religions-12-00458-v3.pdf
249.6 KB
Article
Correcting Acedia through Wonder and Gratitude
Brandon Dahm
In the capital vices tradition, acedia was fought through perseverance and manual labor. In this paper, I argue that we can also fight acedia through practicing wonder and gratitude. I show this through an account of moral formation developed out of the insight of the virtues and vices traditions that character traits affect how we see things. In the first section, I use Robert Roberts’s account of emotions to explain a mechanism by which virtues and vices affect vision and thus moral formation. Then, by looking at the capital vices tradition, I argue that restless boredom is a primary construal of the vice of acedia. Third, I explain wonder and gratitude through the work of G.K. Chesterton and Roberts, respectively. In light of their accounts, I explain how the construals of wonder and gratitude are contrary to the construal of acedia. Finally, I offer some practices that encourage gratitude and wonder.
#acedia
Correcting Acedia through Wonder and Gratitude
Brandon Dahm
In the capital vices tradition, acedia was fought through perseverance and manual labor. In this paper, I argue that we can also fight acedia through practicing wonder and gratitude. I show this through an account of moral formation developed out of the insight of the virtues and vices traditions that character traits affect how we see things. In the first section, I use Robert Roberts’s account of emotions to explain a mechanism by which virtues and vices affect vision and thus moral formation. Then, by looking at the capital vices tradition, I argue that restless boredom is a primary construal of the vice of acedia. Third, I explain wonder and gratitude through the work of G.K. Chesterton and Roberts, respectively. In light of their accounts, I explain how the construals of wonder and gratitude are contrary to the construal of acedia. Finally, I offer some practices that encourage gratitude and wonder.
#acedia
St. Anselm of Canterbury - Cur Deus Homo.pdf
690.3 KB
Cur Deus Homo
St. Anselm of Canterbury
1033/4–1109
From the theme on which it was
published I have called it Cur Deus Homo, and have divided it into two short books. The first contains the objections of infidels, who despise the Christian faith because they deem it contrary to reason; and also the reply of believers; and, in fine, leaving Christ out of view (as if nothing had ever been known of him), it proves, by absolute reasons, the impossibility that any man should be saved without him. Again, in the second book, likewise, as if nothing were known of Christ, it is moreover shown by plain reasoning and fact that human nature was ordained for this purpose, viz., that every man should enjoy a happy immortality, both in body and in soul; and that it was necessary that this design for which man was made should be fulfilled; but that it could not be fulfilled unless God became man, and unless all things were to take place which we hold with regard to Christ.
St. Anselm of Canterbury
1033/4–1109
From the theme on which it was
published I have called it Cur Deus Homo, and have divided it into two short books. The first contains the objections of infidels, who despise the Christian faith because they deem it contrary to reason; and also the reply of believers; and, in fine, leaving Christ out of view (as if nothing had ever been known of him), it proves, by absolute reasons, the impossibility that any man should be saved without him. Again, in the second book, likewise, as if nothing were known of Christ, it is moreover shown by plain reasoning and fact that human nature was ordained for this purpose, viz., that every man should enjoy a happy immortality, both in body and in soul; and that it was necessary that this design for which man was made should be fulfilled; but that it could not be fulfilled unless God became man, and unless all things were to take place which we hold with regard to Christ.
Ecce Verbum
The necessity of spiritual reading "..he who wishes often to be with God ought to pray frequently and read pious books." St. Augustine "The lack that comes for souls from the lack of reading holy books makes me shudder. What power spiritual reading has…
Study, so you may be doers of the Word
Once when the Brethren asked whether it were his will that the clerks that had been already received into the Order should devote themselves unto the study of Holy Scripture, he made answer: “It is indeed my will, yet for so long alone as they follow the example of Christ, Who, we read, prayed more than He read, and for so long as they do not lose their zeal for prayer, nor study only that they may know how they ought to speak; rather let them study that they may be doers of the word, and, when they have done it, may set forth unto others what they too should do.
St. Bonaventure, The Life of St. Francis
#spiritualreading
Once when the Brethren asked whether it were his will that the clerks that had been already received into the Order should devote themselves unto the study of Holy Scripture, he made answer: “It is indeed my will, yet for so long alone as they follow the example of Christ, Who, we read, prayed more than He read, and for so long as they do not lose their zeal for prayer, nor study only that they may know how they ought to speak; rather let them study that they may be doers of the word, and, when they have done it, may set forth unto others what they too should do.
St. Bonaventure, The Life of St. Francis
#spiritualreading
Ecce Verbum
Study, so you may be doers of the Word Once when the Brethren asked whether it were his will that the clerks that had been already received into the Order should devote themselves unto the study of Holy Scripture, he made answer: “It is indeed my will, yet…
Spiritual reading
"Let devotion accompany all your studies. Study less to make yourself learned than to become a saint."
"Consult God more than your books, and ask him, with humility, to make you understand what you read."
St. Vincent Ferrer
"Knowledge must precede love, and only when she has attained love, can she strive to follow and to clothe herself with the truth."
The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena
Notes:
•Many become neither holy nor learned, because true learning doesn't consist in seeking one's own glory in excessive study, but in the science of the saints; that is to say, in knowing how to love Jesus and your neighbor.
#spiritualreading
"Let devotion accompany all your studies. Study less to make yourself learned than to become a saint."
