Wonders

of the

Catholic Faith

Fr. Francisco Radecki, CMRI

2015 St. Joseph   s Media

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Dedicated to two champions of the Catholic Faith

Bishop Mark Pivarunas, CMRI

and

Father Dominic Radecki, CMRI

Acknowledgements

Wonders of the Catholic Faith took over two years to complete.  It is a combination of

sermon  notes of Fr.  Francisco  Radecki, CMRI typed  by  Paula  Storm  and

contributions from students of his Theology Class at St. Joseph   s Catholic School in

Wayne, Michigan: Megan and Michelle Tibai and Ryan and William Sentman.

Special thanks to my twin, Fr. Dominic Radecki, CMRI, Fr. Gregory Drahman, CMRI,

and Fr. Gabriel Lavery, CMRI for their theological editing and to Linda Chomin and

Gwen Dietrich for their editorial assistance.

Special thanks to Amanda Diehl for her inspiring cover design and to school faculty

members  Sr.  Mary  Petra, CMRI; Sr.  Marie  Janae, CMRI; Sr.  Corinne  Marie, CMRI,

Harutun Karian,  PhD; Paula  Storm, AA,  BA,  MILS, and Esther  Hanadel for  their

advice and practical comments.

The students came to better understand and appreciate their Catholic Faith as they

helped write this book.  Notes from the book helped instruct several converts.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Proofs for the Existence of God p. 1

Chapter 2 Atheistic Evolution / The Big Bang Theory p. 3

Chapter 3 The Blessed Trinity p. 7

Chapter 4 Erroneous Concepts of God p. 9

Chapter 5 Unjustly Blaming God for Difficulties p. 11

Chapter 6 Angels p. 15

Chapter 7 Humans p. 19

Chapter 8 The Redeemer p. 21

Chapter 9 The Blessed Virgin Mary p. 25

Chapter 10 Grace p. 27

Chapter 11 Faith p. 29

Chapter 12 Hope p. 31

Chapter 13 Charity p. 33

Chapter 14 Temptation p. 37

Chapter 15 Sin p. 39

Chapter 16 The First Commandment p. 41

Chapter 17 The Third Commandment p. 43

Chapter 18 The Second Commandment p. 51

Chapter 19 The Fourth Commandment p. 53

Chapter 20 The Fifth Commandment p. 57

Chapter 21 The Eighth Commandment p. 59

Chapter 22 The Sixth and Ninth Commandments p. 61

Chapter 23 The Seventh and Tenth Commandments p. 63

Laws of the Church

Chapter 24 What Causes a Sin to Become Mortal? p. 65

Chapter 25 Spiritual Blindness p. 67

Chapter 26 Saints p. 69

Chapter 27 The Seven Sacraments p. 73

Chapter 28 Baptism p. 75

Chapter 29 Penance p. 79

Chapter 30 Holy Eucharist p. 87

Chapter 31 Confirmation p. 91

Chapter 32 Matrimony p. 95

Chapter 33 Holy Orders p. 99

Chapter 34 Extreme Unction p. 101

Chapter 35 The Catholic Church p. 103

Chapter 36 The Deposit of Faith p. 115

Chapter 37 Four Marks of the Church p. 117

Chapter 38 Laws of Fast and Abstinence p. 119

Chapter 39 Indulgences p. 121

Chapter 40 Life, Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell p. 123

Chapter 41 Sacramentals p. 127

Chapter 42 Prayer p. 129

Chapter 43 Using Time Well p. 131

Questions  p. 134

Bibliography  p. 141

Introduction

The  Catholic  Faith, a treasure  that  Jesus  Christ  entrusted  to  His  Church,  has

inspired  and  guided  millions through  the  centuries.    The  Catholic  Church  remains

today as a lighthouse to guide souls to God and to lead them to eternal salvation.

It  is  truly  remarkable  how Our  Lord   s  teachings cover  so  many  areas  yet  remain

concise, easy to understand and unchanged for nearly 2,000 years.  This shows the

Catholic Faith is not something that has to be intimidating nor very complex.

Wonders  of  the  Catholic  Faithpresents  Catholic  doctrines in a very  readable,

enjoyable  style.  Stories  illustrate  and reinforce  the  lessons  and  give  logical

refutations of modern errors.  This book is a manual, reference book, textbook, and

devotional work all in one.

Instead  of  using  a  typical  question  and  answer  format, this  catechism draws

inspiration from Sacred Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, the writings of the Popes, the

Saints,  the  Fathers  and  Doctors  of  the  Church,  theBaltimore  Catechism,and the

Catechism of the Council of Trent.

Wonders of the Catholic Faith gives a logical foundation for essential Catholic beliefs

and  the  reasons  for  its  various  practices.    It  answers  questions  and  confirms  the

faith  of  even Cradle Catholics.  Clergy  can  use this  book for  sermon outlines, to

assist those  interested  in  joining  the  Church, as  well  as  to  instruct  those  curious

about the Faith.  Important facts are given in bold or italic type to help students.

Questions for each  chapter  make  it  an  interactive  book,  excellent  for  use in

homeschool theology classes, high school classrooms, and adult catechism study.

I suggest that you also read Fr. Francisco Radecki   s bookThe Family Catechism for

additional  information.    Its    100  color  illustrations,  prayers  and  lessons  further

elucidate Catholic belief and practices.

Wonders of the Catholic Faith is  a  practical  guide  for  Catholics  today.    It  not  only

explains the teachings of the Church, but also shows how to get to Heaven.  After all,

this is the ultimate purpose of Christ founding the Catholic Church.  This book will

fortify the  faith  of  Catholics,  educate  potential  converts and  inspire all who  are

seeking the truth.

Paula M. Storm, AA, BA, MILS

Associate Professor, Eastern Michigan University

Wonders of the Catholic Faith

For  many Cradle  Catholics, Christ   s  teachings have  become a  way  of  life.    The

various mysteries, dogmas, commandments, laws, liturgical seasons, and feasts are

viewed as one entity.

Our Lord, in establishing the Catholic Church, did not intend it to be merely another

institution.  His aim was to use the Church and the Catholic Faith as the means of

transforming  sinners  into  saints,  leading  souls  from  earth  to  Heaven  and  assisting

His adopted children in the transition from time to eternity.

Enlightened  by  faith,  encouraged  by  hope  and  animated  by  charity, Jesus    true

followers strive to imitate His virtues and be enkindled with His love.  Strengthened

by grace, they keep the commandments and become a source of inspiration to all.

Prayer touches every aspect of a Catholic   s life and is woven into each chapter of this

book.  Prayer is one of the most important actions of each day.

The  reverent  liturgy,  life-giving  sacraments,  elevated  teachings, and Church   s

hierarchical  structure  manifest  the  divine.   This  explains  how  one  religion  can  be

perfectly adapted to all times, regions, peoples, and tongues, yet remain uniform and

retain doctrinal and liturgical integrity.

One must marvel at the wondrous vitality of the Catholic Church that has survived

twenty-one  centuries  of  persecution,  attacks  by  heretics,  schismatics,  apostates,

antipopes, false councils, and the very legions of Hell.  In spite of all, it will last until

the  end  of  time and remain  as  a  beacon   enlightening  and  guiding  souls  on  their

journey to their heavenly home.

My prayer is that this book will animate your faith, increase your confidence in God

and help you love God deeply, and your neighbor as yourself.

Fr. Francisco Radecki, CMRI

Chapter One

Proofs for the Existence of God

Intelligent Design/ Almighty Power

The  world  in  which  we  live  manifests  countless  wonders  that  are  beyond  human  capability.

They could not have occurred by chance or randomly evolved by themselves, but are the result

of  infinite  intelligence  and  power.    The  world  could  only  have  been  created, preserved  and

maintained by a Supreme Being, Almighty God.

St.  Thomas  Aquinas (1225-1274) proved the  existence  of  an  all-powerful,  all-good  God  and

demonstrated His divine wisdom and providential care over the world and human beings.

First Cause

Since nature works for a determinate end under the direction of a higher agent, whatever is done
by  nature  must  needs  be  traced  back  to  God,  as  to  its  first  cause.1     Now  whatever  lacks
intelligence  cannot  move  toward  an  end,  unless  it  be  directed  by  some  being  endowed  with
knowledge  and  intelligence;  as  the  arrow  is  shot  to  its  mark by  an  archer.    Therefore,  some
Intelligent Being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this Being we
call God.2  In the beginning, God created Heaven and earth.3

Cause and Effect

The  human  body  and the smallest insect encompass  such  perfection  that  it  is  impossible  for

them to have been the work of chance.  The vast array of life forms from microscopic organisms

to the blue whale resemble an orchestra in harmony and demonstrate the work of a supremely

intelligent Master Planner.  For every effect there must be a cause.

Some evolutionists believe matter is eternal.  Since it is not the result of human effort, where

did it come from?  Every effect needs a cause.  Material things must have a starting point.

Order

No human being  possesses  the  unlimited  power  and  wisdom  necessary  to  preserve  and

maintain  the  universe,  nor  to  make the  sun rise and  set  daily.   Who  established  the  laws  of

physics  and  set  them  in  motion  in  the  first  place?  No  one  can  rationally  say  this  incredible

world evolved by itself or was the result of a random    big bang.     The universe is too perfectly

ordered to have been the result of an accident, random explosion or chemical reaction.

If  the  world  was formed without  an  Intelligent  Designer  or merely evolved as  a  result  of

natural selection, how do certain fish, animals and insects develop camouflage?  The fact that

every snowflake is unique and that leaves turn exquisite colors as they fall from trees and die

are proofs of design and order in the world.  Who created them that way?

There is an undeniable order in nature that points to a Being with supreme intelligence Who

reveals Himself through His creation.  The progression of seasons, the cycles of night and day,

the  orbits  of  the  planets,  the  perfect  balance  between  prey  and predator,  vegetative  and

animate life point to an all-powerful Creator   Almighty God.

1
St. Thomas Aquinas,Summa Theologica, Q. 2, Art. 3, p. 14 (English Translation).
2
Aquinas, Reply to Obj. 2, 14.
3
Genesis 1, 1.

2                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Order throughout  the universe, relegating each  creature  and  inanimate  object  to  fulfill  a

common  purpose, points  to  an  infinitely intelligent Supreme  Being.  Intelligent  design  and

harmonious order are pre-determined, not achieved by accident.

Law

All  human societies need laws.  Without law, anarchy  would be  rampant.    Just  laws  are

intended to ensure the common good of society and individuals.

People naturally  do  not  like their  liberty  restricted  by laws.    Therefore,  law  must  have  its

origin from an ultimate Law Giver, Almighty God.  The Ten Commandments (also known as

Natural Law) are written in the heart of every individual.4  It is not enough to merely know the

law.  St. Paul wrote:       It is they who follow the law that will be justified.   5

Conscience

Persons, having attained the use of reason and with no mental disability, naturally know they

are accountable for their actions and certain activities are right and others intrinsically wrong.

Catechisms define conscience as  a judgment  of  right  reason that  reminds  individuals  of  their

obligations  to  God  and  neighbor, and warns them  of the consequences of sinful  actions.  The

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine simplified this scholastic definition:

There is a voice in his heart that makes him feel responsible for his deliberate actions to someone
else.     He recognizes it without saying it that there is a law imposed by Someone greater than
himself.  That Someone is God.6

Cardinal  Newman taught that people understand  they  are personally responsible for their

actions  and are  often ashamed  and  frightened  when  transgressing  the  voice  of  conscience.7

Although people can tragically silence their conscience through repeated evil acts, they are still

responsible for them.  Fr. Conway inThe Question Box says:

Conscience speaks of a necessary duty we owe.  It brings us face to face with an obligatory law,
whose commands are authoritative, and whose dictates are final, and unquestioned.8

God is All-Just

Some believe that because  God  is all-merciful, everyone  will  go  to  Heaven.   They  forget  that

God  is  also  all-just  and  what  a  person  sows,  he  reaps.   Scripture  describes  both  attributes  of

God:    For  mercy  and  wrath  are  with  Him.    He  is  mighty  to  forgive,  and  to  pour  out

indignation.   9  Heaven is not something automatically given to all.  It is a reward for keeping

the Ten Commandments and for leading a virtuous life.

Jesus  Christ  said,    Not  everyone  who  says  to  Me,    Lord,  Lord,    shall  enter  the  kingdom  of

Heaven;  but  he  who  does  the  will  of  My  Father  in  Heaven  shall  enter  the  kingdom  of

Heaven.   10  The  good  deserve  to  be  rewarded  and  the  wicked  to  be  punished.    Societies  have

prisons  to penalize criminals  who  break  laws;  therefore,  in  justice  God likewise must  punish

sinners who disregard His commandments.

4
See Romans 2, 15.
5
Romans 2, 13.
6
Catholic Doctrine First Semester, p. 10.
7
SeeGrammar of Assent, p. 109.
8
p. 3.
9
Ecclesiasticus 16, 12.
10
Matthew 7, 21.

Chapter Two

Atheistic Evolution/ The Big Bang Theory

Atheists and non-believers promote atheistic evolution in order to explain the existence of the

world without reference to God, as if living things could automatically appear, evolve from one

another, and sprout wings or grow legs as needed.

Natural  laws  of  genus  and  species  prove  living  things  don   t  mutate  into  other  forms.

Mummified  cats  and  crocodiles are replicas  of current ones  and ancient  insects identical to

many of those seen today.

Even though Charles Darwin is widely recognized as the father of evolution, French scientist

Pierre Simon Laplace (1749-1827) helped expel God from science.

Laplace wrote a book on astronomy, which didn   t mention God.  And when Napoleon asked him
why God isn   t mentioned, Laplace famously replied,    Sire, I had no need of that hypothesis.   11

Atheists at Work

During  the  eighteenth,  nineteenth  and  twentieth  centuries, atheists, agnostics  and the

financiers who  supported  them, encouraged philosophers  and  scientists to teach the  masses

from a naturalistic point of view.  They eliminated references to the supernatural in order to

deny the existence of God Who loves each individual and created and preserves the world.

The vacuum cast them into the spotlight as learned scholars and fearless pioneers in the field

of science.  Many as a result earned worldwide popularity.

Darwinian Evolution

The  theory  of  evolution  of  British  geologist  and  naturalist  Charles  Darwin  (1809-1882)

removes  God  from  creation  and  maintains  that the  world  had  no  plan  or  design but  was

merely the result of random forces and the survival of the fittest.

Darwin   s  concept  ofnatural  selection claims that  living  organisms  spontaneously  adapt  to

their  environment.    Histheory  of  evolution taught that creatures randomly and naturally

evolve into others.

By  including man  in  this  process, saying  that humans  evolved  from  apes, Darwin reduced

them to  the  status  of  mere  animals.  He never explained how the  first  cell  was  formed,  how

the  ape/man developed intellect  and  reason, how superior  things  emerged from  inferior,  or

why the evolutionary trend does not continue today.

Although evolution is merely a hypothesis, it is revered as a law today.  A skeptic, who did not

believe in God, invented this irrational theory.  It has never been, nor will it ever be proven.

Scientific  method  demands  that  any  hypothesis  be  either  proven  or  disproven  by

experimentation.  Otherwise, it can never become a law.

Persons who don   t believe in God are often willing to believe anything.  Physical chemist,

Harutun Karian, PhD claims  those who espouse atheistic  evolution  believe that  creation

occurred  randomly   like  a  deck  of  cards being  throw  haphazardly  into  the  air and then

landing in perfect descending order.

11
Ian Markham, Against Atheism: Why Dawkins, Hitchens, and Harris Are Fundamentally Wrong, p. 65.

4                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Ramifications of Evolution

Darwin appeared  at  a  time  when  naturalism  and  humanism  permeated  society.   He helped

transform the life sciences from a God-centered to a materialistic point of view and his ideas

quickly spread from the natural sciences to other disciplines.

Fredrick  Nietzche  (1844-1900)  based a  number  of his atheistic,  philosophical concepts on

Darwin   s  beliefs.    These also profoundly influenced  Sigmund  Freud   s  (1856-1939)  theories  in

the field of psychiatry.

Marx  and  Engels adopted  Darwin   s  hypothesis  to view people as  dispensable.  This allows

Communists  to  systematically eliminate undesirables.   Scholars,  world  leaders  and

industrialists  tried  to  justify  the  practice  of  exploiting  citizens,  workers  and  the  use  of  child

labor by applying the theories of Herbert Spencer, originator of Social Darwinism.

This  paradigm  shift  has  caused  ramifications  in  every  facet  of  society.    If  human  beings  are

mere animals, they can be utilized or eliminated as conditions dictate.

By turning society away from God, atheistic evolution is responsible for many of society   s ills

including abortion, euthanasia, human trafficking, and genocide.  Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong,

Pol Pot, Idi Amin, and drug lords justified inhumane cruelty and treated people like animals.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics

Science and religion are not in conflict.  God established the laws of nature, which describe the

behavior of matter and energy in order to preserve order in nature.  God created matter out of

nothing and established the laws of physics.  Einstein showed the close relationship between

matter and energy by his famous equation of E=mc2.  Consequently, the sciences of chemistry

and physics dictate that matter and energy are conserved so that it is not possible to create or

destroy either form of existence.

From a theological point of view, this means that once God completed creation, He stopped the

creative process so that no further generation of matter and energy occurred.  This applies to

all space and time so there is no room for evolution to occur.  The time that evolutionists bank

on is not available to alter God   s plan in creation.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics basically indicates that there is a tendency for all matter

to become disordered with the progression of time.  The possibility of disorganized matter to

reassemble into an ordered existence is beyond the laws of thermodynamics.

Even  Albert  Einstein  in  1905  declared  that  if  there  was  any  physical  law  that  resists  any

change  in  the  future,  it  is the law  of  thermodynamics.  Although  evolution is based  on the

need for a vast expanse of time it has no scientific justification.

Darwin, who  denied  a  Creator, held  that matter had  a mind of  its  own.  Einstein,  on  the

contrary said,    God does not play dice.

Metal rusts, it does not unrust.  Milk spills, it does not unspill.  China cups break, they do not
unbreak.  In general, things age; they wear out; they decay.  Rocks erode, paper grows yellow
and crumbles, clothing becomes threadbare, memories fade.  Nothing withstands    the ravages of
time.   12

12
Stephen Barr,Modern Physics and Ancient Faith,p. 60.

Darwinian Evolution / The Big Bang Theory                                5

Regarding  chemical  changes, (like  the  formation  of  rust  by  the  combination  of  oxygen  and

iron),  iron  oxide  cannot  revert  to  the  elements  of  oxygen  and  iron  by  itself.   Through the

application of heat, the original elements will be generated, but this is creating more disorder,

not establishing order as evolution teaches.

The formation of rust resembles the decay of a dead object.  To claim that a living organism

can  be formed from a decayed  substance  is  like believing rust can transform itself into  iron

and then reassemble into a mighty battleship.

Church Teaching

The  Fourth  Lateran  Council  and  the  Vatican  Council  of  1869-1870 taught as  a  dogma  of

faith13 that  God  created  the  world  out  of  nothing.14     God  alone  is  the  immediate  efficient

cause  of  creation.    This  isde  fide from  the  Ordinary  Magisterium  of  the  Church.   15  In his

encyclicalHumani Generis of  August  12,  1950, Pope  Pius  XII condemned  atheistic  evolution

and wrote that the scriptural account of creation is immune from error and divinely inspired.

Catholic  Faith  obliges us  to  hold  that  souls are  immediately  created  by  God.     the  first  eleven
books of Genesis    pertain to history    give a popular description of the origin of the human race

The Big Bang Theory

Belgian  priest  / physicist Fr. Georges  Lema  tre (1894-1966)  invented  the  Big  Bang Theory.

Previously, nonbelievers  explained the  world  around  them by  transmutation  of  species,

Darwin   s evolution or the belief the universe had always existed.

The Big Bang Theory claims that a gigantic explosion caused by a concentrated atom formed

the universe.    The  resultant intense heat caused chaotic expanding waves that produced

matter, stars, planets, heavenly bodies, galaxies, the sun, and the Earth.  Atheists hold that

this was a chaotic, random act.  Theists believe this was an act of God, well orchestrated and

engineered by Him.

Since God has infinite power He could have created the world in an instant.  In an address to

the  Pontifical  Academy  of  Science  in  1951 Pope  Pius  XII referred  to creation as  being an

ordered  act.  It is  unreasonable to  believe  a random  Big  Bang devoid  of  divine  intervention

formed the universe and this cannot be reconciled with Genesis nor Pope Pius XII.

Real World Examples

There is no evidence that the universe was created by accident.  During an explosion, matter

is usually deformed  and  destroyed.  Two  massive  fireballs appear when a projectile is shot

from an American M1 Abrams battle tank   one at the muzzle and one at the point of entry.

Fireworks,  on the other hand, are ordered and beautiful.  They involve design and a precise

knowledge of materials and their reaction at ignition and are not the result of random forces.

Another Option

Sir Isaac  Newton  (1642-1727) wrote,    This  most  beautiful  system  [the  Universe]  could  only

proceed  from  the counsel  and  dominion  of  an  intelligent  Being.   16  Lord  Kelvin  (1824-1907)

said,    Nature declares that there is one ever-acting Creator and Ruler.   17

13
That Catholics must believe (de fide).
14
See Very Rev. Adolfe Tanquerey, SS, DD,Manual of Dogmatic Theology: Volume One, p. 360.
15
Tanquerey, 361.
16
J. Hutchins,Hubble Reveals Creation By An Awe-Inspiring Power,cover jacket.
17
Martin Scott, SJ, LittD,Things Catholic are Asked About,p. 251.

6                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Therefore,  since  God  possesses  infinite  power,  He  can  do  whatever He  pleases.   J.  Hutchins

reasons  that  God  could  have  created  the  world  by  means  of  a  massive  explosion  that  would

resemble  a  magnificent  fireworks  display.    An  ordered,  awe-inspiring  display  of  power  could

have been the means chosen by God to create the world around us.

As  man  explores  the  universe  with  Hubble,  Spitzer  and  other  space  telescopes,  it  becomes
apparent that there is order in the design of the universe and evidence of a Grand Designer.

When we see the images delivered to us from space and the variety of galaxies, stars, nebula,
quasars,  neutron  stars,  black  holes,  supernovas,  and  other  cosmic  effects,  we  can  only  imagine
that these creative displays of energy were conceived and prepared by a Superior Craftsman and
not just some random event.18

Opinions of Renowned Scientists

Vera KistiakowskyMIT physicist

The exquisite order displayed by our scientific understanding of the physical world calls for the divine.

George EllisBritish astrophysicist
Amazing  fine  tuning  occurs  in  the  laws  that  make  this  [complexity]  possible.    Realization  of  the
complexity of what is accomplished makes it very difficult not to use the word  miraculous

Henry Schaefer Professor of Chemistry at the University of Georgia

The significance and joy in my science comes in those occasional moments of discovering something new
and saying to myself,    So that   s how God did it.     My goal is to understand a little corner of God   s plan.

Paul Davies British Astrophysicist

There is for me powerful evidence that there is something going on behind it all     The impression of
design  is  overwhelming.  The  laws  [of  physics]...  seem  to  be  the  product  of  exceedingly  ingenious
design...

George GreensteinAstronomer

As we survey all the evidence, the thought insistently arises that some supernatural agency - or, rather,
Agency - must be involved.  Is it possible that suddenly, without intending to, we have stumbled upon
scientific proof of the existence of a Supreme Being?

Robert JastrowSelf-proclaimed agnostic

For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream.  He
has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over
the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.

Arthur Schawlow Professor of Physics at Stanford University,1981Nobel Prize in physics

It seems to me that when confronted with the marvels of life and the universe, one must ask why and
not just how.  The only possible answers are religious.    I find a need for God in the universe and in my
own life.

Wernher von BraunNASA Rocket engineer

I  find  it  as  difficult  to  understand  a  scientist who  does  not  acknowledge  the  presence  of  a  superior
rationality behind the existence of the universe as it is to comprehend a theologian who would deny the
advances of science.19

18
Hubble Reveals Creation By An Awe-Inspiring Power,p. 47.
19
Passages taken from Rich Deem   sQuotes from Scientists Regarding Design of the Universe.
www.godandscience.org/apologetics/quotes.html#n02

Chapter Three

The Blessed Trinity

TheBaltimore Catechism defines God as    the Supreme Being, infinitely perfect, who made all

things and keeps them in existence.   20  He is almighty, eternal, immutable, all perfect, all just,

all knowing, and all merciful.  Nothing escapes His knowledge.  His perfections and power are

infinite.  God will  reward or punish every individual according  to a  person   s merits  or  sins,

based on one   s observance of the Ten Commandments.

There are Three Divine Persons in One God   Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  The doctrine of the

Blessed  Trinity  (Three Divine  Persons in  one Divine  Nature   the  Triune  God)  is  a

supernatural mystery that cannot be completely comprehended in this life.

The  mystery  of  the  Blessed  Trinity  is beyond human  reason, not  contrary  to it.  Two created

things that help individuals better understand this mystery are the triangle and the shamrock,

a three-leaf clover.

Catholics Profess their Belief in the Blessed Trinity in Numerous Ways

TheSign of the CrossandApostles Creedare believed to date back to Apostolic Times

The  prayer:Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost as it was in the

beginning is now and ever shall be world without end.  Amen.

Mass Prayers:Gloria, Nicene Creed, Trinity Preface, Suscipe Sancta Trinitas,andPlaceat

The Blessed Trinity

God had no beginning and existed from eternity.  God the Father is unbegotten.  Jesus Christ,

the only begotten Son of the Father has two distinct natures   the divine nature of God and the

human  nature of  man (body  and  soul).    God  the Holy  Ghost  proceeds  from  the  love  of  the

Father and the Son.  St. Thomas Aquinas in his workDe Doctrina Christianasimply says that

the    Trinity is one God from Whom, through Whom and in Whom all things exist.

Scripture attributes different activities to each of the Three Divine Persons.  Even though They

are distinct, They act in unison.  St. Augustine explains:

The Church is accustomed most fittingly to attribute to the Father those works of the divinity in
which  power  excels,  to  the  Son  those  in  which  wisdom  excels  and to  the  Holy  Ghost those  in
which love excels.  Not that all perfections and external operations of the Trinity are not common
to the Divine Person; for the operations of the Trinity are indivisible, even as the essence of the
Trinity is indivisible.21

Old Testament References

The mystery of the Blessed Trinity wasn   t revealed to the Chosen People since they were prone

to idolatry and may have tried to worship multiple gods.  The Old Testament refers to God as    I

am Who am   22 and the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.  Genesis says

Let Us make man to our image and likeness   23 and    Let Us go down, and there confound their

tongue, [at the Tower of Babel] that they may not understand one another   s speech.   24

20
p. 5.
21
Matthew 3, 16-17.
22
Exodus 3, 14.
23
Chapter 1, Verse 26.
24
Chapter 11, Verse 7.

8                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

New Testament References

Christ commanded the Apostles and their successors to baptize in the name of the Father and

of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.25  Our Lord demonstrated the relationship between the Three

Divine Persons when He referred to the Holy Ghost    whom I will send from the Father.   26

All Three Divine Persons were manifested during the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan.

And behold, the heavens were opened to him [St. John the Baptist], and he saw the Spirit of God
descending as a dove and coming upon Him [Jesus].  And behold, a voice from the heavens said,
This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.   27

Fr. Tanquerey notes that   it is evident that,therefore, thatthose threeare not one person,but

three persons really distinct,   yet  the  Father,  and  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost    are  united  by

oneand thesame[divine]nature.   28

Obligations to God

The  primary  end of  creatures  is  the  manifesting  and  glorifying  of  God   s  goodness;  the

secondary end is the good of creatures.   29  Since God created every human, each person has an

obligation to know, love and serve Him on earth.  In return, God will reward those individuals

with the perfect  happiness of Heaven.  Those  who  reject  God  and  His  laws  will  be  justly

punished.  Pope Pius XI wrote:    Belief in God is the unshaken foundation of all social order and

of all responsible action on earth.   30

A person can only know God and His teachings through the one, true religion He established,

the Catholic Church.  An individual   s knowledge of God is deepened by instruction in the Faith,

sermons  and  books  on  Catholic  belief, learning more  about the  Bible and  Tradition,  and

viewing the world He created which reflects His goodness and power.  A person thereby comes

to a better realization of God   s wondrous works and of the relationship that exists between Him

and humans through creation, redemption and sanctification.

Knowledge of God   s goodness leads one to love and serve Him by faithfully keeping His laws

the Ten Commandments, praying to Him, attending Sunday Mass, and leading a virtuous life.

God expects Catholics to be a light to the world and to edify others by the practice of their faith.

This glorifies God, inspires others and causes many that have drifted to return to God.

Accountability

Reason demands that good actions be rewarded and evil ones punished.  Since perfect justice is

not possible in this life, it must be attained in the next.  On earth, it frequently happens that

good people suffer and struggle while the wicked prosper and lead relatively carefree lives.

During theParticular Judgment at the moment of death, Jesus judges each individual at the

place  where  the  person  died and  determines where  he  or  she  will  spend  eternity.   At the

General Judgment at the End of the World all will acknowledge the justice of God.  There the

good will be vindicated and the evil condemned.

25
Matthew 28, 19.
26
John 16, 26.
27
Matthew 3, 16-17.
28
Manual of Dogmatic Theology: Volume One, p. 319.
29
Tanquerey, 363.
30
Caritate Christi, May 3, 1932.

Chapter Four

Erroneous Concepts of God

God is  the  Almighty  Creator,  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth, the  First  Cause Who  is Himself

uncaused.  He is above all of His creatures and separate from them.

The  Blessed  Trinity  is  the  one,  true  God  and  the  Catholic  Church  the  one,  true  religion

established  by  Jesus  Christ.    Therefore,  the  other  gods  fashioned  by  people  and  religions

formed through the course of time are false.  King David wrote:    For all the gods of the Gentiles

are devils, but the Lord made the heavens.   31

False Concepts of God Today

Many  today  view God as an  indulgent grandfather who sends everyone to Heaven and lets

people do whatever they want.  Some transform Jesus into merely a holy man from Nazareth.

Others see the Holy Ghost as a spiritual force that condones everything.

Agnostics  claim  that  an  unknowable  God  started  everything  and  walked  away, like  an  aloof

mad scientist.  This ideology of perpetual doubt allows people to live a materialistic, sinful life

and justifies ignoring God and His laws.

Atheists claim there is no God.  Even  though  they  realize  in  their  hearts  that  there  is  a  God,

they  don   t  want  to  obey  Him  and  be  accountable  for  their  actions.    Scripture  says,    The  fool

hath said in his heart: There is no god.   32  It is interesting that no matter how hard people fight

to eradicate God from society, He always reappears.

Materialists make the acquisition of material things a false god and the ultimate goal of life.

Many  are  so  attached  to, and  enamored  of  material  possessions  and  pleasure, they  have  no

time for God and often have no desire for an afterlife of perfect happiness.

Pantheists erroneously claim that the constantly changing material world is divine.  Since God

is  by  His  very  nature,  perfect  and  unchangeable,  He  cannot  be  equated  with  what  is  limited,

mortal and imperfect.  Some today embrace pantheism because it theoretically frees them from

being accountable to a higher authority and absolves them of moral responsibility.

Unbelievers,also called infidels (those lacking faith) worship idols,  nature,  creatures, or their

rulers.  They fail to realize that created, finite things couldn   t be God.

Reincarnation

Many  pantheists  believe  that  they  will  be  changed  into  another  life  form  after  death.

Reincarnation is opposed to both Scripture and reason and there is no proof for this hypothesis.

St. Paul condemned the concept when he wrote:    It is appointed unto men to die once and after

this comes the judgment.   33

Reincarnation gives a false hope that one   s conduct in this life doesn   t matter since after death

individuals  are  given  additional  chances  until  they  get  it  right.    If  there  is  no  judgment,

Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory, what motivation is there for one to lead a good life?

31
Psalm 95, 5.
32
Psalm 13, 1.
33
Hebrews 9, 27.

10                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Effects of Lack of Faith in God

Life without God is empty and lacks purpose.  Those who reject prayer or lack proper guidance

often wander aimlessly and never understand the real meaning of life.  Those attached to the

world often live a life devoid of God and search for happiness but never find it.  Many who have

never had a relationship with God lose hope once they lose friends, their youthfulness and good

health, or find themselves alone without human affection.

God alone gives real meaning to life.  He raises those who have fallen, comforts the sorrowful,

assists  those  in  need,  and  offers  eternal  joy  to  those  who  follow  His  teachings  and  keep  the

commandments.

Chapter Five

Unjustly Blaming God for Difficulties

Some people today ask how an all-good God could allow evil in the world.  Fr. Pohle writes that

God  cannot  will  physical  or  moral evil  for  its  own  sake  or  as  an  end  in  itself.34  Fr. Conway

explains that God  permits  it    only  because  in  His  divine  plan  they  will  further  either  the

general good or man   s good.   35  St. Augustine teaches that God       is powerful enough and good

enough to make good even out of evil.   36

Physical evils   The Council of Trent teaches that death, suffering and sickness are a result of

original sin.37  Other physical evils are frequently punishments for sin.

Sin ismoral evil.     It is an article of the faith that sin can only happen with the permission of

God.   38     For  the  holiness  of  God  involves  an  infinite  hatred  of  sin,  no  matter  whether  it  is

considered  as  an  end  or  a  means  to  an  end.   39  Sacred  Scripture elucidates  this  point  and

describes free will and personal accountability before God for one   s actions.

Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him:

For the wisdom of God is great, and He is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing.  The
eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear Him, and He knoweth all the work of man.  He hath
commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin: for He desireth not
a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children.40

Drawing Good Out of Evil

St. Augustine says that it is greater for God to draw good out of evil than never to have allowed

it  in  the  first  place.  St.  John  Chrysostom  teaches  that  God  permits  the  mixture  of  good  and

evil, as shown in the parable of the wheat and the cockle, in the hope that sinners convert and

save  their  soul.41  St.  Thomas  Aquinas  wrote    If  all  evils  were  prevented,  many  good  things

would  be  absent  from  the  world.   42  Christ  would  never  have  come  to  earth  and  God   s  love

would never be as clearly known and understood as it is today.

Apparent Evils

God   s permissive will allows evil in order to achieve a greater good.  God created the world to

follow its natural course   progression of seasons and weather patterns.  Although forest fires

cause devastation, they germinate new life.  Natural disasters cause a number of individuals to

pray, focus  more  on  spiritual  things and raise  their  hearts  to  God.   Sadly,  others may turn

against Him due to anger at the loss of their loved ones or their material possessions.

34
SeeGod: His Knowability, Essence and Attributes, p. 443.
35
The Question Box, p. 13.
36
Enchiridion Symbolorum, Chapter XI.
37
Session V, Canon II.
38
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Pohle, PhD, DD.God: His Knowability, Essence and Attributes,p. 445.  See St. Thomas Aquinas,
Summa Theologica1a, q. 19, art. 9 and St. Augustine,Enchiridion Symbolorum,c. 46.
39
Pohle, 443.
40
Ecclesiasticus 15, 18-21.
41
SeeThe Sunday Gospels for Priest and People, Rev. James Carey, MA, p. 125.
42
Summa Theologica 1, q. 22, art. 2, ad 2.

12                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Suffering

God allows suffering in order to repair for sin and as a punishment for sins committed.  When

properly  accepted, suffering may  become  a  source  of great merit.   The  lives  of  Our  Lord  and

Our Lady were filled with joy and suffering, as are all lives.  Jesus said:    If anyone wishes to

come  after  Me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross  and  follow  Me.   43  He also taught

Unless you do penance you shall all likewise perish.   44

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  says,    through  many  tribulations  we  must  enter  the  kingdom  of

God.   45  St. Cyril of Alexandria reminded his flock of the reward given to those who patiently

endure suffering  for St.  Paul writes,    the  sufferings  of  the  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be

compared to the glory to come      46

The  earth  cannot  offer  perfect  happiness  since  humans  were  created  for  Heaven.    Although

suffering is naturally repugnant, it can be either a positive or negative part of someone   s life.

Trials  can  become  a  source  of  merit  and  purification  and  a  chance  to  practice  resignation,

patience, compassion, and faith, hope, and charity in a heroic degree.

Many complain about suffering while others  patiently  endure  it,  thereby imitating  Christ.

Suffering becomes easier when individuals unite their sufferings with those of Jesus.

Some cause their own suffering by making bad choices.  For example, alcoholics often develop

liver  disease; the  immoral contract  sexually  transmitted  diseases  and  AIDS; gamblers incur

bankruptcy, and drug abusers loss of memory, heart conditions and death from overdose.

God often allows suffering to bring people back to the observance of the Ten Commandments

before they die.  As a result, many have returned to God since their suffering led them to view

life with eternity in mind.

Financial Problems

God  provides  the  necessities  of  life  for  all  and  is  not  responsible  for  paying  a  person   s  bills.

Some people cause their own problems and then blame God when He doesn   t intervene.  Some

financial difficulties are unavoidable, while others are of one   s own making.  The fact that life

is not perfect makes man long for his true home, Heaven.

God created the world and supplies crops, trees, rain, and the necessities of life for both good

and bad alike.     He makes his sun to rise on the good and the evil, and sends rain on the just

and the unjust.   47  Some people expect God to immediately grant all their wants and get angry

when He doesn   t, even though He supplies all their essential needs.

War

The devil often inspires men to instigate wars in order to achieve wealth or power.  War is a

punishment  for  sin.  Although  war  causes  great  hardships,  it can  also spread culture and

customs, allowing individuals and nations to practice mutual charity in the restoration process.

43
Matthew 16, 24.
44
Luke 13, 3.
45
Chapter 14, Verse 21.
46
Romans 8, 18.
47
Matthew 5, 45.

Unjustly Blaming God for Difficulties                                      13

War may also bring about conversions and encourage people of different nationalities to marry.

A  Saracen  princess  helped  a  captured  English  knight, who taught  her  the  rudiments of  the

Catholic  Faith, to escape  from  prison.    She later  joined  him  in  England, converted  and  they

married.  Their son is St. Thomas    Becket.

History has proven  that  through  wars, bloodlines  are  strengthened.    God  in  His  wisdom

planned  that good  characteristics from  various  nationalities  would  thereby  mingle  since

isolationism and inbreeding weakens strains.

Illness

Illness is  an  effect  of original  sin.  Acute  illness  is  a  means  of  merit  when  properly  accepted.

God often teaches patience to the sufferer and the caretakers.

Removed  from  daily  routine,  sufferers  with  chronic  illness  have  time  to  think  about  God  and

eternity.  Life threatening maladies show the transitory nature of life and give a person time to

prepare for death.

Death

Death is an  effect  of  original  sin and the  means by  which  all  enter  eternity.   St. Ambrose

describes death as the separation of the soul from the body.  This teaching is confirmed by the

Catechism of the Council of Trent.

of the two constituent parts of man, soul and body, one only, that is, the body, is corrupted and
returns to its original dust, while the soul remains incorrupt and immortal.48

Although  attending  a  funeral is  a  sobering  experience, it puts  life  in  true  perspective.   The

contrast between the mortality of the human body and the immortality of the human soul is in

high relief.  It is a reminder of the shortness of life on earth and of the eternity that follows.

Death  was  intended  to  be  a  peaceful  exit  from  this  world, but  to those  who  lead  lives  of

unrepentant sin it becomes a torment, especially with the thought of impending judgment.

Sin

God may tolerate sin for a time so the individual can make a true, lasting conversion, practice

a virtuous life and lead others to repentance.  Saints repented of their sins and led holy lives.

Some  well-known  penitents  include  St.  Mary  Magdalen,  St.  Augustine  and St.  Dismas,  the

good thief.

Jesus Came to Call Sinners to Repentance

Our  Lord  came  to  redeem  the  human  race  and  to  show  the  way  to  Heaven.    He  ate  with

publicans and sinners so they could be converted and return to God.  Jesus Christ said:    It is

not the healthy that need a physician, but they who are sick.   49  He told the Pharisees:

Go and learn what this means.     I desire mercy and not sacrifice.   50  I have not come to call the
just, but sinners, to repentance.51

48
p. 121.
49
Matthew 9, 12.
50
Matthew 9, 13.
51
Luke 5, 32.

14                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Converts  make  the  best  Catholics,    describes  the  fervor  of  those  living  the  Faith  after  their

conversion.  Repentant sinners manifest both the power of God   s grace and, the necessity of the

will to turn away from sin in order to merit the eternal happiness of Heaven.

Ultimately,a Matter of Faith

Suffering  is  ultimately  a  mystery.   Even  Our  Lord  during  the  Agony  of  the  Garden  prayed

Father, if Thou wilt, remove this chalice from Me: but yet not My will, but Thine be done.   52

No human mind can comprehend God   s designs.     For who has known the mind of the Lord or

who  has  been  His  counselor?   53     For  as  the  heavens  are exalted  above  the  earth so  are  My

ways exalted above your ways.   54

Divine Providence

Divine  Providence  is  the  name  given  to  God   s  care  over all  human  beings and the  world

directing them to their determined end.  This is ade fidedogma of the Catholic Faith that was

defined at the Vatican Council of 1869-1870.     God protects and governs by His Providence all

things that He made, reaching from end to end mightily, and ordering all things sweetly.    55

St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis de Sales taught that nothing so enkindles the love of God

as the realization of the particular benefits received from Him.  God knows the needs of all and

provides them, but He also expects each person, in turn, to do his or her part.  St. Augustine

said God created you without your volition, but will not save you without your effort.56

Archbishop Luis Martinez of Mexico City summarized these thoughts when he wrote:    If God

loves, me, if He cares for me constantly, if His heart   s loving solicitude attends every event of

my life, I can and ought to live in peace.   57  St. Paul simply said:    Now we know that to those

who love God all things work together unto good   58

52
Luke 22, 42.
53
Romans 11, 34.
54
Isaias 55, 9.
55
Session III, Chapter I, Denzinger-Bannwart,Enchiridion Symbolorum,1784, (1633).  See Wisdom 8, 1.
56
SeeSermo. 15 de Verb. Apost.,c. 11, n. 13, J. Migne,Patrologia Latina,XXXVIII, 923.
57
Only Jesus,p. 22.
58
Romans 8, 28.

Chapter Six

Angels

Since  love often  inclines  one  to share, God created spirits with  intellect  and  free  will,  but

without bodies calledangels,andhumans who have a body, soul, intellect, and free will.

The  wordangelis  derived  from  the  Greek  word  formessenger. Angels  are  divided  into  nine

choirs (groups):  Angels,  Archangels,  Thrones,  Dominations,  Virtues,  Principalities,  Powers,

Cherubim, and Seraphim.  They have special talents and fulfill specific roles including adoring

God, assisting humans and serving as Guardian Angels.  St. Bernard describes angels as:

spirits,  mighty,  glorious,  blessed,  distinct  personalities,  of  graduated  rank,     endowed  with
immortality,    being  of  pure  mind,  benignant  affections,  religious  and  devout;  of  unblemished
morality    blessed with unbroken peace.59

God  tested  the  angels  in order  to  prove  their  fidelity.    Theologians  believe that they  were

commanded to adore the God-Man, Jesus Christ.  Lucifer, the most gifted angel, who was filled

with pride, began a rebellion against God.  Instead of honoring Christ, he wanted to placehis

throne in Heaven and be worshipped as God as the prophet Isaias relates:    I will ascend into

Heaven.  I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.  I will be like the Most High.   60

Devils

Sacred  Scripture  (the  Bible)  tells  us  that one  third of  the  angels  joined  Lucifer,61 including

many from the choirs of Principalities and Powers as related by St. Paul:

our  wrestling  is  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  the Principalities  and  the Powers,
against world rulers of darkness, against the forces of wickedness on high.62

Heroic St. Michael rallied  the  faithful  angels and cried,    Who is like unto God?     Lucifer  and

his rebellious angels were instantly cast into the fires of Hell where they will remain forever.

