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MyCatholicSource.com Newsletter - October, 2011
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IN THIS ISSUE:
* Greetings
* MCS News & Notes
* The Month of October: Dedicated to the Holy Rosary
* Refresher: Holy Scripture is Truthful / Free From Error (Reflections)
* New MyCatholicSource.com App: Be Prepared the Next Time Someone Knocks at Your Door Trying to Convert You
* Liturgical Feasts in October
* 'Catholic Trivia'
* Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - How Do You Know Which Books Comprise Scripture?
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Dear Friend,
Greetings to you this busy month of October. This month, which is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, begins with the feast of the Guardian Angels (10/2) and the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary (10/7) and concludes with the traditional feast of Christ the King (10/30) and All Hallows Eve/Vigil of All Saints (10/31). Also included are feasts of beloved saints such as St. Theresa of Avila and St. Francis of Assisi.
We've also been busy here, as we recently celebrated the arrival of our 1 millionth visitor and the introduction of two new apps (for a total of 3). We'll also celebrate our Third Annual Rosary Week from 10/24/11-10/30/11 and the third anniversary of our 'official unveiling' on 10/28/11. Please see below for more information concerning the above.
Lastly, we implore you to consider joining us in praying the rosary during Rosary Week. Even if you don't normally get involved these efforts, we hope you might consider joining us as we've tried our best to make it as easy as possible and remove all objections people might have (e.g. you can sign up as 'anonymous', you can participate for just one day, you can pray from any appropriate location, no e-mail address is required to sign up, you can pray at any appropriate time or location). Also, we plan to have a Traditional Latin Mass said for all Rosary Week participants, so in addition to the rewards already to be had for praying the holy rosary, you'll also get to share in the benefits of the Holy Mass that will be offered for participants. Please join us and fellow Catholics around the world in praying the rosary during Rosary Week, October 10/24-10/30/11. Please sign up today at www.MyCatholicSource.com/RosaryWeek
Thanks very much for your support & participation.
Best wishes to you for God's blessings,
Your Friends at MyCatholicSource.com
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"May Mary, the Mother of God and of men, herself the authoress and teacher of the Rosary, procure for Us its happy fulfillment." (Pope Leo XIII, "Laetitiae Sanctae", 1893 A.D.)
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MCS News & Notes
* Last chance to sign up for Rosary Week: Don't miss out! Please sign up today for this FREE event at www.MyCatholicSource.com/RosaryWeek . Don't pray the rosary? Why not start now? Already pray the rosary? Why not join us for a few extra rosaries? We're confident that you'll be glad you participated in this powerful, yet easy & 'hassle-free' Catholic event. Why not also invite your friends to join?
* Changed URL Shortcut: We have changed the destination page for the following URL shortcuts: MyCatholicSource.com/Patrons, MyCatholicSource.com/PatronSaints, and MyCatholicSource.com/PatronSaint. The shortcuts now points to the Topic Page 'Patron Saints'. We apologize if this change causes any inconvenience.
* Feast of St. Francis (10/4): Why not celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi by reviewing biographical information on this great saint, reading some of his inspiring writings, or praying some of his beautiful prayers? You can find this and more at the St. Francis Section at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/saint_francis_page.htm . And while you're there, why not add your pet's name to the list of special pets? This is a must-see section for animal lovers.
* Update re: plaintext only newsletter: Since we received no requests for a plaintext only version of our newsletter in response to our inquiry last month, we will not be implementing this version of our newsletter. If you meant to request this option but didn't, you can still reply to this e-mail with your request. However, please understand that we would need to receive a good number of requests before we could implement this separate newsletter.
