Cor Jesu
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» King and Center of All Hearts
Encyclical : Annum Sacrum
Papal Letter to Fr. Mateo
The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart
Litany of Sacred Heart
Catholic Education - Part I
Pope Pius XII and Sports
Christianity in India
Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Saint Pii X May - June 2018
Cor Jesu Newsletter of the Society of St. Pius X in South India
May - June 2018 Volume IV, Number 3
Publisher Society of Saint Pius X 8A/3, Annie Nagar Seevalaperi Road Palayamkottai Tamilnadu—627002 India Tel: 0462-2586201 [email protected]
District Superior Rev. Fr. Karl Stehlin
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The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart Encylical on Consecration to the Sacred Heart Pontifical Letter of Approbation To Fr. Mateo About the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart
Spiritual Life Litany of the Sacred Heart
Cor Jesu
Other interests Catholic Education - Part I Pope Pius XII and Sports History of Christianity in India Book Review: Marian Meditations FSSPX News
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ANNUM SACRUM ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART
o the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, T and Bishops of the Catholic World in Grace and Communion with the Apostolic See. Venerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction. But a short time ago, as you well know, We, by letters apostolic, and following the custom and ordinances of Our predecessors, commanded the celebration in this city, at no distant date, of a Holy Year. And now to-day, in the hope and with the object that this religious celebration shall be more devoutly performed, We have traced and recom- mended a striking design from which, if all shall follow it out with hearty good will, We not unrea- and Pius IX., devoutly to foster and bring out into sonably expect extraordinary and lasting benefits fuller light that most excellent form of devotion for Christendom in the first place and also for the which has for its object the veneration of the whole human race. Sacred Heart of Jesus; this We did especially by the 2. Already more than once We have endeav- Decree given on June 28, 1889, by which We raised ored, after the example of Our predecessors the Feast under that name to the dignity of the Innocent XII, Benedict XIII, Clement XIII, Pius VI, first class. But now We have in mind a more signal
4 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 form of devotion which shall be in a manner the the Father, having the same substance with Him crowning perfection of all the honors that people and being the brightness of His glory and the figure have been accustomed to pay to the Sacred Heart, of His substance (Hebrews 1:3) necessarily has and which We confidently trust will be most pleas- everything in common with the Father, and there- ing to Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. This is not the fore sovereign power over all things. This is why first time, however, that the design of which We the Son of God thus speaks of Himself through the speak has been mooted. Twenty-five years ago, Prophet: “But I am appointed king by him over Sion, on the approach of the solemnities of the second his holy mountain. . . The Lord said to me, Thou art centenary of the Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque's my son, this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me reception of the Divine command to propagate the and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance worship of the Sacred Heart, many letters from all and the utmost parts of the earth for thy posses- parts, not merely from private persons but from sion” (Psalm 2). By these words He declares that Bishops also were sent to Pius IX. begging that he He has power from God over the whole Church, would consent to consecrate the whole human which is signified by Mount Sion, and also over the race to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was rest of the world to its uttermost ends. On what thought best at the time to postpone the matter foundation this sovereign power rests is made in order that a well-considered decision might be sufficiently plain by the words, "Thou art My Son." arrived at. Meanwhile permission was granted to For by the very fact that He is the Son of the King individual cities which desired it thus to consecrate of all, He is also the heir of all His Father's power: themselves, and a form of consecration was drawn hence the words – “I will give thee the Gentiles for up. Now, for certain new and additional reasons, thy inheritance,” which are similar to those used by We consider that the plan is ripe for fulfilment. Paul the Apostle, “whom he hath appointed heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2). 3. This world-wide and solemn testimony of allegiance and piety is especially appropriate to 4. But we should now give most special con- Jesus Christ, who is the Head and Supreme Lord of sideration to the declarations made by Jesus Christ, the race. His empire extends not only over Catholic not through the Apostles or the Prophets but by nations and those who, having been duly washed His own words. To the Roman Governor who asked in the waters of holy baptism, belong of right to the Him, “Art thou a king then?” He answered unhesi- Church, although erroneous opinions keep them tatingly, “Thou sayest that I am a king” (John 18:37). astray, or dissent from her teaching cuts them off And the greatness of this power and the bound- from her care; it comprises also all those who are lessness of His kingdom is still more clearly declared deprived of the Christian faith, so that the whole in these words to the Apostles: “All power is given human race is most truly under the power of Jesus to me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Christ. For He who is the Only-begotten Son of God If then all power has been given to Christ it follows
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 5 of necessity that His empire must be supreme, flows naturally from royal authority, he concludes absolute and independent of the will of any other, decisively as follows: “All things are subject to Christ so that none is either equal or like unto it: and as far as His power is concerned, although they are since it has been given in heaven and on earth it not all subject to Him in the exercise of that power”, ought to have heaven and earth obedient to it. (3a., p., q. 59, a. 4). This sovereign power of Christ And verily he has acted on this extraordinary and over men is exercised by truth, justice, and above peculiar right when He commanded His Apostles all, by charity. to preach His doctrine over the earth, to gather all 7. To this twofold ground of His power and men together into the one body of the Church by domination He graciously allows us, if we think fit, the baptism of salvation, and to bind them by laws, to add voluntary consecration. Jesus Christ, our God which no one could reject without risking his eter- and our Redeemer, is rich in the fullest and perfect nal salvation. possession of all things: we, on the other hand, are 5. But this is not all. Christ reigns nor only by so poor and needy that we have nothing of our own natural right as the Son of God, but also by a right to offer Him as a gift. But yet, in His infinite good- that He has acquired. For He it was who snatched ness and love, He in no way objects to our giving us “from the power of darkness” (Colossians 1:13), and consecrating to Him what is already His, as if and “gave Himself for the redemption of all” , it were really our own; nay, far from refusing such (1 Timothy 2:6). Therefore not only Catholics, and an offering, He positively desires it and asks for it: those who have duly received Christian baptism, “My son, give me thy heart.” We are, therefore, but also all men, individually and collectively, have able to be pleasing to Him by the good will and the become to Him “a purchased people” (1 Peter 2:9). affection of our soul. For by consecrating ourselves St. Augustine's words are therefore to the point to Him we not only declare our open and free when he says: “You ask what price He paid? See acknowledgment and acceptance of His authority what He gave and you will understand how much over us, but we also testify that if what we offer He paid. The price was the blood of Christ. What as a gift were really our own, we would still offer could cost so much but the whole world, and all it with our whole heart. We also beg of Him that its people? The great price He paid was paid for He would vouchsafe to receive it from us, though all” (T. 120 on St. John). clearly His own. Such is the efficacy of the act of 6. How it comes about that infidels them- which We speak, such is the meaning underlying selves are subject to the power and dominion of Our words. Jesus Christ is clearly shown by St. Thomas, who 8. And since there is in the Sacred Heart a gives us the reason and its explanation. For having symbol and a sensible image of the infinite love of put the question whether His judicial power extends Jesus Christ which moves us to love one another, to all men, and having stated that judicial authority therefore is it fit and proper that we should con-
6 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 secrate ourselves to His most Sacred Heart-an act also one day render them submissive to its exercise; which is nothing else than an offering and a bind- and that not only in the life to come when He will ing of oneself to Jesus Christ, seeing that whatever fulfil His will upon all men, by saving some and honor, veneration and love is given to this divine punishing others, (St. Thomas, ibid), but also in this Heart is really and truly given to Christ Himself. mortal life by giving them faith and holiness. May they by these virtues strive to honor God as they 9. For these reasons We urge and exhort all ought, and to win everlasting happiness in heaven. who know and love this divine Heart willingly to undertake this act of piety; and it is Our earnest 10. Such an act of consecration, since it can desire that all should make it on the same day, that establish or draw tighter the bonds which naturally so the aspirations of so many thousands who are connect public affairs with God, gives to States a performing this act of consecration may be borne hope of better things. In these latter times especi- to the temple of heaven on the same day. But shall ally, a policy has been followed which has resulted We allow to slip from Our remembrance those in- in a sort of wall being raised between the Church numerable others upon whom the light of Christian and civil society. In the constitution and administra- truth has not yet shined? We hold the place of Him tion of States the authority of sacred and divine law who came to save that which was lost, and who is utterly disregarded, with a view to the exclusion shed His blood for the salvation of the whole human of religion from having any constant part in public race. And so We greatly desire to bring to the true life. This policy almost tends to the removal of the life those who sit in the shadow of death. As we Christian faith from our midst, and, if that were have already sent messengers of Christ over the possible, of the banishment of God Himself from earth to instruct them, so now, in pity for their lot the earth. When men's minds are raised to such a with all Our soul we commend them, and as far as height of insolent pride, what wonder is it that the in us lies We consecrate them to the Sacred Heart greater part of the human race should have fallen of Jesus. In this way this act of devotion, which We into such disquiet of mind and be buffeted by waves recommend, will be a blessing to all. For having so rough that no one is suffered to be free from performed it, those in whose hearts are the know- anxiety and peril? When religion is once discarded ledge and love of Jesus Christ will feel that faith it follows of necessity that the surest foundations and love increased. Those who knowing Christ, yet of the public welfare must give way, whilst God, to neglect His law and its precepts, may still gain from inflict on His enemies the punishment they so richly His Sacred Heart the flame of charity. And lastly, deserve, has left them the prey of their own evil for those still more unfortunate, who are struggle- desires, so that they give themselves up to their ing in the darkness of superstition, we shall all with passions and finally wear themselves out by excess one mind implore the assistance of heaven that of liberty. Jesus Christ, to whose power they are subject, may 11. Hence that abundance of evils which have