Jesus spoke of this when He said,    I saw Satan [Lucifer] like lightning falling from Heaven.   63

Fallen  angels,  also called  devils, demons  or  bad  angels have  a  will  that  is  irreversible.    They

will  never ask  pardon  for  disobeying  God and therefore, cannot  be redeemed.  The  ultimate

goal of devils, who often resemble flies that pester and annoy, is to lead souls to Hell.  The word

BeelzebubmeansLord of Flies. Interestingly, the word    evil    is    devil    without the letter    d.

Using their great intelligence and power, devils often disguise themselves as angels of light64 to

deceive  and  mislead.  Devils  are  creatures  that  are  subject  to  God.   He limits  their power so

they can only do what God permits.

God provides effective means to combat demons and fight temptation.  St. Paul said to    put on

the  armor  of  light.   65  These spiritual  weapons include devout prayer (especially  the  Rosary),

reception of the  Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, recitation of Pope Leo XIII   s

Prayer to St. Michael, holy water, and the invocation of the holy names of Jesus and Mary.

59
De Consideratione, Lib. V, ch. 4.
60
Chapter 14, Verse 13.
61
See Apocalypse 12, 4.     This is spoken with an illusion to the fall of Lucifer from Heaven, with the rebellious angels, driven from
thence by St. Michael.     Catholic commentary by Fr. Leo Haydock,Douay Rheims Bible, p. 1641.
62
Ephesians 6, 12.
63
Luke 10, 18 f.
64
2 Corinthians 11, 14.
65
Romans 13, 12.

16                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Although some blame their sins on the devil, individuals are responsible for their own actions.

Satan once complained to St. Anthony the Abbot about the matter.

I am often not so much to blame as you think, for people are often the cause of their own ruin, by
seeking the occasions of sin, hoping that they will not fall, although they know how frail they are.
I never could overcome them if they only used the weapons God has put into their hands.  So they
need not blame me, nor curse me so much, since it is entirely their own fault that they are lost.66

The Devils and their Evil Works

Many today  practice Satanism  and  Wicca, while others  thoughtlessly join in  practices that

have diabolical roots.  Satanic video games, Ouija Boards, yoga, heavy metal music, horoscopes,

and tarot cards are sinful and very dangerous since they often lead one to delve into witchcraft,

develop a fascination with Satan or cause one to reject God.

Yoga  is  not merely  a form  of  exercise  and  stretching.    Its  roots  are  based in  Buddhism and

Hinduism.  Heavy Metal groups actively promote Satanism through their lyrics, band names,

pentagrams, satanic symbols, and concerts.

Diabolical  possession can  occur as  a  result  of  these  activities, or by a  spell, curse or  other

means.  When a person is possessed by the devil, God permits evil spirits to enter and control

the individual   s body, although one still has a free will.

Obsession is  the  word  used  to  describe  attacks  by  the  devil  from  without,  including  hearing

sinister voices, major distractions during prayers and physical attacks with no visible culprit.

The  Roman  Rituallists  various  ways  to  detect  the  devil   s  presence  in  a  person  including

knowledge of hidden things and unknown languages, superhuman strength, and hatred of God,

Mary, the saints, and anything sacred.

Exorcism,derived from the wordexit,meansto go out. Devils can be driven out of a possessed

person or a building infested with demons by Catholic clergy through exorcism prayers like the

Prayer  to  St.  Michael  of Pope  Leo  XIII  and  formal  exorcism  prayers of theRoman  Ritual.

Priests must have permission from their bishop to perform a formal exorcism.

The Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 taught that the fallen  angels were created good by God,

but that they made themselves evil.67  Devils freely chose to disobey God and never repented.

Unrepentant humans act  in  like  manner  by  not  being  sorry  for  their  sins.  Both  cases

demonstrate bad will and merit punishment.

Guardian Angels

Angels  who  remained faithful to God  were  rewarded with the eternal  happiness of Heaven.

They love and serve God and act as friends and protectors of human beings.     The Angel of the

Lord shall encamp round about them that fear Him and shall deliver them.   68

God desires the eternal salvation of all and loves everyone so much that He gives each person a

Guardian Angel to protect, inspire and guard them from temptation.  People should often pray

66
Very Rev. Canon Howe,Stories from the Catechist,p. 145.
67
Denzinger 427-428.
68
Psalm 33.

Angels 17

to their Guardian Angel, a powerful and dear friend who will help them get to Heaven.     For

He has given His angels charge over thee in all thy ways.   69

Jesus  referred  to  Guardian  Angels  when  he  warned His  followers  of  the  severe  judgment

awaiting those who scandalize children,       for I say to you that their angels in Heaven always

see the face of My Father Who is in heaven.   70

Role of Angels

Angels are not just passive bystanders.  They are present throughout history and are active in

our lives today.  These blessed spirits who enjoy perfect happiness, serve and glorify God and

assist humans.   Angels rejoice when souls return to God as St. Luke relates,       there shall be

joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance.   71

Archangels

Three archangels are mentioned in Scripture   St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael.  This

honorary title declares that they rank above the other angels as God   s special emissaries.

St.  Michael leads  the  angels  and cast  Lucifer  and  the  devils  into  Hell.   St.  Gabriel at  the

Annunciation asked Mary for her consent to become the Mother of the Redeemer.  St. Raphael,

the healer, is mentioned in the Book of Tobias.72

Angels Mentioned in the Bible

The Old and New Testaments of Scripture relate many examples of how angels protected God   s

people  and  delivered  them  from  harm,  even  against  unbelievable  odds.  The  Book  of Exodus

records God   s admonition to the Chosen People regarding angels:

Behold I will send my angel who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee
into the place that I have prepared.  Take notice of him and hear his voice, and do not think him one
to be contemned.73

Angels daily assist people all over the world protecting them from accidents and serious injury,

guiding and helping them overcome temptation, and raising their hearts to  God.  In  Heaven,

people  will  understand  how  helpful their Guardian  Angels  have  been to  them.  The  Bible

mentions many accounts of angelic assistance.

Around the  year 700  BC,  King  Sennacherib   s  Assyrian  army  encircled  Jerusalem  as the

monarch blasphemously challenged God and those who believed in Him by saying:

In whom  do  you  trust  [Ezechias,  King  of  Juda],  that  you  sit  still  besieged  in  Jerusalem?
Know you not what I and my fathers have done to all the people of the lands?

For if no god of all the nations and kingdoms, could deliver his people out of my hand, and out
of the hand of my fathers, consequently neither shall your God be able to deliver you out of my
hand?74

69
Psalm 90, 11.
70
Mark 18, 10.
71
Chapter 15, Verse 10.
72
Chapter 3, Verse 25.
73
Chapter 23, Verses 20-21.
74
2 Paralipomenon 32, 10, 13, 15.

18                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

God  intervened  by  sending  a  single  angel  who eliminated  the  threat by  annihilating 185,000

Assyrians.    Providentially,  God  rewarded  the faith  of  the  starving  Hebrews by replenishing

their food supplies with that left by their enemies.  Sennacherib returned to the pagan temple

in Nineveh where he was slain by his two sons.

An angel told Zachary in the temple that his wife, St. Elizabeth, would become the mother of

St. John the Baptist.  Another angel spoke to St. Joseph and told him that Mary conceived by

the Holy Ghost.  One of God   s heavenly messengers later warned him to escape to Egypt with

the Holy Family because Herod ordered the massacre of newborns.  Angels were present at the

Birth of Our Lord, during Jesus    Agony in the Garden, His Resurrection, and Ascension.

Chapter Seven

Humans

Humans Have a Higher Destiny

Human beings are God   s greatest creation on earth.  TheBaltimore Catechismsays,    Man is

a  creature  composed  of  body  and  soul,  and  made  to  the  image  and  likeness  of  God.   75

Humans differ from other creatures by being able to think and freely choose their actions.

God gave humans dominion over the earth that He created to serve their needs.

Animals, on the other hand, do not possess reason but rely on instinct for their survival and

preservation.  Have you ever seen a deer look both ways before crossing a street?

People intuitively know they have a higher destiny than life on earth, though many focus

on riches, pleasure and material possessions.  Humans who glorify God by knowing, loving

and serving Him on earth will be rewarded with the eternal happiness of Heaven.

Following God  s Plan

God  demands  each  person to be  responsible  for  his  or  her  actions.   Although  He  bestows

innumerable talents and benefits, the essentials of life and grace, it is up to each individual

to follow His laws and love God and neighbor, or reject them, and suffer the consequences.

Humans desire happiness,  but  it  can  be  found  in  God  alone.    Unfortunately,  the  devil

tempts people to harden their consciences and think that they are not responsible for their

actions in order to justify their selfish, sinful lifestyle.

Good Catholics live by faith and keep their eyes focused on Heaven.  Their beliefs affect the

way they live, their morals and everyday activities.  St. Thomas Aquinas compares faith to

a light that helps individuals see what they believe.

Catholics try not to be controlled by circumstances, but use them as a means of practicing

virtue and being faithful to God, Who gives grace and interior peace of soul in return.  Even

though it is not always popular to do what is right, every individual will ultimately have to

answer to God.  It is more important to make it to Heaven than be well liked on earth.

Adam and Eve

God created the first man, Adam, and said:    It is not good for man to be alone: let Us make a

help like unto himself.   76  He then created Eve and instituted marriage saying:    Wherefore a

man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife and they shall be two in one

flesh.   77  They and their offspring were created with a mortal78 body and immortal79 soul.

Psalm 8 verses 6-10 relates that humans were given dominion over the earth.

Thou  hast  made  him  a  little  less  than  the  angels,  thou  hast crowned  him  with  glory  and
honor: and hast set him over the works of thy hands.  Thou hast subjected all things under
his feet, all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields.  The birds of the air, and
the fishes of the sea, that pass through the paths of the sea.

75
p. 32.
76
Genesis 2, 18.
77
Genesis 2, 24.
78
A body that will eventually die.
79
The human soul will never die.

20                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

God created humans to know, love, and serve Him, to show forth His goodness and to share

His everlasting happiness in Heaven with them.80

Adam and Eve were Given Special Gifts from God

Natural human body / immortal soul intellect and free will

Preternaturalinfused knowledge and facultiesbeyond normal human nature

Supernatural sanctifying grace a sharing in the life of God

The Fall

God placed Adam  and  Eve in  the  Garden  of  Paradise  where  they  were  perfectly  happy.

Adam, representing the entire human race, was given  a  simple  test.  If  he  followed  God   s

command, he and his offspring would be rewarded.  If he disobeyed, he and they would be

punished.

God commanded our first  parents  not  to  eat  fruit  from  a  certain  tree in  Paradise.  Satan,

disguised as a talking snake, persuaded Eve to disobey God   s order by telling her    that in

what  day  soever  you  shall  eat  thereof,  your  eyes  shall  be  opened:  and  you  shall  be  like

Gods      81  She then coaxed Adam to disobey by consuming the fruit.

This serious act of disobedience by Adam against God is calledoriginal sin because it comes

to us through our origin, Adam.  St. Paul wrote:    By one man sin entered the world, and by

sin, death, and so death passed upon all men, in whom we have all sinned.   82

God was angered and asked Adam why he had disregarded His explicit command.  Adam

blamed Eve and she blamed the snake.  The guilt and punishment of Adam   s sin descends

from him to his posterity.83  They should have admitted their guilt and asked pardon of God.

God Punished Adam, Eve and their Offspring

They lost sanctifying84 grace, the greatest gift they received, a sharing in the life of God.

Adam and Eve were cast out of Paradise.

The Gates of Heaven were closed.

Childbirth would become painful.

Adam and Eve lost all the preternatural gifts they received.

Humans would have to work to feed and support themselves.

Human beings would be subject to disease, illness and death.

Adam and Eve and all human beings acquired a tendency to evil calledconcupiscence.

Adam and Eve lost the gift of integrity   complete subjection of the passions to reason.

80
SeeBaltimore Catechism,Lesson Five.
81
Genesis 3, 5.
82
Romans 5, 22.
83
SeeCatechism of the Council of Trent,original sin.
84
Taken from two Latin words that mean:to make holy.

Chapter Eight

The Redeemer

The Incarnation

Due to the fall of Adam, it was necessary that a Redeemer atone for original sin and for the

sins of his descendants.  He needed to have thenature of God to satisfy divine justice and the

nature of man (body and soul) to make adequate atonement on their behalf.  The only way the

Messias could suffer, thereby manifesting His love for mankind, was to assume human nature.

TheIncarnation refers  to  Jesus  assuming  a  human  nature when the  Second  Person  of  the

Blessed Trinity, sent by the Father, was conceived in the womb of Mary by the overshadowing

of the Holy Ghost at the Annunciation.

Our Lord Jesus Christ

TheBaltimore  Catechismteaches:       the  Son  of  God  retaining  His  divine  nature,  took  to

Himself a human nature, that is, a body and soul like ours.   85  The union of the divine nature

and the human nature in one Person, Jesus Christ, is called thehypostatic union.86  Our Lord   s

two natures are described in chapter one of St. John   s Gospel, read daily at the Latin Mass.87

Jesus redeemed  mankind,  opened  the  Gates  of Heaven  and  offered  all88 the  graces  necessary

for salvation by His Life, Passion89 and Death on the Cross.  St. John wrote that Christ loved

us  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  His  Blood.90  Yet, in  spite  of  this, each person must

cooperate with God   s grace in order to merit eternal happiness.

How did the Savior, Jesus Christ, enter the world?  Since He is the Son of God, He could have

come as a grown man and atoned for the sins of mankind by a simple prayer.  Yet, Our Lord,

the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, came to earth humbly.  He taught, showed the way to

Heaven, and instituted the Catholic Church.  What a wondrous proof of God   s love!

The  nameJesusis  derived  from  the  Hebrew  word  forSavior. Christ is  the  Greek  word  for

Anointed One.  Although Our Lord Jesus Christ lived on earth for 33 years, He spent only three

years teaching.  The first 30 years are called HisHidden Life.

Jesus was the greatest miracle worker that ever lived. A miracle is a supernatural occurrence

affected by Divine power. Christ is not just a holy man from Nazareth.  He is the Son of God

equal to the Father and the Holy Ghost, having the same nature.

St.  John  the  Baptist  told  his  disciples  they  would  know that Jesus  was  the  Messias by

witnessing His miracles.     The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,

the dead rise again, the poor have the Gospel preached to them.   91

Our  Lord   s Public  Life was  filled  with miracles.  His  first  public  miracle occurred  at  the

Marriage of Cana when He changed water into wine, something that is chemically impossible.

Christ healed the  sick and  paralytics, walked on  water, miraculously  fed  thousands, and

calmed a storm at sea.

85
p. 49.
86
Pope Pius XI in the encyclicalLux Veritatisexplained hypostatic as    the marvelous and substantial union of the two natures.
87
Commonly called the Last Gospel because it is the second Gospel read at Mass.
88
God    Who wishes all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.     1 Timothy 2, 4.  All are redeemed and given
sufficient grace to be saved, but individuals must cooperate with God   s grace and keep the commandments to save their soul.
89
Taken from a Latin word meaningsufferings.
90
Apocalypse 1, 5.
91
Matthew 11, 5.

22                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Christ  s Public Life

Some wanted the Messias to be a political leader who would rid Palestine of Roman overlords.

Jesus    mission was to save souls and redeem mankind, teaching by word and example.

No one ever had such a dramatic effect on history as Jesus Christ.  Until recently, the annals of

mankind were measured by the notations BC (Before Christ) and AD (in anno Domini, in the

year of the Lord).

Jesus Christ founded His Church on Twelve Apostles and inspired Hebrews and Gentiles, just

and  sinners to become  members.   His  teachings  are  found  in  the  Gospels  written  by  the

Evangelists  Matthew, Mark, Luke,and John.  The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was instituted

by Our Lord to mystically renew in an unbloody manner His Passion and Death on the Cross.

Christ instituted Seven Sacraments, outward signs that signify the inner graces they bestow.

Therefore,  since Christ   s  teachings,  the Mass and sacraments  are  of  divine  origin,  no  one  on

earth has power to essentially change them.

The Redemption

Jesus atoned for the pride of Adam, Eve and their offspring by His life of poverty and humility.

During His Agony at the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus sweat blood at the sight of all the sins

of the world that would be committed.  Our Lord was scourged, had a crown of thorns pressed

upon His head and carried a wooden cross that weighed about 100 pounds nearly a quarter of a

mile to Mt. Calvary in Jerusalem.  There He willingly died by suffocation and loss of blood in

order to atone for the sins of the world and open the Gates of Heaven.

On the first Good Friday, many mocked Jesus, while others challenged Him to come down from

the Cross.  Our Lord chose to manifest His divinity in other ways.  During the three hours He

hung on the Cross, the entire earth was covered in darkness, a great earthquake occurred and

many  holy  persons from  the  past emerged  from  their tombs.   Also, the  temple  veil  ripped  in

half, signifying the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New.

Christ made reparation for every sin that was ever committed and endured terrible pain and

interior desolation in order to satisfy God   s justice and atone for the ingratitude of mankind.

Our  Lord entered the  world  as  a  baby, was born  in  a  stable,  lived in  poverty,  spent His  life

doing good to others, and endured terrible suffering culminating in His death on the Cross in

order to win our love.  No one could ever say God didn   t love them or understand their pain.

The Resurrection of Christ

Our  Lord  did  something  that  no  one  ever  did  before  and  no  one  has  done  since.    He  foretold

when He would die, how He would die, and, most miraculous of all, that He would rise again.

The Scribes  and  Pharisees remembered  that Jesus said  he  would rise  from  the  dead.

Therefore, after Jesus    death on the Cross, they asked Roman governor Pontius Pilate to order

soldiers to guard the tomb92 in order to prevent anyone from approaching or attempting to steal

Christ   s body.  A huge boulder was then placed over its entrance.

Despite these preventive  measures, Our Lord triumphantly emerged from the tomb with a

glorified body  and remained  on  earth  for  40  days teaching  and  establishing  His  Church.  He

left His burial shroud as a lasting remembrance of His sufferings.

92
See Matthew 28, 65-66

The Redeemer23

If Our Lord were a mere mortal, His work would have ended with His Death.  Jesus appeared

to the Apostles after His Resurrection and showed them the radiant marks of His wounds on

His hands, feet and side.  Those wounds opened the Gates of Heaven and were the price of our

redemption.   Jesus    Resurrection and Passion manifest God   s infinite love.

The  Church  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre in  Jerusalem encompasses  both  the  spot  of  the  crucifixion

(Calvary)93 and the tomb of the Resurrection where pilgrims are edified by the reality of what

occurred  there  2,000  years earlier.  Inside His tomb is  a  long,  narrow  stone  bench  where

tradition says the Body of Jesus was laid.

The Holy Shroud

St.  John  describes two  cloths in  his  Gospel   one  wrapping  Jesus    Body and  another  covering

His Face.  TheHoly Shroud, an ancient  artifact, is  a 14-foot  long  linen  cloth  that  enveloped

Christ   s crucified Body.  TheSudarium (facecloth) is preserved in Oviedo, Spain.  Many icons of

Our Lord were derived from them during the early centuries of the Church.

The  Holy  Shroud  is  woven  in  a  herringbone  pattern,  similar  to  cloth  found  at  Masada that

dates  back  to 40  BC-73  AD.   In  1532, the  Holy  Shroud  was  kept  at Sainte-Chapelle in

Chamb  ry,  France.    Although  a fire singed  the  ends  of  the  Shroud, the  main  image was

miraculously untouched.  The sacred cloth was later transferred to Turin, Italy in 1578 to the

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist where it is preserved in a transparent case.

Internal and external evidence attest to the authenticity of the Holy Shroud.  Scientists from

Israel and  Switzerland found  that  the cloth contains  pollen  grains  and  images from  plants

native  to  Jerusalem which have  bloomed  in  Israel  between  March  and  May  for  thousands  of

years.  Similar pollen grains have also been found on the Sudarium of Oviedo.

The cloth shows clear evidence of Our Lord   s Passion including severe wounds from a Roman

flagrum,94 puncture wounds about His head indicating where a crown of thorns was placed, a

bruised kneecap, and broken nasal cartilage, the result of beatings and numerous falls.

Remarkably,  the  image, that is  three-dimensional, mostly resides in a layer at the surface of

the linen.  There is no trace of paint pigmentation and its origin still baffles scientists.

Dark  stains on  the Holy Shroud have  been  identified  as  human  blood and  there  are clear

marks made from nails through the wrists and feet.  The side wound into the heart is the exact

size of the tip of a Roman lance.  The attention to detail in all areas is beyond the skill of the

most talented forger.

Traces of writing in Aramaic, Greek and Latin are present on the cloth.  Coins, minted during

the  time  of  Tiberius  (42  BC   37  AD) and containing the  image  of  Pontius Pilate, were  placed

over Jesus    eyes at His burial.  The Holy Shroud is the most examined artifact on the planet.

The more skeptical scientists attempt to discredit it, the more its veracity shines forth.

In  1898,  Secunda  Pia  took  the  first photographs  of  the  Shroud.    The  image  of  the  crucified

Christ appeared clearly visible on the negative glass plate he used in his darkroom.

93
Place of the skull.  Tradition relates that the bottom of Jesus    Cross rested on Adam   s skull that was buried below.
94
A whip with short leather thongs tipped with pieces of bronze or lead.

24                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Eighty years later, scientists from the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP) were given

full access for five days to perform countless tests that further authenticated the burial cloth.

The Shroud continues to be studied and examined.

In 2010, Ray Downing, a computer artist and inventor of highly advanced computer technology,

produced  a  remarkable  three-dimensional  image of the  face  of  Christ from  the  Shroud.

Scientists are baffled  by  the  Shroud since  it is  not  a  painting,  drawing,  scorch  mark, or

photograph.  The increasingly sophisticated technology used for testing has not discredited its

authenticity, but rather affirmed it.

The Ascension

When Our Lord   s work was completed, He rose into the sky from the summit of Mt. Olivet by

His own power and disappeared from sight.  Our Lord is the way, the truth and the life; no one

comes to the Father, except through Him.95

Jesus Christ  founded  the  Catholic  Church  that  will  last  until  the  end  of  time.   Miraculously,

His  Church,  the  Catholic96 Church,  remains essentially the  same as when  He  established  it

nearly 2,000 years ago.

Attacks Against the Divinity of Christ

There have been numerous attacks against the Divinity of Christ that have been condemned by

the  Church.    Christianity  becomes  meaningless  if  Jesus  is  not  the  Son  of  God  equal  to  the

Father and the Holy Ghost.

Arius blasphemously said Jesus was a holy man, not the Son of God nor equal to the Father.

Condemned by the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD

Nestorius heretically claimed Mary was not the Mother of God.

Condemned by the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD

Eutyches erroneously taught that Jesus had only one nature, not two, human and divine.

Condemned by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD

Sergius falsely taught that Jesus had only one will, not two, a human will and a divine will.

Condemned by the Third Council of Constantinople in 681 AD

Manmade Religions Fade with Time

There have  been myriads  of  manmade  religions.    During the French  Revolution,  two  were

formed called the Cult of Reason and the Cult of the Supreme Being, a non-Christian religion

invented by Robespierre.

When the revolutionary Reveillere (1753-1824) thought of starting a humanist, deist religion,

he shared the idea with a government official named Barras requesting his advice on the best

way to propagate it.  Barras merely repeated a phrase from Voltaire:    Well, my advice is to get

killed on Friday, and rise from the dead on Sunday.   97  No trace of this religion remains today.

95
John 14, 6.
96
Catholicis derived from the Greek word foruniversal.  St. Ignatius of Antioch first usedcatholicto describe followers of Christ.
97
See Rev. F. Drinkwater,Catechism Stories, Part I, The Creed, p. 55.

Chapter Nine

The Blessed Virgin Mary

Prophesies Fulfilled

God promised to send a Messias who would atone for original sin and the sins of mankind and

open  the  Gates  of Heaven.     I  will  put  enmities  between  thee  [Satan]  and  the  woman  [Mary]

and thy seed and her seed.  She shall crush thy head and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.   98

Numerous  prophecies foretold the  Redeemer  and  His  mission.  The  entire  world  waited  in

anticipation  for  4,000  years  for  the  coming  of  the  Messias,  a  period  annually  recalled  by  the

liturgical season of Advent, the four weeks before Christmas.

Christ fulfilled prophecies that were foretold centuries earlier.  He was born of a virgin of the

House of David,99 in Bethlehem100 and three monarchs, led to the stable cave by a star, came to

worship Him.101  Only a God-man could choose the place and other details of His birth.

The Immaculate Conception

Our Lady was sinless andimmaculately conceived without original sin.  She was conceived by

her parents in a natural manner, but preserved from original sin.

Pope Pius IX extolled Mary   s glories in his encyclical on the Immaculate Conception:

The  Lord  endowed  Mary  with  such  an  abundance  of  graces  that she  surpassed  by  far  all  the
angels and saints; thus the Blessed Virgin has such fullness of innocence and of sanctity that it
can be found and thought of in a greater degree only in God.102

The Annunciation

Mary made a vow of virginity when very young that God allowed her to miraculously preserve.

When the angel St. Gabriel asked Mary if she would consent to be the Mother of the Redeemer,

the  long-awaited  Messias,  he  reassured  her  she  would  remain  a  virgin.  He greeted  her  with

the words,    Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women.   103

TheCatechism of the Council of Trent describes this wondrous event:

as  soon  as  the  Blessed  Virgin  assented  to  the announcement  of  the  angel  in  these words,
Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word,the most sacred body
of Christ was immediately formed, and to it was united a rational soul enjoying the use of reason
and  thus  in  the  same  instant  of  time  He  was  perfect  God  and  perfect  man.    That  this  was  the
astonishing and admirable work of the Holy Ghost cannot be doubted.104

The Virgin/ Mother of God

The  Blessed  Virgin  was  the  means  chosen  by  God  to  bring  Christ  into  this  world.    Isaias

explained  Mary   s  role  of  virgin-mother:    Behold,  a  Virgin  shall  conceive  and  bear  a  Son,  and

His name shall be called Emmanuel;   105    which is interpreted God with us.   106

98
Genesis 3, 15.
99
Isaias 11, 1.
100
Micheas 5, 2.
101
Isaias 60, 6.
102
Ineffabilis Deus, December 8, 1854.  The Immaculate Conception and Divine Maternity of Mary are dogmas of the Church.
103
Luke 1, 28.
104
p. 43.
105
Isaias 7, 14.
106
Matthew 1, 23.

26                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The Blessed Virgin is the only woman in history who was a virgin-mother.  God arranged this

so  she  could  be  an  exemplary  model  for virgins  and  mothers.    Mary  was completely  sinless,

remained a virgin and conceived Christ by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost.  Christ dwelt

in her womb for nine months.

Jesus    birth was painless and He miraculously preserved her virginity.  Mary remained always

a virgin, before, during and after the birth of Christ.  Some saints compare Jesus    birth to light

passing through glass.

Mary  is  rightfully  called  Mother  of  God  because  the  Second  Person  of  the  Blessed  Trinity,

Jesus Christ, is her Son.  Pope Pius XI wrote that the life of Our Lord manifested

clear evidence of two natures in Christ, from which proceed works that are divine and human,
and shows also very clearly that Christ is one, God and man alike through the unity of the divine
Person by which He is calledTheantropos[God-Man].107

St. Cyril of Alexandria describes the Divine Maternity.

Not  that  the  nature  or  divinity  of  the  Word  [Christ]  took  its  origin  or  beginning  from  the  holy
Virgin, but in this sense that He derived from her His Sacred Body, born    and perfected by an
intelligent soul to which the Word of God was hypostatically united.108

Pope Leo XIII encourages the Faithful to revere the Virgin, Mother of God, through the devout

recitation of the Rosary.109  Fr. Tanquerey says:

From the dignity of the Divine maternity proceed all the privileges granted to the Blessed Virgin,
her most perfect sanctity, and her supernatural relations with creatures [as intercessor].110

The Role of Mary

Since Mary united her sufferings with those of Jesus on the Cross, she is called co-Redemptrix.

Pope St. Pius X said that God rewarded the Blessed Virgin by making her the dispensatrix of

all the graces that Christ merited by His sufferings.

St. Bernardine of Siena writes:

Every  grace  granted  to  man  has  three  successive  steps:  By  God  it is  communicated  to  Christ,
from Christ it passes to the Virgin, and from the Virgin it descends to us.111

Mary  s Assistance Now and at the Hour of Death

Our Lady told St. Bridget of Sweden that she comes to assist her children as soon as they call

on her. Mary is addressed in theHail Holy Queenasour life, our sweetness and our hope.

St.  Alphonsus  Liguori  and  St.  Louis  de  Montfort  teach that the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary is

frequently present  at the deathbed of  those  who  have  been  devoted  to  her.   The  Heavenly

Mother calms her  child, prepares  the  soul  to  enter  eternity  and  wards  off  demons that make

their last attempt to snatch it away from God.

107
EncyclicalLux Veritatis, December 25, 1931.
108
Mansi,Conciliorum Amplissima Collectio IV,circa 1007, 891.
109
Adjutricem Populi,September 5, 1895
110
Manual of Dogmatic Theology: Two, p. 99
111
Serm.6, n. I,in Fest.BMV, de Ann., a. I, c. 2, Pope Leo XIII,Juncunda Semper, September 8, 1894.

Chapter Ten

Grace

Grace is a supernatural gift of God bestowed on us through the merits of Jesus Christ for our

salvation.   112  St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that grace is a gratuitous gift, a sign of God   s favor,

and makes the recipient one of God   s favorites.113

The Need for Grace

Jesus taught the vital need for grace.  Since Our Lord merited all graces, He emphatically said,

without Me you can do nothing.   114  St. Paul taught    By grace you have been saved through

faith; and that not from yourselves, for it is the gift of God.   115

Due  to  original  sin,  people  have  a  strong  tendency  to evil called concupiscence  that  must  be

controlled.  Guided by human nature alone, one naturally descends into a life of sin.  The world

entices people to abandon God and    enjoy life    by making vice enticing and virtue appear    out

of style.

The Spiritual Combat

Devils plot to lead individuals into serious sin.  God   s grace is necessary for people to practice

supernatural  virtue  and  observe  the  Ten  Commandments.  Grace  fortifies  individuals  during

this battle, the saints call thespiritual combat.

TheCatechism of the Council of Trent describes the need for grace:

But such is the degeneracy of our nature [due to concupiscence] that, even when we have done
violence to our passions and subjected them to the will of God, we cannot avoid sin without His
assistance, by which we are protected from evil and directed in the pursuit of good.116

God does not leave one defenseless, but offers spiritual weapons.  These means of grace include

prayer, the Mass, sacraments, and sacramentals.  These form a type of protective wall to help

shield one from the allurement of temptation and occasions of sin.

Actual Grace

Actual grace is a supernatural help from God that enlightens the mind and strengthens the will

to  help  one  do  good  and  avoid evil.117  Although  all  do  not  use  His  gifts  of  grace, Godgives

everyone sufficient  grace  to  be  saved and reach  Heaven.  St.  Paul says  that  God,       wills  all

men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.   118

Saints compare actual grace to a mist that falls upon the earth healing the soul from the effects

of sin and helping one persevere in the performance of good works.

Those who utilize God   s grace become saints.  As water can either invigorate (living things), or

be discarded so the gift of grace can be accepted or rejected.  Grace is precious, not something

to be wasted or spurned.  If grace is consistently rejected, God often withdraws His help unless

the individual repents before death.

112
Rev. Thomas Kinkead,Baltimore Catechism,No. 4,p. 102
113
Summa Theologica,I-II ae, q. 110, Respond.
114
John 15, 5.
115
Ephesians 2, 8.
116
p. 536.
117
See Fr. Connell,Baltimore Catechism No. 3,p. 63.
118
1 Timothy 2, 4.

28                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

St.  Cyprian said God  offers  His  assistance and  protection to  those  who  pray  so  they  can

practice virtue and resist sin.  St. Augustine wrote, as the eye needs light for proper vision, so

the just need God   s grace in order to persevere in doing good.

Sanctifying Grace

Sanctifying grace is a sharing in the life of God.  St. Thomas Aquinas calls it,    a certain beauty

of the soul which wins the divine favor.   119  Catholics first receive sanctifying grace at Baptism.

Our  Lord  described it as the pearl  of  great  price, the wedding  garment  necessary  to  enter

Heaven and a treasure more precious than all the riches of the world.

Sanctifying  grace is  lost  when  one  commits  a  mortal  sin.  It  is regained  by  the  Sacrament  of

Penance if one is truly sorry and firmly resolves never to sin again.  Thomas a    Kempis wrote:

For the gifts of nature are common to the good and the bad; but grace or divine love, is the proper
gift of the elect and they that are adorned with it are esteemed worthy of eternal life.120

Kempis calls  grace,       the  light  of  the  heart,  the  comforter  of  the  afflicted,  the  banisher  of

sorrow, the expeller of fears, the nurse of devotion.   121

Sanctifying  grace  is  a  treasure  of  infinite value   one   s  ticket  to  Heaven.  This  grace  is

increased in the soul by prayer, attendance at Mass and reception of the sacraments.

Without  sanctifying  grace,  one  cannot  enter  Heaven.    Therefore,  it  must  be  preserved  at  all

costs  since  the  world,  fallen  human  nature  and  the  devil  constantly try to  rob  the  faithful  of

this pearl of great price.

Fall from Grace

Since most falls from grace are gradual, many don   t even realize how far they have drifted.

St. Paul warns the proud, complacent and those who presume on God   s mercy:       let him who

thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.   122

Some return to God by persevering effort and regain peace of soul and inner joy.  Others, like

exhausted scuba divers who have to make a long surface swim in order to reach their dive boat,

give up hope and are swallowed by the waves.  All these divers had to do was get close to the

boat and a ring buoy could have been tossed to them.  Often help is only a prayer away.

Faithful to the End

Prayer  draws  down  God   s  graces  and  is  essential  for  one  to  persevere  in  doing  good  and

avoiding evil.123  The Council of Trent says thatfinal perseverance is a gift that God bestows on

those who pray.124  Only God can give someone supernatural courage to calmly approach death

when life ends and eternity begins.  Some even have a heavenly look in their eyes at death that

reflects the indescribable joys experienced in the next life.

A mother once died peacefully after receiving the Last Sacraments.  Several days later her son

heard  the  words said in  her gentle voice,    I   ve  never  known  such  joy.     What  an  inspiring

manifestation of God   s goodness and the immense happiness of Heaven!

119
Summa Theologica 1-2, 110, 2.
120
The Imitation of Christ, Part 3, Chapter 55.
121
Part 3, Chapter 55.
122
1 Corinthians 10, 12.
123
See Canons 9-10 of the Second Council of Orange.
124
See Denzinger 832.

Chapter Eleven

Faith

The Councils of Vienne and Trent 125 taught that sanctifying grace and the theological virtues

of  faith,  hope  and  charity  are  infused  into  the  soul  at  Baptism.  Faith allows  one  to firmly

believe the truths God has revealed.126  St. Francis de Sales in hisWorks(Oeuvres) wrote:    Faith

can be said to be nothing else but an adhesion of the understanding and will to divine truths.

St. Ambrose called faith the foundation of all virtues.

Natural Faith

Electricity, wind and sound are invisible, but real.  People believe by natural faith the words

their boss, reporters, law enforcement officers, researchers, and others say.  On the testimony

of others, they accept the existence of countries, planets and oceans they have never seen.

Many today  believe  only  what  they  see and persist  in  unreasonable  skepticism.    They  fail  to

realize absolute  certainty  is seldom and frequently  impossible  to attain and  human  reason  is

not  always  a  reliable  guide.    Faulty  or  insufficient  information,  prejudice  and  rash  judgment

often warp a person   s judgment.  Others    read    into facts to suit their purpose.

Supernatural Faith

Pope  Leo  XIII  said  by  means  of  faith    man  is  raised  above  nature  and  is  endowed  with

dispositions  requisite  for  life  eternal.   127  Supernatural  faith  illuminates one   s path in  a

changing world and shows the real meaning of life.  It directs a person on the path to God and

true,  lasting  happiness.    Disappointments  and  difficulties lose  much  of  their  bitterness  once

one sees their value toward meriting an eternal reward hereafter.

Our Lord said:    Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed   128 and    Unless you

turn and become like little children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.   129  He wants

His followers to believe His teachings with childlike simplicity and humble faith.

By means of faith, belief is not based solely on the Word of God, not external evidence, thereby

giving absolute certitude in religious matters for God can neither deceive, nor be deceived.

God  gave  humans  intellect  and free will so  they could act  without  compulsion,  not  like

programmed robots.  Faith is a free act of the will that manifests deep love for God and trust in

His word.  It reassures the believer and gives meaning to life.

The Need for Faith

St.  Paul  stressed the  importance  of  faith  when  he  wrote,       my  just  one  lives  by  faith.   130

Martin  Luther erroneously based his religion on faith  alone.    St.  James  refuted  this  ideology

when he wrote in his epistle that faith must be accompanied by a good life.

What will it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but does not have works?  Can the
faith save him?  So faith too, unless it has works, is dead in itself.131

125
Denzinger 483 and 800.
126
See: Rev. Thomas Kinkead,Baltimore Catechism, No. 4, Question 107, p. 104.
127
Adjutricem Populi, September 5, 1895.
128
John 20, 29.
129
Matthew 18, 3.
130
Epistle to the Hebrews 10, 38.
131
Chapter 2, Verses 14-17.

30                                      THE WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

St. Cyril of Jerusalem said:

The power of faith is enormous.  It is so great that it not only saves the believer: thanks to one
person   s faith others are saved also [led to sanctity by their example].

Pleasure

Faith helps one differentiate between pleasure and happiness.  Those who seek pleasure look

in the wrong places and never find happiness.  Life without God is empty.

Pleasure  is  enjoyment  experienced  through  the  five  senses. It  can  be  good  (reading  an

inspirational  story),  indifferent  (enjoying  a  nice  meal)  or  sinful  (viewing  pornography).

Pleasure only lasts for a time and can become distasteful when prolonged.

Happiness

Although everyone desires peace and  happiness, these are something only God can  give.132

These impart an  inner tranquility with  God,  with oneself  and  one   s  neighbor.  St.  Augustine

teaches, the greatest possible happiness comes from the possession of the truth.133

Perfect happiness can only be found in Heaven since God is the ultimate source of happiness.

It consists in the vision of God and enjoyment of His beauty Who is the source and principle of

all goodness and perfection.   134

Peace of Soul

The angels at Christmas spoke of this peace when they said       on earth peace among men of

good will.   135  Jesus said,    Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives do

I give to you.   136  This peace does not mean life without difficulties; it means interior peace of

soul that helps one handle the problems of life.

Peace of soul can be compared to someone safely standing inside a lighthouse as waves pummel

the  shoreline.    Although  the  tempest  rages  outside,  the  person remains tranquil  inside.

Human weakness remains to keep one humble, yet, in spite of this, a person knows that God

will always intervene and assist when asked.

Having faith can be compared to the difference between being in a storm and watching  it  on

the  Weather  Channel.  Faith  gives  a  person  a  true  perspective  of  life  to  proceed  confidently

forward.  Lack of faith leaves people foundering and left to their own devices.

Union with God

A soul faithful to God is like a recently watered plant that basks in the sun.  It has everything

it needs.  Water symbolizes the life of grace within.  It is nourished by prayer that draws down

God   s  blessings.  When storms occur, roots  grow  deeper since  trials patiently  borne deepen

one   s faith and confidence in God.

132
If we desire to havetrue happiness on earth, there is no better way than to cultivate piety     Peace of soul, the joy of a good
conscience, the happiness of union with God, of growing in His love, of effecting a closer intimacy with Christ, such are a few
of the rewards which, along with the comforting hope of life eternal, God dispenses even now to His faithful servants in the
midst of their trials.     Very Rev. Adolfe Tanquerey, SS, DD,The Spiritual Life, p. 182.
133
De Lib. Arbitr. L. II, c. 13, n. 35.
134
Catechism of the Council of Trent, p. 136.
135
Luke 2, 14.
136
John 14, 27.

Chapter Twelve

Hope

Hope is the divine virtue by which one firmly trusts that God will give eternal life and the means

to  obtain  it.137  It reassures a  person  that  God  cares  and sees  every  action, and reminds  an

individual there is an eternal reward for living a virtuous life.

This trust in God gives great merit to the simplest actions and inspires one to heroism and to

perseverance in  doing  good.    It  also  helps  a  person overcome obstacles  and faithfully

accomplish what God asks.

Hope Inspires a Person to Progress Spiritually

Trust, fidelity and love are the foundations of a good marriage since they inspire couples to love

their  spouse unreservedly.  Similarly,  a soul  needs  to  have  unbounded  confidence  in  God to

remain faithful to Him and keep the commandments.  Thomas a    Kempis, the fifteenth century

author ofThe Imitation of Christ, encourages souls to persevere in virtue since    It is no small

matter to lose or gain the kingdom of Heaven.   138

One way to arrive at this goal is to seriously reflect on God   s almighty power and infinite mercy

and  promises   being created by  God, redeemed  by Jesus    dying on  the  Cross  and realizing

perfect happiness in Heaven awaits those who persevere.

By viewing the magnificent world God created   the sun, moon, stars, sky, trees, lakes, rivers,

mountains, waterfalls, vegetation, animals, birds, rain, snow, and the cycles of day and night,

one  can gain greater trust in Him.   God Who created all will  assist  those  who  invoke  Him.

Our help is in the name of the Lord Who created heaven and earth.   139

Lessons from Scripture

The Book of Judith140 says    Praise ye the Lord our God, Who hath not forsaken them that hope

in Him.     Psalm 117 reminds individuals that God is always faithful.

It is good to confide in the Lord, rather than to have confidence in man.  It is good to trust in the
Lord rather than to trust in princes.

Israelites in the Old Testament disregarded this advice and turned to the Egyptians for help.

Their new friends soon betrayed them.

The Book of Wisdom describes the blessings derived from hoping in God.     They that trust in

Him shall understand the truth; and they that are faithful in love shall rest in Him: for grace

and peace is to His elect.   141

Hope is manifested when things appear hopeless.  Motives for the virtue of hope include God   s

power that assures one He can fulfill His promises, His faithfulness assures one that He will

fulfill them; and His mercy assures one of His help, in spite of human weakness.

137
See: Rev. Thomas Kinkead,Baltimore Catechism, No. 4, question 108, p. 104.
138
Book III, Chapter 47.
139
Psalm 123.
140
Chapter 13, Verse 17.
141
Chapter 3, Verse 9.

32                                          WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The  Book  of  Daniel  gives numerous  references  to  miraculous assistance  from  God.    These

include  Daniel being delivered from the  lion   s  den; Shadrach,  Meshach  and  Abednego

remaining  unharmed  while inside a  fiery  furnace, and Suzanna being  exonerated  when  all

seemed lost.  God takes care of His own.  Against all odds, David was victorious over the giant

Goliath and centuries later St. Thecla was miraculously protected from hungry lions.

