The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-02-25
The Three Eminent Good Works.

Inc lnT66 Eminent GOCQ WOTkS.
Every Christian knows from the teachings Of
his catechism, that the three eminent good
works are prayer, fasting and allnegivipg; for
these practice embrace the three cardinal viz
tines of Faith, Hope and Charity, and refer in
the traction respectively to man, his neghbor,
and his God.
The counsel from inspired lips is to "pray
oil al~ays,' to deny yourself," and to remember
that I" yon have he poor with you always
three precepts which include all the duties as
signed to Der children by Mother Church during
this hcly season of Lent.
Every act which is done through love of
God, and IL a state Of grace, is a prayer, accord
ing to tue teachings of theologiaus. The father
a. his busy laboIs, the mother at her anxious
tasks, the youth at his studies, and the servant
at her daily work, may nomeptly offer up TO
God an homage of love, worship of faith, as
acceptable as the words of prayer.
Tho def milton of the word prayer" an ele-
vation of the soul to God"-implies no absolute
connection with spoken words, although these
naturally accompany the thoughts of devotion,
for - out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaketh." How easy, then, for the
Christian to offer up in the morning every
thought, word and action of his daily life, and
thus accomplish the divine inj JUNCTION Pray
always"
To deny ourselves is another great and con-
slant duty, and binds all alike. The first den ial
is of sin, then of idle pleasures, and lastly of
lawful eDjoyments. Alas, that even during
this holy season there are Christians who can
not even refrain from that which offends God,
while only few deny themselves any plea.
sures; aud still smaller number refuse to
sacrifice their legitimate epjoyments upon the
altar of Religion!
For these poor Catholics, unable to be gen
erous from impulse, the Church prescribes tho
duties of this season, and dictates to them the
very acts of self den ial which they must per-
form; and we'll for them if they are obedient
to her commands. L" He who hears you, hears
Me-" and these words convey the consoling
truth that to DO obedient children of the
Church makes US obedent also unto God
"Give atscs - is the third imperative oblga
ton and one which every man can practice, fol
he VITO cannot perform n corporeal act Of
mercy, is at least able TO give spiritual aims
a kiud word to the erriug claims an equal re-
ward with the giving of food TO the hungry
for side by side with the seven cOrporcal works
run the seven spiritual acts of mercy hich
will entltle the doer to those gracious words
Come good and faithful servant, enter thou
into the glory of thy Lord"
! Bnt tho literal giving of aims to the poor it
within the reach Of all. The widows mite is
| as acceptable as the rich mans pound, and
there is none so poor as to be unable to give 6
little to the many deserving charities which
| demand his aid.
Here in our city the objects of our charity
f are manifold and each one sub1imely bea aatiful
Tho orphans, the insane the aged poor, the
outcasts of society, the sick, the dying, al
await our help and claim as q right what we
would fain bestow favor. The Diocesan
Associ alton is another call upon our charity
whloh appeals to every generous feeling in the
hearts of Iouisanians. Oar venerable Arch
bishop asks for our help in a noble task, self
imposed for the sake of truth and justice.
In other days his hands were stretched to
Give, now he extends them to beg-not for
bimsolf, but for the hnmblest of his flock
Many ChriStieIs eagerly desire to give aims
: but are ignorant of the beat means for SO doing
i The Church, as in everything pertaining to heI
f mission, is our guide in this. She shows us the
4 objective have but to give; and certainly the
r object recommended by the venerated Head Of
q this Arch diocese is well calculated to satisfy
oil ones desires in connection with the precept
j., which concerns our neighbor.
Let q part of our Lenten aims, then, how to
wards this gracious channel, for we can rest
D assured that they will issue thence in streami
i of benedioton for both our city and our State
d Aud now that we have spoken of the form o
of the three eminent good works required of al
e Christians, we have few words to say Of thei
q spirit-all of which may be epitomised in tha
L in Of m
. | thy heart"
The motive alone makes the action merito
rious in the sight of God, and while the ChuroI
. prescribes our duties, He alone gives grace t.
discharge them we'll. If We pray, fast, or Civ
D aims through auy other motive than that n