"Consult God more than your books, and ask him, with humility, to make you understand what you read."
St. Vincent Ferrer
"Knowledge must precede love, and only when she has attained love, can she strive to follow and to clothe herself with the truth."
The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena
Notes:
•Many become neither holy nor learned, because true learning doesn't consist in seeking one's own glory in excessive study, but in the science of the saints; that is to say, in knowing how to love Jesus and your neighbor.
#spiritualreading
the nature and value of apologetics.pdf
49.3 KB
Article
The nature and value of apologetics
Fr. Laux
In order to profit by the study of Apologetics, we must approach it in the right spirit—the spirit of humility; for if there is a God, the attitude of our soul towards Him must necessarily be the humble petition: "Lord, that I may see." And we must purge our hearts from the dominion of the passions, for only the pure of heart shall see God—in this life as well as in the next.
5. The student of Apologetics should heed the admonition of St. Augustine: "We must not want to solve all the difficulties against the Faith before we believe, in order that our life may not come to an end without faith. Simple faith gives us an ever deeper understanding of the things of faith. By faith we subject ourselves to God. If we subject ourselves to God, we shall live right; if we live right, our heart becomes pure; and if our heart is pure, we shall see the truth of what we believe."
#apologetics
The nature and value of apologetics
Fr. Laux
In order to profit by the study of Apologetics, we must approach it in the right spirit—the spirit of humility; for if there is a God, the attitude of our soul towards Him must necessarily be the humble petition: "Lord, that I may see." And we must purge our hearts from the dominion of the passions, for only the pure of heart shall see God—in this life as well as in the next.
5. The student of Apologetics should heed the admonition of St. Augustine: "We must not want to solve all the difficulties against the Faith before we believe, in order that our life may not come to an end without faith. Simple faith gives us an ever deeper understanding of the things of faith. By faith we subject ourselves to God. If we subject ourselves to God, we shall live right; if we live right, our heart becomes pure; and if our heart is pure, we shall see the truth of what we believe."
#apologetics
The Obedience of Athanasius.pdf
149.1 KB
Article
The obedience of St. Athanasius
This article is written in response to the many times St. Athanasius of Alexandria is invoked in support of clerics who are manifestly disobedient to their superiors. "All those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" says St. Paul (2 Tim. 3:12).
The Church is composed of fallible, sinful men, and it is always possible that a righteous person who desires only the will of God and good of the Church will end up being persecuted by ecclesiastical or secular authority. This is a given fact of Christian life; the real question is how is a Christian to respond to these trials? Specifically, how is a cleric to respond when unjustly persecuted by those who are his ecclesiastical superiors?
#obedience
The obedience of St. Athanasius
This article is written in response to the many times St. Athanasius of Alexandria is invoked in support of clerics who are manifestly disobedient to their superiors. "All those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" says St. Paul (2 Tim. 3:12).
The Church is composed of fallible, sinful men, and it is always possible that a righteous person who desires only the will of God and good of the Church will end up being persecuted by ecclesiastical or secular authority. This is a given fact of Christian life; the real question is how is a Christian to respond to these trials? Specifically, how is a cleric to respond when unjustly persecuted by those who are his ecclesiastical superiors?
#obedience
Newman on Infallibility.pdf
1.2 MB
Article
Newman on Infallibility
Avery Dulles, S.J.
John Henry Newman ran the gamut of practically all the positions on infallibility that are compatible with a sincere acceptance of a once-for-all revelation of God in Christ.
In his Anglican days he attacked infallibility as the fundamental flaw of the Roman Catholic system. In his Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, composed as he was transferring to the Roman allegiance, he answered his previous objections and argued for the necessity of an infallible teaching authority.
In his Apologia pro vita sua, as a seasoned Catholic, he stoutly defended the principle of infallibility, with applications to the dogmatic teachings of Trent and the papal definition of the Immaculate Conception.
But during Vatican Council I he nervously expressed his opposition to the proposed definition of papal infallibility.
Newman on Infallibility
Avery Dulles, S.J.
John Henry Newman ran the gamut of practically all the positions on infallibility that are compatible with a sincere acceptance of a once-for-all revelation of God in Christ.
In his Anglican days he attacked infallibility as the fundamental flaw of the Roman Catholic system. In his Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, composed as he was transferring to the Roman allegiance, he answered his previous objections and argued for the necessity of an infallible teaching authority.
In his Apologia pro vita sua, as a seasoned Catholic, he stoutly defended the principle of infallibility, with applications to the dogmatic teachings of Trent and the papal definition of the Immaculate Conception.
But during Vatican Council I he nervously expressed his opposition to the proposed definition of papal infallibility.
Ecce Verbum
On love and detachment St. John of the Cross The first is that you should have an equal love for and an equal forgetfulness of all persons, whether relatives or not, and withdraw your heart from relatives as much as from others, and in some ways even more…
12-4-99 (1).pdf
152.3 KB
Conference on Detachment
Fr. Chad Ripperger, F.S.S.P., PhD.
Detachment, sometimes called Holy Indifference, is the withholding of affection from creatures to God alone. What this means is that one desires nothing, seeks after nothing, wants nothing except God alone. Holy Indifference means that when it comes to the created order we are completely indifferent as to what happens to it and to us. We are not indifferent or detached than for any other reason than God alone. We are not detached because these things are evil; we are detached because they are good and since they are good they can come between us and God. This detachment has to be complete.
