The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-11-24

writer. These details will not be pub
lished, but they are required as a
guarantee of good faith. No anony-
nous communications will be recog-
nized.
Why did Martin Luther found the
Lutheran Church?
Many reasons have been alleged by
Luther and his followers. An impair
tial historian, however, will admit
that Luther tired of submission to
authority and discipline, and desired
TO throw off the shackles of Rome, as
he styled it. Possibly, the various
causes which led to Luther's rebellion
might be summed up in the one word,
pride. So fell Lucifer.
Need children be baptised before
they reach the use of reason?
AS explained elsewhere, baptism is
necessary for salvation. The express
sion, Suffer little children to come
unto Me-" does not preclude the
necessity of baptism.
Precisely how long does the aver
age person have to remain in pur-
gatory?
The doctrines of the Church do not
let us know. Private revelations to
saints indicate that some souls, at
least, have to remain long time. 1t
stands to reason that persons who led
wicked lives, then were penitent
shortly before death, might have to
suffer very much longer than those
who led lives full of good works and
penance. The private revelations to
saints indicate that some souls prob
ably must remain in purgatory until
the Day of Judgment. However, we
can help any soul by our prayers and
good works. The souls of the faith
full departed have passed the stage
where mercy is extended unless it
comes through our prayers. They can
not help themselves at all. Their
time of probation is over and the
period of strict justice, so far as self
help is concerned, has arrived. But
God is good enough to give us the op-
portunity of helping them, and we
should eagerly grasp it especially in
this month of the holy souls. The
exact time souls must remain in pur-
gatory is one of Gods secrets.
What is meant by "a suggestive
Dress" as far as Catholic women are
concerned?
-, IN GHnc for nc
Catholic women are concerned, be-
cause what would be suggestive on
the part of a Catholic woman would
be equally reprehensible on the part
of any lady A dress is suggestive in
the same general manner that pic
ture, or song, or play is suggestive.
A suggestive dress is one that offends
modesty, purity and decency; a dress
that might be temptation to a clean
hearted person, that could be the
occasion of the use of evil desires in
a person of clean soul.
How is one to know whether he is
called to be priest or not?
Usually Almighty God does not give
a young man as explicit and definite
call as he did st. Paul. If youth,
however, hears the interior voice of
conscience bidding him harken to the
will of God in this regard, he should
pray increasingly and seek the advice
of his spiritual director. If he is
called to the priesthood the will of
God in this regard will be sufficiently
clear to make him morally certain in
this matter.
Is there any way to tell whether the
soul of dead person is in Heaven
or not?
The only way is by revelation from
God, or by an act of the Church in
canonizing that person.
Is it as wrong to steal ten cents as
it is to steal one thousand dollars?
To steal is to take unjustly what
rightfully belongs to another. Hence,
it is clear that the more valuable the
object the greater is the injustice
done. 1t is apparent, therefore, that
the filching of ten cents is an evil of
much lesser proportion than the theft
of one thousand dollars.
Is Clarence Saints name?
The name Clarence is derived from
the Latin, and signifies Illustrious
The Roman Martyrology commence
rates, on April rs, st. Clarence, who
was Bishop of Vienne, in France.
Would non-Catholic who is a mem
Der of the Odd Fellows have to drop
membership in the lodge in order to
join the Catholic Church? Would he
have to reveal any of its secrets?
A Catholic is forbidden by the
Church to belong to the Odd Fellows
and all Masonic branches. A convert
would be obliged to drop membership
in this society, but would not be
obliged to reveal it's secrets.
Do you claim that we Protestants
do not possess and believe the pure
Gospel of Jesus?
We do so claim. If your denomina-
tions possessed the pure Gospel of our
Lord, how do you explain the numer.