Byline: Father Reginald Martin

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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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Scripture

Acts of the Apostles Authorship

Father Reginald Martin

September 9, 2021 7:48 am September 9, 2021

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Johannes Munck, editor of the Anchor Bible volume on Acts, writes, “It has been considered reasonable to assume that Acts was written by a fellow worker of Paul, a Gentile…

Johannes Munck, editor of the Anchor Bible volume on Acts, writes, “It has been considered reasonable to assume that Acts was written by a fellow worker of Paul, a Gentile Christian, and a physician” (p. xxix). This assumption is based on internal evidence in the Acts of the Apostles, although it is not universally embraced.

That the author was Paul’s companion is strongly supported by the author’s use of “we” throughout the text, and his familiarity with Paul’s ministry to Gentiles suggests he was a Gentile himself. The use of medical terms may reflect professional training, but this is inconclusive. What is probably most compelling in determining the identity of the author of Acts is the argument from tradition. From A.D. 150 the Church has accepted St. Luke as the author of both the Gospel attributed to him and the Acts of the Apostles.

The similarities between the two texts (they comprise one-quarter of the New Testament) are unmistakable: They are the most self-consciously literary of all the New Testament writings, and the Acts of the Apostles is a precious heritage, providing a history of the Church’s earliest activity.

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Sacraments

Communion Gestures

Father Reginald Martin

August 27, 2021 7:12 am August 27, 2021

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The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) specifies three times during the Mass when the celebrant must genuflect: after showing the host (1) and chalice (2) at the consecration,…

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) specifies three times during the Mass when the celebrant must genuflect: after showing the host (1) and chalice (2) at the consecration, and before Communion (3). The text adds, “If, however, the tabernacle with the … Blessed Sacrament is situated in the sanctuary, the priest…and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself” (No. 274).

The GIRM also prescribes appropriate devotional posture for the faithful who wish to receive communion, “When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister” (No. 160).

What response should we give a communicant — or a celebrant — who feels these gestures are insufficient? We might remark that the GIRM establishes minimum requirements. Should we wish to do more, only the practical limitations of the worship space limit us.

Thus if a celebrant wishes to genuflect before returning consecrated Hosts to the tabernacle, nothing prohibits him. Likewise, a communicant might genuflect or even kneel to receive Communion if this does not impede the progress of others wishing to receive the Eucharist.

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Sacraments

Baptism At Sunday Mass?

Father Reginald Martin

August 9, 2021 7:32 am August 9, 2021

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church Catechism devotes a chapter to the Sacraments of Initiation — that is, baptism, Eucharist and confirmation. The text remarks, “Certain essential elements will always have to be present: proclamation of the Word, acceptance of the Gospel … profession of faith, Baptism itself, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and admission to Eucharistic communion” (No. 1229).

Whether these sacraments are conferred at one time (as is the case with adult converts) or over the course of years (as with those reared as Catholics) Christ’s death and resurrection remain the center and focus of these sacraments. Therefore, the Mass is a logical time to celebrate them, as we do each year at the Easter Vigil. Indeed, in parishes that embrace the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, catechumens progress through a series of brief ceremonies at Mass, which allow the congregation to welcome them and acknowledge their progress in the faith.

The Catechism points out: “Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers” (No. 1253). This is a good argument for including baptism as part of the Eucharistic celebration. However, time constraints, especially in large parishes with many infants awaiting baptism, may make such public celebration of the sacrament impractical.

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Satan

Does God Love Satan?

Father Reginald Martin

August 7, 2021 9:16 am August 7, 2021

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Hell is an inversion of everything we hold most dear. St. Thomas Aquinas taught: “Even as in the blessed in heaven there will be the most perfect charity, so in…

Hell is an inversion of everything we hold most dear. St. Thomas Aquinas taught: “Even as in the blessed in heaven there will be the most perfect charity, so in the damned there will be the most perfect hate. Wherefore as the saints will rejoice in all goods, so will the damned grieve for all goods.”

Lucifer certainly laments the punishment he endures, for every will naturally desires happiness, and the notion of punishment is repugnant to the will. He also envies the good fortune of those who do not suffer as he does. What makes his punishment — and that of any soul in hell — more painful is the awareness that the pain is unnecessary, for it might have been avoided. But once God has rendered judgment, the will can no longer express remorse for sin. Thus, the damned may bewail their punishment, but they cannot express sorrow for the sin that merited it.

What does this say about God’s love — or lack thereof — for the damned? Although the pains of hell are horrible to consider, our theology teaches that God’s love reaches even to hell, if only because the punishments suffered by the damned could be greater.

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Byline: Father Reginald Martin

Is Frequent Confession Necessary?

What Happens In Purgatory?

Acts of the Apostles Authorship

Communion Gestures

Baptism At Sunday Mass?

Does God Love Satan?

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