Catholic Life Section

Against (False) Paradise on Earth

"The great Cardinal Newman, whom we need more than ever today, has said: 'Saint Paul...labored more than all the Apostles: and why? Not to civilize the world, not to smooth the face of society...not to spread abroad knowledge, not to cultivate the whole earth into a heaven, but to bring down a heaven upon earth. This has been the real triumph of the Gospel...It has made men saints.' And this great and holy mission of the Church is indissolubly linked with the condemnation of all heresies, with the glorious anathema by which the Church overcame all attempts of the Devil to undermine it. When the great fighter against the modernist heresies, St. Pius X, chose as his motto the admirable words instaurare omnia in Christo, 'to renew everything in Christ,' he did not mean that we ought to make of the earth a natural paradise, an ideal of a world in harmony and peace, freed from all kinds of illness and poverty, a humanity gaining always more natural empirical knowledge and a greater domination over nature. No, he meant transforming all natural values such as human love, marriage, family, cultural life, art, politics, natural truths, in Christ whereby their most intimate value will shine forth; but even above and more than that, something completely new is added - the holy breath of Christ. A mere imminently perfect world - if we may assume such an impossible fiction for a moment - a world in which all people were friendly and naturally kind, a world without illness, wars and poverty, but in which no one would adore God, no one would bend his knee before Christ, would have no right to exist for a moment; it would be an abomination." (Dietrich von Hildebrand)

Also See: Renouncing the World | The Cross / Crosses | Necessity of / Reasons for Suffering

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Against Military Training of Girls

Also See: Catholic Women (Topic Page)

"It is well to repeat this warning here; for in these days there is spreading a spirit of nationalism which is false and exaggerated, as well as dangerous to true peace and prosperity. Under its influence various excesses are committed in giving a military turn to the so-called physical training of boys (sometimes even of girls, contrary to the very instincts of human nature); or again in usurping unreasonably on Sunday, the time which should be devoted to religious duties and to family life at home." (Pope Pius XI, "Divini Illius Magistri", 1929)

Also See: Order of Things Established by God | Striving Against Nature | Femininity & The Virgin Mary | Women / Womanhood | Mothers / Motherhood | Women's Work in the Home | Modesty/Proper Dress [Pg.] | Feminists

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Almsgiving

"Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms atone for sins." (Sirach 3:29)

"When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mt. 6:2-4)

"Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Lk. 12:33)

"[We] obtain grace from God by almsgiving. Our blind mind is illuminated by it and we who are broken and fallen with a natural weakness are raised up and supported." (Pope Clement XIII, "A Quo Die", 1758)

"[A] person's superfluous income, that is, income which he does not need to sustain life fittingly and with dignity, is not left wholly to his own free determination. Rather the Sacred Scriptures and the Fathers of the Church constantly declare in the most explicit language that the rich are bound by a very grave precept to practice almsgiving, beneficence, and munificence." (Pope Pius XI, "Quadragesimo Anno", 1931)

Also See: Love / Charity | The Poor / Poverty | Riches / Wealth | Good Works

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Associating with Catholics

Also See: Those Outside the Church (Topic Page)

"Any society, therefore, which is ruled by and servilely obeys persons who are not steadfast for the right and friendly to religion is capable of being extremely prejudicial to the interests as well of individuals as of the community; beneficial it cannot be. Let this conclusion, therefore, remain firm - to shun not only those associations which have been openly condemned by the judgment of the Church, but those also which, in the opinion of intelligent men, and especially of the bishops, are regarded as suspicious and dangerous. Nay, rather, unless forced by necessity to do otherwise, Catholics ought to prefer to associate with Catholics, a course which will be very conducive to the safeguarding of their faith." (Pope Leo XIII, "Longinqua", 1895)

Also See: Companions / Associations | Friends / Friendship | Non-Association with Heretics / Schismatics (Coming Home Reflections) | Necessity of Being Catholic For Salvation (Coming Home Reflections) 

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Being at the Service of Truth

"To be at the service of the truth demands not only that all refrain from error, from lies, from deceit of all kinds, but also that they shun everything that can encourage a manner of living and acting which is false, imperfect, or harmful to another party." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)

Also See: Truth / Error / Nature of Man (Coming Home Reflections)

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Christians Are Made

"Christians are made, not born." (St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church)

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Church Dogmas Are Unchangeable

"If anyone shall have said that it is possible that to the dogmas declared by the Church a meaning must sometimes be attributed according to the progress of science, different from that which the Church has understood and understands: let him be anathema." (Vatican Council I, 1870 A.D.)

