old en l etter s t h e w or d 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 .

s h oot thi s s t a g So wh en ever w e ma ke t h e s ign of t h e c r os s we b eat

.
,

t h e i n s cr ipti on I b el on g t o Jes us C hr i s t a n d thi s p r ot ec t s u s fr om

,

,

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
.

w e a r on the i r a rm a b a n d of white t o i n di ca t e th a t th ey a re phys i

ci a n s , or n u r s e s or mi ni s t er s of r eligi on ; s o t h e d evil d oes n ot d a r e
,

a tt a ck th os e w h o a re s ign ed with t h e h oly s ign of t h e c r os s

Th e .

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 , ,

of whi c h t h e d es t r oyi n g a n g el p a s s es on a n d d oes u s n o h a rm

Th e , .

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
. .

l ook ed up on it fr om b ein g b itten b y th e ery s erp en t s ; s o th e s ign of

t h e c r os s r eca ll s t o ou r mi n d s t h e c r os s of C h r i s t a n d p r ot ec t s u s ,

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 , . ,

s t a n t i n e t h e Grea t with h i s wh ol e a rmy s a w a c r os s o f light i n t h e

, ,

s ky , a n d up on it t h e w or d s : In th i s s ign th ou s h a lt con qu er .

Th es e wor d s a re a l s o t rue of t h e s ign of t h e c r os s Even t o r ememb e r .

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
.
,

ight a n d give u s s t ren gth t o r es i s t h i s t empt a ti on s

,

M a n y of t h e .

s a i n t s u s ed t o ma k e t h e s ig n of t h e cr os s wh en ever a n y e vil th ought s

a s s a il ed th em In t h e ti mes of p ers ecuti on t h e h ea th en g ods oft en
.
1 08 F a i th .

X . THE AP O STLES CREED

.

B es ides t h e Ap os tl es C ree d whi ch i s r ep ea t e d a t B a pti sm, there i s

,

a l s o th e N i c en e C reed ( c omp os e d a t t h e C oun c il of N i c aea ,

a n d en l a r g e d a t t h e C oun c il of C on s ta n ti n opl e Als o t h e C ree d of .

P ope Pius IV whi ch con t a in s t h e t ea c hi n g of t h e C oun c il of Tr en t

.
, ,

a n d w a s p ub li s h ed b y t h e a uth or ity of P ope Piu s IV i n 1 56 4 Some . .

a dditi on s h a ve b een ma de t o it b y t h e V a ti c a n C oun c il Th e

N icen e C reed i s rep ea ted on cer ta in d a ys b y t h e p ri es t i n h oly M a s s ,

a n d t h e C ree d of P op e Piu s IV h a s t o b e rep ea te d b y a c on ver t .

when h e i s received i n t o th e C hur ch a n d a ls o b y p a r i s h p r i es ts when ,

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 .

In i t s few w or ds a re con t a in e d a l l t h e my s ter i e s of t h e fa ith .

It i s like th e b ody of a c hil d whi ch c on t a i n s th e limb s of a full

g rown ma n , or l ike a s ee d th a t c on ta in s t h e tree with a ll i t s b r a n ches .

It i s c a lle d i n L a ti n t h e s y mb olu m, o r di s ti n gui s hi n g ma rk, b eca u s e

i n e a rly d a y s t h e r ec it a l of it w a s t h e ma rk b y whi ch a ma n wa s
r ec ogn ize d a s a C h ri s ti a n No on e w a s a dmit ted t o b e p res en t a t h oly
.

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 .

Th e holy p os tl es b efore th ey s ep a r a ted fr om on e a n other e s ta b

a , ,

l i s h ed a cert a in a n d x ed rul e of the i r te a chi n g s o th a t it mi ght b e ,

t h e s a me i n a l l t h e di ffer en t c oun t r i es wher e the y p rea ched Y et it .

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

th ems elves B etween the i r ti me a n d th e yea r 6 00 a n umb er of n ew

.

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 .

wor d s C re a tor of he a ven a n d ea rth were a dded t o meet t h e M a n i

ch ea n d oc t r i n e th a t t h e w o rld w a s c r e a t e d b y t h e p r i n c ipl e of e vil ;

th e w or d C a th oli c wa s a dd e d t o di s ti n gui s h t h e C hur c h fr om th e s ec ts
a r oun d h er et c , Th e i n uen c e of St P ete r i n d r a wi n g up t h e
. .

C r ee d a pp ea r s from t h e fa c t th a t t h e p r i n c ipl es whi ch a re d evel op ed

i n h i s s p eech es a s r ecord ed i n t h e Acts of t h e Ap os tles a re thos e ,

whi c h a re foun d i n th e C reed It w a s r equi re d b efore B a pti s m a s.

a n evid en c e of tn es s for t h e r e c epti on of th a t s a c r a men t .

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 .

Th e thi r d p a r t trea ts of God th e Hol y Gh os t and o f our

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 .

An arti cle i s a membe r bel on gin g t o t h e wh o le as a limb b el on gs

to th e whole b o dy Th e arti cles of th e C reed a re so called becau se
,

of th e i r i ns ep ara bl e co n n ec ti on with on e ano th er

.

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
,

with o ut fa ith be i n g des t ro yed T here a re v ar i o u s i mages i n th e Old

t
.

T es t amen t of th e welve art i cles of t h e C ree d e g th e twelve p rec i o us , . .

,

s t on es on t h e b re as tpl a t e of th e high p r i es t ( Exo d xxviii 1 7 . .

a n d t h e tw elve l oa v es of p ro p os iti on ( L ev xx iv Th e arti cles . .

of t h e C reed whi c h we s h o ul d w ear on o ur b reas t i e s h o ul d b eli eve ,

. .
,

an d confess s h o ul d b e like t h e s tones i n th e hi gh p r i es t s b reas tpl a te :

,

sh ini ng an d sp rea di ng light aro un d .

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 .

Eve ry C h ri s ti an s h o ul d kno w t h e C ree d b y heart It s h o ul d b e .

repe ated every d ay a t o u r p rayers b y w ay of renewi ng an d s t rength ,

en i n g o u r faith an d of conrmi n g t h e co venan t we en t er e d on with

,

God a t o u r B apti sm It i s t h e s hi el d of fa ith b y t h e rep etiti on of

whi ch we can ext i ngui s h a ll t h e e ry da rt s of t h e mos t wi cked on e
.
,

( Ep h vi . .

FIRST AR T I C LE OF THE C I B ELIEV E IN G O DREE D :

,

THE F ATHER ALMI G HT Y

.

THE EXISTEN CE OF A SUP REM E B EING

1 . .

1 . We infer from th e crea t ed

ca n w orl d ru
a o nd u s t h t t h re
a e
e xis ts a s up reme B ei ng .

W e canno t so ul s of men b ut w e can i nfer th e i r ex i s tenc e

s ee th e
t
,

by a p roce ss of reason in g ; so it i s with t h e ex i s ence of Go d .

Th e h ea ven s a n d th e ea rt h c ou l d n ot h a v e c ome in to exis t

en c e o f t h ems el ves ; n or c oul d th e h ea ven ly b odi es move through
s p a c e b y t h ei r own p ow er .

We i nfe r when we s ee foo tp r in ts i n t h e sno w th a t some on e h a s

, ,

p assed th a t w a y ; s o we i nfer from t h e thi n g s aro un d u s th a t the re

exi s t s a s p reme Be in gu Th e pl an et s co uld no more h ave come i n o ex
. t
i s t en ce of th ems elve s tha n a t ow n co ul d b e b uilt of it s el f Th e .

as tro n ome r Ki rchn er h a d a fri en d wh o d o ub t ed th e ex i s tenc e of

God He h a d a gl ob e ma de an d pl ace d i n hi s s tudy Hi s fr i en d
t
. .

came o s ee hi m on e d a y an d ask ed wh e re t h e gl o be came from .

Ki rchn er answered th a t it ma de its el f Wh en hi s fr i en d l a ughed a t .

s uch an answ e r Ki rchner repli ed

It w o ul d b e mu c h e as i er for a
t
, ,

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 ,

o ut i n a few h o u rs But th e he avens a re lighted b y t h e gl ori o u s li ght

.

of th e s u n whi ch h as b u rn ed for man y th o us an ds of ye ars with o u t

,
1 1 0 F a i th .

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
. .

ma d e them a ll an d ca us e d them o il lumi n e t h e n ight ? Th e

tt
,

P salm i s rul y says Th e he avens decl are t h e gl ory of Go d an d t h e

t
,

rma men t s h o w s for h t h e w ork of Hi s h an ds

( P s xviii
t
. .

Th e g r e a as t ronomer Newt on u s e d a lw a ys t o unco v er an d b o w h i s

he a d when th e name of Go d w as men ti oned We may al so i nfe r t h e .

e xi s t enc e of Go d from t h e cre a tur es on t h e e arth T hu s Jo b says .

As k no w t h e b eas t s an d they s h al l t e ac h thee ; an d th e b i r d s of th e

a i r an d they s h a ll t ell thee
, S p e a k t o th e e arth an d it sh all .

a ns we r th ee ; a n d t h e s hes of t h e s ea s h all t ell Wh o i s i g n o

t
.

ran th a t t h e h an d of t h e Lor d h a th ma de all thes e thi ng s 3 ( Jo b

xii 7. I f an y on e w er e t o n d a b ea uti ful marbl e s t a tue on a

t
d e s er i sl an d h e w oul d s a y with o ut an y h es it ati on th a t men h a d been
,

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
.

from t h e mo un ta i n s ide an d given it i t s form w e s ho uld co un t hi m

t
, ,

as a foo l A g re a er foo l i s h e w h o ass er t s th at thi s w on dro us w orld

.

ha d no C re at or .

Th e w on d erf l u g m ta rra n e en and ord er of th e worl d a sol

l ea d s u s to in fer h a t t it h b fr as e en a med by an Ar c hi te c t of s ur
s s in g s ki ll
p a .

I f a s hip s a ils on i t s w ay an d arr ve s safely a t its d es ti na ti on i ,

w e conclud e th a t it h a d a c le ve r pil o t To s a y th a t t h e s t ars of t h e .

he aven of thems elves di re c t th e i r co u rs e i s as fooli s h as it w oul d b e t o ,

s a y th a t a s hip h a d s t art e d from New Y o rk sa il ed ro u n d t h e w orld , ,

an d r etu rn ed safely with o ut an y on e t o guid e it C i c ero s a id l ong .

ag o , Wh en we con templ at e t h e he avens w e arrive a t t h e convi c ti on ,

th a t they a re a ll guide d b y a B e i ng of s u rp ass i n g s kill I n all th a t .

i s up on t h e e art h w e s ee t rac es of des ign an d of a mos t wi s e D e s ig n er

i n t h e cons t r u c ti on of t h e b o di e s of an i mal s an d of t h e b o di es of ,

men i n t h e s u ccess i on of t h e s easons i n t r ee s an d pl ant s Th e a d ap

t
.
, ,

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 , ,

p art s of th e b o dy a ll i mply an a d apti n g i ntellige nc e j u s t as t h e a d ap

, ,

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 ,

s helt er u s i mpli e s a n i n telligen t cons t ru ct or As it w o ul d b e i mp os

,
.

s i bl e th a t th e l ette rs of t h e alph ab et s h oul d b e gro up e d t o g eth e r b y

me re ch anc e i n t h e or der of t h e Ili a d so it i s i mp oss i bl e th a t t h e

,

arrangement s o f t h e un ivers e co uld h a ve com e ab o ut b y c h an c e

t
,

an d with o u t h e k no wl edge a n d di rec ti on of a m ighty i n tellig enc e .

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 .

Among all nati ons even t h e mos t d eg ra ded i n ar i ably t h e

, , we n d v
w ors hip of some ki n d of d e ity We n d t o wn s with o ut w all s with o ut . ,

a rul er with o ut l aw s with o ut co i n b ut n ever with o ut som e sor t of

, , ,

t empl e with o ut p raye r with o ut sacr i c e Now u n iversal cons en t i s a

, ,
.
,

mark of t ruth Th e b eli ef i n Go d i s an i n n e r convi c ti on whi ch ma y

u
. ,

b e sa id t o b e i nb orn i nasm ch as ev ery on e can arr ive a t it with t h e

,

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
. .
, ,

Wh o g ave t o men th e cleares man i fes t a ti on of th e nature of God ;

1 1 t h e r s t s p oke somewh a o b sc urely for non e of th em h a d s een God t
$ f
,

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.

Jus t w cannot i nclos a b o undl ss oc an i n a li ttl v ss l

as e e e e e e e
o t t k i n t h i nn i t maj ty f G d with o u r n i t
,

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

. .

nor conc eive i n th o ught wh a t Go d re ally i s When t h e sage S i mon

t
.

ide s w a s as ked b y Hiero Ki ng of S yrac u s e wh a t Go d i s h e to o k rs

t t t
, , ,

on e th en w o d ays o cons id er t h e q ue s ti on ; then h e reques ed fo u r

t
,

d a ys more ; t he n e ight ; an d n a lly sa id t o t h e ki ng h a t t h e l onge r

t t
h e th o ugh ab o u th e ma tt er t h e mor e o b sc u re did it b e come t o hi m
t t
, .

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
.

o fath om t h e maj es ty of Go d b e comes p rofane It i s o ld of I car s

t
.

i n t h e ol d m yth o l o gy th a t h e fas ene d wi ng s t o h i s s id es with wa x

tt t
, ,

an d a empt e d t o y up o he aven ; b ut when h e came t oo n ear th e

s un it m elt ed t h e w ax an d h e fell i n t o t h e s ea an d p er i s h ed S o
t t
.
,

i i s with those who s eek t o fa h om th e n a ture of God ; He casts

t t
h em d o w n i n o t h e s ea of d o ub t an d un b el i ef He w ho g a zes p on . u
t h e s un b ecomes d a z zle d ; s o i s it with th os e wh o s ee k t o pene ra t e t
i n t o th e natu re of Go d Even t h e angel s ve il th ei r face s b efore Go d
t
.

( Ezech i Th e mos t p e rfe ct of them canno comp reh en d Hi s

. .

maj es ty T hey a re like a man wh o l o ok s up on th e s ea from some

t
.

high p o i n t ; h e s ees t h e s ea b ut h e d o es no s ee t h e wh ole of it How

tt v t
.
,

can we exp ec o r each height s whi ch e en t h e an gel s cann o a tt a i n

to ?
We c a n on ly gi v e an imp erfec t an d in c omp l et e exp l an a t ion
o f th e na tu re o f God , v iz . :

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 .

When M os e s as ked alm igh y Go d Hi s nam e on t h e occas i on of t ,

Hi s appe ar ing i n th e b urn in g b u s h Go d answ ere d I am Wh o am

, ,

( 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 ,

fore i n comp ar i son of Hi m a re as no thi n g Henc e D a vid says My .

,

s ub s t an ce i s a s no th i ng b efore T h ee ( P s xxx viii God a l so p os . .

s ess es th e high e s t p erfe c ti on W e s ee h o w some b ei ng s up on th e e arth

t t t
.

a re mor e p erf e c th an o thers Some hi ngs h a ve only e x i s ence with

i t u t
.

o ut l fe as s t on es an d m et al s ; o hers h a ve l i fe b ut with o t s ens a i on

t t
, , ,

a s t r ee s an d pl an t s ; o th ers h a v e s ensa i on an d mo v em en as well

t
,

a s b i r d s a n d b eas ts ; man h a s a S pi r i u al li fe with i n t ell ec t a n d fr ee ,

wi ll Ab o ve man the re a re co u ntles s n umb ers of pu re s pi rit s e ach

t
. ,

wi th a s p ec i al p erfe c ti on of i s own a n d e ac h i ncreas i n g i n vi rtu e a s , ,

 Th e Ap os tles Creed

. 1 1 3

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
.

i nn ite p erfe c ti on s i nce t h e mos perfec t among hem can alwa y s a t

t
,

t a i n to some highe r exc ellenc e Henc e we m u s b eli eve i n 3 B e i ng

t
. .

of in n it e p erf ec ti on from Wh o m al l o her be i ng s der ive the i r v i r

t
,

tues Wh o p oss esses i n Hi ms elf an d Wh o i s i nn itely exal ed beyond

t t
, , ,

all exi s ti ng or p oss i ble p erfec ti on s h a can b e fo un d i n all o the r

be i ngs th an Hi ms elf No thing g re a ter th an Go d can either exi s t or
.

ev en b e th o ught of Go d i s al so i nn it e i n gl ory a n d b ea uty For i f

. .

on t h e e ar th there ex i s t so many be a uti ful thi ngs h o w far gre ater ,

mu s t b e t h e b e a uty an d gl ory of Go d s i nc e it i s He Wh o g ave them ,

a ll th e i r b e a uty He co ul d n ot h a ve given it u nl ess He al re a dy

.

p oss ess ed it He i s like t h e b o un dl ess oce an a n d t h e b eauty of a ll

.
,

cre a ted thi n g s i s like a s er i es of d ro p s t aken from t h e oce an Go d .

i s al so i nn ite i n Hi s s up reme h appi ne ss or b e a titude He lives i n .

en dl ess an d i nn it e j o y ; no cr e a tu re ca n i n te rf e r e with t h e p e rf e cti on

of Hi s h a ppi ne ss None can e ither i ncreas e or di mi n i s h it ( 1 T im vi

. . .

As t h e s u n n eed s no light from o th er b o di es be ca u s e it i s its el f

t
,

t h e light so Go d n eed s n othi ng from o hers b ec aus e He i s Hims elf i n

t
, ,

p oss ess i on of a ll g oo d W e can onl y give Hi m wh a we h ave al re a dy .

r ec e ive d from Hi m Go d i s t h e C rea t or of t h e wh ol e w orld of

.
,

he aven e arth an d s ea He i s al so t h e Ki ng a n d Lo rd of all an d h as

, , .
,

ma de all thi ngs o uts ide of Hi ms elf s ub j ec t t o c ert a i n xe d l aws Th e .

e arth i s s ub j ec t t o x ed la w s It g oes ro un d th e s un i n thr ee hun d red

t
.

an d s i x y v e an d a qu ar ter d ays an d rev olves on i t s o wn ax i s i n

-

twenty fo u r h o urs Al l t h e he avenly b o di es mo ve a c cordi ng t o xed

-
.

law s so th at we can foretell eclip ses of t h e s u n an d moon et c ;

, , .

th ere a re l aw s whi ch regul a te a ll t h e mat er i al thi ngs on t h e fac e of

t h e e art h Pl ants t rees an d ani mal s h ave he i r growt h an d develop
.
, , t
m ent g o ve rn ed b y s t a te d l aw s Th e ac ti ons of r e asonabl e b ei ng s
v
.

a re al so g o v e rn ed b y l a w s wh i ch h o we er b y reason of the i r free , , ,

will they a re a ble t o di so be y Th e p enalti es for t rans gress i on a re

, .

l a id d o wn b y almi ghty God Go d i s th e Ki ng of ki n gs th e eternal

t
,

Ki n g ( To b x iii Th e maj e s ty of t h e gr e ates of e ar thly ki ng s

. .

i s b ut a fee bl e an d fa i n t ree cti on of th e maj es ty of Go d Henc e .

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
,

all s ub j ec t to Hi m e ither willi ngly i n thi s l i fe or a g a i ns

, he i r will ,

t o thei r ete rnal m i s e ry .

2 W e c a nnot s ee God b ec a us e He i s a s p iri t i e a being wi t h

.
, , . .
,

out b od y immort a l p os s es s ed of i nt ell ec t a n d fr ee wi ll

, , .

Our Lor d sa ys : Go d i s a spi r it a n d they t h a t a d ore Hi m mus t ,

a d ore Hi m i n s pi r it an d i n trut ( John iv It i s be cau s e Go d

i s a Spi r it th a t t h e Jew s were s t ri ct ly forb idden to make a n y i mage of
.

Hi m ( Exo d xx Go d canno t b e s een b y ma n ; the re i s a veil b e

. .

tw ee n u s an d Go d We can no t s ee t h e s t ars duri ng t he d a y b ut onl y

.

t
,

wh en d arkn ess comes on So we canno s ee Go d dur i ng t h e d a y of o u r .

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 .

In thi s li fe Go d i s a hidd en God ( Is xlv He inh ab it s th e i n . .

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 .

Thus He a pp e ared t o Ab ra h am as a t raveller , at th e b apti sm of

1 1 4 Fa i th .

Ou r Lo rd u nde r th e form of a d o ve a n d i n th e s h ap e of ongues of , t

re a t P e ntec os t But t h e external form u n de r whi ch Go d app e ared
.

w a s no t Go d Hi ms el f I n t h e same w a y w e often re a d of t h e eyes

u u t
.
,

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 .

Th e mos t p erfec b ei ng i n t h e w orld m u s b e only on e Th e allt t t

t t t t
.

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 .

on e i s like s a yi n g t h a t the r e can b e mor e th an on e so ul i n a human

b o dy or more t han
, capt a i n on a s hip Even t h e p ag an Greekson e .

an d R omans h onore d on e g o d a s s up reme amon g t h e re s t Th e p lu .

ra l i t y of g o d s p ro b a b ly aros e from th e plur a lity of t h e forc es of

natu r e ( s u c h a s thu n de r ligh n i n g re whi c h lle d t h e b e , t , ,

ho lders with fear an d cau s ed them t o a d ore thes e forc es as g o ds O r

, .

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
,

of th e evil s pi rit s whi ch h a i ng a rac ed no ti ce c aus ed hem o b e , ,

w ors h ipp e d a s g o d s .

3 . THE DIVINE ATTRIB UTES .

We crib e to God va ri ous a tt rib utes b ec a us e th e uni ty

as ,

of th e d i vin e p erfe c t i on i s ree c t ed i n d iffer en t w a ys i n c rea

tu res .

Th e s u n i s some ti mes red , s ometi mes yello w, or a p al i s h whi te

t t t t t
.

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
.

i ons of Go d s on e an d i n divi s i bl e p e rfec ti on or es s ence I n Go d hey

.

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
.
,

a r i b utes a re al so identi cal wi h Go d Hi ms elf ; Go d i s wi s d om, p o wer,

t
e e rn ity, et c
.

God i s a B e i ng of th e mos t p erfe c t an d a b s olut e s i m

t
.

p li c i t y ; t he re i s no sor t of m ul ip l i c ity or o b sc ur ity i n Hi m T he r e

t
.

i s no so rt of divi s i on b etw een Hi s a ttr ib u e s ; it i s from o u r u n de r

t t t
s an di ng h a th e di s ti nc ti on b et ween t h cm ari s e s I n cre a ted thi ng s
t t t t
.

i i s qui e di ffe ren ; they p oss es s a t ri b utes wh i c h a re re ally di s ti nc t

from eac h o ther .

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.

Go d s w ord s t o M os es I am Wh o am ( Exo d iii

exp ress

. .

Hi s e tern ity T here n ever w as a ti me wh en Go d did no t exi s t ; He

t
.

n eve r b eg an t o ex i s He exi s ted b efore th e w orld as a b uilder mu st

t t
.
,

ex i s t b efor e t h e h o u s e th a h e b uild s a n d th e w a ch ma ker b efore t h e ,

1 1 6 F a i th .

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
.

He i s presen a s th e Go d man i n t h e Blessed Sacra men ; He i s p res -

en t i n t h e so ul s of men thro ugh t h e Ho ly G h os t Wh o i s giv en o h em 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 ,

c h amb er wh ere h e s its on h i s th r one a n d gives a udi ence s t o hi s ,

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
,

where .No on e can hide hi ms el f from Go d ( er xxiii 2 3

. .
,

Hence no on e c a n escap e from Go d ( P s cxxx v iii 7 Jonas

t
. .
,

ma de t h e attemp b ut with ve ry p oor s u ccess Hen ce l earn t o a v o id

t
.
,

ev e ry s i n See wi h wh a t uns p e a k a b le s h ame a man i s l le d i f h e i s

.
,

detect e d b y on e of h i s fell o w men i n a des pi cabl e act i on Y et w e a re -

t t
.

no t ash amed o p rac ti s e t h e mos d i s gr a c eful vi ces i n th e p res en ce

of Go d ( S t Augu s ti n e ) . .

6 . W e ough t t h erefore c on t in u a lly to b ea r in min d th t G

a od

is a lw a ys p r es en t w it h us .

T hi nk wherev er y o u a re h a t Go d i s near y ou As the re i s no

, , t .

mom en t of ti me when w e a re no t e nj o yin g some b enet from t h e

h an d of Go d s o there o ught t o b e no momen of ti me when we h ave t
t
,

no t Go d i n o u r th o ugh s He wh o alw ays h a s Go d i n h i s tho ughts

.

,

say s S t Eph rem will b ecome like an angel on t h e e ar th

.
,

.

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 .

A soldi e r ght s more b ra vely i n t h e p re sence of h i s ki ng Th e re

t
.

memb ra n ce of t h e p re s ence of Go d i s a l so t h e b es m e ans of r ema i n

i n g i n th e grac e of Go d I i s like Ar i a d n e s clew b y m e ans of whi ch

. 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
, ,

on e ar th an d r ema i n u nscath ed b y t h e Mi no t au r of hell Th e re

,
.

memb ra n ce of t h e p re s ence of Go d i ncre as e s o u r z eal i n Go d s s erv

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
.
,

Wh en th e ree i s cl os ely u n it ed t o th e roo it b r i ng s for th pl ent eo s

t u t
,

fr uit .Th e C h r i s ti an b r i ng s for h g oo d fr it o etern a l li fe i f h e i s

cl os el y u n i e d t t
o God Th e th o ugh t of Go d also ren de rs u s fe arles s
. .
 Th e Ap os tles Creed

. 1 1 7

When th e Emp res s Eud ox i a th re a ened S t o hn Ch ry s os om with t J t

t t
.

bani s hment h e an s wered Yo u will no fr igh en me u nles s yo u a re

, ,

able to s en d me to s ome pl ac e wh ere Go d i s no t

D avid say s t o Go d :
u t
.

T h o gh I w alk i n th e m id s of t h e s h a d o w of de a th I will fear no ,

evil for T h o u ar t with me

, ( P s xx ii I f a ti m id man h a s a com . .

p ani on with hi m hi s fea r dis a ppea rs ; s o we s h a ll n ot fear i f God t he

, ,

all p o werful Go d i s with us

-

,
.

3 . God i s i mmut a bl e , i e.,

. He ev er rema i ns th e sa me .

God n ever ch ang es ; He n ever w ors e ; He never becomes better or

b rea ks Hi s w ord ( Numb xxiii C re a ti on ma de no ch ange i n
t u
. .

Go d ; from all e ern ity He h a d decreed t h e cre a ti on of t h e n ive rs e .

Go d ch anges Hi s w orks b ut no t Hi s ete rnal d ecree s By th e In ca r .

t
,

nati on human i y w as c hanged b ut th e Go dh ea d un derwent no ch ange

u
, ,

j s t a s t h e s u n i s i n n o w ay ch anged whe n it hide s it s elf b ehi n d a

cl o ud Our th o ughts a re no t c h an ge d when they cl o the thems elves i n
t
.

wor ds ; so t h e divi n ity w as no t ch anged wh en it cl o hed its el f i n t h e

na tur e of man God d oe s no t ch a nge wh e n He pu n i s h es t h e
t
.

s i nn er When t h e h e ar of man i s i n fr i ends hip wit h Go d God

.
,

s h o w s Hi ms elf t o hi m as a God of i n n ite l o ve an d me rc y ; when

th e h e a r t i s es trang ed from Hi m t h e s i nne r s ee s i n t h e u nc h an ge
u
,

able G od an ang ry an d avengi n g judge Wh en th e ey e i s so n d .

,

t h e ligh t i s pleasant t o it ; b ut i f it i s di s e as e d l ight ca u s es it

t
,

p ai n : it i s no t t h e ligh th a t i s c h an ged but th e ey e th a t l oo ks ,

up on it Wh en an ang ry ma n l oo ks i n t h e gl ass h e s ees a differ

.

en t r eec ti on from th a t whi c h h e sa w wh en h e w as c h ee rf ul an d

i n g oo d humor ; it i s no t t h e gl ass h a t h a s ch a n ged b u t h e
-
t t
t
,

man When th e s u n s hi nes th ro ugh co lored gl ass its ray s ake

.
,

t h e col or of th e gl ass ; t h e s u n d o es no t c h ang e b ut th e light i s

t t
,

ch anged b y t h e mediu m hr o ugh whi ch i p ass es So w hen Go d re

t
.

w ar ds i t i s no t Go d Wh o c h an ge s b ut man wh o performs differen

, , ,

an d b e tte r ac ti ons the reb y mer iti ng t h e g race of Go d Wh en i n

, .

Scr ipture we rea d th at Go d rep ente d of h a vi ng ma de man th a t Go d

t t
,

i s an gry with t h e wi c ked t h e ph ras es u s ed a re accommod a ed o o u r ,

i mpe rfec t comp reh ens i on .

4God i s omni s c i en , i e , He knows a ll h i ngs , th e p a s t, th e

. t . . t
p r es en , a n d t h e ftu r e, a n d a l s o our i nmos t h o gh s ( ut
Jer x v ii t u t . .

God kn ew th a t Ad am d E h d at n of th forb idd n fruit an ve a e e e e

Ou r L rd for kn w S t P t r s d n i al t h d st r cti on of J ru sal m
.

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 .

th at some man will b e l os t fore ver Go d s foreknowl edg e i s no t t h e

,

ca u s e of th e man s d amna ti on Th e phy s i c i an for es ee s t h e app roac h

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
,

man s de a th Th e lea rne d F ranc i scan D u ns Sco tu s onc e hear d a

.
,

farme r utt e r i n g t err i b l e c u rs e s an d b egge d hi m no t t o d amn hi s soul

so th o ughtless ly Th e farme r ans we re d : God kno w s eve rythi n g
t t
. .

He kn o w s whe h e r I s h all g o t o he ave n or t o h ell If He k now s h a t .

I s h all g o t o hea ven why t o h e av en I s h all go ; i f He k no w s tha t I

,

s h all g o t o hell I s h a ll g o to l el l Wh at the n d o e s it matt er wh a t

,
.
, ,

I d o or s a y 3 Th e p r i e s t ans we re d I n th a t c a Se why pl o ugh yo u r ,

eld s 2 Go d kno w s wh eth er th ey will b e ar a g oo d cro p or no t I f He

t
.

kno w s th a they will be ar a g oo d h arve s t th e h ar v es t will b e g oo d , ,

whether y o u pl o ugh th e l an d or no t I f He k no w s th at they will b e .

u nfr uit f ul why u nfr uitf ul th ey will b e

, Why th en s h o uld yo u w as te .

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 , ,

m i ne s b o th o u r temp ora l an d o u r et e rnal h appi ness or m i s ery .

Go d a sol kn ows wha t wo ul d h a v e h a p p en ed u n de r c ert a in

g i v en c i rc ums t a n c es ; t h i s i s th e re a s on w h y He s en d s u s t ri a l s ,

i n or d er t o p rev en t gre a t er evi l s t h a t ot h erw i s e w oul d h a v e h ap

p en e d to us .

T hu s Our Lord k new th at th e i nh ab i a n ts of T yre an d S id on t

w o uld h a ve d one p e nance i f s u c h w on de rs h a d b ee n w orked among
t hem as He w orked i n C oroz a i n an d B eths a id a Go d fores ee s th at .

some of t h e j u s t will b e l ed as t ray b y t h e s edu c ti ons of th e w orl d

t t
,

an d someti me s i n Hi s mercy t ake s th em a an e arly a g e o Hi m

s el f He fore s ee s th a t some will b e r ui n e d b y r i ches or b y p ros p er ity
t
. ,

an d ther efore b r i ng s them o p o verty an d t o e arthly m i sfortu ne

t t
.

T hi s o ugh t o ma ke u s b ear o u r t ro ub l e s with p a i ence Th e t r i al s .

of th e j u s t a re an o pp ortun ity o ffere d th em t o a dv ance i n vi rtue .

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 .

Ou r Lor d says T here i s no hi n g hidden th at s h all no t b e ma de

, t
man i fes t ; or s e cre t th a t s h all no t b e k no wn an d come ab roa d ( Luk e
viii 1 7 Go d will i n th e Las t D a y di scl os e an d make kno w n o u r
t t
.
, ,

wh ol e li fe As t h e morn i ng s u n s h o w s all h i ng s i n he i r t r ue l ight

. ,

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
, ,

o u r ac ti ons i n th e i r t r ue light Al l p raye rs alms fas t s p enances ,

t
.
, , ,

th at a re d one accor di n g o Hi s wi ll will b e ma de man i fes t t o th e

ti
,

wh o l e w orl d No thi ng i s so sm al l a s t o escap e no ce a t t h e Las t

.

Da y .

W e s h oul d th in k on God s omn i s c i en c e es p ec i a ll y wh en w e

,

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 .

A littl e b o y wh o w a s i n a s t range h o us e sa w there a b as ket ful l

of b ea uti ful a ppl e s As h e co uld s e e no on e i n th e room h e w as m uch
. ,
1 20 Fa i th .

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
, .

of t h e c hild r e n w an ed t o g et it s o t h e mo the r mo ve d t h e p r e ss a l ittle ,

t o re ac h it an d from b ehi n d t h e p ress th e l on g so ught rec eipt fell -

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
.

.

It i s Go d s l aw th a t a ll w ork s d on e for God s h oul d meet with di fcul

ti es an d hi n d rances A w ork th a t b egin s with b r illi an t p romi s e

u u
.
,

S t P l ip Neri s ed to s a y h a s n ot God for i t s a t hor a n d p ro

.

te c t orhi .
,

3 . Las tly th e w s d omi of God s h ows itself i n di r ec ti ng th e

c ou rs e of th e w orld to c a rry ou t Hi s p urp os es .

All thi ng s i n t h e w orld h a ve a m utu al rel a ti on t o ano ther If on e

t
.

a man remo ve s or di s plac es a s i ngl e whe e l i n a w a c h t h e w at ch s to p s ;

t
,

s o if an y hi ng w er e a lt e r ed i n t h e arr a ng emen t of t h e w orl d a ll thi ng s

woul d b e co nfus ed ; e g with o ut t h e b i rd s t h e i ns ect s w o uld soon

,

. .
,

des t ro y a ll veget a ti on S o th e an i ma l s th at s e rv e u s for foo d i ncre ase

.

rapidly while t h e b eas ts of p rey b ree d b ut s l owly No thi ng i n th e

, .

w orld i s us eless ; t h e alte rna ti ons of s u ns hi n e an d ra i n s umme r an d ,

wi n ter d a y an d n ight a ll s e rve s ome u se ful en d Ho w u s eful i s

, , .

t h e un eve n di s t ri b uti on of w e al th of t h e ta len t s of me n e t c ! Th e , , .

small es t i nsec t h a s i t s us eful n e ss i n t h e w orld ; t h e b utt ery g o i n g

t t t
,

from o wer to o w e r carr i es wi h i t h e fer ilizi n g p ollen Even

u
.
,

th e d e s t r c tive a ge nc i e s i n t h e w orld s t orms e arthqu ak es an d

t t
, , ,

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
, ,

men t o save thei r so ul s How w on derful t oo i s th e or d e rl y co rse

.
, ,

of th e h ea ven ly bo d i e s ! The mo vemen t of th e ea rth aro un d t h e

s un a n d of t h e m oo n aro u n d t h e e ar th
, s e rve t o ma k e th i s w orld ,

a p l e asan t h ab it a ti on for man Th e b e a uti ful arrang emen t of t he

t
.

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
.
,

has t ma de all h i ng s i n wi s d om ; t h e earth i s lled w i t h T hy r i ches

( P S c iii
. .

6 . l migh ty i e God ca n do all th at He wi l l s

God i s a , . .
, , a nd th a t
by a mere a ct of H i s wi ll .

Go d can d o thi ng s whi c h app ear t o men i mp oss i bl e e .g ., the

t
,

p re s erv at i on of t h e th ree yo un g men i n t h e mi d s of t h e ery f ur

nace of B abyl on A th o u san d s im il ar w ond ers occurr e d in t h e ti me
.

of th e p ers ec uti ons of th e C hr i s ti a ns Ou r Lord says With Go d

tt t
.

no thin g i s i mp oss i ble

( Ma xi x Y et God cann o d o th at . .

whi ch i s i n cont ra di c ti on wi h Hi s o wn pe rfec ti ons He can no t l i e t . .

an d He canno t d e ce ive G od coul d alw a ys h ave done more w on d erf ul

t
.

w ork s th an He h as d on e He c o ul d h ave cre a e d a more b ea uti ful .

w o rld th an thi s an d mor e cr e a tu r e s th an He h as ac tu a lly ma d e

.
.

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 ,

h e can only ma ke u s e of t h e thi ng s th a t Go d h as ma de an d i n accor d

t
,

anc e with th e l aw s th a t Go d h as es abli s hed But God i s b o un d by .

no l aw s save th os e of Hi s o w n i nn ite g oo dn e ss a n d t ruth He h a s

t
.

only o will a thi n g a n d w h a t He will s h a ppen s a t o n c e He sp oke

t t
.
,

a n d t h e h e a v ens w er e cr e a ed ; He c ommand ed a n d h ey w e r e creat ed ,

( 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 .

Th e arth i s e m ile s i n c i rc umfe renc e ; th e s u n I S fa r l arg er ,

for it s di amete r i s o n e hun dr e d ti mes g re a te r th an th a t of t h e e arth .

Some of t h e he avenl y b o di es a re far g re a te r ; some of th em i f th ey cc

c u p i ed t h e pl ac e of t h e s u n an d w e r e t o b egi n t o r i s e a t 6 A M w o ld . .
, u
no t h a ve completely r i s en a b o ve t h e h or iz on b y 6 P M Ou r e arth i s . .

o ver n i nety on e m illi on m il es di s tan t from th e s u n

-
A b o dy t ra velli ng .

from t h e e arth t o t h e s un a t t h e or di nary rat e of a cannon b all w o uld -

ta ke twen ty v e ye ars t o reac h t h e s u n Th e pl anet Neptun e accord

-

.
,

i ng t o t h e l at es t i nformati on i s m iles di s t an t from t h e

,

s un A cannon b all w o ul d t a ke eight hun d re d years t o t ravel th enc e

.
-

t o th e s un T here a re s t ars o ut s id e o u r pl ane t ary s y s t em whi c h a re

.

a m illi on tim es fu rth er from u s L ight whi c h t ravels a t th e ra te .

of m ile s a s econ d w o uld t a ke many m illi ons of years t o re ac h

th es e s t ars Aro un d o u r s u n th ere mo ve eight l arg e r an d tw o hu nd re d
.

an d e ighty small er pl anet s Th e n eares t ( Merc u ry ) i s thi rty s i x

.
-

m il li on m il es di s t an t from t h e s un an d t h e mos t di s t an t ( Neptun e ) ,

o ve r tw o b illi on miles T here a re a lso i n t h e h e a vens thi r ty m illi on

.

xed s t ars a ll of the m re a l s uns an d mos tly l arge r th an o u r s u n

, ,

an d aro un d thes e mo ve man y o th e r hea venl y b o di es All thes e Go d .

h a s cr ea t e d o ut of no thi ng How i nn it e the n i s t h e p o we r of Go d I

.
, ,

T hi n k al so of t h e mi racle s w ro ught b y C h r i s t t h e ra i s i n g of Laz ,

arus t h e s tilli ng of t h e temp es t et c t h e he al i n g of th e l am e man

, , .
,

a t t h e B e a uti ful Ga te of t h e T empl e t h e w on ders th a t a re now b ei ng ,

w orke d a t Lo ur de s etc Wh o sh a ll d ecl are t h e p o wers of th e Lor d

, . ,

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 .

Go d h a s a tho usand di fferen w ay s of helpi ng u s He can s end t .

an angel t o help u s as He did t o S t P et er i n p r i son ; or w ork a m i r

t
.
,

acle as He did t o f eed th e mul itud e i n th e des er t ; as a rule He ma kes

,

u s e of t h e mos t unl i k ely me ans and th e r eb y s h o w s t h e g re a t ne ss of ,

Hi s p o wer He fr eed B ethuli a from th e Assyr i ans b y means of a

.

woman He saved th e I sra elite s from the i r en em i e s b y m a kin g a p a th

.

t hro ugh t h e s ea It i s e as y for t h e Lor d t o sa ve b y man y or b y few

. .

7 . God i s s p remel u yg ood , i e .,

. He l oves Hi s crea tures fa r more
th an t
a fa h er l o es h i s v chi l dren .

God l ov es Hi s c rea tu r es and l oa d s t h em w i th b en ets . He

is l ov e its el f ( 1 Joh n i v .

Th e s p r i n g canno t b ut s en d forth w a e r an d t h e s u n ligh Th e t t .

goo dn ess of Go d differs from th a t of Hi s crea tu r es a s th e s u n d iffers

from th e light s h ed up on a w all Hi s crea tu res a re goo d b ecau s e .
,

Go d sh ed s Hi s g oo dn ess u p on them He nc e Ou r Lor d says : Non e i s .

g oo d b ut O n e th a t i s Go d ( M ark x
, .
1 22 F a i th .

1 . Th e love of God e xt en d s to a ll th e crea tures t h a t He h as

ma d e ( W is d xi . .

As th e s un b oun dl ess rma men t so God ext en d s

l ight s up th e ,

Hi s g oo dn ess t o a ll cre atur es Not on e of them i s e xcluded from

Not on e of th em i s forg o tte n b y Go d ( Luk e xii
.

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 .

Wh a t w on derful b o di es God h a s given u s He h a s b es tow ed

up on u s o u r s ens es an d t h e gi f t of s p eec h How man y gi ft s He h a s
, .

conferre d up on o u r so ul s He h as given u s un ders t an di ng free will , ,

a n d memory F or o u r b o di es He gives u s foo d d r i nk cl o thi n g he alth

.
, , , ,

et c How w ell He h a s p ro vided for o u r necess iti es on this eart h :

t
.

ligh t w armh t h e a i r th e pl an t s t h e t rees an d thei r v ar i o u s fr uit s

t t
, , , .
, ,

How many p o wers He h a s i mpl ante d i n na ure for u s o u s e for our

t
,

o wn b en e : coal salt s t one marb le p rec i o u s s t ones et c He h a s

, , , , , .
,

i n fac t ma de man t h e l or d of t h e wh ol e w orld He l o ves u s far mo re

t
.
,

h an we l o ve o urselves Hi s l o ve for u s i s far greate r th an th a t of .

t h e fon de s t mo th er for h er c hild Th e l o ve of a ll cre a tu r es for Go d

t
.

i s no t ne arl y a s g re a a s t h e l o v e of Go d for eac h on e of u s But .

a b o v e a ll G o d h a s s h o w n H i s l o v e for u s i n thi s th a t He g ave Hi s

t
,

o nl y b eg o t en Son for us ( Jo h n iii

-
Ab ra h am co uld no t s h o w hi s .

l o ve for Go d i n any more p erfec w ay h an thi s th a t h e g ave o Go d t t , t

th a t whi ch w as d eare s t t o hi m v i z hi s o nl y s on Go d did ju s t t h e , .
, .

same ; He g a ve us Hi s de ares t an d b es t p ossess i on Hi s o nl y b eg o tten ,

-

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 .

un de rw en t Hi s sacred P ass i on an d de a th i n or der t o p ro ve t h e exc es s

of Hi s l o v e for u s Hi s a ttitude on t h e cross p rocl a ims it Hi s he ad
t
. .

b o wed t o give u s t h e ki ss of p eac e Hi s arms ext en de d o emb race us

, , ,

Hi s He ar t o p ened t o a dmit u s there i n In t h e Blessed S acrament .

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 ,

wit h u s i n h o ly commun i on F i nally He p romi s ed t o g ran t all t h e

t J
.

p ra yers th a w e o ffer i n Hi s n ame ( oh n x iv .

3 Amon g men God s h ow s t h e g rea es l o e to th e j s

. t t v ut .

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 .

t o geth e r for g oo d ( R om viii

0 h o w gre at i s t h e mul titude . .

of T h y s w eet n ess O Lord w hi c h T h o u h as t hidde n for them th a t

, ,

f e ar T hee ( P s xxx God rew ar d s t h e g oo d w orks of t h e j u s t
. .

far b ey on d wh a t th ey de s e rve He rep ay s th em a hun d r ed fo ld even .

,

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 . .

th e i r s i ns an d i mpe rfe cti ons j u s t as a mo th e r l o ves h er child t en ,

d erl y i n s pit e of it s man y d efec t s .

4 . God ma n i fes t s Hi s l ove e v en to i

s nne s . r
t
Go d con i n ue s t o confe r g rac es an d b en et s up on s i nn ers un til
t h e l a s t mome nt of th ei r li f e ( M a tt v He s en d s th em t ro ubl es
t t
. .

t o b r i n g hem o r ep en t anc e He nd s some g oo d i n all a n d He al so .

,
1 24 Fa i th .

wi th whi ch th e arro w i es C omp are th e a wful en d of An ti oc h s u

ut
.

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
, , ,

a n d wh a h arm h a th b efa llen me 2 Th e M os t Hi gh i s a p a ti en rs

wa r der ( Ecclus v . .

9 . God i s f ull of mercy

He very rea d il y a n d co mp as s i on, i e.,
.

forgi v es our s i ns wh en we a re s i n c erely s orry for t h em .

Ou r Lor d gives a b e a ut i ful o bj ect le sson of th e merc y of Go d i n -

t h e s t or y of t h e p ro dig a l s on See h o w qui c kly Go d forg ave t h e

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 ,

b o un d s God r equi r es of u s th a t w e s h o uld forgive s eventy ti mes

.

s e ven ; h o w i mme as u ra bly m erc iful herefo re mu s t Go d b e t

Th e mer c y
f God es p ec i a l ly s h ows it s el f i n th e w a y i n
o

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 ;
.

He Hi ms elf so ught o ut th e Samar i an w oman ( Joh n O f ten t

He s en d s t ro ubles th a t thro ugh hem th e p ro dig al son ma y b e b ro ught t
t o hi s s ens es He i s l ike a s h e rman wh o r i e s every sor of d e vi c e
. t t
t o en ti ce s he s i n t o h i s n et God i s alw a ys r ea dy t o p ar do n .

th e gre a t es t s i nne r ; for He s a y s If y o u r s i ne b a s scarl e t they ,

r
,

s h all b e ma de whit e a s sno w ; an d i f they b e red like cr i m s on they ,

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
. .
,

n er t h e mor e l ovi n gly d o e s Go d r ec e iv e hi m i f h e i s willi ng t o

a men d Henc e D avid say s t o Go d B e merc i ful o my s i n for it i s t
t
. , ,

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
. .
,

ca t c h b ig s h th an small on e s No on e i s l os b eca u s e h e h a s com

t
.

mi tt ed gre a t s i ns b ut man y a re l os b eca u s e th ey ha ve comm itted on e

t t
,

s i n of whi c h th e y will no re pen Even J ud as w o uld h a ve r ec e ived .

forgiven ess i f h e h a d as ked for i t Go d som eti mes for gives t h e s i n

t
.

n er i n t h e l as momen t of li fe He r eceive d t h e g oo d thi e f on t h e

tt
.

cross Y et thi s i s no re ason for pu i ng off r ep en ta nce till th e l as t .

t
.

Go d j u s ti ed on e man a t t h e l as t mome n th a t none m ight d es p a i r ;

,
t
b ut onl y on e th a none might p res um e sa ys S Augus i ne A d e ath

, t . t .

b e d r ep en t anc e i s g en e rall y a very d o u b tful b u s i ness ; t h e dy i ng s i n

n er forsa k e s h i s s i ns ra th e r b e ca u s e h e canno t h elp it th an b e ca u s e ,

from hi s h e ar t h e d ete s t s them ; h e i s like th e mar i n er wh o th ro w s

h i s g oo d s i n t o t h e s e a s i mp ly from fe ar of de ath no t b eca u s e h e ,

wi s h e s t o g et r id of th em Wit n ess h ow rar ely a conve rs i on ma de i n

.

p er il of d e ath p ro v es l as ti n g i f t h e s i c k ma n reco vers

It i s a b s u r d

t
.
,

say s S t B ernardi n of S i enna t h a t a man wh o w o ul d no t gh when

u t
. ,

h e w a s w ell an d s t ron g s h o ld b e mo v ed t o th e comb a whe n h e i s s i c k

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
.

See h o w C h r i s t r ece ived wi h te n de r comp ass i on M agd al en t h e

t t t
,

w oman a ke n i n a d ul ery a n d th e hi ef on t h e cross ( Luke vii 4 7 ;

,
.
 Th e Ap os tl es Creed

. 1 25

J o hn vi ii Luke xxiii . 1 ] How ki ndl y th e fa ther of t h e p rodig al

.

s on rec e iv e d hi m Go d rec e ives th e s i nner fa r more ki n dl y th an th a t .

B efore h e knocks a t th e d oor it i s o pened t o hi m ; b efore h e fall s

t
,

on hi s kn ees be fore T hee T h o u s t re t ch es o ut T hy h an d t o hi m ( S t

, .

Ephr em ) Ou r Lor d say s th at th ere i s more j o y in he aven o ver on e

t
.

s i nner do in g p enance th an o ver n i nety n i ne j us men wh o need n ot,

-

penance ( Luk e x v Th e rea son of thi s i s th a t t h e s i nner wh o

t
.

d o e s pe nanc e g ene rally s e rves Go d more z e al o us ly an d fa i hfully Go d .

bes t o ws up on t h e s i nne r af te r hi s convers i on gre ater b enet s th an He

did b efor e h e w en t as t ray Th e father of t h e p ro dig a l son killed t h e .

fa tted calf an d ma de a g re a t fe as t wit h m us i c an d d anc i ng Some

, , .

times t h e b enet s Go d b es to w s on t h e converte d s i nner a re ext ernal ,

more of te n they a re i nner conso l a ti on s a n d g races Witness S t . .

P aul ra i s e d t o t h e thi rd hea ven ( 2 C or xi i Th e Goo d S hepher d

v
. .
,

h as more j o y o er th e retu rn of t h e on e w and er i ng s heep th an over ,

t h e n i nety n i ne th a t n eve r w en t as t ra y
-
.

1 0 God i s . in ni t ely holy , i . e., He l oves good a nd ha t es a ll e vi l .

Go d s h o li ne ss i s no thi ng els e th an a l o ve of Hi s own i nn i te p er

fec t i on s He i s free from th e fa i ntes s t a i n an d therefore des i re s

. t ,

th a t all s h o uld b e l i ke t o Hi ms elf How pur e i s t h e b lue hea ven .

on whi c h th ere i s no cl o ud ! How pu re i s t h e white sno w on whi ch

no s p o t i s to b e fo un d Y et Go d i s i nn itely pur e r Even angel s .

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 .

comp ared with th a t of Go d i s like t h e light of a l amp comp ared with

t h e light of t h e s un All our j u s ti ce i s like a so ile d rag befor e T h ee
.
,

O Go d ( Is lxi v He sa ys t o u s : B e y e h oly b ecau s e I am

.

.
,

h o ly ( Lev x i With thi s o b j ec t He i mpl ant s i n o u r b r eas t th e
.

t
.

natu ral l aw ( consc i ence ) with thi s o bj ec He g ave th e l aw on M o un t

S i na i ; with thi s o bj e c t He a tt ac he d evil cons equences t o evil dee d s
t
.

An d t o cl e ans e t h e j us t from t h e i mpur i ie s th a t clin g t o them He

v
,

pur ie s them b y s uffe ri ng ( Jo h n x He a lso cl eans es th em by .

t h e re of purg a tory s i nc e no thi n g uncle an can ent e r h e av en

, Why .

i s it th a t t h e sa in t s an d ang el s i n he ave n a re rep res ente d a s d ress ed

i n white g arment s Wh y i s it th a t a B apti sm a whit e ro b e i s g iven t
t o t h e n e wly b aptiz ed B e pu r e an d h o ly an d th en yo u will b e a child ,

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 .

Go d s j u s ti c e i s id en ti cal with Hi s g oo dn ess

. He pun i sh es men t o
mak e them b ette r an d t o make them h appy , .

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 , , ,

p e ac eful cons c i enc e B a d ac ti ons b r i ng j u s t t h e o pp os ite Ab ra h am

. .
,

Noe t h e p a t r i arch Jos eph w ere r ew ar de d i n thi s li fe Absal om t h e

, , .
,

sons of Heli a n d Anti ochu s Ep i p h a n es we re pu n i sh ed i n thi s li fe

t
.
,

But it i s i n t h e n ex l i fe an d es pe c i a lly af te r t h e re s u rre c t i on th a t

, ,

body an d soul al i ke will rec eive t h ei r full reward I f all s i ns w ere .

pun i sh ed i n thi s li fe men w ould n ot b el i eve i n t h e Judg m en t D a y .

1 26 F a i th .

I f non e were puni s hed here they w o uld no t b el i ev e i n Go d s

ret ri bu
i
t ve j u s ti c e ( S t Augu s ti ne ) . .

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 .

t ell s u s th a t e ve n a c up of cold w at er g ven i n Hi s name

C hr i s t i
will h a ve it s rew ar d A me re l oo k or ge s tur e will mee t with it s d u e
.

rew ar d C h r i s t t ell s u s th a t we s h all give acco u n t for eve ry idle w or d

( M att x ii . .

God p n i s h es men for th e mos

3 . u t p a rt in k in d ,
i . e. , i n th e
s ame w a y i n w h i c h h e h a e s inn ed t y v .

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 .

h a i r an d it ca u s e d h i s d e ath Th e r i ch glutt on s i nn e d with hi s p al a te

t
.

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

hell An ti oc hu s t ormen ted th e s even M a ch a b ea n b reth re n b y t e ar i ng

.

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 ,

M ac h i x . Aman wi s h e d t o h ang M ar d oc h a i a nd p r ep are d a

.
,

g all ows for hi m a n d on t h e same g all ow s h e w as hi ms elf h ang ed

, .

Th e w omen of B ethleh em w o ul d no t s h elt er t h e M o th er of Go d an d

th e divi ne S on an d th e i r c hild r e n p e ri s h ed a t t h e r e ve ngeful an d
,

cr uel h an d of Hero d Na p o l e on I i mp r i son e d t h e Ho ly F a th e r an d

t
. .
,

i n hi s tu rn w a s i mp r i sone d rs t i n El b a an d he n i n S t Hel ena , . .

In th e se an d man y s im il ar event s t h e C hr i s ti an s ee s th e nger of ,

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 .

M en j udge from o utw ar d appe aranc e of any ac ti on Go dth e ,

j udge s from t h e he art ( 1 Ki ng s xvi 7 Th e p oor wid o w wh o th r ew .

i n o nl y tw o m ite s i nt o th e t reas ur y of t h e T empl e h a d more me r it ,

b efore Go d th an man y of t h e r i ch men wh o g av e l arge gi ft s ( Luk e

Th e s erv an t wh o kn ow s hi s l or d s will a n d d o e s it no t will

xx i .
,

rece ive more s t r ip es th an t h e s erv ant wh o did no t kn o w t h e w i ll of

hi s l or d ( L uk e x ii 4 7 Th e more k no wledge any on e h as of
.
,

Go d t h e more s eve rely will Go d pu n i s h hi m for hi s s i ns

,
.

5 . Go d i s n o res p e c t er of p ers on s .

M an y wh o a re rs t i n thi s w orld will b e l as t i n t h e w orld t o come

t
.

Th e s or y of th e r i ch gl utt on an d p oor La z ar u s i s an i ns t ance of thi s .

M an y wh o h a ve th e i r name s i n t h e mo uths of men an d i n t h e record s ,

of th e i r co un try will n ot h ave th ei r n ame s w r itten i n t h e b ook of

,

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
. .
,

rs t p ar en t s milli o n s of men h ave t o s n er p a i n an d d e a th ; an d

,
1 28 Fa i th .

fullled ; h ow th e p ro phe y of D an i el, h a th e Temp le W

a nd
n ever ag a i n b e reb uil ( D a n i x 2 7 ) wa s accomp l i s he d ; for when t .
c
.
t t m
J ul i an t h e Ap os t a te ma de an a t temp o reb ui ld it, an e ar h t t t
q t
u a ke des ro yed t h e fo un d ati on s , a n d a mes i s s i ng from t h e gro un d u
compelled th e b uilders t o y P rom i s es an d h re at s a re n ecessary o . t t
mo ve o u r f eebl e wills Ou r L or d sed the fear of pun i s h ment a s a n
. u
i nc en tive o v rt e t i u
O r di nary men a re more i nuen ced b y fe ar th an
.

by any h igher mo tive With them t h e fear of hell i s a s tronger mo

v
.

ti e for vi rtu o u s l ivi n g th an t h e h o p e of h e av en God th re ate ns u s

t tt
.

o u of m ercy Th e man who cr i es B ew are d o e s no t w an o s tr ike

t t th
. .

So Go d th rea ens pun i s h me n a t He ma y no t h ave t o pun i s h .

Hen c e a l l t h a t O u r Lor d an d th e p rop h ets h a ve foret ol d

e i t h er h a s a l r ea d y h a pp en ed or w il l h a p p en i n th e futu re ,
.

Th e ti me will th er efore never come wh en th e C a th oli c C hurch

t
wi ll b e d es ro yed , or wh e n t h e P ap a cy will ce ase t o ex i s t ( M a XV I tt . .

Th e J ew s wi ll a ll b e conve rte d b efore t h e end of t h e w orld

( O s ee iii Awful s igns i n th e hea ven an d e ar th will p rec e de th e
t
.

nal j udg me n ( M a tt xx iv If we t ru s t o u r fell o w men t hey

. .

give u s thei r p rom i s e on p aper ; h o w m u c h mor e s h o ul d we t rus t

C h r i s t s i nc e He h as left u s wh ol e b oo k s , i e , t h e Scr iptur es , ll ed
,
. .

with Hi s p rom i s es !

4 . THE B L ESSED TR INITY .

At t h e b apti sm of Jes u s C h r i s t a ll t h e th ree p erson s of th e B le ss ed

t t
Tr i n i y man i fes ed thems elves ; t h e F athe r b y a v o i ce from he aven,
t h e Son th ro ugh Hi s b a p i sm an d t h e Ho l y G h os t i n t h e form of a t ,

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 .

Th r e e a re th r p rsons i n th Ho ly F am ily ; th r p arts i n t h sacra

ee e e ee e
m n t s ( i nt nti on ma tt r an d form ) Ou r Lord h n g for t hr h o r
e e , e , u ee u s
on t h cross e d r ma i n d th r d ay i n t h g ra v
an eH t a ght e ee s e e. e u on
art h f th r y ars an d h th t r ipl ofc of P ro ph t P i s t
,

e or ee e d as e e e e r e an
Ki ng S o i n t i m th r
, , ,

p as t p r s nt an d f utu r ; th r ki ngd oms

e e e a re e e e ee

i n cr a t i on t h mat r i al t h v g t abl an d t h an imal w orld

.
, ,

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 .

fo u r car di nal vi rt u es fo u r s easons of th e y ear fo u r th o u san d ye ars

t t
, ,

from t h e F all o th e I nca rn a i on et c Th e n umb er s even i s al so com .

t
,

mon ; her e a re s e ve n d ay s of t h e w eek s ev en sacramen t s s even w ork s

t
, ,

of m erc y s eve n gi f s of t h e Ho ly G h os t s even sacred or de rs en di n g

, ,

i n th e p r i es th oo d et c T hree i s someti mes call ed t h e numbe r of Go d

, . .

fo u r t h e n umb e r of t h e w orld b y r e ason of t h e fo u r conti nent s a n d , ,

s eve n r ep res en t s t h e comb i nati on of t h e tw o .

2 . We c a nn ot , wi th our feebl e und ers a n d ng, gra s p th e d oc t i

tri ne of th e B l es s ed Tri ni ty , a nd it
i s th erefore ca ll ed a m s er yt y .

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
.

t o b eli eve i n it b eca u s e h e d o es no t n ders t an d it i s like a bli n d

u
,

man wh o will no t b eli eve i n t h e ex i s tence of t h e s u n b ec a s e h e can

t
,

no t s ee it How many thi ngs there a re i n na ture h a t we canno t un

.

d ers t a n d ! W e canno t u nde rs t an d t h e g ro wt h of pl a n t s t rees a n d , ,

a ni mal s ; we cann o t un ders t an d t h e na tu re of elec tr i c ity an d mag

n et i s m We canno t u nd ers t an d h ow t h e color red i s formed b y t h e
t
.

v i b ra ti on of t h e eth e r a t th e ra te of on e hu n d re d an d hi rty m illi o n s

of v i b ra ti ons i n a s e con d or vi o le b y d o uble th a t n umb er , To t .

co un t t h e vi b ra ti ons of t h e ether th a t ta ke pl ac e i n on e s econ d i n

th e form i n g of th e col or vi o let we s h oul d h a ve t o g o on co un ti n g
t
,

for more h an t en tho u san d y ears with o ut c e as i n g e ither d a y or n igh t

t
.

Mu ch l ess can we un ders ta n d w ha t b el on gs o Go d J eremi a s says

u
.
,

Grea t art T h o u O Lord i n co ns el an d i ncomp reh ens ibl e i n

t t t
, , ,

ho ugh ( Jer xxxii . N0 on e unders ta n d s wh a T ho u ar t 0

.
,

God exc ept T h o u T hys elf

We can h oweve r u nde rs t an d s omethi ng
t
.
, , ,

of t h e n a tu re of t h e Bl ess ed Tr i n ity b y c ompa r i ng i with ce rt a i n

fac t s of natur e whi c h i n some w ay corresp on d t o an d illu s t ra te i t .

Th e ames of thr ee candl e s pl ace d t o gethe r form b ut on e ame ;

t h e whi t e lig ht can b e divid ed i n t o red yell o w an d b lue ray s whi c h
t t
, , , ,

how ever t oge he r form b ut on e ligh Th e orb of th e s un its l ight

t
.
, , ,

an d its hea t a re three differen thi ng s whi ch a re at t h e same ti me

, ,

reall y on e Th e soul of man cont a i ns memory u n ders t andi ng an d

.
, ,

will whi c h a re b ut differen t man i fes t ati on s of t h e same s pi ritua l

t
,

s ub s an c e Y et all thes e a re b ut i mp erfec t anal o gi es an d canno t

.
,

c arry u s very fa r in a ttempting t o unders t an d something of th e i n

comp reh ens i ble my s t ery of th e Bless ed Tr i n ity U n bel i evers some .

t ime s sa y : How i s it p oss ible th at three can b e on e and on e th ree ?

,

T hey sh o w th a t they d o no t kno w wh a t t h e te ach i n g of th e C hurc h

really i s T h ey bl as ph eme th os e thi ngs th a t th ey kno w no t ( Jude
.

Th e C hur c h d o es no t s a y the re a re th ree p ersons an d on e pe rson ,

b ut there a re three p ersons and on e natur e or essence , .

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 .

For th i r c h of th e th ree pers on s

s eas on ea i s , i n ex a c ly t
th e s a me s en s e omn is c i en t omn ip ot en t et ern al
, , , ,
a n d a b s ol el y ut
p erfe c t a s a re t
,
h e ot h er tw o .

Wh en O ur Lor d s p oke of Hi s re urn o th e F a h er He sa id t t t

t
, ,

My F a ther i s gre a e r th an I ( Jo hn xiv Here He w a s s p ea k .

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 .

Hen c e th e crea tion o f th e w orl d, th e re d emp ti on an d th e

s a n ct i c a ti on of men i s w r ough t b y a ll th e thr ee di vi ne

pe rs on s t ogeth er .
1 30 Fa i th .

Y et we a re a ccus tomed to s ay : Th e F a th e r ma de the world

t Holy G ho s t
,

th e Son red eemed i , and the s a n ct i es it

.

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 .

In a t ree th e t r unk comes forth from th e roo a n d from b o h t t

u t
,

comes t h e fr it S uc h i s t h e rel a ti on b e ween t h e t hree divi n e p er

.

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

p ers on ; God t h e Son p r oc e ed s from th e Fa h er ; God th e t Holy

t
Gh os p roc eeds b ot h fr om th e Fa h er a n d from th e Son t .

I n orde r t o mark t h e ord e r of p ro ce ss i on we n a me t he F a the r

t t t
,

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
, ,

s u cc ess i on i n i me ; th e Son p roc eed s fro m th e F a ther from a ll

et e rn ity an d s o d o e s t h e Ho l y G h os from t h e F a her a n d t h e Son t t
t
, .

Th e Son i s b eg o tte n of t h e F a the r b efore all cre a i on Th e F a the r

t
.

p ro du ce d b y a n ac of divi n e k no wledge th e Son a s a n i ma ge l ike

t
, ,

t o Hi ms elf i n all thi ng s j u s t as w e whe n we thi nk p ro duc e an i n el

t
, , ,

lec u al i mage i n ou r m in d s We may illu s t rate th i s b y th e rel a ti on

t t
.

ex i s ti n g b etw ee n re an d ligh L igh p roceed s from re b ut i s .

t
,

cont emp oran eo u s with i If the re w ere an ete rnal re t here w o uld
.
,

al so b e an et ernal light Th e Son i s t h e b r ight ne ss of Go d s gl ory

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
. .

J u s t a s on e t orc h i s ki n dle d from ano the r wit ho u t h e rs l os i ng ,

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
, ,

an y hi n g aw a y from Hi m Th e S on i s called t h e W ord of t h e F a ther

t
.

( Jo h n i J u s t a s t h e w ord form e d i n o u r m i n d s ( t h e t ho ugh )

.

i s ma de man i fe s t b y t h e ext ernal or s p o ke n w or d s o t h e W ord of God

tt
, ,

dwelli ng i n t h e b osom of th e F athe r w a s ma de man i fe s o t h e w orld ,

wh en th e W or d w a s ma de es h a n d dw elt among u s ( John i As .

t h e Son h as Hi s or igi n i n t h e k no wl e dg e of Go d s o t h e Holy Gh os t ,

h a s Hi s or igi n i n t h e l o v e of God Th e Ho ly Gh os t i s non e o ther

t
.

th an th e m utu al l o ve of t h e F ath er an d t h e Son He i s th e S pi r i .

of l o ve wh o en gen ders i n o u r h e art s t h e l o ve of God an d of e ac h

t
,

o th er Th e w ord s pi r it i s w ell c h os en b e cau s e b y i we exp ress t h e

tt
. .

a rac tiven ess an d t h e forc e of l o ve Th e Holy G h os t p roc eed s from

t
.

h e F a th er an d t h e Son as w arm h p roceed s from t h e s un an d i ts

{i h 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 h es e v ar i o u s w ork s h ave a c er t a i n corres p on den ce with t h e

a tt r i b ut es of th e p ersons h a a re conn ec ed with the i r ori gi n Th e t t t .

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 , , . .
,

ti on He i s th erefore call ed t h e alm ighty F a th er He i s al so called .

v
.

t h e Go d of com p ass i on be ca u s e He i s eve r r ea dy t o rec ei e t h e s i nn er

t
,

wh o come s b ack t o Hi m i n a ru e s p i r it of p en anc e Th e Son i s th e .

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
.

b eau iful arran gemen of th e w orld As t h e ar i s t th ro ugh th e w ork . ,

1 32 Fa i th .

5 . HISTOR Y OF CREATION .

We a re in s t ruc t ed by th e w rit er of th e b ook of G en es is in

th e s tory o f c ea t i on r .

Th e acco un t give n of t h e c re a ti on i n t h e b oo k of Gen es i s i s no t

t
a fable, b u i s fo un de d on t r uth Th e sacre d w r it er w as enl ightene d .

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 .

P erh ap s Go d g ave hi m a vi s i on of t h e co urs e of cr ea ti on Th e s t ory .

i s i n exac t ag reemen t with t h e conclu s i ons of n a tura l phil oso phy

t t
.

All i nv es tig a ti ons i nt o t h e cr u s t of t h e e ar th s h o w h a org an i c l if e

w a s d evel o pe d i n t h e or d e r s et for th i n G ene s i s .

1 . In th e b egi nni ng God crea t ed th e sp iritua l a nd ma t eri a l

un ivers e .

In th e b egi nn i n g i n t h e b egi nn i n g of ti me when t here

t
,

w a s no thi ng e l s e ex i s ti n g e xc ept Go d T i me b eg an wi h t h e w orld .

,

s o th a t b efor e t h e cr e a ti on th ere w a s no ti me Ho ly Scr iptu re d o e s .

no t tell u s whe n th e w orld wa s cre at ed Th e w orld ma y h a ve ex i s ted

t
.

for m i lli ons of y ears b efor e t h e cr e ati on of man Th e fact th a it .

t akes mi lli ons of ye ars for t h e light of some of t h e he avenly b o di e s

t o r e ac h th e e ar th s eems o s h o w thi s t o h ave b een t h e cas e t .

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
. . .
, ,

r i al s o ut of whi c h t h e w orld w a s ma de we kn o w no I ns tea d of th e

v
.

s pi r itu al an d t h e ma t er i al w orld S t P a ul say s thi ng s i s i b le an d , .

,

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
-

quently ( Gen i 6 8 ; 1 4 It means t h e ab o de of th e angel s a n d

. .

t h e sa i nt s Th e ma te r i al w orld i s call ed t h e ea r th b eca u s e t h e e ar t h

.
,

i s for men t h e mos t i mp or t an t p art of t h e mater i a l w orld Th e rs t .

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
, ,

man of hi s l as en d an d future des ti n y .

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 .

Th e angel s call ed th e M orn i ng s t a rs ( o b xxx iii

a re be -
J v .

ca u s e the y we re cre a te d b efore thi s mat er i al w orld an d i n t h e morn ,

i n g of t h e un ive rs e Hell w as no t cre ated at t h e b egi nn i n g of t h e

t t
.

u n ive rs e ( M a tt xxv b u a a l ater p er i o d after t h e f a ll of

. .
,

t h e reb el ang el s ( M a tt xxv . .

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 , .

2 . Th e ma t eri a l w orl d wa s at r s t wi t h ut f rm wit h ut

o o , o in
h ab i t a n t s , a nd w i t h out l i gh t .

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

of all i n th e form of a v as t mass of v ap or an d th a t th i s v as t mass ,

g ra du ally w as con dens ed un de r t h e i nuenc e of an i n ten s e h e a t i nt o

, ,

t h e ma t er i a l un ive rs e T hi s i s p erfec tly i n accor d ance with th e

.

acco un t of th e cre ati on given i n G enes i s .

3 .God ga e to th e v ma t eri a l u ivn ers e i ts p res ent form i n th e

c ou rs e of s i x da s y .

Th e d ays p ro b a bly l ong p er i o d s of ti me cons i s ti ng of man y

a re ,

tho u san d s of ye ars ; for t h e s eve nth d ay t h e d ay of res t l as t s until , ,

t h e e n d of t h e w orld M oreo ve r fo u r of t h e d ays w ere a lr ea dy

t
.

el ap s e d b efor e t h e s un w as forme d an d therefor e they canno h ave ,

b een d ays as w e no w un de rs ta n d th e w ord Th e w or d d a y i s c hos en .

b ecau s e t h e w eek of crea ti on was t o b e a sor t of p a tern of ou r p res ent t

week .

O n th e rs d a y God ma d e th e t l i gh t .

W e re a d i n G en es i s th a t Go d sa id th ere b e l ight an d there L et

t t t
, ,

L et there b e

wa s light Th e exp ress i on
. deno es h a somethi ng , ,

came i nt o exi s tenc e whi c h d i d no t ex i s t b efore T hi s w as t h e .

lumi no us matt e r whi c h i s no w g a th ere d i n th e s u n ; it i s no t dep en dent

on th e s un b ut th e s u n on it Th e g as eo us ma tt er w as a t rs t u n
,
.

formed i e it h a d no forc es God i mp art ed t o it t h e l aw of g ravit a

, . .
,
.

ti on b y means of whi c h t h e v ar i o us p arti cl es of ma tt er were s et i n

t
,

mo ti on an d draw n t ogeth er an d thus were con dens ed g ra du ally i n o ,

a solid mass By thi s p roc ess w arm th an d a t l as t re were devel o p ed

.
, , .

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
, ,

mo vement given t o t h e g as eo us p arti cle s an d th e ex i s i ng v ap or ,

w as con dens e d i nt o mass es en d o wed with re an d light .

O n th e s econ d d a y God ma d e th e r ma men t .

Th e w or d s of G enes i s Go d sa id L et there b e a rma men t a re , ,

ma de am id s t t h e w a t ers a n d l et it divid e t h e w a ters from t h e w a ters

, .

An d Go d ca ll ed t h e rma men t he aven ( Gen i 6

O n thi s d a y
t t t
. .
,

here w as a s ep ara ti on arrangemen t an d es t ablis hmen of th e cr ea ed

, ,

masses whi ch were divide d i n t o p ar t s accor di ng t o th ei r cons tituti on

t
,

a n d ma gn itud e p art ed from on e ano h e r an d arran g e d i n t h e p l ac e s

, ,

t h a t Go d h a d d es ti n ed for th em T hi s pl antin g of t h e v ar i o u s w orld s .

i n thei r pl ac es i n s p ac e co n s titut e d th e rma men t whi c h Go d

,

call e d h e aven i n whi c h t h e s un and moon an d s t ars pu rs ue t h e
t t
,

co urs e th at w as all o tte d o each T hi s rma men t i s th e ma e ri a l .

he aven as o pp os ed t o t h e s pi r i u a l h e aven whi ch i s identi cal with t h e

, t
c el es ti al p ara di s e Th e e arth on whi c h we live w as on e of t h e con
.

d en s ed mass e s whi c h t oo k it s pl ac e amon g th e o ther he av enly b o di es

t t
.

Go d a t t h e same ti me divided off t h e pl an et s h a mo ve aro un d

th e s u n whi c h forms t h e c ent re of th e i r s ys em from th e xed s t ars
, t
(v 7
.

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 .

Here t h e sacre d writer concerns hi ms el f more es p ec i ally with our

e arth Th e e art h whi ch wa s or igi n a ll y a er y b all of g as g ra du ally
.
, ,

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
, .

mass es of mi s t di vi ded th ems el es off i nt o th e s ea a n d l an d Th e .

1 34 F a i th .

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
,

e ar th th ro ugh whi c h t h e w a er forc ed it s elf from wi t hi n

,
T hu s w ere .

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 h e e ar th as it e x i s ts a t p r e s e n t w as g ra du ally forme d with i ts con ,

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
.
,

t h e or igi na l p r i mar y ma tt e r ; it w as a l re a dy i mpl an t e d i n t h e e art h

b y alm ighty Go d an d w as ev olve d ther efrom as soon as c i rc ums t ance s
,

fa v ora bl e t o it s devel o p men t p res en te d th ems elv es No org an i c li fe .

can ar i s e from mere i norg an i c matte r No p oss i bl e comb i nati on of .

mere i norg an i c ma t er i al s can ever p ro du ce any ki n d of org an i c l i fe .

Th e or igi nal ge rms o ut of whi c h li fe aros e w er e al re a dy ex i s ti ng i n

t h e v a p or cl o ud o ut of whi c h t h e e arth w as form e d b ut w er e no t ab l e
-

t o d evel o p th ems elves un de r t h e con diti ons of ext rem e he a t an d cold .

T hey re ma i n e d as un devel op e d ge rms u ntil th e more mo derat e t em

p era t u re e na b l e d th em t o p ro du ce pl an t s an d t ree s un d e r t h e i n u enc e
of w armt h an d mo i s tu r e .

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 ,

i n d arknes s b y t h e thi c k m i s t th a t s u rro u n de d it as l ong as it h a d no t

f ull y coo l e d d o w n b eg an t o h a e a cl e arer a mosp here an d only a
, v t ,

few cl o ud s oa t e d o ve r it s s u rfac e i ns t e a d of t h e d ens e v a p or th a t ,

h a d enc i rcle d it Th e s hi n i ng bo di es i n t h e h ea ven b ecam e vi s i bl e ;

.

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 ,

t h e a lt erna ti ons of d a y an d n ight an d t h e v ar i o u s s e asons of t h e y ear

t t
.
,

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 ,

fo u r th p e r i o d it ass u me d it s p re s e nt form W e d o no t kno w wh eth e r

'

ther e ex i s t livi ng b e i ng s on an y of t h e s t ars ; i f there a re s u c h they ,

mu s t b e of a very diffe re nt n atur e from o ur o wn We kno w th a t i n

u
.

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 , , , , ,

no wi n d no v eg et a ti on an d a l on g ni ght of th r ee hun d red an d f ty

, ,

h o ur s .

O n t h e f th da y God ma d e th e s h es and th e b i rds .

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 ,

cl evern ess an d al so t o s erve man t o no ur i s h h i m cl o th e hi m an d

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
.
,

a n d s u rp ass e s t h em all i n dign ity an d i n t h e p oss e ss i on o f r eason an d

,

fr ee will M an i s t h e cro wn of Go d s cre ati on Go d p r ep ared t h e .

t
.

w orld for hi s r ec ep i on t h a t h e m ight ent e r an d t ake p oss ess i on of it

,

as a ki n g t a ke s p oss ess i on of hi s ki ngd om Th e w orld w o uld no t h a ve .

b een compl et e with o ut man ; all el s e w as ma d e for hi s sa ke In all .

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 ,

b efor e He cr e at e d man He i s r epr es ente d as t aki ng co uns el with

Hi ms elf T hi s i s t o s h o w th e imp ort ance a n d t h e dign ity of ma n
. .

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 .

b ec aus e n o on e e l s e c o uld p ra i s e them s u c i e n tl y . We al s o s h o u l d

p r a i s e God i n Hi s w orks as t h e th re e y o u ng men did i n t h e ery ,

f u rnac e a t B ab yl on Evi l i s evil b eca u s e cr e atu re s make a b a d u s e

v
.
,

of th ei r free will No thi n g th a t ex i s t s can b e b a d i n it s el f b ut e ery

.
,

thi ng mu s t a t l e as t b e i n some w a y g oo d .

2 . God w a s mov ed to ma k e th e w orl d by Hi s

g r ea t good n es s .

Hi s obj ec t w a s to ma ke Hi s reas on a bl e c rea tu res h app y .

As a g oo d father s h o w s pi c u r es t o hi s childr en t o pl e as e them an d t

t
,

make h em l ove hi m s o Go d h a s man i fes t e d Hi s w ork s t o Hi s ,

re asonabl e cre a tur es t o ma ke them h appy an d e arn thei r l o ve Go d

, .

ma de al l e ar thl y thi ng s for o u r g oo d ; some for t h e s upp ort of men

( pl ant s an d an i mal s ) some for the i r i ns t r u c ti on some for th e i r eu
, ,

j oy men t some for the i r t ri al a s s i ckness s uffer i n g et c All

t t
.
, , , ,

hi ng s th a t I s ee up on t h e e ar th say s S t Augu s i ne p rocl a i m th a t

, .
,

T h o u h as t ma de them from l o ve of me an d call up on me t o l o ve ,

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
. . .

3 . Th e en d of crea t i on is ne es s a c ri l y to p rocl a im to men th e

gl ory of God .

I n eve ry w or k w e h a ve t o di s ti ngui s h b e ween t h e en d of t h e t

ma ker of th e w ork i e th a t whi c h mo ve d th e a rt icer t o ma ke th e
, . .
,

w ork an d th e en d of t h e w ork it s el f i e th at for whi c h t h e w ork

, , . .
,

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 .

t h e mo tive of t h e Art i cer i s Go d s g re a t g oo d n ess ; t h e en d of th e

w or k i s Go d s gl ory an d t h e h appi ness of Hi s re asonabl e cre a tu res

.

Th e mo tiv e of t h e co u ntl ess n umb e r an d v ar i ety of livi ng an d li fe

l ess b e i n g s an d t h e i nn umerabl e n umber of th e s t ars i s th a t angel s ,

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 .

o bj ec t of th e ex i s t enc e of angel s an d men a re th at th ey may unc eas

i n g l y b eh o ld an d p ra i s e Go d ( I s vi S t Augus ti n e say s T ho u .

t
. .
,

h a s ma de u s for T hy s el f O Go d an d h o w u n qui e t i s o u r h e art so , ,

l on g as it n ds no t it s r e s t i n T h ee ! Even t h e d evil s a re comp ell ed t o

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
, ,

pu n i shmen they s h o w h o w h oly an d j u s t Go d i s an d Go d empl o ys ,

them al so for t h e p erfec ti on of Hi s el ec t th ro ugh r e s i s t anc e t o th ei r

tt
t emp a i ons Eve n th e l os t i n h ell man i fes t t h e j u s ti c e a n d h ol i n ess
t
.

of God a n d Hi s h a red of s i n Go d h as ma d e all thi ng s for Hi m .

s elf ; t h e wi c ked al s o for t h e e vil d ay ( P ro v xvi Y et Go d did . .

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 .

Si n c e w e a re ma d e for th e gl ory of God , w e sh o uld i n a l l ou r

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
.
, ,

we d o w e s h o uld d o all t o t h e gl ory of Go d

, ( 1 C or x No thing . .

i s e as i e r th an t o give gl ory t o Go d s i nc e w e can di rec t o u r mos t m i

t
,

n u e ac ti ons t o thi s en d Wh en we w ak e i n th e morn i n g an d often

t t
.
,

i mes du r i n g t h e d a y we s h o uld r en ew thi s i n e nti on .

 Th e Ap os tles Creed
. 1 37

6 . DIVINE P R O VIDENCE .

W e c a ll b y th e na me of d ivi ne p rovi d ence God

s p res erva t i on
a nd go e n vr ment of th e w o l d r .

1 . God ma i nt a i ns th e w o l d, i r . e., He pres erv es a ll crea tures in

e xi s t enc e a s l ong a s He wi ll s .

A b all h angi ng from a pi ece s r i ng fall s t o t h e gro un d as soon of t

a s t h e s t r i ng i s ou t So t h e wh ol e w orld w o ul d s i nk i nt o no thi ng
.

i f Go d were t o withd raw from it Hi s s upp or tin g p o w e r for a s i ngle

i ns t an t I n ord e r th a t cre a tu res may con ti nue t o ex i s t He p ro vide s
. ,

a ll th a t i s n eeded for thei r s u s tenanc e : wh e at veget ab les th e var i o us , ,

fruit s of t h e e arth et c As soon a s Go d will s it t h ey d i e

Wh en
t
. .
, ,

T ho u sh alt t ake aw ay thei r b re a th they s h all d i e an d r etu rn ag a i n o , ,

t h e du s t ( P s c iii If t h e s un w ere t o c eas e t o cas t it s rays
u
. .

p on t h e earth all light w o ul d di sappe ar from th e w orld ; s o i f Go d

,

ce as e t o s upp or t u s i n exi s t enc e o u r li fe a t onc e fa il s u s Wh en

t
.
,

Ou r Lor d says
He aven and e ar h sh all p ass aw ay He d o es no t
,

,

mean th a t they will b e ann ihil a ted b ut th a t th ey will b e ch ang e d i nt o ,

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 . .

2 God go . v r th w r l d i e ns e o , . He c onduct s a l l t h i ngs i n th e

e.,
w orl d, s o h a t t t h y c t ri b ut t e on e o Hi s gl ory a n d t o our a dva nt a ge .

Wh a t t h e engi n e i s t o t h e tra i n an d t h e pil o t t o t h e v ess el Go d i s , ,

t o t h e w orld He guides t h e s t ars accordi ng t o x ed l aw s so th a t t h e

.
,

rma men t p rocl a ims Hi s gl ory He guides a ll nati ons ( D a n iv . . .

We s ee Hi s guidi ng h an d i n t h e live s of t h e p atr i arch s i n t h e hi s t ory ,

of th e Jew s i n th a t of th e C h r i s ti an C hurch Y e t we canno t u nd e r

, .

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
, .

o wn live s w e can t rac e ag a i n an d ag a i n t h e g oo d p ro vidence of Go d .

But as t o t h e w orld gen erally we a re forced t o excl a i m How i n c om ,

p rehens i ble a re Go d s judgment s an d h o w uns e arc h a bl e Hi s w ays

,

( R om x i . .

Th er e i s n o on e on th e ea r h for w h om G od d oes n ot c a re, t

v
a n d p ro i d e for h i s w el fa r e .

A mo ther w o ul d soon e r forget h er child th an Go d w o ul d forget

u s ( Is xli x .Go d care s even for th e i rr a ti onal cre a tu res ; for
. th e
b eas ts an d b i r ds an d pl an ts ( M a tt vi 2 5 . .

God h a s a spe c ia l ca r e for th os e w h o a re in h u mbl e c ircum

s t a n c es , a n d a re d e s p i s ed b y th e w orl d .

G od h a s ma de small as w el l as g re a t an d car es equ ally for th em ,

( Wi s d vi Go d l o ves t o d ecl are Hi s gl ory b y me ans of t h e littl e

. .

( 1 C or i 2 7 He ch os e p oor sh epher ds t o receive t h e rs t n ew s of

. .

th e b i rth of C h r i s t ; He c h os e p oor s h erm en for Hi s a p o s tl e s ; a p oor

ma iden for Hi s M o th er ; it i s t o t h e humbl e th a t He gives Hi s grac e
( Jas iv .

He ra i s es th e n eedy from th e e art h an d t akes th e
.
,
1 38 F a i th .

poor from th e du nghill th a He may pl ac e hi m amon g p ri nc es , t ( Ps .

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 ,

co un s el wa s I s en t hithe r b ut b y t h e will of Go d ( Gen xlv

t
, . .

Ou r Lor d say s th a t h e v ery h a i rs of o ur h e a d a re all n umb er ed i e , . .

,

t h e p ro vid e nc e of Go d des c en d s t o t h e sma ll es t d e t a il s of o u r l i f e

t t
.

Hence here i s no hi ng th at h app ens b y c h ance T here a re i n deed

t t
.

many h i n gs t h e ca u s e s of whi c h we a re ig noran of b ut all h ave

, ,

some ca u s e an d Go d gui d e s all T h ere a re man y thi ng s i n t h e w orl d

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
, , . .
, ,

theft an d every cr i me But Go d p erm it s them i e He d o e s no t

,
.
, . .
,

p reven t th em T hi s i s a cons e qu e nc e of Hi s h avi ng given t o man fr ee

v
.

will M oreo ver Go d k no w s h o w t o b r i ng g oo d o ut of evil an d all e il

.
, ,

He empl o ys for Hi s goo d pu rp os es .

Even th e evi l t h a t God p ermits i s for ou r good .

Go d i n Hi s l o ve for u s h as i n all th a t h app ens t o u s i n tenti on th e

t
, ,

t o make u s h appy He u rns t o o u r g o od all t emp oral m i sfortu n es

.

t
,

t h e t emp a ti ons of t h e d evil t h e s i ns of o th er men To th os e wh o

v
.
,

l o e Go d all thi n g s w ork t o geth e r for g oo d

( R om viii We . .

s ee t hi s i n t h e hi s t or y of th e p a t ri arc h Jos eph ; hi s i mp r i so nm ent

w a s t h e means of b r i n gi n g hi m t o high h onor an d of sa vi n g Egyp t

v
,

from t h e h orrors of fam i n e Th e capti ity of t h e J e w s w as th e me ans .

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
.

an d i n R ome w a s t h e me ans of maki ng kno w n t h e Gos p el i n t h e

co u nt r i e s t o whi c h th ey ed or w ere b an i s h e d ; so t oo w as t h e ex p u l , ,

s i on of t h e r eligi o u s O r de rs from It aly F ranc e a n d G e rman y i n

t
, ,

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 o C h r i s ti an i z e Ameri ca an d Engl an d Th e u nb eli ef of S t . .

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
.

Lor d w as t h e i ns r umen of th e red empti on of man ki n d

How i n .

scrut ab l e a re Go d s judgmen t s an d h o w uns e arch abl e Hi s w ay s

( 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
. .

sa i n s we re th e means of b r i ngi ng them gl ory an d h onor .

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 .

Ch r i s t t e ach es t o p ra y : T hy will b e d one on e art h a s it i s

us

,

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
. .
,

He car es for u s ( 1 P et v 7 Holy D a vid say s : T ho ugh an army

. .

s h o ul d s t an d i n b attl e a g a i ns t me my he art will no t fe ar ( P s xxvi ,

. .

We mu s t no t all o w o u rs elve s t o b e t ro ubl ed a b o ut th e arrang e

t
men s of Go d s p ro vid enc e whi c h we canno t a lter b ut mu s t r es ign

u
, ,

o rs elv es t o th e wil l of Go d e g i n s i ck ne ss l os s of money th e d e a th

t
. .
, , , ,

of h os e d e ar t o u s p e rs e c uti on w ar et c Ab o v e all w e mu s t r e s ign

u v t
.
, , ,

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
.

th ey a re like t h e ragi ng s ea whi c h canno r es t ( Is lvii P eac e ,

. .

an d h appi ness d o no t come of r i c hes or of a high p os iti on or of , ,

b o dily s tr ength or of i nt ell ec tu a l vigor ; s till less d o th ey come from

t
,

t h e w e ar i n g of n e c l o the s or from t h e en j o ymen t of r i c h f e as t s b u

, ,

from p e ac e of so ul an d a g oo d c onsc i en ce Th e b egg ar a t t h e g a t e of

v
.

t h e r i c h D ive s w as a h appi er man e en i n thi s w orld th an D ive s hi m , ,

s elf .

2 . M oreov er th e good fortun e of th e i

s nn e r i s for th e mos t
p a rt on ly t ra n s itory .

Th e p ros p er ity of t h e wi cked i s like th e ced ar of Leb anon, w h i ch

i n a few h o u rs i s c ut d o w n an d i s no more s ee n It i s a b uildi ng .

b uilt on san d : t h e s t orms an d wi n d s soo n l a y it l ow How qui c kly .

Nap oleon t h e Gr e a t fell fr om t h e height t o whi c h hi s v aulti ng amb i

ti on h a d ra i s e d hi m a t t h e cos t of s o man y lives
3 . Th e r ea l : c omp en s e of ma n on ly b egin s af e tr d ea th .

Hence Ou r Lor d s ays M an y t h a t a re rs s h a ll b e l as t an d th e t

t
, ,

l as t rs t ( M a t x ix M an y r i ch an d di s ti ngui s he d men will

. .

b e far b el o w th os e wh o h a v e b ee n b egg ars a t th ei r d oor Go d h as p ro .

v i d ed for Hi s fr i e n d s i n t he n e xt li fe an e nj o ym e n t an d h a ppi n ess

far s urp ass i n g any enj o yment s on this e arth T hi s i s t h e expl ana ti on .

of t h e a pp arent i nj u s ti ce of t h e p re s en t li fe Ou r Lor d say s t o Hi s .

di sc iple s Am en Am en I s a y t o y o u th a t y o u s h all l amen t an d

, , , ,

weep an d t h e w orl d s h all r ej oi c e ; an d y o u s h all b e ma de sorrowful

t
, ,

b ut y o u r sorro w s h all b e urne d i nt o j o y ( Joh n xvi .

4 Sin n ers a re r ew a rd ed on h is ea r h for th e l i l e good h a

. t t tt t t
t v
h ey h a e d on e Th e j s on th e o h er h a n d a re for th e mos
. ut t t
p a r t u
p n i s h e d i n h i s l ife for t h e e i l h t
e h a e d on e v t y v .

Ou r Lor d s ays W oe t o y o u th a t a re r i ch ; for y o u h a ve y o u r con

,

sol a ti on i e y o u r rew ar d for th e g oo d yo u h ave d on e i s give n y o u
v
. .
, ,

i n thi s w orld ( L uke i .

How i s Si n to b e R econ ci led wi th th e P r ov i d en ce f

o God ?

1 . It i s n ot G od Wh o is res p on s ibl e for Si n and i ts c on s e

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 ,

free ac ti ons whi c h a re e vil T here a re al so many r e ason s why He .

s h o uld no t hi n der e vil I f there w er e no e vil i n t h e w orld man w o uld

.
,

h ave no o pp ortu n ity of d o i n g wh a t i s g oo d ; h e w o ul d no t h a ve t h e

ch o i c e b etween g oo d an d evil and w o uld no t b e ab l e t o e arn t h e ,

r ew ar d of g oo d accompli sh ed C omp ar e t h e p ar a bl e of t h e cockl e .

a mon g t h e wh e a t Go d sa ys S t Augu s ti n e w o uld n eve r h av e p er

.

, .
,

I itt d evil i f He h a d no t i nt en ded t o b ri ng some gre a ter g oo d o ut

g
o it e .

2 . G od i n His w is d om emp l oys ev en s in for a

go od en d .
 Th e Ap os tles Creed

. 1 41

Th e p a t r i ar ch Jos eph v ery tr uly sa id t o h i s b reth ren ,

Yo u
th ought evil ag a i ns t me b ut Go d tu rn ed it i nt o goo d ( Ge n 1 ,

. .

God tu rne d t o g oo d ev en t h e t reac he ry of J ud as ; it con tr i b ute d to

t h e w ork of man s red empti on

Th e b ee ma kes h on ey o ut of p o i .

s on ou s pl ant s ; t h e p o tt er ma k e s b e a uti ful v ess el s o ut of di r ty e arth .

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 .

Wh a t i s t rue of s i n i s t r ue of all t h e s uffe ri ng th a t i s t h e con

,

s equenc e of s i n .

7 . THE C HRISTIAN UND ER SUFF ER ING .

M an can s uffer i n b o dy or s oul or b o th The ap os tle s when t hey

t
.
,

were sco u rge d ( Ac s v s uffered i n b o dy ; J ud as wh en h e th rew

.
,

do w n th e pi e ce s of s ilver i n t h e T emple s uffe r ed i n hi s so ul Holy , .

Jo b s uffe red i n b o th S uffe ri ng i s e ither me rite d or u nmer ite d Th e

. .

s uffer i ng s of t h e p ro dig al son we re mer ited th os e of t h e p at r i arc h ,

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 .

Eve n C h r i s t h a d t o ent er i n t o Hi s gl ory th ro ugh s uffer i ng ( Luk e

xx iv Ou r Lor d say s He th a t t a keth no t up h i s cross an d
.

foll o weth aft er M e i s no t w or thy of M e ( M att x

,

Th e roa d . .

t o h ea ven i s a ro ugh on e I n or der to make t h e ax th a t g row s i n

.

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 , , ,

th oro ughly cl eans ed an d w o ven Th e corn h as t o b e th res hed an d

, .

wi nno w ed ; t h e pur e gold h a s t o p ass th ro ugh re Not t o s uffer i s a .

s ig n th a t n o futu re h appi n ess i s i n s t ore for yo u S uffer i n g an d .

h oli ne ss a re i ns ep arably b o un d up t o gethe r T he re i s no g oo d w ork .

th a t d o e s no t meet with o b s t acl e s no vi rtue th a t d o es no t h a ve t o ,

ght a n d s t ruggl e .

For th i s re as on God l ea v es no j us t ma n w ith out s ufferin g .

Go d t reat s u s as a phys i c i an t re a t s hi s p a ti ent s ; th os e of wh os e

r ecove ry h e de sp a i rs h e le a ves al one ; b ut to th os e wh om h e h o p es t o
c u re h e a dmi n i s t ers b itt er med ic i nes As m ilk i s t h e foo d of chil
t
.
,

d ren so a re con t ra di c ti ons th e foo d of Go d s el ec To Hi s c h os en

.
,

Go d give s a s w or d on e ar th t o pi erc e th e i r h ea rt an d a cro w n i n ,

he av en t o a dorn thei r he ad s Y et Go d m i ng l es with th e b itt ernes s of

.

s uffer i n g t h e s w eet s of conso l a ti on W e s ee thi s th ro ugh o ut t h e hi s .

t ory of Ou r L a dy whi ch cons i s ts of alt ernat e j o ys an d sorro w s So

, . .

t oo w e c el eb ra te t h e s even j oy s an d sorro ws of S t J o s eph

, . .

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
.

w ork s p erf orm e d T hey a re a p rec i o u s gi ft, w hi c h will av a il u s t o a l l

t
.

e e rn ity To s u f fer somethi ng for Go d i s i n it s el f a g r e a t p r ivil eg e an d

t
.

h onor It i s a b ett e r gi f t th an th a of p erform in g m i racles an d ra i s

u
.

i n g t h e d ea d P ar ent s often p n i s h the i r ch ildre n t o cure them of

.

the i r faul t s If th ey s ee th e same faul t s i n th e c hildren of o th ers ,

.

th ey d o no t t ro uble t h ems elve s a b o ut them b eca u s e they d o no t care ,

for them So it i s with Go d ; t h e child ren wh om He l o ves He oft e n

.

corre ct s Hence R aph a el sa id t o To b i as

. B ecau s e th o u w as t pl e as ,

i n g t o Go d it w a s n ec essary th a t t empt ati on s h ould p ro ve th ee
t
,

( 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 ;
. .
,

an d sco u rgeth every s on wh om He r ec e iveth ( Heb x ii Go ld . .

an d s ilve r a re t r i e d i n t h e re an d acc ept a b le men i n t h e f u rnac e of

t
,

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
. .
,

i n mos t cas es h i s s uffe r i ngs Our La dy w as t h e Q u een of martyr s . .

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 , . .

( Of 2 C or x i 2 3 To b e free from s uffer i ng i s a b a d s ig n

t
. . . .
,

S t Augu s ti n e says : T he re i s n o g re a te r m i sfor un e th an th e g oo d

.

for tu ne of s i nn ers He wh o d o e s no t s uffer no w will h a ve t o s uffe r

.

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 .

S t P a ul sa ys Go d i s fa ithful ; Wh o will no t p erm it y o u t o s uffe r

.

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 ,

b eyon d hi s s t reng th Will Go d t h e all wi s e t h e all merc iful l ay - -

t
.
, , ,

more on u s h an w e can b e ar ? Th e p o tt er d o e s no t l eave hi s vess el s

t oo l ong i n th e r e l e s t the y s h o ul d crac k He wh o pl ay s on an i n
t
.

s t rum en t i s car ef ul no t o tighten t h e s tr i ng s t oo mu c h le s t they

t
,

s h o uld b rea k ; nor oo littl e for the n they w o uld p ro du c e no so un d , .

Th e phys i c i an app or ti ons hi s reme di es to t h e p o w er of hi s p a ti en t ;

so t h e h e a venly P hys i c i an s en d s u s s u ffe r i ng s i n p ro p orti on t o o u r
p o we r of b ear i ng th em T here a re s ome p eopl e wh o ma ke s uffe ri ng s
t
.

for th ems elves b eca u s e they n d faul with wh a t gives no cau s e for
,

compl a i nt Even i n r e al s uffer i ng s mu ch compl a i n i ng i s a S ign of

.

fa i n t h e art edn e ss an d mak es u s mor e s ens i bl e t o s uffe r i n g

-
.

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 .

How man y h av e b e en co n v erte d b y m e ans of suffer i ngs e g M an , . .

,

ass es i n t h e p ri son a t B ab yl on ( 2 P aral xxx iii 1 2 J onas th e . .

, ,

p ro dig al son even t h e wi c ke d Ach a b ( 3 Ki n gs xxi 2 7

, Go d i s like .

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
,

d ea th S uffer i n g s al so b ri n g ab o ut a di s gu s t for e arthly thi ng s an d

.

m ak e t h e s i nfu l pl e a s u r es of t h e w orl d b it t e r ; th ey d es tro y o u r d ep en

d enc e on ear thly thi ng s a n d t ake aw a y t h e d es i re for th e enj o yment s
,

an d t h e pl e as u re s of thi s v all ey of t e ars an d tu rn o u r th o ught s t o ,

h e a ven S uffer i n g s a g a i n i mp r ess u p on u s o u r o wn h elpl essn ess com

.
,

p el u s t o h a v e r e co u rs e t o Go d i n p raye r T h ey t each u s a knowl edg e of .

1 44 Fa i th .

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 ,

h e a ven and t o Go d b y th e oo d s of s uffer i ng As t h e g o ld l e af i s

t
.

s p rea d o u b y t h e b l o w s of th e h ammer so o u r l o ve of Go d i s ex ten ded ,

b y s uffe r i ng S uffe r i ng s det ac h u s from th e l o ve of e arthl y th i ngs

.
,

an d des t ro y o u r l o ve of thi s w orld Hence S t Augus ti ne p ra yed . .

,

M a ke all thi ngs b itt er t o me th a t s o T h o u al one mayes t app ea r ,

s w eet t o m y so ul S uffer i n gs al so i ncreas e o u r g ra titude t o Go d
.

t
,

for th e l oss of h e alth an d o the r gi f s of God ma kes us v alue

wh a t w e h ave l os t S uffer i ng s al s o ma ke u s humb le Th e j u s t
t t t
. .

mus b e ri e d b y e vil th a t s o they ma y no g ro w p ro u d of thei r ,

vi rtues S uffe r i n gs al so i ncreas e th e ea rn es t ness of o u r p ra yers

. .

T h ey comp el u s t o p ray W e s ee thi s i n t h e cas e of t h e ap os tles .

i n th e s t orm t oss e d b oat Th e p ra ye rs of D a vi d u n d e r p ers ec u.

ti on h a ve b ecome t h e p ray ers of th e C hu rch Long p eac e makes .

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
.
,

b ecomes l azy S uffer i ngs a re oft en t h e me ans of b r i ngi ng u s o

.

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 To b i as Th e Lor d ma k e th p oor an d make th r i ch ; He humb l e h

.

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
, .

Las tly s uffer i ngs i ncre as e o u r et e rnal h appi ne ss Ou r p res ent mo

, .

me n t ary an d light t r i b ul a ti on w orke th for u s ab ove m e as u re ex

c e ed i n g l y an e erna l w e igh t
of gl or y ( 2 Cor i 1 7 Th e j u s a re t . v . t
r ip ene d for he aven b y s uffer i n g a s e ar s of corn a re r ip ened b y t h e
u
,

he at of t h e s u n Jewel s a re re n de red more b ea uti ful b y b ei ng g ro n d

.

an d p oli s h ed Wh en Go d s end s u s some gre a t t ro ub le says S

.

, t .

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
.
,

li fe t h e g re a t er will b e o u r rew ar d i n t h e li f e t o come

,
To h os e .

wh o l o ve Go d all thin g s w or k t o gether for g oo d ( Rom vi ii

t
. .

G ive y o u rs elf up th en t o Go d s guid anc e for He all ow s no t h i ng o

t
, , ,

h app en yo u whi c h wi ll no t b e for y o ur a dv an ag e th o ugh y o u ma y s ee

t t
,

it no t Wh a t p run i ng i s o th e frui t ree s uffer i ng i s t o men

.
-

, .

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 .

b itterness of th e medi c i ne th a t i s neces sary for th e he alth of o u r

so ul T he re i s re ally no evil i n t h e w orld exc ept s i n S uffer i ngs can
. .

n eve r re ally ma ke u s un h appy ; men c a n b e h appy i n s pite of all

ki n ds of s u ffe r i ng s W e s ee thi s i n Jo b i n To b i as n O u r La dy .
, , i .

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

We s h o uld say with Jo b ple ased th e Lord s o i i s

, As i t ha th , t
d on e ; bl ess e d b e t h e name of th e Lord ( Jo b i or wi t h Ou r Lord .

i n t h e Gar de n of Olive s Not My will b ut T hi ne b e d one ,

We , .

s h o ul d b eh ave as a s ens i ble man b eh a ves when h e i s s i c k ; h e wi lli ngly

o b eys t h e i nj u nc ti ons of th e phys i c i an God h a s l ighten ed o u r s uf .

fer i n gs for u s n ot only b y Hi s o w n example b ut al so b y t h e p romi s e

t
, ,

of an et ernal rew ar d See h o w t h e ap os les rej o i c e d i n the i r s c ourg

.

i ng ( Ac t s v Th e C h r i s ti an un der s uffe r i ng S h o ul d rej o i c e as

.

a w orkman rej o i c es wh o l ab ors mu c h an d l oo ks forw ard to g oo d ,

p a y or a s a tra desman wh o am id t h e to il some mono t on y of hi s b u s i

t
, ,

n ess thi nks of t h e delightful h ol id a y th a t i s no far off We mu s t

, .

gras p s n eri n g s as men gras p s tingi ng n ettles i f they d o no t wi s h t o

b e s tung rmly an d b o ldly no t lightly a n d ti moro u sly ; th en th ey
, ,

will d o u s no h arm In s uffe r i n g we sh o uld rep ea t ag a i n an d

.

ag a i n th e Glori a P a tri M en t oo ofte n g r umble an d g ro w i mp a

.

ti en t u n de r thei r s uffe ri ng s If a ma n as k s t h e retu rn of some .

thi ng h e h as l ent u s we give it b ack with th a n k s ; b ut i f Go d

,

d o e s so we grumble an d a re di scontented T h i s w an t of p ati e nce

, .

i ncrea s e s o u r s uffer i ng s b e s ides o en d i n g Go d Th e i mp ati e n t a re

, .

li ke oxen wh o ki c k a g ai nst t h e goa d an d only w o un d themselves

,

t h e more Y et it i s no s i n t o b e sorrowful an d t ro ub le d un de r s uffer

.

i ng ; for Our L or d i n th e Gar den of Olive s w as sorro wful even u nt o

d ea th We mu s t never desp on d i n e il d ays for aft er sorro w an d s u f
. v ,

feri n g come j o y an d gl a dne ss .

B y p a i en c e t u n de r s ufferin g we q ui ckly tt i t h igh a a n o a

d eg r ee of p erfec ti on , a n d l ay up for our l v gr

se t t r fes a ea s o e o

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

rapidly t o t h e h aven of et e rnal res t .

e n du r eth t empt a ti on ; for wh en h e h as b een p ro ve d h e will r e ce ive a ,

cro wn of li fe whi c h Go d h a th p rom i s ed t o them th at l o ve Hi m ( Jas .

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
.

Th e s i nn e r mu rm rs u n de r s uffer i ng ; t h e b egi nn e r i s t ro ubl ed , b ut i s

sorry for hi s imp a ti enc e ; th e man mor e a dv anc ed i n vi rtue i s fright
e n ed b ut t a ke s co ur a g e a n d p ra i s es Go d ; t h e p e rfe c t man d o e s no t
,

w a it for s uffer i ng, b ut go e s b oldly t o meet it Th e p erfec t d o no t

t t
.

as k Go d th a t th ey ma y b e free from empt a i on or from s n eri n g .

T hey d e s i r e it and value it as highly as men of th e w orld v alue

,

r i ch e s an d g old an d p re c i ou s s t on es Henc e th e p raye r of S t T eresa . .

w as e ith e r t o s u ffer or to d i e He wh o i s able says S t F ranc i s of

. . .

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
, ,

h as arr ived a t t h e s ummi of Ch r i s i an perfe cti on an d will n d h i s ,

h appi ness i n God .
1 46 F a i th .

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 .

Th e ang el s pu re s pi r it s with o ut b o di es wh erea s men h ave b o h

a re , t
b o dy an d s pi r it Y et th e angel s can ta ke t o themselves a b o dily form
t
.
,

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 h e y o u ng To b i as on h i s j o urn ey At t h e s epul chr e of Our Lor d .

t
,

aft er th e res u rrec i on t h e an gel s ap p e are d i n th e form of y o ung ,

men an d th e same wa s t h e c as e afte r Ou r Lor d s as cens i on ( M ar k

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 .

Th e ang el s xc el al l o th e r b ei ng s th a t Ou r Lor d h a s cre a ted Ou r

e .

Lor d sa y s t h a t no t even th e angel s kno w wh en th e D a y of J udgm en t

W i ll come ( M att xxiv t h ereb y i n di c a ti n g th a t th ei r k nowl ed ge
. .

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
-
.

of on e hun d re d an d e ighty v e th o u sand so ldi ers of t h e Ki ng of -

Ass yr i a wh o h a d bl asphemed Go d ( I s xxx vii

, An angel p ro . .

t ec t ed t h e th ree y o u n g men i n t h e f u rnac e a t B a b yl on ( D a n iii . .

God c re a ed th e t a n ge s l for Hi s ow n g l ory and s er vi c e, as

w el l a s for h ei r ow n t h a pp in es s .

Amon g a ll t h e crea tu res h a t Go d h as ma de t h e angel s re s emb le t ,

Hi m t h e mos t an d ther efor e t h e divi n e p erfec ti ons shi n e forth th e

t
,

mos b r ightly i n th em T h ey al so gl or i fy Go d b y c e as el ess ly S i ngi n g

.

hymns of p ra i s e t o Hi m i n he aven Th e an gel s al so s e rv e Go d Th e . .

w or d an gel s ign ies mess en ger

Are th ey no t all m i n i s ter i ng .

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
. .

an gel s p romo e t h e gl or y of Go d for Go d t u rns the i r a tt ack s on u s

t t
,

t o Hi s gl or y an d o u r p rot Go e he r ightly d escr i b es Sa an as a .

p o we r th a t alw a y s will s evil an d effec ts g oo d ,
.

Th e n umb er o f th e a n ge s l is immea s ura bly grea t .

D an i el , i n d escr i b i ng th e th rone of Go d sa ys : T h o u san d s of

t t
h o u san d s m i n i s ere d t o Hi m ; an d t en th o usan d ti me s a hun d red
t
th o u san d s oo d b efor e Hi m ( D a n vii

Holy Scr ip ure call s t
t
. .

the m t h e h e avenly h os In th e Gar den of Olives Our Lord sa id th a t

.

i f He w er e t o as k t h e F a t he r, He w o uld p res en tly s en d Hi m tw elve

l egi ons of ang el s ( M a tt xxv i Th e n umb er of t h e a ng el s i s
. .

g r e a t e r th an th a t of a l l men wh o e ve r h a ve liv ed or ever will live .

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 .

g r e at er th an th a t of th e s t ars i n h e a ven or of th e g r a i n s of san d on ,

t h e s e as h or e .

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 . .

l i eve th a t as Go d ass i gns t o e a c h ch il d a t i t s b i rt h a gu ar d i an angel ,

s o the dev i l ass i g ns t o ea ch a s pe c i al dev i l t o t e mp t i t He nc e w e .

m u s t i mi t a t e the J ew s whe n r ebu ild i ng the T emple ( 2 Es d r i v . .

We m us t w ork w i t h on e h an d an d w i t h the o th er def en d o urs elves

ag a i ns t t h e fo 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

th e c omman dmen ts of God a n d a vo i ds all s i n .

T he d o g th at i s t i ed up cann o t d o any h arm t o th os e wh o keep

o ut of range of h i s c h a i n T he dev i l i s l i ke th i s d o g He can w ork on
. .

o ur m emor y an d o ur i mag i nat i on but he h as no p o we r o ver o ur w ill

,

or o u r un de rs t an d i ng He can pe rs u a de u s but he canno t compel u s

.
,

t o ev il We m u st ther e for e e n e rget i cally an d p romptly r epel all b a d

.

th o ught s th a t t h e devi l put s i nt o o u r he a d s Re s i s t t h e dev il say 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 .

th e dev i l ve r y p rom ptl y whe n He sa i d

Beg on e S at an ! It i s a ,

gr e a t th i ng t o t re a t t h e devi l an d h i s tempt a t i ons w i th g r e a t con

te mpt an d al so t o turn o u r th o ught s t o o the r th i ng s an d no t a ll o w
, ,

o urs elve s t o be d i s tur bed or t ro ubled b y h i s s ugge s t i ons He wh o .

all o w s h i ms el f t o dwell on ev i l th o ught s d raw s n e ar t o t h e d o g

wh o i s c h a i n ed an d i s almos t s ur e t o be b i tte n by h i m I f the dev il
, .

we r e a ll o wed t o u s e h i s f ul l p owe r a g a i ns t u s we co uld no t r e s i s t h i m ,

for whe n he f ell he d i d no t l os e any of h i s natural p o wers th o ugh ,

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
.

ti on w h om He es p e c i a lly fa v ors t o b e t ri e d b y th e d ev il for l on g

, ,

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
,

th eir i mp erfec ti o n s a n d th orou gh ly h umb l e th em

,
.

Go d all ow s H i s ele c t t o be cons t antl y be s i eged by the devil

for ye ars an d t o e n dur e tempt at i ons of ext ra or d i nary vi o le nc e
, .

Som et i m e s the dev i l appe ars t o them i n v i s i ble form ; som et i m e s he

assa i l s the i r e ars w i th h i de o u s so un d s ; som eti m es he i s perm i tted t o
s tr ike the m an d t o th ro w th em on the gro un d Go d p ro tec t s the i r .

l i fe but all o w s the dev il t o t orm en t the m w i th b o d i ly p a i n an d w i th

,

s i ck n e ss T hey s uffe r the mos t te rr i bl e tempt at i ons a g a i ns t fa i th

.

a n d a g a i ns t pu r i ty T he evi l on e h as no p o wer o ve r the i r so ul s but

.
,

som et i m e s Go d all o w s h i m p o we r o ve r the i r b o d i e s so th a t the y d o ,

an d sa y the mos t extraor d i nary th i ng s i n s p i te of thems elve s i n ord er ,

th a t s o they may be humbled i n the eye s of m e n S om et i m e s they .

eve n p o u r for th bl a s phe mo u s w or d s an d h ave no p o we r t o p r event ,

t hems elve s from d o i n g so T he s e assault s of the dev il ar e ca lled oh

.

s e s s i on H oly Jo b w a s assa iled b y the devi l ; an d so w as O u r L ord i n

.

the de s e r t ; so wer e S t An th on y S t T e re sa S t M ary M a gd a le n of

.
, .
, .

P a zz i th e C u r d Ars an d man y o the r sa i nt s T h es e h o ly pe rsons

,

, .

kn ew th a t Go d w o uld n eve r all o w the m t o be te mpted beyon d the i r

p o we rs of r e s i st anc e an d th a t Go d perm i tte d the s e tem pt a t i ons for
,

the i r gre a te r s a n ct i c a t i on T hey we re pe rfe c tly r e s i gn ed t o the w ill

.
 Th e Ap os tles
Creed . 1 49

of Go d an d a t length dro ve aw ay t h e devi l by the i r f ea rle ss res i st anc e

,

t o hi s assault s T hu s whe n the dev i l th r e ate ned the l i fe of S t C a th a

. .

r i n e of S i e nna she answer ed Do wh a t y ou can ; wh a t i s ple as i ng t o

, ,

Go d i s ple as i ng t o m e S t M ary M a gd ale n of P a zz i sa i d t o h i m
. .
,

Yo u d o no t s ee m to kno w th a t y o u are p r ep ar i ng for m e a gl or i o u s

vi ct ory
S t An th ony i n the de s e rt deed h i m say i ng
. . H o w feeble , ,

yo u ar e I s upp os e th a t i s why yo u are b r i ng i ng s uch a cro wd of

dev il s t o temp t m e Wh e n th os e wh o ar e tempted m eet the dev i l
.

w i th the co urage of a l i on he h as no mor e p o wer ag a i ns t the m th an ,

a s t ar tled h ar e but whe n they f e ar h im then h e com es on w i th all the

, ,

forc e an d b o ld n e ss of a l i on He can alw ay s be dr i ve n aw a y by t h e .

m e ans of grac e p ro vi ded b y the C hurch ; by the s i gn of t h e cross b y ,

i nvok ing the nam e of Je s u s and M ary by h oly w a ter by e arne s t , ,

p raye r by the u s e of rel i cs et c T he mor e v i ole nt the assa ult s of

, , .

the devi l the gre a te r w ill be the p ro t ec t i on a fforded by alm i ghty Go d

,

t o H i s s e rv an ts ; often dur i ng t i m e s of t r i al they h ave r evel at i ons

from Go d or sa i nt s an d angel s appe ar t o them t o conso le and
,

s t r engthe n the m T h os e wh o deny the r e al i ty of th es e occ urr enc e s

.
,

of wh i c h we so often r e a d i n the l ives of the sa i nt s sh o w ve ry l i ttle ,

ac qu a i nt anc e w i th the sp i ri tu al l i f e Yet i t i s the s p i r i t of t h e .

C hurc h t o r e c e i ve all a cc o u nt s of the s e p r eterna tu ral an d s upe r

natural occ urr enc es w i th g re a t ca ut i on as the r e i s alw a y s a d anger ,

of illu s i on or de c e i t Nor need or d i nary mort al s f e ar s uc h spe c i al

.

a tt ack s of the ev i l on e ; they are r e s e rved for the sp ec i al fr i en d s an d

fav or i te s of Go d .

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

li v es o r th os e w h o s in a ga in st faith to b e p u n ish e d o r led a stra y

, ,

b y e v i l s p i ri t s .

Go d somet im e s perm i ts th a t t h e b o d i e s of m en wh o h ave g i ven

thems elve s o ve r t o the i n dulge nc e of the i r p ass i ons be p oss e ss ed by
evi l sp i r i t s as a t o wn i s occ up i ed b y a gen e ral wh o h as con que r ed i t
, .

T h i s s t ate i s called p oss e ss i on I n the t i m e of O ur L or d ther e wer e .

many thu s p oss es s e d an d wh o i n cons eque nc e we r e dumb ( M a tt i x

. . .

bl i n d ( M a tt x ii an d exc eed i n g e rc e ( M att viii

. . Go d . .

pe rm i tted th a t the n the r e sh o uld be many s u ch th a t He m i ght s h ow ,

the p owe r of the S on of Go d an d the feeblen e ss of the dev il s i n Hi s

p re s e nc e an d th a t He m i ght d r ive the m for th from th os e wh om
,

the y t orm ented Y et i t d o es no t f oll o w th a t all wh o we r e p oss e s s ed

.

we r e ne c essar ily so th ro ugh the i r o w n faul t Som e ch i ldr e n were .

p osse s s ed from the i r b i r th ( M ark i x S om et i m e s Go d all o wed .

eve n h ol y me n t o be p oss ess ed for a t i m e ; but mor e ofte n i t w as a

pun i shm e n t for g r i evo u s s i n an d es pe c i ally for a del i be ra te fri e nd ,

s h i p wi th t h e dev i l as w as the cas e w i th the w i t c h of En d or ( 1 K i ng 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
. .

i n p a g a n co untr i e s Go d al so pe rm i t s the ev il sp i r i t s t o m i sle a d

.

th os e wh o p rac t i s e sp i r i tu al i sm wh i ch cons i s t s i n the i nv ok i n g of ,

th e s p i r i t s of the de a d i n or der t o d i sco ve r th i n g s s e cr et or th a t ar e ,

t ak i n g pl ac e a t a di s t a nc e Th e devi l s persona te the sp i r i t s i nv o ked

.
,

an d b y the i r s upe r i or k nowledge ar e able t o r eve al man y th ing s by ,

wh i ch they delude th os e wh o de al w i th them i n t o th i nk i n g th a t they

a re r e ally con vers i n g w i th som e de p arted r el a t i ve or fr i e n d On .
1 50 Fa i th .

the s e occas i ons the s p i r i t s w i ll som et i m e s t ake a ma te ri al form .

S p i r i tu al i sm le a d s t o the l oss of fa i th or of moral s or a t le as t t o the ,

r u i n of the pe ac e of m i n d of the pe rson p rac t i s i ng i t Ve ry oft en i t .

i s m i xed up w i th a gr e a t dea l of i mp os tur e .

4 . angel s wh r emai ne d fai thful t

Th e o o God b e h ol d th e f ac e of
God co nt i nu lly d s i ng Hi p rai s e
a an s s.

O ur L or d say s of o ur g u ar d i an angel s I s a y to y o u th a t the i r , ,

angel s a lw ay s beh o ld the fac e of M y Fa the r Wh o i s i n he ave n

T he .

an gel s a t O u r L or d s b i r th sang the p ra i s e s of Go d T he i r son gs of

.

p ra i s e ar e d i ffer e nt jus t a s the i r k no wledge a n d the i r l o ve of Go d ar e

,

d iffe r e nt T he an gel s ar e somet i me s r ep re s e nted as c h ildr e n be cau se

.
,

they ar e i mmort al an d the r e for e eve r y o ung ; som et i me s wi th w i ngs t o

e xp r e ss the sw i f tn e ss w i th wh i c h they p ass from pl ac e t o pl ac e an d ,

the i r p romptn es s i n carry i n g o ut the w i ll of Go d ; som et i m e s w i th

l i li e s i n the i r h an d s to s h o w the i r pe rf e c t s p o tle ssn e ss ; some t i mes
w i th h arp s t o s i g n i fy th a t the p ra i s e of Go d i s the i r cons t an t empl o y
m e n t ; som et i m e s w i th o ut any b o dy but only a he a d an d w i ng s t o , ,

sh o w th a t they ar e i ntell e c tu al be i n g s T he h o ly a ngel s al so p oss es s .

e xc eed i ng be a uty an d s ple n d or I f an angel wer e t o appe ar i n the .

rma me n t of he ave n i n h i s full gl o ry the s u n w o uld d i sa ppe ar be fore

.

h i s b r i ghtn e ss j u s t as th e s t ars no w d i sappe ar be for e the b r i ghtn e ss

,

of the s u n Whe n S t John s a w an angel i n a ll h i s gl ory he th o ught

. .
,

he m u s t be God H i ms elf an d f ell a t h i s f eet t o a d or e h i m ( Ap oc

, .

xx ii . In appe ar i ng t o m e n the h oly angel s h i de the i r gl ory T he .

an gel s w i ll be o ur c omp an i ons i n he ave n T h i s i s why t h ey t ake s o .

g r ea t an i n ter e s t i n u s wh i le w e ar e on e arth an d r ej o i c e o ve r the ,

s i nn e r d o i ng penanc e T he y ofte n i nte rve n e t o help u s i n o ur sp i r

.

i t u a l an d temp oral n e ed s i f we d o no t by o ur r e s i s ta nce t o grac e

, , ,

put o b s t acle s i n the i r w ay .

5 . Th e h o l y a ng e ls are al so call e d guardi an angel s , b ec aus e

t h ey w at c h ov er us ( Heb i . .

Jaco b sa w a l a dde r r e achi n g up t o he ave n an d the angel s asce n d ,

i ng an d de sc en d in g ( G e n xxv iii T h i s w as t o s i g ni fy th a t they

. .

com e d o w n on e ar th t o p ro te c t u s an d asc e n d b ac k t o he ave n t o s i n g ,

pra i s e t o Go d T he gu ar d i an angel s w at c h o ve r u s as a shephe r d o ve r

.
,

h i s ock T he y co un t i t as the i r h app i ness th a t they are app o i nted

.

t o w at c h o ve r the s erv an t s of Go d an d p romo te the welfa r e of so ul s , .

an d no w on de r whe n we r e m ember th a t the K i ng an d L or d of a l l

,

th i n g s cam e no t t o m i n i s te r but t o be m i n i s te r ed un t o T he s e rv i c e
, .

they r en de r u s ca u s es them no t ro ubl e or anx i e ty but ra the r j o y a n d ,

h app i ne ss for the i r on e d es i r e i s th a t the w ill of God sh o uld be d on e

, ,

and they r ej o i c e i n cont r i but i n g t o th i s T he gen e ral o p i n i on of the o .

l og i a n s i s th a t every on e h as a Spe c i al gu ar d i an angel wh o w a t che s ,

o ve r h i m all th ro ugh h i s l i fe T he d i gn i ty of the a n gel s g i ve n t o u s

.

depe n d s on t h e d i gn i ty of th e persons t o wh om they ar e ass i gn ed .

O r d i nary C hr i s t i ans h ave on e of the l o we r or de rs of an gel s ; p r i e s t s ,

b i sh o p s k i n g s et c h ave no ble r s p i r i t s t o gu ard them C i t i e s c o u n

, , .
, .
,

tr i es p ar i she s r el i g i o u s h o u s es h ave e ach the i r gu ard i an angel

, , , .

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 .

the m aw ay a s smo k e d r i ve s a w a y bee s We canno t e xp e c t o ur gu ar

, .

d i an angel s t o t a ke car e of u s whe n we are d o i ng wha t we kno w i s

d i s ple as i n g t o Go d We mu s t al so beg for the a i d of o u r gu ar d i an
.

an gel ; we m u s t con gr a tul at e h i m on h i s fa i th fuln e ss t o Go d ; we mu s t

salute h i m when we g o o ut an d whe n we com e i n ; we m u s t th ank
h i m for all hi s be net s We m us t say w i th To b i as
.

Wh a t can be ,

w orthy of h i s benets an d wh a t can we g i ve h i m s ufc i e nt for the s e

,

th i ng s ?
( Tob x ii T he C hurch h onors o ur gu ar d i an an gel s
. .

on t he s e con d of O c t o ber ; i n some pl ac e s on the rs t S un d ay i n S ep

te mt er .

9 . M AN .

Th e C rea ti on f
o M a n .

T he a cco u nt of the cr e at i on of man i s fo un d i n the beg i nn i ng of

the b oo k of G e n e s i s No th i n g i s sa i d ab o ut t h e t i m e whe n man w as
.

cr e a ted but t h e gen e ral bel i e f x e s the d ate a t

, T he fo ur
week s of A dve n t s ee m t o i n d i c a te th a t the C hu rch a d o pt s thi s v i ew .

1 . God ma d e th e b o dy of ma n out of th e dust of th e e art h , a nd

b re a th e d i nto hi m a l ivi ng so ul .

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 .

de n i es the ex i s te nc e of the soul be ca u s e i t canno t be pe rc e i ved by h i s

s e ns e s m i ght as well de n y the e x i s te nc e of human r e ason becau s e he
,

canno t s e e i t T he so ul i s e n d o wed w i th the tw o fac ult i es o f r e ason

.

an d fr ee w ill Som e h ave s upp os ed th a t the r e ar e i n man tw o so ul s

.
,

on acco un t of t h e d i ffer e n t i ncl i nat i ons whi ch s tr i ve for mas te ry i n

h i m an d the s tr uggle th a t t ake s pl ac e betwee n t h e le an i ng to w a rd s
,

s e ns u al en j oym en t an d the r e ason th a t con demns i t But th i s .

s t ruggle only p ro ve s th a t the so ul h as d i ffe re n t te n de nc i e s i n vi r tue ,

of o u r na tur e be i n g p artly ma ter i a l an d p ar tly s p i r i tu al T he r el a .

t i ons be twee n the b o dy an d the so ul of man ar e as fo ll o ws : the b o dy

i s the dwell in g pl ac e of the so ul As the nut shell t o the kern el as
-
.
,

the d r e ss t o the man as the hut t o the he rmi t s u ch i s the b o dy t o the

, ,

so ul T he b o d y i s al so t h e i ns t r um e n t of the so ul whe r eby i t may

.
,

att a i n t o ete rnal h app i n es s Wh a t h i s t ool s ar e t o the c arpen ter h i s

.
,

b r u sh t o the p a i nte r the org an t o the org an i s t s u c h the b o d y i s t o the

, ,

so ul T he so ul i s the gu i de of the b o dy as the dr i ver of h i s s t eed

.
, ,

or the capt a i n of h i s sh ip Too ofte n the so ul all o w s the evi l de s i r e s

.

of the b o dy t o le a d i t as t ray t o the r ui n of b o th T he b o dy i s a g oo d

, .

s e rv an t but a b a d mas te r T he so ul al so i s the l i fe of the b o dy ; as

.

soon as the tw o ar e p ar ted the b o dy soon r eturns t o the du s t from

,

wh i c h i t w as form ed T he so ul s of m e n ar e e ss e nt i a lly d iffe r ent from

.

th os e of the l o we r an i mal s ; an d h ave d i ffe r en t fac ult i e s an d c a p a b i l i

t i e s T he so ul s of an i mal s ar e i ncap able of s tr iv i ng af te r pe rf e ct i on
.
,

or of s e arch i n g i nt o the cau s e s of th i ng s ; henc e they can h ave no

k no wledge of the i r e n d ; the y ar e led by i ns t i nc t no t by r e ason T hey , .

h ave no crav i ng afte r a h i gher h app i n e ss an d ar e qu i te sa t i sed w i th

the en j o ymen t of s e ns e ; they h ave no s p i r i tu al na tur e but ar e e ss en ,

t i a ll y depe n de n t on ma t ter .
 Th e Ap os tles Creed

. 1 53

It is a n e rro r to th in k th at th e b odies of men a e d ev el op ed r

out of th os e of th e l o w er an ima l s .

M any th i nk th a t m e n s p u ng from the l o we r an i ma l s b y a p ro

a re r
c ss of g ra du al devel o p m en t T h i s i s the the ory a dv nc ed b y the E

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

devel o ped k in d of monkey T he r e i s an e ss e n t i al d iffer e nc e betwee n

.

the s h a pe of t h e b o d y of a man an d an ape an d betwee n the form of ,

th e i r skull s T he b r a i n of man i s far l arge r and he a vi e r th a n th a t of an

.

ape M an h as the g i ft of spee ch the a p e h as no t M an h as the p o we r

.
, .

of form i ng a b s trac t i de as the a pe h as no t M an h as a l on g pe r i o d of

,
.

gro wth an d a gra du a l devel op m en t of h i s fac ul t i e s ; the ape sh oo t s

,

up ve ry qui ckly t o i t s ful l devel o pm en t T he ape o nl y l i ve s ab o ut .

th i rty ye ars ; man can a tt a i n t o t h e age of e ight y or eve n one hu n

d red ye ars M an i s cap a ble of the h i ghe s t c ult iv a t i on ; the ape i s no t
. .

No b one s h a ve eve r yet been fo un d whi ch b r i dge o ve r the i mp assable

gulf th a t s ep ara te s me n from ape s T her e i s no d iffe r enc e between .

t h e b one s of m e n i n the p r e s en t d a y an d th os e of m e n wh o l i ved

th o u san ds of ye ars ag o Tra d i t i on an d l an gu age be ar w i t n ess t o an
.

e arly pe r i o d when me n enj o yed a h ighe r c ult iv a t i on from wh i ch ,

they afte rw ar d s fell a w a y th ro ugh s i n an d v i c e T he ape s wh i c h .

be a r the gre ate s t r e s embl anc e t o man i n b o d ily form ar e s tup i d an d

wi th o ut i ntell i ge nc e an d s ee m t o h ave been cr e a ted i n or de r th a t we
,

may s ee wh a t man w o uld h ave bee n i f Go d h a d no t b r e athed i n t o

hi m an i mmor ta l so ul an d ma de h i m l i ke t o H i ms elf
,
To th os e wh o .

t rac e the or i g i n of m e n from apes ma y be appl i ed the w or d s of

H oly Scr iptur e M an whe n he w as i n h onor d i d no t u n de rs t an d ;
,

he h a th bee n comp ar ed t o s ens eless be as t s an d ma de l ike t o the m ,

( 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 .

Ev e w as ma de from a r i b of A d am wh i le he slept an d from A d am ,

an d Ev e all the m ill i ons wh o no w co ve r the fac e of the e art h we r e de

sc e n ded Henc e all ar e m embe rs of one an d the sam e fam ily T he d i f
. .

feren c es of col or an d of the s h ape of the s kull ar e the r e s ult of d i ffe r

en c es of c l i ma te foo d an d w a y of l i v i n g
, We n d th a t an i mal s g ra d
, .

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 .

h ave c e rt a i n common b o d ily ch arac te r i st i cs an d al so the m e nt al fa cul ,

t i es of w ill m emory an d un ders t an d i n g T he o lde s t lege n d s of a ll

, , .

exi s t i ng pe ople s tell of a p r im ev al h app i n e ss from wh i ch man f ell of ,

a deluge o ve r all the i n h ab i ted p or t i on of the e arth et c an d so be ar ,

.
,

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 .

It i s no t man but Go d Wh o comm un i ca te s t o e ach of u s h i s so ul

, ,

whe n he come s i n t o exi s te nc e T he L or d formeth the s p i ri t of man

.

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
. .

t h e Sacram en t of Penanc e de sc en d s i n t o the so ul of man an d g i ve s ,

i t Sp i r i tu al l i fe so Go d g i ve s na tural l i fe t o the b od y of man when

,

formed an d pl ac es the so ul i n i t S o He d i d w i th the b o d i e s of A d am

, .
1 54 F a i th

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
.

mom en t pl ac e s i t i n the b o dy wh i c h He h as p r ep ared for i t It i s .

ther e for e an error t o s upp os e a s T e r tulli an d i d th a t the so ul of the , ,

ch i ld i s s p run g from the so ul of i t s p are nt as on e am e i s e nge n de r ed ,

from ano the r Som e h a ve f oo l i shly ass erted tha t all m e n h a ve on e

.

an d the s a m e so ul o the rs th a t Go d cr e a ted t h e so ul s of all m en whe n

,

He rs t cr e ated the w orld T h i s w as the d oc tr i n e of Pl a t o an d .

O r igen an d i s en t i r ely fal s e

, .

1 0 . THE SO UL OF M AN .

1 . Th e soul of ma n i s ma d e i n t h e i mage of God , s ince i t i s a

s p i r i t l ik e t o God .

Be for e the cr e a t i on of man Go d s a i d L et u s make man t o o u r ,

o wn i mage an d l i ke n e ss an d let h i m ha ve d om i n i on o ve r the be as t s an d

the wh ole e ar th ( G e n i M an i s ma de i n the i ma ge of G o d ;
.

h i s l iken es s t o Go d i s t o be fo u n d i n h i s so ul wh i ch p osse ss e s r e ason ,

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
,

and g oo d an d of l ov i ng i t He mor e o ve r th ro ugh thes e tw o fac ult i e s

,
.
, ,

h as d om i n i on o ve r t h e v i s i ble w orld as Go d h as d om i n i on o ve r the ,

wh o le u n i ve rs e I n the w or d s sp o ken be fore t h e cr e at i on of man

.
,

Go d j o i n ed t o gethe r the l i ken e ss of H i m s el f an d d om i n i on o ve r the

e ar th M an a tt a i n s t o a pe rfe c t l i ken es s t o Go d only whe n he i s

i n the grac e of Go d for i n th i s cas e he i s ma de a p ar t ake r of the d i

,

vi n e natu r e ( 2 Pet i T he j u s t man i s t r uly the l or d of the wh ole

. .

e arth an d of all cr e a tur e s up on i t whe r e as the s i nn e r i s the s l ave ,

of cre a tur es M an thro ugh h i s l i ke n e ss t o Go d h as no t only t h e

.
, ,

p o wer of kno w i ng the tr ue an d t h e be a ut i f ul an d the g oo d but h e h as ,

al so the p o we r of kno w i ng l o v i ng an d enj o y i ng Go d i n H i s d iv i n e

, ,

maj e s ty J u s t as a gl o be h as a f eeble r e s em bl anc e t o the e art h so the

.
,

so ul of man h as a f eeble r e s embl anc e t o Go d T he so ul i s al so an .

i ma ge of the Ble ss ed Tr i n i ty i n v i rtue of i t s thr ee p o we rs memory , , ,

u n de rs t an d i n g an d w i ll I n i t s m e mor y i t r es emble s the Fathe r i n

, .
,

i t s u n ders t an d i ng the S on an d i n i t s w ill the H oly Gh os t As the s e

, .

thr ee p owe rs ar e un i ted i n on e so ul s o the th r ee persons of the ,

Ble ss ed Tr i n i ty ar e u n i ted i n on e an d the s am e natur e No t i c e the .

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 ,

the plur al i ty of pe rsons i n the Ble ss ed Tr i n i ty It i s i t s l i ke ne ss to .

the Ble ss ed Tr i n i t y th a t g i ve s t o eve ry s i n gle so ul i t s p r i c ele ss v alue ;

i t i s th i s wh i ch expl a i ns the Incarnat i on T he so ul of man i s w orth .

mor e th an all the s t ars of he a ve n T he b o dy of man i s no t ma de .

i n the i mage of Go d for Go d i s a pur e s p i r i t but yet the l ike

, ,

n e ss t o Go d s t amp s i t s el f i n som e w a y on the b o dy as be i ng the i n ,

s trum en t of the so ul b o th i n i t s up r i ght be ar i ng an d i n the d o mi n i on

, ,

i t exer t s o ve r the i rrat i onal an i m a l s ( C f P s v iii 5 Wh at . . .
,

i s man th a t T h o u art m i n dful of h i m ? T h o u h as t crown ed h im

w i th gl ory an d h onor an d h as t g i ve n h i m d om i n i on o ve r the w ork s of
,

T hy h an d s .

2 . Th e s oul of ma n i s i mmort a l i , . e ., i t ca n n e ve r c e as e to exi st .

T he so ul can n eve r c e as e t o ex i s t but i t be com e s s p i r i tu ally de a d ,

whe n i t l os e s the grace of Go d b y mort al s i n It canno t l os e con .

1 56 F a i th .

r ep os e an d i nac t i v i ty S t Augus t i ne tell s a s t ory of Gen n a d i u s a

. .
,

phy s i c i an of C arth age wh o w o ul d no t bel i eve i n the imm or t al i ty of

,

t h e so ul O ne n ight he h a d a dr e am i n wh i c h he s a w s t an d ing befor e

.
,

h i m a be a ut i ful y o un g man cl o thed i n whi t e wh o sa i d t o h i m : D os t , ,

tho u s ee m e 2 He ans wer ed Ye s I s ee y o u T he y o ung man , , .

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 ,

th o u s ee s t he ar e s t an d spe ake s t T he h o ur w i ll com e whe n th o u w ilt

, , .

s leep i n de a th an d yet th o u w i lt s ee an d he ar an d spe ak an d f ee

,

Gen n a d i u s w o ke an d kn ew th a t Go d h a d s e n t an ang el t o te ach hi m

,

th e i mmor t al i ty of the so ul No p ar ti cle of matte r i s ever l os t . .

M a tte r t akes d i ffer e n t forms but t h e sam e amo u nt of ma tte r r e ma i ns ,

th ro ugh o ut I f ma tte r n eve r pe r i she s i s i t p oss i ble th a t the so ul

.
, ,

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 ,

All n a ti o n s of th e ea rth b el i eve i n th e immo ta l ity of th e sou l r .

Whe n Jaco b he a r d of th e de a th of h i s s on Jos eph he e xp re ss ed ,

a w i s h t o g o an d j o i n h i m i n the n ethe r w orld ( G e n xx xv ii . .

T he J ew s we r e forb i dd en t o call up the de a d or h o ld i n te rco urs e w ith

the m ( D eut xv iii T he Gr eek s an d Romans bel i eved i n T ar
. .

t ar u s an d Elys i um T he Egypt i ans bel i eved th a t t h e so ul w an de r ed

.

ab o ut for th r ee th o u san d ye ars be for e n d i ng r es t I n o ther na t i ons .

the offer i ng s for the de a d an d the c ultu s of the dep ar ted sp i r i t s or ,

M an e s te s t i fy t o the sam e bel i e f T he r e ar e only a f ew an d th os e

, .
,

m e n wh o ar e i n mort al s i n wh o de cl ar e th at they th i nk th a t de ath i s ,

the e n d of o u r ex i s te nc e M os t of th os e wh o put a n en d t o the i r l i ve s

.

d o s o no t w i th the i de a th a t afte r de a th th ey w i ll c e as e t o be but b e

, ,

ca u s e they i mag i n e l i f e i s i nt o le ra ble no t r e al i z i ng t h e cons eque nc es

of the i r ac t .

1 1 . THE SUP ER NAT UR AL END O WM ENTS OF M AN .

O ur rst p ar e nt s be fore F all h a d a h app i ne ss almos t equ al t o th e

th a t of the angel s whe n rs t cr e ated He nc e the P salm i s t say s of .

man T h o u h as t ma de h i m a l i ttle l o we r th an the angel s ; T h o u h as t

,

cro wn ed h i m w i th gl or y an d h onor ( P s viii He a the n na t i ons . .

h ave lege n d s of the h app i n e ss of the rs t man ; they te rmed i t the

g olden a ge He s i o d say s th a t m e n l i ved the n l ik e g o d s i n pe rf e c t
. ,

h app i n e ss .

rst p are nts w ere cr e ate d i n th grace t h ere

.

1 . Our e of God , a n d

for e p oss e ss e d s i ngul ar p e rfe c t i o n s f soul d o an b o dy .

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 .

h o l i n e ss he d i d no t h ave of h i ms el f but Go d g ave i t t o h i m ; j u s t a s ,

t e eye d o e s no t p oss e ss l i ght from w i th i n but a b sor b s i t from w i th

th ,
 Th e Ap os tles

Oreea 1 57

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 . .
,

s ight i nt o the i nn er na tur e of th i ng s s o th a t he w as able t o g ive a p ,

p rop ri a t e nam e s t o all the an i mal s He al so kn ew by i nsp i ra t i on .

the i nd i sso lub il i ty of marr i age T he w ill of man w as we ake n ed by .

no s ens u a l de s i re s A d am an d Ev e we r e naked but f elt no sh ame

.
, ,

be ca u s e i n the m the r e w as no r ebell i on of the e s h ag a i ns t the s p i r i t ,

no s truggle n e c essary t o av o i d s i n T hey a l so h a d the Ho ly S p i r i t .

dwell i n g w i th i n them an d H i s sanc t i fyi ng grac e ; they we r e l ike t o

,

Go d full of l o ve for Hi m an d ch ild r e n of Go d ; an d be ca u s e ch ildre 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 .

Go d cre a ted man i mmor t al ( W i s d ii D e a th o nl y cam e i n as . .

the pun i sh me n t of d i so bed i enc e ( G e n ii 1 7 T he d ea th th r e a te n ed . .

w as b o d ily as well as sp i r i tu al de a th for the pun i sh m ent of the i r s i n ,

was D u s t t h o u art an d un to du s t t h o u sh al t r e turn ( G en iii

, . .

M an h a d i n deed t o w ork i n p ara d i s e b u t th i s w ork w as p ar t of h i s ,

h app i n es s a n d ca u s ed h i m no fa t i gue He h a d no s i ckn e ss for s i ck

, .
,

n e ss i s the for e run n er of de a th P ara d i s e w a s a l o vely g ar den f ull .

,

of no ble t ree s an d l o vely owe rs an d the fa i r e s t fr u i t s ; m any be a uti ,

~

ful an i ma l s we r e the r e wh o we r e pe rf ec tly o bed i e n t t o h i s behe s ts

, .

T he r e w as a l so a r i ve r i n p ara d i s e d i vi ded i n t o fo u r b r a nche s I n the .

m i d st of the g ar de n w as the t r ee of the knowledge of g oo d an d ev il ,

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
,

a g a i ns t d i s e ase an d de a th P ara d i s e i s sa i d t o h ave bee n s i tu a ted

.

betwee n the T i gr i s an d the Euph ra tes M an h a d al so a complete .

d om i n i on ove r all the w ild be as t s Not th a t the i r natur e w a s the n d i f .

feren t from no w but the g rac e an d d i gn i ty of man r e n de red them

,

s ubm i ss i ve t o h i s w i ll an d ma de them fe ar an d o bey h i m ( Ecclus

,
.

xvii . S om eth i ng of th i s p o we r s t ill r e ma i ns t o man ; i t i s sa i d

th a t no w ild be as t can l oo k a man s te a d ily i n the fac e We s ee the .

same th i n g i n the na tural or de r no w i n the w ild be as t t am ers ; an d ,

i n the s uperna tural i n the p o we r th a t many of the sa i nts p oss e ss ed

o ve r the w i ld be as t s e g S t Franc i s of As s i s i an d many of the
, . .
, .
,

martyrs be for e wh os e feet the e rc e s t of the an i mal s i n the Roman

amph i the at r e l a y d o wn i n p ros trate h omage T h i s w as due t o the i r .

gr e at pur i ty an d fr eed om from s i n .

2 . s p eci al p e rfe c ti on s of our rst p ar ents w e c a ll s up e r

Th es e
natura l gi fts b ecaus e th ey a re somethi ng al t oge th er b ey ond a nd
, ,

were adde d t o h uman nature , .

1 58 F a i th .

T hus a r i c h ma n o ut of comp as s i on p ro vi des a p oo r orph an wi th

foo d c l o th i n g l o dg ing i ns truc t i on i n a t ra de
, , T hes e w o ul d cor
, .

r e sp on d t o the na tural g i f ts g ive n by Go d t o man But the r i c h ma n .

i n h i s b o un ty g o e s f ur the r ; he a d o pts the orph an cl o the s h i m as i f ,

he wer e h i s o w n son g ives h i m a room i n h i s o w n h o u s e an d the edu

, ,

ca t i on of a ge ntle man T he s e wo uld corr es p on d i n so m e w ay t o the

.

s upe rna tural g i f t s g i ve n b y Go d t o man T he rs t of natural gi f t s .

be s t o w up on the orph an a sor t of l ike n e ss t o the g i ver but the s e con d ,

i mp ar t t o h im a far cl os e r l iken ess S o the s upe rna tu ra l g i ft s of Go d .

t o man i m p ar t t o h i m a far cl os e r l i ke n e ss t o Go d th an the na tu ral .

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 .

b r us h an d co l or s the d raw i n g i f he p a i nt s the eye s blue t h e cheek s

, ,

r ed the h a i r b ro wn et c the l i ken e ss be com e s mor e be a ut i ful an d

, , .
,

corr e sp on d s mor e cl os ely t o the or ig i nal S o i t i s w i th the na tural .

an d the s upe rna tural g i f t s of Go d When Go d at man s cr e at i on sa i d

.
,

L et u s make ma n i n o ur i ma ge an d l i ke ne ss the i mage r e f ers

,

t o the n a tu ral the l i ke n e ss t o the s up erna tural g i ft s of Go d

, .

1 2 . O R IGINAL SIN .

T he s t or y of the Fall of man i s a t r ue s t ory no t a m e r e fable , .

T h i s i s the ge n e ral o p i n i on of the o l o g i ans .

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 .

T he fr u i t of the t r ee of g oo d an d ev i l w as no t b a d i n i ts elf for ,

Go d d i d no t pl ac e an yth i n g t h a t w as ev il i n p ara d i s e ; i t w as only b a d

an d i n j ur i o u s t o man be cau s e i t w as for b i dde 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
,

ac t i on de s er v i ng of i t Go d i n H i s g oo d ne ss de creed th a t man s h ould

,

e arn i t as a r ew ar d of o bed i enc e If man h a d no t t rans gr e ss ed the .

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
,

de ath from t h e e ar thly i n t o the c ele s t i al p ara d i s e T he p os te r i ty of .

A d am w o uld h ave com e i n t o ex i s tenc e l ike h i m i n a s t a te of or i g i nal , ,

j u s t i c e T he y w o uld h ave d i ed as A d am d i ed i f they h a d s i nn ed l i ke

.

h i m but the s i n w o ul d no t h ave p ass ed on t o the i r ch i ld re n for A d am

, ,

al on e w as the a pp o i n ted he a d an d r ep r e s e n t a t i ve of t h e hu man rac e .

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 .

T he dev i l w as env i o u s of the h app i n ess of o ur rs t p ar en t s . By

the e n vy of the dev i l de a th cam e i n t o the w orld
( W i s d ii . .

T he dev i l w as a m urde r e r from the b eg i nn i n g ( Joh n v iii . He

1 60 F a i th .

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
, ,
-

h as no t l os t the fr eed om of h i s w i ll by or i g i nal s i n el s e he w o uld n ot ,

h ave th a t consc i o usn e ss of be i ng a ble t o e xe rc i s e c h o i c e or t h a t f eel ,

i ng of r e mors e whe n he h a d y i elded O ur r s t p ar e nt s al so l os t sanc

.
!

t i fy i n g g rac e the ju s t i ce an d h o l i n e ss i n wh i c h the y we r e cr e a ted

, ,

an d the fr i e n d s h ip of God wh i ch accomp an i ed i t He wh o d i e s s t i ll .

bu r den ed w i th ori gi nal s i n canno t s ee the fac e of Go d i n he ave n ,

but he d o es no t s uffe r the p a i ns of hell un le ss he h as comm i tted

gr i ev o u s s i n h i ms elf C h i ldr e n wh o d i e u n b a pt i zed ar e e xclud ed
.

from he aven but i t d o e s no t f ol l o w th at the i r ex i s te nce i s on e of p a i n

,

or m i s e ry .

O ri gin aldi d i n j ury to th e b ody of ma n i n th e follow i n g

s in

ways : He b ec a me sub j ec t to s i ckn ess a n d d eath ; h e wa s s h ut out

fr o m p ar a di s e a n d h a d to l a b or a n d to suffer W oman b e c ame .

sub j ec t to man ; th e for c es of n a tur e a n d th e l ow er a n imal s h a d

p o w e r to i n j u r e m a n ; l a stl y th e d e v i l h a d p ermi ss i o n f r o m God
to t emp t h im to s i n a n d to in j ur e h im in h is t emp o ral p osses
,

8 1 01 1 8 .

M an w a s con demn ed t o d i e i n co ns equenc e of or i g i nal s i n Go d .

sa i d t o A d am I n the s we a t of thy b ro w th o u sh alt ea t b rea d un t il ,

th o u r eturn t o the e arth from wh i ch th o u w as t t ake n ; for du st th o u

art an d t o du s t th o u s h alt r etu rn ( Gen iii O f the s e w or d s the
'

. .

C hu rch r e m i n d s u s on As h Wedn e s d a y whe n the p ri e s t pl ace s t h e ,

ashe s on the he a d s of the fa i th ful D e a th i s the w ors t c ons eque nc e of

.

or i g i nal s i n But the de a th of the b o dy i s but t h e s ens i ble i m a ge

.

of the te rr i ble an d ete rn al de ath of the s oul from wh i ch man can ,

on ly be del i ve r ed th ro ugh the r edempt i on of C hr i s t an d by pe nanc e .

T he exclu s i on from the e ar thl y p ara d i s e al so h a d i ts m e an i ng an d ,

w as m e an t t o r e m i n d man h o w s i n exclude s h i m from the c ele s t i al

p ara d i s e of he a ven M an h a d al so t o l a b or h ar d Go d sa i d t o A d am :
. .

C urs ed i s the e ar th i n thy w ork W i th l ab or an d t o i l th o u sh alt

.

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 .

ca u s e of th i s c urs e the C hurc h make s u s e of v ar i o u s ble ss i ng s on

ma ter i al th in g s W oman h a d t o be s ubje c t t o he r hu sb an d be ca u s e
.
,

she h a d led h i m i nt o d i so bed i enc e a n d h a d t o be ar ch i ld r en i n sorrow

,

be ca us e she h a d i nv o lved the m i n sorro w th ro ugh h er d i so b ed i enc e .

T he l o we r an i mal s al so r e c e i ved p o we r t o i nj ur e man He h a d r evo lted .

a g a i ns t Go d h i s M as te r ; s o i t w as only ju s t th at they sh o uld r ebel

,

ag a i ns t h i m T he dev i l h as al so a gr e a t i nue nc e o ve r man i n a c

.
,

c ord a n c e w i th the say i n g of H oly S cr i ptu r e :

By wh om a man i s
o ve rcom e of the s am e a l so he i s ma de the sl ave ( 2 Pet ii
,
He . .

can te mpt the m mor e e as ily and le a d them t o mort al s i n ; he can

al so i n jur e them i n the i r w orldl y g oo d s ( C f Jo b ) He i s the p r i nc e . .

of th i s w orld a n d h as th e emp i re of de a th ( Heb ii

,
A he avy . .

y o ke l i e s up on t h e s h o ulde rs of the ch i ld r e n of A d am from the d ay of

the i r b i rth t o t h e d a y of the i r de a th ( Ecclu s xl T he pun i sh . .

m en t s th a t Go d s en t up on man we r e a v alu a ble m ed i c i n e t o co un te r

ac t the e ects of s i n S i ck n ess de a th the n e c e ss i t y of l ab or a n d

.
, , ,

the subje ct i on of m e n on e t o ano the r we r e i n te nded t o che ck p ri de

an d s e ns u al i ty M an w as d r i ve n o ut of p ara d i s e le s t he s h o ul d
.
 7 7 wAp os tles

Creed . 1 61

ea t of the tr ee of l if e an d s o l i ve for eve r i n th i s val ley of te ars

,
.

Hi s b an i s hment w as al so an effe c t ive m e ans of le a d i ng h i m t o

p e n a nc e .

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 .

Not mer ely the cons eque nc e s of s i n but the s i n i t s elf h a s i n s om e , ,

s e ns e p ass ed on from A d am t o h i s desc e nd an ts so th a t i t i s t r ue of ,

a ll of the m th a t they h ave s i nn ed i n A d am I f i t we r e no t s o Go d .

,

co uld no t wi th jus t i c e h ave v i s ited th at s i n up on them We ar e all .

by natur e c h ildr e n of w ra th ( Ep h ii But we p ar t ake i n the s i n

. .

of A d am as the membe rs of the b o dy p a rt ake i n the s i n wh i ch the

,

so ul comm i t s th ro ugh the i r a ge ncy by putt i ng them i n mo t i on t o ,

perform the s inful ac t S upp os e a k i ng be s t o w s an e s t ate up on on e

.

o f h i s s e rv ant s on the con d i t i on th a t the s erv an t r e ma i n fa i thful

,

.
,

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 ,

but al so h i s wh ole p os te r i ty So i t i s w i th or i g i nal s i n We m u s t

. .

al so r em e mbe r th at or i gi nal s i n an d a ll i t s cons eque nc es are no t a ny

th in g p os i t ive but ar e the ab s enc e of th a t wh i c h w o ul d o the rw i s e:
,

be p r e s e nt It i s the a b s enc e of the s upe rna tural g rac e of Go d ; of

.

or ig i na l ju s t i c e wi th all the p r i v ilege s an d perfe c t i ons th at i t carr i e s

,

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
.
,

no t me an th a t we h ave im i t a ted A d am s s i n by som e p os i t i ve ac t of

o ur o wn All c h i ldr e n h ave s i nn ed i n A d am eve n th o ugh ab so lutely

.
,

fr ee from any pers onal ac t of s i n .

Th e s i n t h at we inh erit fro m A d a m i s c all e d o riginal si n .

We ar e alr e a dy t a i nted wi th s i n be for e we d ra w o ur rs t b r e a th ,

or s ee the l ight of d ay We ar e conc e i ved i n s i n ( P S 1

. Eve n th e . .

c hi ldr e n of C hr i s t i ans ar e b orn i n s i n Not onl y the s eed of the .

wi ld oli ve but al so of the cult i v a ted o l i ve com e s up a s a wi ld pl ant

, .

S o i s i t w i th the c hildre n of C hri s t i an a s well as of he athe n

p arent s .

O nl y Jesus C h rist a nd His h oly M oth er w e r e fr ee from o ri gi

nal s in .

All mank i n d s a ve C hri s t an d o ur ble ss ed L a dy we re conc ei ved i n

s in . S t John the B apt i s t ( Luk e i 1 5 ) an d p ro b abl y the p ro phet
. .

J eremi a s ( J e r i we r e b orn w i th o ut s i n h a vi ng bee n cle an s e d from

. .
,

s i n i n the i r mo thers w omb but the y we r e no t conc e i ved w i th o ut s i n

, .

Som e beli eve th a t S t Jos eph w a s al so b orn fr ee from s i n A ll o the r

. .

me n we r e cle ans ed from s i n i n b apt i sm T he hi st ory of man i s u n .

i n te ll i gi ble t o th os e wh o d o no t be l i eve i n t h e d oct r in e of ori g i nal

s i n O h h o w g r e a t i s the m i s e ry th a t or i gi nal s i n h as b ro ught i nt o
.
,

the w orld 1 Yet h o w f ew the r e ar e wh o ar e consc i o u s of the i r

m i s e ry Me n a re l ike ch i ld re n b orn i n sl a ve ry wh o l augh an d pl ay , , ,

an d en j o y thems elve s as i f they we r e free It i s only the sa i nt s wh o

ar
.
, ,

k ow the empti n e s s of the j oys of e th wh o l amen t o ve r the mi sery .

0p s i n.
1 62 Fa i th .

SEC ON D TO SEVENTH ARTI CL E OF THE CREE D:

JESU S CHRIST .

1 . THE REDEM P TION .

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 .

M an afte r the Fa ll w as u na ble t o reg a i n for h i ms elf h i s form e r

h o l i ne ss an d ju s t i c e an d all the g oo d s th a t we r e b oun d up w i th the s e
, .

A man wh os e b o dy i s de a d canno t ra i s e h i ms elf a g a i n t o b o d i ly l i f e ;

s o on e wh o i s s p i r i tu ally de a d cann o t ra i s e h i ms el f a g a i n t o s p i ri tu a l

l i f e M an af te r the Fall be cam e l ike a s i c k man wh o canno t mo ve

.

h an d or foo t or ar i s e from the bed on wh i ch he i s lyi ng Wh at the

, .

Goo d S amar i t an w a s t o the man wh o h a d falle n among th i eve s ,

O ur L or d i s t o the man wh o h as bee n w o un ded by the craft of the

dev i l an d ro bbed of h i s s p i ri tu al an d s upe rna tu ra l g i ft s J e su s .

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 ,

s aved u s from hell a n d b ro ught u s b ack a t the cos t of Hi s own

p r e c i o u s bl oo d .

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
,
.

s el f un de r v ar i o u s t i tle s He call s H i ms el f th e Li ght of the w orld

.

( Jo h n x ii . be ca u s e H e e n l i ghte n s the d arkn e ss of o u r un de r

s t an d i n g by H i s d oc tr i n e As a l ight make s d i s t an t o bj e c t s cle ar
.

an d v i s i ble s o C h r i s t make s cle ar t o u s the mos t d i s t ant o bj e c ts

, ,

Go d a n d Hi s perfec t i ons the w orld t o c om e he ave n an d hell t i m e

, , ,

an d etern i ty Be for e P i l ate He call s H i ms el f th e K i n g Wh os e k i n g

.

d om i s no t of th i s w orld ( Jo h n x viii He al so call s H i ms el f the

.

Goo d S hephe r d Wh o g i ve s Hi s l i fe for H i s sheep ( Jo h n x

,
He .

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
,
.
,

s teep an d s urro un ded w i th p r e c i p i c e s an d we i n o u r i gnoranc e ar e i n

, ,

cons t an t d an ge r of w an de r i n g from t h e w a y C hr i s t un de rt ake s t o .

be ou r G u i de He says . I am the w ay the t ruth an d the l i fe
, , ,

( John x i v an d He p rom i s e s th a t i f we t ake H i m for o ur G u i de

. ,

a n d fo l l o w i n H i s sacr ed foo t s tep s we s h all n eve r g o w ron g , S t P aul . .

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. . ,

l ike o the r p r i e s t s rs t t o o ffe r s a cr i c e s for h i s o wn s i ns an d then

, ,

for the pe o ple B y Hi s o bed i e nc e He a t on ed for A d am s d i s

.

o b e d i enc e ( Rom v for He w as o bed i e n t t o de a th eve n t o the

. .
,
1 64 F a i th .

w or d s of al m i ghty Go d ar e a p rom i s e th at the p o wer of th e devi l

s h o uld be de s tro yed an d th a t the wh o le rac e of m e n wh o thro ugh
, ,

or i g i nal s i n h a d falle n u n de r the p o we r of the d evi l i n th a t he h a d ,

g r ea t i n ue nc e o ver the m i n pe rs u a d i ng the m t o s i n s h o ul d be fr ee d ,

from the i r s ubj e c t i on t o h i m T he s e w or d s ar e called the P rotev a n

.

g el i u m or r s t Go s pel i nasm u c h as they ar e the rs t p rom i s e of a

,

R edee m e r t o com e Y et He wa s no t t o com e a t onc e M an h a d t o

. .

le arn by e xpe r i e nc e an d by s uffe r i ng the ev i l of s i n an d by s ee i ng ,

the effe c t s of Go d s an ge r a g a i nst i t e g i n t h e F l oo d the de s tr u c t i on

,
. .
, ,

of the c i t i e s of t h e pl a i n i n the de s t ru c t i on of the To we r of B a bel

, ,

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 .

Ab ra h am l i ved i n U r i n C h alde a an d l ate r i n H aran i n Mes o p o ,

t am i a He p res e rved am i d the i d o l a t ry aro un d h i m the w ors h ip of

.

the t r ue Go d Go d comman ded h i m t o le ave h i s fa the r s h o u s e

.

,

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 .

r ew ar d for h i s p rompt o bed i enc e Go d p rom i s ed hi m th a t i n h i m a ll

the fam il i e s of th e e arth s h o uld b e ble ss ed ( G e n xii 2 He . .
,

d i r e cted h i s s tep s t o w ar d s the f e rt i le l an d of P ales t i n e an d p rom i s ed ,

h im a n um e ro u s p os te r i ty A b rah am i s called the father of th e fa i th

.

ful ( Rom i v . Go d r epe a ted the sam e p rom i s e whe n the thr ee
.

angel s vi s i ted Ab rah am ( G e n xvi ii an d a g a i n whe n A b rah am

. . ,

i n ob e en ce t o Go d s comman d offere d up h i s only s on I saac ( Ge n

dg
.
,

xx ii 1 .

Th e s me p a romis e th a t God h a d ma d e to Ab rah am He re

p e a t e d to I s a c a an d to Ja c ob , a n d on e t h ous an d y e ars later to
Ki n g vi d Da .

Go d a ppe ar ed t o I saac whe n he w a s a b o ut t o y i n t o Egy pt on

acco un t of the fam i n e i n P ales t i n e ( G e n xxvi 2 an d t o Jaco b . .

when he w as yi n g from h i s bro the r Esa u an d s a w the l a dde r re ach ,

i ng t o he ave n ( G en xxv iii an d r ep eat ed t o e ach the sam e p rom

. .

i s e To K i ng D avi d the p rophet Nath an anno unced by Go d s com

.

,

man d th a t He w o ul d ra i s e up t o h i m a s on whos e th ron e s h o ul d be

,

e s t a bl i shed for eve r ( 2 K i n g s v ii T he m e n wh o bel onged t o .

the fam i ly from wh i ch C hr i s t w as t o b e b orn we r e te rm ed p a t r i arch s .

All the p at r i arch s r e ached a g oo d old a ge Go d h a d or d a i n ed th i s i n .

or de r th a t they mi ght h an d d own the kno wledge of H i m t o the i r p os

t eri ty .

3 a lat er time G d s e nt th e proph ets a nd th rough th e ir

. At o ,

mouth for e tol d many th i ng s ab out th c omin g th b i rt h th e , e , e

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 ,

sp oke t o the pe o ple of I sra el i n Go d s nam e an d w ith H i s a uth ori ty

.

T he i r ch i e f t as k w a s t o keep the pe o ple from s i n an d t o r ep ro ve the m ,

whe n they h a d s i nn ed an d al so t o p r ep ar e th e m i n d of me n for the

,

a dven t of the R edeem e r T hey we r e from d i eren t cl ass e s i n soc i ety ;

.
 The Ap os tles Creed

. 1 65

Isa i as w as of ro y al b l oo d Amo s wa s a herd sman El i s eu s w as

, ,

called from the pl o ugh t o the p ro pheti c a l oi ce Go d g a ve them the .

p o wer of w ork i ng m i racle s of for etelli ng H i s j udgm e nt s an d als o

, ,

of p ro phe sy i ng r e spe c t i ng the Me ss i as M os t of the m l ive d a l ife of .

pe nanc e ; they we r e held i n gr e a t ve n e rat i on by the pe o ple but wer e ,

pe rs e c uted an d i n many c a s e s s uffer ed a v i o le nt d ea th ( M a tt x x iii . .

T he r e wer e i n all ab o ut s eve nty p ro phet s M os e s w as on e of the .

gr e a te s t of the p ro phet s ( D eut xxx i v an d Is a i as w as gr e a te r

. .

s t i ll on acco un t of hi s cle ar p ro phes i es re spe c ti ng the Me ss i as T he

,
.

l as t of the p rophet s w as M al ach i as wh o p ro phes i ed a b o ut 4 50,

.

S i xtee n of the p ro phets le ft w r i t in g beh i n d them Fo u r of the s e a re .

ca lled the gr e a te r p rophet s ( I sa i as J eremi a s Ez ech i el Dani el ) ; , , ,

twelve the les s e r p rophet s on a cco un t of the s maller a mount of the i r

,

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 .

M i che as sa y s : T h o u Bethl ehem Eph ra t a art a l i ttle on e among

,

the th o u sand s of J ud a o ut of thee sh all come forth un t o m e He Wh o

i s t o be t h e Rul e r i n Isra el ; an d H i s g o i ng forth i s from the beg i nn i ng
un t o the d a ys of ete rn i ty ( M i ch v He nc e the th ree ki n gs we r e
. .

inform ed th a t C hr i s t w oul d be b orn i n Bethl ehe m ( M a tt ii . .

2 . Th e M e ss i a s was t c ome at a time wh e n th

o e Temp l e w a s
sti ll sta n din g .

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
,

weep T hey s a w from t h e ch a rac te r of the fo un d a t i ons th a t the n ew

.

T emple w o ul d no t be a s l arge nor as be aut iful a s the o ld on e T he

, .

p rophet Aggeus co mforted the m by tell i n g the m th at i n th i s n ew

T emple the D e s i r ed of al l nat i ons s h o uld com e an d ll i t w i th gl ory ,

( Agg ii 8 . But th i s s e con d T emple w as d es tro yed by T i tu s

.

s even ty ye ars a fter C hr i s t an d was n eve r r ebui lt

, .

3 . Th e M ess i a s w a s to c ome wh e n th e Jew s n o lo nge r we r e

an in d ep e n d e n t kingdom .

Jaco b i n ble ss in g h i s sons be for e h i s de a th sa i d t o J ud a : T he

, ,

sceptr e sh all no t be t ake n aw ay from J u d a t ill He c om e th a t i s t o ,

b e s en t an d t o Hi m s h all be the expe ct a t i on of t h e nat i ons
, ( Gen .

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
.
,

hi s s u cc e s s ors up t o the capt i vi ty i n B abyl on Z oro b abel wh o b ro ught .

,

the J ews b ack from capt i vi ty wa s of the sam e t r i be When the J ew s

, .

r eg a i n ed the i r l i be rty they we r e un de r the r ule of the M acca be es

, .

wh o a l so bel onged to Jud a It w as no t t ill the ye ar 3 9 . th a t the

Jew i sh monarch s we r e dep ri ved of the i r so ve r e i gn ty an d He rod the ,

Gr e a t a fore i gn e r an d a p a g an w as ra i s ed t o the th rone by the

, ,

a uth or i ty of the Romans In the t im e of He ro d a R edee m er w as

.

l ooked for all o ve r J ude a Hero d w as a larm ed a t the i n qu i ry of the

.

M a gi for the n ew b orn Ki ng ( M a tt i i 3 ) the J ewi sh p eople th o ught

-
. .
1 66 F a i th .

th a t S t Joh n the B apt i s t w a s the Me ss i as ( L uke i i i 1 5 ) the S amar i

. .

t an w oman t o wh om O u r L or d t alked a t Jaco b s well w a s l oo k i n g for

w ar d t o the a dve n t of the Me ss i as ( Jo h n i v T he c h i e f p r i es t .

conj ur ed J e s u s t o tell the m whethe r He w as the Me ss i as ( M a tt xxv i . .

As many a s s i x ty i mp os t ors a b o ut th i s t i m e g ave o ut th a t they

w er e the C h r i s t an d de c e i ved man y
, Eve n a mong the he a the n ther e.

w as a t the t i m e of C h r i s t an expe c t a t i on of a del i ve r e r wh o w o uld

, , ,

b an i s h cr i m e an d r e s t or e pe ac e t o the w orld ( Of V i r g Eel . .

, .

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 .

T h i s p r ed i ct i on w a s r eve aled t o h i m by the arc h angel Ga b ri el ,

a s he w a s on e d a y offe r i n g the eve n i n g o bl a t i on an d w a s p ra yi ng for ,

the del i ve ranc e of h i s pe ople o ut of ca pt i v i ty C yr u s i n the ye ar .

,

53 6 g a ve the J ew i s h pe o ple le ave t o r e turn t o P a le s t i n e an d t o r ebu ild

,

the i r c i ty I n the ye ar 4 5 3 the K i n g Art axe rxe s g ave h i s c up be ar er

.
-

Nehe m i as full p o we rs t o fort i fy J e ru sa le m ; th i s h a d no t bee n all o wed

by C yru s on acco u n t of wh i ch the J ew s h a d bee n exp os ed t o the con
,

st an t a tt ac k s of the i r e n em i e s Now i f we a dd t o 4 53 s i xty n i n e

.
-

week s of ye ars ( 483 y e ars ) we h a ve t he d a te of the comm e nc e m en t

of C hr i s t s publ i c m i n i s t ry or i f we a dd s i xty n i n e an d on e h al f

week s of ye ars ( 4 86 %ye ars ) we h ave the d a te of the cru c i xi on ( A D

-

. .

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
, ,

called Emmanuel [Go d w i th u s ] ( I s v ii

An d of the t r i be of . .

wh i ch the Me ss i as i s t o be b orn the p ro phet J eremi a s say s Beh old ,

the d ay s com e sa i th the L or d th at I w ill ra i s e up t o Dav i d a j us t

, ,

b ranch an d a k i n g s h all r e i gn an d sh all be w i s e an d sh all exe c ute

, ,

j udgm en t an d ju s t i c e on the e arth ( J e r xx i i i an d H i s nam e . .

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.

I sa i as say s of t h i s for e runn e r th a t he wa s t o be the v o i c e of

,

on e cry i n g i n the de s er t : P r ep ar e ye the w a y of the L ord make ,

s t ra i ght i n the des e r t a p ath for o u r Go d ( I s xl An d Go d sa y s . .

thro ugh the mo uth of M al ach i as Beh old I s en d My angel an d h e , ,

sh all p r ep ar e My w a y be for e My fac e An d p r e s ently the L or d . ,

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 . .

c ursor w as S t Joh n the B a pt i s t

. .

7 . M es s i a s a n ew sta r w a s to a pp e ar
W ith th e .

Th e p ro phet B al aam anno unc ed t o the K i n g of M oa b whe n the ,

I sra el i te s we r e a pp roach i ng : I sh all s ee H i m but no t no w ; I s h all ,

1 68 F a i th .

whi ch was ne e v r to b e d es tr oye d, an d w a s to e mb r a c e al l o th er:

ki n gd oms ( D a n i i . .

Thi s ki n gd om i s th e C a th oli c C hu r ch , or t h e C hur ch of th e wh ol e

w orld B efore Pil a te C hr i s t p rocl a i me d Hi ms elf a k in g, a n d s a id,
.

M y ki n gdom i s n ot of thi s w orld, i e , Hi s kin gd om wa s t o b e a

. .

s p i r itu a l on e ( John xviii .

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
,

to a p ott e r a s , a b uryi n g pl a ce for s t r a n g ers ( M a tt xxvii 5

-

. .

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 .

Jud as w en t ou t fr om t h e L a s t Supp e r t o b etr a y h i s M a s ter ( Joh n

x iii .

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 s 1 . . s c ou rged ( P s l x x i i c . . rown ed wi t h t h orn s

( C a n t .

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 ,

a n d s a id a mon g th ems elv es

He s a ved other s ; Hims elf He c a nn ot ,

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
. . .

Hi m a b low ( John xviii In t h e h ou s e of C a iph a s wh en He d 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 , ,

g a ve Hi m b l ow s ; Pil a te h a d Hi m s cou rg e d ( John x i x a n d h a n d ed .

Hi m ove r t o t h e s oldi er s w h o c r own ed Hi m with th orn s put up on Hi m , ,

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 .

g oth a th ey g a ve Hi m t o dr i n k wi n e mi xed with ga ll whi ch wh en , , He

h a d t a s t ed it He w ould n ot d r i n k ( M a tt xxvii
, . .

6 . F or Hi s g a r men t s l ot s w ere to b e ca s t (Ps . xx i .

Th e ldi er s divid ed Hi s g a r men t s i n t o fou r p a r ts a n d g a ve t o

so ,

e a ch s oldi er a p a r t Hi s c oa t they wou ld n ot divid e for it w a s with

.
,

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

.

O ur L or d w a s rea lly fa s ten ed b y n a il s t o t h e c r os s ; for He s howe d

to S t T h
. o m a s t h e w o u n d s i n H i s h a n d s a n d fee t, a n d t old hi m t o

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
.

con demn e d c r imi n a l s t o t h e c r o s s with r op es .

8 . He w as to di e b etw een tw o e vil -

d oers .

Th e p r ophet I s a i a s s a ys : Th ey s h a ll give t h e un g odly for Hi s

b u ri a l , a n d t h e r i ch for Hi s d ea th

( Is liii He di e d b e tw ee n . .

t w o highw a y r ob b e r s , wh o wer e c r u cied a t th e s a me time with Hi m

( Luk e xxiii .

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 .

7 a n d w as t o p r a y for His en emi es ( Is .

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 . .

2 Hi s b ody w a s n ot to un d ergo c orrup ti on ( P s x v

. . .

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 a ll of th e L a s t Supp er where th e a p os tles rec e ive d t h e H ol y

,

Ghos t w a s s itua te d on M oun t Si on

, .

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

c ei v ed i n t o His ki n gd om, a n d to a d ore Him ( P s x x i 2 8 , . .

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 . .

Th e c ity of Je ru s a lem w a s t o b e d es t roye d a s w ell a s t h e Templ e ;

th e Jewi s h s a cr i ces a n d t h e Jewi s h p r i es th oo d w er e t o c e a s e a n d t h e ,

Temple w a s n eve r t o b e reb uilt ( D a n i x 2 6 2 7 ; O s ee iii . .

, .

. 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 . .

8 . He wi ll on e day j u dg e a ll men ( P s . c ix . B efor e th e

D ay of Ju dgmen t El i a s will be a ga ni s en t on th e ea rt h ( M a l .

iv .

8 . Th e M es s i a s was a nn oun ed c t h r ough ma ny typ es .

Th e twilight un ces t h e a pp r o a ch of t h e s un ; s o th e lives of

a nn o
th e p a t ri a r ch s a n n oun ced a n d for es h a d ow e d t h e c omi n g of C hr i s t .

Al mos t a ll t h e cer emon i es of th e t a b ern a cl e for es h a d owe d t h e cer e

mon i es of th e religi on of C hr i s t ( C ol ii 1 6 1 7 Th e r el a ti on of th e
. .
,

wh ol e of t h e O l d Tes t a men t t o t h e New i s th a t of t h e s h a d ow t o t h e

1 70 Fa i th .

sub s t a n ce ( Heb x of t h e i ma g e t o t h e ob j ec t th a t it r ep res en ts

. . .

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 .

p er s on s a n d thin g s whi ch thu s r ep r e s en t i n th e O l d Tes ta men t th e

p e rs on s a n d thin gs of t h e New a re c a lled typ es , .

Th e typ es of the M es s i a s were as fol l ows : Ab el , Noe, M el

c
c h i s ed ec h , Is a a c , Ja ob , Jos ep h , M os es , D a vi d , Jon a s , th e a r h c
a n gel R a p h a el , th e p as h a l l amb , t h e of c
feri n g on th e D a y of
Aton emen t, th e b ra z en s erp en t, a n d th e ma n n a .

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
,

h i m Noe w a s t h e on ly j u s t ma n a mon g a l l th os e a r oun d h i m ; C hr i s t

.

a l on e w a s with o ut s i n Noe a mid h i s cour s e of p r ea chi n g b uilt t h e

.

a rk ; s o C h r i s t t h e C hu r c h Noe s a ve d th e huma n ra ce from temp or a l

.

de a th ; s o C hr i s t fr om et ern a l d ea th Noe s s a cr ice on h i s quitti n g

.

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

t h e w orld . M el chi s ede ch i e k i n g of j us ti c e wa s Ki n g of Sa l em i e

, . .
, , , . .
,

Kin g of p e a c e ; C h r i s t w a s b oth Kin g a n d P r i es t ; He offere d t o G od

re a d and wi n e Is a a c w a s t h e on ly b eg otten a n d well b el oved
.
- -

s on of h i s fa th er He hims elf c a rr ied t h e wood on whi ch h e w a s t o

.

b e s a cr iced a n d offered him s elf willi n gly ; h e w a s r es t or ed t o h i s

,

fa th er a n d fr om h i m s p r a n g a coun tl es s offs p r i n g Ja cob w a s p er s e

, .

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
, ,

few pi ec es of s ilve r ; a fter g rea t humili a ti on h e wa s r a i s ed t o th e

high es t h on or a n d b y h i s coun s el s a ve d th e whol e p eopl e fr om d ea th
, .

Her a lds p r o cl a i me d th a t a ll s h ould b ow t h e kn ee b efore h i m a n d h e

wa s recon c ile d t o h i s b r ethr en M os es wh en a littl e child es c a p e d t h e
.
,

c r u el c omma n d of t h e k i n g s p en t h i s y outh i n Eg ypt fa s t ed for ty

, ,

d a ys b e for e t h e pub li c a ti on of t h e a n ci en t l a w fr ee d th e I s r a elites ,

fr om s l a ver y a n d b r ought th em t o t h e P r omi s e d L a n d w orke d mi r

, ,

a cl es i n p r oo f of h i s divi n e mi s s i on i n t er c e d ed for t h e p eopl e t o God

,

( Exo d xxxii 1 1 ; Numb x iv

. . a pp ea r e d on M oun t Si n a i with a
. .

s hi n i n g c oun t en a n c e ( a s C h r i s t on Th a b or ) a n d w as t h e medi a tor of ,

th e a n c i en t c oven a n t D a vid w a s b orn i n B ethl eh em s p en t h i s y outh

.
,

i n a humb l e s t a t e va n qui s h ed t h e gi a n t G oli a th t h e en emy of t h e

, ,

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 , ,

t r iumph e d over a ll h i s en emi es Jon a s w a s th ree d a ys a n d three

.

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
.

c on du c t s a fely on h i s j ou r n ey on e of t h e c hil d r en o f men ; d elive r ed

Tob i a s fr om b lin dn es s a n d Sa r a fr om t h e d evil
,
Th e p a s ch a l l a mb .

w a s s l a i n j u s t b efor e t h e d ep a rtu re of t h e I s r a el it e s from Egypt ,

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

xi x . i t s b l ood s p r i n kl e d on t h e p os ts of th e d oor p r es erved fr om

l 72 F a i th .

the i r fa ith a n d t rus t i n God s uch a s thos e p erforme d i n Egypt i n , ,

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 ,

of Jer i c h o et c Th e p roph es i es t en de d i n t h e s a me di recti on a s well

,
.
,

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 .

O f th e hi s t ory of th e Jewi s h p eop l e th e foll owi n g fa c ts a re

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 ,

wen t l a t er to Egyp t wh ere th ey rema i n ed for th e s p a c e of fou r

,

h u n d r ed y e a r s a n d were cru ell y oppres s ed

,
.

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

q u en c e Ja cob ( a l s o c a lle d I s r a el ) h a d tw elve s on s , of whom on e w a s

.

Jos eph w h o b e i n g s old i n to Egyp t b ec a me t h e rul e r of th e l a n d un der

,

t h e kin g i n vite d h i s r el a tives , s ome s i xty s i x i n n umb er t o j o i n h i m,

,
-

givi n g them t h e fe rtile di s t ri c t of G os hen lyi n g ea s t wa r ds of t h e Nil e ,

delt a , t o dw ell i n ( a b out 1 9 00 Her e th e Jews i n c r ea s ed g r ea tly

i n n umb er s a n d h a d muc h t o en dur e l a ter fr om t h e Egypti a n ki n g s .

2U n d er th e l ea d er s h i p of M os es , th e Is ra eli t es l eft Egyp t

.

a n d w a n d ered i n th e d es ert for forty y ea rs .

Some p eople c r os s ed t h e R ed Sea ( a b o ut 1 500 B C ) in t o . .

t h e Ar a b i a n d es e rt , wher e they w er e fed with ma n n a a n d r ece ived

t h e Ten C omma n dmen t s M os es di e d on M oun t Neb o
. .

3U n d er Jos u e th ey en t er ed th e Promi s ed Lan d, b u t h a d to

.

gh t u n d e r t h ei r Ju dges for ov er th ree h u n dr ed y ea r s , a ga in s t

th ei r en emi es ( 1 4 5 0 1 1 00
Jos ue , th e s ucce s s or of M os es , divided t h e l a n d a mon g t h e tw elve
t r ib es Th e Judges were men r a i s ed b y God for ti mes of s p e c i a l
.

n eed , s u ch , for i n s t a n ce, a s G e deon , Jep h t e , Sa ms on a n d Sa muel .

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 .

a n d Sol omon b ei n g es p eci a ll y fam ou s ( 1 1 00 9 7 5

-

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 .

5 Aft er Sol omon s d e a th th e k in gd om w a s d ivi d ed i n t o

.

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

.

6 . B ot h ki n gd oms fell a w a y fr om th e tr u e God , a n d w er e i n

c ons e q u en ce d es t r oy ed , a n d t h ei r i n h a b i ta n ts l ed a wa y i n t o c a p

Is r a el h a d n i n et ee n kin g s wh o l e d th e p eople i n t o idol a t ry i n

,

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

c a ptivity ; t h e fa l l of t h e As s yr i a n p ower b r ought t h e ex il es un d e r t h e

d omi n i on of t h e B a b ylon i a n s a n d i n 53 8 un der th a t of t h e P er s i a n
ki n g C yr u s Th e ki n gdom of Ju d a h a d twen ty ki n gs a n d h eld ou t
. ,

lon ge r b u t w a s n a lly r e duced b y N a b u ch od on os o r ; t h e p e ople w er e

,

led a wa y i n to ca ptivity ( 6 06 a n d 5 99 ) a n d Jer us a lem a n d t h e Temple

d e s t r o ye d .

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 .

hi s s uc c es s ors th en h a d t h e ma s tery , till t h e ti me of An ti ochus

Ep i p h a n e s IV , wh o b eg a n a religi ou s p er s e cuti on , putti n g t h e
.

M a ch a b e a n b rothers a n d Elea z a r t o dea th, a n d pl a c i n g id ol s i n th e

Templ e .

8 . Th e Jew s r ega i n e d t h ei r fr eed om a ft er a b l oody w a r, a n d

w er e a ga i n r ul e d for on e h u n d r ed y ea r s b y Jew i s h ki n gs , fr om

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

i n 1 4 0, a n d w a s s u c ceed e d b y h i s d e s c en d a n ts till t h e a dven t of

P omp ey i n 64 , w h o r edu ced t h e Jewi s h kin g t o th e s ub j ec ti on of
R ome .

9 . In 3 8 a Gen til e, Her od ,

b ec a me Ki n g of Ju d e a .

As Jud e a w a s lw a ys a focu s o f r eb elli on t h e Jewi s h ki n g w a s d e

a ,

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
,

Jew He it wa s wh o ma s s a c r e d th e child r en a t B ethl ehem At h i s

. .

d e a th h e w a s s u cc eed ed b y h i s s on Her o d An tip a s wh o put ,

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 ,

St Ja mes th e Elder a n d c a s t St P ete r i n t o p r i s on

.
, He us urp ed
. .

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 , ,

i n 44 A D In 7 0 A D Jeru s a l em w a s d es t r oye d b y Titus a n d t h e Jew s

. . . .
,

s c a tt ere d a mon g t h e n a ti on s .
1 74 F a i th .

2 Th e oth er na ti ons of th e ea rt h were prep a red for th e omi ng

. c
of th e Red eemer b y on t a t wi th th e c
h os en p eopl e, or b y th e i n c c
c
uence of ex ep t i ona l l y gi ft ed men, or b y oth er ex tra ordi n a ry
meth od s .

Th e r din a ry i n ter co urs e of tr a de a s well a s th e en forc ed exile

o , ,

af for de d me a n s of con t a c t with t h e hea then a n d th a t thi s wa s n ot ,

u n fr uitful w e l ea rn fr om Tob i a s G ive glo ry t o th e L or d y e c hil .

,

dren of Is r a el b ec a u s e He h a th therefore s c a tt ered y ou a mon g

th e G en tiles wh o kn ow n ot Hi m th a t y ou ma y d ecl a r e Hi s w on d er
, ,

ful w orks a n d ma ke them kn ow th a t there i s n o other a lmighty G od

b es ide s Hi m ( Tob x iii 3 Such men as Soc r a tes i n Gr eece h a d
. .
, , ,

the i r mi s s i on i n dec ryin g t h e cult of idol s a n d exhib itin g i n thei r ,

per s on s t h e vi r tues of cou r a ge g en tlen es s a n d mod er a ti on ; w e might

, ,

en u me r a t e a ls o Job i n Ar a b i a Jos eph i n Egypt Jon a s i n N i n ive , , ,

D a n i el i n B a b yl on a n d oth er s Th e virtues of s uc h men thei r c ou r.

,

a g e i n c on fes s i n g t h e t r ue G od a n d t h e mi r a cles b y whi ch th ei r p ro

,

fe s s i on w a s ver i ed a s for i n s t a n c e t h e c a s es of t h e child ren i n t h e

, , ,

fu rn a c e of N a b uc h odon os or a n d D a n i el i n t h e li on s d en furn i s hed

,

a b u n d a n t motives t o t h e he a th en for di s cer n i n g t h e t ru e G od ; a n d

th a t this w a s t h e ca s e i s c orr ob or a ted b y th e n umb er s of p r os elyt es .

B es ide s a ll thes e oth e r meth od s w er e n ot l eft un tr i ed ; e g t h e mir a c

,
. .
,

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

fa n i n g t h e s a c r e d ves s els ( D a n v t h e d r ea m of Na b u chodon os or

. .

t h e p r ophecy of B a l a a m s a s s et c

( Dan .
, .

3 B efore th e a rri va l of th e Red eemer God p ermi tt ed th a t ma n

.

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 .

Th e gre a tes t di s s en s i on reign ed a mon g t h e Jew s ; th ree di ffer en t

s ec t s cl a i med p r ec ed en ce : t h e Sa ddu c ee s t h e mon ey e d cl a s s d en i ed , ,

et er n a l li fe ; t h e Ph a r i s ees a dher e d r igidly t o t h e w r itten l a w ; t h e

Es s en es withd rew en ti r ely from t h e w orld a n d l ed a li fe of s tr i c t
p en a n ce Amon g th e hea then th ere w a s a g en er a l ign or a n ce of a n y
.

r eligi ous li fe t ogeth er with mon s tr ous i mmor a lity Th e god s a c

, .
,

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
,

feren tl y id ols or men of a b omi n a b le live s or even a n ima l s wh os e

, , ,

w or s hip w a s s ign a liz ed b y s cen e s of deb a u ch e ry a n d huma n s a cr i ces ;

h ea th en s w er e n ot w a n ti n g wh o rec ogn iz e d th e s a d s t a te of a ffa i rs ;
H or a c e for i n s t a n ce i n on e of h i s odes b ew a ils t h e c ivil w a rs , a n d
, ,

p r a ys t h e vi rgi n b orn Son t o c ome a n d r e ign a mon g Hi s p eople

-
.

L on g b efor e h i m Soc r a te s h a d e xp res s ed th e wi s h th a t s ome medi a t or

s h ould c ome fr om h e a ven t o te a c h ma n h i s duty t o G od Ja cob ( Gen . .

xli x 1 0) a n d t h e p r oph et s ( Agg ii 8 ) on ly ech oed th e p opul a r feel

. . .

