The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-01-12
THE HOLY FAMILY.

Philosophers and writer's Of all
ages have discussed the origin, de-
velopment and nature Of human
society. They have endeavored
to base their theories upon the ex-
istence Of tribal or community re-
lations The tribe and the com
mmity have been looked upon fire.
quently as the foundation Of the
state. Even admitting the grega-
rious nature of man-his tendency
to live in the society Of his fell
lows-it still seems perfectly true
that, ON final analysis, the family
constitutes the first unit to be
considered in speaking of society.
Both reason and revelation
point to the real nature Of the
family as an individual unit in
human society. By reason Of vari-
Gus qualities and Of responsible
ity the father naturally is looked
upon as the head Of that small
group. The mother may WELD
the greater influence, at times,
she may be possessed personally
of higher qualities than those to
be found in the father; but the
fact remains that both God and
nature intended the father to rule
the tiny domain placed under his
care. yIn
The Holy Family of Nazareth
stands forth on the pages of his
tory as the most perfect example
among these countless groups.
The perfection of the three indi-
viduals composing that unit en-
sured the utmost harmony and the
exceptional spirit of unity that
reigned therein. This Family was
intended to be a luminous exam
pie for all future units Of similar
kind under the Christian dispen-
sation. Scripture shows us that
Christ went down to Nazareth
with his parents and was subject
to them. st. Joseph watched over
the welfare Of his spouse and his
foster child: Mary was the per-
lection of maternal love and of
conjugal affection.
Contemplation Of this exalted
trio leads one to consider other
families that are supposed and ex-
pected to be modelled after that
pattern. Speaking of Catholics
only, a doubt often arises as to
whether some Of our homes repre-
sent families or penal institutions.
Human nature, it is true, will fire.
quently crop out in it's worst man
ifestations. It is to be expected
that parents and children will
sometimes give way to weakness
or frailty in one form or another.
Amongst Catholics, however, there
is absolutely no reason why such
weakness or frailty should be car
ried to excess: Faith and Chris
tianity should be sufficient checks
upon every Catholic.
The tendency in family life in
Catholic countries has usually
been towards concentration; the
Individual members look upon the
family circle as magnet, which
ever and always draws them to-
its sacred precincts. The spirit of
the modern family, however, seems
to be one of gradual disintegra-
ton. The members take less and
always less interest in the welfare
of one another. Husband or wife
both indulge in the
unreasonable and unbearable
habit of nagging. Each one ceases
to remember or to recognize those
good qualities which they admit
ted and admired during the period
of their courtship. Of all things
in the circle Of family troubles
there is nothing that will drive an
innocent victim to despair and
ruin more quickly and effectively
than a nagging husband except
it be nagging wife. Such an
evil persisted in has broken up
more families, possibly, than any
other one cause. Even where the
family remains united, for the sake
of the children, life becomes, one
unmitigated campaign Of bitter
ness. Love is killed, regard and
quickly disappear, mu-
tual distrust is established which
but death can dissolve.
While opinions may differ as to
the cause of family dissensions, it |
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