"The meaning of Sacred Dogmas, which must always be preserved, is that which our Holy Mother the Church has determined. Never is it permissible to depart from this in the name of a deeper understanding." (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.)

Also See: Against Human 'Progress' in Religion (Coming Home Reflections) | Infallibility (Vatican View) | Novel Teachings Are Forbidden (Coming Home Reflections) | Against Modernism / Novelty (Latin Mass & Catholic Tradition Reflections) | Truth is Unchanging (Coming Home Reflections) | Popes as Preservers of Tradition / Against New Doctrines (Vatican View Reflections) | Unchanging (Topical Scripture) | Can Catholic Dogma Ever Change?

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The Church in America

"For the Church amongst you, unopposed by the Constitution and government of your nation, fettered by no hostile legislation, protected against violence by the common laws and the impartiality of the tribunals, is free to live and act without hindrance. Yet, though all this is true, it would be very erroneous to draw the conclusion that in America is to be sought the type of the most desirable status of the Church, or that it would be universally lawful or expedient for State and Church to be, as in America, dissevered and divorced. The fact that Catholicity with you is in good condition, nay, is even enjoying a prosperous growth, is by all means to be attributed to the fecundity with which God has endowed His Church, in virtue of which unless men or circumstances interfere, she spontaneously expands and propagates herself; but she would bring forth more abundant fruits if, in addition to liberty, she enjoyed the favor of the laws and the patronage of the public authority." (Pope Leo XIII, 1895 A.D.)

Also See: Classic Encyclicals: United States

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The Church is Man's Guide to Heaven

"Hence, it is the Church, and not the State, that is to be man's guide to heaven." (Pope Leo XIII, "Immortale Dei", 1885)

Also See: Catholic Basics Section

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Church Law (Canon Law)

Also See: Canon Law (Topic Page)

"Can. 11 Merely ecclesiastical laws bind those who have been baptized in the Catholic Church or received into it, possess the efficient use of reason, and, unless the law expressly provides otherwise, have completed seven years of age." (1983 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1401 The Church has its own and exclusive right to judge: 1° cases which refer to matters which are spiritual or linked with the spiritual; 2° the violation of ecclesiastical laws and whatever contains an element of sin, to determine guilt and impose ecclesiastical penalties." (1983 Code of Canon Law)

"Can. 1400 §1 The objects of a trial are: 1° to pursue or vindicate the rights of physical or juridical persons, or to declare juridical facts; 2° to impose or to declare penalties in regard to offences." (1983 Code of Canon Law)

Also See: Catholic Basics Section | Canon Law / Cross Reference | Vatican View Section

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Compliments / Flattery

"The lying tongue is its owner's enemy, and the flattering mouth works ruin." (Prov 26:28)

"He who rebukes a man gets more thanks in the end than one with a flattering tongue." (Prov. 28:23)

"The man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net under his feet." (Prov. 29:5)

"Beware of angling for compliments, lest you lose God's favor in exchange for people's praise." (St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church)

"Do not therefore covet praise which can make you a sinner; you will only collect contempt in the end if you do. It is better to love a good person who reproves you in his kindness." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)

"For in this way especially does a friend differ from a flatterer: The Flatterer speaks to give pleasure, but the friend refrains from nothing, even that which causes pain." (St. Basil the Great, Doctor of the Church)

"Reprimand and rebuke should be accepted as healing remedies for vice and as conducive to good health. From this it is clear that those who pretend to be tolerant because they wish to flatter - those who thus fail to correct sinners - actually cause them to suffer supreme loss and plot the destruction of that life which is their true life." (St. Basil the Great, Doctor of the Church)

Also See: Friends vs. Flatterers (Coming Home Reflections) | Flattery Confirms Sinners (Coming Home Reflections) | Correction / Rebuke | Our Solicitude & Our Duty to Correct / Rebuke (Coming Home Reflections)

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Correction / Rebuke

"Our Lord admonishes us not to overlook one another's faults (cf. Mt. 18:15-17), yet not so as seeking for matter of blame, but watching what you may amend. For our rebuke should be in love, not eager to wound, but anxious to amend. If you pass it by, [you become worse than him]. He by doing you a wrong has done himself a great hurt; you slight your brother's wound, and are more to blame for your silence than he for his ill words to you." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)

