Q. Is this counsel given to all?
A. The Fathers of the Church teach that this counsel is recommended to all. The above words of Our Lord are unrestricted: "And _every one_ that hath left house, or brethren," etc.
_2. Perpetual Chast.i.ty._
Q. Which is the second evangelical counsel?
A. Perpetual chast.i.ty; that is, a voluntary abstaining from marriage in order to dedicate one"s self in a more special manner to the love and service of G.o.d and to the great work of salvation.
Q. Is this counsel recommended in the Sacred Scriptures and in the Fathers?
A. It certainly is, as we have seen in the chapter on "Virginity."
Q. Is this counsel of chast.i.ty recommended to all?
A. This counsel, as well as the other two evangelical counsels, is recommended to all. The Fathers say that these words, "He that can take, let him take it," mean, He that _is willing_ to take this counsel let him take it. And St. Paul says: "I would that _all men_ were even as myself."
Q. What if one should exhort people in general to choose matrimony as a state preferable to perpetual chast.i.ty?
A. Such a one would be speaking against faith, as we have seen in the chapter on "Virginity." The "Catechism of the Council of Trent" says: "As it is the duty of the pastor to propose to himself the holiness and perfection of the faithful, his earnest desires _must be in full accordance_ with those of the Apostle when, writing to the Corinthians, he says: "I would that all men were even as myself;" that is," continue the Fathers of Trent, "that all embraced the virtue of continence." The marginal _resume_ of this paragraph in the "Catechism of the Council of Trent" is: "A life of continence _to be desired by all_."
_3. Obedience._
Q. Which is the third evangelical counsel?
A. Entire obedience; that is, a total subjection of one"s will to that of lawful superiors in all that is not sin.
Q. What Scripture warrant have we for this counsel?
A. The life of Christ was a continual model of perfect obedience. From twelve to thirty years of age all that we are told of Him in the Sacred Scriptures is that "He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them." Obedience is a most effectual means of subduing self-will and self-love, which are our most fatal enemies. "An obedient man shall speak of victory," because obedience draws down a most special and abundant grace; for so pleasing is it to G.o.d that He says of it: "Obedience is better than sacrifices."
CHAPTER VII.
THE RELIGIOUS STATE.
Q. What is the fundamental principle or essence of the religious state?
A. The three evangelical counsels, which we have just explained. Those who enter the religious state take vows to observe the counsels of poverty, chast.i.ty, and obedience.
Q. Why do so many people enter the religious state?
A. First, to promote the honor and glory of G.o.d; second, to escape the dangers of the world, and the more securely to work out their salvation; for, "What doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?" Our blessed Lord Himself a.s.sures us that "many are called, but few are chosen." "Strive to enter at the narrow gate."
Q. Why are religious happier and more cheerful than others?
A. On account of their peace of mind, and their greater hope of the eternal rewards promised to those especially who leave all to follow Jesus Christ.
Q. In what other way do you explain the happiness enjoyed by religious?
A. There is a marvellous happiness to be found in holiness of life, because the various degrees of holiness are so many steps towards G.o.d, the centre and source of all happiness. Therefore the happiness of the religious state is like that "treasure hidden in a field, which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that lie hath, and buyeth that field."
Q. Are religious useful to others as well as to themselves?
A. Religious bring many blessings to mankind by exercising the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and by "instructing many unto justice."
Religious follow in a special manner the admonition of the Apostle: "Labor the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election."
Besides making their own salvation more secure, religious undoubtedly contribute to the salvation of thousands of souls.
Q. This thought is certainly very startling, but how can the matter be explained?
A. Next after the priests of G.o.d, religious contribute much to keep up the faith and the spiritual life of the Church.
The princ.i.p.al cause of the loss of innumerable souls is the want of early religious teaching and religious training. By the various teaching communities of religious priests, brothers, and sisters, thousands are saved; for in youth their pupils acquire a love and a practical knowledge of faith; they are nurtured in purity and piety, and they are enlightened and encouraged in habits of industry and sobriety.
The good that religious teachers accomplish is not confined to one cla.s.s or to a life"s work; for, through the pupils, the result of religious training will extend to generations yet unborn.
Q. Can you ill.u.s.trate this principle by particular instances?
A. Yes; a certain religious sister has been instrumental in the hands of G.o.d in fostering vocations in numerous young men, eight of whom have already become priests; and out of a number of girls taught and trained by her during thirty years, sixty-four have become religious sisters. These latter have been for years teaching, and moulding the characters of children, and thus protecting them against the deceitful snares of the world; and, besides the countless hosts of good Christians prepared by them for the Church and for society, these sixty-four sisters have, in their turn, fostered many vocations to the priesthood and to the religious state.
In Father Abbelen"s beautiful biography of Mother Caroline we read many such elevating sentiments as the following: "It was, above all, her ardent, faith-inspired love of children that gained their hearts and exercised an irresistible influence over their affections. Thus did Mother Caroline unconsciously attract young girls and inspire them with a wish to become sisters."
Q. In what other way do religious contribute to the salvation of souls?
A. From thousands of hospitals and other asylums of mercy and charity numberless souls go up daily to heaven after having reformed their lives under the nursing hands, the hopeful words, and the prayerful hearts of religious men and women.
CHAPTER VIII.