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 7 now for a long time settled upon the world, and hopes should be placed, and from it the salvation which pressingly call upon us to seek for help from of men is to be confidently be sought. Him by whose strength alone they can be driven 13. Finally, there is one motive which We are away. Who can He be but Jesus Christ the Only- unwilling to pass over in silence, personal to Our- begotten Son of God? “For there is no other name selves it is true, but still good and weighty, which under heaven given to men whereby we must be moves Us to undertake this celebration. God, the saved” (Acts 4:12). We must have recourse to Him author of every good, not long ago preserved Our who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We have life by curing Us of a dangerous disease. We now gone astray and we must return to the right path: wish, by this increase of the honor paid to the darkness has overshadowed our minds, and the Sacred Heart, that the memory of this great mercy gloom must be dispelled by the light of truth: death should be brought prominently forward, and Our has seized upon us, and we must lay hold of life. It gratitude be publicly acknowledged. will at length be possible that our many wounds 14. For these reasons, We ordain that on the be healed and all justice spring forth again with ninth, tenth and eleventh of the coming month of the hope of restored authority; that the splendors June, in the principal church of every town and vil- of peace be renewed, and swords and arms drop lage, certain prayers be said, and on each of these from the hand when all men shall acknowledge days there be added to the other prayers the Litany the empire of Christ and willingly obey His word, of the Sacred Heart approved by Our authority. and “Every tongue shall confess that our Lord Jesus On the last day the form of consecration shall be Christ is in the glory of God the Father”,(Phil. 2:2). recited which, Venerable Brethren, We sent to you 12. When the Church, in the days immediately with these letters. succeeding her institution, was oppressed beneath 15. As a pledge of divine benefits, and in token the yoke of the Caesars, a young Emperor saw in of Our paternal benevolence, to you, and to the the heavens across, which became at once the clergy and people committed to your care We lov- happy omen and cause of the glorious victory that ingly grant in the Lord the Apostolic Benediction. soon followed. And now, to-day, behold another blessed and heavenly token is offered to our sight Given in Rome at St. Peter's on the 25th day -the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with a cross rising of May, 1899, the twenty-second year of Our Ponti- from it and shining forth with dazzling splendor ficate. amidst flames of love. In that Sacred Heart all our LEO XIII
8 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018
Pontifical Letter of Approbation To Our Beloved Son, Mateo Crawley-Bovey Priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Pope Benedict XV
eloved Son, Health and Apostolic Benedic- B tion! We have read your letter with interest; also the documents that accompanied it. They give proof of the zealous and untiring labors with which you have devoted yourself, for many years, to the work of consecrating families to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in this particular manner: by placing an image or painting of the Sacred Heart in the most prominent place in the home, as on a throne, as a sign that Our Lord reigns visibly in these families. Already Our Predecessor, Leo XIII, of blessed memory, consecrated the whole human race to the Divine Heart of Jesus, and his encyclical Annum contribute greatly to the realization of the pious Sacrum upon this subject is well known. Neverthe- intentions of that Pontiff of blessed memory. less, it seems that even after this general consecra- What concerns every single individual affects tion, the devotion extending to individual families Us more deeply, indeed, than what is of general is not without benefit; on the contrary it is in interest. Therefore, We rejoice that your efforts in perfect accordance with the former, and can only this regard have brought such abundant fruit.
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 9
We exhort you to continue zealously in the apos- not consist in being guided by passing religious tolate you have so successfully begun. At present sentiments which easily touch tender hearts and nothing Is more timely. move to tears but leave vices unchecked. To follow The malicious efforts of the wicked are speci- Christ means to grasp Him with a lively and constant ally directed against the home, the family circle. faith which at the same time influences heart and Since the family contains the root, the elements mind, and regulates our morals. Indeed, the very of civil society, the enemies realize well that the reason why Jesus is forgotten by so many, and so hoped-for transformation or rather the hoped-for little loved by others, is that to some He is almost destruction of all human society cannot take place unknown and by others not known sufficiently. before the ruin of the family is accomplished. Every Continue, then, beloved son, your labors and effort is being made to weaken the firmness and your apostolate, in order to enkindle the flames of indissolubility of the marriage bond and to prevent love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Catholic fami- our youth from coming under religious influence. lies. Above all, let your efforts and labors tend to Wickedness goes so far as to endanger the very this ---- it is Our will ---- that to every home where propagation of the human race, and to defile the you apply, this love may come as a result of the sanctity of matrimonial life by praising shameful knowledge of Jesus Christ, and of the truths and practices for the gratification of lust which frustrate laws which He has given us. the rights of the laws of nature. In 1913, Our Predecessor, Pius X, of blessed You do well, therefore, beloved son, to take in memory, granted special privileges at the request hand the welfare of society to awaken and spread of the bishops of Chile to the families of that coun- above all things a Christian spirit in the home that try who had consecrated themselves to the Sacred the love of Jesus Christ may permeate the families, Heart of Jesus. To encourage this universal pious and His love reign there like a queen. By so doing work, We desire all these privileges to be extended you obey Jesus Christ Himself Who promised to pour to the families of the whole Catholic world who out His blessings on those homes where a picture perform this consecration. of His Sacred Heart is exposed and venerated. As a pledge of Divine favors, and as a mark of It is a holy and salutary work to show our most Our paternal good will, We impart to you affectio- loving Savior this honor and homage; yet, all is not nately, beloved son, the Apostolic Blessing. accomplished thereby. Of equal importance it is to Given at St. Peter's, Rome, April 27, 1915 know Christ, to take to heart His doctrine. His life, His Passion, His glorification. To follow Him does Benedict XV, Pope.
10 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018
The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart
About the Enthronement What is the Enthronement? It is a crusade to establish the Social Reign of the Sacred Heart in society through the family, the most fundamental unit of society. It is based on Our Lord’s statement to St. Margaret Mary: “I will reign through My Heart!” It is an organized cam- paign to restore Christ to the family and the family to Christ. It is the answer to the question: “What can we do to save the family?” How does the Enthronement restore Christ to the family? The Enthronement begins with a beautiful and impressive ceremony. In the home itself, in the pre- sence of the priest, who presides at the ceremony, the family publicly and solemnly acknowledges that Christ is the King and loving Master of its home. This is done by having the head of the family install a picture or statue of the Sacred Heart in the place
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 11 of honour, in the principal room of the home as on a throne — hence the word “Enthronement.” After this solemn acknowledgment of the sovereign rights of Christ the King over the family, the members consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart. There- by they pledge themselves to live as though the Sacred Heart were actually dwelling in their midst as He did at Nazareth, treating Him as an intimate member of the family, as Our Lord and Brother. Is this all there is to the Enthronement? No, the ceremony is only the beginning of a new life, a life of love; of loving obedience to all the commandments of Christ and the Church; a life of prayer; especially of family prayers before the image of the Enthroned King, evening prayers and rosary in common; a Eucharistic life: of frequent and even daily Mass and Communion, thereby linking up the sanctuary of the Church and the sanctuary of the home; finally a life of Christian penance, especially by refusing to give in to pagan customs and ideas which are slowly destroying the Christian home, and by making reparation for the that He be solemnly received as King, and Friend terrible crimes of divorce, birth control and sensu- that His Sacred Heart be honoured and loved. “I will ality. establish peace in their homes; I will give them all Why will the Enthronement restore the the graces necessary for their state of life; I will family to Christ? comfort them in all their afflictions; I will bless all Because in the enthronement the family is their undertakings.” Hence we may safely say that putting Our Lord and His interests first. In return this is the means Our Lord Himself has selected to the Sacred Heart takes over the interests of the restore His sovereign rights over the family, and family. Our Lord Himself has promised that He will through the family, over society itself. bless and sanctify those families who enthrone Him Has this work been approved? as King. He asked Saint Margaret Mary, to whom Yes, first by the Sacred Heart Himself, as He revealed His Sacred Heart, that He be allowed eviden ced by the countless conversions, both of to reign over the homes of the rich and the poor; individuals and families, where the Sacred Heart
12 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 has been enthroned; secondly by four popes of 4. Obtain as beautiful a picture or statue of this century: St. Pius X called it “a work of social the Sacred Heart as possible. If you already have a salvation.” Benedict XV wrote to Father Mateo, its picture, use that one. founder: “Nothing is more opportune than your 5. Obtain a certificate of enthronement to be undertaking.” Pius XI blessed this work many times signed after the Ceremony. both publicly and privately, and Pius XII wrote to 6. Below the place of honour reserved for the Father Mateo praising him for his work and encou- statue or picture, prepare a “throne” or “altar,” raging him to continue the work of “the enthrone- that is to say, a table (or perhaps the mantelpiece) ment, which is so well suited to foster the reign of covered with a white cloth, beautifully decorated love and mercy of the Sacred Heart in the family.” with flowers and candles. The picture or statue and holy water should be placed on a small table near What must I do to enthrone the Sacred Heart the “throne” before the ceremony. in my home? 1. Learn what it is and how important it is. 7. Invite your relatives and friends to be pre- sent, thus you will al- ready begin to be an “apostle 2. It is important to have a priest preside over of the Sacred Heart.” Have a family party a er the the ceremony, but it is not essential to gain the in- ceremony, with a special treat for the children, who dulgences. For serious reasons, the father, or some- of course, should be present at the ceremony, even one else may preside and lead the prayers. In any the smallest. case, please consult your parish priest. 3. If possible have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 8. Make this day one of the outstanding events offered that morning for the reign of the Sacred of the family life — one long to be remembered. Heart in your home, and as an act of love and rep- The greater the solemnity, the better. aration to the Sacred Heart. The entire family Note: There is no more appropriate way for a should try to receive Communion at this Mass, or young couple to begin their married life, than to at another Mass. enthrone the Sacred Heart in their new home. Ω
O admirable Mother of God! How many sins have I committed for which thou hast obtained pardon for me, and how many others would I have committed if thou had not preserved me? How often have I seen myself on the brink of Hell in obvious danger of falling into it but for thy most benign hand which saved me? How often would the roaring lion of Hell have devoured and swallowed up my soul had not the charity of thy heart opposed him? Alas! Without thee, my dearest and my all-good Mother, where should I be today? I should be in the fiery furnace of Hell from which I would never emerge ! - St. John Eudes
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 13
The Litany of the Sacred Heart
Rev. Fr. Joseph McDonnell, S.J.