"When any one therefore offends against us, let us be very careful, not for ourselves, for it is glorious to forget an injury, forget therefore your own wrong, but not the wound your brother has sustained; 'and tell him of his fault between him and you alone' (Mt. 18:15), seeking his amendment and sparing his shame. For it may be that out of shame he will seek to defend his fault, and thus you will only harden, while you sought to do him good." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)

"You cannot put straight in others what is warped in yourself." (St. Athanasius, Doctor of the Church)

"Those who take notice of what is evil in their neighbors, and yet refrain their tongue in silence, withdraw, as it were, the aid of medicine from observed sores, and become the causers of death, in that they would not cure the venom which they could have cured. The tongue, therefore, should be discreetly curbed, not tied up fast." (Pope St. Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church)

"Reprimand and rebuke should be accepted as healing remedies for vice and as conducive to good health. From this it is clear that those who pretend to be tolerant because they wish to flatter - those who thus fail to correct sinners - actually cause them to suffer supreme loss and plot the destruction of that life which is their true life." (St. Basil the Great, Doctor of the Church)

"What you should do if he does not yield is added, If he will not bear you, take with you one or two (cf. Mt. 18:16). For the more shameless and stubborn he shows himself, the more studious should we be of applying the medicine, and not turn to wrath and hate. As the physician, if he see that the disease does not abate, he does not slack, but redoubles his efforts to heal. And observe how this reproof is not for revenge, but for correction, seeing his command is not to take two with him at first, but when he would not amend; and even then he does not send a multitude to him, but one or two, alleging the law, That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. This is that you may have witnesses that you have done all your part." (St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church)

"But the Apostle says, They that sin rebuke before all, that others may fear to do the like. Sometimes therefore your brother is to be spoken to between you and him alone, sometimes to be rebuked before all. What you must do first, attend and learn; If your brother, says He, sin against you, tell him of his fault between you and him alone. Why? Because he has sinned against you. What is it that he has sinned against you? You know that he has sinned, and therefore since his sin was in private, let your rebuke be in private too. For if you alone know of his trespass, and proceed to rebuke him before all, you do not correct but betray him. Your brother has sinned against you; if you alone know thereof, then he has sinned against you only but if he did you a wrong in the presence of many, then he has sinned against those also who were witnesses of his fault. Those faults then are to be rebuked before all, that are committed before all; those which are done in private, are to be rebuked in private. Discern times, and the Scriptures are consistent. But why do you correct your neighbor? Because his trespass has hurt yourself? Far be it from you. If you do it from self love, you do nothing; if you do it from love of him, you do most rightly. Lastly, in what you shall say to him, keep in view for whose sake it is that you ought to do it, for your own or for his, for it follows, If he hear you, you has gained your brother, do it therefore for his sake, that you may gain him. And do you confess that by your sin against man you were lost; for if you were not lost, how has he gained you? Let none then make light of it when he sins against his brother." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)

Also See: Our Solicitude & Our Duty to Correct / Rebuke (Coming Home Reflections) | The Anathema is an Act of Love (Coming Home Reflections) | Gospel Doesn't Support False Tolerance (Coming Home Reflections) | Those Who Mention Only Jesus' Clemency (Coming Home Reflections) | Tough Love in the New Testament | Should One Correct / Rebuke a Fallen Away Catholic?

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The Corruption of the World Today

"Never has the world been so corrupt as it is now, for never has it been so cunning, so wise in its own way, and so crafty. It cleverly makes use of the truth to foster untruth, virtue to justify vice, and the very maxims of Jesus Christ to endorse its own so that even those who are wisest in the sight of God are often deceived." (St. Louis de Montfort)

Also See: Sin & Vice [Pg.] | State of Things (Catholic News Reflections) | Catholic News Reflections | Classic Encyclicals: Errors / Modernism

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Education

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Against a Purely Secular Education

Against Co-Education

Against Sex-Education for Youths (Outside the Home)

Choice of Schools

Each Child Has a Right to an Education in Harmony With Church Teaching

Homeschooling

Papal Complaint Regarding American Schools

Parental Responsibility for Catholic Education

Parents' Right to Educate Their Children

What is Learned Early is Hard to Eradicate From the Mind

Misc.