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 .

As i n na G od s a cti on t o b e s een i n i n dividu a l s a n d th e

ti on s , so is
,

s t r uggl e s o f a St P a ul a n d a St Augu s ti n e s erve d t o ma ke them

. .

more op en t o t h e a c ti on of t h e Holy G hos t a n d more zea lou s i n thei r

con ver s i on t o G od .
 F a i th .

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 .

Th e i nh a b it a n ts of Judea were th e rme s t a dher en t s of th e t ru e

fa ith ; th os e of Sa ma r i a h a d given th ems elves up t o t h e w ors hi p of
id ols , a n d t h e G a lile a n s , es p ec i a lly i n th e n or th, we re i n p a r t p a g a n s ,
d es pi s e d b y t h e Jew s a s well on tha t a ccoun t a s for thei r un couth
di a lec t .

Th e mos t i mp ort a n t c i ty of P al es ti n e w a s Jeru s a l em, wh ere

th e Temp l e s t ood .

Jer us a l em P ea ce ) i s s itu a te on four hill s of whi ch

C ity of , ,

t h e high e s t i s Si on lyi n g wes tw a r d o f t h e hill of Ac re with t h e p ool

, ,

of Sil oe lyi n g s outh ; t o t h e n or th i s M oun t M or i a h on whi c h t h e ,

Templ e s t o od a n d fu r th er s till t o t h e n orth i s t h e hill of B ezet h a a n d

,

th e mo d ern t own Wes tw a r d of M or i a h i s G olgoth a or C a lv a ry

. .

Th es e hill s l i e b etween t w o va lleys of whi c h t h e wes tw a r d i s c a ll e d ,

Hin n om ( or hell b ec a u s e ther e th e Jew s u s e d t o s a c r i c e th ei r chil

,

dr en t o M ol oc h ) a n d t h e e a s te rn th e v a lle y of Jos a p h a t ( or j udgmen t

, ,

of G od o n a cc oun t of t h e t r a diti on th a t G od w ould j udg e t h e w orl d

,

ther e ) To t h e ea s t of t h e v a lley of Jos a p h a t i s t h e M oun t of O lives

.

a n d t h e G a r d en of G eth s ema n i Je r u s a l em w a s i n exi s ten ce a t t h e

.

ti me of M elchi s edech wh o r eign ed there a b out 2000 , it b ec a me ,

un d er D a vid ( a b out 1 000 th e r es iden ce of t h e Jewi s h ki n g s ;

a b out fou r hun d re d y ea r s l a te r ( i n 58 8 it wa s de s t royed b y
N a b u ch od on os or r es tor ed a g a i n a b out fty yea rs l a t er ( 5 3 6
, an d
a g a i n d es t r oye d b y t h e R oma n s un d er Titu s i n t h e y e a r 7 0 A D Th e . .

Templ e i n O u r L or d s time w a s a ma gn i cen t a n d i mp os i n g b uildi n g

( C f M a rk x iii 1 ) of white s t on e ; it h a d a n outer c o urt t h e c ou rt

. .
,

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
, ,

a lt a r of b u rn t of fer i n gs Within thi s cou rt a g a i n wa s th e Temple

.

p r op er a b uildi n g of a b out thi r ty met res i n len gth t en i n b re a dth

, , ,

a n d fteen i n h e ight with a a t r o of o f c e d a r , Th e Templ e p r op er .

c on s i s t e d o f t h e ve s ti b ul e t h e h oly pl a ce a n d t h e h oly o f h oli e s ; t h e

, ,

wa lls of t h e t w o l a s t pl a ces w er e covere d with s olid pl a t es of g old

a n d t h e t w o ch a mb e rs w e r e s ep a r a t ed b y a ve il t h e veil o f t h e Templ e , .

In t h e h oly of h oli es b etw een t w o g re a t g olden c her ub i m l a y th e a rk

, ,

of t h e c oven a n t con t a i n i n g t h e t a b l es of t h e l a w Aa r on s s t a f f and

, ,

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

Sh e chi n a h Th e Templ e w a s b uilt b y Sol omon a b out 1 000

.

w a s des t r oyed b y N a b uch od on os or i n 588 a n d i n 5 1 6 w a s r eb uilt

b y Z or ob a b e l on th e r eturn fr om t h e B a b yl on i a n exile ( th ough t h e

a rk w a s n o l on g er th er e ) a n d w a s r es t o r e d a g a i n b y He r o d i n 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
. . .
, ,

t h e R oma n s ca me i n 7 0 A D a n d d es t r oye d t h e b uildi n g . .

,
Jul i a n t h e .

Ap os t a t e en d e a v or e d t o r eb uild it i n 3 6 1 b u t a n e a r thqu ak e c a s t d own ,

t h e w o rk s a n d re c omi n g fr om th e e a r th d r ove a w a y t h e w o rkmen

,
.

Th e Templ e will n eve r b e r eb uilt till t h e en d o f t h e w orld ( D a n i x . .

27

B es i d es Jer u s a l em th e town s of B e thl eh em a n d Naz a r eth de

se r v e men ti on .
 The Ap os tles Creed
. 1 77

Pl a ce s of i n teres t i n Judea : South of Jeru s al em l i es B ethlehem ,

t h e b i r thpl a ce of C hr i s t ; fu rth er s outh s till i s H eb ro n wh e re dw elt

,

Ab r a h a m I s a a c a n d Ja cob a n d t h e p a r en ts of St John th e B a pti s t ;

, , , .

ea s t of Jer u s a l em i s B eth a n y th e v ill a ge where L a z a r us dwelt a n d , ,

t h e d e s er t o f Qu a ra n t a n i a whe re O u r L or d wen t th r ough Hi s for ty ,

d a ys fa s t Northea s t of Jer us a lem i s Je ri cho th e c ity of p a l ms th e

.
, ,

a b ode of Z a c h e u s t h e p en it en t t a x g a there r ; n o rt h of Jer u s a l em i s

,
-

Emma us where O u r L or d a pp ea r ed t o Hi s t wo di s c iples a fter t h e

,

res urrecti on ; on th e s e a coa s t i s Jopp e fa mous i n th e a nn a ls of t h e ,

c r u s a des wh er e P ete r r es t or e d Ta b ith a t o li fe a n d w a s s ummon e d t o

,

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 ,

ten di n g a lon g th e c o a s t i s th e di s tr i c t whi ch w a s fo rmerly th e l a n d of

t h e Phili s ti n e s with i t s t o wn s of G a z a a n d As c a lon ; wes tw a r d of t h e
,

D ea d Se a i s t h e des er t of In d a otherwis e c a lled t h e des ert of St , .

John Pl a ces of in teres t i n Sa ma r i a : Th e ca pita l Sa ma r i a i s s itu

.

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

,

Si ch a m where O u r L or d s p ok e with th e Sa ma r it a n w oma n ; ea s tw a r d

,

i s G a ri z i m whe re t h e Sa ma r it a n s h a d a templ e dedi c a t e d t o t h e s erv

,

i ce of id ols ; i n t h e s outh i s Sil oe wh ere fr om t h e ti me of Jos ue , ,

t h e t a b l e s of th e l a w we r e kept for ove r th r ee hun d r e d a n d fty y ea rs ;

a l on g t h e coa s t of t h e M edite rr a n e a n s t r et ch es t h e fe rtile pl a i n of
Sh a r on ; b y t h e s ea i s s itu a ted C aes a rea t h e res id en ce of t h e g ove 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 oun t C a rmel r i s i n g s ome th ou s a n d feet i t s fer tility b e a uty a n d

, , , ,

n umer ou s c a ves ma ki n g it p e cul i a rly a d a pte d t o t h e w a n t s of t h e h e r

mits wh o dwelt there ; it w a s th e s cen e of th e s a c r i ce of Eli a s a n d of
t h e p r i e s t s of B a a l Pl a c es of i n t eres t i n G a lil ee : Na z a r eth or t h e
.
,

c ity of ow er s t h e r es id en c e o f t h e M othe r of God a t t h e ti me of t h e

,

An n un c i a ti on a n d of C hr i s t till Hi s thi rt i eth yea r South of it 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
, , ,

wher e C hr i s t r es t or ed t h e youn g ma n t o li fe Ea s t of Na z a r eth i s .

C a n a wher e C h r i s t p e rfo rmed Hi s r s t mi r a cl e a t t h e w eddin g fea s t

,
-
.

O n t h e l a ke o f Gen e s a reth a re s itu a t e d : C a p h a rn a u m C hr i s t s own

,

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
, ,

Sa cr a men t a n d c a ll ed t h e a p os tl e M a tthew ; t o t h e s outh i s B eths a id a ,

wh en ce c a me th e a p os tl es An dr ew a n d Philip ; then c omes M a gd a l a ,

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
-

on thi s l a k e In t h e n or th of G a lil ee i s C aes a rea Philippi where

.
,

Pe te r r ec e ive d t h e p owe r of t h e key s Quite b eyon d t h e b oun d a r i e s .

of G a lil ee i n Phoen i c i a on t h e coa s t a re t h e t w o c iti es of Tyr e a n d

, , ,

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 .

i s t h e r a n g e of th e L eb a n on a s cen din g t o feet, a n d c ove red ,

with p erp etu a l s n ow ; n ot mor e th a n th ree hun d red ced a r s rema i n

of i t s on ce fa mou s for es t ; t o t h e e a s t i s He rmon r i s i n g a b out 9 500 ,

feet ; a nd s till fur ther eas t is D a ma s cu s i n th e n eighb o rh ood of ,

whi ch St P a ul w a s con vert ed Pl a ces of i n t eres t i n P er aea : C los e b y

. .

t h e D e a d Sea a n d e a s tw a r d of t h e mouth of t h e Jor d a n n e a r t o B eth

, ,

a b a r a i s t h e p l a c e wh e re St John b a ptiz e d ; h ere h e p o i n ted ou t .

C h ri s t a n d c a ll ed Hi m t h e L a mb of God ; fu rth er t o t h e e a s t i s M oun t

Neb o on whi ch M os es di ed ; s outh of th e l a ke of Gen es a reth i s P ell a
, ,
1 78 F a i th .

th e refuge of t he C hr i s ti a n s dur i n g t h e s e i ge of Jeru s a l em i n th e

yea r 7 0 A D . .

5 . JES US 0F NAZ ARETH IS THE RED EEM ER 0R

C HR IST .

Th e Jews ca ll e d t h e comi n g R e deemer t h e M e s s i a s ( i n Heb rew ) ,

or t h e C h r i s t ( i n Gr eek ) i e th e An oin t e d O n e , Th e . a n o in t e d
.
, .

of t h e L or d w a s th e u s u a l epith et a mon g t h e Jew s for p r ophet s ,

high p r i es t s , a n d ki n g s b eca u s e they were a n oi n t ed i n s ign of thei r
,

mi s s i on on thei r a pp o i n tmen t t o ofce, a n d thi s a n oi n ti n g s ymb ol

i z ed t h e light a n d s t ren gth of t h e Holy Gh os t, a n d r emi n de d them of
t h e duty of cl emen c y Th e comi n g M es s i a s w a s t o b e p r oph et, p r i es t,
.

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 .

M es s i a s w a s n ot a phys i c a l exter i or a ct b u t t h e i n te r i or dwellin g of

, ,

t h e H oly Spi r it ( P s xliv 8 ; Ac t s x . . .

1 . Jes u s of Na za reth i s th e Red eemer, b e c a us e a l l th e p rop h

eci es h a v e t h ei r ful l ment i n Hi m .

Jes us pp ea l ed t o thi s c i rc ums t a n ce ( John v 3 9 ; L uke

o f en
t a .

xviii . e s p ec i a lly i n Hi s con ver s a ti on with t h e t wo di s c ipl es on

t h e w a y t o Emm a u s ( L uke xx iv St M a tthew p oin t s ou t i n hi s . .

g os p el h ow t h e p r oph ec i e s a re fullle d i n C h r i s t M a n y Jews h a ve .

b e en c on ve rt e d on comp a r i n g t h e li fe of C hr i s t with t h e p r ophe c i es .

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
.
, ,

men , it w o uld h a ve b een d es t r oyed l on g a g o Th a t it h a s s ur vived .

,

i n s pite t oo, of s o muc h p e rs ec uti on i s a p r oof tha t it i s G od s w ork ,

, ,

a n d th a t i t s foun d e r m u s t b e t h e h ea ven s en t M e s s i a s ( Of t h e w ord s -

of G a ma li el , Ac ts v .

3 . Jes u s Hi ms el f cl a i med th e na me of Red eemer .

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 : ,

He Wh o a m s pea ki n g with thee ( John iv 2 5

Th e high p r i es t .
,

C a iph a s id t o C hr i s t : I a dj ur e Thee b y t h e livin g God th a t Th ou

sa

t ell u s i f Th o u b e C hr i s t t h e Son of God a n d C h r i s t a n s wer ed : ,

( 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. . .

P et e r w a s c ommen d e d for c a lli n g Hi m t h e C hr i s t th e Son of th e

,

livi n g God ( M a tt xvi . .

4 Th e a n gel s a nn ou n ed Hi m a s th e Red eemer

. c .

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 .

He i s b orn n ot i n a hou s e, b u t i n a s ta b l e, th a t a ll might h a ve c on

d en ce a n d a pp r o a c h Hi m, s a ys St P e ter C h ry s ol og u s . He i s b orn .

i n ob s c u r ity, b eca u s e He i s th e hidden God ( Is xlv Wh om we

. .

c a n n ot s e e i n thi s li fe, a n d W h o l oves g oo d d ee d s d on e i n s ec r et He .

i s l a id i n a ma n ger, wh ere ca ttle fee d, b ec a u s e He wa s t o b e t h e

food of ma n ; a n d He i s l a id on t h e w ood t o r eca ll t o u s th a t He ca me
d own fr om hea ven t o d i e on th e c r os s So t oo He dwell s i n ou r t a b
.

ern a cl es He i s b orn a t mi dn ight, b eca u s e t h e g rea t er p orti on of ma n

.

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 .

i s b or n i n t h e win t er s ea s on , a n d a t n ight ( n oti ce th a t t h e n ight s i n

P a le s ti n e a re p a r ti c ul a rly c old ) , b ec a u s e t h e h ea r t s of men w ere c old ,
u n w a rme d y et with t h e re of ch a r ity C hr i s t dr op s fr om h ea ven i n
.

t h e n ight ti me like t h e d ew ( C f Is xlv . t o r efre s h t h e he a rt s of

. .

men At t h e time of Hi s b i rth t h e t empl e of Ja n u s i n R ome w a s cl os ed ,

.

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
. . . .

L or d c a me a s a littl e c hild th a t ma n might a pp r oa ch Hi m with mor e

,

c ond en c e ; h a d He c ome a s a g r ea t ki n g, men w oul d h a ve s hru n k

a w a y, whil e a s a c hild He i n vit ed, n ot a w e, b u t s ymp a thy C hr i s t .

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
-

B es ides thi s He w ould s h ow th a t He i s th e F r ien d

.

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 .

A light a pp e a r e d t o t h e s h eph er d s t o remi n d u s th a t th e L i ght

of t h e w or ld i s c ome ( John viii Wh o i s t o s hi n e i n t h e mids t of
.

t h e d a rk n e s s ( John i Th e hymn of t h e a n gel s i s t h e keyn ot e of

.

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
.

( John x iv 2 7 es p e c i a lly p ea c e with G od , rec on c ili n g ma n t o God b y

.

Hi s d ea th on th e cr os s , p ea ce with s el f, th e tr ue p ea ce whi ch c omes

fr om t h e kn owl e dg e a n d p r a cti c e of t h e G os p el, a n d p e a ce with t h e
n eighb or b y t h e vi rtu e s o f b r o th erly l ove, l ov e of on e s en emy, a n d

meekn es s He a n n oun c ed Hi s b i rth b y t h e v oi ce of a n a n gel t o t h e

.

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
,

would hid e Hi s mys t er i es fr om t h e wi s e a n d p rud en t a n d r eve a l them

t o t h e littl e on e s ( M a tt x i .b ec a u s e He gives Hi s g r a ces t o t h e
.

humb le a n d r es i s t s t h e p r oud ( 1 P et v Su ch, t oo, i s t h e di s p os i

. .

ti on of G od s p r ovid en ce i n a l l ti me ; t o t h e p r oud, wh a t eve r th ei r

l e a rn i n g , t h e t ea chi n gs of C hr i s t a re a s ea l e d b ook , while t h e l owly

a n d humb l e r eceive G o d s light Th e rs t t o r eceiv e th e c a ll t o t h e

.

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
,

C h r i s t w ould rs t c a ll i n t o Hi s C hur ch t h e Jew s ( M a tt xv and . .

a ft er w a r d s t h e G en til es b y mea n s of Hi s a p os tl es Th e w on derful .

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 .

i x 6 ) h a d c ome d own fr om h e a ven Th e c en s u s of t h e p eople a t t h e

. .

ti me of Hi s b i r th r emi n d s u s of th e g re a t en rolmen t whi ch will t a k e

pl a ce a t Hi s s econ d c omi n g C h r i s t b egi n s t o t e a c h u s i n Hi s b i rth
.

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
.

ma n ds ; i f He d oes a n yt hi n g i n s ilen ce, He mea n s th a t w e s h ould i mi

t a t e Hi m i s th e c ommen t of St Gr eg ory t h e Gr ea t

,
. .

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

twen ty ft h of D ecemb er ( Ch ri s tma s D a y ) O n th a t d a y every p ri es t .

 Th e Ap os tles Creed

. 1 81

h a s t h e p r i vi lege of s a yi n g th ree M a s s es , whi ch r eca ll th e thr ee fol d

b i rth of C h ri s t : th e etern a l b i rth from G od t h e F a the r t h e b i r th i n ,

time fr om t h e womb of M a ry, a n d Hi s s pi r itu a l b i rth i n ou r hea rt s .

A cr i b i s gen er a lly er ected i n mos t church es a p r a cti ce or igi n a ted ,

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 ,

di s e a n d a ls o of t h e t re e of t h e cr os s Th e C hr i s tma s b oxes reca ll t o

,
.
-

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 .

me di a t ely followi n g C h r i s tma s a re t h e fe a s t s of St Ste phen , St . .

John a n d t h e H oly In n ocen ts , a s though t h e C hurch w oul d s a y :

,
If
y ou w o uld foll ow C h r i s t y ou mus t b ec ome a ma r ty r like St St eph en , ,
.

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
. .

John , a n d d o w ork s of mer cy ; a n d n a lly y ou mus t b e like a c hild

with G od .

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 .

Th e hepher d s we r e t old b y a n a n gel of t h e b i r th of t h e Sa vi ou r

s

( 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 . .

Thi s s t a r wa s s omethi n g ex cepti on a l for it h a d a p rop e r moti on of ,

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 .
,

h a ve b een a n a n gel un der t h e a pp ea r a n ce of a s t a r C a ther i n e Em

,
.

me ri ch i n h e r r evel a ti on s s a ys th a t thi s s t a r h a d v a r i ous a s p ects ;

, ,

a t ti mes it a pp e a re d a s a child c a rryi n g a c r os s or a w oma n with a ,

child ; a g a i n a s a ch a li c e with gr a p es a n d wh ea t orn a me n ti n g it a s a ,

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
.
, ,

Ki n g ; i n c en s e t h e s ymb ol of p r a yer b ec a us e He i s God ; a n d myr rh

, , ,

th e s ymb ol of mor ti c a t i on b eca us e a s O u r R ed eemer He w a s t o , ,

s uf fer Th e M a gi r eturn ed t o the i r h omes b y a n other w a y

.

to ,

s h ow u s s a y s St Greg ory t h e Gr e a t
,
. th a t i f w e wi s h t o re a c h ou r ,

t ru e h ome i n p a ra di s e we mus t fo rs a k e th e p a th i n whi c h we h a ve

h ith er t o w a lke d a nd t rea d i n t h e w a y of p en a n ce ob e di en ce a n d
, , ,

s el f d en i a l
-
Th e s h eph er d s r ep res en te d t h e Jew s a n d t h e p oor ; t h e
.

thr ee ki n gs t h e G en tiles a n d t h e r i ch Th e r eli cs of t h e thr ee ki n g 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 ,

r ep os e i n t h e C a thed r a l ther e Th e fea s t of t h e th ree kin gs i s h eld .

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 .

of t h e thr ee ki n g s a re s ometi mes ma rk e d on t h e d o ors of h ou s es t o

cl a i m th e i r p a tr on a g e Thi s fe a s t i s c a ll ed a l s o t h e Epiph a n y b e
.
,

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 .

t h e s e a s on of Adven t i s p r ol on ge d till t h e Epiph a n y Thi s d a y i s .

a l s o cel eb r a t ed a s t h e on e o n whi c h C h r i s t w a s b a ptiz ed i n t h e Jor

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

rec eiv ed th e na me Jes u s ( Lu k e i i .

1 82 F a i th .

Jes us ( i n Heb rew Jos hu a or Jos ue ) mea n s Sa vi ou r Thi s n ame .

i s a s St P a ul s a ys a b ove a l l n a mes ( Phil ii

, .
,
for it wa s c hos en b y . .

God Hi ms el f a n d r eve a le d t o t h e V i rgi n M a ry ( M a tt i M or e . .

ove r t h e h oly n a me h a s g r ea t vi r tue ; i t s i n v o c a ti on b r i n g s help i n

te mpta ti on a n d a fi cti on ; th e p owers of hell s hr i n k fr om it ( M a rk
xvi . Th e n a me u s ua lly given b y t h e p r ophe t s w as Emma n uel ,
i e,
. God with u s
.
( Is vii Th e fea s t of t h e C i r c umc i s i on on
. .

th e r s t of Ja n u a r y i s a l s o New Y ea r s D a y Th e C hu rch w ould thu s

.

te a c h u s t o b egi n everythin g i n t h e n a me of Jes u s In n oc en t XII , . .

i n 1 6 9 1 w a s t h e r s t t o or der t h e p r a cti c e of b egi n n i n g t h e New Y e a r

,

on t h e r s t of Ja n u a r y ; p r evi o u s ly it h a d b een C h r i s tma s D a y It i s .

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 .

W h en th e C h il d w as fort y d a ys ol d , He was p res en e t d i n th e

Temp l e ( Lu k e i i .

mpli e d with t h e l a w of M os es ( Lev

M a ry co th ough b ei n g .
,

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 .

ti on i s c a lle d a ls o C a n dl ema s ; on th a t d a y c a n dle s a re b les s e d a n d ,

ca rr i e d i n p r oc e s s i on i n memo r y of th es e w o r d s of h oly Si meon c a ll

i n g O u r L or d t h e light for th e revel a ti on of th e G en tiles ( L uke ii .

chi l dh
'

2 . Ch ri s t s p ent t h e rs t y ea rs of Hi s ood in Egyp t, a nd

af e t r t h a t l i ved a t Na za ret h til l He wa s t hi rty .

Angel t old Jos eph t o y b ec a u s e Her od w a s s eekin g t o kill th e

an

C hild ( M a tt ii Afte r t h e es c a p e of O u r L or d Herod put t o

. .

d ea th al l th e child ren i n B ethleh em un der t wo yea r s of a g e Thi s .

w a s a judgmen t on t h e p e opl e of B ethl ehem for th e i r refu s a l of h os pi

t a lity t o t h e H oly F a mily ; t h e littl e child ren thems elve s g a in ed b y
the i r d ea th t h e j oy s of h e a ven In Egypt ther e i s s till t o b e s een t h e .

dwellin g pl a ce of t h e H oly F a mily i n a s ub urb of C a i r o t h e a n c i en t

-

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
.

c a me l a t e r t h e a b od e o f th o u s a n d s of mon k s w h o l ed lives like t o ,

th os e of t h e a n gel s ; men s u ch a s for i n s t a n ce St An th on y a n d St , , . .

P a ul of Th eb es ; h ere St P a ch omius foun de d t h e rs t mon a s t ery on.

,

a n i s l a n d of t h e N ile Afte r Hi s r etu rn from Egypt C hr i s t wen t t o

.

live i n N a z a r eth a pl a ce of littl e es teem a mon g t h e Je ws th erefor e

, ,

u s eful i n t e a chi n g u s th e les s on of humility ; a n d fo r thi r ty ye a rs He

s t a y e d th ere th a t we might l e a rn fr om Hi m t h e l es s on of det a ch men t

fr om t h e w orld .

W h en C h ri s t w as twel ve y ea rs ol d He wen t u p to th e Temp le

i n Je r u s a l em .

It w a s on thi s occ a s i on th a t He ma de th e d oct ors of th e l a w

ma rvel a t Hi s wi s d om ( L uk e ii .

W h en C h r i s t w a s gr own up Joh n th e B a p t i s t b ega n to p rea h c

Hi s c omi n
g i n th e d es ert .

We h a ve t h e foll owi n g fa ct s ab o u t John th e B a pti s t . Th e a c r h

1 84 F a i th .

En gli s h n a me G os p el i e G o d s s p ell or n a rr a tive C hr i s t i s th e

, . .
,

.

M a s t er a mon g t ea che r s He t a ught a s on e h a vi n g p ower s o th a t th e

.
,

p eople m a rvelle d a t Hi s d oc tr i n e ( M a rk i 22 ; M a tt vii . . .

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

( M a t t x iii. Th e l a n gu age of a p os t oli c men h a s a lw a y s b een

.

s i mpl e th ei r ob j ect n ot s o mu c h t o plea s e a s t o b e un d er s t oo d

,

a n d t o b e u s eful Th e s ign s whi c h C h r i s t ma d e u s e of wer e b re a thi n g

.

on t h e a p os tl e s wh en He g a ve th em t h e H oly Spi r it li fti n g u p Hi 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
.

t i z e s pitti n g on t h e e a r th a n d m a ki n g cl a y with whi c h He t o u ch e d

, ,

th e eyes of t h e ma n b orn b li n d ( Joh n i x a n d s en din g h i m t o w a s h .

i n t h e p ool of Sil oe Al l thi s s ign ie d th a t t h e livi n g d oc tr i n e whi ch

.

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
, , ,

i s t o cl ea r h i s s pi r itu a l s ight a n d even a ft er th a t t h e w a s hi n g of ,

b a pti s m i s s till n ec es s a r y Th e p a r a b l e s u s ed w er e for ex a mple t h e

.
, ,

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
, , ,

foo li s h vi rgi n s t h e g ood s heph er d t h e l o s t s h eep t h e l os t g roa t t h e

, , , ,

g t ree t h e l a b or ers i n t h e vi n ey a r d e t c a n d t h e s even gur e s of th e

, , .
,

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
.

tra t i on w er e a mon g oth er s t h e s he ph e r d with h i s s h eep th e lili es of

, , ,

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
, , .

n a tu r e a n d r eligi on s h ould h a ve m a n y r e s emb l a n ces c om i n g a s t h ev ,

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
.

Hi s own w or d s t o t h e di s c iples of John wer e : Th e p oor h a ve

t h e G os p el p r e a ch ed t o th em ( M a tt x i An d i n t h e s yn a g ogue . .

a t N a z a r eth He a ppli e d t o H i ms el f a s t h e M es s i a s ( Luke iv th e .

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

.

Hi s own w or d s i n th e Sermon on t h e M oun t wer e : Seek r s t th e

ki n gd om of Go d ( M a tt vi Th e Ev a n geli s ts s u m up Hi s . .

te a chi n g i n t h e w or d s : D o p en a n c e a n d b eli eve th e G os p el for th e ,

ki n gd om of h ea ven i s n igh ( M a tt iv 1 7 ; M a rk i

. . .

C h r i s t t a u gh t a n ew rul e of fa i th , ga ve n ew c omma n d men t s ,

a n d e s t a b l i s h e d a n ew s y s t em of mea n s of gr a c e .

F or ex a mpl e He t a ught t h e my s tery of t h e Bl e s s ed Tr i n ity Hi s ,

own divi n ity t h e L a s t Judg men t ; He g a ve t h e t w o p r ecept s o f l ove

, ,

a n d ext en d ed t h e Ten C omma n d me n t s ( forb id d i n g r a s h a n g er a n d

h a r s h w or d s ) He i n s tituted th e M a s s a n d t h e s even s a cr a men t s a n d
.

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
.

s i n s o f men , thos e of t h e Sa ma rit a n w oma n , th o s e of t h e P h a r i sees

wh o d r a gge d b efore Hi m t h e w oma n t a ken i n a d ult ery ; He kn ew of

Jud a s pl ot a g a i ns t Hims el f, of Pet er s c omi n g d en i al , a n d r el a t ed

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 .

We s ee i n C hr i s t t h e highes t h oli n es s ; n ever w ere s een b efor e or

s i n c e s u ch p a ti en c e, g en tl e n es s , l ove, et c
,
How could s uch a on e s a y
.

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

Laza r u s t h ey res ol ved t o s eek Hi s d ea th .

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 .

a r eth t o c a s t Hi m over t h e cli f f they c a lumn i a t e d Hi m c a lli n g Hi m ,

a n a g en t of t h e d evil ( M a tt x ii a l ea der o f r ev olt

. . a Sa b b a th ,

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
.

ea r thly b ei n g wh o w ould fre e th em fr om t h e R om a n y ok e a n d r a i s e

, ,

th em a b ove t h e n a ti on s of th e e a rth In s t e a d of whi c h He c a me i n

.

p over ty a n d l owli n es s a n d t a ught s elf den i a l, mer c y, et c B es ides-

.

He a ccus ed th e Ph a r i s ees of hyp oc r i s y c a lli n g th em whiten ed s ep u l

,

ch res ( M a tt xxiii 2 7. . a n d chi ld r en of t h e d evil ( John viii .

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 .

Th e C hu rc h cel eb r a t es thi s s ol emn en t ry b y th e b l e s s i n g of

p a l ms a n d th e p r oces s i on on P a lm Sun d a y In t h e c our s e of t h e .

High M a s s t h e hi s t ory of th e P a s s i on a s r el a t ed b y St M a tth ew i s .

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 .

t h e p a lms t h e p r i es t p r a y s th a t God m a y p r e s erv e fr om s i n a n d

d a n ge r th os e w h o r ec eive th es e p a lms a n d k e ep th em i n th ei r h ou s e s .

Th e w e ek fol l owi n g P a l m Su n d a y i s c a l l ed H oly Week .

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
, ,

th e M oun t of Oli v es wh ere He s uffer ed Hi s a gony a n d b l oody

,

s wea t .

Be fore t h e i n s titut i on of th e Bl es s ed Sa c r a men t He w a s h e d th e

1 86 F a i th .

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 a r den of Geth s ema ni wa s a les s on of humb le p r a yer c onfo rm ity t o ,

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

,
. .

b r os e : Th e L or d t ook my gr i efs on Hi m th a t He might s h a r e Hi s

j oys with me In ma n y pl a ces it i s t h e c us t om t o r i n g a b ell a t e ight

.

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
.

feet of tw elve ol d men D ur in g t h e Glori a i n t h e High M a s s a l l t h e

.

b ell s a re r un g a n d t h e p r i e s t s a n d l a ity g o t o commun i on t o c om

,

memor a t e th e i n s tituti on of t h e Bl e s s e d Sa c r a men t Th e p r oces s i on .

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

L or d s j our n ey t o th e M oun t of O liv es Th e s t rippi n g of t h e a lt a r s

.

a n d t h e s il en c e of t h e b ell s a re s ig n s of t h e C hu r c h s s ymp a thy with

he r Sa vi o u r Th e b les s in g o f t h e oil s whi ch t a kes pl a ce i n t h e C athe

.

dr a l chur ch es whi ch i s of a n c i en t i n s tituti o n s ugg e s t s th a t C h ri s t

, ,

m a y h a ve i n s tituted s ome of t h e s a c ra men t s a t t h e L a s t Supp e 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 .

O n t h e Wed n es d a y, Thur s d a y a n d F rid a y of H oly Week, Ten eb ra

,

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 .

t h e a n t i p h on es whi c h r ec u r a t i n ter v a l s dur i n g t h e r ec it a l of t h e

p s a lms a ca n dl e i s exti n gui s h e d t o rep r es en t t h e ight of t h e di s c iples
,

a ft e r t h e c a ptur e o f O u r L o r d At t h e en d of t h e s ervi ce t h e whit e

.

c a n dl e i s hidd en for a ti me b ehi n d t h e a lt a r , a n oi s e i s ma d e, a n d t h e

c a n dl e r epl a c e d on t h e s t a n d ; a l l s ig n i fyi n g t h e d ea th a n d res u rrec

ti on of O u r L or d with t h e a cc omp a n yi n g c on vul s i on s of n a tur e .

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 .

Th e Jew s h a d p ower t o put a n y on e t o d e a th s o they were

no ,

ob lig e d t o h a ve r ec ou rs e t o t h e R oma n g ov er n or ( Joh n xviii .

Pil a te c oul d s ee n o reas on for c on demn i n g C hr i s t a n d ma de s e ver a l ,

a tt empt s t o s et Hi m a t li b e rty ; h e s en t Hi m t o H er o d a n d offer e d

t o giv e up B a r a b b a s i n ex ch a n g e ; t o en li s t t h e s ym p a thy of t h e Jews ,

h e c a u s ed O u r L or d t o b e s cou rged a n d c r ow n ed with th orn s a n d i n

th a t s t a t e t o b e p res en te d t o t h e cr owd b u t th ey c l a mored on ly th e ,

mor e for t h e b l ood of Je s us a n d thr ea ten e d t o a cc u s e Pil a t e t o t h 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 .

C hurc h i s i n mou rn i n g : t h e a lt a r s a re s tr ipp ed t h e lights put ou t , a n d ,

t h e b ell s s ilen ce d a n d t h e s a c r ed mi n i s te r s i n th e i r b l a ck ves tmen t s

,

l i e p ros t r a t e a t t h e foo t of t h e a lt a r Th e cel eb r a n t p ra ys for a ll .

c on diti on s of men , ev en for h e a th en s a n d Jew s , s i n ce C h r i s t di e d on

thi s d a y for a ll men Th e c r uc i x i s un veiled Th en th e c eleb r a n t
. .

l a ys it on t h e gr oun d a n d ki s s es t h e fee t of th e i ma g e, a n d th e p eople

c ome up i n tur n t o of fer t h e s a me h oma ge O n G ood F r id a y there i s .

n o M a s s , p r op erly s o ca lle d, b u t t h e c e remon i e s a re g on e th r oug h with

a H os t c on s ec r a t e d for t h e pu rp os e on t h e p rec edi n g d a y An a lta r .

o f rep os e ( or s ep ul ch r e ) i s ch os en i n t h e c hu rc h where th e Hos t i s

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

cros s a n d l a i d i n t h e gra v e wh i h b el on ged t o Jos ep h of Ari ma c

th ea .

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
.

of th e Jews , Our Lor d r ema i ned i n th e s ep ul h r e c .

O n Holy Sa tur d a y re i s s truck fr om a in t , a n d b l es s ed outs ide

th e c hu r c h d oo r s , a n d fr om thi s re t h e t r ipl e c a n dle, t h e p a s ch a l
c a n dl e a n d t h e s a n ctua ry l a mp a re lit
, Ea ch b r a n c h of t h e tr iple .

c a n dl e i s lit s ep a r a tely , on e a t t h e d oor, a n other i n t h e middl e of th e

c hu r ch a n d t h e thi r d i n fr on t of t h e high a lt a r, t o r ep res en t t h e

,

g r a du a l d ev el op men t of t h e kn owl edge of t h e Bl es s e d Tr i n ity Th e .

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 .

ma l fon t i s a sob l e s s e d a r eli c

l , of ti mes wh en t h e c a t e chumens
th e
us ed to b e s olemn ly b a ptiz e d, a n d s ol emn High M a s s foll ow s .

Th e Ex a lta ti on o f C h ri s t .

C h r i s t humb l ed Hi ms el f b ec omin g ob e die n t u n t o d e a th even

, ,

t h e d e a th o f t h e c r o s s F o r whi c h c a u s e God a l s o h a th ex a lted Hi m

.

( Phil ii 8 . As St Joh n C h rys os t om w a rn s u s :

.
, .

Th e ex a lt a ti on
of C h r i s t r efe rre d on ly t o Hi s huma n ity As Go d He p os s e s s e d a l l .

e a r thly h a ppi n e s s a n d n e ed e d n o fu r the r ex a lt a ti on

An d St C y p . .

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 .

1 Immed i a t el y a ft er th e d ea t h of Ch ri s t Hi s s oul w en t d own

.

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 .

Thi s pl a ce i s lled li mb o a n d i s quite di s ti n c t fr om purg a tory

ca , ,

th ough t h e t w o pl a ces h a d thi s fea tu r e i n c ommon th a t i n n eith er ,

pl a ce i s th e r e t h e vi s i on o f Go d ; for whil e th ere i s p a i n t o b e s uffered

i n pu rg a t ory t h er e w a s n on e i n li mb o ; n or w a s li mb o th e s a me a s h ell
, ,

wh er e t h e p a i n s a re etern a l ; on th e con t r a ry th e s oul s i n li mb o h a d

s ome c on s ol a ti o n ( L uk e xvi th ou gh en tr a n ce t o h ea ven w a s d e
.

ferred ( Heb i x h en c e t h ev l on ged for t h e c omi n g o f t h e Sa vi ou r

. .

t o op en t o them t h e g a t es of h ea ven L i mb o i s c a ll ed i n Scr iptu re .

 Th e Ap os tles

Creed . 1 89

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

wh o h a d d on e p en a n c e a n d r ep en ted a t t h e F lood ( 1 P et iii . .

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 .

wen t d own t o a n n oun c e t o th e s oul s i n li mb o th a t He h a d

C hr i s t
a cc om pli s h e d t h e r e d em pti o n ( 1 P e t iii S t E p i p h
. a n i u
. s t ell s u s .

th a t t h e s oul of C h r i s t u n ited with t h e G odh ea d w en t down i n t o

, ,

li mb o a n d St Iren aeus s a ys th a t th e L or d s p en t three d a ys there

,
.
.

Accor din g t o St Ign a tiu s of An ti och O u r L or d r etu rn ed wit h a

. ,

l a rg e c omp a n y of s ouls He wen t s a ys St C yp r i a n like a g re a t

.

,

.
,

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

C hr i s t revea led Hi ms el f a l s o t o t h e s oul s i n h ell

kept i n dur a n c e . ,

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 . .

2 0n Ea s t er Sun d a y b efore s unri s e Ch ri s t r os e gl ori ous fr om

.

th e t omb b y Hi s own a l mi gh ty p ow er .

C hr i s t o ften fo retold th a t He w ould r i s e a g a in on t h e thi r d d a y

( L u k e x viii . H e c om p a r ed Hi m s el f t o J on a s ( M a tt x ii . .

o n t h e o c c a s i on of Hi s d r ivi n g t h e mon ey s ell er s ou t of t h e Templ e

-

He s a i d of Hi s own b ody : D es t r oy thi s t emple a n d i n thr ee da ys I

will r a i s e it up ( John ii He cl a imed th e p ower of l a yin g down
.

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 .

Holy Sc r iptur e th a t t h e F a ther r a i s ed Hi m ( R om vi 4 ; viii it . . .

i s mea n t th a t a s C hr i s t i s on e with t h e F a the r a ll th a t C h r i s t d oe s

t h e F a th er d oe s a l s o Th e r e s u rrec ti on i s a mos t u n d oub t ed fa ct
. .

Th e Jews a s s e rt ed th a t t h e di s c ipl es h a d s t ol en t h e b ody of C hr i s t

( M a tt xxviii
. .Suc h a n a ct w a s fa r b eyon d thei r p ower Th e .

gr ea t s t on e th a t c ove re d t h e s epul chre could n ot h a ve b een moved

with out w a kin g s ome , a t l e a s t , of t h e gu a r ds ;
b es ides ,
as St .

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 .
-

u rge th a t C hr i s t w a s dea d on ly i n a pp ea r a n c e, a n d a fter a n i n te rva l

r ec over ed fr om Hi s s woon a n d l eft th e g ra v e Th e p a i n a n d l o s s of .

b l oo d foll owi n g on th e s cour gi n g a n d c r own in g with th orn s w ould

h a ve b een en ough t o c a u s e d e a th a n d th e w ou n d i n t h e s id e a l on e
, ,

s o gr e a t th a t St Th oma s c ould th r u s t i n h i s h a n d , w oul d h a ve b een

.

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 o o w e a k t o c a rry Hi s c r o s s ; h ow c oul d He a ft er thi rty s i x h ou r s i n ,

-

t h e t omb , r emove t h e l on g w r a ppi n g s of Hi s g r a ve cl o th es , r oll a w a y -

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
.

th e s oldi er s b eca u s e th ey s a w th a t He w a s d e a d ( Joh n x i x Th e .

b l ood a n d w a ter whi ch owed from th e s id e of C h ri s t a ft e r t h e p i e rc

1 90 Fa i th .

i ng with t h e l a n ce, wer e a s ign of dea th ( John x ix Hi s holy .

M o ther a n d Hi s fr i en ds wo uld n ever h a ve pl a c ed Hi m i n t h e t omb

un les s He h a d b een d ea d All t h e Eva n geli s t s a g ree i n t es ti fyin g
.

t o t h e dea th of C h r i s t .

Th e ri s en L ord b ore i n Hi s b ody th e v e wou n ds , a n d i t h a d

th e p rop er t i es of a gi li ty, s u b t ili ty, l a r i ty a n d i mp a s s ib ili ty c .

C hr i s t r et a i n e d th e v e w oun ds , for He o rdere d t h e un b eli ev in g

a p os tl e t o pl a c e h i s n g e r i n t h e w o un d s of t h e n a il s , a n d h i s h a n d i n
t h e w oun d of t h e s ide ( John xx 2 7 O u r L or d w oul d k eep th e ma rks
.

o f t h e w o un d s i n h e a ven t o s h ow u s th a t He w ould n ot forg e t us ,

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
.

w ritten i n Hi s ow n b loo d ; a n d St Amb r os e a dd s tha t O ur L or d he re .

,

thes e w oun d s t o b e a p erp e tu a l r emi n de r t o Hi s h ea ven ly F a ther

of t h e p ri c e of ou r r e d empti o n , t o r en ew th e s a c r i ce of t h e c r os s

foreve r i n h ea ven ( Heb viii . 1 .

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 . .

C hr i s t ou r Hea d a ros e s o s h a ll we a ll r i s e a g a i n ( St I r en aeus )

, , . .

He c a lled r s t Hi s own b ody t o life ; l a ter He will c a ll t h e memb er s

o f Hi s mys ti c a l b o dy t o s h a r e i t s li fe ( St Ath a n a s ius ) Th e h op e . .

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 .

Thr ough o ut C h ri s t en d om Ea s t er i s c el eb r a t e d a s t h e fea s t of t h e

r es urr ec ti on In th e O l d Tes t a men t th e P a s ch a l Sa b b a th wa s kept
.

i n r ememb r a n ce of t h e delivery fr om th e Eg ypti a n y ok e Amon g .

C h r i s ti a n s i n ac cor da n ce with a dec i s i on of t h e C o un c il of N i caea

, ,

3 25 A D t h e fea s t i s c el eb r a te d on t h e r s t Sun d a y a ft er t h e ful l

. .
,

moon whi ch comes n ext a ft e r t h e s p r i n g e qui n ox In con s equ en c e .

Ea s te r ma y fa ll a n ywh ere b etween t h e twen ty s econ d of M a rc h a n d -

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
.

i n t h e w a t er s of b a pti s m ; hen c e t h e b l es s i n g of t h e fon t o n H oly

Sa tur d a y ; a n d a ll thos e wh o p e rfor m th e i r Ea s t er duti es h a ve a
s pi r itu a l r es u rr ec ti on fr om t h e d e a d ( R om vi In th e w or d s of . .

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 i s e fr om t h e g r a ve of our s in s Th e P a s ch a l c a n dle, whi ch i s b le s s ed

.

on H oly Sa tu r d a y i s on a c c oun t o f i t s v e i n c en s e g r a i n s whi c h rep

, ,

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
,

s e rvi c es till As c en s i on Thu r s d a y The Ea s t er eggs a re a typ e of t h e

.

r es u rr e c ti on : j us t a s t h e yo un g b i r d b rea ks fr om t h e s hell s o will ,

ma nk i n d a r i s e a g a i n fr om t h e e a rth Th e s ea s on its elf i s typi ca l of

'
.

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 Amb r os e t el l s u s th a t C h r i s t a pp ea red r s t t o Hi s h oly M othe r

. .

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
.

xx iv . Ea rly i n th e mo rn i n g of Ea s ter Sun d a y C hri s t a pp e a red

t o M a r! M a gd a l en b y th e s epul ch r e ( M a rk xvi 9 ; John xx . .

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 .

xxviii . i n th e even i n g He a pp ea re d t o th e t wo di s c ipl es wh o were

1 92 Fa i th .

d a ys with th ei r p r oces s i on s s ymb oli c of t h e g oi n g , ou t of C hr i s t

wi th Hi s a p os tles t o th e M oun t of O lives .

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 .

C hr i s t i s t h e me di a t or b etw een God a n d ma n ( 1 Ti m ii and . .

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 . .
,

y ou fea r t o g o t o God t h e F a the r , turn t o Jes us C h ri s t , Wh o h a s

b een given t o us a s a me di a t or Wh a t c a n s uch a F a ther refus e t o

.

s uc h a Son ? C hr i s t i s often liken e d t o t h e s un whi c h s he ds i t s , .

light a n d w a rmth th e higher it r i s es i n th e hea ven s .

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 .

hen c e t h e exp res s i on C hr i s t s its on t h e r ight h a n d of God i s

e quiv a l en t t o : C hr i s t i s n ext i n h on or t o God
He i s therefore .

a b ov e a ll t h e a n g el s ( Ep h i God t h e F a ther h a s n o b ody ; s o

. .

th a t wh en we s p ea k of th e r ight h a n d of God w e mea n a s St John , , .

D a ma s cen e tells u s t h e gl ory of Hi s G odh e a d of whi c h C h ri s t t o ok

, ,

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 , ,

r oya l a n d j udi c i a l p owers Th e w or d s of C hr i s t Hi ms elf were : Al l

.

p owe r i s given t o M e i n hea ven a n d on ea rth

( M a tt xx v iii . .

Hen ce a ll c rea tures owe Hi m divin e homa ge ( Phil ii 9 . .

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 .

Th e H oly G h os t des c en de d on a Sun d a y a b out n i n e o cl oc k i n ,

th e mor n i n g ( Ac t s ii Th e s ign s a cc omp a n yi n g Hi s des cen t wer e

.

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
, ,

t on gu es t h e gi ft of t on gues t o t h e a p os tles a n d t h e te a chi n g of t h e

G os p el t o a ll n a ti on s P en t ecos t i s t h e d a y of foun d a ti on of t h e
.

C hur ch b ec a u s e it b eg a n on th a t d a y b y t h e b a pti s m of three th ou

,

s a n d n ew memb e rs P en te cos t i s c eleb r a t ed fty da ys a fter Ea s t er

.

P en t ec os t me a n i n g fty In t h e O l d L a w thi s d a y w a s c eleb r a te d

.

fty d a ys a fte r t h e Ex odus i n memory of t h e p r omul g a ti on of t h e

,

c omma n dmen ts on M oun t Si n a i O n M o un t Si on a s on M oun t Sin a i

.

wa s G o d s will d ecl a r e d a mid lightn i n g a n d thun d e r a n d i n b oth

,

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 ,

th e o th er fr om s pi r itu a l s l a ve ry It i s th e cus t om t o b les s th e fon t

.

i n memor y of t h e three th ou s a n d wh o were b a ptiz e d on thi s d a y .

Th e Sa tu r d a y p r ec e din g w a s a lwa ys ob s erv e d a s a fa s t d a y th a t ,

l ike t h e a p os tl es w e might p r ep a re for t h e comi n g of t h e H oly Spi r it

Th e Su n d a y foll owi n g Wh it s u n d a y i s Tr i n ity Sun d a y a n d on th e ,

Thu r s d a y foll owi n g i s k ept t h e fea s t of C o rp u s C h r i s ti .

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

7 . THE P ER SON OF THE RED EEM ER .

Jes us Chri s t , Our Red eemer, i s th e Son of God ma de ma n ;

c
h en e He i s God Hi ms elf .

Th e In ca r n a ti on of th e Son f
o God .

Th e hea then h a d ver y ea rly con ceived t h e idea th a t God h a d

des c en d ed fr om hea ve n a n d mi xed with men ; th e Gr eek myt h ology
i s full of it Now God h a s a ctu a lly c ome d own t o e a rth ( Joh n iii 1 3 )

. .

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 oui s of Gr a n a d a w r ites : Jus t a s t h e s u n mu s t b e wra pp ed i n

cl ou d s i f w e a re t o g a z e up on it with eyes un di mmed , s o Go d w r a pp ed

H i ms elf i n es h a s i n a cl oud s o th a t t h e eyes of ou r s oul might
,

he a r t o l ook up on Hi m Huma n th ought mu s t b e cl othed i n w or d s

.

t o re a ch our ea r s ; s o God cl othed Hi ms el f i n huma n n a ture t o r e a ch

t h e s oul s o f men Th e W or d
. t h e Son of Go d ] w a s ma d e es h
b ec a me ma n ] a n d dw elt a mon g s t u s

( John i Th e In .

c a rn a ti on t ook pl a c e i n t h e i n s t a n t wh en O u r L a dy utt ere d t h e w or d s :

B e i t d on e un t o me a ccor di n g t o thy w or d

( L uk e i They .

err wh o thi nk th a t t h e hum a n n a tur e w a s r s t forme d a n d a fterw a r d s

un it ed t o th e divi n e p er s on , j us t a s t h e V a len ti ni a n s wer e wr on g i n
a s s e rt i n g th a t C h r i s t b r ought Hi s huma n b o dy fr om h ea ven C hr is t .

r ece ived Hi s b ody fr om t h e V i r gi n M a ry He w a s ma de from a .

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 . .

Son of ma n ca me d own fr om he a ven , it i s t rue ( John iii i n re .

ga r d of t h e divi n e p er s on , b u t n ot i n r ega r d of Hi s huma n n a tur e ;

w e mu s t n ot , h oweve r, i ma g i n e th a t t h e divi n e es s en c e c a me d own
from h ea ven a n d un it ed it s elf t o t h e huma n n a tu re ; thi s w oul d mea n
th a t a l l th r ee p ers on s of t h e Ble s s ed Tri n ity h a s a s s umed ou r huma n
n a tur e . Su ch a thi n g i s i mp os s i b le, for s uch a un i on w ould r e qui re
a ch a n g e i n t h e divi n e es s en c e, whi c h i s i n c a p a b l e of ch a n g e O n ly .

on e of t h e divi n e p er s on s , t h e Son of God , a s s ume d ou r huma n

n a tu r e . Go d a divi n e p er s on ) n ot t h e G o dhea d t h e divi n e
es s en c e ) b e c a me ma n Th ere i s , h owever , a n i n tima te un i on b e
.
!

tw een t h e n a tu r e of God a n d th e n a tur e of ma n i n t h e p e rs on of t h e

Son ; a n d it i s c ert a i n th a t a l l th e divi n e p ers on s h a d th ei r s h a re i n
th e w ork o f t h e I n c a rn a ti on for i n th e w o rk whi ch G od d oe s out s id e
,

Hims elf a ll thr ee p ers on s of th e Tr i n ity h a ve th ei r s h a re .

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 .

Th e th ree divi n e p er s on s formed a huma n s oul a n d a huma n

b ody a n d un it ed t o them th e Se con d P er s on of th e Tr i n ity As St . .

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
. .

ex pl a i n s it : B ody a n d s oul a re n eces s a ry for a ma n t o p r ot b y hi s

1 94 F a i th .

food, y et t h e b ody a l on e receives t h e n our i s hmen t

So th e th ree p er .

s on s of t h e Tr in ity c c ope r a t ed i n t h e I n c a r n a ti on , b u t t h e Sec on d

-

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
, .

Acc or di n g t o t h e F a th ers ther e i s n o d oub t tha t e ither God th e

'

F a the r or th e H oly G h os t might h a ve b ec ome ma n ; b u t it w as mee t

th a t He Wh o i s t h e Son of G od fr om a ll e t ern ity s h ould b ecome t h e
Son of ma n ; th a t He Wh o i s th e p erfect ima ge of God s h oul d r e s t ore
t o ma n ki n d th a t s up ern a tu r a l i ma g e whi c h h a d b een l os t b y s i n .

2 . Th e Fa t h er of Jes us i s t h erefore God th e Fa th er i n h ea ven ;

Jos ep h , th e s p ous e of M a ry , i s onl y th e fos t er fa t h er of Jes us -
.

St Greg ory t h e Gre a t tell s u s th a t C h r i s t i s th e Son of God , n ot

.

onl y b ec a u s e He i s th e Secon d P e r s on of t h e Bl es s e d Tr i n ity , b u t a l s o

b ec a us e God forme d Hi s s a cr e d huma n ity In th e r s t p r omi s e of th e .

R e d eeme r a s w e re a d it i n t h e P rote v a n g elium C h ri s t i s c a ll ed , n ot

t h e s ee d of ma n , b u t t h e s eed of t h e w oma n ( Ge n iii a n d i n th e . .

gen ea l ogy of C hr i s t r ecor ded b y St M a tth ew, n o men ti on i s ma d e of

.

Hi s d es cen t fr om Jos eph , b u t on ly fr om M a ry ( M a tt i Y et . .

C h r i s t w a s c omm on ly th ought t o b e t h e Son of Jos eph ( L uke iii .

M a ry w a s es p ou s e d t o St Jos eph th a t n o a ccu s a ti on might b e ma d e

.

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 .

Ab o ut St Jo s eph w e h a ve t h e foll owi n g fa c t s : He w a s a c a rpe n t er

.

( 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 . . .

u s h e w a s p e rfec t i n eve r y vi r tue, a n d St Th oma s Aqui n a s gives a s .

t h e r ea s on for h i s h oli n es s th a t h e w a s s o cl os e t o t h e foun t of h oli

n es s , ju s t a s t h e s p r i n g i s cl e a r e r a s w e a pp r oa c h i t s s ou r c e St . .

F r a n c i s of Sa l es tell s u s tha t St Jos eph w a s c on s pi c uou s for hi s

.

p ur ity, a n d th ere in s urp a s s e d a ll t h e s a i n t s a n d even th e a n g els .

To h i m w a s gr a n t e d t h e h on or whi c h ki n gs a n d p roph e t s s igh ed

for i n v a i n ; h e might t a ke h i s L or d in t o h i s a rms ki s s Hi m, s p e a k ,

with Hi m cl oth e Hi m p r ot ect Hi m ( St B e rn a r d ) He w a s c a lled

, , . .

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 . .

a s s e r t th a t St Jo s eph h a s a v ery high pl a c e i n h e a ven a s t h e s p o us e

.

of t h e Bl e s s e d V i rgi n , a n d tha t h e will b e c a ll e d up on b y men i n th e

l a s t d a ys of th e w orld a n d give s ign s of h i s g rea t p owe r St Jos eph . .

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
. . . .

for t h e C hu r c h h a ve gr ea t efc a c y a t t h e th r on e of God He i s a ls o .

th e p a t r on of a h a ppy d e a th , dyi n g a s h e did hi ms elf i n t h e a r ms o f

Jes u s a n d M a ry He i s a l s o i n voked for temp or a l w a n t s , s in c e h i s
.

c a r e on thi s ea r th w a s t h e s upp o r t of t h e H oly F a mi ly St Th oma s . .

Aquin a s s a y s th a t St Jos eph r ece ived p ow er fr om God t o h el p i n

.

a ll n eces s iti e s ; a n d St Ter es a d ecl a red th a t n o p r a yer of h ers t o

.

St Jos ep h i n t emp o r a l or s pi r itu a l n ee d w a s ever l eft un a n s w ered

. .

Th e C a th oli c C hu r ch h a s a lw a ys h on ore d St Jos eph i n a s p ec i a l ma n .

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 .

Th e c on c e pti on and In ca rn a ti on a re as l ittle un der s t ood b y us

[ 96 F a i th .

co me ma n As God on ly He could n ot s uffer ; a s ma n on ly He could

.

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
.

n ot b e r e s t or e d u n l e s s t h e s itt er p r es en t hi ms el f t o t h e a rti s t ; thu s

God h a d t o come d own on e a r th t o r es to r e Hi s likene s s i n ma n ( St .

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 .

Ha d He a pp e a re d i n Hi s ma j es ty men w ould n ever ha ve da red

t o c r uc i fy Hi m ( 1 C or ii L ike C od r u s t h e Athen i a n k i n g He
. .
, ,

s ec ure d vi c t or y t o Hi s ow n b y dyi n g for th em Th e o r a cle h a d .

p r omi s e d t h e Ath en i a n s v i cto ry i f th e i r ki n g di e d b y t h e h a n d s of

t h e en emy a n d C o d r u s di s gui s i n g h i s r oy a l d r es s m a r ch e d in t o th e
, , ,

en emy s c a mp a n d w a s b y them put t o d ea th Th e p r oph et s h a d

.

for et old th a t ma n ki n d s h ould b e s a v ed b y t h e dea th of i ts Ki n g ,

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 , .

evil s pi r its ed wh en th ey s a w Wh om th ey h a d kill e d

If as .
,

L oui s of Gr a n a d a s a y s a ki n g w ould p r ov e h i s c ou r a g e i n b a ttle

, ,

h e mu s t put a w a y a ll s ymb ol s of h i s r a nk t o p r ocl a i m them onl y ,

wh en h e i s vi ct or a n d thi s i s wh a t O u r L o r d did He will c ome .

a g a i n with g r ea t p ow e r a n d ma j e s ty ( M a tt xxvi St Th oma s . . .

s a y s th a t w e ca nn ot a fr m with c ert a i n ty th a t G od w o uld h a ve b ec ome

ma n h a d ma n n ot s in n e d ; it cert a in ly w ould n ot h a ve b e en b eyon d
Hi s p ow er .

5 . Th e Se c on dPers on al wa ys rema i ned God th ough He b e

c a me ma n, a n d b y th e In a r na t i on c He l os t none of Hi s di gni ty .

Wh en w e a s s e rt th a t th e Son of God c a me d own on e a rth w e d o ,

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
.

with out le a vi n g t h e rma men t As St Amb r os e s a ys th e divi n ity of

. .
,

C hr i s t i s n ot de s t r oye d b u t on ly hidden b y Hi s huma n n a tu re jus t

, ,

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 .

th ought b ec a u s e s p ok en d oes n ot c ea s e t o b e a p r odu c t of t h e s oul

, , ,

s o t h e W or d of G o d did n ot c e a s e t o b e with t h e F a th e r ( St Augu s .

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
,

i t e d b y t h e b ody whi c h He a s s ume d b u t s till ll s h e a v en a n d ea rth ,

.

M o reov er God l os t n on e of Hi s dign ity b y t h e In c a r n a ti on Th e .

s u n light whi c h pl a ys over l th i s n ot d el ed ; s till l es s i s t h e G odh e a d

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

th e gutt er t o pl a ce it on h i s n ge r th e r e i s n o l o s s o f dign ity ; s o t oo

, , ,

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 . .

G od l os t a n ythi n g b u t on ly th a t He a s s umed a n a tur e l ow er th a n Hi s

,

ow n ,a n d g a ve u s th e r eb y a n ex a mpl e of humility He humb led .

Hi ms el f ( Ph i l ii

. .

6 B y t h e I n ca rna t i on of th e Son of God a l l th e memb ers of

.

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

Th e huma n na ture of t h e Son

God i s like t h e yea s t whi ch
of
lea ven s t h e wh ole ma s s ( M a tt x iii C hr i s t i s th e vi n e a n d w e
. .
,

a re t h e b r a n c he s ( Joh n Th e a n g el s even fa ll s h or t of u s i n thi s

r es p ec t for th ough they a re exemp t fr om s i ckn e s s a n d de a th they
,

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

would en vy u s th a t h on or As St Amb ros e s a ys : . Th e Almighty

.

t ook t h e form of a s l a ve th a t th e s l a ve might b ecome a ki n g

Th e .

Son of G od b eca me t h e Son of ma n th a t t h e child r en of men might

b ec ome c hild ren of God ( St Ath a n a s ius )

O h , wh a t a w on dr ou s
. .

r ed empti on i s th a t wher e ma n i s , a s it were, put on a p a r with God

( St Hil a ry )
. .

Wh a t Tru th s f ollowf m roth e M y s ter

y f
o t h e R ed em p ti on ?
1 Chri s t i s
. tr ue God a n d t rue ma n ; h en c e we c a l l Hi m th e
God ma n-
.

Every b ei n g gets i t s n a ture wh en ce it h a s i t s or igi n ; thu s a chi ld

g et s i t s huma n n a tur e b y b ei n g b or n of ma n C hr i s t ther efore .
, ,

h a vi n g Hi s o ri gi n fr om God th e F a the r d er ives from Hi m Hi s divi n e ,

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 ,

n a tur e He cl a imed b oth div i n e a n d huma n a ttr ib utes He s a id

. .
,

for ex a mple Th e F a th er i s gr ea ter th a n I

, ( Joh n x iv a n d y et .

on a n oth er o cca s i on : Th e F a ther a n d I a re on e ( John K As .

God He c a ll s M a ry w oma n a s on t h e oc ca s i on of t h e w eddi n g fe a s t

-

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 .

ti mes Son of God a n d a ga i n Son of ma n

.

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 ) .

C hr i s t b eca me like t o Hi s b r e th ren ( Heb ii 1 7 ) He wa s ma de i n . .

t h e lik en es s of ma n a n d i n h a b it form e d a s a ma n ( Phil ii 7 C h ri s t . .

h a d a huma n b ody . with a l l i ts c on s equen t n ee ds of ea ti n g a n d d r ink

i n g a n d s l eepi n g , a s w ell a s of s uffer i n g An d dyi n g ; a n d He h a d a
r e a l b ody, n ot a ctiti o us on e, a s t h e D ocet ae t a ught C hr i s t h a d a .

huma n s oul a n d s o a huma n i n tellec t , a n d a hum a n will ( for He

,

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 ) . . . .

ca ll s C h r i s t t h e h ea venl y ma n , i n opp os iti on t o t h e e a r thly ma n ,

Ad a m ; h i s mea n i n g b ei n g th a t C h ri s t s b ody w a s h ea ven ly i n th e

s en s e th a t it w a s fo rmed s up e rn a tu r a lly i n t h e w omb of a vi rgi n b y

th e a c ti on of t h e H oly Spi r it a n d th a t it di s pl a yed on ea r th s ome of

t h e p r op e rti es of gl or i ed b od i es a s on M o un t Th a b o r a n d t h e w a lk
,

i n g on t h e w a te r s .

2 . t h ere a re two na t ures h uman a n d d i vi ne whi c h

In Ch ri s t , ,

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 .

Th e tur e or es s en ce i s th e tot a l of t h e p ower s b el on gin g t o a

na
b ei n g Th e p er s on i s t h e p os s es s or of thi s n a tu re ; or p erh a p s mor e
.

s t ri ctly th a t whi ch i s common t o a ll men i s th e n a tu re a n d th a t whi ch

,

c o ns titutes ma n a n in d ep en d en t i n dividu a l i s t h e p er s on Thu s th e .

1 98 F a i th .

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 , .

a s i r on a n d g old ma y b e welde d i n t o on e s olid ma s s a n d s till r ema i n ,

with a l l th ei r i n dividu a l p r op erti es di s tin c t s o a re th e t wo n a tu res ,

un it e d i n C h r i s t Nor i s th e huma n n a tur e ch a n g ed i n to t h e divi n e

.

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
, ,

d r op of hon ey might b e los t i n t h e exp a n s e of t h e ocea n ; n or h a ve

th e t w o n a tur es comb i n ed t o fo rm a thi r d a s hyd r ogen a nd oxyg en ,

c omb i n e t o form wa te r .

Hen c e C h ri s t h a s a twofol d kn owl edge, h u man an d d i vi n e .

As God He kn ew thi n gs even th e th ought s of men ; a n d He

a ll ,

a l s o kn ew a l l thi n g s a s ma n on a ccoun t of t h e hyp os t a ti c un i on ; t h e

rea s on why He den i ed a ll kn owledge of t h e d a y a n d hou r of t h e L a s t
Judg men t w a s b ec a u s e He w a s n ot i n trus ted wi t h Hi s kn owledg e
t o c omm un i ca te it t o ma n ( M a rk x iii .

Hen c e a l s o C h ri s t h a s a twofol d will , h u man a n d di vi n e, th e

j
h u ma n b ei n g s u b ect t o th e di vi n e ( Th ird C ou n il C on s t a n t ) c .

We lea rn fr om th e p r a yer i n t h e g a r den th a t C hr i s t h a d a huma n

will : Not M y will b u t Thi n e b e d on e ( L uk e xxii

s ub j ec t h o w .

eve r t o t h e divi n e will : I s eek n ot M y own will b u t t h e will of Hi m

th a t s en t M e ( John v So a p a ti en t ma y s h r i n k from t h e p a i n
.

of a n op er a ti on , a n d y et s ub mit hi ms elf t o t h e h a n d s of t h e s u rg eon .

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 . .

To Hi s divin e tivity b el on g th e mi r a cles a n d p r ophe s i e s to

ac ,

th e huma n p r i n c iple of a c ti on t h e O p er a ti on s of s leepi n g e a ti n g , ,

d r i n ki n g a n d s uffer i n g Th e th r e e p e rs o n s of t h e Bles s ed Tr i n ity

.

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
,
.

Ath a n a s i a n C reed : As t h e r a ti on a l s oul a n d th e es h i s on e ma n

,

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
.
,

c ompl et e d b y a divi n e a n d n ot a huma n p er s on a lity i s for th a t v er y ,

rea s on mor e p er fec t ; j us t a s i n ma n th e b ody i s mor e p e rfe c t on a c

coun t of b ei n g i n forme d b y a hu ma n s oul th a n i n t h e l ow e r a n i ma l s , .

M or eover a s i n ma n t h e b ody i s a n i n s t r umen t b y whi ch t h e s oul a cts ,

s o i n C h ri s t t h e huma n n a tu re i s t h e i n s t r umen t b y whi ch t h e divi n e

p ers on a ct s ; n or i s C hr i s t s b ody a li feles s t ool l ike a p en i n t h e h a n d

,

o f a wr it e r b u t it i s full of li fe a n d h a s i t s own s p ec i a l a c tivity

, .

Th e hum a n ity of C h r i s t i s it mu s t b e r ememb ered n ot a n i n s tru

, ,

men t of G od s a c ti on i n t h e s a me wa y a s were t h e p r oph et s or t h e

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
.
,

d emn ed a t t h e C oun c il of Eph es u s i n whi ch h e t a ught th a t i n C h ri s t ,

th e G odh e a d dw elt i n a di s ti n ct p er s on th a t t h e God C hri s t

dwelt i n th e ma n C hr i s t ) a s i n a t empl e .
2 00 F a i th .

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
.

Jes u s a re on e a n d th e s a me p e r s on wh a tever i s s a id of C h r i s t a s God ,

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
,

divin e p ers on God s uffer ed for u s die d for u s When a , ,

ma n i s b oth go od a n d r i ch we ma y s a y without erro r :

, Thi s r i ch
man i s go od or Thi s good ma n i s ri c h b ec a us e we a re t a lki n g of

,

,

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 ,

s e quen c e h a s t h e a ttr i b ute s p r op er t o G od a n d ma n So we migh t .

s ay Thi s s ufferer i s God

Thi s dyi n g ma n i s a lmighty But we
,

.

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 ,

h ea d mea n s t h e divi n e n a tur e a n d it n ever s uffered Hen ce St

, . .

John D a ma s cen e w r ot e : Th ough t h e G odh ea d wa s i n a s uffe r i n g

form t h e G o dhea d did n ot s uffer
, Th e s un i s n ot hur t though t h e .
,

t ree on whi ch it s hin es i s felled .

Jes u s C hri s t i s the Son o f God .

C h r i s t ca ll ed Hi ms elf t h e on ly b egotten Son of God ( John iii -

.

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
,
.

For to the s e l a tt er God h as n ot commun i c a te d Hi s own n a t u re ( Phil .

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
. . .

1 Jes us Ch ri s t s ol emnl y d e l a r ed b efore th e h i gh pr i es t th a t

. c
He wa s th e Son of God ( M a tt xxvi . .

An d He c a ll e d Hims el f th e Son of God a l s o on th e c

o c as on i
of Hi s h ea l i n g of th e ma n b orn b l i n d ( Joh n i x 3 7 .

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 . .

5 . Even th e d ev il s c ri e d out : Wha t h a v e w e to d o wi th

Th ee, Jes u s , Son of God ? Art Th ou c ome h i th er t o t or men t

u s b efor e th e t i me ? ( M a tt v i ii . .
 Th e Ap os tles Creed

. 2 01

Jes u s C hri s t i s God Hi ms elf .

It h a d lr e a dy b een foret old : God Hi ms elf will c ome a n d will

a

s a ve y ou ( Is xxxv a.n d I s a i a s s.a id th a t t h e C hild Wh o w a s t o

b e b orn for t h e redempti on of men w a s God Hi ms elf ( Is i x Th e . .

hereti c Ar ius d en i ed C h ri s t s G o dhea d ; h i s h er es y was c on demn e d a t

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
. .
,

Jes u s C hr i s t w a s of t h e s a me n a ture a s G od a n d ther efore Hi ms elf

God .O u r whol e p os iti on res t s on thi s d oc tr i n e h en ce i t s g rea t i m ,

p ort a n ce Wh en t h e r i c h di s c iple a ddres s ed C hr i s t a s good ma s t er

.

,

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 .

tha t we mus t b efore a ll thi n g s rec ogn iz e Hi m a s God .

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 .

Whe n a s cen di n g i n t o hea ven He s a id : All p ower i s given t o M e

( M a tt xxviii

i n hea ven a n d on e a rth a n d a g a in : I a n d th e
. .

Fa th er a re on e ( John x Thes e l a s t w or ds wer e t r ea te d b y t h e

.

Jew s a s b l a s ph emy a n d th ey th re a t en e d t o s t on e O u r L or d for them

,

( John x . C hr i s t cl a i med i n a s p ec i a l ma n n er a ttr i b utes a n d

w orks s u ch a s b el on g t o G od a lon e He p r ocl a i med Hi s et ern ity when .

He s a id : Gl or i fy Th ou M e 0 F a ther with Thys elf with t h e gl ory

, ,

whi ch I h a d b efor e th e w orld w a s with Th ee ( John xv i i

An d
, .

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 . .

a w a ken t h e de a d ( John v 2 8 ) t o j u dge t h e w orld ( M a tt x x v 3 1 ) t o b e

.
, . .
,

t h e Auth or of li fe ( Joh n x i O n a n o th e r occ a s i on He s a id :

. If
a n y ma n k e ep M y w o r d h e s h a ll n ot s ee d ea th for ev e r

, ( John viii .

Th e a p os tl es b eli eve d a n d s olemn ly p r ocl a i med th a t C hr i s t wa s

God St Th oma s for i n s t a n ce i n t h e w or d s :
, .

M y L or d a n d my
,

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 . .

th e d e a d t o li fe for ex a mpl e i n t h e ca s e of t h e d a ught er of Ja i ru s

, , ,

of t h e s on of t h e wid ow of N a i m of L a z a r u s Th e exp elli n g , .

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
, .

p r ove d th a t He h a d p ower ove r a ll c rea ti on a s n o o th er h a d O th er s .

did mi r a cles i n t h e n a me of God a s for ex a mpl e, wh en St P eter , ,

.
202 Fa i th .

an d St Joh n. u re d th e ma n a t th e g a t e of t h e Temple C hr i s t did

c .

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 .

e rs of fa l s e r eligi on s a re oft en v e r y a b s u r d a n d c hildi s h ; th a t Buddha

r ode on a s un b e a m th a t M oh a mme d c a u s e d t h e moon t o p a s s th rough
,

hi s s le eve th a t Ap oll on iu s of Ty a n a r a i s e d a s t orm i n a b a rr el etc

, , .

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 . .

Joh n a n d St P et er, th e d es tru cti on of Jerus a l em, th e fa te of

.

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 .

C h r i s t foret old th a t He w oul d b e put t o dea th

i n Jer us a l em ( L uke
x iii . th a t He w oul d b e s courge d a n d cr u c i ed , a n d w ould r i s e
a g a i n a ft e r thr ee d a ys ( M a tt xx 1 7 At th e L a s t Sup p e r He
. .

for et old t h e t re a c hery of Juda s ( John x iii a n d th a t P et er w ould .

den y Hi m thr i c e b efor e th e c ock w ould cr ow ( M a tt xxvi Aft er . .

Hi s res urrecti on He p r ophes i ed t o Pete r h i s dea th on th e cr os s a n d ,

t o John th a t h e s h ould d i e a n a tur a l de a th ( John xx i 1 8 Afte r .

Hi s t riumph a l en try in to Jerus a le m ( Luke x i x 41 a n d dur i n g .

,

Hi s di s cour s e on th e L a s t Judgmen t on t h e M oun t of O lives ( M a tt .

xxiv ) He foret old h ow Jerus a lem s houl d b e s u rr oun ded b y h er en e

.

mi es a n d des t r oyed He a l s o kn ew tha t th e Jew s s h oul d b e s c a tt er ed

.

a mon g t h e n a ti on s ( Luk e xx i th a t Hi s C hur ch s h ould s p r ea d .

r a pidly a mon g t h e n a ti on s of t h e e a rth ( John x 1 6 ; M a tt xiii 3 1 ) . . .

i n s pit e of t h e p er s ec uti on of Hi s a p os tles ( John xvi .

3 Th a t Jes us Ch r i s t i s God w e on l ud e from th e el eva t i on

. c c
of Hi s t ea ch i ng a nd Hi s ch a ra c t er .

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 .

C hr i s t d oct r i n e a n s wers a ll th e n eed s of th e hum a n h ea rt a n d i s

s ,

a d a pte d t o a ll wh a tever b e thei r s t a ti on a g e s ex o r n a ti on ; th e

, , , ,

g re a t es t phil os oph er s eve n men lik e St Augu s ti n e fou n d i n it t h e

, .
,

p ea ce th ey l on ge d for C hr i s t s d oct r i n e i s a p erfec t r evel a ti on of t h e

.

high es t en d of ma n a n d of t h e cr ea ti on b es ides i n cul c a ti n g t h e ,

l ofti es t vi r tu es : s u c h a s l ove of on e s n eighb or humility gen tlen es s

, , ,

p a ti en ce l ove of on e s en emi es p over ty whi ch up t o t h e ti me of

,

, ,

C h r i s t h a d b een quit e un kn ow n K a n t con fes s es th a t r ea s on w ould .

n ot , even a t t h e p r e s en t d a y h a v e di s c overed th e un ivers a l mor a l

,

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 .

,

b ei n g l ofty wa s s o s i mpl e a n d a n n oun ced with s uch cl ea r n es s t h a t

, , ,

th e p e opl e ma rv ell e d t o h ea r Hi m ( M a tt vii Even Str a u s s d oes . .

n ot h es it a t e t o d ecl a r e th a t t o s u r p a s s t h e t e a chi n g o f Jes u s i s a n i m

p os s i b l e t a s k for a l l t i me Th ere i s a b s olut ely n othi n g i n th e C hr i s
.

ti a n religi on th a t i s opp os ed t o s ou n d r e a s on or c a n l ower th e t ru e ,

2 04 Fa i th .

w ork mi r a cles b u t a s St Augus ti n e s a ys th e s p rea d of C h r i s ti a n ity

, , .
,

without mi r a cles would h a ve b een t h e g re a te s t mi r a cl e of a n y O n .

P en tec os t v e thous a n d were b a ptiz ed ; t w o th ou s a n d mor e a fter t h e

mi r a cl e a t th e g a te of t h e Temple a n d i n t h e yea r A D 1 00 C h r i s ti a n , . .

i ty h a d ext en de d ov er t h e wh ol e R oma n w orld Pli n y t h e G over n or of .

,

Bithyn i a r ep orted t o t h e Emp ero r Tr a j a n th a t t h e hea then t emples

,

w ere left empty b ec a us e a ll wer e b ec omin g C hr i s ti a n s i n t h e t own s

and villa ge s St Ju s t i n u s t h e phil os oph er wr ot e i n A D 1 5 0:
. .
, , . .

Th ere i s n ot a n a ti on wh ere p r a yers a re n ot offered t o t h e h ea ven ly

F a th er i n t h e n a me of t h e C ru c i ed

.

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 .

Th e s ac r ice hum a n vi cti ms wa s a b oli s hed a n d t h e b l oo dy

of ,

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
"

ti on s a r os e for t h e b li n d th e p oor t h e s i ck et c owi n g th e i r exi s t en ce

, , , .
,

t o t h e t e a c hi n g of C h r i s ti a n mer c y P olyg a my di e d ou t a n d w oma n .

,

r eg a i n e d h er dign ity O r der w a s es t a b li s he d i n t h e fa mily li fe b y

.

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 .

Sl a very w a s g r a du a lly a b oli s he d for every ma n s a w i n h i s n e ighb or ,

t h e i ma g e of Go d Th e c r ue l l a ws a g a in s t ma lefa c tors b ec a me milde r

.
,

and wa r s b eca me l es s fr e qu en t Tr a de s c i en ce a n d a rt were .

, ,

c ultiv a t e d mor e a n d l a b or a c qui r e d a n ew dig n ity

, Even Juli a n th 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.

g ood mus t b e fr om God It i s s ometime s u rge d th a t C h r i s t s t e a ch

.

i n g h a s b een t h e c a us e of ma n y r eligi ou s w a r s a n d s chi s ms Th e .

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

p erver s ity i n n ot foll owin g th a t tea c hin g or w r es ti n g it to h i s own ,

des t r ucti on whi ch c a u s es s o muc h evil

, .

Jes u s C hri s t i s O u r L ord .

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 .

We c a llCh ri s t Our Lor d b e a us e

c He is our Crea t or, Re
d eemer , La w gi ver , Tea h er, a nd Jud ge c .

C h ri s t i s ou r C rea t or : In Hi m w er e a ll thin g s cr ea ted i n h ea ven

a n d on ea r th , vi s i b l e a n d i n vi s i b l e a n d b y Hi s Son God

( C ol i . .

ma d e th e wo rld ( Heb i St John ca ll s C h r i s t t h e W or d a n d

. . . ,

sa ys : With out Hi m w a s ma d e n othi n g th a t w a s ma d e ( Joh n i .

C h r i s t i s ou r R edeemer By Hi m we a re s et free from t h e s l a very of

.

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 ,

of t h e Ten C omma n d men t s a n d g a ve t h e t w o p r ec ept s of l ove

,
He .

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 .

ou r Te a ch e r b ec a u s e He t a ught men t o b e lik e t o God a n d i n Joh n

, ,

x iii 1 3 He c a ll s Hi ms el f ou r M a s t er C hr i s t i s a l s o ou r Judge for

.
, .

He will come a g a i n i n gl ory t o s ummon a ll ma n kin d b efore Hi s judg

,
 Th e Ap os tles Creed

. 205

men t s e a t a n d s ep a r a te th e s heep from t h e g oa ts ( M a tt xx v 3 1

-
. .
,

Then will t h e j us t a s well as t h e wi cked a dd res s Hi m s a yi n g : L or d , ,

wh en did we s ee Th ee hu n gry or thi rs ty or a s t r a n ger or n a ke d or , , ,

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

. . .
,

EI GHTH AR TI CL E OF THE CREED THE H OL Y G H OST .

1 . THE GRAC E O F THE HO L Y GHO ST IS

NECESSAR Y TO US .

1 . Holy Gh os t i s th e Thi rd Pers on of th e Bl es s ed Tri ni ty

Th e ,

a nd i s t h erefore God Hi ms el f .

Hen c e He i s etern a l omni p r es en t omn i s ci en t a lmi gh ty

, , ,
.

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
. .

lik en es s t o t h e F a ther a n d th e Son , t o t h e v a p or a r i s i n g from w a te r ,

whi c h i s like i n i t s n a tur e t o t h e wa ter p r oduc i n g it St I s id ore . .

,

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 ,

b ody s o t h e Holy G h os t i s of t h e n a tu re of God

,
St Ath a n a s ius . .

w r it es th a t th e H oly Gh os t i s c a lle d t h e n ger of God b ec a u s e it i s ,

onl y th r o ugh Hi m th a t t h e F a th er a n d t h e Son en t er i n t o c omm u n i

ca ti on with ma n Thr ough Hi m it w a s th a t t h e t a b l e s of s t on e wer e

.

wr itt en In th e s ec on d G en er a l C oun c il of C on s t a n ti n opl e i n A D 3 81 ,

. . .

it w a s den e d th a t t h e Holy G h os t i s et ern a l , omn ip re s en t , e tc i n .

,

opp o s iti on t o t h e h ere s y of M a ce d on i u s Th e Holy Gh os t p r oceeds .

fr om t h e F a th er a n d t h e Son Th e Greek s , wh o den i e d thi s a rti cl e

.

of fa ith a n d fell a w a y fr om t h e C hu r c h i n A D 86 7 a n d A D 1 053 fell . . . .

un der t h e Turki s h y oke i n th e yea r 1 453 A D , a n d s tr a n gely en ough . .

on t h e fea s t of P e n tec os t .

2 Th e . Hol y Gh os t d i s p ens es th e gra c es wh i c h Ch ri s t meri t ed

b y th e s a cric e of th e ros s c .

Th e H oly Gh os t p ro du ces n othi n g i n a dditi on t o wh a t C hr i s t

g a i n e d fo r u s He on ly i n c r ea s es a n d p erfects th a t w or k of C hr i s t ;
.

ju s t a s t h e s u n wh en s hi n i n g on a eld d oes n ot s ow n ew s eed b u t ,

d evel op s th a t whi ch i s a l rea dy s own A gr a ce i s a fa v or gr a n t e d t o .

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 .

p r i eve t o a c r i mi n a l un d er s en ten ce of dea th th a t r ep r i ev e i s a gr a ce ,

.

So t oo G od a ct s with reg a r d t o ma n g r a n ti n g Hi m n u mb erl e s s fa

, , ,

vors with out a n y mer it on t h e p a rt of ma n ( R om iii 24 ) Th es e fa v or s . . .

or g r a ces ma y b e t emp o r a l s u ch a s h ea lth ri ch es

, s t a ti on ; or s pi rit u a l , , ,

s u ch a s forgiven e s s of ou r s i n s It i s with th e l a tter cl a s s of fa vor s

.

th a t w e a re d ea li n g n ow a n d it w a s t o s ecur e thes e for u s th a t C hr i s t

,

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 .

No mere tu r a l a ct of a ma n c a n g a in for hi m ete rn a l s a lva ti on

na .

Th e foll owi n g illu s t r a ti on ma y h elp u s A littl e b oy l on g s t o r ea ch .

'

s ome fr uit on a t r ee ; h e s t retc hes ou t hi s a rms t o t h e utmo s t b u t ,

t h e fr uit i s s till ou t of r ea c h ; th e child s fa the r then l i ft s h i m up

,

s o th a t h e ca n plu c k t h e fr uit fo r hi ms elf Thu s ma n ca n n o t a t ta in .

s a lv a ti on b y h i s ow n ef fo r ts till t h e H oly Gh os t gives h i m t h e s up er

n a tu r a l s t r en gth Jus t a s t h e ey e c a n n ot di s c ern di s t a n t ob j e c t s
.

with out a t eles c op e a n d th e a rm ca n n o t li ft h ea vy w eight s with out

,

a l e ve r s o t h e n a tur a l p ower s of ma n r e qui r e s up er n a t u r a l h elp

,

i n or de r th a t s a lva ti on ma y b e ob t a i n ed Hen ce t h e word s of C h ri s t : .

U n les s a ma n b e b or n a g a i n of w a te r a n d t h e Holy G hos t h e c a n ,

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

.

Go d ( 2 C or iii As St Th oma s Aqui n a s s a ys w e a re s i n ce t h e

. . .
, ,

F a ll like a s i c k ma n w h o c a n n ot l ea ve h i s b ed with out help

, Th e fol .

lowi n g ma y s er ve a s illus tr a ti on s A ma n c a n n o t w o rk with out .

light ; thu s t oo h e ca n n ot d o a n y g oo d w or k with out t h e light of t h e

Holy G h os t Th e b ody i s helples s un l e s s a n ima te d b y t h e s oul ; i n like
.

ma n n er ma n ca n d o n o goo d un l es s t h e Holy Spi r it Wh o i s t h e li fe ,

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 . .

n o fr uit un l e s s th ey a re w a t e re d b y t h e r a i n of the g r a c e of t h e H oly

Spi r it ( St Hil a r y ) As g r a c e c a n d o n othin g with out th e c o op e r a ti on
. .
-

of t h e will s o n e ithe r ca n t h e will a c hi eve a n y r es ult with o ut g r a ce

,
.

C omp a r e t h e a c ti on of e a r th ; it c a n p r o duce n o fr uit s with out r a i n ,

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 .

t om) . As i n k i s r equi r ed for t h e p en s o t h e g r a c e of t h e H oly Gh os t ,

i s n e ces s a ry t o i n s c r ib e t h e vi r tu es i n ou r s oul s ( St Th oma s .

Aqui n a s ) Every g ood w ork i s th e effect of two co or di n a te p r i n

.
-

c i p l es : t h e H oly G h os t a n d ou r own free will ( 1 C o r x v 1 0) w e ma y . .

comp a r e t h e a c ti on of th e s c h oolma s t er wh o guid es a b oy s h a n d whil e

h e w r ites Thu s we c a n n ever a s cr ib e t h e mer it of ou r g oo d w orks

.

t o o u r s elv es Th e ea rth d oes n ot b r i n g for th owe r s b u t r a th er th e

.
,

s u n b y mea n s of t h e e a rth As we a s cr ib e t h e a ctivity of t h e b ody t o

.

th e s oul s o w e s h ould a s cr i b e ou r g o od w ork s t o t h e gr a ce o f God

,
.

W e might put d own ou r good works t o ou r own a c c oun t wi t h a s much

t r uth a s a s oldi e r might cl a i m t h e vi ct ory with out r eferen ce t o h i s
comma n de r .

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 . AC TIO N O F THE '

HO L Y GHO ST .

Th e g r a c es c on fe rr ed b y th e Hol y G h os t a re as foll ows :

1 He gi ves to a ll men a ctu a l g r a es
. c .

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 .

s imil a r ma nn er ma n mu s t b e pur i e d fr om h i s evil des i res b efore h e

i s t for t h e w orkin g of t h e Holy G hos t i n h i s s oul .

2 . Th e a ct i on of th e Hol y Sp i ri t so meti mes ma k es i t s elf p er

cep ti b l e t o th e s ens es .

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
.

t h e Sa c r a men t s with for ms a pp ea li n g t o t h e s en s es .

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 .

Th e H oly Gh os t i s it we re a guide Wh om men ma y foll ow

, as ,

or n ot a s they li s t He i s th e light p r oceedi n g from God t o whi ch

.
,

ma n c a n i f h e will cl os e h i s eyes ; a s St Augus ti n e s a ys : To ob ey

, ,
.

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 .

a c t up on u s a s i f we w e r e i n a n i ma te ob j ec t s with out i n t ell ec t or free

will M a n s fr ee d om i s ve ry s a c re d t o G od n or will He dep r ive h i m
.

,

of it ev en whe n h e u s es it t o h i s own p er diti on In th e w o rd s of St . .

G e r t r ud e : As God w o uld n ot a ll ow our gr e a t en emy t o d ep r ive us

o f o u r fr ee d om s o n e ith e r w o uld He t a k e it fr om u s Hi ms elf

.
,

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 -

xviii 1 8 2 5 ) r ej ected it Th e p eopl e wh o on P en tecos t r evile d t h e

.
-

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 . .

P a ul wh en h e s p oke t o th em on th e Areop a gus of th e G os p el a n d th e

res urr ec ti on of t h e dea d ( Act s xvii Her od t oo when h e he a rd .
, ,

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
.

ma n wi s h es t o ma rry h e offer s h i s h a n d t o s ome s uit a b le p ers on a n d ,

tha t p ers on ma y a c cept or r ej ec t t h e offe r ; thus God a c t s He offer s .

u s Hi s gr a c e a n d w e ma y a ccept it o r r ej e c t it Wh oever c on s t a n tly .

r es i s t s a ctu a l gr a ce a n d di es i n th a t res i s t a n ce i s guilty of g r a ve

,

s i n a g a i n s t t h e H oly G h os t a s i n whi c h ca n n ot b e forgive n ,Su ch .

a ma n r es emb l es t h e d evil wh o i s ev er r e s i s ti n g t h e t r uth , .

W h oev er co op era t es wi th a tu a l gra ce-

c a rcq u i es
gr e a t e r

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 .

Th e r s t g r a ce, i f r es p on d ed t o b r i n gs with it a s tr i n g o f oth e r ,

gr a ces Th e s erv a n t wh o empl oye d w ell h i s v e t a l en t s r e c eiv ed v e

.

t a l en ts mor e ( M a tt xxv Hen c e t h e w or d s of C h r i s t : He th a t

. .

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
, . .

Th e pun i s hmen t whi ch fell o n t h e c ity o f Jeru s a l em i n A D 7 0 i s a . .

t err i b l e ex a mpl e of t h e r ej e cti on of g r a c e b ec a u s e it did n o t kn ow ,

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

gi fts a ll t h e mor e i f h e b e th e L or d of h e a ven a n d ea rth a n d God

,

Hi ms elf He wh o rej ec t s gr a ces h a s a s little ch a n ce of getti n g t o

.

hea ven a s t h e t r a veller of r ea ch i n g h i s des t i n a ti on wh o s h ould n eg

lec t t o en t er t h e t r a i n while it i s i n th e s ta ti on Th e momen t of .

a c tu a l g r a ce i s lik e t h e c r i s i s of a s i ckn es s when a little c a rel es s n es s ,

ma y c a us e dea th M a n y p e ople give a po or recepti on t o th e Holy Gh : s t

.

when He c omes t o them on t h e occ a s i on of a de a th t h e r ecepti on ,

of t h e s a c r a men t s or t h e cel eb r a ti on of g r ea t fea s ts b y givi n g w a y t o

, ,

w orldly di s tr a cti on s a n d foll owi n g thei r i n cli n a ti on s They s h oul d .

the n s eek s olitud e a n d ti me for rec oll ecti on a n d p r a yer or pur i fy ,

the i r s oul s fr om s i n b y c on fes s i on Thu s a c ted St Ign a tiu s of L oy

. .

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 .

a s s oon a s they s e e th a t a fa vor

ou t t o s e a s a ys L oui s of Gr a n a d a
, ,

a b l e wi n d i s b l owi n g ; with lik e p r omptitud e ought we t o a ct when we

feel t h e i n u en c e of t h e Holy Spi r it If w e d el a y God will withd ra w
.

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
, .

t o r i s e i n t h e ea rly mo r n i n g t o g a the r t h e ma n n a foun d it h a d melt ed

a w a y a ft e r s u n r i s e Th e gr ea t e r t h e gr a c es we r ece ive
. s a y s St ,
.

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 .

word s a re : U n to wh oms oever much i s given of h i m mu ch s h a ll b e ,

r equi r ed ( L uke x ii .

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

.

a ll men b e s a ved a n d come t o t h e kn owl edg e of t h e t r uth ( 1

, Ti m .

ii . B es ide s a ll thi s God h a s a ver y s p ec i a l l ove for t h e s oul s of

men
M y d elight i s to b e with th e children of men
.

( P rov viii . .

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 .

While th e Jew s were i n exile i n B a b yl on th e Holy G hos t w a s ,

w orki n g i n th e h ea then b y t h e ma n y mi r a cles whi ch were w r ought

t o d emon s tr a te G od s p o we r ; a s i n t h e i n c id en t of t h e th r ee chil d r en

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
.

on ly i n t h e p a tr i a r ch s a n d p r oph et s b u t even i n h ea thens l ike Soc

,

r a t es ( w h o t a ught t h e exi s t en ce of on e God a n d for tha t rea s on w a s ,

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 .

Th e Hol y Gh os t d oes n ot d i s t r i b u t e Hi s gi fts e u a ll y t o a l l q

men ; th e memb er s of th e C a t h ol i c C h u r c h r ec ei v e th e ri h es t c
s h are .
21 0 F a i th .

On e r t v e t a len ts a n oth e r two a n d a n other on e t a len t

s e v an , ,

( M a tt xxv. Th e Jew s r ec e ive d more th a n t h e h ea then ; t h e

.

b les s ed M oth er of G od more tha n a ll other men Th e t own s of C oro .

z a i n a n d B eth s a id a r e c eive d mor e gr a ces th a n Tyr e a n d Sid on C a ,

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 . .
,

gr a c es whi ch a re given t o a ll men witho ut di s ti n c ti on a n d there a re ,

s p ec i a l g r a c es whi c h G od gr a n t s on ly t o a few s oul s a n d th a t with a ,

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 -

St Aug us ti n e received ma n y more g ra ces th a n oth er men i n oon s s

.

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 .
, , .

dyi n g p r a yer of St Stephen Th e h oly a p os tl es ob eye d t h e r s t c a ll

. .

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
, .

Th e a cti on of th e Hol y G h os t on th e s oul s of men i s n ot

t
c on s a n t ,
b ut oc c as i on a l .

Hen c e t h e ex h or t a ti on of St P a ul : Now i s th e a ccept a b l e time ; .

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 . .

p a r a b le of t h e vin eya r d whe re t h e wo rkmen r ec eive d on ly on e s u m

mon s ( M a tt Ti mes of s p ec i a l g r a ce a re t h e s e a s on s of L en t or
.

when a mi s s i on i s b ein g given or th e j ub il ee ye a r Thes e ti mes o f , .

gr a ce a re like t h e ma rket d a ys when thi n gs a re ea s i e r t o ob t a in ; with

-

thi s differ en c e th a t n o mon ey i s r equi r ed

, C ome b u y win e a n d milk .
,

with ou t mon ey a n d with out a n y p r i ce ( Is lv

,

. .

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 .

G o d s gr a ce c a n n ot b e mer it ed b y ou r own g ood w or k s a l on e other

,

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
.
,

o u r c o op er a ti on will n ot s a ve u s with out ou r c c O p er a ti on

-

Not -
.

a c c o r di n g t o t h e w ork s whi c h w e h a v e d on e b u t o u t of Hi s mer c y h a s

G od s a v ed u s ( Ti t iii Th e H oly G h os t giv es t o e a ch on e a s He

. .

wills ( 1 C or x ii with reg a rd h ow eve r t o t h e p r ep a r a ti on a n d c o

. .
, ,

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 , ,

th a t a ma n r e ce ive s m or e a c tu a l g r a c e a s h e i s r i ch er i n g ood w ork 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
.
, ,

for the g re a t es t s a i n t s h a ve s o s p oken of h er a n d t h e s a i n t s a s w e , ,

kn ow were i n s pi r e d b y t h e H oly Gh os t t h e Spi r it of t ruth
, P r a y er ,
.

t o th e Bl es s ed Sa c r a men t a l s o con fer s m a n y g r a ces So t oo r eti re .

, ,
!

men t fr om t h e w o rld or t h e s olit u d e i n w hi ch G od s p e a k s t o t h e h ea r 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
.

of d r a wi n g d ow n gr a c e ; a g oo d e x a mpl e i s foun d i n t h e c on duc t of

th e a p os tl es dur i n g t h e ti me p r ecedi n g P en t e cos t .
21 2 F a i th .

cen t u ri o n C orn el i u s , and t h e p e op l e a s se mb l ed i n hi s h o u s e ( Act s x .

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
,

men t s of B a p t i s m or P en a n c e Th en o n l y i s h i s c o n ver s i o n p erfect

. .

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 .

God i s th e God of l i fe, a n d Hi s p r es en ce d i ffu s es l i fe Hi s p res .

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 .

s o u l s h a v e a n a t u r a l li fe of t h ei r own , a n d b y me a n s of t h e i n t ell ect

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
. .

Ki n g s i v ) r es t o red t h e d ea d c h i l d ren t o l i fe b y mea s u r i n g t h e i r

.

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 .

Sa n ct i fyi n g g r a ce a n d mort a l s i n a re i n comp a t i b l e Th e ol y Sp i r i t . H

d well s i n a l l w h o a re free fro m mor t a l s i n , a n d t h e ev i l s p i r i t i n
th o s e wh o f mor t a l s i n
a re g u i l ty o Al th o u g h t h e gra ce of God b r i n g s
.

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 .

d wel l eth n ot i n me, t h a t i s t o s a y , i n my es h , t h a t wh i ch i s g oo d

( 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 .

l es s o n of t h e d ea d l y effec t s of s i n , a nd t o g i v e o cca s i o n , b y ou r res i s t

a n ce t o i t , of g a i n i n g mer i t i n h e a v en .

2 . He u n i tes u s t o Go d an d ma kes us i n to t emp l es of God .

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
. .

Na z i a n zen , ou r n a t u r e i s u n i t ed w i th God b y t h e v i rt u e of t h e Hol y

Gh o s t , l i ke a d ro p of wa t e r p o u r ed i n t o a me a s u re of w i n e ; i t a c u i res q
t h e c o l or, t h e t a s t e, a n d t h e s mell of t h e w i n e Th e Hol y Sp i r i t .

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 . .

o f t h e Hol y Sp i r i t , s a ys St Th o ma s Aqu i n a s , we are t r a n s formed

.

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 . .

Th o ma s Aqu i n a s ) Hen ce men a re o ften c a ll ed g o d s ( Jo h n x 3 4 ;

. .

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 .

He s t ren g th en s fa c ul t i es of th e i n t ell ect a n d wi ll , j u s t a s a ra y

ou r

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 ;
-

t h a t i s He g i ves u s t h e s even g i ft s of t h e Hol y Gh o s t

, Ju s t a s i ro n .

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
,

Hol y Sp i ri t i s i n cl i n ed t o g oo d w ork s ; t hi s we s ee exemp l i ed i n St .

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
, ,
.

5 . He b ec o mes ou r Tea ch er and G i de u .

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

( 1 Jo h n i i 2 7 Wh o ever h a s n ot t h e Hol y Gh o s t ma y i n d eed s tu dy

.

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 .

t h a t w h a t ev er t h e Hol y Gh o s t i mp a rt s t o u s i s free fro m e rror , y et

we re qu i r e t o b e ce rt a i n t h a t w h a t w e h a ve r ecei v ed i s i n d eed
i mp a r t ed b y t h e Hol y Sp i ri t Hen ce, n o ma tt er wh a t a ma n s l i g h t s
.

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
.

6 . He i n s p i res u s t o d o goo d w ork s and mak es th e eri

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
,

of men , b r i n g i n g fort h fr u i t s t h a t a re t o l a s t for eve r As th e ower .

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 .

w i n d mill eve r i n mo t i o n , s o t h e Ho l y Sp i r i t i s ever mo v i n g t h e h e a rt

of ma n An d He ma k es ou r a ct i o n s mer i t or i o u s As t h e s o u l r a i s es
. .

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
.

a n u n cu l t i v a t e d s t oc k wh i ch t h en ri n gs for th s w eet fru i t , i n p l a c e of

,

i t s for me r s o u r a n d p oor fru i t ; s o t h e Ho l y Gh o s t en g r a ft s u p o n u s

21 6 Fa i th .

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
,

ou t o j ect s So wh en t h e l i g h t of t h e Hol y Gh o s t i s t a ken fro m t h e

.

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
,
.

Wh oever h as l o s t s a n c ti fyi n g g r a ce c a n reco ve r i t b y mea n s o f t h e

Sa c r a men t of P en a n ce b u t n ot wi t h o u t a n e a rn es t effort ; for t h e
,

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

will s ffer etern al u rui n .

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)
.

6 . No on ek n ow s for c ert a i n w h eth er h e h a v e a c ti fyi n g

s n

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 . .

Th e Sev en Gi fts o f th e Holy Gh os t an d th e Ex tra ord i n a ry

Gra ces .

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 .

remove en t i rel y th e b a rri ers wh i ch d i vi d e u s fro m God es p e c i al ly b y ,

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 .

Aqu i n a s ) Th e s even g ift s g i ve u s a d en i t e mo v emen t t o w a r d s God ;

.

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
.

i n c rea s ed a s on e a d a n ces i n p erfec t i o n C o n rma t i o n a l s o i n cr ea s es

.

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

s t an di n g, kn owl edge, c o n s el , fort i t d e, p i et u u y ,

an d th e fear of

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 . .

1 Th e gi ft of wi s dom en a l es u s to recogn i z e th e emp ti n es s

. b
of ea rt h l y
th i n gs , a n d to regard God a s th e h i gh es t good .

St P a u l c o un t s a ll th a t th e w orl d l o ves a n d a dmi res for l o s s

.

( 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 .

Th e C u r of Ars h a d d o n e b u t l i ttl e s tu d y, y et h i s s ermo n s w e re

s o r ema rk a b l e t h a t e ve n b i s h o p s w er e ea g e r t o h e a r t h em a n d ma r ,

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 .

Ign a t i u s of L o y ol a d ecl a r ed th a t h e h a d l e a rn ed more i n th e c a ve a t

M a n res a th a n a ll t h e d o ct or s i n th e w orl d c o ul d t ea ch h i m How d i d .
21 8 Fa i th .

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 ,

5Th e gi ft of forti tu d e en a l es u s t o ea r c o ra geo s l y

. b b u u
v y
wh a t e er i s n ec es s a r i n c a rr i n g ou t God s wi ll

y .

St Jo h n Nep omu cen e ( 1 3 9 3 ) ch os e r a t h er t o b e i mp r i s o n ed t or

.
,

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
, ,

b et r a y th e s ec ret of th e c o n fes s i on a l Job w a s p a t i en t i n s p i te of th e .

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
.
,

c ro s s h a d s u ch b een G o d s w i ll ; for s h e p o s s es s ed t h e g ift of fo rt i

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 Teres a t oo k a v ow a lw a y s t o ch oo s e w h a t w a s mos t p e rfect , a n d

.

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
. . .

i n p res en ce of t h e B l es s ed Sa c r a men t , t ill h i s c o n fes s or h a d t o c om

ma n d h i m t o s h or t en h i s d ev ot i on s M a n y of t h e s a i n t s u s ed t o mel t
.

i n t o t ea rs d u r i n g t h ei r p r a yer or i n med i t a t i n g on h ea v en l y s u b j ect 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 .

Su ch w a s th e g i ft , for i n s t a n ce of th e three ch il d ren i n t h e fur ,

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
.
, ,

a s h a vin g een p o s s es s ed b y h i m Th e p ro p h ets of th e O l d L a w fore

.

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

.

3 . Th e Holy Gh os t ra i s es up i n ti mes of d a n ger for th e

Ch u r ch ab l e c h a mp i on s of h er caus e .

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
. . .

t h e h ol y P op e Greg or y V II ( A D 1 085 ) wh en t h e C h u rch w a s i n g en

. . .

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 .

3 . AP P ARITION8 OF THE HOL Y GHOST .

Th e Hol Gh os t h a s a pp eared y u n d er th e form of a do ve , of

re, a n d of t ong es , t o s i gni f Hi s u y of
e c i n th e Ch u r ch .

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
,

form of a d o ve a n d of re, eca u s e Hi s w ork i s d o n e g en tl y a n d ze a l

ou s l y , a n d wh o eve r i s w a n t i n g i n g en tl en e s s a n d z e a l i s n ot u n d e r Hi s
i n u en c e He a p p e a r ed i n t h e form of t o n g u es b eca u s e He g i ves t o
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
, ,

l o ve of God a n d of ou r n ei ghb or a n d b eca u s e He h a r d en s a n d ,

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

ea rt h O u r God i s a c on s umi ng re ( Heb x i i

.

. .
 Th e Ap os tles Creed .

22 1

NINTH ARTICLE OF THE C REED : THE CATHOL IC

CHU RCH .

1 . THE CATHOLIC CHUR CH AND ITS INSTITUTION .

1 Th e Cath oli c Ch urch i s a i s i l e i ns ti t ti on, fo

. v b u und ed by
Ch ri s t, i n whi c h men a re trai ned for h ea en v .

Th e C h u r ch ma y b e c o mp a red w i t h a s ch ool ; th e l a t ter p rep a res i t s

p pu i l s t o b ec o me g oo d c i t i z en s o f t h e S t a t e t h e forme r t r a i n s u p ,

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 .

h ea d th e v i s ib l e c er emon y of B a p t i s m b y whi ch memb er s a re re

,

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
.

v i s i b l e : h eret i cs wh o h a ve b een c u t off fro m i t y et w o u l d g l a dl y

,

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
. .

ed i ce ( 1 P et i i .Nor b y C a th ol i c Ch u rch d o we mea n C a th

.

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 .

L ord c o mp a r es i t wi th a fol d w h e re He w i s h es t o k eep a l l Hi s s h eep .

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

b ec a u s e s he t rai n s h er mem ers as a moth er b ri n gs u p h er b

c h i l d r en .

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 ,

th e t ru e life of t h e s o ul, for t h i s g r a ce g i ves a cl a i m to h ea ven As .

22 2 Fa i th.

th e fa th e r wh o g oes y on a j o urn ey l ea ves a ll h i s p ower i n the

a wa
h a n d s of t h e mo t h e r ,s o C h r i s t i n l e a v i n g th i s e a rt h g a v e Hi s C h u r ch

, ,

ful l p o wer ( Joh n xx

W e s h o u l d l o v e G od a s O u r F a t h e r
.

,

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
, ,

s h o ul d b e ou r l o e for t h e C h u r ch whi ch h a s g i v en u s t h e l i fe whi ch ,

has n o en d .

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
,

fu l . Th e t ea ch i n g i s c a rri e d on b y s ermo n s ; t h e mea n s of g ra c e c on o

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 .

Th i s tri p l e ofc e w a s rs t ex erci s ed by C h ri s t, an d th en

p a s s ed o n t o t h e a os tl e s a n d t h ei r s u c c es s ors
p .

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
.

ofce of p a s t or, a n d w i th i t t h e p owe r of r ep ro v i n g a n d c orr ect i n g

( M a tt x v i
. i i 1 7 a n.d of b i n d i n g a n d l oo s i n g ,
i e , o f m a k i n g a n d r 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
.

a p o s tl es a s w ell as t h e a p o s t l es t h ems el ves : I a m w i t h y ou a l l d a ys ,

ev en t o t h e c o n s u mma t i o n of t h e w orl d ( M a t t xxvi i i
'

. .

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 ,

i s of th i s w orl d ( Jo h n xvi i i C h r i s t d i r ect s t h e C h u r ch t h ro ug h

.

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 . . ,

b eca u s e He n o l on g e r mi xes p er s o n a l l y wi t h ma n on ea rth On a o .

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
.

p res en t h i ms elf t o St P eter ( Ga l i . 1 8 ; i i . . .

2 St Peter wa s Bi s h op of Rome for s ome tw ent v e y ea rs

. . y -

a nd di ed Bi s h op of Rome ; a nd t h e d i gni t a nd p ower of St Pet er y .

d es c en d ed t o th e s cceedi ng B i s h op s of Rome u .

Th ere i s a g rea t a mo u n t of evi den ce for th e p res en ce of St P et er

b
.

i n R o me from t h e yea r 44 t o 6 9 St P et er w ri t es a o u t t h e yea r 6 5 : . .

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
.

Te rt u lli a n a p r i es t of C a rth a g e a o u t t h e year 2 00, c o n g r at u l a t es t h e

, ,

C h u r ch of R o me, b eca u s e St P et er d i ed t h ere c ru ci ed l i ke h i s L or d

.
, ,

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, ,

l et ter of P op e L eo w a s rea d t o th e a s s emb l ed b i s h op s th ey c r i ed ou t ,

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 .

3 . Th e B i s h op of Rome i s call ed Pop e, or Hol y Fath er .

He is a l s o c a ll e d, on a c cou n t of hi s grea t di gni t y ,

th e h ol y
Fa th er, Hi s
Holi n es s ,

V i c a r of C h ri s t,

F a th er o f
C h ri s t en d om

.

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

. . .

B ea ti s s i me P a t er Th e oi ce i s c a ll ed t h e See of P et er, t h e Ho l y See,

.

or th e Ap o s t o l i c See Th e ch a i r of St P eter i s s t i ll t o b e s een i n

. .

R o me .

Th e P op e i s a l s o c a ll ed from h i s s ee t h e P op e of R ome, and

th e u
C h u rch n d er h i m th e R oma n C a th oli c C h rch u .

P o p e L eo X III w a s b orn a t C a rp i n e t o , i n It a l y , on M a rch 2 , 1 8 1 0,

.

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
.

very i n B r a z i l , t h e c a mp a i g n a g a i n s t i t i n Afri ca b y t h e Eu rop e a n

n a t i o n s , t h e r ep ea l of ma n y l a w s a g a i n s t t h e C h u r ch i n Ger ma n y,
t h e p r even t i o n o f w a r b et w een Ge rma n y a n d Sp a i n , t h e fo u n d i n g of
o ve r on e h un d red b s h op ri c s , es p ec i a ll y a mon g t h e h ea th en , etc B y
i
.

h i s en cycli ca l s h e h a s d en o u n ced t h e F reema s on s , r ec o mmen d ed i n a

s p ec i a l ma n n e r t h e Th i r d O r d e r of St F r a n c i s , a n d t h e d ev o t i o n of .

t h e R o s a ry, d i s p l a yed h i s z ea l for th e w ork i n g cl a s s es , a n d exert ed

h i ms elf t o p ro d u ce reu n i o n of t h e v a r i o u s C h r i s t i a n commu n i t i es
i t h t h e C a th oli c C h u r ch , et c He i s t h e t wo h u n d red a n d fty n i n t h
gp
-
.

o e.

Th e P op e h a s p rec ed en c e of h on or o er a ll oth er i s h ops , v b

v
a n d a l s o of j u ri s d i cti on o er th e w h ol e C h u rc h ( V a t i c a n C o n cil
,
u
4,

Th e P o p e , ys St B e rn a rd
sa i s t h e h i g h p r i es t t h e p r i n c 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 ,

s i lk . Hi s foo t i s k i s s ed i n memory of t h o s e word s of St P a ul : How .

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
,

C h u r ch . Th i s p ow er exten d s ov er eve ry s i n g l e ch u r c h a n d eve ry ,

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
, , ,

fer p r i vi l eg es a n d d i s p en s a t i o n s a n d r es erve s i n s t o h i s own t r i b u n a l

, .

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 .

va r i o u s c o mmi tt ees or c o n g reg a ti on s , e .g ., t h e C o n g r eg a t i o n o f R i tes ,

of In dul g en ce s , etc .

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 .

F or ma n y yea r s t h e P op es w er e t emp ora l s o v erei g n s , a n d ru l ed a s

s u c h t h e St a t es of t h e C h u r ch Th e g ro wth of t h e l a tte r c a me ab o u t
.

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
.

t h e Gr ea t , t h e emp erors l i ved a w a y fro m R o me, a n d t h u s t h e P a p a cy

b eg a n t o exer ci s e a cer t a i n a u t h or i ty o ve r t h e c i t y a n d c en t r a l It a l y .

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
. .
,

h e h a d won b y t h e s w ord i n t h e n e i g h b orh oo d of R o me, a n d

a l s o s o me t o wn s on t h e eas t e rn c o a s t of It a l y Thi s gr a n t w a s con .

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

.

g a i n e d t h es e p os s es s mn s s o me s even t y s even t i mes In 1 8 5 9 a l l t h e -

.

t erri t ory ex cep t R o me w a s t o rn fro m t h e P o p e, a n d i n 1 8 7 0 R o me

i t s el f, s o t h a t n ow a ll th e P o p e p o s s es s es i s t h e V a t i c a n Th i s te m .

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 , .

Th e P op e i s s u p reme on e a r th , n ot b ei n g s u b j ect even t o a g en e ra l

c o u n c i l ( Eu g en i u s IV Sep t 4 , 1 43 9 ; V a t i c a n C o u n c i l 4 , An y
b
. .
, ,

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 .

d i ffe r o n l y fro m t h e a p o s t les i n h a vi n g a l i mi ted j u ri s d i ct i o n , w h i l e

th e mi s s i o n of th e a p o s tl es w a s t o t h e wh o l e w orld ; mor e o v e r t h e
b
a p o s t l es w e r e p e r s o n a ll y i n fa l l i l e i n t h ei r t ea ch i n g , a n d h a v i n g a n

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 .

From o s t ol i c t i mes b i s h o p s were a p p o i n t ed t o s i n g l e

ap s ees , e .g . ,

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 .

b i s h op s , a n d a re ca ll ed v i c ars a p o s t oli c . Th ere a re ot h ers wh o s e t i tl e

i s mer el y h o n or a r y .

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
, , ,

i n g ext r eme un ct i on ma rry i n g a n d b u ryi n g , , .

P ari s h p ri es ts w h o are app oi n t ed th e by bi h s op o erv th e

p ri es t s of a l ar g e d i s t ri c t a re c a l l e d r ra l d e a n s u .

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 .

P ari s h p ri es ts of l arger di s tri cts h a e as s i s ta n ts , or c ra tes v u .

3 A Ca th ol i c i s on e wh o h a s een ap ti zed a n d p rofes s es h i m

. b b
s el f to b e a memb er of th e Cath ol i c Ch u r ch .

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 .

ma ke ext ern a l p ro fes s i on of b ei n g a memb e r of t h e C h u rch , s o th a t

a n y on e wh o b rea k s a w a y for i n s t a n ce b y h er es y n o l o n g er b el o n g s
, , ,

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
,

fro m h i s o l i g a t i o n s t o th e C h u rc h Nei th er h e a th en s J ew s h eret i cs

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 .

i n o th e r c o mmu n i o n s cea s e t o b e memb er s of th e Ch u r ch o n l y wh en ,

a ft er r ea ch i n g t h e a g e o f r ea s o n , t h e y ma k e forma l p r ofe s s i o n of
h eres y a s for ex a mp l e b y r ecei v i n g c o mmu n i o n i n a n on C a t h ol i c
, , ,
-

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
.

r ea n s fro m Na z a reth or Ga l i l ea n s fro m Ga l i l ee ; i t w a s rs t i n

, , ,
 Th e Ap os tles Creed
. 22 9

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 . .

We recei ve ou r n a me s a ys St J oh n C h rys o s t om n ot fro m a n

, .
,

ea r t h l y r ul e r n or fro m a n a n g el n or fro m a n a rch a n g el , n or from a

, ,

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

.
,

A tru e C ath oli c i s n ot onl y on e wh o h as b een b ap t i d ze and

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 .

on e mi g h t a s wel l c a ll hi ms elf a d o ct or t h o u g h k n owi n g n o t h i n g of

med i c i n e Nor i s h e a t ru e C hri s t i a n , s a ys St J u s t i n , wh o d oes

.

.

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
.

St Greg ory Na zi a n zen ,

.
y ou mu s t l i ve t h e life of C h r i s t a n d St .

Aug u s t i n e : A true C hri s t i a n i s t h e ma n wh o i s g ent le, g ood , a n d

me rc i ful t o a ll , a n d s h a r es h i s b read wi th th e p oor C h ri s t Hi ms el f

.

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

( Joh n xi i i A C hri s t i a n wh o n eg l ect s t h e s a c r a men t s i s li ke a s ol

.

d i e r wh o h a s n o wea p on s ; wh a t a res p on s i b i l i t y h e i n curs L ou i s of

G r a n a d a s a ys ,
A el d whi ch i s well te n d ed i s exp ect ed t o y i el d a
ri ch er h a rves t ; s o more g ood works a re exp ect ed from a Chr i s t i a n
th a n fro m a h ea th en , b e c a u s e t h e C h ri s t i a n h a s g rea t er g r a ces

.

Every C ath oli c

h a s ri gh ts a n d d ti es He h a s a n es p ec i al u .

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 .

A g o od C a th ol i c oug ht a l s o t o hea r th e word of God recei ve th e ,

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
, ,

t o C h ri s t i a n b u ri a l etc Th e C h u rch forces n ob od y to en t er i ts p al e

, .
,

b u t wh o eve r b ec o mes a memb e r of h i s own free wi ll a n d rema i n s s o , ,

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
, , ,

Ch r i s t i a n b u r i a l So me o en ces i n v ol ve exco mmu n i c a t i o n i c s c

.

fa c to ; for i n s t a n ce a p o s t a s y d u ell i n g freema s o n ry ( P i u s IX O c

, , , .
,

t o b er 1 2 , In o t h er c as es t h e exc ommu n i c a t i o n mu s t b e fo rma l l y

p ro n o u n ce d a n d t h a t too a ft e r w a rn i n g a n d t r i a l a s i n th e ca s e of
, , , ,

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 . .

b a d e th e Emp eror Th eo d o s i u s t o en t er th e C h u r ch a fter t h e l a tt er

h a d b y h i s ord ers c a u s ed th e s la u gh t er of s o me s even t h o us a n d
, ,
230 Fa i th .

p eop l e i n Th es s l on i c a ; a n d i t w as onl y a fter d o in g s ev ere p en a n ce

a
th a t h e w a s a dmi tt ed We kn ow, t oo, th a t St Pa ul cu t off from th e
.

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 .

F O UNDATION AND SP READ OF THE CHUR CH .

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 -

i s th e s ma l les t of s eed s , b u t g rows i n t o a t r ee i n wh i ch t h e b i rd s of

t h e ai r b u i l d t h ei r n es ts ( M a t t xi i i 3 1 , . .

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
.

t h e g a te of t h e Temp l e s o me t w o t h ous a n d more w ere a p t i z ed .

3Soon a ft er th e des c ent of th e Hol Gh os t th e ap os tl es b egan

. y
u u
t o preac h th e Gos p el th ro gh o t t h e w orl d, i n acc ord an c e wi th th e
c ommand s of Ch ri s t ( M ark x v i a nd fo n d ed Ch ri s ti a n com
. u
muni ti es i n man pl ac es y .

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
. . , . .

Jo h n , t h e b el oved d i s c i p l e l i v ed a t Ep h es u s wi t h our b les s ed L a d y,

,

a n d g o v ern ed t h e C h u rch i n As i a M i n o r Hi s b ro th er, St J ames t he . .

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
. . .

t h e C h u r ch a t J e ru s a l em, a n d w as c a s t d own fro m a p i n n a cl e of t h e

Temp le i n A D 6 3 . St An d rew p re a ch ed t o th e p eop l e l i v i n g a l o n g
. . .

th e l o wer D a n u b e, a n d d i ed on a cros s i n Ach a i a St Th o mas a n d . .

St B a rth ol o mew ma d e th ei r w a y t o t h e Eu p hra tes a n d Ti g ri s , a n d

.

a s fa r a s In d i a St Si mon eva n g el i zed Egyp t a n d No rth Afr i c a

. . .

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 o s e wh o recei ved on l y a s ma ll p or t i on of t h e a p o s t ol i c p o wer

were ca l l ed d e a c o n s a n d p r i es t s t h o s e wh o h a d a mp l e r fa cu l t i es
,
.

Th e rep res en t a t i ves of t h e a p o s tl es w ere c a l l ed b i s h op s C h r i s t g a ve .

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 h ri s ti an reli gi on th e St ate rel i gi on ( 3 24 th e C h u r ch

i n d eed o u ris h e d extern al l y ,
b u t fer v or a n d rel i gi o u s d i
s c ipl i n e
soon b ega n to s uf
fer .

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

mo t h e r St Hel en a a Th e fol l ow i n g w ere s ome of h i s or d i n a n ces :

v
. .

Sun d a ys a n d fea s t d a ys were t o b e o b s er ed wi th s ol emn i t y t h e

t emp l es of t h e h ea t h en wer e t o b e h a n d ed o er t o th e b i s h o p s ; t h e v
gl a d i a t or i a l c o mb a t s a n d th e c ru c i xi o n of c ri mi n a l s were for b i d d en ,
a n d ma n y c h u r ch es wer e u i lt b
B y t h e mi r a cul o u s d r a u g h t of s h es
b
.

rel a t ed i n th e fth ch a p t er of St Luk e a n d th e two o a ts a l mos t .

s u nk w i th t h e wei g h t of s h , w a s p reg u red th e fu t u r e of th e C h u rch ,

wh i ch s h o ul d s u ffer s ch i s m w i t h t h e i n c rea s e of i t s memb er s , wh il e .

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
.

ext ern al fo es , t h ere a re ma n y i n h er os o m wh o b y t h ei r u n r u l y l i fe

ma ke s a d th e h ea rt s of th e fa i t h fu l .

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
. .

G os p el for t h i rt y yea r s a l o n g t h e b a n k s of th e D a n u e St Greg ory

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

C h ri s t i a n a n d h a d t wen t y s i x s ees Germa n y o wes mos t t o St

-
. .

B o n i fa c e, wh o p rea ch ed t h e Gos p el t h ere for a b ou t fort y ye a rs ( 7 5 5

Th e Gr eek mon ks Sa i n t s C yr i l a n d M eth od i u s w orke d a mon g
t h e Sl a v s ma i n l y of B oh e mi a a n d M or a v i a , w i t h g re a t s u c c es s
,
Th e .

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. .

Th e C h u rch w as h ard p res s ed by Is l a m d u i

r ng th e M i ddl e
Ages .

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
.

med a n s Th ey k eep t h e F r i d a y wi th g re a t s ol emn i t y, a n d p r a y v e

.

t i mes a d a y t u rn ed t o w a r d s M ecca M oh a mmed s s u cces s or s wer e t h e

.

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 -

res t ed t h e i r a d v a n ce i n t o Fra n ce, a n d eve r s i n ce t h e i r fa i lu re i n 1 6 3 8

b efore V i en n a , t h ei r p ro g res s i n th e W es t wa s a rr es ted .
 T he Ap os tl es
Creed . 233

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.

Th e c a u s es of w ere a s foll o ws : Th e emp e ror s of t h e

th e s chi s m
Ea s t kep t t ryi n g t o ma ke th e p a t ri a r chs of C on s t a n t i n op l e i n d ep en d en t
of R o me, whi l e t h es e wer e o ften for th ei r h e res i es p u t u n d e r b a n b y

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 ,
.

b a c ked u p b y th e emp eror, h el d a c o u n ci l of t h e Eas t ern b i s h op s , a n d

b ro ke a w a y fro m R ome ( 8 6 7 Th e s u cc eed i n g emp eror re es t a b -

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
.

eve r, t h e p a t r i a r ch M i ch a el C eru l a ri us r en ewed t h e c on te s t ( 1 054

a n d t h e s ch i s m ef fect ed b y h i m l a s t s t i ll t h e p r es en t d a y Th ey .

c a ll t h ems el ves t h e O r th o d ox G reek s , wh i l e w e c a ll t h em t h e Sch i s

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 .

6 .In l at er t i mes ma ny n ati ons of th e newl y di s c o v ered c oun

tri es w ere c on ert ed v .

Th e Sp a n i a rds a n d P ort ugu es e led t h e v a n of mi s s i o n a r y en te r

p ri s e . O n e of t h e mos t fa mo u s of t h es e mi ss i o n a r i es i s St F r a n c i s .

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 .

a ry i s St P ete r C l a v e r ( 1 6 54 A D ) wh o s e w ork w a s mos tl y amo n g

. . .

t h e n eg ro es i n So u th Ame ri ca C a r d i n a l L a v i g er i e i n our own t i me

.

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 .

C o lleg e of P ro p a g a n d a w a s fou n d ed a t R o me i n 1 6 62 for t h e t ra i n

i n g of y o u n g men fro m al l n a t i o ns for a mi s s i o n a ry c a reer At p res .

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

w ork i n th e fore i g n mi s s i o n s ; th e mi s s i o n a r i es b el on g for t h e mo s t

p a rt t o t h e O r d e rs of Jes ui t s F r a n c i s c a n s C a p u ch i n s B en e d i ct i n es
, , , ,

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 .

In l a t er ti mes th e C h u rch h a s l os t ma n y memb ers by th e

u
L th e r a n a n d An gl i c a n h eres i es .

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 oor of t h e ch u r ch a t Wi tt enb erg Th es e p ro p o s i t i o n s a t rs t c on

.

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

a t W orms He s o ug h t p ro t ec t i on fro m t h e El ect or of Sa xon y Hi i

. .

h eres y s oo n s p rea d o v er Ge rma n y a n d l ed t o ma n y r el i g i o us w a r s .

Th e n a me P ro tes ta n t w a s as s umed b y t h e L u th e r an s a t Sp i res i n

1 5 2 9 , o n a cc o u n t of t h ei r p rot es t ag a i ns t C a t h ol i c d o ct r i n e
.
Th e .

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 .

t emp ora l s ov er e i g n h a s s u p reme p owe r i n ma t t ers eccl es i a s t i c a l .

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 .

F a i th al o n e s a ves g oo d w orks a re s u p eru o u s

, (7 Th i s l a s t
.

foll ow s from t h e fa ct t ha t ma n l os t h i s free wi ll b y or i g i n a l s i n .

Th e re a re n o s a i n t s n o C hr i s t i a n s a c ri c e, n o s a c r a men t of con fes

,

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
, .

t i me h elp ed i n L u th er s d ea dl y w ork Th e error s of th e An g l i c a n

.

C h u rch w e re d r a wn u p l a te r i n th e form of Th i rt y n i n e Art i cl es -

q
wh i ch a re ui t e L u th er a n i n t o n e .

7 At pres ent th e Catholi c Ch urch numb ers ab out

.

memb ers .

Thes e the di recti on of a out

a re u n der b
b is h op s ,
a b ou t 1 5 p a tri a r ch s , 3 1 4 a rc hb is h o p s a n d 2 0 p r el a tes wi th di oces es .

Th er e are s ome Ca th oli c p ri es ts i n th e wh ol e w orl d Th e i n .

.

h a b i tan ts of Ita l y , Sp a i n , F r a nce, Aus tri a , B elgi u m, a n d Ir el a n d a re

In Swi tz erl an d a b o u t h a l f a re C a th o li cs ; i n

n ea rly a ll C a th o li cs .

Germa n y over a thi r d of the p o p u l a ti o n , a nd i n Rus s i a

-
q
In Europ e ab o u t three u a r ters of th e enti re p o p ul a ti o n a re C a th oli c .

In Ameri ca th ere a re C a th o li cs , of who m ther e a re

000 i n the Un i ted Sta tes , for mi ng on e fth of th e en tire p op ula -

ti on, w hi l e M exi co, s ou th a n d cen tr a l Ameri ca , wi th th e excep ti o n of

B r az il , a re al mos t en tirel y C a th o l i c The a dj ac en t i s l a n ds a re ma i nl y
.

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 .

they i nh a b i t Engl a n d , Nor th a n d C en tr a l Germa ny , th e

Neth erla n ds , Den ma rk, Swed en, No rwa y, p a r ts of Swi tz erl a n d an d
Hungary , a n d the Un i ted Sta tes of Ameri ca Th e Ori enta l Gr eeks .

or Schis ma ti c Gr eeks nu mb er a b o u t Th ey o ccu p y for

th e mos t p a r t th e B a lka n p en i ns ul a a n d Rus s i a B es id es thes e th ere
.

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
.

o nly a li ttl e o ver one thi rd of th e huma n race is

,

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 .

fa ct s and ma n y more of t h e sa me k i n d i ll u s t r a t e th e wor d s of Ho ly

W ri t : It i s a fea rful t hi ng t o fa ll i n t o t h e h a n d s of t h e l i v i n g
God ( Heb x . .

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 .

Th e a p p e a r a n ce of th e cr os s i n t h e h ea vens for i ns t a n ce s een b y , ,

C o ns t a n t i n e a n d h i s a rmy b rou gh t th e C hri s t i a n p er s ec u t i o n t o a n

,

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 , .

t h e s t o rm i s a t i t s h ei g h t th e L ord wak es fro m Hi s s l eep a n d com

ma n d s p ea ce
.

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

ou ri s h mos t wh en p ers ec ted

u .

P ers ec u t i o n s , s a ys St Au g u s t i n e, s erv e t o b r i n g for th s a i n ts

. .

To t h e C h ur ch as w ell as t o Ev e were th e word s s p oken : In s orro w

s h al t t h o u b
ri n g forth ch i l d ren
( Gen i i i Th e memb er s of . .

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 ,

t i v i ty th e y a t tes t ed t h e t ru th of t h e r eli g i o n of t h e J ew s How .

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 .

C ec i l i a , or rema i n ed u n h a rmed i n th e mi d s t of t h e a mes , 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 .

c o mes t r i ump h a n t ou t of ever y p e r s ec u t i o n Ea s t er a l w a ys foll o ws .

Goo d F ri d a y B u t a few y e a rs a g o t h e b i s h op s i n G erma n y w er e

.

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
,

s a c ric i n g Th e more a ttl es th e C h u r ch h a s t o g h t , th e more h e r

.

p o w ers a re d evel o p e d ; a n d t h e mor e s h e i s o p p res s e d t h e h i g h e r s h e

ri s es , a re t h e w ord s of P i u s V II Su ch a p r i i l eg e b el on g s t o n o i n. v
s t i t u t i on s a v e t h e C h u r c h a n d b y t h a t s h e ma y b e r ec o g n i z ed a s t h e
,

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 .

God h as p l a n ted i n ou r h e a r ts a l o n g i n g for t r u th wh i ch mu s t

b e s a t i s ed O u r rs t p a ren t s h a d n o d i fc u l t i es t o fa ce i n t h e s ea rch
.

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 , . ,

p os s i bl e for ma n t o mi s ta ke fal s e for t ru e

Eve r s i n c e th e F al l t o .
,

err i s h uma n God , h o weve r, s en t a n i n fa ll i b l e Tea ch er Hi s o n l y

. ,
 27w Ap os tles Creed

. 23 7
I

b eg ot ten Son t h a t ma n mi gh t a g a i n n d th e tr uth ; h en ce th e w ord s

,

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
.

l i g h t t o ou r u n d er s t a n d i n g s d a rken ed a s th ey were b y s i n ( Joh n i i i

, .

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
, .

C h ri s t con ferred on Hi s a p os tl es a n d th ei r s cces s ors th e u

t ea ch in g oi c e, a n d p romi s ed th em Hi s d i i n e as s i s t an c e v .

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

s u mma t i o n of t h e w orl d ( M a t t xxv i i i 1 9 , 20) a n d a t th e L a s t Su p

. .

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
.

h er te a chi n g oi ce, c o u l d l ea d ma n i n t o err or, C h r i s t wo ul d n ot h a v e

kep t Hi s wor d Hen ce St P a ul cal l s t h e C h u rch th e p i ll ar a n d
. .

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 . .

Ir enaeu s : W h er e t h e C h u rch i s , t h ere i s a l s o t h e Sp i r i t of God

.

Th e Ca th oli c Ch rc h i s i nfa l l i l e i n h er t eac h i ng ; i e , th e

1 . u b . .

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 .

Jus t a s ou r reas on p reven ts u s from ma ki n g s t a te men t s whi ch

a re c o n t r a ry t o cert a i n fu n d a men t a l t ru t hs s o t h e Ho l y Gh o s t e xerts ,

Hi s i n u en c e t o p reven t t h e Ch u rc h g i vi n g a n y d eci s i on con

t ra ry t o th e t ru th s t a u g h t b y C h ri s t Th e i n fa l l i b i l i t y of t h e C h u r c h
.

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 .

In eve ry ki n g d o m s o me c o u r t i s es t a li s h ed for th e s et tl emen t b

of d o u b t ful c as es ; i t i s e vi d en t t h a t t h e a l l wi s e G od mu s t h a v e i n -

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

t h e g en e r a l a s s emb l y of th e b i s h o p s , for a t Hi s a s cen t i n t o h ea v en He

g a ve th em th e p o w er t o t ea ch a n d p ro mi s ed t h em i mmu n i t y fr om
,

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,
.

th oug h th ei r s erv i ces a re i n d i s p en s a b le t o th e b i s h op s i n t h e c a r ry i ng

o u t of t h e t ea chi n g of ce P ri es t s wh en p res en t i n t h e a s s emb l i es
.

of b i s h op s a re s o a s coun s ell o rs , b u t wi t h o u t a n y d eci d i n g v o te i n

q
t h e u es t i on s un d er con s i d era t i on So s oon a s t h e C h urch d en es a
.
.

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 .

g en e r a l c o u n c i l s St G reg o ry t h e G rea t a s s ert ed t h a t h e h el d t h em i n

.

equ al h on o r w i t h t h e four g os p el s Si n c e t h e C ou n c i l a t J eru s a l em

.

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 .

th es e w a s h el d a t Ni caea , i n t h e year 32 5, t o rep el t h e Ari a n h eres y .

Th e fol l ow i n g a re s p ec i a l ly w ort h y of n o t e : t h e Thi r d C ou n c i l a t

Ep h es us i n 4 2 5, wh er e M a ry was d ecl a red t o b e t h e M o th e r of God ;
th e Sev en th Gen er a l C o u n c i l or Sec o n d of Ni caea i n 7 8 7 wh e re t h e
, ,

ven er a t i on of i ma g es w a s d ecl a red l a wful ; th e Twelfth Gen er a l

C o un ci l or F o u rt h L a t er a n i n 1 21 5 wh i ch i mp o s ed t h e ob l i g a t i o n of
,

th e Ea s te r c o mm u n i o n ; t h e Ni n et een t h Gen er a l C o u n c i l a t Tren t

( 1 54 5 o cc a s i o n ed b y L u th er s h eres i es ; t h e Twen t i eth Gen era l

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
.

i s n ot r equ i r ed for a g en er al c oun c i l b u t t h e g rea t er n u mb e r of the m

,

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
,
-

mee ti n g Nor i s i t n eces s a ry th a t t h e P op e s h o u l d p res i d e i n p ers on ;

.

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 , ,

e r a l c o u n ci l s All t h a t i s n eces s a ry i s th a t t h e P op e s h o ul d a p p r ove

O t h e r s b es i d es b i s h o p s h a v e a v o t e
.

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
,

Th e gen era l c on s en t of th e i s h op s a l l o er th e w orl d c on b v

rmed by b
th e P op e i s a l s o i n fa l l i l e ; th i s ma y h a pp en w h en th e
u
Pop e a s k s t h ei r op i n i on on a q es ti on of d octri n e or mora l s .

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 .

p r i n ces , the bi r ef of s u p p res s on of

t hie S o c i et y o f J es us i n 1 77 3 , a re
n ot i n fa l l i b l e p ro n o u n c emen t s D o c tri n a l d ec i s i o n s a re us u a ll y a o
.

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 .

Al t h o u gh th e P op e i s i nfa ll i b l e i n h i s s ol emn d eci s i o n s , g en era l c o un

c il s a re n ot for th a t rea s o n s u p e r u o u s ; for th ey c on fer a g re a t e r
ext e rn a l s o l emn i t y on t h e P o p e s d ec r ees , a n d t h e t e a ch i ng of t h e

C h u r ch c a n b e more t h oro u g hl y ex a mi n ed i n t h es e a s s emb l i es .

Hen ce th es e g en er a l c ou n ci l s ma y , u n der c ert a i n c i rcu ms t a n ces , b e

n ec es s a r y a s wel l a s u s eful Even t h e a p o s tl es h el d a g en era l c oun c i l
b
.

a t J e r u s a l em, t h o u g h eac h s i n g l e a p o s tl e wa s i nfa ll i l e i n h i s o f ce

a s t ea ch er .

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 .

If, for i n s t a n ce, t h e C h urch d ecl a res t h a t th e p u n i s h men t s of

h el l a re e t ern a l , t h e d ecl a ra t i o n i s i n fa ll i b l e, for i t i s ma d e on a
b
d o c t r i n e of fa i th ; or a g a i n i f i t d ecl a r e t h a t t h e o s erva t i o n of Su n
d a y i s a c o mma n d of G od , th e d ecl a r a t i o n t urn s on te a ch i n g wi th
reg a r d t o mor a l s a n d i s t h e r efore i nfa l l i b l e C h ri s t ma d e a s p eci a l
.

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 .

M oreo ver, i t i s c erta i n th at th e C h u

i s i n fa lli l e wh en
rch b
v
i t d ecl ares th a t a n y gi en op i n i on on fa i th or moral s i s c on tra r y
v
to re ea l ed t ea ch i n g, a s al s o i n th e ca n on i z a ti on of s a i n ts .

It i s th e c o mmon op i n i on of t h eol o g i a n s th a t t h e C h u rch i s i nfa l

l i b l e i n j u dg i n g wh et h e r a p ro p o s i t i o n i s op p o s ed t o rev e a l ed te a ch
ing . If, for ex a mp l e , th e C h u rch wer e t o c o n d emn t h e a s s ert i on t h a t
ma n i s t h e o ffs p ri n g of a p a i r of a p es a s con t r a r y t o r evel a t i o n , i t
w o u l d b e a ct i n g qu i t e w i th i n t h e l i mi t s of i t s i n fal l i b i l i ty , a n d on a
s u b j e ct mo s t i n t i ma t el y c o n n ec t e d w i t h r ev ea l ed d o ct r i n e If t h e
.

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
.

t h e ea rl i es t t i mes th e C h u r ch h a s c on d emn ed e rror, wh eth er t a u g h t y

w ri t i n g or b y w ord of mon th At t h e C o u n ci l of Ni caea
. th e
error s o f Ar i u s we r e c o n d emn ed b y t h e b i s h op s U p t o t h e p r es en t
.

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

of a s a in t, an d rt a i n ext en t th e a ckn o wl edgmen t of t h e

so to a ce

C h ur ch s b eli ef i n hi m i s i mp os ed on t h e fai thful a n d h e i s th en

, ,

oi c i al ly rec o g n i z ed i n t h e C h u rch s o fces a s i n t h e M as s an d

,

B rev i ary h en ce i f a n y on e n ot a s a i n t w e re d ecl a red h ol y t h e wh ol e ,

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
. .

P op e B en ed i ct XIV d ecl a res h i s own exp e ri en ce i n th es e ca s es of t h 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 .

6 . THE HIERAR CHY OF THE CHUR CH .

1 Th e min is t ers of th e C h rch fa ll i n to thr ee cl a ss es of d i s

. u
ti n c t d i gn i t a n d p ow er : y b
i s h op s , p ri es ts , a n d d ea con s ( C o n cil u
of Tr en t , 2 3 c 4 C a n . . .

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

ma y s h a r e i n t h ei r g o vern men t of t h os e c o mmi t t ed t o t h ei r ch a rg 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
,

t h e h ol y s a c ri ce a n d forg i ve s i ns , whi l e d eac o n s c a n on l y b a p ti z e,

,

p r e a ch , and gi ve c o mmu n i o n .

2 . Thi s hi era r ch yw as i n force i n th e t im e of th e a p os tl es .

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 . . .

( 1 07 A D ) n a mes t h e th ree or d ers : L et al l ob ey t h e b i s h op s a s Jes u s

. .

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
.

vert s th e l a tt e r t o th e h ea th en In every c o mmu n i ty th ere w ere s ev

, .
2 42 F a i th .

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 .

p r i es t me rely b eca u s e h e w a s i n r ea lit y a p r i es t ; e ven t h e a p o s t l es

P et er a n d Jo h n c a ll ed t h ems el ves p ri es ts ( 1 P et 1 ; 2 Jo h n i . v
. .

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 , . .

4 .B es i d es th es e th ree cl a s s es th ere a re oth er d egrees v yiar ng

in th ei r p ow ers : for exa mp l e, P op e, c a rdi n a l s , a rch i s h op b

Th e d i s t ri b u t i on of a u t h ori t y i s th e a s i s of t h i s cl a s s i c a t i o n :b
a ll w i t h o u t ex c ep t i o n , owe o b ed i en ce t o th e P o p e ; t h e
,
i s h o p r ul es a l l b
t h e cl e rg y of h i s d i o ces e ; th e c l e rg y a re i n a u th o ri t y o v er t h o s e com
mi tt e d t o th ei r ch a rg e ( 1 P et v 5 ; Heb x i i i 1 7 . . Th e C h u rc h h a s. .

i t s d i ffe ren c es of r a nk l i ke a n army ( C o u n ci l of Tren t , xxi i i .

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 . .

d i s t i n g u i s h ed fro m a ll o t h er s b y c ert a i n ma rks .

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 .

Ch r i s t o ften s p oke t o Hi s d i s c i p l es of t h es e p er s ecu t i o n s : Th e

s e r v a n t i s n ot g r e a t e r t h a n h i s M a s t e r If t h ey h a ve p er s ecu ted M e
.

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

t h e w orl d , b u t I h a ve ch os en y ou o u t of t h e w orl d th er efo re the ,

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

C a t h oli c C h u rch h a s i t b een free from p ers ec u t i on Wh a teve r b 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 .

ca n l e a d a man t o t h e hi g h es t p o i n t of p erfec ti on ; moreov er t h e

C a th ol i c C h u r ch h a s a h os t of s a i n ts , wh o s e h ol i n es s i s a t tes te d b y
mi r a cl es Th e mi s d eeds of s ome memb er s , or a b us es o cc u rri n g
.

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 ,

men Even a mon g t h e a p os tl es t h ere was a t r a i to r, a n d C hr i s t com

.

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

C h ur ch whi ch on i t s own c o n fes s i on o wn s t h a t n on e of i ts memb ers

, ,

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
. .

p ow e red t o recei e men i n t o h er v b os om i n a ll p l a c es a n d all

ti mes .

C hr i s t d i ed for a ll men , a n d on a s c en d i n g i n to h ea ven g a e Hi s v

a p os t l es t h e mi s s i on t o t ea ch a ll t h e n a t i o n s of th e e ar t h t i ll t h e en d

of t i me ( M a t t xxv i i i . Hen ce Hi s C h ur ch w a s mea n t t o b e for

.

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.

C h u r ch i s s p r ea d o v er t h e wh ol e w orl d Hereti c s a re every wh ere,

.

s a i d St Aug u s t i n e, b u t n o p a rt i cu l a r h er es y i s every wh ere

.

Th e .

C h u r ch h a s a b o u t memb er s , h en ce i t i s more w i d es p rea d

t h a n an y ot h er rel i g i on , a n d i s c o n t i n u a l l y s en d i n g mi s s i o na ri es t o
t h e h e a t h en C a n , t h en , a n y C h u r ch whi ch d ep en d s en t i r el y on t h e
.

g o ve rn men t , a s , for i n s t a n ce, t h e R u s s i a n C h u r ch , or th e An g l i c a n ,

wh i ch i s wh oll y n a t i o n al i n En g l a n d , b e t h e t ru e C h u rch or ca n
on e wh i ch h a s n o r eal s u c ces s a mon g t h e h ea t h en h a ve a cl a i m t o
t ru t h 2

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
. .

,

s a y s St J erome, w h i ch w a s fou n d ed b y th e a p os tl es a n d en d u res

.

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
.

l a s t e d n i n et ee n h u n d red y ea r s , L u th er h i ms elf con fes s e d t h a t i t w a s

t h e o l d es t Th e t ea ch i n g of t h e ol d es t of t h e F a th er s ag rees p e r
.

fect l y w i t h ou r C a t ec hi s m, an d ou r s erv i ces a re s u b s t a n ti al l y th e

s a me a s t h o s e of t h e r s t a g e s .

Th e c on s i d era t i on of th es e n ot es a n dma rks h a s , i n th e cour s e

of a g es , l e d ma n y of th e no bl es t of men i n t o th e b os om of th e

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

.

8 . THE CATHOL IC C HUR C H AL ONE GIVES

In o t h er wor ds : O u t s i d e th e C a t h oli c Ch u rch th ere i s n o s a lv a

t i on .

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 .

Th e Ch u rch ca n n ot t e a ch th a t tru th a n d erro r l ea d equ all y well

t o s a l v a t i on ; s h e ma kes n o d ecl a r a t i o n as t o wh o i s s a ved b u t s ta t es ,

o n l y wh a t i s n ec es s a r y for s a l va t i on Th e j u dg men t of p ar t i cul ar .

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 ,

of i n t ole r a n ce of error, s u ch a n i n t o l er a n ce a s G od Hi ms elf exp r es s ed

wh en He fo rb a d e fa l s e g od s t o a p p ea r b efore Hi m ( 1 C or So fa r .

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 ;
,

i t w a s t h e c i vi l p o w e r w h i ch us ed force t o rep res s h e ret i c s , b ec a u s e

as a rul e th ey d i s t u rb ed t h e p u b li c p e a ce a n d mor al i t y Th e C h urc h .

i s th e w a y t o s a l v a t i o n ; i t di ffers i n t hi s res p ect fr om t h e s yn a g o gu e ;

th e l a t t e r mer el y p o i n te l ou t t h e w a y o f s a l va t i o n i n t h e d i s ta n t
fu t u re wh i l e t h e C h u rch cl a i ms i ts elf t o b e t h e t ru e wa y
, Th e .

C a th ol i c C h ur ch i s d i s t i n ct from t h e h e ret i c a l ch u rch es wh i ch h a ve

c orr u p t e d C h r i s t s d o c t r i n e a n d h a ve r ej ect ed t h e mea n s of g r a c e,

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 .

fes s i n d i eren t i s m It i s ce rt a i n t h a t on e rel i g i o n o n l y c a n b e t h e

.

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
, .

Wh y s h o ul d Ch ri s t a n d afte r Him t h e a p o s tl es , p rea ch t h e Go s p el

,
2 46 Fa i th .

a mi d so p ers ec u t i o n, if i t were of n o mo men t wh a t a ma n b e

mu ch
l i ev ed Wh y w ere th e a p o s tl es s o v eh emen t i n d en o un ci n g th os e wh o
p erv ert e d t h e t ea chi n g o f C h ri s t ( G al i 8 ; 2 J oh n i 1 0) 2 Why . . .

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
.

c o met h t o t h e F a t h e r b u t y M e ( John x i v Hen ce i t i s th a t s o .

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 .

d u ri n g t h e l a s t few d eca d es ve ry ma n y mo s t d i s t i n g ui s h ed men h a ve

en t ere d t h e C h u rch , es p ec i a ll y C a r d i n a l s Newma n a n d M a n n i ng
v b v
.

E en fro m Ju d a i s m t h ere h a ve een rema rk a b l e con ers i ons , a s , e g , . .

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 , ,

or for s ome s u ch u n w orth y mo t i ve w i ll n ot b e s a ved ; s o, t oo, of th e ,

ma n wh o fro m a c ow a r d l y fea r of th e rep r oa ch es or t h e d i s es t e m of e

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
.

th a n th e l i g h t ( Joh n i i i He c a nn ot h a v e God for a F a th e r,

.

wh o h a s n ot t h e C h u rch for a M o th er, s a y s St C yp r i a n

He wh o . .

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 .

a w a y fro m t h e C h u r ch s ep a r a t es h i ms elf fro m C h ri s t

.

( 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 .

Th e ma j or i t y of men w h o h a ve een ro u g h t u p i n h eres y thi n k b b

t h a t th ey b el o n g t o th e t ru e C h u r ch ; t h ei r e rror i s n o t d u e t o h a t red of
God A ma n wh o l ea d s a g oo d l i fe a n d h a s th e l o ve of God i n h i s
b
.

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
, , ,

h eres y b u t y b el o n g i n g t o th e C h u rch St P et er s a i d : In every n a

b
, . .

t i on h e t h a t fe a ret h Go d a n d w orketh j u s t i c e i s a ccep t a l e t o Hi m

( 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 G r eek s A r a h a m a n d El i a s a mon g t h e Jews

, Th ey d o n ot b el on g .
2 48 F a i th .

th us Hos i us ,th e C o un c i l of Ni c aea , a d d res s e d th e R o ma n emp eror

at
wh en t h e l a t te r w a s med d l i n g i n ma t te rs of fa i th : He re y ou h a ve n o
ri g h t t o d i ct a te t o u s ; i t i s r a th er your d u t y t o foll ow ou r comma n d s
.

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

2 Th e Ch urc h i s a n es s enti al fac t or i n p romoti ng th e w el fare

.

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 lu t a rch s p e a k s of rel i g i on fo rmi n g a b ette r p ro t ect i o n for a c i ty

th a n i t s w a ll s Th e C h u rc h t ea ch es t h a t t h e c i vi l a u t h or i ty h a s i t s
.

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 e o b eyed ( 1 P et i i .How ma n y s i nn e rs h a ve b een res cu ed b y

.

t h e C h u rch a n d c h a n g ed i n t o s a i n t s a n d b en efa c t ors of ma n k i n d

How ma n y h a ve b een res t ra i n ed from c ri me b y th e t e a chi n g of th e
Ch u rch or Go d s j u d g men t s ! How mu ch u n j u s tl y a c qu i red p rop erty

,

h a s b een r es t ored , a n d h ow ma n y en emi es rec on c i l ed M or e t h a n

t h i s , t h e C h u rch t ea ch es t h a t s a l va t i on d ep en d s on w ork s of mer c y,
a n d ma k e s i t a p o i n t of d u t y for h er memb e r s t o a s s i s t t h ei r s u f fer
i n g b r et h ren How ma n y i n s t i t u t i on s for orp h a n s for t h e s i c k a n d
.
,

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 ! In d ee d , t h e n eed y a re t h e C h u rch s r s t c a r e M oreo v er th 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 ,

b y a c o mmon p ro fes s i o n of fa i th a n d b y t h e p recep t of ch a r i t y .

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
, , .

B o h emi a R u l er s wh o r ej ect th e C h u rch s a w a t t h e b r a n ch w h i ch

.

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

of arod b u t mer el y t h e el ec t e d of t h e p e o p l e r emo v a b l e a t t h e p e o p l e s

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 e s u r es t s i g n of ru i n i n a St a te, w r i tes M a ch i a v ell i ,

i s wh en
reli g i o n i s n eg l ec ted
Th e fa l l of th e g rea t R o ma n emp i r e a n d t h e
.

h orror s of th e F ren ch r ev ol u t i on ma y b e t r a ced to t h e s a me ca u s e .

Even Na p ol eon c on fes s ed t h a t n o n a t i o n coul d b e g o vern e d w i t h ou t

reli g i o n Th e a b s en ce of rel i g i on mea n s th e i n t rod u ct i on of c ri me :
.

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 , .

O u r p ri s on s a re ll ed w i th p eop l e wh o for th e mos t p a rt n eg l ec t rel i g

1 0D .

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 .

a n d i mmor al i t y a re u s u a ll y c l o s e comp a n i on s Th e w orl d i s a b o ok .

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 ,

more w e s h a l l kn ow of God , a n d t h e mor e w i ll ou r l o ve for Hi m b e

i n c rea s ed Hen ce i t i s th e d u t y of t h e C h u r ch t o en c o ur a g e s c i en t i c
.

res ea rch ( Leo It w a s C hr i s t i a n i t y whi ch t a med th e w il d

n a ti o n s of Eur o p e, c i vi l i z i n g t h em a n d ma k i n g t h em th e r ul e r s of

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

St Aug us t i n e on t h e w ork of t h e C h u rch

. .

It w a s th e C h u rch w hi ch rs t ch a rge d i ts el f wi th th e edu c a

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
.

w a s a ckn o wl ed g ed eve n b y t h ei r en emi es , a n d i n s p i te of t h e i r s u p

p r es s i o n i n 1 7 7 3 F r ed er i ck of P ru s s i a and C a t h er i n e o f R u s s i a
, ,

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

t i qui ty from d es tru c ti on .

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 .

mi g h t r ema rk, to o, th a t th e B en edi c t i n es h a ve p rod u ced s i xt een

t h ou s a n d a u th o rs a n d t h e Jes u i t s , i n t h ei r c o mp a r a t i vel y s h ort ex i s t
en ce , t wel ve t h o us a n d .

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 .

b eg u n i n 1 249 a n d ni s h ed i n 1 880 Not t o men t i on th e g l ori o u s s t r e

. u
t u res t o b e s een a ll o ver th e C o n t i n en t, i n Germa n y, F ra n ce, Sp a i n ,
Ita l y En g l a n d i s ll e d wi th ma g n icen t ui ld i n g s li ke Wes tmi n s t e r,
. b
L i n c ol n , Y ork, D u rh a m, et c A l a rg e p rop ort i on of th e n es t ed ices
.

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 .

We oweP l a i n C h a n t or Greg ori an t o St Am ro s e, B i s h o p of . b

M i l a n ( 3 9 7 A D ) a n d St Greg ory th e Grea t ( 604
. . . a n d i ts d ev el
op men t s t o ma n y ot h e r a r t i s t s It wa s t h e P o p es wh o en c o u ra g ed men
.

l ike P a l es t ri n a Twi ce i n i ts h is t ory t h e C h u rch res i s t ed th e

Ic o n o cl a s t ( or i ma g e b rea k i n g ) mo vemen t , a t Ni c aea i n 7 87, a n d a t
-

Tren t i n 1 5 63 Art i s t s of w orl d w i d e fa me, s u ch a s L eon a rd o d a

.

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
.

p ort of t h e P op es It wa s t h e cl oi s t e r wh i ch p rod u ced s ome of th e

.

n es t a rt i s t s a n d t h ei r w ork s .

It w a s th e C h ur ch w hi c h mad e w h ol e tra cts of l a n d fertil e

b b
a n d h a ita l e .

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
.

s a v a g e c o un t ri e s n ow y th e Tr a p p i s t s a n d oth er rel i g i ou s O rd ers .

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 .

Th e Dea c on Fl a v i o Gi oj a d i s c o e red th e ma g n et a n d c omp as s i nv

1 3 00; V ei t a mo nk of Arezz o , d i s covered t h e s c al e t h e r ul es of mus i c
, ,

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 -
.

O nl y l a t el y th e Domi n i c a n C al a n d on i i n en ted a ty p e s etter t o re v -

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
.

h er d own a s op p os ed t o p rog res s , enl i gh t enmen t a n d freed o m .

THE C OM M UNION OF SAINTS

'

1 0 . .

Th e mem bt h e C h u rch ma y b e d i v i d ed i n t o th ree cl a s s es :

e s r of
t h os e wh o a re s t ill on t h e ea rt h , h a v i n g n ot h er e a l a s t i n g c i t y , b u t
s eek i n g th e on e th a t i s t o c ome

( eb x i ii H
th o s e w h o h a ve . .

rea ch ed t h ei r g o a l i n h e a ven , t h e s a i n t s ; a n d th o s e wh o a re exp i a t

i n g t h ei r s i n s i n p u rg a t ory All a re fel l ow c i t i z en s w i th t h e s a i n t s
.

a n d d o mes t i c s of G od , w ork i n g t o g et h er for t h e s a me o b j ect of

u n i o n w i t h Go d Th e memb er s of t h i s g rea t c o mmu n i t y a re c a l l ed

b
.

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 .

t h e s a me s ymp a t h y a s i n th e h u ma n b od y, wh ere a s o u n d memb er

c o me s t o t h e h el p of on e t h a t i s w e a ke r, a n d t h e p os s es s i o n of g o o d
l u n g s a s oun d h e a rt , or h ea l t h y s t o ma c h , ma y h el p t h e b o d y t o re
,

c o v e r fro m w h a t mi g h t o t h erw i s e h a v e b een a fa t a l i ll n es s Th e .

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
.

So d om w o ul d h a ve een s a ed h a d t en j u s t men b een foun d wi t hi n

i t s w a ll s .

1 . All C ath oli cs ca n h el p ea ch oth er by p ra y er an d good

w ork s .

St P ete r was free d fro m p ri s o n b y t h e p r a ye rs of th e C h r i s t i a n s

. .

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
. . .

verte d h er s on Even i n t h e O l d Tes t a men t God p ro mi s ed th a t He

.

woul d b e me rc i ful t o th e p r a yer s of t h e p ri es t ( L ev i v St . . .

J a mes b i d s u s : P r a y on e for a n o th er, t h a t y ou ma y b e s a ve d ( J a s .

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 . .

c a u s ed s a c r ices t o b e o f fe red for t h o s e wh o h a d fa ll en i n b a t tl e a n d ,

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 .

M emen to a fte r t h e C o n s ec r a t i on a t M a s s 21 s p ec i a l p et i t i o n i s ma d e for

t h e d ep a r t ed

P r a ye r .

s a ys St Au g u s t i n e

i s t h e key y wh i ch
,

.
, b
w e o p en th e g a t e s of h ea ven t o t h e s u ffe r i n g s o u l s Th e p r a yer s of .

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 ,

p i ety a re of g re a t efca c y i n l es s en i n g th e su ffer i n g s of t h e h ol y

s o u l s ( C o u n c il of L y o n s , Th e s o u l s i n
p u rg a t ory c a n a l s o h el p
us . M a n y s a i n t s h el d t h a t w e ca n ca ll t h e h ol y s o u l s t o o u r h el p
( B e l l a r mi n e ; S t Al p h o n s u s ) St C
. a t h e r i n e of B ol og n a . . u s ed
o ften t o ca ll u p o n t h e h ol y s o u l s w h en t h e s a i n t s s eemed t o f i l i n o

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 ,

w h i ch h e t emp ts us Th e p rop h et s of t h e O l d Tes t a men t s o met i mes

.

foret ol d fu t u re ev en t s a n d kn e w t h e mo s t h idd en t h i n g s ; i s i t l i kely

,

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
. .

u s t o t h o s e we l o ve r ema i n u n b ro k en b y d ea th Even i n h ell th e .

wre t ch e d D i v es s h o w ed h e h a d s o me a ffec t i o n s t i ll for h i s rel a t i ves on

ea r t h ( L u k e xv i 2 7 Th e p ro p h et J eremi a s , a n d t h e h ol y h i g h
.

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 .

TENTH ARTICL E OF THE C REED THE F ORGIV ENESS

( See th e ch a p te r on Si n , p a g e
2 54 Fa i th .

ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH ARTICL ES OF THE CREED :

THE L AST THINGS .

1 . D EATH .

Eve ry d a y s ome ei gh t y ei g h t th ou s a n d men d i e ; th a t i s

-

, 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
,

i t s n ew li fe Th e s oul i s freed fro m i t s p r i s o n a t d e a t h , i s t h e ex

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 .

At t h e l a s t d a y ou r b o d i es wi ll a l l ri s e a g a i n D ea t h i s rep res e n ted .

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 ) . .

h e i s a l s o r ep r es en t ed ca rry i n g a key t o op en t o u s t h e g a te s of ever

l a s t i n g l i fe .

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
. . . .

1 1 ) a l o n e were r emo ved fr om e a rth wi th o u t d y i n g a n d t h ey a r e t o

b
,

ret u rn efore th e L a s t D a y , a n d th en d i e ; St Th oma s t ea ch es th a t .

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
,

rep re sen t s a j u d g e a n o th er a g en er a l a n d s o on ; a fte r th e p l a y n o

, ,

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
-

, .

u s efu l for kee p i ng u s ou t of s i n : In a l l t h y w orks rememb e r t hy

l a s t en d a n d t h ou s h al t n eve r s i n
, ( Ec cl u s v i i Wh oe ver t h i nks . .

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 .

s u n s e t i s a remi n d e r fro m G od of d e a t h a n d s l eep i s a n i ma g e of i t , .

We o u g h t t o d et a ch ou rs el ves ev en n ow from ea rthl y g ood s a n d

p l ea s u res Aft e r d ea t h ou r eyes wi ll n o l o n g er s ee n or ou r ea rs
.
,

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
.

t h e eye s a n d t h e ea r s ou r u n r u l y s p eech a n d i n ord i n a t e en j o ymen t

,

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 . .

2 . THE P AR TIC UL AR JUD GM ENT .

1 . Immedi at el y after d eath fol l ow s th e p a rt i c l ar u j udgment .

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
.

kep t w a i t i n g for h i s w a g e i t i s n ot l i kel y t h a t He w i ll d el a y t o re w a rd

,

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 ri s t w i ll s i t a s J dge i n th e p a rti c l a r u u j udgmen t . He w ill

e x a mi n e ou r w h ol e l i es , a n d w i ll d ea l wi th v us as we ha v e d ea l t
w i th ou r fell ow men -
.

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
.

e ven of ev ery i d l e word t h a t we h a v e s p o k en ( M a t t xii St . . .

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 ,

d emn h i m t o d i s g r a ce As t h e s u n revea l s t o u s th e oa t i n g p a rt i cles

.

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 .

L o u i s of Gr a n a d a God wi ll wea r t h e s a me a s p ect t o u s a s we h a ve

,

s h o w n i n ou r l i fet i me t o ou r n ei g h b or God i s a s i t were, a mi rror,

.
,

reect i n g mos t p erfectl y th e i ma g e of h i m wh o l oo ks i n t o i t W i th .

w h a t mea s u re y ou mete, i t s h a ll b e mea s u red t o y ou a g a i n ( M a tt .

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 .

ve ry few wh o en ter h ea ven a t o n ce, for : Noth i n g d eled ca n en ter

h ea ven ( Ap oc xxi 2 7 . Acc ord i n g t o B ell a rmi n e i t i s s el d om even
.

th a t a j u s t ma n es c a p es p u rg a t ory All h a ve i t i n th ei r p o wer t o b e

.

s a ve d , b u t n ot a ll u s e t h ei r g r a ces Afte r t h e p a rt i cul a r j u dgmen t

.

t h er e i s t o b e a g en era l j u d g men t ; i n t h e for me r t h e s o u l r ec ei ves i t s

p u n i s h men t or r ew a r d for t h e evi l or g oo d i t h a s d o n e ; i n t h e l a tt er
t h e b o d y s h a r es i n t h e d i s p en s a t i on a s t h e i n s t r u men t of t h e s o ul .

3 . HEAVEN .

Heaven is an ab ode of e erl v as ti ng j oy .

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

i t h a s s o me fo u n d a t i on, for C h ri s t ca me d own from h ea en , a n d v

a s c en d ed a g a i n t o h ea v en H
ea v en i s a ls o a s t a t e of t h e s o ul ; i t
.

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
. .

xx . for we s h a l l b e ma d e p a rt a kers of th e d i v i n e n a t ure ( 2 P et .

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
.

h ea ven l i k e th e i ron i n t h e re In h e a v en t h ere a re ma n y ma n s i o ns

.

( 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
.

foo d ( Tob x i i . .t h er e i s a g rea t l i g h t ( 1 Ti m v i t h e re a re . .

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 . .

t h ey h a ve p e rfect freed om, a n d a re s et over a ll G o d s works

1 7
( M a tt xx i . 47 v . If, O my God , Th o u d o s t g i ve u s s u ch b e a u
t i fu l th i n g s h ere i n ou r p ri s on , wh a t wi l t Th o u d o i n Th y p a l a ce
ex cl ai ms St Au g u s t i n e L a s t l y t h e j oy s of h e a en a re n ot s ens u a l v
b
. .

( 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
. .

i n g , n or s orro w ( Ap o c x x i a n d ni gh t w ill n o more b e ( Ap oc

. . .

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.

d en t r a i men t , a n d s u rrou n d ed b y a gl o ri ou s es cort ; th ey s eemed

a l s o t o b e r a i s e d t o a s t a t e of g r e a t e r b l i s s Y et a mo n g t h e b l es s ed .

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
. .

t ra t i on of St F r a n c i s d e Sa l es : t wo chi l d ren r ece i ve fro m th ei r

.

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 .

2 . On l y th os e s oul s en t er h ea v en w h i ch a re free from a ll s in ,

and from th e p en a l t d u e t o y s in .

Acc ord i ng t o t h e C o un ci l of Fl oren ce t h e s oul s o nl y of t h o s e ,

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 .

Not h i n g d el ed ca n en t e r h ea ven ( Ap o c xx i 2 7 M or eo ver n on e . .

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.

3 . Hea ven i s w on by uff s eri n g a n d s elf -

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
. . .

j oys a n d p l ea s u res of t hi s w orl d w i l l b e d a mn ed , a n d h e w h o d es p i s es

t h em w i ll b e s a ved Th er e i s n o b l es s edn es s w i th o u t s el f d en i a l Th 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 .

ki n g d o m of h e a ven s u ffe rs v i ol en c e ( M a tt x i Na rrow i s 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 .

4 . F or th e just h ea v en b egi n s a l rea d y on ea rt h .

Wh i l e wel i fe et ern a l we a l r ea d y en j o y i t , s a ys St Au gus

s eek

.

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
,
.

C h r i s t ever d well s i n t h ei r h e a rts ( Ep h i i i 1 7 t h ey h a v e w i t hi n . .

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
. .

h ea v en , t h e t h i n g s of t h i s w orl d w i ll a p p ea r w or th l e s s ( St G reg ory .

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

1 . Hel l i s th e ab ode of e erl v a s ti ng t orment .

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 .

b en ea th t h e ea rt h Hen ce th e exp res s i on i n th e C ree d D es cen d 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 .
, .

D a ma s cen e t h e p a i n s o f h ell a re d u e n ot s o mu ch to God a s t o ma n

,

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
. .

( M a tt x i i . Even th e p a g a n s b el i eved i n a h ell ; h en c e th e s t ory of

.

Ta n t a l u s c o n d emn ed t o s u ffer p erp et u a l h u n g er a n d t h i r s t , a n d

,

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
,

or t h e frui t wh i ch h e a t t emp t ed t o ea t w i t h d rew fro m h i s l i p s ; t h e

D a n a i d s c o n d emn e d t o d ra w w a t e r i n s i ev es , a n d Si s yp h u s , for ced
,

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 .

Th e t ormen ts f h ell a re t erri l e ; for th e da mn ed n e er s ee

o b v
y
God , th e a re i n th e comp a n of e i l s p i ri ts a n d i n re, t h e en y v y '

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 ,

for eve ry u n l a w fu l p l ea s u r e i n d u l g ed i n , a h u n d re d fol d p en a l t y mu s t

b e p a i d St Jo h n C h rys o s t o m a p p l i es t h e w or d s of St P a ul on h e a ven
. . .

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 .

th e o u ter d a rkn es s ( M a t t xxi i 1 3 ) b ec a u s e t h e d a mn ed n eve r s ee

. .

God th e s o u r ce of et e rn a l l i g h t It i s t h e p l a ce wh ere t h e re i s weep

, .

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 .

a n d c nde o mn ed t o s u ffer t ormen t ( p a i n of s en s e) Th e p a i n of l os s .

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 .

Al p h o ns u s How k een l y d o es h e s u ffer wh o i s cu t off from t h e s i g h t

.

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

( St J ohn D a ma s cen e) Th e p o s s es s i o n of God , t h e h i gh es t g oo d ,

b
. .

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 .

F err er, t h ey s ee t h em a s a h u n g ry ma n ma y l ook on a p l en te o u s e

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

.

t o s u ffer fro m ev i l s p i r i t s ; a n d i t i s meet t h a t t h o s e wh o s i d ed wi t h

a n d s u b j ect e d t h ems el v e s t o t h e ev i l s p i r i t s on ea r th s h o u l d b e of
t h ei r c o mp a n y a ft e r d e a th We a re wa rn ed i n th e b oo k of Job a n d
.

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 .

mu s t b e for t h e d a mn ed i n h el l , wh ere t h e d evi l h a s fu ll p ower

Th e d a mn ed i n h ell c a us e on e a n o th er g r ea t s u fferi n g ; for t h ey h a te
on e a n o th e r .In t h a t r eg i o n of h a t red of G od t h ere i s n o l o v e of
God Hen ce t h e n u mb er s i n h ell o nl y i n c rea s e i t s t ormen t s
. M or e .

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
.

morrh a ( Gen x i x 2 4 ; 4 Ki n g s i If, s a y s B el l a rmi n e,

. . . th e
s o u l ca n b e u n i t ed t o t h e b o d y s o a s t o s u f fer i n c o mp a n y wi t h i t , s o
Is i t s o mu ch b eyo n d

c a n t h e s o ul b e r ea ch ed b y t h i s a v en g i n g re .

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
.

h ell i s a cc o mp a n i ed b y a n i n s u p p or t a b l e col d , a n d mo reo v er i t i s

mu ch mor e p a i n fu l ; O u r re , s a y s St V i n cen t F e rre r, i s c ol d i n

.

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
.

n i z e w h a t foo l s t h ey w er e t o r ej ec t G o d s g r a c e s o oft en , a n d t o p r efe r

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

th i n g s Th i n k o ft en a b o u t h ell ; t h e t h o u g h t w i ll keep u s fro m s i n

. .

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
. .

forg et s i t , s a ys St J ohn Ch ry s o s tom,

. wi ll n ot e s ca p e i t

.

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 .

d u r a t i o n , t h er e i s n o d i s t i n ct i on b et ween t h e t ormen t s of h ell an d

t h o s e of p u rg a t ory ( St Th o ma s ) . Th e s a me re, .

s a ys St . .

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 .

t h e C h u rc h , i n t h e Requ i em M a s s , p r a ys God t o d el i ver t h e s o u l s

fro m th e p a i n s of h ell ( B en ed i ct St Au g u s t i n e t el l s u s t h a t
.

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
.

wh o h a ve b een mor e a tt a ch ed t o t h e g oo d s of t h i s w orl d ; t h a t t h os e

wh o h a ve g rown ol d i n s i n t a ke l o n g e r t o p a s s t h ro u g h t h e cl ea n s i n g
s t r ea m . Th e fo u n d a t i on M a s s es g o i n g on for cen tu ri es l e a d u s to ,

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
.
, ,

d es c en d s i n t o p u rg a t ory ev e ry Goo d F r i d a y a n d fr ees on e or mor e ,

s o ul s of t h o s e w h o h a d b een w i t n es s es of Hi s P a s s i o n Eve n wh ere .

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
.

a s s u r ed of a c o n s i d e r a b l e s h ort en i n g of t h e i r s u f fer i n g s Sever a l .

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
. .

feri n g s i n p u rg a t ory a re i n i n t i ma te rel a t i o n t o t h e p a s t s i n s St . .

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 .

M oreov er, i t i s r ema rka b l e

fa c t th a t n ea r l y a ll th e n a ti on s
a

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 .

from s ou n d rea s on th a t th ere mu s t b e a p u r ga t or y .

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 . . .

ma n y s h a ll b e s a ve d y et s o a s b y re ( 1 C or iii, The p r a cti ce . .

of t h e C hur c h i n t h e foll owin g p oi n t s r emi n d s u s of pur g a t ory : t h e

p r a y er for th e d e a d s a id i n eve ry M a s s ( t h e M emen to a ft er t h e

C on s ec r a ti on ) ; t h e M a s s es for t h e d e a d i n p a rti cul a r th os e on Al l ,

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 ;

, ,

th e p a s s i n g b ell ( whi ch c a ll s up on u s t o p r a y for t h e d ep a r t e d ) a n d

-

t h e s ol emn iti es on All Soul s D a y whi c h w er e r s t i n t r oduced i n

,

9 98 b y th e a b b ot O dil o of C lun y a n d l a t er ext en d e d b y t h e P op es t o ,

th e un ive r s a l C hu r ch St Joh n Chr ys os t om r emin d s u s th a t

. .

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 -

th a t t h ere i s a purg a t ory Th e id ea of pu rg a t ory i s c omm on a mon g.

t h e n a ti on s Th e Egypti an s b eli eve d i n t h e t r a n s migr a ti on of s oul s

.

i n t o a n ima ls Amon g t h e Greek s w e h a ve t h e s t ory of P r ometheu s

.
,

con d emn e d t o b e b o un d t o a r oc k a n d h i s liver gn a w ed b y a

vul tur e b eca us e h e s t ole re fr om he a ven Th e Jew s h a d th e s a me
, .

b eli ef for t h ey offer e d s a c r ice for t h e d e a d a s w e s a w i n t h e c a s e

, ,

of Jud a s M a ch a b eu s Th e ea rly C h ri s ti a ns w er e a cc us t omed t o p r a y

.

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 :
.
,
-

Bur y me wh er e y ou will ; on ly I p r a y y ou thin k o f me a lw a ys a t , ,

St Joh n C h rys os tom d ecl a r es th a t t h e C h r i s ti a n s fr om

G o d s a lt a r . .

t h e ver y b egi n n i n g p r a y ed dur in g M a s s for t h e d e a d b y o r d er of th e

a p os tle s St C yr il of Jer us a l em w r it es :
. .

It i s of g re a t s ervi c e t o

p r a y for t h e dea d wh en th e h oly s a cr i ce i s b ein g offer ed H en ce .

t h e old es t M a s s b o ok s con t a i n p r a yer s for t h e d e a d

-

R ea s on a ls o .

t e a ches th a t th er e mu s t b e a pur g a t or y W e kn ow for i n s t a n c e .

, ,

th a t n othi n g d el ed ca n en t er h ea ven ( Ap oc xxi 2 7 y e t t h er e i s . .

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 .

Th e fa i t h ful on ea rt h ca n h el p th e h ol y s oul s i n p urga t ory

3 .

b y good w ork s ; i n p a rt i ul a r b y p ra y er, fa s t i n g, a l ms d eed s , b y c -

offeri n g or b ei n g p r es ent a t M a s s , b y r e ei vi ng th e s a r a ment s c c

a n d ga i n i n g i n dul gen es c .

Th e h oly t h elp th ems elves s i n ce t h ey c a n n o l on g er

so ul s ca n n o ,

d o g oo d w ork s t o s a ti s fy for th e i r s i n s Aft er d ea th t h e n ight .

c ometh wh en n o ma n c a n w ork ( John i x Hen ce they mu s t p a y .

of f thei r d eb t b y en du ri n g t h e p a i n s whi ch G od h a s l a id up on them .

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 ,

p ra yer a n d a lms givi n g a n d oth er w ork s of pi ety ( C ou n cil of L yon s

, ,

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 .

me rci ful for th ey s h al l ob ta i n mercy ( M a tt v 7

, C hr i s t a ccepts

. .

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 . . .

t h e d ep a r te d a l s o di s pl a y the i r g r a titud e wh en they g et t o h e a ven .

Sa y s M a r i e L a t a s t e : Th ou c a n s t d o n othin g mor e a ccept a b le t o G od

or p r ot a b l e t o thys el f th a n t o p r a y for t h e h oly s oul s
; for t h ey will
b e mi n dful of y o u r fa vor s i n hea ven a n d will p r a y un c ea s i n gly for ,

y ou th a t y ou ma y b ecome h oli e r i n li fe a n d b e free d from p ur

g a t ory s oon a ft er d e a th It i s a h oly a n d wh oles ome th ought t o
.

for t h e dea d th a t th ey ma y b e loos ed fr om s in s ( 2 M a ch x ii

l
, . .

4
p6r y

6 . THE RESURREC TION OF THE B OD 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

w oul d r i s e a g a in Job con s ole d hi ms elf i n t h e mid s t of h i s s uffer

.

ings b y th e th ought of t h e r es urr ec ti on ( Job x i x s o t oo t h e .

b rother s M a ch a b ees ( 2 M a ch vii 1 1 ) a n d M a rth a s a id to Je s us :

. .

I kn o w th a t my b roth e r will r i s e a ga in i n t h e res ur recti on a t th e

La s t D a y ( John x i .

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
,

wh o a re a l re a dy d e a d whil e for th os e wh o s u rvive till th a t d a y s u ch

,

a ch a n g e will t a k e pl a ce i n th e i r b odi es t h a t i n a m ome n t t h e y will d i 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 . .

a re i n t h e g r a c e of G od a s w ell a s th os e wh o a re i n mor t a l s i n ( John

v 2 8 ; M a tt xxv
. . a n d thi s r es u rr ec ti on will t a k e pl a ce i n a mo
.

men t ( 1 C or xv . C hr i s t a n n oun ce d t h a t He w ould r a i s e t h e

.

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 .

d on e g oo d thi n gs s h a ll c ome for th un t o t h e r es u rre c ti on of li fe ; b u t

th ey t h a t h a ve d on e evil un t o t h e r es urrec ti on of judgmen t ( John v .

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 . .

( John x i 1 1 ) w er e s l eepi n g In fa ce of t h e fa c t of th e res urr e c ti on

. .

d e a th ma y w ell b e c a ll ed a s l eep ( 1 Th es s iv Th e foll owi n g . .

mi r a cl es w ere p erforme d b y C h r i s t i n p r oof of Hi s p ow e r t o r a i s e t h e

d e a d ; t h e r a i s i n g of t h e d a ught e r of Ja i ru s i n h er ow n h ou s e th a t of ,

th e s on of t h e wid ow o f N a i m b efor e t h e g a t es of t h e c ity a n d th a t o f ,

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 .

r e s urr e c ti on a n d th a t of Hi s V i rgi n M oth er In v e ry t ruth C h ri s t .

might s a y o f Hi ms el f : I a m th e r es urr e cti on a n d t h e li fe ( Joh n

xi . M a n y n a tu r a l ph en o men a s h ow th a t th e id e a o f th e res u rrec

ti on i s i n h a rmon y with th e res t of n a tu r e ; for i n s t a n c e ou r own ,

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

wi n t er s leep ; t h e ch a n ge i n ma n y i n s ects of th e l a rva i n to th e pup a ,

a n d of t h e pup a a g a i n i n t o t h e b utt e r y ; t h e comi n g forth o f t h e b i r d

from t h e egg t h e s p r outi n g of t h e s eed b ur i ed i n t h e ea rth a n d s o on

, , .

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 .

If t h e s oul ly were r ew a r ded ther e w oul d b e a w a n t of com

on ,

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 s fa s ti n g , c h a s tity ma r tyr d om whi c h c a n b e c a rr i e d ou t i n the i r

, ,

p e rfecti on onl y i n t h e b ody ; h en c e it i s r ight th a t t h e l a tte r s houl d

s h a r e i n t h e r ew a r d o f t h e s oul

G o d s jus ti c e dema n d s th a t t h e b ody
.

s h oul d t a k e p a rt i n th e t r iumph Ag a i n Te r tulli a n r emi n ds u s

.
,

th a t O u r Sa vi our r edeeme d ma n ki n d b ody a n d s oul Ha d th e b ody .

b ee n un r edeemed t h e devil w ould h a ve s ecu re d a t r iumph b y d es t r oy

i n g it . Suc h a thought i s un w ort hy By a ma n c a me de a th a n d b y
.
,

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

c orr upti b l e mu s t put on i n c orr upti on a n d thi s m or t a l mu s t put on ,

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
. .

n a s i a n C r ee d Even Job kn ew it t o b e t rue : I s h a ll b e cl oth ed a ga i n

.

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 o n e of t h e M a ch a b ea n b r oth er s i n t h e mid s t of h i s t ormen t s , ,

a dd r e s s e d t h e tyr a n t thu s a s h i s li mb s w e r e b e i n g t orn a w a y : Th es e

I h a v e fr om h ea ven b u t for t h e l a w s of G od I n ow des pi s e th em ; b e
c a u s e I h op e t o r e ceiv e th em a g a i n fr om Hi m ( 2 M a ch vii

. .

While St P erp etu a a n d h er fell ow ma rtyr s were b ei n g exp os ed t o t h e

.

vul g a r g a z e of t h e h ea th en s s h e a dd r es s e d th em thu s : L ook well

,

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 .

F or thi s r ea s on w e ri s e i n ou r b odi es th a t eve ry on e ma y re c eive t h e

p r op er thi n g s of th e b ody a cc or di n g a s h e h a th d on e wh ether it b e
,

g oo d or evil ( 2 C or v It i s n ot b ey on d G od s p ower t o rej oi n
. .

t h e s c a tt ere d el emen ts of our b odi es ; i f He c oul d m a k e th a t whi ch

h a d n o exi s t en c e He c a n r epl a ce th a t whi ch a l r e a dy h a s h a d a n ex i s t
,

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
.

b odi es ove r p er i od s o f t en or twen ty yea r s i n whi ch ti me t h e c om ,

p on en t el emen t s h a ve b een r en ewed a ga i n a n d a g a i n s o t h e b odi es of ,

t h e r i s en will b e t h e s a me even s upp os i n g t h ey a re n ot c omp os e d of

,

t h e s a me id en ti c a l el emen t s as b efor e It i s th e thought of th e res ur .

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 ,

thei r ven er a ti on of t h e reli c s of t h e s a i n ts O u r r i s en b odi es will n ot .

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
. .

gl or i e d b ody of C hri s t ( Phil iii a n d will h a v e th e foll owi ng

. .

p r op erti es : th ey will b e i mp a s s ib l e ( Ap oc x i s hi n i n g lik e t h 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 .

ma tter Th e w or d s pi r itu a l i s s ometi mes us ed t o des c ri b e t h e

.

r i s en b ody b ec a us e th e l a tter will b e quite s ub j ec t t o t h e s pi r it a n d

,

free d fr om ea rthly con c upi s cen ce ( L uk e xx Th e b ea uty of t h e .

b ody will b e i n p r op orti on t o th a t of t h e s oul ( R om viii 1 1 ; 1 C or xv . . . .

Th e m os t w ret ch e d c ripple i f h e h a s live d a g ood li fe wi ll h a ve

, ,

a b ea uti ful b ody ; whil e on e w h o h a s h a d ev er y p er s on a l c h a rm a n d

liv e d a b a d li fe will r i s e a g a in t o b e a n ob j ec t of a vers i on
, Th e .

b odi es of s i n n ers will h a ve t o s uffer a n d will b e b oun d ha n d a n d foot ,

( M a tt xx ii . Th e r i s en b odi es will b e without a n y d efec t

. Th e .

ma rtyr s will rec ove r t hei r li mb s a n d the i r w oun ds vi s i b l e lik e , ,

C hr i s t s will b e gl or i ou s a n d res plen den t Th e r i s e n b o di es will a ls o

.
,

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
, , .

h a ve th e i r b odi es a l s o compl et e b u t for pun i s hmen t ; for th e more ,

p erfe c t th e b ody i s t h e mor e it ca n s uffer All t h e b odi es of t h e r i sen .

will b e immor t a l ( 1 C or xv Ju s t a s i n p a r a di s e t h e fru it of th e

. .

t ree of li fe g a ve i mmo rt a lity t o t h e b ody s o n ow t h e Bles s e d Sa cra ,

men t i n comm un i on for it i s a ple dge of t h e r es u rr ec ti on a n d of i m

,

mo rt a lity ( John vi Th e b odi es of t h e d a mn ed a re a l s o i m

.

mort a l b u t for th ei r to rmen t

,
.

4 B eli ef i n th e res u rrec t i on i s a grea t h elp to

. us ; i t c on

s ol es u s i n ou r s u fferi n gs , a n d comfor t s ou r rel a ti v es a n d fri en ds

wh en w e ome to di e c .

Job c heered hi ms elf with thi s re ec ti on ( Job x ix a n d it w a s .

b eli ef i n th e r es u rrec ti on whi c h g a ve t h e e a rly C hr i s ti a n s s uch c our

a g e a n d c a lm i n t h e g r e a t p er s ec uti ons C h r i s ti a n s wh o b eli eve i n .

t h e r es u rr ec ti on ought n ot t o mou rn for th e i r d e a d lik e t h e h ea t h en

wh o h a v e n o h op e ( 1 Thes s iv St C yp r i a n , Bi s h op of C a rth a ge
. . .

( 2 58 u s e d t o c a uti o n h i s o c k a g a i n s t s u c h e x ces s iv e g r i ef, l es t

t h e h ea th en s h ould c ome t o thi n k th a t t h e C h r i s ti a n s h a d n o rm

b eli ef i n t h e li fe t o c ome Hen ce h e con s idere d it un b ecomi n g t o
.

we a r mourni n g for th os e wh o we re r ej oi c i n g b efore t h e thr on e of

God . Thos e on ly s h ould b e mourn ed for wh o di ed i n mort a l s i n .

7 . THE GENER AL JUD GM ENT .

1 . Immed i a t el y af e t r th e res urr ec ti on t h e gen era l j udgment

will t a k e pl a e c .

For C h r i s t h a s oft en s a i d t h a t aft er th e res u rer ct i on a l l ma n d

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 .

Th e r eturn ofJudge w a s a nn oun ced t o t h e a p os tl es b y

C hri s t as
th e a n gel s on t h e o cca s i on of O u r L or d s a s cen t i n t o h ea ven ( Ac ts

i. C hr i s t Hi ms elf s p oke a b out t h e judgmen t i n t h e foll owi ng

te rms : Th e form of a cr os s i s t o a pp ea r i n t h e h ea ven s a n n oun c e

i n g th e c omi n g o f C hr i s t : a n d th e s ight of it will ll t h e wi ck e d with

c on fu s i on ( M a tt xx iv . C h r i s t will come i n gr e a t p ow er
.

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 .

olud e th a t t h e divi n e es s en c e will b e ma n i fes t e d t o a ll a t t h e j udg

men t for thi s n o ma n c ould s ee with out b e i n g r a pt i n h ea ven l y j oy
,
.

Acc or di n g t o St Th oma s t h e l os t will h a ve s ome s or t of p ercepti 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 .

n er : He wi ll re v ea l a l l , e en v th e mos t h i dd en thi n gs , will ex a ct

an c t fr om a ll men of th e
a c ou n works of mer c y t h ey h a v e or
ou gh t t o h a v e p erformed a n d b y a ,
n al t
s en en c e s ep a ra e t forever
th e good from th e b a d .

Th e gen er a l j udgmen t i s thu s a s olemn rep etiti on of t h e p a rt i e

ul a r j udgmen t ; a n d it mi ght al s o b e ca lled a r ep etiti on of t h e world s

hi s t o ry, for ea c h ev en t will b e repr es en t e d t o t h e eyes of t h e a s s em !

b l e d multitude : An d t h e b ooks wer e op en ed a n d t h e de a d

w er e j udged b y th os e thi n gs whi ch we re w r itt en i n t h e b ooks a cc or d

i n g t o th ei r w orks ( Ap oc xx Th e L or d will b r i n g t o light
. .

t h e hidd en thi n g s of d a r kn es s ( 1 C or iv He will s ea rch Jeru . .

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 .

v ea le d, a n d t h e r evel a ti on will b e wor s e th a n h ell t o t h e s i nn er,

while t o th e j u s t t h ere will b e gl ory b eca u s e they did p en a n c e Th e .

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
.

( Ecc les x ii a n d t h e s ec r et s of men s h ea r ts s h a ll b e kn own

. .

( 1 C or iv . . Th e ma r tyrs will receive hon or for t h e c on tempt

whi c h th ey en du red a n d s i nn er s will excl a i m a s th ey look on th e
, ,

jus t : Th es e a re they wh om we h a d s ome ti me i n der i s i on a n d for a

_

p a r a b le of rep r oa ch We fools es t eemed thei r li fe ma dn es s a n d th ei r

.
,

en d with out h on or B eh old h ow they a re n umb er ed a mon g t h e chil

.

d ren of God a n d th e i r l ot i s a mon g t h e s a i n t s

( Wi s d v 3 . .