A continuation of his series of meditations on that, not being able to contain within Itself the the individual invocations of the Litany flames of Its ardent charity, It must needs spread of the Sacred Heart them abroad through means of thee.” EIGHTH TITLE : HEART OF JESUS, In the second vision she speaks of the Divine GLOWING FURNACE OF CHARITY Heart as “a sun glowing with brilliant light,” and Commentary she tells us of the “flames that burst forth…especi- In the following four titles the boundless love ally from His adorable Bosom, which resembled a and charity of the Sacred Heart are put before us furnace.” Again she tells us how, on the feast of for consideration. In the present title It is invoked St. John the Evangelist, “this Divine Heart was shown as a “glowing Furnace of Charity.” No stronger to me as on a throne all of fire and flames, emitting metaphor could be used to show the intensity of rays on all sides, and more dazzling than the noon- the love that, like the fire in a “glowing furnace,” day sun.” Hence it is that in the Gospel Christ says burns within the Heart of Jesus. We see the Sacred to us: “I am come to cast fire on the earth, and what Heart usually represented, as Our Lord Himself will I but that it be kindled?” (Luke 12:49). showed It to [St.] Margaret Mary, with flames burst- Three flames of the most ardent love consume ing forth and radiating heat on every side. In her the great Heart of the Redeemer. The first flame or first great vision Our Lord said to His devout serv- manifestation of His love is the Incarnation itself: ant: “My Heart is so inflamed with love for men… the gift of the Divine Word by Its union with our
14 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 human nature: “God so loved the world as to give our whole heart and with our whole soul, His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). The second is with all our strength and with all our mind.” the work of Redemption accomplished by the labors, sufferings, and death of the Incarnate Word: 2. We should bring others to know and love “In this we have known the charity of God, because Him— “He that hath no zeal hath no love,” He hath laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16). The says St. Augustine. “Those who propagate third is the application of the merits of the Redemp- this devotion shall have their names written tion to our souls: “That whosoever believeth in Him in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced,” may not perish, but may have life everlasting”, was the promise of Our Lord to [St.] Marga- (John 3:16). ret Mary; and He promises to priests who endeavor to promote devotion to His Sacred MEDITATION Heart that they shall have “power to touch How to show our Love for the Sacred Heart the hardest hearts.” The test and proof of love, says St. Ignatius, is to be found in work- Three practical thoughts for mediation suggest ing for the beloved. “Love consists,” he says, themselves in connection with this title: “rather in works than in mere words.” If our 1. We should make a return of love for love love for the Sacred Heart is real, we must to the Sacred Heart—“He showed me,” show it practically by endeavoring to kindle writes [St.] Margaret Mary, “that it was the in all hearts that flame of Divine love which great desire He had to be perfectly loved by He came to kindle here on earth. men that had made Him form the design of manifesting to them His Divine Heart…in 3. Lastly, we should seek most precious order that those who should desire to render treasures and graces in the Sacred Heart. Him and procure for Him all the love and “I promise also,” were His words to [St.] honor possible might themselves be enriched Margaret Mary, “that My Heart will dilate with the profusion of those Divine treasures Itself to pour forth in abundance the influ- of which His Heart is the source.” Moreover ence of Its Divine love on all those who she was told by Our Lord that “this devotion shall render and procure for It this honor.” was the last effort of His love in these latter And He promises to bestow on the clients ages…to induce men to love Him and to love of His Sacred Heart “all the treasures of Him tenderly.” It is a mystery we shall never love, mercy, grace, sanctification, and sal- understand until we“ cross the bar,” if even vation that it contains.” We have only to then, how Christ should so eagerly desire read what are called the Promises of the our love. The least that we can do is to try Sacred Heart to be convinced that It is a our very best to love Him in return “with very treasure-house of wondrous blessings.
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 15
Catholic Education ( Part I )
Fr. Alain Delagneau, FSSPX
hese few words would hopefully provide T food for thought for young married couples who are conscious of the great and serious respon- sibility of educating and directing their children. It is strange to see how one strives to learn a profes- sion by taking advantage of all the knowledge and experience of others, and when it comes to educa- tion, one improvises or acts according to one’s instincts. We are concerned about such irrespon- sible attitudes. We see today a caving-in of the tainted by original sin, and this divine life must be educator to educate. Our youth are slaves to them- developed and fortified together with the devel- selves, unhappy, dependent on slogans and current opment of the capabilities of the child, and grow fashion, and far off the path of salvation. to the extent of eradicating, if possible, all trace In order to work towards the return of a human of the old man. Young married couples must re- and Catholic society, one must start with education. mind themselves they have the grace of state for To be conscious of the mission of the educator, this beautiful ministry of the education of their we must remember that we are confronted by a children through the sacrament of matrimony. baptized child. Grace is grafted onto a nature They must think and pray together to accomplish
16 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 this great mission as best they can. Through education parents are shaping the The Importance of Education man or woman of tomorrow, the Catholic of Give me truly Christian mothers and I shall tomorrow, the priest or the religious of tomorrow, save the world which is sinking (Pope St Pius X). the husband or wife of tomorrow, the social man or woman of tomorrow. Admittedly education is Is there anything more transcendent in the not the only element which shapes man’s person- life of humanity than education? The child or ado- ality, but it plays an important and determining lescent, as has been very rightly said, is “a hope,” part by imprinting a direction and meaning of life. a hope full of promise for the family, for the coun- try, for the whole human society, but at the same Popes have always stressed the importance time a precious hope for the Church, for heaven, of a good education for the salvation of souls, peace for God himself, in whose image and resemblance in families, and the good of the Church and society: he has been created, whose son he is or should be We know the utmost importance of the Chris- (Pope Pius XII’s radio message, Aug. 5, 1951). tian education, not only for each individual, but also for families and the whole human community whose perfection necessarily follows the perfection of the elements which comprise it (Pope Pius XI, Divini Illius Magistri). Education for the soul of the child Education imprints in souls the first, the most powerful and the most lasting direction in life, according to a well-known sentence in Proverbs (22:6), “the young man follows his path, and even in old age, he will not divert from it” (Pope Pius XI, idem). If the young man, after his education, has not received a solid foundation, if this image of God is carved in soft and inconsistent nature, it is impos- sible that under opposing pressures, assailed by so many conflicts, he does not soon find himself com- pletely deformed. Your education must give him the solidity of bronze or of granite and only then the interrupted conflicts and unavoidable shocks of modern life,
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 17 and sacrifices, their children growing up in virtue and goodness. The family is united, deep feelings of respect and affection develop. Later, they will enjoy family reunions, they will feel at home to the greatest joy and satisfaction of their parents. Alas, nearly everywhere else in the family gatherings, one sees discord, opposition, selfishness and in- consideration. Education for the good of the Church far from distorting it, will help in cultivating and In educating the child, you must be convinced perfecting it (Pope Pius XII, Aug. 5, 1951). of accomplishing one of the most worthy tasks. The tides of passion, of liberal and revolutio- Perhaps your work hardly seems so, but it demands nary ideas of the modern world, demand in fact a a big effort and self-sacrifice, it is at the same time solid and in-depth education, if one does not want a form of vocation among the most effective for the to see one’s children dragged by these waves of fate of the Church and the country (Pope Pius XII, universal degradation and corruption. Each one of Dec. 30, 1953). us remembers, such or such parents who have Jesus Christ, as you well know, loves the youth wanted to be Christians and at the same time to so much because they hold the future fate of the keep up with the world trend, and having made so Church and the country (Pope Pius XII, Nov. 4, 1955). many concessions, they have seen their children moving away from the Christian spirit and language These young Catholics of today will be the in an impressive way. priests or young couples of tomorrow who will give Education for peace in the family a new breath of zeal and piety to the Catholic way of life and its responsibilities. What secret joys the solicitude for education has in reserve for parents who do not consider the Education is for the good of society child simply as a burden, a responsibility, or an If by the care given to the good education of amusing human being, but on the contrary are the youth you eradicate evil, you will be molding… fascinated by their achievement! The worries and a new society which will replace the corrupt society the troubles which education demands are largely for the benefit of the future; through your efforts compensated by the adorable wonders of the child’s you are thus working in order to cure the evils of physical and spiritual progress that they witness this society (Pope Pius IX, June 27, 1872). (Pope Pius XII, Jan. 6, 1957). In truth, the true Christian, far from renounc- One cannot express the joy and consolation ing the works of earthly life and reducing his natural of Catholic parents who see, after so many worries faculties, develops them and perfects them by
18 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 co-ordinating them with supernatural life, so as to duced by Christian education (Pope Pius XI, Divini make natural life itself more noble, and give more Illius Magistri). efficient help to it, not only in spiritual and eternal Christian virtues favor the good of society, be things, but also the material and temporal ones. it by the practice of justice, brotherly charity, res- This is what is shown in the whole history of pect of people and values or still by the love of work, Christianity and of its institutions which identify country, and Christian institutions like marriage. themselves with the history of true civilization and Many of these youths will have responsibilities, true progress up to now. This is what is particular- important jobs in society and will be able to have ly shown by all these saints whose most fertile a Christian influence in their sphere. mother is the Church and only Her; they were the The more Catholic education flourishes in living proof of the ideal of Christian education in homes, the more will we mold a young generation its utmost perfection; they have ennobled and en- capable of putting in place solid foundations in riched the human community with all sorts of society. The strength of the bad is the weakness of wealth. the good, and the weakness of the good results In fact, the saints have been, are and will be from the scarcity of virtue. By solid Catholic edu- the greatest benefactors of society, also the most cation we are blazing the path of the restoration perfect models to all social classes and professions, of society. all the states and conditions of life, from the sim- These considerations should stimulate Catho- ple rustic peasant to the learned and the educat- lic parents to take the trouble and wish sincerely ed, from the humble artisan to the army general, to find the means of giving a healthy Catholic edu- from the private man, the father, to the king, lead- cation to their children. er of people and nations, from the poor girls and the housewives to queens and empresses. And The Main Aim of Marriage when only considering the results obtained for the Today, the two aims of marriage are placed material well-being, what about the huge work on an equal footing: procreation and mutual love. accomplished by those missionaries of the Gospel Among too many, what comes first is mutual help, who, with the lights of faith, have brought and and the child becomes only an accessory. His com- bring the benefits of civilization to barbarians; ing is delayed because he upsets the routine. The about this endless cortege of holy male and female number of children is limited because sacrifices will educators who have perpetuated and multiplied have to be made. This attitude, aptly expressed by their action by their expanding institutions of Ivan Gobry, is none other than selfishness in prac- Christian education, help for families and unac- tice and a naturalism in its basis. Selfishness, be- countable advantage to nations? There they are cause, under the pretext of being more available then, these fruits, charitable in every respect, pro- for the other, each looks for his own interest and
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 19 his own peace....Naturalism because instead of founding the unity of the couple on the aim which is God, it is founded on a basis which is sensitive attraction (Love and Marriage, p.60).
The main aim is dual The Church has always taught that marriage has a primary aim which is the procreation and the education of children and the sacrament gives the couple the necessary grace to carry out this ministry with dignity and holiness. they are going to strive to allow this body and its soul to grow and develop to reach adulthood. The Neither should one separate procreation parents are therefore the true collaborators of from education, for the conjugal act is a means God as Creator and Holy Ghost. What a great mis- ordained to God which is our aim. Therefore we sion! procreate for God, in other words, with the view The role of parents does not stop at procrea- of making a crown of glory to God, to populate tion, but it continues and ends in education by heaven. which their children become the living stones of Thus the primary aim is dual: the Mystical Body of Christ, the Catholic Church. The chief aim of marriage is not only to pro- The aim that has been assigned to Christian create children but also to educate them and to marriage is not only to propagate humankind but bring them up in the fear of God and in the faith also to give to the Church children, co-citizens of (Pope Pius XII, speech to young married couples, saints and part of God’s family (Pope Leo XIII, Ar- Mar. 18, 1942). canum Divinae Sapientiae). Here we must stop, dear parents, to contem- What an exalting and daunting ministry! plate. The eternal love of God has brought forth When understood in this manner, we see how ex- man out of nothing. This is creation. But God does traordinary is this power we have in our nature. not stop there. He is going to intervene constantly This is why the Church talks about our primary in the course of centuries to mold and educate a aim being imprinted in our nature and the diversi- chosen people, to help them through His blessings ty and the complementarity of man and woman and chastisements to rise above sin and to live like willed by God. “Multiply and be fruitful”–this is children of God. the procreation and the education of children, the The mutual love of the married couple is ex- propagation and the education of the human spe- tended and embodied in the child. They give birth cies called to form the Mystical Body of Christ. to this small body. But they do not stop there: This is the sublimity of marriage.