Confidence Despite All

In  his  bookSecrets  of  the  Interior  Life, Archbishop Luis Martinez describes the  childlike

attitude of hopeful confidence so pleasing to God in his chapterConfidence Despite All where he

says  we  confide  in  God  because  of  His  goodness,  mercy  and  love.  St. John  Climacus says,

Hope is the power behind love (charity)    When hope fails, so does love.   142

St. Francis de Sales differentiates betweentrust in Godandpresumption when he said:

Wehope for things which it depends on others to bestow, and which we cannot procure ourselves;
weaspire to those which we can obtain by adopting certain measures.  It is chiefly through the
grace  and  mercy  of  God  that  we  can  hope  for  the  enjoyment  of  His  Divine  Majesty,  yet  He
requires that we should correspond with His grace by the feeble cooperation of our consent.143

Presumption and Despair

Devils  deceive millions  through  presumption  and  despair,  which  are the  antithesis of hope.

Presumption, as promoted by Martin Luther, claims a person can lead a sinful life and merely

needs  to believe  in  Our  Lord  to  be  saved.    Despair, as taught  by  Calvin,  says  a  person  is

predetermined to be saved or damned and there is nothing an individual can do about it.  The

former makes a mockery of God   s laws, the latter leads to hopelessness.

Prayers Answered

During World War II, an American bomber was shot down over the Mediterranean.  The sun

mercilessly beat down on the wounded survivors who were confined to a small raft.  Soon, their

food and water supply were exhausted.

With little hope, one of the airmen decided to pray theHail Holy Queen since it was the feast of

Mary   s  Assumption.    As  they  recited  the  words    turn  thine  eyes  of  mercy  towards  us,    they

seemed to faintly see something in the distance. It was the periscope of an American submarine

that came to rescue them!

Another example of God   s providential care took place in the life of missionary Bishop Baraga

(1797-1868).  Once when he was in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with a scout on his way to

a  distant  mission, the  ice on  which  they  were  walking broke away  from  land  and rapidly

traveled away from shore.

Adrift on Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world,144 the ice float then began to

melt and crack.  The Snowshoe Bishop remained tranquil in the midst of the peril and prayed

to God for assistance.  Miraculously the ice took them safely to the Wisconsin shore just a few

miles from their planned destination.

142
The Ladder of Divine Ascent.
143
Very Rev. Charles Callan,Illustrations for Sermons and Instructions,p. 277.
144
In area.

Chapter Thirteen

Charity

Love of God and Neighbor

Our  Lord defined  charity  as loving  God  with  one   s  whole  heart,  mind,  soul, and  strength  and

loving your neighbor  as yourself.145  Love  of  God is shown in  the faithful observance  of the

commandments.  Jesus  said:    By  this  shall  all   know  that  you  are  My  disciples,  if  you  have

love for one another   146        as I have loved you, you also love one another.   147

It takes humility to serve others, to give to those in need and to guide others to a life of virtue.

St. John wrote:       Let us love one another, for love is from God.     For how can he who does

not love his brother, whom he sees, love God, who he does not see?   148

Brothers and Sisters

Since all humans share an Eve gene in their DNA,149 they should treat one another like brother

and sister.  All individuals trace their genealogy to Adam and Eve, and after the flood, to Noah,

his  wife and their  three  sons  and wives.  There  is  a natural bond  between  all  humans  and  a

spiritual relationship between members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Catholic Church.

Social Beings

God created humans as social beings who need to depend on one another for the necessities of

life.  No one is an island.  Christ said to treat everyone with charity and respect.

love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute

and calumniate you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven   150

The Eight Beatitudes

Jesus gave the Eight Beatitudes at the Sermon on the Mount.151

1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

2) Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.

3) Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

4) Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

5) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

6) Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God.

7) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

8) Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice    sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

145
Matthew 22, 37.
146
John 13, 35.
147
John 13, 34.
148
1 John 4, 7, 20.
149
Even more impressive, the geneticists concluded that every person on Earth now can trace his or her lineage back to a common
female ancestor       Taken from   science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/female-ancestor.htm     Are we all descended from a
common female ancestor?    by Josh Clark.  See Ed Wentzel and Vrede van Huyssteen,Mitochondrial Eve: Encyclopedia of
Science and Religion, Vol. 2, New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2003, p. 578.
150
Matthew 5, 44.
151
Matthew 5, 3-10.

34                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The Catholic Church categorizes charitable works into works of mercy.

Corporal Works of Mercy

1) To feed the hungry

2) To give drink to the thirsty

3) To clothe the naked

4) To visit the imprisoned

5) To shelter the homeless

6) To visit the sick

7) To bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy

1) To admonish the sinner

2) To instruct the ignorant

3) To counsel the doubtful

4) To comfort the sorrowful

5) To bear wrongs patiently

6) To forgive all injuries

7) To pray for the living and the dead

Acts of Charity

All  humans  have  faults.    God  allows  just  enough  idiosyncrasies  and  shortcomings  to  teach

people humility, temper their egos and allow them to practice patience and charity.  True love

is to do what a person can to help another reach Heaven.

Assist others whenever possible.  Encourage, charitably guide and help those in need.  Pray for

all, including those who have drifted, realizing they can still return by means of God   s grace.

Charity  must be practiced at  all  times  and  in  all  places despite conflicting mannerisms  and

clashing  personalities.  Charity helps  remove friction from relationships.   This  is  especially

important  in marriage where  day-to-day  situations  need the  balm  of charity  to  preserve  love

and domestic tranquility.

Difference Between the Emotion and the Will

There is a vast difference between emotions and will.  Emotions go up and down like a roller

coaster while the will can remain firm.  Although someone may have suffered an injury from

another, a person should never retain hatred in the heart.

Forgive  and move on, even  though an emotional  hurt may  remain.  Forgiveness makes  one

Christlike and raises  a  person  above mere  emotions.  Christ will generously  reward  even a

glass of cold water given in charity.

Charity                                                              35

St. Paul said to be kind to everyone.     If it be possible, as far as in you lies, be at peace with

all.   152  Being charitable isn   t always easy and no one can please everyone, yet this virtue raises

one to a supernatural level.

Even  saints  have rough  edges.  There  were even  personality clashes  between some Apostles

and  disciples and  St.  Paul related the conflict between  Evodia  and  Syntche.153  Since people

view things  differently, one  needs  to be  patient  and  considerate  in  spite  of  personal  feelings

when dealing with others.

Although Jesus on the  Cross could  have cast His enemies into Hell, He instead asked  His

Father to forgive them.  Archbishop Luis Martinez in his bookThe Sanctifier says       we have

to love the good and the bad, friends and enemies.  Charity does not admit exceptions.   154

Charity for All

Love of neighbor encompasses all human beings since they were created by Almighty God and

redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus.  Christians should assist one other, raise those who

fall, encourage the desolate, comfort the sorrowful, and pray for the living and the dead.

Faith  and  hearing  are often the  last  things  to leave  the  dying.  Those  with  dementia  and

Alzheimer   s  often  retain a remembrance  of  their  faith in  spite  of  their  condition and  the

Rosary, scapular, act of contrition, prayers, and sacramentals give them great consolation.

Look Below the Surface

Although  people often see only the  exterior, God reads the  heart.  People are like  icebergs,

there is often much more below than appears on the surface.

In your dealings with others, don   t always take things at face value.  There is often an entirely

different  side that  hasn   t  been  explored.  Those viewing the  ocean from  above  see only

whitecaps and azure waves.  Divers see an amazing world just a few feet below.

My  sister used  to  ride a  bike in  college to commute  about  the  campus.    Although  she  used

various locks and chains, bikes kept getting stolen.

A friend found an easy way to prevent this occurrence by spray painting the bike an ugly green

and covering the handlebars with black electrical tape.  Its appearance was such that she often

kept it unlocked. No oneever attempted to steal it, even though it wasexactly like other bikes

stolen from the same rack.  People were even ashamed to ride it.

What  s in It for Me?

When tempted to complain about the sacrifices needed to preserve mutual charity, remember

that Heaven   s gatekeeper, St. Peter, says,       charity covers a multitude of sins.   155   St. James

relates one   s eternal salvation is nearly assured if a person helps another save his soul.        He

who causes a sinner to be brought back from his misguided way will save his soul    and will

cover a multitude of sins.   156

152
Romans 12, 18.
153
1 Philippians 4, 2.
154
pp. 243-244.
155
1 Peter 4, 8.
156
James 5, 20.

36                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Those who practice charity will have a great reward in Heaven.        as long as you did it for one

of these, the least of My brethren, you did it for Me.   157     Practicing charity    is not a one-time

event, but encompasses a lifetime.

Grace transforms  a  person, enabling  him to  practice  virtue  and  eradicate  evil  habits.    He

becomes dear to God and God becomes very dear to him.

Prayer is no longer viewed as a burden, but rather becomes an opportunity to speak with God,

thank Him and ask for assistance.  Confidence soars because of the close relationship with God.

Heidiand Exidor

Mount  Saint Michael in  Spokane,  Washington was  once  home  to  two  German  Shepherds.

Everyone lovedHeidi,a model of gentleness who followed my mom to the chapel and mailbox.

Exidorwas  an  attack  dog from a  police  canine  unit and a  feature at a  haunted  house.  Once

when walking outside the seminary I heard yelps and sawExidor wrapped in his chain.

At first I thought,he deserves it, and began to walk away.  Then something told me to help the

helpless  dog.    I  lookedExidor in  the  eye  and  said,    You  better  be  good.     I then untied  the

tethered animal. Exidor then began to lick me and we remained friends for life.

Charity in Action

I received an email from a friend in Japan describing her visit to her dying cousin.  Since he

wasn   t Catholic, she gently explained to him the basics of the Faith and showed him a crucifix

and  pictures  of  Jesus  and  Mary.  She  calmly let  him  decide  for  himself,  but  kept praying  for

God to assist him.  Masses were offered for his conversion as well.

After a couple hours, he manifested his wish to be baptized and took the name of Joseph.  After

receiving  Baptism, he  closed  his  eyes, and the tear  of  joy  that  followed  convinced  her  the

Catholic Faith had given him peace of mind.  He died tranquilly two days later.

Good example draws others closer to God.  The lady   s father was converted years earlier by the

good example of Catholics when he worked at a convent as a handyman.   St. Francis of Assisi

described the importance of good example when he said to preach the Gospel always and only

use words when necessary.

Cardinal Virtues

St.  Catherine  of  Siena  says    charity  gives  life  to  all  the  virtues.   158  These  include  the

cardinal159 virtues  of Prudence,  Justice,  Fortitude, and  Temperance.  The  cardinal virtues

moderate and balance the life of a Catholic in order to prevent the two extremes of laxity and

rigorism.  Self-love destroys  charity  and  affection  towards one   s  neighbor  and is  the  principle

and foundation of every evil.160

One  of  the  greatest  consolations  at Judgment  will  be  the practice  of  charity  and  the

remembrance  of  defending God   s  honor  and  law.   His  champions, who remained  faithful  and

endured ridicule and persecution for His sake, will merit a high place in Heaven.

157
Matthew 25, 40.
158
Dialogue.
159
The wordcardinalis derived from the Latin word forhinge since many other virtues are related to them.
160
See St. Catherine of Siena,Dialogue.

Chapter Fourteen

Temptation

The final words  of  the  Lord   s  Prayer are,       lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from

evil.  Amen.     These petitions ask for help to overcome temptation and are a reminder to avoid

occasions of sin   persons, places and things that lead one away from God. Jesus counseled the

Apostles to    watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.   161

Temptation is a Test and there are Three Courses of Action Possible

1)Resisting temptation is like keeping the door of one   s heart closed.

2)Partial consent is listening to temptation, but not giving in completely.

The door of the heart opens, but only partially.  The safety chain remains attached.

3)Full consent is knowingly & willingly performing a sinful action.  The door is wide open.

Three Enemies

Humans  are  attacked  by  three  foes,a  corrupt  world,the  devilandfallen  human  nature

(concupiscence).  None of these hinder the free will, but they entice one to sin by presenting it

as an apparent good, something pleasing to the senses.

Some  sins  are  due  to  weakness, others to malice (an  evil  intention).    It  is  necessary  to  gain

control over temptations since sinful habits can easily control a person   s life.

Demons  veil  the  evil  nature  of  sin  and  its  long-term  consequences.    They make it appear  as

something desirable that everyone does.  In reality, all the devils can do is offer counterfeits

short-term, sinful pleasure in place of lasting happiness.  The two are worlds apart.

Sinful  pleasure  only  causes  remorse  since  men  and  women were  created  by  and  for  God.

Therefore, as St. Augustine says, the human heart remains restless, until it rests in the Lord.

Years of Experience

Demons have centuries of experience and lead many astray.  St. Bernard reminds individuals

that devils succeeded in deceiving those advanced in virtue who abandoned prayer or were too

reliant  on  their  own  strength including  wise  Solomon,  holy  King  David  and  mighty  Samson.

Most falls are caused by pride.  Since devils sense the weakness of people by observing them,

they form custom-made temptations adapted to each individual.

Close the Door Immediately

Devils can attack like a roaring lion or a stealthy assassin.  Once the door is open, it becomes

difficult to close.  Demons often resemble telemarketers who offer something a person doesn   t

want.  Don   t listen!  Hang up.  Resist temptations immediately.

St.  Paul writes,     God  is  faithful  and  will  not  permit  you  to  be  tempted  beyond  your  strength,

but with the temptation will also give you a way out that you may be able to bear it.   162

161
Matthew 26, 41.
162
1 Corinthians 10, 12-13.

38                                          WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Hidden Traps

Devils  are  deceivers,  liars and counterfeiters who try  to  convince  people  to avoid  church,  the

Mass and sacraments, and give up prayer and God.  Demons are jealous of others taking their

place in Heaven and do their utmost to lead souls astray.  Their only aim is to rob individuals

of sanctifying grace so they damn their souls and suffer eternally with them in Hell.

Evil spirits never tell people that by committing a mortal sin they will lose sanctifying grace,

and all merit, and will be punished forever unless they repent before death.  Once a soul has

fallen into  serious  sin it  often  becomes  immersed  in  it,  like  one  falling  into  quicksand.   Why

would anyone risk enduring  an eternity of  suffering for a  few  minutes  of  sinful  gratification?

It   s just not worth it!

Demons lure people to gossip, destroy the reputations of others, steal, physically harm others,

or commit sins of impurity, telling them they are special and the rules don   t apply.

Don   t  debate  with the devils.   They are  sly liars  who  attempt to lead people  into  sin without

revealing the harmful or fatal consequences of evil actions.  St. Peter says to:

Be sober, be watchful for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone
to  devour.    Resist  him,  steadfast  in  the  faith,  knowing  that  the  same  suffering  befalls your
brethren all over the world.163

Devils craftily  lead  some  topresumption, telling them to  go  ahead  and  sin  because they can

always go to confession later.  Others are lead todespair and told the situation is hopeless, that

they will never change or that God will never forgive them.

Although Jesus  died to  redeem  each  individual and will never reject anyone who asks for

forgiveness  and wants to  return  to  His  love,  no  one  is  assured  of  having  the  opportunity  to

repent before death.

Weakness Transformed into Strength

St.  Paul  advises  all  to    take  up  the  armor  of  God  that  you  may  be  able  to  resist  in  the  evil

day.   164  God will always assist a person to overcome temptation if he or she prays for help.

By triumphing  over  temptation, one becomes spiritually stronger.    By remaining humble, a

person grows in love of God and the bond between the soul and God deepens.  Gold is purified

by fire.  Steel gains strength through compression and pruned trees produce better fruit.

Virtue is  acquired  by  repeated  acts.  Temptations  overcome  and  trials  patiently  borne

transform carbon (human nature) into diamonds (saints who earn eternal happiness).

God draws good out of evil.  By persevering in prayer and renouncing occasions of sin, saints

see  life  as  it  really  is  and  merit  the  eternal  happiness  of  Heaven.  By  the  grace  of  God they

achieve a degree of holiness that would be otherwise humanly impossible.

Examine the lives of the saints.  None was exempt from trials, temptation or persecution.  They

persevered and became holy by means of their difficulties.  Although life appears at times to be

a mystery, like the back of a tapestry, when it is flipped, a masterpiece is often revealed.

163
1 Peter 5, 8-10.
164
Ephesians 6, 13.

Chapter Fifteen

Sin

There are two kinds of sin,mortalandvenial.  TheBaltimore Catechism calls sin:       a willful

thought, word, deed, or omission forbidden by the law of God.   165  Some examples are:

Sinful Thoughts uncharitable or impure thoughts, despair, doubts against the Faith

Sinful Words gossip, slander, impure speech, lying

Sinful Deeds sinful actions, causing scandal

Sinful Omission neglecting responsibilities or prayer, Mass, or the sacraments

Venial Sin

A venial sin is a lesser offense against the law of God.  The wordvenial is taken from the Latin

wordveniameaningpardon.  Venial sins should not be taken lightly because they offend God.

Mortal Sin

Mortal sin is a serious offense against the law of God.  The wordmortal is taken from the Latin

wordmorsmeaningdeath.  It  is  a  deadly  sin because it  robs  one  of  sanctifying  grace   the

ticket to Heaven.  If a person dies in the state of unrepentant mortal sin, he or she will burn

eternally in Hell and be forever separated from God.

St.  John  Chrysostom  says  that  devils  conceal  the  evil  of  sin,  revealing  only  the  enticing  part

that appeals to the senses and passions.  Sin, hatred, dishonesty, greed, immorality, and pride

bring misery here and hereafter.  Sinful actions offend God, hurt the individual and negatively

transform society.  They also demand restitution to the justice of God.

Three Conditions Necessary for a Sin to be Mortal

1)  The offensemust be serious.

2)  A personmust know the offense is serious.

3)  An individualmust give full consent of the will.

The sin is venial if any of these three conditions is absent.

Seven Capital Sins

There  are seven  roots  from  which  all  sins  are  derived  called  theSeven  Capital  Sins or  the

Deadly Sins.  They arepride, anger, sloth, covetousness, lust, envy,andgluttony.

Devils Try to Lead Those Leading Virtuous Lives into Sin

St. Alphonsus Liguori warned those striving for holiness to beware.

Even the saints have been tormented by temptations.  The devil labors harder to make the saints
fall, than to make the wicked sin: he regards the saints as more valuable prey.166

165
p. 20.
166
Sermon. See Rosemary Guiley,The Quotable Saint, p. 236.

40                                          WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The Ten Commandments

Human beings need to work within parameters.  God   s laws set moral boundaries in order to

safeguard virtue and help eradicate vice.  They insure God   s honor, right order in society and

concord among individuals.

Every sin is a direct attack against God and His dominion by creatures who owe Him reverence

and  obedience.  Moses  received  the  Ten  Commandments  from  God on  Mt.  Sinai  around  the

year 1500 BC.  They are a specific set of laws given by God to direct all on how to live.

God engraved these precise laws on tablets of stone to show they were permanent commands

that were not to be arbitrarily changed as time passed.

The Ten Commandments are not to be taken lightly.  If a person faithfully follows them, he will

save his soul.  Those who disregard them will lose their soul.

God loves everyone since He created each individual, but He also expects everyone to follow His

rules   the Ten Commandments.  Our Lord said,    If you love Me, keep My commandments.   167

If society is not indifferent about behavior and punishes malefactors, is not God entitled to do

the same?

If a person is truly sorry and repentant, God will pardon sin through the Sacrament of Penance

and restore sanctifying grace to the soul of one who returns to Him.  Christ gives priests and

bishops power to forgive sins since they continue His mission on earth.

Over the centuries many have sinfully misused their five senses for self-gratification.  Misuse

does not make the body or senses evil in themselves.  God in His justice will severely punish

those  who  view  illicit  objects  (sight),  listen  to  gossip  and  impure  stories  (hearing),  engage  in

gluttony, drug or alcohol abuse (taste), or commit impure actions (touch).

167
John 14, 15.

Chapter Sixteen

The First Commandment

I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.       Exodus 20, 2-3

Although the First  and Third Commandments appear  to  be very  different,  there  are

surprisingly  many similarities.  Since God  created  humans,  He  has  certain  rights  over  them

and they have corresponding responsibilities, including to love and honor Him.

All have an obligation in justice to obey His commandments, be baptized, become members of

the Catholic Church that Jesus founded, practice the Faith, pray daily, and assist at Mass on

all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

Sins Against Faith

The  First  Commandment forbids  joining  other religions  and  actively participating  in  non-

Catholic rituals.  TheBaltimore Catechism says    a Catholic sins against faith by taking part in

non-Catholic worship because he thus professes belief in a religion he knows is false.   168  The

Bible  is very  clear:    Thou  shalt  not  adore  their  gods  nor  serve  them.   169     The  Lord  thy  God

shalt thou worship and Him only shalt thou serve.   170

Jesus Christ, Who founded the Catholic Church, the one, true Church, said:    He who believes

and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned.   171  St. John

spoke in  a  similar  manner.     If  anyone comes to  you  and does  not bring  this  doctrine,  do  not

receive him into the house, or say to him, Welcome.   172

There are over 26,000 Christian churches and 4,000 different religions in the world today.  All

have different beliefs, worship and teachings.  Therefore, the Catholic Church teaches that:    It

is  unlawful for  the  faithful  [Catholics]  to  assist  in  any  active  manner,  or  to  take  part  in  the

sacred services of non-Catholics.   173

Active participation in non-Catholic worship, calledcommunicatio in sacris, includes joining in

formal prayers and worship, going to communion in non-Catholic churches and similar actions.

Popes Pius IX, St. Pius X, Pius XI, and Pius XII condemned these practices.

A  person may  attend  weddings  and  funerals  in  non-Catholic  churches  as  long  as he doesn   t

participate and there is no danger to one   s faith.  The wedding should be the first marriage for

each party unless they are otherwise eligible to be married in God   s eyes (i.e. widowed).  Out of

respect, those attending should stand and sit with others in the congregation.

The First Commandment forbids consulting fortune-tellers, reading horoscopes, practicing

superstition, reading tarot cards, and similar activities.  Ouija Boards are extremely dangerous

and often lead to diabolical possession.  Since only God knows the future, it shows lack of trust

in Him to turn to others who merely guess or fraudulently claim to predict upcoming events.

168
Fr. Francis Connell,Baltimore Catechism No. 3, p. 124.
169
Exodus 22, 24.
170
Matthew 4, 10.
171
Mark 16, 16.
172
2 John 1, 10.
173
Canon 1258.

42                                          WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Heresy, Apostasy and Schism

Heresyis a rejection of one or morede fideteachings of the Catholic Church. Heresy is derived

from  the  Greek  word  forchoice.   Well-known  heretics  include  Arius,  Calvin,  Luther, and

Cranmer.  Canon Law defines a heretic as:

one who after Baptism, while remaining nominally a Christian, pertinaciously [with conscious and
intentional  resistance  to  the  authority  of  God  and  the  Church]  denies  or  doubts  any  of  the  truths
which must be believed of divine and Catholic Faith.174

Apostasy occurs  when  a  baptized  Catholic  gives  up  the practice  of  the Faith.    Apostasy  is  so

prevalent today that it is being called the Post-Christian Era.  Two infamous apostates include

Julian the Apostate and Queen Elizabeth I of England.

Schism occurs  when     a  baptized  person    rejects  the  authority  of  the  Supreme  Pontiff  or

refuses Communion with members of the Church who are subject to him.   175 Schism is derived

from the Greek word fordivision.  Schismatics deny papal primacy and papal infallibility, both

infallible dogmas of  the  Catholic  Church. Papal  primacy means  the  pope  is  above  all  other

bishops and exercises universal jurisdiction over the entire Church. Papal infallibility means

the pope cannot err when teaching the universal Church in matters of faith and morals.

The Importance of Fervent Prayer

During the winter of 1812, Napoleon   s troops marched across Germany.  A farm family whose

home was in the path of the advancing French Army prayed to God for protection.  The devout

grandmother  repeated  the  prayer,    Build  Thou  a  wall  around  us  that  the  enemy  may  not

approach our habitation.     She knew they needed help and that God would answer her prayers.

A  violent wintry storm arose during  the  night that formed  huge  snowdrifts completely

concealing the farmhouse from view.  Although French soldiers marched right past the farm for

two consecutive days they never even realized it was there.  God doesn   t always work similar

miracles, but He always hears prayers and rewards fidelity.

174
Canon 1325.
175
Canon 1325.

Chapter Seventeen

The Third Commandment

The Third Commandment obliges one to worship God and refrain from performing unnecessary

servile work on Sunday.  Exodus 20, 8 mandates    Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath.

Deuteronomy 5, 12 says    Observe  the  day  of  the  Sabbath,  to sanctify it,  as  the Lord thy  God

hath commanded thee.

Catholics sanctify the Sabbath176 by attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on every Sunday

and Holy Day of Obligation.  This serious duty is also a Law of the Church.  Christ performed a

number of miracles on the Sabbath in order to show He came to establish the New Law.

The Sabbath is a day consecrated to God and set aside for people to adore Him, get needed rest

and briefly put aside their normal daily activities.

People are not  to do unnecessary manual  labor  (servile work) or  unnecessary  shopping on

Sundays.    The  Church transferred  the  Sabbath from  Saturday to  Sunday  to  commemorate

Christ   s  Resurrection and  the  Descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost  at  Pentecost which occurred  on

Sundays.  Necessary occupations on Sunday include: Mass attendance, cooking, acts of charity,

etc.  Sports, hobbies and activities that engage the mind more than the body are allowed.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The  Passion,  Death  and  Resurrection  of  Our  Lord  are  the  greatest  events  that  have  ever

occurred  on  earth.    Jesus  instituted  the  Mass in  order to  renew in  an  unbloody  manner the

Sacrifice of the Cross and dispense the copious graces merited by His sufferings.

The  Mass  is  a  sacrifice, a word that literally  meansoffering  something holy  to  God.   Christ

offers the Mass through the priest since He is the Sacrificial Victim glorifying and appeasing

Almighty  God.    The  vestments,  ceremonies  and  prayers  reflect on the  Passion,  Resurrection

and  Ascension  of  Christ.  The  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  is  the  greatest  of  all  prayers.  The

sacrificial character of the Mass is shown in the Offertory, Consecration and Communion.

The Three Essential Parts of the Mass

Offertory bread and wine are offered to God

Consecration bread and wine are changed into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ

Communion individuals receive Jesus in the Sacred Host

One does not fulfill the requirement of attending Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation

if he or she misses a notable part of the Mass.  If a person misses one of the three major parts

of  the  Mass  on  a  Sunday  or  Holy  Day  of  Obligation,  he or  she must  make  up  that  part  at  a

subsequent  Mass provided  one  is  present  for  both  the  Consecration  and  Communion  of  the

same Mass.177

Being  habitually  late  for  Mass  indicates  a  weak  faith.    It  distracts  those  in  attendance  and

shows a lack of respect for God and others.  It is a venial sin to be purposely late for Mass.

176
Sabbath is a Hebrew word for day of rest.
177
Baltimore Catechism #3, q. 237, p. 139.

44                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Passion of Christ

The ceremonies of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass represent the various events that took place

during Christ   s Passion, Death and Resurrection.

The Priest goes to the Altar  Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Prayers at the Foot of the Altar  Christ foresees His terrible sufferings and the sins of the world
causing Him to sweat blood.  Jesus perseveres in prayer while His Apostles sleep.

The Priest kisses the Altar  Our Lord is betrayed by Judas    kiss.

Introit  Jesus is brought before Annas and is struck by one of the attendants.

Kyrie Eleison St. Peter denies Our Lord three times.  (TheKyrieis recited in Greek.)

Gloria  Christ is brought before the high priest Caiphas.

Dominus Vobiscum  Jesus gazes at Peter after his denials.

Epistle Christ is led to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate and accused by false witnesses.

Gospel  King Herod mocks Our Lord.

Creed  The soldiers and crowd insult Christ.

Offertory  Our Redeemer is scourged and crowned with thorns.

Washing of the Hands  Pontius Pilate washes his hands.

Orate Fratres  Our Lord is presented before the people.

Preface / Sanctus  Jesus is condemned to death while the crowd cries,    Crucify Him!

Canon of the Mass  Christ carries the Cross, is met by His Blessed Mother and falls

several times.  Veronica wipes the Sacred Face of Jesus.

Hanc Igitur  When Jesus arrives on Calvary, He is stripped of His garments and crucified.

Quam Oblationem Our Lord is nailed to the Cross.

Consecration  The  priest  reenacts  the  miracle  of  the  Last  Supper  when  he,  in  the  person  of

Christ, repeats the words and actions of Our Lord whereby the substance of the bread and wine

are  changed  into  the  Body,  Blood,  Soul, and  Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ.    This miracle  is  called

Transubstantiation.  The separate consecrations of the host and wine represent the Sacrifice of

Christ shedding His Blood for our redemption and dying on the Cross.

Elevation  Our Lord is raised on the Cross and His Precious Blood flows from His wounds.

Last Prayers of the Canon /Our Father  The Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross.

The Host is Broken  Our Redeemer dies upon the Cross.

A Particle of the Host is placed in the Chalice  Our Lord   s Sacred Body is taken down from the
Cross and His soul descends into Limbo.

Agnus Dei  The Roman centurion, St. Longinus pierces Christ   s Sacred Heart with a lance.

Priest  s Communion /The Communion of the Faithful  Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Prayers after Communion  Our Lord rises from the dead.

Ite Missa Est  Jesus ascends into Heaven.

The Priest Gives his Blessing  The Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.

Last Gospel  The Gospel is preached throughout the world.

The Third Commandment                                                   45

Ancient Languages and the Rites in the Church

Christ  taught  the  Apostles how to  offer  Mass  in  the  ancient  Hebrew  tongue also  known  as

Aramaic178 or Old Chaldean.  The various rites of the Catholic Church, formed as the Apostles

evangelized the world, have used vernacular languages in their liturgies for centuries.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is still offered throughout the world in Latin, the language used

in  the  Roman  Empire.  Latin, which dates  to  the  sixth  century  BC, ceased  to  be  a  spoken

language between the seventh and eighth centuries.  Through the course of time, it and other

languages  used  for  Mass  were  no  longer  spoken,  yet  were  retained  in  order  to  preserve  the

liturgical integrity.

Many  localized  liturgies emerged in  the  early  ages  of  the  Church  since  travel  was  difficult,

books rare, and communication primitive.  Persecutions enhanced the difficulties.  In spite of

minor differences, Eastern and Western liturgies historically were substantially the same and

contained the three essential elements of Offertory, Consecration and Communion.

Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church179

Alexandrian Catholic Coptics (Egyptian), Ethiopian Catholics (Abyssinian)

Syrian (Antiochian) Maronite, Syrians

Armenian Catholic Armenians

Greek (Byzantine) Albanian, Bulgarian, Georgian, Greek Catholics, Hungarian, Melkite,

Italo-Greeks, Rumanian, Ruthenian, Russian Catholics, Serbian

ChaldeanChaldeans, Malabar Catholics

A number of Eastern European and Asian churches used the Liturgy of St. James.  Churches

in Palestine, Syria and North Africa utilized the Liturgy of St. Mark.  Most of Western Europe

adopted the Liturgy of St. Peter, known today as the Latin Rite.

Western Rites of the Catholic Church

Latin The Latin Mass dates back to at least 150 AD180

Ambrosian  Milan, Italy

Mozarabic Toledo, Spain

Following the Council of Trent (1545-1563), the Celtic (Ireland), Lyonese and Gallican (France)

Rites of the Church joined the Latin Rite.  They adopted theMissale Romanum and offered the

Tridentine Latin Mass.

Graces Received from Devout Attendance at Mass

St. Augustine relates many singular graces derived from Mass attendance.

He who devoutly hears holy Mass will receive a great vigor to enable him to resist mortal sin, and
there shall be pardoned to him all venial sins which he may have committed up to that hour.181

178
See Eric North,Book of a Thousand Tongues, p. 19.
179
Many Orthodox (schismatic churches) that deny papal primacy and other dogmas have similar names.
180
See the writings of St. Justin and St. Hippolytus (215 AD).  The Latin Mass was offered widely in the Roman Empire in 250 AD.
181
Sup. Can. Quia passus, de Consecr. dist. 2.

46                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Devout attendance  at  Mass draws  down  so  many  benefits  that  St.  Leonard  of  Port  Maurice

calls  it  the  golden  key of  paradise.182  These  include   temporal  blessings, protection  from

natural disasters, blessings on one   s work, final perseverance, and leading sinners to penitence.

St. Anselm encourages Catholics to attend Mass whenever possible since one Mass attended or

offered for a person during life is more efficacious than 1,000 celebrated after one   s death.183

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a renewal in an unbloody manner of the Sacrifice of Jesus on

the Cross.  At each Mass, Christ mystically renews His Passion, pleads for mercy on the human

race and bestows God   s choicest graces upon those attending.

Symbolism of Objects in Church

The  main  altar  in  a  Catholic church  customarily  faces  east.  On  top  of  the  altar  is the

tabernacle, 184 an  ornate  brass  safe  draped  with  a  silk  veil.  It protects the  consecrated  Hosts

that are stored in theciborium.185

Three linen altar cloths cover the top of the altar. Linen is used because it is highly absorbent.

Beneath  the cloths is analtar  stone,  a  piece  of  marble  with  five  engraved  crosses that

commemorate Jesus    wounds.    Each  altar  stone contains relics of two martyrs that the priest

reverently kisses during Mass.

Two  Low  Masscandlesflank  the  tabernacle  while  six  High  Mass  candles  rest  on  agradine

(shelf) at  the  back  of  the  altar.  The  wick  and  wax  of beeswax  candles186 represent  the  two

natures  of  Jesus   divine  and  human.  The  flame  symbolizes Christ, the  Light  of  the  World.

Beeswax, formed by virginal bees, recalls the virginal birth of Jesus.  There was also a practical

aspect for their use since candles supplied light for Mass.

Threealtar cards contain prayers said by the priest during Mass.    The  right card has prayers

said at the Washing of the Hands and the left one has the Last Gospel.  The center card has the

Gloria,  Prayer before  the  Gospel, the  Credo, Offertory  Prayers, the  Words of Consecration,

Prayers to the Blessed Trinity, and three prayers recited before the priest   s communion.

Resting on the top, or suspended above the tabernacle, is thecrucifix that recalls to both priest

and laity the close relationship between the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Jesus    Passion and

Death on Calvary.

To  the  left  of  the  tabernacle  or  suspended  above  the  sanctuary  is a red  glasssanctuary  lamp.

The burning candle inside reminds the faithful that Jesus is present in the tabernacle.

TheMissale Romanum187Latin missal rests on themissal stand on the epistle (right) side of the

altar.  It contains the prayers recited by the priest during Mass.

Statues in niches, above side altars and in various places in church remind one that saints who

lived on earth now reign in Heaven and intercede for the faithful.

182
The Hidden Treasure: Holy Mass, p. 40.
183
Apud Castell, diur. sac. Praep.
184
Hebrew word fortent that recalls the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament.
185
A gold plated silver vessel with a lid.  Ciborium in Latin means acontainer of food.
186
Candles in U.S. churches are allowed to be 51% beeswax due to the high cost of 100% beeswax candles.
187
The Roman Missal dates back to 1570, just after the Council of Trent.  It is, therefore, called the Tridentine Latin Mass.

The Third Commandment                                                   47

Stained glass windows portray images of God, the Blessed Virgin, saints, angels, Gospel scenes,

the  mysteries  of  the  Rosary, and  other  edifying  topics.    They  help  the  faithful  rise  above  the

mundane and focus on the supernatural mysteries of Faith.

Thecruet(credence)table holds items  necessary  for  Mass including glass  or  crystal wine  and

watercruets, the lavabo dish, finger towel, bells, and communion paten.

A glass or crystal dish with a lid called theablution bowlrests upon thealtar gradine and is used

by the priest to purify his fingers when Holy Communion is distributed outside of Mass.

Thecommunion  railseparates  thesanctuary(apse) from  thenave (body) of  the  church.  At

communion time a linen cloth is placed over the communion rail in order to retrieve the Host in

case It accidentally falls from the priest   s hand during the distribution of Holy Communion.

Fourteen  Stations  of  the  Cross,  mounted  on  the  sidewalls  of  a  church,  recall  the  sufferings  of

Jesus.  They are used to assist those who pray the devotion, especially during Lent.

Relicsof saints are often found resting on the altar gradine in decorative reliquaries. Flowers

are used on the main and side altars to beautify the House of God.

The faithful customarily make the Sign of the Cross withholy waterfromfonts located near the

doors  of  a  church upon  entering.  Catholics  reverentlygenuflect on  the  right  knee when

entering or leaving church in order to show respect for Jesus in the tabernacle.  This is believed

to be a chivalrous custom begun by St. Francis of Assisi.

It has been a custom since the time of St. Paul188for women to wearhead coverings in church.

These  can  be  ornate  and  decorative.    Many women  and  girls prefer Spanish  style  mantillas

because they are graceful and dignified, and show reverence for God.

The Liturgical Year

As the four seasons with their special characteristics enliven daily life, the liturgical year and

sanctoral cycle likewise inspire Catholics by their focus on the  various aspects of Christ   s life

and with a variety of feasts honoring Our Lady, the saints and angels.

The  Church  year begins  with  the  liturgical  season  ofAdvent,189 the  four  Sundays  preceding

Christmas.

Christmas, the feast commemorating Jesus    Birth, is observed on December 25.  A week later,

the feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord, is held on January 1.

January  6  is  the  feast  of  theEpiphany.190  It  focuses  on Christ   s manifestation  to  the world

typified by the visit of the Three Kings to Bethlehem, the manifestation of the Blessed Trinity

at Jesus    Baptism  in  the  Jordan  River  and Our  Lord   s first  public  miracle,  the changing  of

water into wine at the Marriage of Cana.

188
See 1 Corinthians 5, 10.
189
From the Latin word forcoming.
190
From the Greek word formanifestation.

48                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The transitional  season between  Epiphany  and  Lent calledSeptuagesima includes

Septuagesima,191 Sexagesima192 and Quinquagesima193 Sundays.  Even though violet

vestments are used, flowers may be placed on the altar and the organ may be played at Mass.

The 40-day season ofLent194 begins on Ash Wednesday.  This penitential season recalls Jesus

40-day fast in the desert.195

The  last  two  weeks  of Lent  calledPassiontide include  Passion  Sunday  (when  the  statues  are

covered with purple veils), the feast of the Seven Dolors of Mary (Friday before Good Friday),

Palm Sunday (when palms are blessed and distributed), and Holy Week.

The date ofEaster, the greatest feast of the Church year, changes annually because it is always

held on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon.

The  number  of  Sundays  after  Epiphany,  Easter  and  Pentecost  vary  according  to  the  date  of

Easter.  The Sunday following Ascension Thursday commemorates Christ   s Ascension.

The Feast ofPentecost, the birthday of the Catholic Church, is celebrated 50 days after Easter.

It commemorates the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon Mary and the Apostles.

The Sunday immediately following Pentecost is called Trinity Sunday and honors One God in

Three Divine Persons   Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  The remainder of the Sundays of the year

are calledSundays after Pentecost.

Vestment Colors

Violet The color of vestments worn during Advent, Lent, Passiontide, Septuagesima,

most Ember Days, Rogation Days, and Vigils

Green Sundays after Epiphany and Pentecost

White  Feasts of Our Lord, Our Lady, Angels, and Saints who were not Martyrs and

during Nuptial (wedding) Masses

Red Pentecost week, Masses of the Holy Ghost, Holy Cross and Passion, feasts of

Martyrs (men, women and children who shed their blood for Christ)

Gold May be used in place of white, red and green; often used on Christmas, Easter and

other major feasts

Rose Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent

Black Requiem Masses (offered for the Faithful Departed) and funerals

Spiritual Communion

There are times when a person is unable to receive Holy Communion due to not fulfilling the

communion fast196 or when responsibilities prevent a person from attending Mass.  Saints and

191
From the Latin word for70.
192
From the Latin word for60.
193
From the Latin word for50.
194
From the Anglo-Saxon word meaningspring.
195
For more information on fasting, see Chapter 38.
196
See p. 88 for specifics.

The Third Commandment                                                   49

spiritual writers encouragespiritual communion whereby one asks Jesus to enter his heart and

soul in a spiritual manner by saying,    Dear Jesus, please come spiritually into my heart.

The  person should then speak  to  Our  Lord  and make  acts  of adoration,  love,  desire,  trust,

contrition,  and  thanksgiving.  One may  also  ask  for special graces  to  become  patient and

charitable and  to  persevere  in the grace of  God.  Many benefits are  derived  from  this pious

practice that helps one achieve a closer union with God.

The Church Calendar

The Proper of the Saints in the Church calendar begins on November 29 with St. Saturninus,

bishop and martyr from Toulouse, France and ends on November 26, St. Sylvester, the abbot.

Saints have come from every era and every region of the world.  Although these holy men and

women  were often  persecuted,  everything  will  be  different  during  the  Last  Judgment as

described  in  the  Book  of  Wisdom  5,  5.     We  fools  esteemed their  life  madness  and  their  end

without  honor,  behold  how  they  are  numbered  among  the  children  of  God  and  their  lot  is

among the saints.

Holydays of Obligation

Holydays of obligation vary according to country.  Those observed in the United States are:

Christmas(December 25)Assumption of Mary (August 15)

Circumcision of Our Lord(January 1)All Saints  Day (November 1)

Ascension Thursday(40 days after Easter)Immaculate Conception (December 8)

Vigils

A vigil is the day preceding an important feast.  The two current privileged vigils include those

of Christmas and Pentecost.  Holy Saturday ceremonies are called the Easter Vigil.

Common  vigils are the days  preceding  the  feasts  of  the Ascension,  Immaculate  Conception,

Assumption, St. John the Baptist, St. Lawrence, and the Apostles Peter and Paul.  The Vigils

of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas and Easter are days of fast and complete abstinence.

The Vigil of Pentecost is a day of fast and partial abstinence.  There is no fasting or abstinence

on the other vigils.  They have been retained to draw attention to important feasts.

Rogation Days

Rogation Days197 appease God   s wrath, petition Him to avert calamities and ask His blessings

upon the crops.  St. Gregory the Great (598 AD) introduced the Major Rogation Day that is

observed  on  April  25, the  feast  of  St.  Mark.   St.  Mamertus,  bishop  of  Vienne  (470  AD)

established the Minor Rogation Days, the three days preceding Ascension Thursday.

The  Litany  of  the  Saints  is  customarily  prayed  in  procession  or  in  church  by  the  clergy  and

faithful on Rogation Days.  To add solemnity, a server leads the procession swinging athurible,

an incense burner that symbolizes prayers ascending to God.  He is followed by a cross bearer,

torchbearers, clergy, and laity.

197
Derived from the Latin wordto ask.

50                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Ember Days

The  Catholic  Church  established Ember  Days to  show  gratitude  to  God  for  His  blessings,  to

pray  for  those  who  were  going  to  be  ordained  priests, and  to  revive  one   s  spiritual  life by

prayer,  fasting and  abstinence.  The Ember  Days  are  the Wednesday,  Friday  and  Saturday

following  December  13 (the  Feast  of  St.  Lucy),  the  First  Sunday  of  Lent,  September  14 (the

Exaltation of the Holy Cross), and Pentecost Sunday.  There is one set of Ember Days in each

season   winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Ordinations often occur during Ember Days.  The Wednesday and Saturday of these weeks are

days of fast and partial abstinence.  Friday is a day of fast and total abstinence.

The liturgical year demonstrates that the Catholic Church is both ancient and new, having the

oldest consistent  form  of  worship  on  Earth.    The  Latin, Greek and Aramaic used in  the

Tridentine Latin Mass reflect the Church   s antiquity and adaptation to every time and age.

Chapter Eighteen

The Second Commandment

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.       Exodus 20, 7

The name of God was so sacred in Old Testament times that people were forbidden from ever

saying it and the Our Father contains the words,    hallowed be Thy name.     Today the name of

God is more frequently used to express anger, surprise or wonder than in devout prayer.  What

caused this tragic transformation?