W orks of me rcy will b e requi r e d of ever y ma n ( M a tt xxv 34 . .

th e G os p el expl a i n s t o u s why t h e s a i n ts a n d a ll pi ous C hr i s ti a n s a re

s o e a g er i n t h e p erforma n c e of w o rk s of me rc y Wh en p eopl e a s ked .

St Eliz a b e th why s h e w a s s o z ea l ou s i n g oo d w ork s s h e u s e d t o

.
,

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 .

n o qu es ti on t h en of r i ch es or s oc i a l p os iti on for G o d i s n o r es p ect er ,

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 :
.

given of h i m muc h s h a ll b e re qui r ed

,

( L uk e x ii Th e j udg .

men t will en d with t h e s en ten ce of t h e Judg e whi ch will divide for ,

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 es h a d ow e d i n t h e p a r a b le of t h e c oc kl e : G a ther up rs t t h e c ockle

a n d b i n d it i n b un dles t o b u rn b u t t h e wh ea t g a th e r y e i n t o M y
,

b a rn ( M a tt x iii . M a n y fr i en d s a n d r el a tives will b e s ep a r a ted

.

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
, .
,

w ill t a k e on a n e w a n d gl or i ou s form t o c orres p on d t o t h e gl or i e d ,

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 . .

Th e ex i s ti n g u n iver s e will b e d es tr oy ed b y re a n d thi s re ,

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

like t h e thr ee chi l dren i n t h e fu rn a ce will r ema i n un tou che d b y t h e ,

a mes Th e thought of th e j udgmen t i s a wh ol es ome on e St

. . .

M e th odius h a d a pi cture exec uted for t h e Kin g of t h e B ul g a ri a ns ,

rep r es e n ti n g t h e dividi n g of t h e g ood fr om th e b a d a t t h e L a s t D a y ;

th e ki n g c ou ld n eve r exp el th e i ma ge fr om h i s mi n d a n d i n con ,

s eq u en c e b ec ame a C h r i s ti a n a n d p r omo te d C hr i s ti a ni ty with gr ea t

zea l i n h i s ki n gd om I n t h e Act s we r ea d ( Acts xx iv 2 5 ) h ow F eli x
. .

tremb le d wh en St P a ul s p oke of t h e j ud gmen t t o come ; y et F elix

.

does n ot s eem t o h a ve a ct ed up t o gr a ce for h e b roke off th e d i s cours e ,

a n d g a v e up St P a ul t o t h e Jew s . .

2 . Th e Da y of Jud gmen t i s unk n own to us , t h ough c ert a i n

s i gn s h a ve b een revea l ed w hi h c a re t o h era l d i t s a pp r oa c h .

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 . .

kn owle dge of it w ould b e of a s little us e a s t h e kn owl edge of th e h ou r

of ou r d ea th St Augus tin e recommen d s u s t o d o n ow a s we s houl d
. .

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
-

s i on t o d rea d th e c omi n g of t h e Judg e C hr i s t ga ve s ome s ign s of .

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 . .

ti a n s might r ema i n s te a dfa s t a n d c ou r a geou s Th e s ign s a re : .

1 . Th e Gos p el s h a ll b e p rea h ed to th e c wh ol e worl d ( M a tt .

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 ,
.

M a nk i n d will b e much as they w ere i n th e d a ys of Noe ( M a tt .

xx iv .

3 . An ti c h r i s t will a pp ea r .

An ti ch r i s t i s m a n wh o will give hims elf ou t t o b e C h r i s t a n d

a ,

b y t h e h elp of th e d evil will p erform ma n y w on der s ( 2 Thes s ii . .

He will b e a terr or b y t h e p ers ecuti on whi ch h e will r a i s e ( Ap oc x . .

3 It i s p rob a b le th a t h e will choos e for h i s ki n gdom Jerus a lem

a n d th os e pl a c es wher e C h r i s t lived O u r L or d will kill h i m on t h e .

L a s t D a y ( 2 Thes s ii Typ es a n d forerun n ers of An ti c hr i s t h a ve

. .

ex i s t e d fr om ti me t o ti me ( 1 John ii for t h e mys te ry of i n i q .

u i ty a lr ea dy w ork eth ( 2 Thes s ii 7 . .

4 . Hen oc h a n d El i a s will r eturn p r e a c h p en an e and c .

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
. . . .
,

men t s of t h ei r for efa th er s t h e p a t ri a r ch s ; C h r i s t a l s o for et old th a t

,

Eli a s s h ou ld come a n d res t or e a l l thi n g s ( M a tt xvii O f Hen och . .

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 . .

Hen och a n d Eli a s will p r e a ch for thr ee y ea r s a n d a h a l f a n d r ec over ,

27 4 F a i th

ma n y s oul s from An ti chr i s t wh o i n th e en d will k ill them a n d the ir

, ,

b o di es will b e l eft un b ur i ed After th ree d a ys a n d a h a lf God will

.

r a i s e th em t o li fe a g a in ( Ap oc x i 3 . .

5 . Th e Jews will be c on v erted .

Th e con vers i on of t h e Jew s w as foret ol d b y O s ee :

Th e chi ldren
of I s r a el s h a ll s i t ma n y d a ys with out ki n g a n d wi tho ut p ri n c e a n d , ,

with out s a c r i ce a n d with out a lt a r a n d with out eph od a n d witho ut

, , ,

t h era p h i m An d a fte r thi s t h e childr en of I s r a el s h a ll r e tu rn a n d

.

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 .

b lin dn es s wa s t o b e t h e l ot of I s ra el u n til t h e fuln es s of t h e G en til es

s h o uld c ome i n ( R om x i Eli a s i s t o res tore t h e tri b es of Ja cob
. .

( Ecclus xlviii . .

6 Drea dfu l s i gn s wi ll a p p e a r i n th e h ea v en s a n d g rea t tri b u

.

c
l a ti on s wil l ome u p on ma n k i n d .

Th e s u n s h a ll b e d a rken ed a n d t h e moon s h a ll n ot give h er ligh t,

a n d t h e s t a r s s h a ll fa ll fr om h e a ven a n d t h e p ower s of t h e h ea vens
s h a ll b e mov ( M a tt xx iv w a r, p es t ilen c e a n d fa min e s h a ll
. .
,

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 .

1 . THE ESSENC E 0F CHRISTIAN HOP E .

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
.

n es s , 0 L ord whi c h Th ou h a s t w r ought for th em th a t h Op e i n

Th ee ( P s xxx . Su c h h op e ma y b e c a lle d h oly b ec a us e di r e c ted
.
,

t o God a n d s up e rn a tu r al thi n g s ; b y thi s i s ful l l ed t h e p r ecept of t h e

Ap os tl e : Seek t h e thi n g s th a t a re a b ove ( C ol iii . .

1 As th e r ewa rd of c a rry i ng out God s wi ll , Ch r i s t h a s

.

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

of l i fe, for gi v en es s of s i ns , h el p i n our nec es s i t i es , a n d th e a ns w er

i ng of our p ra yers .

C h ri s t p r omi s e d u s ete r n a l h a ppi n es s ( 1 Joh n ii In t h e .

h ous e of M y F a ther a re ma n y ma n s i on s If n ot would h a ve t old . I

y o u th a t I g o t o p r e p a r e a pl a c e fo r y ou ( Joh n x iv 2 ) H e h a s f u r .

th e r p r omi s ed t o r a i s e our b odi es a g a i n a ft er dea th ( John v .

Th e des i re for p erfect h a ppi n e s s i s pl a n t ed d ee p i n ou r n a ture .

C h r i s t a l s o p r omi s ed Hi s g r a c e i e , t h e h elp of t h e H oly Spi r it , for

, . .

Hi s will i s th a t a ll men b e s a ved ( 1 Ti m ii Gr a ce i s a b s ol utely . .

n eces s a r y for s a lv a ti on : a c tu a l g r a c e for ou r c on v er s i on s a n c ti fyi n g ,

 Fa i th .

mer its of C hr i s t I ma y b e sa ve d b y m e a n s of p en a n c e a nd keepi n g of

th e co mma n dmen t s .

3He onl y wh o c a rri es

. out God

s wi ll ca n h op e for th e good
t hi n gs p romi s ed b y Ch ri s t .

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 , , ,

kin gd om of h ea ven b u t , h e th a t d oth th e will of M y F a th e r Wh o i s i n

he a ve n ( M a tt vii . .

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

n t s a n d i s wil li n t r efor m h i s life

p e g o .

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 ,

. .

wi cke d d o p en a n ce for th ei r s i n s a n d d o j udgmen t a n d j u s ti ce God ,

will n o mo re r ememb er thei r s i n s ( Ezech xv iii M a n a s s es K i n g . .

,

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
, .

F or thi s h e w a s given over t o hi s en emi e s a n d l ed i n ch a i n s to B a b y

l on. There h e rep en t e d a n d p r omi s e d a men dmen t God then s et .

h i m free a n d g a ve h i m b a c k hi s kin gdom a n d M a n a s s es des t r oyed

, ,

t h e t emples of t h e id ol s a n d did muc h g ood ( 2 P a ra l i p .

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

he h op es for from God .

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

.

.

fa i r t o s erve t h e L or d ; it i s Hi s t o p rovide for u s No on e wh o

af .

h a s b ee n fai th fu l t o G od s c omma n ds h a s ever b een a b a n d on ed b y

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
. .

gre a t c on d en ce i n Hi m, s a ys St Augu s tin e

C a s t a ll y ou r c a r e . .

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 , . .

h ow ever d e s i s t fr om exer ti n g ou r s elve s ; we mu s t u s e th os e gi ft s

,

whi c h God h a s given t o u s ; for God will give u s on ly wh a t we c a nn ot

ob t a i n b y ou r ow n e xerti on s In t h e w or d s of St C h a rl es B orr omeo :
. .

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 .

ought t o empl oy t h e n a tu r a l mea n s a t our di s p os a l ; St P a ul , for .

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 ,

Ti mothy t o t a ke a littl e wi n e for th e s a ke of h i s h e a lth ( 1 Ti m v . .

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 .

G od s will i s th a t we s houl d w ork ou t ou r s a lva ti on i n fea r a n d

t r emb li n g ( Phil ii No on e h a s c omplete a s s u ra n ce th a t h e

. .

b el on g s t o t h e n umb e r of t h e el e ct or th a t h e will p er s ev ere i n vi rt u 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
,

i n t h e s ea M en illu mi n e d of God like Sol omon h a ve fa ll en i n t o

.
, , ,

g odl es s w a y s b efor e thei r d e a th a n d ma n y a g rea t s i nn er like St

v
.
, ,

Augu s ti n e or St M a ry M a gd a l en h a s b ecome a er y grea t s a i n t

.
, .
 Ch ri s ti a n Hap e . 2 77

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
.

r eig n t h e h ea venl y cr own i s e a s ily s ecur e d ( St John C hrys os t om)

, . .

Hop e ma kes u s s tr on g a n d fea r ma ke s u s p r uden t Hope i s like t h e .

b reez e t o a s hip dr ivi n g it i n t o t h e h a rb or ; fe a r i s like t h e b a ll a s t

, ,

s t ea dyi n g it a n d p reven ti n g s hipw r eck F ea r s o fa r fr om di mi n i s hi n g .

,

h op e i n cr e a s es it
, Trus t i n God a n d di s tru s t of o ur s elves
. s a ys ,

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
.
,

r i s es t h e oth er g oe s d own ; t h e more we di s t rus t ours elves th e more ,

we con de i n God a n d v i ce v ers a , .

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 .

A ma n wh o h a s h op e will n ot d o g ood works n or a void s i n ;

no ,

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
.

, ,

Hi s l ove for u s i s a tr ipl e c or d s a ys St B ern a r d whic h i s l et

,

, .
,

d own i n t o ou r p r i s on fr om hea ven ; t o thi s we mu s t cli n g s o th a t it

ma y r a i s e u s t o t h e vi s i on of Hi s glor y
Th e h ou s e of G od .

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
, .

n o mor e h op e for we s h a ll then p os s es s a l l th a t w e h op e d for

, .

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
.

h op e onl y b y s a n t i fyi ng gra e c c .

In thi s r es p e c t w e ma y s p e a k of hop e a lmos t i n t h e s a me w or ds

i n whi ch w e s p oke of fa ith It i s t h e Spi ri t of God whi ch a wa ken s .

i n u s a l on gi n g for h ea venl y thin gs a n d ll s u s with con den ce i n ,

God As s a n c ti fyi n g gr a ce i n c re a s es thi s p owe r of h opi n g in c re as es ;

.
,

h en ce th e s ai n t s h op e d mos t a t t h e a pp r oa ch of d ea th Hop e like a .

,

r iver b ec ome s wider a s it a pp r oa ch es t h e s ea

, .

2 . THE AD VANTAGE OF CHRISTIAN HOP E .

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 .

Ex a mpl es ma y b e s een i n th e thr ee chil d ren i n t h e fur n a ce i n Jo ,

s ep h i n t h e Egypti a n p r i s on , i n ou r b l e s s ed L a dy wh en St Jos eph h a d .

th ought s of putti n g h er a w a y M o d ern hi s tory h a s a l s o i t s ex a mples ,

.

a s when V i e n n a w a s b e s i eg e d b y t h e Turk s i n 1 6 8 3 Two hun dr ed .

a n d fty th ou s a n d Tu rk s w er e i n v es ti n g t h e c ity, whi c h w a s d efen d ed

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 .

were t h e en emy r epul s ed , th ou gh t h e r a mp a rts h a d b een un d ermi n ed

a n d b l own u p Y e t a s t h e c as e of t h e C h r i s ti a n s b ec a me mo re d es
.

p er a te , s o i n c re a s e d th ei r t ru s t i n God ; a n d a t th e l a s t ext remi ty

t h er e a pp ea re d Sob i e s k i s for c e, a n a r my of s ome n i n ety t h ou s a n d

men Th e b a ttl e l a s t ed b u t a d a y a n d th e Tu rk s wer e put t o c ompl et e

.
,

ro u t God p r otec t s th os e wh o h op e i n Hi m ( D a n x iii

.

A . .

C h ri s ti a n whos e h op e i s i n God ma y b e opp res s ed b u t h e c a n n o t b e ,

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 .

tru s t i n th e L ord s h a ll b e a s M ou n t Si on ( P s cxxiv

If a m a n . .
 F a i th .

puts h i s en ti re c on den ce i n God God t a kes hi m un de r Hi s s pe c i a l,

p r otec ti on a n d h e ma y b e c e rt a i n th a t n o h a rm will come t o h i m

,

( St V i n cen t of P a ul ) Th e g r ea ter ou r c on d en ce i n G od t h e mor e

. .

c e r t a i n ly will He p r o t ec t u s a n d come t o o u r h elp i n a l l d a n g e r s

,

( St .

F r a n c i s of Sa le s ) No on e h a th hop e d i n t h e L or d a n d b een con

.

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 . .

2 He w h o h op es i n God ca n ob t a i n everyt hi ng fr om Hi m; for

.

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 .

St Greg ory Th a um a tu rgu s did lit er a lly move a moun ta i n

. Such .

w a s t h e c ond en c e of M os e s when h e divid ed t h e Red Sea with h i s

a n d of Eli a s wh en h e p r a y e d for r a i n

s t a ff, Hop e i s a n a r row .

whi ch pi er ces th e Hea rt of C hr i s t , a n d op en s t h e foun ts of Hi s '

mer cy t o t h e s oul th a t hop e s i n Hi m

A ma n get s j us t a s much a s .

h e h op es for ( St John of t h e C r os s )
. .

3He wh o h op es i n God i s s trengt h ened b y God s o t h a t h e i s

.
,

n ot a fr a i d of ma n a n d i s p a t i ent a n d c oura geous i n s uf

, feri ng a nd ,

more es p ec i a lly i n fa c e of d ea t h .

W e h a ve exa mples i n D a vid b efore G oli a th a n d Leo b efor e Attil a .

St M a r ti n w a s on ce a tta cked b y r ob b er s wh o t hr ea ten ed h i s li fe ;

.

wh en they a s ked why h e did n ot fea r , h e ma de r eply : I a m a C hri s

t i a n a n d un d er G od s p rotecti on I h a ve n o n eed t o fea r ; on t h e con

.

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 .

God tr oub les hi ms elf little a b out t h e fa vors of t h e gr ea t or th e s a y

i n g s of h i s fell ow men ; s uc h w a s St P a ul s a t titude ( 1 C or iv
-

. . .

He wh o put s h i s t ru s t i n Go d will b e p a ti en t i n s uffer in g, for h e

kn ow s th a t th e s uffer in g s of thi s time a re n ot w or thy t o b e co m

p a r ed with t h e gl ory t o c ome th a t s h a ll b e reve a led i n u s ( R om viii . .

Job w a s p a ti en t i n t h e mids t of h i s s uffe ri n g s b eca u s e h e l o oked

forw a r d t o t h e r es u rr e c ti on ( Job x i x How ca n h e b e u nh a p py
.

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 .

a mid h i s s u f fer in g s : I excee di n gly a b oun d with j oy i n a l l ou r t r i b

ul a ti on s ( 2 C or vii . To d i e i s g a i n
. h a vi n g a d es i r e t o
b e di s s olve d a n d t o b e with C hr i s t ( Phil i 2 1 a n d a ga i n , As . .

t o t h e r es t , the re i s l a id up for me a c r own of j us ti ce, whi c h t h e L ord,

th e jus t Judge, will ren d e r t o me i n th a t d a y ( 2 Ti m iv So j oy . .
~

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 .

on whi c h h e w a s t o d i e, h e ex cl a i me d : Ha il, b le s s e d c ros s , s a n c ti ed

b y th e dea th of my God ; with t r a n s p or t s of j oy I c ome t o y ou ; h ow
l on g h a ve I
s ought y ou , h ow l on g h a ve

d es i red y ou I St Ig n a I .
.

tiu s ( 1 07 Bi s hop of An ti och , r ej oi ce d wh en h e h e a r d h i s c on

d emn a t i on fr om th e mouth of t h e Emp er or Tr a j a n ; a n d wh en t h e
C hr i s ti a n s i n R ome w ere pl a n n i n g t o s et h i m fr ee , h e p r a yed them
n ot t o d ep rive h i m of h i s ma r tyr s c rown : I fe a r n e ith er t h e b e a s ts

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

fa d i n n umer a b l e i n s t a n c es i n t h e lives of t h e s a i n t s Hop e i s th 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
. .

light of th e s u n , it r i s es a b ove th e c a r es a n d s orr ow s of e a r th .

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

work s a n d of h eroi c cta s.

280 Fa m e.

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

of b et r a yi n g C hr i s t He wh o s i ns k ill s h i s s oul b u t he wh o des p a i rs

.
,

i s a l rea dy i n hell .

3 . ri sti an must n ever p resume

Th e Ch on hi s tr s t i u n Go d s

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 .

C on de nc e i n Go d an d f ea r of Go d mu s t eve r b e equ ally p r es e nt

i n u s It i s w rong th a t ther e s h o uld b e only f e ar of Go d w i th o ut
.

t r u s t i n H i m for th i s i s de sp a i r It i s al so w rong th a t ther e s h o ul d

, .

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 .

He only can h o p e for h elp wh o d o es wh a t G o d r equ i r e s of hi m .

He wh o i s i n d i ffe r ent t o God s w i ll an d ac ts w i th th o ughtle ss rash

,

n e ss i s de s e r ted b y Go d Henc e : He th a t l o veth d ange r sh all per i sh

, .

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
.

th ro w i ng H i ms el f from the p i nnacle of the T emple ( M att i v . .

S o a ma n wh o s h o uld r e f us e t o call i n a d oct or or t o t a ke m ed i c i n es

i n a d ange ro u s s i ck ne ss on the ple a th a t Go d w o uld com e t o h i s help
, ,

w o u ld be te mpti ng Go d T h os e wh o i n the rs t age s of C h r i s t i an i ty

.

exp os ed th ems elve s w i th o ut r e asona ble cau s e t o mar tyr d om we r e

no t acco u n ted martyrs even wh en they d i ed for the fa i th .
 PART II .

A THE C O M M A ND M ENTS
. .

I . WHAT C OM MAND M ENT S ( OR L AWS) HAS GOD

GIV EN U S

As Go d g ave xed l aw s t o the he a venly b o d i e s ( P s cxlvi ii . . so

He also g ave c omm an dment s or l aw s un t o m en , ,

.

Godh a s gi v e n us c omman dmen ts in o r d er to ma k e us h a pp y

in t ime a n d i n e t e rni ty .

Go d n ever command s anyt hi ng exc ept for the g r e at e r g oo d of

th os e t o wh om He g i ve s the comman d He o nl y i mp os e s l aw s on .

u s o ut of k i n dn ess th a t He may h ave occas i on t o r ew ar d u s A

, .

he athe n sage s a y s : W i th o ut l aw s the human rac e w o uld be no b et t e r

t h a ri be as ts of p r ey the s tr onge r dev o ur i n g an d d es troyi ng the
,

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 .

A yo un g ch i ld wh o h a s d on e som eth in g w rong l i ed perh ap s or , ,

comm i tted a thef t f eel s u nc omfort able fr i ghten ed or ash am ed ;

, , ,

th o ugh i t may n ever h ave hea r d of the T en C omman dm e n t s i t i s con ,

sc i o u s th a t i t h as d on e ami ss It i s the sam e w i th the he a then wh o

.

know s no thi ng a b out Go d s comm an dm e nt s He nc e we ma y conclude

.

th a t ther e i s a la w of n a tu re i n eve ry human he art a l a w no t wr i tten ,

up on i t but i nb o rn i n i t ; an i ntu i t i ve kn owledge of r i ght an d w rong

, .

S t P aul d ecl ar es th a t the G ent ile s d o by natur e th os e th i n g s th a t ar e

.

of the l a w ( wh at the T e n C omman dm e nt s e n j o i n ) an d con s equently ,

they w i ll be judged by Go d accor d in g t o the na tural l aw ( Rom ii . .

1 4 T he ch arac te rs whe r e i n th i s l a w i s i n scr i bed up on o u r he art s

may be o b scur ed but no t o bli te rat ed ; t h e Roman C at e ch i sm tell s u s
no man can be u nconsc i o u s of th i s l a w d i v i n el y i mp r i n ted up on ,

h i s un de rs t an d i n g T h i s na tural l a w te ache s u s t h e most i mp or t ant

'

r ul e s of moral i ty e g th a t h oma ge i s due t o alm i ghty Go d ; th a t no

, . .
,

ma n mu s t w il ful ly i njur e h ims el f ; th a t we mu s t n ot d o t o others

wh a t we w o ul d no t h ave o thers d o to u s ; fu rthermor e from th i s
moral co de c e r t a i n i nf e renc es d i r e ctly foll o w ; thes e ar e the T e n
C omman dm ent s of God ( the o b s erv anc e of the S a bb a th e xc ept ed ) .

Thu s the natu ral l a w d oes no t cons i s t of a s er i es of t ruth s fo un ded

on reason but i s a deni te e xp res s i on of the w ill of Go d wh i c h i t i s
, ,

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
,

ma de ac qua i nted by me ans of r e ason T h i s consc i o us ness of Go d s .

W i ll i s consc i enc e Hen c e 1 t i s e rron e o u s t o s a y r e ason i s i t s elf the

.

l aw .

2 . Ina ddi ti on to th i natural l w God gave t ma ol emn s a , o n s

p r e c e p t ms,o r e e s p e c i a l l y th T Co mman dme nts e d th t w p

en an e o re
ce p t f
s oc h ar i t y T h e s e ar.e k n o wn a s t h r e v e al e d l w e a .

To the rev ea led la w appe r t a i n : T he p r e M osa i c l a w g i ven by -

God t o Noe an d A b rah am ; e g He for b a de the form e r t o e a t e sh . .

,

wi th bl oo d ( G e n i x up on the l a tte r He i mp os ed the l aw of c i r

. .

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
.
,

the J ew s th ro ugh M os e s T o th i s bel ong : T he D e cal o gue the r eg ul a

.

t i ons of d iv i n e w ors hi p , the c i vi l l a w of the J ew s T he T e n C om .

ma n d men t s we r e no t ann ulled b y C h r i s t ( M a tt v 1 7 but f ullled . .

,

as the o utl i ne of a p i ct ur e i s no t e a c e d but l led i n by the p a i n te r , .

T he r egul a t i ons of publ i c w ors h i p ( r el a t i n g t o the s a cr i c es the ,

T emple , we r e a b ol i s hed a t the de a th of C h r i s t be ca u s e the ,

c er emon i al ob s er v anc es of the O ld T e s t ame n t we r e m e r ely ty p i c a l

of the R edee mer Th e c i v i l l a w ( r egul a ti ng the s oc i al r el a t i ons of
.

the J ew s ) w as e xclu s i vely s u ited t o the Heb r ew pe o ple T he .

C hr i s t i an l a w comp r i s i ng the t w o p r e c ept s of ch a ri ty

, T h i s c h iey .

requ i r e s the p rac t i c e of w ork s of m erc y an d i n te r i or sp i r i tu al w or ,

sh i p ( Jo h n i v whe r e as the J ew i s h l a w or d a i n ed th e pe rformanc e

.

of e xte r i or act s an d c er emon i e s T he M osa i c l a w wa s w r i tte n on .

t able s of s t on e but the comman dme nt s of ch ar i ty ar e wr i tte n w i th i n

,

o u r he ar t s by the H oly S p i r i t ( Heb v iii 1 0) th a t i s t o s a y the H oly . .

,

G h os t e nl i ghtens the u n de rs t an d i n g th at we may pe rc e ive the m a n d ,

i n uenc es the w ill th a t we ma y foll o w them T he form er l aws wer e .

i mpe rf e c t ( Heb v ii the C h r i s t i an l a w i s pe rfe c t for o bed i e nc e

. .
,

t o i t b r i ng s man n e ar e r t o h i s ul t i ma te g oal ete rnal f el i c i ty T he , .

O ld L a w w a s g i ve n on acco u nt of i t s imperf ec t i on thro ugh the

, ,

m ed i um of an angel ; the New L aw w as p rocl a i med by the S on of Go d

H ims elf .

Th e r e v e al ed law i s n oth in g mo r e t h an a r ep e titi on ,

an ex

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 ,
.

B e cau s e the m i n d of man be i ng d arken ed b y s i n w as no l onge r ,

cap a ble of d i sc e rn i ng betwee n g oo d an d evi l the natural l a w w as ex ,

pl a i n ed an d completed for h i m by Go d L et u s th an k God for thu s .

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

ties . Th e s e aw ar a l s e c ll e d e ccl e s i st i c l a nd c i vil l s a a aw .

T he C hu rch l ay s he r behe s t s up on u s i n C h r i s t s nam e : He th a t

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 ,

( Luke x . T he s e c ul ar a uth or i t i e s al so der i ve the i r p owe r from

Go d a s S t P a ul tell s u s ( Rom x iii
,
. T he e ccle s i as t i cal an d c iv i l
. .

l a w s ar e di s t i n gu i shed from the d i vin e l aw s ( na tural an d r eve aled )

i n th a t the forme r go ve rn ou r e xte r i or acti ons a n d w ord s al one wh ile ,

the l a tte r r egul a te o u r th o ught s an d de s i res as well .

c on s c i e n c e .

C onsc i e nc e i s no th i ng more th an the l a w, a ppl i ed t o p art i c ul a r

ca s e s I n ac t i n g ag a i nst o u r consc i enc e the r e for e we d i so bey the
.
,

l aw even i f we ar e u n de r a m i s t a ke For i ns t a nc e i f a man e at s me a t

.
,

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 .

T hey ra the r s e rve t o make h i m i n depen de nt of cre a ture s It i s .

the s i nn e r wh o fall s un de r the y o ke of an i gnom i n i o u s s ervi tude .

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
, . .

B e s i des l i berty d o e s no t cons i s t i n the r i ght t o d o wh ateve r we w ill

, ,

but wh a teve r i s pe rmi tted T he w or d i s m u ch a bu s ed i n the p r es e n t

.

d a y ; man y cons i de r i t t o m e an l i c e ns e an d they call the r e s t ra i nt

,

wh i c h the l aw s i mp os e on the i r evi l w ork tyranny an d de sp o t i sm .

O the rs th ink i t s i gn i e s l i ber ty for thems elve s an d s e rvi tud e for

o thers Henc e we often n d s o call ed li b era ls the mos t i n t o leran t of
.
-

mank i n d .

II . THE TWO C OMM A ND M ENTS OF C HARI TY

1 . imp ort ant comman dme nts are t h e tw o command

Th e most
me nts of ch ari ty th at i s t o s a y th e l ov e of God a n d th e l ove of
, ,

on e s n e i ghb o r for al l th e oth e r c omman dme n ts ar e c o mp ri s e d i n

,

th e m .

Wh e n C hr i s t w a s onc e asked by one of the S cr i be s wh i ch w as the

rs t of a ll the comman dm en t s He answe r ed : , T h o u s h alt l o ve the
L or d th y Go d w i th thy wh ole he art w i th th e w ill ) an d w i th
thy wh ole so ul w i th the un de rs t an d i ng ) an d w i th thy wh ole
m ind w i th the affe c ti ons) an d wi th thy wh ole s tren gth in
 Til e Two Comma n d men ts a; Ch a r i ty . 285

all thy ac t i ons T hi s i s the r s t comm andme nt An d the s e con d i s

. .

l ike unt o i t : T h o u sh alt l ove thy n e ighb or as thy s el f

( M ar k x ii .

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 ix . T hese tw o comm a n dm en ts cont a i n all the o the rs be ca u s e ,

they inue nc e an d d i r e c t a ll the p o wers of the so ul of man ; the

un de rs t and i ng the a ffe ct i ons the w ill an d a ll h i s ac t i ons be s i de s
, , , .

T hus he wh o ful ls the s e tw o comman dme nt s of ch ar i ty keep s all the

comman dme nt s ; wer e they eve rywher e o b s e rved no o the r l aw w o ul d
be n ec essary i n the S t a te or i n the fami ly Henc e C hr i s t say s : O n
.

the s e tw o comman d men ts d ep en d eth the wh ole l aw an d th e p ro phet s

( M att xx ii . T he o the r comm an dmen ts d o but i nc ul ca te i n
.

det a i l wh a t the commandmen t s of c h ar i ty enj o i n .

c o mma n d to lo v e God th e r st four of th e c omma n d

In t h e
me n ts of God a re c omp ri s ed ; th e oth er c o mma n dmen ts of God
an d th e o b l ig a ti o n to p erfo r m w o rks of mercy a re c omp r eh e n d ed
i n th e s e c o n d .

T he rs t fo ur comm a n dm en t s cont a i n o ur duty t o Go d As o ur .

s up r em e R ule r He r equ i r e s of u s i n the F i rs t C omman dm en t w orsh ip

an d del i ty ; i n the S e con d r e spe c t ; i n the T h i r d s e rv i c e ; i n the
, ,

Fo ur th r e spec t t o w ar d s Hi s r ep r e s e nt a t ive s up on e arth T he o the r

,
.

s ix enj o i n on u s o ur duty t o o ur n e ighb or forb i dd i ng u s t o injur e h i m ,

a s r eg ar d s h i s l i f e i n the F i f th ; h i s pur i t y i n the S i x th ; h i s p ro pe rty

i n the S eve nth ; h i s h onor i n the Eighth ; h i s fam ily in the Ni nth an d
T e nth T he p r e c ept of O u r L or d e nj o i n i ng on u s the pe rform i n g of
.

w ork s of m e rcy ( M a tt xxv 3 1 s eq ) i s an ampl i ca t i on of the s e con d

. . .

co mm an dme n t of ch ar i ty for i t r equi r es u s t o help o ur n e i ghb or i n

,

h i s need T h a t the l as t s i x comman dment s of the D e cal ogue a re a

.

conn e c ted wh o le we g athe r from O ur L or d s answe r t o the r i c h y o ung

man ( M att x i x .S t P aul al so cl ass e s them t ogethe r ( Rom

. . .

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 .

S t John says : He th a t l o veth no t a b i deth i n de ath ( 1 Jo hn

.
,

iii. S t Augu s t i n e say s th a t as we r equ i r e tw o feet t o w alk so

.
,

we mus t h ave the l o ve of Go d an d of o u r n e i ghb or i f we w o uld r e ach

he a ven an d e nte r i nt o th e p r e s enc e of God As the b i r d canno t y
, .

w ith o ut tw o w i ng s s o m u s t we be b orn e al oft up on the s e tw o p i n i o n s

,

i f we w o uld soar up t o he aven T he ble ss ed i n he ave n l o ve Go d and .

on e ano the r ; we mu s t d o the sam e he r e on e arth i f we ar e t o j o i n

the i r bl i ssful comp an y Wh a t i s man 0 Go d ask s S t Aug u s
. , , .

t i ne th a t T h o u d os t comman d h i m t o l o ve T hee an d th re ate n h i m

, ,

w ith te rr i ble ch ast i s em en t s i f he fa i l s t o d o s o ?

3 c a p a c ity fo r l ovin g God a n d our n e ighb o r i s b e stow e d
. Th e
u p o n us s i mul t a n e ous l y w i t h s a n c t i fy i n g gra c e .

O f o ur s elves we ar e i ncap able of l ov i ng Go d ab o ve a ll th i ng s .

Eve r s i nc e the bl i ght of or i g i nal s i n fell up on u s i t i s w i th o u r ,

he art as wi th the d a te p al m wh i ch t ranspl anted t o a colde r cl i m e d o e s

-

i ndeed be ar fru i t but canno t p ro du c e the r ipe an d del i c i ou s d ate s

,

of the l an d wher e i t i s i nd igeno us S o o u r he ar t s w o uld fa i n l o ve.

2 86 Th e Comma n d men ts .

Go d but the p o we r i s l ack ing t o the m ; they c a n only a tt a in t o

,

t rue ch ar i ty whe n i nform ed b y d i v i ne gr ac e To w ill i s p r e s e nt .

w i th m e but h o w to accompl i sh th a t wh i c h i s g oo d I kno w no t

,

( Rom v ii . Not unt i l the H oly S p ir i t t ake s p oss ess i on of u s by

.

B a pt i sm or pe nanc e i s the l o ve of Go d s hed a b roa d i n o u r he ar t T he .

l o ve of o u r n e i ghb or i s i mpl an te d w i th i n u s a t the s am e ti m e a s th e

l o ve of Go d ; they ar e but on e the only d i eren c e i s i n the o bj e c t ,

t o w ar d s wh i c h they ar e di r e c ted T he l ove of Go d an d of o u r ne i gh .

b or ma y be comp ar ed t o tw o s t r e ams i ss ui n g from on e an d the s el f ,

sam e so urc e S t A ugu s t i n e s a ys th at C hri st g a ve the H o ly S p i r i t t o

. .

the ap os tle s twi c e ( whe n He b r e a thed up on the m an d on the D ay of

Pe nte cos t ) be ca u s e w i th the H o ly S p i r i t a t w ofold ch ari ty i s i m
p arted t o u s
4 . Th e lov e of God i s in s e p arab l y uni t e d to tn e l ov e of ou r
ne ighb o r .

As the pl an t i s con t a i ned w i th i n th e s e ed , l o ve of o u r ne i gh so th e

b or i s comp r i s ed i n the l o ve of Go d T he tw o p r e c ept s ar e s o con .

s t i tuted th a t the on e canno t b e o b s e rv ed w i th o ut the o the r T h i s i s .

why H o ly Scr iptur e spe ak s of on e comman dm e nt of ch ar i ty If .

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
, , ,

Jo hn i v O ur l ove of o u r n e ighb or i s there for e the be s t tes t of

.

o u r l o ve of Go d He wh o che r i s he s ill w ill t o w ar d s h i s f ell o w man

.
- -

wh o h a tes h i m e nv i e s h i m i nj ur e s h i m i n any w a y or wh o gru dges

, , ,

alms t o the n eedy i s de s t i tute of the l ov e of Go d T he gr e ate r ou r

,
.

l o ve of Go d the g r e a te r w ill b e ou r l o ve of o u r n e ighb or

,
.

III . THE PREC EP T OF THE L OV E '

OF GOD .

M an i s s o cons t i tuted by n a tur e th a t he t ake s del i ght i n wh a t he

r e co gn i ze s as g oo d an d be a ut i ful T h i s del i ght an d the de s i r e t o a t . ,

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
,
.

s t an d i ng the a ect i on s an d the w ill

, ,
.

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 .

C hr i s t command s u s t o l ove Go d, for He sa y s :

T h o u sh alt l o ve
the L or d thy Go d w i th thy wh ole he ar t w i th thy wh ole so ul w i th thy , ,

wh ole m i n d an d w i th thy wh ole s t re ngth
, ( M ark x ii Go d .

i s the mos t be a ut i ful of all be i ng s for i f e arthly be i ng s ar e so be a u ,

t i ful h o w m u c h g r e a ter m u s t b e the be a ut y of Go d Wh o i s the

, ,

C r e a t or of a ll the s e th i n gs ! ( W i s d x iii For on e canno t g i ve to . .

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 ,

s e ss i n H i ms el f all the pe rf e c t i ons i n the i r h ighe s t degr ee wh i c h we

a dm i r e i n Hi s cr e a tu r e s Go d h as man i fe s ted H i s l o ve t o w ard s u s
.

ch i ey i n th i s th a t He s en t H i s only beg o tte n S on t o e arth for o u r -

salv a t i on C hr i s t H i ms el f sa y s : Go d s o l oved the w orld as t o g i ve

,

H i s only beg o tte n S on ( Joh n ii i He d i d no t s e n d H i m t o

-

.

l i ve on e ar th i n r eg al st ate but as a l owly s e rv an t ; no t t o l ive an d d i e

,

as an or di nary man but t o l i ve a l i f e of p r iv at i on an d p ers ecut i on

, ,
288 Th e Comma n d men ts .

an c e of th e he a r t the mo uth s pe aketh ( M a t t x ii He al s o l o ves . .

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 .

2 . He wh o l ov e s God avo i ds i s n, an d do e s n ot all ow hi s

h eart to cl i ng to th p oss ss io s d j oys
e e n an of e arth .

He wh o l o ves Go d i e s from s i n be c a us e s i n s ep ara tes hi m fr om

Go d O u r L or d say s : I f any man l o ve Me he w ill keep My w or d
.
,

( John x i v He wh o l o ve s Go d i s afra i d of offen d in g Him rathe r

.
,

th an of H i s ch as t i s e m ent s ; for wher e l o ve i s the r e i s no ch as ti s e ,

m en t t o be d r e a ded Pe rf e c t ch ar i ty c as teth o ut f e ar ( 1 Jo hn i v
.
'

O n e wh o i s i n amed w i th the l o ve of Go d l ays as i de all des i r e

for e ar thly p oss e ss i ons an d e nj o yme nt s ; the l o ve of God an d the l o ve .

of the w orld canno t c o ex i s t i n the hum a n he art -

.

3 . He wh o loves Grod rej oic e s to lab o r fo r th e gl o r y of God .

T he l o ve of Go d exc i te s i n u s t h e de s i r e th a t He sh o uld be be tte r

k n o w n an d l o ved b y m en an d ther eby gl or i ed , Z e al i s the o ut com e .

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 , . .

O ne wh o l o ves Go d i s gr i eved nay i nd i gnant whe n Go d i s o ffen ded ;

, , ,

M os e s i n h i s an ger th r ew the s t on e t able s of the l a w t o the gro un d

whe n he s a w the pe o ple w ors h i pp i n g the g o ld en calf O n the o the r .

h an d th os e wh o l o ve Go d r ej o i c e whe n He i s h onor ed ; they s p ar e no

e xe rt i on t o b r i n g w an dere r s b ack t o H i m C ons i der wh a t h ar d s h i p s .

the ap os tle s an d m i ss i on e rs e n dur ed i n ev angel i z i ng he a then l an d s ;

or wh a t S t M on i ca d i d for h er e rr i n g s on Augus t i n e Th e l o ve of
.
, .

Go d i s the mo t i ve wh i c h actu ate s the angel s i n the i r care of u s ; a n d

wh i ch make s u s p ray : H all o wed be T hy nam e .

4 . He wh o l ov God giv s God th a ks fo r th b e

es e n e n e ts He
c o n f e rs ,
and b ea rs w illi gly th sufferi gs H lays up o
n e n e n h im .

I f we r e ally l o ve Go d all th a t com e s from H i s h an d w ill be wel

,

com e whethe r i t be ple asan t or p a i nful I f we r e c e ive fa v ors fr om

,
.

H i m we m u s t d o a s Noe d i d whe n h e cam e o ut of the Ark ( G e n

,
.

v iii . a s the th r ee y o un g m e n i n t h e fu rnac e of B a byl on ( D a n .

iii 5 1 s eq ) or the leper O ur L or d he aled ( L uke xv ii

. . an d no t b e .

forgetful of o u r Be n e fac t or by om i tt i ng n i ght p raye rs or grac e

, ,

be fore m e al s O n e s h o uld b e th ank ful for the smalle s t g i f t s for i n

.
,

g rat i tude bet o k ens an unfeel i ng he art M or e o ve r the s uffer i ng s .

Go d s en d s s hould al so be cheerf ully acc ep ted W i tn es s Jo b an d S t . .

P a ul wh o a b o u nded w i th j o y i n a ll t r i bul at i on ( 2 C or vii

, T he . .

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
.

g re a te r o u r de s i r e t o s uffe r an d be hum bled for the sake of God the ,

g r e a te r i s o u r l ove for H i m ; so s a y the sa i nt s .

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 .

Eve ry on e th a t l ove s the C r e at or l o ve s the cr e atur e s th a t He h a s ,

ma de He l o ve s h i s n e i ghb or be cau s e he s ee s O u r L or d i n h i s pe rson ;

.

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
. .

only he l o ve s the s i nn e r as well ; for wh ile we h a te s i n be ca u s e i t

, ,
 The P recep t f
o th e Love f
o God . 289

i s h a te ful i n Go d s s i ght, we s h o ul d l ove the s i nn e r We s h o ul d onl y

.

h a te the ev i l sp i r i t s an d th e r ep ro b a te, whom God h ates w i th a n ete r

nal h a tred .

3W e must l ove God wi th a ll

. our f a c ul t i e s, a nd ab ov e a ll
th i ngs e l s e i n th e wh ol e worl d .

We m u s t l o ve Go d w i th a spe c i al s uper excelle n t l ove C h ri s t , a .

d o es no t m e r ely comman d u s t o l ove Go d but t o l o ve Hi m w i th all ,

o ur he ar t an d m i nd an d so ul and s tr ength T he true m eas ur e of .

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 ove God w ithour str e n gth

a ll if we r e f r all
e to Hi m;
a ll ou r th ough ts ,
words a n d dee ds
,
.

O ur rs t th o ught on r i s i ng i n the morni ng s h oul d be of Go d ,

an d of H i m we sh o uld th i nk i n all we d o dur i ng the d a y All th a t i s .

be aut i ful i n cre at i on s h o uld r em i n d u s of the gl ory of the C r e a t or .

To h i m who l ove s Go d a ll na tur e s pe ak s i n a v o i c e i n a ud i ble t o the

w orld a t l arg e but i ntell ig ib le t o h i s e ar
, .

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

Go d i s i n fa ct o u r nal e n d ; cr e atures ar e onl y m e ans t o the

, ,

a tt a i nm e n t of th i s e nd Henc e i t i s i nc umben t up on u s t o sacr i c e

.

the m al l i n or de r t o p oss e s s Him We m u s t be p r ep ar ed t o give up .

o ur b o d il y l i f e l ike the thr ee B a byl on i an yo uth s ; we mu s t be p r e

,

p ar ed t o le a ve ou r r el at i ve s as Abrah am d i d ; na y m ore a fa the r m u s t

, ,

even sacri c e h i s o nl y s on as Ab rah am sacr i c ed I saac i f Go d re

, ,

qu i r e th i s of h i m Go d ma y b e comp ar ed t o the pe arl of g re at p r i c e

.
,

t o buy wh i ch a man mu s t s ell all th a t he h ath ( M a tt x iii Go d . .

t r i e s the j u s t man t o s ee i f he l o ve s Hi m mor e th an th i s p ass i n g

w orld ; yet He ofte n con ten ts H i ms elf w i th o u r goo d wi ll a n d d o es ,

no t t ake from u s the bel o ved o bj ec t i f we ar e r e a dy t o g ive i t up t o ,

Hi m He wh o i s u n duly cas t d own by afi c t i ons d o e s no t l o ve God

.

ab ove all ; nor he wh o om i t s an y g oo d w ork from mo ti ves of human

r e s pe c t for he e steems the favor of m e n more th an the f a v or of
,

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 .

We ma y only t ake ple as u r e i n cr e atu r es i n s o far a s they ar e con

d u c i v e t o th e s e rv i c e of the M os t H i gh T he C r e at or o ught to be .

l o ved i n H i s cr e a tur e s no t the cre ature s i n the ms elve s Go d call s

, .

Hi ms el f a j e al o u s Go d ( Exo d xx be ca u s e He canno t t olera te ou r

. .

l o vi ng anyth in g wh i ch i nte rf e r e s w i th o u r l o ve for Hi m He m u s t .

r e i g n s up r em e i n o ur he art s or h old no pl ac e i n them a t all ( S t, .

Franc i s of Sale s ) Be cau s e t h e p a tr i arch Jaco b w as t oo fon d of h i s

.

y o un ges t s on Jos eph He t oo k h i m from h i m for a t im e an d He di d

, , ,

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 :
. .

He th a t l oveth fa the r or mo the r mor e th an Me i s no t w orth y of ,

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
.

.

wh o l ove s anythi ng bes i de s Go d ; unl e ss i ndeed he l ove s i t ou t of l ow

to Go d .
2 90 The Comma nd ments .

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 , ,

our wil l i s st r e ngt h e n e d ; w e ob t a i n p ar d o n of s i n p e a c e of soul , ,

man ifol d p roofs of Go d s favo r a nd aft er d e a th c e l e st i al j oy s
, .

As a v ari c e i s the ro ot of a ll evi l s o the h oly l o ve of Go d i s the root ,

of a ll th a t i s g oo d It i s comp a r ed t o oi l or t o r e for l i ke t hes e i t

.
, ,

r i s e s upw ar d i t g i ves l i ght an d w armth ; i t sof te ns an d pur i e s He

, .

wh o l o ve s Go d i s the dwell i ng pl ac e of the H o ly S p i ri t ; thu s he i s -

un i ted t o God T h ro ugh l o ve Go d b ecom e s p r es ent i n o u r he a rts a s

.

He i s i n h e a ve n ; for C hr i s t sa y s : If an y man l o ve Me My F a the r

w i ll l o ve h i m an d we w ill com e t o h i m an d make ou r ab o de wi th

,

h i m ( Jo h n xi v L o ve of Go d an d s anc t i fyin g gr ac e canno t be

.

d i ss eve r ed wher e on e i s the r e i s the o the r He wh o l o ve s G od enj oys

, .

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
, .
,

no t be t oo an x i o us t o d i sco ver whethe r we ar e ple as ing t o God but ,

ra the r whethe r God i s ple as i ng t o u s Th e man wh o l o ve s Go d ob .

t a i ns th rou gh the i n dwell ing of the Holy G h os t e nli ght e nm en t of t h e

m i n d s tr engthe n i n g of the w ill p ar d on of s i n an d t r ue pe ac e of so ul
, , , .

O u r s oul i s l i ke a m i rror wh i ch re e c ts the obj e c t t o w ar d s wh i ch i t

,

i s turn ed If the r efor e we d i rec t i t tow ar d s God the l ight of H i s

.
,

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
.

( Ecclus i . S t Fran c i s of S ale s call s l ove the com pen d ium of

. .

the ol o gy ; by i t many un le arn ed m e n monk s a n d h erm i t s h ave a t , ,

t a i n ed p ro c i enc y i n the d iv i n e sc i e nc e As r ed h o t i ron i s e as i ly .

-

sh ap ed b y the h a mm e r of the bl ack sm i th s o the so ul wh i ch i s i n ,

am ed by d i v i n e l o ve i s s h aped b y the i n uenc e of the H o ly S p i r i t .

No thi ng g i ves c our age an d s tre ngth more th an l o ve do e s T he l ove of .

her o s p ri n g ma ke s the t i m i d he n so b ra ve th a t s h e w ill y a t a ma n

i n the i r defe nc e An d wh a t w ill no t a m other en dur e for the sake of
.

he r ch ild 2 C h ar i ty be areth a ll th i ng s en dur eth all th i ng s ( 1 C or , .

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 ,

l i ght If the n na tural a ffe c t i on i s s o p o te nt wh a t c ann o t the l ove of

. ,

Go d d o It ena bles u s t o accompli s h the g r e at es t un dert ak i n gs .

T hro ugh the l o ve of Go d we o bt a i n p a r d on of s i n C hr i s t sa i d of the .

M a gd ale n : M an y s ins ar e forg i ve n he r b eca us e s h e h ath l o ved ,

mu c h ( Luk e v ii C h ar i ty co ve r eth a mul t i tude of s i ns
.

( 1 Pet i v . N o th i n g.c le ars a eld of th i s tle s an d th orns as qu i ckly

a s r e an d no le ss qu i ckly d o e s a s p ar k of d i v i n e ch ar i ty cle ans e t h e
,

he ar t from a ll s i n T he H oly G h os t Wh o t akes up H i s dwell i ng i n

the he art th a t love s Go d b r i n gs pe ace t o th a t he a rt He i s e ss en t i ally
.

.
,

the C omfor te r Wh oso eve r l o ve s God feel s w i th i n h i m the d iv in e

.

p r es e nc e an d th i s afford s h im gr e a ter sat i sfac t i on th an all the ple as

,

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
. .

l o ves Go d enj o ys t rue p eac e beca u s e hi s w ill i s i n e n t i r e conform i ty

,

t o the w ill of G od C h a r i ty pro cu r es for u s m a n y p ro ofs of Go d s
.

fav or M an y of the sa i n ts r ec e i ved r evel at i ons from God

. C h ri s t .

say s : He th a t l o veth Me sh all b e l o ved of My Fa the r an d I wi ll ,

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 .

a ppe ar ed or H i s ble ss ed M o the r or the a n gel s O f th i s man y i n

, ,
.

s t anc es occ ur i n b o th the New an d the O ld T e s t am en t O r they oh .

t a i n e d s peedy ans we rs t o p ra ye r marvell ou s e nl i ghte nm e nt i n d i vi n e ,

2 92 Th e Comma n d men ts .

t i al gl ory the Redee m er s de a th w ill form the s t ronge s t i nce n tive to

the ble ss ed Sp i r i t s t o l o ve Go d D et ac hm e nt from e ar thly th i ngs also.

cont r i bute s t o a ug m en t ou r l o ve For as a s t on e g rav i t a te s t o w ar ds .

the c en tr e of the e arth a s so on as the o b s t acle s i n i t s w a y ar e re

mo ved s o o ur so ul mo un t s upw ar d w i th acc ele ra ted mo t i on t o Go d
, ,

the c e nt r e of o u r be i n g an d i t s n al a i m i f we fr ee o urs elve s from ,

the b on d s th a t h old u s capt i ve up on e ar th It i s al so u s e ful t o make .

fr eque n t ac ts of the l o ve of Go d As i n eve ry th i ng p rac t i c e mak es .

pe rf e c t s o by a w ake n i ng w i th i n ou rs elve s the l o ve of Go d we s h all

, ,

a tt ai n t o a h i gh degr ee of l o ve S t Franc i s of Ass i s i w o ul d repe a t . .

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 . .

th a t he wh o for a wh o le month n egle c t s th i s p rac t i ce can scarc ely b e

exe mpt from mort al s i n O ur l ove sh ould be w i th o ut l imi t or
.

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
.

tu rned h i s m i n d a w a y from Go d an d d i r e cted i t wh olly t o cr e a ture s ,

.

Exc ept s i n no th i n g h as p o we r t o dep r i ve us of the l ove of Go d T hu s

, .

S t P a ul excl a ims : I am s ur e th a t n e i ther de a th nor li fe nor angel s

.
,

nor p r i nc i p al i t i e s nor p o we rs nor th i ngs p r e s e nt nor th i ng s t o

, , ,

com e nor any o ther cr e atu re sh a ll be ab le t o s ep ara te u s fr om the

, ,

l o ve of Go d ( Rom v iii . .

IV . THE L O V E OF THE W ORL D IS OP P O SE D TO THE

L O V E O F GOD .

H o weve r cr uel or dep raved a man may be h i s he ar t c l i ng s t o s om e ,

pe rson or th i ng h i s na tu r e i mpel s h i m t o l ove som e o bj e c t I f he

, .

d o e s no t l o ve Go d ab o ve all he n eed s mu s t l o ve a cre a tur e ab o ve all

, .

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 .

Th e l ove of cr e a tur e s i s no t i n i t s el f s i nful only whe n the cr e a tur e ,

i s mor e l oved th an the C r e at or All wh o l ove cre a tur e s more tha n .

Go d ar e i d ol a te rs be ca u s e they g ive t o cr e a tur es the h onor due t o Go d

,
.

O n e l ove s mon ey l ike J ud as ; ano ther e a t i ng an d dr ink i ng l i ke

, ,

D i ves ; an d many o the rs wh os e g o d i s the i r belly ; a th i r d sacr i c e s all

t o amb i t i on l i ke Ab sal om ; o the rs h a ve an i nor d i n a te l ove of am u s e
,

me nt s g am bl in g an d the l i ke All thes e r es e mble the J ew s wh o

, .

d anc ed ro un d the g olde n cal f a t the foo t of M o u n t S i na i T he .

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 ;
.

i t make s a man a t ra i t or t o the K i n g of k i ngs .

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 .

T he l o ve r of the w orld d o e s no t p oss es s sanc ti fy i n g g rac e As .

the d o ve d o e s no t r e s t up on anyth i n g th a t i s uncle an or corr up t s o ,

 Th e L ove f
o th e World i s Op p os ed to th e L ov e o f God . 293

the Holy S p i r i t d o e s n ot dwell i n the so ul of the carnally mi n ded -

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
.

th a t i s s t a i n ed w i th s i n If thy he ar t be f u ll of v i neg ar h o w can i t

.
,

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
, . .

of the p r e s e nc e of the H o ly S p i r i t th a t i s of sanc t i fy i ng grac e ( the

, ,

wedd in g g arm ent ) sh all be cas t i nt o e xter i or d ark ne ss ( M a tt xx ii

-

, . .

Henc e C hr i s t th re atens the v o t ary of the w orld w i th ete rnal

d amnat i on : He th a t l o veth hi s l i f e ( wh o en de avors to g et o ut of i t
a ll p oss i ble e nj o ym ent ) sh a ll l os e i t ( Joh n xii Ag a i n
Wo e .
,

t o y o u th a t ar e l led for y o u s h all hu nge r W o e to y o u th at now

, .

l augh for y o u sh a ll mo urn an d weep ( Luke vi

, No mor e th an .

a s hi p ly i n g fas t a t anch or can sa i l i n t o h arb or can a man wh o l o ve s ,

t h e w orld r e ach the h aven of ete rna l f el i c i ty Wh i ch d os t th o u p r e .

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 .

The l o ve of the w orld bl i n d s the so ul of man When e arthly .

th in gs i nte rve n e between Go d an d the s oul the so ul become s d ark , ,

ju s t as d o e s the moon whe n the e ar th i s betwee n i t an d the s un As .

To b i as the elde r w as bl i n ded by the dun g of a sw a ll o w so e a rthly ,

care s de stroy the s i ght of the so ul He nc e w orldl i ng s canno t comp re .

he n d the te achi n g of the Gospel ; i t i s fool i sh ne ss t o the m ( 1 C or ii . .

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 ,

the w orld canno t be enli ghten ed by the H oly S p i r i t T he e arth i s .

l ike a limed tw i g ; the b i r d th a t r es ts up on i t canno t soar upw ar d s .

T he car e s of th i s w orld s t i e the w or d of Go d i n the he art of man ,

a s th or n s c h o ke the sp ro ut i n g s ee d T he v o t ar i e s of the w orld r es em

.

ble the m e n in the Gospel wh o we r e i nvi ted t o the he avenly b an quet ,

but wh o d i d no t g o b eca us e of the i r wi fe the i r farm the i r oxe n , ,

( 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 .

T he w orl dl i ng i s a s trange r t o in te ri or pe ac e It h as been well .

sa i d : A man mu s t ch oos e betwee n i n dul genc e of the s e ns es an d

tran qu ill i ty of so u l T he two are no t comp a t i ble
. O n e m ight as .

wel l t ry t o ll a v ess el t h a t h as h o le s i n i t as t o sat i sfy the he ar t ,

th a t only s t r i ve s aft e r the ple as ur e s of t im e an d s ens e An d s i nce .

the v o t ari e s of th e w orld can n eve r att a i n i nter i or pe ac e they w ant a ,

cons t an t ch an ge of am us em e nt as on e wh o canno t sleep turns ,

r es tle ssly from s i de t o s i de i n the h o pe of n d i ng r es t C hr i s t al on e .

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
.

w ith y o u My pe ac e I gi ve un t o yo u ; no t as the w orld g iveth d o I gi ve

,

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
,

de ath so m u ch be cau s e h e w ill be p art ed from h i s i d ol an d be ca us e

, ,

de ath w ill put an en d t o the h app i n e ss he ma kes i t h i s o bje c t t o

a tt a i n He h a s bes i des an i nwar d p r es ent ime nt of wh a t w ill foll o w
.
, ,

after dea th O n acco un t of thi s all wh o l o ve the w orld ar e ll ed

.
2 94 Th e Comma n d men ts .

w i th app r ehens i on an d eve n de sp a i r i n the h o u of dea th T he p r i s r .

on e r f e ars no th i ng s o m u c h as the s ummo n s t o appe ar be fo re the

j udge ; an d the s inn e r th ough he i s n eve r fr ee from a l arm d re a ds th e
, ,

mom e n t a b o ve a l l whe n h i s so ul w ill le ave the b o dy an d e nte r the

p r e s enc e of he r d i v in e J udge ( S t Jo hn C h ry sos t om ) T he s h t h a t i s
. .

ca ught on the h oo k scarc ely f eel s p a i n u nt i l i t i s d ra w n o ut of the

w a te r ; s o th os e wh o ar e en t an gled i n the m es he s of the w orld rs t f ee l
re al an gu i s h whe n the i r l as t h o u r c omes T h ink O w orldl i n g i f the .
, ,

j oy s wh i c h the dev i l offers y o u ar e thu s m i xed w i th b i tte rn e ss wh at ,

wi ll the t orm e n ts be wh i c h he p r ep ar e s for y o u her e afte r ?

l
5 Th e ov e of th e w o d gi v e s i s e to h t e d of God an d
. rl r ar
of Hi s s er va n ts .

A man wh o l o ve s the w orld canno t p oss i bly h ave t h e l o ve of God

W 1 th i n h i m J us t as a ri ng whi ch e nc i rcl es on e nge r cann ot a t the
.

sam e t i m e e nc i rcle ano the r s o the human he art cann ot l ove Go d i f

,

l o ve b i n d s i t t o som e e arthly o bj ec t S t Jo hn say s : I f any man l ove . .

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
, .

We canno t l o ok w i th the sam e eye b o th a t he a ven a n d e arth a t the

s am e t i m e T he l o ve r of the w orld even g oe s s o far a s t o h a te God
.

an d d i v i n e th i ng s T hu s C hr i s t say s : No man can s e rve tw o ma s

.

ters ; for e i the r he w ill h a te the on e an d l o ve the o the r or he w ill ,

s u s t a i n the on e an d des p i s e the o the r ( M a tt v i Wh a t ar e we . .

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 .

T her e ar e many th i n gs wh i ch th o u cans t only l ove for a t ime ; the n

l o ve come s to an en d ; for e i the r th o u w i lt be t ake n from t h e o bj e ct
of thy affe c t i ons or i t from thee He nc e we s h o uld no t l o ve th a t .

wh i ch we ma y l os e or from wh i ch we ma y b e p ar ted ; we s h o uld o nl y

,

l o ve th os e th i ng s th a t ar e ete rnal ( S t A ugu s t i n e ) Wh er e for e let no t . .

thy he ar t cle ave t o e ar thly th i ng s T he t rue s e rv an t of Go d cl i ng s no.

mor e t o h i s p oss e ss i ons th an t o h i s c l o the s wh i ch he put s on an d off ,

a t w ill ; whe r e as the i n d iffe r e n t C h r i st i an make s the m a p ar t of h i s

ve ry be i ng l ike the sk i n of an an i mal ( S t Franc i s of S ales )
,
T he . .

true C h ri s t i an sh o uld r e s emble the ea gle wh i ch i n h ab i t s the he i ght s , ,

only de sc e n d i ng t o e ar th i n s e arch of foo d O r he sh o ul d be l i ke a t r ee . .

wh os e roo t s al on e ar e i n the g ro un d wh ile i t sp r e a d s i t s b ranche s ,

t ow ar d s he aven T he so ul of man i s i mmort al an d i t sh o ul d only

. ,

s tr i ve af te r wh a t i s i mmor t al S eek th os e th i ng s th a t ar e a b o ve
.

( 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
.
, , ,

V . THE C O MM A NDM ENT O F C HAR I T Y TOWA R S OU R D

NEI GH B O R .

Ev eryh uma n b e i n g i s ou r n ei ghb o r with out d istin cti o n of ,

religi on of ra c e of a ge of s ex or of o ccup atio n

, , , ,
.

I n the p arable of the Goo d S amar i t an C h r i s t te ache s th at th os us e

296 Th e Comma n d men ts .

the re co very of hi s s p ee ch a t the b i rt h of the B apt i s t ( Luke i .

C ons i de r h o w d es i ro u s A b ra h am w as t o h ave n o s tr i f e betw ee n h i m

s elf an d L ot h o w w i ll i ngly he g ave up t o h i m the b es t t rac t of co un
,

t r y C ons i de r h ow M os e s de s i r ed the g oo d of the Heb r ew s : O th at

.

all the pe o ple m i ght p ro phe s y an d th a t the L or d w oul d g i ve them ,

Hi s sp ir it ( Numb x i T he congra tul a t i ons e xch ang ed on

. .

b i r thd ay s f e s t iv al s an d o the r oc cas i ons t h e g r eet i n g s u s u al i n

, , ,

soc i ety ar e s i g ns of g oo d w ill T he R ed ee m er greeted Hi s a p os tle s .

w i th the w or d s : Pe ac e be w i th y o u ; the arch angel Gab r i el sal uted

M ary I n som e C a th o l i c co u nt r i es the c u s to m s t ill l i ngers of us i ng
.

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 .

g oo d w i ll an d y ou t ake the s u n o ut of the he a ve ns ; y o u make soci al

i nte rco urs e i mp oss i ble ( S t Gr eg ory the Gre a t ) S ee
.

say s S t .
,
.

A ugu s t i n e h o w the d i ffe r e n t m embe rs of the b o dy p ar t i c i p at e i n

,

e ac h o ther s m i sfor tu n e I f a th orn r uns i nt o the foo t the ey e s l oo k

.

for i t the t ongue ask s a b o ut i t the b a c k be n d s t o w ar d s i t the h an d

, , ,

en dea v ors t o ex tract i t We s h o uld c on du c t o u rs elve s i n li ke man

.
~

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
.
, ,

t i e s be fall o u r n e i ghb or an d t o gr i eve o ve r h i s g oo d f or tun e M al i c e .

a n d e n vy ar e the s e n t i m e nt s of the dev i l an d the s u r es t s i g n th a t a

ma n i s l ac k i n g i n l o ve for h i s n e i ghb or .

W e ough t n ot to in j ure ou r n e ighb o r ; e ith er a s r ega r ds hi s

lif e h is in n o c en c e his p rop erty h is h o n o r or his h ous eh ol d
, , , ,
.

All th i s Go d h a s forb i dde n i n the s i x l as t comman dm en t s of the

D e cal o gue He wh o v i o l a tes on e of the m t o any s er i o u s exte n t s h o w s
.
,

hi ms elf t o h ave n o l o ve of h i s n e i ghb or .

W e ough t to do good to ou r n ighb or

e ,
e sp e c i ally w hen he is
in n e ed .

C hr i s t, f utur e J udge r equ i r e s from u s w ork s of m e rcy for

our , ,

He make s o ur ete rnal sa lv a t i on depen d on h av i ng performe d th em

( M att x x v . I n a bu i ld i n g on e st on e s upp ort s ano the r o therwi s e
.
,

the s tr u c tur e w o uld fall t o p i e c e s ; so i n the sp i r i tu al bu ild i n g the ,

C hurch on e m e mbe r m u s t help an d s u s t a i n ano the r

, C h ar i ty i s a .

c h a i n th at l ink s u s t o o ur n e i ghb or an d make s u s t r e a t hi m w i th ,

k i n d n e ss .

W e are c omman d e d to l ov e our n e i gh b or a s ours el ve s b ut

3 .
,

w e ar e b y n o me ans ob l i ge d t o l ove hi m b e tt e r th an ours el ve s .

O ur L or d s ay s : Wh a t s oever y ou w o uld th at m en sh ould d o t o

,

y o u d o y o u al so t o them ( M a tt v ii H ol y To b i as says : S ee . .

th a t th o u n eve r d o t o ano the r wh at th o u w o uld s t h ate t o h ave d on e t o

thee ( To b i v

Put y o u rs el f i n y o u r n e ighb or s pl ac e an d y o u
. .

w ill ce r t a i nly t r e a t h i m d iffe r e n tly C h ar i ty t o on e s n e i ghb or h as

.

i t s l im i t s h o weve r No on e i s b o u nd t o dep r ive h i ms el f of wh a t i s

, .

n e c e ssary to r el i eve h i s n e i ghb or s w ant s I n s u ch cas es t o ren de r

,

.

ass i s t anc e i s he ro i c c h ar i ty Gr e a te r l o ve th an thi s no man h a th

. ,

th at a man l a y d o wn h i s l i fe for h i s f ri en d ( Joh n xv Th i s .

O ur S a vi o ur d i d ; an d hun d red s of m i ss i on ers cont i n u all y ex p os e

thems elve s t o the r i sk of de a th t o save so ul s All the sa i nt s h ave . .

i nc urred personal d angers for th e sake of a i d i n g o the rs .

 T he Comma n d men t f
o Ch a ri ty tow a r d s ou r Nei gh b or .

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 . .

To Sa ul whe n he w as on the w a y t o Damasc us O ur L or d sa i d :

, ,

Why pers e cute s t th o u Me ( Ac t s i x Yet we k no w th a t i t .

w as o nl y the C h ri st i ans th a t he w as pe rs ec ut i ng Whe n S t Mart i n . .

h a d g i ve n h alf h i s c loak t o a h alfnaked begg ar a t the g ate of Am i e ns ,

C hr i s t a ppe ared t o h i m i n a dr e am we ar i n g the h al f cl oa k an d a c com -

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 .

S t Jo hn the Ev an gel i s t exh orted the C hr i st i ans con t i nu ally w i th

.

the w or d s : Li ttle ch ildren l ove on e ano ther Whe n asked why
,
.

he alw a y s sa i d the sam e he r epl i ed : If y o u l o ve on e ano the r y o u

, ,

full the wh ole l a w S t P aul say s the s a m e ( Rom x iii 8 ; Gal v
. . . . . .

O ur L or d p rom i s e s eternal l i fe t o th os e wh o o b s e rve th a t p or

t i on of the T en C omman dm e nt s wh i ch h as r e fe re nc e t o on e s ne i gh

b or ; t o th os e i n fact wh o pe rform w or k s of m erc y ( M a tt x i x

, . .

Why d o e s He d o th i s ? Be ca u s e a man wh o n eve r i nju r e s h i s n e igh

b or or wh o gi ve s alms cann o t p oss i bly be a b a d man
, , We d o no t .

n d the vi c i o u s an d i rr el ig i ou s wh o d o no t bel i eve i n a f utur e rec ,

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
.

o the r vi rtues be s i de s th at of l ibe ral i ty t o the p o or B e n ecen c e i s .

n eve r unaccomp an i e d by o the r vi r tues ; i t canno t e x i s t w i th o ut them

any mor e th a n the he art can ex i s t w i th o ut the o ther org ans of the
b o d y He nc e S t Joh n C hry sos t om say s al ms g iv in g may be called the
. .

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 .

O ur L or d say s : By th i s sh all all m en kno w th at y o u ar e My

d i sc iples i f y o u h ave l o ve on e for ano the r ( Joh n x iii
, C hr i s t .

l o ved u s wh i le we we r e yet unw or thy of H i s l o ve ; an d i f we l o ve an d

d o g oo d t o th os e from wh om we h ave n eve r r e c e i ved any ben et o u r ,

l o ve i s l ike th at of C h ri s t an d we ar e r e ally H i s d i sc i ple s e as i ly t o

, ,

be d i s t i ngu i shed from the mass of mank i n d wh o u s u a lly onl y l ove ,

the i r fr i en d s an d be ne fact ors O u r L or d call s th i s a n ew comman d .

m ent ( Jo hn x iii be c a u s e the p r e c ept of ch ar i t y t o one s n e i gh

.

b or w as no t u n de rs t oo d e arl i e r i n the s e ns e He g i ve s t o i t Well .

indeed we r e i t for the w orld i f ch ar i ty p r eva iled every where ! No

l aw s w ould be n eeded no co ur t s of j us t i c e no pun i sh m e nt s T hen no
, , .

man w o uld wron g h i s ne i ghb or ; the ve r y nam e of m ur de rs b rawl s , ,

r ebell i on ro bber y an d the l i ke w o uld be unk nown

, T he r e w o ul d
, .

be no d es t i tut i on for ever y on e w ould h a ve the n e c e ssar i e s f l i fe

,
I

( 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 .
,

e nvi ous of h i m d o e s n ot p oss e ss th e l ov e of h i s n e i gh b or

, .

1 W e c a ll a ma n e n vi ous wh o mer el y thr ough ill w i ll i s

.
-

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 .

T he e nvi o u s man c ann o t be ar t o s ee the g oo d for tun e of an othe r ,

an d cons eque ntly he s eek s b y w or d an d w ork t o d o h i m h arm He .

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
,

of t r ee s wh i c h b ear s wee t sm ell i ng bl ossoms be ca u s e i t cann ot en du r e

-

the pe rfu m e ; l ike the mo th th a t fr et s a w a y the purple ro be or l i ke

, ,

r u s t th a t corro de s i ron T he en v i o u s man wh o rej o i ces a t the mi s

.

for tun e of h i s n e i ghb or i s l i ke the rave n th a t gl oat s over corr upt a n d

s t i nk i ng carr i on But o ur vexat i on or ple as ur e ma y ar i s e from the
.

l o ve of Go d or of o u r n e i ghb or i n wh i ch cas e i t i s no t bl am ew orthy ;

,

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
,

te n ds a s i nne r wh o w ill empl o y h i s g oo d fortun e t o s i n the mor e .

S a t an env i ed o ur r s t p ar e nt s i n p ara d i s e ; C a i n env i ed h i s b ro ther

Abel be cau s e h i s offe r i n g w as acc ept a ble t o Go d ( G en i v 5 ) the sons
, . .

of Jaco b wer e e n v i o u s of Jos eph be ca u s e he w as the i r f a the r s f a v or

i te ( G en xxxv ii 8 ) K i ng S aul e nvi ed D avi d on acco un t of h i s h av

. .

i ng sl a i n the g i ant an d bei ng h onor ed by the pe ople ( 1 K i ng s xv iii .

M any a ma n gr udge s ano the r a p os t mor e lu cra t ive th an h i s o wn .

T he he i ght of e nvy i s t o g rudge ano the r the g i ft s of d i v i n e grac e ,

an d p ro gr e ss i n v i rtue T h i s i s on e of the s i ns a g a i ns t the H oly

.

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
.

He w orked man y m i racle s ; they the re for e dete rm in ed t o c omp ass

H i s de a th ( Jo h n x i 4 7 T he dev il s f eel th i s k i n d of e nvy ; th ey a re
.

fur i o u s whe n they s ee the ele c t a dv anc i ng t o w ar d s p erfe c t i on an d a t

onc e assa i l them w i th pe rs e c ut i ons .

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

.

T he env i o u s man i s an i m i t a t or of the dev il for b y the e nvy of ,

the dev i l de ath cam e i n t o the w orld ( W i s d ii J u s t as C hr i st . .

say s : By th i s s h all all m e n k no w th a t y o u ar e My d i sc i ple s i f y o u

h ave l o ve on e for ano th er ( Jo hn x iii s o on the o the r h an d the .

dev i l can s a y : By th i s s h all all m e n k no w th a t y o u are m y foll o we rs ,

i f y o u e nvy on e ano the r as I h a ve env i ed y o u ( St V i nc e nt F e rr er ) . .

T he j e al o u s man w i she s t o s ee no th i n g but m i s er y aro un d h i m .

T he r e i s mor e mal i c e i n th i s s i n th an i n an y o ther For all o ther .

s i ns an d v i c e s the r e i s som e p r ete xt whi c h a man may ple a d i n h i s

e xc u s e ; the e xc u s e for i nte mperanc e i s hun ge r ; for r eve nge the ,

wron g on e h as r e c e i ved ; for th e ft extr em e p o ve r ty et c but for e nvy

, , .
,

no ple a can be alleged It i s w ors e th an o pen w ar T he r e i s al way s

. .

a cau s e for w ar but non e for e nvy ; be s i de s whe n the w ar i s o ve r all

,

an i mos i ty i s a t an en d but w i th e nvy i t i s un e nd i n g ( S t Jo hn C h ry s

, .

os t om) M or e ove r en vy i s the only ev i l qu al i ty wh i ch c h ari ty canno t

.
3 00 Th e Comma n d men ts .

n ow ; love t o be u nknow n and de sp i s ed for he th a t humbleth h ims elf

,

s h all be exalted ( Luk e x i v .

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 .

3 . Nor d o e s h e l ove h i s n e ighb or , wh o p e fo r rm s no work s of

me rcy .

If th o u d os t no t g i ve thy n e ghb or, wh o i s n w a n t, s ui ci en t t o

i i
s upp or t l i f e, say s S t Joh n C h rysos t om th o u d os t no t l o ve h im
.
, .

T o g i ve alms i s a s tr i c t duty for th os e wh o h ave the m e ans of g iv i ng

the m S t Am b ros e s eve r ely c e n s ure s the m i s e rly r i ch m e n of hi s d a y
. . .

T he w all s of y o ur dwell i ng s ar e hung w i th s ple n d i d t ape s t r i e s wh ile ,

yo u t a ke the cl o the s off t h e p oor man s b ack A begg a r a t y o ur d oo r

.

as ks for the mos t t r i in g a lmg y o u d o no t s o m u c h as v o u ch safe

h i m a gl anc e a s y o u p ass by deb a t i ng w i th i n y o u r m i n d wh a t k i n d of
,

mar ble w ill l oo k be s t for t h e p avem e n t of y o u r p al ac e s A s t arv i n g .

m e n d i cant as k s for a cru s t of b r e a d i n v a i n wh ile y o ur h ors e s ar e ,

ch amp i n g the i r g olde n b i t s How te rr i ble ar e the j udgm en t s 0 r i ch .

,

man wh i c h y o u p r ep ar e for y o urs el f wh o m i ght g ive ass i s t anc e t o so

, ,

man y wh o ar e i n w ant T he d i amon d y o u we ar on y o u r n ge r w o ul d

.

a l on e s ufc e t o f eed a m ult i tude

S t John C h ry sos t om spe ak s i n l ike . .

mann e r t o the we althy wh o ar e h ar dhe ar ted Wh a t make s th y mi s er .

l i n es s mos t r ep rehe ns i ble i s th a t n e i the r p o ve r ty nor hu nge r com

pel s thee t o i t T hy w i f e thy h o u s e the ve ry d o g s be s i de thy he arth
.
, ,

gl i tte r w ith g old whe r e as the man ma de after Go d s i mage r edee m ed

,

,

b y the bl oo d of C hr i s t i s le f t t o pe r i s h th ro ugh thy i nhumani ty

,
.

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 !

V II L OVE OF ONE S F RIEND S

. .

1 W e c all th os e men fri en ds w h os e p rin c ip l e s a re th e s ame

.

a s ou r s a n d w h o ch er i s h mutu al good w ill

,
mutu ally sup p o rt on e ,

an oth er a n d h ol d c on d en tia l in terc ours e on e w ith a n oth er

,
.

T h os e wh os e p r i nc i ple s ar e the sam e soon be com e fr i en d s We .

l i ke wh a t i s l i ke Fr i e n d s che r i s h mor e k i n dly f eel i ng s t o w ar d s on e

.

ano the r th an they d o t o w ar d s the w orld a t l arge T hey ar e on e heart .

an d on e so ul S t J e rom e comp ar e s fr i en d sh i p t o a m i rror wh i ch p r e

. .
,

s e nt s a fa i th ful i ma ge of the o bj e ct be for e i t I f on e wh o s t an d s b e .

for e a m i rror l augh s or move s h i s he a d the i ma ge i n the m i rror d o e s

, ,

the sam e H i s ve ry w i she s an d d i sl i ke s s eem t o be sh ar ed by the i ma ge

.

i n the m i rror S o i t i s w i th fr i e nd sh i p Tri i n g d iffe re nc e s d o no t d i s

. .

s eve r it they ra the r clench i t mor e rmly T he sm i th s p r in kle s w a te r

, .

up on the r e t o fan the am e an d a t ow n th a t h as bee n re con ,

-

quer ed i s g arr i son ed mor e s t rongly th an on e wh i ch h as n eve r bee n

l os t t o the cro wn Fr i e n d s s upp or t on e ano the r P yth i as an d D amon
. .

we r e i nt i ma te fr i en d s O n e of them w as s ente nc ed t o dea th by

.

D i on y s i u s the tyrant He asked pe rm i ss i on t o g o h om e t o s et h i s

.

a ffa i rs i n orde r h i s fr i en d m e anwh i le ac t i n g as a h os t a ge for h i m

, ,

pr ep ar ed t o d i e i n h i s s te a d d i d he no t r e appe ar a t the a pp o i nted ,

t i me T he h o ur for th e e xe c ut i on s t r uck but the con demned ma n

. ,
 f On e s F r i end s

L ove o . 3 01

wa s no t the re Yet h i s fr i en d pers i s ted th a t he w ould c om e an d

. ,

s o he d i d T he tyran t a dm i r ed the i r m utu al dev o t i on an d p ar doned

.

the one u n de r s e nte nc e of de a th D av id the s on of an or d i nar y c i t .

,

i zeu of Bethlehem an d Jona th an the k ing s s on ma de e ach o the r s

,

,

,

ac qu a i n t an c e i n the camp an d nd ing i n e ach o ther k i n dr ed s oul s , ,

they form ed a cl os e fr i e nd sh i p Whe n Jona th an hear d th a t D avi d s .

l i f e w as so ught afte r he co uld no t e at for anx i ety on hi s beh alf an d

, ,

whe n he h a d t o p art from h i m he wept b i tterly ( 1 Ki ng s xx 2 4 ; ,

.

xv iii .Fr i en d s h o ld con de nt i al i nte rco urs e w i th on e ano the r they ,

conc e al no th i n g on e from the o the r When the d oor of a room i s .

o pe ned y o u s ee all th a t i s i n i t So fr i e nd s d i scl os e t o on e ano ther

,
.

the i r i nmos t so ul an d r eve al the s ecret s of the i r he ar t C hr i s t com

,
.

mu n i c a t ed many mys te ri e s t o H i s d i sc i ple s F r i e nd s ar e c on s e .

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 -

of the i r fa il i ng s T hu s C hr i s t w arned H i s ap os tle s of the i r fa ults ;

.

for i ns t anc e He ex h or ted the m t o cult iv a te a mor e ch ildl ike sp i ri t

,

( M att xv iii . S t Greg ory the Gr e a t u s ed t o s a y : I only co un t

. .

th os e a s my fr i en ds wh o h ave the ge n e ros i ty t o p o i nt o ut my faul ts t o

me .

2 . Th os eon ly a re tru e fri e n ds w h os e fri e n dsh ip is b a s ed

up on p ri n c i p l e s of rel i i o n
g .

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 ;
, ,

an d onl y whe n th i s fo un d a t i on i s the f e ar of Go d an d the l o ve of

God w i ll the s tr u c tur e of fr i e n d sh i p s t an d rm
, If i t i s b as ed on .

wrong or s els h mo ti ves i t i s fo u nded up on san d O n e wh o i s the , .

e n emy of Go d canno t be a t rue fri e n d t o h i s n e i ghb o r ; he only l oves

h i s fr i e n d ar i ght wh o l o ve s Go d i n h i m ( S t A ugu s t i ne ) Whe n s ee n . .

i n the bed of the oc e an coral appe ars to be a bu s h of gree n i sh hue , ,

w i th o ut any spe c i al be a uty but whe n t aken o ut of the w a te r i t ,

be come s b r i ght red a n d h ard S o fr i e n d sh ip ac qu i r es i t s b r ill i ancy

, .
,

i ts be a uty i t s sol i d i ty whe n i t i s elev a ted i n t o the a tmos phe re of

, ,

d iv in e l ove ( S t Franc i s of Sale s ) . .

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 .

Fal s e fri en d sh i p s ar e th os e wh i ch are form ed m erely for the sake

of ple as ur e or g a i n or som e b a d purp os e ; or betwee n m e n wh o n eed
,

on e ano the r s ass i s t anc e i n pe rpet ra t i ng som e d ark deed T hu s J ud as

.

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
.

o the r ( Ecclu s v i 7 Whe n J ud as i n de spe ra t i on to o k the mon ey

. .

b ac k t o the ch i e f p r i e s t s w i th s el f acc u sa t i ons they s p o ke a s i f they -

,

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

( M a tt xxvii . Fal s e fr i en d s ac t l ike t h e s w all o ws ; as l on g as i t i s

.

w arm he r e they s t a y h app ily i n thi s co unt ry w i th u s ; b u t as soon a s

,

they feel the i nclem en t w i nte r app roach i n g they t ake i ght t o a ,

s unn i e r cl im e O r they may be com p ared t o bee s wh i c h y aw ay

.
,

from a owe r whe n the y h ave s u cked all the h on ey o ut of i t s cup

( Seg n eri ) T hey ar e l ike a r eed wh i ch b r e aks whe n on e le ans on i t
.
, .
3 02 Th e Comma n d men ts .

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
,

t h a n oth er men ; fo r C h rist h a d fri e n ds wh o m He l ov e d wi th a

sp ec i al p r e dil e ct i o n .

O ur L or d l oved all m en but He l o ved H i s d i sc iple s bes t ; He

,

called the m Hi s fr i e n d s Hi s c h ildr en an d tr e ated the m w i th fam i l

, ,

i a ri t y an d con de nc e Am ong H i s d i sc i ple s Jo hn w as H i s spe c i al

.

fav or i te ; n e xt t o h i m He l o ved P ete r an d Jam e s ; the s e thr ee were

w i th H i m on the mos t m emora ble occas i ons of H i s l i fe on e arth ,

on T h a b or an d on O l i vet We ar e t old al so th a t J e s u s l o ved L a z ar us

.

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
.

p r ed ile c t i on for an d conf e rs mos t g rac e s on th os e wh o ar e mos t l ike

,

H i m an d wh o l ove Hi m mos t ; we the r e for e a re w arran ted i n d o in g

,

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
,

l a ri t y of t as te s an d affe c t i on for ou rs elve s T he n eed of fr i e n d s h ip

.

i s i mpl ant ed b y the C r e a t or i n eve ry human b re as t .

5 It i s a gre a t h ap p i n ess fo r us to h av e t r u e fri en ds fo r

.
,

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 .

Ble ss ed i s he th a t n d eth a tr ue fr i e n d ( Ecclu s xxv A fr i en d . .

make s o ur l i fe m u c h ple asante r ; h i s s ym p a thy i ncr e a s es o u r h ap p i

n e ss an d ma ke s o u r af i c t i ons e as i e r t o be ar S t A ugu s t i n e say s . .

the r e i s no mor e salut ary b al m for o u r w o un d s th an the cons ol a t i ons

of a fr i e n d J u s t as a s t i ck i s no t b r oke n a s r e a d i ly i f i t i s b o un d up
.

w i th o the rs s o we ar e no t a s soon cas t d o w n b y cal am i ty i f fa i th f ul

, ,

fr i en d s ar e a t h an d t o s u ccor u s A t r ue fr i en d i s l i ke ano ther gu a r

.

d i an angel ; no de fe nc e i s s o efcac i o us a s th a t wh i ch he a ord s u s .

No th i ng can b e comp ar ed t o a fa i th ful fr i e nd ; no we i ght of g old

an d s i lve r i s equ al t o h i s deli ty T hey th at f e ar the L or d s h all .

n d h i m ( Ecclu s v i . Alexan de r t h e Gr e a t on be i n g a s ked

.
,

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
.
,

ch ar i ty n eve r falleth aw a y ( 1 C or xiii T h os e wh o h ave bee n r e a l

. .

fr i e n d s on e ar th w ill s ee an d l ove on e ano ther i n he aven ; C hr i s t

p rom i s e s H i s ap os tle s th a t they sh all be w i th H i m he r e afte r ( Jo hn
x v ii . Fal s e fr i e n d s w i ll c urs e on e ano the r afte r de a th for h av i ng ,

bee n a ca u s e of s i n an d unh app i n e ss t o on e ano the r .

6 O n e must n ot b e ras h i n fo rmi n g fri e n ds h ip s , n o r mus t

.

on e do w r o n to l e a s e f r i e d
g p a n .

D av i d com pl a i ns : T he man i n wh om I t r u s ted wh o e a t m y ,

b r e a d h a th g r e a tly s uppl anted m e
, ( P s xl H oly Scr iptu r e
. .

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 ,

t oo r e a d ily ( Ecclu s vi . Do no t j udge of h i m as mu ch by h i s

.

w or d s as by h i s deed s An d i f he ask s y o u t o d o evi l for h i s sake

.
,

ans we r h i m a s the Greek answe r ed t h e fr i en d wh o w an ted h i m t o

s we ar fal s ely i n h i s i n te r e s t : I am only thy fr i e n d i n s o far a s I d o
no t l os e the fr i e nd shi p of Go d
T he fr i e n dsh ip of Go d i s i ndee d
.

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 .

We o ught no t t o reven ge o u rs elve s on ou r e n e my Da v i d gi ves u s .

a be a ut i ful example for he tw i c e h a d the o pp ortun i ty of putt i n g h i s

,

pers e c ut or K i ng S a ul t o de a th an d on n e i the r occas i on d i d he d o

, ,

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
.
, ,

( 1 Pet ii . O nc e whe n C hr i s t w as no t r e c e ived i n a S ama i ta n

.

v ill age be ca u s e He w a s a J ew the a p os tle s we r e s o de s i ro u s of re ,

ve nge th a t they w an ted t o call d o wn re from he ave n But O u r L or d .

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
,

( L uke i x Ve nge anc e bel ong s t o Go d no t t o u s ( Rom x ii

.
, . .

We o ught t o s u ffer w ron g ra the r th an t a ke r eve nge ; we ar e t o ld to ,

h i m th a t s t r i keth the e on the on e cheek o ffe r the o the r ( L uk e v i .

B e no t o vercom e b y ev i l but o ve rcom e ev i l by g oo d ( R om x ii , . .

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
, ,

d on e y o u ; s u c h ve nge anc e i s d i v i n e S t S t ephe n p rayed for h i s m ur . .

d erers ; he w a s m or e g r i eved for the h arm they d i d t o the ms elve s

th an for the i nj u r y they d i d t o h i m When the Ap os tle Jame s .
,

B i s h o p of J e ru sale m w as th ro w n from the p i nnacle of the T emple

, ,

he ra i s ed h i ms el f on h i s frac tu r ed k nee s t o p ra y for h i s m ur de re rs .

We s h o uld al so be r e a dy t o forg i ve o u r e n em i e s K i ng D av i d forg ave .

S em e i whe n he thr ew s t on e s a t h i m an d c urs ed h i m ( 2 K i ng s xv i

r
.
,

T o d o g oo d t o on e s e n emy i s a p roof of g e a t mag nan i mi ty

.

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.

Dav i d by sp ar i ng S a ul on tw o s everal occas i ons moll i ed an d

t o u ched h i m t o s u c h a deg ree th a t he s hed te ars ( 1 K i ng s xx i v 1 7 .

Ble ss ed C le me nt Hofb a ue r be ing abus ed b y a woman i n the s tre et s

of V i e nna we nt up t o he r p i cked up a h an dke rch i e f she h a d d ro pped
, , ,

an d sp o ke k i n dly t o her S he w as co ve r ed w i th confu s i on an d h a s

.
,

t i l y w i thd r ew J u s t a s the b or e w orm soft a s i t i s w ork s i ts w ay

.
-

, ,

thro ugh the h ar de s t w oo d s o a conc il i at ory s p i r i t o ve rcom e s the b i t

,

t eres t e n em y an d coars e s t calumn i a t or By conferr i n g ben et s on .

y o u r en emy y o u w ill he ap coal s of r e up on h i s he a d ( Rom x ii

, . .

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
,

co uld bu rn i ng coal s T hu s we ar e t a ught t o be ge n tle an d pe ac e a ble

. .

He wh o d o e s no t r eve nge h i ms el f w i ll be r ew ar ded by Go d D avi d .

b or e Semei s c u rs e s p at i e n tly say i n g

.

Pe rh a p s the L or d w ill l oo k
, ,

up on my af i c t i on an d may r en de r m e g oo d for the c urs i ng of th i s

,

d a y ( 2 K i n g s xv i S h ort ly afte r he w on a s i gnal v i c t ory It i s

. .

d if c ult t o y o u t o p ra y for y o u r e ne my ; but the g re a te r y o u r s elf

con que s t the gr e ate r w i ll be y o ur r e compens e ( S t Augu s t i n e )
,
To . .

r eve nge on e s s el f i s a s i n ; he wh o d o e s th i s i s l i ke the bee wh i c h re

,

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
, , .
,

th in g t o r evenge on e s s el f ; i t i s l i ke the d o g wh o b i t es the s ti ck

w i th wh i ch h e i s be at en for we forget th a t o u r e n em y i s but an ,

i nst rumen t i n Go d s h an d

.
 The Lov e of One s Self

. 305

4 . He wh o fo rgives hi s en emy will ob tai n fo rgive n e ss of his

s i n s fro m God ; b u t h e wh o w ill n ot fo rgiv h i s e my God e ne

will n ot fo rgi v e .

To forg i ve on e s en emy i s a work of m e rc y an d the g rea te s t of all

almsg iv i ng ( S t Augus t i ne ) I f we forg ive o the rs we can a s k p ard on

. .
,

for o urs elve s as i s e xp r e ss ed i n the fth pet i t i on of the L or d s

,

P ra ye r Go d s h ow s m e rcy t o h i m wh o w ill i ngly forg i ve s h i s b ro ther

. .

He wh o d o e s no t forg ive h i s b ro the r b r i ng s d o wn on h ims elf no ble ss

ing when he repe a t s the O ur Fa the r C hr i s t s a ys : I f y o u w ill n ot .

for gi ve m e n n e i the r w i ll you r he ave nly Fa the r f org i ve y ou y o ur

,

o ffe nc e s ( M a tt v i

Re member the p ara ble of the unme rc i ful
. .

s ervant ( M a tt xv iii We ar e no t m er ely t o forg i ve s even t i me s

. .
,

but s eve nty t i me s s eve n t i me s ( v .

IX THE L OVE OF ONE S SELF

. .

Among all cl ass e s of m e n e ach on e i s h i s o wn n e ar e s t n e i ghb or .

C ons eque ntly eve ry man o ught t o l o ve h i ms elf .

W e ough t to l ove ours e l v es b e c a us e God w ill s i t ; furth er

mo r e b e c aus e w e a re ma d e a ft er God s image red e eme d b y th e
,

b l ood of C h ri st a n d c a ll e d to e t ern a l fel i c i ty i n h e a v e n

,
.

It i s Go d s w ill th a t we sho ul d l ove o u rs elve s for O ur L or d say s :

,

T h o u sh alt l o ve thy ne i ghb or as thys el f I n the s e w or d s He de .

cl ar e s the l o ve of o urs elves t o be the r ul e an d m e as ur e of ou r l o ve of

o ur n e i ghb or Le arn rs t t o l ove Go d say s S t Augu s t i n e then
.

, .
,

t o l o ve thy s el f ; the n thy n e i ghb or as thy s el f

Go d h a s no t g iven u s .

a spe c i al comman d t o l o ve o urs elve s be cau s e eve ry man d o es th i s i n ,

v i rtue of the na tural l a w an d i t i s con t a i n ed i n the comman d men t t o

,

l o ve on e s ne ighb or We o ught be s i de s t o l o ve o u rs elve s be ca u s e we

.

ar e ma de afte r Go d s i mage I f we ar e t o r e s pec t Go d s i mage i n

.

o u r n e i ghb or na y mor e i n o ur e nemy we mu s t res pe c t i t i n o urs elve s

, , , .

S i nc e then we l ove o urs elve s for the sake of Go d i t s t an d s to re ason

, , ,

th at the r i ght l ove of on e s s elf i ncr e as e s i n the sam e p ro p ort i on a s

we a dv anc e i n the l o ve of Go d We mu s t al so r em embe r th a t we ar e .

bo ught w i th a gre a t p r i c e Yo u we re no t r edee med w i th corru pt i ble

.

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 ,

fel i c i ty S t G reg ory the Gre a t thu s be a ut i fully exp r ess e s i t : R e c

. .

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
,

the d iv i n e na tur e a m embe r of C h r i s t s b o dy

, R em embe r th a t th ou
h as t bee n wre sted from the p o we rs of d arkn e ss an d de s t i ned t o sh ar e ,

i n the gl ory of the k i ngd om of he aven ! C ons i de r al so th a t the S on

of Go d w as made man for u s an d becam e o u r B ro the r th a t thu s we ,

h ave bee n ma de the ch i ld re n of Go d ( 1 Joh n iii th a t the H oly .

Gh os t dwell s i n u s ( 1 C or vi th a t the an gel s m i n i s te r t o u s

. .

( Heb i. . T he s e ar e all mo t ive s i mpell i n g u s t o l ove o urs elves .

Wh e r efor e as th e l o ve of on e s s el f i s i n r e al i ty only the l o ve of on e s

n e ighb or appl i ed t o on e s s elf pe rsonall y t o l o ve on e s s elf i s equ i v

,

a l en t t o e s tee m i n g on e s s el f a t on e s t rue v alue ( a ma tte r of r e ason )

de s i r in g on e s own g oo d ( a ma tter of the a ifect i on s ) no t i njur i n g

,
3 06 Th e Comma n d ments .

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 .

r ight s elf l ove i n con tra d i s t i nc t i on t o the fal s e l o ve wh i ch mani fes ts

-

i t s el f i n arrog anc e conc e i t d i s cou rtes y l i cen s e et c

, , , , .

Th e t rue l ove of on e s s e l f sh ows i ts elf h ere i n th a t w e st ri ve

,

to a tt a i n th a t wh i ch wi l l p ro c ure our r e al h ap p i n e ss ; rst a nd

fo r e most our e t e rnal fel i c i ty a n d th e n such e art h l y th i n gs a s a re ,

co nducive to th e att ainme nt of e t e rnal fel i c ity .

T he true lov er of h ims el f ac t s accor d i n g t o C h ri s t s a dmon it i on :

S eek ye rs t the k i ngd om of Go d an d Hi s j u s t i c e an d a ll the se ,

th i ng s s h all be a dded un t o y o u ( M att v i He w i ll p ro vi de for . .

h i s hea lth h i s cl o th i n g et c b ut w i th o ut un due so l i c i tude

, , .
, .

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

h e wh o d es p i s e s th e t h i n gs th a t a re h e lp ful to t h e att a i n men t

of e t e rn a l h ap p i n e ss .

A gre a t n um be r of mank i n d r eg ar d s el f no t Go d as the i r nal , ,

e n d ; an d e ar thly r i c he s no t a s mea ns t o w ar d s a tt a i n i ng ete rnal h ap

p i n e s s but as m e ans for the g ra t i ca t i on of the s e ns e s
, T herefor e .

they t ake del i ght i n e art hly th i n g s : h ono rs r i che s d i gn i t i e s et c , , , .,

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 ,
-
.

wh a t i s te mp ora l t o wh a t i s ete rnal i s h i s o w n en e my ; for he w i ll only

e nj o y a c e r t a i n m e as ur e of h a pp i n e ss for a sh ort pe r i o d the n he w i ll ,

be unh appy for eve rmor e T hey th a t comm i t s i n an d i n i qui ty are

.
,

e ne m i e s t o the i r o w n s ou ( To b x ii H o w m a n y r e s em ble the . .

m i s e r i n the Gos pel wh o sa i d t o h i ms el f , T h o u h as t m u c h g oo d s

l a i d up for man y ye ars t ake thy r e s t e a t dr i nk make g oo d c hee r ;
, , , ,

t o wh om Go d sa i d : T h o u fool th i s n ight d o they r equ i r e thy so ul of ,

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
,

( L uke x ii 1 9 Wh at d o th i t p ro t a man i f he g a i n th e wh ole

.
,

w orld an d s u er the l oss of h i s o wn so ul ? ( M a tt x v i L e arn . .
,

say s S t A ugu s t i n e
. t o l o ve thy s el f by no t l o vi n g thy s el f
, O n the .

o the r h an d th os e d o w ron g wh o de sp i s e th os e e ar thly th i ng s wh i c h

p romo te the i r sp i r i tu al g oo d for by s o d o i n g they sh o w contempt for ,

the i r eterna l sa lv at i on Wh at m u s t on e th i nk of a man wh o d o e s no t

.

p rov i de for h i s o wn ma i n te nanc e wh o rashly en d an ge rs h i s li f e or ,

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 .

T he p rocl amat i on of th e comman dm en t s t oo k pl ac e on the ft i eth

d ay af te r the ex i t of the I sra el i te s from Egypt Whe n g i v i n g them .
,

Go d p r efaced the m w i th the solemn anno unc em e n t : I am the L or d
thy Go d et c ( Exo d xx

, . ac t i n g as a monarch wh o pl ac e s h i s
. . ,

nam e a n d t i tle s a t the he a d of the de cree h e i ssue s t o i nsp i r e h i s s u b ,

j ect s w i th r e spe c t T he T e n C o mm an dm e n t s we r e w r i tten by Go d

.

on tw o ta ble s of s t on e t o i nd i cate th a t they wer e only an a mp lic a

,
3 08 Th e Comma n d men ts .

Th e re mman dmen ts c on tai n ou r d uti es to our

mai ni n g s i x co

s el v es a n d to ou r fell ow men Th e Fi fth i s for th e p rot ecti on of

-

li fe, th e Si xth of p uri ty , th e Seven th of p rop erty, th e Ei gh th

of h on or, t h e Ni n th a n d Ten th of th e d omes ti c li fe of on e s

n ei gh b or.

4 He wh o k eep s a ll th es e c omma n dment s re c ei es a grea t re

. v
w a rd from God on ea rth , a n d a ft er d eath h e ma y l ook forw ard t o
et ern a l fel i c i t y
a s h i s p orti on .

God h a s or d a i n ed t h a t wh a t i s t o u s t h e mea n s of a t t a i n i ng eve r

l a s t i n g h a p p i n es s s h o ul d a l s o p r omo t e ou r wel fa re on ea rth God .

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 -

. .

By Th y c o mma n dmen t s I h a ve h a d u n d ers t a n d i n g ( v .

He wh o keep s Go d s comma n dmen t s t ri ump h s over s u ffer i n g s a n d

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
.

t r i i n g ou r rew a r d i n h ea ven w i l l b e a ll t h e g r ea t e r ; i t w i ll b e a rec

,

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 ) . .

5 . Temp oral a nd et ern al ch a s ti s ements aw ai t th e ma n wh o

g ie o
r v u l y vi s ol a t es a s i ngl e one of th es e c ommandments .

He wh o t ra n g res s es t h e c o mma n d men t s w i ll h a v e b o th t emp or a l

a n d et er n a l p u n i s h me n t Th e t emp or a l p u n i s h men t s of s i n a re i n
.

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

law . Wh os o ever s h a ll keep t h e wh ol e l a w b u t o ffen d i n on e p o i n t,

i s b e c o me g u i l t y of a ll
( Ja s i i Th e r e a s on of t h i s i s b eca u s e
. .

a ll t h e c o mma n dmen t s for m on e w h o l e ; t h e y a re s o cl o s el y b o u n d u p

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
.

w a t ch ed t h e en emy w i ll effe ct a n en t r a n ce Th e l o s t i n h ell k ep t a .

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.

St .Jo h n s a ys t o th e C h r i s t i an s : Hi s comma n dmen t s a re n ot

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 : . .

Wh en God l a ys a c o mma n d U p o n t h ee He req u i res t h ee t o d o a ll ,

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 t ren g th en e t h me ( P hi l i v M ore o ve r t h e exa mp l e of t h e

. .

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 .

THE FIRST C OMM AND M ENT OF GOD .

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 .

men t i n ter i or a n d e xt er i or w or s h i p i s r eq u i red of u s To thi s c om .

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

th e L ord t h y God 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 erv e

( M a tt i v . .

In th e Fi rs t Comman dment God enj oi n s p on us t o w ors h i p u

b
Hi m, a nd for i d s i d ol atr a nd e er fa l s e form of w ors hi p y v y .

1 . THE AD OR ATIO N 0R WOR SHIP OF GOD .

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

t o o u r s el ves i n a n y p o i n t i n p o wer i n e xp eri en c e i n kn o wl ed g e et c

, , , , .

We a l s o reve ren c e ki n g s a g ed men men emi n en t for l ea rn i n g or

.

, ,

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

.
,

th e g r ea t e r i s ou r es t eem ou r r ever en c e for h i m Now a s God i s

, .

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 .

W e ou gh t to a d ore God eca u s e He i s i n n i tel exa l ted b y

a b v
o e us , and b ec a u s e we a re en ti rel y d ep en d en t u p on Hi m as

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 ,

u nl ea rn ed s h e rmen for Hi s a p o s tl es t o t h e p oor He h a d t h e G os p el ,

31 0 Th e Comma n d men ts .

p re a ch ed , et c . Wh o is as t h e L ord ou r God , Wh o d well eth on h i gh,

and l oo ket h d own on t h e How i n n i te
l ow t h i n g s ?
c xi i

( Ps
b
. .

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

.

l i ve ; i f He t a kes a w a y our l i fe, we d i e ; i f He t a k es fro m u s t h e l i g h t

of t h e Ho l y Sp i r i t , w e b ec o me s p i r i t u a ll y l i n d ; i f He we re t o p ermi t b
t h e d ev i l t o h a ve t o o mu ch p ow e r ov e r u s , we s h o u l d fa l l i n t o mor t a l
s in . Wh a t i s t ru e of ma n , i s t ru e of a ll o th er c re a tu res ; t h ey a l s o

a re en t i r el y d ep en d en t u p o n t h e i r C r e a t or Th o u a rt w or t h y, O .

L ord ou r G od , t o r ec ei ve g l ory a n d h on or a n d p ower ; b ec a u s e Th ou

h a s t c r ea te d a ll t h i n g s ( Ap o c i v C o me, l et u s a d or e a n d fa l l
. .

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
. .

ma n i fes t s i t s el f rs t b y i n t e r i or r eve r en c e, th en b y extern a l s i g n s .

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 .

2 . We w ors hi p God i nt eri orl y by ac ts of fa i th , h op e, a nd

c h ari ty .

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 .

exp ec t a ll g oo d t h i n g s fro m t h e a l mi g h t y a n d mos t b o u n t i fu l God ,

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 . .

Au g u s t i n e s a ys t h a t t h e w or s h i p of God n ec es s a r i l y c ommen ces w i t h

a c orre c t kn o wl e d g e of G od for i t i s i mp o s s ib l e t o k n o w Hi m wi th o u t
,

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
.

Hi s b en ecen ce t owa r d s ma nk i n d c a n d o o th erwi s e t h a n p l a ce h i s ,

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 , .

Th oma s of V ill a n o v a for a c r ea t u re t o kn ow God w i t h o u t l o v i n g

,

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
,

r ev eren ce for Hi m Ext er i or w o r h i p i s n o th i n g more or l es s th a n t h e

.

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 a t i s , xteri o r w ors h i p o u g h t t o b e t h e exp res s i o n of our sp i n

e
i t u al w or s h i p a n d c orr es p o n d fa i t h fu ll y t o t h e feeli ng s of our hea rt
, .

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
,

rea ll y a re V i c i o u s p eop l e s o met i mes ma ke a n o u tw a r d p ro fes s i o n of

.

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
.

p ra ct i c es a c c omp an y t h ei r p r a ye r s w i t h ext r a v a g a n t g es t u r es a ffec t a

, ,

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
.

r el i g i o n c o n t emp t i b l e a n d d et e r man y r i g h t mi n d ed p er s on s fro m

,
-

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
.

l ook s , a mel a n ch ol y ma n n e r Tr u e p i ety i s ch ee rfu l Th e s o u l t h a t

. .

r ej o i ces i n t h e p o s s e s s i o n of God , t h a t i s r i ch i n v i rt u e, p ro d u ces a

p l e a s a n t i m p r es s i o n o n o t h e r s I t i s a l s o a m i s t.ak e t o l o a d o n e s s el f

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 .
,

o v er, i s o ft en w orth more th a n a h u n d re d d i ffer en t formu l a s Th e .

d u t i e s of ou r s t a t i o n o u g h t n eve r t o b e n egl ect e d for t h e s a k e of

p r a y e r f o r n o,
t h i n g i s m or e p l e a s i n g t o G od t h a n t h e i r r i g h t f u l l
men t ; He w h o p erfo rms t h e d u t i es of h i s cal l i n g , s a ys St F r a n ci s
.

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 .

4 . W e mus t p a y s up re me w ors h i p t o God onl y , for He a l one is

th e s o erei gn v Lord of h ea v en a n d of earth
 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts o f God . 31 3

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 ,

i t wo ul d b e s h o w i n g c o n temp t for h i m w er e I t o t u rn a w a y fro m h i m ,

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

s u p reme w ors h i p ; w e onl y h o n or a n d v en e r a t e th em for Go d s s a k e

.

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 .

Every h uma n c re a t u re feel s h i ms elf t o b e d ep en d en t u p o n on e

s u p r eme B ei n g , a n d t h e r efore i s c o n s c i o u s of a n i n w a r d i mp ul s e t o
a d or e t h a t s u p r eme B ei n g He w h o d o es n ot a d or e th e t ru e God
.

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
. .

1 . Id ol a tr yi s th e w ors hi p of a c rea ture w hi ch i s rega rd ed a s

a d ei ty ; e.g ., th e s un , re, a ni ma l s , i ma ges , et c .

Id ol a t ry i s fr eq u en t l y met w i t h i n t h e h i s tory gof t h e Jew s : w i t n es s

t h e w or s hi p of t h e g ol den c a l f ( Exo d
L
01 1 th s a d or a t i o n of t h e
.

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
.

s a c r ices o f fer ed for t h e men wh o w er e t h u s p u ni s h ed In t h e t i me of .

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 ,

b ec a u s e fr om fe a r of th e t ort ur e a w a i t i n g th em, t h ey o ffe red i n cen s e

u p o n t h e a l t a r s of th e p ag a n g o d s An d a t th e F r en ch r evol u t i o n
.

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
. .
,

w i t h g r ea t e r b rill i a n ce t h a n i n n ort h e rn l a n d s t h e p eop l e l oo k ed ,

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

ma rks wh i ch w a s kep t i n t h e i r temp l e

, Th e R om a n s a n d G re ek s
.

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 .

h e a th en h a d fa ll en a w a y fro m t h e t ru e God a s a p u n i s h men t He ,

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 .

w a s th e p ro t ect or, th e y t h o u g h t t o d o h i m h on or Th i s w ors h i p .

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 .

g o d s of t h e Gen t i l es a re d ev i l s ( P s x cv How t h a n kful we . .

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 .

2 An oth er form of i d ol atr

. y i s w h en a h uma b n ei ng gi v es up
hi s wh ol e s el f t o a c reat re u .

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 . .

All w h o a re en gros s e d i n ma te ri a l i n t eres ts a re g il t of u y

y
i d ol a tr , es p eci a ll y th e a v a ri ci ou s , th e p rou d, t h e i n t em era t e ,
p
th e u n ch a s t e .

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
.
-

J ew s w er e p u t t o d e a t h b y Go d s c o mma n d for t h i s t r a n s g res s i on

( 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 .

wh o b v i n th e p orten ts of d rea ms or i n p a lmi s t ry or wh o t hi nk to

el i e e
b
, ,

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 ,

rea l or th e p h a n t oms of d rea ms O n t h e occa s i o n of a n e a rth qu a ke

.

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
. .

n i n et een t h c en t u r y t h e a g e of enl i g h ten men t

, O n t h e o t h er h a n d ,

th e for ec a s t s of met eo ro l o g i s ts or th e p red i ct i o n of wh a t w e a t h e r ma y

b
,

b e exp ect ed fro m t h e o s erv a t i o n of n a t u r a l p h en o men a i s of c o u r s e ,

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 .

Sp i ri t u a l i s ts o ffe r t h ems el ves t o a ct a s i ns t rumen t s or med i ums t o

th e s p i r i t s , t h ei r d es i g n b ei n g t h a t s ome u nk n o wn s p i r i t ( t h a t i s a
d evi l ) s h o u l d c ommu n i c a t e wi th ma n k i n d y mea n s of th ei r h a n d or b
v oi ce, or b y s o me o th er ma n i fes t a t i o n s u ch as r a p p i n g St Th o ma s
, . .

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
, .

4M a gi c or s orc ery i s th e i n voc a ti on

. of s p iri t s in ord er to
rodu c e mi ra c ul ou s e ffec t s
p .

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
, , .

th o u h o p e for g r a ce fro m God a s k s St Joh n C h ry s o s t o m

i f t h ou
v
.
, ,

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 .

b ri n g s d o wn s evere ch a s t i s emen t s fro m God O ch o z i a s , on e of th e

.

ki n g s of Is ra el , s en t t o i n qu i re of B eel zeb u b , th e g od of Acc a ron ,

wh eth er h e s h o ul d r eco ve r of h i s s i c kn es s Th e p rop h et El i a s met th e
.

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
,

God i n Is r a el th a t t h o u s en d et h t o B eel z eb u b ? Th er efor e t h o u s h a l t

n ot c o me d o wn fro m t h y b e d b u t t h o u s h a l t s u r el y d i e ( 4 Ki n g s
O ch o z i a s exp i r ed s h or tl y a ft er Su p er s t i t i o u s p eo p l e h a v e n o p e a ce ;
.

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
.

reveren ce d u e t o God ; s u ch a s a b u s e of h ol y t h i n g s , for i n s ta n ce,

r el i c s a n d i ma g es ; or i n j u s t i ce a n d w a n t of c h a ri t y t ow ard s on e s

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 -
.

Si n s Aga i n s t the F i rs t C omma n d men t .

Th e Fi rs t C omma n d men t of God i s t r a n s gres s ed :

1 B y n egl ecti n g p ra er
. y .

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
.

i s ext r emel y r i g oro u s ; t h ey a re l a i d b efor e a s p ec i a l c o n g r eg a t i o n

c o mp o s ed of c a r d i n a l s , p r i es t s , p h ys i c i a n s , s c i en t i s t s , wh o a re a p

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
.

s a i n t s , t h ei r d i f fer en t d eg ree of g l ory, a n d t h e fa ct t h a t t h ei r l i fe w a s

more i n h e a ven t h a n on ea rt h , t h e y a re c o mp a r ed t o th e s t a rs ; or
a g a i n t o p re c i o u s s t on es , r a r el y fo u n d u p o n e a r t h a n d v a l u a b l e i n

G o d s s i g h t ; t o t h e cy p res s , wh o s e woo d n eve r d eca y s , b e c a u s e t h ey

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

fort u n e Th ey a re a l s o s a i d t o b e t h e p i ll a r s of t h e C h u rch for

.
,

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 .

W e v en e r a t e th e s a i n ts b ec a u s e t h ey a re t h e fri en d s and se rva n t s

of God . He
wh o r eve ren c es t h e emp eror w i ll n ot fa i l t o h o n or h i s
s erv a n t s , t h e mi n i s t e r s , or V i c ero y, et c , for t h e r eve ren c e p a i d t o
.

t h em i s i n d i r ectl y p a i d t o t h e emp eror h i ms elf F or t h i s rea s o n w e

.

ven er a t e t h e fri en d s a n d s erv a n t s of God Ever y man of g oo d fe el i n g

.

l i kes h i s fr i en d s t o b e re s p ect ed , a n d feel s i t t o b e a s l i g h t t o h i ms el f

i f t h ey a re t re a t e d w i th c o n t emp t ; h ow mu ch mor e i s t h i s s o w i t h
God He d es i r es t h a t t h o s e wh o l o v e d Hi m a b o ve a l l t h i n g s on e a rt h
b
.

s h o u l d r ecei ve s p ec i a l h o n or Wh i l e th e s a i n t s l i ved h ere el o w, th ey

.

ed fro m h o n ors ; n a y mor e , t h ey w er e d es p i s ed , c a l u mn i a t ed , p ers e

,

c u t ed b y ev i l men Th er efor e God n ow w i ll s t h a t t h ei r i n n o c en c e

v b
.

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 .

l o n g t o t h e s a me g rea t fa mil y w h o s e fa th er i s God Th i s i s t h e me a n .

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
.

men a re g i ven t o p u b l i c i n s t i t u t i o n s or b u i l d i n g s , s o w e r ece i ve t h e

n a me of s o me s a i n t or g r ea t s e r v a n t of G od a t ou r B a p t i s m a n d

C o n rma t i o n , or on e n t e ri n g a r el i g i o u s O r d er, t a k i n g h i m or h er for

ou r p a t r on W e a l s o d ed i c a t e ch u r ch es , t o w n s , a n d c o u n t r i e s t o s o me
.

s a i n t , p l a ci n g t h em un d e r h i s p ro t ec t i o n Hero es a n d i llu s t ri ou s men

.

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 .

mer el y o ffer i n g t h em t h e i n cen s e of emp t y a tt ery To rea d th e .

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 ,

r e c or d of th ei r d eed s i n ord er t o t a k e th em for p a tt ern s i n our own

a ct i o n s .

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
.

t o th e emp e ror t o h o n or h i s mo th e r hi s ch il d ren h i s fr i en d s , a n d

, ,

fa i th fu l s erv a n ts ? O n t h e c o n t r a r y i t w o u l d ra t h e r evi n c e our re

,

s p ec t for h i m ( St J e ro me ) . By ven e ra t i n g t h e s a i n t s o f God w e n o

.

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 a i n t s b ec a u s e t h ey w e r e i n s t r u men t s emp l o ye d y God t o p erform

n ew a n d s i gn a l d eed s W e d o n ot h o n or th em for wh a t t h ey w ere i n
.

a n d b y t h ems el v es ; t h ei r w ork s d o n ot r ed o u n d t o t h e i r ow n g l ory ,

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
,

merel y rep e a t ed i t God a l on e i s w o n d e rfu l i n Hi s s a i n ts

. Th e .

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 .

He reg ar ded eve ry a ct of u nk i n d n es s t ow a rd s on e s n ei g h b or a s a n a ct

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
. .

s a i n ts i n h e a v en far mor e t h a n men on e a rt h He mu s t b e d eep l y ,

af fro n t ed b y d i s res p ect s h o wn t o th em An a dd i t i o n a l r ea s on wh y .

ven er a t i o n of t h e s a i n t s i n n o w i s e d i mi n i s h es ou r reveren ce for

God i s b e ca u s e w e d o n ot h o n or t h em a s w e h o n or God
, W e a d or 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 ,

b et wee n Hi m a n d t h em i s i n n i t e How ever s up eri or t h e s a i n ts a re

.

t o us t h e y a re o n l y c rea t u res l i ke o u r s el ves

, Th e es t eem a n d v en .

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 .

To b i a s a n d h i s fa mil y p ro s t r a t ed t h ems el ves b efore t h e a n g el h e s a i d : ,

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 . . .

th e D i v i n e fell do wn b efor e t h e feet of t h e a n g el h e s a i d t o h i m : ,

( 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 , . .

b es i d e th e t o mb or b efore t h e i ma ge of a s a i n t w e n o mor e a d ore ,

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 ,

t h a t h e wil l u n i te h i s p r a ye rs t o t h e s a c ri ces w e o ffer t h e p r a yers we ,

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
.

p et i t i o n s t o Ch r i s t w e h a ve rec o u rs e t o a med i a t or wh o s e p r a yer s w i ll

,

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
. .

i s t o b e i n vo k ed wh o mi r a cu l o u s l y c u red a b oy t h u s a ffli ct ed ; for

,

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 .

c a l u mn y n d a p ro te ct or i n St Joh n Nep omu cen e wh o w a s a ma r t y r

.
,

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 .

It a p p ea r s t h a t God h a s g i v en t o i n d i i d u a l s a i n t s s p eci a l p owers t o v

h elp u s i n s p e ci a l n eed s M a n y w on d e rfu l a n s w e r s t o p r a yer l ea d t o
.

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 ,

or s t a t e of l i fe i s t h e s a me a s wa s th ei r own , a s well a s for th e p l a c e

wh e re t h ey l i v ed a n d l a b or ed

5 . THE VENERATION OF THE M O THER OF GOD .

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

Tes t a men t e g , Ev e, t h e moth er of a ll m a n k i n d ; No e s a rk, wh erei n

. .

th e h u ma n r a ce w a s p re s er v ed fro m ext i n ct i o n ; t h e Ark of t h e C ov

en a n t c o n t a i n i n g t h e ma n n a ; Ju d i th wh o s l ew Ho l o fern e s , t h e a r ch
en emy o f h er p e o p l e ; Es t h e r, wh o w a s exemp t ed fro m t h e u n i v e r s a l
l a w ( a s M a r y w a s fro m ori g i n a l s i n ) , a n d b y h er med i a t i o n res c u ed
h er p eo p l e fro m d ea t h ; t h e mo t h e r of t h e M a ch a b ees , w h o w i tn es s ed
t h e d e a t h o f h er s ev en s o n s , a n d wh o s e h e a rt , li ke M a r y s , wa s p i erced

wi th s ev en s w ord s , et c Th e Gos p el s g a v e l i tt l e i n for ma t i o n r es p ect

.

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 .

El i z a b eth w a s t h e rs t t o ca l l M a ry M o th e r of God ( Luk e i .

Th e C o u n c i l of Ep h es u s i n 43 1 c on rmed t h i s t i tl e D ei Gen i tri x

a n d c o n d emn ed t h e c o n t r a ry d o ct r i n e a s s e rt ed b y t h e h ere t i c Nes
, , , ,

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
. .

A ch i l d d o es n ot r e ce i ve i t s s o ul fro m i t s mo th e r b u t fro m God y et , ,

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 .

b efore t h e p rop h et Is a i a s foret ol d t h a t a v i rg i n s h o ul d c o n c ei v e a n d

b e a r a Son ( Is v i i . In h er c o n cep t i o n i n ch i l d b ea r i n g a n d
.
,
-

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 .

as she d o es St B e rn a r d d ecl a r es t h a t th e l o ve of a l l th e moth ers i n

. .

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 .

p o s ed t h a t th ey kn o w more t h a n d o es t h ei r Q u een A d u t i ful ch i ld .

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 .

2 An oth er rea s on wh y Ma r i s s o h i ghl h on ored th ro gh o t

. y y u u
b u
Ch ri s t en d om, i s eca s e God h a s exa l t ed h er a o e a l l men a n d bv
a n gel s .

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 .

No a n g el n ot even th e mo s t p erfect and g r ea t es t of th e h ea ven l y

,

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 .

ma rvel l o u s p ri vi l eg e i s t hi s M a r y i s i n d eed t h e M a ter a d mi ra b i li s

a n d t h a t n ot a l o n e b ec a u s e s h e i s a t on e a n d t h e s a me t i me V i rg i n
,

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
,

t h e C r ea t or b u t p re emi n en tl y b eca u s e s h e g a ve b i rth t o Hi m Wh o

,
-

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
.

t h a t Hi s M o t h er s h o u l d b e en t i rel y fr ee fro m s i n Wh en God r a i s es .

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 for t h i s ex a l t e d d i gn i t y ( St Th o ma s Aqu i n a s ) Now w e kn ow

. .

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 ,

Who s e t emp l e M a ry w a s t o b e a l l ow t h e evi l on e t o ma ke h er h i s own

,
.

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 .

for e free fro m o r i g i n a l a n d a ct u a l s i n ( C o u n c i l of Tren t 6 she , ,

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
. .

a w ( Wi s d v i i . Sh e a d va n ced i n p erfect i o n r a p i dl y a n d con

.

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
,
. .

h i g h er t i ll i t a tta i n s th e h ei gh t of th e t ree t o whi ch i t cli n g s

,
Sh e .
 Th e Ten Comma nd men ts f
o God . 32 5

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

,

t h a n t h a t o f t h e mos t emi n en t s a i n t s a t th e cl o s e of t h ei r l ife On .

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 .

mi rror of j u s t i c e O f a ll c rea te d b ei n g s n on e ever l o ved God s o i n

.

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 .

s h e i s ca ll ed t h e h o u s e of g o l d M a r y w a s a d orn ed w i t h ev ery v i rtu e

. .

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 ,

M a ry exceed s a ll th e s a i n ts i n t h e ma g n i t u d e of h er l o ve for God ,

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 .

h ea ven w i t h u n ri v all e d s p l en d or Th e s u n moon a n d s t a r s of ou r

.
, ,

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 .

M a r y s i n ter ces s i o n h a s i mmen s e

p o we r w i th Go d . On ea rth h er
p e t i t i o n s w ere a ll p rev a i l i n g w i t h
-
ma rr i a g e fea s t Ch r i s t , a s a t t h e -

a t Cana .An d i f C h r i s t g r a n t e d a ll Hi s M o th e r s p r a yer s on ea rt h

.

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
.

h e i s s u r e t o s u c c ee d for wh om t h e qu een i n t ere s t s h er s elf, s o a t

t h e c o u r t of t h e K i n g of ki n g s t h o s e for w h o m M a r y, t h e Q u een of
h ea ven , p l e a d s , w i ll n ot b e d i s a p p o i n t e d of t h ei r d es i res Th u s M a ry.

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
. .

p ro ers i s u n a n s w e r ed . Wh o c a n d o u b t , excl a i ms St B e rn a rd,

.

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

i mp l o re i n v a i n Even t h e l ea s t a n d s h ort es t p r a yer t o M a r y d o es n ot

.

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
.

g r eet i n g .Sh e i s t h e V i rg i n mos t cl emen t Th ere i s n ot a t r a ce of

.

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

s ss He wo u l d b e wro n g i n d eed wh o a p p ro a ch ed h er wi th t rem

pi
.

i ng.

From time i mmemori a l C h ri s ti an s h a e v b een a c cu s tomed to

ha v e r ec ou rs e t o M a r y
i n times of a fi c ti on and d i s tres s .

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
.

h i m for h a v i n g w r i t t en i n d efen c e of t h e v en e r a t i o n of i mag es ,

.

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 .

fr om th e O l d or New Tes t a men t, ca l cul a t ed t o s t r en gth en th e Ch ri s

t i a n s i n ti mes of p ers ecu t i o n , b y remi n d i n g t h em of God s omn i p o

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 .

c ro s s es w e re s een n ot i n th e c h u rch es a l o n e, b u t on t h e ma rket p l a c e

,

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
,

movemen t ) Th e ven e ra t i o n of i ma g e s a n s w ers t o a n eed of ou r

.

h u ma n n a t u r e ; w e res p ect t h e p ort r a i ts of t h o s e W h o m we l o v e or

e s t eem ; mor e o v e r i t i s t h e w i ll of G od t h a t ma n w h o l o s t t ru e h a p ,

p i n es s for t h e s a k e of ma t eri a l t h i n g s , s h o ul d reg a i n i t b y mea ns of

ma t eri a l th i n g s Th e Jews w ere s t r i ctly forb i d d en t o ma ke i ma g es
.

or b ow d own t o t h em ( Exo d xx b eca u s e t h ey h a d a s t ro n g p rop en

. .
~

s i ty t owa rd s i d ol a t ry , a n d t h e Son of God h a d n ot t h en b ec o me ma n .

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 .

By s a cre d p i c t u res or s t a tu es a re me a n t rep res en t a t i on s f

o

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 ,

Hi s eyes a re b l u e Hi s h a i r i s of a ru dd y b rown cu rl i n g a n d p a rted

b
, ,

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
,

L a d y of t h e Imma cu l a t e C o n cep t i o n s h e i s a s s h e a p p ea red a t

L o ur d es i n a wh i t e ro b e w i t h o u t h er In fa n t Son ; a s Q u een of
, ,

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 ,

mi r a cul o u s p i ctur e of O u r L a d y of P erp et u a l Su cc o r, p a i n t ed u p o n

w oo d , a n d d a t i n g fro m th e t h i rt een th c en t u r y i n t h e C h u r c h of St , .

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 ,

d i s t i n g u i s h ed t h em or b y t h e i n s t ru men t s wh e rew i t h t h ey s u ffered

,

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

or p u rg a t ory ; or s ome even t rec ord ed i n Hol y Scr i p tu re Th e th ree .

d i vi n e p er s o n s a re rep r es en t ed u n d e r t h e form t h ey h a ve a s s umed

wh en a p p e a r i n g t o men B u t a l l d eli n e a t i o n s of t h e G o dh e a d d o n o
.

more t h a n g i ve a n i d e a of c ert ai n a tt ri b u tes or a ct i on s of t h e D ei t y ,

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 .

ma n y c u r es h a ve b een effect ed t h ro u g h d evo ti on t o th e In fa n t Jes u s

of P r a g u e ( a w ax s t a t u e i n t h e ch u r c h of t h e C a rmel i t es i n 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 .

M a r i a Te res a h a d a g r e a t ven er a t i o n for t h a t i ma g e ; s h e w orked a

rob e for i t wi th h er own h a n d s r i ch l y emb ro i d ered w i th g ol d M a n y
, .

of t h es e mi r a cu l o u s i ma g e h a ve b een p r e s erve d fro m d e s t ru ct i on i n

s

a ma rv ell o u s ma n n er ; t h e y h a ve for i n s t a n c e b een i n t h e re w i t h o u t

, ,

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
.
,

i n a n s wer t o p r a yers o ffer ed b efor e t h em Su ch mi r a cl es a re p er .

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 .

Th er e o u g h t n ot t o b e a s i n g l e ch u rch , or a l t a r, or cemet e ry, wi th

ou t a c r u c i x Su ch i s th e h o n or i n w h i ch t h e C h u rch h ol d s t h e
.

c ro s s of C h r i s t t h a t s h e a ll o w s n o s a c r a men t t o b e a dmi n i s tere d , n o

,

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 ,

th e g r a ve Thi s s a c red s ymb ol o u g h t t o b e fo u n d i n e ver y C h ri s t i a n

.

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
.

Him Wh o d i ed th ereo n By s h ow i n g r es p ect t o th e p ortr a i t of a

.

ki n g w e t es t i fy ou r res p ec t for th e mon a r ch a n d d i s res p ec t ma n i

, ,

fes t ed t o h i s p ort r a i t i s a p er s o n a l a ron t t o h i ms el f Wh e n t h e .

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 .

th a t i s ven er a t ed Th u s wh en we ki s s ou r p a ren ts or ou r ch il dren

.
,

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 ,

i ma g e s we exp res s ou r l o v e for t h e p e rs o n s t h ey rep r es en t

,
An d .

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
, ,

s ymb o l of t h e l i g h t of t h e Hol y Gh o s t a n d t h e v i rt u es wh e rew i t h t h e

s a i n t s w er e en d ow ed It i s n ot fro m t h e i ma g e s t h ems el ves t h a t we
.

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
.

w or ked mi r a cl es b u t God Wh o p ow erful l y a s s i s t e d hi m

, .

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 .

St . Joh n D a ma s cen e ys th a t t h e Hol y Sp i r i t s u rro u n d s th e

sa

i m a g e s of t h e s a i n t s w i t h a cert a i n h a l o of g r a ce Wh e reve r t h e c ros s .

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
.

p r a yer s wh en o ffer ed a t th e s h r i n e of s ome s a i n t a re m or e fe rv en t

, ,

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
,

s a int . Th e w or k of t h e a r t i s t d o es i n d eed o fte n p ro v e mor e i n

u en t i a l th a n t h e w ord s of t h e p re a ch er for t h e i mp res s i on s we ,

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 .
,

t h e re wer e a n y p r i n t ed b oo ks p i c t u r e s w ere w i d el y d i s s emi n a t ed

,

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

w ell as to o b j ects th a t h a e v b e en cl os el y con n ect e d w i th C h ri s t

or th e s a i n ts .

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 .

a li ve t h e C h r i s t i a n s c oll ect e d h i s a s h es , v a l u i n g th em more th an

,

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
, ,

B eth l eh em a re en ca s ed i n g ol d or s il ver ; l i kew i s e s o me of t h e b o d i es

,

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

.

2 . We o b tai n ma ny bl es s i n gs from God by v a t i ng

ener reli cs .

Re l i c s a re a s ou rce wh en ce s p i r i t u a l b en et s c ome t o u s from

Go d . St Joh n D a ma s c en e s a ys :
.

As wa t er g u s h e d from t h e ro ck .

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
. .

ef fecte d b y t h e r el i c s of St St ep h en i n Afr i c a , b es i de s t h e r a i s i n g fro m

.

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
.

ma n res t ored t o life on c omi n g i n c o n t a ct w i t h t h e b on es of t h e

p ro p h et El i s eu s ( 4 K i n g s x i i i Ev en i n th ei r l i fet i me t h e
.

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
.

w orn b y St P a u l ( Act s x i x . t h e s i c k w e re d el i ve re d from t h e i r

.

i n rmi t i es B u t i t mu s t b e r ememb ered i t i s n ot b y t h e r el i cs t h em

.

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 .

8 . THE EXTRAOR D INARY WOR SHIP OF GOD .

We ca n , moreov er, h on or God by t a ki n g a n oa th or by m k i

a ng

a v ow .

To t a ke or ma ke a v ow i s n ot a n ord i n a ry o ccu rren ce of

a n o a th
ou r l i ves ; i t i s o n l y d o n e i n p ecu l i a r i e ext r a or d i n a ry c a s es An , . .
,
.

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
, ,
.

Hi m a s a cr i ce b ec a u s e we b i n d o u r s el ves b y a s ol emn p romi s e t o

,

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 .

C a s es s o met i mes o ccu r i n wh i ch a ma n w ill n ot b el i eve t h e w ord of

a n o th e r B u t i f a wi t n es s c o me s forwa r d a n d a i rms :
.

Th a t i s s o ,

I mys elf s a w i t t h en t h e s p ea ke r i s more r ea d i l y b el i ev ed a n d a ll t h e

, ,

more i f th e w i t n es s i n qu e s t i o n i s kn own t o b e a ma n of h o n or Now .

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
.
,

o a th i s t h e s ea l God g i ves u s t o c orro b o ra t e a s t a t emen t It i s a .

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

1 .To s w ear or ta k e a n oath i s t o ca l l God t o w i tn es s th a t on e

is u
s p ea ki n g t h e tr th , or th at one w i l l k eep a p romi s e .

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
,

h o l ds s a c red If a ma n s w ea r s b y G od, h e ma kes u s e of w or d s s u ch a s

.

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
. .

i n h ea ven , God i s my w i t n es s ( R om i ma y God p u n i s h me, et c

. . .

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 .

o f s w e a r i n g b y t h e Temp l e, b y h e a ven , or b y t h e t h ro n e of God

( 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 )
. .

In t a k i n g a s ol emn o a t h on e i s r equ i re d t o k i s s t h e Hol y Sc r i p t u r es ,

or a c ru c i x, a n d t o s a y : So h el p me God , t o i n t i ma t e th a t i f h e d e
p a r t s fro m t h e t r u t h , h e r en o u n ces t h e d i v i n e a s s i s t a n ce an d t h e
b l es s i n g s p ro mi s ed in t h e Go s p el s Jews a n d M o h a mm ed a n s h a ve
.

th e i r own p ecu l i a r ceremo n i a l ; th e l a t t e r r a i s e on e n g e r t o s h ow

t h ei r b eli ef i n on e God .

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 .

If s wea r i n g were forb i dd en C h r i s t w o u l d n ot h a ve ma d e us e of a n

o a th ( M a tt xxvi . n or w o u l d God h a ve s w orn to Ab r a h a m o n
.

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 .

and s o ci a l d emo cra t s ca n n o t b e i n d u ced t o t a ke a n oa th It i s Go d s .

wi ll t h a t we c o n rm ou r wor d w i t h a n o a th wh en n eces s a ry ( Exo d , .

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 . .

He mea n t t o w a rn t h e P h a r i s ees a g a i n s t th e h a b i t to wh i ch t h ey were

a d d i c t ed of u s i n g i d l e u nn e c es s a ry o a t h s C a th ol i c s n eed n ot refu s e
, .

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
, ,

c o mp ell e d t o d o s o An y on e wh o for ces a ma n t o s w ea r wh en h 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 ;
,

for t h e mu r d e re r o nl y k i l l s t h e b o d y wh erea s h e wh o ma kes a n o th er ,

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 a t h s a re s i n ful Ha d ma n ki n d n ot fa ll en fro m i t s ori g i n a l s t a t e

.

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 ,

i t Not u n t i l ev i l p rev a i l ed ev eryw h er e d i d s w e a r i n g b ec ome a n ord i

.

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 . ,

men t a l l y a p p l y i n g t h e w ord s t o God h i s s u p reme So ver ei g n a n d ,

L or d . B u t h e w o ul d not c o n s en t , s a y i n g h e d a red n ot s wea i fa l s el y '

.
336 Th e Comma n d men ts .

The Vow ( Solemn P r omi s e

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 .

Th e v owi s a p ro mi s e ma d e t o God W e ca ll u p on God i mp l i c i tly ,

.

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 .

m a d e of ou r own free w i ll : n o on e i s b o un d t o ma ke i t ( D eu t xxi i i . .

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
. .

keep th e h olyd a ys , t o b e t emp era te i n e a t i n g a n d d ri n k i n g In th i s .

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 .

V ow s a re s o meti mes a cco mp a n i ed by a c on di ti on .

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 .

i n s t i t u t ed i n c o n s equ ence of a v ow ma d e b y P o p e Gr eg or y t h e Gre a t

wh i l e t h e p l a g u e w a s r a g i n g .

Th e i n h a b i t a n t s of O b e r Amme rg a u
p l e d g e d t h ems el v e s t o p e r for m t h e P a s s i o n p l a y e v ery t en yea r s i n

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
. .

h e rec o v er ed fro m a s ev ere ill n es s , t o u n d e rt a k e a c ru s a d e

In t h e p res en t d a y ma n y p ers o n s p ro mi s e, i n i ll n es s or a fi c t i o n , t o
vi s i t s o me p l a c e of p i lg r i ma g e , t o ma ke a n o ffer i n g t o s ome c h u rch ,
to g i ve a s t a t u e t o fa s t on cer t a i n d a ys , et c
,
Th e cel eb ra t ed s a n c .

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

2 . Th e mos t i mp ort ant v ows a re th e rel i gi ous v ows , th at i s t o

s ay th e s ol emn p romi s e ma d e v ol unt a ri l y by p ers on s en t eri n g a

rel i gi o s u Ord er, t o foll ow th e va

e n gel i ca l c ouns el s .

P o ver t y, ch a s t i t y , and o b ed i en ce , a re t h e t h ree vo w s t a ke n b y

 T he Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God . 337

Rel i g i o u s Th ey a re very u s eful , for b y t h em a ma n en t i rel y g i ves u p

.

t h e w orl d , i n or d er t o s e rve Go d b et t e r Th es e v o w s a re mo s t p l eas .

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
. .

t r ee g i ves mor e t h a n h e wh o o nl y g i ves t h e fr u i t o f t h e t ree M a ny .

p er s o n s o ffe r o b l a t i o n s t o G od ; a ves tmen t , for i n s t a n ce, c a n dl es or

o wer s ; b u t a b ette r, more p erfect o b l a t i o n i s t o g i ve o n e s s elf t o

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 .

c o n s ec r a t ed t o God c a n n ever a g a i n b e emp l o yed for s ec u l a r p u rp o s es ;

w i th t h a t wh i ch i s s i mp l y d ed i c a t ed i t i s o t h e rw i s e Th u s a n y on e .

wh o t a kes t h e s o l emn v o ws i s i rr evo c a b l y c o n s e c r a t ed t o t h e s e rv i ce

of Go d Th e P op e a l o n e ca n r el e a s e fro m s o l emn v o w s , a n d t h a t
.

o n l y for wei g h t y r e a s o ns B efore t a k i n g t h e s o l emn v o w s , i e , b ei n g

. . .

p ro fes s e d , i t i s n eces s a ry t o h a ve s p en t a yea r i n t h e n o vi t i a t e, a n d

h a ve b een u n d e r th e s i mp l e v o w s for a t l ea s t t h ree yea r s ( P i u s IX , .

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 .

3 . A v ow ren d ers t h e good a c ti on w h i c h w e p l edge o u rs e l v es

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
.

t o God b eca u s e w e t h ereb y b i n d o u r s el ves t o t h e p e rforma n ce of a

g oo d w or k Th u s ,. f or i n s t a n c e , o n e w h o f a s t s i n f u l l men t of a v ow
p er forms a mor e p er fect a ct i o n t h a n h e w h o fa s t s w i t h o u t a v ow .

Hen ce i t i s t h a t t h e p r a yer s of th o s e wh o ma ke vows a re more s p eed

i l y g r a n t ed Afte r t h e i nh a b i t a n t s of O b er Ammerg a u h a d ma d e t h e
.
-

p ro mi s e a l r e a d y men t i o n e d , n ot o n e mor e fel l a v i ct i m t o t h e p e s t i

l en c e . Th e p i o u s An n a ma d e a v ow t o t h e L or d , wh en s h e p r a yed
th a t a s on mi g h t b e g r a n t ed t o h er, a n d s h e b eca me th e mo t h e r of
th e g r e a t p ro p h et Sa mu el ( 1 K i n g s i W h y d o we s ee s o ma n y
.

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
.

vo ws , a s a u s efu l res t r a i n t t o keep t h ems el ves i n t h e fe a r of G od We .

ma y o b t a i n s p ec i a l g r a c es fro m G od b y p l edg i n g o u r s el ves t o mak e

n o v en a s i n h o n or of t h e s a i n t s t o b e p a rt i c u l a rl y d ev o u t t o th e
,

M o th e r of God d u ri n g t h e mo n t h of M a y or of O c t ob er, t o p e rform

ce rt a i n mort i c a t i on s or g oo d w ork s .

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 .

ful l a p ro mi s e we a re exemp t from b l a me, p rov i d ed we d o ou r

u t m o s t t o p er form t h e t h i n g p ro mi s ed .

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

t o c on s i d er w el l b eforeh a n d w h eth er h e wi ll b e a bl e t o k eep hi s

w or d .

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
, ,

t o s ee wh eth e r h i s mea n s w i l l al l ow h i m t o c o mp l ete t h e s t ru c t u re

( Luk e x i v . N0 on e o u g h t t o ma ke a p ro mi s e for h i s wh ol e l ife ,

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

vo c a t i o n t o th e rel i g i o u s li fe If h e t a kes t h e v o w s w i th o u t feel i n g

.

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 .

6 A R eli gi ou s w h o n d s h i ms elf n a l e t o k eep hi s ow s

. u b v
y
mu s t a pp l to hi s Su p eri or to b e rel e a s ed from th em or h a e v
th em mmu t e d
co .

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 .

All g r a c es a re c omb i n e d i n t h i s h ol y n a me : Th ere i s n o o th e r n ame

u n d e r h e a v en g i v en t o men , w h e r eb y w e mu s t b e s a ved ( Act s i v .

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
.

w ors h i p ; more es p eci al l y for th e s erv a nt s of God , for h ol p l a ces , y

s a cred t h i n gs , a n d reli gi o s c eremoni es u .

We ought r es p ect for th e mi n i s te rs of God In th i s C o u n t

t o s h ow .

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 .

h u n t i n g h e met a p r i es t c a rry i n g t h e B l es s ed Sa c r a men t t o t h e s i ck .

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
,

s ervi c e of t h e s a n c t u a r y Th e p r i es t p red i c te d th a t g oo d fort u n e a n d

.
 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts o f God . 341

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

were s t ri c t l y forb i d d en t o t o u ch t h e Ark of t h e C o ven a n t ( Nu mb .

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
. .

h o u s e of God a s i f y ou wer e en t e r i n g i n t o h e a ven a n d l ea ve b eh i n d ,

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
.

i o u s s er vi c es St El i z a b et h of Hu n g a ry remo ved h er c ro wn fro m h er

. .

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.

Th e t h ree ch i l d ren i n t h e ery fu rn a ce s a ng a ca n t i cl e of p r a i s e

w h en Go d p r es erve d t h em fro m b ei n g h u rt b y t h e a mes ( D a n .

Wh en Tob i a s r ec o ve red h i s s i g h t h e i mmed i a t el y b l es s ed th e L ord

,

( 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
. .

n a me of t h e L or d fro m h en c efort h n ow a n d for ev er

, F ro m t h e r i s i n g .

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 es t for o u r s el ve s for t h e reb y w e d r a w d o wn u p o n o u r s el ves t h e d i vi n 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 .

It i s a b a d h a b i t ; c orrect y o u r s el ves of i t , a n d en d e a vor t o c orr ec t

o th er s a l s o , a s i t s h o w s a w a n t of du e r ever en c e for th e n a me o f G od .

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
. .

p r a y, wh e r ew i t h w e recei ve t h e s a c red b o d y of t h e Lo r d , b e emp l o yed

t o c u r s e ou r n e i g h b or a n d offen d a g a i n s t God ?

Al mi gh ty God oft en p un i s h es th os e wh o c u rs e oth ers by al

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 ,

b u r n ed t h a t h e exp i r ed i n a g o n y a few d a ys l a t er W ork i n g p eop l e .

-

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 .

Sa cri l ege i s ano th er k i n d of b l a s p h emy Th is on s i s ts i n . c

p u tti n g t o a n i mp rop er a n d d eg ra d i n g u s e wh a t
p ert a i n s t o t h e
s ervi c e of God .

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 , , ,

s t a t e of i n eb r i a ti on h e c omm a n de d th e s a c r e d ves s el s th a t h a d b een

,

t a ken fr om t h e Temple a t Jer us a lem wh ere they w ere u s e d i n t h e ,

wo rs hip of t h e t r ue G od t o b e b r ought t o s e rv e a s dr i n kin g c up s

,

a t t h e fea s t Th e mutil a ti on of s t a tues or d efa c in g of c ru c i x es i s a

.

s a c r il eg e . W ould it n ot b e con s id ere d a t rea s on a b le ac t t o tre a t

t h e c r own or t h e p or t r a i t of a n ea rthly mon a r ch with c on tumely ?
Ag a i n th os e wh o rece ive t h e s a c r a men ts un w or thily w h o a pp r op r i a t e
, ,

t o thems elve s C hur c h p r op er ty or wh o commit a th eft i n ch u r ch , ,

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
.

ma s on s h a ve s ometimes ob t a in ed c on s ecr a te d H os t s whi ch they s u b ,

j ect ed t o horr ib le p r ofa n a ti on Su ch c on duc t i s s imply s a ta n i c

. .

B l a s p h emy i s es s en ti a l ly a d i a b oli c al s in, and on e of th e

gra ves t t r a n s gres s i on s .

Bl a s phemy ma y b e c a lle d a s i n p ec uli a r t o devil s a n d rep rob a tes ,

for a s t h e H oly Spi r it s p e a k s b y t h e mo uth of t h e g ood s o t h e devil ,

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 . .

p h emer i s w o r s e th a n a d og ; for a d og d oes n ot b it e t h e ma s t er wh o

i s kind t o h i m when h e c h a s ti s es h i m wh er e a s t h e b l a s phemer revil es ,

God fr om Wh om h e h a s r e ce ive d s o ma n y b en et s ob livi ou s of t h e

, ,

fa c t th a t God onl y a f i c t s h i m for h i s own g ood Whe n t h e s a i n tly .

Bi s h op P olyca rp w a s offere d h i s li fe i f h e w ould b l a s pheme C hr i s t h e ,

a n s w er e d : F or eighty s i x y ears I h a ve s erve d Hi m a n d He h a s

-

d on e me n othi n g b u t g ood ; h ow could I s p ea k evil of my Ki n g a n d

M a s te r ? St Je r ome s a y s th a t a ll s i n s a re s light i n comp a r i s on with
.

thi s for b y a l l oth er s on e offen d s a g a i n s t G od i n di rec tly b u t b y thi s

, ,

s i n on e of fen d s a g a i n s t t h e M o s t High Hims el f n ot a g a i n s t Hi 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

.

All oth e r s i n s a r i s e fr om hum a n fr a ilty or ign or a n c e b u t b l a s ph emy ,

c omes fr om th e ma li ce of t h e huma n h ea r t ( St B er n a r d ) O ther . .

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
, .

t h e b l a s ph eme r with d e a th St Th oma s Aqui n a s d ecl a re s b l a s phemy

. .

t o b e a mor t a l s i n un l es s it i s c ommitt ed i n a h a s ty momen t with out

,

d eli b er a ti on . O ught es t th ou n ot t o fe a r th a t re will fa ll fr om

h e a ven up on th e e a n d c on s ume th ee i f th ou d o s t v en tur e t o a s p ers e,

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
, ,

a n omn ip ot en t God ! ( St Eph rem )

. .

G od p u n i s h es b l a s p h emy w i t h s ev e r e c h a s ti s emen t s i n t i me,

a n d wi th ev erl a s t i n g d a mn a t i on h er ea ft e r ; i t i s a l s o p u n i s h a b l e

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

fa n ed t h e ves s el s or t h e s a n c tu a ry, judg men t fell up on h i m i mme

d i a t el y : a n uns een h a n d wr ot e h i s fa te up on t h e w a ll Th a t s a me .

n ight t h e en emy e n ter e d t h e c ity ; h e w a s s l a i n a n d h i s ki n gd om b e

c a me p a r t of t h e P er s i a n empi r e ( D a n Sen n a cher i b , t h e Ki n g
.

of As s yr i a , b l a s ph eme d G od ; s h or tly a ft e r h e l os t t w o hun d re d

thou s a n d men i n t h e w a r a g a i n s t t h e Heb rews , a n d wa s a s s a s s i n a ted
b y h i s own s on s . M i ch a el III , Emp eror of C on s t a n tin ople, ma de
.

pub li c m ock e ry of th e s a cr a men t s on th e fe a s t of t h e As cen s i on ; a t

n ight th e re w a s a t r emen d ous e a rthqu a k e, a n d s ome ti me l a t er t h e
emp er or w a s mu r der e d An Is r a elit e cur s e d G o d i n t h e wildern e s s ;
.

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 . .

As a ma n wh o thr ows a s t on e up t o t h e s k y , c a n n ot t ou ch , much

l es s in j ur e a n y of th e h e a ven ly b odi es , b u t ma y b rea k h i s own h e a d i f
t h e s t on e fa ll s b a ck up on it , s o b l a s ph emo u s w or d s d o n o h a rm t o t h e
B e i n g a g a i n s t Whom they a re di rec ted ; they on ly fa ll b a ck up on t h e
h ea d of h i m wh o utters them, t o h i s own p er diti on Thu s t h e b l a s .

p h emer wh et s t h e s w or d t o pi erc e h i s own h e a r t ( St Joh n C h ry s os .

t om) O u r Lo r d s a y s th a t whos oeve r revil es h i s n eigh b or s h a ll b e i n

c
.

d a n g e r of h ell re ( M a tt v 22 ) h ow mu h mor e h e wh o r eviles G od !

. .

U n der t h e O l d L a w , when G od w a s n ot s o w ell kn ow n , it w a s s a id :

He th a t c urs eth fa ther or mother s h a ll d i e th e dea th ( Exod xxi
. .

1 7 How much more s h a ll judgmen t overt a ke thos e wh o i n thi s a g e

of kn owl edg e a n d en lighten men t c ur s e, n ot the i r p a r e n t s , b u t t h e
,

L or d , th ei r God ! They s h a ll b e c ur s e d th a t s h a ll d es pi s e Thee
( Tob xiii
. . He tha t b la s phemeth t h e n a me of t h e L or d, dyin g
l et h i m d i e ( L ev xx iv
. .Bl a s ph emy i s a l s o pun i s he d b y t h e
s ec ul a r a uth or ity . St Lo ui s of F r a n ce ma de it a l a w th a t a n y on e
.

wh o b l a s ph eme d God s h oul d b e s c a re d on t h e lip s with a re d h ot -

i r on Thi s w a s d on e t o a wea lthy c itiz en of P a r i s , with t h e re s ult

.

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 .

St Jerome on on e o c c a s i on r eb uk ed a n un g o dly ma n for h i s i mpi ou s

.

w or d s ; wh en a s ke d why h e p res umed t o d o s o, h e s a id : A d og ma y

b a rk i n h i s ma s ter s defen c e, a n d a m I t o s t a n d b y s il en t when G od s

h oly n a me i s b l a s pheme d ? I w ould s oon er d i e th a n forb ea r t o s p e a k

.

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 .

In th e M id dl e Ages s imon y w a s a c ommon s i n ; b i s h op s s ees a n d

b en eces w ere s ometimes s old t o t h e high es t b idd er It i s s i mon y t o .

of fer a p r i es t mon ey for a b s oluti on , t o s ell r eli c s , t o ch a rg e a higher

p ri ce for ob j ect s , s uch a s cr os s es a n d r os a r i es , b ec a u s e they h a v e b een
b l es s ed Thi s s i n t a k es i t s n am e fr om Si mon t h e ma gi c i a n wh o
.
,

of fer e d t h e a p os tl es mon ey when h e s a w th a t b y t h e i mp os iti on of

h a n ds t h e Holy G h os t w a s given , s a yi n g : G ive me a l s o thi s p ower ,
th a t on wh oms oever I s h a ll l a y my h a n d s h e ma y r ece ive t h e Holy ,

G hos t ( Act s viii

. He wh o i s g uilty of t h e s i n of s i mon y i s
ex c ommu n i ca t ed ; t o h i m t h e w or d s of St P a ul a pply : . Th y m on ey
p er i s h with th ee b ec a u s e th ou h a s t th ought th a t t h e gi ft of God
,

ma y b e pur ch a s e d wi th mon ey ( Act s viii

To give mon e y for
.

M a s s es i s h owever , n ot s i mon y ; it i s mu ch t h e s a me a s givi n g s ome

,

on e a n a lms a n d a s ki n g for h i s p r a yer s Nor i s t h e p a ymen t of fees

.

t o th e p a r i s h p r i es t for t h e exer c i s e c f h i s mi n i s t eri a l fun cti on s t o

3 46 Th e Comma n d men ts .

b e rec k on ed a s s imon y, b ec a u s e thes e fee s a re n ot a p r i ce p a id for

t h e di s ch a rge of s pi r itu a l duti es , b u t a con t r i b uti on t ow a r d s t h e
ma i n t en a n c e of th e p ri es t O th e rwi s e St P a ul w oul d n ot h a ve
. .

w ritt en thes e w or d s : They wh o w ork i n t h e h oly pl a ce e a t t h e thi n g s

th a t a re of t h e holy pla ce a n d they th a t s erv e t h e a lt a r p a r t a ke with
,

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 .

It i s well kn own th a t O u r L o rd mi r a cul ou s ly i mp ri n te d Hi s s a cred

c o un t en a n ce up on th e c lo th h a n d ed t o Hi m b y V er on i c a on t h e
Wa y t o C a lv a ry Th e Emp ero r Tib er iu s when s i ck h a d thi s cl oth
.
, ,

b r ought t o R ome a n d th e mer e s ight of it s ufc ed t o cur e h i m

,
. .

V e r on i c a i s s a id t o h a ve given i t t o St C lemen t t h e fell ow .

,

w orke r with St P eter a n d h i s s u c c es s or s i n t h e s ee of R ome

.
,
.

Thus it c a me t o St P et er s wh ere it i s y et p r es erved

.
,
In 1 84 9 a t .
,

C h r i s tma s it w a s exp os ed a n d for th ree h ou r s it w a s s u rr oun ded

, ,

b y a h a l o of b r illi a n t light Thi s cl oth s till b ea r s t h e i mp res s i on of

.

O u r L or d s fe a tu res ; th ey a re di s tin c tly di s cer n ib l e a n d s h ow h ow He

,

w a s mal tr e a t e d b y t h e b a rb a r ou s s oldi er y In fa ct thi s i ma g e a ffor d s .

,

s t r iki n g evid en c e o f t h e i rr ev e ren c e of ma n t ow a r d s G o d Th e s ight .

o f it i n s pi r e s u s with pi ou s h o rr or a n d h e a r t felt c on t r iti on F or a .

l on g ti me n o c opy w a s p ermitte d t o b e ma de of it ; thi s i s n o l on ger

th e ca s e a n d t h e p r i n t s of it a re n ow ven e r a t e d God ma ki n g kn own
, ,

b y mi r a cl es a n d s p eedy a n s w er s t o p r a y er h ow hi ghl y He a pp r oves ,

o f thi s d ev o ti on . At Ali c a n te i n Sp a i n a fter a l on g p er i od of, ,

d r ought a pi c tur e of t h e Holy F a ce w a s c a rr i e d i n p r oc e s s i on ; a t e a r

,

wa s s een t o r oll fr om t h e eyes of t h e pi ctu re a n d i n a few d a ys r a i n ,

fell a b un d a n tly . In Tours a l a rg e n umb er of c ur es w er e e ect ed i n

p r es en ce of a pi c ture of th e Holy F a ce a n d it w a s the re b y m ea n s of , ,

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
.
,

H oly F a ce w a s i n s titut ed i ts ob j ec t b ei n g t o m a k e a t on emen t for

,

s i n s of b l a s ph emy In th e r evel a ti on s of St G er t r ude w e re a d th a t

. .

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 eek t o effa ce fr om M y coun t en a n ce t h e m a rk s of di s g u remen t

c a u s e d b y b l a s ph eme r s t h e mor e I will r es t or e y ou r s oul d efa c e d b y
, ,

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
,

from t h e w a t ers o f B a pti s m

.

THE THIR D C O M MANDM EN T O F GO D .

O n M oun t Si n a i a l mighty God s p ok e, a n d s a id : R ememb e r th a t

th ou k eep h oly th e Sa b b a th d a y Si x d a ys s h a lt th ou l a b or a n d d o a l l
.

thy w ork ( Ex od xx 8 Th e Thi r d C omma n dmen t thu s con t a in s

. .
,
348 The Comma n d men ts .

them to tify t h e d a y b y ces s a ti on fr om w ork : Th e s ev en th d ay

s a nc

( 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 . .

Sa b b a th w a s s p ec i a lly s uit e d t o b e s et a p a r t for t h e pub li c w or s hip

b ec a u s e mor e th a n a n y o the r d a y it rec a lle d G o d s b en et s

of G o d ,

t o Hi s p eopl e ( Ez ech xx . It w a s mor eove r typi c a l of t h e re s t

.
, ,

i n t h e s epul ch re of t h e futur e M es s i a s Th e Jew s w ere ext reme ly

.

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
, .

A ma n foun d g a th er in g a few s ti cks on t h e Sa b b a th d a y wa s s t on ed

( Numb xv . Th e Ph a ri s ee s would n ot a ll ow th a t it wa s l a wful
.

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 .

Sun d a y i s a fe s tiv a l of t h e Holy Tr in ity ; for on t h e r s t d a y

of t h e w eek God th e F a th e r b eg a n t h e w ork of c r e a ti on , G od t h e Son

ros e fr om th e dea d, a n d God th e Holy G h os t d es cen d e d up on th e

a p os tl es Th e a p os tles were a uth or iz ed t o t r a n s fe r t h e d a y of r es t
.

fr om Sa tur d a y t o Sun d a y, b ec a us e it w a s n ot s o mu c h t h e ob s erv a n ce

of t h e Sa b b a th , a s t h e ob s e r v a n ce of a xe d d a y i n ea c h w eek up on
whi c h God i n s i s t ed i n t h e comma n dmen t Th ey were a ll t h e mor e a t.

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
.

t o Hi s s ervi c e, b eca u s e on it He r os e from t h e d ea d St Ju s ti n ( 1 3 9 . .

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
. .

ti n g th e d a y wh er eon th e L or d , lik e t h e r i s i n g s u n ros e from t h e ,

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 .

God ma d e th e light ; t h e H oly Gh os t ca me d own i n t on gu es of re,

a n d on thi s d a y w e r e c e iv e s pi ritu a l en light en men t Th e Emp e r or .

C on s t a n ti n e t h e Gre a t en j oi n ed t h e ob s erv a n ce of Sun d a y a s a d a y of

r es t thr oughout t h e Roma n emp i r e ; a n d C h a rl ema gn e c a us e d th os e
wh o vi ol a te d it t o b e n e d .

4 . We b oun d on Sund a y t o a b s t a i n fr om s ervi l e w ork a n d

a re
c
t o a s s i s t a t th e p ub l i M a s s ; w e ough t, mor eov er, t o empl oy t hi s
d a y i n p rov i di ng for th e s a l va t i on of our s oul , t h a t i s t o s a y b y
c
a p p r oa chi n g t h e s a r a men t s , b y p ra y er , h ea r i n g s ermons , r ea d i n g
s p i r i t u a l b ook s , a n d p erformi ng w ork s of mer y c .

Ser vile w ork i s th a t whi ch en t a il s s ever e phys i ca l exe r t i on , a n d i s

exh a u s ti n g t o t h e b o dily s t ren gth It i s th e w o rk gen er a lly d on e b y
.

s er v a n t s men i a l s a rti s a n s a n d l a b orer s ; i n a w or d th e w ork b el on g

, , ,

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
.

merc i a l t r a n s a c ti on s a re i n clude d i n th e p r ohi b iti on ; y et i n d efer en c e

t o l oc a l cu s t oms , t h e r ul e i s r el a xe d i n s ome c oun t r i es H oweve r . .

b uyi n g a n d s elli n g mu s t n ot b e c a rr i ed on du ri n g t h e h ours of divi n e

wor s hip As G od r es ted on th e s ev en th d a y , s o we ought t o r es t As
. .

Ch ri s t on Ea s t e r Sun d a y l eft t h e gr a ve cl oth es i n t h e s epul chr e a n d

-

r os e tr iumph a n t , s o w e ought t o l a y a s ide ou r ea rthly b us i n es s , a n d

on th e pi n i on s of p r a y er s oa r a l oft t o G od Phys i c a l r ep os e i s n eces
.

s a ry, b eca u s e it i s i mp os s i b l e for on e wh o i s g r ea tly fa tig u e d t o p r a y

 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts o f God . 3 49

well . Pub li c wor s hip i s t h e h oly s a cr i ce of t h e M a s s g en er a lly a c ,

c omp a n i ed b y a s ermon In t h e r s t c en tu r i es of C hri s ti a n ity t h e

.

C h r i s ti a n s w er e a ccu s t ome d t o a s s emb l e on Sun d a y s t o h ea r M a s s ,

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 ,

i n t h e p r es en t d a y Ther e i s n o a c t o f C h r i s ti a n w ors hip th a t c a n

.

comp a r e i n dign ity a n d v a lue with t h e h oly s a c r i c e of t h e M as s .

O n Sun d a y w e ought t o p r ovide for th e i n ter es ts of ou r s oul ; phys i ca l

r e s t i s ord a i n e d i n or de r th a t w e ma y l a b or mor e diligen tly for ou r
s
p i r itu a l w el fa r e ; a n d w e m u s t n o t c on ten t ou r s elves with putti n g on
b etter cl othe s b u t mu s t cl e a n s e a n d a d orn o u r h ea r ts
, Th e c es s a ti on .

fr om t h e w ork of t h e w eek give s a n opp o rtun ity t o th e fa ith ful i n ,

c ompli a n c e w ith t h e mi n d of t h e C hu r ch t o a pp r oa c h t h e s a c r a men t s , .

Th ey a re en cour a g ed t o r eceive h oly c ommu n i on on Sun d a ys a n d \

h olyd a ys a n d t o give th ems elv es t o p r a yer ; for thi s r e a s on a ft ern oon

,

s ervi c e s a re h eld a n d t h e chu r ch es s t a n d op en for p r iv a t e d ev oti on s

, !
.

O u r for efa th ers u s e d t o r ea d s pi r itu a l b o ok s h omili es o n t h e G os p el ,

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 .

He ga ve gr e a t offen ce to t h e Jews He i n t en ded t o tea ch u s t o d 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 .

We a re n ot w ork t h a t i s a b s olut ely n ec e s s a ry

forb idden t o d o .

O u r L or d d oes n ot d es i r e ma n t o s uffe r on a ccoun t of t h e Sun d a y

r es t for He s a ys : Th e Sa b b a th w a s ma de for ma n a n d n ot ma n for
, ,

th e Sa b b a th ( M a rk ii All w or k ma y b e d on e whi c h i s r e qui re d

.

for t h e s upp or t of li fe ; w e ma y h a ve ou r foo d p r ep a r ed a n d a re ,

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
. .
, , , ,

s erv i ce . Eccl es i a s ti c a l a uth or iti es h a ve th e p ower t o g ra n t s p ec i a l

p er mi s s i on for s erv il e w ork t o b e d on e on Sun d a y i f th er e i s s u f ,

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
, , .

An d a s th e chi ef a n d p r ima ry ob j e ct for whi c h Sun d a y i s i n s tituted

i s t o p r omot e t h e s pi r itu a l w el fa r e a n d et ern a l s a lv a ti on of m a n ki n d ,

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 : .

Th e p r i e s t s i n t h e Templ e b r e a k t h e Sa b b a th a n d a re with out

b l a me
( M a tt xi i .W ork s of mer cy a re a l s o en j oi n e d ; n othin g
.

i s mor e p r ot a b l e t o s a lv a ti on tha n th es e for on th em ou r eter n a l ,

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
. .

cept a l s o for t h e p erform a n c e of ch a rit a b l e w o rk s on Sun d a y :

It i s
l a w ful t o d o a g oo d d eed on th e Sa b b a th d a y ( L uk e x ii Some .

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 ,

ma i n d er of Su n d a y i n s ervi n g th e s i ck Y e t it mu s t b e r ememb ere d .

th a t on ly s u ch s e rvi le w ork a s i s a b s olutely n eces s a ry i s pe rmitt ed .

a lth ou gh i t s ob j ect b e a c ha r it a b l e on e F or i f it i s l a wful t o d o a l l

.
3 50 Th e Comma n d men ts .

s erv il e wor k without di s ti n c ti on whi ch w a s for t h e b en et of t h e p oor ,

a ll a r ti s a n s a n d l a b o r er s might g o on with th e i r w ork a n d tha t w oul d ,

b e b y n o mea n s p e rmi s s i b l e ( Su a r ez ) Nec es s a ry w or ks of mercy .

exempt fr om t h e ob lig a ti on of a tt en d a n c e a t pub li c w or s hip ; th ey a re

i n thems elves a n a ct of wor s hip ( Ja s i 2 7 O u r L or d s a ys :
. I will .

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
. .

w a y p os s ib le pub li c w ors hip s h ould n ot b e omitted Th es e thi n g s .

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 . .

Wh a t i s it r ig ht t o d o i f a con ag ra t i on b rea ks ou t j us t b efore

t h e time of M a s s or i f th e r e i s a n i n un d a ti on ? O cc u p a t i on s of a n
,

un imp ort a n t ki n d ma y b e en g a ge d i n God d oes n ot re quir e u s t o s i t ,

idle on Sun d a ys ; b es ides w r iti n g mu s i c a n d a ll men t a l empl oy

, ,

men t s a re l a wful Sun d a y i s a l s o i n s tituted a s a d a y of res t ; on it

.

we ma y freely en j oy i nn ocen t divers i on s .

Si n s Aga i n s t th e Th i rd C omma n d men t .

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 .

Th e C hr i s ti a n ought t o a ll ow h i s s erva n t s a n d even h i s c a ttl e, t o

res t on t h e Sun d a y ( Exo d xx Serva n ts a pp ren ti ces , a n d a l l
. .
,

w h o a re i n a s ub or di n a t e p os iti on ought n ot t o r em a i n i n a s itu a ti on

,

wh er e th ey c a n n ot full th e i r r eligi ou s ob lig a ti on s Servil e work i s .

a mo r t a l s i n i f it b e d on e for more th a n t wo or three ho u rs on

,

Sun d a y with out u r gen t n eces s ity Y et h a r d w ork, i f d on e for a

.

s hor t er time o r light w or k for t h e s a me ti me i s n ot mort a l s i n ; n or

, ,

i s it s o i f a n ot ver y va lid r e a s on i s c oun t e d on a s a n ex c u s e n or ,

a g a i n i f a s e rv a n t d oes wh a t h i s ma s t e r with out cog en t g roun d s , ,

requi r es of h i m thr ough fea r of evil c on s e qu en ces t o hi ms el f In t h e

, .

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 e rvil e w or k even for a s h o r t ti me it i s a g r i ev ou s s i n

, ,
O u r L or d .

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 t on e s h ould b e h a n g e d a b o ut h i s n e ck a n d th a t h e s h oul d b e d r own ed

,

i n t h e depth s of t h e s e a ( M a tt xviii God th re a ten e d t h e Jew s

. .

mos t emph a ti c a ll y s a yin g th a t a n y on e wh o p r ofa n ed th e Sa b b a th

,

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 .

En tert a in men ts given on Sa tur d a y a re often t h e c a u s e why

C a th oli cs omit M a s s on Sun d a y Wh a t folly excl a i ms St F r a n c i s

.
,
.

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
, ,

on e s duti es for fr iv ol ou s a mu s emen t s !

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 .

G a mes whi ch i n v ol ve mu ch ph ys i ca l exer ti on hun tin g d a n ci n g , , .

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
,

thi n g u n s eemly ; b r a wl s extr a v a g a n t exp en ditu r e di s i n cl i n a ti on for

, ,

w ork W ors e s till i f th e a mu s emen ts a re s i n ful i n th ems elv es ; for

.
,

w h os oever committ eth s i n i s t h e s erva n t of s i n ( Joh n viii and .

3 52 Th e Comma n d men ts .

h a s p r os p er ed . Some Jews s till r igor ous ly k eep t h e Sa b b a th , and no

di s a dv a n t a g es en s ue to them .

Th e p rofa n a ti on of th e Lor d s D a y i s frequ en tl y p u n i s h ed

2 .

wi th t emp or a l evi l s , s i ckn es s a n d p overty .

B e ca us e t h e Jew s h a b itua ll y vi ol a t e d th e s a n c tity of th e Sa b b a th

G od p ermitte d N a b u ch od on os or t o des t roy Je ru s a l em a n d t a ke th e
p eopl e in t o c a ptivity ( 2 Es d x iii Th e us u a l pu n i s hmen t for
. .

p r ofa n in g Sun d a y a n d n ot h e a r i n g M a s s i s t o b ec ome th e c a p t ive

of vi c e Thos e wh o work c on ti n u ou s ly r uin th ei r h ea lth ; ma n c a n n o
.

more live with out t a ki n g r ep os e th a n with out e a tin g Thus t h e d a y .

of r es t i s n ot on ly a r eligi o u s duty b u t a n a tu r a l n ec es s ity To th os e

, .

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 . .

gr eed of g a in des e cr a te Sun d a y ob t a in t h e v ery opp os ite of the i r ,

a im . Th e C hin e s e h a ve n o xe d d a y of res t a n d t o wh a t a depl or a b le ,

s ta t e of d eg r a d a ti on a n d mi s er y b o th phy s i c a lly a n d m or a lly , th ey ,

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 .

Thi s s i n c a u s es t h e di s i n t egr a ti on of t h e fa mily If th e memb ers .

of a fa mily n egl ec t pub li c w or s hip th ey l o s e a l l s en s e of th ei r duti es ,

a n d fa ll i n t o evil w a ys Th e fa ther b ecomes di s s olute , t h e mother

.

i n di ffe ren t t h e childr en i n s ub or di n a te

, Th e fa th er d oe s n ot ful l .

h i s duty t o h i s c hildren ; occ upi e d a ll t h e w eek h e s ees b u t little of

th em ; on Sun d a y h e h a s l e i s u r e t o ob s erve thei r i n divi du a l ch a ra c
t er s a n d give them u s eful in s t ru cti on
,
Th e di s i n tegra ti on of .

s oc i ety foll ow s th a t of t h e fa mily ; t h e p r ofa n a ti on of Sun d a y i s a n

op en v i ol a ti on of G o d s l a w ; t h e y ok e of t h e s ec ul a r l a w i s n ext

th r ow n off; n o r es p ect i s s h own t o t h e a uth or ity of th e ki n g t h e ,

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 .

r eg a r d t o th e h olyd a ys of ob lig a t i on gr a du a lly l os e a l l s en s e of th e i r ,

r eligi ous duti es ; they fo rget G od thei r n al en d a n d b ec ome lik e , ,

h ea then Th os e wh o a re n ot fo un d on Sun d a y a mon g th e childr en of

.

G od on ea r th w ill b e ex clud ed fr om Hi s p res en ce t o a ll et ern ity

, By .

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 .

W ork may be ei th er b odi l y or men t a l .

It mus t n ot b e th ought th a t b y th os e wh o wo rk on ly s erv a n ts , ,

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 , ,

s ch o ol ma s te r s d oc t ors et c a re i n clude d u n d e r th e ter m Th e l a tte r

, , .
,
.

d o n ot i n d e ed w ork with th e i r h a n ds b u t with the i r h ea d ; a n d ,

men t a l w ork i s fa r mor e di fcul t a n d fa tigui n g th a n phys i c a l ex er

ti on .

W ork w a s formerl y h el d to b e d eg ra d i n g, un til i t wa s

s a n c t i ed b y O u r Lo r d .
 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God . 3 53

Amon g th e p a g a n s ther e were t wo cl a s s es o f p eople : t h e upp e r or

g overn in g cl a s s a n d th e s l a ves th e worki n g cl a s s In s ome s t a tes
, , .

a rti s a n s w er e dep r ived o f c ivil r ight s As w ork wa s r eg a rded a s a .

degr a d a ti on men u s ed e ith e r t o j oi n t h e a rmy or s p en d thei r d a ys

, ,

i n i dl en es s At O u r L or d s comi n g He g a ve dig n ity t o l a b or b y Hi s

.

ex a mpl e ; He ch os e a c a r p en t e r for Hi s fos t er fa ther a n d fr om a n -

ea rly a g e He w ork ed Hi ms el f In t h e p a r a b le of t h e l a b orers i n t h e

.

vin ey a r d He g a ve Hi s hea rer s t o un ders t a n d th a t work w a s n ec es s a r y

for s a lv a ti on ( M a tt M a n y emi n en t men h a v e n ot di s d a in ed
.

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
. .

work of h i s h a n d s ( Act s xx h e w a s a t en t ma ker ( Ac t s xviii

.
-
.

Th e mon k s of ol d ti mes occ upi ed th ems elves with a g r i c ultu re, a n d

i n tr a n s cr i b in g ma n u s c r ipt s Wo rk i s n o humili a ti on ; on th e c on
.

t ra ry it i s g r ea tly t o a ma n s c redit t o ma i n t a i n hi ms el f b y hi s own

,

ex erti on s ( L eo V i ce a n d p r ide a l on e r ea lly d egr a de a ma n .

He wh o s erv es h i s fell ow ma n b ec a u s e it i s t h e will of God r ea lly

-

s erves G od Wh o l a ys t h e ob lig a ti on up on h i m C hr i s t Hi ms el f did .

n ot c om e t o b e s erv ed b u t t o s e rve He wh o i s t h e s erv a n t of a n other

, .

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 .

1 . Th e ob l i ga ti on t o w ork was la id up on ma nki n d b y God

af e t r th e Fa l l a s a p ena n ce .

P revi ous t o t h e F a ll of ou r rs t p a ren t s w ork w a s on ly r el a x a

a

ti on for ma n But a ft er t h e . F a ll God s ai d t o Ad a m : In t h e s we a t

of thy fa ce th ou s h a lt ea t b r ea d un til th o u r eturn , to t h e ea rth ou t
of whi ch th ou w er t t a k en ( Gen iii . .

2 . Ev ery i ndivi d ual wh o ca n work i s b oun d to work . St Pa ul

.

sa ys : If a ny ma n wi ll not work , nei t h er l et hi m ea t ( 2 Th es s .

No ma n i s free fr om or igi n a l s i n , a n d on a ccoun t of origi nal s i n

we a re ob lige d t o d o p en a n c e, thus a l l mu s t w ork In o r der t o c om .

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 .

p eople on t h e e a rt h w ould d i e of hun ger Th e r i ch a re n ot exempt .

fr om thi s ob lig a ti on ; th ey c a n give t h e pr oceed s of th ei r w ork i n

ch a r ity or a t l ea s t d ev ote th em t o s o me g oo d ob j e c t
, R oy a l p er .

s on a g es h a ve oft en w ork e d cos tly ves tmen t s for t h e C hu rc h ; qu een s

a n d p r i n c es s es u s ed t o Sp en d a g rea t p a rt of the i r ti me i n thi s
ma nn er U p on a r i ch ma n b e i n g on ce a s ked why h e w a s al w a ys
.

w orki n g a t s omethi n g or other th ough th ere w a s n o n ee d for h i m ,

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 ? .

monk s p rovid ed th a t th ey s h ould b e oc cupi ed a lt ern a tely with

,

p r a yer a n d w ork Nothi n g b u t ol d a g e, b odily i n rmi t i es a n d s i ck

.
,

n es s ex empt fr om thi s u n iver s a l l a w M a n i s b orn t o l a b o r a n d

.

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 . .

t o w o rk with y ou r own h a n d s a s w e c omma n d e d y ou ( 1 The s s iv

, . .

3 . Every ma n i s b oun d p ri ma ri l y t o p erform th e w ork a pp er

t a i ni ng t o hi s c a l l n g or s a
i t ti on .
35 4 Th e Comma n d men ts .

There a re va r i ous t a tes of l ife i n huma n s oc i ety ; there

g ra des or s

a re e cc l es i a s ti cs phy s i c i a n s la wyers s oldi er s ma rri ed p eople a n d

, , , ,

un ma rr i ed ; huma n s oc i e ty i s like a b ody e a ch memb er of whi ch h a s ,

i ts own i n dividu a l fun c ti on s ( 1 C o r x ii or lik e a c l oc k i n w hi ch . .

,

a l l t h e wh eel s l a r g e a n d s ma ll w ork i n t o on e a n other It i s God Hi m

, , .

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

,

ca lli n g Thus i f a ma n feel s i n w a r dly dr a wn t o on e p a rti c ul a r s t a t e

.
,

h e ought t o ob ey thi s a ttr a c ti on j us t a s t h e mi g ra t ory b i rds ob ey t h e ,

moti on th a t t ea c hes them t o s ee k a wa rme r cli me i n th e a utumn .

Th os e wh o d o n ot foll ow th a t i n t e r i or i mpul s e b u t fo rce thems elves ,

t o emb r a c e a ca lli n g for whi c h t hey feel n o i n cli n a ti on t oo oft en ,

s h a r e t h e fa t e of t h e b i r d s wh o d o n ot j o u rn ey s out hw a r ds ; lik e t hem

they d o n ot thr ive P a ren t s ought n ot t o c omp el thei r child ren t o

.

en ter a p r ofes s i on for whi c h th ey h a ve n o a tt r a c ti on As ou r voca .

ti on comes fr om G od i n full li n g i t s ob lig a ti on s w e s er ve Hi m ;

,

c on s e qu en tly t h e duti es of ou r s t a t e ought t o t a k e p re c e den ce of a ll

oth er s In s ome c a s es we h a ve t o lea ve God for God
. Th e ob j ec t .

for whi ch C hri s t c a me in to t h e w orld w a s t o re d eem i t a n d wh en t h e ,

time c am e for Hi m t o full t h e duti es of th a t v oc a ti on everythi ng

el s e w a s ma d e s ub s ervi en t t o i t R ememb e r Hi s w o r ds i n t h e Templ e
.

when He w a s tw elve yea r s of a g e ( Luk e ii a n d h ow He n egl ecte d .

t o t a k e foo d while c on v er s ing with t h e Sa ma rit a n a t Ja cob s w ell

,

( John iv So M os es a ct e d ; wh en G od t old h i m on M oun t Si n ai

.

th a t t h e p eopl e h a d s i n n ed gr i evou s ly h e i mmed i a tely left c on ver s e ,

with God a n d retu r n ed t o t h e c a mp ( Exod xxxii 7

, . .

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

p erf ec t i on ; th e n egl ec t of th em en t a i l s fa t al c ons equ en c e s b ot h

i n t i me a n d i n et ern i ty .

Th os e wh o ti ous l y a c compli s h th e duties of thei r cal li n g

c on s c en i
a re c on s c i en ti ou s i n a l l thi n g s L ike th e p r i n c ip a l wh eel i n a ma
.

chi n e i f thi s g oes w ell a l l el s e g oes w ell ; b u t i f it s t op s t h e wh ol e of

, , ,

t h e w o rk s a re a t a s ta n ds till In th e p r oces s for c a n on iz a ti on th e rs t

.
,

i n qui ry i s h ow t h e ca n did a te h a s ful lle d t h e duti e s of h i s c a lli n g .

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

,

me a n s of a tt ai n i n g p erfec ti on Thos e wh o delud ed b y th e d evil .

, ,

n egl ec t thei r du t i es for p r a ye r a n d pi o u s w o rk s commit s i n

If a .

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 .

th os e p r a y wh o will n ot w ork ; a ll pi ety i s fa l s e whi ch i s n ot s u b

o r di n a t e d t o th e cl a i ms of ou r c a lli n g for n o s t a t e of li fe i f l a wful , , ,

i s a hi n d ra n ce t o s a lva ti on .

4 . W e mus t for get God i n wh a t we d o ; b efore a nd duri ng

n ot
our w ork we s h oul d i mp l or e Hi s a i d a nd r en ew our i nt ent i on .

G o d s b l es s i n g w e n ee d i f ou r work s h oul d s u cceed Wi tn es s th e

.

mi r a cul ou s d r a u gh t of s h es ( L uk e Th r ee men with G od s b l es s in g

will d o more wo rk i n a d a y th a n t en with out it To b eg i n on e s w o rk

.

with out p ra yer i s a s i f a s oldi er wen t t o b a ttl e with out we a p on s St . .

33 6 The Comma n d men ts .

F or i f w e onl y th i n k of p res en t p r ot w e s h a ll w o rk les s well a nd we ,

s h a ll los e t h e e ter n a l p r ot t o whi c h we s how o u rs elv es i n di fferen t .

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

3 B y omi tt i n g to offer to God th e work th a t i s d on e

. .

Th e R ela x a ti ons P ermi tted 00 th e C hri s ti a n .

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 ,

i s a mea n s of ren ewi n g on e s

t hi s s t ren gt h aft er on e s work i s

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 .

a re p r o du c tive of mu ch g ood ; th ey p r omot e ch a r ity a n d c on c o r d It .

i s G o d s will th a t w e s h ould en j oy rec re a ti on ; He h a s p r ovided us

with ple a s u r es i n n a tur e a lon e ; t h e b ea ut eous c olor i n g th e d eli ci ous ,

p erfume of t h e ower s ; th e s on g of b i r ds th e v a r i ou s ki n ds of fru it , ,

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 ,

fe a s t a n d He s p ea ks with out di s a pp r ov a l of mu s i c et c ( L uke xv

, , . .

W e mus t n ot h owever i n du lge too freel y i n a mu s emen ts

2 .
, , ,

a n d c ert a i n l y w e mu s t es ch ew a l l t h os e t h a t a re s i n ful ; more

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 .

We mu s t b e t oo gr e a t vot a r i es of pl e a s ure, for d iver s i on s a re

n ot
n ot t h e ob j e ct of li fe they a re on ly a mea n s of r en ewin g ou r
,

s t ren gth a ft er ou r w ork L i fe i s for w or k, n ot for pl a y

. Exces s i n .

everythi n g i s h a rmful ; medi c in e t ak en i n t oo l a rg e d os es i s i n

j u r i ou s a n d t h ,e b e s t c o n di m en t s i f t o o fr eely u s ed, s p oil a
,

di s h So it i s with a mus emen t s ; they a re on ly t o b e en j oyed when

.

a ll ou r duti es h a ve b een duly p erformed Th e th ought of dea th i s a .

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 .

pl ea s ur e a n d c r a vi n g for exc it emen t p reva il s i n th e p res en t d a y ; on e

fes tivity a n d di s s ip a ti on foll ow s a n oth er, a n d y et every wh er e on e
m
h ea r s co pl a i n t s of t h e evil ti mes M a y n ot t h e thi r s t for en j oymen t
.

b e t h e ca us e ? Ab ove a l l , d a n ger ous or s in ful pl ea s u re s a re t o b e

a vo id ed s u ch a s g a mb li n g for high s t a ke s , g a me s of c h a n c e whi ch
,

a re p r ohi b it e d s l a n d er i n g t h e a b s en t, s a r c a s ti c s p eech es , un s eeml y

,

w or d s or c on tempt of h oly thi n gs Th os e wh o i n dulge i n s u ch

,
.

plea s ur es a re like th a n kl es s children wh o delight i n offen di n g thei r

fa th er Wh en en j oyi n g i n n ocen t pl ea s ures we s h ould thin k of God ,
.

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

La s t Judgmen t w a s h a n d h e repli e d : I s h oul d n is h t he g a me for

at , ,

I a m pla yi n g for t h e glory of God a n d He i s p res en t to my th ought s ,

.

THE SIX C OM MANDMENTS OF THE C H U RCH .

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 .

Th e s ixt h for b i ds u s to ma rry n on C a t h oli s , or to s ol emni z e -

c
ma rri a ge a t fo rb id den ti mes .

2 . We are un d e r a ri gorous ob l i ga ti on to k eep th e omma nd c

ments of c
th e Ch ur h , for di s ob edi en c e to c
th e Ch ur h i s di s ob edi
en e c to Ch ri s t
.

C hr i s t h a s con ferr ed up on th e C hur ch t h e s a me p owers whi ch He

Hims elf r eceived fr om Hi s F a the r ; He s a id t o Hi s a pos tles : As t h e

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
. .

w e di s ob e y C h r i s t ; a s He told t h e a p os tles : He tha t des pi s e th y ou ,

d es pi s e th M e ( L uke x

O u r L or d s pea ks of t h e C hurch a s a
.

kin gdom ; He a ls o comp a r es it t o a fold , t o te a c h u s th a t th e children

of t h e C hu r ch mu s t ob e y the i r eccles i a s ti c a l s up e r i ors Every .

s oc i et y i s a uth or ize d t o ma ke l a w s whi ch th e memb e rs mus t ob s erv e ;

t hi s the C hurc h d oes ; a n d b y h er mouth God ma kes Hi s will kn own
to us .

He th erefor e wh o wa n tonl y vi ola tes on e of th e C h u r c h

s

l a ws , c o mmits a gri ev ou s s in .

O u r Lor d ex p res s ly s a ys th a t h e wh o will n ot h ea r t h e C hurch

i s to b e reg a rd exi a s a h ea then ( M a tt xv iii U n d e r th e O l d . .

D i s p en s a ti on dea th wa s th e pun i s hmen t of on e wh o th r ough p rid e

s houl d r efu s e t o ob ey t h e comma n dmen t o f t h e high p r i es t ( D en t .

xvii . Thu s we s ee th a t fr om t h e rs t r eb e lli on a g a i ns t t h e

s pi ritu a l a uth or ity wa s a h ein ou s s i n .

Th e rul ers of th e C hu r h are empower ed to di s p en s e th e

3 . c
fa it h ful fr om th e ob s erv a n c e of a n y of th e omma n dmen ts of th e c
c
C h u r h for wei gh ty rea s on s .
35 8 The Comma n d ments .

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 .

h a s s a n c ti on e d t h e t r a n s fe r en c e of c er t a i n h olyda ys t o th e foll owi n g

Sun d a y i n s ome c ou n t r i es .

1 .THE F IR ST C OM M ANDM ENT OF THE CHUR CH :

THE OB SER VANC E 0F S UND AY S AND HOL YDAY S .

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 .

fes t i v a l s of Our Lor d, v e of Our La dy, a n d t h r ee of th e s a i nt s .

Th e rly Ch r i s t i a n s kept a gr ea t n umb er of fes tiv a l s i n o r de r t o

ea
keep a live th e memory of c ert a i n even ts or b en ets r e ce ived fr om God
a s t h e a n n ivers a r i es c a me r oun d Th es e fea s t s wer e i n s tituted th a t
.

t h e even t s th ey c ommemor a t e might b e r ememb er e d t o a l l ti me b y

t h e fa ithful a n d p r a i s e a n d th a n k s givi n g b e r en d ered t o God for
,

th em U nh a ppily s ome p er s on s on ly ma rk thes e fe s tiv a ls b y p ro

. .

y idi n g a more li b er a l t a b l e a s i f St Jer ome r ema rk s b y ea tin g

, , .
,

a n d dr i n ki n g on e could h on or th os e wh o s ought t o pl e a s e God b y

fas tin g a n d mort i c a t i on .

Th e s even feas ts of O u r Lord a re C h ri s tma s ( D ec 2 5th ) ; .

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 ) .

As t h e n a tivity a n d t h e res urr ecti on of O u r L or d a n d t h e comin g

of t h e H oly G h os t a re even t s of p r i ma ry i mp o rt a n ce t h e a ,

b ra t ed with p ecul i a r s olemn ity In Eu r op e a n coun t r i es t e 2 6 t h of

.

D ec emb er t h e fea s t of St Steph en a n d t h e t wo d a ys i mme di a tely

, .
,

followi n g Ea s ter D a y a n d P en tec os t a re kept a s fea s t s of d ev oti on , .

Th e v e fea s t s of th e M oth er of God a re : Th e Imma cu

c
l a t e C on ep t i on ( D ec 8th ) Th e Na ti vi ty of O u r L a dy ( Sep t
. .

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 .

Th e li fe of t h e M o th er of G od i s s o i n tima tely c on n ec te d with th a t

o f h er divin e Son th a t t h e C hu rc h c ommemo r a t es i t s p r i n c ip a l e ven t s .

U n like t h e othe r s a i n t s w h o a re c ommemor a te d on t h e d a y of th e i r

,

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
,

,

b i r th i s s ol emn iz ed b eca u s e s h e w a s b orn with out s i n

,
.

