PORTA FIDEIPORTA FIDEI Benedict XVI Benedict XVI

on the Year of Faithon the Year of Faith11 Oct 2012 to 24 Nov 201311 Oct 2012 to 24 Nov 2013

A Commentary by Dr. Raul Nidoy

Doctor of TheologyParents for Education

Foundation

Outline Outline (hyperlinked)(hyperlinked)

1. Need for Year of Faith: rediscover1. Need for Year of Faith: rediscover 2. Timing: Vat II/CCC2. Timing: Vat II/CCC

3. Renewal of the Church: conversion3. Renewal of the Church: conversion 4.4. Commitment to new Commitment to new evangelizationevangelization 5.5. Reflection on faith Reflection on faith 6. Content and act of faith: 6. Content and act of faith: unityunity 7. CCC as indispensable tool7. CCC as indispensable tool 8. Retrace history of faith8. Retrace history of faith 9. Intensify witness of 9. Intensify witness of charitycharity10.Relationship with Christ10.Relationship with Christ AnnexAnnex

Color code Color code • Green with relay baton-actual words Green with relay baton-actual words

of Porta Fidei (faith of Porta Fidei (faith andand transmission of faith) transmission of faith)

• Blue slides/yellow text - commentaryBlue slides/yellow text - commentary• White slides –White slides –Teaching Faith in the Teaching Faith in the

Family: Some guidelines from Family: Some guidelines from Blessed Josemaria EscrivaBlessed Josemaria Escriva by by Michele DolzMichele Dolz

NeedNeed

The door of faith: always The door of faith: always openopen

The door of faith is always The door of faith is always open for us,open for us,-ushering us into the life of -ushering us into the life of communion with God and communion with God and -offering entry into his -offering entry into his Church. Church.

It is possible when…It is possible when…• It is possible to cross the threshold It is possible to cross the threshold

whenwhen– the Word of God is the Word of God is proclaimedproclaimed and and – The heart The heart allowsallows itself to be shaped by itself to be shaped by

transforming grace transforming grace

• Example: Fr. Penacoba, a Protestant Example: Fr. Penacoba, a Protestant and confessionand confession

Setting out on a journeySetting out on a journey• To enter through that door is to set out on To enter through that door is to set out on

a a journey that lasts a lifetimejourney that lasts a lifetime..– Begins with Baptism – we address God as Begins with Baptism – we address God as

FatherFather– Through Death to eternal lifeThrough Death to eternal life

• To profess faith in Trinity is to believe in To profess faith in Trinity is to believe in one one God who is Love God who is Love – God is love: Everything must start from God is love: Everything must start from

here and everything must lead to here, here and everything must lead to here, every pastoral action, every theological every pastoral action, every theological treatise. – Benedict XVI 22 April 2007treatise. – Benedict XVI 22 April 2007

RediscoverRediscover the journey of faith: the journey of faith:Joy and enthusiasmJoy and enthusiasm

• So as to shed ever clearer light on So as to shed ever clearer light on the the joy and renewed joy and renewed enthusiasmenthusiasm of the encounter of the encounter with Christ with Christ – Lead people out of the desert, Lead people out of the desert,

towards the place of life, towards towards the place of life, towards friendship with the Son of Godfriendship with the Son of God

Profound crisis of faithProfound crisis of faith• Christians - more concerned for Christians - more concerned for

social, cultural, political social, cultural, political consequencesconsequences

• Past: unitary cultural matrix with Past: unitary cultural matrix with appeal to the content of the faith appeal to the content of the faith – Warren Carrol: Europe is in apostasyWarren Carrol: Europe is in apostasy– Christian matrix in the Philippines is Christian matrix in the Philippines is

being corroded by the influence of the being corroded by the influence of the WestWest

Philippines: Vanguard of Philippines: Vanguard of Christianity needs vast re-Christianity needs vast re-

evangelizationevangelization• Sexual sinsSexual sins

– RH – supported by 100 lawmakers, abetted RH – supported by 100 lawmakers, abetted by Catholic theologians; Catholic by Catholic theologians; Catholic universities receive pro-RH fundinguniversities receive pro-RH funding

– Porn use – top 8 in the world (revenues)Porn use – top 8 in the world (revenues)– Homosexuality – acceptedHomosexuality – accepted– Many sensual billboards – public incitement Many sensual billboards – public incitement

to sin to sin

Philippines: Vanguard of Philippines: Vanguard of Christianity needs vast re-Christianity needs vast re-evangelizationevangelization• Sunday Mass AttendanceSunday Mass Attendance

– 15% are church-goers (2012 rough 15% are church-goers (2012 rough estimate of Frank Padilla, CFC-FFL)estimate of Frank Padilla, CFC-FFL)

– 48% (2006) down from 56% (1995-48% (2006) down from 56% (1995-2000) – adults who 2000) – adults who saysay they attend they attend Mass "once" or "more than once a Mass "once" or "more than once a week.“ week.“ (Center for Applied Research in the (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate: Apostolate: http://cara.georgetown.edu/CARAServices/intmassattendance.hthttp://cara.georgetown.edu/CARAServices/intmassattendance.html)ml)

Philippines: Vanguard of Philippines: Vanguard of Christianity needs “vast re-Christianity needs “vast re-

evangelization”evangelization”

Leaders whose faith and Christian moral Leaders whose faith and Christian moral doctrine (natural law=reasoned ethics) is doctrine (natural law=reasoned ethics) is divorced from their public & company divorced from their public & company policiespolicies