Those  who  despised  God  throughout  history  often  used His  name  in  derision  or  in  curses.

Since people often imitate what they hear, today this practice has become so commonplace that

many use God   s name in an irreverent manner without even thinking about it.

Respecting God  s Name

The  Second  Commandment  condemns  irreverent  use  of the  name  of  God and  Jesus.  God   s

name  should  be  treated  with  reverence, never spoken in  anger,  in  blasphemy, or  to  curse a

person, place or thing.  The words uttered from one   s lips reflect what resides in the heart.

Rubrics command priests to respectfully bow their head at the name of Jesus during Mass. It is

a pious practice for Catholics to bow their head when the Holy Name of Jesus is said or heard.

The Second Commandment commends lawful vows (marriage vows, religious vows and others)

and oaths such as those in courts of law.

Dishonoring God

God  is  all-powerful  and  infinite.   Blasphemous  utterances  and  using  God   s  name

inappropriately  will  not  go  unpunished. St.  Paul  warns,    Be  not  deceived,  God  is  not

mocked.   198     It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.   199

God does not take the matter lightly.  TheCatechism of the Council of Trentspeaks of    Those

so blinded by the darkness of error as not to dread to blaspheme His name, Whom the Angels

glorify    shamelessly and daringly outraging His divine Majesty every day      200

It  is  lamentable  that many blasphemously ridicule God even  though He provides their daily

needs.  Blasphemy mocks and taunts God and manifests disrespect and hatred.

The  practice  of  using  God   s  name  in  vain  brings  down  many  calamities.    Scripture foretold

universal disturbances in nature in the latter times.  Is it any wonder that they are on the rise?

Bad Habits

If an individual frequently uses God   s name in vain, that person can change a bad habit into a

good one by replacing    damn it    with the words    help me    or something similar.  In a short time

prayer can replace swearing.  Instead of becoming angry at adversity, one can learn to invoke

God   s assistance in time of need.

198
Galatians 6, 7.
199
Hebrews 10, 31.
200
p. 382.

52                                           WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The phrase,     Oh  my God,    (OMG) are  the  first  words  of  the  Act  of  Contrition.    These  words

shouldonly be used reverently in prayer.  Many today thoughtlessly use the phrase to express

surprise or anger and often don   t even realize what they are saying.

The commonly used phrase,    I swear to God,    should not be used lightly.  An oath petitions God

to verify the truth of what one says.

A good way to prevent people from misusing God   s name is to say,    blessed be God,    when His

name is used irreverently.  If the opportunity presents itself and the individual is open minded,

charitably  tell  the  person  that  it  is  wrong  to  use  God   s  name disrespectfully.   Our  Lord  will

acknowledge before His Heavenly Father on Judgment Day all those who defended His honor.

Perjury

Perjury, lying under oath, is a mortal sin.  God sometimes even punishes this sin in this life.  A

man from Schwarstein, Germany, who lied under oath and was acquitted of stealing, wanted to

clear his name.     In the courtroom he requested that a thunderbolt strike him if he was guilty.

Within a week, a bolt of lightning killed him and incinerated his home.

Calling on the Names of God and Jesus

There are numerous references to the name of God and the Holy Name of Jesus in Scripture.

For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.   201        at the name of Jesus

every  knee  should  bend  of  those  in  Heaven, on  earth  and  under  the  earth  [Hell]   202  How

many perils have been averted and temptations overcome by use of the name of God and Jesus!

God deserves love and respect.  Developing a close relationship with God draws down blessings.

David writes,    Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He has done for thee.   203

God  s Revenge

A misguided  youth  in  Toulouse,  France once defiantly pointed  a  dagger  to  the  sky  and

blasphemously challenged God to kill him instantly if He really existed.  Nothing happened at

first.  Then a  brilliant  white  leaf  floated  down  before  him with  the  wordsHave mercy on me

written in gold letters.  The unbeliever became penitent and marveled at God   s mercy.  Once he

came to realize God   s infinite love, his former hatred was replaced by humble gratitude.

The  best  way  to  show  gratitude  for  God   s  gifts  is  by  leading  a  good  life,  thanking  Him  and

loving  Him.         what  hast thou that thou  hast not  received?   204  St.  Thomas  Aquinas  teaches

that gratitude is shown by:

1) Recognition of the favor given

2) Expression of appreciation and thanks

3) Attempt to repay the favor

201
Romans 10, 13.
202
Philippians 2, 10.
203
Psalm 102.
204
1 Corinthians 4, 7.

Chapter Nineteen

The Fourth Commandment

Honor  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  as  the  Lord  thy  God  hath  commanded  thee,  that  thou

mayest  live  a  long  time,  and  it  may  be  well  with  thee  in  the  land,  which  the  Lord  will  give

thee.     Deuteronomy 5, 16

Obedience, Love and Respect

After  showing  God  the  honor  and  respect  due  to  His  infinite  majesty  by  the  first  three

commandments, the Fourth Commandment describes the obligations individuals have to those

on whom ones    very existence depended   a person   s parents.  Every individual owes their life

to  their  father  and  mother,  whose  union  at the  time  of conception  created their body,  and  to

God, Who at that same instant, infused an immortal soul into it.

God  established  marriage,  the  natural  law  contract  between  husband  and  wife, when  He

brought Adam and Eve together and told them to increase, multiply and fill the earth.  Jesus

raised  the  marital  union  to  the  level  of  a  sacrament  (Matrimony) in  order  to  offer  couples  all

the  graces  necessary  to  sanctify themselves,  properly  raise  their  children  and  lead  them  to

their destiny, eternal life.

The  word     honor     was  chosen  because the chivalrous  term  includes  obedience, listening,

respect,  assistance,  and  in  later  life  when  necessary,  support  for  parents.    Honor  is  a

characteristic  that  denotes  the  dignity  of  parents  who  dedicate  their  lives  to their  children.

They in turn deserve love, respect, obedience, and prayers   love, put in practice.

St. Paul writes,    Children, obey your parents in all things, for that is pleasing in the Lord.   205

Children,  even  after  leaving  home,  can  learn  from  the  wisdom  of  their parents.    Respect  for

parents is a manifestation of love for God, whose authority they hold.

Although most children come into the world through an act of love, there are also illegitimate

births, some effected by passion, others by violence.  Regardless of how one entered the world,

each individual is born to attain the unending joys of Heaven.

Children  have  the  obligation  to  obey  and  respect  their  parents  and  those  who  helped raise

them,  including  grandparents  and  relatives.    Authority  is  also  inherent  in  legitimate

governments, law enforcement agencies, employers, clergy, principals, teachers, and others.

Of the three vows taken by Religious, the most important is obedience.  It encompasses also the

religious vows of  chastity  and  poverty.  Religious  have  a  serious  obligation  to  obey  their

superiors.  Of Church leaders Our Lord said:    He who hears you, hears Me; and he who rejects

you, rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects Him Who sent Me.   206

Those in Authority Represent God

During His Passion, Jesus respected Pontius Pilate because the Roman governor   s right to rule

came from God.  Those in positions of authority hold God   s place in spite of their shortcomings.

Their office must be respected.  Obedience is to be shown in all matters except sin.

205
Colossians 3, 20.
206
Luke 10, 16.

54                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Pope Leo XIII wrote:    Obedience is not servitude of man to man, but submission to the will of

God, Who governs through the medium of men.   207  St. Peter said:

Be subject to every human creature for God   s sake    For such is the will of God, that by doing
good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.  Live as freemen, yet not using your
freedom as a cloak for malice but as servants of God.208

Disobedience to Illegitimate Authority

Those who illegitimately hold positions of power are not to be obeyed or followed.  These wolves

must be disobeyed and rejected, since following their commands would be detrimental to body

and  soul.    St.  Peter is recorded  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles as saying,    We  ought  to  obey  God

rather than man.   209

The Role of Parents

Parents  need  to  realize  that  they must teach  their  children  the  difference  between  right  and

wrong and instill  proper  values.  Once  the  children leave  the  home, they  must lead  them  by

good example and a life of prayer.

Although it is very discouraging to see loved ones drift, never give up.  As long as there is life,

there is hope.  Prayer affects wonders.  If God chooses not to control human beings even after

creating them by bestowing the faculties of intellect and free will, parents will never be able to

control all aspects of the lives of their children, especially once they leave home.

Being a  parent  can,  at  times, be  a  thankless  job.   It includes  joys, sorrows, adventures,

wonderful memories, special days, hard work, anxiety, numerous tears, disappointments, and

restrictions on personal time and liberty.  God sees all and hopefully children will remember all

their parents have done on their behalf.  A parent   s care covers 24 hours a day until the child

moves out of the home.

Parents  have  a  serious  obligation  to  care  for, educate and  lead their  children to  God.  How

could  a  life  be  called  a  success if someone,  who  excelled  in  the  eyes  of  the  world, lost his

immortal soul?   That life is a complete failure.

Obedience is greatly rewarded by God.  Children must realize that they are part of a team and

that  mom  and  dad  need  their  help  in  order  to keep  everything  going  and  everyone  happy.

Chores are not punishments; they are necessary responsibilities for living at home.

King Solomon said,    My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy

mother; that grace may be added to thy head and a chain of gold to thy neck.    (Proverbs 1, 8-9)

St. Gregory the Great says:

Obedience is the only virtue which implants the other virtues in the mind and preserves them
when  they  are  implanted.    Obedience  is  better  than  sacrifice: because by  sacrifice  the  flesh  of
another is immolated, by obedience, our own will is sacrificed to Almighty God.210

Parents need to remember the words of St. Bernard.  There are three ways to assist others and

draw them to God   word, example and prayer, yet the greatest of these is prayer.211

207
Immortale Dei, November 1, 1885.
208
1 Peter 2, 13, 15-16.
209
Acts 5, 29.
210
Very Reverend Charles Callan, OP,Illustrations for Sermons and Instructions, p. 274.
211
Manent tria haec: verbum, exemplum et oratio; major autem his est oratio.

The Fourth Commandment                                                55

Pride and Rebellion

It would seem natural that children would be grateful for the countless sacrifices made on their

behalf by their dedicated parents, but this is not always the case.  Many children worldwide

despise and dishonor their parents and some even attempt to harm and kill them.  How does a

person descend to such unnatural behavior?

Bad companions corrupt those around them.  As good apples kept with rotten ones soon become

moldy, so evil companions expose individuals to occasions and habits of sin.  They teach them a

myriad  of  bad  behaviors  including  how  to  lie,  cheat,  steal,  vandalize,  dress  indecently,  view

pornography, abuse drugs and alcohol, and lose virtue, morals, and belief in God.

Pride is the root of all sin.  People don   t like to be told what to do.  Although most people want

boundaries, especially children, many adolescents resent their parents refusing to grant them

permission to do something that is sinful, harmful or imprudent.

Once Out of the House

God wants young people to develop and often start families of their own.  Once a young adult

moves out of the house, parents don   t have the same responsibilities as previously.

Parents need to respect and support the individuality of their children and let them grow and

mature into adults.  Virtue is often acquired by letting them freely cooperate with God   s grace

and taking off the training wheels.

Parents often feel guilt regarding the lives of their children.  If they had been remiss in serving

as a role model, living a spiritual life, offering proper guidance and discipline when necessary,

they can hopefully repair this by means of prayer, good example and prudent counsel.

Some parents believe they have been a failure and that they are somehow responsible for the

wayward  actions  of  their  children.    Parents  have  to  realize  that  their  children  have free  will

and their actions are their own.  They should not be falsely imputed to the parents.

Individuals have to want to be helped.  Many learn  by  their  mistakes.    Hopefully this  occurs

before it   s too late. Even priests can   t control the lives of parishioners.  Priest must try to be a

good example, guide, encourage, teach, admonish, and pray for their spiritual children.

Free Will

God  gives  each  individual  the  faculty  of  free  will  so  a person can  make  decisions  without

coercion  or  force.    He  believed  it  would  be  better for  people to  merit  Heaven  than  be given  it

without earning it.

Liberty  can  be  a  gift  or  a  curse.    If  it  is  used  properly, it  can  lead  to a  happy  life here and

eternal union with God thereafter.  Misused liberty leads to sin, crime and often to Hell.  Each

individual is responsible for his or her actions.

Rebellion against authority leads to anarchy.  Law brings needed order to society, whether it is

the Ten Commandments, civil laws, ecclesiastical laws, or house rules by parents.  These are

an important part of God   s plan.

56                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The attitude,    no rules,    leads to unhappiness and often, eternal separation from God.  Rules

are necessary for  one   s protection and  are a help  rather  than  a  hindrance since  they  protect

individual liberty and maintain harmony in society.

The Ultimate Choice

God  rewards  fidelity, obedience to  His  laws  and  humble  submission  to  His  will with  the

everlasting happiness of Heaven.    Although this often  entailed a  sacrifice  of  personal  liberty,

saints never  regretted  their  life  of  prayer  and  service  to others,  which pleases  God  and  is  a

source of edification to others.

Those  who lead a life  of unbridled  liberty, self-gratification and sinful  rebellion  against  God

and  die  at  enmity  with Him are  condemned to Hell.    There  they  are tormented  by fire  and

eternal separation from God and confined with demons and the damned.

Ingratitude

A young  man once pleaded  with  his  mother  for  an  early  inheritance and  the request was

granted on condition that he support her until death.  Blinded by greed, the youth hoarded the

money and made his mother nearly destitute.

Realizing that the only solution was to take legal proceedings against her own son, the matron

hired  an  attorney.    Once  the  adolescent  learned  of  this,  he  planned  to  kill  the lawyer  by

purchasing a poisonous snake.

After  gaining  entrance  into  the lawyer   s  home,  he  opened  the  box  to  release  the adder.

Unfortunately, the viper attacked the son, leavinghim mortally wounded.  The ungrateful son

quickly died after succumbing to the deadly bite.

The  attorney  entered  his  house  and  was puzzled to  find  an  empty  box on  the  floor.    Soon  he

discovered the dead man and snake and understood what had occurred.

Chapter Twenty

The Fifth Commandment

Thou shalt not kill.      Exodus 20, 13

Few realize the seriousness of sins of the tongue.  God detests and severely punishes those who

foment  discord.  Many will suffer the  fires  of  Hell or  Purgatory for  their uncharitable  speech

and role in destroying the reputations of others.

Sins Against Charity in Speech and Thought

Love of God and neighbor are so intimately united that you cannot have one without the other.

The  relationship between an  individual and  God, and  the  bond  of  charity with  others are

essential.212  There are many types of sins against the virtue of charity.

Hatred, like  a  cancer, consumes a  person from  within.  Many  act  irrationally, spending their

life in retaliation for supposed wrongs, or unlawfully take justice into their own hands.

Sarcasm isn   t  humor,  but  rather  verbal,  passive-aggressive  taunting.    It  is a  way  to  say  an

uncharitable remark without being held    accountable    because it wasonly a joke.

St.  Anthony  the  Abbot  says  whisperers  are  more  dangerous  than  lions,  scorpions  and  snakes

and that their mouth is filled with treachery and death.  He wrote:

All sins are less grievous than those of thewhisperer.Thewhisperer and those who give ear to
him, receive the same condemnation.     Have no part in murmuring.  For the Lord tells us that,
he that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul.  (Proverbs 13, 3)213

Other Sins Against Charity

The Fifth Commandment forbids anger, impatience, taunting, uncharitable  speech, bullying,

hatred,  fighting,  causing  physical  harm  to oneself  or another,  abortion,  suicide, and  murder.

Just anger is permitted to correct abuses.  Anger that gets out of control is unjust and sinful.

Self-defense  is permissible.    Even  humble  St.  Francis  de  Sales once brandished  a  sword  to

protect his life.  Taking part in just wars is permitted since a moral body has a right to protect

itself and preserve its    borders.

Mortal Sins

It is a mortal sin to unjustly take the life of another, to purposely seriously injure another or

commit  suicide.    Drinking  to  excess,  driving  while  intoxicated,  taking  drugs  without  a

prescription, and causing grave bodily harm to oneself or others are serious sins.  These often

lead to an early death and / or the deaths of others.

Never abuse drugs.  Lasting effects include memory loss, impaired judgment, and when cocaine

and alcohol are mixed   a heart attack.  Try to work out problems rather than run from them.

Turn to prayer, not to depressants.  Ask God for help.

212
It is an important aspect of charity to forgive injuries and pray for others.
213
PG 40, col. 965, M. Toal, DD,The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers: Volume Four,pp. 4-5.

58                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Suicide is never permitted.  No one has the right to take his or her own life.  God gives life and

takes it when He is ready.

Some  who  commit  suicide  are  not  fully  cognizant  of  what  they  are  doing.    God  will  be  their

judge.  A  person  who  commits suicide tragically often exchanges difficulties of  this  life  for

eternal suffering in the next and causes indescribable grief to family and friends.

Having  an  abortion,  the deliberate  murdering  of  a  helpless  child  in his mother   s  womb, or

encouraging  a  person  to  have  an  abortion is  a  mortal  sin that  carries the  added  penalty  of

excommunication from the Catholic Church.

Other Areas

God demands that one take reasonable care of the body, but not expose oneself to foolish risks.

It is wrong to unnecessarily endanger one   s own life or that of others.

When  death draws near,  the  ordinary  means  of  preserving  life   food  and  fluids should  not

intentionally be denied to a patient.  Use of extraordinary means to preserve life is optional.

Euthanasia, taking the life of another so the person can avoid pain is never permitted.  People

should work with their doctors to find legitimate means of controlling pain.

Remedies

One  way  to  preserve  charity  is  to  change  the  subject  or to leave  the  room  when  another

engages  in gossip  or  character  assassination.       Talkers    should  be  avoided.   The  best  way to

correct the defects of others is to admonish the person in a charitable manner or pray for them.

One  of  the  most  accurate ways of  gauging  sanctity  or  lack  of  virtue  is  to  examine  a  person   s

words.  Those who are charitable in speech are frequently striving for perfection.214

214
See Epistle of St. James, Chapter 3, Verse 2.

Chapter Twenty-One

The Eighth Commandment

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.       Exodus 20, 16

The common phrase,    it   s only a white lie    is a clear indicator of how little people value truth

today.   There  is  no  such  thing  as  a  white lie.   The  termwhite lie is  a  contradiction  of  terms.

Something is either trueor false.  Nothing can be true and false at the same time.

Lying is Detestable

The Book of Leviticus says:    Thou shalt not lie; neither shall any man deceive his neighbor.   215

St.  Paul says to  put  away  lying  and be truthful.216  Everyone  has  an  obligation  to speak the

truth since lying and perjury undermine society. Lying and deceit undermine the trust needed

in relationships.  Nothing destroys a marriage more quickly than dishonesty and infidelity.

St.  Augustine teaches that  wrongfully  concealing  the  truth  and  lying  are  both  displeasing  to

God. Culpable negligence occurs when an individual is aware of a serious problem that would

cause  physical  or  moral  danger  to  another  and  does  nothing.   The delinquent  can  be legally

held responsible for subsequent harm, loss of life or damages.

St. James says it is hypocritical to bless God with a tongue in prayer and then malign people

who are created in His image and likeness.217  How can an individual who is deceitful, stirs up

trouble and acts like a spy be trusted?

One Lie often Leads to Many Others

Devils are liars who plot the downfall of individuals by encouraging them to lie.  Some people

lie so frequently it is hard to detect truth in their words since one lie often breeds another.

In  an  age  of  unprecedented  surveillance,  never go anywhere  that is improper nor  engage  in

questionable activities.  It is easier to defend a person   s actions when the individual has done

nothing wrong than to make futile attempts to cover one   s tracks or clear one   s name when the

evidence clearly tells a different story.  Character matters.  A person   s reputation for honesty

and integrity edifies others, gives peace of soul and instills trust in others.

Sin Attacks Its Perpetrators

Scientific  research  has  found  that  liars  and  dishonest persons live  in  turmoil  and even their

bodies are affected by their duplicity.  Stress levels increase dramatically for those who live in

dread  of  being  uncovered, realize their  reputation  can  be  destroyed,  their  job  lost,  their

marriage broken, their dreams shattered, or that they may be arrested for crimes.

Lying and dishonesty, besides being offensive to God and a cause of civil and domestic discord,

attacks its perpetrators.    Dishonesty  can  bring  on  severe  anxiety,  high  blood  pressure  and

insomnia or cause cancer cells to form.

215
Chapter 19, Verse 11.
216
Ephesians 4, 25.
217
James 3, 9-11.

60                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Common Sins Against Charity

Sins of the tongue are very common, especially in today   s society. Rash judgment analyzes the

actions  of  another  and  imputes  an  evil  intention.  Detraction reveals  the  hidden  faults  of  a

person.  Slander,  also  calledcalumny,  fabricates  lies  about  another.  Gossip spreads  tales  or

misquotes another in order to defame a person.

Although  these  sins  are common today, each  can  become  mortal  if  the  three  conditions

serious offense, knowledge that the offense is serious and full consent are present.  Those who

have destroyed the reputation of another are required to restore that person   s good name.

When the evil life of another is common knowledge, there is no obligation for restitution since

the individual destroyed his or her own reputation.  Yet, no one should speak of the faults of

another except under two conditions: to warn others of danger or to tell those in authority so

they can stop abuses and protect those under their care.

Many  Americans loathe  election  years  because  candidates frequently tell  little  about  their

stand and merely broadcast the shortcomings of their opponent.  Moral integrity is rare.

Although everyone needs a friend and confidant, others should never be excluded.  Favoritism

is the enemy of Christian charity.  It acts like a toxin, poisoning relationships.

Judging, placing oneself above others and engaging in hollow friendships leads to dissipation.

Hatred, jealousy, envy, and criticism of others destroy tranquility and cause unhappiness.

Always be Honest and Truthful

There is nothing comparable to one living as a true follower of Christ, honest in both word and

deed.  Once sins are confessed and atoned for, one is able to enjoy true, interior peace.  A life of

integrity brings tranquility and inspires others.

Never Speak Behind Someone  s Back

Nothing should be said in the presence of others that wouldn   t be said in another   s absence.  As

a bishop attended a dinner he overheard one of the guests berating someone who was absent.

The bishop quickly sent a messenger to invite that person to the table.  When he arrived the

bishop told the guest to repeat the  remarks  that  were  said  in  the other man   s  absence.   In

response, he ashamedly left the table.  The event made a lasting impression on all.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The Sixth and Ninth Commandments

Thou shalt not commit adultery.       Exodus 20, 14

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor   s wife.       Exodus 20, 17

God created humans male and female and gave them a natural, mutual attraction so that the

race could be perpetuated.  Due to the Fall of Adam, all humans also have a tendency to lust

and to the other Capital Sins.  Therefore, they must control their lives and not follow unruly

passions.  Scripture gives many reminders:    Walk, then, as children of light.     (Ephesians 5, 9)

Our Lord said:    Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God.     (Matthew 5, 8)

St. Peter tells the faithful to    behave yourselves honorably.    (1 Peter 2, 10-11) and fight against

sinful desires that war against the soul.

St.  Paul  taught:    For  God  has  not  called  us  unto  uncleanness,  but unto  holiness.      he  who

rejects these things rejects not man but God.     (1 Thessalonians 4, 3-5, 7-8)     For this is the will

of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from immorality.  That every one of you shall learn

how to possess his vessel in holiness and honor; not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who

do not know God.    (1 Corinthians 6, 18).

God  s Plan

God  ordained, the  act  that  generates  life   the  marriage  act  (sexual  intercourse)  be  very

pleasurable so couples would be encouraged to engage in it and bring forth children to populate

the earth.  The marriage act only is to be legitimately enjoyed by married couples.  The end of

the marriage act is good   to unite husband and wife and bring life into the world.

Jesus compared the  marriage  bond to His  love  for  the  Church  and  each individual.    The

marriage act was established for the propagation of children and to allow the married couple to

express their mutual love.  TheCatechism of the Council of Trent says:

The bond between man and wife is one of the closest, and nothing can be more gratifying to both
than to know that they are objects of mutual [between each other] and special [above everyone
else] affection.218

Sins that are Serious By Nature

Since sins against purity are serious by nature, most are mortal.  The exception would be when

the two conditions   knowing the matter is serious and full consent are lacking.  Our Lord said

I  say  to  you  that  anyone  who  so  much  as  looks with  lust upon  a woman has already

committed  adultery  with  her  in his  heart.     (Matthew  5,  28)  St  Paul  says:       know  this  and

understand  that  no  fornicator,  or  unclean  person    has  any  inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of

Christ and God.     (Ephesians 5, 5)

Sins Against Purity

Those who engage in premarital sex (fornication) do not have rights to this activity since they

lack  the  lifelong  commitment  necessary  to  properly  raise  children.    Married  partners  are  not

allowed to have sexual intercourse with others who are not their spouse (adultery) since they

have taken marriage vows to remain faithful to the person they married.  The unmarried and

married are not allowed to enjoy sexual pleasure by themselves (masturbation).

218
p. 431.

62                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

It  is  a  mortal  sin  to  attempt  or  violently  force  a  person  into  sexual  intercourse  (rape) and for

non-married couples to cohabitate before marriage (live in sin).  Both are based on lust.

Married couples cannot use artificial means to prevent conception including use of spermicides,

condoms, birth control pills, or devices.  Couples must complete the marriage act and cannot

withdraw prematurely (onanism). Sterilization is only allowed for medical purposes to remove

infected organs, never solely as a means of birth control.Divorce is a declaration by the state

that  a  married  couple  is  free  to  marry  again.    Unless  the  previous  marriage  was  invalid  or  a

legitimate annulment granted, the individuals who remarry or live with a different partner are

living  in sin    and commit  the  sin of  adultery.    Christ  condemned  remarriage  after  a  valid

marriage.        Whoever puts away his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her;

and if a wife puts away her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.   219

The  effects  of  sexually  transmitted  diseases  (STDs), AIDS,  HIV, human  papillomavirus,

chlamydia, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, gonnorhea, and syphilis can last a lifetime.  There is

also danger of a spouse and children being infected.

Other  sins  against  purity  include: impure  thoughts  (full  or  partial  consent), playing  indecent

music, listening  to impure  jokes or  stories, watching  bad  movies, immoral DVDs, or  indecent

TV, visiting impure Internet sites, viewing pornography, looking at filthy magazines, reading

impure books, wearing suggestive clothing, and homosexual and lesbian lifestyles.

Parents  should  check the  Internet  history  of  the websites  used  by  their  children  in  order  to

prevent  pornography  addiction.   There are also a number of other sins against purity.    Some

are unnatural and seriously sinful.

Drug and alcohol abuse can weaken inhibitions and often lead to acts of impurity.  Many who

die in unrepentant mortal sin became slaves to impurity.  They ignored Jesus    sacrifice on the

Cross and defiled their bodies by sinful acts and gave scandal to others.  Those enslaved to sin

often give up the practice of their Catholic Faith.

A Priceless Diamond

Purity is like a priceless diamond, a treasure that must be preserved at all costs.  Without it a

person cannot enter Heaven.  Many saints have renounced a life of sin including St. Augustine,

a  Doctor  of  the Church, St.  Mary  Magdalene, who  was  at  the  foot  of  the Cross  and  helped

evangelize France, and many others.

Modesty is the habit of dressing and acting becomingly.  Unmarried people who are pure lead a

life ofchastity.  Married couples who preserve marital fidelity practicecontinency.

One  of  the  best  ways  to  preserve purity is  to  avoid occasions  of  sin.  Other  means  include

praying five decades of the Rosary daily, frequentation of the Sacraments of Penance and the

Holy  Eucharist, and  attendance  at Mass every Sunday.  It  is  necessary  to keep  custody over

one   s eyes and ears.  The eyes are the windows of the soul and not meant to view sinful images,

but rather to see God   s wondrous creation.

219
Mark 10, 11-12.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Seventh and Tenth Commandments/ Laws of the Church

Thou shalt not steal.       Exodus 20, 15

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor   s goods.       Exodus 20, 17

God created  the  world to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing  for  every individual.

Although  some  have  more material  goods,  others less,  life  on  earth  is  only  temporary.

Everything ultimately belongs to God, even though many seldom make the connection.  People

are only temporary custodians of material goods since these are given to others after death.

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that having a sufficiency of material goods is necessary in order to

perform  virtuous  actions.    It  is  difficult  to  keep  one   s  eyes  on  Heaven  when  a  person  doesn   t

know where to find the next meal.  A person should be content with necessities.  Superfluities

often blind one and impede his or her flight to God.  Attachment to material objects acts like an

anchor by holding an individual tightly to the earth.

Money is not evil itself, but a necessary medium of exchange.  Greed and avarice are evil and

ruin  millions  of  lives.  Some  people  never seem  to get  enough  though  they  have  millions  of

dollars.  Material goods cannot completely satisfy.

Although unemployment is rampant, individuals should try to find work.  St. Paul said,       if

any man will not work, neither let him eat.   220

Covetousness leads people to become greedy and selfish thinking only of themselves.  Blinded

by the glitter of the world, hoarders become enslaved to the very things they think will bring

them happiness.

Few realize that no matter how many possessions a person has, the only thing of value brought

into eternity are one   s merits.  It is difficult for a self-centered person to love God and practice

charity.

Sins Against Justice

The Seventh Commandment deals with obligations of justice   to pay just debts221 and respect

the  property  of  others.  It forbids stealing, robbery,  embezzlement, shoplifting, arson,

blackmail, keeping stolen property, not returning what was borrowed, piracy, and all other sins

against justice.  Fraud regarding weights and measures and the quality and quantity of goods

is also prohibited.

Justice  demands  a  full  day   s  work  for  a  full  day   s  pay.   Sinful actions against  justice attack

individuals, families, societies, churches, businesses, institutions, and even the poor.

These  sins  have  different  degrees  of  malice and demand restitution.  As  St. Augustine  says,

Give each  his  due      222 and    without  restitution,  the  sin  is  not  forgiven.   223  A  legal  axiom

says:    Goods cry for their legitimate owner.     It is therefore necessary to return borrowed items

and pay just debts and loans.

220
2 Thessalonians 3, 10.
221
Moral theologians often call this a debt of justice.
222
On Free Will, 1, 27.
223
Epist. LIV. ad Maced.

64                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Many have  an  insatiable  desire  to  have  the  newest  and  greatest and to be  the  first  at  the

biggest sale.  Consider how crowds mob stores at the introduction of a new product, phone, CD,

or video game.  These items never bring full satisfaction since they need to be repaired, get lost

or stolen, or frequently have to be upgraded to prevent them becoming obsolete.

The Tenth Commandment forbids envy and the desire to have what others possess.  Avarice,

jealousy and many other sins stem from dissatisfaction with the gifts God has freely given.

The Eye of the Needle

Our Lord said it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person

to enter Heaven.  How is this possible?

Jerusalem once had  an entrance gate called  theeye of the needle that  was  so  small  that  only

children and animals could enter the city through it.  It was impossible for a camel laden with

goods to  pass  through.    It  had  to  be  completely  unloaded  and  then  the  camel  had  to  crawl to

enter.  This gate typifies detachment of the heart from material possessions.

Antidotes

The antidote for greed is charity.  St. Cyprian, St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory, and others

extol the virtue of giving alms.  Material goods will never make one happy since humans were

created for something infinitely higher   God and eternal life.

God sometimes sends natural disasters to forcibly detach hearts from possessions.  He feels it

is better for people to lose some    things    here than lose their soul for all eternity.

At the end of time, the earth will be destroyed by fire and nothing will remain but ashes.  All

the things that once seemed so important, for whose sake lives were sacrificed and souls were

lost will be no more.

I Have to Buy More Stock

Once a priest visited a dying non-Catholic who passed away a few days later.  The man was so

blinded spiritually that instead of preparing for imminent death, he merely kept repeating,    I

got to buy more stock     I got to buy more stock.     He died a day or two later.

No one really cares who is the wealthiest person in a cemetery.  People can   t take their wealth

with them, only their deeds.

The Laws of the Church

1. To assist at Mass on all Sundays and holydays of obligation

2. To fast and abstain on the days appointed

3. To confess our sins at least once a year

4. To receive Holy Communion during the Easter time

5. To contribute to the support of the Church

6. To observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage

Chapter Twenty-Four

What Causes a Sin to Become Mortal?

For a sin to be mortal, the offensehas to be serious,known to be seriousand a personmust give

full consent.  If any of these three elements are lacking, the sin is considered venial.  A person

cannot commit a sin by accident or while asleep.

Those raised in an atmosphere where sin is commonplace may be unaware of its seriousness.

In spite of this, these individuals have an obligation to form their conscience properly.  Christ

spoke of individuals who lack knowledge of the seriousness of sin when He said from the Cross,

Father, forgive them, for they do not know not what they are doing.    (Luke 23, 34)

Moral theologians use the termsdeliberateandvoluntaryto explain that sin must be a free act

emerging from the will.  The worddeliberateis taken from two Latin words that mean    from

freedom.     The wordvoluntary is derived from the Latin word for    will.

Grave  matter  entails  something  that  offends  God  so  seriously  that  it  will  send  the  person  to

Hell if he or she doesn   t repent before death.  Some sins are obviously serious.  Others are not.

Basic principles need to be applied in order to determine the gravity of a thought, word, act, or

omission.  If doubt remains, speak to the priest in the confessional.

Sins of thought can become serious when full consent is given since Our Lord spoke of murders,

adulteries, and other sins committed from the heart.224  A person must resist at once in order to

avoid sin since it is hard to control the will once something enticing is presented to it.

Grave Matter

The guideline below, based on principles, deals with grave (serious) matter.  Knowledge of the

seriousness of the sin and full consent are also necessary for a sin to become mortal.

Most mortal sins offend against the virtues of charity, purity and justice.  Others offend God by

being contrary to the Ten Commandments or the Laws of the Church in a serious way.  Gravity

of matter is determined by what a commandment or Law of the Church commands or forbids.

1 Since  blasphemy  is  a  voluntary  attack  against  God,  it  is  nearly  always  a  serious  sin.

Profanation of the Blessed Sacrament and sacrilegious defamation of crucifixes and statues

are mortal sins.  Use of fortune-tellers, Ouija Boards or tarot cards manifests a lack of trust

in God and if known to be seriously sinful become so.

Catholics  who  worship  in  non-Catholic  churches  demonstrate  apathy  toward  God.    Since

Jesus  founded  the  Catholic  Church  He  expects  His  followers  to  worship  there  and  believe

His teachings.  It is also a danger to the faith for Catholics to take part in non-Catholic bible

study.   Protestant scriptures  are  incomplete225 and they have completely different concepts

regarding faith, grace, justification, the Blessed Trinity, Mass, sacraments, a visible church,

sin, and many other elements of Catholicism.

2 It is grave matter to habitually use the name of God in vain and make no effort to stop.

3 It is a serious act of ingratitude to God to purposely miss Mass on Sundays and Holy Days.

224
Our Lord said:    For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, immorality, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
(Matthew 15, 19)     But I say to you that anyone who looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his
heart.     (Matthew 5, 28).
225
Protestant Bibles are missing the books of Baruch, Ecclesiasticus, Judith, First and Second Machabees, Tobias, Wisdom, and
parts of Daniel and Esther.

66                                           WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Working on Sunday unnecessarily can become a serious sin if it is prolonged for more than

two hours or grave scandal is caused.

4 It can become grave matter if an older child strikes a parent.  They deserve love and respect

for bringing children into the world and for the care they give.  If full reflection were absent

the  sin would  be venial.    It is  a  serious  sin  of  neglect if  parents  don   t  provide  for  their

children and may be a serious sin of neglect if children don   t provide for their parents when

it is necessary and when they are able to do so.

5 Grave  matter  against  charity  would  be  to  ruin  or  seriously  attempt  to  tarnish  the

reputation  of  another,  do  serious  bodily  harm,  or  willingly  cause  the  death  of  another.

Abortion takes a human life and is grave matter.  Sadly, many think they have a right to

kill  unwanted  children.    This  shows  how  far  people  have  drifted  from  God.  It  is  grave

matter to unnecessarily risk one   s life or that of another, or to take it by murder or suicide.

Abusing drugs, drinking to excess and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are

serious matter because of the harm they may cause to oneself and others.

6/9 Sins against purity are serious by their very nature.  Viewing pornography, committing

masturbation, premarital sex, adultery, the use of artificial birth control, sodomy,

withdrawal, homosexual or lesbian acts, doing anything that frustrates the proper use of

the marital act, and other sexual sins are serious offenses against God.  Sexual pleasure is

only to be enjoyed by validly married couples.

7/10  Serious matter against the seventh commandment includes stealing, vandalism or,

purposely damaging the goods or property of another out of envy or jealousy unless

the dollar amount was very small.  Grave matter against justice includes unjust usury,

neglecting to pay one   s just debts when able and stealing when the amount is sizeable.

Stealing a number of inexpensive things over a period of time will become mortal

once the value of the stolen items becomes sizeable.

8 Lying  under oath   perjury  is  grave  matter  since  one  takes  God  as  witness  for  something

known to be false.

It  is  grave  matter  to  purposely  eat  meat  on  Friday  unless  it  is  a  Holy  Day  or  one  that  is

customarily dispensed.

It is a sin of sacrilege to make a bad confession by purposely omitting to confess a mortal sin.

The omission of the Easter Duty   annual confession of sins and reception of Holy Communion

during the Eastertime, is grave matter.  Knowingly receiving Holy Communion in the state of

mortal sin is a very serious sin of sacrilege.  It is a profanation of God   s greatest gift of love.

Neglect  of  the  obligation  of  supporting  the  church  can  become  serious  if  it  is  habitual.    If

indigent, one can support the church through volunteer work.

A Devil Teaches a Lesson

A devil once spoke through a possessed person lamenting that separation from God was even

worse  than  the  terrible  fires  of  Hell.    The  demon  stated  that  he  would gladly  suffer  for  over

10,000 years just to see God for a moment.     If I had a body like you I would always be at His

feet begging for mercy.  Oh, if men only knew what it is to lose the grace of God!   226

226
Very Rev. Charles Callan, OP,Illustrations for Sermons and Instructions, p. 97.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Spiritual Blindness

Spiritual  blindness  is  very  real  and  common  today.    Millions  walk  in  darkness  and  seem

content to do so.  Few today love God or include Him in their daily lives.  Most are preoccupied

with themselves and die unprepared.  Where will they spend eternity?

One should rather watch and pray to prepare for the Lord   s coming at Judgment by leading a

virtuous life and earning merit in order to glorify God and be eternally rewarded in Heaven.

Sin  s Powerful Pull

By sinning, a person chooses sin and self over God.  Vice, based on pride and self-gratification,

places  one   s own will  above  God   s.   A  precipitous downward  plunge often  follows as  one

becomes hardened by repeated rejection of grace.

Sin becomes almost  second  nature when a  person, preoccupied  with  self,  attempts to  stifle

conscience and habitually goes against the law of God.  Enveloped in an empty existence, the

person eventually drifts away from God, family and friends.

God still pursues the sinner and calls, but the individual   s line is usually    busy    with no time

for God  or  the  supernatural.  Unless a  person turns  to  prayer,  it  is  very  easy  to  lose  one   s

immortal soul in this state.

Spiritually Blind and Deaf

A person needs  to  accept  God   s  invitation to  return,  but  most  turn  a  deaf  ear  and  remain

immersed in sin.     They have eyes and see not.  They have ears and hear not.   227

Many use noise, distractions and loud music, or drug or alcohol abuse to mute the voice of God

and conscience.  Endless pursuit of pleasure gives people little time to focus on what is really

important   the salvation of their immortal soul.  It is similar to a person getting into a car and

driving aimlessly with no destination in mind.

Sinful Pleasure

Sin   s greatest  allurement, sinful pleasure,  often  leads  to loss  of  self-control  and  addiction.

Many become so spiritually blinded, they accept being  condemned  to the  eternal  fires  of  Hell

and forfeiting the joys of Heaven in order to enjoy the temporary pleasure of mortal sin.

Sinful pleasure is  a  poison  that destroys  one  from  within.    Those  immersed  in  it never  find

happiness since sins breed punishment, remorse and sadness.

God wants  people  to  be  happy  and  offers  legitimate  channels.    Only He can  fill one  with

interior joy and peace of soul.

Walking in Darkness

Spiritual  blindness darkens  the  understanding, weakens  the  will and  often  causes  those

infected to become slaves to impurity.228  Those who consistently reject God and His laws walk

in darkness with no guide and no light.

227
Psalm 113.
228
See Ephesians 4, 18-19.

68                                           WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

In the state of sin danger looms everywhere.  Sounds that used to be pleasing become ominous.

Activities that used to be enjoyable become causes of dread apprehension.  In spite of attempts

to silence conscience, there are still frequent reminders.  Although God   s judgment is looming,

the person is often too callous to care.

Spiritual blindness is a vicious circle that fosters depression, immorality, and alcohol and drug

abuse.  It leads to separation from God and can cause one to be confined to eternal Hellfire.

The book of Wisdom laments the fate of the damned.     What hath pride profited us? or what

advantage  hath  the  boasting  of  riches  brought  us?    All  those  things  are  passed  away  like  a

shadow.    229.

Return to God

One must continue to pray for loved ones, friends and others who have drifted from God, for as

long  as  life  remains there  is  hope.    Once a  person  who  has  fallen  has  returned  to  God,  the

Rosary, Sunday Mass and the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist will restore to that

individual  the grace, peace  of  soul  and  happiness that  were  previously  lacking.  The  vacuum

caused  by  sin  and  worldliness  will  be  replaced  with  God   s  love  and  forgiveness.    An  empty,

meaningless life will again become enriched and worthwhile.

St. Paul encourages his followers to       be renewed in the spirit of your mind.  Put on the new

man,  which  has  been created according  to  God  in  justice  and  holiness  of  truth.   230  Although

everyone  is  weak  and  has  a  tendency  to  evil due  to  original  sin, God reminded  St.  Paul:    My

grace is sufficient for thee, for strength is made perfect in weakness.   231  Prayer gives needed

heavenly strength to help one practice virtue and observe the Ten Commandments.

Sight  is  one  of  the  most  precious  gifts  bestowed  by  God.    Through  it  a  person  can view the

wonders God created and move about safely and confidently.  Spiritual sight helps a person put

life into perspective.  It encourages one to avoid evil and persevere in doing good.  It keeps one   s

eyes on the goal   reaching the eternal happiness of Heaven.

Unique Wake Up Call

Scripture records the tales of countless monarchs and kings who fought against God and lost.

One such individual was Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian monarch who foolishly claimed to be

a god and commanded his subjects to worship him.

God punished the king   s pride by turning him into an animal for a period of time as recorded in

the book of Daniel.232  He grew feathers and claws, was obliged to eat grass and had to walk on

all fours.  Eventually his spiritual blindness was cured, he acknowledged the true God and was

restored to his former state.  Others are not so fortunate.

229
Chapter 5, Verses 8-9.
230
Ephesians 4, 23-24
231
2 Corinthians 12, 9.
232
Chapter 4, Verses 29-34.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Saints

Saints are the  men,  women  and children who  lived  holy  lives  on  earth,  died  in  the  state  of

sanctifying  grace  and  now  enjoy  the  beatific  vision  of  God  in  Heaven.  Due  to  their close

relationship with God, saints have great intercessory power.

They glorify God in the same way as parents are honored through the accomplishments of their

children.  God honors the saints in numerous ways.  He is pleased when others pray to them or

revere their memory.