Th e t h r e e fes ti v a l s of th e s a in t s are : ( 1 ) Th e fea s t of St

St ep h en ( D ec 2 6 th ) , n o l on ger a h ol y d a y of ob li ga t i on ;
.

Th e fea s t of St P et er a n d St Pau l ( Ju n e 2 9th ) , n ot a h ol yd a y

. .

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) . .

In s ome l a n ds th e fea s t of th e p a tron s a i n t of th e oun try i s c

3 60 The Comma n d men ts .

t h e d i s c ipl es i n p r a yi ng for th e c omi n g of th e H ol y Ghos O n a lmos t . t

e ery d a y of t h e y ea r t h e Ch u rch c ommemor a tes on e or mo re of t h e
v
s ai n t s ; they a re like pl a n ets , r ev olvi n g a roun d th e Su n of us ti ce j .

Sh e b ids us c on s ide r the i r li es , h ow they i mit a t ed C h r i s t, a n d thus

v
b eca me p a ttern s of C hr i s ti a n p erfecti on ; a n d s h e des i r es to en co ur a g e
u s t o i mit a te Hi m t oo It i s b es ides th e i n ten ti on of t h e C hurch
.

tha t w e s houl d implore t he in t er ces s i on of th e s a i n t s , th a t w e may th e

more s ur ely b e ma de pa rt a ker s o f th e mer it s of C h r i s t F i n a lly b y .

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
,

th e w orld ; th e ch a r ity of th e Son Wh o di ed for ou r s a k es a n d th e

, ,

ch a rity of t h e H oly Spi rit Wh o d e s c en d ed t o a b ide with us

, There .

fore t h e r s t Sun d a y a fter P en tec os t i s ded i c a ted t o t h e Holy

Tr i n ity ; thi s fea s t li n ks a ll th e othe r three t ogether .

Ea ch of t h es e t hree gr ea t fea s ts h a s a s ea s on of p rep a ra ti on

p re c edi n g i t a s w ell as a s u b s equ en t c om m em o ra ti on .

Ad v en t i s th e s ea s on of p rep a ra ti on b efore C h ris tma s In .

th e s u b s equ en t p eri od w e h a v e th e fea s t of th e C ir cu mc is i on , t h e

Ep i ph a n y, th e P u ric a ti on , a n d th e Sun da ys a ft er th e Ep i ph a n y .

Th e fou r weeks Adven t repres en t t h e four th ou s a n d yea rs

of
du r in g whi ch th e comi n g of t h e M es s i a s wa s exp ec te d Th e Im .

ma c ul a te C on cepti on occ ur s mos t s ui t a b ly i n Adven t t h e eighth ,

of D e c emb er for a t th e b i r th of C h r i s t t h e Su n of j us ti c e ros e up on

,

th e w orld di s pellin g t h e d a rkn es s of s i n a n d i g n or a n ce ; M a ry w a s

,

l ike t h e a u rora ( C a n t vi her al di n g th e c omi ng d a y Th e pe r i od

. . .

a fte r C h r i s tma s i s s ymb oli c a l of t h e youth of O u r L or d a n d of t h e ,

time whi ch i n te rven ed b efor e Hi s en try up on Hi s pub li c mi n is t ry ;

Hi s hidden life th a t i s a t Na z a reth
, , .

Th e forty da ys of Len t a re th e p rep a ra ti on for Ea s t er ; a n d

c
th e P a s h a l ti me l as ts du ri n g th e s u b s equ en t for ty d a ys b efor e
th e as c en s i on .

Th e p r ep a r a ti on for Len t i n cludes t h e th r ee Sun d a ys c a lled re

s p ec t i v el y Septu a g es i ma Sex a ges ima a n d Qui n qu a g es ima
Th ey w e r e s o n a med b ec a u s e i n t h e ea rly d a ys of C hr i s ti a n ity
ma n y commu n iti es b eg a n t h e fa s t fty, s ixt y, or s even ty d a ys b efore
Ea s ter i n ord e r n ot t o h a ve t o fa s t eve ry d a y of t h e forty Th e W ed
, .

n es d a y a fte r Qui n qu a ges i ma i s c a ll e d As h Wed n es d a y, b ec a u s e o f t h e

ce r emon y of S p ri n kli n g a s h e s up on th e for eh e a d s o f t h e fa ith ful On .

As h Wedn es d a y t h e s ea s on of L en t commen ces ; i t i s for ty s i x d a ys -

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

Sun d a ys , on whi ch we d o n ot fa s t D uring Len t t h e pub li c li fe of

.

O u r L or d i s s et b efore u s , Hi s p revi ous fa s t, Hi s P a s s i on a n d dea th .

Th e for ty d a ys whi c h i n terven e b e fore t h e a s ce n s i on r ep r es en t t h e

for ty da y s He s p en t on ea rth a ft er Hi s res urrec ti on Th e th ree d a ys .

b efore th e a s cen s i on a re t h e R og a ti on d a ys ; on thes e p roces s i on s a re

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
.

fou r weeks , s omet i mes ev en l on ger .

Th e t en d a ys b efore P en t ec os t rep res en t th e t en da ys duri n g

whi ch t h e a p os tles a wa ited t h e c omi n g of t h e Holy Spi r it ; t h e w eeks
th a t foll ow rep r es en t th e time th a t s h a ll ela p s e b efore t h e L a s t Ju dg
men t C on s e quen tly on t h e l a s t Su n d a y a fter P en tecos t t h e G os p el
.

r e a d i n chur ch i s tha t whi ch for et ell s O u r L or d s co min g a s our

Judge Th e fea s t s of Al l Sa i n t s a n d Al l Souls cl os e t h e eccles i as ti c a l

.

yea r Thi s i s t o s i g n ify th a t w e a re i n un b r oken comm un i on with

.

t h e b l es s ed i n h ea ven a n d t h e h oly s oul s i n pur g a t or y a n d th a t ou r

s ep a r a ti on fr om th em i s b u t t emp or a ry Al l Souls D a y occu rs s u it

.

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 .

In Adven t, a t l ea s t for u s wh o i nh a b it t h e n orth ern h emi s pher e,

t h e ni ght s a re l on ge r th a n t h e d a ys , a n d t h e li fe of veget a ti on i s a t
a s t a n ds til l ; s o it w as i n th e s pir itu a l or de r b efor e t h e comin g of

C hr i s t After C hr i s tma s th e d a ys b egin t o len gth en ; j us t s o t h e

.

b i rth of C h r i s t b r ought light t o t h e w orld At Ea s te r n a ture a wa

.

k en s t o n ew life a n d deck s h ers elf with ve r du re ; C hr i s t r i s es gl or i ou s

fr om th e de a d At Pen tec os t t r ees a n d mea dows a re i n th ei r full
.

b e a uty of lea f a n d b los s om ; with t h e comi n g of th e H oly Spi r it a

fres h era c ommen ces for ma n ki n d, a n d fa i r ow ers of holi n es s a re
b r ought forth .

Th e ep i s tl es a n d gos p el s , a s w el l a s th e h ymn s an d s e qu en ces

of th e M a s s , are s u i t ed t o t h e fes t i v a l s a n d s ea s on s of th e eccl es i

a s t i ca l y ea r .

Th e g os pel s p orti on s t a ken from th e four gos p el s a n d t h e

a re ,

epi s tl es fr om oth er p a rt s of H oly Sc r ipture They were o r igin a lly .

c ompil e d b y St Jer ome . .

2 . THE SEC OND C OM M AND M ENT OF THE C HUR C H .

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 .

F as tin g very a nci ent Even i n p a r a dis e i t was

an d a b s ta n ng are i i .

en j oin ed upo n ma n to a b s ta in fr om th e frui t of on e tr ee : mor eov er

,
cer tai n mea ts w ere forb idd en t o th e Jews p r k f i t a nce ( L ev
; o , or ns .

On t h e d a y of Pr opiti a ti on th e Jews w er e n ot p ermi tted to t a s te

food for twenty four hours -
Our Lord fas ted for ty days ; s o di d
.
362 Th e C omma nd ments .

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
.

s im i l a r ob liga tions up on the fa ithful .

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 .

Th es e l a ws w ere or igi na lly s o s tri ng ent tha t on th e fa s t d a y s not

'

on ly w a s a b s ti n en ce fr om es h mea t en j oi n ed, b u t milk, eggs , a n d

-

b utter w er e a ls o p r ohib ited ; a n d n o food w as to b e t a ken b efore s un

d own B u t owing to th e i n crea s e of cons titution a l w ea kn es s , an d s till
.

mor e b eca us e of th e s p r ea d of r eligi ous in differ en ce i n the cours e of

cen tur ies , t he rule h as b een mor e a n d mor e r ela xed B is hop s a re em .

p ower ed to p r es cr ib e, ea ch for hi s own di oc es e, on wha t d a ys mea t is

p ermitted Hen ce th e rule va ri es i n d ieren t dioces es , a n d i t is well
.

t o a tt en d c a r efu lly t o th e r eg ul a ti ons o f on e

s own di oc es e p ub li s hed
a t t h e b egi n ni ng of ea ch Len t .

Th er e a re t h ree d i v 1 s 1 0n s of t h e p res en t l aw : ( 1 ) Ab s t i nence

a l on e ; ( 2 ) F a s t a n d a b s t i n en e c c
omb i n ed ; ( 3 ) F a s t a l on e

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 .

No t ly i s mea t p r ohib ited, b u t a ll dis hes i n the p r ep a r a ti on of

on
whi ch it enters Fis h, turtle, a n d s hell s h ma y b e ea ten, a ls o eggs ,
.
-

mil k, a n d b utter , i n a lmos t a ll coun tri es Th e Chur ch h as forb idden .

t h e us e of mea t b eca us e C hri s t s a cri ced His es h for u s ; a ls o b eca us e

mea t is a n a rti cl e of food eas ily dis p ens e d wi th, a n d y et wh a t men
gener a lly like b es t Anoth er r ea s on i s to r emin d us tha t th e lus ts of
.

th e es h a re t o b e r es is ted ( Ga l v a n d thes e a re fos t er ed b y

. .

ea ti n g me a t Some p eople qu ote O u r L or d s w ord s :

Not thos e things

.

whi ch g o i nto th e mouth d ele th e ma n ( M a tt xv

as o pp os e d t o . .

this p rohib itio n ; b ut He als o s a id : The thi ngs th a t come from the

h ea r t, thos e things d ele t h e ma n ( M a tt xv

Dis ob edien ce to th e . .

Chur ch comes fr om th e hea r t, a n d th is it is w h ich d el es , n ot the

a ctua l mea t If a holy d a y of ob liga ti on fa lls on a F rid a y , mea t is
.

a ll ow ed, b eca us e O u r L or d w ould n ot ha ve us ab s ta in a t a ti me of

rej oi ci ng ( M a tt i x . .

In ea rl y a ges th e u s e of mea t wa s a ls o forb i d d en on Sa t ur

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
.
,

r es tri cti on up on thei r a mu ements on Sa tur day, i n view of b etter

s

s a nc ti fying th e morr ow.

3 64 The C omma/nd men ts .

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
.

time, they w ould have b een li a b l e to d is turb a n ce on th e p a rt of th e

p ga a ns O u r L o r.d Hi m s el f u s e d oft e n to p as s whole nights i n p r a y er
( L uk e vi Wh en
. a t a l a t er p er i o d th e a tte n d a n ce a t t h e n ightly
s ervic es fell OE , an
d i nconven ien ces aros e, t he Pop es j udged it a d
vis a b le t o tr a ns fer the celeb r a ti o n of the vigil to the d a y time Th e .

vi g il of Chris tmas i s the only one in whi ch th e n ightly c el eb ra tion

h as b een r eta in ed u p to the p r es en t time ; of a ll th e others n othi n g
s u rviv es b u t th e p as t .

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

.

5 It i s b y no means th e des i re of th e Ch ur h th a t we s h oul d

. c
fas t to th e i nj u ry of our h ea l th , or t h a t we s h oul d th ereb y b e
'

h i n dered from p erformi ng th e dut i es of our s t a ti on .

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 .

requi r es me a t diet, or w h o ca nn o t p erfor m thei r du ti es with ou t it ;

3 Th e p oor wh o live on th e food given them; 4 Serv a nts , b o a r ders ,
. .

tr a vellers , s oldiers a n d s a ilors , who ca n get no other tha n mea t diet .

Servan ts a n d b oa r ders mus t, how ever, try to n d a n other p l ace, where

they ca n keep the la ws of the C hurch It is allowed to t a ke s h a t the .

s a me mea l when mea t i s p er mi tted .

If y ou a re i n d oub t as to y ou r ob liga tion o f fas tin g or a b s ta in in g,

as k y ou r p a s to r or c on fes s or He ca n di s p en s e for good r eas on, a n d
.

will tell y ou wh a t to d o .

In th e United Sta tes the followi ng cus toms p r eva il : O n every d ay

of L ent excep t W edn es d a ys , Frid a y s , Emb er Sa tur d a y a n d Holy
'

Sa tur d a y for en oon , mea t i s a llow ed on ce a d a y to thos e b oun d to fas t ;

p ers ons not b ou n d t o fas t ma y ea t mea t on thos e d a ys as often as they
wis h M os t of th e b is hops gra n t a dis p ens a ti on to l a b orin g cla ss es
.

a n d thei r fa mili es on a l l d a ys of fas t or a b s ti n en ce of th e y ea r except

F rid a ys , As h W ed nes d a y, W edn es da y i n Holy W eek, Holy Sa turd a y
for en oon a n d th e v igil of C h ris tmas W h en a ny memb er o f s uch a .

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 .

2 Th e foll owi ng a re d i s p ens ed fr om fa s ti ng ( i e , fr om

. . .

t akin g on l y on e ful l mea l a d ay )

1 The s i ck, the w ea k, a nd thos e w h o a re r ecovering from ill nes s ;
.

2 Thos e w h o d o ha rd w ork a n d ca nn ot, i f they fas t , fulll th e duti es

.

of th eir s t a te of li fe ; 3 Thos e w h o a re t oo p oor t o b u y s tr en gthen ing

.

food for their chi ef mea l ; 4 Thos e who a re under t wenty on e or wh o

'
.
-

ha ve p as s ed their fty ninth year. -

 7 71 6 Ten Comma n d men ts o f God . 3 65

Y oun g p eopl e wh o h a ve n ot d on e g rowi n g r equi r e more th a n on e

full me a l a d a y ; of i n v al id s w e ha ve a l rea dy s p oke n In t h e c l a s s .

wh o a re eng a ge d i n a ctive a n d l a b or i ou s w ork, we i n clud e t h os e wh o

ex er t th ems elves for t h e temp or a l or s pi ritua l w el fa r e of thei r
fell ow me n , s uch a s c on fes s o rs , p rea c hers , ca techi s ts , s chool ma s te rs ,
-

n ur s es , phy s i c i a n s ma gi s t r a tes , e t c , wh o fr equ en tly r equi r e t o t a k e

, .

s omethi n g t o s us t a i n th ei r s tren gth Wh en th e i n uen z a wa s s o .

prev a len t, a g en er al di s p en s a ti on from fa s ti n g was g ra n t ed Th e .

comma n d t o keep ou rs e l ves i n hea l th i s given b y God , a n d i s a l a w of

ou r n a tur e ; wh erea s t h e p rec ept of fa s ti n g i s l a id on u s b y t h e

C hur ch ; a n d t h e l a w of God i s p a r a moun t a b ove th e l a w of t h e

C hur ch Th os e wh o c a n n ot fa s t s h ould s ub s titute for it s ome other
.

goo d w ork C on fes s ors h a ve or din a rily p ower t o dis p en s e from

.

f s t i n g , a n d i mp os e s ome other g ood w ork, p ra yer s or a l ms , i n i t s

9ga ce .

3 . No on e oug h t to c a fa s t in g t o a n ex es s , for w h a t God

r ry c
re q u i r es fr om us is ou r rea s on a b l e s ervi e ( R om x ii c . .

He ver does fa s ti n g i s li ke a c oa chma n wh o whip s h i s h ors es

wh o o
i n t o a g a llop a n d r u n s th e r i s k of up s etti n g t h e c a rr i a ge ; or like a n
,

ove rl a d en ves s el th a t i s ea s ily c a p s iz e d

, Even s ome of th e s a in t s w en t .

t o a n exc es s i n fa s tin g a n d a ft erw a r ds mu ch r eg r ette d it

, No on e .

ought t o ven tur e t o d o mor e th a n t h e ru l e p res cr i b es with out th e ,

a dvi ce of h i s c on fes s or O b edi en ce i s fa r b etter th a n s el f will ed

.
-

pi ety As a r ule it i s p refer a b le t o b e temp era t e every d a y of th e

.

w eek th a n t o fa s t rigor ou s ly on on e or t wo d a ys F a s ti n g i s i n ten ded .

t o d es t r oy t h e evil lu s ts of t h e b ody n o t t h e b ody it s el f We mus t

, .

d ea l with our b odi es as a p a ren t dea l s with h i s child ; h e does n ot

,

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 .
,

l i k e medi c i n e mu s t b e u s ed i n mode r a ti on o r it b eco mes i n j uri ous

, .

6 . Fas ti n g i s b ene i al b oth for th e c s oul a nd t h e b ody .

Th e i n t ellec tu a l p owers a re s h a rp en ed b y moder a ti on i n ou r foo d .

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 ,

o f t h e ki n gd om ( D a n By fas ti n g t h e s oul i s forti e d a n d

.

en a b l e d b oth t o b r i n g t h e b ody i n t o s ub j ec ti on ( 1 C or i x 2 7 and . .

t o over come t h e t empt a ti on s of t h e d evil Th e fort res s s u rr en der s .

wh en t h e ga rr i s on i s s t a rved ou t ; s o th e b od y, un der s tres s of hun ger ,

yi eld s t o th e will a n d t h e u n der s t a n di n g O u r b odi es h a ve t o b e t a med .

like wild a n i ma l s Th e devil re g a rd s th e es h a s hi s b es t a lly ; h e

.

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
.
,

d oes n ot ma k e th e h a l f s t a rved on e h i s vi c ti m Th e a thl ete wh o re

-

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 . .

t h e con t es t i s mos t lik ely t o c on qu er

, A high d egr ee of vi rt u e i s a l s o
.

a c qui r ed b y me a n s of fa s ti n g It i n cli n es ma n t o p r a yer ; it h elp s

.

h i m t o over come hi ms el f t o b e g en tl e p a tien t a n d ch a s te ; it ma k es

, , ,

h i m r es emb l e th e a n gel s wh o n eith er e a t n or d r i n k In th e s a me p r o

, .

p orti on th a t th e a n i ma l p a rt of ou r n a tu re is les s en ed ou r s pi r itu a l ,

n a tur e i s i n vigor a t ed ; lik e t h e S c al es of a b a l a n ce , a s on e goes d own

3 66 Th e Comma n d ments .

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
.

a b s t emi ou s n es s It i s t h e p a ren t of good hea lth Th e h e rmit s i n t h e

. .

Th eb a n des er t fa s ted r igo rou s ly a n d th ey liv e d t o b e a hun dred yea r s

ol d . Hipp oc ra te s t h e fa ther of medi c i n e r ea ch ed t h e a g e of on e h u n
, ,

dr ed a n d fo rty yea r s ; thi s h e a ttr ib ut ed t o th e fa ct th a t h e n ever

fully s a ti s ed h i s a pp et it e Th e Wi s e M a n s a ys :
.

He th a t i s t em
( Ecclus xxxvii a mo d er a te

p era te s h a ll p r ol on g h i s li fe . .

ma n a l s o en j oys wh ole s ome a n d s oun d s leep ( Ecclus xxx i By . .

fa s tin g w e ob t a i n from God th e p a r d on of ou r s in s ; witn es s t h e

Ni n i v i t es when th ey fas t ed ; b y it w e a l s o w ork off s ome of ou r pur
g a t ory Go d h ea rs a n d a ns w er s t h e p r a ye r s of th os e wh o fa s t ; He
.

h e a r d th e p r a yer s of t h e c en tur i on wh o fa s t e d un til t h e n in th ho ur

,

( 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
.

t o B ethuli a t h e i n h a b it a n t s b et ook th ems elves t o p r a ye r a n d fa s ti n g

, ,

a n d they w e r e d eliver ed i n a ma rv ell ous ma n n er b y Judith

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 .

i s a mea n s of ea rn i n g ext r a or di n a ry g r a ce s for God h a s ever b een ,

w on t t o r ec omp en s e it with s in gul a r fa v ors Aft er M os es h a d fas ted .

,

h e w a s a dm itted t o th e hon o r of c on vers i n g with God up on Si n a i .

Aft er Eli a s l on g fa s t God a pp ea r ed t o h i m up on M oun t H oreb ( 3

,

Ki n g s He wh o fa s t s gr ow s more a n d mor e s pi ritu a l ; h e i s i n a

,

mea s u re divin iz e d h en c e G od v ou ch s a fes t o h old i n t er c ou r s e with

,

h i m ( R od r iguez ) F a s ti n g i s rew a r de d a ft er de a th M os es a n d Eli a s

. .

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

,

t h e p a t r i a rch s h a d fa s t e d for ty d a ys a s He did Hen ce we s ee th a t .

gl ory i s res erve d i n a futur e li fe for th os e wh o fa s t i n thi s w orld In .

t h e P r efa ce for L en t t h e C hu rc h s i n gs : Wh o b y a b odily fa s t re

t vi ces u p l i ft es t ou r mi n d s a n d g ra n t es t s tren gth a n d re
w ar
s t ra n
s
s
e .
, ,

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 .

i n its elf a n ex cell en t thi n g ( 1 C or viii

F a s ti n g i s n ot b u t on ly . .

a s a mea n s whe reb y t h e s upp r e s s i on of ou r vi c e s a n d t h e p r a cti c e of

vi rtue i s fa c ilit a t ed How d oe s it p r ot a ma n i f h e a b s t a i n s from
.

mea t, a n d b y h i s c a lumn i es des t r oy s h i s n eighb or s reput a ti on ? Such

a on e ma y b e c omp a r e d t o a whit ed s epul ch r e outw a r dly b e a uti ful , ,

b u t foul withi n ( M a tt xx iii 2 7 Th e devil d oes n ot e a t , y et h e i s

. .

un ce a s i n gly empl oyed i n d oin g evil F a s ti n g with out p r a yer i s like

.

a l a mp with out oi l , b ec a u s e we on ly fa s t t o p r a y b etter F a s tin g .

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 .

3 . THE THIR D AND F O UR TH C OM M AND M ENTS OF

THE CHUR CH .

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 .

Thi s i s d on e i n th e c a s e of on e wh os e n egl ec t of h i s duty i s p u b

li cl y kn own a n d wh o h a s b ee n a d mo n i s h ed i n v a i n b y h i s p a s tor
, .

B efor e r efu s in g C hr i s ti a n b ur i a l t h e p ri es t i s b oun d t o r efer th e

,

ma tte r t o t he b i s h op ; a n d i f ti me does n ot a llow of thi s he ta kes t he ,

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 .

5 . THE SIXTH C OM M ANDM ENT OF THE CHUR CH .

M a r ri a ge a nd t h e p en i t en t i a l s ea s ons .

In th e s i xth commandment marri age wi th non Cath ol i cs i s for -

b i dden, a l s o th e ma rri a ge of th ose wh o a re rel a t ed b y b l ood ( con

c
s a n gui ni t y ) to th e thi r d degr ee i n l us i ve, or b y ma rr i a ge ( af
ni ty )
c c
to th e s e ond degree i n l us i v e Ma rri a ges a re not to b e s ol emni zed
.

d uri ng x ed s ea s ons Th es e p eni tent i a l ti mes are from the b egi n

.

ni ng of Adv ent unti l Ch ri s tma s Day, a nd from As h Wednes da y

until E a ster nday .

Thi s r ul e wa s ma de b y f Tren t ( C oun c il of Tren t,

t h e C oun c il o

2 4, F ormerly t h e p rohib iti on a l s o i n cluded th e p er i od b etween

th e M on d a y of R og a ti on w eek u n til t h e r s t Sun d a y a fte r P en t e
c os t ; i n s ome c ou n t r i e s a t t h e p r es en t ti me it a ppli es t o th e R og a ti on
d a ys a n d a ll fa s ts thr ough out t h e ye a r Adven t a n d L en t are s e as on s
.

o f p en a n ce a n d s orr ow for s i n , a n d fes tiviti es ill a cc or d with s orr ow .

M oreover i n Adven t t h e C hu rc h p r op os es t h e mys tery of th e Iuc a r

n a ti on , a n d i n L en t th e my s t er y of t h e r ed empti on for ou r med it a
ti on , a n d it w ould b e un s eemly t o divert ou r min ds from thes e
s ol emn s ub j ec t s b y w orldly a mu s emen t s Th e b i s h op c a n give p e r
.

mi s s i on for ma rr i a ges t o b e con t r a ct ed p r iv a tely du r in g the s e ti mes ;

for thei r pub li c s ol emn iz a ti on t h e a uth or iz a ti on of t h e H oly Se e i s
n ece s s a ry C on cert s a re n ot forb idden b u t d a n ces a re
.
, Thos e wh o .

t r a n s gres s thi s comma n d exp os e thems elves t o th e j udgmen t God .

th r ea t en s b y th e p r ophet : I will turn you r fea s ts i n to mou rn i n g

Amos viii .

THE F O UR TH C O M M ANDM EN T O F GO D .

In th e Fourth Comman dment God enj oi ns up on us t o h on or Hi s

r ep res ent a t i ves up on ea rt h , t h a t i s to s a y , our p a rents , a nd b ot h
cc c c
t h e e l es i a s t i a l a nd s e ul a r a ut h or i ti es .

1 . O UR D UTY TO WARD S O UR P ARENTS .

1 . Our p a rents a re t o b e h on or ed, b e c a us e t h ey a re God

s repre
v
 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts of God . 3 69

We hild ren of O u r Fa th er i n h ea ven a n d He ca u s es u s

a re a ll c ,

t o b e fed a n d b r ought up b y ou r ea rthly p a ren t s Thus p a ren ts .

t a ke th e pl a c e of G od i n reg a r d to t h e educ a ti on of thei r children ;

th ey a re Hi s rep res en t a tives a n d a s s uc h t h e h on or d u e t o Hi m
, ,

mus t b e p a id to them for th e V i c eroy c a n cl ai m th e s a me res p ec t a s

,

t h e mon a r ch wh o h a s d eleg a t e d h i s a uth o rity t o h i m Th os e wh o .

d es pi s e thei r p a r en t s des pi s e God Hims elf St Augus tin e a fte r h i s

,
. .
,

c on ver s i on b itt er ly r eg re tt ed th e di s r es p ec t h e h a d s h ow n th e moth er

,

God h a d given to h i m kn owin g th a t thereb y h e h a d s h own d i s

,

r es p ec t t o God O u r p a r en ts a re mor eover ou r grea tes t b en efa c

.

t o rs . How much ex cl a i ms St Amb ros e h a s n ot thy mother

,

.
,

s uf fered on thy a c c oun t ! How ma n y s leeple s s n ight s h ow ma n y p r i ,

v a t i on s h ow mu c h a n x i ety h a s s h e n ot b orn e for th ee ! How h a r d thy

,

fa ther h a s w orked t o p rovide thee with foo d a n d r a i men t l An 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

Hi s fos ter fa ther ; it i s s a id of Hi m th a t He w a s s ub j ect t o them

-
.

L ea rn of Hi m t o ob ey you r p a ren ts ; He h on ored them th ough they ,

w ere Hi s s erv a n ts ; He loved a n d res p ecte d Hi s M other whos e ,

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 .

Wh en God b id s us h on or ou r p a ren ts He c omma n d s u s t o l ove ,

a n d ob ey them for thi s i s i n clud ed i n t h e reveren ce w e owe th em

,
.

L ove i s d u e t o them a s ou r gre a t es t b en efa c t ors It i s th e r s t duty .

of a C h r i s ti a n t o comp en s a te h i s p a ren t s for t h e t r oub l e a n d t h e s a c r i

ces h i s educ a ti on h a s en t a il ed on them Th e ob lig a ti on t o ob ey .

them c e a s es wh en there i s n o lon ger oc c a s i on for it ; t h e duty of

l ovin g a n d res p ec tin g th em on ly en d s wi th thei r li fe .

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 .

Es t eem for p a rent s mus t b e hea rtfelt otherwi s e outwa rd ma n

ou r ,

i fes t a t i on s of es t eem w oul d b e me re di s s emb li n g C h r i s t s h owe d .

gr e a t r es pect for Hi s M other a t t h e marr i a ge fea s t of C a n a ; for

a lth ough He t old h er Hi s h ou r for w orki n g mi r a cl es w a s n ot y et
c ome ,He compli ed with h er r eque s t We mus t hon or ou r p a ren ts .

even i f th ey a re p o o r a n d i n a humb l e cl as s of li fe Jos eph when .

,

G over n or of Egypt s h owe d gr ea t re s pe t for h i s a ged fa ther Al c

.

though h e w a s on ly a s h ephe r d h e b r ought h i m t o th e ki n g a n d ,

p res en t ed h i m b efore h i m ( Gen xlvii Ki n g Sol omon r os e fr om

. .

h i s th r on e t o meet h i s mother a lth ough s h e w a s n ot of r oy a l li n e a ge ;

,

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
, .

P op e B en edi c t XI rece ived h i s moth er wh o w a s a p oor w a s h er

.
,

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
,

a pp a r el of h er cl a s s Even i f p a r en ts d o n ot l e a d a vi r tuou s li fe they

.
,

s till h a ve a cl a im up on th e res p ec t of the i r child ren b e c a us e o f t h e ,

p os iti on th ey h old i n r eg a r d t o th em a s G od s re p r e s en t a tiv es Th e

.

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 .

We a re p a ren t s as we a re b oun d t o l ove a ll men,

b ou n d t o l ove ou r ,

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 ,

w e a re the i r c hild ren b eca us e th ey l ove u s s o t en d erly a n d c on fer s o

, ,

ma n y b en ets up on u s Are n ot h i s p a r en t s a c hild s b es t fr i en ds ?

.

L ove con s i s t s i n ki n d s en ti men ts a n d ki n d a c ti on s Jos eph s h owed .

h i s a ffe c ti on for h i s ol d fa the r ; h e fell on h i s n eck a n d emb r a ci n g

h i m w ept ( Gen xlvi
, But ki n d feelin gs a re n ot en ough Let
. . .

u s n ot l ov e i n w o r d n or i n t on gue b u t i n dee d a n d i n t ruth ( 1 John ,

iii. Th erefo re we ought t o h elp ou r p a r en t s i n d es tituti on or

s i c kn es s a n d p r a y for th em
, Th e P r u s s i a n G en era l Z i eth en when a
.

p age w a s on c e on gua r d a t n ight i n t h e ki n g s a n tech a mb er Th e

,

.

kin g F r eder i ck L n di n g h e did n ot a n s w er h i s s ummon s wen t ou t

, , ,

a n d foun d h i m a s l eep over a lett er wh i c h h e wa s wr iti n g t o hi s

mothe r to s en d h er h i s r s t e a rn in gs ( thi r ty s hilli n gs ) i n t h e r oyal
,

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
.

r oll of mon ey i n ea c h of th e youn g ma n s p oc ket s a n d t h e n ex t morn

,

i n g a pp o i n t e d h i m t o t h e a rmy Wh en Bles s ed Thoma s M ore h a d .

b een put t o de a th for th e fa ith b y or der of Henr y V III n o on e v en .

,

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

, , ,

t o i n te rfer e with h er Even a mon g th e l ower a n ima ls we n d

.

ex a mpl es of a f fecti on t ow a r ds p a ren ts Th e youn g li on s s h a re thei r .

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
,

pluma g e th r ough a g e ; th ey b ri n g th em food a n d a s s is t them t o y .

Th e Wi s e M a n s a ys : Son s upp ort t h e ol d a g e of thy fa ther ,

( Ecclus iii . R ememb er h ow O u r L or d on t h e c r os s p r ovided for

.

Hi s M other b y c ommen din g h er t o th e c a re of St John ( John x i x . .

26 )

O b ed i en c e t owa rd s ou r p a ren t s on s i s ts i n ful lli n g a ll t h ei r c

l a wfu l c omma n d s , a s l on g a s w e a re u n d er th ei r a u t h ori ty .

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 . .

a s p a r en t s a re b oun d t o p ro vide for th e e du c a ti on of the i r c hild r en ,

s o it i s t h e duty of c hild ren t o ob ey thei r p a r en t s As i n th e St a te .

s ome rul e a n d oth er s ob ey s o it mu s t b e i n t h e fa mily ; oth er wi s e

,

th ere ca n b e n o d omes ti c or der a n d con cord V i rtue i s expec t ed of .

t h e ol d ; s ub mi s s i on of th e y oun g Y et children a re on ly b oun d t o .

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

wh a t i s con tr a ry t o G od s l a w a n d c on s equen tly u n j u s t they mus t a ct

, ,

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
, , ,

w a s i mp ri s on ed b y h i s fa th er i n a t owe r i n Sevill a b ec a us e h e w ould ,

n ot emb r a c e t h e Ar i a n h er es y Th e ki n g p r omi s ed t o r es t ore h i m

.

t o h i s fa v or i f on ly h e compli ed with h i s des i re But th e s a i n t re .

pli ed th a t h e w ould r en ou n c e th e c rown h i s fa ther s a ffec ti on li fe

, ,

it s el f r a th er th a n d en y h i s fa ith He w a s a cc or di n gly ma rty red

,
. .

Sever a l other s a i n t s ch os e r a th er t o di s ob ey t h e c omma n d of the i r

e a rthly th a n of th ei r h ea ven ly F a th e r a n d thu s l os t th ei r lives Par , .

en t s wh o r equi r e th ei r ch ildr en t o d o wh a t i s forb idd en b y th e l a w

3 72 Th e Comma n d men ts .

Th e s ons of t r they h a d s old thei r b r oth er Jos eph de

Ja c ob , af e ,

c ei v ed a n d gr ie ved thei r fa the r ( Gen xxxvii ) Ab s a l om s p oke

. .

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 .

Th e tw o s on s of t h e high p r i es t Heli di s ob eyed th ei r fa the r s

c omma n d s a n d a dmon iti on s ( 1 Kin gs

How D oes God R ewa r d th e Ob s erv a n ce f

o th e F ou r th C omma n d
men t ?
1 . God pr omi s es l ong l i fe, h a pp i nes s , a nd b l es s i n gs up on ea rth
to c hil dr en wh o h on or th ei r p a rent s .

At th e givi n g of Si n a i God p romi s ed l on g l ife a s th e

th e l a w on

r ew a r d for keepi n g th e F our th C omma n dmen t ( Exod xx St . . .

P a ul h old s ou t t h e s a me i n du cemen t t o th e fullmen t of l i a l duty

( Ep h vi . .Jos eph w a s ob edi en t t o hi s fa th er ; t h e ol d ma n l ove d
h i m for it b u t h i s b r eth r en h a t ed h i m Jos eph w a s ma de G overn or .

of Egypt a n d a tt a i n e d th e a g e of a hun d re d a n d t en ye a rs ( Gen

, .

Thos e w h o h on or the i r p a r en t s h on or ol d a g e ; a n d a s i n t h e p rovi

den ce of God ther e i s gen er a ll y s ome con n ecti on b etween t h e w ork
a n d t h e r ew a r d, duti ful c hild ren u s u a lly re a c h a n a dv a n c e d a g e A .

l on g li fe i s a g rea t b oon t o a ma n ; t h e l on g e r h e live s t h e more ,

mer it s h e ca n a ma s s for ete rn ity U n de r t h e O l d D i s p en s a ti on a

.

l on g li fe s h o rten ed th e s oj ou rn of th e s oul i n limb o, c on s equen tly it

w a s a gr ea ter p r ivilege tha n un der t h e New D i s p en s a ti on when a ,

good d ea th i s a n i mmedi a te t r a n s iti on t o etern a l li fe C ert a i nl y .

ma n y g ood child ren d i e youn g, b u t even i n thi s c a s e God full s Hi s

p r omi s e for i n s t ea d of li fe on e a r th He g ives th em li fe ete rn a l,
,

whi c h i s fa r mor e t o b e d es i r ed B es ides a n i n n ocen t life i s i n its elf

.

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 . .

ma n y a on e ou t of thi s world th a t h e ma y es c a p e c on t a min a ti on :

les t wi cke dn es s s h ould a lt er h i s un der s t a n di n g ( Wi s d iv . .

M ore ove r t h e b l es s i n g s whi c h p a ren t s i n vok e up on thei r chi ldr en

a re ve ry p ow er ful Witn es s th e b l es s i n g whi ch th e a ged Tob i a s ga ve
.

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
.

moth e r i s a s on e th a t l a yet h up a tre a s u r e ( v 5 ) Th e reli evin g of .

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
.

duti ful child r en a re gen e r a lly pr os p er ou s , or a t l eas t h a ve rea l c on

t en t men t Th e en j oymen t of h a ppi n es s a n d p ea ce i s more t o b e d e
.

s i re d th a n w e a lth Th os e w h o b eh a ve w ell t o thei r p a r en t s a re b l es s ed

.

i n th ei r tu rn with duti ful childr en wh o a re a comfor t t o th em , .

He th a t h on oreth h i s fa th er s h a ll h a ve j oy i n h i s own children

(v . Ha ppi n es s i n thi s w orld a n d i n t h e n ex t i s th e r ew a r d God
b es t ow s up on childr en wh o h on or th ei r p a ren t s .

2 . th rea t ens to s end up on t h os e wh o d o not h onor t h ei r

God
p a r en t s s h a m e u p o n ea rt h a mi s er a b,l e en d ev erl a s t i n g d a mn a t i on , .
 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God . 373

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
,

puni s hmen t i s p rop orti on a tely h ea vy Th os e wh o forge t th ei r fa ther .

a n d mo ther God will fo rg et a n d a ll o w th em t o s uf fer rep r oa c h ( Ec clus

, .

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
,

h on or ed i n h i s ol d a g e B a d childre n frequen tly c ome t o a mi s e ra b le

.

e n d ; wit n es s t h e d ea th of t h e t wo s on s of Heli wh o p er i s h ed i n b a ttl e ,

( 1 Ki n gs iv a l s o t h e fa te th a t ove r took t h e t rea ch er ou s Ab s a l om

.
,

wh o h a vi n g reb ell e d a g a i n s t h i s fa ther D a vid a n d defea te d h i m

, , ,

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 ,

there pi erc ed b y th ree l a n ces ( 2 Ki n gs

,
B a d chi ldr en a re i n
grea t d a n g er of l os in g thei r s ouls If G od dea l s s o s everely i n t h e .

D a y of Judgmen t with thos e wh o ha ve fa ile d t o p erform w orks of

mer cy t ow a r d s thei r n eighb or h ow mu ch th e more r igorou s ly will ,

He j udge thos e wh o h a ve b een un kin d t o the i r ow n p a ren ts Th e .

Apos tl e s a ys th a t th os e wh o a re di s ob edi en t t o p a ren ts a re w orthy

of d ea th ( R om i Th e Jewi s h l a w p ron o un c ed a c ur s e up on
. .

h i m wh o h on oreth n ot h i s fa the r a n d mothe r ( D eut xx vii . .

Ag a i n He th a t s tr iketh h i s fa ther or mother s h a ll b e put t o dea th

,

( Exod xxi . Th e ey e th a t mock eth a t h i s mother l et t h e ra ven s

.
,

pi ck it ou t a n d t h e young e a gles ea t it ( Prov xxx 1 7 God la id thi s . .

s t ri c t c omma n d up on t h e Jew s : A s tub b orn a n d un ruly s on wh o

,

will n ot hea r t h e comma n dmen t s of h i s fa the r a n d mother a n d ,

s l i g h t eth ob edi en ce ; t h e p eopl e of t h e c ity s h a ll s ton e h i m a n d h e

s h a ll d i e th a t a l l I s r a el h e a r i n g it ma y b e a fr a id
, ( D eut xxi 1 8 . .
,

Th os e w h o h a ve n ot h on ored thei r p a ren t s b y divin e ret r i b uti on ,

often h a ve un r uly childr en of th ei r own as exp er i en ce fr e qu en tly ,

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
.
,

men t ed ( Wi s d x i 1 7 C ham des pi s ed h i s fa the r a n d h i s des ce n d

. .
,

a n ts w e re t h e d egr a ded n a t i on s wh om God ca us ed t o b e ca s t ou t of

C ha n a a n .

.2 . O UR D UTY TO WARD S THO SE IN AUTHORITY .

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 .

Thr ough out th e

wh ol e of c r ea ti on we ob s erve t h e ex i s ten ce of a
ce rt a in mutu a l d ep e n d en ce ; t h e moon i s a s a t ell it e of t h e e a rth ,

th e e a rt h a n d t h e oth er pl a n e ts of ou r s ol a r s y s t em r ev olve r oun d

t h e s u n ; t h e mi n er a l ki n gd om s uppli es n ou r i s h men t t o t h e v eget a b le
ki ngdom th e veget a b le t o t h e a n i ma l while e a ch a n d a ll a re for th e
, ,

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
.

s ome t o oth e rs ; t h e b ees a re g ove rn ed b y a quee n ; t h e b i r d s th e ,

wild b ea s ts of t h e for es t th e s h i n t h e s ea s h a ve th ei r l ea der s a n d

, ,

ob e y a ki n d of milit a ry r ul e In ou r own b odi es w e s ee h ow on e.

memb e r c omma n d s t h e oth ers ob ey In th e Spi r itu a l w orld th e s a me

, .

l a w of dep en d en c e ex i s ts a s i n t h e n a tu ra l or der ; th ere a re a n g el s

o f hi g h e r a n d l owli e r r a n k In like ma n n er it i s t h e will of G od th a t
.

s ome me n s h ould rule a n d o th er s b e s u b j ec t In c on s e qu en ce of .

 Th e Comma n d men ts .

o r i gin a l s i n with o ut rul e rs huma n s oc i ety w oul d s oo n res embl e a n

,

a r my witho ut comm a nd e r s a di s or d erly r a b b le

, G ove rn ors a re t o the .

St a t e wh a t b e a ms a re t o a w a ll ; with out b e a ms t h e b uildin g w ould

c oll a p s e ; s o s oc i e ty w o uld with out r uler s When a ft er t he F a ll .
, ,

men b eg a n t o r a ge a ga i n s t ea ch o ther like wild b e a s ts a n d t he s on ,

of t h e r s t ma n s l ew h i s b r o ther G od s et r ul er s ove r men t o r es t r a i n

, ,

them O u r ruler s ought i n s ome mea s ur e t o reec t a s i n a mi rr o r

.

t h e divi n e p ow er a n d p r ovid en ce w a t chi n g over ma n ki n d Jus t a s .

there a re t w o light s i n t h e rm a men t of h ea ven t h e s un t o s hi n e b y ,

d a y a nd t h e mo on b y n ight s o t w o p owers a re i n s ti tut e d t o g overn

, ,

ma n k i n d Th e s pi r itu a l like t h e s un i s t h e s upe r i or b ec a us e it

, ,

guides man t o h i s etern a l goa l ; wherea s th e s ecul a r a uthor ity i s p ri

ma r ily c on ce rn e d with t h e temp or a l wel fa r e of i t s s ub j ects Th e .

e a rthly i n t e re s ts o f t h e p eopl e a re en tr u s t ed t o t h e rul er th ei r s p i n ,

i t ua l in teres t s t o t h e p r i es t Alth ough t h e t wo p ower s h a ve s ep a ra te

.

a i ms , they mutu a lly comple t e e a ch o the r They a re like t h e t wo .

golden c he r ub i m s ha d owi n g t h e Ark of th e C oven a n t with the i r

,

wi ng s .

2 Th e hi gh es t s p i r i t ua l a ut h ori ty w as gi ven b y God to th e

.

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 .

B o th P op e a n d ki n g rece ive thei r p owe r from God O ur Lord s a id .

F eed M y l a mb s fee d M y s heep

to St P et er :
.
( John xxi , .

Thu s th e Ap os tle P e ter was c on s titut ed P r i n c e of t h e Ap os tles a n d ,

vi s i b l e H ea d of t h e C hur c h M ilit a n t b y C h r i s t Hi ms elf Th e chi ef .

r a n k a n d s pi ritu a l s up rema cy c onferre d on St P et e r i s ves ted b y .

, ,

C hr i s t s a pp oi n tmen t i n t h e p er s on of t h e Bi s h op of Rome for t h e

,

time b e i n g Th a t t h e hea d or g ove rn or of th e St a t e a l s o der ives

.

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 ,

w ere given th ee fr om a b ove ( John x i x By G od ki n g s re ig n .

a n d l a wgiver s d ec r ee j u s t thi n g s ( Pr ov viii Hea r y e ki n gs . .

, ,

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
. .

w or d s By th e gr a ce of God t o th ei r titl e In a ll Eur op ea n coun

.

t ri es exc ept R u s s i a a n d Tu rkey t h e s overeign con s ult s t h e will of t h e

P a rli a men t or r ep r es en t a tive s of t h e p eopl e
, .

3 . Our d ut i es t owa rds Pop e a nd ki n g a re s i mi l a r t o our

d ut i es t owa rds God for t h ey a re

, b ot h Hi s r ep res ent a t i ves .

Th e vi c egeren t s of God b oth s pi ritu a l a n d t emp or a l , a re often

,

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

. .

x x iv 7 . th ey a re even s p ok en of a s gods ( Exod xx ii

j us t a 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 .

t e rms hi ms elf t h e s e rv a n t of t h e s erv a n t s o f G od W e ow e t o .

a l mighty G od : W ors hip a n d d elity ( F i rs t C omm a n dmen t ) ; r ever

en c e ( Se c on d C omm a n d men t ) ; a n d s ervi ce ( Thi r d C omma n d men t ) .

We owe t o Hi s vi ceg eren ts ob edi en ce a n d l oy a lty r es p ec t a n d s ervi ce , .

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
, ,

b e ca u s e t h e comma n d s of th e s ecul a r a uth or ity a re th e comma n d s

o f Go d ( R om x iii 2 . . Rememb er h ow willi n gly Jos eph a n d
,

M a ry con fo rmed t o t h e dec ree of Augus tu s a n d j o urn eye d t o B eth ,

l eh em t o b e en rolle d ( L uk e But if th e temp or a l p ow e r c om

ma n ds s omethi n g whi c h G od forb id s we mu s t r ec a ll t o mi n d t h 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 .

Th e th re e Heb re w yo uth s i n t h e ery fu rn a ce a n d t h e s even

M a c h a b ees ob eye d thi s p r ecept lik ewi s e St M a u r i c e a n d t h e Th eb a n , .

legi on W e a re h ow ever s eldom c a lled up on t o d o thi s i n t h e p r es en t

.

day . It i s o u r b oun den duty t o b e l oy a l t o ou r ruler es p ec i a lly i n ,

time of w a r Soldi er s a re r eq ui red t o t a ke t h e milit a ry o a th It i s

. .

n eve r a ll ow a b l e t o r eb el a g a i n s t t h e s ove reign a uth or ity i n t h e l a n d ,

for W h os o r es i s t s t h e high er p ow er s res i s t s t h e o r di n a n c e of God ,

( Rom x iii . We a re t o b e s ub j ect n ot on ly t o t h e g oo d a n d

.

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 .

t h e m on a r c h s h ould b e ty r a n n i ca l w e mu s t i mpl or e t h e h elp of G od , ,

a n d Hi s h elp wi ll b e g r a n te d wh en t h e p eopl e for s a ke the i r evil

d oi n g s W e a re a l s o t o h on or t h e r ule r of ou r c oun try

. F ea r God . .

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 ,

goe s We ought moreover t o p r a y for ou r rul e r s It i s a ccept a b le

.
, , .

t o Go d th a t p r a yer s a n d s uppli c a ti on s b e ma de for a ll th a t a re i n a

h igh s t a ti on ( 1 Ti m B e s id es p r a ye r for ou r r ul ers b r in gs a
.

b les s i n g on ours el ves for b y it we ob t a i n t h e p a s s i n g of d e c r ees b ene

,

c i a l t o thei r p eople At High M a s s t h e p r i es t p r a ys for t h e s ov er

.

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 :
. ,

R en d er to C aes a r th e thi n g s th a t a re C aes a r s

( M a tt xx ii He . .

p a id for Hi ms elf a n d St P et er t h e t a x levi e d on every h e a d for t h e

.

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 , .

th e s e a a n d ca s t a h ook a n d i n th e mouth of t h e r s t s h h e ca ught

,

h e w ould n d t h e pi ece of s ilver r e qui re d for t h e t a x ( M a t t xvii . .

It i s onl y j u s t th a t th os e wh o en j oy t h e p ea c e a n d w elfa re whi ch it

i s th e ob j ec t of th e G ove rn men t t o s ecu r e s h ould con t r i b ute t ow a rd s ,

d efr a yi n g th e exp en s es thu s i n curr ed B es ide s t h e mon ey ob t a i n ed . ,

b y t a x a ti on i s l a id ou t for t h e g o od of t h e n a ti on on pub li c w ork s ,

t h e er ec ti on of s ch ool s a n d h o s pit a l s t h e ma i n t en a n ce of t h e a rmy , ,

of g ove rn men t o f c i a l s et c Thu s th e memb ers of t h e b ody s upply

,
.

food t o t h e diges tive org a n s when ce n ou r i s hmen t i s a ffor ded t o t h e ,

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
.
.

M ilit a ry s erv i ce a s r e qui re d i n s ome l a n d s i s for th e ma i n ten a n c e o f

, ,

d omes ti c p e a c e a n d for t h e p r ot ec ti on of th e c ou n t ry fr om fore ign

f
foe s . Th os e wh o i n ti me of w a r offer th ei r lives for th ei r ll w c oun e o

t ry men r ece ive a g rea t r ew a r d fr om God

,
O u r duty t ow a r d s t h e rep .

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 .

Not y th e r ep r es en t a tives of t h e p eople b u t th e el ec tor s of thos e

onl ,

rep re s en t a tives h a ve a w e ighty r es p on s i b ility i n G od s s ight Th e

,

.

former a re r es p on s ib le for t h e l a w s th ey ma k e t h e l a tt er for t h e ,

men they ch oos e t o ma ke th e l a ws In th e exerc i s e of h i s c ivil r ights

.
,

it i s i n cumb en t on th e c itiz en t o ob ey t h e will of h i s L or d a n d G od ,

for h e will on e d a y h a ve t o a n s we r for t h e ma n n e r i n whi c h h e ex er

c i s e d th a t r ight In a ll huma n a ffa i r s t h e t r uth s of C h r i s ti a n ity mus t
.

b e ou r guidin g light L et n o on e therefore a s s er t th a t r eligi on ha s

.

n othi n g t o d o with p oliti cs St a t es men pub li c fun cti on a r i es s en

.
, ,

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 cc oun t of every w or d th ey h a v e s p ok en ever y v ot e th ey h a ve giv en , .

An d el ect ors will b e r es p on s ib l e for t h e men th ey h a ve r e tu rn e d t o C on

gr es s or t h e Sen a t e ; con s equ en tly th ey s h ould el ect men of exp er i en ce ,

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
, ,

c i p l e for th os e wh o a re d es titut e of a l l r eligi ou s b eli e fs c a n n ot b e ex

p e c ted t o a c t con s c i en ti ou s ly or a dh ere t o th ei r p r omi s es

, An d s i n ce .

ma tter s cl os ely c on n ect e d with t h e es s en ti a l s of r eligi on are oft en t h e

s ub j ec t of d eb a t e it i s t h e duty of C a th oli c s t o vot e for s u c h c a n di
,

d a tes a s will a c t j us tly i n dea li n g with eccl es i a s ti ca l ques ti on s a n d ,

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 .

C a th oli c el ec t ors ought n ot t o r etu rn a s th ei r r ep r es en t a tive on e

w h o i s onl y a n omi n a l, n ot a p r a cti ca l C a th oli c, wh o r eg a r d s with
i n di ffer en c e or con t empt t h e t ea chin g a n d mi n i s t er s of th e C hu rch .

B efore g oi n g t o th e b a llo t they s h oul d a s cert a i n th e vi ew s of th e

c a n did a t e U p on e duca ti on ma rr i a g e t h e ob s e rv a n ce of Sun d a y, et c ;
, , .

b ett er n ot t o vote a t a ll th a n vote for on e wh o i s h os til e t o r eligi on .

It i s h ow ever a dut y t o vote i f th ereb y on e c a n a vert evil a n d

, ,

p r omot e wh a t i s g ood Let n o ma n s a y : M y vote i s of n o con s e

.

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,

d efea t of t h e n on s u c ces s ful c a n did a t e Th os e wh o a re n ot en titl e d

-
.

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 .

C ore and hi smp a n i on s wh o r os e up a g a i n s t th e Jewi s h p r i es t

co ,

h ood were s wa ll owed u p b y t h e ea r th a s a n ex a mple t o t h e p eopl e

, ,

( Numb . R ememb er t h e d epl o r a b l e fa t e o f Ab s a l om wh o re ,

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
, .

d at e forb iddi n g h i m t o cr os s t h e b r ook C edr on ( 3 Ki n g s ii .

n h trea s on i s n ow pun i s h ed with a l ong term of i mpr i s on men t

378 The Comma n d ments .

Th ey th a t res i s t th e p ower res i s t t h e o r di n a n ce of God a nd p urchas e

to thems elves d a mn a ti on ( Rom x iii . .

3 . THE D UTIES O F THOSE WHO ARE IN AUTHORITY .

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 .

In thi s r es p ec t every on e ma y w ell t a ke ex a mpl e b y M os es He did .

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
.
,

a c cept it deemi n g hi ms el f t oo wea k for i t s duti es

, An d l a t er on , .

wea ry of th e ofce h e d es i r ed t o b e reli eve d of it P op e Greg ory

, .

th e Grea t ed t o t h e for es t s when h e h ea r d th a t h e w ould p r ob a b ly

b e elect ed P op e M a n y emi n en t s a i n t s , s uc h a s St Amb r os e a n d St
. . .

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 .

thes e men wer e un ques ti on a b ly well qu a li e d t o ll th ei r res p ective

of ces How grea t i s th e p res umpti on of thos e wh o s t r ive t o ob ta i n
.

s ome high p os t for whi ch th ey l a c k t h e n ec es s a ry s tr en gth a n d

t a l en ts , a n d t o whi ch th ey a re n ot ca lled b y God ! Thos e wh o a s pi r e
t o dign iti es , t o t h e d uti es of whi ch the y a re u n e qu a l , a re like men
wh o t a k e t h e helm with out kn owi n g a n yt hin g of n a vig a ti on ; or like
th os e wh o l oa d th ei r s h oul der s with b u r den s h ea vi er th a n they c a n
c a rry. O u r L or d comp a r e s s uch p ers on s t o thi eves , wh o for ce th ei r
w a y in t o a s h eepfold ( John But it i s n ot wr on g for on e wh o
feels hims elf c omp et en t t o ful l t h e duti es of a p os t, a n d kn ow s th a t
h e ma y effec t mu ch g ood i f h e h old it , t o en dea v o r t o ob t a in it A .

C a th oli c ma y a s pi r e t o th e p ri es thood i f h e h a s a voca ti on , or t o a

pla c e a mon g th e g overn in g p ow ers of t h e l a n d i f h e p os s es s es th e
n eces s a r y qu a li ca ti on s .

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 ,

i s given h i m with out a n y effort on h i s own p a r t t o ob t a i n it Wh en .

St Gregory t h e Grea t w a s s ought for a n d h i s hidi n g pl a ce i n t h e

.
,
-

fores t di s cover ed b y t h e p opul a ce h e n o l on ger h es it a te d t o a c cept

,

th e ti a r a for h e s a w it t o b e G od s will th a t h e s h ould d o s o

, St . .

Alph on s u s did n ot r efu s e th e See of St Ag a th a wh en P op e C lemen 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
. .

ferred b y th e h a n d o f ma n b u t i n r ea lity it i s God Wh o b es t ow s th em

,

( M a tt xxv . As a g a r d en er guides t h e w a ter of the s p r i n g

.

whither s oever h e will s o G od i n u en ce s ki n gs a n d p r i n ces t o b es t ow

,

th e i r fa v or s on th os e wh om He h a s ch os en t o b e the i r rec ipi en ts .

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 . .

i s fooli s h wh o thi n k s more of hi ms el f on a c coun t of t h e dign ity c on

ferr ed on h i m for it ma kes h i m n o b ette r i n G od s s i ght ; vi rtu e a l on e
,

gives a ma n t ru e w orth a n d di s ti n cti on

Ea r thly g rea tn es s s a y s
.

,

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 -

qui ckly c omes a n d qui ckl y va n i s h es ; it p a s s es a w a y like a d re a m

.
38 0 The Comma n dmen ts .

a cc us ed a n d con d emn ed a n d b a n i s h ed t o F ra n ce Th e c ur s e of God .

r es ts up on un j us t j udges ( Deut xxvii Bles s e d Th oma s M ore . .

u s ed t o s a y th a t i f h i s fa ther whom h e dea rly l oved ca me t o h i m with

, ,

a g r i ev a n ce a n d on t h e oth er s id e w a s t h e d evil wh om h e h a t e d mor e

,

th a n w or ds c ould s a y p rovid e d th e l a tt er w a s i n th e right h e s h oul d

, ,

h a ve j us ti ce a t h i s h a n d s No ma n s h oul d ever b e c on demn ed n u

.

h ea rd If a n y on e wen t t o Alex a n der t he Grea t with a c h a rge a g a i n s t

.

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 .
, ,

i ot c on d emn Ad a m u n til He h a d h e a r d h i s d efen c e a n d p r ove d t o h i m

g i s guil t .

4 . Th os e wh o a re i n h i gh p l a c es ou gh t to s et a good exa mpl e .

Th e rea s on why s up er i or s good exa mple i s two

a re b oun d t o s et a
fold O n t h e on e h a n d they
. o c c upy a c on s pi c u ou s p os iti on a ll ey es ,

a re on them ; lik e a c ity s ea t e d on a moun t a i n they ca n n ot b e hi d ,

( M a tt v . O ther s i mit a t e th em ; a s i s t h e j udge s o a l s o a re h i s

.
,

mi n i s t er s ( Ecclu s x W oe b etide them i f they lea d a n evil life !

. .

O n t h e other h a n d s up er i ors c a n effec t muc h more b y ex a mple th a n

,

b y p r ec ept D ee ds a re more el oqu en t th a n w or ds

. R ul er s ought t o .
.

p r a y for th ei r s ub j ect s ; like t h e hu s b a n dma n i n t h e G os p el they ,

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 -

a n d l e a ve it a y ea r i n t h e h op e th a t with ca r eful c ultiva ti on it

,

ma y b ea r fr uit P a s t or s a re s p ec i a lly b oun d t o p r a y for th ei r ock

. ,

a n d t o of fer th e h oly s a c r i ce on Sun d a y s a n d h olyd a ys for t h e livi n g

a n d t h e d ea d .

THE FIF TH C O M M AN DM EN T O F GO D .

In th e Fi fth Comma ndment a l mi gh ty God forb i d s us to d es troy

our ow n l i fe, or t h a t of our nei ghb or, or to tr ea t th e l ow er a n i ma l s
wi th ruel ty c .

1 . O UR D UTY IN RESP EC T TO O UR O WN L IF E .

M a n y of t h e ceremon i es i n t h e a dmi n i s t r a ti on of th e s a cr a men ts ,

ceremon i es full of me a n i n g a re p er fo rme d up on th e b ody ,

By thes e .

t h e C hur ch i n t en d s t o i n s pi r e u s with g r e a t re s p e c t for ou r b odi es ,

a n d t o t ea c h u s th e i r high w or th a n d dign ity .

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 .

Wh en God ma d e th e huma n b ody ou t of l i feles s ea rt h i t wa s a n ,

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 ,

God cre a te d t h e s oul t o b e i t s occ up a n t St P eter s p e ak s of h i s b ody . .

a s a t a b ern a cl e whi ch h e w ould s h ortly h av e t o quit ( 2 P et i It . .

fa r es with th e s oul i n t h e b ody a s with t h e i n ma t e of a h ou s e If .

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 .

t he s h ell of a n eg g ; i f th e s h ell b e i n ju re d th e y oun g b i r d withi n i s ,

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

i n ma te of th a t dwelli n g s uffer s with it Th e R oma ns h a d a p roverb :

, .

A he a lthy mi n d i n a he a lthy b od y O u r b ody i s n ot ou r own it .

,

b el on g s t o God ( 1 C or vi It b el on g s t o God n ot on ly b eca us e

. .
,

He crea ted it b u t b eca us e C hr i s t p u rcha s ed it with a grea t p r i ce ( 1

,

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

b ody t h e a b ode of t h e s oul c re a t e d b y God a n d b el on gi n g t o Hi m

, , .

We mus t n ot d o with ou r b ody wh a t we will b u t wha t God wi ll s , .

O ur b ody i s a n i mp l emen t of th e s ou l, i n tru s t ed b y G od t o

ou r k eep i n g, t o b e ma d e i n s tru men t a l i n a ma s s i n g meri t s for

L ike ther i n s t r umen t s ou r b odi es ca n b e mi s u s ed Hen ce St

a ll o , . .

P a ul w a rn s C h r i s ti a n p eople n ot t o yi eld th ei r memb er s a s i n s tru

men t s of i n iquity un to s i n ( R om vi As God will re qui re u s . .

t o giv e a c coun t of t h e ma n n er i n whi c h w e h a ve empl oyed t h e t a l en t s

given u s ( M a tt xxv s o w e s h a ll h a v e t o a n s w er for t h e em
. .

pl oyme n t of t h e b ody whi ch t h e s oul i n forms a n d ma kes i n s t ru

,

men t a l i n t h e p erforma n ce of t h e duti e s of ou r ca lli n g O u r L or d .

t old St G ert rude th a t a ft er th e r es u rr ecti on on t h e memb er s of th e

.
,

b ody empl oye d i n Hi s s ervi ce s u rp a s s i n g dig n ity a n d ex cellen ce w o uld

b e c onferr ed .

2 .Si n ce th e l i fe a n d h ea l t h of th e b ody a re of gr ea t i mp ort a n e c

for th e l ife of th e s oul a nd for our et ern a l s al v a t i on , we a re b oun d
c
t o t a k e p r e a ut i on s for th e p res erva t i on of our h ea l th a nd of our
l i fe
.

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 .

He a lth i s w or th more t o u s th a n v a s t r i ch es ( Ecc lu s xxx . .

For t h e l on ger w e k eep ou r h ea lth a n d ou r li fe t h e more trea s ures ,

w e c a n l a y up for eter n ity wh er e n e ith er t h e ru s t n or moth d oth ,

c on s ume wh e re thi ev e s d o n ot b r ea k th r ough

,
n or s t e a l ( M a tt vi , . .

If w e th oughtl es s ly d o a n ythi n g t o s h or ten ou r li fe w e d efr a ud ,

ou r s elve s of a p a r t of o u r s eed ti me Th e ea gl e t a kes t h e utmos t c a re

-

o f i t s e g g n ot for t h e s a k e of t h e s h ell b u t of t h e y oun g e a gl e i n

, ,

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

s oul th a t dwell s withi n it C le a n lin es s i s t o b e ob s erve d i n ou r p er s on

.
,

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
,

ing . Ab s t emi ou s n es s p romot es h e a lth a n d p r ol on gs li fe ( See wh a t .

h a s b een s a i d on t h e a dva n t a ges of fa s ti n g ) M a n y men of wea k .

phys iqu e n a tu r a lly h a ve s o i n c r ea s e d th ei r s tr en gth b y a b s temi ou s

,

n es s th a t th ey h a ve b een c a p a b l e of i mmen s e a c tivit y St P a ul i n h i s . .

epi s tl es oft en men ti on s h i s b odily w ea kn es s R egul a r ity i s t o b e .

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
,

i n t h e morn i n g ; i n on e s w ork a n d i n th e a rr a n g emen t o f on e s ti me

.

Ab ove a ll l et u s n ever b e u n empl oyed By w ork w e ma y n ot on ly

, .

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
,

h ea lth W o rk c i rc u l a te s th e b l oo d a n d g ive s a n a p p etit e for fo od

. . .

St a gn a n t w a te b ec omes foul a n d t h e b l ood of th e idler i s a p t t o g et

r
,
3 82 The Oomma n d men ts .

i n to a b a d s ta te Y et we mus t n ot over t a x ou r s t ren gth with work ;

.

moder a t e l a b or i n vig or a te s exces s ive t oil r ui n s t h e p ower s of ou r ,

b o dy F in a lly it i s ou r duty t o h a v e r ecour s e t o r eme di es i n c a s e

. ,

of s ic k n es s It i s s i n ful i f a n y on e i s d a n ger ous ly ill n ot t o c a ll i n

.
, ,

medi c a l a i d a n d empl oy r emedi es ,

H on or t h e phys i c i a n for t h e .

n ee d th ou h a s t of hi m for t h e M os t High h a th c re a t e d h i m , ( Ecclu s .

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 .
,

u re i s t oo cos tly or if it i n v olves a c ute s uffer in g it ma y b e for

E o rn 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 ,

a re con du c ive t o ou r et er n a l w elfa r e Th e Spi r it of G od d oes n ot .

r ema in i n a ma n forever b eca u s e h e i s es h

( Gen vi , i e . . . .
,

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
.

( R om viii Th e mor e t h e b ody i s s tudi e d a n d p a mp ered

God . .
,

t h e mor e th e s oul i s n egl ec t e d a n d r ui n e d ( St Augu s tin e ) H en c e . .

O u r Lor d a dmon i s hes u s : B e n ot s oli c it o us for mea t a n d r a i men t .

F or yo ur h ea ven ly F a the r k n ow eth th a t y ou h a ve n ee d of a ll thes e

thin gs ; He fe ed s t h e b i r d s of th e a i r a n d c loth es t h e lili e s of th e eld , ,

th ough they l a b or n ot : a re n ot y ou of more va lue th a n th ey ? ( M a tt .

vi 2 5 3 2 )
.
,

3 Furth ermore w e a re un der a s tri t ob li ga t i on t o d o n ot hin g

. c
t h a t t end s t o d es troy h ea l t h or l i fe .

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

, .

1Th os e p er s on s gen e r a l l y ris k th eir li fe wi th ou t a t h ou g h t

.

w h o p erfor m h a z a rd ou s fea t s , or w h o n egl ect d u e p r ec a u ti on s .

Ac rob a t s equ es t r i a n p e rforme r s li on t a mer s a n d th e like c ommit

, ,
-

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

den ts ; t h e p r ofe s s i on s they follow a re ob j e cti on a b l e on mor a l g r oun ds ,

a n d even un l a w ful P erformer s of thi s ch a r a cter a re t oo often di s s o

.

lute i n thei r ma nn ers a n d th ei r h a z a r d ou s fea ts fr e quen tly c os t them

,

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
.
,

wilfully r i s k th e i r lives i n a thle ti c s p or t s or pub li c g a mes s u ch a s , ,

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
, ,

i n g a thun der s t orm Ag a i n i n t h e c a s e of in fecti ous di s e a s e g re a t

. ,

p reca uti on i s n e ces s a ry ; on ly t h e p r i es t t h e d oc to r a n d t h e n u rs e , , ,

s h oul d b e a ll ow ed a c c es s t o t h e s i ck r o om Th ere a re oth er w a ys -

.

wh er eb y on e ma y pl a c e o n e s li fe i n j eop a rdy : b y d r in ki n g cold w a te r

or t a ki n g a cold b a th wh en vi ol en tly h e a te d ; pl a yi n g with l o a d ed

re a rm s ; j umpi n g i n t o or ou t of a t r a i n whil e it i s i n moti on :

-

t ouchi n g t h e el ec tr i c wi r es with t h e b a re h a n d or h a n g i n g on b ehin d ,

a c a rr i a g e a s c hild ren a re w on t t o d o with t h e c h a n ce of g ett i n g ,

3 84 The Comma n dmen ts ?

an heroi c deed i t i s a mos t cowa r dl y a ct ; r ea l heroi s m i s s h own b y

,

b ea r in g b r a vely th e mi s er ies of l ife B es id es i n s tea d of ob t a in in g

.
,

r eli ef fr om s uffer in g t h e s ui c id e onl y fa ll s i n t o wh a t i s fa r w ors e

, .

Th e g odl es s p res s of t h e d a y will e xc us e t h e s e lf mu rd ere r s a yi n g : -

He expi a t e d h i s c r ime with h i s li fe In s tea d of expi a tin g a c ri me .

,

h e a dds a n othe r t o it .

4 O n th e oth er h a n d i t i s n ot merel y ri gh t, b u t ev en mer i

.

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 .

All t h e h ol y ma r tyrs p referred t o s a cr i ce th ei r life r a ther th a n

commit s i n By s o d oi n g they mer ite d life etern a l for O u r L or d
.
,

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

.

x Witn es s Elea z a r t h e M a ch a b ees St L a w ren ce M i s s i on a r i es

"

. . .
, ,

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 ,

r ui n th e i r hea lth b y th e h a r d s hip a n d exerti on s they un dergo St . .

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
, , ,

d a y s o ex h a u s te d with p rea chin g a n d a dmin i s t er i n g B a pti s m th a t h e

, ,

c oul d s c a r cely s p ea k o r move h i s a rm Y e t thi s i s n ot w r on g b u t.

,

mos t p r a i s ew orthy Th e s a me ma y b e s a id of p r i es ts d oct or s a n d

. , ,

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 . .

a n d St C h a rl e s B orr omeo di e d of t h e pl a gue c a ught whil e n urs i n g

.
,

t h e s i c k i n th e h os pit a l It i s a ls o p ermi s s ib le t o r i s k on e s life t o

.

r es cue a n y on e wh o h a s for i n s t a n ce fa llen i n t o th e re or th e w a te r

, , ,

or t o exp os e on e s s el f i n b a ttl e for t h e d efen c e of on e s c o un t ry

.

An d a huma n s oul i s of s u ch gr ea t v a lue th a t a l l e a rthly g oods n a y , ,

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
, .

b y dy in g up on th e c ros s for th e s a lv a ti on of ma n kin d O f cou rs e i n .

p erformi n g a n h er oi c a ct of thi s n a tu re w e ought n ot t o s eek dea th ,

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 ,

de a th ma y b e a n a cc iden t a l a ccomp a n i men t .

2 . O UR D UTY IN REGARD TO THE L IF E OF O UR

tri c t ob l i ga ti on i s l a i d up on us to a voi d everythi ng th a t

A s

ma y d es troy th e h ea l th or l i fe of our nei ghb or .

1 Acc ord i n gl y i t i s s i n ful t o wi s h i l l t o one s nei gh b or to

.

,

i nj ure h i s h ea l t h t o c h a l l enge h i m or a cc ep t a duel or t o p ut hi m

, ,

t o d ea t h un j u s tl y a ri d wi l l i n gl y .

1 He w h o h a tes h i s n eigh b or wi s h es him d ea d ; h en c e

.
,

h a t r ed oft en l ea ds to mu r d er .

Ha tr ed s ugges t s reven g e Witn es s Es a u wh o s ou ght t o kill h i s

.
,

b r o th er Ja c ob ( Gen xxvii Ki n g Sa ul wh o r ep e a t edly en d e a v

. .
,

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 ,

a c tu a lly h a ve put Jos eph t o d e a th h a d n ot R ub en i n t erfer e d ( Gen , .

Th er e i s littl e di s ti n c ti on t o b e ma de b etween h a t red a n d

mu r der ; i n G od s s ight th e will i s th e s a me a s th e d ee d Hen ce St

. .

John s a ys : Wh os oever h a teth h i s b r other i s a mu rd erer ( 1 John

iii . O u r L or d d ec l a res th a t h e wh o i s a n gry with h i s b rother

 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts of God .
_

'
3 85

i s i n d a n ger of t h e j udgmen t ( M a tt v R ea l h a tred i s a mor t a l . .

s i n wh ether th e evi l on e wi s h es t o on e s n e ighb o r b e g rea t or s ma ll

.
,

However it i s n o p r oof of h a t re d t o d etes t t h e evil qu a liti es on e s ee s

i n on e s n eighb or or t o a b h or h i s con duc t , for thi s i s n ot i n comp a ti b le

,

with a ffecti on for h i m p er s on a lly .

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

b l ows , b y th e a d u l t e r a t i on of a r t i cl es of food, b y d a n g ero u s

p r a c t i ca l ok es, j a n d cu l p a b l e n egl i gen e c .

By qu a rrellin g on e exc ites on e s n eighb or a n d dep r ives h i m of

,

i n t er i or p e a ce a n d c on t en t thu s d e s troyi n g h i s w ell b e i n g C on ten ,

-
.

ti on a n d qu a rrel s ca us e s h eddin g of b l ood ( Ecclu s xxviii Blows . .

oft en c a us e s ever e p a i n or b odily i n ju ry F or a s s a ult on e ma y b e .

a rr e s te d a n d i mp r i s on e d Th e p r a c ti ce of a dult e ra tin g a r ti cles of

.

food i s on ly t oo c omm on n ow a d a ys ; ou r milk b utt er wi n e b ee r et c , , , , , .

,

a re mi n gl e d with fore ig n s ub s t an c e s oft en of a d el et e r i ou s n a tu re or , ,

a ma n ufa c tu r ed i mit a ti on i s s old for t h e g en ui n e a r ti cl e As thes e .

a dult er a t ed g ood s con t a i n little n ou r i s hmen t a n d mu c h th a t i s p rej ,

u d i c i a l t o h ea lth t r a de s men wh o thus d efr a ud t h e pub li c des erv e

,

con dign pun i s h men t In t h e M iddle Ages they were b urn e d tog ether
.
,

with thei r fa l s ied w a r es P r a cti ca l j okes s uch a s tr ippi n g a n y on e .

,

up ma y ca u s e fa t a l i n jur i e s C ul p a b l e ca rel e s s n es s oft en oc c a s i on s

,
.

s e ri ou s a cc id en ts ; e g fu r i ous d r ivi n g heedl es s n es s i n t h e h a n dli n g

. .
, ,

( 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 .

3 . t hing s h ort of murd er

Du el l i n g i s no . Th e C h u rc h p u n
i s h es i t b y ex c ommu ni c a t i n g th e c omb a t a n t s ,
a n d d e n yi n
g C h ri s

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,

By t h e mer e fa ct of c h a llen gi n g t o s in gle comb a t or a ccepti n g a ,

ch a ll e n g e a ma n b ec ome s ex c ommun i ca t ed ; th e s a me h old s g oo d

,

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 ,

th ei r p res en ce L et n o on e s a y h e h a s given hi s opp on en t p e rmi s s i on

.
,

t o kill h i m ; h e c a n n o t give a n oth e r a r ight whi ch h e d oes n ot hi ms elf

p os s es s A C a th oli c i s b ou n d t o r efu s e t o ght a duel even i f h e
.
,

th ereb y i n curs th e imput a ti on of cow a r di ce or i f h e thereb y l os e t h e ,

ch a n ce o f p r omoti on Th e duelli s t i s g u ilty of twofold mur der ; h e

.

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 ,

li fe Whil e h e ima gi n es h e i s rep a i r i n g a n i n s ult t o h i s hon or h e

.
,

l os e s th e r es p ec t of a ll s en s i b l e p er s on s for h e s h ows hims elf t o b e ,

en s l a ve d b y p r id e res en tmen t a n d c ru elty Skill i n t h e u s e of

, , .

wea p on s will n ot a ven ge a n i n s ult ; th e duelli s t s h ould s eek s a t i s fa c

ti on i n t h e l a w cour ts But l et h i m wh o would a cqui re gr ea t mer it i n
-

G od s s ight foll ow th e t ea chin g a n d exa mpl e of O u r Redeemer a n d

, ,

n ot s ee k t o a ven g e hi ms elf b u t b ea r i n ju s ti ce p a ti en tly for thi s i s , ,

th e g rea t e s t h er oi s m th a t c a n b e i ma gi n ed It i s n ot ewor thy th a t .

ma n y of th e a b l es t gen er a l s a n d mon a r ch s were s tr on gly opp os ed t o

du elli n g a n d p r ohib it ed it un der s evere p en a lti es It i s r el a te d of
, .

G u s t a v us Ad olphus th a t h e on ce yi eld e d t o t h e r eques t of two

,

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
,

h e a pp ea re d on th e s cen e with a milit a ry es cort a n d s a id :

Now ,

g ht i f y ou will b u t woe b etide y ou i f on e fa ll s for t h e other s h a ll

, ,
38 6 Th e Comma n a men ts .

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
.

l i s ts fr om t h e a rmy, s a yi n g : I w a n t b ra ve s oldi ers n ot execu ,

t i on ers .

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 .

C a in w a s a mu rd erer ; h e s lew h i s b rother Ab el God Hims elf .

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

ven ge a n ce ( Gen iv Th e mur de re r r ob s h i s vi cti m of t h e

. .

hi ghes t ea r thl y good, h i s life ; h e d ep r ives h i m of t h e opp or tun ity of

g a in in g mer it s for ete rni ty, a n d of p rep a r in g hims elf for de a th .

But a ma n wh o k ill s uni n t en t i on a lly i s n ot a mur derer ( De ut x i x . .

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 .

2 . He c o mmi ts ti ll grea t er s i n wh o d es troys

a s th e s p i ri t ua l
l i fe of hi s n ei gh b or ei th er b y t emp ti ng h i m t o evil
, or b y gi v i ng
s c a nda l .

If th ou p er s ua de thy n eighb or t o s i n , St Au gu s tin e s a ys ,

.

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
.

mu rd er Na y even of a grea t er s i n th a n mu r der, b ec a us e t h e li fe of

.
,

t he s oul i s of fa r mor e v a lu e th a n th e li fe of t h e b ody If a thous a n d .

men we re put t o de a th l es s h a rm w oul d b e don e tha n i f on e s oul w ere

,

c on demn ed t o everl a s tin g p er diti on If t h e b l ood of Ab el c ri ed t o

.

h ea v en for ve n g ea n ce on h i s b r oth er, h ow mu ch more wi lLt h e b l ood

of t h e l os t s o ul cry for v en gea n c e on i t s mu r d er e r How cu rs ed a re .

they wh o a re t h e ca u s e of s o grea t a c al a mity t o a n oth er ! Temp t a

ti on a n d s c a n d a l a re a ll t h e more fa t a l b eca u s e th e evil i s h a n d ed
on fr om o n e t o a n other He wh o h a s b een l ed i n to s i n , l ea ds a n oth er
.

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 .

i n t h e b egi n n in g b u t i n crea s in g i n i t s cou rs e, c a rryi n g va s t ma s s es

,

o f s n ow with it i n t o t h e a b y s s , t h e tempte r d r a gs coun tles s s oul s with

h i m t o p er diti on O th ers c orr upt thei r fell ow men b y t h e s c a n d a l

.
-

th ey give, a s l ea ven p erva des th e whole of th e ou r i n whi ch it i s

pl a ce d .

Temp t a ti on i s th e en d ea vor, b y s ub tl e mea ns , to i n i te c a ma n

to s in .

Th e t emp ter i s l ike t h e d evil , wh o b y hi s wi les l ed ou r rs t p a ren ts ,

i n p a rad i s e t o di s ob ey God He goes t o work c ra ftily l ike t h e s h er

. ,

ma n wh o ca t ch es s h with a b a ited h ook or t h e fowl er wh o l a ys t r a ps , ,

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
.

h ol y ma r tyrs b efor e th ei r executi on a ttemp ts were ma de to i n duce ,

th em eith er b y b l a n di s hmen t s a n d p romi s es , or b y th rea t s a n d t or

,

tu re to a b jure thei r fa ith a n d t r a n s g res s t h e comma n dmen t of God

, .

Wh a t troub l e th e P rocon s ul took with th e a ged Bi s h op P ol yca rp ;

wh a t effort s t h e Ki n g of B oh emi a ma de t o force St John Nep omu cen 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 .

s ca n d a l b ut on th e con t r a ry a good exa mple Th e fa ul t li es with th e

, , .

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
, ,

t h e s a c r a men t s a t Ea s te r ma y b e s et a s id e occ a s i on a lly i f other s

, ,

will t a ke offen ce b y th ei r ob s erv a n ce ; y et on e s h oul d en dea vor t o

ob vi a te thi s b y expl a i n i n g t h e duty t o b e full led
, Purely huma n .

l a w s d o n ot b in d a s a r ule i f g rea t h a rm ma y b e don e b y k eepin g ,

th em ; for C h r i s t s a ys : M y yok e i s s weet a n d M y b ur den i s ligh t

( M a tt x i . Y et it i s b es t t o expl a in ma tter s a n d then a ct b oldly ;

.
,

t hi s often p reven t s di fc ulti es b ei n g ra i s e d It i s h ow ever imp os s ib l e .

, ,

a lw a y s t o a v oid s c a n d a l for evil mi n d e d p e rs on s t a ke offen ce a t wh a t

,
-
,

i s w ell me a n t O u r L or d b a de Hi s a p os tl es n ot t o h eed s uck p eOp l e :

.

Let th em a l on e ; th ey a re b li n d a n d lea der s of t h e b l i n d ( M a tt xv . .

3It i s , h owev er, l a wful t o w ound or ev en t o ki ll our fell ow

.

ma n, i f h e t h rea t en s t o t a k e our l i fe b y vi ol en e, or a nyt hi ng t ha t c

i s a b s ol ut el y i n di s p ens a b l e t o our l i fe, a nd w e h a v e n o ot h er mea ns
of d efen e c
Thi s i s a l l ed th e ri gh t of s el f d efen e
. c -
c .

Self defen ce i s n ot w r on g, b ec a u s e ou r ob j ect i s n ot t o t a ke

-

a n oth e r ma n s li fe, b u t s i mply t o p r es er ve ou r own ; a n d t h e mo r a l

w or th of a n a cti on i s determi n ed b y th a t whi ch i s , n ot b y th a t whi ch

i s n ot i t s ob j ec t W e a re p ermitted t o defen d, b u t b y n o mea n s t o
.

a ven g e our s elves ; h en ce i f we ca n s a ve ou r s elves b y ight, w e o ught

to do s o If it i s en ough t o w oun d ou r a dvers a ry we mu s t s t op s h ort
.

ther e Ab ove a ll , a w oma n i s ju s tied i n d efen din g her s elf a ga i ns t

.

a n y on e wh o a tt empt s t o vi ol a te h er ch a s tity We a re a l s o p ermi tted .

t o kill a n y on e i n or d er t o s a ve t h e li fe of a thi r d p a r ty ; thi s M os es

did wh en h e s lew t h e Egypti a n wh o wa s s tr ikin g on e of t h e He
b r ew s ( Ex o d ii It i s on ly l a wful t o put t o dea th on e wh o u n
. .

j u s tly s eiz es ou r p rop er ty, i f h e l a ys h a n ds on wh a t i s a b s olut ely n ec

es s a r y t o ou r ex i s t en ce, for th en it i s ou r li fe th a t w e a re d efen di n g .

It i s n ot r ight t o s h oot a r ob b e r wh o c a rr i es off s omethi ng of n o

g rea t v a lue ; n or c a n w e pl ea d th e r ight of s elf defen ce i f it i s on ly -

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 -

wi th d ea th ; a n d s ol d i ers a ct l a wfull y i n wou n di n g a n d killi n g

th e en emy i n t i me of w a rfa r e .

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
,

God h a ve t h e r igh t t o s en ten ce e vil d oers t o ca pit a l pun i s h men t

,
-
.

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 ven ger s t o ex ec ut e w r a th up on h i m th a t d oeth evil ( R om x iii . .

Th e a uth or ity of th e ma gi s t r a t e i s G od s a uth ority ; wh en h e c on d emn 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
, , ,

i s n ot a n s w er a b l e for th e b l ow it s t rikes , b u t t h e h a n d i s th a t wi eld s

t h e s w or d Y et t h e j udge mus t n ot a ct a rb itr a rily ; h e mu s t onl y
.

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 ,

s o c r i mi n a l s mu s t b e ex ec ut e d t o s a v e s oc i ety As a ma tter of cou rs e .

 The Ten Comma n d men ts o f God . 3 89

t he c ulp r it s guilt mus t b e p roved ; b etter let th e guilty g o free th a n

c on demn th e i nn ocen t It i s a n e rr or t o s upp os e tha t th e C hu rch

.

a dvoc a tes ca pit a l pun i s h men t on t h e p r i n c iple of r e ta li a ti on ; a n ey e

for a n ey e a t ooth for a t ooth Thi s i s a p r i n cipl e of Jud a i s m n ot of
, .
,

C h ri s ti a n ity Th e C hur c h d oes n ot like t o s ee b l ood s hed s h e des i res

.
,

th a t eve ry s i n n er s h ould h a v e ti me t o a men d Sh e p ermits b u t does .

,

n ot a pp r ove c a pit a l pun i s h men t Th e milit a ry p r ofes s i on i s n ot n u

.

l a wful ; we a re n ot t old i n th e G os p el s th a t s oldi ers w ere exh orted t o

lea ve t h e a rmy b u t on ly th a t they were a dmon i s hed t o b e c on t en t
,

with the i r p a y a n d t o d o vi olen ce t o n o ma n God b y t h e lip s of

, .
,

M el chi s e dech b l es s ed Ab r a h a m a fter h e h a d ma de w a r up on t h e

,

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
.
,

eve r a ll ow hi ms el f t o t rea t c r uelly th os e w h o a re di s a b le d i n b a ttl e

,
.

Th e C hur c h forb id s h er mi n i s ter s t o u s e dea dly wea p ons a s thi s i s ,

in c omp a tib l e with thei r s a c red ca llin g .

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
.

ca l l y or s p i ri t ua ll y, i s b oun d to r ep a i r th e h a rm d one t o th e u tmos t

of hi s p ower .

If a n y on e h a s b een t h e mea n s of in i c ti n g b odily h a rm upon h i s

n eigh b or, h e mu s t p a y t h e d oct or a n d a l l t h e ex p en s es of hi s ill n es s ,
ma k e g oo d t h e los s of h i s ea rni n g s , etc If h e h a s kille d hi m h e mus t .

p r ovid e for h i s fa mily If h e h a s given s c a n d a l t o h i s n eighb or, or

.

l ed h i m i n t o s i n , h e mus t s tr ive t o coun te r a c t t h e evil con s equen c es

b y a g ood ex a mpl e, p r a yer, i n s t ru c ti on , etc U n les s h e d oe s thi s h e .

wi ll n ot ob t a i n p a r d on fr om God , a n d t h e p ri es t s a b s oluti on will b e

Wha t a re th e R ea s on s whi ch ou gh t to D eter a s from Ta ki n g 6m

own L i f e or tha t of ou r Nei ghb or ?

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 .

We t a n tly r ea d of fa t a liti es a n d s a d a cciden t s res ul tin g from

c on s
foolh a r di n es s i n r i s kin g on e s life

Th e i n dul gen ce of t h e p a s s i on s
.

a l s o oft en b ri n g s on s ome p a i n ful ma l a dy O n t h e oth er h a n d s ome .

s a in ts p erma n en tly i n ju r e d th ems elves b y ex ces s ive a n d un wi s e a u s

teri t i e a n d r eg retted it a ft erw a r d s
s .

2 . He wh o ta kes th e l ife of a n o th er is t ortu red b y t errib l e

p g
a n s o f c on s ci c en e, of en t di es a vi ol en t d ea t h a n d
,
i s ov erl a s t
i n gly d a mn ed .

C a i n w a s a fugitive on t h e ea rth a fte r t h e mur der of h i s b r oth er

Ab e l ( Gen iv M ur derers like h i m n d n o r es t As a r ul e th ey
. . .
,

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

( Gen ix . All th a t t a ke t h e s wor d s h a ll p er i s h b y t h e s w or d ( M a tt

. .

xxvi . D ivi n e ju s ti c e fr equen tly pun i s hes t h e s i n n e r i n t h e w a y

th a t h e h a s s inn ed Th e Heb r ew s i n Egy pt were c omma n ded t o
.

th r ow th ei r i n fa n ts i n to th e Nile ; th e ki ng a n d a ll h i s a rmy wer e

39 0 Th e Comma n d men ts .

s wa llowed up i n th e R ed Sea Ret r ib uti on s p eedily over took thos e .

who h a d c on demn e d O u r L or d t o de a th : Jud a s a n d Pil a te put a n en d

t o thems elves a n d i n t h e ye a r 7 0 n o l es s th a n a m illi on of t h e Jewi s h
, ,

p eople w ere s la i n Th e p er s e cut or s of t h e C h ri s ti a n s i n ma n y ca s es

.

di e d a vi ol en t dea th : N e r o b y h i s own h a n d Juli a n t h e Ap os t a t e on ,

th e b a ttl e el d M ur der e r s s h a ll n ot ob t ai n t h e k i n gdom of G od

-
.

( Ga l v . th ey s h a ll h a ve thei r p or ti on i n th e p ool b urn i n g with

.

re a n d b r i ms t on e ( Ap oc x i A s imil a r fa t e h a s fr equen tly b een

. .

kn own t o overt a ke h eres i a rch s a n d tho s e wh o b y w or d or w r iti n g s ,

h a ve un d ermi n ed t h e fa ith of others a n d thu s i n c urred t h e guilt o f ,

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 .

O n e wh o h eri s h es feelin g s of a n i mos i ty a n d medit a t es ven gea n ce

c
i s a s tr a n g er t o p ea ce ; h e i s con ti n u a lly i n a fe rmen t ; t h e th ought s of
h i s h e a r t a re a p e rp etu a l s cou rge t o h i m Th a t ma n ca n h a ve n o .

c on cor d with C hr i s t wh o live s i n di s c or d with C h r i s ti a n s

, If p ea ce .

ma ker s a re c a ll ed t h e children of God th o s e wh o s ti r up s t r i fe a n d ,

di s s en s i on a re childr en of Sa t a n As lon g a s th e th orn r a n kles i n t h e .

w oun d n o r eme di es will h ea l it n or will p ra yer a v a il th e C h r i s ti a n

, ,

whil e d ea dly h a t r ed h olds a pl a ce i n h i s hea rt O u r L or d s a ys : If .

th ou offer thy gi ft a t th e a lta r a n d th ere th ou r ememb er th a t thy ,

b r other h a th a n ythi n g a g a i n s t thee l e a v e ther e thy offer ing b efor e ,

t h e a lt a r a n d g o r s t t o b e r ec on c ile d t o thy b r o ther a n d th en c omi n g ,

th ou s h a lt offer thy gi ft ( M a tt v 2 3 F eelin g s of h a t r e d ought

. .
,

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
. ,

i f thi s b e d on e p r omptly b u t i f s ome time b e a ll owed t o el a p s e it

, ,

b ec omes a di fcult ma tte r t o s et it r ight So it i s with h a tr ed ; i f .

a r ec on c ili a ti on t a kes pl a ce i mmedi a tely t h e forme r fr i en dly fe eli ng s ,

a re r es to r ed with out t r oub l e ; b u t i f it i s d el a ye d a n ger g ets t h e ,

ma s t ery of u s a n d we thi n k it b en ea th u s t o s eek a r econ cili a ti on

, .

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
, ,

th ou w ould s t h a s t en t o r id thys el f of them ; n ow h a t r e d a n d enmity

a re v en omou s s e rp en t s ; wilt th ou n ot b a n i s h th em fr om thy h ea rt ,

Wh i ch i s th e t emple of th e H oly Gh os t ?

3 . O UR C OND UC T IN R EGARD TO THE L O WER

ANIM AL S .

Th e l ower ani ma l s a re c rea e t d b y God for th e s er vi ce of

ma n .

Th e b en et s w e der ive fr om th e i ma l s a re th es e : Th ey s u pply u s an

with wh a t i s e s s en ti a l t o li fe e g foo d cl othi n g et c ; th ey h elp u s , . .

, , , .

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
, , ,

b ea uty et c Some i n s t ru c t u s b y th ei r ex a mpl e ; b ees for i n s t a n ce

, . , ,

i n cite u s t o i n du s t ry s t ork s t o li a l a ffecti on s h eep t o t h e p r a c ti ce of

, ,

p a ti en ce et c M oreove r th ey a l l p r ocl a i m th e omn ip ot en ce th e wi s

, . ,

d om th e b oun ty of th ei r C rea to r
,
.
3 92 Th e Comma n d men ts .

THE SIX TH C O M M AND M ENT O F GO D .

I In th e Si x th Comma ndment a l mi gh t y God p r ohi b i t s every

.

thi ng t h a t mi gh t s t a i n our own p uri ty or th a t of our n ei gh b or .

O n e c a nn ot en l a rge up on s i n s a g a i n s t t h e Si xth C omma n dmen t,

for t h e mere men ti on of wh a t i s i mpur e t a kes t h e b l oom off ou r i nn o
c en c e . Hen ce St P a ul exh or ts t h e Ephes i a n s :
. All un cle a n n es s ,

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
.

p a s s them b y i n s ilen ce. F or thi s vi c e p erh a p s ca us es th e des t ru o

ti on of more s oul s th a n a n y other ; i n fa ct a mong t h e l os t s oul s i n
hell , few will b e foun d en ti rely free from i t .

God more es p e i a l ly forb i ds : c

1 Imp u r e th ou gh t s a n d d es i res
. .

Evil th oughts a re t o b e res i s te d b oth thei r s i n ful on a ccoun t of

n es s i n th ems elve s a n d b ec a u s e th ey l ea d t o immo d es t a c ti on s
, They .

a re lik e a s p a rk whi c h o cc a s i on s a g re a t c on a g ra t i on un les s i t b e ,

immedi a tely extin gu i s h e d St Je r ome comp a res un ch a s tity t o a . .

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
, ,

d ea dly p oi s on Evil th oughts mu s t a cc o rdin gly b e b a n is hed a t on ce ;

.

thi s i s d on e mos t r ea dily b y divert in g th e mind or h a vin g r ec ours e ,

t o p r a yer ( See wh a t wa s s a id a b out tempt a ti on ) As l on g as evil

. .

th oughts a re di s pl ea s in g t o u s they a re n ot s in ful ; we a re on ly t o ,

b l a me i f w e t a k e pl ea s ure i n th em Evil th ought s a re a n a b omi n a .

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
. .

th ought s a s o n e w oul d ee fr om a n a s s a s s in for th ey ca u s e th e dea th ,

of t h e s oul Impu r e th oughts i f en t er ta i n ed give r i s e t o i mpur e

.
, ,

d es i res i e th e wi s h or lon gin g for t h e s i n s ugges t ed As th e tree

, . .
, .

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 .

c on s en t of t h e will a n d thi s i s a s rea ll y s i n ful a s O u r L or d s a ys a s i s

, , ,

t h e d eed it s elf ( M a tt v . .

2 . Imp ure words .

A ma n wh os e con v er s a ti on i s un cl ea n h as a th or oughl y p oll uted

con s c i en ce U n ch a s te w or ds a re a s u re s ign of un ch as te ma n n er s
. .

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 ,

a re i n gr e a t d a n g e r of fa lli n g i n to s i n s of u n ch a s tity St L oui s . .

,

on h i s d e a th b ed exh or t e d h i s s on s o t o r egu l a te h i s c on vers a ti on

-

, ,

th a t i f a ll t h e w orl d hea r d wh a t h e s a i d h e w ould n ot ha ve ca us e t o ,

b lus h for it Th e ton gue i s i n deed a littl e memb e r a n d b oa s teth

. ,

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
. .

b u t n ot s o ma n y a s h ave p eri s hed b y th ei r own t on g ue

s w or d ,

( Ecclus xxviii . .

3 Imp u r e a ti on s
. c .

Th es e a ct s a re di ffer en tly d es ig n a ted , a c cord i n g a sthey a re c om

mi tt ed b y th e un ma rri ed ( D ent xx ii th e ma rr i e d ( L v xx
O

. .
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 .

B old look s a re forb idden b ec a u s e th ey lea d t o s i n j us t a s a p a ren t

, ,

forb id s h i s child t o pl a y with edge d t ool s Th e s i n on whi c h t h e ey e

.

looks with plea s ur e s oon t a kes po s s e s s i on of t h e hea rt M a n y h a ve .

pe r i s hed b y t h e b ea uty of a w oma n a n d h er eb y lus t i s en ki n dl ed a s

,

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 ,

l ike a d river wh o p a ys n o h ee d t o hi s h or s es ; h e will b e c a rr i ed a w a y

a n d d r a gg ed t o d es t r u cti on O r like a fort res s of whi ch t h e g a t es
.

a re n ot gu a r ded ; t h e en emy s oon ef fects a n en t r a n ce thr ough them .

D a vid w oul d n ot h a ve h a d s o muc h t o b ew a il i f h e h a d k ept w a tc h ,

ove r h i s eyes L oo k n ot r oun d a b out thee i n t h e w a ys of a c ity
.

( 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 .

Immodes t pi ctu res a n d pl a ys corr upt more s ur ely th a n impur e

c on ver s a ti on b ec a us e wh a t on e s ee s ma k es a d eep er i mp r e s s i on th a n
,

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
.

a v oided ; there a re ma n y ( a n d th es e a re t h e mos t d a n gerou s of a ll ) ,

whi ch un der a fa ls e s emb l a n c e of p rop r i ety ki n dl e t h e p as s i on s a n d , ,

thus d o more h a rm th a n wor ks of a n Op enl y i mmor a l c h ara cter .

6 . Immod es ty in d r ess a n d ex c es s i ve n ery .

Th os e wh o dr e s s immodes tly a re th e devil s i n s t rumen ts for t h e

rui n of s oul s V a n ity a n d l ove of dr es s a re p ow erful fa ct or s i n

.

Sa t a n s s erv i ce ; for w omen w h o d ec k th ei r p er s on t o a tt r a c t men

d a re n ot p res um e t o s a y th a t they a re ch a s te a n d pu re of h e a rt ; thei r

very a pp ea r a n ce gives them t h e li e Th e l on gi n g for a dmi r a ti on d oes
.

n ot c ome fr om a s i mpl e h ea rt ; it i s a s n a r e t o en t r a p other s i n t o

vi ce It i s a b a d s ign for a w oma n t o b e over dr es s ed ; th os e wh o m a ke
.

thei r t oi let of p a ra moun t i mp ort a n ce h old vi rtu e che a p Let .

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

. .

2 . Si n s th e Six t h Comma n dment

a ga n s i t of God a re for th e
mos t p a rt very gri ev ous i n God s s i gh t a nd

a cc or d i ngl y a re s e
v erel y p uni s h ed b y H im .

Rememb er t h e D eluge a n d th e fa te of Sodom a n d G omorrh a Th e .

ch a s ti s emen ts G od in i c t s for t h e s i n o f un ch a s tity h a ve a l rea dy

b een s p ok en of un de r t h e s ub j ect of t h e d ea dly s in s F r om t h e pl a ce .

given t o th e Sixt h C omma n dmen t i n th e D ec a l ogue it ma y b e i n

ferr ed th a t t r a n s gres s i on s of thi s p recept a re on a p a r with mu rd e r
a n d th eft Unh a ppily ma n y of th e pl a ys p erfo rme d i n th e th ea tre
.

i n th e p res en t d a y rep res en t s in s a ga in s t t h e Si xth C omma n dmen t

i n a n a tt r a c tive light .

THE SEVEN TH C O MM ANDMEN T O F GO D .

I In t h e Sevent h Comma ndment a l mi gh ty God forb i ds

. us to
wr on g our nei ghb or i n hi s good s a nd p r op erty .

By pr op erty i s mea n t a ll th a t a man n ee ds for hi s s ub s i s t en ce

3 94 Th e Comma n d men ts .

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 THE RIGHT OF P OSSESSION

. .

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 .

Si n ce it i s t h e n a tu r a l r ight of e ver y ma n t o p res erve h i s own li fe,

h e i s j u s tie d i n g a i n in g for hi ms el f a n d k ee pi n g a s h i s own , thos e
.

ex tern a l g ood s whi ch a re i n di s p en s a b l e t o h i s ex i s ten c e If every .

momen t were occ upi e d i n p r ovidi n g for h i s own ma i n ten a n ce , h e

would b e i n th e di r es t des tituti on , i f s i ckn es s or mi s fortun e b efell
h im . Th e n a tur a l l a w p r ompt s h i m t o p r ovide for s uc h c on t i n g en
c i es . B es ide s , w ere every momen t en g ros s e d with t h e b us i n es s of s elf
m a i n t en a n c e, th ere w ould b e n o time t o a tt en d t o h i s ete rn a l i n t er
es t s . F u rth ermor e, a ma n i s b oun d t o p r ovide for th os e wh o a re d e
p en d en t up on h i m, a n d thi s h e c ou ld n ot d o i f h e hims elf lived fr om
h a n d t o mouth God c omma n d e d ou r rs t p a r en ts i n p a r a di s e t o ll
.

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
. .

p os s e s s i on s ; e a c h b r ought of h i s own t o offer s a c r i ce All t r us t .

wor thy i n forma ti on res p ectin g th e e a rli e s t a ges of huma n ity b ea r s

evid en c e t o t h e p os s e s s i on of p e r s on a l p r op er ty It w a s n ec es s a ry .

tha t ea ch s h ould h a ve h i s own , otherwi s e ma nki n d c ould n ot h a ve

b een a t p e a c e There w ould h a v e b een c on ti n u a l s t r i fe a n d c on t en
.

ti on With o ut t h e r ight of p os s es s i on , th e i n c en tive t o l a b or w ould

.

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
.

God , j us t a s mu c h a s ma rri a ge a n d l eg a l a uth or ity But it c a n n ot b e .

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 .

will th a t a s ma ll min or ity s h ould en j oy a s u p eru i ty , while a n over

whelmin g ma j or ity of Hi s child r en s h oul d live i n p ov e rty a n d d es t i t u
ti on Thi s g re a t i n equ a lity i s t h e res ult of s i n
. .

2 Pers ona l p rop ert y i s

. j us tl y t
ob a i n ed w h en i t is ei t h er ac

qu i r ed b y l a b or or b y gi ft .

Na ture d oes give ma n th e r ight t o cert a i n g oods ; th e r ight t o

n ot
p os s es s th em mu s t b e a cqui r ed It i s a c qui red i n t h e r s t pl a ce b y
.

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
.

r equi s it e for t h e ma in t en a n ce of human l i fe with out cultiva ti on .

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
, .

P rop er ty a s a r ul e i s g a i n e d b y work b u t s ometi me s it i s a free gi ft

, ,
.

God Hi ms el f b es t ows p r op er ty He p r omi s e d th e l a n d of C h a n a a n t o

.

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 . .

a r ch s b equ ea th ed th ei r p os s es s i on s t o th ei r eld es t s on s b y a s ol emn

3 96 Th e Comma n d men ts .

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 ,

n i t i es a ffor ded for s t ea li n g O cca s i on ma k es t h e thi ef But if a ma n

. .

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 ,

i n t en ti on t o res t ore wh a t h e h a s s t olen wh en h e i s i n b et ter c i rc um

s t a n c es ( P r ov v i . O ur L or d did n ot r eb uk e th e a p os tles wh en ,
.

i n p a s s i n g th r ough a c or n eld th ey plu cke d t h e ea rs of corn a n d e a t

,

t h e g r a i n b eca u s e they w ere hun g ry ( M a tt x ii To c on ceal o r . .

p u rch a s e g oo d s th a t a re kn own t o b e s t ol en i s t o ren d er on e s s elf a

p a r tn er i n th e s i n .

2 . Rob b ery i s t h eft a cc

mp a n i ed b y p ers on a l vi ol en c e o .

If a r ob b er kill s or mort a lly w oun d s h i s vi c tim t h e c r i me i s s a id

,
u
,

t o b e rob b e ry with mur der O f th i s th e r ob b er s w er e guilty wh o

.

a tt a ck ed t h e Jew on t h e w a y from Jeru s a l em t o Je r i c h o ( L uk e x .

Th e forc ib le ext orti on of a lms i s a l s o e quiva l en t t o r ob b ery .

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

s es s i ons b y cra fty mea n s .

F or in s t a n ce, b y t h e u s e of fal s e wei g ht s a n d mea s ur e s th e i s s ue ,

of c oun t e r fe it c o i n , t h e a dul t er a ti on of foo d, th e fa l s i c a ti on of d oc

u men t s t h e r emov a l of b ou n d a r y ma rk s , s muggli n g or a r s on i n vi ew

,
-

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 .

mon ey l en der i f h e l en ds mon ey a t a high

'
Th e u s u r er i s ca lle d a -

r a t e of i n t eres t t o on e wh o i s i n p ec un i a ry difculti es or a s p ecul a tor, ,

i f h e b uy s up corn a n d keep s it un til a time of s ca rc ity i n or d er t o ,

s ell it a t a high p r i c e Un der t h e a ppea r a n ce of h elpi n g a m a n i n

.

n eed t h e u s u r er i n volve s h i m i n g rea t er c ompli c a ti on s

, He i s like .

a d oc t o r wh o i n s te a d of s t r en gth en i n g h i s p a ti en t s a p s t h e little for ce ,

h e h a d ; or lik e a s pid er th a t w ea ves a web mor e a n d mo re c l os ely ,

r oun d th e un h a ppy y a n d s u ck s every d r op of i t s b l ood U s ur ers a re .

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

h ood a n d thu s d ep r ive them of life

, .

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 .

We ma y in j ure ighb o r i n h i s p rop erty b y s ettin g i t on re

ou r n e ,

b y t rea di n g d own h i s cr op s d a ma gin g h i s g oo d s s hin g or s h o otin g

, ,

on h i s g r o un d s with out p e rmi s s i on e t c To keep wh a t on e h a s foun d , .

,

a n d n ot t o r etu r n wh a t h a s b een l en t t o t h e own er i s theft

Jos eph s .

b rethr en did w ell i n di rectly t a ki n g b a ck t h e mon ey they foun d i n

th ei r s a cks Th e mor e va lu a b le th e ob j ec t on e n d s th e gr ea ter th e
.
,

ob lig a ti on t o give it up t o t h e ow n er ; a n d i f on e d oes n ot k n ow t o

wh om it b el on g s on e ou ght t o t a ke s tep s t o di s cover h i m M an y

, .

p eople a re very c a rel es s i n re tu rn i n g b ook s i n s t ru men t s or i mp l e ,

o

men t s whi ch th ey h a ve b orr owed a n d th ey s h ow di s pl eas ur e i f th e ,

own e r a s ks for them B e ca reful a b out l en di n g a n d very c a reful

.
 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God .

ab o ut r etu rn i n g Th e n on p a y men t of deb t s a l s o i s a ki n d of s t ea li n 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 ,

h i s leg s b egi n to fa il h i m h ob b l es on w a r d with a c r ut ch But it i s a

,
.

s i n t o b orr ow a n d n ot p a y a g a i n ( P s xxxv i M a n y p eople g et . .

i n to deb t t o s a ti s fy th ei r cr a vi n g for a mus emen t t o g r a ti fy thei r ,

p a s s i on s or for t h e s a ke of dr es s i n g a b ove thei r s t a ti on a n d they

, ,

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
.

decl a r e th ems elves b a n kr upt s But mos t b l a mewor thy of a ll a re th os e

.

wh o d o n ot p a y thei r s erv a n ts a n d w orkp e opl e ; thi s i s a s i n th a t c r i es

t o h ea v en It i s theft a n d a s or t of mur der t oo t o k eep b a ck th e
.
, , ,

w a ges of a p o or la b orer wh o lives on h i s d a ily e a rn i n gs

, Th e w a ges .

of h i m th a t h a th b een hi r ed b y th ee s h a ll n ot a b id e with th ee un til

t h e mor n i n g

( L ev x i x
P
. a y h i m t.h e p r i c e of h i s l a b o r th e

s a me d a y ( D eut xx iv .O we n o ma n a n ythin g b u t t o l ove on e

. ,

a n o the r ( Rom xiii . .

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 .

O ur g a in s t ou r n eighb o r i s g rea t e r or l es s i n p r op orti on t o

s in a

t h e w r on g w e d o h i m To s tea l a few p en ce fr om on e wh o i s utt erly

.

d es titut e or a few s hi llin gs fr om a l a b or i n g ma n i s a mor t a l s i n ;

,

it i s equiva len t t o s tea li n g a con s id er a b le s um fr om a r i ch ma n It .

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 ,

for i n time th ey ma k e a l a rge a moun t O n e ought n ot t o t a ke t h e .

s ma ll es t thi n g th a t i s n ot on e s own F idelity i n s ma ll thin g s i s mos t

.

i mp o rt a n t for God pun i s h es little s i n s a n d un fa ith fuln es s i n s ma ll

, ,

th i n g s lea d s t o gr a ve s i ns By di s reg a r di n g p etty theft s ma n y a

.

c r imi n a l h a s come t o th e g a ll ow s .

2 . R ESTIT UTION OR SATISF AC TION .

1 He w h o h a s p url oi n ed from hi s n ei ghb or or wr on ged hi m

.

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 . .

A thi ef i s n ot r equi re d t o g o hi ms elf a n d r es to r e th e s t ol en p rop

ert y t o i t s own e r ; h e ma y s en d it b y th e p r i es t wh o i s pl ed g e d t o ,

s ec r ec y a n d will giv e h i m a n a ck n owl edgmen t of i t s r ec e ipt

, O n on e .

occa s i on wh en C l emen t H ofb a u e r t h e a p os tl e of V i en n a h a n d ed

'

, ,

ove r s omethi n g th a t h a d b een s t ol e n t o i t s own er t h e l a tt er r efus ed ,

t o t a k e it ; b u t Hofb a u e r r ej oi n ed : It i s n ot wi s e t o a ll ow t h e thi ef
t o r et a in wh a t h e h a s p u rl oi n ed or h e will thi n k ste a li n g n o gr ea t
,

o en ce .

Th e foll owin g rul es a re t o b e ob s erv ed :

1. If th e ri gh t fu l ow n er of th e s t ol en p rop erty i s d ea d, i t
mus t b e gi v en to h is h ei rs ; a n d i f t h er e s h oul d b e n o h ei rs , i t
mu s t b e gi v en to th e p oor or d evot ed t o good works .

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
.

ma ke res ti tu ti on immedi a t el y, h e mu s t a t l eas t res ol ve t o d o so

a s s oon a s p os s i b l e an d h e mu s t mak e ev ery ef fort t o fu l l t h a t
,
res ol u ti on .

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 .

2 If a ny on e h a s unwi tti ngl y got s t ol en good s i n hi s p os s es

.

s i on, h e i s b oun d t o gi ve t h em up t o th e ri h t ful owner a s s oon

g
c
a s h e b e omes a w a r e t h a t th ey were s t ol en .

Thu s a n y on ewhether b y pu rch a s e or gi ft h a s a cqui r ed p os

wh o,
o ught t o give it b a ck t o i m
,

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
, , .

former b e t h e c a s e n ot onl y mu s t t h e s t ol en p r op e rty it s elf b e re

,

s t ore d b u t a l s o wh a t ev e r ma y h a ve b een g a i n e d b y it with out a n y

,

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
,

h a ve s u s t a i n e d thr ough t h e l os s of h i s p r op er ty mus t a ls o b e ma de

goo d At a n y r a t e it i s well t o r efer t h e ma tte r t o on e s c on
.

fe s s or a n d foll ow h i s coun s el for h e s t a n d s t owa r d s u s i n t h e pl a ce

, ,

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
.

c omp ens a t e for th e l os s s us t a i ned wi ll not ob t a i n p a rdon of hi s

,

s i n s from God n or a b s ol u t i on fr om th e p ri es t
, .

He th a t will n ot ren de r wh a t h e h a th r ob b ed s h a ll d i e ev erl a s t ,

( Ezech xxx iii

i n gl y . It w a s n ot un til Z a ch eu s h a d d ec l a r ed
.

h i s d et ermi n a ti on t o ma k e full r es tituti on of a l l un ju s t g a in s , tha t

O ur L or d c a ll e d h i m a s on of Ab r a h a m ( L uk e x ix As l on g a s on e .

wh o h a s w r on g e d h i s n eighb or r efu s es t o ma k e r ep a r a ti on , though h e

en t r e a t s t h e divi n e p a r d on with t e a r s , th ough h e ew ks t o a pp ea s e t h e
divi n e j u s ti ce b y fa s t s a n d p en a n ces , hi s s i n will n ot b e r emitted .

Suc h a on e, St Augus tin e s a ys ,

. d oes n ot d o p en a n ce, b u t onl y

c ou n t erfe its it With out r es tituti on ther e i s n o forgiven es s
. St . .

Alph ons us r el a tes t h e s t or y of a r i ch ma n wh o h a d g a n gren e i n t h e

a rm, a n d w a s n e a r d e a th Th e p r i es t urge d hi m t o r es tor e th e p r op
.

erty h e h a d a c qui re d u n ju s tly ; h e r efu s e d on t h e pl ea th a t b y d o in g

s o h e w ould l e a ve h i s th r ee s on s p enn il es s Th e p r i es t b ethought
.

h i m of a s tr a t a gem He s a id h e kn ew of a mea n s of c u re, b u t it wa s

.

a cos tly on e Th e s i c k ma n d ec l a re d n o s u m woul d b e t oo g r e a t t o

.

p r ocu r e it Th e p r i es t r epli ed th a t s ome livin g p er s on mu s t a ll ow

.

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 .

Th e th r ee s on s w ere c a ll e d , b u t n e ithe r of th em w oul d d o thi s for

th e i r fa th er Th en th e p r i es t s a id :
. See, n on e of y ou r c hildren
w ould h old h i s h a n d i n t h e re a few momen t s for y ou , a n d y ou a re
willi n g t o en dur e t h e t ortu res of h ell re t o a ll et ern ity for th e ir
-

Thi s op en ed th e s i ck ma n s eyes ; h e wen t t o c on fe s s i on a n d

s a k es .

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
,

of h i s sub stanc e to th e n eedy how much the mor e pi t ile ssly w i ll h e ,

be j udg e d who has actually tak e n from h i s n e i ghb or what was h i s

( St Augu s t i n e ) Th i eve s and th e cove tous shall not p oss e ss th e k ing
. .

dom of God ( 2 C or v i Th e Mohamm e dans cons i d e r that h e

. .

who s o much a s plucks an e ar of corn from h i s n e i ghb or s corneld

,

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 , .

last i ng damnat i on det e rs many fro m commi tt i ng acts of i nj u st i c e .

O f th i s th e follow i ng story affords a n exampl e A poor w i dow wh o -

.

had bee n d e fraud e d of a plot of land belongi ng to h er b y a r i ch man ,

aske d to be at l e ast allowe d to carry awa y a b a sk e t of e arth The man .

cons ente d w i th a scornful sm il e ; wh e n the b aske t w a s l le d sh e fur ,

th e r r e que ste d h i m to h elp he r up w i th i t on to h e r b ack Th e r i ch .

man atte mp t e d to ra i s e i t b ut i t was too h eav y for h im t o lift

,
.

T he r e sa i d th e w i dow i f y ou n d th i s b aske t of e arth too gr e at a

, ,

we i ght how w ill y ou be ar th e burde n of th e whol e eld for all eter

,

n i ty ? Thi s r emark mad e such an i mpr e ss i on on th e r i ch man that

h e gav e th e land b ack to th e woman ool s i ndee d ar e th ey who play . F
away th e i r chanc e of h e ave n for th e sak e of earth s trans i tory r i ch es !

What doth i t p ro t a man i f h e ga i n th e whole world and s u ffer th e ,

loss of h i s own soul ? ( Matt xv i B y st e al i ng y ou ma y o b ta i n

. .

non ey b u t y ou los e God Y ou th i nk of the ga i n ; forg e t not th e

i
.
,

os s .

Th e h on es t ma n will p ros per up on earth ( P s xxxvi . .

To b i as affords a model of upr ight conduct Although h e was bl i nd .

and r e duc e d t o p ov erty wh e n h e he ard th e bl e at i ng of a k i d that

,

had bee n g iv en to h i s w i f e h e i mm e di ately sa i d : Tak e h ee d l est

, ,

p erhaps i t be stol en ; r estor e ye i t to i ts owne rs for i t i s not l a wful ,

for us e i th er to ea t or to touch anyth i ng that com e th by th e ft ( Tob .

ii . God r e stor e d hi m to s ight and h e l ive d fort y two ye ars ,

-

longe r ( To b x iv The L ord w ill not afi ct th e s oul of th e just

. .

w i th fam i n e ( P rov x Hi s e ars ar e op en unto h i s prayers ( P s

. . .

xxx iii . Justi c e exalte th a nat i on ( P rov x iv Hon e sty i s th e . .

bes t p ol i cy .

THE EI GHT H C O MMANDM ENT OF GOD .

In th e Ei gh t h Comma n dmen t God forb i d s us to d etr a ct fr om our

nei gh b or s h onor, or b ea r fal s e wi t nes s of a ny k i n d

1 . THE PR O HIB I TIO N AGAINST INJUR ING O UR

NEIGHB O R IN HIS HO NO R .

A good r eput a ti on i s a p reci ous p os s es s i on for i t enab l es ,

us t o ga i n r ic h es for t ime a n d for et erni ty .

An honorable r eputat i on or a good name cons i sts i n bei ng w ell

, ,

thought of and well spoke n of b y our fellow m en Th e oppos i t e of

,
- -
.

honor i s shame A good nam e i s bette r than gr e at r i ch e s ; and good

.

favor i s ab ov e s i lve r and gold

( P rov xxii A good r eputat i on i s . .

th e be st th i ng on e arth ; i t i s a tal ent entruste d to us b y God for h e ,

who has a good r eputat i on can do a gr e at d e al of good be caus e h e ,

h a s i nu e nc e ove r oth e rs Th e e steem of oth e rs i s e ss ent i al to re al

.
 Yh e Ten Comma n d men ts f
o God . 401

who can enj oy h i s l i fe i f h e knows that he i s de spi s ed

h a p p i n es s ;
by hi s fe llow m en ? A man w i thout a p enn y w i ll often g e t an ex
-

cell en t post m e r ely be ca us e h e has a good characte r And thos e .

who ar e h ighly thought of ar e more care ful to le ad an up r ight l i fe

than thos e who hav e n o reputati on to pre s erve An honorabl e name .

i s to a man what th e p ee l i s to an appl e ; wh i le i t i s whol e th e a pp l e ,

keeps sound for a long t ime b ut i f th e s ki n i s onc e cut th e frui t , ,

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 .

It i s God s w ill that we should str iv e afte r honor for He i m

,

plante d w i th i n u s feeli ngs of honor and an abhorre nce of d i sgrac e .

To suppress th i s inst i nct woul d be to act at var i anc e w ith Hi s a p

po i ntment Henc e we ought to p e rform our g ood works Op enly O u r
. .

L ord expr e ssl y e nj o i ns thi s up on us whe n He say s : So l et y our l i ght

sh i n e be for e me n that they ma y s ee your good works and glor i fy y o u r
F ather Wh o i s i n heaven ( Matt v O ur good works should be . .

l ike a sweet odor pl e as i ng to m e n as a p erfum e i s to th e nostr ils

,

( 2 C or ii . Good works are th e be st me ans of d e fendi ng our good

.

nam e and s ile nc i ng th e ton gu e of de tractors ( 1 Pet ii

, We . .

ought to cons i d e r what may be good not only be fore God b ut also ,

be for e m e n ( 2 C or v iii Le t y our mod e sty be k nown unto all

F rom all appe arance of evi l refrai n your
. .

m e n ( P h il i v

. .

s elve s ( 1 The ss v It n ee d hardly be sa i d that our good works

. .

must not be perform e d i n vi ew of ple as i ng men and court i ng the i r ,

p ra i s e or w e shall r e c e i ve n o r eward from God ( Matt vi

, It i s . .

our duty to de fend ours elve s when our nam e i s asp e rs e d All mann e r .

of accusat i ons we re b rought aga i nst th e e arly C hr i sti ans ; som e of

the i r abl e st me n publ i she d apologi e s a n d s ent th em to th e emp e ror .

O ur L ord d i d not d i sda i n to j usti fy Hi ms e lf whe n for i n , ,

stanc e i t w a s sa i d of Hi m that He cast out devils b y the a i d of the

,

princ e of the devi ls ( Matt x ii or a ga i n wh e n a s ervant of the

. .
,

hi gh pri e st struck Hi m ( John xv iii St P aul rep e ate dl y spoke . .

i n h i s own d e fenc e be fore th e counci l and th e gove rnor ( Acts xxii

, .

Ye t i t i s not well to be over s ens it ive ab out on e s honor and g o -

,

to l a w a b out t ri es An am i cabl e adjustm ent of d iffer enc e s and

reconc il i ati on i s bette r than quarrell ing and b ri ngi ng accusat i ons To
.

, .

be ve ry touchy i n r egard to on e s honor i s l i kely to g iv e an app e aranc e

of truth to th e slande r for i t looks as i f w e w er e not qu it e sur e of

,

ours elve s ; be s i de s i t provoke s the calumn i ator to go to gre at e r

l engths Afte r a ll a man whos e l i fe i s wi thout reproach n ee d not
. ,

fe ar the p e rman ent loss of h i s good nam e ; only th e e vildo e r i f h e fall ,

i nto di sgrace cannot re tri eve h i s character It i s j ust th e same as

, .

wi th on e s ha i r ; shav e i t off and i t grows aga i n qu i ckly ; b ut i f i t i s

pull e d out by the roots t h e b ar e plac e r ema i ns Davi d r i ghtly com

, .

pare s the tongu e of th e sland er e r to a sha rp razor In th e matt e r .

of s elf defenc e one mus t know how to k eep th e med ium Strong
-

a n d g en e rous charact e rs ar e not affe ct e d b y t ri e s ; th ey b e ar th e m i n

s ilenc e only g ivi ng express i on to the i r j ust ange r i n matt ers of i m

,
402 The Comma ndmen ts .

p o rtanc e St F ranc i s of Sale s t ells us that only wh en grav e and d i s

. . :

g rac e ful cr i m e s ar e i mput e d to u s such as no man can allow h i ms elf

to be charge d w i th should w e take st ep s to cle ar ours elves F i nally
,

.
, ,

be i t r emark e d much mor e can be don e b y be ar i ng an affront

,

p at i e ntly than b y d i s p la yi ng gr e at anx i e ty a b out our go o d n am e .

M any e m i n e nt s e rvants of God hy th e calmn e ss w i th wh i ch they b or e ,

'

the r ev il i ngs of godle ss m e n we r e th e m e ans of conv ert i ng the i r ,

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

th e es t eem of men ; moreov e r i n s ome c a s es i t i s imp os s ib l e t o

en j oy a t th e s a me t ime t h e fa v or of G od a n d th e f a v or of men .

He who i s over sol i c i tous to o b ta i n honor among me n make s th i s

-

, ,

a n d not God h i s ch i e f a i m , Such a on e i s arrogant and amb i t i ous

.
,

and w ill cons e que ntly be humbl e d b y God ( Luk e x i v How .

deeply th e p roud Ab salom was humbl e d ! L ik ew i s e th e amb i ti ous

Emp e ro r Napol e on Honor i s a capr i c i ous godd e ss : i f w e run aft e r
.

h e r s h e i e s from u s ; i f we y from he r s h e p ursu e s us Sh e allows

, , .

no forc e to be p ut up on h e r ; b ut ther e i s a p r i c e at wh i ch she may be

p urchas e d and that i s upr i ghtn e ss and hum i l i ty It i s i mposs i bl e
,
. _

to s erve God and to pl e as e m e n ( Gal i All wh o l e ad a trul y . .

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 . . .

iv. and eve n count e d as fools ( 1 C or i v Th e re ar e som e . .

s illy p eopl e who m et e out honor or d i sgrac e not b y th e standard of

v i rtu e b ut by th i ngs that are of no re al valu e ; r i ch e s pos it i on dr e ss
, , , ,

e tc B u t what eve r y our exe rt i ons y ou cannot pl e as e at all t i mes and

.
, ,

all p e rsons .

3 Furth ermore w e ough t t o r efr a i n fr om ev ery th i n g th a t ma y

.
,

wound our nei gh b or s h onor Th us s us p ici on d etra cti on s l ander

.
, , ,

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 .

Susp i c i on i mpl i e s mal i c e of h ea rt; d etract i on slande r ( b oth of ,

wh i ch ar e d i r e ct e d aga i nst th e ab s ent ) and ab us e ( wh i ch i s d i re cte d

aga i nst on e who i s p r e s e nt ) ar e s i ns of th e ton g u e; l i st e n i ng w ith
,

grat i cat i on wh en anoth e r i s evilly spoken of i s a s i n i f i t i s i n th e , ,

e vi l sp e ak ing that w e tak e pl e asur e .

Sus p icion c on s i s t s i n upp os in g ev il igh b or

1 . s of on e s ne

with ou t reas on ab l e groun ds .

The P har i s ee i n th e T empl e t ook for grant e d th a t th e p ubl i c an

w a s a s i nn e r and how gr e atly h e was m i stake n ( Luk e

Job s
three fr i ends thought h e must n ee ds be ungodly m e rely be caus e h e
was affl i cte d b y God S imon th e P hari s ee thou ght the Magdal en
. ,

wh en h e saw he r at O ur L ord s feet was st ill a s i nn er b ut h e de c e ive d

, ,

h i ms elf ; sh e was th en a p e n i t ent ( Luk e vii 3 9 Wh e n St P aul . .

,

sh i pwr e cke d on th e i sland of Malta l i ght e d a re a vi p e r com i ng out

of th e st i cks f a st en e d on h i s h a nd ; i n cons e qu enc e of th i s th e i n h a b
, , ,

i t a n t s of t h e i sland i nstantl y judged h i m to be a murde r e r p ursu e d ,

b y d iv i n e v enge anc e ( Acts A golds mi th h a d an apprent i c e

 04 Th e Comma n d men ts .

Mud sho ul d be cove r ed ove r not st i rr e d up for no on e can t ouch i t , ,

w ithout d el i n g h i ms elf O fool ! excla i ms St Alphonsus Thou

. . .

dost d e cla i m aga i nst th e s i n of anothe r and m e anwh il e by evi l , ,

sp e ak i n g dost comm i t a far gr e at e r s i n than that thou b l a mes t i n

,

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
.

another d i sclos e s h i s own for h e shows that h e has no char i ty How

, , .

ev e r to sp e a k of anoth e r man s s i n i s not wrong unl e ss on e h a s th e

,

,

i nt ent i on of low er i ng h i m i n th e eye s of others ; i t i s not d etract i on

to t ell som e on e els e of i t i n order to pr event a r ep e t i t i on of t h e s i n .

O n e may also blam e the faul t of anothe r i f th i s may be us eful to ,

a th i rd p erson ; b ut i t must be don e from a se n s e of duty and the ,

Si n rath e r than th e s i nn e r i s to be cond e mne d Th e cr i me of any .

.a l efa c t or who has bee n b rought to just i c e ma y be fr eel y spoke n of ,

as i t i s alr e ady mad e p ubli c Tal e t ell i ng i s a form of de tracti on ; .

-

i t cons i sts in rep e at i ng to anothe r what a th i rd p erson has sa i d of

h im Tal e t ell i ng ru i ns the p e ac e of fam i li e s and i s a fru i tful
.
-

sourc e of feuds It i s wors e than ord i nary d etract i on be caus e i t

.

not only d e stro y s th e r eputati on of on e s n e i ghb or b ut puts an

,

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

o f wh i ch h e i s n ot gu il ty . If th e a ccus at ion i s ma d e p u b l i cly

it i s c all ed a l ib el .

Slande r or calumn y i s tak ing away a man s good nam e Put i

.

phar s w i f e accus ed Jos eph t o he r lord of havi n g att empte d to l e ad

h e r astray ( G e n Th e J ews accus e d O ur L ord b efor e P i lat e

.

of hav i ng p e rverte d th e nat i on and forb i dd en to g iv e tri b ut e to th e

emp e ror ( L uk e xx iii Exagg e rat i on of anoth er s fault also com es
.

unde r th e h e ad of calumn y Th e mot ive s that actuat e the slande re r .

ar e g e n e rall y r evenge hatre d or i ngrat i tude ; h i s s i n i s t wofold for

, ,

h e li e s and at th e s am e t im e de stro ys h i s ne i ghb or s r eputat i on

,

.

He that b ackb i te th s e cr etly i s l i ke a s e rp e nt that b i t eth i n s i lence

.

Som e slande re rs accompan y th e i r calumn i e s wi th a j e st or acce ntuate ,

th em w ith a w i tty or amus i ng sp ee ch Thi s i s th e gr e at es t cruelty .

of all for th e slande r wh i ch m i ght have p ass e d i n at on e ea r a n d

,

out at th e othe r i s th e n rmly lodge d i n th e m i nd of all who h e ar i t

,
.

Aga i n sland e rs that ar e pre fac e d by words of e ulo gy mak e mor e

,

impr e ss i on on th e b ea rer just as an arrow i e s w i th more forc e and

,

p en etrat e s mor e d eeply i f th e b ow be draw n b ack r st O f such .

p e rsons Davi d say s : Th e p o i son of asps i s unde r the i r l ips ( P s

.

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 .

In e vi l sp e ak ing on e mak e s known a man s fault beh ind h i s b ack

,

ab us e utt ers i t i n h i s pre s enc e Ab us e the re fore stands i n th e sam e .

relati on to d etract i on as ro bbe ry to th e ft Wh il e de tract i on and .

slande r unde rmi n e th e good op i n i on oth e rs have of a man a b us e ,

a ims at d ep r iv i ng h i m of th e outward r e sp ect that i s shown h im .

S em e i re v il e d Ki ng Dav i d ; h e call e d h i m a man of B eli al and threw ,

 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts o
f God . 405

ston es at h i m ( 2 Ki ngs xv i The J ews revile d O ur L ord ; they

.

calle d Hi m a Samar i tan and sa i d He had a dev i l ( John v iii , .

If two m e n quarrel the on e who i s in th e wrong usually r esorts to

,

abus e The on e who i s i n the r ight do e s not nee d such w e apons ;

truth con que rs of i ts elf Sneers and sarcasms ar e a form of th i s
.

s i n The i r ob j e ct i s to make a man r i di culous be fore others and p u t

.

h i m to confus i on B y such unk ind sp ee ch es on e ma y deeply wound

.

one s ne ighb or and l l h i m w i th b itte r re s e nt ment

, Th e strok e of .

a wh ip maketh a blu e mark b u t the stroke of the tongu e w ill b re ak ,

th e b one s ( Ecclus xxviii . .

5 He wh o t ak es pl eas u r e i n l i s t en in g t o d etra ct i on c ommi t s

.

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 .

He who asp e rs e s h i s n e i ghb or s good name ki ndl e s a re and he

,

who l i ste ns to h im throws fuel on i t We r e i t not for th e latte r the .

,

forme r would soon be s il ent St Ignat ius says we sho ul d not talk . .

a b out our n e i ghb or s faults di d w e not n d e age r l i sten ers St B er

. .

nard says h e cannot de c i d e wh i ch i s more blam eworthy th e man who ,

slande rs hi s n e ighb or or h e who l ends h i s e ar to the slander er ; the

,

only d iffe renc e i s that one s erve s the dev il w i th h i s tongue the other ,

w ith h i s e ar What do I car e to know that such a on e i s a w i cke d

.

man ? Th e knowle dge only do e s m e harm How much be tt er to s pend .

one s p a i ns on scrut ini z ing one s own conduct O ur L ord e xhorts us

.

to do th i s : C ast rst th e be am out of th i n e own eye and the n thou ,

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 . . .

August in e had the s e words i nscri be d upon h i s d in ing table : Th ere -

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
.

He dg e i n thy e ars wi th thorns h e ar not a w i cke d tongu e ( Ecclus , .

xxv iii . Slander i s a three e dge d sword ; at one blo w i t i n i cts -

three wounds ; i t wo u nds the slande re r for he comm i ts a s i n ; i t ,

woun ds the slandere d be caus e h e i s robbe d of h i s good name ; i t

,

woun ds the b ea rer for h e also falls i nto s i n And s i nc e the slan
, .

dere r i njure s the so ul of h i m who l i st ens to h i s calumn y he i mi ta te s ,

the s e rp ent whos e p o i sone d words w er e th e me ans of dri vi ng Ev e

,

out of parad i s e .

4 He wh o h a s i nj ur ed hi s nei gh b or s reput at i on i s s tri c t l y

.

b oun d t o r es t or e hi s good n ame ; ei t h er b y ap ol ogi zi n g i f th e ,

of fen c e w a s c ommi tt ed i n p ri v a t e or b y pub l i c l y r etr a c t i n g hi s ,

word s if t h ey were s p ok en b efore ot h ers

, .

An y on e who h as unjustly d i m i n i sh e d h i s n ei ghb or s r ep utat i on

,

i s b ound to make sati sfacti on accord ing to th e natur e of the o ffenc e , .

It i s not enough to draw th e arrow out of th e wound the hu rt must ,

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 -

don e must be s et ri ght That i s b i tte r to human nature for i t re

.
,

q u i r e s no sl i ght s elf hum il i at i on More over i t i s almost imposs ibl e

-
.
,

full y to make ame nds for calu mny ; i t i s e asy to b re ak a se al ,

b ut d ifcult to r epa i r i t s o that no one can p e rc e iv e that i t h a s been

b rok en An i nk spot i s soon mad e on a shee t of pap e r b ut n o e ffort s
.
-

w ill remov e all trace s of th e blot .

406 The Comma nd men ts .

5Th os e wh o d o n ot en deavor to r epai r

. th e h arm
th ey h ave
d on e b y s l an d erin g t h eir n ei gh b or c a n n ot , ob t a i n par d on fr om
God n or a b s ol ut i on fr om th e p ri es t
,
.

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 .

O u r L ordsa ys : Judg e not that y ou may not be j udg ed ( Matt .

F or w ith what me asure you mete it shall be m e asur ed to

,

v ii
.

,

you aga i n ( v C onde mn not and y ou shall not be cond emn ed

.

( L uk e v i A monk who on account of del i cat e h e alth had not

.

b een v e ry r e gul ar i n th e p e rformanc e of h i s r el i g i ous dut i e s d i s ,

play e d gr e at cheerfuln e ss wh en h i s de ath dr e w n e ar O n be i ng aske d .

the c aus e of th i s h e r epl i e d : I hav e n eve r ju dg e d any one eve n when

, ,

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 .

2 To j u d ge on e s fell ow ma n i s t o c ommi t a n offen c e ag a i n s t

-

G od, for it is an u s u rp a t ion o f Hi s righ ts .

Th e r e i s on e L awg iv er and Judge ; b ut who art th ou that judg es t

t hy n e i ghb or ?

( Jas i v

Wh o art thou that judg e st anothe r
. .

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
. .

the ri ght to ju dg e others for the i ntr insi c ev i l of an act i on d e pends

,

upon the i nt ent i on of th e h e art and that i s h i dden from man , .

3 He w h o rob s a n oth er of h i s good n ame i s oft en s e v erely

.

pun is h ed b y God up on ea rth ; n ot u n frequ en tly h e i s ov er ta k en

b y th e s a me c a l a mi ty w h ic h h e s ou gh t to b r in g on h i s n eigh b or .

A man of evi l tongu e shall not be e sta bl i sh e d upon th e e arth

( P s cxxx ix
. J ez a b el th e w i fe of Ki ng Achab sub orn ed tw o
.
, ,

w i ck e d men to fals ely a ccus e Nab oth who would not g iv e up hi s ,

v i neyard to th e ki ng of blasph emy R etr ib ut i on eventually fell

, .

upon h er ; sh e was thrown from th e p alac e w i ndo w trample d up on ,

b y hors e s and e at en b y dogs ( 3 Ki ngs It i s now no un common

thing for th e slander e r to m ee t w i th th e s elf sam e fate wh i ch h e -

prepar e d for anothe r as th e follow i ng story shows : St El i zabeth

, . .

Qu ee n of P ortugal had a favor i t e p a g e who us e d to d i str ib ut e he r

, ,

alms O n e of the k i ng s s e rvants who was j e alous of th e larg e share

.

,

of th e qu een s f a vor enjoye d b y th a t page calumn i at ed h i m to t h e

,

ki ng on e da y wh en h e was out hunt i ng

,
Th e ki ng bel i eve d t h e .

calu mn y ; and go i ng up to a l im e k iln wh i ch h e saw i n th e forest h e -

sa i d to the propr i etor : To morrow I shall s e nd a youn g man h i th e r

-

wh o w i ll a s k y ou wh eth e r y ou hav e ex e cut ed th e k i ng s ord e rs ; se i z e

h i m i nstantly and cast h im i nto th e k iln O n th e followi n g morn i ng

th e k ing d i spatch e d th e qu een s p a ge to th e l im e b urn e r wi th th e

.

me ss a ge agr ee d upon O n h i s wa y th i th e r th e y oun g man pass e d a

.

church and as th e bell was ri ngi ng for Mass h e w ent i n a n d

, ,

ass i st e d at th e hol y sacr ic e M e anwh il e th e s e rvant who h a d slan

.

der e d h i m curi ous to know h i s fate followe d h im as h e thought to

, , , ,
408 The Comma n d men ts .

truthful i f y ou wo ul d Show y ours elve s to be th e ch ildr e n of Hi m

Wh o i s th e F athe r of truth and truth i ts elf
,

1 . He i s gu il ty of lyin g w h o s ays wh at is n ot tru e with th e

in t en tion of d ec ei vi n g oth e rs .

Lyi ng i s a m i sus e of s p ee ch S p ee ch was not g iv e n to man i n .

orde r that h e m ight de c e i ve oth ers b ut as a m e ans whe reb y h e m i ght ,

commun i cat e to th em hi s thoughts The cond i t i ons unde r wh i ch .

l i e s are commonly told ar e the s e : Unde r str e ss of c i rcumstance s to ,

av ert som e evi l from one s s elf or from oth e rs as wh en St Pete r i n

, .

th e out e r court of th e h igh p r i e st s palac e sa i d : I know not th e

man ( Matt xxv i

i n j e st to amus e oth ers ; or for th e sake of
. .
,

i nj ur i ng som e one as Jac ob d i d whe n b e de c e ive d h i s fath e r i n ord e r

,

to o b ta i n h i s pat ernal ben e di ct i on ( G en

:
But to rela te a c .

t i t i ou s narrat i v e or mak e u s e of a fab l e for th e i nstruct i on of oth e rs

,

i s n o untruth for i t i s don e wi thout an i nt ent i on to de c e ive O ur

, .

L ord Hi ms elf e mplo ye d parab l e s i n t e ach i ng A l i ar i s l i k e coun t er .

fe i t co i n wh i ch app e ars to be what i t i s not

, .

2 . Hy p ocris y or d i s s imu l a t i on i s a ct in g a l i e ; w e c ommi t

th is s in wh en we ff
s p eak or a ct d i eren t ly t o wh a t w e t h i n k a n d

feel .

Judas k i ss e d O ur L ord i n th e Garde n of O l i ve s as i f h e were Hi s ,

gre ate st fr i e nd b ut h e only d i d s o to betra y Hi m ( Matt xxv i

, . .

Ki ng He rod sa i d to th e thr ee k i ngs : Wh e n you have found th e

C h i ld b r i ng m e word aga i n that I also may com e and ador e Hi m

,

( Matt ii . But h e thought i n h i s h e art that wh e n he kn ew wh er e

.

th e C h ild was h e would hav e Hi m p ut to de ath Thos e ar e hypo

, .

cr it e s who mak e an outward p rof e ss i on of p i ety wh il e i n r e al it y the i r

l i ve s ar e far from i rr eproacha bl e Th ey ar e l ik e Satan who can .
,

assum e th e form of an an gel of l ight To fe i gn sancti ty i n th i s

mann e r i s wors e than t o S i n op e nly Som e app e ar very d evout i n
.

church they cross thems elve s and sm i t e th e i r br e asts b ut all th e

, ,

wh ile th e i r thoughts ar e far awa y ; th ey ar e di s s emb l ers The .

hypocr i t e i s l i ke a dungh ill cov e re d w i th snow wh i ch h i de s what i t ,

r e ally i s O ur L ord compar e d such m e n to wh i te d s ep ulchr e s out

.
,

wa rdl y be aut i ful b ut w i th i n full of fouln e ss and d e ad m e n s b on e s

,

( Matt xx iii 2 7 also to wolve s i n sh eep s cloth ing ( Matt vii

. . . .

3 Fl a tt ery con s i s ts i n p ra i s i n g a n ot h er i mmod era t ely t o h i s

.

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 .

Ki ng He rod Agr ippa was h i ghly grat i e d b y th e att e ry of th e

T yr i ans and S i don i ans wh en they excl a im e d on h e ar i ng hi s orati on :
, ,

I t i s th e vo i c e of a god and not of a ma n But th e angel of the .

L ord forthw i th struck h im a n d h e was e at e n b y worms ( Acts x ii 2 2

Flatt erers sp e ak contrary to thei r convi ct i on ; th ey d eri d e a man
.
, ,

beh i nd hi s b ack wh il e th ey pr a i s e h im t o hi s fac e Th e a tt erer onl y .

s eeks h i s own advantage He i s l ik e th e cat wh i ch purrs and th e .

,

dog whi ch fawns on h i s mast e r to ge t a p i e c e of m e a t C rafty p e opl e

cr i nge t o othe rs i f th ey th i n k a nyth in g can b e g a i n e d Flatte rers
.

fre qu ent th e pr e s enc e of th e r i ch for from th e poor th ey get

.

n oth i ng ; th e y ar e l ik e th e locusts wh i ch do not com e i n th e w i nt e r .

 Th e Ten Comma n d men ts o f God . 409

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
, ,

.
,

i e they ascr i be e xc ell e nc e s to a man wh i ch h e do e s not poss e s s

or th ey exagge rate h i s good qual i t i e s and pall i at e h i s mi sd ee ds Th ey
. .
, ,

are dangerous ac qua i ntanc e s be caus e they hi de a man s faults i n

.

, ,

ste ad of ende avor ing as a tru e fr i end would to corr e ct th em It i s a

, ,
.

matte r of i nd iffe renc e to th em whe th e r they do ha rm or goo d i f they ,

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
,

o il fee ds a am e ; i t i s a nurs ery of v i ce Isa i as excla i ms addr ess i ng .

,

a tt erers :
Woe to y ou that call evi l good and good ev il ( I s v
. .

Let us th e r e for e be on ou r guard if any on e app e ars un u sually com ,

pla i sant and beg i ns to p ra i s e u s O u r Bless e d L ady was trouble d at .

the salutati on of th e an gel .

Wha t a re the R ea s ons th a t s hou ld ma ke us R efra i n from Un

tru thfu ln es s 9 .

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 -

r a t d eal of h arm a n d i s c ap ab l e of c ommittin g a l l ma n n er of

g e

e v il d ee d s .

Th e l i ar r e s embl e s th e devi l for th e d ev il i s a l i ar and th e f a the r

,

there of ( John v iii Rem e mbe r how th e s e rp e nt i n parad i s e l i ed

.

to Ev e L i ars ar e chi ldre n of th e d evi l not b y natur e b u t b y im ita

.
, ,

t i on Th e l i ar i s di sple as ing to God God i s truth i ts e lf and th er e

for e He ab hors th e li ar O ur L ord d i d not sp e ak as S harply of any
. .
,

one as of the P har i s ee s And why ? B e caus e they wer e hypocr i te s

From every class of S i nn ers He gave an example
.

( Matt xx iii 2 7 . .

of on e who was save d ; e g Z a ch eu s among usur ers th e good thi e f

. .
, ,

among h i ghwaym e n Magdal en and the Samar i tan at Jacob s w ell

,

amon g p roi g a t e women Saul among p e rs e cutors of th e C hurch

b ut not one S i ngl e i nd i vi dual among l i ars and hypocr i t e s d i d He
, ,

menti on as havi ng sought and foun d pardon Many a t i m e God .

pun ish ed l i a rs s eve rely ; wi tne ss Anan i as and h i s wi f e Saph i ra who ,

for th e i r fals ehood fell de ad at St Pe te r s fee t ( Acts v ) and Gi ez i .

. ,

th e s e rvant of El i s eus who wa s struck wi th l epros y for h i s l i e s and

,

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 -

Shepherd who cri ed W olf when n o wolf was ne ar found he w a s

. . .

n ot bel i e v e d wh e n h i s ock was r e all y attack e d ; h i s comrad e s had

bee n so oft e n d e c e i ved that th ey d i d not hee d hi s cri e s A l i ar i s not .

truste d wh e n h e sp e aks th e truth ; h e i s hat ed by God and man L i ars

ofte n do a gre at d e al of harm The Sp i e s who went to v i ew th e
.

P rom i s e d L and d e ce i ve d th e I sra el i t e s b y th e i r fals e r eport and ,

alarm e d them so that th ey blasphem e d God wan t e d to ston e the

two Sp i es who spok e the truth and clamore d to r eturn to Egyp t S ee
,

.
,

what m i sch i e f thos e m e n wrought : God de clare d Hi s i nt enti on to

d es troy the p e opl e ( Nu mb Jacob de cei ve d h i s fath er and oh
.

t a i n ed h i s bl e ss i ng fr a ud u l e ntl y ; hi s b roth e r Esau thr e at e n ed to ki ll

h im and Jacob was ob li g ed to tak e to i ght He that hath no guard .
41 0 Th e Comma n d men ts .

on h i s sp ee ch S hall m eet w i th ev ils ( P rov xiii Th e l i ar falls

.

Show m e a l i ar and I w i ll S how y ou a

.

i nto many othe r s i ns

.

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
.
,

of ev il p ract i c e s A l i ar cannot p oss i bly be God fe ar i ng Th e Holy

.
-
.

Sp i r i t w ill ee from th e de c e i tful ( Wi sd i All t h e p i ety and . .

d evot i on of on e whos e words s e rv e to conc e al n ot t o expre ss h i s ,

thoughts i s a m er e sham ; do not a s soc i at e w i th such a on e l e st h e

,

corrupt y ou w i th h i s ungodly ways Lyi ng m e n ar e w i thout honor

Th e just S hall hate a lyi ng wor
.

( Ecclus xx . .
( P rov x iii . .

2 Th e p ern ici ous h ab i t of l y ing l ea ds a ma n i nt o mort a l s i n

.

a nd t o et ern a l p er d i t i on .

Lyi ng i s i n i ts elf a v e n i al s i n ; b ut i t can e as il y be com e a mortal

s i n i f i t i s th e m e ans of do i ng gr e at harm or caus i ng gr e at scandal
He who i ndulges th e hab i t of lyi ng ru ns no small r i sk of los i ng hi s
.
,

soul for God w i thdraws Hi s grac e from thos e who dec e iv e the i r
,

n e i ghb or The mouth that b el i et h k ill eth th e soul ( W i sd i

. . .

A th i e f i s not s o b ad as a l i ar for th e th i e f can g i ve b ack what h e ,

has stol e n wh ere as the l i ar cannot r es tor e hi s n e i ghb or s good name

,

,

of wh i ch h e has ro bb e d h i m A th i e f i s bett er than a man that i s

.

alway s lyi ng ; b ut b oth of them shall i nh e r i t de struct i on ( Ecclus

.

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

. .

i s l i ke a coun te rfe i t co i n stamp e d w i th th e devil s efgy ; wh e n at the

,

L ast Day th e Judg e shall ask : , Whos e i mag e i s th i s ? th e answ er

will be th e d ev il s ; and He w ill th en say : R end er unto th e devil

t h e th i ngs that ar e h i s ( St Thomas A qu i nas ) Th e L ord wi ll

L i ars S hall hav e the i r port i on
. .

d e stro y all that sp e ak a l i e ( P S v 7 . .

i n th e lak e b urn ing w ith re ( Apoc xxi O u r L ord utt e r e d a t e r . .

r i bl e d enunc i at i on of th e P har i s ee s be caus e of th e i r hypocr i s y ( Matt .

xx iii .

Lyi n g i s c on s equ en tl y forb i dd en e v en i f i t ma y b e th e me an s ,

of e ff ctimu ch good
e ng .

St August i n e say s i t i s jus t as wrong to t ell a l i e for your n e i gh

.

b or s advantag e as to st e al for th e good of th e poor Not e ve n to save

.

on e s own l i fe or th e l i fe of anothe r i s a fals ehood just iabl e St

,
. .

An th i mu s B i shop of Ni com e d i a would not allow th e sold i e rs who

, ,

w e re s ent to arre st h im and who w ere enjoyi ng h is hosp i tal i ty t o

, ,

sav e h i m by a l i e ; h e pr e fe rre d to s n er martyrdom W e must not

'

do ev il that the r e may com e good ( R om iii Th e end do e s not . .

just i fy th e m e ans Th e en em i e s of th e J e su i ts all eg e that they t e ach

.

and act upon th e pr i nci pl e that th e e nd just ie s the m e ans b ut thi s ,

has n ev e r bee n prove d aga i nst th em I t was th e ph ilosopher V olta i re .

who procla im e d that doctri n e for h e sa i d : Lyi ng i s only rep reh en ,

s i bl e wh e n i t caus e s m i sch i e f ; i t i s a v i rtu e wh e n i t i s a me ans of

effe ct ing good
.

A f al s eh ood t ol d i n j e st i s n ot wron g i f ev ery on e c a n s ee

at on e c th a t it is -
n ot mea n t i n ea rn es t .

I f any on e says : How d eli ghtfully i t i s to da y ! wh e n th e m il d -

cold i s exc ep ti onall y s ever e no on e w ill call th i s a s i n But i f a ,

.

fool i sh j ok e produc e s lam entabl e re sults th e cas e i s d iffe rent A , .

41 2 The Comma n d men ts .

C hr i stsays : I am the truth ( John x i v Th e re for e th e love r .

of truth i s l i k e unto Hi m Th e love r of truth i s w ell ple as i ng to

.

God O ur L ord sa i d i n pra i s e of Nathana el that h e was :

.

An
I sra eli t e i nd ee d i n whom i s no gu il e ( Joh n i 47
, Th e love r of .

truth i s e steem e d by h i s fellow m en O n on e occas i on wh e n C aesar -

Augustus w a s mak i ng a tr i umphal entry i nto R om e h e happ e n e d to ,

h e ar that among th e capt iv e s the r e was a h e athe n p r i e st who had ,

n e v e r bee n conv i ct e d of a l i e Imm e di ately h e order e d h i m to be

.

l i be rat ed St John C ant i n s was onc e stopp e d by robbers who after

. .
,

taki ng h i s purs e ask e d i f h e had any mor e mon ey ab out h i m Th e

, .

sa i nt r epl i e d that h e had not Aft e r h e had gon e a f ew st eps on h i s.

way h e r em embe r e d that h e had som e pi e c e s of gold s e wn up i n h i s

,

clothe s ; h e hast e ne d aft e r th e ro bbers and gave th em to th em Th e .

th i eve s w er e s o aston i sh e d that th ey r e stor e d all that th ey had take n

from h im S ee how h i ghly pa g ans a n d robbe rs e st ee m truthful ne ss !
.

Thus i t i s always be st to acknowl e dge on e s fault freely for thereb y

,

on e o b ta ins forgi ven e ss or at l e ast a m i ti gat i on of th e p un i shm e nt

,

du e to i t It i s sa i d that W ash i ngton wh e n a b o y hacke d w ith a

.
, ,

chopp e r a be aut i ful ch erry tr ee wh i ch h i s fath e r gr e atly p r i z e d Hi s

-
.

fath e r was extr em ely angry wh e n he saw what was don e and aske d ,

th e b o y i f h e w a s th e culpr i t He r epli e d : Ye s f a th er I w ill not tell

.
, .

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
.

not p uni sh th e b o y W e may p erhaps som et i m e s hav e to suffe r

.
, ,

t hrough sp e ak i ng th e truth b ut th e suffe r i ng i s far outw e i gh e d b y

,

th e approval of a good consc i enc e

He that walketh s i nc er ely .
,

walketh cond e ntly ( P rov x

O ur L ord exhorts us to be s i mple
. .

a s dov e s ( Matt x Gu i le i s not half s o p rotabl e as s i mp l i c i t

. .
v

It i s th ere for e our w i s e st cours e to be cand i d and truthful .

3 . THE M EANS OF PREVENTING SINS OF THE

TO NGUE .

It i s th e opi ni on of the Fath e rs of th e C hurch that a th i rd p art

of all th e s i ns comm i tte d i n the world ar e s i ns of the tongu e .

Sin s ton gu e ca n b e b es t av oi d ed b y ch eckin g t a lka tiv e

of th e
n es s a n d b ei n g gu ard ed i n ou r s p eec h ;
,
moreov er b y ma kin g
ex c u s es for th os e wh om w e h ea r s p ok en a ga in s t a n d n ot r ep ea t ,

i n g wh a t i s s a i d of th em .

We must not i ndu lg e th e love of talk i ng too fr eel y St Au gus . .

t i n e says that s il enc e i s th e b es t prevent iv e of s i ns of the tongu e .

He who knows how to k eep s il e nc e w ill sp e ak w i s ely He tha t keep .

e th h i s mouth k eep e th h i s soul ; b ut h e that hath no guard on hi s

,

s p ee ch shall m ee t w i th e v i ls ( P rov x iii In th e multi tude of . .

words th e r e shall not want s i n ( P rov x Wh i le all th e organs

of th e s ens e s ar e op en to S i ght God has enclos e d th e tongu e beh ind a
. .

d oubl e wall th e l i ps and th e t ee th to warn us to be c i rcumsp e ct i n our

sp ee ch You Sh oul d be as ca re ful i n choos i ng the words you s p e ak
, ,

. ,

a s i n s el e ct i ng th e fo o d y ou e at Hol y Scri pture compar e s t h e tongu e.

to a sharp kn i fe be caus e w e ough t to be as c a uti ous i n our u s e of i t as

,

th e surge on i n th e us e of hi s kn i fe when h e has to p erform an op e r ,

 The Ten Comma n d men ts of God . 41 3

a t i on on t h e hu man b ody W e S hould Sp e ak w i th a ll th e mor e del ibera

.

t i on be caus e what i s onc e sa i d cannot be as i f i t h a d not been sa id .

We can no mor e r e call the words w e hav e spoke n than w e can th e

a rrow w e hav e l e t y from th e b ow O ur L ord sa y s : E v e r y i dl e
. wo rd
that me n shall sp e ak they shall r e nde r an account for i t i n the
,

Day of Judgme nt ( Matt x ii Na y He w ill eve n judge us by

. . .

our words for He adds : B y thy words thou shalt be justi ed and
, ,

b y th y words thou shalt be cond emn e d ( v 3 7

D e ath and l i fe ar e
Furthermor e i f any
.

i n the powe r of the tongu e ( P rov xviii

. .
,

on e i s spoke n evil of i n our pr e senc e w e ought to l i f e up our vo i ce ,

i n h i s d e fe nc e Holy Scri pture says :

. O p e n thy mouth for the
dum b ( Prov xxx i

. that i s for h i m who be i ng ab s e nt cannot
.
, , ,

d e fe nd h ims elf If ther efor e y ou h e ar th e m i sdee ds of anothe r

s pok e n of e nd e a v or to S ho w t h at h e d i d not act from a b ad mot i v e ;
.
,

i f that i s i mposs i bl e th e n m a k e e xcus e s for th e act on th e pl e a of

,

v i ol ent t e mptat i on i gnoranc e or human fra i lty and thus at an y rat e

, , , , ,

m i t i gat e th e harshn e ss of th e j udg me nt pass e d on i t O r one ma y

ment i on someth ing to th e cre d i t of th e p e rson i n qu e st i on Th i s was
.

St T e re sa s i nvar i a bl e practi c e and no on e dare d i n h e r pr e s enc e to

.

,

u tt e r a word of d e tract i on O ne may also ex pre s s on e s d i sapproval

b y looki ng v e r y grav e and thus putt i ng th e d etract or to S ham e

.

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
.
,

b ou n d upon th e marksman Th e north w i nd driv eth away ra i n

.
,

a s doth a sad count e nanc e a b ackb i t i ng tongu e ( P rov xxv It . .

i s also adv i sa bl e at onc e adro i tl y to ch ang e th e conve rsat i on and thus ,

prevent the calumn i ator from pursu ing th e subj e ct B y tolerat i ng .

de tract i on on e part i c i pat e s i n th e s i n W e should nev er r ep e at any .

thi n g d ep re c i a tory wh i ch we h e ar sa i d of our n ei ghb or Hast thou .

he ard a word aga i nst thy n e i ghb or Le t i t di e wi th i n th ee trust i ng ,

that i t will n ot b u rs t thee As an arrow that st i cketh i n a man s

,
.

thi gh so i s a word i n the h e art of a fool ( Ecclus xix 1 0

,

Be . .
,

very caut i ous i n sp e ak ing of y our ne i ghb or l e st u naware s y ou may ,

bl i ght h i s whol e futur e .

THE NINT H C O MMANDMENT OF GOD .

S ee what i s sa i d conc e rn i n g the S ixth C ommandm ent ; and re

s p e ct i ng t h e Sacram e nt of Matr i mon y ; also th e w ofd s of O ur L ord i n

Matt v 2 8 and of St P aul 1 C or x 6

. .
, .
, . . .

THE T ENT H C O M MANDMENT OF G OD .

In t h e Tenth Comman dment God f orb i d s us t o en d e av or to p os

ses s ours e lv es of th e p rop ert y of a n ot h er b y un l a w f ul mea n s .

In God s s i ght th e w ill i s e qui vale nt to th e d e ed Evi l d es i re s are

.

s inful as well as evi l d eeds as th e a c t i s accompl i sh ed i n w ill Ther e

, .

for e transgr ess i on s of th i s comm a n dme nt must not be omi tted i n

confe ss i on ( C ounc il of Trent 1 4 ch , , .
41 4 Th e Comma n d men ts .

1 . SO CIAL ISM .

1 . In a l arge p rop ort i on of th e s o c al l ed Soci al i s t s

our own da y -

or s oci a l d emoc ra t s a i m a t d ep ri v in g t h ei r fell ow men of t h eir -

p ri vat e p rop erty b y unj us t means .

Soc i al d emocrac y or th e rul e of th e p e opl e ( D emos ) propos e s to re

,

construct hu man soc i e ty It i s of re c e nt or i g i n be i ng r st starte d in

.
,

G e rmany i n 1 84 0 and p rop agat e d some t e n ye ars later b y the notor

,

i ous J ew Marx In 1 86 2 anoth e r J ew nam e d L asalle was ver y s u c

, .

c e s s fu l i n spr e ad i ng soc i al i s t i c doctr i n e s s o much s o that i n 1 8 7 8 , ,

a sp e c i al law was p ass e d for th e suppre ss i on of Soci al i sm Assoc i a .

t i ons and m ee tings w er e proh ib i t e d pu bl i cat i ons advocat i n g i ts p r in ,

c i p l e s w e r e s e i z e d and th e l e ad i ng ag i tators w e r e b an i she d from s ev

e ral of th e larg e towns F rom that t i m e forward th e work of p rop a
,

g a t i on was carr i e d on cov e rtl y i n th e workshop and clu b room m ee t , ,

i ngs be i ng h eld i n th e woods and pamphl e ts c i rcul at e d pr ivat ely , .

In 1 880 a Soc i al i st i c C ongr ess was h eld i n Z ur i ch att ende d by ,

members from all th e countr i e s of Europ e to arrang e a ge n e ral

programm e for th e un iv e rsal uphe aval of soc i e ty a nd subv e rs i on of
th e exi st ing ord er of th i ngs S i nc e the n th e sy st em has made st e ady
.

progr e ss and assum e d a re volut i onary character Thos e who r e sort

, .

to op en acts of v i ol e nc e i n orde r to accel erat e the d i s i nt egr a t i on of

soc i ety ar e calle d anarch i sts Sw itz e rland i s a hot be d of Soc i al i sm .
-

and th e r e th e p r i nc ipal organs of th e soc i e ty are p r i nte d S oc i al i sm .

has ga i ne d ground ch i ey on th e cont i ne nt of Europ e .

1 Th e ob j ec t of Soc i a l is ts i s th is : Th ey wa n t all p rivat e

.

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 ,

equ all y d i s t ri b u t ed a mon g t h e memb ers of th e St a t e ; moreov er

ma n y of t h em woul d d o away with rel igi on a uth ori ty s oci al , ,

ord e a n d f a mil y l i f e
r
,
.

Th e fundamental pr inc i pl e of Soc i al i sm i s : All prop e rty has

bee n unjustl y ac qu i re d C ons e qu e ntly i n th e n e w r epu bl i c no on e i s
.

to poss e ss p e rsonal prop e rty but i s to be prov i d e d for out of th e publ i c

,

funds Eve ry on e must work and w i th th e proc ee ds of h i s lab or pur

.
,

chas e what h e n ee ds In th e n ew republ i c of th e extrem e Soc i al i sts

.

th er e i s to be u i Di eu n i ma i tre n e i th er the ordi nanc es of r el ig i on ,

nor th e i nsti tut i ons of law Th e s e m en op e nl y d e clar e th ems elve s .

to be athe i sts and r e publ i cans ; th ey sa y reli gi on conc e rns th e i nd i

v i dual alon e Th e i nt e rcours e of man and woman i s to tak e th e
.

plac e of we dl ock ; th e ch ildr e n are to belong not to th e i r par e nts , ,

b ut to th e Stat e to be e ducat e d at th e pub l i c e xp e ns e ; a publ i c k i tche n

,

i s to sup e rs e d e th e dom e st i c h e arth P ri sons w ill n ot be n ee d e d .

,

for th er e w ill be no cri mi nals s i nc e all cri me com e s from th e p oss es ,

s i on of pr i vat e prop e rty Th e s e pr i nc ipl e s hav e spre ad ch i e y among

.

th e i rr el i g i ous who car e only for th e grat i cat i on of th e i r app et i t e s

, ,

and th e lowe r orders the prole tar i a te who i n th e d iv i s i on of prop

, , ,

ert y hav e n oth i ng to los e and all to ga i n

,
Th ey are mostly held by .

c e rta i n one s of th e l ab or i ng class who have bee n thrown by p e cul i ar

c i rcumstanc e s i nto th e arms of Soc i ali sm .
41 6 Th e Comma n d ments .

ployer must d e al w i th h i s workp e opl e accord i ng to th e p ri nc iples of

C hr i st i an i ty and just i ce K et t el er i s ri ght wh e n h e say s :
. If for on e
day w e all act e d i n conform i ty w i th th e t e ach i ng of the Gosp el all ,

soc i al ev ils would be at onc e sw ept awa y

The e mploye r must p ay .

hi s m e n prop e rly that i s th e i r wag e s must be sufc i e nt to support

, ,

a C hr i st i an fam ily su i tabl y to th e i r stat i on p rovi ded th ey ar e thr i fty , ,

i ndustr i ous and v i rtuous Th e p os i t i on of th e workman must be

, .

s e cur e d ; h e must n ot be tre at e d a s a chatt el onl y to b e e mplo ye d as ,

long as a g ood prot i s to be got out of hi m AS th e workman p ays .

tax e s h e i s e nt i tl e d to th e pr ivil eg e of th e franch i s e Opp ortuni t i es

, .

of i mprov i ng h i s m i nd should be a fforde d to h im b y th e i nst i tut i on of

l i b rar i e s ev en i ng class e s and th e formati on of w ork i n gmen s club s

wh i ch th e Holy F ath e r strongly advocat e s L eg i sla t i on must also i n

, , ,

t erfe re to p r e v e nt th e undu e gr owth of th e prol e tar i at e through th e ,

a b sorpti on of l e ss e r i ndustr i e s b y th e manufactor i e s and th e a ccu mu ,

lat i on of cap i tal i n th e hands of a fe w plutocrats Th e r i ch ought as .

,

th e Apostl e says to g iv e e as i ly and commun i cat e to oth ers ( 1 T im

, .

vi. Now more than eve r th e r i ch ar e b oun d to g i v e alms oth er ,

w i s e the y w ill be r i gorously judge d But r el ig i on affords th e most .

effe ctual m e ans of comb at i ng Soc i al i sm Soc i al d emocracy i s too oft e n .

n oth i ng b ut t h e a b s e nc e of r el i g i ous bel i e f Its ch ie f dogma i s th e .

non exi ste nc e of God and of a futur e l i f e i ts ch i e f commandment

-

th e grat icati on of th e s en s e s Mor e ove r r eligi on alo n e can gi v e th e

poor th e Sp ir i t of cont e ntme nt so e ss e nt i al to the i r happ i n e ss
.
,

.
,

4 . Some ci alis tic th eori es c ou ld

o f th e so n ot
p o si b ly b e
s

r eal iz ed ; oth e s migh t in d eed b e c arri ed ou t

r
,
b ut th ey woul d
b e att en d ed b y fa t al c on s equ en c es .

The un ive rsal e qual i ty wh i ch Soc i al i sts p rop os e t o b r i ng ab out ,

i s an utt e rly i mpract i ca b l e i de a e sp e c i ally i n r e gard to p rop e rty

F or i f the State apporti one d to every on e the exact amount require d
, .

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
,

a ll and anoth e r put a part b y Thus an i n e qual i t y would i mm e d i a t ely

, .

ar i s e ; and to e nforc e th e surrende r of a man s sav i ngs wo ul d be sh ee r

t yranny Th e sam e e ndle ss var i ety wh i ch w e s ee i n natur e ex i sts

.
,

among ma nk i n d D iffe re nc e s of ag e of s ex of he alth of p hys i cal

.
, , ,

p owe r and m e ntal endowm ents a b ove all of characte r and of man ,
'

n e rs cannot be ea ced and from the s e d iffere nc e s of pos i t i on and of

, ,

p oss e ss i ons ar e i ns epara ble Just as i n an army all th e soldi e rs

.

cannot be ofc e rs nor all pr ivate s s o all membe rs of soc i e ty cannot ,

stand on th e sam e l evel Some must manag e th e b us i ness of th e

.

Stat e or occup y the ms elve s w i th m il i tary affa i rs and th ey must

, ,

naturally hold a h i gh e r rank than th e othe r m embe rs of th e S t at e ,

be caus e th e y work mor e exclus i vel y for th e common w e al Th e hap .

p i n es s th e Soc i al i st dr e ams of i s not atta i na b l e upon e arth What .

e v e r th e ex e rt i ons that ma y be mad e to am el i orat e t h e lot of man

h e re below non e can succ ee d i n el i mi nat i ng from i t suffe ri ng S i ck

, ,

n e s s and d e a th Sorrow and su ffer i n g are th e port i ons of mank i nd ;

, .

a l i f e of p e ac e and e njo yme nt i s not for th i s world Tru e happ i ne ss .

i s not to be found i n s ensual pl e asure s b ut i n God Wh il e th e whole , .

world lasts cri me v i c e and p ove rt y cannot be b an i sh ed from i t O ur

, , .

L ord s ays : The p oor you have al ways wi th you ( John x ii

.
 The Ten Comma n d ments of God . 41 7

And i n regard t o th e p r opos e d ab sorpt i on of i nd ivi dual p rop erty b y

th e Stat e th i s coul d not be accompli sh e d w ithout s er i ous di sturb
,

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
,

revenge comm i t fe arful outrage s B e s i de s lab or i ous and i ndustri ous

,
. ,

i nd ivi duals would not be cont ent as th ey would ga i n nothi ng by the i r

,

i ndustry ; thus the worki ng class e s woul d los e i nste ad of ga i n i ng .

Soc i al i sti c the ori e s coul d o nl y be r e al i z e d i f m en w ere l ike th e lower

an imals d e st i tut e of th e love of l iberty and th e de s i re for improve
,

ment Soc i al i sm would cast a bl i ght upon cultur e and destro y all
.

st imulus all mot iv e for th e e xe rc i s e of i nvent ive gen i us F ew wo ul d

,
.

exe rt the ms elve s to mak e progre ss and a i m a t p e rfe ct i on i f they kn e w

the i r ach i evem ents would b ri ng them no reward In the soc i ali sti c .

republ i c all would be slave s No man would exe rt hi ms elf to do bette r

.

than another i f h e knew all was p rov i de d for h im ; th er e woul d be a

,

premi um upon slothful ne ss and negl igenc e Exp er i enc e has shown .

th e evi ls b rought upon mankind b y th e exampl e of commun it i e s

wh i ch have had the i r goods i n common and wh i ch hav e bee n not ed ,

for th e i r cr ime s and have com e t o an ignomi n i ous end But al though .

th e dr e ams of the Soc i al i st ar e mer e fantas i e s of th e b ra i n ye t l ike , ,

much els e that i s unde s i ra ble the y are not w i thout a c ertai n us e
, .

As a hurri cane t e ars down what i s rotte n and crazy s o Soc i al i sm ,

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 .

2 Al l wh o en d eav or b y unl a wful means t o d ep r i ve th ei r n ei gh

.

b or of h i s p ers ona l p rop ert y l i ve i n a s t at e of mort a l s i n

, .

The m er e fact of covet ing what belongs to anoth e r i s a S in We .

know that all s i ns b ri ng othe rs i n the i r tra i n and thi s i s no ex cep ,

t i on to th e rul e St P aul says that th e i nord i nat e d e s i r e of money

. .

i s th e root of all evils ( 1 T im vi and th e utt eranc e s of Soc i al i sts

at th ei r gather ings prov e th e truth of th es e words Th e i r S p ee che s
. .

oft en ab oun d wi th vi rul ent attacks upon a ll i n author ity on the P op e , ,

on p ri e sts and c ivi l ma gi strate s Som e go s o far a s to ass ert that

, .

p erjury i n a court of law i s pe rmi ss ibl e i f i t furth e rs th e i r own ,

i nte re sts W e kn o w the cr ime s of wh i ch anarch i sts hav e bee n

.

g u i lty dyn am i t e outrages and a ssass i nat i ons

, Le t i t not be sa i d i n .

behalf of th e i r pr i nc i pl e s that the e arl y C hr i st i ans had all th i ngs i n

common for th e voluntary Shar i ng of goods i s qu it e d i ffer ent to what
,

t h e Soc i al i sts propos e t o e nforc e The fundame ntal pr inc ipl e of

.

C hr i st i an char i t y wh i ch urge s to alms gi vi ng i s th i s :

, Brothe r what ,

i s m in e i s thi n e wh ere as the Soc i al i st says : Brothe r what i s th i n e ,

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
, ,

all i s the prop e rty of th e commun ity ; th ey sa y what i s poss i bl e for

them i s poss ibl e i n th e Stat e of th e futur e Th ere i s howeve r no a n .
, ,

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
,

v ra t ic a t i on s ar e to be e ncourag e d and e njo y e d .

41 8 The Comma nd men ts .

XI . THE W O RK S OF M ER C Y .

I. THE VAL UE OF EAR THL Y GO O D S AND THE USE

TO B E M AD E OF THEM .

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 .

It not th e p oss e ss i on b ut th e good us e of e arthly goods wh i ch

is ,

make s us truly r i ch I t i s i n h i s moral qual i t i e s i n v i rtu e and not

.
,

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
,

.

th e r i ch man arrogat e anyth i ng to h i ms elf b ecaus e of the ab undanc e

of th e goods h e p oss e ss e s Th e grav e t e ach e s us th e worthl essne ss
.

of e arth s tre asur es for w e can carry noth i ng w i th us ou t of t h e

Wh e n C r oesus th e r i ch k i ng S howe d all h i s

,

wo rld ( 1 T i m v i 7 . .
, ,

tre asur e s to th e sage Solon and aske d i f h e d i d not cons i de r h i m a

happ y man th e sag e r epl i e d : No man i s to be p ronounc e d happ y
,

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
.
, ,

d e fe ate d and a pr i son e r h e stood be s i d e th e fun e ral py re h e a c k n owl

, ,

e dg e d th e truth of th e words Let us not th e r e for e str i ve e ag e rly

to ac qu i r e r i ch e s on e arth b ut o bey th e i njun ct i on of O ur L ord : L a y
.

not up to yours elve s tr e asur e s on e arth wh ere th e rust and moth ,

cons um e and wh er e th i eves b r e ak throug h and st e al ( Matt vi

. .

How adm i ra bl e i s Solomon s p ray er : G iv e m e n e i th e r begg ary nor

r i ch e s ; g iv e m e only th e n e c es sar i e s of li fe ( Prov xxx St . . .

P aul say s : Hav i ng food and wh e r ew i th to b e cov e r e d wi th th e s e ,

we ar e cont e nt ( 1 T i m v i R e me mbe r C hr i st t e ach es u s to as k

. .

day by day our da ily b r e ad .

2 Ea rt h l y good s h av e th ei r value, h owev er, b ec aus e wi th

.

th em w e ca n earn et ernal fel ici ty .

O n th e on e hand e arthl y r i ch e s contr ib ute to our t empora l w el

far e ; they rel i ev e u s of many car e s and anxi e t i e s may r e nd e r our ,

l i f e p l e as ant and g i v e u s a c e rta i n asc endancy ov e r our fellow m e n

,
-
.

Th e man of w e alth i s a small p ot entate They ar e also a me ans of .

salvat i on Th i s ma y be i nferre d from th e words O ur L ord w ill a d

.

dr e ss to thos e on Hi s r i ght hand at th e Day of Jud gment ( Matt xxv . .

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
.

good for i t i s only good whe n turn e d to good account

, .

3 God i s th e Lord of a l l ea rt h l y rich es ; w e a re onl y Hi s

.

t w a rd s
s e .

Th e e arth i s th e Lord s and th e fulne ss the re of ( P S xx iii

, . .

Th e s ilve r i s M i ne and th e gold i s M i n e sa i th th e L ord of hosts ,

( Agg ii . Thus wh e n we g i ve alms We d i stri but e what belongs to

.
,

an oth e r not to ours elve s

, .

4 Ea rt hl y rich es s h oul d c on s equ en tly on l y b e empl oy ed i n

.

a cc ord an c e wi th th e c omman ds of God .

42 0 Th e Comma n dments .

vat i on O u r Lord say s : I t i s e as i er for a camel to p ass thr ou gh

.

the eye of a n ee dl e than for a r i ch man to ent e r i nto the k i ngdom of

,

h eave n ( Matt x i x . Th e r i ch run r i sk of shi pwr e ck l ike a

.
,

v e ss e l that i s too h ea v i l y fr e i ght e d They ar e r eluctant to p art w ith

.

th e i r mon e y be caus e t h e y th i nk th e e nj o ym e nt of th e p r e s e nt i s r eal

happi ne ss ; th ey m i stak e th e Shadow for th e re al i ty and value th e ,

fals e mor e than th e tru e I n th e hour of de ath they wi ll d is c ove r

.

the i r s a d m i stak e as a b i rd r e st i ng up on a l ime d b ou gh only nds

,

that he i s a cap t i ve wh e n h e att e mp ts to y away The ri ch man .

,

wh e n th e mom ent com es for h i m t o p ass from t im e i nto eterni ty ,

w ill feel how b i tt e r has bee n h i s d e cep t i on l i ke one who a waken s ,

from a del i ghtful dr e am to n d h i s happ i n e ss a delus i on ( P s lxx v . .

The r e fore God h a s mad e th e way to th e att a i nm ent of r i ch e s

a difcult and thorny path as a farme r plants a qu i ckset he dge ,

round th e e ld that h e do e s not want trodd e n down .

2 Ev en th e p oor ma n ca n h elp hi s n eigh b or wh o i s in n eed

. .

To b i as says : If thou hast much gi ve a b undantly ; i f thou hast

,

l i ttl e tak e care to be stow w illi ngly a l i ttl e ( To b i v

, I f any . .

on e give s a cup of cold wat er out of char i ty to h i s n e i ghb or prov i de d ,

that i s all h e can giv e i t w i ll count for a s much a s wh en Z a ch eu s the

,

p ubl i can gav e th e half of h i s goods to the p oor Th e poor w i dow i n

'

th e T e mpl e gave mor e w i th h e r two m i te s than all th e r i ch who cast ,

the i r g i fts i nto th e tr e asury ( Luke The w i d ow of Sa rep h t a

gav e Eli as th e last r ema i nde r of h e r o i l ( 3 Ki ngs xv ii .

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 .

St Jame s says : Judgm e n t wi thout me rcy to h i m th a t hath n ot

.

don e m e rcy ( Jas ii Th e r i ch man was b ur i e d i n hell bec au s e

. .
,

h e gav e no alms He that stopp eth h i s e ar ag a i nst th e cry of

.

th e p oor shall also cry and not be h e ard ( P rov xxi

He wh o . .

r efus e s to r el i eve th e n e c e ss itous d efrauds th em of the i r own S t . .

John C hrysostom says th e r i ch man who i s hard h e arte d i s no bette r -

than a th i ef for h e stor e s i n h i s che sts tre asur e s that belong to

,

others He who k eep s exclus i vely to h i ms elf th e g i fts P rov i denc e

.

h a s be stow e d on h i m cr e at e s h i ms elf th e murd e r e r of thos e who

,

p e r i sh from want It i s not enough to s a y w e have n eve r wrong e d

.

th e poor B y not g i vi ng alms w e i ncur th e p enalty du e to thos e who

.

tak e from th e i r n e i ghb or that wh i ch i s h i s .

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 .

Th e s e works ar e call e d works of m ercy be caus e i n p erfo rm i ng ,

the m w e ar e actuat e d b y f eel i ngs of comp ass i on or m ercy .

3 Th e w ork s of mercy a re ei th er s p i ri tual or c orp or al a cc ord

.
,

i ng a s th e n ec es s i ti es w e r el i eve a re s p i ri t ual or c orp or al .

Th e corporal wants of our n e ighb or are : F oo d dr i nk clothi n g , , ,

sh elte r l iberty h e alth or li f e What can w e do to supply h i m w ith

, , ,
.

the s e ? Hi s sp i r i tual wants th e n eeds of th e soul are : Th e knowl

, ,

e dge of th e truth ( for wh i ch i nstruc ti on or couns el i s r equi red ) ;

a g o od wi ll t hr ough lack of wh i ch h e o f fends God or h i s fello w ma n -

,
 The Works of M ercy . 42 1

( wh i ch ca lls for corr e ct i on p a t i e nt e nduranc e or forg i v e n e

, ss ) ; a
joyful spi ri t ( i n lack of wh i ch h e nee ds consolati on ) If w e can .

do li ttle or noth i n g to succor and solace ou r n e ig hbor w e mus t p ra y ,

for hi m tha t God may com e to h i s a i d

,
.

3 . THE SEVERAL WO RK S OF M ER C Y .

1 Th e c orp or al work s of mercy a re :

. To feed th e h ungry ;
To gi ve dri nk t o th e thi rs ty ; To cl oth e th e n ak ed ;
To h a rb or th e s tra nger ; To vi s i t th e s i ck ; To ra ns om
th e c ap t iv e ; To b ury th e d ea d .

To f ee d th e hungry Ab raham e nte rta i n e d the three m en ; .

C h r i st f e d v e thousand p e o pl e ; St El i za be th of Hung ary gave all .

the conte nts of h er granari e s to the p oor i n a t i m e of fam i ne ; St .

L ou i s of F ranc e provi de d a di nn er da i ly for a hundr e d and tw e nty

poor men an d som et ime s wa i te d on th em h i ms e lf
,
To g ive dr i nk .

to the th i rsty Th e Samar i tan woman g ave O ur L ord water to dri nk

.

at Jaco b s w ell ; Rebe cca dr ew water for Ele azar W i ne and me d i c i n e

.

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 .

cloak to a begg a r ; C hr i stmas gi fts to p oor schools ar e works of

mercy . To harb or the strang e r Hosp i tal i ty i s a duty enjo i ne d .

upon us by St P aul wh e n h e says : Hospi tal i ty do not forget ; for by

.

thi s s ome not be i ng awar e of i t have ente rta i n e d angels ( Heb xiii
, , . .

Both Ab raham and L ot we re pri vi lege d to re c e i ve angels i n

human form bene ath the i r roof Th e Good Samar i tan took the ma n .

who had bee n wounde d b y robbers to an i nn Martha and Mary .

r ec e ive d O ur L ord i nto thei r hous e a s th e i r gu e st Th e monks of St . .

B e rnard p erform a work of me rcy wh e n they r e scu e trav elle rs wh o

have me t w ith acc i dents and carry them to th ei r hos pi c e wher e
, ,

they nurs e them un t i l they r e cove r When travell ing wa s mor e d a n .

gerons than at pre s e nt they w ere the m e ans of savi ng many lives
, .

To ransom i nnoc ent capt ive s Ab raham d el i ve re d L ot out of th e .

hands of th e robbers ; th e C hr i st i ans i n Damascus r e scu ed St P aul .

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
.

e rt y on th e pa ym e nt of a s u m of mon ey or b y oth e rs tak i ng th e i r ,

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

merc y wh en th e ob j ec t of th e vi s i t i s to afford s pi ri tu al or tem

,

p o ra l r e l i e f t o t h e s u f
f e r e r .

The vi s i t Job s fri ends pa i d h i m was no work of me rcy That of

.

th e S amari tan to th e wounde d J e w was on the othe r hand most ,

m er itori ous S e veral rel i gi ous O rde rs have been founde d for th e ex
.

pre ss ob j e ct of nurs ing th e S i ck i n hosp i tals or els ewhe re ; wi tne ss that

of the C hri sti an Brothe rs founde d by St John of God , a nd .

that of the S i ste rs of C hari ty found ed ab out th e same t im e by St , .

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 .

las t sacram en t s t o th e dyi ng e sp ec i ally at t h e t i me of a n epi de mi c i s

, ,

most emphat i cally a work of m ercy We r e ad of th e Emp e ror J os eph .

II that he was asked on e da y b y a p oor b o y i n th e str ee t for a d or i n

. ,

that h e mi ght g et a doctor for h i s mothe r The emp e ror g ave h i m th e .

money and aske d whe r e h e l iv ed He the n w ent to s ee the s i ck woman

,
.
,

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
, .

afte r h i s d ep ar ture th e do ct or wh om th e b oy had calle d i n mad e h i s

app e aranc e O n op en in g th e pap e r to look at th e supp os e d p res cri p
.

ti on h e re a d the s e words : W oman your v i s i tor w as th e emp e ror

, , .

Take th i s pape r to th e p alace and fty ducats w ill be p a i d y ou ,

.

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

b od y t o th e gra v e, or t o erec t a s t on e t o h i s memory .

To b i as us e d to b ur y the d e ad at th e t i me of the p e rs e cut i on of

th e J ews unde r S ennach e r ib Th e i nhab i tants of th e c ity of Na im
,

acc omp an i ed th e b i er on wh i ch th e y oung ma n wa s carr i e d to the

gra v e Jos ep h of Ar i math e a and Ni cod emus la i d th e b ody of O ur
.

Lord i n th e se p ulchr e I n b ury i ng th e d e a d we do h i m a s e rv i c e

.

wh i ch h e can n ever re qu i te We o ught says St Au gusti n e to

. .

Show r es p ect to the b odi es of C hri st i an people be caus e they have

, ,

bee n t h e i nstrum e nt e mplo y e d b y th e soul In s ome local i t i e s 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
.
,

mi ght be sp e nt for th e b en et of th e soul of th e d e c e as ed Bes i des .

i t i s th e me ans of st ii ng th e grac e of God wh i ch exe rc i s e s a salu ,

tary i n uence on th e s oul through the s ol emn c e re mon i es of a n inte r

m e nt .

addi tion to th e s ev en c orp ora l works of mercy already

In
en u mer at ed th ere a re oth ers e g th e d is trib ut ion of mon ey
, ,
. .
, ,

th e r es c u e of on e i n d an ger of d eath giv in g a s s i s t anc e i n c a s e ,

of a c c i d en t s etc ,
.

Ki ng Pharao s daught e r p e rforme d a work of m e rcy whe n s h e

sav e d th e l i f e of th e i nfant Mos e s ; s o d i d V e ron i ca wh en Sh e gav e h e r

v e il to wi p e O ur L ord s count enanc e I n fact eve ry k i nd word or

.

act i f sp oke n or don e to our ne ighb or be caus e w e s ee O ur L ord i n

,

h i m i s a m e r i tor i ous work

, O ur L ord Hims elf says that a cup of
.

cold wate r g ive n i n Hi s name shall not go unrewarde d ( Mark i x .

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 .

O ne ma y i nstruct th e i gnorant e i th e r i n rel igi on or othe r us eful

knowl edg e e i the r b y word of mouth or by wr i t ing good b ooks The .

holy apostle s and the evangel i z e rs of th e di ffe rent nat i ons p erform ed
, ,

a work of m ercy as i n th e p re s ent da y do all th e m i ss i onar i e s to

,

h e athe n lands be s i d e s all p re ache rs cat e ch i sts confe ssors C hr i st i an

, , , ,

w i ter s and t e ach e rs

r To cc op e rat e w ith God for th e salvat ion of
.
-
424 Th e Comma n d men ts .

a nd seve r e i t will d o n o good only harm Rough rep roache s will

, , .

not b ri ng a man to a bett e r m i nd any more than ki cks w i ll p u t a ,

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
.

d i re ct i on Th e S i nn e r w ill not r es olv e to am end h i s way s unl es s he

.

f eels that the admon i sh e r has h i s welfar e s i nc e r ely at h e art The .

C hr i st i an must tr e at h i s e rr i n g b roth er as th e coa c hman trea t s a

t i m i d hors e wh i ch i s not t o be manage d b y th e v i ol e nt u s e of t h e wh ip
, ,

b ut b y a ge ntl e ha nd on th e r e i n .

He wh o c aus eth a s inn er to b e c on vert ed from th e error of

h i s ways s h al l s av e h i s Soul from d eath a n d c over a mul t it ud e ,

of s i n s

( Ja s v . .

We a e t old th a t the Evangel i st St John t ook th e gre ates t

r .

t roubl e to sav e an unhappy y outh whom h e had convert ed and who ,

a fte rwards be came a h ighwayman He wen t aft er h i m to the moun .

ta i n fastn e ss e s and call ed to h i m : Wh y my s on do y ou y from

y our father fr om a d e fe nc el e ss old man ? F e a r not ; I w il l my s elf
, , ,

i mp lore p ard on for y ou of God and m a k e s a t i sfact i on for y ou

, .

Thes e k i nd words touche d th e h e art of th e p rod i gal We cannot .

of fe nd C hr i s t mor e d eepl y than b y ro bb i n g Hi m of t h e souls He has

r e d ee med ; nor can w e honor Hi m mor e than b y b r i ng ing b ack t o
Hi m thos e wh i ch have gon e astray Th er e i s nothi ng up on e arth .

to comp are w i th th e valu e of a soul If thou we rt to give vast sums .

to th e p oor say s St John C hrysostom th e m er i t woul d be noth i ng

, .
,

i n comp ar i s on w i th t hat of havin g conve rt e d on e s i nner

He wh o
conve rts a S i nn e r d e s e rve s an i nn i tely gre at e r r eward than he who
.

r e scu es a k i ng s s on from de ath ; for h e saves a s on of th e King of

he aven a n d save s h i m not from temp oral b ut from etern a l de ath

, , .