Corruption – 129Corruption – 129thth/182 (TI 2011)/182 (TI 2011) Superstition and ignorance of faithSuperstition and ignorance of faithNew Evangelization targets: New Evangelization targets:

Baptized Non-believers; Non-practicing, Baptized Non-believers; Non-practicing, immoral Catholicsimmoral Catholics New ardor, methods (JPII)New ardor, methods (JPII)

Ratzinger: Root issue is Ratzinger: Root issue is truthtruthTwo aspects:Two aspects:• Dictatorship of relativism (no truth)Dictatorship of relativism (no truth)

--> no true religion--> no true religion• Self-limitation of reason to scientific Self-limitation of reason to scientific

facts (truth outside of science cannot facts (truth outside of science cannot be known)be known)--> no need for faith in invisible --> no need for faith in invisible

realityreality--> amputates and dishonors reason--> amputates and dishonors reason

Strengths to build on Strengths to build on • 94% of Filipinos always believed in 94% of Filipinos always believed in

God (2012 survey)God (2012 survey)• 98% against abortion (2010 survey) 98% against abortion (2010 survey) • Only country without divorce lawOnly country without divorce law• ““Last country standing” without Last country standing” without

nationwide contraception lawnationwide contraception law

We cannot acceptWe cannot accept• That salt should become tasteless or That salt should become tasteless or

light be kept hidden.light be kept hidden.

• People of today can still People of today can still experienceexperience the the need to go to the wellneed to go to the well

• We must We must rediscover a tasterediscover a taste for feeding for feeding ourselves on the word of God and on the ourselves on the word of God and on the bread of life. bread of life.

• Teaching of Jesus resounds with the Teaching of Jesus resounds with the same powersame power

Jesus’ teaching is about Jesus’ teaching is about realityreality

TrueTrue

FalseFalse

REALITYMINDGod andEternal Law

Man andMoral law

World and Physical laws

Nothing is truer than the words of Truth

TimingTiming

Begin: 11 Oct 2012Begin: 11 Oct 2012• 5050thth Anniversary of Opening of Vatican II Anniversary of Opening of Vatican II• 2020thth Anniversary of CCC – power and Anniversary of CCC – power and

beauty of faithbeauty of faith• General Assembly of Synod of Bishops: General Assembly of Synod of Bishops:

New Evangelization for the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian FaithTransmission of the Christian Faith

• End: 24 Nov 2013: Christ Universal KingEnd: 24 Nov 2013: Christ Universal King

Good opportunityGood opportunity

Good opportunity to usher the whole Good opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of Church into a time of particularparticular reflection and rediscovery of faith reflection and rediscovery of faith

OpportunityOpportunity-favorable time for doing something -favorable time for doing something -chance to improve something-chance to improve somethingSeize it and not waste it (Carpe Seize it and not waste it (Carpe annum!)annum!)

Paul VI and YOF 1967:Paul VI and YOF 1967:exact knowledge of faith exact knowledge of faith

to reinvigorate itto reinvigorate it

• Necessity: grave difficulties of the timeNecessity: grave difficulties of the time• Whole Church: authentic sincere Whole Church: authentic sincere

profession of same faithprofession of same faith• Own again Own again ““exactexact knowledge of faith knowledge of faith

so as to reinvigorate, purify it, so as to reinvigorate, purify it, confirm it and confess it.” confirm it and confess it.”

Theology of the body:Theology of the body:JPII’s sexual revolutionJPII’s sexual revolution• Purpose: Exact explanation of Church Purpose: Exact explanation of Church

teaching on sexuality so as to teaching on sexuality so as to turnaround the proliferation of sexual turnaround the proliferation of sexual sins and lead people towards redeemed sins and lead people towards redeemed sexuality (total self-giving love)sexuality (total self-giving love)

• Importance of transmitting this papal Importance of transmitting this papal teaching teaching

• St Josemaria: faithfulness…requires St Josemaria: faithfulness…requires opportune doctrinal developments in opportune doctrinal developments in the exposition of the riches of the the exposition of the riches of the deposit of faith. deposit of faith.

• TOB thesis: only the human body is capable of TOB thesis: only the human body is capable of making visible what is invisiblemaking visible what is invisible

• Sex is sacredSex is sacred icon, language, responsibility, icon, language, responsibility, worshipworship– Not a plaything to be trivialized, Not a plaything to be trivialized,

profanedprofaned• Human bodies are Human bodies are persons to be lovedpersons to be loved, served , served

and savedand saved– Not things to be Not things to be usedused – for selfish ends – for selfish ends

• Man is Man is created for lovecreated for love: self-giving with : self-giving with self-mastery and reasonself-mastery and reason

Renewal of the ChurchRenewal of the Church

Through Vatican II texts and Through Vatican II texts and Renewed conversionRenewed conversion

Renewal and Vatican II:Renewal and Vatican II: Year of Faith 2012-13 Year of Faith 2012-13

• JPII: Texts have lost nothing of their JPII: Texts have lost nothing of their value and brilliancevalue and brilliance– Need to be read correctly, to be widely Need to be read correctly, to be widely

known, taken to heart as important and known, taken to heart as important and normative texts of Magisteriumnormative texts of Magisterium

– Great grace bestowed on the ChurchGreat grace bestowed on the Church• B16: powerful for renewal of the B16: powerful for renewal of the

Church Church

Renewal through Renewal through witness of lives of believerswitness of lives of believers

• LG8: Church follows path of penance LG8: Church follows path of penance and renewal…is and renewal…is given strengthgiven strength to to overcome its sorrows and difficulties so overcome its sorrows and difficulties so that it may reveal the mystery of its that it may reveal the mystery of its Lord. Lord.