* Thank you for being one of the more than one million visitors to our site! We are happy to announce that MyCatholicSource.com received its 1 millionth visitor* in the early morning hours of September 12, 2011, the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. We send our sincere thanks to all who have visited MyCatholicSource.com and we look forward, by God's grace, to welcoming many millions of visitors in the years to come. (* Number of visits is based on raw, unfiltered access logs. Excludes traffic prior to our 'official unveiling')
* The third anniversary of the 'official unveiling' of MyCatholicSource.com will fall on 10/28/11. These past three years have been both a great joy and a significant challenge for us. During this time, we've enjoyed more than one million visits - including a number of visits from the Holy See, visits from a pontifical institute, an office of the Roman curia & and the Vatican Library, as well as visits from a variety of dioceses & archdioceses, Catholic universities, Catholic churches, religious orders, Catholic hospitals, congregations, pontifical colleges, ivy league colleges, libraries, agencies, organizations, seminaries, bishops' conferences, various government offices (e.g. U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Department of State, Department of the Interior, Department of the Treasury, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, Pentagon, General Accounting Office, Securities & Exchange Commission, state & local governments, etc.), and even visits from the United Nations. We've received visitors from all 50 states as well as from most all of the countries in the world. We've built up traffic, added services & features, changed servers twice, suffered major technical problems with our equipment, almost had to shut down, got mentioned in newspapers, developed apps, assisted Catholic school teachers, answered hundreds of questions via chat, and secured our servers against frequent attacks. We've been linked to from various blogs & sites and have been the subject of forum & blog posts. The site has received over 24 million hits, enjoyed well over 5 million page views, and has been advertised millions & millions of times on Google and other search engines (or their search partners). We've been rated favorably by KillerStartups.com and have enjoyed various expressions of gratitude and praise from our visitors (for which we are very grateful). We have also been the target of insults and accusations - the Catholic content of our site actually inspired someone to create an entire blog to complain about our 'sorry excuse for a website'. We've spent countless hours creating and expanding the site (the site was in development for seven years before its 'official unveiling' in 2008) and have learned so much in the process. We hope our labors have been helpful to our visitors and have in some small way contributed to honoring Our Blessed Lord. We send our sincere thanks to our benefactors & to all our visitors, for whom we pray each day. Please know that it would be our honor to be able to continue to operate MyCatholicSource.com in the years to come, God willing. To that end, we'd be most appreciative for the support of your prayers or for any other assistance you might be able to offer. Thanks very much for your support!
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MyCatholicSource.com App News...
* Android Apps Waiting List: We've started a waiting list for Android versions of our apps. If you would like to be notified when Android versions of our apps are ready, please complete and submit the form at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/app-wl.htm
* Our newest app, iStations, has just been released. iStations is a convenient devotional aid for privately praying the Stations of the Cross (Way of the Cross). Features beautiful images, two traditional methods, audio option with optional auto-advance, selected prayers in English & Latin, easy navigation, and in-app help. It's great for Fridays, Lent, penitential times & family devotions! If you have (or a loved one has) an iPad®, iPhone®, or iPod touch®, please consider purchasing this convenient app today! For a limited time, this app is on sale for just $.99! Download it today at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/istations/id457131446?ls=1&mt=8
* As we (jokingly) predicted, approval for our new app, Catholic Bible References, was received just a few hours after we sent out last month's newsletter. This was actually our first completed app, but it was held up in Apple's approval process for more than a month (a process that typically takes about a week). We'll spare you the details of that (not so fun) experience, but suffice it to say that it can be challenging to get certain content (e.g. politically incorrect Catholic content) successfully through a secular approval process. Note that the app quotes Holy Scripture's condemnation of homosexual behavior, divorce, contraception, etc. and that these topics are not something that many people nowadays want to see. Nevertheless, we worked with Apple and were able to retain all scripture quotations without exception. We were only required to change a few of our descriptions (e.g. remove the word 'against'). Please see below for more detail concerning this very useful app.
* We are hoping to have a special, though brief, $.99 sale (e.g. 10-12 hours) on our new Saints4U app on All Saints Day, November 1, 2011. Please visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/saints4u/id453922297?ls=1&mt=8 on 11/1/11 to take advantage of this great deal (or download it today at the low sale price of just $1.99)
* Free app offer: If you've donated to MyCatholicSource.com within the past 3 months (between 7/1/11 - 10/1/11) either online or by mail and if you have an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, we would like to offer you a promotional code for a free app. Just contact us by 10/31/11 with your e-mail address, name, and date of donation (you can reply to this e-mail). Limit one code per donor. Available while supplies last. Please request a free code only if you have a supported device. Note: Code is good for app indicated and must be used before the expiration date & according to App Store rules. Offer is subject to change without notice.
Note: All prices herein are in U.S. dollars, excluding any applicable tax.
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* Please see our Notices page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/notices.htm for dates of anticipated service delays through October 2011
* Help keep us online! Donate $1 or more at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/donate.htm . Thank you for your much needed support!
* Reminder: To help ensure delivery of your newsletter, please put our e-mail address in your 'trusted senders' list - or use other applicable options your e-mail provider may offer to let them know that our e-mail is wanted. Thank you.
* Please visit our 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 October: Dedicated to the Holy Rosary
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"If you want peace in your heart, in your home, in your country, assemble together every night and say the Rosary." (Pope St. Pius X)
"I have no better way of knowing if a man is for God than if he likes to say the Hail Mary and the Rosary." (St. Louis de Montfort)
"Of all the prayers, the Rosary is the most beautiful and the richest in graces; of all it is the one most pleasing to Mary, the Virgin Most Holy." (Pope St. Pius X)
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Related Resources...