W h en r wron gs p at ien tly w e b en e t n ot ou rs elv es

w e b ea ,

on l y b u t al s o ou r fell ow ma n ; w e prev en t hi m fr om goin g t o

,
-

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 .

Dav i d b ore S eme i ab us e p at i entl y and afte r a tim e he a kn wl

e , c o

e dge d h i s s i n and i mplore d th e k i ng to p ardon h i m We los e noth i ng .

i f w e suffe r wrong p at i entl y for wh e n our i nnoc e nc e i s prov e d our

, ,

forbe aranc e w ill be r i chly r ewarde d I t i s als o most me r i tor i ous as . ,

S t T er e sa says not to justi fy on e s s elf wh e n on e i s blame d U n hap

.
,

.

pily too man y p eople ar e l ik e th e h edgehog wh i ch rolls i ts elf into a ,

p r i ckl y b all th e moment i t i s touch e d for at th e rst faul t n d i n g ,

-

word th ey b r e ak ou t i nto e xcus e s and e xcul p at i ons Ho wev e r i t i s i n .

cumbe nt u p on u s to p rot e ct ours elve s from fals e accusat i ons whe n to

S
,

be ar th e i njust i c e i n il e nc e would be product i ve rath e r of e vi l than of

good Sli ght a ron ts should not be h ee d e d b ut on e ought n ot to
. ,

allo w a h e i nous cr im e to be fals ely la i d to on e s charge

.

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

to av en ge ou rs elves on th os e w h o offen d again s t u s b u t trea t ,

th em kin dl y a n d a re ready to c on fer u pon th em a ny b en et

,

wi th in ou r p ower .

Jos eph s conduct towards h i s b r ethre n affords a be auti ful exampl e

of th i s v i rtue ; i nste ad of r evenging h i ms elf on th em h e embrac ed ,

 Th e Works of M ercy . 42 5

th em and ki ss e d th em and loade d them w i th gi fts If w e w ill i ngly .

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 .

W e can c omfort th e afict ed b y Sh owin g t h em h ea rt el t s ym f

p athy b y s ugges ting groun ds
,
of c on s olat i on , or b y s u cc ori n g

th em i n n eed .

Evi nc i ng s ymp athy towards thos e i n troubl e i s call e d condol i ng

w i th them We may sugge st comfort to th e poor and afi ct ed by
.

r emi ndi ng the m of th e watchful car e of God s provi de nc e of the hap

,

p i n es s that awa i ts th e m i n he av e n ; to t h e s i nn e r w e ma y sp e ak of the

d ivin e m ercy and comp ass i on We shall do still bette r i f w e r el i eve .
,

them i n the i r d i stre ss Thus O ur L ord comforte d th e w i dow of Na im

. ,

and th e s i st e rs of L azarus Gri ef i s a me ntal malady : The sadne ss

.

of a man consum eth th e he art ( P rov xxv To consol e the s or . .

rowing i s as much a good work as t o nurs e the Si ck Words of com .

fort i n a t ime of afi ct i on ar e as welc om e as ra i n i n th e t i me of

drought .

To p ray for th e liv in g an d th e d ea d i s a work well pl ea s i n g

i n God s s igh t

.
It b en e ts at th e s a me t ime b oth th em a n d u s .

God en j oin s up on u s es p eci a lly t o p ray for ou r par en t s a n d b en e

f a ctors , for th e P op e, a n d th e rul er of ou r c oun try, for th e
b is h op s a n d cl e rgy, a n d al s o n ally for ou r en emi es .

St P aul de clare s that i t i s good and acc epta bl e i n t h e i ght of

. S
God that p rayers be made for all m en for kings part i cularly and
F
, , ,

thos e that ar e i n h igh stat i ons ( 1 T i m ii 2 urthermor e w e r e ad . .

,

i n Hol y Scripture : It i s a holy and a whol e som e thought to pray

for th e de ad that they may be loos e d from th e i r s i ns ( 2 Mach x ii

F
. .
,

ar from be i ng los ers w e ar e gre atly the ga i ners i f w e offe r

,

praye r to God for oth ers for w e th ereby i ncre as e our mer i t and
, ,

draw do wn upon ours elv es th e bl e ss i ng of God B e for e Judas Macha .

be us ga i ne d the d e c i s i ve v i ctory ove r Ni canor he caus e d sacr ic e s to ,

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 .

St G e rtrude compla i ne d that no i mproveme nt w a s d i sc ern ibl e i n

.

the p ersons for whom s h e praye d O ur L ord sa i d to h e r : No s i ncer e ,

prayers ar e i n va in although the effe ct they p roduc e ma y be i mp e r

,

cep t i b l e to th e ey e of man Ab raham i nte rc e de d for Sodom Mos e s

.
,

for th e p e ople th e C hr i st i ans for St Pet e r wh en h e was i n pri son

, . .

At th e L ast Supp e r O ur L ord praye d for Hi s d i sc iple s and for the

whol e C hurch and on th e cross He praye d for Hi s en emi e s Le t us
F
.
,

foll ow th e exampl e He gave us W hen w e r e ci te th e O ur ath e r we .

p ray for all m e n ; we s a y G iv e us our da ily b re ad e tc ,

, .

4 IN WHAT SPIR I T SHO UL D THE WO RK S OF M ER C Y

.

B E PERF O RM ED 9 .

1 . W e ou gh t n ot to d o good to ighb or i n or der to b e

ou r n e

s ee n an d p rai s ed b y men , for i n th at c as e we h ave ou r rewar d

on ea rt h (M att vi . .
42 6 The Comman d ments .

Nor s h ould we d o good to our n eigh b or i n th e h ope th at h e

will requ ite ou r ki n dn es s ( Lu k e xi v .

O ur L ord says : Wh e n thou d ost gi ve alms le t not thy l e ft ,

hand kn o w what thy r ight doth ( Matt v i Th e sa ints as a rul e . .

, ,

gave alms s e cre tly St Ni cholas threw mon ey to th e p oor out of h i s

. .

w i ndow at n i ght ; oth ers p erforme d works of m e rcy und e r cove r of th e

darkne ss Th e l ess reward w e ge t on e arth for our good works th e
.
,

gr e ate r w i ll be our re comp ens e aft e r d e ath Henc e as C hr is t ex .

,

hort s us w e should do good b y p re fere nc e to thos e who cannot rep ay

,

u s : th e p oor th e ma i m e d th e lam e th e b l ind ( L uk e x i v

, , Nor , .

mus t w e e xpe ct to b e thank ed God i s r ep a i d w i th i ngrat i t ude and s o

.

are th e char i tabl e among m en Yet w e ought not on th i s ac count to .

d e s i st from do i ng good for i t i s i n sh ow i ng k i ndnes s t o th e unthank

,

ful that tru e char i t y c ons i sts .

2 . W e mu s t d o good t o ou r ne igh b or for C h ri s t s s ake

.

l i ve s i n Hi s p e opl e Th i s we le arn from Hi s own words

C hr i st .

at the Day of Judgm ent Thus w e must s ee God i n our n e ighb or

. .

St Magdal en e of P azz i plac e d works of me rcy be for e praye r : Wh e n

.

I e nga ge i n m e ntal praye r s h e sa i d God ass i s ts me ; b ut wh en I

, ,

do good to m y n e ighb or I ass i st God for He r eg ards what I do t o

, ,

my n e i ghb or a s don e to Hi m
.

3 . We s h ou ld d o g ood t o our n e igh b or promptly and p l ea s

a n tl y .

We ought n ot to p ostp one givi ng alms unt il th e morrow i f w e ,

can do i t a t once ( P rov iii Wha t i s gi ven p romp tly has a doub l e
. .

value He that s h oweth m ercy l et h i m do i t w ith chee rfulne s s ( R om

.
, .

x ii. God lov et h a ch ee rful give r ( 2 C or i x 7 We ought not . .

to upb ra i d th e poor ( Ecclus xviii Thos e who are harsh. .

to the p oor ar e li ke a surge on who i n h e al i ng on e wound make s

anothe r We ought not to qu e st i on the poor at too gr e at l ength ;
.

w e should rath e r g i ve of our own accord w i thout wa i t i ng to be ,

aske d Nor ought w e to hold ours elve s aloof from th e poor If

. .

alm i ghty God p e rm it s u s to p roffe r our p et i t i ons to Hi m at all ti m e s ,

a n d i s alwa y s re ady to g rant th e m sur ely w e who ar e b ut dust and ,

ash e s ought not to do l e ss for our b rethr en Th e Emperor R udolph

,
.

of Hap sb urg us e d to s a y : Eve ry on e can have acc e ss to my p re s en ce .

I was not chos en emp eror that I m ight l ive i n s e clus i on

.

4 W e a re on ly requ ir ed t o giv e a lms of ou r s u p eru i ty

. .

I n n o w i s e are w e b ound to depr ive ours elve s of what i s n e c es s a ry

for our sub s i st e nc e or to k eep up our p os it i on O ur L ord says : .

Y e t of that wh i ch r ema i n eth g iv e alms ( Luk e x i The o .

l og i a n s ar e of op i ni on that i t i s sufc i ent to gi v e a small p e rc e nt ag e

of on e s ye arly sav ings

.

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 ,

g i v e t o t h os e w h o are r eall y p oor or w h o a re u n ab l e to work .

Som e p e opl e th i nk th ey w i ll g ive alms at ano th e r s exp ens e ; th ey

tak e from on e what th ey g ive to anoth e r Such alms giv i ng wh i ch .

,

i s an act of i njust i c e i s abhorre nt to God Th e re for e l e t a

, .
42 8 Th e Comma n d men ts .

of what i s du e to h i s S i ns by almsg iv i ng ; for St Thomas A qu i nas .

say s th e sat i sfac t i on made b y alms i s gr e ate r than that wh i ch i s

effe ct e d b y p raye r and fast i ng .

2 By al ms gi vi ng we ob t ai n a n et ernal rec omp ens e p r ovi ded

.
,

th a t a t th e t ime w e are i n a s ta t e of gr ace .

I t i s r elat ed of th e G e rman Emp eror L ou i s II that h e lost hi s way .

i n a for e st wh e n hunt i ng on e day L at e at n ight h e r e ach ed a v i l .

lage p r e s byt e ry and begge d th e p r i e st to g iv e h i m a n ight s lodg i n g

,

.

Th e p r i e st e nte rta i n e d th e strange r most hospi tably ; th e next day

th e latt er took l e ave aft er thank i ng h i s hos t Som e w eeks late r a
, .

m e ss e ng er p re s e nt e d h i ms elf at the p r i e st s humbl e dw elli ng and

,

hand e d h i m a lette r stamp e d w ith th e i mp er i a l s e al ; i t ann oun c e d

h i s nom i nat i on to th e s ee of M ii n s t er In l ik e mann e r y our h e av enly .

Ki ng w i ll r eward y our alms h ere afte r i n a mann er wh i ch y ou l ittl e

ant i c ipat e Alms are l i ke s ee d cast i nto th e ground ; th ey ar e not
.

lost b ut yi eld an a b undant harv es t Th e ant lays up a stor e for th e

, .

w i nt e r ; b y gi vi ng alms w e la y up tre asure s for th e l i fe t o com e Thus .

w e exchang e what i s t emp oral for what i s et ernal ; w e p ur chas e ever

last i ng p oss e ss i ons w i th our e arthly p elf Succ e ss i n trad e cons i sts i n

b uyi ng ch e ap and s ell i ng d e ar ; w e too ar e e ng age d i n c omm erce and ,

for a m er e tr ie a p i e c e of b re ad ev en a cup of cold wat er we p ur

, , ,

chas e for ours elve s h e ave n Wh e n th e n ew cont i n ent was di scove re d

.

th e ab or i g i n e s exchange d S ilv e r a n d gold for th i ngs of no valu e to the

,

Euro p e ans who land ed on th e i r S hor e s So w e ob ta i n th e good .

th i ngs of God i n ret urn for th e worthl e ss goods of e arth G i ve .

,

th en to th e p oor that wh i ch thou canst not keep i n orde r to ob ta i n

, ,

that wh i ch thou can st no t los e ( St August i n e ) Even i n th i s l i fe . .

almsg i vi ng p roduc e s a f eel i ng of happin e ss A y outh was one day .

w alk i ng th rough a wood w i th h i s tutor wh e n h e s a w a p a i r of b oots ,

wh i ch a woodcutt er at work at a l ittl e d i stanc e had tak en off Th e .

b o y want e d to hi d e them b ut h i s tutor sugge ste d that rathe r than

do that h e Should p ut a pi e c e of mone y i n e ach Wh e n th e poor man
,

.
,

went b ack to get h i s b oots h e found th e co i ns and falli ng on h i s

, ,

kn ees thank e d God and i nvoke d b le ss i ngs on the unknown be nefactor

,

who had h elp e d h im i n d i r e d i str e ss Th e money was th e exact .

s u m h e n ee d e d to pa y h i s r e nt Th e b o y who had watch e d what

.
,

occurr e d turn e d to h i s tutor and e xcla im e d : I n eve r felt s o happy

,

i n all my l i fe Truly a bl e ss i ng atte nds works of m e rcy

. .

3 Al ms gi vin g b ri ngs d own up on u s t emp or a l b l es s i ngs : God

.

i ncreas es our means a nd gi ves us b od ily h eal th .

He that i s i ncl in e d to m ercy S hall be bl e ss e d ( Prov xxii

, . .

Th e bl e ss i ng of th e L ord mak e th m e n r i ch ( P rov x

God . .

d e clar es that h e that give th to th e poor shall not want ( P rov xxviii . .

27 O ur L ord says : G ive and i t shall be g ive n to you ( Luk e v i

Th e w i dow of Sa rep h t a gave gen erously to El i as F or th i s s h e

.
,

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 ,

of m e al and of o i l was not d i m i n i sh e d unt il th e t i m e of scarc i ty was

ove r ( 3 Ki ngs xvii A nobl eman of Granada who had be stowed
. ,

a large alms on St John of God w ent to h i m th e sam e da y d i sgu i s e d

. ,

a s a m e nd i cant and ask e d for mon ey

,
Th e sa i n t gav e h im all that h e .

had re c e iv e d from h i m a few hours befor e The reupon th e noble .

 Th e D u ty of Gra ti tu d e . 42 9

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
,

th e poor even a port i on of what He has be stowe d on us w e shall ,

r e c e iv e i t aga i n w ith i nt ere st A tree grows all th e be tte r for be ing

.

prun e d ; s o the r i ch wi ll i ncr e as e i n goods i f th ey p art w i th some of

the ir we alth i n acts of char i ty St P aula gav e a gre at de al to th e
, . .

p oor though s h e w a s th e mothe r of v e ch ildre n ; when h e r relative s

,

r emonstrate d w i th he r s h e sa i d : Th e be st i nh er itanc e I can b e

,

q u ea t h to m y ch i ldr e n i s th e b l e ss i ng of h e av e n whi ch almsg i v i ng ,

draws down on u s
God g ive s b od ily h e alth to thos e who ar e b oun
.

t iful to the p oor The archangel R apha el was s ent t o h e al Tob i as

.

becaus e h e had p e rform e d s o many works of m e rcy ( To b xii . .

Ta b i tha was ra i s e d from th e de ad by St Pet e r be caus e of th e good .

works and almsdee ds wh i ch s h e d i d ( Acts i x 3 6 Dav i d ex .

,

cla ims : Bl es s ed i s h e that un d ers t a n d eth conc erni ng the n eedy

and th e poor ; th e L ord will del iver h i m i n th e ev i l day ( P s xl . .

Throughout th e Scriptur e s we constantly n d i nstanc e s of bl ess ings

be i ng th e r e ward of alms givi ng .

4 Alms giv i n g i s a mean s of ob t ain i n g a s p eedy a n s wer to

.

p rayer .

The angel sa i d to C orn el i us : Thy p raye rs and thy alms are

asc e nde d for a memor i al i n th e s ight of God ( Acts x
L i s te n to .

th e vo i c e of th e p oor i f you would have God l i st e n to your vo i ce

B y noth ing do w e ga i n acc ess to God s o r e ad ily as by S how i ng mercy
, .

Al ms li ke fast ing i s on e of the w ings on wh i ch praye r soars to

, ,

h e ave n .

5 B y a lms gi vin g w e mak e th e p oor ou r f r i e n d s ; th ey p ra y

.

for u s a n d th ei r p ray ers h av e great p ower wi th God

,
.

Th e anc i ents of the J ews besought O ur L ord on behalf of th e

c e ntur i on at C a p h a rn a um who had b uilt th e m a s ynagogu e ; and
imm ed i atel y He compl i e d w i th th e i r r e qu est ( Luke vii 3 The
p oor of Jopp e p raye d for Tab i tha ; Sh e was r estor ed to li fe ( Ac t s i x
.

God Hi ms elf de clare s that th e praye r of the p oor i s always

he ard ( P S xx i 2 5 ; lx v iii
. . Th e p et i ti ons of thos e who are i n
.

he ave n are however more effectual Thus O ur L ord b i ds u s : Mak e

unt o you fr i ends of th e mammon of i n iqu i ty that whe n you S hall
.
, ,

fa il th ey ma y re c e ive you i nto eve rlast i ng dwell i ngs ( L uk e xvi

'

.
,

The re for e n eve r r efus e an alms to th e p oor .

XII . THE D U T Y O F GR AT I T UD E .

O ur L ord says :It i s bette r to g ive than to re ce i ve An d why ? .

B ecaus e th e on e who r e c e ive s i s b o u nd to gi ve thanks whe re as th e ,

g iver has a ri ght to a r eward .

1For ev ery a c t of mercy d on e t o us , w e a re b oun d t o r en d er

.

t h anks rs t t o God a n d t h en t o our b enefact or ; for God requi res

of u s t h a t w e s h oul d b e gr a t eful for th e b en et s w e r ec ei v e .

I t i s our duty to be grat e fu l ; to S how our s ens e of the be net

i e .,
.

c onfe rr e d upon us , and to ende avor to r epa y ou r ben efactor Grat i .

43 0 Th e Comma n d men ts .

t u de i s d u e t o al mi g h t y God i n th e r s t p l a ce, ec a u s e fro m im b H

c o mes d o wn e e ry v b
es t g i ft a n d ev er y p er fe ct g i ft ( J a s i M en . .

a re Hi s s e rv a n t s , t h e i n s t r u men t s He emp l o ys ; t h er efor e w e ow e

th a n ks t o t h em i n th e s ec o n d p l a ce Wh en eve r O u r L or d recel v ed a
.

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
. .

rs t word s To i a s u t te red w h en h e wa s c u red of h i s b l i n d n es s we re

t h es e : I b les s Th ee, O L or d God of Is r a el , b eca u s e Th o u h a s t
c h a s t i s ed me a n d Th o u h a s t s a v ed me

( Tob x i No e s r s t

. .

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
.

rep ea t t h e w ord s D eo gra ti a s or t h e Glori a P a tri wh en eve r a n y

b en et i s c o n fe rred on y ou It
i s a l s o i n c u mb en t on y a t o r e t u rn
b
.

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 -

h e b a d e Sol omo n t o b e mi n d fu l of h i s ob l i g a t i on s t o t h ei r fa th er,

a n d l et t h em ea t a t h i s t a b l e ( 3 K i n g s i i 7 Tob i a s wi s h ed St .

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
.

n es s t h e w ell k n o wn s t ory of An d ro cle s a n d t h e l i o n

-
i s t h e wi ll . It
of G o d t h a t w e s h o u l d i n a ll t hi n g s g i ve t h a n k s ( 1 Th es s v . .

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
. . .

exh ort s th e C h r i s t i a n s t o g i ve t h a n k s ( Ep h v 2 0; 001 i i i . . . .

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 e h u s b and ma n s ca t t e s r fres h i n th e fer t i l e s o i l , kn o wi n g

s eed

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 ,

es p ec i a ll y on th e p a r t of Hi s own fa v or ed ch i l d ren He th a t ren .

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 .

th e temp ta ti on s of the d e i l C on s e uen tl y ma n y of th e p oor wi ll v . q

h a v e a h i g h e r p l a ce i n th e ki n g d o m of h ea ven t h a n t h ei r r i ch er
b reth ren C h ri s t s a ys :
. M a n y th a t a re r s t s h a ll b e l a s t , a n d th e
l a s t r s t ( M a rk x L a z a ru s a ft er h i s d ea th w a s c a rri ed t o
b
.

A r a h a m s b o s om, wh i l e D i ves w a s b uri ed i n h el l

.

3 . G od often s en d s p o ert v y up on a ma n for h i s s al vati on .

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 , ,

li fe a n d b e et ern a ll y l o s t Thi s God fores ees a n d t h e refore He t a kes

, .
,

th ei r ea rt hl y p o s s es s i o n s from t h em P o vert y a n d r i ch es a re from .

Go d ( Ecclu s x i St An t o n i n u s Ar chb i s h op of Fl oren ce s a w

. . .
, ,

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 . .

Wh a t d oes t h e s ch oolma s t er d o if h e s ees on e of h i s s ch ol a r s p l a yi n g

w i th a t oy i n s t ea d of l e a rn i n g h i s l es s o n ? O r a fa th er, i f h e s ees
a kn ife i n t h e h a n d of a v e ry y o u n g ch i l d ?

4 . Th e p oor a re bl ve o ed by Go d .

Th os e wh o a re un h a p p y a n d fors a ken i n t hi s w orl d a re es p eci a ll y

d ea r t o G od C h ri s t ca ll s th e p oor b l es s ed ( M a t t v He i n vi tes . .

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 !

fres h t h em ( M a t t x i th e op p res s ed a n d p e rs ecu te d a re th e

. .

ob j ects of Hi s p ecul i a r fa v or ( M a tt v Th es e t rut h s o u g h t t o . .

s erv e a s a n en c o u r a g emen t t o t h e p oor, a n d r ep res s t h e p r i d e of t h e

op u l en t a n d p o wer ful To t h e p oor r s t of a ll t h e G o s p el i s p rea ch ed
b
.

( M a tt x i . Th e offer i n g s of th e p oor a re mor e a ccep t a l e t o God

.

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

.

grea t e r v a l u e th a n a ll t h e g i ft s t h a t th e r i ch c a s t i n t o t h e t rea s ury

( M a rk x i i 4 1 God p ro mi s es t o h ea r t h e cry of t h e op p res s ed
.

( Ja s v . Th e p oor s h ep h er d s were p r i v i l eg ed t o s ee th e Infa n t

.

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

t en tmen t i n thi s w orl d .

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
.

n eces s a r i es of l i fe O u r L ord s a ys : . Seek y e rs t th e ki ng d om of

God a n d Hi s j u s t i ce, b e s ol i ci t ou s for y ou r s al va t i o n a n d keep
t he c o mm a n dmen t s ] a n d a ll t h es e t h i n g s t h e wh ere wi th a l t o
l i ve] s h a ll b e a dd ed u n t o y ou ( M a tt v i Da v i d s a ys : I h a ve
b
. .

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 . .

G o d s p e rmi s s i on j u s t men , s u ch a s Job To b i a s Jo s ep h fell i n t o

, . , ,

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

were res t ored t o ea s e a n d p l en t y . Vi rtue i s g en era lly a tt en ded y b

temp ora l b l es s i n g s h ere b el ow ( Ps cxi 2 . . A p oor ma n ma y
b e very h a p p y d es p i t e h i s p o vert y Ha pp i n es s b y n o mea n s c o n s i s t s
.

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 . .

6 Th e p oor a re n ot w arran t ed i n w res ti n g from th e ri ch th e

.

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
, .

J ero me s a i d t o t h e ri ch : D i s t ri b u t e a p ort i o n of t hy wea l th B u t i f .

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
, .

c a n h o wev e r d ema n d t h a t t h ei r l a or b e s u f ci en tl y remu n er a ted .

D o u b ly i n d eed i s th a t p oor ma n t o b e c ommi s e r a ted wh o fors a kes

God a n d t r a n s g r es s es Hi s l a w ; for i n t h a t c a s e h e h a s n o th i n g
i n t hi s life, a n d a fter d ea th eve rl a s t i n g p erd i t i on a wa i t s h i m .
 B . GO O D W O RK S V I RTU E , ,
SIN V I C E , .

Hi therto the wi ll God ( the comma n dmen t s ) h a s b een the s ub

of
j ect t rea ted of In th e foll o wi n g p a g es we s h a l l Sp e a k of t h e ful
.

lmen t of th e d i v i n e wi ll a n d th e t r a n s g res s i on t h ereof Goo d works .

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
.

c orre s p o n d t o t h e w ill of G od d e s erv e t o b e c a l l ed g oo d w or k s or t o ,

recei ve a rewa rd Th o s e a ct i o n s a g a i n whi ch a re n ot p erfo rmed for

.
,

t h e l o ve of God a re n ot g oo d w ork s God r equ i re s a p u re mo t i ve on

.

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 ,

fro m n a tu r a l mo t i ves B u t a n a ct i o n p erformed for Go d s s a ke b 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
, ,

rewa r d or for fe a r of eve rl a s t i n g p u n i s h men t i s a p er fec t or s u p e r , ,

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 .

attai ning p erfec ti on, b eca us e th ey c omb at th e three evil a pp e

ti t es th e c on cup i s c en c e of th e es h th e c on c up is c enc e of th e
, ,

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 .

fa s t i n g , a nd a lms d eed s , more t h a n b y a n y t hi n g

b q
on ds of ea rth a n d c o n s e u en tl y d ra w n e a rer t o
Ev en th e mos t tri i ng w ork s a re pl ea s i ng to God i f they
are d on e wi th th e i nt enti on of promoti ng Hi s gl ory .

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 . .

Work r ec r eat i on s l eep , et c M i d a s , Ki n g of Ph ry g i a , i s s a i d t o h a ve

, , .

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 t o t h e t ree If th e roo t i s h ea l th y t h e t ree o ur i s h es a n d i t s fru i 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
,

fru i t ma t u r e Th e d ecor a t i o n s of t h e s t reet s wh en a mo n a r ch makes

.

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 .

So i t i s wi t h t h e a ct i o n s we p e rform for th e g l ory of God B e ca re .

fu l t h er efor e t o d i rect y o u r i n t en t i o n every morn i n g , a n d r en ew i t

o cca s i o n a ll y th ro u g h o u t th e d a y An a ct i on wi th out a g oo d i n ten
.

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 .

O u r L or d s a y s : Every t ree th a t d oth n ot yi el d g ood fru i t s h a ll

b e cu t d o wn a n d c a s t i n t o t h e re ( M a tt i i i At th e L a s t . .

Ju d g men t He w i ll requ i re g oo d w orks of u s Rememb e r t h e p a

b v
.

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 .

Hea v en i s th e rec omp en s e of l a b or ; h e th a t h a s d on e n o w ork c a n

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 .

Eve ry ma n h a s th ree fr i en d s : M o n ey wh i ch i s t a ken from h i m

b y d ea th ; Rel a t i v es , wh o p a rt fro m h i m a t th e g r a ve ; Good

w ork s , wh i ch a l o n e fo l l o w h i m t o t h e j u d gmen t s e a t of God ( Ap o c .

x iv . B y g oo d works we ma y mak e s u re ou r ca ll i n g a n d el ect i o n

( 2 P et i . Goo d works a re like b ul w a rk s wh i ch p ro tect t h e c i t y
.
 Good Works . 43 7

from hos t i le i n cu rs i ons . On a cc o un t of ou r g oo d w ork s God g ra n t s

us th e g ra ce of p er s ev er a n ce, or, i f w e fa ll i n t o g r i ev o u s
s i n, a ctu a l

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 .

a t h a n w a s s en t t o D a v i d a ft er h e fel l i n t o s i n ; O u r L ord l oo ked

wi t h c omp a s s i o n on St P eter a ft er h i s fa ll
. .

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
.

h e t u rn s fro m cr ea t u res t o t h e C rea t or h i s mi n d i s en l i g h t en ed , h i s

h ea rt i s s o ft en ed , a n d h e en t ers u p o n a n ew li fe Th e p ra yer of t h e
.

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 g oo d works of t h e s i n n er will n ot i n t h ems el ves b e rewa rd ed h ere

a ft e r b u t a re o nl y c o n d u c i v e t o h i s c o n ve r s i o n
, B y hi s g oo d works
.

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 ,

M y F a t h er w i ll p u rg e i t , t h a t i t ma y b r i n g for th more fru i t

( John xv To eve ry on e t h a t h a t h s h a l l b e g i ven , a n d h e s h a ll

b
.

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
.

g oo d work s a h u n d red fol d a n d l i fe e te rn a l As t h e g oo d w or ks 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 .

more g oo d w orks h e h a s d on e i n t i me, t h e g rea te r wi ll b e h i s fel i c i t y

t o a ll ete r n i t y O u r L or d s a ys :
. Th e Son of ma n s h a l l c ome i n th e
gl o ry of Hi s F a t h e r w i t h Hi s a n g el s a n d t h en wi ll b e r en d ered t o
v
,

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 ,

d eg ree of p e rfect i o n , a cc or di n g a s th ei r meri ts a re g rea t e r or l es s .

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
.

w ork s a re o n ero u s t o p er fo rm, t h ey ma ke s a t i s fa c t i o n for s i n, a n d

a p p ea s e t h e ret r i b u t i v e j u s t i ce of God ; i n a s mu ch a s t h ey c o n d u c e to

t h e h o n or o f God a n d th e w elfa r e of ou r fel l o w men , t h ey a re meri -

t ori ou s , a n d s erve t o gl or i fy t h e r emu n er a t i ve j u s t i ce of God Th ey

v
.

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

c i o ns a ns wer t o ou r p et i t i o n s Th e t emp or a l rewa rd of g oo d d eed s

.

c o n s i s ts g en er a l l y i n t h e i n crea s e of ri ch es th e i mp ro vemen t of,

h eal th , th e p rol o n g a t i o n of l i fe, t h e es teem of men , a n d a b o ve a ll

i n ter i or p ea ce a n d j o y, et c .
4 38 ,
Good Works , Vi rtue, Si n, Vi ce.

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 .

If t h e j u s t ma n t u rn hi ms elf a w a y fro m h i s j u s t i ce, a n d d o i n i

q u i t y, a l l h i s j u s t i ce s t h a t h e h a t h d o n e s h a ll n ot b e r ememb e red

( 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

Sa c r a men t of P en a n c e, t h e g oo d w orks of th e p a s t a re rev i v i ed , a s th e

l ea ves c o me ou t a g a i n i n t h e s p ri n g s u n s h i n e It i s n ot s o wi t h s i n s ; .

o n ce forgi ven , t h ey a re ea ced c omp l et el y How gre a t i s th e mercy .

o f ou r Go d !

6 . W e ca n app ly t o ot h ers , ei th e rto th e li v i n g or t o th e d ea d,

th e meri t of our g ood w or k s .

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 , ,

fa s t s o r a lms d eed s for o th e rs In th i s ma n n e r t h e g oo d w ork i n a s

.
,

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
.

s a t i s fa ct i o n for s i n , for i n a p p l yi n g i t t o a n o th e r w e p erform a w ork

of mercy , and mercy p rocu re for u s remi s s i o n of s i n a n d

w or k s of

en t i t l e u s t o a n et ern a l re w a r d Hen ce we s ee th a t i n a p p lyi n g g oo d

.

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 .

7 . We ou gh t t o l et ou r g oo d w orks b e s een of men , i n ord er

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

fa mi l y He re h e wa s trea ted wi th th e g rea t es t ki n dn es s , a n d t h e

.

b eh a v i or of a l l t h e memb er s of t h e h o u s eh o l d wa s s o exemp l a ry,

t h a t h e w a s va s tl y i mp res s ed b y i t , a n d w a s l ed t o i n qu i re i n t o a n d
n a lly emb r a c e t h e C h r i s t i a n rel i g i o n P a ch omi u s w a s a n a ct i ve
.

p r omo t e r of mo n a s t i c i s m i n Eg yp t O u r L ord a dmo n i s h es u s t o l et

.

ou r li g h t s h i n e b e for e men , s o t h a t t h ey ma y s ee ou r g oo d w orks a nd

v
,

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

g u i d es t o ou r ret h ren b Th e C hr i s t i a n Sh oul d n ot on l y b e a b u rn i n g

.

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 .

t i me a ll w ork s of a n ext r a ord i n a r y n a tu re s h o u l d b e h i dd en , s u ch a s

p r a y i n g w i th o n e s a rms o u t s p r e a d , r i g oro u s fa s t i n g , et c All s i n g u

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
.

t h e r ecep t i o n of t h e s a c r a men t s , s h ou l d n ot b e d o n e i n s e c ret If .

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 !

8 . We o ught to mak e d ili gen t u s e of ou r ea rth l y i h es , a s

r c

wel l as of ou r l ife h ere b el ow, for th e p erforman c e of good

works .

We o u g h t mak e fri en d s by mea ns of ou r wea l th th a t a ft er ou r

to ,

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 .

Th e a c t i o n s w e p erform for t h e l o v e of God a re a c t s of p e rfec t ,

s u p e rn a t u r a l , C h r i s t i a n v i rt u e Th e re a re, a s we h a ve s een , n a tu r a l
.

vi rt u es , whi ch a re i n s p i red b y e a rt hl y mo t i ves a n d a re n ot d on e wi th

a vi ew t o t h e g l ory of G od Th es e o n l y rec ei ve a t emp or a l rec om
.

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
.

( M a tt v . . Th e d i fferen ce et ween n a t u r a l a n d s u p e rn a t ura l

vi rt u es ma y b e c omp a red t o t h e d i fferen ce wh i ch exi s t s b et ween
ob j ec t s wh i c h a re me r el y g i l t , a n d t h o s e t h a t a re fa s h i o n ed ou t o f

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
,

b ut i f t h e o a t i s g o i n g a g a i n s t t h e c u rren t, s t ren u o us exe rt i on on t h e

q
p a rt of t h e c r ew i s re u i r ed t o b r i n g i t t o i t s d es t i n a t i o n So i t i s .

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
,

t i o n s of t h e d e vi l a n d g u i d e h i s b a rk t o t h e h a ven of everl a s ti n g feli

,

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
. .

a s cen t n ot a n e a s y d es cen t V i rtu e i s won n ot i n t i mes of p e a c e,

v
.
,

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 ,

t h ems el ves mu ch t ro u b l e i n l ea rn i n g i t O nl y i n p rop ort i o n a s y ou

v
.

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
.
,

h a p p i n es s , a n d th u s we a re s t i mul a t ed t o g re a t e r effort s B u t s uffer .

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
.

wort h y of Go d s a ccep t a n ce ; for n o th i n g g r ea t c a n b e d o n e i n G o d s

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 ,

feel h i s own fr a i l t y, a s on e wh o c l i mb s a s t eep a s c en t b e c o mes con

s c i o u s of h i s b
o d il y wea kn es s C o n s e u en tl y t h e mo s t i rt u o us a re
. q v
t h e mo s t h u mb l e .

4 Vi rt . u e p ro ures c for us re al h a ppi nes s b oth i n ti me a nd in

etern i t y .

Th e Greeks rel a t ed of Her a cl es on e of th ei r h ero es th a t a t a s p ot , ,

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 ,

a n d V i rt u e Th e former s p oke a tter i n g wor d s t o hi m a n d p ro mi s ed

.
 Vi rtue . 44 1

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
.

s orro w s a w a i ted h i m, b u t th ey w o ul d b e fo ll o wed b y a n e v e rl a s t i n g

rewa rd He ra cles wi s ely fol l owed wh ere t hi s on e g u i d ed hi m Si n ,
. .

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
. . .

a p p ro a c hi n g d i s s o l u t i o n ( 2 Ti m i v 7 Not hi n g ca n rea lly h a rm on e

. .

wh o l o ves God ; a ll t h i n g s , h o weve r a d v ers e t h ey a p p e a r, w ork

t o g et h e r un t o g oo d ( R om vi i i M a n y t emp or a l b l es s i n g s a re
. .

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
-

t h e un d e rs t a n d i n g , a n d g i ves i n t ell i g en ce of t h e t ea chi ng of C h ri s t .

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 . .

No b l e a n ces try, hi g h p os i t i on , d o es n ot ma ke u s ren own ed b efore God ;

vi rt u e a l o n e p ro cu res for u s i mmort a l h o n ors , et ern a l ri ch es, n ever
en d i n g fel i c i t y .

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 .

u s b ea u t i ful i n G o d s s i gh t P h ys i c a l b e a u ty i s d ecei t ful a n d v a i n

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 .

t h e k i n g s d a u g h t e r i s wi thi n ( P s xli v Th i s l ovel i n es s i s n ot

. .

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 .

n ow a p p e a r i ns i g n ic a n t a n d c o n t emp t ib l e, for t h e i r t r u e g l ory,

t h ei r i nn er l ife, i s h i dd en fro m h um a n k en B u t wh en t h i s l i fe i s .

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
. .

d eemed h a p p y s h a ll mo u rn a n d w eep V i r tu e a l o n e ma kes u s tru e

.

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
.

d o t al rob e A Ch r i s ti a n wi th o u t vi rtu e i s a h u s k w i t h o u t a kern el

. ,

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
,

va l u el es s , for God on l y g ra n ts e tern a l fel i ci t y t o t h o s e th a t l o e

Hi m .

1 . Th e th ree th eol ogi cal virtu es a re man i fes t ed i n th e fol

l ow i n g man n er :
Th e effec t p rod d u
th e irt e of Fai th i s t o mak e us b e
ce by v u
v
l i e e i n th e exi s ten ce of God a n d i n Hi s di in e p erfe c tio ns 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
.

for we el i ev e th a t whi ch He h a s reveal ed ec a u s e He i s o mn i s ci en t

a n d t h e h i g h es t t r u th God i s th e o j ect of h op e ; for w e h op e for
. b
et ern a l h a p p i n es s a ft er d ea th , t o s ee God a n d en j o y Hi m for ev e r .

God i s t h e mo t i v e of h o p e, for we h op e for et ern a l fel i c i t y b ec a u s e

He i s a l mi g h t y mos t b o u n t iful a n d fa i th ful t o Hi s p romi s es God
, ,
.

i s th e o b j ect of ch a r i t y, for a l l ou r l ove c en t r es i n Hi m God i s th e

v
.

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 .

meekn es s a n d l i b era l i t y ou gh t p ro emi n en tl y t o ma rk th e C h ri s t i a n ,

-

a n d for t h i s rea s o n C h r i s t s p ea k s of Hi s foll o we r s a s s h eep or l a mb s ,

b ec a u s e t h e s h eep i s th e mo s t p a t i en t a n d h a rml es s of a n i ma l s Th e
v v
.

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 .

4 Al l th e moral i rt es p roc eed from th e fo

. v u u
r cardi n al vir
u u u
t es : Pr d enc e, j s t i c e, t emp era n c e, a nd forti t d e u W i
( sd . vi ii . 7
Th e fo u r fu n d a men t a l v i rt u es a re c a ll ed ca r d i n al vi rt u es , from
t h e w or d c a rd o a h i n g e b ec a u s e a ll ou r mor a l a ct i o n s t u rn on t h em
, ,

a s a d oor t u r n s u p o n i t s h i n g e s Th ey a re c a l led fu n d a men t a l virt u e s

b
.

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

i n g a n d meekn es s s p r i n g fro m t emp e r a n c e, d i l i g en ce i s wh a t i s g oo d

fro m fort i t u d e, et c Th e s e fo u r v i rt u es ma y b e s a i d t o b e t h e p a r en t s
.

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 ,
.

j u s t i ce of th e wi l l Temp er a n ce a n d fort i tu d e s u p p or t t h e wi ll Pru

. .

d en ce xe s i t s g a z e u p o n h ea ven ; temp e r a n ce s eek s wh a t i s et e rn a l

a n d emp l o ys t emp or a l t h i ng s o n l y a s a mea n s of a tt a i n i n g w h a t i t
s e ek s ; for t i t u d e a l l o w s n o o b s t a cl es t o h i n d e r i t fro m a t t a i n i n g i t s

g oal . Th e p h i l o s op h er s of a n t i qu i t y r ec ogn i z ed t h e v a l u e of temp er

a n c e a n d for t i t u d e ; t h ey a s s e rt ed t h a t t o r en o u n ce a n d t o e n d u r e
w a s th e c o mp en d i u m of a l l w orl dl y w i s d o m, for t h ey c o n s i d e r ed t h a t
t h e p r a c t i ce of t h es e t w o v i rt u es w o u l d p res erve a ma n fro m s i n
a n d c o n d u ct h i m t o s u p r eme fel i c i t y .

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

. .

How cl everly t h e s a i n t s c o n t ri ved t o c a rry ou t t h ei r u n d erta k i n g s a n d

o b t a i n t h e e n d t h ey d es i red ! St P a u l d i s p l a yed t h i s p ru d en ce wh en
.

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 ,

s en s e i t i s n ot emp l o yed h er e ) Th e j u s t ma n i s u p r i g h t h e g i ves

.
,

t o eve ry on e h i s d u e ; t o God h e g i ves w or s hi p t o t h e a u th or i t i es ,

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 ,

t emp e r a n ce a n d fort i t u d e t o s u s ta i n h i m a n d reg ul a t e h i s a c t i o n s .

3 Th rou gh t emp e r a n ce ma n on l ma k es u s e of t emp ora l

. y
g oo d t h i n s , i n s o fa r a s i s n ec es s a r
g for t h e a tt a i n men t of th os e y
w h i ch a re et e r n al

F or i n s ta n ce, a ma n d o es n ot ea t or d r i nk more t h a n h e n eed s

t o s u p p ort l i fe a n d p r es erv e h ea l th a n d fu ll h i s d u t i e s He d o es n ot .

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
,

tt i n g o n e s s elf for g oo d w ork s ; s u ch t emp er a n ce l a ck s p ru d en ce

.

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 , . .

e ven , if n e ed be , to s uf fer d e a th O n t h e o th er h a n d h e en du res

.
 446 Good Work s , Vi rtue, Si n , Vi ce .

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 .

t h e d i a mon d t h a t n o s t o n e c a n b re a k F ort i t u d e i s more s t r ik i ngly .

d i s p l a yed i n b e a r i n g g r e a t s u ffer i n g t h a n i n un d er ta ki n g g rea t

a chi ev e men ts for s u f fe ri n g i s more d ifc ul t t h a n d o i n g An ex a mp l e
, .

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 ;
. .

b y P op e L eo th e Gre a t , wh o fea rl es s l y wen t t o meet At t i l a, t h e K i n g

of t h e Hu n s No s a i n t w a s ever a c owa rd Th e h ol y ma rty r s
. .

s h o wed fort i t u d e i n i t s hi g h es t d eg r ee Th er e i s t h e s p u ri ous for .

t i t u de of t h e rep rob a t e ; wh en a ma n c a nn o t b e ma de t o d es i s t fro m

th e l ov e of t r a n s i t ory t h i n g s b y t h e ch a s t i s emen t s of th e C rea t or
a n d p u rs u e s t h em a t t h e c o s t of hi s l i fe .

.
'

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 .

As ll t h e d i ffere n t b r a n ch es of a t ree g row fro m t h e s a me roo t

a ,

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 . .

t h e qu een o f vi rt u es b eca u s e i t i n c i t es th e w i ll t o t h e p erforman c e

,

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

a w rea th , so th e d i ffe r en t vi rt u es form a h a rmo n i o u s wh ole ; o n l y

th ey ca nn o t b e s ev e red on e fro m t h e ot h er a n d th e on d th a t u ni t es , b
th em s o cl os el y i s ch a ri t y.

Th erefore h e wh o i s devoi d of c h ari ty tow ards God d oes n ot

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 .

Th e l o ve of God ma y t l y b e c omp a red t o t h e s u n s h i n e Wh en i n .

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 .

s oo n as th e s un rth th e ow ers t h e mea d ow s a l l

s h i n es up on t h e ea , , ,

t h i n g s a re o n ce mor e d eck ed i n t h e i r forme r b e a u t y ; s o wh en ch a r i t y

ll s t h e s o u l i t w i l l b e a d orn ed w i th a ll v i rt u es ; s u p ern a t u r a l d i vi n e
,

vi rt u es w orth y of a n ete rn a l rec o mp en s e All t h e s a i n t s p o s s es s ed

,
.

eve ry s i n g l e p er fec t v i r t u e t h a t t h ere i s b u t t h ey excell e d i n on e ,

mor e th a n i n th e o th er s Job p o s s es s ed p a ti en ce i n a h i g h d eg ree

b b
. ,

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 .

Th e th ree th eol ogi al c virtu es a re in c reas e d th rou gh th e i n

c rea s e of s an tifyi n
g grac c e.

Th a t th e i n crea s e of t h e thr ee theol og i ca l vi rtues i s p os s i b le, we

l ea rn from t h e c oll e ct of t h e Thi rte en th Sun d a y a fte r P en tecos t, i n
whi ch th e C hur ch p r a ys : Almi ghty a n d everl a s tin g God give un t o ,

u s a n i n cr e a s e of fa ith, h op e a n d c h a r ity If t h e a tmos ph ere re
, .

cei v e s mor e l i gh t an d h ea t fr om t h e s u n , we s e e m ore c le a rly a n d ex

p eri en ce more w a rmth In like ma n n e r when gr a c e i s a u gmen ted i n

th e s oul , th e p owe r of b eli ef b ec omes s t r on g er a n d e a re s ti mul a ted

w
xer c i s e of c h ar ity We a l s o n d th a t frequen t a ct s of th e
t o the e .

thr ee th eologi c a l vi r tu es s erve t o i n c rea s e them ; or i f they d o n ot i m

medi a tely p r odu ce thi s e ect th ey di s p os e t h e s oul t o g r owth i n vi r
,

tue .

Th e mora l vi rtu es a re i n rea s ed b y fre u en tl y p erformi n g c q

g c
ood a ti on s , a n d a l s o b
y t h e i n r ea s e of s a n tifyi n
g g r a e c c c .

F r equ en t a c t s wi ll i n c r e as e t h e fa c ility i n th e p r a c t i ce of g ood ,

while th e i n crea s e of g r a ce will ren d er th e will more di s p os ed towa r ds

wh a t i s g ood Th e mor e p r oc i en cy we a tt a i n a n d t h e grea t er t h e

.

mea s ur e of s a n ctifyin g gr a ce w e receive t h e g r ea te r will b e our mor a l ,

vi rt ues We s h oul d en d ea vor t o in cre a s e a t lea s t i n on e vi r tue for

.
,

t h e i n c rea s e of on e will b e a ccomp a n i ed b y t h e i n c rea s e of a ll th e

r es t We c a n a n d ought t o c ultiva t e mor e es p ec i a lly th a t vi rtue for
.

t h e exe r c i s e of whi c h ou r c i r c ums t a n ces a ffor d mos t opp or tun ity ,

or for whi c h we h a v e a p a r ti c ul a r a dmi r a ti on Th e mor e we a dva n ce .

i n ou r fa vor it e vi rtue t h e g re a t e r p r ogr es s we ma ke i n every o ther

,

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
.

mort a l s i n, for t h er eb y th e l ove of God i s l ost , wi th out whi h c

th ere ca n b e n o p erfe t v i rt ue c .

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 .

c i en cy a tt a in ed i n t h e p r a c ti ce of vi r tu e, t h e free dom of th e will

i s n ot i mp a i r ed ; ma n i s a lw a ys li a b l e t o s i n

He th a t thin ket h hi m .

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 . .

memb er h ow D a vid s in n e d, a n d St P ete r fell V i rtu e i s fa r more . .

e a s ily l os t th a n w on How s wi ftly a s t on e r olls down hill, a n d y et

.

h ow s l owly it i s r oll ed up ! O n e s in gle mor t a l s i n s ufce s t o ob li t era te

vi rtu e , j u s t a s on e s tr in g ou t of tun e i n a n i n s t r u men t s p oils th e
mel o dy Y et s uffer i n g i s n ot of it s el f c a l cul a t e d t o d es t r oy vi r tue
.
.

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

i t s p r i s ti n e b ea uty un ma rr ed In fa ct vi r tu e s t a n d s ou t i n s tron ger

.

r eli ef i n th e s ea s on of a fi c ti on ; jus t a s th e s t a r s s hi n e a t n i ght a n d

a re n ot s een b y d a y , o r i
sp c es giv e o u t th e i r a r om a m o s t fr e ely wh en

th ey a re cr u s h ed Th e outw a r d s emb l a n ce of vi rtue often r ema 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

He wh o ma kes a p a r ad e of hi s vi rt ues i s i n d a ng er of l o s in g them .

The ma n wh o ca rr i es h i s t r ea s ures op enl y on t h e highw a y i s s ur e t o

b e r ob b ed of them As t h e di s pl a y of gold or c os tly a pp a rel i n vites

.

t h e thi ef, s o t h e di s pl a y of vi rt ue a tt ra ct s t h e d evil, wh o s eek s t o ta ke

it from us M oreover s wee t s cen ted thin gs l os e the i r p erfume i f
.
,
-

they a re exp os e d t o t h e a i r C on s e quen tly, i f w e c a n n ot a v oid d oi n g

.

g ood i n t h e s igh t of ma n , l et ou r onl y d es i re b e t o ple a s e G od U n les s .

we a re c on s t a n t a n d p er s ever in g , w e s h a ll g r a du a lly fa ll off i n vi r tue .

Tree s th a t a re con ti n u a lly t r a n s pl a n te d ca n n o t g r ow p r op erly, much

les s b ea r fruit ; on t h e c on t ra r y, they a re likely t o withe r a n d d i e .

So con ti n u a l ch a ng e of pl a ce, of p os iti on , of ofce, i s highl y p rej u

d i ci a l t o p r og res s i n vi r tue .

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 .

Ad a m andEv e i n p a r a di s e tr a n s gres s e d th e comma n dmen t of

God ; they kn ew it well a n d n o on e n ot even t h e s e rp en t comp ell ed
, , ,

them t o vi ol a t e it Thu s they c ommitte d a s i n Th e c omma n dmen t s

. .

of G od a re p r i n c ip a ll y t h e Ten C omma n dmen t s a n d t h e p r ecept t o ,

d o w ork s of mer cy b es ide s a l l other p rec epts en j o in ed up on u s i n

,

G od s n a me Th e c omma n dmen t s e ithe r en j o i n or p r ohi b it s ome a ct

.
,

th er efor e th ey a re divide d i n t o s i n s of co mmi s s i on a n d s i n s of omi s

s i on . As t h e divi n e l a w i s for t h e s a fegu a r di n g of t h e ma j e s ty of
God or for ou r own w elfa re or t h e good of ou r n eighb or we s i n
, ,

i n tr a n s g res s i n g th a t l a w eithe r a g a i n s t God ou r n eighb or or ou r

, , ,

s elves . Si n i s n othi n g els e b u t r evolt a g a in s t a n d di s ob edi en c e t o

God ( R om iv 1 5 ; 1 John iii
. . Th e s i nn er thr ows off t h e yoke of
.

G od s a yin g :
,

I will n ot s erve ( Jer ii He a tt a ck s G od h e . .
,

would fa i n d es tr oy Hi m th a t He might n o l on ger s ee a n d pun i s h h i s

,

t r a ns g res s i on s When w e commit s i n we t a ke up a rms a g a i n s t God

.
, ,

w e c ru c ify a g a i n t h e Son of G od ( Heb vi b y ma ki n g th e R 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

.

more deeply th a n a ll t h e s uffe r in gs of Hi s P a s s i on ju s t a s th e l os s of ,

h i s w a g es i s more g r i ev ous t o t h e w orkin gma n th a n a l l t h e t oil h e h a s

g on e th rough How fooli s h it w ould b e of a n y on e i n t h e w orld t o
.

of fen d a n i n dividu a l on wh om h i s whole future h a ppi n es s d ep en ded ;

h ow mu c h mor e fooli s hly then d o we a ct wh en w e ma ke Hi m ou r ,

en emy Wh 0s e a i d i s i n di s p en s a b l e t o u s for a ll thi n g s a n d a t a l l ti mes ,

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 .

a n oth er ma n s mer c y w oul d y ou v en tu re t o i n s ult th a t ma n ?

, Re
memb er you r exi s ten c e d ep en ds en ti r ely up on t h e will of G od ; it
h a n gs a s b y a thr e a d a t a n y momen t He c oul d c a s t y ou b a ck i n to t h e
,

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
,

Hi s a n ger M i s er a b le mort a ls th a t w e a re we c a n n ot t oler a te t h e

.
,

fered u s b y ou r fell ow men wh o a re ou r equ a l s

'

s light es t i n dign ity of -

, ,

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 .

It i s n ot cou n t ed a s a s i n i f we ommi t a n evil a t i on , of th e c c

s i n fu l n ess of wh i c h we a re i n ora n t t h r u h n f l t f ou r
g ,
o g o a u o

own , n or i f ou r wi ll d oes n ot on s en t t o th e evi l d eed c .

450 Good Works Vi rtu e
, , Si n, Wee .

Noe s i ntoxi ca t ion

wa s g ui l tl es s , b e c a us e h e wa s n ot a wa e r of
th e in eb r i a ti n g q u a l iti es of win e If one ea t mea t on F rid a y forg et
.
,

ting th a t i t i s F r id a y it i s n o s i n But it i s quite otherwi s e i f it i s

, .

i n c ons e quen ce of a lon g con ti n u ed h ab it of s i n th a t on e fa ils t o s ee

-

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
.
, .
,

kn ow a n oth er t o wi s h n ot t o k n ow ; for h e wh o cl os es h i s eyes th a t h e

,

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 .

p r es en t d a y a void h e a r i n g s ermon s will h av e no excu s e b efore God

We d o n ot commit s i n s o l on g a s we d o n ot con s en t t o wh a t i s evil .

Th e ea rly C h r i s ti a n s h a d i n c en s e forc ib l y t hru s t i n to thei r h a n ds ,

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 ,

t h em we c ommi t n o s i n a n y mo r e th a n we a re res p on s i b l e for wh a t

, ,

we d o i n ou r d re a ms We s h ould n ot a ll ow thes e thoughts t o di s qui et

.

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 .

ou t ou r will mos t c er t a i n ly a re s i n ful i f w e a re t o b l a me for t h e c a u s e

,

of th os e a c ti on s Th e mi s d eeds of a d runk en ma n a re un ques ti on a b ly

.

s in s , i f i n a n y w a y h e fores ees t hem a s a con s equen ce of h i s i n t ox i

ca ti on .

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 ..

St B on a ven tu re s a ys th a t turn i n g t owa r ds crea tures i s th e s ourc e

.

of a ll s i n Ea r thl y c rea tures a re on ly a mea n s for t h e a t ta inment o f

.

everl a s ti n g feli c ity ; th ey a re i n n o wi s e t h e n a l en d of ma n It i s .

with them a s with dr ug s ; us e d i n mod era ti on th ey a re b en ec i a l,

b u t us ed i mmodera tely they a re i n j u r i ou s a n d a hi n d ra n ce i n t h e wa y
of ou r s a lv a ti on Th erefore God on ly a llow s u s t o u s e c rea tu res within
.

a c er t a i n limit, a n d i n fa c t onl y i n s o fa r a s they a re n ec es s a ry or

h elp ful t o ou r etern a l h a ppin es s ; for i n s t a n ce, He p ermit s u s t o t a ke
s u c h n ou r i s hmen t a s i s n ee dful for t h e s upp or t o f n a t me b u t forb id s
'

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

( Wi s d ii 1 . T.hu s a chil d , i f a l ump of s ug a r a n d a p i ec e of g old

b e offered h i m, ch oos es t h e s uga r Th e s inn e r fors a kes God, t h e foun
.

t a in of liv in g w a ters , a n d dig s t o hims elf b r oken c i s tern s th a t c a n

h old n o w a te r ( Jer ii .Si n i s a s p ec i es of idol a try ; for t h e s i n ner
.

w or s hip s t h e cr ea tu re i n t h e pl a ce of th e C rea tor ; h i s s i n i s h i s g od .

By s i n ma n b ecomes t h e s erva n t of th e cr ea ture, h e b ecomes d ep en d

en t up on c r ea tur es ; h e i s like a s h ca ught up on a h ook, a n d h eld
fa s t b y it Wh os oever c ommitteth s i n i s th e s erv a n t of s i n ( John
.

viii . He i s wor s e th a n a s erva n t, for a s erva n t c an run a w a y ;

b u t t h e s erv a n t of s i n c a n n ot es c a p e from s i n h e ca rri es it with
h i m whith ers oever h e goes .

Si n i s th e on e on l y evil u p on ea rth ; i t r ob s man of th e

3 .

s u p ern a tu r a l b ea u ty of th e s oul , i t ma k es h i m r es emb l e th e

d evi l , a n d b ri n gs mi s ery u p on h i m even whil e h e i s on ea rth .

45 2 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n,

mi n d , t h a n a n i s l a n d i n mi d ocea n ca n pr ev en t the w a es from d a s h v

-

i n g on i ts s h ores ; b u t a s th e i s l a n d res i s t s t h e for ce of th e b re a kers ,

s o we c a n wi th s t a n d t h e a s s a ul ts of t empt a ti on We mus t in s ta n tly .

tur n ou r th oug hts els ewhere ; b y mea n s of p r a yer, or th e rememb ra n ce

of de a th or of j udgmen t In a ll thi n gs zr9 mea:rib er thy l a s t en d
. . ,

( 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 . .

mi n d t h e terr i b l e con s equen ces of s i n Wha t i s of t h e gr ea tes t imp or .

ta n c e i s to tu rn one s thought s a t on ce ; a re j us t li ghted i s ea s il y

{

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 .

en e my whil e h e i s yo un g a n d feeb l e St i e evi l tho ug hts a t thei r .

b i rt h ; b a n i s h the m th e mome n t they tp res en t t h em elv es .

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
'

C ompl a cen c y or s a ti s fa cti on i n wh a t i s evil, ma y a l s o b e a mort al

s i n if w e wi lli n gly t a ke pl e a s ur e i n s omethi n g whi ch i s fo rb idden

un d er p a i n of mor t a l s i n Th e evil t h oughts whi ch t h e d evi l put s

.

i n t o ou r min d ma y b e c omp a r e d t o egg s ; a s a fte r a p er i od of i n cu

b a t i on t h e y oun g b i r d i s p ro duce d fr om t h e eg g s o s i n i s p r oduce d ,

fr om evil th oughts i f th ey a re cher i s h e d i n t h e b r ea s t a n d reg a r ded

with compl a cen cy When c on c upi s cen ce h a th con ce ived, it b r ingeth
.

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
. .

a ll y ou r th oughts He kn ows them b etter th a n y ou d o your s elf, a n d

.

a t t h e j udgmen t th ey will ev ery on e b e di s cl os ed .

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 .

An vil des i re i s a n a ct of th e will or d elib era te con s en t Th a t

e ,
.

whi c h p r ocee d s fr om th e he a r t t h e will ) th a t i s s in ( M a tt x v , . .

B efo re God th e will t o s i n c oun t s a s t h e d ee d of s i n He wh o .

en t e rt a i n s a n evil d e s i re h a s c omm itt e d t h e s i n a l r ea dy i n h i s he a rt

( M a tt v . . He wh o h a s con s en ted t o a mort a l s i n i s like a s t a g ,

fa t a lly w o un d e d b y t h e hun ts ma n whi ch i f i t es c a p es c a ptu re c a n n ot , , ,

es ca p e d ea th Evil des i res ma y b e comp a re d t o t h e little worms

.

whi ch p er for a t e t h e keel of a ves s el a n d ren der i t un s ea w orthy i f ,

th ey d o n ot c a u s e it t o s i n k So evil d es i res a rr es t th e c our s e of th e

.

g ood a n d pi ou s on the i r voy a ge t o th e ce les ti a l h a ven or even c a us e ,

th em t o s i n k i n to th e n eth ermos t a b ys s M a n y evil d es i r es a re mort a l .

s in s ( C oun cil of Tren t 1 4 c He wh o kn ow s n ot h ow t o t a me

, , .

h i s evil lu s t s i s like a r ider wh os e h or s e t a kes fr ight a n d b olts d r a g

, ,

gi n g h i m th r ough b ogs a n d mor a s s es for h e will b e d r a wn i n t o mort a l ,

s i n a n d n a lly c a s t i n t o h ell How unh a ppy a re y ou i f y ou ch eri s h

.
,

s i n ful d es i res i n y ou r h e art !

4 . Fin a ll y co mes th e res o u l ti on to c mmi t th e s i n

o .

Th e evil c on c upi s cen ce w a s mer ely a wi s h or l on gi n g for th e

s i n ful ob j ec t . Th e res oluti on i s a n a l d ec i s i on t o a dopt th e mean s
n ec es s a ry to t h e a t ta i n men t of th a t ob j ec t U p t o thi s p oi n t th e .

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

An t ri or s i n i s a tten ded b y wors e cons eq uen ces tha n a n i n

ex e
teri or s i n ; it a ugmen ts th e ma l i ce of th e will d es tr oy s th e s ens e of ,

s ha me often gives s c a n dal b r in gs mi s ery on t h e s i n n er a n d i s more

, , ,

s everely pun i s he d b y God A ki n g h a s i n t rus ted t h e defen ce of a

.

fort res s t o h i s g en er a l A mes s en g er i s s en t i n d n ui s e to thi s g en

.

er a l, b e a ri n g a lette r i n whi ch a l a rg e s u m of mon ey i s offe re d

,

hi m if h e w i ll s urr en de r t h e fort res s Th ree cours es of a cti on a re .

ope n t o th e gen e ra l ; e ith er h e wi ll r ej ec t th e of fer a n d h a ve t h e

me s s en g er ha n ged for a s p y ; or h e ma y en ter i n to n eg oti a ti ons with
h i m a t r s t a n d p res en tly b rea k them off; or h e ma y open t h e g a tes
,

t o t h e en emy O u r s oul i s tha t fort res s ; w e a re i t s c omma n d a n t a n d

.

ou r a dve rs a ry i s t h e devil He s en ds ou t en voys s eeki n g b y a ll ma n

.

n er of p r omi s es a n d r ep res en t a ti on s t o es tr a n ge u s fr om God If we .

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
,

rmed ; if we ta ke pleas u re i n h i s s ugge s ti on s we b egi n t o fa il i n ,

d elity t o God a n d des erve pun i s hmen t ; b u t i f we commit th e s i n ,

w e s u rr en der ou r s oul t o th e d evil wh o en te rs i n with a ll hi s s a tel ,

lites Aft er mort a l s i n th e soul i s i n a s t a te of s i n Wh en w a te r i s

.
, .

o n c e froz en it rema i n s a b lock of i ce un til it i s melt e d b y h ea t

, , .

Thus it i s with t h e ma n wh o fa lls in t o mort a l s i n ; h e con ti n ues i n a

s t a te of s i n un til h e i s b rought t o repe n t a n ce Hen ce we s ay : Th a t .

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 .

If mo rt a l s i n b e rep ea t ed ma n y times t h e h a b it of s i n i s formed ;

th a t i s t o s a y th e s inn e r a c qui res a cer ta i n p roci en cy i n wi ckedn es s ,
a n d t h e will i s pe rma n en tly i n clin e d t o evil Th e F a th er s p oin t t o .

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
.
, ,

wh o l a y d ea d within th e h ous e ; h e w h o c ommits s i n outw a rdly , i s l i ke

t h e y ou n g ma n a t Na i m, wh o w a s c a rri e d ou t of t h e c ity g a tes ;
whil e h e w h o i s given up t o vi ce i s like La z a ru s , wh o h a d l a in s ever a l
d a ys i n t h e gr a ve In th e rs t two i n s t a n ces O u r Lor d me rely b a de
.

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

Th e gr a ce of God d ep a rts fr om every ma n wh o h a s fa llen i n t o

mort a l s i n Not s o t empt a ti on In fa c t t h e evil en emy b es ti r s hi m
. .

s el f t h e more to b i n d h i s c a ptive mor e tightly Now s in ce temp ta ti on .

c a n n ot b e over c ome with out G od s gr a ce t h e s i nn e r fa lls l owe r a n d

,

l ower from on e s i n t o a n oth er Th e s i n s whi ch follow up on a s i n

, .

ma y therefore b e c a ll ed t h e ch a s ti s emen t of s i n H oly Scr iptur e .

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) .

God d elive red hi m up t o a rep rob a te s en s e ( Rom i . .

454 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n, Vi ce .

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 .

He wh o h a s for a l en gt h en ed p er i od b een given o e r t o a l ife of v

s i n , d oes n ot s h r i n k from th e g r ea tes t ex ces s es An d us t a s p erfec . j
ti on i n vi r tue p r ocu res for mort a l ma n up on e a rt h h a ppin es s whi ch
i s a lmos t th a t of h ea ven , a n d ex a lts h i m t o un i on with G od, s o the re
a re di f fer en t g r a d es i n vi c e, b y whi c h t h e s oul des cen ds t o t h e c on di
ti on of t h e rep r ob a t e a n d h er c ompl ete s ep a r a ti on from God i s con
s umma t e d F in a lly h e wh o i s t h e s l a ve of vi ce i s often i n s pi r e d b y
.

a b itt e r h a t re d a ga i n s t God , a n d wi lfully a n d of s et pur p os e res i s t s

t h e i n uen c e a n d a c ti on of t h e H oly Spi r it ; a n d a t l a s t b y n a l i m
'

p en iten c e commits th e s i n a ga i n s t t h e Holy Gh os t whi ch ca nn ot b e

forgi ven

Th ere a re di fferent k i nds of s i n .

C i r c ums t a n c es whi ch a lte r t h e n a ur e of a s i n

t mus t b e s p ec i ed i n
con fes s i on ( C oun c il of Tr e n t 1 4 , ,

All th os e s i n s wh i c h vi ol a te differen t c omman dmen ts , or

whi ch a re op p os ed to di fferen t vir tu es , a re di s ti n c t i n th ei r n a tu r e
on e from t h e oth er ; as al s o a re t h os e s i n s b y wh i c h on e a n d th e

s a me c omma n dmen t i s t ra n s gres s ed , or wh i c h a re op p os ed t o

on e a n d th e s a me v i rt u e, i n d if
feren t wa ys .

F or in s t a n ce th eft a n d lyi n g a re t wo di fferen t k in d s of s i n s , b e

,

c a u s e b y th eft t h e Se ven th, b y lyi n g t h e Ei ghth C omm a n dmen t , i s

b r ok en P r ide a n d a v a r i ce a re s i n s of a di fferen t kin d b ec a us e th ey
. ,

a re opp os e d t o t w o dif fe ren t vi r tu es , humility a n d lib er a lity Th eft .

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

they a re opp os ed t o t h e vi rtu e of h op e i n t w o differ en t w a ys .

1 Si ns a re genera l l y di vi d ed i nt o s i ns of w ord , of t h ough t ,

.

a n d of d eed .

H a t red a n d mur d er a re t wo di fferen t k i n d s of s i n b e c a us e th e ,

F i fth C omma n dmen t i s t r a n s gr es s ed b y th em i n t wo differen t w a ys ,

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

feren t ki n d s of s i n b ec a u s e th ey offen d a g a i n s t th e vi rtue

a re t w o di f ,

of humility i n t w o di f fer en t w a y s b y w or d a n d b y d eed ,

.

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 -
.

O ur own s i n s a re th os e wh i h w e ou r s el ves ommi t c c .

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 .

Woe th a t ma n b y wh om th e s ca n da l comet h It wer e b et ter for

to .

h i m tha t a mi ll s ton e s hould b e h an ged a b out hi s n eck a n d th an he ,

s h oul d b e dr own ed i n th e d ep t h of th e s ea ( M a tt xviii . .

1 All s i ns a re not e uall y gr ea t

. q .

O u r L ord comp a res s ome s in s t o c a mel s others t o gn a ts ( M a tt , .

xx iii . or a g a i n He c omp a res s ome t o mot es othe rs t o b ea ms ,

( M a tt vii . He con t ra s ts t h e depth of t en thous a n d t alen ts with

.

th a t of a hun dr ed p en ce ( M a tt xvi ii 2 3 He s a id t o Pila te :

H
. .

e th a t h a th d eliver ed Me t o thee h a th t h e grea t e r s i n ( John xi x . .

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 .

In th e r s t pl a ce much dep en ds on th e v a l ue a n d imp or ta n ce of

,

th e ob j ec t a g a i n s t whi ch t h e evil a ct i s di rec te d If God i s thereb y

m
.

of fen ded i t i s , uch more s i nfu l th a n i f th e offen ce wer e a g a i n s t on e

of ou r fell ow men O r i f it b e di rec ted a g a in s t a ma n s li fe it i s

-
.
,

Wor s e th a n i f h i s p r op er ty a l on e wa s a tt a cked A g rea t dea l dep en d s .

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 .

Si n i s much g rea ter i n a C h r i s ti a n th a n i n a hea th en If a p r i es t .

c ommit s a s in i t i s wors e for h i m tha n for a n or din a ry ma n

, ,

little vers ed p erh a p s i n religi ou s ma tt ers b ec a us e t h e p r i es t h a s a ,

cl os e r kn owledg e of t h e will of God O u r L or d s a y s : Th e s erv a n t
.

wh o kn ew th e will of h i s l or d a n d did n ot a ccordi n g t o h i s will s h a ll ,

b e b ea t en with ma n y s t r ip es ; b u t h e th a t kn ew n ot a n d did thi n gs ,

wor thy of s tr ip es s h a ll b e b ea t en wi t h few s t r ip es
, ( Luk e x ii 4 7 . ,

Th e g re a t er y ou r kn owl edge th e mor e r ig orous ly will y ou b e j udged

, ,

i f you r li fe i s n ot h oly i n p r op orti on t o your kn owl edge Th e more .

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 ,

g res s i on F in a lly muc h d epen d s up on wheth er a ma n h a s or h a s n ot

.

b een a p erfectl y free a gen t An y on e wh o w as i n ti mi d a ted or wh o

.
,

wa s exp os e d t o erce t emp t a ti on i s far les s c ul p a b le th a n on e wh o

,

wa s free t o a ct a s b e ple a s ed St P eter s den i a l wa s con s eq uen tly

. .

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 .

For i n s t a n ce : i t i s w or s e for a mon a r ch t o s i n op enl y th a n for on e

of h i s s ub j ect s ; of fen ces c ommitted i n t h e p res en ce of s ever a l p ers on s
a re gr a ve r th a n i f th ey w er e d on e i n s ec ret ; t o w ork h a r d a ll d a y l on g
on Sun d a y i s more s i n ful th a n t o w or k for on e h ou r on ly R ob b ery .

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 .

i s fa r more w ron g t o s tea l i n chu rch th a n ou t of 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
.

God , a nd d epri v e us of Hi s fr i en d s hi p ; t h ey a re a l l ed mort a l or c

dea dl y s i ns Si ns of l es s er momen t a re a l l ed v eni a l s i ns
. c .
 Si n . 45 7

Some di s ea s es y wea ken th e b odily s t ren gth oth er s des tr oy li fe

onl , .

It i s t h e s a me with s i n ; s ome s i ns onl y imp e de th e s oul i n h er effor ts

t o a tt a i n h er n a l en d others a g a i n exti n gui s h withi n h er s a n c ti fyi n g
,

g r a c e t h e life of t h e s oul In ou r i n te r cou rs e with ou r fr i en d s it

,
.
,

ofte n ha pp en s th a t s ome di f fe ren ce a r i s e s ; i f t h e offen ce i s b u t s light ,

it does n ot s er i ou s ly a ffe c t ou r fr i en d s hip ; i f it i s g r a ve it put s a n ,

en d t o t h e fr i en d s hip Holy Scr ipture s p e a ks of s ome s i n s wher eb y

.

th e g ra ce of God i s completel y l os t ( a s D a vid s s i n ) a n d of othe rs i n to

,

whi ch t h e j us t ma n ma y fa ll s even ti mes th a t i s fr equen tly ( P rov , .

xx iv . with out c ea s i n g t o b e a j us t ma n ( C oun c il of Tren t 6 , ,

Ag a in it s p ea k s of s i n s whi c h exclude fr om hea ven b y whi ch et ern a l

, ,

pun i s hmen t i s i n cur red a n d of oth er s whi ch h a v e n ot th es e fa ta l c on

,

s e quen c es St P a ul r eckon s a mon g mor ta l s in s id ol a t ry mu r de r

. .
, , ,

c ovet ou s n es s d run ken n es s etc ( 1 C or vi 9 ; Ga l v

, ,
In t h e . . . . .

pr es en t d a y there i s n o s i n s o gri evou s b u t it n ds s ome re a dy t o

p a ll i a te a n d ex c us e it B ew a r e les t y ou b e l ed a s t ra y b y t h e fa l s e
.

ma xi ms of t h e w orld ; hold fa s t b y t h e wor d of God t h e t ea chi n g of ,

God n ot t h e w orld wil l on e d a y b e y ou r j udg e M ort a l

_

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
, , ,

Gh os t As t h e b ody dies when t h e s oul dep a r ts fr om it s o th e s oul

.
,

di es wh en God dep a rt s fr om it Thu s mort a l s i n ma y t o a cert a i n ex .

ten t b e s a id t o b e Spi r itu a l s ui c ide V en i a l s i n i s s o c a ll ed b ec a u s e it .

,

i s eas ily forgiven Y et ven i a l s i n mu s t n ot b e un de rr a te d

. It c a n n ot .

withdra w u s fr om th e w a y whi ch le a d s t o G od b u t it c a n a rre s t ou r ,

p rogr es s i n th a t w a y V en i a l s i n i s moreover a n offen ce a g a i n s t th e

. , ,

i n n ite ma j es ty of God St Jer ome s a ys n o offen ce a g a i n s t O u r L or d

. .

God h ow ever s light i s t o b e thought of littl e momen t Th e d es t ruc

, , .

ti on of t h e hea ven s a n d th e ea r th would b e a l es s er c a l a mity th a n on e

ven i a l s i n M a n y theol ogi a n s a s s ert tha t t h e b l oo d of a ll th e ma rty rs
.

a n d a ll th e i r mer it s w ould n ot s uf ce t o ma ke s a ti s fa cti on t o th e

divi n e ma j es ty for on e ven i a l s i n ; on ly t h e p rec i ou s b l ood of Chr i s t
ca n d o thi s .

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 .

M ort a l l i k e a s evere w oun d from whi ch a ma n r a rely re

s in is ,

c ov er s wh e rea s v en i a l s i n i s a s light w oun d whi ch a t t h e mo s t ma kes

, ,

h i m ill By mo rt a l s i n t h e a x e i s l a id t o t h e r oot of th e tr ee ; b y ven i a l

.

s i n a c u t i s ma de i n t h e b a rk wh i c h ma y p e rh a p s p r ove p rej udi c i a l t o

,

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 .

It i s difcul t a n d d a n ger ou s t o d ecide wh a t i s mor ta l a n d wh a t i s

v en i a l s i n It i s often i mp os s i b l e t o d et ermi n e a b out a n y a ct wh eth er
.

it i s a mor t a l or a ven i a l s i n Let n o on e p r es ume

s a y s St Al .
, .

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
, ,

it ; otherwi s e h e ma y le a d men t o d es p a i r a n d ev en c a s t them i n to ,

h ell ; in s te a d of r a i s in g th em ou t of t h e mi re of s i n h e will plung e ,

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 .

G od h a s d t o b e t h e ce n t re t ow a r ds whic h a ll h i s affecti on s con

ceas e
ver ge . M or t a l s i n i s a tu rn i n g a w a y of ou r whol e b ei n g from God ,

and a tu rn in g t o crea tur es a s ou r ul tima t e en d .

3 . He c ommi t s a morta l s i n wh o c ons ci ousl y a nd of hi s own

fr ee wi ll d oes gri evous di s h onor to God or wrong t o h i s neigh b or
in a wei gh ty ma tt er ; wh o d oes 1 nj ury t o hi s own l ife or to th e ,

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
, .

Idol a t ry, her es y, b l a s phemy, p erj u ry , s er i ou s des e c r a ti on of Su n

d a ys a n d holyd a ys , c ome un der t h e c a t eg ory of mor t a l s i n s , b eca u s e
th ey a re a di rec t a ffron t t o t h e ma j es ty of God To i n j ure on e s
.

hea lth s lightly th r ou gh th oughtl es s n e s s i s a ven i a l s i n ; s ui cid e i s a

mo rta l s i n A ma n wh o b ea t s h i s n eighb or commits a ven i a l s in ,
.

b u t i f h e i n j u res h i s b o dy t o a n y g rea t exten t , it i s a mort a l s i n To .

s t ea l a h a l fp en n y i s a ven i a l s i n , t o d efr a ud on e s n eighb o r of a

l a rge s u m of mon ey i s a mor t a l s i n To di s cl os e t h e fa ults of a n other

.

without n eces s i t y i s a ven i a l s i n , b u t t o lodge a fa l s e a c cus a ti on

a g a in s t hi m i s a mor t a l s i n , b ec a u s e i n th a t c a s e t h e w r on g d on e h i m
i s i n a n imp ort a n t ma tte r W e c a n n ot commit a mort a l s i n , un les s
.

w e a re con s c i ou s of t h e s i n ful n es s of th e a ct Thu s c hild ren wh o.

h a ve n o c on cepti on of th e a b omi n a b le n a tur e of s ome a ct whi ch a s a

r ule i s a mor ta l s i n , ca n n o t b e guil ty of g r i evou s s i n It i s a ls o r equi .

s it e th a t a ma n s h ould a c t of h i s own free will O n e wh o p erh a p s .

d oes a very s in ful de ed un de r th e ma s tery of i n ten s e fe a r , h a vi n g b een

i n ti mi d a ted b y th r ea t s , c a n s c a rc ely b e s a id t o h a ve committ ed mor ta l
s in. A ma n ma y a l s o b e s o di s t ra c te d i n con s e quen c e of illn es s th a t
h e s ca r cely kn ow s wh a t h e d oes B ew a re t h en h ow y ou p a s s j udgmen t
.

up on your n eighb or s mi s deed s ; y ou a re n ot omn i s c i en t !

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 .

Att a cks up on r eligi on or up on a ma n s good n a me i n th e pub li c

j ourn a l s ca n s c a rcely b e r eckon e d a s ven i a l s in s a s they give ri s e t o ,

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 .

w r on g a n d s a y b oa s ti n gly I d o it p rec i s ely b eca u s e it i s forb idd en

, ,

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 .

He t e a l s a t r i in g s u m time a fte r time fr om th e s a me p er

wh o s
s on d oes ve ry wr on g i f t h e s ma ll s ums mou n t up t o a c on s id er a b l e
,

gu re As w a te r th a t gr a dua lly l ter s th r ough a ti n y l ea k i n th e

.

ves s el n a lly c a u s es it t o s i n k s o ven i a l s i n s a ffect th e d es tr u cti on of

,

th e s oul M a n y b res of h emp twi s ted t ogether form a s t ron g r op e

.
460 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n , Vi ce .

of thes e fa vora b le c on diti on s th e wi cked on l y b ec ome wo rse un der

,

t h e g r a ci ous i n uen c es of t h e H oly Spi r it A pill a r t h a t i s s tr a ight .

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 ,

l ea ves th e p erp en di cul a r p r es s ur e up on it wil l c a us e it t o fa ll

, So .

i f th e h ea rt i s up r ight t h e t ea chi n g of wi s d om con rms i t i n i n

,

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 .

e duc a ti on b a d b ooks or p r ide a re oft en th e c a u s e of t h e h ea rt b ei n g

, , ,

cl os ed a g a i ns t t h e a c ti on of t h e H ol y Spi r it Th e hea then p ers ecut e .

mi s s i on a r i es a n d put th em t o dea th, b eca us e th ey a re s o b lin ded

'

b y id ol a t r y th a t th ey will n ot ren ou n ce th ei r fooli s h ideas An ti .

C h r i s ti a n p eri odi c a l s a re t h e mea n s of p rejudi c in g ma n y of thei r

rea de rs a g a i n s t th e doct r i n e a n d p ra cti ce of h oly C hur ch P r i de .

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
-

P a l In fa lli b ility when it wa s den ed b y t h e V a ti ca n C oun ci l i n

1
a
8p
O .

W h os oever h a s c ommi tt ed th e s i n a gai n s t th e Holy Gh os t

c ann ot ob ta in forgi v en es s of s in from God a n d for thi s reas on : ,

B eca u s e h e th ru s t s from hi m th e gra c e of c on v ers i on .

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
.

d on ; it i s a g rea ter in s ul t t o Hi m th a n s i n its el f .

Th os e wh o s i n ag ai n s t th e Hol y Gh os t oft en ome to a mi s er c

c
a b l e en d h ere, a n d a re on s i gn ed to et ern a l d a mn a ti on h ereafter .

Th e s i n a g a i n s t th e Holy G h os t i s n ot a s i n of fra ilty, it i s a s i n

of di a b oli c a l ma li c e a n d th er efore it i s d es ervi n g of more s ever e p u n
,

i s h men t Ki n g Ph a r a o with a ll h i s a rmy w a s d rown e d i n th e R ed

.
, ,

Sea ( Ex od x iv ) t h e Jews wh o r e ec ted a n d even kill e d t h e p r ophets

. .
, j
( M a tt xx iii 3 7 h a d t o expi a te th e i r i mp en iten c e b itt erly i n t h e
. .

yea r 7 O, on th e d es t ru cti on of Jer u s a lem b y th e R oma n s wh en th er e ,

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 ,

n ot b e en fr om t h e b egi n n i n g of th e w orld n eith er s h a ll b e ( M a tt , .

xx iv . A cl eve r phy s i ci a n con ti n ues t o p res c r ib e for h i s p a ti en t

a lth ough h i s medi c i n es p r od u ce n o i mme di a t e i mp r ov emen t t ryi n g t o ,

s a ve h i m b y every exp edi en t h i s s kill ca n d evi s e ; b u t i f t h e p a ti en t

ca nn ot b e i n du c e d t o s w a ll ow t h e d r ug s a n d even g oes s o fa r a s t o ,

th r ow th em ou t of th e wi n d ow, t h e phys i ci a n di s con ti n u es h i s vi s it s

-
.

God act s i n a s i mil a r ma n n er t ow a r ds th e s in n er wh o r es i s ts a ctua l

g r a ce ; He for s a kes h i m en ti r ely To h i m ma y b e a pplied th e w ords .

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

r ej ect ed t h e w or d of t h e L or d t h e L or d h a th rej ected thee ( 1 Ki n g s

,

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
.

dwelli n g of t h e Holy Spi r it a n d s a n cti fyi n g g ra ce Hi s s pi r i tu a l c on .

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

mali ce . Th ey are : wil ful mur der , r

opp es s i on of th e p oor, d efra ud
i ng l a b orers of t h ei r wa ges , a nd th e s i n of Sod om .

Thes e i a re of s o a b o mi n a b l e a n a t ur e th a t eve ry ma n s feel

s ns ,

i n gs mus t revolt a g a i n s t them Wh en C a in ki lled hi s b r other Ab el .

,

God s a id t o h i m : Th e vo i c e of thy b r oth er s b l ood c r i eth t o M e

fr om t h e e a r th ( Gen iv Every n a ti on on t h e fa ce of th e e a rth

. .

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 ,

o f t h e c r i mi n a l Th e opp re s s i on of t h e h elpl es s I s r a elit es i n Egypt

.

was a s i n tha t c r i ed t o h ea ven ( Exo d iii 7 Th e Pha r i s ee s w ere . .

guilty of thi s s i n ; they O ppres s ed t h e p oo r a n d p r a yed lon g p r a yers

( M a tt xxiii
. G od exp res s ly forb a de t h e Jew s t o i n j ur e t h e
.

widow a n d orph a n ( Exo d xxii 22 ; Ec clu s xxx iv . To k ee p

. . .

.
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 . .

hea ven a ls o on s ome p r et ext or oth e r t o d efr a ud them of t h e wh ole

,

a moun t ( Ja s v In t h e M iddl e Ag es a n a cti on b r ought b y a

. .

w orki n g ma n t ook p rec e den ce of a ll othe rs i n t h e l a w c ou rt s a n d judg ,

men t w a s given wi thin t hree d a ys Th e s i n of Sod om t a kes i t s n a me .

from t h e i n h a b it a n t s of Sod om wh o w ere guilty of un n a tur a l s i n s , ,

b y r e a s on o f whi ch th ey w ere des t roye d b y God Wh o r a i n e d d ow n ,

up on th em b r i ms t on e a n d re ( Gen xi x Th e D ea d Sea i s s till . .

a mour nful memor i a l of th ei r s i n ; on e s o s h a meful th a t it mus t n ot

b e na med a mon g u s .

In th e p r es en t d a y s i n s th a t cry to h ea ven a re so meti ni es

c ommi tt ed b y empl oyers , i n th ei r c on d u ct t o wards t h eir d efen c e
l es s workp eop l e .

M any mpl oyers ma ke th ei r p eopl e w ork i n un h ea lthy a n d over

e

c r owd ed r ooms un h ea t ed i n wi n t er ti me ; they d o n ot a ll ow them a

,

p r op er i n terv a l for res t a n d for thei r me a ls ; th ey d o n o t p a y them

en ough t o en a b l e th em t o live d ecen tly ; they r equi r e of th em mor e
w ork th a n th ey c a n d o a n d of a ki n d whi ch they h a ve n o righ t t o d e
,

ma n d of them Th e exploit a ti on a n d opp res s i on of t h e l a b or er h as

.

i n our d a y given r i s e t o th e a b u s es of s oc i a l d emocr a c y .

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 .

U n c iv il ma n n er s , li es told i n j oke, i n volun t a ry di s tr a cti on s i n

p r a yer etc , a re i mpe rfec ti on s
, .

V en i a l s i n s
s a ys St F r a n c i s of
.
, .

a r i s e from a b a d will , i mpe rfect i on s d o n ot

Sa les , But a lthough .
,

impe rfecti on s a re n ot a ctu a lly s in s , y et they a re wr on g a n d ought t o

b e a v oided .

THE C ONSEQUENCES OF SIN .

M ort a l s i n ma k es a ma n s upremely un h a ppy M a n y a re th e .

s cou rg es of t h e s i nn er ( P s x xxi God ca ll s t o th e s i n n er s a y

. .
,

ing : Kn ow th ou a n d s ee th a t it i s a n evil a n d b itte r thin g for thee

t o h a v e l eft th e L or d thy God
( Jer ii A ma n wh o h a s for . .

s a k en G o d mee t s with a s i mil a r fa t e t o t h e m a n w h o w en t from Jeru

s a l em th e dwellin g pl a ce of t h e livin g God d own th r ough r ough
-
462 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n , Vi ce .

w a y s t o Jer i ch o Th e pun i s hmen t of s i n follow s immedi a tel y up on

.

it a lth ough th e D a y of Jud gmen t i s n ot y et come

, .

1 . M ort a l s i n d epri v es a ma n of s a nc tifyi ng gr a ce , a nd d el i v ers

h i m i nt o th e p ow er of th e devi l .

Th e Holy Gh os t dep a rt s M di a t ely from on e wh o h a s commi tted

e
a mort a l s i n As th e d ove wi ll
. n ot rema i n i n un cl ea n pl a c es s o th e ,

Holy G h os t will n ot r ema i n i n a hea rt th a t i s d el ed b y mort a l s i n .

Th e un go dly s a y t o God : Dep a r t from u s ( Job xx ii 1 7 M ort a l .

s i n i s a thi ef for i f it g a i n s a c c es s t o t h e s oul it r ob s it of g r a ce i t s

, , ,

mos t p rec i o us t rea s ure It i s t h e dea th of t h e s oul ; a ma n killeth i n

.

dee d thr o ugh ma li ce ( Wi s d xvi Si n when it i s c ompl et ed b e

. .
,

gett eth dea th ( Ja s i Thu s the re a re men wh o live a n d y et a re

. .

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
, ,

n ot ov e r a s oul fr om whi c h G od h a s wi thd r a wn Hims el f

Wh en G od .

a b a n don s t h e s oul t h e devil en t e rs i n t o it

, By mort a l s i n th e t emple .

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 ,

t h e a n gel s i n t o t h e comp a n i on of fa ll en s pi r it s As a s hip th a t h a s .

los t h er r udder i s dr iven a b out a t t h e mer cy of t h e curren t s o t h e ,

s oul th a t h a s l os t divi n e g r a c e i s d r ive n b y Sa t a n in t o p er diti on .

Si n give s th e devil p ow er over t h e s oul for th r ough s i n ma n pl a ces ,

hims elf un der s ervitude t o ob ey t h e devil ( R om vi As every . .

on e thi nk s h e ma y t r e a t a wid ow a s h e c h oos es a s s h e h a s n o on e t o ,

p rot ect h er s o th e d emon s d o n ot h es it a t e t o s et up on t h e s i nn er ;

,

th ey c ry : God h a th for s a ken h i m ; pu rs u e h i m a n d t a ke h i m for ,

the r e i s n on e t o delive r h i m ( P s l xx Th e l os s of s a n cti fyi n g

. .

g r a c e en t a ils up on t h e s i n n er th e foll owin g terr ib le con s e quen ces :

( 1 ) He l os es th e s up ern a tu r a l b ea uty of t h e s oul a n d b ec omes u n
c l ea n b efore G od ; ( 2 ) He l os es c h a r ity t owa r d s God a n d t ow a r ds
h i s n e ighb or ; ( 3 ) Hi s un ders t a n di n g i s c ompl etely d a rk en e d a n d h i s ,

will i mmen s ely w e a k en ed ; ( 4 ) He lo s es t h e mer it of a ll t h e g ood

w o r ks h e h a d p revi ou s ly p erforme d a n d n on e of tho s e whi ch h e d oes ,

i n a s t a t e of mor t a l s i n g a i n for h i m a rew a r d herea ft er ; ( 5 ) F i n a lly ,

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 .

Throu gh mort a l s i n w e l os e th e s u p ern a tu r al b eau ty of t h e

c
s ou l a n d b e ome u n l e a n b efore God c .

M ort a l s i n i s t o th e s oul wh a t deca y i s t o a n a ppl e ; th e r otte n

n es s d es t r oys t h e c ol o r t h e s c en t t h e a vor of t h e fr uit a l l i n s h ort
, , , , ,

th a t gives it w or th a n d b ea uty ; s o s i n r ob s t h e s oul of a ll th a t ma k es

it fa i r a n d p r eci ou s It woul d b e a s ore b low t o a b r ide i f s h e wer e
.

t o b e s o mu ch di s gu r e d b y a s ever e illn es s a s t o b ec ome a n ob j ect of

r epul s i on t o h er b et roth ed ; it i s mu ch t h e s a me with th e s oul th a t i s
guilty of mor t a l s i n ; s h e i s th ereb y s o mu ch di s gu re d th a t C h r i s t ,

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
,

it i s es t r a n g ed fr om God b y mor t a l s i n ; th e a me of ch a r ity i s th en

ex ti n gu i s h ed Th e u n ders t a n di n g i s c ompl et ely d a rk en ed b y mor t a l
.

s in As h ea vy cl oud s hide th e light of t h e s u n fr om ou r s ight a n d

.

in v olve u s i n d a rkn es s s o mort a l s i n ob s cu res th e ey e of r ea s on a n d

, ,
464 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n , Vi ce .

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
.

high t r ea s on a g a in s t t h e Ki n g of kings Thi s c r i me of high tr ea s on .

i s pun i s he d on ea r th b y a l on g t erm of i mp ri s on men t ; a s th e ma es ty j

of God i nn itely ex ce ed s th a t of a n y ea r thly m on a r c h, t h e p u n i s hmen t
of mor t a l s i n i s of et ern al du r a ti on Th e ma n wh o commit s mort a l
.

s i n i s a s fooli s h a s Es a u , wh o fo r on e mes s , s old h i s r s t b i r th r igh t

( Heb x ii . . s i n ce for t h e s a k e of a mom en t a ry gr a ti c a ti on h e re

li n qu i s h es h is title to th e kin gd om of he aven Bles s ed Thoma s M ore, .

when s en t en ce d t o d ea th, w ould n ot b e p er s u a ded t o a ckn owledge

t h e r oy a l s up rema cy, for h e s a id : How fooli s h Sh ould I b e, were I
t o b a rt er everl a s tin g h on or a n d fe li c ity for th e tr a n s i en t h a ppi n es s

M or ta l s i n b ri n gs t emp ora l ch a s ti s emen t s
"

of a few ee ti ng yea r s .

up on th e s in n er God s en d s ea r thly pun i s hmen ts t o r es tore th e s pir

.

i t u a l h ea lt h of th e s i n n er . Th e t emp or a l p en a lty mos t c ert a in t o

foll ow up on mor t a l s i n i s i n te r i or di s qui etude M or ta l s i n des tr oys
.

t h e s er enity, t h e c hee rfuln es s of t h e s oul , a s a high wi n d dis tu rb s a n d

r uf es th e s moo th s urfa ce of a la k e Th e w i ck ed a re like th e
.

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
.

follow mor t a l s i n like i t s s h a d ow He wh o lives i n mort a l s i n , ca r

.

r i es h ell a b out with h i m ( St John C hr ys os t om) R ememb er t h e fa t e

. .

of t h e fr a t r i c ide C a i n ( Gen . iv . Th e s i n n er s evil con s c i en c e

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 .

i n or di n a t e p a s s i on s s houl d b e th ei r own pun i s hmen t Spi ritu a l con .

sol a ti on s a n d s en s ua l g ra t i ca t i on s c a n n o mor e c c exi s t th a n re ca n -

min gle with w a t er Th os e wh o d elight i n w orldly va n iti es a re n ot

.

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
.

s t r iki n g ex a mple . Th ey w er e d r iven ou t of p a r a di s e, c on demn ed t o

l a b or i n th e s w ea t of th ei r fa c e, a n d ma de s u b j ect t o dea th, b eca us e
of th e i r s i n Th e mos t or din a r y con s equ en c e of s i n i s s i ckn es s ;

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 .

Wa n t i s s ometimes t h e pun i s h men t of s i n ; witn es s t h e p rodig a l s on

( L uke Th e l os s of p r op erty a n d of reput a ti on a re a l s o c ous e
q u e n c e s o f s i n , a s i s t h e c a s e with thi e ves a n d d r u n k a r ds T h e gu a r .

di a n a n gel s ce a s e t o p r otec t th os e wh o give th ems elv es up t o s i n St . .

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

.

As D a vid s s e rv a n ts were a n g ry with Semei , wh o th rew s ton e s a t t h e

k i n g, s o t h e h oly a n gel s a re di s pl ea s e d with th e s i n n er wh o offen d s

Go d . How grea t i s ma n s folly ! He i s a fr a id of ea tin g a n ythi n g

d a dly b u t h e does n ot fea r d ea dl y s i n , whi ch ca us es th e dea th of

e
tl e s oh
 Si n . 46 5

THE C ONSEQUENCES OF VENIAL SIN .

V en i a l s i n i s a s li ght th in g i n it s elf b u t it dep rives u s of much

,

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 .

V eni a l s i n ma k es mort a l s i n ea s y As a s p ot of dec a y i n a n a pple

.

gr a du a lly s p rea d s un til th e wh ole fr uit i s rott en , s o t h e ma n wh o

d oes n ot h ee d ven i a l s i n s will s oo n fa ll in t o mor ta l s i n As s i ck .

n es s p r ec edes d ea th, s o v en i a l s i n s p re ced e mort al He wh o b egi n s

. .

b y n eglec ti n g t r ii ng fa ul ts will en d b y c ommittin g gr ievous s in s

, .

V en i a l s i n s ma y b e comp a re d t o t h e du s t whi ch s ettles on ou r clothes ,

a n d if it b e n ot b r us h e d of f wil l s p oil them i n t h e en d ; i t i s t h e moth

tha t fr et s a w a y th e ga rmen t of s a n c ti fyi ng gr a ce God p ermit s .

th os e wh o ma ke light of ven i a l s i n t o fa ll in t o mort a l s i n a s th e

c h a s ti s emen t of thei r n egligen ce

Avoid s ma ll s i n s , s a ys St John
.

.

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 .

jus t i n th a t whi ch i s little i s un jus t a ls o i n tha t whi ch i s g rea ter

( Luk e xvi . As on e wh o w a n t s t o clea ve a l og of w oo d ma kes
a s ma ll i n c i s i on , a n d th en dr ives i n th e w e dg e, s o t h e d ev il t empts u s
rs t t o c omm it s light offen ces , a n d gr a du a lly lea d s u s t o g re a te r t ra n s
gres s i on s . V en i a l s i n i s a ll t h e more da n ger o us b e ca u s e it dep r ives
u s of ma n y a ctu a l g r a ces , with out whi c h w e c a nn ot over c ome t h e a s
s a ults of tempt a ti on A mi rr or wh en cover ed with du s t c a nn ot
.

r eec t a n ima ge clea rly, a n d t h e mi rror of th e s oul , i f i t s s urfa ce b e

ob s c ur e d b y t h e du s t of ven i a l s i n , i s a lmos t i mp ervi ou s t o t h e r a y s
of t h e Sun of j u s ti c e A p ers on a g e of di s tin cti on ca nn ot b e exp ect ed
.

t o a pp r oa ch a ma n wh o i s fr ightft di s gur e d b y s ome c ut a n eo us

d i s eas e, muc h les s t o emb r a ce h i m, or even s u er h i m t o ki s s h i s
h a n d ; s o God will n ot a dmi t y ou t o Hi s fr i en ds h ip or d elight y ou
with Hi s con s ol a ti on s i f you r s oul i s defa c ed b y ven i a l s i n V en i al .

s i n l es s ens ou r dilig en c e i n t h e pu r s uit of wh a t i s g ood A t r i i n g i n .

di s p os iti on often i n ca p a c it a t es u s for th e p erforma n ce of t h e duti es

of ou r ca lli n g ; i n lik e ma nn er ven i a l s i n w ea k en s t h e will a n d i n
di s p os es it for goo d works It dimi n i s hes th e for ce of ch a rity, a n d
.

ma k es a ma n luk ewa rm i n th e s er vi c e of God To hi m ma y b e a p .

pli e d t h e w or d s of Holy Sc r iptu re :

B ec a us e th ou a rt lukew a rm,
a n d n e ith e r c old n or h ot , I will b egi n t o v omit th ee ou t of M y

mouth ( Ap oc iii . .

2 Th ere a re t emp oral p ena l ti es due to v eni a l s i n, a nd th es e

.

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 .

Z a ch a ry tr u ck dumb b e ca us e h e w oul d n ot b el i eve the

wa s s
mes s a ge of t h e a n gel ( Luk e i M os es wa s n ot a ll owed t o en t er
.

t h e P r omi s ed La n d b ec a u s e of h i s i n c re dul ity ( Numb xx . .

An a n i a s a n d Sa phi r a fell dea d a t St P eter s fee t i n con s e qu en ce of

.

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
,

t o expi a t e th em b efor e g a i n i n g a d mitt a n ce t o h ea ven O n thi s a o .

46 6 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n , Vi ce .

co un t th e s a in ts i n i ct ed s evere p en a lti es up on thems elves for th e

V en i a l 8 1 1 1 mu s t n ee ds b e a g r ea t e vil s i n ce God Wh o i s
.

lea s t s l p .
, ,

a me r c i ful a n d g ra c w u s F a th er pun i s h es it with s u c h r ig or n a mely , ,

b y temp or a ry ex clus i on fr om Hi s k in gdom, a n d p r ol on g ed s u ffer in g

i n p urg a t ory .

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 ,

t end en y c of th e wi l l t ow a r d s evi l wh i ch i s a c qui r ed b

y h a b i t ua l
s 1 n.

Everythin g i s evi l whi ch i s c on t r a ry t o t h e will of God A h or s e .

when put i n t o h a rn es s for th e rs t time t r i es t o s ha ke offth e coll a r By , .

d eg r ees h e b ec a me a ccu s t ome d t o it a n d i n time wh en l ed ou t of , ,

th e s ta b le h e g oes of hi s own a cco r d t o b e pl a ce d b etw een t h e s h a ft s

, ,

althou gh h e h a s t o un derg o t oil a n d fa tigu e So ma n b ec omes s e .

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 .

will i n hi s ea gern es s outru n h i s ma s ter ; s o t h e ma n wh o i s ha b itu a t ed

t o s i n ma kes more h a s te t o s i n th a n t h e d evil d oes t o in c ite hi m
,

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 .

Nothin g lea rn a n d s o di fcul t t o u nl ea rn a s a re

is so ea s y to ,

v i c i ou s p r a c ti ces Th e vi c i ou s dr ift d own with th e s tre a m t h e vi r

.
,

t u ou s s wi m a g a i n s t t h e c u rren t Goo d wor ks a re a r duous t o perform

.
,

b u t it i s ea s y en ough t o d o evil To c a s t off t h e y ok e of vi ce re .

qui r es a h a r d b a ttle It i s ea s i er t o fa ll in to a pit tha n t o g et ou t of

.

it a ga in Th e devil en t a n gles th e s inn er i n h i s t oil s a s t h e s pider

.
,

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
.

s elf fr ee h e n d s t h e i ms y web h a s b ec ome a h e a vy c h a i n

, As a .

ves s el whi c h h a s g ot l oos e from i t s moor in g s i n a r ive r i s s wept

d o wn w a r ds s n a ppin g like th rea d s th e r op e s th a t h old it s o n eith er
, ,

a dmon iti on s n or a n y c on s id e r a ti on s wh a t eve r p r ev a il t o a rr es t t h e

d own w a r d cou r s e of a ma n wh o i s a ddi c ted t o vi ce wh en h e i s ca rr i ed ,

a w a y b y h i s p a s s i on s Th e l on ger h e goes on i n s i n t h e s t ron ge r will

. ,

b e t h e h a b it forme d a n d t h e more difcul t h i s c on ver s i on

,
Th e .

deep er a n a il i s kn ocked i n t h e h a r de r it i s t o pull ou t ; s o th e l on ger

,

a ma n p e rs i s t s i n s i n t h e g r ea te r t h e ef for t n eed ed t o b re a k off t h e

,

h a b it Thos e wh o s h r i n k from j umpin g over th e s tre a m while it i s

.

a mere r ivul et will n d th ems elves un a b l e t o c r os s wh en it h a s b e

,

c ome a wide r ive r Th e rep etiti on of a s i n forms a h a b it t h e h a b l t

. ,

b ec omes a n ece s s ity a n d ere l on g it i s i mp os s i b l e of er a di c a ti on

,

.
,

Thi s i mp os s ib ility l e a d s t o de s p a i r a n d et er n a l d a mn a ti on ( St Au gus .

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 .

vi c e Th e j us t ma n i s eve r free though h e wea r the ch a in s of a

.
, ,

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 ,

i n whi ch h e i n dulg es a dd s on e more t o h i s d egr a din g fetter s A .

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

p r op er ty of h ea lth o f r eput a ti on ; b es ides a n xi ety di s con ten t et c

, ,
.
, , .

Some ti mes G od s en d s pub li c c a l a miti es for t h e ch a s ti s emen t of

n a ti on s th a t h a ve s i n n e d Si n ma kes n a ti on s mi s e r a b le ( P r ov x iv
. . .

W a s n ot Attila th e Ki n g of t h e Hun s s ur n a me d th e s cou rg e

, ,

o f Go d ? Th os e wh o a re t h e s e rva n t s of vi ce s h a ll n ot p os s es s t h e
k i n gd om of God ( 1 C or vi 9 If y ou live a ccor di n g t o t h e
. .
,

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 . .

fa t a l r es ults of s i n come up on t h e s in n er h e ma kes g oo d r es ol uti on s ; ,

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 .

h i s p ow er of res i s ti n g it i s l es s en ed F i n a lly it works hi s rui n b oth .

for time a n d for e t ern ity .

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

t h ei r u n d er s t a n d i n g i s gr ea tl y ob s c u red, and th ei r will g r ea tl y

wea ken ed .

Th e un der s t a n di n g of t h e s i n n er i s completely cl ouded As c a t a .

r a et des t roys t h e b odily s ight, s o vi ce ob s cu res th e ey e of t h e s oul .

Th e p a s s i on s whi ch ma ke th e i r h ome i n t h e hea r t of t h e s i nn er cl o ud

h i s s pi r it a n d d a rk en h i s in t ellec t As on e wh o l ooks through a .

c ol or e d gl a s s s ee s eve r ythin g c ol ore d s o on e wh o i s t h e s l a ve of h i s ,

p a s s i on s c a n n ot j udg e of thi n gs a r ight ; h e vi ew s them i n a fa ls e light .

Nor c a n h e a tt a in a t rue kn owledge of hims elf; h i s mi n d i s like

t r oub led w a t er whi ch r eec ts on e s coun ten a n ce i n a di s t ort e d ma n
,

n er . Th e h a b itu a l s i n n er i s s o b li n ded th a t h e r eg a r ds a b horren t

vi c es a s vi r tu es a n d i s a n gry i f h i s a tt en ti on i s dr a wn t o h i s evil
,

h a b it s th ei r di s g r a ceful n a tu re, a n d th ei r fa t a l con s e quen ces Rea

. .

s on i s h oweve r, n ever c ompletely deth r on e d b y t h e r eb elli ous p a s

,

s i on s Th e will of t h e s i nn er i s g rea tly weak en ed ; h e b ec omes p owe r

.

l es s for g ood Th e more a ma n s in s t h e wea ke r h e b ecomes

. If on e , .

wh o h a s fa ll en i n t o a deep s l eep i s ca lle d t o a w a k e or othe rwi s e rou s ed ,

h e op en s h i s eyes a n d ma k es a n effor t t o r i s e up ; b u t overcome b y
,

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
, .

i n t h e s lumb e r of s i n He ma y b e s er i ou s ly a d mon i s h ed ; d ea th , hell

.
,

j udgmen t a n d etern ity, s et b efor e h i m ; h e l i s ten s t o it a ll a ckn owl

, ,

e dg es i t t o b e t r ue a n d ma kes s ome s light ef

, fort t o a men d ; b u t t h e
h a b it of s i n a n d th e l ove of th e w orld h old h i m c a ptive ; h e p r es en tly
r el a p s es i n t o s i n It i s a lmos t a s i mp os s i b le for on e wh o lives i n
.

h a b itu a l s i n t o d o g oo d a s for t h e Ethi opi a n t o ch a n ge h i s s ki n ( Jer .

x iii . Th e h a b itua l s i nn e r cea s es t o s t ruggl e a g a i n s t s i n O ne i s .

a n n oye d t o s ee t h e r s t s p ot on a whit e g a rmen t ; b u t a fter a s ec on d

a n d a thi r d a n d m a n y oth e r s on e c on s id er s it a s s oil ed a n d on e d oes
, ,

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 .

Th es e a re th e s even s i n ful p rocliviti es of th e huma n h ea rt , whi ch

a re th e origi n of every s i n All other s i n s t a ke th ei r r i s e from th em
. ,
 The F orgi v en es s o f Si n . 4 69

as from thei r r They a re c a ll ed vi ces b ec a us e they a re p roduc

s ou ce. ,

tive of p erma n en t di s or der i n th e s oul Th ey a re a l s o s imply c a lled .

s in s ,b ec a us e thei r outw a r d ma n i fes t a ti on ma y b e ven i a l or morta l

s in , a cco r di n g a s t h e of fen ce i s i n a more or les s w eighty ma tter .

O n e i s ol a t ed a ct of a s i n does n ot p rove th a t s i n t o b e h a b itu a l .

They a re c a ll ed c a pit a l s i n s b eca u s e ea ch on e of thes e p rop en s iti es

,

i s th e h ea d or cen t re when ce o ther s in s p roceed They a re like c om .

ma n di n g oi cers wh o come a t t h e hea d of a whole a rmy of s i n s t o

,

l a y w a s t e t h e h e a rt Ea ch on e i s a p oi s on ous r oot whi ch will b ea r

.

dea dly fruit Th e s even d ea dly s i n s i n thei r tu rn o rigi n a te i n t emp

.

t a t i on s t o a mb iti on a v a ri ce a n d luxury ( 1 John ii

, , A full .

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 ,

pos iti on s of every i n dividu a l a re utterly diffe ren t a n d th e evil t en ,

d en ci es va ry n o les s Some reckon mel a n choly a n d va in gl o ry t o b e

.
-

c a pit a l s i n s ; en vy i s oft en pl a c e d a mon g them or a g a i n it i s n ot ,

men ti on e d a s b ein g th e offs p r i n g of c ovet ous n es s P r ide i s un iver .

s a lly a ckn owl edg ed t o b e t h e queen of s i n s ; t o it i s given t h e p r ec e

d en ce over a ll t h e other s i n s He wh o i s un der th e p erma n en t .

domin i on of a c a pita l s i n i s a s erver of idol s ( Ep h v b ec a u s e h e . .

ma kes a cre a tu re ( s elf a fell ow b ein g gold t h e plea s u res of th e

,
-

, ,

t a b le , h i s n a l en d Suc h a on e s erves M a mmon a n d n ot God

.

( M a tt vi . As t h e s even dea dly s i n s cl os e t h e p ort a ls of hea ven

.

a g a i n s t u s th ey ma y b e c omp a re d t o th e s even n a ti on s whi c h opp os ed

,

th e en tr a n c e of t h e I s r a elit es i n to t h e L a n d of P r omi s e ( Deut vii . .

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
.

th e ma n wh o h a s l os t s a n cti fyi n g g r a ce ( Luk e x i they a re th e .

s even fa t a l di s ea s es of t h e s oul whi ch en d i n d ea th P r ide res emb les

, .

ma dn es s di s ob e di en c e b lood p oi s on i n g a n ger feve r c ovetou s n es s con

, , ,

s umpti on i n t emp e r a n ce d r op s y u n ch a s tity th e pl a gue s l oth p a r

, , ,

a lys i s He wh o will b e a fr i en d of God mu s t dives t hims el f of thes e

.

vi ces B efor e w e l a y ou t a b ea utiful g a r den t h e thorn s a n d w ee d s

.
,

mus t b e root ed up So th os e wh o des i re thei r own s a n ct i ca t i on

.

mu s t rs t era di ca te thei r fa ul ts .

V . THE F O R G IV ENESS O F SIN .

1 . Th er e i s no ma n up on ea rth wi th out s i n ; cons equentl y

t h ere i s none wh o d oes not n eed th e forgi venes s of s i n .

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 ,
.

Th e ju s t ma n fa ll s s even times ( P rov xxiv God pe rmits u s . .

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 , .

s i n d a ily we mu s t d a ily a s k for t h e forgiven es s of s i n i n t h e O u r

,

F a ther O n ly b y rea s on of a n excepti on a l p r ivil ege s uch a s wa s

.
,

b es towed b y God up on Hi s b les s ed M other ca n mort a l ma n p a s s ,

t h e p er i od of h i s s oj ou rn up on e a rth with out commi t ti n g veni a l s i n

( C oun c il of Tren t 6 n a y more with out t h e s u cc or of S p ec i a l
, , ,

gr a c e it i s i mp os s i b le t o a void ven i a l s i n for a n y len gth of time Th e .

high es t p erfecti on of whi ch huma n fr a ilty i s c a p a b le i s thi s : Not to

commit a n y s i n ev en ven i a l s i n with d eli b er a te i n te n ti on
, , .

2 . We ca n ob a i n t forgi v enes s of s i n, be c a us e Ch ri s t meri t ed it

47 0 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n , Vi ce .

for us b y th e d ea th of th e c ros s ; a nd b cau e se He ga ve p owe r to

v
forgi e s i ns t o Hi s a p os tl es a nd t h ei r s uc rc es s o s .

Th e re i s oth i n g more c o n s ol i n g for ma n k i n d u p o n e ar h th a n th e

n t
forg i v en es s of 8 1 1 1 8 for n o t h i n g ca u s es u s more m i s ery t h a n s i n
, .

Even i n p a g a n t i mes Socra tes l ook ed forwa rd h op efull y t o th e a d ven t

of a med i a t or wh o w o u l d t e a ch ma n k i n d i n w h a t m a n n e r r emi s s i on

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
. .

for ou r s i n s a n d n ot for ou rs o n l y b u t a l s o for t h o s e of th e wh ol e

, ,

w orl d ( 1 Joh n i i 2 ) C h ri s t c onferr ed th e p ow e r t o forg i ve s i n s on l y u p on

. .

th e a p os tl es a n d t h ei r s u cc es s or s He Hi ms elf exe rc i s ed t hi s p ower

.

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 , ,

Hi s res u rre ct i on He s a i d t o t h em : R ecei ve y e th e Hol y Gh o s t .

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 .

w h o w o ul d h a ve h i s s i n s forg i v en mu s t a d d res s h i ms elf t o t h e b i s h o p

or t o t h e p ri es t s wh o m C hr i s t h a s a p p o i n t ed In t h e C a th ol i c C h u rch
v
.

a l o n e i s remi s s i o n of s i n s for s h e a l o n e h a s r ecei ed th e Hol y Gh o s t

,

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
.

t o a l t er th i s ; n a y , Th e Re d eeme r Hi ms elf d o es n ot forg i e s i n

w i th o u t p en a n ce ( S t A u g u s t i n e ) G. oo d w ork s , d o ,
h o w e v e r., a v a i l
for th e e xp i a t i o n of ven i a l s i n Th u s St Au g us t i n e d ecl a r es :

A
b
. .

s i n gl e P a ter Na s ter s a i d fro m t h e h ea rt, w i ll o l i t era t e t h e v en i a l

s i n s of a wh ol e d a y

V en i a l s i n s c a n a l s o b e r emi t t ed b y t h e u s e
b
.

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 .

God ma kes th i s p ro mi s e t o th e c o n t ri t e s i n n er : fIf y o u r s i n s b e

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 .

ce s p ro ve h i s wea kn es s ; h e w o ul d n ot res o rt to t h em w ere h e p o we r

fu l en o u g h t o d o wi th o u t th em .

Temp ta ti on i s n ot i n i ts elf s i n fu l , onl y ac qui es cen c e i n th e

s u gg es t i on s of t h e t em t er i s s i n
p .

Hen ce we o ugh t n ot to b e al a rmed

y wh en we feel t h e a n d u n ea s
i n cen t i ve t o s i n b u t we s h o ul d t ru s t i n Go d s h el p s a yi n g :

, O L or d , ,

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 .

As t h e s ch oolma s t er exa mi n es h i s s ch ol a rs i n ord e r t o g i ve t h em

a g oo d t es t i mo n i a l s o God d e a l s wi th t h e s ou l s of men ; He a ll ow s
,

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 .

h o w ever t h e ev i l en emy mea n s n o g oo d t o u s ; h e a i ms a t ou r r u i n

, , ,

a s t h e h i s t ory of Job t es t i es Temp t a t i on s ma y t h e r efore b e s a i d t o

.

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 h a t t emp t a t i o n s h o u l d p ro v e t h ee ( Tob x i i G od s en d s t emp . .

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 ,

ma kes t h e t ree s t r i ke d eep e r roo t ; t h ey a u gmen t o u r ch a r i t y a s th e

b
,

r eez e ma kes t h e a me b u rn more ercel y ; t h ey a fford u s a mea ns

of e xp i a t i n g s i n i n t h i s l i fe ; n a l l y t h ey a d d t o ou r g l ory h e rea ft er
, ,

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 .

th e t emp te r d o es u s g oo d s erv i ce a n d h i s t emp ta t i on s a re s tep s i n t h e

,
 Temp ta ti on . 47 3

la d d er wh i ch l e a ds t o h ea ven Th e refore l et h i m wh o i s t emp t ed

.

r a th e r p ra y for s t ren gt h t o res i s t th e t emp t a t i on t h a n for i t s en t i re

remo v a l We rea d th a t St P a u l t h ri ce b es o u gh t t h e L ord th a t t h e
v
. .

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 . .

God p ermi ts e er v y ma n to b e t emp t ed , b u t He ne v er p er

mits us t o b e t emp ted by

e on d ou r s tren gth .

Temp t a t i o n s mu s t c ome t o ever y ma n No on e ca n b e c r own ed .

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
.

i s a w a rfa re ( Job v i i Th e Ap o s tl e c omp a r es t h e C h r i s t i a n t o on e

.

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
,

l ea rn fro m t h e h i s t ory of Jo An d wh en God p e rmi t s v i ol en t t emp

.

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
,

th em ( 2 C or x ii . Th e s t ron g er t h e t emp t a t i o n , t h e mor e a b u n

.

d a n t i s th e g r a ce ; t h e g rea t e r th e d a n g er, t h e mor e p o t en t t h e d i vi n e

a s s i s t an ce No s i nn er ca n ven tu re t o s a y a s h i s exc u s e t h a t th e
.

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 .

In or d e r t o h ol d a fort res s a g a i n s t th e en emy t w o thi ng s a re

n ec es s a r y : ( 1 ) St ro n g for t i ca t i o n s a n d w ell g u a r d ed g a t e s ; In -

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
.

s o ul , t o p r even t t h e en t r a n c e of t h e evi l en emy O u r fo rti c a t i on s .

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 .

e a s y t o r es i s t t emp t a t i o n , i f we k eep ou r mi n d xed on Go d A t ra v .

ell e r j o u rn ey i n g t o w a r ds a xed d es t i n a t i o n meet s wi t h few d i f cu l

t i es on h i s w a y , wh e rea s th e v a g r a n t , w a n d e ri n g h i t h er a n d t h i t h e r ,

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 .

xxvi . Wol ves d o n ot a p p ro a ch a w a t ch re a n d t h e devi l l ea ves

t h o s e a l o n e wh o a re on th ei r gu a r d W h en M o s es s t oo d w i th a rms u p
.

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 ;

t h e h a b i t of s elf c o n t rol a l s o g re a tl y h el p s u s t o c o n qu e r t emp t a t i o n

-
.

He wh o i s a ccu s t omed t o rep res s h i s i mp u l s es i s l i ke a s ol d i e r, w ell

t r a i n e d i n th e u s e of a rms b efore h e g o es t o b a t tl e P r a c t i ce i n s elf .

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 .

If t h e en emy d a res t o a tt a ck th e fo rt res s i n s p i t e of th e M p a rt s

r a i s ed a b o u t i t , i t b eh oo ves u s t o d efen d i t ma nfull y Wh en a s s a il ed .

we mu s t i n s t a n tl y a s s ume t h e d efen s i v e ; for of a ll thi n g s i t i s mos t

i mp ort a n t t o r ep ul s e t h e r s t on s l a u g h t Th e g r ea t e r ou r d et ermi n a
.

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 .
,

wi ll force a n en t r a n ce, a n d g a i n t h e ma s t e ry o ve r ou r i mag i n a t i o n .

He a ct s l ike s ol d i ers , wh o wh en t h ey h a ve t a ken th e en emy s gu n s ,

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
. .

res i s t i mmedi a tel y i s a l r ea d y h a l f c o n u er ed A c on a g ra t i on c a n q .

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
.

l ook t o God for h elp We s h oul d s a y a Ha i l M a ry , or a t l ea s t d e

.

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 .

n a mes St Jo h n C h ry s o s t om d ecl a r es , h a ve a n i n t r i n s i c p o wer o ver

.
,

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
.

t remb l e w i t h fea r ; wh en s h e i s i n v ok ed th ei r p ow e r fors a k es th em a s

wa x mel t s efore t h e re b P r a ye r i s t h e w ea p on wh er ew i t h t o w a rd
.

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
.

a t t h e s i g h t of t h e w h i p Hol y w a t e r d er i ves i t s e fc a c y from t h e

.

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
. .

frequ en tl y mad e u s e of t h e s i gn of t h e cr os s w i t h ex cell en t res ul ts .

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 ,

n ev er o mi t t o t a ke i t on en t er i n g a ch u r ch A s econ d mea n s of con .

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
,

i s h men t Rememb e r t h y l a s t en d a n d th o u s h a l t n ever s i 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
.

e x a mp l e, a n d r es ol u t el y for i d t h e t emp t er t o r ema i n C h ri s t re .

 Good Wor ks , Vi r tu e, Si n , Vi ce .

Ev ery kn o ws i t i s wro n g t o ca rry a u rn i ng t orch i nt o a p l a c e

on e b
wh ere h a y , s t r a w a n d o t h e r i n a mm a b l e ma t er i a l s a re s t or ed
, To .

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
.

Th e k i n g i n s t a n t l y l eft th e roo m a n d w o ul d n ot s u ffe r t h e s t r a n g er t o

e n t e r h i s p r es en c e a g a i n . q
L et us b e e u a ll y p ro mp t i n fors a ki ng o c c a
s i o ns of s i n .

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
.
,

cann ot exp ect to ob tai n p ardon of s i n h ere or etern al s al vati on ,

h erea fter .

O n e wh o s o a cts ha s th a t d ete rmi n a t e t u rn i n g a w a y

n o c nt o r i t i on ,

fr om c rea t u res a n d t u rn i n g t o God , w h i ch i s a n i n d i s p en s a b l e con

d i t io n for forg i ven e s s of s i n . H
en c e on e w h o mi g h t g i ve u p a n
o c c a s i o n o f s i n w i th ou t g rea t d i fcul t y a n d d o es n ot d o s o, mu s t n ot
b
exp ec t a s ol u t i o n fro m t h e p r i es t It i s oth erw i s e i f g i v i n g u p t h e
.

o c c a s i on of s i n i n vol ves l o s s of rep u t a t i on , of p ro p ert y, of t h e me a n s

of li v el i h oo d ; b u t e ven t h en h e mu s t p ro mi s e e i t h e r t o a b s t a i n from
t h e s i n , or a v o i d t h e o cca s i o n of i t W e kn o w fro m O ur L ord s w ord s
.

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
, .

It i s b et t e r for t h ee t o g o i n t o l i fe ma i med or l a me, t h a n h a vi n g t wo

( M a t t xvi i i

h a n d s or tw o feet , t o b e c a s t i n t o ev e rl a s t i n g re . .

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
.

ma ke, s a ys St Au g u s t i n e, t o p res erv e th ei r m ort a l li fe ; t h ey s h r i n k

.

fro m n o exp en s e, n o h u mi li a t i o n ; y et t h ey w i l l ma ke n o s a c ri ce for

l i fe i mm ort a l
As a ma n c o n s en t s t o t h e a mp u t a t i o n of h i s h a n d or
.

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 .

O fci al s p r i es t s d o c t or s a n d o th ers a re o ft en c o mp ell ed b y t h e

, ,

d u t i es of t h ei r o fce t o i n cu r ma n y d a n g ers If t h ey d o n ot t emp t .

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
-

ou t j u s t c a u s e exp o s e t h ems el ves t o t h e r i s k of s i n .

5 Th e mos t common a n d th e mos t d a ngero s occ a s i ons of s i n

. u
are : l i qu or s a l oons , d a nci n g s al oons , b a d th eatres , b a d p eri odi ca l s ,
a n d b a d n o el s v .

So me on e ma y p erh a p s as k : Is on e exp ecte d t o l i ve l i ke a r ecl u s e

or a mi s a n th ro p i s t ? St Au g u s t i n e a n s w er s th i s qu es t i o n :
.

B et t er
a n d h o l i e r p e o p l e t h a n t h o u h a ve for s w orn t h o s e a mu s emen ts ; c a n s t
n ot t h o u d o t h e s a me ? Th e C h r i s t i a n s p l e a s u res a re n ot t a ken fro m

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
.

i s t o r en o u n ce t h e v a i n en j o ymen t s of t h e w orl d ! I s h r a n k fro m t h e

o b l i g a t i on to for eg o th em, a n d n ow I r ej o i ce i n h a v i n g l o s t th em
.

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 .

1 . Th e li qu or s a l oon i s p ri n ci pa ll d a n gerou s for th os e w h oy

g o v y
th i th er e er d a y , a n d s p en d a l on g t i me th ere .

Th e re i s n o th i n g s i n fu l i n fre qu en t i n g a s a l oon a s a r ec rea t i o n

a ft e r t h e d a y s w or k ; i n fa c t t a v er n s a re n eces s a r y fo r t h e en t er
t a i n m en t of t r a v ell er s B u t on e ou g h t t o b e c a reful a s t o th e ch a r a c
.

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
,

t erc ou rs e a mo n g men Amo n g th e J ew s th e d a n c e w a s o ft e n ma d e

.

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
,

Ki n g s v i . Th e Heb r ew m a i d en s p erfor med ro u n d or p ro c es s i on a l

d a n ces on ma n y r el i g i o u s fes t i v a l s ( J u dg xx i 2 1 ; Exo d xv . . . .
47 8 Good Works , Vi r tu e, Si n , Vi ce .

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
.

t h e a n g el s mo ve i n th e s o l emn mea s u res o f t h e d a n ce b efore t h e

t h ro n e of God i n h e a ven Ho wever t h e ru le mu s t b e s t ri ctl y ob s er ed
. v
of n ot d a n c i n g a t p ro hi b i t ed t i mes ( i n Ad ven t or L en t ) n or w i t h p er
s o n s o f i mp ro p e r c h a r a c t e r ( a s i s o ft en t h e ca s e a t p u b l i c b a ll s ) a nd ,

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 ,
.

t h e F a th e rs of t h e C h u r ch d en o un ced d a n c i n g i n n o meas u red t erms .

O n th e o cca s i on s of w ed d i n g s , en t erta i n me n t s or fa mil y g a th er ,

i n g s , wh en d a n c i ng i s p rop o s ed a s t h e even i n g s a mu s emen t , i t w o ul d

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
.

oft en p ro v ed a n o cca s i o n of s i n , mu s t i f p o s s i b l e es ch ew i t for t h e

fu t u re ; t h ey ma y a l l eg e as a n excu s e t h a t i t i s i n j u r i o u s t o t h em .

3 . Th e th ea tre i s a s ou rc e of d a n ger to th os e wh o frequen t i t ,

b eca u se so me th ea tres a re a s ch ool of vi ce ra t h er th a n of vi tu r e.

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 ,

v i rt u e i s u n i n t eres t i n g an d d es p i c a b l e Even t h e freet hi n ke r R o u s .

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
,

i s d i mi n i s h ed w e l ea rn t o reg a rd w ork a s i r k s o me a n d u s eful emp l o y

, ,

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 -

4 B a d p eri od i c al s a re d a n gero s t o a ll wh o rea d th em ; th eir

. u
ef fec t i s to grad al l u yu
n d ermi n e th e fai th a n d a w a k en di s c on t ent

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
.

merel y ext ern a l , n ot h ea rt fel t St B o n a en t u re d en es h u mil i t y a s

. . v
ol u n t a ry s elf a b a s emen t r es u l t i n g fro m t h e kn owl edg e of ou r own

y
-

ra i l t y .

We l ear n h mil i tu th e y by c on s i derati on of th e i nni te

ma j es ty of Go d an d th e tra n s i t or y n at u re of e rthl a y th in gs .

Th e p oor ma n feel s h i s p o ver t y mo s t kee n l y wh en h e co mp a res

h i ms elf wi t h h i s o p ul en t n ei g h b or St Au g us t i n e p r a yed for th e
. .

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 .

of G od i s mo s t a p p a ren t i n c r ea t i o n In t h e rma men t of h ea ven

.

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

mo men t , a n d th ey i n c rea s e h i s res p on s i b i l i t y Nei th er l et h i m p r i d e .

h i ms el f u p o n h i s g oo d w ork s , for God h a s n o n eed of h i s g oo d s ( P s .

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

Th e h u mb l e ma n d el i gh ts i n a b a s emen t ; h e n eve r un n eces s a r il y

a t t r a ct s a t t en t i o n t o h i ms elf, i e , h e a v o i d s o s t en t a t i o n a n d s i n g u
. .

l a ri ty i n h i s d emea n or a n d d ep or tmen t , i n h i s c o n ver s a t i o n , h i s g es

t u r e s a t p r a y er i n d r e s s a t t a b l e
, , , He n eve r s eeks t o ma ke h i s
.

h u mili ty c o n s p i cu o u s b y d o wn ca s t eyes , a s l o u ch in g g a i t , a d ej ected

mi en ; h e i s h u mb l e of h ea rt , l i ke O u r L or d ; h e o nl y a l l ows hi s
h u mi l i t y t o b e o b s erv ed wh en o c c a s i o n r e qu i res , a n d t h en o n l y s i mp ly
a n d u n a ec t ed l y He i s n ot a lw a ys c a l l i n g h i ms elf t h e ch i ef of s i n
.

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 .

h e h i d es h i s t a l en t s , for h e kn o w s th a t w h a t ma n r ev ea l s God con

cea l s , a n d wh a t ma n d i s cl a i ms God p ro cl a i ms ,St An th o n y of . .

P a d u a c o n cea l ed h i s g rea t eru d i t i o n u n t i l God ma d e i t kn o wn Th e .

h umb l e ma n d o es n ot t h i n k h i ms el f b ett er t h a n o th ers ; h e es t eems

o th er s a b o ve h i ms elf ( P h i l i i He d o es n ot p u b l i s h th e fa i l i n g s
. .

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 ,

t h a t for thi s God w i ll ex a l t h i m ( Lu k e x i v Th u s i t w a s w i th .

t h e p u b l i c a n i n t h e Temp l e ( L u k e xvi i i 1 3 ) th e h u mb l e ma n a s p i res .

o nl y a fter et ern a l t re a s u res , a n d d o es n ot a tt a ch h i s h ea rt t o wh a t

i s t r a n s i t ory .Ea rt hl y g oo d th i n g s , ri ch es , d i gn i t i es p l e a s u res , th e ,

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
,

b ett er for th em i n G o d s s i g h t a n d t h ey ma y p ro ve h i s r u i n Ear thl y

, .

s uf fer i n g s , c o n t emp t , rep ro a ch es r i d i cu l e p e rs ec u t i on , d o n ot d i s

, ,

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
,

wh en re qui r ed t o i n t e rp ret P h a r a o s d re a m ( Gen x l i

He d o es
v
. .

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 .

rea d y t o a ckn owl ed g e th e fa vors God c o n fers on h i m s a yi n g wi th th e ,

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 .

g r a t eful t o God a n d i n c r ea s es h i s l o ve of God

No on e, s a ys St

. .

Ter es a , w ill d o g r ea t th i n g s for God wh o d o es n ot k n ow th a t God ,

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 ,
.

b ec a u s e fa r fro m b e i n g c a s t d own b y a n y h u mi l i a t i o n h e ma y meet

,

w i th a t th ei r h a n d s h e rej o i ces i n i t B es i d es h e kn ows t h a t h e i s i n

.

Go d s s a fek eep i n g a n d t o th em t h a t l o ve God a l l t h i n g s w ork

,

t o g eth e r for g o od ( R om vi i i .D i s c o u r a g emen t a n d p u s i ll a n i mi ty

.

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 .

Ch r i s t emp t i ed Hi ms el f t a k i n g th e form of a s erv a n t i s , h u ma n

, , . .

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.

assu med th e s h a p e of a n a ni ma l th e d ove Th e p rop h ets i n p redi ct , .

,

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
. .

O u r L ord li ve d i n g r ea t l o wli n es s ; He ch o s e for Hi s b i r th p l a ce n ot

a roya l p a l a ce b u t a s t a b l e ; for Hi s M oth er n ot a qu ee n b u t a p oor ,

ma i d en ; for Hi s fo s t e r fa th er a h u mb l e ca rp en t er ; for Hi s d w ell i n g

-

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 .

i n t er c o u rs e wi t h men O u r L ord w a s mos t c o n d es c en d i n g ; He en c our

a g ed ch i l d r en t o a p p ro a ch Hi m He even c o n ver s ed w i th s i nn ers ,

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 .

In Hi s t ea ch i n g a l s o O u r Lord exh ort s u s c on s t a n tl to th e y

p ra cti ce of h u mi li t H e t h a t i s t h y
e g.rea t es t a m on
g y ou s h al l
yu
b e o r s er a n t ( M a tt vxx i i i a n d a g ai n : W. h en y o u .

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
.

s el f, a n d c o n s i d er s h i ms elf i nfer i or t o o t h er s , i t i s a n u n fa il i n g p roo f

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 .

h u mb l e ma n a t t a i n s a h i gh d egree of p e rfect i on Th e more h u mb l e .

h e i s th e mor e p er fect h e i s a n d vi ce vers a W ell ll ed e a rs of c orn b en d

,
.
-

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

order t o tes t th e t ru th of th a t r ep ort As s oo n a s h e en tered th e .

48 4 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n , Vi ce .

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 , .

s emb l es t h e d evi l or a d r u n k a r d for p r i d e i s a k i n d of i n t oxi c a t i o n

, ,

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 .

t h e fro g i n t h e fa b l e wh o p uffed h i ms elf ou t i n t h e h op e of a p p ea ri n g

a s l a rg e a s t h e ox .

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
.

h ea rt ed t o th e p oor, a n d d ecei t ful , for b y d r es s i n g u n s u i t a b l y t o th ei r

cl a s s t h ey g i ve t h ems el ve s ou t for wh a t t h ey a re n ot L o ve of d res s o ften .

l ea d s t o w ors e s i n s , for t h o s e wh o s p en d s o mu ch c a r e on t h e a d orn

men t of th e i r p er s o n l o s e s i g h t of th ei r n a l en d , a n d l ea d a g o dl es s
l i fe . He wh o s t a n d s w ell i n Go d s s i g h t h a s n o n eed of ch o i ce a nd

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
.

n ot c a rr y t h e t r u e c ro s s , whi ch h a d b een r ec o v e re d fro m t h e Sa r a cen s ,

b a ck t o J eru s a l em, u n t i l h e h a d l a i d a s i d e h i s r i ch g a rmen t s ; a n u n
s een h a n d h el d h i m b a ck O n e o u g h t h o weve r t o d res s p rop erl y an 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 .

wh o c o vet e a rth l y g l ory ! Th e p ro u d ma n d es p i s es t h e h el p a n d g r a ce

of God , a n d r el i es u p o n h i ms elf a l o n e, t r u s t i n g i n t h e t h i n g s of e a rt h .

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
. .

b efore God a n d ma n ( Eccl u s x 7 . .

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

a p o s t a s y ( a s w i t h L u t h er , wh o w a s o f fen d ed b eca us e h e w a s s li g h ted

a t R o me ) ; t o s t r i fe, en v y, i n g r a t i t u d e a n d i mp u r i t y God p un i s h es .

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
.

ord er t h a t th ey ma y b e h umb l ed a n d a men d He wh o h a s va n qu i s h ed .

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
. .

B a b el ) . Ab as emen t a n d d i s g r a c e foll o w i n th e foo t s t ep s of p r i d e .

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 ,
.

s o t h o s e w ill b e a b a s ed i n t h e w orl d t o c o me wh o ex a l t t h ems el v es

i n th i s w orl d P ri d e d es t ro y s t h e v a l u e of ou r g o od w orks
. Th e .

p ro u d h a ve r ecei ved t h ei r rew a rd a l rea d y ( M a t t v i P r i d e p ul l s . .

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

.

ma y h a ve d o ne, if h e p ri d e hi ms elf u p on i t, h e i s u tterl y d es t i t u te .

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 .

ob ed i en ce wh en h e o ffered u p Is a a c Th e Son of God Hi ms elf p ra c .

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
.
,

gl ory a l owl y ma i d en Wh o ever h ea rd or s a w a n yt h i n g t o c omp a re

.

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

.

of Sa les , t h e In fa n t of B et hl eh em ; He i s a l l p ow e rfu l, a n d y et d oes

-

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 .

In ord e r t o u n i t e a ll Hi s cr e a t u res t o a h a rmo n i o u s wh ol e God h a s

e s t a b l i s h ed a c e r t a i n r el a t i o n s h i p b et ween t h em, a n d mu t u a l d ep en d
en ce . Th e moon r ev ol ves ro u n d t h e ea r t h a n d th e p l a n et s of ou r
s ol a r s y s t em a ro u n d t h e s u n Th e a n g el s s t a n d i n t h e s a me rel a t i o n
.

s h i p t o on e a n o t h er a s men d o on ea r th In t h e F o urt h C o mma n d .

men t God en j o i n s u p on ch i l dren o b ed i en ce t o th ei r p a r en t s ; t h i s i s

d u e t o t hem as b ei n g G o d s rep r es en t a t i v es St P a ul s a ys : C hil

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
.

s ecu l a r a u t h or i t i es , b ec a u s e t h e y h a ve t h ei r p o wer fro m God St . .

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,
.
,

i s a g rea t s a c r i c e for ma n wh en wh a t i s c o mma n d ed i s c o n t r a ry

,

t o h i s i n cl i n a t i o n a n d t o h i s a d v a n t a g e B y o b ed i en ce th e u n d er .

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 .

Ev en mi s ery i s th e res u lt of d i s obed i en ce Th i nk of

i n t h i s wo rl d .

th e fa t al c o n s equen ces of or i g i n a l s i n ! Ad a m s offen ce wa s t h e

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

.

b ro u g h t s a d c a l a mi t i es u p o n h i ms elf a n d h i s s u b j ect s ; r ememb e r

th e p l a g u e s of Eg yp t a n d t h e d es t r u c t i o n of th e k i n g a n d hi s a rmy i n
t h e Re d Se a Th e p ro p h et Jo n a s h a d b i t t er c a u s e t o ru e h i s d i s
.

o b ed i en ce Et e rn a l p erdi t i on i s a l s o t h e con s e qu en ce of d i s ob edi en ce

.

God rej ect s t h e d i s o bed i en t a s th e mon ey ch a n g er rej ects a c o u n t e r

.

Th e d i s ob ed i en t mu s t exp ec t a s evere s en ten ce i n t h e D a y

,

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 .

p r i ves u s of a ll mer i t No v i rt u e i s a ccep t a b le t o God i f i t i s ma rred

.

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

5 . PATIENCE M EEKNESS , , PEACEAB LENESS

.

1 Pa ti enc e c ons i s ts i n pres erv m

.
g one s s ereni ty of mi nd
a mi d
a l l th e c ontra ri eti es of th i s life for th e l ov e of God .

So me p ers on s a re p a t i en t i n o r d e r t o ma ke th ems el es a dmi red v .

M a n y on th e o th er h a n d , a c cep t ch eerfu ll y on l y a p a rt of th ei r s u ffe r

i ng : e g , t h ey wi ll en d u re s i ckn es s p a t i en tl y, b u t th ey c a n n o t en d ur e
. .

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 mo d el of p a t i en ce, for He b e a rs w i t h s i nn ers ev en w i th t h o s e wh o

v
,

p ro o ke Hi s j u s t i ce, a s p er j u r e r s a n d b l a s p h eme rs d o Job a n d .

To b i a s were rema rk a b l e for t h ei r p a t i en ce Th e p a t i en t ma n i s l i ke .

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 ,

for ced t o a ckn o wl ed g e t h a t t h er e i s more of t h e h u ma n t h a n of t h e

a n g el i c n a t u r e a b o u t u s We mu s t h a ve a s mu ch p a t i en ce w i th ou r
.

s el v es a s w i th ou r fell o w men O u r L ord s a ys : B r i n g forth fr u i t

-
.

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

a nd h a s t i n es s a l wa ys d o es h a rm, j us t a s a n o vero w i n g s t rea m, or

v i ol en t ra i n , d es t ro ys a n d d ev a s t a tes W e o u g h t t o i mi t a te th e a n g el s
.

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

th e c ommi s era ti on of oth ers .

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
. .

r en d er u s s a d Th ere i s i n d eed a s a d n es s wh i ch i s p l ea s i n g t o God ,

.

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 :

( M a tt v . B u t t h e s orro w of t h e worl d , i e , t h a t of t h e w orl d

. . .

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

xxx . It i s , h o wever, a l l ow a b l e t o c o mp l a i n on a c c o u nt of s evere

p h ys i c a l or men t a l s u f fer i n g , s o l o n g a s we s u b mi t to th e w i ll of God .

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 .

a fell o w c r ea t ure s ea r wi t h t h e s a d t al e of a l l y o u r c a re, h e w i l l

-

s oo n w ea r y of y o u r c o n ve r s a t i o n Not s o God ; He i s ever r ea d y t o

.

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 . .

2 Pati enc e p rod c es man

. u yv u
i rt es a nd l ea d s t o s al ati on v .

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 .

St Greg ory t h e G r ea t d ecl a re s t h a t b y u n w a ver i n g p a t i en ce t h 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
.

p ea ceful h a rb or, p ro t ect ed fro m th e s t ormy w a v es of t h e o c ea n .

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
. ,

i n or d er t o o verc ome our rep ugn a n ce t o d ri nk of i t ; He s u ered rs t ,

490 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n, Vi ce .

t h a t we mi g h t n ot fea r s ufferi n g F requ en tl y th i n k of Ch r i s t c r uc i .

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 ,

or i n n u mb er A s old i e r s ca rcel y feel s h i s h u r t i f he s ees h i s gen er al

.
,

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 , .

Sa l es ,o ffer h i s p a i n s t o God a n d p r a y Hi m t o a c cep t th em i n u n i o n

,

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 ,

wa s n eces s a ry t h a t t emp t a t i o n s h o u l d p ro ve t h ee ( Tob x i i . .

Wi th ou t s u ffer i ng t h ere i s n o s al va t i on for th rou g h ma n y t ri b ul a ,

~

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
.

l ook forw a rd t o t h e r i ch r eco mp en s e i n s t ore for u s t h e ch a l i ce of

s uf fe r i n g l o s es i t s b i tt ern es s Th e l a b or er c o ul d n ot l a b or a ll d a y l o n g
.

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 , ,

o n l y a d d t o y o u r s u fferi n g P a ti en ce i s d i s p la yed p re emi n en tl y b y

.
-

meekn es s a n d p ea cea b le n es s .

1 M eeknes s c ons i s ts i n s h owi ng, for th e l ove of God, no i rri t a

.

ti on wh en wrong i s d one us .

M a n y p e r s on s a re meek th ro u g h t i mi d i t y or for c o n ven i en ce

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 n d ob l i g i n g t o t h e o ffen d e r Th ere i s s o meth i n g d i v i n e i n meek

.

n es s God Hi ms el f i s i n n i t el y l o n g s u ffer i n g ; He d oes n ot e xert Hi s

.
-

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 . ,

a n d g i ves h i m a mp l e t i me for r ep en t a n ce God a p p ea r ed t o M o s es i n

b
.

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
.

s i g n ic a n ce Th e Hol y Sp i ri t a l s o a s s u med th e form of a d o v e a n d

. ,

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
.

meekn es s of God wh en w e b eh ol d th e R ed eeme r u p on t h e c ro s s ?

M ee kn es s i s a g ree a b l e t o t h e L or d ( Ec cl u s i God ch o s e M o s es . .

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 . .

2 . By meek nes s we gai n p ow er ov er our fel l ow -

men, we attai n
pe ac e of mi nd , a nd etern al s al ati on 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
.

i s met w i th meekn es s , h i s a n g e r v a n i s h es a s d a rkn es s i s d i s p ell ed on

th e r i s i n g of th e s u n A mi l d a n s wer b rea keth w ra th ( P ro v xv . .

b b
.

B a d men ma y b e won y k i n d n es s He wh o s u d ues a n g er wi th i n .

49 2 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n , Vi ce .

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
. .

chi ef c h a r a cte r i s t i c of t h e Ch r i s t i a n ; for C h r i s t s p ea ks of t h e fa i th

fu l a s s h eep ( Joh n x or l am s ( J oh n xxi
. b
b oth th es e a n ima l s .

a re r ema rk a b l y g en tl e .

P EAC EAB L ENESS .

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 . .

of Sa l es w a s u n j u s tl y e xp ell ed fro m a l o d g i n g h e h a d t a ken i n R o me ;

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
.

p l a ced u p o n th ei r l i p s wh en He s en t t h em forth t o p rea ch ( M a t t x . .

All th e g ood thi n g s of thi s w orl d c a nn o t p l e as e u s , i f we are

n ot a t p e a c e for wi th o u t p ea ce w e ca n en j oy n o t h i n g
, P ea cema ker s .

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 , .

x iv. He i s th e L ord of p ea ce ( 2 Th es s i i i Th e p rop h et s . .

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 .

O u r L or d s a ys : B l es s ed a re t h e p ea cema k ers , for t h ey s h a ll b e

( M a tt v

c a ll e d t h e ch i l d r en of God God w i ll rep l a c e a h u n . .

d redfol d a ll t h a t w e s u rr en d er for th e s a ke of p ea ce We h a ve s een .

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 .
,

i n t h e l i fe t o c o me, d o es God r ew a rd u s for a l l t h a t w e d o for Hi s

s a k e ( M a rk x F org i ven es s a n d forb ea r a n c e a re b et t er th a n
.

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

a cc ord an ce wi th th ei r wi ll ; b u t th e s l i g h tes t co n t r a d i c t i o n i rr i t a tes

t h em t err i b l y Su ch p eop l e a re l i ke s t a g n a n t w a t er whi ch i s a ll wel l
. ,

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
.

every c o mm u n i t y w i l l fa ll t o p i ec es wh o s e mem e r s a re n ot wel d ed

t o g e th er wi th t h e b o n d s of l ove Ho wever on e mu s t n ot for th e s a ke
.
,

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 .

6 . THE OPP OSITE OF M EEKNESS: WRATH .

1 W rath c ons i s ts i n exc i ti ng one s s elf a o t s omethi n g a t

.

bu
whi c h one i s di s pl ea s ed .

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 , ,

t i cul a tes w i l dl y s t a mp s w i t h h i s fee t a n d kn o cks th i n g s o ver et c

, , .

Were h e t o l oo k i n th e g l a s s h e w oul d h a rdl y kn ow h i ms elf Th o s e

, .

wh o a re of a ch ol er i c t emp er a men t ca rry t h ei r a n g e r a b o u t wi th

th em everywh e re a s t h e v i p e r d o es i t s v en o m ; t h ey a re l i k e a s u rl y
,

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
,

mon ey ch a n g er s ou t of th e Temp l e ( J ohn

or M o s es wh en re , ,

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 .

How fool i s hl y th o s et r a n s p orted wi th a n g er ! Th ey

a ct wh o a re

p un i s h t h ems el v e s for a n o t h e r ma n s fa ul t An g er i s p rej u d i c i a l

.

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 .

xxx . M a n y men h a ve h a d a s t ro ke b ro u g h t on b y a ng e r, s ome

h a ve fa ll en d o wn d ea d t h ro u g h r a g e If a n g er i s s o h u rt ful t o t h e
b
.

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
.
.

s tan ding Th e mi n d of a n a n g ry ma n i s l i ke t h e s u rfa c e of th e s ea

.

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 .

Ar i s t o tl e c omp ar es t h e effect of a n g er on t h e mi n d t o t h a t of s moke

i n t h e eyes , or i t ma y b e c omp a red t o a fog , t h ro u g h wh i ch i t i s i m
p o s s i b l e t o s ee th i n g s i n t h ei r t ru e p ro p ort i o n s An g er i s a n i n t oxi c a
.

t i on , a t emp or a ry ma d n es s ; for on e w h o i s t h oro u g hl y en r a g ed i s

n ot ma s t e r of h i s ow n a c t i o n s Hen ce St F r a n c i s of Sa les , s p ea k i ng
. .

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 ;
.

h e w i ll d o wh a t h e a ft e rwa r d s r eg ret s Th e a n g er of ma n w ork eth

.

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 .

men r a g e a g a i n s t on e a n ot h er ! Wh en c e c o me b l ows , mu r d e rs , feu d s ,

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
.

w i th a ma n w h o i s p ro n e t o a n g er, for t h e b ea s t ma y b e t a med , b u t

wi t h t h e wr a t h fu l ma n on e i s n eve r s a fe He wh o g i ves wa y t o.

w r a th i s i n d a n g er of et ern a l d a mn a t i o n , for h e d ep r i ves hi ms elf

of g r a c e Th e Hol y Sp i r i t d oes n ot dwell i n t h e h ea rt wh er e a n g er
b
.

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
.

for h i m, s i n ce h e i s a p rey t o u n cea s i n g a g i t a t i on a n d u n res t .

3 . An ger mus t b e o v erco me i n th e fol l owi n g mann er : We

mu s t v
n e er s p ea k or a ct w h en w e,
b u t i f
a re a n gr
p os s i l y
e,
b e b
take o u rs el v t p yes o ra er If i n ou r a n ger w e h a e i n j red a n y
. v u
on e, we s h ul d m k
o a e a men d s for th e w ron g d on e wi th o t d el a u y .

O n e mu s t ne ev r s p ea k n or a c t wh en on e is ang ry . One sh oul d

do as ma r i n er s d o ; wh en a s t orm a ri s es th ey c a s t a n ch or a n d w a i t ,

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
. . ,

h e c o u l d r ema i n s o i mp ert u rb a b l y p l a c i d i n reg a r d t o p er s on s wh o

wer e r a g i n g w i th a n g er r ep l i ed :

I h a ve ma d e a n a g r eemen t w i th
,

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 .

h e a th en p h i l o s o p h er o n ce c o u n s ell ed t h e Emp e ror Au g u s t u s t o r ep ea t

th e twen t y fo u r l et t ers o f t h e G reek a lp h a et wh en h e fel t wi t h i n him
-
b
49 6 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n , Vi ce .

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 .

t o us . He i s like a v es s el wi th o u t a b ott om, th a t i s n eve r full , h owever

g r e a t t h e u a n q
t i t y o f li u i d t h a t qi s p o u r e d i n to i t H e i s li ke th e .

w ol f t h a t i s a l w a y s h u n g ry ; li ke t h e re, t h a t e ve r r eq u i res a fres h

s u p p l y of fu el ; l i ke h ell , wh i ch i s n eve r s a t i s ed Av a ri ce d o es n ot .

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
.

s o n s b o th a mo n g r i ch an d p oor Amon g t h e wea l th y on e often n d s

.

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.

Th e d es i re of mon ey i s t h e roo t of a ll evi l s ( 1 Ti m v i Th e

b
. .

d ev i l h i d es ehi n d mo n ey b a g s as a s n a ke c o n cea l s h i ms elf i n a

-

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
.

t h e p oor i s l i ke a fo u n t w h i ch i f n o w a ter i s d r a wn fro m i t

b
, , ,

ec o mes fo ul ; for a ma n s we a l t h w i ll n ot b en et h i m i f n o p ort i o n of

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
.
,

t h e ma rket w i t h ch e a t s t h e l a w c o u rt s w i t h p erj u re r s t h e eyes of

, ,

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
. .

u n t i l t h e J u d g men t D a y w ill i t b e r ev ea l e d h ow ma n y l i v es h a v e b een

s a c r iced t o t h i s fa l s e g od Th e c o vet o u s l o ve t h ei r fa i th
. St Leo . .

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
, .

Th e d y i n g ma n xed h i s eyes u p o n i t w i t h a s o ften ed exp res s i o n ,

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 . .

He i s l i ke th e oxen wh o ca rry th e c orn t o th e g a m er, a n d t h em

s el ves feed on h a y a n d s t r a w Th e j us t i ce of God o ft en a ven g es on
b
.

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 .

i ng for t h e s u ffer i n g of o th ers , h e s h o ws n o c omp a s s i o n , h e g i v es th em

n o s u cc or . Hi s h ea rt i s a s h a rd a s th e a n vil , wh i ch i s n ot s oft en ed b y
a ll t h e b l o w s r a i n ed d o wn u p o n i t ; for h ow ev e r g rea t t h e n eed of h i s
n ei g h b or , t h e mi s e r i s n e ve r mo ved t o p i ty Th e c o vetou s o n l y th i nk
.

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 .

He th a t g a t h ereth t og eth er b y wron g i n g h i s own s ou l g a t h ereth

for o t h er s ( Ec cl u s x i v
. .wh o wi ll s qu a n d e r h i s ri ch es Th e .

mi s er i s a n o b j ect of h a t red t o o t h ers C a l i fa s , Ki n g of B a b y

.

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
.

s elf ; h e un d e rt a kes l o n g j o u rn ey s , h e exp o s es h i ms elf t o l a b or a n d

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 ,

a n d th e ep h emera l n a t re of earth l up os s es s i ons y .

Si n c e t h e b es t meth o d o f c orrect i n g a vi ce i s y exerci s i n g t h e b

op p o s i te v i rt u e a va r i ce w i ll b e cu r ed b y l i b e r a l i t y
,

Wh a t , a s k 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
,

ri ch es a t wh i ch th o u d o s t cl u tch s o e a g e rl y He l o ved p o vert y a n d .

l i ved i n p o vert y ; a n d , t h i nkes t th o u , o u g h t a mi s era b l e mort a l t o d e

s i r e a r d en tl y wh a t t h e L ord of a l l c re a t i o n d es p i s ed ?

Rememb er
a l s o t h a t w e mu s t p a rt wi th a l l ou r ea rt h l y p os s es s i on s a t ou r d e a th .

We b ro u g h t n o th i n g i n t o th i s w orl d a n d c ert a i nl y we ca n c a rry

,

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
.

or mo t h a n d ru s t c orr up t Wh y , t h en , us y on e 8 s elf a b out th e a o

.

v
q u i s i t i on of e a n es cen t t rea s ures ?

1 Temp era n c e cons i s ts i n not eati n g a nd dri nki ng more th a n

.

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 .

Temp er a n ce t ea ch es u s n ot t o e a t or d ri nk more t h a n i s n eed

ful t o s u p p ort li fe A s a g e of a n t i qu i t y u s ed t o s a y :
. We d o n ot l i ve
O n e wh o i s t emp er a t e d o es n ot fu ll y s a t

t o ea t b u t we ea t t o li ve
, .
e

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
.

Wh a t c o n cern s h i m mos t i s t o h a v e foo d wh i ch s u i t s hi s d i g es t i o n

a n d g i v es h i m s t ren gt h for h i s wo rk .

2 Temp era n c e i s hi ghl a d anta geo s t o s oul a nd od ; i t

. y v u b y
v
i mpro es th e h eal th , l ength ens l i fe, s tren gth ens th e fac l ti es of u
u
th e mi nd, fos t ers v i rt e a nd l ea ds t o e erl a s ti ng l i fe v .

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 .

3 Dili gen t medi t ati on on th e tr th s of ou r h ol reli gi on will

. u y
a s s i s t u s t o form a h a i t of t em era n c e
p b .

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 : .

Not i n b rea d a l on e d oth ma n l i ve et c Let u s l ift ou r eyes u p t o

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
,

ca t i on of y o u r p a l a t e If He v o u ch s a fed for y o u r s a ke t o feel th e

b
.

p a n g s of h u n g e r h ow mu ch th e more oug h t y ou t o b e a s t emi o u s for

,

y o u r own i n t eres t .

1 0 . INTEM PERANCE IN EATING AND DRINKING .

1 . Intemp era nc e c ons i s ts i n eati n g a nd dri nki ng m ch more u

th an i s n ec es s ary , a nd in b ei ng greed y
or d a i nty i n rega rd t o
one s food

.
500 Good Works , Vi rtu e, Si n , Vi ce .

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
. .

o ft en o vert a kes th o s e wh o i n d ul g e i n s t ron g d ri nk O u r L ord t h u s .

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 ,

h ea r t s b e o ver ch a rg ed w i th s u rfei t i n g a n d d ru n k en n es s a n d th e c a res

of t h i s l i fe a n d t h a t d a y c o me u p o n y ou s u dd en l y

, ( Luk e xx i .

As w e l i ve s o we d i e Hol o fe rn es w a s a s l eep exceed i n g l y d runk

, .
, ,

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
.

w a s s l eep i n g off th e e ect of h i s r evel s wh en t h e en emy ma d e t h ei r

w a y i n t o th e c i ty ( D a n Th e d e a th of i n d i vi d u a l s wh o p er i s h i n
.

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
.

s el d o m c orr ec t t h ems el v es ; t h ey ma y a men d a n d a s t a i n for a t i me ,

b u t t oo oft en th ey rel a p s e i n t o t h e i r forme r s i n s a n d et ern a l p er d i ,

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
,

( Ga l v i . .Th i n k of t h e a mes of h ell a n d y ou w ill b e a b l e fu lly ,

t o s u b d u e t h e i mp ul s es of n a t u re R es ol ve n eve r to omi t a s h ort

b
.

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 .

St St a n i s l a u s K o s tka l eft t h e roo m i n s t a n tl y i f a s i n g l e ob j ec

.

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
.

p er fect i o n ; i t i s d i vi n e i n i t s o r i g i n , for God b ro u g h t i t t o e a rt h

fro m h ea ven Th o s e wh o p r a ct i s e t h i s v i rt u e a re l i ke th e l i l y ( C a n t i i
. . .

Every t i n y i n s ect t h a t re s ts u p o n t h e s n owy p et a l s of th e l i l y

ma rs i t s d a zzl i n g wh i ten es s a n d d i s g u res i t s ea u t y ; s o th e mere b
t h o u gh t of e vi l i s a s t a i n u p o n th e mi n d of t h e ma n wh o l i ves
ch a s t el y R o u gh h a n dl i n g s p o i l s t h e fa i r l i l y a n d c a u s es i t t o w i th e r,
.

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 .

Th os e wh o l ea d a ch a s te l ife res e mb l e th e an gel s an d a re

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 n a n g eli c v i rt u e ; b y i t men b ec o me l i ke t h e a n gel s C h a s te s o ul 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
,

Sp i te of th e c o n t i n u a l t emp t a t i o n s of t h e d ev i l Wh a t d i ffe ren t i a tes

.

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 .

wh o li ve ch a s t el y a re ext r emel y p l e a s i n g t o God C h r i s t wh en on

.

e a rt h s h o wed a p r ed il ect i o n for ch a s t e s o ul s ; He ch o s e a p u r e v i rg i n

for Hi s M o t h er, a ma n of a n g el i c p u ri t y for Hi s fo s t er fa t h e r ; t h e -

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
.

en j o y th e es t eem of t h e i r fell o w men i n a h i g h d eg ree

-
Even t h e .

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
, ,

l i ved i n c eli b a c y . Wh en th ey a p p ea red i n t h e s t reets , p u b l i c h o n or

w a s s h o wn t h em, a n d i f t h ey ch a n ced t o meet a c r i mi n a l on t h e w a y
t o exec u t i o n , h e w a s i mmed i a t el y p a rd o n ed If p a g a n s r es p ect ed t h o s e
.

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 ,

o u g h t t h e Ch ri s t i a n t o l ook w i th c on t emp t on t h e vi rg i n wh o from

s u p e rn a t u r a l mo t i ves d o es n ot ma rry ? 0 h ow b ea u t i ful i s t h e
ch a s t e g en er a t i o n w i t h g l ory for t h e memo ry of i t i s i mmort a l :
,

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
.

t eri es of t h e fa i th t h a t , i n t h e c o mm en c emen t of h i s Go s p el , b e s c a red

,

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

c a mp a n d b eh ea d ed Hol o fe rn es Hol y Sc ri p tu re s a ys of h er, For

.
5 02 Good Works , Vi rtue, Si n , Vi ce .

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
. .

th e i r p ort i on wi th t h e B l es s ed V i rg i n Even h ere on ea rt h God .

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 .

Es t h e r ob ta i n ed fro m h er ro ya l c on s ort a ll th a t s h e a s ked b ec a u s e

of he r d eli t y a n d a t t a ch men t t o h i m ; s o th e h ea v enl y Sp o u s e g r a n ts
t h e p et i t i on s of a ll ch a s t e s o ul s .

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 .

Thi s i s enj o i n ed b y God i n th e Si xth C omma n dmen t of t h e

D ec a l og u e Amo n g th e J ew s a b rea ch of ch a s t i t y w as p u n i s h ed b y
.

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

4 The fol l ow in g mea n s s h o l d b e emp l o ed for th e p res er

. u y
v a t i on of ch a s t i t : y u
W e s h o l d b e t emp era te, a c cu s tom o rs el es u v
t o exerc i se s el f c on trol , rec ei v e th e s a c ra men t s fre q en t l , p r
-
a u y y
vu y
d e o tl t o th e M oth er of God, l o e to med i t a t e p on th e tr th s v u u
of rel i gi on , es p eci a ll p on th e
p yu
res en ce of G od a n d th e fou r

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 .

St Au g us t i n e d ecl a res t h a t th e p res erv a t i on of ch a s t i t y i s t h e

.

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 .

F or th e ma rty r s a g on y i s s h ort a n d a d mi ts h i m i mmed i a tel y t o

,

cel es t i a l g l ory ; wh ere a s th e s a fe g u a r d i n g o f ch a s t i t y d em a n d s a

-

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 .

We ma y p a rt i cul a r i z e th e n eces s i ty of b r i dli n g th e t on gu e a n d ob

s erv i n g cu s t o dy of th e eyes St Au gu s t i n e s a ys th a t t a ttl e r s a n d
. .
5 04 Good Works , Vi rtue, Si n, Vi ce .

1 2 . UNOHASTITY .

1 . Unch a s ti ty cons i s ts i n th ough ts , word s , or deeds , whi ch are

d es tr ucti v e of i nnoc enc e .

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
.

i mp u ri t y th a t th e Red eemer of t h e w orl d s u ffered Hi ms el f t o b e

c r u ell y s cou rg ed , a n d c r ow n e d w i th t h o rn s .

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 .

Imp u r i t y d eg r a d es ma n t o t h e l evel of th e b rut e ea s t Th e n u b .

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
,

D e i t y b y t h e In ca rn a t i on of t h e Son of God t o b e u n d u l y s u b j ect t o

.
,

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 . . .

Ner i p os s es s ed th e g i ft of d i s cern i n g t h e ch a s te fro m t h e u n ch a s te

b y t h e s en s e of s mell ; t o t h e former a s wee t o d or a tt a ch e d wh er ea s ,

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
.

t h u s s p oken of y t h e p ro p h et J eremi a s : How i s t h e g ol d b ec o me

d i m th e n es t c o l or i s c h a n g ed
,
Th e n o b l e s o n s of Si o n t h ey were
.
,

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 .

Th ey t h a t w ere fed d el i ca t el y h a ve d i ed i n th e s t reets ( La m i v . .

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 . .

2Un ch a s t e p ers ons d o not p os s es s th e s an cti f i ng grac e of th e

. y
y v y
Hol y Gh os t, th e a re s e erel ch as ti s ed b y God i n th i s l i fe, a nd
after d eath a re c ondemned t o eternal p erdi ti on .

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 ,

ed g ed s wor d ( P ro v v . .St J ero me d ecl a r es t h a t th e fr u i ts of t h i s

.

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
.

l i g h t of t h e Hol y Sp i r i t th ei r u n d ers t a n di n g i s c o mp l et el y d a rken ed

v b
.
,

When ma n des cen ds t o t h e l e el of th e ea s t s h e l o s es th a t i n tell i ,

 Th e Seven P ri n cip a l Vi r tu es a nd the Seven P ri n ci p a l Vi ces . 505

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
.

c a n h a r d l y es ca p e ev er fro m i t s mes h es It l e a d s more o ver i n to ma n y

.

o th er s i n s : J ea l o u s y, h a t red , mu r d er, et c Th e t erri b l e c on s equ en ces

.

of t h i s s i n a re s een i n t h e c a s e of Hen r y VIII ; i t w a s t h e c a u s e of .

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
.

b r ims t o n e a n d re u p on So d o m a n d G o morrh a b eca u s e t h e t ra n s

g res s i on s of th e i nh a b i t a n t s i n th e s a me res p ect h a d b ec o me e xceed
i n gl y g r i evou s ( Gen xvi i i An d i f i n t h e p res en t d a y God d o es
b
. .

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 ,

res erv ed for s i n n ers of ou r own t i me F o rn i c a t ors , w e a re t ol d , s h a ll

.

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

( Ep h v . . O f t h e h e a ven l y J eru s a l em i t i s s a i d t h ere s h a l l n ot

en t e r i n t o i t a n yt h i n g d el ed ( Ap o c xx i 27
. Th e s ou l of t h e for
.

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 .

3 . Th e b es t mean s of avoi din g th e s i n of i mp u i ty

r is i gh t .

R ememb e r h ow Jo s ep h a cted ( Gen Th er e a re o th e r

.

mea n s of a vo i d i n g thi s s i n , s u ch a s th e rec ep t i o n of th e s a cr a men t s ,

d evo t i o n t o th e M o t h e r of God ; y et th e b es t of a l l i s i n s t a n t i g h t
fro m te mp t a t i o n Th e Ap o s tl e s a y s t h a t we oug h t t o res i s t a ll temp
.

t a t i ons t o s i n , b u t fro m i mp u ri t y h e b i d s u s ee y forn i c a t i o n ( 1

C or v i b
In a t tl i n g w i th s e n s u a l t emp t a t i o n s c o wa rd s g a i n t h e
v
. .

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 .

1 . Zeal i n wh at i s good c ons i s t s i n worki ng out on e s s

al vati on
wi th a ll earnes tnes s a nd fer or v .

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 .

als o d i s creet , or i t wi ll d o mor e h a rm t h a n g o od He wh o s e z ea l .

i s W i th o u t d i s c ret i on i s l ik e a ma n wh o i s g a th eri n g u p th e c o ckl e

506 Good Wor ks , Vi rtu e, Si n, Vi ce .

in a eld, roots u p th e wh ea t t o g eth er wi th i t ( M a tt xi i i B li nd . .

z ea l i s onl y p ern i c i o u s If Al e x a n d e r t h e G r ea t p erformed s u ch

v
.

g rea t a ch i e emen t s for t h e s a k e of e a rt h l y ren own , wh a t ou g h t n ot

we t o d o, wh o a s p i re t o et ern a l g l ory ! We ou g h t ea ch d a y s o to s e r e v
God a s i f i t were th e r s t d a y of ou r c on s ec r a t i o n t o Hi s s er i c e v .

We s h oul d b e li ke t h e merch a n t , wh o n ever thi nk s h e h a s ma de

en ou g h mo n ey, b u t i s c o n t i n u a ll y on th e w a t ch for fres h g a i n s ;
o r l i ke t h e t r a vell e r wh o d o e s n ot l oo k b a ck u p o n t h e w a y h e h a s t r a v
e rs e d b u t o n l y on w a r d t o t h e g o a l b efore h i m He wh o i s z ea l o u s .

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
.

of d o i n g g oo d w o r k s ; h e n ev e r r efu s es a n a lms t o t h e p oor ma n , h e

,

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
.

fully ma kes s a cr ices for God ; h e i s g l a d wh en h e i s r idi cul ed or p e r s e

ou t ed for hi s fa i t h ; h e r ej o i ces i n t h e s u f fer i n g s t h a t c o me to h i m
from God ; h e w i ll g i ve u p a n yt hi n g r a t h e r t h a n c o mmi t s i n ; h e i s
v
e en r ea dy t o l a y d o wn h i s l i fe for C h ri s t , i f n eed b e He wh o i s .

ze a l o u s i n wh a t i s g oo d exer t s h i ms elf a l s o for t h e s a l v a t i on of o th ers .

He s t ri v es t o d et er h i s s ub ordi n a t es , h i s fri en d s , h i s rel a ti ves , from

s i n ; h e a dmo n i s h es t h em a n d p r a ys for t h em ; h e p r a ys es i d es for b
t h e c on v e r s i on of h eret i cs a n d s i n n er s ; h ow mu ch t h e s a i n t s d i d i n
t h i s wa y ! Z ea l i s l ike re wh i ch s p rea ds t o a ll a roun d , o th fa r a n d b
n ea r .

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 .

O u r L or d s a ys : Not every on e th a t s a i th t o M e, Lord, L ord,

s h a ll en t er i n t o t h e k i n g d o m of h e a ven ( M a tt v i i an d in . .

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 .

fel i c i t y i s s p o k en of a s a k i n g d o m t h e c i t y of God t h e h ou s e of God

, , ,

p a r a d i s e a c rown All th es e t h i n g s c a n o n l y b e a c qu i red b y a erce

b
, .

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
.

ch e a p l y ; t h e p r i c e p a i d for i t c o mes i n n i t el y s h ort of i t s a lu e .

Wi th o u t z ea l a n d en erg y n othi n g g oo d c a n b e a cc omp l i s h ed God .

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 ,

wi ll . No g oo d w ork c a n b e p erformed wi th o u t s ome s a cr i ce ; n o v i r

t u e ca n b e g a i n e d w i th o u t a s t rug gl e Th e g rea t e r v i ol en c e th o u
.

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 oo k 1 ch , W e c a n n o t exp ect ou r p r a yer s t o b e h ea r d u n l es s

.
,

we p er s eve re i n s p i t e of a l l h i n d r a n ces R ememb er t h e ex a mp l e of St .

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.

3Th os e wh o a re i n cli n ed to i n dol en ce s h oul d th i nk frs

.

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
. .

I . THE ASP IRATIO N AF TER C HR ISTIAN P ERFEC TIO 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 .

d o es n ot h a n d i n t h e p ort r a i t h e h a s p a i n ted u n t i l e ver y fe a t u r e i s

fa i t h fu lly d el i n ea t ed L et t h e C h r i s t i a n d o l i kew i s e ; w h en o n ce h e
.

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 .

1 . God req i res u of a l l th e j us t th a t th ey s h oul d a s p i re t o Ch ri s

ti a n p erfect i on .

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
.

p recep t of ch a r i t y , for i t r e qu i res u s t o l o ve G od w i t h a ll ou r s t ren gt h .

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 .

Wh er e th ere i s n o p ro g r es s i on t h ere i s r et rog re s s i o n ; n o ma n c a n

s t a n d s t i l l on t h e p a t h of v i rt u e

As s oo n , s a ys St Au g u s t i n e
.

. ,

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

.

Wh en th e r i ch yo u th a s ked O u r L ord wh a t h e w a s t o d o i n ord er

to b e p erfect , th e a ns wer g i ven h i m w a s :
F ol l o w M e ( M a tt x i x . .

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
.

t h a t i t i s i mp o s s i b l e for u s e ver t o a t t a i n t o t h e p e rfec t i on of wh i ch

C h r i s t s ets u s t h e ex a mp l e, b u t t h e s a n ct i t y of t h e s a i n t s i s w i th i n
ou r r e a ch An d h er e i t mu s t b e rema rked th a t a lmos t eve ry s a i n t
.

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
. .

i n g , t h ei r me a n s , t h e i r o d i ly s t ren gt h a n d n a t u r a l t emp era men t .

Eve ry on e o u g h t t o ch oo s e for h i s mo del a s a i n t wh o s e p o s i t i on a n d ,

c a l l i n g w e r e s i mi l a r t o h i s own .

3 Th e p erfec ti on of th e Ch ri s ti an c ons i s ts i n ch ari t t ow ards

. y
b
God a nd h i s n ei gh or, a n d i n d etac h ment of h eart from th e th i ngs
of th i s w orl d .

( 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
,

men t Nor d o es s a n ct i ty c on s i s t i n c o mp l et e fr eed o m from s i n ; i t i s

.

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 .

of th e M o t h e r of God eve r h a v i n g p erformed ext r a or d i n a ry w ork s ,

or St Jo s ep h , th e fo s t e r fa th er of C h ri s t In th e r a nk s of t h e s a i n t s
.
-
.

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 . .

o f God i s a l w a y s a cc o mp a n i e d b y h a t r e d of t h e w orl d a b h orr en ce of ,

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 ;

F r a n ci s of Sa l es comp a r es p i ety t o a ui d, whi ch ta kes th e s h ape o f

v
t h e es s el i n wh i ch i t i s con t a i n ed .

II . GENERAL M EANS F O R THE ATTAINM ENT O F

P ER F EC TIO N .

In ord er to mak e s ure of att ai ni ng Ch ri s ti a n p erfect i on, th e

fol l owi n g means s h o l d b e a d apted u .

. y
1 Fi d el i t i n s mal l t hi ngs .

B y th i s grea ter gra c es a re o b tai n ed an d gra v e s i ns more

y v
ea s i l a oi d ed .

In t h e n a t u r a l or d e r We s ee h ow g rea t t h i n g s a re evol ved ou t of

wh a t i s a p p a ren tl y i n s i g n ica n t How s ma ll t h e a corn i s , a n d y et i t
.

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 .

P a y h eed , th erefor e, t o s ma ll t h i n g s ; d o n ot d es p i s e even th e l ea s t ;

b e c a refu l t o a v o i d every u n t r u e w or d , eve ry w ord t h a t ma y g i ve
o ffen ce n ever u t ter l i gh tl y th e n a me of God To h i m wh o i s fa i t h .

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

. .

G r a i n s of s a n d form a mo u n t a i n , a n u mb e r of t r ees ma ke a for es t .

He th a t c o n t emn et h s ma ll th i n g s s h a ll fa l l b y l i ttl e a n d 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,

o f t h e w e a t h e r or o f ou r h ea l th ; fro m e a t i n g b etw een ou r mea l s ,

fro m n d i n g fa u l t w i th wh a t i s p ro v i d ed for u s fro m t oo l o n g i n du l ,

g en c e i n s l eep fro m e a g er n es s t o j o i n i n c o n ver s a t i o n fro m s p ea k 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 . .

B a p t i s t l ed a l i fe of ext r eme s el f d en i a l St P a ul s a ys of h i ms elf :

-

. .
 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
.
-

p ro t a b l e th a n me rel y a b s t a i n i n g fro m foo d He wh o c a n rul e h i m . .

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
. .

Chr i s t s h a ve c ru ci ed t h ei r es h wi t h t h e v i ces a n d c o n cu p i s c en ces

( 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
.

on e i s ca rr i ed a l o n g b y i t Hen ce y ou c a n e a s il y a s c ert a i n wh eth e r

.

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 ,

y o u rs elf wh eth er y ou s t em t h e t i d e of you r Si nful d es i res , or i f y ou

a re ca rr i ed a w a y b y i t .

B y th e p ra cti c e of s elf con trol -

th e u n d ers t a n di n
g i s en
l i gh ten ed , th e wil l s tren gth en ed , a n d th e s ou l n d s p e ace .

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
. .

i s l a wful , i t w ill b e ea s y for u s t o a b s t a i n fro m wh a t i s u nl a w ful .

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
-

Self c o n t rol enl i g h t en s t h e u n d er s t a n d i n g

-
All t h a t we d en y t o ou r .

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
.

i t u a l s ens e ma y b ec o me keen er, a n d ou r i n t er i or vi t a l i t y a n d p ea ce

b e a u g men t ed
Self c o n t rol fort i es t h e w i ll If th e w i l l b e s t ro n g ,
.
-
.

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
.

l i ttl e mo men t ; y ou wi ll th er eb y l ea rn t o c o n qu er wh er e g rea t t hi n g s

a re a t s t a k e Th e m ort i ed m a n i s l i ke a n o a k wh i ch w i ll b re a k b u t
.
, ,

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 .

O u r d i s or d erl y a ffec t i o ns a re l i ke a s t orm a t s ea ; t h ey r a i s e a t emp es t

i n th e s o ul a n d p er t u rb t h e mi n d B u t if y ou kn o w h ow t o c o mma n d .

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 .

He w h o for t h e l o ve of G od h a s ren o u n ced a ll c a r n a l l u s ts w ill en j o y

t h e s weete s t c o n s ol a t i o n s of t h e Hol y Sp i ri t He wh o i s ma s te r of .

h i ms el f w i ll n ot e a s il y b e p ro vo ked t o w r a th Self c o n t rol i s t h 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 .

Amon g reck o n Sp l en d i d d res s c o s tl y fu rn i tu re

s u p e ru i t i es we , ,

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 .

ti on th e Hol yGh o s t wi ll n ot d wel l i n a h ea rt th a t i s ll ed wi th t ne

l o ve of e a rth l y t h i n g s He wh o wo ul d en ter p o n t h e p a th of v i rt u e
. u
a n d p er fec t i o n mus t b eg i n b y d i l i g e n t mort i c a t i on of h i s a p p et i t e .

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
.

p e rce i ve wh et h e r i t i s fu l l or emp t y ; s o y th e c o n v ers a t i on of a b

ma n i t ma y b e s een wh et h e r h i s mi n d i s emp ty or well s t ored He -

b
.

th a t s ett et h o u n d s t o h i s t o n g u e i s kn o wi n g a n d w i s e ; a fool mul t i

p li eth w or d s Th e t emp er a t u re of a ro om i s s p eed il y red u ced i f th e
.

d oor b e l eft op en ; s o th e l o ve of God c ool s i n t h e h ea rt of on e wh os e

li p s a re ev er u n cl os ed for i dl e g o s s i p , a n d th e s a n c t i fyi n g g r a ce of
th e Hol y Sp i ri t d ep a rt s from t h e s o ul In c o n t i n en ce of s p eech i s a .

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
-
.

s p eech s h a l l meet w i t h ev il s ( P ro v x i i i F or th i s rea s o n St .

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 .

For th i s i s con du ci v e to p eac e of min d and r ap i d ad v a n ce

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
. .

ord a i n s i s reg u l a te d i n p erfect orde r B eh ol d th e ea u ti ful ord er .

t h a t r ei g n s i n th e s t a rry rma men t O rd e r mu s t b e ma i n t a i n ed i n

.

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
.

men wh o h a ve h a d mi l i t a ry t ra i n i ng h a v e rea ch ed a n emi n en t d eg ree

of s a n cti ty .

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

AS fort ica t i on s d efen d a g a rr i s on a ga i n s t th e a tt a cks of t h e

m
.

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 .

O u r Lord wa s w on t t o ta ke Hi ms elf t o s o li t a ry p l a ces , t o a mou n

t ai n ( Jo hn v i t o th e d es ert ( Lu k e
. v
or t h e M o u n t of O li v es
.

( 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
.

h ol y men wi th d rew i n t o s ol i t u d e a n d d ev o t ed t h ems el es t o s p i r i tu a l

ex er c i s es St B en ed i ct p a s s ed t h ree yea r s i n a c a vern a mon g th e
. .

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
.

a n g el u p o n e a r t h In s o l i t u d e we o b t a i n ma n y g r a ces ; t h ere t h e Hol y

.

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

b y t h o s e wh o ee fro m th e w orl d Th e fu rt h e r t h e s ou l l i ves fr om a ll

.

w orl d l y t um u l t , t h e mor e fa mi l i a r d o es s h e b ec ome wi t h h er C rea t or

( Imi t a t i o n , B oo k 1 ch In s ol i t u d e a l o n e i s t ru e c o n t en tmen t t o
, .

b e fou n d Wer e t h e recl u s e t o l e a ve h i s cell h e w o u l d p ercei ve t h a t

.
,

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

.

vi rtu e C h o i c e s p i c es on l y reta i n t h ei r a roma wh en s h u t u p ; t h ey

.

l o s e i t i f exp o s ed t o t h e a i r V i r t u e i s mor e ea s i l y p r es erv ed i n s ol i

.

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
,

p er fect i o n B u t h o w eve r g re a t t h e a d v a n t a g es of s ecl u s i on , w e mu s t

.

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
.

El i z a b eth , t o c o n g ra tu l a t e h er Let u s h ol d a l oof fr om th e worl d i n

.

b
.

s p i ri t , n ot i n odi l y p r es en c e .

III . SP EC IAL M EANS F O R THE ATTAINM ENT O F

P ER F EC TIO N .

1 He wh o a s p i res to a h i gh er d egree of p erfecti on mus t foll ow

.

th e t h ree ev a ngel i cal c ouns el s : Perfec t ob ed i en ce p erp etual c h a s ,

ti ty a n d vol unt ary p overty

, .

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 .

Tes t a men t t o c o n t a i n c o u n s el s a s w ell a s p recep t s , for i n i t God ma kes

Hi ms elf t h e F ri en d of ma n a n d i n th i s ch a ra ct er He d o es n ot com
,

ma n d b u t c o mmen d Th e New L a w i s a l a w of l i b erty t h e O l d L a w

. ,

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 .

t h e t h ree a rms of th e c ro s s on wh i ch w e a re c r u c ied wi th C h r i s t To .

fo ll ow th em i s a l i fel o ng ma r t v rd om ; a ma rt yrd o m l es s t err i b l e th a n

 Sp eci a l M ea n s f or th e Atta i n men t f
o P erfecti on . 51 7

th a t f t he s w ord b u t more p a i n ful b eca u s e of i ts d ur a t i o n

o , Th os e .

wh o fo l l o w t h es e c o u n s els w i ll a tt a i n a h i g h e r d eg ree of g l ory Th a t .

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 .

d o es n ot ext en d t o a l l ou r a c t i o n s ; i t l ea ves u s free i n ma n y res p e ct s .

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 ; .

b u t i t l ea ves u s a t l i b ert y t o full ou r du t y i n w h a t ch u r ch a n d a t

wh a t h o u r w e p l ea s e P erfec t o b ed i en c e, on t h e c o n t ra r y, re qu i res
.

u s t o o b ey i n ev er yth i n g Thi s v ol u n t a ry o b ed i en ce i s t h e g rea t es t

.

s a cri ce w e c a n ma ke for G od ; i f we fa s t, g i ve a l ms , or s a c r ice ou r

r ep u t a t i o n for Go d s s a ke, we g i ve t o God on l y a p a rt of ou rs elves

.

B u t h e wh o s a c ri ces h i s w i ll h a s n o thi n g more to g i v e ; h e i mmol a tes

h i ms elf t o God O b ed i en ce t o a s u p er i or i s n ei th er i rr a t i o n a l n or
.

d eg r a d i n g t o ma n , for h e s u b j ects h i ms elf v ol u n t a ri l y o n ce a n d for

ever to t h e w i ll o f on e wh o i s p l a ced o ve r h i m b y t h e w ill of a lmi g h t y
G od ; h e i s l i k e a t ra vell e r wh o u n qu es t i o n i n g l y p ro cee d s i n th e d i
r ec t i on t o wh i ch t h e s i g n p os t p oi n ts It i s a difcu l t ma tter to kn ow .

on e 8 s elf, b u t i t i s ea s y for an oth e r t o kn o w a n d g u i d e on e

.

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 .

Th e Si xt h C o mma n dmen t of t h e De c a l og u e ob l i g es eve ry on e t o

s u b du e h i s e v i l c o n c u p i s c en ces Th i s c o u n s el re qu i res t h o s e wh o
.

fol l o w i t t o a b s t a i n fro m w edl o ck ; t h ey l ea d on ea rt h a n a n g el s l i fe

.

In fa c t i n t h i s res p ect ma n s u rp a s s es t h e a n g el s i n excel l en ce, for

t h e l a t t e r h a ve n o c a rn a l i mp u l s es t o c o mb a t Th e C ou n c i l of Tren t ( C
. .

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

,

t h e c a re of p ro v i d i n g for a fa mi l y en g ro s s es h i m i n ma t eri a l i n t e res t s .

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

.

B u t i t i s a n i mmea s u r a b l y g rea te r s a c r i ce if, for t h e l o ve of God ,

w e ren o u n ce a ll ea rt h l y p o s s es s i o n s a n d v ol u n t a ri l y emb r a ce p o vert y,

t o wh i ch s o ma n y h a ras h i p s a re a tt a ch ed Th e v ol u n t a r y p o ve rt y .

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

th e p a g a n p h i l o s op h ers Th e l a t t e r d es p i s ed r i ch es fro m e a r t hl y con

.
~

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 .

O u r Lord cou n s el l ed p erfec t o ed i en c e i n Hi s con v ers ati on b

wi th th e ri ch p yu
o n g ma n ; p er e t a l ch a s ti t i n H i s di s c o rs e u y u
on th e i n di ss ol ili t of ma rri age ; ub yol u n t a r
p ove r t i n th e v y y
afor e v
men ti on ed con ers a ti on wi th th e ri ch o n g ma n yu .

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
. . .

Our Lord Hims el f p r acti s ed th e co uns el s ; for He s ough t

n ot Hi s ow n wil l b u t di d th e w ill of Hi m th a t s en t Him ( Joh n
v . He b y
l ed a l i fe of c el i a c a n d extreme p o ert v 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 . .

i n g for r i ch e s , for s e n s u a l g ra t i c a t i on s , a n d for h on or ( 1 Jo h n i i .

AS i n med i c i n e s ome r emed i es a re d r a s t i c a n d o th er s mi l d s o i t i s ,

w i th th e r eme d i es for t h es e ev i l c o n c u p i s cen c es . P r a yer i s a cu r e fo r

p ri de, fa s t i n g for s en s u a l i t y, a l ms g i vi n g for a v a r i ce ; t h es e a re mi l d
remed i es B u t l et h i m wh o d es i r es a r a d i c al cu re a d op t th e t h ree
.

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
.

t h o s e wh o w o ul d fol l ow C h r i s t, w e g a th e r fro m t h e s t ory of t h e ri ch

youn g ma n ( M a t t
, Soc r a t es c o mp a r es r i ch es t o a l on g rob e,
.
5 20 Ch ri s ti a n P erfecti on .

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
. .
, , .

B en ed i ct were t h e fou n d ers of mo n a s t i c i s m i n th e Wes t i n th e fth

,

a n d s i x th cen t u r i es Th u s t h e O rd ers a r os e for men a n d w omen ;

.

com mu n i t i es wh o l ed a regul a r life i n a cc ord a n c e wi th t h e t ea chi n g

of C h r i s t Th e men were ca l led monk s from th e Greek mona ch oi
v
. , ,

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 , .

L o y ol a th e O rde r of M e r cy b y St Joh n of God t he .

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
.
,

g en e r a ll y el ec t ed for t h ree years Ea ch O rd er h a s a h a b i t p ecul i a r

.

t o i t s elf Admi s s i o n t o t h e O rder i s b y p ro fes s i on i e t a k i n g t h e

v b
. . .
, ,

ows ; p revi ou s t o ei n g p ro fes s ed a n ovi t i a t e of a t l ea s t on e yea r ,

h a s t o b e p a s s ed th ro u g h Th e rel i g i ou s O rd ers a re very n u merou s

.

a t t h e p res en t t i me i n Ame ri c a a n d s t i ll mor e i n Eu ro p e ex c ep t i n g

b
,

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 ,

re u l a rly ; t h e rel i g i ou s a re s a fegu a r d ed fr om ma n y occ a s i o n s of s i n

g
W t h ca n n o t b e a v 0 1 d e d i n t h e w orl d t h ro u g h t h e s u p e r vi s i o n of t h e
b v
,

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
, ,

ord erl y l i fe a n d g o s wi ftl y t o p e rd i t i o n It i s a mort a l Si n n ot t o .

keep t h e v ows Thi s c a u s es St Au g u s t i n e t o s a y :

. As I h a ve n ever
.

met wi th a b etter ma n t h a n a rea ll y g oo d mo nk s o I h a ve n ever s een ,

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 .

O rd e rs h a ve a s hi s t o ry p r oves d o n e g rea t w ork for h u ma n i t y

b
, , ,

es p eci a ll y y wo rks of mercy a n d t h e en c ou r a g emen t of l ea rn i n g 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
.

h ou s es i n th e M i d dl e Ag es l a xi t y a n d s elf i n d u lg en ce p rev a i led b u t -

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
. .

s uf fered t ort ure a n d ma rt yr d o m r a t h e r t h a n b re a k h er v ow b y ma rry

i n g t h e s on of th e P ro c o n s u l Th e o th er t wo eva ng el i ca l c o u n s el s a re
.

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 , .

