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MyCatholicSource.com Newsletter - August, 2009
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IN THIS ISSUE:
* Greetings
* MCS News & Notes
* The Month of August: Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
* Catholic Trivia
* Selected August Feasts
* Feature: Can Dogmas Change?
* Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - Defending Unwritten Tradition
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Dear Friend,
"Accept then, most excellent Sir, the greeting which I send you, for it is inspired by true and unfeigned friendship." (St. Basil the Great: Letters)
Greetings & blessings to you! We hope you are having a pleasant and holy summer.
Although October is still a couple months away, we would like to invite you to sign up now to participate in our First Annual Rosary Week to be held 10/25/09 through 10/31/09. Participation is easy and free and can be done from any appropriate location - simply say a 5 decade Rosary each day that week (or for as many days as you can) for the indicated intentions. We hope you will consider joining your fellow Catholics in praying for these worthy causes. If you'd like, we can send you daily reminders during Rosary Week so that you won't forget. We would also very much appreciate it if you would post a flier at your parish if that would be possible and for any other efforts you might be able to make to encourage others to join this effort. With your help, we can make Rosary Week a success. To sign up for Rosary Week, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/rosary_week_sign_up.htm For more information or assistance (and for a free flier), go to http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/rosary_week.htm We hope you will join us!
Best wishes for God's blessings,
Your Friends at MyCatholicSource.com
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MCS News & Notes
* As of July 1, we began issuing news updates separately from our regular newsletter. You should have already received several of these weekly updates. If you are not receiving them, please let us know.
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* The 'post of the month' page has been updated for 7/09. This month it was chosen from the Catholic Seniors Section and it had to do with criticism. To view the 'post of the month' page, please go to: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/post_of_the_month.htm To submit a post in your choice of hundreds of categories, visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fa/share_your_thoughts.htm
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* Please visit the "Notices" page for timely news and other important information regarding MyCatholicSource.com - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/notices.htm
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The Month of August: Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
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But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. (Lk. 2:19)
And [Jesus] went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. (Lk. 2:51)
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August is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We hope you find the following short collection of resources & information useful for honoring the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother.
* Immaculate Heart of Mary Aspiration - "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death."
* Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns_Marian.htm
* White Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary - See http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/scapulars.htm
* Feast Information: The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is traditionally celebrated on August 22. In the New Calendar (Novus Ordo), it may be celebrated on the Saturday after the second Sunday after Pentecost.
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Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Ref. http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/popular_marian_devotions.htm
Jesus chose to come to us through the Blessed Virgin Mary, and faithful Christians can choose to go to Jesus through Mary. Our Lady, who is unique in all of God's creation, has a perfect love for Jesus. She is an exemplary model for how we should love God, giving us a flawless example. Mary is closer to Christ than any other person and knows best what leads us to Him. As at Cana, where she told the servers "do whatever He tells you", Mary, our Mother, wants to bring souls to God and is eager to help us reach Heaven. Many popes and saints have greatly advocated and praised devotion to the Blessed Virgin - even calling it a sign of 'predestination' (see http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/mary_our_mother_reflections_recommended_devotion.htm ).
It has been shown that Mary leads faithful Catholics closer to God through devotion to her Immaculate Heart. At Fatima, the Blessed Virgin indicated that the Lord wanted to establish a devotion to her Immaculate Heart, which has been so wounded by the sins of man. She confirmed her requests with fulfilled prophecies, cures, solar phenomena (witnessed by tens of thousands of people), and other miracles. It is clear that this powerful devotion can help us become more holy, grow in love for Christ and Mary, and reach Heaven. As Bl. Jacinta of Fatima said, "Tell everybody that God gives graces through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Tell them to ask graces from her, and that the Heart of Jesus wishes to be venerated together with the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Ask them to plead for peace from the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for the Lord has confided the peace of the world to her." And even more important than achieving peace on earth, the Immaculate Heart of Mary can help us obtain eternal peace, in heaven with herself and with her divine Son, Jesus Christ.