20 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 The proper and immediate aim of Christian graces of this sacrament! education is to cooperate with the action of divine This Sacrament, for those who do not oppose grace in the formation of the true and perfect it, not only increases sanctifying grace, the perma- Christian, in other words in the shaping of Christ nent principle of supernatural life, but it also adds Himself in men regenerated by baptism (Pope Pius particular gifts, good inspirations and potential XI, Divini Illius Magistri, 1929). graces; it elevates and improves natural forces, so Therefore it can be said that the path of sanc- that married couples can understand not only tification for parents is through procreation and through reason, but intimately taste and firmly hold, education. These demand extraordinary devotion what is wanted effectively and in practice, that and patience which, if one give them special atten- which relates to the conjugal state, its aims and its tion, form serious Christian virtues. Education is at duties; it provides them lastly with the right to the same time an asceticism and a constant invita- actual graces every time they need to carry out the tion to virtue. This is especially true for mothers. obligations of that state (Pope Pius XI, Casti Con- There is no doubt that the primary function, nubii). the most sublime mission of the woman is mater- Duty of Parents Towards Education nity. It is the ordinary way through which she It must be made clear, the responsibility of reaches her double destiny, earthly and heavenly education is totally incumbent upon the parents (Pope Pius XII, radio broadcast at the Italian until the children become adults. The good of the Women’s Center, 1956). child is at stake. Existence is not enough. He has a This is why the Virgin and Child are so often claim to education in order to reach adulthood. represented together. In fact, what is at the basis The good of the child does not end, with the of Mary’s glory, the origin of all her extraordinary benefit of procreation; the other complement must graces? The Immaculate Conception, her perpetu- be a good education. God, in spite of all His wisdom, al virginity, and all her privileges are derived from would have in a certain mediocre way provided her Motherhood. All her beauty and richness come for the fate of children and the whole human kind, from her cooperation with the work of Redemption if those who have received from Him the power by the fact that she clothed the Word with a human and the right of procreating had not also received nature. the right and responsibility of education. Nobody Dear parents, strive to have holy children, it is unaware, in fact, that the child cannot provide will be your crown of glory in heaven. In order to for himself in matters which are related with natu- accomplish this mission, draw from the graces of ral life: more so in matters related to supernatural the sacrament of marriage. Through this sacrament life: for the duration of several years, he will need you have the gifts of wisdom, counsel, and forti- help from others, teaching and education. It is more- tude to help guide your children. Believe in the over evident that, in conformity with the demands
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 21 of nature and divine order, this right and this duty go against justice if the child, before the age of fall first of all upon those who have begun, through reason, was removed from the care of his parents generation, nature’s work and to whom it is abso- or if he was used in any way against their will.” lutely forbidden to leave the work undertaken And since parents have the obligation to care for unfinished and thus exposing the child to certain the child until he is able to look after himself, it perdition. The education of children which is so must be admitted that they reserve as long as pos- necessary, has already been provided for, in the sible the inviolable right of his education.“ Nature, best possible way, by marriage where, united by a in fact,” the Angelic Doctor continues, “does not bond which cannot be dissolved, the parents are only aim at the creation of the child, but also at always in a position to undertake the task together his development and progress in order to lead him (Pope Pius XI, Casti Connubii). to the perfect state of virtue.” The marriage institution has been foreseen At the start, the legal wisdom of the Church, by the Creator for the good of the child, and one expresses itself thus on this subject, with precision, can gauge today the tragedy of children of divor- clarity and entire completeness of meaning, in the ced parents and “blended families” whose educa- 1917 Code of Canon Law (Can. 1113): “Parents tion has been neglected. They do not know the have the serious obligation of ensuring, to the best equilibrium of a happy, balanced home aiming for of their ability, the religious and moral education his good. This strict duty of parents towards edu- as well as the physical and civil education of their cation is founded onfatherhood . children; they must also provide for their temporal The Angelic Doctor [St. Thomas Aquinas] needs” (Pope Pius XI, Divini Illius Magistri). says...: “The natural father participates in a parti- Pope Pius XII recalled the same doctrine: cular way in the notion of principle which in its The family is the cradle where a new life is born universality is found in God....The father is the and develops, who needs, in order not to perish, origin of generation, education and teaching, and care and education: it is a fundamental right and everything which is related to the betterment of duty, given and imposed by God to parents. Edu- human life. The family thus receives at once from cation in the natural order consists of and aims at the Creator the mission and consequently the right the development of the child to become a complete to provide education to the child; an unalienable human being; Christian education consists of and right, primary to any right of society. aims at the formation of a new human being, re- Of this inviolable right, the Angelic Doctor generated by Baptism, to make him a perfect gives the reason: “The son, in fact, is by nature Christian (Mar. 23, 1952). something of the father....It follows that, by natu- The family is an imperfect society. It does not ral right, the son, before the use of reason, is under have in its bosom all the means of educating the the guardianship of his father. It would therefore child perfectly. It must entrust, at a given time, its
22 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 The abundant graces that the sacrament of marriage gives you have been granted to you in order to sanctify yourselves, enlighten you and strengthen you in your corporal and spiritual min-
istry, for, with natural life, you also have the duty,
as instruments of God, to preserve and contribute in developing, in the children given by Him, the spiritual life infused in them through baptism (Pope Pius XII, Jan. 15, 1941). Both spouses have their complementary and child to a perfect society like the Church or even necessary place. Both mothers and fathers have the State, without however relinquishing its res- their place. ponsibility for the child. Too many parents have a The Mother. It is to her that the first years of for- blind trust in such and such school. They forget mation are entrusted in particular. For this reason that their duty is to verify the education which is she ought not be encumbered by any outside work. being given. If needs be, they must remove their To the mother, above any other person, is en- child from the school. trusted the first education of the tiny tot, in the Never forget this: from the responsibility first months and the first years....You, O mothers, which, by the will of God, ties you to your children, because you are more sensitive and also more ten- no earthly power can untie you....None other than derly loving, must, during the childhood of your you will have to answer in your stead the Eternal babies, follow them every moment with your vigi- Judge when He interrogates you. May each one of lant eye, watch over the development and health you be in a position to answer. “Of those you have of your flesh and the fruit of your maternal womb. given me, I have lost none” ( Jn. 18:9) (Pope Pius XI, Think that these little children, having become Mar. 14, 1937). through Baptism, children of God by adoption, are When God entrusts a child to Catholic couples, Christ’s favorites. Their angels see the face of the He seems to be repeating what the Pharaoh’s heavenly Father. You, too, by looking after these daughter said to the mother of little Moses:“ Take little ones, in fortifying them, by educating them, this child and bring it up for me” (Ex. 11:9). Parents must be other angels who, when caring for them have the grace of state through the sacrament of and guarding them, always look at heaven. From marriage to carry out this mission worthily, but the cradle, you have to start their education, not these graces work best on virtuous soil and on an only [of the body], but [of the spirit]; because if you intelligence enlightened on the principles and duties don’t educate them yourselves, they will educate of education. themselves, well or badly.