#detachment
Fr. Chad Ripperger, F.S.S.P., PhD.
Detachment, sometimes called Holy Indifference, is the withholding of affection from creatures to God alone. What this means is that one desires nothing, seeks after nothing, wants nothing except God alone. Holy Indifference means that when it comes to the created order we are completely indifferent as to what happens to it and to us. We are not indifferent or detached than for any other reason than God alone. We are not detached because these things are evil; we are detached because they are good and since they are good they can come between us and God. This detachment has to be complete.
#detachment
Ecce Verbum
12-4-99 (1).pdf
Detachment is a withdrawal from all evil desires.
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
John 12:24
“Whatever a man loves he inevitably clings to, and in order not to lose it he rejects everything that keeps him from it. So he who loves God cultivates pure prayer, driving out every passion that keeps him from it.”
St Maximos the Confessor
"When self-will and ease become habitual, they overthrow a man."
St. Poemen
“If you purify your soul of attachment to and desire for things, you will understand them spiritually. If you deny your appetite for them, you will enjoy their truth, understanding what is certain in them.”
St John of the Cross
#detachment
"Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
John 12:24
“Whatever a man loves he inevitably clings to, and in order not to lose it he rejects everything that keeps him from it. So he who loves God cultivates pure prayer, driving out every passion that keeps him from it.”
St Maximos the Confessor
"When self-will and ease become habitual, they overthrow a man."
St. Poemen
“If you purify your soul of attachment to and desire for things, you will understand them spiritually. If you deny your appetite for them, you will enjoy their truth, understanding what is certain in them.”
St John of the Cross
#detachment
ssi07part8.pdf
44.6 KB
Article
Eucharistic Relics of Lanciano in Biologic Research
Renato Bettica Giovannini
In the year 700, a monk of the Basilian Fathers was celebrating Mass in the church of Sts. Legonzian and Damian (now St. Francis) near Lanciano in the province of Chieti, Italy. As he pronounced the words of the consecration, doubt rose in his mind as to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, i.e., in the consecrated Bread and Wine. And in the very moment of doubt, according to the tradition, the miracle happened; the species of bread changed into Flesh and that of wine became Blood, which then clotted in five little irregular pellets.
#eucharist
Eucharistic Relics of Lanciano in Biologic Research
Renato Bettica Giovannini
In the year 700, a monk of the Basilian Fathers was celebrating Mass in the church of Sts. Legonzian and Damian (now St. Francis) near Lanciano in the province of Chieti, Italy. As he pronounced the words of the consecration, doubt rose in his mind as to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, i.e., in the consecrated Bread and Wine. And in the very moment of doubt, according to the tradition, the miracle happened; the species of bread changed into Flesh and that of wine became Blood, which then clotted in five little irregular pellets.
#eucharist
Ecce Verbum
ssi07part8.pdf
St. Anthony and the mule who knelt down before the Eucharist
There were many miracles that Saint Anthony performed throughout his life. One of the most famous miracles was the “Eucharistic Miracle of Rimini” or the so-called “Mule Miracle”.
Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) preached despite major setbacks and struggles. The Church was strongly opposed by heretical movements that did not accept the real presence of our Lord in the Eucharist.
During his intense evangelizing activity, Saint Anthony wandered around the Rimini area (north-western Italy) around 1223 and it is precisely in this period that the miracle is narrated in several historical books – including the Begninitas, one of the first sources on the life of the saint – which contain similar episodes tell stories that also happened in Toulouse and Burges.
The episode refers to the struggle between Christians and heretics. In those times the ecclesiastical hierarchy was strongly opposed by heterodox movements including Cathars, Patriots and Waldensians. These particularly attacked one of the fundamental truths of the Catholic faith: the real presence of our Lord in the Eucharist.
One day Saint Anthony heard of a man in Rimini named named Bononillo who did not share the same belief. In fact, Bononillo openly mocked people who believed that Jesus was truly present under the appearances of bread and wine.
St. Anthony tried his hardest to convince Bononillo with the proofs of scripture and argument, but discovered that the man was as stubborn as a mule.
Then St. Anthony received an inspiration. He challenged the wealthy merchant, “If the mule you ride adored the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, would you believe in the truth of the Blessed Sacrament?” Bononillo agreed, but decided to raise the stakes. Bononillo would starve his mule for three days and then bring it to the town square. Saint Anthony would bring the Blessed Sacrament to that same square. The mule then would be put in front of a pile of hay and St. Anthony would stand a few yards away with the Blessed Sacrament. What happened next would decide the victor.
To prepare for the event, St. Anthony fasted for three days, and Bononillo in turn told everyone in the town. Bononillo was convinced that the mule would think nothing of the Eucharist and ravenously eat the pile of hay.
On the day of the test, Bononillo brought his mule and placed the hay under the mule’s nose. St. Anthony came and stood a distance away with the Holy Eucharist. Defying all odds, the mule turned his head and walked over to Saint Anthony. When the mule was close, the animal bent his front legs and kneeled in adoration! When Bononillo saw this miraculous change of events, he immediately knelt down and professed his belief in the truth of the Real Presence.
There were many miracles that Saint Anthony performed throughout his life. One of the most famous miracles was the “Eucharistic Miracle of Rimini” or the so-called “Mule Miracle”.
Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) preached despite major setbacks and struggles. The Church was strongly opposed by heretical movements that did not accept the real presence of our Lord in the Eucharist.
During his intense evangelizing activity, Saint Anthony wandered around the Rimini area (north-western Italy) around 1223 and it is precisely in this period that the miracle is narrated in several historical books – including the Begninitas, one of the first sources on the life of the saint – which contain similar episodes tell stories that also happened in Toulouse and Burges.
The episode refers to the struggle between Christians and heretics. In those times the ecclesiastical hierarchy was strongly opposed by heterodox movements including Cathars, Patriots and Waldensians. These particularly attacked one of the fundamental truths of the Catholic faith: the real presence of our Lord in the Eucharist.
One day Saint Anthony heard of a man in Rimini named named Bononillo who did not share the same belief. In fact, Bononillo openly mocked people who believed that Jesus was truly present under the appearances of bread and wine.
St. Anthony tried his hardest to convince Bononillo with the proofs of scripture and argument, but discovered that the man was as stubborn as a mule.
Then St. Anthony received an inspiration. He challenged the wealthy merchant, “If the mule you ride adored the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, would you believe in the truth of the Blessed Sacrament?” Bononillo agreed, but decided to raise the stakes. Bononillo would starve his mule for three days and then bring it to the town square. Saint Anthony would bring the Blessed Sacrament to that same square. The mule then would be put in front of a pile of hay and St. Anthony would stand a few yards away with the Blessed Sacrament. What happened next would decide the victor.
To prepare for the event, St. Anthony fasted for three days, and Bononillo in turn told everyone in the town. Bononillo was convinced that the mule would think nothing of the Eucharist and ravenously eat the pile of hay.
On the day of the test, Bononillo brought his mule and placed the hay under the mule’s nose. St. Anthony came and stood a distance away with the Holy Eucharist. Defying all odds, the mule turned his head and walked over to Saint Anthony. When the mule was close, the animal bent his front legs and kneeled in adoration! When Bononillo saw this miraculous change of events, he immediately knelt down and professed his belief in the truth of the Real Presence.
Ecce Verbum
St. Anthony and the mule who knelt down before the Eucharist There were many miracles that Saint Anthony performed throughout his life. One of the most famous miracles was the “Eucharistic Miracle of Rimini” or the so-called “Mule Miracle”. Saint Anthony…
St. Anthony of Padua Book.pdf
5.9 MB
St. Anthony de Padua- a Miracle Worker
His life is difficult to write for two reasons; the first of which is that it has so long been shrouded in the mists of legend that without critical study and a remorseless process of exclusion it is impossible to arrive at the real facts of his history. It is obvious at the outset that this process, involving as it does the testing of all known facts, especially miraculous facts, by the original thirteenth century documents, will be to many extremely painful, as by this means many of the more familiar stories of our Saint are relegated to the realm of legend. The first thing required of a biography which cannot for lack of material contain the whole truth is that it shall at least contain nothing but the truth. In studying history we need facts; in hagiography we need to study both history and tradition, for we cannot completely understand the character of a Saint, his psychology, his popularity, if we neglect at least to glance at legend, however apocryphal.
#saints
His life is difficult to write for two reasons; the first of which is that it has so long been shrouded in the mists of legend that without critical study and a remorseless process of exclusion it is impossible to arrive at the real facts of his history. It is obvious at the outset that this process, involving as it does the testing of all known facts, especially miraculous facts, by the original thirteenth century documents, will be to many extremely painful, as by this means many of the more familiar stories of our Saint are relegated to the realm of legend. The first thing required of a biography which cannot for lack of material contain the whole truth is that it shall at least contain nothing but the truth. In studying history we need facts; in hagiography we need to study both history and tradition, for we cannot completely understand the character of a Saint, his psychology, his popularity, if we neglect at least to glance at legend, however apocryphal.
#saints
Ecce Verbum
St. Anthony of Padua Book.pdf
St. Anthony of Padua-The Sermons of Saint Anthony (1).pdf
1.5 MB
The Sermons of St. Anthony of Padua
"Nowadays, preachers and congregations are so shallow that if a sermon is not full of polished and studied phrases, and a dash of novelty, they are too critical to take any notice of it. So in order that the word of the Lord should come to them in a way they will not disdain or scorn, to the peril of their souls, I have prefaced each gospel with a suitable prologue, and included in the work itself illustrations drawn from physics and natural history, and explanations of the meanings of words, expounded from the standpoint of morality. I have brought together in one place the headings of all the texts quoted, from which the theme for a sermon may be readily gathered; and I have noted beforehand, at the beginning of the book, the places in which they are to be found, and whatever things are appropriate to the matter. And so to the Son of God, the Origin of all creation, in whom alone we set and look for the reward of this work, be all praise, all glory and all honour."
"Nowadays, preachers and congregations are so shallow that if a sermon is not full of polished and studied phrases, and a dash of novelty, they are too critical to take any notice of it. So in order that the word of the Lord should come to them in a way they will not disdain or scorn, to the peril of their souls, I have prefaced each gospel with a suitable prologue, and included in the work itself illustrations drawn from physics and natural history, and explanations of the meanings of words, expounded from the standpoint of morality. I have brought together in one place the headings of all the texts quoted, from which the theme for a sermon may be readily gathered; and I have noted beforehand, at the beginning of the book, the places in which they are to be found, and whatever things are appropriate to the matter. And so to the Son of God, the Origin of all creation, in whom alone we set and look for the reward of this work, be all praise, all glory and all honour."