Catholics devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary should follow Our Lady of Fatima's "Peace Plan" (see http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/apparitions.htm - scroll down to Our Lady of Fatima), including wearing the Scapular, praying the Rosary daily, and performing the first five Saturdays devotion (see http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/popular_marian_devotions.htm ). Catholics should consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which attests to one's confidence that Mary will help & protect them and that she will lead them directly to Jesus, like a mother who holds her child's hand and helps them stay on the right path. [Note: For prayers of consecration, see http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/popular_marian_devotions.htm ]
We know that Mary, full of grace, is the new "Ark of the Covenant", who was chosen by God as worthy to bear the Word become Flesh. She is a most trustworthy guide to Christ and those devoted to her Immaculate Heart assuredly have a powerful aid to salvation.
"To be devout to you, O holy Virgin, is an arm of salvation which God gives to those whom He wishes to save" (St. John Damascene, Doctor of the Church)
"If you persevere until death in true devotion to Mary, your salvation is certain." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)
"While Peter has the keys of heaven, Mary has the key to God's heart; while Peter binds and looses, Mary also binds with the chains of love and looses with the gift of pardon. While Peter is the guardian and the minister of indulgences, Mary is the generous and wise treasurer of God's favors. 'He who desires grace and does not have recourse to Mary, desires to fly without wings.' (Dante)" (Pope Pius XII)
Also See...
* Some Reasons to Honor the Blessed Virgin Mary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/reasons_to_honor_mary.htm
* Some Thoughts on the Blessed Virgin Mary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/thoughts_on_mary.htm
* Praise of Mary (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/mary_our_mother_reflections_praise.htm
* Mary's Virtues (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/mary_our_mother_reflections_virtues.htm
* The Blessed Virgin's Intercession (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/mary_our_mother_reflections_powerful_intercession.htm
* Immaculate Conception / Sinlessness (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/mary_our_mother_reflections_sinlessness.htm
* Devotion to Mary / Devotion to Mary is Recommended (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/mary_our_mother_reflections_recommended_devotion.htm
* More 'Mary, Our Mother' Reflections - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/mary_our_mother_reflections.htm
* Marian Facts - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/facts.htm
* Marian Coloring Pages - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_activities/catholic_fun_coloring_activities.htm
* Marian Scriptural References - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/marian_scriptural_references.htm
* Do Catholics Worship Mary? - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/do_catholics_worship_mary.htm
* Mary, Our Mother Section - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/mary_our_mother.htm
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Catholic Trivia
1. What feast is traditionally celebrated on August 8?
2. What does the abbreviation L.D.S. stand for?
3. The excommunication of Frederick II may be associated with which ecumenical council?
4. Which Pope ascended to the papacy at age 86 and reigned as Pope for nearly 7 years?
5. Which saint founded a home to take care of the old, the poor, and the sick, was considered "one of the most powerful men in England", and opposed King Henry VIII's divorce?
6. Name three Roman tribunals
7. Regarding Mass, who said the following?: "...a common turning to the east [the traditional position, wherein the priest and the people face eastward, and not each other]...remains essential. This is not a case of something accidental, but of what is essential. Looking at the priest has no importance. What matters is looking together at the Lord"
8. Who said the following?: "A sure way for a Christian to grow rapidly in holiness is a conscientious effort to carry out God's will in all circumstances and at all times."
