Byline: Father Reginald Martin

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The Church

Bishop, Archbishop or Cardinal?

Father Reginald Martin

January 18, 2022 7:22 am January 18, 2022

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues … until the end of time ……

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues … until the end of time … it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry [and] includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate” (No. 1536).

The bishop enjoys the fullness of the priesthood of Christ. His task is to take the place of Jesus “in an eminent and visible manner … [as] teacher, shepherd, and priest, and act as his representative” (No. 1558). A bishop’s special ministry is to care for the particular (geographic) Church community entrusted to him by the pope.

The adjective “arch” means the most representative example of something, so an archbishop is the highest degree of bishop in the Church’s administration. A comment on the Church’s Code of Canon Law (see Canon 435) states an archbishop “within his own diocese … has only the usual powers of a diocesan bishop [but], in addition, he exercises certain other powers over the neighboring dioceses which with his own form an ecclesiastical province.”

Cardinals are those bishops whose capabilities the pope has recognized with a special title, and the responsibility of serving as his advisers and counselors. A cardinal’s chief task is to elect the new pontiff when the office falls vacant.

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Christmas

How Should a Church be Decorated at Christmas?

Father Reginald Martin

December 16, 2021 7:00 am December 16, 2021

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Perhaps because customs differ throughout the world, the Church has few rules regarding decoration of sacred spaces. Common sense and respect for the congregation should guide all decisions, as should regard for the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which reminds us “to ensure that . . . the canons of art be appropriately taken into account and that noble simplicity come together with elegance.”

The United States bishops have prepared a document, “Built of Living Stones,” that provides reflections on ecclesiastical architecture and art, as well as decorations for liturgical seasons. The document states these decorations should “draw people to the true nature of the mystery being celebrated rather than being ends in themselves.” In addition, “quality art draws the beholder to the Creator,” and “appropriateness is demonstrated by the work’s ability to bear the weight of mystery, awe, reverence, and wonder.”

The document also observes that Christmas crèches should be a size appropriate to the space they occupy. These days many churches erect Nativity scenes in an area removed from the sanctuary, so size is unimportant. Other documents reference the location of the crib in a church. There is nothing definitive about a manger’s placement before or beneath the altar, but it must not detract from the altar itself or the sacred mysteries celebrated on it. Therefore, it is preferable for it to be situated elsewhere in the the church.

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Liturgy

What is the Mass?

Father Reginald Martin

November 19, 2021 8:39 am November 19, 2021

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Catholics of a certain age will remember learning the Mass is “the unbloody sacrifice of the Cross.” While concise and accurate, this definition may require additional explanation. In such a…

Catholics of a certain age will remember learning the Mass is “the unbloody sacrifice of the Cross.” While concise and accurate, this definition may require additional explanation. In such a case, we may turn to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which teaches: “The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover … not merely the recollection of past events.… In the liturgical celebration of these events, they become in a certain way present and real” (Nos. 1362-63).

“Recollection” and “remembrance” are weak words in our modern vocabulary, because memories are what we put up with when the “real thing” is not at hand. But this is altogether the opposite meaning of these words in the Scripture and the liturgy. There, memory and recollection have immense power. At the first Passover, God told Moses, “This day will be a day of remembrance for you” (Ex 12:14). It is still so for Moses’ descendants today, and when they gather for their Passover meal, they relive the terror of a people in flight, and the relief of a nation saved. Likewise, when we gather for the Mass, Jesus’ words, “Do this in remembrance of me,” open a window onto eternity, and allow us to stand at the foot of the cross.

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The Church

What is the minimum requirement for a person to become a cardinal?

Father Reginald Martin

November 3, 2021 7:51 am November 3, 2021

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The Church’s Code of Canon Law states, “Those promoted as cardinals are men freely selected by the Roman Pontiff, who are at least in the order of presbyterate and are…

The Church’s Code of Canon Law states, “Those promoted as cardinals are men freely selected by the Roman Pontiff, who are at least in the order of presbyterate and are especially outstanding for their doctrine, morals, piety, and prudence in action; those, however, who are not yet bishops must receive episcopal consecration” (Canon 351).

An earlier text in the Code describes the tasks that fall to cardinals. It remarks cardinals elect the pope and provide assistance when the pontiff summons them together to discuss matters of particular importance. Cardinals also assist the pope in less visible ways, such as when they serve as the administrative directors of various Vatican offices. We are used to seeing cardinals exercising the bishop’s role in important dioceses. This is a long-standing honor paid to men who have particularly distinguished themselves in service to the local Church.

In November 1970, Pope Paul VI introduced a policy obliging bishops (including cardinals) to submit letters of resignation when they become 75 years old. This does not mean a cardinal loses his title, but it affords the pope the opportunity to consider whether a man should be allowed to surrender the burdens of his office and enjoy a time of retirement.

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Sacraments

Is Frequent Confession Necessary?

Father Reginald Martin

October 20, 2021 7:00 am October 20, 2021

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Church law requires us to confess serious sins at least once a year. Many Catholics find this difficult, so we should investigate the reasons for this precept. The Catechism of…

Church law requires us to confess serious sins at least once a year. Many Catholics find this difficult, so we should investigate the reasons for this precept. The Catechism of the Catholic Church observes that “setting things right” with God establishes the foundation on which we properly build or rebuild relations with one another (see Nos. 1455-1458). Admitting guilt is a way of looking at ourselves the way God does. This is not an invitation to self-punishment, but is a way of recognizing God’s mercy to us, and of encouraging us to show the same mercy to others.

Such reconciliation insures our readiness for the Eucharist (see Catechism, No. 2042) and also equips us to proclaim the Gospel. “In order that the message of salvation can show the power of its truth and radiance before men, it must be authenticated by the witness of the life of Christians” (No. 2044).

Why hesitate to avail ourselves of sacramental confession? Fear? If so, we might approach the priest outside the confessional and explain our reluctance. He will surely be compassionate. We must remember the loving Christ who longs to welcome us. St. Augustine wrote: “Whoever confesses … sins … is already working with God.… Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made.”

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Eternal Life

What Happens In Purgatory?

Father Reginald Martin

September 27, 2021 7:46 am September 27, 2021

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St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that the souls in purgatory can expect a twofold pain: the pain of loss, which is the delay of the Beatific Vision, and the pain of…

St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that the souls in purgatory can expect a twofold pain: the pain of loss, which is the delay of the Beatific Vision, and the pain of sense, which is the fire of purgatory. Aquinas observed in his Summa Theologica: “With regard to both the least pain of Purgatory surpasses the greatest pain of this life. For the more a thing is desired, the more painful is its absence” (Appendix 1, 2). St. Thomas also taught that the fire of purgatory is the same as the fire of hell. This is, unquestionably, quite frightening, but at least St. Thomas assured us the souls in purgatory will not be tormented by demons, as that punishment is reserved for the damned. Those in purgatory have resisted demonic temptation, so do not deserve to be plagued after death by forces over which they have triumphed in life.

Saints who have written on purgatory are nearly countless. They include John Chrysostom, Augustine, Nicholas of Tolentino (the patron of souls in purgatory) and, in more present times, St. Faustina. Those wishing to consider concise reflections on purgatory from these and other holy souls may be interested in a book by Father F.X. Schouppe, S.J., titled “Purgatory Explained.”

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