* The Holy Rosary (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-holy_rosary.htm
* Promises of the Rosary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/rosary/promises_of_the_rosary.htm
* What is the Rosary and Why Pray it? - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/rosary/what_the_rosary_is_and_why_pray_it.htm
* Facts About the Rosary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/rosary/rosary_facts.htm
* History of the Rosary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/rosary/history_of_the_rosary.htm
* How to Pray the Rosary / Mysteries of the Rosary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/rosary/how_to_pray_the_rosary.htm
* Tips for Praying the Rosary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/dusub/rosary_tips.htm
* The Holy Rosary (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/holy_rosary_reflections.htm
* The Holy Rosary (Papal Writings) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pd/classic_encyclicals_by_category.htm
* The Daily Rosary - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/rosary/daily_rosary.htm
* The Rosary in Latin - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/rosary/the_rosary_in_latin.htm
* Rosary Prayers (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-rosary_prayers.htm
* How to Pray the Rosary (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-how_to_pray_the_rosary.htm
* Holy Rosary (Section) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/holy_rosary.htm
* Sacramentals (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-sacramentals.htm
* Popular Marian Devotions - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/the_Blessed_Virgin/popular_marian_devotions.htm
* Rosary / Apologetics - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__Marian.htm
* Devotions, Sacramentals & Pious Practices - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/prayers_and_devotions/devotions.htm
* Rosary (Coloring Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/coloring_book_rosary_and_mary.htm
* Rosary (Crossword Puzzle) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/crossword_puzzle_rosary.html
* Rosary (Word Search) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/word_search_rosary.htm
* Blessed Virgin Mary (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-Blessed_Virgin_Mary.htm
Looking For Something Else? Try Our Various Indexes For 15,000+ Entries - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm
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"We desire very earnestly, Venerable Brethren, that the Holy Rosary should be recited in a special manner in the month of October and with increased devotion both in the churches and in homes." (Pope Pius XI, "Ingravescentibus Malis", 1937 A.D.)
"If you wish to convert anyone to the fullness of the knowledge of Our Lord and of His Mystical Body, then teach him the Rosary. One of two things will happen. Either he will stop saying the Rosary - or he will get the gift of faith." (Archbishop Fulton Sheen)
"Next to the holy sacrifice of the Mass, there is, indeed, nothing more terrifying to [the devil], nor does he bear a more implacable hatred to anything than to the devotion of the Rosary." (Muller)
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Reminder: The My Catholic Source.com Third Annual Rosary Week will be held this year from 10/24 - 10/30. Please join us! Sign up today at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/rosary_week_sign_up.htm
It's easy & free to participate!
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Refresher: Holy Scripture is Truthful / Free From Error (Reflections)
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Note: This topic refers to Holy Scripture in general and not to any particular translation/interpretation of it.
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"Scripture cannot lie" (St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church)
"Neither does Scripture falsify anything, nor does the Holy Spirit deceive His servants, the prophets through whom He is pleased to announce to men the will of God." (St. Hippolytus of Rome, c. 204 A.D.)
"Brethren, be contentious and zealous for the things which lead to salvation! You have studied the Holy Scriptures, which are true and are of the Holy Spirit. You well know that nothing unjust or fraudulent is written in them." (Pope St. Clement of Rome, 1st century A.D.)
"We must neither doubt nor hesitate with respect to the words of the Lord; rather, we must be fully persuaded that every word of God is true and possible, even if our nature should rebel against the idea - for in this lies the test of faith." (St. Basil the Great, Doctor of the Church)
"God, the Creator and Ruler of all things, is also the Author of the Scriptures - and...therefore nothing can be proved either by physical science or archaeology which can really contradict the Scriptures." (Pope Leo XIII, "Providentissimus Deus", 1893 A.D.)
Error CONDEMNED by Pope St. Pius X in "Lamentabili": "Divine inspiration does not so extend to all Sacred Scripture that it fortifies each and every part of it against all error." (Pope St. Pius X, This proposition was condemned in "Lamentabili", 1907 A.D.)
Error CONDEMNED by Pope St. Pius X in "Lamentabili": "In many narratives the Evangelists related not so much what is true, as what they thought to be more profitable for the reader, although false." (Pope St. Pius X, This proposition was condemned in "Lamentabili", 1907 A.D.)
Error CONDEMNED by Pope St. Pius X in "Lamentabili": " Opposition may, and actually does, exist between the facts narrated in Sacred Scripture and the Church's dogmas which rest on them. Thus the critic may reject as false facts the Church holds as most certain." (Pope St. Pius X, This proposition was condemned in "Lamentabili", 1907 A.D.)
Error CONDEMNED by Pope Pius IX in the Syllabus of Errors: "The prophecies and miracles described and related in Sacred Scripture are the inventions of poets; and the mysteries of the Christian faith are the culmination of philosophical investigations; and in the books of both Testaments are contained mythical inventions; and Jesus Christ Himself is a mythical fiction." (Pope Pius IX, This proposition was condemned in the Syllabus of Errors, 1864 A.D.)
