Catholic Catechism - Part Two

Lesson 2:

The Bible and Tradition

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days hath spoken to us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the world."(Hebrews 1:1)

What is the Bible?

 A collection of writings which were inspired by God. "All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work."    (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

What does "inspired by God" mean?

It means that God chose some men and moved them to write down faithfully all the things, and only those things, which He wanted written down.

"For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost."  (2 Peter 1:21)

Who, then, is the main author of the Bible?

God is, since He moved these men to write down the things He ordered, although He allowed them to write in their own language and style.

 

"For I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.  For neither did I receive it of man, nor did I learn it;' but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."   (Galatians 1:11-12)

How many writings, or books, are there in the Bible?

There are 72.

When were all these writings put together?

 

The Catholic Church put all of them into one book between the years 350 and 405. 

How is the Bible divided?

It is divided into two main parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Old Testament contains the things God told the human race from the beginning of the world up to the coming of His son, Jesus Christ. The New Testament contains what God has told us through His Son and through His Apostles and others.

 

Is it possible to misunderstand the Bible?

Yes, even the Bible itself says so.

 

"As also in all his [St. Paul's] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest [twist], as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction."    (2 Peter 3:16)

How can you get the true meaning of the Bible?

You can get it only from God's official interpreter, the Catholic Church.

 

"Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation."    (2 Peter 1:20)

Is everything that God taught in the Bible?

No, the rest is in tradition.

 

"Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of His disciples, which are not written in this book."  (John 20:30)

What is Tradition?

The Unwritten Word of God; these "other things Jesus did" were handed down by word of mouth by the Apostles and other close followers of Jesus.

 

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle."  (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

Do you have to believe in Tradition?

Yes, because it is the Word of God and has equal authority with the Bible.

The early Christians learned everything by Tradition, since only later on were some of the teachings of Jesus written down, the last writing being done at the end of the first century.  That is, there was no New Testament in the early Church.

Are you free to believe whatever you want?

No, you have to believe everything in the Bible and Tradition--all the doctrines that the Catholic Church teaches.

"The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven, with the angels of His power: in a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."   (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8)

What kind of sin is it to deny anything the Catholic Church teaches?

A serious sin, that is, a mortal sin.

 

"Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.  He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son."    (2 John 1:9)

 

PRACTICAL POINTS

If a Catholic denies one or more of the doctrines of the Catholic Church, he is no longer a Catholic. To be a Catholic is to accept the Catholic faith in its entirety because it comes from God, and God can neither lie nor make a mistake.

You can easily tell the difference between a Catholic Bible and a non-Catholic one.  A Catholic Bible always has the name of a Catholic bishop near the front with the Latin word Imprimatur , which means "It may be printed."

The Catholic Church not only allows her members to read the Bible, but encourages them to do so.  She gives special "blessings" (called indulgences) to those who read it as spiritual reading.  You are encouraged to buy a Catholic Bible [the Douay-Rheims] and read part of it every day.

Protestant Bibles are missing 7 books of the Bible. Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, decided to omit them, because the Jews omit them.  Catholics call these 7 books the "Deuterocanonical Books"; Protestants call them the "Apocrypha."  They are Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Machabees (plus parts of Esther and Daniel ).

Nowhere does the Bible say that the Bible is the sole source of Christian teaching.  This fact refutes the classic Protestant teaching of "the Bible alone" (sola Scriptura.

On Spiritual Reading - Catholic Devotions

By Saint Alphonsus Ligouri

To a spiritual life, the reading of holy books is perhaps not less useful than mental prayer. St. Bernard says that reading instructs us at once in prayer and in the practice of virtue. Hence he concluded that spiritual reading and prayer are the arms by which hell is conquered and paradise won. We cannot always have access to a spiritual father for counsel in our actions and particularly in our doubts, but reading will abundantly supply his place by giving us lights and directions to escape the illusions of the devil and of our own self-love, and at the same time to submit to the divine will. Hence St. Athanasius used to say that we find no one devoted to the service of the Lord that did not practice spiritual reading. Hence all the founders of religious orders have strongly recommended this holy exercise to their religious. St. Benedict, among the rest, commanded that each monk should every day make a spiritual reading and that two others should be appointed to go about visiting the cells to see if all fulfilled the command, and, should any monk be found negligent in the observance of this rule, the saint ordered a penance to be imposed upon him. But before all, the Apostle prescribed spiritual reading to Timothy: Attend unto reading. Mark the word Attend, which signifies that, although Timothy, as being bishop, was greatly occupied with the care of his flock, still the Apostle wished him to apply to the reading of holy books, not in a passing way and for a short time, but regularly and for a considerable time.