God  honors the  saints  by  performing  countless  miracles  through  their  intercession.  Respect

shown them reflects back to Him.  He is pleased that people invoke their intercession.  God has

even  allowed  the  bodies  of 72 saints to  remain incorrupt (their  bodies  have  not  decayed)

including St. Francis Xavier and St. Bernadette.233

The Use of Statues and Sacred Images

The  Catholic  Church  honors the saints  and  wants  individuals  to  draw  inspiration  from  their

virtuous lives.  Depictions of saints are placed in churches and homes to remind the faithful of

their  goodness so  they  can imitate  their  virtuous  lives  and confidently  invoke  their  powerful

intercession.  St. Gregory said statues in Catholic churches help laity better learn their faith.

Fr. Birkhauser gives a further explanation.

The use of images in the Church dates from very remote antiquity.  This is sufficiently proved
from the monuments of the Apostolic Age, and from the numerous symbols and images of Christ,
the  [Blessed]  Virgin,  the  Apostles  and  biblical  personages  which  adorn  the  Roman  Catacombs;
many of these symbols belong to the first and second centuries.234

These images include Noah and the Ark, Daniel in the Lion   s Den, the Nativity of Jesus, the

Three Kings, and frescos of the Good Shepherd, Mary, and St. Joseph.

The Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD declared that the cross, statues and images should be

placed in churches, on vestments, in homes, and along roads.  It is inspiring to see statues and

holy images adorning the grounds of Catholic cemeteries instead of simple gravestones.

Contemporary Use of Statues

Statuary and monuments are used by current society to honor heroes, heroines, world leaders,

athletes, and  other  famous  persons.    They  are  found  in  city  squares,  sports    halls  of  fame,

museums,  cemeteries,  stadiums,  lawns,  schools, and  even  airports, and  hospitals.    No  one

worships  these  depictions.    They  are  merely  ways  to  remember  individuals  who  have  had  an

impact  on  history and  society.    Statues  and  images  of  Christ,  Mary  and  the  saints  should  be

regarded in a similar manner.

Photographs  are  used  to  remember  loved  ones and  friends,  and  are  respectfully  carried  in

lockets, wallets and purses worldwide.  Holy cards are used in a similar manner to remember

and attempt to imitate the virtues of saintly men and women.

233
For further reference see Joan Cruz    bookThe Incorruptibles.
234
History of the Church, p. 313.

70                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Iconoclasts

Heretics often promoted the false idea that Our Lady and saints diminish God   s honor and are

His rivals.  Thousands of statues and relics were destroyed by eighth century iconoclasts and

in the sixteenth century by Protestants during the Reformation.

Stone  statues  on  the  outer  walls  of  cathedrals in  France were often used  for  target  practice

during the French Revolution.  Communist soldiers in Spain fired at the Sacred Heart statue

in Madrid in the late 1930s to exhibit their hatred for Our Lord.

Modernists  revived  iconoclasm  after  Vatican  II by removing statues  and  crucifixes.   Many

modern churches now resemble dance halls or airplane hangars.

God has Given Special Roles to Certain Saints

Apatron saint is one a Catholic is named after or one to whom a person has a special devotion.

Some examples of help given by saints include:

St. Joseph assists those in need. St. Anne watches over mariners.

St. Jude helps with hopeless cases. St. Anthony finds lost items.

St. Therese of Lisieux leads souls to Jesus. St. Francis de Sales teaches patience.

St. Maria Goretti helps her clients preserve purity. St. Lucy aids those with eye ailments.

St. Zita guides mothers and housewives. St. Gerard assists expectant mothers.

The Human Body is Sacred

Saints honored God on earth by their virtuous and edifying lives.  In return they will receive a

glorified body in heaven after the Last Judgment.  Their bodies are therefore sacred since they

were the abode of their immortal souls.  The Council of Trent declared:

The bodies of the holy martyrs and others now living with Christ [saints] which bodies were the
living  members  of  Christ  and  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  which  are  by  Him  to  be  raised  to
eternal life and to be glorified, are to be venerated by the faithful; for through these bodies many
benefits are bestowed by God on men...235

Catholics  are  buried  after  death.   The  body  is  not  just  a  wrapper  that  is  disposed  of  or

incinerated.  Even though cremation is very common  today, it shows  disrespect  for  the

deceased and leaves nearly no remembrance of the departed.

Relics

Museums house memorabilia of  important personages thereby preserving history  for  future

generations.  The pen that was used for the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the

Liberty Bell in Philadelphia are two such relics.

Relics of the saints are divided into three classes.  The remains of the body of a saint are called

first class relics.  These are  often  encased  behind  glass  and adorned  with  silk.  The  Catholic

Church verifies the authenticity of first class relics with papers that are written in Latin and

contain the seal of a cardinal or other prelate.

Asecond class relicis  an  article  of  clothing  or  something  else  used  by  a  saint.    Athird class

relicis something that touched afirstorsecond class relic.

235
Session 25.

Saints71

The  history  of  the  Church  relates  countless  miracles  performed  by  saints,  by  invoking  their

intercession  or  by  use  of  their  relics.  The Catechism of the Council of Trent relates  miracles

performed at the tombs of the martyrs where many were healed, the dead brought back to life

and demons expelled.  Saints Augustine and Ambrose witnessed some of these.236

St. Januarius, bishop of Naples, who was martyred for his faith in 305 AD, annually performs a

miracle  on  his  feast  day  of  September  19.    The  sand-like  dried  blood  liquefies once  the

archbishop of Naples places an ampule of the saint   s dried blood next to his other relics on the

main altar.  This miracle was first reported in 1389 and occurs annually unless an impending

calamity takes place.  Although St. Januarius was    decanonized    by the Modern Church, there

was such an uproar that the Vatican allowed the residents of Naples to continue to revere him.

The Communion of Saints

The termCommunion of Saints is often misunderstood.  It is the union of the saints in Heaven

(Church  Triumphant),  faithful  Catholics  on  Earth (Church  Militant)  and  the  Souls  in

Purgatory (Church Suffering).

There  are  nearly  2,000  saints  found  in  theRoman Martyrology,the  official  register  of  saints.

From 1588-1958, popes canonized 296 saints and beatified 808 (the step before canonization).

The process of canonizationhas three steps:venerable,blessedandsaint and can take decades

or even centuries to complete.  Four verifiable miracles are needed for canonization.  A person

called  the    devil   s  advocate    used  to  carefully  scrutinize the  lives  of  the  candidates for

sainthood.  The  Modern  Church completely  revamped the  entire canonization process  after

Vatican  II.    As  a  result,  more  saints  were  canonized  during  the  reign  of  John  Paul  II  than

during the preceding four hundred years.

Various Categories of Saints Found in Prayer Books

Saints are listed in various precise Roman classifications.

Abbot one who governed a monastery

Bishop successor of the Apostles

Virgin woman who vowed her virginity to God

Doctor237 a teacher of the Catholic Faith

Martyr238 one who gave his or her life for the faith

Confessor a priest or male lay person who professed the Catholic Faith

Holy Women saintly females who were neither virgins nor martyrs

Supreme Pontiff239 pope

St. Jerome summarizes Catholic teaching regarding the saints:

We do not worship, we do not adore, we do not bow down before the creature rather than to the
Creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order better to adore Him whose martyrs
they are.240

236
Fr. Clement Raab, OFM,Twenty General Councils of the Catholic Church, pp. 57-58.
237
Doctor is derived from the Latin word forteacher.
238
Martyr is derived from the Greek word forwitness.
239
Pontiff is derived from two Latin words that meanbridge builder.
240
Ad Riparium, IX.

72                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Worship Shown to God/ Honor Given to Saints

There are three classifications Catholics should understand regarding God and the Saints.

Latria worship offered to God alone.  Catholics worship the Blessed Trinity and show

honor to God by means of genuflecting, kneeling and the use of incense in church.

Hyperdulia honor shown to Mary reflects back to Jesus, her Son.  Our Lady ranks above

all other saints.

Dulia honor shown to saints by individuals who seek their intercession by prayer.

Mary  s Role

Every word of Holy Scripture has important meaning.  St. Matthew describes the entrance of

the Magi, the Three Wise Men, who came to worship the newborn Messias.241

And  entering  the  house,  they  found  the  Child  with  Mary  His  mother,  and  falling  down they
worshipped Him.  And opening their treasures they offered Him, gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Pope  Pius  X encouraged  all to  follow  the  example  of  the  Magi  when  he  wrote,       it  only

remains for us to receive Christ from the hands of Mary.   242

St. Germanus said that since humans are unworthy, they need a mediator with Christ.  Who

could  better  fulfill  that  role  than  His  sinless  mother?    Mary,  who  is so  close  to  the  throne  of

God, has tremendous power to assist those who invoke her intercession.

Jesus Christ is the Redeemer, the one Mediator with God the Father.243  In order to honor His

Mother  who  dedicated  her  entire  life  to  Him  and  suffered  with  Him,  Our  Lord  chose  to  have

Mary dispense the merits He earned during His Passion and life on earth.

Numerous  popes  and  St.  Alphonsus  Ligouri,  St.  Bernard  and  St.  Robert  Bellarmine  address

Mary as Mediatrix of All Graces, the channel through whom the graces of God are distributed.

In everyday life it is often necessary to have someone with    connections    make an introduction

or arrange a  meeting with  an  important  personage.    A  person  can     go  to  the  top,     but  will

usually  be  rejected.    Knowing  someone  who  has  an    in    often opens the door.  Saints act like

God   s ambassadors.  God is honored when we ask their intercession.

Catholics do not worship Mary or the saints, but ask them to intercede with God and assist us.

They do not detour from God, but provide paths that lead individuals closer to Him.

To Jesus Through Mary

Although some claim, Catholics give Mary too much honor, the result of true devotion to Mary

is a greater  love  for  Jesus.    Rosary  processions end in  church  and  the  Blessing  of  the  Sick

following the Rosary is performed using a monstrance that houses the Blessed Sacrament.

Those who pray the daily Rosary usually faithfully receive the Sacraments of Penance and the

Holy  Eucharist  and  love  to  spend  time  in  church  in  front  of  the  tabernacle.    Catholics  don   t

worship Mary.  They respectfully honor her so she can better lead them to her Son.

241
Chapter 2, Verse 11.
242
Ad Diem illum.
243
1 Timothy 2, 5.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The Seven Sacraments

Our Lord instituted Seven Sacraments in order to offer special graces  that assist souls to

merit Heaven.  Each sacrament has a specific role to help a Catholic from birth to death.

Baptism washes  away original sin  from  the soul  and  makes  one  an  adopted child  of  God.

Penance forgives  the  sins  committed after Baptism by  the  absolution  of  the  priest.    The

Holy  Eucharist contains the  Body,  Blood,  Soul, and  Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ  under  the

appearance  of  bread  and  wine.  Confirmation strengthens  the  faith  of  its  recipient.

Matrimony blesses  the lifelong marriage  contract  and ensures  the  propagation  of  the

human  race.  Holy Orders provides ministers to offer  Mass  and  dispense  the  sacraments.

Extreme Unction prepares one to enter eternity.

Essential Elements of Each Sacrament

Every sacrament is composed of specific elements that are necessary for validity  matter,

form, intention,andminister.  These  vary  with  each  sacrament.    If  there  is  an  essential

change to any of these, the sacrament is invalid.

Matter for Each Sacrament

Baptismwater (preferably baptismal water)

Penancerepentant sin

Holy Eucharist unleavened bread and natural grape wine

Confirmation Holy Chrism (mixture of olive oil and balsam)

Matrimonylifelong marital contract

Holy Ordersimposition of hands by the bishop

Extreme Unction Oil of the Sick

Form for Each Sacrament

BaptismNameI baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Ghost.244

PenanceWords of Absolution

Holy Eucharist Words of Consecration

ConfirmationI sign thee with the sign of the Cross and I confirm thee with

the chrism of salvation in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Ghost.245

MatrimonyMarriage Vows

Holy OrdersWords of the Special Preface recited by the bishop

Extreme Unction Words used at the anointings

244
N. Ego te baptizo in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
245
N. Signo te signo cru+cis et confirmo te Chrismate salutis.  In nomine Pa+tris, et Fi+lii, et Spiritus+Sancti.

74                                       WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Intention for Each Sacrament

A minister must have the intention to do what the Church does or what Christ intends.  If a

person  makes  a  contrary  or  indeterminate  intention, the  sacrament is  invalid  since  it no

longer becomes what Christ intended.

Minister for Each Sacrament

The  priest  is  the  normal  minister  for  Baptism,  Penance,  Holy  Eucharist,  Matrimony, and

Extreme  Unction.246  The  bishop  is  the  minister  of  Confirmation  and  Holy  Orders.   The

married couple  confer  the  Sacrament  of  Matrimony  on  each  other.   In  danger  of  death,

anyone  can  confer  Baptism  as  long  as  the  person follows  the  rite  exactly  and  has the

intention to do what Christ intends.247

The worthiness of the minister has no effect on the validity of a sacrament as long as the

person has been validly consecrated a bishop or validly ordained a priest.248

Sacraments Confer Grace

Theologians use the Latin termsex opere operato249 to indicate, sacraments that are validly

confected, give sanctifying  grace  and  sacramental  grace (that  corresponds  to  each

sacrament).  If one is unrepentant or knowingly receives the Holy Eucharist, Confirmation,

Matrimony,  Holy  Orders, or  Extreme  Unction  in  the  state  of  mortal  sin,  the  recipient

receives no grace from these sacraments until he or she has made a good confession.

The Dispositions of the Recipient are Important

The  dispositions  of  the  recipient  can  increase  the  amount  of  grace  received from  a

sacrament.  This is calledex opere operantis.250  St. Cyril of Jerusalem encourages recipients

to  prepare  properly  for  each  sacrament  and  fervently  receive  them in  order  to  earn

abundant graces.

Three Oils Used in the Sacraments

OSOleum Sanctum Oil of CatechumensorHoly Oil is used at Baptism and Holy Orders.

SCSanctum ChrismaHoly Chrism is used at Baptism, Confirmation

and the Consecration of a Bishop.

OIOleum InfirmorumOil of the Sick is used in Extreme Unction.

Sacraments  are  precise  and  exact  because  Christ  made  them  that  way.    They  are  not

mere expressions of faith.  They give God   s grace.

246
On September 14, 1946, the Congregation of the Sacraments gave priests permission to confirm those in danger of death
when no bishop is available.
247
If there is doubt if a person is alive the priest says:Si vivis, ego te baptizo in nomine Pa+tris, et Fi+lii, et Spiritus+Sancti.
248
The Donatist heresy, started by Bishop Donatus, erroneously claimed that sinful ministers rendered a sacrament invalid.
The Catholic Church teaches that an unworthy minister commits a sacrilege by administering a sacrament while in the
state of mortal sin, but the sacrament is still validly conferred.
249
Through the rite having been accomplished.
250
From the efforts of the person.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Baptism

Our Lord stressed the importance of Baptism before ascending into Heaven when He told the

Apostles to    Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the

Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy Spirit,  teaching  them  to  observe  all that I  have

commanded you      251  St. Paul spoke of       one Lord, one faith, one Baptism.   252

The  wordbaptismis  derived  from  the  Greek  wordto wash.  Jesus determined the  intention,

decided on the use of water and chose specific words to be used at the ceremony.

Infant Baptismdates  back  toApostolic Times.   Catholic  parents  have a  serious  obligation to

have their children baptized within two weeks of a child   s birth because Baptism is necessary

for  salvation.  Jesus  Christ  said,    Amen,  amen  I  say  to  thee,  unless  a  man  be  born  again  of

water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.   253

The sacrament should not be postponed until children are older.  Adults and older children who

wish to be baptized must receive adequate instruction.  They must also desire to  be  baptized

and be sorry for all their sins since Baptism forgives the sins of the person who receives it.

Effects of Baptism

1)  Takes away original sin, all personal sin and punishment due to sin

2)  Infuses sanctifying grace and faith, hope and charity into the soul

3)  Makes the recipient an adopted child of God and an heir of Heaven

4)  One becomes a temple of the Holy Ghost and holy and pleasing to God

5)  Imprints a permanent mark on the soul

Our  Lord  established  Baptism  to remove original sin from  the  soul   the sin inherited  from

Adam that makes one an  enemy  of  God.  Baptism also gives sanctifying  grace, making the

baptized person part of God   s royal family.  This is symbolized by the royal wedding garment

mentioned by St. Matthew254 that is necessary for admission into Heaven.

Three Manners of Conferring Baptism

Infusion The form commonly used today.  The priest pours water over the forehead of the

recipient while simultaneously pronouncing the form.  Water must flow over the

skin of the forehead for the sacrament to be valid.

Immersion An individual walks into a body of water while the bishop, priest or deacon

pronounces the form.  This practice was frequently used in the early Church.

Widespread use ended in the thirteenth century.

AspersionThe practice of sprinkling baptismal water over the forehead while pronouncing

the baptismal formula is discouraged since there is danger that the water may

not properly flow over the skin of the recipient.

251
Matthew 28, 19-20.
252
Ephesians 4, 15.
253
John 3, 5.
254
Chapter 22, 1-14.

76                                     WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Types of Baptism

Solemn Conferred by a bishop or priest.  The deacon is considered the extraordinary

minister of Baptism.

Emergency Anyone can baptize when there is imminent danger of death.  There has to be

(Private) an assurance of the Catholic upbringing of the individual in the event the

person survives.  The parents have a serious obligation to have a priest perform

the additional ceremonies as soon as possible.255

Conditional When a reasonable doubt remains whether a previous Baptism was valid or not, a

Conditional Baptism is performed.  The normal ceremonies of Baptism are

observed, but when it comes to the actual baptismal ceremony, different words

are used.  (Name)  If you are not baptized, I baptize you in the name of the

Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.256

If the previous Baptism was invalid, the conditional one validly baptizes the

individual.  If the previous Baptism was valid, nothing occurs.

Special Ceremonies Used during the Baptism of Infants

It is customary in the United States for infants, children and adults to be baptized using the

ceremony for the Baptism of Infants.  The Baptism of Adults ceremonies are quite lengthy.

During the Baptism, the priest wears a white surplice and a reversible violet and white stole.

The violet side is worn during the opening ceremonies and the white side is used from the short

Profession of Faith until the rite is completed.

Although thePriest   s New Ritualand theCollectio Rituum give an English translation of part

of  the  ceremony,  the  exorcisms,  anointings  and  essential  form  of  the  rite  must  be  recited  in

Latin.   The  ritual  gives the  plural  form for  some  prayers  if  more  than  one  person  is  being

baptized.  Other prayers are in singular form and must be said over each individual.

Baptismal Sponsors Every person being baptized in the Catholic Church must have two

sponsors   one male and one female.  These are often called Godparents.

Parents and spouses cannot act as sponsors.

Sponsors are baptized Catholics who have attained the use of

reason257 and will ensure the Catholic upbringing of the person

being baptized in the event, the parents die or stop practicing

the faith.  They should be exemplary, practicing Catholics.

The Godmother holds the baby during the ceremonies to symbolize

spiritual relationship.  The Godfather is to touch the shoulder

of the person being baptized while the water is being poured.

Sponsors reply to the questions of the priest unless the individual

is able to respond.  If a sponsor cannot attend the ceremony for a

good reason, another may act as proxy.

255
Canon 759.
256
N.  Si non est baptizatus(for a male,baptizatafor a female)ego te baptizo in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
257
Canon Law says a sponsor should be at least 14 years of age unless there is a good reason for an exception.

The Sacrament of Baptism                                                 77

TheCatechism of the Council of Trentreminds sponsors of their serious obligation before God.

Due to loss of faith or negligence of parents, godparents may need to be actively involved in the

spiritual welfare of their godchildren.  This may include instruction, encouragement or advice.

Ceremonies Begin in the church vestibule to symbolize that the unbaptized person is not

yet a member of the Catholic Church.

Questions The person who wants to be baptized is asked: What is your name?

What do you ask of the Church of God?    Faith.

What does faith offer you? Life everlasting.

Sufflation The priest blows over the person three times in the form of cross

praying that the devil departs and the Holy Ghost enters the soul.

Signs of the Cross The priest makes numerous signs of the Cross on the forehead of the

person being baptized to remind him that Jesus redeemed mankind.

Imposition of the Hand of the priest symbolizes his authority.

Blessed Salt is placed on the tongue of the person being baptized to symbolize the

necessity of preserving sanctifying grace.

Exorcisms There are several exorcisms during the ceremony.  These are

commands by the priest that the devil leave the individual.

Entrance into church Sponsors hold the end of the priest   s stole and proceed to the

baptismal font praying the Apostles Creed and Our Father.

Ephpheta The priest touches the ears and nostrils of the person being baptized

in imitation of the like actions of Christ.  This symbolizes opening

one   s ears to the grace of God.

Anointing with Holy Oil The priest anoints the person to be baptized with Holy Oil (OS) on

the lower neck and on the back of the neck between the shoulder   s.

This symbolizes that each Catholic is precious in the sight of God.

Renunciation of the Devil The person to be baptized makes a formal renunciation of the

devil, of his temptations and display (pomps) and works.

Baptismal vows are annually renewed during the Easter Vigil.

Profession of Faith The priest changes to the white stole and asks the individual

who will soon be baptized if he or she believes in the Blessed Trinity:

Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  The person is then asked if he or she

wants to be baptized.

The Baptism The priest or person performing the Baptism says the Christian name

of the person being baptized and continues reciting the form while

simultaneously pouring baptismal water over the skin on the person   s

forehead three times in the form of a cross.

The Name of a Saint is given to the child by its parents since the Church wants each

Catholic to have a heavenly patron to be inspired by the holy life

78                                     WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

of the individual.  The middle name of the person being baptized

only needs to be said by the priest during the first inquiry (at the

beginning of the rite), during the actual baptism and at the dismissal.

The Godmother should tilt the head of the child over the baptismal font so the water can flow

easily over the skin.  The priest afterwards wipes the individual   s forehead with a towel.

Anointing with Holy Chrism Following the Baptism, the priest recites a prayer and anoints the

crown of the head of the newly baptized person with Holy Chrism

in the form of a cross.

White Garment A white linen cloth is placed on the head of the baptized individual

to symbolize baptismal innocence (remaining in the state of grace,

free from mortal sin).

Lighted Candle A lighted decorative candle is presented to the Godparents (during

the Baptism of Infants) or to the individual who has been baptized

(if they have attained the use of reason).  It symbolizes, Christ is

the Light of the World and that the newly baptized person should

be a good example by leading a life of virtue.  The family keeps the

baptismal candle once the ceremony concludes.

Reception of Converts

The Catholic Church has special laws and procedures for the reception of converts.  Since some

Protestant baptisms are valid, a priest must investigate each.

1) If the convert has never been baptized or the previous Baptism has been found to be

invalid, the person receives the Catholic rite of Baptism.

2) If the previous Baptism remains doubtful, the convert makes an Abjuration of Error or

Profession of Faith, receives conditional absolution from censures, is conditionally

baptized, and receives the Sacrament of Penance with conditional absolution.

3) If the previous Baptism was valid, the convert makes an Abjuration of Error or

Profession of Faith, is absolved from censures, receives the Sacrament of Penance

with absolution, and then the ceremonies of Baptism are supplied.258

258
The priest goes through the rite of Baptism (anointings, prayers, etc.) with the convert but omits the baptismal ceremony.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Penance

God Expects a Virtuous Life

God expects humans to ask for His grace in prayer, obey the Ten Commandments and follow

His  designs.   The  Book  of  Genesis  says:    I  am  the  Almighty  God:  walk  before  Me,  and  be

perfect.   259  During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeated this message.     You therefore are

to  be  perfect,  even  as  your  Heavenly  Father  is  perfect.   260  The  Fourth  Lateran  Council

interprets this quote to mean:    Be perfect by the perfection of grace as your Heavenly Father is

perfect by the perfection of nature.   261

Nothing defiled shall enter Heaven.  Atonement must be made for sin in this life or the next.

God does not desire the eternal  death  of  sinners,  but wants them to be converted and live.262

Holy Scripture tells us to seek God while He may be found, and call upon Him in prayer while

He is near.  Everyone has free will, but after death it is too late to repent.

Sacrament of Mercy and Forgiveness

The Sacrament of Penance263 forgives sin and also gives special graces to help one avoid sin in

the future. It gives an individual the chance to repent and return to God.  One   s salvation may

depend on using this sacrament efficaciously.

Penance is the sacrament whereby sins, committed after Baptism, are forgiven by God through

the absolution of the priest.  TheCatechism of the Council of Trent compares this sacrament to

a  plank  after  a  shipwreck.    Since so  many  lose  their  baptismal  innocence  by  mortal  sin,

Penance is the only means of being assured of regaining God   s friendship.

Our  Lord frequently forgave  sins  when  He  lived  on  earth and He  gave  that  same  power  to

Catholic  priests  and  bishops.  On  Easter, Christ  said  to  the  Apostles  and  their  successors:

Receive  the  Holy  Spirit;  whose  sins  you shall forgive,  they are forgiven them and whose sins

you shall retain, they are  retained.   264  Jesus gave  St.  Peter  the  Keys  of  the  Kingdom  of

Heaven,265therefore, priests and bishops share thepower of the keys by having the commission

and authority to forgive sin.266

Confession  reopens  the  Gates  of  Heaven  to  one  who  has committed  mortal  sin, repented  and

received absolution.  The many special graces bestowed by the Sacrament of Penance also helps

protect a person from falling into Hell.

Catholics must go to confession at least once a year.  This is a serious obligation binding under

pain of sin.  Confession done over the phone is invalid.

Sin

It is necessary to understand the great evil and malice of sin since many people today justify it

as just being part of everyday life.  Sin is open rebellion against God; it is defiance of His laws.

God is infinite, so every sin is, in a sense, an infinite offense.

259
Chapter 17, Verse 1.
260
Matthew 5, 48.
261
Conc. Lateran. IV, cap. Damnamus,(Denzinger-Bannwart,Enchiridion,n. 432.)
262
Ezechiel 33, 11.
263
Commonly known as confession.
264
John 20, 23.
265
Matthew 16, 19.
266
See Matthew 18, 18.  See Canon George Smith, DD, PhD,The Teaching of the Catholic Church: Volume II,pp. 957-958.

80                                        WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Since  God  is  offended  by every sin,  there  is  a  penalty attached  to  each.   Venial  sins  will  be

atoned for in the temporary fire of Purgatory.  Unrepentant mortal sins will be punished in the

eternal fires of Hell.  It is not something to be taken lightly.

Sin is not neutral since it can destroy an individual and harm one   s family, friends, community,

and job.  Repeated sinful actions form bad habits that can lead to addiction.

People can become  apathetic to the dangers of  sin, its evil  nature  and  deadly  consequences

especially since society downplays its gravity today.  Many become slaves to sin.

Sin  must  be overcome by  self-control.    This is  achieved  by  means  of  prayer,  avoidance  of

occasions of sin, frequentation of the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist, and constant

vigilance.  A good life gives peace of soul.  An evil life creates regret and remorse.

The Confessional Seal

It is important to realize the priest has the power to forgive all sins and they remain under the

confessional  seal.  Every sin  that  has  been confessed remains confidential  and  will  never  be

told to anyone.  St. John Nepomucene of Bohemia died defending the confessional seal.

Satisfaction

Satisfactionis derived from two Latin words that meandoing enough.  God is all-just and He

demands  restitution  for  sins  committed  against  justice  including  embezzlement,  stealing,

vandalism, etc.  The sinner must repay the person or company harmed, or if this is impossible,

repay relatives, or give the money to the needy, or the Church.

Those who have willfully tarnished the good reputation of another must attempt to restore the

good name of that individual.  The priest will counsel the penitent if restitution is to be made

for their sins.  Ill-gotten goods never bring happiness.

Contrition

The Council of Trent definescontrition as       sorrow and detestation for sin committed, with a

purpose of sinning no more.   267  Jesus told Mary Magdalene to go and sin no more.  Those who

go  to  confession  need  to  follow  this  admonition.  People  may fall  through  weakness,  but  a

person who makes no effort and refuses to avoid occasions of sin is not really sorry.

Perfect contritionis sorrow for having offended God. Imperfect contrition is sorrow for sin out of

fear of going to Hell. Either suffices for validly receiving the Sacrament of Penance.

Perfect  contrition is  based  on  love  of  God,  not  merely  saving  one   s  soul  from  Hell.  A  person

should  always  try  to  have  perfect  contrition  when  going  to  confession.  Love  of  God  then

becomes the motivating force in striving for virtue and overcoming temptation.

Free Will

God created all human beings with an eternal destiny.  Each year, month, week, hour, minute,

and  second  is  a  gift  of  God.   The joys  and  pleasures of  life  are  short-lived  and  shallow.   The

world cannot give perfect happiness because souls are destined for Heaven.

267
Sess. xiv, De Poenit. cap. 4. can. 5; Sess. vi, xiv.

The Sacrament of Penance                                                    81

People have a choice to either love God, obey the Ten Commandments and lead a virtuous life

or live  a  life  of self-love, pride  and self-gratification and  never achieve happiness  here  or

hereafter.  To  merit  Heaven  one  must  be  baptized, love  God  and  neighbor, obey  the  Ten

Commandments, and die in the state of grace.

Confessing to God  s Representative

Many non-Catholics despise confession since  they  say  they can confess  their  sins directly  to

God.  A person confessing sins to God receives no assurance that his or her sins are forgiven.

Priests  and  bishops  have  been  given  a  divine  mission of working for  the  salvation  of  souls.

They are God   s ambassadors who forgive sin by the command and with the power of Christ.

Proper Procedure Before and During Confession

1)Examination of Conscience

An individual needs to review the Ten Commandments, Laws of the Church

and duties of one   s state of life in order to see how he or she has offended God

by sin.  This can be done at home or in a pew before going to confession.

2)Sorrow for Sin

A person must hate sin and be sorry for all sins committed.

3)Firm Purpose of Amendment

One must be willing to avoid and remove all occasions of sin.

4)Tell One  s Sins Truthfully to the Priest

Give the number of sins, kind of sins and any circumstances that affected

them.  When an individual is finished say:I am sorry for these and all the sins

of my past especially... Then name a sin of the past for which he or she is sorry.

This shows repentance and tells the priest that their confession is finished.

5)Listen to the Advice the Priest Gives

He is God   s representative and wants to help.

6)Pray the Act of Contrition

Once told to do so by the priest.  He will then give absolution.

7)Perform The Penance the Priest Gives the Penitent

These prayers or good works repair for sins and replaces suffering in Purgatory

for venial sins or the eternal fires of Hell for mortal sins.

Getting the Most Out of Each Confession

The better one   s dispositions are, the more graces an individual receives from each confession

and the more temporal punishment (Purgatory time) is removed.  It is a good practice to first

say all mortal sins in order not to omit them later out of fear.

Some parishes reserve a pew in  the  back  of  church for  those  going  to  confession while others

form  a  line.    There  is  usually  a  card with  an examination  of conscience  to  assist  penitents.

Lights indicate that someone  is  in  the  confessional and  the priest is  hearing  confessions.    A

sign with the name of the priest often hangs from his door.

82                                        WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Pastors  often  invite  other  priests  to  hear  confessions  during  Advent,  Lent  and  missions  in

order to give their flock the opportunity to go to confession to another priest in case people are

uncomfortable confessing their sins to a particular priest.  This helps both parishes.

Sound travels so penitents need to speak in a low tone of voice in the confessional.  If a person

overhears the sins of another, he or she is bound never to reveal that information to others.

Most confessionals are like three small closets with kneelers on each side of the priest who is

seated in the middle.  The priest has sliding doors that connects to the side confessionals and

allows him to hear one confession at a time.

When receiving the Sacrament of Penance, be calm and confess sins truthfully.  The penitent

needs  to  tell  the  priest how  many  times each  sin  was committed  and  any  circumstances  that

may change the gravity of the offense.  If the priest needs a clarification, he will ask the person

to explain.

If one doubts whether something is sinful or not, ask the priest.  He is there to listen, guide,

forgive, and encourage.  Don   t rush a confession; also don   t go into unnecessary details.

Once  a  person  commits  a  mortal  sin,  he  or  she  loses  all  merits  from  their  actions  and  the

individual  becomes  an  enemy  of  God.    One who dies  unrepentant  will  be  eternally  separated

from God.  The Sacrament of Penance restores all merits a person has acquired and reunites

that individual to the friendship of God.

How to Go to Confession

After entering the confessional, kneel down, make the Sign of the Cross and say:

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.  My last confession was_______(weeks or months ago).

If this is the first confession, say:

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.  This is my first confession.

Then tell the priest your sins and how many times you have committed them.  When you have

finished confessing your sins say:

I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past, especially (then mention a sin you are sorry for

that you have already confessed).

The priest will talk to you and give you a penance (some prayers) and will tell you to say the

Act of Contrition.

Then say the Act of Contrition while the priest recites prayers in Latin (absolution) to forgive

your sins.  When the priest has finished, return to your place and say the prayers given to you

for your penance.

Be Prepared

It is a good practice for individuals and families to pray the Act of Contrition every night before

retiring.  This prayer asks God for pardon and helps familiarize children and adults with the

prayer  recited in  the  confessional  when  the  priest  gives  absolution.    Parents  need  to  spend  a

few  minutes  explaining  the  meaning  of  the  words  for  their  little  ones,  especially  those

preparing for their first confession and First Holy Communion.

The Sacrament of Penance                                                    83

The Act of Contrition

O  my  God,  I  am  heartily  sorry  for  having  offended  Thee,  and  I  detest  all  my  sins,  because  I

dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my

God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love.  I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace,

to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.  Amen.

Additional Information

If a person honestly forgot to confess a mortal sin, the sin is forgiven and the individual may

receive Holy Communion but must confess the sin if it comes to mind again.

Reception  of  the  Sacrament  of  Penance  must  be  accompanied  by  true  repentance  and

amendment of life.  The confessional is not a revolving door that justifies sin; it fortifies one to

avoid sin and practice a life of virtue.

An individual must do everything necessary to always remain in the state of grace and prepare

for  death since God  gives each  person  only so  many years  and  days  on  earth.    Once  death

occurs, there is no second chance.

Do What is Right

Amendment of Life can be summarized in a few words:

1) Make time to pray daily.  This will give grace and inner strength.

2) Don   t complain   most people don   t listen anyway.  Just do what is necessary for salvation.

3) Don   t judge others   pray for them.  Each person will have enough to answer for at death.

4) Forgive injuries.  God forgives sinners in proportion as they forgive others.

5) Don   t hold grudges.  Only God is perfect.   He is patient.  Follow His example.

6) Be kind.  Say a kind word, lend a helping hand and assist when possible.

7) Never retaliate.  It only perpetuates hatred.

8) Don   t hoard.  Once one   s needs are filled, share with others.

9) Be pure in heart, word and mind.  Avoid anything that could tarnish purity.

10) Trust God.  He knows what He is doing.

11) Attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day.  It draws down immense blessings.

12) Go to Confession and Holy Communion frequently.  These give countless graces.

13) Be generous with God.  Repay His blessings by leading a good life and inspiring others.

Father, Physician and Judge

When the priest says:I absolve you from your sins, he forgives  sin  in  the  name  of  Christ  and

with the power of Christ that was given him at ordination.  Priests are commissioned by God to

help guide souls to Heaven and are therefore given the title:Father.

84                                        WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Priests fulfill the office of a spiritual father when they forgive sins, guide, encourage, and pray

for penitents who come to confession.  St. Paul considered himself a spiritual father when he

wrote,    For in Christ Jesus, through the gospel, did I beget you.   268

Priests  act  like  aspiritual  physician by  removing  the  cancer  of  sin  and  replacing  it  with

sanctifying grace and peace of soul.  Priests perform the office ofjudge when they take God   s

place and forgive repentant sinners.

Scriptural Quotes/ Writings from the Saints

add not sin upon sin.     (Ecclesiasticus 5, 5)

In all thy works remember thy last end.     (Ecclesiasticus 7, 40)

Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day.  For His wrath shall

come on a sudden, and in the time of vengeance He will destroy thee.     (Ecclesiasticus 5, 8-9)

Return to Me, and I will return to you, saith the Lord of Hosts.     (Malachias 3, 7)

I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.     (Jeremias 31, 34)

Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.     (Acts 3, 19)

I  have  blotted  out  thy  iniquities  as  a  cloud  and  thy  sins  as  a  mist:  return  to  Me;  for  I  have

redeemed thee.     (Isaias 44, 22)

My son, hast thou sinned?  Do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be

forgiven thee.     (Ecclesiasticus 21, 1)

If your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson,

they shall be white as wool.     (Isaias 1, 18)

If  the  wicked  do  penance  for  all  his  sins  which  he  hath  committed,  and  keep  all  My

commandments, and do judgment and justice, living he shall live, and shall not die.

(Ezechiel 18, 21)

My son, in thy sickness neglect not thyself, but pray to the Lord, and He shall heal thee.  Turn

away  from  sin,  and  order  thy  hands  aright,  and  cleanse  thy  heart  from  all  offense.

(Ecclesiasticus 38, 9, 13)

St.  Gregory relates  that  although  God  will pardon penitents, He has  not  promised  sinners

tomorrow.  Eternity  is  nothing  to  be  taken  lightly.    St.  Charles  Borromeo  said,     Forget

everything and everybody else, and think only of your own soul.   269

St. Ambrose simply describes the Sacrament of Penance:

Confession  delivers  the  soul  from  death.    Confession  opens  the  door  to  Heaven.  Confession
brings us hope of salvation.  Because of this the Scripture says    First tell thy iniquities, that you
may be justified.         For true repentance is grief of heart and sorrow of soul because of the evils
a  man  has  committed.    True  repentance  causes  us  to  grieve  over  our  offenses     with  the  firm
intention of never committing them again.270

268
1 Corinthians 4, 15.
269
Very Rev. Charles Callan,Illustrations for Sermons and Instructions, p. 209.
270
Migne   sPatrologiae Cursus Completus, Series Latina,17, Sermon 25. Serm. 9 for Lent, Edition Paris 1844-1866.

The Sacrament of Penance                                                    85

The Devil  s Favorite Traps

Although  devils  have  had  centuries  of  practice  in  their  attempts  to  lead  souls  to  Hell,  their

temptations can be summarized quite simply.  They often tell people:

1)It  s only a venial sin.

Every sin offends God and merits punishment in this life or the next.  Venial sins often

lead to mortal sins.

One needs to detest all sin because it offends God and hurts the individual and often others.

2)Everyone else is doing it.  It can  t be wrong.

It doesn   t matter what anyone else is doing.  Each person has a free will and there is no

excuse when someone does something known to be sinful.  At death, God will judge each

person individually.  At the General Judgment, each person stands alone.  Those who

knew better or encouraged others to sin will be more severely punished.

3)I might as well commit a few more mortal sins because I have to go to confession anyway.

This mindset caused many of Our Lord   s terrible sufferings during His Passion.  God is not

mocked.  He won   t forgive those who are not sorry and show no sign of repentance.  It is

difficult to detest sin after it has ruled one   s life.  It is foolish to wait until the end to be

contrite for sin.  A person may not get the chance to go to confession before death.

After a serious fall, one needs to return to God in prayer, break away from occasions of sin

and go to confession as soon as possible.  This will give the penitent God   s forgiveness and

special graces to do good and avoid evil in the future.

4)I am a hypocrite and will have to go to confession again.

Everyone is weak, but the Sacrament of Penance gives spiritual strength to help one

do good and avoid evil.  Our Lord instituted the sacrament to help individuals stay

close to Him and remain humble as His dear children, not to be self-centered and proud.

5)I can  t confess that.

Priests have heard almost everything and will never be shocked at sins confessed.  They

are there to listen and assist, like a doctor who monitors a person   s symptoms.  If one

doesn   t confess his or her sins in the anonymous confessional protected by the

confessional seal, he or she will have all their sins manifested to the entire world

at the General Judgment at the End of the World.

6)I am not going to go to confession because I am afraid of what the priest might think.

Doctors try to help people regain or maintain good physical health.  Priests want

penitents to have their sins forgiven, regain peace of soul and start anew.  Dedicated

doctors and priests want the best for those they serve.  Priests don   t remember the

sins they have heard and can never reveal anything heard in the confessional.

Priests are edified when a person has returned to God and try to do their utmost

to assist the individual going to confession.

7)There is no hope.  I am going to go to Hell anyway.

People usually feel remorse after they have sinned.  Demons try to make sinners feel

that God has abandoned them and that there is no hope of improvement.  They are liars

who only want people to lose their immortal souls and spend eternity in Hell with them.

God will always forgive one who is sincerely sorry and truly repentant.

86                                        WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

A Bad Confession

If one purposely conceals or leaves out a mortal sin in confession, the person commits a mortal

sin of sacrilege and none of the sins are forgiven.

In order to repair for a bad confession an individual must:

Tell the priest that you made a bad confession.

Say the sin or sins you left out.

Tell the priest the sacraments you received since then.

Confess  any  other  mortal  sins,  if  you  have  committed  any  since  your  last  good

confession.

Presumption

It is important never to put off one   s conversion since time often runs out before a person has a

chance  to  repent.    St.  Paul  writes:    Behold,  now  is  the  acceptable  time.    Now  is  the  day  of

salvation!   271

During the reign of King Henry VIII of England there was a nobleman who led a sinful life, but

presumed on God   s mercy.  He told St. Thomas More that all he had to do was say three simple

words when he was dying,    Lord, pardon me.     The saint warned him that such presumption

put him in danger of losing his immortal soul, but this had little effect.

As  the  man  was  one  day  crossing  a  bridge  over  a  swollen  river,  his  horse  became  frightened

and plunged into the raging waters.  The rider, who cursed the horse with the words,    May the

devil       was never seen again.

271
2 Corinthians 6, 2.

Chapter Thirty

The Holy Eucharist

Jesus Christ described the Holy Eucharist to His Apostles and a crowd in Capharnaum.

I am the Bread of Life.  Your fathers ate manna in the desert, and have died.  This is the bread
that comes down from Heaven, so that if anyone eat of it he will not die.  I am the living bread
that has come down from Heaven.  If anyone eat of this bread he shall live forever; and the bread
that I will give is My Flesh for the life of the world.272

Our Lord showed the importance of reception of this sacrament when He said:

Amen, amen I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood you
shall not have life in you.  He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has life everlasting and I
will raise him up on the last day.273

The Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist

TheBaltimore Catechismdefines theHoly Eucharist as the sacrament that contains the Body,

Blood,  Soul,  and  Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ  under  the  appearances  of  bread  and  wine.274 The

Council of Trent declares that

in the precious [almo]275 sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, after the consecration of the bread
and  wine,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  true  God  and  true  man,  is  truly,  really  and  substantially
contained under the species of those sensible things.276

Real  Presence of  Jesus  in  the  Holy  Eucharist is  a  proof  of  God   s  infinite  love  and one  of the

Catholic Faith   s greatest mysteries.  The Greek workeucharistmeansto give thanks.

Transubstantiation

Jesus changed bread and wine into his Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity at the Last Supper and

gave It to  His  Apostles.   In  order to  perpetuate  this event until the end  of  time,  He gave the

Apostles  and  their  successors   the popes,  bishops  and  priests  of  the  Catholic  Church,  the

power to affect this same miracle.

Transubstantiation is the word that describes the instantaneous change of the substance of the

bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ that occurs during the Consecration of the

Mass.  The accidents (traits) such as the color, shape and taste of the bread and wine remain,

but the substance is destroyed and replaced by Jesus Christ.

The Consecration of the Bread and Wine occur during the Canon of the Mass.  It begins with

theSanctusand ends with the prayerPer Ipsumjust before the Our Father.  The Greek word

canonmeansfixed rule.