"[I hold Scripture] in such reverence and honor that I do most firmly believe that none of their authors has erred in anything that he has written therein. If I find anything in those writings which seems to be contrary to the truth, I presume that either the codex is inaccurate, or the translator has not followed what was said, or I have not properly understood it" (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church, c. 406 A.D.)
"I think it is dangerous to believe that anything in the Sacred Books is a lie... For if we should admit in that supreme monument of authority even one 'polite' lie, no shred of those books will remain. Whenever anyone finds anything therein that is difficult to practice or hard to believe, he will refer to this most pernicious precedent and explain it as the idea or practice of a lying author." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church, 4th century A.D.)
"If, however, we are not able to find explanations for all those passages of Scripture which are investigated, we ought not on that account seek for another God besides Him who exists. This would indeed be the greatest impiety. Things of that kind we must leave to God, the One who made us, knowing full well that the Scriptures are certainly perfect, since they were spoken by the Word of God and by His Spirit." (St. Irenaeus, 2nd century A.D.)
"St. Jerome's teaching on this point serves to confirm and illustrate what our predecessor of happy memory, Leo XIII, declared to be the ancient and traditional belief of the Church touching the absolute immunity of Scripture from error: So far is it from being the case that error can be compatible with inspiration, that, on the contrary, it not only of its very nature precludes the presence of error, but as necessarily excludes it and forbids it as God, the Supreme Truth, necessarily cannot be the Author of error." (Pope Benedict XV, "Spiritus Paraclitus", 1920 A.D.)
"I will not have the effrontery at any time either to suppose or to say such a thing [that the Scriptures contradict each other]. If a Scripture which appears to be of such a kind be brought forward, and there be a pretext for regarding it as contradictory, since I am totally convinced that no Scripture is contradictory to another, I shall admit instead that I do not understand what is spoken of, and shall strive to persuade those who assume that the Scriptures are contradictory to be rather of the same opinion as myself." (St. Justin the Martyr, c. 155 A.D.)
"When, subsequently, some Catholic writers, in spite of this solemn definition of Catholic doctrine, by which such divine authority is claimed for the 'entire books with all their parts' as to secure freedom from any error whatsoever, ventured to restrict the truth of Sacred Scripture solely to matters of faith and morals, and to regard other matters, whether in the domain of physical science or history, as 'obiter dicta' and - as they contended - in no wise connected with faith, Our Predecessor of immortal memory, Leo XIII in the Encyclical Letter Providentissimus Deus, published on November 18 in the year 1893, justly and rightly condemned these errors and safe-guarded the studies of the Divine Books by most wise precepts and rules... This teaching, which Our Predecessor Leo XIII set forth with such solemnity, We also proclaim with Our authority and We urge all to adhere to it religiously." (Pope Pius XII, "Divino Afflante Spiritu", 1943 A.D.)
"What [St. Jerome] has said here of the Gospels he applies in his Commentaries to the rest of the Lord's words; he regards it as the very rule and foundation of Catholic interpretation; indeed, for Jerome, a true prophet was to be distinguished from a false by this very note of truth: 'The Lord's words are true; for Him to say it, means that it is.' Again, 'Scripture cannot lie'; it is wrong to say Scripture lies, nay, it is impious even to admit the very notion of error where the Bible is concerned. 'The Apostles,' he says, 'are one thing; other writers' - that is, profane [secular] writers - 'are another;' 'the former always tell the truth; the latter - as being mere men - sometimes err,' and though many things are said in the Bible which seem incredible, yet they are true; in this 'word of truth' you cannot find things or statements which are contradictory, 'there is nothing discordant nor conflicting'; consequently, 'when Scripture seems to be in conflict with itself both passages are true despite their diversity.'" (Pope Benedict XV, "Spiritus Paraclitus", 1920 A.D.)
"For not uncommonly - to touch upon one thing only - when some propose by way of rebuke that the Sacred Authors have strayed away from historical truth, or have not reported events accurately, it is found to be a question of nothing other than the customary natural methods of the ancients in speaking and narrating, which in the mutual intercourse among men were regularly employed, and in fact were employed in accord with a permissible and common practice. Therefore, intellectual honesty requires that when these matters are found in divine speech which is expressed for man in human words, they be not charged more with error than when they are uttered in the daily use of life. By this knowledge and exact appreciation of the modes of speaking and writing in use among the ancients can be solved many difficulties, which are raised against the veracity and historical value of the Divine Scriptures, and no less efficaciously does this study contribute to a fuller and more luminous understanding of the mind of the Sacred Writer." (Pope Pius XII, "Divino Afflante Spiritu", 1943 A.D.)