• YOF: Summons to YOF: Summons to authentic authentic conversionconversion to the Lord to the Lord – Reveal fullness of LoveReveal fullness of Lovecall to call to

conversionconversion new life: faith working new life: faith working through love (new criterion of action)through love (new criterion of action)

Renewal greatly depends Renewal greatly depends on….on….• To a great extent, the renewal of the To a great extent, the renewal of the

Church throughout the world Church throughout the world depends depends on the renewal of the practice of on the renewal of the practice of PenancePenance and the and the growth in holiness growth in holiness which that sacrament both inspires and which that sacrament both inspires and accomplishes.accomplishes.

• The liberating power of this sacrament needs The liberating power of this sacrament needs to be to be rediscoveredrediscovered and and owned once againowned once again by by every Catholic. every Catholic.

•Benedict XVI, in the United StatesBenedict XVI, in the United States

Dolz: Teaching faith in Dolz: Teaching faith in the family in St. the family in St.

JosemariaJosemaria• Faith is a search for holiness,

complete identification with Christ

• It is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me: Christian moral activity is consequence of the life of Christ in his soul

• “Christian, recognize your dignity” (start of CCC on morality, Life in Christ)

• Make people and children aware of this

• High goal of holiness – not to be lowered (“failure of Christ in Christian families” when they refuse the vocation to celibacy)– JPII: never hide the radical

demands of the Gospel• Core of Christian education: Leading

someone to be a soul of prayer and to the sacraments (expressions of divinized person)

Teaching faith in the familyTeaching faith in the family

Stronger Commitment to Stronger Commitment to New EvangelizationNew Evangelization

What impels us to What impels us to evangelizationevangelization

• Caritas Christi urget nosCaritas Christi urget nos: It is the : It is the love of Christ that fills our hearts that love of Christ that fills our hearts that impels us to evangelization. impels us to evangelization.

• Jesus convokes ChurchJesus convokes Church– Mandate: proclaim the GospelMandate: proclaim the Gospel

• Need: stronger commitment to new Need: stronger commitment to new evangelization to rediscover evangelization to rediscover joyjoy of of believing and believing and enthusiasmenthusiasm for for communicating the faith. communicating the faith.

Two parts of Christ’s last words: Two parts of Christ’s last words: (1)(1) Go and make disciplesGo and make disciples of all the nations… of all the nations…(2)(2) Teaching them Teaching them to observe to observe all that I all that I

have commandedhave commanded22ndnd command contains teaching the first command contains teaching the first commandcommand

Why are the Protestants more zealous Why are the Protestants more zealous evangelizers? Perhaps because they teach evangelizers? Perhaps because they teach the Great Commission! the Great Commission!

Teach the last commands of Teach the last commands of ChristChristbecause he commanded us to teach thembecause he commanded us to teach them

How missionary How missionary commitment and faith growcommitment and faith grow

• Rediscovering Rediscovering Jesus’ loveJesus’ loveHow to reconcile with Paul VI”s “exact How to reconcile with Paul VI”s “exact knowledge of the faith to reinvigorate it”?knowledge of the faith to reinvigorate it”?This is the exact essence of the faith itself!This is the exact essence of the faith itself!

• Faith grows when Faith grows when – it is lived as an it is lived as an experience of love experience of love

receivedreceived and and – it is communicated as an it is communicated as an experience of experience of

grace and joygrace and joy

Rediscovering Jesus’ love:Rediscovering Jesus’ love:experiencing love receivedexperiencing love received• Strategy of Benedict XVI: Deus caritas Strategy of Benedict XVI: Deus caritas

est/Jesus of Nazareth-friendship with est/Jesus of Nazareth-friendship with Christ/ Sacramentum Caritatis/Spe Christ/ Sacramentum Caritatis/Spe salvisalvi

• Dom Chautard: When the love of Jesus Dom Chautard: When the love of Jesus is preached by a true missionary who is preached by a true missionary who is able to make his hearers is able to make his hearers share in share in the sentimentsthe sentiments with which he is with which he is filled, it is a guarantee of success. filled, it is a guarantee of success.

Jesus’ loveJesus’ love• As the Father loves me, so As the Father loves me, so I love youI love you. . • Greater love Greater love than this no one has than than this no one has than

he who lays down his life for his he who lays down his life for his friendsfriends. . • I have chosen you.I have chosen you.• Gift of all created things, Gift of our freedom Gift of all created things, Gift of our freedom

and intelligence, Gift of grace – his own Divine and intelligence, Gift of grace – his own Divine Life (!) through the sacraments, Gift of his Life (!) through the sacraments, Gift of his sacrifice on the Cross, Gift of the enduring sacrifice on the Cross, Gift of the enduring presence of his self-oblation in the Eucharist, presence of his self-oblation in the Eucharist, Gift of his continuous mercy and tender gaze Gift of his continuous mercy and tender gaze towards us. towards us.

