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Eternal Life

What Happens In Purgatory?

Father Reginald Martin

January 19, 2021 7:46 am January 19, 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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Sacraments

What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?

Father Reginald Martin

November 2, 2020 10:59 am November 2, 2020

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church devotes a number of pages to its discussion of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It remarks three degrees of the sacrament: deacons, priests and…

The Catechism of the Catholic Church devotes a number of pages to its discussion of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It remarks three degrees of the sacrament: deacons, priests and bishops, and describes the sacramental tasks properly assigned to each (see No. 1554). Bishops, because they represent the apostles, exercise a ministry of special honor — one that extends back to the earliest days of our faith, and, through an unbroken tradition, connects us to the early Church.

Priests share in this ministry, although to a lesser degree, and a document of the Second Vatican Council, Presbyterorum Ordinis, describes both the priest’s ministry and the authority by which he receives it from the bishop. The Catechism pulls from this document to teach that priests “depend on the bishops in the exercise of their own proper power” and “so are configured to Christ . . . in such a way that they are able to act in the person of Christ the head” (see Nos. 1563-1564).

The point here is to connect the Sacrament of Holy Orders with Jesus, the High Priest. For this reason, too, the bishop is the ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is to remind us of the apostolic origins of the sacrament (see Catechism, No. 1313)

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Stewardship

Tithing and Charitable Giving

Father Reginald Martin

October 28, 2020 1:41 pm October 28, 2020

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The Church’s Code of Canon Law teaches: “The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine…

The Church’s Code of Canon Law teaches: “The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for apostolic works and works of charity and for the decent sustenance of ministers. They are also obliged to promote social justice and … to assist the poor from their own resources” (Canon 222).

Although a contribution of 10 percent stands as the traditional ideal, the law does not specify an amount to be given to the local parish church. Indeed, a comment on the law observes: “The obligation is according to each person’s possibilities since no one is held to the impossible, and family obligations are to be taken into account.… Family resources must be safeguarded.”

Because we must support the poor and contribute to causes that strive for social justice, concerned Catholics might want to divide their charitable resources among a number of causes. Parish needs will always have a prior claim on the generosity of God’s People, but special diocesan collections (or other — even civic — efforts) that aid the poor and seek to make God’s kingdom a visible reality in our time might be considered as well.

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Advent

Why Do We Light a Pink Candle?

Father Reginald Martin

October 26, 2020 7:29 am October 26, 2020

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When the General Instruction of the Roman Missal considers the vestments worn by the priest-celebrants at Mass, it states, “As to the color of sacred vestments, the traditional usage is…

When the General Instruction of the Roman Missal considers the vestments worn by the priest-celebrants at Mass, it states, “As to the color of sacred vestments, the traditional usage is to be retained.… Rose may be used, where it is the practice, on Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent) and on Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent)” (GIRM, No. 346).

The rose candle in the Advent wreath is lighted on the Third Sunday of Advent, for it corresponds to the rose vestment that is the option for the day’s liturgical celebrations. The change reflects the joy expressed in the Entrance Antiphon for the day’s Mass, and serves as a special reminder of the joyful event that awaits us at the close of the Advent season.

The name Gaudete, which gives this Sunday its name, is taken from the Entrance Antiphon of the day’s Mass. The verse is from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and, in Latin, reads: “Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum dico, gaudete. Dominus enim prope est.” In English, the text commands us, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. For indeed, the Lord is near.”

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Christmas

How Should a Church be Decorated at Christmas?

Father Reginald Martin

October 21, 2020 9:40 am October 21, 2020

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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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The Church

What is an Auxiliary Bishop?

Father Reginald Martin

September 24, 2020 7:34 am September 24, 2020

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None will deny the challenges faced by today’s diocesan bishops. These include the size of the dioceses they govern, the number of the faithful they must serve, the complex ethnic…

None will deny the challenges faced by today’s diocesan bishops. These include the size of the dioceses they govern, the number of the faithful they must serve, the complex ethnic composition of many dioceses, etc. As a result, when a bishop feels he requires assistance in his duties, he may ask the Holy See to appoint an auxiliary to lend a hand in the administration of certain diocesan affairs. The auxiliary does not enjoy the right to succeed the bishop as ordinary in the diocese.

However, when a bishop must serve on national or international committees, tasks requiring significant time away from his diocese, or when advanced age or poor health interfere with his efficiently exercising his office, the Holy See may appoint an coadjutor bishop. The difference between a coadjutor and an auxiliary is the coadjutor enjoys the right to assume leadership of the diocese when the presiding bishop dies or resigns his office.

In the ranking of diocesan officials, the bishop enjoys the highest status, and a coadjutor the next, followed by any auxiliary bishops. The Church’s Code of Canon Law observes they “are to consult one another on matters of major importance” (Canon 407.3).

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Byline: Father Reginald Martin

What Happens In Purgatory?

What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?

Tithing and Charitable Giving

Why Do We Light a Pink Candle?

How Should a Church be Decorated at Christmas?

What is an Auxiliary Bishop?

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