"Just as in the biological and anthropological sciences, so also in the historical there are those who boldly transgress the limits and precautions established by the Church. And, We especially deplore a certain entirely too liberal manner of interpreting the historical books of the Old Testament, the supporters of which defend their case by reference without warrant to a letter given not long ago by the Pontifical Council on Biblical Affairs to the Archbishop of Paris. This Letter plainly advises that the eleven first chapters of Genesis, although they do not conform properly with the methods of historical composition which distinguished Greek and Latin writers of past events, or the learned men of our age have used, nevertheless in a certain sense, to be examined and determined more fully by exegetes, are truly a kind of history; and that the same chapters, in simple and figurative speech suited to the mentality of a people of little culture, both recount the principal truths on which the attainment of our eternal salvation depends, and also the popular description of the origin of the human race and of the chosen people. But if the ancient sacred writers draw anything from popular narrations (which indeed can be conceded) it must never be forgotten that they did so assisted by the impulse of divine inspiration, by which in selecting and passing judgment on those documents, they were preserved free from all error." (Pope Pius XII, "Humani Generis", 1950 A.D.)
"Yet no one can pretend that certain recent writers really adhere to these limitations. For while conceding that inspiration extends to every phrase - and, indeed, to every single word of Scripture - yet, by endeavoring to distinguish between what they style the primary or religious and the secondary or profane element in the Bible, they claim that the effect of inspiration - namely, absolute truth and immunity from error - are to be restricted to that primary or religious element. Their notion is that only what concerns religion is intended and taught by God in Scripture, and that all the rest - things concerning 'profane [secular] knowledge,' the garments in which Divine truth is presented - God merely permits, and even leaves to the individual author's greater or less knowledge. Small wonder, then, that in their view a considerable number of things occur in the Bible touching physical science, history and the like, which cannot be reconciled with modern progress in science! Some even maintain that these views do not conflict with what our predecessor laid down since - so they claim - he said that the sacred writers spoke in accordance with the external - and thus deceptive - appearance of things in nature. But the Pontiff's own words show that this is a rash and false deduction. For sound philosophy teaches that the senses can never be deceived as regards their own proper and immediate object. Therefore, from the merely external appearance of things - of which, of course, we have always to take account as Leo XIII, following in the footsteps of St. Augustine and St. Thomas, most wisely remarks - we can never conclude that there is any error in Sacred Scripture. Moreover, our predecessor, sweeping aside all such distinctions between what these critics are pleased to call primary and secondary elements, says in no ambiguous fashion that 'those who fancy that when it is a question of the truth of certain expressions we have not got to consider so much what God said as why He said it,' are very far indeed from the truth. He also teaches that Divine inspiration extends to every part of the Bible without the slightest exception, and that no error can occur in the inspired text: 'It would be wholly impious to limit inspiration to certain portions only of Scripture or to concede that the sacred authors themselves could have erred.' Those, too, who hold that the historical portions of Scripture do not rest on the absolute truth of the facts but merely upon what they are pleased to term their relative truth, namely, what people then commonly thought, are - no less than are the aforementioned critics - out of harmony with the Church's teaching, which is endorsed by the testimony of [St.] Jerome and other Fathers." (Pope Benedict XV, "Spiritus Paraclitus", 1920 A.D.)
"It can happen, indeed, that transcribers in copying manuscripts do so incorrectly. This is to be considered carefully and is not to be admitted readily, except in those passages where it has been properly demonstrated; it can also happen that the true sense of some passage remains ambiguous; the best rules of interpretation will contribute much toward the solution of this problem; but it would be entirely wrong either to confine inspiration only to some parts of Sacred Scripture, or to concede that the sacred author himself has erred. For the method of those is not to be tolerated, who extricated themselves from these difficulties by readily granting that divine inspiration pertains to matters of faith and morals, and nothing more. The books, all and entire, which the Church accepts as sacred and canonical, with all their parts, have been written at the dictation of the Holy Spirit; so far is it from the possibility of any error being present to divine inspiration, that it itself of itself not only excludes all error, but excludes it and rejects it as necessarily as it is necessary that God, the highest Truth, be the author of no error whatsoever. This is the ancient and uniform faith of the Church, defined also by solemn opinion at the Councils of Florence and of Trent, finally confirmed and more expressly declared at the [First] Vatican Council, by which it was absolutely declared: 'The books of the Old and New Testament ... have God as their author'. Therefore, it matters not at all that the Holy Spirit took men as instruments for the writing, as if anything false might have slipped, not indeed from the first Author, but from the inspired writers. For, by supernatural power He so roused and moved them to write, He stood so near them, that they rightly grasped in mind all those things, and those only, which He Himself ordered, and willed faithfully to write them down, and expressed them properly with infallible truth; otherwise, He Himself would not be the author of all Sacred Scripture. Such has always been the persuasion of the Fathers. 