God’s supreme gift is his God’s supreme gift is his eroseros• God’s supreme love: The revelation God’s supreme love: The revelation

of God’s eros man is the supreme of God’s eros man is the supreme expression of His agape [gift of self] expression of His agape [gift of self] – Benedict XVI, Lent 2007– Benedict XVI, Lent 2007

• Eros=passionate yearning and Eros=passionate yearning and begging for union with usbegging for union with us

I thirst

Experience of love receivedExperience of love receivedCommunicatedCommunicated as experience as experience of joyof joy• This happens in the apostolate of This happens in the apostolate of

friendship: love of benevolencefriendship: love of benevolence• Friendship is an experience of Friendship is an experience of

love received and love received and communicated, full of joycommunicated, full of joy

• Source of the greatest pleasure; Source of the greatest pleasure; nothing more prized on earth nothing more prized on earth than friendship – St. Thomasthan friendship – St. Thomas

• St. Augustine: believers strengthen St. Augustine: believers strengthen themselves themselves by believingby believing

• No other possibility for possessing No other possibility for possessing certitude with regard to one’s lifecertitude with regard to one’s life apart from self-abandonment into apart from self-abandonment into hands of a love that grows constantly hands of a love that grows constantly because it has its origin in God.because it has its origin in God.

Reflection on faithReflection on faith

Bishops: Recall the Bishops: Recall the precious gift of faithprecious gift of faith

• Intensifying reflection on faithIntensifying reflection on faith

Believers to acquire Believers to acquire a more conscious a more conscious and vigorous adherenceand vigorous adherence to the Gospel to the Gospel at a time of profound change. at a time of profound change.

Goal of formation: Goal of formation: moral consciousness and moral consciousness and interior freedominterior freedom

““conscious willing for love of God, conscious willing for love of God, independent of emotional states, independent of emotional states, environment, difficulties” environment, difficulties”

We want this year to:We want this year to:• Arouse in every believer the aspiration Arouse in every believer the aspiration

to to profess the faithprofess the faith in fullness and in fullness and renewed conviction (public profession of renewed conviction (public profession of faith)faith)

• Intensify the celebration of the Intensify the celebration of the faith in faith in the liturgythe liturgy, esp in Eucharist, esp in Eucharist

• Make believer’s witness of life to Make believer’s witness of life to grow grow in credibility in credibility

• Make believers rediscover Make believers rediscover content of content of faithfaith and reflect on the and reflect on the act of faithact of faith

Good news: 94% of Filipinos Good news: 94% of Filipinos always believed in Godalways believed in God

94% of Filipinos “always believed in God” 94% of Filipinos “always believed in God” -- highest in 2012 international survey, 30 -- highest in 2012 international survey, 30 countries (NORC, Chicago)countries (NORC, Chicago)

Build on this strength to make them Build on this strength to make them firmlyfirmly believe in Jesus and in believe in Jesus and in everything everything Jesus teaches through his Church and put Jesus teaches through his Church and put them into practicethem into practice

Belief in God: yes to Belief in God: yes to everything he teaches everything he teaches through his Churchthrough his Church

Faith is: Faith is: first of all a personal adherence of first of all a personal adherence of

man man to God. to God. At the same time, and inseparably, it At the same time, and inseparably, it

is ais a free assent free assent to the whole truthto the whole truth that God has revealed. (CCC 150 that God has revealed. (CCC 150 quoted by Vatican Note)quoted by Vatican Note)

Workshop: how to build on Workshop: how to build on Filipinos’ stable belief in Filipinos’ stable belief in God to make them firm God to make them firm practitioners of Catholic practitioners of Catholic faith and morals and faith and morals and zealous evangelizerszealous evangelizers

Belief in God: yes to Belief in God: yes to everything he teaches everything he teaches through his Churchthrough his ChurchCredibility of Jesus: Nothing is truer Credibility of Jesus: Nothing is truer

than the words of Truththan the words of TruthCredibility of the Church: on this Credibility of the Church: on this

Rock I will build my Church; He who Rock I will build my Church; He who hears you hears mehears you hears me

Connect the truths to Jesus’ WordConnect the truths to Jesus’ Word

Creed: Creed: daily prayer of the early daily prayer of the early

ChristiansChristians• St. Augustine: Creed: words on St. Augustine: Creed: words on

which the faith of Mother Church is which the faith of Mother Church is firmly builtfirmly built– Keep it present in minds and heartsKeep it present in minds and hearts– Repeat in bedsRepeat in beds– Recall in public squareRecall in public square– Not to forget during mealsNot to forget during meals– Watch with your hearts when asleepWatch with your hearts when asleep

CCC outlineCCC outlineI believe. We believeI believe. We believe• Man’s Capacity for GodMan’s Capacity for God

– Desire, natural knowledge of GodDesire, natural knowledge of God• God comes to meet manGod comes to meet man

– Revelation and its transmission (Bible, Revelation and its transmission (Bible, Tradition, Magisterium)Tradition, Magisterium)

• Man’s response to GodMan’s response to God– Faith - assent to God the revealer. CCC Faith - assent to God the revealer. CCC

143143

Act of the faith andAct of the faith andContent of faithContent of faith

Heart is opened by graceHeart is opened by grace• St Paul: Man St Paul: Man believes in his believes in his

heartheart and so is justified/ He and so is justified/ He confesses with his lipsconfesses with his lips and so and so is saved. is saved.