Prefigurements of the Holy Eucharist

The manna in the desert that descended from Heaven and nourished the Chosen People was a

prefigurement  of  the  Holy  Eucharist.   Our  Lord  performed several miracles  to  prepare His

followers for this sacrament.  Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes on two occasions and changed

water into wine, a physical impossibility.

272
John 6, 48-52.
273
John 6, 54-55.
274
Rev. Thomas Kinkead,Baltimore Catechism, No. 4,p. 197.
275
Literally: nourishing.
276
Session XIII.

88                                       WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

When  individuals  receive  the  Holy  Eucharist  it  is  calledHoly  Communion.    The  word

communionis derived from two Latin words that meanunion with.  At each Holy Communion

a person is physically united with Jesus Christ.

Why Did Jesus Institute The Holy Eucharist?

Christ changed bread and wine into His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity and perpetuated this

miracle through His Church so He could be united with His children, received into their hearts

and souls, and remain in tabernacles worldwide.  This allows individuals to receive Our Lord,

love Him, come to Him with their problems, thank Him, petition Him, tell Him they are sorry

for their sins, and talk to Him.

Each  Holy  Communion resembles Christmas since  it  is an  opportunity  to  hold Our  Lord in

one   s heart and soul and spend time with Him.  At Holy Communion, a person has Christ all to

himself and doesn   t have to share Him with anyone.

Effects of Devoutly Receiving Holy Communion

The Holy Eucharistgives sanctifying grace, special sacramental graces, unites the recipient with

Christ, invigorates  the  soul,  remits  venial  sins, and  gives  one  strength to  help  overcome

temptation.

Requisites for Receiving Holy Communion

To receive Holy Communiona person must be a baptized Catholic, in the state of grace (have no

mortal  sins  on the soul),observe the communion fast,andhave the right intention(to receive

Holy Communion because that person loves God, not just because everyone else is going).

The Communion Fast

One may not eat, or drink alcoholic beverages forthree hours before receiving Communion.

A person cannot drink anything forone hour before reception of Holy Communion.

Water and necessary medicine may be takenanytime.

Reception of Holy Communion

When  receiving Holy  Communion,  go  to  the altar rail  and  place  your  hands  under  the  linen

cloth if one is draped over it.  Once the person next to you has received Communion, tilt your

head back, open your mouth and stick out your tongue, keeping it straight so the Host doesn   t

fall off.  The priest will then place the Host on your tongue while saying the words:    May the

Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting.  Amen.

Never chew the Host.  Swallow It as soon as it is moist enough.  If the Sacred Host sticks to the

roof of the mouth, never touch It, but use the tongue to assist in swallowing the Host.

Guidelines

Someone who has venial sins on the soul may receive Holy Communion.

A person may never receive Holy Communion if he or she has an unforgiven mortal sin

on the soul.  The person must go to confession first.

An individual who feels like vomiting should never receive Holy Communion.

One who has not observed the communion fast should not receive Holy Communion.

The Holy Eucharist                                                        89

Prayers of the Mass

The  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  contains  numerous  prayers  found from the  Canon to  the

Communion Prayers that describe the blessings received from attendance and from reception

of Holy Communion.  The prayers ask for graces for oneself, one   s family and friends, for the

good  of  one   s  soul, and  deliverance  from  harm.   It is also a petition for one to be  filled  with

every grace and heavenly blessing and reach Heaven, a place of comfort, light and peace.

Thanksgiving after Receiving Holy Communion

Jesus  stays in one   s heart  for  about  15  minutes after  a  person receives Holy  Communion.

Therefore,  it  is  important  to  focus  on  what  is  happening   speak  to  Our  Lord,  offer  Him  your

love, petition Christ for your spiritual and physical needs, pray for all your loved ones and the

Faithful Departed, tell Him you are sorry for your sins, and talk to Jesus.

Use this time well.  Don   t waste it by looking at others or being distracted.  Don   t rush out of

church quickly after Mass.  Spend a few moments to complete a thanksgiving.  The time when

Jesus reposes in one   s heart is the most precious of the day.

Many say the Prayer before the Crucifix after Communion with an Our Father, Hail Mary and

Glory Be.  This offers a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.

First Holy Communion

Those  planning  on  making  their  First  Holy  Communion  must  have  attained  the  age  of

reason,277 be  able  to  distinguish  the  Holy  Eucharist  from  regular  bread  and  make  a  proper

thanksgiving.  The person needs to understand what has been covered in this chapter including

information  about  the  communion  fast  and  how  to  make  a  thanksgiving.  The  Sacrament  of

Penance is customarily received before making First Communion.

An  individual also  needs  to  know  basic  Catholic  beliefs  including  the Blessed  Trinity, how  to

properly  make  the  Sign  of  the  Cross,  the Ten Commandments,  Laws  of  the  Church, and the

Holy  Days  of  Obligation.278  The  person should  know  the  Apostles  Creed, how  to  go  to

confession  and memorize  the  Act  of  Contrition.  On  the  day of First  Holy  Communion, boys

wear a suit and tie and girls a white dress and veil.  At the communion rail, they hold a candle

that symbolizes their love for Jesus.

Easter Duty

The Catholic Church commands  the  faithful  who  have  made  their  First  Holy  Communion to

receive Holy Communion during Easter time under the pain of mortal sin.  This period, in the

United States, extends from the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday.

The  Easter  Duty  also  includes  going  to  confession  once  a  year.   This  period  extends  from

January 1  to  December  31.   If  one  does  not  fulfill  this  serious  obligation, that  person  is  not

considered to be a practicing Catholic and the Church forbids ecclesiastical burial.

277
Age of Reason, the name given to that period of human life at which persons are deemed to begin to be morally responsible.
Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 1, p. 209.
278
The bookThe Family Catechism wonderfully adapts Catholic beliefs to the mind of a child especially in these areas.  It is
available from stjosephsmedia.com.

90                                       WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Holy Viaticum

Holy Communion presented to a person for the last time is called Holy Viaticum      food for the

journey.       The  priest  uses the  following form  for  the sacrament for a  dying  person:    Receive

brother  (sister),  the  Viaticum  of  the  Body  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  He  may  guard  you

from the malignant enemy (the devil) and lead you into eternal life.  Amen.   279

From Time into Eternity

As life fades and judgment looms, many desire to make their peace with God.  Everyone desires

a tranquil death, but one must use the means necessary to achieve it.

When  death  is  imminent,  everyone  wants  to  have family  and close  friends  nearby.    What

greater friend is there than Our Lord Who died on the Cross in order to redeem and save souls?

What a consolation at death for Jesus to enter a person   s heart and soul!  Since the journey to

eternity begins  with  the  Particular  Judgment  at  the time of  passing,  reception  of the

Sacrament  of  Penance  and Holy  Viaticum  allows  individuals to renew their  friendship with

God.  What a blessed way to enter eternity!

Final Perseverance

Catholics recite the words,    Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death    every time

they pray the Hail Mary.  These are some of the most important words they will ever say.

St. Francis of Assisi said as wax disappears before fire and dust is scattered by the wind, so the

entire army of evil spirits flees at the simple invocation of the name of Mary.

Final perseverance is the special gift of God by which one dies in the state of sanctifying grace.

St. Augustine teaches that    God grants final perseverance only to those who ask Him for it.   280

It is imperative to pray daily for a holy and happy death.

A Sacrilegious Communion

A Catholic maynever go to Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin.   This is a sacrilege and

a very serious sin.  In order to have mortal sin(s) forgiven, an individual must go to confession.

Parishioners  shouldnever judge those  not  receiving  Holy  Communion  since  some individuals

may  have received  communion  at  an  earlier  Mass  or not  fulfilled  the  communion  fast.

Catholics may only receive Holy Communion once a day.

Seeing with the Eyes of Faith

A great miracle once occurred during the reign of King Louis IX (St. Louis) of France.  Jesus

appeared radiantly from the Sacred Host in a church in Paris.

Multitudes flocked to see this proof of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.  The

king  was  requested  to  view  the  marvel,  but  said  he  didn   t  need  to  go  since  his  faith already

allowed him to see what others viewed with their eyes.

279
Accipe frater (soror), Viaticum Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi, qui te custodiat ab hoste maligno, et perducat in vitam
aeternum.  Amen.
280
Benedictine Convent of Perpetual Adoration, Clyde, Missouri,Prayer: the Great Means of Grace,p. 10.

Chapter Thirty-One

Confirmation

The Apostles were cowardly before Pentecost.  Peter denied knowing Christ.  The others were

afraid they might be crucified like Jesus.  After Pentecost, they became changed men.

The Catechism of the Council of Trent demonstrated the far-reaching effects of Confirmation by

noting that once  the  Holy  Ghost  came  upon the  Apostles,  the timid  fishermen were

transformed into valiant missionaries who traversed the globe and converted many to Christ.

A Powerful Sacrament

Confirmation  is the sacrament by which  the  Holy  Ghost  comes  to the recipient in  a  special

manner and enables that person to become a spiritually strong and mature281 Christian.  It also

helps one profess the faith as a soldier of Jesus Christ.  The person who is confirmed chooses to

remain  on  God   s  side  and  combat  the  world,  fallen  human  nature, and  the  devil  that  wars

against God.

In order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, a person must be baptized, in the state of

grace and know the basic tenets of the Catholic Faith.

Effects of Confirmation

Confirmation  gives the  recipient the  Seven  Gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  strengthens  one   s  faith,

gives an increase of sanctifying grace, and imprints a permanent seal on the soul.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

Wisdom puts life into perspective allowing one to see things the way God does.

Understanding gives a person a deeper grasp of the faith to distinguish truth from error.

Counsel guides an individual to make the right decisions.

Fortitude     gives spiritual strength to keep the commandments and lead a virtuous life.

Knowledge assists one to understand God   s goodness and the value of the soul.

Piety helps a person grow in love of God and neighbor.

Fear of the Lord inspires an individual with a reverential fear of offending God.

The Gifts of the Holy Ghost are infused into  the  soul.  The more they are utilized, the closer

one is drawn to God and holiness.  Pope Leo XIII wrote:    These gifts of the Holy Ghost are of

such efficacy that they lead the confirmed Christian to the very summit of holiness.   282

Permanent Seal on the Soul

There  are  three  sacraments  that  place  a  permanent  seal  (mark)  on  the  soul   Baptism,

Confirmation and Holy Orders.  Therefore, they can be received only once.  In Heaven, these

marks will be a source of glory.

281
The graces received help one develop a deeper interior life and closer union with God.
282
Divinum Illud Munus, 1897.

92                                          WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost

The fruits of the Holy Ghost are present in one who has received Confirmation and cooperates

with the special graces of the sacrament.

Charity, Joy,Peace, Patience

Goodness,Kindness283 Mildness

Modesty,Chastity, Continency

Long Suffering284and Faith285

The opposite vices will often be present in one who is not practicing the Faith.

The Confirmation Ceremony

The rite often begins with the chanting of theVeni Creator Sancte, although this is not of

obligation.  The bishop then recites prayers asking that the Holy Ghost come upon those being

confirmed, that  the  power  of  the Most  High  guard  them  from  sin and for the  confirmed to

receive the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

At the beginning of the rite, the person being confirmed is addressed by the bishop, who uses

the  Latin  vocative  form  of  the  name  chosen  by  theconfirmandi.286  Those  being  confirmed

choose  a Confirmation name of a  saint they  would  like  to  imitate  and  have  as  a  special

heavenly patron.

The bishop then places his right hand on the head of theconfirmandi and anoints the forehead

with Holy Chrism287 while reciting the form of the sacrament after which the server answers,

Amen.  The bishop or server wipes excess oil from the forehead after each anointing.

The bishop then says,Pax tecum(peace be with you) while administering a slight slap to the

cheek of the person being confirmed.  This is done in order to remind the individual to live the

Catholic Faith and be willing, if necessary, to suffer and die for Christ.

Pope  Pius  XI said soldiers  of  Christ  who  are  engaged  in  a  spiritual  combat  should  not  focus

solely  on  personal  sanctification,  but should also strive  to  save  others  souls.  St.  Hippolytus

described Confirmation in his workApostolic Tradition.288 TheGelasian Sacramentaryof  the

ninth century gives the form of the sacrament that is used today.

Confirmation Sponsors

A Confirmation sponsor must be a baptized Catholic who was previously confirmed, knows

the basic  beliefs  of  the Faith,  is 14  years  of  age  or  older,289 and  of  the  same  sex  as  the

person being confirmed.

283
Also calledBenignity.  Fr. Faber said that supernatural    kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence or learning
and these three things have never converted anybody without kindness having something to do with it.
Dom J. Chautard, OCR, TheSoul of the Apostolate, pp. 128-129.
284
To patiently bear adversity.
285
Fidelity to God.
286
Person about to be confirmed.
287
Holy Chrism symbolizes spiritual strength and a good life.
288
Third century, p. 22.
289
Unless there is a good reason.

The Sacrament of Confirmation                                             93

A parent or spouse cannot be a sponsor and a sponsor used at Baptism cannot be used as a

Confirmation sponsor.

During the Confirmation ceremony, the sponsor stands behind the person being confirmed

and  holds  a  card  with  the  Confirmation  name290 of  the  individual  in  the  left  hand  while

placing  the  right  hand  on  the  right  shoulder  of  the  individual  as  he  or  she  receives  the

sacrament.

Closing Ceremonies

The  bishop  then  washes  his  hands  with  lemon,291 bread, cotton, and  water, as the choir

sings an antiphon (hymn)Confirma hoc Deus.  The bishop then says a closing prayer, gives

a blessing and speaks to those who have been confirmed and their sponsors.  The confirmed

are then asked to stand and recite the Apostles Creed, Our Father and Hail Mary.

The Visit of the Bishop

The annual visit of the bishop is a special event for each parish.  He is a successor of the

Apostles and should be shown the respect due to his elevated office.  Bishops are addressed

by the phraseyour excellency.  It is customary to kiss the bishop   s ring when greeting him292

and before receiving Holy Communion.

Symbols of the Bishop  s Office and Authority

A  number  of  symbols  represent  the  bishop   s office.    These  include his episcopal  ring, miter,

staff (crozier), pectoral cross, skullcap (zucchetto), Roman purple sash, and shoulder cape.  The

bishop   s crozier  is  shaped  like  a  shepherd   s  staff  to  symbolize  leading  souls  entrusted  to  his

care and retrieving those who have wandered or strayed.

A Sacrament of Spiritual Maturity

Since most Catholics are baptized as infants, Confirmation is an external acknowledgement of

an individual   s acceptance of the Catholic Faith and all it entails.  Sponsors renounced Satan

for  those  baptized  as  infants  and  made  acts  of  faith  for  them  in  the  Blessed  Trinity.    At

Confirmation,confirmandicome to the communion rail of their own volition.

They personally choose  their  Confirmation  name, are  anointed  on  the  forehead,  receive  the

imposition  of  the  bishop   s  hands  and  recite  prayers  aloud when  requested  to  do  so.    They

receive a sacrament that will assist them for years to come.

The Importance of Confirmation Today

In  an  age  that  has  rejected  God  and  mocks  religion,  it  is  more  important  than  ever  for

young Catholics to receive this sacrament to help them practice and defend the Faith and

explain it to others.  The Gifts of the Holy Ghost remain for life and should be utilized daily.

290
Written in the Latin vocative form so the bishop can read it during the ceremony.
291
To remove what remains of the Holy Chrism.
292
Those who are able customarily genuflect on the left knee while doing so.

94                                          WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Extraordinary Minister in Danger of Death

In accordance with a Decree of the Congregation of the Sacraments, dated 14th September,
1946, and taking effect on 1st January 1947, parish priests or their equivalent (not, however,
their curates or assistants) are empowered by a general indult of the Holy See to administer
this Sacrament [Confirmation],  as  extraordinary ministers, to the faithful within their own
territory  when  they  are  truly  in  danger  of  death  by  sickness,  and  when  the  bishop  of  the
diocese or other bishop in communion with the Holy See, is not available.  The reason of this
measure  is  to  ensure that  the  grace  of  Confirmation,  which  though  not  necessary  for
salvation, is yet of great spiritual profit to the soul and a means of greater glory in Heaven,
may not be denied to the many infants, children and adults who, being in danger of death by
sickness might never be able to obtain it if the Church insisted upon the exact observance of
the common law in regard to the ordinary minister of this Sacrament.293

293
Acta Apostolicae SedisXXXVIII, 1946, pp. 349-358.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Matrimony

After God created Adam, the first man in the Garden of Paradise, He said:    It is not good for

man  to  be  alone:  let  us  make  him  a  helpmate  like  unto  himself.   294  God  then  created Eve,

established the  institution  of  marriage and blessed  Adam  and  Eve saying:    Increase  and

multiply and fill the earth.   295  Marriage affects every facet of society.

The primary purpose of marriage is the generation and education of children.  The secondary

purpose is mutual love and help, and assistance against concupiscence.

Children are greatly affected by their surroundings.  If parents are loving, caring and devout,

the  children often  follow  their  parents    example.    If  parents  are  distant,  uncaring,  lax, and

irreligious, the children may mirror their behavior.

Marriage Raised to the Level of a Sacrament

Jesus performed His first public miracle at a wedding reception in Cana of Galilee and elevated

the lifelong marital  contract to  the  dignity  of  a  sacrament.  Matrimony bestows special

sacramental graces upon married couples to fulfill their obligations and assist them in effecting

the salvation of their souls and those of their children.  These graces include to love and remain

faithful to each other, properly raise a family, lovingly care for their children and perseveringly

perform the sacrifices necessary to preserve domestic tranquility.

Matrimony is the sacrament that unites a baptized man and baptized woman for life and grants

them  all  the  graces necessary  to  preserve  that  union  and required  for  the proper raising  and

education  of their children.  The  Sacrament  of  Matrimony  is  extremely  important  today

because it provides stability to families and society.    What therefore God has joined together,

let no man put asunder.    (Mark 10, 9)

Marriage is attacked on all sides today.  Satan attempts to destroy the family by loose morals,

society   s acceptance of abortion, adultery,  artificial  birth  control, divorce, homosexual  and

lesbian lifestyles, indecent fashions, pornography, and premarital sex.

Sex is a power given to husband and wife to show love for one another and to bring life into the

world.  Matrimony and valid marriage legitimize the use of this power.  It helps the couple stay

together for life and assists children conceived by the union to receive love and proper care.

Marrying a Catholic

Catholics are bound by Church law to marry another Catholic.  They are happier than couples

with little or no faith since they are united in a common bond and have like aspirations.  Since

they both  view  life  the  same  way,  religion  is  a  blessing,  not  a  point  of  contention.  Good

Catholic  parents attend  Mass  on  all  Sundays  and  Holy  Days,  frequent  the  Sacraments  of

Penance and Holy Eucharist, have their children baptized and engage in family prayer.

Catholic couples reinforce the faith of their children who feel content and undivided since both

parents have the same beliefs and abide by the same laws.  Many Catholic marriages last for

life since they are not allowed to divorce and can only remarry after the death of a spouse.

294
Genesis 2, 18.
295
Genesis 1, 28.

96                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Marrying a Non-Catholic

The Church occasionally grants a dispensation that allows a Catholic to marry a non-Catholic.

The dispensation formixed religionmay be given if a Catholic marries a baptized non-Catholic.

The dispensation fordisparity of cultmay be given if a Catholic marries a non-baptized person.

Before giving the dispensation, the priest or bishop must be assured that the non-Catholic will

allow the Catholic and the children the free exercise of their faith.  There should also be good

hope for conversion.

Matrimonial Promises

To protect the  Catholic spouse and the children  born  of  the  union, the  Church  demands  that

both Catholic and non-Catholic spouses sign a formal guarantee   an oath.  The Catholic must

swear  to  God  that  he  or  she  will practice the Catholic  religion,  baptize  the  children  Catholic

and  raise them in  the  Faith.  The  non-Catholic must swear to  allow  the  Catholic  spouse  and

children  to  live  the Catholic Faith  and that  the  children  will  be baptized Catholic.  It  is

important  for  the  Catholic  spouse  to  fearlessly  live the faith  and not  cater  to  human  respect.

This will inspire the non-Catholic who may convert by the good example given.

Dangers

Many Catholics have lost their faith after marrying non-Catholics since it is easy to disregard

the commandments and neglect to go to church.  Children often take the easy route and often

end up with no religion.  Sadly, this cycle is perpetuated for generations.

Some foolishly believe thatthey will convert their spouse.  It doesn   t happen that way.  God   s

grace effects conversions and an individual must be open-minded and have a good will.  People

are creatures of habit and upbringing affects the way a person thinks and acts.

Good Example

The  Catholic  spouse  needs  to  give  good  example  since  more  are  converted  by  example  and

prayer than words.  Sometimes non-Catholic spouses convert and become fervent Catholics.

It is a good sign when the non-Catholic is open to the Catholic Faith and / or attends Mass with

the Catholic.  This is a sign of love and will make the marriage more tranquil.

The Marriage Ceremony

The wedding ceremony between a Catholic and a non-Catholic consists in the bridesmaids and

bride entering, the wedding vows, placement of rings by groom and bride, and an exhortation

at the beginning and end of the ceremony.  No Mass is offered, the couple does not receive the

Nuptial Blessing and priestly vestments are not worn.  The vows bind for life and neither party

can remarry while their spouse is alive.

Preparation for Marriage

The  priest  meets and  holds  classes with  couples interested  in  getting  married.    Topics

discussed include the sanctity of marriage, mutual obligations to each other, responsibilities to

subsequent  children, importance  of  practicing  virtue and avoiding  occasions  of  sin, various

aspects  of married  life,  the  need  to work  together, proper raising of children,  respecting  one

another, the four temperaments, overcoming bad habits and addictions, financial planning, and

a  brief  review  of  the  Catholic  Faith  if  needed.  Practical  details  about  preparing  for  the

wedding are given and a fixed date and time are set for the special event.

The Sacrament of Matrimony                                               97

The  couple  is  reminded  that  marriage  is  sacred.  Therefore, the  attire  of  the  bride  and

bridesmaids must be modest since the event takes place in church.  The party to be married are

often given a copy of the marriage vows in order to familiarize themselves with the wording.

A  practice  is  scheduled usually  the  evening  before  the  wedding and conducted  by  the  priest

with  the couple,  parents,  bridal  party,  and  organist in attendance.    The  priest customarily

hears the confessions of the future bride and groom after the practice.

The Sacrament of Matrimony

The rite begins with an exhortation reminding the couple of the sacredness and seriousness of

the marital union.  Positive and negative elements of life are described to the couple as well as

the need to love one another and be willing to sacrifice in order to preserve their lifelong bond.

No greater blessing can come to your married life than pure conjugal love, loyal and true to the
end.  May, then, this love with which you join your hands and hearts today, never fail, but grow
deeper and stronger as the years go on.  And if true love and the unselfish spirit of perfect sacrifice
guide  your  every  action,  you  can  expect  the  greatest  measure  of  earthly  happiness  that  may  be
allotted to man in this vale of tears.  The rest is in the hands of God.  Nor will God be wanting to
your  needs;  He  will  pledge  you  the  life-long  support of  His  graces  in  the  Holy  Sacrament  which
you are now going to receive.296

Consent

The  priest  then  asks  the  groom  and  bride individually by  name if  they  wish  to  marry each

other according to the rite of Holy Mother Church.  Once they answer in the affirmative, the

marriage vows are recited while the couple hold right hands.

Marriage Vows/ Wedding Rings

Wedding  vows  are  a lifelong  contract  between  husband  and  wife  whereby  they  give exclusive

rights to the other taking their spouse       for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness

and in health until death do us part.     The priest then blesses the couple saying:    I unite you in

marriage in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.

Rings are then blessed and placed by the groom and bride on the ring finger of the left hand of

their spouse while saying    With this ring I thee wed and I pledge unto thee my fidelity.

Prayer Before Mass

The  priest  then  encourages  the  married  couple  to  utilize  the  graces  they  have  received  for

themselves and their future children.  He then blesses them with holy water.  The newlyweds

then attend Mass on kneelers placed within the sanctuary of the church.

The Nuptial Mass

The Church allows the Nuptial Mass on all feasts of double rank or lower.  It is a special Mass,

without  a  Gloria that  focuses  on  the  blessing  of  marriage and  the  graces  bestowed  by  the

Sacrament of Matrimony.  The Nuptial Blessing is given to the Catholic bride and groom after

the Our Father of the Mass and before the Last Blessing.  The first blessing refers especially to

the bride, the second to both.

296
Rev. Paul Griffith,The Priest  s New Ritual,pp. 208-209.

98                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The Nuptial Blessing

This ancient prayer297 asks God   s blessings on the couple and petitions, they see their children   s

children to the third and fourth generation.

May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you.  May He fulfill His
blessing  in  you  so  that  you  may  see  your  children   s  children  even  to  the  third  and  fourth
generation.  Afterwards may you have life everlasting, by the assistance of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who with the Father and Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, God forever and ever.  Amen.

Closing Exhortation

Once  Mass  has  ended  the  priest  turns  toward  the  bride  and  groom  and reminds  them  to  be

grateful for the graces they have received and reads them part of the Epistle of St. Paul dealing

with marriage.  Lastly, he prays that their union may lead them to the everlasting union with

God in Heaven.  The bridal party then exits the church.  Often the bride stops by a statue of

Mary and prays that Our Lady will assist her to be a good wife and mother before leaving.

Ecclesiastical Laws of Marriage

The two essential qualities of Matrimony are:unityandindissolubility. Unity means that once

a person is married the individual cannot have sexual relations with anyone other than their

husband or wife.  It forbids adultery and dangerous friendships with members of the opposite

sex. Indissolubility means that the marriage lasts for the life of the bride and groom.

The Church wants to make sure the couple practices the faith and subsequent children born of

the  union  attend  Church  and  receive  the  sacraments.  For the marriage  of  a  Catholic  to  be

valid, it must be performed before a Catholic priest and two witnesses.298  This ensures that the

couple  is  prepared  and  that  the  proper  form  is  used.  A  Catholic is  forbidden  to marry  close

relatives such as uncles, aunts, nieces, nephew, or first or second cousins.

There must be two official witnesses for a wedding called the Best Man and Maid (or Matron)

of  Honor.    In  the  United  States,  these  do  not  have  to  be  Catholic.   A  couple  planning  on

marrying must get a marriage license in the United States within a month of the wedding.

A  marriage by  a  Catholic before  a  judge  or  justice  of  the  peace  is  invalid.    If  a  Catholic

contracts marriage before a non-Catholic minister it is invalid and he or she incurs the penalty

of excommunication, expulsion from the Catholic Church.

Anannulment (decree  of  nullity) is  an  official  ecclesiastical  declaration,  following  careful

analysis of the evidence, that a marriage never existed.  This can be due to a defective consent

or a diriment impediment.299

Separation [from bed and board] is only permitted for a very serious reason and only with the

permission  of  the  bishop.  A  separated  person  is  not  allowed  to  keep  company  with  another

person.   300  Grounds for separation include adultery, grave spiritual or bodily danger, cruelty,

non-support, and public  apostasy.   The Council  of  Trent treats  of  the  matter in  Session  24,

canon  8  and  says  the  time  of  separation  can  be  determinate  or  indeterminate.  Hopefully

matters can be remedied for the sake of the children and to prevent adultery.

297
Taken in part from blessings given to Adam and Eve (Genesis 27, 27-30) and to Tobias (Tobias 8, 10).
298
See Council of Trent, Session XXIV, Chapter I.
299
See Canon George Smith, DD, PhD,The Teachings of the Catholic Church: Volume Two, p. 1098.
300
Parish Priests of Chicago,Lessons in the Catholic Faith, p. 78.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Holy Orders

There are a number of steps one must take in order to become a priest including Tonsure and

Minor  and  Major  Orders.  Seminarians  normally spend  at  least  six  years  in study  before

ordination.  Two years are spent covering the branches of philosophy and four years are spent

in Dogmatic Theology, Moral  Theology,  Canon  Law, and  Scripture  Studies.    There  are  also

classes in Latin, Greek, the Liturgy, Homiletics,301 and other fields.

Those in Major Orders are bound to lifelong celibacy and to the recitation of the Divine Office.

The bishop is the only person who can ordain a priest or consecrate another bishop.

Three bishops customarily take part in the solemn ceremony of the Consecration of a Bishop.

Apostolic  Succession is  the term describing the  direct  lineage  between  a  bishop  and  his

predecessor that goes all the way back to the Apostles.

The sacrificing priesthood is a characteristic that distinguishes the Catholic Church from other

religions.  The men chosen for this sacred profession receive authority and power from Christ

to continue His work on earth.

Steps to the Priesthood

Tonsure a seminarian becomes a member of the clergy.

Minor Orders

Porter cares for the church.Exorcist receives power to perform exorcisms.302

Lectorchants lessons and blesses first fruits.Acolyte commissioned to serve Mass.

Major Orders

Subdeacon can sing the Epistle and serve during a Solemn High Mass.

Deacon may solemnly baptize,303preach and distribute Holy Communion.

Priest has the power to offer Mass, confect the sacraments304 and bless.

Bishop possesses the fullness of the priesthood and confers Confirmation and Holy Orders.

Holy Orders is  the  sacrament that  gives  a  man  the  graces  and  powers  to serve  God  as  bishop,

priests and other ministers of the Church.

The Lifeblood of the Catholic Church

The  priesthood  is  the  lifeblood  of  the  Catholic  Church.    Priests  and  bishops  confect  the

sacraments,  teach  the  Faith,  guide  their  flocks,  protect  them  from  erroneous  teachings and

dangers,  encourage  them  and  attempt  to  lead  them  to  Heaven.  Although  priests  have  many

duties  their  most  important  role  is  offering  the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  and  praying  the

Divine Office.

301
The art of preaching and giving inspiring, well-prepared sermons.
302
A priest or cleric who is an exorcist must have his bishop   s permission to perform a solemn exorcism.
303
With permission.
304
A priest cannot validly ordain others (Holy Orders) and may only confirm as noted in footnote 118.

100                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The Necessity of Priests and Bishops in the Catholic Church

Priests  and  bishops  baptize the  new  Catholic to  remove  original  sin,  offer  a  soul  sanctifying

grace for the first time, and make the individual a child of God.

Priests  and  bishops  forgive  sin and  allow  a  soul to  return  to  God through  the  Sacrament  of

Penance and offer the individual strength and grace to avoid sin in the future.

Priests and bishops offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to honor God, bestow blessings on their

flocks and others, and assist the Faithful Departed in Purgatory.  By fervent reception of the

Holy Eucharist souls are brought closer to God and are assisted on their journey to Heaven.

By  Confirmation,  bishops bestow  on  Catholics  the  Seven  Gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  special

graces  that  will  assist  them  for  the  rest  of  their  lives.    These  new  soldiers  of  Christ  are

strengthened to live and practice their faith and overcome the temptations of the devil.

Matrimony bestows on couples all the graces needed to preserve their lifelong union and also

gives them all the spiritual helps necessary to raise a family.

Bishops who confer Holy Orders (ordaining priests and consecrating bishops) ensure that the

Catholic  Church will be  preserved   that  there  will  always  be  ministers  of  God  who  will  offer

Mass,  confect  the  sacraments  and  teach  Christ   s  doctrine  until  the  end  of  time.  During  the

ordination ceremony, the bishop tells the newly ordained priest that whatever he blesses will

be  blessed,  whatever he consecrates will  be  consecrated  and  whose  sins he forgives,  they  are

forgiven.

Priests and bishops who confer Extreme Unction prepare a soul to enter eternity.

Symbolism of Ceremonies

Ceremonies  of  the Ordination  of  a Priest  and Consecration  of  a Bishop symbolize the  graces

and  responsibilities  of  those  sacred  offices.     The  imposition  of  hands  by  the  bishop  on  the

deacon who becomes a priest and by three bishops on a priest who becomes a bishop symbolizes

the authority and power of Christ being transferred to the recipient by Christ   s representative.

These ceremonies also manifest the hierarchical structure of the Church.

The  bishop  anoints  the  hands  of  a  newly  ordained  priest  with  Holy  Oil  to  symbolize  the

sacredness of his calling and mission, especially to offer Mass.  The head of a newly consecrated

bishop is anointed with Holy Chrism to show that he is chosen by God to rule.

The  bishop  presents  the  chalice,  paten  and  host  to  the  newly  ordained  priest  and  commands

him to offer sacrifice (Mass) for the living and the dead.  The consecrating bishop presents the

episcopal ring and crozier to the new bishop that he may rule and guard the Catholic Church.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Extreme Unction

Some believe that receiving Extreme  Unction (last  anointing) may  hasten  their  death.  They

fail to realize its many benefits and the fact that a great number of recipients who receive it,

revive.  Yet the sacrament is not to be used as a substitute for necessary medical help.

Extreme  Unction is  the sacrament that fortifies the  soul  and  often gives  health to  the  body

through  the  prayer and anointing by  the  priest.  All  Catholics  who have reached the  age  of

reason that are  in  danger  of  death  through  sickness,  accident  or  old  age should  receive  this

sacrament.

The sickness or accident must be life threatening.  Since it is not a blessing, but a sacrament,

Extreme Unction is never to be received more than once a month unless a new condition arises.

Extreme  Unction has numerous  effects:It bestows sanctifying  grace,  removes the temporal

punishment  due  to  sin, forgives sins  and  cleanses  the  soul.  It  gives  comfort  and peace  as  a

person  is  reassured  of  God   s  care.  The  recipient  receives  strength  against the  devil  and

temptation.  Lastly, it prepares one for entrance into Heaven if a person is to die soon afterwards

or restores health if it is for the good of the soul.

To receive these graces, a person needs to be properly disposed.  If there is doubt whether the

person  is  still  alive  beforerigor  mortis sets  in,  the  priest  may  anoint  the  individual

conditionally.305

Ceremonies

The rite begins with the priest saying in Latin:Peace be to this house to all who dwell therein

while sprinkling  those  present  with  holy  water in  the  form  of  a  cross.  A  crucifix  is  then

presented to the sick person.

The priest then says several prayers asking for heavenly assistance from God and the angels.

The room is then blessed with words recited in Latin:

Hear, us O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God and deign to send thy holy angel
from Heaven that he may guard, watch over, protect, and defend all who inhabit this home.
Through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

Extreme  Unction includes  an  exorcism prayer recited  in  Latin.    The priest  places  his  hand

above the head of the person receiving the sacrament and says:

May any power that the Devil has over you be utterly destroyed.  As I place my hands on you and
call on the help of the Glorious and Holy Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, her illustrious spouse,
St.  Joseph,  and  all  the  holy  angels,  archangels,  patriarchs,  prophets,  Apostles, martyrs,
confessors, virgins, and all the saints.  Amen.

The priest then anoints the person with Oil of the Sick making the Sign of the Cross over the

eyes, ears, nostrils, lips, hands, and feet306 of the individual saying:

Through this holy anointing and His holy loving mercy, may the Lord forgive you whatever sins you
have committed by the sense of (sight, hearing, smell, taste, speech, touch, and walking).  Amen.

305
The form used is: (If you are living)Si vivis, per istam sanctam Unctionem + indulgeat tibi Dominus quidquid deliquisti.  Amen.
306
The anointing of the feet is not of obligation and Canon 947 says it may be omitted for any reasonable cause.

102                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The priest then wipes off the excess oil from the senses with cotton using a new one for each

sense.  He then cleans his thumb and recites three other prayers and the words:

Is any man sick among you?  Let him call in the priests of the Church, and let them pray over
him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick
man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he be in sins they shall be forgiven him.307

Christ instituted  Extreme  Unction  and taught  it  to  the  Apostles.    There  are  numerous

references  to  the  sacrament  including the Acts  of  the  Apostles,  the Epistle  of  St.  James, the

writings of St. Ambrose (fourth century), and from Pope Innocent I who mentions it in 416 AD.

Many of the prayers are found in ancient sacramentaries as well.

The Last Sacraments

The Last Sacraments consist of Penance (Confession), Holy Eucharist (often in the form of Holy

Viaticum) and Extreme Unction.  These three sacraments prepare a person to enter eternity.

The  family should prepare if  possible a  small  table with  a  crucifix, a pair of  candles,  a  small

container of water, and a small spoon.308  Never light candles if the person is on oxygen.

If possible meet the priest (who comes to the house with the Sacred Host in the pyx around his

neck) at the door with a lit candle and lead him to the sick person.  The priest will then place

the Blessed Sacrament on a white linen cloth called a corporal, say some prayers and bless the

room  with  holy  water.    Then  he  will hear  the individual   s confession.    If  the  person  is

unconscious, the priest may give conditional absolution.

Holy Communion is given if the dying individual is conscious and able to receive.  If death is

imminent, the last Communion is known as Holy Viaticum.  Those present are asked to pray

and the person receives Extreme Unction and Apostolic Blessing unless it was already given.

Deceased practicing Catholics are to receive proper burial in consecrated ground.  The body is

sacred and was animated by the immortal soul during life.

Never Give Up

Since  hearing  is believed  to be the  last  sense  to go, be  careful  not  to say  anything in  the

presence of a sick person that would cause the individual to panic or despair.  A man was once

lying  in  the  hospital  paralyzed  in  a state  of  coma.    The  doctors  said,     He  is  dying.    It  is

hopeless.     A priest who was brought in was told he was too late.  The priest didn   t care and

gave  him  Extreme  Unction and  the  man miraculously recovered!    The  doctor attributed this

cure to the efficacy of this sacrament.

307
Rev. Paul Griffith,The Priest  s New Ritual,pp. 32-33, James 5, 14-15.
308
The priest will have these items in his sick call kit if they are not available from the family.

Chapter Thirty-Five

The Catholic Church

It is a historical fact that Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church. This visible Church has a

fixed set of beliefs(the  Deposit  of  Faith: Sacred  Scripture  and  Apostolic  Tradition),a uniform

form  of  worship (the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass),  Seven Sacraments  that  give  grace  to  the

recipientsand a hierarchy (pope, bishops and priests who minister to the laity).

A Visible Church

Jesus  Christ referred to  His  Church when  He spoke  of  the  vine  and  branches  and when  He

later said:    I am the Good Shepherd.  I know mine and mine know Me.   309

I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vine Dresser.  Every branch in Me that bears no fruit he
will take away; and every branch that bears fruit He will cleanse, that it may bear more fruit.

I  am  the  Vine, you  are the branches.    He  who  abides  in  Me, and  I  in him,  bears  much  fruit;  for
without Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he shall be cast outside as a branch
and wither; and they shall gather them up and cast them into the fire, and they shall burn.310

Our Lord founded the Catholic Church.        thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My

Church,  and the Gates  of  Hell shall  not  prevail  against  it.   311  During the three  years of

Christ   s Public Life He taught the Apostles, disciples and His followers, and later commanded

them to fearlessly spread the Catholic Faith throughout the entire world.  The Catholic Church

has always had a missionary spirit and works to instruct converts around the world since the

highest form of charity for others is to work for the eternal salvation of their immortal souls.

Individuals have an  obligation  to  seek  the  truth  found  in  the  Catholic  Church.  Although

everyone has a free will, a person is culpable who remains indifferent or apathetic in religious

matters,  especially  since Jesus Christ  came  down  from  Heaven  to  redeem  the  world  and

founded the  Catholic  Church.  Since Our  Lord established  the  Barque  of  Peter,  He  expects

individuals to step on board.  Those who willingly remain away are culpable in His eyes.     He

who believes and is baptized shall be saved.  He who does not believe shall be condemned.   312

The Authority of the Catholic Church

The  protection  and  guidance  of  the  Holy  Ghost are  reflected  in  the  three  attributes  of  the

Catholic Church:authority,infallibilityandindefectibility.  The Catholic Church was given its

authority by Jesus Christ its Founder, Who said:    He who hears you, hears Me.   313

Christ told the Apostles to    teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of

the  Son,  and of  the  Holy  Ghost,  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things whatsoever I have

commanded you.   314

Jesus Christ, Who founded the Catholic Church, gave it His authority whereby Popes rule over

the  Universal  Church,  bishops  over  their  dioceses  and  flocks,  and priests  over  their  parishes.

The three rings of the papal tiara symbolize that the pope is to teach, rule and sanctify.

309
John 10, 14.
310
John 15, 5-6.
311
Matthew 16, 18.
312
Mark 16, 16.
313
Luke 10, 16.
314
Matthew 28, 19-20.

104                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church

Our  Lord  established  a  hierarchal church  with  a  chain  of  command  and  appointed St.  Peter,

the  first pope and His  vicar  on  earth, to  rule  over  the  Church.  All  subsequent  legitimate

popes315 are his successors.       thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church      316

The  hierarchy  preserves  and  spreads Christ   s  teachings,  rules  their  flocks,  confects the

sacraments, offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and leads souls to Heaven.

Interregnum

The Church continues to operate when the Chair of Peter is vacant between the reign of popes

(interregnum) as when it is waiting for a successor to be elected317 or when there is a doubtful

pope.  As a case in point, during the Western Schism (1378-1418 AD), three men claimed to be

pope.  Since the Catholic Church must work unceasingly for the salvation of souls until the end

of time, the Church supplies jurisdiction to bishops and priests during a period ofinterregnum.

In the United States of America, once a president dies, the country continues to operate.  The

same is true of the Catholic Church when a pope dies.

TheTeaching Magisterium, consisting of the pope and the bishops teaching in union with him,

infallibly teaches the doctrines of Christ and makes them available across the globe.

Authority is transferred from Christ, the Head of the Catholic Church to the pope, His vicar on

earth, to the bishops  often appointed  by  the  pope,318 to the priests  who  serve  parishes.    The

Council  of  Trent  (1545   1563  AD) taught that  the  powers  given  by  Christ  to  the  Apostles  are

passed on to the bishops.

The Pope is Christ   s vicar on earth

Bishops possess the fullness of the priesthood to rule over their flocks and dioceses.

Priests offer the Mass and the sacraments to their parishioners.

Deacons  often  assist  in  parishes  while studying  to  become priests.    Famous  deacons

include St. Francis of Assisi and the martyrs St. Stephen, St. Lawrence and St. Vincent.

Honorary offices in the Church give no additional sacramental powers. Cardinals elect popes.

Archbishopsrule  over  other  bishops.Monsignors are  priests  who  have  been  honored  by  the

pope for distinguished service.

Infallibility

The pope is protected by papal infallibility from ever teaching the Universal Church anything

contrary to the faith and good morals.  When the pope infallibly defines a doctrine, he merely

makes a public declaration of what has always been taught by the Church.

Christ  provided  for  the  precise  transmission  of  His  immutable  teachings  from  age  to  age by

papal infallibility, the divine safeguard that protects popes from teaching heresy in matters of

faith  and  morals.  A  pope cannot invent  new  doctrines  nor  teach  anything  contrary  to  the

Deposit of Faith.  Msgr. Van Noort says,    Infallibility is not merely the absence of error, but the

impossibility of erring.   319

315
There have been 41 antipopes from the years 217-1449.
316
Matthew 16, 18.
317
In Latin:sede vacante.
318
This practice is of fairly recent origin due to poor communications and the distance between Rome and a diocese.
319
Christ   s Church, p. 119.

The Catholic Church                                                    105

Pope Pius XII wrote of the infallibility of papal encyclical (letters) inHumani Generis:

if the Supreme Pontiffs in their official documents purposely pass judgment on a matter up to
that time under dispute, it is obvious that the matter, according to the mind and will of the same
Pontiffs, cannot be any longer considered a question open to discussion among theologians.