D u ri n g t h e t h ree r s t cen t u r i es t h e re w a s n o n eed o f th i s l a w b eca u s e ,

p r i es t s v ol u n t a r i l y a b j u red ma rri a g e ou t of r e s p ec t for t h e s a c r edn e s s

,

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
.

keenl y fel t were ma rri ed men a dmi t t ed t o t h e p ri es t h oo d ; b u t a ft er

,

ord i n a t i o n n o on e w a s p e rmi t ted t o ma rry O n l y i n i s ol a t ed a n d .

ve ry r a re i n s t a n ces for wei g h t y rea s o n s h a s t h e P o p e b ee n kn own t o

, ,

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
,

fu n ct i o n s Y et t h ey we re re qu i red t o rec i t e t h e B revi a ry u n t i l d ea t h

. .

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
,

p e rformi n g a n y mi n i s t er i a l w ork Th e C oun c i l of Tr en t ( 2 4

.
,

d ecl a red th e ma rri a g e of p r i es t s t o b e i n va l i d Th e a p o s tl es a ft e r .

,

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
, , , ,

J eremi a s St Joh n B a p t i s t l i ved a cel i b a t e li fe A p a r i s h p ri es t mu s t

, .
, .

d evo te h i ms elf wh o ll y t o th e s a l va t i o n of s o ul s ; h e mu s t a dmi n i s t er

t h e s a c r a men t s t o t h e s i ck a t th e r i s k of h i s l i fe h e mu s t a s s i s t t h e ,

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 .

IV . THE EIGHT B EATITUD ES .

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 .

Thi s i s th e mea n i n g of th es e w ords : B l es s ed are th e wh o, y

v
h ow e er grea t th ei r w eal th , th eir di gni t , th ei r h ea l th , th ei r y
l ea rn i n g, a ckn owl edge th a t efore God th e a re p oor, for i n th i s b y
y y
l i fe th e en j o c el es ti a l p eace a n d a ft er d ea th a re p art a k ers of
et ern a l feli ci t y
.

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
, , ,

Sp i ri t . Th e p oor i n s p i r i t en j o y c el es t i a l p ea c e for O u r L or d d ecl a res ,

th a t t h e i r s i s t h e k i n g d o m of h ea v en Th ey a re l i k e ro cks ext ern a ll y

.
,

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 .

i n Sp i r i t a re a dmi t t ed t o et e rn a l fel i ci ty Hea ven b el o n g s t o t h e .

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 .

at a g oo dl y p ri ce ; for th e p oor i n s p i ri t , b y th ei r ren u n c i a t i on of a l l

e a r t hl y th i n g s , h a ve b
ou g h t h ea ven a t th e c o s t of a ll t h ey p o s s e s s e d
2 B l es s ed a re th e meek ; for th e s h al l p os s es s th e l a n d
. y .

Th e mea ni n g of th es e w ord s i s th i s : B l ess ed are th e wh o y

p res er e thv e i r c omp os re ( a re n o t p rouok e d t o a n g er t h e v by
y
wron g d on e t o th em) ; for th e w il l r l e thei r fell ow men ( t h e u -
y
u
wil l con q er th e h earts of men ) a n d after d eath th e wil l en ter y
i n to h ea en v .

( See th e i n s t ru ct i on on meekn es s ) .

3 . B l ess ed a re th ey t h at mourn , for th ey s h al l b e c omfort ed .

Th e mea n i n g of th es e words i s t h i s : B l es s ed are th ey wh o

l amen t b u t l i ttl e o ver th e l os s of tra ns i tory thi n gs , for Go d wi ll
i mp art to th em s u ch c on s ol a ti on th a t th ey w i ll forget th ei r s or
row ; a n d a ft er d e ath He wi ll b es tow u p on t h em c ele s ti al a n d

et ern a l j oys .

Th ey t h a t mou rn a re t h erefore n ot th o s e wh o mou rn o ver t h e l os s

of e art hl y t h i n g s , e g , th e en j o ymen t of s o me p l e a s u re
. . Sorro w s u ch .

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 s o ul for a ct i o n ; i t h as t h e s a me b en umb i n g effect u p o n i t a s ex

c es s i v e c o l d h as u p on th e b o d y A s e as on of g l oo m a n d d ep res s i on
.

i s a n op p ort u n e momen t for t h e d evi l ; h e a v a i l s h i ms elf of i t t o t emp t

u s a n d ma ke u s fa ll , a s b i r d s of p r ey g o ou t b y n i g h t i n qu es t of s p oi l .

Hen ce Hol y Scr i p t u re exh orts u s t o b e ch eerful Th e j oy fuln es s of .

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
,
-

( Eccl u s xxx . . B u t s orro w for s i n , wh et h e r our own or t h a t of

o th ers , i s p l ea s i n g t o God , a n d i s s u cc ee d ed b y j o y a n d g l a dn 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
. .

h ea rt ren d i n g s i g h s I a m s o met i mes s o j o y o u s t h a t I fa n c y my s elf

-

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
.

d en c e s en d s u s r ep reh ens i b l e ; i t t oo l e a d s to j o y a n d con s ol a t i o n .

Th i s w a s t h e s orro w O u r L o rd fel t on t h e M o u n t of O l i ves , a t t h e

a p p ro a ch of Hi s P a s s i o n ; a n d a n a n g el a p p e a r ed t o Hi m s t r en gt h en ,

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
.

a n d a s cen d ed i n t o h ea ven , a n d i mmed i a t el y t wo a n g el s c a me t o c om

fort th em Wh en God h a s h a p p i n es s i n s t or e for u s , He i n v a r i a ly
. b
5 24 Ch ri s ti a n P erfecti on .

Joh n th e Ev an g el i s t t o p en et r a t e s o d eep l y i n t o th e my s t eri es of re

l i g i on t o g a ze u p o n t h e s u b l i mi t y of t h e Go dh e a d ?
, Th e s en s u a l
ma n p er cei veth n ot th es e t hi n g s t h a t a re of t h e s p i ri t of God ( 1 C or .

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 .

7 B l es s ed a re th e p ea cema k ers , for th e s h a ll b e c a ll ed th e

. y
c h il dren of G od .

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 .

Th e mea n i n g of th es e w ord s i s thi s : B l es s ed a re th e wh o y

v
h a e to s u ffer a t t h e h an ds of th eir fell ow men for th e s a k e of -

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

of G od ( Act s v i i . St L a wren ce, wh o w a s b ro i l e d u p o n a red h ot

.
-

g r i d i ro n i n R o me, mu s t h a ve exp er i en ced s i mi l a r c o n s ol a t i o n s , for

wh i l e h e w a s en d u ri n g t h e t ort u re h e j o ked , s a yi n g t o t h e p a g a n
g o ve rn or :

I a m ro a s t e d en o u g h on t h i s s i d e ; n ow t u rn me o ver t o

th e o th e r . St P a ul d ecl a res :
. I exc eed i n g l y a b o u n d wi th j o y i n
a ll ou r t r i b u l a t i o n

( 2 C or v i i . . How c o ul d t h e ma rt yr s h a ve
s uf fer ed t ormen t s s o t err i b l e w i th s u ch e qu a n i mi t y, u n l es s t h ey ha d
b een mi n g l ed w i t h c el es t i a l c o n s o l a t i o n s ? O u r L ord s a ys of t h o s e
wh o s u ffe r for Hi s s a ke :

Y o u r r ew a r d i s v e ry g r ea t i n h e a v en
( M a t t .v . P e r s ec u t i o n s a re t h e p r e c i o u s s t o n es w h e r e w i t h t h e

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
.

t h e b ea t i t u d es a re en u mer a t e d i n d i c a t es th e exi s t en c e of t h ree d e

g r ees ,
or s t a g es , i n t h e s p i r i t u a l l i fe . A l l s i n fu l i n c l i n a t i o n s

mu s t b e c o mb a t e d b y me a n s of h u mi l i t y meekn es s s orro w for s i n ;

, , ,

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
.

t h e k i n g d o m of h ea ven , a n d w i t h i t t h ey en d Thi s i s t o s i g n ify t h a t

b
.

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

p e a c ema k er s a s th e chi l d r en of God , a n d t h e ki n g d o m of h e a ven wh i ch

b el o n gs t o th e p er s ecu te d Th e C h u r ch h a s a p p o i nt ed t h e ei g h t
.

b ea t i t u d es t o b e rea d a s t h e Go s p el on t h e fea s t of All Sa i n ts , b eca u s e

i t w a s th e p ro s p ect of th i s et ern a l rew a rd wh i ch u rg ed th e s a i n t s on
wa rd on t h e p a t h of vi r tu e .

Th e worl dli n g c oun ts th os e as fool s wh om C h ri s t d ecl a res

to b
b e l es s ed .

Th e w orl d h a s i t s own ma xi ms , wh i ch a re u t terl y o p p o s ed t o

t h o s e of th e Go s p el . Ri ch es c o n s t i t u t e t h e g re a t es t h a p p i n es s ,
p o vert y i s th e g rea t es t mi s e ry If a ma n h as a n yth i n g a t a l l h e mu s t
. ,

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 ;
,

wh o h a ve n o th i n g t o s u ffe r W ell i n d eed mi gh t St P a u l s a y : Th e

. .

wi s d om of t h i s worl d i s fool i s h n es s w i th God ( 1 C or i i i . .

 P A R T III : THE M EA NS O F
-

I
. THE HO LY SAC R IF IC E O F THE MASS .

1 . ON SAC RIFIC E IN GENERAL .

Si n ce th e mos t i mp ort a n t th e mea n s of g r a ce, t h e h ol y

of a ll

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
.

t o b a ttl e for t h e d efen ce of h i s c o u n t ry a t th e r i s k of l i fe a n d l i mb ,

h e i s s a i d t o s a c r i ce h i ms elf for h i s c o u n t ry B y a s a c ri c e t o God
.

i s s i gn i ed s o meth i n g g i ven u p t o God H

,

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. .

1 . Henc e th e w ord s ac ric e s i gni es th e v lu

o a
nt r y u s rren d er

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
.

two l a mb s of a y ea r ol d , t o g et h er w i t h b rea d a n d w i n e, we re i mmol a t ed

i n a dd i t i on t o t h e d a i l y ob l a t i o n ( Nu mb xxv i i i . Sp e c i a l s a c ri ces
.

we re a l s o a p p o i n t ed for ce rt a i n fea s t s Th e h ea t h en n a t i o n s a l s o o ffered

.

s a c r i ces , b u t t h ei r i d ea s on t h e s u b j ect we re p e rv e rt ed , for th ey

offered h uma n s a c ri ces a n d n ot t o th e t ru e God b u t t o i d ol s Hen ce
, , .

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 -

c a s t i n t o i t s a rms . Th e cu s t om of o ffer i n g h uma n s a c r i ces formerl y

p r e v a i l e d t o a g r e a t e x t en t i n M e x i c o ; i t i s s a i d t h a t t h e n u mb er of
vi ct i ms s l a u g h t ered ye a rl y a moun t ed t o n o l es s t h a n twen t y t h o u s a n d .

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 .

Th e c on s ci ou s n es s of s i n wa s a p owerful i n cen t i v e t o ma n t o oer

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

Ab el s o fferi n g ( Gen i v O f No e s ( Gen v i i i of t h e h o l o ca u s t

. . . .

o ffered b y t h e p rop h et El i a s , wh i ch wa s c on s um ed b y re fro m h ea ven

( 3 K i n g s xv i i i . O n m a n y o cc a s i o n s G o d r e qu i r e d a s a c r i c e as ,

t h a t of Is a a c ( Gen . He g a ve mi n u t e d i rect i on s c on cern i n g

t h e s a c r i ci a l o ffer i n g s t o t h e J ews b y M o s es l i p s ( L ev i v i i ; xv i ;
-
. . . .

Th e kn owl ed g e t h a t God a p p ro ved of a n d e ven d ema n d ed

s a c r i ce s fro m m a n w a s a p o t en t mo t i v e i n d u c l n g h 1 m t o o f fe r t h em
.

6 . Th e s a c ri c es of th e Jewi s h n a ti on , more p a rti c l a rl th a t u y

of th e p as ch a l l a m b a n d th e v
i cti m of exp i a ti on , w ere t p i c a l y
of th e gre a t s acri ce t h a t th e R ed eemer w a s t o offer on M o n t u
C al v y
ar .

In t h e O l d Tes t a men t every wh e re t h ere i s s h edd i n g of b l oo d ; t h i s

wa s t yp i c a l of t h e b l oo d of C h r i s t, wh ereb y we a re p u ri ed O n th e .

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

pe op l e were t a ken a wa y ou t of God s s i g h t Si n ce th e Jewi s h s a c ri

.

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 ,

c e a s ed a ft e r t h i s w a s o f fered a s h a d b een foret o l d b y th e p rop h et s

,

( 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 ; ,

more o ve r everywh ere t h e p ers u a s i o n s eemed t o p reva il t h a t

it is
i mp o s s i b l e t h a t w i t h t h e b l oo d of oxen a n d g o a t s Si n s h o ul d b e t ak en
a wa y ( Heb x or t h a t th e D ei t y s h o ul d b e p rop i t i a ted b y a n y
v
. .

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
.

recon cil e God wi th man .

2 . THE SACR IF ICE OF CHRIST UP ON THE C R O SS .

Th e s acric e wh i ch rec oncil ed God wi th

1 . ma n wa s th at
w hi ch Ch ri s t offered p on th e c ros s u .

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
,

w a s Hi s a s Son of God a n d t ook t h e form of a s e rv a n t ( Ph i l i i

, . .

He g a ve u p Hi s free wi ll b ec omi n g ob ed i en t t o Hi s h ea venl y Fa th er

,

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 ma y p erfec t Hi s w ork ( Joh n i v Even wh en wea ri e d wi th

.

Hi s a p o s t ol i c l a b ors He d en i ed Hi ms elf res t ; we rea d th a t n ot u n

frequ en tl y He wen t u p i n t o a mo un t a i n , a n d p a s s ed th e wh ol e n i g h t
i n p ra ye r t o God ( Lu k e v i He wil l i n g l y ren oun ced h on or, s a y
.

i ng :
I s eek n ot M y own g l ory
( Joh n vi i i He b ore s c orn .

a n d d e ri s i o n i n Si l en ce, es p eci a ll y wh en b ro u g h t b efore Hi s j u dg es

( Luk e xxi i i He a ll owed Hi ms elf t o b e p u t on a p a r wi th mu r

.

d erers a n d c ru cied b etw een two t h i eves ( M a r k xv 2 7

, He s u ffered .

a n o t or i o u s c r i mi n a l t o b e p r efe rred t o Hi m ( M a tt xxvi i . .

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 ,

ma n l a y d o wn Hi s li fe for Hi s fr i en d s ( Joh n xv Well mi gh t .

He excl a i m i mmed i a t ely b efor e Hi s d ea th :

It i s c o n s u mma t ed !

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
.

th e Re d eeme r mi g h t ech o t h e w or d s of th e P s a l mi s t : I a m a w orm

a n d n o ma n I a m p o u re d ou t l i ke w a te r a n d a ll M y b o n es a re s c a t
.
,

te red ( P S x xi 7 . It w a s i n r eferen ce t o th i s exp i a t ory s a c r i ce

.
,

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 .

l a mb bro u g ht t o th e s l a ug h t e r . When Joh n th e B a p t i s t s aw Ch ri s t

a pp ro a ch i n g he excl a i med :, B eh ol d th e L a mb of God ; b eh ol d Hi m
Wh o t a keth a w a y t h e s i n s of th e worl d ! ( Jo h n i An d St P a ul . .

s a ys : Ch ri s t ou r P a s ch i s s a c r i c ed
, , .

Th e sacri ce of i s , h owe er, d i fferen ti ated from

th e c ros s v
e v y
er oth er s a cri ce by
th e fa ct th a t i n i t th e ofci ati n g P ri es t
IS th e V i cti m Hi ms el f; al s o e caus e th e al e of th i s s acric e b v u
is i n n i t e .

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
.

h a ve b een t h e s a cri cers , eca u s e y p u tt i n g Ch ri s t t o d e a t h th ey d i d

n ot p e rform a work p l ea s i n g t o Go d , b u t commi t t ed on e of t h e gr e a t es t
of a ll c ri mes Ch ri s t w a s i mmol a t ed , ec a u s e i t wa s Hi s w i l l t o b e
. b ,

M mol a t ed ( Is l i i i 7 Not a ll th e s a c ri ces o ered u n d e r th e O l d

. .

Tes t a men t h a d p o w er t o r ec o n c i l e God a n d ma n ; t h e i r v a l u e w a s b u t

n i t e St P a u l s a ys :
. . It i s i mp o s s i b l e th a t w i t h th e b l oo d of oxen
( Heb x

an d g o a t s Si n Sh o ul d b e t a k en a wa y Th es e s a c r i ces . .

c o u l d o n l y s erv e a s a mea n s of rec a l l i n g s i n t o men s mi n d s , a n d

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 .

s a c r ice C h ri s t offere d i t i s u i t e oth erw i s e q .

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 .

Ch r i s t s uffered i n our s tea d O f Hi m th e p rop h et Sp ok e wh en h e

.

s aid : He w a s w o u n d ed for ou r i n i qu i t i es He w a s b ru i s ed for ou r ,

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
. . ,
,

r a ce s u ffere d for Hi s mem ers

,
Th e G oo d Sh ep h er d g a ve Hi s l i fe
.

for t h e s h eep ( Joh n x We kn ow b y th e exp er i en ce of d a i l y li fe

.

th a t v i c a r i o u s a t one men t i s p o s s i b l e Not on l y p rop e rt y, b u t d i s g ra ce

bq
.

or gl ory ma y b e e u ea th ed t o p os t eri t y A fa mi l y, n a y mor e, a .

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
'

on t h e o th er h a n d , n a t i on s a re s o met i mes s ev e rel y ch a s t i s ed for th e

s i n s of a Si n gl e i n d i vi d u a l O r i g i n a l Si n h a s e c o me t h e h er i t a g e of
. b
h u ma n i t y , a n d i n l i ke ma n n er th e meri t s of on e ma n ma y b ec ome
th e h er i t a g e of a ll man k i n d C h r i s t ma d e a t o n emen t for t h e s i n of
.

t h e wh ol e h uma n r a ce, ori g i n a l as w el l a s a c tu a l s i n Th e a p os tl e .

s a ys : He i s th e p rop i t i a t i on for ou r s i n s , a n d n ot for ou rs o n l y, b u t

a l s o for th o s e of t h e wh ol e worl d ( 1 Joh n i i Ch r i s t i s th e t ru e
b
.

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
,

th e yoke of P h a ra o b u t th e wh ol e h u ma n ra ce fro m th e s ervi t u d e of

,

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
,

n i t e a l u e C h r i s t s u ered mor e t h a n i t i s p o s s i b l e for a n y h uma n

.
532 Th e M ea n s f
o Gra ce .

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

, .
,

sa ve t h ee w i th o u t th ys el f Th e d ev i l ma kes s t ren u o u s effort s t o d e

.

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
,

d u ct s i n ord e r t o r edu ce t h e i nh a b i t a n t s th ro u g h w a n t of w a t er ; for

,

h e d et er s t h e fa i t h ful fro m d r i nk i n g fro m th e ch a n n el s of gra ce b y ,

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 .

3 . THE INSTITUTION, NATURE, AND P RINCIP AL

P AR TS OF THE M ASS .

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

c o ven a n t , t h e mys t ery of fa i th ( a mys t e ry fo r t h e t r i a l of ou r fa i th ) ,

wh i c h s h a ll b e Sh ed for y ou a n d for ma n y for t h e r emi s s i o n of s i n s .

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 ) .

Aft er th e c on s ecra t i on , th e spe c i es or app ea ra n c e of th e

b rea d and win e s t il l re ma i n ed th e sa me .

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 .

j e ct w i ll b e enl a rg ed u p o n i n t h e i n s t ru ct i o n s con ce rn i n g t h e Ad ora b l e

Sa c r a men t of th e Al t a r ) .

1 . Th e Son of God fered

of a s ac ri c e at th e La s t S p p er, b e u
caus e He ga ve Hi s b ody a n d bl ood t o b e fered up , i n ord er t o
of

rec on cil e Hi s h ea v enl y Fath er wi th ma n .

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 .

word s He ma d e u s e of wer e a l mo s t i den t i c a l w i th t h o s e wh i ch M o s es

- -
_
 T he Holg Sa crice of the M a s s , 533

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
,

of t h e c o ven an t wh i ch t h e L ord h a t h ma d e w i t h y ou ( Exo d xx i v . .

AS O u r L ord s w ord s were Si mi l a r t o t h es e i t foll ows t h a t i n Hi s

,

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
.

L ord c a u s ed Hi s P a s s i o n a n d d e a t h t o fo ll o w i mmed i a tel y a ft e r t h e

La s t Sup p er ; b y t hi s He w o ul d h a ve u s k n o w th a t th ey were on e a n d
t h e s a me a c t Th e s a c r ice b eg i n s w i th t h e c o n s ec ra t i on wh en Ch ri s t
.
,

a s s u mes t h e form of b rea d a n d w i n e ; for He t h en d i ves t s Hi ms elf of

t h e s p l en d or of Hi s d i vi n e g l ory a n d con cea l s Hi s i nn i t e ma j es t y

, .

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
,

of a b a s emen t wh i ch i s a l mos t e qu i v a l en t t o a nn i h i l a t i o n Not even .

a t r a c e can b e p erc ei ved of t h a t r eg a l d i gn i t y w i t h w h i ch Hi s h u

ma n i t y w a s i n ves t ed a n d wh i ch i n s p i red men w i th r everen ce a n d a we
, .

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 .

fo u n d s elf a b a s emen t O u r L ord rec o n c i l es u s t o Hi s F a th e r Wh o i s

-

j u s tl y a n g ry w i th u s ; for th ere i s n o b ett er me a n s of a p p e a s i n g on e

'

wh o m w e h a ve o ffen d ed t h a n b y h u mb l i n g o u r s el ves b efore h i m .

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 ,

w a s en d ed Th e s a cr ice w a s a ccomp l i s h ed ; He s p oke t h e w or d s :

.

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 , ,

n ot i n d eed r ed ee med a n ew b y i t for w e a re r ed eemed b y t h e b l o od y

, , ,

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
.

t o r e c o n c il e men t o God w i th o u t t h ei r own c c o p er a t i o n : b u t i t h a s -

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
.

p a s ch a l l a mb eve r y y e a r, i n r ememb r a n ce of t h ei r d el i ve r a n ce fro m

Eg yp t i a n s l a ve ry, a n d i n l i ke ma n n er i t wa s Hi s w i ll t h a t a s p eci a l
s a c ric e s h ou l d b e o f fer ed i n c o mmemor a t i on of th e d e a th of C h r i s t
u p on t h e c ro s s , a n d t h e r ed emp t i o n of ma nk i n d fro m t h e s e r i tu d e of v
t h e d ev i l ( C o un c i l of Tr en t , 2 2 ,

2 . Thi s s a cri ce wa s foretol d i n th e O l d Tes ta men t b oth by

y
t p es a n d p rop h eci es .

Sever a l s a c r i c es i n th e O l d Te s t a men t wer e t yp es of th e t r u e

s a c r i ce ; t h e o ffer i n g ma d e b y Ab el , t o wh i ch t h e L or d h a d r es p e ct
( Gen i v . .b eca u s e i t wa s offer ed b y fa i t h i n t h e fu t u r e R ed e eme r
a n d Hi s t r u e o b l a t i o n ( Heb x i t h e s a c r i c e of Ab r a h a m, wh o i n
. .

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 ,

o ffered b rea d a n d wi n e ( Gen x i v Th es e t h r ee s a c ri ces a re

. .

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 .

p red i c t ed t h a t t h e M es s i a s w o u l d b e a p ri es t foreve r , a c cord i n g t o th e

ord e r of M el ch i s e d e ch ( P S c i x Th e p rop h et M a l a ch i a s foret ol 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 .

Even i n o s t ol i c t i mes th e Ch r i s t i a n s were a ccu s t o med t o a s

ap

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
.

wh i ch w a s b l es s ed a n d g i ven t o t h e fa i t hfu l a n d t h e b re a d wh ere o f th ey ,

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
. . .

t h e y h a ve n o p ow e r t o ea t wh o s erv e th e t a ern a cl e ( Heb x i i i . .

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
, ,

ma cul a te L a mb of God ; a n d wh en a l l t h e c o n g reg a t i o n of th e fa i thfu l

v
h a e r ecei ve d Hi s s a c r ed b o d y th e s a me L a mb th a t wa s i mmol a te d
,

i s s t i ll u n c o n s u med a n d l i ves foreve rmor e

St Ju s t i n i n on e of . .
,

t h e a p ol o g et i c w r i t i n g s h e a d d res s ed t o t h e R o ma n emp e ror s p ea ks ,

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

r i ches a n d ea r th s p overty Th e dig n ity of h oly M a s s s u rp a s s es b y

.

ma n y degr ees th a t of th e s a c ra men ts for th ey a re on ly ves s els of ,

mer cy for th e livi n g wh e re a s t h e M a s s i s a n i n exh a u s ti b l e ocea n of

,

divin e li b era lity for th e livi n g a n d th e dea d In th e h oly M a s s ma n .

h a s a fo ret a s te of h ea v en u p on ea r th for i n t h e s a c r ed V i ctim h e h a s ,

b e fo r e h i m t h e C re a t or of hea ven a n d of e a rth h e e ven h old s Hi m i n ,

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
.

t eri es a s th er e a re d r op s i n t h e oc ea n s t a r s i n th e rma men t owe r s , ,

up on th e e a rth Ta ke this s a c r i ce a w a y fr om t h e C a th oli c C hu rch

.

a n d y ou l ea ve n othi n g b u t u n b eli ef a n d err o r Wer e h oly M a s s n ot of .

s u ch s urp a s s i n g e x c ell en c e th e devil w ould n ot h a ve a r ou s e d s o ma n y

en emi e s a g a i n s t it a mon g h er eti cs .

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 .

At t h e p re s en t ti me s ome M a s s es a re celeb r a te d d a ily o n

our gl ob e ; th er e i s n ot a n h ou r i n t h e d a y i n whi ch M a s s i s n ot b e i n g
s a id . Thu s t h e wor d s of t h e p r oph et are liter a lly full led :
F rom
t h e r i s i n g of th e s u n un til th e g oi n g d own i n eve ry pl a c e the re i s ,

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
.

C hu rch n ot An ti ch r i s t hims elf will b e a b l e t o s us p en d t h e offer i n g

, ,

of t h e h oly s a c r i ce Th e l a s t M a s s s a id will b e on t h e l a s t d a y of thi s

.

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

.

a m with y ou a l l d a y s even t o t h e con s umma ti on of th e w orld

, ( M a tt .

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 ,

Thi s i s M y b ody thi s i s M y b l ood

s a ys : a lth ough h e d oes n ot
, ,

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
, , , , ,

pu rer th a n a l l th e c el es ti a l s pi r it s ( Heb vii Hen c e th e s a c r i ce . .

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
.

s h ould b e livi n g i n s i n Th e C oun c il of Tren t de c l a r e s th a t t h e s a c r i

.

ce of t h e M a s s c a n n ot b e d el ed th r ough th e un wor thi n e s s or ma li ce

of h i m wh o of Thi s ob l a ti on i s h oly s a ys St John C h ry s os

fe rs it . ,
.

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 ,

V i cti m whi c h i s offere d Th e P r i es t a n d t h e V i cti m a re o n e a n d t h e

.

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
.
, ,

d a ily i mmol a t ed a n ew up on ou r a lt a rs C hr i s t offere d Hi ms el f b e .

,

c a u s e a mon g a l l t h e t rea s u r es of h ea ven a n d of e a r th He c ould n d

n othi n g th a t coul d s erve a s a w or thy ob l a ti on t o b e of fere d t o t h e
Bles s ed Tr i n ity Th e s a c r ed h u ma n ity of O u r L or d i s t h e mos t
.

p rec i ous t h e mos t p erfec t work of God Even th e i n exp r es s ib le

, .

b ea uty of t h e M oth e r of God i s i n c omp a r i s on t o t h e huma n ity of ,

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 .

a n d p rer og a tives whi ch God h a s b es t owe d up on t h e a n g el s a n d th e

s a i n ts a l l t a k e n toge th e r fa ll fa r s h o rt of t h e g r a c e s a n d ex c ell en ces
, ,

a pp e rt a i n i n g t o th e s a c red huma n ity of C hr i s t By r e a s on of i t s .

i n ti ma t e un i on with th e G odh ea d it i s en r i ch ed with b oun dles s treas

ures a n d e n d owed with i n n ite dig n ity .

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 .

Th e s anc tu a ry b ell i s ru n g a t th e con s ec a r ti on and th e co m

mun i on , a n d a l s o b etween th e oert ory an d th e con s ec a r ti on , at th e
Sa n c tu s .

1 . W h a t tak es p l a c e a t t h e o ffe r t ory i s thi s B r ea d a nd

wi n e a re of
fere d to God a n d b l es s ed .

Th e p r i e s t t a ke s th e p a t en wh ere on t h e H os t i s pl a c ed a n d el eva tes ,

it offeri n g t h e Hos t t o God Then h e t a kes t h e ch a li ce, p ours i n to

, .

it wi n e a n d a little w a t er, eleva tes it a n d offer s it likewi s e t o Go d , .

He n ext in vokes t h e H oly Spir it an d b les s es t h e ob l a ti on with h i s

h a n d Thi s i s c a lle d t h e offe rt ory b ec a u s e t h e a ctu a l s a c r i c i a l a c t
.
,

d oes n ot b egi n un til t h e con s ec r a ti on F or i f th e p r i es t who w a s .

cel eb r a ti n g s h ould ch a n ce t o fa ll s i c k , or a n y a c c id en t s h ould oc cu r ,

i f it wa s b efor e t h e c ons ec r a ti on h e c oul d b re a k off t h e M a s s , b u t
n ot a ft er t h e c on s ec r a ti on ; i n th a t c a s e h e mu s t ta k e t h e c ommun i on
i mmedi a t ely a n d th en lea ve t h e a lt a r
, An d s upp os i n g t h e p r i es t .

w er e t o d i e a fter h a vi n g con s ec r a te d a n oth er p ri es t mu s t p r oc ee d with

,

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
,

i n g di e d b efor e th e con s ec ra ti on , it w ould n ot b e n eces s a r y t o g o on

with th e M a s s Wh a t d oes thi s p r ove . Th e n a me of offe rt ory i s
given t o thi s p a rt of th e M a s s b eca u s e i n ea rly times th e offe ri n g s o f
b rea d a n d wi n e were ma de b y t h e fa ith ful Th e b rea d i s p r ep a re d .

fr om wh e a t en our ; it i s u n lea ven ed b ec a u s e t h e b re a d O u r L ord ,

u s ed w a s unl ea ven ed, a n d a l s o b ec a u s e it d en ote s t h e pu rity of t h e

b ody of C h r i s t ; it i s r oun d i n s h a pe t o s ymb olize t h e etern a l n a ture ,

of C h r i s t with out b egi nn i n g a n d with out en d

,
A l a r ge Hos t mus t b e .

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 .

p rep a re d fr om th e j ui ce of gr a p es ; a little w a t er i s mi xed with it ,

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
.

c o nm emora t i on of t h e w a t er a n d b l oo d whi ch ow e d fr om Hi s r iven

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 .

i s c h a n ged i n t o th e b ody a n d th e wi n e i n t o th e b l ood of C h ri s t ;

,

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 .

At th e c on s ecr a ti on s omethi n g s imil a r occur s t o th a t whi c h c c

c u re d when Eli a s of fe re d s a c r i ce on M oun t C a rmel when t h e re of ,

t h e L or d fell a n d con s umed th e h oloca u s t ( 3 Kin gs xviii )

, i n th a t .

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 ,

s up e rn a tu r a l re of t h e H oly G h os t As n a tur a l r e c h a n g es w ood .

i n to glowi n g emb ers s o t h e Hol y Spi r it effect s th e t ra n s ub s t a n ti a ti on

,

of t h e ob l a ti on b y w or d s of re Hen ce fr om t h e ea rli es t times it w a s

.

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

up on t h e H oly Gh os t t o c ome a n d effe ct th e c h a n ge At th e momen t .

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 ,

C h r i s t t h e Ki n g of hea ven des cen d s fr om a b ove with Hi s c ou r ti ers

, , ,

t h e a n gel s wh o w a it up on the i r M on a rch

, He des c en ds from hea ven .

u p on ou r a lt a r s a s s wi ftly a s t h e eyes on b e in g op en e d p er ceive a t on c e

t h e mo s t di s t a n t ob j ec t s At th e momen t of c on s e c r a ti on t h e In c a r
. ,

n a ti on of t h e Son of God t a kes pl a ce a n ew a n d i n t h e s a me ma nn er ,

a s when a t t h e s a lut a ti on of t h e a n g el M a ry wa s ove rs h a d ow e d b y

, ,

th e H oly Gh os t As t h e Bl es s e d V i rgin then S p oke b u t a few w ord s

.
,

s o n ow t h e p r i es t utt er s b u t a few w or ds a n d t h e Son o f God c omes ,

down fr om hea ven a t h i s s ummon s I t i s b eca us e C hr i s t b ec omes .

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 ,

i s s un g a t High M a s s S p ec i a l emph a s i s i s given t o t h e s en t en ce :

,

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
, ,

es t. Th e b i r th of C h r i s t i s a l s o rep ea te d i n t h e M a s s with thi s d i f ,

feren ce th a t C hr i s t i s n ot b orn corp o ra lly a s a t B ethleh em b u t

, , ,

s pi r itu a lly ; th a t He i s n ot n ow c l a d i n mor t a l es h b u t a rr a ye d i n ,

Hi s glor ie d b ody r es pl en den t with th e v e s a cre d woun ds It i s

,
.

on a cc oun t of thi s S pi r itu a l b i rth th a t t h e C hu r ch a pp o i n t s t h e Gl ori a

i n ex c els i s t h e s on g of p r a is e s un g b y t h e a n g el s a t B ethl ehem t o
, ,

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 .

of thi s k i n d i s s a id t o h a ve b een t h e mea n s of c on v erti n g t h e Sa x on

c hi ef Wittek i n d wh o wh en a t w a r with t h e Emp e r or C h a rl ema gn e
, , ,

en te re d t h e en emy s ca mp i n di s gui s e a n d w a s p r es en t when M a s s

,

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

re cei v es th e b od y a n d b l ood of C h ri s t , a n d oft en ti mes a dmi n i s

t ers th e b od y of C h ri s t to th e fa i th fu l .

B efore t h e p r i es t c ommu n i c a t es th e p eopl e, th e C on teor i s re

e a t e d a n d a t t h n d h a b s olv es a n d b l e s s e s t h e fa ith ful ; then t a k
p e e e
i n g t h e s a c re d ves s el c on t a i n i n g th e H os t s i n h i s h a n d h e h old s on e ,

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 .

ti on p r a i s e t o th e Holy Tr i n ity ) a n d a ll p res en t p r a yed a s h ad

of , ,

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
, , , ,

i n g t h e i n ter ces s i on of t h e M other of God of t h e a po s tles a n d h oly ,

ma r tyr s Th en c a me t h e c on s ec ra ti on th e ce remon i a l for whi ch w a s

.
,

t h e s a me a s it i s n ow ; t h e p e ople p r o s t r a ti n g thems elves i n l owly

a d or a ti on a t t h e eleva ti on of t h e H os t a n d of t h e c h a li ce Th e p r a yer .

for t h e dea d c a me n ext s ome of t h e ma r tyr s b e i n g c omm emor a te d

,

t h e P a ter Nos ter w a s s a id a lo ud a n d t h e Ag n u s D ei thr ee ti me s :,

0 L a mb of God Thou th a t t a kes t a w a y t h e S i n s of t h e w orld ha ve

, ,

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
.
,

rece ive d t h e b ody a n d b l oo d of C h r i s t a n d g a ve commun i on t o t h e ,

fa ithful ; th ey cr os s e d the i r h a n ds t h e s a c re d H os t b ein g pl a c ed on

,

t h e p a lm of t h e left h a n d D u r i n g t h e c ommun i on a pp r op r i a t e p s a lms

.

were s un g ( t h e p r i es t n ow re c ites s ome ver s e s fr om t h e p s a lms a t the

r ight h a n d S ide of t h e a lt a r whi ch a re c a lle d t h e p os t c ommun i on )
,
-
.

Th e H os t s th a t r ema i n ed over w ere pl a ce d i n a che s t or a ves s el i n ,

t h e S h a p e of a d ov e b es id e t h e a lt a r Aft er a con cludin g p r a yer th e .

,

b i s hop s a lut e d t h e p eopl e with t h e w or d s D omi n u s v ob i s cu m a n d , ,

di s mi s s e d them s a yin g : Ite mi s s a es t :

,

D ep a rt t h e M as s i s en ded
,

, .

Th e b l es s in g b ei n g given t h e co mmen c emen t of St Joh n s G os p el

.
,

wa s gen er a lly r ea d i n whi c h oc c ur t h e w o r ds :

, Th e Wor d w a s ma de
es h a n d : He ca me un t o Hi s own a n d Hi s own r ece ive d Hi m n ot

, ,

,

t h e forme r b ei n g a n a llus i on t o t h e p res en ce of O u r L or d i n t h e h oly

s a c r i ce t h e l a tt er h a vi n g r efer en ce t o t h e Si n of th os e wh o with out
, ,

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 .

M a s s whi ch i f a l ow M a s s l a s t s fr om twen ty v e t o thi r ty mi n ut es

, , ,
-

t h e celeb r a n t h a s t o ob s e r ve n o l es s th a n v e hun dr e d ce r emon i es ,

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
, , ,

et c. All thi s c e remon i a l i s i n t en de d t o i mp res s th e fa ith ful mor e

deeply with t h e ma j es ty of s o g re a t a s a cr i ce ; a l s o t o i n c it e them
t o t h e c on t empl a ti on of th os e mos t s ub lime thi n g s th a t a re hidden
i n t h e M a s s ( C oun c il of Tr en t 2 2 Ea ch of t h e ceremon ies h a s
, ,

i t s own S p ec i a l mea n i n g .

Th e w h ol e s t ory of th e Red emp t i on i s

2 . s ymb ol i c a l ly r ept e
s ent ed b y th e c
eremon i es of th e M a s s .

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
, ,

a n d a t a little di s t a n c e fr om it , a re emb l ema ti c of t h e 4000 y e a r s du r i n g

whi ch ma n w a s comp a r a tively fa r fr om God , a n d l ookin g for t h e re
d empti on Th e K y ri e rep e a te d n i n e times , a n d th e Glori a s ign i fy
.
, ,

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
,

a n g el s a t B ethl eh em ; t h e O ra ti on es , t h e y outh of O u r L o r d whi ch ,

wa s p a s s e d i n p r a y er a n d s eclu s i on fr om t h e w orld Th e Epi s tl e t h e .

,

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
.

p rep a r a ti on for Hi s P a s s i on a n d Hi s willi n gn es s t o s u rr en der Hi s

li fe Th e p r efa ce, whi ch en d s with t h e w or d s :
.

Bles s e d i s He th a t

c ome th i n t h e n a me of t h e L or d , H os a n n a i n t h e high es t r ep res en ts ,

C hr i s t s en t ry i n t o Je ru s a l em ; th e p r a yer for t h e livi n g , Hi s p r a yer

for t h e C hu r ch b efor e th e L a s t Supp e r Th e v e c r os s es whi ch t h e .

p r i es t ma kes over th e ob l a ti on a re s ymb oli ca l of th e v e times th a t

 Th e Holy Sa cr ice of th e Ma s s . 5 41

O ur L or d wa s mocked, b efore An n a s , C a iph a s , Herod, Pil a te a n d ,

on c e a g a i n b efo re Her o d Th e eleva ti on of th e b rea d a n d wi n e of

. ,

Hi s li fti ng up on t h e c ros s ; th e v e c ros s es ma de from ti me t o time

ove r t h e elemen t s , of t h e v e s a c r e d w oun d s Th e s even p etiti on s of
.

t h e L o r d s P r a yer r ep res en t t h e s e ven w oun d s up on t h e c r os s ; t h e

b rea kin g of t h e H os t, t h e d ea th of C h r i s t when Hi s s oul a n d b o dy ,

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
.

b r e a s t, it rec a lls th e a c ti on of t h e s oldi er s a n d oth er s p re s en t up on

C a lva ry, w h o, a ma z ed a t t h e s tup en d ous con vul s i on s of n a ture s t ruck ,

the i r b r ea s t s while th e c en tur i on excl a ime d :

,
In dee d thi s ma n wa s
t h e So n of G o d ! ( Luk e xx iii 4 8 ; M a r k xv

. Th e c ommu n i on .

rep res en t s t h e b ur i a l of C h r i s t ; t h e D omi n us v obi s cu m t wi ce re ,

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

them a ft er Hi s re s u rrec ti on ; t h e w or ds of di s mi s s a l Ite mi s s a es t Hi s , , ,

a s cen s i on wh en He s en t Hi s a p os tles forth t o eva n geliz e t h e w orld

, ,

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

ti on of t h e G os p el a fte r t h e des cen t of t h e Holy Gh os t Thu s t h e .

M a s s i s s een t o b e a b r i ef comp en dium of O u r L or d s li fe ; i n on e h a lf

h ou r a ll i s d epi cted whi ch He di d dur i n g thi rty three yea r s up on -

e a r th ( C och em) .

5 . THE REL ATION WHIC H THE M ASS B EAR S TO THE

SACRIF ICE O F THE C R O SS .

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 .

Si n c e it i s i mW SSi b l e for t h e fa ith ful t o b e p res en t a t O u r L or d s

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
,

they c a n a t l e a s t a s s i s t a t th e repe titi on of tha t s a cr i ce , a n d g a i n th e

s a me me r it th a t w ould h a ve b een th ei r s h a d th ey a c tu a lly s t oo d b e

n e a th t h e c r o s s on C a lva ry Th e Son of God fo res a w th a t, des pite

.

a ll Hi s b itt er P a s s i on ma n y milli on s o f ma n ki n d w oul d n ot b e s a ved ;

,

for th ei r s a ke He offer ed Hi ms elf t o Hi s he a ven ly F a ther , exp re s s i n g

Hi s rea di n es s t o h a n g up on t h e c ros s n ot for three h ours on ly, b u t
,

u n til t h e L a s t D a y ; a n d a s thi s c o uld n ot b e He d evi s e d i n Hi s ,

wi s dom a pl a n wh ereb y He c ould d a ily s uffe r a n ew i n a mys ti c a l

ma n n er , i n t h e h oly s a cr i ce of t h e M a s s a n d a n ew move Hi s Fa th er
,

t o c omp a s s i on Th e M a s s i s con s equ en tly n o mer e i ma g e of t h e

.

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 ,

s a me s a cr i ce whi ch w a s con s umma t ed on C a lv a ry ( C oun c il o f Tren t ,

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
.

God t a ke pl a c e a g a i n i n a my s ti c ma nn er Hi s b l ood i s s h e d a fres h

, .

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 ,

fr om p erditi on ; He s et s b efor e Hi m t h e b itt er a n g ui s h He en du re d

a t Hi s d e a th a s vividly a s i f Hi s P a s s i on w er e b u t ju s t e n de d To .
542 The M ea n s o f Gra ce .

s ay M as s th erefor e i s t o i mmol a t e th e Son of God a n ew i n a my s ti c

,

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
.
,

h a ve s een th a t t h e ob la ti on on c e offere d up on th e cros s i s r enewed

,

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 .

In M a s s C h r i s t d oe s n ot onl y s a cr i c e Hi s huma n ity a s up on

th e ,

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
-

b efore t h e H oly Tr i n ity th ough with a l l l owlin es s Th e p r a yers

, .

whi ch He s en t up t o h ea ven while on e a r th a re a ll rep ea t ed a n d

s umma r iz e d a s it w e re i n th e M a s s a n d p r es en t ed t o God t h e F a th er
, , ,

with t h e s a me u rg en cy a s i f th ey wer e b u t j u s t uttered All thi s He .

of fers for t h e s a l va ti on of ea c h i n dividu a l wh o i s p res en t a t th e M a s s .

O u r L o r d s a id on c e t o St M ech t i l d e : I a l on e kn ow a n d fully un der

.

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 ,

6 . THE P R OF IT TO B E DERIVED F R OM THE HOL Y

SAC RIFICE OF THE M ASS .

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 ,

s oul a s th a t whi c h r es ult e d fr om t h e d e a th of O u r L o r d on G ood

Fr id a y An d S in c e t h e s a c r i ce of t h e M a s s i s id en ti c a l with t h e
.

s a c r i c e of t h e c r os s it follows a s a n eces s a ry c on s e quen ce th a t i t s

,

effec ts a re the s a me ( C ochem) Th e d ea th a n d P a s s i on of C h r i s t a re

.

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 .

t re e of li fe la d en with celes ti a l fruit s a n d b y th e M a s s th os e fruits ,

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
.

of t h e mer it s of C h r i s t ; they a re it i s t r ue a ppli e d t o u s b y t h e , ,

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 .

time of M a s s God gives l a vi s hl y ; fr om n o other s ou r c e d o th e s t re a ms

of g r a ce ow s o c opi ou s ly a s fr om t h e a lt a r In t h e M a s s t h e Son of . ,

th e mos t high God c omes d own fr om t h e g a r den s of p a r a di s e b r i n gi n g ,

t o u s fr om then ce celes ti a l r i ch es a n d t re a s ur es of i n n it e v a lue In .

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

with Hi m a ls o given u s a ll thi n g s ? ( R om viii

,

If y ou 0 . . ,

Ch r i s ti a n kn ew h ow t o p rot b y t h e M a s s b y it y ou might b e come

, ,

r i che r th a n a ll th e c r ea tures of God c a n ma k e y ou O n e mu s t b e

i n a s t a t e of g r a ce i n or d er t o rec e ive mos t of th e s a cr a men t s other ,
,

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 .

co mmit If a s St Au gu s tin e as s erts on e O u r Fa th er s a id fr om t he

.
, .
,

hea rt will expi a te th e ven i a l s in s of a wh ole d a y h ow much th e more ,

a re th ey expi a ted b y t h e h oly M a s s ? Th e M a s s i s a l s o a s a c r i ce of

a t on emen t for s i n s of whi ch we a re n ot con s c i ou s F a ther C ochem .

tell s u s th a t on e M a s s will d o more t o p a y t h e temp or a l p en a lty d u e

t o Si n th a n t h e s ever es t p en a n c e s M or eo ver t h e divin e c h a s ti s emen t s
.

a re a ve rt e d b y h oly M a s s When God s en t a p es tilen ce up on I s r a el

.

du r in g D a vid s r eign a n d s even ty th ou s a n d of t h e p e ople di ed th e

, ,

p rophet t old th e s orrowi ng king to offer a hol oca u s t a n d b u rn t offer -

i n g s t o a pp ea s e t h e a n g er of God No s oon er w a s thi s d on e th a n th e

.

pl a gu e wa s s t a yed Now i f t h e s a cr i ce of oxen a n d s hee p a va iled

.

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
, ,

h op e tha t thy pu rg a t ory wi ll b e S hort a n d n ot s e vere b ec a us e b y fre ,

que n tly a s s i s ti n g devoutly a t h oly M a s s th ou h a s t t o a g rea t exten t ,

exp i a te d thy s i n s . C on s ider h ow qui c kly t h e p en iten t thi ef wh o ,

witn e s s e d th e s a cr i ce of O ur L or d up on t h e c r os s wa s a dmi tted t o ,

2 Th e p ra y ers w e offer du ri n g M a s s wi ll s u rel y b e h eard,

.

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 .

Wh en w e h e a r M a s s ou r p ra yer s a re s t ren gthen ed b y O u r L or d s

,

p r a yer s a n d Hi s p ra yer s a re n eve r offere d i n va i n for th e F a ther

, ,

he a r eth Hi m a lw a ys ( John xi Th e h oly a n gel s a w a it th e time of

.

M a s s i n or der t o p r offer the i r p etiti on s on ou r b eh a lf with g re a te r

,

u rgen cy a n d more h op e of s u cces s As t h e s a c r ice of t h e M a s s i s .

mor e ex c ell en t tha n a n y othe r a ct of wor s hip s o t h e p r a yer s offer e d ,

du r i n g M a s s a re more efc a c i ous th a n a n y oth er s St F r a n c i s of . .

Sa les s a ys th a t p r a ye r s offer e d i n un i on with t h e divin e V i c ti m h a ve

a n i n exp r es s i b l e p ow e r ; fa vor s c a n b e ob t a in e d a t t h e ti me o f M a s s
whi ch c a n b e ob t a i n e d a t n o oth e r L et h i m wh o i s a lw a ys c om .

pl a i n in g th a t h e c a n n ot p r a y a r ight s a ys C ochem g o t o M a s s tha t

, , ,

C h r i s t ma y p r a y for h i m a n d i n s tea d of h i m a n d s upply wha t i s ,

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 !

3 .Throu gh th e h ol y s ac ri ce of th e M a s s t emp oral b l ess i n gs

c
a re ob ta i n ed , es p e i a l l y th e s e : G od p rot e ts u s from mis fortu n e, c
a s s i s t s u s i n ou r w ork , a n d b l es s es u s i n ou r temp ora l s u b s t a n e c .

He he a r d M a s s devoutly will s uc cee d i n a ll thi n gs dur in g

wh o h a s
t h e r ema i n d e r o f t h e d a y Th e fa vor it e s erva n t of Qu een Eliz a b eth
.

of P o r tug a l e s c a p ed a pp a r en tly ce rt a i n d ea th th r ough h e a r i n g M a s s .

St Philip N er i w a s a c c us t ome d t o offer t h e h oly s a c r i ce b efore c om

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
,

s u c c es s Y ou a re s t reng th en e d t o me et t h e t r oub l es of th e wh ole d a y

. ,

i f y ou h a ve b een n ea r y ou r R edeemer i n t h e morn i n g a t h oly M a s s .

God a s s i s t s th os e i n th ei r w ork wh o h a ve h ea r d M a s s with d evoti on

i n th e ea rly morn in g St I s id ore a fa rms erv a n t a t M a dr id u s ed t o
. . , ,

r i s e d a ily a t a ve ry e a rly h ou r i n o r d er t o h e a r M a s s b efore go in g t o

,

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

b l a med h i m for d oi n g thi s , h e r eplied : If y ou n d th a t g et th r ough

I
l es s w ork tha n t h e others , t a ke s omethi ng off my w a g es
Th e ma s ter .

ob s erve d h i m n a rr owly, a n d wa s s oon c on vi n c e d th a t I s id o r e did a

g re a t d e a l more th a n t h e othe r men , for a n a n gel a t h i s S ide a s s i s te d
h i m i n h i s l a b or ; a n d the n c eforw a r d h e did n ot a tt empt t o hi n der
hi m from g o in g d a ily t o M a s s God a l s o a dds t o t h e w orldly p os s es
.

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 .

thei r p rop er ty He gives th em th e occa s i on of ea rn i n g more mer its .

He does n ot fa il t o recompens e even un repen t a n t s in n ers wh o g o t o

Mass Si n ce they a re n ot i n a p os iti on t o r ece ive a n eter n a l r ew a r d ,
.

God , Wh o of Hi s i n n it e b oun ty d oes n ot p ermit t h e lea s t g oo d .

work t o g o un r ewa rd ed, e ither c onfers s ome goo d fortun e up on them,

or p r ot ect s them fr om mis fortun e .

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.

Every M a s s thou hea res t s a ys Fa ther C ochem p erceptib ly i h ,

,

c r ea s es thy futur e feli c ity

As on e wh o i s moun tin g a ight of
.

s t a i r s comes hi gh er a t ea ch s tep s o h e wh o he a rs M a s s a s cen d s on e ,

d egree high er i n h ea ven Th e hi gher h e moun ts t h e n e a rer h e c omes

.
,

t o God ; t h e mor e cl ea rly h e kn ow s Hi m t h e more d ea rly h e l oves ,

Hi m th e mor e i n ea b l e i s hi s en j oymen t of Hi m An d for a ll th e

, .

h a r d s hip s y ou h a ve t o en dur e b y reas on of g oi n g t o M a s s e a rly ri s ,

i n g exp os ur e t o c old et c y ou will b e a b un d a n tly re quite d i n h ea ven

, , .
, .

A ma n wh o h a d given up g oin g t o M a s s on wee k d a ys for s ome time -

on a cco un t of t h e di s t a n c e on c e b eheld i n a dr ea m a n a n gel fo ll ow

,

i n g h i m on t h e w a y t o t h e c hurch a n d c oun ti n g every s tep h e t ook , ,

i n vi ew of h i s futur e r ew a rd After h e h a d th a t d rea m h e a g a in a t

.
,

t en ded M a s s r egul a rly How un wi s e a re th os e wh o n eglect t h e h oly

.

s a c ri ce of t h e a lt a r ! Th e e a rly C hr i s ti a n s v a lu ed h oly M a s s a r ight ,

a n d w ere r e a dy t o l a y d own thei r liv es r a th e r th a n b e dep r iv e d of it .

Wh a t a res p ons ib ility for u s n ow th a t it i s s uch a n ea s y ma tter tha t

, ,

it c os t s u s n othi n g t o g o t o M a s s Th e b u rn t offer i n gs of th e Jews .

-

were cos tly ; they w ere r equi re d t o s a cri ce a t on ce a s h eep a n d a goa t ,

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 .

F i rs t a n d foremos t t h e i n dividu a l for wh om t h e M a s s i s s a id

,

b en ets mos t b y it Th e p ri es t i s a t li b er ty t o a pply th e a ctu a l fr uit

.

of t h e M a s s t o wh oms oeve r h e will F rom ti me i mmemor i a l it h a s .

b een cu s t oma ry i n t h e C hu rch t o give a xe d s u m t o t h e p r i es t , th a t

h e ma y s a y th e M a s s for a c ert a i n i n ten ti on Th e mon ey i s n ot given .

t o p a y for th e M a s s , for th e v a lue of th e M a s s i s b eyon d a ll p r i ce,

b u t a s a n a lms tow a r ds th e ma i n t en a n ce of th e p ri es t , a n d t o d efr a y
th e exp en s es of di v i n e w or s h ip ; t o p a y th e s erv e r , t o purc h a s e c a n dl es ,

et c. In e arl v ti mes th e p ri es t wa s n ot p a id i n mon ey, b u t i n kin d ;

5 46 Th e M ea ns o f Grace .

th e p eopl e b rou gh t hi m win e oi l b rea d etc ; n ot u n ti l th e M iddl e

'

.
, , ,

Ages did it b ecome u s u al t o give mon ey Th e a moun t t o b e given i s

'

xed b y th e b is hop ; i t v a ri es i n diffe ren t coun tr i es No pr i es t i s a l .

lowed t o a s k more unl es s t h e M a s s i s w a n te d a t a ve ry e a rly h ou r

, ,

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 .

p r i es t wh o celeb ra tes M a s s derives gre a ter b en et fr om it th a n d o

th os e wh o hea r it b ec a us e of h i s cl os er p rox i mity t o th e Auth or of
,

a ll g r a c e A mon a rch p a y s more a t ten t i on to t h e en vo y of h i s s u b

.

j ect s th a n h e w oul d t o on e of t h e p eople wh o h a ve deputed h i m t o

s p ea k for them ; a n d God i n l ike ma nn er reg a r d s t h e p ri es t a t t h e
, ,

a lt a r n ot a s a S i n ful mor t a l b u t a s t h e a mb a s s a dor emp ow ere d t o

,

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

Son ; c on s equen tly h i s p ra ye r h a s more p ower wi th God All wh o .

ar e p res en t a t M a s s a re s pi r itu a lly s p r ink le d with th e b l ood of C h r i s t .

C ould y ou s ee t h e b ea uty a n d t h e b r illi a n c y of a s oul thu s S p r in kl ed

with Hi s b lood y ou would b e r ea dy t o fa ll down a n d a d or e it By
, .

rea s on of t h e communi on of s a in ts t h e wh ole C hu rch i s b en ete d b y ,

t h e h oly s a cr i ce It i s a n emb a s s y t o th e Holy Tri n ity b r i n gi ng a

.
,

gi ft of i n es ti ma b le va lue If a d eput a ti on fr om a town offers a

.

p r es en t t o th ei r mon a rch al l t h e i n h a b ita n t s t a ke p a rt i n offer in g it

, .

So a l l C h ri s ten d om h a s i t s s h a re i n t h e M a s s a lth ough a t t h e s a c ri ,

ci a l a ct i t s rep res en t a tives a re few i n n umb e r ; on thi s a ccoun t th e

p r i es t s a ys i n th e p r a yers of th e M a s s th a t h e offers up thi s s a cr i ce
o f p r a i s e for t h e wh ole C hu r ch
. for a ll wh o p a y thei r v ow s t o t h e
,

et er n a l livin g a n d t r ue God ( p r a yer a ft er t h e Sa n c tu s )

, Every .

p r i es t offer s t h e s a c r ice of th e M a s s for th e s a lv a ti on of t h e wh ole

world ; without it des t r u cti on w ould l on g a g o h a ve come up on t h e
,

ea r th b y r ea s on of t h e mul titude of ma n s t r a n s gres s i on s Th e

.

fa ithful d ep a rt ed b en et more p a rti c ul a rly b y h oly M a s s Our .

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

,

He dir ectly w en t d own t o l imb o t o s et free ma n y wh o were there , .

It i s th e s a me n ow ; when ever a M a s s i s s a id s ever a l s ouls a re rele a s ed ,

from pu rg a tory ; th e a n gels h a s ten t o op en for th em th e g a te o f thei r

p ri s on M oreove r th e h oly s a c r i ce gives j oy t o th e a n gels a n d s a i n ts
. .

Sin ce th e b l es s e d d es i re a b ove a ll thi n gs t h e gl ory of God a n d t h e

s al va ti on of ma nk i n d th ey exp e ri en ce i n exp r es s i b l e delight wh en th ey
,

s ee th a t i n t h e M a s s high es t h on or s a re p a id t o t h e H oly Tr i n ity ,

a n d t h e s pi r itu a l w el fa r e of ma n i s p ow erfully p r omoted Th e a n gels .

a n d s a i n t s a l s o r ej oi c e b ec a u s e th ei r n a mes occu r i n th e h oly M a ss ;

they exult with th e exult a ti on of w a rr i ors wh o h a vin g b ee n comp a n ,

i on s of th ei r mon a r ch i n th e ght a re n ot forg otten i n th e t r iumph ,

of h i s vi c t ory An d i f even fr om th e Jewi s h s a cr i ces a mos t s wee t

.

od o r r os e up t o h ea ven ( N umb xxviii h ow mu ch more mu s t thi s

. .

b e t h e c a s e with t h e ob l a ti on of C hr i s t Th e fra gr a n ce of Hi s b lood .

g oe s up on high t o r efres h a n d i n vigo r a te th e b l es s e d den iz en s of

h ea ven F or thi s re as on th e a n gel s d es cen d fr om th e rea lms a b ove
.

t o a s s i s t a t M a s s ; a s o n C hr i s tma s n ight th ey c a me d own t o B et h l e

h em s in gi n g s on gs of p ra i s e t o a d or e th e n ew b orn In fa n t i n t h e
, ,
-

ma n ger s o n ow th ey s t a n d a rou n d t h e a lt a r a t t h e time of M a s s b e

, ,

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 .

b rou ght i n t h e r s t b eg otten i n t o th e world He s a id :

L et a ll th e ,

a n gel s of God a d or e Hi m ( Heb i R ememb er wh en y ou hea r

. .
,

M a s s th a t y ou a re i n th e comp a n y of coun tles s cel es ti al Spi rit s

,
.
5 48 The M ea ns f
o Gra ce .

s ay with Tob i a s : Wh a t wa ges s h a ll we give Hi m or wh a t ca n b e ,

w orthy of Hi s b en et s ? ( Tob x ii See y ou h a ve t he s a cr i ce of

. .
,

t h e M a s s ; the r efo r e it i s i n y ou r p ow er t o ma ke a w or thy re turn for

t h e divi n e b en et s F or as O u r L or d g a ve th a n ks t o God a t t h e La s t
.

Suppe r s o He n ow gives th a n ks i n th e M a s s ; a n d t h e th a n k s givi n g of

,

fere d b y God i s i n n it e s u rp a s s i n g i n v a l u e th a t of a l l a n gel s a nd

,

a ll ma n ki n d If th e wh ole c omp a n y of h ea ven a n d a ll good men

.

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

i n g y ou w ould n ot g ive God a s mu ch th a nk s a s i s r en de red t o Hi m

,

i n on e M a s s b y Hi s divi n e Son How grea t i s th e love of God .

t ow a r ds u s ! Not on ly d oes He l a vi s h i n n umer a b le b en ets up on u s ,

b u t a t t h e s a me ti me He pl a ces within our r ea ch a n exc ellen t mea n s

of r ep a yin g w or thily t h e g rea t b l es s i n g s we h a ve r ec e iv ed .

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 ,

a s wh en a pl a y i s a c t e d i n h on or of a p r i n ce Alth ough n o a llus i on .

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
,
-

it a n d it i s offere d s olely t o God ( C och em)

, Wh en offere d i n h on or .

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
,

p etiti on ; for w e give th a n k s t o God for th e g r a c es b e s t owed on t h e

s a i n t s a n d b es eec h Hi m t o g r a n t u s gr a c e th r ough th e i r i n t e rces s i on
, .

When M a s s i s cel eb r a ted with thi s i n t en ti on t h e a c c id en t a l gl ory ,

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
, .

St G ertr ude oft en h a d M a s s s a id i n h on o r of th e s a i n ts a n d they

. ,

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 .

p ermitt e d t o s ee th em s hi n i n g i n g rea t er gl ory a rr a ye d i n g a rmen t s ,

mor e res pl en d en t Th e r en ewed p r es en c e of h er Son up on ea rth

.

a l s o gives t h e M oth e r of G od a th ou s a n d ti mes mor e j oy th a n a ll t h e

p s a lms lit an i es p r a yers y ou could recite i n h er h on or ; a n d d oub t
, , ,

l e s s Sh e will Sh ow y ou s p ec i a l fa vor i f y ou h ea r or cel eb r a t e M a s s i n

h er h on o r .

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
.

s oul s of t h e d ep a rt ed w h o ha v e b een memb ers of th e Ca t h ol i

, c
c
Ch ur h , a n d h a v e n ot d i ed i n a s t a t e of mort a l s i n

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

M a s s ma y b e offe re d for t h e de a d ( C 2 2 It i s u n ques ti on a b ly .

,

tr ue th a t th e dep arted ma y b e a s s i s t ed b y h oly M a s s ; th a t God i s

ther eb y i n du c ed to d e a l with them mor e l en i en tly th a n th ei r S i n s
d es erve ( St Augu s t i n e) . F r om t h e e a rli e s t a ges of C h r i s ti a n ity it
.

w as c us t oma r y t o offe r th e h oly s a c ri ce for t h e fa ith ful d ep a rted .

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 ,

con s e c r a ti on Ter tulli a n s t a t es th a t thi s w a s th e p r a cti c e of th e

.

a p os tl e s thems elv es W e kn ow th a t M on i c a b egg ed St Augus tin e to

. .

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 .

s a y s St Augu s ti n e a b out t h e emb a l mi n g or p rep a r i n g

c on c ern ed , .
,

of h er b o dy for b u r i a l ; s h e w a s n ot s oli c ito u s a b out h er s epul ch r e or

th e mon umen t t o b e r a i s ed t o h er memory ; h er on ly a n x i ety w a s th a t

i n ter ces s i on Sh oul d b e ma de for h er a t th e alt a r
Wh a t a con tr a s t .
 Th e Holy Sa c ri ce o f the M a s s . 5 49

t o C hri s ti a n s i n th ep res en t da y ! Holy M a s s ma y n ot b e pub li cly

c el eb r a te d for n o n C a th oli c s s u ch a s Je w s a n d P r otes t a n ts
-

, a fte r ,

thei r de a th We ca nn ot s a ys Pop e In n ocen t III

.

hol d c ommun
,
.
,

i on a ft er th ei r dea th with th os e with wh om we held n o c ommun i on

du r i n g thei r li fe To offer t h e h oly s a c ri ce for s uch p ers on s b y
.

n a me a s w e d o for C a th oli c s w oul d b e ou t of h a rmon y with C a th

, ,

oli c t ea chi n g It i s h owever p ermitted t o offer up h oly M a s s p r i

.
, ,

v a t el y even fo r n on C a th oli c s a n d it will a va il them i f they were free

-

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 .

Holy M a s s ma y b e s a id for th e livin g ; we kn ow th a t it i s well to

pr a y for our b rethren when w e a re p res en t a t t h e holy s a c ri ce a n d ,

i n every M a s s a memen t o i s ma de for t h e livi n g F a the r C och em .

tells u s th a t p r a yer for others i s fa r more efca ci ous i f o ered du ri n g

M a s s a n d w e c a n even ob t a i n th e c on ver s i on of S i n n er s b y s a yin g
,

M a s s or h a vi n g M a s s s a id for th em No b ette r a s s i s t a n ce th a n thi s

, .

ca n b e given t o t h e s i ck a n d dyi n g We ma y a l s o offer t h e h oly s a or i .

a

ce for un b eli evers dur i n g the i r li fetime b ec a u s e C h ri s t di ed for ,

a ll men a n d t h e C hur c h i n t er ced es fo r i n d el s

, e g on G oo d F r id a y , . .
, .

Th e gre a ter th e n umb er of p er s on s for whom a M a s s i s s a id t h e les s ,

p r ot d oes ea c h i n dividu a l der ive from it F or thi s rea s on p r i es ts .

a re s t r i c tly forb idden t o a ccept more th a n on e g r a tuity fo r on e M a s s .

F rom ti me i mmemor i a l M a s s h a s b ee n offere d for in dividu a ls for it ,

c ould n ot b e s upp os ed th a t a M a s s whi c h i s s a id for hun d r ed s or

th ou s a n d s of p eople coul d p r ot ea ch on e a s mu ch a s i f it were s a id

for h i m a lon e .

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 .

Th e p eopl e wh o a re p res en t wh en M a s s i s c eleb ra te d offer it with

t h e ofci a ti n g p ri es t Th e p ri es t offer s t h e s a c rice i n h i s own p er
.

s on , t h e p eopl e oer it b y h i s h a n d s Hen ce St P et er Sp ea k s of . .

C h ri s ti a n s a s a ki n gly p ri es th ood ( 1 P et ii a n d t h e Jew s of ol d . .

wer e c a lled a p r i es tly ki n gd om ( Ex od x i x In t h e p ra yers of th e . .

M a s s th e p ri es t i n cludes t h e p eopl e with hims elf a s th os e w h o offer

th e ob l a ti on ( O ra te F ra tres ) ; i n fa c t t h e p r i es t mus t of n e ces s ity
h a ve s ome on e t o offe r it with h i m for on n o a ccoun t i s it p ermitte d ,

t o s a y M a s s with out a s e rv er w h o r ep res e n ts th e p eopl e An d a s

, .

th os e w h o a s s i s t a t M a s s a re fellow s a c ri cers with t h e p r i es t it fol -

l ows th a t th e i r p r a yer s h a ve t h e s a me p ower a s h i s Th e fa ith ful

'

ought th erefor e wh en eve r th ey h ea r M a s s t o of

, fer it for s ome d en it e ,

i n ten ti on Thi s ma y b e d on e eith e r a t t h e c ommen cemen t of t h e

.

M a s s or a t t h e offe r t ory or i mme di a tely a fter t h e con s ec r a ti on

, , .

Ta ke h e ed 0 C hr i s ti a n th a t i n t h e M a s s y ou frequen tly offer up

, ,

t h e divi n e V i cti m t o Hi s h ea ven ly F a th er ; th e mor e oft en y ou d o thi s ,

th e mor e a b un d a n tly will y ou b e en r i ch ed Th os e wh o n egl ec t thus .

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 ,

might g a i n Th e d u e b les s i n g of M a s s doe s n ot con s i s t i n mer ely

.

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 .

8 . THE VAL UE OF THE SACRIFICE OF THE M ASS .

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 .

An l ti o n i s n othin g els e th a n a gi ft w e offer t o God Now th e

ob a .

v a lue of a g i ft i s p rop or ti on a te t o th e dign ity of th e gi ver a n d th e

cos tli n es s of t h e gi ft Thus it i s wi th a s a c r ic e ; t h e mor e h oly t h e
.

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 ,

p orta n ce i n G od s s igh t Hen ce it i s th a t t h e v a lue of t h e s a cr i ce

.

of t h e M a s s i s i n n it e for t h e p r i es t a n d vi cti m a re n on e oth er

,

th a n He of Wh om God t h e F a t he r s a id : Thi s i s M y b el oved Son ,

i n Wh om I a m w ell pl ea s ed ( M a tt iii 1 7 Th e gl o ry given t o God

. .

i n t h e M a s s i s g rea t e r th a n th a t whi c h a c cr ue s t o Hi m from a ll t h e

g oo d w ork s of th e s a i n ts for t h e gl ory they give Hi m i s n ite whe rea s
, ,

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
.

foun d a b a s em en t a s t h e s a c ri ce of t h e M as s for i n it th e a ll glor i ou s ,

-

Son of God a b a s es Hims elf t o t h e utmo s t up on t h e a lt a r ma ki n g Hi m ,

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
,

a s th ey for es h a d owed t h e ob l a ti on of C h r i s t on t h e c r os s with whi 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
.

w or k of gr e a t e r ex cellen ce th a n a n y oth er AS t h e s u n excee d s t h e .

pl a n ets i n r a di a n ce a n d vi v i fyi n g p ow e r s o t o h ea r M a s s d evoutly ,

i s mu ch m or e im p ort a n t mor e p r ot a b l e t o u s th a n a n y oth er g ood

, ,

w ork . If s a y s St L a u ren ce Ju s ti n i an
, .
y ou pl a c e a l l y ou r g o od ,

w ork s p r a yer s fa s t s a lms mort i c a t i ons i n on e s c a le a n d a S i n gl e

, , , , ,

M a s s i n t h e oth e r y ou will n d t h e l a tt er fa r outweigh s th e forme r

.
,

F or b y t h e p r a cti ce of p en a n ce w e offer t o G od gi ft s th a t a re pur ely

h u ma n b u t wh en we hea r M a s s with d u e dev oti on w e offer Hi m
, ,

gi ft s th a t a re divi n e ; w e offer Hi m t h e b ody of C h r i s t t h e b l oo d o f ,

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 egott en Son of God Hi ms elf Th e C oun c il of Tr en t d ecl a re s th a t

.

n o more h oly a n d divi n e a ct ca n b e p er fo rme d b y t h e fa ithfu l th a n

th e s a c r i c e of t h e M a s s To h e a r M a s s a s a goo d w ork i s mor e
.
, ,

p r ot a b l e th a n men t a l p r a ye r whi c h i s t h e high es t form o f p r a y er

, ,

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 .

O ffe r i n g or h ea r i n g M a s s h a s mor e v a l u e a s a good w ork

2 .

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 .

it s elf quit e i n dep en d en tly of th e w or thi n es s of th e p r i es t By th e

, .
55 2 Th e M ea n s of Gra ce .

Jewi s h Temp le of old ; th ey s l a ughte red vi cti ms d a ily for t h e b u rn t

oeri ng s a n d a ll wen t on i n s ilen c e s o p r ofoun d th a t it mi g ht h a ve
b een ima gin ed th a t one p ri es t onl y w a s i n th e Templ e Alexa n der th e .

Gre at on ce wa s offe ri n g s a cr i ce t o on e of th e hea then g od s ; a youn g

n ob l ema n s t ood b y h oldin g a light e d t o r c h ; b efor e t h e fun c ti on w a s
en de d t h e t or ch b u rn e d d own a n d s c o r che d hi s h a n d b u t s uc h wa s h i s ,

r ever en ce for t h e a ct of s a c ri ce th a t h e would n ot a llow hims elf t o

in g it a wa y How much mor e ought C h r i s ti a n s t o a void everyth i n g
.

th a t would dis tu rb th e s olemn i ty of thi s s ub lime s a c ri ce ! Th e e a rly

C h r i s ti a n s rema i n ed moti on l es s a t M a s s s o th a t it w a s a s s till a s i f
,

n o on e w ere i n t h e chu r ch It h a s a lwa ys b een cu s toma ry t o kn eel

.

du r i n g M a s s a t a n y r a t e fr om th e c on s ecr a ti on un til a fter th e c om

,

mun i on A pi ous emp res s , wh o wa s i n th e h a b it of kn eelin g thr ou gh

.

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

,

L ord a n d God when my s erva n t s d o n ot ven tu re t o S it i n my p r es

,

en ce ? St Eliz a b eth of Hun g a ry u s ed a lw a ys t o remove h e r c r own

.

while s h e hea r d M a s s Thos e wh o b eh a ve i rreveren tly a t t h e h oly

.

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
.
,

i n t h e h eight of t h e fa s hi on St John C hrys os tom a n i ma dve rt s

. .

s everely up on w omen wh o a pp a ren tly g o t o M a s s t o a tt r a c t a tte n ti on ,

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 ,

s a ys , b e ttin g a con t r ite s i n n er wh o c omes t o en t rea t p a r d on ? Su ch

,

g a rmen t s a re more s uit a b le for t h e b a ll room th a n th e church

St . .

Amb r os e s a ys t h e mo re a dmi ra ti on s uch pers on s g a i n from men t h e ,

more th ey a re d es pi s e d b y God Some Po p es a n d h oly b i s h op s h a ve

.

or d a i n e d th a t w omen s h ould c ome ve il ed t o chu rc h : St P a ul s eems .

t o h a ve mad e t h e s a me rul e for h i s c on verts r ema rki ng th a t n a ture ,

p r ovide d the m with a ve il b y givi n g th em l on g h a i r ( 1 C or x i 5

, . .
,

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 .

M ed i ta ti on u p on O ur Lor d s P as s ion i s th e b es t meth od of

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
-

, ,
.

There i s n oth i n g rep rehen s i b le i n refr a i n i n g a lt og ether fr om voc a l

p r a yer du r i n g M a s s i f we s ub s titu te for it men t a l p r a yer Th os e .

wh o rep ea t voca l p r a ye r s mus t t a ke ca re n ot t o di s tu rb o thers b y

whi s per in g Th e v e s orrowful mys ter i es of th e R osa ry a re a ve ry
.

s uit a b l e d ev oti on for M a s s b ec a u s e O u r L o r d s P a s s mn i s thu s s e t

,

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 .

Sa c re d mu s i c i s mos t u s eful i n e xc itin g d evoti on . St Augu s ti n e

.
 Th e Holy Sa crice f
o the Ma s s . 55 3

sa ys : How ma n y tea rs I ha ve s hed when hymn s a n d ca nt i cles were

,

s un g t o Th ee O my God ! Wh a t emoti on s w ere a r ou s e d withi n me

, ,

wh en th e chur ch re ech oed with s weet mel odi es ! Ea ch n ote fell up on

-

my ea r like s oothi n g b a lm c a rryi n g con vi cti on o f Th y t ruth t o my

,

hea r t a n d kin dlin g withi n me the a r d or of d evoti on

,

M u s i c i s more .
,

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 ,

t h e feeli n g s of t h e h ea rt g a i n for ce wh en t h e voi ce exp r es s es them i n

s on g . Th e F a the rs of t h e C hu rch ca n n ot s a y en ough i n c omm en d a
ti on of t h e us e of voc a l mu s i c i n chur ch ; they s a y th a t it a pp ea s es
t h e wr a th of God d r ives a w a y t h e s pi r it s of evil a tt r a c ts th e a n g els
, , ,

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 win g s of s on g t h e s oul i s a ide d t o s o a r on high th a t t h e v o i c e of ,

s on g a w a ken s i n t h e m i n d a l on gi n g for he a ven ly thi n g s th a t it melt s ,

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 a c r i c e o f t h e M a s s ; for it a ffor ds a mea n s of exp r es s i n g a n d ma n i fes t

i n g t h e i n ten s e feeli n g t h e deep emoti on s evoked b y a n a tten tive c on
,

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 .

s on g th a t t h e h ea r t gives ven t t o h er i n mos t feeli n g s mos t fr ee ly a n d

t ou ch i n gly it i s t h e mos t p e rfec t a n d ttin g mea n s of h on or i n g t h e di
,

vi n e ma j es ty As oft en a s Holy Sc r iptur e s p ea ks of givi n g gl ory t o God

.

b y t h e lip s of a n g el s or s a i n t s it i s des c r i b e d a s a s ub lime a n d ex a lt e d

,

s on g of p r a i s e Therefo re v oc a l mus i c ma y a lmos t b e s a id t o b e a n i n te

.

g r a l p a r t of t h e s olemn celeb r a ti on of t h e h oly s a cr i ce ; th e C hu rc h

could mor e r ea dily di s p en s e with ma g n i cen t s t r uc tur es r i c h c ol or i n g , ,

c os tly ves tmen t s p rec i ou s ves s els th a n with s i n gi n g for it i s t h e

, , ,

l a n gu a ge i n whi ch uttera n c e i s given t o h er p r a yer s We re a d th a t .

a t t h e L a s t Supp er O u r L or d a n d Hi s a p os tl es s a n g a hymn a fter ,

whi ch th ey w en t ou t un t o M oun t O livet ( M a tt xxvi An d we . .

kn ow from t h e t es timon y of t h e e a rli e s t w r it er s th a t t h e C hr i s ti a n s

, ,

of p r i mitive ti mes w e re w on t t o S i n g du r i n g t h e c el eb r a ti on of h oly

M a s s ; for t h e r s t C h ri s ti a n a n n a li s t s empl oy th e exp res s i on : Sin g

a s s yn on ymou s with of

t o C h r i s t a c a n ti cl e of p r a i s e ,
fer i n g th e
h oly s a c r i ce In t h e p re s en t d a y s ome p a rt s of t h e M a s s a re a p

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
.
, ,

s i n gi n g a t M a s s s h ould b e a s fa r a s p os s ib l e i n h a r mon y with t h e

p r a yers rec it ed b y t h e p r i es t a n d wi th t h e fe s tiv a l of t h e d a y ; for

con gr eg a ti on a l S i n gi n g i s n ot a me re a c comp a n imen t t o a n a cces s ory ,

of t h e M a s s b u t a mea n s wher eb y t h e p eopl e t a ke p a r t i n t h e s e r v i c e

,

a n d j oi n with t h e p r i es t wh o of c i a t es a t t h e a lt a r But th e S i n gin g .

s h oul d n ot b e c on ti n u ou s for thi s i s di s tur b i n g t o d evoti on

,
Th e .

Holy See h a s exp res s ly forb idden th e S i n gi n g t o g o on dur i n g s ome

p a rt s of th e litu rgy a s a t t h e c on s ec r a ti on a n d wh en b en edi cti on i s
, ,

given with th e Bles s e d Sa c r a men t .

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 .

It i s evid en tly th e i n t en ti on of th e C hu rch th a t w e s h ould d i e

c on ti n ue our p r iv a t e p r a yer s or s i n gi n g du r i n g t h e c a n on o f t h e

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 .

Th e p r i es t a l s o offe rs t h e M a s s for a den ite i n t en ti on As k y our .

s elf for wh a t i n t en ti on y ou S h ould of fer t h e h oly s a c r i ce In s ome .

pla ces it i s cus t oma ry for t h e p e0p1 e t o s t a n d wh en t h e p r i es t g oes up

t o t h e a lt a r , a s a ma r k of r eve ren ce t o h i m a s C h ri s t s r ep res en t a

tive .

At th e Gos p el a ll s ta n d u p , ou t of res p ec t for th e word of

God ; w e s h oul d a t th e s a me ti me c ros s ou rs el v es on foreh ea d
,

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 .

At th e offertory w e ou gh t t o offer to God th e ob l a ti ons upo n

th e a l t a r, ou rs el v es , a n d a ll th a t w e p os s es s .

At th e Sa n ctu s w e ou gh t t o gi ve p rai s e t o God, a n d h a il th e

c omi n g of th e Son of G od W h o i s a b ou t t o d e s c en d u on th e
p
a l ta r .Th e word s of th e Sa n ctu s a re lik e th e th ri c e h ol y of th e
a n g el s ( Is v i . a n d th e
. c
ri es of th e p eop l e a t O u r L or d s en try

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
,
,

h i s h a n ds D o a s th e th ree k in g s did i n p res en ce of t h e In fa n t C hr i s t

.
,

o r a s t h e a p o s tl es on M oun t Th a b or When t h e p r i es t el ev a tes t h e

.

Hos t l ook up on it with ven er a ti on ; O u r L or d on ce r evea l e d t o St

, .

G ert r ude th a t th os e wh o did s o w ould h a ve g re a te r j oy h ere a ft er i n

th e c on templ a ti on o f G od If l ookin g up on a b r a z en s erp en t i n t h e
.

wildern es s b rought he a li n g ( Numb xx i wh a t mu s t it n ot d o for

. .

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 .

pu rp os e d oe s th e p r i es t elev a t e th e s a cred H os t a n d h old it up on

high b u t th a t w e ma y b eh old it Every on e S houl d r ema in p erfectly
S ilen t i n t remb lin g a w e when th e Kin g of kin g s comes t o b e immo
, ,

l a te d for th e fa ithful a n d given t o th em a s th ei r s pi r itu a l s u s t en a n c e .

B efore Hi m t h e ch oi r s of a n gel s move c over i n g th ei r fa ces s i n gin g , ,

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
.

p l e ; l et a l l t h e e a r th k eep S ilen ce b efor e Hi m ( Ha b ii Some . .

p e opl e k eep cold a n d u n moved a t th e c on s ecr a ti on ju s t a s i f O u r ,

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 ,

from a di s t a n c e t o vi s it h i m d oes n ot s o mu ch a s b i d h i m w el c ome

,

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 .

wh ole cou rt of h e a ven ma k es p rep a r a ti on for t h e con s ecr a ti on a n d ,

we mi s er a b l e mort a l s l ook on with i n di fferen ce s c a rcely s eemi n g t o ,

h eed wh a t i s en a cte d u p on th e a l t a r O h ! did God b u t op en th e .

556 The M ea ns of Gra ce .

1 0 . THE OB L IGATION OF HEARING M ASS .

1 . Every Ca th ol i c i s b oun d , un d er p a in of mort a l s i n, t o h ea r

th e wh ol e of on e Ma s s d evoutl y every Sunda y a nd h ol yda y of

ob l i gat i on .

( See t h e s econ d mm a n dmen t of t h e C hurch )

co .

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

i n j u ry t o th ems el v es , or wh o h a v e s ome u rgen t work of me r cy

t o p erform, a re ex cu s ed from h ea ri n g M as s .

Th os e a re di s p en s e d from he a r in g M a s s wh o b y g oin g t o c hur ch

w oul d i n c u r s er i ou s p er s on a l i n j u ry Thu s t h e S i c k wh o c a n n ot g o .

to c hur ch a re exc us ed lik ewi s e th os e wh os e hea lth i s s o deli c a te tha t

,

they c a n n o t g o with out a t lea s t th e ri s k of fa l li n g ill ; or th os e wh o

b y g oi n g w oul d b e i n d a n ge r of b ei n g s et up on b y ru fa n s ; o th ers
a g a i n w h o live more th a n th r ee mile s fr om a chur c h or a t t o o g re a t ,

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 .

s t ormy D ecemb e r mo rn i n g t h e c hu r c h w a s a lmos t empty wh e re a s ,

i n t h e even in g th ough t h e s n ow w a s fa lli n g h e a vily t h e thea t re wa s

, ,

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
, ,

s a cr i ce s fo r pl ea s ur e b u t for God th ey will m a ke n on e

, W orki ng .

p eople a re a ls o excu s e d i f they w oul d los e the i r empl oymen t b y l ea v

i n g the i r w ork t o h ea r M a s s or they ma y s t a y a w a y oc c a s i on a lly i f
, ,

b y g oi n g they h a ve g re a t di s a g ree a b les t o put up with fr om t h e pe ople

they live with th ough they s h ould en de a v or r a th er t o b r in g them t o
,

a b ett e r mi n d O n e memb er of a h ou s eh old ma y r ema in a t h ome t o

.

k eep th e h ou s e ; th os e a g a i n a re exc u s ed fr om a tten d a n ce a t M a s s

, ,

wh o h a ve w ork s of mer cy t o p erform s u ch a s n u r s i n g t h e s i ck t a ki n g , ,

a e of y o un g c hild r en p r ep a ri n g t h e mea l s for other i nma t es of t h e

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 ,

n ot fulll ed ; i f for i n s t a n ce w e d o n ot c ome i n b efor e t h e of

,
fert ory
, ,

or i f w e l ea ve b efor e t h e c ommu n i on It d o es n ot s ufce to h e a r on e .

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 ,

men c emen t t o t h e con s e cr a ti on Wh a t C h ri s t h a s j oin ed t ogether .

'
,

l et n ot t h e C hr i s ti a n put a s un der He wh o c omes i n a fter th e .

of fer t ory mu s t s t a y for t h e wh ol e of a n other M a s s M ore over on e .

mu s t b e p res en t i n s id e t h e chu r ch ; it will n ot s ufce t o s i t or s t a n d

out s id e unl es s th e c hu r ch s h ould b e s o over c r owde d th a t it i s i m
,

p os s ib l e t o g et i n s ide How p oten t i s th e p r a yer of a n a s s emb l ed

.

multitude ; for wh ere t w o or th ree a re g a th er ed t og eth er i n C h r i s t s

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 . . .

t h e Almon er P a t r i a r ch of Al exa n d r i a i n the s even th c en tu ry

, ,

put a s t op t o th e b a d h a b i t h i s ock h a d c on tr a ct ed of r ema i n i n g ou t

 The Holy Sa crice f
o th e M ass . 55 7

s i de du r in g M a s s time O n e Sun d a y in s tea d of ves tin g for M a s s

-
.
, ,

h e wen t ou t a n d s a t with t h e pe0p1 e out s ide th e c hur ch t o thei r g rea t ,

a s to ni s hmen t Wh ere th e S heep a re ther e th e s hepher d mus t b e

.
, ,

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
.
,

i n I will g o t oo After thi s reb uk e n o on e wa s t o b e s een outs ide t h e

.
,

c hur ch a t M a s s ti me -
.

3 Th os e onl y ca n b e s aid to h ea r M a s s d evou tl y w h o b a n i s h

.

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 .

Th e C oun c il dmon i s hes th e fa ithful t o b e fr equen t i n

o f Tren t a
th ei r a tten d a n ce a t th ei r p a r i s h chu r ch a t le a s t on Sun d a ys a n d t h e ,

grea ter fes tiv a l s O n th os e d a ys th e p r i es t offer s th e h oly s a c r ice

.

for a ll h i s p a r i s hi on e rs b oth livin g a n d d ea d a n d a da pt s h i s s ermon s

, ,

t o t h e n ee d s of h i s oc k ; fur thermo re i n t h e p a r i s h chur c h n oti c es a re

given ou t of ma rr i a ges of fa s t da ys of eccles i a s ti c a l fes tiv a l s a n d
, ,

or di n a n ces Th e fa ithful ought t o b ecome a c qu a i n te d with thei r

.

p a r is h p r i es t wh o i s thei r p a s tor a n d s pi r itu a l fa th e r i n t h e h ous e

, ,

of God There i s h oweve r n o l a w whi c h ma kes it b i n di n g up on

.

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 .

2 To h ea r M a s s on week da ys , i f p os s i b l e, i s a hi ghl y com

.
-

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 .

If t h e h oly s a c ri ce w ere c el eb r a t e d i n on ly on e pl a ce i n t h e orld w ,

a n d of fer e d on ly b y on e p r i es t , with wh a t l on gi n g w ould C h r i s ti a n

pe ople h a s t en t o th a t s p ot ! But n ow th a t th ere a re ma n y p r i es t s ,
a n d C hr i s t i s d a ily offe red up i n ma n y pl a ces h ow mu ch i s ou r luk e ,

w a rmn es s a n d n egligen ce t o b e deplored , whi ch h a s th ereb y a r i s en

( Imit a ti on B ook iv , ch
, Some p eopl e c ons id er t h e h a lf h ou r th ey
. .

t a ke from th e i r w or k t o h ea r M a s s a s a l os s of time ; thi s i s , h owever,

n ot s o, for th ey d o th ei r w ork b ett er a n d mor e qui ckly th r ough h a vi n g
b een t o M a s s Ha s n ot O u r L or d s a id : Seek rs t th e ki n gdom of
.

God a n d Hi s ju s ti c e, a n d a ll thes e thi n g s s h a ll b e a dd ed un to y o u

( M a tt vi If, s a y s C och em, a S h ow er of g old fell from t h e

. .

cl oud s th ou w ould s t s u r ely l ea ve thy w ork a n d h a s t en i n t o t h e s t reet

,

t o g a the r up t h e c oi n s O n ly a fool w ould s top i n d oor s

. An d th ou .

a rt a fool i f th ou d os t thr ough i n di f feren c e or n eglig en ce omit t o h ea r

M a s s , wh en a s t rea m of h ea venl y tr e a s u res i s p ou red ou t from on high .

Th rough n eglecti n g h oly M a s s on e l os es fa r more th a n on e w ould g a i n

b y a whol e d a y s w ork Arr a n g e thy b u s i n es s th erefore i f th ou c a n s t

.
, ,

s o a s t o a ll ow o f thy h e a r i n g M a s s d a ily An d i f it i s i mp os s i b l e for .

thee t o g o thys elf, give a n a lms t o s ome p oor p ers on t o h ea r M a s s for

thee ; h e will d o s o gl a dly, a n d th ou wilt r ea p t h e g re a t er b en et .

F or, a s i s t h e c as e with every g oo d w ork , w e ma y a pply t o o th er s t h e

merit of hea r i n M a s s with out b ein g l os ers ours elves For th e pr i es t, .

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 .

with hi m r u p th e h ol y s a cr i ce d o s o for thei r fa mi l i es a n d

fe
of ,

fr i en ds a s w ell a s for thems elves Do n ot a ll ow huma n r es pec t t o .

keep y ou from s e rvin g C hr i s t for i f y ou a re a s h a me d of Hi m He will

, ,

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 .

w a s t old th a t peopl e t a lke d a b out h i s h a b it of h ea r i n g on e or even

more th a n on e M a s s da ily h e repli ed : How c a reful p eople a re a b out

,

my time ; i f I Sp en t twi ce a s l on g a t pl a y or ou t hun ti n g th ey w oul d ,

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 .

a cc us t ome d t o s a y i n conn ec ti on with h ea r in g M a s s d a ily th a t h e

, ,

e s t eeme d it h i s g rea t es t h on or t o ren der th a t ma rk of r es p ec t t o t h e

Ki n g of kin g s .

11 . THE TIM E WHEN M ASS IS TO B E C EL EB RATED .

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 .

M a s s ma y b e s a id b efo re s un r i s e un der excepti on a l c i r c ums ta n c es ,

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

,

p eople th e opp or tun ity of h ea r i n g M a s s b efor e commen c i n g t h e da y s

l a b or ; or it ma y h a pp en th a t a fter t h e con s ec r a ti on o f a chu rch or ,

a c on rma ti on t h e h oly s a c r i c e i s n ot commen c e d b efor e twelve

,

o c l oc k ( n oon ) Th e ea rly C hr i s ti a n s celeb r a t ed M a s s a t n ight i n
. ,

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 .

w a s c us t oma ry t o offe r t h e h oly s a c r i c e du r i n g t h e n ight s ever a l

time s i n th e c o u rs e of t h e yea r ; a t C h r i s tma s on Holy Sa tu r d a y , ,

on St John B a pti s t s D a y a n d on Emb e r d a y s

. .
,

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 -
.

Every C a th oli c p r i es t i s b oun d t o s a y M a s s on Sun d a ys a n d h oly

d a ys ( C oun c il of Tr en t 2 3 Th os e wh o h a ve t h e ca re of s oul s
, ,

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
,

s a c r i c e eve ry Sun d a y a n d h olyd a y for the i r p a r i s hi on er s b oth livi n g ,

a n d d ea d Thes e M a s s es whi ch a re b in di n g on thos e wh o h a ve th e

.

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 .

No p ri es t ma y a s a rul e s ay M as s more th an on c e d ail y ;

3 .
, ,

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 .

b is h op s ome p a ri s h p r i es t s wh o h a v e a l a r ge c on grega t i on are

all owed t o d u p l i c at e th a t is s ay two Mas s es on th e s a me d a y
, , .

In th e c ommen c emen t of th e M iddle Ages it w a s c u s t oma ry for

p r i es t s s ome ti mes t o s a y on e M a s s a ft e r a n oth er b u t thi s g a ve r i s e t o ,

ma n y a b u s es By a d ec ree of P op e In n ocen t III th e cl ergy were for

. .

hidd en t o s a y more th a n on e M a s s d a ily ex cept on C h r i s tma s D a y , ,

wh en th r ee might b e s a id It i s n ot h owever ob lig a t or y on p r i es t s t o

.
, ,

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 ,

l a ity t o h e a r th r ee P r i es t s wh o h a ve a l a rge p a ri s h ob t a i n p ermi s s i on

.
5 60 Zh e Mea ns o f Gra ce .

ot h er p a t r ia r chs d i d th e s a me In th e Templ e a t Jeru s al em th er e were

.

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
-

a lt a r of in cen s e i n t h e s a n ctu a ry Alta r s mus t b e eithe r c omp os ed .

en ti r ely of s ton e, or a s t on e, b l e s s e d b y t h e b i s h o p a n d con t a i n in g

r eli c s , mus t b e l et i n t o t h e t op O n thi s t h e c h a li c e a n d p a t en a re
.

pl a ced, t o s ign i fy th a t C hr i s t i s t h e foun d a ti on a n d corn er s t on e on

whi ch th e C hu r ch r es ts ( P S c xvii a n d a th r eefold li n en c l oth
. .

mus t b e s p rea d up on th e a lt a r, b oth b eca u s e O u r L or d wa s wr a ppe d

i n a li n en cl oth when He l a y i n th e s epul c hre, a n d a l s o t o a b s orb a n y
dr op s of t h e p rec i ous b l ood th a t might pe rch a n ce fa l l fr om t h e
ch a li c e O n every a lt a r ther e mus t b e a c r os s , b ec a u s e th e s a cr ice of
.

t h e c r os s i s r en ewe d th ere a n d a l s o t w o c a n dles ti ck s wi t h wax

,

t a p ers Th e a lt a r i s g en er a lly pl a ced s o th a t t h e ofci a tin g p r i es t

.

l ook s t ow a r d s th e e a s t ; t h e rea s on of thi s i s b eca us e wh en h e cele

b r a t es t h e M a s s h e li ft s h i s hea rt a n d h a n d s t o Hi m Wh o i s t h e
s ou r c e of s pi r itu a l l ight Th e a lt a r i s r a i s ed, b oth t o den ote i t s
.

dign ity, t o en a b l e a ll wh o a re i n t h e chu r ch to s ee t h e ceremoni es ,

a n d a l s o b eca u s e t h e g r e a t ob l a ti on o f ou r r ede mpti on wa s oered
up on a n emi n en ce vi s ib le fr om a fa r .

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 ,

c hu r ch b ec a u s e of ol d hi gh pl a c es w ere c on s ide re d s a c red ; un d er t h e

,

O l d D i s p en s a ti on God frequ en tly ma n i fes t ed Hims elf t o mort a ls on

a mo u n t a i n ; O u r L or d oft en withd r ew t o a moun t a in t o p r a y a n d ,

t h e Templ e of Jeru s a lem t h e ty pe of t h e C hr i s ti a n C hu rch wa s :

, ,

s itu a te d up on a moun t a i n O n a n emi n en ce on e i s more dis pos ed

.

for p r a ye r a n d r ecoll ec ti on ; on e i s fu rth er a l oof fr om t h e n oi s e of

t h e b us y w orld on e feel s n ea rer t o God
, C hr i s t H i ms elf s a i d Hi s .

C hur ch w a s t o b e b uilt up on a rock a n d He w a s c ru cied up on M oun t ,

C a lv a r y Wh en chur ches a re s itu a t ed i n t h e cen tr e of a t own or

.

vill a ge it s h oul d r emi n d u s th a t i n t h e Ble s s e d Sa c r a men t th e G ood

,

Sh eph er d l oves t o dw el l i n t h e mid s t of Hi s S heep Th e C hu rch of .

St P et er i n Rome i s t h e l a rg es t b a s ili ca i n t h e w orld

. .

B oth th e ex t ern a l an d i n t ern al a rr a n gemen t s of ch u ch es

r

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 .

In r eg a r d t o t h e hu rch i s l a r ger a n d high er th a n or

e xter i or , th e c

d i n a ry dw ellin g h ou s es b ec a u s e it i s t h e h ou s e of t h e mos t high God

-

,
.

It l o ok s tow a r d th e e a s t b ec a u s e it i s d e s tin e d for th e w ors hip of

,

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
,

.

iii . B ells a re hun g i n th e tower t o s ummon u s t o divi n e wors hip

or c a ll u s t o p r a yer ; th e S pi r e i s s u rmou n t e d b y a c r os s th e emb lem ,

of s a lv a ti on wh er eb y G od i s r ec on c iled with ma n Th e i n ter i or of

,
.

th e ch u r ch i s divi d ed i n t o th ree p a r ts ; th e p or ch wh er e i n former ,

d a ys th e c a t echumen s a n d p en it en t s u s ed t o k n eel a n d whi ch ough t ,

t o r emi n d u s of th e p r ep a r a ti on n eces s a ry b efor e en t er i n g th e chu r ch :

 Th e Holy Sa crice f
o th e M a s s . 56 1

t h e n a ve, whi ch i s t h e p a rt a pp rop r i a t ed t o th e fa ithful wh erein a s , ,

i n Noe s a rk they a re s a ved from etern a l per di ti on ; a n d t h e ch oi r

, ,

where t h e s i n g er s formerly s a t b u t whi c h i s n ow s et a p a rt for th e ,

cl ergy .It i s s ep ara t ed fr om th e b ody of th e chur ch b y a r a il or

c ommun i on t a b l e At th e en tr a n ce of th e chur ch we s ee th e h oly
.

w a ter s t oup r emi n din g u s th a t we ought t o a pp r oa ch God with pure

,

he a rt s ; i n t h e i n t e ri or i s on e or more a lt a r s ; over t h e high a lt a r i s

th e t a b e rn a cle where i n th e Bl es s e d Sa c r a men t i s r es erv ed a n d b efor e ,

whi ch t h e s a n ctu a ry l a mp i s kept p e rp etu a lly b u rn i n g t o s ymb oliz e ,

t h e L ight of t h e w orld the re p res en t Th ere a re al s o pi ctu res a n d .

s t a tues of s a i n t s a n d a n g el s wh o a s s i s t un s een a t t h e s a cred ofc es

, ,

b es id es t h e fon t a n d a ll th e other fu rn itu r e of a chur ch with whi ch

, ,

every C a th oli c i s fa mili a r Th e d i m r eligi ous light th a t perva des

.

t h e b uildi n g owin g t o th e col or e d gl a s s of t h e wi n d ow s r emi n d s u s

, ,

tha t h ere b e low w e un de rs t a n d t h e thi n gs of God on ly i n a d a rk ma n

n er. Th os e p eopl e wh o s a y th a t i t i s un n eces s a ry t o g o to chur ch .

b ec a us e they c a n s a y thei r p r a yers a n yw here s houl d con s ider th a t ,

i n t h e chur ch es O u r L or d i s a ctu a ll y p res en t up on ou r a lt a r s th a t ,

t h e a tmo s ph er e of t h e s a cr ed edi ce di s p o s es u s t o r ecoll ecti on a n d ,

t h i t p e titi on s offere d ther e h a ve mor e p ower th a n th os e offered el s e

w ere .

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 .

By G od s comma n d M os es h a d t o a n oin t th e t a b ern a cle with t h e

oi l of un c ti on ( Ex o d a n d Sol omon s Templ e w a s d edi c a t e d

xl . .

b y th a t mon a r ch hi ms el f Wh en Ki n g An ti ochu s h a d p r ofa n e d t h e

.

Templ e b y s etti n g up id ol s withi n it it h a d t o b e clea n s ed a n d d edi ,

c a te d a n ew ; thi s w a s t h e or igi n of t h e fea s t of t h e D e di c a ti on ( 1

M a ch iv. It a pp ert a in s to th e ofc e of a b i s h op a lon e t o c on
.

s ec r a t e church es b u t h e ma y give l ea ve for M a s s t o b e s a id i n a n y

,

b uildi n g s et a p a rt for th e pu rp os e Th e p r i n c ip a l ceremon i es of th 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 ,

Sa i n t s ; th en ri s in g up h e g oes th ree ti mes a r oun d t h e outs ide of th e

,

b uildi n g s p r in kli n g th e w a ll s with holy w a t er ; ea ch ti me th a t h e

,

p a s s es t h e d oo r h e kn oc ks up on it with hi s c rozi er ; n a lly h e ma k es

t h e S ign of th e c r o s s up on t h e th r es h old with th e c r ozi e r t o s ign i fy
th a t n othi n g ca n r es i s t t h e for ce of th e c ros s a n d en ters th e chur ch , ,

wh ere h e fa ll s on h i s k n ee s a n d i n vok es th e Holy Spi r it He then .

dr a ws t h e l ett ers of th e Gr eek a n d L a ti n a lph a b ets up on th e p a vemen t

o f t h e c hu r ch whi ch i s s trewn with a s h es t o s ign ify th a t a ll 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 ,

w a ll s with h oly w a t er a n d thr ee times up th e cen t r e a n d a cros s it ;

,

thi s i s i n h on or of t h e Holy Tri n ity a n d of th e c ru ci x i on of C hr i s t ; ,

a ft erw a r d s h e a n oi n t s t h e w a ll s i n twelve pl a ces wh er e lighted ,

ta pe rs a re a ff i xed i n memory of t h e tw elve a p os tles wh o s p re a d a b r oa d

,

th e light o f t h e G os p el a n d then p r oc eed s t o con s ecr a t e th e a lt a r

,
.

F r om ti me i mmemor i a l t h e a n n iver s a ry of t h e dedi c a ti on of a c hur ch

form e d a y e a rly fes tiv a l i n t h e p a r i s h b u t a b u s es h a vi n g cre pt i n , ,

on e fes tiv a l w a s a pp o i n t e d for th e wh ol e C hu r ch th e thi r d Sun d a y ,

56 2 Th e Mea n s of Gra ce .

i n O ct ob er, t o b e kept as th e fea s t of t h e

If a n y gr i evous D edi ca t i on .

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
,

dedi ca t ed a n ew Thi s mus t a l s o b e d on e i f a chu rch i s reb uilt either

.
,

wh olly or t o s uc h a n ext en t th a t t h e w a ll s a re i n grea t p a rt p ul led

d own O n ly un der mos t ex cepti on a l c i rc ums ta n ces i n time of wa r
.
, ,
or i f a chu r ch i s b u r n e d d own or a t op en a i r fes tiva l s ma
y Mass be
-

, ,

s a id out s ide t h e chu r ch a n d exp res s p er mi s s i on fr om t h e b i s h op

,

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
.
,

ti on of th e Holy See i s n eces s a ry O n s u ch occa s i on s a p o rt a b le .

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
, , , ,

en ough t o a dmit of t h e ch a li ce a n d H os t b ei n g pl a ced up on it .

1 3 . THE VESTM ENTS AND SACRED VESSEL S

USED AT M ASS .

He wh o i s gr a n ted a n a udi en ce of a n ea r thly mon a rch dres s es

hims elf i n full d re s s ou t of res p ec t t o th a t mon a r ch ; a n d t h e p ri es t,
wh en h e a pp ea r s b efor e th e Ki n g of k i n g s a t t h e a lt a r, i s a rr a yed i n
s ui t a b le ves tmen t s Thes e ves tmen t s s h ow th a t h e d oes n ot a c t of
.

h i s own p ow e r, b u t a s t h e r ep r es en t a tive of C hr i s t God Hims elf ga ve .

di recti on s con cern in g th e ves tmen t s whi ch were t o b e w or n b y t h e

p r i es ts un d er th e O l d Tes t a men t ( Exod xxv iii Th e ves tmen ts
. .

t o b e w or n b y t h e C h r i s ti a n p r i es t s w ere p res c r i b e d b y t h e a p os tles .

1 . Th e ves tmen ts wh i ch th e p ri es t wea rs i n th e c el e b ra ti on

of Mass c on s i s t of th e a mi c e ; th e a l b ; th e gi rdl e ;
th e ma n i pl e ; th e s tol e ; th e ch as u b l e .

Th e a mi c e i s a white li n en cl oth l a i d a b out th e h ea d a n d Sh oul

der s F or merly it u s e d t o b e pl a ced over th e he a d like a h ood t o
.
,

keep t h e p r i es t from di s t r a c ti on s a t M a s s Th e a l b i s a white lin en .

g a rmen t r ea chi n g fr om h ea d t o foot In th e Ea s t it w a s cus toma ry

, .

t o we a r a whit e r ob e on fes tiv a l o cc a s i on s a s for i n s t a n ce, wh en i n ,

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
.
-

ma kes men ti on of th e weddi n g g a rmen t

( M a tt xxii Th e . .

gi r dle i s a cor d whi ch fa s t en s th e a l b t ogeth er s o th a t i t ma y n ot ,

i n con ven i en c e th e p r i es t i n w a lki n g It i s s a id of t h e youn g Tob i a s ,

.

wh en h e w a s s eeki n g a comp a n i on for h i s j ou r n ey, th a t h e foun d a

y oun g ma n , s ta n din g gi r ded, a s it w ere r ea dy t o w al k ( Tob v . .

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 .

ma n ipl e w a s a t r s t a lin en cl oth whi ch w a s w orn on t h e left a rm,

rep res en ti n g th e cl oth wherewith O u r L o r d s coun ten a n c e w a s wiped .

Th e s t ol e i s a l on g b a n d of s ilk whi ch h a n gs d own from th e n eck a n d

i s cr os s e d on th e b re a s t It i s th e s p ec i a l S ign of th e s a ce rd ot a l

of ce th er efor e t h e p r i e s t w ea rs i t wh en ever h e exer c i s e s h i s p r i es tly

,

fun cti on s Th e ch a s ub l e i s a g a rmen t whi ch c over s t h e p r i es t b efore

.

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
, , ,

wh en ce c a me th e n a me ca s u la , a little h ous e At othe r times th a n a t .

M a s s t h e p ri es t w e a r s a s h ort a l b or s u r pl i ce or a C ope At High , .

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 .

Wh ite mb l ema ti c of i nn ocen ce a n d pur ity a n d of th e etern a l

is e ,

b li s s t o b e enj oy ed h ere a ft er ; red t h e c ol or of re a n d of b l ood b e , ,

t oken s l ove a n d ma rtyr dom Green s ign i es h op e a n d vi olet or .

,

pu rple fa ith a n d p en a n c e Bl a ck i s a n emb lem of dea th

,
. .

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 .

C hr i s t i s t h e L ight of t h e w orld a n d p erfec t pur ity ; t h e M o th er

of Go d w a s fr ee fr om t h e s t a i n of or igi n a l s i n Th e a n g els dw ell i n .

ev erl a s ti n g light a n d p e rfec t s a n c tity ; t h e c on fes s or s l et t h e light

of th e i r g o o d w o rk s S hi n e b efor e men O n t h e n a tivi ty of St John . .

B a pti s t white ves tmen t s a re wo rn , a lth ough h e wa s ma rtyr ed, b e

c a u s e h e w a s s a n c ti e d b efor e h i s b i r th .

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 .

At P en t ecos t t h e H oly G h os t Wh o ki n dles th e r e of ch a r ity i n ,

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 .

ma r tyr s S h ed th ei r b l o o d for C h r i s t a n d thus ma n i fes ted t he grea t ,

n e s s of the i r l ov e for Hi m R ed i s a l s o u s ed on t h e fea s ts of th e h oly

.

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 .

O n t h e Sun d a y s a ft er Epiph a n y th e C hu rch commemo ra te s t h e

youth of C hr i s t, a n d Hi s en tr a n c e up on Hi s pub li c mi n i s try, whi c h
b r ought h op e t o t h e w orld ; a fte r P en tec os t Sh e celeb r a t es h er ow n
s p r i n gti me, t h e germ i n a ti on of t h e g r a i n i n t h e ki n gd om of God .

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 .

Adven t i s whi ch fa ith l ooks for th e comin g of th e

th e s ea s on in
Sa vi ou r ; L en t i s th e ti me of fa s ti n g a n d p en a n c e Pu rple i s w orn .

i n a dmi n i s t er i ng th e Sa cr a men t of P en a n ce Ex tr eme U n cti on a n d , ,

B a pti s m un til a fter th e a n oin tin g of t h e p e r s on t o b e b a ptiz ed

,
.

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 .

Th er e i s gen er a lly s ome whit e a b out b l a ck v es tmen t s t o i n di c a te ,

th a t t h e s ouls of t h e d ep a r t ed will s oon en t er up on eter n a l oys At j .

t h e ob s eq ui e s of youn g child r en white i s u s ed b eca u s e they d i e i n

in n ocen ce .

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 .

Th e l r i n u s e i n t h e C hur ch whi ch a s w e h a ve s een c oi n cid e

co o s , , ,

with e a ch even t c ommemor a t ed a s it r ec u rs i n t h e c ycl e of th e

e c cl e s i a s ti c a l y e a r a re b es id es,a c on ti n u a l l es s on t o t h e C h r i s ti a n
, , .

L et th e whit e v es tmen t s r emi n d y ou th a t th e C hu rch c a ll s on h er

child r en t o s t r ive a ft er h oli n es s ; l et th e s ight of t h e re d ki n dl e i n y ou
th e l ov e of God whil e th e gr een b id s y ou r a i s e y our h ea rt a n d x y our
,
 Th e Holy Sa cri ce f
o th e M a s s . 5 65

h ope s hea ve n Th e s ight of t h e pu rple will remi n d y ou th a t y ou

on .

mus t d o pen a n ce ; th e b l a ck will reca ll th e thought of dea th u rgin g ,

y ou t o p rep a r e for y our l a s t en d a n d a ls o to p r a y for y o ur dep a rte d

fri e n ds .

1 5 . THE L ANGUAGE OF THE MASS .

In cel e b ra tin g th e h oly s a ri c c e of th e M a s s th e C h urch

ma k es us e of t h e L a t in l a n gu a ge .

1 Th e La t i n l a n gu a ge i s w el l a d a p t ed for th e s ervi ces

. of th e
c
C h u r h , b ec a u s e i t i s b ot h v en e r a b l e a n d mys teri ou s .

Th e L a ti n l a n gu a ge i s ven er a b le on a ccoun t of i t s o rigi n a n d i t s

a n tiquity ; it i s t h e l a n g u a ge i n whi ch t h e p r a i s es of God res oun ded
fr om t h e lip s of C hr i s ti a n s du ri n g th e r s t c en tu r i es It i s a s ub li me .

a n d s ol emn th ought th a t t h e h oly s a c r i c e i s n ow of fered i n t h e s a me

l a n gu a g e n a y with t h e very s a me w or ds a s it w a s offered i n times
, ,

lon g p a s t i n th e ob s cur ity of th e C a t a comb s There i s a l s o a n el e .

men t O f mys te ry a b out t h e L a tin t on gu e ; it i s a de a d l a n gu a g e, n ot

u n der s t ood b y th e p eople Th e us e of a n unkn own t on gu e con veys
.

to t h e min d of th e vulg a r th a t s ome thin g i s goi n g on up on t h e a lta r

whi ch i s p a s t thei r c omp r eh en s i on th a t a mys tery i s b e i n g en a c ted
, .

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 ,

a lt a r fr om t h e S ight of t h e w ors hipp er s Thi s i s n ow n o lon ge r d on e,

.

b u t th e u s e of a n un kn own ton gu e h a s s omethi n g of t h e s a me effect ,

b y i ns pi r in g a we i n to th e mi n ds O f t h e c ommon p eople It i s a .

s t riki n g fa c t th a t Jew s a n d p a ga n s ma d e u s e i n t h e w o r s hip of t h e ,

D eity of a l a n gu a g e with whi c h t h e multitude w ere n ot c on ver s a n t

, .

Th e Jew s mad e u s e of t h e a n c i en t Heb re w t h e l a n gu a g e of 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
. ,

pl oy s th e ol d form of th e Greek l a n gu a ge for divi n e s ervi ce, n ot

th a t s p oken a t p r es en t Th e s ame l a n g ua ge i s i n u s e i n th e R us s i a n
.

( s o c a ll ed orthod ox ) C hu rch , n ot th e vern a cul a r, whi ch i s a Sla von i c

Cl i a iec t .

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

v a n t a geou s for th e C h u r ch ; i t s er v es to ma i n ta i n h er uni ty an d

p r es e rv e h er fr om ma n y e vi ls .

Th e u s e of L a ti n i s a mea n s of ma in ta i n i n g un ity i n th e C hu rch ,

a s w ell a s un i formi ty i n h er s ervi ces , for t h e u s e of on e a n d t h e s a me

l a n gu a ge i n C a th oli c chu r ch es a l l over th e s u rfa ce of th e gl ob e i s a ,

c on n ec ti n g li n k b i n di n g th em t o R ome, a n d ma kin g on e n a ti on s whi ch

a re s ep a r a t e d b y diver s ity of ton gu es L a tin , a s t h e l a n gu a g e of t h e
.

C hur ch un it es a ll n a ti on s , ma ki n g th em memb er s of G od s fa mily,

,

o f C hr i s t s ki n gd om Th e a l t a r on e a rth i s a type of t h e h ea ven ly

.

Jeru s a l em wh er e a gr ea t mul titude of a l l p eopl es a n d t on gu es s ta n d

a r oun d t h e th r on e p r a i s i n g God If L a ti n were n ot th e ofci a l
, .

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
,

a s s emb l e d a t t h e c oun c il s , t h e mutu a l ex ch a n ge of O pi n i on s b etween

566 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce .

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

fa c t th a t then ce from th e M other C hu r ch , th e r s t mi s s i on a ri es

,

c a me w h o b r ought t h e fa ith t o ou r s h or e s Th e u s e O f a dea d l a n

.

gu a ge i s a s a fegu a r d a ga in s t ma n y evil s ; it i s n ot s ub j ec t t o ch a n ge,

b u t rema i n s t h e s a me t o a ll ti me L a n gu a g es i n d a ily u s e un d erg o a
.

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

a lt e r e d a s y e a r s g o on .If a livi n g l a n gu a ge w ere empl oyed i n divin e

w or s hip h er es i es a n d err or s w ould i n evita b ly cr eep i n t o th e C hur ch ,

a n d s a c r e d w or d s w oul d b e empl oye d i n a n i rr ever en t or mo c ki n g

ma nn er b y t h e un b el i ever Thi s i s p reven t ed b y th e u s e O f L a ti n ,
.

a t a n y r a t e a s fa r a s t h e u n l ea rne d a re c on cern ed Y et t h e C hurch .

i s fa r fr om d es i r in g t o k eep t h e p eopl e i n ign or a n ce of t h e mea n i n g

of h er r el igi ou s s e rv i c es ; t h e d ecr ees of t h e C ou n c il O f Tr en t ( 2 2 ,
s t r i c tly en j o i n up on p r i es t s t o expl a i n fr e qu en tly t h e my s t e r i e s
a n d ce r emon i es of t h e M a s s t o t h e c hild r en i n s ch ool s , a n d t o a dult s
fr om th e pulpit . B ut a s a ma tt e r of fa c t it i s b y n o mea n s n ec es s a ry
,

for t h e p eople t o u n der s t a n d every det a il of t h e ceremon i a l of t h e

Mass . If, s a y s St Augu s ti n e,

. there a re s ome p res en t wh o d o n ot
un d ers ta n d wh a t i s b ei n g s a id o r s un g they kn ow a t lea s t th a t a ll 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
,

t h e s ervi ces of t h e C hu r ch B es id es , t h e s ermon s a re a lwa y s dcliv

.

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 o s ome ext en t i n a dmi n i s t er i n g t h e s a cr a men ts Th e rea s on why .

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
.

b y t h e p r i es t s ec re tly s o th a t w er e they i n t h e moth e r t on gu e th ey

, ,

w ould b e i n a udib le t o th e p e opl e F u rth e rmo re t h e cel eb r a ti on of

.
,

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 .
'

p r i es t th e wh ole cer emon i a l, s p e a ks a l a n gu a ge i n telligi b le t o a ll

,
.

An d i f, a s s ome w ould wi s h, a ll th e s ervi ce s w ere c on ducted i n th e

l a n gu a ge of t h e c oun t ry, p ers on s of a n other n a ti on a lity, n ot con
ver s a n t with oth e r l a n gu a ges , might b e l ed t o d r op th ei r r eligi on on
lea vin g th ei r own l a n d An oth er evil c on s equen t up on s uch a ch a n ge
.

w ould b e a le s s en i n g of t h e r es p ec t felt for t h e h oly s a cr i ce a s ,

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 ,

M a s s wer e t o a g rea t ext en t t r a n s l a ted i n t o G erma n a n d En gli s h

, , .

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 .

Thi s ma y b e h e a r d a t High M a s s when th e p r i es t s i n g s th e

,

p re fa ce o r th e P a ter Nos ter a n d wh en h e b egi n s t h e Glori a or C r ed o

, .

Thi s s tyl e of mu s i c i s c a ll ed Greg or i a n b ec a u s e it w a s b r ought t o

,

p erfe cti on a n d i n t r oduc ed i n t o gen er a l u s e b y P ope St Greg ory th e .

Grea t It i s b eli eved th a t it w a s b y di v i n e i n s pi r a ti on or th r ough

.

Q
56 8 The M ea ns of Grace .

a c cen tu a te th e words th a t In d i vi n e wor s h i p th e s i mp le

a re s un g .
wor d s of p ra ye r a l o n e, or i n th ei r mo re s o l emn form of s a c re d mu s i c
b
,

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 ,

d er t h e w ord s s u n g u n i n t ell i g i b l e St il l l es s o u g h t t h e i n s t ru men t a l

.

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-

mu s i c w a s n eces s a ry on a cc o u n t of t h ei r wea kn es s ; for o nl y t h ro u g h

t h e p l ea s u res of t h e s en s es c o u l d t h ey b e s t i mul a t ed t o s t r i ve a ft e r
'

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 ,

u n fort u n a t el y t h ey i n t ro d u c e d s ecu l a r mel o d i es i n t o t h e h o u s e of

God a n d i n t h e p e rforma n ce of t h es e c omp o s i t i o n s n o h eed w a s p a i 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 ,

ma s ter i n the V a t i c a n ; h e c o mp o s ed s eve r a l M a s s es of a s ol emn a n d

d i g n i ed ch a ra c t e r, i n wh i ch d u e p romi n en c e w a s g i ven t o th e w ord s .

Hi s n a me i s i mmort a l i z ed b y t h e M i s s a P a p a: M a rc elli A c o n tem .

p ora ry of h i s of D u t c h ori g i n , O rl a n d o d i L a s s o ch o i rma s t e r of t h e ,

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 ,

h u n d r ed s ecu l a r c omp o s i t i o n s b e s i d es ft een h u n d red s a c r ed

,

w ork s . Th e n es t of t h e l a tt e r i s t h e s even p en i t en t i a l p s a lms

a rr a n g ed for v e v o i ce s i n wh i ch t h e fe el i n g s of p en i t en ce a n d c om
,

p u n ct i o n a re exp res s ed i n a ma s t e rl y ma n n e r G a b ri el i org a n i s t of .

,

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

. .
, ,

M i s erere ( fo r Hol y W e ek ) w r i t t en b y t h e l a s t n a med w i t h n i n e

b
, ,

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
.

v o ca l mu s i c w i t h o u t a n a cc o mp a n i men t more t h a n i n s t ru men t a l ,

mu s i c for wh i ch th ey d i d l i t tl e In s t ru men t a l mu s i c owes mu ch t o

,
.

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
.
,

cl o s e o f t h e e i g h t een t h c en tu r y i n s t ru men t a l mu s i c w a s rou g h t t o

b
g rea t p e rfect i o n y Ha yd n a n Au s t r i a n wh o c o mp o s ed ft een M a s s e s ;
, ,

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 ,

o th erw i s e t h ey d i ffer l i ttl e fro m s ecu l a r c o mp o s i t i o n s a n d b ea r ,

t h e s t a mp of t h e a g e i n wh i ch th ey were wr i tt en In recen t t i mes .

 7 71 6 Holy Sa crice f
o th e M a s s . 569

mu ch h as b ee n d o n e for th e i mp ro vemen t of C h u rch mu s i c b y th e

So ci ety of St C ec i l i a fo u n d ed i n 1 8 6 7 a t R eg en s b u rg t h e o b j ec t
.
, ,

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
,

l evel a n d i n t ro du ce i n s t ru men t a l mu s i c of a n a t u re t o c orre s p o n d

,

wi th t h e li t u rg y of th e C h u r ch Th e rul es of thi s So ci et y were c on

.

n ned b y P op e P i u s IX i n 1 870 . .

1 7 . HEARING THE WORD OF GOD .

At th e mi r a cul o u s mul t i p l i ca t i on of t h e l o a ve s , O u r L ord ca u s ed

th e b r ea d t o b e d i s t r i b u t ed t o t h e p eo p l e b y Hi s d i s ci p l es ( M a tt xv . .

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 .

1 . Th e w ord God i s s ai d t o b e th e food of t h e s oul , eca u s e

of b
i t s us t ai n s t h e l i fe a n d s trength of th e s o l , a s rea d d oes th at of u b
t h e od b y .

Th e F a t h er s of t h e C h ur ch s p ea k of t h e w ord of God a s th e foo d

of th e s o ul O u r L or d Hi ms elf s a ys :
. Not i n b rea d a l o n e d o t h ma n
l i ve b u t i n eve ry w ord t h a t p ro cee d eth fro m t h e mo u t h of Go d
,

( 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
.

h ea ven a s a l a n t ern en a b l es t h e t ra vell er t o n d h i s w a y b y n i g h t

, .

Th e w or d of God r eve a l s t o u s t h e s t a i n s u p o n ou r s oul a s a mi rror ,

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 ,

O p en ed my eyes Th e word of God s t i mul a t es t h e w il l t o wh a t i s

.

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
.

w o n d erfu l ch a rm th a t t h e s o u n d s h e d rew fro m i t fa s c i n a t e d t h e

,

mo s t s a va g e mort a l s t a med w i l d b ea s t s a n d even r ec a lle d t h e d ea d

, ,

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 ,

c o n v e rt ed and , c i v i l i z ed an d res cu ed from et ern a l d e a th

, St . .

An t h on y t h e h e rmi t emb r a c ed th e l i fe of a n a n ch or i t e i n c o n s equ en c e

o f h a vi n g h ea r d a s ermon on O u r L or d s w or d s t o t h e r i ch y o u n g

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
.

a t h u n d erb o l t Th e th u n d e r of t h e d i v i n e mena ces a w a k en s t h o s e

.

a s l eep i n s i n , i n d i f feren t a s t o t h e i r s a l v a t i o n Th e w or d of God .

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
, . .

He wh o s h ow s i n d ifferen c e tow a rds th e w ord God exp os es of

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 .

Jus t asma n who r efu s es t o t a ke foo d wi ll s u rel y d i e s o t h o s e

a ,

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
.

g ero ns j ourn ey fro m t i me t o et e rn i t y ; a n d a s th e t r a vell er wh o wal ks

b y n i g ht w i th o u t a l a n t ern s t ra ys fro m t he r i g h t r oa d s o we s h a ll n ot ,

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
,

f i l a s n a t u re woul d i f d ep r i ed of th e i v i fyi n g wa rmt h a n d r a d i a n ce

i th
,

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
.

b oo ks of medi t a t i on a re mu ch t o b e recommen d ed ; t h es e a re p r ea ch ers

t o wh om w e ma y l i s t en a t a n y h o u r Sp i r i t u a l b ooks a re a mi rror
.

i n wh i ch we d i s cern ou r own feel i n g s a n d t h e v i rtu es of wh i ch we

,

s t a n d mo s t i n n ee d Exp eri en c e s h ows h ow mu ch g oo d ma y b e d o n e

b
.

y rea d i n g t h em ; w i tn es s th e w ell kn own c on ver si o n of St Ig n a t i u s

-
.

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
.
-

h e fou n d d i n n er w a s n ot u i t e rea d y Hi s w i fe g a ve h i m a vol u me

q .

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
.

ch a n g ed ma n ; fro m t h en c efort h h e l ed a n a u s t ere a n d s a i n tl y l i fe .

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 .

foo d o nl y n o u ri s h es t h e b od y , wh en i t i s p rop erly d i g es t ed , s o t h e w o rd

of God d o e s n ot p ro t t h e h ea r e r u
n l es s i t b e r ec ei ved i n t o t h e h e a rt
a n d me d i t a t ed u p o n An d a s wh en w e h a ve b een wa l k i ng i n a b e a u t i fu l
.

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
,

th e wor d of God ( th e s eed fa l l s u p o n a ro ck ) , or t h ei r h ea r t s a re fu ll

'
572 The M ea n s of Gra ce .

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 :
.

H i t h ert o I h a ve o nl y b een p l ea s ed wi t h t h e or a t or, n o vi7 I a m di s

p l e a s ed wi t h my s el f

It i s s a i d t h a t St F r a n ci s of Sa l es c o n vert ed
. .

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
.

fru i t i mmed i a t el y, i t i s l i ke t h e g r a i n of mu s t a rd s eed ( M a t t . -

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 .

So met i mes i t p ro d u ces n o fru i t a t a ll O u r Lo r d s p ea ks of t h ree c a s e s

b
.

i n wh i ch t h e s eed p e r i s h ed a n d on l y on e i n wh i c h i t ore frui t ; wh en

b
i t ea rs fru i t t h e a mou n t i s n ot a l wa ys t h e s a me.

II . THE SAC R AM ENTS .

O n t h e D a y of Pen te c o s t th e Hol y Sp i r i t ma n i fes ted Hi s c o mi n g

b y a v i s i b l e a n d a u d i b l e s i g n ; t h e t on g u es of r e i n d i c a t ed t h e en l i g ht
en men t of t h e a p o s t l es a n d t h e g i ft s of t o n g u e s ; t h e mi g h t y w i n d
t h e p o w e r i mp a rt e d t o t h em In l i ke ma n n er, i t i s th e g oo d p l ea s u r e
.

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 .

orda i n ed for t h e c ommu n i c a t i on of g ra c es t h e u s e of s u ch w ord s

a n d o b j e ct s a s cl ea rl y s i g n i fy t h e g r a c e b es t owe d ; for t h e w a s h i n g

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 ) .

1 . Th e s acraments a re s ens i b l e s i gns i ns ti t t ed u by Ch ri s t , b y

means of whi c h th e grac es of th e H ol y Sp i ri t a re u
c omm n i cated
to us .

In very s a cra men t th ere i s : An a p p r op r i a t e cer emo n y c a ll ed

e ,

th e ma t t e r a n d a form of w ord s wh i ch a cc o mp a n i es t h e s i g n or c ere

b
, ,

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
,

men t b u t effe cts wh a t i s s i g n i ed

,
Th ey a re t h er efor e p r a ct i c a l
. , ,

s i g n s ; t h ey ma y a l s o b e t ermed i n s t ru men t s a n d th e g r a ces c o n veyed

,

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 ,

i n e a rl y t i me s h ol y th i n g s were h i d den fro m th e kn o wle dg e of th e

1 l e a t ll en .

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

As wa ter clea n s es fro m i mp u r i ty a n d ext i n gu i s h es r e th e u s e ,

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 .

d i s ti n ct s i g n s i n c o nferr i n g g r a ces a n d b en ets a l th o u g h a t h o u g h t , ,

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

, ,

c u re of Na a ma n b y w a s h i n g i n t h e Jord a n Sen s i b l e s i gn s wer 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
.
, ,

c ov ery of t h e g r a c e h e l o s t u p o n w h a t i s l o we s t i n c rea t i o n l i fel es s ,

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 orp or a l s i g n s for t h e c o mmu n i ca t i o n of Sp i ri tu a l g i ft s b u t a s w e are ,

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 .

God b es t o ws on u s a re mor e d eep l y i mp r es s ed u p o n ou r mi n d s b y

t h e a cc o mp a n y i n g c er emo n i a l ; i t a l s o d eep en s t h e d ev o t i o n of b o th
t h e d i s p en s e r a n d t h e r ec i p i en t of t h e s a c r a men t If a n e a rt h l y mon .

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

p res s i o n u p o n mort a l s b u t t o g i ve g re a t e r g l ory t o G od

, Th e c er e .

mo n i es a l s o c o n s t i tu t e a c ert a i n p r ep a r a t i on for t h e r ecep t i o n of t h e

s a c r a men t s ; t h ey p r ep a re t h e s o i l o f t h e h ea rt t h a t t h e g oo d s ee d ,

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
, .

Th e c eremo n i es of t h e C h u rch ma y b e o mi t ted i n c a s e of n ec es s i t y ,

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 .

h ers elf . All th e s ects th a t fell a wa y from th e C h u r ch i n th e ea rly

ce n t u r i es r et a i n ed t h e s even s a c ra men t s a s d i d t he Greeks a n d ,

R o ma n s a t a la t e r p eri o d Th e i n s t i t u t i o n of s even s a c r a men t s i s i t

.
,

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
, ,

wer e mor e or l es s O n t h i s p o i n t Tr a di t i o n i s s u fci en t a u t h or i t y Th e

. .

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 .

t h e s o ul b eg i n s a t B a p t i s m i t i s for t ied b y Con rma t i on b rou g h t t o

, ,

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
,

i s r es t ored b y P en a n ce a n d Ext r eme U n ct i o n i t i s k ep t up y Hol y

O rd er s a n d M a tri mo n y from g en e ra t i o n t o g en er a t i o n .

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
,

a re p ro v i d ed t o a f for d s u p p ort a n d r efres h men t n ow a n d a g ai n t o

t h e p i l gr i m .

3 By th e th ree s a craments , B a p ti s m, Conrma ti on, a nd Hol

. y
u
Ord ers , th ere i s i mp ri nt ed p on th e s o l a c ert ai n s p i ri t al a n d u u
b
i nd el i l e mark or c h aract er, on ac co nt of whi ch th e cannot b e u y
u
rep ea ted ( Co n c i l of Trent, 7 , 9 )

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
.

b e r ecei ved a s e c o n d t i me n ot ev en b y on e w h o h a s a p o s ta t i z ed fro m

b
,

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
,

s o ul. B a p t i s m a n d P en a n c e a re c a lle d s a c r a men t s of t h e d e a d of ,

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
.

s a cr a men t s o f t h e l i v i n g b eca u s e t h ey w e re i n s t i t u t e d for t h o s e wh o

.

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
, .

Th e p o wer of a s s i mi l a t i n g foo d i s d ep e n d en t u p on ce r t a i n org a n s

of t h e h uma n b o d y ; ev en s o cert a i n qu a l i c a t i o n s a re n ece s s a ry for
t h e r ec ep t i on of t h e s a c r a men t s An un b a p t i z ed p e rs o n i s i n c a p a b l e
.

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 , .

Th e C h u r ch h a s n eve r s a n c t i o n ed t h e a ct i on of s ecu l a r rul ers wh o

h a ve c o mp ell ed t h ei r s u b j e ct s t o b e b a p t i z ed , a s wa s d on e i n ea rly
t i me s Th u s n ow a t B a p t i s m t h e qu e s t i on i s a s k ed : Wi l t t h o u b e
b
.

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
,

p o s e d t h a t t h ey w o ul d h a ve wi s h e d for t h e s a c r a men ts h a d t h ey b een

c on s c i o u s Th e b a p t i s m of i n fa n t s i s j u s t i ed on th es e g ro un d s
. .

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 .

Th e en t i r e efc a c y of t h e s a c r a men t s i s d er i ved fro m th e me r i t s

o f Ch r i s t n ot t ho s e of t h e p r i es t wh o d i s p en s e s t h em
, It i s ou t of t h e .

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
,

wh o i s h ol y Nor i s th e g ra ce of t h e s a c ra men t s l es s en ed b y t h e evi l

.

l i fe of t h e p r i es t God i s w on t t o ma ke u s e of u n w ort h y i n s t ru men ts

. .

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

.

Th e C h u rch i mp os es two i n di s p en s a l e con di ti on s on th os e b

w h o a dmi n i s t er th e s a cramen t s : t h e mu s t ma ke u s e of th e y
p res c ri e d b
s en s i l e Si gn w i th obt a n
y e s s e u
n ti al a l t era ti on a t th e

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 .

If w i n e for i n s t a n ce , we re emp l o ye d i n s t ea d of wa te r for b a p t i z

,

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
.

b y a for ei g n er p erh a p s w o u l d n ot i n te rfere wi th th e ei c a cy n!

 The Sa cra ments . 5 77

th e s a crament I] th e p res cri b ed form of wo rds i s p ron o u n ced s ome

. .

ti me b efore or a ft er t h e w a ter i s p o u red up o n th e h ea d of th e p ers o n

t o b e b a p t i ze d t h e b a p t i s m i s n ot v a li d ; th e t wo a ct i o n s mu s t b e
,

s i mul t a n eo u s l y p er formed Wh en P ro tes t a n ts b a p t i ze t h ei r b a p ti s m

. ,

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

Even h ea th en n a ti Eg yp t i a n s Greeks a n d R oma n s

on s , s u ch a s the , , ,

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
.

Ten C o mma n dmen t s t h e p eo p le were t o b e s a n c t i ed a n d wa s h th ei r

g a rm en t s ( E xo d x i x . Jo h n t h.e B a p t i s t b a p t i z e d i n t h e d es e rt
t h o s e wh o p ro mi s ed a men dmen t of l i fe t o s i gn i fy t h e remi s s i o n of ,

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 .

of C hri s t i s o f a d i f feren t n a t u re ; i t h a s a t r a n s formi ng p ower ,

for i t va s h es a w a y s i n a n d c o n fers t h e g i ft of th e Hol y Gh o s t ( M a tt

.

iii 1 1
.

1 Thi s i s wh a t t ak es pl ac e a t Bapti s m: W at er i s p o red p on

. u u
th e h ea d of th e p ers on t o b e a pti zed, a n d a t th e s a me ti me th e b
word s a pp oi nt ed by
Our Lord a re rep ea t ed ; th e p ers on i s th ere y b
cl ean s ed from ori gi nal s i n a nd a ll oth er s i ns , h e i s gi fted w i th
b u y
h a i t al a nd s a n cti f i ng grac e, a nd ec omes a child of God, a n b
v
h ei r of h ea en, an d a mem er of th e Ch rc h b u .

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 ,

t h e Son , a n d of th e Holy th e Hol y Gh o s t d e s cen d s u p o n

u s ( a l t h o u g h n ot i n t h e form of a d o ve ) , we a re ma d e t emp l es of t h e
Holy Gh o s t a n d en d o w ed w i th s a n ct i fyi n g g r a ce ; God th e F a th er
s a ys : Th i s i s M y b el o ved s on i n wh om I a m well p l ea s ed , ( we a re
ma d e ch i l d r en of God ) , a n d t h e h ea ven s a re op en ed ( we a re ma d e
h ei rs of i mmort a li t y ) Ag 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 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
,

C h u rch of whi ch w e e c ome mem e rs Th o s e on wh o m s a n ct i fy i n g

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 :

t h e refore n ow n o con d emn a t i on t o th em th a t a re i n C h ri s t J es u s

( R o m vi i i T h e w or d s of St P et er o n t h e D a y of P en tec os t Sh o w
.

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 ,

b a p t i z ed eve ry on e of y ou i n th e n a me of Jes u s C h ri s t for the re

, ,

mi s s i on of y o u r s i n s ; a n d y ou s h a ll recei ve th e gi ft of the Hol y

Gh o s t ( Act s i i St P a ul s p e a ks of B a p t i s m a s
. t h e l ev er of
v b
.

reg en e r a t i on a n d ren o a t i on of th e Holy Gh os t wh e reb y

ei n g ,

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 . .

B ap ti s m was i ns ti tu ted by O u r Lord at Hi s own b apti m s and

en j oi n ed p on th e C u
h rc h u at Hi s a s cen s i on .

O u r L or d c a u s ed Hi ms elf t o b e b a p t i zed i n t h e Jord a n i n o rd er t o

s a n cti fy wa t e r a n d i mp a rt t o i t a cl e a n s i n g p o w er Th e ma n i fes t a .

t i on of a ll t h e thr ee p e rs o n s of t h e Hol y Tri n i t y a t th e t i me of Hi s

b a p t i s m s ho wed t h a t t h e s a c r a men t w a s t o b e a d mi n i s t e re d i n t h e
n a me of t h e t h r ee d i v i n e p e rs o n s C h r i s t a l s o t ol d Hi s a p o s t l es a t
.

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 . .

2 . B ap ti s m acts s p i ri tu all y as water d oes materi al l y .

It from th e s ta i n s of s in , i t e xti n g i s h es for us

cl ea n s es u s u
u
th e ames of h ell a n d of p rgator ; i t i mp a rts to u s a n ew l ife, y
u
i t q en ch es th e th i rs t of th e s o l , i t gi es u s s tren gth t o f ll u v u
u
th e c omman dments , ca s es u s to ri n g forth fru i t t o li fe etern al , b
b
a n d ma k es u s mem ers of C h ri s t s m s ti ca l

od y b y .

Eve ry kn ows th a t i n th e n a tu r a l ord e r wa te r cl ea n s es t h e o dy ,

on e b
p u t s ou t re, a n d rec a ll s t o c o n s ci o u s n es s on e wh o h a s fa i n t ed ; t h a t
i t i n vi g or a t es t h e h u ma n fr a me a n d g i es fert i l i t y t o th e s o i l v Th e .

w a t e r of B a p t i s m d oes th e s a me i n t h e Sp i ri t u a l ord er Every n ew .

b orn i n fa n t h a s t h e s t a i n of ori g i n a l s i n a t t a ch i n g t o h i m, a n d every

a du l t h a s i n a dd i t i on , t h a t of a ctu a l s i n
, Th es e s i ns a n i s h a t t h e . v
l a ver of r eg en e ra t i o n a s a s p a rk d i s a p p ea r s i f i t fa ll s i n t o t h e o cea n
b
.

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
. ,
'

s a c r a men t s a re i t s foo d or i ts med i c i n e B a p t i s m i s a l s o c a l l ed

.

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
.

qu en ch es th e th i r s t of th e s ou l F u rth ermore wh en th e Hol y Gh o s t

.
,

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 .

4 Hen c e i t foll ow s t h at p arent s o gh t t o h av e th ei r c hil dren

. u
b y
apti zed i mmedi atel after th ei r i rth , ecaus e new b orn i nfa nts b b -

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 . .

Alp h o n s u s s a ys t h a t if p a r en ts , w i t h o u t a n u rg en t rea s on , n eg lect

t o h av e t h ei r c h il d ren b a p t i zed wi th i n t en d a ys a fter t h ei r i rth , b
t h ey i n cu r t h e g u i lt of mor t a l s i n .

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
.

h eret i cs i s a l i d , p ro vi d ed i t i s c o rr ec tl y a dmi n i s t ere d , t h a t i s , i f wa te r

b e p o u r ed on th e ch i l d s h e a d ( or s o me o t h e r p o rt i o n of t h e b od y ) a n d

,

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 .

th e chi l d l i v es , h e s h o ul d b e t a ken t o t h e ch u rch l a t er on for th e

u s u a l c e r emon i es If i t b e s u rmi s e d t h a t t hr o u g h o verh as t e or
.
,

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
.

d es i r e h a d een th e mea n s of h i s cl ea n s i n g Th e p a t r i a r ch s , p rop h et s . .

 Th e Sa cr a men ts . 581

an d h o l y men of th e O l d Tes t a men t h a d t h e b a p t i s m of d es i re ; th ei r

l o ve of G od wa s a rd en t, a n d th ey w i s h ed t o d o a ll t h a t He comma n d s .

G od a c c ep ts th e w ill for th e d eed ; i n t h i s He ma n i fes t s Hi s s u p er

a b u n d a n t l o v i n g k i n d n es s . B u t a ll t h e t emp or a l p en a l t i es of Si n a re
n ot r emi tt ed b y t h e b a p t i s m of d e s i r e M a rt yr d om for C h ri s t s s a ke
.

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
.

s uf fe r m a rt yrd o m for t h e Ch r i s t i a n fa i t h for s o me a ct of C h ri s t i a n

b
,

v i rt u e, or th e fu l l men t of a C h ri s t i a n d u t y, a l s o recei ved t h e a p t i s m

of b l oo d . W i t n es s St Joh n B a p t i s t ; or St Emeren ti an a , wh o, wh i le
. .

y et a c a t ech u men , w a s fo u n d b y t h e p a g a n s p r a y i n g a t St Agn es

.

t o mb , a n d w a s p u t t o d ea th b y t h em .Th e C h u r ch d oes n ot p ra y for

t h e u n b a p t i z ed wh o s u ffe r d ea t h for C h ri s t ; for He Hi mse lf s a ys :

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 .

B a p t i s m u s e d t o b e a dmi n i s tered i n th e n i g h t p reced i ng Ea s ter

a n d Wh i t s un d a y . It w a s a dmi n i s t ered a t Ea s t e r, b ec a u s e i t i s a
Sp i ri t u a l r es u rr ect i o n , a n d t h e refor e a p p ro p r i a t e t o t h e s ea s o n ; a t

Pen te co s t , b eca us e on th e r s t d a y of P en te c os t t hree t h o u s a n d p er

s o n s wer e b a p t i z ed , a n d b ec a us e t h e Hol y Sp i ri t i s g i ven i n B a p t i s m ;

on t h e ev e of t h e Ep i p h a n y b ec a us e t h e C h u rch c o mmemor a tes t h e

b a p t i s m of O u r L or d i n th e Jord a n on t h a t d a y In d i vi d u a l s were
v
.

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 .

h is h a n d s u p o n hi m, a s a Si g n t h a t h e was s oo n t o r ecei ve t h e Hol y

Gh o s t ; h e ma de t h e Si g n of t h e c ro s s u p o n h i s foreh ea d a n d b rea s t ,
t o s i gni fy th a t h e mu s t b el i eve t h e te a c hi n g of ou r c ru cied L ord ,
a n d s h a p e h i s l i fe t h e reb y ; n a ll y h e p u t s a l t on h i s l i p s , t o d en o te

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

b i b li c a l h i s t ory, t h e Ten C o mma n dmen ts , t h e p r ecep t s of ch a ri t y, a n d

a ll o w ed t o b e p r es en t a t M as s u n t i l th e c r eed At th e en d of th e
.

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 .

w a s ob li ged t o fa s t i n Len t , t o h ea r s ermo n s , t o c o n fes s h i s s i n s i n

p u b li c a n d u n d erg o va ri o u s e orc i s ms , a n oi n t i n g s a n d o th er s y m
x
b ol i c a l cer emo n i es . b
In th e l a s t w eek efore B a p t i s m w a s a d mi n i s
t e red , a fter P a l m Sun d a y , th a t i s , th e c a n d i d a t es w e re t a u g h t t h e
5 82 The M ea n s f
o Gra ce .

d oct r i n e of th e mys t ery of t h e Holy Tr i n ity t h e Ap os tles C r eed a n d

,

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
.

b een r et a i n ed un til t h e p res en t d a y .

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 .

St a n di n g with h i s fa ce t ow a r d s t h e w es t h e r en oun ced t h e devil

,

a n d a l l h i s w ork s ( t h e w or s hip of id ol s a n d t h e c o rr upt p r a c ti c es of

t h e h e a th en ) , a n d t h e p omp s a n d va n iti es of t h e w orld Th en tu rn .

i n g t ow a r ds t h e e a s t, h e p r omi s e d t o b eli ev e a n d foll ow t h e t ea chin g

of C h r i s t . Thi s p r om i s e i s k n ow n a s t h e b a pti s ma l v ow ; it i s a l s o
c a ll e d a c ov en a n t , b eca u s e G o d a t t h e s a me ti me p r omi s e s t h e a s s i s t
a n c e o f Hi s g r a c e t o full t h e p r omi s e ma de, a n d t o r ew a r d th os e

wh o k eep it with et ern a l feli c ity a fte r de a th Th e b a pti s ma l v ow

.

r es emb les th e mili t a r y o a th t a ken b y th e s oldi e r, for a t b a pti s m we

a re en r oll e d un d er t h e b a n n e r of C h r i s t , a n d p r omi s e t o ght a g a i n s t
th e a dve r s a r i es of Go d Th e b a pti s ma l v ow a l s o r es emb les t h e ma r
.

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,

for t h e s oul then p r omi s es delity a n d l ov e t o h er cel es ti a l B r ide

gr oom It i s w ell for th os e wh o h a ve b een b a ptiz e d i n thei r i n fa n cy
.

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 . .

C hry s os t om u s ed t o r en ew h i s vow s i n t h e h our s of t empt a ti on , s a y

i ng : Ir en oun ce th e d evil a n d give mys elf wholly to C hr i s t
In .

t h e ti me of p er s e c uti on t h e ea rly C h r i s ti a n s wer e a cc u s t ome d t o

s ol emn ly r en e w thei r v ow on c e a y e a r , t o s t ren gt hen th ems elves i n

t h e fa ith .O n e could wi s h th a t thi s w a s d on e n ow C h ri s ti a n s wh o

.

h a ve b een un fa ithful t o th ei r v ow s will , a t t h e L a s t Judgm en t , h ea r

fr om th e lip s of O u r L or d t h e a pp a lli n g w or d s : Thou wi cked s er va n t ,

o u t of thi n e ow n mouth will I

con demn th ee , b y t h e p r omi s e th ou

did s t on ce s o e l mn ly ma k e to Me .

For me rl y b a p ti s m w a s g en er a lly b y i mmers i on , b u t oft en

ti mes wa t er w a s s p ri n kl ed or
p oured u p on th e i n d i v i d u a l .

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
,

moth er l ed th e p er s on t o b e b a ptiz e d b y t h e h a n d d ow n th e s tep s a n d

, ,

plun ged h i m th ree times un de r t h e w a t er, while th e p r i es t p ron oun c ed

t h e w or d s p res c r i b e d b y O u r L or d Th e threefold i mmer s i on w a s i n
.

h on or of t h e mos t Holy Tr i n ity ; it w a s a l s o i n c ommemor a ti on of

th e b ur i a l of C h r i s t a n d Hi s r i s i n g a g a i n , a n d w a s i n t en d e d t o s i g
n i fy th a t th e ol d s i n ful m a n w a s b u r i ed , a n d t h e n ew ma n h a d a ri s en
,

( 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 .

Th e i n dividu a l b a ptiz e d wa s pl a ced un d e r t h e s p e ci a l p r otecti on of

a s a i n t or a n g el wh o w a s t o s erve h i m a s a mod el
, Soc r a t es of ol d
.

u s e d t o a dvi s e p a r en ts t o g ive th e n a mes of vi r tu ou s p er s on s t o th ei r

child r en i n or d er t o en cou r a g e th em t o i mit a t e th e i r ex a mpl e Alex .

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 .

Th e p r i es t a n o in ts t h e p ers on or child on the t 0p of th e hea d with

c h r i s m i n th e fo rm of a c ros s t o remi n d h i m th a t h e i s n ow a ,

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
.

n i ty a s a s on of t h e K i n g of hea ven ; it a dmon i s hes h i m t o over come

t h e c on c upi s cen ces of t h e es h ( Gen iv 7 M ore over oi l b ei n g a . .
,

mild s ub s t a n ce remi n ds h i m t o p ra cti ce meekn es s a n d exe r c i s e t h e

, ,

w orks of mer cy ; it a ls o s ign ies th e illumin a tin g a n d j us ti fyin g

g r a ce of t h e Holy Spi r it In forme r times th e n ewly b a ptiz ed u s ed
.
-

t o put on a whit e r ob e whi ch they wore i n t h e chu r c h for a w eek u n til ,

Low Sun d a y a s a s ymb ol of t h e r ob e of b a pti s ma l i nn ocen ce a n d

, ,

of t h e w eddin g g a rmen t of s a n cti fyi n g g r a ce

-
w hi ch th ey w ere t o ,

keep un s p otted u n til dea th O n t h e p res en t d a y a white cl oth i s l a id

.

up on t he n ewly b a ptized A l igh te d c a n dle i s then given t o th e p er

-
.

s on b a p ti zed ( or t o t h e s pon s or i f a n i n fa n t ) Thi s i s t o den ote t h e .

l ight of t h e Holy Spi r it whi ch h e h a s rece ived a n d rec a ll s t h e w or ds

,

, ,

of O u r Lor d : So l et y ou r light s hin e b efore men th a t they ma y ,

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
,

( M a tt v . .It a l s o i n di c a tes tha t t h e p ort a ls of th e c ity of et ern a l

light a re O p en ed t o h i m All thes e ceremon ies h a ve a s a n c ti fyi n g
.

i n uen ce a n d c on s ec r a te h i m wh o receives them t o b e a ttin g t empl e

,

of t h e H oly G hos t .

F ormerl y th e p er s on b a p tiz ed w a s on rmed i mmedi a t el y c

a ft erwa rds , a n d a dmi tt ed t o h ol y ommu n i on c .

He wa s a l s o full y i n s t ruc te d i n t h e d oct rin e of h oly M a s s t h e ,

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
-
.

B a pti s m h e w ould n ot h a ve un ders tood th em a s h e wa s with out t h e ,

en lighten i n g p res en ce of t h e H oly G h os t See h ow gr ea t t h e es tee m .

i n whi ch rel igi ou s i n s tructi on wa s h el d !

Con rma ti on i s s o c a lled fr om i t s effect whi ch i s to con rm a n d

-
,

s t ren gth en i n t h e fa ith tho s e wh o r eceive it ; it i s a l s o S p oken of a s

t h e l a yi n g on of h a n d s ( Acts viii 1 7 from th e n a tu re of t h e cere .

mon i es O u r L or d h a d given th e Holy Spi r it t o Hi s a p os tles b efore

.

Hi s a s cen s i on y et they were t imid a n d fea rful a n d did n ot los e thi s

, ,

timidity un til t h e Da y of P en t ecos t when th e plen itude of t h e Spi r it ,

w a s p ou red ou t up on them So we receive t h e Holy Gh os t a t ou r

.

b a pti s m b u t n ot i n a ll Hi s ful n es s ; thi s we receive a t ou r C onrma

,

t ion O n th e D a y of P en tecos t th e Holy Ghos t c a me down up on th e

.

a p os tl es un de r s en s i b l e s i gn s t on gues a s ofre a n d a mighty wi n d ; s o

,

i n C on rma ti on t h e vi s ib l e s ign i s th e i mp os iti on of h a n d s th e a udi ,

b l e s ign t h e p r a yers r ep ea t e d b y t h e b i s h op At P en tecos t t h e a p os tles .

received th e s even gi ft s of th e Holy Spi r it p re emi n en tly th e gi ft of ,

-

fort i tud e a n d th e ext r a or di n a ry gi ft of t on gu es ; it i s t h e s a me with

Wh a t
,

u s a t C on rma ti on on ly th e gi ft of t on gues i s n ot n ow given

,
.
 Th e Sa cra men ts . 585

th e Da y of P en tec os t wa s to th e a p os tles , C on rma ti on i s t o th e

C hr i s ti a n .

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 b i s hop xten d s h i s h a n ds over th e p ers on s t o b e c on rm ed

e .

while h e i n v okes th e Holy Spi r it with Hi s s even fold gift s t o i n di c a t e ,

th a t a s up ern a tu r a l p ow er i s commun i ca t ed t o them ; h e then g oes

t o ea ch on e s ep a r a t ely a n d l a yi n g up on h i s h ea d fou r n ger s of h i s
,

right h a n d with t h e thumb of t h e s a me h a n d h e ma k es t h e s ign of

,

th e cr os s with ch r i s m on t h e for eh ea d of t h e p er s on t o b e c on r med ,

givi n g h i m thereb y t o un der s t a n d th a t h e mu s t n eve r b e a s h a med t o

p rofes s hims elf t h e di s c ipl e of a c ru c ie d Sa vi ou r s a yi n g mea n while : ,

I s ign thee with th e s ign of th e c r os s a n d I c on rm thee with t h e

c h r i s m of s a lva ti on In t h e n a me of t h e F a th er a n d of t h e Son a n d
.
, ,

of th e H oly G h o s t Amen Then h e gives h i m a s light b l ow up on

.
,

t h e c hee k t o te a c h h i m th a t h e mu s t b e r e a dy t o s uffe r p er s ec uti on

,

for t h e fa ith s a yi n g : ,P ea ce b e with thee In con clus i on t h e b i s hop .

gives t o a ll h i s b les s i n g Th e chr i s m i s comp os e d of olive oil a n d

.

b a lm of G il e a d ; it i s s olemn ly b les s ed b y t h e b i s hop i n th e c a thed ra l

c hur c h on M a un dy Thu r s d a y .

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 .

Th e h oly a p os tles P eter a n d John l a i d th ei r h a n d s on t h e C h r i s

ti a ns a t Sa ma r i a , a n d they rece ived t h e H oly Ghos t ( Acts viii 1 1 .

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 .

was a dmi n i s te red, it wa s gen er a lly a c comp a n i ed b y extr a or di n a ry

gi fts of t h e Holy Gh os t , s u ch a s t h e gi ft of t on gu es a n d of p r ophecy
( Acts x ix At t h e l a yi n g on of h a n ds t h e Holy G h os t w a s w on t

t o ma n i fes t Hi s c omi n g b y vi s i b le s ign s s o th a t t h e a p o s tl es n eeded ,

n ot t o ma k e u s e of ch r i s m O r igi n a ll y oi l a l on e w a s empl oye d ; n ot

.

un til th e s i xth cen tu ry w a s b a lm mi n gle d with it Th e old es t wr iters .

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 .

P op e U rb a n , i n t h e thi r d cen tu ry, s a y s : All t h e fa ith ful ought ,

a ft er b a pti s m, t o rece ive t h e H oly G h os t b y i mp os iti on of h a n ds in ,

or d e r th a t th ey ma y b ec ome p erfec t C h r i s ti a n s St Augu s ti n e re

. .

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 ,

n o l on ge r given , th a t th e H oly Gh os t i s n ot c ommun i ca t e d b y i mp os i

ti on of h a n d s It w a s on ly given i n e a rly ti me s for th e more r a pid
.

p r op a g a ti on of t h e GO Sp el Th e C ou n c il o f Tren t exp res s ly d ecl a res

.

C on rma ti on t o b e a t ru e s a c r a men t n ot a mere r ite whi c h formerly , ,

w a s a pp en d e d t o B a pti s m n or a pub li c p rofe s s i on of fa ith i n p res en ce

,

of t h e fa ith ful .

2Th e s up ern a t ura l

. ef
fe ct of Conrma t i on i s s i mil a r t o th e
na t ur a l ef
fect of oi l .

It cr ea es t wi thi n us a s pi ri t of meekn es s ; i t in crea s es , th a t

5 86 Th e Mea ns f
o Gra ce .

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 ,

ou r u n d ers t a n di n g s tren gth en s ou r w ill

, p res erv es ou r s oul ,

from th e c orru p ti on of s i n a n d ll s u s wi t h th e s w eet od or of ,

vi rtu e .

Oil t wh a t i s h a r d it a dds vigor t o t h e fra me it diffu s es

s o f en s , ,

a n a g r ee a b le light B a lm i s a p res erva tive a g a i n s t put refa c ti on a n d

.
,

emit s a fr a g r a n t s mell C on rma ti on i n c re a s es ou r c h a r ity tow a rd s

.

God a n d ou r n e ighb or or i n o the r w or ds it i n c re a s es s a n c ti fyi n g

, , ,

g ra c e a n d i mp a r ts t o u s th e fuln e s s of t h e divi n e Spi r it Hen c e

, .

C on rma ti on i s t h e compl emen t of B a pti s m ; i n B a pti s m we a re ma d e

t h e t emples of t h e H oly G hos t i n C on rma ti on we rece ive Hi m i n ,

a ll Hi s pl en itud e of g r a c es In B a pti s m we a re ma de s oldi ers of

.

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 .

h a ve b een c on rme d en j oy a g rea t er deg ree of gl ory i n he a ven th a n

t h e un con rme d Thi s i s why i n ea rly times C on rma ti on w a s a d
.
, ,

mi n i s ter ed t o i n fa n t s Th e en lighten men t of t h e mi n d con s i s ts i n

.

givi n g ma n a s en s e of t h e w or thl es s n es s of t h e g ood s a n d plea s u res of

thi s w orld a n d i n s pi r i n g h i m with a n a b h orr en ce of them By C on
, .

rma t i on ou r th oughts a n d a s pi r a ti on s a re di rec te d t owa r d s h ea ven ;

fr om e a rthly ma n b e comes h ea ven ly fr om s en s u a l s pi r itu a l ; h e b e
, , ,

c omes a p er fe ct C h r i s ti a n By C on rma ti on ti midity i s di s p elle d

.

a n d c ou r a g e i mp a r t e d B efore t h e D a y of P en tec o s t t h e a p os tles wer e

.

fa in t h e a r t e d a s child r en ; a fte r th a t d a y th ey w ere b old a s li on s

-
Th e .

Holy Spi r it p r o du ces a like ch a n ge i n th os e wh o a re c on rmed : th ey

ca n s a y : I c a n d o a ll thin gs i n Hi m Wh o s tren g th en eth me ( Phil .

iv . St V i n cen t i s of opin i on th a t a t t h e en d of t h e w orld An ti

.

c h r i s t will S p a r e n o e ort t o d et e r C h r i s ti a n p eopl e fr om rece ivi n g

t h e Sa c r a men t of C on rma ti on a s i n th a t c a s e they w ould more r ea d ,

ily a p os t a tiz e fr om t h e fa ith An d s i n ce C on rma ti on c onrms t h e

.

will it ma kes it e a s i er for th os e wh o h a ve r ece ived it t o res i s t t emp t a

,

ti on a n d thus a void s i n If s uc h a on e s ho uld fa ll i n t o mo rt a l s i n

, . ,

h e will i n cu r a r ig or ou s ch a s ti s eme n t like a s oldi e r wh o d es ert s t o ,

th e en emy s c a mp An d t h e s t r on g e r t h e will t h e les s di fcul t d oes

.
,

t h e p r a c ti ce of vi r tue b ecome C on rma ti on t en d s es p ec i a lly t o ren

.

d er u s hum b le a n d meek a s t h e o i l a n d b a lm den ot e : for b a l m s i nk s

,

i n t o t h e liquid i n t o whi ch it i s p ou r ed s ymb olizin g humility a n d oi l , ,

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
,

vex a ti on s of li fe b y un fa ilin g meekn es s Holy Sc r iptu r e S pea k s of .

vi rtu e a s a g ood od or ( 2 C or ii b ec a u s e th os e wh o a re vi r tu ous

. .

a re a s pl e a s i n g t o God a s a s weet p er fume i s t o u s .

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 .

It i s n ot w ell t o a dmi n i s te r t h e Sa c r a men t of C on rma ti on b efore

a child h a s a tt a i n e d t h e a g e of s even y e a r s a n d t h e u s e o f r e a s on , .

Th e mos t s uit a b l e a g e i s a b out twelve ; it s h ould n ot b e d eferred

l on ger th a n th e a g e of fou r teen b u t it i s i mp os s i b l e t o x a n ex a ct ,

time a s i n l a rge d i o ces e s th e b i s h op c a n on ly vi s it th e more remote

,

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 .

b y a p r i es t or a dea con An or di n a ry p r i es t ca nn ot a dmi n i s ter C on

.

rma t i on un les s h e b e exp res s ly a uth or iz ed a n d emp ow ere d t o d o

s o b y t h e a uth or ity of th e P op e they a re thu s emp ower e d i n mi s s i on
a ry di oces es , whi ch a re of t oo g r e a t ex t en t for t h e b i s h op t o t ra

ver s e, a n d where th e con vert s w ould b e i n d a n ger of rela p s in g i n to

p a g a n i s m unl es s they were con rm i n th e fa ith a s s oon a s p os s i b le .

As i n erecti n g a b uildin g t h e whol e of th e w or k i s d on e b y t h e w ork

men th e n i s hi n g t ou ch a l on e b e in g put b y t h e a r chit ec t s o i n t h e
, ,

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 )
-

. .

Thi s s a cra men t a pp ea rs more i mp os i ng when a dmi n i s tered b y t h e

b i s h op i n p ers on .

Th e p ers on c on r med r ec ei ves th e na me of s ome sa n i t at hi s

C on rma t i on .

Wh en C on rma ti on followe d i mmed i a tely up on B a pti s m n o o ther ,

n a me wa s a dd e d t o th a t g iven i n b a pti s m But when i n a ft e r yea r 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
,

rma t i on on wh om h e wa s t o l ook a s h i s model i n t h e S pi r itu a l wa r

,

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.

h i s p a tte rn on ea rth h e w a s t o i n v ok e a s h i s i n te r ces s or i n h ea ven .

B es ides thi s h ea venl y gu ide th e C hr i s ti a n h a s a t C onr ma ti on a n

,

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 .

Th e gl a di a t or wh o i s a b out t o en ter t h e a ren a r equi r es s ome on e

t o i n s t ruc t h i m i n s w or d s ma n s hip a n d a s s i s t h i m with h i s c oun s el ;
s o it i s a t C on rma ti on In a ll th e difcul ti es of li fe t h e g odp a ren t
.

o ught t o b e r ea dy t o s upp or t a n d h elp h i s g o d child ; h e ought t o d o

h i s utmo s t t o i n du ce h i m t o k eep withi n t h e p a th s of vi rtue ; a n d t h e

god child ought t o fe el th a t h e mu s t n ot r ely t oo mu ch on h i s own
p owers , b u t mu s t s eek coun s el fr om o ther s A S pi r itua l r el a ti on s hip .

exis ts b et ween t h e t wo , whi ch is n o l on ger a n e ccl es i as ti ca l hin d r a n ce

'

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
.

b een c on rmed a p er s on of b l a mel e s s li fe olde r th a n th e on e t o b e

, ,

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 .

Th e H oly Spi rit d oes n ot t a ke up Hi s a b od e i n t h e he a rt th a t i s

en s l a v ed b y t h e p r ide of li fe God res i s te th th e p r oud ( 1 P et v
. . .

Some on g oin g t o b e con rmed thi nk more of the i r d res s tha n of t h e

, ,

s a cr a men t th ey a re a b out t o re c e ive It i s n o l on g er r equi re d of t h e

.

c a n did a t es for C on rm a ti on th a t th ey s h ould b e fa s ti n g i n fa ct thi s , ,

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
, .

They Sh ould b e d res s e d s i mply thei r foreh ea d b ei n g un covered ; e a ch

,

on e S h ould h a ve a p r a y e r b ook , a n d th e n eces s a ry ce rti c a te Adul t s

-

kn eel child ren eith er s t a n d or kn eel t o receive th e s a c ra men t ; b e

, ,

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

d er of h i s g od chil d All mu s t b e p re s en t i n th e chur ch b efor e th e

.

b i s hop e xten d s h i s h a n d s ove r a ll i n g en er a l, a fter th a t th e d oor i s

c l os e d a n d n o on e el s e a dmitted Nor mus t a ny on e dep a rt b efore t h e
.

b i s hop gives t h e n a l b les s in g, a lth ough it d oe s n ot con s titute a n

in teg r a l p a rt of t h e s a c r a men t Aft er rec eivi n g C onrma ti on on e
. ,

mu s t b e c a r eful n ot t o dr ive a w a y t h e Holy Spi r it b y fe a s ti n g a n d

dive rs i ons Gr i eve n ot t h e H oly Spi r it of God ( Ep h iv
. Th e . .

c hi ef re a s on why t h e fa ith of C h r i s ti a n s i s s o c old i n t h e p r e s en t d a y

i s b ec a us e s o li tt le i s n ow thought of t h e Sa cra men t of C on rma ti on .

3 . THE HOL Y EUCHARIST .

In s ti tu ti on a nd Na tu re of the Holy Eu cha ri s t .

O ur Lo r d p r omi s ed th e Jews a t C a p h a rn a u m th a t He wou l d

g i v e t h em H i s es h t o ea t an d Hi s b l oo d t o d ri nk ( Joh n

After mi r a cul ous mul tipli ca ti on of t h e l oa ve s a n d s h es th e

the
p eople wen t i n s ea rch of C hr i s t a n d foun d Hi m i n th e s yn a g ogu e a t
,

C a p h a rn a um They w a n te d Hi m t o give th em b rea d a g a in ; b u t He

.

p romi s ed t o give them t h e b re a d of i mmort a lity Wh en they a s ke d .

Hi m for it He a n s wered : Th e b rea d th a t I will give i s My es h

,

.

An d when they refu s ed t o b eli eve Hi s wo rd s He a dded : Ex cept y ou ,

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
, .

M y es h i s mea t i n d eed a n d M y b lood i s d r i n k i n dee d ( John vi

,

.

52 5 6)
-

O ur Lor d fu lll ed thi s p r omi s e a t th e L a s t Su p p er ; He

ch a n ged th e b r ea d i n to Hi s b ody, a n d th e w in e i n t o H i s b l ood
a n d ga v e i t t o th e a p os tl es ( M a tt xx vi . .

Th e a p os tles did n ot h owever s ee t h e b ody of C h r i s t un der t h e

, ,

a pp ea r a n ce o f es h for t h e a cc id en t s of th e b rea d r ema in ed i e

, i ts , . .
,

col o r t a s t e s mell w eight

, , Nor did they s ee Hi s b lood otherwi s e th a n
, .

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

w hil e wh a t i s c on t a i n e d withi n it i s c h a n g ed i n t o a livi n g b i r d .

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 .

Here a g a i n w e n d t h e th ree es s en ti a ls of a s a cr a men t Th e vi s i .

b l e S ign i s t h e form of b re a d a n d of win e t h e a udib le S ign i s th e ,

wor d s of C hr i s t ; t h e i n vi s ib le gr a c e i s th e recepti on of th e b ody a n d

b l ood of C hri s t ; th e i n s tituti on of thi s s a c r a men t t ook pl a ce a t t h e
L a s t Suppe r Th e vi s ib l e form p ort r a y s th e i n vi s ib l e gr a ce : th e
.

b re a d p rep a red with w a t e r a n d t h e our of wh ea t a n d b a k e d with ,

re rep res en ts t h e b od y of C hri s t whi ch w a s s ub j ec t e d t o cruel s u f

,

fa ri n g ; t h e wi n e th e jui c e p r es s ed fr om th e gr a p e rep res en t s th e

, ,

b l oo d of Ch ri s t whi ch owed from t h e w oun ds of Hi s s a c red b odv

,
.
5 90 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce.

Th e b rea d i s ven ed t o den ote t h e pu r ity of C h r i s t s b ody ; it

unl ea ,

i s r oun d i n s h a p e b ec a us e it con cea ls Hi m Wh o i s wi th out b eginn i n g

,

a n d with out en d ( Heb vii W a ter i s mi xe d with th e wi ne t o

. . ,

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
,

s u s t en a n ce of t h e s oul Thi s Sa cr a men t i s ca lled t h e M os t Holy Sa c

.

r a men t of th e Alt a r b eca us e th e ch a n g e of s ub s t a n ce t a ke s pl a ce

,

up on t h e a lt a r ; it i s c a lle d th e Bles s ed Sa c r a men t b eca u s e i n it n ot ,

on ly a re t h e g r a c e s o f th e S a c r a men t r ec e ive d b u t t h e Auth or a n d ,

G ive r of a ll g r a ce ; a n d it i s b es ides th e mos t exa lt e d a n d s ub lime

of a ll t h e s a c r a men t s It i s c a ll e d t h e B r e a d of h ea ven th e B re a d
. ,

of a n g el s b e c a u s e O u r L or d comes d own fr om h ea ven t o b e ou r fo o d

, ,

a foo d whi c h ma k es men like t o a n g el s .

We s p ea k of th i s Sa cra men t as th e Sa cra men t of th e Alta r ,

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 .

O u r L o r d c omma n de d t h e a p os tl es : D o thi s for a commemor a

ti on of M e ( L uke xx ii O n thi s a cc ou n t t h e p r i e s t p ron oun ces
.

ex a c tly t h e s a me w or d s ove r t h e b r ea d a n d wi n e whi c h O u r L or d

utter e d a t t h e L a s t Supp er th er eb y c h a n gin g th e b re a d i n t o t h e b ody
, ,

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 .

Th e M os t Hol y Sa c r a men t of th e Al t a r i s r es erve d i n th e

t a b er n a cl e i n every p a ri s h ch u rch .

Th e t a b ern a cl e whi ch s t a n d s i n t h e middl e of t h e high a lt a r i s

, ,

ma de of wood, ma rb l e or b r a s s gilt i n s ide a n d lin ed with white s ilk , ,

c u rt a i n s In e a rli e r ti mes it w a s s itu a te d b es ide n ot a b ove t h e a l t a r

. , .

Th e n a me of t a b ern a cl e or t en t, i s given t o it fr om t h e s a c red ten t

, ,

of t h e I s r a elites ; a n d t h e my s t er i ou s cl oud th a t a c c omp a n i e d them on

thei r j ou rn ey, wa s a typ e of t h e t a b ern a cle of God i n whi ch He dwell s
with men ( Ap oc xx i . A l a mp i s k ept b urn i n g c on ti n u a lly i n t h e
.

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 .

th er e w a s a c a n dle s ti ck with s even b r a n c h es i n whi ch light s b u rn ed

c on tin u a lly O u r divi n e L o r d i s thu s eve r p r es en t with mort a l men ;
.

a s He Hi ms el f d ecl a r es : I a m with y ou a ll d a y s even t o th e c on ,

s umma ti on of t h e w o rld ( M a tt xxviii He i s a s t ruly p res en t

. .

with u s a s with t h e s a in t s i n h ea ven ; t h e on ly di fferen c e i s th a t th ey

b eh old Hi m fa ce t o fa ce wh er ea s He i s hidd en from ou r s ight b e
,

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
.

typ e of t h e hidden God p res en t i n ou r t a b ern a cl e s ( Exod xvi . .

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

p ea ra n ce of b r ea d a n d wi n e i s a mys t ery, b eca u s e our feeb l e

r ea s on c a nn o t c omp reh en d i t .

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 .

4 Our Lord i s p res ent i n every pa rt i l e, h owever

. c mi nut e, of
c c
th e ons e ra t ed b rea d a nd wi ne .

We h a ve s een tha t C h ri s t i s p res en t i n ever y Hos t a n d when t h e ,

p r i es t b rea k s t h e Hos t He i s equ a lly p r es en t i n every fr a gmen t of it

, .

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
,

with t h e p r op er ty of p o i n tin g t o t h e n ort h An d if a mi rr o r i s .

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 .

i s n ot mul tipli e d ; Hi s b ody i s b u t on e a n i ma ted a n d p erv a ded b y ,

Hi s divin ity whic h ll s a ll s p a ce It i s n ot i n crea s e d b y ea ch fres h

, .

c on s ec r a ti on n or dimi n i s h e d b y t h e n umb er s wh o r ec eiv e it

, As t h e .

light of a c a n dl e i s n ot les s en ed h owev er man y othe r c a n dl es a re,

light e d a t i t s a me, s o O u r L or d s b ody s uffe r s n o di mi n uti on when it

i s given t o th ous a n ds of c omm un i c a n t s Thu s St An dr ew s a id t o . .

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 .

t h e fa ithful h a ve r ece ived Hi s s a c r ed b ody t h e V i ctim th a t wa s s l a i n ,

i s y et a live a n d un con s umed

.

5 Ch ri s t i s p res ent i n th e ons e ra t ed

. c c el e ments as l on g as th e
a cc i d ent s of b rea d a nd wi ne r ema i n .

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
.

a n d ea t thi s , for thi s i s M y b ody

An d He i s p res en t i n th os e wh o
.

r ece ive t h e s a c r e d Hos t a s l on g a s th e a cc iden ts of b rea d rema i n

un c on s umed Thus a fter commun i on we b ea r i n ou r b ody th e b ody
.

of C h r i s t .

6 Th e d ut i es of th e Ch ri s ti a n i n r ega r d to th e Hol y Sa ra ment

. c
of th e Al t a r a re th es e : He ough t t o v i s i t i t fr e u en tl y, t o a d ore q
i t, a n d to r e ei ve i t c .

We ought t h e B les s ed Sa cra men fre uen tly . In thi s re

to vi s it t q
S p ec t th e s heph er d s a n d th e thr ee ki n gs , wh o c a me t o w or s hip th e
In fa n t Sa vi ou r i n t h e ma n ger , s et u s a n excellen t exa mple Th e .

s ai n t s s pen ma n y hour s i n p r a ye r b efore t h e Bles s e d Sa c ra men

t t .

C a r din a l B ell a rmi n e wh en a s tuden t wa s a c cus t ome d wh en ever h e

, ,

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 .

why h e did thi s , h e repli ed : It would b e ill ma n n ers t o g o b y a

fr i en d s h ou s e with out a w or d of g reetin g

He wa s di s tin gui s hed .

while y et a youth for h i s gr ea t wi s d om Acc es s t o O u r L or d i s n ot .

d en i e d u s ; th e chur c h d oor s ta n ds open , a n d fr om th e t a b er n a cle t h e

voi ce of O u r Lor d c a ll s t o u s : C ome un to M e a l l y ou tha t l a b or a n 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 . . .

de cl a res th a t O u r L or d i n th e Ad or a b le Sa cr a men t of t h e Alt a r

af for d s u s fa r more s a ti s fa ct i on th a n c a n b e der ived fr om th e wh ol e
w orld , with i t s fes tiviti es a n d pl ea s u res In Hi s p res en c e th e s or .

row fu l a re c omfo rte d t h e fooli s h l ea r n wi s d om th e feeb l e a re

, ,

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
.

b e th er e s h a ll t h e ea g l es a l s o b e g ath er e d t og eth er ; a n d i n like ma n

,

n er t h e fa ith ful s h ould h a s ten t o t h e Bl es s e d Sa c r a men t th e foo d of ,

th e s oul Th e s a i n t s l ove d t o d r i n k of thi s r iver of p a r a di s e a s th e

.
,

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

d ee d they wh o i n th e h our of n eed choos e ra ther t o s eek huma n

a re ,

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
,

s elves t o t h e c hu r ch t o C h r i s t Wh o i s s o willin g s o a b l e t o h elp them

, , , .

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 .

It i s us t oma ry on en ter in g or l ea vi n g a chur ch t o g en uect b e

c
fore t h e Bl es s e d Sa c r a men t ; t o kn eel dow n reveren tly a t t h e con s ecra
ti on a n d when b en e di cti on i s given with t h e Bles s ed Sa c r a men t
, In .

former ti mes p eopl e us ed t o kn eel when ever they met a p r i es t c a rry

i n g th e s a cre d Ho s t t o t h e s i ck ; it i s r el a ted c f R udolph of Ha p s
b u rg th a t on ce wh en h e w a s ou t hun ti n g h e met a p r i es t g oi n g t o ,

give commun i on t o a dyi n g ma n ; i mmedi a t ely h e di s moun ted a n d ,

k n eeli n g b y t h e r oa ds ide g a ve h i s h or s e t o th e p r i es t ; n or w oul d h e

,

a ll ow t h e a n i ma l t o b e a g a in u s e d ex cept i n th e s ervi ce of t h e C hu rch .

B efore r ec eivin g h oly commun i on we ought t o mak e a n a ct of a d or a

,

ti on of th e Bles s e d Sa c r a men t U nh a ppily ma n y a mon g u s p os s es s

.

n o livi n g fa ith ; th e y p a s s b y t h e M os t H oly Sa c r a me n t of t h e Alta r

with cold i n di ffer en ce Th e p r oces s i on of C orpu s C hr i s ti w a s i n s ti
.

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
.
,

t h e p r es en ce of C hr i s t i n t h e Bl es s ed Sa c r a men t a n d th e Exp os iti on ,

of t h e F ort y H ou r s h a s t h e s a me ob j ect Th e C on fr a tern ity of th e

.

P erp etu al Ad or a ti on i s i n t en ded t o keep up th e w ors hip of th e Bles s ed

Sa c r a men t un in te rr uptedly ; e a ch memb e r h a s t o s p en d a t l ea s t on e
h ou r every mon th i n a dor a ti on b efore t h e a lt a r Thi s Sa c ra men t .

w a s i n s titute d b y O u r L or d immedi a tely b efore Hi s dea th i n or der t o

give it g re a ter i mp or t a n ce i n ou r eyes a s we t rea s u r e more t h e l a s t
,

gi ft of a dyi n g fr i en d If t h e Jew s wer e n ot p ermitted t o b eh old

.
,

much l es s t o t ou ch t h e Ark of t h e C oven a n t whi ch w a s a typ e of

, ,

t h e Ad or a b l e Sa c r a men t o f t h e Alt a r wh a t dr e a d ought w e n ot t o

,

feel i n p res en ce of th e r ea lity !

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.

Th e re cepti on of thi s Sa cr a men t i s kn own a s commun i on , tha t i s ,

un i on with C h r i s t In commun i on w e r ec e ive O u r L or d, a s Z a ch eu s

.

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
.

Holy Eu ch a r i s t ; for i n s t a n ce, t h e t ree of li fe i n th e mids t of p a r a di s 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

t o M oun t Hor eb ; t h e mi r a cul ou s multipli c a ti on of t h e l oa ves ; t h e

w a t e r ma de win e a t th e ma rr i a ge of C a n a An d h oly c ommun i on i s .

it s elf a n ea rn es t of th e S pi r itu a l food wher ewith w e s h a ll b e n our

i s h ed i n h ea ven .

Th e fa ith fu l r ecei v e th e Hol y Eu c h ari s t u n d er th e form of

 The M ea n s of Gra ce
I

5 94 .

b rea d on l y ; th e p ri es t a l on e, at M as s , re ec i ves i t u n d er b oth

ki n d s .

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
.

b l ood, s o th a t Hi s b ody a n d b l o od w er e s ep a r a te d on e from t h e oth er .

Th e t wo s ever a l s p ec i es of b rea d a n d wi n e i n t h e M a s s s ign i fy thi s

s ep a r a ti on of O u r L or d s b o dy a n d b l oo d

Th e fa ithful , on th e othe r .

ha n d, d o n ot s a cr i ce t h e V i cti m b u t r e ce ive th e Sa c r a men t ; it i s u n

,

n ece s s a ry for them t o r ece iv e t h e ch a li ce, a s O u r L or d i s c on t a i n e d

wh olly un d er e ither s p eci es He Hims elf s a ys : . He th a t ea teth
thi s b r ea d s h a ll liv e for ever ( John vi The re a re ma n y r ea s on s
.

for withh oldin g t h e c h a li ce from t h e l a ity ; t h e p re c i ou s b l oo d might

ea s ily b e s pill e d i n p a s s i n g fr om on e t o a n othe r ; ther e i s t h e d i i cul t y

of p r oc ur i n g win e i n s ome pl a ces ; t h e dif cul ty of r es ervi n g it a n d

h ea ri n g it t o t h e s i c k ; a n d s ome p eopl e c a n n ot b ea r t h e ta s t e of win e .

C ommun i on i n b oth ki n d s wa s , i t i s t r ue, en oi n ed on t h e l a ity b y j

t h e H oly See i n t h e fth cen tur y, b u t thi s w a s on ly d on e t o c omb a t
t h e err or of t h e M a n i c hee s , wh o d ecl a re d wi n e t o b e a n i n ven ti on of
t h e devil a n d wh olly t o b e a v o id e d An d i n 1 43 3 t h e c h a li ce w a s for a
.

ti me given t o t h e l a ity , t o i n duce th e fol lowers of Hu s s t o retu rn t o

t h e u n ity of th e C hur ch .

The Neces s i ty of Holy C ommu n i on .

l . Th e Hol y Sa c r a m nt e of th e Al t a r i s th e n ouri s h ment of our

s oul 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 .

Th e H oly Euch a r i s t i s t h e n ou r i s hmen t of ou r s oul s ; on it ou r

s pi r itu a l li fe i s dep en d en t O u r L or d s a y s : . He tha t ea teth M e ,

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 ,

i n y ou ( Jo hn vi 5 8, . Holy c ommun i on i s th erefor e es s en ti a l

t o ou r p r og res s i n s a n c tity, a n d t o t h e n a l a tt a i n men t of et er n a l
li fe As th e b odily h ea lth c a n n ot b e ma i n t a i n e d with out n our i s hi n g
.

foo d s o s pi r itu a l h ea lth c a n n ot b e a c qui re d a n d p r es erve d with out

,

h oly c ommun i on St F r a n c i s of Sa le s tell s u s th a t the re a re t wo

. .

c l a s s es o f men wh o n ee d h oly c ommun i on : t h e p erfec t , th a t th ey ma y

n ot d ecli n e i n p e r fe cti on a n d t h e i mp e rfec t , th a t th ey ma y b e come

,

perfect ; t h e s t r on g, th a t they ma y ma i n t a i n th ei r s tren gth , a n d th e

wea k th a t th ey ma y a cqui r e s t ren gth Th e ea rly C hr i s ti a n s c om
, .

mu n i c a t ed d a ily, a n d thi s it w a s th a t g a ve th em c on s t a n cy a n d fo rti ,

tud e t o s uffer ma rtyr d om As a rul e th e s a i n ts c ommun i c a ted fre

.

quen tly Y et it mu s t n ot b e s upp os ed th a t fre qu en t commun i on i s i n

.

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 .

Th er efore t h os e w h o r a rel y r ec ei v e h oly c mmu n i on wil l

o

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 .

they wi ll r ecei ve thi s Holy Sa cr a men t wi th d ue reverence a n d devo

ti on .

Wher efore t o put o commun i on a ny l on ger or to exa ct a r iper
age for t he recepti on of the s a me i s t o b e rej ec ted a b solutely a nd the
sa me h a s been r epea tedl y c on demn e d b y t he Holy See ( De cree of

.

S C on g of Sa c Di sc ) In th e M i ddle Ages chi ldren were a llot ted t o

. . . .

c
ma ke thei r r s t ommun i on when they were s even yea rs old Th e .

Ch r i s ti a n i s a ls o b ou n d t o r eceive h oly c ommun i on if he b e i n d a n g er

o f de a th Hence th e commun ion given to the S i ck i s ca lled t h e V i a t i
.

c u m, t h e s u s tena n c e of t he t r a veller on hi s la s t j our ne y Th e s a cr ed .

H os t mus t n ot b e a dmi n is ter ed to a n y on e wh o ca n n ot s w a llo w or wh o ,

i s s ub j ec t t o v omiti n g If t he i lln es s i s of pr olon ged dur a ti on th e

.
,

s i c k ma n ma y rece ive c ommun i on t wo or three ti mes dur in g i t s co u rs e ,

i f h e des i re t o d o s o Holy c ommun i on mus t a l s o b e g iven to children

.

wh o a re i n da n ger of dea th p r ovid ed they h a ve a tt a in e d t h e u se of

,

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
.

a nd Ext r eme Un cti on t o c hildr en h a vi n g a tt a i n ed t he u s e of rea s on

.

( Ib idem) Th e p r i es t mus t b ri ey i n s tr uct them i n the chi ef truths of

t h e F a ith a n d t h e s a cr a men t s they a re a b out t o r eceive
, Fu r th er more .
,

i t i s t h e des i r e of t h e C hur ch th a t th e fa it hful s ho uld i n a s fa r a s i s ,

p os s ib le c ommun i c a te on a ll Sun d a ys a n d h olyda ys Th e C oun ci l of

,
.

Tr en t w ould fa i n in dee d tha t a t ea ch M a s s t h e fa ithful wh o a re pr es

e nt s h ould c ommuni ca t e n ot on ly i n s pi ritu a l des i re b u t a l s o b y s a cr a
, ,

men t a l p a r ti cipat i on of t h e Eu ch a r i s t tha t th er eb y a mor e a b un da n t ,

fr uit might b e de r ive d t o them fr om thi s h oly s a crice ( Co un c il of

Tren t 2 2 , Now it i s of ob liga ti on tha t every C a tholi c Should
,

hea r M a s s on a ll Sun da ys a n d holyda ys hen c e i t ma y b e i n ferr ed t ha t ,

they s hould r ecei ve h oly commun i on on a l l th os e d a ys a t th e lea s t .

M a n y F a ther s a nd D oc tor s of th e C hur ch urge frequen t commun i on

on t h e fa ithful

We give our b odies n our i s hmen t s evera l times a
.

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
,

men t on ly on c e a yea r 2 It i s th e duty of thos e wh o h a ve th e cure

of s oul s t o exh or t t h e fa ithful t o t h e p r a cti ce of fr equen t, n a y da ily ,

c ommun i on a s th e s oul, l ik e t he b ody, will l a n gui sh with out 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

mu n i on ma y b e p ra cti s ed wi th more p ru d en ce a n d wit h grea ter

fru it b u t th e c onfes s or s h ou ld n ot p rohib i t d a ily commun i on to
,

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 .

Th e old con trove r s y ab out fr equen t commun i on wa s n a l ly s ettled

b y th e D ecree of Pi us X Decemb er 2 0, 1 905 Th e mi n d of t he C hur ch
,
.

on t h e qu es ti on i s ther ei n clea rl y ex pr es s ed Th e dec ree s a ys i n .

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 ,

a pp r oa che s t h e H oly Ta b l e with a good a n d upr ight i n ten ti on Thi s .

g ood i n t en ti on con s i s ts i n a des i r e t o full th e divi n e will a n d t o b e

more cl os ely un ite d with G od , a n d b y tha t divi n e r emedy t o ght
a g a i n s t on e s w ea k n es s es a n d defec ts , a n d n ot t o a ppr oa c h ou t of

routi n e, or v a n ity or w or ldly motives ,

V en i a l s i n i s n ot a n ob s ta cle
.

t o d a ily c ommu n i on , a lth ough it i s i n th e highes t d e gr ee b ecomi n g

tha t da ily c ommun i ca n ts s h ould b e free from a l l fully delib er a te ven i a l
pose d c a r e mu s t b e ta ken to ma ke pr oper prep a ra ti on for holy c om
,

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 ,

Th e p r i es t mu s t n ot a d mi n i s ter h oly commun i on to p er s on s wh o

a re n ot a b l e to d i s t i ngu i s h t h i s s up er s u b s t a n t i a l b rea d from ord i n a ry

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

Thu s chi ldren wh o ha ve n ot a tta i n ed t h e u se of rea s on a re n ot

a md itt e d t o h o ly co mm u n i o n I f e x ce pti o.n s t o thi s r ul e h a v e b ee n

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
.

la tter ma y however h a ve luc id in terva ls or r ec over the ir rea s on a t th e

, , ,

a pp r o a c h of dea th B oth for r s t c onfes s i on a n d c ommun i on a c om

.

l et e a n d p e r fe c t k n o wl edge of C hr i s ti a n D octr in e i s n ot n eces s a ry

p
.