12th of September
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary
The year 1683, the Turkish hosts forced their way through Hungary to Vienna, and were besieging that city with an army of two hundred thousand men. When Pope Innocent XI heard of this terrible danger to all Christendom, he proclaimed a general jubilee, and granted a plenary indulgence to all who would come to the relief of Emperor Leopold I. by prayers, money, arms, or service. He entreated the faithful to do penance and reform, and exhorted them particularly to have recourse to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, whose prayers are all-powerful with her Son.
The siege lasted for sixty days, and it seemed impossible to hold the city any longer. But when the need is greatest, the help of God is nearest. John Sobieski, the king of Poland, was hurrying in forced marches to join Duke Charles of Lorraine, who was the commander-in-chief of the allied armies. Although the Turks exceeded in numbers the Christian forces, yet the Christian leaders depended upon the prayers of the Blessed Virgin. The Polish king called upon the soldiers to have faith in Mary, and with the cry, "Jesus and Mary," the Christians fell upon the enemy. Confusion came over the Turks and they took to flight in wild disorder. The camp equipment, artillery, and munitions of the enemy, to say nothing of provisions and treasures, were all taken by the Christians. This grand victory was unanimously ascribed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. In memory of the wonderful event Pope Innocent XI. ordered that the feast of the Name of Mary should be kept every year by all Christendom.
#september
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary
The year 1683, the Turkish hosts forced their way through Hungary to Vienna, and were besieging that city with an army of two hundred thousand men. When Pope Innocent XI heard of this terrible danger to all Christendom, he proclaimed a general jubilee, and granted a plenary indulgence to all who would come to the relief of Emperor Leopold I. by prayers, money, arms, or service. He entreated the faithful to do penance and reform, and exhorted them particularly to have recourse to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, whose prayers are all-powerful with her Son.
The siege lasted for sixty days, and it seemed impossible to hold the city any longer. But when the need is greatest, the help of God is nearest. John Sobieski, the king of Poland, was hurrying in forced marches to join Duke Charles of Lorraine, who was the commander-in-chief of the allied armies. Although the Turks exceeded in numbers the Christian forces, yet the Christian leaders depended upon the prayers of the Blessed Virgin. The Polish king called upon the soldiers to have faith in Mary, and with the cry, "Jesus and Mary," the Christians fell upon the enemy. Confusion came over the Turks and they took to flight in wild disorder. The camp equipment, artillery, and munitions of the enemy, to say nothing of provisions and treasures, were all taken by the Christians. This grand victory was unanimously ascribed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. In memory of the wonderful event Pope Innocent XI. ordered that the feast of the Name of Mary should be kept every year by all Christendom.
#september
Ecce Verbum
12th of September The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary The year 1683, the Turkish hosts forced their way through Hungary to Vienna, and were besieging that city with an army of two hundred thousand men. When Pope Innocent XI heard of this terrible danger…
Bogurodzica
Chór Cantores Veiherovienses
Mother of God
battle hymn/patriotic anthem
13th century
Virgin, Mother of God, God-famed Mary!
Ask Thy Son, our Lord, God-named Mary,
To have mercy upon us and hand it over to us!
Kyrie eleison!
Son of God, for Thy Baptist's sake,
Hear the voices, fulfill the pleas we make!
Listen to the prayer we say,
For what we ask, give us today:
Life on earth free of vice;
After life: paradise!
Kyrie eleison!
battle hymn/patriotic anthem
13th century
Virgin, Mother of God, God-famed Mary!
Ask Thy Son, our Lord, God-named Mary,
To have mercy upon us and hand it over to us!
Kyrie eleison!
Son of God, for Thy Baptist's sake,
Hear the voices, fulfill the pleas we make!
Listen to the prayer we say,
For what we ask, give us today:
Life on earth free of vice;
After life: paradise!
Kyrie eleison!
Continuity of the Church
"Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."
St. Ignatius of Antioch, 107 A.D.
"For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church (Rome), on account of its preeminent authority -that is, the faithful everywhere -in as much as the Apostolic Tradition has been preserved continuously by those who are everywhere."
St. Iraeneus of Lyons, 200 A.D.
"Likewise it is decreed.. although all the Catholic churches spread abroad through the world comprise one bridal chamber of Christ , nevertheless, the Holy Roman Church has been placed at the forefront.."
Pope Damasus I, 366 A.D.
"The Church is a ship, and even if the ship is in difficulty, it is necessary that we at least be in it."
St. Augustine, 400 A.D
"The Catholic religion was the religion of your forefathers and the only one Jesus Christ founded; the one which He promised would endure till the end of time."
St. John Francis Regis, 16th century
"It is an error to believe that Christ did not teach a determined body of doctrine applicable to all times and to all men, but rather that He inaugurated a religious movement adapted, or to be adapted, to different times and different places."
Pope Pius X, 19th century
#tradition
"Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."
St. Ignatius of Antioch, 107 A.D.
"For it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church (Rome), on account of its preeminent authority -that is, the faithful everywhere -in as much as the Apostolic Tradition has been preserved continuously by those who are everywhere."