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Enemies

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mt. 5:43-48)

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man 'against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's enemies will be those of his household.'" (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mt. 10:34-36)

"But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you... Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit (is) that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Lk. 6:27-28, 31-36)

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' Rather, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.' Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good." (St. Paul, Rom. 12:17-21)

"The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (1 Cor. 15:26)

"So now have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?" (Gal. 4:16)

"For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction." (Phil. 3:18-19)

"Adulterers! Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (Jms. 4:4)

"Every man is his own enemy." (St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church)

"You don't love in your enemies what they are, but what you would have them to become." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)

"Even an enemy ceases to be an enemy for the person who is obliged to love him (cf. Mt 5:38-48; Lk 6:27-35), to 'do good' to him (cf. Lk 6:27, 33, 35) and to respond to his immediate needs promptly and with no expectation of repayment (cf. Lk 6:34-35). The height of this love is to pray for one's enemy. By so doing we achieve harmony with the providential love of God: 'But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust' (Mt 5:44-45; cf. Lk 6:28, 35)." (Pope John Paul II)

Also See: Persecution | Affliction | Trials & Tribulations

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Entertainment

"There is a duty of conscience binding the spectators who, each time they buy a ticket of admission, - as it were casting a vote - make choice of good or bad motion pictures" (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)

"We trust that all good and prudent men, following Our counsels, will strive to ensure that the applause and approval of the general public will not be wanting, as a prize for really worthwhile films." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)

"[R]adio and television shows, since they easily penetrate right into the domestic circle, threaten to undermine the protective barriers by which the education of the young must be kept safe and sound until such time as advancing age gives the necessary strength to enable them to overcome the buffetings of the world." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)

"[As] We declared in a letter to the Italian Bishops - 'it is a most pressing need that the conscience of Catholics with regard to television should be formed by the sound principles of the Christian religion'; the more so, in order that this kind of art may not be at the service of error or the snares of vice, but may prove to be rather a help' to educate and train men, and recall them to their higher state'." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)

"We make a father's appeal to the young so dear to Us, trusting that - since it is a question of entertainment in which their innocence can be exposed to danger - they will be outstanding for their Christian restraint and prudence. It is their grave obligation to check and control that natural and unrestrained eagerness to see and hear anything; and they must keep their mind free from immodest and earthly pleasures and direct it to higher things." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)

"The first duty of the radio listener is that of choosing carefully and deliberately from the programmes offered; these must not be permitted to enter the home indiscriminately, but access should be given them on the same principles as are observed in a deliberate and prudent invitation to a friend. A person would act wrongly if he made no selection in introducing friends into his home. So radio programmes which are given entrance there, must be such as encourage truth and goodness, and do not draw members of the family away from the fulfillment of their duty, whether to individuals or to society; they should be such as strengthen them to carry out these duties properly, and, in the case of children and youths, cause no harm, but rather assist and extend the salutary control of parents and teachers." (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)

"Finally, let listeners to the Radio be aware that they are obliged to encourage reputable programmes, and particularly those by which the mind is directed towards God. In this age in particular, when false and pernicious doctrines are being spread over the air, when, by deliberate 'jamming', a kind of aerial 'iron curtain' is being created with the express purpose of preventing the entry of truth which would overthrow the empire of atheistic materialism, in this age, We say, when hundreds of thousands of the human race are still looking for the dawning light of the Gospel message, when the sick and others likewise handicapped look forward anxiously to taking part in some manner in the prayers and the ceremonies of the Mass of the Christian community, should not the faithful, especially those who make daily use of the advantages of the Radio, show themselves eager to encourage programmes of this kind?" (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)

"It is useless for anyone to suppose that excellent principles and an upright conscience on the part of those engaged in these arts are sufficient either to ensure that nothing but good flows from the small white screen, or to remove all that is evil. In this matter, then, prudence and watchful care are especially demanded of those who make use of television. Due moderation in its use, prudence in admitting the children to viewing according to their different ages, a balanced judgment based on what has been seen before, and finally, exclusion of children from what are in any sense improper spectacles: all these are the duties which weigh heavily on parents and on all engaged in education. We do not overlook the fact that the directives We have just given in the last section, can sometimes produce serious difficulties and considerable inconveniences; for the awareness of their role as educators will often demand that parents give clear example to their offspring, and also bid them deny themselves - not without some personal sacrifice - some programmes they would like to see. But who thinks the burden on parents is too heavy when the supreme good of the children is at stake?" (Pope Pius XII, "Miranda Prorsus", 1957)

Also See: Catholic Fun & Activities (Reflections)

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Fear

"What has a person to fear who lives in the arms and bosom of God?" (St. Paul of the Cross)

Also See: Courage | Fear of Hell | Fear of Death | Fear of the Lord (Topical Scripture)

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Fear of Hell

"Can. 8. If anyone shall say that the fear of hell, whereby by grieving for sins we flee to the mercy of God or refrain from sinning, is a sin or makes sinners worse: let him be anathema." (Council of Trent, 1547 A.D.)