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 23 Remember that a lot of behavior, even moral, that you see in the adolescent and in the mature man, truly has its origin in the ways and circumst- ances of the early development of the child; physi- cal habits, contracted by the very young, will become later, perhaps, a great obstacle to the spiritual life of a soul. Therefore you will make sure that all your energies are directed towards the care of your babies in accordance with the demands of a perfect hygiene, so as to prepare and strengthen them for the moment when the use of their reason will awa- ken corporal faculties and healthy, robust organs without deviation of tendencies. The Father. He must cooperate in matters of edu- That is why it is so desirable that, except in the cation by supporting his wife by his authority and case of impossibility, the mother breastfeeds the consulting her about the progress of each child. child. Who can gauge the mysterious influence He must give a good example of Catholic virtues which the nursing mother has on the growth of this and by handling firmly his children, and more parti- little creature who depends entirely on her for his cularly his sons, on the difficult road of adolescence. development? As for the father, one of his main tasks consists Have you never observed these small eyes, undoubtedly in providing for his wife and children, open and questioning, moving unceasingly, which the financial means indispensable to life. But isn’t glide on a thousand objects, staring at this or that, he, above all, the enlightened and wise guide, strong which follow a movement or a gesture, which al- due to personal experience, knowing the great laws ready show joy and sorrow, anger and stubborn- of life and also the deep aspirations and difficulties ness, and these indications of small passions which of his family to whom he provides a spiritual sup- nest in the human heart, before the small lips have port more precious and more necessary than a learned to articulate a word? Don’t be astonished. material support (Pope Pius XII, Mar. 19, 1953) The mind of a small child is a page on which nothing The example of the father has a great power is written in the mother’s womb, but where will be over the children. It is for them a pressing and living written the images and ideas that his eyes and his invitation to surround their mother and their father other internal and external senses come across, hour with respect, veneration and love (Pope Pius XII, by hour, from the cradle to the grave, throughout Apr. 8, 1942). his life and transmit to him the life of the world The evidence of modern society proves the (Pope Pius XII, Oct. 26, 1941). damage done by fathers abdicating from the res-
24 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 ponsibility of education, who lack authority and before God, willful weakness or lack of concern will Catholic conviction, who are unable to serve con- not be excusable. This is the point of St. Leonard. sistently as a model to their sons. Fathers pass A shepherd was imprisoned, locked up and from complicity to violence because they do not isolated without knowing why. While in prison, he know how to solve the problems of everyday life analyzed his past actions. engendering severe imbalance in their girls, but “No doubt,” he said to himself, “they’ve arres- especially their boys: alcoholism, homosexuality, ted me by mistake....What harm have I done? indifference, apathy, lack of energy, initiative, and Everyday I said my rosary. Was it wrong? I played virility. the accordion. I sang the country song. Where is Beauty of the Catholic Mother the wrong? I weaved baskets of rushes and towards Sorry to say that some young mothers find midday I rested under a poplar tree. Is it there that their role as educators unrewarding, a bit worth- there was any wrong? And yet, they have locked less. They must stay at home, nothing is gained.... me up here. Justice, what are you doing? Where are you?” Ladies! Ah, a mother, only one mother, there is nothing I know that moves me, touches me more. Hence it comes: “Come,” Justice says to the pri- God’s masterpiece is the reasonable creature and soner, and he was taken to the judge for sentencing. in the order of this creation, there is nothing more “You’ve mistaken me for someone else. beautiful, nothing better than the mother. This Someone has lied about me!” woman can be common or coarse in other aspects: “Mistake? Slander? Aren’t you the shepherd as a mother, she nearly always has a greatness, a and don’t you call yourself so?” self-denial, a distinction of spirit and heart which “That’s true.” captivate my emotion (Cardinal Pie). “Well, you are condemned to the gallows.” The Curé of Ars used to say that one could “But why, judge?” never be grateful enough for the care given by a “Why?–Here it is. While you were busy play- Catholic mother. In how many lives of saints we ing and singing, or even when you were sleeping can detect the beneficial and determining influence peacefully, your sheep jumped over the hedge, of a deeply Christian mother. Stop for a moment entered some garden and destroyed everything. and think of the benefits you received from your They are animals; they are not responsible. It was mother. your responsibility to look after them. You will bear Parable of St. Leonard of Port Maurice the sentence for the damage they have caused.... We end with a parable from a sermon of [T]he animals have no discernment. It was your St. Leonard of Port Maurice (1677 1751). Education responsibility to watch over them, to shout and to is a serious duty for parents. We must know that use the stick. Well, you will bear the consequences
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 25 of what they did.” parents for the wrong that their own children Fathers and mothers, this allegory concerns have done? you. You will appear one day before God’s tribunal, This poor countryman must account for the and without knowing why you will be condemned. damage caused by his sheep in his neighbor’s “But the reason, Lord?” garden, and you, fathers and mothers,...would you Here it is. While you, father and mother, not have to account for the damages done in your went out to enjoy yourselves, at some meeting, or home and elsewhere by that dissolute son, that while you were asleep or closing your eyes, your immodest daughter, that unrestrained boy...? young apprentices, your children, like the vivacious You sometimes say:“ I have a son, I have a sheep, broke the gate of divine precepts, entered daughter who will be the cause of my damnation.” this garden of innocence, and have taken off the Oh! how true you are! For I am of the opinion that leaves of the lilies of purity which adorned it. They a lot of parents who live well besides, will be con- were brainless animals. It was your duty to guard demned because of their children whose behavior them from doing wrong. While you were enjoying they tolerate and condone. Through your dissolute that feast or that show, your young people, like love for these children, you are the cause of their hotheaded bulls jumped over the ditch, and one eternal destruction, and the destruction of your cannot tell the wrong they have done. It resulted children, will, in turn, be the cause of yours. in a big scandal for the whole country. It was your (To be continued) responsibility, you, father, mother, or employer, to use the rod and keep them under control. There- (Fr. Alain Delagneau was ordained a priest of the Society fore you must bear the consequences of the wrong of Saint Pius X in 1980, and is the head retreat master at they have committed. the retreat house, Our Lady of Pointet in Escurolles, in cen- tral France. This article originally appeared in the French Does that astonish you? Human justice con- publication Marchons Droit, No.44, 1988, It was translated demned this shepherd for the wrong which his by Fr. Gerard Ockerse, a priest of the Society of Saint Pius sheep did and divine justice would not condemn X, ordained in 1994.)
