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You might say the Society of Jesus was born on a sick bed
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. The plan, then, is that we will reflect on some of the outstanding saints of the Society of Jesus, see some of their spirituality and see what we can learn from both their sanctity and their zeal for souls. The logical one to begin with is...
To achieve the Beatific Vision: we need grace
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J Part One: Grace Considered Extensively. Chapter I: Why Grace? Why do we have sacraments? To give us grace. But is grace the ultimate, the “end of the line?” Is it an end in itself, a gift of God which we are simply to have, a treasure just...
Christ wants people to be near Him
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. Our present conference, the first of two, will be on prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. As we come to the end of our series of conferences on the priestly spirituality of Father Gerald, we approach what I consider the heart of his...
Course on Grace
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. INTRODUCTION Grace is one of the most complex, ramifying and difficult of subjects, yet one most fruitful to mind and soul. We like to characterize the world of grace as a hidden world, within the world that we know rather well. Our most...
The Spirit Speaks Through the Church on Every Occasion
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. We commonly think of the Church’s teaching authority in connection with controversies that arise among Catholic scholars or when some issue touching on faith or morals threatens the integrity of the Christian religion. No doubt the Church...
Our Lord promised that if we possess the truth we shall be free
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. The most fundamental need of human beings is to know the truth. Unless they know the truth, they cannot choose what is truly good. What is truly good is that which leads us to eternal life. The focus of the present issue of The Catholic...
In his judgment, these and other great mystics of Christianity were insane
Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. Let me begin by quoting from a standard dictionary. "A vision is something seen otherwise than by the ordinary sight: an imaging, supernatural, or prophetic sight beheld in sleep or ecstasy; especially one that conveys a revelation." A...
The Trinity is the pattern for our liberty
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is the most fundamental of our faith. On it everything else depends and from it everything else derives. Hence the Church’s constant concern to safeguard the revealed truth that God is One in nature and Three...
The soul’s loving desire to undo the evil committed by sin
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. The following is the class discussion that followed from Fr. Hardon's biographical sketch of Saint Catherine of Siena. Just a few notes: you should all have received a quiz on Catherine of Siena. You don't have to read much of her life to...
Is the United States the most sectarian country in the world?
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. Religious historians sometimes call the United States the most sectarian country in the world. Hundreds of independent religious groups have developed and flourished in the nation. While some have been distinctly Protestant in character,...