• Heart: faith is God’s gift, action Heart: faith is God’s gift, action of graceof grace– ““The Lord opened Lydia’s heartThe Lord opened Lydia’s heart

to give heed to what was said by to give heed to what was said by Paul”Paul”

– Knowing content is not sufficient Knowing content is not sufficient unless heart is opened by graceunless heart is opened by grace

Primacy of the prayer and Primacy of the prayer and gracegrace• Without me you can do nothing - JesusWithout me you can do nothing - Jesus• Stupidity:Stupidity:

– The illusion of the apostle that he could The illusion of the apostle that he could produce the slightest trace of produce the slightest trace of supernatural life without supernatural life without borrowing borrowing every bit of it from Jesus Christevery bit of it from Jesus Christ would would lead us to believe that his ignorance of lead us to believe that his ignorance of theology was equaled only by his stupid theology was equaled only by his stupid self-conceit. (Soul of the Apostolate) self-conceit. (Soul of the Apostolate)

• Pray: Increase our faith! Help our unbelief!Pray: Increase our faith! Help our unbelief!

Social and public Social and public responsibility for what we responsibility for what we

believebelieve• Faith is not private actFaith is not private act• Choosing to Choosing to stand with the Lordstand with the Lord so as to so as to

live with himlive with him– Understanding reasons for believing Understanding reasons for believing – Free act: demands social responsibility for Free act: demands social responsibility for

what one believes (Pentecost: courageous what one believes (Pentecost: courageous public proclamation of faith) public proclamation of faith)

• Since you freely chose to adhere to Christ Since you freely chose to adhere to Christ and all his teachings, you have to take and all his teachings, you have to take responsibility in professing, transmitting responsibility in professing, transmitting and defending them publicly – with and defending them publicly – with publicly acceptable reasoningpublicly acceptable reasoning

Kingly office of the laityKingly office of the laity

• CCC 909: Uniting their forces, let the CCC 909: Uniting their forces, let the laity laity remedyremedy the institutions and the institutions and conditions of the world when the latter conditions of the world when the latter are an inducement to sin, that these may are an inducement to sin, that these may be be conformed to the norms of justiceconformed to the norms of justice, , favoring rather than hindering the favoring rather than hindering the practice of virtuepractice of virtue. .

• By so doing they will impregnate culture By so doing they will impregnate culture and human works with a and human works with a moral valuemoral value..

Reverence for God and religion

Love for the family

Respect for life

Reverence for sexuality

Stewardship of material goods

Social justice

Truth in communication

Church primary subject of Church primary subject of faithfaith

• CCC 168: It is the Church that believes CCC 168: It is the Church that believes first, and so bears, nourishes and sustains first, and so bears, nourishes and sustains my faith. my faith.

• Do I really have to go to church? Response Do I really have to go to church? Response of Jason Evertof Jason Evert

• God yes, Church no? God yes, Church no? – Response of Card. Ratzinger: This Response of Card. Ratzinger: This

expresses a God I desire and can manipulate. expresses a God I desire and can manipulate. God cannot be separated from the concrete God cannot be separated from the concrete reality by which he speaksreality by which he speaks

– Jesus to his Apostles: He who hears you Jesus to his Apostles: He who hears you hears me. hears me.

Knowledge of content of Knowledge of content of faith:faith:

essential for giving assentessential for giving assent• Nihil volitum, nisi praecognitum Nihil volitum, nisi praecognitum

(permanent law of reality(permanent law of reality only truth only truth sets free)sets free)

sense knowledgesense knowledgeimaginative knowledgeimaginative knowledgeemotional knowledgeemotional knowledgeexperiential knowledgeexperiential knowledgeintuitive knowledgeintuitive knowledgeanalogical knowledgeanalogical knowledgeintellectual knowledgeintellectual knowledge

Cognitive-behavioral therapy –correcting thoughts that influence behavior

Achieving Chastity in a Achieving Chastity in a Pornographic World Pornographic World by TG by TG MorrowMorrow• Truth sets free: exact knowledge of the Truth sets free: exact knowledge of the

theology of the body leads to freedom from theology of the body leads to freedom from sexual addictionsexual addiction

• JPII: “For the prompting of carnal desire to JPII: “For the prompting of carnal desire to disappear completely, a man must know ‘why’ disappear completely, a man must know ‘why’ he is containing them”he is containing them”

• One must hammer away with reason, to convert One must hammer away with reason, to convert his heart to the truth. We are more attracted to his heart to the truth. We are more attracted to truth than to pleasure – Fr. TG Morrowtruth than to pleasure – Fr. TG Morrow

• Book is available for free in the internet. Google Book is available for free in the internet. Google the book. the book. See slide 19 on TOB in a nutshell

Searching for ultimate Searching for ultimate meaning and definitive meaning and definitive

truth of life truth of life • Search: Preamble of the faith Search: Preamble of the faith • Reason: bears within itself demand Reason: bears within itself demand

for what is perennially valid and for what is perennially valid and lasting lasting – Demand: permanent summons to Demand: permanent summons to find find

the Onethe One whom we would not be seeking whom we would not be seeking had he not already set out to meet us. had he not already set out to meet us.