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

r equir ed i n or der to b e p roperly prep a r ed for r s t holy c ommun i on i s

tha t they u n der s ta n d a ccor di n g t o thei r c a p a city thos e mys te r i es of t h e
F a ith whi ch a re n ece s s a ry a s mea n s of s a lva ti on tha t they b e a b le t o ,

di s tin g ui s h th e Eu cha ri s t fr om c ommon a n d ma teri a l b rea d a n d a ls o

a ppr oa c h t h e Sa cr ed Ta b le with th e devoti on b ecomi n g thei r a ge .

( D ec r ee o f S e pt 8 . ,

The Ef
fects o f Holy C ommu n i on .

mmu n i on i s of g rea t b en et b ot h for t h e s oul a n d t h e

co
b ody Th e divi n e Ki n g
.

s a y s St Alph on s us
i s a c cus t ome d to
, . ,

re w a rd roya lly a l l th os e wh o en te rt a i n Hi m w ell

.

Hol y c o mmuni on a ct s s pi ri tua ll y , as b rea d a nd wi n e a ct ma

t eri a l l y .

B r ea d a n d win e i e ma ter i a l food , . As s i mil a tes its el f t o t h e

.,
,

body ; M a i n t a i n s li fe p romotes g rowt h ; D i s pel s fa tigue a n d

,

we a kn es s a n d i mp a rt s s tr en gth t o t h e b ody ; Affor d s a ce rt a i n

s a ti s fa c ti on b y pl e a s i n g t h e p a l a te ; An d i n uen ces t h e mi n d b y
th e medium o f t h e b ody In a s imil a r w a y t h e a cti on of holy com
.

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 .

Holy commun i on i s a s it w ere a con ti n u a ti on of th e In ca rn a ti on

, , .

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 ,

b y h oly commun i on He un ites Hi ms elf t o e a ch i n dividu a l memb er of

t h e huma n r a ce AS tw o pi eces of w a x wh en melted a re a ma lg a ma ted
.

with ea ch other s o completely d oes O u r Lo r d ma k e Hi ms elf on e with

,

u s i n h oly c ommun i on He i s i n u s a n d we a re i n Hi m St Aug us

. . .

ti n e s a y s th a t th os e wh o rece ive O u r L or d fr equen tly as s ume Hi s

n a tu re a re a s it w er e t r a n s formed i n t o Hi m
, , , By c ommun i on C hri s t .

ch a n ges ou r n a tur e i n t o Hi s ow n as l e a ven ch a n ge s a qu a n tity of ,

ou r Th ere i s thi s di fferen ce b e twee n t h e s pi ritu a l foo d w e r eceive

.

i n c ommu n i on a n d t h e or di n a ry food of t h e b ody ; th e l a tt er i s l es s

p owe rfu l th a n ou r n a tu re a n d i s a s s i mil a t ed b y it ; t h e former i s mor e
,

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 .

in to i ts own . t r i s en n ob le d b y c ommun i on a s a wild t ree

Ou r na u e ,

i s en n ob l ed b y b e in g g r a fte d with a c ultiv a te d tree H oly c ommun i on .

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 , .

t h e S ign of uni ty t h e b on d of c h a r ity t h e s ymb ol of con cor d

, ,

( 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 ,

lighten t h e un ders t a n di n g a n d s tr en gth en t h e will Holy c ommun i on .

a c t s like t h e r i s i n g s u n di s p elli n g d a rk n es s a n d b r i n gi n g light It

, .

i mp a r t s s t r en gth a s did t h e b re a d of whi c h Eli a s p a rt ook ( 3 K in gs

a n d p ow er t o wi t h s t a n d t empt a ti on a n d t o p r a c ti ce vi r tu e .

Holy comm un i on giv es t o t h e timid t h e c our a ge of li on s ; St John .

C h rys o s t om s a y s th a t t h e devil s t remb l e when they s ee lip s re dden ed

with th e b l ood of t h e L or d Th os e wh o h a ve g rea t t r i a ls a n d s uffer
.

i n g s t o en dur e ought t o c ommun i c a t e oft en t o a c qui re s t r en gth It .

w a s b ec a u s e t h e ea rly C hr i s ti a n s w er e s o c r uelly p er s ec ut e d th a t they

u s e d t o for ti fy th ems elves s o oft en b y r ec e ivin g h oly commun i on ;
th en ce th ey g a in ed cour a ge t o c onfron t ma r ty rd om When eve r they .

kn ew th a t s ome d a n ger h a d t o b e en c oun ter ed they a pp ro a che d th e ,

Holy Sa cr a men t of t h e Alt a r for th ey w er e c on s c i ous th a t other wi s e ,

the i r for c e w oul d fa il th em Th o s e a l s o wh o a re exp o s ed t o vi olen t

.

t empt a ti on s ought t o c ommun i c a t e oft en for h oly commun i on h a s ,

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 .

p res e rves th e life of t h e s oul a s b r ea d a n d wi n e d o th a t of t h e b ody ;

,

for it ma i n t a i n s within u s s a n c ti fyi n g gr a ce whi c h gives vit a lity t o ,

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 ,

n ot d i e ( John vi 50 th a t i s t o s a y h e will n ot fal l i n t o mort a l

.
, ,

Si n, a n d thu s d e s tr oy t h e li fe of t h e s oul Holy c omm un i on i s a l s o .

t h e me a n s of k eepi n g u s fr om r el a p s e i n t o mor t a l s i n ; it i s a n a n tid ote

a g a i n s t t h e p o i s on of s i n ( C o un c il of Tr en t 1 3 Th os e wh o c om , ,

mu n i ca t e fre qu en tly p er s ever e i n gr a ce ; for whe re God i s often p res

en t , t h e en emy of Go d c a n n d n o p erma n en t a b od e Holy c om .

mun i on a l s o i n c re a s es s a n cti fyi n g g r a ce i n th e s oul ; a n d s i n ce th e

degr ee of feli c ity w e Sh a ll en j oy h er e a ft er i s d ep en den t on t h e mea s ur e
of s a n c ti fyin g g r a ce w e p os s es s h e r e it foll ow s th a t h oly c ommun i on ,

con duc es t o t h e a ugmen t a ti on o f ou r et e rn a l h a ppi n es s .

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 .

Phy s i c i a n s or de r n ou r i s hi n g foo d for th os e wh o a re i n rm th a t ,

th ey ma y g a i n s tr en gth Ther e i s a n a limen t of s ur p a s s in g exc ellen c e

.

w el l c a l c ul a t e d t o r emo v e s p i r itu a l i n rmi t i es a n d i mp a rt vig o r t o

th e s oul He wh o c ommun i c a tes frequ en tly will feel l es s s h a rp ly th e
.

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
, , .

H oly c ommun i on qu en ch es t h e a me of c on cupi s cen c e ; it i s th e corn

6 00 Th e M ea ns of Gra ce .

L or d un d er th e h ari s t i c ve il s di es ou t a l t oge ther

eu c . He wh o ap
p r e a ch es h oly communi on merely from force of h a b it , c a nn o t expec t
t o r ece ive a n ythi n g fr om God .

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 .

When mon a rch vi s it s a t own it i s p revi ous ly clea n s ed a n d d ec

a

o r a te d . We s h ould d o th e s ame when t h e Kin g of kin g s comes t o

u s ; w e s h ould pur i fy ou r con s c i en c e b y con fes s i on a n d a do rn ou r
s oul b y g ood w o rks St P a ul s a ys :
. L et a ma n p r ove hims elf a n d
.
,

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 . .

We mus t ex a mi n e ou r con s c i en ce b efore a pp roa chi n g h oly com

mun i on a n d th a t n ot merely i n r ega r d t o g rea ter t r a n s g res s i on s b u t
, ,

a l s o min or of fen c es Th e a p os tle s l a id the i r g a rmen ts up on th e a s s

.
,

b efor e th ey ma d e O u r L or d s i t th ereon ; s o we s h oul d deck ou r s elves

with vi rtue s wh en w e p rep a r e t o r ece ive Hi m i n c ommun i on Some .

p eopl e thi n k mor e of commun i c a ti n g up on c er t a in fes tiva l s th a n of ,

pur i fyi n g th ei r h ea r t s b y c on fes s i on a lth ough thi s i s of fa r gre a t er

,

i mpor t a n ce Wh erefor e it i s n ot h e wh o c ommu n i c a t es often or h e

.
,

wh o comm un ic a t es s eld om wh o s h ould b e es t eemed b u t h e wh o co m

, ,

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 .

He wh o rece ives ho ly mmun i on i n a s t a te of mor t a l Si n p r ofa ne s

co
t h e Holy Sa c r ame n t ; h e i s guilty of t h e b o dy a n d b lo o d o f t h e L ord
( 1 C or x i . .th a t i s h i s s i n i s th e s a me a s i f h e h a d put O u r
,

L or d t o d ea th Th e u n w ort hy commu n i c a n t a c ts lik e t h e P hili s

.

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 .

c ommun i on i s lik e t h e light whi ch i s s a lut a ry t o g ood eyes b u t

, ,

hur t ful t o thos e th a t a re di s ea s ed ; s o t h e L o r d s b ody i s a medi c i n e

,

givi n g s pi r itu a l h ea lth t o th e pur e of h e a rt b u t s pi r itu a l dea th t o t h e ,

un clea n a n d evil H oly commun i on i s lik e th e pill a r of th e cl o ud

.
,

enl ight en i n g th e I s r a elit e s b u t en v el opi n g th e Egyp ti a n s i n da rk

n es s ( Ex o d x i v . Wher efo re i f a n y ma n c a ll t o mi n d a mort a l
.

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
.
, ,

b u t h e mu s t c on fes s t h e s i n i n ques ti on t h e n ext ti me h e g oes t o con

fes s i on ; for a s it w a s n ot wi lfully omitt ed i t w as r emitted with t h 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 .

Sa t a n en t er s i n t o th e un w ort hy c ommu n i c a n t a s h e did i n t o ,

Jud a s a fter h i s s a c r il egi ou s c ommun i on ( Joh n xiii 2 7 If t h e p o s .

s es s i on of th e a rk b r ou ght s u c h gr i ev ous a f i cti on s up on t h e Phili s

ti n es ; i f t h e p r ofa n a ti on of th e s a cr ed ves s el s b y B a lt a s s a r w a s s o
b itt erl y expi a t e d ( D a n wh a t mu s t b e th e pu n i s hmen t of th os e
.

wh o l a y vi ol en t h a n d s on t h e b ody of th e L or d ? Th e Ap os tle tell s u s

 The Sa cra ments . 6 0E

th a t i nrmi t i es an d dea th ar e no un u s u al ch as ti s ement s of u nw orthy

comm un i can t s ( 1 C or x i Rememb er th e aw ful fa te of J ud as
. . .

T e rror d esp a i r h at red of Go d t h e t orment s th e l os t s uffer i n hel l

, , , ,

b egin on e arth for t h e un worthy c ommun i cant He wh o comes t o th e .

marr i ag e feas t ( h oly comm u n i on ) with o ut a w e ddin g g arment ( sanc

t i fy i ng grac e ) s h all b e cas t i n t o ex te r i or d arkn e ss ( M a tt xx ii )
, St . . .

P a ul w arns t h e C h r i s ti ans of comm un i ca ti n g u nw or thily wh e n h e

says : He th a t ea t eth an d d r i nk eth unw orthily ea teth an d d r i nketh

j udgmen t to hi ms elf no t d i sc ern i n g th e Lor d s b o dy ( 1 C or x i
,

. .

All th a t i s a b s ol ut el y required for th e w o rth y rec ep ti o n of

h o l y c o mmu n i o n i s t o b e i n a s t a t e of gr a c e ; b u t i t i s gr ea tl y t o
b e d es i r ed th a t a ll u n ru l y a tt a ch men t t o ea rth l y th i n gs s h o u l d
b e c o mpl et el y gi v en up b efore a pp ro a ch in g th e Hol y Sa cra men t
of th e Al t a r .

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 , .
,

d o y o u no t g o t o co mmun i on whi c h w a s i ns titut e d with t h e o b j ec t of

,

ena bli n g yo u t o c onti n u e i n th a t s t a t e ? Th e mor e w e a re deta ch e "

from e ar thly thing s t h e g re a ter will b e o u r ch ar ity an d th e g r ,

!

o ur c h ar ity t h e more a b u n d an t will b e t h e g rac es we re c eive i n

mun i on T hu s t h e a var i c i o u s t h e amb iti o u s th e i n te mp e ra
.

, ,

wh o i n dulge thei r evil t en denc i es will der ive littl e b en e ,

commun i on A pu re h ear t i s th e only t dwelli ng

'
4
.

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

mun i on It i s a dvi sabl e to h

. e s

sh ould b e sp ec i ally a b s t emi

u re s a n d a m us ement s a v ,
e

p erform s ome w ork s 0 4

( i n t h e p erson of Hi "

give th ee cel esti al f 4

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 .

no t h e al th em We o ught al so t o mak e an ac t of h Op e be fore com

.

mun i c a t i n g Wh en Ou r Lo r d w a s on e arth He n ever s en t any on e

.

aw a y empty wh o came t o Hi m i n t ru s tful conden ce Th e w oman .

wh o h a d bee n af i c t e d for twelve ye ars w as ma d e wh ol e i mmedi at ely

up on t o u c hi ng t h e h em of Hi s g arm en t i n fa ith ( M a tt ix We . .

o ught al so t o make an ac t of ch ar ity b efore comm un i ca ti ng ; for t h e

g r eat e r o u r l o ve t o Go d t h e g re a te r i s Hi s g ene ros ity t ow ar d s us He
, .

m u s t b e r e c e ive d with l o ve Wh o o ut of l o ve giv es Hi ms elf t o us .

Lo ve Him say s S t Augu s ti ne

, . W h o for l ov e of thee comes to
,

u n it e thy mor t ality t o Hi s imm ort ality

W e o ught a l so t o humbl e
.

o u rs elve s b efore Go d b efor e commun i cati n g cons id er i ng Hi s maj es ty ,

an d o ur m i s e ry an d d epl or i ng o ur s infu l n ess for Go d r es i s t eth t h e

, ,

p ro ud b ut t o t h e hu mbl e He gives gr ace ( 1 P et v

, M eek n e ss i s . .

a lso ne c e ssary i n th os e wh o comm un i ca te for with o ut it w e canno t b e,

ple as ing t o t h e Lamb of Go d .

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 .

h ea venl y foo d m u s t b e t ak en be for e t h e e ar thly for p rec e dence

"
he ,

ra y s giv en t o t h e no b l es t an d mos t e xc e ll e n t Th e b o dy of Our .

w h en t a k e n d o w n from t h e cross w as l a id i n a s ep ul c hr e whe r e i n

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 ;
.

h e a p os tl e s fee t b e for e givi ng th em commun i on

Th e .

comman de d t o w as h th e i r cl o th e s b efor e t h e Ten

d elive r ed t o th em E xt e rnal cle anli ne ss i s s u p
.

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 .

commu n i on for by d o i ng s o we l os e th e g rac es we h a ve rec eived

, .

We s ha ll d o better i f we g o t o a chu rc h an d thu s r etu rn th e vi s it ,

O ur Lor d h a s g ra cmu s ly v o u c h safe d t o p a y u s .

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 .

To ma ke a s pi r itu al comm u n i on i s a ma tte r of no difc ulty ; it i s

e no ugh t o r e co ll e c t one s s el f for a few m i n ut e s t o pl a c e on e s s el f i n

,

s pi r it b efore th e t ab e rnacl e an d t o s a y : Lor d J es us come I b es eec h

, , ,

T h ee i nt o my h eart
, .

We ought t o m a ke ap i r i tus al c o mmu i o duri n n ng M a s s ,mo re

p rt i
a cul a rl y a t th e c o mmu i o n n o f th p ri t
e d es , a n als o wh en we
a
p y a vis it to th e B l es s ed Sa cra men t .

We ma y even commun i ca te Spi r itu ally e very h o u r of t h e d ay th e ,

oft en er th e b etter F or thi s there i s no n ee d t o fas t b eforeh a n d nor

. ,

t o o b t a i n perm i ss i on from o u r confe ssor .

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 .

Ac tual c ommuni on comp ared t o a g olden s pi r itu al commun i on

is ,

t o a s ilver vess el Ou r Lor d wh en on e ar th did no t h e al th os e only

.
, ,

t o wh om He we n t i n p e rson b ut thos e al so wh o were a b s en t an d wh o

, ,

ar dently de s i red Hi s p res enc e Rememb er h ow He ac ted i n reg ar d .

t o th e c en tu r i on s s erv ant ; He d o e s t h e s am e no w as He did th en

( Co ch em ) Th e Co unc il of Tren t say s ( 1 3 T h os e wh o e a t i n

.
,

d es i re th a t h ea venly b re a d ar e b y a lively fa ith whi c h w orketh b y

,

c h ar ity ma de s ens i bl e of th e fruit a n d u sefulness thereof
, S pi r it .

u al commun i on i s t h e b es t p rep arati on for sacramen t al co mmu n i on .

Ou r Lor d did no t come t o e arth u n til Hi s a dven t w as ar de ntly d e

s i red ; an d i n like m a nn e r He i s relu c t ant t o vi s it th e so ul th a t d o es
no t e arn es tly l ong t o rec eive Hi m .

THE SAC RAM ENT 0F P ENANC E

4 . .

The Na tu re a nd the Neces s i ty of P en a n ce .

As soon a s th e s h s w all o w s th e b a it h e feel s th e smart S o it , .

i s with th e s i nner Y et wh a t Go d h as l a i d up on u s a s a c h as ti s emen t

.

He h a s ma de th e means of o u r salv a ti on ; He s en d s s u fferi ng as th e

c h as ti s ement of s i n ; b ut b y s uffer in g w e ca n b e d elivered from s i n .

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 .

A s a matte r of fac t o u r wh ol e li fe o ugh t t o b e on e conti nue d p en

,

anc e Ou r Lor d sa ys :
. U nl ess y o u s h all d o p enanc e y o u s h all all ,

like wi s e p eri sh ( Luke xiii An d aga i n : Woe t o yo u th at n ow

.
 T he Sa cra men ts . 605

laugh for yo u s h all mo u rn an d wee p

, ( Luke vi He often .

th re a tens th os e wh o only des i re t o enj o y li fe with et ernal p er diti on ,

( Jo h n x ii N o ma n even sh o uld h e no t b e consc i o u s of an y s i n

.
, ,

o ught t o d ep ar t o ut of thi s w orld wi th o ut d o i ng p enanc e ( S t Augu s .

tin e ) St J erome say s w e can no more a tt a i n everl as ti ng li fe with o ut

. .

pe nance th an we can g et a t th e kern el of a n ut with o ut b re aki ng t h e

,

s h ell .Th e g r ea tes t sa i nt s u s e d t o pe rfo rm s eve re p enance s for th e i r

s light es t fa ults .

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 .

With th ese w or ds C h r i s t on th e on e h an d i mp arted to th e ap os tl es

th e p o we r t o remi t s i ns an d on t h e o th e r l a id up on t h e fa ithful t h e
,

i njunc ti on t o conf ess thei r s i ns t o a p r i es t i n or de r t o o b t a i n t h e re

mi ss i on of th em Th e con diti ons u n der whi ch forgiven ess of s i ns i s
.

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 .

wh en s i n i s forgiven a p enanc e i s imp os ed on t h e pen it en t as th e

, ,

p aralyti c w as comman ded t o carry hi s b ed ; Th e cle ans i ng of

t h e l ep er ( M a tt s i n i s a s pi r itu a l l ep ros y ; t h e s i nn e r m u s t
.

s h o w hi ms el f t o th e p r i es t wh o will decl a re hi m to b e c lean b y Go d s ,

a uth or ity ; Th e ab so lvin g of t h e p en iten t M agd al en wh o cas t ,

h ers el f a t Ou r Lor d s f eet an d h e ar d from Hi s lip s t h e w or d s : T hy

,

s i ns a re forgiven thee ( L uke Th e s inn er now ac t s a s s h e did ;

ll e d with con t r iti on h e cas t s hi ms el f a t t h e feet of C h r i s t s rep re
,

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 meth o d of co n fess i on i s thi s : Th e p en itent , kn eelin g d own

i n t h e confes s i onal makes t h e s ign of t h e cros s an d r ece iv es t h e
,

p r i es t s ble ss i ng He r ec ites th e rs t p art of th e C on teor, th en a o

.

c us es hims el f of hi s s i ns an d rep e at s th e concludi ng p ar t Th e , .

p r i es t ask s hi m any qu es ti ons th a t ma y b e n ec essary gives hi m a s h or t ,

i ns tru cti on s et s hi m a pe nanc e gives hi m ab soluti on an d di sm i sse s

, ,

h i m with hi s bl ess i ng Th e p en it en t th en withd raw s t o on e of th e

.

b ench es t o sa y hi s p enance, an d p rep are for commun i on i f h e i s ,

ab o ut t o commun i cat e Th e w ord s of th e sacerd o t al a b so luti on a re

.

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 .

( Cou nc il of Tren t, 1 4 Like th e lightn i ng it consu mes th e s i n

, ,

a t a ash E ven wh en t h e p r i es t wi thh old s th e ab soluti on , h e gives

.

t h e bl ess i n g A c ruc ix alw ays h ang s i n th e confess i onal sometimes

.
,

a pi ctu re i s a dd ed cal c ul ated t o exc ite con t riti on , s u c h as t h e p ro dig al

,

son th e r epen t an t M a gd al en th e sorro win g P ete r et c I n very old

, , , .

confe ss i onal s on e ma y som eti me s s ee a rose carv e d as an embl em of ,

t h e s il enc e whi c h i s b i n di n g up on t h e conf essor Th e anc i ent .

Ro mans u s ed to s uspen d a ros e o ver th e di ni ng t able t o w arn t h ei r -

,
606 Th e M ea n s f
o Gra ce .

gues t s no t t o i n dulge i n an y condenti al c on versa ti on i n th e p res ence

of s t ran gers .

2 .Th e Sa cr a ment of Pen a nce i s i ndi s ens a bl y neces s a ry for p

o v o
th s e wh o h a e fa ll en i nt s i n a ft er B a ti s m, for wi th t t hi s p ou
s a c r a ment t h ey a re u
na b l e t o
rec er th e j s ti ce th ey h a e l s t ov u v o
( Cou n ci l of Tr en t , l 4, 1 ; 6,

Th e S acrament of P enanc e i s , for th os e wh o h av e fa ll en aft e r

B apti sm a s n e ce ssary u n t o salv a ti on a s B a pti sm it s el f i s for th os e
,

wh o h ave no t y e t b een regenera te d ( Co unc il of Tren t 1 4 Henc e , ,

th e F a thers t e rm thi s sacram en t : t h e s econ d b apti sm

or th e ,

pl an k af te r s hipw reck By B apti sm we emb ark up on th e s hip th a t
.

i s b o u n d for t h e p ort of salva ti on By mort al s i n w e a re s hipw re c ked ;

.

an d i n thi s cas e o u r only h op e of resc u e i s b y cli ngi ng t o a pl ank .

Th e S acramen t of P enanc e i s th a t pl ank N o on e wh o h a s been .

b itten b y th e o ld s e rp ent th e devil can b e c ured unl ess h e di scovers

, , ,

h i s hu r t t o t h e phys i c i an T h ro ugh p r ide t h e s i nn e r pl ac es hi ms elf

.

a t a di s t anc e from Go d only b y hum ility can h e r eturn t o Go d .

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 .

A di sl oca ted li mb mus t be

r ight a t onc e ; i f no t a s w elli n g
s et ,

forms an d th e c u re b ecomes difc ult I f a vess el l ea k s t h e pump s .

,

mu s t b e s et a t w ork i mmedi at ely o r th e w a t er will cau s e t h e s hip t o

,

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
,

p romptly or th e h o u s e will b e b urn ed d o wn I f an y on e h as t a ken

, .

p o i son h e mu s t s w all o w an emeti c forthwith or h e will l os e hi s l i fe

, , .

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
.
-

High ! Th e l onge r yo u p os tp on e yo u r p enanc e th e more r ig oro u s ly ,

will y o u b e judge d ; t h e mor e s evere will b e y o ur pu n i s hm en t T h os e .

wh o put off rep e nt anc e u n til th e h o u r of de a th oft e n h a ve no op p or ,

t u n i t y all o w e d th em t o re conc il e th ems elv es with th ei r M a ker ( Jo b

xx ii . It i s t h e j u s t p enalty of s i n th a t h e wh o w o uld no t d o wh a t
i s r ight wh en h e co uld canno t d o it wh en h e will
, Ou r Lor d says : .

Yo u sh all s eek M e an d sh all no t n d M e ( Jo hn vii N o on e .

kno w s h o w soon th e tim e of g rac e ma y en d It i s a sorr y thi ng wh en .

a man b egi ns t o b uy wh a t h e n eeds j u s t a s th e ye arly market i s o ver .

O n e of th e thi eves up on t h e cross w a s forgiven th a t no b o dy mig ht ,

d esp a i r ; b ut only on e th at nob o dy m ight p resu m e an d put off re

, ,

p en ta n ce u n til t h e h o u r of d e a th S t B ernar d d ecl ar es d ea th b e d

. .
-

r ep ent anc es t o b e no t e xampl es b ut m i racl es of g rac e T h os e wh o

, , .

pos tp on e r ep en t anc e will mee t with th e fa t e of t h e g tr ee whi ch -

Ou r Lor d n di ng no fruit on it c u rs ed
,
Tru s t no t say s S t
, .
,
.

Augu s ti ne t o t h e morro w ; for th o u know es t no t wh eth er t here will

,

b e an y morro w for th ee Con t r iti on moreo ver i s of littl e v alu e
.
, ,

wh en a man h a s no more o pp ortun ity t o s i n ; i n th a t cas e y o u d o no t

ab an d on s i n b ut s i n a b an d ons y o u F i nally on t h e a pp roac h of d e a th
,
.
, ,

t h e s i n n er i n hi s al arm b ecom es b ewild er e d an d fr ight en e d ; h e i s lik e

a t rav ell er wh o ju s t a s n ight cl os es d o wn di sco v ers th a t h e h as l os t
, ,

h i s way B es ides thi s th e l on g h a b it of s i n d ep r ives a man of th e

. ,
6 08 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce .

4; He who fr m a s ens e of s h ame c ncea ls a morta l s i n i n

o , o
o
c nfes s i n, d es not o o o
bt a i n f rgi enes s , b t nl y a dds t hi s oth er o v u o o
s i n s t h a t of s a cri l ege ; a nd exp s es hi msel f t th e gr a e ri s k of o o v
p
dyi ng i m eni t ent .

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 .

Th e d evil act s like th e w o l f, wh o s e i zes t h e l amb b y t h e thr oa t,

th a t it ma y no t cr y o ut ; th e devil s t op s t h e s i nn er s mo uth, th a t h e

ma y no t confess hi s m i s deed s He wh o conc e a ls on e mort al s i n i n

,

confe ss i on d o es no t o b t a i n f orgiveness If all th e l o cks on a d o o r

a re u nfas t en e d exc ept on e t h e d oor canno t b e op en e d ; s o it i s with

,

th e so ul ; unl e ss every mor t al s i n th os e l oc k s of t h e so ul a re s u b , ,

j ect ed t o t h e p o w er of t h e k ey s wie lded b y th e p r i e s t th e d oor of , ,

reconc ili a ti on canno t b e uncl os ed M ore o ver t o conc eal a mort al .

,

em i n confess i on i s t o comm it t h e g r i ev o u s s i n of sa cr il eg e whi ch i s ,

a p rofana ti on a n d c ont empt of divi ne thin g s By conce ali ng on e s i n .

,

a man al so emb itt ers hi s li fe S i n u nconfe ss ed i s like in diges ti ble .

foo d whi c h li es i n t h e s tomac h an d r ui ns th e h e alth

, S i n con .

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 .

confes s i ona l d ec eive s hi ms elf no t Go d To conce al a mort a l s i n i n ,

confe ss i on i s t o mer it t h e d an ger of dying i mp en iten t S i n con .

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
. .
, ,

s p ea ks of a woman wh o pu rp os ely om itted a mOrt a l s i n i n confess i on ,

a n d th e n ma d e a sacr il egi o u s comm u n i on ; l a t e r on s h e r epe a t edl y

wen t t o confess i on with t h e i nt enti on of revealing th a t s i n b u t every ,

ti me fa il e d t o d o s o th ro ug h a fal s e sh ame E ven wh en s h e l a y on

, .

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
,

l ong conc e al e d s i n J u s t b efore b r ea thi ng h er l as t s h e s h r i eked

-

.
,

al o ud : I am d amn e d for ever s i nc e my y outh I h ave conc eal ed a

,

mo rt al s i n ! Wh at a t err i b le thi n g it i s thu s t o a b u s e t h e ,

Sacram en t of P enanc e ! O n e sac r ilegi o u s confess i on ren d ers all s u b

s equen t one s i n v alid I n orde r t o return t o a s t at e of grac e un der
.
,

s u c h c i rc ums t anc es it i s n ec essar y no t only t o confess t h e s i n wit

,

ti n gly conc eal ed b ut a ll th e o the r s i ns menti oned i n t h e rs t i nv alid

,

conf e ss i on a s w ell a s all th a t h ave b een s ub se qu ently comm itted

, ,

wh ethe r they h ave b een confess ed or n ot It i s t h e same with con .

fe s s i on as with a s u m i n ar ithm eti c If on e h a s ma de th e om i ss i on .

of a s i n gl e gu re i n t h e rs t row t h e t o t al will b e wrong an d th e , ,

wh ol e mu s t b e r e ck on e d up o ver a g a i n I n th e same way i f a man .

,

h a s b utt on e d hi s coa t w rong a t t h e t o p all t h e o th er b u tt ons mu s t ,

b e u n d one t o s et th a t on e r ight Hence S t B ona ven tu re give s thi s . .

a dvi c e : B egi n with th e s i n whi ch it cos t s th ee mos t to confe ss an d ,

aft e rw ar d s all th e r es t will come e as y t o th ee Wh en onc e t h e g en .

e ra l i s s l a i n t h e wh ol e arm y will s pe e dily b e ro ut ed

, I f y o u n d it .

v e ry difc ult t o conf ess an y s i n i n p arti cul ar sa y a t l eas t t o t h e ,

conf e ssor : T h ere i s something more b ut I can no t b r i ng my s el f t o

,

t ell it

.
 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 .

To non e b ut th e ap os tles an d thei r s u ccessors did Ou r Lor d give

th e p o we r t o forgive s i ns To them al one did He s a y afte r Hi s
.

res u rrec ti on : Rece ive y e t he Holy Gh ost Wh ose s ins yo u s h all .

forgive they a re forgiven them ; a nd wh os e s i ns yo u s h all ret a i n

, ,

th ey a re ret a i n ed ( Jo h n xx He comman ded t h e ap os tles t o .

l oo s e th e b an d s of La za rus aft er h e h a d r i s en from t h e g ra ve t o i n

, ,

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 .

call e d th e p o we r of th e key s becau s e b y it th e g a te s of h e aven cl os ed

, ,

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
, .

d oorkeep er of h e aven Th e b i s h o p s can confer th e r ight t o forgive

.

s i ns t o s u c h p r i es t s as they d eem tt ed t o hear conf ess i on A p r i es t .

,

as a rul e h as facultie s for t h e wh ol e di oces e i n whi ch th e b i s h o p h a s

,

given hi m an app o i ntment .

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 .

T hes e a re call e d r es erved cas es Th e b i s h o p s a re accu s t omed t o .

r es erve t o thems elves th e ab soluti on from more h ei no u s cr i mes s u ch ,

as a p os t as y p erj ur y mu r der a rs on ; th e o bj ec t of thi s i s t o deter t h e

, , ,

fa ithful mor e effec tu a lly from t h e comm i ss i on of s u c h cr i mes S ec ul ar .

magi s t rates canno t p ass s entenc e on a ll cri m i na ls ; man y cas e s

h ave t o b e s ent up t o a higher co u r t for j udgment But .

a t th e po i n t of d e ath a ll p r i es t s may ab solve all p en itent s wh at ever

from eve ry ki n d of s i n or c ens ure ( Co unc il of Tren t 1 4 7 In pl ac es , ,

of pilgr i mag e t h e p r i es ts can u s u all y a b so lve i n cas es res erved for th e

b i sh o p ; an d i n man y di oc ese s they a re emp ow ered t o do s o dur ing
mi s s i ons a t E as ter or wh en a gen eral confess i on i s ma de
, , .

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 .

If Ou r Lor d Hi ms el f sat i n on e confess i onal an d an ordi nary ,

p r i es t i n ano the r t h e on e w oul d no t remit s i ns more fully th an th e

,

o th er Why i s thi s ? W e call t h e p r i es t wh o h e ars conf ess i ons

.

F a ther b ecau s e h e rep res ent s o u r he avenly F a ther F or th e same

.

r eason h e d e als with t h e p en iten t gen tly an d i n dulgen tly lik e a ,

fa th er W e mu s t o b ey th e co n fes sor for it i s no t a man wh om we ob ey

.
,

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 ,

t o give acco u n t of o u r ac ti ons t o Go d ; for s h o ul d t h e confessor b e

a t e rror th er e i s no bl ame a tt achi n g t o t h e p en it en t ; h e canno t d o
,

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 .

s h o uld o b ey th ei r confessor a s they w o uld o b ey th e v o i c e of Go d e en ,

v
s h o uld th e p rac ti c e of some de v o ti on or p enance b e forb idden them .

S t Jo h n of t h e Cross s ays th a t t o reb el ag a i ns t t he di c tum of t h e

.

confessor man i fes t s p r ide an d w an t of fa ith .

In th e c o i o n al th e p ries t exercis es th ree fun ction s :

n fes s Th e
o fce of a t ea ch er a p h ys ici a n a n d a j udge
, , .

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
.
,

w a y I n hi s o ffice of phy s i c i an h e li s tens t o t h e pe n itent wh o i s s i ck

.
,

with t h e di s eas e of s i n whil e h e gives an acco u n t of h i s con diti on

, ,

a s t h e phy s i c i an li s t ens t o t h e p a ti en t de scr i b i n g hi s b o dily p a i n s .

He gives hi m th e r emedy t o effec t h i s s pi r itu al c u re a s t h e phy s i c i an ,

p rescr i b es medi c i n e s for th os e wh o a re s i c k i n b ody In h i s oice of

.

j udg e h e mu s t d ec ide whethe r t h e p en itent i s or i s no t t o b e ab s olved ;

,

i n t h e forme r cas e h e gives hi m a b so luti on i n t h e l a tt er h e with ,

h o lds it .

4 Und er no. s s ibl e po o

c n di t i ons may th e pries t rep ea t yth ing
an
ou t of th e c nfes s i na l o o .

T hi s o blig a ti on t o s ecrec y i s called th e s eal of confes s i on Not .

e v en t o sa v e h i s li fe ma y t h e p r i e s t r eve a l wh a t h a s b een sa id i n con

fe ss i on St Jo h n Nep omu c en e co uld no t b e p re v a il ed up on e ith er by

. .

menace s or t or tu re t o di scl os e th e queen s confe ss i on t o Ki ng W en

c es l a s T h a t monarc h accor di ngly or dere d hi m t o b e th ro wn i nt o

.

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
,

where hi s corp s e l a y N o t even t o a ver t a te rr i bl e cal am ity may t h e

.

p r i e s t reve a l wh a t h as b een sa id i n confess i on A ki ng once as ked .

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
.

g ar d t o th e p en itent A p r i e s t s s erv an t onc e confe ss e d t o hi m th a t

.

h e h a d s t o l en hi s corn ; t h e p r i e s t w as o b lig ed t o le a ve t h e key i n

t h e b arn d oor t h e same as b efore
-
Th e s ea l of confess i on mu s t b e .

o b s e rve d no l ess s t r i c tly i n a co u rt of j u s ti c e for t h e divi n e l a w i s ,

highe r th an hu man l aw Th e p enalty for vi ol ati ng th e s eal i s dep r iv a

.

ti on for t h e rema i n der of th e p r i es t s li fe b es id es s eve re eccl es i as ti cal

,

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
,

of confess i on Th e o blig a ti on of s ecre cy i s for th e p ro t ec ti on of t h e

.

p en it en t a s w ell a s t o safegu ar d t h e S acramen t of P enanc e Th e p en i .

t en t may give th e p r i e s t p erm i ss i on t o make u s e of wh a t h e h as t o ld

hi m i n confe ss i on b ut t h e confe ssor mu s t b e very c h ary of a v a ili ng
,

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 .

really i mp or t an t i s a t s t ake an d th e re i s no r i s k of th ereb y b r i ngi ng

,

confess i on i n t o di scr edit Th e s e al of confess i on d o e s no t b i n d t h e

.

p ri e s t i f an y on e s pe a k s o ut s ide t h e confess i onal of wh a t h e h a s p re

v i on ely confe ss ed .
61 2 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce .

ment y et th ere rema ins th e d eb t of tem por l puni hment t o

a s be
di s ch a r ged ( Council of Trent , 6, 30; 1 4,

God sa y s i n H o ly S cr iptu re : I f th e wi c ke d d o p enanc e for a ll
th e s i ns whi c h h e h a th comm itte d h e s h a ll live an d no t d i e , I will , .

no t rememb er all h i s i n iquiti es th a t h e h ath d one ( Ezech xviii . .

T hu s Ou r Lor d sa id t o M agd alen : T hy s i ns a re forgiven thee

( Luk e vii To th os e wh o co nfe ss thei r s i ns C h r i s t i s no t a j udg e
.
,

b ut an a dv oca te an d p ro tect o r In t h e Las t J udgment th e s i ns th a t

.

h a ve b een expi a ted b y p enanc e will b e no more r ememb ered ag a i ns t

t h e s i nn er ; th e y a l on e will b e hidd en when a ll el s e i s rev eal ed , .

S eneca u s e d t o s a y : He wh o rep ent s of th e w rong h e h a s d one i s no

l on ge r guilty T h ro ugh t h e a b so luti on t h e deb t of eterna l pun i s h
.

m en t i s c h ang ed i nt o a temp ora l deb t Go d a c t s like th e monarc h .

wh o comm utes capit al pun i s hm ent i n t o i mp r i sonmen t for a te rm of

ye ars H o ly Scr iptu re fu rn i s h es man y exampl es i n whi ch Go d i m
.

p os ed a p enalty for s i n forgiven : He forg a ve A d am y et He cas t hi m ,

o ut of p ara di s e an d l a id s evere p enance s up on hi m M os e s wh o .

,

offen ded Go d b y no t b elievi ng Hi s w or d wa s p ar d on ed b ut no t p er , ,

mi tt ed t o enter t h e Lan d of P rom i s e ( Numb xx Th e J ews . .

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 .

wa s forgive n when h e h a d comm itted tw o mort a l s i ns b ut t h e c hild th a t ,

wa s b orn t o hi m di e d ( 2 Ki ng s x ii No s i n i s left u npun i shed ;

.

e ith e r w e pun i s h o u rs elve s b y d o i ng p enanc e or Go d l ay s c h as ti s e ,

ment s up on u s F or eve ry s i n sa ti sfac ti on mu s t b e ma de e ither i n

.

thi s w orld or i n pu rg a t ory ; t h e more we h a ve s i nne d here t h e more ,

we s h all s uffe r h e r e afte r Ou r t ransg ress i ons a re r ightly called deb ts ;

.

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 .

I n thi s w orld we ma ke sati sfac ti on b y p erform i n g t h e p enanc es

en j o i ne d on u s b y t h e p ri e s t i n confe ss i on ; b y w o rk s v o lu n tar ily u n
d ert a ken s u c h a s p raye r fas ti n g a lms d eed s or o th er pi o u s ac t s an d
, , , , ,

a l so b y b eari n g p ati ently th e pun i s hmen t s i n i cte d on u s b y Go d ;

for i ns t anc e acc epti ng de a th willi ngly an d nally b y g a i n i ng i n
, ,

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 .

A t b apti sm all pun i s hm en t d u e t o s i n i s rem itte d b ut i n th e

th e ,

Sacramen t of P enance thi s i s no t s o S i n comm itt ed after b apti sm .

i s m u c h m or e gr i ev o u s th a n th a t whi ch i s comm itt ed b efore ; th os e

wh o s i n b efore b apti sm s i n i n ignoranc e b ut afte r b apti sm i n mali ce , ,

for th ey h a ve b ee n enlightened b y t h e H oly S pi r it an d cons equen tly ,

h a ve a b ett e r knowl edge of s i n T h os e wh o a re regenera te more . ,

o ve r b e i t r em emb ere d wh en th ey s i n knowi ngly vi o l ate t h e t emple

,

of Go d ( 1 Cor iii a n d a re guilty of b r ea ki n g th ei r p r om i s e ;

. .

for b y s i n on th e on e h an d th ey b an i s h t h e Holy Gh os t Wh o dwell s

withi n th em an d on th e o ther h an d th ey b rea k th e sol emn v o w s
,

t aken a t b apti sm A goo d fa th e r for gives hi s ch ild s di so b edi enc e

.

 The Sa cra ments . 61 3

th e rs t ti me i f h e p rom i s es amendmen t ; but i f th e child repeat s t he

,

o ffenc e hi s fa the r forgives hi m b ut d oe s no t thi s ti me l et hi m g o ,

unpun i sh ed Go d ac t s i n a s i m il ar manner ; a t b apti sm He remit s

,

b o th t h e s i n a n d i ts p enalty h u t afterw ard s He i s no t s o in dul gent.

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 , ,

sa id of M agda len Someti mes Go d t o u ch es th e heart of ma n so

.

p rofo un dly th a t hi s cont r iti on av a il s for th e complete rem is s i on b o th

of s i n an d i t s p enalty .

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 .

Th e cont rite s i nn er, like t h e p ro dig a l s on , rec eives a b ea uti ful

rob e san c ti f yi ng g race, an d a r i ng i s pl ace d on hi s nge r, a t o ken of
,

divi n e ch ar ity T rac es of o u r s i ns will , it i s t r ue, alw a ys b e app arent

.

on th e whit e rob e of sanc tifyi ng g rac e b ut h a vi n g b een w as he d o ut ,

b y p enance they will no t di s g u re i t s bea uty P enance i s a l a dder

, .

whereb y we ma y ascen d ag a i n t o th e pl ac e whenc e we h ave fallen .

Th e h ear t th a t i s full of s i n i s t h e h ab it a ti on of s wi ne ; b y p enance

it be comes th e dwelli ng pl ace of th e M os t High Penanc e i s a -
.

cruc i bl e wh ere i n b as e met al i s ch a nged t o s ilve r It w ould i n deed .

b e a m i racl e i f b y a s i ngl e w or d some on e were t o ma ke th e bl ac k

,

s ki n of th e n eg ro whit e Y et a g re at er w on der i s w orked b y t h e

.

w ord s of ab so luti on s p oken o ve r t h e pen itent s i nner for th ereby

, ,

th e so ul whi c h th ro ugh s i n w a s bl ac k a s i n k b ecomes whit e a s sno w

, ,
.

Wh en t h e s i nn er i s re s t ored t o a s t at e of g ra ce as a matter of co urs e ,

h e i s a g a i n a child of Go d an h ei r of h ea ven ca p a ble of perform i ng

, ,

me rit ori o u s w ork s Ano th er effec t of p enanc e i s th at th e mer it of

.

a ll g oo d w or k s d on e forme rly i n a s t a t e of grac e i s r eco ver ed F or .

t h e mer it of all th os e w ork s wa s l os t th ro ugh mort al s i n ( Ezech xviii . .

no t b ecau s e Go d withd rew th ei r mer it on acco unt of t h e

mo rt al man b ut b ecau s e man ma de them of no effect So a mea d o w
, . ,

p arch ed b y l on g d ro ught reco vers i t s verdu re u n der th e i n uenc e of

,

gen tl e ra i n an d soft s uns hi ne .

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 .

An y wh o i s free from mort al s i n or wh o h as perfe c t cont r i

on e ,

ti on i s i n a s t at e of grac e b efore confess i on Th e g rea ter th e de

, .

g ree of sanc ti fyin g grac e w e p oss ess h ere th e high er will b e o u r ,

d eg ree of gl ory h ere afte r ; h en ce l et no on e sa y it i s u s el ess for hi m

t o g o t o confess i on as h e h a s no mort al s i n on hi s consc i ence T hose
, .

wh o s p e ak thu s a re al as !t oo often livi n g i n mort al s i n

, .

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 .

Pen a nce g i ves p e ace of m i nd Th e H oly Gh o s t i s a c om

us .

for ter ( Jo h n x iv When w e h a ve reli eved o u r so ul b y confess i on

.
,

a deep p eace e ns ue s a s t h e s ea b ecame c a lm a s s oon a s t h e s i nf ul

,

p roph et Jonas h ad b ee n cas t o ut of t h e s hip Th e S acram ent of .

P enance di s til s b al m on th e w o u n d s of t h e so ul ; it reli eves u s of a

h eavy b u rden Th e r e s t ora ti on of one s p eac e of mi n d oft en h a s a
.

benec i al effect up on t h e b o dy an d cont ri b utes t o t he reco very of

,

h ealth Henc e t h e sa i nts u s e d t o exh ort t h e s i c k t o r e ce ive t h e

.

sacramen t s To t h e con t r ite s i nne r g re at consol a ti ons

.

given Ou r Lor d say s : Bl ess e d a re th ey th a t mo u rn for th ey s h all

.
,

b e comfort e d ( M att v O n t h e retu rn of t h e p ro dig al son
. .
,

hi s f at he r ca u s ed t h e fa tted cal f t o b e kille d an d a merr y b an quet ,

w a s h eld with m u s i c an d d anc i n g ( Luk e

, T hu s Go d act s with
reg ar d t o t h e rep e n t ant s i nn e r wh os e convers i on i s real ; He make s
hi m t o abou n d i n consol a ti ons an d S pi r it u al d elight s In fac t t h e .

gri ev o u s s i n ne r s eems i n re ality t o fare b ett er th an th e j us t man ;

rememb er wh a t t h e eld er son sa id to h i s fathe r resp e c ti ng t h e re
cep t i on giv en t o t h e p ro dig a l ( L uk e xv By th es e c onso l ati ons .

Go d en co u ra ges u s t o w alk more resolut ely i n t h e t o il some p a th of

vi rtue ; for t h e p en it en t h as a s h arp con i c t to w a ge with h i s corr upt
'

natu re Wh en rs t we ent er up on t he wa y of h o li ness Go d l avi s hes

.
,

th es e consol a ti ons up on u s ; l at er on He withd ra w s them les t they ,

s h o uld p ro ve p rej udi c i al t o u s T her efo re we o ught t o ren der Hi m

.

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.

Th e conv er te d s i nner i s like on e r eco ver i ng fr om an illnes s ; hi s

.

former s t rength h a s t o b e reg a i n ed By p enanc e th e b ro ken li mb i s .

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
.

mu n i c a t ed t o th e newly conver ted t o enabl e hi m t o r es i s t evil

-

, .

Conf e ss i on s er ves t o k eep u s from falli n g i n to s i n i n f utu re as well ,

t o cleans e u s from p as t o ffence s Con ve rt e d s i nn e rs a re gene ral ly

.

fa ith ful an d z e al o u s s erv an t s of God O n th i s acco un t Ou r Lor d .

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 an up on n i n ety n i n e j u s t p e rsons ( Luke xv 7

-
Whi ch i s t o b e .

p r eferre d t h e soldi e r wh o h a s ev a ded th e b attl e or t h e on e wh o h as

, ,

ed from t h e eld b ut returns t o t h e a tt ack t o r ep a i r hi s fa ul t and

, , ,

h a s v ali an tly ro ut e d t h e enemy ? Th e former i s t h e tepid C h r i s ti an ,

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 .

Th e mor e often a h o u s e i s pu r ied t h e cl eaner i t i s ; s o it i s with

th e so ul of t h e C h r i s ti an Th e more fr equen tly h e g o e s t o con
.

fes s i on , th e more th oro ughly h e cas t s off t h e y o k e of t h e d evil ; for

as a b i r d d o es no t gen erally r etu rn t o b uild it s n es t a g a i n i n a pl ac e
whenc e it h as b een d r i v en aw a y s o th e evil o n e i s no t s o p rompt t o
,

mol es t th e so ul wh enc e h e h a s b ee n exp ell ed b y confess i on C o n fes .

s i on onc e a year s ufce s t o mak e on e a memb e r of t h e C a th oli c

C hu rch b ut it i s no t s ufc i ent for th e wel fare of t h e so ul As well
,
.
61 6 The M ea n s of Gra ce .

b re ry it i s th e onl y on e wh i c h y o u can ta ke with y o u i nt o e e t rn ity

o
.

S el f kno wledge lea ds

-
to th e kn wledge of Go d .

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 .

We can n d a thi n g th a t i s i n a d ar k r oom m uc h more qui ckly

i f we b r i ng a light with u s ; an d it i s th e s ame when we s e arch o ut
o u r s i ns Wh en th e s u n shi ne s i nt o a room we no ti ce a th o u s an d
.

mo tes whi c h were uno b serv abl e b e fore ; s o th e so ul wh en illum i na ted ,

b y t h e S pi r it of Go d s ees th e slightes t i mpe rfecti ons S el f kno wl

, .
-

edge i s a gi f t of Go d whi c h we ca n ob t a i n b y p ra ye r a l one

, Th e .

ey e s ees e ve r ythi n g b ut its el f ; it i s t h e same with o u r s pi r itu a l s ight ;

it i s qui c k i n di scern i n g th e fa ult s of o thers an d s l o w t o s ee its ,

o wn It i s w ell t o exam i ne one s consc i enc e i n so litud e for th ere

.

,

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 .

Wh en ex a mi n i n g our con s ci en ce w e mus t put a s id e ov

n

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 .

M an y s i c k p e0p1 e will no t all o w th a t there i s an ythi ng s er i o u s th e

ma tter with them an d s i nners often d o th e same T hi s ar i s es from
, .

s elf l o ve an d s el f compl ac enc y on a ccoun t of th e a dv ant ages they

-

,
-

i ma gi n e thems elve s t o p oss ess b o th na tu ral an d ac qui re d , Some .

even co u n t th ei r faul t s a s vi rt u e s ; th ey thi n k arro g anc e t o b e man

l i n es s d ec e it ful ness t o b e p r udenc e et c like some mo th ers wh o a re
, , .
,

s o i nfa tu a te d a b o ut the i r c hild re n th a t the y thi n k a ll th e i r faul t s t o

b e p ra i s ew or thy qu aliti e s In exam i n i ng h i s consc i enc e l et a man
.
,

l oo k on hi ms elf a s h i s o wn enemy ; enem i es h a ve a s h arp ey e for on e

ano ther s feeli ng s .

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.

C hild ren ma y a s k thems elves : H a ve I fo rg o tten my p rayers

or b een i na tten tive a t them ? H a ve I utte re d th e name of Go d ,

or s p o ke n of h o ly thi n gs i rreve rently or sa id any b a d w ord s ? ,

H a ve I d one s er vile w ork on S u n d ay s or h olyd ay s of o blig a ti on ?

h ave I m i ss ed he ar i n g M ass or b eh aved b a dly i n c hu rc h ? or e at en
,

me a t on F r id ay s ? H a ve I b een rude or di so b edi en t t o my p a

r en t s ? H a ve I b ee n unki n d t o o thers s t ru c k th em or l ed th em , ,

t o d o wrong ? p ro v o ki n g th em t o anger ? H ave I i n dulged any

th o ught or s p o ken an y w or d s or d one any d ee d s of impur ity ? ( 7
,

H a ve I eve r t a ken wh a t wa s no t m i ne an d i f s o given it b ac k t o t h e , ,

o wn er ? h ave I i nju re d or dec eived an y on e ? H a ve I t old a fal s e

h oo d a ccu s e d an y on e w rongly ab u s e d an y on e or t old of hi s fa ult s ?
, , ,

( 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 .

given w a y t o an ge r or g reedi n ess or be en idl e a t sch ool or a t w ork ?

, ,

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 .

All mor t al s i ns of whi c h th e p e n iten t i s consc i o u s aft er a

th e
diligen t exam i na ti on of hi ms el f mu s t n eed s b e enumera ted i n con fes ,
r
 Th e Sa cra men ts . 61 7

s i on ( Co un c il of Trent 1 1 5 7 If th e exac t n umb er of tim es canno t

, , ,

b e r ememb e re d t h e a pp roxi ma te num be r mus t a t l eas t b e s t a te d .

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 .

V eni a l s i ns , th o ugh r ightly an d p ro t a bly d ecl ared i n confess i on ,

ma y b e om itted with o ut guilt ( Co unc il of Tren t 1 4 Th e mos t

, ,

us u al d efec t i n th e exami na ti on of consc i e nc e i s th a t t h e p en ite nt

kee p s b ac k ce rt a in sh am ef ul s i ns , an d i s careful t o s earc h o ut slight
a r on es S u ch pe rso n s a re like th e P h ar i see s wh o s tra i n o ut a gna t
. ,

an d s w all o w a camel ( M a tt xxiii He nc e it i s th a t many d o no t

. .

benet a t all from frequen t con fess i on How many app ar ently pi o u s .

pe o ple will take th eir s i n s with them t o eterni ty !

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 .

All th os e c i rc ums t a nc es whi ch ch ang e t h e qu ality an d na tur e of

th e s in a re to b e expl a i ned i n confess i on ( Co u nc il of Tr ent 1 4 , ,

F or ins t ance if a man h a s t aken ano ther s g oo ds b y vi olence it i s no t

,

,

en ou g h t t o s a y : I s t ole for ro bb e ry with vi ol enc e an d th ef t ar e

tw o di fferen t s i ns If anythi n g w a s s t len i n a c hurch thi s mu s t al so
. o .

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 .

If a man will no t d o t h e n ec essary r ep a i rs of hi s h o us e as they a re

w an ted it wi ll become dil apid at ed an d requi re th oro ugh reno v ati on ;
,

s o it i s with t h e so ul i f it s con diti on i s no t conti n u all y s een t o an d

,

amen ded If a mas te r l oo ks thro ugh hi s s tew ar d s acco un ts d a ily
. ,

they d o no t g et int o di sord er an d we mu s t d o t h e same with o ur con,

sc i enc e if we w oul d kee p it r ight D a ily exam i nati on i s ve ry p rot .

able ; i t g u ar ds u s from fa lli ng i nt o mort al s i n If a merch ant ma kes .

up hi s deb it an d credit acco un t every d ay h e i s no t li able t o g et ,

d eeply i nt o deb t D a ily exami na ti on keep s o ur consc i ence pur e an d

.
,

con du c es t o moral p erf ec ti on S t Igna tiu s ass e rt s it t o b e more i m. .

p ort an t th an p ra yer If a ki ng kn ew th a t hi s enemi es were con

.

cea l ed i n a c e rt a i n qu art e r of hi s d om i n i ons h e w o uld ass u r edly ,

s e a rc h o ut th ei r hi di ng pl ace an d frus t ra te thei r sch emes Yo u h ave

-
.

foes withi n y o u y o u r u nruly p ass i ons ; s e arc h th em o ut d a ily an d

, ,

va n qui s h th em with t h e s w or d of sorro w It i s no t eno ugh merely .

lib g a i n a kno wl edg e of ou r faul t s w e o ught earn e s tly t o depl ore th em ,

5 1 1 d en de a v or t o o vercome th em b y g oo d resoluti ons .

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 , ,

from our h ea rt t h a t w e h a v e o ffend ed God b y t h em a n d th e ,

t h ough t of o ffendi ng Hi m mus t b e a b h o rrent t o us .

A s ins t anc es of t rue cont r iti on may m en ti on M agd al en wh o , we ,

fell at Ou r Lor d s fee t weepi ng ( Luke

S t P e te r wh o afte r .
,

h e h a d d en i ed C hr i s t w ent o ut an d w ept b itt erly ( M a tt xxvi

, . .

Da vid wh o wh en th e p ro ph et N a th an h a d aw a kened him t o a s ens e

,
61 8 Th e M ea n s o f Gra ce .

of s i n l a y up on the g ro un d an d did n e ither ea t nor d r i nk ( 2 Ki ng s

,

b ut cr i e d : H a ve me rcy on me O Go d accor ding t o T hy g re at , ,

mercy ; an d accor di ng t o th e multitud e of T hy t en der m erc i es bl o t

o ut my i n i qui t y A con t rite an d humble d h e art 0 Go d T h o u will
. , ,

no t des pi s e ( P s Rep ent ance unless accomp an i e d by t ru st i n
.
,

Go d s merc y w o uld b e des p a i r Rememb er J ud as r ep en t anc e True

, . .

cont r iti on i s al so s orro w of so ul A n ext ernal ac ti on al one s u c h a s .

,

t h e re c it a ti on of a c er t a i n formu l a of p ra ye r w a ili ng like th a t of ,

t h e J ewi s h w omen r en di n g of g arm en t s ( Jo el ii

, d o no t cons ti .

tut e rep en t anc e E xter i or g r i ef with o ut i nw ar d g r i ef i s mere h yp

.

oc ri s y . But i n t er i or h e art felt con t r iti on s h ow s it s el f ext e r i orly ,

for w e mort al s can rarely p reven t all o ut war d man i fes t a ti on of wh a t !

we feel i n w ar dly Tr ue rep ent ance h a s refe rence t o Go d ; hence we

.

ca ll it s u pe rna tu ral b eca u s e it p roc eed s fr om fa ith i n an uns een

, ,

s up erna tu ral w orld Sorro w for s i n b eca u s e of i t s di sas t ro us c on s e

.

q u en ces i s no t ru e cont r iti on ; it i s a na tu ra l s en ti m en t with o ut m e r it ,

b efore Go d Th e cru el Ki ng Anti oc hu s Ep i p h a n u s b ew a iled hi s

.

wi c ke d dee d s when h e w a s e a ten b y w orms ; b ut no t b e ca u s e h e h a d

o ffen de d Go d ( 2 M ac h i x I n like mann er a g amble r a
. .
,

d runk ar d a cr i m i nal wh o i s arres te d ma y reg re t hi s foll y when h e

, ,

p erce ives t h e evil re sul ti ng from it T emp oral cal am iti es ma y b e t h e .

occas i on b ut no t t h e mo tive of our sorro w Tr u e rep ent anc e i mpli es

, .

p rofo un d d etes t a ti on of s i n or a complet e a b an d onmen t of s i n ; it ,

i s mor e a ma tte r of t h e will th an of t h e feeli ng If say s S t Augu s

.
, .

ti n e th a t whi c h forme rly ca u s e d thee j o y an d ple as u re no w ll s thy

, ,

so ul with b itt erne ss an d th a t whi c h form erly th o u did s t enj o y i s no w

,

a t ortu re t o thee then kno w th a t thy rep en t anc e i s re al
, T h at i s .

t ru e con vers i on when a man tu rns t o Go d with h i s wh ole h eart an d ,

de t ac he s hi ms elf completely from earthly thi ng s P enance i s w orth .

le ss i f it p ro du ce s no amen d ment To hi m wh o i s t rul y p en it en t t h e . ,

th o ught of offen di ng Go d i s ab h orren t Repent anc e i s no t re al i f . .

ev e r y e vil affe c ti on with o ut exc epti on i s no t give n up Wh a t d o es it .

p ro t thee t o b re a k eve ry o ther c h a i n i f on e rema i n s b i n di ng thee t o , ,

h ell ? ( S t Augus ti ne ) . .

Tr u e c n o triti o o ft n en ma n ifes ts its el f i n t ea rs .

It w a s s o i n th e cas e of M agd al en i n S i mon s h o u s e ( Luk e vii

.

.

a n d of S t P ete r wh en h e h a d d en i e d Ou r Lor d ( M a tt xxvi

. Th e . .

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
. ,

a re v e ry ei ca c i ou s ; they ren der forgiven ess mor e s u re Th e te ars .

of t h e p en itent a re th e mos t forc i bl e l angu age h e can u s e ; they com

p el Go d t o forgi ve hi m P en it enti al te ars w as h aw a y th e s t a i ns of
.

s i n ; th ey a re a ki n d of b apti sm only t h e cl e ans i ng w a t ers come from ,

withi n no t from with out T h ey enlighten th e m i n d as ra i n cl e ars

, .
,

t h e s ky Th e more w e w eep for s i n th e more cl e arly w e p e rc e ive i t s

.

tu rpitude an d o u r t e ars l ea d t o a fun d ament al amen d ment of li fe

,
.

As m edi c i nal s p r i ng s he al b o dily s i ckn ess s o tears c ur e th e mal a di e s ,

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
.

a s d ew d o e s th e pl an t Th e t e ars of th e p en iten t give j o y t o th e an gel s

.

an d d r ive a w ay th e devils ; they h a ve mu c h th e same effec t on th em

a s h o ly w a te r h a s .
620 Th e M ea ns f
o Grace .

t ri t i on ,an d ou r reconc ili a ti on with Go d will b e complete It h ap .

p ened once tha t th e fa the r of a fam ily b ro ke a bl oo d ves sel A mes -

s enge r w as i ns t antly di s p a t c he d t o s ummon a p ri es t b u t me a n while ,

t h e y o u ng es t c hild wh o h a d r e c en tly ma d e hi s r s t c omm un i on p er

, ,

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 ,

from t h e w all an d h oldi ng it b ef or e th e dyi n g ma n s ey es rep ea te d

, ,

al o ud an a ct of p erfec t cont riti on T e ars l le d th e fa ther s ey es ; h e

exp i re d b e fo r e t h e p r i es t cam e b ut h e w a s safe for a ll e te rn it y

, It .

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 ,

So d om an d G omorrh a some pe rsons were saved from et er n al p er di

,

ti on b y an ac t of p erfe c t cont riti on If y o u s h o uld h ave t h e mi s

fortun e t o offen d Go d gr i e vo u s ly ma ke an ac t of contr iti on i mm e ,

!

d i a t el y D o no t g o t o res t a t n ight or b egi n t h e d ai s w or k or s ta rt

.
, ,

on a j o u rney with o ut i n thi s mann er ma ki n g y o u r salv a ti on su r e

, .

It i s no d i fcult ma tt er t o a w a ken t r ue cont r iti on i f on e h as a goo d ,

will U n d er th e Old D i s pe ns a ti on it w a s th e only me ans of o b t a i n i ng

.

rem i ss i on of s i n ; an d eve r y C hr i s ti an i s b o u nd un der p a in of mort al ,

s i n t o mak e an ac t of p e rf e c t con t riti on i n t h e h o u r of d e a th i n cas e

, ,

h e i s consc i o u s of s i n an d canno t g o t o confe ss i on a g a i n O nly th os e .

n d it h ar d wh o n egl ec t all t h e or di nanc es of r eligi on ; they a re like

a cl oc k whi c h will no t g o even when w o un d up b y sanc ti fyi n g grac e
, ,

b eca u s e th e w ork s ar e r u s ty from di s u s e A sp ec i al i nt e rp os iti on of .

P ro vidence or a m i racl e of g race i s n ee de d t o ena bl e s u ch p ersons

,

t o a w a ken perf ec t c o n t r iti on Cardi nal F ra n zel i n w a s so i mp r es s ed

.

with t h e i mm ens e v alue of pe rfec t cont riti on th a t h e decl ar e d w ere ,

h e t o g o a s a p reach e r from l an d t o l an d it s h o uld b e th e p ri nc ip al

o
,

th eme of h i s di s c urs es .

Th e c on ider ti on th a t we mu t xpe t th j u t j udgm nt

s a s e c e s e s

of God on ount f u i n l o di po u t o tru o tri ti on

a cc o o r s s, a s s s es s e c n .

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 , ,

of t h e p o p ul a ti on of S od om of N o e s c ont emp orari es et c R eec t

, , .

up on th e a wf ul p a i ns of h ell An d even i f y o u d o es cap e hell there

.
,

i s th e re of pu rg a t or y t o b e en du red ; th ere t h e l e a s t pun i s hm en t far

exc ee d s all th a t on e can s uffer on e ar th e v en t h e t or tu r e s i n i c t e d ,

on t h e martyrs N on e b ut grea t sa i n t s h ave b een exempt ed from

.

thi s cha s ti s eme nt H o w th e n can y ou expe c t t o elud e it ? Ho w

.

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

tio o r imp rf t o n triti o n Wh th o n t iti o f th p n i

n, e ec c . en e c r n o e e

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 .

Th e con t r iti on of th e Ni n i v i t es w as i mpe rfec t, wh en, s mi tt en with

fe ar a t th e p re ac hi ng of Jonas th ey did p enanc e ( C ou nc il of Tren t, ,

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 .

a tt ach men t t o s i n th ough h e ma y ab s t a i n from th e o utw ar d ac t

,
.

Henc e h i s repent anc e i s l ess efcac i o u s Imp erfec t con t r iti on i s l i ke a .

ti n y s p ark whi c h mu s t b e fann e d b y conf ess i on an d th e p ri es t s

,

ab soluti on b efore it cons u mes th e ch a ff of s i n

,
.
 Th e Sa cra men ts . 62 1

C onf i o with out o tr it i o

es s n c n n d o es n ot ob t a in th e d i vi ne f or
gi v en es s .

Wh oso go es confess i on with o ut sorrow of m in d det es t a ti on of

to ,

s i ns comm itte d and th e purp os e of no t s i nn ing i n futur e b ut me rely

, ,

from forc e of h a b it an d n ot from co n sc i o u sn ess of s i n d er ives no ,

benet from t h e act Th e hu sb an dman wh o s c a tters s ee d on u n tilled

.

so il l ab ors i n v a i n ; i n like manner th e w or d s of ab so luti on a re i n

,

ef ca c i ou s i n reg ar d t o on e wh os e h ear t i s u np rep ar ed an d wh o will ,

no t reno unce s i n Confess i on with o ut c ont r iti on i s like a gun l oa d ed

.

with o ut s h o t an ea r of corn empty of gra i n ; it i s like th e b a rr en g

,

t ree Our Lo r d c u rs ed ; for on t h e t ree of p enanc e c o nf ess i on i s b ut

th e l e a ve s whil e cont r iti on i s t h e fruit
,
S t Jo hn C h rysos t om com . .

p ares th e man wh o go es t o confe ss i on with o ut cont riti on t o an act or

i n a pl ay F rom th e s t or y of t h e p ro dig a l we g athe r th a t c onfe ss i on
.

al one i s no t everythi ng ; th e fa the r scarc ely heede d wh a t hi s s on

sa id b ut as soon a s h e perce ive d hi s he ar t w as c han ged h e h ar dly
, ,

l et him n i s h s p eaki n g b ut cl as ped hi m i n hi s arms

, .

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 , ,

f a s tl y d et ermi n e wi t h th e h el p of God t o d es i s t fro m a ll s i n a n d ,

t o a vo i d th e occas i o ns of s i n for th e fut ur e .

Th e pu rp os e of ame n dment i s an e ss en ti a l p ar t of t rue cont riti on

( Co unc il of Tren t 1 4 Th e re soluti on t o s i n no mor e ar i s es
, ,

o ut of cont riti on a s w a te r i ss ue s from a sp r i ng S o l ong as t h e will

, .

ret a i ns it s a tt achm en t t o s i n n eithe r mor t al nor ven i a l s i n can b e

,

r em itt ed All men a re n ot thu s res olut e for many d o no t a dh ere t o

.
,

th ei r r esoluti ons T hey ac t like a w oman wh o whe n h er hu sb an d

.
, ,

di e s make s a t e rr ibl e o ut cry ext o lli n g l o udly th e exc ell en t qu aliti es

, ,

of t h e d ec eas ed an d p ro t es tin g veh emen tly th a t s h e will n ev er ma rry

,

ag a i n ; b ut i n a very s h or t time o blivi o u s of h er ass everati ons s h e , ,

give s h er h an d t o ano ther man T h os e wh o i n ti me of ill ness or of .

a dve rs ity f orm g oo d r esoluti ons b ut d o n ot carry th em o ut a re like , ,

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 .

resoluti on i s like a na il d rive n fas t i nt o a w all ; b ut th e reso luti ons

of t oo man y r es embl e a na il b a dly knocke d i n whi c h fall s ou t a s ,

soon as an ythin g i s hun g up on it Th e w ay t o hell i s p a ved with .

goo d re so luti ons whi c h h a ve no t b een carr i ed o ut All men will

, .

no t d et erm i ne to r enou nce every s i n S t S eb as ti an p rom i s ed t o h eal . .

th e p rocons ul i f h e w o ul d d w t roy all t h e id ol s i n R ome ; t h e p ro

cons ul did thi s with th e exc epti on of a littl e id ol of gold an h ei r
, ,

l oom i n hi s fam ily whi c h h e conc eal ed Th e sa i n t cons equently

, .

could no t cu re him an d h e t old hi m t h e re ason M an y s i nn e rs d o

, .

th e same ; th ere i s on e d arlin g s i n whi ch th ey will no t give up an d ,

th e refor e th ey canno t b rea k aw a y from th e d evil an d b ec ome t h e

fri en d s of Go d ; for Go d s sake everythi ng mu s t b e r eno unc ed Th e

.

p en iten t m u s t a l so s er i ou sly a v o id a ll occas i ons of s in Th e man .

wh o merely di slikes hi s n eighb or content s hims el f with esch ewi ng ,

h i s comp an y ; b ut if h e h as a th oro u ghgo i n g h a t red for him h e g ets ,

ri d of everythi ng t h a t can r em i n d hi m of hi m ; h e h o ld s al oof from

hi s fr i end s an d rela tives h e d es t ro y s hi s p ortra it th e p res en t s h e
, ,

h as r ec eive d from hi m et c T hus mu s t th e p en iten t act wh o h as a

, .
62 2 Th e M ea n s of Gra ce .

r eal detes ta t i on of s i n ; h e mu s t a v o id all a n d everythi n g th a t lea ds

t o s i n or th a t rem i n d s hi m of s i n T h os e wh o wi s h t o d o b etter b u t
, .
,

will no t a v o id t h e occas i on of S i n a re like on e wh o s weep s aw a y th e ,

co b web b ut d o es no t kill t h e s pider ; thu s a fres h web i s soo n s pu n

, .

O r h e i s like a g ard ener wh o cut s off th e w eed s an d d o es n ot roo t them

up ; i n a little ti me they a re g ree ne r th an ever Too of t en s i nn e rs .

wh o confess th e i r s i ns b ut will no t give up t h e occas i on of s i n

t ra ns gress more d eeply th an b efore If yo u w oul d keep th e i es from .

y o u r t abl e y o u mu s t r emove th e s weet di s h es th a t a tt rac t them ; s o i f

,

y o u w o uld keep free from s i n y o u mu s t kee p far fro m y o u th e oc ,

cas i on s of s i n Goo d re s oluti ons a re no u s e wit h out th e divi n e ass i s t

.

ance any more th an t h e corn can fru c ti fy with o ut ra i n an d s u n

,

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 .

O ur res o l uti o n s h oul d h a ve referen ce t o on e p a rticul a r s in ,

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 .

It i s i mp oss i bl e t o carry o ut man y resoluti ons a t a ti me To a t .

t empt thi s i s like en de a v o ri ng t o ro ll s e ve ra l l arge s t on e s up hi ll a ll

a t onc e ; we s h all s u cc eed wi th n on e It i s e no ugh i f w e s et o u r .

s elve s resolutely t o o ve rcome on e fa ult for i n d o i ng s o we s h all ,

comb a t all th e o th e rs ju s t as whil e c u rb i ng on e res tive h ors e w e c heck

, ,

t h e o the rs wh o a re h arn ess e d wi t h it If we did b ut ro ot o ut on e .

vi c e ever y year we s h o ul d soon b ecome p erf ec t men

, .

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 , ,

l ow a t one th a t no on e ne ar b es id es th e p r i e s t s h all h ear wh a t i s

, ,

sa id Confess i on mu s t b e acc u rat e W e s h o uld av oid th e u s e of

. .

gene ral t erms ; for i ns t ance it i s no t righ t t o s a y : I h a ve t rans gress ed

,

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
,

w i th m y wh ol e h e art ; I h ave s i nne d i n th o ught w or d an d d eed ,

.

S u ch ph ras e s a re u nm e an i n g Y et whil e ent er in g i n t o p arti c ul ars

.
, ,

eve rythi n g s h o uld b e t o ld as b r i ey a s p oss i bl e ever y s up er u o u s d e ,

t a il b e i n g av o ided An y on e wh o h a s b ee n acc e ssory to o u r s i n i s

.

no t t o b e m en ti on ed b y nam e S i mpl e : Amb igu o u s exp ress i ons a t

.
,

t empt s a t s el f j u s t i c a t i on canno t b e all o wed i n co nfess i on ; th e pen i

-

t en t mu s t b e s i mpl e an d candid a s a crys t al i s cl ear an d t rans p aren t

, .

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
, .

i s h e d mor e s ever ely for it Acc u se thys el f an d Go d will excus e

.
,
62 4 Th e M ea n: of Gra ce .

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 ,

p era t e an d s o for th N o thi ng i s mor e efcac i o u s i n e ra di ca ti ng s i n

, .

th an p raye r alms givin g an d fas ti ng b eca u s e t h e conc upi scence of

, , ,

t h e eyes th e conc upi scenc e of t h e e s h an d t h e p r ide of li f e a re

, , ,

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 . .
,

i n g on b re a d an d w a ter a b s ti n enc e from me a t an d wi ne t h e non , ,

r ec epti on of h o ly comm un i on an d th e like T h es e p enances were n ot , .

for a few d a ys th ey l as te d mon th s an d even ye ars na y many we re

, , ,

li fel ong Some p en it ent s withdr ew t o th e d es er t t o live a li fe of

o
.

p enanc e a s did S t M ary of E gypt N or were th es e p enance s nl y

, . .

i mp os e d for gr i ev o us s i ns b ut for comp ara tively s light t ransg ress i ons , ,

s u c h a s t h e om i ss i on of M ass n egl ec t of t h e rule of fas ti ng mi s b e , ,

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
, .

feren t th ey b e ar no p oss i bl e p ro p orti on t o t h e pun i sh men t we h a ve

mer ite d It i s well therefore t o un de rt a ke some v o lun t ary p enanc es
.
,

th a t w e ma y no t s u er i n pu rg at ory hereafter as will b e s h o wn p re s ,

Th e con fes s or als o d i rec t s re a ra t i p o to n b e ma d e for a ny

i n j u ry th a t has b een o
d n e, a n d th e s upp r i es s on of a ll th a t ma y

ca u s e s ca n d al .

He o bliges th os e who h a ve s t olen o ther people s g o ods to ma ke

res tituti on ; th os e wh o h a ve wron ge d o the rs b y s l an de r t o ret rac t

the i r w or d s an d ma ke an a p ol o gy He deal s gen tly with th e pen iten t .
,

an d d o es no t requi re from hi m wh a t h e canno t or will no t perform .

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 .

By th e performanc e of o u r s acramen t al p enanc e ( th a t enj o i ned

by th e p r i es t ) w e di sch arge more of o u r deb t th an b y w ork s v olun
,

t a r ily un dert a ken Th e form er h a ve th e vi rtue of o be di ence ; they

.

w o uld l os e th ei r v alu e i f the y we re kno wi ngly altered therefore they ,

mu s t b e d on e with scrupul o u s exac titude If they canno t b e p er .

formed thi s m u s t b e t o ld t o t h e p ri e s t i n th e n ext co n fess i on T h ey

, .

mu s t al so b e p erform e d with o ut del a y for they h a ve no ei c a cy i n ,

remitti ng s i n or e arn i ng grac e unl ess th e p en iten t i s i n a s t at e of

g race an d thi s i s mos t c ert a i n i mme di a t ely aft er confess i on S till
,
.

there i s no o blig a ti on t o s a y one s p enanc e b efore app roac hi ng h oly

commu n i on b ut w e mu s t no t put off sayi ng it u n til the re i s a d an ger

,

of o u r forg etti ng it Wh oso n egl ec ts t o p erform hi s sacrament al p en

.

anc e l o s e s man y g race s an d vi o l at es t h e o b edi enc e h e o wes t o t h e

,

p r i es t a s Go d s rep res ent a tive ; b ut h e d o es no t th ereb y ren d er h i s

confess i on i n valid He i s like a s i c k man wh o when t h e phys i c i an

.
,

h a s g on e will no t t a ke th e medi c i n e h e p rescri b ed He s h o ws more

, .
 Th e Sa cra men ts 62 5

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 .

thi s re ason th e C hurc h conclude s a ll h er petiti o n s with t h e w or ds :

P er D omi n u m n os tru m Jes u m C hri s tu m Our w or ks canno t n ever . ,

t h el es s b e di s p ens ed with for C h r i s t h a s only mer it ed for u s wh a t

, ,

w as b ey on d o u r r each ; He h as Opene d he aven t o us ag a i n it be h oo ve s . ,

u s th ro ugh t h e sa ti sfacti on we ma ke t o a pp ro p r i ate to o u rs elves wh a t

He mer ited for u s We know th a t onl y i f we s uffer with Hi m s h all
.

we a lso b e gl or i ed with Hi m ( R om viii 1 7 . .

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
.

o ut of deb t when h e h a s p a id th ree or fo ur hun dred ; h e canno t res t

until t h e wh o le deb t i s p a id off So w e mu s t l ab or conti n u ally t o d i s
.
~

c h arge o ur deb t D ivi n e j u s ti c e can o nl y b e sa ti se d b y l ong an d

.

conti nu o u s penanc e C h as ti s e thy s elf say s S t Augus ti ne i f th o u

.

, .
,

woul ds t no t h a ve Go d c h as ti s e thee By a little l ab or h ere we can .

a ve rt g re a t p a i ns here after Th e wh o le li fe of th e C h r i s ti an o ught

.

t o b e a p erp etu al p enanc e ( Co unc il of Trent 1 4 Att ac h no , ,

credit say s S t Jo h n of t h e Cross t o th e man wh o decr i es penanc e
, .
, ,

alth o ugh h e ma y h a ve th e gif t of m i racles
_
While we d o p enanc e .
,

we ma y coun t up on t h e ass i s t anc e of g rac e P a ti ence un de r s uffe r i ng .

i s an effec tu al me ans of maki ng sa ti sfac ti on ; th e mer it of s uffe r i ng

d oe s no t cons i s t i n th e amo un t we b e ar b ut th e manne r i n whi c h we ,

be ar it Comp ara tively slight affli cti ons b orn e p a ti ently will h a ve
.

far more v alue as expi ati on fo r s i n th an mu c h g re a ter w orks under

t aken of ou r o wn free will H appy th os e t o wh om it i s given t o expi ate
.

the i r s i ns on e arth for t h e re s of pu rg a t ory a re i nn itely w ors e th an

,

anythi ng w e s u ffer here an d they d o no t cont r i b ut e to o u r f utu re

,

feli c ity ; they a re s imply pun itive no t mer it or i o u s Ano the r mos t , .

p ro t able me ans of ma ki n g sa ti sfac ti on i s t h e willi ng acc ept anc e of

de ath at t h e h an d of Go d S i nce C h r i s t di ed for u s de a th i s no t no w
.
,

reg ar ded so mu c h i n th e light of a c h as ti semen t an d b y no thi ng can ,

we me r it so g rea tly a s b y acc epti ng it willi ngly .

works of p ena nce whi ch we p erform a nd th e s ufferings

Th e
w e b ea r p a ti entl y d o n ot o nl y ca n cel th e t empo ra l p uni s hment
d ue t o our s i ns b ut t h ey contri b ut e t o th e increa s e of our et erna l
,

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 ,

b ut al so a rew ard All s uffer i ng i s t h e p enalty of s i n , b ut b y Go d s

.

me rcy it i s al so a l a dd e r wh ereb y we may asc en d t o h e aven . Ho w

vas t i s th e mercy an d l o vi ng ki ndn ess of Go d !

Gen era l C on fes s i on .

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 ,

i nterval s a th orou gh cl eans ing i s n ece ssary ; t h e c e ili ng s a re whi te

w as h e d th e oors a re scrubb e d It i s t h e same with our soul ; we
, .

c le ans e it frequ ently duri n g o u r lives by co n fess i on but occas i onally ,

we pu r i fy it mor e ful ly b y a gen era l conf ess i on .

2A gen era l c o n fes s i o n i s p ro ta bl e b ec a us e i t p r o duc es i n

.

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 .

It p ro du ce s g re a t e r s el f kno wle dg e b eca u se it b ri ng s many hidden -

s i ns t o light If we s h with a ro d or a n et no t man y sh es a re

.
,

ca ught for they S helte r th ems elves u n der t h e b ank s ; b ut i f all th e

,

w a t er i s d rawn off t h e p on d all t h e Sh come to s ight Th e di fference , .

b etween or di nary confess i on an d a general confess i on i s mu ch th e

same It a lso deepens hum ility A small t roo p of soldi ers a tt acki ng
. .

t h e en emy h a s no t th e sam e forc e a s t h e wh o le army ; s o t h e s i ns we

confess from ti me t o time h a ve no t th e same p o wer t o humble o ur
p r ide a s th e wh o le arra y when di scl os e d b y a gen eral confess i on It .

i ncre as e s t ran quillity of consc i ence Wh en a s t ew ar d h a s t o make up .

h i s acco un t s t o h i s mas t er h e i s afra id l es t some e rror s h o uld b e d e ,

t ect ed ; b ut wh en they a re a ll l oo k e d o ve r an d fo u n d corr e c t h i s ,

m i n d i s a t res t So it i s with co nfess i on It al so o b t a i ns g re a t g rac es

. .

from Go d J u s t a s a b egg ar exc it es more commi s era ti on i f h e tell s

.

t h e f ull t al e of h i s w o e s so man a pp e al s mor e s t rongly t o t h e com,

p ass io n of Go d an d o b t a i ns more g races from Hi m i f h e humbles

, ,

hi ms elf b y t h e ack no wle dgme nt of all h i s m i s e ry an d fra ilty With .

many p ersons a general co n fess i on h a s i naugu ra t ed a n ew li fe .

Henc e w e ma y conclude th a t it i s a me ans of o b t a i n i ng a l arge meas

ure of g rac e .

3 . A gen era l in di s p en s a bl e if a n in val id con

con fes s ion is ,

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 .

Wha t h a s al re a dy b een sa id up on concealmen t of s i n s i n confess i on

need n d't b e repe a t e d h ere P eo ple a b o ut t o b e marr i ed or cler i cs on . ,

t h e ev e of or di na ti on o ught t o ma ke a g en e ral conf e ss i on , Wh a t .

conso l a ti on for t h e dyi ng t o kno w th a t th e affa i rs of the i r so ul a re

all well or d ere d ! Scrupul o u s p e rsons s h o uld b e forb idden t o ma ke
-

a g en eral con fess i on ; for th em th e p racti c e of o b edi ence i s mo re

salut ary .

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 .

Confess i on wa s p racti s ed u n der th e Old D i s p ensa ti on no t i n d eed ,

as a sacramen t b ut as fores h a d o wi ng t h e sacrament , Th e rs t .

confe ss i on w as ma d e i n p ara di s e ; Go d w as th e Confe ssor A d am a n d ,

Ev e were th e p en itent s Go d call ed up on C a i n t o make a confess i on ; .

628 Th e M ea ns o f Gra ce .

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 .

vi n e o rigi n of confess i on canno t s a y i n wh at l an d an d a t wh a t ep och

,

thi s c u s tom th an whi c h none o ther i s s o difcult an d w ear i some an d ,

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 ~

d u ced P ro te st ant s d o it i s tr u e all eg e th a t it w as i nt ro du c ed a t

.
, ,

t h e La teran Co unc il i n 1 2 1 5 when conf ess i on onc e a year w as ma d e ,

o blig a t ory for t h e fa ith ful ; b ut wh o w o uld b e s o fo oli s h a s to con

cl u d e b eca u s e a fa th e r b a d e h i s s on p a y hi m a vi s i t r egul arly once
,

ev e ry ye ar th a t un til th en h e h a d no t b een i n t h e h a b it of eve r v i s

,

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 .

Ho w e as y it i s for u s wh o on acco un t of o u r s i ns a re like cri m

,
'

n a l s con d emn ed t o de a t h t o o b t a i n p ar d on from Go d ! He d o es

,

no t r equi re of u s s evere s uffer i ng s a pilgr i mage t o J erusal em or , ,

t h e like ; no thi n g b ut th e confes s i on of o u r s i ns t o an y on e of Hi s m i n

i s t ers wh om w e ma y s el ec t an d wh o i s pledge d t o s t r i c tes t s e cre c y
, .

N o e ar thly monarc h w a s eve r s o i n dulgen t to t rans gr essors Wh a t .

ex erti ons a p r i son e r con ned i n a s ub t erran e an du n ge on will ma ke t o

reg a i n hi s lib er ty ! F or a wh ol e year h e will w ork a t li n g thro ugh
a b ar or l oos en i n g a s t on e Th e s pi r itu al p ri son e r nee d t a ke no s u ch
.

p a i ns t o re co ver h i s free d om ; s u c h i s th e u nfath oma bl e b o un ty an d

merc y of God Th e i nn ite wi s d om of Go d i s al so exhi b ite d i n th e
.

i ns tituti on of confe ss i on Th e Skill of an exp e ri enc ed phy s i c i an

.

i s sh o wn b y th e fac t th a t h e no t only relieves t h e p ati ent b ut b y ,

th e empl oyme nt of a r em edy o pp os e d t o th e di s e as e eli m i na t e s it s ,

ca u s e N o w w e k no w t h a t all t rans g ress i ons com e from p r ide ; it i s ,

.

as S t T h omas A qui na s decl ares th e so u rce of all s i n ; conf ess i on i s

.
,

di am et r i cally o pp os ed t o p r id e it i s a hum ili a ti on for th e s i nne r ,

.

T hu s Go d man i fe st s Hi s wi s d om b y app o i n ti n g a p rac ti c e e as y an d

s i mple i n its el f an d y et mos t p a i nful t o huma n na ture ; for confes s i on
,

requi res no s light con ques t of s el f .

The Ad v a n ta ges o f C on fes s i on .

C onfe i on ss is e xtremel y u eful both t o indivi du

s al s a nd to so
ci ety in gen era l .

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 .

By comp ar in g all th a t h e h as d on e or l eft u n d on e with th e l aw

of Go d s comman dm en t s th e p en it en t l e arn s t o kno w hi s o wn he art

,
.

Hi s c onsc i enc e al s o sp eak s more cl early By frequen t conf ess i on .

t h e l a w of Go d i s mor e d eeply i mp r es s ed on th e h e art of man ; wh en

tempt ed to s i n th e comman dm ent h e i s ab o t to b rea k p res ent s
, u
 The Sa cra men ts . 629

its elf t o hi s mi nd Th e mere th o ught of confess i on al s o a c t s as a d e

.

te rr en t fr om s i n ; some p ers o n s a b s t a i n from s i n be cau s e they co ul d

no t b ear t o t ell it t o t h e p r i e s t E xp er i ence p ro ves h o w grea t a reli ef
.

conf ess i on i s to th e m i nd of on e wh o h a s committed a gr ievo u s s i n .

Th e i mpuls e t o confe ss on e s m i s deed s i s i nh erent i n human na ture ;

confess i on ans wers to thi s f eeli n g an d th e ass urance of p ar d on a i ,

ford s th e great es t consol ati on Confes s i on al so i ncre as es s t ren gth of

.

ch arac te r for b y it we learn t o o vercome o urs elves

, M oreo ve r t h e .

Ho ly S pi r it enlightens o u r un d ers t andi ng an d fort i es o ur will an d ,

t h e mor e s te a dfas tly t h e will i s i ncli ne d t o wh a t i s g oo d t h e more ,

s t rength of c h arac ter we s h a ll p oss ess Confess i on b ei n g i n itself .

,

an ac t of humility canno t fa il t o make a man humble an d humility

, ,

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 .

grea tes t a vers i on t o conf ess i on It i s a m eans of free i n g o u rs elves .

from th e fetters of th e devil for b y telli ng t h e t ruth when it w oul d

,

b e s o e as y t o dec e ive an d t h e tempt a ti on t o concea l i s often ex p eri

,

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 ,

Wh o i s eternal Truth An d th e less po wer t h e devil h a s o ver a man

o
.
,

t h e mor e e as ily h e will d ra w n igh t God Th e rs t s t ep i n amen d

o
.

ment of li fe i s t o g o to confess i on B efore a pplyin g thy s el f t o go d .

deed s s a y s S t Augus ti ne confess thy m i s deed s

, .
,

.

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 .

Ab soluti on i s no t given t o p en iten t wh o refu s es t o forgive h i s

th e
neighb or or ma ke res titut i on of p ro p erty w rongf ully o b t a i n ed Th e .

reason why non Ca th o li cs often p refe r Cath oli c s erv an ts an d a re

-

willi ng t o l et them g o to confess i on i s app ar en t Th e p r i es t i n th e .

confess i ona l sp ares no p a i ns t o di ss u a de th os e wh o come t o hi m from

c arryi n g o ut an y evil des igns th ey ma y h a v e form ed an d t ell s th em ,

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 .

d on e i n th e c onfess i ona l than i n th e pulpit for t h e fu rtheranc e of

mora lity for wh a t i s sa id i n p r iv a te h as more effec t th a t wh a t i s
,

sa id i n publi c P o p e P iu s V u s ed t o s a y : G ive me g oo d confessors

. .

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 .

confess i on w as p rac ti s ed b y on e of th e p a g an na ti ons of an ti quity t oo ,

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 ,

p o i n te d b y t h e livi n g Go d it i s terme d fo oli s h tyrann i cal an d d e

, , ,

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 , ,

b ri nk of t h e Jord an th e w at e r l eft off o wing d o wn w ard s an d s t o od

, ,

t ogeth er i n a h ea p But no soon er h a d th e ark p ass ed o ver th an th e

.
,

w a t ers returned i n to thei r ch ann el a n d ran on as they w ere w on t

b efore ( Josu e So it i s with man y a Ch r i s ti an Wh en th ey .

h a ve re ce ived th e sacramen ts th ey res t ra i n th e i r p ass i ons a little ;

,

but be fore l on g they a ga i n give th em free rein an d s i n even more ,

deeply th an ev er M any say s S t Jerome
. begi n well but few
, .
, ,
6 30 Th e M ea n s o f Gra ce .

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 .

It i s i mp oss i b le for th os e wh o we re onc e illum i na te d an d wer e ,

ma d e p art a kers of th e H oly G h os t an d a re fa ll en aw a y t o b e re , ,

newed a g a i n t o p enanc e ( Heb vi Th e b ac ks lider n d s it difcult . .

t o reg a i n t h e r ight roa d R el ap s e i nt o s i n i s like t h e rel ap s e of a

.

c on v ale sc ent ; t h e di s e as e from whi c h h e s uffe re d h as m o re h old on

hi m th an b efor e Ou r Lor d sa y s of s u c h a on e th a t t h e unclean s pi r it
.

retu rns t o hi m an d t akes with him s eve n o the r s pi r it s more wi cke d

th an hi ms el f ( L uk e x i Th e d evil de al s with t h e b ack slid e r as
.

a p rud ent w ar de r d o e s with a p r i son er wh o h as onc e e scap ed ; h e

gu ar d s hi m mor e w a t ch f ully th an before Th e b ack s lide r g r i eve s t h e .

H o ly S pi r it of God ( E ph iv nay h e d r ives Hi m a w a y an d vi o

. .
,

l a tes t h e templ e of Go d ( 1 Cor iii 1 7 T hu s th e s i n of rel ap s e . .

ren de rs a man u n w orthy of t h e as s i s t anc e of divi ne g rac e He .

d o es no t des er ve t o b e c u r e d wh o o pens hi s w o un d s afr es h A p r i nc e .

will no t re a dily r e a dm it a man t o h i s fa vor wh o des pite all p ro tes t a ,

ti ons of d elity h as p ro v e d hi ms el f a t ra it or Th e s i n of rel a p s e .

i s s ev er ely pu n i sh ed b y Go d Ou r Lor d sa id t o th e man wh om He .

h a d h eal e d : S i n n o more l es t some w ors e thi ng h app en to thee ,

( 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 .

Th e b ack s lide r o ught t o ac t S t P et er did wh en h e h a d d en i ed as .

C h r i s t ; h e w en t o ut an d w ept b itte rly ( M a tt xxvi I f re . .

b rea k s o ut i n a h o u s e it can b e exti ngui s hed a t once i f h elp i s a t

,

h an d ; an d i f t h e b ack slide r d o e s p enanc e i mme di a tely h i s s i n may ,

b e p ar d oned ; na y mor e h i s fall ma y even o b t a i n for hi m a gr e a ter

,

meas u re of grac e I n th e cas e of some sa i nt s th e i r fall p ro du c ed i n

.
,

th em a g re a te r acc e ss i on of fer vor an d t h e d epth of th ei r con t r iti on ,

o b t a i n ed for th em a high e r d eg re e of grac e But t h e l onge r p enanc e .

i s p os tp on ed th e w ors e it will fare with th e s i nn er

, It i s th e o pi n i on .

of t h e F ath ers th a t as alm igh ty Go d h a s app o i nte d b efor eh an d th e

n umb er of t al ent s to b e con d ed t o eve ry i n dividu al s o He h as xed ,

t h e n um b e r of s i ns whi c h s h all b e forgive n t o e ach ; wh en thi s n u m

b er i s compl et e th er e i s no more p ar d on t o b e fo u n d
, St A ugu s ti n e . .

say s th a t th e l on g s uffer i n g of Go d b ears with th e s i nn e r up t o a cer

-

t a i n p o i n t ; aft e r th a t h e canno t o b t a i n forgiven es s In h i s rs t ill .

n ess th e i nd el V olt a i re rep en t ed ; b ut h e p res en tly fell i n to g rea ter

wi c ked n es s th an b e fore an d hi s en d w a s a d re a d ful on e
,
.

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 .

To b e vexed an d o ut of t empe r with on e s s elf sh o w s p r ide ; we c a n

n ot t ol era te t h e s ight of o u r own i mp e rfec ti on s It i s of no u s e t o .

6 32 The M ea ns c f
!
Gra ce .

t hee

( 2 Pa r xix Why were D a vid an d S t P ete r trea ted b y
. . .

Go d with s u c h fa v or a n d i n dulg ence after the i r fall ? B ecau s e of

th e g oo d w ork s they h a d p revi o u sl y p e rformed U nrem itti ng p ra ye r .

i s a l so an exc ellen t me ans of p ers ever i ng i n j u s ti c e AS b i r d s con .

t i n ua ll y mo ve the ir win g s i n t h e a i r t o ke ep from fa lli n g t o t h e ,

g ro u n d s o w e s h o uld soar t o Go d on t h e pi n i ons of p rayer le s t we

, ,

fa ll i nt o mor t al s i n Ou r Lor d enj o i ns on u s . alw ay s t o p ra y

( Luke xviii T here i s no thi ng mo re ce rt a i n t o p res erve u s th ro ugh
.

o ut o u r li fe i n t h e g ra ce of Go d th an unc eas ing p rayer Ho t w ate r .

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 ,

w armth of divi ne ch ar ity d i e o ut of o u r he art i f we k eep it near t o

God by fr equ en t ej acul a t o ry p ra yers A n d s i nc e all g race s come t o u s .

thr o ugh t h e h an d s of th e M o the r of Go d we canno t do ub t th a t th e ,

gi ft of n al pe rs eve rance t h e g re at es t of all g rac es will o nl y b e oh

, ,

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 .

It h a s al rea dy b een expl a i ned th a t b y

Sacrame nt of P en a n c e the
t h e d eb t of ete rna l pu n i s hmen t d u e t o t h e s i nner i s remi tt ed b ut ,

no t th e temp oral T hi s h e mu s t di sch arge eithe r i n th i s w orl d b y

.

s i ck nes s a dvers ity tempt a ti on p e rs e cuti on v olun t ary w orks of p e n

, , , ,

ance an d th e like or i n th e re s of pu rg a t ory after de a th T hi s i s

, , .

e xe mplied b y t h e h o ly p e n it en t M ary of E gypt F or sevente en , .

ye ars s h e l ed a S i nful li f e ; aft er h er con vers i on s h e did pe nan ce i n

t h e d es e r t for s even te en ye ars Her p enance cons i s ted i n h orr i ble .

tempt a ti ons i n hu nger a nd thi rst i n s uffer i ng s from exp os u re t o co ld

, ,

a n d h ea t It w a s th e same with o ther p en it ent s

. .

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 .

Ou r Lor d confe rre d on S t P eter i n p arti c ul ar an d on all th e .

,

a p os tle s i n gen eral th e p o wer t o remo ve wh a teve r hin d ere d t h e a d

,

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 .

xvi . an d t o th e a p os tl es He sa id : Wh a t so ever y o u s h all l oose

on e arth s h all b e l oose d al so i n h ea ven ( M a tt xviii N o w s i nc e . .

mort al s i n exclud es from he a ve n p erman en tly an d t h e t emp oral p en ,

alty of s i n t emp orar ily p o wer t o rem it b o th on e an d th e o ther i s

,

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 .

c e rt a i n C h r i s ti ans of Cor i n th wh o h a d b een excommu n i ca t ed for,

th e i r vi c e s we re p ard on e d b y S t P aul i n t h e nam e of C h r i s t ( 2 Cor

, . .

ii. afte r th ey h a d te s ti e d t o t h e s i nc e r ity of th e i r compu nc ti on .

Wh en t h e C hu rch rem it s t emp ora l p en a l t i es s h e d o e s no t canc e l th em

alt o gethe r ; s h e s uppli es wh a t i s l acki ng from th e t re as u ry of t h e

i nn ite me r it s of C h r i s t an d of t h e sa i n t s M an y m emb e rs of t h e .

C hu r ch h a ve pe rform e d p enanc e s o ver an d ab o ve wh a t w a s d u e t o

, o
th ei r Si ns an d th e s t re of th ei r m er it s o wi n g t o th e sa ti sfac ti o n ,
 Th e Sa cra men ts . 63 3

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
.

u a l ly exemp t ed fro m t h e p a ymen t of h i s deb t s i n ce wh a t i s s t i ll d u e ,

i s p a i d ou t of t h e t rea s u ry of th e C hu r ch .

1 . Hen c e at th e ti me of th e great p ers ec ti on s , th e u Ch u

rc h

u se d to l a y u p on rep en ta n t s i n n ers p l i c p en a n ces for th e ex ub

p i a t i on of t h e t emp ora l
p u n i s h men t o f s i n ,
a n d a ft er wa rd s com
mu t e th em i n to l ess er on es , or remi t th em a ltogeth er, i f th e p en i
t en t ma n i fes t ed a s i n cere i n tenti on of amen d men t, or a mart r y
i n terced ed for h i m .

Th e C h r i s t i a n s of e a rl y a g es were mo s t l y r ecen t c on vert s from

h ea t h en i s m a n d n eed ed r i g oro u s t rea t men t
, P u b l i c p en a n ce g en er .

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

C h u rch a n d h e a r t h e rs t p ort i o n of t h e M a s s ; t h ey w ere n ot p er

mi tt ed t o recei ve h ol y c ommu n i on , a n d a s a ru l e w er e n ot a b s ol ved ,

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 .

u s u a ll y l a s t ed s even y e a rs ; i t w a s o n l y i mp o s ed for g r a ve o f fen c e s ,

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 ,

etc . for h e i n o u s c ri mes s u ch a s mur d er t h e p er i o d w a s s t i ll l o n g er

, .

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 r y for h i m t o d o fu rt h e r p en a n c e C o n s equ en t l y t h e p en i ten t i a l

.

w ork s w e r e i n s o me c a s es p a rt i a ll y or wh ol l y r emi t t ed Now s i n ce .

C h r i s t i a n s form on e b o d y a mo n g t h ems el ves t h e c o mmu n i o n of ,

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
. .

wh a t fr i en d s d o for u s we d o i n a me a s u r e for o u rs el ves , s i n ce b y

reci p ro ci ty of a ffect i on tw o a re ma d e on e .

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 .

Formerl y t h e p en i ten t h a d t o a p p l y for d i s p en s a t i o n or mi t i g a ~

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 .

M i d dl e Ag es t h ere w ere g oo d r ea s o n s for r emi tt i n g p en a n ce s on t h e

p a ymen t of a s u m of mo n ey, for i n t h o s e d a ys g r eed a n d a va r i c e p re
v a i l ed a n d w e kn ow t h a t every v i ce i s b es t ext i rp a t ed b y i t s p p o s i t e
, O
vi rt u e Th e mo n ey th u s c ol l ect ed w a s exp en d e d i n t h e erect i o n of
.

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 .

1 09 5, t ot a l d i s p en s a t i o n fro m w ork s of p en a n ce, i e , a p l en a ry i n

a . .

d ul g en ce, w a s g r a n t ed to a ll wh o took p a r t i n t h e c ru s a d es t h ems elv es ,

or i n l a t er y ea rs p ro v i d ed men or mo n ey t o ca rry t h em on Th es e .

i n d ulg en ces w ere ext e n d ed t o th e n ear r el a t i v es of t h e c r us a d er s .

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
.

p ilg ri ma g es t o J e ru s a l em, R ome a n d C omp os tell a men t i o n ed a s mea n s

o f d i s c h a rg i n g t h e t emp or a l d eb t d u e t o s i n Wh en t h e Ho l y L a 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
.

o f t e m p or a l p u n i s h men t t o a ll wh o , d u r i n g t h e yea r 1 3 00, s h o ul d for

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 ,

t i me s g u i l t y of ext r a v a g a n ces , a n d t h e C o u n c i l of Tren t h a d t o s u p

p r es s t h e i r o i c e a l t o g e t h e r ( C o u n c i l o f T r en t ,
2 1 ,

3 In more recen t times th e C h u rch p ermi tt ed th e s u b s t i tu

.

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 .

In th i s ma n n er t h e C h u rch en d ea v or s t o i n c i t e h er chi l d ren t o

g r e a t e r fe r v or ; t o i n d u ce t h e m t o a p p ro a ch t h e s a c r a m e n t s ( t h i s

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

en rol t h ems el v es i n c o n fr a t e rn i t i es , t o r ec i t e t h e R o s a ry , t o i n cre a s e

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 ,

i s t h e s t a n d a r d wh ereb y t h e mea s u r e of p u n i s hmen t t o b e r emi t ted

i s e s t i ma t ed ; t h u s wh en i t i s s a i d t h a t t h r ee y e a rs i n d u lg en ce i s

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 .

2 . Th e re th e t emp ora l p ni sh ment d u e t o u s on

mi s s i on of u
u
acc o nt of our s i ns i s cal l ed a n i ndul gence, a nd i s o tai n ed th e b by
p erform a n c e, w h il e i n a s t a t e of grac e, of c ert a i n good w ork s en
joi ned on us by
th e Ch rch u .
636 The M ea n s o f Gra ce .

mu s t b e omi tt ed or a lte red a n d th e p res c ri p ti on a s t o ti me p l a ce etc .

mu s t b e s t ri ctl y ob s erved ; b u t th e i n d u lg en c e i s n ot l o s t on a cc oun t

, , , ,

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
.

ma y b e g a i n ed ea ch t i me t h ey a re rep e a ted ( toti es qu oti es ) i n th e

c a s e of o t h er s on l y o n ce a d a y
, As i n s t a n ces of p l a ces wh er e i n du l
.
_

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
.
-

s t ep s , a n d w a s bro u gh t from J eru s a l em t o R ome y t h e Emp res s b

Hel en a i n 3 2 6 B y a s cen d i n g t h i s s t a i rc a s e on o n e s kn ees med i t a t
.

,

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

for every s t ep ma y b e g a i n ed L a rg e i n dul g en ces a re a l s o g ra n t ed

.

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, .

b e s i d es ma n y oth er s . As i n s t a n ces of h ol y t h i n g s a n d s a c red ob j ect s

t o whi ch i n d u l g en c es ma y b e a t t a ch ed, we ma y men t i o n : C ru c i xes ,
med a l s , ros a ri es , p i c tu res , s t a t u es , et c , p ro vi d ed th ey a re n ot ma d e of
.

very fra g i l e ma t e ri a l Th es e ob j ect s mu s t b e b l es s ed b y t h e So verei gn

.

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
.
,

l o s t i f t h e o j ect t o wh i ch i t i s a tt a ch ed i s more th a n h a lf d es t ro yed ;

b
i f, t h a t i s t o s a y , t h e g r ea t e r p a rt of t h e ea d s of a ro s a ry a re w orn
a w a y, or mor e t h a n h a l f of t h e c ro s s es h a ve fal l en fro m a s et of
s t a t i o n s , a l s o i f a b l es t o b j e ct i s s ol d , or l en t t o a n o th e r p er s on for t h e
s a k e of g a i n i n g t h e i n d u l g en c e, b u t n ot i f i t i s g i ven a wa y a ft er b e i n g
_

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
,
~

t a ch ed t o t h em . Th e memb e rs of c on fr a t ern i t i es a n d s o me s ecu l a r

p r i es t s h a ve p er s o n a l i n d u l g en ces g r a n t ed t o t h em .

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 .

In d u lg en ces a re ord i n a r i l y grea ter or l es s i n p ro p ort i o n t o th e

p res c r i b ed w ork s ; for a s ma l l w ork, a s ma l l i n d u lg en ce, for a w ork
of d if cu l t y a l a rg e i n d u lg en ce i s g r a n t ed L et n o on e i ma g i n e t h a t
.

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
.

a g a i n s t God i s h a t efu l t o t h e p en i ten t, d o es God remi t t h e ch a s t i s e

men t due to Hi s j us t i 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

mten ti on b es id es p erfor mi n g th e p res cri b ed work s ; metimes

so

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 .

t h e h a b i t of g o i n g t o co n fes s i o n eve r y w eek ca n g a i n a n y

i n d ul g en ce i n t h e c ou rs e of t h e week w i t h ou t g o i n g a g a i n t o
c o n fes s i o n , exc ep t t h e J u b i l ee i n d u l g en ce M ore t h a n on e p l en a ry
.

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 ,

a ft e r c o mmu n i o n , a n d o f fered u p for t h e p ea ce o f C h r i s t i a n p r i n c es ,

th e e xt i rp a t i o n of h er es y, a n d t h e ex a l t a t i o n of t h e C h u r ch .

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 .

Th e Ju b i l ee i n d u l g en ce i s g r a n t ed ever y twen ty v e yea rs t o th e -

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 .

d i t i on s for g a i n i n g i t a re : Th e r e cep t i o n of t h e s a c r a men t s a n d th e

v i s i t t o a ch u rch , b es i d e s a t l e a s t on e d a y of fa s t i n g a n d a n a lms .

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
.
,

c a n o n l y b e g a i n ed o n ce a n d th a t for o n e s s elf ; b u t s o met i me s i t i s

,

o th erwi s e O cca s i o n a ll y a n e xt r a Ju b i l ee i s p ro cl a i med b y t h e Sov

.

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 ,

a n d on t h e ev en i n g b efor e ; a s o ft en, i n fa ct a s a n y on e wh o h a s b een ,

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
.

t o a l l wh o a fte r a p p ro a ch i n g th e s a c r a men t s s h o ul d v i s i t t h a t ch u rch

, .

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 .

the p ri vi l eg e Fr a n ci s a cc or d i n g ly rep a i red t o R ome ; t h e

. ol y H
F a t h e r g ra n ted t h e i n d u l g en c e, xi n g i t for t h e s ec o n d of Au g u s t .

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
.

for o n e s s elf; i f g a i n ed more o ft en , i t mu s t b e a p p l i ed t o

s ome on e el s e Th e c o mmu n i on n eed n ot n ec es s a ril y b e ma d e i n a

.

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
.

t hi s u s ed t o b e s o lemn l y g i ven a ft e r Hi g h M a s s on g re a t fes t i va l s

fro m t h e b a l c o n y of St P et er s
B i s h op s a n d p r i es t s a re n ow a n d
. .

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 .

wh o h a v e r e cei ved t h e n ec es s a ry fa cu l t i es c a n i n d ul g en ce c ro s s es , med

a l s a n d t h e l i k e for t h e h o u r of d e a t h It i s e n o u g h i f t h e fa i t h fu l
.

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
.

b y mak i n g a c t s of fa i t h , h op e, a n d c h a r i t y d a i l y, i n o n e s own w ord s

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
.

w ork s of p en a n ce , t h e C h u rch a l mo s t en t i r el y exemp t s t h em fro m t h e

o b l i g a t i on of t ry i n g t o d i s ch a rg e t h e t emp or a l d eb t of p u n i s hmen t
d u e t o t h ei r s i n s .

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 .

as th e temp oral p u n i s h men t of s i n. u

Th s th o s e wh o n eg lec t th i s
p r a ct i ce, ma y b e c o mp a red t o a t r a vell er wh o a lt h o ug h h e mi gh t
r ea ch h i s d es t i na t i on b y a s h ort a nd ea s y ro u te, p refe rs t o t a k e
a l o n g a n d t o i l s ome ro a d ; h e i s hi s own w ors t en emy So me p e op l e .

t a ke excep t i o n a t t h e d o ct r i n e of i n du lg en ces , b u t t h i s i s b eca u s e th ey

d o n ot u n d er s t a n d i t ; oth er s c on demn i t , b ec a u s e of t h e a b u s es i n
t h e M i dd l e Ag es Wa s th e re ever a g oo d a n d h ol y th i n g wh i ch w a s
.

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 .

5 . EXTREM E UNC TION .

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 .

1 In a dmi ni s teri ng Extreme Un c ti on th e p ri es t a noi nt s th e

.

Ch ri s ti a n wh o i s i n d anger of d eath wi th th e h ol oil s p on th e y u

org a n s of h i s v e sen s es , a n d p ra s o er h i m; y v
means of whi ch by
u u u y b
th e s p i ri t al a n d n ot nfreq entl th e odi l y mal a d of th e s i ck y
ma n i s c red u .

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
,

s i n s t h o u h a s t c o mmi t ted y s ee i n g h eari n g et c ,

If th e s i ck ma n
, .

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
.
,

Ext reme Un c t i o n i s a l s o c a ll ed t h e l a s t s a cr a men t ec a us e i t i s ,

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 .

Extreme U n cti on i s men ti on ed by St Ja mes i n hi s ep i s tl e . .

We rea d : Is a n y ma n s i ck amon g y ou ? Let h i m b ri n g i n th e

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
. .

t h e fo u rth c en tu ry , exp res s l y d ecl a re d t h a t th e s e w or d s r efe rr ed t o

t h e Sa cr a men t of E t r eme U n ct i o n ; a n d i n th e s i th cen tu ry St
x x .

C aes a ri u s , B i s h o p of Arl es , exh or t s C h r i s t i a n s i n c a s e of s e ri o u s

i l l n es s , t o recei ve th e L ord s b o d y a n d b e a n o i n t ed w i th oi l for t h ei r

b o d i l y r es t or a t i o n a n d th e forg i ven es s of t h ei r s i n s Th e s a c red .

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 .

2 . Extreme Unc ti on ac ts s p i ri t all u y il das omat i all y ; i t oes er

s trength ens , h eal s , a n d ai ds th e s o l to u attai n ete nal al vati n r s o .
 Th e Sa cra men ts . 6 41

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 .

1 Extreme Un cti on s tren gth en s th e s i ck ec a s e i t confers

. b u
on hi m gra c e t o h ea r more eas i l th e i n con eni en c es a n d p ai ns y v
of s i ck n es s , a n d en a l es h i m more rea di l b
to res i s t t emp t a ti on of y
a ll ki n d s .

A o mp l ete ch a n g e i s s o met i mes w r ou gh t i n t h e s i ck b y th e re

c

c ep t i on of t h i s s a c r a men t ; wh e r ea s t h ey w ere p rev i o u s l y i mp a t i en t

a n d i n g r ea t d r e a d of d ea t h th ey b ec o me t r an qu i l a n d p a t i en t a n d
,

res i g n ed t o t h e wi l l of God At th e cl o s e of life t h e a d vers a ry of

.

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 Tr en t Ext reme Un ct i o n a n i s h es t h e d emon It i s reco rded

, .

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 ,

b eca me di s t ort ed a n d h e c ri ed ou t t h a t t h e d evi l wa s t ormen t i n g

b
,

h i m ; b u t a fte r h e h a d een a n o i n ted p e a ce a n d j o y r et u rn ed t o hi m , .

2 . Ex treme Un cti on i s for th e h ea li n g of th e so ul ,

a n d often

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 .

Ext reme Un ct i o n c omp ens a tes for a ll t h a t th rough n o fa ul t of ,

h i s own t h e s i ck ma n l eft i n c o mp lete i n t h e Sa cr a men t of P en a n ce

, .

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 ,

men d s th em t o th e mer cy of God Thi s a n o i n t i n g cl e a n s es a w a y .

s in , i f th ere b e a n y s t ill t o b e exp i a t ed a n d ca n cel s a p a r t of th e ,

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
.

res t ora t i o n t o h ea l th If God fores ees th a t th e s i ck ma n if h e re

.
,

c o ver will ma ke a g oo d u s e of t h e rema i n d e r of h i s d a ys for hi 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
, ,

r ep r i eve a s i t w ere t h a t h e ma y p rep a r e h i ms elf b etter for d ea th

, , .

B u t i f He fores ees t h a t i t w i ll b e o t h erwi se He t a kes h i m ou t of th e ,

w orl d As a rul e t h e s i ck exp eri en ce s ome a ll evi a t i o n a ft e r re

. ,

ce i v i n g Ext r eme U n c t i o n ; t h i s i s n ot t o b e exp l a i n ed on n a t ur a l

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 !

3 . Extreme Un cti on fa c il i ta tes ou r s a l vati on , by in crea s i n g

in us s a n cti f yi ng gra ce a n d v
di i n e ch a r i ty
.
6 42 The M ea n s of Gra ce .

In co mmon wi th o th er s a c ra men t s Ext reme Un cti on i m

a ll t he
p a rt s a h i g h er d eg ree of s a n ct i fy i n g g ra ce Th i s i s of more i m .

p ort a n c e t o u s a t ou r de a th t h a n a t a n y o t h e r mo men t for t h e d eg ree ,

of our fu t u re fel i c i t y d ep en d s on t h e d eg ree of s a n ct i fy i n g g r a c e we

p o s s es s An d t h e g rea t e r ou r l o ve of God t h e more c a p a b l e s h a ll we

.
,

b e of t h e en j o ymen t of etern a l b l i s s Th u s th i s h ol y s a c r a men 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 .

3 Extreme Un c ti on ca n onl y b e a dmi ni s tered t o p ers on s wh o

.

a re i n d a nger of dea th ; a n d th ey o gh t t o rec ei e i t wi th o t d e u v u

b
l a y for th e s ak e oth of th ei r ph y s i cal a nd s pi ri t al h ea l th u .

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 .

Excep t i o n ma y b e ma de i n r eg a r d t o v ery a g ed p ers o n s ; t h ei r a d

v a n c ed a g e r en d e r s t h em c o n s t a n t l y li a b l e t o d ea t h Th e a dmi n i s t r a .

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 ,

for i f t h e s i c k ma n b e un con s c i o u s , th ey wi ll p rot h i m l i t tl e ; s i n ce,

a s h a s b een a l r e a d y r ema rk e d , t h e u t i l i t y of t h i s s a c r a men t t o th e

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 ,

a t r a vell e r wh o s t a rt s on h i s w a y wi t h a n emp t y p u rs e Nor ca n t h ere .

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,

Th os e w h o h a e n ot y et recei v v ed t h e Sa cra men t of

P en a n c e
v
can n ot recei e Extreme U n cti on s i n ce i t i s th e comp l eti on of

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
.
, ,

el u d e s a l l ch i l d r en u n d er s even for chi l d r en of v e ye a r s of a g e h a v e

b
,

een k n own on th ei r d ea t h b ed t o a s k for a p r i es t b ec a u s e t h e y w ere

-

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 .

Extreme Un c ti on ca n on l y b e admin i s tered to th e s i ck on ce

i n th e s a me i ll n es s ; b u t i f th e s i ck p ers on rec overs tempora ril y,
a n d th en h a s a rel a p s e h e ma y b e an oi n ted ag ai n
,
.

4 .B efore ei n g b anoi ted th n e si ck ma n ugh t

t o c onfes s h i s
o

s i n s , a n d rec ei e h ol v y c mmuni o on ; a nd a fterw a rd s th e Pa p al l es s b

i n g i s gen erall gi y v t hi m en o .

C o n fe s s i on s h o u l d p r e ced e Ext reme Un ct i on , eca u s e th e r eci p i en t b

o f t h e s a c r a men t mu s t b e i n a s t a t e o f g r a c e Ext reme Un ct i o n i s a .

remed y ; a n d a s med i c i n e i s for t h e l i v i n g , n ot th e d ea d s o t h i s s a cr a ,

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
.

i n t o t h ei r h a n d s , t h e reb y c o n ferr i n g on t h em t h e p o we r t o o ffer th e

h ol y s a c ri ce ; a ft e r w h i ch h e a d d r es s es t o t h em t h e w or d s of O u r
L or d : Rece i ve y e t h e Hol y Gh o s t ; wh o s e s i n s y ou s h al l fo rg i ve , t h ey
Fi n all y t h e n ewl y or d a i n ed a re requi re d to p ro mi s e

a re forgi ven , et c .
-

res p ect a n d ob ed i en ce t o th e b i s h o p Th e ceremo n y of a n o i n t i n g t h e

.

h a n d s , a n d p r es en t i n g th e s a c red v es s el s i s o n l y a n a c ces s ory ; i t wa s

n ot i n u s e u n t i l t h e n i n t h c en t u r y, a n d n ow h a s n o p l a ce i n t h e Gr eek

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 ,

Th e Sa cra men t of Hol y O rd ers w a s a dmi n i s t ere d i n th e ti me

of t h e a p os tl es .

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 , .

a r e s a c r a men t s , a n d c a n o nl y b e rec e i v ed o n ce Th e Sa c r a men t of

.

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 .

2 Th e ofc e of t h e p ri es th ood, to whi c h a ma n i s rai s ed b y

.

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 .

t h a t of ki n g s a n d emp e ror s , n a y , e ven of t h e a n g el s t h ems el v es

F or .
,

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 .

t h e p r i e s t a re c o n ferr ed p o wer s n ot a cc or d ed t o a n g el s ; for t o w h a t

a n g el w a s i t eve r g i ven t o c o n v e r t b r ea d i n t o t h e b o d y o f t h e L or d b y

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
.

t h i n g s ; h e s t a n d s b etw een God a n d ma n ; h e l a ys ou r p et i t i o n b efor e

t h e M o s t Hi g h a n d c o n v ey s d i v i n e g r a ces t o u s He i s a med i a t or .

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
.

rep res e n t a t i ve, Hi s a mb a s s a d or, Hi s p l en i p o t en t i a ry ; th erefore wh a t

s o e v e r h on or w e Sh o w t o t h e p r i es t w e p a y t o G o d Hi ms elf
, D o es .

n ot O u r L or d Hi ms elf s a y : He t h a t h ea r eth y ou h ea reth M e ; a n d ,

h e t h a t d es p i s eth y ou , d es p i s et h M e ( Lu k e x In fa c t St .
, .

P et er D a mi a n s a ys God a c t u a l l y foll o w s t h e p r i es t , for wh a t h e d e

,

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

up o n t h e p ri es t a re n ei ther few n or l i g ht He h a s to rec i te th e .

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 ;
,

h e i s p ledg ed t o l i fel o n g cel i b a cy ; h e h a s t o v i s i t t h e s i c k a t a n y h o u r

o f t h e d a y or n i g h t wh en h e ma y b e c a ll ed u p o n ; h e h a s t o t a ke t h e

la s t s a c r a men t s t o t h e d y i n g h o weve r c o n t a g i o u s t h e d i s ea s e fro m

,

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 ren o u n ce a ll worl d l y a mu s emen t s ( s u ch as d a n ci n g ) t o b e l i b era l ,

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
.

s a l t of t h e ea r t h ( M a t t v Nor mu s t i t b e o verl ooked t h a t z ea l o u s

. .

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
.

b il i ty If t h e w o lf c o mes a n d r en d s t h e s h eep t h e s h ep h erd i s t a ken

.
,

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 e s o u l s c o mmi t t e d t o t h ei r ch a rg e ( Heb x i i i 1 7 .Th e d u t i es 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
. .

t om s a i d : I n ow n eed y o u r ra yers a t h o u s a n d fo ld more l es t i n ,

t h e D a y of Ju d gmen t I s h o u l d e c a s t i n t o t h e exte r i or d a rkn es s

.

Si n c e th e s a cerd ota l ofce i s i n i ts elf a n ofc e of s ch grea t u

y u
d i gni t , w e ow e p rofo n d res pe c t to th e p ri es t on a cc ou n t of
v
his ofce, e en if h i s l ife s h o l d n ot c orres p on d to i t u .

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
.

t o ma n i fes t d eep ven e ra t i o n for t h e p r i es t s of t h e t ru e God Wh en .

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

fro m h i s p u rp o s e Y et a l mi g h t y God p e rmi ts Hi s p ri es t s t o b e en

.

c o mp a s s ed w i t h i n rmi ty , i n ord e r t h a t th ey ma y h a v e t h e more

c o mp a s s i o n o n t h em t h a t a re i g n or a n t a n d th a t err ( Heb v St . . .

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 .

a ll c o n s i d er e d t h ems el v es un w or t h y of t h e d i g n i t y of fered t h em, a n d

o n l y a ccep te d i t wh en t h ey r ec o gn i zed i t t o b e th e w i ll of God t h a t
the y s h ou l d d o s o Al mi gh t y God c a ll s t o t h e p ri es th oo d wh om He
.

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 .

newl yord a i n ed ca nn ot th erefore mak e us e i n an y p l ac e of th ei r

s acerd ot al p ow ers , u
nti l th ey h a v e rec ei v ed eccl es i a s ti c a l a uth ori
za ti on .

Th e qu a lica t i on for th e s a c red mi ni s t ry cons i s t s i n t h e t r a n s

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

. .

Tes t a men t t h ey a re h a n d ed d own b y s p i ri t u a l d es cen t b y mea n s

of Hol y O r d ers . B es i d es t h es e p o w er s , t h e p r i es t rec ei ves a t or d i n a
t i o n a b u n d a n t g r a ces b el o n g i n g t o h i s s t a t e O u tw a rd l y h e ma y a p
.

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
'

h e h a s r ec ei ved c a n n eve r b e l os t i n t o wh a t eve r s i n s h e ma y fa l l

, .

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 .

i. C o n s equ en tl y t h e a p o s tl es c a l led t h ems el ves t h e

mi n i s ter s
o f C h ri s t

( 1 C or i v . An y on e wh o s h o u l d a t t emp t t o exerc i s e
b
.

s a cer d o t a l fu n ct i o n s w i th o u t th e a u t h ori za t i o n of th e i s h o p wou l d , .

6 48 Th e M ea n s o f Gra ce .

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
.

O r d er s , t h e s u b d i a c on a t e, foll o ws Th i s w a s formerly rec kon ed

is b
.

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 .

b i s h op ma y emp o wer a n or d i n ar y p ri es t t o a dmi n i s t er t h e t o n s u re

a n d t h e fou r mi n or O r d er s , b u t n ot s o th e g rea t er .

6 . Th ere th ree d egrees i n th e Sa cra men t of O rd ers : Th e

are

c on s ec rat i on of d ea c on s , p ri es ts , a n d i s h ops Th es e th ree c on b .

s t i tu t e b u t on e s acra men t .

Th e s ec o n d of t h e g rea te r O rd ers i s t h e d i a con a t e, wh i ch w a s i n

s t i tu t ed b y t h e a p o s tl es for t h e r el i ef of t h e p oor It c o nfers th e
b
.

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
.
,

fou n d e r of th e F r a n c i s ca n O r d er, wh o ore i n h i s b o d y t h e s a c red

s t i g ma t a . O n e yea r a ft er t h e a ccep t a n ce of t h e d i a c o n a t e fo ll o ws
ord i n a t i on p rop e r, th e p r i es th oo d, wh ereb y th e p o wer i s g i ven t o
o ffer t h e h ol y s a c rice of t h e M a s s , a n d t o forg i ve s i ns Th ere i s .

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
.
,

B y th i s p ow er i c on fe rred t o ord a i n p ri es t s t o a d mi ni s te r C on rma ,

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 i s h op t h r ee b i s h op s mu s t t a k e p a rt Th es e t h ree ord i n a t i o n s form

.

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
.

t u a ll y t o t h e Sa c r a men t of Ho l y O rd e rs , eca u s e i t c on fer s a n i n feri or

s
p a rt of t h e s a ce r d o t a l p ow er s , a n d i a d mi n i s t ered w i t h i mp o s i t i o n
of h a n d s a n d p r a yer St P a ul men t i o n s d e a co n s t og eth er w i t h b i s h
. .

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

rort h l a b or ers i n t o Hi s h a rv e s t ( M a tt i x Re memb e r t ha t a

. .

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 .

men t we rea d th a t wh en o t h e r s co u rg es w ere of n o a va il t o t u rn t h e

 T he Sa cr a men ts . 649

pe o p l e h a rd en ed i n s i n fro m th e i r evi l w a ys God s en t u p o n th e m t h e

, , ,

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 .

Emb er d a ys a re a p p oi n t ed for t h i s p u rp o s e Sp ec i a l p r a yer s h o ul d b e

s
.

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 .

Th e In s ti tu ti on and Na tu re of M a tri mon y .

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 . .

1 . God Hi ms el f i ns ti t t ed ma tri mon u y ln th e b egi nn i ng of th e

w orld , for th e p rocrea ti on of th e h ma n u ac e
r , a nd th e mutual as
u
s i s t en c e of h s b a n d a n d wi fe .

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 ,

for God s a i d b e for e Ev e w a s c r ea t e d : It i s n ot g oo d for ma n t o b e

al o n e l et u s ma ke h i m a h el p l i ke u n t o h i ms el f ( Gen i i
, Th e
. .

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
.

s t r en g t h a n d en erg y ; h e s eek s a s p h e re of a c t i v i t y i n t h e w orl d Th e .

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
.

a g rea t ext en t on t a k i n g a n ex a l t e d v i ew o f i ts o b ect .

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

k i n d on t h e occa s i on of a ma rri a g e o fferi n g s a cr i ces or p r a yers God ,

.

Hi ms elf a p p oi n ted t h e l a ws of ma rri a g e rs t t h rou g h M o s es a n d a fter

w a r d s b y O u r L or d .

2 Ch ri s ti an ma rri a ge i s a c ontra ct etw een ma n a n d w oman,

. b
b i n d i ng t h em t o a n ndi v i d ed a nd i n di s s ol u
l e p art ners hi p , a nd ub
c onferri ng on th em a t th e s ame ti me grac e t o f ll a ll th e d ti es u u
u
req i red of th em .

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 ,

b u t i n or d er t h a t t h ey ma y b e t rul y u n i te d t o g eth er b efor e Go d i n

wedl o ck It w a s t h i s c o ven a n t en t er ed i n t o i n p res en ce of a mi ni s te r
.
,

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
, .

M a rri a g e c o n t r a ct ed wi t h o u t t h e s ol emn i t i es r equ i red b y t h e C h u r ch

i n a ll c o u n t r i e s wh ere t h e d ec r ee of t h e C o un c i l of Tr en t h a s
b een d ul y p r omu l g a t ed i s i n v a l i d a n d n ul l ( C o u n c i l of Tr en t 24 , ,

A c o n t r a ct wh i ch i s i n v a l i d c a n n o t b ec ome a s a c r a men t a n y more ,

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 .

M a tri mon y i s d e c l ared t ob e a s a cra men t by St . Pa l, u and th e

ea rl y Fa th ers of th e Ch u rch .

St P a u l c a ll s ma t r i mo n y a g rea t s a c r a men t , b ec a u s e i t i s typ i c a l

.

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
.

th a t i t i s t ru l y a n d p ro p erl y o n e of t h e s even s a c r a men t s of t h e ev a n

g el i c a l l a w i n s t i t u t e d b y C h r i s t ( C o u n c il o f Tre n t 2 4, ,

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 .

an ea sy ma tte r for p ers on s wh o h a ve e en ma rr i ed b y th e r eg i s t r a r ; b

on a c o mp a r a t i v el y s l i g h t d i s a r eemen t or o f fen ce t h ey a re s ep a r a t e d
g ,

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 .

The Cha ra cteri s ti cs o f M a tr i mon y .

Acc ordi ng t o th e ordi n n ce of a Ch ri s t, Ch ri s ti a n ma rri a ge is

s tri c tl y a un i on of tw o p ers on s y
onl , a n d i t i s i ndi s s ol le ub .

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 .

B y crea t i n g o n l y on e ma n a n d on e woma n, God ma n i fes t ed i t t o

b e Hi s w i ll t h a t ma rr i a g e s h o uld b e t h e u n i o n of t wo p er s o n s o n l y
b
.

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,
.

t o p r even t g re a ter ev i l s A p lu r a l i t y of w i v es i s forb i dd en b y O u r

.

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 .

Th e p r i n c i p a l ob j ect of ma t r i m on y i s t o p ro vi d e for t h e p rop er

j
b ri n g i n g u p of ch il d r en a n o b e c t wh i ch c o ul d n ot b e a t t a i n e d i f th e
,

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
,
. .

C h r i s t wi thd rew th i s p ermi s s i o n ; He s a ys exp r es s l y : Wh a t

 Th e Sa cra ments . 6 53

God h a t h j oi n e d t oge th e r, l et n o ma n put a s un d er ( M a tt x i x 4

. .

Hen ce t h e P op es h a ve n eve r a l lowe d on e of t wo l a wfully ma rr i e d p er

sons t o c on tr a c t a s e con d ma rri a ge dur i n g th e li feti me of th e oth e r
p a rty Not even for th e s a ke of a ver ti n g th e mos t s er i ou s c a l a miti es
.

co ul d th ey con s en t t o s uch a thi n g i s well k no w n t ha t Ki n g . It

Hen ry V III of Engl an d c ould n ot w r i n g fr om t h e H oly See p er
.

mi s s i on t o divor ce h i s r ight ful wi fe, an d ma rry a n oth er Th a t even .

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
,

in tr odu cti on of t h e L uth era n h eres y i n to En gl a n d coul d C lemen t

V II be p r ev a il ed up on t o give a n y ot h er reply th a n thi s :
.

Non
p os s u mu s ; I h a ve n o a uth or ity t o s e t a s id e t h e divi n e l a w M a tr i

.

mon y, s a ys St Augu s tin e , i s an i r on ch a i n

.

A ma n c a n s ell a .

h ou s e whi ch h e h a s b ought i f it d oes n ot s u it h i m ; b u t on ce ma rr i ed ,

h e ca n n o t g et r id of h i s wi fe Th e s oul ca n s ep a r a t e fr om t h e b ody
.

s oon e r th a n t h e hu s b a n d fr om t h e wi fe An d i f e ith er p a rt y s h ould .

c on t r a ct a s econ d ma rr i a g e whil e t h e oth er i s s till a live, h e or s h e

c ommit s a mor t a l s i n , an d th e ma rr i a ge i s i n v a lid i s , h ow ever, . It
p os s ib le for a ma rr i ed couple t o b e s ep a r a t ed , p r ovid ed ther e a re s u f
c i en t g r ou n d s for s ep a r a ti on If either p a rty i s guilty of a dulte ry,
.

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
. .

on e ith er s id e, w oul d a ffor d a r ea s on for a temp or a ry s ep a r a ti on ,

whi ch mus t b e judi c i a l An d if t h e p a rti es a g ree t o coh a b it a g a i n
.

they c a n d o s o a t w i ll .

The Gra ces C on ferred i n M a tri mon y .

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 ,

a n d b e a r with p a ti en ce th e ill s o f li fe F or as soon as a ma n i s .

ma rr i ed h e i s no l on ger fr ee as wh en s i n gl e ; no l on ger a b s olut e

,

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
, , , ,

mea s u r e d ep en d en t on t h e will of h i s wi fe ; h e wea r s th e yoke

for ,

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
, ,

on th e n ec k of b oth h u s b a n d a n d wi fe ob ligin g th em t o pull t o ,

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 fa ili n g s of t h e oth e r whi ch mu s t b e b orn e with ; t r oub l es with

,

th e childr en et c ,F i n a lly gr a ce i s given t o di s ch a rg e th e mos t

.

imp ort a n t duty of a ll th a t of b r i n gi n g up th ei r child r en i n t h e fe a r

,

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 ,
.
,

en t er u p on th e ma rr i ed s t a t e fr om merely ea rthly motive s or for ,

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 ,

W t h thi s s a cr a men t c on fer s a n d rep res en ts

.
854 : 1 728 Mea n s f
o Gra ce .

Imp ed i men ts to M a tri mon y .

A ma rri a ge ca n onl y b e c oncl uded i n th e a b s enc e of a l l m

p edi ments to i t . Th e i mp edi men t s ma y b e s u ch a s nullify mar

ri ege, or s u h a s c rend er i t unl a wful .

1 Th ose th a t ren d er ma rri a ge n ul l or i n v al i d, a re : C oer

.

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

emn v ows , th e p r oh i b i ti on c on ern i n g th e ma rri a e of C a th oli s

g c c
wi th u n b a p ti zed p ers on s .

C oerc i on due s t res s i s b r ought t o b ea r on a ma n i f h e i s

: If un ,

forc ed i n t o ma rryi n g s ome on e a g a i n s t h i s will b y thre a t s of p er

s on a l i n j u r y or fea r of b ei n g di s i nh er ite d h i s ma rr i a g e i s i n va lid
, , ,
.

D efec t of a g e : B oy s un d e r fo ur tee n g i rl s u n der twelve c a nn ot en ter ,

i n t o we dl oc k C on s a n gui n ity : A P a p a l di s p en s a ti on i s re qui red

.

for t h e ma rr i a ge of r s t c ou s i n s ; i n t h e ca s e of mor e r emote re

l a t i on s h i p a n epi s c op a l di s p en s a ti on i s s ufc i en t Th e v oi ce of n a .

tur e c on d emn s t h e un i on of p er s on s n e a rly rel a te d t o on e a n oth er ,

an d th e i r offs p r in g a re n ot un fre quen tly phys i c a lly or men t a lly a f

fli c t e d Afn ity i s t h e r es ul t of a p revi ou s ma rr i a ge ; t h e s u rv i vor
.

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 ,

ma n c a n n o t ma rry th e moth e r s i s te r or d a ughter ( b y a fo rmer h u s , ,

b a n d ) of h i s d ec e a s e d wi fe a n d vi ce ver s a But n o a fn ity exi s t s

, .

b etw een t h e b l ood rel a ti on s of t h e s eve ra l p a r ti es ; for i n s t a n ce a

-

ma n ma y ma rry t h e s i s ter of h i s b roth er s wi fe P r evi ous ma rr i a ge :

.

It h a s a lrea dy b een expl a in ed th a t on e of th e p a rties t o a ma rr i a ge

c a n n ot ma rr y a g a i n du r i n g th e li feti me of t h e oth er Sh ould a .

w oma n b eli evi n g h er hu s b a n d t o b e dea d h a ve ma rr i ed a ga i n s h e

, , ,

mu s t i mmedi a tely l e a ve h er s econ d hu s b a n d i f s h e di s c ov er th e ,

r s t t o b e s till li vi n g Holy O r d e rs a n d r eligi ou s vow s : C l er i cs wh o

.

h a ve r eceived dea c on s or s ub d ea con s or d er s a n d mon k s a n d n un s

,

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 ,

s t a te . D i fferen ce of c ree d : A C h r i s ti a n c a n n ot with out a d i s ,

p en s a t i on fr om t h e H oly See b e ma rri e d t o a Jew a M oh a mme d a n , , ,

or a n y o th er un b eli ev er Th ere a re b es ides imp edi men ts of a purely

.
,

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 ,

tis m Thes e, h ow ever, are n ot r ecogn iz ed b y th e Sta te, a n d therefore

.

th e Chur ch r ea d ily gr a nts a dis p en s a ti on i f r equir ed .

2 Th e i mp ed i ment s t h a t r en d er ma rr i ag e unl a wful , a re :

.

Th e p roh i b i t i on i n r ega r d t o ert a i n t imes , d i vers i ty of re c

li gi ous b el i ef, s imp l e v ows , comp l ete i gn or an e of r eli gi ous
'
c .

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 ,

until Eas ter Sun da y ( s ee th e fth p r ecept of the Chu r ch ) Divers i ty .

of r eli gi ous b eli ef : M a rri a g es b etw een C a t h oli cs a nd n on Ca tholi cs -

( 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 .

and if th e ther s h oul d it come t o h i s k n owledge would ma ke us e

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
,

ma t r imon i a l con t r a c t a nd d ecla re th e un i on v a lid It i s a dvi s a b le

, .
,

i n or de r t o b ri n g t o light a n y i mp edi men t s th a t ma y exi s t t o th ei r

ma rr i a g e th a t t h e p a rti es i n t en din g t o b e un ite d i n wedl ock s h ould
,

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
.

fully t o c on cea l a n y i mp edi men t whi ch w ould ann ul thei r ma rr i a g e .

It i s for t h e s a ke of a s cer t a i n in g wh e the r a n y s u ch hin d r a n ces ex i s t

.

th a t t h e b an n s o f ma rr i a ge a re pub lis h ed three time s i n t h e ch u rch .

The C eleb ra ti on f
o Ma tri mony .

1 . Ma rri age s h ould b e p re ceded b y b trothal e , pub li ati on c of

b anns , recepti on
a nd e o o of Pena n c and C mmuni n .

1 B etroth a l c on s i s ts i n thi s : An u nma rri ed ma n a n d an un

.

marri ed woma n a fter d u e reec tion p l edge th eir troth to on e a n

, ,

ot her p romi s i ng ea c h to ma rry th e ot h er a t th e ti me a r eed u on

, g p
b etween th em Su c h enga gemen t to b e c on s i d ered va l i d a n d p ro
.

d u ce ca non i ca l effec ts mu s t h a ve b ee n con tr a cted i n writi ng s i gned

b y b ot h th e p a rti es a n d b y ei th er the p a ri s h p ri es t or th e O rd i n a ry
,

of th e d i oces e or a t l ea s t b y two wi t nes s es

Decree Ne Temer e . .

St i ll th ere i s n ei th er n ec es s i ty n or ob li ga t i on to enter i nto forma l en

g g
a e m en t b efore m a rr i a ge t h ou g h i t s h ou l d b e en cou ra ged
, es pe ,
ci a l ly i n c a s es wh ere h a s ty a ll i a n c es a re fea r ed .

Ra s h h a s ty en g a gemen ts a lw a ys tu rn ou t b a dly th erefor e

a nd ,

yo u n g p eople s h ould no t t a ke thi s s te p without ma tu r e d eli b era tion .

They ought a l s o t o a s k a dvi ce of th ei r p a ren t s or t ru s t ed fr i e n ds , .

L i s t en t o t h e exh ort a ti on s o f H oly Sc r iptu re : My s on d o th ou ,

n othi n g w ith out c oun s el a n d th o u s h a l l n ot rep en t wh a t th ou h a s t

,

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
. .

p r a ye r for a p r uden t wi fe i s p r op erly fr om t h e L or d ( P r ov x i x

, . .

A ma tter s o M p ort a n t a s t h e tyin g of t h e n upti a l kn ot whi ch ca n ,

n eve r b e un l o os ed mu s t n ot b e d on e with out p r a yer

, In ma kin g .

c h o i c e of a p a r tn er for li fe a dv a n t a g es o f w e a lth high b i rth a n d

, , ,

th e like o ught n ot t o be a s muc h c on s id e r e d a s vi r tu e a n d pi ety

, Th e .

fe a r of Go d t h e love of vi rtue a re th e b es t ma rr i a g e p orti on for

, ,

C hr i s ti a n s ; for a ma n wh o d oes n ot l ove God will n ot l ove h i s wi fe .

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 , .

Augu s ti n e n ot c h oos e for h i s b r id e on e wh o h a s a l a rg e d ow ry b u t

, ,

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 . ,

p a n i ed b y i n t er i or l oveli n es s ma y c a ptiva te for a ti me b u t i t s p owe r

, ,

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
.

a tt r a c ti on s i n h i s wi fe a s b e a uty w e a lth an d r a nk for thes e i n no , , ,

wi s e i n t erfer e with t h e s a n ctity of t h e ma rri a g e b on d A vi rtuou s .

ma n will s u r ely h a ve a p a rtn er wor thy of h i m A g o od wi fe i s th e .

p or ti on of th os e th a t fe a r God , a n d i s given t o a ma n for h i s g ood

d eeds ( Ecclus xxvi Du r i n g t h e i n te rva l be tween t h e b et r oth a l
. .

a n d t h e c on clu s i on of th e ma rr i a g e t h e a f a n ced p a r ti es ought s er i ,

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

s a ce r d ot a l b en edi c ti on whi ch i s given i n th e C hur ch ( C oun c il of

Tren t 2 4, ,

H a ppy th e y oun g men a n d ma iden s s a ys St John

, .

C hry s os tom wh o come t o th e n upti a l a lt a r with a pu re h ea rt ! How

,

t ru e will be thei r mutu a l l ove ! h ow s in cere thei r mutu a l es teem !

h ow rm th e i r mutu a l fr i en d s hip ! h ow te n derly will th a t ma n

ch e r i s h h i s wi fe wh o h a s n ever b es t ow ed h i s a f fec ti on s on a n othe r !
Th os e wh o h a ve forme d illi c it con n ec ti on s b efore ma rr i a ge will
qui ckl y ti re of on e a n oth er thei r l ove wi l l ch a n ge t o h a t re d Th os e
, .

wh o a re b e tr oth e d ought t o a ckn owl edg e fr a nkly t o on e a n othe r with ,

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
,

whi ch it m a y be a dvi s a b le or n e ce s s a ry to ma ke kn own b efor e t h e

ma rri a ge i s con s umma t ed Th os e wh o res ort t o decepti on or fa ls e
.

hood on ly p rep a re for th ems elves a nn oya n ce emb ittermen t mi s ery i n , ,

t h e futu r e If a ft er b et r otha l t h e c on vi c ti on i s b orn e i n on e ith er o f

. ,

t h e a fa n ced p a rti es th a t th e i r u n i on will n ot b e p r odu ctive of h a ppi

n es s, l et t h e en g a g emen t be b r ok en off b y mutua l con s en t ; moreove r
on e p a rty i s w a rr a n te d i n withd r a win g fr om th e c on t r a ct i f t h e o th er
s h ould be foun d guilty of a n y g r a ve de li n qu en c y s u ch a s b r e a c h of ,

p r omi s e t r ea ch ery theft or th e like ; or i f h i s c i r cums t a n ces s h ould

, , ,

b e a lte re d b y a ny un fores een even t of imp ort a n ce s u ch a s t h e c om ,

p l ete l os s of p r op erty s evere illn es s et c

, , .

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

c h urch d u r i n g th e s ol emn i za ti on of M a s s on t h ree s u c es s i v e c

Su n d a ys or fes t i va l d a y s ( C ou n ci l of Tr en t , 2 4 ,
Th e n a me, c a lli n g b i rt hpl a c e an d pl a ce of r es i d en e of t h e a i
, c
a n ced coupl e a re p r ocla i me d a t t h e pub li ca ti on of the i r b a n n s Th e .

pu rp os e o f t h e a n n oun cemen t i s to a s cert a in wheth er a n y i mp edimen t

ex i s t s t o the i r l a wful u n i on , an d to a nn oun ce t o t h e p a ri s hi on er s t h e

i n ten d e d n upti a l s th a t no s ca n d a l ma y b e c a u s ed b y the i r c oh a b it a

,
~

ti on Th e ma rr i a ge mus t on no a cc oun t t a ke pl a ce un til a ft er th e d a y

.

o f t h e thi r d a n n oun cemen t b u t i f it i s n ot celeb r a te d withi n s i x

,

mon th s of th a t time, th e pub li c a ti on of th e b a n n s mu s t be rep ea ted .

O n ly i n ex c epti on a l c a s es i s t h e pub li ca ti on of b a n n s t o be omitt ed ,

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 .

All wh o a re a b out to ma rry a re exh ort ed a t l ea s t thr ee d a ys b efore ,

t h e c on s u mma ti on o f th e i r ma rri a g e c a r efully t o c on fes s th ei r s i n s

a n d r ec eiv e d ev outl y t h e M o s t H o ly Sa cr am en t of t h e Alt a r ( C oun c il

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
, ,

wh ol e li fe, b ec a u s e it will th en h a ve t h e effe ct of a w a k en i n g g re a ter

 8 W M ea ns of Gra ce .

c on t r iti on a n d of s etti n g th e con s ci en ce more full y a t res t O ur

, .

L or d Wh o c on des c en ded t o be p res en t a t t h e ma rr i a ge a t C a n a mus t

, ,

a ls o b e i n v ite d t o c ome t o t h e b ri dg room a n d b r ide t o s a n c ti fy them , ,

a n d b e s t ow Hi s g r a ce an d b le s s i n g on the i r n upti a ls H a ppy thos e .

wh o p rep a re a tti n g dwelli n g i n thei r h e a rt for t h e di vin e G ues t !

With out p res umpti on on thei r p a rt th ey ma y h op e th a t He will re ,

ma in with them un til dea th a n d impa rt t o the m th e gi ft of Hi s gr a ce

,

i n a b un d a n t mea s u re But th os e wh o d o no t a pp r oa ch the s a c r a men ts

.

wo rthily a n d en te r up on th e mat r imon i a l s t a te i n mort a l s i n dep r ive

, ,

th ems elves of g r a ce a n d c a ll down on thems elve s th e c urs e of G od

, .

They wh o thu s a ct a re like w a rr i ors g o i n g t o th e ght without a rmo r

a n d witho ut a rms .

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 .

Th e decree t o thi s effe ct wa s r s t i s s ued b y t h e C oun c il of Tren t,

a n d with s ome s light modi ca ti on w a s a ga i n p r omulga te d a n d ma de

b i n din g for C a th oli cs t he world over a fter Ea s ter Sun da y 1 9 08 b y , ,

P o pe Piu s X The ma rr i a ge cer emon y mu s t th er efore b e a pub li c a n d

.

l i a s ti c a l ceremon y In ea rly times it took pla ce i n pr es en ce of

a n ec c es .

t he b i s h op St Ign a tiu s Bi s h op of An ti oc h s a ys : It i s r ight th a t

. .
,

,

a i a n c e d per s on s s h ould c on cl ude th ei r n up ti a l s on ly with t h e kn owl

e dge a n d s a n c ti on of t h e b i s h op th at thu s thei r u n i on ma y be i n a c

,

c ord a n c e with t he will of God It wa s God s a ys St Fr a nc i s of
. , .

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
, ,

a w a y C a th oli c s wh o c on tr a c t ma rr i a ge with a C a th oli c or a n on

,

C a th ol i c b efore a mi n i s t er o r a c ivil ma gi s tr a te or other wi s e th a n b e

fore t h e pa ri s h pr i es t or O r di n a ry or th ei r pr i e s t delega te ex ce pt wh en
n ot p os s i b le a n d a t l ea s t t w o witn es s es c on tr a c t n o m a rr i a ge a t a ll , .

3 . Ma rri a ges are, as a rul e c el eb ra t ed i n th e forenoon

, , i n th e
h ous e of God, wi th s al em c eremoni es a n d M a s s i s us ual l y
, sa i d a t
th e t i me
,

En tra n ce i n t o th e s ta te of ma t rimony i s a n even t of g rea t momen t ,

on e whi ch i n uen ces th e wh ole l i fe St P a ul terms ma trimon y a . .

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
.

th ems elves with t h e utmos t rever en ce a n d n ot h a s ten ou t of th e ,

chur c h t h e momen t t h e cer emon y i s en ded b u t r ema i n a whil e kn eel ,

i n g b efor e t h e a lt a r t o ma ke thei r th a n ks givi n g Thus Tertulli a n .

decl a res th a t th e ea rly C hr i s ti a n s s e a led th ei r ma rr i a ge con tra c t

with p r a yers a n d r a ti e d it with the holy s a c r i ce In the mi s s a l a
, .

s p e c i a l M a s s p ro s p on s o c i s p ons a i s p r ovided For th e cel eb r a ti on

, .

o f n upti a l s i n s ec r et i n t h e p res en ce of t ru s t ed w i tn e ss e s onl y

, the ,

epi s cop a l s a n c ti on mu s t b e ob t a i n e d a n d a l s o for the c el eb r a ti on o f

,

ma rr i a g e i n the a ft ern oon .

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 .

and len i en cy for s h e i s i n on e s en s e h i s e qu a l h a vin g b een ma de

, ,

ou t of es h t a ken fr om h i s s id e Ther efore St Amb r os e b id s t h e . .

hu s b a n d rememb er th a t h i s wi fe i s n ot t o be t rea t ed a s a s erv a n t ,

th a t he mu s t n ot mak e h i s a uthority felt t o be a b ur den B es ides th e .

w oma n b e in g t h e w ea k e r can cl a im t o b e g en tly tr ea t ed ( 1 P et iii

,

, . .

7 It i s more s h a me for t h e ma n th a n for th e w oma n i f he res ort s ,

t o b l ow s t o en fo r c e hi s a uth or ity As t h e r ep r e s en t a tive of God th e .

,

hu s b a n d h a s t h e right of c on t rolli n g t h e h ou s eh old Th e a n g el did .

n ot a pp e a r t o M a ry b u t t o Jo s eph wh en the ight t o Egy p t w as to

, ,

be m a de b ec a u s e th e hu s b a n d s duty i s t o rule a n d govern

,

.

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 .

Hu s b a n d s ught t o l ove th e i r wive s a s C h r i s t l ove s th e C hu r ch

o

( Ep h v . . a s th e i r own b odi es (v a s t hems elves (v . .

Th e l ove of hu s b a n d a n d wi fe ought n ot t o be a p u r ely n a tu r a l

l ove like th a t of t h e l ow er a n i ma ls n or a pu r ely huma n l ove like
, , ,

th a t of t h e h e a th en b u t a h o ly a n d s up e rn a tura l a ffe cti on like th a t

, ,

o f C h r i s t for the C hu r ch a n d of t h e C hu r c h for C h r i s t

, Hen ce they .

o ught e ac h t o b e a r wi t h t h e i n rmi t i e s of t h e o t h er p a ti en tly a n d

i n dulg e n tly or g en e r ou s ly cl o s e thei r eye s t o th em An ex a mple

, .

of thi s i s giv en b y t h e Gr e ek phil os oph e r So c r a t es wh os e wi fe w a s a ,

p er fec t V i r a g o Wh en s h e s t orme d a t h i m h e t ook n o mor e n ot i c e

.
,

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

w a s s e a t e d b efor e t h e h ou s e with h i s s c h ol a r s fr om a wi n d ow a b ove ,

s h e r a t e d h i m s ou n dly a n d n a lly thr ew a j ug o f w a t e r ov e r h i m

, .

Soc r a t es r os e a n d ch a n g e d h i s pl a ce r ema r kin g with a s mil e :

I,

might h a ve k n own th a t the s t orm w ould h a v e e n d e d with a thun d e r

s h ow er

. T he wi fe will i n uen ce he r hus b a n d for g oo d fa r more
e ffec tu a lly b y s il en ce me ekn e s s a n d p r a y er th a n by r ep r oa ch es
, St , .

Augu s ti n e t ell s u s th a t h i s mo th er did mo r e for th e c on vers i on of

h er hus b a n d P a t ri c i u s b y t h e s a i n tli n e s s of h er li fe th an by her ,

w or d s D i s s en s i on s b etw een hu s b a n d a n d wi fe r ui n th ei r h a ppin es s ;

.

with out p e a c e a t h ome n othi n g ple a s es even a mid a ll th e lux u ri es ,

w ea lth c a n c omm a n d M a rr i e d p eopl e ow e d elity t o on e ano the r

.

( 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
.
,

h a ppi n es s i s a t a n e n d St John C h ry s os t om i s of opi n i on th a t the

. .

di r es t p ove rty t h e mos t i n c ur a b le ma l a dy re ev en a n d s wor d are

, , ,

l es s er evil s th a n j ea l ou s y Th e Jew s u s ed t o s t on e th e un fa i thful

.

hus b a n d or wi fe for they c on s ide re d a dulter y a n o l es s h e i n ou s

,

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 .

d a mn a ti on t o be the p ort i on of a dult e r er s ( Ep h v Th e ma rr i ed . .

mu s t n ot d efr a u d on e a n oth e r of thei r c on jug a l r ight s ( 1 C or vii . .

1 b u t they mu s t a b s t a i n fr om exc es s e s i n con s i s t en t wi th t h e s a n c

tity of th e i r s t a t e ( Tob vi 1 7 a n d on ly k eep i n V i ew t h e ob j ec t
. .

i n di ca t ed b y th e a n g el t o Tob i a s ( v o th er wi s e t h e d evil will .

p r ev a il ov e r the m ( v To t h e duty of mutu a l a i d i t a pp ert a i n s

.

th a t hu s b a n d a n d wi fe s h ould live t ogether a n d th a t n e ith er the ,

on e n or t h e oth e r s h ould a v a il hi ms el f or h ers el f i f c on t r a r i e ti e s or ,

c a l a miti es overt a k e th em o f a n y p ret ex t t o l e a ve t h e oth er ; t h ey a re

,

b ou n d t o a s s i s t e a c h o th e r i n t h e t r a i n i n g of the i r child ren t o s u c ,

 Th e Sa cra men ts . 66 1

c or e a c h oth er i n i lln es s to a i d e ach o the r t o b e a r more ea s i ly th e

,

ills of li fe a n d t o p erform th ei r r eligi ous duti es with g rea te r fa c ility

, .

Ev e wa s c rea te d for the sole pu rp os e of helpin g Ad a m ; for God s a id :

It i s n ot good for ma n t o be a l on e l et u s ma ke h i m a h elp like ,

un t o hi ms elf ( Gen ii

It i s however a s a d mi s fortun e whe n
. .
, ,

the wi fe i s n ot a s upp ort b u t a cr os s to h er hu s b a n d ; whe n i n s tead

of lighten i n g h i s b u r d en s s h e only a dd s t o thei r w e ight Al mighty
, .

G od decl a res th a t a rea ll y g oo d w oma n i s a t r ea s ur e of i n es ti ma b le

p r i ce ( P r ov xxxi fa r a b ove t h e mos t cos tly j ew els
. . Jew els .

s e rv e t o a d orn the i r own e r a n d th a t whi c h i s t o h i m a b r illi a n t o rn a

,

men t i n th e d a y of p r os p er ity i s t o h i m i n a dvers ity a ti mely a i d , .

So a g ood W i fe i s i n hers elf a s ou r ce of r i ches a v a l u a b le j ew el ,

whi ch r et a in s i t s w orth a mid a ll the vi c i s s i tu des of l i fe .

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
.

th ei r c hil d r en , a n d t r a in th e m i n th e fea r a n d l ov e of God .

C hildr en more t h e p rop erty of the i r p a ren t s th a n r i ches

a re n o
a re ; they a re a gi ft from God ( P s c xxvi They ar e Hi s c rea . .

tures des tin ed to be h a ppy with Hi m foreve r ; they ar e th e children

,

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
,

p a ren ts t o be b rought up i n Hi s s ervi ce Thus p a r en ts a re on ly

, .

s er a n t s b oun d t o carry ou t th e will of God i n reg a r d t o thei r of f

y ,

s pri n g .

Th e du t i es whi ch p a r en ts h v e to di s h arge towa r ds th ei r a c

c hi ld ren a re t h es e : Th ey h a ve to s a fegu ard th em from ev er y
thi n g w hi ch wou l d b e p r e u d i c i a l to th eir h ea l th ; th ey h a ve to j
s u pp l y t h em wi t h th e i r d a il y s u s t en a n e ; t h e y h a v e a l s o t o p ro c
vi d e for th ei r fu tur e .

It duty of p a ren ts t o d en y thems elves everythi n g whi ch

i s th e
might p rove i n j u ri ou s to the he alth of thei r child ren They mu s t .

refr a in from givin g wa y t o th ei r p a s s i on s or i n dulgin g i n exces s es , ,

les t the y t r a n s mi t a her it a ge of di s ea s e or s i n to the i r offs p r i n g .

L ik e fa ther like child t h e p r overb s a y s

, P a ren t s oug ht n ot t o give
, .

thems elves up t o th e pu rs uit of pl ea s ure a n d a mu s emen t s t o the ,

n egl ec t of th ei r y oun g child ren Let them r ememb er h ow di s tr es s e d .

M a ry a n d Jos eph w ere when t h e C hild Jes u s w a s l os t h ow for th ree ,

d a ys they s ought Hi m s orr owi n g ( L uke ii , L et the m le arn a .

les s on fr om t h e b i rd s ; th ey d o no t lea ve the n es t un til th e i r y oun g

ar e fully edged th ey a re in d efa tiga b le i n s upplyi n g them with food
, ,

they te ac h them t o y P a ren t s o ught t o w ork for the d a ily b rea d

.

of th ei r fa mily ; even wild be as t s t a ke t h e utmos t car e o f th ei r y ou n g ,

y et som e p a ren ts a re as Holy Sc r iptu r e s a ys , c ru el as t h e o s t r i ch ,

( 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
. .

h eed s them n o more

C hild re n ough t n ot t o l a y up for t h e
.

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 . .

ought t o p r ovid e for th ei r child r en s futu re b y l a yi n g b y a c e rt a i n

a moun t of mon ey t o b equ ea th t o th e m ; by s e n di n g the m t o s ch o ol ;

by tti n g th em t o foll o w th e ca lli n g mos t i n a cc ord a n ce with thei r
i n cli n a ti on s a n d ca p a b iliti es ; a b ove a l l b y t r a i n i n g th e m i n the fe a r
o f G od w hi c h i s t h e s u r es t m e ans o f p r o mo ti n g th e i r t e mp o r a l as well
,
6 62 The M ea n s f
o Gra ce .

as th ei r s pi r itu a l welfa r e ; ( D a vid decl a r es : I h a ve bee n you n g a n d

n ow a m ol d a n d I h a v e n ot s een the j u s t fo rs a k en
, n or h i s s ee d ,

b eggi n g b r ea d P s xxxvi , n a lly it i s t h e b oun d en duty of
. .

p a ren ts t o p r a y for thei r children a n d thu s c a ll down on th em t h e ,

b l e s s i n g o f Go d Job offer e d h ol oca u s ts d a ily for every on e of h i s

.

child r en les t p er ch a n ce they s h oul d h ave s i nn ed a g ai n s t God ( Job

,

i . St M on i c a p r a ye d ferven tly for h er s on a n d with t h e h a p

.
,

pi es t r es ults P a r en ts s a ys St F r a n c i s of Sa les
.
, o ught ofte n t o
.
,

s p ea k o f G od t o the i r c hild r en b u t y et more often t o s p ea k to God

,

of the i r c hild r en .

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 .

St C h a rl es B orr omeo s a ys th a t tr a i n i n g child ren me a n s b r i n gi n g

.

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
.
-

t i zed a s s oon a s p os s i b l e ; t o d efe r b a pti s m for mo r e th an ten d a ys

a ft e r t h e b i r th of a child, with o ut g ood r e a s on , i s a s i n They ought .

to i n s t r u c t the i r child r en ea rly i n th e fun d a men t a l t ruth s of r eligi on ;

t o t e a c h the m th a t ther e i s a G od i n h ea ven ; th at He k n ows a n d s ees
eve rythi n g , th a t i f we o bey Hi m, He will t a k e u s t o Hims elf i n
he a v en , et c They s h oul d b ewa r e of fr ighten in g thei r chi ld r en by
.

th re a t s of h ell a n d of t h e d evil les t th ey i n s pi re the m with a rep u l,

s i on for r eligi on , al s o of a ll owi n g them t o imb i b e fa l s e id ea s , for i f

l a t er on they n d they h a ve b een d elud ed they will n ot b eli ev e a n y ,

thi n g P a r en ts mus t i n s t r uct the i r c hild ren i n t h e l a w of God , a s

.

Tob i a s did He t a ught h i s s on from h i s i n fa n cy t o fea r God a n d t o

a b s t a i n fr om s i n ( Tob i a n d whe n he th ought h i s de a th w a s

. .

n ea r , h e g a v e h i m g odly a dmon iti on s ( Tob Th ey s h oul d eu

d ea v or t o s ti e evil p r op en s iti es i n the i r ch i ldr en , a n d b r i n g them up

i n t h e di s c iplin e a n d correcti on of th e L or d ( Ep h vi Th ey . .

s h ould t e a c h the m t o p r a y, b egi n n i n g with t h e s ig n of t h e c r os s a n d

th e i n v o c a ti on of t h e h oly n a me , a n d p r oc eedi n g t o th e O u r F a th er ,
H a i l M a ry , a n d the C r ee d Th e child ren s d a ily p r a y ers s h oul d b e

.

ve ry s h or t, s o a s n ot t o b ecome w ea r i s ome t o th em F ur thermore

p a ren ts s h ould s et the i r c hildren a g ood exa mple W e a ll kn ow h o w .

mu ch mor e i n uen ti a l ex a mpl e i s th a n p recept, a n d th a t wh a t i s s e en

make s a fa r mor e l a s ti n g i mp res s i on th a n wh a t i s h e a rd Th e a c ti on s .

of t h e fa th e r a n d moth e r ar e t h e l es s on b ook s of the i r chi ld r en ; h o w

c a r eful s h oul d th ey th e refor e be n ot t o l et the m s ee the m d o a n y

thi n g b l a mew orthy, a n d a l s o t o w a r n th e s e rv ant s n ot t o s a y o r d o

a n ythi n g i n the p r es en c e of the child r en whi c h th ey ought n ot t o s ee
o r h ea r . F or th e i mit a tive fa culty i s s t ron g i n c hild ren ; they ar e
s u r e t o d o w h a t they s ee th ei r eld e rs d o Let p a r e n ts rememb e r O u r .

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
. .

rea s on t o t r emb l e for i f th e s ou l of t h e ch ild i s l os t th r ough th e p a r

,

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 .

Ki n g D a vi d , t h ro u g h a n ex a gg era t ed fon d n es s for h i s s on Ab s a l om,

d i d n ot correc t h i m for h i s fa u lt s ; a n d i n a ft e r y ea r s h e h a d c a u s e
b i tt erl y t o reg ret h i s w ea kn es s , wh en Ab s a l om r eb ell e d a g a i n s t h i m
( 2 Ki n g s Hel i , th e h i gh p r i es t , w a s t oo i n d u lg en t t ow a rd s
h i s wi c ked s o n s , a n d th e ch a s t i s emen t foret ol d t o h i m b y God t h ro u g h
th e mo u t h of Sa mu el s p eed i l y overt oo k h i m ; h i s t w o s o n s w e re s l a i n
i n b a ttl e, a n d t h e ol d ma n , on h ea r i n g t h e s a d t i d i n g s of Is r a el s d e

fea t , fell off h i s s ea t a n d d i ed ( 1 Ki n g s i v Nor c a n n eg l i g en t

.

p a ren t s exp ect t o fa r e b et t e r i n a n o t h e r w orl d , for t h e Ap o s tl e c om ~

p a res t h em t o u n b el i eve rs : If a n y ma n h a ve n ot ca re of h i s own ,

a n d es p ec i a l l y t h o s e o f h i s h o u s e, h e h a t h d en i ed t h e fa i th a n d i s

( 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

h e b e c o n fo u n d ed b efore h i s en emi es ( Ec cl u s xxx G oo d p a ren t s

. .

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

Cat h ol i c s t o non Cath ol i c s , h a e al w a

-
v y b s een di s appro v ed of by t h e
u
Ch rc h .

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 .

Even i n t h e O l d Te s t a men t mi xed ma rri a g es we re p ro h i i t e d ; th e b

Jews were n ot p ermi t ted t o ma ke ma rr i a g es w i th th e C h a n a a n i t es
( D eu t v i i
. . n or i n d eed w i t h t h e Sa ma r i t a n s , a l th o u g h t h ey k ep t
t h e l a w of God a n d h a d t h e b oo k s of M o s es b ec a u s e of t h e h e a th en ,

cer emo n i e s t h ey o b s er ved In l i ke ma n n e r i n th e p res en t d a y t h 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

h i m t o g rea t p er i l s In e a rl y t i mes p a ren t s w h o g a ve th ei r d a u g h te r

.

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

wi ll h a v e t h e w or s t c o n s equ en ce s for th e c h i l d ren An d n ot u n fre

.

qu en tly i t h a p p en s th a t t h e n on C a th oli c, u rg ed b y t h e mi n i s ters of

-

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
.

d ren i f t h ei r C a th o l i c p a ren t d i e s , a n d t h e o th e r e s p o u s e s a memb e r

o f h i s or h er own r el i g i o n ? A C a t h ol i c c a n n o t d o h i s c h il d r en a
more c r u el w ro n g t h a n b y ma rryi n g on e wh o i s n ot of h i s own re
l i g i on . M oreo ve r, t ru e h a p p i n es s c a n h a r d l y exi s t i n s u ch a ma rr i a g e,
wh er e t h e re i s n ot u n i o n on t h e mo s t i mp ort a n t of a ll m a t t e rs Hea rt .

fel t a ffe ct i o n a n d c o n d en c e b et ween h u s b a n d a n d w i fe a re s c a r cel y

p o s s i b l e i f t h e y i
d ef
f r o n a p o i n h
t w c i h i s a ll
i mp ort a n t , n a mel y re
l i g i on . M i xed m a rr i a g e s a re, more o ve r, fr a u g h t w i t h n o s l i g h t
d a n g e r t o t h e s a l va t i o n of t h o s e wh o c o n t r a ct t h em Th e w i s e a n d
.

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
.

t h ems el ves C h r i s t i a n s i s o ft en more p e r i l o u s t h a n t h a t of o p en u n

b el i ever s . If r e a d i n g h e ret i c a l b oo k s i s a p t t o mi s l e a d , h ow mu ch
mor e i s c o n t i n u a l a n d cl o s e c o n t a c t w i t h h eret i c s t o b e d r e a d ed ! B e
s i d e s , we a re fa r mor e r ea d y t o a d o p t t h e o p i n i o n s of on e t o w h o m w e
a re a tt a ch e d , fo r w e a re b l i n d e d b y a ffec t i o n Th e Ho l y F a th er d e
.

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
-

ob t a i n a d i vor ce a n d ma rry a g a i n ; wh ere a s th e C a th ol i c i s b o u n d n ot

t o t a k e a s ec o n d p a r t n e r a s l o n g a s t h e form e r l i ves Wh a t a n
.

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 o b e s ep a r a t ed fro m s ome , i f n ot a ll , of h er ch i l d ren Wel l t h en ma y

.

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 :

B oth p a rti es mu s t p romi s e th a t th ei r ch i l dren s h a l l b e

b r ou gh t u p a s C a th oli cs ; Th e C a th oli c mu s t p romi s e to en
b
d ea v or t o ri n g th e n on C a th oli c t o th e k n ow l e d ge of th e t ru th ;
-

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

.

How d ee p l y i s t h a t p a ren t t o b e c ommi s era t ed wh o d es t ro ys th e s o ul

of h er os p ri n g , b y a ll o w i n g t h e p o i s o n of e rror t o b e i n s t i l l ed i n t o

i ts mi n d ! Wh e n t h e r s t gl a mou r of a n i ll reg ul a t ed a ffect i on fa d es

-

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 ,

b e a n o cca s i on of g l a d rej o i ci n g , i s a s ou rce of a n xi et y t o t h e mo t h er ,

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 fres h a ccu s er, c a ll i n g t o mi n d h er t r e a ch ery Th e C a t h oli c p a rty

b
.

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
,

n ot y c o erci o n or p e rs u a s i on , for p ro s el yti z i n g onl y a d d s t o th e

n umb e r of n o mi n al C a t h o l i cs , not of t h e l o yal ch i l d ren of th e C h u r ch ,

and is a b h orr en t t o th e C a t h o l i c C h u r ch , wh o on l y d es i res th e

err i n g t o b e b ro u g h t t o h er fo l d o f t h ei r own fr ee w i l l a n d t h ro u g h ,

ful l c o n vi c t i o n L et t h em b e won b y p r a yer a n d g oo d ex a mp l e :

. Let
th e u n b el i ev i ng h u s b a n d s b e w on b y t h e c o n ve rs a t i on of t h e w i ves
( 1 P et i i i . . If t h e C a th ol i c w i fe i s s een t o b e mo d est , yi el d i n g ,
p a t i en t , fa i t hfu l , et c , th e n on C a t h ol i c h u s b a n d wi ll b e l ed t o reect
-
. ,

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
,

reg a rd a s a n a ct of i d ol a t ro u s w ors h i p In th e fa ce of d i ffe ren c e s

.

s o d eep roo t ed a ll i d e a of u n i t y i s a mocker y

-
.

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
. .
,

b efor e h e r ece i v e d Ho l y O r d er s h a d b een ma rr i ed a n d h a d a d a u g h

t er t h a t w hi l e h e w a s i n ex i l e h e r ec ei v ed a l et t e r fro m hi s d a u g h t e r ,
,

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 .

HI . THE SAC R AM ENTAL S .

Sac ramental s are ri tes w hi ch h a e s ome o tward res em v u

b l a n c e t o th e s ac ra ment s i n s ti t t ed u by
Ch ri s t, b ut w hi ch a re n ot
v
of di i n e i n s t i t ti on u
Th e n ame i s a pp l i ed oth t o th e l es s i ng or
. b b
c on s ecra t i on gi en v by u
th e Ch rc h , an d t o th e o j ec t s l es s ed or b b
con s ecra t ed .

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
.

F a th er, for t h e a v e rt i n g of ev i ls b o t h c orp or a l a n d s p i r i t u a l At 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
.

r es emb la n c e t o a s a c r a men t In b oth th er e i s a s i g n a n d form o f

.

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 ,

t li e former a re Sa c r a men t a l s a re mea n s of g r a c e of t h e s ec on d

.

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 .

la tt e r h a s t h e effect of b e a u t i fy i n g t h e s o ul t h e for mer a ve rt s ea r t hly

,

il l s a n d p ro mo t es t emp or a l welfa r e Th u s o b j ect s a re o n l y b l es s ed

.

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 .

Th e foll owi n g a re th e b en edi c ti on s w h i ch a re cu s t o ma rily

c onferr e d o n p ers on s : Th e bl es s i n g at th e c on cl u s i on of th e
M as s , th e bl es s i n g g i v en to co mmu n i c a n ts , th e nu
p t i a l b en e d i c

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 i s u s u a l for w o men a fte r ch i l d b i r th t o g o t o th e ch u r ch t o

i mp l ore t h e b l es s i n g of G od u p o n t h ei r ch il d , a n d r ece i ve t h e b en e
d i c t i o n o f t h e p r i es t Th i s c u s t om w a s ob s e rv e d i n t h e O l d Tes t a
.

men t ; eve ry mo th er h a d t o p re s en t h er s elf i n t h e Temp l e w i t h h er

i nfa n t for t y d a y s a ft e r i t s b i r t h i f i t w a s a b oy , a n d ei g h t y i f i t wa s
a g i rl . Th e M o th er of God h ers elf co n formed t o th i s rul e .

Ex or ci s m b el on gs als o t o th e bl es s i n gs c on ferred on p ers ons.

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 .

Th e e v il effec t s or i gi n a l s i n r es t u p o n every c rea t u r e ( Rom

of .

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
,

b e d el i v ered i n t o t h e p o w e r of t h e d evi l for t h ei r s a n ct i ca t i on .

F or t h e s a c r a men t a l s d o n ot r emo ve a f i ct i o n s wh i ch a re for t h e

s p i r i t u a l w elfa r e of t h e i n d i v i d u a l .

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

Th e c o n s ec r a t i o n of p r i es t s , b e i t rememb ere d i s , a s ac a r men t .

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

i n th e ca t h edral s ) , b es i d es cros s es , i ma ges , ros a ri es , med a l s , b a n

n ers
; p l ac es al s o a re bl es s ed , s u ch as ch u rch es , c h a p el s , al ta rs ,

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
.

s i o n (L u ke xx i v We rea d more o ver t h a t God b les s ed ou r rs t

.

p a ren t s ( Gen i th a t Noe b l es s ed h i s t w o s o n s ( Gen i x

. . . .

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 . .

Th e c ere mon y of b l es s mg or c on s ecr ati n g i s gen era ll y p e r

formed by th e p i
r es t s .

Sev er a l a c t s of c o n s e c ra t i on a p p ert a i n t o t h e ep i s c op a l o fce ,

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 s a c r a men t a l s r emi t ven i a l s i n a n d d el i ver u s fro m s ome of ,

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
.

mu ch t o t h e efca cy of s a c r a men t a l s ; or i mp u t i n g t o t h em more

p o w e r t h a n t h e p r a y e r o f t h e C h u r c h i mp a r t s t o t h e m ; th e y a re n ot
 '

67 2 Th e M ea n s of Grace .

and p r i vi leg e mort a l ma n c a n en j o y Wh o ca n fa i l t o a dmi re . and

w o n d e r a t th e g r a c i o u s con d es ce n s i o n of t h e M o s t i gh , th a t e H H n ot
o nl y p ermi t s , b u t c o mma n d s u s t o c on vers e wi t h H
.

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 .

B y kn eel i n g d own we a ckn owl edg e ou r own l i tt l en es s i n Go d s

s ight ; b y fo l di n g ou r h a n ds , we s i g n i fy t h a t we a re h elp l es s , b o u n d
b y t h e ch a i n s of s i n ; b
y s t ri ki n g t h e b re a s t , th a t we a re d es e rvi n g of
s t r i p es So met i me s we p ro s t r a t e o u r s el ves u p o n t h e g ro u n d , t o t es t i fy
'

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
.

M ou n t O l i vet ( M a t t xxvi . So d o es t h e p r i es t a t t h e foo t of t h e

.

a l t a r on G oo d F r i d a y Wh en p r a yer i s very fe rven t a n d i mp ortu n a te

.
,

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 .

d u ri n g t h e b a t t l e b et ween t h e Is r a el i t es a n d t h e Ama l ek i t es ( Exo d .

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
.
, ,

t o exp res s i n w ord s t h e t h o u g h t s of t h e h ea rt ( M a t t x i i In t h e . .

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 ;

s ta y . V o c a l p r a yer qu i cken s th e a t t en t i o n of t h e mi n d a n d i n a mes ,

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 .

or c ommo n p r a yer i s more ei ca ci ou s w i th God ; O u r Lor d s a ys :

Wh a t s o ever t h ey s h a l l a s k , i t s h a ll b e d o n e u n t o t h em b y M y F a th e r
Wh o i s i n h ea ven ( M a tt xv i i i . .

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 .

O u r L or d c o mp l a i n s of th e P h a r i s ees : Thi s p eo p l e h on ore th M e

w i th t h ei r li p s , b u t t h ei r h e a r t i s fa r fro m M e ( M a tt xv

St . . .

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
. ,

merel y form a l h a ve n o v a l u e God i s a Sp i r i t a n d t h ey t h a t a d ore

. .

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 .

We ca n al s o p ray with th e voi ce of s ong .

Hymn s a n d s p i ri t u a l c a n t i cl es a re a n excell en t form of p r a ye r,

whi c h t h e Ap o s t l e a d mo n i s h es t h e C o l os s i a n s t o p r a c t i s e It i s a .

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 .

In ou r p ra y ers we ma y ei th er ma ke u s e of th e auth ori zed

forms of p ra y er, or a d dres s God in th e w ords ou r ow n h ea rt w ill
s u gges t.

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 .

We s h o u l d Sp ea k t o God fro m t i me t o t i me i n ou r own w ord s ; He

l o ve s t o h ea r u s a dd res s Hi m w i t h l i a l c o n d en ce Th e t h ree ch i l .

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 .

Th e re i s n o n ee d t o emp l o y well t u rn ed p h r a s es ; h ow mu ch b ett e r

-

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 .

3 Our p ra ers h a e a th reefol d

. y v o bj ct :
e Th at of p r ai s e , of
s u
ppli ca t i on , a n d of th a n k s gi i n g v .

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 .

Th e C h u r ch g i ves p r a i s e t o Hi m u n cea s i n g l y ; th e Glori a a n d t h e

Sa n c tu s i n t h e M a s s , t h e Te D eu m wh i ch i s s u n g on g re a t fe s t i v a l 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

.

Hi m a ll t h a t w e n eed God g i ves n o th i n g t o t h o s e wh o a s k n o t h i n g

.

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
.

d r en on a hi g h b ea m a n d force th em to fet ch i t d o wn for th ems el ves ;

,

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
, .

p r i s o n P r a.y e r fo r t h e forg i ven es s of Si n i s a p en i ten t i a l p ra yer ;

w i t n es s t h e M i s erere ( P S F u rt h e rmore i t i s Go d s w i ll t h a t we
.

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 .

2 . THE UTIL ITY AND NECESSITY 0F P RAYER .

By means
1 . of p ra ye w e ca n ob tai n a ll thi ngs from God ;
r

b ut He d oes n ot al w ays gra nt our p eti ti ons i mmedi atel y .

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 . . .

C h ry s o s t o m d ecl a res t h a t b y p r a ye r ma n b ec o mes al mos t o mn i p o ten t.

St Au g u s t i n e t e rms p r a ye r t h e k ey th a t u n l o ck s t h e t rea s u ry of t h e
v
.

d i i n e r i ch es As a ma n ca n g et a l mo s t a n yth i n g from h i s fell o w

b
.

men for g ol d , s o h e c a n o b t a i n a l mo s t a nyth i n g fro m God y me a n s

of p r a yer L et h i m t h e refor e wh o i s i n a fi ct i o n c a ll u p on God for
.

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
.

fol l y, n ot c o mp l a i n of h i s mi s ery Wh o woul d h a ve p a t i en ce w i th a

b
.

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
.

w i th more i n s i s t en ce t h a n eve r, t h e l o n g e r t h e a n s wer t o h i s p r a yer

i s d el a yed So th e b l i n d ma n b y th e w a ys i de on t h e roa d t o J e ri ch o
.

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

.

g r a n t u s wh a t w e i mp l ore , b eca u s e He kn o w s i t w o u l d b e p rej u d i c i a l ,

n o t b en ec i a l t o u s .

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 .

2 By means of pra er Si nn ers ec ome

. y b j us t , a nd th e ju s t a re
b
en a l ed t o c onti n e i n a s ta t e of grac e u .

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
,

i n t o Th y k i n g d o m ( Lu ke xxi i i a n d i mme di a t el y O u r L ord .

p a r d o n e d h i m T h e p u b li ca n i.n t h e Tem p l e di d b u t s t ri k e hi s b reas t,

s a yi n g : O God , b e me rc i ful t o me a s i nn er
a n d h e w en t d o wn t o ,

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
.

Aug u s t i n e, h e ce a ses t o Si n ; whe n h e c ea s es t o p ra y , h e eg i ns t o

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 .

t r a n s forms t h e ch a r a ct e r ; b y i t t he b l i n d b ecome en l i g h t en ed, th e

w e a k b ec ome s t ron g , s i n n ers b ec o me s a i n t s .

B y p ra y er s i n n ers b eco me j u s t , b ec aus e i t earns for th em

th e gra c es of con tri t i on a n d a men dmen t .

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 .

s o me s a i n t s t hi s i n w a r d i ll u mi n a t i on man i fes t ed i t s elf ext e rn a ll y .

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
.

( L uk e i x M a n y s a i n ts a re k n own t o h a v e een s u rro u n d ed

.

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 wh en ou r w ork i s en d e d a n d b efor e w e c o mmen ce a n yt h i n g of

i mp ort a n ce Ou r L ord wh en on ea rth oft en s p en t t h e n i g h t i n
.

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 .

ma n wh o i s g i ven t o p r a yer w ill n eve r b e a c o w a rd .

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

ca u s e i t i s a s a feg ard u a ga i n s t t emp ta ti on a nd s in .

,
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

d o es th e ver y Op p o s i t e ; i t en l i gh t en s t h e u n d ers t a n d i n g a n d s t ren g th

en s t h e w i ll It a ct s u p o n t emp t a t i o n a s w a t e r d o es on re ; i t i s
.

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
. .

i s b ett e r th a n yea rs d ev o ted t o th e p l ea s u r es a n d d i s t ra c t i o n s of t h e

worl d B y p ra yer th e j u s t ma n a c qu i res ma n y v i r tu es
. P ra y a ri g h t , .

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
.

due t o s i n, a nd meri t a n etern al rec omp ens e .

Wh en p r a ye r a s cen ds to h ea ven , th e mer cy of God d es cen d s ; i t

p reven t s t h e o u t b u r s t of t h e d i vi n e wr a t h ( St Au g u s t i n e ) By . .

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
.

rec oll ect i on i n s p i t e of t h e a s s a ul ts of t h e d evi l , a n d th e hi n d ra n ces

he c as ts i n th e i r w a y , exp i a te ma n y s i n s a n d mer i t a r ewa rd .

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 .

A rva n t wh o n ever s a l u t ed or s p o ke t o h i s ma s ter wo ul d n ot

se
lo n g b e ret a i n ed i n hi s s ervi ce Were on e t o l ook i n t o h ell we s h oul d
b
.
,

s ee t ha t t h e m a j ori ty of s o u l s h a v e een l os t t h ro u g h n eg lect of

s a ys St Amb ro s e

p r a ye r If O u r L ord
.
, Sp en t wh o l e n i g h ts i n
.
,

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 ,

w i n gs a s hi p w i t h o u t s a i l s or r u d d er ; h e i s a r eed d r i ven t o a n d fro

, ,

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 c t i ce ma k es p erfec t P r a y o ften , a n d y ou wi ll n d d eli g h t i n

.

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

.

O u r L ord d es i re s wh a t e ve r p ro mo t es t h e g l ory of God a n d t h e

s a l v a t i o n of s o ul s If we p r a y for wh a t i s o p p o s ed t o ou r Sp i ri t u a l
.

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
, , ,

Hi s Sp i r i t , i f we a s k for s u ch th i n g s a s t h e mea n s of ea rn i n g our

d a i l y b re a d , for s uc c or i n t h e t i me of t r i b ul a t i o n for t h e c o nve rs i o 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 .

mon a rch c o u l d refu s e th e p et i t i on of on e wh o s a i d h e wa s a u th ori z ed

t o p res en t i t b y th e ki n g s own ro y al s on ?

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

hea rt i s fa r from Hi m ( M a tt x v . Th ei r t h ou g h t s w a n d er, t h ey

.

t h i n k of t h ei r ea rthl y emp l o ymen t s , t h ey d o n ot h eed wh a t t h ey s a y .

P r a yer s th a t a re s o t ep i d a n d d i s t r a cte d a va i l n o th i n g wi th God .

Wh o, wh en p l ea d i n g b efore a n e a rthl y j u dg e, w oul d t u rn t o th o s e

a b o u t h i m a n d b eg i n t o t a lk t o t h em ? He w oul d b e p u t ou t of c ou rt
for h i s d i s r es p ect fu l b eh a vi or How ca n we exp ect God t o h eed ou 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
-
. ,

h ow eve r, n eces s a r y t o h a ve s en s i b l e d ev o t i o n , t o exp er i en c e ext r a

or d i n a ry c on s ol a t i o n a n d d el i g h t i n p r a yer Th a t i s a s u p e rn a t u r a l
.

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
.

feel d i s t a s t e a n d a r i d i t y St Teres a s a y s t h a t p r a yer u n d er s u ch

. .

c i r cu ms t a n ces ma y e ven b e mor e mer i t or i o u s b e c a u s e i t i s p a i n fu l t o

n a t u re . Th a t p r a ye r w h i c h c o s t s u s a n effort w h i ch w e h a ve t o c om ,

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

wi t h mud s t a i n ed g a rmen ts t o i mp l ore a fa v or

-

, It i s on l y j u s t th a t .

h e wh o w i ll n ot c o n form t o t h e di v i n e p recep t s s h o ul d b e excl u d ed

fro m a s h a re i n t h e d i vi n e b en efa ct i on s L i s ten t o t h e c omma n d s of
.

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

i ng ; God wil l recei ve h i s p et i t i on s a s g ra ci ou s l y a s if h e h a d n e ve r

o ffen d ed Hi m In t hi s He i s u nl i ke men wh o a re p ron e t o ca s t
.

v
,

forme r offen ces i n t h e t eeth of th o s e wh o a s k a fa or of t h em God

,

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
.

memb er h ow th e p ra ye r of th e p en i ten t p u l i ca n i n t he Temp le wa s

a c c ep ted ( Luk e x i i i v .

5 . W e mus t p r ay wi th h umili ty ; th a t i s , w e mu s t a ckn owl

edge our own w ea kn es s and u w thi

n or n es s .

The p ra ye r h i m th a t h u mb l eth h i ms elf s h a ll p i erce t h e cl o u ds

of

( Eccl us xxx . vHow l owl y i s th e ob ei s a n ce of one wh o a p p ro a ch es

.

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 .

6W e mus t p ray w ith conden ce th at

.
,
i s , wi th a rm con
v i ct i on th a t of Hi s n n i te merc y God w ill ran t wh a t w e as k,
i g
p ro vi d ed i t wil l t en d to His gl or y an d to u
th e tr e wel fare of our
so ul s .

Th e p r a ye r of h i m t h a t h umb l eth h i ms el f s h all p i e rce t h e cl o u d s

of wh a t t h e p r a ye r of fa i th o u g h t t o b e ( 3 O u r L or d
s a ys : All th i n g s wh a t s o eve r y ou Sh a ll a s k i n p ra yer, el i evi n g y ou b ,

s h a ll rec ei ve ( M a t t xx i C on d en ce h a t h a g rea t rew a r d ( Heb

. . .

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 . .

7 . W e mus t p r ay w i th res i gn ati on t o th e will of Go d ; th a t

i s , w e m s t l ea u v e th e gran ti n g of ou r p et i t i on en ti rel yt o God s

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 .

p r a y er on t h e M o un t of O l i ves God kn ows b es t wh a t i s for ou r

.

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

WHEN O UGHT WE TO P RAY ?

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

. .

We ma y a p p ro a ch God a t a n y momen t ; t h ere i s n o s en t ry b efore Hi s

d oo r t o t u rn u s b a c k ; we h a ve b u t t o c a ll u p o n Hi m b y Hi s n a me
of F a t h er a n d Hi s e a r i s o p en t o u s a t o n c e He wh o s eek s God
.
, ,

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 .

i n g i n p ra yer, w e s h a ll o b t a i n ou r re qu es t s fro m God w i t h o u t d i t

c ul ty , a n d w e s h a ll b e p res e rv ed fro m ma n y t emp t a t i o n s O u r L or d .