9. What is a canon? (Refers to a person)
10. What does St. Augustine say is the sole purpose of life on earth?
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Answers:
1. The 14 Holy Helpers
2. Laus Deo semper (Praise to God always)
3. Lyons I (First Council of Lyons)
4. Pope Celestine III
5. St. Thomas More
6. (1) Apostolic Penitentiary (deals with questions of conscience, absolution, dispensations, indulgences, etc.); (2) Apostolic Signatura (supreme court of the Church); (3) Roman Rota (court of appeal)
7. Cardinal Ratzinger (the future Pope Benedict XVI)
8. St. Vincent de Paul
9. "An ecclesiastical person (Lat. Canonicus), a member of a chapter or body of clerics living according to rule and presided over by one of their number." (Catholic Encyclopedia)
10. "The sole purpose of life in time is to gain merit for life in eternity." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)
For more information concerning the topics above, try our General A-Z Index at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm
Like trivia? You might enjoy our crossword puzzles located at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_activities/catholic_fun_crossword_puzzles.htm
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Selected August Feasts
August 6: Transfiguration of Our Lord
August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Holy Day of Obligation]
August 29: Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
Note: All feasts above fall on the same date in both the traditional & new calendars
For more feasts, visit: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/saints/feasts.htm
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August 6: Transfiguration of Our Lord
"After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, 'Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.' When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, 'Rise, and do not be afraid.' And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone." (Mt. 17:1-8)
Coloring page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/coloring_book_the_transfiguration.htm
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August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Holy Day of Obligation]
"Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified." [DR Trans., Ps. 131:8 (132:8)]
"The taking into Heaven of the soul and body of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the completion of her earthly life, by an anticipation of the general judgment." (Catholic Dictionary)
The Assumption was infallibly proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950 in "Munificentissimus Deus" (see http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pd/munificentissimus_deus.htm ). Before that it had been commonly held by the faithful from the early ages of the Church and had been supported by fact that the Church never claimed to have relics of Mary.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Reflections (quotations from popes, saints) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/mary_our_mother_reflections_assumption.htm
Coloring page - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/coloring_book_assumption.htm
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August 29: Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
"Now Herod had arrested John, bound (him), and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, 'It is not lawful for you to have her.' Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.' The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus." (Mt. 14:3-12)
"[M]artyrs are so called as being witnesses, because by suffering in body unto death they bear witness to the truth; not indeed to any truth, but to the truth which is in accordance with godliness, and was made known to us by Christ: wherefore Christ's martyrs are His witnesses. Now this truth is the truth of faith. Wherefore the cause of all martyrdom is the truth of faith. But the truth of faith includes not only inward belief, but also outward profession, which is expressed not only by words, whereby one confesses the faith, but also by deeds, whereby a person shows that he has faith, according to James 2:18, 'I will show thee, by works, my faith.' Hence it is written of certain people (Titus 1:16): 'They profess that they know God but in their works they deny Him.' Thus all virtuous deeds, inasmuch as they are referred to God, are professions of the faith whereby we come to know that God requires these works of us, and rewards us for them: and in this way they can be the cause of martyrdom. For this reason the Church celebrates the martyrdom of Blessed John the Baptist, who suffered death, not for refusing to deny the faith, but for reproving adultery." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
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Feature: Can Dogmas Change?
Considering the many persons in recent times who are under mistaken impressions such as (1) the Church is a democracy or (2) the Church needs to "modernize" her teachings, it seems a good idea to review whether or not Church dogmas can change.
Note: The following is an abridged form of the article appearing at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_basics/catholic_basics_can_dogmas_change.htm To view full content, please visit this page.
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Can Dogmas Change?
With regard to change & the teachings of the Church, it is essential to note that:
(1) God is unchanging
"Surely I, the LORD, do not change, nor do you cease to be sons of Jacob." (Mal. 3:6)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Heb. 13:8)
"Though all things pass God does not change." (St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church)
(2) Truth is unchanging
"Truth...cannot change from day to day." (Pope Pius XII)
(3) Church dogmas can not change
"Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. I write you these things about those who would deceive you." (St. John, 1 Jn. 2:24-26)
"[T]hings that are of natural law vary according to the various states and conditions of men; although those which naturally pertain to things Divine nowise vary." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")
"[N]othing of the things appointed ought to be diminished; nothing changed; nothing added; but they must be preserved both as regards expression and meaning." (Pope St. Agatho)
"The Holy Spirit was not promised to the successor of Peter that by the revelation of the Holy Spirit they might disclose new doctrine, but that by His help they might guard sacredly the revelation transmitted through the Apostles and the deposit of faith, and might faithfully set it forth." (First Vatican Council)
Note that even a so-called "new" dogma (e.g. the Immaculate Conception of Mary), is not really new. Rather, it has always been part of the deposit of faith, but it is simply put forth in a more explicit manner. As Pope Pius XI has stated, "For the teaching authority of the Church, which in the divine wisdom was constituted on earth in order that revealed doctrines might remain intact forever, and that they might be brought with ease and security to the knowledge of men, and which is daily exercised through the Roman Pontiff and the Bishops who are in communion with him, has also the office of defining, when it sees fit, any truth with solemn rites and decrees, whenever this is necessary either to oppose the errors or the attacks of heretics, or more clearly and in greater detail to stamp the minds of the faithful with the articles of sacred doctrine which have been explained. But in the use of this extraordinary teaching authority no newly invented matter is brought in, nor is anything new added to the number of those truths which are at least implicitly contained in the deposit of Revelation, divinely handed down to the Church: only those which are made clear which perhaps may still seem obscure to some, or that which some have previously called into question is declared to be of faith." (Pope Pius XI, "Mortalium Animos", 1928)
(4) The dogmas of the Church are not subject to changing interpretations over time.
