57 articles from the existing collection.
In Luke 12:32 , Jesus addresses His disciples, saying, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” This statement occurs within a broader teaching on trust in God’s providence and detachment from material concerns. The term “little flock” evokes the imagery of a shepherd caring for a …
The Mass is the central act of Catholic worship, where the faithful participate in the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It is not merely a gathering or ritual but a profound encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1324) describes the Eucharist as the “source and summit”…
A sacrament is a visible rite established by Jesus Christ to impart grace to the faithful. The Catholic Church teaches that sacraments are not merely symbolic actions but effective signs that truly bring about the grace they signify (CCC 1127). This grace is a share in God’s divine life, enabling believers to grow in holiness. E…
The Catholic Church teaches that Christ is fully present in both the consecrated bread and wine, a doctrine rooted in the concept of concomitance. This means that the whole Christ—body, blood, soul, and divinity—is received under either species. The practice of Communion under one kind reinforces this truth, emphasizing that rec…
The doctrine is not in the three Creeds you mention. But they do not contain the whole of Christian doctrine. They are partial statements insisting upon certain doctrines against special errors of those times. It is true that Pius IV. Included the doctrine in his profession of faith, but you are wrong when you say that there was…
I deny that it was anything like a universal practice. Some early Christians were specially endowed by God with the power of healing, in order that the Church might appeal to onlookers in a special way. But the Church has been built, and there is no need to show a stone from the quarry whence it was hewn in order to prove its ex…
Christ said, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Now one of these commandments is, “Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day.” Thus God demands the sanctification of one day in seven in a special way. His very use of the word “Remember” implies a grave obligation not to forget or omit this duty. It is a mo…
I can do so. The Old Testament predicts that Christ will offer a true sacrifice to God in bread and wine—that He will use those elements. And this prediction is every bit as clear as the prediction that He will also offer Himself upon the Cross. Thus Gen. XIV., 18, tells us that Melchisedech, King of Salem, was a Priest, and tha…
Christ offered Himself with the shedding of blood on Calvary. Without that shedding of blood there would be no remission of sin. Yet since the Mass is but an application of Calvary with its shedding of blood there is no real difficulty. There is a difficulty for one who denies the Sacrifice of the Mass, for without that there is…
Why do Catholics believe that Christ is sacrificed in each and every Mass, when Scripture plainly states that He was sacrificed on Calvary once and for all?
Since there is no proportion between the visible action and the giving of interior grace of a supernatural character, it is evident that God alone could institute a Sacrament. It calls for His infinite power. Jesus Christ, therefore, at once God and man, instituted the Sacraments.
That you were highly amused at a Requiem Mass which you did not understand only proves that you are devoid of the power to sympathize with what is sacred to other people. Had you understood it, and then been amused, there might have been some excuse. You say that the whole ceremony was a gabble and a mumble to you. Were you to a…
The practice is not anti-Christian. Reception under one kind only is quite sufficient for Holy Communion. Our Lord said simply, “If any man eat of this bread he shall live forever, for the bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the world.” Jn. VI., 52. In the early Church Communion was at times given to little childr…
Christ ushered in a new dispensation, but not of medicine. He did not come to establish a medical clinic. He came to call sinners to repentance, that they might secure forgiveness for their past sins, overcome their moral faults, and serve Him in a life of virtue.
The Catholic Church is the only Church which can oblige her people to worship God definitely on Sunday, and many of her churches are filled three or four times on that day. There is nothing wrong with innocent recreation provided it does not interfere with one’s duties to God and attendance at religious worship. Sunday is a day …
In Exodus, XXVIII., 2-3, we read of God’s prescriptions of the vestments befitting the dignity of His religion. “Thou shalt make a holy vesture for Aaron thy brother; for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak to all the wise of heart, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom: that they may make Aaron’s vestments, in whi…
No. The Catholic Church is the greatest Church of all, and has preserved her unity despite her vast expansion. Those smaller Churches, on the other hand, which adopted national languages are divided one from the other; are national in character; and are splitting up into innumerable sects as their doctrines change with every cha…
The substance of Christ’s body is not subject to processes of digestion or to any chemical reactions. The qualities of bread of course behave in their normal way, undergoing a change as they are affected by digestion. Our Lord’s substantial presence ceases as these qualities cease to retain those characteristics proper to bread.
Yes, to both questions. For a true sacrifice we need a Priest, an altar, a victim, and a covenant with God. Christ was truly the great High Priest, and He gave the power of Priests to His Apostles, commissioning them to do repeatedly as He Himself had done in their presence. “Do this,” He said, “in commemoration of me.” The powe…
The fact that the Catholic Church does so is sufficient proof that she is justified in doing so. However, let us view the theology of the matter. Jesus gave Himself under both kinds, yet He was completely present in either kind. He who receives either kind receives the whole Christ. In any case, Christ being risen dies no more. …
Why do Catholics believe their Holy Communion is the actual Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ? Why don’t they believe as Protestants do that Christ is only present symbolically, or spiritually, in the consecrated bread and wine?
1. Q. Whom do we receive when we go to Holy Communion? A. We receive Our Lord Jesus Christ.
No. It is a mystery of faith. All external appearances remain as before consecration, but the substance of bread and the substance of wine are changed into the substance of Our Lord’s body and blood. The reason why we believe is not in the Host as such, but in God. He has revealed this truth, and we believe because He must know …
You wrongly suppose that the Church insists upon attendance at Mass and money-giving, and that she is indifferent to truth and good living. You should ask Catholics who do attend Mass what they are taught, instead of making prejudiced guesses.
Your optional contribution helps keep these resources free to read.