"Seek refuge in Mary because she is the city of refuge. We know that Moses set up three cities of refuge for anyone who inadvertently killed his neighbor. Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy, Mary, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides shelter and strength for the sinner." – St. Anthony of Padua
26 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018
Pope Pius XII and Sports
Fr. Therasian Babu, FSSPX
o pope has spoken so often, so well and on young couples, bankers, army generals, railway N so many subjects as Pius XII. He had on workers, doctors, etc., and to speak to them of amazing gift for adapting himself to every kind of their own problem with sympathetic insight and audience – Children or statesman, factory workers, presenting them acatholic solution. Countless people of every class went to see him and hear his counsels. In an address on Nov 6, 1955 he mentions about “the ever-growing numbers of those who want to not merely to see the Vicar of Christ but to hear his counsels on the most varied topics”. “There is a holy desire,” he added, “to seek in the doctrine of Christ the principles for solving the problems which are keeping individuals and nation in suspense”. While our children are on their summer holi- days, it is opportune for the educators to reflect a little bit on the sports as part of Catholic education. How does the church see it? What are the Catho- lic principles regarding sports & athletics? Well, Pius XII, has given us some principles from which
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 27 closer to God”. Consequently, what is helpful to attain these ends according to their proper hierar- chy is right; wrong is what is not conducive to these ends or upsets their mutual order.
Following the simile of art – instrument, artist,
and use of the instrument – the Holy Father distin- guishes in sport also, the instrument: the artist: the soul; the use of the instrument: the sport activity. The instrument: the body Religious teaches that man’s body was formed by the Creator to be the dwelling-place and instru- we can surely draw some beautiful lessons. While ment of the soul: that is, matter was raised to be we may quote plenty of discourses (cf. Note 1). in the immediate service of the spirit, and thereby We will here present the Holy Father’s allocution the material and the spiritual worlds were myste- to 800 participants in the Italian Congress of Sport riously joined in the unity of human nature. More and Physical Education, on Nov. 8, 1952. What still: the human body was called to be a temple of follows here is a summary of an article written by God, of the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6, 13, 15, Fr. De Letter SJ, presenting this discourse of Pope 19, 20), and a member of Christ. Such is the actual Pius XII. (cf. The Clergy Monthly, 11 (1953) pp. 223 dignity of the Christian in a state of grace. And -229 though naturally tending towards decay and death, Hierarchy of Finalities life other living things, yet the human body will rise As to the moral and religious evaluation of again unto immortality (1 Cor. 15, 42f.). So much sport, its guiding principle is that of the hierarchy for the dignity of the human body according to of finalities. For there is more to that activity than God’s supernatural design. the above-mentioned purpose. A four-fold grada- This theoretical teaching entails a practical tion can be detected in its finality: “its immediate rule. Because of the dignity of the human body, end is the education, development, and strength- natural and super natural, a greater respect is due ening of the body, statically and dynamically; a to the instrument of the spirit and the temple of more remote end, the employment, by the soul, the Holy Spirit. This respect should be of the right of the body so prepared, for the development of kind, as it will be if the primacy of the spirit is main- the interior and exterior life of the person; an even tained: the body does not come first. Hence“ the more profound end, is that of contributing to the practical maxim: care and strengthening of the soul’s perfection; its supreme end, as of man in body, yes; cult or divinization of the body, no”. general and of every human activity, is to bring man Besides, revelation also tells us (Rom. 7. 23)
28 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 about the inner conflict in fallen man, conflict and natural modesty, due care of one’s life and between the spirit and the flesh in which“ the in- health, of one’s family, of one’s profession, of one’s stincts and forces of the body assert themselves good name and true honour, must not be subordi- and, stifling the voice of reason, prevail over the nated to sport activities, to athletic victories and strength of the will’s aspiration to what is good”. glory… In sport too, it is an unchangeable law that Theology calls this inclination to evil by the name success is not a sure guarantee of moral rectitude”. of concupiscence. This sequel of original sin must 3. Sport must keep its proper place in the scale taken into account. of human activities. Both reason and Christian In a word, just as the body itself, so also its conscience tell us that sport and athletics are not exercise in sport, must serve and help, not com- the only chief thing in human life; they are a help, mand. but not indispensable values. To make sport one’s The artist: The Soul supreme scope in life would be strangely to ignore man’s greatness. Sport which does not serve the soul is nothing more than a vain movement of the limbs, a show The Pope gives striking confirmation of his of fleeting attractiveness, an ephemeral pleasure”. teaching in a moving reference to the sick and “It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits noth- crippled, the war-crippled especially, who are un- ing” (John 6, 64). A fundamental maxim of Chris- able to practise sports. “A crippled and sick body tian life is that the soul is the determining factor, can house a great, even a genial and heroic soul.” the commanding principle, in every external acti- sick or crippled people who accept their mission of vity of man, in sport as well; just as in music it is suffering and strive to fulfil the mysterious design the touch of the artist, not the instrument, that of God have a special title of nobility and greatness. determines the melody. They should not envy the healthy, but generously take part in their joy. Able-bodied men, in their Accordingly, all external bodily activity as that turn, should show the disabled sincere understand- of sport, in order to be truly human and worthy of ing and great kindness, for the sick carry the burden a Christian, must obey the following three laws: of the others (cf. Gal. 6, 2; 1 Cor. 12, 26). 1. The principle of the hierarchy of finalities must be a basic criterion in judging sport and ath- Practice and Sport and Athletics letes: the highest admiration must go, not to him Here the pope speaks of the concrete means who has the strongest muscles, but to him who of making the practice of sports conforms to their knows best how to submit them to the spirit. right conception. “ Do you wish to act rightly in 2. In case of conflict of interests, those of the sport and athletics? Keep the commandments! soul may not be sacrificed to the body. “Truth and (cf. Mat. 19, 17-20)”. probity, love, justice and equity, moral integrity Contd. on pg. 38
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 29 Christianity in India
Fr. Joseph C. Houpert, S.J.