"If anyone says that it is possible that at some time, given the advancement of knowledge, a sense may be assigned to the dogmas propounded by the Church which is different from that which the Church has understood and understands: let him be anathema." (First Vatican Council)
"I entirely reject the heretical misrepresentation that dogmas evolve and change from one meaning to another different from the one which the Church held previously." (From the Oath Against Modernism, Prescribed by Pope St. Pius X, 1910 A.D.)
"For the doctrine of the faith which God has revealed is put forward not as some philosophical discovery capable of being perfected by human intelligence, but as a divine deposit committed to the spouse of Christ to be faithfully protected and infallibly promulgated. Hence, too, that meaning of the sacred dogmas is ever to be maintained which has once been declared by Holy Mother Church, and there must never be any abandonment of this sense under the pretext or in the name of a more profound understanding. May understanding, knowledge and wisdom increase as ages and centuries roll along, and greatly and vigorously flourish, in each and all, in the individual and the whole church: but this only in its own proper kind, that is to say, in the same doctrine, the same sense, and the same understanding." (First Vatican Council)
(5) The Church is bound to protect the purity of the faith by preserving her constant teachings and upholding tradition
"O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid profane babbling and the absurdities of so-called knowledge. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith. Grace be with all of you." (St. Paul, 1 Tm. 6:20-21)
"Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching." (St. Paul, Heb. 13:7-9)
"I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you." (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 11:2)
"If anyone rejects any written or unwritten tradition of the church, let him be anathema." (Second Council of Nicaea)
"Let them innovate nothing, but keep the traditions." (Pope St. Steven I, 3rd century A.D.)
"'Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word or by our letter.' From this it is clear that they did not hand down everything by letter, but there was much also that was not written. Like that which was written, the unwritten too is worthy of belief. So let us regard the tradition of the Church also as worthy of belief. Is it a tradition? Seek no further." (St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, c. 400 A.D.)
"Those, therefore, who dare to think or to teach otherwise or to spurn according to wretched heretics the ecclesiastical traditions and to invent anything novel, or to reject anything from these things which have been consecrated by the Church...or to invent perversely and cunningly for the overthrow of anyone of the legitimate traditions of the Catholic Church; or even, as it were, to use the sacred vessels or the venerable monasteries as common things; if indeed they are bishops or clerics, we order (them) to be deposed; monks, however, or laymen, to be excommunicated" (Second Council of Nicaea, 787 A.D.)
(6) The Catholic religion is not subject to human progress
"...that progress of dogmas...is, in reality, nothing but the corruption of dogmas." (Pope St. Pius X, "Lamentabili Sane", 1907 A.D.)
Error CONDEMNED by Pope Pius IX in the Syllabus of Errors: "Divine revelation is imperfect, and therefore subject to continuous and indefinite progress, which corresponds to the progress of human reason." (Bl. Pope Pius IX, This proposition was condemned in the Syllabus of Errors, Dec. 8, 1864 A.D.)
"Urge them never to allow themselves to be deceived and led into error by men who have become abominable in their pursuits. These men attempt to destroy faith on the pretext of human progress, subjecting it in an impious manner to reason and changing the meaning of the words of God. Such men do not shrink from the greatest insults to God Himself, who cares for the good and the salvation of men by means of His heavenly religion." (Pope Pius IX, "Qui Pluribus", 1846 A.D.)
"Therefore, it is obviously absurd and injurious to propose a certain 'restoration and regeneration' for [the Church] as though necessary for her safety and growth, as if she could be considered subject to defect or obscuration or other misfortune. Indeed these authors of novelties consider that a 'foundation may be laid of a new human institution,' and what Cyprian detested may come to pass, that what was a divine thing 'may become a human church.'" (Pope Gregory XVI, "Mirari Vos", 1832 A.D.)
"It is with no less deceit, venerable brothers, that other enemies of divine revelation, with reckless and sacrilegious effrontery, want to import the doctrine of human progress into the Catholic religion. They extol it with the highest praise, as if religion itself were not of God but the work of men, or a philosophical discovery which can be perfected by human means... Our holy religion was not invented by human reason, but was most mercifully revealed by God; therefore, one can quite easily understand that religion itself acquires all its power from the authority of God who made the revelation, and that it can never be arrived at or perfected by human reason." (Bl. Pope Pius IX, "Qui Pluribus", 1846 A.D.)