Also See: Death & Dying [Pg.] | Tough Love in the New Testament | Eternal Punishment / Hell (Topical Scripture) | Fear of the Lord (Topical Scripture)

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Feminists

"[A feminist] is someone who loathes being a woman and who dislikes the chief feminine characteristics." (Chesterton)

Also See: Femininity & The Virgin Mary | Women / Womanhood | Mothers / Motherhood | Order of Things Established by God | Striving Against Nature | Against Women Wearing Men's Clothing

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Following the Crowd

"If we are content to follow the crowd, we condemn ourselves by taking the broad road ["Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, 7:13-14)]." (Butler) 

Also See: Narrow Path to Eternal Life | Our Actions Must Correspond to Our Faith | Opinion of Others | Associating with Catholics | Companions / Associations | Sin & Vice [Pg.]

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Freemasonry / Secret Societies

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Friends & Neighbors

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Companions / Associations

Friends / Friendship

Our Neighbor / Care & Treatment of Our Neighbor

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God's Laws

"The law of nature and its Author cannot be flouted with impunity." (Pope Pius XI, "Divini Redemptoris")

"[E]ternal laws promulgated by God [will never be] in conflict with man's happiness"

"By ignoring the laws governing human nature and by breaking the bounds within which they operate, the human person is led not towards progress but toward death." (Pope St. Pius X, "Our Apostolic Mandate")

Also See: The Commandments (Catholic Basics) | Catholic Basics | Command / Commandments (Topical Scripture)

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God's Providence

Also See: God (Topic Page)

"In God's plan nothing happens by chance." (Pope John Paul II)

"To him who seeks only to please God and to save his soul, the necessities will never be lacking." (St. John Vianney)

"Do not distrust the Providence of God. He who made your corn to grow will assuredly help to gather it in." (St. John Vianney)

"But God in His good Providence allows so many terrors, sorrows, and dangers to be put in our way by our enemy that He may break down our spirit, give us lowly hearts, and train us to submissiveness of mind and humility, so that we may never in the future feel any trust in our own prudence, but all entire trust in His Divine Protection." (St. Francis Xavier)

"In all your undertakings rely wholly on God's providence, through which alone they can succeed; but seek steadily on your part to cooperate with it, and then rest satisfied that if you are trusting all to God, whatever happens will be best for you, whether it seems to your own judgement good or bad." (St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church)

Also See: All Things Are From God | Divine Providence (Our Father's Love Reflections) | Divine Providence (Catholic News Section) | Our Father's Love Section | Suffering & Death Reflections [Pg.]

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God's Will

Also See: God (Topic Page)

"Don't doubt that God keeps you in His divine arms and that the time will come when He will teach you His most holy will." (St. Paul of the Cross)

"He who dies resigned to the divine will, dies a saint; but they who shall have not been united to the divine will during life, shall not conform to it at death, and shall not be saved. The accomplishment of the divine will should be the sole object of all our thoughts during the remainder of our days. To this end we should direct all our devotions, our meditations, communions, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and all our prayers. W should constantly beg of God to teach and help us to do his will. 'Teach me to do thy will' (Ps. cxlii. 10). Let us, at the same time, offer ourselves to accept without reserve whatever he ordains, saying, with the Apostle: 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' (Acts. ix. 6). Lord, tell me what thou dost wish me to do; I desire to do thy will. And in all things, whether they be pleasing or painful, let us always have in our mouths that petition of the Pater Noster - 'thy will be done'. Let us frequently repeat it in the day, with all the affection of our hearts. Happy we, if we live and die saying: 'Thy will be done! Thy will be done!"' (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)

Also See: God's Providence | God's Laws | Our Father's Love Section | Will of God (Topical Scripture)

