The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1955-02-18
Official
February IS, 1855


My beloved Brethren
daily action of the Liturgy Of the Church form
lives of its members the likeness Christ the
past weeks Holy Mother has preparing for
something the of blessed profitable
Lententde She has beer urging to make decision which will
affect us in time and eternity
During these days of the preLenen called Septua
sesma have been presented with clear invitation to
seek the Kingdom of God and His justice There need of
his proud refusal Il will not serve Or give the humble
response with which Christ submitted the Will of His Heav
eny Father-I to do Thy WILL God; will will
be obedien unto death the death of the
There other decision which rests heavily upon
than to decline the invitation of God to
into His Kingdom is left to to make the choice but he
able only with the help of God 1t this
of mans free will with divine which makes
sanctiy reality in lives We all called to be saints
This that mans true dignity based in his spiritual
quality Man is earth to the world the devil the
flesh serious consideration will prove the truth
of that statement The sptualymnded understands that
truth The proud ustfu unrepentant wordng will understand
it when it too late.
certain areas of experience often
consider their personal convictions desires and appetes be-
yond the laws of God They live they exempt
all obligation Anything with their selfish desires
is condemned unreasonable More and notice this
nonsprual attitude school and family life
and the almost dolatrous following of popular modes IN
thought and conduct.
am constrained my beloved brethren to mention in this
the apparent growing responsibility of far too
Catholic the of Marmony and the
duties of family life All parents and pastors share with me
desire happiness young people We would
nothing interfere with youths ambitions and true
ov It precisely from the wise vantage point of knowledge
experience youth regard the serious char
acer of marriage The old truths do not lend themselves
bright catchy phrases but they do give the only sensible
foundation good and happy life.
Youth accept the law of God and obey the duties of
the marriage state One mares only once Sentimentsy
publicity speak excitngy about people getting divorced and
remarryng But actually they do matter what
euphemism applied to the act of setting up home with
someone while spouse living. There is only
right and that is adultery The State cannot
unmake contract which God has ratified When marry
you marry forever.
knowing infinitely than affairs of the
heart coumn the Church insists that those about to marry
in
regulations for the coed souls and the welfare Of
society They should be known and needed Times beyond
counting es happiness has been saved because priest
had to mo- when two emotional people pleaded I'VE want
get married now"
children spent months preparing for first Holy Com
priest wait before the Church considers
ready receive the Sacrament Of Holy Orders Marriage
may make break persons happiness here earth viii
certainly influence prospect Of eternal salvation The
Church wise and loving Mother speaks seriously to her
children important matter for individual and human
welfare all contemplating marriage recognize that
nfatuation is not love- that lust is not love- Love said Saint
Paul, "seeketh not its own"
These among truths which the Church gives for
serious consideration begin the of Lent They
should resolutions and actions during this
penena period Wherever there evidence of detection of
will from the service of God in dcharging duties
exactly in those that must work to strengthen our
selves in Gods love.
holy and mortified Lent directed pre-
cse to that end we are to 1--we and pray IN such manner as
bring the bodily passions and appetes under subsection
The Lenten laws of fast and abstinence the wholesome pac
tce avoiding the usual legitimate pleasures of the year. the
personal sesacrces voluntarily imposed ourselves
of the temptations which
Beyond that the God within
Fervor must participation in the Holy Sac
re of the reception of Holy essential
spiritual reading attentive devotion to Lenten and the
pous exercise of the Stations of the Cross should be the
deeper knowledge and love Of God your charity
abound in the aims asked for the works of the
Church.
Lententide spent already acceptance
the invitation extended by God His Kingdom
Anything else would be tanamount to declining that invitation
There other meaning life dear brethren than to unite
Z / to God
shall ferventy during these holy days of Lent that
heavenly Father will bring the fullfment of His
glory and the blessed happiness of heaven for all eternity
DevotedIy in Christ,
MICHAEL I READY