(7) The Church is a divine institution and cannot simply change because her members might want her to
(8) The Church's teachings are timeless and never need to be "modernized"
(9) The Church cannot contradict what she has always held to be true - true novelties can never become dogma!
(10) Catholics have a duty to reject novelties & strange doctrine
"Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father." (St. John, 1 Jn. 2:24)
"Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching." (St. Paul, Heb. 13:7-9)
"Anyone who is so 'progressive' as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him; for whoever greets him shares in his evil works." (St. John, 2 Jn. 1:9-11)
"I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by (the) grace (of Christ) for a different gospel (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!" (St. Paul, Gal. 1:6-9)
"I have learned however, that certain persons from elsewhere, who have evil doctrine, have stayed with you; but you did not allow them to sow it among you, and you stopped your ears so that you would not receive what they sow...Do not err, my brethren: the corrupters of families will not inherit the kingdom of God. And if they who do these things according to the flesh suffer death, how much more if a man corrupt by evil teaching the faith of God, for the sake of which Jesus Christ was crucified? A man become so foul will depart into unquenchable fire; and so also will anyone who listens to him." (St. Ignatius of Antioch, hearer of St. John the Apostle, c. 110 A.D.)
It should be noted that novelty / modernism has been strictly condemned by the Church. In fact, modernists / liberals have been referred to as "the worst enemies of the Church" (Bl. Pope Pius IX) and "the most pernicious of all the adversaries of the Church" (Pope St. Pius X). [Note: See http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/latin_mass_and_tradition_reflections_against_novelty.htm for more on modernism.]
Although it is clear that the Church cannot add to or change dogmas, it should be noted that:
(a) Not everything uttered or written by a pope, theologian, saint, council, doctor of the Church, etc. is dogma.
(b) Not all papal writings / utterances are considered "dogma" or are protected by infallibility (see http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/vatican_view/papal_infallibility.htm for more information)
(c) Even the greatest theologians and saints have been wrong on some points - and even popes (when not speaking infallibly) have sometimes been wrong. Clearly, one must learn to separate private opinions from true Church dogma. This is best facilitated by looking to what the Church has always held to be true.
(d) Priests - and even bishops and cardinals - do not always expound true Catholic dogma, especially in today's age. As indicated above, one must learn to separate private opinions from true Church dogma. Again, this is best facilitated by examining what the Church has always held to be true.
(e) Certain practices of the church - e.g. fasting regulations - (and not dogma or doctrine) are subject to change. Such changes, however, should only be made for the glory of God and for the good of the Church and of souls.
Also See...
Against Modernism / Novelty (Latin Mass & Catholic Tradition Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/latin_mass_and_tradition_reflections_against_novelty.htm
Truth / Error / Nature of Man (Coming Home Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/coming_home_reflections_truth_error_nature_of_man.htm
Doctrinal Change / Unchanging Doctrine [Non Catholics Section (apologetics)] - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__unchanging_doctrine.htm
Truth / Doctrine [Non Catholics Section (apologetics)] - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__truth_doctrine.htm
Latin Mass & Catholic Tradition: Q & A - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/latin_mass_and_catholic_tradition/latin_mass_and_catholic_tradition_q_and_a.htm
Summary of Changes Since Vatican II: A Revolution in the Church? - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/latin_mass_and_catholic_tradition/summary_of_changes_since_vatican_ii.htm
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Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - Defending Unwritten Tradition
It is good for Catholics to be able to defend their faith against attacks (or even simple questions) from those outside the Church. We therefore hope you may find the following "apologetics brief" helpful.
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Note: Text below is taken from: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__tradition.htm
The following may be used as discussion points when discoursing with those outside the Church (or even among Catholics).
Topic: Do You Reject the Concept of Divinely Revealed Unwritten Tradition? (Note: Topic is directed at Protestants)
Consider:
* Do you believe that the Bible is the sole rule of faith? See http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__bible_alone.htm
* How can one reject the concept of divinely revealed unwritten tradition when it is clear that oral tradition predates Scripture? Oral tradition existed before a word of the New Testament was written (and also before a single word of the Old Testament was written).
