The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-01-25
MISSION OF TRUE
CATHOLIC MOTHERHOOD

Family and the Pivot of the Lives
of the Children Entrusted to Her by
God.
One of the most disastrous effects
the disappearance of the home, prop
erly so called, and the consequent
deviation of the mother from her true
place, which is the center of the fam
lily and the pivot of her children's
lives. The standard of civilization,
says the Ave Maria, is everywhere
judged by the home, and the nucleus
of the home in every race and cline is
indisputably the mother. The trend
of Socialism is to separate the child
from the mother and hand him over
to the State; and reason must have
reached a very low ebb with the
women of today when they listen I'M
moved to theories that would, if real
lied, rob them of their highest prerog-
atives. But the vocation of mother
hood was already on the decrease. Ma
terialism now pushes it hard. A more
alarming symptom than the declining
birth-rate is the assumption of the
name of mother by women who have
merely brought child into the world.
Can she be titled mother who does
not devote even one-fourth of her day
to the care and upbringing of her Off
spring? What are her claims to rev.
erence and obedience whose life is
filled with a thousand occupations in
which her children have no part? Can
irresponsible, frivolous butterflies of
fashion, whose main ambition is to
look as young as their grown-up daugh-
tiers, command allegiance and affec-
ton? With the introduction of a hun
dred labor-saving machines, hands for
merly busy in household work were
made idle; and swifter, easier meth
DDS of lecomotion draw apart the in
mates of the home. But wherever the
mother faithfully fulfills her RESPONSE
bilities, there need be no disruption of
the family circle. Unfortunately, very
many women seem to have lost their
footing, and are striving to fill up the
gap in their lives occasioned by super
| f1uous leisure.
Mothers Should Check Drift to Bar
barism.
1t should be remembered that the
greatest leaders and profoundest
\ thinkers were formed in the quiet
sanctity of the perfect home. When
life was not frittered between travel
and the theater; when, instead of a
| host of acquaintance, one had a few
friends, interests fostered and shared
were more intense. There were time
and capacity for enjoyment of the
purer, deeper springs of thought, and
home was indeed a haven of love and
rest. Today there is every induce
ment to abandon serious work or
thought. The charm of the superficial
attracts from every side; meaningless
and corrupt vaporings, under the name
of literature, confront us at every
turn. This is the moment when moth
ems should reassert their dignity
come forward and check the advance
of materialism that is demoralizing
their sons, and profit of every weapon
within the.r reach to Danish the demon
of Anarchy who is scheming for their
degradation No mother worthy of
the name can remain Indifferent while
a return to barbarism is threatened
by the Socialistic doctrines preached
with impunity on all sides.
Responsibility of Catholic Mothers.
With every barrier removed that
guards the home, the position OF
woman and child reverts to what it
was before Christianity elevated it in
the holy Sacrament of Matrimony-
the only safeguard of the family. With
Socialism's appalling menace so close
and so persistent, there is no excuse
for any mother, but more particularly
for the Catholic mother, to live in
apathy or indifference. Hers is the
greatest responsibility; for every
means is within her reach to cope sue
cessfully with the enemy. Certainty
of doctrine, glorious example, enlight
ened instruction on all subjects OF
public morality, belong to her by right
as member of the mightiest institu.
ton the world has ever seen, divine
} ly-inspired Church What a sorry
mental calibre must be that of the
woman who directs her energies to
anything but the formation of young
souls, to carry on the sublime ideals
| taught by this wonderful agency in
} every zone of the earth! Those who
realize what Catholic motherhood
means will rejoice in their power and
opportunities, spurn all lesser goals OF
worldly ambition, and combine all their
talents in one aim: the guidance OF
the children confided to them by God
Spirit of Charity Permeates Her Acts
The spirit of charity permeates the
Catholic mothers acts. Her mother
hood extends beyond her immediate
} own, not only to the motherless lads
J in her neighborhood, but wherever
: the missionary flag attracts her at
} tention. Her views are large, bounded
by neither ocean nor continent; hel
/ goals are high; for she is part of {
} whole, a unit of one vast aggregation
: held together by supernatural ties