The reading of spiritual works is as profitable as the reading of bad books is noxious. As the former has led to the conversion of many sinners, so the latter is every day the ruin of many young persons. The first author of pious books is the Spirit of God, but the author of pernicious writings is the devil, who often artfully conceals from certain persons the poison that such works contain, and makes these persons believe that the reading of such books is necessary in order to speak well and to acquire a knowledge of the world for their own direction, or at least in order to pass the time agreeably. But I say that, especially for nuns, nothing is more pernicious than the reading of bad books. And by bad books I mean not only those that are condemned by the Holy See, either because they contain heresy or treat of subjects opposed to chastity, but also all books that treat of worldly love. What fervor can a religious have if she reads romances, comedies, or profane poetry? What recollection can she have in meditation or at Communion? Can she be called the spouse of Jesus Christ? Should she not rather be called the spouse of a sinful world? Even young women in the world that are in the habit of reading such books are generally not virtuous seculars.

But some one may say, “What harm is there in reading romances and profane poetry when they contain nothing immodest?” Do you ask what harm? Behold the harm: the reading of such works kindles the concupiscence of the senses and awakens the passions; these easily gain the consent of the will, or at least render it so weak that, when the occasion of any dangerous affection occurs, the devil finds the soul already prepared to allow itself to be conquered. A wise author has said that by the reading of such pernicious books heresy has made, and makes every day, great progress, because such reading has given and gives increased strength to libertinism. The poison of these books enters gradually into the soul; it first makes itself master of the understanding, then infects the will, and in the end kills the soul. The devil finds no means more efficacious and secure of sending a young person to perdition than the reading of such poisoned works.

Remember also that, for you, certain useless books, though not bad, will be pernicious, because they will make you lose the time that you can employ in occupations profitable to the soul. In a letter to his disciple Eustochium, St. Jerome stated for her instruction that, in his solitude at Bethlehem, he was attached to the works of Cicero and frequently read them, and that he felt a certain disgust for pious books because their style was not polished. He was seized with a serious malady in which he saw himself at the tribunal of Jesus Christ. The Lord said to him: “Tell me; what are you?” “I am,” replied the saint, “a Christian.” “No,” rejoined the Judge, “you are a Ciceronian, not a Christian.” He then commanded him to be instantly scourged. The saint promised to correct his fault, and, having returned from the vision, he found his shoulders livid and covered with wounds in consequence of the chastisement that he had received. Thenceforward he gave up the works of Cicero and devoted himself to the reading of books of piety. It is true that in the works like those of Cicero we sometimes find useful sentiments, but the same St. Jerome wisely said in a letter to another disciple, “What need have you of seeking for a little gold in the midst of so much mire” when you can read pious books in which you may find all gold without any mire?

As the reading of bad books fills the mind with worldly and poisonous sentiments, so, on the other hand, the reading of pious works fills the soul with holy thoughts and good desires.

Catholic Catechism - Part One

The purpose of this blog is to spread the truth of the Traditional Catholic Church.

 
What does that mean? So much has been lost, our most beautiful truths and teachings have been forgotten, swept under the rug with glee by the very people sworn to uphold the truths of God's Holy Church.


This prophetic quote from Catholic author J.R.R. Tolkien speaks volumes to the crisis of the Church today:


“And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years, the ring passed out of all knowledge."


Maybe it hasn't been two and half thousand years since the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council (as Raymond Cardinal Burke likes to call it), however the damage they have done in the past fifty years has been great.


But we can undo the damage.


Here I plan to present the truths of the faith for your edification. Today we'll start and continue over the next several Wednesdays this brief primer, or Catholicism 101.