* If tradition was to be passed on in writing (and not orally), why does Jesus commission the apostles to preach and not to write Scripture (see Mk. 16:15)?
* "The Old Testament required oral tradition - why not the New?"
* How can one reject the concept of divinely revealed unwritten tradition when St. Paul says in the first letter to the Corinthians: "I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you" (1 Cor. 11:2)?
* How can one reject the concept of divinely revealed unwritten tradition when Scripture says to "hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours" (2 Thes. 2:15)?
* How can one reject the concept of divinely revealed unwritten tradition when Scripture says to "shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us" (2 Thes. 3:6)?
* How can you reject the concept of unwritten tradition when Scripture itself says that not everything has been written down (see. Jn. 21:25)?
* If tradition was to be passed on in writing, why does St. John indicate that he prefers to speak face to face (cf. 2 Jn. 1:12, 3 Jn. 1:13-14)?
* How can one reject the concept of divinely revealed unwritten tradition when Scripture itself is part of tradition (e.g. the canon of books that make up the Bible)?
* Do you think tradition is condemned because of passages such as Mt. 15:3, Mk. 7-9, and Col. 2:8? Can you not see that this refers to human tradition in opposition to God? Do you not realize that Scripture positively instructs believers to follow certain unwritten traditions (e.g. 1 Cor. 11:2, 2 Thes. 2:15, 2 Thes. 3:6)?
* In light of the fact that Scripture does positively instruct believers to follow certain unwritten traditions, how can your non-Catholic 'Christian church' be true if it does not follow such tradition? If you claim to be 'Bible only', aren't you concerned that you aren't following the unwritten, oral traditions as instructed in the Bible?
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"The Gospels need tradition as the lungs need air, and as the eyes light, and as the plants the earth!" (Archbishop Fulton Sheen)
"The truths which God has revealed are contained in Holy Scripture and in Tradition." (Catechism of Pope St. Pius X)
"Divine Tradition has the same force as the Bible, since it too contains God's revelation to men." (Baltimore Catechism)
"It is needful also to make use of Tradition, for not everything can be gotten from sacred Scripture. The holy Apostles handed down some things in the Scriptures, other things in Tradition." (St. Epiphanius of Salamis)
"'Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions that you have been taught, whether by word or by our letter' (2 Thes. 2:15). From this it is clear that they did not hand down everything by letter, but there was much also that was not written. Like that which was written, the unwritten too is worthy of belief. So let us regard the tradition of the Church also as worthy of belief. Is it a tradition? Seek no further." (St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, c. 400 A.D.)
For more apologetics resources, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/non-catholics.htm
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Closing Quotations...
"Who can ever comprehend the solicitude with which Mary constantly stands before God on our behalf? 'She is never weary of defending us,' says St. Germanus; and the remark is beautiful meaning that so great is the compassion excited in Mary by our misery, and such is the love that she bears us, that she prays constantly, and relaxes not her efforts in our behalf: that by her prayers she may effectually defend us from evil, and obtain for us sufficient graces." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)
"When we have recourse to Mary in prayer, we are having recourse to the Mother of mercy, who is so well disposed toward us that, whatever the necessity that presses upon us especially in attaining eternal life, she is instantly at our side of her own accord, even though she has not been invoked. She dispenses grace with a generous hand from that treasure with which from the beginning she was divinely endowed in fullest abundance that she might be worthy to be the Mother of God. By the fullness of grace which confers on her the most illustrious of her many titles, the Blessed Virgin is infinitely superior to all the hierarchies of men and angels, the one creature who is closest of all to Christ." (Pope Leo XIII, "Magnae Dei Matris", 1892 A.D.)
"But should there by chance be a sinner who, though not doubting her power, might doubt the compassion of Mary, fearing perhaps that she might be unwilling to help him on account of the greatness of his sins, let him take courage from the words of St. Bonaventure. 'The great, the special privilege of Mary is, that she is all-powerful with her son.' 'But,' adds the saint, 'to what purpose would Mary have so great power if she cared not for us?' 'No,' he concludes, 'let us not doubt, but be certain, and let us always thank Our Lord and His divine Mother for it, that in proportion as her power with God exceeds that of all the saints, so is she in the same proportion our most loving advocate, and the one who is the most solicitous for our welfare." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)
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