St. Iraeneus of Lyons, 200 A.D.
"Likewise it is decreed.. although all the Catholic churches spread abroad through the world comprise one bridal chamber of Christ , nevertheless, the Holy Roman Church has been placed at the forefront.."
Pope Damasus I, 366 A.D.
"The Church is a ship, and even if the ship is in difficulty, it is necessary that we at least be in it."
St. Augustine, 400 A.D
"The Catholic religion was the religion of your forefathers and the only one Jesus Christ founded; the one which He promised would endure till the end of time."
St. John Francis Regis, 16th century
"It is an error to believe that Christ did not teach a determined body of doctrine applicable to all times and to all men, but rather that He inaugurated a religious movement adapted, or to be adapted, to different times and different places."
Pope Pius X, 19th century
#tradition
Ecce Verbum
The Church is One One body and one spirit, as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one Baptism.--Eph. iv, 4, 5. St. Paul wrote this Epistle to the Ephesians is from his prison in Rome. Fearing that there might be disagreements…
On The Promotion of True Religious Unity
Pope Pius XI (1922-1939)
"When the question of promoting unity among Christians is under consideration many are easily deceived by the semblance of good.Yet beneath the coaxing words there is concealed an error so great that it would destroy utterly the foundations of the Catholic Faith."
"They, therefore, who profess themselves Christians cannot, We think, but believe in Christ's establishment of one Church and only one. Yet when one asks what that Church by the will of its Founder ought to be, then not all agree. Indeed a great many deny, for example, that Christ's Church ought to be visible - at least in the sense that it should stand forth as one body of faithful united in one identical doctrine and under one authority and rule. On the contrary, by a visible Church they understand nothing but a society formed by various Christian communities, even though these adhere to different and even mutually contradictory doctrines."
"And here there is presented the opportunity to set forth and remove a falsity upon which, it seems, this whole question hinges, and from which is drawn the multiple effort of the non-Christians who strive, as We have said, for the confederation of the Christian churches.
The authors of this plan are in the habit of quoting the words of Christ: That ye all may be one.There shall be one fold and one shepherd, (John 17, 21; 10, 16), yet in the sense that these words express a desire and a prayer of Jesus Christ which thus far has lacked all effect. They contend that the unity of faith and governance which is the sign of the true and one Church of Christ, has almost never existed up to this time, and does not exist today; that it can be wished for and perhaps sometime be obtained through common submission of the will, but meanwhile it must be considered a fiction.
They say, moreover, that the Church by its very nature is divided into parts; that it consists of many churches or particular communities which are separated among themselves and, although they have certain points of doctrine in common, differ in others; and that at most the Church was the one Church and only Church between the Apostolic Era and the first Ecumenical Councils.
Therefore, they say, the controversies and old differences of opinion, which to this day divide the Christian name, should be put aside, and with the remaining doctrines there should be formulated and proposed a common rule of faith, in the profession of which all can know and feel themselves brothers. United by some sort of universal covenant, the multitude of churches or communities will then be in a position to oppose fruitfully and effectively the progress of unbelief. This, Venerable Brethren, is the more general opinion.
There are, however, some among them who assume and grant that Protestantism, as they call it, has rejected very inadvisedly certain articles of faith and certain rites of external worship that are fully acceptable and useful, which the Roman Church still preserves. But they add immediately that the Church has corrupted the early religion by adding to it and proposing for belief certain doctrines that are not only foreign to, but are opposed to, the Gospel - among which they bring forth chiefly that of the primacy of jurisdiction assigned to Peter and his successors of the Roman See."
[Mortalium Animos, January 6, 1928.]
#unity
Pope Pius XI (1922-1939)
"When the question of promoting unity among Christians is under consideration many are easily deceived by the semblance of good.Yet beneath the coaxing words there is concealed an error so great that it would destroy utterly the foundations of the Catholic Faith."
"They, therefore, who profess themselves Christians cannot, We think, but believe in Christ's establishment of one Church and only one. Yet when one asks what that Church by the will of its Founder ought to be, then not all agree. Indeed a great many deny, for example, that Christ's Church ought to be visible - at least in the sense that it should stand forth as one body of faithful united in one identical doctrine and under one authority and rule. On the contrary, by a visible Church they understand nothing but a society formed by various Christian communities, even though these adhere to different and even mutually contradictory doctrines."
"And here there is presented the opportunity to set forth and remove a falsity upon which, it seems, this whole question hinges, and from which is drawn the multiple effort of the non-Christians who strive, as We have said, for the confederation of the Christian churches.
The authors of this plan are in the habit of quoting the words of Christ: That ye all may be one.There shall be one fold and one shepherd, (John 17, 21; 10, 16), yet in the sense that these words express a desire and a prayer of Jesus Christ which thus far has lacked all effect. They contend that the unity of faith and governance which is the sign of the true and one Church of Christ, has almost never existed up to this time, and does not exist today; that it can be wished for and perhaps sometime be obtained through common submission of the will, but meanwhile it must be considered a fiction.
They say, moreover, that the Church by its very nature is divided into parts; that it consists of many churches or particular communities which are separated among themselves and, although they have certain points of doctrine in common, differ in others; and that at most the Church was the one Church and only Church between the Apostolic Era and the first Ecumenical Councils.