'Therefore,' says St. Augustine, 'since they wrote the things which He showed and uttered to them, it cannot be pretended that He is not the writer; for His members executed what their Head dictated.' And St. Gregory the Great thus pronounces: 'Most superfluous it is to inquire who wrote these things - we loyally believe the Holy Ghost to be the Author of the book. He wrote it Who dictated it for writing; He wrote it Who inspired its execution.. It follows that those who maintain that an error is possible in any genuine passage of the sacred writings, either pervert the Catholic notion of inspiration, or make God the author of such error. And so utterly convinced were all the Fathers and Doctors that the holy works, which were published by the hagiographers, are free of every error, that they were very eager, no less skillfully than reverently, to arrange and reconcile those not infrequent passages which seemed to offer something contrary and at variance (they are almost the very passages which are now thrown up to us under the name of the new science); and they professed unanimously that these books, both in whole and in part, were equally of divine inspiration, and that God Himself, speaking through the sacred authors, could have set down nothing at all at variance with the truth. Let what the same [St.] Augustine wrote to [St.] Jerome sum this up: '... If I shall meet anything in these works which seems contrary to truth, I shall not hesitate to believe anything other than that the text is faulty, or that the translator has net expressed the meaning of the passage, or that I myself do not understand.' ... For many objections from every kind of teaching have for long been persistently hurled against Scripture, which now, quite dead, have fallen into disuse; likewise, at times not a few interpretations have been placed on certain passages of Scripture (not properly pertinent to the rule of faith and morals) in which a more careful investigation has seen the meaning more accurately. For, surely, time destroys the falsities of opinions, but 'truth remaineth and groweth stronger forever and ever.'" (Pope Leo XIII, "Providentissimus Deus", 1893 A.D.)
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Ref.: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/scripture_reflections_free_from_error.htm
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Also Try:
* Scripture Reflections (Incl. Attacks on Scripture, The Church's Traditional Interpretation of Holy Scripture Is Not Subject To Correction, Proper Interpretation of Scripture, Misinterpretation of Scripture, Etc.) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/scripture_reflections.htm
* Catholic Bibles / Holy Scripture (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-catholic_bibles.htm
* Bible Facts: Q & A - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pcs/bible_facts_q_and_a.htm
* Scripture / Parables Section - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/scripture.htm
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New MyCatholicSource.com App: Be Prepared the Next Time Someone Knocks at Your Door Trying to Convert You
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Please Note: As we noted last month, we usually avoid including additional images in our newsletters in order to maintain a smaller e-mail size. However, we again felt it important to include the images below in this issue in order to illustrate the app's features. The images will only display in html mode if they are not turned off. We hope this will not cause any inconvenience.
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As indicated above, our new app, Catholic Bible References, has now been approved and is available for download on the App Store (SM). It is presently on sale for just $1.99 and proceeds may help to keep MyCatholicSource.com online. Please see below for more information & screen shots...
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Catholic Bible References - For the iPad®, iPhone®, and iPod touch®
Presented by MyCatholicSource.com
"A Must-Have App For Catholics!"
Description: Catholic Bible References is a handy apologetics tool that can be used to help Catholics discuss & defend the faith. Features hundreds of key bible references conveniently arranged by topic.
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Features (v. 1.0):
* Hundreds of Scripture References Concerning Catholic Beliefs
* 100+ Tips For Locating Related Passages (including those related to defending the Catholic faith among 'Jehovah's Witnesses' & Mormons)
* Modern / Traditional Scripture Translations
* Convenient Index
* Handy Grouping by Titles
* Easy / Quick / Comprehensive Search
* Search By Category
* Selectable Text
* Old Testament / New Testament Indicator
* Quick, Easy-to-Use Interface
* In-App E-Mail
* In-App Help
* Links For Additional Resources
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Uses:
* Defend the Catholic Faith Using Scripture
* Be Prepared to Answer Biblical Questions About the Catholic Faith From Non-Catholics & Catholics Alike
* Educate Yourself in Biblical Truths of the Catholic Faith
* Great Memory Aid!
* Quickly Compare Translations
* Help Spread the Catholic Faith (Makes a Great Gift App!)
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Be Prepared The Next Time Someone Knocks At Your Door Trying To Covert You!
Place Hundreds of Scripture References Concerning Catholic Beliefs At Your Fingertips!
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Devices Supported: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch [may require IOS4.3 / latest IOS]
Limited Time Offer! Just: $1.99 U.S. (plus tax, if applicable)
Available For Download At: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/catholic-bible-references/id450589859?ls=1&mt=8
More Information: http://www.MyCatholicSource.com/Apps
Online Feedback: http://www.bfsnet.com/bfsapps/bfsapps-feedback.htm
Terms of Use: http://www.bfsnet.com/bfsapps/bfsapps-terms.htm
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You Can Help!