The Holy  Ghost,  the  Third  Person  of  the  Holy  Trinity, the  Spirit  of  Truth protects  the  pope

from teaching error as confirmed by the Vatican Council of 1869-1870 that said:

the Holy Ghost was not promised to the successors of Peter in such a way that, by His revelation
they  might  manifest  new  doctrine,  but  so  that,  by  His  assistance,  they  might  guard  as  sacred  and
might faithfully propose the revelation delivered through the Apostles, or the Deposit of Faith.320

Dogma

The Vatican Council of 1869-1870 infallibly declared what one must believe to be a member of

the Catholic Church.  The theological term used isde fide(concerning the faith).

All those things are to be believed by divine and Catholic faith which are contained in the Word
of God written [Sacred Scripture] or handed down [Apostolic Tradition] and which are proposed
for  our  belief  by  the  Church  either  in  a  solemn  definition  or  in  its  ordinary  and  universal
teaching authority.321

Dr.  Ludwig  Ott  explains:    By  dogma  in  the  strict  sense  is  understood  a  truth  immediately

(formally) revealed by God which has been proposed by the Teaching Authority of the Church

to be believed as such.   322

Indefectibility

Indefectibility means that Christ will be with His Church for all time and that it will last until

the end of the world.    I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world.   323

Heretics Pick and Choose

Although a cafeteria-style approach to religion, to pick and choose beliefs, has the appearance

of  religion, it lacks substance.   Through  the  centuries rebellious  religious  leaders left  the

Catholic  Church and formed religions  of  their  own.  Many  of  these  still  bear  the  names  of

their founders who either rejected beliefs or practices or developed new ones.

These leaders, who  rejected  the authority of  the  Catholic  Church, set  themselves  up  as

experts  in religious matters and became the ultimate religious authority.  Some followed

private  interpretation  of  Scripture and  likewise rejected Apostolic Tradition.    Others

questioned the consistent teachings of the Popes and the Fathers and Doctors of the Church.

Since  manmade  religions are  subjective, they have  inconsistencies  and  contradictions.    The

Catholic  Church is  the  only  religion  in  the  world that  has retained essentially the  same

beliefs and worship from its founding to the present day.

Heretics often exaggerate one doctrine of the Faith and deny others.  They retain a semblance

of Catholic teaching to more easily deceive followers.  Heresy, a denial of one or morede fide

doctrines of the Church, is based on pride and rebellion against God, His laws and His Church.

320
Pastor Aeternus,c. 4.  Pope Pius XII,Munificentissimus Deus, November 1, 1950.
321
Denzinger 1792.
322
Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, p. 4.
323
Matthew 28, 20.

106                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

All or Nothing

Catholic belief is a package deal   all or nothing.  Consider the words of the Profession of Faith

of the Council of Trent and the constitutionNuper ad nos of Pope Benedict XIV:

Also  all  other  things  taught,  defined  and  declared  by  the  sacred  canons  and  ecumenical
Councils    I without  hesitation  accept  and  profess,  and  at  the  same  time  all  things  contrary
thereto    I likewise condemn, reject and anathematize.324

Likewise,  all  other  things  I  accept  and  profess,  which  the  Holy  Roman  Church  accepts  and
professes, and I likewise condemn, reject and anathematize    all contrary things, both schisms
and heresies, which have been condemned, rejected and anathematized by the same Church.325

A Catholic must believe allde fide dogmas of the Church.  A practicing Catholic attends Mass

on every Sunday and frequently receives the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist.

The Catholic Faith is a uniform whole whose doctrines and practices are closely linked to one

another.  Sacred  Scripture, Apostolic  Tradition,  the  writings  of  the  Popes,  General Councils,

Fathers  and  Doctors  of  the  Church, 326and  Saints  convey  the  same  message and do  not

contradict one other.  If there seems to be a contradiction, it is due to misinterpretation.

Members of the Catholic Church

TheBaltimore Catechism explains who are members and subjects of the Catholic Church:

Baptized persons remainmembers of the Church as long as they are united to it by profession of
the same faith and have not broken the bonds of communion with it.  All validly baptized persons
aresubjectsof  the  Church,  even  if  they  are  not  members.    Hence  they  are  obliged  to  obey  the
laws of the Church unless exempted.  If, however, they are invincibly ignorant of the obligation
to obey the laws of the Church, they do not sin by not obeying them.327

The Council of Trent clearly teaches that after the promulgation of the Gospel, the justification

of a sinner through Jesus Christ   thereby restoring man to the state of grace

cannot be effected except through the laver of regeneration or a desire for it, as it is written:
Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God (John 3, 5).328

The Mystical Body of Christ

Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  established  the  New  Law  to  replace  the  Old  and  called  all  to  become

members  of  His  Church.  The  termMystical  Body  of  Christhas  been  used  for  centuries to

describe the Catholic Church.  St. Ambrose and St. Augustine speak of members of the Church

being united to  Christ  and  one  another by  the  bond  of  charity.    St.  Augustine  wrote:    The

Catholic Church alone is the body of Christ      329     His body is the Church, not this church or

that church, but the Church throughout the whole world      330

324
Denzinger 1000, November 13, 1565, Pope Pius IV   s papal bullInjunctum Nobis.
325
Denzinger 1473, March 16, 1743.
326
Fathers of the Church lived near the time of Our Lord.  Doctors of the Church are eminent teachers of the Faith.
These include Saints Albert the Great, Alphonsus Liguori, Ambrose, Anselm, Anthony of Padua, Athanasius, Augustine of Hippo
Basil the Great, Venerable Bede, Bernard of Clairvaux, Bonaventure, Caesarius of Arles, Clement of Rome, Cyril of Alexandria,
Cyril of Jerusalem, Dionysius, Ephrem, Epiphanius, Francis de Sales, Gregory Nazianzen, Gregory of Nyssa, Hilary of Poitiers,
Pope St. Gregory the Great, Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus, Isidore of Seville, Jerome, John Chrysostom, John Damascene,
John of the Cross, Justin the Martyr, Leander of Seville, Pope St. Leo the Great, Peter Canisius, Peter Chrysologus, Polycarp,
Peter Damian, Robert Bellarmine, Thomas Aquinas, and Vincent of Lerins.
327
p. 186, question 317 (a) and (b).
328
Session VI, Canon 4, Denzinger 796.  [sine lavacro regenerationis aut eius voto].
329
Letter 185,section 50.
330
Enarrationes in PsalmosLVI, I.

The Catholic Church                                                    107

St.  John  Chrysostom called  the  Holy  Eucharist  the    Mystical  Body.   331  St. Albert  the  Great

used the words to describe the Catholic Church whose members receive the Body of Christ in

the Holy Eucharist.

St. Paul explains the bond that exists between members of the Mystical Body of Christ:

with  all  humility  and  meekness,  with  patience,  bearing  with  one  another  in  love,  careful  to
preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, even as you were
called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all,
who is above all, and throughout all, and in us all.332

The Vatican Council (1869-1870)Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of Christ states that the

true Church is not a loosely knit institution.

We declare that it has been so plainly determined in its founding that any societies whatsoever
that are separated from the unity of faith or from communion with this body cannot in any way
be said to be a part or a member of it.

And it cannot be said to be diffused and distributed among the various Christian denominations;
but  it  is  an  integrated  unit,  entirely  coherent;  and,  in  its  conspicuous  unity,  it  shows  itself  an
undivided and indivisible body, which is the true Mystical Body of Christ.

Pope  Pius  XII  wrote  that through  His  Death  on  the  Cross, Christ    left  to  His  Church  the

immense treasury of the Redemption.   333  Christ distributes those graces to souls through the

Catholic Church by means of the Mass  and  Sacraments  whereby  the  members  of  the  Church

are sanctified and more closely united to Our Lord.

The Holy Ghost  the Soul of the Church

Pope Leo XIII wrote in the encyclicalDivinum Illud Munus:    Let it suffice to say that as Christ

is the Head of the Church, so is the Holy Ghost her soul.   334  St. Augustine says:    What the soul

is in our body that is the Holy Ghost in Christ   s Body the Church.   335  The Holy Ghost infallibly

preserves  Christ   s  teachings  that  have  been passed  from  generation  to  generation and

sanctifies the members of the Catholic Church through the graces it offers.

The Holy Ghost preserves the Church from teaching error and leading souls astray.  Since God

is immutable and all Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity share the same Divine Nature, it is

impossible for the Holy Ghost to change the doctrine and worship established by Jesus Christ.

The overshadowing of the Holy Ghost over the Catholic Church is clearly manifested through

the centuries by wondrous uniformity in doctrine as Christ   s teachings are consistently taught

and explained by Popes, General Councils, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and Saints.

All writings seem to have emanated from the same pen.  St. Vincent of Lerins said:

Again in the Catholic Church itself, very great care is to be taken that we hold that which has
been believed everywhere, always and by all [Catholic] men.336

331
Homily on the Resurrection of the Dead, n. 8, Gaume edition, Paris 1834, p. 56 C.
332
Ephesians 4, 2-6.
333
Mystici Corporis Christi, 46, June 29, 1943.
334
May 9, 1897.
335
Serm. 187,De Temp.
336
Rev. Vigilius Krull, CPPS,Christian Denominations, p. 43.

108                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Redemption
Our Lord redeemed the human race and opened the Gates of Heaven by His Passion and Death

on the Cross.     For God so loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son, that those who

believe in Him may not perish, but may have life everlasting.   337

Jesus repaired  for  original  sin  and  the  sins  of  all, however each  person is  still  responsible  to

work out his own salvation in fear and trembling.338  Therefore, one must refrain from judging.

Christ emphatically said:    Do not judge, that you may not be judged.  For with what judgment

you judge, you shall be judged      339

For what a man sows, that he will also reap.   340  God expects everyone to live a virtuous life,

die in the state of grace and be an inspiration to all.

Although Jesus died to repair for the sins of all, not all are saved.        for this is My Blood of the

new covenant, which is being shed [efficaciously] for many unto the forgiveness of sin.   341

Extreme Views of Salvation Common Today

Many  today  erroneously  believe  they  are  automatically  saved.    Some  think  they  are  saved

merely  by  accepting  Jesus  as  their  personal  Savior.    Others  believe  that because they  are

baptized, they can do whatever they want.  None of these are correct.

Other attacks against the justice and mercy of God and free will of God and humans include:

Universal Salvation whereby all are saved even if they don   t do what God commands342 343

No one is saved unless they have received Baptism of water344

God predestines people to be saved or damned345

Justification

St.  Thomas  Aquinas wrote of  the  necessity  of  being  incorporated  into  Jesus  Christ  since

there is no other name under Heaven given men by which we must be saved.   346  The matter

is elucidated by Canon Smith in his bookThe Teaching of the Catholic Church Volume II:

Treating  the question  whether  a  man  can  be  saved  without  Baptism,  St.  Thomas  allows  that
where  actual  Baptism  is  absent  due  to  accidental  circumstances,  the  desire  proceeding  from
faith  working  through  charity    will in God   s  providence  inwardly  sanctify  him.    But  where  you
have absence of actual Baptism and a culpable absence of the desire for Baptism,    those who are
not baptized under such conditions cannot be saved, because neither sacramentally nor mentally
are they incorporated in Christ, through whom alone comes salvation.   347

337
John 3, 16.
338
Philippians 2, 12.
339
Matthew 7, 1.
340
Galatians 6, 8.
341
Matthew 26, 28.
342
Taught by Karl Rahner, (1904-1984) a heretical theologian at Vatican II.
343
Pope Gregory XVI condemned religious indifferentism and the proposition       that eternal salvation of the soul can be
acquired by any profession of faith whatsoever       in the encyclicalMirari vosof August 15, 1832.
344
Taught by Fr. Leonard Feeney (1897-1978) and by others today. Pope Pius XII excommunicated Fr. Feeney on Feb. 12, 1953.
345
Taught by heretic John Calvin (1509-1564).
346
Acts of the Apostles 4, 12.
347
p. 675. Romans 4, 11.  III Q. 68, art. 2.

The Catholic Church                                                    109

Pope Pius XII condemned the concept of universal salvation repeatedly.

Some reduce to a meaningless formula the necessity of belonging to the True Church in order to
gain eternal salvation.348

Actually  only  those  are  to  be  included  as  members  of  the  Church  who  have  been  baptized  and
profess the true faith, and who have not been so unfortunate as to separate themselves from the
unity of the Body, or been excluded by legitimate authority for grave faults committed.349

The pope in the same encyclical explains the need for those outside the Catholic Church to join:

We invite them all, each and everyone, to yield their free consent to the inner stirrings of God   s
grace  and  strive  to  extricate  themselves  from  a  state  in  which  they  cannot  secure  their  own
eternal salvation; for, though they may be related to the Mystical Body of the Redeemer by some
unconscious yearning and desire, yet they are deprived of those many great and heavenly gifts
and aids which can be enjoyed only in the Catholic Church.

Let  them  enter  Catholic  unity,  therefore,  and  join with  us  in  the  one  organism  of  the  Body  of
Jesus Christ, hasten together to the one Head in the fellowship of most glorious love.  We cease
not to pray for them to the Spirit of love and truth, and with open arms we await them, not as
strangers but as those who are coming to their own Father   s house.350

Baptism of Desire and Baptism of Blood

Many Catholics first learned about Baptism of desire and Baptism of blood from their lessons

in theBaltimore Catechism. Dr. Ludwig Ott concisely summarizes351 the matter:

In case of emergency Baptism by water can be replaced by Baptism of desire or Baptism of blood.

a)Baptism of desire (Baptismus flaminis sive Spiritus Sancti)

Baptism  of  desire  is  the  explicit  or  implicit  desire  for  sacramental Baptism(votum  baptismi)
associated with perfect contrition (contrition based on charity).

According to the teaching of Holy Writ [Sacred Scripture] perfect love possesses justifying power.
Many sins are forgiven her because she hath loved much.   352     He that loveth Me shall be loved of My
Father: and I will love Him and will manifest Myself to him.   353     This day thou shalt be with me in
Paradise.   354

Baptism  of  desire  worksex  opere  operantis[from  the  efforts  of  the  person].  It  bestows sanctifying
grace, which remits original sin and all actual sins, and the eternal punishment for sin.

b)Baptism of blood (Baptismus sanguinis)

Baptism of blood signifies martyrdom of an unbaptized person, that is, the patient [person suffering]
of a violent death or an assault which of its nature leads to death, by reason of one   s confession of the
Christian [Catholic] faith, or one   s practice of Christian virtue.

From  the  beginning  the  Fathers  regarded  martyrdom  as  a  substitute  for  Baptism.       Blood-
Baptism  operates  not  merelyex opere operantis     but  since  it  is  an  objective  confession  of  Faith  it
operates  also  quasiex opere operato[through the action having been accomplished].    It  confers  the
grace of justification, and when proper dispositions are present, also the remission of all venial sins
and temporal punishment.355

348
Humani Generis,Paragraphs 45 and 42.
349
Mystici Corporis Christi, 22.
350
Mystici Corporis Christi,103.
351
A Teaching proximate to the Faith(Sententia fidei proxima) is a doctrine, which is regarded by theologians as a truth of
Revelation, but which has not yet been finally promulgated as such by the Church.  Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma,p. 9.
352
Luke 7, 47.
353
John 14, 21.
354
Luke 23, 43.
355
Ott, p. 356-357.

110                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

TheBaltimore Catechismteaches:

Baptism of desire takes away all sin, original and actual, and the eternal punishment due to sin.
It does not, however, imprint a character on the soul, nor does it necessarily take away all the
temporal punishment due to actual sins.

Baptism of blood does not imprint a character on the soul, nor does it give one the right to receive
the other sacraments.  It does, however, confer grace and take away sin, original and actual, and
the punishment due to sin.356

Those who become members of the Catholic Church by Baptism of desire and Baptism of blood

must necessarily have either an explicit or implicit desire to receive the Sacrament of Baptism

and  to  do  whatever else God  commands.    Therefore, the  infallible  doctrine  of  outside  the

Church there is no salvation applies to these individuals because they have been justified and

thus die in the state of sanctifying grace as members of the Catholic Church.

Some  today falsely  claim these are erroneous teachings because  they  condone  a  type of

universal  salvation.    This  is  not  the case.    Baptism  of  desire  and  Baptism  of  blood  are

frequently found  in  the  writings  of  the  Fathers  and  Doctors  of  the  Church,  the  Popes and

General Councils of the Church, including the Council of Trent.

The Catholic Church works untiringly for the salvation of immortal souls and the conversion of

sinners.   Catechumens study the Faith as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

Others  learn  about  Catholic  beliefs  through  priests, Religious  Sisters, Catholic  friends,

missionaries, or even the media.

Baptism  of  desire  and  Baptism  of  blood  are  not  sacraments,  yet,  through  the  will  of  Christ,

they effect justification just as Baptism of water does.  They do not leave an indelible mark on

the  soul.   Our  Lord  chose  Baptism  by  water as the  means  whereby individuals  become

members of His Church.  Baptism of desire and Baptism of blood are the exception to the rule

because they act as substitutes when Baptism of water cannot be received.

God  can  do  as  He  pleases.  Even  though a  ticket  is  the  normal means of  entrance  into  a

sporting event, some people get sideline passes.  Both have the same effect.  One is the norm,

the other the exception.  Numerous Fathers of the Church explain.

St. Bernard invokes the authority of SS. Ambrose and Augustine in support of his teaching that
a  man  may  be  saved  by  the  Baptism  of  desire  if  death  or  some  other  insuperable  obstacle

prevents him from receiving Baptism of water.357

St. Augustine wrote:

Nor  do  I  hesitate  to  put  a  Catholic  catechumen  burning  with  divine  love  before a  baptized
heretic    For  the  centurion  Cornelius,  not  yet  baptized,  is  better  than  Simon  [the  Magician]
baptized.    For  he  was  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost  before  Baptism,  but  the  other,  after  Baptism
was filled with the evil spirit.358

For whatever unbaptized persons die confessing Christ, this confession is of the same efficacy for
the remission of sins as if they were washed in the sacred font of Baptism.

356
pp. 188-189.
357
Ep. 77 ad Hug Vict.,n. 8:   Ab his duabus columnis difficile avellor; cum his, inquam, aut sapere me fateor, credens et ipse sola
fide[i.e. formata]posse hominem salvari cum desiderio percipiendi sacramentum, si tamen pio implendi desiderio mors
anticipans seu alia quaecumque vis imvincibilis obviaverit.    (Migne,Patr. Lat., CLXXXII, 1036).
358
The City of God,Bk. 4, Ch. 21.

The Catholic Church                                                    111

For He who said,    Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God    (John 3, 5), made an exception in their favor, in that other sentence where He
no  less  absolutely  said,    Whosoever  shall  confess  Me  before  men,  I  will  confess  also  before  My
Father Who is in Heaven    (Matthew 10, 32).359

I find that not only martyrdom for the sake of Christ may supply what was wanting of Baptism,
but also faith and conversion of heart, if recourse can not be had to the celebration of the mystery
of Baptism for want of time.360

St. Cyprian is even more emphatic:

Some, as if by human reasoning they were able to make void the truth of the Gospel declaration,
object to us in the case of catechumens; asking if any one of these, before he is baptized in the
Church, should be apprehended and slain on confession of the name [of Jesus], whether he would
lose the hope of salvation and the reward of confession, because he had not previously been born
again of water?

Let  men  of  this  kind,  who  are  aiders  and  favorers  of  heretics,  know  therefore,  first,  that  those
catechumens hold the sound faith and truth of the Church, and advance from the divine camp to
do  battle  with  the  devil,  with  a  full  and  sincere  acknowledgement  of  God  the  Father,  and  of
Christ,  and  of  the Holy  Ghost;  then,  that  they  certainly  are  not  deprived  of  the  Sacrament  of
Baptism  who  are  baptized  with  the  most  glorious and  greatest  baptism  of  blood,  concerning
which the Lord also said, that He had a    another baptism to be baptized with    (Luke 12, 50).

But the same Lord declares in the Gospel, that those who are baptized in their own blood, and
sanctified by suffering, are perfected, and obtain the grace of the divine promise, when He speaks
to  the  thief  believing  and  confessing  in  His  very  Passion,  and  promises  that  he  should  be  with
Himself in Paradise.361

Msgr. Pohle gives additional proofs from Scripture:

The  supernatural  efficacy of  martyrdom  may  be  deduced  from  our  Lord   s  declaration  in
Matthew      He that findeth his life, shall lose it; and he that shall lose his life for Me shall find
it.   362

St. Bonaventure writes about martyrdom for the Catholic Faith:

in the Baptism of blood there is an ampler and a fuller imitation and profession of the Passion
of  Christ  than  in  the  Baptism  of  water     In  the  Baptism  of  water  death  is  signified;  in  the
Baptism of blood it is incurred.363

Catechumens Receive Catholic Burial

Regarding Catholic burial, Canon 1239 (2) clearly states:

Catechumens [unbaptized individuals taking instructions in the Faith] who, through no fault of
their own, die without having received Baptism are to be treated as baptized.364

359
The City of God,Bk. 13, Ch. 7.
360
De Baptismo contra Donat.,IV, 22:    Invenio, non tantum passionem pro Christo id quod ex baptismo deerat posse supplere, sed
etiam fidem conversionemque cordis, si forte ad celebrandum mysterium in angustiis temporum succurri non potest.
361
Letters,No. 73: 22.
362
Matthew 10, 39, Cfr. Matthew 16, 25; Luke 9, 24; 17, 33.
363
Comment. in Sent.,IV, dist 4, p. 2, art. I, qu. 2, ad 2:   Ratio autem quare efficiam habet maiorem est, quoniam in baptismo
sanguinis amplior et plenior est imitatio et professio passionis Christi quam in baptismo aquae mors significatur, hic autem
suscipitur.    For a fuller treatment of this topic cfr. Gihr,Die hl. Sakramente der kath. Kirche,Vol. I, 2nd ed., pp. 271 sqq.
364
Catechumeni qui nulla sua culpa sine baptismo moriantur, baptismatis accensendi sunt.

112                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Nulla Salus Extra Ecclesiam

TheLetter of the Holy Office to Cardinal Cushing of August 8, 1949 says:

The infallible dictum which teaches us that outside the Church there is no salvation, is among
the truths the Church has always taught and always will teach.

But this dogma is to be understood as the Church itself understands it.  For our Savior did not
leave  it  to  private  judgment  to  explain  what  is  contained  in  the  Deposit  of  Faith,  but  to  the
doctrinal authority of the Church.365

Therefore,  no one  who  knows  that  the  Church  has  been  divinely  established  by  Christ,  and
nevertheless, refuses to be a subject of the Church or refuses to obey the Roman Pontiff, the vicar
of Christ on earth, will be saved.

Canon George Smith writes:

Evidently, if the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ, then to be outside the Mystical Body is to
be  outside  the  Church,  and  since  there  is  no  salvation  outside  the  Mystical  Body,  there  is  no
salvation outside the Church.366

Chapter One of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) document on the Catholic Faith says:    One

indeed  is  the  universal  Church  of  the  faithful,  outside  which  no  one  at  all  is  saved      367  The

Profession of Faith of the Council of Trent teaches:    This true Catholic faith, outside of which

no one can be saved      368

Pope  Eugene  IV  wrote  the papal  bullCantate Domino369 during  the  Council  of  Florence that

attempted  to  return  schismatic  churches  of  the  East  to  the  Catholic  Church.  Unfortunately,

large numbers of orthodox leaders and their people remained in bad faith.  Many of these were

killed  when  their  countries  were  overtaken  by  Muslim  armies.    At  the  same  time,  other

orthodox  leaders  and  their  formerly  schismatic  churches  rejoined  the  Catholic  Faith.    The

document conveys both ideas.

The  Most Holy  Roman  Church,  founded  by  the  voice  of  our  Lord  and  Savior    firmly  believes,
professes, and proclaims that  those not  living within the  Catholic  Church     cannot become
participants in eternal life,     unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock;
and that no one, whatever almsgivings he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name
of Christ [professing a non-Catholic religion], can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom
and unity of the Catholic Church.370

Invincible Ignorance

Pope  Pius  IX condemned  the  erroneous  concept as  contrary  to  Catholic  teaching that    men

living  in  error,  and  separated  from  the  true  faith  and  from  Catholic unity, can attain eternal

life.   371  The same pope describes invincible ignorance as something different in two encyclicals.

For, it must be held by faith that outside the Apostolic Roman Church, no one can be saved; that
this  is  the  only  ark  of  salvation;  that  he  who  shall  not  have  entered  therein  will  perish  in  the
flood; but, on the other hand, it is necessary to hold for certain that those who labor in ignorance
of the true religion, if this ignorance is invincible, are not stained by any guilt in this matter in

365
See John Clarkson, SJ,The Church Teaches, p. 119.
366
Canon George Smith, DD, PhD,The Teaching of the Catholic Church Vol. II, p. 677.
367
Denzinger 430.  St. Cyprian:    There is no salvation outside the Church,    Ep. 73, To Iubaianus, n. 21 [MignePatrologiae
Cursus completus. Series prima Latina, Parisis, 1844 (tomus I), 3, 1123 B.]
368
Denzinger 1000.
369
February 4, 1441.
370
Denzinger 703, 714.  Cf. St. Fulgentius,De fide, ad Petrum c. 37 ff., n. 78 ff. [Migne].
371
Quanto conficiamur moerore,August 10, 1863.  Denzinger 1677, SeeSyllabus of Errors,no. 17, Denzinger 1717.

The Catholic Church                                                    113

the eyes of God.  Now, in truth, who would arrogate so much to himself as to mark the limits of
such an ignorance, because of the nature and variety of peoples, regions, innate dispositions, and
of so many other things?372

There  are,  of  course,  those  who  are  struggling  with  invincible  ignorance  about  our  most  holy
religion.  Sincerely observing the natural law and its precepts inscribed by God on all hearts and
ready  to  obey  God,  they  live  honest  lives  and  are  able  to  attain  eternal  life  by  the  efficacious
virtue  of  divine  light  and  grace.   Because  God  knows,  searches  and  clearly  understands  the
minds, hearts,  thoughts,  and  nature  of  all,  His  supreme  kindness  and  clemency  do  not  permit
anyone at all who is not guilty of deliberate sin to suffer eternal punishments.

Also well known is the Catholic teaching that no one can be saved outside the Catholic Church.
Eternal  salvation  cannot  be  obtained  by  those  who oppose  the  authority  and  statements  of  the
same Church and are stubbornly separated from the unity of the Church   373

Pope Innocent III wrote a letter374 to Berthold, Bishop of Metz on August 28, 1206 about a

Jewish  man who  lived  among non-Catholics who attempted  to  baptize  himself.    The  pope

said that he needed to be baptized by another if he was still alive.

If,  however,  such  a  one  had  died  immediately,  he  would  have  rushed  to  his  heavenly  home
without delay because of the faith of the sacrament, although not because of the sacrament of
faith [because he tried invalidly to confer Baptism on himself].375

Perfect Contrition

St. Alphonsus Ligouri in hisSermonswrote:    God cannot turn away His face from those who

cast themselves at His feet with a humble and contrite heart.    Oh! with what tenderness does

God embrace a sinner that returns to Him!     Think of St. Mary Magdalen.

Eminent  Doctor  of  the  Church,  St.  Robert  Bellarmine  said:    Repentance  destroys  all sin.   376

Perfect contrition is often a clear manifestation of one   s love for God. St. John Climacus taught:

Total [Perfect] Contrition is necessary for everyone, but particularly for those who have come to
the King to obtain forgiveness of their sins.377

Supernatural Faith and Charity

TheLetter of the Holy Office378 of August 8, 1949 explaining Baptism of desire and blood said:

But it must not be thought that any kind of desire of entering the Church suffices that one may be
saved.  It is necessary that the desire by which one is related to the Church be animated by perfect
charity.  Nor can an implicit desire produce its effect, without supernatural faith.

The Council of Trent379 declares:

Faith is the beginning of man   s salvation, the foundation and root of all justification, without which
it is impossible to please God and attain to the fellowship of His children.380

372
Singulari quadem,December 9, 1854, Denzinger 1647.
373
Quanto conficiamur moerore,August 10, 1863.  Par. 6-7.  Similar toUnam Sanctamof Pope Boniface VIII, Denzinger 468-469.
374
Debitum Pastoralis Officii.
375
Denzinger 413.
376
The Mind   s Ascent to God by the Ladder of Created Things.
377
The Ladder of Divine Ascent.
378
Prot. N. 122/49.
379
Session VI, chap. 8.
380
Denzinger 801.  See Hebrews 11, 6.

114                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Fr. Francis Connell, CSSR wrote:

Thevirtueorhabit of faith is necessary for salvation by absolute necessity of means.  For no one
can be saved unless he leaves this world in the state of sanctifying grace; and one who leaves this
world in sanctifying grace always possesses the virtue of faith.381

St. Francis de Sales described the link between faith and charity when he wrote:

When charity is united and joined to faith, it vivifies it.    Just as the soul cannot remain in the
body without producing vital actions, so charity cannot be united to our faith without performing
works conforming to it.382

Obedience to God and His laws, and supernatural faith and charity are necessary for salvation.

So there abide faith, hope and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.    383

Popes Remind All to Leave Final Judgment Up to God

Since  Jesus  Christ  died  on  the  Cross  in  order  to  redeem  the  human  race,  He  will  judge  each

individual at the Particular Judgment at death, and all mankind, at the General Judgment.

God Who  sees everything judges justly  and  impartially.  Mercy  and  justice  are  perfectly

balanced in Him as described in the Second Book of Machabees (1, 24-25).

Lord God, Creator of all things, dreadful and strong, just and merciful, Who alone art the Good
King, Who alone art gracious, Who alone art just and almighty and eternal

In the allocutionSingulari quadem of December 9, 1854, Pope Pius IX stated:

Far  be  it  from  Us,  Venerable  Brethren,  to  presume  on  the  limits  of  the  divine  mercy  which  is
infinite; far from Us, to wish to scrutinize the hidden counsel and    judgments of God    which are    a
great deep    and cannot be penetrated by human thought.

For individuals to authoritatively say who is saved and who is not is rash and foolhardy.  In his

encyclicalMirari vosPope Gregory XVI wrote:

It is characteristic of the proud, or rather of the foolish man to test the mysteries of faith    which
surpasseth  all  understanding    [Phil.  4,  7]  by  human  standards,  and  to  entrust  them to the
reasoning  of  our  mind,  which  by  reason  of  the  condition  of  our  human  nature  is  weak  and
infirm.384

Those  who  sit  in  judgment  of  others  resemble  the  Pharisee  who  praised  himself  while

lamenting the terrible sins of the repentant publican as related in Luke 18, 9-14.

I  tell  you,  this  man  [the  repentant  publican]  went  back  to  his  home  justified  rather  than  the
other;  for  everyone  who  exalts  himself  shall  be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be
exalted.

Jesus Who forgave St. Dismas and praised the faith of the centurion at Capharnaum whose son

He cured385 will alone be the Final Judge and determine who is saved and who is eternally lost.

Judge Not That You May not be Judged

Mother  Elizabeth  Seton  in  herCollected  Works lamented  how  frequently  people  err  in

judgment because they are unaware of the motives of others.  Only God sees the heart.  In his

Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus,St. Patrick simply stated:    God alone will judge.

381
Outlines in Moral Theology, p. 71.
382
Oeuvres.
383
1 Corinthinians 13, 13.
384
Denzinger 1616.
385
Matthew 8, 10-11.

Chapter Thirty-Six

The Deposit of Faith

TheDeposit  of  Faith contains  the chief  truths  of the Catholic  Church that all  Catholics  are

bound to believe.  It consists ofSacred ScriptureandApostolic Tradition.

Sacred Scripture is the revealed word of God.  It begins with the five books  written  by  Moses

called  the  Pentateuch and  ends  with the Apocalypse of  St.  John  the  Evangelist (+100  AD).

Divine Revelation ceased after the death of the Apostle, St. John.

Sacred Scripture

The Catholic Bible contains 45 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books. Bible is a

Greek word forthe booksorthe book.  St. Jerome referred to it as the Divine Library.

Although various authors wrote the books  of  the Bible,  they  were  inspired on what  to  write.

Therefore, God  is  the  author  of  the  Bible.   St.  Thomas  Aquinas  said,    the  Holy  Ghost  is the

principal Author of Scripture.     St. Augustine referred to the Bible as God   s handwriting and

St. Bonaventure called it    the voice of God.   386

Ptolemy  II (285-247  BC) desired  a  Greek  version  of  the  Old  Testament  and  employed 70

scholars  from Jerusalem to complete  the  task in  Alexandria,  Egypt.    The  work that began

around 300 BC was completed in 130 BC.  TheSeptuagint was used by Christ and His Apostles

when quoting Old Testament texts, and by the Early Church.

Once the Roman  Persecutions ended,  scriptural manuscripts were gathered  from  around  the

world.  Many were preserved in Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, and other major Christian centers.

A  number  of submitted  writings  were  considered  Apocryphal   unauthentic,  non-scriptural

texts.  Some were even composed by heretics to promote false beliefs.

Pope St. Damasus I commissioned St. Jerome to write the LatinVulgate,  the  official  Bible  of

the Catholic Church.  The work began in 383 and was completed in 405 AD.

There  are  72 canonical  books  in  the  Catholic  Bible.    These  books  were  determined  to  be

authentic and  divinely  inspired by  the  Council  of  Laodicea in  367,  the  Council  of  Carthage,

where it was formally approved by Pope St. Damasus I in 397 AD and by the Council of Trent

in 1546.  The world owes the preservation of the New Testament to the Catholic Church.

The oldest existing codices (copies) of the Bible written on parchment or papyrus include:

Name  Year of Composition Present Location

Codex Vaticanus (early fourth century) Vatican Library (Vatican City)

Codex Sinaiticus (fourth century) St. Catherine Monastery (Mt. Sinai)

Codex Alexandrinus (fifth century) Alexandria / Constantinople  (Istanbul)

Codex Ephraemi387 (fifth century) Biblioth  que Nationale de France (Paris)

386
In Hexam., 12.
387
A palimpsest   in the twelfth century scribes wrote over the original text with writings of St. Ephrem.

116                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Popular Approved English Translations

Douay-Rheims version (1609-1610)

Bishop Challoner revision (1749-1752)

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine revision (1941)

Biblical Chapter and Verse

Catholics  made  the  chapter  and  verse  divisions  in  the  Bible.    Archbishop  of  Canterbury

Stephen  Langton divided  the  Bible  into chapters in  the  1200s,  Dominican  Santes  Pagnino

designated verses for the Old Testament in the 1500s and Paris printer Robert Stephen gave

verse notations to the New Testament in the 1600s.

Books Missing from Protestant Bibles

Even though  many Protestant  sects today teach  that  faith  is  to  be  based  on  Scripture  Only

(Sola Scriptura) they use a defective bible.  Besides at times being purposely mistranslated,388

Protestant bibles are missing the books of Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, and

First and Second Machabees.  They also omit chapter 10, verse 4 and chapter 16, verse 24 from

the  Book  of  Esther and  chapter  3,  verses  24-90  and  chapters  13  and  14  from  Daniel.  The

deleted books  are  found  in  the  Septuagint (Alexandrian version) that  Jesus  and  the  Apostles

used, but absent from the Palestinian version that Protestant scholars adopted.

Apostolic Tradition

Apostolic Traditionis  comprised  of the doctrinal  teachings  and  liturgical  practices that have

been handed down from Christ through the Apostles. Tradition is derived from a Latin word

meaninghanded down.  It is often reflected in the writings of the early Fathers of the Church

who lived at the time of the Apostles or shortly thereafter.

St.  Paul  said,    So  then,  brethren, stand  firm,  and hold  the tradition that  you  have  learned,

whether  by  word  or  by  letter  of  ours.   389  The 1941  Confraternity  of  Christian  Doctrine

translation  of  the  New  Testament has  a  footnote on  this  verse that  says  these  teachings  are

both oral and written and notes that    Hence not all apostolic teaching was written in the books

of the New Testament.

The  last  words  of  St.  John   s  Gospel  reflect  that  the  Evangelists  could  not  possibly  record  all

that Jesus did or taught during His Public Life and the 40 days after the Resurrection.

There  are,  however,  many  other  things  that  Jesus  did;  but  if  every  one  of  these  should  be
written, not even the world itself, I think, could hold the books that would have to be written

Sacred  Scripture  and  Apostolic  Tradition  are  complimentary  and  support  one  another.    They

are God   s Revelation   the Deposit of the Faith.

St. Peter, the first pope, demonstrates the absolute need for a teaching Church when he wrote:

In  these  epistles  there  are  certain  things  difficult  to understand,  which  the  unlearned  and  the
unstable distort, just as they do the rest of the Scriptures also, to their own destruction.390

388
See Matthew 6, 7, 1 Corinthians 11, 27, Luke 1, 28 and Luke 2, 14 among others.
389
2 Thessolonians, 2, 14.  Douay Rheims translation.
390
2 Peter 3, 16.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The Four Marks of the Catholic Church

Since there are so many different religions in the world, how can someone distinguish the one,

true church from  man-made  religions?  Four  marks are  shared  by  only  one  church   the

Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ.  St. Cyril of Jerusalem describes the Catholic Church

as the    Holy Church, the Mother of us all, who is the Bride of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the only-

begotten Son of God.   391

One  (Unity)   The  Catholic  Faith  is one in  doctrine, worship and  authority.  It  has  the same

essential beliefs, Mass and sacraments all over the world.  St. Irenaeus wrote:

Just as  the  sun  is  one  and  the  same  in  the  whole  world,  so  the  message  of  truth  penetrates
everywhere and enlightens all men, who wish to come to the knowledge of the truth.392

Holy  (Holiness)   Christ,  Who  is  all-holy,  founded  the  Catholic  Church. It offers the means of

sanctification to make one holy   the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Seven Sacraments.

The Catholic Church produces saintly men, women and children whom St. Peter described as

a chosen generation, a holy people.   393  Pope Pius XII wrote:

in  the  Sacraments  with  which  she  begets  and  nourishes  her  children;  in  the  faith  which  she
preserves ever inviolate; in the holy laws she imposes on all and in the evangelical counsels by
which she admonishes; and, finally, in the heavenly gifts and miraculous powers by which out of
her inexhaustible fecundity she begets a countless host of martyrs, virgins and confessors.394

Catholic  (Catholicity)  The Church Christ founded is catholic   universal. All Catholics have the

same beliefs and worship and the same Faith is found all over the world.  St. Cyril wrote:    She

is called Catholic since she alone has the privilege of being known in the whole world, and of

having subjects in all parts of the world.   395

St.  Ignatius  of Antioch is  claimed  to be  the  first  person  to  address  the  Church  with  title

catholic.     Where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.   396  The word    catholic    is found

in  the  Nicene-Constantinopolitan  Creed  (381  AD).  St.  Thomas  Aquinas  teaches  that  the

catholicity of the Church is based on its extension over the entire world, on the universality of

classes represented and on the fact that the Church will last until the end of time.397

Apostolic(Apostolicity) The Catholic Church was founded by Christ on the 12 Apostles.  Their

successors are the Catholic bishops.  This is calledApostolic Succession. Dr. Ludwig Ott says:

The  apostolic  character  of  Church  most  clearly  appears  in  the  unbroken  succession  of  the

bishops  from  the  Apostles.   398  Bishops  have  the  fullness  of  the  priesthood and ordain  priests

who serve parishes throughout the world.  This allows the Church to fulfill Christ   s mission for

all time to    Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature.    (Mark 16, 15).

391
Cat. 18, 26.
392
Adv. haer. I 10, 2; Cf. V 20, 1.
393
1 Peter 2, 9.
394
Mystici Corporis Christi,June 29, 1943.
395
Exposition of Christian Doctrine: Part I  Dogma, p. 452.
396
Smyrn. 8, 2.
397
Expos. symb. a. 9.  See Dr. Ludwig Ott,Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, p. 308.
398
Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, p. 308.

118                                        WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Religion

Many  people  today  don   t  understand  religion  and  believe  it  is  a  manmade  invention  used  to

control  people.    Although  the  wordreligionis  derived  from  a  Latin  word  that  meansto bind,

the Catholic Faith lovingly unites human beings to God, their Creator.  Since Jesus Christ the

Son of God founded the Catholic Church, it is God-made, not of human origin.

If  all  religions  are  the  same  or  lead  to  the  same  place  as  ecumenists  contend,  Jesus  Christ

should have never come to earth.  Our Lord spent three years teaching definitive doctrines to

the  Apostles  and  His  followers,  instituted  the  Mass  and  sacraments,  established  a  hierarchy,

and promised thatHis Church would last until the end of time.

A Visible Church

Since  God  is  the  ultimate  source  of  truth  and  goodness,  His  Church,  the  Catholic  Church

portrays these characteristics.  It is a visible church with a divine appointed hierarchy.

Prayer is the way people talk and communicate with God.  It is a loving conversation between

the  creature  and  the  Creator.    The Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass  and  Seven  Sacraments  draw

down  graces  from  God needed  to  overcome  sin  and  temptation  and  practice  virtue.    The

teachings  of  the  Church  show  the  path  to  Heaven.  God   s  laws  and  those  of  the  Church

preserve order and in society and in the lives of individuals.  Their observance is the ultimate

proof of ones    love for Almighty God.

Manmade Churches

Humans are fallible and prone to extremes.  Organized religion is necessary since disorganized

religion becomes a free-for-all where leaders imposetheir opinions on others.  Without proper,

unbiased, objective guidance people easily become deluded and end up getting lost   like those

who wander through a strange forest without a compass or GPS.399

399
Global Postitioning System.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

The Laws of Fast and Abstinence

Our  Lord said,    Unless  you do  penance  you  shall all  likewise  perish.     (Luke  13, 3)  Although

penance is sacrificial and difficult and no one likes to perform it, when done in moderation and

for a  proper reason, penances  such  as  fasting, and  abstinence from  meat, honor  God,

strengthen the will, help tame human nature, and assist one to gain mastery over the passions.

Fasting teaches humility and has been in use since the earliest ages of the Church.

The followers of St. John the Baptist asked Jesus why His Apostles didn   t fast.  Jesus replied,

Can  the  wedding  guests  mourn  as  long  as  the  bridegroom  is  with  them?    But  the  days  will

come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they will fast.   400

Fasting  has  been practiced since  time  immemorial.  Isaias,  Moses,  Elias,  Ezechiel,  and  other

holy men were known for their fasting.  When Jonas warned the Assyrians to repent,        the

men  of  Ninive  believed  in  God:  and  they  proclaimed  a  fast,  and  put  on  sackcloth  from  the

greatest to the least.    (Jonas 3, 5)  God spared their city as a result.

The  Catholic  Church  instituted  the  40  days  of  fasting (excluding  Sundays) during  Lent from

Ash  Wednesday  to  Holy  Saturday in  memory of Our  Lord   s 40  day  fast in  the  desert.    Jesus

showed how powerful fasting is when He said that certain devils could not be expelled except

through prayer and fasting.

Church Laws of Fasting for the United States

1.  The law of fast applies to all Catholics 21-59 years of age.

2.  Fast days include the weekdays during Lent, Holy Saturday, Ember Days, and

the Vigils of Pentecost, the Immaculate Conception & Christmas.

3.  Only one full meal is allowed on a day of fast.  A person may have two other meatless meals

to maintain one   s strength.  Combined, these should be less than the main meal.

4.  Meat may be eaten at the main meal on a day of fast except on Fridays, Ash Wednesday,

Holy Saturday, and the Vigils of the Immaculate Conception & Christmas.

5.  Although those fasting can   t eat between meals, they may drink milk, coffee and juices, and

the like.