Therefore, they say, the controversies and old differences of opinion, which to this day divide the Christian name, should be put aside, and with the remaining doctrines there should be formulated and proposed a common rule of faith, in the profession of which all can know and feel themselves brothers. United by some sort of universal covenant, the multitude of churches or communities will then be in a position to oppose fruitfully and effectively the progress of unbelief. This, Venerable Brethren, is the more general opinion.
There are, however, some among them who assume and grant that Protestantism, as they call it, has rejected very inadvisedly certain articles of faith and certain rites of external worship that are fully acceptable and useful, which the Roman Church still preserves. But they add immediately that the Church has corrupted the early religion by adding to it and proposing for belief certain doctrines that are not only foreign to, but are opposed to, the Gospel - among which they bring forth chiefly that of the primacy of jurisdiction assigned to Peter and his successors of the Roman See."
[Mortalium Animos, January 6, 1928.]
#unity
Ecce Verbum
Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus The Popes through the centuries have defended the doctrine "outside the Church there is no salvation." Pope Pelagius II (A.D. 578 - 590): "Consider the fact that whoever has not been in the peace and unity of the Church cannot…
The Church is the Ark
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be condemned."
Mark XVI. chap, and 16 verse.
"It is certain that all men of Noah's time perished except those who merited to be in the Ark, which was the figure if the Church.
Likewise, they cannot in any way now be saved who are aliens from the Apostolic faith and Catholic Church."
St. Gaudentius Bishop of Brescia, 3rd century
"The Church is the Ark into which Jesus enters with all His faithful followers. The sinner leaves the Church as the raven once left the Ark."
"The Church is the Ship outside if which it is impossible to understand the Divine Word, for Jesus spoke from the boat to the people gathered on the shore."
St. Hillary of Pointiers, 315-368 A.D.
"Like Noah we announce to you the coming of the end of the world, and we warn all men to take refuge in this Ark of the Church."
St. Maximus Bishop of Turin, 380-423 A.D.
"The contemporaries of Noah would not believe in his warnings as he was building the Ark, and thus they became frightful examples for all posterity. Christ our God is now building His Church as the Ark of Salvation, and is calling upon all men to enter it."
St. Augustine, 354 A.D.
"As I follow no leader save Christ, so I communicate with none but your blessedness, that is, with the Chair of Peter. For this, I know, is the rock on which the Church is built. This is the Ark of Noah, and he, who is not found in it shall perish when the flood prevails."
St. Jerome, 420 A.D.
"(Sgs, 6:8) proclaims:"One is my dove, my perfect one. She is the only one, the chosen of her who bore her" and she represents one sole mystical body whose head is Christ and the head of Christ is God. (1Cor, 11:3). In her then is one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph, 4:5). There had been at the time of the deluge only one Ark of Noah, prefiguring the one Church, which ark, having been finished to a single cubit, had only one pilot and guide, i.e. Noah, and we read that, outside of this ark, all that subsisted on the earth was destroyed."
Pope Boniface VIII, 'Unam Sanctam', 1302 A.D.
#salvation
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be condemned."
Mark XVI. chap, and 16 verse.
"It is certain that all men of Noah's time perished except those who merited to be in the Ark, which was the figure if the Church.
Likewise, they cannot in any way now be saved who are aliens from the Apostolic faith and Catholic Church."
St. Gaudentius Bishop of Brescia, 3rd century
"The Church is the Ark into which Jesus enters with all His faithful followers. The sinner leaves the Church as the raven once left the Ark."
"The Church is the Ship outside if which it is impossible to understand the Divine Word, for Jesus spoke from the boat to the people gathered on the shore."
St. Hillary of Pointiers, 315-368 A.D.
"Like Noah we announce to you the coming of the end of the world, and we warn all men to take refuge in this Ark of the Church."
St. Maximus Bishop of Turin, 380-423 A.D.
"The contemporaries of Noah would not believe in his warnings as he was building the Ark, and thus they became frightful examples for all posterity. Christ our God is now building His Church as the Ark of Salvation, and is calling upon all men to enter it."
St. Augustine, 354 A.D.
"As I follow no leader save Christ, so I communicate with none but your blessedness, that is, with the Chair of Peter. For this, I know, is the rock on which the Church is built. This is the Ark of Noah, and he, who is not found in it shall perish when the flood prevails."
St. Jerome, 420 A.D.
"(Sgs, 6:8) proclaims:"One is my dove, my perfect one. She is the only one, the chosen of her who bore her" and she represents one sole mystical body whose head is Christ and the head of Christ is God. (1Cor, 11:3). In her then is one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph, 4:5). There had been at the time of the deluge only one Ark of Noah, prefiguring the one Church, which ark, having been finished to a single cubit, had only one pilot and guide, i.e. Noah, and we read that, outside of this ark, all that subsisted on the earth was destroyed."
Pope Boniface VIII, 'Unam Sanctam', 1302 A.D.
#salvation
How to Attain our End
One thing I do; forgetting the things that are behind and stretching forth myself to those that are before, I press towards the mark. (Philipp. iii. 13, 14.)
Every one desires to succeed in life. A man who desired ultimate failure would justly be regarded as a lunatic. If I am to carry out my desire, I must look around me and see what sort of men succeed.
When I look at successful men, I find, in them three characteristics:
(1) A spirit of cheerfulness and confidence
They know how to look at everything from its best side. They are always hopeful about the future and confident of success. This it is that brings success. Hence I must pray for confidence.