• Faith: an invitation to this encounterFaith: an invitation to this encounter

CCC CCC an indispensable toolan indispensable tool

Indispensable =Cannot be set aside; absolutely necessary

or essential

Catechism of the Catholic Catechism of the Catholic ChurchChurch

rediscover and studyrediscover and study• Systematic knowledge of content of the faithSystematic knowledge of content of the faith• Precious and indispensable toolPrecious and indispensable tool• One of the most important fruits of Vat IIOne of the most important fruits of Vat II• JPII: very important contribution to the work JPII: very important contribution to the work

of renewing the whole life of the Churchof renewing the whole life of the Church– The decline in priestly vocations bottomed out in The decline in priestly vocations bottomed out in

the 90s after the CCC was published. the 90s after the CCC was published.

• YOF: YOF: concerted effortconcerted effort to rediscovery and to rediscovery and studystudy

Catechism of the Catholic Catechism of the Catholic Church:Church:

structurestructure• Not a theory but an Not a theory but an Encounter with a Encounter with a

PersonPerson who lives within the Church who lives within the ChurchProfession of faithProfession of faithSacramental life – in which Christ is present, Sacramental life – in which Christ is present,

operative and continues to build his Churchoperative and continues to build his Church- without this, prof of faith would lack - without this, prof of faith would lack efficacyefficacy

Moral life – acquires full meaning in relation Moral life – acquires full meaning in relation with faith, liturgy and prayer. with faith, liturgy and prayer.

CCC: real support for the CCC: real support for the faithfaith

• Tool for those concerned with Tool for those concerned with formation of Christiansformation of Christians

• I have invited the Congregation for I have invited the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to draw up the Doctrine of the Faith to draw up a a Note, …Note, …guidelines on how to live guidelines on how to live this Year of Faith in the most this Year of Faith in the most effective and appropriate wayseffective and appropriate ways

CDF Note – how to live YOFCDF Note – how to live YOF

• Wider distribution and deeper knowledge of Wider distribution and deeper knowledge of CCCCCC

• Distribute pamphlets on apologetics (reasons Distribute pamphlets on apologetics (reasons for the faith)for the faith)

• Formative resources for familiesFormative resources for families– Google “Teaching Faith in the Family Dolz”Google “Teaching Faith in the Family Dolz”

• Show relevance within academic disciplines Show relevance within academic disciplines of CCC contentof CCC content

CDF Note – how to live YOFCDF Note – how to live YOF

• Catechetical events on the beauty of the Catechetical events on the beauty of the ecclesial faith. Study day on Vatican II ecclesial faith. Study day on Vatican II documentsdocuments

• Maximize catechetical potential of artistic Maximize catechetical potential of artistic patrimonypatrimony

• Active participation in the Eucharist with Active participation in the Eucharist with awarenessawareness– dialogued mass; conscious of words of liturgydialogued mass; conscious of words of liturgy

• Pilgrimages, devotion to Mary, and knowledge Pilgrimages, devotion to Mary, and knowledge of local saintsof local saints

No conflict between faith No conflict between faith and genuine scienceand genuine science

• Faith subjected to series of Faith subjected to series of questions due to change questions due to change mentalitymentality

• Church is not afraidChurch is not afraid– Demonstrate that there is no Demonstrate that there is no

conflict with scienceconflict with science– Both tend towards the truth, via Both tend towards the truth, via

different routesdifferent routes "I found it difficult to imagine there could be real conflict between scientific truth and spiritual truth. Truth is truth." Francis Collins (leader of the Human Genome Project)

Science Facts on RH BillScience Facts on RH BillBest scientists confirm Church Best scientists confirm Church standstand• Conception = fertilization (Mayo Clinic, Lejeune, Conception = fertilization (Mayo Clinic, Lejeune,

Harvard Medical School)Harvard Medical School)• Contraception and social evils (G Akerlof, Nobel Contraception and social evils (G Akerlof, Nobel

prize)prize)– Premarital sexPremarital sex– Extramarital sex Extramarital sex – Fatherless children and single-mothersFatherless children and single-mothers

• Contraception and AIDS (E Green, Harvard AIDS Contraception and AIDS (E Green, Harvard AIDS Director) Director)

• Contraception and abortion link (Contraception Contraception and abortion link (Contraception journal)journal)

• Population growth and economic growth (S Kuznets, Population growth and economic growth (S Kuznets, Nobel prize)Nobel prize)

History of our faith:History of our faith:Decisive importance in this yearDecisive importance in this year

History marked by mystery:History marked by mystery:interweaving of holiness interweaving of holiness

and sinand sin• Holiness – highlights great Holiness – highlights great

contribution that men and women have contribution that men and women have made to the growth and development made to the growth and development of the community through witness of of the community through witness of their livestheir lives

• Sin – provokes in each person a sincere Sin – provokes in each person a sincere and continuing work of conversion to and continuing work of conversion to experience mercy of the Fatherexperience mercy of the Father

Jesus ChristJesus Christpioneer and perfecter of pioneer and perfecter of

our faith (Heb 12:2)our faith (Heb 12:2)• YOF: Keep our gaze fixed on Jesus ChristYOF: Keep our gaze fixed on Jesus Christ• All anguish and longing of human heart All anguish and longing of human heart

find fulfillment in Him find fulfillment in Him – Joy of love, answers to drama of suffering Joy of love, answers to drama of suffering

and pain, power of forgiveness, victory of lifeand pain, power of forgiveness, victory of life

• Examples of faith through salvation Examples of faith through salvation history are brought into fullness of light history are brought into fullness of light in Himin Him

By faith….By faith….• Benedict XVI writes 8 paragraphs, Benedict XVI writes 8 paragraphs,

starting withstarting with “By faith….” “By faith….”– By faith, Mary accepted…By faith, Mary accepted…– By faith, the apostles left everything …By faith, the apostles left everything …– By faith, the disciples formed…By faith, the disciples formed…– By faith, the martyrs…By faith, the martyrs…– By faith, men and women consecrated By faith, men and women consecrated

their lives…their lives………..