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Government

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Catholic Citizens

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Communism

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Democracy

Freedom / Liberty

Government

Obligation of Voting

Private Property

Rebellion

Religion Helps the State

Religious Liberty

Separation of Church & State Condemned

Socialism

Taxes

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Habitual Faith

"Many people have faith, but a faith which is habitual rather than active, like a sword buried in its scabbard." (Ven. Mary of Agreda)

Also See: Feed Your Faith Section

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Happiness

"Happiness is to be found only in the home where God is loved and honored, where each one loves, and helps, and cares for the others." (St. Theophane Venard)

"Do you want to be happy, my friends? Fix your eyes on heaven; it is there that your hearts will find that which will satisfy them completely." (St. John Vianney)

"Neither wealth, nor honors, nor vanity can make a man happy during his life on earth, but only attachment to the service of God, when we are fortunate enough to realize that and carry it out properly." (St. John Vianney)

"To think ourselves imperfect, and others perfect - that is happiness. That creatures should recognize that we are without virtue takes nothing from us, makes us no poorer; it is they who by this lose interior joy; for there is nothing sweeter than to think well of our neighbor." (St. Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church)

"The blind perversity of us miserable humans is lamentable. Although we desire happiness ardently, not only do we not do those things by which we may obtain our desire, but rather, with contrary disaffection, we take steps to add to our misery. In my opinion, we would never do this if a false image of happiness were not deceiving us or a semblance of real misery frightening us off from happiness." (St. Aelred of Rievaulx)

"If a man was extremely poor and someone said to him: 'Brother, you can have this thing of mine to put to good use for three days, and for this you will receive an unlimited treasure,' would not that poor man, if he was sure this was true, eagerly strive to put that thing to good use? The thing which is loaned to us by God is our flesh, and the whole time of our life is like three days. So if you want to enjoy happiness, work at earning it, for if you don't work, how should you rest?" (Br. Giles)

Also See: Happiness (Topical Scripture)

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Holiness / Virtue

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Abstinence

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Learning / Holiness

Living Well

Meekness Towards Ourselves

Mortification

Patience

Penance

Perfect Life

Perseverance

Renouncing One's Self

Renouncing the World

Temperance

Virginity

Virtue

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Holy Family (Prayer)

Also See: Holy Family (Topic Page)

"O Lord Jesus Christ, who, becoming subject to Mary and Joseph, didst hallow home life by singular virtues; by the help of both, do thou grant that we may be taught by the example of thy Holy Family, and have fellowship with it for evermore: Who livest." (Collect, Feast of the Holy Family)

Also See: Prayer | Prayers & Devotions | Mary, Our Mother Section | Saints Section

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The Image of God

"We ought to respect the image of God in everyone. It is there." (St. Raphaela Mary)

"If, from being created by God to his own image, you do not comprehend the value of your soul, learn it from Jesus Christ, who has redeemed you with his own blood." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)

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Indulgences

Also See: Indulgences (Topic Page)

"Since the power of granting indulgences was conferred by Christ on the Church, and she has made use of such power divinely given to her, even in the earliest times, the holy synod teaches and commands that the use of indulgences, most salutary to Christian people and approved by the authority of the sacred Councils, is to be retained in the Church, and it condemns those with anathema who assert that they are useless or deny that there is in the Church the power of granting them" (Council of Trent)

Also See: Indulgences (Catholic Basics Reflections) | Indulgences (Prayers & Devotions Section)

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Injuries

"First, he who thinks himself injured ought above all to be persuaded that the man on whom he desires to be revenged was not the principal cause of the loss or injury. Thus that admirable man, Job, when violently injured by the Sabeans, the Chaldeans, and by Satan, took no account of these, but as a righteous and very holy man exclaimed with no less truth than pity: The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away. The words and the example of that man of patience should, therefore, convince Christians, and the conviction is most just, that whatever chastisements we endure in this life come from the hand of God, the Father and Author of all justice and mercy. He chastises us not as enemies, but, in His infinite goodness, corrects us as children. To view the matter in its true light, men, in these causes, are nothing more than the ministers and agents of God. One man, it is true, may cherish the worst feelings toward another, he may harbor the most malignant hatred against him; but, without the permission of God, he can do him no injury. This is why Joseph was able patently to endure the wicked counsels of his brethren, and David, the injuries inflicted on him by Semei. Here also applies an argument which St. Chrysostom has ably and learnedly handled. It is that no man is injured but by himself. Let the man, who considers himself injured by another, consider the matter in the right way and he will certainly find that he has received no injury or loss from others. For although he may have experienced injury from external causes, he is himself his greatest enemy by wickedly staining his soul with hatred, malevolence and envy." (Catechism of the Council of Trent)