6. When health or the ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.  One

who is not obliged to fast may eat meat as often as he wills on days when fasting alone is

prescribed.  In doubt concerning either fasting or abstinence, one should consult his

confessor or pastor.401  Lent ceases at Midnight on Holy Saturday according to the

regulations of the Restored Holy Week.402

400
Matthew 9, 15.
401
Rev. Heribert Jone, OFM, Cap. JCD,Moral Theology,p. 263.
402
Jone, 265.

120                                             WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Those  dispensed  from  the  laws  of  fast  include those  who are  ill,  individuals  who  are under  a

doctor   s care such as diabetics, pregnant and nursing mothers, and those who do heavy work.

Professors,  teachers,  students,  preachers,  confessors,  physicians,  judges,  lawyers,  etc.  are

excused if fasting would hinder them in their work.   403

Church Laws of Abstinence for the United States

1. All Catholics age seven and older are bound to observe the law of abstinence.

2. Complete abstinence is followed on all Fridays, Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and

the  Vigils  of  the  Immaculate  Conception and Christmas.    On  days  of complete

abstinence one may not consume meat and soup or gravy made from meat.

3. Partial abstinence is followed on Ember Wednesdays and Saturdays and on the Vigil

of  Pentecost.   On  days  of partial  abstinence  one  may  consume meat  and  soup  or

gravy that is made from meat only once daily, at the main meal.

4. There is no abstinence from meat on Holydays of Obligation that fall on a Friday.

5. American bishops gave a dispensation from meat when the Fourth of July falls on a

Friday and also on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

6.    Catholics serving in the Armed Forces, while they are in actual service, and  their

families, too, when eating with them, are dispensed from abstinence except on Ash

Wednesday,  Good  Friday,  Holy  Saturday  (the  entire  day),  and  the  Vigil  of

Christmas.   404

Catholics do not eat meat on Fridays to remind themselves that Jesus died for the sins

of the world on Good Friday.

It is a mortal sin to purposely eat meat on Friday unless it is a grave inconvenience to

do so.  One may use lard and gelatin on days of abstinence.

403
Rev. Heribert Jone, OFM, Cap. JCD,Moral Theology,p. 265.
404
Jone, 262.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Indulgences

The concept of  indulgences  is  based  on mercy  and justice.  Good  actions  should  be  rewarded

and evil ones punished.  Restitution restores proper order and makes reparation for the offense

committed.  The criminal justice system used today in the United States punishes crime (sin),

gives credit for time served and good behavior, and occasionally grants pardon and early parole.

If society can pardon and credit good actions, why can   t the Catholic Church?

The word indulgence comes from a Latin wordindulg  rewhich meansto be kind, to forgive,to

be lenient towards.The word also formerly meantthe forgiveness of a debt.  The practice of the

Church granting indulgences goes back at least to the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD).

What are Indulgences?

Indulgences  are  granted  for  the  recitation  of ecclesiastically  approved prayers (the  Rosary,

Stations  of  the  Cross  and  prayers  that  have  indulgences  listed with the imprimatur  of  a

specific pope or bishop405 or for the performance of good works (visits to a church or cemetery,

etc.).    TheRaccolta is  the  official  book  of  the  Catholic  Church  that  contains  indulgenced

prayers and lists indulgenced good works.

Partial indulgences given for an indulgenced prayer or work refers to the equivalent value of

days or years spent in public penance (100, 300 or 500 days) or (one, five or seven years), not to

time spent in Purgatory.

Some of those who renounced the Catholic Faith or committed public scandal in the early ages

of  the  Church  were  required  to  make  reparation  by  means  ofpublic penance.    This  usually

consisted of attending Mass up to the Offertory,406 refraining from receiving Holy Communion

for a number of years and fasting on bread and water.  This custom is no longer in use.

Aplenary indulgence removes all the temporal punishment due for the sins one has committed.

This indulgence does not replace sacramental confession or receiving absolution from a priest.

Conditions Required to Gain an Indulgence

Three conditions necessary to gain a partial or plenary indulgence are to be in the state of grace,

desire to receive the indulgence407and fulfill the required conditions.

Theusual conditions to gain an indulgence are:

1) Sacramental Confession (within eight days before or after)

2) Reception of Holy Communion (on the vigil, day or within a week)

3) Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be prayed for the intention of the Roman Pontiff.408

405
From the Latin:let it be printed.  The words:    With ecclesiastical permission    are vague and insufficient.
406
Called the Mass of the Catechumens.
407
A habitual implicit intention, such as after receiving the Apostolic Blessing is sufficient.  SeeThe Sacred Canons Vol. II,
John Abbo, STL, JCD and Jerome Hannan, AM, LLB, STD, JCD,  pp. 51-52 footnote 5.
408
SeeAAS, XXV, 446.  The person seeking to gain an indulgence doesn   t have to know what the intentions are (listed on the
following page).  The condition applies whether there is a reigning pope or aninterregnum(time between the reign of popes).

122                                    THE WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The intentions of the Roman Pontiff are:

the  exaltation  of  the  Church,  the  propagation of  the  faith,  ending  of  heresy  and  schism,
conversion  of  sinners,  peace  and  harmony  among  Christian  rulers  and  nations,  and  other
blessings for the welfare of Christianity.409

4) To gain atoties quotiesindulgence that requires a visit to a church or oratory, six sets of

Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glory Bes must be recited for the intention of the pope.410

Some  indulgences  are  applicable  only  to  the  Faithful  Departed  such  as  thetoties  quoties

indulgence on November 1 and 2.

Praying with Others

It is customary to vocalize part of public prayers when joining others in church for the Rosary

and the Way of the Cross.  The leader says the first part of the prayers, while the congregation

answers.  Families often have their children lead individual decades.

The same is done during the public recitation of the Divine Office when one person leads the

psalms and the others answer.  In order to gain indulgences from vocal prayers, it is necessary

to move one   s lips while praying.

It is important not toracethrough prayers to get them over orecho prayers   pray slower than

others  when  reciting  them  in  a  group.    Those  who  say  prayers  rapidly  often  don   t  reflect  on

what they are saying.  Those who pray too slowly destroy unity when joining others.

Common  prayer  should honor  God  and  edify  others  by  being recited  in  a  uniform  speed   not

too fast and not too slow.  The psalms compare prayer to incense arising to God.

St. Louis de Montfort describes to benefit of praying with others.

Normally our minds are far more alert during public prayer than they are when we pray alone.
When we pray in common, the prayer of each one belongs to us all and these make but one great
prayer  together,  so  that  if  one  person  is  not  praying  well,  someone  else  in  the  same  gathering
who prays better may make up for his deficiency.  In this way, those who are strong uphold the
weak, those who are fervent inspire the lukewarm     Someone who says his Rosary alone only
gains  the  merit  of  one  Rosary,  but  if  he  says  it  together  with  thirty  other  people  he  gains  the
merit of thirty Rosaries.411

Avarice Still Here Today

In the year 1513, the pope granted an indulgence for those contributing to the construction of

St.  Peter   s  Basilica.   Although  there  were  some  abuses regarding  indulgences during  the

sixteenth  century,  the  practice  of indulgences  is  not  evil and  the  Catholic  Church  has  never

condoned the sale of indulgences.

The  allure  of  money  has  lead  to  the  downfall  of  many,  including  Judas,  one  of  the  Apostles.

The 25-year-old Archbishop Albrecht of Mainz saw the indulgence as an opportunity to pocket

money destined  for  the  construction  of  St.  Peter   s to  help  pay  off his own debts.412  This

parallels those who embezzle money destined for charitable organizations today.

409
Rev. Stanislaus Woywod, OFM, LLB, A Practical Commentary on the Code of Canon Law,p. 538.
410
SeeActaXXII, July 5, 1930.
411
The Secret of the Rosary, pp. 96-97.
412
See Frs. Francisco and Dominic Radecki, CMRITumultuous Times,pp. 187-188.

Chapter Forty

Life,Death,Judgment,Heaven, Hell

God  expects  one   s best, like people expect  excellence from  cooks  and  waiters  in  a  restaurant,

from a pilot and flight attendant on a plane, from doctors and medical personnel in a hospital,

and athletes on the field.  Society doesn   t reward mediocrity and neither can God.

Life
Life  has  one  ultimate  goal: for  individuals to  merit  the  unending  happiness  of  Heaven.

Everything  else  is  insignificant.    If  this  goal  is  not  reached,  one   s  life  is  a  failure.    Our Lord

spoke  of  this  when  He  said,    For  what  does  it  profit  a  man,  if  he  gain  the  whole  world,  but

suffer the loss of his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?   413

How can one merit an eternity of happiness with God if that person doesn   t know Him or has

rarely  spoken with Him  in  prayer?    God  doesn   t  reward  pride  and  selfishness.  Actions

committed here and now have eternal ramifications.  Life passes in a flash.  A person is here

one day and gone the next.  Once eternity begins, it has no end.

Although life is a series of trials, tests and temptations, it is also a means of meriting graces by

patiently enduring temporal sufferings.  Remain in the state of grace in order to avoid dying in

mortal sin.  Life is short   temporal things appear very differently when one enters eternity!

If people only reflected more on God and on the joys of Heaven, the trials of life would be easier

to bear and individuals would do whatever was necessary to get there.  Christ said:    Lay up for

yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither rust  nor  moth  consumes,  nor  thieves  break  in

and  steal.  For  where  thy  treasure  is,  there  also  will thy  heart  be.   414  St.  Therese  of  Lisieux

said,    Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon Heaven, the only one goal of our labors.   415

Jesus  was  transfigured and  rose  from  the  dead with  a  glorified  body to  remind us ofthe

resurrection  of  the  body.  The  glorified  body, the  good  receive  after  the  Last  Judgment will

enjoy  perfect  happiness forever in  Heaven.    The immortalized  body416 of unrepentant  sinners

will reside eternally in Hell.

Death
Death naturally occurs when  the  soul  separates  from  the  body.   St.  Anselm  says  no  one  can

escape death, but its hour is uncertain.  Since death brings about one   s entrance into eternity,

it is better to prepare spiritually for that event than fear it.

There are four possible destinations for the soul.  The soul of a person who was baptized, died

in the state of sanctifying grace and made up for the temporal punishment due to sin by prayer

and  good  works, entersHeaven.  Those  who  have  not  atoned  for  the  temporal  punishment  of

their venial  sins are  cleansed in  the fires  ofPurgatory until  this  purification  process  is

completed.  There they also endure the pain of loss by their temporary separation from God.

The souls of unbaptized infants and the unbaptized who die before attaining the use of reason

go  to  a  place  of earthly happiness similar  to  the  Garden  of  Paradise calledLimbo.    They  are

perfectly content there, but will never see God.

413
Matthew 16, 16.
414
Matthew 6, 20-21.
415
Holy card printed by the Office Central de Lisieux.
416
A body that will never die.

124                                        WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Those  who  die  in  unrepentant  mortal  sin will  be  cast into the eternal flames  ofHell where

there is no relief, no hope and where they will endure sufferings that will never end.

Judging Others

It  is  not  the  right  of  humans  to  judge  others  and  determine  who  is  saved  and  who  is  not.

Christ addressed the issue at the Sermon on the Mount.

Do  not  judge,  that  you  may  not  be  judged.    For  with  what  judgment  you  judge,  you  shall  be
judged and with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you.417

TheDies  IraeSequence  of  the  Mass  of  the  Dead elucidates  this  point  when  it  ponders  the

thought that if at the Last Judgment the just will hardly be secure, what will become of me?

Judgment

Jesus reserves judgment of each individual to Himself.  This will occur immediately after death

at the site of a person   s passing and is called theParticular Judgment.  There is no appeal from

this final sentence as time abruptly ends for that individual and eternity begins.

Since this life is a testing ground, a person who has attained the use of reason either uses the

time given to prove his or her fidelity to God or misuses it by stubbornly rejecting God and His

laws.  One cannot remain neutral.

As  a  scuba  diver  needs special  equipment  to  survive  and  function  underwater,  so  those  who

enter the next life need an immortalized body.  It will either enjoy the everlasting happiness of

Heaven, the joys of Limbo or endure the unending fires of Hell.

Everyone will receive an immortalized body at  the End  of  the  World at theLast  Judgment

(General  Judgment).   The  day of  reckoning will  be  held at  the  Valley  of  Josaphat418 outside

Jerusalem.  There all the good and evil performed by each person on earth will be manifested

to  everyone  who has ever  lived.    Theologians  believe, all  sins  confessed in  the  Sacrament  of

Penance will not be included since God has already pardoned them.

Heaven

Heaven is a place of eternal happiness where the Blessed Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost

dwell  with the  Blessed  Virgin Mary,  angels  and  saints.  The  Apostles    Creed  ends  with  the

words    and  life  everlasting.    Amen.  Even  though  most  Catholics  have  recited  these  words

hundreds of times, most seldom reflect on their meaning.

The  Catechism  of  the  Council  of  Trent teaches  that  these  words  refer  to  the  enjoyment  of

perfect happiness.419  Scripture says the wonders of Heaven are beyond human comprehension:

Eye  has  not  seen nor  ear  heard, nor has  it  entered  the  heart  of  man,  what  things  God  has
prepared for those who love Him.420     I saw a great multitude which no man could number, out
of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne   421

Those who save their immortal souls after death will hear from the lips of Christ the words:

Come,  blessed  of  my  Father,  take  possession  of  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the
foundation of the world.422

417
Matthew 7, 1.
418
The Hebrew translation of Josaphat is:Jehovah judges.
419
pp. 132-133.
420
1 Corinthians 2, 9.
421
Apocalypse 7, 9.
422
St. Matthew 25, 34.

Life, Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell  125

TheCatechism of the Council of Trent teaches:

The  happiness  of  eternal  life  is,  as  defined  by  the  Fathers,an  exemption  from  evil,  and  an
enjoyment of all good.423  [It defines the Beatific Vision:] For the blessed always see God present
and by this greatest and most exalted of gifts, being madepartaker of the divine nature,424 they
enjoy true and solid happiness.425

There each person will be rewarded for a life of virtue and all will be immersed in God who is

the infinite source of goodness.  The saints in Heaven see God face to face in thebeatific vision

and are drawn to Him as iron is to a magnet.  It is a happiness that will never end.

In  Heaven, all  trials,  sufferings,  temptations  overcome,  tears  shed  for  others  or  in  sorrow  for

sin, charitable actions,  fidelity  to  God, and  perseverance  will  be  rewarded  beyond  measure.

There will be no sadness, remorse or tediousness.

St. John in the Apocalypse426 describes Heaven where:

God will wipe  away every  tear  from  their  eyes.    And  death  shall be  no  more,  neither

mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more for the former things have passed away.

There is no jealousy in Heaven because everyone there is united to God.  Each saint is perfectly

happy, yet rewarded according to merits gained on earth. Heaven, don   t miss it for the world.427

Saints  and  spiritual  writers  compare  individuals  in  Heaven  to  vessels,  some  larger,  some

smaller.    Each  is  filled  with  happiness  to  the  brim,  yet  some  have  a  greater  capacity than

others due to additional merits earned while on earth.

The eyes will behold God, Mary, angels, and saints; the ears, celestial music, and the heart will

be  filled  to  overflowing  with  perfect  happiness.     But  the  just  shall  live  for  evermore     they

receive a kingdom of glory and a crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord.   428

Purgatory

Purgatory  is  a  temporary  place  of  punishment  and  purgation  where  souls  are  purified  and

released  once  they  have  atoned  for  their  sins.  They  can  be  assisted  by  the  prayers  of  the

faithful and by indulgences gained on their behalf.  The Book of Machabees says    It is therefore

a  holy  and  wholesome  thought  to  pray  for  the  dead,  that  they  may  be  loosed  from  sins.   429

Those in Purgatory, once they reach Heaven, will ask God to bless those who assisted them.

The Faithful Departed in Purgatory will have many regrets since much of their suffering could

have  been  avoided.   Many  will  lament  that  they didn   t  attend  Mass  more  frequently  or  say

their prayers daily, nor frequented the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist which could

have merited them many graces and repaired for their sins.

Others will wish they had practiced charity when the opportunity arose and forgiven injuries.

All will sadly realize they will not be released until full restitution is made for their sins.

423
p. 135, Chrysost.,Ep. I ad Theod. lapsum; Aug.,De Civitate Dei, lib. xxii. cap. 30.
424
2 Peter 1, 4.
425
p. 137.
426
Chapter 21, Verse 4.
427
A bumper sticker message.
428
Wisdom 5, 16-17.
429
2 Machabees 12, 46.

126                                        WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Hell

Hell is a place of unending suffering and eternal separation from God.  Our Lord will say to the

damned at their judgment,    Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire which was

prepared for the devil and his angels.   430  St. Alphonsus says the worst pain in Hell is eternal

separation from God.  Hell is mentioned 427 times in Scripture.

Those confined in this oven of fire will forever mourn their plight, yet nothing can be done to

change it.  The time of trial has passed.

Condemned  to  a  pool  of  eternal  fire,  devils  and  the  damned  lament  how  easy  it  would  have

been for them to obey God   s commands and merit Heaven.  Demons and the lost will replay in

their minds all that God had done for them.  They realize that their rebellion against Him was

base ingratitude and understand their punishment is just.

Damned human  beings will realize they  have spurned  Jesus    Sufferings  and  Death  on  the

Cross by a life of selfishness and sin.  Even though He opened the Gates of Heaven for others,

they will be forever separated from His love and confined in eternal flames.

Sadly, no one cares or can help another in Hell.  The lost will never experience love.  All suffer

uselessly.    What  a  waste!  The  damned could  have  been  angels  and  saints in  Heaven  if  they

chose to lead a good life.  Their sad plight could have been prevented by prayer.

In Hell, the devils torment the damned while lost souls curse the demons who tempted them.

The terrible confinement in Hell worsens each time another enters.  St. Alphonsus teaches the

damned remain eternally fixed in the position in which they entered.

An Empty Existence

Life without God is personified in the empty obituary of an atheist:

There  will  be  no  viewing  or  visitation.    Cremation  and  burial  took  place  without services    an
avowed  atheist  and  maven  of  good  beer,  fine  wine,  choice bourbon, and  single  malt  scotch
whiskey requested that those desiring to remember and commemorate his life raise a glass and
have a drink to his memory.431

Dying Unprepared

Ruthless Cesare Borgia  led  an  evil  life and  was  feared  by  all.    He  rarely  considered  the

possibility of death and acted as though he would live forever.

Death came suddenly and quickly in the heat of battle.  The last words from his mouth were a

lament that he was unprepared to die.  This was not a good way to enter eternity.

Jesus warned His followers:

Do not love the world, or the things that are in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the

love of the Father is not in him; because all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh,

and  the  lust  of  the  eyes  and  the  pride  of  life;  which  is  not  of  the  Father,  but  from  the

world.    And  the  world  with  its  lust  is  passing  away,  but  he  who  does  the  will  of  God

abides forever. 432

Each person is only given one life.  Live it in a manner pleasing to God.

430
Matthew 25, 41.
431
Observer and Eccentric, Livonia, Michigan, September 16, 2010, p. B6.
432
1 John 2, 15.

Chapter Forty-One

Sacramentals

TheBaltimore Catechismcalls sacramentals holy things or actions, the Church uses to obtain

spiritual  and  temporal  favors from  God.433  Therefore,  blessed objects should be  treated  with

respect.

Author Philip Weller434 describes the close  relationship  that  exists  between  sacraments and

sacramentals,  noting  that  sacramentals both prepare  one  for  receiving the sacraments, and

perpetuate the work of the sacraments.  The Church, not Christ, instituted sacramentals.

Holy water, Epiphany water, Easter water, the sprinkling with holy water during High Mass

and the blessing of babies and children somewhat resembleBaptism.

The Apostolic Blessing and other blessings, and exorcisms compliment the Sacrament ofPenance.

Blessings of  bread,  wine,  candles,  crucifixes,  sacred  images,  liturgical  vestments, churches,

sacred vessels, and altars remind one of the Mass, and the Sacraments ofHoly Orders and the

Holy Eucharist.

The  blessings  of  schools, libraries, church  bells  and  printing  presses  demonstrate  how  the

graces ofConfirmation continue to affect souls.

Blessings of  expectant  mothers,  of  a  mother  after  the  birth  of  a  child, of  fields,  grain  mills,

animals,  homes,  fruit,  produce  and  other  foods  show  the solicitous  care  of  the  Church  over

couples and families after they have received the Sacrament ofMatrimony.

Ceremonies  blessing  the  sick and  elderly, ambulances, hospitals, cemeteries, and graves

manifest the respect for the dying and the dead seen in the rite ofExtreme Unction.

Blessings and Blessed Items

Aconstitutive blessing causes an object to be sacred and set apart for religious purposes only.

The  blessing  remains until  the object  is  destroyed,  sold  or is no  longer  recognizable.435

Therefore, irreparable statues are not to be tossed in the trash, but are to be burned and buried

or broken into pieces and buried.  Old  vestments and old scapulars are to  be burned and the

ashes are buried.  Ashes used for Ash Wednesday come from old palms that have been burned.

By  means  of  aninvocative blessing a  priest asks  God  to  bless  the  individual  (parishioner,

benefactor,  sick  person,  animal),  place  (church,  home,  school,  convent,  factory)  or object (car,

airplane, helicopter).  The blessing petitions God to watch over the individual and protect one

from harm.  Items blessed in this fashion do not have to be disposed of in a special manner.

Blessings that are performed in a church,436 require a priest or bishop to be clothed in cassock

(or religious habit), surplice and stole437 and the items sprinkled with holy water.  Objects that

have been blessed do not lose their blessing if they are repaired, replated or given away.

433
See Fr. Connell, #3, p. 312.
434
See the Introduction to his bookThe Roman Ritual: Part III Blessings, p. xii.
435
This would occur if a wooden altar was destroyed in a fire, or cut up into boards so that it was no longer an altar.
436
The blessing of Rosaries does not require surplice, stole or holy water, although they may be used.
437
Customarily the color of the day is used unless a white, red or violet stole is required by the rubrics.

128                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The words of the rite for a blessing must be read exactly from theRituale Romanum, making

distinctions for singular (one) or plural (many).  There are often vernacular translations of the

prayers so bystanders can better understand what the priest is saying.

Scapulars

Scapulars are composed  of  two  small rectangular pieces  of blessed woolen  cloth of the  same

color  and  fabric  of  material  found  on  the habits  or  scapulars of  various  Religious  Orders and

are  attached  by  two  cords  and  worn  over the  shoulders.    Laity  and  clergy  who wear  the

scapular must be enrolled in order to gain the indulgences attached to them.

Our Lady gave the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to Carmelite St. Simon Stock in

Aylesford, England on July 16, 1251.  This highly indulgenced sacramental comes with Mary   s

promise that whoever dies piously wearing the scapular will not suffer eternal fire.  Individuals

wearing  the  scapular  must  lead  a  good  life in  order to  validate  the  promise.  Pope  Pius  XII

called the Brown Scapular a sign of consecration to Mary.

My  twin  brother,  Fr.  Dominic  Radecki  and  I  were  amazed  when  a  neighbor  told  us he  was

unhurt  when  he  was  shot  during  the  Vietnam  War  since  his Brown  Scapular  stopped the

bullet.  His devout mother faithfully prayed the Rosary daily for his safe return.

The  Five-Way  Scapular  includes  the  Red  Scapular  of  the  Passion, the Brown  Scapular

(Carmelites),  the  Black  Scapular  of  Our  Lady  of  Sorrows  (Servites), the Blue  Scapular  of  the

Immaculate Conception, and the White Scapular of the Blessed Trinity (Trinitarians).

In 1840, Mary gave the Green Scapular to a Daughter of Charity, Sr. Justine Bisqueyburu.  It

is  used primarily  for  conversions and may  be  given  to  non-Catholics.    The  person  giving  or

receiving the Green Scapular is requested to say daily: Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us

now and at the hour of our death.

Wearing a scapular is a visible reminder to dress modestly and allows the person to share in

the prayers and good works of the Religious Orders the scapular represents.

Blessed Medals

Medals with stamped images of Christ, Our Lady, saints, or angels are sacramentals that are

often  worn  around  the  neck  suspended  by  a  chain  or  cord.  TheSt.  Benedict  Medal and  the

Miraculous  Medal(Medal  of  the  Immaculate  Conception) are  the  most  highly  indulgenced.

Both are very powerful as a means of protection against the devil.

Chapter Forty-Two

Prayer

TheBaltimore  Catechismdefines  prayer as raising  one   s  mind  and  heart  to  God. In  simple

terms, prayer is talking to God.  By having daily communication and a loving conversation with

God through prayer, the soul grows in grace and develops a closer union with Him.

The four ends of prayer are:adorationloving and honoring God

petitionasking God for assistance and favors

reparation asking pardon of God

thanksgiving thanking God for His favors and blessings

God always hears prayers, but doesn   t give people  what  they  want,  but what  is  best  for  the

individual at the time since He knows certain things may not be good for them.

Focus

St.  Alphonsus says to  persevere  in  prayer: pray  daily  with  confidence  and  reverent  devotion.

God is more apt to hear one   s prayer if the person is fervent and perseveringly asks for help.

Before prayer, prepare thy soul.   438  Pause and briefly entrust all spiritual and material needs

to His care.  Focus on what you are saying and look at sacred pictures if it helps.  Distractions

are often caused either by the devil or by not preparing properly.

If thoughts of family, cares or material needs arise during prayer, banish them, unless there is

an emergency, and return to prayer, asking God for assistance.  St. Francis de Sales said that

many times God Himself resolved difficulties as he prayed.

The spirit of prayer should become like second nature and pervade one   s life, for Our Lord said,

we ought always to pray      439  Saints call this living in the presence of God.

Effects of Prayer

Prayer  keeps  a  person   s eyes  on  Heaven  and  helps  one  endure  the  difficulties  in  life.

Temptations are overcome or banished by turning to God for assistance.  Prayer with childlike

confidence helps individuals realize that God cares and will assist, especially when asked.

Mental Prayer

Meditation is mental prayer that leads to closer union with God.  It helps one focus on God   s

love, the lives of Jesus and Mary and the salvation of one   s soul.  The Catholic Church opposes

transcendental meditation since it has Buddhist and Hindu roots and is self-absorbing.

The Stations of the Cross

The  practice  of  the  Stations  of  the  Cross  recalls  Jesus    Passion  and  Death.    Mary  used  to

traverse the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem to revere the places where Christ suffered to repair

for the sins of the world.  Many imitated her actions and some even traveled to the Holy Land.

Due  to  the  difficulty  and  danger  of  traveling  to  the  Holy  Land,  popes  granted  indulgences  to

the Faithful who moved from station to station in church to imitate the actions of Our Lord and

recall the events that occurred on Good Friday.  When prayed in common, it suffices that the

leader walks from station to station.

438
Ecclesiasticus 18, 23.
439
Luke 18, 1.

130                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

The Most Holy Rosary

Our  Lady gave  St.  Dominic the Fifteen  Mystery Rosary  in  1214.   This highly  indulgenced

devotion combinesvocal prayer   the recitation of the Apostles    Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary,

Glory  Be, and the Fatima  Prayer440withmental prayer   meditation  on  the holy lives of Jesus

and Mary.  It is customary for Catholics to pray five decades daily, preferably as a family.

Pope Pius XII wrote in the Encyclical441 Ingruentium Malorum:

It  is  above  all  in  the  bosom  of  the  family  that  we  desire  the  custom  of  the  holy  Rosary  to  be
everywhere  adopted,  religiously  preserved  and  evermore  intensely  practiced.    What  a  sweet
sight, most pleasing to God, when the Christian home resounds with the repetition of the praises
in honor of the August Queen of Heaven.

The Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation Angel Gabriel asks Mary to be the Mother of the Messias

The Visitation Mary visits her cousin St. Elizabeth

The NativityJesus is born in Bethlehem

The Presentation Our Lady and St. Joseph present Jesus in the Temple

The Finding in the Temple Mary and St. Joseph find Christ in Jerusalem

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

The Scourging at the Pillar Our Lord suffers for the sins of the world

The Crowning with Thorns Christ is mocked by the Roman Soldiers

The Carrying of the Cross Jesus journeys to Mt. Calvary

The Crucifixion Our Redeemer dies on the Cross

The Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection Jesus rises from the dead

The Ascension Our Lord ascends into Heaven

The Descent of the Holy Ghost Mary and the Apostles receive the Holy Ghost

The Assumption Our Lady is taken to Heaven

The Coronation Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth

Pope St. Pius X said:    Of all prayers, the Rosary is the most beautiful and the richest in graces;

of all, it is one which is most pleasing to Mary, the Virgin Most Holy.   442

Joyful Mysteries are prayed on Mondays, Thursdays and on the Sundays of Advent,

Christmas, Epiphany, and Septuagesima.

Sorrowful Mysteries are prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays and on Sundays during Lent.

Glorious Mysteries are prayed on Wednesdays, Saturdays and on all remaining Sundays.

440
Our Lady of Fatima requested that the following prayer be recited after each decade: O my Jesus, forgive our sins.  Save us from
the fires of Hell.  Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of Thy mercy.
441
September 15, 1951.
442
Philip O   Reilley,1000 Questions and Answers on Catholicism,p. 143.

Chapter Forty-Three

Using Time Well

There is only one thing on earth that you can have, make, buy, lose, find, save, or waste.  You

can  buy  it,  but  it   s  not  for  sale,  you  can  lose  it,  but  few  find  it.    It can  be saved  or  wasted.

Although only a concept, it is very real.  It is composed of only four letters, yet touches eternity.

The use of it will determine one   s final abode.  What is it?  Time.

God is beyond time because He is eternal.

Make time for prayer.  Find time to daily get closer to God.

Arrange time to teach your children the faith.

Get to Mass on time; it is the most grace-filled time of the day.

Talk to Jesus during the time He abides in your heart at Holy Communion.

Confession and Holy Communion need to be more frequent than just during Easter time.

Practice charity and avoid spending extra time in Purgatory.

Set aside quality time for your spouse and family.  Take time to recharge.

Don   t waste time on long phone calls, texting or surfing the Internet.

When time ends, where will you spend eternity?

Although many wonder what is required to become a saint and get to Heaven, it simply comes

down  to  using  time  properly.  Everyone  is  allotted only a  certain  period  of time.   Eternity

begins once the hourglass runs out.

Even though many think time is endless, no one can be sure of being alive tomorrow.  The end

of  the  world comes for  each  individual  when  God  calls.  Hopefully,  all of  one   s sins will  have

been pardoned and atonement made before entering eternity.

Those who lead a life of sin and selfishness go to judgment devoid of merits and deserving of

punishment.  Unforgiven mortal sin will be the cause of the damnation of millions.

God rewards  those who remain  faithful  to  Him  on  earth with  an  eternity  of  happiness.

Prayers,  good  works,  Masses attended, sacraments  received, Rosaries  prayed,  temptations

overcome, and virtues practiced are spiritual treasures that merit reward.  Spend time well in

order to persevere and die in God   s grace.  While taking time for others, never neglect oneself.

St. John Chrysostom says,    Whoever arms himself with prayer will not sin       and that prayer

is a powerful means of warding off the attacks of the devil, and affords us protection against

all  dangers.     St.  Ephrem  writes:    It  preserves  moderation,  represses  anger,  checks  pride  and

envy, quiets feelings of revenge, draws down the Holy Ghost upon the soul and raises man to

Heaven.   443  St. Alphonsus Liguori said:

A person who prays will certainly be saved, but a person who does not pray will certainly be lost.
All who have been saved, were saved through prayer.  All who have been lost were lost through
their neglect of prayer.444

443
Very Rev. Charles Callan, OP,Illustrations for Sermons and Instructions, p. 185.
444
Benedictine Convent of Perpetual Adoration, Clyde, Missouri,Prayer: the Great Means of Grace, p. 7-8.

132                                         WONDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

Daily Prayers

Catholics  should daily recite  the  Morning  Offering  on  rising to  offer the  day  to  God.    Before

retiring, it  is  customary  to say  the  Angel  of  God  prayer, make  a  short  examination  of

conscience and recite the Act of Contrition.

In order to persevere in the grace of God in these turbulent times, it is almost essential to pray

five decades of the Rosary daily.  The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest prayer, and the

time after reception of Holy Communion, the most precious of one   s life.

St. Therese of Lisieux said prayer should not be complicated, nor like a mathematical formula.

There  is  a  big  difference  between  devotion  and  devotions.    The  Book  of Proverbs  beautifully

summarizes prayer in the words:    I love them that love Me: and they that in the morning early

watch for Me, shall find Me.   445

The Promises of Christ

The prayer, Hail Holy Queen ends with a versicle and response:

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.        That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

What are the promises of Christ?  These can be found in the Gospels.  Below are some of them.

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.   446

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.   447

I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world.   448

If anyone love Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him,

and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.   449

Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.   450

as long as you did it for one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it for Me.   451

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened

to you.   452

everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge before my Father

in Heaven.   453

He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has life everlasting and I will raise him

up on the last day.   454

Not everyone who says to me,    Lord, Lord    shall enter the kingdom of Heaven; but

he who does the will of my Father in Heaven shall enter the kingdom of Heaven.   455

445
Chapter 8, Verse 17.
446
Mark 16, 16.
447
John 20, 29.
448
Matthew 28, 20.
449
John 14, 23.
450
Matthew 11, 28.
451
Matthew 25, 40.
452
John 16, 24.
453
Matthew 10, 32.
454
John 6, 55.
455
Matthew 7, 21.

134

Questions

Chapter 1  Proofs for the Existence of God

1. What is meant by the wordsFirst Cause?

2. How do cause and effect prove the existence of God?

3. How does order in the universe prove there must be a God?

4. Explain conscience.

5. Is God all-just?  Explain.

Chapter 2  Atheistic Evolution/ The Big Bang Theory

1. Who was Pierre Laplace?

2. Is there any tangible proof for Darwin   s theory of evolution?

3. What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

4. Could God have started the world with a Big Bang?  Explain.

5. Why do true scientists know a Creator made the world?

Chapter 3  The Blessed Trinity

1. Who is God?

2. Name the Three Divine Persons.

3. Name two physical objects that demonstrate three in one.

4. What occurred at Jesus    Baptism?

5. What obligation does a person have to God?

Chapter 4  Erroneous Concepts of God

1. Define agnosticism.

2. Define atheism.

3. Define materialism.

4. Define pantheism.

5. Why is reincarnation unreasonable?

Chapter 5  Unjustly Blaming God for Difficulties

1. What are physical evils?

2. Does God directly will or merely permit evil?

3. Why does God allow suffering and trials in life?

4. Can these be meritorious?

5. What is Divine Providence?

Chapter 6  Angels

1. Why did God create angels and humans?

2. Name four satanic practices that endanger the soul.

3. What means can be used to combat devils?

4. Name three major archangels.

5. Name three biblical events at which angels were present.

135

Chapter 7  Humans

1. Why did God create humans?

2. Name the three types of gifts God gave Adam and Eve.

3. Who did Adam blame after eating the forbidden fruit?  Who did Eve blame?

4. Name four punishments God gave Adam and Eve and their offspring.

5. What was the greatest gift Adam and Eve lost at the Fall?

Chapter 8  The Redeemer

1. What does the wordIncarnation mean?

2. Why did the Redeemer have to be God-man?

3. Name two of the effects of the Redemption.

4. Name three of Christ   s miracles.

5. What artifact proves the Passion and Resurrection of Christ?

Chapter 9  The Blessed Virgin Mary

1. Where is the first scriptural reference to Mary?

2. Which prophet predicted that the Messias would be born of a virgin?

3. What do the wordsImmaculate Conception mean?

4. Why is Mary rightly called Mother of God?

5. Why is Mary called co-Redemptrix?

Chapter 10  Grace

1. Why is grace necessary for salvation?

2. What is actual grace?

3. What is sanctifying grace?

4. Does God give everyone sufficient grace to be saved?  Explain.

5. How does one fall from grace?

Chapter 11  Faith

1. Why is faith the foundation of the other virtues?

2. Which saint said that faith without works is dead?

3. How does supernatural faith affect a person   s life?

4. Describe the difference between pleasure and happiness.

5. Explain peace of soul.

Chapter 12  Hope

1. What is the virtue of hope?

2. Name three books from the Old Testament that inspire one to have hope.

3. Name three things needed for a good foundation of a marriage.

4. What are presumption and despair?

5. When is the virtue of hope most necessary?

136

Chapter 13  Charity

1. What is the virtue of charity?

2. Give an example of Christian charity.

3. What is the difference between will and emotion?

4. What is the difference between the corporal and spiritual works of mercy?

5. Name the four cardinal virtues.

Chapter 14  Temptation

1. Is temptation a sin?

2. How does a person overcome temptation?

3. What is full consent?

4. What is partial consent?

5. Name three holy men that fell in the Old Testament.

Chapter 15  Sin

1. Name four ways a person can sin.

2. Why are venial sins not to be taken lightly?

3. Why is mortal sin deadly?

4. Name the Seven Capital Sins.

5. What three conditions are necessary for a sin to be mortal?

Chapter 16  The First Commandment

1. What is the First Commandment?

2. Why are Catholics forbidden to actively participate in non-Catholic religious ceremonies?

3. Name four popes who condemnedcommunicatio in sacris.

4. Why is the use of Ouija Boards sinful?

5. Describe the difference between a heretic and an apostate.

Chapter 17  The Third Commandment

1. Why is Mass attendance obligatory on Sundays and Holy Days?

2. Name two things forbidden by the Third Commandment.

3. Name the three essential elements of the Mass.

4. What are Rogation Days and Ember Days?

5. What three languages are used in the Tridentine Latin Mass?

Chapter 18  The Second Commandment

1. Why is it wrong to use the name of God in surprise and anger?

2. Name a vow commonly taken today.

3. Why is it wrong to say    I swear to God    unnecessarily?

4. Why is perjury a mortal sin?

5. How can a person stop the habit of using God   s name in vain?

137

Chapter 19  The Fourth Commandment

1. Why must children show respect for their parents?

2. How does one show love for parents?

3. Why is it important to listen to those in authority?

4. Why is disobedience wrong?

5. Is it wrong to delay in obeying?

Chapter 20  The Fifth Commandment

1. How can sarcasm become sinful?

2. Is abortion a mortal sin?  Why?

3. How does a person repair the reputation of another?

4. Why is it a mortal sin to drive under the influence?

5. Why is drug abuse wrong?

Chapter 21  The Eighth Commandment

1. Why is honesty important for a person   s character?

2. What is culpable negligence?

3. Why is    white lie    a contradiction of terms?

4. What is rash judgment?

5. Why are slander and detraction so detestable to God?

Chapter 22  The Sixth and Ninth Commandments

1. How can a person preserve purity?

2. What did Christ mean when He said,    the clean of heart shall see God?

3. Why did Jesus call the eyes    the windows of the soul?

4. Why must occasions of sin be avoided?

5. Why is purity like a priceless diamond?

Chapter 23  The Seventh and Tenth Commandments

1. Why did God command all to respect the property of others?

2. Why should people be content with necessities?

3. How does one practice justice in the workplace?

4. What did St. Augustine say about restitution?

5. Will material goods ever make anyone perfectly happy?

Chapter 24  What Makes a Sin Mortal?

1. Most mortal sins offend against what three virtues?

2. What does the wordvoluntarymean?

3. What causes the matter of sin to be grave?

4. How do sins of thought become serious?

5. Why is the omission of the Easter duty a serious sin?

138

Chapter 25  Spiritual Blindness

1. How does one become spiritually blind?

2. What are the consequences of spiritual blindness?

3. How can it be overcome?

4. How does one who has fallen return to God?

5. How did God punish Nebuchadnezzar?

Chapter 26  Saints

1. Why do Catholics use statues and sacred images?

2. What non-religious images are commonly seen in cities today?

3. Why are the bodies of the departed to be buried, not cremated?

4. Explain the difference between latria, hyperdulia and dulia.

5. What are relics and why are they revered?

Chapter 27  The Seven Sacraments

1. Why did Christ institute the Seven Sacraments?

2. What are the four essential elements for each sacrament?

3. Explainex opere operato.

4. Explainex opere operantis.

5. What three oils are used in the sacraments?

Chapter 28  Baptism

1. Name the five effects of Baptism.

2. What are baptismal vows?

3. Why is Baptism necessary for salvation?

4. What does the lighted candle used during the ceremony represent?

5. What is conditional Baptism?

Chapter 29  Penance

1. When did the Apostles receive the power to forgive sin?

2. Why did Christ institute the Sacrament of Penance?

3. What is meant by the Confessional Seal?

4. What is an Examination of Conscience?

5. What is a Firm Purpose of Amendment?

Chapter 30  The Holy Eucharist

1. What is the Holy Eucharist?

2. What is the Communion Fast?

3. What is the Easter Duty?

4. Why should one make a thanksgiving after Holy Communion?

5. What three requirements are necessary to receive the Holy Eucharist?

139

Chapter 31  Confirmation

1. How did Pentecost transform the Apostles?

2. What are the four effects of Confirmation?

3. Name the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost.

4. Name the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost.

5. Why is Confirmation important today?

Chapter 32  Matrimony

1. Who is the minister for the Sacrament of Matrimony?

2. What are the Laws of the Church concerning marriage?

3. What is the primary purpose of marriage?

4. What is the secondary purpose of marriage?

5. What are the two essential properties of marriage?

Chapter 33  Holy Orders

1. What is priestly celibacy?

2. What is Apostolic Succession?

3. Who possesses the fullness of the priesthood?

4. What are the main duties of priests and bishops?

5. Why is the priesthood the lifeblood of the Church?

Chapter 34  Extreme Unction

1. Should a person wait until immediately before death to receive Extreme Unction?

2. What are the effects of this sacrament?

3. What are the Last Sacraments?

4. What parts of the body are anointed during Extreme Unction?

5. What is Holy Viaticum and what do the Latin words mean?

Chapter 35  The Catholic Church

1. What do the three rings of the papal tiara represent?

2. Who is the Head of the Catholic Church?

3. What is papal infallibility?

4. What is indefectibility?

5. What is aninterregnum?

Chapter 36  The Deposit of Faith

1. What is the Deposit of Faith?

2. What was the ancient Greek Old Testament called?

3. What is an ancient codex of Scripture?

4. Which saint wrote the Latin Vulgate Bible?

5. What is Apostolic Tradition?

140

Chapter 37  The Four Marks of the Church

1. Explain the unity of the Church.

2. Explain the holiness of the Church.

3. Explain the catholicity of the Church.

4. Explain the apostolicity of the Church.

5. Why did Jesus develop a visible Church?

Chapter 38  The Laws of Fast and Abstinence

1. Why do Catholics fast during the 40 days of Lent?

2. Who is bound to the laws of fast?

3. Who is bound to the laws of abstinence?

4. What foods must one avoid on days of abstinence?

5. Who is dispensed from fasting?

Chapter 39  Indulgences

1. What is a partial indulgence?

2. What is a plenary indulgence?

3. What are the requirements for gaining a plenary indulgence?

4. Why is it important to gain indulgences?

5. Why is it important to vocalize prayer?

Chapter 40  Life,Death,Judgment,Heaven, Hell

1. What is meant by the resurrection of the body?

2. Is death something to be feared?

3. What is the Particular Judgment?

4. How did St. Paul explain eternal happiness?

5. What causes a person to spend eternity in Hell?

Chapter 41  Sacramentals

1. What is a sacramental?

2. What is a constitutive blessing?

3. What is an invocative blessing?

4. Explain the importance of the Brown Scapular.

5. Which medals are very powerful against the devil?

Chapter 42  Prayer

1. What is the difference between vocal prayer and mental prayer?

2. Why must one pray daily?

3. Why should the Stations of the Cross be prayed during Lent?

4. Who began the practice of the Stations of the Cross?

5. Why is the Rosary so important?

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