MaryMarypurest realization of faith purest realization of faith

(CCC 149)(CCC 149)

• Accepted Angel’s word, believed messageAccepted Angel’s word, believed message• Raised hymn of praise to Most High for Raised hymn of praise to Most High for

marvels he worked in those who trust in himmarvels he worked in those who trust in him• Trusting in Joseph, took Jesus to EgyptTrusting in Joseph, took Jesus to Egypt• Followed Jesus, remained with him in Followed Jesus, remained with him in

GolgothaGolgotha• TastedTasted fruits of resurrection, fruits of resurrection, treasuredtreasured

every memory in her heart and every memory in her heart and passedpassed on on to Twelveto Twelve

Tasted fruits of the Tasted fruits of the ResurrectionResurrectionexperience of love received experience of love received • Eucharist: “absoluteness of love” (Ratzinger)Eucharist: “absoluteness of love” (Ratzinger)• Benediction: Panem de caelo praestitisti eis, Benediction: Panem de caelo praestitisti eis,

omne delectamentum in se habentem, “providing omne delectamentum in se habentem, “providing every pleasure and suited to every taste” every pleasure and suited to every taste” (Wisdom 15: 20)(Wisdom 15: 20)

• Thanksgiving after Communion: may you alone Thanksgiving after Communion: may you alone be ever … my delight, my pleasure, … my be ever … my delight, my pleasure, … my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor (St. sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor (St. Bonaventure)Bonaventure)

ApostlesApostles

• Left everythingLeft everything to follow their Master to follow their Master• Believed words (Kingdom of God) Believed words (Kingdom of God)

present & fulfilled in his person present & fulfilled in his person • Lived in Lived in communion of life with Jesuscommunion of life with Jesus• Went out to the whole world, following Went out to the whole world, following

command to bring Gospel to all command to bring Gospel to all creationcreation

• Fearlessly proclaim joy of resurrection Fearlessly proclaim joy of resurrection

Disciples and martyrsDisciples and martyrs• Disciples – formed first community Disciples – formed first community

– Teaching of ApostlesTeaching of Apostles– Breaking of the breadBreaking of the bread– PrayerPrayer– Holding possessions in common to meet Holding possessions in common to meet

needs of brethren needs of brethren • Martyrs – gave their lives, bearing Martyrs – gave their lives, bearing

witness to truth of the Gospelwitness to truth of the Gospel– Attain greatest gift of love: forgiveness Attain greatest gift of love: forgiveness

of persecutorsof persecutors

ChristiansChristians• Consecrated lives – Consecrated lives – leave all leave all

things behindthings behind (obedience, (obedience, poverty, chastity) concrete signs of poverty, chastity) concrete signs of waiting for the Lord who comes waiting for the Lord who comes without delay. without delay.

• Promoted action for justice - put Promoted action for justice - put into practice word of the Lord – into practice word of the Lord – deliverance from oppression and a deliverance from oppression and a year of favoryear of favor

Christians confessed Christians confessed beauty beauty

• Confessed beauty of following Lord Confessed beauty of following Lord Jesus – wherever they were called to Jesus – wherever they were called to bear witness: family, workplace, bear witness: family, workplace, public life, etcpublic life, etc

By faith, we too liveBy faith, we too live• By faith, we too live: by the living By faith, we too live: by the living

recognition of the Lord Jesus, recognition of the Lord Jesus, present present in our livesin our lives and in our history. and in our history.

• Christ lives in me - Those who sin Christ lives in me - Those who sin crucify the Son of God anew in their crucify the Son of God anew in their hearts (hearts (for for he is in themhe is in them)) – CCC 598; – CCC 598; Roman Catechism; Heb 6:6Roman Catechism; Heb 6:6

Witness of CharityWitness of Charity

YOF: Good opportunity to YOF: Good opportunity to intensify witness of charity intensify witness of charity

St PaulSt Paul• So faith, hope and love abide, these So faith, hope and love abide, these

three; but the greatest of these is three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13:13)love (1 Cor 13:13)

– Ratzinger, Intro to Christianity: Center Ratzinger, Intro to Christianity: Center of the formula for the essence of of the formula for the essence of ChristianityChristianity

St James: St James: faith having no works is faith having no works is

deaddead• Stronger words that have placed Stronger words that have placed

Christians under obligationChristians under obligation• If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in

lack of daily food, and one of you says lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled’ filled’ without giving them the without giving them the things needed for the bodythings needed for the body, what , what does it profit [if a man says he has does it profit [if a man says he has faith]? faith]?