The following is the sixth part in our series of excerpts from whereas previous Nestorian prelates had taught the book “Christianity in India, Burma and Ceylon,” published them there were in Christ two persons; God and by the Catholic Truth Society of India in 1958. man, as sign, says Dr. Fortescue, that the trouble Early Catholic Missions (1500-1834) was not about creed or dogma, but about discipline 17th Century: New Foreign Traders—New Inland and nationalism. In reality they are not Jacobites, Missions—the Jacobite Schism—Dutch Calvinists but only fail to obey the Pope (According to the in India and Ceylon Metropolitan of Malankara their head, under the THE JACOBITE SCHISM spiritual authority of the Jacobite Patriarch of In 1653 the St. Thomas Christians, except Antioch, the India Jacobites “admit the perfect man- about four hundred, gave up their allegiance to the hood and perfect Godhead of Jesus Christ.” They Jesuit bishop, Francis Garcia, and tried to restore are in communion with the Armenian and Coptic the former church government under an Indian churches of the Near East – see his statement in the archdeacon and a Bishop from Persia. Before 1663, Year Book of Missions, 1912 p. 148). however, already 84 churches had come back to The reconciled Christians, then under Dutch unity under a Carmelite prelate; but 32 churches rule, were entrusted to the Carmelite vicar apos- have remained in schism to this day and in 1665 tolic of Verapoly in 1656, while those under the became nominally Jacobites, or Monophysites Zamorin of Calicut remained with the Jesuit arch- who admit in Christ only one nature, the Divine, bishops of Angamaly. That see remained vacant till
30 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 1694 and was then occupied by a series of Jesuit The apostates were many, less among the Archbishops till 1848. Likewise the Carmelite Fri- poor and lowly, than the well-to-do who wanted ars held the Vicariate Apostolic of Malabar from favors and employment from the new rulers. 1656 until it became the Archbishopric of Verapoly These same families later left Calvinism for the An- in 1886. glican Church, or reverted to paganism. Many oth- ers fled to Kandy; but for many years neither they THE DUTCH IN INDIA AND CEYLON nor those who remained in Dutch territory had Another great calamity was the Dutch any churches or priests or books for instruction. Calvinist persecution. It caused the ruin of all the And yet in spite of persecution, as Sir Emerson missions in Ceylon and of several in South India. writes (Christianity in Ceylon, p. 42): The Franciscan bishop of Cochin had al- “The Catholic religion retained its influ- lotted the South of Ceylon to the Franciscans and ence in Ceylon. It was openly professed by the de- the Tamil North, Jaffna and Mannar, to the Jesu- scendants of the Portuguese and in private was its. There were also Dominicans and Augustinians, equally adhered to by large numbers of Sinhalese as the partition was not meant to be exclusive. All and Tamils whom neither corruption nor coercion these missions met with a common ruin. could induce to abjure it.” The Jesuits began effective work in Jaffna This sad state of affairs lasted for thirty only in 1623. Sixteen fathers worked there and years. Happily for the new generation of Catholics, the mission soon became “the largest and the in April 1687 there landed at Jaffna in a beggar’s best of all the missions in charge of the Jesuit garb the great Oratorian Joseph Vaz, a Brahmin of province of Malabar, the largest,” wrote Solveyro Goa (1651-1711). For nine years the holy priest in 1641, “in the number of Christians and the worked single-handed, visiting many places in dis- best, because of the docility of the people and the guise, with a price fixed on his head by the Dutch. care with which all treat the things of God.” In His efforts, seconded afterwards by other Indian three years some 30,000 were baptized and in Oratorians, happily arrested the extinction of the 1658 they exceeded 50,000. Then came the faith. From Kandy, as center, they could radiate Dutch. In May 1656 after a siege of seven months over the island, so that in 1710 there were 70 they took Colombo and in a year or two were mas- thousand Christians, besides many secret neo- ters of all the coast of Ceylon. Fifty churches, many phytes, while the Dutch jealously guarded the chapels, seven convents and the Jesuit colleges of coast. There were 15 churches and 400 chapels. Colombo and Galle were des- troyed or made As to India in 1661 the Dutch seized Qui- warehouses and dwelling quarters. All the priests, lon, then Cannanore and in 1663 Cochin and oth- being Portuguese, were banished as spies and the er places. Cochin suffered most. All the clergy— Catholic religion was proscribed. Portuguese and Italian—were expelled, the mon-
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 31 asteries, colleges, bishop’s palace, two hospitals, the reconversion of Jacobites. thirteen churches and chapels were razed to the A Jesuit lay brother Pedro de Basto affirmed ground and the magnificent cathedral of the Holy he was told in a vision that the Hollanders were Cross turned into a Dutch warehouse. Thus had only an instrument in the hands of God to punish Calvinism turned anti-Christian. All the Portuguese the Portuguese and would soon melt away as salt were banished from the Malabar Coast; yet Span- in water. And so they did. There remain in Ceylon ish and Italian Carmelites were later tolerated by a few hundred Dutch descendants served by Pres- the Dutch, just as they were by the English in Bom- byterian ministers from Scotland. After 1796 when bay. The Syrian Christians too remained unmoles- the English expelled the Dutch, part of the Christians ted, but the expulsion of the Carmelites arrested in India and Ceylon became Anglicans.
“There are so many reasons why we should love this our loving queen, that if all the earth should praise Mary, and all sermons treat of her alone, and all men should give their lives for Mary, it would yet be little compared to the homage and gratitude we owe her, for the very tender love she bears to all men, even to the most miserable sinners who preserve towards her any feeling of devotion. Raymond Jordan declares that Mary cannot but love those who love her. Nay she does not disdain even to serve those who serve her, using, if they are sinners, all the power of her intercession to obtain par- don for them from her blessed Son. And so great, he goes on to say, is her kindness and compassion, that no one, however degraded he may be, should fear to cast himself at her feet, since she rejects no one who has recourse to her. Mary, as our most loving advocate, offers herself to God the prayers of her servants, especially those which are offered to her; for as the Son intercedes for us with the Father, thus she intercedes for us with the Son, and never ceases to intercede with both for our salvation, and to obtain for us the favors that we ask. Rightly, then, does the blessed Denis, the Carthusian, call the holy Virgin the peculiar refuge of the lost, the hope of the wretched and the advocate of all sinners
who have recourse to her.” – St. Alphonsus Ligouri
32 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018
Book Review: MARIAN MEDITATIONS
Part One
APRIL 08, 2018
It is not easy to write well on Our Lady. St. Thérèse de Lisieux said in one of her last saying that “all the sermons on Our Lady that she had heard left her cold… If a sermon on the Blessed Virgin is to bear fruit, it must present her real life, “Think deeply what it means. Try to be penetrate as the Gospels let it appear, not her supposed deep and deeper into this mystery. You will derive life”. The volume under review by a Salesian priest much advantage from it” (p. 21). Indeed What – originally written in Spanish – presents exactly strikes one much is the fact that there is a perfect that. And it succeeds in giving the reader a glimpse chord between doctrine and piety. This book is of the real life of Our Lady. This is what God had neither over-pious nor too complicated. in his mind and it is precisely what we must imitate. Each meditation has three (or four) points This book will help you with that. where the author presents the mystery in a simple “We are dealing with a mystery. Therefore term for our consideration. The last points are usu- we cannot plumb the depths of it since we would ally for practical purpose. For example, on Annun- be lost in its immensity. Nevertheless, it is sweet ciation,“ Learn prudence of Mary. How easily we and consoling to ponder, as far as in us lies, over believe something to be God’s business, seeing it those reasons for which Mary… had to be our as easily as a suggestion from an angel when it mother”,(p.24). This is what the author intends resounds to our own profit or glory. How readily to present in 40 meditations. we sprint towards those things that please us. And After presenting who Mary is (meditation #1,2) how often we afterwards realize that the inspira- he presents the points for meditation on the Imma- tion did not after all come from the Angel of Light culate Conception (#3-9), the name of Mary (#13,14), but from the Angel of Darkness, and what we the Presentation of Our Lady (#15-17), the Espousal thought to be a divine whisper was in reality a temp- of Our Lady (#18), the Annunciation (#18-28), the tation! Examine, meditate, take advice, so that you Visitation (#29-31), Magnificat (#32-38), the Expec- may always be right in your choice and resolves, tation of Christ’s Birth (#39) and on the road to thereby imitating the prudence of your Heavenly Bethlehem (#40). Mother” (p. 129).
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 33 We do notice few errors. p. 23 ‘that’ should the Marian dogmas and a conviction of the mean- be read “than” P. 74: ‘heart’ is misspelled and on ing of her mission which may well prove the secret p. 76: ‘Blessed Lady’, p. 150 ‘Mary’… Some phrases of fruitful preaching. sound awkward like p.15 ‘Be confused in God’s It is equally and highly recommended to laity love for Mary’. These are just a few errors which alike. They cannot afford to miss it. This book will do not take away the essential soundness of the prove of practical use to its reader and a joy to rest of the work. them as well. This book may be warmly recommended to Kolbe Publications have done a wonderful job. priests, but they should not expect to find ready- The printing and color pictures throughout the book made sermon; they will find better than that, if are very attractive. With these new volumes the only they can afford the unhurried and meditated publishers have doubled the debt of gratitude the reading it requires to let the central idea of the English speaking traditional world owes them. book to sink in. They will acquire an insight into Fr. Therasian Babu SSPX
Yes, truly, Theotimus, Divine Love being seated upon our Savior’s Heart as upon His royal throne, beholds by the cleft of His pierced side all the hearts of the sons of men: for this Heart being the King of hearts keeps His eyes ever fixed upon hearts. But as those that look through a lattice see others clearly, and are but half-seen themselves, so the Divine Love of this Heart, or rather this Heart of Divine Love, con- tinually see our hearts clearly and regards them with the eyes of His Love, but we do not see Him, we only half-see Him. For, O God! If we could see Him as He is, we should die of love for Him, so long as are mortal; as He Himself died for us while He was mortal, and as He would yet die, if He were not immortal. O when we hear this Divine Heart, as it sings with a voice of infinite sweetness the canticle of praise to the Divinity, what joy, Theotimus, what efforts of our hearts to spring up to heaven that we may ever heart it!...Oh what a delight will it be to our hearts, when, our voices being tuned and accorded to our Savior’s, we shall take part in the infinite sweetness
of the praises which the well-beloved Son gives to His Eternal Father! – St. Francis de Sales
34 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 FSSPX.NEWS (Rome): Training for Exorcists in Rome Reveals Difficulties and Truths on the Subject
APRIL 23, 2018 The thirteenth edition of the course on exorcism and the liberation prayer organized by the Sacer- dos Institute of the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum in Rome was held from April 16 to 21, 2018.