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

, .

xxvi . Th e h a b i t of c on s t a n t p r a yer ma y b e c omp a red t o a ra m

p a rt a g a i n s t t h e ma l i gn foe ; t o a b r ea s tp l a t e fro m wh i ch hi s a rr o ws
reb ou n d ; t o a h a rb or, i n wh i ch th e ro u g h w a ves ca n n o t re a ch u s We .

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 ,

u s eve r b e r ea d y, a rmed wi t h p r a yer a s t h o s e wh o a re e xp o s ed t o t h e ,

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

.
,

St B e rn a r d s a y s M a rth a s emp l o ymen t w a s g oo d M a ry s w a s b et t er

. , ,

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 .

w e a re i n t hi s w orl d w or k mu s t oft t i mes b e ou r p r a ye r ; h er e a ft e r

,
-

wh en t h ere i s n o mor e o c c as i on for w ork t h e c o n t emp l a t i o n of th e ,

d i vi n e ma j es ty w ill b e ou r o n l y o c cu p a t i o n He wh o g i ves u p w ork .

for t h e s a k e of p r a yer d es e rves n ot a c c ord i n g t o t h e d i c tu m of t h 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
,
. .

W h il e en ga ged i n ou r w or k w e ca n utt e r e acj ul a t or y pr y a r

e s,

an d we ou gh t on c o mmen ci n g ou r w ork t o d i rect ou r i n t en t i on

so a s to d o a ll t o th e gl or y of God .

St Ter es a h a d i n h er cel l a p i ctu re of O u r L ord a t J a c o b s w ell ;

.

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
.
,

God eve r a n d a n o n y ej a c ul a t ory p r a yer s w i ll ke ep ca lm a n d rec ol ,

lect ed a mi d th e t u rmo i l a n d d i s t r a ct i on s of l ife for ej a c ul a t i o n s a re ,

6 82 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce .

no w ea k wea p o n s of d efen ce ; t h ei r re i ty, t oo, en a l es th em t o b e b v b

v
s a i d w i t h g re a t e r fer or t h a n l o n g e r p r a ye r s St F r a n c i s of Sa l es . .

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 . .

It i s well t o d i rect on e s i n t en t i o n i n t h e morn i n g , a n d r en ew

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 .

W e s h oul d d o w ell to e mp l oy ou r l ei s u re ti me i n p ra y er.

Bles s ed C l emen t Ho fb a u e r an s were d a ma n wh o c o mp l a i n ed th a t

hi s t i me h u n g h ea vy on h i s h a n d s , wi t h th e w or d s : Well, t h en , y ou
ca n p ra y

Th e s a i n ts s p en t a s mu ch t i me a s t h ey c o u l d i n p r a y er ;
.

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 . .

G reg ory Na z i a nz en s eei n g t h e s h ell s w a s h ed u p on t h e s ea s h ore a n d

,

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
.

deeme r ; t o oth er s a i n t s t h e s i g h t of a ower , a p i ct u re, a ch u r ch , wa s

en ou g h t o i n s p i r e h ol y th o u gh t s a n d p r a ct i c a l r e ec t i o n s Th i s i s
b b
.

n o w o n d er, for a l l v i s i l e o j ect s s h oul d r eca ll t o ou r mi n d t h e c m

n i p ot en c e an d b o u n t y of t h e C r ea t or, a n d i n v i te u s t o p a y Hi m (

h o ma g e O u r l i fe o u g h t t o b e on e u n i n t erru p t ed p r a ye r ; for our

v
.

mi n d o u g h t t o b e d eta ch ed from ea rthl y th i n g s , a n d our con er s a t i o n

i n h ea ven .

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 .

In th e morn i n g w e o gh t t o gi e th a n k s t o God for h a v

1 . u v
v u
i n g p res er ed u s d ri n g th e n i gh t, a n d es e ech Hi m to p rot ect b
u
u s d ri n g th e d a y from mi s fortu n e a n d from s i n , a n d to gi e u s v
u
wh a t i s n eedf l for ou r odil s s t en a n c e b y u .

Th e morn i n g p r a yer s h ou l d b e s a i d kn eel i n g a n d b efore we

b
,

t a k e ou r b rea k fa s t Th e i r d s s et u s a n ex a mp l e i n t h i s res p ect ;

.

t h e y w a rb l e t h e i r morn i n g s o n g b efor e t h ey s eek t o s a t i s fy th ei r

h u n g er We o u gh t t o p reven t th e s u n t o b l es s Th ee a n d a d ore
. ,

( 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 .

onl y g a t h e r th e man n a b efor e t h e s u n w a s u p s o w e c a n n o t exp ect ,

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 ou rs In th e morn i n g God i s more ea s il y fou n d :

.

Th ey th a t i n
t h e mo rn i n g e a rl y wa t ch for M e s h a ll n d M e ( P ro v v i i i Th e . .
6 84 T he M ea n s f
o Gra ce .

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 .

We ou g h t t o p r a y i n t i mes of d i s t res s, for God en j o i n s th i s u p o n

us : C a l l u p on M e i n th e d a y of t ro u b l e ; I wi ll d el i ve r t h ee a nd
t h o u s h a l t g l ori fy M e ( P S xl i x ow d i d t h e a p o s t l e s a ct
. . H
wh en t h e s t orm a ro s e on t h e l a k e ? Too oft en i n t h ei r t ro u b l es men
s eek aft e r h u ma n a i d In t emp t a t i o n w e o u g h t a l s o t o h a ve rec o u rs e
.

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
.

t o p ra y Tob i a s exh ort s h i s s on :

. D es i re of God t o d i rect t h y
w a ys ( Tob i v O u r L or d p a s s ed t h e wh ol e n i g h t i n p r a yer t o
. .

G od b efor e He ch os e t h e t wel ve a p o s tl es ( L uk e v i He p ra yed .

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
.

ch o s e M a tth i a s b y l ot ( Act s i St P et e r p ra yed b efore h e re

. .

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 .

men ts h el d a ft er wed d i n gs , a n d on g re a t fes t i v a l s of th e C h urch ,

th e fe a s t s th e p o o r ma k e a ft e r fun e ra l s , et c , a f for d a b u n d a n t ev i .

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
.

for ! Su ch s ol emn t i mes s h o ul d b e t i mes of g rea t er d e o t i on .

5 . WHERE O UGHT WE TO P RAY ?

1 . We ca n a nd o ugh t t o p ray i n ev er y pl ac e, b caus e

e God i s
v ywh
e er ere p res ent .

O u r L ord Hi ms el f p r a yed , n ot onl y i n th e Temp l e a t Jeru s a l em,

a n d i n t h e s yn a g o g u es b u t a l s o i n t h e d es ert , on t h e mo u n ta i n s , i n
,

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
.
,

i n t h e o p en c o u n t ry, Jo n a s i n t h e ell y of th e wh a l e, Job on t h e

d u n gh i ll D a n i el i n t h e l i o n s d en , M a n a s s es i n p r i s o n P a u l an d

.

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 ,

xvii . R ememb e r O u r L ord s w or d s t o th e w o ma n of Sa ma ri a

( 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

2 . Th e h ous e of God i s th e pl a c e s p eci al l y s et ap art for p ray er .

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 ,

b e fo un d i n th e Temp l e a t J eru s a l em P et i t i o n s o ffered i n a ch ur ch

.

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

rec oll ec t i on , a n d w e c a n p u t a s i d e ou r d a il y ca res B es i d es , t h e .

p r a ye rs w e o ffe r i n ch ur ch a re h ea rd more qui ckl y b e cau s e O ur L ord

i s p r es en t t h ere u n d e r t h e eu ch a r i s t i c v ei l s ; He h as p ro mi s ed t h a t :
Wh ere th ere a re t wo or t h r ee g a t h ered t o g eth e r i n M y n a me, t h er e
a m I i n t h e mi ds t of t h em a n d He w i ll h elp u s t o p r a y a r i g h t

.
,

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 .

3 . A s ol i t ra y pl ac e i s al s o s ui tabl e for pray er .

O ur L ord w a s a c cu s t o med t o wi th d r a w i n t o s ol i t u d e for p r a yer .

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 ,

of O l i ves ( Lu k e xxi i He b i ds u s ret i re i n t o ou r ch a mb er a n d

.

s h u t t h e d oor ( M a t t v i for i n s oli tu d e on e i s l es s likel y t o b e d i s

. .

tra ct ed, a n d on e c a n p r a y more ferv en tl y .

6 . F OR WHAT O UGHT WE T0 P RAY 2

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 .

c on t en te d w i t h wh a t w e h a v e a l re a d y r ece i ved , b u t e ve r b eg for more .

God i s mor e r ea d y t o g i ve t h a n we t o recei ve Let u s n ot a s k s o mu ch .

for t emp or a l a n d t r a n s i t ory b en et s b u t r a th e r for t h o s e t h a t a re

,

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
.

l e s s a n d w ort h l es s ; mu ch l es s s h o u l d w e v en tu re t o i mp l ore t h e L ord

of h e a ven a n d e a rt h fo r t h e t h i n g s o f t i me a n d s en s e It i s t h e a c t .

o f a foo l t o t r e a s u re u p w ort h l es s s h ell s a n d c a s t a w a y p r ec i o u s p ea rl s ;

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
.

2 . W e ough t more c i all y to b es eech al mi gh ty God t o grant

es p e
us s u ch thi n gs as a re c ondu ci ve t o Hi s gl ory a n d t o our s a l vat i on , ,

a nd in n o wi s e t o a s k for wh at wi ll onl y s erv e t o gra ti fy our

ea rthl y d es ires .

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 .

Sol omo n p r a yed for wi s d o m t o g o ve rn h i s p e0p 1 e a r i g h t ; God g a ve

h i m a w i s e a n d u n d ers t a n d i n g h ea rt a n d i n a d d i t i o n ea rt hl y r i ch es
a n d g l or y i n a b u n d a n ce ( 3 K i n g s It i s n ot r i g h t t o a s k of God
wh a t i s on l y c a l cul a t ed t o g r a t i fy ou r ea rt hl y c o n c u p i s cen ces ; s u ch
p r a ye rs a re n ot g r a n t ed ( J a s i v Th ere a re ma n y .

s a ys St
.
, .

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
.

res t ored n ot t h a t h i s s i n mi g h t b e forg i ven ( 3 Ki n g s xi i i

, M any .

p e0p 1 e d o l ik ewi s e ; i n t h ei r p r a yers t h ey t h i nk o n l y of t h e n eed s of

t h e b o d y n ot t h o s e of t h e s oul
, Let u s n ever p r a y t h a t ou r w i ll b u t
.
,

t h a t G o d s w ill b e d o n e ; l et u s n ot wi s h for t h e a c c o mp l i s h men t of

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 .

1 . M edi tati on , i . e. , c on t e mp l a ti v e p ra y er, con s i s ts i n dw ell

u
i n g p on th e tr th s of u reli
gi on ,
i n ord er to aw aken wi thi n our
mi n ds good res ol u ti o
C o s tl y s p i ces g i ve ou t t h ei r a ro ma mo s t fr eel y wh en th ey a re
b ru i s ed i n a mort a r ; s o t h e t ru th s of rel i g i o n h a ve mo s t i n u en ce
u p o n t h e s o u l t h a t p o n d er s on t h em O n e wh o med i t a t es u p o n h ol y
.

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 ,

l o n g er n eed ed for s h e ru n s s w i ftl y b e for e t h e b reez e s o i n med i t a t i o n

,

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
. ,

let u s t o i l n o more b u t forth w i t h k i n d l e t h e t or ch

, .

2 . M edi ta ti on i s a mos t e xc ell en t meth od of p ra y er, b u t it

mus t n ot be p u u rs ed t o th e ex cl ui s on of v ocal p ra y er.

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 ,

Hi s p erfect i on s Th e s a i n t s h a ve b equ ea t h ed t o u s ma n y b ooks of

.

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 .

M en t a l p r a ye r mu s t a l t ern a t e w i t h v o c a l p r a yer ; t h es e t wo meth o d s

of p r a y e r a re t h e t w o fe et t h a t c a rry u s forw a r d on th e w a y t o h e a v en .

M ed i t a t i o n i s a n eces s a ry p r el i mi n a ry t o p r a yer ; w i th o u t i t p r a yer

wi l l b e i mp erfec t , t h e n eed fu l d ev o t i o n wi ll b e l a ck i n g .
688 The M ea ns of Gra ce .

Th e Our Fa th er consi s ts of a n a ddres s , v

s e en p eti ti ons , a nd th e
word Amen .

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 ,

a rt i n h e a v en r a i s e our th o u g ht s t o Hi m Th u s a t th e very com .

men cemen t of th i s p r a yer we ma ke a cts of fa i th , h o p e, a n d ch a r i t y .

W e c allGod Fath er, eca s e He crea t ed u s to Hi s i ma ge b u

( G en i . ec.a s e t h e S on ob
f G o d e ca mu e o u r B roth er H i s b by
In c a rn a ti on ( Ep h i an d eca s e a t a p ti s m th e Hol
. . Sp iri t b u b y
b
t ook u p Hi s a od e wi thi n u s , an d mad e u s th e chi l dren of God
( R o m i ii . v .

In ro a ch i n g t h e g rea t on es of t h e ea rth we a re d ou t ful y

app , b b
wh a t t i tl e we o u g h t t o a d d r es s t h em ; i t i s n ot s o wi th God We a d .

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
,

a n y o t h er No mort a l w oul d h a ve d a red t o c a ll th e a lmi g h t y Rul er

.

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
.
, ,

c a u s e t h i s i s a t i t l e whi ch es p ea ks a f fect i on a n d l o e i s a fa r more ,

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 .

In t h e L or d s p r a yer th e i n d i v i du a l p r a ys for a ll , a n d a ll for th e

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 .

own n eed s c o mp el u s t o p r a y for o u r s el ves ; fr a t e rn a l c h a ri t y u rg es u s

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 . .

3 . In th e rs t p eti ti on w e pra y th at God ma y b e gl ori ed .

Th e mea n i n g of th e rs t p e ti ti on i s thi s : Gra n t , 0 G od, th a t

we ma y a ck n ow l e d ge a n d re ere T h y m a j es t mor e a n d more v y .

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 .

4 In th e ne xt th ree p eti ti ons w e a s k for th es e bl es s i ngs : Et er

al v ati on u v
.

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

th os e th i ngs whi c h a re i ndi s pensa b l e to th e mai ntenanc e of our

eart hl y
exi s t enc e .

Th e mea n in g of th e sec on d peti ti on is thi s : Gi e nto us v u

et ern al l ife a ft er d e ath .

Th e mea n i n g of th e third p etiti on i s thi s : Gi e u s gra c e to v

y
fu l l Th y w i ll a s p erfec tl on earth as th e an gel s d o i n h ea en v .

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 .

5In th e n ext th ree p eti ti ons we p ray th at th ree ev i l s

. ma y
v
b e a erted from us : Th e e i l of s i n, th e e il of temp ta ti on, v v a nd

th os e ev il s wh i ch are p re di ci al to l i fe ju .

Th e mea n in g of th e fth p eti ti on is th is : Forgi e u s our v

v
s i n s , as w e forgi e th os e wh o h a e s i nn ed agai ns t us v .

Th e mean i n g of th e s i xth p eti ti on i s thi s : D eli er u s from v

th os e t emp t a ti on s t o wh i ch w e s h o l d s c c m u u u b .

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 .

Et ern al h a p p i n es s i s op p os ed to s i n , wh i ch ma kes u s et ern a ll y

wretch ed .

Th e gra c e of God i s op p os ed to t emp ta ti on ; for grac e eu

u
l i gh ten s th e n d ers ta n di n g a n d forti es th e wi l l , wh erea s t emp
ta ti on d a rk en s th e u n d ers t a n d in g a n d w e aken s th e wi ll .

Th e thi n gs wh i ch a re n ec es s a r for th e ma i n ten a n c e of ou r y

li fe a re op p os ed to th os e wh i ch a re i n j ri o s to i t u u .

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 .

Th e word Amen i s th e a ns w er of God to th e

6 . s uppl i ain nt ;
thi s p l ac e i t i s equi a l ent t o th e w ord s : Be as s v u red th a t th y

p ra ey
r i s h ea rd .

In oth er p ra y ers th e mea ni n g of th e w ord Amen is So b e

i t,
or : We en trea t mos t a
e rn es tl y th at ou r p ra y er ma y b e
gra n t e d .

As i n th e L ord s P r a ye r th e word Amen i s t o b e c o n s i d e red a s

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

a n d col l ect s of t h e C h u r ch , th e s e rv e r s a ys Amen O u r L ord o ft en .

emp l o yed t h e w or d Amen , p r i n c i p a ll y a s a n a s s e ve r a t i o n .

69 0 The M ea n s f Gra ce
o .

Th e O ur F a th er h as fro m t i me i mmemor i a l b een i n u s e i n th e

C h u rch b ot h i n h ol y M a s s a n d al mos t a ll ot h e r p u b li c a ct s of wor
,

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 .

Sh e h er s elf for es a w t h a t t h i s w oul d b e s o ; th a t a ll g en e ra ti o n s w o ul d

ca ll h er b l es s ed ( L u ke i .

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 .

l Th e Av e M ari a c ons i s ts of th ree p a rt s : Th e s al t ati on

. u of

th e arch angel Gab ri el , th e greeti ng of El i za eth , a nd th e w ords b 01

th e Ch rch u .

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 ,

L a d y a s s u med a mor e a n d mor e p ro mi n en t p l a ce, a n d fro m th a t

t i me forth t h e Av e M a ri a b e c a me a n i n v a r i a b l e a dj u n ct t o th e P a ter
Nos ter i n a l l t h e p u b l i c s erv i c es of th e C h u rch .

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.

a rt th e mos t b l es s ed amon g w omen b e cau s e thy ch il d Jes u s w as

s up re mel y bl es s ed.

As t ree i s c o n s i d ered g ood i f i t

a ea r s g oo d fru i t , s o M a ry i s b
l a u d ed for t h e s ak e of h er Son Sh e i s t h e t ree of l i fe i n p a r a di s e,
.

a n d C h r i s t i s th e fru i t of t h a t t ree All th e a n g el s of God a dore .

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
. .

g oo d ch i l d r en h a v e a l wa y s b een c all ed b l es s ed ; w i tn es s th e wo man ,

wh o a ft e r l i s t en i n g t o O ur L o rd s d i s c o u rs e, l i ft ed u p h er v o i ce t o

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
-

h u ma n r a c e ! B o th t h e a r ch a n g el a n d St Eli z a b eth a d dres s ed t h e

v
.

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 .
,

i n h i s l a s t h o u r an d for th i s r ea s on b eca u s e s o Sh ort a t i me i s l eft

, ,

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 .

t ri b u l a t i o n s M a ry i s ou r s u res t h elp e r for s h e i s th e Hea l th of th 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
,
-

men ts or r ecei v ed oth e r s u p ern a tu r a l a i d Sh e even a p p ea red i n

,
.

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.

We s pe ak of ours el ves as Sinn ers , to ren der th e M oth er of

G od more i n cli n ed to l i s ten t o u s .

M a ry i s mo s t rea d y t o i n t eres t h ers elf on eh a lf of Si n n er s ; s h e b

kn o w s wh a t i t c o s t h er d i vi n e Son t o red eem ma nk i n d a n d r es t or e
t o ou r fa l l en r a ce th e g r a ces w e h ad l os t It wou l d s eem a s i f M a ry .

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
.

t h e M o th e r of God w o u l d n ot w i lli n gl y efri en d h i m were h e to

i n v ok e h er a i d w i t h a r ea l i n ten t i o n t o a men d God h a s c o mmi t ted .

j u dg ment to Hi s Son , g r a ce an d mercy to Hi s M oth er s

h a n ds .
 Th e M os t Imp orta n t P ra y ers . 69 3

THE ANGEL US .

If th e M oh a mmed a n t h ree t i mes a d a y t u rn s h is fa ce t owa rd s

Mec c a , a n d c a ll s u p on God a n d Hi s p rop h et M oh a mmed , h ow mu ch
mor e o u g h t t h e C h ri s t i a n freq u en tl y t o l oo k u p t o h ea ven d u ri ng
the d a y , a n d i n vo ke t h e d i v i n e R ed eemer a n d Hi s b l es s ed M o th er .

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 )
-
.

Th e cu ts om of ri n gi n g th e An gelu s b ell th ree ti mes a d ay

d a tes from th e p er i od of th e cr s a d es u
At r s t t h e b ell o n l y run g t w i ce a d a y h al f a n h our efor e
wa s , b
s u n r i s e a n d h a lf a n h o u r a ft e r s u n s et t o c a l l u p o n t h e fa i t hfu l t o
,

p r a y God for th e s u cce s s or of th e cru s a d e rs a rms

Th e mi d d a y b el l
b
.

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 .

s a i d c o n s i s ted on l y o f a P a ter Nos t er a fte r w a r d s t h e Av e M a ri a

,

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
, ,

i n t ro du ced l a te r b y or d er of t h e Hol y See th e ob j ec t of th e p r a ye r ,

b ei n g t o en t r ea t t h e M o t h er of God t o ext ermi n a t e th e h e res i es t h a t

h a d a r i s en Th e An g elu s a s i t i s n ow s a i d i s of more rec en t d a te
. .

In so me p l a ces a ft er th e e v en i n g Angel us th e b ell so u n ds

a ga in to a dmon i s h th e fa i th ful to p ra yf or th e s ou l s in p u rga t or y .

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 .,

t h a n twen t y s even t i mes

-

Hi s mercy en du reth forever a n d St
, .

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 t en Ha i l M a rys i s r ep ea t ed v e or ft een t i mes a cc omp a ni 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 .

We b egin th e R os a ry with t h e C reed a n d three H a il M a ry s , for

t h e i n c rea s e within u s of t h e th re e th eol ogi c a l vi rtues Wh il e .

rec itin g th e R os a ry e ve ry on e mu s t h old h i s own r os a ry i n h is h a n d ,

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 .

i s divide d in t o t h e j oyful, t h e s orr owful a n d t h e glori ous my s te r i es ;

i n t h e rs t we h on or God th e F a the r Wh o s en t u s t h e Sa vi ou r ; i n
t h e s econ d , God th e Son Wh o r e deeme d u s ; i n t h e thi r d God th e
Holy G hos t, Wh o s a n ct i es u s .

2 . Th e R os a ry o wes i ts ori gi n t o St . Domi n i c .

Th e hermits of t h e rs t cen rea d the p s a lte r

tu r i e s , wh o coul d n ot ,

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 ,

ma de u s e of s ma ll s t on es or of s ee ds s t run g on a cor d St Domi n i c

, . .

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 .
,

th e y ea r 1 200 t h e heres i es of t h e Alb ig en s es wr ought g r ea t mi s chie f

,

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
. ,

ros a ry a s a wea p on a ga i n s t h er en emi e s He a ccor di n gly i n t r odu ced .

i t everywhere a n d b efor e l on g it h a d effec te d t h e c on vers i on of more

,

th a n a hun dre d th ou s a n d her eti c s Th e u s e of t h e R os a ry s oon

.

s p r e a d th r ough out C hr i s t en d om a n d it b ec a me a mos t p opul a r devo

,

ti on . It i s a meth od of p r a yer a t on ce s i mple a n d s ub lime ; t h e

p ra yers a re s o e a s y th a t a child c a n rep ea t them a n d t h e mys t er i es ,

a re s o p r ofo un d th a t th ey s up ply a s ub j ec t for me dit a ti on t o t h e mos t

l e a rn e d theologi a n s It i s a p r a yer of con t empl a ti on a s w ell a s a
.

p r a yer of s uppli c a ti on for it pl a ces b efore t h e min d th e p r in c ip a l

,

t ruth s of th e fa ith Th e R os a ry i s a c omp en dium of t h e G os p els ; a

.

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 .

medit a ti on on th e even t s of O u r L or d s li fe fa ith a n d ch a r ity a re i n

c re a s e d ; from t h e ex a mpl e of ou r divi n e R edeeme r we le a rn t o b e

humb le g en tle ob edi en t ; w e a re i n c it ed t o i mi t a te th e vi r tues whi ch
, ,

t h e my s t e r i es t e a ch t o s t r ive a ft er wh a t they p r omi s e u s

, M oreover .

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
.

more d evoutly it i s p r a cti s e d t h e more on e a pp reci a te s i t s excellen ce

,

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 .

3Th e R os a r y i s w ell pl ea s i n g t o God , b e

. ca u s e of i ts h u
mili ty , a n d b eca u s e i t i s a n i mi ta tion of the u n c eas i n g s on g of

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 .

c i tes them t o decry W ha t i s a fr uitful s o ur ce of gra ce to th e C hris ti a n ,

an d b y whi ch s o ul s a re wres te d fr om h i s gra Sp The R os a ry h a s b een .

r i chly i n dul gen ced b y t h e Holy See, a n d t he r ec it a l of it s t r ongly

u rged up on t h e fa ith ful An in dul gen ce of a hun dr ed d a ys ma y b e
.

g a i n e d for eve ry P a ter a n d Av e i f v e con s ec utive d ec a de s b e s a id

-

, ,

on a p r ope rly i n dul g en c e d r os a ry O ur H oly F a ther L eo XIII h as

. .

dec reed th a t every d a y du r i n g th e mon th of O c tob er th e Ro s a ry , ,

t ogethe r with th e lit a n y of Lorett o b e s a id i n chu r ch e ith er dur ing

,

th e p a ri s h M a s s or i n t h e a fter n oon with t h e Bles s ed Sa c r a men t

, ,

exp o s e d F or every ti me of a s s i s ti n g a t thi s dev oti on s ev en yea rs

.

a n d s even qu a r a n ti n es a re gr a n te d P op e Piu s IX b equ ea thed a s

. . ,

a l eg a cy t o t h e fa ithful thi s a dmon iti on :

, L et t h e R os a ry thi s ,

s i mpl e b e a uti ful meth o d of p r a y er en r i c hed with ma n y i n dulg en c es

, , ,

b e h a b itu a lly reci t e d of a n even i n g i n every h ou s ehold Thes e a re .

my la s t w or ds t o y ou ; th e memor i a l I lea ve b ehi n d me

Ag a i n h e .

s a id : In t h e whol e of th e V a t i ca n th ere i s n o g r ea ter t rea s u re th a n

t h e R os a ry .

THE L ITANY 0F L ORETTO AND THE SAL VE REGINA .

Th e Li ta n y of Lorett o i s a form of p ra y er i n w hi ch t h e mos t

l ori ou s t i tl es a re gi v en t o th e M oth er of God , a n d h er i n t er
g
c
c es s i on i s u n eas in gl y i mp l or ed .

Th e li t a n y L orett o t a kes i t s o r igin a n d i t s n a me fr om th e p l a ce

of

of pil g r i ma g e i n It a ly, L or e tt o , wh ere t h e h oly h ou s e of N a z a re th

n ow s t a n ds In thi s lit a n y rs t of a ll God i s c a lle d upon for mer cy,

.

as i n t h e K y ri e El ei s on of t h e M a s s Thi s i s foll owed b y t h e i n v o

.

c a ti on of t h e mo s t H oly Tr i n ity Then t h e Bles s e d M other of God

.

i s i n voke d a n d h er i n t erc es s i on i s b es ought

, Thes e i n voca ti on s ma y .

b e d ivid ed i n to s i x g r oup s : Th e r s t three i n voc a ti ons exp r es s

h er s p ec i a l prerog a t ives : h er s a n c tity h er divi n e ma te rn ity h er , ,

i mma c ul a te vi rgi n ity ; Th en h er p er fecti on s a s a M oth er a re

en ume r a te d : M other of C h ri s t ; Sh e i s n ext exto lle d i n v i rtu e
o f h er vi rgi n ity : V i rg in mos t p rud en t, et c ; Her glo ri es a re .

th en depi cte d u n der a n umb e r of gu res a n d ty p es : M i rr or of ju s ti 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
, .

lit a n y, c on d i n g i n t h e medi a ti on of ou r Adv oc a t e, w e a pp e a l t o h er

divi n e Son , b es e echi n g Hi m t o pa re, t o h e a r t o h a ve mercy up on u s
S , .

Sever a l of t h e i n voc a ti on s h a ve b een a dd e d b y t h e Holy See i n t h e

cou r s e of cen tu r i es ; for i n s t a n c e Help of C h r i s ti a n s
,
a fte r t h e

vi c tor y ove r t h e Tur ks ; Qu een c on ce ived with out or igi n a l s i n a fter ,

t h e p r ocl a ma ti on of th e d ogma of t h e Imm a c ul a te C on cepti on ; a n d

r ecen tly , Quee n of t h e mos t h oly R os a ry on t h e i n t r o du c ti on of

,

th e c u s t om of r e c iti n g t h e R o s a ry i n pub li c du ri n g t h e mon th o f

O c tob e r An i n dulgen ce of th r ee hun d re d d a ys ma y b e g a i n ed for
.

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
.
, ,

a s it i s a l s o c a ll e d , w a s comp os e d i n 1 009 b y Bl e s s e d Herm a n a n d i n ,

1 1 4 6 t h e illu s t r i ou s St B er n a r d a dd e d t o it th e s wee t w ord s :

. 0
el emen t , 0 pi ou s , 0 s wee t V irgi n M a ry

.
 Th e P ri nci p a l Dev oti on a l Exerci s es . 697

THE PRINCIP AL DEV O TI ONAL EXERCI SES .

1 . Th ere are o rdi na ry a nd ex tra ordi na ry pra c t i c es of d evot i on .

Th e for mer t a k e p l a e a t c regu l a r a p p oi n t e d t i mes ; th e l a t

,

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 .

O n Sun d a ys fes tiva ls , i n a ll p a r i s h churches , on e M a s s or

an d

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
.
-

i s s a id d a ily with a ftern oon or even i n g s ervi ces , c on s i s ti n g g en er a lly

of t h e R os a ry or s ome oth er devoti on , a n d B en e di c ti on , on on e or
more d a ys i n th e week .

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 .

C hr i s ti a n b ur i a l s ervi ces c ome un der th e cl a s s of p r oc es s i on s , a n d

t h e W a y of t h e C r os s i s i n fa c t n othi n g mor e or l es s th a n vi s iti n g
t h e s cen es of O u r L o r d s P a s s i on a t Jer u s a lem, without lea vi n g ou r

own c o u n t ry .

PR O CESSIONS .

1 . Pr o c mn reli gi ous c eremony duri ng whi ch

es s i ons are a s ol e ,

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 .

P roces s i ons were c us t oma ry un der th e O l d D i s p en s a ti on We .

re a d of th e Ark of th e C oven a n t b e i n g c a rr i ed r oun d a b out t h e c ity

of Jer i ch o ( Jos u e of t h e a rk b ei n g b r ought i n s ol emn p r oc es s i on
t o M oun t Si on b y K i n g D a vid ( 2 Ki n gs a n d th en c e t r a n s fer red
t o th e Templ e b uilt b y Solomon ( 3 Ki n g s viii ) O u r L or d a l s o ma de .

a s ol emn en try in t o Jerus a l em on P a l m Su n d a y ( M a tt .

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
,
. .

Th e p roces s i on i s s u es ( p roc eeds , h en ce th e n a me p roc es s i on ) from

th e chu rch a n d r eturn s th ith er, to s h ow th a t we mu s t en te r th e
6 98 The M ea n s o f Gra ce .

C hur ch on ea r th i f we w oul d r ea ch th e C hur ch i n hea ven Th e cros s .

i s c a rr i ed rs t, b ec a u s e i n thi s li fe we ca n n ever b e wholly free from

c r os s es a n d s uf fe r i n g s , i f we foll ow th e ma xims of O u r L or d Th e .

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 ,

we h a ve c on s ta n tly t o c on ten d a g a i n s t t h e ma lign an t foe a n d ou r

ow n evil p r o cliviti es Thos e wh o w a lk i n th e p r oces s i on g o t wo a n d
.

t w o t o s ign i fy t h e tw ofold p r ece pt of ch a rity es p ec i a lly th a t of

, ,

ch a r ity t o ou r n eighb or Th e chi ld ren t ak e t h e le a d, b ec a us e th ei r

.

gr ea ter i n n oc en ce r en der s them more plea s i ng t o God ; t h e a dul ts

foll ow , rs t t h e men , with t h e p ri es t i n thei r mid s t, a n d n a lly t h e
w omen P roc es s i on s , i f p os s i b le, a re h eld i n t h e op en a i r Th e
. . ,

p r a yer s rec ite d va ry a cco r di n g t o th e ob j ec t of th e p r oc es s i on ; on

R og a ti on d a y s t h e L it a n y of t h e Sa i n t s i s s un g By r ight s th e men .

ought t o w a l k b a reh ea ded , b u t n ot s o t h e c l er g y a n d p er s on s i n of

c i a l dr es s ; thi s i s t o s h ow t h e res p ec t d u e t o a uth or iti es b o th eccl es i

a s t i ca l a n d c ivil In t h e p r oc es s i on of C orpu s C h r i s ti a ll hea ds a re
.

u n cove re d, b y r ea s on of t h e p re s en ce of t h e Bles s ed Sa c r a men t .

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

, ,

i s t o c on rm ou r b eli efs P r oc es s i on s a re a mea n s of ob t a in i n g more

.

s p eedy a s s i s t a n ce fr om on high b eca us e G od i n cl i n es Hi s ea r mor e

,

r e a dily t o p etiti on s offe red i n common ; a n d exp er ien ce p r oves th a t

p r oces s i on s a re mos t effi c a c i ou s mo des of s uppli ca ti on Th e p roc es .

s i on s on C a n dl ema s D a y a n d on P a l m Sun d a y a re i n r ememb r a n ce

of even ts i n O u r L or d s li fe ; th os e on H oly Sa tu r d a y a n d on th e

fe a s t of C orpu s C h ri s ti a re illus t r a tive of d oct r in es of t h e fa ith ;

th e p r o ces s i on s of St M a r k a n d o f t h e R og a ti on d a ys a r e for th e
.

purp os e of en t rea tin g th e divi n e h elp .

Th e fol l owi ng p r o es s i on s form p a rt of th e

3 . c r i t ua l of th e
c
Ch ur h everywh ere :
c
Th e p ro es s i on on th e fea s t of th e Puri a ti on c .

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 .

Th e w a x t a p er s mb l ema ti c of Ch r i s t t h e L ight of th e w orld

a re e , .

Th e w a x b et ok en s Hi s ma nh ood t h e a me Hi s G odh ea d ; a s th e light

,

s h i n es fo r th fr om t h e t a p er s o t h e divi n ity o f C h r i s t s hi n es fo rth

,

fr om Hi s s a c r e d huma n ity b y Hi s t ea chi n g a n d Hi s mi r a cl es ; a n d

as t h e t a p er i s c on s umed whil e illu mi n a ti n g a ll a r ou n d s o t h e
, ,

h uma n n a tu re of O u r L or d w a s s a c r i c ed for t h e s a k e of en ligh t en

i n g ma n ki n d C h r i s t i s i n very t ruth th e L ight of th e w orld s i n c e
.
,

b y Hi s t ea chi n g He di s p el s th e d a rkn es s of ign ora n ce a n d error .

7 00 Th e M ea ns of Gra ce .

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 .

St . mmemor a ted on th e twen ty fth of Ap ril Th e

M a rk i s co -
.

p r oces s i on on thi s d a y owes i t s o rigi n t o P op e St Greg ory th e Grea t .

a b out t h e y ea r 600 At t h e ti me wh en t h e pl a gue r a g ed i n Rome

.
,

St Gregory or dered th e p r oces s i on t o b e held for th e p urp os e of

.

i mplor i n g th e mer cy of God ; a n d immedi a t ely a fter th e pes tilen ce

wa s s t a yed .

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 .

Th e R og a ti on d a ys a re th e three da ys p r ec edi n g t h e a s cen s i on

of O u r L or d Th e pr oc es s ion s were rs t in t ro duced b y St M a mertu s
. .
,

Bi s h op of V i en n e i n F ra n c e a b out th e ye ar 4 70 a t a s eas on when a

, ,

fa ilu re of c r op s a n d t h e d a ma g e oc c a s i on e d b y e a rthqu a kes h a d

b rought a b out gre a t s ca rc ity a n d des tituti on .

In a ddi ti on t o th e p roc es s i on s ab o ve n a med, th ere a re c

l o al
p ro es c
s i on s h el d
i n h on or of th e p a tron s a i n t of th e
y ea rl y p l a c e ,

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 .

When th e b is h op v i s it s a chu r ch t h e cle rgy g o i n p ro c es s io n t o

,

meet a n d re ce ive h i m ; p roces s i on s a re a l s o fo rmed a t fun er a l s .

P ra ye r i s th e s oul of p roces s i on s ; h e wh o does n ot g o t o j oin i n t h e

s uppli c a ti on h a d b ette r r ema i n a t h ome .

lRIAL
C HRISTIAN B I .

1Ch ri s ti a n b uri a l i s a s ol emn s ervi e a omp a ni ed b y s p e i a l

. c cc c
c c
er emoni es , i n w hi h th e r ema i n s of a d ep a rt ed Ca t h ol i a re ca r c
c
ri ed i n p ro es s i on t o th e pl a e of i nt erment c .

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 .

Th e b ell s a re tolled ps a l ms a n d fu n era l hymn s

,
a re s un g .

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 .

Th e lighted t a p er s exp res s th e des i r e th a t t h e d ep a rte d ma y

b e a d mitt ed i n t o t h e r ea lms of p erp etu a l light ; th e h oly w a te r s p ri n
kl ed on t h e c offin exp res s es t h e d es i r e th a t h i s s ou l ma y b e cl ea n s ed
fr om s i n ; t h e i n c en s e th a t i s b u rn ed exp res s es t h e d es i re th a t ou r
p r a yer s on h i s b eh a l f ma y as cen d t o th e th r on e of th e M os t High ,
 1 7w P r i nc ip a l Devoti ona l Exerci s es . 7 01

e ven a s th e clouds of s moke r oll upw a r d A r equi em M a s s i s gen era lly

.

cel eb r a ted a t fun er a ls a n d s ometimes a n or a ti on i s d eliv er ed t o in vite

, ,

th e mour n e rs t o p r a y for t h e d ep a r te d If th e b ody i s n ot p r es en t a

.
,

c a t a fa lqu e occ upi e s t h e pl a c e of t h e cofn Th e c eremon i es ob s erve d a t

.

th e ob s e qui es of a ch il d un d e r s ev en y ea r s of a g e a re s uch a s exp r es s j oy

a n d gl a dn es s ; white ves tmen t s a re w or n b y t h e p r i es t Th e w rea th s .

pl a ce d on th e c ofn a re s upp os e d t o r ep r es en t th e vi ct o r s c rown

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
.

a n d c over i n g t h e gr a ve with c os tly or a l d ec or a ti on s of ever y s iz e

a n d s h a p e i s g r ea tly t o b e d ep rec a t e d ; it i s a w a s te of mon ey th a t
h a d fa r b etter b e given t o t h e p oor or exp en ded on M as s es for th e
,

r ep os e of th e dep a rte d St Augus tin e ex p res s ly s a ys th a t un n ec es

. .

s a ry di s pl a y s h ould b e a v oi ded a t fun er a l s Th e s oul of t h e d e .

p a rt ed c a n s ur ely r ea p n o b en et from wh a t i s rep reh en s i b le .

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 .

It i s b ec omi n g t o t rea t th e huma n b o dy with res p ect a fter dea th ,

for du r i n g ou r li fe time ou r b odi es a re s a cr ed a s b e i n g t h e a b o de a n d,

i n s t rumen t of t h e s oul whi ch i s ma d e t o G o d s i ma ge They a re a l s o

.

t h e te mpl e of t h e Holy G h os t a n d t o b e h eld i n h on o r for G o d s s a k e

.
,

M oreover t h e b ur i a l of t h e dea d i s a w ork of mer cy whi c h i s n ot with

ou t i t s r ew a r d R ememb er h ow Tob i a s a c te d
. In t h e e a rly d a ys of .

C hr i s ti a n ity pe rs on s of t h e high es t p os iti on even P op es did n ot c on , ,

s id e r it d eme a n i n g th ems elves t o c a rry t h e r ema i n s of t h e m a rty rs

i n th ei r a rms t o t h e g r a ves a n d b ury th em with the i r own h a n d s

In t h e d a y s of p er s ec uti on t h e pl a ce of b ur i a l wa s i n th e C a t a c om
.
,

bs ,

whe re t h e h oly s a c r i ce w a s offered Hen ce it c a me t o p a s s th a t i n

.

l a ter ti mes th e de a d we re b u r i e d i n t h e c ry pt s of chu rch e s or i n th e ,

gr ou n d s u rr oun di n g t h e chu rch whi ch i s c a lled t h e chu rchya r d Thi s

, .

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 ,

a te d on t h e out s ki r t s of t own s for t h e mos t p a rt An ex a gger a t ed idea .

a s t o t h e u n h e a lthi n es s of i n t r a mu r a l s epultu r e h a s con t ri b ut e d t o

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 .

No d a n ger t o th e livi n g ma y b e a pp rehen ded fr om t h e p r ox imity of

a b ur i a l gr ou n d p r ovid ed t h e g r a ves a re o f a p r op e r d epth fo r ea r th
-

, ,

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 .

O rigi n a lly t h e c u s tom of i n te rri ng th e d ea d i n t h e gr ound w a s

c ommon t o a ll n a ti ons , for t h e mo s t a n c i en t huma n r ema i n s th a t h a ve
b ee n di s cov er ed b e a r n o s ign s of h a vi n g b een s ub j ec te d t o re V a ults .

con t a i n i n g s k el e to n s ha ve a l s o b ee n met with cl os ed b y a s l a b of s t on e

, .

W e kn ow th a t th e Jews b u ri ed th ei r dea d ; H oly Scriptu re con s t a n tly

s p e a k s of t h e b u r i a l of ki n g s a n d p r oph et s Th a t h i s c orp s e s h ould
.

b e l eft u n b u r i e d w a s a ch a s ti s emen t th rea ten ed t o t h e tr a n s gres s o r

( D en t xxv iii
. . O n ly du r i n g a ti me of pe s til e n ce w er e t h e Jew s
a ll ow ed t o b urn i n dividu a l c o rp s es ( Amos vi Th e R oma n s i n .
702 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce .

ea rl i er ti mes b ur i ed thei r dea d C i cer o tell s u s th a t thei r g r a ves were

.

c on s id er ed a s s a c re d a n d t h e p r ofa n a ti on of a t omb w a s s ever ely

,

pun i s he d even b y t h e los s of a h a n d B odi es were oft en d ep os ited i n

, .

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 .

R oma n s on ly b urn e d th e i r d ea d when they fea red they might b e ou t

ra g e d b y t h e en emy In l a te r times when ma n n er s b ec a me corru pt

.
,

c r ema ti on w a s p r a c ti s e d a mon g th em Th e c us t om of emb a lmi n g t h e

.

dea d p r ev a il ed a mon g th e Egypti a n s It i s a n otew or thy fa ct tha t

.

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
, ,

s ub s titut e d t h e g r a ve fo r t h e fun er a l pyr e a s s oon a s c iviliz a ti on s he d

i t s light i n the i r l a n d C h r i s ti a n ity did i n fa c t a b oli s h c rema ti on

.
, , .

But i n thes e d a ys wh en C hr i s ti a n fa ith i s on t h e dec rea s e c rema

, ,

ti on i s on ce more b ecomi n g t h e fa s hi on St Augus ti n e den oun ce s . .

t h e p r a cti c e a s h orri b le a n d b a rb a r ou s It offen ds ou r C h r i s ti a n i n

.

s t i n ct s F or w e a re t a ught t o r eg a r d dea th a s a s l eep ; th e d ea d s leep

.

i n C hr i s t ( 1 C or x v for they will r i s e a g a i n ; they a re l a id to

. .

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
,

t h e churchy a r d n ot with t h e c r ema t or ium

, When w e comm it ou r .

dea d t o t h e kin dly e a r th w e t a c itly exp res s ou r b eli ef th a t ou r b ody

,

i s like a s ee d whi ch i s c a s t i n t o t h e gr oun d t o g erm i n a te a n d S p r i n g

, ,

up . It i s s own i n c orr upti on it i s r a i s e d i n i n c orrupti on ( 1 C or

, .

xv . As C hr i s ti a n s w e h a ve a high er e s t eem for t h e s oul whi c h ,

pa rt a ke s of th e divin e n a tu re a n d c on s e quen tly for t h e b ody whi ch

, ,

i s t h e s e rva n t a n d t ool of th e s oul No t rue C hr i s ti a n ca n fa il t o

.

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 ,

religi on c a n des i re it fo r th ems elv e s

, L et u s rememb er th a t C h r i s t
. ,

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 .

p a g a n s s u ch c on s ider a ti on s n a tur a lly h a ve n o w eight ; th ey di s like d

th e s ight of t h e s epul c h r a l mon umen t t h e moun d r a i s e d ov e r t h e ,

dea d b e ca u s e it r emi n de d th em of de a th whi ch w ould put a n en d

, ,

to thei r ea r thly en j oyme n t s F or th e s a me r ea s on un b eli ever s i n ou r

.

own d a y a dv o c a t e c r ema ti on Bu r i a l s ugg es ts t o th em t oo s t r on gly

.

th e i mmor t a lity o f t h e s oul wh e rea s c r ema ti on a pp ea r s t o p r omi s e

,

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 ,

c a n ef fect t h e re i n t eg r a ti on of t h e b ody a ft e r it h a s b een di s s olved i n t o

g a s eou s el emen t s In th e i n t er es t s of ju s ti c e des tr u c ti on of t h e
.

b ody b y re i s highly r ep reh en s i b l e s i n c e i f a b ody i s b u r i ed it c a n

, , ,

b e a fterw a r d s exhumed i f thi s i s n eces s a r y for th e d et ec ti on o f a c r i me ,

s u c h a s mu r der By thi s mea n s ma n y a mu r der er h a s b een b r ought

.

to j u s ti c e ; a ft e r c r ema ti on thi s i s i mp os s i b le Th os e th erefor e wh o .

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 .

th e pi lg r i ma g es Th e Emperor C h a rlema gn e erec ed a h os pi ce cl os e

. t
to t h e H
oly Sepul chr e for t h e a ccommo d a ti on of pilgr i ms t o Jeru s a
l em . In t h e ni n th cen tury t h e Sa r a cen s con qu e re d the H oly L a n d ;
th e c rus a d es un d e rt a ken t o rec over it fr om them w ere n o thi n g l es s
t h a n h er o i c pilg r i ma g es In th e fteen th c en tu ry pilg r ima g es t o t h e
.

H oly La n d a g a i n b ec a me fre quen t, b u t i n L uth er s time th e n umb er

of th os e wh os e pi ety p r ompte d them t o un de rt a ke wh a t w a s th en a

lo n g and t oils ome j our n ey g rea tly di mi n i s h ed .

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
. .

Th e rema in s of St P ete r res t i n t h e C hurch of St P eter i n

. .

R ome, th e l a rges t chur c h i n C h ri s ten d om, of world wide r en own ; it -

w a s a hun dr e d a n d t en y ea r s i n b uildin g, a n d w a s n i s hed i n 1 62 6 .

Th e r ema i n s of St P a ul a re l a id i n t h e chur ch ded i ca ted t o h i m

.

outs ide t h e w a ll s of t h e c ity .

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 .

L our des i s itua ted i n th e s outh of Fr an ce on th e s lop e of th e

s
Pyr en ees It w a s th er e th a t i n 1 858 t h e M oth e r of G od a ppe a re d
.
, ,

i n a gr ott o t o a l ittle pe a s a n t gi r l n a me d B ern a dette an d i n ti ma te d ,

t o h er h er d e s i r e th a t a c hur ch s h oul d b e b uilt on th e s p o t a n d th a t ,

pilgr ims s h ould g o thith er i n p r oces s i on O u r L a dy p r ocl a i med .

h ers elf t o b e t h e Imma cul a te C on cepti on F rp m th a t ti me forwa r d .

a s p r i n g h as owe d ou t of t h e g r ott o th e w a te r of whi c h h a s b ee n

,

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 .

hun dr ed a n d twen ty th ous a n d b ottl es of thi s w a ter a re a n n u a lly s en t

ou t i n t o a l l p a rt s of t h e w orld ; a n d t h e n umb e r o f pilg r i ms wh o vi s it
t h e s h r i n e ca n on ly b e c o un t ed b y milli on s Th ey come fr om t h e .

remote s t qua r ters of t h e w orld L orett o i n An con a h a s s i n c e 1 2 9 5

.
, ,

p os s es s ed t h e h oly h ou s e of N a z a reth wh er e ou r b les s ed L a dy lived

, .

Thi s l owly h ous e w a s s een i n t h e yea r 1 2 52 b y St Lo ui s i n N az a re th ; .

for ty ye a r s l a t er it s udden ly a pp ea re d a t Ter s a t o i n D a l ma ti a ; th en ce

it w a s mi r a cul ou s ly t r a n s fe rr e d t o An con a a n d n a lly foun d a p er ,

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 .

mi r a c ul ou s ly c on veyed thith e r a t th e s a me time i s s upp os ed t o b e t h a t ,

up on whi ch St P eter offered th e h oly s a c r i ce Th e s t a tu e of O u r

. .

L ady whi ch s t a n d s on th a t a lt a r ca rved i n ced a r w ood th r ee feet

,
-

i n h eight i s s a id t o b e t h e w ork of St L uke

,
A s p a c i ou s c hu r ch
. .

h a s b een er e c te d ov e r t h e h oly h ou s e ; copi es of t h e l a tt e r h a ve b een

ma d e a n d a re s een i n s ev er a l pl a ces
,
At L orett o P op e Piu s i n h i s
.

youth w a s cu r e d o f a p oplexy Th e mos t emi n en t s a i n ts a re kn own

.

t o h a ve ma d e pilgr i ma ges thith er ; a n d th e n umb er of pilgr i ms wh o

v i s it it y ea rly i s comput e d a t v e hu n d r e d th ou s a n d Th e pl a c e of .

pil g ri ma ge kn own a s M a r i a Z ell owes i t s or igi n t o th e B en e di cti n e

-

mon ks .Ab out th e commen cemen t of th e thi rteen th cen tu ry a tten

 Th e P rin cip a l Devoti ona l Exerci s es . 7 05

ti on was a tt r a cted t o it b y th e mi r a cles wrought there Ki n g L oui s .

I of Hung a ry b uilt a l a rge chur ch a t M a r i a Z ell i n th a n k s givi n g

.
-

for t h e vi c t ory h e g a i n ed over th e Turk s i n 1 3 63 with a n a rmy i m ,

mens ely i n fer i or i n n umb er s whi ch h e a ttr i b uted t o th e i n terces s i on

,

of O u r L a dy Ein s i edeln wa s or igin a lly t h e humb le dwellin g of th e

.

hermit St M ei n r a d a p ri es t a n d B en edi c ti n e a s c i on of th e hous e

.
, ,

of H ohen z ollern In 8 6 1 h e wa s s l a i n i n h i s fores t s olitude b y rob

.

b e rs ; la te r on a chu rc h w a s b u ilt on th e s it e o f h i s h ermit a g e i n ,

whi ch a n a n ci en t a n d ven er a te d ima ge of O u r L a dy w a s p res erved .

While th e b i s h op wh o ca me t o c on s ecra te th e chu rch was w a t chi n g

i n t h e s a cred edi ce dur i n g th e n ight p recedi n g t h e a pp o in ted d a y ,

h e b eh eld O u r Lor d Hi ms elf p erform th e ceremon y a tten ded b y ,

s a i n t s a n d a n gel s a mid th e c h an ti n g of cel es ti a l ch oi r s

, In cous e .

qu en ce of thi s vi s i on b oth h e a n d h i s s ucces s ors i n th e s ee with t h e

, , ,

P a p a l s a n cti on d es i s t e d fr om a n y a tt empt t o con s ecr a te t h e c hu r ch

, .

Thi s c i rc ums t a n ce t ogether with t h e ca n on iz a ti on of M ei n r a d wh os e

, ,

r ema in s were i n terred a t Ei n s i edeln a n d t h e n umerous mi ra cles ,

whi ch were wr ought ther e b r ought th e s p ot i n to grea t repute as a pil

,

gr i ma g e .D ur i n g t h e F ren ch revoluti on t h e chu rch w a s b u rn ed

down the mi r a culou s i ma ge a l on e es c a pin g in j ury Th e s hr i n e a t
, .

Alt otti n g d a tes from a s omewh a t e a rli er p er i od t h e church h a vi n g ,

b een b uilt b y St R up ert t h e Ap os tle of B a v a ri a i n 7 00 A B en e

.
, , .

di eti n e mon a s tery w a s a fterw a r d s erect ed th er e Thou s a n d s of pil .

g r ims vi s it s t h e s h r i n e Th a t of Kevel a er on t h e Rhi n e w a s b uilt i n

.

1 642 b y a c itiz en of G eldern wh o whil e a t p ra yer he a r d a v oi ce c om

,

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 .

b e r of pilgr i ms p r in c ip a lly from th e a dj a cen t coun try wh o a n n u a lly

, ,

vi s it Kevel a er i s a l s o very g rea t .

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

.

Wh en D om B os co w a s cr uelly p ers ec ute d on a ccount of h i s efforts

t o i n s tr u c t t h e n egl ec t ed y outh of Tu r i n , a n d h e w as a t a l os s wh a t
c ou r s e t o pur s u e, h e ma de a pilgr i ma g e, a n d ob t a i n e d t h e a i d h e
s ou ght i n a n un exp ec t ed a n d ma rvell ou s ma n n e r God h ea r s ou r .

p etiti on s more qui ckly i n pl a ces of pilgr i ma ge ; th ey a re th e a udi en ce

c h a mb er of t h e Ki n g of k in gs ; th er e gr a c es a re l a vi s hly b es t owed .

M a n y s i ck p ers on s ma k e a v ow t o un dert a ke a pilg r i ma ge i f th ey a re

r es t or ed t o h e a lth ; th e n umb e r of ex v otos on th e w a lls of th es e s a n c
tu a ri es a ffor d eviden ce of th e frequen cy with whi ch s uppli a n ts oh
t a i n thei r cure .

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 .

Th e pil gr i m on hri n e forgets h i s w orldly c a res a n d

hi s wa y t o a s ,

i s more diligen t i n p r a y er ; wh en h e a rrives a t h i s d es tin a ti on h e

ma k es h i s c on fes s i on t o a s t r an ge p r i es t a n d un de r th e i n u en ce of ,

th e Holy Spi rit ma kes p erh a p s a b ett e r con fes s i on

, Pilgr i ma ges .

a re w ork s of pen a n c e ; th ey a re fa tigui n g a n d often exp en s ive They .

a re a l s o pub li c p r ofes s i on s of fa ith for n o on e w ould u n d ert a k e th em

,

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 .

o b t a i n ed b y th e d evout pil g r im . In former ti mes they were fre

quen tly en j oi n ed a s p en a n ces ; s ometimes i n dee d th ey we re a b us ed ,

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
,

more of a pilg ri m t h e les s of a s a in t

,

But wh a t i s i n it s elf g ood
.

mu s t n ot b e r ej ecte d b eca u s e it i s s ometi mes a b u s ed ; wh o w o uld

c on demn t h e u s e of wi n e b eca u s e o ccas i on a l ly a ma n g et s d r un k ?
,

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 ,

it i s v ary grea t p r a i s e t o h a ve offered pi ous a n d d evou t p ra yers within

i t s wa l 8 i .

THE WAY OF THE CR OSS .

It i s s a i d th a t th e Way of th e C ros s wes

o i ts ri gin
o to t h e
M oth er of God .

Tr a di t i on s a y s th a t t h e Bles s e d M other of God wa s won t often t o

w a lk i n th e s tep s of h er Son t o C al v ar y p a u s i n g a t th e s p ot s ma rked
,

b y s ome s p ec i a l i n c iden t Th e e a rly C h r i s ti a n s ocke d i n c r owd s

.

t o th e h oly pl a ce s t o foll ow t h e Vi a Oru ci s But wh en i n th e M iddle

.
,

Ages th e Hol y L a n d fell i n t o t h e h a n ds of t h e i n d el s a n d th e d e

, ,

v ou t pilg ri m c oul d on ly vi s it th e s cen es of O u r L or d s s uf

fer i n g s a t
th e r i s k of h i s li fe t h e s t a ti on s w er e e r ec ted i n chur ches , a n d en
,

r i ch ed b y th e P op es with l a rge i n dulgen ces St F ra n ci s of As s i s i . .

c on t r ib ut ed g rea tly t o s p r e a d thi s devoti on .

1 Th e W a y of th e Cros s i s th e n a me gi v en to th e fourt een

.

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 fourteen s t a ti on s c on s i s t of fo ur t ee n w ooden cr os s es , t o whi ch

pi c tu r es a n d i n s cr ipti on s a re gen er a ll y a dd ed They a re er ected i n .

c hu r c hes , s ome times i n t h e O p en a i r, on t h e s l op e of a hill ; occ a s i on

a lly i n ce meter i es .

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 .

go from o n e s t a t i on t o a n oth er, ma ki n

g mea n whil e a me d i t a ti on

on O u r L ord s P a s s i on

.

It i s n ot n eces s a ry t o g o from s t a ti on t o s t a t i on i n th e chu rc h i f

on e s t a n d s up an d kn eel s d ow n a s every s ta ti on i s b e i n g ma d e It .

i s en ough t o me dita te o n th e P as s i on i n gen e r al with out ma ki n g a ,

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
.
, ,

a n a c t of con t r iti on a re g en er a ll y r ec it e d a t every on e .

3B y p erfor mi n g th e W a y of th e C ros s l a rge i n dul gen es

. c
c
ma y b e ga in ed ; w e al s o ob ta i n on tri ti on for s in a n d a re i n
c c c
i t ed t o th e p r a ti e of vi rtu e .

D a il y medit a ti on on th e P a s s i on of C h r i s t i s more p rota b l e th a n

fa s ti n g eve ry F r id a y i n th e yea r on b r ea d a n d w a te r , or t a ki n g t h e
di s c ipli n e t o b l ood A s i n gl e t ea r s h e d i n comp a s s i on for O u r Lor d s
.

fer i n gs i s of gr ea ter v a lue i n G od s s ight th a n a pilgr i mag e t o th e

s uf

H oly L a n d We l ea rn h ow a ccept a b l e medit a ti on on Hi s P a s s i on i s

.
7 08 Th e M ea n s of G ra ce .

c on ce ive t mp t for th e C h r i s ti a n mys ter i es P ub li c exp os it i on

c on e .

w a s n ot i n tr o duce d un til a ft er t h e i n s t it u t i on of t h e fea s t of C orpus

C hr i s ti .Th e n umb er of lighted t a p ers mu s t n ot b e le s s t h a n twelve .

Th e mere op en i n g of t h e t a b ern a cle i s n ot a s ol emn exp os iti on ; every

p a r i s h p r i es t ma y d o th a t on hi s own a uth or ity .

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 ,

s ervi c es on Su n d a ys a n d fes ti v a l s on Hol y Th u r s d a y on th e ,

a l t a r of rep os e on t h e fea s t of C orp u s C h ri s ti

,
Th e b i s h op of th e .

di oc es e oft en ord ers a n ex p os i t i on to b e h el d for s ome reas on

of l o c a l or g en e ra l i n t eres t ; s u c h as a p u b li c c al a mi ty, t h e

d a n gerou s s i ckn es s of th e rul er of th e l a n d or of th e Holy

F ath er, etc .

M ISSIONS AND R ETREATS .

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

ci s es c on du cted b y a b l e p ri es ts for th e p u rp os e of gi vin g a fres h

,

i mp etu s to th e s p i ri tu a l l i fe of a c ommu ni t y or c on grega t i on .

Th e h ome mi s s i on s a re qui te di s ti n c t fr om for ei g n mi s s i on s ;

they a reheld for th e mos t p a rt b y R eligi ou s th e Jes uit R edemptor , ,

i s t or L a z a r i s t F a th er s wh o a re s p ec i a lly t r a in e d for th e w ork s in ce

, , ,

th e c on s tituti on s of th ei r O r der s p ec ify gi vin g mi s s i on s a s p art of

th e duti es of the i r c a llin g Thes e mi s s i on s effec t a n immen s e a moun t
.

of g ood B ei n g s omethi n g ou t of t h e c ommon th ey ma ke mor e

.
,

i mp res s i on on t h e p a r i s hi on ers a n d t h e s ermons comi n g cl os e up on

,

on e a n oth er ex er c i s e a p oten t a n d g en tl e i n uen ce on t h e h ea rt a s

, ,

a s oft s p r i n g r a i n d oes up on th e d ry s oil Th e H oly Gh os t s p ea ki n g

.

th r ough t h e mouth of Hi s s erva n ts i mp a r ts t o th ei r w or ds a n un cti on

c a l c ul a t e d t o s often t h e h a r d es t h ea rt M a n y p er s on s a l s o ma ke th ei r
.

confes s i on mor e freely t o a p r i es t w h o i s a c ompl e te s t r a n ger t o th em .

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
, ,

t u t i on ma d e of p r op er ty w r on gfully a c qui r ed h ow ma n y s oul s a re ,

w on for G od s i n n ers c on ver te d a n d j u s t p ers on s i n c ite d to p rog res s

,

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
,

a n d r eligi ou s s er vi c es h eld i n con v en t s or a n y oth er pl a ce, for a

ce rt a i n c l a ss of p ers on s , wh ethe r p r i es t s tea ch ers or men a n d , ,

w omen livi n g i n t h e w orld Th e r et r e a t en ds with th e r ecepti on of

.

t h e s a cra men t s Th e exerc i s e s , whi ch re qui re t h e re tr ea t a n t t o l a b or

.

with gr e a t e r ferv or a t th e w or k of h i s s a lv a ti on con du ce s ign a lly t o ,

q ui ck en fa ith a n d i n s pi r e mor a l s A cl ock a lth ough it i s w oun d up

.
,

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
,

ti on b y t h e s pi ri tu a l ex erc i s es Th e s a i n ts w ere w on t t o withd r a w

.

i n t o s ol itu d e for a ti me ; O u r L ord Hi ms el f S p en t for ty d a ys i n th e

 Th e P ri n cip a l Devoti ona l Ex erci s es . 7 09

d es ert Th e Holy See h a s frequen tly ur ged up on th e fa ith fu l

. to ma ke
di lig en t u s e of th e s pi r itu a l exerci s es .

OATHOL I0 0ONGRESSES AND P ASSION P L AYS .

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 .

Th es e c on gr es s es a re ei t h er gen eral or p rovi n ci al , a or di n g cc

a s th e C a t h ol i c s of a w h ol e ki n gd om or onl y of a s i n gl e St a t e

ta k e p a rt i n th em .

Ever s in ce t h e yea r 1 848 t h e C a tholi cs of Ge rma n y h a ve held

a n n u a l c on g res s es i n on e or othe r o f t h e c hi ef t own s of t h e l a n d In .

o th e r c ou n t r i es th ei r ex a mpl e h a s b e en foll ow ed ; g en e r a l c on g res s es

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 .

Th e b i s hop s l p os s e s s a utho r ity t o rule t h e C hurch of God

a on e .

Hen ce th os e wh o p r op os ed a n d a rr a n ged thes e a s s emb li es of C a tholi cs ,

r ememb er i n g t h e s a yi n g of St Ign a tius of An ti och :

. L et n othi n g h e

d on e wi th out t h e b i s h op t ook n o s tep s with out p revi ou s ly ob t a i n
,

i ng t h e s a n c ti on a n d b les s i n g of t h e H oly F a ther a n d of t h e b i s hops

on the i r s cheme Nor h a ve thes e con gres s es ever i n terfered with th e
.

di rec ti on of eccles i a s ti ca l ma tter s ; they h a ve merely b een i n s t ru men

t a l i n c a rryi n g ou t C hr i s ti a n p ri n c iples ; th ei r memb er s a re a militi a
un der epi s cop a l c omma n d C on s equen tl y th e b i s h op s h a ve a lwa y s
.

highly a pp roved of con gr es s es a n d a tten d ed them i n p ers on .

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 .

Every on e wh o h a s b een pres en t a t a C a th oli c con g res s will h a ve

p er ceived wh a t en thu s i a s m i s e vok ed b y th e forci b le a dd res s es of t h e
di fferen t s p e a kers h ow fa ith i s ki n dle d i n w a rdly a n d ma n i fes te d ou t
,

w a rd l y An d fr om th e rema rks of t h e a n ti C a tholi c p r es s it ma y b e

.
-

s een h ow th es e con gr es s es wi n r es p ec t even fr om t h e en emi es of t h e

C hu r ch b y th ei r vi g orou s p r ote s t s a n d en ergeti c a cti on Th e work
.

of th es e con gres s es h a s b een s a id t o b e t o pull d own t h e e di ce of

71 0 The M ea ns f
o Gra ce .

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.

2 Pa s s i on pla y i s th e na me gi v en to th e p ort ra ya l of Our

.

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 .

In t h e M iddl e Ag es , b efore th e in ven ti on of p r in ti n g h a d pl a ced

Holy Sc r iptu re withi n t h e r e a c h of t h e p e0p1 e, it wa s c us t oma ry t o
p re s en t to th ei r vi ew t h e chi ef even t s of O u r L or d s li fe i n th e a t r i c

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
, .

P a p a l p ermi s s i on t o con s t ru ct a s t a b le of b r us hwoo d a n d mos s i n t h e

mids t of a pi n e w oo d In it h e pl a ced a r ea l ma n g er i n whi ch w a s
-
.

l a id a n ima ge of t h e divi n e In fa n t, whil e gu r es rep res en ti n g M a r y

a n d Jos eph s t oo d b es id e it A re a l ox a n d a n a s s w er e ti e d up t o a
.

s t a ll out s ide t h e s t a b l e ; i n s id e a n a lt a r wa s e rec t e d a t whi c h a t mi d , ,

n ight t h e C h r i s tma s M a s s w a s s o l emn ly cel eb r a t ed St F r a n c i s s erv , .

i n g a s dea c on , t o t h e g rea t ed i c a t i on of t h e c r owd s wh o ocke d fr om

a ll p a rts r ou n d t o witn es s t h e un w on t ed S p ec t a cl e F rom th a t ti me .

fort h t h e c u s t om of ma ki n g a c r i b i n chu r che s b eg a n t o p reva il In .

t h e M iddle Ag es , p a i n s w e r e t a ken t o ma k e r ep r e s en t a t i on s of thi s

des cr ipti on a s pi ctu res que a n d t rue t o n a tu re a s p os s i b le ; s cen e s
fr om t h e li fe of O u r L or d or other s c r iptu ra l p er s on a g es w ere rep re
s en t e d on t h e s t a g e i n t a b l ea ux Th e s ub j ect of th es e religi ou s
.

d r a mas ormi r a cle pl a ys a s th ey w er e c a lle d w a s gen er a lly a d a pte d

-

t o t h e s ea s on of th e ec cles i a s ti c a l ye a r i n whi ch they were p erformed .

At rs t they were en a ct ed i n t h e chu rch t h e a c t ors s pe a ki n g i n L a ti n ;

,

l a te r on they were given i n th e op en a i r a n d th e ve rn a cul a r wa s u s e d,

.

In t h e fou r teen th c en tu ry thes e s a c r e d d r a ma s w ere c u s t oma ry i n a l

mos t every villa ge i n Fr a n c e a n d G erma n y b u t owi n g t o a b u s es h a v ,

i n g a r i s en th ey were s t r i c tly p r ohib it e d b y t h e H oly See

,
In 1 6 3 3 .

th ey w ere h owever r evived a t O b er a mmerg a u i n B a va r i a i n c on s 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

r a va gin g t h e vill a ge Thi s P a s s i on pl a y a s well a s tw o oth ers i n t h e

.
,

Tyr ol h a s a c qui r e d a w orld wide r en own

,
-
It i s p e rforme d with w on.

d erfu l s kill b y t h e p ea s a n t s a n d i n a S pi r it of he a rt felt pi ety a n d

,

r e c ollec ti on Exp e r i en ce p r ove s th a t fa r from b e i n g a s s ome a lleg e

. , ,

a p r ofa n a ti on of h oly thi n g s t h e r ep re s en t a ti on of t h e s ol emn s c en es

,

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
, ,

hea r t s o th a t t h e a ct ors a re forg ot ten i n th e en t r a n c in g i n t er es t of

th e s cen e s en a ct ed B es ides t h e g ra c i ou s a n s w e r t o t h e p etiti on of t h e
.
,

p e0p1 e of O b er a mmerga u ou ght t o s ilen ce t h e ob j ect or for th a t c a n n ot ,

b e r ep rehen s ib l e of whi c h God ma n i fes t s Hi s a pp r ova l i n s o s ign a l a

ma n n er .

REL I GIOU S ASSO CI ATI ONS .

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 .

b een gr a n t ed to th em, b e a u s e th ey c a re o f gr ea t b en et b oth to

th e i n d i vi du a l memb ers a n d to th e c o mmu n i ty i n gen era l .

O ur Holy F a ther, Leo XIII .

, i n hi s
ycli c a ls of 1 884 a n d 1 89 1 en c ,

exp re s s e d high a pp r ova l of religi ou s a s s oc i a ti on s es p ec i a l ly of t h e ,

Soci ety of St V i n cen t of P a ul a n d t h e gui ld s of a r ti s a n s a n d w or k

.
,

i n g men P op e Pius IX s a ys th ey a re a n a rmy s et i n b a ttle a rr a y,

. .

t o comb a t t h e a dver s a r i es of th e fa ith n ot with t h e cl a s h of a rms , ,

b u t with t h e S ilen t wea p on s of p r a yer C on fr a t ern iti es ma y b e com .

p a re d t o Noe s a rk b ec a us e pe rs on s livi n g i n t h e w orld s eek i n them

m
,

a refug e fr om t h e r i s i n g tide of c r i me a n d c o rr up t i on Th e emb ers .

of th es e c on fr a t e rn iti es a s a rul e l ea d a more d evout a n d well or d ered

, ,
-

li fe th a n th e res t of th e world They a re n ot a s a p t t o n egle ct p r a yer

.
,

b ec a us e the i r r ul e p res c r ib es cer t a i n p r a yer s t o b e rec ite d d a il y ; they

a pp r oa c h t h e s a c r a men t s mor e fre quen tly b eca u s e d a ys a re ma rke d ,

for them on whi c h a pl en a ry i n dulg en ce ma y b e g a i n ed ; they le a rn

ob edi en c e b ec a us e they s ub mi t t o t h e de c i s i on s of the i r di rect o r Th ey .

s p en d mo re ti me i n r eligi ou s exe rc i s es th a n i n run n i n g a ft e r ex c it e

men t a n d worldly a mus emen t s a n d th e ob s erva n ce of t h e r egul a ti on s
,

c ul tiva tes i n th em a s a lut a ry h a b it of s elf r es t r ai n t They t en d t o -

.

k eep up a high s t a n d a rd o f fa ith a n d mora l s i n th e p a r i s h t o whi c h

they b el on g a n d b y thei r g ood exa mple lea d others t o fre quen t th e
,

s a c r a men ts They a s s i s t i n th e diffu s i on of g oo d a n d u s eful b ooks ;

.

they a ll con tr i b ut e thei r mite for eccl es i a s ti ca l pu rp os es ; for th e

mos t p a r t they di s ch a rge th e ob liga ti on s of thei r c a lli n g with con
,

s ci en t i ous r egul a r ity a n d t h e p a r i s h p r i es t oft en n d s them a g rea t

,

help i n t h e duti es of thi s ofce An d i f s ome memb er s give s ca n d a l

.
,

t h e r ul es of th e con fr a t ern ity a re n ot t o b l a me b u t t h e n egl ect of ,

them ; a n d it mus t b e rememb er ed th a t c ockle a lwa ys g r ows a mon g

t h e whea t Ch a r it a b l e s oc i eti es a re a l s o mos t u s eful Th r ough c om
. .

b i n e d a c ti on with th os e wh o a re likemi n de d with thems elves t h e ,

memb er s a re en c our a ge d t o p r ofe s s the i r fa ith op en ly a n d c a rry i n t o

p r a cti c e th e ma x ims of th e G os pel a n d b e r ea dy t o t a ke p a rt i n a ll ,

g oo d w orks It i s rema rke d th a t i n p a r i s he s wh er e there a re n o con

.

fr a tern iti es or s od a liti es religi on i s g en er a lly a t a l ow eb b

,
.

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 ,

l os e n othi n g However, i f th e ru les a re n ot ob s erved th e i n d ul

. ,

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

ma n y c onfr a t ern iti es L et n o on e thi n k it i s a ma rk of p red es ti n a ti on

.

t o b e i n s c r ib ed i n t h e b ooks of a n umb er of s oci eti es , for b y a h oly

li fe a l on e c a n w e h op e for h ea ven .

6 .Th i r d O r d ers a re, h owever, i n e very wa y more i mp ort a n t

th a n ordi n a ry r el i gi ou s a s s o i a t i on s c .

Th e Thi r d O rd er i s n ot t o b e cl a s s ed with c on fr a te rn iti es a s it ,

is afli a ted t o on e of th e g r ea t mon a s ti c O r der s Th e religi ous .

 R el i gi ou s As s oci a ti on s . 71 3

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 .

THE THIRD ORDER OF ST . FRANCIS .

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
. .

for th e s a k e of s ecu l a r s , i n or d er t h a t , b y th e ob s erv a n e of cer c

t a i n rul es , th ey migh t, w hil e s t ill l i v in g i n th e worl d, a tta i n
s p eed i l y a n d e a s i l y to s a n t i ty of l i fe c .

After St F r a n c i s of As s i s i h a d a l rea dy foun ded t h e O rders of

.

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 ,

wea lthy Ita li a n merch a n t to furn i s h h i m with a rul e b y foll owi n g ,

whi c h h e w ould b e en a b led t o lea d a h oly li fe a lthough h i s c al li n g ,

ob lig e d h i m t o h old c on s t a n t i n t e r cour s e with men o f t h e w orld .

Th e s a i n t g a ve h i m a rul e whi ch wa s s oon a dopted b y othe r p er ,

s on s . Th us t h e Thi rd O r de r of St F r a n c i s or igin a ted a b out t h e ye a r .

1 22 0 It s memb er s lived i n t h e w orld a n d w or e a gr a y h a b it fa s

.

t en e d r oun d t h e w a i s t b y a c or d Thi s Thi r d O r de r w a s with s ome .

,

a lt e r a ti on s con rme d b y t h e H oly See a n d s p re a d r a pidly th r ough out

, ,

C hri s ten dom It i s i n te n ded for thos e wh o live i n t h e w orld a n d

.

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 .

Terti a ri es i memb er s of th e Thi r d O r der w e a r a s ma ll s ca pul a r

, e .,
.
,

un der thei r upp er ga rmen t a s a p a rt of t h e r eligi ous dr es s a n d a

, ,

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 .

p os tul a n t when h e i s cl othed ; n o on e i s a dmitted b efor e th e c ompleti on

of t h e fou r teen th y ea r of h i s a g e ; h e mu s t a l s o b e of g ood mor a l s
a n d a p e a ceful di s p os iti on After a yea r of p r ob a ti on h e i s p ro
.
,

fes s ed ; th a t i s h e t a k es a s ol emn p r omi s e t o keep t h e l a w of G od a n d

th e rul e of th e O r de r with a ll d elity Th e di rec t or of t h e Thi r d .

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
,

th e F r a n c i s ca n O r de r Thi s p os t whi c h gives p ower t o r eceive n ew

.
,

memb er s t o give di s p en s a ti on s t o ex a mi n e a s pi r a n ts t o exer c i s e

, , ,

s up ervi s i on ove r t h e p r ofe s s e d ma y a l s o b e ll e d b y a s ec ul a r p r i es t

, ,

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
.
,

wh os e duty it i s t o s ee th a t th e memb er s live c on fo rma b ly t o th e

s pi rit of t h e rul e .

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 .

Th e ob li g a ti on s of th e ru l e a re very light Th ey were c on s i d .

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 .

qu i rements of th e ti mes Th e rul e en j oin s up on th e te rti a ri es :

.
71 4 Th e M ea ns f
o Gra ce .

To ob e y G od s comma n dmen ts a n d th e p recep ts of th e C hurch ; t o

a v o id fa c ti on a n d qu a rr elli n g t o ob s erv e mod er a ti on i n foo d d r in k

, ,

a n d c l othi n g ; t o a vo id lux u r y t o re fr a i n as fa r a s they c a n fr om t h e

,

d a n g er ou s s edu cti on s of d a n c es a n d th e the a t re They a re a l s o .

r equi red t o fa s t on th e ev e of th e feas t of St Fr a n c i s a n d of th e .

Imma c ul a t e C on c epti on t o a pp r oa ch th e s a cr amen t s every mon th

, ,

t o r ec it e twelv e P a ters Av es a n d Glori a s d a ily t o hea r M a s s i f

, , ,

po s s ib le ever y d a y t o a tt en d th e mon thly mee ting s t o as s i s t th os e

, , ,

of the i r fell ow memb er s wh o a re s i c k or d es titut e

-
a n d t o p r a y for ,

d ec ea s e d memb er s An y on e wh o i s un a b l e to p erform on e or more

.

of th e s e ob lig a ti on s c a n b e di s pen s ed Sp e c i a l p r ivileges are con .

ce d e d t o p r i es t s .

4 Th e memb ers of th e Thi r d O r d er h a ve gre a t er gra es

. c
c
wi thi n th eir rea h t h a n th e memb ers of al mos t a n y ot h er exis t
i n g c onfr a t er n i ty .

Th ey c a n g a in a plen a ry in dulg en ce on the o r di n a ry con diti on s , ,

on c e a mon th on a n y d a y th ey ma y c h oos e on th e d a y of t h e mon thl y ,

meeti n g b es id es s ome oth er d a ys a n d i n th e h our of d ea th O n ce

, , .

a mon th b y re c iti n g s i x P a ter Nes ters Av e M a ri a s a n d Gl ori a s they

, , ,

ma y ob ta i n t h e in dulgen c es of t h e holy pl a ce s i n R ome Jeru s a l em , ,

C omp os t ell a a n d t h e P ort i u n cu l a Th es e a n d ma n y oth er r i c h i n

.
,

d u l g en ces a tt a ch ed t o va r i ou s p ra yers a n d g oo d w orks a re a ll a p ,

pli ca b le t o t h e s oul s i n Pu rg a t ory Every M a s s s a id for a d ep a rted .

memb er h a s th e i n dulgen ce of a pr ivileg ed a lt a r Th e Thi r d O rder .

en j oy s t h e b en et of t h e i n ter ces s i on of ma ny emin en t s a i n ts b e

lon gin g t o th e O r der e s p eci a ll y th a t of th ei r h ol y fa ther St F r an
, , .

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 .

5 Th e Th i rd O rd er h as ou n t ed amon g i ts memb ers ma n y

. c
di s t i n gui s h ed p ers on a ges a n d emi n en t s a i n ts .

It w oul d b e imp os s i b l e t o en umer a t e i n th es e p a g es th e cr own ed

h ea d s th e s ai n ts a n d s erv a n t s of God wh os e n a mes a re fa mi li a r t o
,

a l l C h r i s ti a n s w h o h a ve b een e n roll e d i n t h e Thi r d O r d e r of St

, .

F ra n ci s . O u r Holy F a th er Le o XIII i s a n d h i s p red eces s or i n th e .

,

C h a i r of P et er w a s a terti a ry of thi s O r der
, If thi s O rd er w ere .

on ce mor e t o ou r i s h a mon g u s a s it did i n d a ys of y or e

a re th e ,

th e l a wl es s gr ee d for temp or a l thi n gs

w or d s of ou r Holy F a ther ,

w oul d b e w ea k en ed men woul d ob ey th ei r l a wful r ul ers they w oul d

, ,

l ea rn t o con qu er the i r n a tu r al p r open s iti es t o evil th ey w oul d c u t ,

r a ge n o on e s r ight s a n d th e rel a ti on s b etween r i ch a n d p oor would

,

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
. .

F r a n ci s th e ki n gd om of God w oul d t ri umph up on e a r th a n d t h e ,

k i n gd om of Sa ta n b e overth r own .

THE M O RE WIDESP READ C ONFRATERNITIES .

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 .

memb ers w a t ch i n turn gen er a lly on Sun d a ys or h olyd a ys ,

Th e .

c hi ef i n dulgen ces a re a pl en a r y i n dulg en c e on ce a mon th th e d a y ,

b e i n g O pti on a l ; on t h e r s t Thu r s d a y i n t h e m on th ; on t h e fea s t of

C o rpus C h ri s ti or i n t h e oc ta ve ; on t h e v e p r i n c ip a l fea s t s of O ur
L a dy b es ide s ot her fes tiv a l s a n d i n t h e hou r of dea th
, , It i s meet .

th a t O u r L or d p res en t un der t h e e u ch a r i s ti c veil s s h ould b e p er

, ,

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
.

whi c h i n s ome pl a ce on ea rth th e h oly s a c r ice i s n ot offer ed a n d a s ,

i n h ea ven t h e hos t s of a n gel s a n d t h e c omp a n y of t h e re deemed n u

c ea s i n g l y s i n g t h e Ter s a n c tu s s o it i s r ight th a t on ea rth t h e a s c ri p
,

ti on of p r a i s e S h ould in c es s a n tl y res oun d : O Sa cramen t mos t h oly ,

O Sa c r a men t divi n e ! Al l p r a i s e a n d a ll th a n k s givin g b e every mo

men t Thi n e
In a dditi on t o t h e C on fr a t ern ity of P erp e tu a l Ador a
.

ti on the re a re b e s ides i n eve ry t own t a b ern a cle or a lt a r s oc i et ies , ,

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
.

t o s p en d a n h our i n chu rc h e very mon th i n w a t chi n g b efo re t h e

Bles s ed Sa cr a men t .

5 . Th e t of th e C on fra t ern i ty of th e Sa c red Hea rt of

ob j ec

Jes u s i s t o v en era t e a n d a d ore th e Sa c red Hea rt of O u r L ord a n d ,

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 .

Th e memb ers of thi s con fr a tern ity a re re qui re d t o r ec it e a n O u r

F a the r, H a il M a ry, a n d t h e C ree d d a ily, with t h e p r a yer : 0 s weet
es t H ea r t of Je s u s , I i mpl ore th a t I ma y ev e r l ove thee more a n d
more ; th ey a re mor eover t o a pp r oa ch t h e s a c r a men t s eve ry mon th ,

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
.

a tt a c h e d t o thi s c on fr a t ern ity ; a mon g oth er s , a n i n dulg en c e of s i x ty

d a ys i s g r a n ted for eve ry g o od w or k p e rforme d du r i n g t h e d a y In .

o r d e r t o b e l on g t o thi s c on fr a t e rn ity, it i s n ot n eces s a r y th a t it S h oul d

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
.

Al a coqu e, He ma de kn own t o h er t h e g re a t a n d a b un d a n t g r a ces

.

v ou c h s a fed t o a ll wh o h on or Hi s Sa c r ed He a r t with p a r ti cul a r d e

v ot i on .

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 .

To form t h e livi n g r os a ry fteen i n dividu a ls un ite every mon th

t o a pp o r ti on a mon g th ems elves ( g en e r a lly b y d r a wi n g l ot s ) t h e ft een

dec a d es of t h e R os a ry ; e a c h on e rec it es th e d ec a de whi c h fa ll s t o h i s
s h a r e d a ily th r ough o ut t h e mon th ; thu s b etw ee n th em th ey r ec it e th e
whol e R os a ry eve ry d a y Thi s c on fr a tern ity i s un d er th e di r ec ti on
.

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
.

memb ers on th e thi r d Sun d a y of every mon th on Tri n ity Sun d a y , ,

 R eli gi on s As s oci a ti ons . 71 7

on the p r i n c ip a l fe a s t s of O u r L or d a n d of Hi s b les s ed M other Th e .

rec ita ti on of t h e R os a ry i s a l s o i n dulgen ced i n a s p ec i a l ma n n er Th e .

C onfr a te rn ity of t h e Holy R os a ry w a s es t a b li s he d i n th e li fetime

of St D omi n i c ;
. th e memb ers a re r e qui red t o r e cit e a ll t h e fte en
d ec a des of t h e R os a ry every week b u t n ot a ll on on e a n d t h e s elf
,
.

s a me d a y Thi s con fr a tern ity i s a fl i a ted t o th e D omi n i c a n O r d er ;

.

i ts memb e r s s h a re i n t h e g oo d work s of t h e whol e O r der a n d a re ,

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 .

gen c e i s g r a n ted on t h e rs t Sun d a y of t h e mon th on a ll fea s t s of ,

O u r L a dy on t h e three g rea t fes tiv a l s of th e C hu rch a n d i n th e h our

, ,

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 .

Thi s r t r ity w a s foun ded i n 1 2 50 b y St Si mon St ock then

c on f a e n .
,

g en er a l of t h e C a rmelite O r d er Th e M oth er of God a pp ea re d t o

.

h i m a n d g a ve h i m a s c a pul a r with t h e p romi s e th a t eve ry on e w h o

,

w ore it a n d live d pi ous ly s houl d es c a p e et ern a l dea th s h ould

, , ,

expe r i en ce h er p r otecti on i n s ea s on s of d a n ge r a n d s hould she ,

s p ee dily r el ea s e d from pu rg a t ory An a s pi ra n t will b e a dmitted

.

i n t o th e con fr a t ern ity b y a p r i es t wh o h a s th e n eces s a ry fa culti es from

t h e p r ovi n c i a l of t h e C a r melites ; h i s n a me will b e en t er e d i n t h e
r egi s ter of t h e c onfr a terni ty a n d th e s ca pul a r hun g r oun d h i s n eck .

Thi s s ca pul a r con s i s ts of t wo s ma ll pi ece s of b rown cl oth fa s ten ed ,

t ogether b y b r a id s o th a t on e piece h a n g s on th e b rea s t th e oth er on

, ,

t h e b a ck ; thi s mu s t b e w orn n ight a n d d a y M emb er s of t h e Thi r d .

O r d er of M oun t C a rmel a re ob lig ed t o r ec it e t h e littl e c i ce of O u r

L a dy ( whi c h ma y i f n eces s a ry b e c ommute d t o a ce rta i n n umb er of
, ,

P a ters a n d Av es ) t o fa s t on eve ry F r id a y th r ough out t h e y ea r b e

, ,

s id es oth e r S p ec i ed d a y s ; t o ma ke a d a ily me dit a ti on of a t l e a s t h a l f

a n h ou r a n d ob s erve c er t a i n othe r r ules

, Plen a ry i n dulgen ce s ma y.

b e g a i n ed b y memb er s of t h e c on fr a t ern ity on a ll t h e fes tiv a l s of O u r

L a dy a n d on d a ys wh en t h e p ri n c ip a l s a i n t s of th e O r der a re c om
,

memora t e d on t h e u s u a l con diti on s with a vi s it i f p os s i b l e t o a

, , , ,

chu r c h or c h a p el of th e O r de r There a re fou r oth er s c a pul a r s : th a t

.

of t h e H oly Tr i n ity o f t h e s even d ol or s

, of t h e Imma c ul a t e C on cep
,

ti on a n d of th e P a s s i on Th e v e a re often w orn a ll t ogeth er For e a ch

, . .

of th es e c ert a i n p r a yers a re p res c r i b ed t o b e r ep e a t ed d a ily O ur .

b l es s e d L a dy a c t s t ow a r d s h er child ren a s R eb ecc a did t o h er fa vor ite

s on Ja c ob ; s h e a rr a y e d h i m i n t h e g a rmen t s of h i s b r oth e r Es a u i n ,

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
, ,

a b l e i n t h e s ight of ou r h ea ven ly F a th er a n d ob t a i n for u s Hi s

'

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

h a pp y d ea th , a n d for th e d ep a r ted a s p eedy r el ea s e fr om th e

cl e a n s i n g r es .
71 8 The M ea ns o f Gra ce .

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 -

on e who i s t h e n ext t o d i e ma y h a ve a ha ppy de a th a n d th os e wh o a re ,

a l rea dy g on e b efore ma y exp e r i en ce a mit i g a ti on of t h e p a i n s of pu r

g a t ory Th ey a re a l s o exh ort ed t o a pp r oa c h t h e s a cr a me n t s fre

.

quen tly t o en ter t a i n a s p ec i a l devoti on t b th e Imma cul a t e C on cep

,

ti on t o St Jos eph th e p a t r on of a g ood d ea th a n d often t o ma ke

, .
, ,

a c t s of t h e the ologi c a l vi rtu es a n d of c on t r iti on Thi s confr a t ern ity .

i s ve ry r i chly i n dulg en ce d F or eve ry vi s it t o a s i ck p er s on twen ty

.
,

yea r s ; for every med ita ti on of h a lf a n hou r s len gth s i xty ye a rs ;

- -

for every vi s it t o a chur ch s even y ea r s et c All thes e i n dulge n ce s

, , .

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 e memb er s of thi s c on fr a ter n ity a re re qui re d t o rep ea t d a ily

s even Glori a s a n d on e Av e for thi s i n ten ti on a l s o t o ma ke a n oven a ,

b efor e P en tec os t a n d rece ive t h e s a c r a men t s fre qu en tly Among oth er .

in dulgen ce s th ey ma y g a in on e hun d re d da ys for eve ry g oo d w ork

they p e rform, a plen a ry i n dulg en ce a t P en tec os t a n d on t h e An
n u n c i a t i on ( or i n th e octa ves of thes e fe a s t s ) a n d i n t h e h ou r of
dea th .

THE AP OSTL ESHIP OF P RAYER .

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 .

Th e Ap os tl es hip P r a yer i s n ot a con fr a te rn ity or s od a lity b u t

of ,

a pi ou s org a n iza ti on who s e ob j ec t i s t o give a n a p os t oli c c h a r a c te r

,

a n d p owe r t o a ll ou r p r a ye r s w ork a n d s uffer i n g s Thi s ob j ect it

, , .

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

ef fec te d b y th e morn i n g offer i ng whi c h c on s titutes th e Fi rs t D eg ree ,

of t h e Ap o s tle s hip of P ra ye r a n d t h e on ly es s en ti a l duty of i t s mem

b e rs . Th e morn i n g offer i n g i s thus w or de d : 0 Jes u s th r ough th e ,

i mma cul a t e hea rt of M a ry I offe r Thee th e p r a ye r s wor k a n d s uffer

, , ,

i n gs of thi s d a y i n un i on with th e i n ten ti on s of Thy D ivi n e H ea rt

i n t h e h oly M a s s .

Two th in gs a re n ec es s a ry for memb ers h i p :

Regi s t r a ti on of on e s n a me b y a l oc a l di rect or l n a n a i l i a t ed

c en t r e ; A cer ti c a t e of a dmi s s i on C en t res a re a fl i a ted b y .

diploma s fr om t h e di rect or gen er a l ( a fa ther of t h e Soc i ety of Jes u s ,

r es idi n g a t Toul ou s e F r a n ce) a n d t r a n s mitte d t o th em b y t h e

,

di oces a n di rec t or s wh om with th e li cen s e a n d i n a ccord a n ce with th e

, ,

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 .

s ec on d d eg ree con s i s t s i n t h e d a ily rec it a l of on e O u r F a th er a n d t en

H a il M a ry s for th e mon thly i n t en ti on a pp r oved b y th e Holy F a th er ;
a n d t h e thi r d d eg ree i n of fer i n g a commun i on of a ton emen t t o th e
Sa cred Hea rt on ce a week or a t l ea s t on c e a mon th on a d a y or d a ys
, ,
7 20 Th e M ea ns o f Grace .

rea d i n g a n d rel igi ou s in s tru cti on They a re a s s i s ted i n s i ckn ess or

, .

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 .

Thi s i t i on a s well a s t h e on e s p oken of a b ove wa s or ig

a s s oc a , ,

i n a t ed i n Ge rma n y b y Ad olf Kolpin g t h e s o ca ll e d a p o s tle of t h e

,
-

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
-

, ,

thr ough diligen t s tudy a n d pi ous p er s ever a n ce tted hi ms elf for ,

th e ofce of t h e p r i es th oo d A grea t n umb er of fr i en dly s oc ieti es

.

a n d c h a r it a b l e w ork s for t he i mp ro vemen t of t h e l a b o r i n g cla s s es ,

a n d for t h e p romoti on of ki n dl y feelin g b etw een empl oye rs a n d em

ployed owe the i r es t a b li s hmen t t o h i m

, .

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 .

It w oul d b e di fcul t t o en umer a t e th e v a r i ous a s s oc i a ti on s s uite d ,

t o t h e ex ig en c i es of t h e d a y i n di ffe ren t c oun t r i es a n d c orres p on di n g ,

t o t h e S p e c i a l n ee ds of t h e di ffer en t cl a s s es of men a n d w omen whi ch ,

t h e c h a r ity of C a th oli c s h a s i n s titute d Th e C a th oli c Truth Soc iety

.

h a s for i t s ob j ec t t o s upply i n s t r u ctive a n d u s eful liter a ture a t a l ow

p r i ce ; i t s w ork i s r a pidly ext en di n g a n d i s p r o du ctive of mos t s a ti s
,

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
.
, ,

t h e n ee d i s s t r on gly felt for c omb i n a ti on a n d c en t r a liz a ti on i n a ll

gr ea t un der t a ki n gs i n th e eld of p oliti cs c ommerc e a n d n a n ce Let , .

u s th en wh o a re C a th oli c s u n ite t o form a h e a lthy b o dy p ow e rful t o

, , ,

p romot e a n d ma in t a i n th e s pi r it of C hri s ti a n ity i n ou r fa mi li es .

Th e s tr ivi n g a fter un i on n ow s o s t r on gly ma rk ed i n every dep a r t

,

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 .

EN C Y C L ICAL LETTER O F OUR H OLY FATHER

P IU S X
.
,

BY DIV INE PROVIDENCE

P O PE .

To T H E PATRIARC HS PRI MATE S AR C HB I S HOP S B ISHO P s AND O THER ,

O ON
, , ,

O RDINARIES IN PEAC E AND C M M UN I WIT H THE AP OSTO LIC SEE .

P IUS X P O P E .
, .

N
VE ERAB LE B RET H REN ,

HEALT H AND THE APOSTomo B ENEDICTION .

A ti me of gr ea t t r oub le a n d difcul ty i s thi s i n whi ch O u r littlen es s

'

h a s b een r a i s ed b y th e in s c ruta b le des ign s of D ivin e P r oviden ce t o

t h e ofce of Sup r eme P a s t or of t h e wh ole ock of C hr i s t L on g h as .

th e en emy b een p r owli n g r oun d t h e fold a tt a ckin g it with s uch ,

s ub tl e cunni n g th a t n ow mor e th a n ever s eems t o b e ver ied t h e p re

di c ti on ma de b y th e Ap os tle t o t h e elder s of t h e C hur ch of Ephes u s :

I kn ow th a t r a ven in g w olves will en t er i n a mon g y ou n ot Sp a r in g ,

( Act s XX

th e ock . .

Th e r ea s on s a n d c a us es of thi s r eligi ou s dec a den ce a re b ei n g

s tu di ed b y thos e wh o s till c her i s h z ea l for t h e gl ory of God a n d d i f ,

feri n g a s they d o i n th e i r con clus i ons they p oi n t ou t ea ch a cc or d

, ,

i n g t o hi s own vi ews va r i ou s w a ys for p r ot ectin g a n d res tor i n g t h e

,

ki n gd om of God on ea rth But t o Us V en er a b le B r ethr en it s eems

.
, ,

th a t whil e other r ea s on s ma y pl a y thei r p a rt We mus t a gr ee with

, ,

th os e wh o h old th a t th e ma i n c a us e of t h e p res en t l a s s i t ude a n d t or

p or a n d of th e mos t s er i ou s evil s th a t ow fr om it i s t o b e foun d
, ,

i n t h e preva ili n g ign or a n ce a b out D ivi n e thin gs An d thi s full y b e a r s .

ou t wh a t God Hims elf a ff irmed th r ough th e P r ophet O s ee :

An d th er e i s n o kn owl edge of God i n th e l a n d C ur s i n g a n d lyi n g .

a n d k illi n g a n d theft a n d a dulte ry h a ve ov erowed a n d b l ood h a th ,

t ouched b lood Therefore s h a ll th e ea rth mou rn a n d every on e th a t

.

dwelleth i n it s h a ll l a n gui s h ( O s ee iv 1 ii )
. . .

Th a t ther e a re a mon g Chr i s ti a n s i n ou r time l a rge n u mb er s wh o

live i n utter ign or a n ce of th e t ruths n eces s a ry for s a lva ti on i s a c om
mon l a men t n owa d a ys a n d on e tha t i s unh a ppily onl y t oo well
,

foun de d .An d when We s a y a mong C hr i s ti a n s We mea n n ot on ly

th e ma s s es a n d thos e i n th e l ower w a lk s of life wh o a re s ometi mes ,

n ot t o b l a me owi n g t o th e in huma n ity of ma s ters wh os e dema n ds

,

lea ve them little time to thi n k of thems elves a nd the i r own in te r

es ts b u t W e refer a l s o a n d even mor e es p ec i a lly to a ll thos e wh o
, ,

whi le en d owed wi th a cert a i n a moun t of t a len t a n d cul tur e a n d p os

s es s i n g a b un d a n t kn owl ed ge of p rofa n e ma tte rs h a ve n o ca re or ,

thought for religi on It i s h a r d t o n d wor ds t o des c ri b e th e dens e

.

d a rkn es s th a t en vi r ons thes e a n d mor e p a i nful s till t h e i n di fferen c e

, ,

with whi ch they r eg a r d it R a r ely d o they give thought t o th e Su

.

72 1
7 22 The Teachi ng of Catechi s m .

p r eme Auth or a n d Ruler of all thin gs or t o th e te achi n g of the fa ith

of C hri s t C on s eQue n tl y they a re a b s ol ute ly with out k n owl edge of
.

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
,

t a i n men t of e tern al welfa re a n d of th e H oly Sa c r i ce a n d t h e Sa c

,

ra men t s b y whi c h th i s gra ce i s a c qui r ed a nd p res erved They fa il .

t o a pp rec i a te th e ma li ce a n d foul n es s o f s i n a n d they h a ve therefore ,

n o c a r e t o a void i t a n d free th ems elves fr om i t Thu s th ey rea ch .

thei r l a s t d a y i n s u ch a s t a te th a t th e mi n i s ter of God a nx i ou s to ,

t a ke a dv a n t a ge of t h e s l ightes t hope of thei r s a lva ti on , i s ob liged t o

e mpl oy th os e n a l momen ts whi ch s h oul d b e con s e cra te d en t irel y t o
,

s timul a ti n g i n t hem t h e l ove of God i n i mp a r ti ng a s umma ry i n ,

s t r u c ti on on th e thi n gs i n di s pens a b le for s a lv a ti on a n d even th en

it often h a pp en s th a t th e i n va lid h a s b ecome s o fa r th e s l a ve of

c ulp a b l e ign or a n c e a s t o c on s ide r s up er u ou s t h e i n t erven t i on of th e
c
p r i es t a n d t o fa e ca lml y th e terr ib le p a s s ag e t o e tern ity with ou t
r ec on c ilin g hims elf with God O u r p redeces s or B en edi c t XIV there
. .
,

fore h a d good r ea s on t o wr i te a s h e did : Thi s we a s s e ver a te : th a t

,

th e ma j or i ty of th os e wh o a re c on demn ed t o e tern a l pun i s hmen t fa ll

i n t o thi s everl as ti n g mi s for tu n e thr ough ign or a n ce of thes e my s
t eri es of th e fa ith whi ch mu s t n eces s a r ily b e kn own a n d b el i eved b y
( In s t xxvi

a l l wh o b el on g t o t h e elec t . . .

Thi s b ein g s o V en er a b le B rethren wh a t won der i s i t i f we s ee t o

, ,

d a y i n t h e w orld n ot merely amon g b a rb a r ou s peoples b u t i n th e

, ,

ve ry mi ds t of C hr i s ti a n n a t i on s a c on s t a n tly i n crea s i n g c orru pti on

,

a n d dep r a vity ? Th e Ap os tle wr itin g t o th e Ephes i a ns a dmon i s hed

them :
But forn i ca ti on a n d a ll un clea n n es s or covet ou s n es s l et i t ,

n ot b e s o mu ch a s n a me d a mon g y ou a s b ec ometh s a in t s or ob s cen ity , ,

( 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
. . ,

a n d of t h e mo des ty th a t c u rb s th e p a s s i on s h e s ets s up e rn a tura l wi s

d om :
See therefore b reth ren h ow y ou wa lk c i r cu ms p ec tly n ot a s
, , , ,

un wi s b u t a s wi s e, redeemin g th e t ime, for th e d a y s a re evil

( Ibi d
eright y
. .
,

1 5 1 6
-
.

An d l for the huma n will h a s r et a in ed b ut l i ttle of th a t

s o,
l ove of wh a t i s r igh t a n d j us t whi ch God t h e C rea tor infus ed in to
i t, a n d whi ch d r ew it, s o t o S pea k, to wa r ds th e rea l a n d n ot mer ely
a pp a r en t g ood D ep r a ved a s it h a s b ecome b y t h e corru pti on of t h e
.

r s t s i n , a n d h a r dly c on s c i ou s of th e ex is tence of God , i ts Author,

i t s a ffe cti on s a re a lmos t en ti rel y tu rned t o va n ity an d lyi n g Th e .

e rr i n g will , b li n de d b y p e rver s e p a s s i on s , h a s n eed , ther efor e, of a

guide t o p oin t ou t th e wa y a n d lea d i t b a ck to th e p a ths of j us ti ce
s o u nh a ppily a b a n don ed Thi s guid e, n ot s elec te d a t r a n dom b ut
. ,

des ign a ted es p ec i a lly b y n a tu re, i s n o other tha n th e in tellect But i f

.

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
. .

s c r i b e d t h e ef fect of thi s light wh en h e a dd ed : Th ou h a s t g i ven

gl a dn es s i n my hea r t th e gl a dn e s s th a t ll s t h e hea r t to mak e i t
ru n i n t h e w a y of D ivi n e c omma n dmen t s .

All thi s b ec o m e s e vid en t o n a littl e r e e c ti o n , f o r t h e d oc t r i n e o f

Je s u s C h r i s t r ev e a l s t o u s G o d a n d H i s i n n it e p e r fec ti on with fa r
7 24 M Teachi ng f
o Catechi s m .

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 ,

a ft er my own h ea r t a n d they will feed y ou with kn owl e dg e a n d d oc

,
!

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
. .

.

me n ot t o b a ptiz e b u t t o p rea ch t h e g os p e ( I C or i 1 7 thus in di

, . .

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 .

We d o n ot thi nk it n eces s a ry t o s pea k here of th e s ub lime ch a r

a cter of thi s in s tr u c ti on or t o S h ow h ow mer it or i ou s it i s i n th e s ight
of God As s ur e dly th e a lms givin g with whi c h we a ll evi a te t h e t r i a ls
.

of t h e p oor i s highl y p r a i s e d b y t h e L or d But wh o will den y tha t .

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

p en de d i n te a chi n g a n d exh or t a t i on , n ot on t h e ee tin g w elfa re of

t h e b o dy b u t on th e etern a l welfa r e of s oul s ? In tr uth th a n thi s ,

n othin g i s n ea r er or dea r er t o th e h ea rt of Jes u s C hr i s t th e Sa vi our ,

of s oul s wh o thr ough t h e lip s of I s a i a s a f

, , rme d of Hims elf :
I ha ve ,

( 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 . .

F or O ur p r es en t purp os e i t wi l l b e b ette r t o dwell on a S in gl e p oi n t

a n d t o i n s i s t on it v i z th a t for n o p r i es t i s there a duty mor e gr a ve
, .
,

or a n ob lig a ti on mor e b i n di n g th a n thi s on e Will a n y on e den y th a t .

k n owledg e ought t o b e j oin e d with h oli n es s of li fe i n every p r i es t ?

F or t h e lip s of th e p r i es t S h a ll keep kn owl edge

( M a l ii An d . . .

t h e C hurc h d oes i n fa c t re qui re it mos t r ig or ou s l y i n th os e w h o a re

, ,

t o b e r a i s e d t o t h e s a cer do t a l min i s t ry An d why t hi s ? B ec a u s e it .

i s fr om them th a t t h e C hr i s ti a n p eople a re t o l ea rn a n d i t i s for th a t ,

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
.

mouth for h e i s th e a n gel of th e L or d of H os ts

,

( Ib i d ) Thu s t h e . .

b i s h op i n or d a i n in g a ddr es s es t h e c a n di d a tes for or der s i n thes e

w or d s :
L et y our s pi r itu a l doctr i n e b e a s medi c in e for t h e p eopl e
of G od ; l et th em b e p ruden t c o op er a t or s of ou r or der ; i n or der -

th a t me dit a tin g d a y a n d ni ght on Hi s l a w they ma y b eli eve wha t

( P on t R om

they s h a ll r e a d a n d t ea ch wh a t they s h a ll b eli eve
, . . .

If thi s i s t r ue of a ll p r i es ts wh a t i s t o b e thoug ht with r eg a r d t o

,

th os e wh o p os s es s t h e title a n d th e a uth or ity of p a r i s h p r i es ts a n d ,

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
, ,

of ce of r ulin g s oul s ? The s e i n a cer t a i n mea s ur e a re t o b e n u m , ,

b er e d a mon g t h e p a s t or s a n d d oc t or s des ign a te d b y C hr i s t i n or der

th a t th e fa ithful ma y b e n o l on ger a s childr en t os s ed t o a n d fro a n d
c a rr i e d a b out b y every wi n d of d oc t r i n e b y t h e wi ck e dn es s of men ,

b u t th a t d oi n g t h e t r uth i n ch a r ity they ma y i n a ll thi n gs gr ow up

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

. . .
, ,

Hen ce th e s a cr e d C oun c il of Tr en t tr ea ti n g of th e p a s tor s of s oul s , ,

l a ys down a s thei r r s t a n d chi ef duty th a t of i n s tr u cti n g t h e fa ithful .

It p r es c r ib es tha t they mus t s p e a k t o th e p e0p1 e on t h e t r uth s of re

l i g i on on Sun d a ys a n d t h e more s olemn fea s t s a n d d o t h e s a me e ithe r ,

d a ily or a t le a s t thr ee times a week dur i n g t he holy s ea s on s of Adven t

a n d L en t Nor i s it c on ten t with thi s for i t a dds th a t p a r i s h pr ies ts
.
,

a re b oun d e ith er b y th ems el v es or thr ou gh oth er s , t o i n s t ru c t th e

,

y oun g a t l ea s t on Sun d a ys a n d fea s t d a ys i n th e p r in ciples of fa ith

, ,

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; . . . .

Sess 22 ch 8 ; Ses s 2 4 ch 4 a n d 7 d e ref) An d when th e Sa cr a men t s

. . . . .

a re t o b e a dmi n i s t er e d it e n j oi n s up on th em t h e duty of expl a i n i n g

th ei r efca cy i n th e vul g a r t on gu e t o th os e wh o a re a b out t o r eceive
 1 7w Teachi ng q
Ca techi s m. 7 25

Thes e p res c r iptions of th e s a cred C oun c il of Tren t h ave b een epit

omi z ed a n d s till more clea rly den ed b y O u r p red ec es s or B en edi c t
XIV i n h i s C on s ti t uti on Ets i M in ime i n th e followin g w ords :
.

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
,

on di vi n e thi n gs on fe a s t d a ys a n d s econ d th a t they i n s tru ct t h e

, ,

y oun g a n d th e ign or a n t i n th e rudimen ts of th e l a w of God a n d of

fa ith
Rightly d oes th a t mos t wi s e P on t i ma ke a di s tin c ti on b e
.

tween th os e two duti es of t h e s ermon , c ommonl y kn own a s t h e ex

pla n a ti on of th e G os p el a n d of th e c a techi s m F or it ma y b e th a t .

there a re s ome wh o t o s a ve thems el ves t r oub le a re wi llin g t o b elieve

, ,

th a t th e expl a n a ti on of th e G os pel ma y s erve a ls o for c a techeti c a l

i n s t ru c ti on Thi s i s a n err or whi ch s houl d b e a pp a r en t t o a ll for
.
,

th e s e rmon on th e Gos pel i s a ddres s ed t o thos e wh o ma y b e s upp os ed

to b e a lr ea dy i n s tr u cte d i n th e r udi men ts of t h e fa ith It i s s o t o .
,

s a y t h e b rea d th a t i s b r oken for a dul t s

, C a techeti c a l in s tr ucti on on
.
,

t h e othe r h a n d i s th a t milk whi c h t h e Ap os tle St P e ter wi s hed t o

, .

b e des i red with s impli city b y t h e fa ithful a s n ewly b o rn childr en .

Th e t as k of t he c a techi s t i s to t a ke u p on e or other of th e t r uths of

fa ith or C hri s ti a n p recept a n d t o e xpl a in it i n a ll i t s p a rts ; a n d
,

s i n ce t he s c ep e of h i s i n s tru c ti on i s a lw a ys di r ec ted t o a men dmen t of

li fe h e mus t n eces s a r ily in s titute a c omp a r i s on b e twee n wh a t i s re

,

qui red of u s b y O ur L or d a n d ou r a ctu a l con duc t ; a n d h e s h oul d ,

therefore b y a pp r op r i a te exa mples s kilfully s elec te d fr om th e Holy

,

Scr iptur es c hu r ch h i s t ory a n d th e l ives of t h e s a i n ts u s e pe rs u a s i on

, , ,

with h i s he a rer s a n d p oin t ou t t o them h ow they a re t o Sh a p e th ei r

c on du c t c on cludi n g with a n ef
, fi c a ci ous exh ort a ti on i n or der tha t t hey
ma y b e moved t o s hun a n d detes t vi ce a n d t o p ra cti ce vir tue .

We a re a wa re tha t th e ofce of ca tec hi s t i s n ot muc h s ought a fter ,

b ec a u s e a s a r ul e it i s deemed of little a ccoun t a n d does n ot len d

, ,

it s elf eas ily t o th e winn in g of a ppl a u s e But thi s i n O u r vi ew i s a n .

, ,

es tim a t e b orn of v a n ity a n d n ot of t ruth We a re quite willin g t o .

a dmit t h e meri t s of th os e s a c r e d or a t or s wh o de di c a te thems e lves

with gen uin e z ea l t o th e glory of God b y th e defen s e a n d ma i n t en a n ce
of t h e fa ith or b y ext olli n g th e h er oe s of C hr i s ti a n ity But their .

l a b or p res upp os es la b or of a n other ki n d th a t of th e c a techi s t Where, .

t h e l a tter i s w a n ti n g th e foun d a ti on s a re w a n ti n g a n d they l a b or i n ,

va i n wh o b uild t h e hous e Too often it h a pp en s th a t orn a te s e rmon s

.

whi ch wi n t h e a ppl a us e of c r owde d c on gr eg a ti on s s erve on ly to ti ckl e

t h e e a r s a n d fa il utterly t o tou ch t h e hea rt
, C a techeti c a l i n s t ru c .
w

ti on on t h e oth er h a n d pl a i n a n d s imple though it b e i s tha t wor d

, , ,

of whi c h God Hims e lf s pea ks i n I s a i a s : An d a s t h e r a i n a n d t h e s n ow

come d own fr om h ea ven a n d r eturn n o mor e thi th er b u t s oa k t h 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 ,

plea s e a n d Sh a ll p r os p er i n th e thin gs for whi ch I s en t it

,

Th e .

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
,

b ooks t o i llus tr a te t h e t ruths of r eligi on They a re w orthy of gr e a t

.

c omm en d a ti on for th ei r a ctivity But h ow ma n y r e a d thes e v olum e s

.

a n d derive fru it i n p r op or ti on t o t h e t oil a n d t h e wi s hes of thos e w h o

wr o te them ? Wherea s th e te a chin g of th e c a techi s m when p r ope rly ,

don e n ever fa ils t o b e of p r ot to th os e wh o li s ten t o i t

, .
72 6 R e Teachi ng o
f Catechi s m
F or ( we mu s t rep ea t this truth i n or der t o s timul a te th e zea l of
t h e ml n i s ters of th e s a n c tu a ry ) th ere a re t o d a va s t n umb er s a n d
.

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
,

t h e C h r i s ti a n fa ith th a t they ca n live a s id ol a t ers i n th e ve ry mid s t

of t h e light of C h r i s ti a n ity How ma n y there a re n ot on ly a mon g .
,

t h e y oun g b u t a m on g a dul ts a n d even th os e t otte ri n g with a e wh o

,
g ,

kn ow n othi n g of th e p r in c ip a l mys te r ie s of fa ith wh o on hea r i n g th e ,

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
.

they ma ke n o c r ime of ex c itin g a n d che r i s hin g h a tred a ga in s t t hei r

n eighb or of en te r i n g i n t o mos t un j u s t c on tr a c ts
, givi n g thems elves ,

up t o di s h on es t s pecula ti on s p os s es s i n g thems elves of t h e p r operty ,

of other s b y en ormou s u s u r y a n d c omm itti n g s imila r i n iquiti es , They .

a re a c tu a lly ign or a n t th a t t h e l a w of C hr i s t n ot on ly forb ids immora l

a c ti on s b u t c on demn s deli b er a te i mmor a l th ought s a n d i mmor a l d e

,

s i r es ,s o th a t even when they a re res t r a i n e d b y s ome motive or othe r

fr om a b a n d on in g thems e lves t o s en s ua l plea s u res they feed without ,

a n y ki n d of s c r upl e on evil th oughts mu ltiply i n g S i n s b eyon d th e ,

h a i r s of thei r hea ds Nor l et it b e repea te d a re s uc h t o b e foun d

.
, ,

on ly a mon g t h e p oor er c l a s s es of th e pe opl e or i n coun t ry pl a c es b ut ,

i n th e highe s t w a lk s of l i fe a n d a mon g thos e wh o in a t ed with , ,

kn owledge rely up on a va in e r udi ti on a n d think thems elves a t li b e r ty

,

t o turn r eligi on in to r idi cule a n d t o b l a s pheme th a t whi ch they kn ow

n ot .
( Ju d .

Now i f it i s va in t o exp ec t a h a r ves t where n o s eed h a s b een s own

, ,

h ow c a n we h op e t o h a ve b ette r livin g gen er a ti on s i f they b e n ot i n -

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 , ,

tha t i f fa ith la n gu i s hes i n ou r da ys i f it h a s a lmo s t va n i s he d through ,

ou t a l a rg e p r op ort i on of t h e p e 0p1 e t h e r ea s on i s th a t t h e duty of ,

ca t ec het i ca l te a c hi n g i s e ither fulll ed ve ry s up e rc i a lly or a lt ogether

n eglec t ed Nor will it d o t o s a y i n exc us e th a t fa ith i s a free gi ft
.
, ,

b es t owed on ea c h on e a t b a pti s m Y es a ll wh o a re b a ptiz e d i n C h r i s t .

,

h a ve h ad i n fu s e d i n to them t h e h a b it of fa ith ; b u t thi s mos t di vin e

germ d oes n ot devel op or put for th grea t b r a n ches ( M a rk iv 3 2 )

,

.

when le ft t o its elf a n d as i f b y i t s own vi r tue M a n a t h i s b i r th h a s

,
.

within h i m t h e fa cul ty of un ders t a n din g b u t h e h a s n ee d a ls o of th e , , ,

mother s w or d t o a w a ken it a s it wer e a n d t o b r i n g it i n t o a c ti on

, , .

So t oo t h e C hr i s ti a n b orn a g a in of w a te r a n d th e Holy Ghos t h a s

, , , ,

fa ith withi n h i m b u t h e re qui r es t h e w or d of th e C hurc h t o fec un d a te

,

it a n d devel op i t a n d ma ke it fr uitful Hen ce th e Ap os tle wr ote : .

F a ith c omes fr om h ea r i n g a n d h ea r in g b y t h e word of God ( R o

,

ma n s x 1 7 a n d t o s how t h e n eces s ity of te a chi n g h e a dds :

.

How
Sh a ll they hea r without a p r ea cher ? ( Ib i d )
.

Now i f a ll tha t h a s b een s a id s erves t o s how th e s up reme i mp or

,

t a n ce of r eligi ou s tea chi n g s up re me a ls o mus t b e O ur s oli c itude i n

, , ,

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 . .
,

D e s i r ous therefor e V en er a b l e B rethren of ful ll in g thi s mos t i m

, , ,

p or t a n t duty i mp os e d up on U s b y th e Sup reme Ap os tol a te a n d of

, ,

i n tr odu c in g un i formity everywhere i n thi s mos t w eighty ma tter We ,

728 The Teachi ng qf Catechi s m .

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 ub li me a n d a r du ou s ( M ora l II xviii ch In ma tters of re

. . . . .

l i g i on th e ma j or i ty of men i n our t imes mus t b e c on s id ered a s i g

n ora n t .
We woul d n ot, h owever, h a ve i t s upp os ed th a t thi s s t ud i ed s im
pl i ci ty of p rea chin g does n ot requi re l a b or a n d medit a ti on ; on t he
c on t r a ry it requi res it mor e th a n a n y other k i n d
, It i s mu c h ea s i er .

t o n d a p rea cher ca p a b le of del iver in g a n eloq uen t a n d el a b or a te d i s

c ou r s e t ha n a c
a tec hi s t a b l e t o i mp a r t i n s t r uc ti on i n a ma n n er en
t i rely w orthy of p r a i s e It mu s t therefore b e c a reful ly b orn e i n
.
, ,

min d tha t wha tever fa c il i ty of idea s a n d l a n gu a ge a ma n ma y h a ve

i n h er ited fr om n a tur e h e will n ever b e a b le t o tea ch th e C a te chi s m
,

t o th e y oun g a n d t h e a dul t without p r ep a r in g hims elf th oug htfully

for th e t a s k It i s a mi s t a ke for a ma n t o s upp os e th a t owin g t o th e
.
,

r uden es s a n d ign or a n ce of th e p e0p1 e h e ma y p erform th i s ofce i n ,

a c a r eles s ma n n er O n t h e con tr a ry t h e more un cul tur ed t h e hea r

.
,

er s the gre a te r i s t h e n eces s ity for s tudy a n d diligen c e t o b r in g h ome

t o thei r m i n ds thos e mos t s ub lime t r uth s s o fa r b eyon d t h e n a tur a l ,

un ders t a n din g of th e multitude whi ch mu s t y et b e kn own b y a l l th e

,

l e a rn e d a n d th e u nl ettered a like i n orde r th a t they ma y a tt a i n eterna l

,

s a l va ti on.

An d n ow V en er a b l e B rethr en b e it p ermi tted U s t o cl os e thi s

, ,

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

. . .
,

a n d con ju r e y ou t o r e ec t on t h e r ui n of s oul s whi c h i s w r ought b y

thi s on e ca u s e ign or a n c e of D ivin e thin gs D oub tles s y ou h a ve es t a b
,
.

l i s h ed ma n y u s eful a n d p r a i s ew or thy un der t a ki n gs i n y our re s p ec t ive

di oces es for th e b en et of th e oc k en tr u s te d t o y ou b u t b efor e a ll ,

el s e a n d with a l l t h e di ligen ce a l l t h e z e a l a ll t h e a s s iduity th a t i s

, , ,

p os s ib le for y ou s ee t o it tha t th e kn owledg e of C h r i s ti a n doct r i n e

,

thor oughly p en etr a te a n d p erva de t h e min ds of a ll

L et every on e
.

thes e a re th e wor ds of th e Ap os tle St P eter

a s h e h a s r ece ived .

gr a ce min i s ter th e s a me on e t o a n other, a s g ood s tew a r ds of th e ma n i

,

fold g r a ce of God ( I P eter iv
. . .

Thr ough t h e in ter ces s i on of th e mos t b les s e d Imma cul a te V i rgi n ,

ma y y our diligen ce a n d y our en ergy b e ren dere d fr uitful b y t h e Apos

t oli c Bles s in g whi ch i n t oken of O ur a ffecti on a n d a s a n ea r n es t of
,

D ivin e fa vor s We i mp a r t t o y ou a n d t o th e clergy a n d th e p e0p1 e en

,

t rus ted t o ea ch on e of y ou .

G iven a t R ome a t St P e ter s on t h e 1 5th d a y of Ap r il

,

.
, ,

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
,

Ab s ol u t on , p ow er, 4 7 0, 605 ; word s en s es , 2 2 0, 6 9 4

G h igh
.

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
.

Accommod a t ed s p eec i n revel a t on , Al l Sa n ts d a y , 3 6 1

.

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
. .

of c a r ty, 2 9 2 ; ero c a ct , 2 6 7 p oor s ou l s , 2 5 2 , 2 6 0.

h G h h
.

Ad a m a n d Ev e, crea t ed , 1 5 2 f , 1 53 ; Al p a b et, reek a n d L a t n , a t c urc 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
.

Ad mon t on , fra t ern a l , 6 2 2 71 6

i hi h i
. .

Ad ora t on of C r s t s uma n ty, 1 9 9 ;

i
Al t O t t ng, 3 2 9 , 7 05
-

ii i
.

o f God , r eas on s , 309 , a n d n a tu re Amb t on , 4 02 ; s ee r d e P

i i i Th i
.

3 1 0; n ter or, 3 1 0; ex ter or a a n d i t s Amb ros e, St , 8 8 ; a n d e od o s u s

h h
. .

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
.

n t er or, 3 1 1 ; a d u e to God a l on e, Amen, 689

i
. .

3 1 3 , 3 2 1 ; n ot t o a n y s a n t , 3 2 1 ; i n Amen d ment, p u rp os e of, 62 1

i h 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
. .

3 6 0, 3 68 ; ( ma rr a ges ) i n reek Angel c a l s a l u ta t on , 6 9 0

h h i
.

C u rc , 1 8 1 An gel s , crea t on , 1 32 ; n a tu re, 1 46 ;

hi h 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 .

Afi ct i ons , s ee Su eri n gs

'

. a , 1 47
i
. .

Afr ca n s l a ve tra d e, 2 3 3 Angel us , 1 9 5, 3 2 3 , 6 83 ; ex p l a ne d 6 9 3 i

i
.
, .

Age for fa s t, 3 6 4 ; con rma t on , 5 8 6 ; An ger, 46 9 , 4 9 1 ; n a tu re a n d e ffect s

i
comm u n on , 59 5 f ; ex treme un ct on i 4 93 ; h o w overcome, 49 4
h i h h
.

i
.

642 ; ol y ord ers , 64 7 ; ma rr a g e, 6 5 4 . Angl ca n c urc , 2 3 4, 2 44

7 30 Alp ha b eti c I nd ex .

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
,

1 60; ma d e for ma n , 3 90; d ut es o ; s op s , 2 2 6 , 7 09

i
.
,
w a rd s a , 3 9 1 Ava r ce, 4 6 9 ; n a ture, 49 5 ; effec t s , 4 9 6
h h
. .

An ni vers a r e s o f c u rc i d ed ca t on , i i h ow ov ercome, 49 7 a n d ol a try, 3 1 4 i

5 6 2 ; of s a n ts , 3 2 0 i . Av e M a ri a , s ee a l M a ry H i
i i B
.

Ann u n c a t on V M , 1 79 , 1 9 5
h h
. . . .

An oi n t i ngs a t c urc con s ecra ti on ,

5 6 1 ; b a p ti s m, 58 4 f ; con rma t on , .
B , i
5 85 f extr eme unc t on , 6 40 f ; or i
h ih
. .

d i n a t i on , 643 ; b l es s i ng of oly o l s , a b yl on, Jew s c a p t vi ty , 1 7 3 ; f0 i B i B .

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
.

Ant p op es , 2 43 . 4 7 0; ea t en a n d Jew s , 5 7 7 ; cere

Ap es , 1 5 3 . mony, 5 77 , 58 1 , 5 83 ; ns t tut on a n i i i
Ap os ta s y a nd a p os ta tes , 1 04 ; c a u s es , effect s , 5 7 7 f ; n ece s s i ty , 5 7 9 ; con di .

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
. .

Ap os tl es p of p ra yer , 7 1 8 s i re, 58 0; s ol emn b , 5 8 1 ; b a p t i s ma

h h
.

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 6 4 ; d evi l s , 1 48, 1 5 7 ; t h e d ea d , 1 5 5 b fon t , 1 88 , 1 9 2 ; b d res s , 5 84 . . .

2 64 a p t s t ery , 5 8 0 B i
B h
. .

App ea l from op e t o coun c l , 2 2 6 P i

a r t ol omew, a p os tl e, 2 3 0 . .

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 .

Arch h ere t i cs , 9 8 B ea ti s s i me P a ter, 22 5

hi h h ih
. .

Arc te cture a n d t h e C urc , 249 ea t tud es , t h e e g t , 521 t h e p oo B i '

i h ii
.

Argen teu l , ol y coa t of, 3 3 1 i n s p r t , 5 2 1 ; t h e mou rn ers , 5 2 2

h
.

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
.

Arts a n d t h e C urc , 2 50 ou t ed for j u s t ce, 5 2 4 ; b . of t h i .

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
. .

Attr b utes ofGod , 1 1 4 ; b o d y o f C r s t , B cn ed i ctu s , 1 83 , 3 4 1

h h
.

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
.

Augu s t ne, St , 8 8 ; convers on , 9 3 e t l e em, 1 65 , 1 7 7, 1 7 9 ; murd a of B

h
. .

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
.

S s t ers of C , 42 1 ; s ee L ove C urc ng of mot er s , 6 69

h i h h
. . .

C a s t ty , 444, 5 00 n a ture , 5 00; ex C urc ya rd , 7 01 .

cel l e n c e a n d a d va n t a ges , 5 01 ; mea n s C b or u m, 5 6 3 , 53 9 i i

i i
.

t o p re s erve t, 502 f ; v ow , 3 3 6 ; p er C n ct u re, 5 6 2

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
. .

C l d ren , d y ing wi t out b a p t s m, 1 6 0 3 77

h i h i
.

2 63 , 5 7 9 ; c o f non ca t ol cs mem C v l a ut or ty, 3 7 3 , 3 7 5 ; govern men t , i i

h
-

b ers of Ch urc , 2 2 8 ; c of Ad a m 3 7 4 ; ma rr a ge a n d d vorce, 65 1 i i

hi i
.

i i i
.

1 6 1 ; of God b y gra ce, 2 1 5 , 5 77 ; c C v l i za t on , C r s t a n , 2 04, ff .

i i i
.

d ut es t o p a rent s , 3 6 8 ti ; rs t com Cl a n d es t n ty, 6 5 1 , 6 5 8

i hi
. .

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
.

C n a a n d Ja p a n , c onvers on , 2 3 3 Dea con s , i

ol y O rd ers H
ih
.

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 a n t y , i t s d v n ty , 9 5 ; el eva ted C ol ors , l tu rg ca l , 5 6 3 ; p a p a l , 2 2 6

i i
.

d octr n e, 2 02 ; s p rea d ng, 203 , 2 3 1 ; C ol u mb u s a n d Sa n Sa l va d or, 4 30 .

res ul t s , 2 04 C omma n d men ts ( l a ws ) of God , 7 5,

hi i ih hi i
.

C r s t a n s , n a me, 22 8 ; k n own b y l ove , 280 3 06 Jew s a n d C r s t a n

297 Deca l og u e b n d ng up on C r s t a n s , i i hi i
hi i hi
.

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
.

C r s t ma s , 1 8 0; cr b , 1 8 1 , 7 1 0; tree, p u n s men t , 308 ; ob s erva n ce ea s y ,

1 9 5 , 3 58 , 5 5 8 308 F i rs t 3 09 ; true wors p of hi
h
. .

C rys os tom, St , 88 ; p res en ce o f God , God , 3 1 0; d ol a try , 3 1 3 ; s u pe rs t i i

h
.

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
. .

d om, 1 6 8 , 2 2 2 ; a commun ty, 22 1 , ma ges , 3 2 9 ; rel cs , 3 3 1 ; oa t s , 3 3 3 ;

i i i
2 3 1 ; n s t t u t on , 2 2 1 , 2 30; memb ers , vow s , 3 3 6 Second reveren ce t o
h hi
.

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
.

n fa ll b l ty, 9 0, 2 3 6 h er t ree s mo n y , 3 45 Thi rd 0 Su n d a ys i

h hi 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
.

n eces s ty for s a l va t on , 2 4 5 f ; in d u ty t o p a ren t s , 3 6 8 ; s n s , 3 7 1 ; re i

h 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
, ,

2 42 ; p rop a ga t o n i n oma n Emp re, 3 7 8 ; of p a ren t s , 6 6 1 F i fth 3 80;

h
.

2 3 1 ; Eu rop e , 2 3 2 ; New W orld , 2 33 ; d uty t o ou r l fe, 3 80; t o t a t o f i

n u mb er of memb ers a t p res en t , 2 3 4 ; n e g b or, 3 84 ; t o a n ma l s , 3 9 1 ih 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
.

men t , 3 89 ; s oc a l s m, 4 1 5 f ; forg ve 2 84 f ; c o f mercy , 4 1 9

h h
. . . .

nes s of s i ns , 4 70; C of ome, 23 1 . R

C omma n d men ts of C urc , 3 5 7 ii ; or .
 Alp ha b eti c Ind ex . 7 33

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
.

t ca l yea r, 3 5 9 Secon d C , 3 6 1 rel a p s e i n s i n , 6 2 9 ; mea n s t o p ers e

Th i h h i h
. .

i
.

rd , fourt , 3 66 i ft , s x t vere, 6 3 1 ; c of temp ta t on s , 47 5

F .

i
. .

3 68 . C on fes s on a l s , 6 05 .

00mmun i ca ti o i d i oma tmn , 2 00 C on fes s or i n s a cra men t, 6 09 0 of

ih P ih
.

i i i i
.

C ommun c a t on , rel g ou s , w t rot fa t , 1 03 .

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 .

w ork s , 2 5 1 Co n rma t on , 5 74, ceremon es , i i

i H h i
.

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 .

Ea s ter, 3 6 7 , 5 9 5 ; Su n d a ys , 5 9 5 ; C on fra tern ty, 71 ]

ol y Ch ld i H i
c hi l dren , 5 9 6 ; w eek l y a n d d a ly , ood , 233 ; erp etu a l i
Ad ora t on , h P i
59 6 ; commu n ca n ts , i
59 7 ; effec t s , 593 ; ol y a ce , 3 46 ; B 1 Sa cra H F
i
.

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
,

( s a cr l ege, of b od y, fa s t ng, ol y os a ry , 7 1 6 ; Sca p u l a r, 7 1 7 ; H R

602 ; c on d u c t , 6 03 ; t a n k s g v ng, h
on a M ors , 7 1 7 ; oly i i os t , 7 1 8 B H Gh
i ii 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
. .

604 , 55 5 ; c for t h e p o or s ou l s , 2 6 7 C on gres s es , Ca t ol c, 7 09 ; U S C on .

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
.

C omp a ny, rrel g ou s , 1 00 2 83 ; ex a men , 600, 6 1 5 ; d a ly , 6 1 7 i

i
.

i i
.

C omp l a cen cy , s n fu l , 4 52 C on s a ngu n ty, 6 54

i i
. .

C omp l a nt s i n a d v ers ty, 4 8 9 C on s ecra t on a t l a s t s u p per, 5 3 2 , 5 89 ; i

ih
.

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
.

C on cu p s cen c e , 1 5 9 , 2 1 2 ; t r p l e c a n d p u rga t ory, 2 6 6 ; s even t d a y s res t ,

.

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
.

by ol y co mmu n on , 5 9 8 ; a n d co n C on s ol a t on , s p r tu a l , b y con fes s on , i ii i

fe s s i on , 6 24 61 4
h
.

ii i
.

C on d t on s of s a l va t o n , 7 4 , 9 3 ; oa t s , C on s t a n cy, s ee ers evera n ce P

i i i
.

33 4 ; vow s , 3 3 6 , 3 3 8 ; mer t , 43 5 f ; C on s ta n t ne , Emp , con vers on , 9 3 ;

h h
.

i
.

s in , 4 5 8 ; forg ven es s o f s i n , 4 7 1 , cros s , 1 06 , 236 ; free d om t o C u rc ,

605 ; s a cra me n t s , 5 7 5 ; c on rma t on , 23 1 i

hi II
.

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
.

t on , 605 , 6 2 6 ; n a ture, 6 05 ; n eces 61 9 ; t me , 6 2 0; a ttr t on , 6 2 0; i ii

s i t y , d el a y , 6 06 ; fa l s e s a me, 6 07 ; n eces s ty, h 62 1 , 47 1 ; p u rp o s e of i
i i
s a cr l eg ou s , 608 ; m ni s ter or con i
a me n d men t , 6 2 1 ; c a t
p ra yer, 6 80 . .

fes s or, 6 09 ; h i s p ow er a nd i t s l i m C on trovers y, 1 03

h ih
.

i ts , 609 ; t ree fol d ofce , s ea l of C onvers on t o fa t , mea n s , 9 2 f o b i

hi
.

s e crecy, 6 1 0; fr ee c o ce , 6 1 1 ; regu s ta cl es , 9 3 ; rema rk a b l e ca s es , 24 4,

l a r c , 6 1 1 ; e ffect s , 6 1 1 fre qu en t 2 46 ; o f Jews , 2 74 ; c of free
i 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
.

t on s , 6 1 5 ex a men o f con s c en ce , b y al ms , 4 2 4 ; good w ork s , 4 3 7 ; on

ii
6 1 5 f ; con t r t on , 6 1 7 ; mot ves of d ea t b e d , 1 24 i h
ih
.

ii ii i
.

p erfec t con tr t on , 6 1 9 ; a t t r t on , C o O pera t on w t gra ce, 2 06 , 2 08 ; c

ih
-
.

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
,

a men d men t , 6 2 1 ; a ccu s a t on 6 2 2 ; C o p ern cu s , a s tron omer, 25 0

i h
.

i i
.

s a t s fa c t on , 6 23 f ; vol u nta ry p en C or ol a nus a nd h i s mot er, 3 2 5

. .
734 Alp ha beti c Ind ex .

C orona t on of op e, 7 6 i P . con f a t ern r ity of a good d 71 7

im g
.
,

C orp ora l mercy , 2 4 1 a e, 2 54

h
. .

C orp u s C h ri s ti , 1 02 , 3 5 8 , 531 59 3 ; Dea t b ed convers on , 1 2 4 i

i
,

i
.

p r oces s on , 699 . Deb ts mu s t b e p a d , 3 96 ; b efore giv

i
C orrect on , fra t erna l , 42 2 . i ng a l ms , 4 2 6 f
i
.

Coun c l s , 2 3 7 gen era l , n a ti on a l , p ro Deca l ogue, 3 07 .

v i n ci a l , 23 8 ; ut l ty , 240 ii i
Dec e t, 408
h h i
. .

Coun s el s , eva ngel ca l , 5 1 6 ii ; na ture , i i i

Ded ca t on of c urc , r t e, a n d fea s t
i i
5 1 7 ; or g n , 5 1 8 ; mea n s of p erfec 5 62 f .

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 .

Crea ti on of a ngel s , 1 3 2 , 1 46 ; wo rl d i D ei Geni tri w, 3 22 .

1 30, 1 3 2 ; ma n , 1 3 4, 1 5 2 b rutes J D ec Gra ti a s , 3 4 1 .

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
.

Crea tures , l ove of, 2 89 ; w en s n fu l 3 i i

Des res , ev l , 3 84, 3 92 , 4 1 3 , 4 1 7
i
.

2 92 f De s p a r, 2 7 9
h h h Th i
. .

Creed , a p os t ol c , At a n a s a n , cen e, i i Ni Deta c ment , s ee Ea r t ly ngs

Ti i
.

r d en ti n e , 1 08 . Detra ct on , 4 03, 407

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
.

C ros s , s gn of, 1 05 , 5 3 1 ; a d va n ta ges , 1 6 0; o ver t h e s n n er, 462 ; ob s es s i o

i
1 06 ; p ra ct s e , 1 07 , 5 3 1 ; l et ter Th a n , 1 48 ; p os s es s o n , 1 49 ; ma g c, 3 1 6 i i
1 07 ; h
ol y e , 1 8 7 ; n d ng, 1 07 ; s a c i
s p r tua l s m, 1 4 9 , 3 1 6 ; d a n d m ra ii i i
h i
.

i i
.

ri ce on th e c , 5 29 ven era t on cl es , 9 6 ; p rop ec es , 9 7 ; s gn o f t h

G
.

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
.

Cru el ty to a n ma l s , 3 9 1 Devot on , s ee P ety i i

G
. .

Cr u s a d es , n d ulgen ce, 6 34 i Devot on t o ua rd a n Angel , 1 5 1 ; t

. i i
Cura tes , 2 2 8 . t h e Sa n t s , 3 1 9 ; t o V M , 323 i B .

i
. .

C u rs ng, 3 42 . 3 2 7 ; p ub l c d , 6 9 7 i .

i
.

Cyr l , St , a p os tl e of th e s l a ves , 2 3 2 D a con a t e, 648 i

ih
. .

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
. .

Da nc es i n L en t a nd Ad ven t , 3 6 8 ; d a n D rect on, s p r tu a l , 6 1 1

hi
.

geron s , 4 7 8 D s c p l es o f C r s t , 1 8 3 i i
ih
. .

Da ngers t o fa t , 9 3 , 9 9 ; t o v rtue, D i s ci p li n e. a rca ni , 5 84 i

h h
.

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
,

Dea d , M a s s , p ra yers , a n d good w ord s D s p os t on s , s ee C on d t on s

h hi
.

for t h e, 2 6 6 f , 4 2 5 , 5 45 ; i n d u l D s re s p ec t t o ol y p ers ons , t ngs , 3 4

. i
g e n ces 6 3 9 ; a pp ea r a n ces o f t h e D s s m u l a t o n 4 08 i i i .

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
.

Dea t , t roug s i n , 1 57 , 1 6 0, 254; n a D s t n ct on of p ers on s i n God , 1 3 0; o ~

t u re a n d u n vers a l ty, 2 54 ; terror, i

n a tures i n C r s t , 1 9 7 i hi
h 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 .

b ook s , 1 01 ; freema s ons , 1 01 ; a p Forb ea ra n ce 492

i h
.

Forgivenes s of s i n
,

e a l fr om P op e t o cou n c l , 2 3 8 ; d i s op e of, 2 75,

p
i
ob e d en ce t o C urc , 2 29 a na t h h h p ower, orga n , mea ns , ex t en t,
,

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
.

Ex orc s m, 6 6 9 6 1 1 ; ex treme un ct on , 6 4 1 ; p ra y er, i

h
.

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
.

Ex treme un ct on , 640 . Fo rtun e tel l n , 3 1 5

g
-
i .

Etc Vote, 3 3 0, 3 3 7 Fort y o urs

H
d evot on , 593 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
, ,

mp l c t, exp l c t, 9 1 f ; gi ft of God g ft of l a ngua ges , 2 1 9

h
.

i
.

9 2 ; t eol og ca l vi rtue, 4 42 ; me a n s , Fra terna l correct on , 42 3 i

i i II i
.

92 o b s t a cl es , 93 ; n ec es s ty , 80, 9 3 , Fred er c of ru s s a a n d rel g on , P i i

ih
.

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
.

work s , 9 4 ; mot ves ( m ra cl es , p rop h Freema s on s , 1 01 , 2 5 1 ; oa t , 3 3 5

i
c e es ) , 9 5 ; h
eret cs , 9 8 ; i n d el s , 9 9 ; i s a cr l ege, 344 i ob d ura c y , 4 59
ih
.

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
-

fes s i on o f f , 1 02 ; i ts rewa rd , 1 03 ; con s s t en t wt i od s

forek n ow l
i i ih ih
.

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
.

Fa s t n g i n L en t , 1 8 3 ; mea n s o f gra ce , Fr en d s p , 3 00; s ee L ove of r en d s F

Gh
.

2 1 0; for p oor s oul s , 26 6 ; a good F i

ru ts of t h e ol y os t , 1 40; ofH
work , 43 5 ; l a w of C urc , 3 6 1 ; h h M a s s , 5 42 .

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 .

s a nts , i 35 8 , 3 23 , 3 1 9 x ed a n d G n u ect i on , 3 1 1 , 59 3 , 6 7 2 ; s e e Kn eel

e
mova b l e, 3 5 9 Jew s f , 3 59 o b l ih i i ng .
uinenes s of th e os p el s 8 6 G
.

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
, , , ,

M a s s , 556 erma ny 2 3 2 ; p ers ecu ,

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 ,

ri a ge, 6 60 2 05 a d ven t, 1 92 , s ou rce o f 58 4 ;

Fi h i i
.

re o f ell , 2 6 2 ; p u r g a t ory , 2 65 ; f gra ce, 2 05 n eces s ty a n d k n d s of

h
.

b l es s ed on ol y Sa tu rd a y , 1 88 gra ce, 206 ; a ctu a l gra ce, 2 07 ; s a n c

i i
.

Fl a t tery, 4 08 t i fy i n g gra ce, 2 1 1 ; Hi s n d w el l n g,

i
.

Fl oren ce , C ou n c l , on memb ers of 2 1 1 , 2 9 0, 6 1 3 , a n d w ork i n t h e s ou l ,

h h
C u rc , 2 2 8 ; b e a t i c v s on , 2 5 9 ; ii 2 1 0, 2 1 3 f , 6 1 3 ; ou r t ea c er a n d h
i i
.

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 n ca rn a t i on, 1 94 B V M 3 2 5, 6 9 1 ; G reek C hur h c th e s c s ma t c, 9 9 on hi i

Gh t
.

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
. .

Glori a P a tri , 1 3 1 , 3 4 1 ; i n s u ffer ngs , i e o an ce ac

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 , .

2 5 9 ; o f t h e a n gel s , 1 5 1 G u s ta v Ad ol f p ers ecu tor, 2 4 6

G
. .
,

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
,

tr b u tes , 1 1 4 , 3 39 , 480; e terna l , 520

i i ii
.

i i
.

1 1 4; o mn p res en t, 1 1 5; (p ou s H a nd s , fol d ng, 3 1 1 ; mp os t on , i n

h h
t o ug t s , mmu ta b l e, omn i i i
con rma t o n , 5 85 ; ord n a t on , 643 i i
i i h h 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
-

s up remel y goo d , 1 2 1 ; l oves t h e 1 5 0; Ad a m, 1 56 , 1 58 ; etern a l ou r

i i 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
-

i t el y ol y, 1 2 5 ; jus t , 1 25 , 1 4 0, 2 7 1 ; God , 29 1 , a n d of n e ig b or, 29 7 ;

( fea r of God , tru e a n d fa t ih p erfect on ea rt mp o s s b l e, 7 5 hi i
Ti 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
.

p ro t ec t o n , 2 7 7 ; Hi s l a w s , 3 06 ; ou r H ea rt of Jes u s , p erc ed , 1 8 7 ; a d ora i

a b s ol u te d e p en d en ce o n G , 3 1 0; . i
t on , 1 9 9 ; ma ge, d ev ot on , fea s t , i i
k n owl e dge o f G , 7 9 , 1 1 2 ; a d ora t o n i 53 1 ; c on fra tern ty, 7 1 6 ; l ea gue, 7 1 8 i
hi H h
.

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
. .
,

Godfa th ers a n d g mot ers , s ee Sp on .

, .

so s. r for ma n , 7 4 ; a H ea ven crea t ed 1 3 2

Go d ma n , C r s t t h e 1 9 7 hi p l a ce a n d s ta te, 25 7 i ts j oys , 2 58 ;
,

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
. .

5 40, 554 rev eren ce d u e , 8 5 , 3 4 1 reop en ed b y C r s t, 1 6 3 ; s n s i

G h
.

i i i
.

ov ern men t , c v l , 3 7 3 if ; d u t es of cry ng t o ea ven , 4 60 i

ii 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
,

t on or rej ect on , 208 ; d s tr b u t on , el l c rea t ed , 1 3 2 ; for t h e d ev l s , 1 4 7 ; H

2 09 s p ec a l g , 2 1 0; s a n c t fy n g ori a n d t h e w ck e d , 2 5 7 , 2 6 3 ; a p l a c e 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
. . .

mea n s o f g , 7 5 , 2 1 0, 53 1 ; b y s a cra en oc t o rea p p ea r, 29 3 H

III
.

ii
.

men ts , 5 7 2 , 5 7 4 ; con tr t on, 5 7 4 ; en ry V o f Engl a n d , 98 , 2 3 4 , 6 5 3 H

i i i h h
.

i i
.

c on fes s on , 6 1 3 ; ma rr a ge, 6 3 5 ; fu l eres a rc s , 98 d v n e p u ni s men t , H

n es s of g i n M a ry , 6 9 1 3 90
h
. .

i i
.

Gra t tu d e, v rtu e, 42 9 ; t o God for eres y a nd ere t cs , 98 ; a nd th e H i

ih
fa t , 8 3 ; b en e ts , 2 88 , 4 3 0, 6 7 4
b l e, 8 7 ; a ct o f fa t , 9 1 ; w en i n Bi ih h
i ih
.

Greed i n ea t n g, 4 9 8 ; of mon ey , 49 6 good fa t , 99 n ot ma r ty rs , 1 04 ; .

7 38 Alp h a b eti c In d ex .

n or memb ers of C hur h c , 2 2 8 ; p ra yer I wh

gnora n ce , en n e w m h u gs y, -

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
. .

H ero d I , 1 6 5 , 1 7 3 of ome, 23 1 ; ma r tyr , 2 7 8 h is R

G
. .

H erod t h e rea t , 1 7 3 rel cs , 3 3 1 ; on n a me of Jes us , 3 3 9 i

h I
.

i i i i
.

H ero c v rt u e, 4 4 7 , 5 1 0; l ove, 2 9 6 ; gna t u s L oyol a , convers on , 9 3 ;

h h i
.

a c t of c a r t y, 2 6 7 foun d er, 2 3 4 ; b egg ng a l ms , 3 42 i

h i i i I
. .

Hi
.

era rc y, n s t t u t on , d egrees , 2 4 1 f , ma ge of God i n ma n, 1 54 ; l os t , 1 5 9 ;

ih h i h
.

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
. .

C r s t , 1 7 9 ; C urc , 2 30; C ou n c l s , Tr n ty , 3 2 9 S ea r t , 5 3 1 ; ven era i i H

h h
.

238 M a s s , 539 ; of c u rc es , 5 59 ; t on , 3 2 7 ; mea ns of gra ce, 207 , 3 30; i

i
b a p t s m, 5 8 1 ; c on fes s i on , 6 2 7 ; i n mi ra cul ous , 32 9 ; ha d , 393 ; i n ca ta
d u lge n ces , 6 3 3 f ; An gelus b el l , 69 3 ; c omb s , 32 7 ; M d dl e Ages , 3 30; i
hi III
.

t rd ord er St. FL , 7 1 3 ; L eo X veil ed on a s s on Sund a y, 1 83 P i

I
.
-

H ofb a uer, C l emen t , 2 1 7 , 304 mmers on i n b a p tis m, 5 82 i

I
.

39 7 , 4 9 1 mmod es ty, 39 2 ; i n d res s , 3 9 3

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
. .

H ol y L a n d , 1 7 5 . mpur ty, s n s of, 3 9 2 f ; d i s gra ce a n d i i .

H ol y Cros s , 1 8 7 , 3 3 1 evi l e ec t s , 504 ; h ow t o a vo d , 505

'

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
. .

Hon o r a n d rep u ta t on , 401 f i

fos ter fa t er, a my s t ery, 1 9 4 ;
.
-

Hon ora ry for M as s , 3 4 5 , 5 4 5 , 549 i t s n eces s ty , 1 9 5 ; Son of God l os t i

hi hi
.

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 ,

n eces s a ry , 2 7 7 g ft of God , 2 77 i t s 1 97 f ; i con s equ en t trut s , 1 9 9 ; h

hi
.

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
. .

Hos ts for M as s , 5 3 7 cl e s a n d p rop ec es , 2 01 ; t h e

. ol
H ii
u m l ty , 47 9 ii ; n a ture, 4 7 9 ; mo n es s of Hi s d o ct r n e, 203 ; a n d Hi s i
t i v es , 4 8 0; p ra ct s e, 48 1 ; e x a mp l e of i
l fe, 203 ; th e convers on of t h e i i
hi n
C r s t , 4 8 1 ; e ec t s , 48 2 ; p r d e , 48 3 ;

world , 2 03 f ; O ur L ord , 204

i i
h
. .

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 .

Hunga ry s con vers i on , 2 3 2

Inca rna tu s i n M a s s , 5 3 8
I
. .

Hu s b a n d s , 6 59 n crea s e of a ctua l gra ce , 208 ; s a n c t i

hi i i
.

Hymn s , C r s t a n , 5 53 , 6 73 fy i ng gra ce, 2 1 5 ; v rt u e, 44 7

I h h
.

i i ii
.

Hyp ocr s y, 3 1 1 , 3 1 2 , 408 n d efec t b l ty o f C urc , 1 7 8

h I h h
. .

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
.

nd f fer en ce, rel g ou s , 1 00, 2 45 i i

I I h h
.

c on ocl a s ts , 2 50, 3 2 8 n d u l gen ces , 632 p o w e r o f C u r c

I
.

i i i i
,

d en t ty o f d v n e a t tri b utes , 1 1 5 63 2 ; of op e, 639 ; p ub l c p en a n ces , P

I h i i i
.

dlen es s , 3 8 1 , 47 3 , 5 07 ; s ee Sl ot 6 3 3 ; or g n o f n d u lgen ce, 63 3 f ;

I
.

ii i
.

d ol a try o f Jew s , 1 7 1 ; p a ga n i , 3 1 3 ; na t u re, con d t o n s , 6 3 5 ; va r ous i , .

ii i i i
.

s p r tua l , 2 9 2 , 3 1 4 ; s n ful , 3 1 4 ; d i s 6 3 6 ; p l ena ry, pa rt a l , 6 3 6 c on d

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 .

Joh th B p ti t m rtyr 1 04 b r K ill i g

n e a l f 3 83 ;
s th r 3 86 a ; o n n one s

se o e s,
w i t h ut i 1 6 1 h i l i f 1 8 2
,

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
.

Jos ep , St , fos ter fa t er of C ris t , ed b y C r s t , 3 52 f ; b y p ra yer

h h h h
-
. .

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
.

Jos ep IL , Emp , s ck c a l l s , 422

'

i L a b orer s on Sun d a y s , 3 50; s oc a l i s m i

hi
-
. .

Jos u e, typ e of C r s t, 1 7 2 4 1 5 ; trea t men t , 4 6 1 s ee W a ges ;

Gi
.

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 ea , p rov n ce, 1 7 5 i . L a n a , S J ta ug t th e b l n d to rea d

. i
i
Ju d a , tr b e o f, 1 6 5 ; k ngd om, 1 72 . i 2 50
I 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 .

Jud a s M a ch a b eu s , p ra yer for th e L a ngua ge s , l turg ca l , 5 6 5 i i .

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
. .

Jud ges i n s ra el , 1 72 . L a t era n C oun c l on Ea s ter d uty, 59 5, i

Ju d gmen t , p a r t cul a r, 2 5 6 f i
gen era l . 628 .

( 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
.

p pu r os e 2 7 1 ; m a n n er 2 7 2 ; n u oer L a t n l a ngu a ge, 5 65

h
.

i i i i i
, ,

ta n ty , s gn s , 2 7 3 ; ra s j , 402 , 4 58 . . La v ger e, C a r d , Afr ca n s l a ves , 2 3 3 , .

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
.
, ,

Jus t n , St , p l os op er, 8 8 conver L eo X , b o

gra p y , 22 5 ; o n C urc ,
h h
. .

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
.

evel a er, s r ne B V M 3 2 9 , 705 L eb erma n , Je w s con ver t , 246

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
,

3 80; ob l ga t on a nd mea n s to p re t o l ove o f Go d , 2 9 2 ; ca u s es , l os s of

s erve i t, 3 8 1 ; ra s ex po s ure, 3 82 ; h
gra ce a nd s a lv a t on , 2 9 2 f ; b l nd i i
i ii i i i h
.

nj ury, s u c d e, 3 8 3 ; s a cr ce, 38 4 ; n e s s a n d d s qu e t , 2 9 3 ; a tre d o f

i
s ns a ga n s t 1 a nd i
of n e g b or, h
Go d , 294 ; en d s i n d ea t , 2 9 4 ; i ts ih h
h 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 .

d er, 3 8 6 ( evi l c ons equ en ces , L u c fer, 1 47 i

i ih
.

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
-

i
. .

ment , w a r, 3 88 f ; rep a ra t on for i n L u t er eres a rc , 9 8 ; h i s reforma

i i i
.

j ur es , 3 89 ; s p ri tu a l l b y s a nct fy t on 2 3 3 ; errors , 2 3 4 ru i n ed ch u rch

. i
i ng gra ce, 1 5 3 , 2 1 2 ; b a p t s m, 5 7 8 ; mu s m, 5 6 7 i
h i
.

Eu c a r s t, 5 9 4 ; l os t b y s i n , 46 2 ; i n L y ng, 407 d i6 eren t k n d s , 408 ; i i

j ury t o s p ri tu a l l o f ot ers b y s e i h
ma l ce a nd ev l cons equ e nces , 4 09 f
. i i
i i i i
.

d u ct on , 3 86 s ca n d a l , 3 87 ; r u le s , i n j es t , 4 1 0; eva s on , equ voc a t on ,

3 87 4 1 1 ; t h e trut fu l es teemed , 4 1 1 f h
ih ih h
.

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 . .

L ord s Pra yer,

th e, 6 8 7 s ee O ur M a g c, 3 1 6 i
h
.

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
.

Lo s s of fa t , 1 00; gra ce, a ctu a l , 2 08 ; 1 5 2 ; h i s b od y , 1 53 , ( n ot a n a p e ) ;

h ia b tua l , 2 1 5 ; v rtu e, 448 ; God a n d i
s ou l , 1 54 ; i ma ge of God a n d i mmor
h ea ven , 2 6 1 f t a l , 1 54 f ; e r o f or g n a l s i n , 1 6 1 ; hi ii
K h h h i
.

i
.

L ou s , St , i ng, on b l a s p emy, 34 5 ; d gn ty t roug n ca rn a tio n , I9 6 ; i i

i 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
.

ma n d men t , 2 8 4 ; neces s ty, 28 5 ; b y M a nn a ; 1 7 1 , 590

i i i
.

s a n c t fy ng gra ce , 2 8 5 ; n s epa ra b l y M a nni ng, C a rd , c onvers on , 2 46 i

ih i h
.

i
.

j o n ed w t l ove of n e g b or, 286 ; M a rga re t M a ry Al a coque , 8 2 , 53 1

i i i hi
.

2 88 ; mot ves , 28 6 ; pra ct s e , 2 8 7 ; M a r a Z el l , s r n e, 3 3 6 , 7 04 -

i
.

q u a li t es 289 ; (il ov e o f crea tu res , M a rk , St 86 ; m a ge, 3 2 8 ; p roces ~

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
.

i i
.

L ove of n e g b or, 2 9 4 c omma n d M a rr a ge, s ee M a tr mony

ih
.

284 ; w t l ove of God , 2 8 6 , 28 8 M a rtyrs , 1 03 ; t omb s , 3 32 ; rel i cs in

i
mo t ves , 29 5 ; h ow s o w n , 2 9 5 f ; h a l tar s tones 5 59 f
h
. .

i i
,

ru l e, l m ts , 2 9 6 ; meri t , rew a rd , M a rtyrd om 1 03 ; a n d eres y 1 04 ;

2 9 7 ; ma rk s t h e true C r s t a n , 2 9 7 ; hi i b a p ti s m of b lo od 5 8 1
,

.
,

i i M a rx s oc ia l i s t 4 1 4
,

s n s a ga n s t 2 98 ii , 38 4 s ee .
, , .

Al ms , M ercy M a ry B V typ es i n Old Tes ta ment

hi h
. . .

i 32 2 ; mot er of t h e p romi s e d R e
, , ,

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
, ,

a n d u s efu l , w a rn ng, 302 . Son of God , 1 9 3 , 1 99 , 322 , 69 0; t h e

L ove of en em es , i ts mo t ves , 3 03 ; i i B i i
l es s ed V rg n , 3 24 , 6 9 1 f ; s p ou s e
h h i
.

h ow s own , 3 04 ; rewa rd a n d effects , of Jos ep , 1 94, 32 3 mma c u la tely

3 04 i . i
con ce ved , 82 , 84 , 2 3 9 , 3 24 ; fu l l o f
L ove of on e s s elf, i ts mot ves , 3 05 ;

i gra ce, 3 2 5 , 6 9 1 ; a b s ol u tely s i n l es s ,
tru e, fa l s e, 3 06 . 4 69 h er n a me, 323 s orrows ,
7 42 Alp ha b eti c In d ex .

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
.
,

fea s ts , 3 5 8 a nn u n c a t on , 1 7 9 as M a y , mon t of, 3 2 3 , 3 2 7

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
. . .

more on ored t a n ot er s a n ts , i Go d , 2 7 4 ; s u 6 eri ng, 1 4 1 ; u s e of

h ow ? w y ? 3 2 3 f ; h on ored b y Go d , h h
ea rt ly go od s , 4 1 8 ; m o f gra ce , 75 ,
hi i
.

i i i
.

3 24 ; h er p owerfu l n te rces s on , 2 1 ; m of C r s t a n p erfect o n , 5 1 2 ,

i 2
.

3 2 5 f , 6 9 2 ; b y h er w e ob ta n gra ce, 51
h
.

2 1 0, 3 2 7 ; a nd p ers evera n ce, 6 3 2 ; M ea t, w y forb d d en on Fr d a y , 3 62 i i

h i
.

el p i n a ll o ur n ee d s , 3 2 6 f ; d evo M ed a t or, s ee Jes u s

Th 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
.

32 7 ; d fferen t d ev ot on s , 3 2 3 , 5 4 8 ; M eek n es s , v rt u e, 444 , 49 0; b l es s ed ,

p ic tu r e s 3 2 8 ; p l gr m a g es t o h e i i
r 52 2
hi i h r ti h li
.
,

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
.

M a s s , s a cr ce of, 53 2 i t s i n s ti tu M emb ers of C urc ( cl a s s es

i
t on , _53 2 , 5 89 ; a s a cr ce, 5 3 3 ; i i
2 2 8 ; v s i b l e a nd n vi s i b l e, l v ng a n d i i i
p o w er g v en tih e a p os t l e s 5 3 4 ; d ea d , 24 7
h i hi
.
,

typ es a n d prop ec es , 5 3 4 s tory , M ercy, w ork s of, 41 8 d v n e c om i i

53 4 f ; n a me , d gn ty, grea tn es s , i i ma n d , 4 1 9 ; t os e b ou n d , 2 1 9 f ; h
hi
.

i i i ii
.

5 3 5 ; C r s t p r es t a n d v ct m, 5 3 6 f ; . corp ora l , 42 0, 4 2 1 f ; Sp r tua l , 4 20, .

06 ert ory , 53 7 con s ecra t on a nd i 42 2 f ; i n ten t o n , 42 5 ; b en e ts , 42 7 ;

. i
commun o n , 53 8 f i ceremoni es , 5 39 . m b l es s ed , 52 3
. .

s ymb ol s m, i 540; rel a t on t o th e i i

M er t , s up ern a tura l , 2 1 4 ; onl y b y
c ros s , 541 f ; i ts fru ts , 5 42 , 547 , i gra ce, 2 06 ; n tent on , 42 5 h o w l os t , i i
ii i i i
.

5 5 7 p rop t a t on , 5 43 ; mp etra t on , 462 485 , 488 ; rega ned b y con i

ii
544 ; p a rt c p a n ts a n d b en e c a ri es , i fes s i on , 6 1 3 ; a pp l ed t o ot ers , i h
545 f ; offere d t o God for a four 11 1 of good work s , 4 3 4 f ; i n t emp ta
h
.

i
. .

fol d p urp os e, 5 47 i n onor of s a i n ts , t on , 4 7 4 ; b y p en a n c e, 6 2 5 ; m o f

hi 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 .

l i vi ng, 5 49 n ten t on, 54 9 i meri t of i M a s s , 5 42

h i i
.

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 .

a tten t on , i 55 3 , 555 ; ob l ga t on of i i M eteorol ogy , 3 1 6

h i ih h i
.

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
.

men ts , 56 2 ; ves s el s , co l ors , 5 6 3 ; l a n M c a el Emp , b l a s p emy, 3 45

h ih h
. . .

i
,

gua ge, 5 65 ; c a n t , 56 6 ; mus i c, 5 6 7 ; M c ae l , St , a rc a n gel , con fra te rn ty,

.

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 s ters , 3 50, 4 1 4 f , 46 1 p ctu res , 3 3 0; w or k ngmen , 4 6 1

h h h
. . .

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
.

ob j ec t, 6 4 9 ; a s a cra men ta l c on tra c t , M n s ter o f s a cra men ts , 5 7 6 b a p t s m,

i i
6 50; c v l m , 6 5 1 ; d vorce, 6 52 ; i 5 8 0; c on fes s on , 6 09 f i .

i i i ii i i
.

un ty, n d s s ol u b l ty, 6 52 ; s ep a ra M ra c l es , n a tu re of, 9 5 ; k n d s 9 6 ;

i i i ih h
,

t o n , 6 5 3 ; s p ec a l gra ce, 653 i m mot ves of fa t , 9 5 ; p roo fs o f tr u t

p ed i m e n t s e ccl , 6 5 4 c v l, 6 5 5 ; i i or h i
ol n es s , 9 6 good a n d b a d men ,
hi 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
.

b etrot a l , 6 5 6 ; c on fes s on a n d com i ma ges , 3 2 9 rel cs , 3 3 2 ; s r n es ,

i
mun on , 6 5 7 ; p r es t , w tn es s es , n u p i i 7 03 f
i
.

tia l M a s s , t me, 6 58 ; ceremon es , i i M s s a l , 563

h
.

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
,

m x ed m forb d d en , 66 4 ; t ol era ted ,

. M tre, p a pa l , 2 2 5 ; ep s cop a l , 2 2 7 .
7 44 Alp h a b eti c In d ex .

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
,

ur
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
.

O mn p ot en ce of God , 1 2 0 Pa p a cy, s ee Pop e . .

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
. . .

O p p res s i on of t h e p oor, 4 6 1 Pa ren ts , 5 80; d ut es , 66 1 i

h h
.

Ora cl es , ea t en , 9 7 Pa rl a ment, 3 74 i
ih
. .

O ra te F ra tres i n M a s s , 5 3 9 , 5 49 Pa r s , 228 M a s s , 55 7 Eas ter d uty

h h
.
,

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
. .

Ord er of th e Creed , 1 08 B 1 ri n i ty, Pa s c a l l a mb , 1 70, 52 8, 5 34 ca n d l e .

,

1 30; comma n d me n ts , 2 8 5 , 3 07 , 3 5 7 ; 1 8 8 ; t i me, 3 6 7

i i i hi
.

eccl es a s t ca l y ea r, 3 60; b ea t t u d es , Pa s s i on of C r s t foretol d , 1 6 8 ; fu l

5 24 s a cra men ts , 5 7 4 O u r Fa t er, l l ed , 1 8 5 ren ewed mys t ca lly i n h i
2 7 5 , 689 ; Ha l M a ry, 6 9 0; l ta ny i M a s s , 5 4 1 ; i ts mer ts , 5 3 0 i i .

B V M , 6 96 Pa s s on l a y, 3 36 i P
h ih
. . . . .

O rd er, ol y , s a cra men t, 6 ord i Pa s s ons , ev l , a n ob s ta cl e to fa t . i i

i i i
.

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
.

3 4 3 , 6 45 ; voca t on , 6 45 f ; p owers , P a ter Nos ter a n d ven al s i n , 4 7 0; i n i

h
.

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
,

m s s on, 6 4 7 m n or, 6 47 f ; a n d Pa t en ce , 488 6 e 6 ec ts , 48 9 p of

h h h
.

i
. .

ig er ord ers , 2 4 1 , 6 4 8 cel b a cy , C ri s t , 4 8 9 f ; p i n s u ffer ng, 1 44 , i

h
.

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
. .
,

5 1 9 ; t e r work , 2 49 f , 42 1 ; not P a tr a rc s of O l d es ta men t , 8 1 , 1 6 4,

hi h
.

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
. .

i
.

Ord n a ri es , 2 2 7 . Pa tri oti s m of C a t ol cs , 3 75

i
.

O rd i n a t on , 6 43 , 6 48 Pa tron s a nts , 3 20; s pec a l , 3 2 1

. i i
Orga n , mus i ca l , 5 6 8 fea s ts , 358 ; p , t tl e i n C a n on la w , i
h h
.

i
.

O rga n s m of C urc , 2 23 , 24 1 , 2 5 1 228 .

i i
.

Or g n of ma n , 1 3 4 ; w orl d , 1 3 2 ; evi l , P a ul , St , convers i on , 9 3 ; m s s on , 2 3 0 i i

h h
. .

1 4 1 ; C urc , 2 30 Pea ce of s ou l , 7 6 , 1 3 9 f a n n ounced

h h
.

i
.

Or gi na l s i n, 1 58 con s equ en ces , 8 2 , in et l e em, 1 8 0; mea n s , gra c e B

1 4 1 , 1 59 ; un vers a l ty , 1 6 1 ; ex cep i 21 4 i
l ove of God , 2 90; p a t en ce i
i
t ons , 1 6 1 ; t a k en a wa y b y C r s t, 488 ; meek n es s , 4 90; s el f con trol hi -

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
O rl a n d o di L a s s o, mus c a n, 5 6 8 46 4 ii
h G
.
.

Ort od ox

reek , 2 3 3 Pea cea b le nes s , 49 2 , 52 4
.

ii i
.

Ot t l a , St , Sp e c a l p a tron , 3 2 1 Pena n ce , v rtu e, 6 04 ; p u b l c, 6 3 3 ; i n i i

h
. .

O u r F a t er, th e, 2 7 5 ; ex p l a i n e d , 6 8 7 6 d u lgen ces , 6 2 3 ; mp os ed b y con fes . i

O u r Lo rd , 2 04

s or, 6 2 3 ; s ee C on fe s s o n i
Gh
. .

Pen tecos t , a d ven t of H ol y os t , 1 9 2 ;

b rt d a y of C u rc , 2 30; fea s t , 3 5 8 , i h h h
P. 3 6 1 p a n d co n r m a t on , 5 84 i
i Ki
. .

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
.

moral s , 204 ; ora cl es , 9 7 ell , Perfecti on, Ch r s t a n, 5 09 a s p ra i i i

h
ea ven , 1 5 6 , 2 6 1 ; cu l tu s o f t h e t on n eces s a ry, 5 09 ; b les s e d , 52 3 ; i
d ea d , 1 56 ; fea s ts , 3 59 ; s a cri ces , ex a mp le of C r s t a n d t h e s a n ts , hi i
5 2 8 ; b a p t s m, 5 7 7 ib ur al s 7 01 : 5 09 f ; i
i t s n a ture, 5 1 0; d i i cu l t . .
 Alp h a b eti c In d ex . 7 45

(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
.

51 2 a b s t n e n c e, i 51 3 regu l a r ty, ol t cs a n d rel g on , 3 7 7 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
,

men ts , p ou s rea d ng a n d med ta ol yt e s m, or g n , 1 1 4 P

h
.

i
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
-

. . .

i n g, 1 4 5 ; umi l ty, 482 s pe c a l i 2 50 i .

i
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
h i
.

i O p e, th e, n a me , 2 2 3 ; ma rty rs , 2 23 ;
,

o b ed en ce, c a s t ty , over ty, 5 1 7 P

p
p e r s o n s i n rel g on , 5 1i i
9 ; s ecul a r b s op of ome, ih
s u cces s or of St R
i i i i
.

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
. .

Perp etu a , St , p ra yer for t h e d ea d , cou n c l , 2 2 6 ; ou r d u t es , t o

i
.

2 6 7 on res u rrect on , 2 6 9 i u l tra mon ta n es , 3 7 5 ; a n t p op es , 2 4 3

i
. .

Perp e t u a l a d ora t o n , 5 9 3 i ort i u n c ul a , n d u lgen ce, 6 3 7 f

h h i 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
.

Pers ec u t o n s io f t h e C u rc , 93 , 2 3 1 , c i s m) ; p , s ee rop erty, 3 9 4 6 P

h 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
.
, ,

t ors p u n s ed , 2 35, 2 48 p for C r st an p a nd i t s a d va n ta ges ,

hi i h
. .

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
,

of eret cs , 2 45 ; rel g ous w a rs , 2 04 ; p o o r 4 3 3 ; p ra y ers o f th e p oo r, 4 2 9 ;

h 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 .

Pers evera n ce i n p ra yer, 5 1 4, 6 7 5 ; in s el , 5 1 7 f t h e v ow o f p , 3 3 6 ; t h e .

i ii
.

gra ce, 63 1 ; a fru t of p ra yer, 6 7 6 , p oo r i n s p r t, 5 2 1 s ee Al ms , M ercy,

679 Ea rt l y oo d s h G
hi h I
. .

Pers on i n G od , 1 2 8 i n C r s t, 1 9 7 ra gu e, th e oly n fa n t of, 3 2 9 P

hi i i i i i h
. .

Pes t o , Syr a n b b l e, 8 4 ra s e, d v n e, 3 4 1 ; i n Pymn s , 5 53

ih
. .

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 .

creed , 1 08 ; h i s p r ma cy , 2 2 3 , 3 7 4 ; i w a rd d evot on , 6 7 2 ; men ta l a n d i

ih
b s op of R ome, h i s s uc ces s o rs , 2 2 4 ; voca l , 6 7 2 f , 68 6 ; i n common , 6 7 3 ,
i i ii h i i
.

h i s m s s on a n d ma rtyrd om, 2 30; 6 7 5 ; p rai s e , p et t on , t a n k s g v ng,

h i s gra ve , 2 2 4 ; h i s c a r, 2 25 ; a l ta r, hi 6 73 f i t s p ow er, 6 7 4 , 4 2 9 ; n ot a l
h
.

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
.

Pet er Cl a ver, St , a p o s tl e o f n egroe s , . o f gra ce , 2 1 0; a n d p erfect on , 435 i

2 33 n eces s ty , 6 77 ; qu a l t es , 6 7 7 in i ii
Ph
.

i
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
.

ii
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
.

i i
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
. .

ys c a ns , 3 82 ; C r s t a n , 64 3 d en ce, res gn a t on , 6 80; a t a l l t mes , i i i

I
.

Pi c t u res , s ee ma ges 5 1 4 , 6 8 1 ; d a ly, 6 82 ; a t mea l s , An i

Pi i i
.

e ty, g ft , 2 1 8 n t ern a l , 3 1 0; ex gel u s , 6 8 3 , 6 9 3 a t M a s s , 55 2 ; at

t erna l , 3 1 1 , 6 7 2 ; tru e, fa l s e, 3 5 4 ; ol y c ommu n on , h
601 ; a t p roces i
i ih
mu s t n ot n terfere w t d u ty, 3 1 2 , s on s , 7 00; i
i n d s tres s , t emp ta t on , i i
i i
3 5 4 , 6 80; s en s b l e d evot on , 6 7 8 ; 474 ; a nger, 4 95 gra ve u n d er
i
p ou s p ers on s , 3 1 0 ta k n g s , 6 84 ; a t p ol t ca l el ect on s , i ii i
h h h
.

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
.

us X a n d mma c ul a te Con cep t on , l i ev e rs , 1 02 ; p oo r s ou l s , 2 66 ; t h e

h h i
.

8 2 , 84 ; St Jos ep , 1 94 ; e ro c a c t l v ng a n d t h e d ea d , 42 5 for good i i

h i 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
.

ros a ry, 6 9 6 . 8 9 ; a n d commu n on o f s ai n t s , 2 1 0;

P i
l a ce of M a s s , 5 59 ; b a p t s m, 5 8 8 ; B 1 p o f t h e s n n e r 4 3 7 , 6 80; o f t h e i
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
.

Pl ea s u res , s ee Amu se ment s QXQl a i n ed , 6 8 7 6

. .
 746 Alp h a b eti c In d ex .

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
.
,

Pres en ce of God 1 1 6 ; of C r s in s a cra men ta l pen a n c e , 6 2 4 ; ra y er

h ri t ,
p s

Euc a s 589 6 6 7 7 ; ca p ta l p , 38 8 i
ih
.
, . .

Pres b yter 223 P urga to ry p l a ce of p un s men t a n

Pres u mp t i on ( ra s hn es s ) s in ful 2 80 G
.
,

, , i
s a t s fa c t on to i
od s

j us t ce, 1 2 5 i
3 82 4 7 7 . 2 5 7 , 2 64 4 6 5 grea tn es s , v a ri et
Pr et rn a tu ra l even ts b y evil s p ir i ts
,

e i
of p a n s , 2 6 5 , 6 2 0; ex s ten ce 2 6 5 f i
h i
, ,
.

96 , 1 4 8 f . mea n s of e l p ng th e p oor s oul , 2 52

P i
r d e , 48 3 i t s n a t u re, 4 8 3 ; ma n i 2 66 f s ou l s i n p memb ers o f t h
h h h
. .

fes t a t i on , 48 4 ; e 6 ec t s , 4 85 ; th e C urc s u 6 eri n g ) , 2 5 0 f ; t ey b e]

(
i
.

queen of a l l s n s , 469 ; t h e p of t h e u s , 2 5 2 ; M a ry a n d t h e p oor s o ul s

ih ih
.

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 .
. .

era rc ca l d egr ee, 2 2 8 , 2 41 , 6 48 ; ma s

i h h h
.

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
.

P roces s on s , p o us , a p rofes s on of u rp l e i n l turgy, 5 64 P i

ih i P hi hi
.

fa t , 1 02 ; un t e d p ra yer, 6 7 5 , 6 9 7 ; yt a s a nd Da mon , fri en d s p , 3 00

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
Tii
.

p 7 0 0 ;i id v n e p i n r n ty 20 5 Q .

h
.

i
. .
,

P
,

ro fa na t on of Sun d a y, 3 5 0; of ol y
hi
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
h
. .

i
,

P rom s e und er oa t , 335 .

P ro a a n d a C ol l ege a t
p g R o m e 23 3 R.
hi i i
.

i
,

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
. .

fa t , c on fr a t ern ty , 2 33 , 3 1 4 , 7 1 5 a n s om, ord er of, 4 2 1 R

i h hi R h hi
. .

P rop erty, 3 9 3 r g t of own ers p , a p a el , St , typ e o f C r s t, 1 7 0; s o

ih
.

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
.

u n s e d 3 9 9 o n es ty a w a rd ed , R a t i s b o n n e, Jew s con vert , 9 3 , 2 4 6

p ;
i i i Bi ii
, .

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
.

i
.

ro p ecy, n a ture a n d p urp o s e, 9 5 , 9 7 ; mea n s of gra ce, 2 07 ; p erfect on , 5 1 5

i i
fu l l ment, 98 , 1 2 8 ; mes s a n c p , p ra yer, 6 8 6 ; o n Su n d a y, 3 49 i ts
hi
.

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
h h i
. .
,

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
.

1 04 . ecrea t on , s ee Amu s emen t s R

i
.

P rotera ngel i n m, 1 64 , 1 9 4 R e d i n l t u rgy, 5 6 4

.

i
.

P rov d e n ce of God , 9 3 , 1 1 8 , 1 2 0, 1 37 6 ed eemer, th e, p rom s ed , 1 6 3 Hi s R i

P ru d en c e, c a rd n a l v r tu e, 4 44 i l fe, i Hi s pers on , Hi s i
ih
.

P u n s men t o f s i n , 1 2 5 morta l s i n , s a cr ce , 5 2 9 s ee Jes u s i

i i R i i
.

2 63 , 4 6 3 ; ven a l s i n , 46 5 ; v ce, 46 7 ; e d emp t on t h 1 6 2 f r r

e ; p p a t on,
e a
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
,

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
,

3 5 2 ; d s res p e c t t o p a ren ts , 3 7 2 ; o f ege n e ra t on i n b a p t s m, 5 7 8

'

i h h i
.

fen ces a ga n s t a u t ori ty , 3 7 7 ; t eft eg u l a r ty , 5 1 4 R

h i h
.

3 99 ; mu rd er, 3 8 9 ; of e res a rc s egu l a rs , s ee O rd ers , rel g ous R i i .

7 48 Alp h a b eti c In d ex .

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
.

600; con fe s s on , 608 ; ma rr a e , 6 5 1 Sep t u a ges ma , 3 60

g
i
.

Sa d d u cees , 1 7 4 Sermon s , n ec es s ty, 1 00, 5 6 9 ; mea n

i h i
.

Sa n ts , 2 5 0, 3 1 7 6 ven era ti on , 3 1 3, o f gra ce , 2 07, 2 1 0; d u ty o f ea r n

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
. .

n er, p l e a s n g t o G o d 3 2 0 ; Serva n t s , 3 50, 3 7 1

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
.

32 1 ma ges , rel cs , Seven , th e n u mb e r, 1 2 8 , 2 1 6 , 3 4 7

fea s t s , 3 2 0, 3 5 8 ; n a mes , 3 1 8 , 3 2 0 4 69
hi h
.

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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.

p e r fec t o n 5 1 0 ; f o u n d i n ev ery cl as s S a me i n con fes s on , 6 07 f i

i i i h h h h
.
,

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
.

Sa ra , h er n cr ed u l ty, 1 00 . Si mon St ock a n d C a rm el t e s ca p ul a r i

Sa ta n , l ea d er of t h e d ev ls , 1 4 7 i 71 7
hi
. .

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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
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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
.

Sc a l a Sa n t a a t ome, 6 3 6 R 4 50; ev l s 6 ects , 4 50 f temp ta t on

h h
.

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Sca n da l , 3 8 7 r ep a ra t on , 3 89 i 45 1 ; t oug t, a ct, 4 5 1 f d es re

h i i
. .

Sca p u l a r, con fra t ern ty, 7 1 7 i 45 2 ; a b t, v ce a n d i ts res ul ts

hi G hi
.

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
.

Sc wa rz , er t ol d , O S B , nven tor, i a ga n s t H ol y hos t, 2 08 , 45 9 ; cry

h
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2 50 i n g t o ea ven , 4 6 1 ; con s equ en ces 0

h h i
.

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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
.

Sc ool s , C r s t a n , or g n , 2 4 9 v ce a rd t o overcome, 4 6 6 ; n eed 0

i
.

i
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
.

Sea l of con fes s on , 6 1 0; s ee Jo n ob ed en ce , 4 8 7 w r a t , 4 9 3 ; a va ri ce

Np m e o 49 5 ; i t mp 4 98 ; i mp i ty n e era n ce , ur

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 ecc as ron o g 21 2 e 21 5; t a o ra ce, o

i t i 1 01 ; m r i g 6 58 h v 2 60; l d t h ll 2 6 3
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S r t
ec e s oc e es a r a es ea en , ea s o e :

S t J w i h 1 74 ; i i
.

it d g i t th
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ec s , e s p t l l v y 4 6 2un 4 6 6 ; e d a a ns e s r ua s a er s an

Ch r h 2 2 3 di i p r vi d F rgiv
.
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u c 1 40; v ne o en ce, s ee o e

S d i Ki g h i p j y 3 3 5 i
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e ec a s , n O f i
s er u r n es s , c ca s on s o s n.

Si 1 22 ; p t i
.

ti
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S d
e uc 3 86 on , r d G d l v nn e s an o

s o e, a en ce,
h ly p t l i p p l 2 2 5 ti 1 25 ; t i l
.

S ee, th e o 1 23 j a os o 1 42
c, a a us c e, r a s,

f C h ity 42 1 ;
.

Si t N
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S lf
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c on ro 51 2 d f s e en ce s ers o ar s ee uns
i l 2 60; k w l Si yp h 2 6 1
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3 8 7 4 01 ; d s -
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no s us , .

w i ll
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dge 61 5 f ; e, l v 3 04 f ; Sl
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93 Sl v ry m g p g 2 04 2 3 3 3 5 2 a e a on a a ns ,

h ib Ki g b l p h my 3 45
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S en n a c er 42 1 n as e
Sl th 4 6 9 5 07
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S en at U S 3 77 e, o
S b i k i g i t t h T rk
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vi d
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S en s es , 9 0; g e 2 08 ; d en c e , 2 77 ra ce, e o es a a ns e u s,

i h d i h ll 2 65 S i l i m 41 1 6 b j t 4 1 4 ;
.

vo ti 6 78 ; p on , un s e n e , . oc a s , ; . o ec ,
c a u se s ,
 Alp ha beti c In d ex . 7 49

4 1 5, 4 6 1 ; remed i es 41 5 f ; i mpos s i Sti pen d s for M a s s , 3 45

h i 77
. .
,

b l e t eor es , 41 6 f Sto l e, 56 2 ; fees , 3 4 5

h it bl i
. .

S i ti l igi
,

oc e es , re ou s , c ar a e, Stolb erg, C ou n t , con v e rs on , 2 46

th i d d i hi i
.

71 1 ; r 7 1 2 ; o f
or S t F r a n
ers , . Stra u s s , n d el , on C r s t a n mora li ty,
ci s , 7 1 3 ; p r n c p a l c on fra terni t es i i 2 02 i .

forb d d en s , 1 01 i Sub d a cona te ( s ub d ea con ) , 6 48 i .

i i
.

ii i
.

Sod a l t es , p ou s , 7 1 1 f Su cces s on , a p os t ol c, 2 2 2 , 2 2 4, 2 2 6 ,
.

So d omy, 4 6 1 . 24 1 , 2 4 4 .

i
Sol d ers a n d w a r, 3 88 f ma rri a ge, Su 6 eri ngs a n d tr a l s a n d d vi ne p rov i i i
hi i
.

65 5 . d en ce , 1 3 9 ; C r s t a n s , .

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So l t u d e, 5 1 5 s en t b y G od , 1 1 8 , 1 41 f , 48 9 ; t o t h e
h
.

i
.

Sol omon, h i s fa l l , 1 04 h i s t emp l e, s nn er, 1 42 ; a n d t h e j u s t , w y ?

1 72 1 43 ; a re b l es s ngs, 1 44 ; p a t en ce i i
h i i i
.

Soo t s a y ng , 3 1 5 . a n d r es gn a t on , 1 44 , s for
i
.

Sorcery, 3 1 6 j u s t ce s s a k e, 52 4 comfort , 42 5

hi
.

Sorro w b l es s ed , 5 22 ; s for s i ns , 604 a n d p ra yer i n s , 68 4 ;

. C r s t the .

s orr ow s , V M , 1 41B . . ex a mp l e, 1 6 8 , 1 8 5 , 4 8 8
. .

i i i i
.

Sou l , or g n , l fe of b od y , 1 5 2 f ; ma ge Su c d e, 7 6 ( p a ga n ) , 2 7 9 , 3 8 3 b u r a l , . ii i
o f G od , i
mmorta l , 1 54 ; nj u red b y 7 02 i
h G
.

ori gin a l s i n, 1 5 9 ; a fter d ea t , 25 4 ; Sund a y , comma n d ,

3 47 od s

a fte r j u d gmen t, 2 5 7 ; b ea uty b y 346 f d a y of r e s t , 3 4 7 , 3 4 8 , 3 5 2 ;

ih
.

gra ce, 2 1 1 , 44 1 i ts food , 1 00, 5 9 7 , p a g a n a nd Jew s o b s erva n ce,

5 99 ; s of a n ma l s , 1 5 2 i 3 47 f ; a ppo i n ted b y t h e a po s tl es ,
ih h h
. . .

Sources of fa t , 8 3 6 of eres y a nd w y ? 3 48 ; h ow t o b e ob s erved ,

h
.

un b el ef, 9 3 , 9 9 f i 3 48 f
. w a t work a l l owed , 3 49 .

i
Sp ea k ng of God , 28 7 h ow profa n ed , 3 5 0; ob s erv a nce t e
ih
.

i
Sp ec es , sa cra men ta l , 5 3 2 , 5 89 wa rd ed , 3 5 1 p rofa n a t on p u n s ed , i
h
.

Speec , s i ns o f, 4 1 1 , 5 1 4 ; a b u s ve, 3 52 ; S M a s s , 5 5 6 s ermon s , 5 7 0; i .

404 ; ac commo d a ted , 1 1 7 , 1 30 commu n o n , 5 9 5 . i .

Sp in a . O P , nven tor, 2 50 . i Su pern a tu ra l po w ers , 9 6 ; revel a t on ,

. i
ii i
.

Sp r tu a l s m, 1 49 , 3 1 6 . 80; g fts , 1 5 7 f gra ce, 206 mer t, i . i

Sp iri ts , ev l , a nd i
m ra cl es , 96 21 4; i
l a w , 2 82 ; l ove, 2 8 7 a ct s ,
r
p p o e c es h i 9 7 ; t h e d a mned , 2 64 ; 4 3 4 f ; v r tu e 4 39 . i .
,

ii i
, ,

d egrees , 1 1 2 ; p l a ce, 1 1 5 ; n u mb er, Supers t t on a n d i t s p ra ct ces , 3 1 5 f .

1 46 ou r en em es , 1 4 7 , 2 6 1 i ( rel g ou s p ra ct ces n ot a gri ev i i i

h h i
.

ii i
Sp r tu a l d re ct o n , 6 1 1 ; d e a t , 1 60, i ou s s i n , c a s t s e me n t s , 3 1 6
i i
.

2 1 6 , 5 7 4 ; l fe, 2 1 2 f , 1 5 3 ; rea d ng, Su p p er, t h e l a s t , 1 85 ; a tru e s a cr ce, i

h
.

2 07 , 3 49 , 5 70; mercy , 42 2 ; commu n 53 2 f th e a ll , 1 6 9

i i h h
. .

i on , 604 ; ex erc s es , 7 08 ; r el a t on Su p port of m n s ters of th e C urc , i i

s hi
p 5 8 3 5 8 8 65 4 2 2 9 , 3 68 , 3 7 5 ; o f P op e, 3 7 5 ; of g ov
h h
.
, , ,

Sp on s ors , 5 8 3 , 58 8 , 6 54 ern men t , 3 7 6 ; of C urc b y th e

h h
.

B
Sta r of e t l e em, 1 66 , 1 8 1 Sta te, 2 48
h h
.

i i
.

Sta te, c v l govern men t a n d C urc , Su s p c on , u nj u s t, 402 ii

i
.

247 c on cord a ts , 2 4 8 p e rs e c u t o n Sw ea r ng, 3 42 i

h i ,

h h