Pope to Bishops of the Pope to Bishops of the PhilippinesPhilippinesPriority needs of people Priority needs of people 1.1.Communion with Pope, faith, sacramentsCommunion with Pope, faith, sacraments2.2.Spread truth about God and man – to build Spread truth about God and man – to build

just social orderjust social order3.3.Support for human life, marriage and family Support for human life, marriage and family

– using natural law– using natural law4.4. Involvement in attractive social Involvement in attractive social

communications communications 5.5.Social and economic concern – fight against Social and economic concern – fight against

corruptioncorruption

Faith and charity require Faith and charity require each othereach other

• Faith without charity – no fruit Faith without charity – no fruit (e.g. (e.g. harmful policies)harmful policies)

• Charity without faith – sentiment Charity without faith – sentiment constantly at the mercy of doubtconstantly at the mercy of doubt– Sentimental=arousing feelings of Sentimental=arousing feelings of

tenderness in a self-indulgent way, not in tenderness in a self-indulgent way, not in accord with reasonaccord with reason

• Christians love the marginalized – Christians love the marginalized – reflection of Christ’s own facereflection of Christ’s own face

• As you did it to the least of my brethren, As you did it to the least of my brethren, you did it to me. you did it to me.

Visits to the PoorVisits to the Poorand Teaching Catechismand Teaching Catechism

• Important in teaching the youngImportant in teaching the young

• Also for families to visit the poor, the Also for families to visit the poor, the sick and the imprisoned. sick and the imprisoned.

Aim at FaithAim at FaithRelationship with ChristRelationship with Christ

Paul to Timothy:Paul to Timothy:Aim at FaithAim at Faith

• Invitation directed to each of us: none Invitation directed to each of us: none of us grow lazy in faithof us grow lazy in faith– St Josemaria: faith so thick it could be cutSt Josemaria: faith so thick it could be cut

• Perceive ever anew the marvels God Perceive ever anew the marvels God works for usworks for us

• Become a living sign of the presence of Become a living sign of the presence of the Risen Lordthe Risen Lord

• What the world needs: credible witness What the world needs: credible witness – How Pangasinan was evangelized (spying How Pangasinan was evangelized (spying

on missionaries)on missionaries)

• “People who call themselves Christians … but prove to be disloyal and deceitful, insincere and proud… God wants us to be very human …struggling each day to imitate him who is Perfectus Deus, perfectus homo”

• A Christian who does not make an effort to practice the virtues, who does not struggle to fulfill his family, professional and social duties, and also to exercise his own rights, cannot be a good disciple of Christ and damages the Church.

Faith and Human VirtuesFaith and Human Virtues

May this Year of Faith….May this Year of Faith….• Make our Make our relationship with relationship with

Christ the LordChrist the Lord increasingly firm increasingly firm

– ““you love him though you do not now you love him though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. with unutterable and exalted joy.

– Central formula: “I believe in you” Central formula: “I believe in you” (Ratzinger, Intro to Christianity)(Ratzinger, Intro to Christianity)

Infidelity is infidelity to Someone Infidelity is infidelity to Someone who callswho calls

• Benedict XVI to Philippine Bishops Benedict XVI to Philippine Bishops Priority: friendship with Christ Priority: friendship with Christ (on it everything depends)(on it everything depends)

God’s revolutionGod’s revolution

The saints are the true reformers.The saints are the true reformers.

Only from the saints, only from Only from the saints, only from God does true revolution come, the God does true revolution come, the definitive way to change the world.definitive way to change the world.Benedict XVI, World Youth Day, Cologne Benedict XVI, World Youth Day, Cologne 20052005

Entrust this time of Entrust this time of grace grace

• To the Mother of GodTo the Mother of God• Proclaimed “blessed because she Proclaimed “blessed because she

believe.” believe.”

The EndThe End

Annex: Internet ResourcesAnnex: Internet Resources

Porta Fide and CDF NotePorta Fide and CDF Note

• http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20111011_porta-fidei_en.htmlproprio_20111011_porta-fidei_en.html

• http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20120106_nota-rc_con_cfaith_doc_20120106_nota-anno-fede_en.htmlanno-fede_en.html

Internet ResourcesInternet Resources

• Vatican: http://www.vatican.va/Vatican: http://www.vatican.va/• CCC: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htmCCC: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm• Catholic Education Resource Center: Catholic Education Resource Center:

http://www.catholiceducation.org/http://www.catholiceducation.org/• CBCP pastoral statements: CBCP pastoral statements:

http://cbcponline.net/v2/?page_id=1807http://cbcponline.net/v2/?page_id=1807• CBCP for life: http://cbcpforlife.com/CBCP for life: http://cbcpforlife.com/• Sin and Confession: Sin and Confession:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/64318356/Sin%20andhttp://dl.dropbox.com/u/64318356/Sin%20and%20Confession.ppt%20Confession.ppt

Internet ResourcesInternet Resources

• Chastity resources: Chastity resources: http://primacyofreason.blogspot.com/2011/1http://primacyofreason.blogspot.com/2011/12/chastity-education-internet-resources.html2/chastity-education-internet-resources.html

• Achieving Chastity in a Pornographic World:Achieving Chastity in a Pornographic World:– http://cfalive.com/resources/book-previews/http://cfalive.com/resources/book-previews/

achieving-chastity/achieving-chastity/– Powerpoint: Powerpoint:

http://uaptheo101.blogspot.com/2011/12/arrivinhttp://uaptheo101.blogspot.com/2011/12/arriving-at-peace-of-chastity.htmlg-at-peace-of-chastity.html

Permission granted Permission granted

• Permission is granted for the Permission is granted for the distribution and copying of this distribution and copying of this powerpoint.powerpoint.

• I only request for a Hail Mary to be I only request for a Hail Mary to be prayed for the intentions of the Pope. prayed for the intentions of the Pope.

Raul Nidoy Raul Nidoy raulnidoy@gmail.comraulnidoy@gmail.com