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St. Ignatius of Antioch: The Church founded by Christ is the Catholic Church
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. We Catholics in the Western world are the most educated people in two millenia of Christianity. Our minds have become filled with knowledge about everything from atomic energy to zoology. Our intellects have been sharpened to a razor’s...
John Paul II: Christless modern man is fearful and worried
On Pope John Paul II’s Tenth Anniversary A Meditation by Father John Hardon, S.J. The Holy Father Pope John Paul II celebrated the tenth anniversary of his pontificate last month. To mark the occasion, Father John Hardon has set down these reflections on what this...
There is no stability in marriage outside of Catholic Christianity
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. There are two names by which the Church refers to this sacrament – either marriage or matrimony. Most popularly when we refer to this sacrament it is "matrimony," although "marriage" is an appropriate name. I think the best place to begin...
Without Peter there is no certainty, no security, and no unity in Christianity
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. There are certain events in the Gospels that synthesize what a Catholic is supposed to be. These events are at once both mysteries and challenges. They are mysteries because, though revealed, we cannot fully understand them. That, by the...
Vincent de Paul: He had early become the confidant of the royalty
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. First, looking at your chart, you wonder what else is there to write about Vincent de Paul. His principle biographer is Coste Leonard – Coste, and then in the English translation, Leonard – in thirteen volumes, of the correspondence, the...
St. Joseph: ever the upholder of Jesus and His Virgin Mother
St. Joseph, Patron of Dedicated Souls by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. There are many good reasons why St. Joseph should be the special heavenly patron of dedicated souls - in the religious life, in the priesthood, and among the laity. But as the Church teaches, he is...
Salvation by an act of perfect love
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. Part One : Chapter V :: Grace in the Old Testament Justification in the Old Testament. Justification may be described simply as the acquisition of sanctifying grace (or of infused justice). If a man is in the state of sin (original or...
There are roots of disorder in man’s very nature
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. Part One : Chapter IV :: Grace to Adam Deiform Man. What graces were given to Adam in the state of original justice? The array of graces that made him supernatural man: the Indwelling Trinity – sanctifying grace – infused virtues – gifts of...
Neither angels nor we could merit heaven by natural powers
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. Part One : Chapter III :: Grace to the Angels We might ask many questions about the angels. Did all angels have grace? Did they have these “big” graces we have mentioned? Which graces do the angels in heaven have now? This last question is...
Our Lady is in Heaven not only with Her soul but also with Her glorified body
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin means that after Her life on earth, Mary was taken body and soul into Heaven. Unlike other saints, therefore, Our Lady is in Heaven not only with Her soul but also with Her glorified body. Pope Pius XII...