Also See: Affliction | All Things Are From God | The Cross / Crosses | Sickness / Illness | Sorrow / Sorrows | Suffering | Trials & Tribulations

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Judgment

"To pass judgment on another is to usurp shamelessly a prerogative of God, and to condemn is to ruin one's soul." (St. John Climacus)

"For to reprove sin is the duty of the good, which when the bad do, they act a part, dissembling their own character, and assuming one that does not belong to them." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)

"There is nothing which is more of a help to a good life than to believe that God will be our Judge, Whom hidden things do not escape, Whom unseemly things offend, and Whom good things delight." (St. Ambrose, Doctor of the Church)

"The Lord having admonished us concerning hasty and unjust judgment; and because that they are most given to rash judgment, who judge concerning things uncertain; and they most readily find fault, who love rather to speak evil and to condemn than to cure and to correct; a fault that springs either from pride or jealousy - therefore He subjoins, Why see you the sliver in your brother's eye, and see not the beam in your own eye?" (St. Isidore of Seville, Doctor of the Church)

"When then we are brought under the necessity of finding fault with any, let us first consider whether the sin be such as we have never had; secondly that we are yet men, and may fall into it; then, whether it be one that we have had, and are now without, and then let our common frailty come into our mind, that pity and not hate may go before correction. Should we find ourselves in the same fault, let us not reprove, but groan with the offender, and invite him to struggle with us. Seldom indeed and in cases of great necessity is reproof to be employed; and then only that the Lord may be served and not ourselves." (St. Augustine, Doctor of the Church)

"And it is to be noted, that whenever He intends to denounce any great sin, He begins with an epithet of reproach, as below, You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt; and so here, You hypocrite, cast out first. For each one knows better the things of himself than the things of others, and sees more the things that be great, than the things that be lesser, and loves himself more than his neighbor. Therefore He bids him who is chargeable with many sins, not to be a harsh judge of another's faults, especially if they be small. Herein not forbidding to arraign and correct but forbidding to make light of our own sins, and magnify those of others. For it is necessary that you first diligently to examine how great may be your own sins, and then try those of your neighbor; whence it follows, and then shall you see clearly, to cast the sliver out of your brother's eye." (St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church)

"As Tully says (De Inventione Rhetorica ii), suspicion denotes evil thinking based on slight indications, and this is due to three causes. First, from a man being evil in himself, and from this very fact, as though conscious of his own wickedness, he is prone to think evil of others, according to Ecclesiastes 10:3, 'The fool when he walketh in the way, whereas he himself is a fool, esteemeth all men fools.' Secondly, this is due to a man being ill-disposed towards another: for when a man hates or despises another, or is angry with or envious of him, he is led by slight indications to think evil of him, because everyone easily believes what he desires. Thirdly, this is due to long experience: wherefore the Philosopher says (De Rhetorica ii,13) that 'old people are very suspicious, for they have often experienced the faults of others.' The first two causes of suspicion evidently connote perversity of the affections, while the third diminishes the nature of suspicion, in as much as experience leads to certainty which is contrary to the nature of suspicion. Consequently suspicion denotes a certain amount of vice, and the further it goes, the more vicious it is. Now there are three degrees of suspicion. The first degree is when a man begins to doubt of another's goodness from slight indications. This is a venial and a light sin; for 'it belongs to human temptation without which no man can go through this life,' according to a gloss on 1 Corinthians 4:5, 'Judge not before the time.' The second degree is when a man, from slight indications, esteems another man's wickedness as certain. This is a mortal sin, if it be about a grave matter, since it cannot be without contempt of one's neighbor. Hence the same gloss goes on to say: 'If then we cannot avoid suspicions, because we are human, we must nevertheless restrain our judgment, and refrain from forming a definite and fixed opinion.' The third degree is when a judge goes so far as to condemn a man on suspicion: this pertains directly to injustice, and consequently is a mortal sin." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")

Also See: Correction / Rebuke | Sin & Vice [Pg.] | Judgment (Catholic Basics Reflections) | Judgment (Topical Scripture)

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