* Buy the app (go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/catholic-bible-references/id450589859?ls=1&mt=8 )
* Tell your friends & fellow parishioners
* Distribute fliers (.pdf format): Single page version - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/cbr-flier-1_per_page.pdf | Four per page version - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/cbr-flier-4_per_page.pdf
Also...
* Like the app? Please review it!
* Let us know what you think. We welcome & value your feedback!
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Liturgical Feasts in October
The following is a listing of all liturgical feast dates for October as they appear at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/saints/feasts.htm
Note: (T) = Traditional, (N) = New (Novus Ordo)
Reminder: Feasts may be superseded / transferred / etc.
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October 1 - St. Remigius (T)
October 1 - St. Theresa of the Child Jesus (N)
October 2 - The Holy Guardian Angels (T)
October 2 - The Guardian Angels (N)
October 3 - St. Teresa of the Child Jesus (T)
October 4 - St. Francis of Assisi (T)
October 4 - St. Francis of Assisi (N)
October 5 - St. Placid & companions (T)
October 6 - St. Bruno (T)
October 6 - St. Bruno (N)
October 7 - Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary (T)
October 7 - St. Mark, pope (T)
October 7 - Sts. Marcellus & Apuleius (T)
October 7 - Sts. Sergius & Bacchus (T)
October 7 - Our Lady of the Rosary (N)
October 8 - St. Bridget of Sweden (T)
October 9 - St. John Leonardi (T)
October 9 - Sts. Denis, Rusticus & Eleutherius (T)
October 9 - St. Denis & companions (N)
October 9 - St. John Leonardi (N)
October 10 - St. Francis Borgia (T)
October 11 - The Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (T)
October 13 - St. Edward, king of England (T)
October 14 - St. Callistus I, pope (T)
October 14 - St. Callistus I, pope (N)
October 15 - St. Teresa of Avila (T)
October 15 - St. Teresa of Avila (N)
October 16 - St. Hedwig (T)
October 16 - St. Hedwig (N)
October 16 - St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (N)
October 17 - St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (T)
October 17 - St. Ignatius of Antioch (N)
October 18 - St. Luke the Evangelist (T)
October 18 - St. Luke the Evangelist (N)
October 19 - St. Peter of Alcantara (T)
October 19 - St. Paul of the Cross (N)
October 19 - Sts. Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf & companions (N)
October 20 - St. John Cantius (T)
October 21 - St. Hilarion (T)
October 21 - St. Ursula & companions (T)
October 23 - St. John of Capistrano (N)
October 24 - St. Raphael the Archangel (T)
October 24 - St. Anthony Claret (N)
October 25 - Sts. Chrysanthus & Daria (T)
October 26 - St. Evaristus, pope (T)
October 28 - Sts. Simon & Jude, apostles (T)
October 28 - Sts. Simon & Jude, apostles (N)
October 31 - Vigil of All Saints (T)
Please Note: Above may exclude moveable feasts. For moveable feasts, see below & try here: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/latin_mass_and_tradition/traditional_liturgical_calendar.htm . For other feasts, try the MCS Daily Digest each day at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/mcs_daily_digest.asp
Also...
10/30/11 - Feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ (T)
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'Catholic Trivia'
1. Who said...? "Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family."
2. Complete the following: The miraculous victory at ___ is attributed to the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
3. What are three terms to refer to the first five books of the Bible?
4. According to St. Louis de Montfort, what is a sure sign that God loves you?
5. By what names is the rosary known? (list at least three)
6. Who said...? "For our children cannot go for instruction to schools which either ignore or of set purpose combat the Catholic religion, or in which its teachings are despised and its fundamental principles repudiated. Wherever the Church has allowed this to be done, it has only been with pain and through necessity, at the same time surrounding her children with many safeguards which, nevertheless it has been too often recognized have been insufficient to cope successfully with the danger attending it. Similarly it is necessary to avoid at all costs, as most dangerous, those schools in which all beliefs are welcomed and treated as equal, as if, in what regards God and divine things, it makes no difference whether one believes rightly or wrongly, and takes up with truth or error. You know well, Venerable Brethren, that every school of this kind has been condemned by the Church, because nothing can be more harmful or better calculated to ruin the integrity of the faith and to turn aside the tender minds of the young from the way of truth."
