Category Archives: Catechesis and Fundamentals
Catechesis and Fundamentals
“Let’s get back to the fundamentals.” Usually one hears this said when complications arise from hyperactivity or novel experimentation. As the saying goes “the old ways are tried and true.”
The Church teaches that our holy Faith comes to us from the two fountains of scripture and tradition. There are no new doctrines, no new, inspired revelations. Everything that we believe by Faith is found explicitly in at least one of these, and at least implicitly in the other.
When we speak of Catholic fundamentals, we are speaking of the basic tenets of our religion. Where are these tenets found? In our Creeds, in the Ten Commandments, in the theology of the seven sacraments, and in our prayers. In fact the structure of every good catechism begins with questions and answers about each of the articles of the Apostles Creed, followed by an inquiry of each of the Ten Commandments, questions about grace and the seven sacraments, the petitions of the Our Father, and ending with questions pertaining to discipline and the laws of the Church. Of course the common prayers approved by the Church are also listed in the final pages of every catechism.
So, getting back to the fundamentals in Catholic parlance means to get back to the catechism and the things that we learned directly therein, or indirectly as an extension thereof.
On Holy Communion
[The following is from Questions Asked by Protestants Briefly Answered by Father M. Philipps, Rector of St. Joseph’s Church, Buffalo, NY.; Cabinet of Catholic Information, 1903; Imprimatur: Archbishop Farley.] What difference is there between the Communion of Catholics and that of non-Catholics? Non-Catholics believe that in communion they eat ordinary bread and drink ordinary wine; Catholics believe that in Communion they eat the real Body … More →
Christology for Joe
Christology is that branch of sacred theology that studies the Incarnation. All theology is the study of God, for that is what the word means; this branch specifically studies the Man-God. Keeping in mind the precedence of the intellect to the will, we can say that knowledge of this science can help us with the arts of praying well and serving our Lord well. Remember: … More →
Origin of the Angelus
In Catholic countries, before the year 1000, it was a pious custom for the layfolk to recite three Hail Marys to honor Our Lady in her singularly exalted role as the Mother of God. This was done towards evening, usually as the bell rang when religious in local monasteries were chanting that part of the Divine Office called Compline.
Posted in Articles, Catechesis and Fundamentals, History, Our Lady 2 Comments
To My Young Friend
LET’S HAVE A LITTLE TALK, my young friend, just you and I. It is private, yes.
Mortalium Animos: The Promotion of True Religious Unity
To Our Venerable Brethren, Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, Bishops, and to all Ordinaries in Peace and Communion with the Apostolic See. Pius XI, Pontifex Maximus. Venerable Brethren: Greetings and Apostolic Benediction:
Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky to the Youth
(Webmaster’s Note: We are indebted to the Ukrainian Catholic daily, The New Star, of Chicago, for the following inspirational excerpt.) Throughout his life Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytsky was a friend to Ukrainian youth.
Archbishop George Hay on Interfaith
The following extract from the Catechism on Catholic Doctrine, written by the renowned Scottish Bishop, George Hay (1729-1811), is presented for you as a testimony to the Faith of the centuries. A convert from Episcopalianism, Bishop Hay understood, far better than most of our present day Catholic clergy, the need for infallible authority in religious matters.
St. Francis of Assisi on the Priesthood
Listen, my brothers: If the Blessed Virgin is so honored, as it is right, since she carried Him in her most holy womb; if the blessed Baptist trembled and did not dare to touch the holy head of God; if the tomb in which He lay for some time is so venerated, how holy, just, and worthy must be the person who touches Him with … More →
The Catechism of the Council of Trent
LOYAL ROMAN CATHOLICS are familiar with Pope Saint Pius V’s Bull Quo Primum, but many are not aware that this same great pope brought forth under the direction of The Council of Trent an authoritative Catechism that was to have priority of use by all parish priests in the world. From the Council of Trent we receive this directive: “But the Fathers deemed it of … More →
What a Saint Is
God wanted from all eternity to make us one with Himself. That is why He created us.
Posted in Apologetics, Articles, Catechesis and Fundamentals, Catholic America, Spiritual Life 1 Comment
Questions and Answers on Salvation by Rev. Michael Muller, C.SS.R.
Father Muller was one of the most widely read theologians of the nineteenth century. This article was first published in 1875.
Posted in Apologetics, Articles, Catechesis and Fundamentals, Outside the Church there is no Salvation Leave a comment
Is Bible Reading Safe?
We often hear the question asked, sometimes even by the well-instructed: “Is it safe to read the Bible?” The answer, of course, is: “Yes, certainly; the Church blesses and encourages the habitual reading of Holy Scripture by all the faithful.”
Making Good Use of Scripture
(This piece is an excerpt from a lecture Brother Francis gave in the 1970s.) The Bible is the book that makes saints.