(2) A spirit of perseverance
They are not discouraged by failures. They recover themselves without delay. What a lesson for me not to lose heart, but to say : "When I fall I will rise again, and that promptly."
(3) A spirit of single-mindedness
They keep the end in view steadily before them. If I am to achieve the purpose of my life, to succeed in coming to God at last, I must keep Him always before me.
What can make my life so happy as this-- to know that I am drawing nearer to God? Yet there will be dark times and days of despondency. Still, beneath the surface, there will be hope and peace, even amid the darkness.
Example is better than precept; and we shall often learn more from watching those who possess perfectly what we are trying to acquire, than by any set of rules. Let us watch the Saints in Heaven, that we may learn from them.
Their continual occupation is the praise of God, the tranquil delight of basking in the light of God. This satisfies every longing of their heart, this fills them with perfect and unfading joy. This is the highest praise they can render to God. How can I imitate them? By a continual remembrance of God, by visiting the Blessed Sacrament, by a frequent raising of my heart to Heaven.
The Saints also find a constant joy in showing reverence to God, in falling down in prostrate homage before the Throne, in recognizing their dependence upon Him, and their indebtedness to Him for all their joy. This too I can copy by great reverence both of body and soul; reverence before the Altar, reverence in my prayers, reverence and resignation to the will of God in my thoughts.
All the various circumstances of my life are moreover ordained by Almighty God to aid me in serving and praising Him as He wishes. If they are pleasant, they must teach me gratitude; if painful, resignation. Even if they are a source of temptation to me, by fighting bravely against the temptation, I can gain great merit before God.
We must be on the watch to see that our inclinations do not run away with us. Most of the foolish things we do are the result of acting on the impulse, of being led by our inclinations, of being influenced by wounded self-love. How many a golden opportunity of merit we have missed because we would not accept patiently what wounded us or hurt our self-esteem.We must try to make ourselves ready to accept whatever God sends, whether painful or pleasant. There is nothing in the world that has not a bright side. This will make us always patient, and, what is more, always happy. We shall acquire a facility for ignoring or passing over the painful side of things, to look at the joyful and hopeful.
•Pray for grace to carry out God's intentions by using rightly all the circumstances around you.
•Pray for cheerfulness and an earnest purpose to live for God.
•Offer to God your willingness to endure whatever He sees to be good for your soul.
Rev. R.F. Clarke S.J
#spirituallife
One thing I do; forgetting the things that are behind and stretching forth myself to those that are before, I press towards the mark. (Philipp. iii. 13, 14.)
Every one desires to succeed in life. A man who desired ultimate failure would justly be regarded as a lunatic. If I am to carry out my desire, I must look around me and see what sort of men succeed.
When I look at successful men, I find, in them three characteristics:
(1) A spirit of cheerfulness and confidence
They know how to look at everything from its best side. They are always hopeful about the future and confident of success. This it is that brings success. Hence I must pray for confidence.
(2) A spirit of perseverance
They are not discouraged by failures. They recover themselves without delay. What a lesson for me not to lose heart, but to say : "When I fall I will rise again, and that promptly."
(3) A spirit of single-mindedness
They keep the end in view steadily before them. If I am to achieve the purpose of my life, to succeed in coming to God at last, I must keep Him always before me.
What can make my life so happy as this-- to know that I am drawing nearer to God? Yet there will be dark times and days of despondency. Still, beneath the surface, there will be hope and peace, even amid the darkness.
Example is better than precept; and we shall often learn more from watching those who possess perfectly what we are trying to acquire, than by any set of rules. Let us watch the Saints in Heaven, that we may learn from them.
Their continual occupation is the praise of God, the tranquil delight of basking in the light of God. This satisfies every longing of their heart, this fills them with perfect and unfading joy. This is the highest praise they can render to God. How can I imitate them? By a continual remembrance of God, by visiting the Blessed Sacrament, by a frequent raising of my heart to Heaven.
The Saints also find a constant joy in showing reverence to God, in falling down in prostrate homage before the Throne, in recognizing their dependence upon Him, and their indebtedness to Him for all their joy. This too I can copy by great reverence both of body and soul; reverence before the Altar, reverence in my prayers, reverence and resignation to the will of God in my thoughts.
All the various circumstances of my life are moreover ordained by Almighty God to aid me in serving and praising Him as He wishes. If they are pleasant, they must teach me gratitude; if painful, resignation. Even if they are a source of temptation to me, by fighting bravely against the temptation, I can gain great merit before God.
We must be on the watch to see that our inclinations do not run away with us. Most of the foolish things we do are the result of acting on the impulse, of being led by our inclinations, of being influenced by wounded self-love. How many a golden opportunity of merit we have missed because we would not accept patiently what wounded us or hurt our self-esteem.We must try to make ourselves ready to accept whatever God sends, whether painful or pleasant. There is nothing in the world that has not a bright side. This will make us always patient, and, what is more, always happy. We shall acquire a facility for ignoring or passing over the painful side of things, to look at the joyful and hopeful.
•Pray for grace to carry out God's intentions by using rightly all the circumstances around you.
•Pray for cheerfulness and an earnest purpose to live for God.
•Offer to God your willingness to endure whatever He sees to be good for your soul.
Rev. R.F. Clarke S.J
#spirituallife