“To tell the truth, exorcism is a difficult field,”
Fr. Pedro Barrajon, professor of theology at the
Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum, told Vatican News on April 8, 2018. “But we must never forget,” he added, “that it is a ministry of charity and mercy.” When asked about the difficulties in finding priests willing to accomplish their mission as exor- prayer. They did not feel prepared. This gave birth cists, Fr. Barrajon answered: “A priest should always to the idea of offering them a serious, scientific, be ready to welcome the ministry of exorcist if theological, interdisciplinary panorama” on the the bishop asks it of him, even if he does not like subject. “For several decades,” admitted the priest, the idea. I understand that it is not very attractive “theology abandoned the teaching on this subject.” on first sight,” remarked the priest, adding that However, according to Vatican News, re- this ministry is important, not optional. “Every course to exorcism has tripled in the past thirty priest needs to be accompanied, to be formed to years. In Italy, according to recent numbers, there face concrete cases. An act of exorcism is not an are at least half a million people involved in exor- act of magic.” cisms. Speaking of the history of the course, the Why Have Recourse to Exorcism? professor of theology said, “Fifteen years ago, It is important for priests to be able to use their priests who came to our institute asked us to power as exorcists in a world where Satan has teach them more on exorcism and the liberation almost complete freedom. But can we not also
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 35
regret the disappearance of the sacrosanct rites consequences, the sacrifice of the Mass being the of the Church intended to fight against the devil heart, the soul, the mystical fountain of the Church. and his influence? The entire history of Protestantism is an illustra- With the application of the Vatican Council II, tion of Luther’s blasphemous words: ‘Destroy the the order of exorcist was abolished, and became a Mass and we will destroy the Church’ (conference simple service like all the other minor orders that 1971 in Barcelona). That is Satan’s masterstroke. candidates to the priesthood receive. And almost In this same conference, the founder of the all the exorcism rites meant to expel the devil and Society of St. Pius X quoted the poet Jacques De- make room for sanctifying grace were removed bout, in whose poem Satan, speaking against Our from the new baptismal rite. Lord, describes the value of a Mass: Worse yet, the Holy Mass, by which Satan is The demon of Wealth: What does he use defeated, underwent a Protestant-flavored reform against us? that denatured its value and its efficacy. Satan - J. Debout: Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, in his fight to The Eternal Sacrifice That crushes my head main- tain the Tradition of the Church and the and hard as I strive Steals from me daily souls Sacrifice of the Mass with its rite unchanged, un- dead and alive. derstood the mystery of iniquity at work in the … These Masses are so many Revolutions In the sanctuary: true but hidden destiny of nations. Unseen their I owe it to the truth to say and affirm without action, and yet so profound That they alone can fear of error that the Mass codified by Pius V turn the Worlds around. The Mass, surpassing expresses clearly these three realities: sacrifice, both the Priest and Missal, Is an event that’s always real presence and the priesthood of the clergy. It universal. takes into account also the essential relation with And when I fail before some obstacle, Some - the sacrifice of the Cross, that is the source of the where in a church, a barn, a hovel, The hands of a supernatural virtue of the Mass. Diminishing or man poorer, weaker than mine, Have held the blurring in any way the expression of our faith in dread Host and the terrible Wine. these realities, which constitute the very essence of the sacrifice bequeathed to us by our Lord Jesus Source : FSSPX-News Christ, Himself, can lead to the most disastrous
“We the Christians are the true Israel which springs from Christ,
for we are carved out of his heart as from a rock ” ̶ St. Justin, Martyr
36 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 FSSPX.NEWS (World): Profanation of the Sacrament of Divine Love
APRIL 10, 2018 up not believing in it anymore.” (Cf. Mass of all times) Footage recorded at São Geraldo Magela And as for the priests how prescribe such abo church in the Archdiocese of Sorocaba on Easter - mination: Is it not a greater crime than Ju- Sunday is going viral on the net. It shows a drone das’s? How will he face the good God on his flying in the door and delivers a monstrance Judgment day? with the Blessed Sacrament to the priest. The And already on the threshold of eternity, if congre- gation cheered and clapped as the the priest in meeting with Christ should ask: drone made its way to the altar. (RT News “Who art Thou, Lord?” Jesus may reply, not in the This impious and sacrilegious act needs seri- words He spoke to Saul, but with a look which ous reparation. But what is the cause? It is the could be transcribed: “For thee, I am a nobody; priest’s fault? Who is to blame? Msgr. Lefebvre even my Name you took from every day from the clearly points out the source of all these abuses: first words of her liturgy to the last, kept on re- The New Mass! peating through thy lips, with ecstatic self-abase- “Now the Real Presence is practically denied ment: ‘My Lord and My God!’ thou, with the voice even by priests, and perhaps even by bishops, of thy lewd concupiscence over-mastering thy because the marks of adoration of the Blessed heart and memory and imagination and every atom Sacrament are no longer given. They rarely gen- of thy foul being, didst declare: ‘Impossible! uflect. It is really unimaginable! In the end, they How could I behave like this towards a real God? come to believe that the Eucharist is only bread, No, God is not here: this is nothing but a paro- in remembrance of Our Lord, but not His real dy, a means of livelihood; the most I am doing is Body and Blood, nor His Divinity. If you do not pretending; I’m a good actor on the stage.’ And genuflect before Our Lord, if you do not show therefore, to thee I have been a nobody, whereas respect before the Real Presence of Our Lord Je- thou, at my profaned altars from the first word sus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, you will end to the last that came out of thy infamous mouth,
Cor Jesu | May-June 2018 37 thou in all thy movements and at every step was beg the Sacred Heart to accept our humble acts a cynical hypocrite, a poisonous viper.” “The hour of expiation ‘for the profanation of the very Sac- is come now to tear away every mask, to light up rament of His Divine Love’. (Act of Reparation to every dark corner, and to restore to each one his the Sacred Heart, Pius XI). proper name.” (the Priest at prayer) Source: FSSPX.Asia/en/news-events/news Let us kneel down in spirit of reparation and
Contd. from pg. 29 “When the religious and moral implications of sport are respected, then it is called to enter In particular: Keep your duty towards God a man’s life as a factor of equilibrium, harmony, (Exod. 20, 2f.); keep holy the Lord’s day. Keep and perfection, and as a powerful help for the your duty towards your family (Exod. 20, 12): fulfilment of his other duties”. “Enjoy, then, the family obligations take precedence over the correct practice of sport and athletics,… but, in demands of sport or of sport associations. Keep the midst of this thrilling and exhilarating activity, your duty towards human life, in yourself and do not forget what is more precious than any- others (Exod. 20, 13); health and life should not thing else in life: the soul, conscience, and at be exposed inconsiderately to serious danger. the summit of all things, God”. Keep the commandments, and the natural (Note 1: Among other discourses: July 29, 1945, virtues of sportsmanship will be safe: “sincerity, to representatives of the Central Sports School of the loyalty, a chivalrous spirit”. Which avoid the use U.S. Armed Forces: on the influence of athletics on of trickery and deceit, and consider the good character formation; June 26, 1946, to cyclists of the th name and the honour of the adversary of equal 29 ‘tour of Italy’; September 26, 1948; to participants value as one’s own. in the National Congress of the Alpine Club; letter to Fr. Archambault, S.J., president of the Semaine Sociale Be fidelity to this right order, “the physical du Canada, 1946, on the education of youth; May 20, exertion becomes, as it were, exercise of human 1945 to 10000 young men of sports & athletics: and Christian virtues; and so it should be if sport November 1951, to international group of sports is to rise above itself, attain one of its moral writers) objectives and be preserved from materialistic deviations which would debase its value and nobility”.
38 Cor Jesu | May-June 2018
Society of Saint Pius X
S S P X
The Society of St. Pius X is an international priestly society of common life without vows, whose purpose is the priesthood and that which pertains to it.