Catechism Lessons

by Fr. William J. Cogan

Lesson 1: Religion

What is the purpose of these lessons? To fill in what is missing in the lives of so many people - the knowledge and practice of true religion. "The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness." (Proverbs 15:14)

Why is religion the most important study? Because God expects you to know what He has taught and what He wants you to do in this life. "Let no man deceive himself: if any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."(I Corinthians 3:18-19)

What is religion? Religion consists of two parts: 1) Believing everything God has told the human race 2) Observing all your duties to God, yourself and fellow men "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."(James 1:22)

Is religion really necessary? Yes, for several reasons-- 1) God demands that every human being follow His plan of life 2) Without religion, life is meaningless (Ed. note:you have no real purpose). 3) Lack of religion causes unhappiness, both in this life and the next. "For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labors without fruit, and their works unprofitable. Their wives are foolish and their children wicked." (Wisdom 3:11-12)

What will happen to those who do not practice religion? They will be punished with the everlasting torments of Hell. "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with the angels of His power: in a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8)

What will religion give you in this life? Peace of mind, which is greater than anything money can buy. "Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it."(Luke 11:28) "Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block."(Psalm 118:165)

Are all religions the same? No, there is only one true religion, the one established by God Himself, which is explained in these lessons.

Saint Padre Pio Helps My Children - Catholic Saints

Recently I have been looking for a way to teach my little children how to behave better at Mass. They aren't bad, but could use some pointers on stopping the slouching and the day dreaming and the half-hearted genuflections that seemed to plague them lately.


Enter Saint Padre Pio.

One of our favorite Saints in our home, surely Padre Pio could help my children. I came across this letter written by the great saint to Annita Rodote, dated July 25, 1915. This letter is a beautiful reminder of our behavior in the presence of our Lord.

Beloved daughter of Jesus,

 
May Jesus and our Mother always smile on your soul, obtaining for it, from Her most holy Son, all the heavenly charisms!

I am writing to you for two reasons: to answer some more questions from your last letter, and to wish you a very happy names-day in the most sweet Jesus, full of all the most special heavenly graces. Oh! If Jesus granted my prayers for you or, better still, if only my prayers were worthy of being granted by Jesus! However, I increase them a hundredfold for your consolation and salvation, begging Jesus to grant them, not for me but through the heart of his paternal goodness and infinite mercy. 

 
In order to avoid irreverence and imperfections in the house of God, in church - which the divine Master calls the house of prayer - I exhort you in the Lord to practice the following. 

Enter the church in silence and with great respect, considering yourself unworthy to appear before the Lord's Majesty. Amongst other pious considerations, remember that our soul is the temple of God and, as such, we must keep it pure and spotless before God and his angels. Let us blush for having given access to the devil and his snares many times (with his enticements to the world, his pomp, his calling to the flesh) by not being able to keep our hearts pure and our bodies chaste; for having allowed our enemies to insinuate themselves into our hearts, thus desecrating the temple of God which we became through holy Baptism. 

Then take holy water and make the sign of the cross carefully and slowly. 

As soon as you are before God in the Blessed Sacrament, devoutly genuflect. Once you have found your place, kneel down and render the tribute of your presence and devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Confide all your needs to him along with those of others. Speak to him with filial abandonment, give free rein to your heart and give him complete freedom to work in you as he thinks best. 

When assisting at Holy Mass and the sacred functions, be very composed when standing up, kneeling down, and sitting, and carry out every religious act with the greatest devotion. Be modest in your glances; don't turn your head here and there to see who enters and leaves. Don't laugh, out of reverence for this holy place and also out of respect for those who are near you. Try not to speak to anybody, except when charity or strict necessity requests this. 

If you pray with others, say the words of the prayer distinctly, observe the pauses well and never hurry. In short, behave in such a way that all present are edified by it and, through you, are urged to glorify and love the heavenly Father. 

On leaving the church, you should be recollected and calm. Firstly take your leave of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; ask his forgiveness for the shortcomings committed in his divine presence and do not leave him without asking for and having received his paternal blessing. 