7. Should the rosary be prayed from right to left or left to right?
8. What is the only formally 'canonized' translation of the Bible?
9. Who said...? "The whole air about us is filled with angels."
10. The 15 mysteries in the traditional rosary may be significant for what?
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Answers:
1. St. Angela Merici
2. The miraculous victory at Lepanto is attributed to the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary (October 7, 1571)
3. The Torah, Pentateuch, or "The Law"
4. "The cross is a sure sign that He loves you." (St. Louis de Montfort)
5. The Rosary, the Holy Rosary, the "Psalter of Mary", the Marian Rosary, the "prayer of the saints", "the beads", "Mary's favorite prayer", etc.
6. Pope Leo XIII
7. Rosary beads may be prayed from right to left or from left to right. One's preferred direction may depend on the way one is taught, whether one is right or left handed, etc.
8. The Vulgate
9. St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church
10. The fifteen steps of the temple & the fifteen gradual psalms
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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
You might also be interested in the Q & A and historical information which may be found each day on the MCS Daily Digest at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/mcs_daily_digest.asp
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Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - How Do You Know Which Books Comprise Scripture?
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__bible.htm
The following may be used as discussion points when discoursing with those outside the Church (or even among Catholics).
Topic: How Do You Know Which Books Comprise Scripture? (Note: Topic is directed at Protestants)
Consider:
* Considering that Scripture does not indicate which books are inspired, how do you know which books actually belong in the Bible?
* Considering that the beginnings of Christianity saw numerous spurious writings that some considered as Scripture (cf. 2 Thes. 2:2), how do you know that the books actually appearing in your version of the bible actually contain all applicable books? Remember that since no original copies of these spurious books still exist, you would never be able to review them.
* Even the earliest Christians did not know with infallible certainty which specific books comprised the Bible, so how do you - so many years later - know with infallible certainty which books should comprise the bible?
* If a book appears in your version of the Bible how do you, personally, know (not believe or feel, but KNOW) that the book should be included as part of the bible?
* Who told you that the books in the New Testament were Scripture? Would you be surprised to know it was the Catholic Church? If you reject the authority of the Catholic Church, why are you depending upon this same Church to determine the canon of Scripture? If you place your faith in the Catholic Church to determine the books of Scripture, why do you withhold your submission to this Church which gave the world the New Testament? Remember that the only way you can know a book of the New Testament is inspired is because the Catholic Church has said that it is!
* Are you aware that Protestant leaders initially rejected even more books of Scripture than the deuterocanonical books - for example, they rejected certain books of Scripture that couldn't be squared with their new theologies? If you don't condemn them for such actions, how do you purport that they had the authority to do this? If you do condemn them for such actions, why do you follow in their footsteps by rejecting the deuterocanonical books?
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"If anyone either believes that any scriptures, except those which the Catholic Church has received, ought to be held in authority or venerates them...let him be anathema." (Creed of the Council of Toledo, 400/447 A.D.)
"If anyone, however, should not accept the said books as sacred and canonical, entire with all their parts, as they were wont to be read in the Catholic Church, and as they are contained in the old Latin Vulgate edition, and if anyone should knowingly and deliberately he should condemn the aforesaid traditions let him be anathema." (Council of Trent, 1546 A.D.)
"If any one shall not receive as sacred and canonical the books of Holy Scripture entire with all their parts, as the holy synod of Trent has enumerated them, or shall deny that they have been divinely inspired; let him be anathema." (Vatican Council I, 1870 A.D.)
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For more apologetics resources, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/non-catholics.htm
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In Closing...
"We decreed by an Encyclical Letter that, to win the help of Heaven for the Church in her trials, the great Mother of God should be honored by the means of the most holy Rosary during the whole of the month of October. In this We followed both Our own impulse and the example of Our predecessors, who in times of difficulty were wont to have recourse with increased fervor to the Blessed Virgin, and to seek her aid with special prayers." (Pope Leo XIII, "Superiore Anno", 1884 A.D.)
"Therefore let all men, the learned and the ignorant, the just and the sinner, the great and the small praise and honor Jesus and Mary night and day by saying the Most Holy Rosary." (St. Louis de Montfort)
"There is a certain curious instrument which marks with great accuracy the different degrees of temperature. It contains a fluid which rises when the weather is warm, and falls again as the weather grows cold. You have seen, no doubt, the instrument of which I speak: it is called a thermometer. Now, there is another kind of thermometer, not indeed of the natural, but of the supernatural life - a thermometer which indicates very correctly the warmth of faith in a Catholic, in a family, in a community; and this instrument is the Rosary. It is a well-known fact that wherever the Devotion of the Rosary is practiced, there faith is warm and active." (Muller)
"Never will anyone who says his Rosary every day be led astray. This is a statement that I would gladly sign with my blood." (St. Louis de Montfort)
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We sincerely welcome feedback regarding our newsletters. Please visit our newsletter feedback page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/newsletter_feedback.htm to share your comments.
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