Once you are outside the church, be as every follower of the Nazarene should be. Above all, be extremely modest in everything, as this is the virtue which, more than any other, reveals the affections of the heart. Nothing represents an object more faithfully or clearly than a mirror. In the same way, nothing more widely represents the good or bad qualities of a soul than the greater or lesser regulation of the exterior, as when one appears more or less modest. You must be modest in speech, modest in laughter, modest in your bearing, modest in walking.

All this must be practiced, not out of vanity in order to display one's self, nor out of hypocrisy in order to appear to be good to the eyes of others, but rather, for the internal virtue of modesty, which regulates the external workings of the body. 

Therefore, be humble of heart, circumspect in words, prudent in your resolutions. Always be sparing in your speech, assiduous in good reading, attentive in your work, modest in your conversation. Don't be disgusting to anybody but be benevolent towards all and respectful towards your elders. May any sinister glance be far from you, may no daring word escape your lips, may you never carry out any immodest or somewhat free action; never a rather free action or a petulant tone of voice.

In short let your whole exterior be a vivid image of the composure of your soul.

Always keep the modesty of the divine Master before your eyes, as an example; this Master who, according to the words of the Apostle to the Corinthians, placing the modesty of Jesus Christ on an equal footing with meekness, which was his one particular virtue and almost his characteristic: "Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ" [Douay-Rheims, 2 Cor. 10:1], and according to such a perfect model reform all your external operations, which should be faithful reflections revealing the affections of your interior. 

Never forget this divine model, Annita. Try to see a certain lovable majesty in his presence, a certain pleasant authority in his manner of speaking, a certain pleasant dignity in walking, in contemplating, speaking, conversing; a certain sweet serenity of face. Imagine that extremely composed and sweet expression with which he drew the crowds, making them leave cities and castles, leading them to the mountains, the forests, to the solitude and deserted beaches of the sea, totally forgetting food, drink and their domestic duties. 

Thus let us try to imitate, as far as we possibly can, such modest and dignified actions. And let us do our utmost to be, as far as possible, similar to him on this earth, in order that we might be more perfect and more similar to him for the whole of eternity in the heavenly Jerusalem. 

I end here as I am unable to continue, recommending that you never forget me before Jesus, especially during these days of extreme affliction for me. I expect the same charity from the excellent Francesca to whom you will have the kindness to give, in my name, assurances of my extreme interest in seeing her grow always more in divine love. I hope she will do me the charity of making a novena of Communions for my intentions. 

Don't worry if you are unable to answer my letter for the moment. I know everything so don't worry. I take my leave of you in the holy kiss of the Lord. I am always your servant.

Fra Pio, Capuchin

Pray For The Holy Souls - Catholic Customs

Welcome to the inaugural post for this blog!


In the past I have prayed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and I intend to make it a focus here on this blog, hoping that I might catch the attention of some Catholics looking to add some prayertime to their day, that they might help a soul in need.

Recently it was mentioned to me, by someone who ought to know better, that we do not believe in Purgatory any more.

The Catholic custom is that when we die, and if our souls are in a state of grace, that we enter Purgatory, to cleanse our souls of past wrongs. Our loved ones are supposed to pray for our souls, and continue to pray for our souls until they die, as they do not know when one attains Heaven.

Remember we are not dead when we die, but alive in Christ, and our loved ones help us with their prayers after we die.

We should pray for our dearly departed everyday, not only to help them attain the Beatific Vision, but to help ourselves by gaining powerful allies in Heaven who will pray for us as well. Surely, that is a good thing!



Plus, you can receive a:

PLENARY INDULGENCE FOR THE POOR SOULS

Six General rules for obtaining a plenary indulgence:

1. State of grace at when performing the indulgenced act.
2. Complete detachment from sin, even venial sin.
3. Confession (20 days before or after the indulgenced act)
4. Communion (20 days before or after the indulgenced act)
5. Prayers for the Supreme Pontiff (20 days before or after the indulgenced act)
6. Indulgenced act: a special good work with special conditions of place and time.

Indulgenced acts to be performed for obtaining a plenary indulgence:
*From November 1 to 8: visit of a cemetery with mental prayer for the poor souls.
*On November 2: visit of a church or an oratory with one Our Father and one Creed being recited.

A partial indulgence can be obtained any time by visiting a cemetery and praying for the Poor Souls. The following prayer is especially recommended:

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.